History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 73

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District No. 13 had for one of its first settlers Jacob Smith, who located in 1791 upon lot 41. He came from Adams, Massachusetts, with his family to Farmington, and experienced difficulties well calculated to daunt the courage. At

Schenectady the family and furniture were placed on board a boat, and the stock driven through the woods along the water-courses till Swift's landing was reached; thence he had his own road to make to his purchase, which he reached in thirty- one days from the time of departure. What mattered the log cabin and the dark woods now? The journey was accomplished, and a life-time before him to im- prove his condition,-and well had his persistence been rewarded In the log cabin a daughter, Zimroda Lapham, was born in 1793, and is yet living at the age of eighty-three. Here, too, was born Jared Smith, a present resident of lot 36, district No. 4. To him we are indebted for much of the information herein given, and in the history of that district will be found their history.

Jonathan Smith was one of those who came on in 1790, and his location was upon No. 31, where J. T. Wisner lives. Smith afterwards erected a frame house, in which town meetings were held on several occasions. As incidental to the meet- ing of 1814, a wrestling-match was in progress between William Brown and an- other settler, when the former was heavily thrown, and so injured that he died in a short time. The house was burned in 1823, and in the flames died a son of Smith's, a youth of about twelve years. Mr. Smith was killed while assisting to raise the frame of the house now the property of Peter Trenfield. The falling of one of the timbers caused the accident. Ichabod Brown was known as an early settler where now his grandson L. A. Brown lives. The settlers were accustomed to call on Brown to aid in butchering, and he was an expert in the business. Ebenezer Wells was an early resident of the district. Abiather Power settled on the lot owned by Charles W. Goodrich, on lot 57. He afterwards removed to No. 6, south of Hathaway's Corners. Among other of the olden-time settlers in the neighborhood were George Jenks, prior to 1800, on lot 56, Shotwell on 65, and John Young, a member of the old family of that name in Phelps. Although not in the centre of the town on account of the land there being a swamp, yet the location of the town-house in the northern part of the district is as convenient a site as could be obtained.

District No. 6 lies west of No. 13, and contains the hamlet of West Farmington. Hither came Isaac Hathaway, from Adams, Massachusetts, and located at what has since been known as Hathaway's Corners. He was a companion to Comstock on the journey west in 1790, and conveyed his family, consisting of a wife and two chil- dren, through the wilderness upon an ox-sled. Think of this, you who ride in the palace-car luxuriously and swiftly over the New York Central, and bestow a grateful thought upon the memories of those whose labors laid the foundation for present conveniences. It is said that the framed barn built by Ananias Mo- Millen for Mr. Hathaway, in 1793, was the first structure of the kind in Farmington. Otis Comstock and Huldah Freeman were joined in the holy bands of wedlock in 1792, by Dr. Atwater, of Canandaigua, at the dwelling of Isaac Hathaway. This wedding was the first in the town. As evidence of the dernier ressorts of the pioneer, it is stated that Mr. Hathaway carried potatoes on his back from Whites- town, and planted them. Impelled by hunger, he dug them up, cut out and planted the eyes, and ate the remainder. Asa Wilmarth lived near the " Corners," and was one of the early justices. He built an ashery and ran it for several years, and so utilized the ashes from the log heaps burned by the settlers in their work of clearing up their lands. Levi Smith, one of the pioneers of the town, purchased a farm of about two hundred acres from Nathan Aldrich, and made payment by giving the labor of a day for an acre of land, as had been mutually agreed. The farm thus won by days' labor is the present heritage of his son, P. A. Smith. The farm now owned by John Berry, and formerly designated as the " Melvin Power farm," and located near Farmington station, was originally the location of Arthur Power, by whom its fields were cleared and fitted for cultivation. Moses Power, Sr., settled in 1798 upon a farm of two hundred and fifty acres now owned by E. Rushmore. Abiather Power made a temporary settlement upon the farm of Charles Goodrich, but later located at Hathaway's Corners, on the farm later the property of his son, Waterman Power. Robert Power settled near the Corners; he was reputed to have been an excellent carpenter and joiner, and the workman employed upon the woodwork of Yale College buildings. Essick, Jesse, and Willis Aldrich were former farmers in this district, being located near the school- house. Uriah, son of Willis, is on the old homestead, and Clarkson, a son of Essick, is yet a resident of the town. Far back, and close upon the primitive settlement of the town, a log school-house had an existence in this district, and Lydia Smith was of those who taught in it. The fields upon the present farm of Frederick Woodworth were cleared, as early as 1804, by Samuel Cooper, and the large framed house where N. C. Herendeen lives was built and for many years occupied by Gideon Payne.

South of No. 6 is joint district No. 8, whose former residents are numbered in the names of Levi Smith, Arthur Power, and William Daily. An early marriage in the town was that of Mr. Smith to a daughter of Stephen Hayward, who was his neighbor over the way.

District No. 4 is a long strip of land bordering upon Victor, and traversed

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along its lower west boundary by Mud creek. Upon this stream, in this locality, Ananias McMillan erected the first mill in the town. It was built for Jacob Smith in 1793, and was a small framed concern used for custom grinding. It stood just below the road, east of Jared Smith's present residence. The settlers came hither from considerable distances to obtain a pulverization of their grain better than their home mills could accomplish. Two years after the mill was in operation, a saw-mill was put up on the opposite side of the creek. The grist-mill was run till 1839, and the saw-mill till 1841. It is said by the oldest inhabitants that the neighborhood of these mills was an accustomed hunting- and fishing- ground of the Indians. Their fish and game were offered the settlers in exchange for meal and flour. The Indians would come into the grist-mill bringing their fish or game, and lay them down before Mr. Smith, with the expression, "The skano trout," or "The skano game," and then be off before any answer could be returned. In a few days they would be back for their " gifts," and say, "Skano ingun meal." The miller humored their caprice, and gave as they desired. It was often seen that the location of a mill was the origin of a village. A well-chosen mill site was a promising place for settlement. The mills ground slowly, and time hung upon the farmers' hands. Could repairs be made or a social glass be enjoyed it was found less irksome, and hence the blacksmith-shop and the distillery were not in- frequently found in close proximity to the mills. It sometimes transpired that the miller, having set the grist to running, could adjourn to the blacksmith-shop and shoe the customers' horses. This was done by Mr. Smith, who was thus en- abled to do two things of profit at one and the same time. Jared Smith affirms that the boards of the house of which he is a resident, and which was built in 1799, were nailed on with wrought nails of his father's manufacture. Upon the lot Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived many years, he dying in 1836, aged eighty-four years, and she some years later, having reached the same age. Joseph Smith, brother of Jacob, and partner in ownership of the mill, came in from Massachu- setts about 1791, and located on the east side of the creek, where now lives R. P. Smith. He was an early surveyor, and found much to do in the exercise of his calling. New roads were being laid out, and lines had to be run between the lands of settlers, older lines found, and later oncs established. Jephtha Dillingham was the predecessor of G. Adams upon lot 12. He raised a large family, and died upon the farm he had won by labor from the forest. Richard Thomas came in on the day of the " great eclipse," in 1806, and settled upon No. 12. Descendants of his family are present residents of this county. David Smith, who is remem- bered as Farmington's first constable, lived for several years upon lot 60. He became a militia captain during the last war with Great Britain, and later held office as justice of the peace for several terms. On August 1, 1842, while engaged in showing a hired hand how to mow, he stepped unguardedly within reach of the swing of the scythe. The arteries of his leg were severed, and within a short time he bled to death.

North of districts Nos. 4 and 6, upon lot 62, lived Jeremiah Brown, son of one of the original proprietors of the town. His father was located on the ridge in Wayne county, and was remembered as one of the prominent members of the Masonic order of that day. Gideon Grinnell was a pioneer on lot 84, where he reared a family and passed his days. Peter, son of Stephen Smith, an original purchaser, lived on No. 86, where Germond Ketcham now owns. Mr. Smith finally moved to Michigan, where he died. A man named Pratt seems to have come in early, built himself a cabin upon the lot now held by G. Loomis, and afterward gone west. On the farm west of the school-house lived one Harris, of whom nothing is known. It is constantly brought to mind, in locating and naming these the original settlers of Farmington, what little there is of variety attached to their existence. Were we back to the days when De Liancourt traversed these then wilds and noted the surroundings and life-labors, we could see the arrival of the pioneer parties, and observe the crashing down of the old trees under the vigorous axe-strokes and the logs rolled up in position to form the cabins; then the underbrush being cut out, the trees girdled, and the wheat scattered in the rich soil, we follow them on their return to their homes. Entered upon their routine of farm-work, we see now fields added to the older, additions made to house and barn, families increasing in numbers, and gradually a look of old and established occupation taking the place of former newnees. The minutise, the so- ciety, the customs of the time, were changed as wealth and improvements advanced. The children were rude of drees and robust in health ; the fare was simple, and, as a result, we find the lives of those pioneer children prolonged beyond the aver- age of the race. Uneventful, but not less valuable, has been the life of the working class of early settlers.

Brownsville district owes its name to Dr. David Brown, an original purchaser and pioneer settler upon lot No. 9. David Brown and his son Stephen built a log distillery at an early day, and connected with it an ashery. These were con- tinned for quite a number of years. Stephen Brown and Elias Dennis erected a building, put into it a carding-machine, and after a time became proprietors of a

woolen-mill, which was continued by them till 1835. New woolen-mills were constructed, using stone material, during 1837, by James Van Vleck, Amos and James Haskins. The wood work was done by John Haskins, John Riddle, and his son Robert. The property was bought in 1845 by Myron H. Norton, who carried on both the factory and a store for several years, and engaged extensively in business. From causes to us unknown he was compelled to suspend about the year 1850; effected a sale and removed to Michigan. The pioneer tradesman in the place was Reuben Smith, who was engaged in the sale of merchandise as early as 1815 or 1816, leasing the business. Smith was succeeded by Paul S. Richardson, who in time was followed by Albert Nye, during whose career as a storekeeper the building was destroyed by fire. Abner and Stephen Brown were early storekeepers, and the latter was also connected with the erection and conduct of a saw-mill. The history of tanning, as known to the pioneers, was full of novelty, and the skins of deer, bear, and wolf were found with those of sheep and cattle. A tannery was built about 1820 by Peter Clyne, and for thirty years he was known as its manager, and did a good and paying business. Otis Brown was the pioneer blacksmith. Beginning in 1814, he continued his labors at the forge for twenty-two years, and truly he may have been noted as the vil- lage blacksmith, if time of service was the gauge of merit. The manufacture of hats in various parts of Ontario seems, from the earliest date, to have been a feature of the situation, and in Brownsville this industry was inaugurated by Joseph Jones, who in time was succeeded by Nathaniel Lampson. This hatter, entering upon the business of making and selling these goods in 1824, continued at it for ten to twelve years. No business of note, aside from the saw-mill and cider-mill of John Grinnell, is now carried on in the place. Trade centres at common points, and the once promising hamlet becomes the temporary resort, while facilities of travel and the demands of business call all classes to the vil- lages. The perusal of town history exhibits the mill, the shop, the still, and the tannery, erected at convenient and scattered points, and tradesmen practicing their calling within their homes; but these rude structures fall into disuse and decay. The streams fail from evaporation of their sources, and the various trades, moving to the villages, erect their shops and stores, their mills and manufactories, and dividing labor, approach perfection in their several callings.

Otis Comstock was a pioneer on the farm now owned by John A. Gillis. He was the son of Nathan, of whom we have spoken, and accompanied his father from the east in 1789, and, remaining during the winter, was the first actual resident of the town. There is no mention of the greeting with the relatives as they arrived in the spring; but we may imagine the pleasure with which this temporary hermit saw their approach. He was long a resident of the town ; its first road commissioner, held various offices, and had a family of seven children, of whom Augustus was the oldest, born March 25, 1793, and Zeno, the next oldest, born in 1794. William S:nith, son of Stephen Smith, an original pur- chaser, was the builder and occupant of the stone house now the property of J. G. Robbins. David Gillis was a pioneer in the Brownsville neighborhood. Zurial Brown, a carpenter by trade, and a son of Jeremiah Brown, one of the town pro- prietors, owned a farm in this district. On the occasion of building the house of Peter Smith, now owned by Germond Ketcham, Mr. Brown was enjoined to be very particular in the performance of his work, and as an .inducement was offered a bonus of five dollars if, in driving his nails, he would not split any clap- boards. He was justice of the peace for many years, and died upon his farm. The history of the pioneers constantly shows the basis of settlement to have been the farm. Mechanics, not able to find sufficient employment in the east, emi- grated to Ontario in hopes of bettering their condition, and united with their trade employment on a farm. Not unfrequently the carpenter, the mason, the tailor, and others, entirely ignored their trade, excepting so far as related to their own farm and household, and gave their attention during life to agriculture. Such was the case with many in Farmington, and among them was Nicholas Brown, a carpenter, who located on the north part of lot 131. Hezekiah Lippett, an early teacher, was a settler on the same lot. Mr. Lippett opened a school in the house of David Brown, carried it on for several years during the winter seasons, and is remembered as a good teacher. Of his former pupils few survive; among them is Lorenzo Hathaway, a resident in Farmington, and now sixty-eight years of age. The rude building, the plain teacher, the elementary studies are descried in later years, but the scholarship of that period had many excellencies. Surveys were accurate, handwriting was often superior in legibility to that of the present, and it is questionable whether the instruction in many districts of Ontario to-day is even equal to that of the early time.

District No. 7 had for its pioneer settler one of the best men known to the early settlement of this region,-Dr. Stephen Aldrich. He was the first physi- cian in town, and settled on the farm at present the property of W. P. Markham. As the missionaries in the cause of religion, so the doctor, as a good Samaritan, made many a long and tedious journey to bring hope and comfort to the sick

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settler or the fever-stricken family. No night so cold, dark, and stormny but that Dr. Aldrich would respond to the call of distress, and travel miles through the woods in snow or mud to the log cabin. He knew no difference in circumstances, and was alike the friend of both rich and poor. At the bedside his duties did not end with the prescription, but his welcome presence was given till danger was past or all was over, and kindly cheering word gave needed encouragement. Gener- ous and active, he made but little money in his practice, yet acquired considerable property, and at his death was missed and mourned by many. His farm was subsequently owned by Joseph Sheldon. The name of Gideon Herendeen is associated with large land ownership and former residence in this district, where he passed his life. His son G. F. Herendeen now owns and resides on the old place. Elisha Gardner was early on the farm now owned by his son S. P. Gardner, who is now far advanced in years. Turner Aldrich was a pioneer on lot 114, and as early as 1797 was elected to hold one of the town offices. In 1795, Ebenezer Horton settled on lot 89, and attracted attention by claiming con- trol of the weather. He was accustomed to dress in costume, part of which consisted of a scarlet coat, and by his incantations " make weather" of any kind desired. The older settlers tell of his driving furiously to get ahead of some passing storm. This district was not without its manufactures in the early day. Talcott & Batty built an ashery near the site of the present school-house in the year 1817, but the supply of ashes failed after a few years and the business was discontinued. In 1815, Reuben Hayt put up a small tannery, worked at the business of tanning about four years, and did not make it a success. A tavern was kept at the Corners on lot 113 in the early days by John Sheffield. Isaac and Aldrich Calvin were engaged in the manufacture of hats in this locality. Save a cobbler's shop, the place has known very little in the way of business for many years. Not far from school-house No. 7 a blacksmith named Augustus Bingham had a shop many years since, but finally removed to New Salem. The district is now strictly agricultural, and from the convenience of roads is favorable to attendance at the school.

District No. 12, likewise known as New Salem, is notable as the place of Farmington's primary settlement, by Nathan Comstock and his sons Otis and Darius, in 1789. His was the first white man's cabin in the town. Besides those mentioned, four other sons came west with Mr. Comstock ; namely, Nathan, Jr., Jared, Joseph, and John. Jared settled back in the field, and built the house owned by A. Barnes on lot 28. He moved to Lockport about 1825, and afterwards to Michigan, where he died, in 1844. Joseph lived at the homestead till the death of his father, in 1816, and likewise moved to Lockport, where he died, in 1821. Nathan Comstock drew the timber to Smith's mill for the con- struction of the Friends' meeting-house which burned in 1875. His son Nathan was a pioneer at Lockport, where, after a residence of many years, he died, in 1830. Darius went first to Lockport, and then to Michigan, where he became the owner of land upon which a part of Adrian City was laid off. His death occurred there in 1845. Otis, spoken of in the history of Brownsville, died in this town. Isaac Hathaway, Jr., son of the pioneer Isaac, located on lot 135, where his son Lorenzo now resides, at the age of sixty-eight, in good health, sound memory, and well versed in the events of former days. It was remem- bered that his father was engaged in cutting and piling brush upon this lot 135 at the date of the great eclipse, which supplies us with the year 1806. Work was begun upon lot 136 in 1808 by Otis Hathaway, brother of Isaac, Jr. Otis Hathaway was the founder of New Salem village, and erected therein the first store-buildings. Hugh Pound was a former owner of lots 129 and 130, and set- tled where Henry Green is living. S. Pattison was the first proprietor of No. 134. He built a saw- and a grist-mill upon the creek in 1813. Both are still in exist- ence. Lot 138 was first settled in its northern portion by a surveyor from Adams, Massachusetts, by the name of Isaac Lapham. A Marylander named James Brooks came to Farmington, and settled on No. 127, where now William Wood lives. Slavery was then in force in this State, and Mr. Brooks brought two chattels west with him. One of these slaves was a girl, called Cassie Waters, who was arrested and tried for the murder of her infant child in the year 1809. The trial was had at Canandaigua, and she was sentenced to be hanged. Respites were given by the governor, and her death took place before the final time set for the execution. A successor to Mr. Brooks was William P. Smith, who purchased the farm and became a large land proprietor and farmer. Benjamin Rickerson, one of the original proprietors of the town, donated a lot in this dis- trict to the Friends, but did not himself become a settler. Upon lot 136 has grown up a flourishing little village known as New Salem. It was founded and named by Otis Hathaway. This was quite a business place prior to the construc- tion of the Erie canal, and in those days rejoiced in the appellation of Pumpkin Hook. The name originated with a man whose delight was to give names of this character, and was suggested by the circumstance that several families had made it a pastime to steal, or " hook," pumpkins. A store was opened about

1810 in one of the buildings put up by Hathaway, and Jonathan Batty was the keeper for about ten years. Daniel Talcott engaged in the same business during a like period. Dr. Smith and Lucius Dean carried on a drug and grocery store here till 1820, when they discontinued. Berrick Beckwith engaged in keeping a store for the sale of drugs in 1819, but closed up soon after. Lewis Lumbard established an axe-factory in 1825, and continued his manufacture until 1859. His business was extensive, and the Lumbard axes were widely known through this part of the country. The long stone building, yet in use as a blacksmith- shop, was the site of the business. About 1850, Mr. Lumbard associated with him Josiah Holdridge, and the firm continued till the date above given. George Hoag established a wagon-shop here about 1823, and continued the business nearly twenty years, and was the pioneer wagon-maker. At an early day John Gillem came in, and built a log house and shop. This primitive shop stood but a few years, and fell a prey to the flames. It seems that the blacksmith had com- pany, and for lack of other accommodations put the horses in the shop, and placed hay for them to eat upon the forge. The hay caught fire from the unex- tinguished cinders, and shop, its contents, and the horses were all consumed together. Gillem, soon after this misfortune, removed to Canada, and was suc- ceeded by Augustus Bingham. Walter Whipple established an iron-foundry in 1834 or 1835, and, after two years' experience, sold out to Randall Phetteplace and Charles Jennings, who continued it for three years, and then closed up. Matthew Windsor was the pioneer shoemaker, and dates his arrival at 1817. He remained about five years. Prior to his coming itinerant shoemakers went around among the families, boarding with them, and making up their shoes. This custom was in vogue with tailors as well. Windsor was succeeded, in 1822, by Randall Phetteplace, who carried on shoemaking until 1838. He is a present resident of the place, and has been since 1819. Waters & Cook were the pioneer hatters, and did a good business for many years. To judge of profitable business by the number engaged in it, there was no more lucrative occupation than keeping a tavern.

The first inn-keeper of the place was Daniel Allen, who, in 1816, opened a house of entertainment in a building now the property of Margaret Clinton. . A man named Brown kept about the same time where Elwood Smith lives. A tavern stand was opened by Noah Smith, in 1818 or '19. The old building is yet standing, on the place where Mr. Crandall now lives. The residence of Thomas E. Smith was used as a tavern by William Van Dusen, about the year 1821, and a number of years thereafter. Aden Armstrong was one of others who were engaged in the business. At this date there is no tavern in the town, and it is a gratifying fact that there is no place in Farmington where intoxicating liquors can be had. The last hotel was purchased and closed by the society of Friends.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 73

Author: Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 391

Author:
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 391