History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 81

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ginning of a thriving village, with one good hotel, kept by J. M. Boughton ; one store conducted by Tubbs & Co .; a grain-warehouse and coal-yard, owned by S. Rowley, and other lumber industries. While tracing towards their source the events of any locality or people, there is always an increasing interest as we reach the bounds of reliable history and draw upon the unwritten traditions handed down to succeeding generations, and it is a matter of regret that aboriginal tradi- tion has not been preserved. While viewing the broad expanse of grain-fields, fine groves, fruitful old orchards, pleasant meadows, fine dwellings, churches and school-houses, and the granite shafts erected in memory of the honored dead, we cannot ,but reflect that here, where the white man's industry and craft has built up a noble cstate of immense wealth, less than a century ago the Senecas held their councils and the young warriors set forth upon the war-path. Their arrows are gathered as curiosities of the museum, their nation has dwindled to a community, their gardens are now farms, and villages of different architecture have taken the place of Gannagarro.

AGRICULTURAL.

Hop-raising is the leading agricultural interest of the town, and yearly shows an increasing business. One of the first successful experimenters in this branch of farming was George Thompson. Charles Page purchased his farm and has carried on the business over twenty-five years. He has one of the largest and best worked hopperies in this locality. R. Mason is also largely engaged in hop- raising, and many others have made handsome profits during a few seasons in the business. Failures in the crop and the increase of insect depredators prevent a heavy venture in the business. North of the village of East Bloomfield about two miles is the magnificent apple-orchard of O. C. Chapin, which is one of the largest and best in western New York. It contains about one hundred and twenty-five acres, mostly Baldwin trees, young and thrifty. The annual yield has been about three thousand barrels, and the promise of 1876 is of a much larger product. Mr. Chapin has had large experience in fruit-growing, as is evidenced by the uniformity of growth and the appearance of the trees. Attempts have been made to raise grapes, but the crop is not certain, and many who formerly had several acres in vineyard have removed the vines and engaged in other better- paying fruits.

Manufactures and other interests are connected with the village of East Bloom- field. Carriage-making is the leading branch of manufacture, represented by two establishments. The pioneer firm is that of M. Hays, who began to do business in the village in 1839, and has steadily increased his facilities and executive capacity. An experience of nearly a half-century has enabled him to perfect his work, and so earn a reputation for satisfactory work. The yearly manufacture is about one hundred carriages and buggies, and about half as many single- and 'double-seated cutters and sleighs. Suitable machinery for different parts of the work are supplied. Of blacksmiths, wood-workers, painters, and trimmers he has a total of some thirteen hands, some of whom have been employed full thirty years. The large building is seventy by forty feet, with lumber- and engine-room attached. The blacksmith-shop is twenty-four by fifty-three feet. Mr. Hays has never had a partner, and has been the builder of all the structures which com- prise the establishment. Burned out in 1852, the loss was at once made good, and the business is still carried on by the original founder, now seventy-seven years of age. The carriage-manufactory of S. Mayo & Son was established about 1846, on the street leading to the depot. The first buildings were burned in January, 1873, but, with prompt aid of friends, were soon rebuilt on the opposite side of the street from the old works. A wagon- and paint-shop in one building is forty-eight by twenty-four feet, a blacksmith-shop twenty-four by thirty fect, and a store-room forty-eight by thirty feet. Various styles of work manship and excellent finish rank the work with the best. Linus G. Steele is the present proprietor of a large factory comprised in several buildings, and devoted to the 'manufacture of the Seymour drill and the Seymour plaster sower. While in charge of the former owners, Tuft & Perkins, a bronze medal was given to the firm as the evidence of a first premium for the Seymour drill in the great trial of agricultural implements held at Utica, in 1870. These branches of industry, affording permanent employment to many heads of families, contribute to place the village in a creditable position with regard to other villages in this section. T. Cummings has a large blacksmith-shop for general work, and several stores supply the residents and neighborhood with goods and groceries. Four neat and handsome churches speak well for religious sentiment, a large academy is indica- tive of school interest, and neat residences attest a people living in comfortable enjoyment of homes. The medical profession has four representatives; the oldest physician is Dr. D. C. Webster; others are William M. Silvernail, of the Eclectic College of Philadelphia; Edwin O. Hollister, of the Bellevue Medical College; and T. Webster, of Buffalo Medical College. Among early lawyers may be

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PLATE LXXVII

RES. AND CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY OF M. HAYES, EAST BLOOMFIELD, ONTARIO COUNTY,

N. Y.

CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY.

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PLATE LXXVIII

RES. of SEWARD FRENCH , EAST BLOOMFIELD, N. Y.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

named Spencer Cole, a resident previous to 1812, and the builder of what is now used as the post-office, and a successful man. Isaac Marsh removed here in 1810, and began the practice of law. He had earlier been a partner of General Walter Wood, at Aurora, New York, and died in 1820. F. W. Hamlin also practiced here a short time, but the village is at present without a representative of the profession. The most attractive feature of the village is its delightful little park, containing the soldiers' monument. In the year 1868 the patriotic people of the ·village laid out and beautified a neat park, and in the centre, on the summit of a large mound, erected a fine brown granite monument, costing about $6000. It is surmounted by a life-sized figure of a soldier in fatigue dress, standing at rest, and looking far away to the southern horizon, as if to see the troops return with gay and gallant tread. Upon the four sides of the shaft is carved the war record of the town. Prominent in front is the roll of honor of the Eighty-fifth New York Volunteers, and above the names of battles, while near the base is the inscription-

" EAST BLOOMFIELD.

" To the memory of her sons who died in defense of the Union, 1861-65."

With but a nominal regular army, the dependence of the republic is upon the patriotism of her citizen soldiery, and it is well that the honors paid the fallen should evinde to the survivors a recognition of their services .*

CHURCH HISTORY.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, East Bloomfield .- The first religious society of the town of Bloomfield was organized September 8, 1795, and called the " Independent Congregational Society." Nathaniel Norton, Ehud Hopkins, and Asher Saxton were elected trustees. At their first meeting measures were taken to obtain a suitable lot for a meeting-house and burying-ground. The church was organized November 5, 1796, by Rev. Zadock Hunn, and consisted of seven- teen members, whose names are as follows: John Adams, Amos Bronson, Zadock Hunn, Ephraim Rew, Amos Lusk, Joseph King, Ehud Hopkins, Asa Hecox, Chloe Adams, Hannah Hopkins, Lucy Bronson, Chloe Rew, Martha Gunn, Abi- gail Adams, Clarissa Gunn, Abner Adams, and Mary Hecox. Two weeks later they had another meeting, and George Codding, Jonathan Adams, William Good- ing, Diantha Norton, Lucinda Adams, and Abigail Codding united with the little band, and since then all of them have departed this life to enter the better church above. The missionaries, Seth Williston and Jedediah Bushnell, preached here at different times previous to 1800, as also did Zadock Hunn, Jacob Cram, David Higgins, John Weber, and Aaron Collins, previous to 1807. This congregation erected a house of worship in 1801, Robert Powers being the builder. It was the first meeting-house erected west of Clinton, Oneida county, New York, and though it was in an unfinished condition for several years, yet it was used con- tinually for worship, and many were hopefully converted within its sacred walls. George Codding was the first deacon, being elected in 1797. He was succeeded by Ephraim Rew and Ehud Hopkins, in 1799. Amos Bronson was elected in 1803, Timothy Buell in 1808, also Jno. Dowd; Jonathan Smith, 1816; Andrew Cone was elected 1832, and yet holds the position ; Calvin Pomeroy, 1840, Charles Buell, 1864, and Frank Munson, 1870. The pastors have been Revs. Oliver Ayer, elected 1807; Darius O. Griswold, installed 1812; Julius Steele, 1816; Robert W. Hill, 1829 ; Henry Kendall, 1849; Luther Conklin, 1858; Lewis D. Chapin, 1869 ; J. P. Skeele, pastor-elect, 1873. A revival of great power was conducted by Revs. Bushnell and Williston in 1799 and 1800, and some yet remember it as the season of the "Great Revival." Time cannot deter- mine what its influence has been on the history of this town. More persons were converted then in proportion to the population than at any subsequent revival the town has known. Those hardy pioneers from New England had been accustomed all their lives to regular preaching, and when they arrived here found themselves deplorably destitute of religious privileges. They were, therefore, roady to hear with profit. In those early days all moneys for purchasing the grounds for church and burial-ground, erecting the church edifice, and supplying the pulpit, were raised by taxation. Rev. Henry Kendall once in his pulpit, in a discourse on the church's history, said, " The society records, without any apology or hesitation, speak of levying and collecting taxes for any or all of these purposes, and men seemed cheerfully to submit to such an arrangement. But as markets were very distant, and the difficulty of raising money very great, but a small portion of the payments were made in cash, and the remainder in the produce of the country."

June 19, 1822, the church adopted the Presbyterian form of government, and remained in it four years, when it returned to its former mode. September 2, 1873, they again adopted a form similar to the Presbyterians. A new church edifice

was erected in 1836-37, and dedicated September 28, 1837. It was repaired and improved about 1849. The following have entered the ministry from this church : Samuel M. Beebe, Lansing Porter, Newton Adams, missionary to South Africa, where he died ; Horatio N. Norton, Oliver W. Norton, Jno. Kendall, Valentine Lewis, Edward Adams, Myron H. Adams, Cassius Dibble, and William Sprague, missionary to China, at present. A Sabbath-school was organized by this body March 11, 1818, consisting of one hundred members. Rev. Julius Steele, Harry Pratt, and William Parsons were chosen superintendents. It is yet continued, and has been the means of bringing into the church about three hundred mem- bers. The school now numbers two hundred and sixty-nine scholars. A circu- lating library was formed in 1799, Dr. Daniel Chapin being librarian. It was of but few years' duration, but one was established some years later, and has con- tinued to the present. The present membership of the church is one hundred and ninety-six. They have a very neat parsonage, costing $4000.

The FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH in Bloomfield was the second church organized in the town, and dates from the close of the last century. Accustomed to church- attendance in the east, the want of religious exercises with those holding the same views was no light hardship to the pioneers, and it was not long before those of Bloomfield and Bristol were seen to assemble and hold frequent meetings at their houses. The Baptists in the towns mentioned soon desired to form a church, and, to that end, called a council of delegates from the several Baptist churches in the vicinity, to meet June 13, 1799. At that council, Elder David Irish was moderator, and Samuel Goodale clerk. A statement required in such case was made before the assembly, and the decision was favorable to the organiza- tion of a church.

The society then proceeded to organize by taking the name of the First Bap- tist Church in Bloomfield, with seventeen members, named as follows: Elijah Rose, Benjamin Stillwell, Abijah Stillwell, Roxy Stillwell, Pitts Hopkins, Enoch Wilcox, Rachael Barnes, Nancy Wilcox, Anna Rose, Chester Doty, Eli Lyon, . Lucy Lyon, Aaron Hicks, Otis Hicks, James Case, Betsey Case, and Simon Simmons.

No regular stated meetings were held during the first year. Occasional meet- ings were held, and preaching done by Elder William Farnam, Solomon Goodale, Elnathan Wilcox, and Elder Wilson at the several homes of the settlers. At a meeting held in June, 1800, the sum of fifteen dollars was raised for the support of preaching, and this amount was apportioned to members according to their ability to pay.

Benjamin Stillwell was chosen deacon in May, 1801, and served till September following, when, at his request, a discharge from the office was granted by the church. A series of meetings were held by Elders Farnam and Wilcox and Solomon Goodale during 1801-2, and many accessions were made to the church by profession and by letter. In April, 1802, Eli Lyon and John Chapman were elected deacons, and ordained as such in June following. During the summer of 1803 a log meeting-house was built. It was situated in the town of Bloomfield, about one mile north of Baptist Hill, on land now owned by A. C. Hathaway. The church enjoyed a steady increase in membership for several years. During the month of February, 1805, the members in Bristol requested a letter of fel- lowship and dismissal for the purpose of embodying themselves into a church in that town, and the request was granted.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, EAST BLOOMFIELD. - This Episcopal church was estab- lished in 1830, Rev. Jno. Norton being the first rector, who served eight years. In 1838 he was succeeded by Rev. Reese Chipman, who remained till 1844, when Rev. Edmond Embury was chosen. Rev. Manning Stryker was rector from 1847 to 1850, when he was succeeded by Seth Davis, who served till 1854. Rev. Edward Livermore was the next pastor, and remained three years, when a vacancy of three years occurred. The seventh rector was Rev. Alexander H. Rogers, from 1860 to 1861 ; was succeeded by Rev. Lewis L. Rogers.

The parish was vacant for a period of four years previous to 1870, when Rev. Henry M. Baum was chosen rector. In 1872, the present rector, Rev. H. M. Brown, was chosen. During the rectorship of Mr. Baum the handsome new church was built. They first worshiped in the building erected by the Universal- ists in 1832, which they purchased of them, and sold to the Methodista about 1859. There are at present about seventy-five communicants, and about one hundred and fifty in attendance upon the services. There is a Sunday-school of about forty members, including teachers and pupils. Their edifice is as neat and commodious as any church in the village, or, it may be said, in the country. It is surrounded by some magnificent residences and a rich country.

FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This society was organized May 12, 1834, as the " First Methodist Church of East Bloomfield." Benjamin Chap- man, George W. Paule, and Sylvanus Paule were chosen trustees, and they and their wives were first members, together with William Hamlin and wife, Asa Johnson and wife, Thomas Crooker, and Ams Hayward. Rev. Jno. Parker was

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. A fine view of this monument may be found on Plate LXXIII., prefacing the history of this township.

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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the first pastor, succeeded by Revs. Lent and Burch. It was reorganized No- vember 7, 1840, by Rev. Robert Burch. Joseph Williams, Sylvanus Paule, Wil- liam B. Hamlin, Asa Johnson, and Timothy Duel were chosen trustees, and William Carter, clerk. It was about that time they built their first church edifice. It stood near Mud creek, and was finally moved away and converted into a dwell- ing by Mr. Peck. They reorganized a second time about 1859, and bought the property erected by the Universalists in 1832 of the Episcopalians, who had taken it when the Universalists disbanded. The Methodists paid two thousand dollars for the church and parsonage. The first pastor in this new organization was Jonathan Watts, and A. F. Morey was the second. Since then the follow- ing-named have served as pastors: Rev. Martin Wheeler, S. B. Dickinson, J. Edson, Alonzo Shurtliff, R. D. Munger, Charles J. Hermans, J. C. Hitchcock, and the present incumbent, Henry Van Benschoten. The church at date, 1876, numbers seventy-five members, and attendance on service one hundred and fifty. The Sabbath-school is conducted by Mrs. M. Van Benschoten, and has twelve teachers and one hundred and eight scholars. The library numbers three hundred and sixty-five volumes. The value of the church edifice is estimated at seventy- five hundred dollars.

ST. BRIDGET'S CHURCH .- In 1851, the Catholics erected a church thirty by fifty feet in dimensions, at a cost of one thousand dollars, and secured the services of the late Rev. Edward O'Connor as priest. Father O'Connor served the so- ciety five years. The number of Catholics at that time was sixteen families, or about seventy persons. The second priest was Rev. N. Byrnes, who served one year, and was then succeeded by Rev. P. Lee, who remained four years. The present pastor is Rev. W. Hughes, who has been in charge during the last fifteen years. In 1874, August 2, the corner-stone of a new church was laid with ap- propriate services by Bishop Welch, of London, Canada, Bishop McQuaid being present, and also eleven priests. The dedication took place on Sunday of June 13, 1875. The services were conducted by Bishop McQuaid. There were present Very Rev. James A. Early, Rev. H. Deregge, and seven priests. . The sermon was given by Very Rev. J. A. Early. The choir from Canandaigua were present, and refreshments were served in the old church. The building is of brick, di- mensions forty by ninety-five feet, and cost nine thousand dollars. It is roofed with slate and surmounted by a tower over the main entrance. It is fitted with stained-glass windows, some of which bear the names of individuals, and are known as memorial. The body of the church will seat about four hundred and fifty, and the gallery across the east end will accommodate fifty more. A fine organ from Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been placed in the gallery. The con- gregation has shown a constant and durable growth, and now contains one hun- dred and fifty-two families, or about eight hundred persons.

EDUCATIONAL.

Desirous of better facilities and a higher grade of education than that afforded by the schools then in vogue, the leading citizens of the town took steps which resulted in an act to incorporate " The East Bloomfield Academy," passed by the Legislature April 9, 1838, and at the same time the first board of trustees, fifteen in number, were designated as follows : Robert Hill, Moses Fairchild, Josiah Porter, Bani Bradley, Harlow Munson, Silas Eggleston, Calvin Pomeroy, Timothy Buell, Jr., Henry Prindle, George Rice, Thayer Gauss, Flavius J. Brunson, Myron Adams, Frederick. N. Toby, and Frederick Munson. These parties were constituted a body corporate, " for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, and conducting a seminary of learning, for the education of youth of both sexes." It became subject to the regents January 23, 1840. The school was opened in May, 1838, with Rev. Aaron. Garrison, an experienced and successful teacher of youth, as the first principal.

The academic year consisted of two terms of twenty-two weeks each, begin- ning in May and November of each year. Three departments were maintained, a primary; a higher English, and a classical; tuition being graded at siz, eight, and ten dollars per term. The trustees erected a spacious brick edifice, sufficient to accommodate two hundred pupils, and during its continuance the academy met with a fair. degree of success. The organization of public schools has to a great degree obviated the necessity of the academy, and most are being or have been discontinued or merged in the high-schools.

The following statistics of the town, in reference to schools, are derived from the report made for the year ending September 30, 1875: Districts, eleven ; teachers, eleven ;. children between five and twenty-one years, eight hundred and fifty-four; teachers licensed by local officer, eleven ; State superintendent, one ; Normal school two-males seven, females eleven; total number of children attending school during the year, six hundred and twenty-three. Number of volumes in the district libraries, seven hundred and four. There are eleven school-houses; ton frame and one stone. Value of school sites, $1780. Value of houses and

sites, $8525. Assessed valuation of property taxable in the town, $895,574. The teachers are accustomed to board at one place. The school-house is provided with proper furniture. The apportionment of school moneys for the year in question to East Bloomfield was $1558.27.

MONUMENTAL LODGE, No. 890, I. O. G. T., was instituted on the 31st day of March, 1869, and meets on Monday evenings. It was organized with the fol- lowing persons as charter members, viz .: Harlow Munson, Mrs. J. W. Taylor, John W. Taylor, Rev. A. H. Shurtleff, Daniel Mc Williams, Edward O. Teeley, O. E. Adams, C. W. Bradley, Jennie T. Carter, Charles J. Parmele, Julia A. Adams, Clarence G. Hobart, Charles F. Adams, Arthur Mayo, Libbie Peck, Theda Bradley, H. H. Fuller, Alice B. North, Geo. H. Steward, J. Harvey, Mrs. Daniel Mc Williams, Mrs. Ann M. Bradley, J. H. Mason, Reynold Lee, S. S. Hodges, Elsa L. Hodges.

EARLY TOWN RECORDS.

" At the first anniversary meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Bloomfield, holden according to law on the first Tuesday in April, 1796: Chosen, Jared Boughton, town clerk ; Amos Hall, supervisor ; Asa Hickox, John Adams, David Parsons, Samuel Starling, Roger Sprague, assessors and commissioners of schools; Jonathan Adams, David Parsons, Joseph Brace, commissioners of highways; Jasper Peck Sears, Asher Saxton, overseers of poor; Daniel Bronson, Clark Peck, Seymour Boughton, constables ; Nicholas Smith, Philander Saxton, Julius Curtis, collectors.

" Voted, That a bounty of ten dollars shall be paid by this town to any person (being an inhabitant of the town) who shall kill and destroy a wolf within the limits of the town; that the sum of fifty pounds shall be assessed on the inhab- itants of this town, to defray the contingent charges for the current year."

The officers were sworn to "faithfully perform their several duties without favour or partiality," by Ebenezer Curtis, justice of the peace, who was elected supervisor in 1797-98. In 1797 two hundred dollars were assessed to defray the contingent expenses, and in 1798 only one hundred dollars. The meeting for 1799 was held at the usual place, Asher Saxton's, and Jared Boughton was elected supervisor and Thomas Sprague town clerk. It was voted to assess one hundred and fifty dollars for the current expenses, and that the commissioners and their attendants receive pay for their services two years previous,-an exam- ple of "back pay" in those early days. In 1800, Daniel Chapin was chosen supervisor.

OCTOGENARIANS .- The following is a list of those over eighty years of age now residing in this town, together with their ages: Zadock Bailey, ninety-eight, -the oldest man in town; Flavius J. Brunson, ninety-one; Esther B. Quinn, ninety-three; Simeon Rowley, eighty-five; his wife, Lucy Rowley, eighty-one ; Spencer Dibble, eighty-four; Thomas Fitzmorris, eighty-three; Eliza Dibble, eighty-two; Benjamin Howes, eighty-two; Philo Hamlin, eighty-two,-the oldest man living in town who was born there; Emma L. Brown, eighty-two; Mary Walker, eighty-two; Benjamin Gauss, eighty-one; John Adams, eighty-one; Stephen Salmon, eighty-one; Betsey A. Wheeler, eighty-one; Harriet Steele, eighty-one; Luna McMaster, eighty-one; Mary Trask, eighty-one; Horace Dibble, eighty; James Davis, eighty; Daniel Crowin, eighty; John Nichols, eighty.

ITEMS .- The following items are taken from newspapers of 1803-4: "The Association of Ontario County" convened at the house of Abner Adams, and recommended a day of "fasting and prayer" to avert the calamity of "God's judg- ment upon the land-the withholding of the rain from heaven." 1804-" Mar- ried in Bloomfield, John Merwyn, aged seventy-eight, to Mrs. Rachel Taylor, aged seventy years." 1807-" Married in Bloomfield, Eleazer Ewer, aged eighteen, to Miss Alice Mott, aged thirty-six,"-double wedding, her age being double his.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 81

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

Author:
Publication date:
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Number of Pages: 391