History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 88

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THE PAN-HANDLE.

That portion of Richmond lying east of Honeoye lake is not inappropriately named the Pan-Handle, and is a section well worth the while to chronicle its earlier citizens and their industrial efforts. Hugh Hamilton came out from Hampden, then Hampshire county, Massachusetts, in 1810. He journeyed on horseback in search of a desirable location for a home westward to Erie, Pennsyl- vania. He was not favorably impressed with the country along the lake, but was better satisfied with the lands of Ontario. David Crooks, Sr., having offered to sell to him one-half interest in the Phelps grist- and saw-mills on Mill creek, and John Rhodes, as agent, having proposed to sell him one hundred acres from the south side of the Phelps farm, where A. Pennell now lives, he turned back and made both purchases. He took charge of and ran the grist-mill until December, when he went back to Massachusetts to bring out his family. The journey was made in sleighs during January, 1811. Hamilton remained a few years in the mill, dug a new race-way, made frequent necessary repairs, and finally resold to Mr. Crooks for a small sum, and put up a log house upon his land and into it moved his family. He previously and afterwards cleared most of the land between the road and old landing. The title to the land became disputed, and he sold his improvements to Miller and bought a small tract, where his youngest son, David L. Hamilton, resides, where he resided permanently until his death, in 1851, at the age of eighty years. His widow died in 1856, aged eighty-four years. He had siz children. Justin went to Kentucky in 1818, traded his land there to John Garlinghouse, moved to Ohio, and there died in 1863, having been a member of the Ohio Legislature for a number of years. William emigrated to Mercer county in 1828, and David L. lived upon the old homestead. George Gordon, a Scotchman, had been a soldier in the army of General Burgoyne, and was captured by the Americans at Saratoga. He was one of many British soldiers who, after the war, made their homes with us. 'He early settled in Richmond, on the south part of the farm of D. L. Hamilton, where he built and occupied a log cabin. Finally, as if not satisfied with the hardships of pioneer life, sale was made to William Layne, an old Revolutionary soldier, who was on the victor side

at Saratoga, and went upon the Holland purchase. It is well known that when the splendid army of Burgoyne set out from Canada it numbered full ten thou- sand men. With this fine army was a large body of Indians, who hung like a cloud about the English columns, and struck terror to the hearts of the settlers far away from the line of march. Ruthless, they spared neither age, sex, nor condition. One of their victims, a little girl, was tomahawked by them near Saratoga, but was saved by the care of Mrs. Layne. When Layne came to Richmond, the girl was found to have grown up, married, and become a settler in Ontario County. Layne died upon the farm, and his descendants migrated to Kentucky.

David Knapp, from Connecticut, became a settler in 1790, and after making some improvements sold out to John Flanders, a carpenter, who erected several buildings in the neighborhood. He finally sold and went to Michigan, and Wil- liam Allen now owns the farm.

John Parker was the first settler on the farm afterwards owned by a man named Bolton, and at present by James Kelly.

Edmond Downs was the first to locate upon and clear land on that portion of lot 6 subsequently the property of David Thompson, of Utica. The latter built a log house, and manufactured tar from the pines growing near. He had been educated by Governor Root, and was a person of ability ; but the love of spirit- nous liquors balked advancement. When he sold here he went west.

William Judevine located early upon the C. S. North place. He was from Connecticut, moved to Canandaigua, and reached an advanced age. His son, Harry, was captured by the Indians during the war of 1812, and by them brought to Fort Erie, where he was sold to friendly Indians and redeemed.

Job Wood was an early resident where W. G. Pierce lives. He was preceded upon the farm by Benjamin Garlinghouse, cousin of the sheriff. Wood sold to his son, Job, and removed to Virginia. He, Job, patiently labored many years in clearing and improving his farm, but finally sold to Amos Styles and removed.

Jacob Flanders came through the Genesee country with Sullivan in 1779, and, like many another, saw that the land was good, and returning after his discharge, located on the north part of the farm now owned by J. G. Briggs. A hewed-log house built by him stood upon the place many years. The old soldier soon saw the interest attached to anything relative to Sullivan's expedition, and delighted to tell the old settlers of incidents of his own observation. He spoke of the warning cannon-shot which struck consternation to the Indians, who scattered in every direction, and could be seen crossing the openings on the run. He affirmed the truth of the traditional burial of a cannon near the foot of the lake east of the outlet, and often searched for it, but so changed had become the country since his first visit that his efforts were not successful. Flanders was a carpenter by the "scribe rule," and erected many a building yet standing. He took part in the Kentucky exodus, there followed his calling, and there died.

Colonel John Greene, in 1794, became the owner of the farm of John G. Briggs, Esq., situated near the head of Honeoye lake. He had a copper still in connection with farm work, and added his mite to the many then engaged in sup- plying the people with strong drink. Greene was notably connected with affairs during the war of 1812. Previous to the opening of hostilities, but after a formal declaration of war, he had gone on business to Canada. All went well until, when ready to return, an arrest was made, and every effort made to learn from him infor- mation concerning American preparation and military strength. His captors finally resorted to partial hanging in hopes of compelling the disclosures sought. A rope was put about his neck, and he was run up and held for a time, then lowered and questioned with no result. Again drawn up and held suspended until unconscious, he was finally let down and asked if he would give information regarding the strength of the United States forces. The nearly exhausted man greeted his in- quisitors with the reply, " No, by the Lord I won't !" No effort could change his mind, and he was imprisoned; escaped, and returned to the States. Aroused by this experience, he joined the army, served efficiently, and was commissioned colonel. The distillery early spoken of was sold to Hugh Hamilton and Enoch E. Colby, who moved the concern to lot 20, ran it a half-dozen years, and then gave up the business. Greene moved to Kentucky with the dupes who had traded to Granger their good lands here for the " Barrens" there, and too late found their mistake.

A family named Skinner located on lot 13, where Mrs. S. Allen now lives. They were of the ruder class of pioneers and of reckless character. One of the family, bitten by a rattlesnake, sent in alarm for preacher Wright to pray for him. The good man fervently prayed that the Lord would cause rattlesnakes to bite the whole Skinner family.

A man named Vinal, who followed pettifogging and was constantly engaged in litigation, lived for a few years on lot 5. He sold to Ephraim Hartwell.

The farm whereon Hancock's house stands was occupied in 1814 by James Moore, from Otsego county. He was made justice of the peace, and continued

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as such for years, and died in 1841. A daughter, Mrs. D. L. Hamilton, resides in town.

An occupant of lot 5 among early settlers was Daniel Smith, who in time moved elsewhere.

Aaron J. Hunt settled where Mrs. M. A. Bray lives, on lot 2, in the southwest corner of the Pan-Handle, in 1795. In the history of Canadice, it will be seen that he was connected with the earliest settlement of that town. Mr. Hunt built his cabin on the east side of Honeoye inlet, and there began his clearing, while his then-to-be son-in-law, the pioneer of Canadice, Jacob Holdren, made corre- sponding improvement on the west side.

A saw-mill was built by John Green in Briggs' gully, and was the first struc- ture of the kind in the town south of Mill creek. The business was highly suc- cessful for a time, and then the mill was suffered to run down. A saw-mill was put up by Artemus Briggs north of the gully.

Andrew Bray came in early and settled where General Thomas Barkley lives. The descendants of Mr. Brayare residents of the town, upon land now owned by Bray and Barkley.

Jacob Bowers located and erected a house and saw-mill; the latter has since gone down.

Near the present school-house on lot 16 was an old log structure, in which one of the primitive teachers was William Hamilton, from whom we give the follow- ing reminiscences, written July 26, 1876 :

" When I first knew the country on the east side of Honeoye lake, there was no house or clearing between the Lanes' and a peach-orchard lot to the southward and adjacent, what wus afterwards the Judevine farm. James Wright lived there, and Levi Rice, on the south part of that lot, and then Benjamin Sly on the tract afterwards the Old Job Wood farm, in the mouth of the gully. To the south were old Jacob Flanders, John Flanders, and John Green. On the next lot, south, near the later site of the Lathrop school-house, lived Mr. Albert, who died soon after, and his widow married George Flanders, who lived on the place till all went to Kentucky. Old Jacob Flanders sold the farm north of Green to John Smith, and put up what was later called the Lathrop house, south of Colonel Green. He occupied this place until 1817 or '18, when almost all the population from Judevine's to the Parker farm traded their farms to Francis Granger, for Kentucky barrens, in Hardin county, Kentucky, and moved down the Ohio river to their new location. The farm just north of Parker was first settled by Joel Foster, son-in-law of old Elder Abijah Wright. ' Ephraim Hartwell, some time after Foster's death, which occurred early, married his widow, and when the exo- dus took place, moved to Vernon, Indiana. The Foster boys, his wife's children, accompanied them. The farms between the Lathrop and Foster places were occu- pied by Vinal, Hartwell, and the Skinners. While father ran the old mill on the creek, all the south and east part of Richmond and West Bristol depended upon it for their grinding. It had but one small run of burrs, and, when there was sufficient water, ran constantly. During the dry season it ran but little. Repairs were required, and then with difficulty was water saved to grind at all. Surplus grain was then sent to Albany to market, by wagon or sleigh. Rye, corn, and damaged or poor wheat was manufactured into whisky, and either sold or traded to Canandaigua merchants, and by them shipped to Albany in exchange for a stock of goods. Distilleries were then numerous. The distillers then were Col- onel Green, at the head of Honeoye lake, Enoch E. Colby, and Kirby Frary, on then John Rhodes', now Pennell's, flats, a little southeast of the Indian plum- orchard; John Jason, east of Pitts' Corners, on the Swan farm ; Philip Short, on the hill west of Honeoye, and one in the hollow south of Dennison's Corners. The sons of John and Eleazer Frary bought up all the ashes they could get, made potash, and sold to the merchants of Canandaigua. Such were the main articles of trade before the days of the Erie canal. Wheat alone would bear wagoning to Albany. In 1815, wheat sold in Canandaigua for twenty-five to thirty-seven cents trade; no money was paid. In 1811 the hills east and west of Honeoye lake were wild lands."

On the lake road east of the lake the settlers have been given. Richmond was famous in the olden time for the number of distilleries as she is now honored for the temperance principles of her citizens. Where there were once fifteen manufactories, not one exists, nor is there a place in town where it is legally sold. Mr. Hamilton has sufficiently spoken of the proprietors of those early mischief- makers, and we pass to record a brief incident of those times. Jack Peters, colored, was short of funds and loved the "critter." He came one day to the distillery of Enoch Colby, apparently in much pain, and asked for something to drink for relief. Under the stimulus Peters felt better. In response to inquiries as to his condition he said, " Hope I never have. colic as long as I live again, but I know I shall." Gideon Pitts was engaged at one time in making beer. A quantity by mistake was let run into the slop-vat and fed to the hogs, whose antics were most comical to witness. Drinking and fighting were common, and all gatherings were incom-

plete without these incidentals, A great change followed the agitation of the temperance question, and Richmond is the home of quiet, orderly, law-abiding, and industrious citizens.

EARLY CO-OPERATION.

Thayer Gauss, resident of East Bloomfield, has done a service by a sketch of an early attempt at united effort, which, under different or more favorable circum- stances, would have been successful. Early in 1814, a score of prominent farmers, residents of Richmond and East Bloomfield, organised an association for mercan- tile purposes. Noah Ashley, Deacon Gilbert, Wheeler Read, and others were of Richmond; Abner Adams, Roger Sprague, Silas Egglestone, Benjamin Gauss, and others were of East Bloomfield. The company appointed as the executive directors Noah Ashley, Abner Adams, and Roger Sprague; and A. Sylvester Hamlin was engaged as general agent. A large brick store was first erected in East Bloomfield village. This was completed by the fall of the same year, al- though accompanied by great expense. Sprague accompanied Hamlin to New York, and both were instructed not to purchase goods beyond the value of four thousand dollars, since peace was prospective. Instructions were not observed; twelve thousand dollars' worth of goods were bought; peace tidings came in Feb- ruary, 1815, and the merchandise had to sell under New York cost. A branch store was started in summer, 1816, in the house of Mr. Bishop, at Richmond Centre. Curtis Hawley, of Canandaigua, and Thayer Gauss, of East Bloomfield, were placed in charge. The latter, then a young man, was in the capacity of an assistant for part of the summer. A store building, yet standing, was erected near the residence of Deacon Gilbert. The business did not prosper, and as rapidly as possible goods and store at Richmond were sold. The store at East Bloomfield was disposed of to Abner Adams, the goods having been sold at auo- tion. All obligations were fully paid and the business discontinued. Hamlin was paid two thousand dollars, and final settlement was made by Noah Ashley, Abner Adams, Heman Cook, and Eleazer Frary.

RICHMOND IN 1812.

Information regarding the part taken by any one town in the war of 1812 must of necessity come from old soldiers. From that source it has been learned that Peter Allen, of Allen's Hill, commanded a regiment of Ontario men. It was about six hundred strong; and four companies went out from near Geneva. The captains in command were Elijah Clark, Josiah Morehouse, Joel S. Hart, Caleb Herrington, Salma Stanley, Abraham Dox, John Brown, John and James Bogart. The regiment served from June, 1812, to October of the same year, and was at Buffalo and the frontier. A partial list has been gathered and is as follows : " Peter Allen, colonel; Nathaniel Allen, paymaster; James Henderson, major; Joshua Phillips, first lieutenant; Tilness Bentley, taken prisoner; Eli Crooks, killed at Erie. Henry Hazen, Paul W. Hazen, Thomas Bentley, Riley Crooks, Robert Crawford, John Wheeler, Sylvester Wheeler, Benjamin Leslee, Benjamin Downing, David Knapp, Richard Wright, Pitts Phillips, William Lane, John Flanders, Samuel Bentley, Lyman Canada, Vincent Conklin, Darius French, Leonard Pembleton, Elijah Risden, Elijah Sibley, and Cyrus Booth." Major Henderson was killed after being taken prisoner by the Indians. Sylvester Wheeler was shot through the lungs, and recovered. Benjamin Downing was killed, and Lyman Canada died at Buffalo. The regiment lost heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners at the action in September, 1812, at Queenstown. Here Judge Chipman's oldest son was captured by the British. Dennison's Corners was an old-time training-ground. A Naples rifle company, under command of Elias B. Kinne, once attended a training at this place, and made the tavern of Denni- son head-quarters. The men wore green frock-coats, trimmed with yellow fringe, and each carried a rifle, knife, and hatchet. A training not on the programme was improvised. . Food and drink were freely confiscated to their own use, and the proprietor was arrested, and locked up in one of his rooms, under charge of " keeping a disorderly house." The bar was opened, and supplies issued in generous proportions. Towards morning Dennison was tried by court-martial, under charge of keeping a noisy house and of supplying poor whisky and indif- ferent rations. Complainants proved damages, defendant adduced offseta, satis- factory receipts were exchanged, and the company marched away in fine style.

Town meetings indicate the persons then reputed best qualified for official position. "The proceedings of the first meeting in Pittstown, on April 5, 1796 (the place then called Honeoye), held at the house of Captain Peter Pitts, were as follows : Gideon Pitts, town clerk ; Lemuel Chipman, supervisor; Philip Reed, William Pitts, and Solomon Woodruff, assessors; Jonas Belknap, constable and collector; Solomon Woodruff, Gideon Pitts, and Elijah Parker, commissioners of highways; Stiles Parker and Roswell Turner, fence-viewers; Edward Hasen, pound-master; Peter Pitts, Cyrus Chipman, Solomon Woodruff, Aaron Hunt, and

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Roswell Turner, path-masters; Peter Pitts and Philip Reed, overseers of poor ; Philip Reed, Cyrus Chipman, and Jonas Belknap, commissioners of schools.

" Woodruff, Reed, Pitts and others, were elected to several offices, which, from none being arduous, and the combination being very convenient, resulted to the advantage of the townsmen. Voted-that forty shillings be paid as bounty for each wolf ' catcht' in the town ; hogs to run at large; sixteen pounds tax to be raised to defray town charges; name of district to be changed from Honeoye to Pittstown, and adjournment to meet at the same place first Tuesday of April, 1797. Second meeting-Chipman was again elected, and Levi Blackmer was made town clerk. Sixteen pounds sterling voted to meet expenses, and three pounds bounty to be paid for each wolf killed in the town. The town was appor- tioned into four road districts, named after the cardinal points: The Eastern dis- trict to include the east half of No. 9, in the fifth range; the Southern district, No. 8, in the same ranga; the Middle district, the west half of No. 9; and the Western district, including No. 9 in sixth range.and the gore; No 5 was divided, in 1800, into three districts, increasing the whole number to six. T. Chipman was supervisor until 1801, and P. Reed for some years thereafter.

The office of supervisor was not remunerative, and it was more profitable to shoot or trap a wolf, since Lemuel Chipman received five dollars for two years' service as supervisor, while in 1799 it was voted that Captain Reuben Gilbert be allowed eleven dollars and twenty-five cents for wolves caught and killed. In 1800 a tax of eight hundred dollars was voted to pay town expenses. This rapid increase is explained on the ground that bridges were to be built over streams at needed points. A pound for estrays was to be erected at the "Centre." It was contracted to be of good oak logs, thirty feet square, eight feet high; the middle of the logs' keys were required to prevent sagging, and a large heavy door for security. The committee to locate was composed of Silas Mony, David Crooks, and Daniel Risden. In 1806, bounty on wolves was repealed, and a bounty of one cent per head voted for squirrels, blackbirds, and woodpeckers. From this action we infer that the sheep were now regarded as tolerably secure, while the crops were badly used by the designated small and numerous depreda- tors. At a town meeting held in 1808 at the Centre school-house, the term Pitts- town was used, and in the year following, at the same place, Honeoye. A special meeting was held February 24, 1815, to petition the Legislature for a change of name to Richmond.

The early roads of Richmond were matters of great interest to the settlers. The Indian followed general trails, well chosen, but having no wheeled vehicles or sleds required but a foot-path, and highways were the first evidences of public and united effort. The first road through this town was the one from Canandaigua to Big Tree, and to intersect this highway roads were laid out in all directions. The first recorded begins at the northwest corner of the town, and continues southeasterly till it intersects the Genesee road, and was laid out by Gideon Pitts, Solomon Woodruff, and Elijah Parker. The second road, branching from the main trunk road, ran to the south line of Canadice. The third began west of Captain Pitts' barn, on the Genesee road, and followed the track of the present road through Allen's Hill to the Bloomfield line. It was surveyed April 23, 1798. The next road survey was made in April, 1799, from the Bloomfield line, south by Judge Chipman's and Silas Whitney's (at the gully south of Dr. Crooks'), to the main road. The next road surveyed began at the west line of the town, on the north line of lot 48, followed that line to near the Hemlock outlet down to where Richmond Mills now are, crossing there, and running easterly till inter- secting the road just mentioned between Judge Chipman's and William Baker's. A road yet used was next surveyed on the line of the west tier of lots from the Middle road south to the Genesee road. In 1799, a road was laid on the centre line of town from the Genesee to the Middle road, and is in use. The road run- ning west from Richmond Centre was surveyed May, 1800. In August following another was surveyed from Nathaniel Harmon's north line (lot 47) north to the town line of Charleston, now Lima. There were then three houses on the road ; there are now a dozen or more. In May, 1800, the road now leading from the northeast part of the town was surveyed through Allen's Hill across to Dennison's Corners, crossing the Honeoye river, as it was termed in the survey, where the present bridge is. The old Genesee road was surveyed a second time, in 1800, but few changes were made. It was the main line of travel for years, and a tide of travel passed over it from Canandaigua to Big Tree.

MASONIC LODGES

were established at an early date, and did much to unite for mutual assistance the scattered members of that ancient institution. The first Masonic lodge in town was entitled the GENESEE LODGE, No. 32, F. and A. M. This lodge was organized about 1806, with Judge Lemuel Chipman as Master. The meetings were held in Dennison's tavern. The old lodge-room still remains intact, while improvements

have elsewhere been extensively made by Mr. Blackmer. The lodge was large and prosperous. A membership of about one hundred and twenty was reached, and for many years the institution was pleasurable and profitable ; but the Morgan trouble gave rise to strong opposition, and the lodge finally gave up its charter and disbanded. At one time meetings were held at Allen's Hill, in the building now used by N. Garlinghouse as a dwelling. The assembly was afterwards held at Pierpont's tavern till it burned. Some of the first members of this lodge were Nathaniel Allen, Peter Allen, David Allen, Cyrus Wells, Noah Ashby, Elias Gil- bert, Asa Dennison, John F. Reed, James Henderson, Samuel Chipman, Colonel John Green, James Harkness, and Job Williams. N. Allen was at one time Master, but of this lodge and Richmond Chapter, No. 50, nothing is known to us.

EAGLE LODGE, No. 619, F. and A. M., is located at the village of Honeore, in the town of Richmond. The first meeting, under dispensation, was held at their lodge-room, in Honeoye, August 4, 1866. The original members were Ami W. Stevens, W. M., of Union Lodge, No. 45; A. R. Hilborn, S. W., Ovid, No. 127 ; G. P. Marble, J. W., Canandaigua, No. 294; A. G. Wilson, Treasurer, Naples, No. 133; R. W. McCrossen, Secretary, Naples, No. 133; George W. Pennell, S. D., Union, No. 45; E. K. Stevens, J. D., William Stevens, S. M. C., and G. D. Morgan, J. M. C., of the same lodge as Pennell; H. P. Abbey, J. B. West, and L. W. West, of Canandaigua, No. 294; Cyrus Pemberton and Aiken Stark, of Union, No. 45; J. L. Green, of Rushville, No. 377; C. L. Gilbert, Rochester, No. 57; and James B. Tubbs, Ovid, Michigan, 127. The first meeting under regular charter was held July 15, 1867. The charter bears date June 14, 1867. The first officers were A. W. Stevens, Master, with Aiken Stark, S. W., and Daniel W. Brown, J. W. The lodge has been familiar with prosperity. Aiken Stark was elected Master December 17, 1869, and J. L. Green, S. W. J. L Green was Master in 1871, George W. St. John, S. W., and George W. Shepard, J. W. Mr. St. John was Master in 1872, James R. Tubbs in 1873, and Leonidas F. Wilbur in 1874 and 1875. The present officers are: L. F. Wilbur, W. M .; T. R. Reed, S. W. ; J. H. Wilson, J. W .; P. I. Stout, Treasurer; M. P. Worthy, Jr., Secretary ; Frederick Francis, S. D. ; Thomas Murray, J. D. ; D. W. Case, S. M. C .; George W. Sharpsteen, J. W. C .; and J. W. Roth, Tyler. Meetings are held semi-monthly, and the number of active members is about fifty.

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History of Ontario Co., New York, Part 88

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

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