USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario county, New York : with illustrations and family sketches of some of the prominent men and families > Part 40
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The Baptists, who have for nearly a century been numerically and influentially strong in this town, and also in East Bloomfield, perfected their first church organization as early as 1799, and in 1803 built a meeting-house about one mile north of the hamlet of Bristol, more commonly called Bristol Hill. However, in 1805 the Bristol members of this society, which was known as the "First Baptist Church in Bloomfield," withdrew, and on February 7 organized the "First Bap- tist Church in Bristol," the latter numbering among its original mem- bers forty-two of the leading families of the town. This society built its first church home in 1807, and the second in 1814, both at the ham- let called Baptist Hill. A second Baptist church in Bristol was organ- ized in 1821.
Methodist preaching began in Bristol as early as the year 1800, when Indian missionaries of the church came here and conducted public serv- ices for the inhabitants. This kind of service was continued through- out many subsequent years, and in 1806 there were enough Methodists in the town to form a class, which was reorganized and strengthened in 1815. In 1846 a complete church and society organization was effected, Ephraim and George Gooding, Abner and Alanson Reed, and Ward Tolman being the first trustees. The church property of this society is located at Bristol Center.
The First Universalist Church of Bristol, having its edifice and seat of operations at Bristol Post-office, dates its actual organization back to the year 1837, though its teaching and preaching in the town ante- dated that time by nearly twenty years. The early ministers of this denomination to labor in this locality were Oliver Ackley, Rev. Mor- ton, W. J. Reese, G. W. Montgomery, and William Queil, the latter being one of the earliest resident ministers. The first church edifice was built in 1836 of cobble stones, and in the year following a society organization was effected, and the complete church organization was
.
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
delayed until February 2, 1872, the name "First Universalist Church of Bristol" being then adopted. The church edifice was built in 1861.
In this connection mention may also be made of the Christian Church, the organization of which was completed, though meetings were held as early as 1824. The society passed out of existence about 1850.
Little is known of the early history of the schools of this town, the records extant throwing no valuable light on the subject, and the memory of the oldest inhabitants not running to the time of their establishment. However, it is a well authenticated fact that Thomas Hunn taught the first school in the town in 1790, and at that time the school history began, and from Hunn's primitive school the present excellent system is grown and developed. Generally referring to the schools of Bristol, it may be said that the town now comprises twelve school districts, each of which has a frame school-house. The total value of schools and sites is $7,275. In the town in 1892 were 354 children of school age, to whom instruction is offered at an annual expense of about $2,27 I paid to teachers. The amount of school moneys received in 1892 from all sources was $3,065.
CHAPTER XXVII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SOUTH BRISTOL.
O
N the 8th day of March, 1838, township eight of range four was separated from the old town of Bristol and given a distinct organization under the name of South Bristol, and being not only one of the younger towns of Ontario county, but the smallest in point of population. The principal trading centers of this town are the ham- lets known as South Bristol, situate in the central part ; Bristol Springs, located about a mile and a quarter west from the lake shore, and in the eastern central portion of the town; Woodville, a boat -landing at the head of the lake; aud Seneca Point, in the northeast part of the town, a summer resort of much popularity among the many similar locations
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TOWN OF SOUTH BRISTOL.
on the shores of the lake. Boswell's Corners and Cold Spring are also names of settled hamlets, but neither is of any special importance. We may state, however, that on the formation of this town a part of num- ber eight in the third range was included within its boundaries, and except for this additional area South Bristol would have had no lake front.
In 1788 Gameliel Wilder purchased township eight, range four, from Phelps and Gorham, taking title (except to several reserved tracts) in the name of Prince Bryan, the latter a land speculator, but who after- ward conveyed the town to Mr. Wilder. The reserved lands were sold to Captain Charles Williamson, and by him were subsequently trans- ferred to the Hornby estate, and as such were represented by the agency of John Greig, the prominent early lawyer of Canandaigua. On becoming proprietor of this vast tract Wilder prepared a plan for its division into lots, but not until 1794 was the survey made.
In 1789 the pioneer settlement of the town began, the first honor in connection therewith naturally falling to Gameliel Wilder, although he was accompanied by quite a colony of pioneer Yankees. Besides Wilder were his sons, Daniel, Jonas, Joseph and Asa, Theophilus Allen and wife, Jonathan, John and Nathan Allen, Jeremiah Spicer, Aaron Rice, Jared Tuttle, Elisha Parish, and a few others whose names have not been preserved, as members of the colony. These families located in various sections of the town and at once set about clearing and im- proving their lands and building houses and other necessary buildings. In 1791 Gameliel Wilder built a grist-mill, and a saw-mill was about the same time put in operation by the worthy pioneer. Associated with the grist-mill was also the indispensable distillery.
In the same manner may also be mentioned the names of other early settlers of South Bristol, among whom were Nathan Hatch, Pliny Hayes (wagon maker at an early day) and his brother. Hayes also operated the first carding-mill in town. Erastus Hill was an early settler, also an early schoolmaster. Nathan Hatch settled prior to 1800. David Gilbert was an early settler, as also was James Wilder, the pioneer blacksmith, and Warren Brown, Thomas Lee, Ephraim Brown, the wheelwright, the Kaufman family, Phineas Perkins, Deacon John Forbes, Richard Bishop, Abraham Roberts, Levi Austin and Mr. Fay are also to be mentioned in the same connection.
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
Pioneer Nathan Hatch settled before 1800. He had a large family of children, his sons being Nathan, George, John, Thomas, Charles, Lyman and Luman, whose coming added much to the town's popula- tion and enterprise. Other settlers were Aaron Spencer (1790), Nich- olas Burbee, Capt. Reuben Gilbert, Deacon Parmelee, " Lawyer " Butler, Mr. Reed, Gideon Beaman, James Corel, John Wood, Ezra Wood, Gains Randall, Deacon and Jonathan Forbes, Jeremiah Spicer, Luke Coye, Thomas Francisco, Ezra Parmele, Clark Worden, David Knicker- bocker, Mr. Maloy, John Perry, Thomas Standish, the Loveridge family, Amos Miner, jr., Phineas Lee, Lucius Lincoln, Thomas Lee, Richard Ingraham, Jonathan Green, Dr. David Williams, Anson Parrish, William Gates, John Fox, Harrison Salisbury, Pitts Walker, Jeremiah Spicer, Eleazer Parker, David Parker, Jonathan and Jacob Frost, Hazard Wilcox, Caleb McNair, William Dunn, John Lee, Erastus and Cyrus Hill, Franklin Pierce, Benj. Wilcox. There were undoubt- edly other early settlers in the town whose names are equally worthy of mention, but through the inaccuracy and insufficiency of records cannot now be ascertained. However, of the early settlement of this town it is to be said that while the first inhabitants were as enterprising and industrious as those of other localities, they were possessed of less means, therefore were compelled to work harder to gain a permanent foothold and provide for their families.
As has been stated, South Bristol was not set off until 1838, and its population, as shown by the census of 1840, was then about 1,400 In 1840 it was 1,375, since which time it has fluctuated constantly, as will be seen from the following statement taken from the census reports : Population in 1840, 1,375; 1850, 1,120; 1860, 1,216; 1870, 1,218; 1880, 1,327; 1890, 1,225. It will be observed, however, that there has not been the same proportionate decrease in population in this town as is noticeable in some others of the county, the falling off in South Bristol in fifty years being only 150.
Referring again to some of the first events of the town, we may state that pioneer Gameliel Wilder built the first grist-mill, the first saw-mill, the first distillery, the first framed house, kept the first tavern, and was otherwise identified with local affairs so that he was the leading man of the town for many years. Eli Allen, born (1791) of the marriage of
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TOWN OF SOUTH BRISTOL.
Theophilus Allen and Eliza Parrish, was the first white child born in the town. Ephraim Brown built a grist mill in 1805, which was suc- ceeded by others on the same site for many years George Wilder kept the first store in town, it being near the locality known as Bos- well's Corners. The first school house was built of logs, and Joanna Forbes and Eliza Parrish are said to have been the first teachers.
The western portion of South Bristol is devoted principally to general agricultural pursuits, and the land is of such a character and quality as to produce good returns to careful cultivation. During the last score or more of years, the lands in the eastern part of the town, which were formerly under general farm cultivation, have been turned into vine- yards, for which the locality and soil are peculiarly adapted, and the returns of which are far in excess of anything that could be realized from the average farm. In fact the lake shore lands throughout the north and south extent of South Bristol have been changed into an almost continuous series of vineyards, well attended and carefully culti- vated, while here and there, nestling comfortably in groves of forest trees, are numerous cottages, the summer homes of at least half a hundred business men and pleasure seekers. Within the town of Bristol, between the north line and the hamlet of Woodville, are dozens of landing-places, while at Seneca Point and Cook's Point are summer houses of some note. The hotel at Seneca Point is a large and well arranged building, owned by a company of shareholders, and is un- questionably the most popular resort on the lake. The summer house at Cook's Point is for summer boarders, and smaller and of less capacity than that last mentioned, but is a comfortable place and one well pat- ronized.
Of the several hamlets of South Bristol, that known as Bristol Springs is the largest and of the greatest importance. The first settler of this vicinity was Frederick W. Holcomb, who located here in 1812 and made an improvement. The population of this hamlet never ex- ceeded 300, and its industries have been confined to saw and grist mills and the stores usual to such settlements. However, the village is prettily situated, and is in all respects a quiet and peaceable place of residence. The merchants of the village are A. M. Gardner, Frank Holcomb and Willis W. Holcomb, and there are also two blacksmith
56
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
shops and other light industries. A saw-mill has been in operation here for many years, also a feed-mill, the present proprietor of both being B. T. Hawkins. An evaporater is also operated during the fruit season, its proprietor being John Ricketson.
The Congregational Church, formerly one of the important institu- tions of the town, is now only a thing of memory and fast passing from recollection. It was organized in the latter part of 1796, and owed much of its early prosperity to pioneer Gameliel Wilder, Ephraim Wilder and other prominent persons. The church edifice was built in 1814, on the Wilder farm, and was forty by fifty feet in dimensions. Mr. Wilder left a fund to help maintain the society, but even his gener- osity failed to maintain its permanency. The first pastor was Rev. John Rolph, followed later by Revs. Aaron Collins, Andrew Rawson, Benj. B. Smith and others. More than twenty years ago the old edifice was torn down, and the society passed out of existence. More recently, and within the last half score of years, a free church has been built, at the joint expense of members of various denominations. Here religious ser- vices are held by such clergymen as are appointed or invited to officiate.
South Bristol is the name of a small hamlet and post- office situated near the center of school district No. 8. It was at one time a busy set- tlement, and was the site of several milling industries and some trade. Its chief public buildings are the town-hall and the school-house.
Woodville is in the southeast corner of the town, near the head- waters of navigation on Canandaigua lake. The leading business inter- ests here are the boat landing and wharf and the hotel
Boswell's Corners is a very small settlement near the central part of the town, and contains the store of William Heard, while in the vicinity is the saw- mill and flour-mill of Henry Loose.
The town of Bristol is divided into twelve school districts, each hav- ing a good school house, and the total value of school property in the town is $6,230. In 1892 the town had a population of 307 children of school age, to instruct whom twelve teachers were employed, and the total expense of maintenance was $2,821, of which $2,369 was paid to teachers. During the year mentioned the town received school moneys from all sources to the amount of $2,821.15.
As has been stated, South Bristol was set off from the mother town by an act of the Legislature passed at the session of 1838. The first
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TOWN OF WEST BLOOMFIELD.
town meeting was held in April following, at which time officers were chosen as follows: Supervisor, Franklin Crooker; town clerk, S. Col- lins ; justices of the peace, John Stetson, Philo Judson, G. Hays; asses- sors, David Coye, Cyrus Hill, Allen Brown ; collector, Peter Cameron; overseers of the poor, Thos. Corel, M. Hayes; commissioners of high- ways, Ephraim Randall, Silas Reynolds, Joseph A. Allen ; commis- sioners of schools, J. S. Penoyer, H. Pennell, S. P. Page ; constables, Gains Randall, David Parker.
Supervisors of South Bristol. Franklin Crooker, 1838-39; Cyrus Hills, 1840; Simri Collins, 1841-42; James Parmely, 1843; John Stetson, 1844; Joseph A. Allen, 1845-47; Franklin Crooker, 1848; Joseph A. Allen, 1849; James Parmely, 1850-51 ; Joseph A. Allen, 1852; James Parmely, 1853-54; David Coy, 1855-56; John Stetson, 1857 ; Charles H. Sheldon, 1858-60; Ephraim Randall, 1861-62 ; Ed- win Brown, 1863; James Parmely, 1864-66 : Joseph E. Fellows, 1867; Edwin Brown, 1868; Charles Hemenway, 1869; Edwin Brown, 1870; Chas. G. Hemenway, 1871-74; Elias Allen, 1875; Chas. G. Hemen- way, 1876; Geo. T. Standish, 1877; Wm. Templar, 1878; Geo. T. Standish, 1879-80; Wm. Templar, 1881; John Ricketson, 1882-83 ; Wm. Templar, 1884; Avery Ingraham, 1885-87 ; George B. Hemen- way, 1888-89; Edward Smyth, 1890-92; Elmer N. Coye, 1893.
Present town officers: Supervisor, Elmer N. Coye ; town clerk, Fay- ette Ingraham ; assessors, D P. Allen, John F. Erdle, John S. Burn- ham; justices of the peace, A. W. Hovey, Wm. H. Hicks, C. R. North, S. L. Smith : commissioner of highways, George W. Reed; overseer of the poor, John Helfer ; collector, Miner H. Butler ; constables, Charles S. Achison, Joseph Fox, jr., Thomas J. Corel, Miner H. Butler ; com- missioners of excise, Chas. P. Johnson, Lyman A. Holcomb.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WEST BLOOMFIELD.
O N February 11, 1833, that part of township number 10 of range 5, which lay east of Honeoye Outlet, was set off from the old town of Bloomfield and given a separate organization under the name
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
of West Bloomfield. In area this is the smallest, except Geneva, of the towns of Ontario county, but is a town of considerable importance from a commercial and industrial point of view. Township 10, range 5, was purchased from the proprietary in 1789 by General Amos Hall, Robert Taft, Nathan Marvin and Ebenezer Curtis, all of whom were pioneers in the town as early as 1799.
The actual settlement in West Bloomfield began in the spring of 1789, when Peregrine Gardner came and made the first improvement, and was followed in the same year by Ebenezer Curtis and his family. Pioneer Gardner located in the central part of the town, on lot 10, and in the same vicinity he passed the remainder of his life. Lucinda, daughter of Mr. Gardner, was the first white child born in the town, this event taking place in 1791. Amos Hall settled west of Gardner, and was for many years an influential man in the county. In the be- ginning of the war of 1812 he commanded the Ontario county militia, and performed good service on the frontier; but having no practical knowledge of military affairs, was superseded in command by a trained officer. He also was conspicuous in State politics, and held offices of trust and importance. He was a large landholder in this locality. General Hall died in West Bloomfield December 28, 1827, the father of six children, nearly all of whom likewise attained much prominence.
Other pioneers and early settlers in this locality (the eastern central part of the town) were David Parsons (1796) the carpenter; Clark Peck, 1790; John Wendle, Reuben Lee, Deacon Daniel Handy (1796), Nathaniel Shepard (1805), Martin Minor, Nathaniel Eggleston, Mr. Stewart, Josiah Eggleston (shoemaker), Bayes Baker, Ami Fowler, Phileman Hall, Daniel Curtis, William Lee. This locality also seems to have been the home of a number of early industries, as investiga- tions disclose the fact that about 1816 Gen. Hall built a grist-mill on the creek, and on the site a mill was maintained for many years after- ward. Samuel Nichols started a distillery in 1818; Jacob Ardle a saw- mill in 1825. An ashery was also in operation here at an early day.
The pioneer of the northeast part of the town was Samuel Miller, whose settlement began in 1790, but who made an improvement on lot six in 1789. From this pioneer family the name Miller's Corners was derived. Other persons in this section were Josephus Fox, Thomas
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TOWN OF WEST BLOOMFIELD.
Larkins, Benjamin Burlingame (1795), Charles Smith, Benj. Crowell (1802), Robert Simpson (1796). South and southeast of the center of the town was settled early, and among the pioneers here we may recall the names of Captain Robert Taft, Royal Wheelock, John Lute, James Harvey, Lot Rew, Daniel Riley, Payne Leach, Wm. Carringer, the Al- gur family, Benj., John, Samuel and Josiah, George Nichols, Aaron Norton, John Miner, William Paul and David McMaster. In the south- west quarter the pioneers were Capt. Otis Thompson, Jesse Taft, Mr. Bent, Job Williams, Jeremiah Simmons, Arnold and Whitley Mann, Mr. Chapman, Daniel Daniels, William Daniels and Watrous Peck.
North of the locality last mentioned the pioneers were Colonel Jasper C. Sears and Ebenezer Curtis, the latter one of the proprietors, and whose settlement was made in 1789. In the same locality, also, the other early settlers were Julius Curtis, Joseph Gilbert, Palmer Peck, Jasper Marvin, Loren Waits, Sylvanus Thayer (who built the first grist- mill in the town), Uriah Webster (who had a saw-mill near Thayer's), Reynolds and Abner Peck. The locality just mentioned contains the hamlet of West Bloomfield, which in the early history of the town, was a place of great importance. In addition to the industries above noted, we may also mention Hutchinson's distillery, started in 1827, near the grist mill. Daniel Ashley was the head of a firm which started the first cotton-mill in this region, which later became a woolen factory. Elisha Eggleston ran a grist-mill here at an early day.
The pioneers of the north and northeast portions of the town may be chiefly recalled by name, and among them were the Bull, Dixon, Hib- bard and Baker families, and also Daniel and Marvin Gates, Reuben and Beebe Parmele, Isaac Hall, Daniel and Titus Canfield, Jared Everts, and the Butlers, Hayeses and Madisons. In this part of the town is situated the busy little manufacturing hamlet of North Bloom- field, of which more will be written later on in this chapter.
In West Bloomfield, unlike some other towns of the county, the his- tory of the villages is an essential part of the township itself, and among those which form a part of this chapter the most productive of recollections associated with the town at large is the hamlet bearing the name of the town. Pioneers Ebenezer Curtis and Jasper P. Sears (some authorities say John P. Sears) settled in this locality, the former
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
in 1789 and the latter in 1790. A preceding paragrpah has recorded the names of other early settlers in this vicinity, prominent among whom was Jasper Marvin. In 1810 Erastus Hunt had a general store, but still earlier Hendee & Company were in trade at the village. Lud- wick came later, as also did Augustus Hall, whose store was east of the village. John Dickson was the pioneer lawyer, and Doctors Fair- child and Hickox sold drugs and attended the sick. Dr. Lewis Hodge succeeded them. About 1820 Captain Arnold started a tannery, and two brothers Pillsbury opened a smith's shop. John Cooper made axes and other edged tools, Reuben Pierce was wagon-maker, and Pioneer Baker made chairs. W. D. Pillsbury started a foundry about 1830. Other early business men were Edward Herrick, brass founder, and Josiah Wendell, merchant. However, to recall the names of all the proprietors of business enterprises which have from time to time been established in West Bloomfield village would be difficult to accomplish, and even then could have no special interest. The village is situated something more than a mile south of the railroad, and al- though a pretty hamlet, does not possess the interests which seventy- five and more years ago made it their seat of operation. Its popula- tion is about 350, and its present interests are confined to the stores of Leach & Company, and Rigney. The town house was formerly the property of the Christian Church Society.
The Congregational Church of West Bloomfield is one of the fixed institutions of the village and has a history almost as interesting as that of the town itself. The "Society of Bloomfield," as it was originally called, had its beginning as early as the year 1796, and is therefore to be numbered among the first religious societies of Western New York. The first meetings were held under the charge of Pioneer Elisha Wade, and on August 16, 1799, an organization was perfected, having these members : Ebenezer Curtis, Samuel and Sarah Handy, Mary Hall, Daniel Canfield, Rachel Gilbert, Elizabeth Miner, Elizabeth Downs, Peregrine Gardner, Griffin Downs, Nathaniel and Sebra Butler, Reuben and Louisa Lee, Hannah Curtis, Rhoda Curtis, Phebe Hall, Comfort Marvin, and Phebe Richmond. The first pastor was James Hotchkin, who came as a supply in October, 1801, and who was installed pastor May 19, 1803. The early services of this church were held in the
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TOWN OF WEST BLOOMFIELD.
school-house, to which building the society at first proposed to make an addition to be occupied for purposes of public worship, but objec- tions to this plan being interposed, a church edifice was finally deter- mined upon. This was in 1804, but not until 1806 was the work begun, and the building was not fully completed until several years afterward.
In 1828 the church called Silas C. Brown to the pastorate, whose in- stallation was almost immediately followed by a bitter controversy among the members, and the final result was the withdrawal of forty of them, who organized a new society and installed Mr. Brown as their pastor. They also built a house of worship in 1831, which was used until the opposing factions became reunited, and was afterward (1866) sold to the trustees of St. Joseph's R. C. Society. The reunion men- tion was effected in 1843, and three years later the congregation had become so large that a new church was necessary. It was accordingly built-a large brick structure, costing about $5,000. This proved suf- ficient for the requirements of the society for thirty years, but in 1875 a third edifice was begun and was completed within two years. The property of the society consists of church, chapel and parsonage, of a total value of about $18,000.
The pastor and supplies of this church from its organization to the present time have been as follows : James H. Hotchkin, David Fuller, Ebenezer Fitch, Silas C. Brown, William P. Kendrick, Julius Steele, George Clark, George Bassett, C. R. Clark, Timothy Stowe, C. E. Fisher, George C. Overhiser, P. F. Sanborn, John Patchin, O. D. Craw- ford, S. B. Sherrill, and Annis F. Eastman, the last named being the present incumbent. The church at this time has a membership of 200, and the Sunday- school has 210 scholars.
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