History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

Author: Johnson, Crisfield. cn
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & co.
Number of Pages: 798


USA > New York > Oswego County > History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 109


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For a rostrum an immense hemlock, standing on the Square, was cut off some twenty fect from the ground, and a platform built on the lofty stump, capable of accommo- dating all the officials of the day. From that commanding and romantic elevation, on many an Independence day, successive orators thundered forth their eulogies of Ameri- can liberty, and their denunciations of despotism in every form. There, too, after the feast had been disposed of, the magnates assembled, of whom Captain Sage was the most prominent, toasts were drank in New England rum, which the morals of that day did not interdict, and the empty bottles flung down to the ground amid the cheers of the multitude below.


Though there were no Indians residing close by, the Oneidas went through the town every fall on their hunting excursions. They were on good terms with the settlers, but were as fond then as now of getting food or drink without labor. Mrs. Porter relates that one Sunday in autumn her father's family went to church, leaving her, then only six years old, alone in the house. While sitting in the kitchen she noticed the darkening of the open door- way, and, looking up, saw a squaw standing within it. The latter began to talk and gesticulate, but the frightened child


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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


could not understand a word. Finally, the Indian woman pointed to the pumpkins growing luxuriantly amid the corn close to the house, and made motions to show that she wanted one.


" Yes, yes," exclaimed Mary, anxious to get rid of her visitor. The squaw went into the corn-field, and then the little girl on looking out saw twenty or thirty Indians and squaws in the road, every one of whom followed the ex- ample of their companion. Each picked out the best pumpkin to be found, slung it in his or her blanket, and marched off, leaving a serious vacancy in the pumpkin crop.


Among the immigrants who came previous to the war of 1812, besides those already mentioned, were Richard Dim- mick, Squire Hinman, John Caster, Ezia Dewey, and James, Nathan, and John Harris. Though there was no regular store, it would appear as if Wells Kellogg kept a good many things to sell, from the frequency with which some of the other residents were found "confessing judgment" in his favor on the books of Justice Corey.


In 1807 the survey-township of Acadia was annexed to the town of Redfield. As no one lived in it, the only effect was to increase the amount of Redfield's taxable property. In the same year (April 1) the first post-office was estab- lished in the town, the name being Redfield, and Russell Stone being the first postmaster.


Meanwhile the " great road" had been opened through to Sackett's Harbor (instead of Brownville, as originally in- tended), and much travel passed over it. Nearly all the emigrants to the southern part of Jefferson county took this route. During the war of 1812 the "State road" was the scene of still greater animation. Bodies of troops were constantly passing,-reckless regulars disposed to ap- propriate whatever eatables they could lay their hands on, and mild-mannered militia, sent to the front by draft, and sadly regretting the comfortable homes they had left behind.


Mrs. Porter recounts how on one occasion a company camped on the public square while the young ladies of the vicinity were gathered at a quilting-party near by. The captain approached and politely invited the girls to dance with his men. They assented, and in a few moments sol- diers and maidens were footing it blithely over the green to the inspiring sounds of the frolicsome violin.


In 1813, Dr. David Dickerson located himself at Centre Square, being the second physician in town, and the only one at that time. After selecting his home he sent for his wife, with whom came her sister, Sophronia Sherwood, then a young woman; now the venerable widow of Rodney Scy- mour. At that time Mrs. Seymour states there were only three or four houses at Centre Square, besides the taverns of Colonel Johnson and Mr. West, though there were numerous farms in a good state of cultivation up and down the river. The nearest store and the nearest grist-inill were then at Florence.


After the war immigration began again, though more slowly than on the first opening of the town. People had discovered more fertile, though certainly not more healthy, localities farther on, and passed somewhat disdainfully by the pure water and cool uplands of Redfield. Yet the valley of the upper Salmon still bore a lively appearance. The State road became the route of an important stage-


line, and travel constantly poured along it. That road and the one down Black river were the two great thoroughfares between the valley of the Mohawk and that of the St. Lawrence. Just after the war Dr. Alden returned from Rome, and built a grist-mill at the Square, which stands there to this day.


When the project for a division of Oneida county was mooted, the people of Redfield voted a remonstrance against it in town-meeting. The plan succeeded, however. Os- wego County was formed in 1816, and Redfield became its northeasternmost town.


The people still retained their interest in religion and education, and in 1817 and 1818 voted to raise for schools three times the amount received from the State; the largest proportion which we have observed anywhere or at any time. At the same time their general ideas regarding the expenditure of public money were very frugal. In 1818 it was voted that the commissioners of highways should treat with those of Orwell for the building of a joint bridge over Salmon river, but should not give over thirty dollars for the purpose !


But the wolves, which still raged against the sheepfold, were the cause of the promptest liberality. In 1818 twenty dollars was voted for the " pate" of each wolf killed in the town. The bounty on foxes was fifty cents. The town- record for the same year contains this imperious decree,- of Spartan brevity and Roman firmness,-" voted, that all hogs shall have rings in their noses." A supplementary resolution directed a fine of twenty-five cents for each por- cine animal running at large between the 1st of April and the 1st of December without the ornament required by law.


It was not till about 1824 that the people felt able to build a church edifice, when the Methodists erected a neat structure at the Square, which still remained the centre of all business. When there are two denominations in a town and one of them builds a church, the other is pretty sure to follow the example. Accordingly, in 1829 the Congre- gationalists erected an edifice similar in size and appearance to that of the Methodists. Both these small but tasteful structures, kept in thorough repair, still adorn the sides of Redfield Square.


Up to this time (1830) there had been almost no settle- ment in the northern part of the town. The " Nine-Mile woods" stretched in primeval gloom along the State road, unbroken by a single clearing, save where a man named Webb kept a rude tavern near the middle of them. After 1830, settlers began to clear up the long-unoccupied section.


This section continued to be celebrated for its deep snows. Mr. George MeKinney relates how, in 1832, the people of Redfield on the south, and of Lorraine (Jefferson county) on the north, turned out en masse to break the road through the Nine-Mile woods. With infinite labor their work was accomplished, and the two parties met at night at Webb's tavern. There was hardly room for them to stand, much less to lie down, so all idea of sleep was abandoned, and the night was passed in a general jubilee. In three days the road was full again, and for some time the mail had to be carried on snow-shoes.


About 1835 the first store in town was opened at the Square by John H. Corey, son of the early pioneer and


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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


magistrate, Phineas Corey. He was sueeeeded by Henry Brooks, and since then Redfield has been duly represented in the mercantile department of business.


A considerable number of settlers had by this time located in the survey-township of Acadia, and on the 21st of February, 1843, it was formed into a town by the name of "Greenboro'," a post-office of that name being after- wards established on the State road, near the Boylston line. The new town, however, was too sparsely settled to support an organization ; difficulties arose with the proprietors re- garding the taxing of non-resident lands, and on the 1st day of March, 1848, Greenboro' was re-annexed to Redfield.


About 1855 two large tanneries were ereeted at Redfield Square, one by Streeter Bros. and one by Chauncey Burket. They suspended operations in consequence of the financial crisis of 1857, but were shortly afterwards revived, one by J. A. Coles and one by Lapham, Clarington & Burket. They have sinee passed into the hands of O. K. Lapham.


About 1865 a railroad from Williamstown village to Maple Hill, built for the purpose of carrying wood, was extended into the town of Redfield to a point about two and a half miles from the Square. Up to 1871 it did a very heavy business, and an immense amount of wood was eut and carried off. After that time wood became searee, though the road was kept in operation until 1876, when it was abandoned and the traek taken up.


Meanwhile the tanneries have given a new impulse to the business of the town, employing as they do about fifty hands in their immediate operation, and offering a market for immense quantities of hemlock bark, obtained not only in this town, but in the adjacent part of Lewis county. Under the management of Mr. Lapham's foremen, C. C. Hayden and Adam Loek, they are capable of tanning near thirty thousand hides each per year. A store is connected with them.


Besides this, there are at the Square a large dry-goods and grocery store, owned by G. G Simons, the grist-mill of D. P. Penfield, the saw-mill of Chas. Mckinney, and the cheese-factory of Mr. MeAdam. In the north part of the town, still ealled Greenboro' in common parlance, are three saw-mills, owned respectively by Messrs. Saunders, Button, and Yerdon.


The people of Redfield still retain their old interest in education, schools are well attended, and it is seldom indeed that one will see, in so small a village, as fine a sehool- house as the handsome two-story one at Redfield Square, in which a graded school, with two departments, is liberally sustained.


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI.


This is the one which, as has been mentioned, was origi- nally organized as a Congregational society, with nineteen members, in 1802, and is consequently the oldest church in the county. Owing to the loss of its records, very little can be learned regarding it more than has just been given in the general sketch of the town. Rev. Joshua Johnson was the first pastor, serving, as near as we ean learn, some twelve or fifteen years. Subsequent to him, and we think immediately succeeding him, was Rev. Wm. Stonc.


For nearly thirty years the congregation worshiped in the school-house, but about 1829 a small, neat church


edifice was erected at Redfield Square, at a cost of about a thousand dollars. The church has since adopted the Pres- byterian form of government, that form being substantially all that distinguishes the two denominations. The present offieers are as follows :


Acting pastor, Rev. F. N. Greeley ; Elders, P. Cooper, James Petrie, and E. M. Parsons.


THIE METHODIST CHURCH (REDFIELD AND FLORENCE CIRCUIT).


The records of this church go back to 1845. A class was organized at Redfield Square as early as 1820, and probably earlier. A house of worship was ereeted in 1824, being the first in town. As usual, several classes were joined in one cireuit. In 1845, Redfield, Williamstown, Amboy, and Florence (Oneida county) were thus united. In 1848 the eireuit was reduced to Redfield and Florence. In 1853 each of these localities became a separate eharge. We have not been able to learn of the existence of a record of the Redfield church while separate. Redfield and Flor- enee were afterwards reunited in one charge, and from the books in the hands of the clerk we obtain the following imperfeet list of ministers :


Rev. Orra Squires, 1845 ; Harris Kingsley, 1846; Jacob M. Park, 1847 ; Asahel Aldrich, 1849-50 ; Samuel Salis- bury, 1851-52; L. Whitney, 1853 ; . . . William Moore, 1867-68 ; James R. Moore, 1869 ; Allen Miller, 1870-72; Samuel Salisbury, 1873; George W. Hughes, 1874-75; James D. Dickson, 1876; R. O. Becbe, 1877. The present stewards are Joel Loomis, Wm. Fink, and Wm. Rant.


SUPERVISORS AND TOWN CLERKS.


Supervisors .- Luke Winchell, 1800; Eli Strong, 1801 ; Nathan Sage, 1802-10; Wm. Lord, 1811-26; Daniel Dimmick, 1827-33; Edwin Rockwell, 1834-39 ; Rodney Seymour, 1840; Reuben Drake, 1841-42; Rodney Sey- mour, 1843-44; Gideon Parkhurst, 1845-46; Rodney Seymour, 1847; Daniel Dimmiek, 1848-19; Sheldon Brooks, 1850-52; Gideon Parkhurst, 1853; Arthur V. Perry, 1854-55; Daniel Dimmick, 1856-57 ; Chas. Me- Kinney, 1858; Daniel Dimmick, 1859-6] ; Sylvester Goodrich, 1862; Daniel Dimmiek, 1863-64; Chas. Me- Kinney, 1865-66; Daniel Dimmiek, 1867 ; James Petrie, 1868; Daniel Dimmiek, 1869; A. G. Sexton, 1870-72; Lewis L. Fleming, 1873-76 ; Andrew S. Coey, 1877.


Town Clerks .- Eli Strong, 1800; Wells Kellogg, 1801 ; Eli Strong, 1802-4; Isaac Conkling, 1805; Jonathan Deming, 1806-13; Amos Kent, 1814-17 ; Allyn Sey- mour, 1818; Amos Kent, 1819-21 ; Samuel W. Johnson, 1822-23; Ira Seymour, 1824-27; Wm. Lord, Jr., 1828- 29; Geo. Mckinney, 1830; Wm. Lord, Jr., 1831 ; Moses II. Webster, 1832; Reuben Drake, 1833; Wm. Lord, Jr., 1834-35; John Corey, 1836; Ilinman Griswold, 1837; Henry Brooks, 1838-39; John K. Perry, 1840-41 ; Franklin Washburn, 1843; Henry Brooks, 1844-51; Reuben Drake, 1852-55; John K. Perry, 1856 ; Alphonso II. Seymour, 1857 ; Heman Bacon, 1858; A. II. Seymour, 1859 ; Gilbert M. Parsons, 1860 ; Elias M. Parsons, 1861 ; Chas. Mckinney, 1862; Joseph C. Thompson, 1863-64 ;


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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


Geo. Elmer, 1865-66 ; J. M. Burton, 1867 ; Henry J. Burkett, 1868; J. B. Parsons, 1869; H. J. Burkett, 1870; Robert Cooper, 1871; John Cooper, 1872; Wm. J. Gooding, 1873-76 ; Stephen C. Thompson, 1877.


OFFICERS OF REDFIELD IN 1877.


Andrew S. Coey, supervisor ; Stephen C. Thompson, town clerk ; John Lyons, Abraham Yerdon, Jeremiah Gor- man, and Alfred H. Perry, justices of the peace ; Martin V. B. Clemens, Charles Mckinney, and Wm. Fink, asses- sors ; Thomas T. McNamara, Lyman Gaylord, and Orson Randall, commissioners of highways; Virgil Seymour, overseer of the poor ; Hiram B. Algwire, collector ; George S. Thompson, James McNamara, and Sylvester H. Adams, auditors ; Charles Clemens, Marion V. D. Jackson, and John Costello, inspectors of election ; H. B. Algwire, Jno. Cooper, J. C. Adams, and Wm. Wright, constables ; Peter McOwen, sealer ; John Murphy, game constable ; Tilly R. Sheldon, pound-master ; John C. Thompson, Matthew Comiskey, and Virgil J. Seymour, commissioners of excise.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.


JAMES PETRIE


was born in Orkney, Scotland, May 15, 1819, the sixth of ten children. His father was Robert Petrie, a farmer and weaver. James married Jessie Guthrie, of Kirkwell, Scot- land, in 1845. Seven children-two sons and five daughters, all living-were born to them, one in Scotland, the rest in America. He landed in New York June 2, 1847, and arrived in Redfield on the 6th of the same month. One month after, by the aid of a brother in New York, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, clearing enough to keep five cows and a span of horses. This farm was after- wards traded, by his brother, for a house in Brooklyn, James receiving the money he had paid upon it. In 1853 he purchased the Lewis farm of two hundred and sixty-two and a half acres, where his eldest son now lives. In 1872 he purchased the Burkett farm of two hundred acres, where he now lives. Besides the eldest son above mentioned, three daughters are married, and are living in the vicinity. Mr. Petrie has served as commissioner of highways and as supervisor of the township. In politics he is a Republican. At the age of sixteen he joined the Secession Presbyterian church of Scotland, his father being an elder in the same for over thirty years. Mr. Petrie has been elder in the church for several years. Coming to this country with very limited means, by untiring industry he has accumulated a handsome fortune, and ranks among the most thrifty of the farmers of the neighborhood.


MILITARY RECORD OF REDFIELD.


Hiram Allen. Eulisted in the 189th Inf., September I, 1864; dis- charged in the summer of 1865.


James Coey. Mustered in the 147th Inf., Ang. 27, 1862; wounded ; promoted to captain and to major ; dis. in the summer of 1865.


James L. Baleomb. Enlisted in the 110th Inf., Aug. 10, 1862; dis. in summer of 1865.


William MeCan. Enlisted in the 147th Regt., Aug. 20, 1862 ; wounded ; discharged in summer of 1865.


Jehn P. James. Eulisted in the 5th Inf., Aug. 10, 1862 ; dis. ie 1865. Evan Jones. Eelisted in the 5th Inf., Aug. 10, 1862; dis. in 1865.


Alfred Tucker. Enlisted in the 35th Inf., Jan. 5, 1861; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Orson Randall. Enlisted in the 59th Inf., Aug. 19, 1861; re-en- listed Aug. 19, 1864; dis. in the summer of 1865.


John Livingstone. Enlisted in the 110th Regt., Aug. 10, 1862 ; wounded : dis. in the summer of 1865.


Norman P. Smith, Enlisted in the 59th Inf., Oet. 15, 1861, ns a musician.


Robert Cooper. Enlisted in the 5th H. Art., Feb. 7, 1862; re-enl. Feb. 17, 1864.


George M. Joues. Enl. in the 10th H. Art., Sept. 11, 1862; dis. in the summer of 1865.


John MeNamara. Enlisted in the 18th Iuf., Sept. 1, 1862; dis. in 1865. Daniel MeMahon. Enl. in the 24th Inf., Jan., 1861; re-enl. in Oct., 1863; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Garret Miller. Enl. in the 110th laf., Sept. 11, 1862; promoted to eorp .; re-enl. Sept. 23, 1864; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Ebenezer Adsit. Enl. in the 147th Inf., Aug. 21, 1862; prom. to eorp .; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Orsen Sheldon. Enl. in the 186th Inf., Sept. 15, 1864 ; dis. in the sum- mer of 1865.


Daniel A. Grant. Enlisted in the 93d Inf., Nov. 18, 1861; wounded ; dis. in summer of 1865.


John N. Grant. Enlisted in the 93d Inf., Nov. 18, 1861; prom. to eorp .; wounded; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Wm. Currin. Enl. in the 59th Inf., Nov. 3, 1861; prem. to eorp. and sergt .; re-enl. 1864.


William Bartlett. Enlisted in the 97th Iuf., October 7, 1861; pro- moted to Ist sergt. and 2d lieut .; re-enlisted Jan. 1, 1864; dis. in summer of 1865.


Joseph Bartlett. Enlisted in the 8Ist Inf., Oet. 7, 1861 ; promoted to Ist lieut. ; re-enlisted Jan., 1864; dis, in summer of 1865.


Charles S. Baleom. Eulisted in the 93d Regt., Oct. 10, 1861, as eor- poral ; dis, in summer of 1865.


Daniel Baleem. Eulisted in the 184th Iuf., Sept. 7, 1864; dis. in summer of 1865.


Daniel Gerden. Enlisted in the 110th Regt., August 10, 1862; dis. in 1865.


Norman Randall. Enlisted in the 186th Inf., Sept. 7, 1864; dis. in summer of 1865.


Lyman Randall. Eulisted in the 186th Inf., Sept. 22, 1864; re-en- listed Dec., 1863; dis, in summer of 1865.


John R. Carter. Enlisted in the 186th Int., Sept. 18, 1864; dis. in 1865.


Chester Carter. Ealisted in the 186th Iof., Aug. 23, 1864; dis. in summer ef 1865.


Stephen Robillard. Enlisted in the 10th Heavy Art., Sept. 24, 1864; dis. in 1865.


Sidney C. Gaylord. Eul. in the 147th Inf., Aug. 21, 1862 ; pro. to 2d lieut .; killed in the battle of Petersburg, Jan. 18, 1864.


Orville A. Wright. Enlisted in the 142d Inf., Aug. 10, 1863; died at David's Island, Jan. 25, 1864, of sickness originating in the service.


William Jackson. Enlisted in the 110th Iuf., Aug. 10, 1862; died at Port Hudson, La., Aug. 16, 1863.


Daniel M. Collum. Enlisted in the 1st Cav., Sept. 27, 1863; died at Washington, D. C., Mar. 27, 1864, of wounds received in battle. Elisha Allen. Enlisted in the 59th laf., Nov. 1, 1861 ; killed in the battle of Gettysburg, July 15, 1863.


Bernard McOwen. Enlisted in the 147th Inf., Aug. 21, 1862; died at David's Island, Apr. 12, 1863, of siekness originating in the service.


Simeon Potter. Eulisted in the 147th Inf., Aug. 21, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.


Albert Potter. Enlisted in the 147th Regt., Aug. 21, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 1862.


Albert Clyman. Enlisted in the 147th Regt., Aug. 21, 1862; died at Belle Plain, La., Jan. 20, 1863.


Augustus Murden. Eul'd in the 2d H. A., March 10, '64; dis. in '65.


-


LIEUT.COL. 24TH CAVALRY N.Y. V. :


MELZAR RICHARDS.


LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MELZAR RICHARDS was born at Blood's Corners, Steuben county, New York, December 25, 1822. He went with his parents to Massachusetts, and soon after came to this county and located in the town of Parish.


In 1847 he united in marriage with Catherine Smalen- berger, of Utica, New York. In 1849, during the enthu- siasm and excitement attending the discovery of gold in California, he journeyed to that State, and during three years braved the dangers and privations of the mining regions. He then returned to the town of Parish, where he remained until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he promptly organized Company D, of the Twenty-fourth New York Volunteers, and entered the service as captain. Colonel Richards was in every respect well adapted for the life of a soldier. He had an iron constitution, an indomi- table will, and knew no such word as fear. He served gal- lantly with the noble Twenty-fourth, and distinguished himself on many a severely contested field. In the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, South Mountain, Antietam, First and Second Fredericksburg, he was ever found at the front, and by his brave and heroic conduct inspired his men with courage. In the terrible battle of Antietam he was only slightly wounded, though his hat and clothing were com- pletely riddled with bullets. In February, 1863, he was promoted to major of the Twenty-fourth Regiment, and served in that capacity until the expiration of its term of


service. Colonel Richards, although he had served in the severest battles of the war, and received an honorable dis- charge, was not one to sit idly by while his imperiled country still called for brave men, and he actively assisted in raising and organizing the Twenty-fourth Cavalry, and was commissioned as major. He was in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, and Peters- burg, and in these engagements added fresh laurels to those already gained in the hard-fought battles of the Twenty- fourth Infantry. He commanded the regiment in many of the engagements, and proved himself a brave and efficient commander. On the third day of the battle of Petersburg he was severely wounded in the left arm, but would not go to the rear, and remained at the head of his regiment ; and, although his arm hung useless at his side, he refused to go to the rear, and with the reins of his horse in his teeth, or fastened to his left shoulder, he rode at the head of his regiment during the remainder of the day's carnage.


Nearly four years Colonel Richards had patriotically served his country on the battle-field, and thus far had been but twice wounded; but on the fatal 5th of April, 1865, when the Union army was pressing Lee's retreating forces, the swift-winged messenger came : he was pierced through the breast by a rebel bullet and soon after expired. With his death passed away a kind father, a good citizen, and a patriotic soldier.


Colonel Richards was a Mason in high standing, and was buried, April 23, 1865, with masonic and military honors.


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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.


Elisha R. Adsit. Enl. in the 186th Inf., Ang. 27, 1864: dis. in 1865. Jacob Sherey. Enlisted in the 97th Inf., Oct. 9, 1861 ; promoted to sorgt. ; discharged in 1865.


George G. Simons. Enlisted in the 189th Inf., Sept. 2, 1864; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Hugh MeOwen. Enlisted in the 147th Inf., Aug. 22, 1862; dis. in summer of 1865.


John Potter. Enlisted in the 147th Inf., Aug. 12, 1862; transferred to the 1st Light Art. ; dis. in 1865.


Benjamin Filkins. Entisted in the 186th Iof., Sept., 1864; dis. in the summer of 1865.


Gardner Filkins. Enlisted in the 186th Inf., Aug. 27, 1864; dis. in spring of 1865.


George Barlow. Enlisted in 147th Regt., Jan., 1864; died of sick- ness originating in the service, March 9, 1864, at Charleston, S. C.


Daniel Cooper. Enlisted in the 5th Heavy Art., Feb. 7, 1862; died at Staunten, Va., July 26, 1864, while n prisoner of war.


William Cooper. Enlisted in the 5th Ileavy Art., Jan., 1864 ; died at Annapolis, Md., May 16, 1865.


II. Seymour. Mnstered in the 59th Inf., Nov., 1861, ns 2d lient. ; killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, Jan. 20, 1862.


PARISH.


THIS is an inland town of Oswego County. It is, on an average, about two hundred and sixty feet above the level of Lake Ontario, and contains near twenty-five thousand acres of land, mostly fertile, consisting of gravel, sand, and loam. It is well watered by several small streams; the largest one being the northi branch of Salmon creek. The principal trees of the forest are the sugar-maple, becch, birch, and hemlock. There are also a few swamps of pine and cedar, and in the eastern part of the town is St. Mary's lake, containing about forty aeres.




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