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 110
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This town originally belonged to the vast hunting-ground of the Six Nations, being near the line between the Oneidas and Onondagas. The first white settlement was made in 1803, by Rev. Gamaliel Barnes, a Baptist clergyman from Otsego county, in company with his son-in-law, Stephen D. Morse. They came by way of Camden, Oneida county, through the present town of Amboy. Their guides were principally marked trees and Indian trails, though Elder Barnes had prospected here the year before. Mr. Morse was really the pioneer in the felling of timber and clearing of land, having probably done more of that work than any other man that ever resided in town. He had a powerful physical constitution, and, when at the age of sixty-eight, eould chop his three cords of wood in a day. Both of these individuals settled in the extreme west part of the town, on small lot No. 60, 23d township, Scriba's patent, then called Mexico, Oneida county.
Paul Allen, a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, moved into town from Otsego county in 1804, and settled on small lot No. 2. He soon made him a farm in the wilderness, and became one of the leading men of the town, being a lieutenant in the war of 1812, the first supervisor of Parish, and a prominent member of the Baptist church. He died in 1849.
Thomas Nutting, of Otsego county, then twenty-three years old, settled in town in 1804, on small lot No. 6. He was a farmer, a soldier of 1812, and the incumbent of several town offices. He and his wife survived all the other old settlers, dying in 1873, his wife upon one day and he upon the next. Eleada Orton came the same year, and located on small lot No. 5.
In 1805, Stutely Palmer, Jr., William Wightman, Amos Williams, and Wm. D. Wightman came into town from
Herkimer county, and settled on small lot No. 61, except Wm. D. Wightman, who located on lot No. 3. Denison B. Palmer settled on small lot No. 60, a few years later, and was afterwards the first justice of the peace in town.
Between the years 1810 and 1825 such prominent indi- viduals as Lumon Brockway, Abram House, Joseph May- bee, John Miller, Benjamin Whitney, Jacob J. Miller, Erastus Fyler, and Joseph Edick (all dead but Mr. Edick) came into town with their families. The early settlers generally came from Otsego and Herkimer counties. They were tough, hardy men and women, and their longevity was something remarkable; almost all of them living to be upwards of seventy years old. Generally they were people of strong and sincere piety. Their capital consisted not in cash, but in musele, industry, and iron will. In fact, this was about all the capital that was ever brought into town. The pioneers of Parish were persons of marked intelligence for that primitive period, and would have done no discredit to any age. Elder Barnes built the first log house in town, and also the first frame one, and the first barn.
In fact, Mr. Barnes was so intimately connected with the early history of Parish that a correct account of that por- tion of his career would give a very good idea of pioneer life in that town, especially on its religious side. A native of Connecticut, his early advantages had been very few, and his chief education had been to learn the trades of a tanner and a shoemaker. He had served in the army of the Revolution, had early enlisted in the army of the Lord, had shown marked oratorical talent, and had soon been ordained as a minister of the Baptist church, yet had always supported himself principally by manual labor.
Mr. Barnes had reached the mature age of forty-six when he settled in Oswego County. As soon as possible he began preaching to the seattered pioneers around him. He was, so far as known, the second actual preacher who made his home in the county; and, as the first was at Redfield, in the extreme northeastern corner, Mr. Barnes was the earliest in the whole central and western portion. With untiring zcal he visited remote places, sometimes twenty miles dis- tant, week after week, receiving no compensation save the consciousness of duty well performed. His converts were numerous, and, what was far more important, it was univer- sally admitted that they " stuck."
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Possessed of a remarkable physical vigor, he endured fatigues that would have destroyed a less robust man. In school-houses, in private houses, in barns, and in those grand old temples the pillars of which were the mighty trees of the primeval forest, the voice of Gamaliel Barnes was heard exhorting the people to follow the paths of righteousness and of peace. In almost all cases in central Oswego at the beginning of the century his hand tied the nuptial knot between the young pioneers who entered the matrimonial state; his tongue spoke the words of hope and consolation over those who rested forever from the labors of this world. As long as he was able to bear the fatigue of traveling, he continued to preach the faith in which he so zealously be- lieved, and it was not till he had reached the great age of ninety-six that he was finally gathered to his fathers.
The early settlers raised very large erops of grain and vegetables. Frequently the wheat averaged from thirty to forty bushels per acre ; corn, the same; oats, fifty; and potatoes, three hundred. The soil was sadly impoverished by them to pay for their farms, but is now improving under modern management.
The old Rotterdam road, from Constantia to Mexico Point (then called Vera Cruz), was opened through this town by Mr. Scriba, as stated in the general history, in 1794 or 1795. The road from Camden to Mexico Point was sur- veyed near the time of the first settlement. Other roads have been opened as necessity required.
The first birth in town was that of Ransom Orton, son of Eleada Orton, in 1805. The first death was that of Jonathan Bedell, killed by the falling of a tree on small lot No. 4. This casualty occurred during the first two or three years of settlement, but the exact date cannot be ascertained. His widow wedded Nathan Parkhurst, and this was the first marriage.
The first school-house in Parish was built, in 1808, of logs, covered with hemlock boards, at a cost of fifteen dol- lars, and was situated where the town-hall now stands. The first teacher was Samuel Phileo. Joseph Torry, afterwards surrogate of Oswego County, also taught there at an early day. This primitive temple of education was torn down and replaced by a frame house in 1816.
At the town centennial picnic, held September 9, 1876, Jarvis Hatch, of Mexico, aged seventy years, rose and said he was a pupil in that old log school-house with the hem- lock roof. He is probably the only person now living who attended school in that house.
In 1814 the first frame school-house in town was erected on small lot No. 60, at a cost of a hundred and fifty dollars. The district in which it was situated was called district No. 1, of Mexico. Though Parish has always tenaciously sup- ported the common schools, it has also been the fast,friend of advanced education. Professor J. H. House, principal of the State normal sehool, at Cortland, is a native of this town, and many other teachers whom Parish has sent forth have attained high rank in their chosen professions.
The first grist-mill was erected, with three run of stone, in 1828, by Paul Allen and John Becker, on the north branch of Salmon creek, in the present village of Parish. In 1872 it was destroyed by fire, and in its place the large mill now owned by Robertson & Co. was erected, at a cost
of eighteen thousand dollars. This structure (named "Ce- resco Mill," by Edwin Palmer) has four run of stone, capable of turning out forty barrels of flour and ten tons of meal per day. There has never been any other grist-mill in town than the two just mentioned on the same site.
The first tanner and shoemaker was Elder Barnes, who carried on those trades on a small scale and for only a short time. The first tannery of any importance was erected in 1830, by John Simplot, a Frenchman, near the grist-mill. About 1833 it became the property of John C. Warn. In 1859 it was burned, but was rebuilt by Mr. Warn, who sold it in 1865 to Robertson & Co. It has since been much enlarged. It now uses three thousand cords of bark yearly, and tans about two hundred thousand sides of sole- leather, using nothing but dry Spanish hides. It employs directly about twenty men, and there is near a hundred and fifty thousand dollars of capital invested in it. It runs by steam-power, and this steam is also used to warm the grist-mill. There are also in town ten saw-mills and one' planiog-machine.
In 1829, Ephraim E. Ford erected the first store, a small building which has since been enlarged, and is now owned by the Mosher brothers. Mr. Ford kept it until 1856, part of the time in company with Paul W. Allen. From that small beginning the mercantile business of Parish has increased until there are now ten stores in town, including those devoted to drugs and hardware.
Jacob J. Miller furnished accommodations to travelers at his house in the eastern part of the town at an early day, but the first regular tavern was built in 1829, by Isam Simons, who kept it till 1857. In 1871 it was burned, and on its site the handsome Ludington block was erected. There are now four public-houses in Parish,-the Carley House, the Martin House, the Parish House, and the Petrie House.
Joseph Storer was the first blacksmith. He was here as early as 1815, and moved away by 1822. In 1828, Joseph Brown erceted a blacksmith-shop. There are now three blacksmith-shops, besides one wagon-shop and one cabinet- shop.
Austin White was the first physician. He was a native of Albany county, and a graduate of the medical school at Fairfield, Herkimer county. He settled in town in 1832, and resided there until his death in 1876. Tobias J. Green is now the oldest physician in Parish, having been a resident there since 1847. He is a native of Rensselaer county, and a graduate of the medical university of New York city. The other physicians are Judson J. Taylor, John B. Ladd, and Cornelius S. House.
Archibald N. Ludington, now a prominent member of the Syracuse bar, was the first lawyer in Parish. He set- tled there in 1848, and left in 1851 ; being afterwards dis- trict attorney of the county. S. T. Parsons, now a resident of Michigan and once a member of the legislature of that State, succeeded Mr. Ludington. Newton W. Nutting, grandson of the early pioneer, Thomas Nutting, commenced his legal practice in Parish in 1861. He has been district attorney and school commissioner, and is now a resident of Oswego city. The present lawyers of Parish are Edwin G. Lynch and Harmon D. Nutting. The latter was a resident
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
of Virginia for a time, and was elected to the senate of that State. Ill health prevented his remaining there.
The first post-route through town was established in 1832. The mail ran over it from Camden to Colosse once a week. Dexter Howard and Cyrus H. Harvey were the first mail-carriers. Ephraim E. Ford was the first post- master, and held the office till he moved out of town in 1856. In fact, Parish is somewhat remarkable for having had only five postmasters since the first one was appointed forty-five years ago. There is but one office in town, but that has a mail twice a day.
The Syracuse northern division of the Rome and Og- densburgh railroad passes through the western part of this town two and three-fourths miles. It was built in 1870 and 1871, and was then called the Syracuse Northern rail- road. Previous to the disorganization of the old company, Parish was honored with a director and vice-president, Dr. T. J. Green. The town was bonded for thirty-five thousand 'dollars to build the road. The first train of cars ran No- vember, 1871. The road is doing a good business.
This town was erected from Mexico, by act of the legis- lature, on the 20th day of March, 1828. It was called Parish, in honor of David Parish, the great landed proprie- tor, who purchased the survey-township of Strasburg from George Scriba.
The first town-meeting was held the first Tuesday of May, 1828, at the Parishville school-house, when the fol- lowing officers were elected : Paul Allen, supervisor ; John Becker, town clerk; Stutely Palmer, T. Nutting, and Marks Edick, assessors ; Isam Simons, collector; Denison B. Palmer, Benajah Whitney, and Jacob J. Miller, com- missioners of highways ; Wm. D. Wightman and Wm. Wightman, poor-masters ; Richard Cleveland, Erastus Fyler, and Samuel Barber, commissioners of schools ; Denison B. Palmer, Isaac B. Mead, and Charles Gardner, inspectors of schools ; George Earles, Peter Edick, Squire Palmer, and Chancey Whitney, constables ; Benajah Whitney, Joseph Maybee, and Jacob Mead, pound-masters ; John Becker, sealer of weights and measures.
No justices of the peace were elected then, but Marks Edick, Jacob Slingerland, Luny Thayer, and Paul Perry were chosen the succeeding fall.
The town was then divided into five school districts and four parts of districts ; now it has thirteen districts and fourteen school-houses. Then it had twenty-three road districts, now fifty-eight.
The following is a list of the supervisors, with the years of their service : Paul Allen, 1828-32; Alfred Phelps, 1833-40; Ephraim E. Ford, 1841-43; Luny Thayer, 1844, 1847-50 ; John Clapsaddle, 1845 ; Harvey Palmer, 1846 and '55; Joseph Osborn, 1841-53; Paul W. Allen, 1854; John C. Warn, 1856 ; Austin White, 1857; Andrew Ashton, 1858 and '59; John Becker, 1860 and '61 ; Jona- than Irish, 1862, '65, '66, '70; James David, 1863 and '64; Frank H. Argersinger, 1867-69; Romayne C. Rob- ertson, 1871-76; Jerry Foley, 1872, 1874-75; Daniel Edick, 1873; and Judson J. Taylor, in 1877.
At one of the first town-meetings a resolution was passed (which is still in force) that no cattle should be allowed on the highway, to roam about a grist-mill, store, tavern, or
place of public worship, between December 1 and May 1. A fine of fifty cents was imposed on cattle-owners for vio- lating the ordinance.
The explanation of this local law is to be found in the fact that the old settlers, when they drove to mill, store, tavern, or meeting, took fodder for their cattle with them, and they wanted to be able to leave it unguarded, without running any risk of its being eaten up by wandering depredators.
Two residents of Parishi have been members of the State assembly : Luny Thayer in 1845, and Harvey Palmer in 1863 and '64.
The deeds of the men of Parish in the war for the Union will be found recounted in the history of the regiments from Oswego County. Nine thousand dollars were also raised and paid by the town to aid the Union cause by pay- ing the bounties of soldiers.
On the fourteenth day of May, 1874, a weekly newspaper was established at Parishville by John W. Northrop, editor and proprietor, which is still published by him. Mention of this journal will also be found in our chapter on the press.
Among the institutions of Parish we must not forget the town-hall, fifty by thirty feet in size, purchased in 1857, being composed of the lower story of a building, the upper part of which is occupied by the Masons. There is also a " lock-up," for which, however, there is but little use.
The leading business interests are agriculture (including dairying) and lumbering. Many barrels for the Syracuse salt-works are also made there. Yet, though Parish is enriched by no commercial or manufacturing establishments, it is far from being an undesirable place of residence. The soil is reasonably fertile, the water and air are remarkably pure, and health sheds her inestimable blessings over the people. There has been no fitful or speculative growth, but a steady increase of population, which has risen from nine hundred and sixty-eight in 1830 to two thousand and sixty- two in 1875.
Very free from all aristocratie pretensions are the farmers and lumbermen of Parish. The pioneers who swung their axes in the forest seventy years ago were scarcely more so. For near ten years a very pleasant custom has obtained of holding an annual town-picnic after the close of each har- vest, in which the whole community is expected to take part. Rich and poor, high and low, male and female, old and young, all Parish is welcome; and if the fabled period of Arcadian simplicity is not renewed, at least all meet for a few hours on a footing of equality, and many a pleasant day is the result of this charming custom.
It now only remains to notice the various societies of the town.
Republican Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized May 14, 1874. The charter-members were Samuel Porter, Avery Skinner, John B. Ackley, Hiram Walker, and Samuel T. Parsons. Samuel Porter was the first Master. The lodge has been decidedly prosperous, owning their lodge-room and furniture, and being clear from debt.
A tent of Rechabites was organized on the 19th of July, 1876, with fifteen members. Harmon D. Nutting was the
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
first Chief Ruler. They are increasing in members, and are wielding a good influence in the cause of temperance.
The Odd-Fellows, Good Templars, Union Leaguers, and Americans have had societies in town, but all have passed away.
About the year 1815, several members of the Methodist Episcopal church formed a class in school-house No. 1, Mexico, now Parish. Richard Ford was appointed leader. The class migrated to several places, but the present Metho- dist class in the village of Parish can still trace their origin to that primitive organization. It is difficult to name all the early Methodist ministers, but among those truly good men we can mention a Wheeler, a Northrop, a Salisbury, a Williams, and a Castle. Several classes have been formed in town, which are now extinct. The present one at the village may re-date their organization from the year 1855, with Archibald C. Garrison as leader.
In the winter of 1840 and 1841, after a powerful revival of religion, it was thought desirable to build a church edifice during the coming season. After several meetings, a sub- scription was drawn up, payable to John Becker, in con- sideration that he should erect the church and give the land on which to build it, which he did. The church was to be called Congregational, but those friendly to other denominations understood that they were to have the use of it when not wanted by the Congregationalists. The church was erected in 1841, and in October of that year it was dedicated. Rev. Ralph Robinson (Congregational) was the preacher, and Rev. Mr. Van Alstyne (Lutheran) offered the dedicatory prayer. The several denominations who held meetings in the vicinity removed them to the church, but the Baptists for many years were the principal occupants of the pulpit almost alone. Abont the time of the dedication, the Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Lutherans of the place came together as one denomination, and adopted Congregational discipline. Rev. S. W. Champ- lin (Lutheran) was selected as pastor, and John Wright and Nicholas Oxner were chosen deacons.
Rev. Mr. Porter was afterwards pastor. This organiza- tion existed about five years. The church edifice was used alternately by several denominations until 1869, since when it has been occupied by the Methodists.
The Methodist pastors since 1869 have been Aaron J. Cowles, Joseph B. Mccullough, Elijah H. Munger, and William H. Hall. This is the only church edifice ever built in town. The Methodists re-dedicated it December 8, 1876, Rev. B. I. Ives preacher. Its original cost was eighteen hundred dollars, and in 1870 it was repaired, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars more. It will accommo- date three hundred people.
The first Sunday-school formed in town was about the year 1830. John Becker was one of the first superinten- dents, and held the position most of the time until his death in 1862. The present number of pupils is about one hundred, with a hundred volumes in the library. Sunday- school papers largely supply the place of books.
The Free-Will Baptists have two small societies, which worship in the school-houses. The first was organized about 1858, with near twenty members, in school district No. 2. The society is small, and has no stated preaching.
The second one was formed March 14, 1869, with twenty- three members, in school district No. 6. Deacon Stephen Griffith was chairman of the council, and S. W. Turner clerk, when the church was organized. Rev. Albert P. Phinney was chosen the first pastor of the church, and still occupies that position. George C. Brown and Austin Smith were chosen deacons.
Besides the foregoing, the first Baptist church (being the second of any denomination) in Oswego County was origi- nally organized within the present town of Parish. The church edifice, however, having been erected in Mexico, the history of the church, in accordance with our general sys- tem, is given with that town, though a large proportion of its members are residents of Parish.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
HARVEY PALMER
is a native of Parish, Oswego County, New York, where he was born on the 8th day of September, 1816. He is a de- scendant of the English who settled in Connecticut prior to the Revolution, and inherits in a great degree the energy and force of character of those honored pioneers. After at- tending the common schools he entered the Rensselaer Os- wego academy, where he graduated, and subsequently studied law and medicine.
In 1863 he was elected to the assembly of this State, and served in that capacity two years. He has been chosen by his fellow-townsmen to the office of supervisor, and served four terms. He has also officiated as justice of the peace and assessor. Mr. Palmer has also rendered himself useful in the military, and has discharged the duties of colonel and inspector-general of militia.
September 16, 1835, he united in marriage with Amanda North. They had one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Palmer died February 3, 1840. May 27, 1847, Mr. Palmer married Olive Porter. Their family consisted of one child, who died at the age of fourteen years.
In all matters looking to the welfare of the public Mr. Palmer is ever found foremost, and has done much towards the advancement of the religious and educational interests of the community in which he resides. He has manifested an active interest in political matters, and is a member of the Republican party. He has often been called from the store and the farm by his fellow-citizens to officiate in various public capacities, and has ever discharged his duties with great credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. Mr. Palmer is a consistent member of the Baptist church. He resides on the farm purchased by his father when he came to this county, and is surrounded by all the attributes of a happy rural home.
MILITARY RECORD OF PARISH.
Byron Adams, 184th Inf. Enlisted Ang., 1864; discharged 1865. C. D. Barney, 147th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1863; discharged 1865. Geo. M. Brooks, 184th Inf. Enlisted Aug., 1864; discharged 1865; re-enlisted 2d N. Y. Cav.
HARVEY PALMER .
MRS. HARVEY PALMER.
華我
RESIDENCE of HON. HARVEY PALMER, PARISH, OSWEGO CO., N. Y.
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Geo. Baley, 24th N. Y. Cav. Enlisted Feb., 1864; discharged 1865. Jno. Baley, 184th Inf. Enlisted Aug., 1864 : discharged 1865. G. Bush, Ist H. Art. Enlisted Sept., 1862; discharged Sept., 1865. Curtis Bullois, 147th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. Orlansou Browa, 184th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864 ; discharged 1865. Wm. M. Browa, 184th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. James M. Beanot, 24th Cav. Enlisted Dec., 1863; discharged 1865. Perry Benson, 185th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. Chas. A. Babcock, 149th Inf. Enl. Aug., 1862; discharged 1865. S. Beaulin, 24th Iaf. Enlisted May, 1861; discharged 1865; Ist lieut ; promoted to capt.
Joseph Berry, 147th Inf. Enlisted Aug., 1862; discharged 1865. Alex. Bolson, 21st Cav. Enl. Sept., 1861; dis. 1865 ; re-enl'd. Harrison Burgdorf, 110th Inf. Enl. Sept., 1862; discharged 1865. S. H. V. Burgdorf, 184th Inf. Enl. Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. Timothy Brochet, 184th Inf. Enl. Aug., 1864; discharged 1865. Willis Bellows, 184th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. Amos G. Brook, 2d Cav. Enlisted July, 1863; died of sickness. S. S. Bently, 20th Cav. Enl. Aug., 1863; d. City Point, Apr., 1865. Amos Benson, 2d H. Art. Enlisted Jan., 1864; died at Key West, Jan. 9, 1864.
Edw. J. Clock, 184th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. Samuel P. Clock, 184th Inf. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865 ; promoted 4th corporal.
U. R. Cole, 149th Inf. Enlisted March, 1864; discharged 1865. Jno. H. Copp, 186th Inf. Enlisted Aug., 1864; discharged 1865. Chas. R. Copp, Lt. Art. Enlisted Sept., 1864; discharged 1865. Hiram Copley, 187th Inf. Enlisted Dec., 1864; discharged 1865. Warren Card, 33d Wisconsin Inf. Enlisted Oct., 1861; dis. 1865. Seth Cole, 24th Cav. Enlisted Dec., 1863; dis. 1865.
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