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 53
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Samuel Stevenson, enlisted in the 116th Regiment, Aug. 26, 1862; died June 23, 1863.
Joseph Stevenson, enlisted in the 11th Illinois Cavalry, January 15, 1864: died January 31, 1865.
John L. Simons, enlisted in the 1st Artillery, January 5, 1864 ; died November 2, 1864.
Peter Shults, enlisted in the 147th Regiment, Angust 25, 1862; dis- charged July 1, 1863.
Wm. E. Simmons, enl'd in the 24th Regt., Oct., 1861 ; dis. May, 1865. Jas. M. Simmons, enl'd in the 24th Regt., Oct., 1861 ; dis. April, 1863. Emory Shults, enlisted March, 1864.
Erwin Shults, enlisted in the 24th Regt., Apr., 1861 ; dis. May, 1863. Richard A. Shoemaker, enlisted in the 147th Regiment, August 23, 1862 ; promoted to sergeant; discharged in 1865.
James M. Timmerson, enlisted in Co. II, 110th Itegiment, August 26, 1862; died January 28, 1863.
Saxton Taylor, enlisted in Co. D, 81st Regiment.
Edward Tiffany, enlisted in the 24th Cavalry.
C. II. Thompson, enlisted in Co. G, 24th Cavalry, Dec. 21, 1863. "
Richard Titus, enlisted in Co. G, 8Ist Regiment, January 1, 1861.
Oscar F. Timmerson, enlisted in the 9th Artillery, Junuary 26, 1862 ; died November, 1863 .
William Taggart, enl'd in the 184th Regt., Sept. 16, 1864; dis. in 1865. Frederick Teal, enlisted in the 21st Bnt., Aug. 27, 1862; dis. in 1865. Patrick Timmons, enlisted in the 19th Indiana Regiment, July, 1861 ; discharged in 1864.
Wm. II. Vanetten, enlisted in Co. I, 117th Regiment.
Silas Vergenia, enlisted in Co. D, SIst Regiment, January 1, 1862. Willis Van Buren, enlisted in Co. G, 24th Cavalry.
William II. Vanetten, enlisted in the 117th Regiment, September, 1862; wounded ; discharged in 1865.
Charles E. Vanetten, culisted in the 2d Heavy Artillery, February, 1864; discharged in 1865.
William Woolworth, enlisted in Co. A, 81st Regiment; killed by cars, between Oswego and Albany.
George ti. Warren, enlisted in Co. G, 110th Regiment.
Charles E. West, enlisted August 6, 1863.
George Wicks, enlisted August 6, 1863.
Thomas Weir, enlisted in the 21st Battery, Light Artillery, December 26; killed.
William Wright, enlisted in the 24th Cavalry.
Asa Wells, enlisted in the 24th Cavalry, December 28, 1863.
George Wilson, enl'd in Co. C, 24th Cnv., .Jan. 5, 1861 ; dis. in 1865. John White, enlisted in the 81st Itegiment, Junnary 1, 1862.
Stephen II. Wymonds, enlisted in Ca. G, 81st Regiment, January 1. Riley Warner, enlisted in Co. 11, 81st Itegiment, January 1, 1862.
James A. Wilsey, enlisted in the 27th Michigan, November, 1862; killed August 11, 1863.
W. D. Wilsey, enlisted in the 23d Michigan Regiment, September, 1862; discharged in 1865.
Snuucl G. Williamson, enlisted in the 110th Regt., September, 1862 ; discharged in 1865.
Alva Il. Walker, enl'd in the 184th Regt., Sept., 1864; dis. in 1865. Emory Wilson, enl'd in the 184th Regt., Sept., 1864; dis. in 1865. Ames S. Weed, enlisted in the 24th Regiment, May, 1861; wounded ; re-enlisted in the 26th Cavalry : discharged in 1865.
Charles Willis, enlisted in the 147th Itegiment, September, 1862; transferred to Invalid l'orps.
RICHLAND.
As the tide of immigration rolled westward the territory was rapidly surveyed and civil divisions erected. In 1792 the territory embraced within the present boundaries of this town comprised a portion of the old town of Whitestown, Herkimer county. Mexico was set off from Whitestown April 10, 1792. Williamstown was formed from Mexico March 24, 1804, and Richland was erected from Williams- town February 20, 1807, nine years prior to the organiza- tion of Oswego County.
It retained its original dimensions until 1817, when Orwell was set off. It was again reduced in area in 1825 by the erection of Sandy Creek and Albion. In 1836 a part of Mexico was taken off, and a part set off to Orwell in 1844. It lies npon the shore of Lake Ontario, north of the centre of the county, and its surface is generally level, broken by several deep ravines. The principal streams are Salmon river, Decr and Sandstone creeks, and Trout brook.
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT,
" Though we charge to-day with fleetness, Though we dread to-morrow's sky, There's a melancholy sweetness In the name of days gone by."
To call up from the dim vista of the past incidents of more than three-quarters of a century ago, and place before the readers of to-day a glimpse of carly scenes and actors, while it is attended with much difficulty, is a pleasing task, as there's a sweetness in the annals of days gone by.
The first settlement of Richland dates back to 1801, when Nathan Tuttle and Nathan Wilcox, from Canada, located at the mouth of Salmon river. Albert Bohannan settled during the same year at the mouth of Snake creek.
Benjamin Winch settled near the mouth of Salmon river in 1801, where he remained a few years, and removed to the village of Pulaski. He was a surveyor, and assisted in platting the original town. By the capsizing of a boat on the lake in 1804 a number were drowned, leaving Mr. Winch the only adult male at Vera Cruz, now Texas. Conrad Ripson was an early settler at Port Ontario. The first settler at Brown's landing was a trapper named Jacob Ellis, who came in 1805. Jonathan Hooker was a promi- nent pioneer in that vieinity. He was the owner of a large part of its shipping, and for many years officiated as justice of the peace. Morse Hooker, a son, now resides in Sandy Creek. Brown's landing received its name from an early settler named Sylvester Brown. Joel Ellis, brother of Jacob, mentioned above, located in an early day on the farm now occupied by Mr. Jones.
William Smith, a " down-easter," who divided his time between farming and fishing, was a pioneer on the Ansel Brown farm.
In the carly days of this town, when fishing and boating were of paramount importance to farming and cheese- making, lake captains were numerons, and prominent among the number was Captain John Vorce, who lived on the farm now occupied by Edmond Brown. Mr. Jemmison now owns the place where Benjamin Winch settled after leaving the village. Daniel Brown located next to Winch, on premises now owned by Augustus Twichell. Mrs. Brown was a daughter of Benjamin Winch, and she, together with a sister, now resides in this town. Thaddeus Harmon was a pioneer on lands subsequently owned by his son James, and now occupied by a grandson, Calvin Har- mon. John Ingersoll and family located in the year 1804 on lands now owned by T. W. Dixon, east of the village. Isaac Lehigh was an early settler, and met a melancholy fate by being drowned in the river. On the Spring brook road, east of the village, Isaac Fellows, and a son named Isaac, were pioneers. Moses Phillips was also an early settler. North of Pulaski the early settlers were Nathan Stoddard, Ezra Weed, Hamilton Meacham, and Daniel Sykes. Ephraim Brewster located east of the village as early as 1808, and subsequently moved to Jefferson county, where he now resides. Abram Bates early located in the Ingersoll settlement. The Frareys came from Vermont, and settled east of the village. Stephen Wade located in the east part of the town in 1830. John Woods emigrated from the east part of the State in an early day, and, coming into this town, erected a log house on premises now owned by Ira Stewart. His widow, now at the advanced age of over ninety years, resides with her son, George Woods, in Pulaski. Alexander Valentine and his son, Noble, early located on the farm now owned by Clement Wallace, who settled in the year 1840. The next clearing on that road was made by Abner Hubbard, on lands now owned by Elder Moore.
In about the year 1824 David Taylor came into the town and located on the farm that he now ocenpies. He raised a numerons family, and has one son now stopping in Europe. Mr. Taylor was conspicuous as a musician in the old training days. It was his delight to
" Beat the sheepskin, blow the fife, And march in trainin' order."
Luman Hongh and a Mr. Stowell were early settlers in this part of the town. The latter was killed while raising a barn. Mr. Hough is now living in this town, and has officiated as poor-master more than twenty years.
The first clearing within the present boundaries of Rich- land was made by a Mr. Stimpson, on lands now owned by Mr. G. A. Fobes.
A pioneer tavern, bearing the industrions appellation of
208
COURT HOUSE, PULASKI. OSWEGO Co., N. Y.
HOWE'S ŠTANDARD OCALE Beco Lbs
PULASKI ACADEMY, PULASKI, OSWEGO COUNTY, N. Y.
209
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the " Beehive," was a prominent stopping-place, which was located on the farm now known as the Dewey farm. Nelson Dewey and Stephen Tinker were carly settlers in this vicinity. A son of the latter, Wilson Tinker, resides in the town. Other early settlers were Hiel Richards, John C. Pride, and Isaiah Holmes.
From the earliest days of international commerce to our own time the smuggling of goods into the United States has been carried on, and many have been the " hair-breadth 'scapes" from the " government officer." During the war of 1812 this hazardous business was extensively engaged in by various persons along the lake; but of the whole num- ber, none caused the officials so much annoyance as one Samuel MeNett, au early settler in this town. Ile was the owner of a little craft, and was constantly getting into trouble with the custom-house officers, who, after listening to his piteous story of poverty and ignorance, would send the poor boatman adrift, only to repeat his oft-told story to other credulous officials into whose grasp he and his small bark next chanced to fall. On the road leading to Port Ontario, on the south side of the river, the first settlers, outside of the corporation of Pulaski, were Timothy Malt- by, Joseph Spaids, Samuel Vorce, Colonel Rufus Price, Ralph and Isaac Price, and Russel Rathbone. On the State road south of Port Ontario, leading from Oswego to Sackett's Harbor, the first settler was a Mr. McFarlin; D. IF. Litts also early settled in that vicinity. At that point where the road crosses Grindstone creek William Fedder first settled, and about this time Benjamin Wright, of Rome, one of the surveyors of the town, built one of the first saw-mills. Walter Hewitt and a Mr. Page, and the Doug- lass family, consisting of John, Abel, and Sanford, early located near the town-line.
A Revolutionary soldier named Bragdon located north of Port Ontario, where he died at an advanced age. His son, George Bragdon, resides on the old homestead. Other pio- neers in this vicinity were Joseph Carr, Daniel Pratt, and one Muzzy. Levi Tryon was an early settler on the lake- shore north of Port Ontario.
A family of brothers, named Henry, Robert, and Hugh Gillespie, settled in an early day at what is known as Gilles- pie's mills, on Griudstone creek. Numerous descendants are honored residents of the town. Henry Gillespie erected a grist- and saw-mill at this place. The Calkins family also located in this vicinity, and many representatives of the family are numbered among the inhabitants of Richland.
One of the first taverns in the town was erected by Pliny Jones, one mile south of the village. His son, the vener- able Pliny H. Jones, resides on the old homestead. Israel Jones located on lands now occupied by a grandson, Charles E. Jones. A large family of Holmes located in and about Holmesville, where numerous descendants now reside. Other early settlers near IFolmesville were Salmon Erskine, Lewis Conant, Avery Griffen, Mr. Halsey, and the Perry family. The Soult family settled at Daysville, and south of the village a family named Brown located.
Captain Muzzy, a soldier of the Revolution, early located in this town, on the farm now occupied by Newton Tomp- son. Lieutenant Muzzy, a son of Captain Muzzy, was an officer in the war of 1812. He reared a large family of
children. L. Reade Muzzy, a grandson, is editor and pro- prietor of the Pulaski Democrat.
THE CITY OF PORT ONTARIO.
Some time prior to the year 1836, John L. Dickinson, Asa C. Dickinson, Elias Camp, and Colonel Robert Nichols organized what was called the Port Ontario Company. They conceived the idea that a city must soon spring up at the mouth of Salmon river, and immediately set about surveying a large tract, and laying it out into lots. It em- braced one hundred and twenty half-acre, and sixty-six five-acre lots. The embryo city was announced with a great flourish of trumpets, and its enterprising progenitors were sanguine in the belief that it would soon outstrip the then village of Oswego. Lots were sold at a large price ; the excitement continued, and in October, 1837, was issued the first copy of a good-sized paper, called The Port Ontario Aurora, and was " printed for the publishers, by L. W. Cole, office, corner of Bridge and Pulaski streets."
In number four of volume one, Merey Clark informs the ladies of the " city" that she is prepared to execute mantua- making in all its branches. O. E. Dwight tells the people that he is ready to do their painting; while Libbeus Mar- shall announces that he will be happy to execute all orders in his business, which was cabinet-making. B. H. Corbin, familiarly known as " Uncle Ben," sounds his occupation in the following manner :
" Come, honest farmers, ene and all, And give old Uncle Ben a call ; All kinds of blacksmith-work I do, And the old mare and horso I shee."
The city had two hotels, "Port Ontario House" and " Selkirk House," one located in the First and the other in the Fourth ward. We find no Gamaliels of the law, but, doubtless, there were members of this harmless profession not far away, as a sheriff's sale is advertised.
The great expectations of this city, however, were never realized. Oswego rapidly advanced, and but a few years only had elapsed when Port Ontario exhibited signs of de- cay, and now all that remains is a hotel, store, and a few houses. The waters of old Ontario wash the shore as of old, but the city, alas ! it never came.
Many of the customs prevalent during the early settle- ments of the country have with the advance of civilization passed away, and are only remembered by old settlers as cus- toms " more honored in the breach than in the observance." It was the custom in those carly days at the raising of a building, after all had become comfortably merry, to name the structure, and at the erection of the first church at Port Ontario the following couplet was composed by Azel Walworth :
" Small church and tall steeple, Lying priest and drunken people."
Whether in consequence of this his Satanic majesty breathed a curse against it, as of old was uttered against the Cologne cathedral, nevertheless the faet remains that no more work was ever done upon it, and the building was subsequently taken down and removed to Mexico.
210
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
John C. Pride was an early settler in this town; he came from Otsego county, and located on lots 77 and 78. He subsequently located on the road leading from Salt Point to Holmesville. He was a leading citizen of the town, and officiated as supervisor for a period of thirteen years.
Among the early settlers in what was then the town of Richland were five families of Meachams, who came from Vermont. They settled near this village, in what is now Sandy Creek. One of the number, John Meacham, be- came a resident of Pulaski. Deacon Simon Meacham, who died in Pulaski a few years since, was one of this colony. His brother, Thomas Standish Meacham, eame soon after.
Salmon river in an early day was celebrated as a fishing ground. At that period it seemed not to require all the artifice and ingenuity of man to secure the finny tribe, and although perhaps no more sport attended " going a-fishing" then than now, certain it was that more fish were taken. Mr. Jeremiah A. Mathewson relates that salmon were in such abundance that two men " speared" six hundred in a single night, and that himself and Charles A. Mathewson, in the fall of 1836, " speared" two hundred and thirty-four in four hours. Sixty-three were caught by one "jack- light" lasting seventeen minutes ; one hundred taken pro- miscuously from the pile weighed fourteen hundred and seventy-five pounds,-an average of fourteen and three- quarter pounds each. Mr. M. has frequently " speared" two at one stroke, and remembers at one time of spearing two that weighed forty-six and one-half pounds.
Richland in 1810 is thus described by H. G. Spafford : " Richland is a large township in the northwest angle of Oneida county, erected in 1807 from the west part of Red- field, fifty-five miles northwest of Utica. Bounded north by Jefferson county, east by Redfield and Williamstown, south by Williamstown and Mexico, and west by Lake Ontario. At present this town comprises the townships named Campania, Longinus, Alkmaer, Rhadamant, and Richland, on the maps of the surveyor-general, with an area of about two hundred and eight square miles. The set- tlements are but of recent date, and the principal part is wholly wild. The whole population in 1810 was nine hun- dred and forty-seven, and there were then one hundred and fifty-two senatorial electors ; but the population is increasing, and the land is of pretty good quality in general, and much of it is very excellent. It is but moderately uneven, and is very well watered. Salmon creek, a fine large stream that rises in the southwest part of Lewis county, runs west across this traet to Lake Ontario. Little Sandy ereek rises in the north part and runs west also to the lake, as do some smaller streams that abound with fish of various kinds, and supply abundance of mill-seats. There is a road from Rome to the mouth of Salmon creek, and one also north and south through this town."
CIVIL HISTORY.
The first town-meeting in Riehland was held at the house of Ephraim Brewster, in 1807, and the following persons were elected :
Joseph Hurd, supervisor ; William Hale, town clerk ;
George Harding, John Meacham, Joseph Chase, assessors ; Isaae Meacham, Gersham Hale, overseers of the poor ; Simon Meacham, Elias Howe, and Jonathan Rhodes, com- missioners of highways; Elias Howe, collector for town- ships 6, 10, and 11, or the north part of Richmond, Sandy Creek, Orwell and Boylston; Pliny Jones, collector for townships 21 and 22, or south part of Richland and Albion ; Elias Howe, Pliny Jones, Justis St. John, constables ; Asahel Hurd, Gersham IIale, and Joseph Chase, fence- viewers ; George Harding, pound-master ; William Robin- son, Timothy Baleh, Nathan W. Noyes, Elias Howe, Ephraim Brewster, Gersham Hale, Timothy Kellogg, Jona- than Rhodes, Isaac Lehigh, path-masters. Joseph and Asahel Hurd, the Meachams, and Elias Howe, resided in the present town of Sandy Creek ; William Hale, the clerk, in the village of Pulaski; Timothy Balch and N. W. Noyes in Orwell; and Jones, St. John, and Chase in Richland.
The following is a list of the supervisors from the organi- zation of the town to 1878: Joseph Hurd, 1807-8; John C. Pride, 1809-16 ; Simon Meacham, 1817-19; John C. Pride, 1820-21 ; Simon Meacham, 1822; John C. Pride, 1823; Simon Meacham, 1824-25; John C. Pride, 1825- 26; Thomas C. Baker, 1827; Robert Gillespie, 1828-29 ; Isaac Stearns, 1830; Robert Gillespie, 1831-33; Isaac Stearns, 1834; L. D. Mansfield, 1835; Isaae Stearns, 1836; Robert Gillespie, 1837-38; M. W. Mathews, 1839- 41; Bradley Higgins, 1842-43; H. F. Noyes, 1844; A. Crandall, 1845-46; Caspar C. West, 1847 ; E. M. Hill, 1848-51; H. F. Noyes, 1852; N. W. Wardwell, 1853; S. H. Meacham, 1854; James A. Clark, 1855-56 ; John T. McCarty, 1857-58; James A. Clark, 1859-60 ; Isaae Fellows, 1861-62; S. T. Gates, 1863-65; William H. Gray, 1866 ; G. T. Peckham, 1867-69; James M. Betts, 1870; H. H. Lyman, 1871-72; William B. Dixon, 1873- 76.
Town clerks : William Hale, 1807-8; F. Curtiss, 1809 ; Simon Meacham, 1810-16; Smith Dunlap, 1817; Silas Harmon, 1818-19; Hiram Hubbell, 1820-22; James A. Davis, 1823-24; E. C. Hart and M. Harmon, 1825; Allen Andrews, 1826; Iliram Hubbell, 1827-28; A. H. Stevens, 1829; John Dickinson, 1830 .; A. H. Stevens, 1831; James M. Hall, 1832; Ira Allen, 1833; W. W. Mathews, 1834; James A. Davis, 1835 ; John D. Lane, 1836; George Gurley, 1837; E. W. Fox, 1838-39 ; E. S. Salisbury, 1840-41 ; H. N. Wright, 1842-43; Sidney M. Tucker, 1844; Henry Mitchell, 1845-47; Sidney M. Tucker, 1848-51; Henry Mitchell, 1852; William H. Gray, 1853; D. B. Meacham, 1854-55; Henry Mitchell, 1856; D. B. Meacham, 1857-63; Newell Wright, 1864 ; John F. Box, 1865; Newell Wright, 1866-67; H. H. Lyman, 1868-70; D. B. Meacham, 1871-77. D. B. Meacham has held the office nearly sixteen years.
It will be noticed that two supervisors are credited to 1825, and two town clerks. Mr. Meacham was elected supervisor and Mr. Hart clerk in that year, and upon the ereetion of Sandy Creek the old town was left with these offices vacant, as both men resided within the boundaries of the new town. Their places were supplied by John C. Pride and Milton Harmon.
Cha: D, Crops
CHARLES H. CROSS.
CHARLES H. CROSS, son of Moulton Cross, was born in Hamilton, Madison county, January 1, 1807. He was the eldest in a family of fourteen children who came with his father in 1814 to Pulaski. His father located upon a tract of land embracing three hundred acres four miles from the village of Pulaski. He was a miller, and also assisted in erecting numerous saw-mills in this vicinity. The subject of this sketch received the advantages of a common school education, and in the year 1827 entered into the business of surveying and conveyancing. He soon became proficient in surveying lands, and in 1850 was appointed agent of the " Pierpont Estate," representing about one hundred thousand acres of lands in the counties of Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego, with the office at Pulaski.
October 11, 1842, he united in marriage with Melissa Lane, daughter of Gilbert Lane, born November 18, 1817.
Their family has consisted of five children, four of whom are living, viz., Albert H., Gilbert L., Sylvia L., wife of John Shea, and Martha L., all residents of Pulaski.
In all matters pertaining to the public welfare, Mr. Cross has ever manifested a lively interest. He assisted in the organization, location, and construction of the Rome, Water- town and Ogdensburgh railroad, and also of the Syracuse Northern, and was a director in each. During the twenty- seven years of his administration as land agent he has settled thousands of families, and contributed largely to the general prosperity and development of the various towns. Though his duties have been arduous, and he has now reached the scriptural age of threescore and ten, he is possessed of much of the vigor and ambition of youth. He is a churchman and a communicant of the Episcopal church at Pulaski. Politically, he is a Democrat.
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LAND-OFFICE
CHASH.CROSS' LAND OFFICE, PULASKI, N.Y.
RESIDENCE OF CHAS.H. CROSS , PULASKI . NEW YORK
211
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
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PULASKI.
Importance always attaches to those courageous spirits who leave their homes, and, threading their way into the wilderness, first ereet the standard of civilization. To Ben- jamin Winch the honor is inseribed of being the first white settler within the boundaries of the present thriving village of Pulaski. He located in 1804, and erected the first tavern on the site now occupied by the Palmer House. It was a log structure, but many a pioneer was cheered alike by his fireside, venison, and whisky. Mr. Winch subsequently sold the tavern to John Hoar, who was probably an itiner- ant, as nothing is known of him, who in turn disposed of it to J. A. Mathewson, a native of Scituate, Rhode Island, who settled in 1806. A son, Jeremiah A. Mathewson, resides in the village, and is withont doubt more familiar with the history of this village and town than any person now living. Five families located in 1805, viz., William Smith, who lived in a rude shanty near the point at the crossing of the railroads ; Daniel Stone, who occupied a log house on the site of the present residence of Lucian Jones, which was a partnership affair, one end being the house of Jonathan Rhodes ; Rufus Fox located on the site now occupied by the Baptist church ; and Erastus Kellogg, a blacksmith, whose house stood a few rods north of the Frond block, and was the first frame building erected in the village.
Rufus Fox remained in the village a few years, and then located two miles up the river, at what is called Fox's bridge. A son, Justus Fox, died in this town at the ad- vanced age of eighty years. A son of Justus Fox, named Hiram, resides near the old homestead. Rufus and Thomas Bishop were also early settlers. John Jones came from Oneida county in 1808, and still survives, at the age of eighty years.
Settlement rapidly increased in 1810. In that year Captain John Meacham moved into the town, and occu- pied the Rhodes and Stone house, and opened the first store, which occupied the site of the present mercantile establishment of C. R. Jones. Henry Patterson, a hatter, came with Mr. Meacham, and occupied a diminutive shop on what is now the east end of James A. Clark's lot. In 1811, Silas Harmon became associated with Captain Mea- cham in the mercantile business, and this firm was soon succeeded by Milton Harmon, nephew of Silas.
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