History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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 59

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

(Signed) " JAMES LYON.

" VOLNEY, 26th February, 1817."

The following note to the above was also placed on the records by Joseph Easton, town clerk :

"In order to save himself from incurring a penalty it became necessary for Mr. Lyon to have the above certificate recorded. An act for the gradual abolition of slavery was passed by the legislature of this State in March, 1799. Male children born after the act to be free at the age of twenty- eight years, and females at the age of twenty-five. In April, 1813, that act was modified, declaring such persons no longer slaves but servants of the owner of the mother,-the relation to be the same as if such child had been bound by the overseer of the poor. It was provided by the twenty- second section of the same aet that the person entitled to such service inenrred a penalty of five dollars if he failed to furnish the city or town clerk with a certificate of the name, age, and sex of such child within nine months after its birth."

Peter Sharpe had one of these slaves, who furnished the music for the dance at Van Valkenburgh's, as before nar- rated. The major's house was the " headquarters," pre- vious to 1810, of all the country round about, whither the people came for dances, pienies, jollifications, and every- thing else of that sort,-the colored servants furnishing the musie when nothing better could be obtained.

The first town-meeting of Fredericksburgh was held at the house of Major Van Valkenburgh, at the " Orchard Loek," in the spring of 1807, and the following town officers were elected : Supervisor, Ebenezer Wright; Town Clerk, Samuel Tiffany ; Assessors, Gideon Seymour, Henry

Everts, and Iliel Stone ; Overseers of the Poor, Lawrence Van Valkenburgh and Asahel Bush; Commissioners of Highways, Abram Van Valkenburgh, John Tyler, and Hiel Stone; Collector, Abram Van Valkenburgh ; Consta- bles, Abram Van Valkenburgh and Joseph F. Sweet; Fence-viewers, Lawrence Van Valkenburgh, Asahel Bush, John Tyler, William Burt, Joseph F. Sweet, and Elisha Whitney ; Pound-masters, Lawrence Van Valkenburgh and John Tyler.

Tiffany, Everts, Stone, Bush, Tyler, Sweet, Burt, and Whitney lived in the present town of Scriba, -the others resided in what is now Volney.

Ebenezer Wright was re-elected in 1808-11, being the sole supervisor of Fredericksburgh.

The town clerks of Fredericksburgh were Samuel Tif- fany, 1807-9 ; John Waterhouse, 1810-11.

The first town-meeting of Volney was held at the house of Major Van Valkenburgh, March 3, 1812, when the fol- lowing officers were elected : Supervisor, Samnel Holland ; Town Clerk, John Waterhouse; Assessors, Ebenezer Wright, Oliver Burdick, and Stephen Gardner ; Poor-mas- ters, Samuel Holland and Gideon Candee; Commissioners of Highways, Phineas Chapin, Jonathan Hooker, and Na- thaniel Foster; Collector, Asa Whitney ; Constables, Asa Whitney, Richard M. Graham, and Joseph Sutton ; Path- masters, Thomas Vickery, Noah A. Whitney, Josiah Mey- ers, James Bundy, Gideon Seymour, Aaron Dodge, Syl- vanus Hopkins, Jonathan Hooker, and Richard M. Graham.

Chapin and Hopkins resided in the present town of Pa- lermo, Sutton and Vickery in the present town of Schroep- pel.

Town-meetings were held from 1807 to 1812, inclusive, at Van Valkenburgh's. In 1813-14 at Amos Foster's. In 1815 at Noah Rust's. From that time until 1830 they were held at Volney Centre; in the school-house until 1831 ; then at John Gasper's hotel till 1835, and at Jeremiah Hull's in 1836, at the same place. In 1836, 1838, and 1840 at Hull's. In 1839 it was held at S. H. De Graw's, Fulton; in 1838 and 1840 at Hull's again; in 1839, 1841-45, 1847, 1851, and 1852 at John Gasper's hotel, Fulton. In 1848-50 at Elliott Harroun's, Fulton. In 1853 opposite to Gasper's, and in 1854 at the engine- house. From 1855 to 1866 the meetings were held at Empire hall, after that time for three years at the engine- house, and sinee then at Salmon's hall.

Supervisors .- Samuel Holland, 1812; Isaac Crocker, 1813 and 1815; Oliver Burdick, 1814, 1816, 1818-30, 1834-35 ; Joseph Easton, 1817 ; George F. Falley, 1831- 33, 1843; Aaron G. Fish, 1836, 1840-41; Darius R. Bellows, 1837; Wm. Ingall, 1838-39; Peter H. Keller, 1842, 1844 ; John Parker, 1845-46; Lovwell Johnson, 1847-49; John J. Wolcott, 1850, 1852-54, 1859 ; Hiram H. Coats, 1851; A. C. Livingston, 1855 ; Samuel F. Case, 1856-57 ; Wm. P. P. Woodin, 1858; Willard Johnson, 1860-61; Gardner Wood, 1862-64; John H. Woodin, 1863; Chauncey B. Hancock, 1865; Henry C. Howe, 1866-67, 1869-70; Abraham Howe, 1868; J. Gilbert Benedict, 1871; Charles J. DeGraw, 1872; Henry E. Nichols, 1873, 1876-77 ; George D. Foster, 1874; John W. Francis, 1875; in all, twenty seven.

SAMUEL HART.

MRS.SAMUEL HART.

STONE WARE"

S HART & SOM

STONE WARE

FRONT VIEW OF POTTERY .

RESIDENCE OF S. HART, FIRST STREET, FULTON, NEW-YORK.

WM. D. PATTERSON.

MRS. WM. D. PATTERSON.

RESIDENCE OF WM. D. PATTERSON, FULTON, CORNER 8TH AND ONEIDA STREETS.

231

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Town Clerks .- John Waterhouse, 1812; Jeremiah Tay- lor, 1813; Amos Bishop, 1814 ; Joseph Easton, 1815-16; James Lyon, 1817; Elisha Candee, 1818-22; Elijah Goodell, 1823-26; Darius R. Bellows, 1827-32; Samuel Dean, 1833; Richard D. Hubbard, 1834-35; Hiram Bradway, 1836-40; James D. Lasher, 1841-42, 1844; John J. Wolcott, 1843; Albert Taylor, 1845-48; Charles A. Dean, 1849; Andrew Hanna, 1850 ; Melvin F. Ste- Į hens, 1851 ; Richard E. Lusk, 1852; S. N. Dada, 1853- 54 ; Solon H. Clough, 1855; Wm. P. P. Woodin, 1856- 57; Henry H. Haynes, 1858; Orville J. Jennings, 1859; William Andrews, 1860; Morris C. Highriter, 1861-62, 1872-75 ; George Backus, 1863; Henry C. Howe, 1864- 65 ; Charles II. David, 1866 ; Henry E. Nichols, 1867, 1869-70; John C. Highriter, Jr., 1868; Arvin Rice, Jr., 1871; Amos Youmans, 1876-77.

Justices of the Peace .- Ebenezer Wright, a resident of the present town of Volney, was appointed a justice for Mexico, in 1804. Those appointed for Fredericksburgh were Samuel Tiffany (of the present town of Scriba), 1808, Ebenezer Wright, and Noah A. Whitney, 1809; Abram Van Valkenburgh and Gideon Candee, 1810; John Dean and Joseph Whitney, 1811. The justices appointed for Volney, with the time of their appointments, were as fol- lows : Isaac Crocker, 1813; Oliver Burdick, 1813-1821 ; John Dean and Joseph Whitney, 1814; John Bristol, 1814 and 1816 ; Jonathan Hooker, 1814 and 1820; Joseph Easton, 1815, 1820, 1822; Daniel Falley, 1815; Kings- bury E. Sanford, 1819 and 1821; Allen Gilbert, 1820; Elijah Goodell, 1820, 1823, and 1825 ; Henry Chapin, 1823; Humphrey Dolbear, 1824; Leman Carrier, 1824; Adin Breed, 1826. Wben justices were made elective in 1827, David Jennings was chosen for one year, Theodore F. Romeyn for two years, Jeremiah Hull for three years, Joseph Easton for four years. Adin Breed was elceted in 1828, Lovwell Johnson in 1829, Samuel Merry in 1830, Joseph Easton 1831, Walter Peck, 1832. Schroeppel and Palermo having been taken off in 1832, four justices were elected in 1833 : Adin Breed for one year, Ephraim Beardsley for two, Edward Baxter for three, and Aaron G. Fish for four. Subsequent elections have been as follows : James Abrams, Jr., and Darius A. Bellows in 1834; Ephraim Beardsley, 1835, 1839, 1843; Richard D. Hub- bard, 1836; A. G. Fish, 1837; Robert Simpson, 1838 ; James Crombie, 1839, 1841, for four years ; Elbert Holmes, 1840; John D. Stephens, 1842, 1845, 1849 ; Horace N. Gaylord, 1842, 1846, 1850, and 1858; John Forsyth, 1844 ; Thomas Hubbard, Jr., 1847; Ilubbard Church, (vacancy), 1847 ; Lorenzo K. Renyon, 1848; John De Wolf, 1851; O. O. Shumway, 1852, 1856; Samuel Crombie, 1853, 1857, 1861, 1869, 1873; R. Geo. Bassett, 1954, 1862, 1866, 1870, 1874; Freeman S. Gasper, 1855; F. W. Squires, 1859, 1867, 1871; William C. Stephens, 1860, 1865 ; Ovid V. Taft, 1863, 1875; Joseph Esmond, 1864; E. S. Pardee, 1868 ; E. R. Iluggins, 1872; Arvin Rice, Jr., 1876; Andrew Hanna, 1877; L. R. Chapel, 1877. Of the above-named justices Oliver Burdick, Joseph Easton, and Lovwell Jobnson were associate judges of the common pleas. Only two have served as justices of ses- sions : R. G. Bassett in 1869 and 1870, and F. W. Squires

in 1875. William G. St. John served as collector of Vol- ney no less than twenty-two years between 1833 and 1874.

POST-OFFICES.

OSWEGO FALLS .- This was established in the fall of 1810, with Noah A. Whitney as postmaster. James Lyon succeeded Mr. Whitney April 1, 1815, and held the office until its discontinuance, February 14, 1829.

VOLNEY .- This was established December 31, 1825, John Bristol being the first postmaster. Samuel Griswold was appointed April 22, 1830 ; Hornce N. Gaylord, April 25, 1835; Jeremiah Hull, January 29, 1841 ; Samuel Griswold, July 3, 1841 ; Stephen Pardee, July 19, 1845 ; Samuel Griswold, June 6, 1849 ; Jacob Piper, September 15, 1853 ; George S. Babcock, January 3, 1859 ; Samuel Griswold, October 7, 1861; R. Geo. Bassett, October 21, 1862 ; Dr. R. C. Baldwin.

FULTON .- Established May 29, 1826, with Lewis Fal- ley as postmaster. M. Lindley Lee was appointed June 22, 1841; Hiram Bradway, October 20, 1844; George Mitchell, June 23, 1849; Albert Taylor, April 9, 1853. The office was made a presidential one February 21, 1856, and Albert Taylor was re-appointed. William B. Shaw was appointed July 27, 1857 ; Allan C. Livingston, April 17, 1861 ; Thomas W. Chesebro, March 13, 1871, and Charles T. Bennett, April 22, 1875.

NORTH VOLNEY .- This office was established in Febru- ary, 1859, with John Campbell as postmaster, the first mail leaving the office February 19. F. W. Squires succeeded Mr. Campbell in October, 1861, and has held the office ever since.

INGALL'S CROSSING .- Office established March 25, 1870, with William F. Ingall as postmaster.

BUNDY'S CROSSING .- This office was established in 1871, with Edward B. McCulloch as postmaster. These two last offices are on the Midland railroad.

MOUNT PLEASANT .- This office was established about 1872, with Joel Wright as postmaster. It was discontinued in 1876.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Of these, outside of Fulton, there have been but three, which were divisions of Sons of Temperance, situated respec- tively at Volney Centre, at North Volney, and at Bundy's, in the northwest part of the town. Only the last-named is now in operation.

MERCHANTS.

The first, outside of Fulton, was Elisha Candee, at Vol- ney Centre, in 1816. Ile was followed by Mr. Humeston, Almon Tucker, Samuel Griswold, Il. N. Gaylord, Nathan Bailey, S. II. Merritt, Charles Coe, and Levi Chapel. Seth Tibballs built the brick store about 1826. It was soon after bought by Mr. Griswold, who kept a store there for over thirty years.

At North Volney the first store was opened about 1858 by John Campbell, who remained about three years. Ile was followed in succession by Mr. O'Hara. Levi Johnson, R. P. Hall, F. W. Squires, Henry Bowen, Josiah Derby, William Sherman, and A. O. Davis, and he by Squires again, who is the present merchant.

A store has been kept near Bundy's Crossing for a long

232

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

time, called " The Six-Mile grocery." It is now owned by E. B. McCullock.

A store was opened at Hubbard's Corners, by Josiah Derby, about 1867. He was followed by Joel Wright, in 1870. The store was closed in the spring of 1877.

A canal grocery has also been kept at Battle island for a long time.

HOTELS.

The first, outside of Fulton, was kept, as has been stated, by the Van Valkenburghs, at the "Orchard Lock," in 1797. The second was kept by Gideon Seymour, at Vol- ney Centre, as early as 1809. He died in 1817, and his widow kept a public-house afterwards. John Gasper opened a tavern at the same point about 1830, which he kept until 1836. In 1836 Mr. Gasper was succeeded by Jeremiah Hull, from whom the hamlet of Hull's Corners takes its name. Mr. Hull kept the hotel for a number of years, being succeeded in turn by George S. Babeoek, George Briggs, Wm. W. Rockafellow, and C. B. Russ. It was burned about 1870, and has not been replaced. A hotel has been in operation for several years at Seneca Hill, being now owned by George Briggs. A public-house was kept at North Volney for a short time, about 1850, by Campbell & Stevens. There is no hotel now in town out- side of Fulton except at Seneca Hill.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house was built near the site of the " Orehard Lock," in 1810. Benjamin Robinson was the first teacher. Previous to this a man by the name of Mr. Donald had taught in Major Van Valkenburgh's house. Mr. Robinson had also taught one term in the major's barn before the school-house was built. IIe continued to teach in town until 1812, when he went over into Granby. The second school-house was built at Volney. Centre in 1811 ; it stood a little east of the site of the briek store. The second one at this point was built in 1820. It was seventy by thirty feet ; a very nice house for the early times. Mrs. Sally Dean, now living in Oswego, taught in the first or old school-house as early as 1815. The first house was a frame building, although a very small one. Another was built at Hubbard's about 1817, and another on the four corners, near Josiah Hull's, half a mile north of Wm. Baldwin's. Another was erected about the same time in the south part of the town. Nearly all the first school- houses were built of logs, but occasionally there was a very small frame one.

Of the early teachers but few are alive to tell the story of how teaching was done in " old times." Miss Elizabeth Richmond (now Mrs. Thomas, and a resident of North Volney) eame to this town from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, about 1817, and taught school at Hubbard's Corners, Ful- ton, " the sixteenth," and near Josiah Hull's. Of her early pupils in this town nine afterwards became ministers of the gospel. Another of her scholars was Amos G. Hull, son of Josiah, who was at one time surrogate of this county, and is now a noted lawyer of New York city.

The first school-house at North Volney was built of logs in 1825. The first frame one was erected in 1834, and the last one in 1866. For two years previous to 1825 a school

was taught in a shanty about a mile east of Druce's Cor- ners, or North Volney. Of the early teachers here is Mary Ann Sikes, who taught in the first frame school-house in 1835. The school distriets in town, including Fulton, have increased from two in 1811, to seventeen in 1876.

DOCTORS.

The first in town, outside of Fulton, were Drs. Cowan and Payne, at Volney Centre. They were succeeded by Dr. Ransom Howard, who was followed by Dr. Stephen Pardee, in 1831. Dr. Pardee went to Fulton in 1851. The next was Reuben C. Baldwin, who has practiced there since 1851. Dr. Bradley was there a short time, about 1830. Dr. Rice, now of Hannibal, about 1851, for a short space.

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF VOLNEY was formed in June, 1812, being the fifth church in age in the county. The original members were Gideon Candee, John Kendall, Manda Kendall, Jos. Morgan, Eunice Mor- gan, Enoch Bristol, Sarah Bristol, William Dean, and Anna Dean. The first deacons were Gideon Candee and Stephen Blake. The chorister was John Kendall. The first preachers were John Dunlap and David R. Dixon, missionaries. In 1819 Rev. Oliver Leavitt was the pastor, and remained until 1827. He was followed successively by Rev. Abel Cald- well, two years ; Rev. Oliver Eastman, two years ; and Rev. Truman Baldwin, one year. Rev. Martin Powell preached in 1834; Rev. Heman S. Cotton and Rev. B. Pond, in 1835 (six months each) ; Rev. M. Stowe, in 1836; Rev. Julius Doane, in 1837, 1838, and 1839; Rev. Lemuel Dada, from 1840 to 1844 inclusive ; Rev. Russel Whiting, in 1845 and 1846; Rev. Seth Williston, six months; Rev. Salmon Strong, in 1850.

Rev. Jeremiah Petrie closed in May, 1856. He was fol- lowed by Rev. J. R. Bradnack and Rev. Mr. Noye. Rev. P. W. Emens was in charge of the church from July, 1861, to December, 1867. Mr. Petrie was then recalled, and served until February, 1872. Rev. David Henderson was the next pastor ; he was followed by Rev. Frank N. Greeley, who served from September, 1873, until December, 1874. Rev. W. W. Warner preached during the next two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Melbourne May, the present pastor.

Meetings were held in the school-house until the church edifice was built on " Bristol Hill," in 1833. Its cost was about two thousand five hundred dollars. When the Pres- byterian church was formed at Fulton, in 1818, some of the members of this society joined that one, and in 1823 quite a number united with a church in Palermo. There are four hundred names on the church record from first to last, the present membership being about sixty. The present officers of the church society are as follows : Deacons, Henry W. Williams, Chauncey Baldwin, and Robinson Young. Trustees, Jacob Kendall, John J. Coit, and Chauncey Baldwin. The first Sabbath-school outside of Fulton was organized in the above society by Mrs. Eunice Leavitt, in 1820, with Samuel Morgan as assistant.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

meetings were first held in private houses. The earliest outside of Fulton were at the house of " Father Arnold,"

233

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

just south of Ives' Corners. Mr. Arnold and Ira Ives were then the leading members. This was a little before 1820. After a while meetings were held in different localities, until about 1843, when Volney was supplied by the circuit of Mexico or Gilbert's Mills. About this time a class was formed at Druce's Corners (now North Volney) by Rev. H. Kinsley, Russel Druce being the leader. After this the class-leaders were Peter Wise, G. D. Sayles, J. M. Annis, Ira Campbell, Francis Flowers, I. N. Taplin, and L. N. Holden. The church edifiee was built at North Volney in 1859. The first trustees were G. D. Sayles, F. W. Squires, Franeis Flowers, J. M. Aunis, Sanford Partrick, Ira Camp- bell, and V. R. Griswold. The preachers since 1855 were George Foster, Silas Ball, David Stone, Freeman Haneoek, [Tiram Nichols, George Sawyer, S. De Lamater, William Peck, I. Turney, J. Smedley, B. Holmes, M. Thrasher, A. M. Rowe, William Witham, A. N. Balsley, Frank Pierce, E. J. Clemens, and J. A. Cosgrove. The first Sabbath-school at North Volney was organized in 1854, with Peter Wise as superintendent.

The Second Methodist Episcopal church edifice of Vol- ney was built at Hubbard's Corners (now Mount Pleasant) in 1870, and included the four classes of Weed's, Hubbard's, Rowlee's, and Greenman's. This society of Mount Pleasant and also North Volney and Hawk's is included in the Vol- ney charge. The first-named point has preaching every Sabbath, and the last two every alternate. A Sabbath- school has been connected with the church at Mount Pleas- aut from the first. There is a Methodist Protestant society at Bundy's, under the charge of the Onondaga conference.

CEMETERIES.

There are at least four in town, the oldest being at Vol- ney Centre. The oldest slab (red sandstone) is at the grave of Eunice, wife of Joseph Moss, who died in 1815. The oldest marble slab is at the grave of Gideon Seymour, who died early in 1817, at the age of thirty-five. The oldest stone in North Volney cemetery is at the grave of Mrs. Walter Haynes, who died in 1829. The other cemeteries are at Hubbard's Corners and in the south part of the town.

CHEESE-FACTORIES.

There are four in town : one at Volney Centre, one in the south part of town, one at Hubbard's Corners, and at Battle island.

BRIDGES.

The first of which we have any knowledge was built about 1814, just above the " Upper Landing," extending from the east side to Yelverton island, and thence to the west side. It was a toll-bridge, and one of the early toll- collectors was Mr. John Sehenek, father of M. B. Schenek, and brother of William.

The second bridge across the river, also a toll-bridge, was built in 1826, aud stood very near the present lower iron bridge in Fulton. It passed through many changes and repairs before being removed for a better one.

The third one was built at the falls in 1849, mainly by Colonel Voorhees, of Lysander, Onondaga county, and stood about where the present iron bridge stands. The fourth is the present fine iron structure extending from Nelson's

quill to the Grauby side of the river, and built in 1871. The fifth is also an iron bridge, six miles below Fulton, crossing the river between Seneca hill and Minetto, and built in 1872. The sixth and last is likewise of iron, built at the falls the same year. The three bridges last named eost from 818,000 to $21,000 cach, the county paying one- third of the expense, and the towns of Volney, Granby, and Oswego one-third each, for the two upper ones, and Volney and Oswego one-third each for the lower one.

The population of Volney, including Fulton, in 1850, was 5310 ; in 1860, 8040 ; in 1870, 6565; in 1875, 5775.

VILLAGE OF FULTON.

The early history of events occurring within the present corporate limits of Fulton has been given in the preceding excellent history of the town of Volney, written by F. W. Squires, Esq. The publishers subjoin the following sketch of' later events and institutions in this prosperous village.

Mr. William Schenck, who came to this village in 1812, states that twelve buildings were standing at that time within the present corporate limits of Fulton exclusive of the Upper and Lower Landings.

The first building erected was on Oneida street, and stood near the east end of the present Nelson mills. One of the first buildings in the village occupied the site of the present residenee of Oliver French, on First street, and the other buildings were in that immediate vicinity, but their exact location is not known.

The business of the village was confined to the Upper and Lower Landings until the year 1825, when, the legislature of the State having appropriated one hundred and sixty thou- sand dollars for the purpose of building the Oswego canal, the location of the present village proper attracted the at- tention of various business men, and among them Lewis Falley, who became the first merchant, and occupied a building which stood on the present site of the Nelson eoal office. The next mercantile firm was Cady, Case & Co., who offered their wares in a building occupying the present location of Howe's law-office. Other early merchants who located during 1825 and 1826 were Leonard, Whitaker, Douglass & Comstock, the Tousey Brothers, Oliver Bur- diek, John J. Woleott, Chas. Tucker, and probably a few others whose names are not remembered.

The corner-stone of the first lock on the Oswego canal was laid in this village, with Masonie ceremonies, July 4, 1826, in the midst of a large concourse of people, the ad- dress being delivered by Hon. David P. Brewster, of Os- wego. The Declaration of Independence was read by Peter Schenek, and the chaplain on the occasion was a Rev. Mr. Irwin, a Methodist clergyman. Hastings Curtis officiated as marshal of the day, and K. E. Sanford assistant.

The completion of the canal, in 1828, ushered in an im- portant era in the history of Fulton, and from that time to the present it has kept abreast with the rapid progress of the county, and to-day is ranked among the more pleasant and prosperous villages of which northern New York can so truthfully boast.

THE FIRST CHARTER.

In 1835 Fulton had so far increased in population and

234

HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.

importance that it was deemed necessary it should partake of the privileges and immunities of an incorporated village. Consequently, on the 29th day of April, 1835, it was char- tered and its boundaries designated as follows : " Beginning at the southwest corner of the State reservation at Oswego Falls; thence along the south and east sides thereof to State street ; thence along the public highway northeasterly to the four corners at the eastern boundary of Steen's loca- tion ; thence along the line of said location to the north line thereof; thence west to the centre of the Oswego river ; thence along the centre of said river to the place of begin- ning." The boundaries have subsequently been enlarged at several different times. Aaron G. Fish was the first president of the village, and J. H. Woodin is the present president.

The following constitute the present board of trustees : W. S. Nelson, Willard Curtis, Hugh McKernan, M. F. Crahan, Myron Havens, and Prentice Youmans.

EARLY SCHOOLS.

The pioneers of Fulton not only manifested a praise- worthy interest in religious matters, but the subject of edu- cation early claimed their attention, and in 1800 the first school was taught by Artemisia Waterhouse,-subsequently Mrs. Brackett,-at what was then called the Lower Land- ing. A Mr. McDonald and Ebenezer Wright were early teachers on the " peninsula."

In 1808, Asahel Bush, residing at Seneca Hill, employed Benjamin Robinson, of Onondaga county, to teach the school at a salary of sixteen dollars per month. He opened a school in that neighborhood and continued it one year and three months. Among his patrons are mentioned the names of Samuel Tiffany, the two Sharps, and Elisha Bundy, Sr. This primitive pedagogue next taught in a barn at Major Van Valkenburgh's, on the peninsula, in 1810.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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

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