USA > New York > Otsego County > History of Otsego County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
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- Richard Palmer, enl. Jan. 28, 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
RICHARD B. MORRIS
was born in the town of Milford, Otsego County, April 3, 1811, being the youngest son of Charles and Catherine Morris. His early life was passed on his father's farm, being the same property on which his grandfather settle.l about 1790, and which is still owned by members of the
RICHARD B. MORRIS.
family. He took for his companion in life, March 1, 1833. Zilpha, daughter of Reuben and Wealthy Westeott. She was born in the town of Milford, Nov. 1, 1820. The re- sult of this marriage was three sous and three daughters. And, by God's will, the sons alone are left to preserve their father's name and honor for posterity. The eldest son, Albert, was born in Milford, Jan. 2, 1840, and married Mary J. Bird-all, Nov. 5, 18G8; they have two children, viz., Burton H., born Nov. 28, 1869, and A. Stanley, Forn Oct. 28, 1871. The second son, William II., was born in Milford, July 21, 1841, and married Ada Angell; they also have two children, Susm, born May 21, 1870, and Willard, born June 21, 1872. For twelve years these two sons have carried on a large and extensive flour and feed business in the village of Oneonta, and are among its most prominent
150
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
streets thanks, the third son, was born in Mented. March 10 1866
No Moreis originally belonged to the old Whig party. but on the formation of the Republican party joined that
ZILPUA MORRIS.
ranization. He held several minor town offices. and in His early life was connected with the New York State tatlitia. He was an active member of the Baptist church Fever thirty-five years, having been a deacon for thirty- une years. His grandfather was the leading organizer of the first Baptist church in the town of Milford. All man- And have at some time to end their earthly career and roder an account to the Almighty. None was better pre- fond for this than the subject of this sketch. who passed sway Dce. 26, 1877, mourned by his friends and neigh-
ADOLPHUS G. MORRIS.
Among the early settlers of the town of Milford was the Morris family. Their forefathers. about the time of de Revolutionary war, emigrated from Wales to the State of Rhode Island, and subsequently moved west to Rens- + !wer county, and some time between 1790 and 1800 setiled in this town in Otsego County. David E. a descendant of this family, was born in the town of Milford. Otsego C. unty. May 2, 1801. being the son of Charles and Cath- erine Morris. He was married to Susan. daughter of Bonbon Westcott, she being a native of Cheshire. Berk- .Lire Co .. Mass., born in 1802, and came to this eounty with her father in 1815. Their family consisted of eight children, the oldest of whom. Adolphus G .. was born Aug. 20. 1-26. in the town of Milford. He was married Feb. 11 1-55, to Mary J .. daughter of Albert Howland. she lang a native of the town of Laurens, and was born Out. 18. 1-38. Five children have blessed their union : Wel- laou 1 .. , born Ang. 23, 1-56; Clarence S .. Dec. 19, 1-5>: Hinun, Dec. 28. 1862; Frank. Sept. 8. 1871; B. B. March 3, 1877. Mr. Morris mourns the loss of faith father and mother, the latter having passed away No- wilwer, 1863, and the former May 3, 176. Politically
he belongs to the Republican party, and is one of the most useful, energetie, and public-spirited citizens of the town in which he resides.
SIMEON R. BARNES
was born in the town of Maryland, Otsego County. Ang. 18, 1831, being the son of Philip and Jane T. Barnes. His father was born June 22, 1798, at Groton, Conn .. and emigrated with his father to this county in 1823. Sinicon was brought up on his father's farm, and received his early education at the district school, but at the age of nineteen was sent to the New York Conference seminary at Char- lotteville, Sehoharie county, where he graduated in 1852. The winter following he taught school in Delaware county. but in May, 1853, he commenced the manufacture of sash and blinds at Maryland on a small scale. In the fall of 1835 he took F. M. Fox in partnership with him ; un-ler the firmi-name of Barnes & Fox they continued business at Maryland till April, 1867, when they removed their works to the village of Colliersville, in the town of Milford. ereeting a large building, and having as many as fifty men at one time in their employ. They also, in connection with their manufactory, were engaged in the business of car- pentering, building, and Iumbering, and had a very exteu- sive trade.
Mr. Barnes sold his interest in the business to his part- ner in December, 1874, and sinee that time has lived a retired life. He was married, Oct. 11, 1853, to Margaret J., daughter of Stephen and Nancy Platt, who were origin- ally from the State of Connecticut, but who emigrated to the town of Maryland in an carly day, and were among the first settlers; their daughter was born in that town Dee. 14, 1833. But two children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, only one of whom is living at the present time. The eldest, Charles P., was born in the town of Maryland, Dee. 4, 1854, and died Jan. 15, 1872; the youngest, Frank Leslie, was born in the same town, Aug. 6, 1858.
Mr. Barnes has been a life-long Republican, and has he! ! a number of State and local offices, having been superviser. from the town of Milford, in 1869; and was appointed by that board, in 1871, as one of a eomuittee of five to super- intend and ereet the present jail and sheriff's residene. and personally gave his attention towards drafting and eos :- pleting the building. In 1872 he was appointed by Ging- ernor Dix as one of the town commissioners for this county. which office he holds at the present time. In the fall .: 1876 he was elected a member of the assembly, in a di -- triet strongly Democratie, receiving a majority of one hun- dred and ten.
He and his wife are both members of the Universalist church, and he has given largely of his meaus for its sup- port, having in the fall of 1876 built the only church of that denomination in the town, about two miles fr n. c liersville, on his own responsibility. The church bear- :.. name of the First Universalist church of Colliersvill an i Maryland, and has a seating capacity of two Inmind! 1. 1 fifty. Mr. Barnes erected his present home in the pron ; of 1868, a view of which, accompanied by the portrait. : himself and wife, can be found in another part of this work.
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HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
OTIS WESTCOTT.
Prominent among the citizens of the town of Milford is the subject of this sketch. A son of old Massachusetts, born at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., April 25, 1806, being the offspring of Reuben and Susan Westcott. At eight years of age his father emigrated to this town, bringing his family with him, which at that time consisted of nive children, which was afterwards increased to twelve,-six boys and six girls; and at the death of their father, in 1847, all were living, the youngest being over thirty years of age. They were all members of the Baptist church except the two oldest, who were Methodists. He remained on his father's farm till the time of his marriage, Dec. 6, 1826, to Sally, daughter of Charles and Catherine Morris, she being born in Milford, Aug. 21, 1804. Hle then purchased a farm, being the one on which he now resides, and there laid the foundation of the comfortable fortune which he now pos- sesses. There came six children to bless his home and fireside, four of whom are now living, all of whom were born in the town of Milford. Eliza Delia, born Feb. 6, 1828. Catherine, born Feb. 4, 1833, and was married to Rev. Ozias Ellerson, a Methodist minister, located at Key- port, N. J. Munro, born July 11, 1836. Emily S., born Sept. 1, 1843, was married Sept. 23, 1863, to Dr. Thomas Evans, of Milford. Mr. W. has been a Republican ever since the formation of the party. Himself and wife have been members of the Baptist church for over half a century. Dee. 6, 1876, there gathered at his family mansion relatives and friends to extend their greetings and celebrate the anni- versary of his golden wedding, and nothing can be more appropriate than the following lines :
"For fifty years we've journeyed on Together on life's way ; " Our locks, once fair to look upon, Are mingled now with gray.
"We've shared each other's toil and cares, A Father's love hath blessed ; And e'er another fifty years Wo hope with Him to rest."
WILLIAM R. HARDY
is a native of the town of Unadilla, Otsego County, born Jan. 13, 1809, being the son of William and Esther Hardy.
Soon after his birth his father removed to Broome county, where William remained till 1821, when he came to the town of Milford, being then only twelve years of age. He spent his time summers in working as a farm laborer, and his winters in trying to obtain an education at the dis- triet school, till he became of age. He at that time hired for four years to John Low, of Milford, and served his time. He was married, Feb. 25, 1835, to Margaret, daughter of his employer, she being born in the town April 15, 1807. He then purchased a farm of sixty-three seres, and with this, in connection with one hundred and fifty acres which he hired, and with a debt of five hundred dollars on his shoul- ders, he began life for himself. He has always carried on tlit business, and stands to-day as one of the leading and successful farmers of his town, enjoying a comfortable and
honorable fortune. Nine children came to bless his hom only four of whom are living at the present time: All. ; born Feb. 2, 1836; Oscar, Sept. 1, 1839: George W March 14, 1845; Elbridge G., Jan. 2, 1850; all by : natives of Milford. In politics Mr. Hardy belongs 16 ?!. Democratic party, having cast his first vote for pre-id. 1: of the United States for Andrew Jackson, for his second! term of office. He has held several county and lown offices, having been elected, in 1854, superintendent of th- county poor for a term of three years. He represented hi- town as supervisor in 1863, was justice of the peace for four years, and has held the offices of school commissioner. assessor, and commissioner of highways. Mr. Hardy i- one of the most respectable and reliable citizens of the town of Milford, and stands to-day a living model of an American farmer.
ANDREW SPENCER
was born in the town of Warren, Herkimer county, N. Y., April 3, 1835, being the son of Andrew and Emeline Spencer,-the former a native of the State of Rhode Island, where he was born in 1803. He removed with his father to Herkimer county in 1819. In 1830 he married a daughter of Andrew and Christila Dusler, they being oll settlers of Herkimer county, where she was born, Sept. 13, 1809. He subsequently came to the town of Richfield, Otsego County, in 1849, and in 1853 came to Hartwick, and the year following removed to Milford, where he died in November, 1859. Andrew, his son, received his early education at the district school, and soon after his father removed to this county entering Hartwick seminary as a student, where he graduated after a three years' course. Hle afterwards held the position as a teacher in the same institution for a year and a half. He followed teaching for a livelihood for eight years, having charge of private and publie schools in the south and west. After his father's death he returned to Otsego County, and turned his atten- tion to farming, in which business he is still engaged. He was married, Jan. 17, 1862, to Minerva, daughter of E. and S. Cronkite, a native of Milford, born Dec. 16, 1840. His family consists of five children, viz., Andrew, born in Milford, Dec. 10, 1863; Cora, born in Laurens, June 28, 1865; Maude, in Laurens, July 13, 1867; Mattie in Mil- ford, Feb. 7, 1874, and Forrest, in Milford, March 5. 1877. Politically, he has always been a member of the Democratic party and an active worker in its ranks, and has received a goodly number of offices from the supporters of that party, -representing his town as supervisor in 1872 and 1-73 justice of peace and sessions, and being the present county superintendent of the poor. Ile has given largely of his means for the support of religion in his town, and is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church of Milford. And for a man of his years few are held in as high esteem by his fellow-citizens.
HENRY WILCOX
was born in the town of Laurens, Otsego County, Sept. 15, 1805, being the son of William Wilcox. The latter was a native of Dartmouth. Mass., and removed from there with his father to Dutchess Co., N. Y., but in about 1800
WILLIAMS H. WILCOX
HENRY WILCOX.
MRS. LUCINA WILCOX.
PHOTOS DY W G. SMITH, COOPERSTOWN
..
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derneue - HENRY WILDAY MILENRA DISECO CON
RESIDENCE OF ANDREW SPENCER, MILFORD OTSEGO CO NY
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1
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTI, NIIN
came to Otsego County, where he married Letitia, daughter of John Brees, an early resident of this county, but origin- ally from the State of Virginia. On her mother's side she was connected with the noted Cooper family.
Mr. Wilcox early turned his attention to farming, and followed that avocation during his life. He passed away April 1, 1857. During the last few years of his life he was deprived of the companionship of his wife, she having died Sept. 13, 1853.
Henry, the eldest child, was brought up on his father's farmi, and received his education at the district school. He married, Oct. 15, 1829, Lucina, daughter of Robert M. and Sarah J. Tunney. She was born at Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1808. Their family consisted of three children, two of whom died in infancy. The youngest, William H., was born in Milford, Aug. 2, 1840, and was married Sept. 29, 1863, to Emogene Shute. He died May 13, 1873, leaving but one child, John Henry, born Nov. 24, 1866 ; he, therefore, being the only one left in the town where the family has lived for four generations, to hand the honored old name of Wilcox down to posterity.
Mr. Wilcox has always belonged to the Republican party, and has held several town offices, including that of justice of the peace, in which capacity he officiated twelve years.
Both he and his wife have been members of the First Presbyteriau church of Milford about forty years. Mr. Wilcox is probably at the present time the oldest living citizen of the town of Milford born in the county ; and he has during his life maintained a reputation for honesty and integrity among his friends and neighbors.
CHAPTER LI.
TOWN OF MORRIS.
Organization - Geographical - Topographical - First Settlers and their Locations-Initial Events-Incidents-First Town-Meetings -- Officers Elected-Supervisors and Town Clerks from Organiza- tion of the Town to 1878-Present Town Officials-Agricultural and General Statisties-Arca-Equalized and Assessed Valuation -Population from Organization of Town to 1875.
Turs town was organized from Butternuts on the 6th day of April, 1849. It is one of the western tier of towns, and bounded as follows: on the north by Pittsfield and New Lisbon ; on the east by New Lisbon and Laurens ; on the south by Butternuts ; and ou the west by Butternuts and the Unadilla river, which separates it from Chenango county. Butternut creek flows southwest through nearly the centre of the town, and divides its surface into two ridges or hilly uplands, which are well adapted to agrienl- tural pursuits. The western ridge terminates in a steep bluff bordering on the Unadilla river. The soil in the val- leys is a gravelly loam, very fertile, while on the uplands it consists chicfly of clay and gravel.
The first settlement in Morris was made in about the year 1770.
Among those brave spirits who led the pioneer van was Paschal Franchot, a native of France, who left his sunny home for an abode in the wilds of the New World. ITis
advent into the wilderness, and the incidents of the journey, together with much other valuable information, is thus pleasantly related by himself: " You ask an old settler to give you the historical associations pertaining to the old town of Butternuts. This town derives its name from three butternut-trees growing from one stump, were noted as being the corner of three patents, to wit : tlie Otego, Wells, and Hillington, which latter contains 18,000 acres, being chiefly in said town, and being also at this day the corner of three towns, Pittsfield, New Lisbon, and Butter- nuts, now called Morris, being the southeast corner thereof. This tract was purchased by Henry Hill before the Revo- lutionary war of Gov. Franklin, and was part of a tract of 47,000 acres patented to Geo. Butler and others, who con- veyed the said 18,000 acres to William Franklin and others, owned by Mr. Holker, at that time French consul- general, and partly by Le Ray de Chaumont, who also owned the Middleton patent, part of which, with the above, is now called the town of Morris, leaving the old name of Butternuts to that part consisting mainly of the Morris and Upton patents, with 4000 acres of the Otego patent, being about five miles distant from the three butternut-trees from which the name was derived.
" Benjamin Lull and five of his sons, Benjamin Lull, Jr., Joseph, Caleb, Nathan, and William, with their families, Ebenezer Knapp, Increase and Moses Thurston and family, came from New-Town-Martin, of Tryon, late county of Albany, together with Hugh M. Irish, Benjamin Stone, William Pieree, Esquire Brooks, Jack Johnson, and Robert Garrett, all English, and settled with their families in and about Hillington and Wells' patent in 1773, or before, in Butternuts. All these people were harassed and driven off by the Indians under Colonel Braut during the Revo- lutionary war.
" Mr. Jonathan Moore and sons were the next settlers.
" Le Ray de Chaumont, in company with Mons. le Chout- teau, explored Hillington and Middleton patent, and under the auspices of the said Holker and Chaumont, Louis de Villiers, Esq., a French gentleman, settled and cleared a large farm now called Elm Grove. The widow Rosseau and three sons, from the city of Paris, and François Cock- rell first settled Louisville.
" Mons. Renourd, Mons. Perry, and M. De Lay, all French, settled in what was then called Chaumont Valley, now New Lisbon, on lands of Le Ray.
" Among the first settlers of the Upton patent should be mentioned De Burgers and his father, remarkable as the largest and most corpulent man I ever saw, and withal, possessing gentlemanly manners. General Jacob Morris told me when he came to his place, New Morrisania, as he then called it, he first embarked at the head of Otsego lake, and followed the Susquehanna river to the Unadilla river, and up that river to the mouth of the Buttermit creek, thence to the tract on which he settled and cleared his farm in Morris' patent. About the same time Abijah Gilbert, Esq., settled Gilbertsville, and owned 1000 acres in that weighborhood. Mr. Upton also settled Mr. Cham- berlain on his farm, now owned by Mrs. Fenno and sons.
" Messrs. Liekeau & Boons, at that time agents of the Scotland land-company, made, previously to their settlement
26
202
HISTORY OF OTSEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
of Cazenovia and Brownsville, experiments in Otsego on a considerable scale in making maple sugar, and satisfied themselves in what could be done in that line of business. All these gentlemen, together with some from Cooperstown, at times congregated together, mostly at Louis de Villiers', Esq., and at our dwelling, and passed the time very pleas- antly.
" At the beginning of the French Revolution my father emigrated from France to this country with the intention to settle his sons on the Ohio, where a considerable French settlement was begun. When we arrived at New York, Count De la Foret, consul-general of France, advised us to settle on lands of Le Ray de Chaumont, in Hillington, especially since a bloody Indian war then existed in Ohio. Accordingly, with La Foret's advice, after wintering at New York, which contained 50,000 inhabitants, we embarked in April, 1790, with our luggage and one year's provision, for this place; arrived at Albany in a passage of eight days; thence to Schenectady in wagons; thence in bateaux up the Mohawk river to Canajoharie; thence hired six wagons to the head of Otsego lake, at Major Staat's, who then lived at the carrying-place, where we were disappointed in finding boats to carry us to Cooperstown. Being the youngest, I came down to Cooperstown and made out to get Captain Stewart Averill and others, with all the boats, and brought our luggage and family to the outlet of the lake, on the banks of which a tavern was kept by a worthy Scotchman, Mr. Ellison, where we were well entertained, and were intre- duced to Mr. Bowers, from New York, who was then on the opposite bank clearing and burning brush where his house was afterwards built.
" I found that I had committed a blunder; there was no road from Cooperstown to Butternuts. I ought to have turned off from Springfield to Schuyler's Lake, and so on to Tunnicliff's and Burlington.
" I immediately set out through Hartwick to Major But- terfield's; thence was shown a path which went to Burlington, but this path was so blind I got bewildered; traveled most all night, and happened to see, just before daylight, fires, for which I started, and found a Mr. Palmer, who had got up to punch his log heaps, and who met me with a hand-spike, in a threatening posture, but we were soon made friends. I was so much Frenchified he could not understand me. I must have been a great curiosity, for he examined me very closely ; my manchettes, my coat, my shoes, my double-barreled gun, all appeared odd to him. He became very kind to me; took me to his house and comforted me the best way he could, and after feeding me and showing me real good-will he put me in the right road aufd I arrived safely at Butternuts, distant seventeen miles.
" After apprising my brother of my mistake he immedi- ately set out, and, with the advice of Judge Cooper, hired Major Butterfield, an excellent, good man, and some of his neighbors, who cut out a road from this place to Johnson's, a mile above Garratsville, and moved the family and all our luggage from Cooperstown with ox-wagons exactly fitted for going through the woods. My father, as soon as he saw us snugly settled, returned to France.
"Soon after I lost two brothers, François and Auguste. My eldest brother, Louis, died in 1800, after being in part-
nership eight years. I pursued the mercantil. business with Mr. Volkert Peter Van Rensselaer, from Chaverack who was introduced by Mr. John De Peyster Douwe a hard ware merchant of Albany, until 1814, when I resist from mercantile business, and was agent for Le Ray . This mont and others in settling lands. and clearing and extend ing my farm, and bringing up a large family. I hate ! believe, donc my humble part in improving our offer and I feel I shall not long remain here, having att inat fourscore of years and about worn out."
Mr. Pascal Franchot, born March 30, 1774, in .... Do partment de la Haute Marne, Canton de Sainte Dozier. Com mune de Chamonilly, married for his first wife Miss Cad .eine Hansen, of Greenbush, N. Y., and for his second with Mis Deborah Hansen, both of whom were daughters of the rock Hansen. His family consisted of ten children,-three sens and seven daughters,-viz. : Miss Julia A. Franchot revider in the village of Morris ; Helen married Volkert de l'ester Douw, of Albany ; Joanna married Henry R. Van Rensselaer of Morris ; Francis G. married A. C. Powell, of Syrarn -... Meta married Robert Wells, of Riverton, N. J .; Mi .. Antoinette and Chas. F. reside in Syracuse; Louis Fran- chot, deceased; his widow resides in the village of Morris Marie Augusta in Canandaigua. Richard Franchet, de- ceased; his widow resides in Schenectady.
Richard, son of Pascal Franchot, born in Morris in 1816. was a leading citizen of the county. He held the office of supervisor of the town, and was for several years president of the Albany and Susquehanna railroad. In 1860 he was elected to congress from this district, and in 1962 was made colonel of the 121st Regiment, N. Y. S. V. Ile afterward resigned his commission to Colonel Upton, of the regular army, and after serving out his term of office re- moved his residence to Schenectady. He was chiefly instru- mental in establishing the cotton and woolen factories at Morris, and did much to advance the general interests of the town. He died in Schenectady on Nov. 23, 1875.
Benjamin Lull and five sons,-Benjamin, Jr., Joseph. Caleb, Nathan, and William Lull,-Jonathan Moore, An- drew Cathcart, Jacob Morris, Ebenezer Knapp, and Andre Renourd were also among the pioneers.
In those early days it was not an uncommon occurrence for the female portions of the household to leave their do- mestic duties and assist in the severe toils of the field and forest. It is related of Martha, daughter of Ebenezer Knapp, that, in 1775, she employed herself in the " sugar- bush," a "good run" sometimes obliging her to feed the fires under four kettles until midnight. One night, white thus engaged, hearing a fierce growl which betokened the near approach of wolves, she immediately returned it, at the same time swinging tire-brands in defiance of their attack. During that season she made 215 pounds of sugar. with which her father was enabled to purchase at a distant vil- lage a sufficient quantity of grain to supply them with bread the ensuing summer.
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