History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 113

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112


USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 113
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 113
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 113
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 113


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).


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į For further interesting information concerning this church and society, tbe reader is referred to Rev. C. D. Burritt's history of " Methodism in Ithaca."


417


AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.


lowing summer. It is of wood, and stands on the south- west corner of Sencea and Plain Streets.


The following persons have filled the pastorate for about the terms named, respcetively, and until the sueeessor of each was appointed: Revs. A. S. Graves, one year ; Ephraim Hoag, two years ; Charles D. Burritt, one year ; S. G. Lathrop, two years ; Fitch Reed, one year ; Wm. N. Cobb, one year ; Hiram Gee, two years; E. C. Curtis, two years ; Thomas Harroun, three years; S. P. Gray, three years ; Benj. Shove, three years ; J. T. Crippin, eighteen months ; D. D. Buck, one year; Theron Cooper, two years ; O. A. Houghton, one year; Robert Hogoboom, now in his second year of service.


A new building for this society is now being ereeted on State Street, corner of Albany, upon a large lot reaching through to Sencea. The corner-stone was laid with im- pressive ceremonies Aug. 29, 1878. This edifice is of brick, with buff brick trimmings and sandstone foundation ; will possess a fine tower of 120 feet altitude and contain 800 sittings. In quality, solidity, and style it promises to equal similar structures costing $40,000, while in appoint- ments it will exeel most of them. The cost will be much less than the sum named.


ST. JOIIN'S EPISCOPAL CIIURCII


was organized in 1822, at a meeting held at the Methodist chapel, on the 8th of April. At that time, in this part of the State, the Episcopal order and form of worship were but little known.


Rev. Dr. Babeoek and " Father Nash" had officiated, prior to the above date, in a kind of missionary eapaeity. The records show that the academy authorities, on the 22d of October, 1822, voted this society the use of the " west room on the lower floor" of their building for the term of four years. Here routine services were conducted for one year by Rev. Samuel Phinney, the first reetor, who was then succeeded by Rev. Ezekiel G. Geer, who served until 1828 with good results. Meantime, in 1824, the lot on the Aekley cstate, at the southwest corner of Seneca and Cay- uga Streets, was purchased, and the first house of worship of this society then and there built. It was opened for serviees first on Christmas-eve of the same year. This structure was of brick, small and plain, but for the time commodious. Charles W. Connor, Henry Ackley, and C. W. E. Prescott constituted the building committee. During the ministry of Rev. Ralph Williston, who followed Mr. Geer and served from 1828 to 1830, the building was enlarged.


In 1851, Rev. Dr. Carder was invited to Ithaea. He re- mained three years, and then went to Connecticut. He died while holding the office of secretary of the Episcopal Board of Foreign Missions, about the year 1867. Mr. Geer then returned to the reetorship, and remained two years, when he went to the West as a pioneer missionary, and was succceded by F. T. Todrig, who remained but a short time. An interval of two years followed, in which only occasional serviees were held. Rev. Dr. Judd then, in 1838, assumed the charge, and continued until 1842, ren- dering efficient and acceptable serviee, although the mem- bership was not largely inereased in the four years. Rev.


Mr. (subsequently Dr.) Walker was called, and remained twenty-three years, discharging with faithfulness, and with an ability possible only to rare scholarship, all the functions of his position as minister and pastor.


In 1844 the church was altered and enlarged ; and the next year, by the exertions of the ladies of thic congrega- tion, a parsonage was purchased; and in 1860 the old church was torn down and the present large, substantial, and convenient building took its place. Dr. Walker re- signed in 1865, and the Rev. W. A. Hitchcock, chaplain U. S. N., became aeting reetor. The new church was eon- secrated April 11, 1866, by Bishop Coxe. Mr. Hitcheock was in that year ordered to duty in the navy, and resigned the charge. He was succeeded by Revs. J. W. Payne, Jarvis Spaulding, Pliny B. Morgan, and George P. Hib- bard.


Rev. Amos Beach, D.D., now has eharge.


THIE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ITHACA


had its origin in the Speneer Church, now of West Danby, when twenty-three members thereof, who had received let- ters for the purpose, joined on the 25th of September, 1821, to form a " Conference by the name of the Baptist Conference of Danby." Among the signers of this cove- nant were Chester Coborn, elder, Benjamin Castoline, Ju- lius Ranney, Ephraim Smith, Iram Hawes, Sabra Ford, · and Anna Bates.


This conference, thus established, was formally recog- nized as an independent church by a council of sister- churches held Nov. 13, 1821. In this eouneil four churches were represented, viz. : Second Ulysses, pastor, O. C. Com- stoek ; Dryden, pastor, Stutely Carr ; Speneer, pastor, Phineas Spalding ; Third Ulysses, pastor, C. King.


The meetings were then held in school-houses and pri- vate houses, usually "at the house of Brother Jessup." Elder Chester Coborn served as pastor until July, 1825, and was followed by Elder Caleb Nelson, who continued until October, 1826. The organization was then trans- ferred to Ithaea, and became the "First Baptist Church of Christ in Ithaea." Here the first meeting was held at the court-house on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 1826. O. C. Com- stoek was then engaged, and preached on alternate Sundays until the spring of 1827.


Elder John Sears became pastor May 10, 1827. On the 28th of that month a meeting was held at the court- house, at which the church organization was perfeeted under the statute by the election of nine trustees, to be known as "The Trustees of the First Baptist Church in Ithaea."


Their first church, of brick, with basement, cost about $7000, and was 47 by 70 feet in size, occupying the ground where the present church stands, on the east of the park. The building was first oeeupied for services in March, 1831. In this sanctuary the following persons, as pastors, successively rendered service after Elder Sears (who retired in 1831) and until the dates mentioned: N. N. Whiting, March, 1832; James R. Burdiek, May, 1833; Calvin Philleo, August, 1834; C. G. Carpenter, April, 1838 ; S. S. Parr, December, 1839 ; David Bellamy, March, 1841; Jirah D. Cole, April, 1843; H. L. Grose, February, 1844; Aaron


53


418


HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,


Jackson, October, 1848; F. Glenville, February, 1850; William Cormaek, September, 1852.


In September, 1852, Rev. J. M. Harris was called. During his pastorate, on the 11th day of January, 1854, the ehurel building, uninsured, was destroyed by fire. The present finer building, ereeted on its ruins, and eost- ing $10,000, was completed for oeeupaney in the fall of 1855. Mr. Harris continued until Dee. 1, 1864.


Rev. J. N. Folwell then filled the pastorate until April 30, 1869 ; C. J. Shrimpton, until November, 1873; C. A. Harris, until April, 1876.


The present pastor, Hermon F. Titus, was ordained Aug. 31, 1876.


THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH


was organized April 2, 1830, by the Rev. John H. Scher- merhorn, who was at that time general agent of the General Synod of the denomination.


The new organization was composed chiefly of persons who had been dismissed, upon their own request, from the Presbyterian Society of the place, and for the purpose of effecting such organization. Thirty-one were so dismissed. The original number of communicants was thirty-two.


Daniel L. Bishop, Isaac Carpenter, and Augustus Sher- rill were made elders, and Levi Kirkam and Daniel Pratt deaeons.


Arthur S. Johnson was chosen as first elerk of the Con- sistory, and the Rev. Alexander M. Mann, D.D., was ap- pointed as the missionary of the Board of Missions, and entered upon his duties in June, 1830. He was ealled to the pastorate Dee. 11, 1830, and remained such until March 27, 1837, when he resigned his position and removed to West Troy.


The first religious services were held in the academy. During the years 1830-31 the church cdifiee was erected, on the northeast eorner of Seneca and Geneva Streets, and this building is still oceupied. It is the same externally as when built, but from time to time changes in the internal arrangements have been made.


The following persons have served in the pastorate: Revs. John C. F. Hoes, D.D., James D. Henry, D.D., C. H. A. Bulkley, Joaeltin Elmendorf, D.D., John W. Schenek, D.D., Franeis M. Zabriskie, D.D., Thomas C. Strong, D.D.


April 30, 1873, the organization became, after some legal controversy, the "First Congregational Church of Ithaea." Rev. C. M. Tyler was then ealled, and is the present pastor.


THE FIRST CATHOLIC SETTLERS


eame to Ithaea about the year 1830. For some time their serviees were conducted in a private house. Their first ehureh organization was under the pastoral charge of Rev. Mr. Gilbride, at which time a small church was ereeted on Geneva Street. Their present larger building was erected during the ineumbeney of Rev. Bernard McCool. Sinee then the charge has been in the hands of Revs. J. Mc- Manus, T. O'Farrell, James Tuohey, R. Gilbert, and P. F. Lyneh, who is now officiating.


THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH IN ITHACA


was formed at a meeting of the members on the sixteenth day of December, 1833, at their place of worship, "on the corner of Green and Geneva Streets." Seventeen duly qualified voters were present, and elected as trustees Francis Collins, John Wilkins, Thomas Jackson, John Shaw, James Collins, David Heetor, William Neweomen (?), James W. Lewis, and William Augustus.


In 1834-35 their meetings were at the house of Rev. Mr. Johnson, then their pastor.


They subsequently built a modest church on Wheat Street, which they have since occupied. A number of years ago the church was somewhat enlarged and im- proved.


The following pastors have officiated sinee the year 1852: Henry Hicks, Cyrus Buhey, John Tappan, J. W. Logan, John A. Williams, John Thomas, - Estep, Elder Goodman, William Sanford, Major Ross, Elder Ma- eall, J. W. Lacey (who served four years), Joseph B. Gil- bert, and Charles Smith, the present minister.


THE WESLEYAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (COLORED)


is an offshoot from the preceding, and was organized in 1857. Their church stands on North Albany Street, east side, and will seat about 125 people. The present pastor is John Swick.


THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF ITHACA.


The movement which resulted in the establishment of this society was largely due to the efforts of Rev. William H. Fish, for some years settled at Cortland and MeLean.


The first steps were taken by him, in eoneurrenee with the then secretary of the American Unitarian Association, Rev. Charles Lowe, in the autumn of 1865. The first serviees were held in the village hall, on the 15th of Oe- tober in that year ; the Rev. Samuel J. May, of Syracuse, officiating. Meetings were continued, with oeeasional omis- sions, through November, December, and January follow- ing, at the same place; eondueted by Revs. William H. Fish, A. P. Putnamı, F. A. Farley, and E. Buekingham.


Through February Rev. Dr. Peabody, of Cambridge, held meetings at the hall of the Cornell Library building, then just completed. This hall was occupied until Jan. 1, 1867, when the meetings were transferred to the court-house, where they were continued until the next October. At the time of the session of the New York Central Conference of Liberal Christians in Ithaca the meetings again opened in Library Hall, and there continued until May, 1873.


On the 16th of October, 1866, the Rev. E. C. Guild, of Canton, Mass., was installed as pastor of the society ; the Rev. Dr. Bellows, of New York, preaching the sermon of installation. Mr. Guild remained until April 6, 1868, per- forming valuable service for the society, and making "hosts of friends."


His successor, Rev. J. C. Zaehos, took charge on the first Sunday of October ensuing, and remained until June, 1869. Mueh of the interval which followed, ending January 15, 1871, when Dr. R. P. Stebbins was settled as pastor, was


Photo. by Frear.


SEWALL D. THOMPSON.


The ancestors of this gentleman were among the first settlers of Worcester Co., Mass., his father, Abel Thompson, being of English, and his mother, Dorothy Woods, of Scotch lineage. They lived and died in the town of Hubbardston, Mass., where Sewall D. was born in the year 1809. It would almost seem as though he was a born inn-keeper, with a genius for that line of business, for it has been the main oceupation of his life, and earried on with great success. He embarked in this avocation at the early age of twenty-three (in 1832) by keeping a hotel at Athol, Mass., which he continued until 1837. He then, after a brief stay in New York City, came to Ithaca, in the spring of 1838, and leased the Ithaca Hotel, which he managed until the fall of the year 1846. During the next four years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York City.


In 1850 he returned again to Ithaca, where he leased the Clinton House for the term of fifteen years, before the expiration of which, however, he purchased of Miss Beebe, daughter of J. S. Beebe, one of the three owners, a third interest in the hotel property. In 1864, Mr. Ezra Cornell purchased the remaining two-thirds interest, and thorough


repairs were made, during which year the hotel was not open to the public. The following year its doors were thrown open, under the management of Mr. Thompson, who subsequently purchased Mr. Cornell's interest. Since that date he has been sole owner and host of this hotel,-a management that now counts up twenty-eight years. Forty-one years of his life have been employed in hotel-keeping, all but five years of which were spent in Ithaca, of which place he has been so many years a resident. He is probably one of the oldest hotel-keepers in the State. Now in his sixty-ninth year, he is still hale and hearty, and more active than most men at fifty. His success is manifested by the extended and favorable repute of the Clinton House,* and which it has enjoyed for many years.


In 1832, Mr. Thompson married Miss Elizabeth N. Warren, of Northborough, Worcester Co., Mass., who is still living. Their only child died in infancy. Feeling the want of the companionship of children, they adopted a son, S. D. Thompson, Jr., who assists his father in the management of the hotel, and a daughter, who is unmarried and living at home.


* See article on the hotels of Ithaca.


419


AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.


covered by his service in the capacity of missionary of the American Unitarian Association. From the very outset the administration and serviecs of the doctor, in matters temporal and spiritual, were a complete success. The society at once took on new life and strength, and before Deeem- ber, 1871, had purchased a lot for a church, situated on the north side of Buffalo Street, east of Aurora. Here, largely through the personal efforts and influence of Dr. Stebbins, the society were enabled to ereet their first church. The building was first occupied May 7, 1873, the day of its dedication.


Dr. Stebbins remained until Sept. 30, 1877, when his resignation took effect, leaving a society united and free from debt. Rev. Henry C. Badger, called in the summer of 1878, is the present minister.


THIE TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH


was organized June 17, 1870, by the clection of the fol- lowing trustees : Franklin Hooker, William R. Norton, Nathan MeKean, John Linderbury, and Brennett J. Mix. They have a small place of worship on Railroad Avenue, near Tioga Street. Rev. F. Duseubury is the present min- ister.


THE FREE METHODIST SOCIETY


was formed Nov. 6, 1871, by electing as the first board of trustees William Webley, William Sullivan, and Ezekiel Osmun.


The church building of this society is on North Tioga Street, near Farm. Rev. John Osmun is the present min- ister.


ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOCIETY


was organized Sept. 30, 1874, the following persons con- stituting the lawful body : W. D. Wilson, Willard Fiske, Charles Babeoek, J. M. MeMurray, T. Frederick Crane, John Snaith, and Robert Richardson.


The services of this society are held in the Sage chapel, on the University campus. The officiating clergyman is Rev. Charles Babeoek.


THE UNION CHURCHI OF FALL CREEK, AT ITHACA, was organized May 18, 1877. The first board of trustees was composed as follows: T. P. Green, Samuel J. Parker, and T. J. Harrington.


This society has a small church building on the east side of North Aurora Street, near Tompkins, but no settled minister.


THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY OF WEST HILL, ITIIACA,


was organized Oet. 27, 1847, when the following persons were elected trustees: Augustus Phillips, James A. Havi- land, for one year ; Charles Hayt, William E. Stebbins, for two years; Ezra Starr, Nathaniel Caldwell, for three years.


SOCIETIES.


A MEDICAL SOCIETY


was formed prior to October, 1817, at which time D. L. Mead was secretary. This office was filled in 1820 by Cornelius P. Hcermans, in 1821 by Henry Ingersoll, and by Jason Atwater in 1822. In 1824, at a meeting held at the Ithaea Hotel, on the 26th of May, the following


officers were chosen : Drs. C. P. Heermans, President ; David MeAllister, Vice-President; N. S. Jarvis, Sec .; Andrew J. Miller, Treas .; Lewis Beers, Oliver C. Com- stock, and D. MeAllister, Censors; and Vernon Cuyler, Librarian.


THE "FORUM,"


a society formed prior to Dec. 1, 1819, on that day issued a eall for a meeting for reorganization. It was superseded by the Ithaca Debating Society, of which A. P. Searing was secretary. The question discussed at the first meeting was, " Would it be advisable for the Legislature of this State to levy a tax on Bachelors ?" The meetings were kept up with considerable regularity for a number of years, -first at the hotel, afterwards at the academy.


THE MORAL SOCIETY,


of which brief mention has already been made, was formed at an early day in the history of Ithaca,-probably before 1812. The first recorded evidence of its existence we have been able to exhume from the buried past is dated Sept. 28, 1819, and reads as follows :


" The Constitutional Meeting of the Society for carrying into effect the laws for the suppression of vice and immorality will be held at the Hotel, on Tuesday evening next, at 7 o'clock. A punetual at- tendance of the members is requested.


"A. S. JOHNSON, Secretary."


Many of the prominent business men of Ithaca, inclusive of a large number of those in official position, belonged to this band of reformers. Neither merehant, squire, nor at- torney could brook the slow processes of the law, through whose eoarse meshes so much proper game might escape.


To give a clue to the nature of the offenses over which this anomalous jurisdiction was excreised, we quote from the columns of the Custigator of Jan. 11, 1823, one of the authorized mandates of the order :


" PROCLAMATION.


"His illustrious Eminence the Grand President of the MORAL So- CIETY of the profound City of Ithaca and the surrounding territories ; To all subordinate institutions, and to all worthy associates, greeting : Whereas a couple of Itinerants have presumed to wander up and down within our peaceful dominions, exhibiting a miserable congregation of Wax Figures, and making an abominable attempt at musical per- formanees, on what we have by due inspection ascertained to be a leather Organ, which latter is particularly obnoxious to our refined, nervous sensibility ; And Whereas they have affected to hold our authority in contempt; these are therefore to command you, wher- ever you may be, either in Auburn, Owego, or elsewhere, to see that the laws and ordinanees of our sublime institution are in due style enforced with respect to this vagrant establishment, and especially towards the aforesaid incontestably vituperable engine. All mar- shalls, sheriff's, constables, coroners, and all other executive officers are categorieally ordered to be aiding and assisting in enforeing this salutary regulation; and all judges, justices of the peace, and other judicial officers of any name, denomination, or description whatever, or by whatever term they may be yeleped, are commauded, under the strietest penalties and pains, to refrain from licensing or permitting the aforesaid performance, or in any way counte- naneing the same. You are at all times to regard our homologons instructions in the light of express commands : and for so doing these presents shall be your sufficient warrant and anthority.


" In witness whereof we have eaused our great seal to be hereunto appendel, on this 10th day of the first month of the twelfth year of our illustrious institution.


"TECUMSEH."


420


HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,


The society made the situation especially uncomfortable for those overmuch in liquor, and adopted novel methods of punishment in such cases. The unfortunate imbiber was sometimes placed in a crate and soused with water, or dragged through pools of liquid mud. The writer was told of an instance, known to his informant, where the victim was conducted by a suddenly-convened party of citizens, including sundry village dignitaries, to the Six-Mile Creek, at Aurora Street, and there tumbled neck and hecls into the then swollen stream. Fcaring a fatal ending of the matter, the chief of the Moral Society himself plunged in and rescued the drowning drinker a quarter of a mile below.


The organization subsequently became the " Chaotic So- ciety," but did not long escape the doom prefigured by its namc.


" 'Tecumseh," the Grand President of the Moral Socicty, was no less a personage than Mr. Benjamin Drake, a mer- chant of the place, whose name and fame would have passed to the far future without the intervention of our history. He seems to have been foremost in the sports of the time. He was Chief of the "Tompkins County Hunting Tribe," whose aim and object is best shown in the following docu- ment, which we copy from the Journal of December, 1823 :


" WOLF DRIVE.


" The Chief of the Tompkins County Hunting Tribe gives notice that the Annual Wolf Drive will take place on the 19th Dec. inst., in the towns of Enfield and Newfield, embracing a territory in eireum- ferenee about 19 miles. Colonels and Commandants of Companies will repair to the vicinities of their respective stations in time the day previous to explore them.


" The chief will pass his countersign from Signal Hill, between stations number 23 and 24, as laid down in survey, precisely at 8 o'clock on the morning of the 19th, with the course of the sun, and the line of march will be taken up as soon thereafter as the counter- sign returns to his starting point.


"Surveys and sealed instructions will be furnished to officers eall- ing on the Scribe, at his office at Head Quarters, in Ithaea.


"Sportsmen of neighboring counties are invited to attend and eo- operate; and they may rest assured that the greatest eare and pre- caution has been taken to prevent accidents.


" By order.


W. R. GREGORY, Scribe.


"N. B .- The chief solicits the faithful attention of all officers and enlisted men, as upon their exertions depends the success of the expe- dition. Dee. 10th, 1823.


"Per eall of Chief, B. DRAKE."


THE "DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY"


was carly formed in connection with the Presbyterian organ- ization. The carliest election of officers we have been able to find was in February, 1824, when Daniel L. Bishop was made President ; Franklin Sherrill and Augustus Perkins, Vice-President ; Augustus Sherrill, Treasurer; and Henry Leonard, Joseph Esty, Daniel Mack, and David * Collectors.


AN ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF THE DRAMA was formed in 1825, concerning whose doings the only notice found is thus recorded :


"The Ithaca Theatre was opened on Monday evening, Oet. 24, at the Assembly Room of Mr. Kerr (Columbian Inn), with Cohnan's justly celebrated comedy, 'The Heir at Law.' We understand it will be continued a short time if sufficient encouragement be given. We believe it will be conducted with such regularity and propriety as to render it a desirable place of amusement for such ladies and gentlemen as have a taste for dramatiek performances."


SECRET SOCIETIES.


Ithaca Lodge, No. 71, chartered July 13, 1842, with the following as charter members: Charles V. Stuart, Robert H. Hall, William H. Hall, William R. Humphrey, and Moses R. Wright.


Iroquois Encampment, No. 16, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized as No. 22, May 19, 1845. We have been unable to obtain a list of officers or members.


Cascadilla Lodge, No. 89, Knights of Pythias, was or- ganized Jan. 23, 1873, with the following as charter mem- bers : Mahlon M. Brown, Oscar D. Terry, John Stoddard, Charles S. Scaman, Thad. S. Thompson, Ai G. Seaman, Ed. O. Godfrey, S. S. Devanport, P. J. Partenheimer, and Thos. P. St. John.


Knights of Honor, organized May 4, 1877, with the following officers : E. B. Torrey, P. D .; J. M. Kimball, Dictator ; C. H. Slocum, V. D .; C. Edward Sheffer, Asst. D. ; L. D. Willard, Reporter; H. W. Frost, Financial Reporter; H. K. Jones, Treas. ; S. P. Sackett, Chaplain ; F. E. Bates, Guide ; Jolin E. Gowcy, Guardian ; W. H. Smith, Sentinel; J. F. Hawkins, M. C. Jones, and O. M. Bramble, Trustecs.




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