History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 140

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 140
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 140
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 140
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 140

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).

Rev. John Bascom was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Lansingville for a number of years, and died here. His son, John Bascom, is President of Madison University, Wisconsin.

Henry B. Lord came into Ludlowville in 1838, and was interested in the mercantile business with the Burrs; rep- resented his county in the Assembly ; removed to Ithaca, and is now cashier of the First National Bank.

INDIAN INCIDENTS.

This incident was gathered from an article contributed to the Christian Union by Miss Mary L. Townley, of Lansing, and was related to her by her grandmother as one of the traditions of the early days :

In the year 1779 a soldier belonging to Lieutenant Dear- born's detachment was taken prisoner by the Indians. Having some way effected his escape, he followed on the track of his comrades, hoping to overtake them ; the In- dians, however, were in pursuit, and when near the head of the lake, finding that he was likely to be surrounded and captured, he took to the water and swam across to the mouth of the small gulley opening to the lake, just north of Mr. Mckinney's, on the east shore. He here hoped to conceal himself, but the Indians soon hunted him out, and having tied him to a tree, tortured and burned him to death.

In estimating the barbarity of this action, we should rc- member that the savage blood was probably provoked to retaliation by the wholesale, sweeping desolation of their trees, fields, and orchards by Sullivan's army, then march- ing through their country.

The following incident is from the " History of Cortland County," by Herbert C. Goodwin, and relates to this terri- tory : "A little west of the residence of Dr. J. F. Bur- dick, and where he now has a flourishing peach-orchard, were some eighteen or twenty cabins. Here lived a tali, swarthy Indian chief, generally known among the warriors

PHOTO. BY WM.FREAR

DANIEL TEETER.

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM TEETE

PHOTO.BY WM FREAR.

WILLIAM TEETER.

PHOTO. BYWM.FREAR

MRS.WM. TEETER.

G, TOMPKINS COUNTY, N. Y.

LITH BY L. M. EVERTS , PHILADA

517

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

of the Six Nations as 'Long Jim,' with whom he was a great favorite. He was of Mohawk and Oneida extraction, and possessed many of the more prominent characteristics for which the two tribes have been justly celebrated. He was usually kind, benevolent, and just, but if insulted without proper cause, would assume the ferocity of a tiger, and act the part of a demoniac monster. He was an orator and a warrior, and possessed the art of swaying the multi- tude at will. He believed in witches, hobgoblins, and wiz- ards, and often pretended to be influenced by a tutelary goddess, or guardian spirit. Shrewd and artful, dignified and generous, yet at times deceptive and malevolent, he studied to acquire influence and power, and in most of his marauding depredations was successful in keeping the ar- canum of his heart as in a ' sealed fountain.' His unwrit- ten history represents him as acting a conspicuous part in numerous tragical events, which were perpetrated by de- tached parties from Burgoyne's army.

" A venerable chief, who resides on the New York Indian Reservation, informed us that, according to the tradition of his tribe, Long Jim was the main cause, instigator, and perpetrator of the bloody massacre of Miss Jane McCrea, too well known in history to be recorded in these pages. He was the leader and controlling spirit of the band who met the Winnebagoes, in whose care she was, and, unwilling to see the prize gained by the other party, he fiercely tore her from her horse, and tomahawked her on the spot, afterwards bearing her scalp triumphantly to her expectant lover."

INITIAL EVENTS.

Henry and Thomas Ludlow built the first gig grist-mill, in 1795, on the north side of the creek and above where the shingle-mill now stands. A Dutchman tended it. The water was brought from the upper part of the fall in trouglis. While this mill was building they took their grain to the " Mile Point," then across the lake to Goodwin's Point in a canoe, and to Tremain's mill up Taghanie Creek to get it ground, carrying three pecks at a time.

The first stock of goods that was brought in was by John Guthrie, who owned a farm near Benson Corners, now in Groton. He loaded a bateau with grain, and alone went to Schenectady, where he traded his grain for calico, tea, sugar, tobacco, etc., and returned, occupying about two months for the trip. Upon his return to the mouth of Salmon Creek, the people gathered about his storc-boat and bought his goods, yielding him a profit of about thirty dollars per month. Jonah Tooker, in about 1795, built the first store, of logs, in the front yard of A. J. Sperry's present residence.

The first tavern was built of logs by Major Thomas Ludlow, on the hill a little west of Ludlowville, and was kept by him until a few years later, when he built another where the present one stands.

John Beardsley built the first or second frame house in town, in 1796, a few rods north of the present Baptist church, at North Lansing. This house had the first glass windows in town. It had what might be called a chimney- stack ; that is, fireplaces on different sides, being built square and very large. One midnight the family was awakened by a tremendous erash, not in the least suspect-

ing what it could be. It was said that not the first head was uncovered before daylight. The foundation of the old chimney had given out, and it was a mass of ruins. After this the house was allowed to go down, and long since the last vestige had disappeared.

The first school-house was built on the hill across the street from Jonah Tooker's store. The first post-office was established about 1809, and Abijah Miller was first post- master. The first class-meeting was formed at what is now known as Asbury meeting-housc.

The first church society was instituted at White Settle- ment, a mile west of Ludlowville, and a log church erected before 1800.

Thomas Dorrity built the first tannery, before 1802, where Harrison Bower now lives, and brought some leather with him from Orange County. His name appears on the assessment-roll for that year. He was in the war of 1812, and raised a company called Dorrity's Yeomans. Colonel Dorrity lived here many years and moved West. The first fanning-mill used here was by George Rhodes, and is still in existence in the old distillery-house, on the farm of his grandson, J. F. Rhodes. Matthias Mount, in 1800, brought the first grindstone in town. Deacon Gillett started at Lake Ridge the first ashery in Tompkins County. Samuel Baker was the first blacksmith, and opened a shop in 1794 on the house-lot of William Baker, his grandson. Customers came from where Homer, Cortland, Cayuga, and Danby now are to get their oxen shod and plowshares made. He also sent the first load of wheat to Albany from the " Lake Country," as it was then called, and sold it to Jealous Yates, and re- ceived a premium of a cow for bringing the first grain to market. Grain was transported to market by wagons or sleighs, and netted from two to three shillings per bushel for first-rate wheat.

The first marriage was between Henry Bloom and Cath- arine Goodwin. They had a son William, who died on the lines in the war of 1812. Mrs. Catharine Bloom died in 1798, and was buried iu the Asbury Cemetery, and is by some thought to be the first death in town.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LANSINGVILLE.

A church was organized about 1805, as a Presbyterian Church, and known as Second Church of Milton, and was formed principally of members from the first church. The occasion of its organization was a disagreement in the first church respecting a site for a house of worship, and a pref- erence on the part of a number of the Presbyterian mode of government. In the neighborhood it was known as the " Teetertown Church," At the change of name of the town to that of Genoa, that name was substituted in place of the former, and on the organization of the town of Lansing, it was known as " The Church of Lansing." It was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Jan. 28, 1806, and on the organization of the Presbytery of Cayuga it was assigned to that body. Rev. Jabez Chad- wiek organized the church and ministered to it, and was installed as pastor Feb. 26, 1806. Rev. John Bascom suc- ceeded him in 1818, and remained until his death, in 1828, and was buried in the rear of the church, as a lot was re- served for a cemetery.

518

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

Mr. Chadwick returned, and remained until 1831; but having changed his views and caused others to follow him, the church became divided. Rev. Alexander M. Cowan officiated as stated supply in 1834-36, and soon after the most of the members joined the " Frec Congregational of Genoa," at Five Corners, organized by Mr. Chadwick.

On Sept. 25, 1805, a large church, 40 by 70 fect, was crected, on the ground where the Lansingville Cemetery now is, having a spire and galleries, and being one of the largest and best finished houses of worship in the county, and which was finally left wholly unoccupied and useless. No title could be given, and in 1853, through the instrumentality of David Crocker, who was in the Assembly, an act was passed, giving title to the Lansingville Cemetery Associa- tion, and the building was sold at public sale to S. S. Todd, and was taken and timbers used in barns and school-houses.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LUDLOWVILLE.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the South Presbyte- rian Society of the town of Genoa, convened according to legal notice at the school-house, in the village of Ludlow- ville, on the 9th day of September, 1817, at four P.M., Thos. Ludlow was duly chosen Moderator, Lewis Tooker, Secretary. " Resolved, That this soeicty be hereafter ealled and known as the ' Presbyterian Society' in Ludlowville, in the town of Lansing, and that nine trustees be clected; and Ebenezer Brown, John Bowman, Julius Ackley, Oliver Phelps, Edward Walker, Abijah Miller, Thomas Ludlow, Joshua Jennings, and Gideon Morehouse were chosen as such trustces."

The church was instituted by Rev. Dr. Wisner and Rev. Samuel Parker, of Ithaca, in December, 1817, and consisted of eighteen members. Rev. Wmn. Adams was the first pas- tor of the church, and was installed April 21, 1819, at a salary of $600. The following is a list of the pastors as taken from a record in the Bible that is in the pulpit of the church : Wm. M. Adams, Pastor ; Asa K. Buell, M. Har- rison, Abner Clark, M. Harrison, Homer Adams, M. Harri- son, Frederick H. Brown, Geo. H. Hastings, Levi Griswold, Albert Mandell, M. L. Wood, Philo G. Cook, Alfred Travis, -Conant, Wmn. K. Platt, - Peloubet, and S. E. Koons, who is pastor at present. They number at present 40 mem- bers. A cemetery is in connection with the church property. Jan. 17, 1823, a committee was appointed to superintend the building of a meeting-house. The first building in the new house was Jan. 10, 1825. Prior to the building of this house an addition had been built to the district school- house for purposes of worship and a select school, and the Presbyterians held services there. Each family had a settee, and its name on it ; these were placed in the room for seats.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF EAST LANSING

was organized March 27, 1804, and took the name of the Second Baptist Church of Milton (now Lansing and Gro- ton). The carly records have been lost. The first pastor was - Tuttle, in 1805. Among the first members were Reuben Colton and wife, John Bowker, Phebe Buek, and Stebbins. The first services were held in a log school-house, on the corner, west from where the church now stands ; then in a barn built by Luther Barney, half

a mile north of the corner, until Benjamin Buck built a large barn, about 80 rods south of where the church is situated, and services were held there until, in 1822, the present church was built. The list of pastors from 1822 is as follows : - Martin, - Adams, - Beebe, A. Colwell, P. Work, A. Bailey, T. J. Cole, E. Smith, M. Livermore, E. Benedict, H. M. Perry, S. C. Ainsworth, R. Corbett, T. Purvis, who is the present pastor. The membership is 96. A Sunday-school is in connection, having 50 scholars; J. G. Buck, Superintendent.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT LAKE RIDGE

was organized as the First Baptist Church of Milton, Oct. 31, 1796, and consisted of fourteen members, as follows : Micajah Starr, Anna Starr, Benajah Strong, Abigail Strong, Charles Townley, Lydia Gillett, Luther Barney, Sarah Bacon, Joel and Thankful Bacon, Pierpont and Je- rusha Bacon, William Avery, Abigail Woodruff. Elder Mieajah Starr was chosen first pastor, and continued as such until his death, which occurred March 11, 1820, at the age of seventy-three years. Benajah Strong was chosen first deacon, Joel Bacon first clerk. The meetings were held at the houses of members, and at school-houses, until November, 1840, when the society took possession of their new church, at Lake Ridge, on land "lying between the first bridge, south of Fenner's Tavern, and the Old Cider Mill," as described in the lease. Mr. Starr was succeeded by Elijah Benedict and Elder Beebe, until 1828. From that time till 1836 the church was without a pastor, when Alanson Drake was called, and remained as pastor until 1839 ; sinee which time, until December, 1863, the church was supplied at intervals by several different pastors. Rev. F. Dusenbery remained the greater length of time. Since 1863 no meetings have been held, and the society is vir- tually dissolved. To show the oddity and quaintness of the record of business transacted at some of the church business meetings in the olden time, mention is made that in a mecting held in September, 1823, Bro. Smith charged Bro. King with overcharging or extortion, in that as black- smith he had charged him (Bro. Smith) ten shillings for making twelve pikes, and twelve shillings for ironing a neck-yoke. The church, after much deliberation, decided that the neck-yoke might have been ironed for ten shillings, and the pikes made for sixpence each. Bro. King was directed to make restitution ; failing to do which, the church in meeting, the July following, voted to withdraw the hand of fellowship from the unfortunate blacksmith.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT NORTH LANSING

was instituted March 7, 1849. The first pastor was Rev. William H. Delano, and he was suceceded by Revs. Wil- liam Wilkins, S. Gardner, S. S. Day, - Burdiek, C. A. Smith, E. W. Benedict, and E. J. Lewis, who is the pres- ent pastor. The present church was ereeted in 1852.

METHODIST CHURCHES IN LANSING.

The family of Robert Alexander had moved into the town from Pennsylvania in 1794, and lived west from Lansingville. His daughter Rachel, who afterwards mar- ried Jonah Tooker, was a member of a Methodist Society

RESIDENCE OF BENSON BU(

LITH BY LIN EVERTS PHILACA

ANSING, TOMPKINS Co., N. Y.

519

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

in Pennsylvania, and was baptized by Rev. A. Owen. In 1796, Hamilton, Jefferson, and A. Owen were placed upon this charge. " At this time there were no roads. Indian paths and flayed trees were the only guides. In . the fall of 1796, as thic Alexander family was sitting around the fire, in the evening, they were startled by a strange cry, which scemed to come from a distance, and rushed to the door to discover the cause. It was evident that it proceeded from the adjacent forest, between them and Cayuga Lake, but whether a panther or human being could not be deter- mined. Mr. Alexander decided that it was a call for help, and hallooed in reply. Soon after the sound appeared to be nearer, and by repeated calls, the lost traveler was guided to their cabin, when, to their astonishment, they beheld A. Owen, with whom they had been acquainted in Pennsylvania. This was his first round on his circuit, and losing the Indian path on the lake-shore in the darkness, he had taken that course to find a friend." A quarterly meeting was held in a barn, that stood where the cemetery now is, near the Asbury meeting-house, in 1797. A class was instituted, with Reuben Brown as leader. The mem- bers were Reuben Brown and wife, James Egbert and wife, Walter Brown and wife, Abram Minier and wife, William Gibbs and wife, and Robert Leidle and wife. Another class was formed at Mr. Alexander's ; Samuel Baker and his wife being members of this elass. Another elass was formed at Jonah Tooker's, one mile north of Ludlowville. Albert and Daniel White, in 1795, settled half a mile east of Teetertown, now called Lansingville, and the settlement was then called White Settlement. They were brothers of the Rev. A. White, who was on this circuit in 1794.

A class was formed here, and the three classes were united, and a log church was built, early in 1797, on the lot adjoining J. W. IIamilton's present farm. This log church burned down in 1801. James Kelsey taught school in this house before he commenced preaching. The frame, church was built in 1802, 34 by 36 feet, and was the first frame church built in the Genesee Conference. This church was used until 1833, when a new brick church was erected in Lansingville, and was dedicated by Josiah Keyes, presiding elder. This church was burned on the morning of Feb. 26, 1863. A frame church was erected the same year, which is still standing. The old building was bought by J. W. Hamilton, and the figure 1802 was plainly seen a year or two since, but the gnawing tooth of time has removed it. It is now used as a barn, after having held within its walls three Annual Conferences. The first met July 14, 1814, Bishop McKendrec presiding; the second, July 16, 1818, Bishop R. R. Roberts presiding ; the third, July 26, 1824, Bishop Hedding and Bishop George presiding.

THE METHODIST SOCIETY AT ASBURY

was instituted at an early day, classes having been formed in 1797. A log church and school-house, the latter part of that year, was erccted in what is now the cemetery lot, and used for many years ; torn down about 1811, and a frame church creeted on the same site ; was painted red, and would seat about 300. It was burned Jan. 1, 1844. John Kinu- berlin, at his own request, was buried under where the old pulpit stood, in which he had preached so many times.

In the summer of 1844 the present church was erected, and was dedicated in December of the same year. This church is known as the Asbury mecting-house. In one of Bishop Asbury's trips through Western New York he was here and preached, and the church is named in honor of him.

THE METHODIST CHURCH AT LUDLOWVILLE

was organized before 1825, as that year the church was built on the hill north of the village, east side of the road leading to Lansingville, and was dedicated by J. Dempster, presiding clder, and in 1866 was removed to its present site and remodeled. Rev. Hiram Gee was the preacher in charge, and gave his time and services that year without compensation, to build and complete the church, which was dedicated by Rev. Benoni Ives. The pastors who have been in charge of this church and Lansingville since 1861 are as follows : Revs. F. D. Higgins, D. K. Carrier, W. Jerome, H. Gee, HI. Harris, J. Gutrell, II. B. Smith, H. Harpst, H. F. Giles.

The following is a list of ministers in charge of this cir- cuit until 1828. In 1793, Alward White was the first onc on this Sencca cireuit, followed by Anning Owen, Hamilton Jefferson, Johnson Dunham, James Stokes, Richard Lyon, Jonathan Bateman, James Moore, Gideon A. Knowlton, Jonathan Newman, Jacob Gruder, Joseph Willis, Matthew Van Duzer, Smith Weeks, John Billings, William Hill, Thomas Dunn, John Husselkan, James Polemus, Thomas Elliott, John P. Weaver, Parley Parker, Joseph Scull, Benoni Harris, Elijah Batchelor, and George W. Dens- more.

In 1810 the Genesee Conference was formed. William Case, Presiding Elder of Cayuga district, afterwards known as the father of Indian missions in Canada, Anning Owen, Peregrine Hallett, John Hazzard, James Kelsey, Samuel L. Rawleigh, Dan Barnes, Palmer Roberts, Wm. Cameron, Jonathan Huestis, Loring Grant, John Kimberlin, James Kelsey, Edmund O'Fling, Joshua Becbe, Russell Parker, G. W. Densmore, Russell Downing, Ira Fairbanks, James Brown, Dana Fox, Seth Mattison, M. Tooker, Ralph Lan- ning, Palmer Roberts, John Kimberlin, William Cameron, R. Lanning, James Hall, and others.

The ministers in charge at Asbury and Fox's Corners since 1845 are as follows : Revs. William Pcarne, D. Lam- kin, D. Cobb, A. Cross, W. N. Cobb, S. Minier, E. Iloxsie, D. Lamkin, F. Recd, R. C. Fox, J. B. Hyde, F. M. Warner, J. V. Benham, A. M. Lake, J. R. Pendell, W. E. York, E. D. Thurston. The church at-North Lansing is supplied in the Groton charge, and the church edifice was built in 1851.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCHI.

" The Church Book of the evangelical denomination situ- ated in Milton and Scipio, founded in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, 1803," is the inscription in Ger- man on the first page of the records of the German Lutheran Church at Bower Settlement, north of Lansingville. Sev- cral German families were in this neighborhood, among which, as spelled at that time, were Bauer, Roth, Busch, Kentz, Conrad, and others. John Houtz was the first min- ister, and taught school and lived in a log house adjoining

520

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

the church and school building. John Bauer sold the lot to the society for church, school, and cemetery purposes ; the building being used both for church and school. Jonathan Markle preached here some time. Diedrich Willers labored here for twenty-five years. Services were held every four weeks, and were also held at the school- house at Bower Settlement, near North Lansing. The Synod embraced several churches in Pennsylvania, and the churches of Waterloo, Geneva, Seneca Falls, and Lansing. The services were conducted in the German language. John Izenlord was the last pastor, in 1842. No services have been held as a society sinee that time. The church book is in possession of Mrs. Jesse Bowers, who lives about one mile north of Lansingville. We are indebted to Miss Harriet Hamilton, daughter of J. W. Hamilton, for the translation of the record from which were gleaned these faets.

SCHOOLS.

Whole No. of school districts 22

No. of districts having school-houses in the town .... ... 20

not having school-houses in the county .. 2

teachers employed during the year-malcs .. 13

females. 24

teachers employed at the same time ... 20

children of school residing in town 893

attending school during the year 693

Average daily attendance

377

Frame school-houses. 20

No. of volumes in school-libraries 482

Value of school libraries. $143

school-houses and sites. $8575

Assessed valuation of taxable property in town .. $1,740,517

RECEIPTS.

Amount on hand Oet. 1, 1876 $39.04

apportioned to districts by State ... 2313.68

of proceeds of gospel and school lands ... 597.18

raised by tax.

1910.01

received from other sources, 301.02

PAYMENTS. $5160.93

$4515.06

" libraries.

2.86

" school apparatus.

school-houses and repairs

144.22

incidental expenses.

438.67

$5100.81

N.B .- These statistics include schools in incorporated villages.

CEMETERIES.

The Ludlowville Pine Grove Association was organized March 15, 1869, and is the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church, with additional ground. Richard T. Hedden is President, and N. E. Lyon Secretary.

The Lansingville Cemetery Association was organized in 1853, under the aet of Legislature, and obtained a title to the Presbyterian Church lot. There were many buried here at an early day. The earliest date, however, is 1815.

A cemetery north of Lansingville, in the Bower neighbor- hood, belonged to the German Church, and was organized many years ago. Peter Agart, President ; Charles Drake is Secretary. The earliest date is 1806. The most of the Bower family are buried here.

The cemetery at the Asbury meeting-house was used at a very early day, and before 1800, and was given by Wm. Goodwin. Mrs. Catharine Bloom, a daughter of Wm. Goodwin and wife of Henry Bloom, was among the first that were buried here, in 1798.

On the hill, northwest from Ludlowville, and on the farin of A. J. Sperry, there was a cemetery and a founda- tion for a church. The church was never built, and the cemetery has long since been abandoned, and no signs of it now remain.

There is another, where the barn stands, near the water- tank, north from Ludlowville. An old, unused cemetery is located west of the Midland Road. The cemetery adjoin- ing J. W. Hamilton's farm was connected with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Brigham Young's mother is said to be buried here ; but, if so, no stone marks the spot. There is a cemetery at North Lansing and at East Lansing, Lake Ridge. Family cemeteries of the Walkers, Strongs, Gibbs, and others are situated in different parts of the town.

POST-OFFICES.

The first post-office was established about 1809-10, and Abijah Miller was postmaster. It was kept in the little red house that now stands near the road, on the farm of A. J. Sperry, and the place was formerly known as " Fid- dler's Green."

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 140

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

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