History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 168

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 168
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 168
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 168
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 168

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).

David Larrison lived at Goodwin's Point, and came here in about 1799, and settled on lot 67, purchasing 75 acres. At the time he moved in there was no dwelling between his and Owen's, and no road but a foot-path. His son, Joseph Larrison, lives on the west line of Enfield.

At Reynoldsville, Captain Joseph Hager settled, in the latter part of 1799. He was the father of Peter, Jacob, John, Joseph, Henry, and Annis. Peter was senator from 1826-29 ; member of Assembly in 1823; and Peter Hager (2d) in 1824. He filled other prominent positions in the town and county. Descendants of the family are still re- siding in the town.

Joseph Gillespie, a soldier in the Revolution, drew a military lot, and in 1799 came to Burdett and took posses- sion there. About two miles south of the village of Meck- lenburg, Joseph and William McIntyre located on lots 85 and 86. They came from Oneida County with Elihu Barker, whose daughter Annie married John, son of Sul- livan D. Hubble, and John Mears, whose wife was a Mc- Intyre. None of the family are now in the town. John

Mears settled first about half a mile above Mecklenburg, on the creck. Afterwards moved into the village, and built the first grist-mill in Mecklenburg. His daughter Polly married Cephas Culver, and their son Chauncey lives on the old homestead, where William McIntyre first lived. Samuel Mears married Anna Bates. John Mears, Jr., married Hannah Hatfield. John Mears, Sr., died in 1845.

George Howell came from Cayuga County in 1802, and settled on the place where his son now lives, on lot 32, about half a mile north of Logan. They had five sons and seven daughters. George remained on the farm, married Sally Durland, and they had five children,-Emma M., married Prof. A. C. Huff, is now living on the old homestead ; Robert D., is living on the Robert Durland homestead ; Harriet, married Harry Ely (2d).

Robert Durland came from New Jersey, and bought a farm west of Jabez Smith, between the farms of Chauncey and Caleb Smith. He had four sons and two daughters.

William Spaulding, the youngest son of Thomas Spauld- ing, was born in Canterbury, Conn., Feb. 11, 1754 ; married Mary Dunham in 1783, and soon after moved to Dutchess Co., N. Y , and thence to Ulster County, from which place they resolved to try their fortunes in the lake country. Their family consisted of themselves and six children, viz. : William, Thomas, Samuel, George W., Silva, and John. William was about seventeen years old, and John, the youngest, about three years, at the time they started. With only one team to carry household goods, and one cow, they slowly made their way through the wilderness, following Indian trails and bridle-paths up the Delaware River, and crossed over to the Susquehanna River, passing through Tioga Forks, Owego, Ithaca, and Shin Hollow (now Tru- mansburg), and from that they were obliged to eut their road through, or go around trees and logs that lay across their patlıs. After leaving Owego a portion of their children broke out with the measles, which detained them a few days. They arrived in the town in the spring or summer of 1801. He purchased 150 acres of land lying near the west bounds of lot 29, and put up a small log cabin, with elapboards for a roof, held down by poles. There were in the eastern part of the town but few families,-Trobridges, Pritchards, and Gilletts, near Perry ; Nathaniel Owen and Henry Sayler, near Mecklenburg; and Captain Joseph Hager, at Reynoldsville. James Stillwell and family moved in the same year. William Spaulding, Jr., the eldest son, settled on the southeast corner of lot 28, and raised a fam- ily of six children. Thomas, the second son, settled on the northwest corner of lot 48, and married Elizabeth Ayres in 1807. They had nine children,-Richard, William B., Samuel, Mary, Elmer C., Lavina J., Harry, Daniel A., and Elias J. William B. married Amanda Howell, and owns most of the old homestead on lot 48. Samuel married Hannah Hausner, and settled on lot 37 in the town. Mary married Jacob Stillwell and had three children, and now lives in Ulysses. Elmer C. first married - Jones, by. whom he had two children, -- Oliver J. and Abretta H. His wife died in 1874. He afterwards married Almira E. Owen, in 1876, and now resides in Mecklenburg.

Daniel A. married Jane Stillwell, and they had two children, Ira and George. George owns part of the old

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MRS. CHESTER BENSON

PHOTO BY R.D.GRUM.

CHESTER BENSON.

PHOTO. BY R.D. CRUM.

MORDECAI CARMAN.

₹

MRS. AGNES CARMAN

PHOTO BY WM.FREAR

ELNATHAN WIXOM.

PHOTO. BY WN FREAR

MRS. ELNATHAN WIXOM.

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.. V

LITH BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILADA

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

homestead of his grandfather, on lot 29. Ile married for his second wife Hester Darling, and they now live near Reynoldsville. Lavina J. married Daniel Goldsmith, and had three children, and live in the town. Other sons and daughters of William Spaulding married, and live in other parts.

One of the most prominent men among the early pioneers of Schuyler County was Cornelius Humphrey. He was born in 1735, and was in the prime of manhood at the time of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. He was a man who was possessed of a good education, and also became a ready speaker and quite distinguished in publie life. He was elected to the Second Provincial Congress of New York in 1775, and served afterwards as colonel, under Washington. He was member of Assembly from 1779 to 1785, inclusive; also State senator three years, com- meneing with 1787, and was again member of Asserubly from Dutchess County, in 1800 and 1801. On the first organization of the Board of Regents, in 1784, he was a member. He sold his property in Dutchess County, taking its value, $30,000, in Continental money. He waited long years for its redeuiption, and, finally, seeing the earnings of his life lost, he abandoned all hope, and sought a home for himself in the western wilderness. He came to this town in 1802, and purchased the State's Hundred, being the southeast corner of lot 58, one mile east of Mecklenburg, where he lived and died. Soon after the organization of Seneca County, in 1804, he was appointed county judge, and held the office for six years, and represented Seneca County, in the Legislature, during the time, in the year 1806-7. He was instrumental in founding the "Society of Friends" in Hector and Ulysses, though he was a Pres- byterian. His daughter married Charles Carman, a Quaker. He died in 1812, aged seventy-seven years, with faculties unimpaired, as he was in the Legislature when seventy-two years old, and his term as county judge did not expire until he was seventy-five. A portion of the apple-trees which he planted is the only vestige remaining of the place on which he first located.

William Caruan, the oldest son of Charles Carman, and grandson of Cornelius Ilumphrey, in the year 1807, visited his grandfather, and was so pleased with the country that he concluded to purchase the south half of lot 58, except- ing the State's Hundred. IIe was the first of the Society of Friends who settled in Hector. Charles Carman, his father, in 1810, with his wife and younger children,- Elizabeth, Phila, Amy, and Morris,-came in with three teams and a horse and carriage, and were three days on the road, coming by the way of the Auburn and Geneva Turnpike. William sold his father's 110 aeres, and soon after bought the half of an adjoining lot, building nearly on the site of the present school-house of District No. 3. Thomas Carman's present residence stands near where Charles Carman built. Cornelins Carman purchased the north half of lot No. 58, and his brother Richard settled on the same lot. Caleb Carman and his family came in 1811, and settled in what is now Perry City. The line between William and Charles passed a few feet cast of the present residence of Thomas Carman, and the noble shade- trees in his yard sprang up in what was then the line fenee.

William Carman's sons are Mordecai, Thomas, and Richard. His daughters are the wives of Elnathan and Parken Wixom. Cornelius Carman settled on the farm on the north half of lot 58, where Elnathan Wixom now lives, and who came into the town in 1828.

Richard Carman bought the south half of the same lot, where Mordecai Carman now lives, and was killed three years afterwards by a tree falling upon him, killing him in- stantly.

Joshua and Jesse Makeel came in the eastern part of the town, near Searsburg, about 1813. Each bought a mili- tary lot,-Nos. 15 and 16.

Joshua had four sons. Aaron and William lived in the town. Jesse had five sons. Isaac and Abram V. reside here. A. V. Makeel is living at North Hector, and has represented his county as member of Assembly.

James Stillwell, in 1801, came from Ulster County, and settled on the Corners, and on the road that has been known as Stillwell Street. Isaae Stillwell came in 1807, on the farm where Stephen and Morgan Stillwell now live. He removed to Caroline, Tompkins Co., in 1814, and died there at eighty-two years of age. Many of the families of the Stillwells are living in the town.

Richard Sutfin, about 1800, came from the State of New Jersey, and rented land first at Peach Orchard. In 1816 -17, bought the farm where Peter O. Sutfin, his grandson, lives.

Robert Curry came from Lodi, Sencea Co., in 1799, where he had lived five years. He settled on lot No. 2, where Mr. Wardner lives. He drove his cattle from there on the Indian trail, and sent his wife up in a seow. At the time he came, John Livingston, Benjamin Gilmour, and James Gilmour, father of David, were living here, Benjamin living in a log hut where F. F. Chandler's house now stands. Garrett Clawson settled on the north town line and raised a large family of children, who are living mostly in Lodi. Many of the family are buried on the old home- stead.

Benjamin Coddington was a soldier of the Revolution. In 1803 he came to this State from New Jersey, having emigrated from England, and settled in the northeast part of this town, on land now owned by the heirs of Le Roy Baker. His son, John M. Coddington, was born in Fishing Creek, Northumberland Co., Pa., in 1787 ; came here with his father ; remained with him until June, 1806, when he started for West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., intending to work by the month for Jasper Sears, leaving here with his wardrobe and provisions in his kuapsaek, and only three sixpenny pieces in his pocket for the expenses of the en- tire journey.

The first night he arrived at Seneca River, paid a ferry- man a sixpence for carrying him aeross, and remained over- night with him, sleeping up-stairs on the floor. He re- sumed his journey next morning, aud passed through Geneva, then a small hamlet, and reaching the State road, followed it to Canandaigua. There he bought a lunch, consisting of gingerbread and a glass of beer, which cost him another sixpenec, and arrived at his destination the sceond night. Hle worked for Mr. Sears until the latter. part of September, when he returned home, and remained

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

here until 1810, working for whom he could and by the job .*

He then settled on the farm where he now lives, having eontraeted for fifty aeres of land in 1807, paying $+ per aere. He was married Feb. 22, 1810, to Sally Owen, and moved into a little log cabin without either door, win- dow, or upper floor, until 1826, when he built the house he now oeeupies.

He, with his boys, cleared up the farm of one hundred and seventy-five aeres, which was heavily timbered with pine, oak, and maple. He owned at one time all but sixty acres of land between his house and Mecklenburg,-a dis- tance of two miles. He took his ehanees in four different drafts in the war of 1812, and escaped each time. In the first years of his residenee here, they went to mill at Goodwin's Point, on the west shore of Cayuga Lake. His first wife died in 1864, at the age of seventy-five years, they having lived together fifty-four years. In 1871, he was married to Elizabeth, widow of Calvin Jewel, with whom he still lives. He has had a family of ten children, -six boys and four girls ; three sons and three daughters are still living. His first vote for President was east for James Madison, and he has voted at cvery presidential election sinee, and has filled positions in town with honor to himself.

In 1840, in company with the Darlings, he went to Potter Co., Pa., deer-hunting, and stayed seven days, and brought home thirteen deer. In 1860 he made his last deer-hunt, at the age of seventy-three years. He still keeps the old rifle with which he has killed many a deer, and has repeatedly killed two deer at one shot. He is still living, in his ninety-second year.

General William Himrod eame in the town in 1802, from Easton, Pa., and bought the south half of lot No. 55, afterwards known as " Himrod's Settlement." He raised a regiment of soldiers for the war of 1812, and died in 1813. His deseendants are living in the town. Joel Reynolds bought the north half of lot No. 55. Timothy Scoville came from Chenango County in 1805, and settled first where J. B. Kinan now lives. He afterwards moved to Hector Hill, and bought 26 acres. His daughter, Olive, married Augustus Ely. His wife, Chloe, was one of the constituent members of the Presbyterian Church in Peach Orehard.

Augustus Ely bought 50 aeres. The farm is now owned by his son, William B. Ely, and the heirs of Sheldon Bar- rett, who came into the town about 1828, from Connecti- eut. He was born in 1780; eame to this town when forty-four years of age; remained a bachelor until fifty years old, and married a sister of Major Roseoe, of Starkey. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church ; one of the foremost in all benevolent works. They had three children,-Joseph Barret, the oldest, living on the

homestead. His only daughter married a Mr. Hurd, a missionary, and they went to India. He died in 1876, in the ninety seventh year of his agc. Timothy Seoville died in 1846, eighty-four years of age. Chloe, his wife, died in 1849, eighty-seven years old. John Waldron died in Bur- dett, aged ninety years : probably the Deaeon Waldron of whom Mr. Wickham bought the oxen, about 1792, as no- tieed in his life.

These records are found in the Presbyterian Church book, in possession of William B. Ely.

John Kinan emigrated from New Jersey in 1809, located lot No. 2, and returned home. The following spring he eame in with his wife and three children. Thomas Kinan and his wife eame the same year. Daniel P. Budd, with a family (wife, four boys, and two girls), also eame in 1810, and located on lot No. 2. Representatives of these families still reside in this town. Joseph Potter, in 1814, settled on the farm where Hon. A. V. Makell now lives. They lived at Aunt Betsey Budd's until their log house was built. None of this family are living here at this time. Mr. Potter was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Sul- livan D. Hubble, in 1807, settled on lot 64, where Charles Rathbone now lives, and the orehard now on the farm was set out by him in 1808. John Proper eame from Ulster County in 1810; located on lot 28, in the north part of the town ; bought 128 acres, for $6 per aere. Five of his sons are living in town. Albert E. Proper is living on the homestead. Peter Woodward was captain in the Revolu- tionary army, and drew for his services lot No. 96. He died in New York, and Mrs. Woodward and four children eame to this town in 1817; Richard, the oldest son, re- maining in New York to study law. He, however, came on about two years later, and lived and died on the home- stead. Harriet H., a daughter, married Dr. Edmund Brown, who came from Cortland County in 1821, settled in Burdett, and followed his profession six or seven years, and removed to Buffalo, where he praetieed nine years, and carried on a wholesale and retail drug business; after which he returned, and spent the remainder of his days, and died Feb. 18, 1874, aged seventy-four years; having been an elder in Park Church, Buffalo, and the church in Burdett for the period of thirty-six years. Mrs. Dr. Brown is liv- ing at Burdett. Her father was the Rev. Amos. Fowler, a Presbyterian minister, who was pastor forty-seven years over a congregation in Guilford, Conn.

William Martin settled in what is now Ithaea, and in 1812 removed to this town with his wife and three children, where Adam Snyder lives. June 4, bought 100 aeres on lot No. 79. Areher Martin, a son, lives on part of the farm.

Thomas and David Sears came into what is known as Searsbury, after 1805. Their desecndants are still living here.

Christopher Smith eame from Morris Co., N. J., and settled in the north part of the town. He had five sons. John eame before his father, and took up land aeross the road from one Skinner, and married his daughter.

Joseph Jewell moved to Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., from Salisbury, Conn., and from that place to Heetor, in 1813, in company with Zerah Carter and Abiel Gardner.

# He ehopped an aere of land for one of the neighbors, receiving for his services three fox-skins, and at Colonel Camp's store, in Tru- mansburg, sold them for one dollar apiece, taking in exchange three yards of eambrie, at one dollar per yard, and had a shirt made of it by his aunt. When finished, he asked her price of making; she re- plied, " The usnal price is the same as a yard of the eloth." He had just one silver dollar, and he was left penniless.

PHOTO.BY A

D. CRUM.

MRS. A. L.SNYDER.

OHS

VIEW OF SENECA LAKE FROM RESIDENCE.

A.L. SNYDER.

PHOTO. BY R D.CRUM

MRS. JAMES HAZELITT.

PHOTO BY R.D.GRUM.

JAMES HA ZELITT.

RESIDENCE OF JAMES HAZELITT, HECTOR, SCHUYLER COUNTY, N. Y

LITH. BY L H. EVERTS, PHILA

SAMUEL WARREN,

MRS. SAMUEL WARREN.

PHOTOS. BY R.D. CRUM

LITH BY L'H EVERTS PHILA

RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL WARREN, HECTOR, SCHUYLER Cº N. Y.

623

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

Their route was along the Cattskill and Ithaca road, and by Applegate's Corners, in Enfield. Mr. Jewell located on the south part of lot No. 33, about half a mile cast of Logan, where his son-in-law, A. O. Armstrong, lives. Land, at that time, cost $5 per aere. The war of 1812 was still in progress, and drafts for the army were frequent. At last he volunteered, after having, at different times, under the drafts, drawn, for himself and others, fourteen blanks. The war had come to a close before he was mustered into service.

Ebenezer and Elias Jewell, brothers of Joseph, moved into the town, and located near their brother, after the war closed. They soon afterward moved West. Rev. Joel Jewell, son of Joseph Jewell, lives at Columbia Cross- Roads, Pa.

Abiel Gardner settled in the valley, on the south part of lot No. 43, near the present residence of James Bond. He had a large family. William, a son, resides about three- fourths of a mile cast of Logan. Zerah Carter located on the hill above Logan.

The following is taken verbatim from notes furnished C. T. Andrews, county historian, by Rev. Joel Jewell, and gives an account of the settlements at that time :

" In 1813 there were little patches cleared at the follow- ing places, between Reynoldsville and Peach Orchard. For the first mile and a half from Reynoldsville, the path fol- lowed the gully cast of the present road, which was not opened until 1823. The first clearing was that of Timothy Scovill. North of him was one Gillen. West of the " Backbone," Mr. Burroughs had a cabin, on the northeast part of lot No. 43, where George Auble lives. North of him lived Simon Boardman. Then came the log house of Elias Case, a few rods cast of Logan, and just below the present residence of John Velie. Charles Everts, father of Alfred Everts of the Reading House in Watkins, kept a tavern at Logan, and Harmon Kingsley had just commenced blacksmithing and drumming in the same place. Three- fourths of a mile west Jonathan Slocum had commenced a clearing, where Harry Ely (2d) now lives, and half a mile farther on, one McCann was laying the foundation of the place long occupied by Samuel Pruden. Robert Armstrong, father of Anuin, had a place on the north side of the road, just above the Lake Road. An excellent spring of water still attests the wisdom of his location. A building on the farm now occupied by George Howell, on lot No. 32, was occupied by transient families. North of this a dense wilderness extended for two miles, to the block school- house. A man by the name of Buutpass had made a clear- ing at this point. He was followed by Adee, who settled south of him, and he by Deacon German, who settled farther south and west. South of Logan Daniel Everts was living on the southeast part of lot No. 32, where his widow still resides. Jacob Hager was located at the present residence of his son-in-law, A. C. Traey. His brother, Peter Hager, had a house in the fields, east of the present road, and on the farm now occupied by C. D. Smead. Far- ther south were Jabez Smith, Brickley Monell, Willcox Buckbee, and Mowbry Owens."

Zalmon Barber, brother of Elihu, came from Otsego County, in 1817 ; settled on the farm now occupied by Parvis

Elston. Zalmon, his son, lives at Mecklenburg. Abner Treman, of Trumausburg, built a grist-mill on the creek at Mecklenburg, assisted by John Mears and James Bowley, who came in town in 1812, and located three hundred acres, where Wallenbeck now lives. Calvin Treman, son of Ab- ner, came from Trumansburg, and settled here, and died Oct. 18, 1849. His grandsons are merchants in the village.

Religious services were held in this old log mill, and preaching by Elders Reynolds and Sturtevant, Baptist min- isters.

Ashbel Treman, a brother of Calvin, came in soon after. He died here, Nov. 14, 1837. His widow is living at Ithaca. His sons are the "Treman Bros.," of Ithaca.

Wm. Jaycox came from Ogdensburg, and built a large tannery across the creek, at Mecklenburg; married a daugh- ter of Robert Swartout, who was an early settler, and located where J. F. Stillwell lives. He lived here several years, and moved West, where he died in 1842. His sons own large breweries in Syracuse.

Reuben Wood came from Vermont in 1814; rented the woolen-mills at Hector Falls, of Samuel Seely, who came from Orange County some years previous, and built the mills there.

George, the son of Reuben Wood, came from Hector Falls to Mecklenburg in 1828, and went in partnership with Calvin Treman in a woolen-mill.

Thomas Searles came from Putnam Co., N. Y., in 1814, and settled where John Stillwell now owns. Henry Jeffries married Searles' daughter, and came with Searles and set- tled on the same farm Cornelius Jeffries, his son, now lives on, on the hill west of Mecklenburg.

Thomas Coon came from Somerset Co., N. J., in 1817, and settled on the farm now occupied by Charles W. Davis. He was peddling hats through this region in 1807, when there were but two log houses in Burdett, and he stopped with Samuel W. Seely, at Hector Falls, that being at that time the business point in that part of the town. Mrs. Coon was the daughter of William Clark, and was born in Chambers Strect, opposite City Hall Park, New York City, in 1790, and remembers picking whortleberries where Canal Street now is. William Coon, a son of Thomas, now living at Burdett, represented the second district of Tompkins County as member of Assembly before the division, and Schuyler County in 1869-70.

James Thompson and John Mackey came from Orange County in 1817 ; cach bought 109 acres,-Thompson where States lives, and Mackey where his son JJoseph lives. Thomas W. Thompson, son of Jamos, lives on the Na- thaniel Owen farm, which he bought in 1842, and on the farm of 146 acres he has about 2000 rods of stone drain. Daniel Thompson, also a son of James, settled on a farm near Burdett, where he now lives. John W. Matthews, in 1820, came from Connecticut, with his wife, and bought a part of the Nathaniel Owen farm,-100 acres,-paying therefor $1300. Mrs. Thomas W. Thompson is a daughter, and is living on the farm her father bought.

Dcaeon Henry Geman settled in the town before 1810. William Barber, of Dutchess County, settled in 1813, where F. G. Barber, his son, lives. Phineas Bennett bought 300 acres for $3 per acre, at Bennettsburg, in

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

1828, parts of lots 71 and 72. He was originally from Chenango Co., N. Y., but had lived at Ithaea several years. Mrs. Martin Keep and Mrs. Mary Benson are · daughters, and are living in the town. Martin Keep eame from Cortland Co., N. Y., in 1832, purchased 500 aeres on lot 72. Martin and Caleb Keep, his sons, are living near the old farmn.

Jacob Banker, about 1820, removed from Putnam County to this town, and purchased 400 aeres where Jacob, his grandson, now lives. There was an acre or two eleared at the time he eame in that was supposed to have been eleared by the Indians. He had four sons and three daughters. Isaae, his son, lives at Burdett. Hannah, wife of Jacob, was a daughter of John Smith, of Seneea County, one of the early settlers in that county.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 168

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