History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 185

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 185
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 185
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 185
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 185

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).

Some time between 1798 and 1800, Joshua and Elisha Wixon settled on the flat on the east side of the inlet of Lake Lamoka, probably on the same laud that had been cultivated by the Indians as a eorn-field. The Wixons re-

mained here but two or three years,-they had learned that their title was defeetive; and, again, Frederick Bartles had built his dam down to Bradford, thereby eausing the waters of the lake to rise and back up so as to flood the most of the flats. Mr. Fleet states that one of the older members of the Wixon family had pointed out to him the place-now covered with mud, bushes, and water-where, in an early day, was the gravelly beach of Lake Lamoka. The Wixons removed westward into Wayne township. Their improvements amounted to but little,-a bark and brush shanty, and a pateh of eorn.

About 1800, Gershom, Justus, and Thadeus Bennett, brothers, and Abram and Justus, Jr., sons of Justus, from Orange Co., N. Y., eame here and settled on both sides of the creek, between the two lakes. They took up a large traet of land,-some 800 aeres,-which ineluded the site of Weston village. They were the first to make any per- manent improvement and open cultivated farms. They brought in horses, farming implements, ete. Their families remained here until about 1835, when they all removed to Michigan. Abram lived to be over one hundred years of age; his brother Justus is still living there, aged about ninety years.

In 1803, Albert Stothoff, accompanied by his son-in-law, Abram Fleet, came in from Huntingdon Co., N. J. They were Germans, friends and neighbors, in New Jersey, of the Switzers, Skomps, Bosombaraeks, and Bartles, who had settled in this seetion previously. Mr. Stothoff had purchased eight hundred aeres of land on the east side of Lake Lamoka. He gave two hundred aeres to his son-in- law, Fleet. Mr. Stothoff settled on lot 42, but his wife dying soon after he eame, he traded his six hundred aeres with Daniel Jessop, for a Jersey farm. Mr. Abram Fleet was married when he eame, and was accompanied by three daughters, viz., Anna, Elsie, and Ida. Simon Fleet, his eldest son, was born here, Feb. 1, 1804. The family arrived here October 3, 1803. The elder Fleet was married three times, and had seventeen ehildren. Of those now living, we find Simon and John in Tyrone, Henry S. in Watkins, William and Albert S. in Ohio, Abram and David in Mis- souri, and Maria and Nellie in Ohio. Mr. Simon Fleet has heard his father say that when he eame here, in 1803, there were living here, besides the Bennetts, Daniel Forster, a blacksmith, near Weston ; Benjamin Harden, at the head of Lake Lamoka; Gamaliel Townsend, near him; and Zebulon Dean, who owned a small grist-mill. This mill stood on or quite near the present site of the tannery in Tyrone village, and was put up by the agent of the Poult- ney traet to induee settlements. Harlam Sears was the first miller.

In 1804 settlements were begun at Wayne village by Sol- omon Wixon, Ephraim Sanford, Samuel Lowrey, and the Irish eolony led by Thomas O'Conor.

There have been so many stories and aneedotes, some amusing, some pathetie, told in reference to these early colonists from the " Green Isle," from whom have sprung two of New York's most distinguished sons, viz., Hon. Charles O'Conor and Hon. Francis Kernan, that we are indueed to reproduce, entire, a letter written by Mr. O'Conor in 1876:

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" My father, Thomas O'Conor, about 1804, purchased by contract, at $2.25 per acre, 4000 acres of land in what is now Tyronc. But 200 acres were, however, actually deeded to him, and this was long- say ten years-after he left that country. He moved thither with his wife, whom he had married in this city, and his only child, myself, when I was, I presume, less than one year old. Ifis 200 aeres wero conveyed by him to William Kernan, in 1827. I left that country, with my mother, in 1810, and have ever since resided in this city. Once since, about 1847 or '48, I visited the spot near what was called the Little Lake, eight miles southwest of Dundee. I cannot say that my father designed, founded, or commenced a colony. But the placo was a wilderness, and some Irish people from his own vicinage in Ireland followed or went with him thither. My grandfather, Charles O'Conor, was onc. He died soon after. His brother Denis O'Conor opened a country store there, married a Miss Redmond, had a child, and was appointed postmaster; he and his family innst have moved away soon after I left. They soon after went South, and all died. I had an aunt, Miss Catherine O'Conor, who resided there, but she moved away, and died a spinster.

" As to the other settlers I can say but little. Mr. Bernard Red- mond and family were one set ; Mr. Chas. McDermostroe and family were another; an old widow named Kernan, with many grown-up boys, was another; and a widow named Burns, who had several children, was another. I cannot say what has become of any of these, except that William, the oldest son of Mrs. Kernan, married Miss Rose, of the Stubbs family, and they have left a numerous and highly-respect- able progeny, one of them being Hon. Francis Kernan, now United States senator.

"In addition to his wild-woods speculation, my father connected himself with more than one business in the city of New York. His failure in all these, about 1809 or 1810, seems to have stricken and dispersed the colony, as you call it, except the Stubbs and William Kernan. This is about all I know concerning that settlement, colony, or whatever it should be called. What happened to my father or his family after their return to New York, in 1810, can be of no interest to you. I have seen in local newspapers a number of ridiculously false anecdotes concerning some of these people. I hope you will not copy and further ventilate any of this nonsensc.

NEW YORK, 1876.

" Yours truly, " CHARLES O'CONOR."

As it is here stated by Mr. O'Conor, we find that General William Kernan was the only one of this colony who re- mained here, grew up with the town, and became identi- fied with its welfare and best interests. It was said of him that he was too poor to go, and yet too poor to stay. During a time of adversity the poormaster called upon him in his cabin, and tendered him assistance. But he was no ordi- nary man ; nature had stamped him as a nobleman, and he would accept no aid. By great industry and good manage- ment he at length became successful, grew in the confidence of his townsmen, and was by them elevated to high posi- tions of trust and honor. He was generous and genial to his friends, obliging to the poor, and loved by all who knew him for his many virtues. Few men presided over, and controlled the action of, deliberative bodies with more case and grace than he. About 1820 he was commissioned brigadier-general of the State militia ; was among the fore- most in organizing the schools in the new town of Tyrone, which he named ; the first supervisor elected, which office he continued to hold for ten consecutive years; and repre- sented Steuben County in the State Legislature in 1833 and 1834. It is said that when, in 1826, accompanied by a full staff, he made a tour of the stations occupied by the troops of his command, he bore a striking resemblance to General Andrew Jackson in his features, carriage, and general appearance. General Kernan had three sons, viz., Francis, William, and Edward, and three daughters, two of

whom were married to George and Edward Quinn, brothers. With his honors thick about him, General Kernan removed to Utica, some years ago, to enjoy the society of his sons, who were then distinguished citizens of that city. He died, we believe, before his son Francis filled the high station he now occupies as United States senator of the Empire State.

John Teeple, and his son George, came from Turner's Station, Orange Co., and settled in the southwest part of the town in 1804. He opened a tavern there soon after, about 1805 or 1806. He was also the first surveyor, and ran out all the first farms.

Captain John Sebring, a soldier of 1812, was from Sus- sex Co., N. J., and with his father migrated at an early day to Sencca County. His father, Abraham, Was a vete- ran of the Revolution. In 1810 Captain Sebring came to Tyrone, and settled on the farm now owned by his sons, Daniel and G. C. Sebring. He was a prominent man among the carly settlers. No one was more thorough in all his undertakings than he. He was captain of the first military company formed here,-the Tyrone Rifles. This company, in their showy uniform, were the pride and pets of many a gala day in the days of the early settlement. Captain Sebring died at the age of seventy-two years. Of his family of five sons and four daughters, there are now living Cyrus, John N., G. C., and Daniel, in Tyrone, and Mrs. Sophia Tompkins, in Bath, Steuben Co. Daniel Jes- sop, with his sons Joseph, Edward, Daniel, Jr., John, and Nicholas, came from Hillsborough, Somerset Co., N. J., and settled here on the farm now owned by David Park, Oct. 1, 1811. His surviving children are Joseph Jessop, of Tyrone, John, in Illinois, and Nicholas, of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Joseph Jessop, with Simon Fleet, are the only surviving pupils of the first school taught here in 1815, by Hugh Jamison. General Kernan and himself were the first school commissioners of the town. He has also been supervisor, and held many other responsible positions. Is eighty-two years of age.

During the year 1812 the Williamses, Clarks, Prices, Sunderlins, and Youngs came, besides many others. Henry S. Williams was from Herkimer County. A few years later he married a daughter of John Teeple. By industry, and a steadfast adherence to the principles of economy and business, he became one of Tyrone's most prominent and successful business men. He was also one of the first jus- tices of the peace, and judge of the Court of Common Pleas for a period of sixteen years. He died at the early age of forty-six years. John T., of Tyrone village, is his only surviving son.

James Clark and his sons Seth, James, and Joseph, and his son-in-law, Levi Price, came from Minisink, Orange Co., and located in Romulus, in 1802. The elder Clark had been a soldier of the Revolution. Price was originally from Elizabethtown, N. J. In 1810 the brothers, with Price, had purchased a tract of land on Great Lot No. 1, town of Wayne, and began an improvement : finally settled here in 1812. The brothers James and Joseph were sol- diers of the war of 1812. James was a surveyor. Jo- seph, the only surviving brother, resides here, at the age of eighty-eight years, and bids fair to draw his well-earned pension for several years to eome. Seth and Benjamin

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

Clark, sons of Seth the eldest brother, are also residents of the town.

Levi Price had a family of twelve children. Ilis sons Eliphalet, Levi, John D., Harvey E., and Edward V. are residents of Tyrone, and William, of Michigan.

Joseph and Daniel W. Sunderlin, brothers, came in from Putnam County, and settled on the premises now owned in part by Lorenzo Swarthout, in 1812. They were de- seendants of Revolutionary forefathers. Daniel W. had nine children. The survivors are Norman, of Wayne vil- lage ; Eli ; Edward ; Mrs. Louisa Workman, of Michigan ; and Mrs. Lydia Doughty, of Buffalo. Joseph and his family moved to Pennsylvania at an early day. A son, Darius, is a resident of Tyrone village. Dennis, the elder brother of Joseph and Daniel W., settled in Steuben County in 1815. His son, Elder Alonzo W. Sunderlin, has been a resident of Tyrone and its immediate vieinity for many years, and an ordained minister of the Baptist Church for forty years.

John Young, a Revolutionary soldier from Whitingham, Windliam Co., Vt., accompanied by his sons John, Joseph, Phineas, Brigham, and Lorenzo, settled at Pine Grove, just south of where Peter Hanmer now resides, in 1812. The family lived here for several years, or until they joined the Mormons, led by Joe Smith. As farmers, they were not sueeessful. The father bottomed chairs and exhorted, while the sons did odd jobs for the neighboring farmers, but chiefly employed themselves in hunting and fishing. During the harvest season they usually went over the lake to assist the farmers in Romulus. The characteristics of Brigham's early manhood were idleness and a fondness for recounting stories and dreams. Mr. Peter Hanmer, of Tyrone, and John Sellon, of Reading, are well versed in the early history of this family.

In 1813, Abel Kendall and his sons Abel, Jr., Silas, Her- man W., and Lyman S. came from Gardner, Mass., and settled at Altay, or, as it was known for many years, " Ken- dall Hollow." Mr. Kendall bought out Captain Koon. His family of four sons and four daughters all grew up to an adult age. Of his children now living there are Abel, aged eighty-six ; Mrs. Lueinda Hallaek, aged eighty years ; Mrs. Erva Sunderlin, seventy-three years; and Lyman S., aged sixty-six years ; all residents of Tyrone, except Mrs. Sunderlin, who lives in Rochester. Esquires Abel and Lyman S. Kendall have been justices of the peace in this town for many years, and have ever been among her most respected and most worthy citizens. Abel Kendall repre- sented the county of Steuben in the State Legislature in 1848, while Edward, a son of Lyman S., has served his county as county elerk for a period of nine years.

Styles Beach, one of the prominent early settlers of Tyrone, eame from Connectieut to Oneida County in 1800. In Oneida, his son Obadiah, the father of Daniel and Lewis Beach, was born in 1804. The family next removed to Onondaga County, where they remained until 1814, when they came on to Tyrone. They were four days making the journey of sixty miles,-coming by Cayuga Bridge, Geneva, Penn Yan, and Wayne. Being overtaken by darkness, they spent the first night with General Wm. Kernan, who at that time had two children. Mr. Beach

settled near Crystal Springs, in what is known as Jordon Hollow, on the farm now oeeupied by Dr. Rogers. There was at that time only one family in the valley,-that of John Silsbee. On the same day that Mr. Styles arrived Henry Swartout and his family eame in, their household goods being drawn by an ox-team. Benjamin Saekett, Wm. Jordon, and Jesse Jordon arrived the same year. Michael Jordon eame the year after. The Jordons were from Cherry Valley. Mr. Rogers and David Sunderlin settled here in 1816. Mr. Beach bought out the improvements of one Sample. They consisted of a small clearing and an un- finished log house. The family remained here until 1821, when they removed to the present residence of Obadiah and his son Lewis. Obadiah is still living in the town of Tyrone. He attended school in the log sehool-house, which was situated a little east of Horaee Dean's, and he remembers when the Hon. Francis Kernan learned his A, B, C's.

In common with other early settlers, Mr. Beach's family suffered from the " cold season." Obadiah Beach remem- bers that in harvest time the reapers worked with their eoats on, and that he suffered with eold carrying the sheaves together. The next year there was great searcity. They were without bread for days together, and the half-ripened wheat and rye was dried so that it could be ground. When it was too soft for grinding it was boiled in the berry to afford a change of diet. Seed wheat had been two dollars per bushel, but the next crop brought but two and sixpenee at Bath, and eight and one-half bushels of wheat had to be given at Geneva for one barrel of salt. There were no roads from Crystal Springs when Mr. Beach moved in. The roads to Weston, Wayne, and Dundee were laid out two or three years later.

Jabez Hanmer, accompanied by his wife and children, Peter, David, Maria, and Susan, eame from Mindon, Her- kimer Co., and settled in Tompkins in 1814. In 1815 he removed to Tyrone, and settled on the premises now owned by his son Peter. Mr. Hanmer stored his goods, and lived in the house of John Youngs, until he could build one for himself. He had also been a soldier of 1812 at Saeket's Harbor. His children, eight in number, viz., Peter, David, John, Lewis, Mrs. Maria Hedden, Mrs. Susan Buck, Mrs. Betsey Hanmer, and Mrs. Lueretia Tompkins, are all residents of this immediate vieinity. When Mr. Hanmer came, John Youngs and his family and Daniel Kent were the only settlers in this part of the town.

John, Dan, and Isaae Arnold, brothers, eame from Mor- ristown, N. J., and settled first in Romulus, Seneea Co. In 1814 and 1815 they came into Tyrone, and settled at the village. John Arnold was an active man in the new settlement. He built mills and opened a store. He was one of the first justiees and the first town clerk. His sons, Sylvanus and Stephen H., were also well-known business men and merchants. Isaae removed to Ohio. Dan was a soldier of 1812, and remained here all his lifetime. His son William is a well-known eitizen of Tyrone of to-day. Lyon Gardner, from Long Island, and Ira White, from the Black River country, settled in the town in 1816. Robert Lang, of Dutehess County, located on the farm now

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owned by M. Ellis, on the east shore of Little Lake, in 1817. He afterwards removed to the Conover farm. The same year (1817) Moses S. and Isaac Littell and Benjamin R., an infant son of Moses S., came in from Essex Co., N. J., and settled just west of the old pre-emption line, on the premises now owned by the son, Benjamin R. Mr. Moses S. Littell was a most worthy citizen, and deacon of the Altay Baptist Church for many years. His family of six children, viz., Benjamin R., David S., Amos, Harriet A., Harvey, and Freeman W., are all residents of Tyrone, except Mrs. Harriet Dye, who resides in Italy, Yates Co. In the December following their settlement here, Benjamin R., then a little child of but two years of age, followed some dogs to the woods, and became lost. He remained out all night, exposed to the frosts of this in- clement month and attacks from the savage animals of the forest, who still existed here in large numbers. The neigh- bors for miles around assembled early the next morning to the number of many hundreds, and he was soon found beside a log, safe, yet terribly frightened upon beholding so many strange men. The dogs never returned.

James Van Duzer was originally from Orange County, and settled at an early day in Romulus, Seneca Co. In 1820, accompanied by his sons, Lewis, Milton, Stephen, Isaac, James N., and Henry C., and daughter Sarah, he settled in Tyrone. Isaac and Henry C. are residents of the town at the present time.

Josiah Gregory and sons E. S. and Burr, and daughters Betsey and Phebe, came from Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., and settled first in Reading township. In 1822 he removed to Tyrone, locating two miles north of Altay. Died at the age of eighty-six years. He was twice married. Of a family of ten children four survive, as follows : Burr, of Illinois, aged seventy-nine years ; Mrs. Betsey Catlin, in Dix; Mrs. Phebe Norton, in Reading ; and the Hon. Harman L. Gregory, of Altay village. Mr. H. L. Greg- ory has the confidence and esteem of his townsmen to a great degree, and has been honored by them with many positions of official trust. Besides holding the office of supervisor of his town for several years, lie represented Schuyler County in the State Legislature in 1872, and again in 1874.

Tyrone was formed in 1822, and the census of 1825 re- ported a total population of 1653 inhabitants.

INITIAL EVENTS.

Joshua and Elisha Wixon were the first settlers, and built the first cabin. The Bennetts built the first solid log houses, and opened the first farms, about 1800. John Arnold built the first framed house in Tyrone village, 1816. The Weller Bros.' store now occupies the site. The agent of the Poultney tract built the first grist-mill and saw-mill, on the site of the tannery, in Tyrone, soon after 1800. Zebulon Dean was the first owner, and IIarlam Sears was the first miller. Jolin Arnold built a grist-mill on the site of the present grist-mill in Tyrone village, in 1816, and kept a small store at his mill the next year. Ralph Updike started the first wool-carding and eloth-dressing works at the head of Lake Lamoka, in 1820. Joseph Sunderlin opened the first tannery at Wayne Hotel, soon after 1812.

Daniel Foster was the first blacksmith, about 1804. The Bennetts owned the first horses. Squire Teeple had the first improved plows, "Gibson's Patent," about 1820. He also opened the first "place of entertainment," in 1805. Denis O'Conor opened the first store in the town, at Wayne Hotel, in 1810, and was the first postmaster at about the same time; we believe the office was known as " Roscom- mon." John Arnold was the first postmaster at Tyrone, and Charles Monnell the first postmaster at Weston, in 1816. John Magee owned the first stage-route, from Jef- ferson to Bath. The route passed through Tyrone village, and was started about 1822. The first school-house was built upon the site of the old school-house in Tyrone, 1815, and Hugh Jamison taught the first school, in the winter of 1815-16. Joseph Jessop and Simon Fleet are the only surviving pupils. Miss Harriet Hurd taught the following summer. The union church edifice, which was built about 1830, by the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and non- denominationalists, was the first in town. The Baptists formed the first religious society, 1823, and Elder Thomas Brown (Baptist) was the first resident preacher, in 1820. The marriage of Benjamin Harden and Lucinda, the daugh- ter of Gamaliel Townsend, about 1805, is the first of which we have any record. The first birth was that of Simon Fleet, Feb. 1, 1804. William Bennett was the first who died. Dr. Charles Waldo, who settled at Wayne Hotel in 1815, was the first physician. Dr. John Lock wood settled at Tyrone village, and made his home at Gershom Ben- nett's soon after. Henry L. Arnold, son of John Arnold, was the first lawyer. I. B. Gibson, of Tuscarora, Steuben Co., placed the first steamboat-the " Martha Jones"- upon Lake Lamoka, Sept. 1, 1878. Orson Medbury raised the first building-a barn-without whisky, in 1834. It stands upon the farm of Eliphalet Price. It took two days to get it up, however. The early settlers would rather have a game of ball than attend "a raising" without whisky.

CIVIL HISTORY.

Tyrone was formed from Wayne, April 16, 1822. It was named by its first supervisor, General Wm. Kernan, after county Tyrone, Ireland.

The following proceedings of the first town meeting, and list of officers cliosen, are copied verbatim :

" At the first town-meeting of the freeholders and inhab- itants of the town of Tyrone, held at the house of Joseph Hause, on Tuesday, the 4th day of February, 1823, Enoch D'Camp was chosen Moderator, and John Arnold, Clerk. The freeholders and inhabitants then proceeded, according to law, to elect their town officers, and the follow- ing persons were chosen : William Kernan, Supervisor ; John Arnold, Town Clerk ; John Sebring, Abram Fleet, Overseers of the Poor ; Benjamin Doughty, Peter Disbrow, Jesse Whiteomb, Assessors ; Stiles Beach, Michael Jordon, Daniel Child, Jr., Commissioners of Highways ; Abel Kendall, William Kernan, Joseph Jessop, Commissioners of Common Schools ; Runyon Compton, Collector; Run- yon Compton, Benjamin C. Kelly, Constables ; Joel Fenno, Enoch D'Camp, Sylvanus Arnold, Inspectors of Common Schools ; Thomas Humphrey, Poundmaster ; John Se- bring, Morris F. Hause, Enoch D'Camp. Fence- Viewers.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

" And the following-named persons were appointed Over- seers of Highways :

" Runyon Compton, George Morrow, Robert Lang, Abel Kendall, Richard J. Beebe, Edward Jessop, Aaron Swarth- out, William Hause, Levi Priee, Watson Prentiss, Ebenezer Russell, Benjamin Smith, James D. Davis, Hugh Jamison, Peter S. Lewis, James Van Duzer, Benj. C. Kelly, Asa Hedge, Enoch D'Camp, William Kernan, Jonathan Com- ton, William Andrews, Solomon Smith, Abraham Hoover, Joel Mead, George McGown, Asa Fenno, John Smith, Abijah Vining, and Solomon Gee."

The following is a list of the supervisors, town elerks, and justices of the peace from 1823 to 1878, inclusive :

Supervisors.

Town Clerks. Justices of the Peace .*

1823. William Kernan.

John Arnold.

1824.

1825.

1826.

1827.

1828. 66

1829.

William White.

Timothy Child.

William Lohdell.

Baker Conkling.

Peter S. Lewis.

Cyrus Cole.

John Lewis. James McConnell.

Joseph L. Cory.

Martin L. Daniels.

Peter Disbrow.

George Morrow.

Benjamin Doughty.

Cyrus Maynard.

Isaae Dennis.

Franeis Runyon.

Enoch D'Camp.

Ebenezer Russell.

Abram Fleet.

Benjamin Smith.

William Fenno.

John Sebring.

1840. Charles S. Clark.

Eli Sunderlin.

1841.

1842.

1843.

Abel Kendall.

Isaac Grant.

David N. Gardner.

Oliver Hallack.

Abraham Townsend.

Joseph Hause.

James Van Duzer.

Abraham Hoover.

Christopher Willover.

John Hinckle.

Solomon Wixon.

Ezra Ifill.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 185

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