History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 85

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 85
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 85
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 85
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 85

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).

315

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

of Chemung, Tioga Co., N. Y., where he has remained ever sinee, made a purchase of land, eleared a large traet, and continued improving as long as able to work. Engaged for a time in the lumber trade, and aided in the ereetion of lumber-mills near his present residence. Has served the town as assessor, commissioner, and justice of the peaee. At MeCumber's Corners (the place deriving its name from our subjeet) was damaged greatly by fire in 1875, losing a fine house and contents. Is now residing with Calvin Woodhouse, where, with his wife, he expects to spend the remainder of his days. His first wife died Feb. 1, 1868, aged eighty years, three months, and thirteen days. Married for his second wife his brother's widow, Mrs. Naney MeCumber, Sept. 7, 1868. Mr. MeCumber is a well-preserved man of eighty-seven years, and highly re- speeted by all who know him. Ineidents of the early settlement of this town, as narrated by him, will be found elsewhere in this work.

JONATIIAN COLLSON,

son of John Collson, whose history is given elsewhere, was born in the town of Dorset, Rutland Co., Vt., April 4, 1802. He spent his youth at home on the farm. He

JONATHAN COLLSON.

was fifteen years old the spring following his father's re- moval to Pennsylvania, and aided in ehopping and elearing land until the date of his marriage, which ceeurred Feb. 10, 1822. He chose for his companion Mary, daughter of Henry Tiee, of Chemung County, who was one of the first settlers of the town of Baldwin, then Chemung. By this union there were born eight children, viz., Elizabeth, living at home; Jerusha, wife of Charles D. Woodhouse ; William ; Mary, wife of Abram Shipman, of Elmira ; Susan, wife of George Woodhouse; Warren; Elmira, wife of Edmund Woodhouse; and Jonathan. At the age of twenty our subjeet began life as a farmer, purchasing some

57 aeres, and began elearing and improving. He built a log house, but some five years after exchanged this property for a traet of 57 aeres one and a half miles east of Ham- mond's Corners. This he has added to until he has ae- eumulated about 170 aeres.

Mr. Collson is one of the pioneers of this town. He has been commissioner of highways for two years, and although frequently solieited for other positions, has deelined the honors. His youngest son, Jonathan, is the present supervisor of the town of Baldwin. Prior to Buchanan's administration he was a Demoerat. Ever op- posed to the extension of slavery, and of free-soil proclivities, he has been a faithful exponent of Republican principles sinee 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Collson have both passed their threeseore and ten, the latter having been born March 10, 1796.

ANTHONY COLLSON

was born Aug. 12, 1804, at Mt. Tabor, Rutland Co., Vt. He was the third son and fourth child of John and Susanna Collson, both of New England parentage, who removed to Bradford Co., Pa., in March, 1817. Three months later they removed to the town of Chemung (now Baldwin),

MRS. MARY COLLSON.

where his parents spent their days, and where his father died Sept. 13, 1855, and his mother July 18, 1857, both aged eighty-five years.

Our subjeet, being desirous of obtaining an education, and having none of the advantages of the present day. would obtain such papers and books as he eould, and glean from them all the knowledge possible while watching the eattle by day and during the evenings by the light of a torch. He afterwards boarded with his unele, Stephen Tuttle, of Elmira, attending school winters, and working on the farm summers. He began teaching in 1826, at the age of twenty-two, and followed it for twenty winters.

316

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

In 1828 he married Eunice, daughter of David Mudge, of Otsego Co., N. Y., the result of which union was eight children, viz .: David M., John W., Paul, Emma (died in infancy), Emma, Anthony (died young), Ezra M., and Lydia.

by Governor Dix as Commissioner of the United States De- posit Fund for Chemung County, which office he has held ever since, nothwithstanding the changes in the State exec- utive. Appointed as a Republican by a Republican Gov- ernor, he was continued by the Democratic Governors

Photos, by Hart.

ANTHONY COLLSON.

Mr. Collson was instrumental in the establishment of the first mail-route and the first post-office in the town of Bald- win, being the first postmaster, and holding the office as long as he resided in the town. He also served for several years as justice of the peace and school-inspector, and filled many other positions in the gift of the people. In 1848 or 1849 he moved to the town of Thurston, Steuben Co., where he resided until his death, which occurred at the residcuce of his son-in-law, A. M. Collson, while on a visit to his former home, Aug. 28, 1870, at the age of sixty-six years. Mr. Collson was prominently identified with the interests of Steuben County during his residence there. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over fifty years, in the various stations of class- leader, exhorter, and local preacher. He took an especial interest in Sabbath-schools, and all educational enterprises. He was an upright man, respected and beloved by all who knew him, both for his moral and social qualities. His widow survives him, and now (1878) resides in Steuben County.

Paul Collson, third son of Anthony and Euuice Collson, was born in the town of Baldwin, in the year 1832. July 22, 1862, he was enrolled in Co. A, 107th New York Vol- unteer Infantry, to serve for three years. Aug. 16, 1862, he was promoted to orderly-sergeant, and April 5, 1863, at Hope Landing, Va., was promoted to 2d lieutenant. He subsequently received from Governor Fenton (Dec. 16, 1866) commissions as 1st lieutenant and captain by brevet. After the war, June 5, 1867, he was appointed captain in the 110th Regiment New York State Militia. July 9, 1867, he received the appointment of postmaster of North Chemung, which position he still holds. In 1873 he was appointed

MRS. EUNICE COLLSON.

Tilden and Robinson. He has also served as justice of the peace in Baldwin for several years. In 1872 he married Sarah, daughter of Philander Collson. Besides attending to his official duties, Mr. Collson is engaged in farming and dairying pursuits, and leads an active life, full of future promise.

PHILANDER COLLSON

was born Sept. 7, 1806, at Mt. Tabor, Vt. He came to Springfield, Pa., in 1817. The same year he moved to Chemung, N. Y. He was married to Miss Lucy McCumber in May, 1832. She died in October, 1875. In February, 1877, he married Miss Betsey McCumber. He was the father of ten children, eight of whom he reared to man and womanhood ; and six are now living* to honor their noble sire.

Mr. Collson is an intelligent farmer. He has lived on the same farm for sixty-one years. He has been honored by his townsmen in being elected to various town offices, which he filled with great acceptability.

He was active and energetic in the cause of education. Very much of its present attainment is due to his untiring zeal. He was foremost in all the improvements of the day. He had his full share of grief and trials, but he towered above them all as the oak above the storms. Hc has been a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over fifty years, and for a long time held the responsible office of steward. His house has been, and now is, the

* October, 1878.

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

welcome home for the itinerant preacher and his family. The poor shower benedictions upon his aged head, having never been sent from his door hungry or unrelieved. He is a man of strong convictions, and when assured of the right never swerved from duty. He won golden opinions

Photo. by Hart.

PHILANDER COLLSON.

from all who formed his acquaintance. He has seen the forbidding forests change to fields of waving grain; the stately mansion rise from the ruins of the log cabins of the veteran pioneer. Cities and villages have sprung up like magic around him. He has seen the lightnings flashing the news over the world ; railroads like net-work cover our vast domain. Calmly and grandly he is going down the declivity of life, shedding the hallowed light of a well-spent life.

NEHEMIAH COOPER,

son of John Cooper, and grandson of John Cooper, Sr., a native of New Jersey, was born in the town of Enfield, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Nov. 7, 1822. At the age of three years he removed with his father's family to Alpine, Ca- yuga Co., where he resided for nine ycars. He then re- moved to the town of Chemung (now Baldwin), in Che- mung County, where he assisted his father in clearing and improving the farm. He was thus engaged until his twenty- fourth year. In 1842 he purchased twenty-eight and a half acres of land, and two years later twenty-six acres more, after which he embarked in agricultural pursuits upon his own possessions. This small beginning was the nucleus of his present fine farm and home.

In 1846 he married Miss Charlotte, daughter of William Woodhouse, a native of Rutland Co., Vt. By this union were born to them five children, viz., Hannah Ophelia, George Franklin (died young), Lloyd H., Delphine, and Monroe. The latter dicd at the age of ten years.

Mr. Cooper, like so many of our successful American

farmers, is a self-made man, his chances for an education having been quite limited. For several years he was pro- prietor of a hotel, but abandoned it for the more congenial pursuit which now engages his attention. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has served his town as assessor for three years, as collector for two years, and has held other offices in the gift of his fellow-townsmen.

CHAPTER L.

BIG FLATS.

THIS town lies on the west border of the county, south of the centre. Its surface consists of a broken upland, and in the north and south separated by a wide intervale or flat, which extends northeast from the Chemung through the centre of the town, and contains 26,671 acres, of which 16,853 acres are improved, and has a population of 1936, as per census of 1875. The soil upon the hills is a slaty loam, and in the valleys is a rich and productive alluvial. The Chemung River runs through the town, and has several small tributaries, the principal of which is Sing Sing Creek. The principal business of the inhabitants is agricultural, and tobacco is very largely cultivated upon the flats.

Owing to the smallness of the streams running through this town, but little attention has been paid to manufactures, and the inhabitants have devoted every effort to the culti- vation of land and development of its agricultural interests, and in this respect they are eminently successful.

The northern portion of the town is a part of the Wat- kins and Flint Purchase, and the southern a part of the old town of Chemung.

Certificates of location and of survey were granted to the following persons prior to the final settlement of the Watkins and Flint Purchase; some of them in that tract, the remainder in Chemung township, which was laid out in 1788 by James Clinton, John Hathorn, and John Cantine, and contained 205 lots :

Oct. 15, 1788, James Thornton, lot 125, 336 acres.

Oct. 27, 1788, Henry Wisner, lot 126, 880 acres.

Oct. 21, 1788, John Miller, lot 98, 450 acres in town of Chemung, and assigned to Thomas Nicholson, Jr., Nov. 7,1791.

Nov. 1, 1788, Tennis Dolson, lot 118, 390 acres.

Nov. 3, 1788, John Harris, lot 119, 420 acres.

Nov. 4, 1788, Abijah Whitney, lot 123, 608 acres.

Nov. 4, 1788, David Perry, a lot of land indorsed 123, of 720 acres.

Oct. 27, 1788, Henry, William, and John Starett, lot 121, 2917 acres, which was assigned, Jan. 12, 1791, to John J. De Moder.

Oct. 28, 1788, Thomas Handy, lot 120, 182 acres.

Jan. 15, 1789, Belden Burt, lots 194 and 198, of 625 and 271 acres.

Jan. 15, 1789, John Miller, lot 199, 400 acres.

Jan. 26, 1789, Henry Wisner, 2000 acres on northerly side of Tioga River, at the mouth of a creek called Sing Sing, and lying near the town of Chemung.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

Feb. 17, 1789, Henry Wisner, 2000 acres in the town of Chemung, beginning 10 links south of northeast corner of another tract, granted to him on Sing Sing Creek and Tioga River.

March 23, 1791, a certificate of surveyor-general that Christian Myneer is entitled to lot 117 in town of Chemung, and Thomas Handy is entitled to lot 115, 309 acres, in same town.

March 23, 1791, John Handy, lot 114, 800 acres.

Feb. 29, 1792, Obadiah Gore, Matthias Hollenbach, William Buck, and Avery Gore, 3850 acres, now mostly owned by Stephen Owen, Lewis Fitch, James Tarr, and M. H. Wells.

Feb. 6, 1794, John Hathorn and John Suffern, 200 acres in town of Chemung, and the same date another tract of 200 acres.

The west line of the town is the old Massachusetts pre- emption line, and one of the monuments is still standing about forty rods from Nicholas Mundy's residence, on west side of the road leading from Elmira to Painted Post. It is about two and a half feet high and a foot square, and is marked on one side :

8 miles & 209 Ps. Var. 3º 20'

west 1792

and on the other :

MASSACHUSETTS [Rough drawing of a human figure.] P PRE EM TION.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Before this territory was divided into townships, and while the lands yet belonged to the State, in 1787, Chris- tian Myneer, with his wife and seven children, came up the river in a canoe, and landed on the north side, and built a log cabin and planted corn. On the other side of the river was an Indian clearing and cornfields. During that summer a man with his family came up the river, and seeing the clearing and cornfields, landed, and went out into the field where Myneer was hoeing corn, and endeavored to impress upon his mind that the land he was on belonged to him, and that he must vacate; but Myneer was not disposed to yield his rights, and after finding that he could not prevail upon him to give up the premises he went on up the river. Myneer remained upon the land where he first settled, and March 23, 1791, a certificate was issued to him of lot 117, of 330 acres, where Noah Symonds now lives, and lying on both sides of the river. Several of his children lived and died here, and his grandson, John Minier, still lives at the village of Big Flats. He was a justice of the peace by appoint- ment for several years. A portrait of him, said to be accu- rate, is in the possession of John Minier, and was painted by a young lad, about 1833, while the old pioneer was seated with others around the stove in the store of Mr. Arnot, at Elmira. He used to relate that in the next summer after he came in, a party of Indians came from the west, hav- ing with them a prisoner, whom they blindfolded and tied to a tree near where the Suspension Bridge crosses the river. They then went away, and were gone three or four

hours, and when they returned they had a quantity of lead with them.

He died in 1837, and was buried on the farm where he settled, and he and his wife lie side by side where they early toiled amid the hardships of pioneer life. Tennis Dolson and his family came next, in 1788, and settled on lot 118, next to Mynier, and the island in the river opposite is called Dolson's Island. He and his wife are buried on the farm. Caleb Gardner and Captain George Gardner, his son, and Henry Starrett came in from Pennsylvania in 1788, and settled above Mynier. Caleb Gardner located on the farm now owned by John Minier, and built a log house between Mr. Minier's house and the river, and the stones that formed the fire-place are still there. He and his wife are buried a short distance from where the house stood, under an oak tree. Henry Starrett settled on the lot, a portion of which is known as Starrett's Hollow. Captain George Gardner settled on the same lot with his father, but nearer where the village now is, and in 1807 built a frame tavern where John Minier's house now stands, and kept it many years, and was one of the enterprising men of the settlement. Clark Winans came in 1788, and settled on Sing Sang (as it was then called) Creek, that runs through his farm, and built a log house on the bank. The New York Commercial Advertiser of some years since is responsible for the follow- ing. Colonel John Hendy lived in what is now Elmira, yet the man and woman referred to are Clark Winans and his wife, who settled in this town and were evidently on their way to this place : "One Saturday afternoon about four o'clock, in the summer of 1788, while Colonel John Hendy was working on his log house, a man and woman, both on horseback, emerged from the Indian pathway, and crossed the Newtown Creek to his land. The man rode before with a basket on each side of his horse, and a child in each basket, while the woman brought up the rear, having on her nag the goods and chattels of the family, for they were man and wife. The husband rode up to Colonel Hendy, inquiring, with much anxiety, if there was a doctor to be found in the vicinity.

" What is the matter ?" said the veteran.

" My wife has got hurt by the stumbling of her horse, and wants a doctor as soon as possible," was the reply.

" That is very unfortunate," said the colonel ; " for there is no doctor in this wilderness."

He had no shelter nor resting-place to offer them, save the ground, the pine-trees, and the canopy of heaven. They rode on a few rods and stopped, for stop they must, under the best shelter they could find.

On Sunday morning Colonel Hendy met the man in the woods, near the spot where they had conversed before, and inquiring how his wife was, was answercd, "She is as well as could be expected."

The colonel did not think again of the travelers until Monday, when he sent his son to look after them. The boy returned with the intelligence that they were getting ready to start.

" But how is the woman, my boy ?" said he.

" The woman, eh ? Oh! the woman has got a baby, and I guess she wants another basket to put it in."

The child whose birth is told above was Clark Winans, Jr.

PHOT. BY J. E.LARKIN.

FARM Nº2

Reuben Al Mundy

FÆ

PROPERTY OF NICHOLA:

PHOTO BY J. E.LARKIN.

FARM Nº 3

M. S. Mundy

º1.

JUNDY, BIG FLATS, N. Y.

LITH BY L I EVERTS. PHILADA

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

John Winters and Joel Rowley came from Pennsylvania, and settled in 1790. Winters, on the farm now owned by Martin Hammond ; and one of the old settlers related to the writer, that Winters told him he paid for his farm of 200 acres by hunting bears and wolves, and getting the bounty from the State and the sale of the skins. Joel Rowley settled next to Colonel George Gardner, where Peter Rine- hart now resides, and owned most of the land on which the village of Big Flats now stands. His son, Wilson W. Winters, was born in 1805, and has lived here the most of his life, and here he died in June, 1878, at seventy-three years of age.

William and Robert Miller, Cornelius Lowe, John Em- mons, and David Van Gorder came in 1794-95. Robert Miller settled on the farm next to John Winters. He was justice of the peace for several years, and finally moved west. Cornelius Lowe had kept store at Newtown, and settled near where Lowe's Pond now is, and carried on an enterprising trade in skins and furs, carrying them through Catlin to Seneca Lake, thence by bateaux to the portages on Seneca River, and on to Salina, returning loaded with salt to the head of the lake, where it was stored for sleigh- ing, when it was brought over and reshipped in the spring in arks on the Chemung.

David Reynolds, with his two sons, James and Nathan, came from Pennsylvania about 1800, and settled in what is called " Egypt." Afterwards purchased a large tract of land nearer the village, built a log house near where John D. Parks resides, and a saw-mill near the bridge that crosses Sing Sing Creek, as early as 1805. He moved west, his sons remaining here.

John Huey, about the same time, brought in a stock of dry goods from Philadelphia, and opened the first dry goods store in the village, and in the building a part of which now composes the dwelling of Abram Minier. George Schriver was his clerk.

Eleazer Owen came here in 1805 (his wife was the daughter of William Buck, one of the party that took up the tract of 3850 aeres in 1792), and settled on the land where Stephen Owen now lives. Eleazer Owen was born in 1780, and died in 1859, at seventy-nine years of age. His father was killed in the Wyoming massaere.

Andrew and John McNulty and Nathan Sanders eame in about 1810. Andrew settled where Charles Hammond lives. John married a daughter of Eleazer Owen, and settled where Mrs. Margaret McNulty now resides. Nathan Sanders settled where Lewis Fitch lives, and kept tavern for many years, and is still living, at upwards of eighty years of age. Thomas Taylor, of the Horseheads Journul, married his daughter.

Reuben Mundy, from New Jersey, settled in 1819, and bought 225 acres where his son, Nicholas Mundy, lives. Mrs. Catharine Hughson, of Big Flats, and Mrs. Mary L. Owen, of Elmira, are daughters.

INITIAL EVENTS.

Christian Myneer was the first white man who, in this town, laid the foundation for its present prosperous condi- tion, planted the first corn, set out the first orchard, built the first log house, and first frame house and frame barn,

and the first birth, marriage, and death occurred in his family. Christian Myneer, Jr., was born in 1790, and was the first white child to the " manor born" in this town. A daughter of Christian Myneer, about six or eight years old, was the first to obey that dread summons that comes once to all; but Tennis Dolson was the first adult who died in the settlement. Catharine Myneer, a daughter of Christian, and William Applegate were the advance-guard of the host who have willingly enrolled themselves under the banner of Hymen.

The first saw-mill was built by William Miller, before 1800, on Sing Sing Creek, a short distance above where the grist-mill of S. S. Stephens stands.

Captain George Gardner built the first frame tavern, in 1807, where John Mineer's house now stands, and in 1810 the first Masonic lodge was organized, and meetings held in the attic of this tavern.

The first cemetery was located in Big Flats, and the first recorded death is that of Amos Rowley, who died June 5, 1809, aged thirty-nine years. A few feet from this store stands a locust-tree that is a living monument to his father, as he lies buried under it. The second recorded death is of Isabella Miller, the wife of Robert Miller, who died July 14, 1809.

The first church organization was Baptist, in 1807, and the first regular pastor was Rev. Roswell Goff. The first church edifice was erected in 1827. The first school-house was erected in the corner of the cemetery lot as early as 1815, and the first teacher was Cornelius McGinnis.

The first briek house was built by Clark Winans, in 1812, from brick manufactured on the premises.

The first distillery was built by Aaron Cook, near where Valentine Tarr lives, and was burned in 1812.

The first postmaster was Robert Miller.

The first tobacco was raised by Sidney Elmore, in 1850, on what is now the John D. Parks farm.

SCHOOLS.

The report of the condition of the schools of the town is taken from the county superintendent's report for 1877.

The town is divided into eleven districts. The number of children of school age is 506. There have been 247 weeks of school, an 1 384 pupils. There are 7 male and 11 female teachers, and a library of 637 volumes, valued at $178. There are eight frame school-houses, valued, with sites, at $5940.

Balanco on hand, Sept. 30, 1876 ... $155.93

Stato appropriations ..

1051.14

Taxes ...

1614.59

Other receipts.

177.00

Total

$3028.66

Paid teachers' wages

$1911.55

Other expenses 228.21

School-house repairs

$16.33

2956.09

Balance on hand.

$72.57

State appropriation of 187S

1123.95

SOCIETIES.

In 1810 a lodge of Freemasons was in existence, and held their meetings in the attic of Captain George Gardner's tavern. Daniel E. Brown was W. M .; Captain George

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

Gardner, Benjamin Farrell, and others were members. For a time they maintained a goodly number, but finally dis- banded. A new charter was obtained July 11, 1855, and a lodge was instituted as Big Flat Lodge, No. 378, Dr. C. Peebles as first W. M. Their meetings were held in Dr. Peebles' house ; they number at present 81 members, and H. L. Storms is the W. M.

RELIGIOUS.

The first church organization in the town was of the Baptist denomination, and was constituted, Aug. 30, 1807, by a council from the churches of Romulus, Ovid, and Chemung, by Elders Caton and Goff, with 28 members. Their first services were held in George Shriver's barn, and afterwards in school-houses. The first edifice was erected in 1827, and occupied the first time Jan. 19, 1828. It was situated about 100 rods northeast from where J. R. Lowe resides, and is now used as a tobacco house. In 1852 a meeting-house was built, and first occupied Sept. 9, 1852, at the village of Big Flats, at a cost of $3000. The first pastor was the Rev. Roswell Goff, and he was succeeded by Revs, Philander D. Gillett, under whose patronage the first church was built, Stephen Wise, Aaron Jackson, Ben- jamin R. Swich, Daniel Reed, James Coffin, Isaac Esta- brook, Samuel Keim, J. W. Emery, David Burroughs, Chas. L. Bacon, Wm. N. Entwistle. They have no pastor at present, and number 95 members, and have a Sunday- school of 70 members, with a library of 200 volumes. J. R. Lowe, Superintendent.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 85

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