USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 91
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 91
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 91
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 91
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The town raised by subscription, for the relief of soldiers' families, $200.
We desire to return thanks to Messrs. Nile F. Wynkoop, A. H. Buck, Miles C. Baldwin, Asa Parshall, II. C. Bei- delman, George Lowman, Gordon Snell, Dr. Gere, R. M. McDowell, Martin Wood, John Bosworth, A. II. Knight, John J. Joslin, and John M. Crispin for valuable informa- tion and courtesies extended during our stay in Chemung.
MILITARY RECORD.
George W. Weller, sergeant, Co. E, 23d N. Y. Regt. ; enl. March 21 ; in several battles.
John M. Frances, private, Co. D, 107th N. Y. Regt .; enl. July 23, 1862; di-ch. June 5, 1865.
Wm. Guthrie, private, Co. 11, 10th N. Y. Cav .; cnl. Oct. 12, 1861 ; disch. Dec. 25, 1861.
Franklin M. Slade, private, 10th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Aug. 9, 1862; disch. May 22, 1865.
Edward F. Beem, private, Co. B, 107th N. Y. Regl .; enl. July 19, 1862; disch. May 22, 1865.
George W. Drake, private, Co. B, 107th N. Y. Regt .; enl. July 19, 1862; disch. June 13, 1865.
C. llarington, private, Co. C, 107th N. Y. Regt .; enl. July 22, 1862 ; disch, June 17, 1865.
Barent C. Bailey, corporal, Co. M, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 12, 1863.
James S. Fancey, private, Co. A, 107th N. Y. Regl. ; enl. July 12, 1862 ; disch. Sept. 14, 1863 ; disal ility.
Leander Scott, private, Co. I, 16th N. Y. Art .; cnl. Oct. 2, 1863 ; disch. Ang. 28, 1865.
Daniel B. Scott, corporal, Co. E, 117th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Ang. 11, 1862; died Ang. 1, 1863, from wounds.
Isaac E. Bailey, corporal, Co. C, 141st N. Y. Rogl .; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; died Ocl. 5, 1864, of wounds.
Francis M. Walker, private, Co D, 107th N. Y. Regt .; enl. July 21, 1862; pro. to sergt. Ang. 13, 1862.
Lewis Swain, private, Co. HI, 10th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Oct. 3, 1861 ; rc-enl. same company March, 1864: disch. Ang. 1865.
E. F. Blossom, private, Co. D, 107th N. Y. Regl .; cnl. July 18, 1862; wounded at Chancellorsville; disch. July 28, 1865.
Jason Blossom, drummer, Co. D, 107th N. Y. R.gt. : cnl. July 18, 1862 ; wns taken prisoner at Chancellorsville ; disch, Ang. 1, 1865.
Guy Ellis, private, Co. D, 112th N. Y. Regt. ; cnl. July 28, 1862; disch. July 28, 1865.
Jolin A. Carey, sergeant, Co. I, 14Ist N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Ang. 30, 1862; disch. ; 10 date.
Theodore Carey, sergeant, Co. I, Illst N. Y. Regt .; cnl. Ang. 22, 1862 ; killed May 27, 186-1.
Chas. Cogans, private, Co, D, 107th N. Y. Regl .; cul. Juty 28, 1862; wounded in knee at Kencsaw Mountain.
E. C. Welles, private, Co. C, N. Y. Regl .; cul. Sept. 3, 1861 ; disch. Jan. 30, 1862, disability.
Renben Griswold, corporal, Co. C, 150th N. Y. Regl .: enl. Sept. 3, 1$61 ; disch. Dec. 1861, disability.
George Smilth corpl., Co. HI, 130th N. Y. Regt .; cnl. Aug. 26, 1861; disch, August, 1861; re-cnlisted; disel. Jun. 27, 1865.
Stephen M. Beckhorn, private, Co. I, 103d N. Y. Regl .; cnl. Ang. 4, 1862 ; wounded at Spottsylvania ; disch. June 16, 1865.
James Hillman, private, Co. C; 50th N. Y. Regt. ; ent. Sept. 3, 1861 ; disch. 1864; re-enl. January, 1865; disch. Junc, 1865.
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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
James Griswold, capt., Co. C, 50th N. Y. Rogt .; enl. Sept. 3, 1861 ; trans. to 169th N. Y. Regt. ; disch. June 25, 1865.
Freeman Ellis, private, Co. C, 50th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Sept. 3, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 20,1864.
Freeman Warren, corpl., Co. C, 50th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 3, 1861; disch. 1862, disability; re-enl. March 11, 1865, 179th N. Y. Regt.
Chas. R. Benedict, sergt., Co. C, 141st N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Aug. 23, 1862; disch. Dec. 31, 1863, sickness.
Theo. M. Warren, sergt., Co. C, 141st N. Y. Regt .; enl. Ang. 23, 1862; pro. to 1st lient. June, 1864; killed at Atlanta.
Clas. A: Hart, private, Co. E, 86th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Nov. 1, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 1, 1863; wounded at Spottsylvania ; disch. July 22, 1865.
Frank Sager, private, Co. C, 141st N. Y. Regt .; enl. Aug. 22, 1862; pro. to sergt. Oct. 1, 1864; disch. June 20, 1865.
Samuel McCutcher, private, Co. MI, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 15, 1863; wounded ; dischi. Oct. 18, 1865.
Miles O. Corryel, private, 8th N. Y. Art. ; enl. Dec. 28, 1863; trans. to 4th N. Y. Art .; disch. Oct. 5, 1865.
Edgar F. Terrill, private, Co. I, 163d N. Y. Regt .; enl. Feb. 5, 1862 ; disclı. Jan. 4, 1864, disability.
John M. Evans, private, Co. C, 194th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Feb. 24, 1863 ; disch. May 6, 1865.
Sylvester Decker, private, Co. I, 148th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Nov. 5, 1863; wounded at Cold Harbor; disch. Oct. 1, 1865.
Benjamin Edwards, private, Co. E, 23d N. Y. Regt. ; enl. April 16, 1861 ; re-enl. in Co. C, 1st N. Y. Cav., July 11, 1863; wounded, no date; disch. Aug. 1, 1865,
David E. Champion, private, Co. E, 141st N. Y. Regt .; enl. Aug. 25, 1862; wounded at Peach-Tree Creek ; disch. June 5, 1865.
Samnel C. Knox, private, Co. E, 20th N. Y. Regt .; enl. April 23, 1861 ; disch. May 23, 1863.
Morris Kane, private, Co. B, 107th N. Y. Regt .; enl. July 22, 1862; wounded at Fredericksburg; disch. July 20, 1965.
Charles A. Knox, private, Co. E, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Jan. 5, 1864; trans. to Gtlı N. Y. Art .; pro. to sergt.
Jefferson Decker, private, Co. I, 141st N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Aug. 25, 1862 ; wounded at Resaca, Ga., and also at Peach-Tree Creek ; disch. May 5, 1865.
Wm. H. Brown, corpl., Co. H, 141st N. Y. Regt .; cnl. Aug. 9, 1862; pro. to sergt. and 21 lient.
Win. T. Carey, corpl., Co. I, 141st N. Y. Regt .; enl. Ang. 10, 1862; pro. to sergt .; mortally wounded at Dallas, Ga. ; died May 31, 1864.
Wm. N. Joslin, private, Co. C, 141st N. Y. Regt .; enl. Aug. 21, 1862; wounded at Resaca, Ga.
Stephen S. Cornell, private, Co. B, 161st N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Ang. 30, 1864; disch. Oct. 13, 1865.
Samuel Hubble, private, Co. E, 23d N. Y. Regt .; enl. April 21, 1861 ; disch . May 23, 1863.
Charles Ilarris, private, Co. Il, 188tlı N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 7, 1864; disch. July 11, 1865.
Nathaniel C. Rippard, private, Co. I, 141st N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Aug. 21, 1862; disch. March 11, 1863, disability.
William Rose, private, Co. I, 14thi N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 11, 1863; wounded at Wilderness ; died July 23, 1864, of wounds.
Charles Washburn (substitute), private, 10th N. Y. Ragt. ; disch. July, 1865.
Francis L. Patterson, private, Co. L, 14th N. Y. Art. ; enl. Dec. 17, 1863; wounded ; dischi. Marchi 9, 1865.
Edward Lurcock, private, Co. M, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 12, 1863; taken prisoner before Richmond ; dicd at Andersonville, Ang. 29, 1864.
George N. Cooper, private, Co. Il, 46th Pena .; dicd May 28, 1864.
Ilarry H. Cooper, private, Co. M, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 12, 1863; wounded at Wilderness ; died May 9, 1864, of wounds.
G. P. McDowell, private, Co. I, 109th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Aug. 11, 1862 ; wounded at Spottsylvania; disch. June 16, 1865.
Ray Warren, private, Co. I, 141st N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Sept. 10, 1865; deserted.
Aaron Slade, private, Co. E, 23d N. Y. Regt .; enl. Blay 6, 1861 ; disch .; no date given.
Guy Wyukoop, private, Co. H1, 10th N. Y. Cav .; enl. November, 1861; taken prisoner Oct. 12, 1863; died at Andersonville.
Sager Wynkoop, private, Co. E, 20th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. October, 1861 ; disch. John Ilerington, private, Co. B, 109th N. Y. Regt .; enl. July 20, 1862 ; disch. Stowell H. Campbell, private, 2d N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Dec. 11, 1863. Peter V. Carey, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Bartholomew Cavens, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Delos J. Tillman, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Isaac Ilowell, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Samuel Ruggles, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Wm. McCutchin, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 15, 1863. Pery Tanner, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Wm. McMaster, private, 14th N. Y. Art. ; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Ilenry O. Bennett, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Eimer Howard, private, 14th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 14, 1863. Jonas D. Swaiu, private, 16th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 17, 1863. Daniel Dewitt, Jr., private, 16th N. Y. Art .; enl. Dec. 17, 1863. Jacob H. Roblyer, private, 1st N. Y. Art .; enl. Feb. 5, 1864. Jolın II. Miller, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Feb. 6, 1864. Charles P. Crawford, private, 50th N. Y. Eng .; enl. Feb. 6, 1864. Walter Il. Parcels, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Feb. 6, 1864.
John Baldwin, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Feb. 6, 1864 ; re-enlisted. George Smith, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Feb. 6, 1804; re-enlisted. Wm. Jorden, private, 50tlı N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Feb. 6, 1864 ; re-enlisted. Charles R. Lawrence, private, 179th N. Y. Regt .; enlisted Feb. 19, 1864. Thomas Chambers, private, 10th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Feb. 28, 1864. George W Cown, private, 50th N. Y. Eng .; enl. Jan. 1, 1864 ; re-enlisted. John Kohuene, private, 179tlı N. Y. Regt .; enl. March 30, 1864. l'atrick Slatsteton, private, 179th N. Y. Regt .; enl. March 30, 1864. Edward J. Clark, private, 24th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Ang. 23, 1864. Albert D. Field4, private, 24th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Ang. 15, 1861 (substitute). Archibald Bensley, private, 50th N. Y. Eng .; enl. Sept. 16, 1864. Richard Murphy, private, 16th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1864. Sawyer P. Fuller, private, 8th N. Y. Art .; enl. Sept. 24, 1864. Thomas H. Cannen, private, 8th N. Y. Art. : enl. Aug. 24, 1864. Trueman W. Lewis, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Aug. 24, 1864. Jacob L. Decker, private, 10th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Aug. 24, 1865. Timothy Brock way (substitute).
Thomas Pierce, private, 179thı N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 7, 1864. John H. Jackson, private; enl. Sept. 8, 1864.
Jacob Smith, private, 179th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 10, 1864. Peter Kelly, private, 179th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 9, 1864. Michael Cahill, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 8, 1864. Wheeler Sisson, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 12, 1864. James Stanler, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; eul. Sept. 12, 1864. Patrick Broidley, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 12, 1864. Jolin Galyger, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 12, 1864. Patrick Hagerty, private, 184th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 12, 1864. Moses II. Sp.Ilman, private, 184th N. Y. Regt. : enl. Sept. 12, 1861. George Weed, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Sept. 7, 1864. Theron E. Foster, private, 50th N. Y. Eng .; enl. Sept. 7, 1864. James Little, private, 184th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Sept. 16, 1864. Jonas L. Miller, private, 179th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Sept. 17, 1864. Abraham Miller, private, 179th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 186 1. George Benjamin, private, 12th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Sept. 13, 1864. Harry Benjamin, private, 12th N. Y. Cav .; enl. Sept. 13, 1864. Nelson Benjamin, private, 12th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Sept. 10, 1864. S. W. Miller, private, 12th N. Y. Cav. ; enl. Sept. 13, 1864. Thomas V. Metcalf, private, 28th N. Y. Battery ; enl. Sept. 20, 1864. Thomas Graham, private, 97th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Sept. 3, 1864. Jolın M. Utter, private, 97th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Oct. 5, 1864. Sammuel D. Bodine, private, Ist N. Y. Art .; enl. Sept. 30, 1864. Samnel D. Wilcox, private, 161st N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Oct. 5, 1864. Smith Wilcox, private, 161st N. Y. Regt .; enl. Oct. 5, 1864. Valentine Smith, private, 179tlı N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Oct. 9, 1864. George Burke, private; enl. Jan. 11, 1865.
John W. Huntley, private ; enl. Jan. 11, 1865. John Salter, private ; enl. Jan. 11, 1865. Win. Swain, private; enl. Jan. 12, 1865. John Hinderson, private ; enl. Jan, 12, 1865. Emnigh Roberts, private ; enl. Jan. 14, 1865. Wm. McCellan, private ; enl. Jan. 14, 1865. Aaron Goldsmith, private; enl. Jan. 14, 1865. Hugh O'Brien, private; enl. Jan. 18, 1865. James Donohou, private ; enl. Jan. 18, 1865. Charles Dunn, private; enl. Jan. 18, 1865. Charles Il. Washborn, private ; enl. Jan. 19, 1865.
Lemuel B. King, private; enl. Jan. 20, 1865. Tracey Emigh, private ; enl. Feb. 2, 1865. Wash. B. Rutgers, private; enl. Feb. 2, 1865.
David E Evans, private; enl. Feb. 8, 1865. Edward Jenkins, private, 179th N. Y. Regt. ; eni. Feb. 8, 1865.
Win. Dickison, private; enl. Feb. 9, 1865.
John F. Harrason, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. ; enl. Feb. 9, 1865. Theodore Bartholf, private, 9Ist N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Feb. 22, 1865. James Griffin, private, 194th N. Y. Rogt. ; enl. Feb. 25, 1865. Squire Clark, private, 194th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Feb. 25, 1865. Horace Mandeville, private, 194th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Feb. 28, 1865. Andrew J. Coldgrove, private, 194th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Feb. 27, 1885. James L. Robb, private, 191th N. Y. Regt .; enl. Feb. 7, 1865. Win. H. Simpson, private, 194th N. Y. Regt .; enl. March 1, 1865. Charles Darling, private, 194th N. Y. Regt. ; oul. Marchi 7, 1865. Ezra P. Whitmore, private, 194th N. Y. Regt. ; eul. Feb. 15, 1865. John L. Johnson, private, 50th N. Y. Eng. : enl. Feb. 15, 1865. Robert F. Crandle, private, 194tlı N. Y. Regt .; enl. March 3, 1865. Jolin Brantford, private, 187th N. Y. Regt. ; enl. Jan. 5, 1865.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
NELSON WARREN
was born Aug. 26, 1806, in the town of Chemung, being the fifth son of Enoch and Betsey Warren, both natives of Connecticut, who emigrated to New York in the year 1791,
335
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
locating one year at Nanticoke, and from thence moved to Chemung County, then Tioga. Here the worthy couple lived to a good old age, rearing a family of ten children, three of whom are now living.
Enoch Warren died in the year 1834, aged seventy years. His wife died in 1859, aged eighty-nine years.
Nelson began life as a farmer, working on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age. IIe then started out for himself, turning his hand to whatever presented itself to earn an honest dollar. Hle purchased his first land in the year 1832, and the following year purchased the farm on which he now resides, which at the time was heavily timbered ; and having from time to time added to the first purchase, his broad acres now reach the high figure of 1300.
July 19, 1832, he married Jerusha, daughter of Gideon and Azuba Griswold, of Chemung, formerly of Connecticut.
The first years of their married life were passed in a log house, near the site of their present residence.
Six children were born to them, two of whom are now living. Tabitha S., wife of Miles Decker, now living at Addison, Steuben Co .; Ray, married Charlotte L., daugh- ter of William and Agnes Cooper, of Chemung; Polly A., now deccased, married Miles Cooper, two children survive her. The following are also deceased : Nile, Isabell, and Zachary. Mr. Warren endured all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, but being possessed of industry and energy, coupled with an indomitable will, has succeeded in accumulating a goodly portion of this world's goods.
Politically Mr. Warren was a Whig, subsequently a Re- publican, and now is identified with the Greenback move- ment.
In addition to agricultural pursuits he has been largely engaged in lumbering, and in partnership with John John- sen erected a steam saw-mill. Although on the down-hill of life, past the Scriptural age of threescore years and ten, he retains in a remarkable degree the vigor and elasticity of youth. May the remainder of his life be passed pleasantly, enjoying the fruits of his toil !
CHAPTER LIII.
ERIN.
THE town of Erin extends from near the centre of the county to the north border. Van Etten bounds it on the cast, Baldwin on the south, and Horseheads and Veteran on the west. It has a total area of 26,493 acres, of which 11,559 acres are improved.
By the census of 1875 it had a population of 1556 inhabitants, of which 1537 were natives, and 19 foreign born; 1522 white and 34 colored; 801 males and 755 females. Total number of voters, 424, of which 415 were natives, and 9 naturalized. Persons of military age, 306.
Number of persons of school age, 236 males, and 214 females. Number of land-owners, 225. Persons twenty- one years of age and upwards, unable to read or write, 38.
The surface is an upland, hilly, and broken by many valleys. The water-courses are small ; Newtown, Baldwin,
Jackson, and Wynkoop Creeks being the principal ones. The soil is a gravelly loam, productive, but better adapted to grazing than tillage. The people are principally en- ployed in agricultural pursuits and lumbering.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settlers in the town of Erin came from the towns of Danby and Newfield (Tompkins Co.), and from the counties of Delaware and Orange, of this State. In most instances they came in with their own teams and conveyances, cutting out their own roads as they advanced farther and deeper into the then howling wilderness.
The Indians had long since disappeared; but the dense forests of pine and hemlock were infested with countless numbers of wild and savage animals, who preyed upon the sheep and other domestic animals of the first settlers for twenty years afterwards.
From the best sources of information, we are led to believe that Basil Sperry, who came from Newfield, Tomp- kins Co., made the first settlement, in 1815. He located on the lot now owned by Sylvenus Smith, and remained but a very few years.
The next year (1816) John Banfield, James Elya, Abraham Elston, Daniel and Gabriel Curtis, brothers, James Van Houter, and Thomas, his brother, and Philip Thomas,-all from Tompkins County,-came in and located near each other in the Red Chalk Section .*
The same year Isaac Shoemaker, Thomas Baker, Alex- ander MeKey and his son John, James McMillan, with his sons John, James, Jr., George, and Joseph, William D. Stewart and his brother, Robert Stewart, Jeremiah Barnes, and Levi Decker, all from Delaware Co., this State, settled at or very near Erin Centre, while Robert and Alexander Park (brothers), from New Jersey, Robert MeDoel and his son Varnum, from Vermont, located about two miles north of the centre ; and Ardon Austin, from Connecticut, Sam- uel, Daniel, and James Vaughan (brothers), located them- selves on Austin Ilill. Jesse White also settled the same year in the northwest corner of the town.
Isaac Boyer, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, with his sons James and Israel, came in in 1817 and took up the lot now owned by Charles MeMillan. They were from Schuylkill, Pa.
Richard Walker, from Newfield, was also one of the first settlers, and located where John Torrey now resides.
David Herrington and sons, from Dorset, Rutland Co., Vt., settled at Ilerrington's Corners in 1817, taking up 300 aeres of great lot 150. One of the sons, Amasa I., resides on the homestead at the present time.
Colonel John Tuthill and son, John Tuthill. Jr .. very prominent and worthy citizens, came in from Orange County in 1817, and took up a large tract of land in the south part. Heury, Anthony, and John Hollenbeck, brothers, and James the son of Henry, came from Middleburgh, Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1819, and settled in the " Red Chalk" section. The Hollenbecks are of a Holland Dutch
# This section, which is the northwest one of the town, derives this name from the fact that when it was originally surveyed. the corners and lines were marked with red chalk, an unusual thing at that time.
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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
family. Their father-James-was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and Anthony, one of the brothers, was a soldier of 1812. James, the son and nephew, and the only surviving one of the pioneers, is a large land-owner, the father of fifteen children, and an active, hearty man at the age of seventy-seven years.
David Caywood, a Revolutionary soldier, with his son William, emigrated from Orange County, near Port Jervis, in 1800, and first settled at Ithaca. They removed to Erin in 1828, and located on the " Red Chalk" section. William, the son, was a soldier of 1812, and cleared and opened the farm where his son, Richard Caywood, now resides.
Peter Blauvelt and his brother, Abraham Blauvelt, from Goshen, Orange Co., settled here in 1832, as did also Cor- nelius Becker and his family, from Delhi, Delaware Co.
Among those who settled here early it may be mentioned that John Banfield was a leading citizen, energetic and ac- tive in all that pertained to the best interests of his town and county.
The Stewart brothers, the McKeys, and Ardon Austin were all men of ability and fair culture. Mr. Austin be- came the owner of large tracts of land. He removed to New Jersey several years since, and died there May 22, 1878, aged eighty-two years.
Philip Thomas' father emigrated at an early day from Con- necticut to Wyoming, Pa. He afterwards removed to New- field, and died when his son Philip was but six years of age. Young Thomas was apprenticed to one Cranse, who was both a blacksmith and miller. He learned the milling business, and at the age of eighteen years was employed by John Shepard at Tioga Point as the chief in his grist-mill. After remaining with Mr. Shepard for some years, he gave up that occupation, and taking up two hundred acres of land in what was then Chemung township, he cleared and opened the farm where he now resides. In his eighty-sixth year, he is a hale, hearty gentleman, universally respected, and one of the last living liuks which connects pioneer and present history. Mr. Thomas had a half-brother -- John-who was a soldier of the Revolutionary struggle. Hc also relates that the first two years of his residence here his taxes on two hundred acres of land amounted to but seventy-five cents per year.
INITIAL EVENTS.
Basil Sperry built the first house, in 1815, on the farm now owned by Sylvenus Smith. Thomas Baker built the first framed house, in 1825. About the same time John Banfield built the first framed barn. James and Joseph McMillan, brothers, erected the first saw-mill, in 1824; it was on Newtown Creek, near Erin Centre.
Joseph Rodbourn built the first grist-mill, about 1855. Basil Sperry opened the first farm, and harvested the first crops. John Mitchell kept the first tavern; it was in the south part of the town, on Wynkoop Creek.
The first school-house was built in District No. 1, 1818, and Robert Stewart was the first teaclicr. The Presby- terians built the first church, in 1836; it was located about two miles southwest of Erin village. Rev. Mr. Bev- ridge and John Graham were influential in its construction. Mrs. Sperry and Mrs. Baker, the wife of Thomas Baker,
were the first who died in the new settlement. Dr. James McMillan was the first resident physician. James H. Rad- bourn established the first store, in 1867. John McKey and Ardon Austin were the first surveyors.
CIVIL HISTORY.
Erin was erected from Chemung, March 29, 1822, being all that part of Chemung lying north of the north line of great lots Nos. 138 and 139. By the same act, " All con- tractors for lands in Erin, of twenty-one years of age and upwards, and worth $150 of personal property, or who have made improvements or payments for such lands to that amount, are hereby declared to be good jurors."
A part of Van Etten was taken off April 17, 185-4.
To our mind it is an unsettled question how this town derived its name. There are still living here men who were present when the town was formed, and who voted at the first town-meeting, but they secm unable to settle this matter, nor have they any recollection concerning it. Others there are, who claim that it was named Erin as a compliment to Michael Robinson (the second supervisor), an Irishman by birth, and a gentleman of considerable local influence in the days of the carly settlement.
This statement seems plausible, for we know that no considerable number of Irishmen settled here then or since. The McKeys, McDoels, McMillans, and Stewards were Scotchmen.
FIRST TOWN-MEETING.
" Whereas, the Legislature of the State of New York did, at their last session, erect the northi part of the town of Chemung into a separate township, by the name of Erin, and ordained that the first town-meeting should be holden at the house of John Banfield, in said town, on the third Tuesday in May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two.
" Therefore, in conformity with the said act, the inhabit- ants of the said town of Erin assembled at the time and place before mentioned, when the following town officers were regularly chosen, to continue in office until the first Tuesday of March next :
" Alexander McKey, Supervisor; Ardon Austin, Town Clerk ; Daniel Vaughn, Thomas Baker, Ebenezer Brown (third), Assessors ; John A. McKey, Jared Patchen, David Swartwood, Commissioners of Highways; John Tuthill, William D. Stewart, Robert McDoel, Commissioners of Common Schools ; Alexander McKey, Ardon Austin, Francis Banfield, Inspectors of Common Schools ; John Tuthill and Robert McDoel, Overseers of the Poor; Var- num McDoel, Constable and Collector ; Thomas Baker and John Banfield, Fence-Viewers; John Banfield, Pound- keeper.
The following is a list of those elected to fill the offices of supervisor, town clerk, and justice of the peace from the time of the town's organization to the present :
SUPERVISORS.
1822-24. Alexander McKey. 1825-26. Michael Robinson.
1827. John Tuthill, Sr.
1828-29. Michael Robinson.
1830-34. Ardon Austin.
1835-36. Robert Stewart.
1837-38. Joshua Baker.
1839-40. Ardon Austin.
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