History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 58

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Publication date: 1880
Publisher: F.W. Beers & Co.
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USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 58


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HORATIO B. ROGERS, son of James A. Rogers, was born in Sheldon, July 9th. 1833. Froun 1819 he was employed as dry goods clerk at Buffalo ten years. From 1869 he was in trade at North Java until the fall of 1877, wben be sold out and engaged in fartning. He has been postmaster at Nort'ı Java fifteen years. He was married September 24th, 1861, to Mary A. Cluke, of North Javu, who died August 18th, 1853. April Ist, 1861, he married Wealthy W. Cole, of Lyons, N. Y.


SIMEON BOYCE, proprietor of the Royce maw-mill, was born in Cayuga county, October 5th, 18:1, and came to Wethersfield with his parents in the spring of 18.7. In laid be located where be now resides. His principal oo- cupation has been that of a sawyer and lumberman. He was married Oc- tober 6th, 1846, to Sarab E. Haicom, of Sheldon, who died Jiarch 6th, 1832 March 17th, 1859, he married Nancy C. Propper. of Java. She is a native of Groveland, Livingston county, N. Y., born January Ist: 1812.


CHARLES RICHARDSON was among the first permanent residents in the northwestern part of the town. He was born in Dracott, Mass., in 1788, and was married in 1819 to Sally E. Parker, of the same piace, immediately after which he settled on lot a', range 4, in Java. He was for many years the leading member and most liberal supporter of the Strykersville Baptist church. He also ient his aid and influence to many other religious institu- tions and societies. He donated $1,000 to the Rochester University, and his will provided for the distribution of $2,500 among the different charitable institutions connected with the Baptist denomination.


CHARLES H. RICHARDSON, oldest sou of Charles Richardson, now owns and occupies the old homestead of his father, where he was born November 5th, 1828. During his curly manhood he spent some time in teaching. He was married to Mary B. Baloum in 1844. From 1846 be was in trade at Java Village until 1859, since when be has been farming. He has been postmaster at Strykersville for the past six years.


4 FAYETTE O. RICHARDSON, son of Charles H. Richardson. was born in Java Village, December 28th, 1818, and was married October 28th. 1874. to Maria Rogers, of Holland, Erie county. Mr. Richardson, in company with Jobn Howard, is now extensively engaged in the manufacture and sale of cheese boxes and barrels at Java Village, having begun this business in January. 1874, which now amounts to from $7,000 to $10,000 annually.


ALFRED SRAW, farmer, dairyman and stockdealer, was born in Java. Feb- ruary 8th, 1825. He was married about 1854 to Sophia Thurston. of Java. soon after which be bought a farm on lot 35. In March, 1833, be removed to his present farm. His father, Cyrus, a native of Massachusetts, came to Java as early as 1888, fret locating near Currier's Corners, but subsequently settled on lot 88, where be remained until his death, about 1880. He was married in 1824 to .Martha Woodworth, of Java, who still resides on the old homestead in ber 77th year.


ELIJAH SMITH was one of the earliest settlers in Java. He was born in Hadley, Mass., March 15th, 1786, and became a permanent resident of Java on lot 89 in March, 1815. He married Olive Dickerson May 21st, 1817. Com- mencing in the wilderness with only a rude shanty for a covering. be suc- ceeded, by perseverance and bard labor, in improving and paying for a large farm, erecting ane frame buildings and surrounding himself with numerous comforts and conveniences, which be lived many years to enjoy. He was a consistent and useful member of the Congregational church from Its organisation until his death, which occurred January 22nd, 1809. His wife died April 20th, 1870. He was a soldier in the war of 1812.


BOWLAND H. SMITH, youngest son of Elijab Smith, has always lived in Java. He was born here July 6th, 1834. on the old homstead farm which be now owns and works. He was married December 18th, 1808, to Susan Crawford, of Java. He has three children-Edwin E., born September 12th, 1809 ; Alice M., born October Etnd, 1871, and Olive E., born December 16th, 1874.


LUCIUS THOMPSON, farmer and dairyman, was born in Derico, Genesee county, May 7th, 1811, and came with bis parents in 1826 to Currier's Corners. where be bas since resided. He was married January 18th, 1838, to Samantha H. Smith, of Arcade, a native of Vermont, born July 7th, 1816. From 1881 until 1863 Mr. Thompson was a' merchant at Currier's Corners, and subee- quently a cheese maker for six years. He was a captain of militia. His wife died June 19th, 1879. His father. Nahum Thompson, was born in Shaftesbury, Vt., May 7th, 1777, where be was married September 12th, 1808, to Mary Lit- tle. In 1807 be removed to Darien, Genesee county, and from there to


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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, TOWN OF JAVA.


Currier's Corners in 1826, where be kept a botel a few years. and subsequently farmed until his death, September Ztod, 1806. His wife died May 20th, 1844. He commanded a company under Colonel Mattison in the war of 1812.


JAMES TUITE, only son of Nicholas Tuite, was born in Java, July 26th, 1802, and bes always lived in the town. He was a carpenter and joiner until about 1881, when the old bemestead of his father came into his possession, dince which be bas been successfully engaged in farming and datrying, bar- ing enlarged the original farm of sixty sores to two hundred and twenty sores. He was married January 27th, 1868, to Margaret Murrey, of Java. His father emigrated from county Louth, Ireland, in 1881, and located in Java in 1866, where he died in 1881, aged sixty-one years.


DANIEL 8. TWzes, oldest son of Allen Twies, was born in Java, March 29th, 1834. After be was twenty-one be spent three years in Genesee county. April 2nd. 1857, be married Adeline Baird, of Java, born in Middlebury Oo- tober 20th, 1834. Soon afterward be located on a farta in Areade. In 1870 be bought his pressat farm, the old homestead of his father. His wife died August 13th, 1874, leaving six children. Mr. Twies has been assessor for the past nine years.


ADDISON TWINS, son of Moses Twies, is a native and lifelong resident of Java, born May 5th, 1822. He learned the business of carpenter and joiner, and followed it until 1872, when be located on the old homestead. He was married September 11th, 1877, to Mrs. Amanda Buckland, daughter of Jobn Smith, of Arcade, and bas one child, Mary Louise, born June 11th, 1878.


MTBON WARNER, oldest son of Milo Warner, is a native and a lifelong ree- ident of Java. He now owns and works the homestead farm, where be was born July 26th, 1814, and where he has resided most of his life. He was mar- r'ed June Ist, 1837. to Sophia Morse, a native of Pembroke, N. H., born Octo- ber lith. 1811. In early life be taught several years. He has reared five obfidren. His son, O. Corydon Warner, served three years during the Rebellion from September, 1861, in Company H, 44th N. Y. volunteer in- fantry.


DAVID C. WOOLLEY was born in the town of Arcade, June 18th, 1819. He was married August 8th, 1644, to Minerva Woodworth, of Java, and soon afterward located on his present farm. He has been assessor six years. His father. Moses Woolley, was born in Vermont, August 18th, 1787. and settled in the town of Perry in 1812. In 1860 be removed to Java, where he remained most of the time until his death, October 20th, 1802.


JOSEPH WESTOVER, born in Bbeidon, March 2nd, 1819, came to Java in 1808. In 1884 his stepfather's family located on part of Mr. Westover's present farm, which bas been increased to two hundred and fourteen sores. Mr. Westover was married in November, 1848, to Betrey C. Paul, of Java Village, who died November 27th, 1861. January 11th, 1868, be married Mrs. Phobe J. Haskins, daughter of Edmund Brasted, and a native of Steuben county. N. Y. His father, Leman Westover. carly came from Connecticut to Sbeldon, wbere be was married in 1818 to Mra. Tamsan Tichner Miller. He located in the southeast part of the town, where he died in 1857.


PATRICK WELCH was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1828, and came to Java with his parents about 1886. He owns and carries on the homestead farm. He was married in 1845 to Jane Rimmer, of Java, and bas seven obil- dren, all still residents of the county. Patrick James Welch, a grandson whom he has adopted, was born January 29th, 1878. Mr. Welch's father, Michael Welch, was born in Ireland, about 1786, wbero be married Mary But- Jer, and emigrated to Java about 1886, where he remained until his death, in 1861.


AMI WARREN, son of Colonel Gideon Warren, was born in Hampton. Washington county, N. Y., July 12tb, 1790. In 1808 be came to Warsaw, und was for some time in the employ of Judge Elisur Webster, his brother-in- law. As early as 1810 be bought one hundred acres of land on lot 1 in Bbel- don, soon after which be returned to Washington county, and was married in 1811 to Clarissa Ruggles, of that county. In February, 1815, be removed to Sheldon, remaining there until 1885, when be sold out. He soon after located on lot 24, range 8, in Java, where be died October 18th, 1869. His wife died in Java, December 28d, 1878.


DENNISON C. WARREN, oldest son of Ami Warren, was born in Washing- ton county, April 20th, 1818, and came to Sbeldon with his parents in 1815. He learned the trades of tanner and currier and shoemaker, and from 1884 until 188 be carried on that business, in company with Darius Baker, at Strykersville. From May, 1842, be was engaged in shoemaking twenty-two years. at North Java; then in farming in Sheldon until 1876, when be re- turned to North Java and retired. He wes for many years a justice of the pesce in Java, and bas also been twice elected session justice of the county. He was married April #0th, 1809, to Philena A. Booth, of Orangeville, a native of Massachusetts, born September 12th, 1818, with whom be still lives.


GIDEON WARREN, EsQ., son of Colonel Gideon Warren, was born in Wasb- ington county, N. Y., March 9th, 1798. When about sixteen years of age be came to Richmond, Ontario county, and resided with Judge Lemuel Chip- man until he became of age. He was married in the spring of 1815 to Sally Boyd, who had been reared in the family of Judge Chipman, and immedi- ately thereafter removed to and located in Sheldon, on lot 1, range &, where be carved out a home from the wilderness, and remained until 1886, when he sold out and removed to another farm near Sbeldon Centre. His wife died July 20th, 1844. About 1866 be removed with his son to North Java, where he died Marob 17th, 1876. He participated in a three months' campaign on the frontier in the war of 1812. He served for many years as justice of the peace, and held other offices of trust.


OSCAR G. WARREN, GOD of Gideon Warren, Esq., was born in 8beidon, January 9th, 1826, and was married February &d, 1847, to Sally Mann, daugh- ter of Alva Mann, an early settler in Java. He bought the homestead, and Lived there until 1886, when be sold the farm and purchased his hotel at North Java. He has been constantly engaged in farming, and owns and manages two or three well stocked farms near North Java.


FRANK WARREN, farmer, son of Oscar G. Warren, was born in Sbeidon, January 28th. 1661, and came with his parents in 1866 to North Java, of which place be bas since been a resident. He was married in September, 1871, to Flora Munger, of Darien city, Genesee county, a native of Attica.


JOAB H. WOOSTER, SOD of Daniel H. Wooster. is said to have been the first white child born in Java. He was born at Java Village, March 18th, 1815. At twelve years of age be left home and was for two years employed by William Coughran, of Attios, in making spinning wheels. He subsequently learned the carpenter's and millwright's trade. He bas lived at Stry kereville most of the time since 1886. He was first married December 14th, 1866, to Eveline Stryker, who died August 16th, 1845. November 80th, 1865, be mar- ried Mahala Rogers. She died July 18th, 1868, and October 8th, 1802, be mar- ried Laura Clark, who died December 28d, 1866. Mies Eveline Spencer became his wife February 12th. 1802. Mr. Wooster bas been exclusively engaged in millwrighting since 1840, erecting some of the most important mills in this section of the State. He has been a deacon of the Baptist church of Stry- kersville for twenty-five years or more.


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THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBURY.


HE beginning of history in all the towns of the Holland Purchase was the buying of or con - tracting for the company's lands by the settlers. We cannot, therefore, more appropriately intro- duce the history of Middlebury than with the follow- ing list of such early purchases and buyers, taken from the records of the company:


J. Selleck, May 1. 1808, lots 1. 8 and 5, section 8; Starin Steerns, May 1, 180%, lots 2, 4 and 6, section 8: Jabisb Warren, May 81, 1802, lots 8, 10 and 12, section 8, and 7, 9 and 11, section 4; Frederick Gilbert, 1808, lot 8, and part of lot 10, section 4; Israel M. Dewey, 1802, lots 8, 10 and 12, section 8; Jabish Warren, October 1. 1803, lots 8, 10 and 12, section 12; Samuel Ewell, 1802, lots 7, 9 and 11, section 8; Joba Hill, 1809, lot 12 and part of lot 10, section 4; Robert Berry. 1888, lots 7, 9 and 11, section 7; Samuel Jolls, 1803, lots 1 and 2, section 16 : Jotham Curtiss, 1808, lots 8, 5, 7, 4, 6 and 8, section 15; Charles Sbrief, 1802, lots 8, 10 and 12, section 6; Parmenio Adams, 1804, lots 8 and 10, section 16; Benjamin Vannorman, 1802, part of lots 2, 4 and 6 and lot 8, section 2; Daniel Vannorman, 1838, part of lots 2, 4 and 6, section &: Jesse Vannorman, 1808, part of lots 2, 4 and 6, section 3; Edmund Curtis, 1801, lots 4 and 6, section 14: Gideon Burdick, 1804, lot 6, section 4; John Roberts, 1803, lot 2, section 2; Mareball Davis, 1805, part of lots 8, 10 and 12, section 1; Ward Davis, 1805. part of lots 8, 10 and 12, section 1: William White, 1806, part of lots 8, 10 and 12, seotina 1; Oziel Smith, 1898, lots 2, 4 and 6, section 12; Henry Ewell, 1806, lots 8, 10 and 12, nection 7; Samuel Bartlett, 1806, part of lots 7, 9 and 11. seo- tion 1; Joba White, 1805, lot 5, section 2: Daniel Terrel, 1805. lot 6. section 7 : William Lacore, 1835, lot 8, section 8; Edmund Curtis, 1803, lots 2. 4 and 6. section 13; Wyllard Chaddock, 1806, lot 8, section 12; John Smith, 1836, lot 1, section 18; Abraham Thomas, 1805, lots 4 and 6, section 8; Elihu Hall, 1805. lots 7 and 9, section 16 : James Hall, 1835, lots 7 and 9, section 16 ; David Mor- gan, 1805, lot 2, section 16; Jonathan Thompson, 1808, lots 1, 3 and 5, section 5: David Thompson, 1866, lots 1, 8 and 5, section 5; Eliphalet Owens, 1806. part of lots 1, 8 and 5, section 5; Timothy Mallison, 1806, part of lots 3, 5 and 7, section 15; Jonathan Curtis, 1809, part of lots 8, 5, 7,14, 6 an 1 8, section 15; Edmund Curtis, 1806, part of lots 4 an 1 6, section 14: James Ward, 1805, part of lots 2, 4 and 6, section 5; Zina Dunbar, 1805, part of lots 2, 4 and 6, section 5 ; Edmund Curtis, 1806, bart of lots 1 and 8, section 14; Edmund Curtis, 1806. lots 10 and 12, section 9; Joseph Bettes, 1809, lots 7, 9 and 11, section 7: Sol- omon and Jobn Prindie, 1806, lots 7, 9, 10 and 11, section 2; Elijah Smith, 1806. lot 5, section 16; Joseph Smith, 1806, lot 8, section 2; Marsens Munn, 1800, Jot 1, section 6; Moses Huribert, 1805, lot 9, section 15; David Thompson, 1899, lot 7, section 5; Walter Underwood, 1806, lot 6, section 16; Elias Munger. 1868, lot 4. section 16 : Daniel Hoyt, 1809, lot 7, section 15: Daniel Hoyt, 1808, lot 8, section 16; Stewart Gardner, 1806, lot 10, section 16; Edmund Curtis. 1806, lots 7 and 9, section 18: Horace Dewey, 1808, lot 10, section 8; Israel Dewey, 1808, part of lot &, section 8; Israel Dewey, 1802, lot 12, section 8; Thomas Williams, 1804, lot 8, section 16 : Alven Caddock, part of lot 8, section 13: Isaac Wilson. 1803, lots 10 and 12 and part of lot 8, section 12; William and Micajab Brotberton, 1807, lots 2, 4 and 6, section 10; Gurdin Miller, 1808, lot 2, section 7: George Fox, 1848, lots 1, 3 and 5, section 4; Ebenezer Wilson, 1809, Jot 8, ssotion 11; Alven Chaddock, 1807, lot 4, section 7; Walter M. Davis, 1809, lot 6, section 1: Samuel Hannum, 1806, lots 10 and 12, section 5; Ebene- ser Wilson, 1809, lot 1, section 12; Elijah Marsh, 1808, lots 7, 9 and 12, section 6; Ama Folsom, 1809, lots 7 and 9, section 7: Ebeneser Wilson. 1809, lot 3, seo- tion 18 : Caleb Healy, 1808, lot 11, section 11 ; Elijah Smith, 1809, lot 5, section 13; Seymour Ensign, 1810, lot 11, section 8: Miobsol Hopson, 1810, lot 1. seo- tion 7; William Calkins, 1899, lot 5, section 10; James Duel, 1809, lots 1 und 3, section 10 ; Ebeneser Wilson. 1810, part of lots 7 and 9.


The pioneer settler of this town was Jabez Warren. He located here in 1802, at what is known as Wright's Corners, in the nort iwest part of the town. In 1805 he sold his lot. with a small clearing and a log house, to Amzi Wright. Mr. Warren had raised a crop the year or two previous, the first raised in what is now Middlebury.


Mr. Wright also purchased of Sterling Stearns the farm upon which his son, Allen E. Wright, now resides, at Wright's Corners. Jonas Sellick came about the same time with Mr. Warren. He located where the village of Wyoming now stands, in the rear of Nicholas Sherman's place. Reuben Chamberlain located a mile northwest of the village, where Mr. Dodson now lives. He died on the same place. Fred- erick Gilbert located on the hill above the village. He was the "pioneer Yankee peddler and music teacher." He lived here a number of years, and was one of the " useful " men of the town. Israel M. Dewey was one of the early settlers of 1802.


The above named settlers were from Middlebury, Vt., and when a name was wanted for the new town the pioneers were not long in deciding upon it, and showing that they had not forgotten the place of their nativity.


Among the settlers in 1803 were J. Sellick, who located on the farm now owned by Chauncey L. Hayden, northwest from the village; Thomas Cahoon, James Fay, Elijah Cut- ting and David Torrey, who settled west of the village of Wyoming; Job Hill, on the east side of the creek, on the Warsaw road; Zophar Evans, where Mr, Bills now lives, on the Bethany road; Daniel Vanorman, on the east road, to Warsaw; Jonathan Curtis, at Wright's Corners; Asahel Wright, on the farm now owned by Alexander Smith; Sam- uel Ewell, where Babbit now lives; Reuben Hall, on the east road, to Warsaw, where William Hodge now lives; and Edmund Curtis, also on the Warsaw road.


There were three of the Curtis brothers-Edmund, Calvin and Comfort. Of the Ewell family there were seven brothers -Samuel, Eli, John, Peleg, James, Henry and William. Sam- uel and Henry came from Massachusetts in 1803, chopped and cleared twenty acres of land, and sowed to wheat ten acres, which was more than all the others had cleared up to this time. This was included in the lot taken by Sylvanus Howe and now owned by James A. Ewell. It was known by the name of "Old Field " by the pioneer settlers, but is at present a fine grove of timber. The Ewells bought a barrel of pork and half a bushel of potatoes ut Bloomfield, when on the way to their wilderness home. They put up a rude log cabin, in which they lived while clearing their land. They were somewhat annoyed by the earlier inhabitants of the forest-the historic bear and wolf. They seldom left their work in the daytime, but did their "store trading" and marketing in the evening. The Sellick family had pre- . ceded them in the forest, and they got baking done at Sellick's. One evening, as was his custom, Henry went after some bread that Mrs. Sellick had ready baked, and on his


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BEGINNINGS OF HISTORY IN MIDDLEBURY.


return he heard the wolves fiercely howling. Being some- what nervous about the matter, he concluded that he would be a little safer if he had company; and as Mrs. Sellick's cow was close by, and had on a large bell such as was used in those days, he thought best to take her along, which he did, and she proved to be a protection against the wild beasts. As the wolves approached and their bowls became fiercer, the smell of the warm bread the while sharpening their appetites, he would step up to the cow and give the old bell a violent shake, which served for a time to alarm the beasts. Soon they would gather again, but by repeating the opera- tion several times he reached his cabin in safety, and ever after, no doubt, went to the "pioneer baking " by daylight, when there was no danger from wolves. The Ewells re- turned to Massachusetts, a journey of three hundred miles, which they performed in ten days. After spending the win- ter in their native State, and Henry in the meantime getting married, they returned to this town in the spring of 1804, fully equipped for all the duties of pioneer life. Their wheat field was on the road north of Babbit's Corners, in the north part of the town, on the east side of the road. Three of the Ewell brothers served in the war of 1812. Their father, James Ewell, followed them to this town in 1816.


Among the other early settlers were John Roberts, Job Hill, Samuel Tolles, Abner Bacon, Jonathan Whitney and Elihu Hall.


"They built log houses, amid forests in which never be- fore had been heard the sound of the woodman's ax. With incredible toil the early settlers subdued the heavily timbered lands, fitting them for the plough. Few had efficient tools or teams. The ownership of a good lumber wagon argued wealth. Money was very scarce. Nearly all buying and selling was by exchange of produce. A gentleman of com- parative wealth found difficulty in borrowing the small sum of five shillings for a few days; and being called upon to pay, was able to do it only by doing a hard day's work for one shilling, and another for a peck of salt, which he succeeded in selling for four shillings. Wheat was carried by teams all the way to Albany, subsequently to Rochester, and sold there for two shillings per bushel. In 1808 Mr. James Quail, father of Mrs. Jairus .Miller, settled on a part of the farm now owned by his son-in-law."


Deacon Eliphalet Owen came to this town in 1806 and located on Oatka creek, where his descendants now reside, in the south part of the town, when the whole region was an unbroken wilderness. Before cutting the first tree he kneeled at its roots and committed himself and his interests to God in prayer. He interested himself in establishing a Baptist church, and became an efficient officer of the same, making it a principle to attend all its meetings. He was never known to remain at home upon the Sabbath, excepting one instance. He was one of the founders of Middlebury Acad- emy, and one of its trustees during his life. He died in 1856, aged seventy-three.


Moses Gleason came in about the same time, and settled near Owen. In 1812 Moses Moon settled on the farm where he died in 1868 or 1869, aged ninety years.


During the war of 1812 the people were frequently alarmed by rumors of Indians coming to lay waste the country. They had burned Buffalo and devastated several places in the vicinity. Some of the inhabitants fled to the east, where they remained until they thought the danger


was over. On one occasion the alarm was spread that the Indians were coming. Some left their houses and went into the dense forest. One man moved his pork barrel into the woods and drove his cattle into a swamp. Most of the in- habitants concealed themselves in some place; some of them fled to the gulf through which Red brook runs, thinking that neither Indian nor white man could find them or would think of looking in such a rugged, dark and dismal place. Mrs. Miller relates that she often heard her grand- mother, Mrs. Moses Gleason, tell of that terrible night when they all fled. She alone remained, and after covering up the fire, not daring to let it burn, she sat alone through the whole night. Aaron Miller and his family remained in their house. Mrs. Miller said she would not run until she saw some danger. When peace was declared most of the inhab- itants returned to their homes.


Among the other and prominent settlers was General Stanton, who went from this town to the war of 1812; was captured by the British, taken to Halifax, and in 1815, after the close of the war, returned to this town, where he died, honored and respected.


Stephen Miller located in this town in 1814, coming from Massachusetts. He was a soldier of the Revolution; en- listed under General Gates; was in the battle of Saratoga and at the surrender of Burgoyne. He came to this town with a team consisting of two spans of horses, attached to a sleigh. His family consisted of a wife and seven children.


Among the other prominent early settlers of the north- west part of the town were Ebenezer Wilson and his sons, Ira, Isaac, Amos, Heman and Orsamus, all of whom lived on farms in the vicinity. Several families of Smiths lived near the Wilsons.


Three persons in the town have lived to exceed the age of one hundred years: Mrs. Gould lived to the age of one hundred and three; Mrs. Peck died in March, 1863, aged one hundred years and three months; Mrs. Sarah Peterson, who came here in 1814, died December 9th, 1865, aged one hundred and two years and three months. A performance occurred in May, 1817, that for nerve and endurance has seldom, if ever, been equaled. Mr. Artemus Shattuck, a citizen of the town, went to the woods on the farm now owned by Hiram Miller, to do some chopping, and while cutting off a tree that had fallen and partially split open, his foot was caught in the crack, and he hung for a long time suspended by it and partially supported by one arm. His ax in the meantime had fallen beyond his reach. Despairing of receiving aid, and entirely unable to extricate himself, he finally cut off his foot at the ankle with his jackknife, made a crutch of a crooked stick, and started for home, having previously crawled to his dinner basket, wrapped his maimed limb in a napkin and used his garter for a ligature. Having fainted before reaching home, he was found about dark and carried to the house of Mr. Aaron Miller, where Dr. Seaver .attended. him. He recovered, became a Baptist and lived to preach many years.




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