History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 59

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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 59

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Amzi Wright, Esq., was born in Lenox, Mass., October 24th, 1781, and in the spring of 1804 came to Middlebury, then Warsaw, and located at what is known as Wright's Cor- ners. His farm was articled the previous year by Mr. Stearns, and is now owned by one of Mr. Wright's sons. Mr. Wright built a log house and had the usual trials and struggles of the early settlers: The herculean task of clear-

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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ing away the forest he performed with patient and unremit- ting industry. He did his first milling at Caledonia, making his way through the woods with an ox sled and team. To answer the pressing demand of " land lookers," he opened his log house for their accommodation in 1806. Frequently several families stopped over night, covering the floor with beds, which they generally brought with them. This primi- tive tavern had but one room, one corner of which was the kitchen, another the pantry, another the bed-room, and another the bar; yet Mrs. Persis Cushing stated that on the 4th of July, 1815, she sat down to dinner at Mr. Wright's with three hundred persons, the cooking being done and the tables set in a neighboring grove. After a while Mr. Wright added another room at the rear.

The first saw-mill was built in 1809, at West Middlebury, now Dale village, by A. Worden.

The first store in the town was opened by Edward Put- nam, at Wright's Corners, in 1810.

In 1816-Amzi Wright built his brick hotel, which is still standing, at Wright's Corners, and is owned by his son, Enos K. Wright.

In 1817 there was not a single church building in the town, but seven distilleries were at work. One was near the North Baptist church; one on Mr. Moon's place; one near E. C. Sherman's; one in the gulf, and one near the Warsaw line. The moral status of the distillery was regarded differently at that day from what it is with us. These distilleries reduced the bulk of farm produce in proportion to its value, thus les- sening the difficulty and expense of transportation; but the moral influence of the distillery can be only evil. To-day there is not one distillery in the town, not one place where intoxicating drinks can legally be sold. In their place there are five flourishing churches, an academy and many schools.

The pioneer shoemaker 'was "'Squire Abel," as he was familiarly called. It was customary in those days to "whip the cat," as it was called; that is, go from house to house in the autumn or early winter, and make up shoes for such of the family as were large enough to wear them. A pair of "cow hides " for a young man, or a pair of "kip skins " for the average girl of sixteen summers, were calculated to last two years, as they wore them only on extra occasions, such as goin' to meetin' and the like o' that.

The first hatter was a Mr. Howell, a queer genius, who would take the measure of his customer's head and in a few weeks return with a genuine "beaver," with "bell " crown. The price would vary according to the size of one's cranium.

The great Indian trail from Squawkie Hill, or from Buffalo to the Genesee river, passed through this town a little north of where E. C. Sherman now lives, thence on westerly about forty rods north of Amzi Wright's house at Wright's Cor- ners, and east by the spring near Cameron's. Mr. Wright had many of the Indians visit him, among them Red Jacket. The Indians would come from a distance and build rude huts near Wright's Corners in the winter, and kill deer and other game, which they exchanged for flour and other neces- saries. Allen's creek, in this town, was a famous place for the Indians to fish for trout.

. In the earlier settlement of this town the principal products were wheat and corn; but as the country became cleared up the climate changed, and was not as favorable for the eld staples, and others had to be resorted to. We

find from the census for 1875 that the area of improved farms was 18,711 acres, valued at $1,444,489; stock was valued at $178,423; the gross sales for that year were $137,626. There were 4,557 acres under cultivation and . 5,009 acres in meadow, which produced 6,818 tons of hay. There were raised that year 8,560 bushels of barley; i, 142 of buckwheat; 18,664 of corn; 19,830 of oats; 19,386 of wheat; 18,619 of beans; 21,423 of potatoes; 63,136 of apples; 11,170 pounds of grapes; 27,398 pounds of maple sugar; value of poultry sold during the year, $2,923; eggs, $2,345. There were kept 696 cows, from which were made 69, 121 pounds of butter, in families. The number of sheep shorn in that year was 6,816, producing 42,087 pounds of wool. There were also made upon farms 97,380 pounds of pork.

The general decline in the population of Middlebury during the last half century, until the census of 1875, is shown by the following State census returns: 1830, 2,415; 1835, 2,518; 1840, 2,447; 1845, 2,022; 1850, 1,799; 1855, 1,787; 1860, 1,708; 1865, 1,724; 1870, 1,620; 1875, 1,732.

TOWN MEETINGS AND THEIR RESULTS.

Middlebury was formed from Warsaw, March 20th, 1812. At the first town meeting of which there is any record, held at Alvin Chaddock's on the first Tuesday of March, 1819. the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: G. W. Fox, supervisor; H. G. Walker, town clerk; Luther Smith, William Mitchell and Russell Abel, assessors; Alexander Tackles and Ebenezer Wilson, overseers of the poor; Horace Healy, collector; William Collins, Oliver Smith and Martin Choate, commissioners of highways; Thomas Healy and Amos Bond, constables; Russell Abel, Paul Hawes and Asahel Perry, commissioners of common schools; William B. Collar, Anson Root, William Mitchel, Robert Seaver, Joseph Gary and John F. Cary, inspectors of com- mon schools; thirty-one path masters and fence viewers: Levi Hillogg and Amzi Wright, pound masters; Augustin Belknap, sealer of weights and measures.

It was " voted that the next annual town meeting be held at the Academy in said town."

At an annual election on the 27th, 28th and 29th of April, 1819, the following votes for member of Assembly were given: For Robert Mckay, 145; Joseph Sibley, 141; Chauncey L. Sheldon, 115; Fitch Chipman, 73; Gideon T. Jenkins, 58; John H. Bushnell, 6; Abram Matterson, 3; Thomas Tufts and R. Mckay, each [. The canvass is certified by George W. Fox, William Mitchell, Henry G. Walker, Luther Smith and Russell Abel, inspectors of election.

At the same time an election was held for State senators, with the following result: For Philetus Swift, 133; Nathaniel Garrow,, 132; Gideon Granger, 53; Lyman Payne, 54-

In 1820 it was voted that Amzi Wright, Jonathan Perry and Ebenezer Wilson be inspectors of spirituous liquors.

In 1822 it was voted that the collector's office be set up to the highest bidder. Silas Newell bid $24-75, and. got it.

It was also "voted that there be two pounds in town, one near Allen's creek and one near Tontawanta creek," to: be built for $9.50 each Aaron Bailey and David W. Phillips. were made pound masters, and constituted a committee to build the pounds.

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MASON & CRAHAN.

HARDWARE & TIN.

STORE OF MASON & CRAHAN. Dealers in Hardware, Iron and Stoves, Paints, Oils, Glass, Agricultural Implements, Silver-Plated Ware and Guns. Manufacturers of Copper, Tin and Sheet Iron Ware. NORTH JAVA, N.Y.

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RESIDENCE OF J. B. WELKER, BENNINGTON, N. Y.

RESIDENCE OF EDWARD BARBER, MIDDLEBURY, N. Y.

STEDMAN & WILLIAMS

HARDWARE STOVES

BARTLETT BLOCK, WAR SAW, N . Y.

RESIDENCE OF NATHAN BABBITT, MIDDLE BURY.N.Y.

SARAH DURFEE

THOMAS DURFEE.

RESIDENCE OF E. A. DURFEE, NEAR WYOMING VILLAGE, N.Y.

· RESIDENCE or W". F. THAYER. COVINGTON, N.Y.

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VOTES AND) ELECTIONS IN MIDDLEBURY-SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.

In 1823 it was voted that the fees for collecting the taxes of the town be reduced to three per cent.

At a special town meeting held April 27th, 1847, 278 votes were cast, of which 73 were for and 205 against licenses to sell liquor, and none have been granted.in this town since then.

The assessment roll for 1814 contains one hundred and thirty-eight names, including those of many of the early and prominent settlers of this town, and the assessment for that year amounts to $49,616, besides three thousand three hun- dred and twenty-eight acres assessed to Joseph Ellicott, the valuation of which is not carried out. There were only three persons in the town whose valuation of taxable property exceeded $1,000, viz .: Timothy Mallison, $1,462; Silas Newell, $1.973; Ebenezer Wilson, $2, 185. The lowest assess- ment was $39, that of Moses Rowe. The assessors that year were Luther Smith, Nathan Wilson and Alexander Tackles.

Below are lists of the successive supervisors and clerks of Middlebury, as supplied by the town records:

Supervisors .- 1819, 1880, George W. Fox ; 1821, William Mitobell : 1822, 1828, Russell Abel ; 1824-26, Henry G. Walker ; 1827-29, 1888, Horace Healey ; 1830, 1831. James C. Ferris ; 1882. 1884, 1835, Robert Paddock ; 1886, 1837, 1889, 1842, William C. Collar ; 1888, 1847, 1848, 1866, 1867, Aury H. Cronkhite; 1840, 1841, 1845, 1846, Thomas Durfee : 1848, 1844, 1802, Jonathan Perry ; 1849, 1860, 1868, Joseph L. Foster : 1861, Isaac V. Matthews; 1864, 1866, Abner W. Blackmer ; 1858, 1869, Philander Cboat : 1800, 1861. 1871, Ebeneser Webster : 1802, 1863, Or- lando Kelley ; 1864-70, Isaac G. Hammond ; 1871, John M. Webster; 1878, 1874, David Cox : 1875, James E. Burleigh ; 1876-79, Merritt R. Balley.

Town Clerks .- 1819, 1821; H. G. Walker ; 1820, 1822-26, William B. Collar : 1827, 1828, Knowlton Rich : 1849, Lyman Phillips ; 1880-86, Seth Cushing, je .; 1897, 1888, 1845, Ransom R. Crippin; 1889, Gideon H. Jenkins; 1840, 1841, 1844, 1846- 48, Lewis W. Pray; 1842,1818, Smith Chapman; 1849-51, E. J. Murray; 1852, 1868. 1866, William Tillotson ; 1854, William Collins ; 1856. 1858, Isaac H. Gould ; 1867, W. Cheny elected, and I. H. Gould appointed ; 1869, 1800, William W. Keith ; 1861, Eugene Thompson ; 1863, Horace G. Cushing ; 1863, Charles Fancher ; 1864-70. Charles H. Fancher ; 1871, 1872, Otis H. Keith ; 1878-79, Charles H. Buel.

Several special town meetings were held during the spring and summer of 1864 relative to securing recruits for the armies then engaged in putting down the Rebellion. At one held "at the house of Joseph Newell," in Wyoming village, on the 20th of March, I. H. Gould presiding, it was resolved that the town pay a bounty of $300 to each person who should enlist to fill the quota of the town under the latest call of the President, for two hundred thousand men.

At a special meeting held at the same place on the 16th of June, it was voted to empower the supervisor to pay $100 for procuring each volunteer who should be accepted to fill any quota of the town. At another meeting held at the same place, on the 27th of July, it was unanimously voted that a tax be levied sufficient, in addition to the county bounty of $400, to pay each volunteer credited to the town for one or two or three years the sum of $1,000, unless such volunteer could be secured for a less sum; also, that the supervisor and town clerk be authorized to issue town bonds accordingly, and to refund to I. G. Hammond $400 for money expended in procuring two substitutes.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.

Prominent among the pioneer Baptists of West Middle- bury were Ebenezer Wilson and several of his numerous family, who settled in the wilds of western New York in 1808. Mr. Wilson soon gathered about him a company of kindred spirits, which was gradually increased by the ar- rival of other Baptists among the new settlers. March 11th, 1811, the little band was organized, under the name of the

Third Baptist Church of Warsaw. This name it retained till the town of Middlebury was formed, in 1815, after which it became the Second Baptist church of the town. .

The names of the constituent members were Ebenezer Wilson, Joseph Brundage, Elias Munger, Isaac Wilson, Ichabod Cummins, Heman Brundage, Lydia Mallison, Lydia Wilson, Hannah Darling, Rachel Bowers, Mercy Wilson, Catherine Munger, Susannah Wilson, Lydia Smith, Rachel Hill, Bebe Cummins and Keziah Darling, in all seventeen.

Owing to the disturbances of the war of 1812, and hin- drances incident to a new country, the little flock thus gathered had only occasional preaching for over six years by different ministers and missionaries, among whom were Elders Jeremiah Irons, William Troop, Joy Hands and Jabez Boomer. When not thus supplied sermons were read, or warm hearted, stirring exhortations given by the veteran leader, Ebenezer Wilson, and others, which went far toward supplying the deficiency. The success which atter.ded these earnest efforts to maintain the ordinances of the church may be inferred from the fact that in eight years sixty-one were added to its number by baptism, and twenty by letter. Dur- ing the latter part of this period the church enjoyed the labors of Rev. William Patterson, the first settled pastor; but he came among them a licentiate, and left soon after his ordination.

In 1812 Bartimeus Braman became the second pastor. During his pastorate of six years fifteen members were added by baptism and twenty-four by letter. From his resigna- tion in October, 1825, to July, 1830, the church was again without a settled pastor, though supplied occasionally by Elders Boomer and Harmon, and suffered a period of cold- ness and distraction.

In the spring of 1830 Elder Joseph Elliot, so widely known for his eloquence and piety, took charge of this church and the one at Wyoming. Then for two years a re- vival continued, till ninety persons were baptized into the west church and twenty-six added by letter; while in the east or Wyrming church, in the same period, one hundred and fifty-three were baptized and thirty-nine added by letter. These were times of the highest prosperity to both churches, as were also the six following years to the Wyoming society, while Elder Elliot devoted his exclusive labors to that peo- ple. He did not retire from the charge of the west church until he had brought to its notice his successor, B. N. Leach, and had seen begun the building of the present neat and commodious house of worship, the rededication of which took place June 21st, 1832, Elder Elliot preaching the ser- mon.

Elder Leach entered upon his charge in September, 1832, and baptized twenty-eight the first year and twenty-seven the two succeeding years. It was during his labors that the parsonage was built. The members in Bethany were dis- missed to form a separate organization, and soon set in a sweeping tide of emigration, mostly westward, which took with it nearly all the pillars of the church. For twenty years the removals and separations from the church con- tinued, until the membership was reduced from 210 to 49.

The first pastor during these twenty years was Rev. Mead Bailey, who succeeded Elder Leach March Ist, 1839. He had previously been licensed by the church, and was or- dained May 3d, 1837, near the close of his pastorate. Under

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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.

his labors five persons were baptized and three added to the church by letter, but thirty-six were lost through emigration. The next pastor was Elder Joel Johnson, who entered upon his labors May 5th, 1838, and remained until 1841. During his pastorate ten were baptized and eighteen were added by letter, but there was a further decrease of 44 in the member- ship.

During 1841 this church was supplied by Elder Amasa Buck. June 4th, 1842, Elder R. C. Palmer became pastor, and he remained one year. Twenty-six persons were bap- tized, thirteen added by letter, one restored and eleven dis- missed, increasing the membership to 101. May 6th, 1843, Elder G. N. Roe began a five-years pastorate, during which there were thirteen baptized, thirty-one added by letter and. thirty-nine dismissed. He soon after died. Elder H. Lev- enworth next took the pastorate, in March, 1848, but at the end of six months his health failed, and his successor filled out the labors of the year. During this time thirty-five mem- bers were lost. Elder S. Olney became pastor in March, 1849, and remained two years, baptizing two, adding by letter thir- teen, dismissing five and excluding two. Elder A. S. Jones followed in August, 1851, and labored one year, baptizing four, adding by letter two and dismissing five. He was suc- ceeded by Elder C. Purrett, who served for one year, bap- tizing one, adding by letter four and dismissing five. The church was next supplied by Elders I). Munger and R. Morey till May, 1854. During this time one was baptized, four added by letter and seven dismissed. The next pastor was Elder Samuel Gilbert, who settled with the church in May, 1854, and remained two years, baptizing three, adding by letter one, dismissing twelve and excluding four.

Under the succeeding pastor, Elder Charles Berry, com- menced a gradual improvement. He began his labors August 1st, 1856, baptizing thirteen the first year and six- teen the next, while eleven were dismissed. He was suc- ceeded September Ist, 1858, by Elder W. S. Crane, who made a useful pastorate of six years, baptizing thirty-three in all; added by letter twenty-one, dismissed twenty-one, dropped eight, excluded three, and closed with a member- ship of one hundred and one. The next pastor was Elder J. W. Hammond, who began his labors Sept mber Ist, 1864, to continue them four years. Thirty-four were baptized. nine were added by letter, twenty-four dismissed by letter, nine excluded and two restored. The church was next sup- plied one year by Elder James Mallory. He baptized one, six were dismissed and five excluded. September 19th, 1862, Elder Lucius Atwater became pastor, and continued for four years and six months. During his pastorate six- teen were added to the church, fifteen dismissed and five excluded.

May 24th, 1874, Elder R. C. Palmer took the pastorate, and he remained two years. During this time the church remodeled the house of worship and parsonage. This brings the history of the church down to the time of the present pastor, Rev. J. M. Durby, who commenced his la- bors April Ist, 1876, since which time twenty-two have been baptized and twelve dismissed by letter.

.The deacons of this church have been Ebenezer Wilson, Henry Ewell, Isaac Wilson, Peter Capwell, Heman Wilson, Hanford Conger, Aaron Bailey, Abel Barns, Alvey Bentley, Simeon Covill, Stephen Ewell, James M. Quale, Cornelius Ewelt, Charles Snell and Myron C. Bailey.

The clerks of the church have been Isaac Wilson, Heman Wilson, Alvin Conger, L. P. Smith, Stephen Ewell and M. R. Bailey.

The following members have been licensed by the church to preach: Mead Bailey, Anson Root, H. B. Ewell and Orin Munger. William Patterson and Mead Bailey were or- dained.

The number of pastors has been 19; of deacons, 15; of clerks, 6; of licenses, 4; of ordinations, 2; constituent mem- bers, 17; highest number of members, 210; whole number baptized, 412.

WYOMING.

The tract of land upon which most of Wyoming is situated was purchased in 1809 by Silas Newell, who located here in that year and built a double log house, or, in other words, one with two rooms, on the corner of Church and Academy streets, where the brick block known as "Union Hall" now stands. He soon after put up a frame addition, making the first log and the first frame building in the village. Mr. Newell came from Hoosick, Rensselaer county, this State, and was one of those enter- prising men fitted for the development of a new country. Coming from the flats of the Hoosick river, he was not afraid, like other early settlers, to locate on the flats in the wilderness, which were then covered with a heavy growth of timber. The next frame building at this place was built by Mr. Newell in 1811, on the site now occupied by Newell's Hotel, at the crossing of Academy and Church streets. The building is now used by John Gaffin for a barn. In 1812 Mr. Newell opened the pioneer store, in a small frame building, where William Roberts now lives, on Hill street. At that time he had a large sugar orchard on the south side of Academy street.

Soon others began to see the fertility of the soil on the flats, and that disease did not infest that neighborhood any more than it did the upland; and new "land lookers" would settle here, instead of in the hill country.

The scarcity of fruit was being realized, when Mr. Newell cleared about five acres of that part of the village lying south of Academy and east of Church street, and set out apple and pear trees. This was the "pioneer orchard " of the town.

The pioneer furnace was built by William Hall, about 1816. It was a small frame building, and stood where the west sheds of the Presbyterian church now stand. It was removed to make room for the sheds in 1830, when they were built.

William B. Collar was the pioneer physician. He was also the first postmaster at Wyoming. He first lived in the house next south of the Methodist church; afterward where William Durfee now lives, on Church street. He married a daughter of Elder Joshua Bradley.

The first lawyer who located in the village was Hon. John B. Skinner, who attained in after years a State reputa- tion as one of the ablest jurists of western New York. He was also a prominent politician of the Democratic faith.

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WYOMING-MIDDLEBURY ACADEMY.

In 1816 Silas Newell built a woolen factory and carding mill on the site now occupied by William Reddish's house, cn Church street. He built a grist-mill in 1817, on the site now occupied by the stone blacksmith shop on Gulf street. The building is now used for a wagon shop, and stands at the south side of the blacksmith shop.

The academy, erected in 1817, was the first brick building in the village. The brick were made by Silas Newell, on the lot now owned by Mr, Reddish, on Church street.

The pioneer tannery was built in 1817, by Moses Rowe, where Alvin Keith now lives, on Academy street. The first blacksmiths in the village were the firm of Phillips & Dixon. The shop stood where the Presbyterian church now stands; it is now used for a barn.

The present hotel building, the Newell House, kept by Joseph Newell, a son of the pioneer, was built in 1840 by Thomas Paddock. Mr. Newell has kept it as a hotel for the last thirty-five years.

Previous to the establishment of the post-office at this place the hamlet was known as "Newell's Settlement," and af- terward as "Middlebury Post-office; " until, in 1829, through the influence of Hon. John B. Skinner, the name was changed to Wyoming.

The place now contains the honored old academy and the school-house of district No. 2. A furniture establishment is carried on by S. Hawley; dry goods and groceries are sold by O. H. Keith; drug and groceries by Cushing Brothers; hardware by C. H. Buel; heading and staves by Nathan Page; notions and groceries by S. W. Lincoln; a steam plan- ing-mill is carried on by Z. C. Cowley; two blacksmith shops, by William Roberts and W. Tillotson & Son; two wagon and sleigh shops, by C. W. Durfee and H. J. Reddish; two grist-mills, by C. W. Durfee and Robert Y. McConnell; there are three churches-Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Presbyterian; a circulating library, a printing office and a cornet band. "Union Hall," on the corner of Academy and junction of Church, Hill and Gulf streets, was built in 1870, by a stock company, at a cost of $3,000. There are two physicians-Drs. E. G. Harding and R. Wadsworth; the dentist is V. H. Jackson. The depot of the Rochester and State Line Railroad is located about half a mile southeast of the village, at the end of Church street; R. S. Muir is station agent and telegraph operator. The present post- master is C. H. Buel, and the mail carrier between depot and post-office is Dexter Gould, Esq. The mail is received at this office twice per day, morning and evening. The vil- lage contains about six hundred inhabitants.

MIDDLEBURY ACADEMY.

Newell's Settlement, afterward Middlebury village, after- ward Wyoming, in 1816 had three frame houses and about a dozen log ones. Silas Newell, a man six feet high and well-proportioned, had moved there in 1809, riding a horse and carrying a child, while his wife rode another horse, carrying another child. He took up four hundred acres of land, covering the entire area of Wyoming village. He started a subscription to build an academy, himself sub- scribing six hundred dollars. Four thousand dollars were subscribed, and Mr. Newell contracted to build a suitable brick building, forty feet by fifty, two stories high, for that sum. He promptly filled his contract, making the brick. excellent in quality, and erecting the building in the sum-

mer of 1817. Some subscribers failed to pay their subscrip- tions, and the loss fell upon Mr. Newell.

An endowment fund had to be created before a charter could be obtained. For this purpose $25, $50 and $100 notes were given, running twenty years, interest payable annually. The makers of the $1oo notes were entitled to schooling for one pupil till the notes were due. These notes, amounting to over $4,000, were subsequently col- lected, and the funds invested in other securities for the benefit of the institution. Mr. Newell also mortgaged his farm for $3,600 for the benefit of the institution.

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History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents, Part 59

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: F.W. Beers & Co. Number of Pages:

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: F.W. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: