USA > New York > Livingston County > Conesus > History of the town of Conesus, Livingston Co., N. Y. : from its first settlement in 1793, to 1887, with a brief genealogical record of the Conesus families > Part 11
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66 Stephen E. Sherwood. " Frank Doud.
Edward Cole. Kittie Alger.
George Jerome. 66 - Barber.
66 Lucius Doud.
Kate Ingelow.
Edward Cole.
CLASS B., Mrs. Edwin Brown, Teacher.
Miss Phillie Leonard. Miss Grace Clark.
Minnie Degraw. " Matie Boyd.
Lucy Alverson. Hallie Kuder.
Blanche Bailey. Lena Durkee.
CLASS C., Frank P. Shafer, Teacher.
Frank Ingelow. Lewis Cole.
Johnie McArthur. Jolın Durkee.
J. Adams Clark. Welton Jewell.
Charlie Bently. Seward Durkee.
Charles Jewell.
CLASS D., Mrs. Havens Thomas, Teacher.
Miss Marion Ingelow. Miss Belle Thomas.
66 Aggie Sommers.
Alice Wester.
Hattie Durkee.
CLASS E., Miss Rilla Degraw, Teacher.
Fred. Sommers. Charlie Follet.
Charles Follet. Orange Green.
Charlie Sommers. Harry Follet.
Fred. Alverson. Hooker Griswold.
Ashe Durkee. Walter Ingelow:
Bertie Mann. CLASS F. Miss Villa Brown, Teacher.
Lula Morris. Matilda Clark.
Daisy Durkee. Annie Franks.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
CLASS G., Miss Carrie Sommers, Teacher. Ashley Cole.
George Webster.
Victor H. Boyd.
Georgie Franks.
Johnnie Franks.
D. A. Reeves.
Ernest Cole.
Willie Durkee.
Lester Durkee.
CLASS H., Mrs. Hellen R. Shafer, Teacher. Aggie Clark.
Cora Robbins.
Hellen Durkee.
Erma M. Shafer.
Onolee E. Shafer.
ST. WILLIAM'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Church edifice of this society, was erec- ted through the Summer of 1876, and finished on the 25th of November of that year, through the energy of Rev. Father Seymour, then pas- tor of St. Michael church, at Livonia Center, and from that place he held service in Conesus: once in three or four weeks. Previous to the building of the church, the Catholics had no regular place for holding service, until the school-house was opened to them by the trus- tees at Conesus Center.
The church erected by this society, is a neat edifice, situated on the top of a hill, in the east- ern part of the village, and is finely situated so as to overlook the same. The grounds was first purchased by William Agan, a member of the society, of whom much is due for his untir- ing energy in procuring a place of worship; he was assisted by many Non-Catholics of the town, who contributed liberally toward the so- ciety. The membership numbers about twenty families. Among them are those of Con. Mc- Ginty, Patrick Ryan, Barney Lawn, William Dunn, Martin Burrigan, Thomas Griffin, James Conlon, William Agan, Thomas Finigan.
The first minister was father Seymour, who presided here from 1875, to 1876; then Father Murphy from 1876 to 1883; then Father
Hendrick. Service is now held every third Sunday at 9 o'clock, A. M.
These three societies, are the only societies that have churches in the town. Among the denominations having no churches, are the Millerites, Spiritualists and Baptists, who has held services in some of the churches or school- houses. The former at one time had a large number of members, and in their belief on a certain day they would all leave the earth and enter heaven bodily. Several times this day has been set ; and on one occasion, the members had their robes made for the ascension, and at the appointed time enrobed themselves fo the . occasion. But " Gabriel failed to blow the horn," to their bitter disappointment. Late years, they ceased to be known as a society.
The Spiritualists at one time were quite nu- merous, and several of their noted speakers, as Dr. Sprague, Mrs. Allen and Dutton &c., held services in the old Universalist church. But the death of Miss Bonner of Avon, caused some to discard that belief. To-day they are still some strong believers, who at one time attended the Universalist meetings when they did not have any meetings of their own.
There are also a number of what is known and called the " Shouting Methodists," in the south part of the town, who was at one time under the guidance of Rev. Stanton, Daniel Foster and Elder Peck. They held their ser- vices in the basement of the New Universalist church, and in school-houses in the town.
The Baptists has several members in the southern part of the town, who attend services at Scottsburgh. The two last named societies to-day have no organized society here; al- though at one time the members of the former were quite numerous, and increased in num- bers vary rapidly. To-day many of them has become members of the Methodist church.
- CHAPTER XII.
Schools and School Districts of the Town. dr.
EARLY twenty long years rolled a- way after the first settlement of the town, before the pioneers realized the necessity of preparing a school to ed- ucate their young, that they might grow up to manhood and womanhood, and be leading men and women, in the society that would in the future surround them.
The first school of this kind was commenced and taught in the northern part of Conesus by Miss Polly Howe, in a little log school-house, situated in the "little orchard" of the late John D. Alger, north of his late residence. This school was kept in the winter of 1810. The next summer Miss Howe changed her name by marriage, to that of Mrs. Joshua Gills.
This school was soon after moved from here to lot No. 133. now owned by Ezra W. Clark. The school-house-which was a log building- stood upon the old road, leading from Foots Corners to Turkey Hill, and about one hun- dred rods north-east of the present residence of E. W. Clark, in what is now his pasture lot. The foundation stones, of the old wooden or stone chimney are plainly to be seen to-day ; and that is all that is left to mark the spot where the birch rod, taught the pupil how to
shoot. This log school-house a few years af- terwards was moved to the sight of the present school-house in District No. 1.
Before this date, the different schools in the town, were kept at private, or at log school- houses, regardless of districts, until the first organization in 1820. At one time there was no less than fifteen school districts in the town ; but at the present day they have dwindled down to nine as follows :-
DISTRICT No. 1. The school-house of this district is situated in the northern part of the town on lot No. 24, and a little north of Foots Corners. This district was first organized by James King, Andrew Arnold and Benjamin C. Whitney as commissioners of schools, March 19th 1823. At this time, there was a log school-house (which we have already men- tioned), stood on the lands now owned by E. W. Clark. On the 29th of December, 1829, the present sight was bought, and the next year the old log school-house were moved up- on it, and in a few years afterwards torn down, and the red school-house built. This was succeeded by the present one in 1869.
While building the present school-house, there transpired one of the most singular inci-
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
dent, that was ever known to have taken place in the town. This took place on the 22nd day of September in 1869. The contractor (A. Keys) had several young men employd upon the same, who was very fond of hunting, shoot- ing at the mark &c. South-east of the build- ing was a lot owned by Mr. Franklin Foot, and nearly across it was a small rise of ground or knoll, with a hollow beyond it. Upon this rise of ground, there was several woodchucks, that had made this grounds their habitation, and through the day would come out to feed. These woodchucks was an eye-sore for the boys, and they long to try their skill as marksmen, in shooting at them.
So one day they brought a rifle, and in the forenoon they shot several times at intervals at the woodchucks, and as it seemed to them with- out success, as each time the woodchuck would disappear into their holes in the ground.
In the afternoon some of them happened to go over the rise of ground, and there to their surprise, found a two years old steer of Mr. Foot lying in a little hollow in the ground with a bullet-hole through its head. It seems that the steer as he was lying in the hollow, had been in a direct line of the woodchuck, yet so low in the hollow, as to be unnoticable to the marksman.
This discovery caused a commotion among the boys or workmen, as they all felt that Mr. Foot would be vexed at them for shooting on his lands without permission. But Providence had paved them a way out of trouble, and al- low them to correct their wrongs. This day Mr. Foot had gone to Cohocton on his wedding day, and was to return the next day, on an evening train. The boys of the neighborhood had made arrangements to give him on his return a reception as it is termed, " a mid-night ser- enade."
As soon as this accident had happened, Mr. S. Thorpe-a personal friend of Mr. Foot,- saw that it would be better for all parties to have an immediate settlement, called upon his friend soon after his arrival, and explained how matters stood, and soon effected a settlement : which was the payment of a reasonable sum to Mr. Foot for the steer, and the postponement of the "mid-night serenade."
DISTRICT .No. 2. This district is situated at the head of Conesus lake, upon lot No. 50, and called the " McMillen" district, on the ac- count of the school-house being surrounded by lands owned by R. F. and B. F. McMillen. The district was organized by School Commiss- ioners Andrew Arnold, James King and Ben- jamin C. Whitney, March 17th, 1823. A few years ago the district repaired the school-house, and is now in a prospering condition.
DISTRICT No. 3. This district is known as the Calahogue district, and is situated in the southern part of the town, and the house is up- on lot No. 83. It was organized March 17th, 1823, under the direction of Andrew Arnold, James King and Benjamin C. Whitney as Com- missoners. The school is quite small, to what it once was.
DISTRICT No. 4. Known as the Conesus Center district, and was organized under the di- rection of Andrew Arnold, James King and Benjamin C. Whitney as Commissioners March 17th, 1823. The first school-house, was a red house with two departments-one for the ad- vanced scholars, and the other a juvenile de- partment,-and was situated upon lot No. 52, a little north of the Methodist church, on lands that is now a part of the Conesus Center cem- etery.
Through the winter of 1869-70, the district after a series of meetings, resolved to change the sight and build a new school-house. After
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
having several sights in view, they at last se- lected one on the street leading from the Center to the Depot, and at once contracted with A. Keys to build them a house, which was finished · that Summer. The building is two story in hight, the upper being used for the small schol- ars, and the lower for advanced classes. This district, is the only district in the town, that has two teachers. They are also the only district in the town that has a school-bell.
DISTRICT No. 5. This district is situated in the western part of the town, and the school- house stands upon lot No. 98, and is often called the "Guldner" district. It was organ- ized under the direction of James King, An- drew Arnold and Bemjamin C. Whitney as Commissioners, March 17th, 1823. The school-house is in good condition, and the school is prospering.
DISTRICT No. 6. This district is in the east- ern part of the town, and the school-house is on lot No. 38, and is often called the " Web- ster" district. This district was organized under the directions of Jessie McMillin and Erastus Wilcox as Commissioners, January 21th, 1821. This school is not large, and the school-house is small.
DISTRICT No. 7. This district is known as the " Pine Wood's " district, in the south-east part of the town. The school-house is situated upon lot No. 131, and was organized under the direction of Jessie McMillin and Erastus Wil- cox, as Commissioners, January 21st, 1821. The district has a good school-house, and is in a flourishing condition.
DISTRICT NO. 8. This is a "joint district," part of it is in Livonia, and a part in Conesus, and is often called the " Hart " district. The school-house is an old one, and is situated up- on lot No. 3, of this town. The district was organized by Andrew Arnold, James King and Benjamin C. Whitney, as Commissioners, March 17th, 1823 The school is in a good condition.
DISTRICT No. 9. Sometimes called the "South Webster" district, and is situated in the south part of the town, with the school- house upon lot No. 138. Is was organized un- der the direction of Eli Steadman and Erastus Wilcox, as Commissioners, November 30th, 1820. The school-house is an old one, and the school is small.
The other seven districts that once exsisted in the town, has been added to the above nine.
4
CHAPTER XIII.
Cemeteries and Epidemics of the Town. dr.
ONESUS, at the present day has four Cemeteries named Union, Conesus, Conesus Center and Arnold Cemetery. The oldest, no doubt is the Union Cemetery, which in former years was called the "Mckay Burial Grounds," and is situ- ated in the south-west part of the town, upon lot No. 108, and about three-fourths of a mile north of the village of Scottsburgh. The first person buried here, we have no record, but without doubt it was Elizabeth Collar, whose immortal remains was laid to rest in the year 1801, being the first white person we have any record of, that died in the town. If she is not buried here, her grave must be lost, as it was the custom of many to bury their dead at dif- ferent places in the forests.
To-day we find that there has been four places of this kind in the town, that is now overturned by the white man's plow. One of these places, is situated in the woods of Wil- liam Gray south of Conesus Center, a little east of his farm barns and close to the fence on the south side of the road leading to Web- ster's Crossing. At this place is the graves of several persons, which were buried here about 1806 or '10, by the name of Griffin.
The next place is a little east of the resi- dence of Ezra Gray, north of Conesus Center, known as the family burial place of the Young's family. Some of these graves was in the late years moved to Geneseo. The grounds is now plowed over, and the remaining graves lost.
Another place is near the residence are Mrs. John Jewell in the eastern part of the town, of which we have no record of.
The fourth place is situated upon the top of the hill east of the residence of Hiram McNinch at Foot's Corners, upon lands now owned by Franklin Foot. This burial place consists of several graves-mostly of children-who was buried here many years ago. The graves are now lost, and the ground is plowed over and tilled as agricultural grounds.
UNION CEMETERY.
The Union Cemetery-formly called Mc- Kay Burial Grounds-is suposed to have been given to the public, by Mrs. Rebecca Scott, an heir of John Bowers one of the original land owners, for that purpose. The land was under no incorporated society, until May 4th, 1878, when Jacob Bean, Samuel Buskirk, William C. Morris, William Wilber, William Magee,
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
John C. Campbell, Henry Bean, Hugh Magee, J. J. Gray, James McNinch, W. F. Barnes, Maron Cole, Orrin Hubbard, Jehiel Alger, Samuel Foster, D. H. Foster, Franklin Traxler, Ralph Foster, Elihu Hedges, Leonard Millin and A. B. Pickle, formed an Association to be called as above.
The first Trustees of the Association were Jacob Bean, Henry N. Bean, James C. Mc- Ninch, William Morris, D. H. Foster and P. H. Conklin, and the annual meeting is held on the 2nd Saturday of April, each year.
Soon after the organization was effected, they commenced to improve the grounds by en- larging them, and building a suitable fence -with an arched gate-way- around to protect them, and also other improvements, so as to render it a fine spot for the last resting place of the dead.
The first person buried here, we have no re- cord ; but as we have stated, we believe it to be that of Elizabeth Collar, who died in 1801. In this cemetery, rests the last of the remains of Daniel Shays, the noted leader of the famous rebellion of 1786, known as "Shay's Insurrec- tion." This old man we will speak more of in the future.
CONESUS CEMETERY.
Conesus Cemetery-formerly known as the Alger or Boyd Burying Grounds-is situated in the northern part of Conesus, upon lot No. 3. This land was originally given by Mrs. Rebecca Scott, and consisted of nearly three- fourths of an acre, and is pleasently situated, and will be a fine burial place when the society finishes the improvements they are now engaged in.
The first burial here was the daughter of Davenport and Mary Alger, aged one year and eleven months, August 2nd, 1810. At the
time of the death of this child, there was no burial place nearer than Scottsburgh or Li- vonia Center, and not having conveyances and roads as they have them of the present day, Mr. Alger went forth into the forests, and se- lected this spot, which was covered with "oak openings," and directed the under-brush to be cleared off a small piece of ground, to bury the idle of his heart. A short time afterwards, was borne to this spot, the remains of Gilbert, Moore and Lewis, to be laid beside of the little one, that had gone before them.
The cemetery from that time until 1865, increased rapidly to nearly three hundred per- sons. In that year, under the energy of Mr. Hiram Boyd, who raised a subscription, and with the proceeds had the yard cleaned out and alleys cut between the lots. The cemetery remained undisturbed except for burials, until June 14th, 1884, when Franklin Foot, Jolmn D. Morris, Jotham Clark Jr., Alfred Sliker, William P. Boyd, Romeyn W. Cole, Eugene Cole, Edward P. Clark and Ira Foot, met and formed an Association to be known and called the "Conesus Cemetery Association," and the Trustees to be Jotham Clark Jr., Franklin Foot, William P. Boyd, John D. Morris, Ro- meyn W. Cole and Alfred Sliker, of whom the board made Jotham Clark Jr., Pres .; Franklin Foot, Vice Pres .; William P. Boyd, Treas .; Romeyne W. Cole, Sect., being the first Offi- cers of the Association.
At the town meeting in the spring of 1885, the town voted to give the society a deed, which was properly done, and the society at once be- gan to improve the grounds, first enlarged the same by buying on the north, east and west sides, fifty-three square reds. and putting a new fence around the same. This summer they will complete other improvements, to make the same, a fine burial place as any in the town.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
CONESUS CENTER CEMETERY.
This Cemetery is situated in the northern part of the village of Conesus Center, and on lot No. 52. At first it contained about one acre of land, but in 1871, the old school-house sight that laid south of it, was abandoned for school purposes, it was added to the cemetery, making the same nearly an acre and one-half in size. The cemetery lies north of the Meth- odist church, and on the highest point in the village. The first burial here, we have no rec- ord, but must have been about the year of 1825 or '30. This cemetery is under no incorporated association; yet we find upon the town . book, a vote taken at the town-meeting, March 4th, 1873, as follows ;- "That David Coleman, B. F. McMillen, Henry C. Coe, L. B. Rich- ardson and Andrew Arnold be elected trustees of the Old Cemetery grounds at Conesus Cen- ter." The cemetery is highly indebted to the perseverance of Andrew Arnold in raising funds to keep the same in repair : and to-day its looks, shows the necessary care of that be- · nevolent man.
ARNOLD CEMETERY.
This Cemetery is situated in the eastern part of the village of Conesus Center, and on lot No. 53. The land was donated for the same by Gardner Arnold in 1874, and reserved by him until his death for this purpose. It con- tains about two and one-half acres of land, and is rapidly being filled up with graves.
The first organization was formed January 23d, 1874, and Solomon Hitchcock, Henry S. Gilbert, Alanson B. Annis, William H. Mills, Granger Griswold and Daniel Wilder were e- lected as trustees, and this board selected from among its number for their officers, Solomon Hitchcock, Pres; Henry S. Gilbert, Vice Pres: Alanson Annis, Sec .; William H. Mills, Treas.
EPIDEMICS.
The town has been visited by several epi- demics in the past years, in the shape of the small-pox, scarlet-fever, diphtheria Etc., and some of them proved quite fatal.
One of the most exciting times, was in the year of 1847-448: it was in the winter time, and the small-pox broke out at Foot's Corners, and a large number of persons became exposed and many cases, yet only one proved fatal. This was Martha Smith, who died February 20th, 1848.
This disease was brought here by two Miss Nortons, who had been to Vermont on a visit, and on there way back, when near Palmyra, there happened to be a railroad accident, and they were obliged to resume the rest of the way to Rochester in a Packet-boat,. and upon this boat was a man who had the small-pox, and from him they took it unknown to them.
The family of Smiths-who was in moderate circumstances-lived in an old house that stood upon the sight of the present residence of Hi- ram McNinch, and Mrs. Smith went to the home of Mr. Norton,-who lived in the "old red-house " now owned by Franklin Foot-and borrowed their washing-machine unknown to his family, and from the same took the disease.
In this state of excitement, she without doubt did not have proper care, although the neighbors did all they could for them, except their going into the house, and would carry food and set it at their door, and when they were gone, it was taken in by the family.
She died just at night, and Seymour Norton and Foster Foot, worked all night in making her a burial-casket, " as good as farmer men could make." She was then borne to the grave without any minister to say " farewell."
There were about twenty persons exposed
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
and taken down with the disease, yet they all recovered. Once or twice since, the saine dis- ease appeared in the town, but to no extent.
The next was the frightful scarlet-fever. It was in February of the year of 1845, when it entered the family of Lawrence Sliker, living on the south part of Turkey Hill. In this fam- ily it proved fatal; for on the 6th day of that month, two of their children lay corpse in their house at once.
In 1841, it entered the household of Isaac Bearss, and on the 13th, and 15th of January, respectively, two of their loved ones, was swept from their midst. On the 27th of July, and August 3d, 1860, two of Oliver Dean's child- ern with the same disease, bid farewell to this earthly world. There has been several families in the past years, who has lost one child, and some the only one they had.
The next disease was the diphtheria, and more or less of the cases proved fatal. In De- cember of 1863, it entered the family of Eliph- lett. Kelleman at Foot's Corners, and on the 8th and 10th of that month, swept two of his loved ones-Windfield aged four years, and Charlie aged eleven-to the other world. On the 24th of April and 29th of November of the same year, it carried off two children of Isaac Bearss -Benjamin and Martha, aged respectively 36 and 15 years of age.
Other diseases has been quite prevailing, yet to no serious extent.
DEATHS IN THE TOWN FROM 1861 TO 1886.
The following is a list of deaths in the town from the year 1861 to 1886, as taken from Di- aries kept by Hiram Boyd, and furnished by Frank P. Shafer, from records kept by him. Without doubt they are not complete, and may in some instances vary a day or so in date, but are as complete as I were able to obtain them.
Year of 1861.
February 15th. Mrs. Sheldon Wilcox.
Mach 24th. Ashabel Stephens.
April 22nd. Lester Carroll.
66 Pathuel Payne.
June 29th. Frankie Barnes. August 28th. James Fogarty.
September 21st. George Macomber, Killed.
October 17th. Mrs. Colvin Barnes.
December 17th. Jasper Erwin.
29th. John Ingles.
Year of 1862.
January 8th. James Havens.
66 14th. Mrs. Ellis Carroll.
February 9th. Isaac Kelleman.
March 9th. - Rebecca Scott.
66 Hannah Bennidict.
22nd. Benjamin Bennidict.
C. Wilder.
28th. Esther Wheaton.
August 3d.
Kittie Coe, killed.
December 9th. Mrs. John Hart.
Year of 1863.
January 30th. Jerome Henry.
February 22nd. Lawrence Sliker.
March 3d. Harriet Ingles.
24th. James May.
April 24th. Benjamin Bearss.
May 2nd. Sally McNinch.
" 22nd. Henry Erwin, Jr.
June 8th. Vance McNinch.
September 22nd. - Baker. October 20th. Mrs. Adaline Snyder. November 13th. Watson Thomas.
27th. Arron Degraw.
29th. Martha Bearss. December 3d. Mrs. Chandler Morris.
8th. Winfield Kelleman.
66 10th. Charlie Kelleman.
13th, Even Thomas.
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THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
December 27th. Jacob Collar. 60 29th. Mrs. Edwin Baylass. Year of 1864.
January 2nd. Mrs. Henry Brown.
28th.
- Lockwood.
February 9th.
Child of Franklin Foot.
March 11th. Mrs. James McNinch.
18th. Austin Woodruff. May 7th. Dayton Henry. August 6th. Gustavus Baylass. September 28th. Ellen Johnson. 66 Lillie Erwin. October 2nd. Lawrence Baldwin.
30th. Ella Hoes.
November 29th. Barney Kusic.
December 1st. Lilly Erwin.
Year of 1865.
February 8th.
Edith Ripley.
16th. Mrs. Wooster Bearss. April 9th. Sylvester Morris. Sen. 26th. Mrs. Franklin Foot.
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