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 14
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young man that could be done, but the frac- tured leg proved to be a serious affair, for it was nearly a year before he recovered, and a part of the time he was obliged to spend at the Hospital at Rochester, N. Y.
On the Evening of January 29th, 1884, there happened a railroad accident on the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad, where it crosses the lands of Hiram Boyd, in the northern part of the town. For several weeks, the weather had been very severe, and at the same time it was accompanied by a heavy fall of snow, making it almost impossible for the workmen to keep the track clear, and to see the condition of the rails. This day when the half past four o'clock train in the afternoon,-consisting of an engine, baggage and two passenger-cars- came around the sharp curve south of the bridge over Boyd's farm lane, the track gave away throwing the whole train off, and send- ing them on to destruction at the speed of forty miles per hour. The rails were torn up for a distance of nearly forty rods, and thrown some twenty feet apart, and the train crossed the bridge on the ties, and ran the former distance before stopping. When this was accomplished, the engine and baggage-car stood on the bed of the road between the rails; the first pass-
enger-car stood cross-ways of the track; the second passenger-car,-in which were several ladies and about thirty gentlemen,-lay down an embankment of nearly eight feet, turned over on its side, in a snowbank of about seven feet deep, that broke its fall, and saved many lives within. In this car all was confu- sion, and the inmates thrown into a heap. Those who were not hurt, soon crept out cov- ered with coal-dust and dirt in a bewildered way; for some knew not where they were, while others laughed to see the sad looks of their companions. In this car there were several soldiers on their way to take part in the Grand Army Encampment to take place at Rochester, N. Y., the next day. As soon as possible, the following wounded were taken from the wreck. Mr. Simons, of Elmira, hurt through the spine and was a soldier; Mr. Squires of Corning, hurt through the head and shoulders; Miss Lillie Gray of Hemlock Lake, the same; Mrs. Chas. Wester of Conesus, hurt through the head. There were several slightly hurt, but resumed their journey afterwards, and some others had narrow escapes from injury,-as that of Miss Cook of Buffalo, a lame lady who had to go on crutches, who escaped without an injury, and a blindman who came out all sound.
CHAPTER XVI. -
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The War Records of Conesns, dr.
Y tracing the records of the little town of Conesus, I find it has the honor of being once the home of ten or more of the Revolutionary patriots, who came here after the close of that noted war, and. made it their residence until their death. The list of these noted warriors as far as we are able to name them, (although there may have been others that have lived in the town unknown to us,) is as follows : Francis Horth, Lemuel Richardson, Aaron Hale, David Sopher, Paul Sanborn, Jabez Lewis, Charles Chamberlin, Theophilus Jackson, Thaddeus Gage, Isaiah Bacon. Five of these soldiers lie sleeping in the Conesus Center cemetery, two in the South Livonia, one in the Union, one in Hart's, and one in Springwater. As it has been. several years since the last of them died, we are sorry that we are unable to give a more definite sketch of each one, as we have the history of only a few, as follows :-.
The first of these is Thaddeus Gage, who was born in the year of 1750. When at the age of twenty-six he first went into the army which was in the year of 1776, where he served in five successful campaigns. He was never called into any battles as he was stationed at
several different seaports. He was buried at Conesus Center.
Francis Horth was born at Providence, in the state of Rhode Island in the year of 1756. When at the age of nineteen, or in the year of 1775, he joined the army and served for four years and nine months. While the war was raging in the eastern part of New York, he with his company was sent north to join the army of General Gates, and on the 19th of September, 1777, he participated in the battle of Stillwater, twenty-two miles north of Al- bany. The battle was only checked by the darkness of night, and on the 7th of October, the second battle was fought, in which he was present, and saw General Burgoyne give up his sword to General Gates, which took place at Saratoga, N. Y. In the year of 1844 he breathed his last at the good old age of 88, and was buried at Conesus Center.
Aaron Hale was born in Boston, Massa- chusetts in 1754, and at the age of twenty-one he enlisted in the army, and was present at the battle of Bennington and Bunker hill. His grandfather, Moses Hale, was in the latter bat- tle with him. In the year of 1821 he moved into the town of Conesus where he resided un-
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til his death, which occurred in the year of 1821, and was buried in the town of Springwater.
Jabez Lewis was born in the state of Ver- mont in the year of 1753, and in 1802 moved from there to Lima, Livingston Co. N. Y., and the next year, into Ontario County, and in the fall of 1805, to the town of Conesus and took up lot No. 5, and built a log house on the same, where he resided until his death, March 11th, 1836.
At the age of 22, Mr. Lewis entered the Revolutionary army, and served his country as a worthy soldier. Hardships, cold and hun- ger, he bore with fortitude and courage. On entering the army, hewas detailed as one of the body guards of Gen. Washington. While the army lay encamped in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, an incident transpired, which always dwelt in Mr. Lewis memory. The situation of the army at this time was very critical, for the soldiers were not half clothed, and their provisions very scarce. One day as Mr. Lewis was standing guard at the entrance of Wash- ington's tent, he saw that the General had a nice dinner and he longed to become one of his guests. He did not make known his wants, but as soon as Washington had finished his dinner, he arose and walked out to where Mr. Lewis stood, and spoke to him in a friendly tone and said : "Jabey would you like a bite to eat ?" "If you please," said Mr. Lewis. "Give me your gun," said Washington, "while you go in and eat." So shouldering the musket, Washing- ton marched back and forth on sentry duty, while Mr. Lewis went in and partook of a luxur- ious meal and then returned to his old place of duty again. From that time up to Mr. Lewis' death, there dwelt in his bosom a love for Wash- ington that could never die. Mr. Lewis' last resting place can to-day be seen in the ceme- tery at South Livonia, N. Y.
Another of these patriots that was often seen in the town, was the famous General Daniel Shay, "the noted leader of Shay's rebellion in Massachusetts in 1784." As soon as the body of insurgents were defeated by Government troops at Petershann of that state, he made his escape, and afterwards came to Scottsburgh, and made it his home until his death, which took place in the year of 1825. Yet to our knowledge he nver lived in the town, 'therefore we refrain from giving a sketch of his life, only to say that he was buried in the Union Ceme- tery that is situated in the town.
WAR OF 1812-'14.
The war of 1812 and 1814, known as the second war with Great Britain, threw terror into the hearts of the settlers here. The coun- try being new and the British having a large number of Indians under their control, whom thay would send forth against the weak Amer- ican settlements, and encourage them to com- mit all kind of depredations. The settlers well knew that the scene of warfare was but a days march of them, and they expected every hour to see a hoard of these savages turned loose upon them, to murder and destroy every living thing that came before them.
Being no block-houses or forts in the town of Conesus and Livonia, the settlers became greatly alarmed for their safety, as the greater portion of the able bodied men had gone to de- fend their countrys peril. So one day the la- dies turned out and went to the old log house that was torn down by W. W. Wheeler in 1883, at South Livonia, to see if it would not serve them a place of safety in case of an at- tack. Here one of the most exciting times took place in discussing the best policy of pro- tection, in case of a sudden evasion of the en- emy.
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As this house was of hewn logs and solid built, they resolved to put it to a test in regard to whether a rifle bullet could penetrate through its walls or not. So procuring the assistance of Mr. Richardson (an aged gentleman), they got him to take his rifle and go ten or fifteen rods away and shoot into the logs, to see if the bullets would go through. To their glad sur- prise they did not; and they selected this as a place of saftey. But the war passed, and they escaped from a visit of the enemy.
At the time of this war, it drew from the town several of its best citizens, who were di- vided into regulars and minute men. The reg- ulars were those that staid with the army all the time, while the minute men remained at home and held themselves in readines to go at a moments warning. The regulars suffered the most, as they were sure to be drawn into bat- tle, while the minute men would often reach the scene of action after the battle was over.
Some of the most prominent of the soldiers from this town, were James Henderson, Asa Stevens, Andrew Carter, Andrew Arnold, Ty- ranus Ripley, Benona Fosdick, Elisha Webster, Benjamin Clapp, Daniel and Samuel Monger, Chas. Thorpe, and Lamport. The following is a short sketch of the lives of these worthy heroes.
James Henderson, who was killed at the bat- tle of Queenston, C'anada, was a son of Esq. Henderson, the first settler of this town. Pri- or to his death, he was living with the family of James McNinch at the head of the Conesus lake. He was about twenty-four years of age, and at the time was holding the position of Quartermaster of a regiment of minute men, who were holding themselves in readiness to march to the front at a moments warning.
The news at last came that the British was advancing on Buffalo, and orders came for all the troops to go at once to the field of action.
The night before he was to leave, he walked the floor all night with a sad and troubled coun- tenance, and when morning came, he could not eat his breakfast, as he seemed to have something on his mind that would not let him rest. After breakfast he went out and got his horse and rode away without bidding his friends a good-by. A few minutes after he had gone, Mrs. McNinch went to the door, and as she looked down the road, she was surprised to see him coming back to her house, and as he rode up to where she was standing, she spoke to him in a friendly tone and said :-
" James, what has brought you back ?"
"I have come back Jennie, (Jane was her name) to bid you good-by," he said, as his voice trembled with emotion.
" Why James! what made you do so," she replied. "It is bad luck to come back.
" Oh! Jennie, I could not help it," he said and the tears stole down his cheek as he turned his horse and rode away. The next news that his friends heard of him, was that he had fallen upon the blood-stained field of Queenston, July 25th, 1812, while gallently facing the foe, and was buried on the field.
Andrew Carter was a young man who had scarcely reached the age of twenty-one, as the war broke out. At the time of entering the American army, he was residing with his pa- rents, who lived near the present residence of Ashabel Alger. After a short time in the service of his country, he became disheartened from some unknown cause and deserted and returned to his home, to meet with trials equal to that of death. No sooner had his footsteps reached his native hearth stone, then he was niissed by his fellow officers, and they started out to effect his capture and to return him to Buffalo, from whence he came, to suffer the full penalty of the law, which was death in case
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of desertion.
As if directed by the good will of Provi- dence, the news reached him that he was being pursued by the officers of his regiment, he took refuge in the Purchase gully upon lot No. 33, owned by the late Lewis Carroll, where through one long winter he skulked through the pines, hemlocks, and among the rocks, expecting ev- ery moment to hear the shouts of his captors. When evening came he would come slyly to the humble cottage of James McNinch, that stood then near the present residence of Wil- liam Whiteman at the top of the Henderson hill, and obtain food from Mrs. McNinch (her hus- band being most of the time away from home, following his occupation as a miller,) to sustain life with. At other times would come and stay all night when Mr. MeNinch was at home, and return before the break of day, to his hiding place again. "Often," said Mrs. McNinch, "he would sit by my fire, and weep like a child while warming himself, and the tears would roll down his cheeks, which filled my heart full of sympathy for him."
Several times the officers came from Buffalo and searched for him. They ransacked her house, hunted the gullies, laid all kinds of plans for his capture, yet by her kindness he escaped, while each day every person she met, she ex- pected would bring her the news that he had been retaken. He was too shrewd for them; for his hiding place was in the top of a large hemlock tree, with broad and out-spreading branches, covered with green foliage, and the same surrounded by other trees, making the top invisible from the foot of the tree. In the top of this tree he constructed him a house or nest by placing among the branches, limbs and sticks and covering them with leaves, and then constructed over him a roof made of barks, which sheltered him from the storms through
the day, and at night he would seek his food. In this nest he remained until spring, and then he returned home again.
A few years ago, the late Sylvester Morris informs me that he felled this memorable tree for wood, and in the top of the same he found part of the old nest which sheltered Andrew Carter. It had rotted almost away, yet many of the sticks remained as he had place them.
The death of Andrew Carter took place a few years since at Scottsburgh. He bore to his grave the love and respect of all who knew him, as a worthy citizen of the town of Sparta, N. Y.
Benonia Fosdick was a resident of this town for a number of years until his death, which transpired March 5th, 1875. He was a large portly man and lame. He resided many years in the house across the way from the Univer- salist church at Conesus Center. For many years he held the office of town clerk, being supported by both parties, until old age made him unqualified for the position. He was a favorite with all who knew him. He survived his wife but a few years, and at his death, left no children.
Tyranus Ripley spent the most of his days upon the farm now owned by Samuel Sliker on the shores of the Conesus lake, where he came in the year of 1815. The latter part of his life he became deranged and breathed his last at the County Alms House, at Geneseo, January 1st, 1881. He left several children.
Andrew Arnold, was one of the early set- tlers of the town. He came here when the country was new, and always resided here until within a few years of his death, which took place March 22nd, 1875. The most of his life time, he spent in living in the old log house that stood upon the north-west corner of the forks of the road, near the present residence of
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William Gray, south of Conesus Center. He
has two children living.
Charles Thorpe was born at New Haven, (t., in 1785. He came to this town at an ear- ly day. Was drafted in the war of 1812, and served a year or more along the lines. His home was in the house now owned by Henry Cramer. He died in this town March 31st, 1829, and was buried at York, Livingston Co., N. Y. He left a family of several children.
At the time of the breaking out of the war of 1812, there were two brothers by the name of Joseph and Jonathan Richardson, then liv- ing just over the line between the town of Co- nesus and Livonia. Both of these brothers were cripples, Joseph not having the use of one of his legs, while one of Jonathan's legs was shorter than the other.
When the news of the burning of Buffalo reached here, it aroused in their bosoms the spirit that they ought to do something for their country. Being cripples, everything looked dark to them, until at last the thought struck them that they could do no better than to take their teams and gather up what few mien they could collect, and carry them to the scene of action. So gathering their respective loads they set out, and in a few days arrived at the American lines, and in a few days were called into the field of battle,-a battle long to be remembered by the Americans as the battle of Chippewa, Canada, fought on the 5th day of July, 1814.
In this meniorable battle, Joseph was killed by a ball passing through his heart, while Jon- athan fell a prisoner into the hands of the Brit- ish, and was taken to Montreal. While on the way to that place, he, being lame, could not keep up with the other prisoners, which dis- pleased the British, and they would prick him with the point of their bayonets, exclaiming in
their language to him, " Assa, assa in front," which ment for him to keep up. Fromn Mon- treal they sent him to Halifax, and from there home, after some six months imprisonment.
The friends of Joseph Richardson, as soon as they learned of his death, went to Buffalo and from there to the field, and got his body, which they found among the other dead bodies gathered up for burial. They readily recog- nized it, and brought it home for burial, which took place at Soutlı Livonia.
Joseph Richardson, Jr.,-a son of Joseph that was killed-was also taken prisoner at the same time : but in a few days afterwards made his escape from the British and came to Niag- ara river, and after hiding and skulking along its banks for sometime, he found a man who ferried him over to this side. He then came home, after being absent several months in the service of his country.
Another one of the heroes, was Erastus Lew- is, who was at the time of the breaking out of the war living upon the town line between Cone- sus and Livonia, at what is now the residence of Charles Hitchcock, which was occupied and owned by him up to the time of his death, which took place several years ago.
Mr. Lewis belonged to the minute men, and as soon as the news of the British advancing upon Buffalo reached them, he turned out as one to oppose them, carrying with him his own. rifle. The first engagement he was called into was between the British and Americans, and transpired on the British side of the river.
The British were aided by a large number of Indians, and when they came into the battle he took his position behind a log fence, and as the enemy advanced, he fired upon them. Af- ter firing several shots he look around him, and to his surprise, saw that he was alone, his comrades had fallen back and deserted him.
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He jumped up and ran, under a heavy fire from the British and Indians, who had discov- ered him. He succeeded in escaping unharmed, reaching his companions in safety, with a hole through his hat which a ball had cut so large that a pair of woolen mittens had been drawn half way out by the force of the bullet.
He at once reported at head-quarters, and they took his gun away, as they had furnished a number of the minute men before the fight with arms, and they supposing him to be one of those furnished, they kept his, which he nev- er recovered. At the time of his hasty re- treat from the field, he threw away his knap- sack which hung over his shoulders, and his cartridge box, resolving rather to lose them, then to have the pleasure of serving several months in the British prisons.
THE WAR OF 1861.
When news of the war-cloud of the Southern Rebellion, and the fall of Fort Sumpter broke over the land, Conesus promptly responded with money and men. The sound of the drums were heard on Sunday, to break the silence of a sabbath-day. Men were scen going through the streets in full excitement, and everywhere could be heard the cry of " To Arms?". The American flag was thrown out to the breeze, while men enrolled their names, as defenders of their country liberties.
After a year or so, two drafts came. The first released the unlucky man from service by paying $300. The second, by sending a substitute, or by the town filling its quota.
When the day came for the draft to take place, all held their breath in silence, until the news came who the unlucky men were. There was one man at the time very patriotic, and when the second draft took place, was liv- ing in the most remote part of the Marrow-
back hills, and on the eve of that day failed to learn who had been drawn. As soon as the drafted men learned the result of the day, they resolved to assemble together and furnish means for to procure substitutes with. So one of their number was selected to call upon this man, and to inform him that he had been drawn, and that they desired him to be pres- ent with them the next day.
When the courier arrived at his residence he found the man busily engaged at his farm work, and after passing the time of day, he addressed in the following language :
" The Boys that was drafted yesterday, has sent me up this morning to ask you to come down to Conesus Center this afternoon, to as- sist then to raise money to procure substitutes with ! "
The man turned his head, and as he did so, replied thus : "Oh ! I can not come ; I have got so much work to do; and further more, I could not help them for my policy is, if they are drafted, to let them go! my money can't help them."
"Oh well then," said the Courier. "I have the pleasure to inform you, that you are one of the drafted men."
The man hung his head for a moment in per- fect disgust. "Well then," said he, "I will be right down, and do all I can." And he was the first man there.
The total enlistments under various calls, were 78. The amount of money raised to pro- cure enlistments, was $3.100; and of that a- mount, $1.900 was raised by tax upon the town, and the ballance procured by individual subscription. Besides this amount, $700, was raised by donations, for the hospital and San- itary Commission.
We will not dwell too long upon the war statistics of the town ; but will say in all cases,
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the town furnished her quota of volunteers, and no drafted men had to go.
The following is a list of volunteers, and the company and regiment in which thay enlisted from the town.
13th Regiment, N. Y. S. V.
Jason Spencer enlisted in 1861, and was killed and buried on the field of battle.
James DeForester we have no record, more than that he was killed and buried on the field of battle.
Marshall Morris, a short time after he enlis- ted, canie home sick and died and was buried in the Union cemetery.
Manson Sanborn ; no more record.
Masten. No record.
George Clark enlisted in 1861, and was slightly wounded. Came home and soon after married Miss. Hendershott. He now lives on Marrowback hills.
Co. B., 104th Regiment, N. Y. S. V.
Henry Timbrooks enlisted in 1861, and served three years until discharged in 1864, when he re-enlisted in the 136th regiment, and was wounded at Bull Run and Laurel Hill in 1864. Came back to Conesus, and for a time carried the mail between this place and Scotts- burgh. He now lives at Conesus Center.
Charles Wilder enlisted in 1862, and died soon after at Albany, N. Y.
John Piatt enlisted in 1862 ; was discharged the same year on account of debility, and came home where he died in 1864, and is buried in the Conesus cemetery.
Albert Piatt enlisted in the year of 1862, and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburgh July 1st, 1863 ; came back and settled in Steu- ben county, N. Y., where he died since the war.
William H. Gould enlisted in 1862, and was discharged with his regiment in 1865; now re-
sides in Springwater, N. Y.
Charles Bush enlisted in 1862; was killed by a cannon-ball which hit him in the stomach, in the first battle he went into. Was buried on the field.
John Brown enlisted in 1862, and at the close of the war came back to the town. Can not tell now where he is.
Charles Holmes enlisted in 1862, and at the close of the war came back and bought a house and lot north of Foot's Corners, where he re- sided until 1876, when he went to Kansas, where he now resides.
Co. G., 130th Regiment, N. T. S. V. [Afterwards 1st N. Y. Dragoons.]
Peter Sawdey, we have no record. Now lives in Springwater, N. Y.
Lucus Doud enlisted in 1862; was shot at the battle of Todd's Tavern, Va., and wounded, and supposed to have died with the lock-jaw. His family still live in the town.
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