USA > New York > Monroe County > Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history > Part 29
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
Howard, 1851 ; Isaac Jackson, 1852-53 ; Samuel Hoyt, 1854; Ash- man Beebe, 1855; Wells Springer, 1856; Alexander Williams, 1857 ; Warren Diver, 1858-59 ; Jerome Keyes, 1860; Wells Springer, 1861 ; Jerome Keyes, 1862-63; A. A. Stearns, 1864; Jerome Keyes, 1865-68; William C. De Witt, 1869-70; Robert Martin, 1871-74; Samuel M. Calkins, 1875; Samuel Beckwith, 1876; Marvin Williams, 1877-79; C. G. Starkweather, jr., 1880-82 ; George J. Green, 1883-84; Almon T. Nichols, 1885-87; Charles J. Smith, 1888; Charles E. Green, 1889-91 ; Chauncey G. Starkweather, jr., 1892-95.
The town officers for 1895 are as follows : Chauncey G. Stark- weather, supervisor ; W. E. Fretts, town clerk; Samuel Calkins, Will- iam Milton, Warren Caswell and Frank Stone, justices of peace ; Willett Chase, George De Witt and Elijah Sherman, assessors ; Thomas. Rob- bins, overseer of the poor ; H. J. Holcomb, collector; Daniel Harring- ton, William Shillinger and I. Dayton Ladd, excise commissioners ; H. P. Porter, John Glendon and Prior F. Martin, highway commissioners ; William Reeves, Charles Williams, Timothy Haley and Kirk Martin, constables.
A rather surprising fact in connection with the history of Henrietta is revealed by the statement that the industries and manufactures of the town were greater in 1820 than at the present time, yet this disclosure in no wise reflects discredit on the town or its people at this day, for such enterprises as were in operation during the period of early history long ago fulfilled their mission and then passed out of existence in the natural course of events. In the year mentioned three saw mills were running, and there were also five distilleries, and six asheries in the town. Fifteen years later none of these industries was in use, for then the forests were nearly all cut down, rendering valueless the mills and asheries, while the distilleries had found a more profitable location in the thickly populated parts of the county. Notwithstanding this, these years witnessed a substantial growth in stable interests as a brief com- parison will show. In 1820 Henrietta had 6,889 acres of improved land, 1,562 cattle, 263 horses, 3,382 sheep, while in 1835 there were 1,449 acres of land improved, and 2,234 cattle, 852 horses, 5,731 sheep, 2,95 1 swine, but no mills whatever. During this period the pop- ulation increased only two hundred.
1 Ch Starkweather
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1
THE TOWN OF HENRIETTA.
It is also interesting to note the changes in population of the town, which is best shown by reference to the census taken at the beginning of each decade In 1820 the inhabitants numbered 2, 181, the accumu- lation of fourteen years. In 1830 the number was 2,332; in 1840 was 2,085 ; in 1850 was 2,513; in 1860 was 2,249; in 1870 was 2,280; in 1880 was 2,243, and in 1890 was 2, 135. or just forty-six less than sev- enty years before.
Henrietta has been for many years a distinctly agricultural town, producing abundantly in return to proper cultivation. Early in its history immense quantities of wheat were grown here, a fact which attracted considerable outside attention, and at one time called for a mild reproof on the part of an early writer of local annals, who said : "The land is peculiarly well calculated for grazing and dairy farms. Henrietta wants a few full-blooded Yankees from the grazing and dairy towns of Berkshire county, Mass., as schoolmasters in business." True, this town did and yet does produce handsomely in cereal products, and was and is well calculated for dairy farms. All these changes came in the natural course of events, but the native Yankees of Henrietta ac- complished the results just as effectually and profitably as could their brethren from the " Berkshire Hills," and to-day among the civil divis- ions of Monroe county, this town ranks well as a general agricultural region and in the production of potatoes and cabbage is rarely excelled. With a railroad on both east and west sides, and within convenient dis- tance of the county seat, all needed facilities are afforded for marketing produce, while no extravagant tax is imposed on the people for general or local improvements. However, the people of the town did at one time lose heavily by the failure of the old water works company. The reservoir was located one mile south of the East village, and here a vast amount of labor was done, but never paid for. The highway was badly broken up by digging pipe trenches and much other disturbance cre- ated in a general way; but the greatest injury done was through the complete failure of the whole enterprise and the dissatisfaction caused by it.
During the course of its history, within the limits of this town there have been built up two small villages, neither of which has ever attained the dignity or importance of corporate character. Each is conveniently
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY
and pleasantly situated and equidistant from the county seat about eight miles; also distant from each other about three and one half miles, " as the crow flies." These are Henrietta and West Henrietta, though commonly designated as the East and West villages.
On the site now occupied by East Henrietta the first settlers were the family of Deacon Samuel Wise, coming here in 1812. The earliest village adjuncts were the blacksmith shop of John Wise, Sidney Weav . er's turning shop and saw mill, and Richard Daniel's tannery. John Acer opened public house, and James Smith brought in a stock of goods and started a store. Mr. Acer was also postmaster, mails being brought in once each week from Avon. The first store in the village proper was started by Stephen Cody in 1813. Benjamin Baldwin built the brick store in 1824 and '25, and was succeeded in business by Elihu Kirby Dr. James Lewis kept a drug store in 1825, and was the third village postmaster. The second was Charles T. Whiffs. Ebenezer Gooding and Isaac Robinson, better known as " one- eyed " Robinson, were other early tavern keepers, and still later were Jacob Baldwin and Richard Wilkins. Wilkins and Jarvis Sherman built the first frame hotel on the site later occupied by the Henrietta House.
A Masonic lodge was also one of the institutions of the village in early days, and if local traditions be true the meetings held about the time of the Morgan excitement were quite exciting. Other persons connected with early village history were Jacob Stevens, Alfred White, John Russell, Dr. Jonah D. Simonds, Dr. Beadle, Dr. J. H. M. C. Hazeltine, Dr. Samuel Weeks, William Pierce, L. C. Chamberlain and others now forgotten.
The old Monroe Academy, incorporated by the Regents July 2, 1827, and February 7, 1843, was at one time one of the most notable institutions of the town. It was founded in 1825 and the means with which the building was erected were raised by subscription, sixty-two persons contributing for this purpose. Orange Hedges donated two acres of land for the site and on this the academy was built. It was opened in the fall of 1826, David B. Crane being principal, Mary Allen, preceptress, and D. M. Crosby and Mr. Smith, assistants. Although this institution began operations with more than 100 pupils and was thereafter conducted with greater or less success for a period of forty
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THE TOWN OF HENRIETTA.
years, the corporation was dissolved in 1886. In this year school dis- tricts Nos. 4 and 5 were consolidated, a union district established, and the old academy building occupied for its purposes. However, during more recent years, this institution has taken the character of an advanced district school and is now conducted as such. The trustees are D. G. Mason, Alfred Stone and H. J. Holcomb. Three teachers are employed in this school.
As at present constituted, Henrietta village has a population of about 200 inhabitants. It is distant about a mile from the Lehigh Valley rail- road, but even this quite recent acquisition has not materially added to local growth. The present business industries are the general store of Marsh & Griffin, the market of W. E Fretts, and one or two small shops.
Here in this immediate vicinity are three organized church societies, neither of which at the present time has a resident pastor. However, of these churches some brief mention is proper.
The First Baptist church was organized June 10, 1812, and embraced in its membership most of the settlers in this entire locality. In 1832 the members numbered 132, more by far than at the present time. The first house of worship was built in 1831 and after ten years was sold to the Methodist society. In 1843 a new church was built, but this structure was burned September 18, 1871. The third church house was begun in 1875 and completed three years after.
The Congregational church of Henrietta was organized in 1816, al- though Presbyterian and Congregational services were held in the town at least ten years before that time. There was no regular preaching, however, previous to 1823, when Rev. John Taylor held meetings in the log house near the center of the town. The church edifice in the East village was built in 1831, but the building was destroyed by fire in 1865. During the next year a new church edifice was built.
The Methodist Episcopal church and society of East Henrietta was organized about 1826, and was the outgrowth of a still older society formed in 1822 ; the first meetings were held in the academy hall un- til 1841, when the society purchased the brick church formerly owned by the Baptist society. This was used until 1868 when a new church edifice was erected.
38
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
West Henrietta is a small hamlet of about 250 population, situated in the western part of the town. Like its sister village on the east, this hamlet has never gained any prominence from a business point of view, but is in the center of a rich agricultural region and is a convenient trading point. Its business interests are few, and comprise the general store of Jones & Buckley, the market and produce business of Charles Sherman and a few small shops. Forty years ago there was in opera- tion here a steam mill, a furnace, an extensive carriage shop, and the village then contained about forty houses.
The spiritual welfare of the people in this part of the town is also well provided for, and regular Baptist and Catholic services are conducted here. The Baptist church was organized in 1813, and a house of wor- ship was erected in 1818. Although a primitive structure this was the first church edifice in the town. In 1838 the West Henrietta church separated from the mother society and built a new church in the West village ; the latter society has been continued to the present time, and while not large in point of membership, the services are well attended and well supported.
In this connection it is well to also briefly refer to the early Metho- dist services held in the town, and to mention the fact that in the past no less than three M. E societies have been organized. Mention may also be made of the fact that the Catholic church has gained a foothold in the town and is doing an excellent service for its people. Seventy- five years ago the Quaker settlers in Henrietta organized a society and erected a meeting house, the latter being built nearly a mile north of the East village on land donated by John Russell.
In closing this chapter some brief reference to the schools and edu- cational system of the town seems appropriate. The first school wus opened in 1810 on the river road and was taught by Lucy Branch. Later teachers were Linus Evarts and Polly Boughton. In the east part a log school house was built in 1811 and was taught by Sarah Leggett, and afterward by Selah Dayton and Mr. Holmes. This build- ing was burned in 1814, and was replaced with a frame school house in 1816.
In 1820 Henrietta comprised twelve school districts, and the school population of the town was 786. In 1835 there were thirteen districts,
299
THE TOWN OF IRONDEQUOIT.
and 700 children of school age. As at present constituted there are eleven districts and 588 children of school age. Of eleven school houses, seven are of frame and four of brick, and the value of school property in the town is $14,525.00. In 1894 thirteen teachers were employed in the town and paid for these services $3,699.50.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE TOWN OF IRONDEQUOIT.
On the 27th of March, 1839, the old town of Brighton was divided, and that part thereof lying next south of Lake Ontario, and between the Genesee river on the west and Irondequoit Bay on the east, was erected into a separate jurisdiction and named Irondequoit in allusion to the bay we have mentioned.
To the Indians, the Senecas of the Iroquois, this almost historic body of water was known by the name Neo-da-on-da-quat, signifying "a bay," while the present name is only the educated and civilized perver- sion of the original. This bay was also known in the early history of the region as Teoronto, having substantially the same signification as noted above.
In some respects this town has a history not common to the general region, for during the period of French dominion in America, and nearly an hundred years previous to the Revolution, this special locality was visited by the French on a warlike errand. The occasion to which we refer was the invasion of the Seneca country by Marquis de Nonville, in July, 1687, who came with his French forces, and allied Canadian Indians to chastise and subdue the native Indians, as the latter did not kindly receive the priestly advances of the Jesuit fathers, nor did they fully relish the French ambition to occupy, own and govern the most valuable of the Senecas' territory. French accounts tell us that on July IOth De Nonville proceeded to the head of the bay and then built a palisade fort for the protection of his army. It is believed that the French intended the erection of a permanent fort at the head of this bay,
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
with design to make this a central seat of operations. However, the French power in America was not as enduring as that government could desire, and was overthrown in 1763.
Succeeding the French was the British dominion, no less important, far more substantial, yet only a transient power in this region. The English also occupied the region of Irondequoit Bay and the lands of the town named for the bay ; and even to a comparatively recent date did the latter power maintain a post therein.
In less than ten years after the end of the British dominion the hardy American pioneer made a permanent lodgment in this new town. William Walker figures in history as having been the first white settler to make an improvement in what is now Irondequoit, yet it is doubtful whether he is entitled to the honor of first pioneer. He had been en- gaged with Butler and Brant during the Revolution, and had taken part in the frequent merciless slaughters of white men, women and children in the frontier settlements. With the Senecas, Walker had also fled before the approach of the avenging Sullivan, and it is a known fact that many of the refugees found a temporary residence at the mouth of the Genesee. These events took place in 1779 and through them the character of this region became known. Therefore, after the return of peace, Walker found this a place of residence congenial to his character, for he was a ranger, hunter, fisherman and occasional trader. He was in no sense the typical pioneer nor a tiller of the soil. He settled near the mouth of the river in 1791 or '92, but later on became involved in some difficulty and departed to Canada.
The second settler on Irondequoit soil was one Dunbar, a mulatto, who came from Massachusetts in 1795, and whose family comprised six persons. He, too, was a hunter and fisher, though he did raise some fruit and otherwise fulfill the duties of pioneer. Oliver Culver and Sam- uel Spafford first visited Irondequoit Landing, at the head of the bay in 1796, but afterward went west with a party of emigrants. In the same year John Parks located in the town, and he was also a hunter rather than farmer. He was the hero of many adventures, and, if rec- ollection be true, once barely escaped with his life. From these re- marks the reader will infer that the lands of Irondequoit at the time referred to were poorly calculated to tempt settlement by the pioneer
HOSEA ROGERS.
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THE TOWN OF IRONDEQUOIT.
farmers, and such was in fact the case. Bounded on three sides by water, with numerous bays, indentations and much marsh land, the region offered temptations only to the hunter and trapper. However, in the course of time, after the forests were cleared and the sun had dried out the wet lands, it was discovered that this town possessed some of the most fertile and productive soil to be found in the whole Genesee country ; and at the present day this characteristic peculiar to the town is of the greatest value, as Irondequoit is in summer almost one vast garden, producing abundantly year by year, and stands first among the market gardening towns of the county.
The settlement in fact of this town began in 1800, when a little col- ony of Vermonters came to the region, took up lands and built up homes. They seemed to possess the characteristic energy and deter- mination native to the descendant of the Green Mountain State, for the hardships of pioneer life had no terrors for them. It was no difficult task for them to make an opening in the forests, build log cabins, clear land and sow the seed ; nor did they ever attempt to picture the dis- advantages of pioneer life in the new region, but instead made the lands worthy to be lived upon and fit to be enjoyed by their children. In this party of Vermont pioneers were Oliver Culver, Samuel Spafford, Jesse Case and Jesse Taintor. who with the exception of Mr. Scudder, had families ; and within the next two years others came, among them Elmer Reynolds and John Culver, the latter a brother of Oliver Culver. Ransford Perrin came to the town in 1805, and in 1824 moved to the Brighton side of the line. Adonijah Green settled here in 1810, and was for many years a leading man in the town. He died in Rochester in 1871.
Referring briefly to other early residents we may note the names of Abner Wakley, who came from Greene county in 1814, and Abel Dens- more in 1815, the latter from Massachusetts. Joseph Leggett came soon afterward and settled near the center of the town. The settlers in 1815 were Isaac and James Warring, Henry Case, Samuel Kniffen, Reuben Hickok, Petit Loder, Patrick Dickinson, A M. Goff, Archibald and Jerry Hoffman and others whose names are now lost. In this year, also, Elisha B. Strong, afterward first judge of the old Common Pleas Court, and Elisha Beach, purchased together a thousand-acre
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
tract of land on the east side of the Genesee, and here they established the little hamlet called Carthage, about opposite Hanford's Landing. This village was intended to outrival Rochesterville and become the seat of justice of a new county, for it is a known fact that these enter- prising Yankees even then had in contemplation the erection of a new county in the Genesee country. In 1824 Carthage had several indus- tries and business enterprises, among which were three stores, two warehouses, a hotel, a chair factory, a grist and saw mill, tannery, oil mill, two cooper shops, and a blacksmith shop, and the ever neces- sary distillery. Mr. Strong, in company with Elisha Beach, Herman Norton and Francis Albright, in 1817, began the construction of a bridge across the river at Carthage and completed the structure in 1819. This historic old pile withstood the ravages of time and the ele- ments only a single year, plus one day, when it fell with a crash into the river. In 1856 a suspension bridge was built over the river at this point, but that, too, met early disaster. However, as years passed, Carthage became a suburb of Rochester, somewhat contrary to the expectations of the doughty Yankee city builders, for their munic- ipality was swallowed up by the growth of the county seat.
Returning briefly to the subject of early settlement, we may recall the names of other worthy residents of Irondequoit, among them Oliver Taylor, Mr. Rogers and Captain Spear who located at or near Carthage. Caleb Simmons was the pioneer blacksmith of the town, opening a shop here in 1817. Captain Spear opened public house in Carthage in 1819, while Mr. Taylor built the first tannery. John Graham, and his sons Joseph and John, jr., were here in 1817, and Oliver Strong, Harvey Kimball and Levi H. Clark (a lawyer) came in 1818. In the same connection may be mentioned the names of the brothers Evans (Lester and Sylvester), and also Captain Woodham, Ira Drake, Harvey Culver, Abner Jennings, Whitney Culver, Captain and John T. Trowbridge. General Moore, the Russels, the Drapers, the Smiths and the Johnsons and Joneses, all of them early settlers, all heads of respected families, and all united in the common welfare of the town. The descendants of some of them are still in the county, but others went away in later years and found homes farther west.
These men and their families and descendants improved, developed
.
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THE TOWN OF IRONDEQUOIT.
and built up Irondequoit. At an early day they were chiefly farmers, following legitimate agricultural pursuits, but later generations have changed the character of occupation, and to-day instead of a farming region Irondequoit has been noted as a market gardening region, standing in the front rank in the county, and also enjoys an enviable fame in the production of berries and small fruits. The town has now villages or hamlets hardly worthy the name as such, though enterpris- ing capitalists have established a summer resort at Irondequoit Bay. As the town is bounded on three sides by water, so, also, to the same extent it is now surrounded with railroads, thus adding to local values and affording easy access to the city on the south bounds of the town.
When this town was set off from the parent town of Brighton the local population (1840) was 1,252, and was then supposed to be a reasonably well settled agricultural region. However, during its fifty- five years of existence this population has doubled, the several changes, shown by the census reports, having been as follows : In 1850 the in- habitants numbered 2,397 ; in 1860 the number was 3,547; in 1870 was 3,990; in 1880 was 1,980, and in 1890 was 2,415. It will be seen from this that the greatest population was reached in 1870, while ten years later the number was reduced to 1,986. The reader will remem- ber that in 1874 the city limits were extended, and included a consider- able portion of land of Irondequoit.
After the erection of the town in 1839 the first meeting of the electors was held on the 2d of April, and at that time these officers were elected : William Shepard, supervisor ; Alexander A. Hooker, town clerk ; Isaac Curtis, Alexander A. Hooker, George W. Beers, James Lyon and Abner D. Jennings, justices of the peace; Micajah W. Jackson, Enos Ganyard and Hale Clement, assessors ; Hiram Pardee, Henry Butts, Hosea Rogers, commissioners of highways ; Isaac Warring, and Henry Case, overseers of the poor; Isaac Butts, collector ; A. H. Selden, Isaac Butts, Allen Barnes, J. H. Waring and Hiram Hickok, constables.
The supervisors of Irondequoit have been as follows: William Shep- ard, 1839-40 ; William Blossom, 1841 ; William Shepard, 1842 ; Jonah Brown, 1843-44 ; John McGonegal, 1845-46; James Marshall, 1847; James Swayne, 1848-49 ; Benjamin Wing, 1850; S. W. Bradstreet, 1851-52 ; John Smyles, 1853 ; James Sherry, 1854-55 ; James Swayne,
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LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.
1856-57 ; John Smyles, 1858-59; George E. McGonegal, 1860-61 ; Jedediah White, 1862; James Sherry, 1863; A. C. Hobbie, 1864-66; Richard D. Cole, 1867-70; Samuel Dubelbeiss, 1871-72 ; Henry Walzer, 1873-76; Alexander H. Wilson. 1877 ; Winfield R. Wood, 1878-79; John Evershed, 1880-82 ; Richard Hill, 1883-84; William H. Sours, 1885-91 ; John D. Whipple, 1892-95.
The present town officers (1895) are John D. Whipple, supervisor ; Ezra Stanton, town clerk ; Isaac Buyck, Joseph Aman, Erwin C. Payne, and Abram Franke, justices of the peace; James Fraser, collector ; E. Bronson, George Dunbar, William J. Serth, Joseph Rayton and David Slater, constables; M. W. Jackson, William E. Rudman and Martin Fritz assessors; Chauncey Porter. Joseph G. Rayton and John C. Aman, excise commissioners ; Jacob Buyck, overseer of the poor.
As has been intimated in this chapter the last half score years has developed an inclination on the part of capitalists to make the lake and bay regions a summer resorting place, and the efforts thus far put forth have been rewarded with a fair degree of success, though the vicinity has not yet attained more than a local prominence. No considerable village has yet been built up, nor is there a single merchant doing busi - ness within the limits of the town. Irondequoit is the only post-office, and here the town business is chiefly transacted. The Irondequoit Union Chapel is the only approach at church organization and construc- tion, and here on each Sunday afternoon services are held. The chapel is located near the Forrest House. The W. C. T. U. Hall stands on Titus street, and is to be mentioned among the fixed and beneficial in- stitutions of the township.
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