Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 25

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

2-10

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

phrey. The church organization took place at the house of Mr. At- water, when the four persons mentioned and their wives were con- stituted the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses by the Rev. Jedediah Chapman, a missionary who remained in charge two years. The first meeting house was built at the "Updike Settlement," about three miles south of Trumansburgh. It was of hewn logs, and twenty-five by thirty-five feet in size. A burying ground was established adjoin. ing the church, and there many of the pioneers were interred.

The first church in Trumansburgh village stood on the site of the present Presbyterian church, and was begun in 1817 and finished in the summer of 1819. In 1823 the first Sunday school was formed under the pastorate of Rev. M. M. York, by Dr. William White. Wm. Hay was the first superintendent, and Treman Hall, Francis E. Crandall and James McLallen were teachers. In 1848 the original church build- ing was demolished, and the present structure was completed in Janu - ary of the next year and dedicated January 10, 1850. The following pastors have served this church : The Rev. Mr. Chapman was followed in 1805 by the Rev. Garrett Mandeville; Rev. Wm. Clark, 1810; Rev. John Alexander, 1813; Rev. Stephen Porter, 1816; Rev. Lot B. Sulli- van, 1817; Rev. Charles Johnson, 1819; Rev. Wm. F. Curry, 1825; Rev. John H. Carle, 1826; Rev. Hiram L. Miller, 1834; Rev. John H. Carle, 1839; Rev. Hutchins Taylor, 1844; Rev. D. H. Hamilton, 1855; Rev. Lewis Kellogg, 1861, Rev. Alexander M. Mann, D.D., 1865; Rev. Wm. N. Page, 1869; Rev. Ova H. Seymour, 1887; Rev. Reuben H. Van Pelt, 1888, who was succeeded the same year by Rev. Lee H. Richardson, who was installed on January 15, 1889. The church is now supplied by Rev. Dr. Wm. Niles.

The Baptist church at Trumansburgh was organized in the log meet- ing house at the Updike Settlement August 26, 1819, under the name of " The Second Baptist Church of Ulysses," as the town then included the town of Covert. The first clerk was Daniel Barto, and Oliver C. Comstock was the first pastor. Services were held in various places in the vicinity. In August, 1821, the pastor, then William Ward, with Josiah Cleveland and Allen Pease were appointed a committee to meet other churches and form an association to be called " The Seneca Bap- tist Association." Dr. O. C. Comstock, while in Congress, became deeply interested in religion, and on his return began preaching, con- tinuing his medical practice at the same time. Under his ministrations the church increased in membership in eight years from twenty-six to

241

VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURGH.

one hundred and eight. In 1824 a church building was erected on the site of the present structure. In 1846 it was removed to make way for a more commodious building, which was burned March 19, 1849. The present church was dedicated on the 6th of February, 1851. Dr. Com- stock was succeeded as pastor by Rev. Aaron Abbott in 1827, who re- mained until 1834. From that year until 1838 the pulpit was supplied until Rev. Wm. White was licensed, but on January 1 of that year Rev. Thomas Dowling succeeded, and the succeeding pastors have been Revs. P. Shedd, 1836; Wm. Lock, 1839; Howell Smith, 1843; Mr. Woodworth as supply, and Rev. Wm. Cormack to 1850, when C. L. Bacon came; I. Child, 1865; D. Corey, 1866; G. A. Starkweather, 1869; E. S. Galloup, 1874; J. J. Phelps, 1877; D. D. Brown, 1882; J. G. Noble, 1884; and Rev. J. B. French, 1886. The present pastor is Rev. R. W. Mccullough.

In the spring of 1894 the church building was thoroughly repaired and refurnished. and rededicated March 4, 1894.

METHODIST CHURCHES .- When in 1828 Rev. Alvin Torrey, a Meth- odist preacher, was laboring in this vicinity, he was urged by the people of Trumansburgh to extend his work to this field. Gen. Isaiah Smith was foremost in this movement. Mr. Torrey accordingly or- ganized a class in Kingstown, now in the town of Covert, which was visited by various preachers from time to time, some of whom came to this neighborhood where they were assisted by Alexander Comstock and Richard Goodwin. On the 4th of January, 1831, a meeting was held in Trumansburgh to effect a church organization, with Rev. Wm. Jones as moderator. Josiah Smith, R. M. Pelton, Frederick M. Camp, John Wakeman, James McLallen, F. S. Dumont and Abner Treman were chosen trustees, and James McLallen clerk. These men were not all Methodists, and some were not members of any church. A lot was soon purchased from Mr. Treman, and a church building costing $1,800 was finished in December, 1831, and dedicated January 3 following. When this building became too small it was sold to the Catholics and the present edifice was erected and dedicated April 15, 1857. The succession of pastors, as nearly as now known, has been as follows: Revs. Wm. Jones, James Durham, Delos Hutchins, Isaiah V. Mapes, Ira Smith, D. S. Chase, H. K. Smith, J. M. McLouth, Calvin S. Coats, Joseph Anisworth, Ralph Clapp, R. T. Hancock, Thomas Touscy, S. L. Congdon, N. Fellows, Mr. Cranmer, A. Southerland, De Witt C. Huntington, William Manning, J. W. Wilson, Thomas Stacey, W. B.

242

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Holt, Martin Wheeler, J. L. Edson, G. C. Wood, M. S. Wells, Dwight Williams, F. Devitt, B. H. Brown, Mckendree Shaw, R. T. Morris, A. N. Damon, J. E. Rhodes, L. S. Boyd.

EPISCOPAL CHURCHES .- On the 6th of January, 1871, at a meeting held in Dumont's Hall for the purpose of organizing a Protestant Epis- copal church, there were present: Rev. T. L. Randolph, who presided; P. H. Thompson, W. B. Dumont, Benjamin Dunning, H. D. Barto, John Willis, Isaac Murray, and Stephen Clough, the latter acting as secretary. Adjournment was had to January 25, at which time an or- ganization was perfected and the following parish officers elected: Senior warden, H. D. Barto; junior warden, William Willis; vestry- men, John Willis, W. B. Dumont, Edward Pearsall, Warren Halsey, Benjamin Dunning, Clark Daggett, John Woodworth and J. S. Halsey: treasurer, David Dumont; secretary, Stephen Clough. The church received its name from the festival of the Epiphany, which occurred on the day of the first meeting. At a meeting held June 28, 1871, a committee was appointed to purchase a parsonage. It does not appear that this committee effected anything, for it was not until January 8, 1873, at a regular meeting of the vestry, Mr. H. D. Barto made a formal donation of the property now occupied by the church and par- sonage to the society for church purposes. This was a magnificent gift, as this property was valued at that time at nearly $5,000. On March 10, 1873, the church was put in possession of, and accepted a bequest of $9,000, by the last will and testament of John Carr, and it was determined to build a church immediately. To this end plans and specifications were obtained of Mr. William Dudley, a celebrated archi- tect of New York; bids were advertised for and many were submitted. Mr. Randolph resigned May 23, 1874, and on August 1 the contract for the stone work was let to John Blackhall. On August 8, 1874, a call was extended to Rev. Mr. Van Winkle, who resigned in April follow- ing, and was succeeded by the Rev. Charles De L. Allen, and he by the Rev. A. H. Ormsbee on April 5, 1877. All this time the people had been worshiping in the chapel, the church edifice was drawing near to completion as far as the exterior was concerned, but the building committee found themselves without the necessary funds to complete the interior and furnish the building. Mr. Barto had died in the mean time, and by his death the church lost one of its strongest supporters. His widow, however, most generously replenished the depleted treas- ury with a donation of $4,000; she also purchased a piece of land in the

243

VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURGH.

rear of the church lot for something like $600 and donated the same to the society. The affairs of this church were now in such a condition as to justify them pushing the building to completion, which was done. Mr. Ormsbcc having resigned on September 16, 1878, the Rev. J. Everest Cathell was sent herc the same month, and entered into the work of finishing the church with a vigor and energy which character- ized the man. He accepted a formal call in February, 1880, and re- mained until July, 1882. During his pastorate the church enjoyed a high degree of prosperity; he was a man of indomitable will and perseverance; a fine preacher and ripe scholar, and under his ministra- tions the church was largely increased in membership and financial strength. He was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Berry, who resigned in September, 1884. The pulpit was filled with supplies until the Rev. James P. Foster was sent here as minister in charge. Mr. Foster re- sided in Geneva and did not think it desirable to move his family to this place, although frequently desired to do so by the vestry, who thought the wants of the parish required a resident pastor, and to this end a call was extended to Rev. W. E. Allen on September 24, 1888, which was accepted.

At the present time (1894) the church is without a pastor, and services are conducted by Prof. E. E. Scribner.

CATHOLIC CHURCH .- Catholic families were comparatively late comers to this neighorhood, and in 1848 there were only three families of that faith here. They were occasionally visited by Rev. Father Gilbride, of Waterloo, down to 1853, when he was succeeded by Rev. Father Gleason, under whose administration a site for a church was purchased ; this was exchanged for the building now occupied by them, which was dedicated by Bishop Timon, April 18, 1857. Rev. Father McCool served the parish about six years, and was succeeded by Rev. Father Farrell for four months, and he by Father Tooley, who continued five years. Finally the growing Catholic community felt the need of a permanent place of worship, and the old Methodist church was pur- chased and refitted to meet the new wants. Rev. Father Gilbert was the first resident pastor, and remained to 1879. Rev. Father Angelo came next and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Father M. T. Madden, under whose administration the parish has greatly pros- pered.

There is a Methodist church at Jacksonville, noticed on another page, and a Methodist Mission is supported at Waterburg. There is also a Presbyterian Mission in School District No. 15.

244

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

JACKSONVILLE .- This hamlet was early known as "Harlow's Corners," and is situated on the Ithaca and Geneva turnpike, about seven miles from Ithaca and near the center of the town of Ulysses. The name of the place was changed after the battle of New Orleans, in 1815, in honor of "Old Hickory." The first post-office here was established in 1822. The present postmaster is E. C. Almy, who also has a store. The settlers in this locality have been mentioned in foregoing pages. There has never been much manufacturing. A lead pipe factory was in operation about ten years from 1830, and potash was manufactured in early years. John Kerst is proprietor of the second store.

A Methodist class was formed at Jacksonville in 1803, of which Richard Goodwin was leader; and in the following year a second one was formed, with Benjamin Lanning leader. The Methodist church at this place was made a separate charge in 1842, under Jonas Dodge, presiding elder. The church was built in 1827. The present pastor is Rev. J. M. Warner.

WATERBURG .- This is a hamlet in the southwestern part of the town where there has been a post-office many years, and a small mercantile interest and shops. The present postmaster is William Steittenroth. James H. Moss operates a grist and saw mill. A small store is con- ducted in connection with the post-office.

CHAPTER XIV. TOWN OF DRYDEN.

THE town of Dryden lies on the east border of Tompkins, extending westward to near the center, and contains 54,567 acres, of which about 45,000 acres are improved. The town is bounded on the north by the town of Groton, on the east by Cortland county, on the south by the towns of Caroline and Danby, on the west by Ithaca and Lansing. It is the largest town in Tompkins county, and is number 23 of the town- ships of the military tract. It was named in honor of John Dryden, the English poet.

Dryden was taken from Ulysses February 22, 1803. A section was taken from Danby and annexed to this town in 1856 (see session laws

TOWN OF DRYDEN.

of that year), and in 1886 seven of the eastern lots in the southern tier of the town were set off and annexed to the town of Caroline. These lots werc numbered from 94 to 100, inclusive, and embraced an area of 3,840 acres.

The first town meeting was held at the house of George Robertson March 1, 1803, at which time the town was a part of the county of Cayuga. The surface of this town is hilly or rolling. The eastern part forms the watershed between the Tioughnioga River and Cayuga Lake. In the southeastern part is a lofty ridge which rises to 1,800 fect above tide-water. Fall Creek flows southwesterly through the central part, and is the principal stream, affording several good water power sites. Cascadilla Creek and other minor streams rise in the southwest part and flow into Cayuga Lake. Dryden Lake, lying two miles southeast of Dryden village, is a small sheet of water, chiefly artificial, and caused by the building of a dam at its outlet. The Dry- den Mineral Springs, near the village, are strongly impregnated with sulphur, magnesia and iron, and have wide-spread fame for the allevia- tion of disease. In the north part of the town is a swamp covering several hundred acres.

The soil of Dryden is exceptionally good for agricultural purposes. It is a fertile, gravelly loam on the highlands, while in the valley of Fall Creek a rich alluvium prevails. Grain and stock growing and dairying are the principal occupations of the farmers.

This town was formerly covered largely by forests of white pine, which in early years supplied timber for extensive lumber business and brought considerable revenue to the inhabitants. The census of 1835 reported fifty-one saw mills in the town, by far the larger part of which have disappeared. A large part of this town was awarded to soldiers of the Revolution in lots of 640 acres each, which were dis- posed of, often for ridiculously insignificant prices, to speculators or other buyers who intended to settle on their purchases. It is suscep- tible of proof that lots were sold often for from five to ten dollars; one, it is said, was disposed of for a coat, hat, drink of rum and one dollar; while another transferred lot number 9 for one great coat. Some of the lots were sold by unscrupulous persons to more than one person, which, with other causes, led to much costly and annoying litigation, an experience that characterized all sections of the military tract.

246

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

The purchasers of the lots in Dryden were more widely dispersed than those who settled other parts of Tompkins county, as will be noticed in succeeding pages; but they enjoyed facilities for reaching their lands which, if not all they could have desired, were much superior to those in other localities. During the years 1792-95 Joseph Chaplin, of the town of Virgil, cut out and constructed a rude roadway from Oxford, Chenango county, to Ithaca and to Kidder's Ferry. His contract only called for a road to Ithaca, but he disregarded its terms so far as to first open the road to the ferry (it being represented to him that more settlers lived there than at Ithaca). In consequence of this action the Legislature refused to settle with him until he fulfilled his contract. He accordingly continued the road from a point in the town of Virgil through Dryden to Ithaca. This was given the name of "The Bridle Road " in this town, which to some extent clings to it yet. Over this early highway came the pioneers of the town.

The first of these, as far as known, to settle permanently in the town was Amos Sweet, who in the spring of 1797 came in and settled on the site of Dryden village. There he built a log house ten feet square and began life in the wilderness with his wife and two children. He was accompanied also by his brother. About the year 1801 Mr. Sweet was compelled to leave his land, through some difficulty (as con- tended by some of the pioneers) with Nathaniel Shelden. Mr. Sweet died soon afterward and was buried on the opposite side of the road from the Dryden Springs Hotel, where lie also the remains of his mother and two children.

In the fall of 1798 a yoke of oxen drew a rude sled from the Chenango River, laden with household goods and a few implements, a distance of sixty miles to this town. With this team came on, some riding, but more walking much of the distance, Ezekiel Sanford, his wife and son; David Foot, his wife and four daughters; and Ebenezer Clauson, his wife, son and two daughters, fourteen persons, who settled at "Willow Glen." Sanford built his log house opposite where Elias W. Cady lived; Foot opposite where Joshua Phillips formerly lived; and Clau- son on the opposite corner, formerly owned by Samuel Rowlands.

In the summer of that year (1798) George Robertson began clearing on lot 53, which he had previously bought and paid for. He built a small log house, returned home to Saratoga, and early the following spring he brought in his wife and two small children, and was accom- panied by his brother, Philip S., and Jared Benjamin, two young men

247

TOWN OF DRYDEN.

whom he had employed. Mr. Robertson was a carpenter and earned the money to pay for his lot by working at his trade in Saratoga. They came westward up the Mohawk Valley to Utica, on to what is now Au- burn, thence along Cayuga Lake to the site of Ithaca, and from there by the Chaplin road to their home. In the season of 1799 and the suc- ceeding one, Mr. Robertson raised crops of wheat, which had to be carried to Ludlow's Mill (Ludlowville) to be ground. Mr. Robertson had the title of "Captain," and his father, Philip, was a soldier of the Revolution. George Robertson was the first supervisor of the town. and for many years enjoyed the entire respect of the community which he was so conspicuous in founding. Mott J. Robertson, his youngest son, succeeded to the homestead, and was one of thirteen children.

George Knapp, who had first stopped in the town of Lansing, came to Dryden with his brother-in-law, Daniel White, in 1798. Knapp set- tled on lot 14. Mr. White's settlement had an important bearing on the condition of his fellow pioneers, for he gave them the first grist mill, thus saving them long and toilsome journeys. His mill was fin- ished in 1802, and stood a little northeast of where the Freeville bridge crosses Fall Creek. He was a practical miller and made the grinding stones from a rock formed in a field, which he split and dressed. These stones were in use until 1818, when they were displaced during a re- construction of the mill. Mr. White was prominent in the early Methodist church, and preached several years on the Cayuga circuit. He had a family of eleven children, most or all of whom are dead. His son Abel lived a long life at Freeville.

Aaron Lacy, from New Jersey, settled at Willow Glen in 1799. Hc subsequently removed to the corner, afterwards owned by Jacob Stickles, whose residence there gave the name of "Stickles Corners " to the place.

Lyman Hurd came from Vermont in 1800 with his wife and several children, and settled on the corner opposite Lacy. Mr. Hurd brought the first span of horses into the town. He raised a crop of corn and oats that season. The story has come down to us that one of Mr. Hurd's horses died carly in the spring, and a man in his employ tramped through the woods to Tully and brought an ox, which was harnessed up with the other horse, and this ill-matched pair served for plowing, going to mill and other farm work.

In the year 1799 Peleg Ellis, who had previously settled in Herki- mer county, traded his land there for lot 84 in Dryden, and removed

248

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

here in 1800. When a call was made for troops in 1812, he marched out on the 26th of August, 1812, in command of the Dryden company for the frontier. The entire company, instead of waiting to stand the draft, volunteered, except one who was unable to go. This company took part in the fight at Queenstown, and Captain Ellis was taken prisoner, but was soon afterwards paroled. He was afterwards com- missioned major in the old militia. He died in 1859, aged eighty-four years. He had twelve children, the homestead descending to John J., his son. Warren D. was another son, and a daughter married John M. Smith, of Dryden.

John Ellis, brother of Peleg, settled early in the town of Virgil, but came to Dryden about the same time, or a little before, his brother, and settled near the site of Malloryville. They were from Rhode Island; and both became conspicuous in the affairs of this town. John Ellis promptly advanced to a prominent business and official position. He was made one of the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas; like his brother, went to the frontier in command of a second company of soldiers in 1813, and served to the close of the war. It is said that after his company had departed there were only fourteen men left in the town, who were liable to military duty. Judge Ellis was supervisor of the town for twenty-eight years, and in 1831 and 1832 served in the State Legislature.

Joel Hull was a settler in 1801, coming from Massachusetts. He located on land afterwards owned by the Rowland family. Mr. Hull was a practical surveyor, a man of intelligence, and was elected the first town clerk. He was made ensign of the first military company in the town, and kept a store, first in an addition built on his house. He subsequently removed to Pennsylvania.

Five brothers, Richard, Thomas, Daniel, Benjamin and James Lacy, came from New Jersey in 1801. Richard settled west of the village and was the first owner of the Dryden Springs. In early years the springs were known as "Lacy's Deer Lick," and it was believed that salt might be found there; but after considerable effort by the brothers its was abandoned. Thomas Lacy settled half a mile south of the vil- lage, and Daniel a little farther south. The latter was the first school teacher in the town. Benjamin settled within the present village limits on the south side of the "Bridle Road," and James located in the vicinity of the lake. Four of the brothers removed from the town,

249

TOWN OF DRYDEN.

but Benjamin remained and became prominent in the community. John C. Lacy was one of his sons. (See biography of John C. Lacy).

Peter and Christopher Snyder came into the town in the spring of 1801 from New Jersey and purchased lot 43 of William Goodwin. Soon after he purchased it, Henry Snyder, son of Peter, and George Dart, son-in-law of Christopher, came with the others, and the four chopped the timber on six acres and then returned to their former homes. In the fall the two brothers, with George Snyder and Dart, came back and cleared the land and sowed it to wheat, returning again to New Jersey. In the fall of 1802, Peter, with his family and household goods, came with two wagons to their new home. His sons, William, John and Abraham, drove twenty-five cows the whole distance. Christopher came also with his family, and Henry Naile, wife and child, and Jacob Crutts and wife. The whole party included thirty-two persons. Their journey was replete with incident and covered eighteen days. Choos- ing each one-half of the land by lot, the eastern half fell to Christopher, the western to Peter. The latter subsequently purchased the whole of lot 42 (640 acres), of which he gave 106 acres to each of his sons and fifty-three acres to cach of his daughters. They had numerous descend- ants.

William Sweazy settled early half a mile north of Varna, and a Mr. Cooper located as early as 1801 half a mile south of Etna; Jesse Bar- tholomew, father of Caleb, settled at Etna in April, 1812, where he purchased 180 acres. Andrew Sherwood, a Revolutionary soldier, and his son Thomas, came from Poughkeepsie in 1802 and settled on lot 9 in the northeast corner of the town. Andrew lived to the age of ninety- nine years. Thomas served in the war of 1812, was a miller, and had a family of eleven children.

Edward Griswold, another Revolutionary soldier, with his wife and son came from Connecticut to lot 39 in 1802. He became a prominent citizen. Charles Griswold was born in the town in 1800. He was father of Leonard Griswold, and was a soldier of 1812 and captain. He died in 1834.

Seth Wheeler and his sons, Seth, jr., and Enos, from New Hamp- shire, settled a little south of the village in 1802.

Jacob Primrose, from New Jersey, settled at West Dryden (Fox's Corners) in 1803. He was father of Henry and Lewis. The latter was constable in the town nearly fifty years.

250

LANDMARKS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University, Part 25

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Hewett, Waterman Thomas, 1846-1921; Selkreg, John H
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1194