USA > New York > Tompkins County > Landmarks of Tompkins County, New York : including a history of Cornell University > Part 32
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In 1800 Isaac Hopkins came from Washington county and settled in the east part of the town. His descendants were not numerous, though several of them still live in Groton. David Morton also came about 1800 and purchased a tract northeast of the village. He had been a sea captain, but had lost much of his property. This family name is still well represented in Groton. The Van Marter family settled in Groton soon after 1800. Isaac and Margaret were the pioneers. Their descendants are yet numerous in the county. In the same year Rich- ard Francis settled where A. Morace Francis now lives. He kept pub- lic house, was an ensign in the war of 1812, and altogether a leading man. Samuel Crittenden, from Guilford, Conn., settled on the site of Cortland village in 1797, and in 1802 moved to a farm near McLean village, or its present site. Judge Crittenden was one of the foremost men of the town of his time, and he left a large train of prominent descendants. He died in 1862.
David Stoddard was the pioneer head of a large and respected family of descendants in the town. He came from Connecticut, settled first in Chenango county, and later on came to West Groton, where he was an extensive farmer and landowner. Thomas Jones came from Massachu- setts about 1805; was a cloth dresser, and had a fulling mill, but later in life turned farmer. Isaac Allen, a Vermonter, located at West Groton Corners about 1804, and was the founder of the settlement at
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that place. He built the first store, established a tavern, and was an extensive landowner in the vicinity. Samuel Sellen lived north of Al- len and was also a pioneer. He left a large family. The Henshaws lived near Samuel Sellen's tavern stand, and in the same neighborhood Henry Carter and Mr. Travers were early settlers. West of them Deacon John Seaton settled in 1817, and about the same time Nathan Fish carried on cloth dressing in the same vicinity.
Jonathan Conger was an early settler in the west part of the town ; was a weaver and farmer, and later on a speculator. He married Thankful Guthrie, daughter of Capt. John Guthrie, and raised a large family of children. The surname Conger to-day stands for integrity and enterprise in Groton. Capt. Guthrie was a pioneer on the site of John G. Cobb's farm. He was a prominent man, also a hunter of some note, and the hero of some splendid bear stories. Elisha Cobb came from Taunton, Mass., and was an early settler in the west part of the town. He was twice married and had five children by each wife. The Bucks were pioneers in Lansing, and some members of the family drifted over into Groton at an early day. Where Nelson Stevens now lives his father, John Stevens, settled about 1813. In 1811 William R. Fitch, a lawyer of note and a judge of ability, settled in the northwest part of the town. Job Alling was also a pioneer in this locality, and also one of the first justices of the peace in the town. Hugh Bulkley settled where Lorenzo Bulkley lived in 1825. Rev. Joseph W. Stearns, well known as pastor of the old Christian Church, and honored be- cause of his anti-slavery efforts and sentiments, came to West Groton in 1835. Samuel Wilson Bothwell located in the north part of Groton in 1829, and Ezra Perkins in the same vicinity three years later. Where John Smith now lives, David H. Coggshall settled in 1820. He was a tailor and farmer, and a man of considerable note. John Smith, pioneer, came about the same time, and was also a prominent and suc- cessful farmer. Amza Armstrong settled where Andrew Metzgar lives. Jonas and Mary Metzgar were the pioneer head of a family of fifteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. Some of them were among Groton's best farmers.
Oliver Hatch was in the Revolutionary service seven years, and his descendants assert that he came to the town in 1795. Capt. Ebenezer Pierce settled near Bear Swamp in 1815. About the same time Robert Moe settled where Augustus now lives. James Ashton settled in the town in 1830. Lewis Gifford settled in Groton in 1805, and Joseph
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Berry in 1811. 'George Fish settled at the corners now ealled La Fay- ette in 1818, and in the same year Pasehal Fitts settled where his son George now lives. He was a brickmaker and farmer. Royal T. Morse settled on the Salt Road in 1825, and Dr. Clark Chapman on the same thoroughfare in 1835. Deaeon Amos Hart settled in 1816 where Jerome Fitts lives, and at a still earlier day Thomas Benediet loeated at McLean.
Asa Baldwin settled in the south part of the town about 1812, and in the same neighborhood Reuben Darling and Joseph Smiley were also settlers. Henry Teeter was an early land and mill owner on Fall Creek and at Peruville. The McLaehlan and MeKellar families were early in the south part of the town. Both were from Seotland, and in Groton beeame thrifty farmers. William D. Mount was at Peruville, a tanner and eurrier, as early as 1835. Stephen Barrows was a wagon- maker at Groton in 1824. Seth Tallmadge loeated in West Groton in 1830. Deacon Daniel Bradley was a pioneer in the east part of the town, as also were the Coopers and Berrys. William S. Clark started a fulling and eloth-dressing mill at Groton eity in 1806. Luther Bliss loeated here in the same year, and Capt. Jesse Clark was here some six years earlier.
In this manner we have endeavored to reeall the names of many of the pioneers and early settlers of Groton. From what has been stated it will be seen that settlement was most rapid between 1810 and 1830. In faet as early as 1815 the town, then a part of Loeke, had a sufficient number of inhabitants to warrant its separate organization, although this eonsummation was not reached until three years afterward. How- ever, before narrating the events connected with the organization and civil history of Groton, we may devote a brief space to a reeord of the "first events" in the town. Aeeording to the general belief John Perrin built the first log house in 1794, and was also the first inn-keeper merchant, briekmaker, and distiller in the town. Jonas Williams built the first framed house in 1801, also the first saw and grist inill. The first sehool house was built about 1805 and stood about on the site of the present earriage works. Abiatha Hathaway was the first teaeher. Young Jonas Williams and Miss Hathaway were married in 1805. Jonas Williams, sr., was the first shoemaker; Andrew and David Allen the first blacksmiths; Dr. Nathan Branch the first physician, 1803; Ebenezer Williams was the first wagonmaker, 1797; John Winslow the first potter; Samuel Love the first tanner; Benjamin Whipple the first preacher; and Lemuel Perrin the first miller.
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TOWN ORGANIZATION .- On April 7, 1817, the town of Locke was divided and the south part erected into a separate town and called Division. It comprised fifty lots, each containing a square mile of land, being five deep, from north to south, and ten wide, from east to west. The first town meeting was held at the house of Samuel Love, on April 15, at which time officers were elected as follows: Supervisor, Samuel Crittenden; town clerk, Admatha Blodgett; assessors, Benj. Williams, Nathan Benson, William Cobb; collector, Ezra Loomis; overseers of the poor, Ezra Carpenter, David Morton; commissioners of highways, Jonathan Bennett, Isaac Allen, John Benedict; constables and poundmasters, Spencer Crary, Jencks Carpenter, Ezra Andrews; commissioners of schools, Ezra Carpenter, Nathan Benson, James Luther; inspectors of schools, Joshua Dean, Admatha Blodgett, Seth Blood, Sumner Brown.
The following have been supervisors of the town:
1817-18. Samuel Crittenden. 1852. William Woodbury.
1819-20. Isaac Allan.
1853. J. P. Pennoyer.
1821-23. Jonathan Bennett.
1854-56. Clark Chapman.
1824-25. Nathan Benson.
1857-58. E. Jason Watrous.
1826-27. Job Alling.
1859-62. William D. Mount.
1828-30. William Woodbury.
1863-65. Mortimer D. Fitch.
1831-32. Xury Blodgett.
1866. Daniel B. Marsh.
1833-34. John Boynton.
1867-68. Walter W. White.
1835-36. Sylvanus Larned.
1869. William D. Mount.
1837-38. William Woodbury.
1870-72. Nelson Stevens.
1878-45. V. B. Gross.
1840-41. Sylvester Nash.
1876-7. Nelson Stevens.
1842-44. John Young.
1878-81. William H. Fitch.
1845-46. Cicero Phelps.
1882-86. A. G. Chapman.
1847-48. Nathan Mix.
1887-89. John W. Jones.
1849-50. William Woodbury.
1890-91. Corydon W. Conger.
1851. J. P. Pennoyer.
1892 -- 93. Dana Rhodes.
Following are the principal officers of the town for 1894: John J. Youngs, supervisor, Groton; M. A. Downing, town clerk, Groton; George D. Wait, collector, McLean; James M. Montfort, justice of the peace, Peruville; Frank L. Tarbell, constable, West Groton; Charles H. Tarbell, constable, Peruville; Marshall Woodbury, constable, Groton; R. J. Pierce, constable, Groton, J. Mason, constable, McLean.
From what has been noted relating to the early settlement and or- ganization of Groton, it will be seen that pioneership was practically at an end when the town was set off from Locke in 1817. At that time
1839. J. P. Pennoyer.
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the population of the district separated was about 3,000; in 1840 it had increased to 3,618, the greatest number attained at any time during its history. In 1850 it had decreased to 3,342, but the census of 1860 gave the town a population of 3,534. In 1870 the inhabitants numbered 3,512; in 1880, 3,450: in 1890, 3,427, while the count of 1892, under State authority, showed Groton to contain 3,60? inhabitants. The in- crease of later years has been virtually in the growth of Groton and the development of its resources, brought about by the enterprise of its people. Half a century ago, however, this then hamlet was of no greater importance in the history of the town than Groton City or Mc- Lean, and possessed no natural resources that gave it greater prom- inence; and it was only the fact of its central location in the town that gave to the village its early advantage over the other hamlets of the town. The presentation of this subject naturally leads to reference to the villages of the town, and they may be properly treated in the order of present prominence.
STATISTICS .- The report of the supervisors for 1893 gives the follow- ing statistics: Number of acres of land, 30,725; assessed value of real estate, including village property and real estate of corporations, $1,110,220; total assessed value of personal property, $142,850; amount of town taxes, $3,989.63; amount of county taxes, $2,879.23; aggregate taxation, $9,754.11; rate of tax on $1 valuation, .0078. Corporations -Groton Bridge Company, assessed value of real estate, $28,600; amount of tax, $223.08; Groton Carriage Co., $15,000; amount of tax, $117; Crandall Machine Co., $5,100; amount of tax, $40.17; S. C. Railroad Co., $34,200; amount of tax, $266.76; E., C. & N. Railroad Co., $9,000; amount of tax, $70.20; N. Y. & P. Telegraph and Tele- phone Co., $70; amount of tax, $0.55; W. U. Telegraph Co., $230; amount of tax, $1.80; American Telegraph and Telephone Co., $400; amount of tax, $3.12.
GROTON VILLAGE.
In the geographical center of the town, on both east and west sides of Owasco Inlet, and on lots 65, 66, 75 and 76, is located the pleasant village of Groton. The village tract was originally principally owned by pioneer Deacon William Williams, while other owners and occupants were John Perrin and Jonas Williams. As is elsewhere stated, Perrin built a house here in 1792, a log structure, and Jonas Williams built the
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first frame dwelling in 1806. John Halliday knew the place in 1815, and at that time the settlement had but three dwellings. The next few years witnessed many improvements, as in 1817 there were seven framed buildings in the settlement, occupied by Deacon Williams, S. Jenks Carpenter, Pliny Sykes, or Sikes, and Dr. Daniel Mead as dwell- ings; Robert Crandall Reynolds, store and dwelling; James Austin, tavern; and a school house standing about on the site of the present carriage factory. Soon after this time Ebenezer Williams built a wagon shop, also a large frame structure which became the Mansion House, a public tavern of much note at an early day. The rear of the present Groton House is a remnant of this old inn, the front or main portion having been added at a later day by Robert C. Reynolds. Luther Trumble, jr., erected a fulling mill on the Inlet; also built several dwellings and stores at the Corners about the same time, so that the year 1825 found a prosperous village established. The post-office was established in 1812, and weekly mails were received from Homer. Jonas Williams had both grist and saw mills in operation before 1815. Zimri Marsh became a resident of Groton in 1824, established himself in trade and became at once one of the leading men of the town. Others followed, both as tradesmen and in manufacture, and in the course of the next twenty-five years Groton increased from a small cross-roads settlement to a village of considerable importance. At a very early day Ebenezer Williams built a wagon shop and manufactured carriages, but as demand for the latter was limited, few were made. However, in the course of a score of years the fame of Groton-made wagons and car- riages spread throughout Central New York, and the demand for them led to their manufacture on a somewhat extended scale, although it was not until about twenty-five years ago that machinery was used in mak- ing this product in this locality.
In 1860 the people of the village determined to have an act of incor- poration, for the principal streets-Main, Cortland, Church, William, Elm, Mill, and Cayuga-were by this time substantially built up, and the interests of the inhabitants demanded that there should be at least a limited separation of the municipality from the township at large. Accordingly, in pursuance of the provisions of the Act of 1842, on the 11th of June, 1860, the Court of Sessions of Tompkins county granted an order of incorporation for the village, the same containing 433-3 acres of land, and having a population of 596. The first election was held on August 4, 1860, when Robert C. Reynolds, F. H. Robertson,
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William Williams, William Woodbury and Daniel S. Delano were elected trustees.
In 1890 the village resolved to reincorporate and charter in accord- ance with the provisions of the laws of 1870. This was done, and the first election held in March of that year. This action enlarged some- what the powers of the village authorities, and under it the office of president, with others, became elective by the people instead of by the trustees. The first president was William L. Pike, who was re-elected in 1891. His successor was Ellery Colby, elected in 1892, followed by Giles M. Stoddard in 1893. The trustees of the village are as follows: William E. Mount, Elisha Field and Fred. Mosher.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT .- The gradual building up of the village, both in dwellings, blocks and manufacturing establishments, rendered necessary some provision to guard against destruction by fire. During the fall of 1864 the Williams & Finney Block was burned, and in De- cember following the village voted to purchase a fire engine. For its operation Excelsior Fire Company was formed, and on June 1, 1865, Pioneer Hose Company was organized. The latter is still in existence. The engine house near the Baptist church was erected in 1868.
The present village fire department consists of two hose companies and one hook and ladder company, known respectively as Pioneer Hose Company, the C. W. Conger Hose Company, and the Citizens' H. & L. Co. Two of the hose carts are stationed at the "head of Main street," as commonly mentioned, and one near the bridge shops; the "truck " is kept in the village building on Cortland street.
WATER SUPPLY .- The establishment of a generous water supply for all purposes in the village became a positive necessity, and the need of better fire protection created an almost imperative demand for that supply; therefore, in 1888, the village trustees formed themselves into a Board of Water Commissioners and gave fidelity bonds. With the approval of the village the commissioners purchased the old Willoughby farm of forty acres, located two and one-half miles northeast of the village, the location being the source of supply for the stream called Spring Brook, and containing eight or ten springs of pure water. Reservoirs were constructed, and from them the water was brought into and throughout the village. The entire work was done during 1888, at a total cost of $23,000, which sum covered all expenses of con- struction and land and right of way purchase. The commissioners who performed so well on behalf of the village were trustees Benn Conger,
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president; William D. Baldwin, secretary; Daniel L. Bradley, treas- urer; Manley P. Gale and George Pickens. The fall from the springs to the distributing reservoir is 170 feet, and the latter is elevated above Main street 218 feet. The water is distributed throughout the village by six, eight and ten-inch pipes, a total of five miles of mains, while placed at convenient points are fire hydrants to the number of forty- eight. The revenues from the system are sufficient to maintain the works, pay the interest on the water bonds, and, in addition, create a fund for the payment of principal when due. The present commission- ers are D. H. Marsh, president ; H. G. Dimon, M. D. Goodyear, Nelson Harris and W. W. Hare.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. - The first school house in Groton village was built and put in use in 1805, and was located near or on the site of the present carriage factory. This building was burned in 1813 or '14, and was succceded by a more suitable framed school house, known for many years as the " Little Red School," which also stood on the lower end of Main street. The school building on the site now owned by the " Typewriter Company " was erected in 1858, and still stands, though used by the company for office purposes.
The Groton Academy was founded and established in 1832 by a stock company whose members were residents of the village and interested in the welfare of the youth of the vicinity. The building was of frame construction, and was used for academic purposes until its final destruc- tion by fire in 1882. The academy continued as a private or company enterprise until the latter part of 1872, when the property was pur- chased by the village and changed into a union free school of District No. 8. The succession of principals of the academy, during the period of its existence as such, was as follows: Stephen W. Clark, 1837; Samuel D. Carr, 1841; Carleton Parker, 1842; Samuel D. Carr, 1844; James E. Dexter, 1848; Mrs. D. E. Sackett, 1849; Rev. R. H. Close, 1851; Samuel G. Williams, 1852; R. O. Graves, 1856; Samuel G. Williams, 1857; Joseph E. Scott, 1859; M. M. Baldwin, 1861-42.
Professor Baldwin was the owner of the academy property, having purchased the interest of the stockholders during his principalship. On November 12, 1872, School District No. 8 held a meeting to vote on the question and determine whether a union free school should be established. At that meeting it was resolved "that School District No. 8 of the town of Groton resolve itself into a union graded school district ;" also that the Board of Education be instructed to secure the
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advantages of an academic department to the school. The first board comprised H. K. Clark, Charles Perrigo, D. H. Brown, Jerome Hath- away, L. M. Morton, Rev. G. H. Brigham and S. N. Jones.
This Board of Education purchased from Professor Baldwin the old Groton Academy, which thenceforth became the Union Free School of District No. 8. In 1882 the old building was destroyed by fire, and re- placed with a larger and more substantial brick structurc, erected at a total cost of about $15,000. In 1892 material additions and improve- ments were made, at an expense of nearly $10,000 morc. The mem- bers of the Board of Education for the current year, 1893, are: W. E. Mount, president; G. M. Stoddard, vice-president; H. G. Dimon, sec- retary; H. B. Stevens, Benn Conger, F. A. Begent, L. J. Townley, H. S. Hopkins, treasurer.
The principals of the Union School have been as follows: B. L. Robinson, temporary; Flora Green, part of one term; A. Norton Fitch, 1873; Alva M. Baldwin, 1874; Vernon L. Davey, 1875; Roland S. Keyser, 1878; Arch. McLachlan, 1881; Prof. Waters, 1883; C. A. Bliesmer, 1885; A. H. Sage, 1887; W. S. Lockner, 1890; O. W. Wood, 1892.
CHURCH HISTORY .- The first society for public worship in the town, or that portion of the town which now forms Groton, was that origin- ally known as the East Congregational Church, organized June 19, 1805. The first mecting house was built of logs, and stood two miles. east of the village on the farm now a part of the cstate of the late Job Stickles. The log edifice was replaced in 1818 with a more substantial frame structure, which stood on the old site until 1864, and was then removed to the village, where it now forms a part of Odd Fellows Hall, the property of Edwin R. Nye. This society was a large and flourish- ing one until its membership was much reduced by the organization of the Congregational Church at the village.
The Congregational Church of Groton, the offshoot of the mother society above mentioned, was organized March 2, 1849, and in 1851 the old frame edifice was completed, at a cost of $3,000. It was dedicated January 29, 1851. The present elegant church home of this society was built in 1881, under the direction of D. L. Bradley, John I. Booth, H. H. Marsh, Marcus Sears, A. G. Chapman and Wm. H. Smith as building committee, and at a total cost of $40,000. The pastors of this society have been H. A. Sackett, R. H. Close, Augustus Pomeroy, S. G. Lum, J. C. Taylor, Samuel Johnson, G. A. Pelton and William A.
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Smith, the latter being the present pastor, whose connection with the society has covered a period of more than sixteen years. The church has a membership of 200.
The First Baptist Society of Groton was the outgrowth of the First Baptist Church of Locke, the latter having been organized August 27, 1806, and the change of name made after the creation of the town of Groton from Locke. The first church edifice stood south of the district school, and was built about 1819 by Ebenezer Williams. The next edifice of the society was completed and dedicated January 1, 1844, but the building was burned March 16, 1870. Immediately afterward the present attractive edifice on Cortland street was erected, at a cost of $20,000. The church has 146 members, with 120 pupils in the Sunday school. The officers are as follows: Deacons, E. J. Watrous, H. G. Moe, Lyman Metzgar; clerk, Nelson Trumble. Succession of pastors: B. Andrews, Peleg Card, Henry Bogel, J. S. Backus, R. K. Bellamy, A. P. Mason, Lewis Ransted, A. R. Belden, W. B. Downer, D. B. Purington, Walter G. Dye, L. C. Bates, Thos. Allen, L. W. Olney, J. P. Bates, G. H. Brigham, L. W. Olney, Jno. W. Payne, T. E. Ed- wards, I. W. Emory, C. A. Bleismer, J. G. Noble, J. H. Sage, D. R. Watson, S. F. Matthews.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Groton village was organized July 18, 1836; L. K. Redington, minister, and Justus P. Pennoyer, official member. The first church edifice was built in 184? and was dedicated December 20 of that year, at which time also a reorganization of the society was effected. The present pastor of the M. E. Church is Emery R. Baldwin. The membership numbers 184, and 120 members of the Sunday school. The trustees of the society are Alonzo Anthony, E. M. Avery, Henry Maston, James Richford, Frederick Avery, Asa Smith and E. P. Wartrous.
The Roman Catholic Church at Groton village was organized in 1870 by Father Gilbert, of Ithaca. In 1873 the brick church cdifice on South Main street was erected at a cost of about $2,500. This parish is with- out a resident priest.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES .- In a preceding portion of the present chapter frequent mention has been made to the first industries estab- lished in and about the village. One of the most important of these industries was the manufacture of wagons and carriages, but the founders of the business at that time had little thought that they were laying the foundation of what was destined to become one of the great-
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est of the county's industries. For a period of fifty years following 1820 the manufacture of carriages and wagons was an important part of local industry, but it was not until about 1860 that wagons were made herc on an extended scale.
The Groton Carriage Company was incorporated January 2, 1826, and was the ontgrowth of a business established about 1855 by William Allen and George Carpenter. Also interested in this same concern in later years were Lyman Allen, Harrison Bowker and Ira Woodford. Under the latter proprietor the business declined, but Samson S. Will- iams re-established it. In 1876, from the Williams plant, the carriage company was directly created, with an original capital of $20,000, in- creased in 1891 to $100,000. The first officers were E. P. Atwood, president ; H. K. Clark, secretary; D. H. Marsh, treasurer; and A. J. Williams, general manager. Various changes have been made among the officers of the company, and among those who have acted as presi- dents have been H. K. Clark, Corydon W. Conger and D. H. Marsh. Mr. Marsh was elected president and treasurer in 1881 and has held that office continuously to the present time. Dana Rhodes was elected secretary in 1877 and held that position at intervals for several years. In February, 1886, William L. Pike came into the company in the capacity of superintendent, and in January, 1887, was elected secretary and general manager. The Groton Carriage Company is one of the stable industries of the village, and was never more successful than under its present management. The present officers are D. H. Marsh, president and treasurer; W. L. Pike, secretary and general manager ; and Dana Rhodes, attorney. Running at full capacity, the company employs about 175 men.
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