USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Memorial history of Utica, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 10
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109
DR. AMOS G. HULL.
One of the earliest and best remembered surgeons of the county was Dr. Amos G. Hull. In 1798 he was practicing in New Hartford. In the year mentioned, with a zeal in behalf of science that was character- istic of a young and ambitious practitioner, he was alert in obtaining for purposes of dissection the body of the first criminal of the county con- victed for murder. And though on the morning of the day appointed for the execution the criminal was found dead in her cell at Herkimer jail, having hanged herself with the expectation that she could thus evade the whole of her sentence, yet, says Judge Jones, in this she was mistaken, for science had its subject. On the organization of the Oneida County Medical Society in 1806 Dr. Hull took part therein and was elected its first president. Four years later we find him announcing that he has fitted up an establishment next door to the Coffee House in Utica for the sale of mineral waters.
" The sale of Ballston and Saratoga salts in solution, which he would seem to have been the first to introduce into the village of Utica, he continued some years longer in his office on Main street, adding thereto the practice of electricity and galvanism. A specialty that absorbed much more of his attention was the manufacture and sale of hernial trusses. These he first advertised in March, 1817, but continued to modify and improve so long as he remained in the village. They were commended by his medical brethren as well as by several individuals of intelligence and standing, and were in general use among those requir- ing such appliances, being, in fact, almost the sole truss employed in this vicinity. Personally Dr. Hull was amiable and upright, a Methodist in religious belief and an influential member of that body, beloved by his patients, and a friend of every child who knew him. Rather short of stature, quick and impulsive in manner, neat in attire, he was withal a little vain of his appearance, and looked to it that the knee-buckles which confined his silk stockings were each day duly polished. His earliest partner in Utica was Dr. Ezra Williams, with whom he remained until September, 1816. In September, 1821, he was bought out by Dr. Theodore Pomeroy and after a brief association with him removed to New York.
Among the newly elected officers of the year occurs the name of Nicholas Smith, collector. He had been a resident of the place since
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
1788, having come into it as a boy nine or ten years old in company with that pioneer settler, Major Bellinger. He attended school one or two winters and these were all the educational advantages he ever en- joyed. He next served his uncle and two or three of the earlier mer- chants as a clerk, and now he is made village collector. The next year, catching the enthusiasm enkindled by the war and which prevailed along the border settlements, he volunteered his services and was six months on duty as a soldier. In 1814 he enlisted again and was made adjutant of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment called for the defence of Sackets Harbor. "Notwithstanding some peculiari- ties," says a comrade of the regiment, "his habits were temperate and his heart in the right place." This military service was followed after the contest by the command of a company of Utica militia, whence he was called by General Weaver to his staff, and still retaining his rank in the line rose to the position of colonel. Returned from the war Col- onel Smith was a short time in trade and next filled many local offices, being successively deputy sheriff, superintendent of the poor, and alder- man, which latter post he held eleven years. He was conspicuous for his assiduity in the relief of the sick and the burial of the dead during the fearful visitation of the cholera in 1832. Soon after this time he re- moved to his farm in East Utica.
On the breaking out of the war John E. Hinman, the son of Major Benjamin Hinman, volunteered, served gallantly as quartermaster of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment of New York State militia, and was a popular and useful officer. By service then and after the war he rose to the rank of colonel. He was deputy sheriff under James S. Kip, who held office for the third time from 18II to 1815; and in February, 1821, he was appointed sheriff. This post Colonel Hinman occupied until the new constitution took effect, which changed the office from an appointive to an elective one, when he was elected as his own successor in November, 1822. The constitution prohibiting a re-election he retired at the end of his term, but in No- vember, 1828, was again made sheriff and served another three years. After failing of an election as State senator, for which he was nomi- nated in 1849, he was in 1850 elected mayor of the city and by suc- cessive re-elections held the office three years. His energy and execu-
F. E. HINMAN AND OTHERS- PROCEEDINGS OF 1812. III
tive ability were tested at this time by the destructive operations of an organized band of incendiaries. The mayor's proclamations were fre- quent and lengthy. When the alarm of fire was sounded he hastened to the spot. If in the night time he drew a white handkerchief about his hat to designate his official rank and distinguish him from the crowd, and while on the ground was no idle spectator, but prompt in directing and vociferous in his orders.
A few others of 1811 were Joseph S. Porter, a watchmaker and jew- eler of gentlemanly bearing who kept a showy and attractive store and had for many years the best of custom; Alfred Hitchcock, druggist, who with many removals and a varying though never very prosperous tide of success continued many years in the place, dying in 1872 ; Eras- tus Cross, a marble cutter whose chisel cut the headstone of very many of our earlier citizens; Riley Rogers, gunsmith.
At the charter election held on the 5th of May, 1812, there were but four trustees elected on the first ballot, viz. : Talcott Camp, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, E. B. Shearman, and Morris S. Miller. Frederick White, of the former board, had left the village and Mr. Devereux was dropped for a reason which we may soon surmise. Mr. Miller was, however, excused from serving and, on a fresh ballot for two, Bryan Johnson and Thomas Skinner were elected. Mr. Johnson also asked to be excused, when Arthur Breese was elected to the vacant place. Mr. Hoyt was again made treasurer and Nicholas Smith collector. The sum of $450 was voted to be raised for the support of the watch, the ringing of the bell, and for contingent expenses. But in addition it was voted to build a market-house on the public square between Bagg's Tavern and the store of John C. Devereux, at a cost of $300, which sum was to be assessed on the inhabitants. However convenient this mar- ket-house might be to the citizens at large it is natural to presume that it would not be deemed very desirable by those living or doing busi- ness in its immediate neighborhood, and the reason is obvious why Mr. Devereux was not placed on the board. We are prepared also to learn that within a few weeks the president, Mr. Camp, is directed to confer with Moses Bagg and Hugh Cunningham and ascertain what sum they will procure to be paid for the purchase of a lot on which to place the market, if it can be removed from the place designed for it. No report
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
appears from the president; but, instead, we learn of another public meeting of the inhabitants being held in July to reconsider the action of the annual meeting with reference to the market- house. A vote to repeal this action was lost. Next follows the payment of Mr. Culver's account for building the market, and in November the ordinance reg- ulating the same and the authority granted to the president, who was made clerk of the market to lease seven of its stalls. By the provisions of this ordinance butchers and victualers, licensed by the payment of six shillings, were the only persons allowed to sell meat in quantities smaller than the quarter of an animal, and this only in the stalls of the market, at least during market hours; butchers refusing for six days to supply their stalls with good meat were subject to penalties, and they were required to pay the clerk a tax of ten cents for every cow or ox and two cents for every sheep or lamb they sold; other provisions ex- cluded standing carts, live animals, undressed carcasses, hides, etc., and unwholesome meat, and insisted on rigid attention to cleanliness. Aside from the usual routine the foregoing were all the proceedings of the board during the year.
The Utica turnpike, leading northward, was now in progress and five miles of it already complete. The Minden turnpike, running south - easterly from the village, was opened the year previous.
Of the course of the war with England, which began in 1812, the in- habitants of Utica had abundant witness, though at a distance from any place of action and undisturbed by hostile demonstrations. Companies of soldiers were frequently passing through on their way to or from some military post and were quartered for a time in or near the village. Thus its residents had an opportunity of becoming cognizant of many of the regiments enlisted, while between these and the villagers who sometimes suffered from their depredations disturbances now and then took place. The local papers were prompt to relate the battles and the military movements on both sides, and everybody was interested to learn the particulars of each important event. Some few people were busy in procuring and forwarding supplies to the nearer scenes of hos - tilities and many others responded to the call of their country, and left business and families to serve in the ranks. But the greater portion pursued their usual duties as in times of peace.
In the latter part of February, 1813, about sixty volunteers were en-
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THE WAR OF 1812.
rolled at Utica, among whom were included some members of its Inde- pendent Infantry Company. They formed a new company attached to the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment and were commanded by Capt. William Williams. Of its men the only names that can be . recalled were John Grove, orderly sergeant, John George, and Theo- dore S. Faxton. The company remained one month at Smith's Mills, when they were paid off and afterward dismissed. Another company of the One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Regiment, termed the Silver Grays, was commanded by Nathan Seward, of New Hartford, and among its men was Thurlow Weed from Utica. It was probably at this time also that Nathan Williams went out as major of the regiment, Nicholas Smith as lieutenant, becoming adjutant, and John E. Hinman as quartermaster. Early in the war a drafting took place at the hotel, when a number of men were made soldiers. In September, 1814, the regiment were called out en masse, but continued only a month in arms and without active service. At this time Benjamin Ballou was captain of a company and Nicholas N. Weaver orderly sergeant, but subse- quently promoted to the captaincy, Ballou having been taken sick. To Thomas Skinner, of Utica, was given the captaincy of a company in a regiment of artillery under Col. Elijah Metcalf, but as he did not serve the company was commanded by its first lieutenant. Five or six from Utica had previously volunteered at Buffalo and served in its defence. Six young men of the neighborhood were enlisted as midshipmen during the course of the war, viz .: Samuel Breese and William Inman, of Utica ; John G. Young, of Whitesboro ; Antill Lansing, of Oriskany ; and Ed- ward and Benjamin Carpenter, of Whitesboro. There was a recruiting station here under the charge of Capt. P. Mills of the Twenty-third Regiment. The hospital was cared for by Dr. Solomon Wolcott.
Alexander B. Johnson was a resident of Utica from the year 1801, and was long numbered among its leading inhabitants. During sixty- six years he was identified with its business interests: a director of one of its banks, a founder of another, and for thirty-six years the head of a third, in which posts of responsibility he gained an extended celebrity as a wise and skillful banker. His earliest personal enterprise was the establishment in 1810 of a large glass factory near the village of Geneva. A short time before he had been a director in the glass
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
factory at Vernon. As a second one had lately been set up in Marcy he feared the legislature would be unwilling to grant the charter for a third in Oneida County, and so proposed to get permission to start one in Ontario County ; and at length, after numerous journeyings to and fro, after much vexatious delay and many difficulties, the factory was put in operation and glass was made.
In 1812, while living in New York, he published a volume entitled " An Inquiry into the Nature of Value and of Capital, and into the Opera- tions of Government Loans, Banking Institutions, and Private Credit, with an Appendix containing an Inquiry into the Laws which Regulate the Rate of Interest and the Price of Stocks." The book found a few approving readers and brought him into notice as a thoughtful specu- lator on the subject of finance. Immediately that news came of the exist- ence of war with England, filling the city with consternation, Mr. John- son sold his bank stock at a sacrifice and returned to Utica. Here he invested his funds in the Bank of Utica, which was then organizing, and was ere long compensated many fold for the loss sustained by the panic sale of his New York stock. In April, 1814, he married Miss Abigail Louisa, daughter of Charles Adams, who was the second son of President John Adams. The lady's father had been a lawyer in New York city, but was now deceased, and she was living with her mother in Utica. Soon after he was appointed one of the State directors of the Bank of Utica, entering therein in antagonism with Montgomery Hunt, its cashier. The latter had procured the removal from the directorship of Messrs. Kip and Bloodgood, for which they in retaliation obtained for Mr. Johnson the place of director for the State. And here it was that he began his first practical acquaintance with banking, a subject which, as we have seen, had already occupied his thoughts. It was not long before his energies were enlisted in a scheme for a bank of his own, and these resulted in the creation of an institution now almost forgotten, whose history will be found in the chapter devoted to the financial insti- tutions of the city. A sketch of Mr. Johnson as a banker only would, however, be to give an incomplete notice of him without reference to his authorship. He adopted banking, as he himself has said, in order that he might have time to write. His writings were numerous. They relate mostly to language in reference to its meaning in something other
JOHN BRADISHI - E. S. COZIER. 115
than words. The ideas he expressed in several different works upon this topic interested a few minds deeply, but were too abstruse for gen- eral readers. He wrote also on banking, on politics, etc., and he lect- ured before public associations.
John Bradish was for some time deputy in the office of the Supreme Court clerk. At that time notices of all suits begun in the Supreme Court, or entering on new stages of their progress were sent to the office of the clerk, who transmitted them to the attorney of the oppos- ing party, and in return transmitted the answers of the latter. All costs of suits were likewise taxed by the clerk. Lawyers throughout the State were obliged, therefore, to depend upon agents living near the offices of the clerks of this court to execute the services required therein. Having secured such agency at Utica Mr. Bradish continued to act in this ca- pacity down to the time of the adoption of the new constitution of 1846 and the abolition of the old Supreme Court. By the exercise of these duties, which were liberally paid for, and by successful undertakings in real estate he acquired a competency.
Ezra S. Cozier established himself in 1812 as a hatter. The increas- ing estimation of his fellows, and notably those of the brotherhood of Masons, brought him later into places of responsibility and honor. During one term of service his kindness of heart found full play as over- seer of the poor. Next for seven successive years he was a trustee of the village board and more than half that time (1819-23) its president. And when the village was exalted to a city he was pressed by many for the mayoralty, but failing in this he was made the treasurer. Not long afterward he was among the first of the victims of the cholera epidemic of August, 1832.
The most engrossing topic with the trustees as well as with the free- holders generally during the year 1813 would appear to have been the market recently erected on the public square. A determined opposition to its presence is revealed in the partial change now effected in the con- stituency of the board, which was made to consist of Moses Bagg, Montgomery Hunt, Seth Dwight, E. B. Shearman, and Talcott Camp. It is still more evident in the resolution which was passed at the annual meeting directing the trustees to sell the market at vendue after the rent of the stalls should have expired. At an early session of these trustees
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
they passed an ordinance enacting that from the 25th of May to the Ist of October anybody might sell meat without a license, provided that it be sold in the market square and conformable to the ordinances, and provided this should not impair any claim by the trustees for rent of stalls. But the friends of the market were aroused, and at a special meeting of the inhabitants held in November the vote of the annual meeting to sell this unwelcome neighbor was rescinded. A little later the trustees ordered six of the market stalls to be put up at auction. And here the matter rested for the year. Aside from the above and other routine business nothing was done by the board of 1813.
Spafford's "Gazetteer of New York," published at Albany in 1813, contains a notice of Utica, though it adds little to the knowledge of the place we have obtained from other sources. The place is described as a flourishing incorporated post village, the commercial capital of the great western district of New York, and though small in area com- prising a population of 1,700 souls with 300 houses and stores, a Pres- byterian and an Episcopal Church, a grammar school, mills, factories, machine shops, printing offices, etc. " The hotel is an elegant establish- ment, and the many fine private mansions of gentlemen of taste and opulence give Utica a character in this respect worthy a great commer- cial town."
Barent Bleecker, second son of Col. Garret G. Lansing, opened a store just below the Ontario Branch Bank. In this he was unsuccess- ful, and after a short service as book-keeper of the United States Bank he became cashier, about 1835, of the Bank of Belleville, N. J. Thence he was called in December, 1836, to the cashiership of the Oneida Bank and filled the place until his death.
An early partner of Mr. Lansing was James Platt, brother of Judge Platt. He became a forwarder, occupying a large warehouse on what was known as Bleecker slip, a narrow basin extending from the canal to Catharine street. For a short time he was postmaster. Going to Oswego he was its first mayor and senator from the district.
A merchant of much weight of character, both personal and mercan- tile, was Alexander Seymour, who entered this year into an arrange- ment with Messrs. Watts Sherman and Henry B. Gibson whereby he was to represent them in Utica while they conducted affairs in New
II7
THOMAS ROCKWELL - E. S. BARNUM.
York city. In 1816 the " Co." attached to his name signified Ezekiel Bacon, and thus it continued until the close of 1822. After this time the principal was alone at 104 Genesee street until 1833, when he moved to Cleveland, Ohio.
After coming to Utica Thomas Rockwell was at first a teacher, but in 1815 entered the service of the Ontario Branch Bank as its book-keeper. For thirty-four years he served the bank with unvarying steadiness. " Much of its prosperity," says its president, A. B. Johnson, " was due to his vigilance and faithfulness. He was never a borrower from the ban'k and never left his post for recreation or business other than that of the bank. On a salary far too small for the value of his services he maintained a family and left a sufficiency for their support at his death."
Ezra S. Barnum's chief claim to notice and remembrance comes from his long continued and varied services as a public officer. He was first elected to office in 1817 and put into triple harness, as it were, from the outset, being made constable, collector, and coroner. At one time, besides these three offices, he held also those of police officer and deputy sheriff. And when to these functions was added those of justice of the peace it was well said of him by the editor of the Club that " Utica con- tains one officer of rare qualifications, for he can issue process, serve it, try, convict, hang, hold inquest, and sell for taxes the effects of the convict." The office of justice, which he first received from the council of ap- pointment in 1821, he continued to hold for seventeen years. How well he did, notwithstanding his ignorance of law at the start, may be inferred from the fact that only two cases were ever appealed from his decision ; one of these, though reversed by the court of the county, was affirmed by the Supreme Court of the State and the other was never tried on appeal. On retiring from the justiceship 'Squire Barnum was appointed deputy United States marshal and commissioner of deeds. In 1832 he was elected to the Board of Aldermen and was several times re-elected. At the organization of the Oneida Bank in 1836 he was chosen one of the directors. There remains to add a record of long and eminent service and high honors in the order of Free and Accepted Masons. Few living Masons have been so long connected with the order ; fewer, if any, have been so highly honored by it. He was elected a member of Utica Lodge in January, 1817, and having soon
II8
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF UTICA.
gone through the four chapter degrees he was early inducted into official position. From that day forward he was not released from the duties and the responsibilities of office, being promoted from year to year until the highest honor in the gift of the body was conferred upon him.
A neat white building on the berm bank of the canal south of Gene- see street bridge, known as the Canal Coffee House, was long kept by John Welles, a well mannered and estimable person. Amos Gay, a rather restless man, kept in turn several other hotels and put up for a theater the large brick building which also became a hotel, but gave way to the city hall as its successor. Comfort Butler, a saddler by trade, in 1828 took charge of the Utica museum, soon afterward be- coming totally blind, but remaining in charge with the aid of his family until 1850. William Jones was long the official surveyor, while his brother going South became president of Texas. James C. De Long was a morocco dresser and prominent with the Methodists. Joshua M. Church and Stephen Herrick were carpenters and Nehemiah Brown was a butcher.
At the annual meeting held in the spring of 1814 the market-house was still a matter of disagreement among the inhabitants, and after much discussion and the holding of a public meeting it was determined to remove the market to the corner of Division and Market streets. Marketing for the future was made free to everybody and at all times and places. And at a meeting of trustees held on the following day the by laws relating to the market were rescinded, and thus was set at rest, for some years at least, this most perplexing and faction-provok- ing question.
The trustees who held office during the year 1814 were Talcott Camp, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Nathan Williams, Killian Winne, and Sam- uel Stocking. J. C. Hoyt was continued as treasurer and Nicholas Smith as collector. When the board first met after their election they again made Mr. Camp their president and John H. Ostrom clerk. At one of their meetings held later in the course of the year they appointed William H. Maynard village attorney in the place of Thomas Skinner, the latter having become about this time captain of an artillery com- pany destined for Sackets Harbor.
The most important business of the board during the year respects
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PROCEEDINGS OF 1814.
an improvement which we are surprised to learn has not been made be- fore. That a thrifty village of 1,700 to 1,800 inhabitants, and which has already earned the appellation of commercial capital of the county, should be destitute of so common a convenience as sidewalks seems to us who enjoy so many rarer privileges truly astonishing. Yet so it is that not until the 23d of May, 1814, do we find an ordinance passed " for the better improving the streets of Utica and making the side- walks in said village." This ordinance required the owners or occu- pants of houses on both sides of Genesee street from Bleecker to Water, on both sides of Whitesboro from Genesee to the corner east of In- man's brewery (Broadway), on both sides of Main as far as First and thence on its south side as far as Bridge, to make sidewalks for foot travelers within ninety days in the manner prescribed, or be subject to a fine of $20 and a further one of $2.50 for every month of neglect thereafter. The sidewalks of Genesee street were to be fifteen feet in width, and to be constructed of smooth or cobblestone, from Whites- boro to Catharine, except between the stoops, where at the owner's option they might be made of gravel. Elsewhere, that is to say on Whitesboro and Main streets, these walks were to be ten feet from the front line of the lots, and of smooth or cobblestone, or of good clean gravel at the option of the maker. The same liberty with respect to material was allowed on Genesee below Whitesboro and above Cathar- ine to Bleecker, a street which seems now first to be officially recog- nized. The outer border of these walks was to be protected by timber and a line of posts, except where passages to barns were needed.
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