USA > New York > Onondaga County > Onondaga, or, Reminiscences of earlier and later times, being a series of historical sketches relative to Onondaga, with notes on the several towns in the county, and Oswego, Vol. II > Part 25
USA > New York > Oswego County > Onondaga, or, Reminiscences of earlier and later times, being a series of historical sketches relative to Onondaga, with notes on the several towns in the county, and Oswego, Vol. II > Part 25
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
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In those days the roads were almost impassable in that region, and the party made arrangements to go down in a boat from Salina. A suitable store of provisions and other necessaries, was laid in for the occasion, and the party set off in high spirits, anticipating a delightful trip. The day was propi- tious ; they glided down the river beautifully, and it required but little exertion to make the desired progress. While pass- ing along under the shady oaks and elms which crowned the margin of the river, Judge Bradley languishingly remarked how pleasant was their journey, and quoted the first verse of Virgil's Georgics,
" Tityre, tu, patulæ recubans sub tegmine fagi," &c.
On they went, enjoying the scenery beyond measure. They examined the case in hand, and finally reversed the acts of the Commissioners, restoring to the injured party his rights in full, very much to his satisfaction, who was so much rejoiced, that he gave, voluntarily, as a fee to his young lawyer, five silver dollars, which he has since declared was his first and richest fee, and gave him more pleasure, than any other re- ceived in his life. Business done, they turned their faces to- wards home. But with the fatigues of the day, and the op- posing current of the river, their progress was in the beginning rather slow. However, by dint of perseverance and hard la- bor, they made respectable progress. It was work indeed, and to add to their embarrassment, night was at hand; the musketoes, gnats, flies and bullfrogs, gave them no peace, and some of the party began to murmur. In this state of affairs, Judge Bradley was called upon to reverse his sentiment, re- ceived with so much eclat in the morning, whereupon he rea- dily replied-
- "facilis descensus Averni; Sed revocare grandum, superasque evadere ad auras, Hoc opus, hic labor est."
Which, in the language of a familiar poet, may be rendered, "Easy the fall to Pinto's dreary den, But hard the scrabble to get back again."
The flagging spirits of the party were revived by this sally,
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and the rest of the voyage was performed, if not with wished for speed, with greater cheerfulness.
To return, it is not of his professional career that we de- signed so much to speak, nor of his character as a man, a christian, a parent and a friend, though in all these respects the only language could be that of eulogy. But it is of him and his influence as an agriculturist, that this sketch was mainly designed.
Always correctly viewing agriculture as the great base of national prosperity, he devoted himself with a well directed zeal, (which some term enthusiasm,) to a thorough examination of the principles on which the cultivation of the soil should be conducted. His grand object was to reduce the process of agriculture to a science, and to induce organization and order where confusion and uncertainty prevailed. In his essays on the various subjects which he discussed, he displayed a master mind, deeply imbued with the principles of philosophy and ex- perience, and his efforts have undoubtedly had a weighty influ- ence in improving the agriculture of our county, as they have greatly enriched most of the various agricultural publications of the country. In the New England Farmer, the Baltimore Farmer and the Plough Boy, are found numerous forcible ef- forts of his sagacious and penetrating mind. The Genesee Farmer owed much of its elevated character to his reflections. It was for a long period the chosen medium through which for a long series of years, the rich results and ample experience of his mature mind were presented to the public. He was one of the first to attribute the hoof-ail, which prevailed ex- tensively in 1820, to the prevalence of ergot in the grasses, and he collected a mass of facts on the subject, which set the matter forever beyond question. He always strenuously op- posed the heterodox notion of wheat turning to chess-and showed conclusively by science and experiments, the absurdi- ty of the idea. Indeed there is scarcely a subject connected with scientific or practical agriculture, on which light has not been thrown by his labors, a correct theory established, and objections to innovations obviated. Every subject that prom-
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ised to be an improvement in agriculture, received his atten- tion, and if its claims were well founded, he did not hesitate to adopt it himself, and urge its adoption by others. As a patron and advocate of agricultural societies, he was among the first, and to his opinions and influence, many of the prom- inent advantages derived by the State from the law of 1819, was unquestionably owing. He was appointed President of the first Onondaga, County Agricultural Society, in 1819. His numerous articles, published in the volumes of the State Agri- cultural Society, and his contributions to most of the agricul- tural journals of the day, establish conclusively, the interest he felt in his favorite pursuit, and the zeal and intelligence he brought to its support. It was the happiness of the author in early life, to enjoy his acquaintance, and long will be remem- bered his conversations and lessons upon this his favorite top- ic. He died at his residence, at Marcellus, September 19th, 1838, aged 71 years. He died as he had lived, at peace with the world, and with an unshaken confidence in his God. Such men are an ornament to the age in which they live, and their country owes them an incalculable debt of gratitude.
Statistics of the town of Marcellus, taken from the Census of 1845 :-
Number of inhabitants, 2,649; subject to military duty, 292; voters, 622; aliens, 48; Paupers, 00 ; children attend -. ing common schools, 648; acres of improved land, 16,169; grist mills, 9; saw mills, 10; paper mills, 3; fulling mills, 2; carding machines, 2; woolen factories, 2; tanneries, 4; Churches-Baptist, 1; Episcopal, 1; Presbyterian, 1; Con- gregational, 1; Methodist 1; common schools, 13; select do., 8 ; taverns, 3; stores, 6; groceries, 3; farmers, 514; mer- chants, 11; manufacturers, 21; mechanics, 131; clergymen, 3; physicians, 6; attorneys, 2.
Jamie Kelly
TOWNS .- SKANEATELES .- DANIEL KELLOGG. 301
SKANEATELES-DANIEL KELLOGG .- Daniel Kellogg, one of the early and most distinguished inhabitants of the county of Onondaga, was born in Williamstown, Mass., April 19, 1780. When quite young, he entered a student of Williams College in his native town ; where it is supposed he remained about two years ; as we find him, at the age of seventeen, a student in the law office of Abraham Van Vechten, Esq., of Albany, then, and for many years after, one of the most eminent law- yers in the State. Here he laid the foundation of those high legal attainments, for which he became so distinguished in after life. He continued in Mr. Van Vechten's office until he had completed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1800; a short time before he had attained his major- ity. His father, a farmer in comfortable circumstances, died when the subject of this notice was quite young; and left to his son means barely sufficient, with rigid economy, to provide for his support and education. Accordingly, when about to enter upon the great business of life, he found himself desti- tute of all resources, except the abilities with which nature had liberally endowed him,-his profession and indomitable ener- gies,-resources, however, which in the sequel proved more valuable to him than wealth. At this time "the far West," as this part of the country was then deemed, held out alluring prospects for young men of talent and enterprise ; and thith- er he directed his course in the spring of 1801; and shortly after commenced the practice of law in the village of Auburn, then only a small hamlet of a few scattering houses. In 1802, he was married to Miss Laura Hyde, of that place, who still survives him.
His journey to western New York was performed on horse- back, then the only means of conveyance, except the cumbrous lumber wagon only used for the transportation of the house- hold goods of the adventurous pioneers ; and a single pair of saddlebags afforded ample accommodations for all his worldly wealth, and that too without inconvenience to either horse or rider. In after times, when in the enjoyment of the abundant fruits of his industry and talents, he delighted to recount the
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amusing incidents of this journey, and to portray in lively colors the vexations and difficulties that surrounded him in his carly career.
In the spring of 1803, he removed from Auburn to Skan- eateles in the county of Onondaga, which thereafter became his permanent residence.
Though always taking a lively interest in important public questions, he never sought political preferment ; yet, besides holding several offices of minor consideration, he was appoint- ed in 1813 to that of District Attorney for the counties of Cay- uga, Chenango, Cortland and Onondaga; the duties of which he discharged, with characteristic ability, for three years.
In 1818 he was elected to the Presidency of the Bank of Auburn ; which elevated station he held at the time of his death ; and which occurred at his residence at Skaneateles, on the 4th of May, 1836.
For eighteen years he had the principal direction of the fi- nancial affairs of the bank, which he found in a state of almost inextricable confusion. His talents and habits of business were admirably suited to the duties of the station ; and he soon succeeded in restoring its affairs to order, and in establishing its credit on a sure and enduring basis. During this period, there occurred seasons of extreme commercial embarrassment; but no one ever doubted the solvency of the institution over which he presided. His mind, clear and comprehensive-te- nacious of its convictions, and only yielding to the force of reason-profound, rather than brilliant, was never satisfied short of the most thorough and searching scrutiny. To a mind thus constituted, he added habits of untiring industry, a love of order, observable in the minutest details, and an integrity almost proverbial. Such qualifications could not fail to raise him to the first rank in his profession, to secure him an unlim- ited measure of public confidence ; and, consequently, a large and lucrative practice.
Mr. Kellogg seems early to have become impressed with the most enlarged ideas of the transcendant dignity and boundless extent of the legal science. With the almost unlimited re-
TOWNS .- SKANEATELES .- DANIEL KELLOGG. 303
sources with which nature and persevering industry had en- dowed him, it is not so much a matter of surprise that he should grapple with enthusiasm the chaotic ambiguities and subtle refinements of the law, which always found in him a faithful expounder; the client a candid counsellor, justice an impartial dispenser, and though the judicial ermine never graced his shoulders, none were more worthy of its folds. But Mr. Kellogg's fame was not confined to the arena of the Bar ; his skill as a financier was unrivalled. Carrying with him into all the vocations of business, that methodical arrange- ment for which he was so distinguished in his profession, he triumphed over every obstacle, and reaped as the reward of his labor, a most abundant harvest.
Few men in any station, have labored more assiduously, or for a greater number of hours daily, than he did ; or who ac- complished more. Still he was ever ready to respond to the calls of friendship, and no man took greater delight in the social circle ; or could impart a larger share to the fund of common enjoyment.
As an advocate, he addressed himself to the reason, rather than to the imagination and passion ; and contenting himself with the forcible and plain exhibition of truth, was careless of oratorical graces and elegance of style. As might naturally be expected of a mind thus constituted and disciplined, his, was decidedly practical ; and theories, however specious and imposing, seldom found favor with him, until subjected to the searching ordeal and approval of his own judgement. With him, a verbal promise or engagement was ever regarded as obligatory, and if anything, more sacred than if reduced to writing ; and the accuracy, considering the extent and variety of his business, with which his memory retained such engage- ments was almost unexampled.
His death, occurring as it did, at an age when his mental powers were still in full vigor ; and when many years of ac- tive usefulness might have been reasonably anticipated, was regarded as a public calamity ; especially by business men, who knew and could best appreciate his worth.
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304.
ONONDAGA.
The Court of Chancery for the seventh circuit, was then in session in the village of Auburn, and on the announcement of his death by Wm. H. Seward, Esq., the Court thereupon adjourned to the next day. The members of the Bar then formed themselves into a meeting, and appointing a commit- tee to report what measures should be adopted, expressive of their sentiments on the occasion. The committee consisted of Messrs. Seward, Noxon, Lawrence, Bronson and Knox ; and reported, among others the following resolutions :
" Resolved, That in the death of Daniel Kellogg, Esq., the Bar of this State are called to deplore the loss of an individ- ual, who, by the exercise of vigorous intellectual powers, labo- rious and persevering studies, great urbanity of deportment, and zealous devotion to the duties of his profession, connect- ed with sterling integrity and a high sense of honor, had justly secured to him, not only a distinguished rank among them,and in their affectionate esteem, but also the confidence and respect of the community at large."
The other resolutions embraced a tender to the family of their " sympathy for the loss they had 'sustained in being de- prived of a relative, who most faithfully and affectionately dis- charged the duties arising from his domestic and social rela- tions ;" and also to attend in a body, the funeral of the deceased. The proceedings were signed by their chairman, Elijah Miller, Esq. ; and secretary, S. A. Goodwin, Esq.
To these sentiments, a numerous class of friends and ac- quaintances, to many of whom he was endeared by the recollection of many acts of kindness, could most feelingly respond.
The extent and variety of his business transactions, must have often brought him into colision with adverse interests, and it is but reasonable to suppose that hostile feelings may have been at times elicited ; yet he departed, leaving few enemies, and many ardent and devoted friends.
Though he made no profession of religion, he was far from being insensible to the great value of its sacred truths ; and duly appreciated its salutary influence upon society. Accord-
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ingly he contributed freely to its support ; as well as to objects of benevolence.
The intimate connection between the general diffusion of knowledge among the people, and the perpetuity and healthy action of our political institutions, he fully understood; and was consequently the efficient friend of popular education, discharging for several years the duties of Commissioner of Common Schools in his own town, visiting the several dis- tricts, and taking a lively interest in whatever promoted their usefulness.
In person, Mr. Kellogg was rather above the common height, well formed and imposing, as well as preposessing in his ap- pearance and address ; which was uniformly courteous and engaging. These, together with an open and intellectual countenance, and a disposition always cheerful, engaged the respect and favorable regards of those who approached him .*
SKANEATELES .- This town was taken from the western part of Marcellus, and was organized in 1830. It lies mainly on both sides of the northern half of the Skaneateles Lake, and contains about forty lots of the original township. At the period of the survey of the Military Tract, there was quite a large Indian village on the lake shore, south-west of the pres- ent village of Skaneateles ; they were of the Onondaga na- tion.
The first white settler within the limits of the present town of Skaneateles, was John Thompson, by birth a Scotsman, in 1793. He located on lot number eighteen, on the west line of the township. He received his land as part compensation for services rendered as chainman to the principal surveyor, Moses De Witt, who laid out this part of the military bounty lands. Mrs. Thompson was the first white woman who came to this town, and lived here nearly a year without seeing a white per- son except her own family. The farm is now owned by Mr. Amasa Smith. A Mr. Robinson came in the following year, and lived upon the lake shore. In 1796 we find to have set-
* For the foregoing notice, the author is under obligation to Phares Gould, Esq.
B 20
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tled in this town, Lovel Gibbs, who kept a tavern in & log house, Jonathan Hall and Winston Day. In 1797, Warren Hecox, James Porter, Dr. Munger ; and soon after, Dr. Sam- uel Porter, Elnathan Andrews, John Legg, Moses Loss, John Briggs, Nathan Kelsey, William J. Vredenburg, Isaac Sher- wood and Dr. Benedict. Then came the Kelloggs and Earlls, so that by 1805-6-7, this part of Marcellus now Skaneateles, was pretty generally settled. Daniel Earll with his brother Nehemiah, came from Washington County, and settled at Onondaga Hollow, in th year 1792. Nehemiah died in 1808; he had one daughter. Daniel Earll had the following named sons, viz. : Jonas, Daniel, Nathaniel, Robert, Benjamin, Wat- son, Nehemiah and Abijalı. The two youngest, Nehemiah and Abijah, came to Onondaga with their father. Robert and Benjamin removed with their families to Onondaga, in the winter of 1794-5, and remained there about a year. Af- ter Robert, Benjamin, Watson and Abijah removed to Mar- cellus, Robert and Abijah settled on lot number twenty-seven, and the other two on lot number eleven, in the same town.
In 1802, Jonas Earll came from Washington County, and settled on lot number nineteen, Marcellus. He had three sons, viz. : Solomon, Jonas, Jr., and David. Solomon died several years ago. Jonas, Jr., died in October, 1846, and Jonas, Sen., October, 1847, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. David now resides in the town of Salina.
Jonas Earll, Jr. held several offices of trust in the county, and for more than twenty years, was one of the leading politi- cal men in it. He was a member of Assembly in 1820 and 1821, a Senator from 1822 to 1827, and a member of the twentieth and twenty-first Congresses, 1826 to 1830, and for several years, sheriff.
Robert Earll had six sons, viz. : Isaac, Robert, Nehemiah H., Hezekiah, Hiram and Ira. Robert, Sen., died in 1834, and his son Ira about the same time. The other sons still re- side in this county, except Robert, Jr., who resides in Wyo- ming County. Judge Nehemiah Earll has occupied several important stations in the oficial history of the county, viz. ;
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Judge of Onondaga County Common Pleas, from 1823 to 1831, Superintendent of Salt Springs, from 1831 to 1835, member of the twenty-sixth Congress, 1841 and 1842.
Daniel Earll, Sen., remained in the town of Onondaga un- til 1810, when he removed to Marcellus, and lived near his sons Robert and Abijah, until his death, which occurred in 1817, aged eighty-eight years. This numerous and influen- tial family were of Massachusetts origin.
Lovell Gibbs erected the first frame house in town, in Ska- neateles Village, 1796, and Dr. Hall, another the same year. In 1797, James Porter erected a large house, in which he kept the first tavern in town; and the timber of which it was constructed, was the first raft that was ever afloat on the Skaneateles Lake. Winston Day the same year erected a commodious frame building for a store, and in it kept the first store of goods in the town. He was set up in trade by Judge Sanger.
In these primitive times, the means of subsistence were sometimes scanty and precarious. Provisions were obtained mostly from the towns of Aurelius and Scipio, which had been settled somewhat carlier, and were then in Onondaga County. In 1799, Warren Hecox, who is still living, remarks, that there was an uncommon scarcity of grain, that he had to send to Scipio, twenty miles, and gave two dollars and fifty cents for one bushel of wheat, and he could only raise money enough to purchase a single bushel at a time. He hired a horse at fifty cents a day, and sent a boy eighteen miles, to Montville, in Sempronius, to get the bushel ground, which took two days. The mills having stopped running at Auburn and Camillus on account of the great drought of that season. His was not a solitary case, his neighbors were in the same predicament, and some even worse off; for they could get neither money nor wheat.
The markets for produce, after the people had prospered so as to procure a surplus, were Albany and Utica. It took a horse team in those times, fourteen days to make the jour- ney to Albany and back with a load, and often longer ; and
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an ox team the same time to Utica, taking a load of potash down, and a load of goods back.
The first post office was established April, 1804, at Skane- ateles Village, William J. Vredenburgh, P. M., succeeded by John Teneyck ; Charles J. Burnett, P. M. from 1817 to 1843.
When the town was first settled, there was an Indian trail through it, crossing the lake where the village now stands, along which the Indians from Oneida and Onondaga used to pass, in proceeding to visit their Cayuga and Seneca friends, which at this time, was the only road. The old Genesee road was first cut out and traveled a mile and a quarter north of the village. Through the influence of Judge Sanger, who was one of the commissioners to lay out the Seneca Turnpike, and who had invested money in land and mill sites at the out- let of the Skaneateles Lake, the turnpike was laid out along the Indian trail, crossing at the outlet at the village of Ska- neateles.
The Skaneateles Lake affords abundance of excellent trout, some of which have weighed fifteen pounds; perch are also caught. Within the last two or three years, pickerel have been put in, but as yet have not multiplied sufficiently to be taken in great quantities. The region around the lake and river formerly afforded abundance of game. Deer were often seen swimming across the lake, when every skiff and canoe was put in immediate requisition, and all hands prepared for the chase. The older inhabitants have often joined in these sports, and repeat to this day the anxiety and pleasure they experienced in the pursuit.
The first frame school house in town was at Skaneateles Village, erected 1798; Nicholas Otis was the first teacher. There was a school kept in a private room in the village be- fore the house was built, by Ebenczer Castle.
The Congregational Skaneateles Religious Society and Church, was organized in 1801, by the Rev. Aaron Bascom. There were but sixteen members at this time. Their first church edifice was erected 1807, on the hill, east of the vil-
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lage, which was subsequently sold to the Baptist Society, who removed it down to a more central location, and fitted it up for a house of worship for their society. A spacious and taste- ful brick edifice was erected by the Presbyterian Society in 1830. The first missionary was the Rev. Mr. Osgood, after- wards the Rev. Messrs. Seth Williston, Bushnell, Jerome and Crane. The first stated preacher was the Rev. Thomas Ro- bins. The first ordained minister was the Rev. Nathaniel Swift, in 1811. Other ministers have been Rev. Messrs. Ben- jamin Rice, Benjamin B. Stocton, (Congregational changed to Presbyterian under Mr. Stocton, in 1818,) Alexander M. Cowan, Samuel W. Brace, Samuel W. Bush. St. James' Church, Skaneateles, was organized 4th January, 1816, Rev. William A. Clark, presiding. This organization failed for want of regular attention to legal requirements. In 1824, the society was re-organized by Rev. Augustus L. Converse, Jonathan Booth, Charles J. Burnett, were chosen Wardens, and Stephen Horton, John Pierson, Charles Pardee, J. W. Livingston, Samuel Francis and Elijah J. Rust, Vestrymen. Rev. Davenport Phelps was the first missionary for this Church 1803-4, and the Rev. William A. Clark kept a select school for boys in Judge Vredenburgh's house, and attended to parochial duties. Church services were held at the houses of Mr. Vre- denburgh and Charles J. Burnett. Rev. Lucius Smith suc- ceeded Mr. Clark, and seats were fitted up in a store, for the greater convenience of worshippers, which was also used for a school room. Rev. A. S. Hollister succeeded Mr. Smith. . Rev. A. L. Converse officiated next, and the Rev. Amos Par- dee was pastor in 1824, Mr. Hollister again in 1827. The first church edifice was erected 1827-8, and greatly enlarged and improved in 1847. The late Rev. Joseph T. Clark was the officiating minister of this parish from May, 1831, to Oc- tober, 1844, more than thirteen years. He died at Jamaica whither he had retired for the improvement of his declining health, and died there, rector of St. Dorothy's Parish, 17th July, 1845, in the forty-seventh year of his age. Rev. Mr. Seymour, present rector. The author was unable to gather
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