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 6
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 6
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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
CHAPTER XIV.
SYRACUSE-JOSHUA FORMAN.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HON. JOSHUA FORMAN-CITY OF SYRACUSE.
JOSHUA FORMAN .- To give any thing like a perfect biogra- phical notice of this distinguished individual, would require a person more familiar with his public acts, more intimate with occurrences which transpired at the period in which he was most active, and one who knew better the public worth and private excellence of his character than the author. But as he, for a period of more than a quarter of a century, was a leader in the affairs of this county, and became identified with all the majestic projects of State policy, we cannot pass him by without an attempt to do justice to his merits.
Joshua Forman was born at Pleasant Valley, in the county of Duchess and State of New-York, the 6th of September, 1777. His parents were Joseph and Hannah Forman, who previous to the Revolution, resided in the city of New-York. Upon the breaking out of the war and the approach of the British to that City, Mr. Joseph Forman with his family, re- tired to Pleasant Valley, where the subject of this sketch was born. At an early age he evinced a strong desire for learn- ing, in which he was encouraged by his friends. In the fall of 1793, he entered Union College, at Schenectady, and in due time graduated with honor. Directly after his collegiate course was completed, he entered the law office of Peter W. Radcliffe, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, where he remained about
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two years. He then went to the city of New-York and com- pleted his law studies in the office of Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esq. Soon after the close of his professional course, he was married to Miss Margaret Alexander, a daughter of the Hon. Boyd Alexander, M. P. for Glasgow, Scotland. In the spring of 1800, Mr. Forman removed to Onondaga Hollow, and opened a law office on the east side of the creek, where he began early to manifest his public spirit and enterprise. At the time he settled at Onondaga Hollow, the village was mainly situated on the east side of Onondaga Creek, and he being desirous of building up the village, and of extending its boundaries, soon located his father and his brothers John, Samuel and Daniel W., near the west end of the present village, on the north and south road passing through the same, and rapidly built up the western part. This left a space in the middle, comparatively unoccupied. Here, Judge Forman soon after erected a large Hotel, and after- wards a fine residence for himself, which was occupied many years after Judge Forman left the Hollow, by his brother- in-law, the late Wm. H. Sabin. He was also mainly instru- mental in procuring the location of the academy, church, and two or three stores in the same vicinity, before he removed from Onondaga, thereby connecting the whole into one tol- erably compact settlement.
By his integrity and strait forward course in the practice of his profession, he soon became distinguished as a lawyer and by his talents and gentlemanly deportment became fami- liarly known throughout the country.
In 1803, William H. Sabin, Esq., joined him as a partner in the practice of law, and for several years they did an ex- tensive business. The subject of the Erie Canal became a theme of deep interest to several of the leading men of On- ondaga, and to none more so than to Judge Forman. Con- versations were held by those who were friends to the project, and measures were early taken to bring the great question be- fore the public. Mr. Forman's talents as a public speaker, and as a man of influence and character, eminently distin-
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guished him to be the individual who should be foremost in moving in the matter. Accordingly in 1807, a union tieket was got up, headed by John Mcwhorter, Democrat; and Joshua Forman, Federalist. This ticket was carried with trifling opposition. It was headed "Canal Ticket," and as such received the cordial support of a large majority of the electors of Onondaga County.
As was anticipated by the friends of Judge Forman and the great work which he was designated to advocate, he brought forward the ever memorable resolution in the House of Assem- bly, which alone would render his name immortal, directing a survey to be made "of the most eligible and direct route of a canal, to open a communication between the tide waters of the Hudson and Lake Erie."
Mr. Forman had studied the subject of eanals as construct- ed in foreign countries. His mind had been applied intently to their construction, utility and cost, and these labors had been brought to bear and have weight upon the subjeet now under investigation. He had well considered all the advantages that would accrue to the United States and the State of New- York, if this important work should be completed. He had prepared an estimate of the cost of construction, based upon statistics of the Languedoc Canal.
While discussing this subject in Albany, during the session, Judge Wright and General McNeill, of Oneida, became con- verts to the plan, through the instrumentality of Judge For- man, and Judge Wright agreed to second the resolution about to be offered whenever it should be brought up. Judge For- man had no confidence that the general government would assist New-York in the construction of a canal, but the reso- lution framed and offered by him was so worded as to give President Jefferson an opportunity to participate in the mea- sure if he would. Fired with the novelty and importance of this projeet, and somewhat piqued at the manner of its re- ception by the members of the House, the advocate took pains to prepare himself thoroughly upon the subject, and when the resolution was called up, he addressed the House in a for-
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cible and eloquent speech in its favor. Fortunately the reso- lution was adopted, and for this he was for years called a " visionary projector," and was asked a hundred times if he ever expected to live to see his canal completed ; to which he uniformly answered, that "as surely as he lived to the ordi- nary age of man, he did; that it might take ten years to prepare the public mind for the undertaking, and as many more to accomplish it, nevertheless it would be done .* "
Had not Joshua Forman brought forward the subject as he did, it is not easy to conceive who would have had the moral courage to meet the ridicule, of proposing in earnest, what was considered so wild a measure. Had it not been for this timely movement, the subject might have lain idle for years, so far as Legislative action was concerned. But by it, the ice was broken and an impetus given to a direct canal, by the discoveries made under it, and to Joshua Forman must ever be accorded the high consideration, as the first legislative pro- jector of the greatest improvement of the age.
During all the times of darkness, discouragement and doubt, he boldly stood forth the unflinching champion of its feasi- bility, utility and worth, till the day of its completion.
On the occasion of the grand canal celebration, 1st of Nov., 1825, Judge Forman was selected by the citizens of Onondaga County, and as President of the village of Syracuse, to ad- dress Governor Clinton and suite, on their first passage down the canal, accompanied by various county committees along the line. He had but three hours to prepare his address, and it thus appears in the Syracuse Gazette of Nov. 2, 1825 .- "Gentlemen : The roar of cannon rolling from Lake Erie to the ocean, and reverberated from the ocean to the lakes, has announced the completion of the Erie Canal, and you are this day witnesses, bearing the waters of the lakes on the unbroken bosom of the canal, to be mingled with the ocean, that the splendid hopes of our State are realized. The continued fete which has attended your boats, evinces how dear it was, to the
* Hosack, page 350.
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hearts of our citizens. It is truly a proud day for the State of New-York. No one is present who has the interest of the State at heart, who does not exult at the completion of a work fraught with such important benefits, and no man with an American heart, that does not swell with pride that he is a citizen of the country which has accomplished the greatest work of the age, and which has filled Europe with admiration of the American character. On the 4th of July, 1817, it was begun, and it is now accomplished. Not by the labor of abject slaves and vassals, but by the energies of freemen, and in a period unprecedently short, by the voluntary efforts of its freemen governed by the wisdom of its statesmen. This, however, is but one of the many benefits derived from our free institutions, and which marks a new era in the history of man-the example of a nation whose whole physical power and intelligence are employed to advance the improvement, comfort and happiness, of the people. To what extent this course of improvement may be carried, it is impossible for any mere man to conjecture ; but no reasonable man can doubt, that it will continue its progress, until our wide and fertile territory shall be filled with a more dense, intelligent and happy peo- ple than the sun shines upon in the wide circuit of the globe. It has long been the subject of fearful apprehension, to the patriots of the Atlantic States that the remote interior situa- tion of our western country (for want of proper stimuli to in- dustry and free intercourse, with the rest of the world) would be filled with a semi-barbarous population, uncongenial with their Atlantic neighbors. But the introduction of steamboats on our lakes and running rivers, and canals to connect the waters which nature has disjoined, (in both which this State has taken the lead, and its example has now become general,) . have broken down the old barriers of nature, and promise the wide spread regions of the west all the blessings of a sea-board district. But while we contemplate the advantages of this work, as a source of revenue to the State, and of wealth and comfort to our citizens, let us never forget the means by which it has been accomplished ; and after rendering thanks to the
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All-Wise Disposer of events, who has by his own means and for his own purposes brought about this great work, we would render our thanks, to all citizens and statesmen, who have in and out of the Legislature sustained the measure from its first conception to its present final consummation. To the commissioners who superintended the work, the board of na- tive engineers, (a native treasure unknown till called for by the occasion,) and especially to his Excellency, the Governor, whose early and decided support of the measure, fearlessly throwing his character and influence into the scale, turned the poising beam and produced the first canal appropriation, and by his talents and exertions kept public opinion steady to the point. Without his efforts in that crisis, the canal project might still have been a splendid vision-gazed upon by the be- nevolent patriot, but left by cold calumniators to be realized by some future generation. At that time, all admitted that there was a high responsibility resting on you, and had it fail- ed, you must have largely borne the blame. It has succeeded, and we will not withhold from you your due meed of praise.
Gentlemen, in behalf of the citizens of Syracuse, and the county of Onondaga, here assembled, I congratulate you on this occasion. Our village is the offspring of the canal, and with the county must partake largely of its blessings. We were most ungrateful if we did not most cordially join in this great state celebration."
Judge Forman having concluded his address, Governor Clinton replied in a very happy and appropriate manner; in the course of which he adverted to the important views pre- sented in the address, and observed that they were such as he had expected from an individual who had introduced the first legislative measures relative to the canals, and had devoted much thought and reflection to the subject. His Excellency also adverted to the prosperous condition of Syracuse, and of the county, and concluded by expressing his congratulations on the final accomplishment of this great work.
As one of the committee from Syracuse, Judge Forman at- tended the ceremony of mingling the waters of Lake Erie
1
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with those of the Ocean, off Sandy Hook. He had now pas- sed through all the stages in the progress of the great work, from its first announcement in the Legislature, to its final con- summation in uniting the waters of Lake Erie with the At- lantic Ocean. His efforts in this great undertaking will over be an enduring monument of his wisdom, and to future gene rations will his fame extend.
It is not to be supposed that Judge Forman had employed all his time and talents upon this single object. As a lawyer, he became distinguished ; and, on account of his integrity and legal acquirements, was appointed First Judge of Onon- daga County Common Pleas, in 1813. He filled the station with credit and ability for ten years; in fact, he clevated the character of this tribunal to the pitch, which gained for it the high reputation which it has since enjoyed.
He took an early and active interest in the establishment of churches in this county. "The First Onondaga Religious Society," at Onondaga Hill, in 1806, and the " Onondaga Hollow Religious Society," in 1809, owe their early organi- zation mainly to his efforts. The Onondaga Academy, found- ed in 1814, owes its existence to the interest he manifested in the cause of education, and to his fostering care. He was also one of the most active in promoting the organization of the first Presbyterian society in Syracuse, in 1824, and was one of its first Trustees.
In 1807, he took a lease of the Surveyor General for a term of years, of a part of the reservation lands at Oswego Falls, for the purpose of erecting a grist mill in that wilder- ness country, at which time not a horse was owned by an in- habitant between Salina and Oswego. This was the first mill erected on the Oswego river in modern times, and it greatly facilitated the settlement of that region.
In 1808, he founded the celebrated Plaster Company of Camillus, for the purpose of more effectually working the ex- tensive beds in that town. (Sec Camillus.) In 1813, Judge Forman built the canal and excavated ground, for the pond
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at Onondaga Hollow, where he erected a grist mill, which was then considered one of the best in the county.
In 1817, while there was yet a strong opposition to the Erie Canal, and its friends were in the greatest anxiety, and even doubt as to the final result, Judge Forman furnished a series of articles, which were published in the Onondaga Register, signed X, in defense of the work. These papers were writ- ten with great ability, and are said by competent judges, to be inferior to none that had been written upon that subject.
In 1821, Judge Forman obtained the passage of a law, (drawn by his own hand,) authorizing the lowering of Onon- daga Lake, and subsequently the lake was lowered about two feet. The great difficulty had been caused by the high water in the Seneca River, rising to a certain height, which obstrueted the channel of the Onondaga outlet ; and such was the nature of the obstructions, arising from the narrow- ness and crookedness of the passage, that when the Seneca River subsided to its proper limits, the water of Onondaga Lake was retained, and in rainy seasons did not fall so as to make dry ground around it, till late in summer, which was the cause of much inconvenience to the people living in the vi- cinity of the lake. To obviate this, the lake was lowered, and by it the lands around Salina and Syracuse were im- proved, leaving bare a beach about the lake, in some places of several rods in width. For the cause of philanthropy and humanity, this was a most important measure. The country around became more healthful, and although previously in- fested with a fatal miasma in August and September, from that time to this, the country about Syracuse and Salina, has been considered as healthy as any other section in the State.
In 1822, Judge Forman procured the passage of a law authorizing the erection of fixtures for the purpose of manu- facturing coarse salt by solar evaporation, with a three cent per bushel bounty on salt so manufactured, for a given num- ber of years. He went to New Bedford, in company with Isaiah Townsend, Esq., to make inquiries relative to solar evap- oration of salt water, from persons interested in this mode of
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manufacturing salt from sea-water on Cape Cod. They en- gaged Mr. Stephen Smith, to come on to Syracuse with them, to manage the salt fields, he having had experience in this mode of manufacture. Mr. Smith was appointed agent of the Onondaga Company, and Judge Forman of the Syracuse Company, and these two proceeded to make the necessary erections for the manufacture of coarse salt.
At this time the Salina Canal terminated at the mill on the southern border of the village of Salina, and there was no water to be had, available for purposes of carrying machinery in the immediate vicinity of the principal salt spring. With a view of accomplishing this object, Judge Forman accompa- nied Governor Clinton to Salina, pointed out the ground, and proposed to have the Salina Canal extended so as to commu- nicate with Onondaga Lake, and the following year this plan was carried out, the canal was continued to the lake, and ar- rangements made for the erection of pump works. This grand improvement in the elevation of brine, was made at the ex- pense of the Syracuse and Onondaga Salt Companies, under the direction of Judge Forman. Afterwards the State bought the fixtures, aqueducts, &c., as they had reserved the right to do. To no individual so much as to Judge Forman, are we indebted for a modification of our salt laws, and for the sub- stitution of water power, for hand labor, in the elevation of brine, for the reservoirs, and all the apparatus connected with those improvements, and for the introduction of the manufac- ture of coarse salt by solar heat. These were measures in which the public were deeply interested, which particularly absorbed his attention, and which have greatly improved and increased the manufacture of salt in the town of Salina.
Judge Forman was emphatically the founder of the city of Syracuse. He came to this place when there was but a small clearing south of the canal, and lived in a house which stood in the center of Clinton street ; since removed. . When he came to Syracuse it was deemed a doubtful and hazardous enterprise. His friends earnestly desired him to withdraw. But at no time did his courage, energy or faith, fail him. He
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foresaw and insisted, that it must eventually become a great and flourishing inland town, and in spite of much determined opposition, and amidst a variety of obstacles and almost every species of embarrassment, he persisted in his efforts, till he had laid broad and deep the foundations of this flourishing city.
The most prominent obstacles were found in the rival villa- ges in the vicinity, which were likely to be affected by the building up of a larger one in their midst, and in the extensive swamps and marshes which every where in this region prevail- . cd, and in the consequent unhealthiness of the locality.
His work being accomplished, circumstances required his re- moval from this scene of his usefulness, and the theatre of his labors. In 1826, he removed to New Jersey, near New Bruns- wick, where he superintended the opening and working of a copper mine, which had been wrought to some extent prior to and during the Revolution. Soon after his departure from Syracuse, the State of New-York became sadly convulsed and deranged in its financial affairs. Our banking system was ex- tremely defective-reform was demanded by an abused and outraged community. All saw and admitted the evil, but no one was prepared with a remedy. At this crisis, Judge For- man came forward with a plan for relief, and upon the invita- tion of Governor Van Buren he visited Albany, and submit- ted his plan to a Committee of the Legislature then in session. At the suggestion of the Governor, he drew up the bill which subsequently became a law, and is known as the Safety Fund Aet, the great objects of which were, on the one hand, to give currency and character to our circulation, and on the other, to protect the bill-holder. At the special request of Gover- nor Van Buren, Judge Forman spent most of the winter in attendance on the Legislature, in perfecting the details of this important act.
This plan operated well for many years, and the Safety Fund Banks of this State sustained themselves under some of the severest and heaviest revulsions, which the monied insti- tutions of the country have ever experienced. And it may
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be safely affirmed that no system in practice on this side the Atlantic, has better stood the test of experience, or secured so extensively the popular confidence as this. The Safety Fund system was exclusively the plan of Judge Forman, and al- though modifications have since been made, and others pro- jected, in our banking laws, it may be questioned whether the system has been materially improved.
In 1829-30, Judge Forman bought of the government of the State of North Carolina an extensive tract of land, con- . sisting of some three hundred thousand acres, in Rutherford- ton County. He took up his residence at the village of Ruth- erfordton, greatly extended its boundaries, established a newspaper press, and was considered the most enterprising in- dividual in that part of the State ; became quite distinguished as a public man, and noted for his exertions to elevate the character, and improve the mental and moral condition of the inhabitants in that region.
In 1831, after an absence of about five years, Judge For- man visited Onondaga. He was every where received with unqualified demonstrations of joy and respect, and every voice cheered him as the founder of a city, and a benefactor of mankind. The citizens of Syracuse, through their commit- tee appointed for that purpose, consisting of Messrs. Stephen Smith, Harvey Baldwin, Amos P. Granger, L. H. Redfield, Henry Newton, John Wilkinson, and Moses D. Burnet, avail- ed themselves of the opportunity to present to him a valuable piece of silver plate as a tribute of the high respect and es- teem which was entertained for his talents and character, and in consideration of his devotedness to their interests, in the early settlement of the village. The plate is in form of a pitcher, and bears this inscription :
A Tribute of Respect
Presented by the
Citizens of Syracuse to the
Honorable Joshua Forman,
Founder of that Village.
SYRACUSE.
1831.
.
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At the ceremony of presenting the plate, mutual addresses were delivered; on the one hand, highly expressive of the affection and regard of a whole community, to a distinguished individual, who had toiled and exhausted his more vigorous energies for their welfare ; and on the other, the acknowledg- ment of past favors at the hands of his fellow-citizens and co- adjutors, thankful that he had been the humble instrument of contributing to their prosperity, hoping that the bright visions of the future importance of Syracuse, which he had so long entertained, might be realized, he bade her citizens an affec- tionate farewell.
On his return to his home, in North Carolina, Judge For- man took with him this token of the gratitude of his fellow- citizens, and it remained with him till the year 1845, when he presented it to his daughter, the lady of Gen. E. W. Leaven- worth, of Syracuse, then on a visit to her father who was in feeble health, remarking, that it constituted a part of the history of Syracuse, and that after his death there it should remain.
While his health permitted, Judge Forman's business was principally that of making sales of the lands he had purchased in North Carolina.
In 1846, this venerable man re-visited his former friends and acquaintances of his earlier years, and found in each full heart an honest welcome. To all it was apparent that the ad- vances of time had made sad inroads upon his physical and mental powers. Seventy winters had shed their snows upon his devoted head. He had heard much of the growth and prosperity of his cherished city, and of his beloved Ononda- ga. He had fixed his heart upon again treading the soil of his revered county. He had earnestly desired to return to the land of his fathers, before his course on earth should be closed, to witness the result of those wonderful improvements in the accomplishment of which, he had taken so deep an in- terest, and so active a part, and to see the fulfilment of those predictions which had sometimes acquired for him the name of a visionary projector and enthusiast, and once again for the
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