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 8
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 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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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"SYRACUSE GAZETTE, AND GENERAL ADVERTISER," and was continued by Mr. Durnford until 1829, when Lewis II. Red- field moved to Syracuse from Onondaga Hollow, bought out Mr. D., and united the " ONONDAGA REGISTER" to it, under the name of "THE SYRACUSE GAZETTE AND ONONDAGA RE- GISTER." Mr. Redfield continued the publication of the " Ga- zette and Register" until the close of 1831, when it was trans- ferred to Messrs. J. H. Clark and J. de Blois Sherman ; Mr. R. having had charge of the "Register" at Onondaga Hol- low, afterwards, " Gazette and Register," at Syracuse, for a period of eighteen years ; during which time, D. D. Spencer editor of the "Ithaca Chronicle," Lewis Gaylord Clark, Edi- tor of the Knickerbocker, and E. Russell Webb, of New-York, served their several terms of apprenticeship in the "Register" office ; all of whom occupy distinguished positions in their re- spective occupations. Messrs. Clark and Sherman, changed the name of the paper to " THE SYRACUSE ARGUS," and gave the "Jackson party" a warm support for a short time, when it was finally discontinued.
In 1825, Messrs. --- Barnum and John F. Wyman estab- lished the "SYRACUSE ADVERTISER," a "Jackson" paper. Mr. Barnum, however, soon withdrew, and was succeeded in his interest by Mr. Norman Rawson. Messrs. Rawson & Wyman, continued the " Advertiser" until the autumn of '26, when Mr. Wyman, who continued alone in the publication of it, until the spring of 1829. The " ONONDAGA JOURNAL," published at Onondaga Hill, by Mr. V. W. Smith, was then united with the Advertiser, under the name of " THE ONON- DAGA STANDARD," and published by Wyman and Smith. The Standard has since been continued by V. W. & T. A. Smith, Wm. L. Crandall and A. L. Smith ; A. L. Smith and Marcellus Farmer ; A. L. Smith and P. Agan ; and is now published by P. Agan and Moses Summers. The " MORNING POST," the first daily established in Syracuse, was issued from the Standard office, about four months in 1835.
In 1830, the " ONONDAGA REPUBLICAN," an Anti-Masonic paper, was established by Mr. W. S. Campbell, and was con-
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tinued about three years. "THE SYRACUSE AMERICAN"- National Republican-was established in 1831, by Mr. - Adams ; continued through the campaign of 1832, and then discontinued.
In 1834, Messrs. Clark & Patterson, commenced the publi- cation of "THE CONSTITUTIONALIST," a Whig paper, which was continued about two years. This was succeeded by " THE SYRACUSE WIIIG," edited by John K. Barlow, who continued it about two years, when it was merged into a new paper, the "WESTERN STATE JOURNAL," by V. W. & S. F. Smith; the latter of whom, in 1846, commenced " THE SYRACUSE DAILY JOURNAL," in connection with it. In the Spring of 1847, these papers passed into the hands of Henry Barns, Augustus S. Smith, and Edward Cooper, by whom they were continued until the destruction of the establishment by fire, 6th of Jan- uary, 1849. The Daily and Weekly Journal are now con- tinued by Marcellus Farmer, Vivus W. Smith and Seth Haight.
In 1835, " THE ONONDAGA CHIEF," by Miller and Burdick. was commenced and continued about two years. The Chief was succeeded by the "EMPIRE STATE DEMOCRAT," by Hi- ram Cummings ; afterwards by the "FREEMAN," Abolition, by Tucker & Kinney. The "SYRACUSE DAILY STAR," neu- tral, succeeded the Freeman, by the same publishers in 1845, who soon after commenced the publication of the "WEEKLY STAR." Both papers are now continued by Kinney & Mas- ters. The "RELIGIOUS RECORDER" was established by Terry & Platt, in 1844.
On the first of January, 1849, the following entitled pa- pers were published in the city of Syracuse, viz: Syracuse Journal, daily and weekly ; Star, daily and weekly ; Stand- ard, weekly ; Democrat, weekly ; Religious Recorder, weekly ; Reveille, daily ; and Onondaga Sentinel, weekly; and in March, 1849, was established the "CENTRAL CITY," by an association of Printers .*
* For the above brief notice of the Press of Syracuse, the author is mainly indebted to Messrs. L. II. Redfield, S. F. Smith and Henry Parns.
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Others have at different periods, been started, but their ex- istence has been short.
A stereotype foundery was established by Messrs. Baker & Tiernan, from Philadelphia, March 1849.
The first religious society organized in Syracuse, was of the Baptist denomination. At first, a Conference was organ- ized in the winter of 1819-20, by Elder John G. Sternes, who officiated as minister a portion of the time. Thomas Spencer, Braddock Dart, David Johnson, James Wilson, Alvin Walker with their wives, and Wyllys Brown, B. G. Avery and Mrs. Wales, were the members. Arrangements were made with the Baptist Madison Theological Seminary, to send out every Saturday, a young man to preach. The arrangement was not perfect, and services were not regularly held. The peo- ple of all denominations at that time attended the Baptist meeting in a little low school house, scarcely capable of con- taining sixty persons.
Elder Nathaniel J. Gilbert came to Syracuse as a mission- ary, 16th of February, 1821, and became the first stated preacher, in June, 1823. Rev. Mr. Gilbert, united with the Church and became their regular pastor, in November, 1824. He continued in the faithful and laborious performance of the duties of his office, until July, 1832, when he was suddenly cut off by Asiatic Cholera, deeply lamented by the whole com- munity.
On the 29th of August, 1833, Rev. Orsamus Allen became the pastor of the Church, and so continued until October 20, 1834. In November following, Rev. Stephen Wilkins became the pastor, and continued until December 1st, 1837. He was then succeeded by Rev. John Blain, who remained with the Church four years.
December 1, 1841, Rev. Joseph W. Taggart was installed pastor, and remained until August, 1847. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Robert R. Raymond, who entered upon his duties on the first day of September, 1847.
Their first house of worship, (being also the first erected in Syracuse,) was built in 1824, at a cost of two thousand three
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hundred dollars, and enlarged in 1839, at a cost of two thou- sand three hundred dollars. In the spring of 1848, the so- ciety made an exchange with Capt. Joel Cody, of their house and lot, for a lot more eligible, situated a few rods east of their old location, and erected on the new site, a brick edifice af- ter the Roman Ionic order of architecture. This building is one hundred and thirty-two feet long, (including the porch in front and lecture room in rear,) by seventy feet in width, estimated cost, about fifteen thousand dollars, making the whole property worth about twenty thousand dollars.
" The First Presbyterian Society of Syracuse," was organ- ized December 14th, 1824, and the following persons elected trustees, viz : Moses D. Burnet, Miles Seymour, Rufus Moss, Jonathan Day, Heman Walbridge, Joshua Forman and Jo- seph Slocum. Their house of worship was built in the sum- mer of 1825, and dedicated in January, 1826. Rev. D. C. Lansing preached the dedication sermon. The Church was organized with twenty-six members, on the Cth of April, 1826. Elders, Frederick Phelps and Edward Chapman ; Deacon, Pliny Dickinson. On the 28th of June, 1826, Rev. John Watson Adams was ordained and installed pastor over this church, and has continued so until the present time, (1849,) a rare instance of the true relation which should be sustained between people and pastor. It is believed there is not another instance of so long continuance of a minister with his congregation in Western New-York. Previous to the erec- tion of their house of worship, meetings were held in the vil- lage school house.
"Park Church" (second Presbyterian) was organized 1847, building completed 1848. Rev. W. W. Newell, pastor.
"St. Paul's Church" was organized 22d of May, 1826, Rev. John MeCarty presiding. At this time were chosen, John Durnford and Samuel Wright, Wardens ; Amos P. Granger, Archy Kasson, James Mann, Matthew W. Davis, Mather Williams, Barent Filkins, Othniel Williston and Jabez Hawley, Vestrymen. In 1825, the Syracuse Company gave the Episcopal Society a lot of ground for a church, and
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in September the frame was raised, and covered during the autumn of that year, and in 1827, it was completed. It stood on the ground lately occupied by the Granger Block, now in ruins. The church building was subsequently sold to the Ro- man Catholic Society, who removed it. On the 12th of July, 1841, the corner stone of the present St. Paul's Church was laid, and the building completed carly the following year. Previous to the erection of the first church edifice, services were held in the school house, and occasionally in the Baptist house. Clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who officiated previous to the organization of the society, were Rev. Messrs. Lucius Smith, Wmn. B. Thomas, - Wilcox, Wm. J. Bulkley, Augustus L. Converse, and afterwards, Rev. Messrs. John McCarty, William Barlow, Palmer Dyer, Rich- ard Salmon, John Grigg, Francis Todrig, Clement M. Butler, Charles H. Halsey, William Walton, Isaac Swart, John B. Gallagher and Henry Gregory. Dr. Gregory was succeeded in St. Paul's by the Rev. Wm. B. Ashley.
"St. James Church," (Protestant Episcopal,) was organ- ized August, 1848. Rector, Rev. Henry Gregory, D. D.
The " Church of the Messiah," (First Unitarian Congrega- tional Society of Syracuse,) was organized 3d of September, 1838. First trustees, Hiram Putnam, Nathan Flint and Charles F. Williston. Their first house of worship was a lit- tle chapel on Genesec street, dedicated in December, 1838. The new edifice was erected in 1843, and consecrated in De- cember of that year. Clergymen have been Rev. J. P. B. Storer, who commenced with the consecration, and continued till within one week of his death, at which time he preached his last sermon. He died 10th of March, 1844. Rev. Sam- uel J. May has officiated since, to 1849.
First Roman Catholic Church of Syracuse, was organized Christmas day, 1842. It was purchased from the Protestant Episcopal Society, and fitted up for the Roman Catholics. In 1848, it was considerably enlarged and improved. Rev. Michael Haes, the only minister.
The "First Methodist Episcopal Society" erected a substan-
B 7
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tial brick church in 1836. Statistics from this society have not been furnished. It is, however, one of the oldest in the city. A new society has recently been organized.
A "Dutch Reformed Society" was organized in 1848. The Rev. J. H. Cornell, minister.
There is an African Church, and several German societies, of different protestent persuasions.
The Onondaga County Bank was incorporated in 1830 ; Sa- lina Bank, 1832; Bank of Syracuse, 1838, under General Banking Law. Syracuse and Utica Rail-road went into ope- ration 3d July, 1839; Auburn and Syracuse, 1841 ; Oswego and Syracuse, October, 1848. Telegraph from Albany to Syracuse established 1846. Townsend Block was erected in 1842 ; The Granger Block in 1844-destroyed by fire on 6th January, 1849; Empire Block erected 1845; Globe Build- ings, 1846-7; Malcolm Block, 1847; Market Hall, 1845.
The first packet-boat on the canal, named the Montezuma, arrived at Syracuse on the 21st of April, 1820. It was built and fitted up by a company of gentlemen at Montezuma, from a model furnished by Comfort Tyler. It was seventy-six feet long, and fourteen feet wide. Its arrival created great excite- ment ; hundreds of anxious spectators lined the banks of the canal, to witness this mighty wonder. This practical illustra- tion of the benefits of canal navigation was not without its use. It hushed the hostility of canal opponents, and subdued the fears of the more timorous ; visionary theory yielded to simple fact, and wild speculation to the test of experiment. The canal was now navigable from Montezuma to Utica, nine- ty-four miles, and at once business received a new and vigor- ous impulse.
The 4th of July, 1820, was a glorious day for Syracuse. The canal was in practical operation, the prospects of the fu- ture city began to brighten ; a most brilliant day dawned upon a land heretofore a swamp and bog. It was hailed as a day of joy, festivity and rejoicing. Invitations had been ex- tended to the friends of the canal throughout the State, par- ticularly in the Western District. Thousands of guests from
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the surrounding counties came in to witness the novelty of canal navigation, and to celebrate the day. Some of the most distinguished men in the State were present, among whom were Gov. Clinton and suite, General Van Cortland, Myron Hol- ley, Thomas J. Oakley, and John C. Spencer. Judge Van Ness adjourned the Circuit, then in session at the Court-House, and the Court and Bar attended in a body. Thaddeus M. Wood, Esq., presided on the occasion. The Declaration was read by N. P. Randall, Esq., and the Oration delivered by Samuel Miles Hopkins, Esq., to more than two thousand peo- ple. The numerous procession was formed in front of Mr. Cossit's tavern, escorted by the Salina Band. They proceed- ed to a pine grove directly in rear of the Townsend Block. The platform on which were seated the orator, reader and dis- tinguished guests, was under a large spreading pine, which has long ago bowed its towering head to make way for the rapid and substantial improvements which have since been made. This was the first celebration of our national inde- pendence at Syracuse, and those who were present number it among her proudest days.
A Post Office was established at Syracuse in February, 1820, and was thus announced in the Onondaga Register-" A new Post Office has been established at Syracuse, (formerly Corinth) in the town of Salina, and John Wilkinson, Esq., appointed Post Master. The name of this village was necessarily chang- ed, there being a Post Office of the name of Corinth previ- ously established in the State." The advertising list in 1823, at the time of the first appearance of the Onondaga Gazette had increased to eight. The Post Office for a time was kept in the store of Gen. Granger, but for the greater convenience of the inhabitants of the village, it was thought advisable to move it to the printing office of John Durnford, Esq. He at first objected on account of the lack of room, but finally con- sented. In due time Mr. Wilkinson came on with the whole contents of the Post Office, mail matter, letter bags, boxes- the whole concern, on his shoulders, without having occasion to go for a second load; upon which Mr. Durnford conclud-
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ed he had plenty of room to accommodate all the requisite wants of the department at Syracuse.
On the 9th of June, 1825, the Marquis de La Fayette visit- ed Syracuse. He was escorted from Onondaga Hill, by a large body of citizens on horseback (by way of the Hollow) to the Mansion House, where he received the cordial greet- ings of the citizens of Syracuse and the surrounding country. Judge Forman, as President of the village, addressed the war- worn veteran in behalf of his fellow citizens, in an appropriate address, replete with generous affection, tendering to the il- lustrious guest, the heartfelt hospitalities of a grateful people. During the delivery of Judge Forman's address, the illustrious hero stood with his hat in hand leaning on his cane, with the other on his hip, giving his undivided attention to what was said. The gallant general responded in the following words : (Rep. Onon. Reg.)
" The names of Onondaga and Syracuse, in behalf of whose population you are pleased so kindly to welcome me, recall to my mind at the same time, the wilderness that, since the time I commanded on the northern frontier, has been transformed into one of the most populous, well cultivated and enlightened parts of the United States; and, the ancient Sicilian city, once the seat of republican institutions, much inferior, how- ever, to those which in American Syracuse, are founded upon the plain investigation, the unalloyed establishment of the rights of men, and upon the best representative forms of government. No doubt sir, but that among the co-operators of the Revolution, the most sanguine of us could not fully an- ticipate the rapidity of the improvements, which on a journey of many thousand miles, (the last tour alone, from Washington to this place, amounting to five thousand miles,) have delighted me, and of which this part of the country offers a bright ex- ample. Be pleased to accept my personal thanks, and in be- half of the people of Onondaga and Syracuse, to receive the tribute of my sincere and respectful acknowledgments."
This address was received with the most rapturous applause. Salutations were exchanged, a bountiful repast was furnished
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for the guests, and all passed off to the greatest gratification of every one present.
After breakfast, the General and suite, together with the Onondaga committee of escort, left Syracuse in the packet boat Rochester, for Utica, to which place the committee ac- companied him.
The conclusion of the great work in which the people of Onondaga had borne so prominent a part, was undoubtedly a primary cause of the improvement of Syracuse. The village was incorporated by Legislative enactment, 13th April, 1825, with the usual powers granted to like incorporations. The charter was amended in 1829 and in 1834, increasing the pow- ers of village officers regulating water works, fire depart- ment, &c.
In 1835, the bounds of the original village were considera- bly enlarged. (Sec Records.) In 1839-41, the charter was again amended so as to enable the Trustees to hold real estate for the purposes of a village cemetery, which was subsequent- ly purchased, laid out and beautified. In 1842 and in 1845, the charter was again amended for improvement of water works, to empower the Trustees to borrow money on the cre- dit of the corporation, to purchase a lot for a market and other public buildings, and for other purposes.
The first meeting for the election of officers of the village of Syracuse, was held at the School House in said village, 3d of May, 1825, at which Joshua Forman, Amos P. Granger, Moses D. Burnet, Heman Walbridge and John Rogers, were elected Trustees, (Joshua Forman, President ;) James Webb, Alfred Northum and Thomas Spencer, Assessors ; John Wil- kinson, Clerk ; John Durnford, Treasurer ; Daniel Gilbert, Justice Peace, presiding.
The Trustees proceeded at once to lay out road districts, to organize a fire department, and to purchase engines and ap- paratus, and other things for the welfare of the village.
The second Board of Trustees was elected 3d of May, 1826. Only fifty-six votes were polled. The Board consisted of M. D. Burnet, H. Gifford, Alfred Northum, Andrew Van Patten
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and Henry Young, (M. D. Burnet, second President ;) Peter Van Olinda, Clerk. For officers in succeeding years see vil- lage records.
The city of Syracuse justly prides herself upon the supe- riority of her common schools, which may be deemed the model schools of the county, and are scarcely equalled by any in the State. Districts were formerly laid out when the pop- ulation was scanty and scholars few. Districts that once con- tained only a small number of inhabitants, have recently be- come populous, and where the school was attended by a score of children, it has increased ten fold. Within the memory of many, there was only a single square hopper-shaped roof building, used for schools, religious meetings, town hall, and for almost every public purpose.
Through the exertions of Messrs. Harvey Baldwin, Oliver Teall, Aaron Burt, and some others friendly to the cause of education, a charter was obtained for the Syracuse Academy. Mr. Baldwin gave the lot, and under many discouraging em- barrassments, the building now occupied as the Orphan Asy- lum was erected and completed for an Academy, which was supplied with competent teachers, and supported by the bene- factions of the before named individuals, and a few others. After the Academy went into operation, the enterprise of the people began to be aroused, jealousies in reference to the Aca- demy being a speculation, were awakened, and district school houses sprung up and were patronized. The cause of educa- tion profited by the efforts of these first actors, but the foun- ders were, and continued to be losers, and finally the Academy was abandoned, and the house designed by its originators to subserve the cause of education, providentially became the home of the helpless orphan, and the abode of charity.
On the evening of Friday, the 20th of August, 1841, oc- curred the ever memorable EXPLOSION, at which time twenty- six of our fellow-citizens were launched unwarned into eter- nity, and ten others dangerously, and forty-three others se- verely wounded. A fire originated in a joiners shop, on the towing path side of the Oswego Canal. Here had been stored
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some twenty-five kegs of powder, which exploded with the most terrible consequences. A gloom was cast over the village and the county, which betokened sorrow, and mourning was manifest upon every countenance ; sadness pervaded every dwelling, and melancholy every heart. The effects of this explosion were felt for more than twenty miles around. A man upon the deck of a packet boat at Fulton, twenty-six miles distant, heard the report. At De Witt and Jamesville, five miles off, persons were started from their sleep, supposing their chimnies had fallen down. At Manlius, ten miles dis- tant, the earth trembled, and crockery upon a merchant's shelves rattled for the space of several seconds, like the shock from a clap of thunder. At Camillus it was compared to the crash of falling timber. At Onondaga it was supposed to be an earthquake. Although the concussion was tremendous at Syracuse, the report was not so loud as might have been sup- posed. Glass in the windows a hundred rods distant, were broken. Papers in the County Clerk's Office were thrown from their places upon the floor, and several buildings were more or less injured. The instant the explosion took place, the air was filled with fragments of the building, bits of lumber, &c., which lighted up the heavens with the brightness of day ; but in a twinkling it was total darkness. The explosion had ex- tinguished every particle of fire. The scene at this moment was horrible beyond description ; men, women and children, screaming in horror ; none knew the extent of the calamity, and all were anxious to learn the fate of their friends. Quickly some three thousand persons were gathered, anxiously looking for those whom they most regarded. Very soon lamps were brought, the wounded were carried off, filling the air with sighs and groans. The dead were sought and found, many of them so much disfigured that they could be recognized only by their clothes or the contents of their pockets. For a long time clumps of persons could be seen with lights in all direc- tions, carrying either the dead or the wounded, to their homes. The scenes of that fatal night will long be remembered by the citizens of Syracuse and the county of Onondaga. The next
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day the village was shrouded in mourning. The stores were all closed, and business was out of the question. On Sunday the unfortunate victims were consigned to the tomb amidst the sympathies and tears of an afflicted community. The Clergy were most solemn and impassioned in their addresses, and the deepest sadness prevailed, as the several processions wended their way to the lonely tomb.
During the year 1846, Syracuse had so wonderfully in- creased in size and population, that the subject of securing for it a city charter, began seriously to be discussed. Meet- ings were held during that and the following year, without coming to any definite conclusion, till in the winter of 1847-8, the matter was brought before the Legislature. There was considerable difference of opinion among the inhabitants, as to the extent of territory which should be embraced. Some were for including the whole original Salt Springs Reserva- tion ; others, for only the village of Syracuse. Some for more territory, others for less. Several spirited meetings were held in reference to the subject, which finally resulted in the grant of a charter, including the villages of Syracuse and Salina, with the name of Syracuse. At the first election of city offi- cers, in May, 1848, Harvey Baldwin, Esq., was elected Mayor ; James Lynch and Elizur Clark, Aldermen for the first ward ; Alexander McKinstry and John B. Burnet, for the second ; William H. Alexander and Gardner Lawrence, for the third ; and Henry W. Durnford and Robert Furman, for the fourth.
From the returns of a census made for the city of Syracuse, first of January, 1849, it contained a small fraction short of 16,000 inhabitants.
In May, 1849, E. W. Leavenworth, Esq., was elected Mayor ; Thomas Feagan, of the first ward, Silas Titus, of the second, Amos Westcott, of the third, and Edward B. Wicks, of the fourth, Aldermen :- Messrs. Lynch, Mckinstry, Lawrence, and Durnford, holding over.
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