Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 30

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 30

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Within its present limits, and undoubtedly as originally laid out, " the mall " (it was so called more often than " the square ") contains three and seven tenths acres of land, but its present topographical con- dition bears no resemblance to that of ninety four years ago. Then the American arcade corner was much elevated, while the eastern end of the mall was about on a level with the present railroad station. The land between these points was also much depressed, and was not then regarded of much value. Around the square the business portion of the village was built up, though chiefly near the upper end, and it re- mained for a later generation of inhabitants to fill up the low lands of the mall, and beautify the tract with fountain, garden, monuments1 and other evidences of refinement and advancement .?

After Watertown was designated the county seat there followed a rapid increase in population and business interests, and within the next ten years the character of the village materially changed. In 1805 a dam was constructed across the river below the bridge, and in the next

I The beautiful soldiers' monument wh'e i adorns the western en ! of the square was erected in 1-90, through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. George Cook. The corner stone was laid on Memorial Day.

" The beast ful foliage trees which so many years adorned the square were removed just previous to the laying of the first pavement, in 1944.

WATERTOWN-PUBLIC SQUARE, LOOKING EAST

WATERIOWN-PUBLI SQUARE, LOOKING WEST.

THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

year Seth Bailey and Gershom Tuttle had a grist mill in operation at the north end On the Watertown side Potter's saw mill was built in 1806, followed soon after by 11. H. Coffeen's grist mill. In the busi- ness portion of the settlement, on the south side of the square, William Smith and John Paddock built and opened a store about on the site now occupied by John W. Spratt's store. Smith had come to the set- tlement in 1802 with Joseph Sheldon and Septimus G. Adams, both of whom settled in the town, while he took up his abode at the hamlet and made, during the year, 150 potash barrels, which were regarded as "legal tender" at that time. Paddock and Smith were the pioneer merchants, although during the preceding year Amasa Fox had par- tially finished a frame building for store occupancy.

Among the other interests which were begun here in 1805 was Jabez Foster's store, which was then removed from Burrville, and with it came the owner, and also Orville Hungerford, his clerk, but who after- ward became one of the foremost men of the region. In the same year Cowan's grist mill was built near the saw mill, and also a school house, the latter standing on the sight of the Universalist church. The same year witnessed the arrival of Dr. Daniel Brainard. About this time the current of settlement became so rapid that only with much difficulty can chronology be preserved. The location of the county buildings was soon determined, and immediately afterward a host of legal lights began practice here. In 1802, according to the court rec- ords, twelve attorneys were admitted to practice, and of the number Benjamin Skinner, Egbert Ten Eyck, Amos Benedict and Samuel Whittlesey settled in the village. Within the next three years the pro- fessional ranks were increased by the arrival of Ela Collins, Micah Ster- ling, Thomas Skinner, David W. Bueklin and others whose names are not recalled, but whose residence here gave tone and character to the village and naturally added to its early importance. The early terms of court were held in the school house on the square until the court house was completed.

In the same manner may be recalled the names of other early repre- sentatives of business interests in the village du ing this period. In 1808 Gurdon Caswell started a small paper mill about on the site of the present Knowlton mills, and was a considerable producer in his way. Jason Fairbanks came to the village in 1808, and was afterwards a con- spienous figure in the local history. He was once sheriff, but was especially prominent in early political circles, and also in connection

275

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

with the noted " Whittlesey case," he, with Perley Keyes, being sure- ties for Whittlesey on the bond of the latter as brigade-paymaster during the war of 1812. Perley Keyes was another interesting charac- ter in the early history of the village, and also one of its most useful citizens. He was one of the judges of the first court of common pleas held in the county. He died May 13, 1834. Perley G. Keyes, more frequently known as "Gardner " Keyes, was his son; and Rev. Rich- ard G. Keyes was his grandson.

Thus might these reminiscences of early life and scenes in Watertown be continued to an almost indefinite length, for the mention of a single name and character suggests others continually until the chronicle of events becomes involved in a mass of biographical statistics. The years which followed the designation of the county seat were indeed eventful and fruitful of history, and the beginning of 1812 found the little village to contain about fifty householders and heads of families, and a total of about 500 inhabitants. In 1809, among the several en- terprises then in existence, was the newspaper called the American Eagle, of which Judge Henry Coffeen was the founder, and Abram Tay- lor, jr., publisher, and which was printed in a stone building standing near the court house. At that time (or in 1808) the public buildings comprised the court house, at the lower end of Court street, and the district school which stood on the south side of the square, for as yet there were but two informal church societies in existence (Congrega- tional and Methodist), neither of which had a house of worship. There- fore when the government directed the erection of an arsenal in the village, the whole population was alive with interest and excitement, for the very suggestion was calculated to arouse feelings of alarm. The chief product of the vicinity was potash, and Montreal was the best available inarket. The embargo act was then in force, and the wit and ingenuity of the dealers in the commodity was taxed to evadc the vigilance of the customs officials. The old firm of Paddock & Smith were extensive shippers of potash, and in 180℃ sent to British ports in Canada 2, $00 barrels of that product, of a total value ($40 per barrel) of $112,000. The embargo aet increased rather than diminished the traffic, as the advanced price created a temptation too great to resist. Hence it was only natural that the inhabitants wondered at the true meaning of a government arsenal in their quiet village.

The United States arsenal at Watertown, which for half a century was one of the conspicuous landmarks of the village, was built during

279

THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

the year 1809, under the personal direction of Hart Massey, who was then custom collector at Sackets Harbor. The building cost $1, 940. 99. It was built of brick, with stone trimmings, 40 x 60 feet in size, and two stories high. On the eastern slope of the roof was a platform, on which was mounted two six-pound cannon, unlimbered, standing muz- złe to muzzle. The lower windows were protected with strong iron bars, and in the rear was a one-story guard house, built of wood. The premises were surrounded by a strong stockade of cedar posts, and just inside the gateway was a sentry-box. The entire structure presented a decidedly military appearance. The materials for its erection were furnished and the work done by Abram Jewett, Thaddeus Smith, Joseph Cook, David Stafford and Benjamin Goodale.

This historic structure, of which not a vestige remains to mark the site, was erected on the south side of Columbia (now Arsenal) street, on lot No. 19, (now the premises of Mrs. C. A. Holden) a few rods west of Benedict street. Within its secure walls was deposited large quantities of military supplies, and during the war of 1812, its vicinity was frequently the rendezvous of troops, while at the same time the domicile of almost every patriotic citizen (and also the old academy building) was an ever open hospital for the care of the sick and wounded soldiers sent here from the harbor. After the close of the war the ar- senal was still used as a military storehouse, a fact which so tempted the cupidity of the patriots during the contest against Canada, in 1837- 10, that on the night of February 19, 1838, they broke into the build. ing and took therefrom 400 stand of arms A number of other inter- esting events were associated with the old arsenal, but in 1850 it was ordered to be sold, the realty at private, and the arms and munitions at public sale. The site and buildings were purchased by O. & E. L .. Paddock, who leased the latter for use as a tobacco factory, but after- ward sold it to C. A. Holden, and who occupied it as a storehouse. The buildings were subsequently purchased by W. G. Williams, who demolished them and used the material in erecting a brick residence on Ten Eyck street, being the same more recently owned by C. W. Simons. The arms and other supplies were sold singly and in lots, and many of them are still treasured relics of by-gone days. Previous to the erection of the arsenal, the road on its north boundary was called Columbia street, but in allusion to the building the name was soon changed to Arsenal street.

In order to further trace the growth of the village in its carly history.

280

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

the attention of the reader is directed to the accompanying map of Water- town in 1812, the same having been prepared with great care by a com- petent surveyor. The original from which this view was prepared was

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BLACK RIVER

Richardsen

+ 5.51 .---- Ess

Etkan's

Lick_ TIPA

Ciumin Street

M.C

Vía ..

State Riad

Store

School House

samlet by

washindian Street

Word att Road

Padne

I stortings Office

w. cah SPonline Est

MAP OF WATERTOWN IN 1>19.

. Madison Street

ssell's Sm"

fowani's Island

54 24 Links

281

THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

long in the possession of John C. Sterling and was by him presented to the city.

By reference to the map it will be seen that the village had at that time extended across the river, and in the vicinity of Bailey & Clark's mills a considerable settlement had been built up. The lands here were of course in the town of Brownville (afterward Pamelia), but at that time the village settlement was not limited by established bound- aries on any side, and eventually the entire district with its vastly in- creased interests became a part of the city. There were at that time fifteen buildings on what is now Main street, whose occupants were among the prominent business men of the village. The map indicates the character of the buildings, and the names of their occupants. The highway leading across the bridge and thence down the river (Main street), was a part of the state road, and was the most direct thorough- fare from Brownville to the county seat.

But returning to the south side of the river, it may be seen that with- in the village proper many changes and improvements had been made, and as well there was a noticeable increase in population. The mall had taken regular form, and on the site where Judge Coffeen's first log dwelling was built was soon afterward erected a block of buildings. In the angles of Court and Columbia streets was a substantial stone build- ing, believed to have been built by Jason Fairbanks, but otherwise this locality had no other structure on Columbia (Arsenal) street, and none on Court nearer than Benj. Skinner's office. Where now stands the American arcade was a row of three buildings, that farthest west being J. Clark's. Columbia street is imperfectly shown, and even the arsenal site is not indicated on the map.

At this time there appeared to have been little growth about the square, only William Smith's store and the school house being on the south side. On the west was no improvement whatever, while on the north side were the buildings previously mentioned and Jesse Doolittle's house, the latter about on the site of Streeter & Brimmer's store of re- cent years. Capt. John Paddock's store and dwelling stood where is now the Paddock building, but further up Washington street was Amos Benedict's building, on the site of the Jefferson county national bank. Judge Foster's residence (about five rods back from the street), Paoli Wells and Olney Pierce's residences, all on the west side. On the east side, in the rear of the Smith store, was Perley Keyes's residence, about on the site of the Agricultural block, and still further south were 36

2.92

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Gardner White's building and Micah Sterling's law office. Mr. Sterling's residence stood on the street named for him.

'The site of the old court house is clearly indicated, and north of it, between the state road and the river, is shown the " pest house." At the south end of the bridge, west of the road, is seen Bailey & Clark's distillery and brewery. Between the court house and the mall was the principal business and residence portion of the village, and the state road, now known as Court street, was the leading thoroughfare. The " Road to Brownville," now Coffeen street, was occupied chietly for residence purposes. The Woodruff road ( Franklin street) was laid out about on its present lines, and on it were James O'Reilly's house and Abram Jewett's briek yard, the latter an industry of great importance at that time. But further description seems needless, as a study of the map will clearly show the situation of the village at that time, and as well the names and residences of its people.

A careful estimate of the number of inhabitants in the village proper in 1812 showed the total to be about 500, and that the business and manufacturing interests were equal to those of other localities similarly situated, although at this time there had been no special attempt to develop the remarkable resources offered by the water power of Black river. The period of industrial development in fact began in the lat- ter part of 1813 (Dec. 20) in the incorporation of the Black river cotton and woolen manufacturing company, which resulted in building up the hamlet for many years known as Factory village, later called Factory square, and now an important locality within the corporate limits of the city. This enterprise was soon followed by others of like charac- ter, and so increased the business prominence of the village that it became necessary to establish a municipality separate from the town of which it formed a part, that the internal affairs of government and protection might be secured without imposing a tax upon the town at large.

Incorporation .- On April 5, 1816, the legislature passed an act to " Vest certain powers in the freeholders and inhabitants of the village of Watertown," the effective portion of which was as follows:

Be it enacted, etc., "That the district of country in the town of Watertown, County of Jefferson, comprised in the following bounds, that is to say: Beginning at the middle of Black river, six rods west of the bridge, from thence south, 29 degrees W., 26 chains to the south side of the Arsenal road leading to Sackets Har- bor ; thence south 36 degrees E., 42 cbains, 50 links, to the Huntington road ; thence

THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

north, 72 degrees E., 9 chains, 50 links, to the Woodruff road ; thence north 57 de- grees E., 18 chains, 50 links, to the Black river; thence down the middle of said river to the place of beginning, shall hereafter be known and distinguished by the name of the ' Village of Watertown.' "

The second seetion of the act authorized the " qualified freeholders " and inhabitants to meet at some convenient place on the first Monday in May following and elect five resident freeholders to be trustees of the village. The third section declared the village to be a body cor- porate and politic, and empowered to make all necessary improvements, erect fire engine houses, raise money by tax to purchase fire engines, supply the village with water for domestic and fire purposes, and to perform all necessary acts for the government and welfare of the in- habitants. Section four authorized the trustees to make prudential laws and regulations for village government, establish public markets, drain, fill and improve streets, appoint officers relative to the inspec- tion of weights and measures, but not to regulate or ascertain the price of any commodities or articles of provisions, "except the article of bread." Section six directed the election of three assessors, a treasurer, collector and five fire wardens.

In accordance with the provisions of the act, the first village election was held in May, 1816, when officers were elected as follows: Timothy Burr, Egbert Ten Eyck, Olney Pierce, Marinus W. Gilbert and Norris M. Woodruff, trustees; Rueben Goodale, William Smith and Orville llungerford, assessors; Micah Sterling, treasurer; Seth Otis, collector; Jabez Foster, Samuel Watson, jr., Rufus Backus, William Fletcher and Joseph Henry, fire wardens.

At their first meeting, the trustees divided the village into five wards, to each of which a fire warden was assigned, and each was to be fur- nished with four ladders. At the same time provision against fire was made, and on May 28, 1817, a fire company was organized. On June 10 following the sum of $200 was voted for the purchase of a fire en- gine. This was the nucleus of the village and city fire department of subsequent years, a subject to which more extended reference may be found on later pages of this chapter.

The act incorporating the village was first amended April :. 1820, by extending the western boundary to a point seven and three fourths rods below the bridge, and thence bearing south to the Arsenal road; but under this act no other important changes were made. The act of April 17, 1826, was supplemental in its nature, and conferred additional . police power on the trustees and other village authorities.

281

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The act of April 26, 1831, was entitled "An act to consolidate and amend the charter of the village of Watertown," and was in fact a virtual reincorporation. New and extended boundaries were therein described, and substantially the whole of great lots Nos. 7 and & were included within the corporate limits. Thus Factory village, which at that time was a considerable hamlet, was annexed to Watertown, and was perhaps its most important industrial portion. Under this act the inhabitants were authorized to annually elect five trustees, three assess- ors, a clerk, treasurer and collector, all of whom were to be freeholders. The trustees were also authorized to expend annually $500 for village purposes. On April 16, 1832, the legislature amended the act of the previous year, and, among other things, carefully described the village boundaries; provided for not less than five nor more than seven wards, and authorized the election, by a plurality of ballots, of a village presi- dent, three assessors, clerk, treasurer, collector and two police con- stables. Provision was also made for the election of as many trustees as there were wards (one trustee for each, who should reside in the ward); also for two fire wardens for each ward and who should reside in the ward. The amendatory act of April 23, 1835, conveyed addi- tional police power on the trustees.

In 1852, by an act passed April 16, the village limits were again ex- tended, the territory was directed to be divided into from five to seven wards, and the election of officers was substantially as set forth in the act of 1832 The powers of the trustees were extended, and the annual election was directed to be held on the first Monday of March. In the meantime, however, other acts were passed relating to various depart- ments of local government, which will be set forth in their proper place. Other than is thus indicated, there was little change in the civil and political history of the village until the latter lost its distinctive minor character and became a city under the provisions of the act of May 8, 1869.

During the period of village history, the presidents (appointed and elected) were as follows:

Timothy Burr, 1816; Isaac Lee, 1817; Orin Stone, 1818; William Smith, 1819; Egbert Ten Eyck, 1820: Olney Pieree, 1821; David W. Bueklin, 1822; Orville Hun- gerford, 1823-24; Olney Pierce, 1825-26; Norris M. Woodruff, 1827-31: Jason Fair- banks, 1432; Orville Hungerford, 1833-35; Jason Fairbanks, 1836; Dyer Huntington, 1837-38: David D. Otis, 1839; George C. Sherman, 1840; William Wood, 1841; Wil- liam HI. Robinson, 1542-43; Benj. Cory. 1844; Dyer Huntington, 1845; Orville V. Brainard, 1846, Stephen Boon, 1847; Peter S. Hawk, 1848; David D. Otis, 1849-50;

285

THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

Joshua Moore, jr., 1851; Dr. Kilborn Hannahs, 1852; Joseph Mullin, 1853-51; Ran- dolph Barnes, 1855; Henry It. Babcock, 1856-58; Ambrose W. Clark, 1859; Henry il. Babcock, 1860-63; John M. Carpenter, 1861 65; George A. Bagley, 1966; Wilbur F. Porter, 1867; Lysander tl. Brown, 1868; Edmund B. Wynn, 1869.

During all the years of its village existence and history, Watertown enjoyed a steady, continuous and healthful growth, both in population and commercial interests. In 1816 the inhabitants numbered hardly more than 900, the stores not more than one-half dozen, while the manufacturing interests included only the saw and grist mills, a small paper mill, the woolen factory and a few other enterprises of less note. In the next ten years the mercantile and manufacturing interests doubled in number, and the year 1824 found a resident population of 1,220 persons, 170 families, 142 dwellings, 36 mechanic's shops, is stores, ? offices, one bank, one cotton and woolen factory, one planing and two saw mills, one furnace, one tannery, three paper mills, a ma- chine shop, a fulling and carding mill, a distillery, four chair factories, a plow factory and a tin shop. There were also three school houses, two churches (and a third in course of erection), and six taverns.

According to an admirably written descriptive sketch of the village in 1824, prepared by Beman Brockway (and recently published), the village school houses were located, respectively, on Sterling, Arsenal and Factory streets. The taverns, which were then regarded as public institutions, were kept by Sewell Brintnall, B. Ranney (about on the Woodruff house site), Stanton Brown. Elliott Makepeace, Dexter 1hin- gerford (cor. Arsenal street and the square) and Jarius Rich.

. Among those engaged in mercantile business between the dates mentioned." (1812 and 182.1), says the Brockway narrative, "were William Smith, William Fes- senden, Joseph Goodale, John and Loveland Paddock, Tuttle & Porter, J. Holt, Murdock & Frey. Saniforth & Brewster, John Sandford, Orin Stone, Eli Farwell, Jason Fairbanks, Luther G. Hoyt, Silas Clark, Broderick & Duane, Lorenzo Prentice, Orville Hungerford, Adriel C. Ely, Knowlton & Rice, Frederick White, William Wood, Zenas Adams and I. & M. Symonds."

" The tin shop was carried on by Norris M. Woodruff ; the fulling mill by Winslow Partridge; the distillery by Mr. Foster; the machine shop by Goulding and Nathan Wiley; the tannery by Jason Fairbanks, and the furnace which was on Beebee's island (formerly Cowan's island) by William Smith. One of the paper mills was car- ried on by Knowlton & Rice."

In 1824 the village streets were State (now Court), Court (now Cof. feen), Madison (now Massey), Arsenal, Washington, Sterling, Factory, Mill, the State road (now State street ), Water (now Huntington), Wood- ruff (now Franklin), and Weaver (now High). In this year a some-

13 Court House

BLACK

Court Stret

River Road.

Street

Factory Island

water utrtet

Factory

Square

Street

Cowans

Island

Factory Street

Public Square

State Road

Universalist Church

Streat

Washington Street

Bill presbyterian Church

MAP OF WATERTOWN IN 1824.

Madison

RIVER

Arsenal Street

State

957

THE CITY OF WATERTOWN.

what elaborate map was made, showing streets, buildings and character of occupancy. The map was long in possession of John C. Sterling, and was by him presented to the city. Through the courtesy of public officials the map is permitted to be reproduced in this work, and is shown in the accompanying diagram. A written explanation of the various buildings and streets is given on the drawing, but the action of time has so effaced the deseription that it is now hardly discernible, and will not fully reproduce in answer to the photographer's endeavors. In his reminiscences of carly Watertown Mr. Brockway had access to the original map and produced therefrom many interesting recollections. Upon the latter the present writer has drawn in the preparation of this chapter, frequently using Mr. Brockway's own words. The map itself furnishes an interesting study of village history, and taken in connection with preceding similar illustrations, gives something of an idea of its early growth and development.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 30

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1368

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368