Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 43

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 43

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Another prominent family in early Adams history was that of the brothers, Charles, Thomas R. and Joseph L. Greene, who came from Berlin. N. Y., at a very early date and settled near the center of the town. Thomas afterward lived at Adams Centre, where he died in 1814, and Joseph resided in Adams village. He had three sons, George, who died in 18;0; David M., who served eight years in the navy, one of the faculty of Troy Polytechnic school, and was afterward deputy state engineer; and Albert S., an engineer in the U. S. navy. The Greene settlement was very near the geographical center of the town. The family came originally from Rhode Island, and settled in Chenango county. Charles Greene acted as land agent for Bostwick, of Lowville, and was instrumental in causing settlement in this region by many of his acquaintances in the east. Paul, D'Estaing, De Forest and O. De Grasse Greene (late county clerk), were grandsons of Charles Greene, the pioneer.

A school was opened in the Greene settlement about 1815. Joshua Clark, also an early settler, started a blacksmith shop, and Samuel Marot and Lorenzo Rhodes kept a store. Thus the hamlet was founded, and when in 1835 Charles Greene and Samuel Crosby built a saw mill on the brook, the place was at the height of its importance. However, as years passed these old interests were discontinued, and now the set- tlement is nothing more than a cluster of dwellings in an excellent agri- cultural region.

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

North of the Greene settlement Captain Sill and Baxter Adams were early settlers. Sill was a surveyor and a prominent man in the town. The Wright family also founded a settlement in Adams in 1804. The pioneers were Westwood Wright and his brothers, Moses and Carmi, who came from Massachusetts and located north of the village site. This was a numerous colony, as Westwood Wright's family had eight persons ; Carmi's twelve, and the others a less number. With them, or about the same time, also came John Wright and wife, Eli Wright, Rufus Nims, Lemuel Arms and his sons, Richard, Leman, Hiram and John, and others, in all numbering thirty-eight persons. Cyrus Eddy was also a settler of about the same period, possibly 1803. He located north of the village, and lived there until his death in 1859. One of his sons, Justus Eddy, was for many years a reliable authority on all ques- tions relating to early history in Adams.

Lemuel Arms, who is mentioned in the preceding paragraph, eame from Deerfield, Mass., in 1801, and settled at the Centre. His sons, Leman and Hiram, built the first hotel at that place, and also made wagons and sleighs. Miles Cooper came from Durham, Conn., about 1803, and settled on the Adams village tract, his house standing on the site of S. D. Hungerford's residence of later years. In 1811 Cooper built the first framed house in the village. Titus Bassett came in 1801, and died in the town in 1866. Heman Colton came in 1806, and worked at clearing land until he saved enough money to make a payment on a 163 acre traet in the north part of the town. Herman Keep, with his wife (Dorothy Kent), and their children, Mary, Martha and Henry, came to Adams about 1812, and located near the Centre. Bissell Keep was born after the family settled in the town Henry Keep afterward removed to Watertown, and married Emma A., daughter of Norris M. Woodruff. Mr. Keep was a banker at the county seat, and still later removed to New York and finally became president of the New York Central railroad. He also became one of the richest men this county ever sent into the business world.

Another early settled locality in the town was that long known as North Adams. The pioneer here was a Vermont Yankee by the name of Roger Read, whose settlement was made in 1806. Among his chil- dren were three sons, one of whom, Asahel Read, afterward lived in Watertown. Heman Colton was another early settler in this part of the town, where he opened a large farm. Benjamin Sweet and Albert Rice located farther west, and were also prominent early settlers.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Previous to 1812 one Waddell built a grist mill on Stony creek, and Willett Ranney was its miller for many years. His interest afterward passed to E. & A. Read, who in turn sold to Samuel Cook. He (in 1828) established the North Adams " Pioneer Mills," a name by which the old structure has ever since been known. Henry Moulton was one of the later day proprietors of the mills. Saw mills on the creek were numerous, and among the early proprietors may be recalled the names of Gideon Gifford, Heman Colton, Philo Ellenwood and James Hodge. On the same stream Richard Oatman once had a turning mill and corn grinder.

A post office was established at North Adams about 1845, and Ben- jamin Sweet was postmaster. The office was on the stage route from Watertown to Salisbury's Mills. Albert Rice was the second post- master, succeeded in 1862 by Wm. Stanley, under whom the office was discontinued, for by this time the locality had lost many of its old time interests and was no longer of much importance in the history of the town.

The Second Congregational Society of Adams was organized in this part of the town, at the house of Roger Read, on Nov. 1, 1809, and included in its original membership Timothy Betts and wife, Simeon Read and wife, John Patrick, Elizabeth Miller, Esther Price, John Barnard and wife, Ebenezer Root and wife. Lydia Read and Sally Lyon. The church organization was perfected Dec. 5, 1816, and John Barnard, Asher Robbins and Ruel Pearsons were chosen trustees. In 1818 a frame church edifice, 30 x 40 feet in size, was built on land owned by John Graves, and on Nov. 11th Rev. Edward W. Rossiter was installed pastor. The society prospered for a time, but in 1823 the members from the Smithville neighborhood withdrew to organize a new church. In 1839 the meeting house was moved a mile east, and about the same time a new society, called the North Adams Congregational society, was formed with Heman Colton and Elisha and Ephraim Read as trus- tees. The society continued until 1856, and was then dissolved. The pastors following Mr. Rossiter were A. L. Crandall, D. Spear, Austin Putnam, P. Cook, Lewis M. Shepland and Henry Budge.

In the eastern part of the town, bordering on Rodman, is a locality which has ever been known as East Adams, and otherwise called Honeyville. The same general locality has also been known as State Road. This part of Adams began to settle about 1805, although some of the pioneers found their way here as early as 1801. Among the well

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

known names in this section were Heath, Grummon, Loveland, Tru- man, Harris, Talcott and Davis, the descendants of many of whom are yet in the town and represent the best element of its citizenship. In later years a family named Davis came into the neighborhood, and Joseph Davis, one of the sons of the settler, built a store at the corners and was in trade for a number of years. He was the father of George L. Davis, of Watertown. Farther north, near the Watertown line, David Talcott built the tavern elsewhere mentioned in this chap- ter. In this locality a post office was established about 1822, under the name of Union, but later on was changed to Appling, and so called in allusion to Major Appling, the hero of the battle of Sandy Creek. E. M. Iloward was the first postmaster, and was succeeded by D. M. G. Howard. The office was abolished about 1840.

Here also was the location of the Adams Baptist church, more fre- quently known as the First Adams Baptist society, which was organ- ized in September, 1802, at the house of the pioneer David Grummon. Early meetings were held in barns, but in 1824 the church was legally organized and a house of worship erected on the state road, one mile east of the Centre. The second edifice was built in 1838 and still stands. This church has a present memership of 118, with 192 Sun- day school attendants, The present pastor is Rev. D. G. Forbes.

It will be seen from what has been stated that settlement in Adams began on Sandy creek, and thence extended north toward the center and northern portions of the town. The pioneers found their way into the region with only marked trees to guide them, and when streams were reached they were either compelled to ford them or cross on foot- logs felled across the channel. Rude roads were located between the principal settlements in 1801, and the next year a bridge was built across Sandy creek at Smith's Mills. In 1801 the state road to Rome, via Redfield, was opened and ten years later the old "Salt Point road " was built from Salina to Adams, at the latter place intersecting the Rome road, which ran through Redfield, Lorraine and Adams to Brownville. When this road was extended to Adams Centre, and thence through the northeast corner of the town of Watertown, a new country was opened for settlement, and within the brief space of ten more years, the old thoroughfare was lined with good log farm houses and taverns, some of the latter, however, being constructed of stone. The old Talcott house' (now owned by heirs of the Metcalf estate) was

1 Daniel Talcott was one of the original settlers of Adams. Hle came from Hartford, Conn.,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

a fair and substantial illustration of the typical tavern of the period, and in its gable end was built in the wall the traditional bottle of whis- key, indicative of the comfort and good cheer presumed to reign within.

Settlement in Adams began in 1800 and continued without interrup- tion until all the available lands were occupied and improved; yet it is difficult to state just when early settlement actually ceased, for the records show a gradual increase in population until the year 1860. In- dece in 1806 the inhabitants having requisite property qualifications numbered 163, thus indicating at least 500 population, and it was not surprising, therefore, that the creation of a new town in this part of the county (then Oneida) should be desired.

Organisation .- The creating act was passed April 1, 1802, and with- in the new jurisdiction was included townships ? and S of the Black river tract (Aleppo and Orpheus, as laid down on Simeon De Witt's map), or Adams and Rodman as now known. The latter town was set off from Adams March 24, 1804, under the original name of Harrison, which was soon changed to Rodman. In accordance with the act, the first town meeting was held March 1, 1803, at the house of Eliphalet Edmunds, at which time officers were elected as follows:

Nicholas Salisbury, supervisor; Phineas Keith, town clerk ; ]>'Estaing Salisbury, John W. Smith, David Grummon, Thomas White, assessors; Isaac Baker, collector ; Thomas White, David Comstock, overseers of the poor; Paul Stickney, Jacob Kel- logg, Simeon Hunt, com. of highways; Isaac Baker, Anson Moody, constables; David Comstock, David Smith, George 11. Thomas, George Cooper, fence viewers; Jacob Kellogg, Benj. Thomas, poundkeepers; Abraham Ripley, James Perry, Enan Salisbury, John Cowles, Consider Low, Solomon Robbins, Hezekiah Tiffany, Thomas White, Daniel Mansfield, Asa Davis, Squier Read, Abel Palmer, overseers of high- ways; Simeon Hunt, David Comstock, deer reeves.

and was of revolutionary stock. His great-grandfather was Gov. Joseph Talcott of Connecti- cut. Daniel married his cousin, Sally Roberts, daughter of James Roberts (who married Jeru- sha Talcott). James Roberts was also a soldier of the revolution, and the records show that he received "honorable mention." Daniel Talcott came to Dry Hill, in Adams, about 1800, built a hotel where Daniel Fuller now lives. He also cleared a large tract of land and owned one of the finest farms in the town. He planted an orchard with seed brought from Connecticut. He was a major in the war of 1812-15, and a prominent citizen in the town. He had three sons and one daughter. the latter of whom married Benjamin F. Hurst. The sons were Nathan. Daniel and Henry Talcott, all of whom were successful farmers. He conducted the above tavern until the present road to Adams Centre was opened, and as this operated to direct travel from the old thoroughfare, he built the larger stone hotel (mentioned above) about 1:24. This was opened and conducted by his son Nathan and was a well patronized resort until the railroads changed the route and means of travel through the town. The old building still stands having event- ually passed into the hands of John Metcalf. A few years ago a portion was fitted up as a cheese factory. It is now owned by the Metcalf heirs and is used as a residence.

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

A number of settlers mentioned in the above list were residents in the Rodman part of the town; in fact it is probable that township No. 8 had a majority of the officers, as in 1807 it had 236 voters with prop- erty qualifications, or 33 more than were in No. : (Adams) at the same time. In this year (1803) the town voted to pay $3 bounty for every wolf killed, from which it appears that the settlers were much annoyed by the depredations of wild animals. Indeed, the nuisance seems not to have been abated in later years, for in 1804, and continuing until 1811, the wolf bounty was $10. In 1815 the offer was raised to $15, and at the same time a bounty of $10 was offered for wildcats, and $1 for foxes.

The pioneers and early settlers in Adams, if local tradition be relia- ble, were a conscientious, law-abiding and sturdy set of men, having due respect and regard for the proprieties of daily life. The records show that in 1804 fines were levied against Thomas, James and John Richards for unlawfully selling liquors, but these good brothers evi- dently did not know they were offending against the law, hence the town voted to remit the fines. In 1805 Peter Doxtater killed a deer, whereupon he, too, was subjected to a penalty; but it was likewise re- mitted. In 1808 the town voted not to collect the fine imposed upon Benj. Sawyer for unlawful trafficking in liquor; and in the same year it was voted not to collect fines for "profane swearing " from Dr. Eli Eastman and Ephraim Joy.

Among the settlers, who were chiefly from New England, were sev- eral who had seen service in the revolution. Peter Doxtater was one of these, and was a seout in the American army. He was captured by the Mohawk Indians and was held a prisoner about three years. Among the other patriots of that struggle who afterward lived in Adams were Abel Bassett, Daniel Fox, John Merriam and Danforth Doty. Paul Stickney served as a sailor under Paul Jones, and Preserved Red- way is said to have been one of Washington's body guard. Lucy Thompson and Cynthia White were widows of revolutionary soldiers. Few of these names have been previously mentioned in this chapter, for the year of their settlement in the town is unknown.

During the war of 1812, the inhabitants were in constant fear of an Indian invasion, and devised various means for the protection and safety of the women and children of the community in ease the male portion of the population was called to the frontier. At least twice during the period the militia were called out, and even the "Silver Grays" 52

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

marched to Sackets Harbor, but were not called into service. After the return of peace the inhabitants resumed their accustomed occupa- tions, and during the next ten years the resources of the town were de. veloped almost to their fullest extent; the forest gave way to fine farms of rare fertility, and saw mills lined the banks of North Sandy and Stony creeks. In the course of time hamlets and villages sprung up in places formerly known only as settlements, and during the early 'fifties one of these had attained sufficient importance and size to assume the corporate character.

In 1810, at the first census enumeration after the town was separately set off. the inhabitants numbered 1,376; in 1814, 1,693; 1820, 2,461; 1825, 2,415: 1830, 2,805; 1895, 2,970; 1840, 2,966; 1845, 3,055; 1855. 3, 105; 1860, 3,496; 1865, 3.418: 1870. 3.348; 1875, 3,321; 1840, 3,302; 1890, 3,181; 1992, 3,191.

From this it is seen that the greatest population was attained in 1860 (the number then being 3,496) and that since that time there has been a gradual decrease in inhabitants, due to the same causes which have lessened the population of nearly all interior towns where agriculture and its kindred occupations have been the chief pursuits of the people. Generally speaking, from first to last, Adams has been a purely agri- cultural town, and in point of fertility has ranked among the first civil divisions of the county. During the first fifty years of its history. nearly all marketable products were taken from the town over the two . great public highways leading to Rome and Syracuse, while little in- deed found its way to the county seat.

North Sandy and Stony creeks were also to a limited extent public highways for logs and manufactured lumber, and occasionally during the embargo period a flat boat laden with potashes found its way to the lake, and thence to market across the border. In 1849 the Adams and Ellisburgh plank road was constructed through the town, and with other similar thoroughfares formed a continuous road to Oswego and Syracuse.

As early as 1832 the subject of a railroad from Rome to Watertown was discussed with much interest by the people of Adams, for thereby all interests would be improved and benefited. This great consumma- tion was not attained, however, until 1851, when the road was opened. and Adams and Adams Center were made stations. In the meantime the people had become somewhat interested in the proposition to build another railroad, leading trom Sackets Harbor to Trenton, by way of Adams or Ellisburgh. This project, too, was long delayed, and when

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

finally built the eastern terminus was at Ellisburgh, thus only remotely affecting local interests. Still another railway project designed to benefit this town was the proposed Boston & Henderson Harbor com- pany, which was incorporated in April, 1822 The articles provided for a line of railroad from the harbor through Jefferson, Lewis and Oneida counties, into Herkimer (to Salisbury), and there to intersect with a road to Boston via Hoosac tunnel. The company's capital was $2,000,000, and of the stock some $80, 000 was subscribed in this county. The persons in this town most interested in the enterprise were S. b. Hungerford, W. A. Gilbert, G. W. Bond and D. A. Dwight. It was never carried to completion, but the measures taken are only one of many proofs of the public- spiritedness which has ever characterized the people of Adams.

About the year 1850 it was discovered that the soil of this town was peculiarly adapted to the growth of peas, beans and other like vegeta- bles. Previous to this time cereals, especially barley, were staple pro- duets, but as the wonderful qualities of the west became developed so did the farming regions of the east correspondingly suffer. Therefore the growth of seed peas and beans as an industry was a welcome boon to the Adams farmers. At least 200 farmers in this town were for years engaged in this special industry, and the extensive seed houses of J. M. Cleveland and T. V. Maxon of Adams village were the result. They prospered for a time, but at length the industry declined and the growth of market seeds is no longer a staple industry with the people.

About the same time General Hungerford began breeding and rais- ing for market the best strains of thoroughbred and grade Ayrshire cattle, and for the purpose imported from Scotland some of the best stock that money could procure. During the next thirty years the fame of Adams as a stock producing town was spread throughout the land. About 1852, H. C. Averill, of Adams Centre, began breeding a fine grade of horses, and he was followed in the same line by J. A. D. Snell, also of the Centre, and R. P. White, of Adams village. The result of all this enterprise was the formation, in 1856, of the Ellisburgh, Adams and Henderson Agricultural society. For several years the annual ex- hibitions were held at Ellisburgh, and afterward at Adams, but finally the society passed out of existence. The Union Agricultural society of Adams, Rodman and Lorraine was of a similar character, and was formed about 1852. Among its chief promoters were Gen. Hunger- ford, R. P. White, T. V. Maxon, Albert Webb and Hugh Heustis.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

For many years annual exhibitions were held at the "Valley Park farm," and among the notables who delivered public addresses there may be recalled Edward Everett, Elihut Burritt, Horace Greeley, George WV. Bungay and others.

In the same manner the cheese making industry was built up and established. The Smithville factory was the first in the town, and one of the very first in the county. It was something of an experiment, and for its operation a company was formed, comprising A. D. & O. M. Stanley, D. M. Hall and Charles Mills. Plans were procured at Rome and the factory was built within 1861, with a capacity to use the milk of #00 cows. This was followed by the Adams village factory, which was built in 1864 by Ingraham, Lewis & Huestis. The F. M. & J. B. Muzzy factory, on the west border of the town, south of Smithville, was also built in 1864. The next was the P. S. Maxon factory, west of Adams Centre, and was put in operation in 1867. C. A. Benjamin's factory, north of Smithville, was built in 1866 or '67. The N. Thomas factory in the southwest part of the town was built in 1877, as was also the Lewis creamery in the Greene settlement. Since 1861 this industry has not materially decreased although during the time many new methods of manufacturing have been adopted, old proprietors have given way to new and frequent changes have been made in the location of factories. As now distributed through the town the cheese factories are located and owned as follows: The Smithville factory, owned by C. S. Kink; the North Adams factory, owned by Edward Halloway; the Adams Centre factory, owned by E. S. Maxon; the Adams factory, owned by White & Allen; and the F. M. & J. B. Muzzy factory, south of Smithville.

In earlier pages of this chapter allusion has been made to several of the settled localities of the town which attained sufficient importance to be designated by name. The Thomas settlement, Greene's settle- ment, North Adams and East Adams were among the places so men- tioned, all of which were of some consequence in the early history of the town, but which in subsequent years lost much of their old-time importance, and now exist only in name. Among the more enduring settlements were Smithville, Adams Centre and the village of Adams, each of which may be briefly treated in this connection.

Smithville, the smallest perhaps of the villages of the town, is located on both sides of the line dividing Adams and Henderson, the greater portion, however, being in the former. The settlement here was found-

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THE TOWN OF ADAMS.

by and named in allusion to Jesse Smith, who was not the pioneer, but was the purchaser of improvements previously made. The first settle- ment on this site was made in 1804 by Daniel Hardy, although in the preceding year Chauncey Mills came from Connecticut and settled a little east of the Hardy location. In 1805 he ( Hardy) built on Stony creek the first saw mill in the west part of the town. He lived in the locality until 1821, when he died. Abel Myrick, Henry Knapp, Samuel and Andrew MeNitt were also early settlers in this part of Adams. About 1808 or '9 two young men, whose names were Powell and Ken- dall, came to the vicinity, built a dam across the ereek, and erected a saw mill. In the course of a few years Jesse Smith came and purchased this property and thus founded the village. He was then poor, but possessed energy and strength, and soon had a considerable traet of land cleared and cultivated. He also made potash, and extended his business until it included milling, distilling and general merchandising. Later on he became interested in the lumber trade and lake commerce until his operations extended to every lake and river port of any con- sequence. Hle was one of the most successful business men of the town for many years and deservedly acquired a fortune. About 1825 the cash sales of Jesse Smith's enterprises at Smithville frequently reached $1, 200 per day. Hle built the first large grist mill opposite his saw mill, but this he afterward sold to Carter Bros., and erected the stone mill on the Henderson side of the line. In 1838 Mr. Smith re- moved to Newark, Ohio, and other proprietors succeeded to the inter- ests at the village. Some of them have been maintained to this time, while others have passed out of existence. The old mill was turned into a wagon shop by Carter Brothers and, with other property, was finally destroyed by fire. A tannery was built by a Mr. Sprague, and was afterward run by O H. Randall and Abram Cramer, previous to its destruction by fire. A carding mill was built about 1830 by Samuel Eaton. D. Hardy and Willard Dodge were later proprietors of the mill before the property was burned. Jesse Smith also started a cooper shop, and was followed in the same business by Elisha Peck and Duane Cooley. John Ivory was the first blacksmith, and was followed by his son Jonas, and John Covey; David Hunter and Joel Smith.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 43

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