Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 68

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 68

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

A mention of the fire department naturally suggests an allusion to some of the more disastrous fires which have visited the village in the past. The first fire of serious consequence was that which accompan- ied the battle of May 29, 1813, in the burning of the military store- house with the captures of York. This, however, was not an accidental nor incendiary fire, but was started to prevent recapture of the stores by the British. May 23, 1838, Colonel Camp's paper mill was burned; loss from $1,000 to $10.000. August 21, 1843, a fire originated in a storehouse on the wharf and caused the destruction of nine buildings on the north, and eight on the south side of Main street, besides inany other structures to the total number of about forty. In the fall of 1851 the Ontario house, barns and several stores on Main street were burned. Six weeks later Buck & Bert's large general store was burned, together with nearly half the square on which it was located. During the next thirty years the village was occasionally visited with a fire of minor importance, but no serious conflagration occurred until June 11, 1883, when the large Clark & Robbins storehouse, well filled with grain, was destroyed. January 3. 1886, a fire started in an unoccupied building on Main street, and burned Stokes' hardware store, the Rob- bins block (Lane's dry goods store, Ontario hall, etc.), Dennison's malt house. McEvoy's grocery and much other property. May 29, 1886, a fire destroyed the historic old warehouse built by the government during the war of 1812-15. The old building had been variously occupied throughout its existence; by the navy: a bethel house for sea- men, 1>28; Knickerbocker bowling alley and sail loft; Hooker & Hop- kins, merchants: steam flouring mill; warehouse and sail loft, and finally as a skating rink and band practice room. August 11, 1889, a fire started in the Boulton store, adjoining the malthouse walls, and burned McEvoy's store, Conlin's store, Hastings' saloon, Clark & Bowe's fish house, railroad passenger and ticket office, telegraph and telephone offices on Main street, Rowlson's store and dwelling, Jef- frey's store. a dwelling and boat house, Drake's store and dwelling, Madigan's saloon, the McGuire block. Eveleigh's stone stores (hard- ware and meat market), warehouse containing grain and other prop- erty; Hooker & Crane's warehouse, the custom house, market house and town hall. This disaster led to measures to increase the efficiency of the fire department, and resulted in the purchase of the steamer.

Another of the important local institutions, and one which antedated the village incorporation, was the public school. The first school here

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is said to have been taught by one Mitchell in his dwelling house about 1807 or '8. No school house was built in the village until after the close of the war, when a one story building was erected on the present acad- emy site, and was used as school, church, leeture room and for public gatherings. The old structure stood the wear of years, but about 1810 was replaced with the large, comfortable brick building which, with subsequent modifications and repairs, is still in use. For many years the village has maintained an excellent union free school ( District No. 1 of llounsfield), and in 1896 was taken under the supervision of the state regents. About 200 pupils are now enrolled, and five teachers are employed. The present board of education comprises L. W. Day, James A. Wilson and HI. J. Lane.

The hotel interests of the village are also worthy of mention. They have been few in number, but of much importance. As we have stated, the first village hotel stood on Main street, and was built and opened previous to 1805 by pioneer Ambrose Pease. About the beginning of the war one Kelsey bought the property and run it as Kelsey's hotel. The old building was finally burned, and after about twenty- five years the sons of Capt. Daniel Reed purchased the site and erected store buildings. About 1806 one Lanning, whose first name is not recalled, came to the village and began the erection of a hotel on the present Eveleigh house site, but before it was completed Stephen Simmons bought the property, finished the work, and kept the house several years. The Eveleigh house was built by Ambrose 11. Dodge in 1813, and was opened the next year. The Eart house was built in Isit by Elijah Field (one of the prominent characters of the village), and was opened in December of that year, with considerable formality. The occasion was a memorable one, and Capt. Reed, who then run the packet boat between the harbor and Kingston, was charged with the important duty of bringing the whisky from Canada to the village in time for the celebration. The Eveleigh house and the Earl house are yet in existence and are excellent public houses, although during their time many repairs and alterations have been made, and the manage- ment has frequently changed. Another old and prominent hotel was that built in 1812 by Frederick White. It was of stone, a large sub- stantial building, and within its walls President Monroe was hospitably entertained in August of that year, on the occasion of his visit to the northern frontier. The house was originally called Union hotel, and afterward Mansion house, but in later years the name was frequently

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

changed. It was finally discontinued as a hotel and passed into the ownership of the local masonic societies, by whom it is now occupied. In this connection it may be stated that Frederick White, who built the hotel, was at the time reputed to be one of the wealthiest men in the county, but subsequent excesses led to his downfall. At one time he was president of the Jefferson county bank.

One of the early institutions of the village, and one which was pro- ductive of much good in its time, was the Union library, which was organized September 13, 1815, and included in its managing board Justin Butterfield, Elisha Camp, Amos Holton, Daniel McGiven, James Goodhue, Andrew B. Cook and Samuel Bosworth. Notwithstanding the laudable objects of the society, it survived only a few years and was then (April 10, 1822) succeeded by the Hounsfield library, in which Alexander W. Stowe, John McMillan, Nathan Bridge, T. S. Hall and Dr. Samuel Guthrie were the leading spirits and trustees. This soci- ety accumulated a library of about 500 volumes, but after running a course of several years it was dissolved. Then followed the old and still remembered Watertown and Hounsfield library, which was organ- ized Jan. 11, 1831, with Eliphalet M. Howard, John C. Herrick, Chauncey D. Morgan, Obediah Brainard and Oliver Grow as trustees. This was a partially village institution and continued in existence less than fifteen years. The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improve- ment was a social and benevolent rather than literary institution, and was incorporated March 2, 1843, by Augustus Ford, M. K. Stow, Walter Kimball, Edward M. Luff, Jonathan W. Tuttle, John O. Dickey, Ed- ward S. Robbins, Roswell C. Bosworth and Wm. H. H. Davis. The association continued only a few months.

In writing of the early institutions of the village mention must be made of some of the more important fraternal bodies which have had an existence here. Indeed, Sackets Harbor was the pioneer home of free masonry in the county, old Ontario lodge having held its first meet- ing in the village April 4, 1805, although we have tho data by which the date of organization can be fixed. At the time mentioned, the officers were Augustus Sacket, master; J. Seaman, S. W. ; "Brother" Pike, J. IV. ; B. Allen, treasurer; Isaiah Massey, secretary; Hart Massey, J. D., and A. Bassinger, tiler. According to imperfect data obtainable, the lodge was a strong organization, and included in its membership many of the leading men of the county at that time. Among them was General Jacob Brown, also B. De Witt, Win. Waring, Col. Gershom

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Tuttle, Giles Hamlin, Abram Lippett, Squire Read, J. Simmons, C. Mills, Joseph Perry, Daniel Potter and others, many of whom were men of influence in the early years of the county's history. In 1805 (Dec. 22) the lodge resolved to place the first unappropriated $100 of its moneys toward the erection of an academy at Sackets Harbor, and designated Brothers Merrick and Waring to see that the fund be duly appropriated. However, this useful old pioneer organization suspended operations during the excitement of the war of 1812-15.

Athol lodge, No. 308, F. & A. M., was instituted at the harbor in 1818, and was a virtual revival of the old lodge. Hiram Steele was the first master, but all other knowledge of the lodge history is clouded in obscurity, the records having been lost or destroyed. The organiza- tion was maintained and meetings were held until 1827, when, on ae- count of the anti- masonic feeling, the lodge was forced to suspend. Among the members may be reealled the name of David Millington, a once well known personage at the harbor, he having settled here in 1814; Leonard Dennison, who came here in 1812; John Walling, who came in 1819, while a later prominent member was Capt. Daniel Read, who lived many years in this vicinity.

Sackets Harbor lodge, No. 135, F. & A. M., followed Athol lodge and was organized May 12, 1848, when these officers were elected: Samuel Lyons, W. M .; John S. Hall, S. W .; Chester C. Simonds, J. W. ; Elijah Field, treas. ; and Isaac Van Vleek, secretary. From that time the lodge has been in continuous existence, although in 1858 a difficulty arose which was not finally settled until 1861. During a por- tion of this time work was done under the temporary charter of Ilouns- field lodge, No. 495, and was continued until June, 1861, when the charter of the old lodge was restored. The lodge occupies rooms in the old hotel building mentioned on a preceding page. This property was purchased by the masonie bodies of the village during the winter of 1864-65.1 The present lodge membership is 146.

Since 1818 the masters of Sackets Harbor lodge have been Samuel Lyons, Jason Phelps, Isaac Van Vleck, Thos. T. Gurney, Wm. Puffer, Richard Hooper, Stephen W. Flower, Norman Gurney, Geo. E. Butterfield, Stephen Washburn, Elisha C. Soule, Edwin C. Knowlton, Warren Walsworth, John T. Hooper, James Boyd, Henry J. Lane, James A. Wilson, Richard Washburn, John G. Eveleigh, E. HI. Chamber- lain, B. C. Scroxton

' In 189; the lodge rooms were refitted at a considerable expense, and are now as large an l well adapted to their intended use as any in this part of the state.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Sackets Harbor chapter. No. 68, R. A. M., was organized February 8, 1820, on the application of a number of the leading masons of the village, among whom were Commodore Melancthon T. Woolsey and Captain John Clitz, of the U. S. navy, and also William King, a civilian of prominence. Com. Woolsey was the first high priest; Wm. King, king; John Clitz. scribe; Leonard Denison, treasurer; Henry Smith, secretary; Asahel Smith, C. of H .; George W. Jenks, P. S .; Alvah Kinney, R. A. C .; Capt. Wm. Vaughn, M. 3d V. : Zeno Allen, M. 2d V .; Hunter Crane, M. Ist V. The chapter maintained a flourishing existence for several years, but at length, through some lack of interest, its affairs were neglected and the organization was virtually dissolved, but never wholly lost its identity. In 1849 it was revived and a new and permanent interest was awakened among its members. From that time the chapter has been one of the strong masonic bodies of the county, and in its membership has been found some of the foremost men of the region. The present number of members is 96.

In succession the high priests have been Malancthou T. Woolsey, William King, John Clitz, Asahel Smith, Alon Kinney, Hiram Steele, William Tyron, Thomas S. Hall, Samuel Lyons, Jason Phelps, Isaac Van Vleck, Theodore Gurney, Norman Gurney, L. H. Humphrey, George E. Butterfield, James Boyd, Edwin C. Knowlton, James A. Wilson, John A. Baldwin.

As residents in one of the growing and progressive villages of north- ern New York, the people of Sackets Harbor early realized the impor- tance of establishing manufacturing industries within the corporation ; but unlike the majority of villages, this possessed no rivers or creeks, the waters of which were sufficiently strong to furnish motive power. This was the one serious obstacle which worked against Sackets Har- bor during the period of its early history, and the best means to supply this much needed auxiliary was long a subject of earnest discussion among the leading business men and capitalists. The harbor was one of the safest and largest on the lake front, and it was believed that an abundant water power for manufacturing purposes would result in the rapid growth and increased commercial importance of the place. As early as 1823 it was suggested that the waters of Black river be diverted from the lower pond (or level) in Watertown, and conveyed by a race- way to the harbor and there discharged into Pleasant or Mill creek. The matter was presented to the attorney general for an opinion as to the legality of such a proceeding, and while that officer decided that private lands could be taken for purposes such as this, a further agita-

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tion of the question met with such determined opposition from prom- inent persons through whose lands the " sluice-way" was proposed to be opened, and also from Brownville citizens, who saw the possibility of their village being injured by the growth of the harbor, that a bill before the legislature was defeated.

In 1825 another attempt was made to procure an incorporating and enabling act, and on April 20 a bill was passed authorizing Joseph Kimball, Amos Catlin and David Hall, jr., to divert the surplus waters of Black river into Pleasant and Stony ereeks (in the town of Adams, Hounsfield and Henderson), for hydraulic purposes, and appointed Eg- bert Ten Eyck, Clark Allen and Joseph Hawkins commissioners to assess the damages to lands through which it was proposed to convey the water. But the act was coupled with a condition that the water should not be taken away from any dam then existing "without the written consent of the owners, " which effectually defeated the measure so far as existed a possibility of procuring a water supply from any point below Watertown.

Notwithstanding these obstacles the projectors of the scheme were determined, and on April 17, 1826, procured an amendment to the act of 1825, but did not remove all of its objectionable features. In this year (1826) congress passed an act appropriating $3,000 to clear out the harbor, and two years later authorized a further expenditure of $3,000 for harbor improvements. These things, all of which were for local as well as public benefit, stimulated still further efforts in behalf of the water power enterprise, and it was suggested (to remove the ob- jections) that a navigable canal be constructed between Carthage and the harbor. Accordingly, on April 15, 1828, the Jefferson county canal company was incorporated, with $300,000 capital, by Vincent Le Ray, Philip Schuyler, Egbert Ten Eyck, Elisha Camp, Jason Fair- banks, Levi Beebee, Arthur Bronson, John Felt and Joseph Kimball, but even under the energetic action of these influential men nothing substantial was accomplished. However, about this time it was learned that Col. Camp would assume the work of construction, at his own expense, but subject to certain conditions, On Dec. 30, 1829, a public meeting was held in Watertown, and substantial encouragement was offered in behalf of the work. This was followed by an act (April 28, 1829), authorizing a special tax on all Sackets Harbor real estate, and also on the mill sites on Pleasant creek (amounting to $3,000 in two years) to be assessed in proportion to benefits received.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

With the fund thus created Col. Camp began the construction of the canal (20 feet wide at the top, 12 feet at the bottom, and 4 feet deep) and completed the work during the next two years. It began near Huntington's Mills, about two miles above Watertown, and extended thence following the level in the south part of the village by the most convenient route to the harbor. Water was turned in for power pur- poses in 1832 and immediately thereafter the milling and manufacturing industries previously built by Col. Camp were largely increased in in- portance and value. Then our little village became one of the thriving places of the county.1 However, difficulties soon arose; the course of the canal at its source lay along the river, where the banks were sub- ject to annual wash, and only by great care and large expense were they kept from continual breaks. At the same time the act was found to be so loosely framed that much litigation followed the construction of the canal, and after about ten years the enterprise was abandoned at considerable expense to its proprietors. Nevertheless the project was a worthy one, and attested the public spiritedness of Col. Camp, in allusion to whom in derision the canal was commonly known as "Camp's ditch."

In 1838 Colonel Camp's paper mill was burned, and in later years the other old industries passed out of existence, not having the requisite propelling power for machinery. In 1843 McKee & Hammond started a foundry which has been maintained to the present time. McKee be- came sole proprietor about 1858 and carried on the works until succeed- ed by the firm of David McKee & Son, the present owners. The build- ing now occupied as a planing mill by James A. Wilson was formerly run by Sloat & Greenleaf. Still earlier it was a distillery." In a corner of this building the workmen caused the traditional bottle of whiskey to be securely " walled in;" and unless broken by the action of the ele- ments is yet probably intact.

The Sackets Harbor bank was incorporated April 28, 1834, with

' These industries were begun by Col. Camp about 1-23, when the subject of a water supply was hrst discussed. Col Camp never once entertained a doubt regarding its ultimate construc- tion, and even anticipated the water way by erecting two saw mills. a grist mill, plaster mill, paper mill and a furnace near the terminus of the proposed route. The enterprise displayed by this worthy founder was truly praiseworthy, yet his venture was unsuccessful as he lost about $00,000 in the investment These mills all stood between the present railroad station and the planing mill location, but not one of them is now in existence.

" This old stone bu lding was formerly known as the distillery. It was built by Alfred Guthite (son of 1): , Guthrie) as a dwelling and rectifying house. The distillery building stood just north of dwelling.

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$200,000 capital, and with Thomas Loomis, Jesse Smith, Daniel Ward- well, Thomas J. Angell, Azariah Walton, Joseph Sheldon, Woodbridge C. George, Henry II. Coffeen and Noadiah Hubbard commissioners to receive subscriptions to the stock. This was quickly done and in a few weeks the bank began business. It was a successful institution, but in the early part of 1837 charges of irregularities and malfeasance on the part of managing officers were made, and an application was made to the legislature for a repeal of the charter. This was vigorously op- posed, and the alleged wrong action was fully explained, yet on May 12, 1838, the charter was repealed, and the directors were made trustees to settle the business. The charter, however, was soon afterward re- stored and business was continued until 1852 (March 25) when the bank was removed to Buffalo.

The State Bank at Sackets Harbor, of which Edgar B. Camp was managing owner, began business May 17, 1852, with a capital of $50,- 000. It failed Nov. 1, 1856, and its bills were redeemed at Albany Union bank until Nov. 11, 1862.

During the last 40 or 50 years there has been little material growth in population and business interests in Sackets Harbor, except as one generation has succeeded another and as one proprietor has followed in the tracks of his predecessor. However, Sackets Harbor is to day a quiet, healthful, well-ordered and prudently governed village of be- tween 1,000 and 1, 100 inhabitants. As a a place of residence it is not surpassed in the county, and on every side are seen the substantial old buildings and structures to constantly remind the observer of the historie associations of the locality. Indeed, in no other village in the county have the people shown the same care in preserving recollections of the past as in Sackets Harbor, and all the seenes, localities and build - ings which thus remind us of by-gone days and times, and the men and families of former years, are refreshing and entertaining to the student of history, and especially to the descendants of the substantial old fam- ilies for which this village has been noted.

Among the religious societies which have had an existence in the vil- lage, only four remain. It is said that the first service of public wor- ship was held by Edmund Luff, of the colony of English pioneers, who built at his own expense a substantial meeting house, and conducted services there several years without pay of any sort other than the con- sciousness of doing good. This house still stands on Broad street although converted into a dwelling Mr. Luff was a Restorationist,

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

approaching Universalism in his teachings, and was in all respects a worthy and upright man. He generously opened his meeting house to all denominations who sought its use, but much of the time during the war of 1812-15 all services were irregularly he'd. Mr. Luff died at the harbor in 1822. In 1820 a sect of Unitarian Immersionists held meet- ings and formed a temporary society. It did not become permanent, however, and passed out of existence in a few years. A Universalist society was organized about 1822, and continued several years.

The Sackets Harbor Presbyterian church is perhaps the oldest and most historic religious body in the town, dating back to January 12, 1816, when a public meeting was held in the village to discuss the sub- ject of such an organization. Com. Woolsey and Enoch Ely were chosen as presiding and returning officers of the meeting, and chiefly through the efforts of certain prominent army and navy officers then stationed here a society was formed at the time indicated. The first trustees were Com. Woolsey, Samuel Bosworth, Samuel F. Hooker, Elisha Camp and Enoch Ely. Rev. Samuel F. Snowden was employed as minister and began his services March 1, 1817. In the same year Thomas L. Ogden donated a site for a house of worship, and immediately after ward a building fund was created. The "raising " took place Sept. 23. 1819, and the old edifice stood until the disastrous fire of 1843, when it was destroyed. For a time the society occupied the Episcopal church edifice for service, but in 1846 the new brick edifice at the corner of Broad and Main streets was completed. It cost $6,000, and although more than fifty years old is still an attractive, comfortable and substan- tial structure, and one of the interesting landmarks of the village. The beautiful chime bells which now hang in the tower were the generous gift of Mrs. Marietta Pickering Hay, of Tarrytown, and were presented by her in memory of her father, Capt. Augustus Pickering, who com- manded the first vessel that ever visited Chicago (the Ariadne, which carried a cargo of pork and flour) and was sailed from this village. The presentation ceremonies were held February 23, 1894.

The church has a present membership of 77 persons, and in its Sunday school are about 50 pupils. During the period of its history the pastors of the church have been as follows: Samuel F. Snowden, 1817-26; J. Burchard, 1826-27; J. R. Boyd, 1827- 30; E. Spencer, 1830-31; J. W. Irwin, 1831-35; J. R. Boyd, 1835-36; G. Wilson, 1836-39, S. Sturgis, 1839-41; E. G. Townsend, 1841 49; L. E. Sawyer, 1849-54; G. F. Brownson, 1855-57; W.W. Warner, 1858-59; A. J. Young. 1860-64; Henry Hickok, 1866-82: A. W. Allen, 1882-86; Lewis R. Webber, 1886-94; Bailie Brown (licentiate), 1895-96; William H. Niles, Sept. 26, 1896, the present pastor.

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THE TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD).

The Methopist Episcopal church at Sackets Ilarbor was organized May 9, 1831, with fifteen members, but in its history the church dates to about 1820, when Samuel Lyon at a meeting of the then existing Christian society expressed a desire to establish a Methodist church in the village. A class was soon afterward formed, and among its mem - bers were Elijah Field, John Waling, Alvah Kinney, Asahel Smith, and their wives, and others. The class continued until it developed into the church in 1831. A reorganization was effected in 1834, and in 1811 the church edifice on Main street was erected, at a cost of $3,000. The building was materially repaired in 1881. In numbers this is the strongest church in the village, having 113 members and 16 probation . ers. It is under the pastoral care of Rev. W. E. Reynolds.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 68

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