Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 69

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 69

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Christ's church (Episcopal), of Sackets Harbor, dates back in its his- tory to May 11, 1821, when an informal meeting was assembled to dis- cuss the subject of a church, and when Elisha Camp, Samuel O Auch- muty, William Kendall, Robert M. Harrison and John McCarty were chosen a committee to look to the interests of the proposed society un- til a vestry shonki be regularly constituted. The legal and formal or- ganization was accomplished August 6, 1821, the wardens being Zeno Allen and Elisha Camp; the vestrymen, Robert M. Harrison, Samuel O. Anchmuty, William Kendall, John McCarty, Hiram Steele, Thomas J. Angell, Hiram Merrill and Thomas Y. How. Bishop Hobert held services here in September, 1821, and subsequently meetings were held regularly in the Presbyterian church, and in the school house, until the occupancy of the stone edifice in 1826, the corner stone being laid May 26. The structure was fully completed in 1832. From that time the church has maintained a continued existence, although the number of communicants never has been large. The present number is 70. The wardens are E. P. Evert and B. C. Scroxton. Rector, Rev. Burr M. Weeden.

The Roman Catholic church and parish of Sackets Harbor were or- ganized in 1886, under the charge of Rev. Eugene I. V. Huiginn, but has not advanced beyond the condition of a missionary station. It is at present under charge of Rev. Father John Corbett.

In closing the present chapter it is proper that there be made at least a brief allusion to some of the prominent men and families of Houns- field. who, while perhaps not pioneers nor early settlers, were never- theless so closely identified with the subsequent history of the town and village as to entitle them to recognition. One of these conspicuous

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

characters was Dr. Samuel Guthrie, of whom mention is made at some length in the medical chapter, but who was of such marked prominence in the profession in this town that some mention of him in this connec- tion seems necessary. Dr. Guthrie came to the harbor during the war of 1812, and was an army surgeon. He had previously given some at- tention to the manufacture of gunpowder and other explosives, and, in a small way, he continued making them in this village. After the war the doctor continued his residence in the town, and was the owner and occupant of a fine residence on the road leading to the county seat, about a mile east of the village. The large brick house still stands, while on the opposite side of the highway, and some rods back there- from, is an excavation in the hillside where once stood his laboratory, and wherein he brought fame to this county in his discovery of chloro- form and the invention of percussion caps. These alone place the name of Samuel Guthrie among the foremost men of his time. This worthy man lived in the village and town until his death, Oct. 19, 1848.

Another prominent figure in the early history of Hounsfield was Samuel F. Hooker. He was a lineal descendant of Rev. Thomas Hooker. who in 1634 founded the Connecticut colony. lle came from Hartford, Conn., and settled in Sackets Harbor in 1810 where for many years he conducted a very extensive mercantile business. He also had large contracts with the U. S. government for army and navy supplies during the war of 1812, was an extensive land holder and was other- wise identified with the principal business interests of the locality for nearly half a century. He married Martha Smith Brewster, who was a lineal descendant of William Brewster who came over in the May- flower and was a leader among the Pilgrim fathers.

Mr. Hooker was an old style country gentleman and a generous en- tainer. His home is said to have been proverbial for the hospitality and good cheer which reigned within. In fact, all through the war of 1812, he kept an open house to the many officers of the army and navy who were stationed at this placc. He died at Sackets Harbor in 1864, but the family name is still prominent in our county. He was grand- father of George S. and Harold L. Hooker, now well known lawyers of Watertown.

George Camp was the head of one of the most worthy and prominent families of the town and county in later years, but when he came to the harbor in the early part of 1817 it was as a journeyman and practical printer, whose aim was to establish a newspaper in the then flourishing

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THE TOWN OF HOUNSFIELD.

village. On March 18, 1812, Mr. Camp issued the first number of the Sackets Harbor Gazette, a noted paper in its day, federalistic in senti- ment, but generally devoted to the interests of the county and town. Mr. Camp was in all respects a worthy and upright citizen. His sons were Talcott II. Camp, who was for many years identified with bank- ing interests at Watertown, and particularly as president of the Jeffer- son County National bank; George HFull Camp, a prominent manufac turer, living in the south; and Walter B. Camp, more frequently known as Col. Camp, organizer of the 94th N. Y. Inf. during the war of 1861 65, and identified with every measure which has for its end the welfare of both the town and county. Col. Camp was born in Sackets Harbor, Oct. 1, 1822, and his whole life has been spent there, excepting the time he has devoted to travel in quest of pleasure and health. He has been actively identified with various public enterprises, beginning with the building of the railroad from Sackets Harbor to Pierrepont Manor, and continuing thence to the present time. Throughout the general chap. ters of this work (both civil and military) the name of Walter B. Camp is found mentioned with various important undertakings, hence to re- peat them here is unnecessary.

John M. Canfield was one of the early lawyers of the village, a former yet temporary resident of Watertown, and a native of Connecticut. Mr. Canfield was made collector of customs at this port in 1819 and held the office until 1828. He afterward lived at the harbor but was not actively engaged in professional business. His wife was Fanny Harvey, by whom he had eleven children. Of these children Theodore Canfield alone survives. Ile was born at Sackets llarbor March 6, 1823, and for a period of more than twenty-five years after reaching his majority was closely identified with business and political life in the village. Every worthy enterprise found in him an earnest supporter. He was supervisor several times; served in the assembly in 1866, and was for eighteen years one of the directors of the Carthage, Watertown & Sackets Harbor railroad.

In the same manner may be recalled the names of John R. Bennett, who in later years gained a position of prominence in judicial circles in Wisconsin, and who was also a native of this town: D. M. Burnham, a native of Adams and for many years a successful lawyer at the harbor ; John Pettit, another native of Hounsfield, who went to La Fayette, Ind., and ultimately became chief justice of the Supreme court of that state; Sanford A. Hudson, who began life as a blacksmith, but after-

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ward made a mark as a lawyer; George H. Harlow, a native of the town, who became secretary of state in Illinois. There may also be recalled the names of such men as Cornelius W. Inglehart, Merrick M. Bates, Daniel McCulloch, Jay Dimmick (in the assembly in 1869-10), Enoch Barnes, the family of Heman Petit (William S. and John Petit), Newman H. Potter, Nathan Ladd, Benjamin Maxon. Lebbeus F. Allen, Bernard Eevleigh, Richard M. Earl. David McKee, Henry J. Lane, Albert Metcalf and a host of others equally worthy of notice, perhaps, and of whom mention will be found in the department of this work de- voted to personal and family history.

Supervisors .- Augustus Sacket, 1806->; Elisha Camp, 180º (special election) and 1×09-19; Hiram Steele. 1819: Elisha Camp, 1920-23. Daniel Hall, jr .. 1824; Elisha Camp, 1$25, succeeded in same year by Wm. Baker: Daniel Hall, jr., 1826-27; Elisha Camp, 1×25; Daniel Hall, 1829-41; Seth P. Newell, jr., 1842 . Benj. Maxon, 1843: Daniel Hall, 1:44; Augustus Ford. 1×45; Benj. Maxon, 1-46-47; Jesse C. Dann, 1:48-50; Samuel T. Hooker, 1951; J. C. Dann, 1552; Edgar B. Camp, 1953-56; Dan- iel McCulloch, 1:57-3; Theo. Canfield, 1859; Sylvester I. Lewis, 1×60; Andrew Smith, 1861: Luther Barrows, 1862-64; Jay Dimick, 1865; Walter B. Camp, 1966; J. Dimick, 1867-65; Theo. Canfield, 1-69-72; Wm. E. Tyler, 1873-75: Samuel N. Hodges. 1976-79: D. C. Read, 1580; W. E. Taylor, 1>>1-82: T. C. Dempsey, 1943; L. W. Day, 1844-85: Henry J. Lane, 1886-58: Josiah A. McWayne, 1989-97; J. M. Fitzgerald, 1898-99.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

Aboriginal .- As a proper prelude to the civil history of this interest- ing town, a brief allusion to and description of the aboriginal occupancy as indicated by traces now quite indistinct, is appropriate. The site of an Indian work or village was found in this town near Sandford's Corn- ers. It was situated on the bank of a small stream which is the source of Cowan's creek. Of this work little can be learned, except that it was nearly a circular inclosure, and consisted of a mound or ridge of earth and exterior ditch with gateways at intervals along its lines. When first seen the bank measured from the bottom of the ditch was six feet high. Some of the largest pines of the forest grew upon and within the banks. The neighboring fields formerly yielded the usual

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

variety of fragments of pottery and pipes, some of which were of good workmanship and fair finish, and also rude implements of bone and flint. Several skeletons buried in a sitting position have been here exhumed.

This work is illustrated in the accompanying diagram which was made in 1819. Only a small portion of the embankment was then visi- ble, and the dotted lines show the original outlines according to the recollection of those acquainted with it before it was disturbed It was located about a quarter of a mile from the railroad station on the Ant- werp highway leading to the Union church (which crosses its eastern margin) and was on the southeast bank of Cowan's creek, mainly on land where Byron Dillenback's house and blacksmith shop now stand, and also on land of Mrs. Abigail Jabes.

Another work of interest was found on Black river (Kamehargo) in Le Ray, half a mile below Black River village, where the banks are

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

very high and quite inaccessible. The work was on the land of Aaron Poor and is fully shown in the diagram which was made in 1849 and represents it as it then appeared. The ends of the embankment ex- tended a short distance down the slope of the river bank, and there curved slightly inward, as though designed to prevent the flank being turned by an enemy. The lines, where they cross the road were then very distinct, and the embankment was about three or four feet high.

Lockport

1'4 Acres

{ from Watertown

RIVER

BLACK

The rest of the work could be traced without much difficulty, although it had been long under cultivation. Upon the wall, at the point indi- cated by letter "c," stood a pine stump, over three feet in diameter, and was probably more than 100 years old. The usual relies were found within the area of this enclosure, and in the natural bank at "d," a number of decayed skeletons were plowed out, all of which were in the position found elsewhere in Indian burial places. No traces of this fortification now remain, yet its general outline can be determined by a darker earth deposit and a richer and darker hue to vegetation.

About one mile north of the last work, and six northeast of Water-

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

town, stood a fort or fortified encampment on a small sandy elevation, situate in the midst of low grounds. It was described in 1849 as being lozenge shaped, and very regular in outline. The accompanying dia- gram made at that time fairly represented the work as it then appeared.

Swany

1% ACTOS

Where the lines are intercepted on the north the ground was consider- ably elevated and subsides abruptly, precluding the necessity of an embankment for defensive purposes. The sites of the ancient lodges indicated by heaps of burnt stones, caleined shells, fragments of pottery, etc., could then be traced, notwithstanding the land had for a consider- able time been under cultivation near this work. Skeletons have been frequently exhumed at this place. This work was near the source of West creek and was on a plain a little elevated above a flat that was once flowed by a beaver dam, the remains of which may still be traced. Several other fortified places were found, one of which was near Felts' mills, but unfortunately no descriptions have been preserved and all traces have long since been obliterated. Enough remains, however, to show that this town was doubtless in early days the theatre of a san-

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

guinary strife that was waged among the Indians in northern New York in their efforts for the mastery of these grounds, which were then unsurpassed for the purpose of hunting and fishing, and were, there- fore, an ideal place for Indian occupancy.

Civil History .- Within its present limits the town of Le Ray con- tains 40.823 acres of improved land; as originally established in 1806 it included substantially the eastern half of great lot number four of the Macomb purchase, also, in whole or in part, the territory of six present towns of the county. As is fully narrated in a preceding chap- ter, the Antwerp company became possessed of great lot number four, the consideration paid for which was 300,000 florins, equal to $125,356. On January 2, 1800, Gouverneur Morris as agent for the company re- ceived a deed for 220,000 acres of the tract, or one-half its area, as then estimated. On the following day the remaining half was deeded by the company to James Donatiantis Le Ray de Chaumont (more com- monly mentioned in this work as James Le Ray) the consideration for which was $46.315. 12.

Proprietors Morris and Le Ray then established a division line be- tween their possessions, beginning at the northest corner of Penet's square and running on a line parallel with the county line (Oneida county at that time) to the south line of great lot number four, com monly called the Chassanis line. Morris took all the territory north- east of this line, and Le Ray all on the southwest side. However, August 15, 1802, the proprietors established a new division line, begin- ning at the southeast corner of Penet's square, "and running thence to the south corner of lot 512; thence to the west corner of the town of Antwerp; thence along the southwest line of that town to the south corner of lot 331," and thence to the Chassanis line.

In his representative capacity as agent for the Antwerp company, Gouverneur Morris was succeeded by Moss Kent, and the latter, after a short period of service, was superseded by Mr. Le Ray, who was the owner of about 126 shares of the company's stock. Le Ray took from the company a deed for all their unsold lands, to the extent of about 145,000 acres, while he owned in his own right about 220,000 acres more on lot number four (except such portions as had been sold by him), together with the Chassanis tract, which he had acquired by sun - dry purchases. It will be seen from this brief mention that the land titles in this town were descended from Mr. Le Ray, but it is not deemed necessary to further pursue the subject in this chapter.

665

THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

As originally created by act of the legislature passed February 17, 1806, the town of Le Ray included all that part of the county north of Black river and east of the east boundary of Penet's square extended from the Black river to the St. Lawrence; excepting, however, a portion of the town of Wilna which was annexed from Lewis county in 1813. The town now comprises about seven or eight thousand acres of the Chassanis tract and something like thirty two thousand acres of great lot number four of the Macomb tract. Portions of Alexandria and Wilna and all of Theresa, Antwerp and Philadelphia were originally a part of Le Ray.

Le Ray occupies a central position in the county, and is regarded as one of its most important civil divisions in every point of view. The land surface is level, or gently rolling, and the soil is chiefly a clayey loam. The principal stream is Black river, which forms the southern boundary, while Indian river enters the town from Philadelphia, flows a few miles southwest, then abruptly turns north, crosses the western extremity of Philadelphia and enters Theresa. Pleasant creek is the greatest auxiliary stream, and has its course chiefly within the town. The excellent water privileges of this creek induced pioneer Benjamin Brown to make the first settlement and improvement in this locality. In the southern part, along Black river, is an extensive sand barren containing about 13,000 acres, which has not been ocenpied and im- proved for general agricultural purposes. Originally this tract was covered with a splendid growth of timber, but the forests were eut away early in the century, and have since been replaced with a second growth now almost fit for the woodman's axe. Many years ago, after having been stripped of its timber, this vast tract was in part aban- coned by its owners, and several enterprising farmers extended their enclosures so as to include abort 5,000 acres, which is utilized as grazing and pasture lands. The town authorities have noticed with some degree of interest this unopposed encroachment, and the assessors have taxed this part of the tract to these occupants; the remaining 8,000 acres is taxed to various owners but is not regarded as of any par- ticular value.

Settlement and development in this town was begun and accom- plished under the proprietary of James D. Le Ray and his agents. He sold the land in parcels suited to the wants and means of his pur- chasers, and gave them sufficient time to complete their payments, but reasonably asked that each make a proper beginning by building a log

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

house and clearing a certain amount of land annually; and instances are not wanting in which the worthy proprietor extended to his settlers additional time and even advanced them money and assistance when needed. Indeed, in all the vast Macomb tract there was no proprietor more generous and more respected than Mr. Le Ray, but his liberality and enterprise eventually told against him and contributed to his finan- cial downfall. But his fortune was not entirely swept away by this disaster, and he continued to live in the town until its resources were developed, gaining the admiration and esteem of the county's entire people.

The pioneer of Le Lay was Benjamin Brown, brother to General Jacob Brown, the latter the first permanent settler in the county north of Black river. Both came to the region and made their respective im- provements while the territory formed a part of Oneida county. In the fall of 1801 Benjamin Brown visited this town in quest of a suitable site whereupon to erect a mill, and after casting about for a time selected a location on Pleasant creek, about on the site of the hamlet of Le Rays- ville. He made a clearing and prepared timber for a dam across the stream, but the severity of winter compelled his party to return to Brownville. Early in the following spring work was resumed by cut- ting a road from Brownville to the mill site, General Brown going in advance of the party with his surveying implements, marking the course, while they followed with the work of construction. After many inci- dents and some misfortunes and hardships, the road was built to Le Raysville and work on the improvement was renewed. In due time the dam and mill were completed, and if local tradition be true the "raising " was a notable event in the annals of the town. A log house was also built for the accommodation of the workmen, and to this humble abode in July following Benjamin Brown brought his bride, the pioneer woman of the town, with whom he had just married at Brownville.

The erection of the mill on Pleasant creek was a fortunate event in the early history of the town, and had the effect to induce settlement by families from the east and elsewhere, who were anxious to come to the region, as it assured them they were to locate in an inhabited coun- try, where the means of living were provided. At this time, too, the proprietary was advertising the land in Albany and elsewhere, and otherwise using every endeavor to dispose of and settle them. Settle- ment during the year 1802 appears to have been limited to Benjamin

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

Brown and members of his household, but the year 1803 witnessed the arrival of several families, among whom were men of prominence and who afterward had an active share in both county and town history, and made for Le Ray a prominent place among the towns in the region. Prominent among the settlers in 1803 were Joseph Child and his three sons, Daniel, Samuel and Moses, all of whom came from Pennsylvania and were associated with many carly events. Their surname has ever since been known and respected in the county. Thomas Ward, Daniel Coffeen, William Cooper, John Petty and Robert Sixbury also came in this year.

This Child family located between pioneer Brown's mill and the set- tlement at Watertown, while Thomas Ward bought and settled on land. between Le Raysville and Evans' mills, as afterward known, In 1804 Samuel Child and Mr. Ward made the first clearing in the present town of Philadelphia, working for Cadwallader Child. Daniel Coffeen was one of a prominent family bearing that name who were identified with the early history of at least half a dozen towns. His improvement was southeast of Evans' mills, but in 1804 he settled on land near Ster- lingville. Robert Sixbury had become acquainted with this region while with a surveying party, and in 1804, with John Hoover, bought the Coffeen improvement below Evans' mills. Later on he removed to a farm in the north part of the town, and while he was an industri- ous pioneer he also gained much prominence as a hunter and a man of great physical strength. His life was passed in the town, and he died in 1825 at the advanced age, it is claimed, of 112 years. John Petty lived in the town only one year, then removed to Philadelphia, where he was also a pioneer. William Cooper was a Frenchman, whose correct name was Guillaume Conpart, but to the settlers he was best known as " French Cooper." He was a refugee from his native place (Nor- mandy, France, ) and experienced many vicissitudes in life before he found freedom in Connecticut, from whence he came to the Black river country in 198, locating first in Pamelia. In 1803 he settled between Le Rayville and Ingerson's corners, and ultimately became a large land owner and a man of influence and worth in the town. Some of his descendants are still in the county.

Roswell Woodruff and Benjamin Kirkbride are known to have set- tled in the town in 1804, and while others undoubtedly came during the year, neither record nor tradition gives us any information as to who they were or where they settled. Indeed, it is hardly possible that

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

a town in which settlement was so auspiciously begun by pioneers of the best type should have but two arrivals during its second year of history. Roswell Woodruff located at the place called Jewett's Cor- ners (now Sanford's Corners) in later years, and so called in allusion to Captain Ezekiel Jewett, who bought the Woodruff improvement. Mr. Woodruff then removed to Oneida county. Mr. Kirkbride settled about a mile southeast of Evans' mills, where afterward lived Ezekiel Steinhilber, an early resident.

Thus have we recalled the names and something of the works of the pioneers of Le Ray within its present boundaries. They came to the region when nothing had been done in the way of improvement other than was necessary to provide for actual needs. They came to face dangers and hardships incident to pioneer life, and were provided with few elements of comfort, and none of luxury. They laid the founda- tion on which the town was afterward built up, and prepared the way for later comers who suffered less from trials and privations. Several of them came with families, but nearly all such had previously visited the region and arranged for a place of abode.

However, for the purpose of preserving the names of as many as possible of the early settlers in Le Ray, recourse is had to early town records, to old and time-worn papers and documents, and frequently to the memory of old residents of the locality, whose days of toil have passed but whose recollection of early events is clear and distinct. From all these sources we may learn the names of the early families, but their lives and individual works are reserved for another depart- ment of this volume. Collating the information gathered from the sources mentioned, it is found that among the first settlers were

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 69

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