Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 70

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 70

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James Anthony, Michael Coffeen, Ruell Kimball, Alfred Commins, Captain Rich- ardson Avery, William Barber, Ethni Evans (founder of Evans' Mills), Sylvanus Evans, Eli Davis, S. Brownell, Amos Broughton, David Burhans (who settled in 1809 purchased a farm from Le Ray, and from whom descended a large family), Joseph Corey, Perley and Oliver Fuller, Peter Hoover. Thomas Huston, John and William Huston, Ezra and Isaac Ingersou, Lee Woodward, Silas Ward, Joseph Tag- gart, Francis Trevaller, Reuben Treat, Elisha Steele, Elisha and Alvah Scofield, Abiel Shurtliff, Solomon and Amaziah Parker, Barnhart and Elias Minick, Alanson Lyon and Arnold Miller. Several of these names are not now known in the town.

Other settlers of about the same period were Lyman and Ivah Holbrook, Elijah Corey, Thomas and Joel Hulbert, while still others, possibly at a little later date, were Dr. Horatio Orvis (the first physician of the town), Willard Barrett, the Belling- ers (Frederick H., Adam P. and Peter) Asa Barnes, Levi Butterfield, Jotham Good- ale, Alfred Vebber, David M. Caldwell, Alvin Herrick. Solomon Hawkins, John

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

Ingerson, Fayette Ilerriek, Ansel Winslow, Jesse Sawyer, Gilbert Taylor, Stephen D. Sloan, Peter Slack, Samuel Stewart, Edwin Hungerford. Patrick S. and John V. Stewart, William and Isaac Palmer, Levi Reed, Josiah J. Petrie, Oliver Pierce, Jenison Clark, Ezekiel and Abraham Jewett, James J. Murphy, Heman Millard, John and Stephen Macomber, Samuel C. Kanady, Sylvester Kelsey, Beni Henry, Olsey and Andrew Roberts, Nathan and Stephen Ingerson, Elon Henry, Christopher Poor, Dr. Ira Smith, and still others whose names have been lost with the lapse of years.

Much of the early settlement was accomplished under the agency of Jacob Brown, acting for the Le Ray proprietary. The worthy pro- prietor first came to his possessions in the region in 1802, two years after making the purchase, but in 1804 he returned to France. In 1806 he sent a Dr. Baudry, a physician "of considerable experience and ability, whom he had engaged for several years to reside with him on his lands," to select a favorite site for a permanent residence. The spot finally selected was in this town, just outside the hamlet of Le Rays- ville, where a large and commodious dwelling was built. In 1825 it was replaced with a mansion still more pretentious, which stands to the present day, although many of the once attractive surroundings are gone to decay, while others have been removed by more recent occu- pants of the place. The building, however, is well preserved and is still used for residence purposes. The accompanying portrait accurately represents it as it now appears.

J. Le Ray de Chaumont was born at Chaumont, on the Loire, France, Nov. 13, 1760, and first became acquainted with affairs in America dur- ing the revolution, his father being an earnest sympathizer with the cause for which the colonists were contending, and in close relationship with La Fayette. He made large advances of money to the cause, and also sent supplies to the American army. In 1985 young Le Ray came to this country to settle the accounts of his father, which he succeeded in doing in 1290, with the aid of Benjamin Franklin. He also made the acquaintance of Count de La Forest and Gouverneur Morris, and was by them persuaded to invest in lands in this state. lle first bought a small tract in Otsego county, in company with Judge Cooper, father of the famed novelist, and built one of the first saw mills in that region. During this time he had become a citizen. In 1790 he married the daughter of Charles Coxe, of New Jersey, and soon afterward sailed for France, returning to the United States in 1799. In the next year he made the extensive purchase of lands in what afterward became Jeffer- son county, and in 1802 visited the region. As has been elsewhere stated, Mr. Le Ray was a generous proprietor and gave with lavish

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

hand to every enterprise which had for its end the welfare and comfort of his settlers. He authorized his agents to do all that was necessary in the way of improvements, but when he was present everything was under his personal direction. He came to live at his villa in 1808, but in 1810 returned to France (leaving his affairs here in the hands of Moss

......

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THE LE RAY MANSION.

Kent) and was instrumental in inducing settlement in this region by scions of some of the best families in France, and others, as well, who sought to better their condition in the new country as America was even then called. Indeed, some of the most thrifty and progressive settlers in this county were brought to the region through the agency of Mr. Le Ray and the French company.

Mr. Le Ray was not a continuous dweller in the town, but came and went as his business interests demanded. He was regarded as a resi- dent, however, and his influence and presence were always felt in the county. Says Dr. Hough: "He greatly improved the breed of sheep

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

by bringing Merinos from his flock in France. He also gave great at- tention to improving the breed of horses, and labored to diffuse a taste for the rearing of ornamental plants, to promote the culture of the vine in gardens, and of hemp and the mulberry. The care which he be- stowed in the selection and adorning of his villa at Le Raysville, which for many years was the seat of refined hospitality bespeaking the afflu- ent and accomplished French gentleman, prove him to have possessed on these matters a judicious and correct taste. His household, includ- ing agents, clerks, surveyors and employees, formed of itself a small community." In 1832 Mr. Le Ray returned to France, leaving his business in the hands of his son, Vincent, who also left in the next year. At this time Patrick Somerville Stewart, who for many years had been in the Le Ray employ, was agent. In 1835 he removed the land office to Carthage, where it was kept until the estate was finally settled. James D). Le Ray, the proprietor, died December 31, 1810.

Organisation .- Under the agencies referred to in the preceding para- graphs the early development of this town was accomplished. In 1802 Benjamin Brown and his little party of workmen made the first begin- ning; in 1803 six families were added to the number, while in the next year, so far as is now known, only two families came. But, notwith- standing this, in the territory comprising the town in 1807 were 153 legal voters, and three years later the total number of inhabitants was 1,150. It is not surprising therefore, that the inhabitants of this part of Brownville were desirous to have a new town created.

The crecting act was passed February 16, 1806, and by it all that part of the county north of the Black river and east of the east line of Penet's square was ercated a body politie and corporate and named Le Ray, in honor of James Le Ray, the proprietor, who was then build- ing his villa within the limits of the town. By another act of the legis- lature, passed April 4, 1806, a part of Leyden was annexed to Le Ray. The territory of the town has been reduced by the erection of Antwerp, April 5, 1810; a part of Wilna, April 2, 1813; a portion of Alexandria (including Theresa) and all of Philadelphia, April 3, 1821.

The first town meeting was held at the dwelling of Abiel Shurtliff, March 3, 1807. at which time these officers were elected: James Shurtliff, supervisor; Thomas Ward, town clerk; Ruel Kimball, John B. Bossuot, Richardson Avery, assessors; Daniel Child, Daniel Sterling, Lyman Holbrook, commissioners of highways; Thomas Thurston, constable and collector. 1

1 Wolf bounties of $5 Were voted in 1809, '12. '11, '16 and 'Is; a panther bounty of $5 in 151 ;

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The first settlers of Le Ray formed a mixed population of Yankees and Frenchmen, the former perhaps prevailing in point of numbers, and while their habits and customs were wholly unlike they worked in perfect unison and no unfriendliness existed; all being imbued with the same spirit of enterprise and progress. Each began his life work here by first building a log cabin, then elearing a piece of land for grain and crops, building up gradually, and everything "from the stump." If a family became distressed Mr. Le Ray relieved them; if impoverished, he helped them. He built roads through the settled portions and ex- tended them as necessity required. Cadwallader Child was an impor- tant factor in this work, and surveyed road No. 1 in 1806, extending from Evans' Mills to the highway leading from Benjamin Brown's to the bend in Black river. Road No. 2 was run by him in May of that year, and extended from the bend in the river to Philadelphia. Indeed, the records show that the principal business of the highway commissioners for several years related to road construction for the accommodation of constantly increasing settlement. Occasionally a dangerous animal would create havoc among the cattle, but the common interests, stimu- lated by a modest bounty offer, soon exterminated the evil. Fences were unknown, and animals running at large were subject to detention by the "poundmaster" until the penalty was paid. The area of the town was large, the inhabitants much scattered, yet on "town meeting days," and for regular Sabbath worship the settlers were assembled to- gether. As early as 1812 two schools were maintained.

Thus the foundation for subsequent prosperity was laid in this town as in others in the county. The beginnings were humble, but the results were grand, and early in its history Le Ray was one of the first t wns in the region ; a reputation worthily maintained to this time.

As further evidences of its prosperity reference may be made to the census reports, from which we learn that in 1810 the inhabitants numbered 1,150. while the indus- tries included seven saw mills, one grist mill, a carding mill and two stores. From the same source we may note the changes in population, beginning with the year 1810 and ending in 1892. In 1810, 1,150; 1820, 2,941; 1830, 3, 430; 1840, 3,721 ; 1850, 3,654; 1860, 3,156; 1870, 2,862; 1880, 2,660; 1890, 2,565; 1892, 2,583.

However, the greatest population was reached in 1845. the number then being 3,853, or nearly 1,300 more than at the present time. This reduction is readily accounted for, being due to the canses which have

wolf bounties of $10 in 1510, '13, '15 and '90 ; fox bounties of 50 cents in 1810, '16, 17 and '18 ; of $1 in 1$21. In 1817 the sum of $50 was levied to provide a workhouse for indigent people.

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

depreciated the population in nearly all the purely agricultural towns in the state, the development of the unlimited farming interests of the west and the tendeney of the youth to abandon the farm for the less arduous pursuits found in the city and village life, together with their attendant pleasures. The result is that agricultural pursuits are not highly profitable unless under the most favorable conditions.

In its history few events have disturbed the progress of affairs. The enforcement of the embargo laws caused much distress for the time, but the period soon passed and the attention of the inhabitants was di- verted to the second war with Great Britain. The young men and many of the older were enrolled in General Brown's militia, and were frequently on the frontier or at Sackets Harbor ready to meet the at- tack of the enemy. After the close of the war local affairs resumed their natural channels, settlement rapidly increased, and peace and prosperity prevailed on every hand. The forests gradually gave way to farms of fertility ; small but flourishing villages appeared in conven- ient parts of the town, stores were opened, churches and schools were established, and all interests were fostered and benefited. Then came the patriot war, but it had no effect on the town's people except as the events furnished a subject for amusing discussion at the accustomed re- sorts and at the fireside. In 1854 a line of railroad was built through the town from the county seat extending northward, affording a ready market for the agricultural and manufacturing products of the locality, adding much to the value of property along its route, and establishing Evans' Mills as a shipping point of importance; and when in 1872 the Carthage, Watertown and Sackets Harbor railroad was completed, al- though on the south side of the river, the town was much benefited by it in the substantial industries which were erected on the Le Ray side.

During the period of its history Le Ray has produced and been the abiding place of some of the strongest men of the county; and while contrary to the plan of this work to mention them at length, we may with propriety recall the names of Cleanthus P. Granger, Lorenzo Saw- yer, George B. Hart, Lewis Palmer, William S. Phelps, W. W. and B. B. Taggart, Sidney and William S. Cooper, John W. Tamblin, Moss Kent, judge Joseph Boyer, Samuel C. Kannady, Matthew Poor, Drs. Jones, Orvis and Smith, judge Jonathan Miller, Caleb Slocum, Alexan- der Kannady, William M. Comstock and Wesley Rulison and a host of others, all of whom have in the past been identified with the best his- tory of the town and contributed to its prosperity.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Le Raysville .- Among the several trading centers which have been established in the town for the accommodation of the inhabitants, the little hamlet called Le Raysville is the oldest. Here Benjamin Brown made the first improvement in 1802 when he built a mill on Pleasant creek. He kept the mill several years, but it eventually passed into the hands of Curtis Mann, succeeded by Mr. Kannady and W. S. Phelps in the order named. At that time and for several years after- ward the hamlet had no name other than Brown's mill, and it was not until Dr. Baudry had completed the Le Ray villa and the proprietor came here to live that the name Le Raysville was applied. Settlement in the vicinity increased rapidly under the energetic action of Le Ray and his agents, and with the arrival of Dr. Horatio Orvis in 1808, and the opening of a public house in 1810, the place began to assume the proportions of a village. About the same time, too, Mr. Le Ray opened a stock of goods and placed it in charge of one of his employees, thus supplying the temporal wants of the inhabitants, for tradition says the stock was extensive and included not only staple articles of trade, but also a quantity of refreshing goods not now sold by the average dealer, though then common merchandise. Later managers of the store were Martin Hubbard and S. C. Kannady.

In 1818 a mail route was established between Wilna and Denmark, by way of Le Raysville, and in that year a post-office was established here, Samuel C. Kannady being postmaster. He held the office until his death in 1836, and was succeeded by Mr. Whipple. Previous to 1818 all mail for this locality came through the office at Champion, and was generally brought to the town by Mr. Le Ray or one of his em- ployees. After Mr. Whipple's term the incumbents of the post-office were William Phelps, Ennis Mosher, Horace Grover, Albert Mosher and Wm. S. Phelps in the order named until the office became unim- portant in local annals. About 1820 the village attained its greatest importance and size, and another tavern was opened on the opposite side of the creek.

After the departure of the proprietor for France, in 1832, and par- ticularly after the removal of the land office to Carthage three years later, all interests in this historic hamlet began to decline; and after the construction of a railroad through the western part of the town local interests suffered seriously. Since that time (1854) Le Raysville has been an unimportant hamlet in the town, and while one or two small stores and a custom feed mill have been maintained here for the aecom-

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

modation of neighboring farmers, other enterprises have been aban- coned. At the present time the business interests are represented in the small stores of O. S. Woolever and Orrin Fowler, and the mill owned by Mrs. Phelps. The local postmaster is M. J. Matty. The old "mill pond " on Pleasant creek, the capacity of which in times past has frequently been taxed in supplying power for the mill, is now used for other purposes.

Not far distant from the village are two church edifices, the older of which is an almost historic structure. It is of stone and was built by the society of Friends in 1816, that sect then being numerous in the town. Their meetings were regularly held for many years, but at length the membership became small, the interest declined and the society almost disappeared; but the old edifice still stands, a monn- ment to its once devoted people and its own honorable record. In 1828 the society became divided on doctrinal questions, the dissentients withdrew and worshiped elsewhere. They became known as the Ilick- site branch of the mother church, and in 1876 erected a small but neat frame meeting house on the border of the village. Here services are held regularly.

Evans' Mills .- Ethni Evans, the founder of this pleasant and thrifty village, came from Hinsdale, N. H., in 1802, and was employed by General Brown in making the pioneer beginning at Brownville. In the course of his labors Mr. Evans visited the Brown settlement in what afterward became Le Ray, where it is said he also worked, but at the same time he looked about for a suitable place in which to begin life for himself. He was a millwright by trade, and naturally sought a desirable water-power location. This he found at the junction of Pleasant and West creeks, and in 1804 contracted with Le Ray's agent for the purchase of 192 acres of land at three dollars per acre. He at once made a clearing, built a log house and began the construction of a dam across the stream, but not before 1806 did he commence his mills. The mills led to the hamlet, and the latter to the village, in its palmy days one of the most enterprising municipalities in the county, for, being located in the center of a rich agricultural region, the lands were taken rapidly and fine farms replaced the primal forests. The carly settlers here were thrifty and the building up of a trading center was a necessity. About 1808 Jenison Clark opened a store and also a tavern and blacksmith shop, and thus the hamlet was established. The store stood on the corner where was afterward built the "brick hotel."

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

As early as 1812 the inhabitants numbered about one hundred, but be- yond this it did not materially increase prior to the construction of the railroad. In 1812 the people became much alarmed through fear of an Indian invasion, and began the erection of a blockhouse for defensive purposes; but their fears were soon quieted and the structure was not completed (the mortar cannon standing conspicuously near the four corners has no relation to the blockhouse. )

However, within a period of twenty years from the time pioneer Evans made the first improvement the village grew into a place of con- siderable importance, and among the more prominent business interests may be noted the Evans mills, which were in successful operation, run - ning both day and night under the direction of Pierce Macomber and Omrod Evans; the Stearns grist mill, also built before the war of 1812; a fulling and cloth mill, standing near the grist mill, operated by George Oaks; a tannery managed by John Macomber; two pot asheries owned by John Hoover and William Palmer; two distilleries, one of which was run by Ziba Henry, but originally built by Jesse Smith. Another distillery of about this period stood in the south end of the village. It was operated by William H. Granger and Captain Sanderson, and was sold to Millard & Palmer. Sacket Comstock and Sewell Hill were local blacksmiths and also made axes, hoes and other edged tools. Farring- ton Smith made spinning wheels and looms; Harry Weed was wagon maker, and Joseph Pryor, an earnest Quaker, had a cabinet shop. William Palmer kept store where now stands the brick hotel. Heman Millard also kept store but dealt more extensively in liquors. The village had two taverns, one (built in 1816) across the creek, kept by Adam and Peter Bellinger, and the other, the stone tavern, built about 1821, was run by John Hoover. This was a somewhat famous hostelry in its day, and was built from stone quarried in the north part of the town. Josiah Fuller laid the stone and William Delaware did the car- penter work. Landlords after Hoover were Daniel Thomas, George Oaks, Parker Rulison, Elisha Root, Alexander Lapon, Nelson Clarke, Benjamin Jackson. Then its use for hotel purposes was discontinued. The Bellinger hotel also had several landlords, among them Elias Hol- brook, David Kilburn, Oliver Pierce, Edwin Hungerford, Henry Law- ton and Jacob Davis. Dr. Ira A. Smith was the first village physician, whose partner in later years was Dr. Wm. G. Comstock. Drs. Henry and Isaac Munson were students under Dr. Smith. Peter H. Ryther started a blacksmith shop about 1823, but about four years afterward

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THE TOWN OF LE RAY.

enlarged his works for the manufacture of scythes, axes and hoes, using a trip hammer worked with water power. In 1822-23 Judge Evans rebuilt the saw mill, and it was kept in operation until about twenty years ago. The grist mill was rebuilt by him in 1823-24, though just below the dam, and is still in operation under Tozer & Davenport. The brick hotel, to which reference has been made, was begun in 1827 by Capt. John Hoover. When completed it was one of the most sub- stantial buildings of the village, and has stood the wear of time to the present day; and it is still called by the old name, " the brick hotel." Benjamin Collins also opened a hotel in 1827. The Railroad hotel was built after the road was finished and business was attracted to the station.

Evans' Mills became a post-office in 1824, William Palmer, post- master. He held the position many years. In 1846 the name of the village was changed to Evansville, still preserving the name of the founder, but the new designation was thought to be more cuphonious. However, in 1851 the old name was restored. In 1854 the railroad was opened for traffic and at once the village assumed a position of impor- tance among the trading centers of the county. As a shipping point for agricultural products it has ranked well, although in more recent years the manufactures of the locality have materially declined. How- ever, in the vicinity are several cheese factories, one at the village, owned by Daniel Walrath; the Crystal springs factory, north of the village, owned by A. E. & L. A. Helmer, and the Jefferson valley factory, operated by Wm. and Isaac Schell. These, with the interests previously mentioned, comprise the chief manufacturing enterprises of the vicinity.

The village was incorporated in 1874, including "20.44 acres of land and about 500 inhabitants. At the first election A. M. Cook was chosen president, and George Ivers, B. M. Strong and Bowen Root, trustees. The proposition to incorporate was carried by a vote of 54 against 19, and while the plan was fully carried out a strong opposition existed, and afterward was continned with final result in dissolving the corpora- tion and a return to the former condition of municipal life. The village also contains two good district schools, comprising parts of town dis- triets Nos. 3 and ?. In the fall of 1895 a number of public spirited citizens sought to consolidate these districts and establish a union free school, but the measure was lost when submitted to a vote of the pro- posed district.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The present mercantile and business interests of Evans' Mills may be mentioned about as follows: Wesley Rnlison, general store; J. P. Steinhilber, general store; E. C. Delevan, dry goods and groceries; F. M. Peck, grocer ; A. B. Foote and Frank Walts, harness shops; the "brick hotel," Peter Farmer, prop'r; Central house, L. G. Hawn; Whitney house, W. M. Whitney; postmaster, Burton M. Stratton ; Evans' Mills cheese factory, Daniel Walrath; flour and grist mill, Tozer & Davenport; physicians, Drs. L. E. Jones and Robt. A. Smith.

Pisgah lodge, No. 120, F. & A. M., was chartered June 13, 1872, with twenty-four original members, and Wesley Rulison, master. The present members number fifty-three. The officers are Burton M. Strat- ton, master; A. B. Foote, S. W .; S. N. Gould, J. W. ; Eugene F. Spen- cer, S. D .; E. H. Cobb, J. D. ; Nicholas Cocagne, secretary, and F. E. Croissant, treasurer.

Hermon lodge of free and accepted masons, of Evans' Mills, was in- stituted in the fall of 1826, but during the masonic excitement which followed soon afterward it suspended, and was not revived.

The Presbyterian church of Le Ray was the outgrowth of a Congre- gational society formed January 13, 1814, at the house of Elisha Sco- field, by Rev. Nathaniel Dutton, of Champion. The original members were Elisha Scofield and wife, Ruel Kimball and wife, Gershom Mat- toon and wife, Mrs. Cheeseman, Abner Cheeseman and Hannah Par- ker. The early meetings were informal and the church was without a pastoral head until 1820, when the accidental drowning of the son of Ruel Kimball inspired the father to enter the ministry and he became the first regular pastor. Previous to this time the society met for wor- ship about two miles south of the village, but in 1818 removed to the settlement. The first house of worship was built in 1826, and was a plain stone building standing on the site of the present edifice, and was the contribution of Judge Evans. Elisha Scofield, David Burhans, Samuel C. Kanady, Sylvester Kelsey, Sylvanus Evans and Mr. Le Ray were liberal contributors to the building fund. The old edifice was re- placed with one larger and more commodious, built of frame, and dedicated in June, 1869. This church in 1825 became Presbyterian, and in 1841 united with the Ogdensburgh (old school) presbytery. Twenty years ago the members numbered seventy persons; in 1897 the number was twenty-four, but the congregations indicate a much larger membership, as the church now draws from the former Episcopal, Baptist and Universalist (the latter an informal organization), societies of the vicinity. Present pastor, Rev. O. C. Barnes.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 70

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