Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 73

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 73

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In 1806 the hamlet was made a post station on the Rome and Brown- ville stage road. Simeon Parkhurst was the first postmaster, while William Carruth afterward served in the same capacity. About 1808 Aaron Brown started a distillery on Deer creek, from which fact that stream took the name "Still creek." In the next year Mr. Brown opened a store at the huddle and afterward took Joel Brown as part- ner. The building stood on the site of the Elijah Bellinger residence of later years. About 1815 John Caulkins and Alanson Russell began trading, but their store was burned in 1825. After it was rebuilt Loren Bushnell and Luther Lamson opened store and were in business until 1840. Baker & Gillet started in trade soon afterward. The junior partner, Elihu Gillet, afterward became sole owner and continued busi- ness until succeeded by Caulkins & Brown. The building in which they traded was torn down in 1870. Moses Brown and Luther Lamson

699

THE TOWN OF LORRAINE.

began business in 1840, but after seven years Mr. Brown succeeded the firm and kept the store until his death in 1853. Philo M. Brown fol- lowed and was in trade until 1861. Later proprietors in the same loca- tion were A. W. Grow, Brown & Moore, Moore & Grimshaw, and Charles D. Grimshaw, the present owner and leading merchant of the town. lle began business alone in 1877.

In carly village history Aaron Brown was a prominent figure, and in addition to his other interests built a saw mill in 1807 and a grist mill in 1808, both of which industries under many successive ownerships have survived to the present time, but to follow all their changes would be difficult. However, the old name " Brown's Mill " was preserved many years. The present owner of the grist mill is H. A. Cross, who purchased from Joseph B. Wilcox. The saw mills of the village are owned by Abel Wagoner, who also makes cheese boxes, and L. L. Bate- man, who has a planing mill attatchment to his plant.

Among the mechanics of early days Ward Fox was the first black- smith, followed by William Carruth, Elihu Gillet and Joel Buel, all previous to 1850. H. B. Harrington came later, as also did Almon W. Harrington, his successor. The present village blacksmiths are Mr. Harrington, Slack & Schell and F. D. Spicer. The first wheelwright was one Curry, who worked in the rear of Gillet's blacksmith shop. Thomas White and Asa Copeland also followed the same trade. In the gulf below the old Fox blacksmith shop stood John Boyden's fulling mill, but as his business increased a larger building was erected on Hull creek. Sardis Abbey succeeded Boyden, but the property afterward became the Bateman saw and planing mill, to which reference has been made.

Thus is recalled in a brief way the early industries and interests of the village, which, as may be seen, have not at any time been exten- sive. Yet they were sufficient for the time and the requirements of the people. The present village population is about 200. The public buildings comprise the Baptist and Methodist Episcopal church edifices, a good two-room school (Dr. W. C. Fawdrey, trustee), and the town hall, to which reference has been made.

The mercantile interests of the present time are represented substantially as fol- lows: Charles 1). Grimshaw, general store; J. L. Shelmerdine, grocer; O. L. Shel- merdine, wagons and agricultural implements; C. L. Tucker & Co. (successors to W. R. Graves & Co.), general store ; L. 1I. Odell, grocer; A. C. Reed, furniture and un- dertaking; J. D. Grow, hardware (also postmaster) ; 11. A. Cross, grocer and feed mill ; Mrs. Nancy Macomber, variety store; Fred. B. Reed, meat market ; Mrs. Ophelia Lan- fear and Julia Overton, milliners and dressmakers.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

The Baptist church of Lorraine, the oldest surviving institution of the town, and one of the oldest religious societies of the county, was formed in 1806 with thirteen constituent members. Rev. Amos Lam- son was pastor from 1806 to 1815, and was then succeeded by Rev. Solomon Johnson. Rev. Benjamin W. Capron officiated from 1819 to 1824, followed by Rev. Parley Brown from 1824 to 1830. The society was legally organized Dec. 23, 1829, the trustees being Aaron Brown, John Fasset, Benjamin Fletcher and James Gifford. The house of worship was built in 1830, and still stands, having been frequently re- paired. A reorganization and incorporation of the society was effected in 1854, under the name of "The First Baptist church and society of Lorraine," the trustees then being J. F. Robinson, Jude Lamson, M. F. Cole, A. S. Gillet, Aaron Brown and L. D. Reed. This church now has 111 members, with 88 attendants in the Sunday school. The pastor is Rev. E. P. Whittaker. The church property is valued at $2, 500.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Lorraine was organized in 1853, although class meetings were held in the town long before that time, for among the pioneers were a number of Methodists. The first pastor of the society was Rev. Isaac Hall. The first trustees were Joseph Grimshaw, James Gifford, Daniel Caulkins, Sardis Abbey, Daniel Wise, Elijah R. Fox and John Fasset. In 1856 a house of worship was be- gun under the direction of Joseph Grimshaw, Sardis Abbey and Daniel Caulkins as building committee. It was dedicated in January, 1858. This society has grown to be the largest religious organization in the town, numbering at present 117 full members and 37 probationers. The church property is valued at $2,500. The pastor is Rev. J. W. Barrett.

Lorraine lodge No. 206, I. O. O. F., was organized under a charter (lated August 10, 1868, with seven members. The lodge was in exist- ence about fifteen years and then dissolved.

Among the other hamlets of the town are Allendale, Waterville and Winona. Allendale was so called in honor of Gen. Clark Allen, and comprises a cluster of perhaps a dozen houses in the northwest part of the town, on Sandy creek, two miles south of Adams. Among the early improvements here were Martin Rice's flax mill, a worthy but unprofitable enterprise; Caulkins' grist mill; A. E. Baker's cabinet shop: George Ripley's cider mill, and Grove Heath's store, all of which, except the grist mill, are now things of the past. 11. B. Rogers is pro- prietor of the grist mill, and E. A. Baker has a wood-working estab-

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THE TOWN OF LYME.

lishment. In 1871 a post-office was established here under the name of Caulkins' Mill, but in 1853 the name was changed to Allendale. It was soon afterward discontinued. The Allendale school house, built in 1876 by Martin and Ira Toole, was then considered the best in the town. Waterville is a hamlet of about half a dozen dwellings in the southeast part of the town, on Hill creek, in the locality where War- ner's chair factory was for a time operated.

Wl'inona is a post station in the southwest part of Lorraine, and was recently established for the convenience of the people of that vicinity. The business interests comprise Anthony's store and cheese factory.

Supervisors .- Asa Brown, 1805-6; Clark Allen, 1807-13; Elihu Gillet, 1811; Clark Allen, 1815 21; John Boyden, 1825-29; Jared Gleason, 1830-31; John Boyden, 1832- 35; Loren Bushnell, 1836-37; John Boyden, 1838; Elisha Allen, 1839; Loren Bush- nell, 1840; Elisha Allen, 1811; James Gifford, 1842-43; John Boyden, 1811; Elisha Allen, 1845; John Boyden, 1846; David J. Redway, 1847; Moses Brown, 1818 51; James Gifford, 1852; Jno. F. Robinson, 1853-54; Elisha Allen, 1855; Parley Brown, 1856-58; Elisha Allen, 1859; Edmund G. Remington, 1860; Philo M. Brown, 1861 -62; E. G. Remington, 1863 61; Samuel T. Tifft, 1865-66; Spencer Woodward, 1867; Philo M. Brown, 1868; Alonzo W. Grow, 1869; Philo M. Brown, 1870; Alonzo W. Grow, 1871-72; Carlton C. Moore, 1873-75; Orville C. Tucker, 1876; Carlton C. Moore, 1877; B. A. Caulkins, 1878 79, E. Pitkin, 1880-81; C. C. Moore, 1882; W. R. Grow, 1883; F. A. Moore, 1881; W. R. Grow, 1885; Myron H. Fox, 1886; W. R. Grow, 1857-88; Charles D. Grimshaw, 1889-97; O. L. Shelmedine, 1898 99.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE TOWN OF LYME.

After settlement north of Black river was fairly begun, and after the intelligence had spread throughout the east that the lands bordering on the St. Lawrence were equally productive with those of the Black river tract, the tide of immigration set strongly in that direction. The region forming the town of Lyme, as originally created (except Point Peninsula, which formed a part of the Chassanis tract) was a part of old historic lot number four of the Macomb purchase, and of that part thereof which ultimately passed into the hands of James D. Le Ray, under whose direction it was settled and developed by the pioneers. This work was begun in 1801, but in the course of a few years much

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

sickness prevailed throughout the region, thus retarding its growth. About the same time the squatters on Penet's square began to arrive, and as well the lumber thieves, whose depredations extended all along the river and this special locality was not exempt from their work. The country bounded by the square, the river, and Chaumont Bay, was in a measure cut off from the other portions of Mr. Le Ray's vast tract, and he had not the same opportunity of looking to its protection and settlement as in localities farther east. General Brown, then living at Brownville, had a partial supervision over the territory, but was so occupied with his own affairs on the Black river border, that it appears as if interests farther north and west were in a measure neglected.

In 1801 Le Ray engaged Jonas Smith and Henry A. Delamater to undertake the sale and settlement of lands west of Penet's square. They came from Ulster county in the year mentioned, accompanied with several companions, among whom were Richard M. Esselstyn, of Claverack (afterward one of the foremost men of the county), Peter Pratt, T. Wheeler, James, David, Timothy Soper, and perhaps a few others whose names are not recalled. These pioneers came to the re- gion in a boat by way of Oswego, with a supply of provisions and uten- sils. They entered Chaumont bay, and by direction from Le Ray, sailed up Chaumont river two and one-half miles, where they landed and founded one of the first settlements north of Black river. They built a large double log house and also a frame building. the former being used as a store and dwelling. A short distance above the place was the head of boat navigation on Chaumont river at the time, and from that point there was a well marked trail leading to French creek (Clayton) about twelve miles distant.

At that time the place chosen by the pioneer party was supposed to be the most suitable for a settlement. The entire season was passed in making the improvements mentioned, and in preparing the way for future arrivals, after which the party returned east to spend the winter. On returning in the spring of 1802, it was found that their location was unfortunate, for the sluggish waters of the river set back over consid- erable territory of low land and was the occasion of much sickness in the colony, hence they soon abandoned the improvements and selected a site whereon is now built up the pleasant little village of Chaumont. Here they established themselves early in 1802, surveying and laying out a village plat. The same year agents Smith and Delamater built a saw mill on the site of the Copley mill of later years. This was sub-

703

THE TOWN OF LYME.

stantially the beginning of civilization in Lyme, and the founding in fact of Chaumont village. During the season a tavern and a store, kept by Henry Thomas, was built, and a few more settlers from Ulster county were added to the colony. Settlement, however, was slow. In 1802 agent Delamater cleared a tract of land on Point Salubrious, and there Henry Horton (one account says James), from Delaware county, took up his home in 1806, while about the same time (probably in 1805), Daniel and John Tremper came to the locality. Mr. Horton was nevertheless regarded as the pioneer of the point, and was, indeed, one of its most worthy settlers. The lands on the point do not appear to have been visited with the same malarious atmosphere that prevailed elsewhere, hence were regarded as the most desirable place for settle- ment at the time. The name Point Salubrious is said to have been ap- plied to this locality by Mr. Le Ray, and so called from the uniformity of its temperature. Among the other early settlers here were David and Joseph Ryder, Stephen Fisher and Silas Taft, all of whom were in some manner identified with the town in its later history.

According to the narrative of the Tremper family, John M., the pioneer, came to the point in 1805, and lived in the town until 1823, when he died. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812. Henry Horton also served in the war, and died in the town at the age of 81 years. lle was the ancestor of an afterward prominent family in the county. Joseph Ryder died at the age of 90 years. There were also Ralph Rogers, who came about 1820, and the Johnson family, of whom Levi A. John- son, of Watertown, is a descendant. Recalling briefly the names of still other carly settlers, mention may be made of a Mr. Mills, whose christian name is lost; also, without regard to exact location, William Blodgett, who is said to have originally settled in Watertown,1 on the site of the Arcade building, where he had a fifteen acre farm; Zimri Dauley, a veteran of 1812: Clark Northrup, from Johnstown; Isaac Wells, from Sackets Harbor; Volkert Getman, from Montgomery county; John Knapp, from Brownville; Frederick Crosselman, whose sons were Richard, Joseph and Frederick; John Wilcox, who came in 1812, and later on removed to Ohio; Nathaniel Warner, a soldier of 1812; Almond Blodgett, a revolutionary survivor; George H. Barnes, from Cooperstown; Clark Northrup, who came in 1819; Capt. Joshua Maine, whom the older residents still remember, and P. P. Gaige, who built the Gaige mansion. Pomeroy was another substantial surname

1 This is probably a mistaken claim.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

in Lyme. There were also a host of other settlers who came princi- pally during the years following the war of 1812, while possibly the names of some who were here before that time have been forgotten. Indeed, the early settlement of Lyme was peculiar in many respects, and families came and departed almost as regularly as did the seasons. Those who came first to the settlement founded by the agents generally reached the place by way of Brownville, while many traveled along the waters of the lake and bays, passing between Point Peninsula and Pil- lar Point. These localities afforded home sites equal to Point Salu- brious, and while Pillar Point was settled comparatively early, the lands on the other peninsula were not taken until some years later. Here lay about six or seven square miles of fertile land for all agri- cultural purposes, almost wholly surrounded with water, yet few pioneers had the hardihood to attempt its settlement previous to the war. From the center of trade in the town this locality is distant about fifteen miles by traveled road, and about five miles across the bay. The waters of the lake off Pillar Point were rough during certain seasons of the year, thus rendering boat navigation somewhat hazardous. Sev- eral vessels went to pieces in that locality.

Among the earliest settlers on Point Peninsula was William Wilcox, a former resident at Sackets Harbor, and a drummer in the service during the war of 1812. He with either George H. Barnes or Brittle Minor went over to the point in 1817, and were among its pioneers, although it is said that Nathan Persons was there as early as 1812, and Nathaniel Warner in 1814. Soon after William Wilcox made an improvement his brother, Oliver Wilcox, came, and also William and Lebbens Hewitt. George A. and Daniel Barnes were sons of George H. Barnes the pioneer. Another early comer was "Squire " Daniel Holbrook, whose son Daniel still lives on the point. David W. Angel came later. He was father of Lester and Windsor Angel, who still live in the town. The Collins family came about 1822. Lester and Linus Collins were sons of the pioneer of the family. There was also the Getman family. of which Henry and Frederick Getman are substantial representatives. Elizur Watkins is the son of R. D. Watkins, who settled on the point many years ago. On the isthmus the early settlers were the Hayes and Selter families. The Klocks and Bairds came about or soon after 1825, as near as now known. Thus it is seen that even in this remote part of the town settlement was begun as soon as conditions permitted, and rapidly increased until all the lands were taken and cleared, and fine farms appeared in place of the forests of previous years.

705

THE TOWN OF LYME.

Before leaving this branch of our subject, however, we may with propriety recall and mention the names of other early residents in the town at large, though the exact year, and place of location, may be unknown to present occupants.

In addition to those already noted may be recalled Roe Minor, who came about 1822; William Mayhew, Isaac Wells, John Knapp, Samuel Fish, James Cooley, Ira Inman, John Mount. Elezer Fenton, William Mayhew, Christopher Fox, Jacob P'. Empey (or Empie), James Kingsley, Charles Wilcox, Cornelius Becker and Ransom 1) Watkins, all of whom are believed to have settled in Lyme as early as 1835, and some of them several years previous to that date.

They, with others of perhaps later date, were in some way identified with the history of development and progress in the region and are therefore entitled to at least a passing mention in these annals.

From what has been stated it must be seen that notwithstanding the obstacles of pioneer life in this region, settlement was accomplished rapidly, and became firmly established. Such indeed was the fact, and the records show that in 1820, two years after Lyme was set off from Brownville, the then constituted territory of the town contained more than 1,200 inhabitants. This was the result of hardly more than five years of actual development on the part of the proprietary, for during the six or eight years preceding the close of the war of 1812 15, there was little effort and still less accomplished in this direction. From 1807 to 1815 the entire border on the lake and river was in a state of constant turmoil growing out of the embargo period and the war which followed, and during that time many families left the region for more safe and quiet places of abode.

Organisation .- The act creating the town was passed by the legisla- ture March 6, 1818, and was in part as follows:

Be it enacted, etc., that all that part of the town of Brownville, beginning in the center of French or Dumas creek, where the west line of Penet's square intersects it, thence south along the west line of said square to the southwest corner thereof; thence along the northeast line of lot No. 455 in great lot No. 4 of the Macomb pur- chase to the east corner thereof: thenee along the southeast line of lot number 155 to the northeast line of lot number 339: thence along the same to the east corner thereof ; thence along the southeast line of lots numbers 339, 340, 358, 359, 447 and 446 to the south corner of lot number 4-16; thence northwest to an arm of Chaumont bay: thence through the waters of said bay to the waters of lake Ontario; thence through the waters of said lake to the waters of the river St. Lawrence; thence down the same to the mouth of Dumas' creek ; thenee up through the center of the same to the place of beginning; including within said line Cherry island, the peninsula, Fox island, Grenadier island, Carlton island and such other small islands as are now 89

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

known to be within the limits of the United States, between Carlton island and French creek aforesaid: shall be and the same is hereby created into a separate town by the name of Lyme; and that the first town meeting in the town of Lyme shall be held at the house of Luther Britton in said town on the first Tuesday of May next.

As may be seen from this description, the town as originally created contained all the territory between the west line of Penet's square and a line drawn from the southwest corner of the square to Guffin's bay, so as to include the lots above mentioned within the new jurisdiction. However, in 1833 Clayton was created and took from Lyme a triangu- lar tract of land west of Penet's square; and in 1849 another act of the legislature created Cape Vincent wholly from Lyme, taking therefor 34,022 acres of land. Within its boundaries as now constituted, Lyme contains 32,521 acres, or a little less than 50 square miles of land.

The geographical features of Lyme are peculiar, yet not wholly un- like those of other bay and lake front towns of the county. Chaumont bay lies wholly within the town, and is a considerable body of water, being about six miles long and having an average width of a little more than one mile. Guffin's bay is east of Chaumont bay. Cherry island lies between these waters, and is about half a mile off Point Salubrions. It contains about 108 acres. Fox island (257.5 acres) is in the lake about one mile from the mainland, west of the isthmus connecting Point Peninsula with the body of the town. Other than Chanmont and Guffin's bays and Lake Ontario the principal waterways of Lyme are Chaumont river and Horse creek, both of which discharge into Chaumont bay, and several smaller streams which empty into Guffin's bay and Three Mile bay.

In the town the land surface is decidedly level. The soil is princi- pally clay, strong and durable, and yields bountifully under thorough cultivation. The growth and production of garden and other seeds is rapidly becoming a staple industry with farmers, and is the source of much revenue to the persons engaged in it. Lyme is also noted for its limestone productions, in which respect it ranks among the first towns of the county. This prominence has been enjoyed for more than half a century, and much of the output found its way into large public build- ings, piers, docks and canal locks. The same product was also used in the construction of the long stone bridge across Chaumont river. Ex- tensive operations in these quarries were begun in 1825, and have been maintained to the present day.

707

THE TOWN OF LYME.

Such was the character of the territory forming the town in 1801, when agents Smith and Delamater with their pioneer companions made the first improvement on Chaumont river. History and tradition in- form us that this party of town builders was obliged to abandon the first village site through the unhealthy conditions of the vicinity, and that they then established themselves farther down the river, where Chaumont village now stands. Soon after that time the settlers came and began to clear and develop the lands of the town in general, first opening the beautiful and healthful promontory to which Mr. Le Ray gave the name of Point Salubrious, and later on working back to the north and west until the lands were all sold and occupied. In the mean time, and during the same period, the settlers on Pillar Point and at Sackets Harbor became acquainted with the value and fertility of the lands on Point Peninsula, and after the close of the war their sale and settlement was accomplished with almost remarkable rapidity. With the progress and prosperity of the period thus prevailing on every hand, it is not surprising that the creation of a new town should be asked, and Lyme was the result. The name was selected by Eber Kelsey, who was a native of Lyme, in Connecticut, from which state there came many carly settlers in this part of Jefferson county. Mr. Kelsey lived in that part of the town which was afterward set off to Cape Vincent.

As provided in the creating act, the first town meeting was held at the house (tavern) kept by Luther Britton, (where Chaumont now stands) March 3, 1818, at which time officers were elected as follows: Supervisor, Richard M. Esselstyn; town clerk, John Dayan ; assessors, John B. Esselstyn, Luther Britton, Benj. Estis; school commis- sioners, Richard M. Esselstyn, James M. Craw, Benj. T. Bliss; overseers of the poor, J. B. Esselstyn, Luther Britton ; fence viewers and poundmasters, John M. Tremper, Eber Kelsey, Thaddeus Smith ; highway commissioners, Elnathan Judd, John Dayan. Joseph Ryder; constables, Alexander Gage, Daniel Robbins.

As has been mentioned, there were not more than a dozen families in this town previous to the outbreak of the war of 1812-15, but they formed a determined and loyal colony of pioneers, many of whom had served in the American army during the revolution. All seem to have been fired with patriotic zeal and filled with memories of the old strug- gle for national freedom, and it was only natural that they should cel- ebrate independence day in a becoming manner. This was done at the Chaumont settlement, July 4, 1802, and is said to have been the first event of the kind in the county.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 73

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