Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 82

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 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

There are several other localities in the town which, while not dis- closing distinct traces of fortifications, present unmistakable evidence of aboriginal occupancy for dwelling purposes. These places may be noted about as follows: On the Michael Colligan farm, in a pine grove at the top of the hill, and on the southeast side of the road leading to Felt's Mills, are traces of an ancient Indian village; on the George

788

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Hadcock place in Rutland Hollow, on the hillside back and just west of the house; on the Howland place, a little further west, on the same hill; on Rutland Hill, on the Normander and Durham farms; west of the old fort on the Allen place, and on the south side of the state road; on the Treadway farm have also been found like traces of Indian vil- lages, some of which indicated quite extensive habitations. A large number of fire-places have been discovered at these points, and quanti- ties of flint spear-heads and arrow-points, broken pottery, carved pipes, sharp pointed bones, chisels, burned corn, jaws and teeth of animals, beads, mortars for grinding corn, human skeletons, some very short in stature, and various other evidences of Indians occupation.

A century of constant development and occupancy by New England- ers and their descendants has proven the accuracy of Benjamin Wright's field notes made in 1196. Rutland is and during this long period has been regarded as one of the best towns for general agricultural pursuits in all the Black river country, while almost every opportunity for profit- ing by its abundant water power has been accepted and improved. Taken altogether the town ranks among the foremost in Jefferson county, and in addition to its natural resources has produced some of the strongest men of the entire region.

The town of Rutland was created April 1, 1802, since which time its boundary lines have not been materially changed, except by the acquisition of the island at Felts' Mills, which was annexed from Le Ray by an act of the Legislature, passed April 1, 1844. As now con- stituted the town contains 26,116 acres of land, or nearly 1,000 acres less than shown by the Wright survey. He also surveyed the town into 5: lots, of about 500 acres each, and these, in 1299, he divided into quarters.

As has been stated, the settlement of the town was begun under the agency of Asher Miller, of Middletown, Conn., whose employment in that capacity dated from June 6, 199, and in July following, this energetic developer constructed a road from the site of the present vil- lage of Black River to the center of the town Near the southern terminus of this road, and on the shore of the little body of water called Rutland lake, agent Miller made the first improvement and established his home on lands purchased from the proprietor at a reduced rate in consideration of his agency relation. He lived in the town a little more than four years, and during that time succeeded in disposing of 11,- 540.03 acres of its land, for which was realized $50,738.14. The lots

789

THE TOWN OF RUTLAND.

were sold on contract without interest until after one year had expired. In June, 1803, Mr. Miller was succeeded as agent by Abel French, and soon afterward returned to Middletown, where in after years he became mayor of the city. Ile died there in 1821.

Notwithstanding the short duration of his office, Asher Miller proved an active and enterprising agent for the proprietor, and disposed of about two-thirds of the town lands. Moreover, he was chiefly in- strumental in inducing settlement by a class of sturdy New England Yankees, who were equal in intelligence, capacity and worth to those of any town in the county; and it is an historical fact that during the period of early life in the county, in almost every measure proposed for the establishment and future of its institutions some prominent resident of Rutland was appointed to a place on a designated committee. How- ever, let us recall these pioneers by name. Agent Miller kept a record of sales and through it there has been preserved for later generations the names of purchasers (nearly every one of whom became a resident) with the number of acres of land taken by each.

In 1790 the purchasers were Levi Butterfield, 172; Amos Stebbins, Perley Keyes and William Keyes, 313; David Coffeen, 391; Goldsmith Coffeen, 312; Raphael Por- ter. 213; Israel Wright, 98; Jonathan and Clark Boss, 161; James Killiam, 111; Charles Kelsey, 116; Jeptha King, 137; John Dole, 151; Gardner Cleveland, 242; Warren Foster, 142; John Cotes, 134. In 1800 the purchasers were John Earl, jr., 120; Nathan Green, 128; Robert Jerome, 145; Isaac and Caleb Corp, 196; Henry Houck, 180; John Earl, 134; Danforth Earl, 113; Simeon Munson, 89: Mathias llouck, 135; Alfred Cummins, 94; Charles Cummins, 128; Solomou Tuttle, 233; Chauncey Rawson, 122; Gershom Tuttle, 276; Abel Sherman, 229; Kenyon Larkin, 352: Peter Cook, 92; Ezekiel Andrews, 114; Lott MeClure, 22; Isaiah Bailey, 50; Lu- ther Foot, 137; Enos Sanford, 141; Jacob A. Williams, 108; Amos Barnes, 2d. 97; Stephen Kimball, 95; Vernon Huston, 193; Elijah Becch, 80; Thomas Lee, 61; Dan- iel Russell. 65; Turner Ellis, 160; Joseph Patterson, 122; Silas Pierce, 100; Benjamin White, 53: James Murray, 125; Abner White, 51; Thomas M. Converse, 78; Jonathan Hill, Frederick Tyler, 146; John Stanley, 136; Stephen Cummings, 146; Andrew Stafford, 116; James Stafford, 106; William II. Stevens, 81; Dr. Phillips, 197; Henry Allen, 106; Elisha Ludden, 261; Philip H. Herman, 269; Thomas Hosmer, 225; Peter Wright, 118; Erastus Maltby, 158; Chandler Maltby, 151; Roger Williams, 291; George White, 266; Benjamin Pike, 170; Clift French, 105. Other purchasers during the same year were Messrs. Rose, Welch, Brayton and Swan, whose christian names were not ascertained by Dr. Hongh, from whose valuable records these names are taken.

In 1801 the purchasers were William Coffeen, 257; Thomas Denton, 328; John Patterson, 130: Alexander Warner, G; Joseph Wakefield, 98; Jesse Hale, Asa and Luther Brown, 100; Josiah Asmer, Luther W. Dexter, 129; Samuel Treadway, 178; Orange Eno, 68; James Morse, 68; Levi Ilare, 155; Joseph Underwood, 133; John

790

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Smith, 121; David Stafford, 118; Thomas Starkweather, 103; Joseph Ludden, 124; Thomas Hill, 112; Caleb Harris, 114; Asher Bull, 247; Ethen Newton, 130; Stuckley Wicks, 114; Jonathan Covey, 126; Job Olmsted, 145, and also others whose surnames were Scott, Wessell, Johnson, Britton and Foster. Still other purchasers during the same period, but at unknown dates, were Jonathan Davis, 93; Thinyon Green, 110; Charles Hill, 120; Jacob Shook, 70; Ethen Post, 148; Artemas Pike, 135; Samuel Parker, 120.

From this record it may be seen that Asher Miller, during the three years of his agency, disposed of land in that town to one hundred and fifteen purchasers, nearly all of whom became actual settlers, and had a share in the development of the region. As has been stated, Abel French succeeded to the agency in 1803, but in the early part of the next year William Henderson, the proprietor, sold his remaining inter. ests in No. 3 to Dr. Isaac Bronson, of Greenfield, Conn. During his incumbency of the office Mr. French sold to various purchasers 2,313 acres of land, realizing therefor $7,112.60. Dr. Bronson, the new pro- prietor, was by profession a physician, a portion of whose life was passed on board a merchant vessel, in the capacity of surgeon. He also engaged extensively in the East India trade and accumulated a fortune. On returning to America he speculated in new lands, and also bought soldiers' land warrants. After the purchase of the Henderson interests in township No. 3, Dr. Bronson appointed his brother, Ethel Bronson, as agent to complete the settlement and stle of the lands. In May, 1804, the new agent came to the town, and with his arrival Rutland gained one of the most worthy and prominent men in its early history; a man who afterward became well acquainted throughout the county, and also, as the chapters relating to county organization will show, had an important share in the events of that period. Aside from his prom. inence in local affairs, Mr. Bronson 1 was in the assembly in 1810, 1814 and 1815. On his journey from Middletown, Conn., to this town Mr. Bronson was accompanied by David and Josiah Tyler and their fam- ilies. He took up his residence on the middle road, near the center of the town, while the Tylers located in the southern part, in the locality called Tylerville, in allusion to their family.

While the persons whose names have been mentioned in the preced-

1 About 1804 Mr. Bronson donated to the public a tract of land for burial purposes, being the first cemetery in the town. It was located on the middle road, opposite the Hopkins place. There was no regular organization previous to 1890, when the Rutland Maple Hill cemetery asso- ciation was duly incorporated, followed by deed to it by the supervisor acting under the author- ity of the town meeting of June, 1892. About this time the cemetery tract was enlarged by the addition of two acres.

THE TOWN OF RUTLAND.

ing paragraphs were the first purchasers of land in the town, they were not, however, the first settlers. Asher Miller was unquestionably the pioneer, and was followed in 1800 by Ezekiel Andrews, who came from Utiea with a family of nine children, and made an improvement. One of his danghters afterward married with Danforth Earl, and another became the wife of Warren Spaulding. Joseph Russell also eame in 1800 and looked over the town with a view to settlement, but did not locate here until 1802. The same year (1800), David Coffeen built the first grist mill in the town. It stood at the mouth of Mill creek, on the site of the village of Felt's Mills. Samuel Parker did the work and finished his "job " in 1801. This was one of the first mills in the Black river region, and drew patronage from great distances. A saw mill was here the next year. Coffeen sold his mills to Wolcott Hubbell, and he to Barnabus Eldridge. John Felt, founder of the hamlet, began his improvements in 1813.

Samuel Porter and Dr. Abel Sherman were also early settlers, and came to the town in 1802. Abel Sherman was the first sheriff of Jeffer- son county and one of its prominent men. He was grandfather of the late John Avery Sherman, of Watertown. He was born in Brimfield, Mass., and came thenee to Oneida county. From the latter place he removed to this town and settled on the south road, on the farm now owned by O. P'. Iladeock, where he afterward lived and died. After this year the settlers began coming more rapidly, and in 1803 nine farms on the "hollow road " were occupied. 1

'The settlers here were John Eddy, John Cotes, William Newton, Morgan Stark, Stanley Weeks, Roberts Adams, and three brothers named Maltby. At that time in the locality between the Center and Felt's Mills, Jacob Fuller and Elisha Vebber

1 Rutland has a somewhat interesting history relating to roads, in which connection the recollections of Washington Tucker are appropriate. He says the state road as laid out run through Rutland Center up to " Harpers Ferry, " to Champion village, and thence through Den- mark to Lowville and Utica. The middle road run to Copenhagen, striking the present road from Watertown to Copenhagen, near where the Col. Elias Sage residence now stands. The south road run through Burrville to South Champion and thence to Copenhagen, from which the route lay through Martinsburg to Utica. The state road did not originally run to Copenhagen, but soon after it was laid out the turnpike road was projected. There was a great strife between the three roads to secure the location. Through the influence of Judge Bronson, Col. Tucker and others the middle route was selected as the road, and an act of the legislature was passed authorizing its construction. It was delayed by the war of 1812 coming on and was never com- pleted.

About 1810 a road was cut through and opened from the Harpers Ferry state road, striking the middle road near the present Col. Sage place, which is now the direct road from Watertown to Copenhagen. This road was completed by the residents of the state road region for the pur pose of avoiding the toll gates which were projected on the turnpike road, and hence took the name of " shun pike," by which it was known for many years.

792

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

were the only residents, while elsewhere in the north part of the town improvements were begun by Zelotus Harvey, Jonathan Graves, Richmond, Rufus and David Ilowland. Asa, Elisha, Elias and Archibald Clark, Asaph Chase, Reuben Scott, Enoch Eddy and family, David Wilcox and David Vebber. Other settlers of about the same time, though possibly a little later, were Andrew Middleton and his sons, Robert, John, Andrew and Samuel, (from whom have descended several prominent persons in Rutland history), Renal Randall, James, Samuel and John Wilcox, I. D. Olney, Joseph Hopkins, Col. Amariah Tucker,1 David Eames, Dr. C. P. Kimball, Alex. Warren, Robert Hardy, William and David Howland, Andrew Duulap, John Stebbins, Asa Parkinson, Joel Webb, and still others whose names have now been lost.

These hardy Yankee pioneers laid the foundation for the subsequent prosperity of their town, and their names and works must be prominently mentioned in Rutland annals. Not one of them now lives to tell the story of hardships and privations, and the ultimate successes of early life in the town, but later generations have received the benefit of their efforts. During the years previous to the war of 1812-15, Indians were frequently seen in the locality. They attempted no personal violence but were a nuisance to the settlers, begging from cabin to cabin, and stealing wherever and whatever opportunity offered. The first serious injury to the settlers in the town was in the contract made by many of them with John Harris, by which they agreed to deliver spars on the banks of Black river at five dollars each. It was soon discovered that this could not be done profitably at the agreed price, upon which all the settlers, except Asa Ness and Enoch Eddy failed to fulfill their contracts. Harris afterward brought snits and recovered damages, in the payment of which many of the settlers were impoverished.

In the present connection, while treating of the early times and scenes in this interesting jurisdiction, it is appropriate to also note some of the "first events." As has been mentioned Asher Miller was the first set- tler in 1:99. David Coffeen built the first grist mill, in 1800. The first saw mill was built in 1801, and about the same time the first frame

I Col. Tucker, according to the reminiscences of his son, Washington Tucker, came to Rut - land from Oneida county in the spring of 1800, and brought his family to the town in October following, locating on the middle road, on the David Hamlin farm. In 1803 he sold his improve ments to Ethel Bronson, and then bought and settled on land (now owned by Mrs. Talcott Mer win) just east of the Hopkins place. Col. Tucker was born in Massachusetts, and lived for a time in Russia, Herkimer county, before coming to Rutland. He died in 1843. Washington Tucker is now the oldest living native in Rutland, having passed his ninetieth year.

" The mention of this old industry recalls the tannery which Anson Smith built about 1805, on the state road, and also the brick house (erected by the same worthy pioneer) where Charles Ferguson now lives. The tannery was sold to Mr. Pool and was operated until about 1855, when it was discontinued.

793

THE TOWN OF RUTLAND.

house was erected, the latter by Wolcott Hubbell, on the Jacob Tooker lot at Felt's Mills, as afterward known. The first birth was that of Harriet, daughter of Charles and Lois Kelsey, the date being now un- known. She afterward became the wife of Alfred Pardee, and lived in Champion, where she was drowned in Black river in 1863. The birth of Robert and William Middleton, twin sons of pioneer John Middle- ton, was the first event of its kind in the town. The first death was that of Relief, wife of Franeis Torme, who was killed by lightning August 16, 1804.

Dr. Hugh Henderson was the first physician and settled in the town in 1802. Dr. Henderson and Levi Butterfield opened and kept taverns, both as early as 1803, but as to which was first is uncertain. Butter- field's tavern was at the Centre, and here the first town meetings were held. Dr. Hough accords to pioneer Butterfield the honor of having opened the first public house.1 The first school was opened and taught by Miss Porter in 1802," but in what exact locality is not now known. The first literary institution was the "Rutland Farmers' library, " in- corporated November 11, 1806. The trustees were Ethel Bronson, Hugh Henderson, Abel Sherman, Daniel Eames and Curtis Mallory. The first religious society was formed February 8, 1808, and was known as the " First Religious Society of Rutland." Its trustees were Ethel Bronson, Timothy Tamblin, John Read, Thomas Converse and Ebe uezer Haywood.

Organisation .- Previous to 1799 there was no white occupancy of the region comprising this town, hence the exercise of civil jurisdiction

1 In relation to the early hotels of Rutland, Washington Tucker, who still lives in the town and possesses an excellent memory of early events therein, says, that Gershom Tuttle opened a tavern on the sonth road about Iso', and that the building stood a short distance cast of the Kimball place on the south side of road and opposite where the highway to Watertowa branches off to the north. Tuttle kept this house until the war of 1819, when he sold out. It was after- ward kept by Zebedee Larned. Jonathan Porter kept a hotel about 1819, a little further east than the Tuttle house, and on the opposite side of the road where Charles Sherman now lives. Further up the south road David Conklin kept a hotel on the hill in the bend of the road a little southeast of the \'fred Isham place and James Brown kept a hotel near Champion peak. The south road was much traveled during the war of 1812, as it led from Watertown through Burr- ville to Copenhagen and Utica. From the same authority we also learn that the first hotel at Rutland Centre was kept by Butterfield, and later by Penniman and Dr. Samuel Tucker. Richard Hurlburt built a hotel further up the state road at Harpers Ferry soon after the war of 1812. This house was kept later by Elisha Andrus, John Hill and Col. Carter (Harpers Ferry . is the name given to the corners where the state road branches off to Champion from the road leading to Copenhagen).

2 The first school house in the town was built in 1803 on the farm of Col. Tucker, on the north side of the middle road, a little cast of the cemetery and about opposite where the Tylerville road branches off from the middle road. This school was built of logs, and was also used for relig- ious services. (Reminiscences of Washington Tucker, prepared solely for this work ).

100

794

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

over the territory was unnecessary. In 1800 townships Nos. 1, 2 and 3 (Hounsfield, Watertown and Rutland) of the Black river tract, then forming a part of the old town of Mexico, Oneida county, were erected into a separate town by the name of Watertown. On April 1, 1802, Watertown was divided, and township No. 3 was set off and created a separate town under the name of Rutland, so called in allusion to Rut- land, in Vermont, from whence came several of the prominent early settlers. In this year Simeon De Witt made a general survey of the state, and in designating the several townships traversed by him and his assistants gave to No. 3 the name of Milan. In the civil history of Rutland, however, the name Milan was not recognized.

The first town meeting was assembled at the house of David Coffeen, at the place afterward called Felt's Mills, when officers were chosen as follows: David Coffeen, supervisor ; Jacob A. Williams, town clerk; Abel Sherman, Zelotus Harvey aud William Coffeen, assessors; Levi Heath, Solomon Thompson and Gershom Tuttle, commissioners of highways; Benjamin Eddy. constable aud collector. At the same time were also chosen two poundmasters, three fence viewers, twelve pathmasters, three deer-reeves, and a committee of three to settle accounts with town of Water- town.1

Thus was created and brought into active existence one of the most important interior towns of Jefferson county, and one which from that time has held a position of importance and influence in the history of the shire. It so happened that among the pioneers of Rutland were found men of special strength and determination of character, of men - tal and moral worth that gave them a prominence in the region, and naturally resulted in their selection for positions of trust and responsi- bility. They builded and developed well for themselves, therefore were called upon to assist in establishing the institutions of the county itself. David Coffeen, Dr. Abel Sherman, Judge Ethel Bronson, Perley Keyes (afterward of Watertown), Col. Gershom Tuttle, Solomon Tuttle, Zelotus Harvey, Daniel Eames, Joseph Graves, John Felt, Amos Steb- bins, Martin L. Graves, and still others of later years were chief factors both in town and county history, whose works were always for good, and seemed to have a controlling influence over the lives and character of generations which followed in their footsteps and lived after their · early example.

1 The inhabitants voted a bounty of $10 on wolves in 1-03, '7, 'and '11, and of $15 in 1805 and 1-06. Fox bounties of 50 cents were offered in 1std, and of $1 in 1818. In 1811-12 the meeting passed a resolution requiring Canada thistles to be cut "at the full moon in June, July and Angust," under a penalty of $1, to be paid by the person owning lands having this noxions weed growing thereon.

795

THE TOWN OF RUTLAND.

From statements previously made it must be seen that the lands of township No. 3 were rapidly sold and occupied. Indeed, the year 1807 found the town to contain 236 voters who possessed the requisite prop- erty qualifications, a number then equaled by bnt one other town. In 1810 the inhabitants numbered 1, 738, ranking second only to Water- town. These things being so, the town naturally had just claims to the prominence it then enjoyed among the civil divisions of the county.

Ilowever, as in a measure tending to show subsequent development, recourse may be had to the census reports, from which is taken the number of inhabitants at in- tervals of five years, viz. : 1810, 1,738; 1811, 1,694; 1820, 1,916; 1825, 2,102; 1830, 2.339; 1835, 2, 111; 1840, 2,090; 1845, 2,118; 1850, 2,265. 1855, 1,977; 1860, 2,097; 1865, 1,961; 1820, 1,903; 1875, 1,841; 1880, 1,796; 1890, 1,798; 1892, 1,921.

The maximum population, as may be seen from the above statement, was attained in 1830, at which time the natural agricultural resources of the town were developed to their full extent. The subsequent de- crease has not been marked, when Rutland is placed in comparison with other towns, and is the result of natural causes rather than a ten- deney to abandon any of its territory. The growth and development of manufacturing industries along Black river have maintained a rea- sonably stable population in the town.

The unfortunate condition in which many of the settlers found them- selves on account of the difficulties regarding the spar timber, was in a measure made more serious by the provisions of the embargo laws which followed soon afterward. The Black river was a noted highway to the lake, over which route vast quantities of potashes and other products of the region were shipped to Canada. The use of the river for the purpose below Brownville was effectually stopped through the vigilance of the militia, but much of the local production found its way across the border by means of the old road between Brownville and Port Putnam (now Millen's Bay). However, the period passed without more serious result than temporary loss, and when war was declared the militia of the town were carnest participants in events of the fron - tier. Col. Gershom Tuttle commanded a detachment of Gen. Brown's militia in the famous battle at Sackets Harbor, and among the troops were many men from this town.' Being heavily pressed by the British .

1 Washington Tucker, in his reminiscences of early history of Rutland, relates that the Frith regiment of militia was mainly officered in this town, Gershom Tuttle being colonel; Amariah Tucker, lieutenant-colonel; George White, major ; William Coffeen, adjutant; and Dr. Crafts P. Kimball, surgeon. All were residents of Rutland. Mr. Tucker further says that previous to the descent of the British on Sackets Harbor in 1812, the militia had been ordered to hold them

796

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

attack, Col. Tuttle's men were temporarily routed,, but rallied again and so savagely assailed the enemy that the tide of battle turned in favor of the American arms where defeat had seemed almost certain. Unfortunately, no record of the names of all this patriot band has been preserved. Another military organization of the period was the Rut- land silver grays, about forty men all told, nearly all of whom had served with the American army during the revolution, and who were pioneers in this town. Their mature years exempted them from mili- tary service, but they organized for duty and spent several weeks at Sackets Harbor. This troop built Fort Tompkins. Their captain was Timothy Tamblin, while Levi Butterfield served as lieutenant.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 82

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