Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 83

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 83

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An incident of the period which is worthy of preservation is told by one of the oldest remaining families of Felt's Mills. About the time war was declared the patriotic men of the town erected at the settle- ment a tall liberty pole, and thus established a rallying place. When Sackets Harbor was threatened all the able bodied men, young and old, were on the frontier, excepting a single person of known tory proclivi- ties. He caused a rumor to be circulated among the women and children to the effect that the Indians were about to raid the settlement, and if they discovered the liberty pole every soul of them would be massacred. This was too much for the feelings of the defenseless women, whereupon young Orrin Goldthrite and Sally Story took an axe and cut down the pole.

From this time on the history of the town was uneventful, except as one generation followed another in the natural course of events. Ag- riculture and kindred pursuits were the chief avocation of the people at large, but along the river, and particularly in the localities specially mentioned by surveyor Wright, primitive mills and other industries were started to supply the domestic wants of the inhabitants. At a later period, when the splendid water-power of Black river began to selves in readiness to repair to the barhor at a moment's warning, the signal of alarm being two guns. About daylight on Sunday morning the report of two guns was heard, followed soon afterward by two ( thers. Col. Tucker. Judge Bronson and others conferred on the subject and concluded that as there were four instead of two that It was not an alarm. It afterwards devel- open that the first two guns were fired as a signal from a small cutter, used as a lookout and commanded by Capt. Vaughn, and the two answering shots were fired by the British. Later in the forenoon, and about eleven o'clock, while the people were gathered in the school house for worsh p. an and from Gen. Brown arrived with orders for the regiment to repair at once to Sack- ets Harbor. The meeting was broken up and the congregation all repaired to Col. Tucker's residence, which was the rendezvous of the troops. Mr. Tucker was an eye witness of the oc- currence and described how the women cried on the departure of the men for the harbor, He also bas a very vivid recollection of the cannonading and musketry at the harbor, which could be plainly heard were he resided in the town of Rutland

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attract attention from the outside world, the favored localities in Rut- land became the sites of enterprising villages, and all the town was benefited in the rapid development of its resources. This mention, however, suggests some reference to these localities. During the period of its history there have been established within the town four trading and business centers, known, respectively, as Rutland Centre, Tylerville (or South Rutland), Felt's Mills and Black River, the latter now a portion of an incorporated village, and the most important com- mercial center of the town.

Rutland Centre, the post office name of which is Rutland, is a com- fortable little hamlet of hardly more than a dozen houses, but with no business interests or public buildings other than the district school. The settlement is located about at the southern terminus of the oldl road opened by Asher Miller in 1799, leading from the river to a point near Rutland lake, where he settled in that year. Following the pio. neer other families came and began improvements, but it was not until 1803, when Levi Butterfield built the first tavern, that the place became an established center. The town meetings were held here for many years, and down to about 1830 the Centre was a hamlet of considerable importance. A store was opened about 1813,1 and was maintained for a number of years. The first merchants are not recalled, but probably the most prominent tradesman at any time was Joseph Graves, who located here about the time of the war of 1812 (see note) and was closely identified with town and county history until his death in 1825. le was supervisor about ten years; was elected to the assembly in 1842, and was a Cass elector in 1848. This part of the town has ever been noted for the substantial character of its citizens and has given to the county some of its best public servants. Its business interests are all gone, yet the old buildings are still standing as monuments to early memories.

I The Tucker narrative informs us that the first store opened in the town was on the David Hamlin farm on the middle road. It was opened about 1806 by Erastus Bronson, a son of Judge Ethel Bronson, in the wing of his father's house and was run a few years and then discontinued. Damel C. Sherman kept store across from the Tuttle tavern during the war of IS12. A store was kept at Rutland Centre by Joseph Graves previous to or about the time of the war It was kept

later by a Mr. Johnson and closed up about 1530. It was a full line country store. No store has been kept there since except the shoe shop of Mr. Scott, from about ISIT to 1-50. Dr. Samuel Tucker kept an apothecary shop at Rutland Centre from about 1820 to 1825. A union store was opened on the middle road, a little east of the church, about 1-53. Stockholders put in $35 cach and a great many residents of the town took stock in the enterprise. The name was "division 120, New England Protective Union." J. Bennett Tyler was treasurer, and the busmess was managed by a board of directors. The agents in charge of the store came in the following order. S. F. Pierce, II. N. Kimball, Hurbert C. Kimball, Henry Orvis and O. P. Hadcock. The store was closed under the agency of Oscar P. Hadcock about 1×58 or '59.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

One of the most notable institutions of the locality, though not dis- tinctively of the hamlet, is the old Congregational society and church, the house of worship which stands on the middle road about one mile south of the Center. The society dates its history from January 12, 1808, when David Tyler, Amos Mallory, Thomas Converse and wife, Samnel Porter and wife and William Parkinson and wife constituted the original membership. On February 8 of the same year, the " First Religious Society of Rutland " was organized, the trustees being Ethel Bronson, Timothy Tamblin, John Read, Thomas Converse and Ebenezer Haywood. A prudential committee of the church was appointed Octo- ber 26, 1815, and comprised David Tyler, Amos Mallory, Ethel and Jonas Bronson, Levi Hall and Rev. Daniel Banks, the latter the first pastor of the church, and who also was pastor of the church at Watertown. From that time the society has maintained a continued though not always vigorous existence. The first edifice was built in 1816, on the " middle road," a short distance east of Maple Hill ceme- tery. In 1841 the building was torn down and the present house of worship was erected. The present members number forty-four per- sons, hardly more than half the strength of the church thirty years ago. The present pastor is Rev. J. Frank Forsythe.

Tylerville .- In the early history of the town this was one of the most important trading and business centers, and was named for Josiah 'Tyler, who opened a store in 1810. Sandy creek, in this part of the town, was a considerable stream, and afforded excellent water privileges. In 1805 Erastus Lathrop built a grist mill, and about the same time Nathaniel Frink erected a saw mill on the creek, and thus established the settlement. The grist mill was on the south bank of the creek, and was operated by Mr. Lathrop until about 1815, when Joel Webb and Jonathan Smiley succeeded and run it until 1821. It then passed to Frederick Tyler, who removed the building and erected another on the north bank. Among the subsequent owners of the new mill were Elijah Holmes (1830), Nathaniel Wadsworth (about 1840), Henry An- drews (about 1855). The present owner is James Van O'Linda. In the same manner the saw mill passed through many changes and own- erships during its existence. Among its proprietors have been Mr. Frink, Giles and Harvey Doud, Henry Andrews, Homer Hecox, John Babcock, Evan Evans, Hiram Hadcock and perhaps others. The present mill is owned by Jay W. Waldo.

The great enterprise, however, which contributed more than all

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others to early prosperity in Tylerville was the Rutland Woolen Manu- facturing company, organized Sept. 25, 1811, with $25,000 capital, by Ethel Bronson, David Eames, Josiah Tyler, Thomas Hill, Abel Doo- little, Eben Inglesbee and John Oaks. The industry was the first of its kind in the county, and is said to have been the first in northern New York. A reasonably successful business was condneted for sev. eral years, but after the close of the war of 1812-15 the importation of British goods worked seriously against it, In September, 1817, the plant was sold to David Eames, and by him the property was subse- quently deeded to Albert Boynton, who, in turn, sold to Kellogg Broth- ers, by whom it was converted into a creamery in 1875.

Another early industry of the village, also founded by the above com- pany, was the carding and spinning mills, which were built in 1812, a fairly successful concern for a time but embarrassments followed after about two years. In 1814, the state authorized a relief loan to Ethel Bronson, on behalf of the company, after which the business was con- tinued with indifferent success for several more years. This industry was maintained until about 1850, when the building was torn down.

As has been stated, Josiah Tyler opened the first store in 1810. He was followed by Frederick Tyler, who took his son Frederick Tyler, jr., and his son-in-law, Daniel Budlong, as partners. Later merchants were Henry Warren, Warren & Winslow, John McCue (or McQue), Grennell & Lacey, Apollos Stephens, Zenas Shaw, Shaw & Co (Simeon Oakes being partner), S. Oakes & Son, O. S. Oakes, Cobleigh & Lawton, J. M. & J. Cobleigh, Herriek & Wheelock, J. W. Beecher and J. B. Viss- cher. W. Van O'Linda was the first occupant of the grange store building (built by Dr. Stevens in 1842), followed by Van O'Linda & Morrow. The old firm of Warren & Winslow operated an ashery, a staple manufacture in early days in this part of the town. Frederick Tyler and Simeon Oakes also had asheries. A large distillery was built on the creek above the village at an early day, producing large quanti- ties of whiskey, and upon, the refuse grain as many as 60 hogs are said to have been fattened in a single season.

Tylerville, under the name of Sonth Rutland, was made a post-office in 1820, the first postmaster being Calvin Chipman. The local popu- lation is about 80. The public institutions are the district school, the grange hall and the Union and Baptist churches. The hotel at Tyler- ville now conducted by R. B. Scott was for many years kept by Syl- vester Kellogg, father of District Attorney Kellogg.

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The informal organization of the Baptist society was effected as early as 1806, when meetings were held both in the north and south portions of the town, in barns and dwellings, as suited the convenience of the worshipers. In 1833 (Nov. 11) the Baptist society of South Rut- land was formally organized, with James Brown, Stephen Brainard and Milo Maltby as trustees. In 1843 the society joined with the Universal- ists and Methodists and erected a union meeting house. Later on the Baptist interest in the building was sold to the other societies, and in 1869 the new edifice was erected on a lot donated by Arnold Webb. From that time the society has maintained an existence, though ac- companied with many vicissitudes. At times the church has been without a pastor. In 1897 it did not report to the association. The members number about 45 persons.

The Universalist society in this part of the town is believed to have been formed some time about 1820, but from the absence of records the time cannot be definitely fixed. The society no longer meets in the union edifice, in which it acquired an interest in 1843. In the early history of the town Universalism was strong and three societies had at least a partial existence. They were located at Tylerville, Felt's Mills and Black River, but neither of them now has an active existence.

Methodist Episcopal services were held in this part of the town as early as 1820, about which time the South Rutland class was formed. The records, however, are not clear as to the organization of the church society, but it was probably about 1833, when regular preaching was established at Lockport (Black River). In 1843 the South Rutland so- ciety united with the others previously mentioned in erecting a union meeting house at Tylerville, but has survived its old companions and been a permanent institution of the village, although itself a joint charge with another station.

Felt's Mills .- In 1800 pioneer David Coffeen made the first improve . ment at the hamlet in building a primitive grist mill on the stream called Mill creek, the first industry of its kind in the county. For his service in building the mill Coffeen was given ten acres of land. In 1804 another grist mill was built, and stood on the creek below the first mill. It was built by Wolcott Hubbell, and had "two run of stone." Later on the property and lands in this vicinity passed into the hands of proprietors Eldridge and La Grange, and by them was sold in 1813 to John Felt, the founder in fact of the settlement.

John Felt came from Madison county to Leyden, and thence to Great

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Bend, where he carried on a mill. In 1813 he came to the place where David Coffeen had built the first grist mill, and there purchased a tract of about 300 acres of land. The island in the river was bought from James Le Ray. It was a part of Le Ray down to 1844, and was then set off to Rutland. In 1808 a bridge was built to the island from the south bank, and about a year later the north channel of the river was spanned by a bridge. It was carried away by high water in 1811. In 1821 a dam was constructed across the river, and in 1822 the stone grist mill, an historie structure, was erected. Then the old mills on the creek were abandoned and went to decay. The old stone mill still stands, a lasting monument to its own usefulness. It has not been operated for about ten years. Mr. Felt owned the mill until 1858, and sold to Charles H. Bartlett. Later proprietors were William Griswold & Son, Hiram Pennock, Potter Finney, Samuel Manser, Samuel Cross, and finally, at forced sale, passed into the hands of the paper mill pro- prietors in 1887.

A saw mill was built here in 1801, and in 1813 passed into the hands of John Felt, who rebuilt it in 1818-19. It was owned by Jason Fran- cis in 1828, but many years ago all traces of the old building disap- peared. About 1824 Mr. Felt built two large saw mills on the island. Since that time two or three other saw mills have been erected there, as was also a large shingle mill. At one time Mr. Felt, with Yankce ingenuity, constructed an attachment and threshed his grain at one of these mills. His lumbering enterprises were large, and from two mills, which had gang saws, he produced 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually. It was shipped to Troy, Albany and New York. Mr. Felt also had a planing mill on the island, and at one time was charged with infringing on patented rights of one Gibson. The matter looked serious at that time, and the aggrieved party sent William H. Seward to the little hamlet to investigate the alleged infringement. This was about 1848. In 1851 John Felt sold the island to Merrill Coburn, who continued the saw mills, and also the carding mill.

In 1858 the tannery was built by what was known as the tannery company. The active spirits of this enterprise were Merrill Coburn, Martin L. Graves, Russell Wilmot, Le Roy Wood, Benjamin Crossett and Orlin Wheelock. Mr. Coburn soon became sole owner, and in 1866 formed a partnership with C. C. Vebber, the latter succeeding to the business in 1868. From this industry the name tannery island was derived. The buildings were burned in 1882. In 1887 the island was

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

purchased by the Taggart brothers, and in 1889 the building now oc- cupied by the Taggarts Paper company were erected. This is one of the best industries in the town and employs about 75 or 80 men. Among the other industries built on the island was a cheese- box factory, which, with the saw mill, became a part of the paper company's enter- prise.

The Taggarts paper company, at Felt's Mills, was organized origi- nally by Byron B. and William W. Taggart. The company was in- corporated June 3, 1889, as the " Felt's Mills paper company," with $100,000 capital, the incorporators being Byron B. Taggart, George C. Sherman, Fanny L. Taggart, Alice T. Sherman and David M. Ander- son. On April 14, 1890, the name was changed to Taggarts paper company. Byron B. Taggart was president to the time of his death, and was then succeeded by Wm. W. Taggart. Henry W. Taggart is the secretary, treasurer and general manager.

In the meantime the village on the mainland was enjoying a vigorous growth. On the site, when John Felt came, there lived Squire Miller, whose decisions in justice court were not to be questioned. Mr. Brown, who had turned his house into a tavern. George Choate, who kept a carding machine and cloth mill on Mill creek, and in which in later years George Oakes, Merrill Coburn and William Usher were interested. One Morris was a shoemaker, while a prominent resident was Mr. Gates, now remembered as having been the uncle of George A. Bagley and Charles D. Wright. John Felt first began by clearing the land and operating his mills. He also built a distillery.

Other distillers of the vicinity at that time, or soon afterward, were Ashbel Symonds, Jacob Fuller and Elisha Youmans, Jr. The first store, according to John Felt, jr .. son of the founder, was kept by Bosworth & Hopkins, followed about in the order named, by Jason Francis, Merrill Coburn, Alexander Copley, W'm. K. Butter- field, Orlin Wheelock, J. R. Howard, John Felt, O. A. & S. Felt, Jenison Cross & Son, and M. M. Parker, the latter being in trade at this time. The other present merchants are W. S. Cooper & Son, A. Z. Drake & Son, and Sanford Foster.

The first hotel after the Brown tavern, was opened by Wm. K. But- terfield near the site of the Central house. It was built in 1825, but its frame work was blown down soon after its erection. Mr. Butterfield also built the present hotel known as McAndrews' Central house, and for a time was its landlord. Remsen R. Brown afterward kept it. It is now owned by Michael McAndrews. The Maple View house was originally Merrill Coburn's residence, and was changed into a hotel only a few years ago.

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THE TOWN OF RUTLAND.

Another of the old industries of the village was Jason Francis' "trip hammer," built probably about 1840. He also built and operated a cotton mill, a notable industry in its day, and one in which several resi- dents of the locality had an interest. The chief product was twine and cotton batting. The business was at one time carried on by the Pad- docks. The building was afterward converted into a pump and axe- helve factory, and for a time was carried on by Charles Roberts, but was finally burned October 21, 1889.

Still another old shop was that occupied by Andrew Savage, in which were made the first pumps in the county. The business was begun about 1840, and the old building was burned in the great fire of 1889. There was also a carpet factory carried on by Richard B. & Charles Witt. This firm did an extensive business for a time, made good three-ply carpets, and had all the trade of the region. The business was begun in 1844 and continued about twelve years.

Felt's Mills was made a post-office in 1824. William Brown was the first appointed postmaster, but failed to qualify, whereupon Merrill Coburn was chosen. The story goes that previous to this appointment the hamlet was called Truckville, in allusion to an organization of local spirits who proposed to "truck off " some of the unworthy characters of the settlement. The name, however, if applied at all, was only in jest, for the name of Felt's Mills has stood since the founder began his improvements in 1813.

As now constituted the local population is about 300 inhabitants, the laboring element of whom are employed in the mills of the paper com- pany or in agricultural pursuits. The village school was opened about 1820. The stone octagonal shaped school house was built in 1832, but was torn down in 1852, and succeeded by the present building. The Felt's Mills burying association was incorporated March 29, 1852. The association is not now in existence. The present business interests have been recalled on a preceding page. In addition to the school house, the only public building is the union meeting house, which was erected by subscription in 1844, to be occupied by Methodist Episcopal, Uni- versalist and Baptist societies, preference in the use of the building being given in the order mentioned.

Baptist meetings in this part of the town were begun soon after 1806, but the old meeting house on David Vebber's land was not built until 1821. The carly society organization appears to have been informal, and was dissolved in 1831. In the same year a reorganization was

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

effected, but after about ten years the seat of the society was removed to Great Bend. Only occasional meetings of this denomination were held in the union building.

The Methodists have been more permanent both in their society or- ganization and meetings. The class was formed about 1835, and the first preaching service at the Mills was held in 1842, since which time the society has maintained an active existence. In 1871 the union meeting house was deeded to the trustees of the society. The present membership is seventy-four, with twenty-eight probationers. The pastor is Rev. L. D. Green.

Black River Village .- In 1891 that portion of the present village of Black River which is within the town limits of Rutland was separately incorporated, but through an irregularity the proceeding was nullified. Immediately afterward and during the same year, the entire village proper, on both sides of the river, was incorporated under the name of the Village of Black River, taking therefor from Rutland 6251/2 acres of land. The territory, however, was not lost to the town, and was sep- arated therefrom only for municipal purposes. It is one of the most enterprising and thrifty villages on Black river, and is especially noted for the number and magnitude of its manufacturing industries.

The post-office is kept on the Le Ray side, but at the present time Rutland furnishes the postmaster. The first post-office on the south side was established in 1832, previous to which the hamlet was called Lockport. The first postmaster was Dr. Albert Parsons. The early and present history of the village is fully treated in the chapter relating to the town of Le Ray, wherefore in this connection not more than a passing allusion is necessary.

The first improvement here was made in 1806, when Isaac and Har- vey Cleveland built the saw mill which high water carried away the next year. The mill was replaced the same year. A grist mill was erected in 1810. In 1815 Christopher Poor and Andrew Middleton built a saw mill just below the village site, where a subterranean passage of water offered and excellent natural power. In 1826 Francis Butterfield came here from Antwerp, at which time only four families lived in the settlement south of the river. They were Beriah and Eli Penniman, Thomas Scott and one other whose name is not recalled. Mr. Butter- field built a small frame house in 1826, and about five years later erected a hotel. A bridge across the river was built in 1832. The first store was opened by Francis, Levi, William K. and Philander Butterfield,

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who, with Christopher Poor, Andrew Middleton, David Dexter and a few other enterprising men established the hamlet which became so prosperous in later years. In 1839 Mr. Dexter founded the chair in- dustry which has been one of the most important interests of the village in all subsequent years. Among the other early industries may be mentioned the bent chair stock factory, begun by Christopher Poor and afterward continued by Poor & Dexter, and also the coffin and casket works started in 1819 by W. S. Wilcox, both of which have given way to other and more recent enterprises.

One of the first religions societies in this part of the town was the Black River (Lockport) Baptist church, which was organized in 1837, and in the next year joined the Baptist association. No house of wor. ship was built and in the course of fifteen years the society ceased to exist.

A Methodist class was formed in this part of Rutland' soon after 1833. about which time regular services were held at Lockport. In 1837 a committe comprising Francis Porter, Samuel Middleton and Bildad Woodward was selected to prepare plans for a house of worship, but nothing further was accomplished until 1844, when a fund was raised sufficient to build and enelose a meeting house. The work was done and the edifice was dedicated in 1848. The building was remodeled and rededicated in 1876. The first trustees of the society were Bildad Woodward, Thomas H. and Henry Seott, David Dexter and William P. Tredway. This is by far the largest church society in the town, and has ever maintained a healthful existence. The members number 168 persons and 10 probationers. The present pastor is Rev. C. M. Smith.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 83

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