Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 88

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 88

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845

THE TOWN OF WILNA.

In area Wilna ineludes 47, 183 acres of land, well adapted to general agricultural pursuits. The surface is gently undulating and slopes generally toward the valley of Black river, its southwestern bound- ary. The other principal water courses are Black creek, which drains the central and northwest portions, and Indian river, the latter crossing the northern part and flowing thence into Antwerp. The town has few remarkable physical features to place it in strong contrast with other of the county's subdivisions, yet in area it ranks third, and second in population.

The story of pioneer and early settlement in the town has never been a subject of dispute among chronielers of local history, all accounts ac- cording to Henry Boutin the honor of having made the first improve- ments. Ite purchased 1,000 acres of land from the agent of the French company, and in or about 1798 made a clearing on the site of Carthage village, the immediate locality then and for several years afteward being known as the " Long Falls," in allusion to the succession of rapids or falls in the river. The natural water power thus offered attracted Boutin to the place, and in the waters of the river he is said to have met an accidental death a few years afterward. On July 17, 1815, James Le Ray was appointed administrator of the Boutin estate, and in that capacity sold the property at auction to Vincent Le Ray, his son, from whom all land titles in the village have descended. He, too, was a prominent factor in early history in the town, and contributed largely to its development and settlement. He caused the village to be sur- veyed and laid out, opened a land office, and was otherwise a conspicu- ous figure in local affairs.

Jean Baptist Bossuot, sometimes called Baptise, came to the locality abont 1799, and after Boutin's death and the other settlers had de- parted, he alone remained at the Long Falls. He built a ferry across the river and also kept an inn for the accommodation of travelers; and it is said that he never denied shelter or food to the moneyless way- farer, or refused to carry him over the river because he could not pay. The ferry was maintained until the construction of the bridge, 1812-13, but Mr. Bossuot lived in the vicinity until his death in Champion, July 26, 1847. He was born in Troyes, France, and came to this country in company with Baron Steuben. In his family were six children, one of whom, George Bossuot, was the first white child born in the town.

Among the other factors in early history in Wilna, a more detailed

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

narrative of which properly belongs to village annals, may be recalled the name of David Coffeen (died in Carthage, Jan. 30, 1828), James Barney, Francis Lloyd, Nathan Brown, Claudius S. Quilliard, and pos- sibly others whose names and deeds have been lost with years long passed. However, in the meantime settlement had extended down the river valley and well back on the uplands of the town, on both sides of the line separating great lot No. 4 from the Chassanis tract. Indeed the proprietary were by no means idle and the year 1814 showed the new town of Wilna to contain 261 inhabitants. The second war with Great Britain was practically ended, and with peace assured the sol- diery and militia returned from the frontier and devoted themselves to the peaceful arts of agriculture and kindred pursuits. Within the next few years where once stood vast primal forests fine farms appeared, roads were opened, schools and churches were established, and general prosperity prevailed on every hand. The institutions of the town were in fact founded before the separate organization of Wilna was accom- plished, and the population of 1814, indicated the presence of between fifty and sixty families in the new jurisdiction. The readjustment of county lines necessitated the erection of another town in Jefferson county, and Wilna was the result. The creating act directed that the first town meeting be held at the house of Thomas Brayton, then occupied by Elihu Stewart, on March 1, 1814. On that occasion pio- neer Henry Lewis was chosen moderator, and officers were duly elected as follows:

Supervisor, Thomas Brayton; town clerk, Elihu Stewart; assessors, John B. Bos- suot, Caleb Fulton, Enoch Griffin: collector, Robert C. Hastings; overseers of the poor, Ilenry Lewis, Alfred Freeman; commissioners of highways, Henry Lewis, Freedom Gates, Thomas Brayton; constable, Robert C. Hastings; fence viewers, John 1). Balmat, James Hamblin, Isaac Blanchard, Caleb Johnson, Moses Cleveland ; poundmaster, Alfred Freeman, with direction to construct the pound at the "crutch" of road, near his dwelling house: overseers of highways, Caleb Fulton, Enoch Grif- fin, Lewis De Villiers, Moses Pearson.

At this meeting the electors made all necessary provision for the government of the town and the conduet of its affairs.1 The list of officers just noted suggests to the reader the names of many of the first settlers, and it may be assumed that a majority of the taxable inhabit- ants were then present as the occasion had for them a direct interest. Their names are produced here in part for the purposes of complete

1 Beginning in 1815, and continuing to 1523, the town voted a bounty of $5 for each wolf killed. In 1997-> the bounty was increased to $10, with $5 for wolf whelps.

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THE TOWN OF WILNA,

record and as well to show who were the settlers in Wilna during the period of its early history. However, it is difficult to determine just when pioneership was lost in the general growth and development of the region, or who are entitled to be mentioned among its early set- tlers. In 1825 the inhabitants numbered 1, 126, about four times more than in 1814, showing that settlement in the then comparatively remote locality was rapidly accomplished. In the town clerk's office in Wilna is found an assessment roll for the year 1825, from which has been taken a list of the taxable inhabitants, that there may be preserved in this volume the names of as many as possible of the first settlers. In another department will be found not only the names of settlers but also sketches of personal and family life of the pioneers and their descendants in the several towns, wherefore in the present connection it is sufficient to simply furnish the list of taxables, with the number of acres owned by each set opposite their respective names.

Assessment roll for 1825 made by assessors Caleb Fulton, Stephen Lewis and Hezekiah Morris. Benedict Adams, 45; Robert Anderson, 30; Josiah Allen, 50; Lewis Allen, 50; Henry Allen, 25; William Anderson, 31; Nathan Brown, 13; Thomas Brayton, jr., 77; Abel Brinham, 1]; Isaac Blanchard, 50; Caleb Blanchard, 25; Robert Blanchard, 25; Howland Blanchard, 25; Coonwood C. Becker, 46; Ste- phen Barnes, 100; Marmaduke Banton, 100; Asa Barnes, 50; Nicholas Benn. 11 : William Brayton, 12; Jeremiah Brayton, 50; Thomas Brayton, 265; Joseph Brown, 125; Virgil Brooks, 51; Bania Beddle, 50; Joseph C. Budd, '5; John D. Bossuot, 85; Samuel Barnes, 70; George Bunt, 100; Thomas Baker, 24. William Bevitt. 40; Lewis Becker, 63: Coonwood J. Becker, 27; Brayton, Lanphear, Nye & Co., 2, William Bevitt, jr., 40; James Convery, 40; John Chase, 11. Peter Castle, 50; John F. Cols- ton, 12: Michael Cunningham, 25; Seth L. Cutler, 2; Calvin Chapin, 40; Jacob Coss, 75; James Carret, 140; Franeis Carret, 420; Stephen Cottwell, 50; Alford Crowner, 108; Austin Cadwell, 100; Chauncey Dodge, Li; Lewis De Villairs, 150; William Dawley, 50; Franeis Devois, 100; Jennis De Ferrit, 451 ; Amos Darwin, 100; Amos Draper, 58; Charles Dayan, 14; James Edgar. 75; John Fanning, 28; Daniel Fitzpatrick, 50; John Fitzpatrick, 50; Edward Fitzpatrick, 50; Stephen Fletcher, 50; Alford Freeman, 336; Elijah Ferrington, 50; Thomas Ferris, 99; Caleb Fulton, 50; Edward Galvin, 321; Elijah Grout, 50; Edward Gates, 30; Leonard Gates, 12; Bar- zilla Guyot, 71; Joseph Graham, 68; Adam Grove, 10; 1lubbard Goodrich, 25; Curtis Hustins, 40; Thomas Hastings, 57; Otis Hastings, 50; Robert C. Hastings, 39; Benjamin G. ITall, 50; James llamblin, 117; Harlow Ilawley, 41; Barney Hughes, 26; Stanton Hopkins, 25; Peggy Hodgkins, 200; James P. Hodgkins, 20; Eben Ilodgkins, 57; Seth Hooker (toll bridge), 12; Samnel C. Hoyle, L; Timothy Hos- ford, 50; Samuel Ingalls, 50; Jonah Johnson, 50; Milicent Johnson, 14; Joshua John- son, 85; Elihu Jones, 21: Pane Keyes, 38; Charles R. Knight, 11; Stephen Leaker, 12; Chaumont Vincent de Le Ray, property at Carthage; Stephen Lewis, 165; Hen- ry Lewis, 125; Henry Lewis, jr., 104; Ephraim Lewis, 50; Franeis Le Roy, J;

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Lewis Lanphear, jr., 120; Austin Lanphear, 20; Hiram Lanphear, 150; Luther P. Matthews, 60; Francis Moon, 120; Hezekiah Morris, 44 ; Samuel Marshall, 50; Augus- tus Moon, 20; Michael Mick, 125; John Murray, 30; Patrick Murray, 50; Michael Murray, 50; James Murray, 50; James Morris, 14; John Martin, 50; Edward Mc- Connor, 25; Joel Mix, 50; John Main, 138; Andrew A. Matthews, 20; Anderson Minor, 50; Heury Noble, 50; Stephen Nutting, 85; Chauncey Nutting, 28; Nutting & Pierce, 12; Horatio Newell, 25; Walter Nimocks, 2-3; Warren Nye, 100; Farrell Nearey, 25; Avery Olds, 100; Jonathan Owens, jr., 71; Charles Osborn, 150; Abram Ostrander, 61; Peter Odell, 5% : D. C. Pellet, 20; Hiram Petty, 25; John Petty, 136; Joseph S. Pierce, 12; John Pool, 100, Ichabod Palmer, 43; George Parish 592; Johu Pearson, 135; Moses Pearson, 160; Lyman Palmerston. 100; Allen Peck, 11; Ed- mund Piggott, 30; C. S. Quilliard, 200; William Reader, 44; Patrick Riley, 120; Na- thaniel Rice, 13; Nathan Starks, 1; Charles Strong, -; Patrick Sharon, 25; John Smith, 250; Orlo Stannard, 82; Elijah Scott, 5; William Sarvey, 37; Ephraim II. Smith, 50; Aaron Slater, 50; Abel Shattuck, 100; P. S. Stewart, 18; Joseph Saun- ders, 77; Francis Shindler, 50; Tiba Tucker, 4; Lawrence Thorp, 50; Beuajal Tubbs, 104; Lewis Thomas, 54; Johnson Tifft, 65; Reuben Tifft, 25; Benjamin Thau, 11; John Van Antwerp, 34; Justus Woolcott, 25; John Weaver, 25; Taber Weaver, 25; Nathan Wilson, 30; Amos Wormwood, 42; Eli West, 3; John Welch, 50; James Welch, 70.

The foregoing list is taken from the assessment roll almost literally, and corrections are made only in cases where an error is known to exist. The reader will of course understand that the early town officers were not educated men, and their knowledge of grammar was generally crude, hence they spelled names much as they were commonly pro- nounced rather than according to strict rules of orthography. How- ever, the list may be regarded as reasonably accurate, and suggests the names of pioneers in Wilna many of whose descendants are still in the county, while others are not now known in the vicinity. All were at that time earnestly engaged in the work of improvement and building up, and the results of their labors have been enjoyed by later gener- ations of inhabitants. Not one of the settlers there mentioned is still alive, and all honor is due to their memory and to their early efforts.

'The assessment rolls of later years show constant increase both in number of inhabitants and local advancement, and each succeeding year witnesses the passing of the sire and the succession of the son, until the old names are now found only in the old records and on the gravestones of the cemetery. On the site where pioneer Boutin made the first improvement in 1798 is now a large and growing village, sec- ond in point of population and commercial importance among the municipalities of the county. During the period of its history, there have been built up within the town several other trading and business

$19

THE TOWN OF WILNA.

centers, each established for the convenience of the people living in lo- calities remote from the principal village of Carthage. Natural Bridge and Woods Settlement are of some importance in business life, the former leading, while Wilna and North Wilna are small post hamlets in the central and northern part of the town, respectively. A few miles southwest from Wilna, and four miles from Carthage, is a locality known as the "Checkered House, " at one time called "Fargo's Ilall," and here both town and other publie gatherings were held Here, too, were held several patriotie meetings during the war of 1861-65, and here, on August 18, 1862, the taxpayers unanimously resolved to pay a bounty of $50 for each volunteer who should enlist from the town for service at the front; and here, also, in regularly assembled town meet- ing held February 17, 1863, the inhabitants ratified the previous action and otherwise demonstrated the town's loyalty during that period of fearful strife.

To the southeast of Checkered house, and chiefly within the town of Croghan, is an extensive locality known as the Irish settlement, the pioneers of which region made the first improvement about 1820. As their numbers increased many families drifted over into Wilna. The early settlers here are nearly all gone but their descendants survive and are numbered among the thrifty farmers of the town.

By reference to the preceding narrative, and particularly to the old tax roll, it will be seen that the growth of Wilna and the development of its resources has indeed been rapid, and especially so during the first half century of its history. However, to better illustrate its growth, reference is had to the federal and state census reports, from which the number of inhabitants at the beginning of each half decade is found to have been as follows:

In 1814, the year in which the town was organized, 261 inhabitants; 1820, 618; 1825. 1.126: 1830, 1,602; 1835. 2,053: 1840, 2,591; 1845, 2,711; 1850 2,993; 1855, 3,024: 1860. 3.662: 1865, 3,921; 1870, 1,060; 1875, 4,253; 1880 4,393; 1885, no enumeration; 1890, 1,552.

From this it is seen that the growth of the town at large has been constant, and during the early period of its history quite rapid; and while recent years have witnessed a radical decline both in population and agricultural interests in many interior towns of the state, the in- habitants in Wilna appear to have suffered comparatively little in this respect. True, husbandmen have been compelled to change the char- acter of their farm productions, for now the farmers of the east are 107

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

brought into direct competition with those of the great west, to the dis- advantage of the former; and it is no longer expected that our over- worked and long occupied agricultural lands will produce equally with the new and rich areas of the west, valued at from one to five dollars an acre. In 1825 the assessors appraised farm lands in Wilna at about $1 50 per acre, and made oath that the assessment represented fair value, while now the same lands are worth $20 to $100 an acre, yet produce no more than half what they did three quarters of a century ago

From first to last the inhabitants have been mindful both of the edu cational and spiritual welfare of the youth, and at a special town meet- ing held April 16. 1814, it was voted to raise a sum of money equal to the amount allowed the town by the state for the support of schools. At that time pioneers Henry Lewis, Daniel W. Hall and Elihu Stew- art wers elected commissioners of common schools, and Thoma, Bray- ton. Benjamin G. Hall and Luther P. Mather were likewise chosen inspectors of town schools. Unfortunately, however, the records give no information as to the number and location of schools, or by whom they were taught. Previous to the creation of Wilna the school sys- tem in operation was a part of the older jurisdiction, and the history of education in this town necessarily dates from its separate formation. By a report filed May 26, 1814, the local commissioners divided Wilna into three school districts and provision was made for a school in each. In 1821 commissioners John Smith, Stephen Lewis and Eli West made a new division and formed seven districts; and in 1825 an eighth district was added to the number. From this beginning the school system of the town has grown, increasing and enlarging as years passed and the welfare of the youth has demanded, and all in accordance with the improved methods from time to time adopted. As now constituted Wilna has eighteen school districts and in each, whether wholly in the town or joint with another town, a good school is maintained and kept under the constant supervision of the district commissioner as the law provides.

Natural Bridge is of the most importance among the hamlets of Wilna, and was named in allusion to a peculiar dispensation of nature, a bridge of rocks having been formed over the Indian river by the action of the water. The village is distant ten miles from Carthage, almost due east, and has a population of about 600 inhabitants within the radius of a mile. Settlement was begun in this part of the town soon after 1513, and Lewis Allen, Stephen Nutting, Charles Knight,

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THE TOWN OF WILNA

Zebina Chaffee, Arnold Burr and Abel Bingham were prominent heads of families three-quarters of a century ago. The names of all of them do not appear in the roll of 1825. However, one of the most conspicu- ons residents of the place in its early history was Joseph Bonaparte, the brother of Napoleon, and who, in fact was, as has been mentioned by cotemporary writers, "ex king of Spain." In 1828 this royal per- sonage built a pretentions mansion at the settlement, lived there sev- eral years, and then took up his abode at Bordentown, N. J. Varions traditions are extant in explanation of his coming and departure, but that he was greatly respected among the pioneers is unquestioned, and all memories of him are of pleasing import. Lake Bonaparte, in Lewis county, was so called in honor of this distinguished settler.

For about three-quarters of a century Natural Bridge has been a flourishing hamlet, and the trading center for the inhabitants of a rich agricultural region in Jefferson and Lewis counties. Abel Bignham opened a store here in 1820, and in the next year Mr. Knight built a tavern. In later years saw mills and a large tannery were put in opera- tion in the village and locality, but now all save a few have been dis- continued. The mercantile interests at the present time are the general stores conducted by John Burns and John W. Lynde: the groceries owned by Edgar Cowen, De Witt Dawley and John Shoemaker; Dr. J. 11. Copp's drug store, and Montondo Bros, hardware store; Yousey Bros. have a good saw mill, and George Wilson a similar industry of less capacity. Robert Shields is proprietor of a water power and Will- iam Priest of a steam power grist mill. John Farrer has a cheese box factory. The tannery which for more than thirty years was one of the staple industries of the hamlet has been closed within the past year In 184; a Boston company of capitalists began extensive operations for copper mining near the village, but after a commendable display of ex- perimental energy the enterprise was abandoned.

In addition to its mercantile and manufacturing interests, Natural Bridge has good hotels, a place for public entertainments, an excellent three-room district school (district No. 8), two regularly organized church societies (Methodist Episcopal and Universalist), and the small shops which are necessary adjuncts of village life.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Natural Bridge dates back in its history to about 1825, when a class was formed and occasional services were held by itinerant preachers, though not until 1830 was a church home provided. From that to the present time the society has con

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

tinned in existence, drawing attendance from both Wilna and Diana. It is now a joint charge with Harrisville, under the pastoral care of Rev. D. W. Aylesworth, the two churches having a total membership of 198, and 16: probationers.

The Universalist church at Natural Bridge was organized and a house of worship erected in 1822; first pastor, Rev. J. H. Stewart. The his- tory of the society has been continuous to the present time, the attend- ance averaging about 150 persons. The church is now without a pastor.

Wood's Settlement, or as better known in recent years, Wood's Mills, is a small hamlet in the extreme eastern part of Wilna, near the Ant- werp line, and derived its name from the settlement and improvement begin by Jonathan Wood in 1833. Here he built a grist and saw mill on Indian river, a great convenience to the inhabitants of the region. Pioneer Wood was otherwise prominently connected with the town's history, and held the offices of supervisor, assessor, and justice of the peace. He died in 1829, but his descendants still live in the vicinity.

For many years a store has been kept at the Mills, the present owner being Jason E. Merrick, who also is local postmaster. The grist mill is now operated by Ilarlan Wood. In the same vicinity is the Lewis. burg cheese factory, owned by Mr. Washburn, while between North Wilna and the Mills settlement is another similar industry conducted by Luther Gibbs. The near-by district school and the Methodist Epis- copal church are the only public buildings of the locality.

Methodism in this part of Wilna, and in southern Antwerp dates back to about 1835, when the society was formed. A union meeting house was erected in 1849, and while other denominational services were occasionally held, the Methodists eventually succeeded in estab lishing an enduring society. The pulpit is supplied from Antwerp. This church now makes no separate report to the conference.

The supervisors of Wilna from the organization of the town have been as follows. 1814-15, Thomas Brayton; 1816. Alfred Freeman: 1817, Francis Lloyd: 1818-19. Nathan Brown: 1820-22. Thomas Brayton; 1823-27, Eli West; 1825-29, Thomas Baker; 130-32, Eli West; 1833, Walter Nimocks; 1934, W'm. Bones; 1835-36, Walter Nimocks: 1437, Wm. Bones; 1838, Oliver Child; 1839, Walter Nimocks; 1840-41. El: West: 1842, Jonathan Wood; 1843, Walter Nimocks; 1844, Milton H. Carter: 1845. Charles Strong; 1846, lliram McCollom; 1847-49. Simeon Fulton: 1850-51, Wm. Christian; 1852-53, Horace Ilooker; 1854 Samuel Keyes; 1855-56, Nelson D. Fergu- son. 1857, Wm Christian; 1858, Patrick S. Stewart; 1859, Samuel Keyes; 1860-63, Charles W. Smith: 1864-66. Wm. Christian; 1867. James H. Morrow; 1868, Law-

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THE TOWN OF WILNA.

rence J. Goodale; 1869, James H. Morrow; 1870, Wm. Christian, 1871-72. Henry M. Hammond; 1873 24, Foster Penmiman; 1875-80, James Galvin; 1881 82, Orrin S. Lewis: 1883 -84, Wm. C. Becker: 1885-86, James C. Graham; 1887-90, Wm. II. Del- more; 1891 93, John Whaling; 1891-97, Cornelius Clark ; 1898-99, P. J. Corcoran

Carthage. The Long Falls in the channel of Black river was the direct cause of the subsequent building up of two enterprising villages. one in the old historic town of Champion and known as West Carthage, and the other on the east side of the river, for more than sixty years called Carthage, but originally known as Long Falls in allusion to the splendid water course which separates these municipalities. Between these sister villages are many things in common, and the interests of one are beneficial to and enjoyed by the residents of the other. In many respects their history is identical and might appropriately be treated in a single chapter, yet they are distinct corporations and ac- cording to the proper division of subjects in this work, their growth and development must be separately traced.

As has been mentioned in the history of the town of Wilna, Henry Boutin was the pioneer in this part of the vast Castorland tract, having purchased from the agent of the French company of proprietors 1,000 acres of land including all that is now the village and extending some- what beyond its present limits. In 1298, so near as the year can be determined, Boutin, with a company of men, mide an extensive clear. ing, erected a few rude buildings for dwelling purposes, and soon there- after set out to return to France that he might settle his business affairs, having determined to make Long Falls his permanent place of abode : but by an accident the worthy pioneer was drowned (probably in Black river), his company of workmen soon abandoned the improvement and the lands passed to Vincent Le Ray, by purchase from James Le Ray as administrator of the Boutin estate.

In the meantime, soon after the advent of Boutin, Jean Baptiste Bos- suot came to the place and after the improvement had been abandoned by the employees of the former, he alone remained. He was a native of France, and like his predecessor pioneer was induced to come to Castorland through the ageney of the French company. All recollec. tions of Jean B. Bossuot denote that he was a worthy resident and en- terprising pioneer. The occasional travelers through this region sought to cross Black river, hence our pioneer constructed a rude yet sufficient ferry, charging for its use a moderate toll, and also built on the east bank of the river a small public house. It has been said that he opened the first store on the village site, but this assertion is not verified.

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Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 88

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