USA > New York > Tioga County > Our county and its people : a memorial history of Tioga County, New York > Part 37
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Likewise, a little later on, Catherine Depuy gave notice to the town overseers of the poor that a female child, Nancy, was born the 17th day of February, 1807, of the body of her female slave Catharine, "and I do hereby delivery up the body of the above mentioned child, Nancy, to the poormasters of the town." Again, on the 28th of March, 1809, Catharine Depuy recorded the birth of a female child named " Matilda," born of the body of her female slave Catharine. In the same year Samuel Westbrook recorded the birth of a male child, Harry, of the body of his female slave, Betsey.
Landlord Andrew Purdy was also a slaveholder, though to what number we have no knowledge. April 7, 1811, he recorded the birth of "a black child Jane " of the body of his slave Mira. Thus the record shows, and while other of the early settlers undoubtedly owned slaves they had not recourse to the town's books for the purpose of recording births. This, however, was not an unusual proceeding, and it was then a prevailing custom among New Eng- landers to possess one or more house slaves, and as a part of their personal effects the blacks were brought with the family when the settlement was made in this then western country. Nor can the custom in any manner be referred to as an evidence of barbar- ism, or even of a cruel nature, for such was the custom of the period, recognized by law in the east, therefore lawful, though for- bidden in this state. But it may be said to the honor of the slave owning pioneers who came into New York that they soon granted freedom to their bound blacks, and in many cases made provision for their future maintenance.
Indeed, the early settlers in Spencer were a hospitable, generous and considerate people, and from the earliest history of the town have been noted for acts of charity and philanthrophy. As late even as 1820 Samuel Hoyt had the misfortune to break one of his legs, and at the town meeting of that year the inhabitants voted to allow him $25 out of the public funds of the town.
They also made early and ample provision for establishing and maintaining schools, and after the reduction in territory, through the erection of Candor, Caroline, Danby, and Newfield, the town was re-districted and permanent schools were provided for each district.
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
POPULATION .-- As is elsewhere mentioned, the population of Spen- cer as originally constituted was about 3,000. In 1810 the exact number of inhabitants was 3, 128, but in 1814, after the towns just mentioned had been set off, the remaining territory of the mother town contained only 670 inhabitants. From that until the present time the growth and condition of the town is best indicated by noting the fluctuations of population as shown by the census tables, viz : In 1820 the inhabitants numbered 1,252; 1825, 975, (Cayuta having been set off in 1824) ; 1830, 1,278 ; 1835, 1,407 ; 1840, 1,532 ; 1845, 1,682 ; 1850, 1,782 ; 1855, 1,805 ; 1860, 1,881; 1865, 1,757 ; 1870, 1,863; 1875, 1,884 ; 1880, 2,382 ; 1885, no enumera- tion ; 1890, 2,211 ; 1892, 2,144.
From this it will be seen that the town attained its maximum population in 1880, in which respect it forms a remarkable excep- tion to the rule as indicated by the history of other similar towns in this state. The close observation of the writer has shown that in the majority of towns situated as is Spencer the greatest popu- lation was reached between the years 1840 and 1850, since which there has been a gradual decline both in number of inhabitants and as well in commercial interests and importance. Since 1840 Spencer has increased its population six hundred, which shows that local institutions and interests are fixed and permanent, and that notwithstanding the fact that in 1822, by the removal of the county seat to Owego, this town received a blow which would have utterly discouraged a people of less physical and moral courage. This subject, however, is mentioned at greater length in the village history.
SCHOOLS .- At a special town meeting held October 4, 1813, the voters present resolved to divide the territory of the town into school districts, and appointed as commissioners for that purpose Col. Jacob Swartwood, Joseph Barker and Nathaniel Scofield. These persons constituted the first "commissioners of common schools " of Spencer, and the result of their deliberations was the division of the town into six districts. In 1814 the town elected as commissioners Col. Jacob Swartwood, George K. Hall, and John Field ; and as inspectors of schools, Joshua Ferris, Abraham Garey, and Andrew F. Oliver. Thus, through the efforts of these set-
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
tlers and their successors in office a reasonably thorough educa- tional system was established in Spencer, and upon which found- ation, with the increased facilities accorded by more recent and liberal legislation, the present system, more perfect than ever before in the history of the town, has been built up.
The first school in Spencer, town or village, was opened by pioneer Joseph Barker in 1800, in a little log house in the north part of what is now the village. But Mr. Barker in his laudable enterprise had no support in the way of an appropriation of money by the town of Owego, but depended alone on the little contribu- tions made by the heads of families in the town. Indeed, while the town of Owego voted a modest sum for the support of schools, no considerable part thereof was known to have found its way into this remote and sparsely settled neighborhood. Still from all these small beginnings the present excellent condition of education and schools in the town has grown.
As constituted in the year 1896 Spencer is divided into sixteen school districts, of which No. 9 is joint with Danby ; No. 11 with Van Etten ; No. 15 with Danby, and No. 16 with Van Etten. In the town are thirteen school houses, all of frame, and are estima- ted to be worth, including sites, $8,800. During the year, a total of twenty-five teachers were employed. to whom were paid $4,551.50. The town received for school purposes from all sources, $6,277.82, of which $594.55 came from the regents ; from public moneys, $2,141.93, and $2,831.96 were raised by tax in the town. The number of children of school age (except No. 9, from which no report was made) was 450. The assessed valuation of taxable property in the town was $708,393.
TOWN OF SPENCER CIVIL LIST-SUPERVISORS.
1806-10-Joel Smith. 1846-47-Elihu Butts. 1868-No choice.+
1811 -- Nathaniel Scofield.
1848-52-Abram HI. Miller. 1869-John A. Nichols.
1812-23-Isaae Swartwood.
1853-John A. Nichols.
1870-71-Silvenes Shepard.
1824-29-Horace Giles. 1854-56-George Fisher.
1872-Isaac S. Stanclift.
1830-32-Moses Stevens.
1857-58-Seth O. Sabin.
1873-John H. Pahner.
1833-38-Isaac Lott.
1859-60-Isaac S. Stanelift.
1874-76-Alonzo Norris.
1839-Leonard Fisher. 1861-Benj. Lott.
1877-Silvenes Shepard.
1840-Moses Stevens.
1862-Silas J. Shepard.
1878-81-Myron B. Ferris.
1841-Samuel Vose. 1863-Isaac S. Stanclift.
1882-83-Cyrenes N. Day.
1842-Elihu Butts.
1864-No election .*
1884-89 -- Marcus L. Swartout.
1843-44-Jolin Vose.
1865-Seth O. Sabin.
1890 -- Frank W. Adams.
1845-Isaac Lott.
1866-67-Silvenes Shepard.
1891-93-Alonzo Norris.
1894-96-Loring W. Hull.
"Tie vote between Mr. Stanclift and Horace Booth ; the latter appointed by town board. +Mr. Shepard appointed.
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
TOWN CLERKS.
1852-53-Lucins Emmons. 1867-John Day.
1854-Chas. J. Fisher. 1868-A. S. Emmons.
1855-56-Lucius Enimons.
1869-W. E. Montgomery.
1857-58-John Day. 1870-71-John P. Vose.
1838-43-Wm. Post.
1844-Gideon Reynolds. 1845-Aug. T. Garey.
1846-Gideon Reynolds.
1847-Abram II. Miller.
1849-Ang. T. Garey. 1850-51-Gideon Reynolds.
JUSTICES.
1806-29-Joseplı Barker. 1830-Israel Hardy.
1831-Elihn Butts.
1832-33-George Fisher.
1834-Robert Pennett.
1835-Thomas Pert. Harry Cowell.
1836-John Watson.
1837-John A. Nichols.
1838-Ilarry Cowell.
1839-40-Elihu Butts. 1841-John A. Nichols.
1842-Stephen Bassett.
1843-Aug. T. Garey,
1844-HI. S. Hall.
1845-Samuel Vose.
1846-Jolin A. Nichols.
1847 -- Aug. T. Garey.
1848 -- Orrin Dearborn.
1849 -- Samuel Vose.
1850 -- Hezekialı Carpenter.
1851-John A. Nichols.
1852 -- Timothy Hutchings.
1853 -- Aug. T. Garey.
1876 -- Wm. Montgomery.
Robert Hedges.
1894 -- Wm. B. Garrett.
1877 -- Willard B. Georgia. Jobn S. Clark.
Alfred Vose.
1855 -- Jesse Rosencrance.
1856-Ellsworth Drake. 1857-Wm. D. Griswold.
1878-Dempster N Guinnip. 1879-Benj. F. Lewis.
Aug. T. Garey. Ira M. Howell.
1880-L. J. Barnes.
1860-James L. Riker. 1861-Felix Holdridge. Jas. L. Riker.
1862-Aug. T. Garey.
1863-James E. Brown.
1864-James L. Riker. Joseph Cortwright.
1865-Wm. B. Garrett. 1866-Abel Lott.
1867-Wm. B. Kinney.
1868-Aug. T. Garey.
1869-Lewis Clark.
Charles E. Butts.
1887 -- George Brooks.
1888-John M. Stowe. Ira M. Howell. 1889-Frank W. Adams.
1890 -- Ira M. Howell.
1891 -- George Brooks.
1892 -- Abram L. Garey.
1893 -- Frank W. Adams. Charles II. Puff.
1854 -- James II. Dickinson. John A. Nichols.
John A. Nichols. LeRoy Brooks.
1895 -- Harry Dumond. 1886 -- Jolın S. Clark.
1806-31-Joshua Ferris.
1832-34-John McQuigg. 1835-36-Elihu Butts.
1837-John McQuigg.
1859-Isaac M. Lott.
1872-Rob't L. Post.
1860-61-John Day.
1873-74-Cyrens N. Day.
1862-Jno. P. Vosc.
1875-79-Jerome R. Platt.
1880-Ang. L. Garey.
1863-Jolin Day.
1864-65-Lucius Emmons.
1881-93-Isaac S. Stanclift.
1866-Fred M. Snook. 1894-96-LaGr'e S. Shepard.
1881-Willard B. Georgia.
1882-Aug. T. Garey. Ira M. Howell. 1883-Ira M. Howell.
1884-Jolm M. Stowe.
1885-Frank W. Adams. Eben Hull.
1886 -- B. F. Rogers.
1870-Silas Pierson.
1871 -- Elijah Osborn. Darius Henderson.
1872 -- John Day. 1873-Ira M. Howell.
1874 -- Silas Pierson.
1875-Dana Robinson.
Darius Henderson.
The outlying settled communities of Spencer are small and of little importance in the history of the town. They are known severally as North Spencer, Spencer Springs, Spencer Lake, West
1858 Aug. T. Garey.
1859-Cero F. Barber.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Spencer, Cowell's Corners, Baptist Corners, and perhaps others of still less note, but among them all North Spencer alone has a post- office.
A score and more years ago Spencer Springs was a place of con- siderable note, and had all the appointments and accessories of a first-class health resort ; but the enterprise proved an unfortunate investment for its proprietors. The large hotel buildings were burned, and the old-time glory of the place has passed away.
North Spencer in the early history of the town was a hamlet of some importance, as in that locality dwelt several of the most sub- stantial pioneers ; but with the growth of Spencer village, so, cor- respondingly, was there a decrease in prosperity in this vicinity. The present interests are the district school, the union church, a good store, and one or two small shops. A postoffice is also main- tained here and is in charge of E. A. Ackles, postmaster. The store is kept by Ackles & Titus. The union church at this hamlet was erected in 1870 by representatives of different denominations and is occupied by them in common.
Spencer Lake is a small hamlet in the north part of the town, and derives its name from the little lake in that locality. How- ever, in this respect the hamlet stands unparalleled in the county, for here is the largest and indeed the only considerable body of lake water of which Tioga can boast. More than that, it is one of the most charming spots in the entire region, and several com- fortable cottages have been built along the lake shores. The lake is about a mile long and about half a mile wide. On the outlet is a grist mill, the property of Burdett Signor.
Cowell's Corners is the name of a small cluster of dwellings, and one or two shops, situated about a mile east of Spencer village, in the neighborhood where the Cowell family settled in the early history of the town.
Balcom's Mills was another of the places of note more than a score of years ago, but now the mills are out of existence and the place has lost all of its former prestige. The Free Methodists of this vicinity have a religious society, and hold meetings at stated intervals.
West Candor is a hamlet of the town of Candor, but the settle-
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
ment there extends into this town. The only industry in that locality worthy of mention is the milling interest owned by Samuel Eastham.
SPENCER VILLAGE.
On June 28, 1886, the qualified electors of the territory now in- cluded within the village met according to law and due notice, and then voted, 106 for, and 42 against a proposition to incorpor- ate municipally. Nearly all of the leading men of ten years ago were earnestly in favor of the measure, but, on the other hand, it was opposed by several influential citizens, although they were outnumbered almost three against one. But, going away back into the early years of the present century, we find the little settle- ment of Spencer containing hardly more than half a dozen houses, with the saw and grist mill on the north side, and with no other business interests of any consequence. One thing, however, the settlement did possess at that time, as well as ten years ago, and that was a number of strong and energetic men who were ready to see and improve an opportunity. In 1806 the legislature passed an act by which the territory of the present towns of Owego, Newark Valley, Berkshire, and Richford was taken front Tioga county for the erection of Broome; and in consequence of this measure it became necessary to practically reorganize Tioga county, and to establish a new shire town. Here, then, was the oppor- tunity presented to Spencer's people and they were not slow to act. This little hanilet was then near the geographical centre of the county, and when on February 17, 1810, the legislature passed an act appointing Nathaniel Locke, Anson Carey and Samuel Campbell commissioners to locate a new court house site, the lead- ing men of this remote settlement showed quite forcibly to the residents of Elmira, that notwithstanding the fact that their locality was frequently called by the undignified name of "Pump- kin Hook," they were none the less men of action, for in the winter of 1811 Spencer village was designated as the new county seat of Tioga county.
For the site of the county buildings Andrew Purdy deeded to the commissioners two acres of land, for the sum of $20. Mr. Purdy was awarded the contract for construction of the court house
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
building, and Joshua Ferris, Isaac Swartout, and Samuel West- brook, all good, worthy Spencer men, were appointed to superin- tend the work. Mr. Westbrook gave the matter his personal sup- ervision, and the result was an excellent structure, costing $5,595.60, although the contractor and commissioners did fall into a some- what warm dispute about the bill ; but in the end Mr. Purdy re- ceived all his pay.
The building was of frame, two stories high, with the prison de- partment and jailor's quarters on the first floor, and the court and jury rooms above. It stood just north of the site of A. S. Em- mons' large store, where now stands the store barn. In fact the old court house well is under the barn, and is still in use, though the owner has deepened it by a pipe driven down in its centre. The two acre site included the entire northwest lot of the corners. The building was occupied by John J. French, jailor, an early resi- dent of the town and a veteran of the revolution. He was a good officer and worthy citizen, and had in his family three comely daughters ; and the rumor to the effect that either jailor French or one of his daughters set fire to the building in the interest of the Elmira contingent is generally repudiated by unprejudiced persons.
However, in January, 1821, an unfortunate fire destroyed Spen- cer's court house building, after which a temporary structure was erected, and stood about thirty rods west of the old site, adjoining the school house. Courts were held in the improvised building until the spring of 1822, when an act of the legislature restored Owego, Newark Valley, Berkshire, and Richford to Tioga county, and soon afterward Owego and Elmira were made half-shire towns, and Spencer lost all its prestige as county seat ; and with the re- moval of county properties and effects there also departed the little coterie of lawyers, court officers, and attaches of the average shire town of three-quarters of a century ago.
During the half score of years in which Spencer was the county seat, all local interests were fostered and, indeed, the village had gained a position of prominence in the county. The "corners " had become substantially built up and several good stores were opened. Here has since been the chief centre of business, although Gen. Fisher's store and ashery, and Elihu Butts's tannery had the
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
effect to attract growth toward the north part of the settlement, and in more recent years the Bradley stores and business operations have kept a fair share of trade in and above the same locality. And still more recently, through the efforts of John A. Nichols, fol- lowed by S. Alfred Seely and Seymour Seely, the west section of the village has been established upon a secure basis.
One of the earliest village merchants was Judge Henry Miller, beginning about or soon after the year 1805 and continuing until succeeded by his son, the late Abram H. Miller. Gen. Fisher opened his stock of goods in the fall of 1810, and also kept public house, both places of business being about where Centre street is laid out. He succeeded one Doolittle, and afterward took Philo Whitmore as partner. Leonard, son of Thomas Fisher, was an- other of the early merchants of the village. Elihu Butts started his tannery in 1818. Lucius Emmons opened store in 1844. Moses Stevens began business in the Bradley locality in 1842, and the Bradleys, Calvin and Lyman, followed in 1850. To them and their efforts in life is due the honor of building up " Bradleytown " as a business centre, and a later generation of the same family has kept even step with the progress made by the former. Charles J. Fisher began his business career in 1852, and has ever since been a merchant of the village. Charles E. Butts and A. P. Butts suc- ceeded to their father's tannery business in 1850, and continued to 1853, after which Charles became partner with C. J. Fisher in gen- eral merchandise. Then came the firm of Post & Butts, in or about 1854 ; then Garey & Post in 1856 ; then Sackett & Butts ; then Rosecrance & Butts, in 1857 ; then Fisher & Ferris, in the fall of 1859. In the spring of 1860, Leonard Fisher, Myron B. Ferris and Isaac S. Stanclift organized the firm of L. Fisher & Co., and after two or three years Ferris & Stanclift succeeded. In the spring of 1869 Ferris & Fisher (Marvin D. Fisher) succeeded Ferris & Stanclift, and in the following fall Stanclift & Platt opened on the opposite corner. The store burned in 1876, and then Mr. Stanclift moved to his present location.
In 1851, Lucius Emmons bought from John A. Nichols the prop- erty now occupied by Alfred S. Emmons's splendid store, and was in business there until his death, in 1864. He was succeeded by
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Mrs. L. Emmons & Son, and this firm by Emmons Bros., in the fall of 1867. In 1886, the firm dissolved, Alfred S. Emmons taking the large store, and L. E. Emmons the drug store and other inter- ests. Silvenes Shepard began mercantile business in Spencer in 1867.
The " corners," as the business part of the village has ever been called, was seriously affected by a destructive fire on the 1st of September, 1876, by which fourteen buildings were burned. Among them was the store on the Fisher corner ; Platt & Stanclift's store on the northeast corner ; John Day's hardware store, and nearly all the structures between the bridge and the corner. On the 29th of November, 1877, the Emmons store was robbed and burned, and was at once replaced with the splendid large building now owned by Alfred S. Emmons.
Over on the west side of the village tract has been built up within the last twenty-five years two of the largest industries of the town, or in fact, of the northern part of the county. As lias been mentioned, John Avery Nichols began the development of this part of the village. It was chiefly through his efforts that the old Ithaca & Athens railroad was built on the west side in 1870 and '71, and he was also the owner of a store and a good hotel in the same locality. In 1873 the firm of A. Seely & Brother came up from near Elmira and began operations here, succeeding, in a large measure, to the interests formerly established by Mr. Nichols. At that time the west hill was covered with a rough slashing, but these energetic proprietors cleared and improved the land, built a large saw mill in 1873, which has been in constant operation to this time. In 1875, the firm built a large steam flouring mill, with three run of stones. In 1884 it was remodeled and made a roller mill, and as a buck wheat flour producing industry it is one of the largest in this part of the state.
The firm of A. Seely & Bro. was dissolved January 1, 1887, and S. Alfred Seely continued the mercantile and manufacturing busi- ness. The old Grove hotel, a large and somewhat pretentious structure, another of Mr. Nichols's enterprises, was burned in 1889, and in 1890 S. Alfred Seely purchased the land and built the new Grove hotel, one of the most complete and comfortable public
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TOWN OF SPENCER.
houses in the county. He also built, in 1895, the large factory now occupied by the Cornell Table Co., of which Joseph and Frank Cornell are proprietors. The Spencer Brick company was formed in 1893, and was the outgrowth of a business begun by Richardson & Campbell in 1882. The company was capitalized at $10,000, with S. Alfred Seely, president, and W. H. Bostwick, Jacob S. Dresser, and Willis Sager, stockholders. The present officers are W. H. Bostwick, president ; J. S. Dresser, secretary and treasurer ; Willis Sager, director, S. Alfred Seely, manager.
In writing of the institutions of the west side of the village men- tion must be made of the old Spencer Camp grounds of the Wyom- ing conference, a notable place of assemblage for many years, and the annual meetings held here made Spencer known throughout the entire region. The camp meeting association seems not to have been incorporated, and just when it came into active life is not known. It dissolved about 1886 or '7, and its lands were put to other uses, and are now in part owned by the cemetery association.
Of the old cemeteries of the town one was located opposite the Presbyterian church, another at Baptist corners, so-called, a third at North Spencer, and it is understood that a burying ground was laid out on the site of Evergreen cemetery several years before that institution was in existence.
Evergreen Cemetery Association of Spencer filed articles of in- corporation Oct. 27, 1864, and named as trustees John A. Nichols, Isaac S. Stanclift, Robert H. Fisher, Isaac M. Lott, Charles J. Fisher, and H. S. Hall. The original cemetery tract included four acres, but later on six more acres were added from the old camp grounds. This traet the association has improved and decorated, and is known as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Tioga county. The present officers and trustees are Myron B. Ferris, president ; Dempster N. Guinnip, secretary ; Isaac S. Stanclift, treasurer ; and Silvenes Shepard, Seymour Seely, and Layton N. Hedges.
The Spencer Springs Petroleum and Mining Company was hardly an institution of the village, neither of the town, yet may be briefly noted here, and briefly noted, as the life of the company itself was brief. It was incorporated April 22, 1865, for the purpose of " min-
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
ing and boring for and collecting, refining and selling petroleum or rock oil, iron, coal, and other minerals." Waverly had five incor- porators in this company, and the towns of Spencer, Candor, Newark Valley, and Owego one each. Lyman Bradley was the local member.
The Spencer Agricultural Society filed articles of incorporation July 13, 1888. The originators of the enterprise are mentioned in another chapter, and it is sufficient to say here that four consecu- tive fairs were held on the old abandoned camp meeting grounds, but profited nothing substantial to the investors : the race track was taken by the cemetery association, and the society dissolved.
The Spencer Academy, conveniently situated near the geograph- ical centre of the village, is one of the most praiseworthy institu- tions of either town or village, and there are few, indeed, of the business and professional men who have been reared in Spencer and gone out into the various occupations of life, who have not received an early educational training within these honored walls. The building now standing was erected in 1859, as the school house of district No. 4, although the wing or extension was added by the new board of education after the adoption of the free system. This change was made in 1870, and as near as can be determined, for the records are lost, the first board of education comprised Rev. Stephen Vorhis, Marvin D. Fisher, Dr. Theodore C. Bliss, Myron B. Ferris, Silas Shepard, and Charles E. Butts.
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