USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people : a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 48
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > Our county and its people: a memorial record of St. Lawrence County, New York > Part 48
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St. Henry's Catholic Church was formed at De Kalb Junction, and labor commenced August 15, 1893. The organization was effected under the guidance of Father Conroy, of Ogdensburg. James Cun- ningham and Timothy Sullivan were elected trustees; and Mr. Vanda- lind and Daniel Hurley, building committee. A brick church 30x40 feet was erected at a cost of $3,500, exclusive of the lot, which was donated by D. Tupper, non-catholic. The people in that vicinity, irre- spective of sect or creeds, assisted in the enterprise, and are proud of the beautiful structure. The church was formally opened for services January 16, 1894.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM-ORGANIZED IN 1806.
S TOCKHOLM, the ninth town organized, was one of the original "Ten Townships No 2." It was erected from Massena jurisdic- tion by legislative act passed February 21, 1806. It received its name by the surveyors from Stockholm, Sweden. It retained its orig- inal territory until April 9, 1823, when a part was annexed to Norfolk, and on April 15, 1834, another portion was annexed to the same town, and now contains 54,276 acres.
The surface of the town is rolling and is watered by the St. Regis River, and its eastern branch, which unite near the eastern border Trout, Plumb and Squeak brooks. The soil is a productive loam, mak- ing it one of the best agricultural districts in the county. The first town meeting was ordered at the home of Dr. Luman Pettibone, but the date passed without an election, and under the Act of March 7, 1801, Nathan Walker, of Canton, and Gordon Smith and Benjamin Raymond, of Potsdam (magistrates), appointed the following officers : Supervisor, Ebenezer Hulburd; clerk, William Staples ; assessors, Stephen A. Tambling, Benjamin Wright, and Arba Woodward; constable and col- lector, Samuel Webster ; overseers of the poor, S. A. Tambling, Luman Pettibone ; commissioners of highways, S. A. Tambling, E. Hulburd, and W. Webster ; fence viewers, S. A. Tambling and B. Wright; over- seer of highways, E. Hulburd ; pound master, E. Hulburd.
Settlements in the territory of this town began a few years previous to its formation, when Dr. Luman Pettibone, in the summer of 1800, came into the town as an agent for the proprietor, Mr. McVickers, made preparations for himself and others to follow. In that and the follow- ing years several families came in. Ebenezer Hulburd was the next agent, and in 1802 he and Dr. Pettibone, with Benjamin Wright, Isaac Kelsey, Abram Sheldon, and a few others, came to the town, and on the 7th of March, 1803, seven families arrived, six of whom were from
519
THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM.
Orwell, Vt., and made permanent settlements. There were, besides the above, William Staples, John and Robert Bisbee. They came by way of Chateaugay and the St. Regis. In September, 1804, a tremendous freshet so swelled that river that four of the seven families were com - pelled to fly from their homes, which were devastated. Samuel and Warren Webster, brothers, of Orwell, Vt., began clearing their pur- chases of 105 acres each on lots 44 and 45 in 1805, and the following year brought in their families. In 1806 Isaac Marsh came from Sharon, Vt., and settled on 200 acres of lot 65. Luther Hulburd settled on lot 33, and members of that family have always been prominent in the town. Other early settlers (mostly from Vermont) were Stephen A. Tambling, Daniel Harrington (father of G. W. Harrington), Amos Bicknell, long a prominet citizen, Simeon Nash, Zephaniah French, A. Woodward, John Graves, Alpheus Johnson, Josiah L. Hill, Ralph P.
Stearns, Reuben Kelsey, and Harvey Thatcher. The latter, with George Streight, John Partridge, Eldad Taylor, Stiles Nelson, Martin Doud, Nathan Osborn (who succeeded Dr. Pettibone as proprietor's agent in the west part of the town), Clark and Warren T. Phippen, A. S. Tucker, and others, located in the western part. In the southern part located Shubel Gurley, George A. Flower, Parley and Delos Dus- tin, Joseph Merrill, John McNeal, Anthony Thomas, Allen Lyman (who removed to West Stockholm), Carlton Wires, John Simonds, Jon- athan Emery, Oliver Osgood, Samuel and Levi Corey, Dr. Hosea Brooks (the first physician in that section), Benjamin Reeve and Mor- gan Marsh. Samuel Newton, who served in the War of 1812, settled in town in 1815. Ira Lewis came in 1828. Members of many of these families have been instrumental in aiding to build up the several com- munities.
The first white child born in this town was William Bisbee, son of John Bisbee, in 1803 ; the second was Julius, son of Ebenezer Hul- burd, April 20, 1803. The first marriage was that of Alba Woodward, and Almira, daughter of Dr. Luman Pettibone, July 20, 1808. Eb- enezer Hulburd taught the first school in the winter of 1807. Dr. Pet- tibone was the first physician, but practiced very little. Dr. Lemuel Winslow, who came in 1811, was the first to devote himself to his practice. Previous to 1811 the settlers went to mill, chiefly in Hopkin-
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ton (where a mill was built in 1804), to Canada, or to what is now Madrid, but in the first year named Amos Bicknell built a grist mill at what became known as " Bickneyville," now West Stockholm, where a mill has ever since been operated. Samuel Reynolds, who owned a large tract of land not far from the east village, built a saw mill in 1804, the first one in the town.
The number of settlers had largely increased by the opening of the War of 1812, but that event caused a great deal of consternation in anticipation of Indian excursions, and a number of families fled, while others adopted measures for self-protection. Stockades were build around the dwelling of Dr. Pettibone and partly around that of Warren Webster, a little east of the center of the town Here the inhabitants
assembled on occasions of alarm, but the defences were fortunately not needed. After the close of the war a portion of those who left the coun- try never returned, and others came back to witness the waste and destruction which their own folly and neglect had brought upon them. Settlements again became active, and the clearing of farms and the progress of agriculture has been unchecked to the present time. The dairying industry has been greatly developed in recent years, and now butter-making is the principal occupation of the farmers, through the agency of a large number of factories.
The history of St. Lawrence county in its relation to the great War of the Rebellion has been given in an earlier chapter. As far as this town is concerned in meeting the calls of the government for men and material means, the same energetic and liberal efforts were made that characterized every town in the county. Bounties continued to be ad- vanced from $50 until near the close of the war they reached a total of nearly $1,000 for each volunteer. The vacant places in many homes afterwards testified to the loyalty and heroism of the people of the town.
The town records for a number of years at first show that the place was overrun by ravenous beasts. At various times bounties were offered from five dollars to twenty dollars on panthers and wolves. The bounty tax for several years was much larger than the poor tax on the town. Deer were also very plentiful, and venison was the principal meat used by the settlers for a number of years.
521
THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation, with years of their services : :
Ebenezer Hulburd, 1806; Simeon Nash, 1807 ; Zephaniah French, 1808-9; Stephen A. Tambling, 1810-11; Warren Webster, 1812-13; Nathaniel F. Winslow, 1814-22; Chauncey Pettibone, at a special meeting in 1823; Chauncey Pettibone, 1823-29 ; Shiveric Holmes, 1830-32 ; Joseph Sanford, 1833; Benjamin Holmes, 1834; William T. Osborne, 1835-36; Joseph H. Sanford, 1837-38; Dorus . Pettibone, 1839 ; Thomas Dunton, 1840 ; J. H. Sanford, 1841-42 ; Ziba L. Smith, 1843-45; Sidney Kelsey, 1846 ; B. Holmes, 1847 ; Allen Lyman, 1848-49 ; Daniel P. Rose, 1850-51; Hiram Hulburd, 1852-55; Harvey Merrill, 1856; Daniel Shaw, 1857-59; Hiram Hulburd, 1860-63 ; Ira Hale, 1864-65 ; Hiram Hulburd, 1867 ; Philo Abbott, 1868; George N. Culver, 1869 ; Jason W. Stearns, 1870 (died in office, and E. S. Crapser was appointed to com- plete term); E. S. Crapser. 1870-79; B. N. Burnap, 1880-1; James W. Culver, 1882-85 ; S H. Stearns, 1886-89; John S. Thompson, 1890-91 ; John W. Morrison, 1892-94.
West Stockholm .- This pretty village is situated in the southwest part of the town, on the west branch of the St. Regis, and has been locally known as " Bickneyville," from Amos Bicknell, the pioneer, whose settlement and building of the mills has been mentioned. Other settlers on or near the village site were Luman Newell, Roswell and Stiles Nelson, Thomas and Benjamin Knowlton, Benjamin Bisbee, Martin Doud, John Thatcher, Abner Dodge, Eli Parkwell, Samuel Culver and others.
About 1815 a road was opened by Mr. Pierrepont, proprietor, from Parishville to Norfolk, which became a very important thoroughfare for transporting potash and produce through to the navigable waters of the Raquette River. It became known as the " Market Road," and event- ually passed near Bicknell's mills, though originally laid out a mile east of the settlement.
The mills established by Mr. Bicknell have been rebuilt, and are now operated by George W. Gibson. In 1815 a carding mill was established by Mr. Bicknell. which, after numerous changes, was converted into a woolen factory, and is now operated by Robert Stafford. A foundry and machine shop was started in 1846 by Carlton Smith, which he con- ducted many years ; it is now in the hands of Eugene Smith. A butter tub factory is carried on by Levi Wellington, and a shingle mill by George W. Gibson, and the latter also runs a starch factory. The mer- chants of the place are H. D. Pinney, George W. Gibson and Carl Wellington. Mrs. Myra Trussell is postmistress.
66
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Winthrop .- This is the name of the village formerly called "Stock- holm," or "Stockholm Depot," situated on the O. & L. C. Railroad, near the confluence of the east and west branches of the St. Regis. The first settler here was Isaac Kelsey. The post-office was not established until 1852, when Philo Abbott was appointed postmaster. The first store was opened in 1850 by Culver Stearns. Daniel Shaw soon after- ward began business and continued many years ; he was one of the most prominent citizens. Ebenezer S. Crapser, now residing on Ogden's Island (see history of Waddington), formerly was a prominent business man here, and manufactured lumber, shingles, starch, etc., and carried on the mills at Brasher Falls. The mercantile business of the place is now represented by E. M. Shaw (who is also postmaster), E. F. Russell, J. W. Morrison, J. W. White, G. H. Russell, A. D. Miller. There are also the usual village shops. The hotel is kept by C. C. Corey. Be- sides the two villages just described, there are no less than six other hamlets and post-offices in the town of Stockholm. They are as fol- lows :
Southville (or South Stockholm), situated on the southern line of the town. The first settlers in this locality were Shubel Gurley, Daniel Harrington, Dr. Hosea Brooks, John L. Mayhew and others. The first post-office was established in 1825, with Dr. Brooks, postmaster ; he also kept a store. There has never been much business here. One of the numerous butter factories is in operation here, and Mrs. Henry M. Jarvis is postmistress.
Skinnerville .- This hamlet is situated on the St. Regis River, one mile and a half west of Winthrop. A grist mill and a shingle mill have been operated here many years and are now in possession of M. D. Smith. A saw mill is operated by E. M. Shaw. A tannery and a starch factory, formerly operated here, are now closed.
Stockholm (or East Stockholm) .- On the site of this hamlet the first settlement in the town was made by Dr. Luman Pettibone and Ebenezer Hulburd. A store was conducted here many years, and a saw mill, with several shops. There is no business here now, and Mrs. L C. Burnap is postmistress.
Buckton (Buck's Corners). - This hamlet received its name from Asahel Buck, who settled here about 1825. The saw mill built here in
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THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM.
early years and a small grist mill are conducted by H. P. Riggs. A starch factory formerly carried on has been abandoned. A butter factory is now in operation, and H. H. Burroughs has a store and is postmaster.
Knapp's Station (North Stockholm P. O.) .- Moses Knapp settled here in 1828, and when the O. & L. C. Railroad was built the place took its name. The post-office was established at that time, and E. L. Brush is now postmaster. Mr. Knapp built a steam saw mill in 1863, but the business has been abandoned.
Brookdale (Scotland) .- This locality was settled by John Grandy. A saw mill formerly in operation here has been abandoned. Joseph W. Brothers is postmaster and has a store.
Stockholm Center .- A little hamlet has existed here for many years, and a post office is now in charge of Mrs. Ann C. Ainger.
A small settlement on the St. Regis, below West Stockholm, with former saw mills and shops, is known as Sanfordville; but the busi- ness interests of the place have been abandoned, excepting a shingle mill.
Churches .-- The first religious meetings were held in this town by the settlers assembling in private houses in 1803. Elder Webster, a Baptist, from Orwell, Vt., soon after preached a short time to them. In 1806 Rev. Amos Pettingill held services a few weeks, and in the next year Rev. E. Hibbard spent a few Sundays with the people, re- sulting in the formation of a Congregational church at East Stockholm, with seven members, consisting of Dr. Luman Pettibone and wife, and Almira, their daughter, Stephen A. Tamblin and wife, Miss Eleanor Nash, and Mrs. Rosalinda Murray, at the house of Ebenezer Hulburd, March 10, 1807. Meetings at first were held in barns in the summer and private houses in the winter season. They were supplied until 1813, when Rev. Hiram S. Johnson was employed to preach half of the time until 1819, when the Rev. Moses Parmalee succeeded him and served them until 1824, holding services most of the time in school houses. In 1829 a church was erected, and it became known as the White Church. On June 6, 1837, the society was incorporated, with Sidney Kelsey, Ashbel Skinner and Calvin T. Hulburd, trustees. This building was used until a few years ago, when it was taken down and
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
rebuilt at Winthrop, where it is now in a prosperous condition, with a membership of between 200 and 300. Rev. F. Hassold is the pastor.
A second Congregational church was formed at West Stockholm about 1823, with five members, Rev. Roswell Pettibone being their first pastor. A church edifice was erected in 1831, at a cost of $1,800, principally through the influence and means of J. H. Sanford. The society retained its organization about thirty - six years.
The Methodist Episcopal church of West Stockholm was formed in 1828, succeeding a class which was in existence before that time. The " Parishville circuit " was formed September 21, 1828, and in August, 1833, the name was changed to " Hopkinton circuit," with Rev. J. W. Barney as pastor. The society was incorporated November 19, 1840, with Loren Ashley, Ziba Smith, Ruel Lincoln, Roswell B. Webb, Horace Doud, Martin Strait, Henry B. Sumner, Norman Ashley and Joseph Page, trustees. The present pastor is Rev. C. F. Allen, who also preaches at Buckton, where the church was organized January 10, 1872, by Rev. A. F. Bigelow, and placed in the Fort Jackson charge. A brick church was built the same year, at a cost of $3,500. The membership is about 100.
The First Episcopal Methodist church at North Stockholm (Knapp's Station) was organized in February, 1865, with about fifty members. A church was built in 1867, at a cost of $2,800. Rev. J. W. Simpson was called to preach for them, coming from Norwood, where he also serves a church.
An Episcopal Methodist church was formed at Brookdale in the spring of 1867, and a house erected during the summer following, which was used a few years only. There has been no pastor or meetings held in several years, and the organization is substantially extinct.
Wesleyan Methodist .- The first Wesleyan Methodist church of East Stockholm was organized in the summer of 1843 with eight members. The society was incorporated October 11, 1852, and in the following year a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,350.
A Wesleyan Methodist church was also organized at North Stock- holm in the fall of 1843, and a church erected in 1867 at a cost of $1,500.
A Wesleyan Methodist church was formed at Buckton some years ago, but it has no pastor at the present time.
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THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM.
A Wesleyan Methodist church at Brookdale was organized in 1844- 45, and a church erected about that time. A parsonage was built in 1858-59. and the property is worth about $2,800. Rev A. E. Moses is the present pastor, and the membership is about fifty-five.
A Wesleyan Methodist Society in East Stockholm was incorporated October 11, 1852, with Ira Beach, Stillman Austin, Elias Jenkins, Hugh Allen and James Kelsey, trustees. A church was erected not long after, and services have been kept up with tolerable regularity. At the present time there is no pastor over the society.
The First Baptist church of Stockholm, at "Stockholm Center," was organized prior to 1812, and was incorporated May 25, 1822, with P. Stearns, Warren Webster, and Luther Fuller, trustees. The church has subsequently died out.
A Free-Will Baptist Church was organized in June, 1839, by Elder Samuel Hart, at Stockholm. The society was not very numerous, which soon became scattered, and finally became absorbed by other churches.
A Universalist Church was incorporated at Winthrop on March 26, 1888, over which Rev. L. W. Coons is the pastor. The society built a church in the spring and summer of 1888, at a cost of $2,850, includ- ing furniture. The membership is twenty-nine. The officers of the society were Delos D. Kelsey, moderator; H. W. Stearns, clerk ; Spencer H. Stearns, treasurer; Philo A. Davis, Jesse P. Sawin, and Isaac W. Thomas, trustees.
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE TOWN OF RUSSELL-ORGANIZED IN 1807.
R USSELL, the tenth town erected by an Act of the Legislature passed March 27, 1807. It comprised the whole of the great Tract No. 3, except so much of Township No. 3 as is now included in Pierrepont, formerly under the jurisdiction of Hopkinton. On April 10, 1818, the townships of Edwards and Fitz William (now Hermon and Edwards) were taken from Russell and attached to Fowler. Rossie was taken off January 27, 1813 ; a portion of Fowler April 15, 1815; Pierrepont, April 15, 1818, and a part of Fine, March 27, 1849, thus re- ducing the territory of Russell to about 58,000 acres.
The town was originally heavily timbered, and the southern part is still largely forest-covered, hilly or mountainous and rugged. The soil where susceptible of cultivation is very fertile. Grass River flows diagonally across the town, and numerous other smaller streams give the town excellent drainage. By the terms of the act forming the town, the first meeting was held at the house of Reuben Ashman, when the following town officers were elected : Russell Attwater, supervisor ; Reuben Ashman, town clerk; Ezra Moore, Joseph Hutchison, Philip Viall, assessors ; Calvin Hill, constable and collector; John Knox, Joseph Hutchinson, overseers of the poor; Samuel Eaton, John Wat- son, John Knox, commissioners of highways; John Watson, Thomas Gillmore, fence viewers; Azel Clark, Simeon Stiles, Elihu Morgan and Joel Clark, overseers of highways.
In 1798 Russell Attwater (from whom the town was named) purchased of McCormick a tract embracing 13,600 acres, all of which except the north half of No. 5 was subsequently reconveyed to McCormick, and later became the property of Joseph Pitcairn. Mr. Attwater made an exploring trip here in 1806, and in the following year came in with Timothy Blair (a surveyor who surveyed the town into farms), Nathan Knox, Heman Morgan, Elias Hayden, Loren Knox, Reuben Ashman,
527
THE TOWN OF RUSSELL.
Jesse Bunnell, Elihu Morgan and David Knox. Nathaniel Higgins was the first to bring in his family, and in the fall of 1805 Joel Clark and his family located on Plum Creek. In April, 1806, Mr. Attwater re- turned, and in that and the succeding year the following settlers came in : Joseph Hutchinson, Michael Coffin, Philip and Sampson Viall, John Potter, John Cooper, Calvin Hill, Simeon Stiles, Elihu Phelps, Samuel Clark, John Watson, Horace Dickenson, Enos Bunnell, Luther and David Phelps, and Philetus Clark. The first white child born in town was a son of Reuben Ashman, in October 1806; the second was a daughter in the family of Nathaniel Higgins, in May, 1807. Calvin Hill and Harriet Knox were the first persons married and the first death was a Mr. Curtis in 1807. Between 1810 and 1816 the town was very rapidly settled, and anticipations were indulged that it would soon become a populous and wealthy community. But these anticipations were clouded by a season of adversity. Mr. Attwater had in his busi- ness mortgaged his lands to the Mohawk Valley Bank, and being unable to meet his payments a foreclosure followed, which affected the titles of the settlers and caused the utmost disappointment. Many went away and only by the most urgent appeals were others prevailed upon to re- main. The lands passed into the hands of Gerrit Smith, whose native benevolence led him to give all possible accommodation to those who needed it, and the settlements finally recovered and continued to ad- vance.
This town attracted some attention in the War of 1812, on account of the location here of an arsenal an the opening of the roads toward Lake George and Albany, which, concentrating in town, were supposed to promise prospects of future greatness, together with the St. Lawrence turnpike, then in course of completion, and by its enormous business during the first few years, gave encouragement that this prosperity would last. On account of the blockade of Sackett's Harbor by the British, troops and munitions of war to a certain extent were sent from Plattsburg through the woods to the former place, who passed by the way of Russell and Edwards ; but at the close of the war trade was diverted, and the roads soon fell into disuse, which greatly checked the growth of the place. Dr. Hough gives the following account of the arsenal :
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HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
An act was passed February 24, 1809, which directed the governor to cause to be deposited, if he should deem necessary, an amount not exceeding 500 stand of arms, in such place in St. Lawrence county as he should select, with such quantities of am- munition and military stores as in his opinion would be necessary in case of invasion. The village of Russell, from its being interior and on the St. Lawrence turnpike, was selected, and a building erected. It stands on a commanding elevation, a little north of the village, on a lot given to the State by Mr. Attwater for the purpose of an arsenal, and is a massive stone building, three stories high, 30 by 50 feet on the ground, and originally surrounded by a high stone wall, bristling with iron spikes. The lower story was designed for artillery, the second for small arms, and the third for ammunition. During the war a guard was posted around the premises for its protection, but since that period no further supervision has been maintained than the care of a keeper, who was a citizen residing in the vicinity. In the summer of 1850 the arsenal building was sold at auction, in pursuance of a general law, for the sum of $525. The arms, amounting to four hundred stand, and some twenty thousand cartridges were sold in small lots at the same time.
After the Russell arsenal was disposed of an appropriation was made by the State for a new one to be built at Ogdensburg, which was car- ried out within a few years after. It was built of blue limestone on the bank of the Oswegatchie River, a few rods above the east end of the dam. It was soon after abandoned, and the property, costing about $10,000, was sold to the city of Ogdensburg about 1875, for $1,000 which has since been used as a storehouse for the water works.
We learn from an old resident of the town the following: The walls of the building are thirty-five to forty feet high, thirty inches thick, and are still in a good state of preservation. The property was bid in by Benjamin Smith, of Russell, at the time and at the price before stated, who sold the same to the town about ten years later for school purposes, he having experimented in the mean time in establishing a high school, but without success. In addition to the stone wall surrounding the building, as mentioned. there was erected a guard house or a small barrack with the necessary conveniences to accommodate a company of soldiers. It was situated a short distance from the arsenal, and several booths were placed around the arsenal enclosure, with lights on either side, for the use of the guards while on duty. During the War of 1812 Corporal Horace Dickinson, with a small company of soldiers, was stationed there. At the close of the war the arsenal was placed in charge of a citizen of the place.
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