USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > Outline history of Utica and vicinity > Part 2
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Forests skirted the village on the south side, above South street and east of Third street. Clearings were more frequent in the direction of Whitesboro, but the forest reached to La Fayette street.
Between 1817 and 1825 the Erie canal was construct- ed. (See VIII.)
13
THE VILLAGE OF UTICA-1798-1832.
In 1824 the first State Nominating Convention ever held in New York met in Utica. It was held by the Hendrick's "People's Party," which advocated the nomination of Brief Hist. of party candidates by such convention of delegates, not by pp. 143-144.
Empire State members of the Legislature, and the choosing of Presi- dential Electors by vote of the people as is now done, not by the Legislature.
The Convention nominated DeWitt Clinton for Gov- Columbian ernor. He was elected by the people, who thus endorsed Gazette, Utica, his policy in favor of the canal. Sept. 14, 1824.
June 10, 1825, Gen. La Fayette visited Utica, entering the village by the street that now bears his name, and re- Pioneers, pp. ceiving an enthusiastic welcome from the citizens. 627-630.
It is interesting to notice the early efforts of the citizens in behalf of the needy and oppressed. In 1824, and again Ibid., p. 557. in 1827, they sent aid to the Greeks suffering from Turkish Columbian M. H., p. 177. tyranny, and in 1831 to the Poles, then in their last strug- Gazette Jan. 26, 30, Feb. 28, gle with Russia. La Fayette, in a letter dated Nov. 29, 1827. 1831, acknowledged the receipt of nearly $1,000. which he Elucidator,
M. H., p. 197. had promised to transmit for Uticans to the Polish suf- Sept. 27, 1831. ferers.
As early as 1816 ordinances had been passed to number the buildings on Genesee street, and affix the names of the streets to the corners. In 1829 other ordinances gave the business portion of the village clean streets each week, M. H., p. 190. while other streets were cleaned once a month.
M. H., p. 128.
The directory of this year tells us: "The first bridges across the canal in this town were erected in 1820; the first street paved in 1822, viz .- Genesee from the corner of Whitesboro street to the Erie canal.
"Public lamps were first lighted December 29, 1827,
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
viz .- 55 extending from the foot of Genesee street to the intersection of Court, and at the corners in other streets."
In the list of officers of the Town and Village we find Bell-ringers, Fence-viewers, Measurers of wood and coal, and Pound-masters.
We may mention here that a little later, in some of the city directories, we find Superintendents of the Brother- town Indians, also Peace-makers for the Brothertown Indians, as well as an Attorney for the Brothertown and New Stockbridge Indians, and one for the Oneidas. The Peace-makers were Indians, appointed probably by the Governor and Senate, and the office answered in most respects to that of Justice of the Peace.
The Brothertown Indians were remnants of tribes from New Jersey, New England and Long Island, who were invited by the Oneidas to occupy part of their territory. Ibid., p. 890. Ibid., p. 891. Dwight's They began to come before the Revolution, and in 1786 Rev. Samson Occum, an educated Mohegan, brought to Travels, Vol. the vicinity 192 members of various tribes, including Mon- III, p. 130. tauks, Mohegans, and Narragansetts. Their settlements lay in the present limits of Oneida County, partly in the town of Kirkland, but chiefly in Marshall.
The Stockbridge Indians were also invited by the Oneidas to come from Massachusetts, and arrived at about the same Jones'sAnnals time, settling in Oneida and Madison Counties, and calling Ibid., pp. 887 their new home New Stockbridge.
p. 247.
889.
About 1822 the Indians of this region began a migra- tion westward which went on for many years. The Bro- thertown and New Stockbridge Indians and the main body Jones'sAnnals of the Oneidas formed settlements at Green Bay, Wiscon- pp. 863-889, 893. Gridley's Hist. Sin, where they have prospered. A few Oneidas are all Town of Kirk that now remain in our neighborhood.
land.
Directories, 1832, 1833, 1834. Jones's Annals pp. 265-267.
15
THE VILLAGE OF UTICA-1798-1832.
Slavery existed in Utica in early times, and slave sales were once common, the last announcement of such sales 68, 120, 633-635. Pionecrs, pp being probably in 1817. In 1820, when there were 10, 000 Roberts' Com.
monwealth of slaves in the State, there were only nine in Oneida County. N. Y., Vol. II. Slavery ceased in the State July 4, 1827. P. 565.
In 1798 President Dwight, of Yale College, had traveled Dwight's through this part of the State, and says in his Travels : Travs. in N. E. and N. Y., Vol. III, p. 130. " Utica was a pretty village, containing fifty houses."
In 1831 the population was about 10, 000, and in Novem- Pioneers, p. 85. ber of that year a meeting of citizens was called to consider Directory, the subject of asking the legislature for city privileges. 1832. M. H., p. 197.
III.
THE CITY OF UTICA
FROM ITS INCORPORATION TO THE CIVIL WAR.
1832-1861.
M. H., P. 199
U I ¡TICA was incorporated as a city by Act of Legislature passed February 13, 1832, in accordance with the petition of the people.
The city extended north of the canal, from Third street to the grounds now occupied by the State Hospital. South of the canal the streets were laid out very much as at present, as far as Rebecca (now South) street, on the east of Genesee street, and as far as Plant on the west.
In the summer of 1832, the cholera epidemic, which Utica Sentinel was then raging all over the country, broke out in Utica. A and Gazette, general panic prevailed, so that business was almost sus- Aug. 14, S.pt. 11, 25, 1832. M. H., p. 498. pended ; the churches and schools were closed, and it is estimated that fully one-third of the population fled from the city. The Mayor, however, General Joseph Kirkland (the first Mayor of the new city), remained at his post, taking all possible measures to check the spread of the pestilence, and to mitigate its horrors, establishing hospi- tals for the sick and ministering to the dying.
THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
Ibid. pp. 224-6.
Much interest and excitement was aroused in Utica by the Anti-slavery movement. During the years 1834-5 pub- lic meetings were held at which resolutions were passed denouncing the agitation of the subject, and on the 2Ist of October, 1835, a mob gathered around the Bleecker Street (Second Presbyterian) Church, where an Anti-
17
THE CITY OF UTICA-IS32-61.
Slavery Convention was organizing, and by threats and T. W. Seward violence, forced the Convention to adjourn without trans- in Trans. O. H. acting any business. Gerrit Smith, then a young man, 151-4. S., 1887-9, pp. was present as a spectator, and his indignation was so great Frothing- ham's Life of at the intolerance shown, that he invited the delegates to Gerrit Smith, hold their convention at his home in Peterboro, which they bp 154 5. did.
A year later (winter of 1836-7) great excitement was caused by the arrest of a fugitive slave, and his trial in Utica, during which a mob-this time on the side of the `oppressed-broke into the court room, during the recess of the Court and carried off the prisoner. He was, it is said, M. H., p. 229. sent into Canada by the "underground railroad;" that is, by a secret understanding between those whose sympathies were with the slave, he was sent on by night from one post to another until he reached the border.
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
Utica early had a bonded debt, and in October, 1834, it M. H., p. 223. was obliged to borrow money to meet its current expenses.
Ibid., pp. 230-1.
In 1837, there was widespread depression in business and financial distress of which Utica had her full share.
A very destructive fire added to the calamities of that year. Starting from Broad Street, it consumed almost all the buildings between Genesee and John Streets, as far as Bagg's Square; also many buildings on the west side of Genesee Street.
TRIAL OF MC LEOD.
In 1841 occurred the trial of Alexander McLeod, a sol- dier in a Canadian regiment, for the murder of an American citizen. The case was important, for the trial of a British subject by an American court might bring about trouble with England. These were the facts :
In 1837 a rebellion took place in Canada, the conflict
2
18
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
W. H. Sew- ard's Wks., Ed. 1887, Vol. II. PP. 547-88. Daniel Web- ster's Wks., Ed. 1887, Vol. Roberts' New York, Vol. II., PP. 590-1. Curtis' Life of Daniel Web-
being called the Patriot War. A party of insurgents and American sympathizers seized Navy Island on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, and kept up communication with the American shore by the steamboat Caroline. On the VI., pp. 247-69. night of December 29, 1837, this boat was destroyed by a British force from Canada, and an American was killed.
In February, 1841, McLeod was arrested in Buffalo and indicted for the murder of an American on this occasion. ster (1870), Vol. The case was finally tried in Utica, October, 1841, before II., pp. 53, 58. M. H., pp. 542 4. Judge Philo Gridley, with Joshua A. Spencer counsel for McLeod.
Wendell's Repts , Vol. 25.
An alibi was proved, and the prisoner acquitted, and international complications which might have proved seri- ous were thus avoided.
WASHINGTONIAN MOVEMENT.
M. H., p. 244.
In 1841-43 there was a great interest in the cause of temperance, awakened by the "Washingtonian Movement," so called because it was supposed to be in line with the opinions of Martha Washington, whom it adopted as its patron saint. Its motto was "moral suasion," and a great change in social customs was effected.
POLITICAL CONVENTIONS.
In 1848 several State Conventions were held in Utica, three of which were important. The Democracy of the State had split into two parties on the subject of slavery extension, one party siding with the South and the other, the "Free Soilers," opposing the extension of slavery into the territories. These took as their motto, "Free trade, free labor, free soil, free speech, and free men."
The National Democratic Convention met at Baltimore Utica Daily Gazette, May in May and nominated Lewis Cass for President. Two 26, 27, 29, 30, sets of delegates appeared from New York and both were 1848.
admitted, which pleased neither.
19
THE CITY OF UTICA-1832-61.
The first of the three conventions mentioned above was Ibid., June 21, that of the Free Soilers, which, on June 22, met in Utica 23, 24, Aug. 11, in the Methodist church on Bleecker Street, and nominated 12, 14, 1848. Martin Van Buren for President.
One of the resolutions adopted set forth "the duty to Albany Atlas, preserve the extensive territories of New Mexico and Cali- July, 1848.
fornia for a home for the free laborers of the world."
The outgrowth of this was a larger Free Soil Convention, having delegates from various States, which met in Buffalo in August and made the same nomination.
September 13, the other two conventions mentioned Utica Daily met in Utica at the same hour : a second one held by the Gazette, Sept. Free Soilers to nominate Presidential Electors and State 12 15, 1848. officers; and that of the Liberty Party in Mechanics' Hall.
The Liberty Party was formed to oppose slavery, and, at this meeting, after adopting the resolutions and candi- Shepard's dates of the Buffalo Convention, the meeting adjourned, Martin Van and the delegates marched to the Court House, where the 1897, PP. 354-69. Buren, Ed. Free Soilers were assembled, and were received as honorary members by that Convention.
Wilson's Rise
Thus we see that in Utica were taken some of the steps and Fall of the by which the opponents of slavery were drawing together, in America, Slave Power and which ultimately led to the formation of the Republi- 8th Ed., Vol. can party.
II., pp. 125-60, 167. Con. Hist. of
This movement in New York State resulted in the defeat Von Holdt's of General Cass, and the election of General Zachary Tay- U.S., Vol. III., lor, the Whig candidate, as President. PP. 359-400.
MEXICAN WAR, ETC.
The Mexican War (1845-1848) affected the city but slightly, although some Uticans were in the field. (See XI.)
The Irish famine occurred during this period, and large contributions were made for the sufferers.
A series of fires, destroying much property, occurred in
20
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
1851. They were believed to be the work of incendiaries, and the volunteer fire department was implicated. Several Gazette, Nov., young men were obliged to flee the city to escape arrest, Utica Daily and one was brought to trial, convicted of arson in the first degree (then a capital offence), and executed. In consequence of this, the fire department was entirely re- organized.
22, 1851.
M. H., p. 207.
Ibid., p. 267. Daily Gazette, July 15, 1851.
In this year, (1851), the great singer, Jenny Lind, visited Utica and gave a concert in the Bleecker Street Baptist Church.
The following year, Louis Kossuth, the illustrious Hun- garian patriot, was received by a committee of citizens Ibid., June 2, 1852. (June 1, 1852), and a public meeting was held in the Mu- M. H., pp. 271-2 seum, which stood on Genesee Street between Elizabeth and Bleecker.
There yet remain in Utica a few of the notes, "good for one dollar each, if presented one year after the attain- ment of Independence by Hungary", mementos of the patriot fund raised during this American visit.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
The year 1855 was a stormy one, financially considered. The city was deeply in debt, and there was no money in the treasury to expend on improvements.
The citizens demanded greater economy, while the Com- mon Council proposed to apply to the Legislature to amend the charter to enable them to increase the taxes.
The amendments were secured, but little was done in the direction of economy, and in 1857 a crisis was reached. The new Common Council found means to bring about a repeal of a section of the amendments which made a re- duction in expenditures. This was done so hastily as to be practically secret.
When the citizens learned this, there was great indigna-
21
THE CITY OF UTICA-1832-61.
tion. Public meetings were held, and resolutions passed, demanding the restoration of the section. This was done 287-8. by the Legislature of 1858.
M. H., pp. 284,
The continued difficulty in securing efficient and econom- ical administration led to an amendment in the charter in 1861, making the Aldermen personally liable for all ex- 300. Ibid, pp. 299- penditures exceeding the amount prescribed by law.
This provision has never been repealed.
ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION.
Once more an attempt was made to hold an Anti-Slavery Convention in the city, twenty-five years after the disgrace- " Free Discus- ful tumult which made Gerrit Smith an Abolitionist. It sion in Utica was advertised to be held in Mechanics' Hall, January 14 [pamphlet]. in Jan. 1861," and 15, but after the hall had been engaged, the Direc- tors of the Mechanics' Association refused to allow it to be used for this purpose.
The Common Council also passed a resolution disapprov- ing the meeting.
Daily Papers
A crowd gathered before the hall on the afternoon of the 14th, and lawless acts were feared.
It was impossible to hold the meeting in a public place, but the delegates and their friends met in a private house and transacted business.
As the city was nearing the end of its third decade, its condition was one of great apparent prosperity. It was growing rapidly, having more than doubled its population since it became a city ; manufacturing interests were large, and all looked promising for the future. Immersed in business cares or other interests, men seemed to have no thought of the clouds that were gathering, or looked upon them as temporary shadows that soon would pass away.
IV.
UTICA DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
1861-1865.
O N account of the troubled state of the country, a meet- ing was held in the City Hall, February 1, 1861.
M. H., p. 3co. U. Herald, Feb. 2, 1861.
In general, compromise measures were advocated, for men still thought that by such means the Union could be saved.
M. H., p. 300. Daily Papers.
President Lincoln passed through the City on his way to Washington, February 18, and spoke very briefly from the rear platform of the train.
FIRST AND SECOND ONEIDA COUNTY REGIMENTS.
Fort Sumter fell April 14.
U. Herald, Apr. 16, 1861.
April 15, President Lincoln called for 75,000 men for three months, and on that day the Utica Citizens' Corps "resolved that the Corps will be ready to march at forty- eight hours' notice, fully armed and equipped."
U. Herald, Apr. 16, 1861.
On the same day measures were taken in the City to organize a "Volunteer Battalion for Central New York."
U. Herald, Apr. 21, 1861.
April 20, a public meeting was held to give support to the government, and provide means for the destitute fam- ilies of volunteers. Over $8,000 was subscribed. There was "unbounded enthusiasm and devotion," and a Com- mittee on Subscriptions was formed which continued the work with energy.
Semi-Centen- nial U. C. C., p. 15. U. Herald, Apr. 25, 1861.
The Corps left Wednesday, April 24, and was the first company to report for duty at Albany.
It was quickly followed by other companies from the city and neighboring country, and at Albany, these were
23
UTICA DURING THE CIVIL WAR-1861-65.
united to form the Fourteenth New York Volunteer Regi- ment. It was at first called the Corps Regiment. The Utica Citizens' Corps became Company A., and its captain, James McQuade, was made Colonel of the Regiment.
Five of its ten companies came from Utica.
June 17, it started southward, and was the first regiment Address of A. to pass through Baltimore after the attack on the Massa- Daily Papers, F. B. Chase, in May 17, 1898.
chusetts Sixth, on April 19.
The companies of the Volunteer Battalion left Utica in U. Herald, the first days of May. They met at Elmira and formed the May 3, 8, 1861. Twenty-Sixth Regiment, New York Volunteers.
It was recruited and commanded by Col. William H. Christian.
A ladies' meeting to aid the volunteers was held in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, Friday, May 3, U. Herald, and a committee of ladies representing fifteen churches May 4, 1861. was formed.
This organization worked steadily throughout the war, U. Herald, meeting regularly in the Common Council Chamber in the Dec. 2-8, 1862. June 30, July 2, City Hall, and on several occasions entertainments were Dec. 15-17, 1864, given to raise funds. etc.
Throughout May and June, flags were raised on the school buildings, with speeches and music.
June 25, a great celebration of all the schools was held U. Herald, in Chancellor Square. About 3,000 pupils were present, June 26, 1861. and every school was represented.
Recruiting went on constantly in the summer and fall of 1861.
In October there were twenty-three recruiting officers in U. Herald, Utica, and Oneida County volunteers in fifteen different Oct. 21, 1861. organizations.
THIRD ONEIDA COUNTY REGIMENT.
The organization of the third Oneida County Regiment
24
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
was begun in September, 1861. 3 It was mustered into service at Boonville as the Ninety-Seventh New York Vol- unteer Regiment, February 15, 1862, and passed through Utica on its way to the front, March 12.
It was called the Conkling Rifles, and was commanded Address A. B. by Col. Charles Wheelock, of Boonville. It was made up almost wholly of men from towns bordering on the Adiron- dack Wilderness.
FOURTH ONEIDA COUNTY REGIMENT.
Snow, in Daily Papers, Feb. 19, 1898.
In July, 1862, in response to the third general call for troops, a committee of gentlemen was appointed to aid enlistments, and a patriotic meeting was held in the City Hall.
For the week beginning August 25, business places were closed at 4 P. M., each day, that every man might work to secure enlistments ; and meetings were held almost every night.
M. H., pp. 311, 312.
Liberal bounties were offered by the State and County, and advance pay by the national government.
Address R. Daggett, in Daily Papers, Mar. 23, 1898.
Under these circumstances, the Fourth Oneida was raised and mustered in at Rome, August 20, 1862, as the One Hundred and Seventeenth New York Volunteer Regiment, Col. William R. Pease, commanding. It numbered 1, 100 men, and so numerous were the enlistments that it was necessary to refuse to receive more.
Ibid.
Each company had the maximum number, and every town in the county was represented. There were Utica men in five of the companies, and they composed the whole of one of these, Co. H. They passed through the city August 22.
FIFTH ONEIDA COUNTY REGIMENT.
A surplus of nearly two hundred volunteers remained,
25
THE CITY OF UTICA-1861-65.
when the Fourth Oneida was formed, and the organization of a new regiment was at once begun. Address T. M. Col. Kenner Garrard of the regular army was given com- Flandrau, in Daily Papers. mand, and October II, it was mustered in at Rome, as the Apr. 13, 1898. One Hundred and Forty-Sixth New York Regiment.
RETURNING REGIMENTS.
Although the President's first call was for three months'
Governor's men, and the quota of the State was less than 13,000, the Proc., U. Legislature, on April 16, 1861, authorized a call for 30, 000 Herald, Apr. for two years, to be turned over to the service of the 18, 1861. United States when required.
The first two Oneida regiments, therefore, enlisted for two years, and May 20, 1863, returned to Utica, where they were welcomed with a reception. School children, U. Herald, May 21, 1863. ranged on arches of triumph, sang patriotic songs. Ad- dresses were made, and a banquet was served to the men in Daily in Chancellor Square.
These regiments belonged to the Army of the Potomac and were in many battles; among them, Antietam, Fred- Papers, Dec. ericksburg, and Chancellorsville. The list of engagements E. F. Wetmore 15, 1897. in which these and the other Oneida County regiments took part may be read upon their battle flags.
In August, 1863, eight New England regiments passed through Utica on their way home from Louisiana and (Pamphlet). Mississippi, and were hospitably entertained at the depot. Aug. 17, 18, 20, U Herald,
A draft was ordered in this year, and carried out in Utica, 321. Daily Papers.
August 25-29.
LIFE AT HOME.
Besides the supplies sent through the Ladies' Aid Society U. Herald,
Sept. 19, Oct. to the Sanitary Commission, liberal contributions were 10, 1863 May 3, given in the city to the Christian Commission. There was 1864.
17, Nov. 15, also a Utica Freedman's Relief Association. Money was
A. B. F. Chace.
Papers, May 17, 1898. Lewis A. Jones, in Daily
in Daily Papers, Dec. 15, 18.7. Presentation of Battle Flags
22, 23, 1863. M. H., pp. 320,
26
OUTLINE HISTORY OF UTICA AND VICINITY.
U. Herald, Dec. 1, 15, 16, 1862.
Apr. 18, 1863. U. Herald, May 18, 1864, etc., Dec. 1861, etc. U. Herald, Mar. 10, 1863. M. H., p. 319
also sent to the suffering laborers in England and in Ire- land.
Nor were the thoughts of the citizens wholly taken up with such serious matters. They listened to lectures, humorous and instructive, and enjoyed photographs of streets and buildings, then first exhibited. In 1863 the stereopticon was first shown. The same year the first street railroad was put in operation.
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
Here as elsewhere, the preparations for celebrating the victorious close of the war were interrupted by the news of the murder of President Lincoln. The funeral train passed through the city April 26, 1865. Already, on the 19th, memorial services had been held here.
U. Herald, Apr. 20, 27,
·
1865.
M. H., p. 324.
Hist. 117th Reg't. pp. 223- 229. Address R.
June 18, the 117th Regiment passed through the city on its return, and was formally received at the depot, where tables were spread for the refreshment of the men. June Daily Papers. 28, they were mustered out at Syracuse.
March 23, 1898.
The regiment saw service in Charleston Harbor and in Virginia in 1863 and 1864. It took part in the two expe- ditions against Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, N. C., in the second of which the Fort was captured, (January 15, 1865, ) and was the first regiment to plant its colors on the parapet.
Ibid.
July 22, the 146th was welcomed home, and August I, the 97th came from Syracuse for a similar reception. Hist.97th Reg. The same honors were paid these regiments as had been Daily Papers. given to the 14th and 26th two years before. Tables were spread in Chancellor Square, and addresses of welcome made.
M. H., p. 325.
When the 97th-the last one to return-arrived, the old regiments acted as its escort.
The 146th was in twenty-two battles, and was three
Daggett, in
27
THE CITY OF UTICA-1861-65.
times complimented for distinguished gallantry. These regiments were in the great battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and The Wilderness, and were present at the surrender at Appomattox. The 97th was also at the second Bull Run and Antietam, and took part in Address, T. M. the great review of the Army of the Potomac at Washing- Daily Papers, Flandrau in ton, at the close of the war. The men of the 97th had Apr. 13, 1898.
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