USA > New York > Onondaga County > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 43
USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 43
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year is an error, as is the statement that a school was kept there in 1792. Jona- than Emmons eame there in 1804 with his wife Mary, settling on Lot 10 and purchasing six hundred aeres. He needed it. for he had eighteen children. In 1813 he obtained the exclusive right of maintaining a ferry there, holding this for many years. At his coming the town had no roads and no physician nearer than Onondaga Valley. All the early settlers were on Oneida lake and river, and suffered from sickness. They had to go far for flour, and there was little water power for saw mills, but the development of the salt works after a time furnished an ample market for barrels, and this became a lead- ing industry. A state road was opened in 1812 from Salina to Brewerton, known as the Salt Road, and this and the succeeding plank road helped the town much.
Most of the travel was by the river for a long time. The Inland Lock & Navigation Company was chartered in 1792, and it became possible for Durham boats, sixty feet long and drawing two feet of water, to pass from Schenectady to Seneca lake or Oswego with short portages. In a single year three hundred boats passed the Rome portage. These boats varied in length and in the number of men. They had vars, setting poles and sails. as well as ropes for towing. and were deep, flat-bottomed aud pointed at both ends. In 1788 Elkanah Watson spoke of those ou the Mohawk: "I was sur- prised to observe the dexterity with which they manage their boats, and the progress they make in poling up the river, against a current of at least three miles an hour." Three years later he said of the men with him: "They occasionally rowed in still water, setting with short poles. at the rapids, with surprising dexterity. In this mode their average progress is three miles an hour." but very fatiguing.
The first town meeting of the military township of Cieero. No. 6. was held at Three River point in 1807. Thomas Pool being elected supervisor and Elijah Loomis town clerk. The town records were burned in IS51. The passage of troops to Oswego and elsewhere made things lively in the war of 1812, and the cold year brought suffering. Asa Eastwood brought the first wagon and threshing machine into the town in 1817, and became a prominent man. Dr. Daniel Orcott came to Cicero village the same year as the first physician there. Mrs. Isaac Cody opened a store there in 1818, and her hus- band became first postmaster in 1820. The mail was carried once a week on horseback. From them the place was called Cody's Corners. The second merchant was Samuel Warren in 1825, and Alexander Cook was the first lawyer in 1841.
The first church in the town was built here by the Presbyterians in 1819. It was of logs. and was replaced by a frame edifice in 1830. The first pastor was Rev. Truman Baldwin. In 1832 it became the Reformed church. This building was burned in 1881. and a new one dedicated in 1882, costing three thousand dollars.
Dr. Hezekiah Joslyn came to Cicero in 1823, and was long the principal physician of the town. and the father of the late Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage
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of Fayetteville. Beside other industries the village once had Young's saw mill and Brunt's stave mill. In 1877 Loomis, Allen & Company's canning fac- tory was established. A Baptist church was organized in 1832, which be- came a Disciple society afterward.
Brewerton was laid out as a village in 1836 by Orsamus Johnson, Miles W. Bennett, Harvey Baldwin and Daniel Wardwell. It became noted for its eel fisheries, as many as three thousand eels being taken in one night. This eeased in 1845. when the channel was deepened. Four steamboats were placed on the lake and river in 1846, by an Oswego company. Henry Guest being local agent. They were the Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego. William H. Carter continued this business for many years, but it gradually deelined, and some of the early industries have vanished.
Deacon George Ramsey, a Scotch Presbyterian, is said to have planted his faith in Brewerton in 1793-perhaps later. He was a teacher, but there was no house of worship there till 1849. when a union church was built by the Baptists. Methodists. Presbyterians and Universalists with the usual result. After 1869 it was used exclusively as an Methodist Episcopal church, a society having been organized that year under Rev. Ebenezer Arnold. The First Church of the Disciples, organized in 1835, built a church in 1851. The Stone Arabia Methodist Episcopal church was formed in January, 1845, at a schoolhouse one mile west of Cieero Center. A church was built in 1847, and rebuilt in 1869. The Taft Methodist Episcopal church was organized by Rev. Barnard Peek in 1847. and a church built in 1857. The Cicero Methodist Episcopal church was formed in 1850 by Rev. Browning Nichols and a church was at once ereeted. In the same place the only Roman Catholic church in the town was built in 1889. A former Baptist church in Cicero village was transferred to the Universalists in 1867. It was rebuilt in 1871. This society was organized in 1859 by Rev. A. A. Thayer.
Colonel John Shepard drew his military Lot 11 and settled on it near the lake, living there till his death in 1824. He became a Presbyterian minister late in life. Elijah Loomis, another Revolutionary soldier, eame to Cieero Center in 1804. and became influential. In 1846 a loek was built at Oak Orchard, nine miles below Brewerton, and another about half way be- tween. A new bridge was also built in 1847. November 9. 1871. a railroad was opened through Brewerton. from Syraense to Watertown. This is now leased by the New York Central, and is an important part of its system. The consequent ease of access has made Brewerton quite a summer resort. and the trolley line to South Bay now building. will furnish new attractions. The barge canal will restore water traffie to its natural channels, and some old dreams may yet come true.
The village of Brewerton was incorporated in 1872. with John L. Stevens president and E. N. Emmons clerk. Fort Brewerton Lodge, No: 256. F. A. M., chartered January 10. 1852, is located there. Frenchman's Island is else- where deseribed.
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Asa Eastwood came in 1817, bringing the first wagon and threshing machine into Cicero. He was much interested in the county agricultural society and held public offices. Although occasionally resident elsewhere, he died here February 25, 1870. Orsamus Johnson was once a merchant in Brewerton, and held several town offices. It is said he took the Albany Journal for over sixty years.
Dr. Joslyn married the youngest daughter of Sir George Leslie, and lived in fine style for those days, having handsome furniture, carpets and a piano. IIe befriended a Baptist clergyman, Elder Samuel Thompson, the first in Cicero, who had made a runaway match in England. The parents were un- forgiving, and the couple drifted to Cicero, where the young wife died. Dr. Joslyn provided a grave. and took the widower home for a year. He was a thorough abolitionist.
The great Cieero swamp, a remarkable place, came before the Legislature in 1836, when three commissioners were appointed to make a map and estimate the cost of drainage. In 1852 three other commissioners were charged to drain lands in Manlius, Cicero and De Witt, first making maps and assessing cost, but this aet was repealed the next year. In 1858 commissioners were appointed to drain the great Muskrat swamp. between Brewerton and South Bay. Ditches were made in both swamps and much land reclaimed.
In 1791 John Thayer started from Salina to visit Oliver Stevens at Brew- erton, following the Indian trail. He lost his way and was three days. in the woods without shelter or food. In crossing Oneida river he broke through the ice, and his feet were badly frozen before he arrived at home They mortified and he was taken to Cherry valley on a sled, where both were amputated. Nearly sixty years later he was in good health in Oswego county
Two of the Shepard girls were lost in the woods at South Bay in 1811 After three days search they were found asleep. Ground nuts and winter- greens had sustained them. Such incidents happen in most new settle- ments.
In the alarm of 1794, Oliver Stevens was charged with the erection of a bloek house near old Fort Brewerton, part of which was standing in 1849. Clark said: "A trench was dug about it, and pickets, twelve feet long. erected, of heavy logs, about four rods from the house. It had a substantial gate and way, on the side towards the river."
Mr. Stevens had adventures. In March, 1792, he went to the town meet- ing of the town of Mexico, held at Pulaski, starting early with gun and knap- sack. There was no road, but he was a woodman and felt safe. About the middle of the afternoon wolves were following him, and he found he had lost his way. He sought a elearing but found none, and the wolves came nearer. A black one was close upon him, and him he shot. The others were furions. but he faced them, and they went back a little and sat on their haunches. He built a fire. reloaded his gun. dragged the dead wolf to the fire, skinned it, and drove off the rest with firebrands. It grew dark. He gathered fuel and watched. Toward morning the wolves went off. He got a hasty meal
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TRAIN GOING EAST ON WASHINGTON STREET, SYRACUSE.
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and started homeward, carrying the skin. At night he was still astray, but built a fire and slept. Next morning he was off early and at ten o'clock caine to Oswego. Hle was on his homeward way next day, and on the fifth day reached home. He got a large wolf bounty.
The next year a half drowned man rushed in, saying a bear had attacked him and his companion in a boat. and the other might be killed. Mr. Stevens took his gun and went to the rescue, finding the man on shore, and the bear in the boat, drifting down the stream. A shot ended the tableau, and a bear feast followed.
The town has little water power, except at Bridgeport, which lies mostly in Madison county, but Moses and Freeman Hotchkiss built the first saw mill in 1823. Of late the Whiting limestone quarry has been utilized by the South Bay trolley line, which is an important enterprise for the town, soon to be completed.
In 1836 Cicero village had a Presbyterian and Baptist church, a benevo- lent lodge, two stores. two taverns, and fifteen dwellings. In 1886 it had three blacksmith shops, four stores, two hotels and three physicians. The latter may be accounted for by the proximity of the great swamp.
In 1836 Brewerton had two stores, one kept by Asa V. Emmons, and the other by Alexander Cushing ; Cyrus Hurd kept the toll gate; George Walkup was the blacksmith, and Henry F. Marks the physician. In 1886 it had two general stores, two groceries. two wagon shops. two hotels (one being in Oswego county), two dealers in agricultural implements, clothing store, shoe shop. ice dealer, feed store. drug and jewelry store, and coal yard. There were also two churches. Baldwin island. now tastefully laid ont, is close to the southern shore, and once abounded in carly Indian relies. With in- creased facilities for travel the place will have an increased summer popnla- tion, having already many summer cottages, the inmates of which take their choice of river or lake. The fishing there is good.
A new railroad is planned to eross the town from east to west, passing through the village of Cicero, but an effort has begun to have it intersect Syra- ense instead. Should the original plan be adhered to it may have quite an effeet upon the town.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
TOWN OF CLAY.
The town of Clay, called after the American statesman, was taken from Cicero in April, 1827. and included fifty lots of the military traet. It is a common error to make Patrick McGee the first settler at Three River point in 1793. Two or three white families were near there in 1791; Barker alone orenpied the point in 1792, and Vanderkemp, on his return from Oswego said : "We arrived at three river point about seven, discharged Mr. Barker, and
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pitched our tent in the vicinity of his house, crowded with travellers from sev- eral bateaux and canoes, which tarried there since yesterday." Jeremiah Gould (1847) said when they passed Three Rivers, 1790. Simeon Barker was there. In 1795 Ryal Bingham kept tavern there, and the land about it he- longed to him. McGee may have come there in 1793. but his was not the first house in the town. Ile is said to have lived and died there. and to have built the first frame house in Clay about 1808. As far as early records go Barker was the first and Bingham the second settler in Clay. It is not easy to place MeGee between them.
No other settlers are known before 1798. In that year Adam, Coon came to the northeast corner of Clay, and the next year Simeon Baker settled on Seneea river. In 1807 Joshua Kinne and Elijah Pinckney came. and John Lynn located in 1808 or earlier at the Lynn settlement. The Young, Dutcher and other families soon joined him. A log schoolhouse was built in 1808. the first in town, at Clay Corners, now Euclid. The first teacher was Mr.
Hall. Another was built the next year at Belgium. Moses Kinne had taught in his own house, and now became teacher in this. A frame building took its place in 1812. and a larger one later.
After 1810 population increased. Flour was brought from Jackson's mill near Jamesville, for a time, and often on the back all the way. Then in rotation one man took the neighborhood supply by ox sled or eart. The demand for salt barrels in Syracuse soon furnished profitable employment. and fuel could be taken most of the way by water. The lack of water power was felt.
The Sodus Bay & Westmoreland Turnpike Company began building a bridge aeross Seneca river at Belgium in 1824. This was completed by Col. J. L. Voorhees, who got a charter and collected tolls till 1843. It was then rebuilt as a free bridge, and became locally known as New Bridge, a title it still retains. There were but four dwelling houses there in 1827. but later it was a busy place. It had a post office ealled West Cicero in 1825, which was changed to Clay in 1827. Nathan Teall was the first postmaster.
At the first town meeting Andrew Johnson was elected supervisor and Jacob Terrill town elerk. A post office was established at Euclid, and John- son was supervisor, postmaster, grocer and tavern keeper. The Erie and Oswego eanals were opened in 1825 and 1828. and at once affected the town. and Belgium began to grow. The improvement of Oneida river had its effect. Belgium grew rapidly on both sides of the river and reputable families settled there. Judge James Little was one of these. and the Rev. William M. Willett, son of Colonel Marinus Willett, had a fine residence quite near. Mar- tin Luther opened the first store in 1828. Sylvanus Bigsbee had another very soon. Jonas C. Brewster opened one in 1829, and James Little another in 1830. Others soon followed. The first frame house here was the toll house east of the river.
In 1832 the Wesleyan Methodists built a church on the west side of the river, now used as the Methodist Episcopal chapel. About 1826 an English
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Evangelieal Lutheran church was formed near Clay station, and a building was erected and dedicated in 1834. It is strictly a rural church. Clark called it Dutch Reformed. being in a Dutch settlement. It was reorganized in 1832 by Rev. William Ottman. the first pastor. The Disciples built a church in Euclid in 1837, which was used by others, eventually bought by the Methodists. and then made a warehouse and town hall. A new church was built in 1886. In 1835 an Methodist Episcopal society was formed at the Morgan settlement between Euclid and Liverpool. It built a neat church generally called the Morgan meeting house. The Rev. Abram Morgan was a principal founder.
In 1847 Rev. William H. Delano formed the Plank Road Baptist church. and became its first pastor. This is at Centerville, where a church was erected. At Euclid a Baptist church was formed in 1845 by Rev. Horatio Warner. A church was built in 1868. At Centerville the Methodists built a church in 1854 just west of the town line. In 1892 it was moved east of the line and rebuilt.
Centerville Lodge, No. 648. F. A. M .. was chartered in July, 1867. The opening of the plank road in 1816 gave existence to this place. often called North Syracuse. and formerly Podunk. It is in both Clay and Cicero. The old red tavern there was built at an early day. and Peter Weaver, its builder, gave the ground for the cemetery. About 1850 Centerville began to assume business airs, with stores, inns. a union schoolhouse. physicians, ete.
Euclid continued to prosper, and quite a settlement grew up at Oak Orchard or Schroeppel's Bridge. an attractive spot. Belgium or Clay had also a period of prosperity. its business at one time exceeding that of Bald- winsville. In 1848 it had one hundred and sixty inhabitants, three dry goods stores. four groceries, two inns. three blacksmith shops. and the "Oriental Balm Pill" manufactory. doing a large business and employing from thirty to fifty people. At a later day it was quite a place for boat building.
Before 1820 Three Rivers had been visited by more distinguished persons than any one place in the county. It had not been a place for councils, as some have thought. Not one is recorded there, but noted men had often come to the meeting of the waters. A railroad in 1871 opened a new route to it. Leaving Woodard the Syracuse Northern road led to Oswego, eventual- ly becoming part of a great system. This increased trade in Syracuse, but also added another to its summer resorts.
An incident which Clark places in Cicero really belongs in this town. but quite close to its eastern line. As told it closely resembles one story of the Turtle tree, but the locality is certainly on Lot 91. Clay, in the south- west corner. and used to be called "the jumps." Mr. Clark's story differs little from the local version. and follows:
"One poor fellow bound hand and foot, was compelled to run the gauntlet. with the promise. if successful, of being restored to liberty. Two parallel lines were arranged, and the prisoner started to run, as best he could, between
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them. He made several surprising leaps, bound as he was; and finally sue- ceeded in passing amid sundry blows, beyond the lines, to the goal of promised safety. At this moment a young warrior drew up his rifle and shot him dead; who, for his treachery, was instantly pierced by more than twenty balls from the rifles of his companions. For several years the Indians re- turned to this spot, renewed the tracks made in the sand by the murdered prisoner, held a war dance, and returned to their homes. This practice was continued long after the white people settled in the neighborhood. The last time they visited the spot, they got into a quarrel among themselves, and it is said, two of the party were killed and several badly wounded."
The local report omits this tragic ending, but says they were so disorderly . that the people ordered them to come no more. The writer had seen silver ornaments from the spot, lost by the Indians.
Though there is much low land in this town several large streams give good drainage but no power. The soil is generally good. Below Belgium are beds of very fine clay, used for brick and containing some remarkable con- cretions. The town has four highway river bridges.
Cigarville or Clay station had the first name from cigar factories. and is a hamlet originated by these and the railroad. Three Rivers is also a favorite resort for pienies and fishing.
In 1836 Euclid had a post office. William Coon's tavern, Jefferson Free- man's store, N. Bunzey's wagon shop, George Thayer's blacksmith shop. Henry Schrocppel's steam saw mill. Dr. Church was then the local physician. and a Mr. Blossom had kept the first store in the place. In 1886 it had two saw mills, two blacksmith shops, wagon shop, cheese factory, two general stores, hotel. grist mill, and a physician. There seems always to have been a resident doctor. There were also two churches.
In 1836 Belgium had a post office, which at first was kept by Nathan Teall at Teall's Corners, nearly a mile east of the river. John Colburn carried the mail once a week from Vernon, Oneida county, to Cato, Cayuga county. John Wieting kept the toll gate and a harness shop. Rome Van Wagner had a boat yard; James Lee a grocery and hotel; two general stores were kept by Enos & Little and Lounsberry & Hale; Peter Miller had a blacksmith shop; William Bruce a wagon shop. A. P. Adams was the physician, and E. B. Dykeman justice of the peace. In 1886 it had two saloons, general store, hotel, blacksmith shop, wagon shop, carpenter shop, general store, gro- cery, and about one hundred and sixty inhabitants.
Centerville (Plank Road post office) had two general stores in 1886, a grocery and feed store, shoe shop, blacksmith shop, carriage furnishing shop. drug store, three cigar factories, a butcher and a physician, between whom a choice might be made in payment, according to the old saying. In Clay and Cicero hay is an important erop.
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CHAPTER XXXVIII.
TOWN OF DE WITT.
The town of De Witt was erected from Manlius in 1835, embracing a little over thirty-six lots. The first town meeting was held at Orville, April 7 and 8, when Zebulon Ostrom was elected supervisor, and William Eager town elerk. Long lists of the early settlers are preserved. Prominent among these are the Kinnes, Holbrooks, Youngs, Hotalings, Jacksons and others. The town had its name from Moses De Witt, a large landholder and promi- nent man who died August 15, 1794, and was buried near the northwest angle of the reservoir, in a disused cemetery.
Benjamin Morehouse was the first white settler, and his coming is dated April 26, 1789. Hle had a wife and three children, and the next year opened the first tavern in the county. He was dignified, genial and popular, and was known as "the Governor." Danforth was his nearest neighbor. Before 1800 he was joined by Dr. David A. Holbrook, Jeremiah Jackson, Roger Mer- rill, William Bends, James and Jeremiah Gould, Caleb Northrup and others, all near Jamesville, then called Sinai. Sarah Morehouse was born February 16, 1790, the first white child in the town.
Dr. Holbrook, the first physician, located at Morehouse's Flats in 1792. moving to Jamesville about 1800. The first saw mill in the town and county was that of Asa Danforth in 1792. In that year he temporarily lived on Lot 81. The mill was then covered with bark, and he brought the saw on his back from Utica. In 1793 he built a grist mill, gathering sixty- four white men and Indians to raise the frame. These structures were on the site of Dunlap's mills. Oliver Owen erected another saw mill in 1795. and in 1798 Matthew Dumfrie built a malt house, brewery and distillery east of the creek. Jeremiah Jackson built the first frame house at Jamesville in 1797, and Mr. Trowbridge opened the first tavern there in 1804. Two years later David Olmsted succeeded him, keeping the best house west of Utiea.
Benjamin Sanford built a grist mill about 1804, and Stephen Hungerford started clothing works, while Robbins & Callighan opened a store. Lime, plaster and cement works came later. The first school in town, a little east of Jamesville, was taught by Polly Hibbard, succeeded by Susan Ward. In 1506 a school was opened in the village, and in 1809 Thomas Rose was the first postmaster. The name of Jamesville was first proclaimed at a great celebration. July 4, 1810, following the incorporation of the "Jamesville Iron & Woolen Factory" in 1809.
About 1790 John Young, a Revolutionary soldier. settled at Orville, on Lot 62. His six sons and three daughters grew up and settled around him, so that the place was called Youngsville. He opened and kept the first tavern, and built the first frame house there, dying in 1834. In 1814
7
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a post office was established and named Orville, dropping the old name of Youngsville and the later one of Hull's Landing. llull's grist mill was reached by boats on the canal feeder, and became a great shipping point. In 1835 the name was changed to De Witt, but it is still known as Orville, and a branch of the Suburban road begins there.
Cyrus Kinne was the first blacksmith in De Witt, coming there in 1792. IFis four sons had large families, and some went to Cicero. In that direction the Britton settlement, now Collamer, sprang up at a later day. The first settlers were the Brittons, Isaac Carhart, James and Walter Wright, Nathaniel Teall, Abraham Delamater and others. Nathaniel Feall was first postmaster there before 1835.
Robert Dunlop came to Jamesville in 1833, founding the Dunlop mills. and manufacturing water lime, cement, plaster, etc. His son Robert, also deceased. had five large lime kilns in Jamesville, two flouring, and cement and plaster mills. Fiddler's Green, a picturesque spot now owned by the Suburban road, was part of this estate.
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