USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 11
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Enos Blakeslee, born in Harwinton, Conn., 1756; Sara North- up, born in Harwinton, Conn., 1762. Enos Blakeslee died Au- gust, 1842, aged 86 years; Sarah Blakeslee died August, 1848, aged 86 years. Buried in Four Mile Square Cemetery.
After passing the Blakeslee farm we cross the bridge over Fish Creek, and between this and the Taberg road lived in days agone, Austin Raymond, who married Polly Scoville, daughter of Joseph Scoville. There was a family of twelve children. All went west in 1854, and the land Mr. Raymond owned became a part of the Smith Johnson farm. At their decease, both Mr. and
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Mrs. Raymond were brought back to Camden for interment. Their children were: Henry, who married Matilda West; Lyman; Luzon; Thompson; Maria, who married Mr. Everton; Louisa; Chloe, who married Edward Pierce.
Here we find we have reached the Taberg road, and will re- trace our way to the point opposite Daniel Parke's.
FOUR MILE SQUARE.
Turning eastward, we find ourselves on a street which for need of a better name wy will term "Four Mile Square," as many have already come to know it by that name. Leaving Camden village driving to the Damiel Parke place, across this street to Taberg road, and thence by Taberg road north to Camden village, is a distance of about four miles ; hence the terni "Four Mile Square."
Parke Cemetery.
We find in the old book of town records: "Road across from Ta- berg road to Daniel Parkes' re-established in 1814." At the left, or on north side of highway, is what we call the. Parke Cemetery, because it was a part of the Parke farin, and Daniel Parke and so many of his family rest here. Many residents from Taberg Street were buried here in early times. It was set apart for this use about 1820, and is a town charge. Several bodies removed from the ancient "God's Acre" on Blakeslee road, were re-interred here, which will account for earlier inscriptions. It is well kept.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
HONUEL GIFFORD
Was born in the town of Smithfield, N. Y., October 14, 1794. At the age of 19 he married Miss Polly Gowdy. At 20 years of age he enlisted in the war of 1812, and served to its close, leav- ing his wife with a young son, Alexander. but a few weeks old. Mr. Gifford was an experienced and capable carpenter, and constructed many buildings still standing, among them the Miner store, house of Cyrus Stoddard, Nelson house, Joseph Smith's house, the present M. E. Church, 1852, John Stuart house, 3rd Street, Penfield house, corner Union and Third Streets. To Mr. and Mrs. Gifford were born four children, Alexander, William, Elihu and Julia. On an old stone marking her grave, in an ancient cemetery in Florence, two miles north of West Camden, we find the follow-
Home of Honuel Gifford.
ing: "To the memory of Polly, wife of H. H. Gifford, who died in 1813, aged 27 years." Later he married Laura Dodge, and to them were born Polly, Betsey, James, Frank, Alpina, Louisa, Jonas, Alexis and Armenius. Laura Dodge Gifford died May 12, 1840, and is buried in Forest Park Cemetery. In 1835 he removed from the village to a new house he had erected on land purchased from John Dean on Four Mile Square. He married
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a third wife, Miss Rebecca Hunt. In a few years he went to re- side in the Isaac Barnes house on Taberg Street, probably between 1835 and 1840. Mr. Gifford was influential in public affairs, and a strong staunch member of the Wesleyan Church. In1 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Gifford removed to North East Pennsyl- vania, where they died, and are buried there. He was 88 years of age at his death. His life was filled with good deeds.
JOHN DEAN.
John, son of Daniel and Anna Dean, was born in Waterbury, Conn., July 5, 1780. He came to Camden while yet a youth, and lived with his parents on Wolcott Hill. In 1805 he married Miss Betsey, daughter of Samuel Woods. They resided for some years after their marriage, or about 1832, in the home purchased of Tillottson Barnes on Taberg road. Not far from 1837 he ex- changed farms with Honuel Gifford, coming on to Four Mile Square to reside. Their children were Polly C., wife of Ben- jamin Ruscoe; Daniel J., who married Polly Clark; Israel M., married Margaret Winne.
John Dean died November 18, 1862, aged 82 years; Betsey Dean died August 12, 1850, aged 67 years. Interred in Parke cemetery on Four Mile Square.
Israel M. Dean was born in Camden in 1820. In 18- he married Margaret, daughter of David Winne, born in Camden in 1823. They lived for some years on the John Dean home- stead, perhaps till 1855, when they removed to the Oliver Cook house on the Plank Road, where they remained for some years, when they came to the village, where they spent the remainder of their life. To them were born six children: John, Israel E., who died in 1866, of consumption, at 19 years of age; Leva; Minnie, who died in 1880, aged 17 years; Frances, who married Mr. James Raymond, and resides in Camden; Sarah, who with the sister Leva live in Camden. Margaret Dean died August 30, 1877, aged 54 years; Israel M. Dean nicd June 27, 1880, aged 60 years. Buried in Parke Cemetery.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
EZRA PARKE.
Harvey Parke built the house on the left of the highway, next beyond the cemetery, going east. It was erected not far from 1815. He married a Miss Brownson. Ezra Parke bought the home of him soon after its completion.
Home of Harvey Parke.
Dr. Ezra Parke was a son of John Parke of Chatham, Conn. John Parke and Daniel Parke were brothers, sons of Joseph Parke. Mr. Ezra Parke was born in Chatham, Conn. Coming to Camden he early identified himself with intellectual pursuits. In: 1815 he taught school in the brick school-house, greatly in- teresting the scholars in their studies. In spelling he was especially gifted, and many a good speller was turned out from tliis school. Among those who excelled were Ethel Higgins, Uriah Hill, and Albert and Albro Phelps, who came to feel it was almost a disgrace to mis-spell a word. Rewards for good scholarship are still in existence, bestowed upon the deserving, by their zealous tutor, Ezra Parke, and bear specimens of the excellence of his penmanship upon their fly-leaves. In 1821 Mr. Parke married Miss Rhoda Sperry, a sister of Clarke Sperry. They resided here for a few years only, when in 1823. he re- moved to Michigan. In this family of John Parke were Harvey Parke, Ezra, Lucintha (Mrs. Lyman Curtiss), and Cleantha (Mrs. Williams Storm). Harvey Parke was a civil engineer. They were people of culture and refinement, favorites in society and business circles, or wherever found. Much regret was ex.
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pressed when the z left Camden. Mrs. Ezra Parke died in 1846, of erysipelas, and four weeks later, July 1846, Mr. Parke too passed away.
URIAH HILL.
Following Mr Harke came Uriah Hill to occupy the farm, who was a son of Uri ani Chloe (Hale) Hill,and was born in Connecti- cut in 1796. He came with his father's family to Camden in 1804. In March, 1824. he married Miss Rhoda Baldwin Tibbalds of Dur- ham, Greene Co., N Y., and together they commenced life in the house built by Harvey Parke on Four Mile Square. Their chil- dren were: Ginerva, Byron A., Henry Smith and Uri Hill, Jr. (Ginerva married Leroy H. Wetmore of this town. In 1850 they removed to the State of Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their days. Three daughters were born to them, all married, two residing in California, and one in Greece, her husband being of that nationality. Their labors are of a missionary character in that far-away land.) Byron Almon Hill (through whose favor we give these items) was born January 3, 1827. He married Miss Amanda Leigh (Lee) August 10, 1852. They have four sons and three daughters. All. from the great-grandfather Uri down to the youngest of Uriah's children, had and have a living faith in the Son of God, and are active workers in the Methodist Church. Henry Smith Hill was born October 6, 1828. His home is in Peoria, Illinois, is engaged in an important job print- ing business, and is Secretary of the Peoria Board of Trade. Uri Hill, Jr., was born August 10, 1830. In July, 1857, he mar- ried Miss Renett, daughter of Amos and Maria (Wilson) Pres- ton, of Illinois, a former Camden family. They have three chil- dren, and reside in San Diego, California.
Uriah Hill was a man of much energy, and lent a helping hand in many commendable ways. He was called "Colonel Hill," having been appointed to that official position in the State Militia, serving his full time. In 1835 lie was elected to the deaconship in the Congregational Church, together with Lyman Tuttle, and is often mentioned as "Deacon Hill." His career was one of usefulness in the community. He was tutor in the brick school-house several winter terms before and after his marriage. Being an instructor of more than ordinary merit, intellectually
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
fitted to train young minds on high and noble lines, he was not content to stop with knowledge to be obtained from books alone, but daily led the pupils to understand the full import of in- tegrity of character, truthfulness, honor, principle, everything which would the better fit them to take their places among men. About 1820 Mr. Hill purchased of Martin Tyler the building used by him as a blacksmith shop, and continued to run the busi- ness at the old stand, on the corner opposite the Daniel Parke place (or nearly so) for about ten years, then removed it to his residence lot on Four Mile Square. In the old brick school- house Uriah Hill and Albert Phelps, of their own accord, re- moved the old puncheon seats, and replaced them with smoothly- dressed pine boards made permanent against the brick walls, the edge only forming a back to the high seat which extended across three sides of the school-room. This was the writing- form, or desk. To change position they must throw their feet over the seat, and they were turned around for spelling. The puncheon seats were made of a log split in halves, with the face smoothly planed, and mounted on legs. Mrs. Hill died April 5, 1833, of brain fever, aged 29 years, and her remains placed in the old cemetery near the school-house, on the Blakesley road. Mr. Hill survived his wife ten years, when in June, 1843, he passed away in the prime of a useful life, aged 46 years. He was buried in the new cemetery, "Forest Park," and the body of his wife, Rhoda, reinterred beside him. In 1851 the guardians of Uriah Hill's estate sold the farm of sixty-four acres to Mr. George Stoddard, who occupied it till 1856. The children of Uriah all removed to the West, and made homes there.
GEORGE STODDARD
Was the next owner of this place after Uriah Hill. He was a son of Rev. Eliakim Stoddard, and was born September 6, 1827. In 1852 he married Miss Rebecca Owen, and their residence after marriage was here. They remained upon this place for five years thereafter, removing to Fulton, Oswego County, N. Y., where they were interested in Falley Seminary. After about five years they returned to Camden, coming to live in the home of his father. In 1861 he moved the old house to a spot somewhat north of its previous site, and built a more modern home for
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himself, the one at present occupied by Mrs. Stoddard. His. business for many years previous to his death was that of corn- packing. They were both zealous members of the M. E. Church, keenly interested in all that pertained to its welfare. No children were born to them. George Stoddard died January 26, 1894, aged 70 years. Mrs. Stoddard was a daughter of David and Hannah Owen, and lived at Steuben, Oneida County, N. Y. They were married in 1821. Were of Scotch descent, and of sterling character and worth.
The next place beyond the Uriah Hill home was originally a part of the Honuel Gifford farm, which was sold off to John Caswell, who built the first habitation upon this site, of logs. After a few years, Thurston Palmer purchased the farm, and began the erection of the present frame house. He removed to some other locality before its completion, and his brother fin- ished the building. We do not know how long the house was occupied by its several owners, but give the names of those who have lived here from time to time. First John Caswell, Thurston Palmer, his brother, Walter Clarke, A. Wakefield, Byron Earlls. Dr. Louis Bauer bought in 1861 of Byron Earll, and occupied it till 1887 when he sold to Lewis Brewer, who is yet the owner and occupant. At the foot of the hill was once a saw- mill, the first ever built in town, by Timothy W. Wood. It was on Fish Creek. The dam caused water to set back and overflow land belonging to Daniel Parke, to its detriment, so it was dis- continued, but not till after a legal struggle, making it necessary to give it up.
SELAH PECK.
But very little can be learned of Selah Peck, yet his descend- ants were a numerous company. It is in the memory of the old- est of those living to-day, that he was a resident when they came here, and lived very early in a log house between the bridge over the creek, and Taberg road on Four Mile Square. He married a Miss Wilcox for his first wife. The children were: Eleazer, Sophia, Harriet, Caroline, Amy and Van Rensselaer. Eleazer married Hannah Parke, daughter of Daniel Parke; Harriet mar- ried Isam Simons; Caroline married Mr. Hitchcock: Sophia married Mr. White. Selah Peck was a basket-maker by trade.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
and furnished the early settlers with these useful and needful articles. The rigors of a new country were severe, and Mrs. Peck not having a hardy constitution, succumbed after a few years of endurance. Mr. Peck married a second time, but we can not learn further. He made his home with his grand-son Daniel for some years, then with Harriet (Mrs. Simons), who took him to her home in Michigan, where he died. He partici- pated in the general trainings, being a snare drummer. Selah Peck died in Calhoun County, Michigan, August 4, 1858, and is buried there. He came from Connecticut to Camden. Reuben, Lyman and Bonaparte Peck are descendants of Selah Peck.
On the space between the stream and Taberg Street lived
Bridge over Fish Creek.
Darius Wiard, though just where is difficult to tell. Probably at the corner of Four Mile Square and Taberg Street. We find his name as early as 1809, together with Hannah, his wife, and the names of Minerva, and Hannah, a child. In 1813 they lost a son Rollin of typhus fever. Mr. Wiard was a worker in wood, making cutters, sleighs and pieces of furniture. Of the latter, Mrs. Cyrus Stoddard has a bureau, and perhaps other articles. A child, Mary Wiard, was baptized by Rev. Levenworth, in 1812. Nothing further can be learned of the family, so we conclude they moved to some other region.
CHAPTER IX.
PRESTON HILL.
We find, in an old survey bill, this record of Preston Hill 'Street: "The road, as originally laid out, running south through Camden village, crossing Fish Creek at the lower end of the village, bearing to the right over what is now known as Pres- ton Hill Street, to a well on Lyman Matthews' place, which would be about one mile from the village; then running south- east to what is now known as the George Parks place, then south to Little River, a tributary of Fish Creek, which forms the boundary line between Camden and Vienna."
DR. JOSHUA RANSOM.
The old house across the bridge, where Main St. runs into Preston Hill St. on the right, and Cemetery St. on the left, was formerly owned and occupied by Dr. Joshua Ransom for many years. Joshua Ransom with his wife, Lois Rathborne, Ransom, came from England, and settled in Colchester, Conn. Later they came to Springfield, Otsego County, this State. The sons, Drs. Joshua and Whitman Ransom, came to Camden about the year 1807 or 1808. Dr. Joshua Ransom, the subject of this sketch, followed his father's profession. He first came to Utica, looking for a place to locate; from there to Rome, and at the latter place was advised 'to come to Camden. He found it, as others had, a desirable place to make a home. He returned to Springfield and married Clarissa Warner, bringing his bride with him, coming from Rome with an ox team, which also conveyed his household goods. They made their home in a little red house on the Plank road, where their first child was born, but soon after bought the property across the bridge, of Capt. Tuthill, who had commenced to build the house, but sold it in an unfinished state. When
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
completed it was the finest house in town, with a large well-kept lawn surrounding it, and a broad walk leading from the gate to
Home of Dr. Joshua Ransom.
the hospitable door of the main entrance. Many and beautiful were the flowers which bordered the walk on either side. In this house three more children were born, and all eventually married and settled in Camden. Clarissa became the wife of the late Dr. Torbert; Orissa the wife of the late John F. Mix; Louisa the second wife of Dr. Torbert, after the death of her sister. which occurred November 23, 1840, aged 31 years; Mary mar- ried Mr. Alfred Chamberlain, settled in Camden, but eventually moved to Richfield Springs; Alphonso married Miss Lillias Jamieson. None of the descendants of Dr. Joshua Ransom, ex- cepting a daughter, Mrs. J. F. Mix, and a grand-daughter of Clarissa, Mrs. C. S. Wetmore, are residing in Camden at the present day. Louisa Ransom Torbert died August 22, 1895, aged 76 years. Mrs. Mix told the writer she well remembered hearing her mother speak of hearing the report of cannon very distinctly from Sackett's Harbor during the war of 1812. Often through this trying period to wives and mothers, deserters passed hrough the town, mostly Indians, lazy and shiftless. Upon seeing them approach, Mrs. Ransom would place all of the edibles she had in the yard for them,go inside and fasten doors and windows, remaining in great fear, until they had departed, al-
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ways taking the remains of the feast with them, if she had pro- vided more than satisfied their hunger. Dr. Joshua Ransom died March 13, 1834, aged 52 years. He was buried with Masonic honors, one of the earliest Masonic funerals in the town. His wife died August 8th, 1855, aged 69 years. They rest in Forest Park Cemetery.
JONAH SANFORD.
But at a much earlier period, before the road was surveyed, when it was merely a trail, only followed by marked trees, several families bought land in this locality, and soon the dense forests echoed with the sound of the woodman's ax; ciearings were quickly made, and houses built. Jonah Sanford, a soldier of the Revolution, was one of the first to make his home on Pres- ton Hill. He, together with his son, Giles, and Lyman Mat- thews, bought fifty or sixty acres of land each, from John Mur- ray, and William Ogden, land agents. At Plymouth, Conn., Jonah Sanford married Mary Dunbar, his second cousin; eight children were born to them, Ira, Giles, Sala, Linus, Jeremiah, Jonas, Ephraim and Chloe. Jonah Sanford and family left Ply- mouth and came to Clinton, Oneida County, about 1791. His wife died while they resided in Clinton. She sleeps beneath the Congregational Church, which was erected some years later over her resting place. Jonah Sanford married for his second wife Miss West of Rome, Oneida County, and moved to Camden about 1800. He built a log house on the opposite side of the road, from the home now occupied by Harlan Sanford, but a lit- tle farther on. Finding he could not gain a clear deed to the land, he later built a frame house on the same side of the road as the Sanford homestead, which was afterwards moved to the village by his son Linus, for a justice's office. It stood just north of T. D. Penfield's residence for many years. It was another old landmark destroyed by fire, which had served for many different purposes. Jonah Sanford died on the farm now owned by his descendants, November 15, 1824, aged 75 years, and rests in the old cemetery on Mexico Street. His second wife died in Rome, and is buried there.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
GILES SANFORD.
Giles Sanford.
Mrs. Giles Sanford.
Giles Sanford was a young man, just starting out in life. He built a house for himself where the more modern Sanford house now stands. These first houses were built of strong planks standing endways. At twenty-seven years of age he was married to his second cousin, Rebecca Dunbar, January 5, 1804, by Esq. Timothy Wood. He brought his bride to the new house which he had built in the depths of the forest. It was a lonely place, wolves howled around the door at night, and the few cattle they possessed had to be protected by strong enclosures. Like all primitive houses, the main feature was the large open fireplace which occupied one entire side of the living room. At night the fire was banked with ashes, and in the morning raked open for its several uses through the day. Being hospitable people, the latch-string nearly always hung outside of the door, and the less fortunate ones, for there were many, had only to pull it and enter, to find food and warmth.
One night Mr. Giles Sanford hearing some disturbance, arose, and found several Indians about to roll themselves in their
.
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blankets in front of the fire; they were cold and in need of rest; and, like the lawless beings they were, had pulled the latch-string and entered. Mr. Sanford retired to his bed, but in the morning, before the household was awake, the Indians were off with the freedom of their race. The visits of these wandering natives were the greatest trials of the women of these early days; they were often called upon to provide food for them, when it was hard to obtain sufficient for their own growing families. Nearly always peaceable, they would noislessly enter a house, watch with curious eyes the movements of the family, partake of what- ever was given them to eat, never hesitating to make known their wants, and when the spirit moved them, depart, leaving the mistress of the house quite positive she had not entertained "angels unawares."
In 1808 a company of twelve men went to New Jersey to work upon the turnpike; Giles and Ephraim Sanford were of the num- ber. The wife of Giles Sanford was left from June to October alone, with two small children, and the farm and cattle to care for. Money was scarce, the crops not yet ready for the harvest : it seemed a necessity to provide something for the long cold winter, which would surely come in this new country; so with strong arms, but with sinking hearts, when they thought of the perils and hardships the loved ones must encounter, they took their knapsacks on their backs and started, walking all the way. In November of that same year, the third child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Giles Sanford, who is well remembered by us all as aunt Nancy Wetmore. During this month a most terrific wind storm passed over this locality, uprooting huge trees of the forest, and doing great damage to crops, which was most dis- couraging. One of the children of Giles Sanford remembers hearing his father speak of seeing ice in the middle of Main Street the first of June. Eleven children were born to Giles and Rebecca Sanford: Orrin, Mary, Nancy, Emily, a child who died in infancy, Joel, Angelina, Louisa, Charlotte, Fortune C. and Leander. A young man when he came to Camden, Giles San- ford lived all of the rest of his life on the farm which he first purchased, and which later belonged to his son Fortune. He and his wife were spared to each other 51 years, before they were separated by death. Giles Sanford died Jan. 21, 1855, aged 78 years.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
FORTUNE C. SANFORD.
Of the eleven children all are dead but Fortune, to whom we are indebted for this authentic account of his ancestors. Fortune C. Sanford was married to Mary Craw- ford September 20, 1846, bringing his wife to his father's home. In 1830 the primitive house had given place to a more preten- tious frame building, and later an entire new front was built, leaving but little of the old structure standing. Here they have lived more years than is usually allotted to man, enjoying a calm, peaceful life, surrounded by those dearest to them on earth, and beloved by all who know them. On this fann three generations have lived, and the fourth is growing up, to eventually take their places. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanford. Belle, who married Harlan Sanford, and lives on the original farm, caring for her father and mother: John C. Sanford and one child, who died very young; Fortune Sanford and wife celebrated their golden wedding September 30, 1896. Since writing the history of the Sanford family, Fortune C. Sanford
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was taken away from this earth. His death occurred March 12, 1897. He was a most consistent member of the Congregational Church, and active in all work pertaining to its welfare.
ESQUIRE LINUS SANFORD.
Esquire Linus Sanford, son of Jonah, was born in Plymouth, Conn., January 16th, 1782. His first wife was Polly Woods, daughter of Samuel Woods, Sen., by whom he had two sons, Samuel T. W., who became a prominent physician, and William W., engaged in the mercantile business. The house owned by Linus Sanford, and where he lived and died, stands just south of B. D. Stone's residence, now owned by him. It has been modernized during the last few years. Mrs. Sanford died May 18, 1818. He married for his second wife Rhoda Alcott of Con- necticut. Three children were born to them, all died in infancy, but Eliza P., who for a number of years taught school in our town; she was one of the earliest teachers in the Union School. She married Joseph Sparrow, June 24, 1862, and went to Verona, N. Y., to reside. The name of Esquire Linus Sanford is closely identified with the best interests of the early town his- tory. He held the office of justice of the peace for many years. also taught school in the old Academy. He departed this life May 29, 1842. His second wife died May 11, 1881.
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