USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 14
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There is a strong tide of Scotch blood running in the arteries of many descendants of this part of the town. And one tie that binds them to Scotland is the bag- pipe, so much used in the land of Burns, who taught
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
the world to make an ideal of the actual. Scotchmen seldom change; you cannot smuggle a fiddle in church under the name of a bass viol. When some of our friends were leaving Scotland there was great anxiety among those left behind for fear in Am- erica they might not be in reach of the gospel. In Scotland the Sabbath is a quiet day. A member of a party traveling in Scot- land in the summer of 1896, tried to hire a boat. He was told that he could not rent a boat on the Sabbath day, but he would lend it to him, and he could pay for it on Monday. While re- lating this, another story was told to the party. Two Scotchmen after church were in the horse shed getting their horses, when one of them said, "Neighbor, if it were na the Sabbath day, I would ask you to sell me your horse." The other re- sponded, "And if it were na the Sabbath day, I would tell you I would sell you the liorse for 40 pounds." "Ah neighbor," answered the other, "if it were na the Sabbath day I would tell you I would give 20 pounds." It was finally arranged that as they could do no business on the Sabbath day, the man who wanted the horse was to bring 30 pounds on Monday and get him.
Our genial English pioneers missed the advantages of their mother country, but they easily became Americanized, for the tie that unites us to England is very strong; stronger than between ours and any other nation: for we are the same people, of the same blood, of the same language, and the same religion. With patience and perseverance, most of these early settlers have lived comfortably, and their families prospered.
The precise date the first settlers came here is unknown; it was near 1800, as far as we can find out. Before any name was given to this section, Andrew Monroe was the agent for George Gallagar, a merchant of New York, who owned a large tract of land in this part of the town. The first that came built shanties and cleared a little land. Unfortunately, by these helping them- selves freely to ash timber, they lost their homes. Uri Hill. Curtiss Howd and James Whaley were among the supposed per- manent settlers. The country being hilly, and Mr. Hill locating here among the first, they called this place Hillsboro. When Mr. Hill moved here from the Marvel Hall place it was a dense
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
forest. James Whaley settled in North Hillsboro, Curtiss Howd and his descendants moved into the town of Vienna. They had hopes of establishing a small village here in 1830, for the con- venience of the farmers. Mr. Monroe gave land, and a building was erected called the "Temple." It was used, although unfin- ished, for a place of worship, as well as a school. Being unfin- ished, it fell in by the weight of snow, in 1832.
Temple School House.
This present school building was made of some of the timber, which gave it the name of "Temple School house." Some of the early teachers in this school were Angeline Cook, Louisa Sand- ford, Clarissa Preston, Ann Brown, Polly Wood, and Ruth Warner (afterwards Mrs. M. Butler). There was a log house used for a school on the corner of the road leading to Babcock's Mill. It was almost a ruins and the mothers of some of the large families of the district wanted a new one located a little farther to the east. The men were not quite ready, and they settled it in this way: Election day, in 1831, when the men were away to vote, the brave and persistent women of the neighborhood, with Mrs. C. Wilsox as leader, hired a boy with a voke of oxen. He got a chain and hitched to the underpinning of the old log house, and with the aid and encouragement of the women, the old log structure was flat on the ground, to the surprise of the voters on their return home. The next year the district was divided. No. 10 is the Temple District, No. It is the Lambie District.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Two log houses stood end for end where now stands the Bap- tist Church-one house used for a dwelling, and the other for a blacksmith shop.
CHESTER WILCOX.
Chester Wilcox settled here in 1820, coming from Pompey, N. Y. He first lived in a log house, and in 1828 built the house
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Home of Chester Wilcox.
here represented. It has not been changed on the outside, and but few changes inside. His first wife was Aurelia Sperry, who died February 24, 1824, aged 28 years. She left three chil- dren, Levi, Polly and Marion. He married the widow of Sam- uel T. Woods for his second wife; seven children were born to them-Rozana, Louisa, Aurelia, Seth, Fred, Edward and An- drew. This place was used as a tavern for many years. Mr. C. Wilcox died August 4, 1862. His second wife died Septem- ber 13, 1878, aged 80 years. Fred Wilcox owns this home now. Levi Wilcox was born in 1818, in Pompey, N. Y .; died in De Pere, Wisconsin, September 1896, aged 78 years. He married Miss Lambie in 1846. Their children were-Chester, Jane, John and Lilly. Seth lives in Camden, and his sister Louisa. She is the widow of Joel Howd, who died in 1890. Edward and Andrew live in Iowa.
JOHN JULIA.
Thomas Morris built the Babcock Mills very early. This road was surveyed May, 1821. John Julia owned this property
13
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
in 1820, before any public road was made. John Julia was a carriage-maker by trade, was born in New York City in 1797. He came to this county to seek his fortune with plenty of means. He stopped in Utica on his way, seeking work. In going into a carriage shop he found them in trouble putting a coach together. With his thorough understanding of the busi- ness, he soon had it completed; this was the first coach in Utica. Mr. Butterfield was so pleased, he had it drawn by six white horses, with a colored man astride of each, and the em- ployees in the coach for a ride to Whitestown. Soon after Mr. Julia settled in Camden he married the widow of Augustus By- ington, who was the mother of three daughters; one married James Van Winkle, and one Mr. E. Walker, and Sophronia married a Mr. Clark. John Julia's children were Sarah, Pa- tience, Emily and Susan. John Julia died April 27, 1867, aged 70 years; Dotha, his wife, died November 16, 1868, aged 71 years.
John Julia built a saw-mill and grist-mill, and also got out shingles. The primitive wood-mil was replaced by Mr. Julia's improvements. He sold this property to Mr. Kirkland, and it was conveyed to Ezra Jenkins, and from him to Peabody; in 1846 it was sold to Babcock & Son.
HENRY BABCOCK.
Henry Babcock was born July 6, 1771, and died in Amboy. His wife, Anna Bull, was born February 21, 1771, and came to Camden with her son Amos Merrit Babcock, where she died. Amos M. Babcock and his oldest son Edgar first owned this mill property. It is now owned by Ogden Babcock, who married Charlotte Foster in 1854; they have three sons. Willard, Edgar and Seth. Edgar, Sen .. married Emily Burnham in 1848; she died in 1893: he married the second time the widow of Wil- liam Stacy: Lovina married Luzon Raymond: Silas married Calista Wilson: Bradford married Martha Steadman; Henry married Hannah Jenkins; Susan married Charles Green. Amos M. Babcock, the father of this family, was married November 21, 1824. Mr. Babcock died August, 1893, aged 90 years. Martha, his wife, died in 1873.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
JOHN DROUGHT.
John Drought came from Amboy in 1828, with his family, and settled on the south road Isaac of Carterville, and John, Jr., are the only ones living. The mills were built by Mr. Mason before any public highway. It was all a dense forest. In order to get out to the main road they fired guns, and from the response of those in the clearing, they followed the sound. John Will and his father David Will came from England about 1835. John married Marryatt Conklin. Six children were born to them. John Will died August 1, 1892, aged 79 years. He lived on the same farm 55 years.
EVAN JENKINS.
Evan Jenkins lived on the road leading to the Babcock Mills; he moved from West Camden here. Their children were. Jacob, Lewis, David, Katie, Emily, Phebe, Maria, Caroline, Hannah, Jane, Sarah Ann, and Elinor. Evan Jenkins died January 5, 1869, aged 81 years; Lydia, his wife, died July 7, 1870, aged 81 years. Seven are living of this large family, but none in this town but grandchildren.
In 1828 there was an English family by the naine of Bass that lived half a mile back of the Lambie school-house; there was no school-house then, the road that led to his clearing came out there. There were two sons. Their mother made bobinet lace. Mr. Bass had two cows that had to do the work of oxen, beside supplying the family with milk.
Home of Anthony Lathers.
ANTHONY LATHERS.
Anthony Lathers, in Hillsboro's earliest days, bought a tract of land, which was almost a wilderness, and commenced the
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
arduous task of making himself a home. In his leisure time from his farm work he bought and sold cattle, and in so doing obtained a good home. He lived up to agreements in all busi- ness matters, and was a kind and warm friend. He was unmar- ried, and the last two years of his life he made his home at W. 1. Cook's, where he died October. 1885, aged 81 years.
JOHN WILSON.
John Wilson came from Harwinton, Conn., in 1802. and built the house recently burned, at the top of the hill east of the school-house, District No. 11. He mar- ried Jerusha Dunbar in Camden, December 4, 1803. Nine children were born to them-George lived and died at the old home; Clarrisa married Charles Burt, and lived in Hastings, N. Y .; John married Ann Eliza Scoville, lived eight years in this neighborhood, and then moved three miles below Camden vil- lage; Ephraim married Mrs. Cynthia Brace: Wesley married Hannah Johnson in 1841: he died March 14, 1893, aged 76 "ears. His wife survived him but a few months: she died Au- Cust 24, 1893. He bought the farm where he died, chopped down the trees, built the house, and brought his bride to the home he had taken so much pleasure in making. After Mr. Wilson's death, his aged widow could not be prevailed upon to leave this place so dear to her, after spending fifty-two years of her married life so closely associated with all her joys and sorrows.
Daniel Wilson married Jane Ann Crawford, and lived next to the Lambie school-house for several years, but they are now living in the West. Jerusha died in infancy; Sally married Henry Cleveland; Seth married Sarah Ann Jenkins, in 1847. They were long life residents of this vicinity. Mr. Wilson died September 28, 1893: his wife died June 14, 1802. Two daugh- ters survive them.
John Wilson, the pioneer of this numerous family, was one of the earliest settlers in the eastern part of District No. 11. He was born in Harwinton, Conn., January 17. 1784; died March 4, 1844. His wife was born in Plymouth, Conn., January 8 .. 1786, and died February 4, 1856.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
John Wilson, Sen., and wife, Elizabeth, father and mother of our pioneer John Wilson, came at an early date, and lived on Preston Hill with their daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Lyman Steadman). They were married February 7, 1781. They were blessed with eight children-Lois, John, Josiah, Chester, Rhody, Elizabeth, Polly and Russel Smith-all born in Con- necticut. Capt. J. Wilson was from Harwinton, Conn., and was Captain in the State Militia, and was prominent in church so- ciety and town affairs. In the list of representatives to the General Assembly from Harwinton is his name. He enlisted in Capt. Seth Warner's Regiment January 2, 1779, which was raised in Litchfield County. Capt. Wilson died very suddenly; he was born March 26, 1760; died December 1, 1839, aged 79 years. His wife was born September 4, 1760; died January 22, 1844, aged 83 years. They were buried in Mexico Street Cemetery.
Home of John Lambie, Sen.
JOHN LAMBIE.
John Lambie, Sen., with his wife and seven children sailed from Darvil, Ayrshire, Scotland, April, 1831, for America, and came direct to Camden, and settled in Hillsboro. Their chil- dren's names were John, James, William, Jean, Isabella, Jen- nett, Margaret. These were born in Scotland. Gavin, the youngest, was born in Hillsboro; John married Jean Richmond, and for many years was a prominent business man and a highly respected citizen in the village of Camden, living near Grove Mill.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF'
Mr. Lambie died Dec. 1, 1875, aged 61, leaving a widow and six children ; three are living at the present time-James, Jr., Wil- liam and Mrs. D. G. Dorrance. James Lambie, Sen., died Feb- ruary 19, 1889, aged 72. His wife and six children are living, one daughter and son in Arkansas, three daughters in Camden, and one in Michigan. William, Sen., died December 22, 1840, aged 22; Jean, now deceased, married William Rae; Isabella married Levi Wilcox: Jennet is the wife of John Carter; Mar- garet married William Allen; he died September 8, 1855. She followed him in a short time, dying October 13, 1855. Capt. Gavin A. Lambie, of the 146th Regiment, was very ill with the camp fever, and brought home, and lived but a few weeks; died February 14, 1862. John Lambie, Sen., lived only three years after coming to this country; he died March 28, 1834, aged 50 years. His wife was left with seven children, one an invalid, and the oldest only 16 years old. Mrs. Lambie's maid- en name was Jean Allen, sister to Charles Allen's father. She was born in Lenoxshire, in Scotland, in 1788: died in Camden, April 23, 1869, aged 81 years.
ROBERT M'INTOSH.
Robert McIntosh and wife came to Camden from Scotland in 1848, and have lived most of the time in the town. They came in company with Robert Robertson and William Allen. He is a fariner in Hillsboro, Christina, wife of Robert McIntosh, died February 22, 1897 aged 71 years.
John Clelland and wife, with three children, came from Scot- land to Camden in 1847; settled in Hillsboro in 1855. Guy John, and Christian.a, were natives of Scotland; one son was born here. Mr. Clelland, Sen., died in 1876, aged 66. His wife died in 1858, aged 42 years.
William Barber and wife came here at a very early date. They were Scotch Irish from the northern part of Ireland. Their daughter, Matilda, married a Mr. Ewarts, and the other daughter married James Cash, one of the oldest settlers. There was one son, named Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
Casper Coe and wife were among the early settlers; they had two daughters and three sons, David, Paul and Malachi.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
ADAM FANCHER.
Mr. and Mrs. Adam Fancher came to Camden from Con- necticut prior to 1813. Mr. Fancher was very ingenious, as well as a musician. While on their long tedious journey of three weeks, he made a bagpipe, the first that was brought into town. In coming by the Taberg road, they stopped the first night at Tim Hyde's, near the Perry Parks place. Tim was a fifer in the rifle regiment, and they had a musical feast with no pretentions of a strictly classical programme. Their hearers must have had a spirit of tolerance, and a willingness to sacri- fice their nerves to the enjoyment of this pioneer bagpipe play- er. The next three days were spent with William Stevens, Mrs. Fancher's father, and soon they were settled in Hillsboro. Mr. Fancher and son Adam had a shop where they made spinning- wheel heads, and other fixtures that went with them, also chairs and bedsteads. This was the first chair factory in the town of Camden. Adamı Fancher, Jr., married Mary Abigail Johnson, and from here moved to Rome with his father and mother. Ed- ward went to Nebraska. Aden married Cynthia Brooks, and lived in Cleveland, Oswego County, N. Y. Elizabeth married John Chism of Taberg. Henrietta married George Clifford; their daughter is the wife of Walter Keeler of West Camden. Jacob Jenkins bought the shop that was built by Adam Fancher, and converted it into a saw-mill: all traces of the building are gone.
Asa Burnham married Chloe Hill: ten children were born to them-Eliza, Marion, Samantha, Ann, Susan, Angeline, Flan- ders, Uriah, Harrison, Addison. Flanders' children are Asa, Eliza, Emma.
JOSEPH JOHNSON.
Joseph Johnson died February, 1894. in his goth year; his wife died July 17, 1889. He was born on Preston Hill, and married Isabel Wright in 1835; they moved to Hillsboro, where he had built a house, and made a home for his young wife, and lived there the rest of their lives. Mr. Johnson occupied only two houses, the one where he spent his married life, and the one where he was born-quite remarkable for one who lived to be nearly 90. There were two sons, Bradford, who lives in Michigan, and Abram, who lives on the old place.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
JOHN DANN.
John Dann and wife came to Hillsboro from New Hartford, N. Y., and bought a farm in Lot No. 109, from George Gallager, New York, May 8, 1827. There were twelve children born to them-Jonathan, Mary Ann, Margaret, John, William, Isaac, Robert, Jesse, Thomas, Edward, Charlotte and Esther. After the children had grown and gone away from the old farm life, they sold to Mr. Garlick, and moved into the village. Mr. Dann died in 1872. aged 78. His wife went to New Haven, Conn., to live with her sons. They are all prosperous men. Mrs. Dann died there in 1887; she was a native of Scotland, born in a vil- lage on the Clyde, near Glasgow.
Rev. William Ford.
MR. AND MRS. FORD.
Rev. William Ford was born in North Hamptonshire. Eng- land. August 15, 1806. He came to this country in 1829, and purchased a farm in Hillsboro, then returned to England for his bride. They came in 1830, in a sailing vessel. and were five weeks out of sight of land. At the time they came, this region
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Mrs. William Ford.
was comparatively a wilderness, there was not a frame house in this part of the district, They soon got settled in this home. and lived here the remainder of their life. Eleven children were born to them, three died in infancy; eight grew to manhood
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Home of Rev. William Ford.
and womanhood; six are living now: Rev. Jabez Ford, William and James, Rev. Smith Ford of Lowell, Mass., Mrs. J. L. Clelland, and Mrs. H. J. Wilson of Camden. At the time of
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Rev. William Ford's death, the family consisted of thirty-nine children, grandchildren and children-in-law. Thirty-six were at the funeral; his six sons acted as bearers. Susanna, his wife, died March 25, 1870, aged 61 ; her funeral was held in the Tem- ple school-house. Rev. E. N. Manley officiated. Their son John died in 1891, and Henry died very suddenly in 1895.
The first religious services were held in a barn : Elder T. Mar- tin conducted them. Rev. William Ford was the first to be bap- tized by immersion in Hillsboro: the baptism was in Babcock's pond in 1831: he was licensed to preach September 12, 1835. He was the founder of the Baptist Church in Hillsboro. At the 25th anniversary of the church in 1896, we take portions from the "Camden Advance:"
BAPTIST CHURCH.
"The Baptist Church was organized in 1870, with 19 mem- bers: Robert McIntosh and Jabez Ford were the first deacons; James P. Ford was the first church clerk, holding the position 18 years, until his removal from the place, when Hamilton J. Wilson, the present clerk, was chosen in his place. Smith T. Ford, now pastor of a church in Lowell, Mass., was the first candidate for baptism. Early in 1871, Rev. Daniel Reese was
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Baptist Church.
called to the pastorate, and it was decided to build a place of worship. William Ford and wife gave the land, and they began the foundation in the middle of March. June 20th it was com- pleted and dedicated. Rev. Dr. Corey, of Utica, preached the sermon, assisted by Rev. McFarley. The house cost $2,000,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
$1,850 had been paid, leaving a balance of $150, which was raised that day; it was dedicated, and left them free from debt. By their good management they keep a few dollars ahead at the present day."
Their pastor left at the end of that year, and the pulpit was supplied by students and W. C. Johnson. In 1879 deacon Jabez Ford was licensed to preach, and two years later was called to the pastorate, a position he still holds. Of the original members, Rev. William Ford, John H. Ford, John Clelland and Mrs. Mary Chambers have died; 75 have been admitted by baptism; 64 during the present pastorate; 7 by letter, 22 by experience. (f this number, 10 have died, 12 have been dismissed. The present membership is 83, of whom about 40 are residents. This neat little church is surrounded by our native maples, and it is nestled peacefully away from the noise and strife of a village. North of the church, on a rise of ground, stands a chartered cemetery, very neatly kept. The first burials were two children of Rev. J. Ford's.
ANDREW CRAWFORD.
Mr. Andrew Crawford came to Camden in the spring of
Andrew Crawford.
1831; sailed from Cavan, Ireland, December, 1830. On account of some detention they were long on the way, and if they had
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
not put in a good supply of provisions, they would have known what hunger was before landing in New York. Five children accompanied them; the oldest remained in Ireland, as he would soon inherit property from an uncle, and also to finish his educa- tion. The youngest, William Crawford, of Covington, Ky .. stayed for company, and they eventually joined the family here in their new home. When Mr. Crawford reached Utica, he met Mr. J. Dann, and he advised him to purchase in Hillsboro. It was a great change from their home in Ireland, among the gentry. He was in the linen industry. Coming here with plenty of means, they did not suffer as many did. Mrs. Craw- ford always remembered the poor: it was a place where many hungry children got a slice of bread-she remembering that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." It was a home where ministers and teachers were made welcome. Mr. Crawford was gored by a bull, and lived in great agony eight days; he died July 17, 1856, aged 65 : his wife died in 1850, aged 60. The three oldest sons went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and became very pros- perous merchants. Susan died in 1894, at her brother Wil- liam's at Covington. Kentucky. Archibald went to Michigan; both he and his wife died there. John and Andrew live in New York City. Jane married D. Wilson, and the other daughter, F .C. Sanford of Camden.
JOHN A. M'GEE.
Joli A. McGee died in Hillsboro, February 8, 1877. aged 79 years. He had been a resident of Camden for over 50 years. He came in 1820 from Schoharie County. N. Y., with two brothers, Abram and Samuel: John McGee's descendants live in this vicinity; his wife died in 1868, leaving seven children, four sons and three daugh- tors. She was a sister to William Becker. Sen. Aaron Becker and wife were from Schenectady: their children were William Conradt, Aaron, Maria, Eliza and Lucretia; William married Harriet Van Vrankin in Schenectady June 7, 1841. Three children were born to them, Nicholas, Van Vrankin, and one daughter. William and Frank of this village are sons of V. V. Becker. William Becker, Sen., died in 1887. aged 72: Mrs. William Becker died in 1882, aged 60 years.
ABNER COOK.
Abner Cook was a resident here in 1821; he died August 7, 1834, aged 44. Almira, his wife, died May 21, 1864, aged 64. There were four children, only George living now; Tracy and
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
a sister, Mrs. McGee, died in the fall of 1896. This farm has been in the family 76 years. We have been unable to find out about any other families in this part of Hillsboro.
William Kelly was born in Ireland in 1774, and died in Cam- den, 1839, aged 55. In emigrating here they came by water to Quebec ; they were shipwrecked on a rock; they staid until the tide was out, then walked ashore, and were fed three weeks in the woods by the Indians. They went to Quebec, and remained one year, then came to Camden in 1817, bought land of Gal- lager and Hanima, Scriba's Patent, four and a half miles south- west of Camden, between Mexico and Hillsboro roads. William Kelly's wife, Nancy Stuart, was born in Ireland in 1785; died here in 1874, aged 89; her mother, Margaret Stuart, came with them ; she lived to be 102 years old; born 1759; died 1861. Three children were born in Ireland-Eliza, David and Margaret : William was born in Quebec; he was in the civil war; died in the army hospital in 1864. Five more children were born in Camden.
Abram E. Johnson.
Mrs. Abram E. Johnson.
ABRAM ELIPHALET JOHNSON.
Abram Eliphalet Johnson, son of Eliphalet and Mary John- son, was born in Litchfield, Conn., February 25, 1793, and died in Richfield, Michigan, August, 1866, aged 73. He came to
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Camden with his father in 1805. In 1818 he married Amanda, oldest daughter of Caleb Preston, and settled on land one mile south of his father's, and built a log house after the fashion of those days, with a large stone chimney, with a fire-place that held logs two feet through, and four feet long; they had to be drawn with oxen to the door, and rolled into place with spikes and cant-hooks: this fire would last 24 hours. By great in- dustry this forest gradually melted away, and he had a farm of one hundred acres, and well stocked. To meet the payments he wielded a five-pound ax into trees, and cut them into piles for market. He also received eight dollars bounty money for every bear and deer that he killed. He killed from 40 to 50 bears, and a good many deer, and in this way soon paid for his farm, with the material aid of his devoted wife, who carded, spun, colored and wove all their clothing, bedding and horse blankets.
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