USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 15
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The first few years they lived principally on wild meat, fish, Indian meal, maple sugar and beans. Mrs. Johnson's hands were always busy for those she loved, and her heart full of prayers for her husband, children and friends. In a few years he built a substantial farm-dwelling and other necessary struc- tures. There children were: Minerva, Calvin, Sybil A., Albert E., and one child that died in infancy. Minerva married David Gaylord in 1850, and became a resident of Fairfax, Virginia. and remained there antil 1854; Louisa Amanda and Emma Aurelia were born there; Jesse, Fidelia and Elijah, who died in infancy, were born in Camden. Mrs. Allen Joslin was one of the daughters. Calvin married Mary Chambers in 1855, who died July 5. 1868, and left two sons, Seth, a very promising young man, died at the age of 31, in 1887; Samuel is a popu- lar dentist in Absecon, N. J. Calvin Johnson married Sarah Hare of West Camden in 1870, and about that time moved to Absecon, N. J., where he now resides. Sybil married Joseph Hart, and had three children: Albert is a resident of Michigan. After the death of Mrs. Abram Johnson, October 3. 1865, her husband went West, and remained with his son until his death.
THOMAS MARTIN.
Thomas Martin was born September 5. 1780, at Roads, Northamptonshire, England. He preached in various parts of
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
that country for about eight years before coming here, which was in the spring of 1830. He soon found a field here to employ the talents with which God had endowed him, for in his own words he said: "On July 25, 1830, at Hillsborough, Parish of Camden, Oneida County, N. Y., I addressed a few people in the name of the Lord." And at this place he continued to preach with the ex- ception of a few Sabbaths when he preached in Vienna, until the year 1832, when at a council covenant held November 15. 1831, in the Baptist Church of Vienna, at which Elder Samuel Bloss was Moderator, and Elder P. Dawly, clerk, he was examined for evangelistic work. There were present elders and deacons from Floyd, Florence, Vernon, Vienna and Annsville He was ordained to this work January, 1832. He entered the ministry and continued to labor in his Master's service until his death, which came suddenly January 22, 1865. He first settled in Hillsboro, and afterwards moved into the town of Vienna. He established several Baptist societies, and was the father of the first society in Hillsboro. When past 60 years of age he walked eleven miles to the Lambie school-house, and held service. Be- fore he returned home all he had to eat was Johnny cake and a cup of tea. He preached in different hamlets in the town of Vienna, as well as in Camden. He went by the name of Elder Martin, and was known as the pioneer preacher.
THOMAS CHAMBERS.
Thomas Chambers married Mary, daughter of Rev. Thomas Martin, in Stoke, North Hamptonshire, England, in 1827; after remaining there nearly three years they left the home of their youthful days to establish a new home in this country. They landed at Philadelphia in 1830, and some time during that year came to Hillsboro. From New London they came with a lum- ber wagon drawn by oxen in July. Their oldest daughter was born in England; she married Calvin Johnson in Hillsboro. Mrs. Chambers was among the first to unite with the original Baptist Church. She died January 22, 1884. Mr. Chambers died September 10, 1873. Their oldest son died October 31, 1858. Ann and Catharine married and died in Bayard, Iowa. Martin Chambers lives on the old home: Sarah is Mrs. W. Burr of New York Mills: Miss Salome Chambers of Utica, and Mrs. David Young of Camden, are also their children.
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WILLIAM SWANSON.
William Swanson and family arrived in this country from Scotland in 1828; first went to Lockport, then came to North Hillsboro in 1832. His wife was sister to John Lambie, Sen., they had six children, three born in Scotland, William born on board ship, the others natives of this country. Mrs. Mar- garet Lambie Swanson was born in Scotland, Gladstone Parislı, March 3, 1791; died July 27, 1873. William Swanson, Sen., born January 1, 1797; died November 1, 1882. George Swan- son died January 9, 1888: he was largely interested in the lum-
Mr. William Swanson.
Mrs. William Swanson.
ber business. He was a valued member of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Swanson died February 18, 1891, aged 64. They had five children, one daughter and four sons. John Swanson was a soldier of the civil war, and belonged to the 146th Regi- ment. William Swanson married the daughter of Daniel T. Morton, who came to Hillsboro from Pennsylvania in 1847. Mr. Morton was a Swiss; his wife a native of Scotland.
William Swanson, Jr., when a lad four years old, was perfectly fearless : and bears were plenty. One day hearing the dog bark,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
he'started for him, and there was a bear ready to grab him, when his brother George snatched him away. After a number of years his sister was married to Mr. Burney of Lee. After the wedding they were invited to Mr. Richmond's to a party; they went with a four horse team. Soon after their arrival there came up a fearful storm, it was impossible to drive home. William. then a large boy, started home unbeknown to them; he had two miles to go. When he had got half way, he heard something stepping ahead of him that sounded like a man, when he stopped to listen; then the stepping stopped; finally he shouted. "Hallo there," or "good evening." It was pitch dark, and he could not see anything before him; but at the sound of his voice some- thing gave a bound through the bushes. He hastened home, and told his father, and early in the morning they went out to see what it was. They found that a bear had been backing up on his haunches, ready to grab with his fore paws. For some distance he could be tracked by the impression of the boy's boots in the mud. If he had not escaped an everlasting hug. I should not have known this story as he told it to me. Morris of this place, and Eugene of Batavia, N. Y., are sons of William Swan- son, Jr.
MRS. ANN WILSON.
Mrs. Ann R. Wilson came from Wales in 1829. She married John Wilson in New York City: they first settled in Amboy. Mr. Wilson died many years ago. They came to Hills- boro about 50 years ago, and settled on the farm now owned by Jabez Ford, her son-in-law; she is also the mother of Hamil- ton Wilson.
We have been more or less interested in the names given to hills and rivers, and so far have been successful. Johnnycake Hill seemed quite novel, if not romantic: it is in North Hills- boro. In the old survey book it is recorded that the road com- ing out near Eliphalet Johnson's was altered in 1825; it must have been at this place where the scene of this story was laid.
Many years ago a number of men were cutting a road over a hill. The foreman thought the men were not getting along as fast as they ought, and he says, "Boys, hurry up, or we will not be ready for Johnnycake." When noon time came, and they
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sat down to lunch on the hill, everyone, to his surprise, had Johnnycake, and they named the hill after the cake they were feasting upon.
NORTH HILLSBOROUGH.
North Hillsboro is the 6th District set off in town. The school-house is pleasantly situated on a side hill: one of the pioneer teachers was Clarissa Preston.
Mr. Thomas Clifford came into North Hillsboro at an carly date: he was an English soldier. Many a boy has been enter- tained by his stories of his thrilling and narrow escapes while in the army. Mrs. T. Clifford died in 1881, aged 88.
John Richmond, Sen., arrived in Camden July 4. 1830, from Scotland, with his wife and four children, Jean, John, William and Jane. Mrs. John Lambie, the oldest, was about 13 years of age. After leaving the Hudson at Albany they came by canal to New London, and in a lumber wagon to Camden: they stopped at Park's tavern: it was on the corner where now stands Curtiss' store. Before leaving Scotland they had to provide their own provisions for the voyage. Arriving in New York they replemished their lunch-box, and by the time they got here they needed more. Mrs. Lambic, then a young girl, was sent ont to find a bakery. She walked up the street, and stopping in the park opposite, now the home of T. D. Penfield, a lady came out of a house close by a blacksmith shop, and asked her what she was looking for. She said. I am looking for a place to buy a loaf of bread. She told her to come there, and she gave her a loaf of fresh rye bread; and this was the first they had ever eaten of Yankee bread. This lady proved to be Mrs. John Julia, and Mr. Julia was the blacksmith. It was the place where Thomas Morton worked. Mr. Richmond accompanied Mr. Morton to his home, about three miles, near the Amboy woods, not far from North Hillsboro. His farm consisted of one lim- (red acres of uncleared land, with a log house without any floor, and the only cheerful thing was a large fire-place. This was the farm about which he wrote back to Scotland with such glowing accounts. Such a contrast from the home Mr. Rich- mond had left. He was so overcome that he sat down and cried. He made up his mind that he must make the best of it.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
for all he possessed was here, and immediately purchased land in North Hillsboro, and lived there until his death, March 31, 1850, aged 68 years. Hannah, his wife, died April 6. 1864, aged 74. It is quite noticeable in Scotch families that the first girl is named after the grandmother, on the mother's side, and the first boy after the grandfather on the father's side. The home of the Richmonds in Scotland had been in their family eight generations.
CARLETON BROTHERS.
John, James and Charles Carlton came to North Hillsboro from Syracuse, and settled on a cross-road that came out near the Amboy line on Mexico road. They were cousins of Carlton Brothers on Mexico Street. Charles had the title of Major, and always went by the name of Major Carlton. He married Eliza- beth Ann, daughter of William Clifford. The names of their children were, Martha, Ann, Levi, John, Aaron, James, Ther- essa and Elizabeth. The mother died when these children were very young. Major Carlton died May, 1894, aged 82. He was a native of County Kildare, Ireland.
JAMES WHALEY.
James Whaley came here prior to 1809. He was in the war of 1812. His brother, Theophilus Whaley, came from Lake George about 1821 ; he was a soldier of 1776. His wife was born and brought up in Litchfield, Conn. Upon coming here they bought land in North Hillsboro, and built a log house, where contentment reigned in this forest home with the endurance of the hardships and deprivation of many of the comforts of life. Mr. and Mrs. Theophilus Whaley lived and died on this farm, and are buried in the famly lot close by. Mr. Whaley died in 1827, aged 68. Mary, his wife, died in 1842, aged 74. There were eight children, five sons and three dangliters-Reuben Whaley, son of Theophilus, was born at Lake George in 1787; died in Camden November 1850. His wife was born in 1802: died 1888. Mr. R. Whaley was in the war of 1812. His wife drew a pension until her death. They are buried in Forest Park Cemetery. Seven children were born to them, only Mrs. Dor- cas Marsh living. She married James Marsh in 1861, and
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moved on to their farm in Hillsboro. Mr. J. Marsh died January 1, 1896. Ellen Whaley married Asa Warner: Mr. Warner died in 1889; Mrs. Warner in 1897. There are a number of descend- ants of R. Whaley in town, among them are Mrs. O. A. Manzer, and Dora and Seth Warner.
JOIIN C. WARNER.
John C. Warner, father of Asa, came about 1832, and bought land on the line of Amboy and Camden. One of his orchards. was in Amboy, and the other in Camden. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, and a brother of Col. Seth Warner, whose regiment was raised in Litchfield, Conn., January 2, 1779. John. C. Warner was born in 1800, and died in 1882. He is buried in the cemetery near the Baptist church in Hillsboro. This is. the last place in this part of this district, and we are now on the highest point of land in town, 450 feet above Lake Ontario.
Well Sweep.
CHAPTER XI.
WOLCOTT HILL.
The north eastern part of the town of Camden was named by its early inhabitants Wolcott Hill, after the town many of its settlers came from-Wolcott, Conn. Even in those carly days it was a town of considerable importance, and it is decidedly a town of hills. Ephraim Smith was the first permanent settler, coming about 1800. The Indians were friendly. fish plenty, game abundant, and the spicy perfume of the new buds and wild- blooming flowers in spring wafted to his New England heart a sense of softness, which said, I will enjoy these natural blessings. This part of the town is particularly pleasant in summer, the views from its hills delightful to the eye-the air pure and in- vigorating, the water as pure as any in the State, and from which the village now gets its supply, and the inhabitants very hospit- able. Crossing Mad River (which is supposed to have been
The Grove Mills.
thus named from its similarity to the largest stream within the limits of the town of Wolcott, Ct.) Coming from the village. and following the Florence road, the first old landmark on the left is now known as The Grove Mills. Truly this is an appropriate
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name, so shady and cool surrounded by its gigantic maples set out by hands long since at rest from labor. The beautiful spot was purchased of Heman Byington by Josiah Clark Sperry in 1813, for the erection of a clock manufactory, coming from Waterbury, Conn., bringing tools with him for that purpose.
JOSIAH CLARK SPERRY.
After a few years he manufactured wood-bottom chairs and flax-seed oil. In 1818 he built the house near the mill; the date of its being built is found cut on a stone in the cellar wall.
Mr. Sperry built in 1840 on the opposite side of the road a more commodious dwelling. In 1826 he formed a co-partner- ship with Horace Scoville, for making hand hay-rakes. Mr. Sperry conveyed the mill property to Alexander Gifford. Its present owners and occupants are T. S. Jackson and William Payne, who do an extensive business in the flour, feed and grain line, having a feed store in the village.
Mr. Sperry married in 1812, Miss Charry Sperry (a distant relative), of Waterbury, Conn. They had but one child (Char- lotte). Mrs. Sperry died in 1854, aged 80 years. In 1856 Mr. Sperry married Mrs. Lydia Perkins Plumb, widow of William Plumb. Mr. Sperry died in 1869, aged 81 years. Mrs. Lydia Sperry died in 1895, aged 96 years. The first piano brought into town was the one purchased by Josiah Clark Sperry, in 1835, for his daughter Charlotte. We cannot refrain from re- cording what we have so often heard that Miss Charlotte was the handsomest young lady in Camden. She married Col. Cyrus Stoddard, son of Judge Israel Stoddard. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard are now living (1897), and have the identical piano. Dea. Stephen Bryant relates that when a small lad. having heard at school that this piano was to arrive on a certain day. he hur- riedly did the task his father required of him, and went down to Mr. Sperry's, stood around in the road until the instrument ar- rived, but was greatly disappointed to find upon its arrival that it was enclosed in a box. Later he often went down and sat on a log in the mill yard nearly opposite the new house, and listened to Miss Charlotte's playing. Mrs. Stoddard keeps up her prac- tice, and sits at her instrument several hours a day.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
HEMAN BYINGTON.
Home of Heman Byington.
Heman Byington came to Camden from Wolcott, Conu., with his wife, Patience Peck, and children, about 1802, and settled on what is known as the John Lambie farm. In 1806 his name is recorded in the first town book. Mr. Byington built and kept a tavern at the lower end of Main Street, in those days called Front street. Mr. Byington sold the farm to Dea. Erastus Upson in 1843. Mr. Lambie purchased this farin in 1851, and it remained in his family until 1893, when it was purchased by its present owner, E. Valencourt. Heman Byington died Septem- ber 7, 1831, aged 60 years. Patience, his wife, died June 7, 1844, aged 70 years, as stones at their graves in Mexico Street Cem- etery record. Found in early record book of Congregational Church, their children were baptized in 1813; their names were Clarissa, Augustus, Elvira, Alvin, Rufus and Ira. Rufus and Ira located in the West. Col. Ira was born January 19, 1813; married Harriet Barnes in 1835. He went to Illinois in 1853. Many will remember Mr. John Lambie, who long occupied this farm. He was engaged in various occupations other than farming; he was much respected, and died lamented.
REV. ELIJAH GAYLORD.
On the east side of the road lived William Smith; he was a son of Ephraim, and married Polly, daughter of Bartholomew Pond. Their children were. Miles, Hannah, Jehiel, Ann Eliza-
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beth, Philander and Morenus. He removed from Camden West. His name is found on Congregational record book as early as 1807. In 1833 he sold this place to Horace, son of Stephen Scoville. Horace Scoville married Sophronia, daughter of Col.
Rev. Elijah Gaylord.
John Smith in 1832. Their children were, Lois and John. Mr. Scoville died in Camden in 1880, on the 57th anniversary of his marriage. His wife died in 1889, aged 92, at Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. H. Scoville was long associated with J. C. Sperry in the manufacture of hand hay-rakes. The place was later owned by David Johnson, and for many years was the home of Rev. Elijah Gaylord, who purchased it in 1843. It was sold to Mr. Vandewalker in 1873. Rev. Gaylord was a native of Bristol, Conn., born in 1800. He emigrated with his father and family to Florence in 1804. their means of transportation being oxen. Rev. Gaylord married in 1821, Miss Eliza Stearns of Florence. and moved to Camden in 1830. He had two sons and three sons- in-law in the war of the rebellion. only one of whom came home alive. This was David, his oldest son. Rev. Gaylord was a lifelong advocate of temperance, and strong in the anti-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
slavery cause. He seems to have had numerous trades, among which was that of mill-wright and carpenter, was associated for a time with J. C. Sperry, in the manufacture of hand hay-rakes. He was long a resident of Camden, and preached in the Wes- leyan Church (the building now used and occupied by the Free Methodists). The last years of his life he was connected with the Wesleyan Methodist publishing house at Syracuse, in the capacity of proof-reader. He contributed many good articles for publication. He was well educated, a man of strong consti- tution, and lived to the great age of 92 years. His children were: David, Adeline, Fidelia, George, Morrison, Caroline, Aurelia and Jane Maria.
NATHAN BROWN.
What is known as the Waffle place was in the early days the home of Nathan Brown, who married Hannah, daughter of Gideon Northrop. They had one child, a son, by the name of Delos. Mr. Brown died in 1831, aged 31 years, as a stone in Mexico Street Cemetery records. Ilis widow married Deacon Bennett Cobb, she being the second wife.
EPHRAIM SMITH.
Gerrit Smith's Home.
Ephraim Smith emigrated from Wolcott. Conn., to Camden about 1800, coming with a pair of oxen and one horse. His was the first permanent settler's team that forded Mad River at the junction of Florence and Taberg roads. He purchased his land
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of an agent, and built a log house, on what is now known as the William Wilson farm; he soon made an additional purchase of land, known as the Gerrit Smith farm. Here he built a frame house, which is used for the back or ell of the present house. His children were John, William, Miles, Jehiel, Ephraim Jr., Sarah Ann and Gerrit. Gerrit Smith was but seven years of age when his father moved to this place. Gerrit Smith married September 20, 1826, Miss Susan Tracy of New Preston, Conn. He returned to Camden with his bride, making the journey in the first spring wagon brought into the place. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, enlisting when only 16 years of age. He with his brother, Col. John, who enlisted at the same time, were sent to Sackett's Harbor. His children were Amarett, Theressa and Newell. Ephraim Smith died December 11, 1831, aged 79 years. Annie, his wife, died September 14, 1827, aged 73 years. Gerrit Smith died July 1, 1883, aged 86 years. Susan, his wife, died January 16, 1896, aged 96 years.
SCHOOLS OF THE EARLY DAYS.
The school-rooms of the early days were without even an apology for modern seats and desks. On three sides of the school room were continuous slab or plank benches, over which the girls, as well as the boys, were obliged to swing their feet whenever necessary to use the desk. The instructor's desk oc- cupied the center. Here was stationed a rod or ferule, sometimes both. These, with books, inkstands, fire-shovel, a pair of tongs, and one chair, were the principal furniture. One- side of the entry furnished a place of deposit for the hats and spare clothes of the boys. The girls generally carried their bon- nets, etc., into the school-room. Ventilation was much neg- lected. In summer the floor was washed every two or three weeks. The winter school usually opened the first of Decem- ber, and continued from twelve to sixteen weeks. Summer school opened about the first of May. Instructors usually boarded in the families of the pupils. Their compensation varied from seven to twelve dollars a month for men, and from seventy cents to one dollar a week for women. We have been told of one young lady who taught more than thirty terms in the same district, who began her career as a teacher on the
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
munificent sum of one dollar per week, and boarded herself. Webster had tact in discerning the wants of the country in his day, and providing for them in his spelling book. There have been few moral lessons productive of the same effect in the country, as the famous old fable of the "Boy that stole apples," and who sits, in the old wood-cut, alarmingly exposed, astride of a branch of a tree, almost naked of foliage, while the farmer in small clothes, one arm akimbo, the other in a most striking attitude, takes aim at the young "saucebox." Then there is the forsaken "Country Maid and her Milk-pail," teaching the double lesson of the vanity of human expectations, and the folly of unnecessary grief, that chickens are not to be counted be- fore they are hatched, or milk to be wept over after it is spilt. The story too of "The boy that went to the Woods to look for Birds' Nests," when he should have gone to school, and the description of a good boy and of a bad boy, not forgetting the wonderful table of "Proverbs, Counsels and Maxims," all in words of one syllable, taxing the wisdom of nations, and the strong old Saxon pover of the English language: all sound lessons, calculated to make honest men and ingenious Benjamin Franklins. The order of exercises for the day was usually as follows: From nine o'clock A. M. to fifteen minutes past nine, the instructor came to the door with a large ferule, and struck several times on the door-post, as a signal for opening the school. Such pupils as were present came in and took their seats, or crowded around the fire. Those of the first class who were pres- ent, read in the Testament. When this reading closed, writing was attended to. In the winter copies and pens were to be pre- pared (the pens were made from the quills of a goose's wing), ink to be thawed and watered; and numbers wished to go to the fire at once. In the midst of all this, the second and third classes prepared to be called upon to read. About half past ten the welcome sound, "You may go out," was heard. Every one made his long "obeisance," and was immediately in the street, but in from five to ten minutes the loud rap brought them to the place of obeisance, and to their seats again. The two sexes went out separately. The remainder of the forenoon was spent chiefly in spelling. School closed at twelve o'clock. At the usual signal, "school dismissed"-a scene of confusion
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commenced. In the afternoon the rap on the door summoned them at once. The American Preceptor was then read by the older ones; writing was next in order: second and third or smaller classes were heard. A short recess was allowed, as in the forenoon. It was customary to have a pail of water and cup near the school-room door. The water was sometimes handed round. On coming in from the afternoon recess, the classes were all exercised in their spelling lessons again, beginning with the youngest. Once a week they were allowed to choose sides for spelling, which took up about half the afternoon. The side or party who mis-spelled the smallest number of words was declared to have beaten, and they usually manifested much triumph. The exercises of the day closed by calling the roll, and by giving positive orders for every pupil to go straight l:ome, and be civil with everyone they might meet.
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