USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 17
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sleeps to bring them safely to their journey's end. Their faith was strong in their Leader and Friend, and in these morning and evening devotions Deacon Cobb led in their supplications. But a short time after their arrival here, and their establish- mient in a new home, Deacon Cobb's name appears upon the church roll, and he served its best interests for over forty years. It was his custom to attend the weekly prayer meetings, in- variably walking, until the infirmities of age made it impossible. No doubt there are many yet living who remember his familiar figure as he wended his way to the meeting house to attend devotional services. He gave most liberally and willingly to benevolent causes, though not considered one of the moneyed men of the town. It was his pleasure and habit. His pastor said of him, at the good man's funeral, "That the last year and a half of his life, he had given as much to these causes as all of the rest of Caniden." He felt it a duty to give. His wife, Mercy Cobb, died April 18, 1838, aged 49. Though not as early
Home of Deacon Cobb.
to find a home here as some others, he became an honored and useful citizen, and he served the town of his adoption faithfully and well. He married a second time, the widow of Nathaniel Brown, a year or so after the death of his first wife. The original home of Bennett Cobb stood on the east side of the highway, back on the rise of ground. It was subsequently re- moved to the west side of the street, and became the wood-house of the residence now known as the Deacon Cobb place, which
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
he built some years later, where he resided till his death, with his son Bennett, Jr. Four of Deacon Bennett Cobbs' children are buried in the Mexico Street Cemetery. Francis, who died in 1828, aged one year; Melissa, in 1835, aged eight years; Matilda, in 1836, aged 18 years; Joanna, in 1838, aged 23 years. The remains of both Mr. and Mrs. Cobb repose in the pioneer cemetery on Mexico Street.
Bennett Cobb. Junior, occupied the home of his father; was the only child of Deacon Bennett Cobb that re- mained in town. He married Miss Mehetabel, daughter of Ezra Cobb of Lewis County, N. Y. No descendants live in Camden. One son, Ezra, married Miss Abigail Willis of Camden, and they lived here for a few years, when they re- moved to Syracuse, where they reside at present. A daughter, Matilda, married a Mr. Carpenter, and removed to the West. We copy a letter written by Bennett Cobb, Junior, soon after their arrival in Camden. It is somewhat descriptive of the trip. and may be of interest. To whom it is addressed is not plain.
"Camden, December 8, 1824.
According to your request, I now sit down to inform you that we are all well, hoping these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. We had a very delightful journey, and were twenty-two days on the road. We had very warm and pleasant weather, and there was no rain to hinder us an hour or a minute. The first night we staid at Taunton, at Dean's Inn. There grandmother found an old acquaintance: she that was Mercy King. The next night we stayed at Providence, at Ridge's Inn, where we were used very well. The next night, at Gloucester, Chopatchet village, at Peckham's Inn. At Smith- field, a Mrs. Thompson we saw. She seemed very glad to see us, and to hear from her friends in Plympton. She was the daughter of Mr. Daniel Soule's wife. We came through many pleasant and delightful villages, and were four days crossing the Green Mountains. The road was made on level ground by the river, sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left. The mountains on each side hung almost over our heads. The roads were as good as anywhere in the County of Plymouth. Before we left the Green Mountains we stayed at Dewey's Inn. He
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was a man that made free use of spirits, and treated himself so often that he could do nothing but walk about and hold a candle, but treated us very well. The children found plenty of chestnuts and shagbarks by the way. October 27 we passed through Greenbush, crossed the river Hudson, and through the pleasant city of Albany. The day following passed the delightful city of Schenectady. Crossed the river Mohawk, and traveled many miles among the Dutch. They are a people that live in good fashion, build their houses two stories high, with their ovens out of doors. We followed the canal about one hundred miles, boats passing us every day. We heard their music day and night. Crossed the Mohawk again at Utica. It is a large and delightful city, with elegant buildings. There we saw a company of engineers which interested us much. The next day we passed the village of Rome, and November 3rd we arrived at Camden about nine o'clock in the evening. It is very well situated, and contains about as many square miles as Carver, and upwards of 1,400 inhabitants. It has thirteen school districts, one town school-house, an academy, two elegant meeting houses, and a good minister (Rev. Henry Smith). There are within a mile five stores, three taverns, three grist-mills, four or five saw-mills, two hat factories, one comb factory, two fulling mills, two potasheries, one chair factory, one woolen factory, one tin factory, two tanning establishments. The first tree was cut down 29 years ago. A few inhabitants then came in from Con- necticut. They were a very kind and respectable people. We can give you but a short account of the situation of Camden. Next Monday I commence going to school at the Academy. My teacher is Mr. Seagur. Mr. Van Alstyne will keep school in our district (Peck). Love to all the friends, and Aunt Rickard in particular. I subscribe myself your nephew.
Bennett Cobb."
De Witt Clinton for Governor. Thanksgiving. December 21, 1824.
PAUL TANNERY.
A few rods below the Bennett Cobb house, the highway crosses a busy stream, called "Cobb Brook." The fa- cilities it affords for water power was early made avail-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
able, and numerous mills were built along its course. In 1855 Benjamin Buell and David Gaylord erected a building for the manufacture of broom handles. The land was then owned by Mr. Miner Buell. In later years Mr. Bettis owned and converted it into a tannery, and for a few years the Costellos used it for the same purpose. It is still used as a tannery, and operated by Robert Paul. The land on which it stands was a part of the Ebenezer Doten, Junior, farm.
EBENEZER DOTEN, JR.,
Was born in Middleboro, Mass., in 1795. In 1819 he married Miss Deborah Soule, and came to Camden in 1825. The house just beyond Cobb Brook was built by him soon after, on a part of his father's farm. He was a genial, cheerful gentleman, and no doubt will be remembered by many at the present time. His life was full of activity, his duties quietly, but earnestly pur- sued. Three children grew to mature years, Miss Mary, Otis and Alfred. Mrs. Doten was one of uncommon geniality of disposition, brightening many a dark passage along life's way, by her sunny nature. She was always looking for the "silver lining" to every cloud; was an earnest Christian, interesting herself helpfully in the welfare of the community, attaching her- self warmly to the hearts of her friends. They both attained a good old age. Mr. Doten died in 1876, aged 81 years, and Mrs. Doten died in 1886, aged 84 years. Both are buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
Otis Doten is the only one of their family remaining in Cam- den; has been a prominent dentist here for twenty-five or more years; is an honest, upright, law-abiding citizen, respected by the community. He was born in this town.
Hannah Doten, sister of Ebenezer and John Doten, married Isaiah Tillson in Connecticut. In 1827 Mrs. Tillson came to Camden with her four children. The journey was then made, as in earlier years, with the covered wagon, containing the household effects. She came to be near hier brothers, that they might have a care over her and her family. Much of the way was made by the older children on foot. The Hudson was crossed at Albany on a ferry, propelled by horses walking around a capstan in the centre of the boat. In December, 1843. Mrs.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Tillson died, aged 52, and Lucy, her daughter, in 1845. aged 19 years. Buried in Mexico Street Cemetery. The two sons still survive-Calvin Chaddock of this town, the father of Mrs. L. Fay, and Charles Edwin of Wayne County, who married Mary A. Curtiss, sister of Mrs. Harry Goodyear. We are indebted to Mr. Calvin Tillson for many items of interest in connection with our work.
DOTEN FARM-ASAPH WHITTLESEY.
The deed of the farm now known as the Doten place shows the land, 124 acres, to have been bought by contract of George Scriba by Asaph Whittlesey of Wayne County in 1810. Sub- sequent changes and business dealings show that his wife was Clarinda, Whittlesey, and his children to have been named, Asaph, Cornelia, Melzar, Franklin, Charles and Emily. In 1816 Roswell Lyman Colt occupied it a short time, and then disap- peared, as did the Whittleseys. It is altogether probable that while on the place, Mr. Whittlesey died, leaving a family, for when Mr. Doten purchased the place in 1824 it was necessary to go through a legal process, in which Mrs. Whittlesey and the children figured prominetly before the title could be made a clear one.
DOTEN FARM-PHILO SCOVILLE.
Home of Philo Scoville.
In 1817 Philo Scoville appears in deeds as owning the place. Hle came from the eastern country, and married Miss Cyrene, sister of Samuel Cleveland of this town. Her father or grand-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
sire was a Church of England clergyman, coming to America, and settling in Massachusetts, and in some way related to Roger Williams. They were also related to the Hulburts and to Mrs. Micajah Butler (Ruth Warner). It is to be regretted that we can be no more authentic in this matter, but much time has been given to unraveling the genealogy to no avail. However, of Philo Scoville's business career in Camden we have elicited somewhat. He was an expert in the building and burning of charcoal pits, and on one occasion he prepared and burned in one pit the timber from nine acres of ground. This was the won- der of the town, and great interest was taken by the residents to learn if it was successful. It was even beyond Mr. Scoville's most sanguine expectations, for in every part the coal was burned to the proper gauge. This supplied the iron foundry at Taberg, where he manufactured five pail kettles, skillets, &c. His deeds of daring, as related by himself, were of intense interest. He had a gift of story-telling, was a wit, and made friends rapidly in the community. One dark night as Eleazer Peck and Mr. Scoville were returning from Taberg, on horse- back, Mr. Scoville's horse mistook his course, and plunged over an embankment, taking his rider with him. Mr. Peck greatly alarmed, called out, "Scoville, are you dead?" "No," came the reply. "I am just looking for my horse." Mr. Scoville removed to Watertown about 1824, and from there to Indiana in 1837. Further we can not learn.
EBENEZER DOTEN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Plymouth, Carver County, Conn., in 1762, and died in Camden, N. Y., February 22, 1856, aged 93 years and six months. He married Rebecca Rickard, born in 1758, and died August 1, 1835, aged 77 years. Both were interred in the Mexico Street Cemetery, their graves suitably marked with stones, yet well preserved. These sturdy children of New England came from Middleboro, Mass., to Camden in 1825. Of the party of pilgrims to this Mecca of the'r hopes there were fifteen souls, viz .: Ebenezer Doten, Sen., and wife Rebecca; John Doten, Deborah Doten, Lucy Doten, Eben- ezer Doten, Jr., and wife Deborah, and two children: Bennett Cobb and wife, and four children. In 1842 Deborah Doten. 16
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
daughter of Ebenezer Doten, Sen., died, and in 1843 their daughter Lucy, aged respectively 48 and 44 years. Both are buried in Forest Park Cemetery. Mr. Doten located on the Taberg road, about where the residence of Mr. John Doten now is. His object in coming to Camden was because of the avail- ability of land, and its cheapness. He was a shoemaker by trade, and found employment for all his time-in pleasant weather for clearing land, and when inclement, looking after the needs of his neighbors and family's soles. Mr. Doten was a genial, hearty man, and won many friends; was a kind neighbor, good citizen, and was much respected by all. They were truly Christian people, and it is said of their band, as they pushed their way through the wilderness, that they came with thanks-
Ebenezer Doten.
giving; and on one occasion, as their voices swelled the song of praise to Him who watched and guided them on their way, a company of Indians paused in passing, and listened in evident appreciation, only moving on after the song ceased. Of such earnest, truc-hearted people, too much can hardly be said. In sickness ever ready to nurse and care for those who suffered;
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
in toil lending a helping hand, giving a neighborly attention at all times of necessity, and missed greatly when they were gone from their midst. The portrait of Mr. Doten, which we give, was taken the day he was 91 years of age.
JOHN DOTEN
Was born in Carver, Plymouth County, Mass., in 1801. He was a son of Ebenezer Doten, Sen., and Rebeka, coming to Cam- den with his parents in 1824. (See Cobb.) In 1844 he married Mary, daughter of Ezra Cobb of Lewis County, who was a cousin of Deacon Bennett Cobb. He resided on the home farm, and after the death of his father removed the old house to the rear of the present one where it is still used as a carriage barn. (see illustration of the Philo Scoville house on page 240) Ile built a more convenient structure for his use. Four chil- dren were born to them-Myron and William, who died in childhood; Mary A. and Addie E., who live with their mother, and conduct the farm. As a young man, Mr. Doten's faith in God was earnest and deep, and with advancing years it strength- ened. In a letter written by him to friends left behind, in 1824, he expresses that faith in language that can not fail to be understood, and describes most interestingly the zeal of Canı- den residents, in a revival conducted by the Rev. Henry Smith. Mr. Doten was called to enjoy the blessings in store for him at the ripe age of 84 years, in 1885. His remains rest in Forest Park Cemetery. Mrs. Doten is a kindly, hospitable lady, in the fullness of her mental powers, conversing with much interest upon matters pertaining to the past. She is carefully ministered to by her dutiful daughters, and life goes very well with them. Mrs. Doten was born in 1819, being now seventy-eight years of age.
MABIE PLACE-WILLIAM STEVENS.
William Stevens was born in Connecticut in 1734, and came from Wolcott, Conn., not far from 1800, and soon after erected the house now known as the Mabie place. We much regret that we have been unable to find more than we give concerning Mr. Stevens and his family. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, serving his country bravely and with much honor to himself. Prior to his residence in Camden, while a
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citizen of Wolcott, Conn., he manufactured a celebrated pitch- fork, but failing in the enterprise, came here to find a more suc- cessful occupation. We give an accompanying illustration of the house as it now appears in a well preserved condition, owned by Mr. Spaulding Deck. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens suffered the
Mabie Place.
loss of an amiable daughter, Welthena, in August, 1812, a Miss of 18 years, who was shortly to have married Rossiter Pres- ton; Sylvester, a son, aged 22, who married a daughter of John Stoddard (brother of Israel and Eliakim) was also removed by death in 1812. This double affliction was a blow to them. Many bright hopes were in anticipation for him, but the enemy, death, won the race, and he was laid to rest beside the sister in Mexico Street Cemetery. William Stevens is spoken of as one of much respectability, and from old records we find him to have been prominent in church work. A daughter married Adam Fancher. His son William removed to Camden village. where mention will be made of him. William Stevens died February 17, 1814, aged 80 years, of quinsy; was a half brother of Mar- tin Stevens, who will be elsewhere mentioned. He rests beside his children in Mexico Street Cemetery.
JOEL B. SMITH,
The next owner of the Stevens place, came to Camden from Kent, Litchfield County, Conn., in May. 1812. He was born at New Milford, Conn., February 2, 1788. He married Harriet Brownson, who was born January 1. 1791, at Warren, Conn. His
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
first Camden home was at the corner of Main and Mexico Streets, in a small house then already standing. He soon built a more pretentious dwelling, better suited to the needs of his family, moving the smaller house to form a wing at the rear of the new structure. This house stood with the eaves toward, and very near the street, and became some years later what was known as the Cavarly house, occupied by J. D. Cavarly. Here six of his children were born. He lived on the place for thirteen years, when he traded his village property with William Stevens for a farm on the Taberg road. This was his residence for eleven years, when he became possessed with a desire to go West, and, selling in 1836, he removed his family to Penfield, Ohio, in 1837. They had ten children. Myron B. Smith born November 30, 1811, in Kent, Conn .; Levi, born October 13, 1812, died young, in Camden; Sarah Stevens, born March 6, 1814, died, aged 24 years; Levi, born December 23, 1815, died March 6, 1884; Harvey Parke, born June 2, 1817; George Lam- bert, born December 1, 1818, died April 23, 1889; Harriet Eliza, born July 8, 1821, died February 1, 1870: Hiram, born February 26, 1824, died January 26, 1881 ; Joel Carleton, born April 9, 1827; Henry Stevens, born January 1, 1831. Mr. Smith was an architect and builder, serving an apprenticeship of seven years, and designed his own plans for buildings. He erected the first M. E. Church-commenced it in 1821, and completed it in 1822. In 1835 he raised it from the foundation, making basement rooms for Sunday School uses. He also built the "Priest Smith" house. or the Congregational parsonage in 1817. and Geo. Trowbridge's house soon after. In the process of building the parsonage, Mr. Smith sustained quite severe injuries from a fall, making it necessary for him to rest from labor for a time. The church still stands, being used as a lumber store-house by C. Boehm, and stands back of his wagon factory. It was used by the Roman Catholics as a place of worship for some years. Mr. Smith was one of a family of ten sons and three daughters-three of his brothers in the ministry. They were all reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord. His father's name was Joel, a man of much means. He gave by will seven hundred and twelve dollars to each of his children, and to his wife a generous
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portion for the times. We give the first clause of his will, a copy of which is at hand :
"In the name of God, Amen. This 7th day of July, 1828, I, Joel Smith, of Kent, Litchfield, State of Connecticut, being of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, to wit: I do will my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the dust from whence it came, hoping for a joyful resurrection through the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose merits alone I trust for happiness beyond the grave, and I re- commend my executors to give my body a decent and Christian burial."
Joel B. Smith was a useful man in the community, and it was with regret that the townspeople learned of his determination to remove to the West. His death occurred from heart discase, May 14, 1850, at Penfield, Ohio, aged 62 years. Harriet Brown- son Smith, his wife, died at La Peer, Michigan, December 4, 1866, aged 75 years.
MABIE PLACE.
We do not know from whence Archibald Wing came to Cam- den. He married Miss Anna Pettys, and settled on this place in 1838. He resided here till the death of his wife in 1845, when he removed to Schenectady, N. Y., where he died in 1865. Mrs. Wing was aged 44 at her death. He was a deacon in the church, and a good law-abiding citizen. Was a farmer of thrift and success, and introduced new varieties of farm products into the community. For long years after his residence here, there was the "Deacon Wing potato" cultivated-a favorite with the sons of the soil.
After Deacon Wing, Riley Scoville came to this place, in 1850. About 1856 Stephen G. Mabie bought the place of Mr. Scoville. He came from Westerlo, Albany County. He was born June 29, 1814. In 1837 he married Phoebe J. Robbins. Mr. Mabie was an enterprising farmer, and a good citizen. In 1877 they left the farm, going into the West to reside, selling their interests in Camden. Mr. Mabie died in Rockford, Ill., April 5. 1889; Mrs. Mabie died April 8, 1880, in Kansas. Their children were -Edmund R., residing in Kansas; Mary Theresa in Illinois: Franklin G. married first Mary E. Cobb, second Miss Nancy
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Sartwell, and are residents of Camden. They have one son, Edward S .; Orlando E. married Emma Finch, and lives in Cam- den; Theron O. is in Illinois; Augustus S. died in Idaho Novem- ber 27, 1890; Clarence G. married Cora Palms. They live in West Camden, and have one daughter, Kate J. Mr. Stephen Mabie sold his farm to Rufus Tuthill. Mr. Tuthill sold to Spaulding Deck, who is the present incumbent (1897).
SYLVESTER STEVENS.
The accompanying illustration is of the house built by Wil- liam Stevens on what was then a part of his farm, for the oc-
House built by William Stevens for his son Sylvester.
cupancy of his son Sylvester, who married a daughter of John Stoddard. (John was a brother of Israel and Eliakim Stoddard.) His life went out in 1812, when he was but twenty-two years of age; leaving a wife lonely and disconsolate, with a little son, Sylvester, just beginning life's journey, and a grief-stricken father and mother to mourn. The disease which caused his death was typhus fever, and many others passed on of the same malady. A stone in Mexico Street Cemetery marks his resting place; and several others by the name of Stevens rest beside him-all that is left to tell that he ever existed, save the records kept by the Rev. Leavenworth, of the First Church. To this we have turned again and again, almost reverentially, to learn of marriages, baptisms and deaths, in years now so remote. Soon after, John Dean bought this farm and resided here till 1830,
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when Elijah Gaylord purchased it, and lived here for 14 years, or until 1844. While he owned the place, the trees at present standing, were set by him. He also added the south end of the house as it is at present. In the east room upstairs, for the com- fort of Mrs. Gaylord's mother, Mrs. Amelia Stearns Curtiss, the fire-place was built, now to be seen, which warmed the apart- ment in which she did much spinning. While they were resi- dents here, two children, Carrie and Jane, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord.
The next occupant was Truman Rowell. He married Huldah Smith. Was a son of Martin Rowell, who came to Camden in 1809 from Connecticut. His trade was that of wagon-maker. They had children-Sophronia. Abram and Truman. While Mr. Rowell resided here he built two saw-mills on the south- west of his farm on Fish Creek, and carried on quite a thrifty milling industry.
NATHANIEL KEELER, JUN.
Nathaniel Keeler, Junior, came on to the place next, and was born at Galway, Saratoga County, N. Y., September 12, 1792, and was a son of Nathaniel Keeler, Sen., and Jemima Barnum. He married Phoebe Hall of Perryville, N. Y., November, 1816, and to them were born four children, viz .: Emily, born August 26, 1817; married Lewis Hamlin in 1847, and died at Perryville in 1890; Parnell Keeler, born in 1822, married Norman Hamlin in 1849, lived and died in Plainfield, Ill., in 1897; Henry J., born in 1828, married Helen M. Sims, is now a prominent mer- chant of Winona, Minnesota; Charles B., born in 1830, and died at Winona, Minnesota, in 1863. Mrs. Phoebe Keeler died May 5, 1834. In 1835 Mr. Keeler married Amanda Gaylord of Florence, N. Y., born in Connecticut, April 14, 1800. By this union were two sons, Miles L. and Walter E. Nathaniel Keeler came from Florence to Camden in 1856, bought and settled on this place, and resided here till the year of his death. He en- listed as a soldier in the war of 1812, at 19 years of age, and served to its close; was discharged honorably at Greenbush on the Hudson. His father, Nathaniel Keeler, Sen., was a farmer by occupation, and enlisted at 19 years of age in the War of the Revolution as a musician and trumpeter over dragoons under Captain Delevan, Col. Lockwood and others. Afterward settled in Fenner, Madison County, N. Y. He was deacon of the Bap- tist church there, and at his former home at Galway, N. Y.
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