USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
249
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Nathaniel Keeler died January 8, 1873; Amanda Gaylord Keeler died September 18, 1887. Buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
DANIEL BYINGTON.
Daniel Byington, Junior, was a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Hall Byington. The senior Daniel was a mechanic by trade, of whom the younger Daniel, our townsman, learned the art. Dan- iel Byington was born in Wolcott or Farmingbury, Conn., in the year 1772. He married Hannah Alcott or Alcox, whose birth occurred in the same year, 1772, at Wolcott. Together they came to this part of the country about 1800, to seek a home for themselves and their children. With strong arms, and earnestness of purpose, they toiled through discouragements and discomfort, many times coming to the attainment of their hopes through strivings and endeavors, realized only by those who settle in a new territory, unimproved and remote from civiliza- tion. They made their home on the Taberg road, two and a half miles from Camden village, still known as the "Byington place." His occupation was that of lumbering, and his mill was situated on Cobb Brook. The dam and ruins of the building are still seen. The demand for lumber made his business an im- portant pursuit. Material for many homes in pioneer days was prepared at this mill, and it was kept running on full time to supply orders. In later years, houses to accommodate all per- manent residents had been built; land had been largely denuded of its timber, so the occupation of lumbering became no longer a lucrative one. Mr. Byington married three times-first, Han- nah Alcott, and by this union were born, Polly, Wells, Coral, Ambrose and William Robinson. Mrs. Byington died December 3, 1835, aged 63 years. Mr. Byington married again after a few years, Miss Huldah Norton, and by this marriage were born Zinah, Hiram and Susannah. Mr. Byington was again a widower, and in the passing of years married Miss Huldah Wakefield. To them was born one child, Mrs. Hannah Jones of this town. From the history of Wolcott, Conn., written by Rev. Samuel Orcutt in 1879, we glean that Mr. Byington, Sen., was a man of much excellence of character, and educated well for the time in which he lived. For twenty-six years and up- wards he was clerk of the Farmingbury Society (or Wolcott), keeping a most correct account, almost a model. In another notice of him it speaks of the years of his clerkship as being from 1771 to 1798. Mr. Orcutt says of him: "It is with great pleasure that I record my high appreciation of Daniel Byington
250
PIONEER HISTORY OF
as Clerk of the Society of Farmingbury, whose writings I have consulted daily for much of the time for three months past, until I had become familiar with every turn of his pen, and every form of expression, and until it seemed to me as a communion of spirits, in which friend Daniel was helping me on in giving to the world a picture of 26 years of society life in Farmingbury. Good bye, Daniel, till I am introduced to you on the other side of the veil." Mr. Byington and his first wife rest side by side in the Parke Cemetery on Four Mile Square. Daniel Byington died August 20th, 1843, aged 71 years.
In the pioneer days land was heavily timbered, and before grass could grow upon it, it must be cleared. After this had been done, meadows came to be, and after the grass was mown down, it must be raked. Rakes were scarce, and the first made in Camden were by Daniel Byington, who formed a dozen by hand, cutting the teeth and shaping them with a draw-shave and jack-knife. These found a ready sale, and soon others came to the manufacture, and it became an enterprise in the locality which will be mentioned elsewhere.
AMBROSE BYINGTON.
Ambrose Byington was the fourth child of Daniel and Hannah Byington, and was born in Wolcott, Conn., in 1813. In 1839 he married Miss Sally Porter of Taunton, Mass. She was a sister
Miss Sally Porter-Mrs. Byington, in her teens.
251
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
of William Porter, who lived on the Ethel Higgins place, and the second Mrs. David Osborn. She was born in 1804. One daughter blessed their union, Caroline Rhoda, who died in 1861, aged 15 years. Mrs. Byington died in July, 1886, aged 82 years. Mr. Ambrose Byington is now at the age of 84, a remarkably well-preserved man, with a sprightly step, of much energy, and a keen memory. We have turned to him for proof that state- ments were correct, gleaned from various uncertain sources, and have found him a mine of value to us. His memory reaches back to scenes of his boyhood with an alertness and positive- ness which would shame a boy of to-day, and all along his life's way he has treasured in his mind the happenings in his expe- rience. We give pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Byington, taken be-
Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Byington.
fore Mrs. Byington's death a few years. Mr. Ambrose Byington still lives in the home of his father. Dempster Snow has charge of the farm, and with the family Mr. Byington lives. He is cheerful and active, and it has been one of the chief pleasures of our work to meet him, and listen to his stories of "ye olden tyme." A brother, Mr. Coral Byington, still lives at the age of
252
PIONEER HISTORY OF
86 years, in the West. Mrs. Sally Byington is buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
Across the highway from the Daniel Byington farm, on land now belonging to W. S. Peck, lived one Theodore Taylor. It has been cighty years and more since the house stood there. Mr. Taylor died, leaving a wife and children. The house burned, and in it perished a child. In the first book of town records we find that widow Taylor received aid from the town to the amount of one dollar and sixty cents, upon the occasion of her child being burned, in 1801. John W. Bloomfield, Supervisor.
Freeborn Robinson is a name we have seen mentioned in old records, and heard from aged people, and find his home was on the Taberg road, back from the street as it at present runs, on the line of the old highway. All trace of his habitation is obliterated, but his unique name we mention.
Hezekiah Rogers lived on the east side of the highway, on a knoll. He was a man of much Christian activity. It was his custom to drive to meetings on the Sabbath, taking a load of people to enjoy the services of the sanctuary with him. He (lrove a spotted horse; was a man of much pretension, and our informant said, he felt "pretty important." This house is also among the things that were.
COLBURN FARM.
Jesse B. Alcott (or Allcox as originally) located carly on Taberg Street. He bought about 40 acres of uncultivated land lying along the old highway, and built a house. In later years, or after the survey of the new street, perhaps 1840, he moved the house to its present site. Jesse Alcott died in Camden, and is buried in Mexico Street Cemetery, near the graves of Mrs. Solo- mon Alcott and Maria B. Frisbie. His son, Blakeslee Alcott, con- tinted on the place till about 1856, when he removed to St. Charles, Illinois. The children of Jesse Alcott were: Electa, Wealthy, Sophia, Lucy, Elsie Ann, Jesse Blakeslee.
Warren Olcott lived near here for some years, later going West. The next owner was Eliphas Colburn. His wife was Phoebe Hoag Cady, she being the widow Cady at the time of her marriage with Mr. Colburn. Their children were Ann, John, Betsey, William and Mary. Eliphas Colburn died December 26, 1859, aged 77 years. Phoebe Colburn died February 10, 1881, aged 81 ycars.
253
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
William Colburn, son of Eliphas, married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of David Brown, and resides on the home place; is a successful farmer and business man. They have three children -Janet, who married O. A. Pierce, formerly of Camden; Fred, who married Miss Clara, daughter of Christien Boehm, and Charlotte. Fred resides with his father on Taberg Street.
ELEAZER PECK.
Eleazer Peck was born in Connecticut, January 6, 1793; Hannah Parke, was born in Chatham, Conn., July 27, 1796; married February 16, 1815. They settled on the farm now owned by W. S. Peck, and purchased it of George Scriba, not far from the year of their marriage. So dense was the forest about the crude habitation they first occupied, that Mr. Peck, having spent the day chopping and felling trees, upon his re- turn to his home after his day's labor, lost his way. At last. after wandering for some hours, and feeling faint with hunger, he found a house, at the door of which he applied for food and shelter for the night. His appeal astonished the occupants, and his feelings were indescribable when he discovered he was at his own door asking for bed and board. To Eleazer and Han- nah Peck were born a family of twelve children. Maria, who- married Israel Stoddard; George; Daniel and Catharine, twins: Daniel married Julia Waring; Catharine married David Kinne; Amy, married Thurston Palmer; William married Roby How- land; Temperance married Samuel Wood; Sage; Eleazer, died unmarried; Sidney; Fannie married B. N. Buell: Harriet.
Eleazer Peck died May 29, 1848, aged 55 years; Hannah Peck died May 6. 1869, aged 74 years. Buried in cemetery on Four Mile Square.
The children of this estimable couple filled useful places in the community, being members of the Methodist Church, and held in very high esteem by those who knew them. All have passed on to the land of their desires, where a union of the fam- ily of fourteen is a happy consummation, and an issue out of their afflictions.
Daniel Parke Peck married Julia A. Waring in 1845. and re- tained his father's farm. Their home for some years was the small frame structure of his father's building, but in 1873 he
254
PIONEER HISTORY OF
built a handsome two-story house, the present home of his son, W. S. Peck. He was an industrious and successful business man, respected by all who knew him, faithful to all trusts, of kindly, generous impulses, a friend to those in need. He was earnest in his Christian work, for years connected with the official and spiritual interests of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Peck was a faithful helper, aiding in all ways to render to her family the daily comforts a mother only can give; was cheerful, hearty and friendly to all whom she met. Mrs. Peck died March 10, 1881, aged 61 years. Their children were-Emma (Mrs. Stephen McCall), Louisa (Mrs. Miles Keeler), Hannah (Mrs. Charles Kniffin), Mary (Mrs. Otto Johnson), and W. S. Peck of this town. In 1885 Mr. Peck married Mrs. Hannah Perkins Smith. In 1894, December 17, Mr. Peck died, after a long illness. He was buried beside his wife in Forest Park Cemetery.
W. S. Peck, son of Daniel Parke Peck, resides on the home- stead, and conducts a thrifty farming and dairy industry. He married Miss Anna Smith, daughter of Daniel Peck's second wife. Their home is one of the most attractive in town. In 1895 he was elected to the office of Supervisor of the town, which he still holds, executing his duties to the satisfaction of his friends. Among his achievements is the building of a new substantial fence about the pioneer Cemetery on Mexico Street.
McCALL FACTORY.
In the fall of 1871, Mr. Stephen McCall, experienced in the work, erected a building on the farm of Daniel Peck for the business of corn-packing. The building was 48 feet long, and 26 wide. Later he added to the structure, till it was 84 by 26, and a wing 36 feet long, making it of large capacity for the in- dustry. Many hands were employed in the season, and it was a busy locality. Mr. McCall pursued the occupation till in 1876 he removed to Hoopeston, Ill., where 'he engaged in the same business for some years, or until his health failed him-his death occurring in February, 1897. The factory remained un- used, and gradually went to ruin. A few timbers remain on the place, which are being, little by little, cleared away. On this site in early days stood a crude habitation, in which lived one Joel Hitchcock.
255
THE TOWN OF CANDEL.
MARSHALL PARKE.
Marshall Parke married Chloe Higgins, daughter of Jehiel Higgins; bought the farm just beyond Gulf Brook, containing twenty acres, and erected a home of logs. He was born in 1798. in Camden, and was a son of Daniel and Esther Parke. He lived here a few years, when he removed to the site near Perry Parkes, his son, who at present occupies the home farm. Their children were Lonson, Franklin and Charlotte. Chloe, wife of Marshall Parke, died March 30. 1832, aged 29 years. The daugh- ter Charlotte died young. In later years Mr. Parke married a Miss Hall of Amboy. Their children were, Daniel, Joshua, Perry, Hannah and Charlotte. Marshall Parke died December 14, 1848, aged 50 years. He is buried beside his first wife, Chloe, in the Parke Cemetery, cn Four Mile Square.
ETHEL HIGGINS Next owned the place. He was a son of Jehiel Higgins, born
House built by Ethel Higgins, 1827.
in 1807. Was a young man of fine scholarly tastes, excelling in mathematics, and orthography. There were not a few con- temporary with Mr. Higgins, who were experts in these same studies, and the rehearsals of their endeavors, cach to outdo the others, have been of interest. For instance, when Ezra Parke taught school in the red brick school-house, there were several boys who were anxious to have perfect lessons, and studied diligently to learn them. This was particularly so with
256
PIONEER HISTORY OF
regard to spelling. In the lesson occurred two words with the same pronunciation, but of course differently spelled. The words were Briton and Britain. We will give no names in titis instance, except to say that Ethel Higgins was one of the participants or scholars in the class that had this iesson. The lads were given two trials of a word-if missing the first time, they could try again. One word of those we have given had been spelled when the second one was pronounced. The boy whose turn it was to try stood next to the foot of the class, not because he was a dullard, but because all were nearly perfect, and he could only work his way up, as each one took his place at the foot of the class daily, after enjoying the honor of being "at the head" of the class for the day. Well, this lad had been inattentive to the particular word that had been given, when the next boy, having listened intently, gave it correctly, and "went up one." This was a matter of much interest in the school, and the boy who "went up" wore a silver piece about his neck (an Eng- lish shilling) for a time, an honor to the scholar with a perfect les- son. In 1827 Ethel Higgins married Miss Clarissa, daughter of Russell Johnson. In the same year he purchased the farm, built the house now standing, and here they lived till 1835, when they removed to Parnassus Street. To them were born three chil- dren-Gilbert S., married Emily Stillman, September 29, 1857; Tirzah R., married Leander Sanford, May 1, 1855; Harriet E., married Sedgwick F. Dyer, January 12, 1856. Ethel Higgins died in Florence June 24, 1872, aged 65 years. Buried in Cam- den.
WILLIAM W. PORTER
Purchased the farm in 1835 from Ethel Higgins, and secured the remainder of it from the heirs of Roswell Rudd. Mr. Porter occupied the place for ten years, bringing it under good cultiva- tion. In 1845 he returned to Taunton, Mass., where he died in 1889, aged 86 years. During the greater part of his life he was engaged in the manufacture of Britannia and silver ware, in which business he was one of the pioneers. His sons, Edmund W. and Lemuel C., are at present engaged in the manufacture of silver ware under the firm name of the West Silver Co., Taunton, Mass.
257
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
RUFUS B. TUTHILL.
Rufus B. Tuthill resided here from 1875 to 1877. He was born in Ava, N. Y., was a son of Davis Tuthill, a brother of Baldwin and Hubbard Tuthill of this town. He married Miss Ellen Deck, and to them were born three children. Florence, Cora and Burnett Davis. Mrs. Ellen Tuthill died December 25, 1881, while they resided on Taberg Street. Subsequently he removed to Camden village, and in 1885 he married Orissa, widow of Jesse Fish. She was a daughter of John D. Yager of Vienna, and the mother of Jesse Fish, Jr., our townsman. In 1893 she died, and in November, 1892, he married Mary Louisa, daughter of the late Lorenzo and Nancy Wetmore, born in Camden. They reside on the Wetmore place on Third Street, just north of the Camden Academy, at present. Of Mr. Tut- bill's three children, Flora married Charles Lewis of Boonville, in 1891, where they now reside. When but a child, her mother died, and she assumed the responsibilities of the houseliold with an ability that was a marvel to all, and which would have been a credit to many of mature years. Cora and Burnett are popular and estimable young people of our village.
DANIEL BLAKESLEE.
Daniel Blakeslee was born in Harwinton, Conn., in 1788; Abigail Bennett was born in Harwinton, Conn., and they were married in 1812.
They settled two miles and a half from Camden on the Taberg road. Their children were twelve in number: Aaron, Benja- min, Delia, Belinda, Franklin, Louisa, Mary, Marilla, Hiram, Chalotte, Jay and Cynthia. Franklin, Marilla, Mary, Charlotte and Cynthia are at present living. Daniel died in 1872. Of the family, the late Jay Blakeslee occupied the old homstead: his heirs at this time its owners. Jay Blakeslee was born October 15, 1823. He married Miss Eunice Lawton September 21, 1821. Their children are-Homer, who lives in Michigan: Louisa and Grace, who live in Syracuse; Ina: Nellie married Dempster Snow: Fannie married Mr. Dolan: and De Wayne.
RUSSELL JOHNSON.
Russell Johnson, seeking a home for himself and family. came from Harwinton, Conn .. to Amboy. Oswego County, not 17
258
PIONEER HISTORY OF
far from 1802. He made a farm, clearing and improving land, as all new comers had to do, and endured the privations of pio- nieer life with fortitude. Was born June 7, 1782, at Harwinton. He married Miss Tirzah Smith, born in 1786, also of Harwin- ton; and they were married there. Their journey was made with an ox cart, through rough, almost unexplored country. We suppose those who made the long journeys in those days would consider walking in about the same light that we, in these times of rapid transit, would look upon traveling the same dis- tance by an accommodation train. With an ox team, as we would a journey on the "Chicago Limited;" and if by good fortune a team of horses was the means of taking them to their destination, surely it was equal to our "Empire State Express!" Mr. Johnson and his wife remained for a few years only in Amboy, when they removed to Williamstown in the same county, and in 1814 located in Cam- den, on Taberg Street, about two and a half miles east from Camden village. Their early home in those days was of logs, and was situated near the little brook that crosses the highway a few rods north of the later home of the Johnsons, on the same side of the street. In a few years he built a frame house, a part of that now standing, in which they resided till their death. They were the parents of eight children, who grew to manhood and womanhood respected members of the community. Emeline was born in Connecticut, and married Earl Frisbie of Auburn, N. Y .; Clarissa, born in Amboy, and married Ethel Higgins: Amasa Smith, born in Williamstown, N. Y .; Sylvester, born in Williamstown, N. Y., and Harriet in Camden. She married Levi Smith, and they removed to the State of Ohio; Lucy, born in Camden, and married Wilbur Cutler of Amboy, N. Y .; George born in Camden, and died young and unmarried. Life in a new, undeveloped country is not one of comfort or case, and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were not less free from the trials of it than their neighbors. Grain had to be taken to a distant mill for grinding, and Mrs. Johnson had to put her little ones to bed hungry be- cause the grist had not returned, on occasions, between plant- ing and harvest time, feeding them on maple sugar to appease their hunger. No doubt the children were like those of the pres- ent day, and enjoyed sugar better than bread. Russell Johnson died August 4. 1858, aged 76 years; Tirzah Johnson died June 19, 1877, aged 91 years. Buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
Home of A. Smith Johnson,
260
PIONEER HISTORY OF
SMITH JOHNSON.
Amasa Smith was the third child of Russell and Tirzah John- son. born in Williamstown, N. Y., April 20, 1809. Came to. Camden when five years of age with his parents, and resided the remainder of his life on the farm where they first settled, March 11, 1835. he married Sally H. Bloss of Annsville ; one son, Melzo, was born to them, dying the year of his birth. December 12, 1836, Mrs. Johnson died. In 1846 he married Miss Sarah C. Stacy, and in 1849 she died, leaving no children. In 1852, October 6, he married Miss Sarah Jane West of this town, born October 30. 1829. By this last union there were children as follows: Hattie Johnson, born August 17, 1853: died March 12, 1881; George, born January 24, 1855, died February 31, 1894; Myron, born Septem- ber 7, 1857, died February 21, 1880; Fred D., born February 19, 1861; Russell Smith, born June 7, 1865: Carny, born May I, 1867, died May 27, 1873. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were people of much intelligence, of character and real worth. In the M. E. Church Mrs. Johnson was one of the active workers, and in Sunday School a most interesting teacher, giving much time to the study of the lessons, and imparting her knowledge with rare ability. Mr. Johnson was a man of much business enter- prise, conducting his farming interests ably, and with profit. The home of his boyhood he enlarged and made attractive in many ways, and it was a favorite place for the friends of the family to visit. After the death of Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson removed to Camden village to give her. sons better advantages in educational directions, and resided here until her death. A. S. Johnson died October 30, 1879, aged 70 years: Sarah J. Johnson died May 14, 1884. aged 55 years. Buried in Forest Park Cem- etery.
Of the descendants of A. S. and Sarah Johnson, but one re- mains in Camden, Russell S., of the law firm of Davies & John- son. In April, 1896, he married Miss Mary, daughter of the late Ezra Edgett of Newark, Wayne County, and are residing on Church Street. Mr. Johnson is a young man of marked ability in his profession, a diligent, successful Republican leader in politics, of fine personal appearance, and a most desirable
261
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
member of the community. Mrs. Johnson is amiable, energetic, of fine musical tastes, an accomplished pianist, and a favorite in social circles.
George Johnson married Delia Kiernan in New York City in 1884, September 8. Children are Russell and Horace Edward.
Fred Johnson married Carrie P. Robbins of Stittsville, August 23, 1882. They reside in the West.
Perry Parke is a son of Marshall Parke, of whom mention is made on another page. He married a daughter of Henry Hall, who resided on Pond Hill. He continues farming on the place occupied by his father, and is successful in his work. The farm is productive, and he has brought it to a high state of excellence.
The line between Camden and Annsville is reached, and we return to Camden village.
CHAPTER XIV.
JACOB CONKLIN.
Going east from the Florence road near the Sherman Sperry place, we soon come to the early home and farm of Jacob Conklin (now known as the Voorhees place). This man Conklin was a very early settler, if not the earliest on this place. Some time in 1830 Robert his son showed consider- able talent for speaking, and was also a student to some extent. The ladies of the Congregational Church interested themselves in him, among whom were Mrs. Dr. Ransom, Mrs. Erastus Up- son, Mrs. Humphrey Brown, Mrs. Clark Sperry and others, who thought best to help him to an education with a view of his be- coming a minister. They clothed him and made arrangements for sending him away to school, which in those days was an op- portunity very few could have. This interest the ladies took in him stimulated his ambition. He was soon able to enter college, and was fitted for the ministry. His first call was to a Pres- byterian church in Providence, R. 1 .. He proved to be one of the most talented ministers of that State. He was seen a number of times by Deacon Erastus Upson in later years, and always expressed his gratitude for what the ladies of Camden did for him in his early life. Next was the home of Joshua Kenfield, now owned by Ira Howland. This primitive home, like others in the early days, was of logs. At one time Kendall had a little mill on Cora's Creek (now Cobb Brook) for turning wood- en bowls.
WRIGHT SKINNER
Emigrated from Vernon, Albany County, N. Y., to Camden in 1820, making the journey with oxen and cart. He was in the war of 1812, enlisting in a regiment that went from Albany to Sackett's Harbor. In marching through the north-eastern part of the town, on the State road, he concluded this would be a good place to locate, among such fine timber, much of which
263
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
would make good material for building ships. After his return home his two eldest sons, often listening to their father's glowing accounts of this section, came on prospecting, and concluded to locate. Building a log house at the turn of the road beyond the Conklin place, they returned to Vernon for their parents and the remainder of the family. From the family Bible this record is copied :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.