USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 19
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"Wright Skinner born October 5, 1763; died December 18, 1830; his wife Hannah Ten Eyck, born June 27, 1773. Children -John, Christian, Robert, Christopher, Martha, Francis, Wil- liam, Reuben, Jacob, Esther, Abraham."
John, the oldest son, was in the war of 1812. He served on Long Island. He was the father of Luther Skinner, who en- listed in 1841 in the U. S. regular army at the age of 16 years. His father took him home; he again enlisted under the name of Ten Eyke (his mother's name). The Company went to Florida to engage in the Seminole War: from thence to California, and then to Mexico. He was in the First Infantry, Co. E, under Maj. Dearborn (a Pennsylvania man). The name of the Captain was Backhurst. The Brigade was under Gen. Taylor; and in this Brigade was Stonewall Jackson, Longstreet and Lee, then young cadets fresh from West Point.
The Skinner Neighborhood Burial Spot.
On the Skinner farm, a short distance back of the house, on a knoll, is a family and neighborhood burial spot, not enclosed. Here are the remains of fifty or more persons, and not a
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stone other than a common field stone to mark the last resting- place of any. Here are the remains of Wright Skinner and his eldest son, John, who both served in the war of 1812. Luther was a son of Jolin, and served in the civil war. We learn that when the first settlers came into this part of the town the wolves were very numerous. When the farm- ors butchered an animal the wolves were attracted by the smell of the blood, and it was difficult to drive them off. Powder and shot could not always be procured. Living as we do to-day with comfort and ease, we realize but little what hardships and privations our ancestors endured.
PETTIS BROTHERS.
Prior to 1835 four Pettis brothers settled on this road. Ther were Robert Layton, Richard, Hiram and Valentine. A few years later another brother, George, came to this town and located near his brother Robert Layton. This family was from Charlton, N. Y. Robert Layton Pettis married in 1835, Miss Emily, daughter of Jeremiah Ladd of Camden. Eleven chil- dren were born to them. Mrs. Richard Pettis died in 1846, aged 41 years. In the years intervening between 1850 and 1860 these brothers removed West, and settled in Henry County, Ill. Valentine Pettis died in Camden at the residence of Charles Cain, in the winter of 1860, while here on business. Three of the brothers died in Illinois. They are Robert Layton, in 1863: Hiram in 1864; George in 1876. The descendants of these brothers are all in the West, scattered through the States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas and Nebraska. Charlotte, wife of George Pettis, died July 17, 1856, aged 32 years and 3 months; Valentine Pettis died February 14, 1860, aged 50 years and 10 months. Those of this family who died in Camden rest in Forest Park Cemetery.
Simon Brewster married Miss Mary Carr. He came to Cam- den about 1845, and settled on the Florence road. There were eleven children, viz .: Amy, Julia, George, Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Maria; five died when quite young. He was from Charlton, N. Y., but came from Parish, Oswego County, to Camden. Simon Brewster died August 7, 1883, aged 88 years: Mary, his wife, died February 20, 1886, aged 87 years.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
FROM TABERG ROAD, ACROSS TO WOLCOTT HILL SCHOOL-HOUSE.
Leaving the Taberg road we approach what is now called the Finch place, on Cobb Brook, called in the early days Cora's Creek, as one by this name lived here, and built the first saw- miill where the road crosses the stream. Nathaniel Yale lived here after Cora. He married a sister of Lyman Curtiss. In 1820 Daniel Byington owned this property and rebuilt the mill. His son Ambrose built a saw-mill below on this stream. On this place near Mr. Finch's residence is a charming little sheet of water known as Shady Lake.
The next place was that owned and occupied by Zophar Tut- tle, now in the possession of Gilbert Quance. Zophar Tuttle was born in Connecticut, February 4, 1776; he came from the town of Salisbury, Herkimer County, N. Y., to Camden, when quite a young man. His wife was Betsey B. Bowler, formerly of Connecticut, by whom he had six children. Hannah, Polly, James, Delight, Salmon and Zophar. The ancestry of this fan- ily is of New England stock of English extraction. Zophar Tuttle died in 1855, aged 80 years.
The next home on this road was that of Royal Root. In 1829 Mr. Root married Elizabeth Wheeler; in 1836 he married for second wife Louisa R. Kellogg: by the second marriage seven children were born to them. He removed to Farmington, Ill .. where he died November 10, 1856.
Isaac Wheeler lived on this place, and while he occupied it, the house was burned.
JOHN BRYAN.
On the east side of the road, next was the home of John Bryan. He came from Wolcott, Connecticut, to Camden, in 1805. Later, about 1812, he bought the farm now owned by Theodore Ansen; the house was burned in 1896, and was the same formerly occupied by him. He purchased this property of Col. John Smith. The journey from Connecticut was made with the regulation outfit, a cart, yoke of oxen and one horse, bringing with' them the necessary house- keeping articles. Mrs. Orissa Mix Barnes has in her possession the old table around which the nine Bryan children stood when
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eating a meal. John Bryan was born in 1775 at Watertown, Conn .; married Sophronia Atwater in 1800. Sophronia Atwater born August 8, 1777. The names of this couple are found on the records of the First Congregational Church of Camden, having joined the church by letter in 1806, and in 1809 subscrib- ing to its support. Their children were-Abigail, who mar- ried Amos Mix; Julianna married James Frisbie; Rhoda mar- ried Charles Houghton; Sophronia married Daniel Wheeler; Ursula married Wright Abbott. John, Jr., Asahel, Roderick, Samuel Treat; these four last settled in the West. In 1819 Mrs. Bryan died, September 9, and in 1821 he married Mehetabel Alcott Bradley, she being one of nine Alcott sisters. He joined the troops that marched to Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812. His death occurred November 24, 1858, at Clinton, Oneida County, where the closing years of his life were spent with his daughter, Mrs. Wright Abbott. His remains and those of his wife rest in Forest Park Cemetery, Camden.
JAMES FRISBIE.
Records show that in 1834 John Bryan sold to James Frisbie 38 acres of land, being one-fourth part of lot No. 29, town of Camden, township No. 8 of Scriba's Patent, as surveyed by Ben- jamin Wright, &c. James Frisbie was born in Wolcott, Conn., in 1799; married Maria Bradley. Not far from 1825 he with his wife located on Wolcott Hill, purchasing a farm partly in the town of Florence and partly in Camden. Shortly after, he went to Leyden in this State, where he remained but a few years, returning to locate on the farm previously owned by John Bryan, the father of his second wife. Later he purchased a farm north of the village, of Caleb Rowell, and in 1858 the residence in the village now occupied by his son, Willard J., on Second Street. He died in 1862, aged 63 years. His second wife, Juliann Bryan, survived him 32 years, dying April, 1895, at the age of 84. His trade was that of clock-maker, in which he was en- gaged many years. Later, and until his health failed, he was in trade in the village. By the first marriage there were two children, Albert M. and Harriet, who married Frank, son of Ephraim Sanford by the second wife, Frances (Mrs. Stoddard Sanford) and W. J. Frisbie.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
PHILIP WALDRON.
The next place, known as the Story farm, was owned in 1819 by Abbott, father of Wright Abbott. In 1835 it was purchased of Chapin Allen by Philip Waldron and his father-in-law, John T. Brogue, who came from Greenville, Green County, N. Y. The next morning after their arrival, which was in the month of February, upon some member of the family going to the barn, footprints of a wolf were discovered in the snow. The children of Philip Waldron were-Oliver, John, Charles, Elizabetlı, Joseph, Rhoda, Miriam, Harriet, Martin and Jane A.
This road is generally known as the Butternut drive, as it is shaded almost its entire length by butternut trees.
One Joseph Peck lived on this farm very early; his house was back from the road further than the present house. He was called "Uncle Joseph," to distinguish him from the one of the same name living west of the school-house. North-east of this farm, on land owned in the early days by Sylvanus Wilson, Jr., is an old well, which leads us to believe there was once a house near it. Tradition tells us that long years since a man hung himself from a limb of an apple tree close to this well.
SPOOK HOUSE.
The old Spook House of Wolcott Hill must not be forgotten, as a house thus named was not far from the home of Waldron and Brogue. It was here that the credulous and school children heard strange noises, and saw unheard of things, such as the rattling of brass kettles, jingling of pot-hooks on the crane in the fire-place, imaginary coffins seen in the bedroom. One aged man, whose mind was weak, declared he had seen this house burn three times; but lo! when morning came the house was still standing as before. All that now remains to mark this historic spot is a pile of stones, and a few lilac bushes. This house was the property of Col. John Smith, and was used as a tenant house.
ROBERT ALLEN FARM.
This farm was purchased of George Parish, through his agent, George Trowbridge, in 1833, by William Smith and Brainard Orton. At that time this part of the town was thickiv
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timbered. These men, with their families, did not long remain here, as in 1836, the land was conveyed to Eliphas Colburn, and in 1854 conveyed to Robert Allen, and is still in the possession of his family. Mr. Allen made many im- provements. adding to the original structure, making a
Robert Allen's Farm House.
pleasant and commodious farm house. From old papers per- taining to this farm, Joseph Peck in 1832 made some arrange- ments to purchase this land, he built a log house, but soon concluded to locate in another part of the town, buying north- west of the Walcott Hill school-house, where his family were educated.
REUBEN ROOT.
Not far from the home of Zophar Tuttle, and cast of it, was the home of Reuben Root. He married widow Upham for second wife, who had three children when he married her. She was Philena, daughter of Arty and Tabitha Allen. Mrs. Allen lived with her son-in-law the last eleven years of her life. Mr. Root died in Fairbank, Iowa, March 3. 1880, in the Soth year of his age. He was a resident of Canden for nearly fifty years.
RUSCOE PLACE.
As deed shows, in 1839 Benjamin Ruscoe purchased 40 acres of land cast of Zophar Tuttle, of George Parish, through his agent, George Trowbridge. At the time of his purchase a log house stood where the present house is. We regret that we are
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
unable to learn who was its occupant; probably the man was un- able to fulfill his contract, and the land reverted back to its original owner. Mr. Ruscoe built the present house. Benjamin Ruscoe married Polly Dean, daughter of John Dean, in 1831. Their children were: Samuel and Ellen. Benjamin Ruscoe was born in 1809; died in 1889; his wife, Polly Dean, was born in 1808 at Camden; died in 1864. The remains of both rest in Forest Park Cemetery.
RAY'S CHAIR FACTORY, ON EMMONS' BROOK.
. In 1870 Charles H. Ray, moved by a commendable spirit of enterprise and energy, purchased a right and water privilege of D. B. Gaylord on the Emmons' Brook, in the eastern margin of the village, and erected a chair factory thereon. The main build- ing, 40 by 26 feet, paint shop 30 by 20 feet, a steam and dry house building 26 by 50 feet, all built in a substantial manner, and arranged for convenience in the business, and safety from fire. The water power consisted of a dam, dyke and pond with Io feet head of water, which drove a 24 inch turbine water wheel with adequate power and speed, that was put in under the direc- tion of J. E. Tripp. Mr. Ray manufactured all kinds of wood- seat chairs for wholesale, and did a good business. He made good, solid and durable wood-seat chairs of various kinds, plain, fancy, and rockers. This factory was burned in 1887. Mr. Ray died August 4, 1887, aged 57 years. His death was thought to be due to over-exertion at the time of the burning of his factory. Emmons Brook was so called in 1809. From this brook and Voorhees spring the village of Camden gets most of its water supply.
The road from Wolcott Hill school-house east, towards Pond Hill, and terminating on the Taberg road near the Peck farm, is the one on which the early settler Ephraim Smith first located with his family, as spoken of on another page. A drive on this road over the hills and through the valleys reminds one of old Connecticut, from which State most of the pioneers emigrated. Descendants of these early emigrants, consider your blessings of to-day, and compare them with those of your ancestors. Andrew Sperry and Horace Scoville lived near the school-house
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off the main road to Florence. They were partners for some time in the manufacture of hand hay-rakes. The factory was situated but a short distance from their homes on Emmons Brook. Later this property was purchased by John Waldron. Mr. Sperry was thrice married, first to Miss Kingsley; second to Miss Catherine Friz; third to Miss Elizabeth Hubbel. By the first marriage was a son, James ; by the second marriage was Libbie, Rhoda and William.
DANIEL DEAN.
Daniel Dean married Anna Surtliff, and removed to Camden prior to 1809. He settled on the farm at present owned by Mrs. Caroline Birch, perhaps better known as the Ananias Edgelt place. The territory belonging to the farm was of considerable acreage, comprising that owned by Artemas Peck, near by. Mr. Dean was a genial gentleman, much respected by his neighbors and acquaintances. He was a sincere Christian man, and a valu- able aid in church work. His name in his own signature is found among the list of those first subscribing to the minister's salary in 1809. In Rev. Leavenworth's book of records we find his death occurred in 1811, aged 67 years. Born in Connecticut in 1744. He had two children, viz .: John and Leva. Leva mar- ried Phineas Castle of Florence. Daniel Dean served in the War of the Revolution. His name is found in the history of Wolcott, Conn., as subscribing to the minister's salary in 1794. In 1787 he was school committee as appointed by the parish society. Same history mentions his being a taxpayer in 1802.
STEPHEN EDGETT.
Stephen Edgett, father of Ananias and Ezra, removed from Durham, Greene County, N. Y., in the year 1835, and settled in Camden on a farm north-east of the village two and a half miles, and near the Wolcott Hill school-house. Stephen Edgett married Mary Hubbell, April, 1826. He died at Newark, N. Y., January 23, 1870, aged 72 years. His wife also died at Newark January 4, 1891, at the advanced age of gi years and 14 days. Ezra A. Edgett and brother Ananias began the corn-canning in- dustry in 1853 in Camden, having previously learned the her-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
metically sealing process in New York City. So little confidence had the farmers in their plan that it was only after they were offered $10.00 per acre in advance that they were willing to risk the planting. The brothers at first did their work of canning in an old building near the house of their parents, which had been formerly occupied by a family of the name of Parkinson, and stood between their home and that of Capt. John Smith, then an aged man. Their first operations were of course on a very small scale. In August, 1854, the little factory burned to the ground. Andrew Sperry offered them the use of a part of his rake factory, and they pluckily resumed work, coming out that season about $700 in debt. In 1858 Ezra Edgett removed to a farm on the Seventh, and there continued the corn-canning business until 1865, when he removed to Newark, N. Y., build- ing a factory there, and continuing a successful business until his death in 1889. Ezra Edgett married Miss Harriet Marvin. Their children were James, Edith and Mary.
COL. JOHN SMITH.
Col. John Smith lived in the early days on the farm known as the William Wilson place. This was where his father Ephraim first settled upon coming to Camden. Col. John Smith emi- grated from Wolcott, Conn., in 1803 or 1804, having previously married Lois Alcott. He enlisted as captain in the war of 1812, went to Sackett's Harbor with his company, and later was pro- moted to the office of Colonel of the regiment. Originally a log house stood where he later erected a substantial, frame house, which was, for those days, considered an elegant structure. This house was burned after the farm was purchased by William Wil- son. This farm was long in the possession of Newell Smith, son of Col. John, who sold to Mr. Wilson and removed to Camden village, and later to Iowa. Newell J. Smith died at Clinton, Ia., July 22, 1888, aged 87 years. His wife died June 3, 1869, aged 43 years. Col. John Smith's children were Sophronia, Newell and Hannah. Col. John Smith was born in 1774, and died in 1860; Lois, his wife, was born in 1780, and died in 1840. The remains of this family all rest in Forest Park Cemetery.
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What is now known as the McKillips farm was early owned. and occupied by Daniel Wheeler, son of Isaac. This farm has had many occupants, viz .: Stephen Crandall, Ezra Skinner, Alex. McAdams, and others. Minor Buell settled near here,. coming from Rome in 1831. Not far from his home on Cobb Brook was a saw-mill built by Abram Sandford, and for many years called "The Buell Mill." Beyond the Buell place lived one by the name of Felton Muscat he was an acquaintance and warm friend of Mr. Buell's. He came from Lee to Camden. Near Dingle Street corner lived Philip Estes, who was froni eastern New York. What is known as the John Shaw farm was early owned by Clark Mumford, who emigrated from Connecti- cut. John Shaw was nearly all his life a resident of Camden. He was born in the town of Annsville, but early in life settled on this road, near Pond Hill. Besides being a farmer, he con- ducted a market in the village for a time. He was a man who. had many friends, and was much respected. He died May 18, 1891, aged 64 years. His children were-John H., Delight, Belle- and Robie.
The farm now owned by Frank Parke was early owned by one Dunham, who was its first occupant, as he purchased of George Parish. Next this place was that of Arja and Milo Skinner, who. came here from Brownville, N. Y., with their aged father, Thom- as Skinner, who was a Revolutionary soldier. The last days of his life were spent with some relatives in Pennsylvania. These men came to Camden in 1830; they were Vermonters by birth.
BENNETT RUSCOE.
Bennett Ruscoe came to Camden from Connecticut in 1818, and settled on what is now known as the Franklin place, near the Taberg road. He was born in Connecticut in 1782; married Roxy Mathewson, born 1784. Twelve children were born to them: Alexander, Elizabeth, George, Benjamin, Orsamus, Mary, Sabina, Cynthia, Esther, Ira, Sarah, Edwin.
Mr. Ruscoe being somewhat of an invalid, was induced to cmigrate to this locality on account of its healthfulness, as the- land was then thickly wooded with pines.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
We are unable to give the line of those who occupied these farms from their earliest settlement, but below are the names of some of the people who lived on this road at a later date, who have not been mentioned: J. V. Conover, J. Dopp, G. Howland, C. Cain, E. Field, W. Earl, D. Dimblebee, P. Howland, H. Hall, D). Howland, Leonard West and others.
LEONARD WEST.
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Mr. Leonard West.
. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard West came to Camden from Cherry Valley, Otsego County, in 1837, with their own conveyance, and settled not far from the present George Webb place, near the Taberg road; and later he lived and died just beyond the town line in Florence. Camden village, at the time of their coming here, was comparatively new, buildings far apart, many of which were small and low. There were but two streets, called Front and Liberty, now Main and Second. From Mad River Bridge to the Town Hall the timber was cut, logs lying about and stumps standing. Mrs. West is a daughter of Benjamin Allen. who was a brother of Col. Ethan Allen of Ticonderoga fame. 18
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Her father was also in the war of the Revolution. Mrs. West, now (February 1897) in her 94th year, as seen by the writer, is a remarkably preserved, very intelligent and bright woman, with a good memory. She well remembers of her father's telling of his long tedious marches, and of the sufferings of the soldiers; but like his brother, Col. Ethan, was a man of unflinching loy- alty, and always spoke with pride of his soldier life. An amusing incident occurred during the last years of his life, when crippled by infirmities of age, and he went out but little. He was left at home alone one Fourth of July, the family going to attend the
Mrs. Leonard West.
celebration in town. Upon their return his daughter heard before entering the house, cheers given with great glee, and on entering found another old soldier with her father. They had drained their goblets once too often. Surprised, she ex- claimed, "Why, father, what does this mean?" He replied slowly: "My daughter, don't chide your old father; you have been en- joying the day as pleased you best; we, too, are celebrating in our own way. My old comrade and I have been drinking
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
bumpers to the old days," and straightening himself up proudly, said with emphasis, "Remember, my child, your father fought for this day." Mrs. West was born in 1803, at Saugatuck, Fair- field County, Conn .; Leonard West was born in 1793, at Still- water, Saratoga County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. West were mar- ried at Charleton, Otsego County, N. Y., April 3, 1822. Mr. West died October 8, 1888. His boyhood and early manhood were spent in Montgomery County, N. Y. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and lived in Camden and vicinity more than sixty years. He was the last pensioner of the war of 1812 rep- resentative in this vicinity. He was in town July 4th, 1888, sat on the speaker's stand during the address. He always showed much patriotism and love for American institutions. He was a man greatly respected and beloved. He had grandchildren in the war of the rebellion. His children were Nancy, Vianna, Ruama, Martha, Mary Elizabeth and Harriet. He was some- what gifted as a poet. We give a few lines of his relating to the circumstances that prompted him to come to Camden, entitled,
FROM CHERRY VALLEY TO CAMDEN.
Friends and neighbors, northward bound, Wrote us saying, -Paradise Found ; One day in early springtime, we grew quite discontent, And settling up our business, away we quickly went ;
We stumbled over stones, we stumbled over logs, We scrambled up steep hill sides, we lost ourselves in bogs;
We slowly traveled on. nursing up our wrath
When we found our road had ended and we only had a path ; Following this, weary and foot-sore,
We almost stumbled against our neighbor's door ;
This is the place we have sought with such cost This is the heaven,-our Paradise Lost.
On our wooded farm in Camden, as Pioneers we rally, Yet sometimes lovingly look back to dear old Cherry Valley ;
But wife and little ones are here, -for them we smile and delve, For rougher paths we've traveled, though way back in IS12; Brave heart,-strong arm 'twill never do to dally, So here's three cheers for Camden, and not a sigh for Cherry Valley.
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DINGLE STREET.
What is now knows as Dingle street, was not laid out as a public highway until 1839; prior to that time there was only . foot or bridle path. The street extends from the Wolcott Hill Road to the Florence Road. Dingle street was thus named, as those living on this road allowed their cows to feed in the road with bells attached to their necks. On the west side of this road much of the land is low and swampy, through which was built a corduroy road from the Skinner neighborhood to. shorten the distance to the school-house. Like all roads of the kind, it was very rough, which caused it to be named "The Devil's Washboard." On the State road, near this street, was the home of George Pettis, on whose land was the first school- house, which was built by the Pettis brothers and neighbors for the double purpose of holding religious meetings and school. It was built of logs, as were many, or all the first houses. Later the framed school-house was built on Dingle street. On this street was a saw-mill, built by Abram Sanford. This mill was owned and used by Morenus Scoville, who here did a considerable business. Gideon Cain was the last one that used the mill. It is now gone to decay. Not far from the mill was the home of Morenus Scoville, who married Miss Chloe S. Castle, March 27. 1827. The children were. Lorenzo P., Albro, Castle. Elizabeth A .. Harriet H., Sarah B., Alvira O., Almira F .- two last twins.
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