USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 20
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Samuel Stewart was an early settler and built a house in this. vicinity, as did also Elijah Carswell and his brother John and Leonard West: the latter sold to Arza Skinner. Corner of Dingle street and Westcott Hill Road was the home of Mr. Fielding, who sold to Mr. Dennison, who later sold to Andrus Meeker.
STATE ROAD.
In the northeastern part of the town of Camden is the State road crossing its corner. In the first town book a survey bill is tound, reading as follows, and we suppose it must be this road. Page 36 of book, September 30th, 1801: "Beginning in the. center of the highway leading from Fort Stanwix by John Rogers' and John Spinning's tavern to Salmon River, at a
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
beech tree (known as the 12 mile tree) on the Salmon River road, in the fourth town, &c."
Charles Thompson built in 1848 a hotel on this road. He married a daughter of Henry Peck. The children were-Svi- vester. Jerusha, Gilbert, Lois, Alvin. This hotel was burned several years since.
Andrew Secor was an early settler on this road; he emigrated from Albany County, N. Y. The family consisted of his wife and fifteen children, six sons and five daughters. Richard Joslin settled beyond the Secor home; he was from Albany County also; his family consisted of wife and five children. Although the country was new, this road was much used, being the direct road to Sackett's Harborfrom Fort Stanwix (now Rome). Hotels then did a thriving business, and were numerous. William Joslin built one beyond the home of his father in this town.
MEXICO STREET.
The Oswego County History tells us "the road called Mexico street was cut or extended from Camden to Vera Cruz, passing through the present towns of Amboy, Parish and Mexico about 1804." It was the main road from Rome to Mexico, running through what was later called Vienna, up to Phelps' tavern, then turning to the left, running up over Preston Hill. coming out onto what is now a main road from Camden to Mexico, not far from the Deacon Osborn place. The Mexico street leading from the village west, past the railroad stations and which joins this road, was the next street laid out in the village after Main street. A little log house formerly stood on the site of the Masonic Lodge, occupied for a short time by Judge Williams, who acted as land agent, where new comers would stop for a night's lodging. When provisions were scarce, as they must necessarily be in a new country, we are told he would take his gun, and, wandering along the bank of Fish Creek, shoot deer, which furnished them with meat.
The name of Curtiss has been associated with this part of the town for more than half a century. As early as 1795 0" 1796. Jesse Curtiss came to this locality and built a saw-mill on the east side of Fish Creek, near the site of Penfield & Stone's
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
grist mill. We can find no records of the land or of whom he purchased it, but have been told some of the early land owners gave him ten acres in this part of the village as an inducement to come here and build a mill.
Before the town of Camden was separated from Mexico, in 1799, the records of the latter place were lost in the woods while being conveyed to Whitestown, and never recovered; so it is almost impossible to gain any information concerning land titles prior to that date.
The millstones used in this early structure were quarried in Clinton, and are now used by Pliny Phelps in his mill at Phelps- ville.
From the time Jesse Curtiss first established a business here this part of the town ha's been a busy place.
ELIHU CURTISS.
Elihu, son of Jesse Curtiss, came to Camden from Clinton about the time his father located here. His journey was made by water, as far as possible, coming up Wood Creek to the great carrying place, then across to Fish Creek. On the way he found a tree had fallen across the stream, obstructing his progress, which had to be removed before he could proceed further. This is said to have been the first tree cut in this locality.
Elihu Curtiss built a log house near the site of Charles Mc- Carthy's store. He moved his family here, which consisted of a wife and four children. Lyman, who married Lucinthia Parke. and settled in Camden. Eliab was a sailor and lost at sea. Polly married David Norman Castle, and Hope, who married Olney Hines.
Elihu Curtiss built the first tavern in town, where Robson's hardware store now stands. Jesse Curtiss built the first frame house erected in Camden, in the rear of the log house occu- pied by his son, Elihu. It was long used as a mill house.
We find this inscription on a time-worn stone in the Mexico street Cemetery: "In memory of Elihu Curtiss, who departed this life the IIth day of Jan., 1815, in the 59th year of his age.
Death is a debt to nature due;
This debt I paid, and so must you."
2
First Tavern in Camden.
View of Railroad Bridge from Mexico Street.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
After the death of Elihu Curtiss, Judge Israel Stoddard pur- chased the property, or part of it, in 1818. It consisted at that time of a grist mill, a saw mill, a dwelling house and shed, with about two acres of land.
Judge Israel Stoddard and Gen. Lyman Curtiss were in cont- pany in 1822, and Edward Goodyear had a distillery underneath the mill. At that time all of that corner where the Dorrance & Wright block now stands was a mill yard, covered with logs.
In 1834 Erastus Upson bought one-half of the mill property and was in company with Lyman Curtiss.
During 1851 Francis H. Conant purchased an interest in the business, and the firm was known as Curtiss & Conant. October 23, 1854, Mr. Curtiss sold his interest in the business to Thomas D. Penfield, and Conant & Penfield conducted the business for two years, when Mr. Conant sold his interest to Mr. Thomas Stone, and the firm was known as Penfield & Stone until the death of Mr. Stone in 1861. Mr. Penfield carried on the busi- ness alone until 1867, when B. D. Stone became a partner and the business was continued under the name of Penfield & Stone.
The mill built by Gen. Lyman Curtiss was destroyed by fire, but a new one was erected on the site, where an extensive busi- ness is carried on at the present time.
The first permanent bridge over Fish Creek, on Mexico street, was built in 1805.
LYMAN CURTISS.
Lyman Curtiss married Lucinthia Parke. Two children were born to them, who died in infancy and early childhood.
Lyman Curtiss succeeded his father in the interests centered around what is now the beginning of Mexico street. Across the bridge, on the south side of the road, was the Lyman Curtiss farm. He lived in a story and a half house, which was quite pretentious in those days, until he built the stone house in 1842. On the west end of the dam stood a grist mill, painte 1 red, con- sequentiy it was called the old red mill. When Mr. Curtiss built the new dam it was moved away on a vacant lot, left unused, and in some mysterious way took fire and burned. On the east
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
side of Fish Creek was a saw mill, a grist mill, and a mill house, painicd red, where Thaddeus Hibbard lived and acted in the capacity of mill-tender. His childhood heme was in Hadley, Mass. He married Miss Sophia Marsh, who was born in Ley- erette, Mass., in 1798. She was married when only 17 years of age. They left Massachusetts in 1810, and lived for a time in
View from Mexico Bridge.
Floyd. They came to Camden in 1831. Their children were Sarah, Allen, Thomas, Irene, Melissa, Sophie, Emeline, Maria, Mr. Hibbard died in 1858. His wife survived him 20 years, dying in 1878.
Gen. Lyman Curtiss had an adopted daughter, Elizabeth, who married Dr. A. T. Van Valkenburgh, a prominent dentist in Camden for many years, also belonging to the early Saxhorn Band.
Two children were born to them, who died with small-pox. Elizabeth Curtiss Van Valkenburgh died August 14. 1863. aged 31 years. Gen. Lvman Curtiss died December 13. 1868. aged 76 years: Lucinthia, his wife, died April 2, 1850, aged 54 years.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
MEXICO STREET CEMETERY.
In lot 69, Seventh township, on the west bank of Fish Creek, is an old cemetery, which contains the sacred dust of many of the pioneer fathers, who, after their toilsome life in the new country, were laid to rest here in the midst of the growing tow .. They had done their work well, and when they were called upon to lay down their burdens, others took them up; their loss only making a slight ripple on the ocean of time. Their sons and daughters were well fitted to promote the work begun. The remains of many have been removed to Forest Park Cemetery to rest beside the dear ones who were left to mourn their loss, and when the summons came to them, were laid to rest in a more quiet spot. As the years rolled by, Mexico street became one of the most busy thoroughfares, and it seemed more fitting that the remains of the departed should rest beyond the busy hum of hurrying feet and active business life. After the new cemetery was purchased, south of the village, the use of the old one was gradually discontinued.
Old Cemetery on Mexico street.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
It contains nearly two hundred well-marked graves, although many common field-stones are used for the purpose, bearing neither name or date. But doubtless many are buried here whose graves are unmarked, whose names are unknown and forgotten by al1; but they "sleep well," waiting for the final summons which shall cause them to arise and live. It is sacred ground, and speaks to the passer by of what has been and what shall be in language too plain to be misunderstood. We find this inscrip- tion on a timeworn stone near the street: "Bartholomew Pond, died March 21, 1810, aged 73 years. The first person buried in Mex co Street Cemetery." He owned a large number of acres of land in this vicinity, and we are told he donated of this land about three-fourths of an acre for a cemetery. But we find no. trace of it in the County Clerk's office. The thought comes to us, that having lived more than the allotted time, and knowing he must soon lay down the burden of life, and desiring to rest near the scene of his daily labors, he chose this quiet spot, where the cooling stream in the summer gently laved its grassy banks, and where in winter its surface was wrapped in an icy pall. so emblematic of death. We conclude it was given verbally, and accepted in the same way. We find that seventeen Revolutionary soldeirs are buried here, and three of the war of 1812.
During the last year a Chapter of the Daughters of the Amer :- can Revolution has been formed in Camden, and they have in- torested themselves in this cemetery; through their instrument- ality, largely, many improvements have been made, by removing unsightly shrubs and dead trees, and otherwise improving the ground. Through the efforts of our present Supervisor, W. S. Peck, a neat board fence, painted white, encloses this sacred place.
MEXICO STREET.
The site of the first house, which stood beyond the cemetery, now occupied by the brick residence erected by the late George Abbott, was formerly occupied by a rude structure, where Judge Williams had an office as land agent. In 1820 Erastus Upson purchased the property for his mother, and had a tin shop, but after a short time he located his business on Main street.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
The next occupant of the place was Isaac Allen, who was born January 16, 1769, in Rhode Island. He married Sarah Staples, who was born October 3, 1779. Their marriage took place at Danbury, Vt., February 17, 1799. No children came to them; and after the death of his wife. September 6, 1840, Artemas Peck and wife took up their residence there, to care for him in his loneliness.
Isaac Allen built the house which was moved back near the. Corbin factory, where the late Amos Mix lived after moving into the village until his death.
Artemas Peck was born in Durham, N. Y .; his parents were natives of Connecticut. He married Parthurria Caine, born No- vember 16, 1807. Their marriage took place in Rome, N. Y., January 1, 1824. Eight children were born to them-Alphonse, Sophie, Mary, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Horace, Reubenand Caroline. Four children are now living-Mrs. Charlotte Roberts of Buf- falo, Elizabeth Howard of Camden, Mr. Horace Peck of Cam- den, and Mrs. Caroline Harvey, residing in our village. Reuben Peck enlisted in the 117th Regiment, Co. B, N. Y. Volunteers; was taken prisoner, and died in Andersonville prison. Artemas Peck died in Camden, July 11, 1888.
The next we can learn about the property is that eight and three-fourths acres of land were sold by Isaac Allen to Edwin Seth Dunbar, October 23, 1847, and by him transferred to Eben Abbott. The Isaac Allen house had been built under contract. by Seth Dunbar, the date uncertain, but not later than 1835.
The late George Abbott married Louisa Merrick in Connect !- cut in 1842. They came to Camden in 1850, and settled eventu- ally in the Isaac Allen house, where they continued to reside until 1865, when it was moved back near the Corbin works, to make room for the fine brick house completed in 1868, where his widow and daughter, Mrs. D. L. Mann, continue to reside. Four generations are living under the same roof: Mrs. Abbott, her daughter, Mrs. Mann, her grand-daughter, Mrs. Kittrick, her great grand-daughter, Elma Kittrick. The children of George Abbott were Helen, who married D. L. Mann: Anthony, who married Miss Irene Lamb: Elma, whose death occurred
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
August 25, 1891, unmarried: Frank, who married Miss Bailis, and resides in New York city. George married Miss Webster, and resides in Camden; and Marion, who married W. H. Stans- field, and resides in Syracuse. The death of George Abbott, Sr., occurred October 11, 1890.
The next building west of the residence of the Abbott home, was the hotel. A description of it will be found in the chapter pertaining to the "Early Taverns of Camden." The next was the store of general merchandise, with which the late George Abbott was connected nearly all of the years he resided in Camden.
Just beyond the store we come to the R., W. and O. R. R. station. This road was completed from Rome to Camden during the year 1850, and the last rail was laid through to Watertown September 3, 1851, and the road opened with an excursion. September 24, the same month. It was leased by the New York Central in 1890 or 1891 and a few advantageous changes made. The station was burned and a new one built in 1862. We read in one of our town papers of that year, that "Many improve- ments on the former style were added to the new building." In the journal of the Rev. W. Albright of Boston, who has kindly allowed us to make extracts from it, he writes: "It was just five o'clock on a cool damp morning when I got off the train. the only passenger to be left at Camden. The station was a dingy looking old building, with an office and a waiting room at one end, and all of the rest devoted to freight. The building seemed poorly constructed, and cried loudly for care and paint. I followed the gray horse which was carrying the inail to the post-office, and at length found myself on the main street of the village." Mr. Albright arrived in Camden several years after the new station, with its "many improvements," had been built. Although it has been altered from time to time and the waiting room is more comfortable than in former years, our beautiful town is worthy of a far better station, and had not the efforts of our towns-people been unavailing with the officials of the road, a new and modern building would have ornamented the site ere this. George Abbott, Sr., was the first ticket agent. He
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
was succeeded by George Whaley. The late II. A. Case held the position for many years. His son, E. C. Case, was ticket agent for a time, but resigned the position to enter the employ of F. H. Conant's Sons, where he remains at the present time a valued assistant. W. Buchanan, a young man whose home has been in Camden since early childhood, is the ticket agent at the present writing.
On the opposite side of the road stands the station of the Lehigh Valley. It was extended from Cortland to Camden in 1887, under the name of Elmira, Cortland and Northern, a con tinnation of the E. & C. road. The first train over the road was an excursion train to Sylvan Beach, Sunday, July 10, 1337. Byron A. Phelps was installed as ticket agent at this time, and continued to act in that capacity until it passed into the control of the Lehigh Valley road in 1895. The latter part of the sur- mer of 1862, the first telegraphic communication with Canden and the outside world was put in working order by the R., \\'. & O. R. R. Co.
DAVID JOHNSON.
David Johnson built the house at the top of the hill ou the right hand side west of the railroad station. For many years it was the only house in this locality. During the last ten or fifteen years this part of the town has grown rapidly and it presents one of the most thickly settled portions of the town to-day. David Johnson married Laura Wilson, May 28, 1828. Their children were Elizabeth, Lucien, Horace, Eliza, and Charlotte. When playing out of doors while yet a child, an electrical storm arose: Eliza sought shelter under a tree which was struck by lightning. While it did not cause her death instantly, she never fully recovered from the effects, and was laid to rest two years later. David Johnson died September 1, 1872; Laura, his wife, died February 25, 1867; Charlotte married James H. Gamble, and occupied the home until 1884, when it was sold to J. M. Dexter, and they purchased the Franklin Fifield house on the corner of Second and Union streets, where they continue to reside. Mrs. Gamble is the last one of the family living.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
MILO POND.
Bartholomew Pond gave his son Milo the land where the old red house stands, built by Sheldon Sanford. Until a recent date this was the next house beyond the David Johnson place. Milo Pond married for his first wife, Sophronia Smith. She died Sep- tember 14, 1832, aged 32 years. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Ballard, who, after the death of Mr. Pond, married Oliver Kin- ney and lived on Second street at the time of her death. Mr. Pond's children were, Erastus, Sylvester, Caroline, and Clara. Milo Pond died January 2, 1854, aged 53 years. Sophronia, his wife, died September 14, 1832, aged 32 years. Sylvester died
Milo Pond's House.
April 17, 1855, aged 30 years: Erastus died April 23, 1855, aged 27 years. The house has had various tenants since the Pond family occupied it, and is still standing, a relic of by-gone years.
We next come to the site of a log house built by Commodore Rodgers. He married the widow of Zenas Curtiss and left the property to her son, the late Jeremiah Curtiss. He built a frame house, which stood here for many years unpainted and weathe .-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
beaten, but with an air both homelike and pleasing. On the east side of the house a large orchard of apple trees strewed the ground with their fragrant petals in the spring and in the autumn showered their luscious fruit over the same field. In front, un either side of the door, lilac bushes grew, with other old-fash- ioned flowers. Mr. Curtiss married Flora, daughter of Samuel Howd, and here they lived a peaceful life for many years. One son was born to them, William Curtiss. Jeremiah Curtiss died May 23, 1874, aged 69 years. His wife survived him but six days, dying May 29, 1874, aged 67 years.
In 1860 George Swanson bought the property of Jerry Curtiss. Mr. Swanson was a native Scotchman, born May 6, 1824. His home was near Edinburgh: he came to this country when only four years old. Ann Wilson, to whom he was married May 23, 1849, was born May 16, 1826. He removed the old house which le had purchased, and built a fine commodious house on the same site, but a few feet farther back from the road, where he expected to dwell with his wife and family, but his wife's health failed soon after they moved into the new house, and not long after his own health was undermined. After his death it was sold and is now occupied by Michael Hooks.
HORACE DUNBAR.
Horace Dunbar, son of Seth, married Alice Park. He built and owned the house which stands on Dunbar street, just off from Mexico street, not later than 1835. It is a sightly place, commanding a beautiful view of the village, nestling among the trees. Their children were Cornelia, Mary and Wallace. Cor- nelia married George Whaley, had one son: they resided in Cam- den for many years, then went to Adrian, Mich. Mary married Mr. Austin, and had one son. Wallace went to Ohio. Horace Dunbar sold his home in 1860 to H. A. Caswell, who occupied it with his family for a time, then went to Rome. At the present time it is owned by Samuel Scoville, who resides there and car- ries on the farm. Alice Park Dunbar died July 23, 1855, aged 48 years. Mr. Dunbar married Helen Snow of Austinburg, O .. for his second wife; had two sons.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
JOHN ELDEN.
John Elden came from England in a British man-of-war some time during the Revolution. But a short time elapsed after landing in New York before his sympathies were enlisted in the cause of freedom, and he deserted his Majesty's army and joined our forces. He served in the war of the Revolution until honor- ably discharged. He settled in Plymouth, Conn., where he mar- ried Elizabeth Curtiss, who also resided in Plymouth. Their son, John Elden, came to Camden about 1807, bought a large number of acres of land on Dunbar street, which has been known to later generations as Elden Hill. He cleared one acre and built a log house, then returned to his former home, and when he came back, was accompanied by his father and mother. He married Lucy Cook; they had four children-George, Joel, Uri. who died while yet a young man, and Sally. They lived in the log house for several years, then built a frame house a little farther on, which was standing a few years ago, but now only the old well and the remains of the cellar walls mark the site where they all dwelt so many years. The children married and settled in Camden. Joel married Nancy Woods, remaining of the farm to care for his parents in their declining years. Two sons were born to them, George and Walter: the former married Miss Mary Wetmore. He met with a painful accident, and was killed while a young man. Walter married Mary Williams, and resides on the farm where two generations have lived before him. He occupies a new house, which was built a few years ago on the opposite side of the road from the old home. Jolin Eiden, Sen., died July 4, 1828, aged 76 years; his wife died October 19, 1833, aged 82 years. The son, John Elden, died in 1848, aged 64 years: Lucy, his wife, died in 1840, aged 55 years. Uri was born in 1808, and died August 10, 1830, aged 22 years; Joel Elden died in 1879. His wife survives him.
ISRAEL BUTLER.
Israel Butler was among the large number of people who came from Connecticut at an early date. He first settled on the road which ran up from the George Parks place to the old
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Matthews home, on Preston Hill. It was just back of the farm now occupied by William Barnes. It was rather low and marshy land, and has been called Butler's swamp up to a recent date. HIe afterwards sold this farm and bought land on Dunbar street, built a house, and near it dug a well. There is a grand old elm tree standing to-day, which was planted about eighty years ago to cast its cooling shade over the well. It stands as a re- minder of the early home of this pioneer. Micajah Butler, one of the sons, was born July 4, 1800. He married Sibelia Snow, January 27, 1825. Her death occurred January 7, 1848. For his second wife he married Ruth Warner, born in 1807. Micajah Butler died September 16, 1872; Ruth Warner Butler survivel her husband 21 years, living to the advanced age of 86 years, when her death occurred January 9, 1893. One son, Israel But- ler, now resides in Camden.
THE DUNBAR MILL.
The first record we have concerning the property situated on what is now called Mill street, a road leading to the right. off
The Dunbar Mill.
from Mexico street, and extending through to Oswego street, a short distance above the village, is from a deed given by Jere- miah Curtiss, October 26, 1829, to Horace Dunbar and Alired
19
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Cole. In 1832 Horace Dunbar and Seth Dunbar, his father, buult the first mill. Edwin Dunbar owned it at one time, for we find a deed given by him to his brother, Horace Dunbar in 1885.
April 1, 1861, Mr. William Caswell purchased it, operating it for one year, when he sold to Mr. George Swanson. April 1, 1862. From him it was purchased by John and Daniel Taylor, but in three years it again came into the possession of Mr. Swanson. He carried on the business until his health failed in 1888, when it was eventually sold and purchased by John G. Dorrance At present it is operated by H. M. Carleton.
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