USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 21
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EDWIN DUNBAR.
On the left side of Mexico street, just above Dunbar street, stands a large fine house, painted white. It was built by Edwin Dunbar, brother to Horace, in 1846. He married Lydia Aun Abbott of Middlebury, Conn., in 1837. He was born in Cam- den, January 8, 1813. They had five children, Caliste, Delan- cey, Sarah, Edwin, and Marian. With his brother, Horace, he was largely interested in the lumber and milling business. They were straightforward, upright business men, and gained the es- teem of all who knew them. The names of both are prom- inently mentioned with the history of the town while they re- sided here. In 1861 Edwin Dunbar went to Michigan to teside, where his death occurred in Saginaw City, where he had been a resident about nine years. He was proprietor of the Dunbar House for eight years, leaving it in 1868 to reside on a farm in the town of Swan Creek, where he was four times electel Supervisor; the last term he served he was the oldest member of the board. While living in Camden he was twice elected Supervisor: the first time being the youngest member of t'ic board His death occurred in 1883, leaving a wife, one 3!1 and two daughters to mourn the loss of a noble husband and loving father. Edwin Dunbar sold his house and lands to Jere- miah Curtiss when he left Camden, where Mr. Curtiss resided up to the time of his death, and which is now occupied by some of his descendants.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
DAVID OSBORN'S FAMILY.
Deacon David Osborn was born in Litchfield, Conn., in the year 1782. Esther Potter, his wife, was born in Plymouth, Conn., in 1779. They were married by the Rev. Mr. Waterman, the 22d of December, 1802. In March of the following year they came to Camden, making the journey with an ox team. Fifty acres of land had been taken up about a mile and a half from the present village and two and a half acres cleared. Reuben Osborn, a brother, came at the same time; a log house had been built on his land. David and his wife remained there two weeks. These primitive houses were erected in a short space of time, and a log house with a cross-legged table and bench was ready for occu- pancy at the end of two weeks. The table is still in existence at the residence of the late David Osborn, a descendant. Mrs. Osborn brought a bag of sweet apple seeds with her from her old home, from which sprung the fine old orchard which has supplied
David Osborn and Wife.
the descendants, and many others, with delicious fruit. Possessing a great love for flowers, she brought from her Eastern home sin- gle hollyhock seeds, which she sowed in the virgin soil of the wil- derness; they well repaid her for all her trouble and care; they grew finely and bore double blossoms of all colors, a thousand- fold, making a glorious blaze of color among the chaos of logs and brush of that newly-cleared land, cheering the hearts of the passers-by with a thought of the possibilities of the future. They
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
lived seven years in their first home. It stood back of the present house, on a road which ran through from Dunbar street, fallen into disuse many years ago. They abandoned the old house, moving into one owned by Deacon Lyman Tuttle nearer the village, and later into the Penfield house, just off from the main road. During the year 1817 Mr. Osborn built the frame house which is still standing in a good state of preservation, known to all as the Old Deacon Osborn place, and where he died in 1859. His wife died at the home of her son, David Osborn, a short
Deacon Osborn's House.
distance this side of the old home, and on the land they first purchased in Camden. Their children were-Potter, Sherman, Lucy, David, Elam, and Esther, the youngest and only one liv- ing, who married Isaiah B. Loomis and resides in Bound Brook, N. J. To her we are indebted for this history of the carly settle- ment of the Osborn family. She has one son, O. P. Loomis. IIe entered the electrical field with Prof. Thomson, at New Britain, Conn., in 1883, and went with that company to Lynn, Mass., where in 1885 he devised improvements in the art, from this time until 1887, when a company called the Loomis Elcc- tric Manufacturing Company was incorporated. In 1889 they moved to New York where the patents were transferred to the Eureka Electric Company. Under the pressure of the panic of 1893 this company was suspended and has since gone out of
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
business. Since this time Mr. Loomis has been engaged in the design and manufacture of electrical machinery and his appa- ratus is successfully running in all parts of the world. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, and has con- tributed several articles to various journals on the subject. Dur- ing his career he has taken out over twenty patents for in- provements, principally in the line of electrical engineering.
Reuben Osborn and his family came to Camden with his brother David. He was one of the trustees of the First Congre- gational Church. In 1811 he moved to Dover, O., where he died March 24, 1860, aged 81 years. Lucy Osborn died unmarried in Camden, May 26. 1852, aged 45 years.
Elam Osborn, son of David, married Miss Maria Platt, whose home was in Connecticut. He owned and occupied the house on Second street, which he sold to P. C. Costello when he moved his family back to Connecticut. Mr. Osborn was engaged suc- cessfully in the mercantile business. Two children were born to them, Lydia and Platt, whose early childhood was spent in Camden.
Sherman Osborn built the house just west of his childhood's home and moved into it December 4, 1830. He married Susau C. Osborn and settled here. They had two children, Hubert and Mary. His wife died August 10, 1844. After her death he mar- ried Marilla M. Phelps, by whom he had one son, Miner Osborn, residing in Camden; Sherman Osborn died April 6, 1859. His second wife survived him until December 31. 1885. Miner P. Osborn is the owner of the electric light plant of this village. In 1887 he commenced obtaining the necessary subscriptions for the introduction of the electric light, and met with good success. The system introduced was the Loomis incandescent, manu- factured by the Loomis Electric Manufacturing Co. of Boston. Many of the business places threw out the old mode of lighting and replaced the kerosene lamps with electric lights. In 1888 an experimental electric light was placed on Main street. oppo- site Union street, which was so superior to the oil lamps which had been in use prior to this, that at the present time the whole
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
village is lighted with electricity, as well as many private houses. Mr. Osborn with his wife and one son resides on Church street.
DAVID OSBORN, JR.
David Osborn, Jr., built a house for himself just east of his childhood's home, in 1854. He married Mercy D. Cobb, daugh- ter of Bennett Cobb, Sen., by whom he had one son, Henry S., born October 6, 1842. His wife died He mar- ried the second time Mary Porter, who came from Taunton, Mass. Three children were born, viz .: Benjamin Porter, who died when a mere child: Betsey Porter, born February 16, 1845, married Walter D. Mathson of Amsterdam, where her death occurred: Benjamin L. Osborn, who was born October 25, 1846, who resides in the old homestead and to whom we are indebted for this history of his father's family.
Since writing the history of the Osborn family Mrs. Esther Osborn Loomis was removed by death, May 14, 1897, aged 77 years.
BARTHOLOMEW POND.
Bartholomew Pond, nephew of the one whose carly burial is recorded in the old Mexico Street Cemetery, was born the first
Home of Bartholomew Pond.
of August. 1754. He was a soldier of the Revolution. He mar- ried Elizabeth Dunbar. He, with two brothers, came to Whites-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
town, N. Y., in 1787, and before 1800 he, with his brothers, Barnabas and Timothy, came to Camden. They cleared a small piece of land on the old road leading from Rome to Mexico. It was just back of the old David Osborn place. Here they built a log house and then returned to Whitestown. Later, Bartholomew came back with an ox team, bringing his wife and seven children, his brothers remaining in Whitestown. When, late in the afternoon, they reached Fish Creek, where the Mexico street bridge now spans the stream, they found the water so high they could not cross, and camped on the east bank all night. The next morning they felled trees and constructed a rude bridge, over which they passed, and followed the Indian trail to their new home. He, later, built a frame house on the New Mexico road. Three sons were born to them: Merrit and Milo, who were twins, and Curtiss. Merrit Pond lived in the old home and cared for his parents. He married Ariadne Soper, sister of the late Amos Soper. They had six children, viz .: Amos, Pernette, Francis, Walter, Edward, and Marietta. The only ones living are Walter and Francis, of Chicago, and Pernette
Torbert House.
of this village, who has one son. Also Charles Putnam l'ond and Mrs. T. D. Norton, children of the late Capt. Amos Pond, who reside in Camden. In this old Pond house one of the de-
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
scendants remembers seeing a room full of Indians fast asleep on the floor, who had entered in the night and wearied with their long tramp, were not awake when the family arose in the morn- ing. The Indians used to pass over this road to Amboy to pro- cure black ash, from which to make baskets. The daughters of Bartholomew Pond were, Caroline, Minerva, Mirinda and Hannah. Minerva married Sheldon Sanford, who built the old Milo Pond house ; Miranda married -Stevens; Hannah married - Smith. Bartholomew Pond died March 31st, 1850, aged ninty-five years and eight months. His wife died November 8, 1839, aged saventy-eight years. Mer- ritt Pond died June 13, 1856, aged 55 years. His wife, Ariadne Fond, died in Chicago at the age of 69 years. Her remains were brought here and buried beside her husband. Curtiss Pond built and occupied the house known as the Torbert house. He married Susan Mix. They eventually went to reside in Pennsyl- vania.
GIDEON NORTHRUP.
Gideon Northrup was born in Plymouth, Conn., in 1753. He married Hannah Hitchcock, who was born in the same town in 1775. They came to Camden to reside, and their names are associated with its earliest history. Mr. Northrup purchased a tract of land nearly opposite the David Osborn place, and the deed of it is said to be one of the earliest on record in the County Clerk's office. An old barn is still standing, although in a very dilapidated condition, a relic of pioneer days. A pump has been piaced over the old well, which is just outside of the fence 11 the highway. Thirteen children were born to them, viz .: Lucy, Anna, Munson, Ebenezer. Jessie, Isaac, Medad. Rebecca, Dan- iel, Merrit, Hannah, David and Esther. The mother of Gideon Northrup probably came to the town with her sons, as her death is recorded in the carly history of the Congregational Church as occurring December 1, 1812, aged 86. Hannah, the wife ot Gideon Northrup, laid down the burden of life at the age of 69 years, September 10, 1824. She rests in the Mexico Street Cemetery. Her husband married the widow of Noah Tuthill, and moved to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1842.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
ANDREW TUTTLE.
Andrew Tuttle, son of Noah, came to this town in company with his father in 1797, bringing wife and one chikl, Lyman. Andrew Tuttle was born November 2, 1772, in the town of Wol- cott, Conn. He married Philoma Allen, August 12, 1795. She was born May 19, 1779. They settled on Mexico street, west of the Sherman Osborn place. Their children were: Lyman, torn in Wolcott, in 1796; Orris, born September 14, 1798, the second male child born in Camden; Eliza, born November 19, 1800;
Andrew Tuttle's Home.
Amanda, born June 30, 1804: Thankful, born March 27, 1808: Rebecca, November 3, 1810; Amelia, born September 17, 1815 Andrew Tuttle died October 19, 1829, aged 57 years. Philoma, his wife, died November 7, 1856, aged 77 years.
DEACON LYMAN TUTTLE.
Deacon Lyman Tuttle came to Camden with his father. When he grew to manhood he married Sarah Hungerford, September 27, 1820. He succeeded his father in the old home, but in his declining years moved into the village, occupying the house which the late R. Harding moved back on the premises when he built the fine residence now standing on Main street. Here he lived with his daughter, Sarah, who married Calvin Preston.
Deacon Tuttle had three children by his first wife-Andrew
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Orris Tuttle, born July 7. 1821. The next was a son, who died in infancy; and Sarah Eliza, born October 12, 1829. He married the second time Sabra Whitney, who was born August 13, 1806. One daughter was born to them, Helen Orvilla, October 14, 1838. Deacon Lyman Tuttle died in 1865, aged 69 years. "He was one of the earliest inhabitants of Camden, coming when d mere child, and growing up with the town. He, like many others of the early settlers, saw the wilderness become a thriving village. He has seen the rising and setting of a generation." Sarah Hungerford Tuttle died October 16, 1833. The second wife died in 1782, aged 66 years; Sarah Preston died October 20, 1871. aged 42 years, leaving one daughter. Helen Tuttle was one of the earliest teachers in the Union School. She went West to reside.
MEXICO STREET SCHOOL HOUSE.
Through the kindness of Dr. B. L. Osborn we have obtained the following facts concerning the Mexico Street School House:
The oldest written record obtainable concerning the school in District No. 3, Mexico road, is of the date June, 1813. "At a meeting warned by orders of Commissioners of Common Schools, Philip Barnes was elected President of Proceedings: Eliasaph Doolittle was elected Clerk; Isaac C. Smith, Oraman Tuttle, and David Osborn were elected Trustees." The school house in use at that time, according to the records and the recollection of the two persons now living ( 1897), Clark Porter and Thomas D. Penfield, who went to school in the school-house then stand- ing, was a wooden structure with a door, and a stone chimney, with a fire place at the end toward the road.
It having been voted on November 28, 1813, "to procure two windows with sash and glass." and this apparently not having been carried out, it was again voted on November 17, 1814, "to procure two window sashes, also a pair of andirons." On January 24, 1814, it was voted "that a tax be laid for to clapboard the old school-house with rough clapboards; also to point the cracks the inside with lime mortar, and to put in some joists overhead, and lay a floor and fix the chimney, if necessary."
At the annual meeting held October 5, 1819, it was "Resolved unanimously to build a stone house, with the school-room. 17
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
feet square with a good chimney; and Resolved, That the old school house be sold to the highest bidder, &c."
On November 15, 1819, it was "Resolved by a majority of the voters present that the vote taken at the last annual meeting for building a stone house be null and void. Resolved, That the old school-house be done off in the manner talked of this even- ing, viz: To be a good floor laid; writing tables on three sides; ceiled up to the windows; 6 15-light windows; a good chimney with 1,500 brick; two doors hung with hinges; nail all loose boards, clapboards and shingles; the sashes painted; the whole to be done in a workmanlike manner; to be lath and plastered, $20 dollars to be paid in cash and the remainder in cattle or grain."
On December 6, 1819, the above resolution was again unani- mously voted, with this added, "that the trustees be directed to lay a tax on the district of $2.75 for the purpose of pur- chasing a pair of fire-dogs and a record book."
On November 4, 1830, it was "Resolved to lay a tax of four- teen dollars to purchase a stove for the school-house."
Finally on the evening of October 30, 1840, at the annual school meeting the old school-house was put up at vendue to the "lowest" bidder, on this unique plan: The lowest bidder was to take the old school-house at his bid as half pay. together with an equal amount of money to be raised by tax, for building the new school-house, and have it finished by the first of July, following, according to plans furnished by the Trustees.
This seems to have been done, and a special meeting called July 1. 1841, which voted to build a tight board fence five feet high on the east, south and west sides, and a three and a half or four foot fence in front, with a gate, with iron hinges and a latch."
On December 8, 1852, it was voted to build a wood-house 12x16 feet square, and a tax was laid for that purpose.
During the summer and fall of 1862 the matter of building a larger and more commodious school-house, with seats in slips. larger black-boards, and with arrangements more modern, was agitated, discussed, and finally voted, chiefly through the efforts of Delos Penfield, and the school-house now in use ( 1897) was built in the winter of 1862-3.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Delos Penfield and John Pilkington having cach given an equal amount of land, the grounds were enlarged, graded down and inclosed on three sides with stone wall. This building stands entirely back of where the old school-house stood. Upon the completion of the new school-house the old one of IS4I was sold to Abraham Voorhees, who moved it around the corner on to the Mix road, and used it for a shoe shop. The wood-house built in 1852 was sold to Clark Porter.
B. L. Osborn, District Clerk (1897.) PARSONS ALLEN.
Parsons Allen, one of the pioneers of Camden, was among the earliest settlers, and an honored and respected citizen for more than half a century. He was identified with the earliest history of the Congregational Church, and a most consistent member of it. He married Chloe, daughter of Noah Tuttle, who was borr March 13, 1787. He purchased the farm later known as the Voorhees place, and built a house, which is still standing, but little altered on the inside but materially changed outwardly. He built and operated a tannery near his home, and from the leather he made boots and shoes, and kept a shoe shop where they were for sale. His children were, Samantha, Alonzo, Noah. Edwin and Barzilla. Their baptisms are recorded in the early records of the Congregational Church in 1813. Parsons Allen was born in :792, and died in the town of Munson, Ill .. June 22, 1867. He left Camden for his western home in 1855. Sa- mantha Allen, whose life was one to enlist our deepest sympa- thies, was always in feeble health, until it undermined her in- tellect, and in this state she remained until she reached the mature age of 33 years, when she was called from her pain and suffering to rest, and her remains are mingled with the sacred dust in the Mexico Street Cemetery. Her death occurred April 19. 1839.
DANIEL BARTHOLOMEW.
The next house beyond the school-house, on the left, was owned by Daniel Bartholomew, who came from Connecticut. But little can be learned concerning him. He settled here and built a log house: but prior to 1823 he sold the property to Fowler Penfield, who during that year built the house which
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
was destroyed by fire many years ago. Here he lived with his family until he went to Westchester County to reside. One daughter, Susan, was born in the new house.
DELOS PENFIELD.
Delos, son of Fowler Penfield, married Mary Barnes and con- tinted to reside in the home his father had built until in 1851 he built the finc large house on the opposite side of the road, now the property of Charles Carleton. Four children were born to them: Jane, Warner, Julia and Jessie. Only Warner, whose home is in New York, and Julia, who lives in Washington, caring for her mother, survive. The farm on Mexico street was sold; the family coming to the village to reside. After several years they went to Washington, where they have since made their home. Delos Penfield died in New York, February 26, 1887, and was brought to his native town for interment.
CARLETON FAMILY.
The Carlton family came from Kildare, about twenty miles from Dublin. Charles Carleton, one of the brothers, came di- rectly from Ireland to New York in the "Senator," a sailing vessel, in June, 1849. The voyage was a comparatively long one, taking most of the time for a month before they arrived in New York harbor. A relative had already arrived in this country, settling in Hillsborough, whom he wished to visit. He decided to make his home in this locality. The following No- vember the father and mother, with two sons, James and John, and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, left their homes and started for the new world and arrived in Camden, where they have since resided. Mary married David Price in Ireland, and Elizabeth married Richard Price soon after they arrived here. The Carleton brothers bought a large number of acres of land some distance off to the right from Mexico street, of Horace an 1 Edwin Dunbar. They built large mills, where James, Jr., continued to reside until fire destroyed the property. The mother's maiden name was Ellen Raymond. All belonged to the Church of England in the former home. and soon after their arrival in Camden, identified themselves with Trinity Church. James Carleton, father of Charles, John R .. and James.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Jr., died March 25, 1878, aged 72 years. Ellen, his wife died June, 1857, aged 47 years. They rest in Forest Park Cemetery.
WILLIAM PENFIELD.
William Penfield settled in Camden just west of the home of his brother Fowler. He located on the farm now owned by John R. Carleton. He married Eunice Penfield. They had five sons who went West and died there. William Penfield went on a trip through the South and when returning was stricken with yellow fever. He died with it and was buried at sea. His widow married Wanen Preston. and located in Pennsylvania. Judge Israel Stoddard purchased the farm and had one of the barns moved to his farn: south of the village, where it is still standing. An old well marks the site of the home.
STEPHEN SCOVILLE.
On the opposite side of the road from the home of John R. Carleton. Stephen Scoville lived many years ago. Little can be gathered concerning himself and family. His son, Thompson Scoville, occupied the home where John R. Carleton now re- sides. Stephen Scoville married Chloe Cook, sister of Oliver and Martin Cook. He died May 18. 1849. aged 74 years. His wife died June 16, 1848, aged 73 years.
CLARK PORTER.
The oldest man now living in Camden is Mr. Clark Porter, who resides on the left sideof Mexico street. above Charles Carle- ton's residence. Lewis Porter, his father, came to Camden in 1811, and settled on the Seventh for a short time, where Clark Porter, the oldest of six children, was born the following year. Soon after he bought the house where his son, Clark Porter. now lives. Lewis Porter died December 27. 1858, aged 75 years. His wife died November 7, 1877, aged 92 years. Their native place was Watertown, Conn. Clark Porter and wife had three daughters and one son-Lizzie, who married Andrew Bohem, lied July 15. 1895. Lewis Porter bought the house on Mexico street of Phineas Tuttle, who had formerly kept it as a hotel.
ELIASAPH DOOLITTLE.
Eliasaph Doolittle, whose name is closely identified with the earliest records of the town, was born in Plymouth, Conn., March
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
7, 1782. He was descended from English parents who came to America and settled in Plymouth in 1700. Eliasaph Doolittle had four sisters and six brothers, viz .: Lucy, Ruth, Sally, Betsey, Charles, Miles, Isaiah, Potter, Amazi and Charles. Ile left Connecticut to settle in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1802. This journey was performed on foot, with his clothing in a little pack, which he hung on the handle of the ax he carried on his shoulder. A very strong affection existed between his mother and himself and it was a hard trial for her to let the dear one go out into the world alone. She walked with him a long dis- tance before bidding him good-bye. After he had parted from her he looked back and saw her still standing where he left her, shading her eyes with her hand, gazing after her boy, doubt- less with tears blotting out the image she was trying to sec. Tears always came to his eyes whenever he related this incident. His first home was made on Mexico street, on the farm known to a later generation as the Jerry Bailey farm. He made a small clearing and built a log house. At night he slept with logs piled against the door to prevent the wolves from entering. In the morning he often saw their tracks in the ashes where he had burned brush and logs. In the fall he buried his potatoes and walked back to his old home in Connecticut, spent the winter there and carly in the spring again started for Camden. Hc paid partly for his land when he first settled here. When he left home the second time his father gave him sufficient money to pay for the remainder. He then built a more comfortable house and otherwise improved his land. Two years later he went again to his old home, and married Miss Joanna Brace, 1805. His father gave him a horse and wagon which conveyed himself and wife to the new home he had prepared for her. In 1812-1814 he was mustered into service and went to Sackett's Harbor and Oswego. During his absence his wife was at home alone with small chil- dren and the howling of wolves around the house at night made it imperative for her to keep the latch-string inside the door, lest in some way a wolf might pull it and enter. This fear added greatly to her loneliness. Mr. Doolittle received a pension in les later years in acknowledgement of his services as a solcher.
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