USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 22
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The farm where he first settled was sold in 1813, and the one purchased, just at the edge of the village of Camden : and this one was owned and occupied by the Doolittles until 1892, when it passed into the possession of G. S. Watkins. Seven children were born to Eliasaph and Joanna Doolittle, viz .: Sally, Miles, Willard, Wolcott, Lucena, Maria and Herman. The family were all members of the Congregational Church, one son, Miles en- tering the ministry when he was 30 years old, doing the Master's work most nobly. He died in the city of Troy, Wis., March 22. aged 68 years. Wolcott Doolittle married Marian Cronkhite of Wyoming, N. Y., taking his wife to the house occupied by his father, where they lived all of their married life. Eliasaph Doo- Little was born March 7, 1782: died November 13. 1872, aged 90: Joanna, his wife, was born April 13, 1784: died in 1840. aged 56 years. Wolcott Doolittle died in 1850. His wife died in 1891. No descendants living at the present time in Camden.
JEREMIAH BAILEY.
Jeremiah Bailey bought this place of Eliasaph Doolittle and settled here. He married Fanny Scoville for his first wife, and Nabby Wilson for his second wife. Two children were born by his first wife, Fanny and - . His second wife's children were Julia and Roxy. Fanny married Cornelius McGee : had five children: Carrie, who married John W. Brierley: Charles W., Burdett B., Adelbert S., Worden J., Clarence C. Julia married, first, Sidney Clark, and had five children, Julia. Jackson, Mary, Henry and Cora. Her second husband was John Sanford of this village: they have one daughter. Flora.
ELIJAH BAILEY.
Elijah Bailey was an early settler in this locality, coming here with wife and family. He was a soldier of the Revolution. His children were Roxanna, who died September 11, 1842, aged 22 years, and Winthrop, who died January 30, 1836. aged 37 years Elijah Bailey died August 11, 1838. aged 76 years; Jeremiah Bailey died Another brother. James Bailey, lived on the site where the house occupied by Eben Stevens now stands. After his death his widow married Sammuel Gray. They had
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
three children, Maria, William and Stephen. The daughter mar- ried O. B. Gibson, lived for a time in Camden, then located in the West.
SAMUEL CLEAVELAND.
Where the new dwelling house of James Carleton now stands, at an early date, Samuel Cleaveland settled with wife and childlieu, becoming a large land owner. We can only learn of five chil- dren, Laura, Esther, Fannie, Richard and David. His first wife died August 11, 1820. She rests in Mexico Street Cemetery. He married, the second time, the widow Soper, mother of the late Capt. Amos Soper; one son was born to them, Henry, father of our well known townsman, Platt Cleaveland, and his older brothers, Seth, a prominent business man of Rochester, N. Y., and the late John Cleaveland of Buffalo. Samuel Cleaveland de- parted this life November 11, 1847, aged 76 years. The death of his second wife occurred October 7, aged 80 years. They rest in the old part of Forest Park Cemetery. In 1819 Samuel Cleaveland was one of the trustees of District No. 3.
JOHN REMINGTON.
John Remington came to Camden from New Hartford in 1844, and bought of Horace Dunbar lot 59 in the township of Scriba's Patent. He had a steam saw-mill on a cross road which ran through the woods between Mexico street and Hillsborough. When he came to Camden he brought his wife and two children with him. John Remington identified himself with the old Ami- cable Free Masons, which was organized in New Hartford in 1792. He was an honored and useful member of Lodge 164 of Camden. His residencein this town was in or near the house which was occupied at an earlier date by Samuel Cleaveland, but after a number of years he moved into the village and kept the lower tavern. He moved to Utica, April, 1874, where he died April 11, 1890, aged 84 years. His wife died March, 1896, aged 77 years, leaving five children.
ELIPHALET JOHNSON.
Eliphalet Johnson was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1746. He enlisted in Capt. Lathrop's company, Norwich, August 29, 1777, and went to Saratoga. Dismissed October 23, 1777. He mar-
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ried Chloe , whose childhood home was in Connecticut. He came to Camden in 1805, bought land and settled on the site later occupied by the Cash tavern, about three or four miles from the village. He made a small clearing on the land which he had purchased and built a log house, where he lived alone the first year he spent in Camden. After he had the side walls and the roof covered he left it one day to go to a neighbor's house, who lived about three miles west of his home, to procure some fresh meat. He made his purchase and started homeward; while going through the woods he heard the blood-curdling sound of howling wolves. They had scented the meat and were rapidly following him. As they came near he threw it to them and ran. It satisfied their ferocious hunger for a few moments, but soon it was devoured, and they came on faster than before. They were almost upon him as he sprang into the house and up a ladder into the loft. While in so much danger his wits did not desert him. There was no floor, and finding a long pole, he reached down and closed the door, then jumped from the gable end of the loft, which had not been enclosed, and went to his nearest neighbors in search of help, which he procured, and returning, speedily despatched the baffled animals. The following year he moved his family to Camden, coming from Connecticut with an ox team. He had eight children, all born in Connecti- cut, Abram, Eliphalet, Stephen, Miles, Elias, Chloe, Lydia, Amy and Ansel. Eliphalet Johnson died November 2, 1818, aged 72 years. Chloe, his wife, died February 26, 1817, aged 63 years. They rest in the cemetery on Mexico street.
JOHN WEBB.
After the death of Eliphalet Johnson we can find but little about the place; but in 1837 John Webb owned and occupied it with his family, and had erected a new building and kept a hotel. They were an English family. Mrs. Webb was a lace-maker in her home across the water, and continued to make it for sale after she came to this country. It was a curious sight to see her sit hour after hour with the large cushion before her, the pattern outlined with pins upon it, and to watch the alertness with which the bobbins flew from one pin to another with such
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precision; there was never a mistake. They had one daughter, Sarah Ann, who married William Cash. After the death of Mr. Webb, the son-in-law continued to keep the hotel for a time, Mrs. Webb living with her daughter. He finally sold it to James Gilmore, who converted it into a private house. In 1857 or 1858, Mr. Gilmore sold to Patrick Keeshan, who lives there at the present time. Some changes have been made, the ball room, which was on the east side, has been moved farther on the road to Amboy, and made into a home for Mr. Keeshan's brother. John Webb died June 6, 1842, aged 70 years; Sarah, his wife, died November 14, 1853, aged 81 years.
The following was handed us to be published in the history of our town, which we gladly do:
On a certain day in the year 1831, the startling news was heard on the street that a person, a Scotchman by the name of Morton, in the employ of David Johnson, blacksmith, suddenly dropped down and expired. He resided on Mexico street, some four miles away, near the Amboy woods, in a log house. The family con- sisted of husband, wife and nine children, two boys and seven girls.
Deacon Lyman Tuthill, like the good man he always was, when he heard of it, went and called on them and soon saw that they were in very destitute circumstances, with not enough pro- visions to last them twenty-four hours. Before leaving he of- fered up a petition to the Heavenly Father in behalf of the widow and her fatherless children, commending them to His holy care and keeping. He went home and, with a little effort, obtained supplies of the neighbors and sent them to the sorrowing family.
Rev. Lewis Loss preached the funeral sermon, and after the funeral Deacons Tuthill and Osborn, Linus Sanford, James Southworth. Gen. Curtiss and others counseled together what was best to be done for the widow andafflicted family. It was pro- posed to get them into the York Mills, if possible, and Deacon E. Upson was requested to write and see if there was any chance for such. Mr. Walcott replied, Send them right along.
After the reception of the letter, a committee of ladies was appointed, consisting, among others, of Mrs. Deacon Tuthill
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and Osborn, Mrs. Pearsons Allen of Mexico street, Mrs. Lyman Curtiss, Mrs. Esq. Brown, Mrs. Ransom, Mrs. J. C. Sperry, and Mrs. Deacon Upson, to look after their wearing apparel and report at Mrs. Deacon Upson's. The result was that the family were well provided with clothing until they had time to help. themselves. Men volunteered with teams and transferred then to York Mills.
Now, reader, let us ring up the curtain for 1842, and notice the results; the two young men, James and Alexander, had prepared themselves to enter college by studying mornings and evenings, working in the mills during the day. They entered college, and Mr. B. S. Wolcott, the proprietor of the mills, generously aided and assisted them. They graduated with honors. James entered the ministry, and was a successful preacher; Alexander conceived the idea of getting up a pen that should be non-corrosive, an article much needed. The result was "Morton's celebrated gold pen." It was a great success and in a short time agencies were Established in all the great commercial centers of the world.
Alexander, the famous inventor, died in the sixties, having ac- quired a large fortune. Before his death he requested his brother, James, to take the business and "Push it." James consented, and crossed the Atlantic eighteen times, and the Pacific twice, in the interest of the business, but eventually made his home in London the last few years of his life. In the summer of 1895, James, the brother, died. They were both young men without a single vice.
The sisters, young ladies, grew up genteel, refined and amiable, all having good homes; the whole family of nine children orna- ments of society and a blessing to the world.
I could speak of letters received from her gracious majesty, Victoria, and other crowned heads and potentates of the old world, acknowledging in high praise the worth of Morton's gold pen as a valuable acquisition to the world, but this is not my purpose. It was to mention those early settlers, those fathers and mothers, who so nobly aided and assisted the widow and her fatherless children in those dark days of their bereavement and' extremity.
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Perhaps it has not been generally known that several of these men mentioned were contributors in the eighteen twenties of $25 each to an endowment fund for Hamilton College, during the days of Rev. Henry Smith. The reader may smile and think this rather a small sum, but in those early days of a limited cur- rency, coming so soon after the Revolution, it was fully equal to one hundred at the present day.
They were strong society leaders, both male and female. I grant that there are generally two sorts of society leaders --- those who are the real, actual inspirators, quiet, cultivated, and refined, if not conspicuous, but who set standards of demeanor and give the best tone and character to advancing civilization; and the showy sort, who inwardly are restless, uneasy, and not cultivated, scarcely knowing what to do with themselves in order to pass away the time. They were church goers, and it seems to be a fact that the best people are church attendants, and dressed suitably to the occasion. They were persons of strong, generous personalities, receptive and responsive to spiritualistic influences, emphasizing by words and deeds the highest, loftiest and noblest ideals and ends of life. Other instances equally striking, char- acteristic, and gratifying in their results are not wanting.
Reader, kind reader, I think you will cordially agree with me that these and such as these are well worthy of pleasant mention in the History of our Town. Their remains rest in our several cemeteries. Sacred be their memories. We ne'er shall see their like again .- Communicated.
ROAD LEADING FROM MEXICO STREET TO HILLS- BOROUGH ROAD.
The first settlers on this road were Laney Castle and Jesse Penfield, purchasing their land of Ogden & Murray, land agents. One David Lewis made a clearing in 1812, near where George Rush's home is at present date.
Jesse Penfield emigrated from Plymouth, Conn., (where he was a tax-payer in 1794) to Camden about 1803. His log house was the first home on this road, and was built on a rise of ground near Mexico street. He was a Revolutionary soldier, serving with honor in the militia under Capt. Phineas Porter in 1775.
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In 1778 he enlisted in the First Connecticut Troopers, serving until 1780, receiving a pension for his services. His wife, Miss Polly Upson, was also from Plymouth, Conn. From Mexico street to his home was at first a bridle path (as in the early times people went from place to place on horseback); later, trees were cut and cleared, and a cart road constructed, which bore to the east and south from the present road, at the terminus of which, on a slight elevation, was the spot selected by Fowler, son of Jesse Penfield, as his home. He was married by Rev. Moses Gillett to Miss Jane DeMilt, April 21, A. D. 18II. On this spot he built a log house, which was the birthplace of our much respected townsman, Hon. Thomas DeMilt Penfield. Fowler Penfield's children were-Britannia Eliza, Thomas De- Milt, Warner Wood, Delos, Susannah W., George Jesse. The mother of this family died November 17, 1865, at her residence, No. 7 Rutger's Place, New York City. Her parents were Peter DeMilt and Susan K. Warner. Mrs. Fowler Penfield was born in the city of New York in 1790, but was a resident of Camden for many years, coming here when nine years of age. In 1846 she, with her husband, removed to Eastchester, Westchester County; from thence to her last residence in New York city. When Mrs. Penfield first came to Camden the journey from New York took four weeks, their manner of traveling being by horses and carriage. Where now is our village park was then a forest of lofty pines, with the homes of the first settlers inter- spersed among them. She was a lady of rare Christian char- acter and excellence. Polly, the wife of Jesse Penfield, united with the Congregational Church of Camden in 1809. We can not ascertain what year this cross road was straightened and extended across to the Hillsboroughi road. Others settled in this neighborhood: Chauncey Woodruff in 1814. Mr. Wood- ruff came from Harwinton, Conn., where he married his wife, Miss Rebecca Scoville, in 1817, first coming to Camden and providing a home for his bride. The trip with his young wife was made with oxen, the cart containing their household goods. He purchased his place of Laney Castle (we regret that we can not learn something more of this early settler), upon which a
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log house had previously been built. Mr. Woodruff had a family of eight children.
Willis Pond, son of Beriah Pond, lived on this road, and still later others settled here, among whom were Joseph Piney, An- drew Seubert, John Rush, John Peter Leavenworth, who came in 1841. He was a native of France, and served in the French war, was six yearsunder King Louis Philippe, coming to America in 1833. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Keiser of Utica in 1836. He was a permanent and respected resident, attaining the age of 81 years. He died July, 1885. John Rush died in 1862, aged 65 years; Elizabeth, his wife, died in 1887, aged 87 years; Joseph Piney died in 1844; Margaret, his wife, June 30, 1853, aged 74 years.
WEST CAMDEN.
We will now introduce you to the homes in an enterprising little village in the north-western part of this town, called West Camden, where the influence, both secret and silent, direct and open, conscious and unconscious, have molded the character of men and women of to-day. Of some of them we can only give you a passing glance. Among the early occupants of these homes there was no aristocracy of blood, or of boasting of hon- ored titles. They were men of moderate means, and would have made a good living any where there was work. The first homes that they built were small and rude; in many instances they were log cabins, but were the abodes of contentment. The west branch of Fish Creek runs through this village and gives great facilities for milling purposes. The pioneers of this locality were hardy and industrious people, like their neighbors in other parts of the town. They have brought their wild lands and dense forests to a highly productive state, which shows their diligence and unremitting labor.
We find the name of David Smith in very old deeds, which shows that he owned a large tract of land in its primitive state at an early date.
Joseph Northrup emigrated here before his father, Gideon, and bought land here and on Mexico street. They lived to- gether in Harwinton, Conn., not far from Allen and Jolin Sper-
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ry's, who belong to our pioneers. Their home was near the Naugatuck River. Joseph Northrup married Cynthia, daughter of Enos Blakeslee, and in buying land here the contract was made out to Joseph and Cynthia Northrup, from David Smith, and signed by Ambrose Curtiss and David Bartholomew of Plymouth, Conn. As Mr. Joseph Northrup did not settle here first, he must have transferred this property to Manning Barnes, the first permanent settler, who came here in 1802, whose deed was given in 1806, but not recorded until 1825.
Manning Barnes erected a log house and made a clearing, and this was the end of the road. It was simply an Indian path beyond, only to be traced by blazed trees towards Williamstown. This was the first clearing within the present limits, and also the first log house which served as a habitation. He soon brought
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Manning Barnes' Residence.
his newly-wedded wife, Lucy, daughter of Gideon Northrup. The frame of this building was added at different times to the log house. Soon after settling here he hung out a sign and made a business of tavern keeping for a good many years. The log house was where now stands the store occupied by Mr. Leigh. The original road through West Camden ran back of what is now Lucius S. Smith's farm and S. V. Palm's, coming out on the Amboy road on the hill near Mrs. Leigh's house. This road was altered August 13, 1822-Enos Blakeslee, Surveyor. Mr. Barnes lived to see the progress of this place; and well he remembered
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of visitations in the early days from the Oneida Indians that would pass through every autumn on their way to Salmon River to fish and hunt and lay in their stock of winter provisions. They would stop at Mr. Barnes' to cook and feast. Manning Barnes was born in 1780, in Connecticut, and died in West Camden, De- comber 31, 1856, aged 76. Lucy, his wife, was born in 1788, and died October 1, 1858, aged 70. Their children that grew to manhood and womanhood were, Amanda, Albert, Lucy, Emeline, Wilbert and Mary Ann. Albert Barnes married Julia Ann Gil- lett. Mr. Barnes died June 17, 1836, aged 28. His widow mar- ried Thomas Henderson of Sand Banks, in 1840; Amanda mar- ried Selden Munson; Emeline married Marcenus Hyatt, and lived in Mexico, and also her sister, Mary Ann, who married Truman Goodell. Wilbert Barnes married Annis Stanton, and lived in West Camden for a while after marriage. He established the first store, and was the second post-master. He moved to Sand Banks and died there February 26, 1879, aged 68. Lucy married Baldwin Tuthill in 1842.
Mr. Tuthill was a native of Trenton. He left home in 1836, and came to West Camden soon after, and conducted a store About 1844 he moved to Camden village and identified himself with the town in all its advancement of the rising generation in both church and school, and contributed liberally to the support of both. Mr. Tuthill died June 4, 1857, aged 62. His wife sur- vived him twenty-three years, dying in 1880, aged 69. Four children were born to them: Mary died in infancy; Hull. a very promising young man of 18 years, died February 1, 1864. Miss Cynthia Tuthill and Mrs. Mattie Tuthill Porter are resi- dents of Watertown.
Serajah Comstock married Clemina Austin, and emigrated here from Norfolk, Conn., in 1805. He settled at the extreme east of West Camden, on what is known as the Ostrander place, and followed farming for an occupation. In 1814 he removed to Williamstown, where he died. He was a Revolutionary sol- ‹lier and enlisted in the Third Regiment of Connecticut line. Ten children were born to them. Two daughters died in Con- recticut; Anna, Flora, Lucy, John and Samuel A., were born in
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Connecticut; Sylvester was born in W. Camden; Charles and Franklin in Williamstown. We find in the records of the First Church in Camden, that Mrs. Clemina Comstock was a member in 1813. After her husband's death she married a Mr. Austin of Sand Banks. In a "Western Recorder," a paper published in Utica in 1826, and edited by Thomas Hastings, this obituary appeared: "Died-In Williamstown, February 23, in the 66th year of his age, Mr. Serajah Comstock, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, and one who also, in the judgment of charity, enlisted a few years since under the banner of the Great Redeemer. He continued to walk worthy of the profession he had made, and at last died in peace."
JOHN SPERRY.
Passing on to the next farm, which was the home of John Sperry, all traces of the house is gone. As to the date of his settling here we have been unable to find out. His brother, Allen. came to the town in 1805. It is believed that he came not long after. He must have been a large land owner, as we found in ar. old paper that John Sperry and Ann Sperry, his wife, owned 102 acres of land in Camden in 1816, adjoining Williamstown. His son, Angus, lived next on the south side, the place now owned by Samuel Belknap; and the other son, Davies, lived where J. Foster now resides. Davies Sperry married Cande Upson in 1812. This shows that this family were early settlers in West Camden. Their daughter, Rachel, died May 19, 1850. Marion married a Mr. Northrup.
DANIEL STACY.
Daniel Stacy came to Williamstown from Washington County in 1810, and erected the first carding mill there. In the fall of 1818 he moved to West Camden and bought water privilege and built a saw-mill, and added a grist-mill and a small carding-mill. He raised the dam, which caused the sickness in 1825. His father, Oliver Stacy, and wife, came with him to West Camden, and lived where Mr. Winchester resides. His brother Orrin lived opposite. J. H. Taylor's blacksmith shop stands on the original site of the first shop built by Mr. Ladd in 1822.
Truman Cook came from Connecticut about Jan. 1, 1831, and
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bought the Daniel Stacy home, and in 1850 Russel Winchester bought the place, and it has been in the family ever since. There were three children-the late Mrs. Fargo, and Mrs. A. Gibson, and H. F. Winchester, who occupies the place now. Russel Win- chester died March 4, 1875, aged 73; Grace, his wife, February 2, 1876, aged 71.
Miles Spencer lived in this vicinity about 1817: his wife died and left two children-Miles and Polly. He married a sister of Lyman Matthews for his second wife; two more children were born-Coronda and a daughter.
Deacon Charles Spencer lived in a little house that was back of the blacksmith shop; his wife, Grace Spencer, aged 40, and daughter Laura, aged 18, both died, December 12, 1813, with a malignant fever.
The first house that was built where John H. Taylor lives was built by Ora Ballard in 1812. Ora Ballard married Sally, daugh- ter of Joseph Northrup. They went as missionaries to the In- dians at St. Joseph, Mo., returned in old age, and died at her sister Emily's (Mrs. Riley Preston), in Pennsylvania. Ora Bal- lard was brother of Deacon Roswell and blind Henry Ballard, and Mrs. Erastus Upson.
The place now occupied and owned by William Osborn was the home of Zophar Barnes, Jr., and father of Harvey, and grand- father of the late Potter Barnes. The latter got his name from his grandmother, who was sister to Samuel and Zenas Potter, of Plymouth, Conn.
Samuel Magee's house was built in 1822. Mr. Magee came here in 1820 from Schoharie County, N. Y. Many of his de- scendants live in this vicinity.
Miles Johnson was born January 3, 1782, and died September 19, 1826, with the fever that was prevailing at that time. His remains were removed from the old cemetery to the new one. There is no stone to mark his grave. He was married twice; his first wife was Miss Fish, his second, Miss Christina McCullon. Elias, his brother, was killed by falling from a tree near by; they were sons of Eliphalet Johnson, on Mexico road, who died in 1818.
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