USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 25
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
familiarly known, was born in Plumpton, Sussex County, Eng- land, in 1790. He came to America with his wife in 1829. Of the thirteen children born to them, eight are living, but only two in Camden, Mrs. Judson Hull and Mrs. Jonathan Mecker. Uncle Ned worked on the first railroad between Albany and Schenectady, then drifted to Camden, and remained in this vicinity until his death, in 1887, aged 97 years. Lucy, his wife, died September 28, 1855, aged 57.
After leaving this place you come to a lane called "Barlow Lane." We find in the old town book in the survey, of altering this road, July 17, 1817. The owners of the property on the corners were Nathan Barlow and Nathaniel Brown. The Barlow place is the one known as the Newland home, and occupied by Wilbert Upson, who married Mr. Newland's widow. On the other corner there is no trace of a building that once stood there. The last deed given from the first settlers or their descendants was from Delos Brown.
The next house to the west, now owned and occupied by G. Roberts, was built by Warren Preston. This property has changed hands a good many times.
Calvin Johnson's Early Home. CALVIN JOHNSON,
This is the original part of the house built by Calvin Johnson, who married Honor, daughter of Noah Preston, March 11, 1811. Four children were born to them, Rosetter. Spencer. Lorenzo and Cornelia. Rosetter, the oldest, was born December 16. 1811,
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
and his first recollection was when his father went to assist in defending the State against the attack of the British in the war that began in 1812. He said his father took him up and kissed him "good-bye," and then placed him in the arms of his weeping mother, who explained that his father had gone to the war and might never return. He returned very soon, as the government did not need any more volunteers. March 30, 1819. Mrs. John- son died at the age of 27. Calvin Johnson sold in 1828 and moved to Ripley, Chautauqua County, where he died in 1844. Rosetter went to California in 1849, and became a very prom- inent man in San Francisco; he died May, 1886.
ELISHA HOWLAND.
Elisha Howland next owned this place; he added the upright part, which was moved near the fair ground a few years ago by George Upson, the present owner. Elisha Howland was the father of eleven children-Gideon, Chauncey, Ira, Philip, Peter, Rebecca, Mary, Lydia, Roba, Lizzie and David. Elisha How- land was born February 1, 1772; died October 26, 1846, aged 73 years and 8 months. Mrs. Howland was born December 21, 1785. Philip and Ira Howland, the only descendants here, are the sons of David.
The house opposite Barlow lane and now owned by W. Hal- stead, was built in 1845 or 1846 by Anthony Bush; he lived there one year, then exchanged places with Caleb Rowell, and moved to West Camden.
MARTIN SMITH.
Martin Smith came to Camden February 1822, from Claver- ack, Columbia Co., N. Y. He was born in New Milford, Litch- field County, Conn. He was in the war of 1812; enlisted at the age of 16 in the cavalry. He married Betsey Place in 1818. at Claverack, her native town. In coming to Camden he first lived in a house that stood on the corner of Second and Church streets. He bought land now owned by George Upson, and while build- ing this home he lived in the house then owned by Warren Preston. He also built a shoe shop near by; he was a tanner and currier and shoemaker by trade. He sold this place to
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Rufus Baldwin in 1826, and moved in 1827 on Mexico street, near Osborn's Hill. The shoe shop was moved down what is now Union street, and converted into a dwelling house, and was oc- cupied by Chauncey Woodruff for many years. In 1828 Mr. Smith moved to Verona, and in 1834 returned to Camden, and
Martin Smith Home.
bought of Nathaniel Wetmore on Preston Hill, east of the Marvel Hall farm. They moved into the village in 1855. Of the eleven children born to them, five are living now; two died in infancy; Ambrose died in 1860; Betsey in 1831: Mary, a young girl, while at the barn to assist her brother, was kicked by a horse and died from the injury at the early age of nine years, in 1851; George died in 1877, leaving a large family. M. A. Smith is in the furrier business, which is of a long standing: he learned the hatter business of Truman Spencer in connection with it.
LYMAN SMITH.
Lyman Smith, now of Chicago, has become noted with his great inventions: one of the most prominent of these was the pneumatic elevator for unloading grain. His latest is in storing grain in air-tight tanks, preserving it in its natural state. This idea he got from the fact that grains have been sealed with mum- mies for thousands of years, and when planted have grown and produced luxuriantly. He was born in the first house his father built in Camden. Jay Smith is a farmer in Minnesota; Morris is a grain dealer in Cambridge, Ill. Sarah is the widow of Julius
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Allen of this village. R. C. and E. W. are the sons of the late George Smith. Martin Smith died January 4, 1875. aged 77. His wife died October 29, 1876, aged 78.
ASHBEL UPSON.
This farm changed hands about 1840, and different ones had owned it until Ashbel Upson bought it in 1854. It has been in the family ever since. George Upson is now the occupant of the place. Ashbel Upson's children were, Dorlisca, Wilbert, George and Bleecker. Dorlisca and Bleecker died a number of years ago. Mr. Ashbel Upson died July ist, 1881. aged 77; Betsey, his wife, died August 7, 1875, aged 65.
ELIASAPH DOOLITTLE.
The next place was the home of Eliasaph Doolittle. Their life in Camden will be written in the Mexico street history. This property was bought by Edward Watkins in 1892. He has laid it out in streets, and it is now so thickly settled it looks like a little village by itself.
ALBERT GODFREY.
The Elden house was built about 1845 by Albert Godfrey; he married Rosina Putnam: four children were born to them -- Jane, George, Julia and Gertrude. In 1850 they sold and moved into the village. Mrs. Rosina P. Godfrey died at her daughter Julia's, August 18, 1891. Gertrude, wife of Ranney Park, died July 15, 1873: George L. Godfrey lives in Fairbault, Minn; Mrs. O. L. Hall and daughter, Mrs. T. D. Norton, and family, are the only descendants in town.
GEORGE ELDEN.
In 1850 George Elden bought this place, and Mr. Elden and Col. Empey bought 1834 acres of land belonging to the Priest Smith heirs, where now is Railroad, Liberty, Elm. Elden and Fayette streets. This last street did not belong to the former purchase: Mr. Elden bought it later of Hiram Smith. These streets were carefully laid out, with Aaron Matthews as sur- veyor; they had a hard struggle to get the bridge across on Railroad street. Mr. Empey being a mechanic and Mr. Elden a commissioner of the town. they succeeded. and the bridge was built and the road extended to the depot. All the buildings
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
about the depot and the above named street have been erected since that time. They soon extended Liberty street to Dunbar mill. The last two lots of the original purchase were sold in 1894. In 1851 this plot was all bush pasture, filled with pine stumps. Now these streets are nearly all settled with comfort-
George Elden.
able homes. Mr. Elden was in the produce business for about thirty years; for thirteen years of this time Joseph Stark was his business partner. George Elden was a native of Camden, and for more than three-score years he walked the streets of his town- ship and mingled with his people. He was firm and unflinching in regard to his duties. He became a member of the M. E. Church in 1835, and an official member for many years. George Elden married Amelia Stanton in 1832; she was sister to Annis, the first wife of Wilbert Barnes of Sand Banks. Mr. George Elden died September 24. 1895, aged 85: his wife died April 1, 1887, aged 75 years. Judson, their adopted son, lives in Syra- cuse. This place is now the property of Mr. Miller.
ISAAC BARNES.
The next place would be the farm now owned and occupied by Lucius Goodyear, north of the cottage, head of Main street. Isaac Barnes, who married Martha Atwater, sister of Mrs.
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James Frisbie's mother, lived here. In January, 1816, with his wife and four children, he left Camden and made the long jour- ney to Ohio with his own conveyance. He stayed there a short time, then started again for Missouri, as a missionary to the In- dians; he settled on the little Osage River, a branch of the Missouri. He returned to Ohio, and settled in the town of Medina, and stayed there several years, during which time two daughters were born to them. His two oldest sons were stu- dents in Hudson College: George, the oldest, graduated; Carlos made a specialty of surveying, and started well in business, but after a few years his health failed, and he died while yet a young man. In 1830 the spirit of adventure again seized Mr. Barnes, and he left Ohio for Michigan, the beautiful peninsula, and after roaming the southern part of the State, he turned his steps north- ward and landed on the beautiful prairie named Gule prairie, from its nearness to Gule Lake, so named by its surveyors. He was the first to settle there, but other families soon followed, and in the fall of 1832 there was a thriving community of intelligent people there. After a few years of rest on the prairie, further desire of adventure beset Mr. Barnes, and he roamed through the pine forest of Allegan County until he found a stream where he thought there was a good site for a mill, and he decided to make that his home, and built a log house, moved his family, and subsequently erected a mill as he planned; but his work was nearly done: a few days of sickness and he was laid to rest in his beautiful pine grove. and in three weeks his wife was laid beside him. Thus, after life's fitful fever, they rest peacefully beneath the wide spreading branches of the stately forest trees. Thus ended the lives of the true pioneers of the great West, as well as of Camden.
In 1862 Lucius Goodyear purchased the land once owned by Isaac Barnes and erected a fine residence. His first wife was Miss Arma Smith: they lived together many years. As they had no children of their own, they kindly gave a home to seven children, only two living in Camden now. Mrs. W. Frazee and Mrs. W. Parks. Mrs. Goodyear died January 3, 1893. Mr. Goodyear married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth A. Schuyler of Chittenango, N. Y., in 1895.
35 €
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
BARTHOLOMEW POND.
In the book, "Our County and Its People," edited by the late Daniel Wager, we learn: "In the spring of 1796 Bartholomew Pond owned what has since been known as the Royce farm, in Clinton." We learn also: "Mr. Pond donated to the society of Clinton an acre of land to be used as a burial yard." About 1805 Samuel Royce made an additional donation of land, therefore, we conclude, upon his return to Clinton, Samuel Royce ex- changed property with Bartholomew Pond, who succeeded Mr. Royce as the owner of the property in the northern part of this town. Mr. Pond was already a large land-owner in this locality. He was born in Bradford, Conn., in 1737. He married Lucy Curtiss, and at the date of his arrival here had a family of nine children. In the early records of the town we find the last town meeting held at the home of Samuel Royce occurred in 1803, and the next one was appointed to be held at the home of Bar- tholomew Pond, which establishes the date he first occupied the property at the head of Main street. In a short time the log house gave place to a two-story frame house, with a wing on the east side. The old well which receives the overflow of the fountain was under the woodhouse; it was the starting point tor the survey of many of the streets as well as much of the land in this vicinity. He also owned all of the land east of Main street to Mad River, and north of Union street, including the land in the valley, the site of the Conants' chair manufactory. The land east of Main street was his farm, under good cultivation. The orchard was in the part where Third street was laid out. Some of the old apple trees are still standing, or were a short time ago, back of the old Stewart place. The remains of Bar- tholomew Pond and his wife rest in the Mexico Street Cemetery; they lived fifty-three years together before they were separated by death.
Iri Pond, son of Bartholomew, married Lettice Blakeslee. He was a soldier of the American Revolution. He died suddenly while walking on the street in Camden, but the date of his death is uncertain. His wife died August 10, 1848, aged 85 years. Tri Pond, their son, built the house where Dr. Leonard now resides,
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
and had a wagon shop near. The first hearse used in Camden was made by him. It was a rude and cheap affair, but the dead made no objection to it. We find this advertisement in an old town paper, which is unique, and a convincing proof that while there was little competition, and no facilities for transporting goods from distant towns, it paid to advertise:
WAGON AND SLEIGH MAKING.
The subscriber grateful to the last,
Returns his thanks for many favors past, And gives his friends this timely information, He still remains at his old former station, And carries on his very useful trade, In wagons fine, as good as e'er were made ; Wagons and sleighs, all sizes, coarse and fine,
All kinds of work within the carriage line, He keeps on hand always, both neat and clean, West of the church, and near the Camden Green.
Come rich, come poor, both grave and gay, My wares are good, I boldly say, Cheaper by ten per cent. or more Than in this place were sold before. I'll be content with little gain, And take my pay in cash or grain ; Call at my shop and take a look, I can't be beat in Kinderhook. IRI POND.
Camden, April 20th, 1842.
Iri Pond, Jr., died February 17, 1848, aged 64 years. The death of his first wife occurred April 23, 1846, aged 62 years. He married the second time the Widow Birge of Watertown, and left her a second time a widow; she is well remembered as the "Widow Pond," while she remained in Camden.
BILLIOUS POND.
Billicus Pond, son of Bartholomew, married Rhoda Orton, and continued to reside in the home after his father's death. He was a deacon in the Congregational Church, and looked upon as an exemplary man in every respect, which meant much in those early days. But he fell from grace one Sabbath morning in a way which to the eyes of the present generation would have added to his reputation as a man of strong principle; but to those
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Puritanical fathers was considered an open violation of the Fourth Commandment. In the year 1836 or 1837, one quiet, peaceful morning, the restful stillness of the Sabbath unbroken by any sound of manual labor, Deacon Pond started for the sanctuary, undoubtedly in a proper frame of mind, conducive to religious thoughts, when someone rashly informed him a bear had been seen on the outskirts of the village. Time and place were instantly forgotten; he returned home, procured his gun, and hunted it successfully, to the delight of the more timorous ones, but to the detriment of his good name. That a deacon of the church could so far forget himself as voluntarily to be ab- sent from church and do such a deed on the holy Sabbath day, was beyond their comprehension. He must be made to repent in the depths of his soul; no circumstances could justify the deed. They labored with him in vain. A man who could, single-handed, hunt and kill the wild beasts of the forests was not to be in- timidated by any body of men. He boldly told them it might have killed some one, and under like circumstances, he would do the same thing again. The effect of this answer upon his judges has not been recorded. The children of Billious Pond were-Billions, who married Temperance Northrup; Rhoda married Truman Catlin, who built the Hildreth house on the west side of Main street; he also owned all of the land north as far and including the Doolittle farm, now known as the Watkins Addition; Amanda married Reuben Bettis; Adeline died unmar- ried; Samuel, Zavier, Parmela and Hannah Smith. Billious Pond, Sen., sold his property in Camden about 1839 or 1840, and with most of his children and their families went to Illinois to reside. His wife died, and after settling in the West he mar- ried again.
JOHN JAMIESON.
John Jamieson came from Glasgow, Scotland, in the carly part of the present century and settled in Amboy. In 1840 he pur- chased the property at the head of Main street, of Bartholomew Pond. Falling heir to considerable money from his native land, he soon began preparations for a fine house, to be erected on the site of the old Pond homestead. The house then occupying the
23
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
ground was moved to the corner of Empey avenue and Second street. where it stood many years unchanged, but has been re- modeled and made to accommodate two families, by F. H. Co- nant s sons, who own the property. Mr. Jamieson built the "Cot- tage." the name he gave it. farther back from the street than the other house had stood. It was patterned after the houses in his former home, and was considered the finest residence for many miles around. A circular drive led up to the wide entrance door.
The Jamieson Cottage.
with many flowers bordering it, and numerous choice trees and shrubs. The grounds were spacious and well improved. Five children were born to them, viz. : John, Robert. James, Lillias and Marian. The last named married Elliott Stewart, the editor of the "Camden Gazette." They eventually settled near Buffalo. John settled in or near Amboy: James died while a young man : Robert died in Mexico.
Lillias Jamieson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1814. She came to America with her parents at an early age. She married Alphonso, only son of Dr. Joshua Ransom. After the death of the father and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Ransom continued to reside in the "Cottage." Here two children were born, Mary and Lillias.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Alphonso Ransom kept a store, dealing in groceries and drugs. In 1862 he was appointed notary public by the Governor. The death of Mr. Ransom occurred February 16th, 1868. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Ransom went to Johnstown, N. Y .. to reside with her daughters, who had married and settled there. She died January 27, 1874. Her remains were brought to Cam- den to rest beside her husband in Forest Park Cemetery. John Jamieson died December 6, 1849: Mary, his wife, died May 20, 1845, aged 56 years. They sleep in Forest Park Cemetery.
After the death of Mr. Ransom "The Cottage" and grounds were sold to G. B. Miller, who occupied it for a time, but upon his removal from the town, it was again for sale. The purchaser was M. R. Cook, who occupied it for a time. In 1879 E. H. Conant purchased the entire property, where the family now reside.
HENRY BACON.
Henry Bacon was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1807. He mar- ried, first, Sally Maria Edwards, May 2, 1829. by whom he had two children: Charles C. and Ajulia C. Mrs. Bacon died AAugust
Home of Henry Bacon.
II, 1832. January 29. 1834. Mr. Bacon married his second wife. who was Miss Betsey Jones of New Haven, Conn. By the last wife he had six children: Francis, H. Clifford. Edward, Fred- erick, William and Anna. Henry Bacon moved to Camden from New Haven, Conn., in the fall of 1836, and started the business
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
of manufacturing and selling boots and shoes, which he con- tinued until his death. On his arrival in Camden he purchased the house on the corner of Main street, (the A. B. Hildreth place), just north of the new residence of W. J. Frisbie. This was bought of Mr. Catlin, and Mr. Bacon resided here about five years, when he sold, and bought the place just south of Chauncey McCall (W. J. Frisbie's) where he spent the remainder of his days. Of the children, Frederick died in infancy; H. Clif- ford died in Watertown, where he was employed in the office of the Superintendent of the Rome & Watertown Railway, in 1862: Charles died in Homer, N. Y., in 1863. He left two sons. Will'am H. died at Los Angeles, Cal., May 18. 1878; Ajulia, at Wilton, Ia .. November 7, 1896. The living are, Mrs. B. Bacon, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. Anna Durrell, at Los Angeles, Cal., and is 88 years of age. Edward resides at the same place. Mr. Francis Bacon, with whom we are better acquainted, from frequent visits to Camden, has been a resident of Wilton, Ia., for many years. His children are: Charles C., John E. and Mary.
Henry Bacon died in Camden, October 25. 1881, aged 74 years. He was buried in Forest Park Cemetery. Ajulia Bacon's remains were brought to Camden and interred there also.
Mr. Henry Bacon was a man of much intelligence, having strong convictions upon many questions which arose in politics, government, religion, &c. He was an ardent supporter and member of the Episcopal Church, attending with remarkable regularity upon all its services. His responses were given in a clear, earnest, correct manner, and his life was in accordance with his profession. No doubt much of the success of the estab- lishment of the Episcopal Church was due to his earnest interest in its well being.
We copy from an old paper Mr. Bacon's advertisement of his business, which interested us and will many of our readers:
" SHOE STORE ! !
THE subscriber would respectfully inform his friends and the public generally, both of this and adjoining towns, that he con- tintes at his OLD STAND. next door to I. Y. Miner's Dry Goods Store, the business of
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
BOOT AND SHOE MAKING
in all its various branches. It is not common that I indulge in poetic strains, but there are exceptions :
Cheap for cash my shoes I'll lay To those who down the cash will pay ; Your products are good, exchanged for work. As grain, butter, cheese, beef, hams or pork. Cash is the best -- come try the test,
Ye worthy folks who have it; You'll be convinced, by your good sense.
That truth will favor merit. To those who'd like to trusted be,
Of worthy stamp I fain would see,
Call at my shop, my shoes behold ! I tell you they're as " good as gold." To those who never pay, I'll simply say,
I do not like to trust 'em- And at my shop you're not forgot. I can live without your custom.
I intend to keep such a general assortment on hand as patron- age will warrant, at all seasons of the year, and those who wish to be accommodated at all times please remember the sine qua non necessary for the perpetuity of business.
Camden, April 5th, 18.42.
HENRY BACON."
NICHOLAS SALLADIN.
Anthony Salladin, father of Nicholas Salladin, emigrated to America with his wife and family in 1830, from Montbroun, France. The trip was made from Havre to New York in a sail- ing vessel. The vessel was 58 days in making the trip. From New York to Albany the journey was made by boat up the Hud- son River, and thence by canal to Syracuse, where they were met by a Frenchman who had been sent by their friends with wagon and oxen to convey them to their new home in the woods, four miles from Mexico village. The family consisted of the parents and eight children. A daughter of two years died on the voyage and was buried at sea, much to the grief of the family. Nicholas was at this time ten years of age. The father was a sculptor by trade. He served seven years under Napoleon Bonaparte during the French and British war: was wounded in Spain. taken prisoner, transported to England and imprisoned.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
experiencing much suffering. At the time of exchange of pris- oners Napoleon got two men for one. Mr. Salladin was among the soldiers exchanged at that time. He re-entered the French army and remained until Napoleon engaged in war with Russia. Nicholas Salladin, at the age of 17, made his first visit to Camden, having been sent by his father for medicine from the old Swiss. Dr. Seewir. The journey was made on horse- back, a distance of twenty-five miles. The night was spent at the Cash tavern, on the Amboy road. then kept by John Webb . and wife, who were fine old types of English people. When 24 years of age he came to Camden with a load of four tomb stones. His establishment might well be called "a marble shop on wheels." for when he made a sale he boarded with the pur- chaser's family while cutting the inscriptionand placing the stone. His first work was for Iri Pond and Eleazer Peck to mark the resting place of mother and wife. In 1849 he came to Camden from Jordan. N. Y., and has remained here permanently since. He first occupied Iri Pond's wagon shop for his work, and the home now the residence of Dr. Leonard. Some two years later he purchased his present residence on the east side of Main street. of Nancy Thacher. He built a marble shop near it. where he continues the same business. He married Miss Lu- cinda MI. Riley of Verona, N. Y., December 25. 1846. She died April 16, 1880. aged 55 years. Five children were born to them, viz .: Martha L., Mary M., John H .. Emma Jane, who died at the age of two years, and Will N.
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