USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 3
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
The mother had mourned for him, supposing he was killed in some battle. His exhausted state, and the excitement of once more seeing the dear ones, proved too much for him, and he soon passed away. The rest of the sons lived until the close of the war. Mrs. Levi Munson remained on the farm with the four youngest children, an only daughter and three sons, Abel, Au- gustus and Elisha. They sold their farm in Connecticut, and moved to Green County, N. Y. They remained there until their children had homes of their own, and they were too old to care for themselves. About the year 1814 they came to Camden, and were kindly cared for in the home of their daughter, Mrs. Ashbel Upson, Sen., and spent the remainder of their days there.
Mr. Levi Munson was born in 1739, and died in 1816, aged 77. Mrs. Munson was born in 1743, and died in 1827, aged 84. In our American Histories we have read of patriotic fathers, but little knew that one was buried in this cemetery, with other brave men, as Woods, Penfield, Curtiss, Upson, Barnes and Brown.
The patriotic wife and mother whose remains repose here by her husband, also deserves a record of heroic self-sacrifice on the altar of hier country.
After passing Daunsbaugh's tavern, there is a corner to the right. By the old survey book, we find this road was laid out from the Salmon River road (now Oswego) to Florence, July 23. 1801. Entered on the old town book 1832.
ELDAD SMITH.
The earliest settler on this road was Eldad Smith. He came in 1799, and bought land in Lot No. 9 of Ogden & Murray, land owners of New York City. He made a clearing in the woods and built a log house. He returned to his home in Litch- field, Connecticut, and the next spring he started with his family for their new home. They came with oxcu and a lumber wagon, bringing bedding, provisions, and such household furniture as was absolutely necessary; also three cows, which furnished milk for their use on the way, as well as afterwards. They arrived at their destination June 9th, 1800,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
being on the road 21 days. Then began their new life in the wilderness, with plenty of hard work before them .. The little patch of cleared land had to be prepared and planted, and then the work of clearing the land continued. The cares of the house were very hard with so little to do with. There were cooking, mending, spinning and knitting, and the care of the children. The oldest one, named Hiram, was but seven years old. They built a small barn before the cold winter came. The cattle fed upon twigs of trees which had been cut down, and they were in good condition in the spring. Pigs and sheep were added to their stock, and more land was cleared, and the work increased.
Early in the spring of 1813 a malignant fever, which became epidemic, appeared in this neighborhood. The disease entered this household; the father died after six days' illness, and Jonathan, a son 16 years old, died in five days after being taken ill; the other members of the family recovered. Then the cares fell upon this grief-stricken mother, and Hiram, who was now nineteen years old. The next year Hiram bought a piece of land adjoining that which his father bought, and in 1815 married Anna, daughter of Serajah Comstock, of Williamstown, but for a time a resident of the town of Camden. The other members of the family moved to Michigan. Hiram Smith had five children that lived to maturity, only two living at present, Mrs. Crouch of this village, and Lewis Smith of West Camden. Hiram Smith died July 20, 1860, aged 67; Anna Smith, his wife, died February 7, 1859, aged 65. Eldad Smith's place is now owned by Robert Sparrow, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Sparrow, who emigrated to America from Shropshire, England, in 1832, with eleven chil- dren.
ERIE CASTLE.
The next farm this side, in Lot No. 23, owned now by John Smith, Erie Castle, came prior to 1814 from Plymouth, Conn. His wife's maiden name was Polly Ford. She died in 1815. Erie Castle died July 15, 1842, aged 63. He is buried beside his wife on the Seventh. They were grandparents of Jay Castle, late of Camden, now of Williamstown. The road leading from this farm across to the Florence Hill road was surveyed May, 1821.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
BENJAMIN FENTON.
James Hamilton came from Scotland and bought this place in 1834, and sold to John Watkins in 1844. Mr. Hamilton moved to Buffalo. About one mile west of this last place Benjamin Fen- ton lived in 1831. He came from Connecticut. His oldest daugh- ter, Roxy, married Wm. Shepherd in Connecticut, and came here some time after the family. Mr. Shepherd died in 1894. His wife died 1886. Three children survive them, G. R. Shepherd, grocery merchant, and two daughters. Polly married Levi Parsons. He died in 1885, aged 77 years. His wife resides with her married daughter in Ashburnham, Mass .; one daughter in Camden, two sons in the West. George Fenton lived in West Camden, and Sherman remained at the old home. The other four children were Lucius, Sarah, William and Mrs. John Whaley.
Wolves had been prowling around this neighborhood for some time. One night George Fenton, returning home quite late, after spending the evening with a certain young lady, had quite an experience. As he neared home he heard the howling of wolves. "He was this side of his father's where there was a long strip of woods, when he heard a wolf howl in the distance at his right, then a reply from one nearer to him at his left. He gave a great sighi, and says, boots, you and I must be lively, as he heard the howling of the wolves, and they seemed to be getting nearer. On reaching home he found his father and the rest of the family up. They had heard the wolves, and were sure he was torn to pieces, but with great joy they heard his footsteps coming down the hill with great speed. This story was told at school the next morning by his sister, and told to the writer by one of his schoolmates now a person that has grandchildren to tell stories to. That same night Hiram Smith had thirty sheep killed, and also others in that neighborhood. On investigation, they found two wolves had made their home with seven young ones on Cropper Hill. They were making dreadful havoc among the sheep in that vicinity. A number of men from the town of Florence and Camden drove them out of their den, and they went towards Annsville without getting a shot at them. Anns-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
ville settlers turned out and surrounded, and killed the seven young wolves.
ELEAZER STEARNS.
Eleazer Stearns married Aurelia Castle, near Bristol, Conn., prior to 1790, and soon after they removed to Easton, Washing- ton County. Eleazer Stearns was a revolutionary soldier, and died at Easton. About the year 1818 his widow came to Camden with all but two of her children. Aurelia and Minerva remained East, and married David and James Burch. Mrs. Stearns first set- tled about one mile east of Mr. Fenton's. Lola married and lived near the home; Isaac married Erie Castle's daughter, and lived in West Camden, on property now owned and occupied by H. H. Gifford; Phebe married a Mr. De Long, and lived in Fulton; Eliza married Elijah Gaylord; Caroline married Morgan Rich of Sand Banks; Mrs. Stearns married Benj. Curtiss. She died January 28, 1857, aged 86. James Rowell, son of Martin Row- ell, married Lola Stearns; he was in the war of 1812; he was brother to Caleb, Zera, David, Truman.
To come back to Oswego road, after crossing the bridge: The first place on the left was the property of David and Stephen Kinnie. They came here in 1814, and built a small tannery in connection with a shoe shop. One was the tanner, and the other the shoemaker. They were brothers to Amos Kinnie. They tanned a few hides for their own manufacture. Their home was on the corner of the Mix road. Daniel Northrup, who married Sabra Preston, was also a shoemaker, and occupied this place. He went from house to house, and made up their winter stock. On the opposite corner, on the left, Abram Perkins kept a tavern.
ABRAM PERKINS
Emigrated here with his father, Elijah Perkins, in 1803, from New Haven, Conn. Of the family of six children, only two came with Elijah Perkins and wife; Abram, the oldest, and Woodard the youngest, a boy of five years. Abram was married and had one child, Lydia, who was three years old (known as Aunt Lydia Sperry). They built a log house near Florence Hill, but soon after moved where his father lived, now
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
called the Nisbet Place. His father, Elijah Perkins, was born the 28th day of January, 1755, and died March 24th, 1833. Lydia his wife was born the 16th day of November, 1754, and died at her youngest son Woodard's in 1849, aged go. In 1812 Abram Perkins bought of Whiting Barnes a lot on the Seventh, correr of the Mix road, and built the first hotel in Camden. His wife's name was Huldah Pratt; they had four children, Lydia, Gaius, Hannah and Mark. At this time there were a good many Ind- ians wandering through the country, who had a great love for whisky. They would stop at the tavern and get a drink if they could. When Gaius was a boy about thirteen or fourteen, he had charge of the bar-room if his father was away. He had been told not to let the Indians have any strong drink, as it made them ugly. One day his father was away, and he and his mother were alone, when three Indians put in an appearance, and the first thing they wanted was whisky. Gaius was not afraid, and told them they could not have any. One burly fellow stepped up and said they would, and took out their usual weapon, a long knife, and stepped towards the boy, and he backed up, and the Indian followed him until he was to the back side of the room. The Indian raised his knife and stuck it into a board above the boy's head. As he did not flinch. the Indian says, "Laughing boy, no coward," and soon these unwelcome visitors went away. Gaius Perkins lived in Camden all his life. He was a carpenter by trade. He lived in the village several years before his death. He married Caroline, daughter of Street Barnes; she died in 1880. There were three children, only one living, Mrs. D. P. Peck, and her daughter, Mrs. W. Peck and little family are the only de- scendants here of the Perkins family. Mark Perkins settled in Utica, and died there at the age of 69. Woodard Perkins settled on his father's place, and married Esther Northrup. He lived many years in the village, and where he will have distinct notice in that locality.
ISAAC WHEELER. 1
On the right hand side of the street as you cross the bridge, once stood a house, the home of Isaac Wheeler, who moved here in 1831 from Wolcott Hill. There were eight children, Daniel,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Charles, Samuel, Isaac, Joseph, Occamen, Russell and Betsey, who married Reuben Root. Daniel married Sophrona Byam, and moved to Pennsylvania; Charles married Mary Ann Wood; she died November 8, 1840, aged 32, leaving four children. For his second wife he married Emeline Mix; she died December 3, 1882, aged 73; Charles Wheeler died February 16, 1886, aged 83; Joseph married Amanda Harrington. They both died in the West, at the home of their only child, Russell Wheeler. The next from the Wheeler place was Alva Rogers, who married Han- nah, daughter of Abram Perkins. A portion of this house is standing. Mr. Rogers had a carpenter and joiner shop close by. Near the Rogers home Joel Gilbert had a black- smith shop. In 1828 it was owned by Nelson Simmons about four years. Further notice of the latter in the village.
DR. JOEL RATHBURN.
The next place was the home of Dr. Joel Rathburn. He mar- ried Philomela Alden of Williamstown. Their bridal trip was
:
Residence of Dr. Joel Rathburn.
made on horseback, and Mrs. Rathbun had a narrow escape from being drowned in crossing the creek below the village. Levant, their oldest child was born in 1803; Alden, the next, in 1803.
PIONEER HISTORY OF
There were five more children, Lysander, Philander, Joel Phila and Dorlisca. Early in the year 1820 Mr. Rathburn went to Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, to purchase land for his sons, and took cold, and lived but a short time after. He had an office near his home; he was a prominent physician. He left a widow and several children. Alden Rathburn kept the old homestead, and married Rosannah Dunbar in 1831. Six children were born to them, three living in Camden; Henry is on the old place, which has been in the family about ninety-seven years. Mr. A. Rathburn died in 1888; his wife in 1877.
SAMUEL T. WOODS.
Samuel T. Woods, a captain in the war of 1812, lived nearly opposite the Rathburn house; he married Aurelia Dunbar. A little incident shows the interest Capt. Woods had in his men. at Sackett's Harbor, and their love for him never waned. Capt. Woods' company was not brought to action, as the struggle was virtually over when they reached the seat of war, although peace had not been declared. There was nothing for them to do, and Mr. Wood, knowing how much they were needed at home-and a dreaded disease having broken out among them, and men were dying off-Mr. Wood did not wait for them to be dis- banded and mustered out, but took the responsibility upon him- self, and sent them home, contrary to all military rules, thereby rendering himself liable to military discipline, and to court mar- tial, and perhaps a worse fate, if caught, which would undoubt- edly have been carried to the full extent of the military severity, were it not for friends that helped him in his time of need. It was said he was driven over the country under a pile of straw, and though hotly pursued, he escaped capture and the dreaded severity of a court martial. He was honored and respected by all. He was an industrious and hard-working man, dying at the early age of 32, in 1824.
Turn back to the Mix road. As early as 1802 there was a brewery near the pines-now the railroad crossing. The water was brought in pump-logs from the springs on the hills. Soon after the first temperance movement, this was abolished.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
NOAH TUTTLE.
Noah Tuttle lived about one mile west of the corner of the Oswego and Mix Road. He married Thankful Royce in Con- necticut-Andrew, born 1772; Elizabeth, 1775; Laura, 1777; Andrew, the oldest, was married, and in company with his father came to Camden in the fall of 1797. Daniel was the first white male child born in Camden, April 22, 1798. Noah Tuttle lived in Clinton about two years, after leaving Connecticut, before coming to Camden. Names of the children born in Con- necticut-Andrew, born 1772; Elizabeth, 1775; Laura, 1777; Phineas, 1779; Oramon, 1782; Noalı, 1784, and died 1794; Chloe, 1787; Nehemiah, 1790; Chauncey, 1792; Noah P., 1795, and died 1797: Daniel, 1798; and Orvis -. The father of this large family died June 21, 1821, aged 77 years. Mrs. Tuttle married for her second husband Gideon Northrup. She lived to a good old age, and there are people now who remember her. She was a sister of Samuel Royce, the first town clerk of Camden, and they were the only ones of that family that came here.
Mrs. Tuttle, early one morning, came to the door of Mrs. Thomas Stone with a bed-spread which she had spun and woven, saying to Mrs. Stone she would like her to have it; to which Mrs. Stone replied, "I do not need it." "But you must have it," said Mrs. Tuttle. "I do not want any chairs, tables or bedstead, but I want an order." It then dawned upon Mrs. Stone what she did want; therefore she took the spread and repeated the conversation to her husband. He asked her if she would like it. She said she did not care for.it, "but you see what she wants; it is to pay for her coffin." And he immediately gave her an or- der. The spread has always been in Mrs. Stone's possession. Mr. Stone died before Mrs. Tuttle. At her death her grandson went to Mrs. Stone with the order, and it was sent to Martin Stevens for her coffin. Mrs. Tuttle died March II, 1846, aged 94 years.
AMOS DAVENPORT MIX.
Amos Davenport Mix, who built this house came to Camden from Wolcott, Connecticut, about 1799. He had been a
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
great traveler; had been around the world, and at that time it was a great undertaking. He visited where the sun shone but two hours a day. He was very aristocratic, and did not lay aside his knee-buckles in his forest home. He was a tailor by trade,and many a garment he cut after coming here for the housewives to make up home-made suits for their family. In emigrating here he thought he could get away from the noise and bustle of the city, and lead a quiet life in the wilderness. He bought of Jesse Curtiss this place, where he lived the rest of his.
Residence of Amos Davenport Mix.
life. From the Oswego road they went by marked trees, and were obliged to go on horseback or walk. To see the open fields and good roads, one can hardly realize it now. The reason he bought upon the hill was because the prospects at that time were that the village would be near by. Mr. Mix being a Connecticut man, had the same taste that is so characteristic there, in having homes on high elevations, so as to comamnd a fine view of the country and the busy scenes of life. In clearing the land the father and sons chopped wood until their hands would bleed. How many of our boys of. the present day are fitted for pioneer life? Amos Davenport Mix helped to keep up the religious services in that vicinity by reading the scriptures, an I leading the meetings, and doing all other work for the good cause he
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
could. At that time distilleries were numerous, and whisky plenty ; he was the first to throw away his decanter at the time of the reform. Mr. Mix had very few words on business ; he always meant to be straightforward in all his dealings. One little in- cident is told of him that seems quite amusing. He went on l:orseback to pay a bill, which he knew was overcharged. This was the substance of the conversation: "Good morn- inig, Sir-my bill, Sir-too much, Sir-good day, Sir-get up, Sir"-and rode away. The same expressions were used on his second call. The third time his debtor came down to a fair price, so he greeted him. "Good morning, Sir-my bill, Sir- all right, Sir-here's your money, Sir-good day, Sir-get up, Sir." He was so polite he used Sir to man or beast. Amos D. Mix, Sen., died September 6, 1846, aged 79. Urzula Cook, his wife, died September 17, 1862, aged 81. There were nine chil- dren, the descendants of only one in Camden village, Mrs. Helen Barnes and family; she was the daughter of Alfred Mix. He lived on the old place for many years. His last days were spent in the village with his daughter. Mr. Alfred Mix died September 23, 1894; his wife died September 17, 1885.
Residence of Amos Mix, Jr.
This is the home of Amos Mix. Jr .; he married Abigail Bryan in 1827. He was a very industrious farmer. There are none of his descendants in Camden now. His daughter, Mrs. Albert Barnes, and her son, moved to Syracuse in the fall of 1896. Mr. 4
PIONEER HISTORY OF
Amos Mix died October 11, 1876, aged 72. His wife survived him eleven years, dying in 1883, aged 75. Warren Mix died in San Francisco. Adeline married J. Burnham of West Camden. There are two sons living in their old home now. John Mix married Orissa Ransom. He was a very prosperous business man. We find in the first volume of the Camden paper, in 1842. this advertisement: "Milk pans-first quality-warranted by the dozen or hundred. Please call at the old tin store. J. F. & W. Mix. May 4."
John F. Mix was identified with the Congregational Church for many years, and contributed largely to its support. His only child, George, died February 8th. 1871, aged 26, which was a great blow to his afflicted parents,from which they never fully re- covered. Mr. Mix died December, 1894, aged 80 years. Mrs. Mix is living at the present day
Bond $800. To Amos Mix from Jesse Curtiss. Know all men by these presents, that Jesse Curtiss in Mexico, in the County of Oneida, firmly bound to Amos Mix to the sum of 800 dollars, &c., and sealed with my seal, dated this 9th day of January, in the year of 1799. The condition of this obligation is such that if the Jesse Curtiss shall and do convey unto the above named Amos Mix, his heirs, attorney or administrators, by a good and sufficient warranty deed on or before the first day of February. "one thousand eight hundred," one hundred acres of land of the westerly side of Lot No. 49 in the Township No. 7 in Scriba Patent, beginning at the north easterly corner of No. 49, then eastward on the line of the beach fence between Northrup and the said Jesse Land, and so on.
Thus this obligation to be void, to remain in full force of virtue. Jesse Curtiss.
Sealed and delivered in presence of Arthur Breese.
CHAPTER III.
THE SEVENTH RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
T HE beginning of a settlement generally begins the history of religious societies, and our forefathers labored for the right : for their own good as well as for their posterity. In relation to the history of this society, it will be difficult to give anything ac- curate, as no records can be found. We conclude the first relig- ious services were held in some private house, as was customary in primitive days. In 1799 a building was erected, and as these pioneers had a care for schools as well as a house for worship, their building, called the Academy, was made for the conven- ience of both. It was a commodious structure, and divided by a swing partition, a gallery at one end, and a huge fire-place at the other. The partition was kept down, and the gallery was then closed through the week, and was raised on Sunday, which gave a seating capacity to a large congregation. Meetings were held every Sunday, and were well attended. From what little we can glean in regard to this society, there was no regular pastor; they were supplied by missionaries, or from some other society. There were men of education among these pioneers, with their strict principles in regard to the observance of the Lord's day, that conducted these meetings. Amos Davenport Mix, and others, took turns in reading good practical sermons, and the scriptures, and leading in singing the Psalms of David. In 1800, twelve united with this society, and in 1803 eleven more, and twenty-three organized into a church called "The Second Congregational Church of Camden." The first Congregational Church was organized at Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1798. This society was the first to organize in the present town of Camden. The services were held regularly until they united with the First Congregational Church, Oct. 23, 1815. An amusing story is told concerning the strife between these two societies. George Scriba made an offer of land to the one that built the
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
first church. There was one appointed from each society to go to Utica and have the papers made out and recorded. The one from the Seventh started out on horseback very secretly, and thought he would spend the night with his brother in a neigbor- ing town to Utica, and go to the County Clerk's Office in the morning. The one from the village heard of it, and started late on horseback, and rode all night, and went into Utica with great . speed in the morning, and had the papers all made out before the other one arrived from his brother's. When urgent business is on hand it is not best to make visits by the way.
The land that Scriba gave through his agent, John Murray, was what was called the Priest Lot, above the railroad station on Mexico Street, and comprised 134 acres and 9-100 of an acre. Later we find the following persons received into the Second Church: Irene Cropper, Catherine Lane, Mary Hungerford, June 16, 1813; December 20, 1813, received Elizabeth Woods, Cynthia Upson, Mary Upson, Rachel Hungerford; Bethena, wife of deacon A. Curtiss admitted March, 1815.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
In relation to our primitive settlers, they were careful that the younger part of their families should not be destitute of instruc- tion in the common branches, like reading, spelling and writing. It would be gratifying to have the proceedings of our early settlers on this subject before us. But such as they were. they are lost. Among the first that taught prior to 1810 were Erastus Upson and Cynthia Ballard, whom he married. Mr. Upson had charge of this school after he married. In 1812 this pioneer academy and church was destroyed by fire, caught from a spark from the fire-place, that got on to the broom that stood near by. They rebuilt in 1813, and one of the early teachers, ten years later, was Simon Davies, later a merchant in Florence village; another was Diadama Humaston, who married Ahio Ripley. In 1854 the building was in a sad condition, and they voted to rebuild it, which is the present building. This school has been well sustained, and is as flourishing as most common schools are in this vicinity.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
SAMUEL POTTER.
Samuel Potter was one of the early settlers in this locality; he built just above Joel Rathburn. In connection with his home was a building for a store; Linus Sandford had charge of it. Samuel Potter was born 1739; died 1806. His sister Eunice mar- ried Salmon Humaston, and another sister was Zophar Barnes, Jr's., wife. He also had a brother named Daniel, and one Zenas. His was the first burial that has a head stone to mark his grave in town; buried August 1806.
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