USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 7
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Sylvanus Wilson, Sen., was born in Harwinton, Conn., in 1769, and married Miss Chloe Hall not far front 1795, also born in Har- winton, Conn., in 1771. They came to Camden in 1806. No house was standing on the farm then, and they siept in their ox cart while constructing a log habitation in which to live. It is quite probable the cart was arranged like the "prairie schooners" with a cover of canvas or cotton cloth on a frame, as many of the emigrant wagons of that period were so equipped. The marked trees guided them on their way from Rome to Camden; and here, the west side of the road, the first farm below the Dan- iel Parke place, he built, settled and lived the remainder of his life. The farm is at present owned by Mr. Kobler. As the land upon which he located was unimproved, he immediately bent to the task of clearing and making "glad the waste places." The first crops of grain raised by him had to be taken to Rome or Utica to be ground. As years passed by, and success followed perseverance and industry, he built a frame house more com- modious and convenient, which must have been very pretentious. for the times, as to-day it remains one of the finest farmi houses in town. Their children were: Chloe, born 1785; Syl- vanus, 1787; Laura, 1792; Polly, 1802; Eliza, 1804; Horace,
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1808; Maria, 1811. Chloe married Noah Wadhams: Sylvanus married Beulah Doolittle; Laura married David Johnson; Polly, unmarried; Eliza married Watson Spencer; Horace married Abigail Hamlin; Maria married Amos Preston.
Early after his arrival here we find his name upon the roll of members of the First Church, prominent in good works, and in the book of town records his name also appears as one interested in the affairs of the community. They were buried in the cem- etery on Mexico Street. Sylvanus Wilson died March 17, 1833, aged 64 years; Chloe Hall Wilson died March 9, 1827, aged 56 years.
MARTIN TYLER.
On the east side of the street, near the corner of the road called "Four Mile Square," stood a house. The date of its erec- tion we can not learn from any available source, yet there it stood within the memory of many living to-day. Dr. Joshua Ransom lived there for a time, a tenant, and Martin Tyler also occupied it. Mr. Tyler was an ax-maker by trade, there previous to 1810, and had a shop near the house. He also did black- smithing. Those whose memories reach furthest back recall the family, and the season of affliction through which they passed, when nearly all the members were stricken with typhus fever, and nurses had to be procured from the village for their relief. But notwithstanding nursing and care, several of the family died. Time erases the knowledge of its early history, and we regret that it can not be recalled. In its day it was a good-looking house. It eventually came into the possession of Horace Wilson, son of Sylvanus, Sen., and the remains of it torn away between 1855 and 1865.
HORACE WILSON.
Horace Wilson, born 1808, was the youngest son of Sylvanus, Sen., and Chloe Wilson, and spent his life on the farm where he resided at the time of his death. He married Abigail, daughter of John Hamlin, in Lee, Oneida County, N. Y., one of a family of twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson left one son. Samuel,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
who resides in Rome, Oneida County, and an adopted daugliter, Mrs. Charles E. Orr of Camden. Mrs. Wilson died May 15, 1876, aged 65 years.
SYLVANUS WILSON, JR.
Sylvanus Wilson, Jr., born in Harwinton, Conn., in 1787, came to Camden, Oneida County, in 1806. In 1824 he married Miss Beulah Doolittle, whom he met while she was paying a visit to her sister, Mrs. Reuben Bettis, then one of Camden's residents. Mr. Wilson is well remembered by many of the present genera- tion. He was a man of upright habits, firm religious principles, active in good works in church and community, a gentleman who had the respect of all. Early in his married life he resided on the east side of the highway, a little to the north of his later residence (the Hendley home). In the year 1840 he built the larger, more convenient structure, now standing, and sold the old house to Israel Stoddard (Eliakim Stoddard's son), who moved it to use as a wing on the house in which he then lived on Blakeslee road. Of his descendants, but one remains in Camden, Mary, wife of Israel Butler, whose residence is on Third Street.
JEHIEL HIGGINS.
Jehiel Higgins was born in 1774. He married Rachel Rebecca Hungerford, and they came from Connecticut to Camden about 1800. He located himself on the farm south of the Wilsons, and built a house, where he resided till his death, which is still stand- ing on the east side of the street, the present home of Miles Keeler. He was a practical mason by trade, and found in the new country ample use for his trowel. Many a capacious brick oven and huge chimney were fashioned by his hand. He also built the brick house for Isaac Allen, later the Benj. Phelps homestead. He had an ear for music, and a voice which led the singing in the M. E. Church for years. Mr. Higgins was a favorite with the young people, being in sympathy with their youthful sports, often joining in them to the wild delight of the youngsters. Prior to the establishment of the M. E. Church he was a subscriber to the support of the gospel in the Congrega- tional society. The children of Rachel and Jehiel Higgins were
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Alvin, who married Maria Castle Bennett, living in Canada; Chloe, who married Marshall Parke: Dorcas married Seymour Scoville; Ethel married Clarissa Johnson: Franklin; Garrett; Hiram married Elizabeth Rankin: Sylvester married Louisa Kinne. Rachel Higgins died February 11. 1831, aged 76 years. After her death. Mr. Higgins again married the widow of Rufus
Jehiel Higgins' Residence.
Kinne, and it was her daughter Louisa that Sylvester Higgins riarried. Jehiel Higgins died September, 1850, aged 76 years. Sylvester, the youngest son, continued on the farm a few years. when he went to the Far West, seeking other fields of labor for a livelihood. The farm was then purchased by
MINER BUELL.
Miner and Melinda Buell came from an ancient and honorable line of ancestors. In 1831 they came to Camden, and located on Wolcott Hill, where they resided a few years, then removed to Taberg Street, and settled in the house at the top of the hill, be- yond Cobb Brook. Later they removed to the farm on the Plank Road vacated by Sylvester Higgins. We give an extract from an answer to an inquiry for the purposes of our work, furnished us by their son, Benjamin Buell: "My first Camden ancestor was Miner Buell. He was born in Lebanon, Conn .. December 28,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
1788. His father, Isaac Buell, was a soldier of the Revolution. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., removed to Goshen, and later in life to Lee, Oneida County; was a son of Oliver Buell of Litchfield, Goshen and Lee. Oliver was the son of John Buell of Lebanon, Conn .; John was the child of John Buell of Killing- worth, Lebanon and Litchfield, and John, the son of Samuel Buell of Windsor and Killingworth, Conn .; and Samuel was the first child of William Buell of Chesterton, Huntingtonshire, Eng- land; born in Chesterton in 1610, came to America in 1630, settled first at Dorchester, and later at Windsor, where he died November 23, 1631." It is seen from following the Buell chart, that Mr. and Mrs. Buell were related-about fifth cousins. Isaac Buell, father of Miner Buell, served five years in the War of the Revolution, as artificer; later, detailed for express duty four months; and later was paymaster, and was disabled finally in New Jersey. He was a pensioner. Was married at Lebanon, Conn., January 22, 1784, to Prudence Sprague, by the Rev. Zebulon Ely. Prudence was born in 1759, and died in 1802. So Miner Buell was a son of Isaac and Prudence Buell, and came to Camden to reside in 1831. Both Mr. and Mrs. Buell were people of gentle, quiet dignity, and amiable dispositions. The home was near the old brick school house-the nearest point for the school water supply, andit made excuse for the pupils to pay a little call to Mrs. Buell, when going for a pail of water, which was a joy to the young children, and of frequent occurrence. They were kindly cared for by their daughter, Miss Jane Buell, till their life closed. Their children were: William Buell, who married Emily Andrews; James M. married Elvira Gruman; Sarah Maria married Josiah Wright, M. D .; Isaac married Mary Andrews; Jane married Curtiss Higley ; Benj. N. married Fannie Peck first, Mrs. Cornelia Johnson second. Descendants living in Camden at present date: Benjamin N. Buell; Miner Buell died in Camden January 15, 1863, aged 75 years; Melinda Buell died in Camden in 1869, aged 84 years. The place is at present owned and occu- pied by Miles L. Keeler.
7
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
MILES L. KEELER.
Miles L. Keeler came to this place to dwell in 1871. Ile was born in Florence, N. Y .. November 14, 1837. Married Louisa W., daughter of Daniel Peck, March 8, 1871. Mrs. Keeler died April 25, 1889; March 31, 1890, he married Miss Sophia, daugh- ter of Pliny Phelps. By the first union were born: Lena J., December 9. 1878; Mabel A., March 20, 1881 ; died January 7, 1883; and Altai J., July 4, 1886. By the second marriage, Henry Phelps Keeler, March 14, 1892. Mr. Keeler is an enterprising business man, carrying on the occupation of farming. He har held offices of public importance, and is a man of much integrity.
1
BRICK SCHOOL-HOUSE DISTRICT, NO. 5, 1816-1890.
The old red school-house stood on the east side of the street, a few rods north of the present building. It was constructed in 1814. A lease of the ground on which it was built was given by the elder Sylvanus Wilson, to continue while the structure re- mained upon it. The brick used were made by Solon Cook, the clay taken from a bed back of the Oliver Cook farm. The build- ing was erected by Jehiel Higgins and Jesse Penfield, and con- sidered quite a pretentious structure in the days of its early his- tory. Mr. Bela Blakesley, in his memories of boyhood days says: "I was born in 1807, and when seven years of age first went
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
to school. My teacher was Thomas French, and the school- house was of logs, which was near the present building. After- wards my teacher was a woman, who lived and taught in the house." As far back as the early remembrance of the writer goes, a well, and a cluster of trees near it, existed below the old brick school-house, which would indicate a habitation having been there at some remote period. On the list of names of those found in the old contract made by George Scriba with them, oc- curs the name of Thomas Comstock, and he later removed to Williamstown. His descendants remember to have heard that he lived near the old school-house, and it is reasonable to believe this was the spot where his house stood-the one used for school purposes till the newer one of brick was built. In this newer one we have evidence of the first teacher having been Ezra S. Parke. An old "Reward of Merit" executed by him with a pen, and awarded to Miss Dorcas Higgins, March 25, 1815, was shown a few years since by Seymour Scoville, who subsequently became the husband of the said Miss Higgins, daughter of Jehiel Hig- gins. Similar certificates of studiousness were bestowed on Al- bro and Albert Phelps in ensuing years, executed in like manner, probably by the same teacher. Mr. Pliny Phelps was born in 1816, and when five or six years of age attended school to Bet- sey Peck, who married Solon Cook; and a few years later, Uriah Hill taught there. The earliest school list found was that of 1830, when Albro Phelps taught. He was then twenty-two years of age, and received forty-four dollars for four months' instruction -the winter term. The following summer Sally Waring (Mrs. Dow, and later she became the second Mrs. Hosea Hall) taught, ard was paid seven shillings a week, her full pay amounting to fourteen dollars. In1832 Isaac Crawford taught the winter term, receiving eleven dollars a month, the full term being four months. We copy a few words from some old papers, showing the ortho- graphy of some of the Trustees. "Emily Sanford was pade eighteen dollars for five months work. Pade Louisa Wood seven dollars for summer. Pade Samuel Dowst 39 dollars for three months' tuition. Same year Sarah Preston taught fifteen weaks at a doler a weak, for which thare is a bill in the hands of the
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A
2
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
colector, and 89 sents for fewel." Yet some fine spellers were turned out from among the number of students. Sixty scholars was the usual number in attendance about the time from 1835 to 1845, as old lists show. Sophronia Mix, daughter of Amos Mix, taught in 1848, the summer term ending September 19, and her list shows fifty names. Now, the number is very small in attendance. Mr. George Trowbridge was the Superintendent this year, and expresses much satisfaction that the school has progressed so finely. Sally Archer and Frances A. Burr were teachers also about those years. In 1849 there were 33 scholars. August 10 "there is no school, as there is a funeral in the school- house," but it does not develop whose it was. Ariadne Barnes had a school of fifty pupils in those far-away days. We can not refrain from giving one of the lists found: Francis Dennison, Helen Dennison, Lucy Jane Dennison, Augusta Dennison, Al- bert Dennison, Urbane Dennison, Mary Cook, Amos Cook, Julia Cook, Theresa Cook, Martha Cook, Lucy E. Cook. Francis Cook, Henry Cook, Harriet Cook, Esther Cook, Clarissa Alcott, Esther Parke, Theresa Parke, Daniel Parke, Ellen Preston, Tay- lor Preston, George Preston, Mary E. Preston, Elmira Higgins, Amy Higgins, Philura Scoville. Goodwin Scoville, Ruth Sco- ville, Francis Dibble, Ira Dibble, Charlotte Thompson, James Thompson, Andrew Barnes, Elizabeth Phelps, Edward Phelps, Seth Phelps, Lois M. Stoddard, Daniel Dunton, Ira Dibble, Electa Spencer, Warren Spencer, Augusta Wilson, Samuel Wil- oun, Maria Smith, Francis Hamlin, Daniel Parke. Solon Smith, Janette Cleveland, Ann Dunton, Andrew Spencer, Henry Spen- cer.
In 1887 the old house was condemned as unsafe, and pulled down, and the land on which it stood reverted to Mr. Hendley, the present owner of the Sylvanus Wilson farm. The land on which the present one stands was purchased after the demolition of the old building. The first new house was burned in 1838. but soon another was built on the same site. The present situa- tion of the school building is a great improvement upon the old one. Ample space is allowed for a play ground: but with the older one the street-drive was the only
THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
spot for ball playing, and sports boys so like to in- dulge in. Young shade trees have been placed about the house, which in time will beautify and make more agreeable the attend- ance at school. The number of students is greatly reduced, so that perhaps a dozen children is the average daily attendance. Very few familics remain in the district bearing the "pioneer" names.
CHAPTER VI.
ABNER MATTHEWS.
A. BNER Matthews was a native of Connecticut, but moved to the State of New Hampshire when the country was new. He was twice married, first to Sarah Warner. There were four children by this marriage: Mamara, Lucretia, Sarah and Thomas. The second wife was Eunice Tuttle. By this union there were eight children: Lois, who died in babyhood; Levi, Abner, Ros- well, Eunice, Chloe, Lois and David. We give an account of their lives yet further, as related by Mrs. Eliakim Stoddard, who was Lois Matthews, one of Abner Matthews' daughters: "My parents were comfortable farmers, and lived in New Hampshire till I was twelve years old, surrounded with all the necessary blessings of life, having settled four of their children around them, expecting to spend the remainder of their days on that happy soil. But there was a sound from the West, from New York State; there was a land where we could have riches with- out labor, and pleasure without pain. My brothers would no longer be content, when they learned of this better land. They went to seek this pleasant place, and pitched their tent in the town of Trenton, Herkimer Co., N. Y. After many entreaties and encouraging prospects set before him, my father, in about two years, took all he possessed and bade farewell to the land of our nativity with many sighs and tears. After a long and tedious journey we arrived at our destined place. But Oh! the scene -- a howling wilderness, a log hut, instead of a well-built house. I can not describe the feelings of our hearts at that time; but the thought of being once more settled with their children was balm to father's and mother's spirits, even though they were deprived of the comforts which their years required. After a time, be- coming inured to the change, and prosperity beginning to gladden the home, a feeling of contentment with our lot came to us. In about four years our title to the land was disputed, and
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
we were ejected, and again thrown upon the world without a home. After much trouble, and loss, a part of us arrived in Cam- den, Oneida County, N. Y. Two brothers and a sister, Chloe, had gone to Canada. Eunice married, and went to Denmark, N. Y., and the oldest brother went to the lake. My parents, after sacri- ficing all they had, and worn down by age, were left with only myself and a wild boy of fifteen, with very little of this world's goods. In this situation we lived till 1 was twenty years of age: and on the sixth day of April, 1801, I was married to Eliakim Stoddard, and moved one mile from home, resolved never to forsake them so long as they should live."
Abner Matthews came to Camden from Trenton, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1797, locating on the spot across the Blakesley road from the present brick school-house in district No. 5. The house has long since disappeared, but a barn is still in existence, stand- ing a little north of said school-house, which once belonged to Abner Matthews. We find him a deacon in the first church in 1802, and the names of both Mr. and Mrs. Matthews on the early list of its members. The earnest Christian life of the daughter Lois (Mrs. Eliakim Stoddard) attests to the influence of the train- ing she received from them in her youth, and a pleasant memory lives in the hearts of her grandchildren, who yet remember the beauty of her character. Buried in Vienna, Oneida County, N. Y.
JUDGE HENRY WILLIAMS.
Judge Henry Williams bought land of George Scriba in 1797, recorded in 1801, and an old deed loaned us by Mr. Rodney Cook shows it to have been the place now known as the Julius Cook farm, situated near the crossings of the R. W. & O. and L. V. R. R., over the highway, two and a half miles south of Camden village. Then the road did not take the course it now does, and the dwelling stood nearer the highway as it then was. Later, when a different course was surveyed, a lane or drive was made, leading to the residence. Trees were planted, and an avenue of maples was one of the objects of admiration for years, and is at this present. It is told that the first child born in Camden was
1
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
that of Henry Williams, when he dwelt here, and on that day a wild storm of wind and rain broke over the locahty, threatening to demolish everything in its course. The roof of the house was taken away partially, and the contents and occupants deluged and frightened nearly wild. However, when the calm followed, kind neighbors took them in and cared for them till matters could be adjusted, and a new roof put over them. In 1802 he sold to Mr. Martin Cook, and removed to Williamstown, Oswego Co., N. Y., which locality took his name, known by it to this day. It is likely that previous to 1797, Mr. Williams lived in town, as there is record of his having had business interests there. The dates above given are from old deeds.
OLIVER COOK.
Two brothers, Maj. Aaron and Nathaniel Cook, because of the persecutions of King Charles I., of England, came to Am- erica in 1629 or 1630, that they might enjoy liberty of thought and worship. They first settled in Dorchester, Mass., but five or six years later went up to Windsor, Conn. It is in descent from Nathaniel that Oliver came, the line running Nathaniel, John, Theophilus, Samuel, Oliver, Martin, Solon, Melzar-the last named furnishing the sketches of his family. In Windsor, Conn., October 3, 1750, was born Oliver Cook. At Harwinton, Conn., February 17, 1768, he was married to Miss Submit (Mitta) Cogs- dell, when about 18 years of age. When independence was de- clared by the American people, he was 26 years of age, full of patriotic fire, and in sympathy with the act. When the call came for aid in securing their rights and independence, he responded. and saw active military service in the War of the Revolution, serving with loyalty to the cause to its close. He enlisted from Litchfield, Litchfield County, Conn. To Oliver and Submit Cook were born six children, the baptisms of these being per- formed by Parson Perry of Harwinton, Conn., to which town Mr. and Mrs. Cook removed after the War of the Revolution. Mar- tin was born March 3, 1772; Polly (Mary) married Samuel Brooker of Harwinton: Chloe married Stephen Scoville of Cam- den: Ursula married Amos Mix of Camden : Anna married Jo-
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
seph Scoville of Harwinton, later of Camden, N. Y .; Esther married Amos Soper of Rome, N. Y.
Early in the spring of 1799 Martin and his brother-in-law, Jo- seph Scoville, urged on, especially by Martin's wife, who was tired of the hilly, rocky soil, and forbidding prospects of bleak Harwinton, with shouldered knapsacks and axes, took their way on foot through the then almost wilderness, to "Camden Flats," made the necessary purchase of farms, about two miles south of the village, and immediately set to work felling timber, and clearing the soil for the purpose of planting corn, on which to subsist their families the next year. They felled and burnt over about five acres, which they planted. Its cultivation required their attention to keep the weeds and rank briars which quickly sprang up, subdued, and later in the season, to drive away or kill the squirrels, coons and bears that were a constant menace. They harvested a good crop, and after carefully housing it in large cribs made of logs, and covered with bark, they retraced their steps to the old Connecticut home, where they passed the winter in anticipation and preparation for moving to the "Far West" of their dreams as soon as the weather would permit it in the spring of 1800. The family consisted of Oliver, aged 50. Submit, his wife, aged 48, Martin, aged 28, and three daughters, aged from 17 to 24 years. Beside these, doubtless, Joseph Sco- ville and his wife Anna, nee Cook, were of the party. Clarissa Rossiter, wife of Martin, Solon in his fifth year, Dotha in her third year, and Didama 5 months; in all 13 souls. They had a one-horse rig, a yoke of cattle, and a strong, two wheeled cart, with the necessary domestic animals, and fowls, and food, for the journey. On arriving at Albany they found the Hudson River high and dangerous, but by ferry, crossed safely thoughi not without hazard. There were no villages of importance after pass- ing Schenectady, but they found a small hamlet at Whitesboro, at Fort Stanwix, and at Taberg, all about of a size, but else- where a backwoods wilderness, with here and there a log hut and small clearing. From Taberg, instead of going via the State road and East Florence, they followed an Indian trail, and were obliged to ford the streamis, still swollen and cold from the re- cently melted and still melting snow; but after suffering great
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
hardships, on the second day from Taberg, and three weeks from Harwinton, wayworn and weary, they arrived at the Mecca of their hopes, where they entered upon the toilsome employ- ment of putting up log buildings and clearing the land, and lead- ing a life of self-dependence, under God, and mostly, as one fam- ily, until the 30th of December, 1838, when the Revolutionary soldier and patriot. surrounded by relatives and friends, and re- spected by all who knew him, laid down the burdens of life and passed out into the invisible, aged 88 years. He was buried in the old cemetery on Mexico Street, on the bank of the mill-pond, to await the resurrection of the just. His relict. Submit. under great infirmities, lingered eight years longer, until July 20. 1846, when she, too, passed away, at the ripe age of 94, and with rever- ent, tender care, was laid at rest beside her slumbering spouse. lamented by a great throng of descendants and friends.
MARTIN COOK.
Martin Cook, the first child and only son of Oliver and Sub- mit (nee Cogsdell) Cook, at the age of 28, moved from Harwin- ton, Litchfield County, Conn., to Camden, Oneida County, N. Y., in the spring of 1800. (Vide sketch of Oliver Cook.) He was born in Litchfield, Conn., March 3, 1772. There was no better farm in the town of Camden than the one he purchased the 1 revious year of Judge Henry Williams. It contained hill land for pasture, flats for tillage, and creek intervales for both mca low and grazing. It was all heavily timbered with primeval forest, mostly hard wood, but interspersed with immense white pines. hemlocks and spruce. The location for home and out-buildings was unexcelled, it was even "beautiful for situation," looking towards the morning, from the brow of a low-lying hill that as- cended gradually, to the west line of the farm. An ever-living spring of cool, soft water, bubbling from the soil a few rods back of the house, furnished an abundance of water for both house and stock. There used to be another spring just north of the barn, and still another at the south side of the house lot. at the foot of the declivity, also many more at the base of the bluff, where the plain breaks down to the intervale levels. The arduous and trying labor of clearing the land, although the pros- trated limber was burnt where it fell, nearly ruined the physical
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