USA > New York > Oneida County > Camden > Pioneer history of Camden, Oneida County, New York > Part 9
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First Home of Benjamin Phelps.
Sally, daughter of Daniel and Esther Parke, and took her to this humble home. Here they established themselves in housekeep- ing, and no doubt their happiness could scarcely be measured. In this home four children were born to them-a daughter, Clarissa, who died in infancy; Albro and Albert, twins, and Ran- ney. The twin boys were objects of wonder and curiosity in the community. They were so tiny that to care for them they placed cach on a pillow-too diminutive to handle in any other way. These youngsters grew to be heavy men, and each weighed
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
something over two hundred pounds. It was related by Mrs. Phelps that when they were little babes there came to the door for food, an Indian and squaw. Upon seeing the infants, they at once became interested, and asked if they might take them in
Mrs. Benjamin Phelps.
their arms. She assented, and they took them, on their pillows, talking in their own language for some time concerning them. Whatever they said about them, she did not know, but it was a discussion that ended satisfactorily, for they so signified when they went away. For several years thereafter, in their journey- ings this way, to the trading posts further east, they called to see the twins. On one occasion Mrs. Phelps showed then little Ranney. They said he was nice, but they thought the twins were best.
Benjamin Phelps was one of those drafted during the war of 1812, and sent to the defense of Sackett's Harbor. During his absence a terrific storm of wind and rain broke over this local- ity, tearing parts of the dwelling loose, and filling Mrs. Phelps with fear for the safety of herself and little ones. She gathered them about her, taking refuge under a crude but very useful
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
loom; feeling that if the house should fall, its staunch timbers would protect them from harm. This loom was an important implement in the home of the Phelps family, for with it the mother wove the cloth of linen for the summer, and of woolen for their winter wear. After Mr. Phelps' return from Sackett's Har- bor, probably in 1813 or '14. he built a frame dwelling a few rods to the front of the log house, nearer the street. The site was on a rise of ground; the building was considered very good in its day, but only the cellar excavation is there now to show where
Second Home of Benjamin Phelps.
it stood. In this house were born Pliny, Benjamin. Seth and Edwin. Of the eight children born to Benjamin and Sally Phelps, but two are now living; Pliny of this town, aged eighty- one, and Edwin of Baltimore, Md., aged about sixty-nine. Albro died at the age of 45, Albert at 80. Ranney at 80, and Benjamin and Seth in young manhood. Clarissa in infancy.
In 1832 Benjamin Phelps purchased of Isaac Allen the brick house yet standing on the corner of the Hillsboro and Plank Road highway, now owned by Mr. Douglass Hubbard, about three miles south of Camden village. Perhaps it may interest some reader to learn something of the earlier history of this old tavern stand. Having records at hand, dates are correct. George Scriba, or his agent, sold to Eliakim Stoddard and Lois his wife, in 1802, for the sum of 180 dollars, sixty acres of land. In 1806 Eliakim Stoddard conveyed to Gershom Holdridge, for the sum of eight hundred dollars, the same sixty acres. In 1811
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Gershom Holdridge sold to Isaac Allen for 1,400 dollars about 80 acres in this same locality, he having added twenty acres to the original farm. In 1832 Benjamin Phelps purchased the original farm and its additions, till the farm in its entirety nun- bered 240 acres. Soon after Mr. Allen came to occupy the place. He built the house now standing. The clay used in making the brick was drawn from a bed east of the house, across the R. W. & O. R. R., to the spot where now is the garden on the place- the corner near the street. A kiln was built, the clay made into form, and burned on the premises, and used in constructing the house. Erastus Devereux made the brick. Jehiel Higgins built the house, not far from 1812 or 1813. It was originally a story and a half in height, well constructed, with solid brick walls nearly two feet in thickness. Mr. Allen conducted the new house as an inn or tavern. Teaming and staging over this route was considerable at this date, though perhaps not as great as in later years after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, when much merchandise was carried from New London to northern points by wagons. In purchasing of Mr. Allen, Mr. Phelps still con- tinued the place as an inn. He was a man of musical tastes, and for the times in which he lived and received his education, and the means at his command, developed considerable talent. He had a clear tenor voice, played the bass viol in church, and when occasion required, the violin for dancing parties at his hostelry. He was a genial host, and a few are yet living who remember occasions of real enjoyment at this place. "Honey suppers" were frequent here, and the young swains and lassies congre- gated for dancing parties, their refreshment being warm biscuit and honey, which was supplied from Mr. Phelps own apiary. The "ball room" of the house was across the entire north end of the second story, and about 16 feet wide. In later years, Al- bert and Albro furnished the music for dancing. We much re- gret that no picture can be found of Albro Phelps, but the four sons, Albert, Pliny, Ranney and Edwin we give-Albert's taken by artist Gebbie, who came to Camden in about 1855, and was Mr. Phelps first, last, and only picture taken-a daguerreotype. Benjamin Phelps was born in Simsbury, Conn., December 14. 1782. Sally Parke was born in Chatham, Conn., December 4, 1785. Married in Camden, N. Y., October 21, 1805.
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
Albert Phelps.
Ranney Phelps.
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Pliny Phelps
Edwin Phelps.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
Children-Clarissa Phelps born August 27, 1806; Albro and Albert, twins, born February 4, 1808; Albro died in 1852; Albert died in 1888; Ranney, born September 11, 1811 ; Pliny, born Jan- uary 21, 1816; Benjamin, Jr., born February 19, 1818; died in 1847: Seth, born May 18, 1823; Edwin, born May 27, 1829.
Benjamin Phelps died in Camden, N. Y., September 29, 1840, aged 58; Sally Farke Phelps died July 4, 1847, aged 62. Rev. Ezra Squier preached Benjamin Phelps' funeral sermon, and Rev. John Barton that of Mrs. Phelps. Both are buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
Copied from an old Camden paper.
"Died-about the Ist of Nov., 1847, of consumption, in Camp of Travelers, from the United States, 180 miles from Santa Fe, on his way to Chihuahua, N. M., where he was intending to spend the winter, for the benefit of his health, Benjamin Phelps,. jr., aged 29 years, formerly of Camden, N. Y. Of the particulars cf his death his friends have not been fully informed."
In 1848 Albert married Miss Martha Fish, daughter of Jesse Fish, Esq., of Williamstown, Oswego County, N. Y. About 1850 he remodeled the house, building it to two stories in height, and they repaired to the pleasures of a private home. Raising the walls, a new roof, fresh paint, blinds, fence, flag walk to front door, all served to make it an attractive farm-house. Add to. these improvements flowers, shrubs, vines and trees, and you have a picture of the place as it appeared 45 years ago. The wing on the south side of the house was the bar-room in its tavern days. Near this was the watering place, a pent-stock with water from a spring some rods to the west of the house. The wing now stands across the street-the wing of Mr. Clarence Hubbard's new house. The old house stands not quite parallel with the street in its present course. Years ago, the old survey caused the highway to run to the right of the ravine, below the Newton Phelps house, and Mr. Allen built his house on a line with it, but in 1817 the course was changed to pass through the ravine, so the house is not quite parallel. (At this time the street was 1 rought to the west, where it at present crosses the Little River, the old crossing having been about where the Lehigh Valley Road crosses now. Daniel Parke built the first bridge
HOME OF ALBERT PHELPS, 1850.
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
over the river at this point.) The grand old grove below the house, which many remember, has of recent years been a prey to the woodman's ax, and nothing is left but the site and the memory of its beauty. It is a pleasure to dwell upon the scenes that cluster around the old place, but the hand of time will soon lay low all that remains of it. Decay marks every object for its own sooner or later, and in a few years the old "Phelps Tavern," andi those who have owned it, will be not even a memory, and only these pages will be left to tell the tale. This will he as true of many other old homes and people of whom this book will speak. Too many important items have already been lost in the passing of the years.
To Albert and Martha Phelps were born four children : Emma, whc married W. J. Frisbie, and resides in Camden; Benjamin, who died in 1882 at the age of 30 years; Charles A., who married Harriet Mattoon, and Albert C., who married Ida M. Penfield, both prominent merchants in the town. In April, 18So, Mrs. Aibert Phelps died, aged 60 years; in May, 1888, Albert Phelps died, aged 80 years. Buried in Forest Park Cemetery. Their son, Benjamin, was also interred here, in the family lot.
The children of W. J. and Emma S. Frisbie are George Al- bert Frisbie of Utica, who married Alice I. Owen in 1896, and Ruth Lucile Frisbie.
Charles A. Phelps has two children, Howard Mattoon and Ransom. Albert Case Phelps has one son. Leon Fish Phelps.
CHAPTER VII.
JOSEPH SCOVILLE.
Joseph T. Scoville was born in Harwinton, Conn., and came to Camden not far from 1799 or 1800. He was a son of Ezekiel and Rachel Scoville of Harwinton, and was one of four brothers that located here, viz .: Ezekiel, Stephen, Conet, Joseph. He came with Benjamin Phelps, Sen., and their labors were of the same nature, clearing and improving forest land to make homes. He returned to Connecticut, and the spring following brought his wife with him, who was Anna, sister of Martin Cook. He had prepared a crude home, and here they commenced life in earnest. To them were born seven children, Chloe, Harry, Seymour, Marenus, Ann Eliza, Thompson, Ezekiel, Thompson, who died at 18 or 20 years of age, and Polly. Chloe married Jehiel Hig- gins; Ann Eliza married John Wilson, Sen., Seymour married Dorcas Higgins; Polly married Austin Raymond; Ezekiel lived here, and cared for the father a few years, when he went East, locating there, where he still resides. Then John Wilson came in 1852 or 1853, and they cared for Mr. Scoville till his death, the farm coming into the posssession of Mrs. Wilson, Jo- seph Scoville's daughter. Joseph Scoville died April 26, 1853, aged 76 years. Ann Scoville died March 14. 1840, aged 62 years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson resided here till about 1869 or 1870, when they removed to Camden village, where they spent their remaining days. Three children were born to them: Fran- cis, died in 1894; Herbert E., died 1893; and Philoma, the late Mrs. B. A. Curtiss, died in April, 1897. Lillian. (Mrs. B. Van De Walker), and Harold, children. John Wilson, 3d, died October 25, 1874; Ann E. Wilson died February 7, 1875, aged 63 years. Buried in Forest Park Cemetery. After Mr. Wilson came Roswell Paddock with his family to occupy this place. He built and conducted a corn-packing business for some years, but later they removed to Warsaw, N. Y., and from thence to Buffal ). After he left the farm it came to belong to Newton, son of Ran- ney Phelps. The old house burned, and Mr. Phelps built the present house of brick
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
WAR OF 1812.
During the war of 1812 troops marched through here on their way from Rome to Sackett's Harbor to guard the northern boundaries. Much of the artillery and ammunition was drawn through by this route with oxen. Messrs. Harry Halsted and Joseph T. Scoville were employed by the Government for that purpose. On Mi. Scoville's farm, just on the spot where the Paddock corn canning establishment stood, Col. John Brown with his regiment, while en route to northern destinations, made their rendezvous. They spent a day and night in the vicinity, depending upon the resident farmers for supplies of food, taking in addition to what was willingly given them, whatever they found that would contribute towards appeasing their appetite. Poultry was freely taken. One raid they made was not suc- cessful. Beniamin Phelps kept a good many bees, and the sol- diery thought to have a tasteof honey. This was when Mr. Phelps lived on the Hillsboro road, a mile away from camp. The soldiers accordingly visited the bees' home, which was resented very sharply by the occupants, and they followed in hot pursuit, the military gentlemen beating a hasty and disorderly retreat, leaving some of their equipments in their wake. After the bees had returned to their hives, and peace was restored, the soldiers went over the course of their flight and gathered up their equipage, which had been scattered in their flight. An old can- teen of very primitive construction was for long years shown as a relic of the "bee adventure." With this the descriptive trip down the Plank road ceases.
"Application will be made to the Legislature of this State at its next session for an Act of Incorporation of a company for the construction of a Plank Road from the mouth of Salmon River, Oswego County, through Pulaski, to Rome, Oneida Courty, December 21, 1846." This was accordingly carried into effect, and the Plank Road materialized. It was a great treat to ride over it while new, but when the plank grew old, or warped a little, it was a "rough and rugged way." With the completion of the railroad it came to neglect and final discontinuance as a plank road. We are now at the Little River, the boundary between Camden and Vienna. Retracing our steps a few rods
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
we find a road running back into the forest for a mile or so to the west, and at its terminus there was in bygone days a saw mill built upon Little River by Pliny Phelps. There were two or three habitations, of rude construction, but all are in ruins now. This was called "Mosquitoboro." Returning over the same course we cross the plank road, and find ourselves on the way to Phelpsville, or perhaps known to some as "Slab City." We shall however adopt the former appellation, because we like it better. In the approach we pass under the Lehigh Valley rail- road, and cross the bridge over Fish Creek, going east.
Oneida County histories have mentioned the fact, that in the carliest settlement of this part of the town, a woman and child were drowned in Mad River, and that the funeral was taking place in Judge Israel Stoddard's house when he returned from his Connecticut trip in the spring of 1798 or 1799. The drowning was the first tragic occurrence in the settlement, and all were deeply concerned in the loss; for their numbers were few, and a brother- ly feeling was in the hearts of the neighbors, who felt deeply for the stricken husband. Mrs. Amaziah Carrier, Mrs. Bacon and Mrs. Carrier's child crossed Fish Creek in a dug-out-a log, with the center taken from it, which formed a rude contrivance in which early settlers managed to make their way over streams. They lived in a little house that stood in what afterwards became the orchard of Joseph T. Scoville's farm. This was back from the plank road a few rods, and the cellar site remained for a great many years. Near this spot, very close to the Lehigh Valley railroad, under a tree, is a spring of living water, from which they derived their supply. The spot where they crossed is at the bend of the stream, north of the bridge, over the highway to Fhelpsville. These diligent women had gone over to the op- posite bank for cowslips, had filled their baskets, and were re- turring home when the accident occurred. Mr. Carrier hearing their screams for help, reached the spot in time to rescue Mrs. Bacon, but his wife and child perished in the waters. These were the first deaths in town, and the funeral was being held in Mr. Stoddard's house when he lived in the place he first purchased when visiting Judge Williams. They were buried in the now obsolete cemetery on the Blakeslee road.
We find in old deeds that Fish Creek did not become a name for this stream until after the town had been settled some years, Mad River having been applied to it earliest.
CHAPTER VIII.
PHELPSVILLE .- RANNEY PHELPS.
The fourth child of Benjamin and Sally Phelps was born Sep- tember 18, 1811. He grew to manhood, and for many years followed the vocation of supplying with dry goods and notions those who lived along the various routes over which he traveled. These were through several counties in the State, and in those days, when it was not so easy to take the cars and reach a busi- ness center for shopping, the convenience was very great to have goods brought to the doors. Mr. Phelps was a man of wonder- ful memory, and it was a treat to hear him relate his experiences in his peculiar happy manner. He was a most interesting story- teller. January 13, 1839, he married Miss Clarinda Malay, who was born January 2, 1817, and to them was born one child, a son, Edward, April 7, 1840. In 1841 Mrs. Phelps died at the age of 24 years and six months. January 19, 1842, Mr. Phelps again married, the second wife being Miss Sophia, daughter of Orramon Tuttle. To them were born four sons, Seth, who mar- ried Frances, daughter of the late Edwin Shepard; Newton, who married Miss Emma Yager of Vienna; Tracy, who died in 1868, at the age of 20 years and 10 months; and George, who married Miss Emma Stevenson, and is the present owner of the home- stead. Seth died in 1883, of consumption, at the age of 41 years. His wife and a son and daughter reside at Bay City, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps lived to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Their early married life was spent in a crude habitation of logs, near the site of the later home built by Mr. Phelps.
Ranney Phelps died September 4, 1892, aged 80 years and II months; Sophia Phelps died December 6, 1895, aged 75 years and four months. All are buried in Forest Park Cemetery.
Phelpsville is about three and a half miles south of Camden village, situated a half mile east of the plank road. At this point Fish Creek flows with rapid current, affording excellent power for manufacturing purposes. The course of the stream is almost
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
directly from east to west for a good many rods, when it bends in a southerly direction where it crosses the highway. Here, just a step south of the bridge, Little River unites its waters with Fish Creek, and it flows on for a considerable distance in quiet beauty. This is a picturesque spot, and should not escape the eye of artists. Benjamin Phelps, as before mentioned, first began his labors here, and concentrated his energies to the clearing and improvement of the land. When he first settled here, he found
the wigwams of the red man. The stream abounded in fish, salmon being plentiful. Game of all kinds found homes in the dense forest, and basket-timber grew in great quantities. Everything they needed or desired for their use was provided. The tale of his early experiences ha:l been so often told his sons, that it was impressed strongly upon their minds, and they remembered these facts long after the father had passed away. He explained their manner of pre- paring meals. Their stoves were made of stones placed in a circle, leaving a space in the center, and were built to a height of perhaps eighteen inches. In this center space was put the fuel, which was burned to coals. Over these coals their food was cooked, and Mr. Phelps was sometimes invited to share a meal with them. He said the food was well cooked, and appeti- zing. In recent years, Mr. George Phelps, his grandson, who owns the locality, had occasion to excavate along the bank of the stream in the vicinity where the wigwams were said to have been. His shovel unearthed a bed of stone, and something in their position led him to investigate, when he discovered that they were arranged as he had heard them described, and knew he had proof of the old-time fireside tales of his grandsire. Near by he found bits of clay vessels of primitive type, which he preserves, and exhibits with pride. They indicate well-shaped receptacles for food. Back, on higher ground, he has found cther implements used by the red men-arrow-heads, flints, &c., forming a part of the collection. They were found from one to two feet beneath the surface. The elder Mr. Phelps' experience with the Indians was of a very peaceable nature, he never having lad cause to fear them. For many, many years, the Indians from the Oneida Reservation continued to visit this locality,
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THE TOWN OF CAMDEN.
usually appearing about the "Indian Summer" season, to gather basket supplies. The streams being dammed along their course, fish have become very scarce; the forests having been cut away, game finds no hiding place, and the Indian finds no further at- tractions. Perhaps it was twenty-five years ago when the last encampment was made here by them. They came unannounced, and built their wigwams just at the turn of the plank road and highway to Phelpsville. They built of saplings and bark, and stayed on into the winter, banking their house with snow for warmth. The files were in the center of the wigwam, and the smoke dense, though the top had an aperture through which much of it passed. The squaws braided baskets, which they sold to farmers and residents about the town, taking supplies of meat, vegetables and produce of all kinds in payment. The Indians were hired by the neighboring residents to cut their winter's fuel, and unless unbalanced by fire-water, were faithful workers. There were several Indians by the name of Powlus, who came periodically. One bitter cold night in December, 1862 or 1863, Mr. Albert Phelps' family were aroused by a cry of great distress about one o'clock in the night. Providing him- self with a lantern, Mr. Phelps sallied out following the direction from which the sound proceeded. The cry was voluminous, and it was not difficult to locate it. He found a young Indian evidently recovering from a fit of drunkenness; he had been to town with some of his comrades, had drank to helplessness, and his companions becoming tired of their burden, buried him in the snow by the wayside, leaving him to grow sober, which he did at this unseemly hour of the night. Mr. Phelps feeling it un'safe to leave a human being exposed to the extreme cold, har- lessed his horse and took the fellow to his wigwam, leaving him to the further care of his friends. In a few days he appeared with his ax over his shoulder, signifying a willingness to chop wood to pay Mr. Phelps for his kindness to him when he was "bad drunk."
When Mr. Benjamin Phelps began his labors in this particular locality, it was thought the highway would take its course through his land, but in subsequent surveys it passed, as we now krow it, from Rome to Oswego. After toiling here for two or
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PIONEER HISTORY OF
three years, he succeeded in clearing a sufficiently large space on which he planted corn. It grew rapidly in the new fertile soil, and his heart was glad, for he thought he saw a gleam of hope, a slight return for all his labor. But the creatures of the forest had an eye on that same piece of corn; their expectations of a different nature-appeasing the appetite, not replenishing the treasury. One fine morning as he was making a tour of his small clearing in late summer, his crop of corn coming to maturity, he found it almost destroyed. Investigating, he found unmistakable evidences of the invaders being bears. He was not long in procuring a trap, which he baited temptingly, and soon caught one of the foes to all his bright anticipations, and with his trusty gun laid him low. Bear steak was generously sent to the neighbors far and near. About 1804 he left this locality. Following his residence there, in the years that succeeded, till about 1839, Elisha Ransom, Richard and John Rosa, Orraman Trttle, Horace Wilson, Alva Hazen, William Winne, Eliakim Stoddard-all had claims in this vicinity. In 1841 Mr. Ranney Phelps has property in this place willed him by his father, and erects a saw and shingle mill. In the course of events, Mr. Benjamin Phelps seems to have repossessed himself of the property here, and by will bequeathed it
Home of Ranney Phelps.
to Ranney, Pliny and Albert. However, it was divided: Ranney lived there the remainder of his life. at first in a log house, and later building a commodious frame-house, now standing. Pliny Fhelps also built a shingle-mill and operated it for some years, then sold to Fordyce Dunton, who continued the business for a
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