USA > New York > Orleans County > Pioneer history of Orleans County, New York, containing some account of the civil divisions of western New York > Part 9
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When fourteen years of age I united with the Re- formed Dutch Church in Greene county, upon a con- fession of my faith, and in 1842 I united with the Presbyterian church in Albion, my wife coming with me to the same altar.
Albion, January 8, 1862.
B. L. BESSAC."
HENRY R. CURTIS.
Hon. Henry R. Curtis was born in Hoosic, Rensse- laer county New York, in the year 1800. After pass- ing his youth at labor on a farm. and in acquiring such elementary education as his own exertions and the limited means of his widowed mother could sup- ply, he commenced the study of law with Daniel Kellogg of Skaneateles, and pursued it afterwards with Hon. Hiram Mather in Elbridge, New York.
In the fall of 1824 he settled in Albion. Orleans county before he was admitted to the Bar, going into partnership with Alexis Ward, who was here before him, and who had been admitted to the Supreme Court.
In 1831 he was appointed District Attorney for Orleans county, in which office he was continned by subsequent appointments. (excepting the year 1832. ) until June 1847, when he was elected County JJudge and Surrogate, being the first County Judge chosen under the constitution of 1846. He was re-elected to the same office in Nov. 1850, and died before the ex- piration of his second term.
Before he was a judge he had held the offices of
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Examiner and Master in Chancery, and many civil offices in town and village.
He was a hard student devoting himself to the labors of his profession with untiring assiduity, never engaging in other business speenlations.
For twenty-five years he was a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church and much of that time a faith- ful teacher in the Sunday School in his church.
. As an advocate he was cool, clear and persuasive, and the known honesty of his character and the sin- cerity of his manner and language, commonly carried convietion in his favor to the courts and juries he addressed.
As a counselor he was a peacemaker, judicious, cautious and sound. Never encouraging litigation when it could be avoided. He was a man with few enemies and many friends, an honest lawyer and good man. He died September 20, 1855.
ZENAS F. HIBBARD.
" I was born in Seroon, Essex county, New York, April 4, 1804. My ancestors were of Scotch descent, and were among those who fled to this country from the oppressions of the old world, to enjoy civil and religious liberty in the new world.
My father afterwards removed from Seroon to Bran- don, Vermont, and from Brandon he moved in the summer of 1816, to what is now Barre, New York. July 12, 1816. on lot 10. township 15, range 2, of the Holland Purchase, one mile west of Albion where he lived sixteen years. He then removed to Barre Center where he resided until his death, which occurred February 5. 1853.
I attended the first school taught in Barre, in a log school house, which stood on the west side of Oak Orchard road, in what is now the village of Albion.
also attended the first town meeting in Barre after
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OF ORLEANS COUNTY.
the town was organized, at the house of Abraham Mattison, about two miles south of Albion. I also attended the great celebration of the opening of the Erie Canal. when the waters of Lake Erie mingled with those of the Hudson River. I was also present when the site for the county buildings was located at Albion, which was the most exciting time. perhaps. ever known in this county.
I was present when the first Congregational church in the town of Barre was formed. at the house of Joseph Hart. This church then consisted of the fol- lowing named persons, viz : Joseph Hart and wife, Ebenezer Rogers and wife, Ithamar Hibbard and wife, Artemas Thayer and wife. Artemas Houghton and Thankful Thurston.
. I was married to Amanda Wrisley, in Barre. June 19. 1828. She was born in Gill, Mass .. Nov. 18. 1809. .. F. HIBBARD."
Dated-Barre Center, April 4th, 1865.
Letter from William Tanner, formerly of Orleans county, N. Y., written to the Pioneer Association :
" To the officers and members of the Orleans County Pioneer Association :
Gentlemen : As fond memory often sharpens old. ears to catch some word of the old home of our youth. so now at three score years and one I have heard of your society. What you do or what you say, I do not know, but I do know if you are the real pioneers I should be glad indeed to meet with you at your annual gathering.
Tell me, dear sirs, are you together to speak of the days when Albion was a mud hole, and Jesse Bum- pus and Dea. Hart and a few others owned the whole of it! And when the old log school house half a mile north of AAlbion was built, where Francis Tanner first declared martial law among the little folks ; and when Mr. Jakeway so well adapted to the business by
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his six feet four inches of body and legs, used to break the road through four feet of snow, with three yoke of oxen, from the Ridge Road to father Crandall's near one Angel's, not Gabriel, but . Cabin Angel,' as he was called by way of distinction.
And there was Dea. Daniels, and Esq. Babbitt a little east, the workings of whose face denoted wis- dom as he sat in judgment to decide weighty matters between neighbors.
Never shall I forget envying that man his high office as justice of the peace when I was a small boy.
Then there was John Proctor and his tall and ami- able wife and large farm.
Then again at Gaines Corners, the corpulent land- lord Booth, together with Dr. Anderson, with his mild and pleasant way of telling people it wouldn't hurt much to pull teeth, and then almost taking their heads off with his strong arm.
Later, there was good Jeptha Wood, who first taught me that hot and cold iron would not weld together.
But I must not name others lest I have not room to say a word to the old Pioneers.
How simple was I in my boyhood days to envy the honored Esq. Babbitt, or the rich farmer Proctor of those early times. I have since been . Esq.' my- self. I have been rich also ; but neither the honor of the one nor the gold of the other, brings happiness When while here on this mundane sphere.
I turn my thoughts to the spot of all others most dear to me, Samuel N. Tanners old farm, and the ' city of the dead,' Mount Albion, opposite to his once earthly habitation, where I once chased the deer, and see the monumental slabs erected over heads many of whom were my friends in youth, I am ready to ex- claim-' Where are the pioneers I once knew ?'
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But sirs, some of you still live, and allow me to speak of what you have done. You are among the , greatest men of the nation. You have leveled the sturdy forest. planted fruitful fields, orchards and gardens, built railroads and canals, set up talking wires by which we carry our freight and travel cheaply over three hundred miles a day and converse with lightning speed with far distant friends.
I imagine I see De Witt Clinton standing in his beautiful garden in the city of New York. listening, as it were, to hear the sound of the axes of Dea. Hart. Bumpus, Proctor, Babbitt, and a long list of names I have no room to refer to. And I see him turn to give the Commissions to the Chief Engineer and Surveyor : and what do I hear him say ? . The pioneers are there at work ; you can accomplish your work now.
Teach it to your children and grand-children, that they are indebted to you for all the vast improve- ments made in the great west, as the result of hard toil and labor. Labor, which always precedes the development of everything great and good ; labor, that God ordained, sanctioned and approved : labor that is so conducive to health and comfort and that brings its sure reward. I love labor, even in deepest old age. I would obey God and benefit myself by laboring when able, seeing it is the only sure road leading to individual and national wealth and great- ness, as well as to personal happiness and com- fort.
Had our statesmen spent money without stint and built your railroads and canals, unless preceded and accompanied by the pioneers, it would have availed but little.
Education is a priceless acquisition ; give it to the young by all means, but do not forget to teach them
.
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the great value and benefit of intelligent and well di- rected labor.
And now. gentlemen, I ask your patience in deci- phering my trembling writing, and excuse bad spell- ing. for I see much of it. I have labored too long and hard to be able now to write elegantly.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM TANNER."
East Liberty, Allen Co., Ind., March 13, 1865.
ROSWELL S. BURROWS.
Roswell S. Burrows was born in Groton, Conn., Feb. 22. 1798. He was fitted for college at Bacon Academy, Conn .. entered the Sophomore Class in Yale College in 1819, and took a dismission in the fall of 1820. in consequence of protracted ill health. He never returned to college, but in the year 1867, the honorary degree of A. M. was conferred on him by Yale College.
He received some capital by devise from his grand- father with which he purchased a cotton factory in Rhode Island, and there carried on business for some time for himself. His factory not proving as profita ble an investment as he expected, he sold out, receiv- ing a small payment down and a mortgage for the balance, which, through the fraud of another party, proved a total loss.
In July, 1824. he came to Orleans county and lo- rated at Albion, and in Sept. next after, he borrowed two thousand dollars of his father, and a like sum of his father-in-law. laid it ont in a stock of goods, and with this capital, increased by a small sum saved from the ruin of his factory speculation, conunenced business as a merchant, in a little wooden building, standing very near the site of the First National Bank of Albion.
In November 1824, his younger brother, Lorenzo Burrows, came to Albion to assist him as his clerk.
A.d. Bunions?
OF ORLEANS COUNTY.
This arrangement continued until in 1826 the firm (! R. S. & L. Burrows was formed. which existed . In: business as dry goods merchants, produce dealers, and in warehousing and forwarding on the Erie Canal for ten or eleven years, when they sold out their entire stock of goods.
When Mr. Burrows settled in Albion the canal was made navigable as far west as Lockport, and one in ducement he had to stop here was the promise of Canal Commissioner, W'm. C. Bouek, that he shouki receive the appointment of Collector of Canal revenue an office then about to be established at Albion.
This office of Collector was given to him in 1825, and was continned by re-appointment until 1832, when he was succeeded by C. S. McConnell.
Mr. Burrows built the warehouse now standing next east from Main street on the canal, in 1827. After the . sale of their goods in store, as above stated, Messis. R. S. & L. Burrows continued their warehouse busi- ness and dealt in produce until the general banking law went into operation, under which they estab- lished the Bank of Albion, which commenced busi- ness under that law July 15th. 1839. This bank con- tinued in operation about twenty-seven years, and was finally closed under the new policy which suf- stituted National Banks. Its first officers were Res- well $. Burrows. President : Lorenzo Burrows, Cash- ier: and Andrew J. Chester, Teller.
Mr. Burrows organized a new bank in Albion, Do. eember 23, 1863, called . The First National Bank et AAlbion.' This was the first National Bank which went into operation in the State of New York west of Sy- racuse. Roswell S. Burrows. President ; Alexander Stewart. Cashier ; and Albert S. Warner, Teller. Mr. R. S. Burrows owned a majority of the capital stock of both these banks, was always their President and a Director and the principal manager.
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Within the last forty years Mr. Burrows has been Director and Trustee of many corporations and com- panies, such as railroad companies, telegraph com- panies, the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge compa- ny, and one mining company. He has been Trustee of several religious, benevolent and literary institu- tions. He has frequently been proposed by his friends as a candidate for various civil offices but al- ways declined a nomination.
Several years since the extensive and very valuable library of Professor Neander, of Germany, was of- fered for sale by reason of the death of its owner. Mr. Burrows purchased this library and presented it to the Rochester Theological Seminary, connected with the Baptist denomination. This library, consisting of several thousand volumes of rare and valuable books collected through many years by one of the best scholars of his time in Europe, is valued at from fif- teen to twenty thousand dollars.
In addition to this library, a few years ago Mr. Bur- rows offered to give this Theological Seminary the mu- nificent gift of one hundred thousand dollars to add to its endowments, with the promise of more if pros- pered in business as he hoped to be. The Trustees of the Seminary proposed to Mr. Burrows if he would increase his proposed endowment of that insti- tution to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars they would give it the name of .The Burrows Theological Seminary of Rochester, N. Y.'
These proposals it is understood have never been formally withdrawn or acted on.
As a business man Mr. Burrows is cool, shrewd. clear-headed and sagacious ; never disturbed by panies, or deceived by false appearances. He has accumulated a great fortune by indefatigable indus- try, and prudently and safely investing his accumu- lations. Although advanced in years, he was
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never perhaps more busy than now, and never found his great experience and capital yielding him a larger profit.
WILLIAM PENNIMAN.
Judge Penniman was born in Peterborough, Hills- borough County, N. H., August 5, 1793. After ob- taining a good common school and academic educa- tion in his native State, he emigrated to Ontario Co .. New York, in Sept., 1816, and from thence to Shelby, Orleans County, in October, 1820. He took up land in that town on which he resided about eight years ; he then removed to Albion, remaining there more than two years, finally settling on a farm in Barre, near Eagle Harbor, where he has ever since resided.
In 1825, Mr. Penniman was appointed a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for Orleans County, then lately organized, and was one of the first bench of Judges, which composed that Court, which office he held five years. In 1831, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Barre and served in that office until he removed to Eagle Harbor, when he resigned.
In 1846, he represented Orleans County, as a mem- ber of the Convention to revise the Constitution of the State of New York.
Judge Penniman was a celebrated school teacher for many years after he came to Orleans County, having taught school fourteen winters and seven sum- mers. He always took a lively interest in the subject of common schools, was Commissioner of schools and town inspector each of the eight years he resided in Shelby, and served as town superintendent of schools in Barre three years, while that system was the law.
He was a popular Justice of the Peace, while act- ing in that capacity. He used to say, he once issued 108 summons in one day, in all of which Dr. William White was plaintiff. As a Judge he was firm, up-
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right and impartial, aiming to sustain the right in his: decisions, and in all his official and social relations he has sustained a character marked for sound views of men and things, honest. faithful, sagacious and true : and now in his old age and retirement enjoys the re- spert of all who know him.
JESSE MASON.
Jesse Mason was born in Cheshire, Mass., July 24 .. 1779. By occupation he was a farmer. He removed to Phelps. Ontario County N. Y .. about the year 1810. where he resided six years, then removed to- Barre. Orleans County, and settled on lot 17, in town- ship 15. range 2. now owned by Wm. H. Pendry.
In the year 1837. he sold his property in Barre and removed to Ohio, where he resided until his death, in. Nov., 1854.
Mr. Mason served one campaign in the war of 1812, .. was one of the last American soldiers to leave Buffa- lo when it was burned by the British.
Mr. Mason was a man of positive convictions in all matters of his belief, political, moral or religious. Energetic, enterprising and liberal in all that pertain ed to public affairs in his neighborhood. he bore even ? more than his share in all the labors, expense and trouble in opening roads, founding schools and churches and organizing society in the new country .. All such duties and burthens were performed and borne by him as labors of love. in which he seemed to delight.
Mrs. Hannah Mason, wife of Jesse Mason, daugh- ter of Res. John Leland, a Baptist minister. residing in Orange county, Va. was born Dec. 18, 1778. Mr. Leland was originally from Mass. While living in Virginia he became the intimate friend of President Jefferson, and it is said Mr. Jefferson derived his first clear idea of genuine democracy from what he saw of"
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OF ORLEANS COUNTY.
the working of that principle ina church, of which Mr. Leland was pastor .. Miss Leland married Mr. Mason, Fin Cheshire, about the year 1800. moved with him to the west, and as long as he lived, proved herself a help- weet indeed, fully sharing and sympathizing with him in all the toils, hardships and anxieties through which he passed in a long and active life. She died January 21, 1867.
STEPHEN B. THURSTON.
" I was born in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y .. "January 3, 1808, and removed with my father, Caleb C. Thurston, to Barre to reside. in the spring of 1814. My father being a farmer, brought me up to labor in that honorable calling. I resided with my father, at- "tending school occasionally winters, until I was twen- ty-two years old, when I bought seventy-six acres of land, part of lot 19, township 15, range 2, in Barre, .on which I resided until April, 1865, when I removed into the village of Albion, where I now reside.
I was married to Miss Julianna Williams, daughter .of Samuel Williams, of Barre, January 11, 1832 .--- She was born in Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y .. April .5, 1812.
·
Albion, July, 1867.
S. B. THURSTON."
RUFUS HALLOCK.
Rufus Hallock was born in Richmond, Chittenden Co., Vt., Nov. 7, 1802. His father was a farmer, and young Rufus labored on his father's farm summers and attended school winters.
In February, 1815, with his father's family, he re- moved to Murray. Orleans Co., N. Y. In 1823, he removed with his father's family to Louisville, St. Lawrence Co .. where he resided two years, and then «came to Barre. Orleans Co., and settled on lot 43, township 14. range 2. of the Holland Purchase, where
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he resided till his death in 1870. He was married July 3. 1826, to Susan Tucker, of Shelby, who was born in New Hampshire, May 9, 1804.
Mrs. Hallock died at her home in Barre, May 18th, 1868, aged 64 years.
Mr. Hallock by his industry and economy ac- enmulated a competence of property.
In religious belief a Baptist, Mr. Hallock was regard- ed as an exemplary christian man, respected by all who knew him. Resolute and prompt in his charac- ter and conduct, he generally met and overcome or removed every obstacle and adversity which he has encountered in his path in life.
He told a story of his father which illustrates what sort of a man his father was, and exhibits a dash and courage which has been transmitted to his de- scendants.
Traveling alone through the woods one day after he came to this county, he saw a bear and two cubs asleep under the roots of a fallen tree. Resolving to capture a cub, Mr. Hallock stealthily crept up to the spot where they lay and seized a cub by its hind legs. and backed away dragging his prize and keeping his eyes fixed on the mother bear who followed after him growling and gnashing her teeth. He kept on in this way several rods until he backed and fell over a fal- len tree, when the old bear attracted by the cries of the cub left behind returned to that and came after him no more. Mr. Hallock carried the cub home tamed and raised it. He died Jan. 16, 1871.
JONATHAN CLARK.
" I was born in Londonderry, Rockingham county, New Hampshire. July 3d. 1790. My father died when I was quite young. I lived with my grandfath- er, John Clark, until I was fifteen years of age; I then went to live with my Uncle. John Clark, Jr., in
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OF ORLEANS COUNTY.
Salem, Massachusetts, where I remained until I was twenty-one years of age.
March, 1812, I went aboard the schooner Talbot, Capt. George Burchmore, headed for the East Indies, with a miscellaneous cargo in the capacity of a common seaman.
Nothing worthy of note happened to us until we reached the equinoctial line, when the Captain said " Old Neptune must come aboard that afternoon and the green ones must be shaved and sworn." The oath which we were required to take in connection with the other raw hands, was as follows:
" I promise to never eat brown bread when I can get white ; never to leave the pump until I call for a spell ; and never to kiss the maid when I can kiss the mistress."
The shaving process consisted. in brief, in placing the subject on the windlass, brushing his face with: filth and scraping it off with an iron hoop, as a sub- stitute for a razor, the subject in the meantime being in great danger of having the unsavory lather thrust into his mouth while taking the oath. Luckily fo! me I passed the ordeal more happily than my com- rades having, in advance. circulated a bottle of sailors . O be joyful .*
Crossing the line is a great occasion for jokes and fun in general among sailors.
In due time, and without harm, we reached the , vicinity of the capes, when we encountered heavy weather.
We ran twenty-three days under close reefed top- sails, shipped a heavy sea on our starboard quarter which washed the whole length of the deck and car- ried away our bulwarks. We doubled the Cape of Good Hope and reached the Isle of France one hun- dred and thirteen days out from Salem. We lay there two months. discharged cargo, took in ballast and
-
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sailed for the Island of Sumatra. We were running into Lemonarger when we were met by an armed boat commanded by a man claiming to be king of Ar- cheen, who demanded of us a duty on the pepper we might purchase. We regarded him and his crew as savages and pirates, and declining to trade with them put to sea again. We ran to Soo-Soo and saw a sail approaching. That excited our apprehensions of danger.
The Captain inquired if we would fight should the occasion demand it. Our unanimous response was "we will."
We were then stationed where we could do the best execution in self defence.
My station was on the side of the ship with an ax to cut off their hands should they attempt to board s. All the men were armed with deadly weapons, and we had a six-pounder ready for any emer- geney.
The strange vessel sent a boat to ns with a letter written in English. requesting us to trade with the king of Archeen, or in case of our refusal he would seize us and our vessel.
The night following being very dark we weighed anchor and put to sea, bidding his suspicions majes- Ly good-bye.
We then sailed to an English port. Topanooley. where we took in a cargo of pepper and sailed for home.
We were to touch the Brazils to receive the orders of the owners. Here we were hailed by what we re- garded as a hostile vessel and chased and fired at astern : and when forced to yield. to our great joy we found the strange vessel to be a man-of-war from our own Salem, named . The Grand Turk,' a priva- tror sent out to re,take our ship, which the owners supposed to be in the hands of the British.
L
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OF ORLEANS COUNTY.
The mutual congratulations between the crews of the . Talbot' and . The Grand Turk ' were very pleasant to us all. Here we first learned of the war between the United States and Great Britain, which had then been doing its work of destruction ten months.
We entered the port of Pernambuco, March 18th. 1813, having been absent just one year. The cargo was put in Portuguese bottoms and sent to Europe. The second mate and myself remained to take care of the ship until November, 1815. when I left for Gib- raltar on board the Rebecca, with a cargo of hides and sugar. We stopped at Gibraltar a few days, then ran down to Naples and discharged cargo and. took in a miscellaneous loading and returned home- wards, landing in New York where I was discharged, and started for Salem where I arrived Jannary Ist. 1816.
I give the names of the places in the East Indies as I heard them pronounced. I may have spelled them wrong. Thus ends my seafaring life.
July 5th, 1816. I left Boston for Western New York. I traveled through Albany, taking the Great Western Turnpike, walking on foot all the way, until near Auburn when a traveler kindly permitted me to ride with him, saying he would take me to where I could find good land.
We passed through Rochester, and taking the Ridge Road came to Sheldon's Corners, now West Gaines. We then turned south, and traveling about a mile reached a school house just as the school was out for noon. A little sunny-faced girl ran up to us and said to the man who had so kindly assisted mo : · Well dad, we are glad you have come for we are about half starved out.
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