USA > New York > Cortland County > Pioneer history; or, Cortland County and the border wars of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 16
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245
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
his dwelling until he could build a log house, which he did in the following manner :- he cut such logs as he could handle, and enough for sides and gable ends, as he had no boards ; he then laid them up, then raised two pairs of rafters, one at each end ; then let in girts or ribs from one pair to the other, in order to hold the shingles, which he made by splitting them out with his axe and putting them on with pegs. As there was no grist-mill, he built him a little one by digging a hole in a big stump and erecting a spring pole, in order to assist his wife in making short-cakes ; while his gun was his meat-barrel, and the Otselic his drink.
Benjamin Wilson was originally from Westchester, N. Y., and from Oxford ; an emigrant and pioneer to Willet, in 1806 or '7. John Fisher, from England, Jonathan Gaz- lay, from Dutchess co., Thomas Leach, from Madison co., all date their immigration the same year as Benjamin Wilson.
Jabez Johnson, from Vermont, and Phineas Sargent, origin unknown, both located in 1807.
Ebenezer Andrews, from Massachusetts, in 1808.
Joseph Merritt, from Westchester, N. Y., Solomon Smith, origin unknown, Daniel Roberts, from Madison co., John Covert, from Windham, Greene co., William Greene, from Kent co., R. I., Ira Burlingame, from Oxford, Chenango co., N. Y., Altitius Burlingame, from Kent co., R. I., and Edward Nickerson, from Cape Cod, Mass., all located in the year 1809. Arnold Thomas, from North Kingston, Washington co., R. I., in 1810.
Solomon Dodge, from Vermont, after resting at Oxford for a space, entered the town as a resident in 1811. In the year 1816, Samuel Dyer, from North Kingstown, R. I.
246
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
John and his brother Peter Eaton, from Cherry Valley, N. Y., Samuel and Abraham Canfield, from Orange co., N. Y., entered and located as pioneers, to battle with the dense forest and privations of the wilderness.
In the language of one whose memory is true to the events of an eventful age, " Death erected his monument of claims to all of mortality, in the newly begun settle- ment, in the year 1812, by taking the wife of Solomon Smith."
The first birth, in the town of Willet, was a child of Ebenezer Crittenden. The first marriage was that of Solomon Smith. This occurred in 1813.
In 1807 or '8, Benjamin Wilson built a grist-mill, and also a saw-mill.
John Fisher built a saw-mill in 1808, and about the same time Jabez Johnson built another. Wilson built his mills on the waters of the Otselic, in the north part of the town, as may well be proved by most of the learned judges, lawyers, and wearied jurors of the county ; and of such importance has the building of those mills been in the legal movements of the human mind, that could they all be written as were the Acts of the Apostles, they might well be entitled the books of experiment in uncertainty. Fisher's mill was also built on the waters of the Otselic, in the south-west part of the town. And Johnson's mill, on the outlet of the Bloody-pond, so called, in the north-west part of the town.
Benjamin Wilson erected a clothing-mill near his grist-mill, in 1807, and Isaac Smith attended as the workman. He erected a blacksmith's shop in 1810 or '11. In 1808 he kept a public house.
The first school-house was erected in 1814. Thus,
247
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
from the workings of mind around the nucleus of labor, progression pushed forward, expanded, absorbed, as- similated, and increased the embryonic town of Willet, until, in 1818, legislatively speaking, it was fully born, baptised, and named, although a feeble infant town, as being regarded in the legal freehold power.
John S. Dyer, son of Samuel Dyer, built a store in 1834, a second in 1837, and a third one in 1848 ; also a public house, or inn, which has since been enlarged. Samuel Dyer was appointed the first post-master, in 1823. The Methodists formed a class, and appointed a class-leader, in 1815 or '16. The Baptists organized in 1821 ; the Congregationalists in 1852.
The first Town Meeting was held at the house of Ben- jamin Wilson, 1819. Altitius Burlingame officiated as Moderator ; William Throop, as Justice of the Peace. And the following persons were elected as official ser -- vants of the town for the term of one year :
Supervisor,-William Throop.
Town Clerk,-Samuel Dyer.
Assessors,-W. Throop, John Eaton, Benjamin Green. Collector,-Joseph Nickerson.
Overseers of the Poor,-Altitius Burlingame, and Henry Sawdy.
Commissioners of Highways,-Benjamin T. Green, John Briggs, John Eaton.
Commissioners of Schools,-John Briggs, Benjamin T. Green, Abner Wilbur.
Constables,-Joseph Nickerson, John Campbell.
Commissioners of Lands,-Benjamin T. Green, Altitius Burlingame, Peter Eaton.
Inspectors of Common Schools,-W. Throop, Orlando
248
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Salisbury, John Corbett, Anson T. Burt, Bicknell Free- man, Samuel Dyer.
Sealer of Weights and Measures,-Altitius Burlin- game .*
*
In 1818, Arnold Thomas and his much-esteemed wife were drowned in the Otselic river, at or near the termi- nation of the Ox-bow. Mrs. Thomas was a sister of Altitius Burlingame. They were endeavoring to cross the river, on an illy-constructed raft, with a design to attend a prayer-meeting. Miss Hannah Corpse, Nelly Miller, and Mr. Burlingame, were in company with the unfortunate couple. Mr. Burlingame, being an excellent swimmer, succeeded in saving himself and the two young ladies. The bodies were recovered from the watery element, and now repose in one grave, sacred to their memory, in Mr. Burlingame's orchard.
We have previously referred to the spirit of enterprise as exhibited by the agriculturists of Willet. A laud- able attention to the improvement of stock, to agricul- ture and domestic manufacture, marks the efforts of the more active producers of wealth.
The increase of population, with a single exception, has been slow, yet certain.
In 1820 the population of Willet was
437
1825
508
1830
804
1835
723
1840
872
1845
921
1850
923
1855
925
Communicated by Altitius Burlingame.
249
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
CORTLANDVILLE was organized from the southern part of the town of Homer, April 11th, 1829.
The surface of the territory is, in some parts, hilly, in others quite level, or but gently undulating. Flats of rich alluvion border the Tioughnioga river in its course through the valley. The more elevated lands are inter- spersed with gravelly and argillaceous loam.
Much of the early history of Cortlandville rightfully belongs to the original military town of Homer, and is, therefore, comprehended in that portion of our history.
The timber of Cortlandville was unusually heavy, and embraced the various kinds which are yet to be seen dotting the surface of hill and valley. Beech, maple, elm and hemlock were, however, the most abundant. ยท The beautiful and tasteful grounds of the Messrs. Ran- dall and Reynolds, were covered with a most luxuriant forest of lofty elms. Indeed, nothing in the forest line could be more enchantingly alluring. Stretching far to the south-west, these olden elms, that had for centuries towered in lofty grandeur, defying the whirlwind and the storm, are described by the western warriors as greatly rivalling in forest grandeur anything they ever saw in the wide-spread territory once claimed and ac- kowledged as originally belonging to the Six Nations.
The early pioneers located in the dense forests, erected their rude and unadorned cabins, hoping for the sure rewards of industry, perseverance and economy. But they were often subjected to great inconvenience and suffering, for the want of the necessary articles of hus- bandry, and also, those of subsistence. We have been told of instances of whole families living for successive weeks upon turnips and salt ; of others who boiled
12
250
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
roots gathered in the forest, and ate them with a relish which is unknown to the epicurean lords of the present day. To them a mess of parsley presented by a neigh- boring hand was regarded as an act of marked and generous attention to their wants.
Grain and potatoes were not to be had in the country. David Merrick sent his team through the woods to Geneva by a neighbor, to whom he gave five dollars, just enough to purchase two bushels of wheat. It was procured and ground ; but on the return, one of the bags was torn open by coming in contact with a tree, and the flour of one bushel was lost; the remainder was emptied on its arrival by Mrs. Merrick into a four quart pan. Union and a sympathy of feeling prevailed among the settlers, which tended greatly to encourage and brace them for the coming conflicts arising from misfor- tune and the common ills peculiar to pioneer life. The settlers were mostly from the New England States, and brought with them their high regard for religion, moral- ity, and common honesty of purpose. In these days of cupidity and heartless knavery, too much respect is paid to land pirates and vampyre shylocks. Not so in the early times of the pioneers. A mean act, coming from whatever source, was treated with contempt ; the general desire of the people being to extend favors, and, if possible, to lighten the afflicting providences of all to whom they could possibly extend a helping hand. True, there was an occasional exception ; and these were always marked by the upright and deserving.
The pioneer settler of Cortlandville was John Miller, a native of New Jersey. He moved in from Bingham- ton in 1792, and located on lot 56. Mr. Miller was a
251
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
man of character and influence, and held several impor- tant town offices.
In 1794, Jonathan Hubbard and Col. Moses Hopkins came in and located.
The former selected a location amid the stately elms that stood on the ground now covered by Cortland Vil- lage, while the latter erected his palace of poles one mile west, on lot 64, which is at present occupied by his venerable widow, and her son Hiram Hopkins and family. They came in by way of Cazenovia and Trux- ton.
Thomas Wilcox, from Whitestown, located early in 1795 on lot 64. Reuben Doud, on lot 75. He was origi- nally from New Haven, Conn. James Scott, John Morse, and Levi Lee located on the same lot. Dr. Lewis S. Owen, from Albany, on lot 66. He built the first frame house in Cortland county. It is at present occupied by widow William Mallery. It is situated a few rods west of the residence of Russel Hubbard.
During the years 1796-7, several accessions were made-located in various parts of the town. Aaron Knapp settled on the Roger farm, lot 55. Enoch Hotch- kiss, on 76. The venerable Samuel Crittenden and Eber Stone, from Connecticut, located on lot 66. They purchased one hundred and sixty acres. The boundary line between them run in a direct line with Main street, Cortland Village. Mr. Crittenden was located on the east side, and erected a house on ground a little east of the post-office. He came in with an ox team, and was twenty-five days on the road. He has lived to see the surrounding country endowed with religious and literary institutions, and blessed with all the evidences of sub-
252
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
stantial wealth, intelligence and enterprise. He is now an honored citizen of Groton, Tompkins county.
In 1798, Samuel Ingles and his son Samuel, Jr., came from Columbia county, N. Y., and located on lot 75. During the year 1800, Wilmot Sperry came from Wood- bridge, Conn., and located on lot 73. William Mallery, from Columbia county, settled in 1802. He was a man of substantial worth, and filled various offices in the gift of his friends. He died in 1837. John A. Freer, father of Anthony and Stephen D. Freer, came from Dutchess co., N. Y., and located on lot 74. James T. Hotchkiss, from Woodbridge, settled in 1803 on lot 54. He was an ac- tive participant in the war of 1812-15. He was one of Gen. Dearborn's Life Guards, and fell at the battle of Queenstown in 1813. Of his eight children, seven are now living-six in Cortlandville. His daughter Fanny married Daniel Hamlin, of Summer Hill.
Nathan Blodget, from Massachusetts, located in 1805 ; purchased on lots 65 and 66 ; died in 1845 ; left five children-Loren, Lewis, Franklin, Lydia and Elizabeth. In 1808, John Ingles located on lot 74. Lemuel and Jacob Cady were from Massachusetts, and located on lot 73. John Wicks on 72. Edmund Mallery on 74. The latter came from Dutchess county. William and Ros- well Randall were natives of Connecticut, but came to Cortland from Madison county about 1812.
Samuel M'Graw, from whom M'Grawville derived its name, migrated from New Haven, Conn., to Cortlandville in 1803, and located on lot 87. He purchased 100 acres. In 1809 he removed to M'Grawville, and purchased about two hundred acres. There were at this time but three families settled within the vicinity of the present
253
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
village. He reared a large and interesting family,- eight sons and four daughters,-eight of whom are now living. He died in February, 1836. His widow, at the age of eighty-four years, survives him, and is still liv- ing on the homestead, enjoying remarkably good health. His son. Harry, father of Hon. P. H. M'Graw, was for many years a merchant in the village. He died in 1849.
Capt. Rufus Boies came in from Blandfort, Mass., in 1812, and located on lot 54, where Linus Stillman now lives. His original purchase was but fifty acres ; he, however, increased the farm to one hundred and fifteen acres. He is now, at the advanced age of eighty-one, living in the village with his son Israel Boies. In his subsequent life, he has shown himself a man of the ut- most integrity of character, kind-hearted and intelli- gent ; and his worth as a man has been fully appreci- ated.
Others settled at early periods on various lots : the dates of location being doubtful, we therefore do not name them. Sylvanus Hopkins and Capt. Strong set- tled on lot 82. Nathan and James Knapp on 84. Elea- nor Richmond, with her step-son, on the west part of the same lot. Gilbert Budd and Jeremiah Chase, on 74. John Calvert, from Washington county, on lot 82. John McFarlan, John M'Nish, and Archibald Turner are be- lieved to have moved from the same county. John Still- man, Elisha Crosby and Lemuel Ingles settled on lot 65.
David Merrick came from Massachusetts in 1800, and located on lot 44. In the year 1797, he came to Whites- town to purchase a tavern stand and one hundred acres of land, then valued at three hundred dollars. His
254
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
means being limited, he finally concluded not to pur- chase, and returned home. The next year he visited Whitestown again, for the express purpose of closing a bargain, but the property was then valued at ten thou- sand dollars, and consequently he did not secure it, and came on to Homer ; a few years after, having been ejected from his premises three times, and being threat- ened with a fourth, he concluded to leave, and moved to Little York. In 1810, he located in Cortlandville, on lot 65.
Danforth Merrick, son of David, informed us that he drew saw logs to Homer during the winter of 1800. There was then no road-at least only such as had been made by merely underbrushing through. The mud and snow was two feet deep, and as they had to ring the top end, around which they fastened the log chain, "noosing the logs" as they called it, he could draw but two per day.
In the dwelling where he now resides, he kept tavern for twenty years.
At this period, (1800,) a road had been cut through to Virgil Corners to intersect the State road. Another had been cut through to Locke-now Groton ; a third to M'Grawville ; a fourth to Truxton, and, as above noted, a fifth to Homer.
The first barrel of cider drank in town was brought in by Mr. Lyon, who some years after was murdered in Palmer, Mass.
The first public house was kept by Samuel Ingles, in 1810, on ground now covered by the Barnard Block.
The first school-house stood on ground now covered by the Eagle hotel.
255
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
The first grist-mill was erected by Jonathan Hubbard, in 1779.
The first merchant was Lemuel Ingles ; he sold goods in a small house near the present residence of H. P. Goodrich.
We have in another portion of our history referred to the early religious efforts of the pioneers of Cortland- ville. The first church organization occurred in 1801. This may be said to have been a union effort, for the meetings were held in Homer, Cortland, Port Watson, and on the East river, near the County House. The Baptist Church was erected in 1811, and dedicated in" June, 1812. It was located within the present limits of Cortlandville, about one " half mile north of the old Court House." In the autumn of 1825, efforts were made by the association to secure a more advantageous change in the location of church organizations, which happily resulted in the formation of a church in Homer and M'Grawville, "leaving the Mother Church in the centre."* Soon after, three new churches were erected, one in each of the villages referred to.
During the same year, a Presbyterian Church was organized in Cortlandville, which rapidly increased in numbers and in influence.
The first Methodist meeting occurred in 1804, at the house of Jonathan Hubbard, the former residence of Samuel Crittenden. A discourse was pronounced by Rev. Samuel Hill, of the Philadelphia Circuit, and sub- sequently a class was formed. It was undoubtedly small as to numbers, for at the time of which we now
* See Discourse by Rev. Alfred Bennet, 1844.
256
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
write, there were but four houses within the present limits of Cortland Village. The Universalists, or Free Thinkers, and Catholic organizations ~ are of more recent date. The former have a large and elegant church.
In 1830 the population of Cortlandville was 3,673
1835
3,715
1840
66
3,799
1845
66
4,111
1850
4,173
1855
16
4,423
LAPEER was organized from the east part of Virgil, May 2, 1845.
The first settler in this town was Primus Grant, a colored man; he purchased on lot 594, and settled on it in 1799. He was a native of Guinea, and the farm has always been called Guinea. He lived a number of years on his lot, and when he died was buried on one of the high bluffs that overlook the stream known as the Big Brook.
Peter Gray, a native of Fishkill, Dutchess county, was the first white settler ; he came from Ulster (now Sulli- van co.) in July, 1802, and located on lot 70. His widow still survives, and is believed to be the oldest person now living in the town,-age 84 years. His son, Ogden Gray, resides on the original premises. He left a re- spectable family of children, the youngest of whom is the wife of Dan C. Squires.
Seth Jennings, from Connecticut, settled, in 1803, on lot 597, where he lived until his death. Harry Jennings, his son, who now resides in Harford, owns the farm.
257
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Mr. Jennings left several children, some of whom are still living in the town.
Timothy Robertson, from the same State, came in about the same time, and lived for a brief period with Mr. Jennings. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war ; was with Montgomery at the storming of Quebec, in 1775. He fought valiantly while the brave and heroic sons, martyrs to American liberty, were falling around him. His son, Eliphalet, the only remaining descendant, is now living in Lapeer.
Thomas Kingsbury and Robert H. Wheeler settled in the south-east part of the town, in 1804. The former was a Revolutionary soldier, and drew a pension. One of his daughters married Marvin Balch, who resides on the homestead. The latter has no living representative in the town. They were natives of Connecticut.
Simeon Luce, father of Martin Luce, of Virgil, located on lot 57, in 1805; and is believed to have kept the first tavern in the town. He was an ingenious mechanic, and an industrious and valuable citizen. He died at an extreme old age, leaving a numerous posterity.
Zachariah Squires and Robert Smith settled, in 1806, on lot 70. The former was the father of Col. William Squires, now residing in the town of Marathon. The latter was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and held a commission from the Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington. He drew a pension a number of years. His children still reside in Lapeer.
John S. Squires and James Richards located in 1807. The former was a native of Connecticut, but removed from Lisle, Broome co., and settled on lot 68. The farm is now occupied by his son, Dan C. Squires. He left 12*
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258
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
a numerous family, of which James S. Squires, of Cort- land, is the youngest. Mr. Richards settled on lot 79, on the farm now owned by Erastus Johnson.
There were sixteen soldiers of the Revolutionary war who settled in Lapeer, and all but one died there.
A number of the soldiers of the last war with Great Britain, resided in Lapeer, and drew land-warrants, or pensions, or both. In 1813, a volunteer company was organized, of which Simeon West was captain, John S. Squires lieutenant, and William Powers ensign. The service of this company was tendered the Government, and those composing it were to be regarded as minute- men, to be mustered into active service on a day's notice ; but happily their service was not needed.
Among the earliest clergymen who preached in La- peer, were the Rev. Mr. Harrison, and Dr. Williston, of the Presbyterian ; Mr. Sheopard, of the Baptist, and Mr. Densmore, of the Methodist. All of them were mission- aries, or traveling preachers. The latter organized a class. Other religious associations were subsequently formed,-that of the Baptist, in 1820 ; the Presbyterian, in 1826 or '7 ; and the Christians during the latter year.
The first child born in Lapeer was John Gray, son of Peter Gray, in 1803. He died in Minesota, about two years since. The first death was that of Robert C. Squires, 9th of May, 1809, aged about two years. He was a son of John S. Squires. The first marriage is believed to have been that of James Parker to Miss Lucy Wood.
Simeon Luce erected the first grist-mill, in 1827. The first saw-mill was erected by Samuel and John Gee, in 1825. Messrs. Nickols and Turpening were the first merchants, and commenced trading about 1834 or 25.
259
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
The first post-master was Royal Johnson. He was ap- pointed in 1849, and still continues to hold the office.
A few rods to the south of the residence of Mr. H. Genung, was, at a former period, an Indian camping- ground. This was on a bluff overlooking and close to the Big Brook. From the banks of this stream flowed beautiful rivulets of cool transparent water. Here, too, were immense forests of elms, basswood, maple, and other timber, the favorite resort of the black bear, once so plenty in Cortland county. Deers, too, roamed the hills and valleys. The wolf and panther made night hideous with their discordant notes of revelry. From the camping-ground the Indians daily radiated in quest of game and fish, and at night returned to their cabins loaded with peltry-the products of the chase.
In 1850 the population of Lapeer was 822. 1855
750.
HARFORD was organized from the west part of Virgil, May 2, 1845. The first settlement in this town was made in 1803. Dorastus De Wolf, Thomas Nichols, John Green, and Cornelius Worden, were the pioneers who first selected locations and became permanent settlers of the town of Harford. De Wolf settled in the south part of the town, then a perfect wilderness. Wolves were very plentiful, and, as a consequence, he had to protect his sheep at night for about twelve or thirteen years. Bears, also, were in abundance. Deer were frequently seen in droves. Occasionally an elk was seen in the valleys. Foxes and martins, wild-cats and opossums, were numerous, but a beaver was seldom seen.
.
260
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Rev. Seth Williston was the first preacher who directed public religious worship. The first meeting occurred in 1804.
The first physician was Dr. Fox.
The first school was taught in 1807, by Miss Betsey Curran.
The first post-office was established in 1825, and at that time called Worthington, but was subsequently changed to Harford.
The first merchant was Theodore E. Hart. He com- menced business in 1824.
In 1845 the population of Harford was 921
1850
949
1855 66 926
TAYLOR was erected from Solon, December 5, 1849. The surface, soil, timber, and agricultural advantages are so similar to the adjoining towns, that we do not regard it as necessary to present any separate detail. It is watered in the south-east corner by the Otselic creek, but is in the main deficient of water power. The timber is generally maple, beach, elm, butternut, bass- wood and hemlock. The arable land is at least in the usual proportion of other towns ; the town is however better adapted for grazing and the dairy branch of pro- ductive industry, than for the producing of grain crops.
The first permanent pioneers of the town of Taylor were Ezra Rockwell, and his sons Thomas, and Ezra, Jr. They were from Lenox, Mass. The father had served in the Revolution, and drew lot 78, on which they located in 1793.
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