USA > New York > Onondaga County > Pompey > Re-union of the sons and daughters of the old town of Pompey > Part 16
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About the year 1802 or 3, measures were taken to locate a new burial ground. The location selected was opposite Dr. Stearns' present residence, and the bodies that had been buried at the place before named, were desinterred and buried there. On reflection, however, it was determined that the locality was an unfavorable one, and the lot was abandoned as a burial place ; and what is now the east or back part of the present beautiful cemetery was selected, to which place the dead were taken and buried. About the year 1823 the " new part" was purchased of Peter Smith, father of Hon. Garrett Smith of Peterborough. The first per- son buried in this new part, was Mr. Daniel Knapp, who died in the month of August of the same year in which the lot was fenced, 1823; he died suddenly, of Billions cholic, being ill only a few hours. A second " new part" situated north of the first, was recently added : and the whole yard under the direction of the present incorporate company, is kept in most pleasing order, with excellent fences, walks and shade trees.
A complete record of every burial is kept.
In speaking of Pompey Hill, Clark says : " This village was, within the memory of men still living, as prominent a place as any in the county. It gave more tone to the sur- rounding country and settlements, on account of its refine- ment and wealth, its intelligence and learning, than any place in the vicinity. People came here for legal advice, they came here for medical advice, to do their trading, and they came here for fashions, they came here for military pa- rades, for political discussions and for general consultations of a public nature ; they came here to engage in all the events incident of men in public life."
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LA FAYETTE-(POMPEY WEST HILL.)
The first settler in this locality, was John Wilcox, before named as the first settler in the original township. He set- tled about two miles from the present village of La Fayette.
The first settlers in and near the village, were Joseph Rhoades, Apollos King, Zara D. Howe, Caleb Green, Joseph Smith, Dr. Silas W. Park, Mr. Owens and the Bakers, all or nearly all coming from Chesterfield, Hampshire Co., Mass., in or about the year 1801.
Rhoades built a log tavern and kept a public house on the site of the present one. He afterwards moved to Marcellus, where many of his descendents are now living. Mr. Apol- los King did not remain any great length of time; he set- tled one-half mile south of "The Corners," moving from there to Otisco. Howe settled near an ashery on the Caleb Green farm, and put up a frame to a house. He did not complete the house, but selling his improvements to Dr. Silas W. Park, he moved to Otisco. Dr. Park finished the building and lived in the same, during the remainder of his life, a period of 24 years: The house was standing in 1870.
Joseph Smith settled near the site of Dr. Elijah Park's dwelling : he was a farmer, lived here about 20 years and till his death.
Erastus Baker, the first of the family by that name who settled in this locality, came in 1801, with Stephen (" En- sign") Cole and Rhoades, and settled on the hill just west of the village. In 1805 Seth made a settlement joining Eras- tus on the West, and Sydenham located to the north of him. Thomas. in 1803, settled one and one-half miles southwest of the Corners, in what is now called Sherman Hollow. The greater part of these lands remain in the hands of the Baker family to this day.
Joseph & Lemuel came in 1804, but made no permanent home : Joseph moving to Otisco, and died there. Lemuel went to the far West, and it is said, was finally killed by the Indians in Texas, when hunting for his cows.
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Orange King and his brother, (if at all connected with Apollos King, it was a very distant connection,) came from Chesterfield, about 1800. They settled one mile north of the Corners. There was another brother who settled one mile west of the Corners.
About the same time Gen. Isaac Hall came from Great. Barrington, Mass., and settled one mile south of Corners, on a soldier's claim. He purchased ten or twelve hundred acres, was the wealthy man of Pompey. It is said, that he brought into town with him half a bushel of silver dollars.
He gave his attention to the raising of stock. It was his custom to let to his neighbors, and to citizens elsewhere. cows, sheep, colts, &c., to double. He died about 1826 or 7, being worth, it was said, about 70,000 dollars.
Joseph S. Cole settled half mile south of Corners, came in at an carly day, remained a short time, then went to Pennsylvania, afterwards returned to West Hill and died here.
The first and only licensed lawyer settling at West Hill. or village of La Fayette, was Samuel Baldwin, who had pre- viously been located at Pompey Hill. He remained a num- ber of years practicing his profession, afterwards went to Geneva and died, while living with his daughter.
The first resident physician at this village, was Dr. Silas W. Park, who settled as before stated on N. W. corner of Public Square. He cleared this Square of forest trees. He practiced medicine during his life-time. About 1814, Dr. Chauncey Williams became a partner of Dr. Park, which partnership continued for three years. In 1817, Elijah, brother of Dr. Silas W. Park, came and read medicine with him. Afterwards was his partner for three years. He then moved to Otisco, where he remained three or four years, then moved to Adrian, Mich., where he died. One Dr. Squires came and made a residence of two years, and then left.
After Dr. Silas W. Park's death, Dr. Ward Bassitt, of Sa-
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lina, came and made a stay of one or two years. He then ivent to Cazenovia, Madison Co. In 1825, Dr. Rial Wright came and remained one and a half years. At this time Dr. Elijah Park, son of Dr. L. W. Park, who had previously studied medicine with his father and uncle, bought of Dr. Wright his ride, paying him $150.00 for the same. Dr. W. ivent to Pompey Hill, and, as a partner of Dr. Jehiel Stearn, practiced medieine in that village and vicinity for many years. Dr. Elijah Park has remained in the village and is to-day, (1872,) in the practice of his profession. Dr. Lyman Rose was a resident physician in the village for many years prior to his death, which occurred in 1867.
. Lemuel Smith, father of Rev. Mareus Smith, was the first blacksmith settling at West Hill. Coming about year 1800, and remained till his death, 1817. His shop was located on site of the church. His anvil was situated near the spot where now stands the pulpit in the church.
Morris Clapp, brother of Mrs. Silas W. Park, came and settled as a blacksmith, in 1818. He worked here at his trade, 45 years. He died in 1870, aged 76.
Nathaniel Stearling, a carpenter and joiner, settled on farm now owned and occupied by Luther Baker. He built the Baptist church at Pompey Hill, and the church now standing in this village. The latter part of his life was spent upon a farm. He died in Connecticut. He was connected with, and was a leading man in the church, and in educa- tional matters.
: Before Stearling, James, Asa, and Joseph Me Millin, broth- ers, carpenters and joiners, settled about one mile N. E. of Corners. Joseph and James built the first framed hotel, and the one now standing in the village : Stoughton Morse being landlord. The first hotel was built of logs, and James Higgins was landlord ; this was in about 1808. The MeMil- lens remained many years, finally selling, moved away and died in different localities West and South-west.
. Dorus Porter, a cabinet maker, from 1820, lived in the village ; was Deacon in church, now lives in Michigan.
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Ansil King was a tanner and shoemaker at the Corners, for many years, a prominent man as a mechanic.
Caleb Green owned and gave half of the lot now used for a public square, Erastus Barker giving the other half.
Ansil Smith, Chas. Jackson, and General Hall were Jus- tices of Peace. (The latter a number of years) before the division of the township. Col. Johnson Hall, son of Gen. Hall, was sheriff and member of State Legislature. He was a merchant at West Hill, carrying on a very extensive trade.
The first merchant was Stoughton Morse, the tavern keep- er. Had a little store the first at the Corners, in connection with his hotel, in 1805. Then followed Ansil Smith as mer- chant, till 1812 or 14. During the war of 1812, Smith run a distillery, bought cattle for troops, sending stores of pro- vision to Sackett Harbor, and to Granadier Island. After the war, Judge Hall was the merchant of the place.
Amos Palmeter settled one mile south of La Fayette Square, at about 1803. He had a pig pen covered with logs to protect the pigs from the bears. At a time when he had a lot of pigs in this pen, one of the logs happened to be moved so as to leave an opening ; and in the night the squealing of the pigs aroused the family ; but Amos was afraid to go out. His wife took an axe and went to the pen, and seeing a bear coming out of the opening, she gave him a blow, and pulled the log over the hole. She then took a fire-brand in her hands, and went south through the woods, three forths of a mile to a Mr. Johnson's, and had him come to help dispatch the bear. But, opening the pen, old Bruin was found dead from the blow she had already given him. This story illustrates the courage and pluck of our grand- mothers in those days. Not, however, a very good story for Amos, we think.
In Sherman Hollow, the first settlements were made in 1793.
Among the first who located here were Solomon Owen and James Sherman. They built, in 1795 or 8, grist and
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saw mills. The saw mill built by them is still in good working on der.
Mr. Sherman was father of Dr. J. De Blois and Joseph Sherman. The first was at one time a prominent physician at Pompey Hill. The latter a Justice of the Peace from 1830 to about 1840.
In 1794, Reuben Bryan, Amasa Wright, Samuel Hyatt. James Pierce and Amaziah Branch, settled in. this hollow.
The last named, was the first school teacher at this place and at La Fayette Village. He died at Dr. S. W. Park's, of nightmare, in about 1818. He is said to have been one of the good men of the earth. He was poor, but well edu- cated. He came from Massachusetts.
In the north part of Sherman Hollow, were John Hough- taling, William Haskins and Comfort Rounds, located as early as 1792.
The first white child born within the limits of the town, is said to have been Amy Wilcox. Born in 1791.
Chas. Johnson, a blacksmith, has carried on business at Sherman Hollow for about 50 years ; and he is still at his forge working as industriously as ever.
DELPHI.
About six miles East and South from Pompey Hill, is located the beautiful valley of the Limestone Creek. A. valley which became settled at an early day by a race of no- ble men and women, many of whose descendants to-day are filling positions of trust in State and Nation.
. As early as about the year 1800, there were located with- in the present limits of the township of Pompey, and within " this valley, a few settlers, who during the next five or ten years were joined by many others, and a settlement em- bracing fifteen or twenty families was formed. At a later time a Post office was located there. At this time, when the settlers had met for the purpose of changing the name
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from "Pompey Four Corners," one of their number de- clared the valley and its surroundings, were similar to one with which he was familiar in Italy, and suggested that the name of a village in that valley be given to the village in this. The suggestion meeting the approval of the citizens, the Italian name " Delphi" was given to the settlement.
It is impossible for us to give the exact order in which the settlers came into this valley. Neither can we be sure that in every instance, correct dates are given. We are largely indebted for information to a gentleman who first settled in the township of Fabius; but who was in reality a member of this community; and who, to-day, (1873,) is a resident of .1
the village. Mr. Elnathan Griffith, who, at 90 years of age, possesses a reliable memory; his statements corroborating the best information obtained from other sources.
Mr. Griffith came into the valley in the year 1806. And has since, without interruption, been associated with: its his- tory. He was intimately acquainted with those who had preceded him, and was made familiar with the date and the attendant circumstances of their settlement.
Samuel Sherwood was, probably, the first settler in this vicinity. He located in 1795 on lot No. 84, about one mile northwest from the present village, on a farm afterwards owned by Patrick Shields, who married Mr. Sherwood's widow. Samuel Sherwood was a Maj. Gen. of a regiment. He came from Saratoga county.
Rufus Sheldon, father of a very talented family, among whom is Harvey Sheldon, Esq., of New York, settled in March, 1800, near Maj. Sherwood's, one and one-half miles northi-west from the village. In 1798 or 9; Elijah Hill, com- ing from Pittsfield, Mass., settled three miles down the val- ley, north from the village. In 1800, Col. Ensign Hill,? brother to Elijah, came and settled a little south of the vil- lage. In 1802, James McClure settled one 'mile south of Elijah Hill. Samuel Draper came from Vermont, and set- tled in the vicinity, about 1803. "Benjamin Coats and Wil-
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liam Peas came with or near the time James McClure lid. The three came from New Lebanon, Columbia Co., N. Y.
McClure and Coats settled on lands now occupied by their descendants. Mr. Peas settled one half mile north of Elijalı Hill. Osias Burr and William Cook, also came from New Lebanon about this time, 1802. Burr was Justice of the Peace and Judge of Court of Common Pleas.
Elihue Barber came in 1801, and settled on the hill west of the valley, and about one and one-half miles from the creek. He was induced to settle out of the valley because the opinion prevailed that where the timber was off the bottom land, they would have little value, and " be too poor to raise beans."
Moses Blowers and Stutson Benson settled at an early day near Barber's, on lot 84.
Capt. Theopelas Tracy settled one-half mile S. E. on a farm now occupied by Henry Ryder. He built the frame of the first Grist mill on Limestone Creek. The same mill is now owned by Alex. Maxwell. This frame was erected by Capt. Tracy in about 1803 or 4. He sold to Moses Savage, who employed Mr. Elnethan Griffith, a mill-wright, to com- plete the mill.
The stone, "two run," were brought from Albany by teams that had taken wheat thither, to market. These stone are French Burr stone, and are still running in the mill. They cost $100.00.
Dea. Moses Savage settled on the east side of the Creek, and built the first carding mill that was erected in the val- ley. Also, in about 1825 or 30, he built the grist-mill now owned by Edgar Pratt.
Zebulon Edgerton, in 1806, had a good sized clearing one mile south of Delphi. The same farm is now occupied by Wm. H. Savage. His son, Mr. Reubin Edgerton, who came with his father, in 1802, is still living (1873) in Delphi, at the age of 92 years.
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Dr. Joseph Ely kept an Inn on site of present hotel, and also practiced medicine in the locality. He bought, in 1804, of Peter Root or of Mr. Goodrich a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Ely found on the lot a " brush house," which some previous settler had left. This he occupied till fall of 1806. He then employed Mr. Elnethan Griffith, the only carpenter in the place, to put up a frame addition to this house Dr. Ely came from Montgomery Co., N. Y.
At this time, 1806, there was a frame barn and several log houses in the vicinity. Salmon G. Willard and Daniel H. Hubbard had built a store in the fall of 1805, opposite, west of hotel. The wife of Mr. Hubbard, is still living at Delphi. aged 91 years.
In, about the year 1808, William Shankland, father to Judge Shankland, of Cortland, settled in this valley, his house being located on the east side of the creek, and of the County line. He was a member of this community, al- though a resident of Madison county.
On what is called " the Hitchcock place," settled Walter Bates. This is near the old Indian Fort, on lot 99. This was, probably, the first settlement made on this lot. Robert Swarthout, son of the soldier [who drew the lot, was, ver- bally authorized by his father to come on and to sell out the lot. He was here for a short time for this purpose.
After selling the lot, or much of it, he moved to Ithaca. Hon. John M. Jaycox, is, we are assured, a descendant on the maternal side, from this family. Mr. Swarthout sold from this lot, in 1806, to Jasper Galliway, and, we believe, to Thos. Derbyshire. One of these sales embraced the land now occupied by Russel and Sheldon Strickland.
Horace Yates' name is also associated with this same farm.
Elisha Litchfield came in 1812. His dwelling was locat- ed on the site of Alanson N. Godfrey's house. He kept a store on the corner, near his house. His relative, Ephraim Cleaveland, came in 1810, and kept hotel on the site of the present one, for a year or two, when he died. His property
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fell into the hands of Maj. Litchfield, who continued for a short time to act as landlord. Hon. Elisha Litchfield was a prominent man among the prominent men of his day. Maj. of Regiment, Member of Assembly, Speaker of the House and Member of Congress.
Reuben Benton was an early settler and Justice of the Peace. Bela Cole lived at an early day where N. F. Potter has recently built a house, opposite the Baptist church.
The settlers at one time, did nearly all of their trading at Cazenovia, with John Lineland, who was agent for the Hol- land Purchase Co.
Messrs. Hubbard & Willard were the first parties who kept a full assortment of goods in Delphi, this was in 1805 and 6; they sold to Esli Squires. In 1810, Squires built and occupied a store on the corner, where Marble's store is now located; he then sold the building purchased of Hub- bard and Willard, to Richard Taylor, father to Rev. Elisha L. Taylor, D. D., and to James M. Taylor, of New York.
Herrick Allen bought of Taylor; he was a leading mer- chant for many years, and became wealthy. His father. Daniel Allen, in 1802, settled two miles north of the village.
At an early day Schuyler Van Rensselaer was a merchant at Delphi. In 1818 he sold to Matthew B. Slocum, father to Maj. Gen. Henry B. Slocum, U. S. A.
Up to 1810, there was but one store.
Of the physicians, probably Dr. Joseph Ely was the first who settled in the valley; he remained about three years.
The following named physicians have practiced their pro- fession, being at the time, residents of Delphi :
Doctor Frisby, Dr. Shipman, brother of A. B. Shipman. recently of Syracuse, was at Delphi, 45 years ago; he re- mained many years; he died in Rochester, in 1871. Dr. John L. King and Dr. Pettit, brother of Judge Pettit, of Fa- bius, were partners. Dr. Hiram Adams, so long a prac-
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ticing physician in Fabins, was at one time connected with Dr. Pettit, in his office.
Dr. Goodell, succeeded Dr. Shipman. Others have fol- lowed : among them were Drs. Marsh, Hiram Wiggins, Eli Cook. Isaac Baker, Dr. Todd and Dr. Potter. The last named being the only resident physician living in the vil- lage at this date, 1873.
Amos Benedict had in 1806, two miles north from Del- phi, a blacksmith's shop ; the first shop of the kind in the village was owned and carried on by two brothers named Townsend.
Oliver Rogers was a wagon maker in 1816. Mr. Prina- fore was a wheel-wright, and beside, made the " bull plow" as it was called, with wooden mould-board. Jabez Groude- vant was cabinent maker in 1810, and worked here at his trade till his death, which occurred about the year 1850.
Deacon Abbott was the first tanner: as early as in 1807 or s, he built al. the vats belonging to the old tannery ; he sold to James Reeves. About 1820, John and Michael Spencer, from England, came into possession of the yard and the business ; they conducted the business for many years. Fi- mally, it was determined that one should move to Cardiff; and continue the business there; to decide which should go they " flipped coppers," John was elected to go ; he became Judge of the Court. Afterwards, Member of Asssembly ; he was much beloved by his fellow-townsmen, and his al ;- sence was a great loss to Delphi.
Caleb Perry, afterwards bought the tannery and worked at the tanning business till the building and vard was de- stroved by a freshet.
One mile south-east from the village, Clark Rogers, in 1823, built an edge tool factory ; this factory was afterwards owned and conducted by Holmes and Sampson, whose rep- utation as excellent workinen is wide-spread : their tools being known as of the best make in the country. This fac- tory is now owned by John Sailsbury.
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Henry TenEyeke owned, till 1853, when it was destroyed by fire, a Woolen factory, which was established in 1812. It was located on the creek north from the village, and du- ring the whole period of its existence did a heavy business.
To-day the village of Delphi is one of thrift. Two churches, a school, in which many celebrities have taught, among them are Jesse T. Peck, one of the Bishops of the M. E. church, Dr. Amos Wescott, recently of Syracuse, and Hon. D. G. Fort, of Oswego.
Several stores-among them a Drug store-a good hotel, shops, neat residences with beautiful yards, all contribute to render this village one of the most beautiful inland towns in Central New York.
From this valley and community, as descendants of the early settlers, whose names we have here recorded, have gone forth a Judge of the Supreme Court, a Maj. Gen .. United States Army, a Doctor of Divinity, successful phy- sicians, tradesmen, mechanics and lawyers.
WATERVALE.
FROM THE PEN OF WAKEMAN G. SPRAGUE, OF SYRACUSE.
Watervale, a village situated on West Branch or Lime- stone Creek, and about four miles north-east from Pompey Hill, was settled -by Col. James Carr, about the year 1809. Mr. Carr built the first saw mill erected on the stream in this vicinity. He was soon followed, about the same year, or in 1810, by Willoughby Milliard, who almost simultan- eously with Mr. Carr, erected the second saw mill. This place was first called Carr Hollow, then Hemlock Hollow, also Slab Hollow, on account of the great quantity of slabs made by those mills.
Ansil Judd, father to Solomon Judd, of Binghamton, and of Orvan R. Judd, of American Express Co., Buffalo, settled in the Hollow in 1812, and built the first wool-carding and cloth dressing establishment in the town.
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The Post Office was established in 1820, and Ansil Judd was first Post-Master. He selected the name of Watervale, and published lines announcing the fact, viz :-
" The hemlocks are gone, The Slabs are set sail, And we'll call it Slab Hollow No more, but Watervale."
George Ostrander settled about the year 1815, and built a distillery, using about ten bushels of grain a day, which amount in those days, was considered very large.
Benjamin F. Wheeler carried on the business of tanning and shoe making, for a long time.
Ira Curtis moved to Watervale at an early day, and opened the first store. He also built, and for many years kept the first hotel.
Wm. C. Fargo, O. Abbott, Benjamin Patten and V. R .. Taylor, were among the first settlers.
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Anson Sprague settled on a farm south of Watervale, in 1818. On this farm was found the celebrated Monumental stone, now in the State Agricultural and Historical rooms at Albany. The following description of this stone we-take from Mather & Brockett's Geography of the State of New York, published in 1847, by J. H. Mather & Co., Hartford, Editor :
" In the town of Pompey, a stone was found some years since, about fourteen inches long, twelve broad, and eight thick. It had a figure of a serpent entwined about a tree. and this inscription.
Leo X De
VIx 1520-
tree &c -
L. S. C
This inscription has been interpreted-Leo X. by the grace (or will) of God, sixth year of his pontificate, 1520. L. S the initials of the person buried, (as it was undoubtedly : sepulchral monument,)-the cross, an indication that he wa. a Catholic, and the character n perhaps a rude intimation
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that he belonged to the masonic fraternity. The date is cor- reet, Leo X. having been elected Pope in 1513-14. It seems probable that some Spanish adventurers, in quest of silver or gold, lured by the report of the salt springs, and hoping to find there the object of their search, had wandered hither from Florida, which had been discovered and explored in 1502. One of the number dying here, his companions erect- ed this simple memorial to mark the place of his burial."
Col. John Sprague and Ansil Judd built the grist-mill in 1830.
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