USA > New York > Onondaga County > Pompey > Re-union of the sons and daughters of the old town of Pompey > Part 3
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The large folio Bible given to the church by Mr. Henry Seymour at the time of its dedication, remains in a good state of preservation, although made to give place to a more
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modern one, which, with a handsome silver communion service, was given by another sister in the church.
For many years the above church was the only one in the place ; but in process of time three others have been organ- ized, and now occupy their respective places of worship. From these facts it will be seen that this first church must have exercised a powerful influence upon the early moral and religious character of the community.
To the high standard of education, also, which prevailed here at an early date, may be attributed much of the influ- ence which the children of Pompey have exerted in the community at large. In regard to schools, she has been the pioneer, having established the first academy in this region. The original building was erected about 1805, stood nearly upon the site of the present edifice, and by one whose early years were largely passed within its walls, is described as follows :- A frame building, two stories high, and painted yellow. On the first floor were two rooms, used respective- ly as a high school and a district school. On the second floor was a large room, used as occasion required, for a town- hall or chapel. Up to the time that the present church edi- fice was built, in 1817, the Congregational society worshipped in it, and my informant retains a vivid remembrance of its bare walls and its uncomfortable high-backed pine benches, where he spent the time of service in vain endeavors to touch the floor with feet and to see the minister over the shoulders of his grown-up neighbors.
In this room, the Rev. Joshua Leonard, (more familiarly known as " Uncle Jock,") preached on the Sabbath, greatly to the edification of his hearers, for he was a man of great eloquence and power ; but during the week he presided over the youth of the community, congregated in the room be- low. It is related of him that he always prayed with open eyes, and generally standing in front of the large open fire- place by which the school room was warmed. On one oc- casion a young man, a new scholar, entered the room while
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the Reverend teacher was engaged in the opening prayer. While the stranger waited near the fire place for the conclu- sion of the exercise, a roguish boy, the son of the principal, stepped slyly behind him and dropped a live coal into his open hand. Uncle Jock, whose watchful eyes saw the per- formance, broke off his prayer, administered condign pun- ishment to the offender, then quietly resumed the broken thread of his devotions, and finished as if there had been no interruption.
Edward Aiken, Flavius Littlejohn, (a brother of D. C. Littlejohn, of Oswego, who afterwards became a noted law- yer of Michigan,) Henry Howe, since for twenty-five years a teacher of youth in Canandaigua, and Andrew Hunting- ton, were Mr. Leonard's successors in the old academy. It was under the tuition of Mr. Leonard that Charles Mason and Seabred Dodge received their thorough mathematical training, which fitted them for the responsible positions which they have since filled.
In the new academy, built in 1834, we, of later days, recall Samuel S. Stebbins, classical and stately : Ensign Baker, renowned for his hobbies, successively, of elocution, agri- cultural chemistry, and-circular swings ! T. K. Wright, emi- nent as a drill-sergeant, and a host of younger men, whose term of office were so short that they failed to impress the public memory as did the earlier teachers.
Among those who presided over the female department in the new academy may be mentioned Miss Anne Hopkins, afterwards the wife of Professor Kendrick, of Rochester; sweet, saintly Harriet Rand, whose blessed influences have not yet ceased to echo in the hearts of her pupils : Mrs. Elizabeth Stone, late Mrs. Niven, whose dignity and rare culture still grace the society of Syracuse; Julia Reynolds, whose magnificent physique, winning ways and charming conversational powers secure for her the admiration of all who know her; and Adelia Payson, who, a few years since, left a large circle of friends and pupils to bear the tidings of a free gospel to the women of China.
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A few facts in regard to the district and select schools, held here at an early date, may be of interest. Before the year 1800 a school was taught in a log house near where Colonel Kellogg's house now stands. Miss Lucy Jerome, afterwards the wife of James S. Geddes, and mother of Hon. George Geddes, of Camillus, was the first teacher. Later, a frame building was erected upon the village green, about due west from the hotel. In this building a district school was taught by Leman H. Pitcher, father of L. B. Pitcher, of Salina. It is supposed that about the year 1801, Miss Hepey Beeber taught this school. Merrit Butler remembers that his father, one of the trustees, sent him for her with a horse, to her home on Newman's Hill, and that he rode home be- hind her. When the first academy was built, the district school was removed thither, and Manoah Pratt, Daniel F. Gott and James Robinson, were among the teachers.
One of the earliest select schools was taught by Miss Phil- ene Hascall, afterwards Mrs. Samuel Baker, in the front chamber of what was known as the " Joe Colton " house, afterwards occupied by Dr. Stearns, and later still by Josephi Beach. Another was taught about 1819, by Charlotte Hop- kins, (Mrs. Beardsley) in the north west room of the hotel kept by her father, Col. Hezekiah Hopkins.
In these two schools, Charles B. and Henry J. Sedgwick, Mary, Sophia and Horatio Seymour, Victory J. and Ellen Birdseye, Charles, Richard and William Stevens, Cornelia Stearns, and many others, who are now in the prime and vigor of life, received their earliest instruction. Later, prob- ably, about forty-five years ago, Miss Rowena Wells, (Mrs. Jared Ostrander,) taught a select school in the upper story' of the building next north of the church, known as the Stev- ens house. The family chronicle of the writer abounds in anecdotes of this institution, only one of which will be re- corded here. One of the numerous sons of the family, had received in his face a paper wad, skillfully snapped by his next neighbor, who immediately became absorbed in his studies, and kept his face buried in his book that he might
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not be exposed to a return of the compliment. The other urchin prepared his paper missile and awaited his oppor- tunity but none came. The little fellow tried various strata_ gems to no purpose, and at last in his ecstasy of impatience resorted to extreme measures, "Miss Rowena, Miss Rowena." he called out, " Mayn't Dave Porter look here ?" " Dave Porter, look there !" replied the teacher. Dare did look, and received full compensation for the injury he had inflicted, whereupon order was restored and the operations of the school resumed.
The district school house, from about the year 1820 to 1845, stood west of Dr. Stearns' office. In this building many present will remember, as among the teachers, Asa H. Wells, Calvin S. Ball, Jno. Doolett, Alfred Sloan, and Harry Gifford. . Since this latter building fell to decay a more com- modious one has been built on the opposite side of the street, which was burned down in the year 1867, and re- placed in 1868 by the purchase and remodeling of the church near by.
Thus have I endeavored in brief to span the interval be- tween the present and the rapidly receding past; to offer some slight tribute to the memory of those who have borne a part in preparing the children of Pompey for positions of responsibility. The task has been a pleasant one, and lov- ingly performed.
To the aged who in spite of the burden of years and in- firmities have come to visit the scenes of their past, this day must wear a tinge of sadness, for of many whom they once knew and loved, the only memento they will find will be a monument on yonder marble-crowned hill-top. Let us who are in life's prime, go forth to our toils, refreshed by the air of our native hills, cheered by the greeting of old friends, remembering that " old age creeps on apace," and to us, the time may come, when the scenes of middle life will, to our backward vision, grow dim and indistinet, compared with the vividness with which we shall recall the scenes of our early years.
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At the close of Mrs. Miller's paper, the quartette from Syracuse, Joseph Durston, Mrs. S. B. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Van Cleeck, sang with thrilling effect, " We have come to our homes in the old Empire State."
The President next announced that they were fortunate in having one of Pompey's younger sons present who had been remarkably busy since he had gone forth from his old home to the busy world. He had represented a distant State, on the Pacific coast, and more recently had been a member of the Joint High Commission, and his name would be handed down to future generations in enduring remembrance. He introduced Senator George H. Williams.
SPEECH OF SENATOR WILLIAMS.
Mr. Chairman and Friends :--
One of our distinguished poets has written beautifully of the " Voices of the Night," but under some circumstances the daytime too, has its voices, and from the suggestive sur- roundings of this day I seem to hear a voice saying, " Back- ward, flow Backward, Oh tide of the years." Our lives, it appears to me, may properly be divided into two periods. One is when every thought, passion and emotion of our na- tures is absorbed in visions of the future-sorrow, repen- tance and regret for misfortunes, misdeeds or mistakes suf- fered or committed are then unknown-our life appears to be spread out before us like a beautiful panorama, in which we see the green fields, the flowery pathways, the bright and cloudless skies, but in which, the pitfalls, the thorny acclivities, the clouds and darkness, are artfully concealed from our view. This was the period of life through which I passed in the town of Pompey. Imagination easily carries me back from this stand point to that time, when I was one of those poetically described as "whining school boys," with satchels and shining morning faces creeping to school. The tender associations, the happy scenes and the sportive incidents of my boyhood now comes back to me, like the
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half remembered pictures of a morning dream. Life then was little more than a succession of ecstatic sensations.
Whether I chased the butterflies in the summer sunshine, or like Maud Muller " raked the meadow sweet with hay," or whether I toiled through the snow to my allotted labor, or joined in the pastime of snowballing or sleigh-riding meta- phisically speaking there was " no snow in my song or win- ter in my year." Well do I remember the day when like another youth of whom we read bearing aloft a banner with the strange device, " Excelsior," I come up from the district school of the country to the Academy on the Hill-you- der stands the old Academy - foundation and superstruc- ture, walls and windows, roof and belfry as they were more than twenty years ago. Unattractive and inanimate that time-worn and weather beaten pile of stone and mor- tar seems to be, but every crevice and nook and corner is quick with the memories of youthful friends and by-gone years. They inhabit every room. They occupy every seat. They sit at every desk. They are regular at the morning prayer and at the recitation. They are as bright and joyous as ever. Unseen and unheard, they steal out of those por- tals with which so many of us are familiar, to take part in the proceedings of this day. Many things crowd upon my mind from the reminiscences of that old Academy, but none are more prominent or pleasing than those connected with its then flourishing Lyceum. The beauty and the chivalry of Pompey were accustomed to meet there. Debate was not confined to those connected with the school: but Gott, plausible, persuasive and eloquent, Birdseye, always law- ver-like and logical, Dodge, with his strong practical views, appeared upon that arena of intellectual combat. They were " giants in those days," as it then appeared to me, and I still think that their speeches compared favorably with those I have heard in bodies of much higher pretensions. I have met with a reasonable share of success and prosperity since I left this town, but whenever I review my life, I always
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decide that the happiest of its days are those I passed in the Pompey Academy.
Circumstances of fortune as many of you know were not very favorable, but I had a heart for controversy with these. Spurning all such embarrassments, I only looked up that lad- der which I had set out to climb, whose top appeared to penetrate the shining temples of fortune and fame. Time and experience have satisfied me, I am sorry to say, that the enjoyments of this world unmixed with trouble, are found more than elsewhere in these illusions of early life. When I considered myself sufficiently prepared I applied to one with whose name most of you are familiar, and whose memo- ry I shall always revere, to pursue the study of the law in his office. Do you know said he, in answer to the applica- tion, " How long Jacob was compelled to serve for his wife Rachel ?" Being a little more familiar with the scriptures then than I am now, I was quite ready with the answer.
He then said what I have since found to be true, that the law for its favors demanded the same fidelity and devotion that Jacob displayed for Rachel, and pointed out with pater- nal kindness the difficulties and discouragements I would have to encounter. I told him that my resolution was made and could not be changed ; three years for the most part of the time, I passed in his presence, and among the books of his office, and I can only say that if Jacob enjoyed his ser- vice for Rachel as much as I did then my service for the law, it is probable that he was quite as happy in his protracted courtship as he was in his wedded life. (Laughter and ap- plause.) I ventured, about the time I decided to be a law- ver, to visit the Court House, in Syracuse, while the Cirenit Court was in session. Judge Moseley was presiding, his hair was as white as silver, and he was the very personifica- tion of Judicial propriety. Around him and in the bar were Noxon, Lawrence, Hillis, Gott, Birdseye, with other lawyers, and bailiff's, with long pikes, moved around with noiseless- steps to preserve perfect order and stillness in Court. I can remember how much I was overawed by that presence, and.
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what misgivings crossed my mind as to whether I could ever appear with credit to myself in such a forum.
I am reminded of my first and greatest professional vie- tory. One citizen of this town sued another to recover the value of a horse gored to death, as it was alleged, by an un- ruly ox. Mr. Gott, my preceptor in the law, appeared for the plaintiff and I was employed by the defendant. My point to defeat the action was not that the ox did not gore the horse but that the owner of the ox did not know at the time that he was a vicious animal. I marshalled my au- thorities and made a desperate effort for my client, but no Pompey jury could withstand the persuasive powers of Mr. Gott and he recovered a judgment of eighty dollars. Conti- dent that I was right, I appealed the case to the Common Pleas. James R. Lawrence, Esq., represented me as I was not then admitted to practice. Failing there as in the Court below, to prove the scienter on his motion, Judge Pratt non- suited the plaintiff and I had won the case. No doubt the Emperor William was proud to witness the triumphal entry into Berlin of his victorious legions returning from the con- quest of France, but it is not at all probable that he expe- rienced that keen sense of pride and satisfaction which I felt at this my first professional victory. (Laughter and ap- plausc.)
When I reached the age of twenty-one, I applied for ad- mission to the Common Pleas of this county; Judge Pratt appointed a committee for my examination, of which the Hon. C. B. Sedgwick was chairman. I appeared before that committee with fear and trembling. The chairman en- quired what I would do to collect fees for professional ser- vices which were not voluntarily paid. I made as I suppose, a satisfactory answer, and was admitted, and I have since found that one of the first accomplishments of a lawyer is to know how to collect his own fees. (Laughter and applause.)
Twenty-seven years ago, with the proof in my pocket that I was a lawyer, signed by Judge Pratt, and a small library of law books, I started in that direction in which it is said,
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" The star of Empire takes its way." I have many reasons to believe that I was accompanied by the good wishes of those who had known me here. One act of generous kind- ness I cannot forbear to mention upon this occasion. De- termined to go west, I had neither money or books. David F. Dodge and John S. Wells borrowed for me what money Ineeded. I repaid the money within three years, but the debt of gratitude I can never pay. Twenty-seven years ago is an expression that forcibly and in some cases sorrowfully suggests to the mind the idea of change; what changes have occurred since 1844? Some who were then in their nurse's arms I now see before me full grown men and women. Some who were then boys and girls I now find presiding over flourishing households. Some who were then in the prime and vigor of middle life, now bend under the weight of accumulated years, and not a few have passed away to
" The land of the great departed ; Into the silent lands."
When I left Syracuse in the canal boat that was to carry mne away from friends and home, the convention by which Silas Wright was nominated for Governor, was then and there in session. He is dead, and so are most of the great men associated with him in the government of the country. Parties and opinions have changed wonderfully sinee that time. Administrations have come and gone. War has stricken the land with its multiform afflictions. Great dis- coveries in science and art have been made. Telegraphic wires have been stretched across the ocean. Thousands of miles have been added to our railway system. Six times have I crossed from ocean to ocean, on the trans-continental railroad. Many new States have been added to the Union, two of which I have helped to make. Our country, though not without some suffering, has grown greatly in wealth, power and glory. I believe in freedom, education and pro- gress, and have faith, though the indications are not always favorable, that mankind is slowly but surely advancing to a higher and better plane of existence. I have said that
.
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life may be divided into two periods. One is, when the prospective absorbs all, and the other is, when the faculties of the mind loosening their hold upon the future, seck pleas- ure in a retrospective view of passed events. I will not say on which side of the line separating these two periods, 1 stand, but I am obviously near enough to it, to find my at- tention divided between what of the past is unforgotten, and what of the future is unrevealed.
Time and change have scattered many of the associates of my early life far and near. Some have gone in one direc- tion and some another, and I have found a home upon the shores of the Pacific ocean. I live in a populous and flour- ishing eity, where but a few years ago rolled " the distant Oregon and heard no sound save the dash of its own waters." I would not entice any away from the good old town of Pom- pey, but if any of you are disposed to emigrate, I invite you to the land where I live. Come where a great, genial ocean, snow-capped mountains, majestie rivers, with woodland and prairie will give you every variety of soil, climate and scene- ry. Oregon is not a land " flowing with milk and honey," but it is a land of health, plenty and beauty. This is a re- union of the old residents of Pompey. Some have come here from the " cool sequestered vales," and others from the conflicts of professional and public life. All are here to re- vive old associations, renew old acquaintances and especially to do honor to our old home ; various have been my expe- riences since I left here, I have been in the whirl and vortex of political life, I have lived thousands of miles away, but I have never forgotten my old friends in Pompey, or " the old folks at home." Accept my greetings and congratulations. I am about to return to my distant home upon the Pacific, but I shall remember this occasion with pleasure, and as long as I live, shall cherish the hope that peace, plenty. and happiness may be and remain in the old town of Pom- pey.
After music by the band the President stated, I have now the pleasure of introducing to you one whose boyhood was
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spent in this village, and all present who then resided here will quickly recall the pleasant recollections of his active, sportive young life; and I will only say that the physical energy and intellectual promise thus carly manifested have developed into the successful competitor among the gifted intellects of our great Metropolis, for the highest honors of his profession. I refer to Hon. Luther Rawson Marsh, of New York.
REMARKS OF LUTHER R. MARSII.
My Townsmen, old and young, one and all :
I am glad, this day, to meet you ; glad to talk with you of the present and the past ; and, in doing so, we should miss, to some extent, the object of our brotherly reunion if we did not gossip a little of ourselves, and push our personalities somewhat to the front. Let us then commune in freedom and with unconstrained joy.
It is curious to notice how a little town like this will ramify its influence through all the land, and bind itself with every part of the country. What portion of the Union, North or South, or on either ocean-what essential business or inter- est, private or public, but is represented here to-day ?
These town celebrations have, of late, come much in vogue amongst the old settlements of New England-a custom that should extend throughout the land. They have an interest beyond the pleasure of the meeting and the renewal of broken ties ; they are the best historians, gathering materials for the home life of the nation; they help to collect and preserve the facts and domestic reminiscences connected with the starting and growth of our country, as the line of population, with a rapidity unknown in history, advanced across the continent. Every town may thus contribute its quota ; and, ere those who saw the beginning are removed, their memories are evoked and recorded.
Though we stand, now, on land so recently reclaimed from aboriginal sway, and though we are assembled on the One
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Hill, and not on the ancient Seven, yet are we on classic ground. We meet at the villas of Pompey. We bear the name of him-a foremost soldier of the world-at the stamp of whose foot armies arose, and at the base of whose statue " great Cæsar fell." Our allies are near ; and our Roman friends, like sentinels, are all around us-Fabius and Tully, Marcellus and Cicero, Cumillus and Manlius Torquatus- while within our Eastern border, we may consult the mystic utterances of Delphi.
Nor is the history of our town so recent as it seems. The mists of antiquity rest upon it. It was by no means the be- ginning when the present dynasty started here. There had been enacted, in this locality, at some period of the un- known past, events which no pen has written and no tradi- tion preserved. Generations and races have preceded us on this chosen spot and disappeared. Whence they came, whither went, is not yet ascertained ; mystery enclouds their origin, their life and their departure ; conjecture starts her various theories, but authentic history is silent. The evi- dences of a former population, now wholly extinct, are thick around us. A second growth of trees, of such age and mag- nitude as to take rank with the original forest, astonished those who thought they had come to a place entirely new. If, when we were boys and girls, a museum had been estab- lished here to hold the reliques discovered in our soil, this would have been a famous resort for the curious and scien- tific. Here would have remained your stone tablet of Anno Domini, 1550, now reposing in the Institute at Albany, whose hieroglyphs so many Champollions have endeavored to de- cipher. Here would have been collected not only the rude arrow-heads and granite tomahawks of the savage, but the proofs of aformer and unkn own civilization-the black- sinith's forge, iron implements of husbandry, fragments of earthenware and church bells, and numerous coins and med- als, whose devices and inscriptions age has obliterated. Long before the ancestors of the present residents clambered here-long before the time when a bounty of five dollars
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