USA > New York > Onondaga County > Pompey > Re-union of the sons and daughters of the old town of Pompey > Part 31
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Henry Seymour moved to Pompey Hill at an early day and entered into business as a merchant. By his integrity, sound judgment, and executive ability, he soon became so well and favorably known that from 1816 to 1819, and again in 1822, he was elected State Senator from that part of the State, then called the Western District. In 1818, he was nominated and chosen by the Assembly a member of the " Council of Appointment," which council had the ap- pointing of a great portion of the civil, military, and judi- cial officers of the State. On the 24th of March, 1819, while the Erie and Champlain Canals were being constructed, he was made by the Legislature one of the Commissioners in charge of those works, with DeWitt Clinton, Stephen Van- Renssalaer, William C. Bouck, Samuel Youngs, and Myron Holley. Mr. Seymour held this office and was actively en- gaged in the discharge of its duties until the year 1833, having in the meantime and about the fall of the year 1819, moved with his family from Pompey Hill to Utica. In 1833
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he resigned the position of Canal Commissioner, and was chosen President of the Farmers' Loan and Trust Company of the city of New York, and continued its President until his death.
The change from an active life in the country to the se- dentary life of an office in the city of New York, destroyed his health, and he died at Utica in 1837. His wife survived him, living at the family residence in Utica, until her death in 1859. She was born at Monmouth, New Jersey, Feb. 18, 1785, and was a daughter of Colonel Jonathan Forman of that place, who at the age of 19, left Princeton College to join the revolutionary army, which he entered as lieut- enant, and in which he served throughout the war, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
The mother of Mrs Seymour, was a Ledyard, a niece of the Col. Ledyard who was in command at Fort Griswold, opposite New London, at the time of its capture and the massacre of its defenders by the British. About the year 1797, Col. Forman moved with his family to Cazenovia, then a frontier settlement in Madison county. At that time there was no wagon road west from Whitestown, and in many places they were obliged to cut open the way, and it is said that the carriage of this party was the first con- veyance of the kind that passed beyond the site of Whites- town. Col. Forman drove to Chittenango, and from there the family proceeded to Cazenovia on horseback. Col. For- man was accompanied by his brother, Major Samuel For- man, who subsequently resided in Syracuse, living to the age of 96. Miss Forman was married to Henry Seymour at Cazenovia, in 1807, their children were six in number, all of whom are now living, namely, Mary the wife of Mr. Rutger B. Miller, of Utica, Horatio Seymour, of Utica, Sophia, widow of Mr. Edward F. Shonnard, of Yonkers, Westchester county, John F. Seymour, of Utica, Helen, widow of Mr. Ledyard Lincklaen, of Cazenovia, and Julia, wife Mr. Roscoe Conkling, of Utica.
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HORATIO SEYMOUR.
Horatio Seymour, the eldest son of Henry Seymour, was born at Pompey Hill, in 1811. He studied law in the office of Judges Beardsley and Bronson, at Utica; was admitted to the bar and practiced a short time, but was soon diverted from this profession by the care of property left in his hands and by political studies and pursuits. As an advocate of the principles of the democratic party, he was elected a member of the assembly of this State in 1841; mayor of the city of Utica in 1842; chosen speaker of the assembly in 1845, and Governor of the State of New York in 1853-5.
In 1861, before the outbreak of the war, he endeavored to arrest it by counseling conciliatory measures towards the South. After the commencement of hostilities, he de- nounced the rebellion, and declared that his party meant with all their "powers of mind and person to support the Constitution and uphold the Union, to maintain the laws and to preserve the public faith."
In 1862 he was again elected Governor of the State. Early in 1863, when a portion of the republican press was threat- ening to supercede President Lincoln, the President was as- sured by a messenger from Governor Seymour, that the democratic party of the State of New York would sustain him in the exercise of his Constitutional powers as Presi- dent of the United States, against all comers. When arbi- trary and illegal arrests were agitating the people of the State and endangering the cause of the Union, the firmness of his opposition to these violations of personal liberty, and the measures taken by him to enlighten the public on the dangers which might ensue from a disregard of the rights of the humblest citizen, changed the current of opinion among republicans, and tended largely to put a stop to such unwise and unlawful measures.
In 1863, when the southern army entered Pennsylvania, he was called upon by President Lincoln for volunteers to protect that State and repel the invaders; in response he
ENDICOTT & OU LITH N Y
Mualio Seymour
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forwarded troops with such promptness and energy that Mr. Stanton, Secretary of War, twice telegraphed the thanks of President Lincoln. The State of New York dur- ing his administration, furnished her full share of troops in the United States army. His policy was to restore the Union and at the same time to maintain the constitution of the State of New York and the rights of its citizens. In July, 1863, when a conscription upon the cities of New York and Brooklyn (which subsequent investigation proved to be unjust) caused the assemblage of an angry and frantic mob at the City Hall, Governor Seymour appeared on the steps of the City Hall, unprotected by any military force, and by a few words of assurance that he would protect their rights, induced the people to disperse. He was much criti- cised for addressing the excited multitude as his friends, but his words separated the well meaning from those in the mob whose intentions were evil, and some of them became conservators of the city.
He was president of the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, in August, 1864. He was again nominated in 1864 as the candidate for Governor of the State, but was defeated by Reuben E. Fenton. He was again president of the National Democratic Convention at New York, July 4, 1868, and nominated as its candidate for President of the United States, but was defeated by General Grant. Since that time Governor Seymour has devoted his attention chief- ly to agricultural pursuits, and to the advancement of the farming interests of the country.
HENRY WALTER DEPUY,
son of Jacob Rutson DePuy and Polly Clement, was born in Pompey, Sept. 1820. His first rudiments of education were obtained at the common district school, which were perfected at the " Old Academy."
He learned the art of printing of the Rev. D. D. Rudd, of Auburn, and soon edited and published the Fayetteville
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Tinies, 1836. He next read law with the late Hicks Wor- den, and was admitted to practice. The profession was dis- tasteful and he resumed journalism, and edited for a time the Cortland Democrat, and while yet a minor. He removed to Albion, Orleans Co., and while here married Theodosia Thomas, of Lewiston. He next sought the " Great West," and edited papers in Indianapolis, LaFayette, Ind., and Rockford, Ills., all we believe in support of the Liberty party.
He was the author of several biographical and historical works, among them "KOSSUTH and His Generals, with a Brief History of Hungary," with an introduction by HENRY J. RAYMOND. This work was submitted to the great Hun- garian agitator himself, and carefully examined by Mr. PULSKY, his private secretary, who pronounced it the most correct account of the subjects treated of then extant. He was also author of " Louis Napoleon and His Times, with a Memoir of the Bonaparte Family ;" and " Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Heroes of '76, with the Early History · of Vermont." He was private secretary to Governor SEY- MOUR during his term of 1853-4, and subsequently served as consul to Carlsruhe, and was appointed secretary of le- gation at Berlin, which place he resigned to take part in the political struggle of 1860. He was appointed Secretary of Nebraska by President LINCOLN, and organized that Ter- ritory. He served as the first speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, and was also Indian agent to the Pawnees under President LINCOLN, devoting much time to an effort to reform the Indian service of the Government. He was a constant contributor to the political press and the author of several popular poems. Died in New York Feb. 2d, 1876.
ORAN --- HISTORICAL.
In the vicinity of Oran, in Pompey, an old man remarka- bly well preserved and having a clear memory of the early history of that portion of the town lives, Elias Barnes, upon the farm upon which he was born in 1796. From Stock- bridge, Mass., his father Asa Barnes came to Pompey, and purchased this farm in 1793. Phineas Barnes and Roswell Barnes, brothers of Asa, also came at the same time. In the early part of 1794 they brought their families, arriving at their new home March 5th, of that year, coming by the way of Albany and Utica. The land upon which they set- tled is upon Lot No. 11 of the original survey of the town. Job Bartholimew settled in 1793, upon the west part of the same lot. Daniel Thomas and Capt. Peck settled about the same time, on Lot No. 22. Thomas Foster and James Sco- ville, the father of Joseph Scoville, also settled near the present village of Oran, on Lot No. 11. Joseph Scoville now (1875,) owns the original farm upon which his father settled but lives on Lot No. 10. James Midler who was a revolutionary soldier, and the grand-father of Columbus C. Midler, of Pompey, and of Philip P. Midler of De Witt, came with his brothers Christopher and Philip, about the year 1800, and occupied his soldier claim. Two sisters also came and one married a Mr. Horton, and the other, Betsey, married Daniel Candee, who is dead, but she now resides in Manlius. Geo. Clark who was the first merchant in Oran, and the first teacher, and who was the father of Brunson Clark, of Pompey, settled shortly after on the farm where Morgan Lewis now lives. Charles Thomas settled where Sandford Lewis resides. Deacon Hart Capt.
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Pundason Avery and Wm. Barnes settled in the vicinity where S. B. Safford now lives. Shubel Safford, the father Silas B. Safford, settled on Lot No. 10. Francis Hale in 1802, purchosed of Judge Butler, and settled on Lot No. 12, Noah Palmer add Mr. Tripp of whom David Scoville purch- ased, had settled in this locality. Selah Goodrich reclaimed and settled the land where Mr. Bowen now lives.
The first hotel put up at Oran, was built by Job Bartholi- mew, about 1796, and by him kept till 1808. In 1809, another hotel was erected on the site of the present hotel, and was kept by Wm. Scoville. The first school house was erected at Oran, about 1800, and Geo. Clark was the teach- er. A church was erected in 1808, and called " The Pleas- ant Valley Congregational Church." The first physician was Dr. Daniel D. Denison, who came about the year 1810, and remained till his death, about 20 years ago. He was the father of Dr. H. D. Denison and William Denison, of Syracuse, and D. D. Denison, of Oran. In an early day, Oran was a more thriving business place than at present, as well as most of the other villages in Onondaga county. About 1810, there were at Oran, two stores, two hotels, two , blacksmith shops, a wagon maker shop, two tanneries, a grist-mill, a distillery, an ashery and more inhabitants than now.
REMINISCENCES.
The following papers, furnished by James W. Gould, of Syracuse, from the original manuscript among the old relics of his father, who was a pioneer of the original town of Pompey, are deemed worthy of a place in this book:
A RESOLVE OF THE SUPERVISORS AT THEIR MEETING IN SCIPIO.
Resolved, That the following recommendations be trans- mitted to the different towns in this county by their respec- tive Supervisors, viz :-
WHEREAS, The Supervisors of the County of Onondaga have found many inconveniences by the various modes taken in the different towns in assessing the ratable property in the county, have thought it a duty to recommend to the assessors of each respective town next to be chosen in said towns, a mode of taking the valuation of property which appears to us the most elligible in our local situation, desir- ing this to be publicly read at the next annual town meet- ing, which uniform mode will render the next Board of Supervisors, our successors in office, more capable of doing justice in levying taxes in our infant State, viz :- Estimate as follows:
Improved lands of a medium quality, 20s per acre
Working Oxen of a medium quality, €16 per yoke Cows of a medium quality, -. £5 per piece
Young Cattle of 3 years old and under, 20s per year
Horses of a medium quality, £10 per piece
Colts, 3 years and under,
40s per year
Hogs that will weigh 100 weight, 20s per piece
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.
Negro Men £50 per head
Negro Wenches, £30 per head
Grist Mills, £50 per piece
Saw Mills, £30 per piece
And those articles of an inferior or superior quality in pro-
portion, and other ratable property in like proportion.
The Board further recommends to the consideration of the different towns, the following mode in taking the assess- ment, viz :- That each person holding ratable property shall give in to the assessor a list of his or her ratable property or estate, in writing, agreeable to the request of the assessor, which will be an avoucher for the assessor, and prevent any aspertions of injustice of being taxed unequally by those having that part of duty to do in society.
The Board also recommends to assessors that they com- pletely make out their list of assessment by the first of May, as the law directs, so that the Supervisors may be enabled to proceed on their business at their first meeting, and save the county costs.
And further, we also recommend to the towns to adopt a uniform mode of granting a bounty on wolves, and render the reward of each man in his exertions for the destruction of these animals. Therefore, with submission, we think a reward of forty shillings, in addition to the bounty allowed by the county, to be adequate for the bounty of each wolf.
The Board submits the above recommendations to the consideration of the several towns within this county of Onondaga.
By order of the Board.
COMFORT TYLER, CLERK.
A true copy for the town of Pompey.
SCIPIO, December 20th, 1795.
We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Bloomingvale, in the town of Mexico, county of Herkimer and State of New York, taking into consideration the importance of the edu-
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cation of youth, as well to prepare them for a discharge of those religious duties which we owe our God, our neigh- bors and ourselves, as to gain that knowledge of letters which they may need to carry them happily and usefully through life, which is, (to use the expression of the cele- brated Dr. Watts,) one of the greatest blessings that ever God bestowed on the children of men, have associated, and by these presents do enter into a solemn compact for the laudable purposes aforesaid, hereby pledging our good faith each to the other to carry the following objects into execu- tion under the following regulations :-
First, That we will build a school house at Bloomingvale aforesaid, at or near the fork of the Genesee road with the road leading to Mr. Gold's, adjacent to the stream of water leading by the house of Mr. Rust; the size and fashion of which said house, and the time in which the same shall be completed to be determined on by a meeting for that pur- pose at the place aforesaid, on Monday, the second day of September next.
Secondly, That we will on the day aforesaid, appoint a committee, or otherwise provide to carry the result of our then regulations into execution.
Thirdly, That we will contribute to and bear an equal proportion, according to our number, in erecting and com- pleting the said house.
Fourthly, That the said building when so completed shall be held and considered as our private property, jointly and severally; and that each proprietor shall be at liberty at any and all times, to dispose of his share to any person or per. sons who support the character or characters of good, whole- some citizens, first, however, giving the refusal to the asso- ciation.
Fifthly, That as soon as the said building is completed we shall, if possible, procure a teacher for the said school, for such salary or salaries and in such way as may appear the most eligible to insure the objects of this association,
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which shall be made up and paid by us in such proportion as may be judged equitable and right.
Sistlly, That all future regulations and arrangements necessary to answer the above objects, shall be legal and binding on the whole, provided two-thirds of the association assent and agree thereto.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands, this twenty-second day of July, one thousand, seven hun- dred and ninety-three, (1793.)
MOSES DEWITT, BENJAMIN MOREHOUSE, ICHABOD LATHROP, SAMUEL YOUNGLOVE, DANIEL KEELER,
JEREMIAH GOULD,
THOMAS GASTON,
JOHN TILLOTSON,
THOMAS DIXON,
ELIJAN RUST,
COMFORT TYLER,
WM. HASKINS,
OLIVER OWEN,
JOSEPH WOODWORTII, THOMAS WHITE.
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ENDICO,. X PP .ITH NY.
Additional Biographies.
SAMUEL BAKER.
Samuel, eldest child of Nathaniel and Lydia (Tallmadge) Baker, was born at East Hampton, Suffolk County, L. I., October 2d, 1793. Died at Pompey, N. Y., Ang. 8, 1874.
The subject of this sketch, was the sixth in descent from Judge Thomas Baker, of East Hampton, L. I. It cannot be doubted that he received his training and character princi- pally at the hands of his mother, Lydia Tallmadge. She was the daughter of one of the Deacons of Mr. Buel's church, of East Hampton, and was a woman of the greatest sweetness, simplicity, and yet strength of character. Deprived, as she was, for so many years of her life, of her hearing, and singu- larly retiring and modest in disposition, she was yet known throughout the town of Pompey, where so much of her life was spent, as ready for every good word and work.
In 1798, Mr. Nathaniel Baker and his family removed from East Hampton to Balston, Saratoga County. In 1806, they removed to Pompey. Deacon Baker used often to tell that as they drove into the village, coming from the Oriska- ney reservation by the State road, leading from Cazenovia and Green's Corners, he saw the frame of the Academy stand- ing gaunt and skeleton-like against the sky, as they drove past it. His father soon purchased the red building at the north- west corner of the green, which had been erected in part as
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a store house for grain purchased, and also the farm which has been ever since in the possession of the family.
As the Academy in Pompey was still unendowed and un- finished, young Baker was compelled to seek his education elsewhere. He pursued a full course of study at the Acade- my in Clinton, finishing his studies there with the last class which was sent forth before its charter as " Hamilton Col- lege" took effect. Returning to Pompey in about 1812, he proposed to devote himself to the profession of the law. He entered the office of S. S. Baldwin, Esq., where he pursued the study of the law for more than two years. Either the study or the surroundings, however, proved not to his taste. About that time, Mr. Morris desired his assistance for a time in his store; and he left the law office apparently for a few weeks only, but as it proved, for a permanent occupa- tion. After a clerkship of considerable length in the store, he became interested in it, and subsequently, sole proprie- tor of it ; though he called to his assistance at various times, Mr. N. Andrews, Mr. L. B. Pitcher, &c., finally retiring from the business in 1841; having then, as it was said, been employed as a merchant longer than any other person in the County. On the 21st of Sept., 1819, he was married to Phile- na Hascall, fifth daughter of Joseph Hascall, of Pawlet, Vt., for forty years Deacon of the Baptist church, there. She died August 17th, 1842. On the 3d Dec., 1826, Mr. Baker and his wife became members of the Congregational church in Pompey. On the 26th April, 1840, he was chosen one of the Deacons of the church, and officiated as such till the time of his death, having been absent, it is believed, but a single communion service, and that only a few weeks before his death.
At a very early period Mr. Baker was chosen one of the trustees of Pompey Academy, and served for many years in that capacity, being usually one of the Prudential Commit- tee. Deacon Baker was a man of affable spirit, of sound judgment, a kind husband, and loving father; a citizen faithful in every relation of life. His life was, in fact, iden-
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tified thoroughly with the church, of which he was for near- ly 40 years one of the most laborious and useful members. He was, almost literally, never absent from his place in the prayer meeting and in the church. And no church could have a more thoroughly consistent or devoted member. He wore his religion as a daily garment. With him, christiani- ty was not a theory, but a practical, heartfelt, daily expe- rience. His whole nature was moulded by it, and his whole life was absorbed in it. It was at once his work, his life, and his joy. Most strictly conscientious, always pursuing the golden rule, it was not strange that no man should have aught to say against him. He who never spake ill of any one, might well enjoy the enviable distinction of having no one speak ill of him. The thoroughness of his conversion, reaching not only his moral nature, but extending to all his possessions, seemed to make it both easy and natural for him to live a truly christian life. This latter life was marked by no special exaltation or depression, but was calm, steadfast, consistent, faithful and always peaceful. His nat- ural courtesy, his sterling good sense, and his equable tem- per, made him an admirable counsellor, a reliable friend, and a true peace maker. He married for his second wife Miss Eunice B. Birdseye, of Cornwall, Ct., who survives him. The children who survive him, (all of the first mar- riage,) are as follows :
1. Henry H. Baker, living in the homestead; 2. Cathar- ine M., wife of Lucien Birdseye, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; 3. Tallmadge Baker, formerly a merchant in New York city, and now resident in South Norwalk, Ct .; 4. Mrs. Frances S., wife of Thomas Sherwood, Jr., of Kalamazoo, Mich .; 5. D. Kellogg Baker, merchant, of New York city; 6. James S. Baker, merchant, of New York city.
JESSE BUTLER.
Jesse Butler, son of Ebenezer Butler, Sen., was born in Bradford, Conn., Oct. 30, 1764.
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He was married in 1786, to Miss Louisa Soper, by whom he had eight children-Riley, Merit, Lucinda, Orange, Gould, Louisa, Maria D., and Jesse S. The first three were born in Connecticut. Orange was the first white male child born within present limits of the town of Pompey.
Mr. B. came to Pompey in the Spring of 1792, and bought of his brother, Ebenezer Butler, Jr., one hundred acres of land. He remained through the summer, made a small clearing, and put up a small log house on the knoll near a spring of water, a little to the north of the house now, (1873) owned and occupied by Mr. Horatio S. Birdseye. He re- turned to Connecticut, in the fall of same year; and the next spring, March, 1793, returned in company with Geo. Catlin and their families, and made Pompey their home.
Their families and effects were brought hither on a sled drawn by oxen-of which each owned one. They wended their way from Whitestown, largely aided by marked trees. Each of the two women having young children to care for.
During his life Mr. B. was a farmer-always in good health, rarely, if ever, gone from his home and family for 24 hours together. IIe and his wife kept house for 60 years.
In 1847 or 8, they sold the farm and moving to Fabius, spent the remainder of their lives with their daughter Lou- isa-Mrs. Ella W. Boss. Mr. B. died Nov. 30, 1856, aged 92 years. Mrs. Butler lived till the next April, 1857, when she died, aged 92 years and 9 months. She was one of the few original members of the Congregational church, in Pom- pey, and for more than 61 years and till her death, a com- municant in that church.
Of their children, Riley Butler was born in Harwington, Conn. He was about five years of age when with his father, he came to Pompey. Was married in 1811, to Rachel Fris- bee, of Harwington. He moved from Pompey to Albion, Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1824. His wife died at Albion, leav- ing six children. He afterwards moved to Mich., to a place
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about 18 miles from Detroit. He died about the year 1869. The children are now living in Chicago, and in the State of Mich.
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