USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > Settlement in the West : sketches of Rochester with incidental notices of western New-York > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
Chairmakers- Sylvester H. Packard ; H. Brown and A. Decker, chair-seat-makers. Breweries-There are three; one conducted by Nathan Lyman ; another by J. & G. Longmoor ; and the third by Mathias B. Sparks.
Distilleries-Three: Amos Sawyer ; Epaphras Wolcott ; Hooker, Bunnel, & Co. Scalemaker, patent platform-Robert L. M.Collum. This is a valuable invention, and is superseding other kinds of scales in some of our principal mills, factories, and stores. Those who want should examine this plan before buying.
Piano and Music rooms-Bryant C. Brown ; HI. Warner.
Mill-iron-makers-Martin Briggs : such irons also made at the furnaces of L. Selye, Keiopsliall & Bush, &c. Burr-millstone Factory-Kempshall & Bush.
Millbuilders-Robert Dalzell has had the superintendence of the erection of ten of the principal mills, as mentioned in the article about mills.
Wood Pumpmaker-Daniel Stocking. Patent. Pumps-Charles Foster.
Pail, Tub, and Churn Factory, by machinery-Jolin and Robert Braithwaite; by hand, Lahan Bunker, &c. Powder-factory-Parsons and Sparks.
Variety Stores-Henry Scrantom; Ptolemy P. Thayer; Cyrus L. Sherman.
*375
OTHER BRANCHES OF BUSINESS.
Shoe dealers and makers-Abner Wakelee; J. & G. Gould ; O. Sage and E. Pan- coast ; Jesse and Isaac Congdon : Ireland and Collins : George Shale ; Enos Trayhern ; Stephen Y. Alling ; Frink and Wilson ; Isaac Leonard : Garret and Adam M. Brown- ell ; E. H. Grover ; Win. Brown ; Edward Coffin : Randal Andrews, and others.
Saddle and Harness makers and dealers-John Watts ; William E. Lathrop ; Abra- ham A. Haven ; Edward Jennings & John Robbins; Joseph Propet; Eggleston and Squier ; E. T. Raymond. Ropemaker-William B. Griswold.
Bridge-builders-Moses Long, agent for Col. Long's Patent; M' Arthur & Mahan. Coach and Carriage Makers-George Hanford and Jacob Witbeck ; William Dixon ; John Scoby and Gaius Lane ; Tiffany Hunn.
Wagonmakers, &c .- C. C. Lunt ; Johnson M. Southwick ; Thos. Housam ; II. Rue. Wheelbarrows, &c .- E. T. Bolles and Company.
Coach-trimmer-Wm. Jewell. Coach-painters-George A. Evans ; George Arnold. Coachsmiths and Carriage-spring-makers -- John Jones ; John Tompkins.
Lead-pipe and Pump makers-Carter and Sanborn.
Locks-new patent, E. B. Smith ; an invention highly spoken of by competent judges. Shoe-peg Machinery-Jacob Shumway ; N. Nichols ; Atkinson and Birch. Trivial as such machinery may appear, it converts a few cords of wood into several thou- sand dollars annually. Carding-machine-makers-E. Lee & Son.
Looking-glass-makers, &c .- John 11. Thompson ; William G. Griffin.
Saleratus Manufacture-Austin Church ; Hooker & Coukey ; Epaphras Wolcott.
Stockmakers-Royal Wright ; M. Babcock.
Thrashing machines-J. IIall.
Iron-square-maker-E. Q. Wright.
Machine Pattern-makers-William A. Langworthy ; David Tuttle.
Tobacco-factories-Walter S. Griffith ; Richard Ketchum.
Upholsterer, Mattress-maker, &c .- William Brewster.
Umbrella and Parasol maker-John Ilumphries.
Glue-factory-J. and J. D. Hawkes-also, sandpaper.
Silversmiths-James P. Steele, Samuel W. Lee.
Silver-plater-George Tharp.
Carriage and House Plater-John II. Quin.
Wood-turners-George R. Lee ; J. E. Lee ; J. Copland. Wood-turning is also done in connexion with cabinet-making in other establishments.
Hairworkers and Perfumers-John Sears ; John Robinson ; Sage and Baird. Boot-tree and Last Turners-N. Nichols and Co. ; H. Wing and G. F. Wing. Lathmill-Charles Hotchkiss and David Osborn.
Marble-dressers-Zebulon Hebard; Leonard B. Shears; George King.
Stave and Plank dressing-Edward Jones .. Machines are erected for dressing staves, and for planing and grooving plank ready for flooring, &c. Worth seeing. Turners, iron-Z. Stetson ; John Colby.
Confectioners-A. Hubbell ; Jas. Bond ; J. Dawley ; P. and J. Connelly ; F. Plumb. Combmakers-Martin Albro and Mason Tafft ; W. W. Kenyon and M. Blackman. Carpetweaver-David Dixon. Carpetloom-maker-William Stebbins.
Fanning-mill and Cradle makers-James Myers ; Joseph Harris ; E. W. Bryan. Glovemakers, etc .- Reuben Leonard ; Philander Gregory.
Spirit-levels and plumbs-J. E. Eldred & Co. This is a valuable article in its way. Augermaker-William Walker. Brushmaker-John Holbrook.
Planemakers-James S. Benton ; Evan Evans ; L. Kennedy, Jr. Screwmaker, wood-A. Isbell.
Saddler's toolmaker-S. A. Hebard.
Sash and Blind makers, and door-mortising, by machinery-Joseph Johnson ; Wakeman Burr. Sash, fancy sash and blinds, by hand, David H. Traphagen.
Scale-board, for bandboxes, book-covers, Se .- J. and R. Braithwaite.
Washing-machine-makers-G. Levingworth and R. Beach ; J. Torrey ; J. Johnson. Water-wheel, patent-J. E. Lee, maker and agent.
Blacksmith-shops-C. II. Bicknell ; Wm. Simpson ; J. Kavanagh : Levi Walker ; Nathan Picket ; Charles S. Sharp ; Robert M. Boorman; Gaius Huntley; James Lane; E. Tillotson ; Wm. Johnston ; David I. Jones; Griffin Dunkin ; John Colby ; Thomas Baird ; F. H. Shardlow, and several others.
Livery-stables-Joseph Christopher; B. M. Baker; George Charles ; Alex. Shaw ; E. N. Pettee; Peter Tone: W. Norton. From these stables carriages are always to be found during the day, excepting the Sabbath, in the street, near the Courthouse, for the convenience of persons wishing to take rides around the city. Christopher's stable was formerly the theatre; and Baker's stable is of mammoth size.
Surveyors and Civil Engineers-In addition to those mentioned in connexion with the canals and railroads, Elisha Johnson ; Silas Cornell ; Valentine Gill ; M. M. Hall ; S. W. Ilall; Charles B. Petrie ; Orville W. Childs.
Professors of Music-B. Hill ; E. Walker; B. C. Brown, and Mr. Dana.
Omissions-The Erie and Ohio Canal Line (S. Rieh & Co. agents at Rochester) was omitted in the article about Transportation. The name of D. Haines was omit- ted in the list of surgeon dentists in the article about the Medical Profession, and that of E. A. Hopkins from the list of attorneys in the article on the Bar of Rochester.
376*
SKETCHES OF ROCHESTER, ETC.
Hotels of Rochester.
There are upward of thirty taverns-" some of which," as the Albany Journal re- marked, " would reflect credit on any city." The larger portion of the remainder af- ford comfortable accommodation to the multitude of visiters from the surrounding country, and to the travellers by canal, lake, stage, and railroad.
Eagle Tavern, by Kilian H. Van Rensselaer ; Rochester House, by Charles Mor- ton ; Monroe House, by Henry F. West ; United States Hotel, by George Gates. Of these four, engravings are annexed, and render description needless.
Mansion House, by Henry Whitbeck; Clinton House, by Isaac Ashley ; Spring- street House, hy Mrs. Ensworth ; Arcade House, by Thomas Watson ; North Ameri- can . Hotel, by William C. Green ; Fourth Ward House, by Lemuel Hatch ; Blossom Hotel, by Simon Ashley; Rensselaer House, by P. Tone; Tavern, by A. J. Alex- ander ; Ontario House, by Jonathan Lee; Brighton Hotel ; Farmer's Hotel, by A. Green ; Carthage Tavern, by J. Poppino ; Cottage Tavern, by J. Ilubbard ; Frank- fort House; Cornhill Tavern; Tavern, by C. C. Lunt; Western Hotel, by Russel Roach; Tavern, by M. Omaley; Wolcot Tavern, by Benjamin Clark ; Tavern, by Ray Marsh ; Tavern, by Wm. J. M'Cracken; Cordial House, by D. Wescott ; Tav- ern, by P. Bucklay ; Railroad House, by Power & Lux ; Tavern, Main-street, by R. Murdock; Tavern, Sophia-street, by John Swift; Third Ward House, by Abner Sherman ; Tavern, St. Paul-street, by J. Polly.
Railroad Recess, by Henry Kilfoyle; Recess, Front-street, by O. Hayes ; Recess, Main-street, by Wm. M. Hawkins; City Recess, by John Hawkins.
Bathing-houses.
There are two bathing establishments in the city ; one of which is well supplied with mineral water-the other has been, but is not now, as some change in the course of the waters under ground has given a supply of fresh water. One of these is in Buffalo-street, between Sophia and Washington; the other on the east bank of the river, connected with the brewery of Messrs. Longmoor. The patronage of both establishments is increasing with the population, and as people learn to appreciate the secrets of health. The springs which supply these bathing-houses are mentioned in connexion with various mineral springs, among the geological notices in this volume. Lake Ontario, and the river without the city limits, are considerably re- sorted to for bathing.
The City Reading-rooms
Are in the second story of Loomis's Building, next south of the Rochester City Bank. Here, in one room, may be found daily supplies of the prominent newspapers from different parts of the United States; and in another room, with a library that will shortly be much increased, there are also to be found a regular supply of the prominent magazines and reviews of Great Britain and the United States. The rooms are well lighted every evening, save the Sabbath, till 10 o'clock. From the convenient location, a central spot in a pleasant street, and from the good regulations observed in the establishment, these reading-rooms are becoming much frequented. Lectures have been delivered here twice a week during the winter by various gentle- men, before the Young Men's Association, by whom these reading-rooms were arranged and are chiefly supported, as stated more particularly in the article about that association. The librarian, who has charge of the Reading-rooms, is Daniel Moore, whose fidelity in observing the regulations for the government of the institu- tion is worthy of notice. There is a notice at the bottom of the printed " regulations," which is deserving of insertion here, for the benefit of travellers who may visit Rochester, and who may wish to spend an evening more pleasantly than circum- stances often permit in the best-regulated tavern :
IP " Strangers
"Can be introduced to the City Reading-rooms by applying to the landlords of the hotels ; and they may find abundant supplies of newspapers from various quarters of the Union, and from the Canadas. The principal reviews and magazines, American and European, are regularly received at these rooms ; and these also, with the use of the Library, are for the use gratuitously of all strangers thus introduced," &c.
The members and subscribers have free access to the lectures, as well as to the library, reviews, and magazines. The prospects of the institution are every way encouraging.
EACLE TAVERN.
HI
K.H V
IBANK . MUNHOE
FC.LOWE
EAGLE TAVERN, ROCHESTER-Corner View.
Kept by Kilian H. Van Rensselaer-built of brick, forming a hollow square-corner of Buffalo and State streets.
PACKETS IFL UTICR ET
PILOT LINEN
CHILD
FCLOWE
ROCHESTER HOUSE.
Kept by Charles Morton-in Exchange-street, south of and adjoining the Erie Canal, at the west end of the great Aqueduct. Built chiefly of stone, with a wing on Spring-street.
MONROE HOUST
F. Line
MONROE HOUSE-Corner View.
Kept by H. F. West-corner of Buffalo and Fitzhugh streets, a few rods west of Eagle Tavern, and opposite the Court- house.
UNITED
STATES
HOTEL
UNITED STATES HOTEL. Kept by George Gates. The Tonnewanta Railroad termination and the junction of the Erie and Genesee Valley Canals are close to this Hotel. Built of brick and stone, with a wing extending to the rear.
----
THE NEW MARKET OF ROCHESTER.
Main building, 200 feet long-wings, each 80 feet-total length 360 feet. Built of stone and brick. Fronting on Front and
*377
THE NEW MARKET, COURTHOUSE, ETC.
The New Market.
This cdifice is creditable to the city. There is but one market-house in the Union, and that is in Boston, which can be compared with this market in its general arrange- ments. The appearance of the building is shown in the accompanying engraving. The edifice is built of stone and brick : it is about 200 feet long, extending along the west bank of the Genesee River-the waters washing its basement, and affording facilities for cleansing the building. The wings extend about 80 feet from either end on the west side-thus forming three sides of a square fronting on Front-street, and having a new street called Market-street opened in front of it up to State-street. The location is about equidistant between the canal aqueduct and the Main Falls, a few rods north of the main bridge. The edifice is substantially as well as tastefully constructed -- the basement story being ot' cut stone and the superstructure of brick. The parts of the main building and wings fronting on the square are supported by square stone columns, with large doors and windows, arranged with green blinds, and presenting an appearance unsurpassed by the lower part of any range of stores in the city. The stalls are arranged on the east side of the main building and on the north and south sides of the wings, which are all connected-there being an ample passage-way between the stalls and the tront of the building. Each stall on the east side opens by a door upon the long balcony which overlangs the river ; and thus is secured free ventilation as well as facilities for cleansing the building. Taken altogether, the construction and management of the building is creditable to the corporation and to the occupants of the stalls, as the judgment of the latter was consulted in the building, and their neatness is manifested by the manner in which they observe the regulations of the market. Indeed, so tastefully arranged is the concern (which can be all closed as tight as a parlour in winter), that it would hardly be out of character should our friends of the cleaver conclude to carpet the whole market for the reception of cus- tomers. The temperature is made pleasant in winter by stoves ; and the building is well lighted by the corporation on market nights. Should any of the New-York or Philadelphia gentlemen butchers visit Rochester when on their fashionable tours to the falls, &c., the perfection of this new market will probably cause them to " strike" for better edifices on returning to their respective cities.
The basement story is well fitted for packing beef, besides serving for a fish market, &c. The space in front of the edifice may serve temporarily for a vegetable market, but we hope the corporation will purchase ampler grounds for that purpose. With such an addition, the Rochester New Market would be perfect in its kind. It may be added that the building cost about $25,000; that the length of the wings, added to that of the main building, makes a total of about 350 feet-that the masonry was erected by Richard Gorsline, and the woodwork finished by Nehemiah Osborn and Brother. The building committees during its construction consisted of Aldermen Joseph Strong, L. K. Faulkner, Warham Whitney, Wm. H. Ward, and Ilestor L. Stevens-to whose good taste, and to that of the other members of the corporation, approbation is justly due.
This meat market is now occupied by B. W. Durfee, Jacob Thorn, Edward Frost, Samuel Moulson, William J. Southerin, Alonzo Frost, Edward Champeney, Gilman Leavitt, John Quin, Martin Wilson, Asa Weston, Spencer Davis, Clark Wilbur, and M. Veeder. There is a small market farther north, called Frankfort Market.
The Courthouse in Rochester
Is situated on a large lot bestowed for county purposes by Rochester, Fitzhugh, and Carroll, the proprietors of the Hundred-acre Tract. It is a stone building. 60 by 70 feet, two stories high, besides a basement floor for offices, &c. The corporation of the city and the mayor's court are accommodated with a room occupying half of the first story. The county courtroom occupies the whole of the second story.
A city hall is much wanted to accommodate the various officers of the city and to promote the convenience of the citizens who have business with them.
The Jail of Monroe County
Is built in the southern part of the city of Rochester, so close to the river that the waters wash its eastern foundation wall. The whole building is of stone, and is 100 feet long by 40 feet wide. The main prison is 60 by 40 feet ; and in it is a block of cells two tiers high, and forty in number. These cells are four feet wide, eight feet Iong, and seven feet high. Above them is a room the whole size of this prison, 60 by 40, which will, in time, be finished into cells of larger size. The jailer's dwelling, which forms part of the edifice, is 40 feet square and three stories high, the first and second stories of which are occupied by him ; the third story being divided into seven rooms, intended for debtors, but used at present for the confinement of women and for men charged with light offences. This class of men are commonly employed in turning various articles, in making furniture, in tailoring, shoemaking, and weaving. During the last summer, the men under sentence were employed in breaking stone in
32*
378*
SKETCHES OF ROCHESTER, ETC.
the yard ; the lowest number thus employed in the yard at any one time was 15, and the highest 38. The average number of prisoners in the whole jail for the year ending on the 4th of October, 1837, was about 50; the highest number at any one time was 91 and the lowest 23. Edwin Avery, the late jailer, kept in the yard a man and a boy to assist in governing the prisoners engaged in outdoor work. All the prisoners inside were solely managed by hiniself. It gives us great pleasure to be able to bear testimony to the exemplary manner in which Mr. Avery discharged his duties, not merely as a public officer, but as a humane citizen. He deserves much credit for meliorating the condition of the prisoners by inducing them to labour voluntarily in various useful ways, and for endeavouring to promote the education of boys and other prisoners who could conveniently be taught in the upper part of the building. In these efforts he was seconded by Mr. Elias Pond, the late sheriff; and we doubt not that the present sheriff, Darius Perrin, will cordially co-operate with the present jailer, Ephraim Gilbert, in continuing efforts so happily begun for improving the con- dition of the vicious or unfortunate who may be thrown in their charge. The benev- olent among our citizens, male and female, should not fail to visit occasionally, and aid in promoting the good work. The examples of Howard, and Eddy, and Mrs. Fry, are worthy of all emulation. The proper authorities should lose no time in enclosing the whole of the fine lot on which the jail is situated, that thus greater facilities may be afforded for employing the prisoners, to the improvement of morals and preserva- tion of health. In considering the number of prisoners, it should be borne in mind that the county from which they are collected is exceeded in population by only four counties in the state.
Bridges of Rochester.
There is a sufficiency of bridges across the canal ; but those across the river are not what they ought to be, nor sufficiently numerous. We are rather " behind the intelli- gence of the age" in this latter matter. There are now but two bridges across the river in the city, and none between the city and Lake Ontario. However, there is a prospect that we shall soon have a full supply in this respect. A law exists authorizing a tax for rebuilding the main bridge; that which connects Buffalo-street on the west side with Main-street on the east side of the river. A new bridge will be erected in the summer of 1838 midway between the main bridge and the Main or Middle Falls, to connect Mumford-street on the west side with Andrews-street on the east side. We are intormed that the proprietors of the third water-power will about the same time erect a bridge to connect their tract with a street running down the west bank beside the mills of Warham Whitney & Co. A bridge is projected in the southerly part of the city, to cross somewhere about the dam which supplies the races at the first falla or rapids near the jail. The railroad bridge of the Rochester and Auburn Company, which is to be immediately built, will cross the river a few rods south of the Main or Middle Falls, near the dam which supplies Gibbs's Mills on the east side and Brown's Race on the west side ; and will be so arranged as to furnish conveniences for foot-passengers. The new aqueduct will have a better footpath than the old one has ; so that a short time will render the communications by bridges between the op- posite sides of the river in Rochester as good as could reasonably be desired.
After Carthage Bridge fell, of which notice is elsewhere taken, a bridge was built at the Lower Falls, within a short distance of that stupendous work. This second bridge was swept away several years ago ; and another erected a couple of years ago near the same place shared a similar fate in the great food of 1835.
There was a toll-bridge formerly near where the Rochester and Auburn Railroad bridge will cross. It was erected in 1819 by Messrs. Mumford and Brown; but it soon became ruinous. It was used by foot-passengers even when it seemed rather hazardous ; and a remark made by the Duke of Saxe Weimar respecting it has occa- sionally recurred to us on noticing the defective condition of some other bridges. When about to cross for the purpose of viewing the falls in company with Colonel John H. Thompson and other gentlemen, the duke found that some of the timbers yielded to his pressure ; and hastily withdrawing, significantly declared that he had " a wife and children at home."
'The Tonnewanta Railroad Bridge across the Erie Canal on the west side of the river in Rochester is 178 feet in length; ita longest span is 120 feet between the bearings. It was built in 1836 by M'Arthur and Mahan, sub-agents of Dr. Moses Long, of Rochester, on Colonel S. II. Long's patent plan. "The important advantages possessed by Colonel Long's bridges over others are, that the strain on the important timbers is endwise, either by tension or thrust; and this, too, without any material strain or thrust against the abutments. Any defects which time may make can be re- paired with about the same facility as the putting in of the orginial timber." This bridge has certainly withstood well all the pressure of the heavy trains passing over it. A view of it is annexed. It may be remarked that the construction of the passenger cars present a different appearance from that of the cars on other railroads ; being built on a plan of Elisha Johnson, by which the baggage finds an apartment in the same car wherein the owners are seated,
TILOS
35
FC
Tonnewanta Railroad Bridge, across the Erie Canal in Rochester.
0
*379
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
STREETS OF ROCHESTER.
Within the last seven years, even the main streets of Rochester, cut up by the thousand wagons freighted with the products of the sur- rounding country, presented during most of the year a spectacle which caused the place to be jocularly called the "City of Mud." On this point, so essential to cleanliness, comfort, and health, there is now, in view of the recent improvements, much reason for gratification. The change effected is great indeed.
There are now within the city limits pavement and macadamization in streets and alleys, and sidewalks of brick and flagging, to an extent that renders locomotion less laborious than it was a few years ago.
Mr. J. M.Connell, a contractor of well-known energy in "mending our ways," has promptly complied with our request on the subject by furnishing the following statements of the progress and present condition of the street improvements in Rochester, above and under ground, for the extent of the sewers is worthy of particular notice. It will be per- ceived that most of the streets are of good width.
Those who may be curious in examining the minutia as well as extent of improvements in new settlements will probably pardon the occupa- tion of so much space with a " bill of particulars."
Street Improvements in Rochester prior to 1837.
Names of Streets Improved.
Width of Macad-
amizing.
Width of Paving.
Width of Side-
walks.
Length of Macad-
amizing.
Length of Paving.
Length of Brick
Sidewalk.
Buffalo-st., from Main Br. to Canal Br. from Canal Br. to burying ground from burying ground to city line Main-st., from Main Br. to Stilson.st. St. Paul-st., from Andrew-st. to Canal Br. Monroe-st., from Clinton to Alexander-st.
Feet.
Feet.
Feet.
Yards. 821
Yards.
Yards.
43
20
18
821
1645
22
20
12
700
700
1400
22
1183
50
12
650
1900
33
33
12
773
500
2546
22
22
10
800
800
1600
Alex-st. to city line
30
700
30
10
130
130
21
6
250
500
33
12
59
69
17
1144
300
2888
29
10
634
1268
59
69
17
120
240
700
And from Canal Bridge to Ann-st.
10
675
Fitzhugh-st., from Troup to Ann-st.
10
1400
Troup-st., from Fitzhugh to Sophia-st. Ann-st., from State to Elizabeth-st. . Elizabeth-st., from Buffalo to Ann-st.
10
366
10
200
24
120
15
300
15
300
15
300
North-st., from Main-st. North
15
275
10
South-st., from Court-st. South
10
7005 5556| 19,699
Total length of each in yards.
8
200
Works-st., from State to Front-st. . River Alley, from Works to Mumford-st. Pindle Alley, from Buffalo to Ann-st. . Montgomery Alley, fr. Buffalo to Ann-st. And from Spring to Troup-st.
10
1084
Clinton-st., from Court to Monroe-street " Court to Andrew-street Mortimer-st., from St. Paul to Clinton-st. Court-st., from Clinton to Exchange-st. State-st., from Buffalo-st. to Lyel Road Spring-st., from Exchange to High-st. . Exchange-st , from Buffalo to Court-st. Sophia-st., from Spring to Adams-st. .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.