The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 112

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 112

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The village was in 1823 named Cornelia. In 1831 the name was changed to Clayton, which it has since retained. It was at one time very generally known as French Creek. In the primitive patent of Penet, the creek and hay are named Weteringhra Guentere.

The village is a terminal station on the Utica & Black River division of the R., W. & O. Railroad, and is a popular stopping place for visitors to the Thousand Islands, who pronounce a summer stay at Clayton the height of enjoyment and repose. Here within sight are many of the beautiful isles forming that most wondrous of archipela- goes-the Thousand Islands. The village was surveyed hy Clark W. Candee, in 1824, and re-surveyed in 1833 hy Oliver Child. It now contains five churches, one of the best graded schools in Jefferson county, two prosperous banks, several fine hotels, numer- ous manufacturing institutions, a weekly newspaper, telegraph, telephone and ex- press offices, electric light plant, and a popu- lation of about 2,000.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Hough's History of St. Lawrence County is authority for the statement that in 1799 there was a single log hut in this town, probably that of some lumber thieves, who plundered the frontier without restraint or limit during many years before any one ap- peared to show title. Mr. Nathan Ford, the pioneer of Ogdensburg, in a letter to Samuel Ogden on this subject, dated December 27, 1799, wrote :

"There are several persons now cutting timber upon the two upper townshipe. I have no authority to say anything about the matter ; hut vast injury will take place upon the townships, and if there are not measures taken immediately, not less than 30,000 or 40,000 staves, over and ahove the square timher which is now getting, that will be taken off. Mr. Wilkins took down the names of several who pre- tended to eettle ; their motive was only stealing off the timber. The thing is now working as I told him would be the case, and if something is not done about this business great destruction will arise. AD example ought to be made, and this cannot be done without sending an officer from Fort Stanwix. They have got the timher so holdly that they say there is no law that can be executed upon them here."

The first permanent settlement in this town was commenced in 1801 or 1802, by a Mr. Bartlett, at a place called Bartlett's Point, about a mile above Clayton village, at the mouth of French Creek. The point has re- cently been surveyed and laid out for sum- mer homes, and is known as Prospect Park. Bartlett had been placed here by Smith and Delamater, land agents at Chaumont, to keep a ferry to Gananoque, but after staying a year or two set fire to his house, so tradition says, and ran away by its light.

In the winter of 1803-04 Smith and Dela- mater undertook the erection of a saw-mill, near the mouth of Wheeler creek, upon which it was built. The expense attending this measure embarrassed them considerably, and contributed to their subsequent failure.

In 1816 Nathaniel Norton, Jr., who had previously been a merchant at Russia, N. Y.,

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came as agent for C. H. and E. Wilkes, owners of 12,000 acres on Penet Square, and adjoining the present village of Depau- ville. Soon after, David and Nathaniel Hol- brook came to the Falls, and with their father, under a contract with Alexander LeRay, the agent of Depau, erected a rude apology for a grist-mill, but upon failure of payment, the premises were sold in 1824 to Stephen John- son and Peter Martin, who had located as merchants and lumbermen. At this time there were but two or three log houses and the rude mills where Depauville now is.

In 1817 Phineas Osborn, father of Thomas S., Schuyler and Phineas A. Osborn, came in from Herkimer county and settled about three miles northwest of Depauville, on what is known as Elm Flat. In 1818 Jere Carter came in and settled near Clayton Cen- ter. He came with his father, who was a great hunter, and told marvelous tales of his hunting expeditions. In 1819 James G. Gloyd came in with his father, Amos, from Vermont, and settled on lot No. 39. In 1820 Adam Fry came from Denmark, Lewis county, and settled in this town. Gaylord Enos came in from Herkimer county in 1824, his first purchase of land being 50 acres from Depau. The first justice of the peace in the town was Gurdon Caswell, and he is be- lieved to be the first paper-maker in Water- town. [See allusion to him in article upon the Clayton Cemetery.]

Grindstone Island is one of the largest of the Thousand Islands, being more than five miles in length and from two to three in width. This island, with many others, was claimed by the St. Regis Indians at an early day, and leased by their agent to British sub- jects for a long term of years. Upon survey of the boundry in 1818, they were found to belong to our government, and in 1823, upon these Islands being patented by the State, in pursuance with an agreement with Macomb, difficulties arose that threatened for a time to result in serious measures, and which have been locally named as the War of Grind- stone Island. A quantity of pine timber had been cut and prepared for rafting, which was claimed by the patentee, but was refused to be given up by those in possession. Find- ing it probable that any attempt to serve legal papers upon the- parties alleged to be trespassers would be resisted, a detachment of militia from Lyme, under Captain S. Green, was called out. The timber had mostly been passed over into British waters, and after some firing the party in charge of the timber dispersed. One of the militiamen was accidentally killed by the discharge of his own gun. The question subsequently became a subject of litigation, and was finally settled by arbitration. The first court on Grindstone Island was held April 30, 1889, when S. H. Slate, justice of the peace, was called upon to investigate a charge of assault and battery between two women, sisters-in-law, whose husbands were employed in the quarries at Thurso. The

defendant in the case was fined $30, which was paid.

The islands in this vicinity have many associations connected with the War of 1812, and affairs growing out of the Patriot move- ment, which are detailed in their proper place. [See index.] During the embargo period of 1808, the old French road, that had been cut through from the High Falls to the river at this point, became a thoroughfare for teams laden with potash, and this contra- band trade continued with comparative im- punity till the commercial restriction was removed.

DEPAUVILLE.

DEPAUVILLE, named in honor of Francis Depau, an early settler here, is situated on Chaumont river, at the head of boat naviga- tion, six miles from Chaumont Bay. The place was once known as "Catfish Falls," and above the falls the river was known as " Catfish Creek." It has a telephone and ex- press from Chaumont, two churches (Method- ist Episcopal and Freewill Baptist), an hotel, grist-mill, saw-mill, several stores and shops, and a population of about 300. The first improvement here was made by Simon and Jared White, who came on as trespassers to get out lumber ; but, being warned off by the agent, left a quantity of hewn lumber and removed to Three Mile Point, on Chau- mont Bay, from which place they started, in May, 1817, for the West in an open boat. The party consisted of the brothers, their mother, wives and children-11 in all-and had arrived in Houndsfield, a mile or two beyond Sackets Harbor, where they put up for the night. After leaving this place they were never seen alive. Their boat was found robbed of household goods, several hundred dollars which the men had was gone, and their bodies exhibited unmistake- able marks of violence. The children were found drowned, but the bodies of the women were never found. The first house in this village was erected in 1818 by John Smith. The first store was kept by Peter B. Beadle, agent or clerk for Stephen Johnson. Melzar Fowler, father of Mrs. McCormick, of Chicago, was one of the early traders in Depauville. He lost his life in Watertown from an injury received from a bad-tempered horse.

The first mills were built in 1824; the first tavern was kept by one Winthrop in 1820, in which year, and in the same building, was also taught the first school. The first church edifice was built about 1825, by the Episcopal Methodists.

BANKS OF CLAYTON.

BANK OF CLAYTON .- The first bank in this town was organized as a private institution in the fall of 1876, by A. F. Barker and R. P. Grant, under the title of Bank of Clayton. A. F. Barker was president and Mr. Grant was cashier. The bank was so continued until the fall of 1882, when it was reorgan- ized as a State bank, under the same title,

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with a capital of $26,000, and remained so until July, 1884, when Mr. Grant and others purchased Mr. Barker's interest, and it was soon after merged into the Exchange Bank.

The Exchange Bank of Clayton was or- ganized in 1884, under the State law, with an authorized capital stock of $100,000, and a paid up stock of $40,000. The present officers of the institution are those elected at its organization, and are as follows : John Johnston, president ; Jacob Putnam, vice- president ; R. P. Grant, cashier and H. R. Tubbs, assistant cashier. The directors are, in addition to the officers of the bank, Lucien S. Strough, William H. Lingenfelter, George H. Mckinley, John Foley and William C. Clark. The Bank of Clayton was merged in the Exchange Bank soon after the organiza- tion of the latter, and the business of the old organization was discontinued. The Ex- change Bank is one of the prominent finan- eial institutions of the northern part of Jefferson county, and its officers and direc- tors are men of recognized business ability, experience and integrity. The office of the bank is pleasantly located on Water street, commanding a fine view of the famous St. Lawrence river. The surplus of the bank is $20,000.

The Citizens' Bank of Clayton was started in December, 1884, by A. F. Barker, as a private bank, with William Rees president ; A. F. Barker, cashier and A, L. House, as- sistant cashier. The bank was thus con- tinued until October 4, 1887, when it was re- organized as

The First National Bank of Clayton, with a paid up capital of $50,000. The officers were originally and are now as follows : A. F. Barker, president ; William Rees, vice- president; H. W. Morse, cashier ; A. A. Warner, assistant cashier. The directors are : A. F. Barker, William Recs, G. H. Marshall, Charles A. Ellis, Frank L. Hall, James J. Belden, Jerome Snell and H. E. Morse. The surplus is now $23,000.

The Security Building, Loan and Savings Association of Clayton was incorporated in 1889, under the building and loan association laws of the State of New York, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, with shares at $100 each. The officers are: Hon. James Johnson, president ; Charles E. Rees, vice- president; A. E. Wood, secretary ; William D. Clark, treasurer; George E. Morse, gen- eral manager.

The financial institutions of Clayton are all reliable. They have the peoples' confidence at home, and that shows them well managed.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

THE ODD FELLOWS .- Odd-fellowship bad its beginning in Clayton by the organization of Montcalm Lodge No. 69, February 18, 1848. Among the charter members were: John Masson, Hon. John Johnston, William H. Angel, George Brush, C'apt. Archibald Marshall, Capt. Leander Holt, Chauncey Pierce, S. D. Johnston, Capt. John Carey

and Capt. George Smith. The first Noble Grand of the lodge was Capt. John Masson. In August, 1853, the lodge lost all of its records and property by fire, which makes it impossible to obtain accurate data of its early history. The lodge was at that time very prosperous, and at once renewed its work in new lodge rooms. The membership was, however, largely composed of sailors and those otherwise engaged in lake and river commerce, and as this business gradu- ally drifted westward, the membership de- creased, until in the year 1856 it surrendered its charter. There was, in connection with Montcalm lodge, a well-organized and suc- cessful lodge of Daughters of Rebecca.

After 30 years of inaction, the fraternity was revived by the organization of Clayton Lodge No. 539, the charter of which bears date August 18, 1886. The growth of Clay- ton Lodge has been steady and vigorous. Its membership now numbers over 100, and the lodge has gained the reputation of being one of the best equipped and best working lodges in the county.

Thousand Island Lodge No. 109, of the Daughters of Rebecca, was given a charter April 10, 1888. The membership is increas- ing, and the lodge is at present in a well- organized condition.

THE FORESTERS .- December 19th, 1889, Court Clayton, No. 171, of the Independent Order of Foresters was organized, with J. E. Liddy, D. D. S., as Chief Ranger; X. J. Bates, as V. C. R. ; S. H. Johnson, as Recording Secretary , M. E. Frame, as Financial Secre- tary, and H. W. Morse, as Treasurer. Its growth during the past year has been more rapid than that of any secret society that has ever been organized here. There are at present over 50 members, and the present rate of increase will give nearly 100 by the time of the next anniversary of the found- ing of the Court. The officers for the pres- ent term are : S. H. Johnson, C. D. H. C.R .; E. A. Burlingame, C. R .; X. S. Bates, V. C. R .; Brayton Rogers, R. S .; J. E. Liddy, F. S .; R. E. Dingman, Treasurer.

THE MASONS .- Masonic Lodge, No. 296, was instituted in Clayton by charter dated June 11, 1853. The first officers were James Green, W. M .; John D. Augsbury, S. W .; O. W. Cushman, J. W. The lodge is one of the oldest and strongest in the county, and has a present membership of 110. The pres- ent officers are : William H. Rees, W. M .; William Brooker, S. W .; B. E. Wright, J. W.

OFFICERS OF CLAYTON VILLAGE.

Joseph H. Brabant, president; Nathan Hol- loway, William R. Ratchford, William L. Delaney, trustees; John Foley, treasurer ; Northrop Scott, collector ; Herbert R. Tubbs, clerk.

TOWN OFFICERS OF CLAYTON.

Supervisor, William H. Consaul; town clerk, Fred H. LeFaive; assessors, James Hay, Allen Patch, A. E. Lowe.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

THE SCHOOLS OF CLAYTON.

THE first school was taught in Clayton in 1825 in a stone school-house near the site of the present school building. Two dis- tricts, Nos. 8 and 22, were afterwards organ- ized, each including a portion of the present incorporated village. A small frame school house was built on the site of the present school building for district No. 8, and a one- story brick school house was built on James street for district No. 22. By resolution passed in May, 1856, the two districts were consolidated into District No. 8, and the sum of $3,000 voted for a new school house. For 11 years following this date the inhabitants were at issue on this question, and separate schools were maintained in each of the school- houses-all efforts to secure better school ac- commodations being defeated.

On October 2, 1866, the sum of $5,000 was voted for a new school-house, which was con- structed the next year, and forms part of the present school-building. This building was increased by an addition costing $5,000 in 1883, and thus improved, forms the present school-building.

In 1889 the school was changed to a Union Free School, and under date of August 19, 1889, received a charter incorporating the academic department under the jurisdiction of the Regents of the University of the State. The school has had a very rapid growth since that date, and is now the largest Union School in the county, employing nine teachers and having a registration of 450. The Academic Department registers over 100 scholars and provides an Academic and Col- lege Preparatory course of study. Its record for advanced and thorough scholarship is not excelled by any school in the county. For the past two years in succession, as a result of a competitive examination, the school has been awarded the free scholarship to Cornell University from Jefferson county.

Prof. Charles S. Shaver has been principal of the school for the past eight years. The other teachers are Catherine B. Griffith, Pre- ceptress ; Mrs. B. A. Fitzgerald, Preparatory Regent; Mrs. S. A. Clark, Charlotte Mac- donald, Anna Locklin, Jessie Macandie, Mayme Kelly, Matilda Thibault.

'THE CHURCHES.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- Methodism in Clayton dates from December 20, 1833. The first society was then organ- ized, with Silas F. Spicer, Amos Reynolds, Willis Howard, James E. Fuller and Amos Gillett as trustees. In November of the next year another society was organized at Depau- ville, and a church built in each of the vil- lages. The third society of the church was formed in 1840, with E. G. Merick, John N. Fowler, Perry Caswell, John Wilson, Fair- field Hartford, Woodbridge C. George and Adonijah Brush as trustees. A fine parson- age was erected adjoining the church in the year 1873, at a cost of $3,000. In the year 1881, during the pastorate of Rev. J. B.

Hammond, the sum of $4,000 was expended in rebuilding the church, which was re-dedi- cated in December of the same year. The auditorium was enlarged and a new chapel added at a cost of $4,000, during the pastor- ate of Rev. S. B. Barnes, in the year 1888. The church and parsonage now form one of the finest church properties in the county, and the prosperous condition of the society is attested by the fact that, notwitstanding an outlay of $12,000 during the past few years, the church is entirely free from debt. The present pastor is Rev. Charles Sheard, and the trustees are D. C. Porter, D. T. Corp, W. G. Vincent, R. P. Grant, Peter Dorr, James Hayes, J. W. Thompson, James Ratchford and W. H. Lingenfelter.

ST. MARY'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH, the finest and most costly church building in Clayton, and one that ranks among the finest in the county, is St. Mary's. It is constructed of stone, and in its proportions, its massive and substantial appearance presents an architee- tural design rarely excelled. Its cost was $30,000. Among the first Catholic families to find their way to Clayton in the year 1830, were Moses LeFaive, Thomas Brennan, Thomas Delaney, John Hayes and John Tierny. The first priest to say mass in the town was Father Francis Guth. In 1843 the society built a church under the title " St. Mary's," upon land donated them for the purpose by J. LeRay de Chaumont. For many years, however, the parish had no resident pastor, various priests serving the parish. The first resident priest was the Rev. James J. Sherry, who came in 1863. The priests who have served the church since that time to date are: Rev. De Saund- hac, 1867-73; Rev. John Arants, 1873-75; Rev. John Craven, 1875-76; Rev. Michael Brown, 1876-77; Rev. James J. Sherry, 1877-83; and Rev. Edward G. Brice, 1883. The Catholic population of Clayton has had a steady growth, the number of Catholic families at present numbering about 250. Consequently the old church built in 1844 was found inadequate to meet the needs of the increased membership, and the result has been, under the leadership and tireless efforts of the present pastor, Rev. Edward G. Brice, the magnificent church edifiee already described. The new church was commenced in the spring of 1885, and the corner stone was laid August 17, of the same year, and was dedicated December 7, 1889.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH .- The first Baptist society of Clayton was organized in 1842, with 17 members, among whom were Henry Walt, A. Buskirk, Lucinda Buskirk, James D. Gloyd, Lucinda Gloyd, Normau Hurd, George Gould, Mary Gould, Edward Bur- chell, Frances Burchell, Dr. Pierce and wife and N. A. Brooks. A church was built by Hiram Ballard for the society in 1845. The church building was rebuilt in 1888, and is now well adapted to the needs of the congre- gation. The seating capacity is 300, and the value of the church and furniture exceeds

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$5,000. The present membership of the society is about 100. This church has many prominent and wealthy friends among the summer residents at the Thousand Islands who are interested in its welfare, and render it substantial aid. Among the number are Jacob Hayes, Dr. Edward Bright and J. G. Baldwin, Following is a complete list of the pastors who have served the church since it was founded : D. G. Blount, G. W. Divoll, H. C. Beals, Dewitt (. Taylor, J. C. Ken- nard, D. F. Leach, E. M. Buyrn, D. R. Wat- son, J. W. Henry, J. B. Mann, G. H. Freder- iek, A. W. Cady, L. G. Brown, H. W. Reed, E. F. Main, G. H. Brigham, O. P. Meeks, T. Howland, C. M. Thompson and H. J. Baldwin. Rev. H. J. Baldwin is the present pastor, and W. H. Consaul, Lyman C. Ben- nett, George W. Potter, Aldridge Kendall, H. M. Keyes and Allan Patch constitute the present board of trustees.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- The last church established in Clayton is the Congre- gational, which was organized March 17, 1890, with 35 charter members, and was legally incorporated the following Septem- ber. A site for the church was selected on James street, and the corner stone was laid in the spring of the same year. The build- ing is of beautiful design, and well calculated to insure comfort and to meet the needs of the congregation. The cost was $11,000. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Hall, who served the church one year. Rev. H. E. Gurney was then secured as pastor, but recently resigned to engage in temperance evangelistic work. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. G. A. Shaw. The society has a large Sunday school, and a membership of more than 100. The present trustees are: Dr. G. M. McCombs, H. B. Dewey, J. L. Atwood, B. W. Dewey, E. A. Burlingame, William Stephens, M. W. At- wood, Capt. J. A. Taylor and A. J. Spals- bury.

CLAYTON CEMETERY.

THE CLAYTON CEMETERY contains about 25 acres of land, and is situated a mile south- east of the village. It is an attractive spot. Perhaps the most ancient of the burials there was that of a former wealthy land-owner. We eopy the incription upon his tombstone:

"John McDougall Lawrence, Esq., of the city of New York, while on a visit to this place, May 22. 1835, suddenly departed this life. in the 60th year of his age. He was the only son of John Lawrence, of the First Congress of the United States. and grand- son of Major General Alexander McDougall of the army of the Revolution. His sister, Elizabeth Law- rence, places this tomb-stone over his grave."

An interesting grave is that of Capt. W. Niles Smith, of Company L, 9th Regiment New York Cavalry. He died in 1891.

Perhaps the most historical grave is that of Gurdon Caswell, the first man to make paper in Watertown, who is buried in the Clayton cemetery. He died March 29, 1862, in the 79th year of his age.

There are many other historic graves there. When Mrs. McCormick visited the

village of Clayton in 1894, where she had resided in the family of Mr. Merick for many years, she had caused the bodies of some of her kindred to be removed from a rural burying-ground to the Clayton ceme- tery, an act which manifested a sympathy with the scenes of her early life, and a natural and honorable regard for those of her kindred who have passed over the river.

LIST OF SOLDIERS.

The following is a list of the present mem- bers of Albert Dennis Post No. 410, Clayton, New York, for which we return thanks to Comrade S. V. Frame, Adjutant of the Post: John A. Cook, Jackson Jenkins, Solomon V. Frame, A. J. Woolidge, Charles P. Bass, Horace Ingerson, Daniel Harwood, Joseph Longsway, Lewis W. Eddy, A. J. Spauls- bury, Wm. N. Knight, Alsam Abbey, W. D. Parish, L. Marcellus, Charles Cassen, A. P. Ladd, Lewis Cuppernall, Emory Steele, J. W. Thompson, John Grandea, James Ratch- ford, John Surcott, Joseph Surcott, J. A. Bartlett, O. R. Meeks, Chas. F. Blanchard, Greenleaf Farr, D. D. Butts, C. T. Nunn, Jas. A. Taylor, Edgar Collins, Orren Rice, Wm. Joles, D. F. Pierce, Joshua Calhoon, John Beznah, Judson Carter, Fred W. Baltz, Alexander Minor, H. W. Moore, Charles Hutchinson, A. J. Gibbons, Peter Mayer, Robert Delay, Roswell Houghton, Horace Parkhurst, Roswell Hildreth, Eli S. Carter, Joseph A. Lewis, Wm. Mackey; Thomas Rushlow, Phylander A. Spencer, John Gray, James Finn, S. W. Sargeant, S. D. Carpen- ter, Henry Bray, Nelson Green, David Z. Dana, Willard L. Cook, A. D. Webster, Jas. Daniels, James R. Kilbourn.

THE LUMBER AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

E. G. Merick, in his day, probably carried on the most extensive business of any man who ever lived in Clayton. He and his associates conducted a very large business here in rafting, lumbering, ship-building and merchandizing. Mr. Merick came to Clay- ton soon after the village began to develop, and remained until about 1860, when he went to Detroit, where he died. [See his bio- graphy, p. 168n.]

The lumber trade of Clayton has of late years taken on a new phase. It is now eon- fined to supplying the farmers and island- owners with the lumber and mill-work needed in their improvements. To this has been added manufacturing house-building supplies, and a very complete establishment of this character is that of Strough & Brooks, who turn out a large amount of superior work. This business was founded by Eddy & Strough, but Mr. Strough soon purchased Mr. Eddy's interest. In January, 1887, Mr. Strough entered into partnership with Mr. Otis Brooks, a well-known and experienced lumberman and manufacturer, formerly of the firm of Roberts & Brooks, of Philadel- phia, N. Y. January 20, 1887, Strough & Brooks bought out the lumber and manufac-

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 112

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823- Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company Number of Pages: 1098

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098