USA > New York > Steuben County > Bath > The official records of the centennial celebration, Bath, Steuben County, New York, June 4, 6, and 7, 1893 > Part 16
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stars and stripes were out of the officers' shirts and the red stripes were furnished by the scarlet cloak of one of the women of the fort. It was in the free and pure air of the Mohawk Valley and by these patriots that "Old Glory" was baptized-" by Angel hands to valor given."
They participated with Herkimer in the bloody and decisive battle of Oriskany, the turning point in the War for Independence, the conflict which in fact made America free.
Among these settlers were the Snells, the Grays, the Wagners, the Shavers, the Billingtons, the Bellingers, the Shultses, and the Dygerts. By their industry, steady habits, frugality and thrift, fearing nothing but sin, they greatly improved the farms and villages, and added immensely to the moral and material wealth of the county. The first settlers had di- rected their attention to lumbering and taking the product to market; the land was only valuable to them for its timber. For the well attended churches, thriving schools, fine cultivated farms, comfortable and pleasant dwellings, prosperous and happy homes, the credit must be given to the Mohawk Dutch.
The first school teacher in this district was Ann Parker. She lived in the westerly part of the district; this was in 1800. She taught by going around from house to house, imparting instruction in the same manner as shoemakers and tailors performed their work at an early day. It was called "whipping the cat." Her qualifications were her good moral char- acter, retentive memory and great physical strength and endurance. She was able physically to enforce her precepts and teachings upon the children and, occasionally, upon adults. She was unable to write, claiming that none but the highly educated possessed that qualification, and con- sequently it was not embraced in the branches taught by her.
The first school house in District No. 3 was built, in 1810 upon the site now occupied by the brick stores, and was next to the blacksmith shop of Brigham Hanks. At a school meeting held on the 23d of November, 1813, Reuben Montgomery, Henry Kennedy and Finla McClure were elected trustees, Brigham Hanks was elected clerk and John Hanks collector. "It was voted that where the school house now stands be the site for the school." It was also voted that "there shall be no tax raised in this district this year." The meeting adjourned until the 27th inst. at 5 P. M. At this adjourned meeting, the views of those present were different from those that prevailed at the original meeting, for it reconsidered the former action in relation to no tax, and voted to raise $50 for the necessary repairs of the school house and for fire-wood.
On the 4th day of May, 1814, the before-named trustees made a con- tract in writing with Dauphin Murray, whereby, in consideration of $180, he agreed " to keep and teach a common English school, to-wit : reading, writing and common arithmetic, for the term of one whole year, in said
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school district, in the school house next adjoining the blacksmith shop of Esquire Hanks, to commence on that day and from thence next ensuing and to be fully completed and ended ;" the said sum was to be paid, $90 on the first day of May next ensuing, and the remaining $90 on the fourth day of May, 1815. The modern teacher and scholar would not enjoy this solid year of school, at this figure, without any vacation. It appears that Dauphin Murray gave satisfaction, for by a contract dated May 5, 1815, signed by Elisha Hanks, Jared Spalding and Erastus Glass, who were then trustees of this school district, and Dauphin Murray, he agreed to teach the "Three R's," one whole year, but at the increased sum of $275. Mur- ray appears to have been a man of some parts ; he wrote a good hand, was good in figures and fair in composition and grammar. He was alternate- ly pedagogue and publican. He kept an inn at Kennedyville about the same time. He left the country and went west in 1824.
Among the later teachers in this district were Hon. George Hunting- ton, afterwards a state senator ; Hon. Edward J. Farnum, now living at Wellsville, N. Y .; Andrew J. Brundage, Esq .: Captain Henry S. Wood and Captain Manley T. Matthews, both good soldiers in the Union army. The former died in the service of his country during the War of the Rebel- lion, the latter died after the close of the war.
The schools at Kanona have always maintained a good record for efficiency, order and instruction ; none of its pupils need be ashamed of the instruction received there. The patrons were people who were intelli- gent, critical, always ready to investigate, and were familiar with the cur- rent literature of the day. I do not claim that it is classic ground, yet several of the songs of a generation ago, among them, "Minnie Clyde," "Kittie Clyde" and "The Old House at Home," were written in District No. 3.
The first religious organization was that of the Universalists, of which Henry Smith, Elijah Hanks, Joseph D. Shuart, Royal Knight, Simpson Ellas and Christopher Rowe were prominent members. The Christians organized a society about the same time, composed, in part, of John K. and Daniel Towner, Franklin Glass, Shepard Spalding and Vestus Chapin ; this was about 1826. These two organizations united and built a church at Kanona, in 1833, and maintained religious services therein for a long time. So " free grace and undying love" here early found an abiding place. The church building was quite recently burned. The early Universalist clergymen who lived and labored for this community were Rev. Elijah Smith, who died here, and Rev. Morgan L. Wisner, a brother of the late Col. R. P. Wisner, of Mt. Morris, a well-known and able lawyer.
The Presbyterians, who came here early, were affiliated with the church at Bath until 1831, when they built a church at Kanona. I do not think that the resolution to build this church was prompted by the same
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influence that led to the building of the parent church. Those prominent with the Presbyterian organization here then were George W. Taylor, James A. Otis, Brigham Hanks and David Tilton. Rev. Mr. Everett was an early pastor of this church. The celebrated revivalist, Littlejohn, fre- quently conducted services in this church. The Presbyterian meeting house was, after a number of years, transferred to the Methodist Episcopal organization ; they still maintain religious services in this building. The Wheelers, Henry Pier, a Justice of the Peace for many years, the Norrises and Cases were prominent Methodists. Among the early clergymen of this denomination located at Kanona were Revs. J. C. Stevens, Charles T. Gifford and John T. Canfield.
The general religious sentiment of the people of Kanona has always inclined to liberal views. They were critical, yet honest and intelligent in their ideas. It has been said by a number of Presiding Elders of the Methodist church, that at no place did they take so much care, and expend so much labor and thought upon their sermons as at Kanona, because of the intelligent and fearless criticism of their audiences.
I do not think Kanona was in its earlier days a very good field for physicians ; for some reason they remained but a little time. Among these were Drs. Brown and Patterson.
Besides Mr. Ostrander, the following lawyers, all of whom are now dead, were located at Kanona, and there laid the foundations for the achievements and good record of their after lives : Andrew J. Brundage, who moved to, lived and died at Monroe, Wis .; John C. Van Loon went to New York and died there ; Peter M. Tolbert located at Rochester, Minn., and died there ; George S. Jones, a lawyer of more than ordinary ability and a gentleman in all things, went to Belmont, Allegany county, N. Y., was associated in business with Hon. Wilkes Angel, and died there. Of those who are living, you can conclude from the sample before you.
Before the building of a railroad through the Conhocton valley, the transportation of produce, live stock and goods through Kanona, by reason of its location, was immense. I doubt if there was another place in the State, west of the Cayuga Bridge, that equaled it. On many occasions, from 150 to 250 wagons and other vehicles stopped over night there. The accommodations of three large taverns, including beds, tables and floors, were insufficient for the throng. Truly, the dream of Williamson was in part realized, but instead of the products and wealth of Western New York seeking Bath for market and shipment, by way of the Susquehanna sys- tem of communication, these caravans passed on through Bath to Ham- mondsport, and sought markets by an intruder of the St. Lawrence system of waters, and the canals.
Teamsters from Coudersport, Pa., from Cattaraugus, Allegany, Living- ston, the western and northern portions of Steuben county, made calcu-
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lations to stay over night at Kennedyville, and by an early start the next morning reach Hammondsport by sunrise, unload their burdens, and load up with merchandise and other goods that had come as far as possible by water-then the only means of transportation-get back to Kennedyville, remain again over night, and in the morning resume their homeward jour- ney. This was the route and means of travel and transportation for years. During the season of marketing grain, the highway from Kennedyville to Hammondsport was as thronged as the roads now are at the time of the Steuben County Fair.
Great droves of cattle were driven from what was then the far west- from "clear on to Ohio and Michigan" .- to market, through Kennedyville. About 1850, a plank road was completed from Hammondsport through Bath to Kennedyville ; when these droves reached the plank road, they were alarmed at the unusual sound produced by their feet. Many a time, mischievous boys and frequently adults would make some unusual noise, shake a paper at or shy a stick or stone into the drove ; thus started, and being unused to the plank road, away they stampeded in a manner that would do credit to a herd of Texas steers of the present day, carrying everything before them, until stopped by the toll-gate, unless sooner rounded up by the cowboys of that day.
Ark building was a thriving industry at Kennedyville for a long time ; it was the ship-yard for Bath. The Hanks Brothers were largely engaged, with George W. Taylor, Matthew Neely, with his sons William and Samuel, and others, in building the crafts that were to navigate the waters of the Conhocton, Susquehanna and its tributaries. The principal point where arks were built and turned or launched into the waters was on the bank of the river in the rear of the present residence of W. A. Dawson, Esq. Some of them were loaded at Kennedyville, but they were principally taken to Bath for their cargoes. When these arks, with their cargoes, arrived at their place of destination, they were broken up and sold for lumber. The running or navigating of arks and rafts, made of pine lumber, was a favorite occupation of the early settlers of our county. They were hardy, courageous men, full of life and fun, and possessed of great physical endurance, as the following incident will show : McElwee, of Mud Creek (now Savona), James French, of Bath, Hopkins, of Kennedyville, and Ira Lane, of Howard, had all been down the river with a June "fresh." They returned together by some public conveyance and on foot over the Laurel Mountains as far as the " Block House," near Blossburg, Pa., where they remained over night. They concluded to walk to their several homes ; so starting at daylight the next morning, they began their journey. McEl- wee reached his home, fifty-three miles from the starting point, in the afternoon. The others reached Bath, fifty-nine miles, the home of French, later on. Hopkins, or " Hop," as he was called, and Ira Lane thought they
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would go on to Kennedyville, sixty-three miles, before stopping ; arrived there, Lane, refusing the earnest invitation of "Hop" to stay over night with him, decided to go home, which he reached at midnight, a distance of seventy-one miles from the " Block House." This was a fair walk. How would some of our modern college athletes enjoy a walking-match with Ira Lane ?
In the early days, the general election was held three days. In the town of Bath, it was held the first day at Mud Creek ; the forenoon of the next day at the Eight-Mile Tree (Avoca) ; in the afternoon at Kennedyville, and the third and last day at the village of Bath. These polls were attend- ed by the candidates, or their supporters and heelers, providing the induce- ments and munitions of war, for the support of their choice. Then, there was no registration of voters ; booths and voting machines were unknown ; nor were there any city offices, the holding of which disqualified a candi- date from serving as a legislator.
The name of the postoffice was changed from Kennedyville to Kanona in 1852, through the exertions of Brigham Hanks, the younger, assisted by Hon. Reuben Robie, then the member of Congress from this Congressional District. The reason for the change was because of confusion in the prompt transmission of mail matter by reason of the existence of a post- office called Kennedy in Chautauqua county. The name adopted was the Indian name of Five-Mile Creek, and signifies rusty water, by reason of the fancied resemblance of the waters of this creek, at times, to iron-rust. The change was proper and appropriate ; other localities should do the same. As far as possible, localities and all civil divisions of the country should bear the name given by the Indians to some stream, lake or moun- tain of the vicinity.
The first railroad-the Buffalo & Conhocton Valley railroad, now the Rochester Division of the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R .- was built through the town of Bath, passing through Kanona, in 1853. From that time on every- thing relating to transportation and travel became changed; the old thorough-braced stages went west, and have disappeared with the days when they were necessary. The D., L. & W. R. R. and the Kanona & Prattsburgh railroad are later enterprises, adding largely to the facilities of this locality.
When the War of the Rebellion broke upon the country, there was no more loyal response to the call to arms from any section than was made by the people of old School District No. 3. The blood that ran in the veins of those who had participated in the siege of Fort Stanwix, in the battles of Oriskany, Saratoga and Bennington, of Queenstown Heights, Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie, of Palo Alto, Buena Vista and Chapultepec, was on fire with patriotic enthusiasm, for the preservation of the Union. Of those who went, and of those who died on the battle-field, in hospitals or
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in prisons, and those who returned, and their loyal and gallant services, a comrade and companion in arms will fully detail their names and glorious deeds ; for this reason, I reluctantly forego the grateful task.
Since the war closed, the era has been "modern times ;" with that I do not propose to further weary your patience. I have been asked to tell you something of "Old Bath ;" how well or how faithfully I have done it, you will determine ; the mistakes you will correct, and I am sure that for my many sins of omission or commission, you will grant me indulgence, and, I hope, a full pardon.
The history of the town of Bath is proud, noble and prosperous. Her sons have been prominent in the State and in the Nation, their examples beckon on the youth of to-day to lead pure, useful and noble lives. In this history, School District No. 3 has borne as conspicuous and as noble a place as any other locality of this town. Its sons and daughters have well sus- tained their parts and added to the credit, by their good citizenship and obedience to duty, of the glories of the first century of the town. If the records of the second century can show as well, at its close, then indeed will the meeting place of these beautiful valleys,
"Where loving memory tenderly and fondly clings,"
justify the good judgment and sagacity of those who selected, planted, nourished and cultivated it in these hundred sleeping years.
-
REMINISCENCES .*
BY REV, L. MERRILL MILLER, D. D.
MR. CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- When I first received an invitation from your committee to be present here and say a few words to-night, I said to Mrs. Miller, "To be sure, I must go to Bath and see what of the old faces are left, and if possible renew some old acquaintances I made a great while ago ;" although to-day, if I had acted as I had been appointed, I would have been at Saratoga Springs, making an address before the Presbyterian Congress connected with the missions of this State and the missions of the United States.
But my first love was here, in connection with the dear people of my youthful pastoral charge. Not only that, but many of you understand very well that my first love was here in another direction, and for which, like Jacob of old, I labored seven years, and got her and I have her still.
Mr. Chairman, a century is a short time, as we read it in the history of the great nations of antiquity. They arose, as you know, from very small colonies and, advancing by slow growth, became powerful among the nations and accomplished the deeds that have rendered them famous through the hundreds of years following. Since then things have changed. The slow coach which carried those years has disappeared. Improvements come upon us with the magic of steam and electricity, and even as we talk of them they are done.
It is only four hundred years since Columbus gave this western hemis- phere to the east ; some of the nations of antiquity have numbered near- ly three times as much before they reached the acme of their pre-eminence and their glory.
Our own Republic is only a little over one hundred years of age. In 1783, at the close of the Revolution, we were declared a free and inde- pendent people, and our mother country admitted our right to be a nation. It was ten years after that, 1793, that the settlement of Bath began. A tide of improvements, slowly at first, flowed into this quiet valley, as well as throughout our broad domain, that enable us to celebrate this Centen- nial day with the acclaim, "Behold what God hath wrought." As you
* Two or three items are printed in this report which were not given in Dr. Miller's speech on account of limited time .- ED.
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look back over this one hundred years to-night and recall the events which have been detailed to-day, you are justly amazed when you compare them with the great events of the past the doing of which spread over so many hundreds of years. Visit now the distinguished capitals of the old world ; look at their ornate and massive cathedrals ; survey the miles of paintings at Versailles, Florence, Rome and Berlin ; view the monuments so wonder- ful in their artistic beauty and grandeur, the story of deeds accomplished -and you must gaze at them with the remembrance that they were hun- dreds of years in the perfecting, and also that hundreds of years ago some of the cathedrals were commenced which are not entirely finished at this time.
Returning to the events the story of which has just been repeated to us, and looking at the significent tokens of wealth and taste and charity, the substantial churches and the homes of elegance which adorn this vil- lage, we may well wonder and congratulate one another.
Forty-nine years ago last month, introduced by the Rev. Isaac W. Platt, one of the noble names of Bath, I came here a boy preacher. On the 12th of May, my first Sabbath, I preached three times in the old white church, with a tall, sightly spire on the south side of Pulteney Square- having ever green Mossy Bank in the back ground. That old wooden building was, for that period, a very pleasant and commodious structure, but a very different thing from the substantial and ornate church which fills its place to-day. The high pulpit, reached by long flights of stairs was in the north end of the church. A lofty gallery ran around three sides and a number of square pews furnished prominent sittings to the old established families. I remember well my arrival by the old stage coach in Bath at midnight. Coming from Rochester, my former home, up the Genesee Valley we climbed over the hills this side of Dansville and then wound along down the valley of the Conhocton. The first thing I said the next morning as I came out on the veranda of the old Clinton House, was, to a friend who stood there : "How did I get into this cup, and how in the world do you get out of it?"
The only face that I knew, except that of Rev. Isaac W. Platt, who persuaded me to come here, was that of my friend Ansel J. McCall, whom I met as I left the hotel. We became acquainted with each other in Ham- ilton College. Of course I was glad to see him, and now as pleased to ac- knowledge the many kindnesses and introductions I received at his hands and at the hands of his sainted mother, Mrs. McCall.
Already has been detailed, in the papers read, many names that need not be repeated. I shall only add a few and specify some particulars. Four elders of my church, Dr. G. A. Rogers, Messrs. Lewis Biles, John W. Fowler and Peter Halsey were not only my strong coadjutors but were marked men in the community. Messrs. Edwards, Gansevoort, McCay.
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Rumsey, Van Valkenburg, Hubbell, Howell, Campbell, Lyon, Magee, Mc- Master, Cook, Hull and Robie were leading citizens and gave me tokens of their friendship. Col. Davenport, one of our most successful business men, was ever unostentatious, though liberal, in his charities and gifts. We, as well as others, were the recipients of many favors from him, of which the world knows nothing.
Pulteney Square in those days was a cheerful place. The south side had the white church in the center with green fields beyond, watered by the Conhocton and flanked by one of the most beautiful of the " everlast- ing hills." The old Woods place, occupied by Mr. L. C. Whiting, son-in- law to Mrs. Woods, was next east of the church, then the Howell resi- dence and office, beyond which was the Episcopal church.
To the west of the church was the old land office, the noted Hubbell store and a harness establishment. Beyond these rested the genial resi- dence of Mr. Moses Lyon, one of the most solid, honest and successful early residents of Bath. Steuben County Bank and the attractive home of Mr. John Gansevoort were on the west side ; on the east, the residences of Judge Leland and Mr. W. W. McCay (either side of the old Court House and County Clerk's Office) opened their welcome doors to cheerful and winning social life, where many of us were pleased to gather. The north side was full of active life at the Clinton House and the Eagle Tavern and business places beyond. This picture would not be perfect, however, to me should I fail to add that there was near the old church a cheerful study and parlor, formerly the office of Judge Woods, which Mrs. Woods kind- ly gave into my possession, during the early part of my ministry, and, at the same time, Mrs. Gansevoort gave to the young minister a free home with many comforts and attractions.
The Rev. Mr. Whipple was the excellent pastor of the Episcopal church. He was the type of a good and noble man. Closely associated with him in many ways, I found him a genial and loving friend, anxious to be of service in any desirable way. The very summer after my settle- ment, Dr. Pulling, a very worthy physician, was called to perform a danger- ous operation in a critical case. A slip of the knife slightly wounded the thumb of his left hand, from the poison of which he speedily died. Mr. Whipple was faithful in his attendance upon Dr. Pulling and his patient, who also died, and contracting the same disease, the clergyman and two others died. During Mr. Whipple's illness my ordination occurred ; after which I visited him, when putting his hand upon my head, he added his blessing and wished me great success in the work of calling souls to Christ and in building up His Church among you.
There is no accounting for the intelligence sometimes found in dogs of famous story. I have one for you. My friend, Mr. Fowler, and his fami- ly were punctual and constant attendants on our church services. They
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had a dog who was for a time a regular visitor at the services, until once, left shut up in the house, he broke through a closed window and found his way to the sanctuary as usual. He used to come into the pulpit and seat himself beside me until at the last singing he would quietly and sedately march out and start for home. A remarkable thing about it was that the next Sabbath after I was married, he ceased coming and never came again. I have never satisfied myself whether he left me in disgust because I was married, or because he thought I had some one sharp enough to look after me.
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