Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 153

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 153

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).

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per acre, and " underbrushed " three or four acres ; thus begiuning the first clearing on the homestead farm where he still resides, and upon which he has lived beyond the allotted age of man. In the latter part of October lie started on foot for his home in Vermont, accomplishing the journey in six days. Soon after his arrival in Vermont it was publicly an- nounced in Halifax and Marlboro', that "marriage is intended between Martin Hall, of Halifax, and Emily Lamb, of Marlboro'." The wedding took place at the home of the bride, January 18, 1815, the anniversary of Mr. Hall's twenty-second birthday. The young

Lamb, who had a separate conveyance, they bid adieu to friends and the "Green Mountain State." They found good sleighing, aud at the end of eleven days reached the wilderness-home of Jairus Lamb. Here Martin Hall and wife resided until he had erected a log house on his own tract, into which they moved the following suminer. His stock consisted of a yoke of oxen and a cow, while his business-outfit was an axe and log-chain. But early trained to habits of industry, and himself and wife having both tasted the privations and discomforts of pioneer life in their native State, they were in no wise disheartened, but

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couple immediately made preparations for their " bridal tour," which had for its objective point their far-away Pennsylvania home. Major Joel Lamb, father of the bride, had previously visited his son Jairus, and having disposed of his farm since his return, he decided to move his family with his son-in law to Pennsylvania. A company of seventeen per- sons was soon formed, and two large sleds were loaded with goods. Martin Hall had purchased an ox-team, and Major Lamb furnished three more, and with two ox-teams to each sled, and a man with his horscs and sleigh to carry the family, except Major and Mrs.

[ hand in hand they bravely and perseveringly toiled on, with loving confidence in each other, and a firm trust aud reliance on an all-wise Providence. After coming to Pennsylvania Mr. Hall was again employed as a teacher-one winter at the Gelatt school-house, and another in the one erected on his own farm.

Coming to Jackson when there were but four families in the township, he has lived to see it one of the most populous in the county. Their children are Lucy Ann, 1815, wife of Robert Gelatt, a retired farmer residing in Thomson Boro'; Emily M., 1819, wife of Benj. H. Larrabee, a farmer of Windsor, N. Y .;

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Lucy Lovina (1821-58) was the wife of Horace French, a farmer of Jackson; Semantha L., 1823, wife of Alpheus W. Gates, a farmer and lumberman now re- siding in Thomson Borough ; Philander, 1826, married Sarah Greenwood, is a farmer now residing in Ne- braska; Eliza Jane, 1828, wife of Edwin B. Moxley, a farmer of Jackson; Francis Marshall (1831-66) married Caroline Chamberlin and resided in Jackson at the time of his death; Rosetta Bernicy, 1834, wife of Abner M. Pease, who farms the old homestead which he purchased in 1869, and in whose pleasant home Deacon Hall is quietly and contentedly passing the evening of his long and eventful life.

The bride of his youthi, after sliaring his joys and sorrows, his trials and triumphs for fifty years, died at the homestead in Jackson, in 1865.

Mr. Hall's political history dates back almost to the beginning of the Republic. He has lived under every administration, and participated in the election of every President save four. His first ballot assisted in electing James Monroe, and he continued to act with the Democratic party until Harrison's nomina- tion, from which time he acted with the Whigs as long as that party existed, and in 1857 cast his lot with the new-born Republican party, with which he has since been identified. Although having positive political views and convictions, and taking much interest in political affairs, he was not a politician or office- seeker ; yet he was called by his fellow-townsmen to serve them as constable, collector, assessor and justice of the peace. He was also elected one of the auditors of Susquehanna County.

For many years he was familiarly known as "Major" Hall, a title he gained in connection with an artillery company organized at Harford, Pa., of which he was for some time captain, and from which position he was promoted to major in the battalion to which the company belonged.

But while his military title is honorable and well- deserved, and his service under the Stars and Stripes commendable, yet he has won a more fitting title, a more honorable distinction under the " banner of the cross " and in the service of the Great Commander under whom he enlisted early in life. His neighbors and friends, and especially the members and congre- gation of the Jackson Free-Will Baptist Church, know him by no other or prouder title than " Deacon" Hall. More than sixty-seven years ago, when this church was organized, it conferred this title upon him, and for all the years since he has held this "commission " and faithfully labored in season and out of season for the interest and welfare of this church.

In recognition of this, the church, on January 21, 1883, held special services to commemorate Deacon Hall's long official connection with it, and to extend congratulations upon his having attained lis ninetieth birthday. Three days before, a large concourse of relatives and friends, by invitation of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Pease, assembled at their residence to convey

to Deacon Hall congratulations upon the ninetieth anniversary of his birth. Children of the first, second and third generations were present to the number of forty. Deacon Hall converses fluently, can hear well, and his memory remains excellent ; but his eyesight has recently failed, and he can see but little. He has now passed his ninety-fourth birthday. His life has been contemporary with the life of this nation, and he has lived during the most eventful period of the world's history.

BENSON DISTRICT .- Peletiah Gunnison was one of the most active men in having the Benson school- house built. Lucy Hall taught the first school. Mary Tyler was one of the first teachers. The school-house was built about 1840. Geo. Chandler, son of Dr. Chandler, commenced where Austin Benson resides. Macajah Barrett and Orrin French took up the land where Urban and Lester Paine reside. Peletiah Gunnison commenced where Edwin Leonard resides Wm. H. Bartlett came with Calvin Morse and took up land where James Hopkins lives. Moses B. Wheaton first began beyond the corner where Geo. Gelatt lives. Eli Page began on the place now owned by his son, Amasa A. Page. L. Dow Benson resides where Justus Seely commenced. Solomon Matteson began where Thomas Tallman lives. Sabin Allen resides where Hiram Houghton began. Amzi Nathan began where Ansel Page lives. John Gunni- son first began on the place adjoining. Morris Griffis began where Stephen Greenwood built. Nathaniel Aldrich began where Robert Wilkinson lives. Widow Orr Tarbox owns where Joel Hill began. Hubbell Wells owned it afterwards.

Hosea Benson first went to Harford, but soon after, in 1813, located about one mile southwest of Jackson Corners. He bought an improvement of Jonathan Bryant, who had five acres of wheat sowed when he made the purchase. He took up three hundred acres and cleared up a large farm. He invented a stave- dressing machine, and had it patented. He was from New Hampshire, and was one of the founders of the Methodist Church at this place. He married Ann Aldrich and raised a very large family of children, --- Austin, Maria, Sophia, Nathaniel, Caroline, Amanda, Lorenzo D., Ann Eliza, Leander C., Arza M. and Charlotte. Austin has resided longer in the township than any person now living, and glories in the fact that he is a Democrat at all times and under all cir- cumstances. He taught school nine terms and has been a great reader, besides having his mind stored with many interesting and amusing reminis- cences of the old setlers. He married Betsey Manzer. He and three of his sons-Hosea M., Philander R. and Manzer L .-- were in the late war. The latter died in Salisbury prison. Hosea M. is a merchant and farmer, and, in connection with his brother Philander, is engaged in manufacturing butter tubs. Thomas K. resides in Scranton, and Nelson C. and Nathaniel live on the homestead.

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JACKSON.

Lorenzo Dow Benson is a farmer, surveyor and politician, and has been justice of the peace coutin- uously since 1856, excepting one year. He married Emeline Dougherty, and his two boys-Le Grand is in Brandt & Schlager's bauk at Susquehanna, and Frank is in Elmira. Of the girls, Maria was the wife of Elisha Brown; Sophia was the first girl born in Jackson (her first husband was Hiram Houghton, second Orville Brigham); Caroline was the wife of Jas. Bingham, one of whose sons, A. S. Bingham, is a carriage-maker at Jackson ; Amanda, wife of Henry Jenkins ; Ann Eliza, wife of Almon Moxley ; Char- lotte, wife of Luman Foster. Job Benson, brother of Hosea, commenced where Austin Benson lives. He then commenced in the woods east of the Tunkhan- nock and cleared up a farm. He died -, aged eighty-two. He had a family of fourteen children. Elliott is the only one living in the township now, and he kept the first hotel at Susquehanna. James Benson, another brother, located about four miles west of Jackson village. He had three sons-Otwell, John and James D .- who divided the homestead into three farms, where they reside. There were three daughters-Eunice, wife of Sidney Morse ; Margaret, wife of E. Chandler; Anna E., wife of Henry Barnard.

Hubbel Wells married Betsy Marble and settled in Jackson, near Austin Benson's. Of his children, Hubbel Wells, Jr., died recently at Susquehanna. Levi moved West. Olive was the first wife of Reuben Harris, and the mother of five of his children. Gra- tia was the wife of Chauncy Lamb; Lavina, wife of Macajah Barrett; Zorada, wife of Nathaniel Hill. Horatio M. was an excellent singer, which is a family characteristic, and a noted mimic and punster, and in connection with Austin Benson and other old settlers, could make more fun than a clown. The old settlers of Jackson were noted for gathering around the hearthstone and telling stories and jesting, and in this Horatio Wells was conspicuous; but his life was not all wit and humor ; he was a good, sen- sible man withal.

JAMES CARGILL (4th) .- The first Cargill of whom we have any record was Rev. Donald Cargill, of Scot- land, born about 1610, who suffered death by hanging at the hands of the opposers and persecutors of the Protestant clergy of that day, on account of his be- lief and his advocacy of religious liberty. A descend- ant of his, John Cargill, left Scotland during the Scottish rebellion and went to Ireland, where he died. His son James and daughter Mary Ann, after the death of their father, came to this country about 1820, and settled in Pautuxet, Mass. Mary Ann married Robert Kennedy, of Norwich, Conn .; James Cargill (1st) married Phebe Smith, daughter of Ben- jamin, a son of Lord Stephen Smith, who was a refugee from England during the rebellion, and had been a member of Cromwell's Parliament. Jamcs and Phebe settled at South Kingston, R. I., where he

purchased a farm and mill privilege. They had children,-Mary, John, James (2d), Chloe, Lucy and Benjamin. James Cargill (2d) was born in South Kingston, R. I., February 27, 1729, and married Dor- cas Arnold, of Smithfield, R. I. They had children,- Rhoda, James (3d), David, Nathan, John, George and Daniel. These births are recorded in the Cum- berland records. James Cargill (3d) was born in Cumberland, R. I., April 22, 1762. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, although but sixteen when he entered the army. He taught school for a time after the war. In 1786 he married Chloe Chafee (1766-1836), a native of Westminster, Vt., and settled in Richmond, N. H. In 1814 he gathered his worldly possessions together, and placing them, with his family, in an ox-cart drawn by two yoke of oxen, he left New Hampshire and came to this county, where he settled in West Jackson. After the death of his wife he resided with his sons, Ira and James (4th), and died at the house of the latter in 1848, at the age of eighty-six. He was somewhat eccentric, and previous to his removal from New Hampshire, was a Quaker in practice and profession, but after coming to Jackson he became a member of the Meth- odist Church. Their children were,-Nancy (1787- 1878) was the wife of Calvin Stone, and removed from Vermont to Jackson in 1815; Arnold (1788-1863) re- mained a number of years after attaining his majority with his father, afterwards married the widow of a deceased brother and settled in Thomson; James (4th) (1781-1865); Ira (1792-1857) married Anna Hine, and settled in Wayne County, Pa., where he died; Clarrissa (1794-1852) married William Segur, and settled in Jackson; Chloe (1796-1869) married William Cleveland, and latter part of her life lived in Thomson ; Dorcas (1799-1853) was the wife of Berry Wellman, and settled in New Milford ; Nisena (1802- 87) was the wife of Joel B. Strickland, of Illinois ; Thomas Jefferson (1802-83) married Sally Cook, and settled in Jackson, where he died ; Rachel, 1806, widow of Joseph Lewis, now residing in Illinois; Electa (1809-78) died unmarried.

James Cargill (4th) was born in Richmond, Cheshire County, N. H., April 28, 1791. When his father removed from New Hampshire he went to Rhode Island, and worked until the fall of that year, and then came on foot, with a pack on his back, to the wilderness-home of his father in Jackson. In 1815 he took up a tract of woodland, which he con- verted into the farm upon which he lived for fifty years, and where he died-now the residence of his son, John Wesley. He was four times married- first, in 1817, to Sarah Comfort (1799-1818), daughter of John and Phebe Comfort, who were among the first settlers on the Susquehanna River in Harmony. (For history Comfort family see Harmony township.) They had one child, Sarah Comfort (1818-42), who married Rev. William Reddy, a Methodist clergy- gymau. In 1819 he married Hannalı Comfort (1801-

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

42), a sister of his first wife. Their children are Hester Ann, 1824, a widow of Rev. George H. Blakeslee, a Methodist clergyman, who died in 1876, now residing with her daughter Mary, who is the wife of Prof. T. B. Stowell, Ph.D., of the State Nor- mal School, at. Cortland, N. Y. Her sons are Rev. Francis Durbin, 1846, graduate of Syracuse Univer- sity, married Augusta M., also a graduate of Syracuse University, daughter of Hon. S. Hubbard, of Gen- eseo, N. Y., has been for many years a principal of East Greenwich Seminary, R. I., and is a member of

where he purchased sixty-six acres of wild land and erected a log house. In 1864 he removed from Wayne County, and came to the old homestead in Jackson, where he remained one year, when he went to Thomson, and purchased of William Witter the farm where he now resides. He has been a member of the Methodist Church since he became settled in life, and has been class leader, steward and trustee, and also Sabbath-school superintendent. Originally a Democrat in politics, he has for many years been identified with the Republican party, and has served

James le angill

New England Southern Conference; Erasmus Dar- [ his town as school director and supervisor. They win (1847-83), graduate of Syracuse University, for have children, -Elias Parley, 1850, married Matilda M. Bennett, residing in Thomson; James Emory (1854-57); Ella Betsey, 1856, wife of James M. Brown, residing in Thomson ; Phebe Jane, 1859, wife of W. J. Bills, residing in Scranton, was a school- teacher for several years previous to her marriage ; James Harvey (1829-54) was a graduate of the Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pa. Converted at the age of nine, he early evinced a desire for the min- istry, and, after receiving his diploma, was admitted to the Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. The untimely death of this young several years acting principal of State Normal School, Potsdam, N. Y., graduate of Albany Law School, married Emma Louise Qua, teacher in Potsdam Nor- mal School. Her other daughters are, Helen E. inarried Prof. Warren Mann, A. M., of the Normal School at Potsdam, N. Y .; Clara M. married J. Wil- lard Miller, Lincoln, Neb. ; Emma J. married Jasper L. Kellogg, Lincoln, Neb. Parley Smith, 1826, married in 1848 Betsey, daughter of John J. and Hannah Shafer, born in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1828. After marriage settled in Wayne County, Pa.,

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clergyman at Susquehanna, on the 4th of July, 1854, by the discharge of a cannon, is still fresh in the minds of many. He had but just entered the ministry, hav- ing preached one year on the Scranton and Provi- dence Circuit, and the year previous to his death, at Susquehanna and Lanesboro'. But in this brief time he had developed rare and distinguished ability that gave promise of a life of great usefulness and honor. John Wesley, 1831, educated at the common schools and at Wyoming Seminary and Harford University, married, in 1856, Abagail Amelia, daughter of Mar- tin and Irena Bunnell, born in 1835, and was a stu- dent at Harford University and a teacher for six terms before marriage. After his marriage settled in Thomson, where he remained until his father's death, in 1865, when he sold the Thomson farm. to his brother and removed to the homestead, which he purchased of the heirs where he still resides. In 1864 he went to Chattanooga, Tenn., and was in the Construction Corps of the army for a time. He is literary in his tastes, writing for the press occasion- ally, and sometimes expressing himself poetically. Previous to marriage he taught school-the first time in a log school-house in Jackson, when he was eighteen. He was identified with the anti-slavery party previous to the war; since that time he has acted with the Democratic party, and often with pen and voice has zealously advocated its principles. In 1853 he was elected county auditor, and in 1878 was elected to the Legislature of Pennsylvania for two years, and acceptably served his constituents. They have one son, Manlius Wilmot, 1859, educated at Keystone Academy and at East Greenwich Academy, R. I., married, in 1886, Elizabeth Roe, was principal of the Thomson and Oakland graded schools, and now teaching in a normal school in Ohio; Phebe, 1833, was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, was a teacher for several years, and for one year was pre- ceptress of the Indiana Female College, married, in 1857, Addison P. Smith, a real estate broker of New York City. Their children are Evelyn, 1860, and two sons, Jerome and Guy, who died young. Daniel, (1835-65) took a preparatory course at Wyoming Seminary, and entered Union College, at Schenectady, N. Y., where he graduated with honors ; married, in 1865, Hattie E., daughter of Hon. James Mumford, of Starrucca, who died in 1866 ; one son, Daniel, 1866, survives them. Emory (1837-54). James Cargill, (4th) was converted in 1816, and joined the Meth- odist Church, and continued an active member during his life. He was a class-leader for nearly forty years. His home was the home of the itinerant. For twenty years his home was the place where the people congregated for worship, he furnishing fuel and lights for the purpose. He ever gave liberally for the building of churches and the preaching of the gospel. He often rode on horseback five or six miles to attend prayer-meetings. His "daily walk and con- versation " were consistent with his profession. He

lived at peace with his neighbors, and never had a lawsuit or church trial. Early taught in the school of industry and economy, he perseveringly toiled amid the discomforts that the pioneers of those days encountered, until in the evening of his life he found himself surrounded with the comforts fairly earned by the frugality of his earlier years.

Calvin Stone settled adjoining Cargill's, where Fre- mont Butterfield lives. Wilson Stone, one of the sons, resides in North Jackson. Ira Cargill commenced near by and remained a short time. Simeon Slocum settled near the school-house where Mrs. Potter lives. Jesse Dix moved from Mt. Pleasant to Jackson in 1832, and went into the woods and cleared up a good farm, now owned by William Pickering. He died in 1864, aged seventy-three, and his wife died in 1879, aged eighty-six. The family have all left the town- ship.

Moses B. Wheaton (1790-1866), a native of Rich- mond, N. H., married Mary Aldrich (1795-1874), of the same place, and settled in Jackson township in 1814, where Dr. Wheaton now resides. He cleared up a farm, and taught school for fourteen years, being the first school-teacher in the township. He removed to North Jackson in 1825 and died therc. He had a large family: Julia Ann, wife of Horace Aldrich, of Jackson; Laura Ann was the wife of Martin E. B. Larrabee, of Jackson ; Mary Elvira had two husbands, first, Parley Potter, second, Chauncey Lamb; Fostina L. is the widow of M. T. Whitney, of Thomson ; Lydia M., wife of E. M. Bryant, of Thomson; Dr. Washington W. resides in Binghamton ; Dr. William W., of Jackson ; Almeda E., wife of Henry Benson, of Jackson, second, Henry P. Crary, of Binghamton; Thomas J., of Wilkes Barre ; Cleopatra P. died at seventeen ; Catharine Melissa, wife of R. V. Whit- ney, of Thomson ; Nancy A., wife of William W. Holmes, of Jackson; Sarah J., dead; Lamira A., wife of Stephen Jenkins, of Thomson.

ENOS WHITNEY was born at Branford, Conn., in 1761. He served six months in the Revolutionary War. In 1787 he married Eunice Avery, and in 1818 came to Gibson township, and located on the farm adjoining his son Thaddeus, who had come in 1817. Enos Whitney died in 1838, aged seventy-eight, and is buried at Union Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Whitney took letters from the Congregational Church in Con- necticut and became one of the constituent mem- bers of the church on Union Hill. She died in 1846, aged eighty-five. Their children were Laura, wife of Leonard Tiffany, of Mount Pleasant ; Thaddeus, who married Thirza Washburn ; Eunice H., wife of Moses Chamberlain ; Billias married Jane Chase, and died in Harford, aged fifty-six; Anna was the wife of Preserved Pickering; Enos married Margery Merri- man and lived in Gibson; Paulina was the wife of Riley Case and lived in Lenox, where she died in 1850; Everett married Julia Merriman and lived at Great Bend; he died in 1886, aged eighty-one. Da-

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

vid E., son of Billias, went out as captain of Compa- ny B, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He resigned after a few months, and is now a resident of Burrows' Hollow.

Thaddeus Whitney, above-mentioned, came from Connecticut in 1817, and bought an improvement of Samuel Washburn on the old Newburg road, one inile from Smiley. He cleared up a farm and carried on farming and blacksmithing until he died, in 1860, aged sixty-one. He was a single man when he came here, and married a daughter of Joseph Washburn, Esq. Their children were Julia Ann, wife of John Manzer, a resident of Gibson; Jane M., wife of Gil- bert Williams, of New Milford ; Joseph E., who married Elizabeth A. Parmenter, of Gibson; Francis M .; Harriet A., wife of J. Sheldon Tiffany, of Mount Pleasant; Henrietta M., wife of F. M. Elting, of Oneonta; Freeman P. married Sarah Hine, and resides on the homestead ; he was corporal in Com- pany B, Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was captured by Mosby's men September 27, 1864, and was a prisoner at Salisbury five months; Harlan S. enlisted in the same company and died in the army ; Eliza O. died young; W. Richmond married Helen Washburn, and resides in Oneonta.

FRANCIS MARION WHITNEY was born in Gibson July 8, 1826. He helped his father on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, and attended the common schools winters when he could be spared from such services ; his help was needed by his father, because he had to pay for his farm twice. He sup- posed he had a sufficient title from the settler of whom he purchased, but found that the title had to come from the land-owners in Philadelphia. Francis stayed at home to assist his father in his efforts to pay for his land. He next started for himself, and bought one hundred and twenty-six acres of land on the east branch of the Tunkhannock, where his son William resides. He went in debt for this property, and by hard labor cleared it up and paid for it. He then purchased the Charles Potter farm of eighty acres, and removed to Jackson Centre, where he re- sided a number of ycars, and made improvements on the place, consisting of a store, dwelling-house and barns. He next bought a hotel property at Susque- hanna, known as the " Benson House," now " Cascade House," and removed there intending to keep hotel ; but when he saw men coming there to purchase whiskey wlio needed their money for their families, he became so disgusted with the business that he sold out in three months and purchased the Major Lamnb farm, in Jackson, where he now resides. He man- ages this farm and also the farm at Jackson Centre. Besides farming, Mr. Whitney has been a drover and handled a large amount of stock. His life has been an active one; few farmers in the county have labored more industriously or been more successful than he has. He married Julia A. Belcher, born July 12, 1828, daughter of William Belcher, one of the first

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 153

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318