Production Note Cornell University Library pro- duced this volume to replace the irreparably deteriorated original. It was scanned using Xerox soft- ware and equipment at 600 dots per inch resolution and com- pressed prior to storage using CCITT Group 4 compression. The digital data were used to create Cornell's replacement volume on paper that meets the ANSI Stand- ard Z39.48-1984. The production of this volume was supported in part by the Commission on Pres- ervation and Access and the Xerox Corporation. Digital file copy- right by Cornell University Library 1991.(Rowell Uniuetatty lEihmy Htfjaca, Ntw $ork BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE JACOB H. SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION OF STUDIES IN HUMAN CIVILIZATION 1918OF THE TOWN OF GROTON, ■ TOMPKINS COUNTY, N. Y., BEING * LECTURE j^ELIYEKED BEFORE THE GROTON LITERARY ASSOCIATION, 11 Y Prof. M. 31. BALDWIN, M. A., 1’RIXCIPAL OF GROTOX ACADEMY, A FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 10, 1868. Pl'lSMSHED BY THE ASSOC1 VTlOX. G R O T O N , N. Y.: H. C. MAliMI, PRINTER, GROTON JOURNAL OFFICE, ISO s. Groton Academy. This excellent and well established Institution of Learning will enter upon its Thirty-Second Academic Year, on Monday the 24th. day of August next, under the charge of its present Principal, PROF. M. M. BALDWIN, M. A., Aided by a full Board of competent and successful Instructors. Mr. Baldwin has now presided over the Institution for seven years— a period longer than that of-any other of its Principals; and its record for ‘that time compares very favorably with that of any other seven years of its existence. The School is certainly very prosperous, and will, no doubt, in- crease in popularity and influence for years to come. Its location is very fine, being situated on the line of the Southern Cen- tral Railroad, now in process of construction, in the beautiful, thriving and healthy village of Groton, remote from the disturbing, debasing and ruin- ous influences of large villages and cities. No license for the sale of intox icating liquors in the village or vicinity, has this year been granted. The great mass of the people are intelligent, moral and industrious, and generally strive to make the stay of students among them pleasant and pro- fitable to the students. The Expenses are as light as they can be found any where in first-class schools. Good Board and Rooms secured for pupils on application to the Principal. CALENDAR FOR 1868-9. The Fall Term Begins Monday, August 2Ath, 1868, Ends Nov. 26th, 1868. The Winter Term Begins Monday, Bee. 14th, 1868, Ends March \lth, 1869. The Spring Term Begins Monday, March 29th, 1869, Ends July 1st, 1869. GROTON, N. Y., .Tune 8, 1808. S. C. Reynolds, Secretary. Dr. E. C. MOE, President,OF THE TOWN OF GROTON, TOMPKINS COUNTY, N. Y., BEING A LECTURE DELIVERED BEFORE THE GROTON LITERARY ASSOCIATION, BY # Prof. M. 31. BALDWIN, 31. A., PRINCIPAL OF GROTON ACADEMY, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 10, 1868. PUBLISHED BY THE ASSOCIATION. GROTON, N. Y.: ft. C. MARSH. PRINTER, GROTON JOURNAL OFFICE, ISOS. CORRESPONDENCE. Prop. M. M. BALDWIN— Dear Sir : Having learned that you are in pos- session of a large number of facts on the early settlement and history of the Town of Groton, and feeling that it will be highly interesting to the commu- nity generally, we would be much gratified if you would prepare a Lecture therefrom, to be delivered before our Association, at such time as may suit your convenience. Yours, &c., C. H. SPAULDING, ) Groton, Jan. 22, 1868. S. U. JONES, > Lecture Committee. H. K. CLARK, ) Groton Academy, Jan. 23, 1868. GENTLEMEN As intimated in your note of invitation, I have, for some time, been collecting information concerning the history of the Village and of the Town of Groton, and shall take pleasure in presenting the same, in Lec- ture form, to our citizens, at the earliest day I can do so conveniently. Yours, with respect, M. M. BALDWIN. To Messrs. C. H. Spaulding, S. U. Jones, and H. K. Clark, Lecture Committee of the Groton Literary Association.LECTURE Fellow Citizens :— History has been called Wisdom’s most pleasant school. By it, Heaven is constantly teaching mankind important lessons. Among these, traced in unmistakable lines, we find that God would have men, by painful toil, change the barren wilderness into fruitful gar- dens ; and also, that the race is destined to pass from the low state of the wild-man gradually to higher and higher types of excellence. It was never intended that these hills and valleys should remain mere hunting-grounds for savages, or haunts of wild beasts. They were designed to be peopled by enlightened, yea, Christianized hu- manity. And I am to speak to you on this occasion, of those who first began to fell those tall old forest-trees which once towered here heaven-ward, who first constructed the abodes of civilized man, who introduced domestic animals and first turned the soil with the use- ful plow, and, who laid the firm foundations of those humanizing institutions in the midst of which we now dwell. Would that they were alive to-day, and moving in our midst, to tell the story of those early days! With what eagerness would we not listen. But, alas! those pioneers have all passed to their reward, and also, by far the greater portion of their immediate successors. Of the latter, a few remain to delight us with their pleasant society, and to instruct us with their vivid descriptions of the pioneers themselves and their many trials. Thus we can realize, in part, the fact that the chan- ges which have taken place in this vicinity within the present centu- ry, have been brought about only by very great toil, sacrifices, and sufferings. As introductory, permit me to quote all that I have been able to find, which has been printed upon this subject. French’s Gazetteer, compiled in 1860, savs: u Among the first settlers of the town were Samuel Hogg, at West Groton; Ichabod Bowen, [Brown?], John Guthrie, and-----Perrin, at Groton; and J. Williams, J. Hough-4 taling, and W^. C^Iark, at East Groton.” The New Topographi- cal Atlas of Tompkins Co., published in 1866, says : “’Among the first settlers were Samuel Hogg at West Groton) Ichabod Brown and John Guthrie at Groton, and J. Willoughby, J. Houghtaling and W. S.^jark at East Groton.” This information is probably as correct as strangers passing through the town and inquiring on the road, would be likely to obtain. But who the first settlers tru- ly were, can be determined only on an actual comparison of well authenticated dates. This part of the State of New York was known, at first, as “ The Military District,” which title was bestowed upon it soon after the close of the American Revolution. After having driven the Brit- ish invaders from our soil, and having secured the liberties of our nation for all-coming time, our noble army was disbanded. Each soldier, though rich in glory and crowned with imperishable laurels, returned to the bosom of that society he had contributed to save, in most cases in a very destitute and impoverished condition. But they went not alone, for the hearts of the entire nation went with them. As a slight token of gratitude, a law was passed bestowing upon them, pensions and bounty-lands. This region, then a howl- ing wilderness, was surveyed into townships ten miles square j and these were divided into lots a mile square, under the superintend- ence of Hon. Simeon DeWitt, then Surveyor General of the State. The lots of twenty of these townships were bestowed by the State of New York, upon survivors of the New York line in that heroic army. In process of time, they were to be settled; and, as it hap- pened, it was undertaken at a very auspicious period. The terrible storm of the Revolution had passed away. The “ garments dyed in blood” had disappeared, and no foe by his presence alarmed the weak and the fearful. Even the fierce Aborigines had been swept from this entire region by that wonderfully successful campaign of Gen. Sullivan. Though Napoleon Bonaparte, that mighty chieftain, “ the lowly born,” was shaking the thrones of the mightiest mon- archs of Europe with the thunders of his artillery, yet those dread sounds died far away from our shores; and,* if known at all, they were little heeded by those who were then making feeble settle- ments here and there amid the hills and valleys of Tompkins County. At the close of the last century, settlements were made nearly simultaneously in various portions of the town. But the honor of first settling this beautiful valley in the center of the town, is not undisputed. Many-tongued tradition brings to us at lea&t two some- what different stories. One is, that Ephraim Spaulding and Michael5 Grummon, from Battleborough, Vt., came to this place in June, 1795, cleared six acres of ground where the Academy now stands, and sowed it to winter wheat, and built two log houses: one for Spaulding, near where Wm. Hicks now lives, and one for Grum- mon north of the Sulphur Spring. That they were here before 1804 is undisputed. The other story is, that Major Benjamin^ ! " Hicks, wh<^ had served with distinction in the Revolution, under \ CJol. Willet at Fort Stanwix, (now Rome,) against the British and j Indians, in the many bloody battles fought in that vicinity, and to whom Lot No. 75, in the town of Locke, now Groton, had fallen, then living near Canajoharie, N. Y., had in his employ during the summer of 1797. John Perrin, formerly of Berkshire Co. Mass. ^ During said timejHicks made an arrangement with Perrin to move ^ v / upon saidYot,"commence clearing it off, cause it to be surveyed, and to offer such portions of it to actual settlers as he should be able. Iu October of that year, two teams with lumber wagons loaded with provisions, household furniture and other necessaries were fitted out; Perrin and his wife, with Ebenezer Williams, from Charlemont, 3., going with the first load, and Ezra Carpenter, from Savoy, 3., with the second. On and on they traveled day after day, over roads well nigh impassable. During the latter part of their journey, when they had left all beaten paths behind them, Williams acted as guide to the teams, going* forward on foot and selecting the track. For the last few miles he was directed by the u blazed trees,” along the lines which had been left by the original surveyor, It seems that on the last day of their lonely journey, he had gone far ahead of the teams and had actually arrived at the bounds of “ the promised land.”/ Here lay lot 75 in ail its primeval loveli- ness, but silent and solitary. j At one time, he saw, in the distance, beautiful wild deer as they swiftly fled away; and, at another, a huge black bear, which slowly and reluctantly retreated before him, yielding his sceptre to one mightier and more intelligent than hej /Having hastily observed the “ lay of the land,” he returned to meet his companions,/whom he found in the vicinity of James Maclach- lan’s. When some ten rods south of Benj. Hat.ch7s/they found a tree turned up from the roots. Here they halted; and beside this tree, they built a sort of shelter from the elements, which they oc- cupied, for nearly a month, while they constructed a permanent dwelling. 11 On the first or second day in the dusk of the evening, they were surprised in hearing this question pronounced in a clear, and manly voice, u What are you doing here?” Looking around they beheld a hunter in full dress; and they soon learned that he was John Bowker, (father of Clinton Bowker), one of the first set-6 tiers of Lansing, then on his way to visit friends in Dry den. Of course he camped with^theny /Their house was of log, and was lo- cated in the hollow south of Roland White’s, and some four rods west of the road. It is said that the ground was then so marshy, that it took them all day to cross with their teams, for the first time, the valley from their brush shanty to their log “palace.” This is claimed to be the first house in this part of the town. /Then Wil- liams, who was a surveyor, went on foot to Cortland, and borrowed a compass and chain of Samuel Crittenden, grandfather of our G. D. Crittenden; and, with these they surveyed the lot, and sub-divi- ded it into portions suitable for farms, preparatory to offering them for sale, in accordance with Major Hicks’ plam/ f Before winter set in, Williams and Carpenter returned to Canajoh^rie, and thence to Mass. I Now whether Spaulding and Grummon, or John Perrin and wife were the first settlers in this vicinity, let others decide. The latter, it seems to me, is much the most probable. In 1804, Dea. Benjamin Williams, now eighty-four years of age, a brother of Ebenezer Williams, and also of Mrs. John Perrin, came to Groton to reside. / From him I learn that Perrin and wife pass- ed the winter of 1797-8 alone in the wilderness. The next spring, his father, Lemuel Perrin, and family came and settled on the thir- ty-nine acres, ^vhere B. Hatch’s dwelling now is} It cost him three dollars per acre, and he afterwards sold it to Amzi Clark for $18. per acre. Also S. Jenks Carpenter, father of our Ruel B. Carpenter, came from Savoy. He worked for J. Perrin that summer, and claimed to help clear off the first piece of land in the vicinity In 1803, he bought fifty acres where Mr. A. Page resides, and paid for it one hundred and fourteen dollars u in gold.” Ephraim Spaulding built a house a little east of Wm. Hicks’, which he sold to Ezra Loomis, who occupied it in 1804. Samuel Ingalls and Silas Stu- art came about this time; also Michael Grummon who built a house near F. A. Sherman’s. May 7, 1802, Jonas Williams pur- chased one hundred and six acres for $320.25 and built upon it the\ first grist-mill in Groton. This wTas ond*story and a half high, and it had one small run of stone which was used in grinding both wheat and corn. To show the scarcity of musical instruments and the es- timation of music among the people of that day, it is related that one of the .customers of the mill would sometimes bring along his violin as well as his grist, and that in return for the entertainment afforded the miller and his customers, his grist went toll-free. Then, he built the first saw-mill, known to us as “ the old saw-mill,” and which has lately been torn down to “ clear the track” for the South- ern Central R. R. lie also erected the first framed dwelling in the7 ( place where the Union Block now stands. Before 1804, Ezra Gar- \ penter had married John Perrin’s sistertand moved upon the farm. where Alfred Underwood now lives. Admatha Blodgett from Ho- mer bought the same farm three or four years after. Dr. Nathan j Branch occupied a house near John Van tine’s. Jonathan Bennett ^ * lived in a house near Roland White’s. /Peleg Hathaway^\lived on the farm now owned by Henry Allen.’T^Lbiatha Hathawa nearly opposite to Virgil Hatch’s, and John PerrinTiad moved andf built a house near Aaron Woodbury’s residence. No doubt, a large number of interesting incidents could be col- lected, if one had the time to spare, which would give some idea of \ the trials and difficulties encountered by the early settlers, and* \ which would also throw some light upon the manners and customs of that period. For instance, it is said that in April 1798, Ephraim Spaulding killed, where Henry Allen’s bam now stands, the largest and fattest bear ever seen in this region. The summer after, a bear came and took a hog belonging to Spaulding, and having earned her across the Inlet on a log near where Ashley & Co.’s Steam saw-mill recently stood, killed and ate her. They were com- pelled to feed the six little motherless pigs with a spoon. The same year, Silas Stuart was attacked by a pack of wolves; and in order to save his life, he was compelled to take refuge in the top of a tree; and remain there much of the night. Alarmed by his absence, the neighbors with torches in hand, went in search of him. The wolves, being frightened by these, retreated leaving the frightened man in the hands of his friends. But we cannot take leave of Stu- art yet. He had built a house on the East Hill, near where John Adams now resides.^ A bear visited his hog-pen one night to carry away his hog, being one of the aforesaid li spoon-fed-pigs.” The night was very dark, and the bear determined in his purpose. Stu- art, remembering well his former experience when “ treed ” by the wolves, was suddenly taken very sick, just at the time the tumult at the pen was the greatest. Under these trying circumstances, his wife became desperate, and, seizing some fire-brands, rushed out of the house, taking care to close the door so firmly behind her that the bear could not get in to hurt her poor, sick husband. Then by shouting and brandishing the fire-brands, she kept the bear from the hog until assistance came from the valley. Jonathan Bennett was appointed the first Justice-of-thre-Peace in 1805 or 6, which office he held for many years. Once it is said after having officiated at a wedding, the bridegroom asked him what he would receive for his fees, as he had little money. Bennett who* was a kind, jovial man, replied that he was not particular, most any / s (K. V* A: 8 thing would answer. Upon this, the young man gave him two very fine sap-buckets, which Bennett took, and, placing one under each arm, trudged along home on foot through the woods, whistling. In 1806, David Hicks, a half-brother of old Major Hicks) also, Wm. Hicks and his son James, came and settled here. In 1807 or 8, Benjamin Williams and his brother William bought five acres of land for $51.56, and erected the second frame dwelling in the village near the site of H. K. Clark’s dwelling. Soon after, they began to use one part of this for a store. They purchased their goods, consisting mainly of calico, coarse broad-cloth, muslin, gro- ceries, nails, tobacco, etc., at Waterford, ten miles north of Albany, and had them transported the entire distance by two-horse teams, the drivers generally carrying their provisions with them and occu- pying some twelve days in the journey. They then sold the goods for ashes, manufactured these into potash, sent the potash to Water- ford by teams to pay for the goods, and bought more goods with which the teams were loaded on their return. They put up the first ashery in 1808 or 9, near 0. P. Atwood’s. Prior to that, potash was made in the open air. They also carried on a distillery near the store. August 15, 1811, Wm. Williams, senior, purchased the grist-mill and forty acres of land for $1,225, tore down the mill, and erected a new one on the same site. The year 1817 was a very important one to this locality. The Legislature, on the 17th, of April, formed the new county of Tomp- kins, so named in honor of Gov. Tompkins, by taking from Seneca County, the towns of Hector and Ulysses, and from Cayuga County, Dryden and parts of the towns of Locke and Milton. At first, the part of Locke thus set off was called Division; but the next year, it was changed to Groton, on the petition of the inhabitants of the town, some of whom had moved from Groton, Mass., and some from Gro- ton, Ct., though a few desired the name of York. The town, therefore, lies in the N. E. corner of Tompkins Co., is ten miles long and five wide, containing fifty square miles, or 32,000 square acres. In the same month, the Annual Town Meeting was held at the log barn of Samuel Love, near A. Woodbury’s. Hon. Samuel Critten- den was elected Supervisor, and Admatha Blodget, Town Clerk. The town being thus set off, business received a new impetus, im- provements were rapidly effected, and tli^ number of inhabitants was rapidly increased by the arrival of new settlers. Robert C. Reynolds, born in Richmond, R. I. in, 1792, came to Groton this year. The village then contained, as he informs me, ■seven framed buildings, viz: a house then occupied by Wm. Wil- liams, sen., and his son Benjamin, where the Union Block now9 Stands; a house near the residence of the late Orrin Clark, which Reynolds purchased and in which he opened a store; the old red- house north of Edward Thomas’, then_ occupied by S. Jenks Car-cyx penter; a house where John Vantine’s now is, occupied by James Austin as a tavern; Pliny Sikes’ dwelling; a small house near Conan t’s where Dr. Daniel Mead lived; and a school house near Wm. Perrigo’s dwelling. There was about the same number of log houses. Soon after, Pliny Sikes built the houses now owned by O. W. Conger and D. V. Linderman; Ebenezer Williams returned as a permanent settler and erected a carriage shop and also a dwell* ihg on Main street, known then as the Mansion House} Azariah Dodge built a part of the present Groton Hotel, to which R. C. Rey* nolds made additions in ’33, and Harrison Bowker in 1854*5. In 1818, Wm. Williams, sen., erected the S. DeLano house, and Lu* ther Trnmble, a fulling-mill down at “ the Willows.” At this mill a large amount of carding and cloth-dressing was done for several years, particularly by Dexter & Demmon, until finally the building burned down. James Gibbs with his family moved from Windsor, Ct., purchased an acre of ground, and built on it the Bresee house. The next year, he built a shop back of the apple-tree in front of Wm. Perrigo & Co.’s machine shop, in which he carried on the saddle and harness business, it being the first, and for many years, the only shop of the kind in the town. Some twenty years ago, he became a Baptist Minister, and was pastor of several different church- es, Luther Trumble seems to have been quite a builder, for about this time, we find that he erected the dwelling now used by Levi Thomas as a grocery-store. In 1820, he built the store now owned by Adams Brothers, and also the house south of Goodyear’s Hall. Leaving u the comers” in 1825, he built A. Woodbury’s present dwelling for a tavern, and Mrs. James Gibbs’ dwelling for a store, which was filled with goods by him and Major Eliphalet Clark. In the fall of 1824, Zimri Marsh came to this village and engaged in mercantile trade upon the ground now occupied by L. H. Marsh as a store. Born and married in Amherst, Mass., Ee removed to Schenectady, thence to Moravia, and afterwards to Groton City. In • 1827, he purchased the store now owned by Adams Brothers, for $450. He owned the first gig in these parts, and it attracted much attention. In that gig, he was accustomed to travel to Albany, and thence on the river to New*York for goods. He was esteemed a good business man, and a matt of fine abilities; and was for a time a member of our State Legislature, I have thus, my friends, presented all the facts concerning the early settlement of this vicinity, that the space allowed me will per- E10 mit. I now proceed to give a brief account of the rise and progress of the public institutions and principal hinds of business in our midst. The first settlers were generally young men, moral, indus- trious and public spirited. They came expecting to be called up- on to endure the usual wants and privations of pioneers, and to la- bor unremittingly to introduce all the institutions usually found in civilized, Christian lands. They had been reared under the sound of the gospel, and were ready to welcome “the preached word,’7 here in their wilderness homes. Preachers from the surrounding settlements occasionally passed through this valley, and they were invited to stop, and to preach and conduct prayer-meetings at pri- \ vate houses. The first sermon I have heard mentioned, was at the first funeral, by a Presbyterian minister, who happened here at the time. The first child born, here, the little daughter of John Perrin, some two or three years old, was accidentally scalded to death. Her grave, the first in the old burying-ground, is now to be found on the top of the hill, extending north and south. It was dug by E. Spaulding. Dea. B. Williams remembers the first sermon he heard here was by Jabez Chadwick of Genoa. THE OLD EAST CHURCH. The “East Cong. Church in Locke/7 was organized June 19th, 1805. A log meeting-house was erected soon after, two miles east of Groton village. Rev. Joshua Lane was installed minister, as re- corded in neat and scholarly style with his own hand j a copy of which I here insert, as it is the only specimen of “ ye olden style’7 I have discovered in the town : “Wednesday, July 12th, 1809, Joshua Lane of Stratham, State of New Hampshire, licensed by the Piscataqua Association, was sol- emnly ordained to ye work of the gospel ministry by ye Middle As- sociation, of which this church is a member, and installed to take the pastoral charge and oversight of this church and congregation as their first minister.” In 1818 or 719, they raised a large framed meeting-house, which was dedicated in the winter of 1821. It was erected mainly by contributions of labor, grain, and neat cattle. This church became large and influential, the greatest number of communicants in any one year (1838) being 295. After the Congregational Church was established, in the village, many withdrew and joined here. At length their large edifice was purchased by our enterprising towns- man, Dr. John Goodyear, and moved to the village in 1864, and converted into an excellent Town-Hall, stores, &c. In earlier days easy carriages were unknown here, and to show how the abler classes frequently went to “ meeting,” as it was called,.\ 11 it may not be improper to state that Deacon B. was often seen on ins way on horseback, with his wife riding behind dnd a couple of children before him. A]so that J. C. took his wife behind him on horseback, and leaving her at the Baptist church in the village, of which she was a member, he would gallop furiously up the hill to the u East Church/7 two miles distant, to attend his meeting, THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY Was incorporated Feb. 10th, 1818. They soon agreed to build a church edifice 32 by 40 feet with a porch, on the ground directly south of our district school house, and let the job to Ebenezer Wil- liams for $450. To defray the expenses, they voted to sell the pews, u payments tor the same to be made in three equal annual payments in saleable neat stock or grain.77 For their minister, Benjamin An- drews, they hired a farm, which he, truly believing in the nobility of labor, continued very cheerfully to cultivate for years. In 1834 they built an addition having on it a steeple. To this society is due the credit of purchasing the first church bell in the town. Early in 1843, they voted to build a new meeting-house, 45 by 60 feet, on land bought of Jeremiah Pratt. The same was completed Janua- ry 1st, 1844. THE .METHODIST CHURCH. Incorporated July 18, 1836, L. K. Redington minister, and Jus- tus P. Pennoyer official member. In January 1842, they resolved to build a meeting-house, entered at once upon the work like ear- nest men, and had it dedicated on the 20th of December following- In 1853 they voted u to sell the old parsonage and buy new of Geo. Watson.77 Thus it will be seen that ^t an early day, they had the enterprise and judgment to provide “a home77 for their minister; -and they have not given him an opportunity on his first coming among them, as too many abler societies have, to say in the words of our Saviour: u The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.77 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Incorporated March 12, 1849. They at once resolved to employ Rev. H. A. Sackett as minister, at a salary of $400, and to build a house of worship, 40 by 55 feet. This was dedicated January 29th, 1851. This society has the credit of securing for use in public wor- ship the first church-organ in the village. This was accomplished mainly through the exertions and assistance of the Rev. Augustus Pomeroy, who for more than ten years served them very accepta- bly as pastor.SCHOOLS. As with our Pilgrim Fathers, so was it with the first settlers of this region. No sooner had they secured comfortable homes for themselves and their families, than they made arrangements for the public worship of God, and the education of their children. Each settler having contributed labor according to his ability, they erect- ed in 1305, a low log school-house, 30 by 25 feet, north-west of S. S. Williams’ dwelling. Abiatha Hathaway was the first teacher, and the next two winters, Benjamin Williams instructed the school. Miss Blodgett taught the intermediate summer. This house was accidentally burned down in the winter of 1813-14. It seems that by the direction of their teacher, Mr. Zenas Riggs, it was the turn of Elias and Reuel Carpenter to build the fire on that morning. The weather was cold, and they, desirous of faithfully accomplish- ing their task, built such a fire on those stone andirons in that old stick chimney, u as they little thought.” This was the great event of the season. They then built a little red framed school-house, south of F. Averyrs j then a good sized two-story one, on the site of the present one, and this latter in 1858. The Groton High School was begun in 1835 — S. E. Carr, Principal. GROTON LIBRARY. In 1834, the Groton Lihrary was started, and by the introduction of a large number of excellent books, inaugurated a new era. Be- fcve that, in the words of the Psalmist, “ A man was famous accord- ing as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees,” but after that, he was also to be famous for knowledge and intelligence. It was giv- en up in 1839, after the establishment of the grotCn academy. Great was the undertaking, and many were the sacrifices which the stockholders made in founding the Academy, in the midst of the sparse population, possessing then so little accumulated wealth. But they knew the worth of learning to their children and to the community at large, and to secure which, no sacrifices were deemed too great which were in their power to make. The necessary fund& were raised, the building planned and contracted for, and an excel- lent site selected on yonder beautiful elevation, with ample grounds, and decorated with trees. Though centrally located, it is yet re- mote from the noise and the bustle of the village. In 1837, Prof. S. W. Cljrk, a recent graduate of Amherst College, was chosen Principal, and the school went into operation. The Academy was at once truly a success, and soon acquired an enviable reputation, Which it has retained to the present time. Not tlie youth of the13 immediate vicinity only, bat also those of far distant sections, as- sembled here to partake of the bread of intellectual life, and to quench their thirst in the pure waters of knowledge. Though it often failed to be self-sustaining, its stockholders labored unremit- tingly for its prosperity. It has had a mighty influence in elevat- ing, refining, and ennobling the character and moral feelings of the entire people in the vicinity, as well as contributing to their intelli- gence, mental vigor and acumen. These results are to be seen ev- erywhere around us; in the offices of professional men, in the stores, banks, and other business places) in our mechanical shops, and up- on many a well cultivated farm; at home, at the lecture, and in the church. Its pupils are already scattered from Maine, (Rev. W. Stearns,) to California, (Miss D. S. Baldridge.) To realize how great its influence has been, one needs to visit the people of some secluded section, far away from institutions of learning and the ben- efits of a local newspaper press, and carefully note their habits, man- ners and customs. Prior to the erection of the Academy, public opinion was greatly divided as to where the main village in the town would eventually be. But, as soon as this institution began to pour out its blessings upon the community, that question was decided. Those seeking new locations at once gave this the preference. Many have been the families which have settled here, mainly, on this account. GROTON BALANCE AND GROTON DEMOCRAT. On the 31st of January, 1839, H. P. Eels & Co. commenced the publication of a neutral weekly newspaper, entitled the Groton Balance, and issued thirty-nine numbers. This was a creditable sheet and did honor to its managers. It then passed into the hands of E. S. Keeney, an energetic young man then resident here, who completed the year. He then issued thirty-five numbers as a dem- ocratic paper, called the Groton Democrat Through the kindness of Mrs. Dr. Goodyear, a bound volume of this paper is before me, and its perusal has given much satisfaction. From it, I learn that on the Fourth of July, 1840, at a celebration then held, the Declar- ation was read by Dr. Moe; orator, F. DeLano; and a sermon in the afternoon by Rev. Dr. Bellamy. Also, that in August, 1839, the Ithaca Brass Band gave a concert at Groton. We have now, and have had for years, under the leadership of Oliver Avery, jr., a cornet band that could return the compliment. In its columns a young man was advertised for running away from his dear father, and whom we have learned has since been found in the great city of New York in most properous circumstances. I have only room to add a14 choice literary extract of great connubial vigor, if not of tenderness. A wife says: u Ran away from my board, and took with him my bed, my husband in the shape of a man. He is about five feet, eight or nine inches high, dark complexion, black eyes, and is quite a smart looking fellow ; can whistle, sing, dance, preach, pray, and whipjhis wife.’7 CARRIAGE SHOPS. Since 1820, there have been from two to four carriage shops constantly in the place, conducted by numerous individuals and firms. This branch of business has been very successfully and extensively pursued, and has added much to the wealth and prosper- ity of the place. In durability, neatness and taste, the carriages manufactured here have been quite celebrated. In proof of this, and of the extent of the business, we are assured that besides sup- plying the home calls, carriages, wagons and cutters in large quantities and for many years, have been sent from Groton to supply the wants of the people of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Cali- fornia and Oregon. One shop alone during the past year, (S. S. Williams7) has disposed of $24,000 worth of work. FURNACE AND MACHINE SHOP. In the fall of 1849, Charles and Lyman Perrigo settled here and established this shop, with a capital of only about $2,000. By their thorough knowledge of the business, industrious habits, frank and honest dealings, and promptness in executing all work promis- ed at a given time, they have secured a very large circle of friends and an extensive patronage. Their work has found a ready sale at remunerative prices, not only about home and in our own State, but also in California, in some of the Eastern States, and in nearly every one of the Western States. Though contributing liberally of their means in aid of every public enterprise, they have accumulated a haudsome property, and added two excellent dwellings to the village. Latterly, Oliver Avery, jr., a fine mechanic, has been a member of the firm. Their actual sales for the last year amount to $29,000. GROTON SEPARATOR WORKS. These works now owned by Wm. Perrigo and Frederick Avery, were started some ten or twelve years ago, and have been very successful. In addition to the home supply, their work has found a ready market in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minn-15 esota, Wisconsin, California, Missouri and Maryland. Their sales for the past year amount to $26,500. Thus it is readily seen that these carriage, furnace and machine, and separator shops furnish employment for a large number of laborers, thereby supporting many families, and adding nearly, if not quite, $100,000 annually to our circulating medium.- GROTON VILLAGE. This was incorporated June 11th, 1860. The Trustees soon suc- ceeded in having good side-walks constructed upon all the princL pal streets. Shortly after the destruction of Messrs. Williams & Finney’s block by fire, the citizens voted the necessary funds for purchasing an excellent fire engine, and in December, 1864, the u Excelsior Fire Co.” was organized, of which B. F. Fields was cho- sen Foreman. “The Pioneer Hose Co.” was organized June 1st, 1865; C. S. Barney, President, and A. Glover, Foreman. During the past season a respectable engine house was erected, near the Baptist church. Notwithstanding these preparations, I am sorry to be compelled to record the destruction by fire, in 1866, of the old steam saw-mill owned by Ashley & Thayer, and also the new carriage shop of Brokaw & Powers, the -latter of which has since been rebuilt by Powers & Pennoyer, and is doing a success- ful business. The Cheese Factory, erected in the spring of 1866, has been well patronized, but I have not the statistics before me. The Dryden, Groton & Moravia Telegraph Co. was organized in April, 1865. Their lines run through this valley. The office * here is now doing well. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK. The Bank was organized and commenced business April 28th,, 1865. Capital $100,000. The first directors were: Charles Per- rigo, Lyman Perrigo, Clinton Bowker, D. H. Marsh, John Green, S. Hopkins, S. C. Keynolds, John G. Stevens, Arad S. Beach, C. P. Atwood, Henry Allen, John W. Halladay and Artemus Backus. They organized by electing Charles Perrigo, President, S. Hopkinsy Vice-President, and D. H. Marsh, Cashier. Notwithstanding all the “ croaking” at home and abroad, the bank has been very suc- cessful. The whole capital has been constantly employed, and the officers declare that if the capital were doubled, they could use it all profitably. GROTON JOURNAL. On the 9th of November, 1866, the first number of the Groton Journal appeared, under the management of H. C. Marshyeditor16 and proprietor. It at once became popular, and has constantly been growing in the estimation of our citizens. Indeed, we now feel that we cannot do without it. It is truly among the very best newspapers published in this State. It has a respectable circula- tion already, and is worthy of a place in every family in this entire region. As the prosperity of our village and town is intimately con- nected with the success of the Groton Journal, we feel that the in- habitants are especially interested in patronizing it, and sustaining it to the extent ©f their ability. If we can take but one, let that be the home paper. SOUTHERN CENTRAL RAILROAD. Over thirty years ago, a railroad was projected to run from Auburn southerly through Moravia, Groton, &c., to Pugsley’s Station, inter- secting, at that point, the Ithaca & Owego Railroad. On surveying the route, it was found a feasible one, and plans were adopted for raising the funds. But the Ithaca & Owego Company having fail- ed, and the stockholders thereof having lost their entire stock by the sale of the road, the friends of this route became disheartened, and abandoned the undertaking. But this they did with regret, for there were those among them who had the ability and the foresight to see that in the process of time, the wants of this section would call for the construction of just such a thoroughfare, and that here was one of the very best in the whole State. Among our citizens who then took an active part and expended their money for it, we may mention R. C. Reynolds, Dr. E. W. Crain, Franklin Willough- by, and Sylvanus Earned. In 1865, a plan was projected of unit- ing, by railroad, Lake Ontario at Fair Haven, with the coal fields of Pennsylvania, via Moravia, Groton, Dry den and Owego, with the expectation of a continuation thence by rail to New York, and also to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. A number of our most public-spirited, far-sighted, and wealthy citizens, engaged in promoting the enterprise. A company was formed and officers were chosen. The name finally adopted was proposed by the newly elected President, the late C. C. Dennis, at a meeting in our vil- lage. The lawT required that at least one thousand dollars'in stock should be subscribed for and taken, for every mile of the proposed road. Who that had the money to spare, would step forward and pledge the $5,000 required of our town, and actually pay in ten per cent of the same ? Five individuals and firms alone were found j and that their names may be held in lasting remembrance, I here insert them: HlLAND K. CLARK. CHARLES PERRIGO, LYMAN PERRIGO, PIERSON & AVERY, Spnt. 18. 1865. PERRIGO. AVERY & FIELD.17 H. K. Clark was elected Director, who, in company with S. C. Reynolds, A. Woodbury, A. Backus and others, procured individu- al subscriptions to the stock of $50,000, and a subscription from the town of an equal amount The contract for the construction of the road has already been executed, and the work is progressing rapid- ly through our town and all along the route south of Auburn. When the work shall finally be completed, there will be rejoicing in Gro- ton ! Nevermore then will merchants go to New York in gigs to purchase goods. GBOTOX RURAL CEMETERY. Incorporated June 28th, 1858. Permit me, in speaking of the Cemetery, to repeat in part, what I said of it in an Address last au- tumn. “ Among the many modest, rural burying-places to be found in our land, which evince cultivated taste, refinement, and a becom- ing respect for the d^ad, is that of our own beautiful and retired village. Happily located here upon the sides and top of this mount, with the pure waters of the quiet little stream laving its base, and the white pleasant edifices of our thriving village lying in the vale beneath, it contains treasures dearer to our hearts than the golden sands of California. Well adapted by nature for this purpose, it has been rendered more so by art. These winding foot-paths and carriage walks, these trees, both, evergreen and deciduous so skill- fully planted by the hand of man here and there throughout the grounds, and those tall old forest-trees planted by the hand of God, which have escaped the ruthless woodman’s ax, and still rear aloft their foliage as a fine back-ground to the picture; these flowers of many forms and hues, both native and exotic, which breathe their odors over many a grave; these marble slabs, tablets, and monu- ments, whose beautiful forms meet the eye from every direction; and its seclusion from the noise, bustle, and turmoil of the business and activities of life, render this a most desirable place for the inter- ment of the dead. If, for the next few years, as great improve- ments are made in these grounds as have already been made, The Groton Rural Cemetery will be among the finest in the land.” To show most clearly the healthfulness of this locality, it may not be improper to state that the records of the Cemetery show that of the t^nty-five interments for the year ending January last, more than half had reached, or nearly so, three score years and ten; and that one half of the remainder were infants but a few days or months old. Thus far I have spoken mainly of what has transpired upon lots number 75 and 76. I will now add w7hat I have been able to as- c18 certain of others. On the 10th of May, .1804, the whole of lot 7G was deeded by Hy. Ten Brook, of New York, to Hy. Codbury, of London, Great Britain, for $1,200; being less than two dollars per acre. Christopher Pipher with his wife Elizabeth, settled on lot 96* in 1802, where he built a log house. Elizabeth, who is present on this occasion, is more than 105 years old, having been born in Springfield, Pa., 23d of October, 1762, and is now much the oldest person in this part of the State. Her health has always been goody her style of living, plain but uniform. Her drink has generally been water. She still does the work for a family, and is in possession of all her faculties, except that her hearing is somewhat impaired. She remembers distinctly, having heard Elder Starr preach in 1804, at the house of Daniel Luther. Starr was the first regular Baptist minister who preached in that section. • PERUVILLE. This village is situated on lot 95. Among the early settlers were Asa Church who built the first grist-mill, H. I. Brinkerhoff, Thom- as Johnson, and Dr. Wright. “ In 1820, it had been regularly surveyed for a village, by Levi Bodley, surveyor. The business of the place was one old lazy grist-mill, two saw-mills, a cabinet shop, a blacksmith shop, a tannery, an ashery, a log tavern kept by Jer- emiah Elston, and of course a distillery. There were twelve pri- vate dwellings. Of public buildings, we had none, save a school- house in which religious meetings were held occasionally. Henry I. Brinkerhoff was Justice-of-the-Peace, but lived just out of the corporation. Since that time, we have built two churches, and two new school-houses.” Sylvanus Larned of Peruville was the first Justice-of-the Peace elected by the people of the town, (1830,) after the Constitutional Convention gave the people that right. GROTON CITY. u One of the early settlements of the old town of Locke, now Groton, was on lot 59, which was bestowed upon Captain Daniel Niven, for merited Revolutionary services. A portion of this was purchased and settled by Major Lemi Bradley, and another p^t by Jesse Bartholomew. Aaron and John Benedict also purchased land and built a grist-mill and a saw-mill. Wm. S. Clark, Esq., bought a water privilege and built a dam and machinery for clothing-works} and Gen. Wm. Cobb had the first carding machine I ever saw. About the year 1813, Zacheus Maltby set up a tavern on lot 69. A19 free meeting-house was erected by subscription, and a Masonic hall was built, in which Science Lodge met regularly for some y6ara?? John Shaw located on lot 49 in 1806, and some of the family have occupied the spot ever since. The only store ever built in the place was erected in 1809, by Crosby & Tanner. It was next occupied by Amos B. Fuller, of whom it was purchased in 1812 or 1813, by Daniel J. Shaw, a son of John Shaw. “ For more than thirty years, we have had thrifty farmers and mechanics of most kinds, saw and grist-mills, and most of the time a store and post-office, but nev- er a tavern.” Into this part of the town, and on lot 69, came Daniel Maltby in the spring of 1806. He was then a young man of fine prospects, and was preparing for the practice of medicine. He was a man of great peculiarities. He lived to the advanced age of eighty, having passed most of his life as a real, genuine Hermit, one of the few ev- er found in any Protestant country. MCLEAN VILLAGE. Mrs. Elisha Bangs, eighty-two years of age, says that her hus- band and herself came from Mass., and settled on lot number 100 in 1813, At that time, there lived on said lot, Nicholas Howe, An- son Hanchett, (who came before 1806,) L. Cummings, J. Davis, Mr. Pettis and Ezra Bangs. She thinks that Amasa Cobb was one of the first settlers, and probably built the first log-house on the site of the present hotel. Elijah West lived near. Wm. Harris lived in the first framed house. The first minister who preached in the village was a Baptist, Bev. Benj. Whipple, in the fall of 1805. Mr. David Whipple settled near McLean in 1806. A Mr. Sher- wood lived just over the line in Dry den, and is probably one of the first who began the settlement of McLean village. John Benedict was an early settler, and built the first grist-mill. Amasa Cobb built the first public house. Wm. and Roswell Randall built and opened the first store upon the present site of D. B. Marsh & Co.?s. The present grist-mill was built in 1837, by John Neal. The Bap- tist church was erected in 1827; the Methodist, in 1832; the Uni- versalist, in 1842; and the Episcopal, in 1849, and dedicated the same year by Bishop De Lancey. The first Episcopal minister was Rev. Wm. A. Clark. Two distilleries were running in 1828. There is here, one of the largest and most successful cheese fac- tories in the State, which was finished and put in operation in the spring of 1864, where there has already been manufactured 1,716,- 202 pounds of cheese. The first name of the village was Moscow. Upon the establishment of the post-office, the name was changed20 to McLean by Judge McLean, then Post Master-General. Samuel Noice was the first post-master. WEST GROTOIL It is situated mainly on lot 51, which was sold in 1795, by An- thony Smith inn-keeper, to Geo. Smith, attorney, both of New York city, for two hundred pounds current money of New York. It has two churches, a school-house, a saw-mill (near by), a few shops, and a number of pleasant dwellings* Hon. Wm. R. Fitch, long an attorney in that vicinity, and at different times, a member of the Legislature from this county, settled there in 1817, and was well acquainted with very many of the early settlers. Among these he names, on lot 51, Job Ailing, who became Justice-of-the-Peace in 1819-20. He owned some 250 acres of land, on which he had al- ready built a two-story framed house, and a saw-mill on Hemlock Creek. Isaac Allen, father of the present post-master, lived on the north-east comer of lot 51, and in 1817 or *18, built the west part of what is known as the Tavern house. Old Mr. Sellen kept tav- ern half a mile north of West Groton. Old Mr. Henshaw and Jo- seph Henshaw lived near where John Sellen now lives. Henry Carter and old Mr. Travis were early settlers. In 1817, Deacon John Seaton lived where M. D. Fitch now resides. The saw-mill there was erected in 1848. Nathan Fish carried on the cloth-dress- ing business formerly on Hemlock Creek, near the Locke line, and >vas remarkable for coloring an excellent red. He also had a small grist-mill. Both establishments were carried away at a very early day by a great freshet, well remembered yet at Groton village. Samuel Hogg settled quite early near the south-east comer of lot 61, where he kept a tavern. He sold to Henry Howser, and his heirs now hold it. Ichabod Brown settled on the place where Eb- enezer Hatch now lives. Capt. John Guthrie settled very early on lot 71. His daughter (Mrs. Cobb) now resides at West Groton. Lot 52, lying on the east, was deeded by the State of New York to Geo. Nesbitt, July 9, 1790 j and, afterwards, on Jan. 24, 1795, to A. Alexander, of Schenectady, for fifteen pounds curreut money of Newr York. How little, many of those Revolutionary heroes realized for their “ soldiers claims l77 THE FIRST—THE OLDEST. Deacon Benjamin Williams now more than eighty-four years of age is the oldest person in this village, doing business here in 1810; also the first post-master. Reuel B. Carpentery S. S. Williams and Wm, Morton, are the oldest persons who were born here. John21 Perrin was the first inn-keeper, distiller, merchant and brick-maker. For many years after the first settlement, bricks of very excellent quality were made on the very spot now occupied by Snyder & j LobdelPs brick-yard* Ebenezer Williams was the first surveyor,! and wagon-maker; Andrew and David Allen, the first blacksmiths ; j Jonas Williams, the first shoemaker; John Winslow the first pot- ter, just north of the cheese factory; the first settled Baptist minis- ' ter, Elder Whipple, father of David Whipple ; first marriage, Jonas Williams, jr., to Miss Hathaway, in 1805 or 6; Samuel Love, the s first tanner, in 1811; Dr. Nathan Branch, fae first physician and surgeon, and Dr. Obed Andrews, the first druggist; C. 0. Godley, the first hardware store, and Oliver Avery, the first cabinet maker. Joseph Parker had the first cabinet-shop. The first mail was brought from Homer about 1812, in a bag, by a boy on horseback; next Mr. Loomis brought it in a portmanteau. Henry Clark claims that he drove the first two-horse stage-team from Groton to Cortland J Henry Crain has one of the oldest apple-trees in the village, ana the most valuable, owing to the superior cultivation bestowed upon it. Warren Jones built the first sash factory, in 1849; L. J. Covert! opened the first cigar factory. Esquire Blake was the first lawyer, came in 1819, died soon after, and was buried on the north side of the old burying-ground, near the fence. The earth has since crumb- led away and exposed his remains. Perhaps his sad fate has been the reason why so few lawyers have settled among us. As an Act has just passed the Legislature, (our lawyer drew it ap,) for the re-} moval of those buried in the old ground, perhaps his remains may yet find a quiet resting place. POLITICS. The town was generally Democratic until 1849. In ’26, a Fed- eral was elected supervisor; an Anti-Mason in 1831-2-3 and 4; and a Whig in ?39. In 1849 and the four succeeding years, Free-Soil Whigs or Democrats were chose#; since which time the town has been strongly Republican. TEMPERANCE. Not less than seven distilleries have been erected within the limits of the town, the first one dating back to the beginning of the present century, three of them having been in Groton village. Nearly all of the ardent spirits produced by them, was used at home. The use of alcohol in some form was almost universal among the early settlers, upon all occasions. Yet the great temperance move- ^ment reached us here quite as soon as in other rural districts. It22 is said that David Wright, now living in Dryden, but then, in Peru- ville, forty-two years ago, went to Ludlowville and invited Hon. Benjamin Joy to lecture in Peruville, and that but seven women, thir- teen girls and Wright himself were present, he acting as chairman* This was the first temperance meeting. The reform progressed finely, and at a special town meeting in 1844, “ 374 voted ‘no li- cense/ 76 ‘license/ and one scattering.” Wm. Woodbury was afterward elected supervisor, upon that question. The first build- ing raised in the town without “whiskey” was by Levi Wright. When we hear the remark that as much liquor is drank now as formerly, let us remember the seven distilleries for home consump- tion, and the three lodges with their hundreds of Good Templars, now located in the very places where once stood the distilleries.” PATRIOTISM. Of the military record, in this “ Military District,” bestowed upon the heroes of the American Revolution for well merited services, we have little of which to be ashamed, but much of which we may well be proud. Patriotism has ever been one of the characteristics of our people. The leading men among the early settlers having been born and nurtured in New England, taught their descendants to re- vere the memory of the Pilgrim Fathers, and to deem the soil of Plymouth rock sacred dust. They taught them to regard the Union of these States as the palladium of their liberties, and the Constitu- tion of the United States as a lasting bond and pledge of that Union. They held that all human laws should be based upon the higher laws of Heaven, and that resistance to tyrants violating those high- er laws, is obedience to God. Therefore, with this for their motto, “ God and our Country,” whenever our national rights and interests have been assailed at home or from abroad, they have been ready to defend the right and to rebuke the wrong. Thus when the op- pressions of proud old England could be borne no longer, when her violations of national rights had ^transcended all endurance, when no American ship could traverse the ocean unmolested, our country rose in her might, resolved no longer to submit to the foul degrada- tion. Then, poor as were our people, and sparse as was our popula- tion, the voice of our dear native country passed not unheeded. When in December 1813, the British and Indians had surprised and gained possession of old Fort Niagara, and had reduced to ash- es the villages of Youngstown, Lewiston, Manchester, and the Indi- an Tuscarora village, Black Rock, and Buffalo, the militia of this part of the State was ordered to “the defence of the lines.” That call was heeded here in the then wilderness of Groton. Leaving23 the rail-cut half split, the saw-log on the ox-sled, and the ax stick- ing in the stump of the falling tree, onward they marched under the command of Captain John Smith and Lieut. David Morton u to the lines,77 and there they satyed guarding the boundaries of our country until the higher authorities said “ it is enough.77 Also, when our country was unhappily dragged into war with our sister Republic, Mexico, Groton was not wholly unrepresented. Our town may have had njany there, but only one* is known to me. A sailor who had circumnavigated this mighty globe of ours, and had seven times doubled Cape Horn, happened, in May 1847, to be at Louisville, and yielding to impulses of patriotism, enlisted in the Third Kentucky Regiment then forming. On they moved to Yera Cruz, where Cortez had debarked 300 years before, and where but a few days previously the great chief, Winfield Scott, had landed. Then following on after Scott, he reached the city of Mexico, the ancient capital of the Montezumas, whose almost impregnable ram- parts, Santa Anna, the Mexican chief, had in vain striven to defend against American valor. Yet he did not arrive in time to partici- pate in the glory of its capture, but was obliged to stay and guard the city for many a month. Again, when the clouds of Rebellion had darkened all our fair land; when the lightnings of Treason were about to hurl down and destroy the fair Goddess of Libertyj when the waves of Secession were about to overwhelm and engulf in ruin, all our moral, social, and political institutions, the voice of our great chief was heard, calling for aid to save the life of the nation. Groton nobly respond- ed to this earnest call. In this our country’s hour of need, bravely, cheerfully, did many a hero enter the national army to fight the na- tion’s battles, and thereby, if possible, save the nation’s liberties; and for this, courageously, heroically, did many a brave pour out his life’s blood, or fall by dread disease. All honor to Major Wil- loughby, and Captains Crittenden, Hatch, Mount, Clark, Bristol, and Tarbell, and all those three hundred and seventyneight whom they led to battle from the town of Groton, who faltered not in the hour of trial; and ever green be the turf over the graves of those who fell at the post of duty. I have thus, my friends, introduced you into this section, while it was yet a howling wilderness j when the bear, the wolf and the fox roamed here unscared by man; when the grand old forest-trees, which for centuries had shaded these hills and these valleys, and * Henry Crain.24 had withstood the storm and the tempest for many an age, were yet waving ; when this little stream, the Owasco Inlet, rolled on its bright waters towards the beautiful Owasco without molestation or hindrance from dam or bridge, singing its sweet song to lofty ant- lered deer, cropping the verdure on its banks at dewy eve, or sla- king their thirst when the sun was high in the heavens. We lis- tened to the approach of those first immigrants; we beheld them as with toil and difficulty they urged their slow way onward over the hills and through the valleys, threading the pathless forest, ford- ing the streams and wading the marshes. We heard the sweet mu- sic of their voices with delight, for it told us of the dawn of that civilization about to be ushered in. We saw those hopeful persons .in the bright morn of manhood, with the glow of joy and health upon their countenances, forgetting their poverty and their remote- ness from aid or sympathy, and, away from all the cheering influ- ences of civilized life, construct their little rude dwelling in the gloomy wilderness. We gazed admiringly upon that solitary cou- ple, as they passed the first winter, toiling hard to fell the dreary forest, which stood between them and civilization with all its bles- sings. Year by year we saw them reinforced by the arrival of friends and relatives, and noticed that their hearts beat high with joy at every new accession to their numbers. We noticed with what courage and manliness they all battled with their trials and difficulties and dangers J how cheerfully and uncomplainingly they put up with coarse fare and rude attire. We beheld their assiduity and their sacrifices while providing for religious culture and the in- tellectual training of their children. They and their successors cleared these fields; made these roads; built these bridges; erected these dwellings; reared these shops, offices, mills, and manufacto- ries ; founded these schools; dedicated these churches; and estab- lished all these institutions which add so much to our means of im- provement, and contribute so greatly to our happiness. We now behold ourselves in the midst of “ a goodly town.” The houses built “in the year one,” have decayed. Rude huts and log-cabins, stick chimneys and brick ovens have long since disappeared. Log heaps and brush heaps are now things of the past. Ox-teams are rarely seen in these streets. No longer are ladies, wishing to do a little shopping, obliged to ride on horse-back to Ludlowville or Ho- mer, with a pail of butter or a basket of eggs, to be exchanged for desired articles. We now make no subscriptions for public im- provements, payable in grain or neat stock. Uncle Sam now sends no mails to us by a boy on horse-back, in a bag under liis arm. Fiddle wre ever so scientifically, our grist does not go “ toll free.”25 Wear we beards ever so long, bands of rude men assail us not, nor by force cut off those beautiful ornaments from our faces, while pin- ioned upon bar-room floors. School-masters, skilled in “ the three R’s, reading ’riting and ’rithmetic,” but more skilled in wielding the “ birch,” no longer “ tan” little boys and girls at“ eight dollars per month and board around,” Our preachers no more spend all the week days in labor upon the farm, and then minister unto the people on the Sabbath day, for the merest pittance that will hold soul and body together. We do not now ride to church on horse- back with our lady behind us, and two or three young u hopefuls” before us. We sing in church without the dominie’s lining for us the hymn. Flax and woolen wheels, reels, swifts, distaffs and looms, have vanished into thin air. When our neighbor knocks at the door, we do not shout at the top of our voice, u Come in.” Yes, these things and many others are of the past, and let “ the dead past bury its dead.” Let us with all our powers, faithfully discharge every duty which the Present so earnestly is beseeching us to fulfil, yet all the while with eyes intent upon the mighty Fu- ture now rushing down upon us. That future has in store for us things of which we now little dream. Let us then summon up all our courage, and all our energies, and bravely do battle for the “All Hail Hereafter.” ErraTas.—On page 21, in stating that Joseph Parker had the first cabinet shop. Oliver Avery had the first, and sold to Joseph Parker. Page 18—In the last paragraph of Peruville, it should read: Sylvanus Lar- ned was one of the first Justices of the Peace elected by the people of the town in 1827. ; Page 20—In second paiagraph of West Groton, the name Ebenezer Hatch should read Eleazor Hatch. . ©26 Table $ Supervisors, Town Clerks and Justices of the Peace, of the Town of Groton. When Elected. Supervisors. Town Clerks. Justices of the Peace. 1817— Samuel Crittenden, 1818— do. * 1819— Isaac Allen, ■■ 1820— do. 1821— Jonathan Bennett, 1822— do. 1823— do. 1824— Nathan Benson, 1825— do. 1826— Job Ailing, 1827— do. 1828— William Woodb ury, 1829— do. 1830— do. 1831— Xury Blodgett, 1832— do. 1833— John Boynton, 1834— do. 1835— Sylvanus Lamed, 1836— do. 1837— William Woodbury, 1838— do. 1839— Joseph Pennoyer, 1840— Sylvester Nash, 1841— do. * 1842— John Young, 1843— do. 1844— do. 1845— Cicero Phelps, 1846— do. 1847— Ethan Mix, 1848— do. 1849— WilliamWoodbury, 1850— do. 1851— JustusP. Pennoyer, 1852— William W oodbury, 1853— JustusP. Pennoyer, 1854— Clark Chapman, 18o5— do. 1856— do. 1857— E. Jason Watrous, 1858— do. 1859— William D. Mount, 1860— do. 1861— do. 1862— do. 1863— Mortimer D. Fitch, 1864— do. 1865— do. 1866— Daniel B. Marsh, 1867— Walter W. White, 1868— do. Admatha Blodgett, do. do. do. do. David Gould, do. Win. Woodbury, do. do. Zimri Marsh, do. Benj. Williams, do. Jacob Wood, do. Joseph Pennoyer, do. Augustus C. Marsh, do. do. do. Fr. Willoughby, Aug. C. Marsh, Phin’sM. Blodgett, David A. Morton, do. Rob’t C. Reynolds, do. do. do. do. do. David Beeman, jr., Eben. S. Marsh, Rufus M. Bullock, Hiland K. Clark, David A. Morton, do. do. do. Albert Omond, do. and) D. A. Morton, app. > David A. Morton, do. do. do. do. do. Sam’l C. Reynolds, Hiram C. Marsh. Justices of the Peace—four in number—were first elected in Nov., 1827, and classified, to hold one, two, three and four years: f Cicero Phelps ....4 years, J Sylvanus Larned .3 years, | Benj. Williams, ..2 years, l^Alvah Jarvis....1 year. Alvah Jarvis, (Not recorded.) Benjamin Williams, “ Sylvanus Lamed, John Guthrie, Alpheus West, Sam’l H. Hopkins, vacancy, Xury Blodgett, v Samuel H. Hopkins, Sylvanus Larned, Cicero Phelps, ( Alpheus West, ( Augustus C. Marsh, vacancy, Augustus C. Marsh, Sylvanus Lamed, Thomas F. Sherman, Harvey Holden, Augustus C. Marsh, Sylvanus Larned, Cicero Phelps, Alpheus West, Samuel D. Carr, vac. «fe full t'm, Reuben Darling, ( Cicero Phelps, full term, < Sylvanus Larned, vac. 3 yrs, ( Eben. S. Marsh, vac. 2 years, Alpheus West, Ebenezer S. Marsh, Daniel W. Woodbury, Simeon G. Conger, Alpheus West, William Woodbury, ' William D. Mount', . Franklin Willoughby, vac*y, Simeon G. Conger, John T. Davidson, Franklin Willoughby, William D. Mount, Nelson Stevens, Alpheus West, t Franklin Willoughby, \ Aaron H. Yough, vacancy, William D. Mount, Nelson Stevens, Wm. H. Spaulding, vac.A f. t'm, Franklin Willoughby, William D. Mount, Nelson Halladay, S. Hopkins, app. ( Albert Wilcox, vac. & f. term, l Sidney Hopkins, vacancy.27 CHURCH STATISTICS. Baptist Church.—The “ First Baptist Church of Locke,” was organized August 27, 1806, by a council of members from the First and Second Churches of Milton, First Church of Dryden, and the First Church of Homer. After the organization of the town of Groton, the name was changed to the u First Baptist Society of Groton,” as stated on page 11. The following persons were mem- bers at the time of the organization in 1806: Ezra Luther, Benj. Thomas, Mary Benedict, Lydia Whipple, Lemuel Perrin, Anson Hanchett, Hannah Pipher, iPrud'ce Carpenter^ David Morton, John Perkins, Olive Hinman, Elenor Williams^ David Morton, jr., James Smith, Christina Fisk, Eley Thomas, John Lee, James Luther, Hannah Luther, Hannah Hathaway^ Andrew Leonard, Ebenezer Thomas, Nancy Luther, Mary Kenedy," ' Alfred Carder, Smith Covit, Beulah Luther, Rebecca Pierce, Alanson Thomas, Jonas Williams, Aseneth Thomas, Phebe Pierce, William Fisk, tjenks CarpentefwAbigal Burrows, Rebecca Morton, Oliver Luther, Daniel Pierce, ^Deborah Morton, Mary Morton, Benj. Luther, Elijah More, |Ann Leonard, Deborah Morton, Asa Luther, Joel Whipple, /Orpha Luther, Sarah Thomas, Nathaniel Luther, Rebecca Luther, jJerusha Perkins, Jane Stewart, Daniel Luther, Sarah Whipple, 1 Mercy Hathawayy Patty Perrin, Enoch Benedict, Wate Luther, ^hoda CarpenteiWRuth Carpenter,—— David WTripple, Amelia Perrin, Mary Will fains,' /Jane Bevina, Benj. Whipple, Sarah Lee, Jane More, J^Lucy Vanarsdale, . The first baptisms recorded, were in 1806; they were Enoch Ben- edict, Benj. Luther, Mary Benedict, Nancy Luther, Olive Luther, Alfred Carder and Asa Luther. The first deacons chosen, Oct. 11, 1806, were Benj. Thomas and James Smith. Elder Starr served the Church as minister, to Oct., 1806. The following is a list of ministers of the Church since that time: Thomas Tuttle,...............October 11, 1806. Benjamin Whipple,............August 26, 1807, to June 13, 1812. Joseph Purington,............March 10, 1813, to December 23, 1813. Benjamin Luther,.............February 1815, to January 5, 1817. Benjamin Andrews,............April 2, *1818 to December 29, 1828. PelegCard,...................December 26, 1829, to March 5, 1830. Henry Vogell,................June 11, 1831, to February 9, 1833. J. S. Backus,................May 1833, to January 1, 1839. Rufus K. Ballermy,____-......April, 1839, to February 6, 1841. Alonzo P. Mason,.............April 24, 1841. Lewis Ranstead,..............1842 to 1845. Austin R. Belden,............1845 to i847. William B. Downer,...........September 12, 1847, to March, 1849. D. B. Purington,.............March, 1849, to August, 1851. Walter G. Dye,.............. December, 1851, to October, 1857. Luman C. Bates,............February, 1858, to April, 1861. Thomas Allen,................July, 1861, to April, 1864. L. W. Olney,.................July, 1864, to October, 1865. J. P. Bates,.................July, 1866, to April, 1868. The above statistics were furnished by Mrs, Dr. J. Goodyear. East Congregational Church.—The first members were: ** Squire Stone, Nathan Bennett, James Austin, Josiah Willough- by, Nathan Branch,/Ezra Carpenterf malesu^and Rebecca StQne* ^ Priscilla Bennett, ——"Austin, jCjucyCarpentep and Roxy Loomis, 7 females.” Squire Stone was cliosen T7eac5n, and first standing /28 Moderator, and Josiah Willoughby, Clerk. During the first year, Lois Mix, Mrs. Ruth Bradley, Mrs. Jerusha Bartholomew, Oliver Hatch and wife, and Isaac Hopkins, were admitted members. Rev. Joshua Lane was installed the first minister, July 12,1809 ; and Rev. Joshua Dean, of Taunton, Mass., the second minister, Nov* 30, 1814. He died July 11, 1824, aged 36 years, having served 9 years, 7 months and 11 days. The funeral sermon was preached bv Rev. Seth Smith, of Genoa. Rev. Marcus Harrison was installed minister, July 9, 1828. Rev. Edward A. Beach was installed April 8, 1835, and dismissed Nov. 21, 1839. Rev. Ezra Seovil was installed July 6, 1841, by seven Bishops, who met for that purpose. They signed a call to Rev. Corbin Kidder, June 6, 1850. He resigned Feb. 27, 1853. Total in communion, Dec. 1838, was 295; 1839, 290; 1840, * 275; 1841, 263; 1842, 250; and in 1843, 229. Methodist Church.—The first Trustees were: Justus P. Pen- noyer, Joseph Pennoyer, JosiahJEL Ingraham. Augustus C. Marsh, Hiram Young, Daniel Tarbell, and Simon"Loomis. When it was re-organized, Jan. 5, 1842, Elder Isaac Parks was chairman, and A. C. Marsh, secretary. The Trustees then elected were: J. B. Pennoyer, J. P.JEnggahagb J« Pennoyer, John P. Andrews, Levi Wright, Benjamin Ellis,~and A. C. Marsh. Their ministers were: 1846— Revs. W. N. Cobb and J. Worth-1855 and '56—Rev. O. L. Tony, mg, 1857—Rev. A. Brown, 1847— Revs. W. N. Cobb and A. S. 1858 and'59—Rev. W. N. Burr, Graves, 1860 and'61— “ R. C. Fox, 1848— Revs. A.Wood and A. S. Graves, 1862—Rev. T. D. Wire, 1849 and '50—Revs. A. Wood and S. 1863— " D. C. Dutcher, H. Brown, 1864— “ D. C. Dutcher and C. M. 1851— Rev. W. W. White, Sessions, 1852— Revs. W. W. White and L. G. 1865—Rev. C. M. Sessions, Weaver, 1866, '67 and '68—Rev. Wm. E. York. 1853 and '54—Rev. W. N. Pearne, Congregational Church op Groton Village.—The first members were: R. H. Osborn, Charlotte E. Osborn, Sylvenus De- Lano, Jane C. DeLano, Betsey M. Pratt, Sarah B. Jeffers, Stephen H. Shaw, Elenora Shaw, Mary Thomas, Louisa Reynolds, Adma- tha Blodgett. Mrs. A. Blodgett, Sarah J. Allen, Dianthe E. Sack- ett, Lucy A. Jewell, Claudius B. Jewell, Amelia Osborn, Esther P. Goodyear, and Mary Wilson. Stephen F. Barrows and R. H, Osborn were chosen deacons, and S. DeLano, clerk. The first trustees were: S. DeLano, C. B. Jew- ell, S. H. Shaw, William Allen, C. C. Godley, and Orlando Childs. Rev. H. A. Sackett was first minister—salary 400. Voted Jan. 28, 1850, to build a house of worship, and that William Allen, J. J. Reynolds, R. C. Reynolds, and Lyman Allen be a building-com- mittee. In 1851-2, Rev. R. H. Close was minister awhile. Rev. Augustus Pomeroy accepted a call June 27, 1853, and he resigned March 26, 1864. Rev. S. Y. Lum accepted a call, Sept. 6, 1864, and he resigned July 1, 1867. Rev. J. C. Taylor accepted a call Sept., 1867.29 MILITARY RECORD. Compiled by DAVID A. MORTON, from. Records in tbe Town Clerk’s Office. The number of soldiers furnished by the town of Groton, in the War of the Rebellion, covering a period from the 15th day ot April, 1861, to the 10th day of Nov., 1865, and credited to the town, was 385; and the number of seamen was one. List cf Commissioned Officers, and their Bank at time cf Discharge. Westel Willoughby, Major. CAPTAINS. Gilman D. Crittenden, James C. Hatch, Wm. E. Mount, George Bristol, Doctor Tarbell, ^Martin C. Clark. ...... - „IT1- - Henry Xaning, Assistant S LIEUTENANTS. Elias R. Weaver, Moses Marsh, Carlos Baldwin, Lucius Davis, Henry G. Hallet, Eugene A. Marsh. >n, with rank of 1st Lieutenant. List qf Killed in Battle. Hannibal Howell, Peter Monfort, Andrew H. Gale, George W. Thompson,Jerome Woodbury, Henry G. Hallet, William A. Wood, Warren L. Davison, L. Dwight Allen. Michael Morris. Died of Wounds Received in Battle. Henry A. Snow, Walter Starkey, Isaac H. Leonard, Charles Howard, Daniel C. Brown, William N. Guthrie. Tappan Howell, Edward Moe, Died cf Disease Contracted in the Service. Moses Marsh, John A. White, Fred’k Tiffany^ William J. Howard, Jay B. Owen, Jerome W. Hall, Jonathan Holcomb, T. D. Smith, raCa Janiel beam, Allen Clement, Alson Cobb was taken prisoner during the Battle of Spottsyl- vania C. H.—died (probably of starvation) in Florence Prison, S. C., Oct. 5, 1864. Thomas Ashton died prisoner of war; time and place not known. Stiles Peck died prisoner of war, in Andersonville Prison; time of death not known. Fred. Famham died Jan. 27, 1855, pris. war, in Salisbury Prison. Henry Knettles, Hallet Main, Benjamin Austin, John Daball, Charles B. Harvey, Daniel McGregor, Laverne E. Teeter, George B. Huson, Andrew J. Bis*bey, Marsena Telyea, Nelson Hanchet, George U. Stout, Willet McKinney, Charles L. Brown./ The whole number of Commissioned Officers was 14. The whole number killed in battle, and died of wounds and dis- ease, was 47, or about 12 per cent, of all who entered the service. Amount of bounty paid by the town and county was $102,850.30 Groton Academy—List of Principals. Where Graduated. Time.