Production Note
Cornell University Library produced this volume to preserve the informational content of the deteriorated original. The best available copy of the original has been used to create this digital copy. It was scanned bitonally at 600 dots per inch resolution and compressed prior to storage using ITU Group 4 compression. Conversion of this material to digital files was supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Digital file copyright by Cornell University Library 1995.
This volume has been scanned as part of The Making of America Project, a cooperative endeavor undertaken to preserve and enhance access to historical material from the nineteenth century.; ill > li Rl! ilj li
(Qantell Hniueratg ffiihrarg
Strata, |fark
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE
JACOB H. SCHIFF
ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION OF STUDIES IN HUMAN CIVILIZATION 1918I



HISTORY
—OF THE—
TOWN OF CONESUS
LIVINGSTON CO., N. Y.,
PROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1793, TO 1887,
WITH A BRIEF
GENEALOGICAL RECORD
OF THE
CONESUS FAMILIES
BY WILLIAM P. BOYD,
Author of u The History of the Boyd Family” Etc..
CONESUS, N. Y.:	-
Boyd’s Job Printing Establishment.
1887.
r i
■\ .
/
/
This
Volume is Tenderly Inscribed To the Memory of Our Forefathers and Mothers, Who Settled the Little Town
of
CONESUS.
tfLulhor.CONTENTS
Page.
INTRODUCTION,................7
CHAPTER I.
The Description of the Town, ....	9
CHAPTER II.
The Indian Settlements, .	.	.	.	.13
CHAPTER III.
The Sullivan’s Campaign,........21
CHAPTER IY.
The Wild Animals, Etc. Etc., ...	39
CHAPTER Y.
The Original Land Owners, ...»	47
CHAPTER YI.
The First Settlements of the Town, .	.	51
CHAPTER VII.
The Log Houses, Customs and Manners of the
Early Settlers, /...............59
CHAPTER VIII.
The Routes of the Early Settlers, .	.	66
Page.
CHAPTER IX.
The Original Names of the Town, and the
First Town Meeting, .	.	.	.	.	70
CHAPTER X.
The Villages of Conesus,..........75
CHAPTER XI.
The Churches and Religious Denominations, 83 CHAPTER XII.
The Schools and School Districts of the Town, Etc.,. ...................90
CHAPTER XIII.
The Cemeteries and Epidemics of the Town, 93
CHAPTER XIY.
The Storms, Floods, Fires, Etc., .	.	104
CHAPTER XY.
The Railroad and Railroad Accidents, . 109 CHAPTER XVI.
The War Records of Conesus, Etc., .	115
CHAPTER XVII.
The Narratives and Historical Events, 127 CHAPTER XVIII.
The Genealogical History of the Town, 139INTRODUCTION.
||HIS volume is designed to be a his-■ tory of the Town of Conesus, and to gather up the fading memorials of the past, and transmit them to the generations that will succeed us. A dozen years more, • and a faithful history of the town can not be .written, simply because the most of our pioneers will be gathered to the home of their fathers, and as there is no effort being made to preserve their recollections, they will soon pass into oblivion.
This history—I must say—has been under my consideration since the year of 1868. At that time, I gathered together many sketches of the past, from those that have gone before us. These, I have preserved, while at the same time, have added other items with them, and now present the whole to you, for your kind consideration.
This volume, which now goes before the public, is a simple record, woven from such material as could be gathered after no little labor, though in a manner somewhat desultory. Fidelity to truth, and justice to the character of individuals, has been my conscientious aim. It has been my intention not to give anything in this work, to reflect upon the char-
actor of persons, or hurt the feelings of their descendants. Should there be an instance of that kind in the book, I humbley ask their pardon from unintentionly doing them an injury.
When I commenced this work, it was only my intention to give a simple history of the events of the town. But as I advanced, I was requested by a number of the town’s people, to include a chapter of the different families of the town. So, after due consideration, I consented, and prepared one, and give it in the back part of this book. This is not complete in every respect, for a perfect one would make a volume of itself. But what I have given, is mostly from my memory, or from items I have come across from time to time, and in many instances may be—from the source they are obtained,—incorrect.
Nearly two years I have been engaged in preparing this book. I would have you bear in mind, that within this time, I have set every letter, transposed every line, formed them into pages, printed them from presses of my own make ; and therefore, without doubt, there may be many mistakes, words spelled wrong, sentences discomposed, and many other typographical errors (as most of the
7THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
work has been done after dark, and a hard days labor on the “ old farm,”) yet it will give a history of our early pioneers, and hold their names in the memory of the living, for years to come.
ACKNOWLEDGEMEMTS.
I would'express my deep obligations to all who have so kindly seconded my efforts by correspondence, words of encouragement, and personal assistance.
To Messrs Bigelow & Brothers of Buffalo, N. Y., (Publishers,) for their kindness in allowing me the privilege of publishing the Journal of Major Norris on Sullivan’s Campaign, found in this book.
To Frank P. Shafer, for loan of papers and for other information from records kept by him.
To my father—Hiram Boyd—-for papers and statements taken in 1860, from the pioneers then living.
To the Town Clerks for the year of 1884, and c 85, for the privilege of searching the Town Clerk’s office for records, and loan of books.
To my wife,—Mary R. Boyd—for her assistance in the publication of this work. And in conclusion, I can but express the hope that the perusal of these pages may afford others as much pleasure, as their preparation and publication have afforded me.
WILLIAM P. BOYD. Conesus, Jan. 1, 1887.CHAPTER I.
§1te §e§a[i^tion of tliq §own.
/{flp§ONESUS is a small township, in the i“15sSS eastern part of Livingston County, N.
Y. Hounded on the north by Livo-i ' ilia: east by Canadiee, f Ontario Co.): south by Springwater and Sparta; west by Groveland, and contains an area of nearly six miles square, or thirty-six square miles, with almost twenty-thousand acres of fine agricultural lands, and a population in 1 884 of about 1300 human souls.
The surface is broken by ranges of hills, with valleys running north and south across its surface. The largest of these hills, are the Mar-rowback in. the eastern part of the town. This range of hills is very steep upon its eastern slope, and along the shore of the Hemlock Lake is covered with timber, which is fast giving away to the strong arm of civilization in being converted into “ Summer Resort,” by tourists from the small villages in Western New York. The western slope is not so steep, and the soil is of a clayish loam, and furnishes some of the finest grazing lands, that are found in the State.
Marrowback Hills derived its name in the following singular way. In the early days of the town, the settlers had for amusement, general trainings, lasting several days at a time.
One of these gala days as being held near the present village of Livonia Centre; and among the artistic sports, they formed a ring, and in the same, placed two of their most noted wrestlers, in “ hors-de-combat.” One of these lived near Lima, the other was from Conesusor Marrow-back hills. After a severe struggle, the man from Marrowback threw his opponent, and to the merriment of all, a gentleman in the circle clapped his hands and exclaimed : u That man has to much marrow-in-his-baek for you.” The black junk bottle was then passed around, and these hills were christened u Marrowback hills.” In the western part is found what is called the 66 Turkey hills ;” running about half way across the town. This hill is quite steep as it slopes westward towards Conesus lake. Along its base is found some of the most productive lands in the town. The eastern slope is not so steep, still it is composed of a fine soil, on the top it is more of a wet nature. This range of hills, are said to have derived their name from turkeys being stolen there, by or from the early settlers. In the south part is a large hill in form of a flat-iron, with its point extending towards the centre of the town. This hill is not very steep, except on its western slope, as it10
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
extends toward the Head of the Lake flats. The soil of this hill, is of a clayish nature, and generally good for spring grain.
Through the eastern part, is a large valley, known as the Calabogue Hollow. This valley was given that name many years ago, by John C. Coe of South Livonia, N. Y. His meaning was 44 a heedless place.” The valley is quite narrow, and extends from the south line, down to Conesus Center, and intersects with another small fertile valley running to the northern line of the town.
In the western part of the town is the Head of the Lake flats. This valley extends from Scottsburgh to Conesus Lake. The center of the valley is covered by a large swamp, which is impenetrable only in the winter or a dry summer time, and is covered with timber.
The valleys are of a black rnuckey loamy soil very deep and productive for grass or grain.
In the center are two large gulls running from north and south east toward Conesus Lake. The north one being the largest, affords drainage for all the lands in the northern part, and the south one, the same for the waters of Calabogue Hollow. These (lulls. are known as the 4 Mill” and 44 Purchase Gulls;” the south one being the former, and the north one the latter. The Purchase gull, is deep and narrow, and many places the banks are nearly 100 feet, perpendicular in highth. It took its name from the original owner, who owned a grist-mill near its center. This gull is very winding, and at its mouth, it spreads out and forms the Foot’s Corners flats.
The Mill Gull, is also very deep, with high and steep banks. The narrowest place is at its head, where it spread out into the Calabogue hollow. Near the Grist-mill, the banks is nearly one hundred feet high.
These two gulls, as they verge into the head
of the lake flats, run side by side for many rods forming a narrow strip of land, about sixty or seventy feet high, nearly perpendicular, with only room on top, for a single foot path, which if the weary pedestrian, should lose his foothold, would soon launch him into eternity, on the rocks below. The top of this ridge is covered with timber; clinging to what little earth, and crevices in the rocks that its roots can penetrate. At the west end is formed a flat piece of land about half way up, of nearly an acre in extent. Covered over with second growth timber, and to-day bears the legion of being an old indian burying-ground. The upper end of the ridge expands out in a broad strip of flat land, towards Conesus Centre ; and this spot is called by the town people 44Hog back.”
The rocks of these gulls are of a shallow slate which crumbles freely when exposed to the air. They are lined with layers of black stone, which is highly pregnated with carbon : and was used by the early settlers for back-stones in the chimneys of their dwellings.
There are several smaller £uils in the town; yet we have not space to give a complete description of them in this work. All of them have a small stream of pure clear water running
through them, which has diminished in size;---
except in a rainy time--- since the country
has come under the hands of civilization. These gulls furnish some of the finest scenery that can be found in the state. The soil of the town is of various formation. The top of the hills— as we have said—is of a clay loam; often wet, and hard to till. Some of the smaller hills— mostly in the northern part—is a sandy loam, forming fine beds of gravel, and under the same, a gray sand, which is much sought after fpi building purposes. On the flat-iron hill, in several places the rock comes near to the surface of the ground, and is covered with a few ieet of soil.THE HISTORY
Conesus has upon the east and west side, two small lakes, called Conesus and Hemlock. The foimer is upon the western and the latter on the eastern border.
Conesus Lake is about nine miles long, and in many places, nearly a mile wide. The Indian name lor the same is u Ga-ne-a-sos,” signifying u always beautiful.” This lake is a line sheet of water, cold, clear and deep. Its shores are bold and wide with a fine gravelly bottom. Yet they are cleared of the dense forest that once surrounded them. The town furnishes its inlet by a small stream through the swamp at the head of the lake, in connection with Mill and Purchase gull creeks, which empties into it at its head. Since its early discovery by the white-man, it has diminished in size, and.several acres of valuable land has been secured by owners along its shores. Its water has sent several of our town people to their last home, of which we will speak more of hereafter.
The Hemlock, like its sister lake is also a fine sheet of water, about seven miles long and three-fourhs of a mile in width. It derived its name from the large number of hemlock trees that surround it. The water is very cold and clear. From this lake, the Rochester City obtains its water supply, which is carried from the lake to the city, in large iron pipes, iUong... the shore on the west side of the lake it is covered with forest, and a large number of sumL mer cottages along the beach.
These lakes are well stocked with fish, such as Bass, Trout, Pickeral, Bull-heads Suckers, Perch, Mullets, and other freshwater fish, and are protected by the laws of the state. Seines and Grill-nets are prohibited, and other kind of fishing devices, through certain parts of the year. The lakes have been well stocked with fish by the State, in the last few years.
OF CONESUS.	11
The timber of the town, are of many species such as the Oak, Chestnut, Pine, Hemlock, Juniper, Hickory, Bass-wood, Elm, Sassafras, Poplar, Box-wood, Pepperage, Cucumber, Maple, Beech, Burch, Ash, Cedar, Crab-apple, Thorn-apple, Butternut, Black-walnut, Cherry, and Button-wood. The timber grows according to the soil. Upon the upland is founed the the Maple, Pine, Bass-wood, Burch, Beebh, while in the northern part is found the Oak, Hickory, Chestnut,. Walnut, and the gulls and swamps- the Pine, Elm, Hemlock, and other species of low-land timber.
When the early settlers came here, they found the country heavily timbered, with now and then a small piece of ground, that was called by them “ Oak openings.” These openings was without doubt in an early day used by the Indians, for their tillable lands. \V heh the white-man came here, these lands, had oil them, only the big trees, the small timber and underbrush had disappeared.
The timber has been a great blessing to our fore-fathers, yet it has been to them a great task in clearing their lands; and to-day where once stood a dense forest, there can only be seen now and then a small belt of woodland that has been spared by the woodmans ax.
There are many places to-day, where the blackened earth denotes the past sight of an old coal-pit, burnt by the^early settlers, to procure coal, to purchase comforts of life with. Hundreds of cords of wood has been consumed this way, or rolled up into a log heap, and destroyed to clear the lands of its dense foliage. The largest piece of woodland in town, is along the west shore of the Hemlock Lake, which consists of about five-huudred acres.
The timber is of great value in all kind of manufactured articles, especially the oak and hickory, which is considered to be of the finest12
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
quality. It grows very tall, and of times many feet to the first limb.
The mineral production of this town has never reached to any value. Iron ore has been found on top of the ground, hut no bed has been discovered to warrant the investment of capital to bring it before the civilized world.
In the Purchase gull, veins of Anthracite Coal has been found of nearly an inch in thickness. Salt is supposed to underlie the town, by its numerous deer-licks,that was found here at an early date.
Petroleum is thought to abound, by the strong odor of the same found in rocks in some of the gulls—this all remains a secret.
Agricultural pursuits are of first class; Oats, Wheat, Corn, Barley, and Beans are the principle grain. Hemp, Flax, Rye, has been grown to some extent. Fruit—such as Apples, Pears Peaches, Plums, Grapes, Cherries, Rasberries,
Strawberries, Quinces and Mellons—are raised in large quanities. Garden fruit is extensively grown, in shape of Potatoes, &c.
The climate of the town, is considered as fine as any part of New York; but in late years, as the forests are being destroyed, the seasons have changes; Winter seems colder, and Summers are shorter. Springs that once were never known to fail, has through the dry seasons of the year, gone dry. Winters are very severe, as there is nothing to break the cold sweeping winds and storms, from sending forth their full blast over the town. The waters of the town, is principly hard, caused by coming from the different kinds of rocks, which some are of a lime-stone formation. As for health, there is no place, that has as little sickness, from epidemic diseases, as are found within her precinct, in which her sister towns, has been subject to endure in the past.A Senega Warrior.CHAPTER II.
Jpf Indian J|ettlementi &i r
ONB'SUS,—like her sister towns—was once the home of the red-man. Here they roamed over her hills; hunted in yp* her valleys; plied* their canoes on the blue waters of her lakes; planted their com and sang songs to the young papoose among the green trees of her forests^ They are no w gone* Yes, gone from here to the lands of their forefathers*
In giving this chapter, we do not intend to go far back into Indian history , as it would take too much space; but only back to the time when the white-man found them here. This was in the fore-part of the sixteenth century. Here they found a large tribe, which was named by them, i6 Iroquoits,” composed of five smaller tribes, known as the Senecas, Cayugas, Gnondagas, Oneidas and Mohawks, and was added to them the Tuscaroras of South Carolina, who had been defeated by the Caro-Mnas, in the year of 1712, and had emigrated to the north, and became members of the confederation in that year.
When this confederation was formed, it is not known to the white-man ; but was in ex-sis tence, when the French found them here, in 1609* These are the proper Iroquoits; and
should be distinguished as such from the Huron Iroquoits. The name Iroquoit was given them by the French. The Algonquins called them. Mingos. They all occupied lands in the Middle and Western New York • and the names of towns and counties, denotes the places of their original settlement. Their great eouueil-fire—where the leading men of each tribe met once a year—was held among the Onondagas, whose chief village was near the present sight of Syracuse, N, Y. These tribes were constantly in war-like excursions against the Savages in the east, south and west, which liad reduced them to a state-, that they were obliged to form this confederation, to protect themselves against their enemies.
In 1817, they are said to have numbeied forty thousand -T but, at the present time, do not exceed three or four thousand. The most of these have been removed west of the Mississippi river. A number of the civilized Indians, remains in New York, near the sight of their former home.
The largest of these tribes, were the Sene-eas. Their chief-capitol town, was upon the Genesee flats, in the western part of Livingston County, New York. They occupied a large14
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
territory around them, and their chief village si said to have numbered over one-hundred houses. They had several smaller villages, in the country around them.
The town of Conesus came within their jurisdiction, and they had a fine village at the Head of Conesus Lake, but of how many houses it is not known: this village seems to have been held for the purpose of fishing. The first that is known of this village is at the time of Sul-li van’s expedition against them in 1779; of which Major Norris in his Journal of Sept. 13, 1779, says: “ Marched at 7 o’clock, (from Foot’s Corners) proceeded two miles to a town called Kaneysas or Yucksea, consisting of 18 s houses, situated on an excellent intervale near a small lake where we found a large quantity of Corn, Beans, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Water Melons, &c. &e., and in about this town the army halted four hours to distroy the Town, the corn, and to build a bridge over a Creek. At this town lived a very great noted warrior called the Great Tree, who has made great pretentions of friendship to us, and has been to Philadelphia and to General Washington’s Head-Quarters since the war commenced, and has received a number of presents from General Washington and from Congress : yet we suppose that he is with Butler against us.”
The sight of this town was a little south of the present residence of R. F. & B. F. McMil-len, upon an elevated piece of land, consisting of about' one acre. The evidence is, that this was once a strong hold, or in other words, a stockade-fort. This may have taken place many years before Sullivan’s expedition, and at that time, they may have moved nearer the lake. These forts were built by setting logs close together with one end in the ground, with the other extending ten or twelve feet out of the ground. Such forts were found in the east-
ern states, at the time of their first settlements, and no doubt they once existed here.
Inside of these palisades, were placed their huts, yet in no regular order; and they occupied these villages for only a few years, on account of having no sanitary regulations, they soon became filthy, and they were obliged to move to some cleaner place.
At this place, they had their corn-fields on the flats below, which they planted in mounds of some four or five feet in diameter, and raised nearly a loot high, and in hills of the same distance apart. Of-times they would have ten or twelve acres under this state of cultivation.
They had a large apple orchard here which was distroyed by General Sullivan, September 13th 1779. Not many years since, there were trees standing, that had sprouted, and grown from the mutilated stumps, left by the above General.
At this place there were several Indian trails running to different parts of the country. One leading to the north, up the hill, a little north of Henderson hill,—near the residence of G. Griswold,—to Foot’s Corners ; then up the hill north-east out of the town, near the Hart’s School-house. This trail conducted General Sullivan into their midst. From the village it went west across the flats, up the Groveland hill to their village near the residence of the late Colonel Abel; on the Genesee flats. They may have had another one across the Head of the Lake flats, nearer the lake. The second trail ran up the hill back of their village, near the residence of the late L. B. Richardson* then in a south-east direction past the residence of David Coleman; then on up through the Calabogue Hollow south to the Cohocton Valley. No doubt they had other trails leading from their village, to other sections of ; the country, unknown to us.15
THE HISTORY
Upon the main trail—near the present sight of Foot’s Corners—no doubt they had a small village. This was near the present residence of Romeyne W. Cole. How large this settlement was, we have no knowledge of; and may have been kept here for the purpose of hunting through the level country north of their village. There could not have been any huts here, when Sullivan’s army entered the town, as none of the Journals kept by the army, mentioned it; but, at the time of the first settlement here by the whites, they found several huts occupied by them, showing that this must have been one of the selected places.
There may have been at one time in the town, more small villages, of which we have no record. The Indians would ofttimes settle at a place for a few summer months, and when the the cold winds of winter came, they would move to their larger villages.
Custom ok the Seneca Indians.
It may be of interest to many of our readers, for us to give a short sketch of the custom and manners of the Indians found at the Head of the Conesus Lake, by the early settlers.
After the invasion of General Sullivan’s army, the Indians never returned and rebuilt up the town at this place, the same as it was before; but would come back through the summer months, and build their huts for the purpose of fishing, and when the cold winds of winter came, most of them would go to their village, near Mount Morris, N. Y.
The most of the history of the Indians around the Head of the Conesus Lake, I obtained from Mrs. Jame McNinch, who lived several years among them at the early settlement of the town. Ofttimes have I sat by her side in iny younger days, and listened to her tales concerning the life of the red-man.
OF CONESUS.
The Indians built their huts in two shapes, round and oblong. The round one was constructed by setting up poles, so as to form a peak at the top; the oblong by laying a pole length way at the top, and then covering the outside with bark and skins of animals, while in some there was a hole left at the top to let the smoke pass out, and an opening in the side for an entrance. Ofttimes they built their fires in front of the entrance if the hut was too small. Their huts were of different sizes. Some was ten or twelve feet across, and generally large enough to hold a dozen persons. Their* chairs was the ground, and their beds were made the same way. When they slept, they always laid with their heads toward the fire, with their forms enwrapped in an Indian blanket, or skins of animals killed in the chase.
Their cooking was done by hanging a kettle suspended from three poles, set up over the fire, and in the same, they placed all their food at once.
Their bread—which they called “ Equa,” —was made from Indian meal (called Nath-assell) and beans mixed together, and boiled in the kettle, with their meat and potatoes. As soon as this was done, it was taken out in a dish made of bark, in shape of a sap-trough, placing the salt on one end, on a chip. When this was ready, the family would assemble on the ground around the dish, and commence eating, by now and then taking a little salt in their wooden spoons, and swallowing it with their food,
The Indians called wheat flour “Tassell”; pork “Cush”; butter “ Wesaw.” Anything they like “ Cossh,” and anything they dislike, “ Tocossh.” Money they counted by holding up one finger, “One Shilling”; two fingers, “ Two Shillings half a finger, a “ Sixpence,” &c.16
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
The dress of the men, consisted of haying leggings made of broadcloth, reaching down to their knees ; then with a short dress belted to the body at the waist, and reaching down to the knees, with an Indian blanket, doubled and thrown over the- shoulder,, extending down toward the feet, with a belt around at the waist. When they did not need the blanket around the shoulders* they would throw it off, and let it hang by the belt, or they could raise it and cover the head. Both the males and females, wore the blanket the same way, and moccasins, made of deer-skin, on their feet.
While Mrs. McNinch was living in their midst, she was permitted to be present at several weddings, which the whites were seldom allowed to witness, as these ceremonies are considered by them sacred. Their dress is similar to their every-day life'"differing only by the bride and bride-groom having one blue and one red legging on the feet.
The courtship is some-what remarkable ; for when ever a young Indian wishes to call upon an Indian maiden, he goes to her hut, and in passing by, he throws his hat into the same, and if his hat is kept, he can enter, showing that his company is acceptable. If the hat is speedily returned, he is informed that his company is not acceptable, and he must keep out.
As soon as a child is born, it is taken and wrapped in bandages of cloth, placed around its body and limbs, and then woollen cloth placed around this, to keep it warm. The child is then taken and placed with its back to a board, a little longer than jts length, and wider than its width, and then bound to the same by bauds made from strings cut from deer-skin, and kept in this position, ior a couple months, that it may grow straight. In carrying the child, the female always straps it to her back.
In case of sickness, the Squaw done the medical services. Herbs were their chief medicine, and in the same, they seldom fail. In case of a fatal disease, or epidemic should break out among them, they held their Pow-wow to drive the evil spirit away. The hard labor and drudgery was all done by the females. They hoed the corn, planted the beans, and did the household labor : the males did the hunting ; went forth in wars' held the war-dances, and tortured the victim. x\rdent liquors, were the root of all evil among them, and when under its influence the whites all feared them, as it turned them into demons. It is said that Esq. Henderson, was once assaulted by an Indian who threw his tomahawk at him when he went to his log house, and he would not give him any more whiskey. The scars were shown “by Mr. Henderson” to persons living at the present time, where it passed his head, and stuck quivering in the logs behind him.
An Indian never forgot a kindness, hut always sought revenge for an injury. Mrs. McNinch said: “When she came among them, there were but a few whites living on the flats at the head of Conesus Lake.” They caused them much fear and trouble. When she first came there, she feared them, hut soon learned to love them. She found them destitute of kettles cook their food in, and many of the whites wmuld not lend them, which grieved the Indians, and caused them to hate them. But she would always accommodate them, and when they had got through using, would return the kettle, cleaned in their manner of cleaning, highly pleased. By her kind deeds, the Indians soon learned to love her, and when they killed a deer or bear, they would select the most choice piece, and bring her. Ofttimes she would have more fresh meat than she could use, then she would salt it down, and in some parts ofTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
17
the year, the Indians were unsuccessful in the chase, and came to her for food; then she would return it to them again, causing them to be highly pleased by her generous acts.
While living among them, Mr. and Mrs. McNinch, had a large amount of sickness in their family. The country being new, the air was very unhealthful, and she was subject to the fevers, and her children to the many other prevailing diseases of that time. Ofttimes Mrs. McNinch would be confined to her bed. No sooner than the news of her sickness spread through the Indian village, than the squaws would flock to her house, bearing under their arms, bundles of herbs to steep teas to doctor her with. After they had prepared the same, they would take it to her bed-side, and taste of it, before giving it to her, to show her. that it was not poison. Sometimes she would take it to please them; and at other times, when they had gone away, throw it out. Among the small children, there raged diseases that would baffle the whites; but, the Indian maidens were in most eases successful.
The greatest fear of Mrs. McNinch, while living at the head of Conesus Lake, was on account of her children. Her husband being a miller, was constantly away from home, following his vocation, and the children often played in the forest—and the Indians taking a liking for white children, which they sometimes abducted—she feared they would be kidnapped by them, to adopt into their own families. The squaws came often to her house, and begged for the privilege of taking her small children to their camp, to play with their“pap ooses”as they called them. When the weather was pleasant, she would permit them to go, and at the appointed time for their return— which she watched with a mother’s devotion— they were punctual to bring them back to her
again and seemed over-joyed at the honor she had conferred upon them.
Often in winter several of the Indian families would remain at the Head of the Lake during the cold weather, but when they did, they suffered severely with the cold by not having a warm shelter to protect them from the frosty wind. They would frequently come to Mrs. McNinch’s house, and ask permission to stay with her through the night. Many times she retired to her bed, with five or six stalwart braves lying upon the floor, with their heads toward the fire, in slumber. Some one of their number would rise at different intervals, through the night, and replenish the fire, as it would require it, and then repose his dusky form again among his comrades. Had Mrs. McNinch been attacked or disturbed, these Indians would have sacrificed their lives in defending her. Their love knew no bounds, for the kindness she had shown them, and while living upon these fiats, she had no fear of being molested* \Tet many of the whites lived iu fear, though they escaped all harm.
For want of space, I will not go far back, to describe the Indian mode of warfare, before the white man found them here. At that time they had laid aside the stone spears and arrows, and taken the rifle in their stead. The tomahawk and scalping-knife was still retained, and many of the younger Indians used the bow and iron pointed arrows, for a pastime.
The Indians counted time by moons. In speaking of an event, they would say,aSo many moons ago” or “the leaves came and went,” in traveling, they preceded on foot, or by single horse, having poles fastened on each side, with one end running back, dragging on the ground, on which they piled their camp utensils, in moving from place to place. Their roads were by paths or trails through the forest, or wide18
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
enough for the horse to drag the load behind him. These trails were kept for years, and many places in the country to day, where they have crossed rocks, a crevice has been worn in them, afoot or more in depth, by their constant traveling.
The Seneca Indians in burying their dead, place them in a sitting posture, with their faces toward the east. Several places in town, their bones have been dug up by the pale face, yet there has been no evidence of any burial place here. On the lands now owned by Yan-Buren Guldner, no doubt was one of these places, for there has been bones and skeletons exhumed there during the late years.
Adventures oe Daniel Carr.
The sketch of this Indian captive was presented to me by, B. F. Fosdick, deceased, of Conesus Center, who was a distant relative of the same. Carr in after years would visit this country, where he had stayed those long years before in captivity, and at each time spend a few days with Mr. Fosdick, and to him related the following narrative. The exact date we have not, but it must have been near the year of 1770.
Daniel Carr having occasion to visit the western part of New York state upon some business transaction, when near the present sight of Canandaigua, Ontario County, came suddenly upon a small party of Indians, who surrounded him and made him their prisoner, and took nim to their village near by. This took place in the forenoon and the afternoon was occupied in holding an Indian council of the leading men of the village, as to what disposition should be made of their prisoner. It was decided that he should be compelled in the morning to run the gauntlet. He was then escorted to one of their wigwams and placed under a heavy guard to
prevent his escape. He spent the night in great agony, and in the morning was led forth by his captors a few rods from the village, where he saw two long lines of warriors, dressed in their costumes, and armed with their instruments of war, waiting to receive him. They took him to the head of the line and made motions for him to pass down between them, and that if he reached the other end, he would be saved. An old chief stood near him, to give the signal for his starting. The signal was given, and when he was about to start there rushed forth from the crowd an Indian maiden some twenty summers old—with tears in her eyes—threw her arms around the old chief’s neck, and besought him to save the pale face captive’s life. The old chief gazed at his daughter for a long time, while she stood firm and pleaded for his safety. At last his heart was softened, he turned and presented the captive to her, that he should go and act as her slave. The Indians then conducted him back to their wigwams, and dressed him in their Indian costumes. He was a man of large stature, and in strength, there was none that could e-qual him in the tribe. The first work that was assigned to him, was the cutting the wood and hoing the corn, at which he was not a very profitable hand, for he would use his hoe in such an awkward way, that it was sure to cut off the corn, and when they sent him for wood he was sure to get the wettest he could find.
The Indians had an old white horse, and one day he hitched it to a sled, and went into a swamp near by for wood. There was a large bog hole in the swamp, into which he managed to drive the old horse and get him mired. He was obliged to go back and get a number of the Indiana to come and help the horse out, which they succeeded in doing, after a largeThe War-Dance op the Senecas,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
19
amount of labor, while they heaped curses upon him for cutting up such a caper, which only served to amuse him.
A short time afterwards, in the month of June, the Indians had a war dance, and it was customary that those who did not join the dances, which included the squaws, should sit or lie on the ground around them.' As Carr did not join their dances, he watched them with deep interest until the end, and resolved the next night, to have one on his own hook. So when the next evening came, he prepared himself ^s he saw the Indians do the night before, and commenced hooting and dancing, until he drew a large crowd around him on the ground,' when all of a sudden he commenced running and jumping upon their, backs as they lay around watching him, which was the means of soon closing his war dance. .The next morning when he arose he found two Indians waiting for him with the summons that the old chief would like to see him at his wigwam. With a heavy heart he proceeded with them, expecting to find the old chief in anger, and that he would put him to some torture for his misdoings. But as he entered the old chief welcomed him, and politely informed him that the pale face must have no more war dances, and then bade him to take his departure.
After remaining a short time at Canandaigua they removed him to the Genesee flats near Moscow, N. V., when he again commenced his depredations by throwing the squaws in the river during the summer time, while the Indians lay along the banks and laughed to see them swim to the shore. Yet after all the trouble he caused the Indians, they all loved him, for he did all he could for them when they were sick, and he claimed that he believed that there was not one soul in the whole tribe, but what would have fought for him, if they saw him in
trouble.
Seven long years rolled away before an opportunity presented itself for him to return to his native place, in the state of New Jersey, for at the time of his capture he had pledged his word to the Indians that he would not try to make an escape, and he well knew if he attempted it, it would have been very doubtful if he ever could have succeeded, for there were parties of Indians roaming all over the different parts of the country, who would without doubt recapture him, and return with him. It would have been certain death for him, as he would have broken his word, which the Indians considered a disgrace and dishonor. He longed however, to return to his family, which consisted of a wife and several children.
At last the time came. It was in the spring time when there was a small party of Indians preparing to visit the Mohawk Indians, whose settlement was upon the Hudson river. He begged of them .the privilege of accompanying them and visiting once more the friends of his native state, which they readily granted, after he had pledged his word that he would return to them at a certain moon, upon the Hudson, and go back with them to their forest home. They then set upon their journey, and soon arrived upon the banks of the Hudson, where he parted with them and started out alone for his native place.
Alter several days travel, lie arrived at his former home, which from a few scattering houses had grown to a flourishing village. Upon his arrival, his first inquiry was for the cottage of the widow Oarr. it was soon pointed out to him, and he repaired to it, to make known his visit. As he reached the door he rapped, and a young maiden some twenty summers opened it and bade him enter. He was dressed in his Indian costume, and his beard and hair were20
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
of vast length, as he had not shaven since his capture. He inquired if the Widow Carr lived there, and received the reply that she did. He then asked to see her, and the young lady stepped to the chamber door and called her, as she was up stairs spinning. As she did not respond immediately, he requested her to be called again. She came down and entered the room, but she knew him not. He then related to her that he was from the Indian country, and that he had seen her husband among the Indians, and knew him to be well and hardy ; but she would not believe it, for she knew he must be dead, or he would not have left her so long in sorrow and misery, mourning for him. Finding that he could not convince her, he asked her if she would not give him some of Carr’s old clothes and a razor, that he might take them to her husband, so he would believe him when
he told that he had seen his wife. Then he took his leave, promising to return in the afternoon before setting out for the Indian country. He then repaired to the tavern, and with the assistance of the landlord, he cut his hair and was shaved, and then dressed himself in the clothes his wife had given him.
When the appointed hour came in the afternoon he returned to the cottage and entered, and as soon as his wife saw him the second time she knew him, and rushed forward and threw her arms around his neck and wept for joy.
His children that he had left seven long years before stood around him. Some had almost grown to man and womanhood, and they also welcomed him. But when the time came for him to meet the Indians upon the Hudson, he failed to do so, and without doubt filled their hearts with sorrow, for they dearly loved him.CHAPTER III.
''	ullivitn ’a (^xinpaign.
gN the Summer and Fall of 1778, and I the Spring of 1779, the Seneca Indians living in the middle and western part of New York, commenced committing unlawful depredations, by plundering and murdering the frontier settlers of the northern and western part of Pennsylvania. These Indians were encouraged in their blood-thirsty and cold-hearted designs, by a large number of British Tories and Half-breeds, who went farther in the scenes of torture then the Indians did themselves. At last Congress, then setting in Philadelphia, found themselves called upon to form a protection for the pioneers, who were advancing the arts of civilization on the out-skirts of the frontier settlements of that state. This at last they resolved to do by sending an army into the midst of Senecas—whose prominent village was in the western part of Livingston County, N. Y.—and bring them into submission.
There has been much written in regard to this campaign in other books of a larger scope, that we will not spend too much time in giving a minute detail of this journey of this army of four thousand men, in an almost unknown wilderness at that time to the whiteman. What
21
we have prepared, has been taken from Journals (some thirty I have seen,) kept by the army at the time of the invasion. The most extensive of these Journals, is that of Major Norris which we have more or less copied from, as it appears in the publications of the “Buffalo Historical Society,” Vol. L, page 217, of their publications of the year of 1879, by the kind permission of the publishers, Messrs Bigelow Brothers, Buffalo, N. Y.
The task of commanding this army was attended with so much risk of destruction, before General Sullivan accepted the command that several prominent army officers had refused the offer. The first of these officers that was requested to command by General Washington, was General Gates, who declined the offer of the Commander-in-chief, in a cold and uncourteous letter. The leadership was then offered to General Sullivan, who at once accepted and entered upon the honorable and responsible duty for his country.
The Head Quarters of the Army was at once established at Easton, Pennsylvania—except Clinton’s division from the Mohawk river— from which point a general order was issued on the 24th. day of May, 1779. On the 18th.22
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
day of Juue, tlie little army left Easton, for Wyoming, the recent scene of a bloody massacre, which had shocked the civilized world, and made many hearts shudder. In this order to General Sullivan, his instructions from General W ashington, was his guidance through the whole campaign, and he followed the same as shown in the following Plates—if the country would admitt of the same—to a letter.
A Journal of the March.
FRIDAY, June 18, 1779.
The little army of General Sullivan, started out on its fearless march this morning from Easton, Pa. They moved until 12 o’clock, when the army halted for the day at a place called 44 Hillier’s Tavern,” twelve miles from Easton by actual survey.
[ The army was accompanied with a ca rps of Surveyors, who measured every rod of the way from Easton, Pa., to the Genesee River, near Mt. Morris, N. Y., and back again.] SATURDAY, June 19th.
The army were called in line at 4 o’clock, A. M., and then marched seven miles to Bunker’s Mills, halted, drew rations and rested. Their march had been through the Blue mountains by a narrow pass then called 44 Wind-gap,” which seem to had been designed for a communication for the army. They then marched nine miles farther and encamped for t he night at what was called 44 Learn’s Tavern” near Pogono Point. The lands through which they marched, were mountainous, rocky, barren and uninhabited. It was well watered and the streams filled with trout.
SUNDAY, June 20th.
The army marched at 8 o’clock, and entered an extensive forest, then called the 44 Great Swamp,” which they entered for five miles and stopped on a small brook. Ge'neral
Sullivan called this camp 44 Chowder Camp.” The houses they left that morning, were the last of the inhabitants until they reached Wyoming.
MONDAY, June 21st.
The army marched twenty-one miles to-day through a vast wilderness, where there had been only a foot-path until the soldiers cleared a roadway last spring. This day told fearful on the army, as they could find no place to encamp until they had got through the swamp, and their hardships could had been lessened if they had gone farther the day before. They crossed two streams called by them 44 Tobehan-nah” and 44 Tanckhannanck,” and then came to the Lehigh, a Western branch of the Delaware, which, after passing they entered a gloomy grove of Cypress, Hemlock, Pine, Spruce &c., called the 44 Shades of Death.” They found the timber in the swamp, of great size. TUESDAY, June 22nd.
They marched five miles, and encamped upon a desolate farm, which was once the home of a man name Bullock, who had been driven off with his family, by the Savages. Here they found plenty of fresh grass for their horses. WEDNESDAY, June 23th.
After marching seven miles, they reached Wyoming. Four miles of this place, they saw a monument erected to the memory of Captain Davis and Lieutenant Jones of the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment, who was murdered by the Indians, April 23. 1779.
About 12 o’clock they entered the town of Wyoming, which exhibited to them a melancholy scene of desolation, in ruined houses, wasted fields, fatherless children and widows. These unhappy people, after living in constant fear, for some time were attacked by a large body of Indians, in July of 1778, and out off four hundred humane soules, only sixty -wereTHE HISTORY OP CONESUS.
23
left to tell the tale, and most of these were of those who made their escape into the mountains. The Tory Refugees, who joined the Indians to cut off the settlement, are said to have given proof of more cruel and unnatural barbarity then even the Savages themselves, of which is one instance:—
A young man by the name of Henry Pensil, who had escaped the fate of his countrymen, and in the evening after the battle had taken refuge on a small Island in the river, was discovered by’ a Tory, who fiercely accosted him
with the appellation of a I)-Rebel. The
poor fellow being unarmed, began to implore for mercy, and fell upon his knees and entreated his Brother, not to stain his hands with his Brother’s blood. “ John,” said Henry, “ I am your brother, spare my life, and I will serve you.” “ I know you are my brother,” replied the Villian; ‘ but you are a d—- Rebel, Henry, and we are of opposite side and sentiments.” At the same time he loaded his gun, and with great coolness, took aim, and sent a bullet through his heart, then tomahawked and scalped him. A short ways off lay another young man hid who saw the whole transaction, knew them both, and made his escape afterwards, and said when the Indians came up and saw what he had done, they cursed him, and threatened to shoot him on the spot for his cruelty.
THURSDAY, June 24th.
The Army remained at Wyoming, until July 31st. This evening one of the sentries was fired upon, by an Indian, who tried to steal upon him and take him prisoner. The Indian made his escape.
[For want of space, we will not give every day doings of the army, as it lay at Wyoming, but only what we deem to be interesting to our readers.]
SUNDAY, June 27th.
To day the 2nd. and 3d. New Hampshire Regiments, was ordered to move and pitch their tents upon what they called the Plains of Abraham, three miles higher up on the Western banks of the Susquehanna river. MONDAY, June 28th.
General Sullivan to-day received a letter from General Clinton, dated Schoharrie, informing him, that he had three months provisions and 1700 mem, with 300 more at another point, awaiting his order to join him. THURSDAY, July 1st.
Michael Rosebury and Lawrence Miller, found guilty at Easton the 3d. of June of encouraging soldiers to desert, was brought forward to be executed; the former was hanged, and the latter reprieved.
FRIDAY, July 2nd.
In Major Norris’ Journal, he gives the following:— “ I rode out this Morning with Gen’l Poor and Lieut. Col Dearborn, about four miles from camp, to view the ground where the Wyoming massacre had taken place. We saw a Stockade fort, with a covered way to a spring, which is said to have been built by some of the disaffective settlers, and given up immediately on the approach of the enemy. Here the Savages murdered about two hundred men. We found more or less bones scattered over the ground for nearly two miles and several skulls brought in at different times, that had been scalped and mangled with a tomahawk. We found a Captain’s commission and seventeen continental dollars in the pocket of a skeleton, that had laid on the top of the ground for nearly twelve months, and at the same time our Guide pointed out to us a spot, where there had been buried, seventy-three bodies in one pit. All the houses had been burned : and the fields,—the most fertile that 1 ever saw,—overran with weeds and bushes, exhibited a melan-24
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
choly picture of savage rage and desolation.” SATURDAY, July 3d.
To-day was the Anniver sary of the massacre of Wyoming.
SUNDAY, July 4th.
To-day being on Sunday, the celebration of the 4th. was postponed until next day, which the whole army properly observed. TUESDAY, July 6th.
A Soldier by the name of Winslow, went iu this morning to swim, and was drowned* About 8 o’clock in the morning, an uncommon black cloud arose in the East, with heavy thunder, followed with a hail storm, and some of the hailstones were said to have been as large as a hen’s egg.
SATURDAY, July 10th.
Gen’l Sullivan sent 150 men from the 1st and 2nd. New Hampshire regiments, toward Easton, to escort some stores, and repair the roads.
MONDAY, July 12th.
Three companies of the German regiment deserted to-day.
SATURDAY, July 24th.
Gen’l Hand arrived at Wyoming with 70 boats laiden with provisions for the expedition. SUNDAY, July 25th.
Five Soldiers cf the German Regiment were sentenced by court martial to be shot for desertion, but were reprieved the next day. SATURDAY, July 81st.
The army—after receiving orders yesterday—broke camp, and marched for the Indian country, at 1 o’clock, P. M. They had a large amount of trouble in fixing the Pack Horses and loading the boats. The orders were given to the army, to march in the following order :•— Gen’l Hand’s Brigade, a mile in advance to act as light troops; then Gen’l Maxwell’s and Poor’s Brigades; then the Pack Horses, con-
sisting of about 1200 in number, and followed by 500 head of Cattle; One Regiment for rear guard ; 200 men as flank guards on the right, and 60 men on the left by the river. Colonel Proctor’s Artillery, were sent with 120 boats laden with provisions, by water, with 70 men on opposite side of the river, to act as guard for the boats, and to prevent them from falling into an ambush. The army marched about ten miles and encamped near a stream called Lachawan-unck, which unites with the Susquehanna at this place. They found the land level and fertile, but desolated by the Indians, who had burnt all the houses, and murdered the inhabitants. At this time the’ army had been annoyed by wet weather, which had existed for the past two weeks, and still continued. SUNDAY, August 1st.
To-day was a very stormy day, and the army did not resume its march until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, when it marched to Quiluti-mack, a distance of seven miles. The route was very difficult, as it lay along the foot of the mountain, which jutted down upon the river. The pack-horses and cattle, caused them some delay, as the former did not arrived in camp until 9 o’clock that night; and the latter early the next mornning.
MONDAY, August 2nd.
The army did not resume their march today • but lay encamped upon the ground they had selected the uight before, to recruit their pack-horses, and collect the kegs of flour, ammunition and other baggage they had abandoned the night before. The morning revealed to them that they had encamped at the foot of a large mountain, which was in their front, and the river in their rear. The ground had been inhabited, but was now over-grown with grass and thistles.
TUESDAY, August 3d.THE HISTORY OF CONESDS.
25
They resumed the march at 7 o’clock in the morning, and proceeded 12 miles over a much better country then they had expected, and encamped upon an old field, near the mouth of a small river that emptied into the Susquehanna, called Tunkhaimuck. Here they captured a young fawn, to the amusement of the whole army.
WEDNESDAY, August 4th.
They struck their tents at 6 o’clock in the forenoon, and marched IB miles, passing several places that once had been inhabited, but now overran with Indians. The last of these stood upon the banks of the Meshopping. They encamped about two or three miles from this place, upon a farm of a Tory, name Vanderlip, who had joined the Indians. The fieet found great difficulty in descending the river, and did not reach camp, until 10 o’clock the next day
THURSDAY, August 5th.
To-day at 9 o’clock, they broke camp and moved ten miles over a rocky and rough road, and encamped at Wyalusing. After leaving this place, they entered a level piece of ground, and expected to have found an Indian ambuscade. The signal was given to close ranks, which was done until they had gained the sum-mut of a lofty mountain, and then saw their fleet coming up the river, some three miles in the distance. After moving two miles farther, they descended into the lowlands of Wyalusing, which was covered with Sycamore trees of immense size, and then encamped upon a level plain, which was once an Indian town of about eighty houses, built in two parallel rows, forming a street, (50 or 70 feet wide, and was now in ruins The army lay here encamped for two days.
SUNDAY, August 8th.
The army moved at 7 o’clock this morning
toward Tioga a distance of ten miles, and encamped where there had been a settlement in 1775, and was called Standing Stone Bottom. CaptakrSpalding who commanded the Independent company in Gen’l Hand’s Light Troops, lived at this place.
MONDAY, August 9th.
Marched at 6 o’clock in the morning, for three and one-half miles, to a stream called Wesawking, and halted; then twelve miles farther to the Sheshekonunck bottom—a large meadow of about 150 acres of splendid grass lying on the Susquehanna river. WEDNESDAY, August 11th.
The army rested until to-day, when it resumed its journey at 8 o’clock, for two miles, when they forded the river, which ran very rapid. They ail got over safely, except one man, who was carried down the stream by the current, but was saved by Lieut. Col Barber, Adj’t General, at the hazzard of his own life ; then they advanced one mile through a rich bottom covered with large tall trees, which shut out the sun, and soon came to a plain called Queen Ester’s Plantation. This lady governed a portion of the Seneca tribe; but dwelt in retirement, and detached from all of her subjects, and the ruins of her Palace, was plainly seen, and surrounded by fruit trees of various kinds.
At the Eastern end of this plain, the Tioga river forms a junction with the Susquehanna river, and here the army forded the same, and encamped about half a mile above on the Susquehanna. At this place they found a number of hides lying on the ground, which showed evidences that the Indians had lately encamped here, and no doubt it was once an Indian town. THURSDAY, August 12th.
Gen’l Sullivan gave orders to-day for a fort and four block-houses to be built here for security of the fleet, and also for provisions to be26
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
left for their return march, under a heavy guard. In the afternoon they received news by their scouts that were sent out the day before, that the Indians was at Chemung, some fifteen miles distant, and were fleeing before them. Orders was then given, to march at 8 o’clock that evening, so as to be ready to attack them at day-break in the morning. Their march was attended with great difficulty, as they had a thick swamp and several dangerous defiles to pass; yet, they arrived at the appointed time, to find the town vacated.
This town seemed to have been one of their Capitol towns, and contained about forty houses, which was burnt at sun-rise. From appearance, the Indians had left it but a few hours before. Gen’l Hand and his troops then followed them, until he reached the top of a ridge, when the Savages fired upon them, killing six men, and wounded seven others, including among the latter three officers, and then they ran away, and were pursued, but without success. Here Hand’s troops destroyed their corn-fields, and while engaged in their destruction,. were fired upon again, by Indians and Tories across the river, killing one man, and wounding five more, and then they returned to Tioga at sun-set, having marched thirty-four miles, in twenty-four hours. Here the army lay until the twenty-six.
SUNDAY, August 15th.
Gen’l Poor and nine hundred choosen men were ordered to-day, to march to-morrow morning up the Susquehanna river, to meet Gen’l Clinton, who was coming from the Mohawk river, to aid him in case he should be attacked before he could reach the main army. In the afternoon, a small party of Indians fired upon some men who were out,—without the guard— after some stray .horses and cattle, killing one and wounding another, and then made their es-
cape.
MONDAY, August 16th.
Gen’l Poor marched his detatchment up the Susquehanna to meet Gen’l Clinton. The route was very rough and mountainous. They encamped for the night, at an Old Indian town called Macktonanuck.
TUESDAY, August 17th.
They marched early this morning twelve miles to the Indian town Owagea, which had been deserted the Spring before. The march to-day, proved to have been quite severe, as the left column had to pass through several morasses, and climb steep hills. WEDNESDAY, August 18th.
To-day they proceeded eighteen. miles through an almost impassable forests, and encamped at an Indian town, that had been vacated in the Summer before, called Choconant. This town, they found a large quanity of Garden vegetables growing, that the Indians had left behind them. At sunset they heard a report of a canon,- in front of them, which told them, that General Clinton, was near them. THURSDAY, August 19th.
Early this morniDg, they resumed their march; but, after going about a mile, General Poor received a messenger from Gen’l Clinton that he would meet him at 10 o’clock in the forenoon. They then returned back to their last camping place, and waited their coming. Here at the specified time, Clinton joined them with two thousand men, and two hundred Batteauxs laden with provisions and amunition. After a friendly greeting, they turned about, and started down the river, and encatmped that night at Choconant. The next two days was occupied in reaching the main army again. MONDAY, August 22nd.
To-day they marched eleven miles, and reached the main army at 11 o’clock, A. M.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
27
From August 22nd., to the 26th., the army remained at Tioga, preparing to continue their march into the Indian Country. On the 23d. a sad accident happened, that filled their hearts with sorrow. A soldier accidently discharged his gun, loaded with a ball and several buckshot ; and Captain Kimball, who was standing a short ways off by a tent, received the contents and expired in a few minutes, and another soldier wounded. The next day the remains of Capt. Kendall was buried with military honor. THURSDAY, August 26th.
The army resumed their march for the Indian country at 12 o’clock to-day under the plan of Order’s of March and Battle. They found great difficulty in getting ready, on account of not having sufficient number of pack-horses to carry their provisions and ammunition. They left three hundred men under Col. Shreve to guard this place until their return. Mr. Lodge accompanied them as Surveyor, and measured the way, as they went.
FRIDAY, August 27th.
They resumed their march at 8 o’clock this morning, and traveled six miles through a thick wood, which they had to cut a wav for their Artillery and Ammunition Wagons, detaining them at one place, seven hours, and then encamped in a corn-field of sixty or seventy acres at 10 o’clock that night.
SATURDAY, August 28th.
They had the corn to destroy this morning which detained them until 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Before they moved off the ground, —on account of the mountain sloping down to the river, making the passage of the artillery impassable,—they had to ford the river twice before reaching Chemung. To-day their Scouts returned and reported of discovering a large body of Indians some six miles in front, who fired upon a small party of them.
SUNDAY, August 29th.
The army marched at 9 o’clock in the forenoon ; they had scarcely proceeded five miles, when the Light Troops discovered a line of breastworks^ about eighty rods in front, and in reeonnoitreing, was found to extend nearly a half of a mile in length, on advantageous grounds to the Savages. These works had a large brook in front of them, with the river on the right, a high mountain on the left, and a large Indian settlement in the rear called Newtown. They were well hidden from view by green bushes arranged in front of them, so the discovery of them was purely accidental, as well as fortunate for the army.
As soon as the discovery had been made, skirmishing commenced briskly on both sides, and continued until the army formed a line of battle, to attack in the following order, viz—
The Artillery to form in the front of the enemy breaskworks, supported by Gen’l Hand’s light troops brigade; Gen’l Poor’s and Riflemen to turn the enemy left, and to reach the enemy rear, supported by Gen’l Clinton’s brigade, while Gen’l Maxwell’s brigade to be held as reserve corps, and the left flanking division and light troops to pursue the enemy when they left the works.
At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Gen’l Poor’s brigade, (being the most important one in the battle as given in the Journals of Major Hub-ley, Dr. Campbell, Major Norris, and others, of which Major Norris’ Journal, giving the fullest and he being in that Brigade, we take the same' for our guide,) began their march to the left and passed through a very thick swamp covered with bushes for nearly a mile, that they found great difficulty to keep in order. After passing the swamp, they crossed the creek that ran in front of the works,—arid on both sides was a number of new houses, but no cleared28*
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
land,—and began to ascend the mountain on the enemy’s left, and as they advanced, were saluted by a brisk fire from the Indians at the top, who tried to prevent the troops from turning their left flank. The instant the Indians commenced firing, they gave a tremendous war-whoop, which was responded too by the riflemen, until Poor’s troops could form themselves in line of battle, which was done very quick and then they advanced with fixed bayonets, without firing a shot, until reaching the summit, at a half mile distant, when they poured such a deadly fire upon the Savages, that they were obliged to run for their lives.
Colonel Reed’s regiment was on the left of the brigade, and in a position that the full force of the Savages was thrown against him, which prevented him from advancing as fast, as the other troops did. At last the Indians almost surrounded him, and he was about contemplating of retreating, when Colonel Dearborn, whose regimemt was next to him, saw at once the position of his brother officer, and the commanding officer being too far away to get orders, resolved to take his regiment on his own responsibility and go to his assistance, which he did, just in time to prevent Reed’s defeat, and the two regiments being combined together, soon put the enemy to flight.
It is said in connection with this battle, that when Poor’s troops halted to form their line of battle, there hovered over the men, in the air and smoke of the conflict, a spectre in form of a mother closely clasping her babe to her bosom, and trying to shield it from an upraised tomahawk. The sight struck terror into the hearts of the men, and they rushed on like demons and soon dipersed the emeny.
The Indians left a number of their packs and blankets on the ground, with eleven dead warriors and one squaw; while a white man and a
negro was taken prisoner. From these prisoners, they learned that Butler was in command, and that Brant had all the Indians he could muster in the Six Nations, an there were about 200 white men, of which a few were British Regular Troops, and the whole force was about 1500 men. The Indians loss were very great; and the American loss was Major Titcumb, Captain Clay, Lieut. MacCaully,
(who died that night) and 29 Privates wounded in Poor’s brigade, and four Privates wounded in other parts of the army. At sunset, the whole army encamped upon the grounds lately occupied by the enemy.
MONDAY, August 80th.
To-day the army remained upon the ground and destroyed the corn, and burnt about forty, houses; they also made arrangement with General Sullivan, to live at liis request, on half of a pound of beef and the same amount of flour per day, as long as it was deemed necessary. This night the sick and wounded, with the ammunition wagons and four pieces of heavy artillery that were impeding their progress, was sent back to Tioga by water.
TUESDAY, August 81st.
The army commenced to march about 10 o’clock to-day, and traveled some ten miles, and destroyed several fields of corn and houses and among them, a fine Indian town, called Kannawalohalla.
WEDNESDAY, September 1st.
A detachment returned to the army this morning, that had been sent after the Indians up the river yesterday, without success. The army marched at 10 o’clock upon a plain for four miles, until they came to what was called the Beir swamp, which extended nioe miles to an Indian town called French Catharine. The swamp was very thickly covered with Pine, Hemlock and Spruce, and a large creekTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
29
ran through the center which they had to cross twenty times; and they had to cut a road the most of the wav. When they had got within three miles of Catherine’s town, just at dark, they found themselves in a horrible mucky place in the swamp, which prevented them from reaching the town until 10 o’clock that night; which they found had been deserted that day. THURSDAY, September 2nd.
The town of Catherine consisted of about thirty houses^ surrounded by large corn-fields and orchards, which was destroyed to-day. An Old Indian squaw was found in the bushes that had been unable to follow the other Indians, from whom they obtained much valuable information.
FRIDAY, September 3d.
The army marched at 8 o’clock this morning, for three miles over very rough ground to the head of Seneca lake; then for nine miles more over level ground, and encamped for the night.
SATURDAY, September 4th.
The army resumed its march at 10 o’clock this forenoon, for four miles to a small village where they found several fine fields of corn, which they destroyed, and then marched eight miles farther over good ground, and encamped for the night.
SUNDAY, September 5th.
At 10 o’clock this morning they resumed their journey for five miles, until they came to an Indian town called Candaia or Appletown, containing twenty houses, surrounded by an old orchard of sixty trees. At this place they recaptured a man named Luke Sweatland, who had been taken prisoner at the massacre of Wyoming, and had been adopted into an Indian family. A messenger arrived this afternoon from Tioga, and informed them of the death of Abner Dearborn, one of the wounded at New-
town.
MONDAY, September 6th.
The horses and cattle became scattered through the night, and the army was unable to march till 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when they proceeded three miles, and encamped for the night along the shore of the lake. At this place, they discovered an Indian village upon the other side of the lake, and saw Indians driving horses.
TUESDAY, September 7th.
They resumed the march at 7 o’clock this morning, for eight miles, until they came to the end of the lake. Here they expected the enemy would give them another battle, as they forded the outlet of the lake, as it would have given them great advantages over them. Rut, the scouts soon reported that the coast was clear, and they passed in safety, and then proceeded three miles and destroyed a small settlement, then two miles farther, to a large Indian town, called Kannadasaga or Seneca Castle, which was considered as one of their noted towns. This town consisted of about forty houses, and in the center was the ruins of an Old Stockade fort, built in 1756 by Sir William Johnson, and a block-house. In one of the huts they found a white child, that had been captured from the settlements on the borders of Pennsylvania. When found it was entirely naked and nearly starved. It was about three years old, and could speak a few Indian words. It was carried along with the army, and Captain Machin of the engineer corps, a-dopted it, and it was named Thomas Machin. A few years afterwards, it was taken to New Windsor, near Newburgh, N. Y., where it died with the small-pox.
WEDNESDAY, September 8th.
The army did not move to-day, but sent their riflemen eight miles to destroy a town30
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
called Gothseunquean. The Scouts also destroyed another town called Scawyace or Little Falls, which they accidentally discovered. THURSDAY, September 9th.
Having rained through the night and the forenoon, the army did not resume its march, until 12 o’clock. All of the sick was sent back to Tioga this morning, under Capt. Reed with an escort of fifty men. The army then proceeded three miles, and entered what was called the nine mile swamp, which they penetrated for four miles, and encamped for the night. FRIDAY, September 10th.
The army resumed the march at 8 o’clock and passed out of the swamp, and then for one mile farther, which brought them to the Canandaigua lake, then a mile farther to a pretty Indian town of the same name, which they destroyed, then encamped for the night. SATURDAY, September 11th.
They marched this morning at 6 o’clock, for fourteen miles, to an Indian town called Anyayea (Honeoye), near a small lake, which consisted of eleven houses and corn fields, where they encamped for the night.
SUNDAY, September 12th.
Having heavy rain this morning, the army did not moved until 12 o’clock. They built a small fort here, and left Captain Cummings and guard, with one piece of artillery and all the ammunition and provisions, that they did not need to carry them to the Genesee, and back again. The army passed over rough grounds, and entered the present town of Conesus, upon Lot No 6., and in a South-westerly course for nearly a half mile, then west down the hill near the residence of the late Ephrain Cole, and then encamped upon the level flats, just west of Foot’s corners,—as some of the Journals says—at sunset, after traveling eleven miles, in the afternoon. To-night Lieut. Boyd re-
ceives his orders at 11 o’clock to go into the Indian country, to discover the location of their village, and return by morning, as given in the sketch of his life.
MONDAY, September 13th.
The army marched at 7 o’clock in a southwest direction, passing over the sight of the farm-house of Granger Griswold, (better known as the Widow Scott place,) and then down to the Head of the Lake, where they found the Indian village called by them Kaneysas or Yucksea, as describe in Chapter II.
We will not give an account of the doings of Boyd’s party after leaving the camp at Foot’s Corners now, as we give the same in the sketch of his life, hereafter.
At the head of Conesus Lake, the army found a large miry swamp, which compelled them to build a log bridge for a passage through it. While the troops were engaged at work on the bridge, they heard firing upon the top of the hill in-front of them, and soon the sentries —who had been stationed at the foot of the hill along the border of the morass in front to protect the workmen from surprise,—were startled by seeing a couple of men, and among them Mr Lodge—the Surveyor—who had proceeded a short ways in front of the army, with his surveying instruments, running toward them followed by Indians in close pursuit, with uplifted thomahawks. The Indian was so close upon Mr. Lodge, that he had to abandon his jacob-staff, and as the Indian was about to strike him with his tomahawk, he passed one of the sentinel, who happened to be a boy about eighteen years of age, who with great coolness raised his gun to his shoulder, and brought down the savage before the latter had noticed his presence. For this heroic act he was highly complimented by his Commander-in-chief. While this was taking place, a corporalTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
31
by the name of Calhawn, who came voluntarily with Mr. Lodge, and was with him when he was attacked, was fired upon by the Indians, and mortally wounded and died the next morning.
As soon as the news was given to General Sullivan by the men who was with Boyd that had made their escape, he at once ordered Gen’l Hand and the light troops, to cross over the almost completed bridge, and go to Boyd’s assistance at once. Gen’l Hand immediately crossed over, and proceeded up the hill to a level piece of ground, and formed a line of battle, but too late, for the enemy had done its work and fled, leaving behind them their packs and many Indian trophies in their hurried flight.
In the Fall of 1879, in company with Gen’l Clark of Auburn, N. Y. and Rev. David Craft of Wyalusing, Pa., I visited this place, and to our surprise, found here a natural breast-work of some forty rods in length, and about six feet high, and four feet across the top, bordering along a deep ravine. Behind this ridge in the ravine the Indians—consisting of about- 1000 savages and tories under Brant and Butler— had come in the morning from Canawaugus, and formed themselves into an ambuscade; and as Boyd and party came into their rear, they supposed the army was doing the same thing to cut off their retreat, and in their haste to escape, fell back upon the little party, and soon annihilated them.
The army completed nine miles to-day, and encamped at an Indian town, of twenty houses on the Canaseraga creek, in the town of Mount Morris.
TUESDAY, September 14th.
Gen’l Suliiven expected to have found the Indian town called by them Great Chenesee, two miles from this place on the other side of the river : but, on crossing over, found it some
six miles below. The army was employed until 12 o’clock in destroying corn; then forded the river, and passed through a small grove of timber, and entered the Genesee flats, which appeared to the soldiers as a vast cleared plain of some ten or twelve miles in length, and two or three miles in width. This plain was covered with very tall grass, and the same was in many places from five to eight feet high, and the men on horseback, could part of the time only see the men in front of them, by their bayonets above the grass. They then marched two miles, crossed the Genesee river, and then down the same for four miles to the Indian village, which consisted of one hundred houses. Here they soon discovered the headless bodies of Boyd and Parker, horribly mutilated as described in the sketch of Boyd’s life. WEDNESDAY, September 15th.
At 6 o’clock this morning the whole army turned out, and was employed in destroying houses and corn until 2 o’clock in the afternoon. 20,000 bushels were piled up in the houses, and then the latter set on fire: 1500 apple trees are said to have been destroyed, and the once beautiful valley turned into ruins and desolation.
A white woman with a child came to them to-dav, who had escaped from the Indians by hiding in the bushes when they left their village on the approach of the army. She had been captured at Wyoming, along with her husband, and one other child, who had been killed and then scalped before her eyes.
At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the army turned about in high spirits, and commenced their homeward march. They then recrossed the Genesee river and encamped for the night. THURSDAY, September 16th.
A number of cornfields were discovered this morning and destroyed, which detained theTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
32
army until 10 o’clock. At 1 o’clock, they recrossed the Gaghehegwalahale (Canaseraga) creek, and at 4 o’clock, arrived at Kanigsas or Chocksett (Head of Conesus Lake). To-day fourteen of Boyd’s men were found near together, scalped, and among them a friendly Oneida Indian, named Hanyerry, which they buried.
FRIDAY, September 17th.
The army marched at sunrise, and at 10 o’clock arrived at Honeoye, which they had been in great fear for its safety since the capture of Boyd, but to their gladness, found it safe.
SATURDAY, September 18th.
The army at 8 o’clock proceeded to Kan-nandaquah and encamped. Four Oneida Indians—one of whom was a Sachem—met the army to-day and informed them that one hundred Oneidas and Tuscaroras, had started out to join them, but had met an Indian, who had left the army when it was at the above place, who informed them, that the army traveled so fast, that they could not overtake them so to be of any service, and they had returned back.
SUNDAY, September 19th.
The army marched to Kanadasagea and encamped. At most of the Indian towns when the army was advancing, they found in front of them, dogs hung up on poles ten or twelve feet high, to drive the evil spirits away, and to please their immaginary God, that he would cause the return of the army, and lead them on to victory.
MONDAY, September 20th.
Five hundred men under Colonel Butler, was ordered to-day to go around Kaiyuga (Cayuga) lake, and destroy an Indian village of the same name, situated at the east end of the lake; Colonel Gausevoort and one hundred men was
ordered to destroy the Mohawk Castle on the Mohawk river, and from there to Albany N. Y. In the afternoon, the army crossed the outlet of Seneca lake and encamped.
TUESDAY, September 21st.
Two hundred men under Colonel Dearborn was orded to proceed on the west side of Cayuga lake. After destroying several settlements, they joined the main army on the 26th at Kanawlohalla (Elmira).
WEDNESDAY, September 22nd.
The army marched over the old route, to within nine miles of Catharinestown and encamped.
THURSDAY, September 23d.
They resumed their march early this morning to four miles from Catharinestown, and encamped upon the edge of the swamp. Many of the soldiers had not forgotten the terrible night that many of them had passed in this swamp, and they had looked forward with dread to the return passage through its morasses. Yet they passed in safety.
FR1 DAY, September 24th.
The army arrived at Newtown to-day, where they met Captain Reid and two hundred men sent forward from Tioga with an extra supply of provisions and cattle. Col. Spaulding was sent up the Chemung river, and within two days destroyed Painted Post, and another Indian town called Knacto. Col. Dayton was also sent down the river, to destroy what other villages he might find.
Sept. 25tb. the army rested.
SUNDAY, September 26th.
Colonel Dearborn and his troops rejoined the army to-day.
MONDAY, September 27th.
Some detachments were sent up the Alle-ghena river, to destroy what Indian settlements they could find.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
TUESDAY, September 28th.
The same parties was again sent out, but to go farther up the river to destroy a Tory settlement. At 12 o’clock Colonel Butler and troops arrived in camp. In his route around the lake, he succeeded in destroying several settlements, and a large amount of corn. WEDNESDAY, September 29th.
The army marched to Chemung. THURSDAY, September 80th.
They resumed their march to Tioga, and on their arrival there, was saluted by thirteen cannons under Col. Shreve, who had been left in command there, and the army replied with the same number.
October 1st. 2nd. and 3d. were spent in preparing to march to Wyoming. The 2nd., was held as a day of great jubilee, by General Sullivan, in honor of their success; and among the amusements of the day, they had an Indian war-dance at Head-Quarters, of which an Oneida Sachem, was Master of the Ceremonies. MONDAY, October 4th.
The army marched fifteen miles down the river and encamped.
TUESDAY, October 5th.
The whole army embarked on board of boats except a sufficient number to drive the pack-horses and cattle.
THURSDAY, October 7th.
The army arrived at Wyoming, after two days journey on the river. Here they remained until the 10th.; as General Sullivan had received orders on the 8th., to proceed to Easton on that day.
SUNDAY, October 10th.
The army commenced their march to Easton, where they arrived on the 15th, after and extraordinary march of one hundred and fifty-six miles in eight days, through a rough an mountainous country. Here they remained
until the 25th, when they marched to Head Quarters.
STATISTICS OF THE ARMY.
General Sullivan’s army consisted of the New Jersey brigade commanded by Brigadier General William Maxwell of that State, and consisted of Ogden’s 1st New Jersey, Dayton’s 3d. New Jersey, Shreve’s 2nd New Jersey, Spencer’s Independent New Jersey, Far-man’s regiment (united with Spencer’s command June 26th 1779), and Sheldon’s Light Dragoons.
Brigadier General Edward Hand of Pennsylvania, commanded the Light Corps, consisting of Colonel Armaud Hubley’s 11th Pa., Schott (six companies), Independent and Ran-er companies, Captain Carbury’s Light Horse t afterwards dismounted), Colonel William Butler’s 4th Pa., and the German Troops.
The brigade of Brigadier General Enoch Poor, of New Hampshire, consisted of Colonel Cortland’s 2nd New York regiment, Lieut. Colonel Dearborn’s 3d New Hampshire regiment, Colonel Chilley’s 1st and Colonel Reid’s 2nd New Hampshire, and 6th Massachusetts, commanded by Major Whiting (which was taken from Clinton’s brigade after the union of the two armies.)
Colonel Thomas Proctor, commanded the 1st Pennsylvania regiment of artillery, which consisted of four 3-pounders, and two 6-pound-ers, two 5£ inch howitzers, and one cohorn, a small gun for throwing shells. This gun had handles on the side, by which two soldiers could carry it between them. The gun being unhandy in firing, the soldiers, fastened it to a square block of wood, and placed the same on four legs, to raise it from the ground, and when it was fired off, would turn over backward, and the soldiers called it their “ grass-34
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
hopper.”
A force consisting of one hundred men, with two Captains and six subalterns, was left at the Wyoming fort, under the command of Colonel Zebulon Butler.
General Sullivan’s force at Wyoming, before being joined by General Clinton, and fit for duty July 22nd, 1779, was reported as follows: Brigadier Generals, 3 ; Colonels, 7; Lieut. Colonels, 6; Majors, 8 ; Captains, 48; Chaplains, 3; Surgeons, 10 ; Drum Majors, 8 ; Fife Majors, 3 ; drummers and fifers, 131; rank and file, 2,312.
General James Clinton’s brigade consisted of 2nd New York regiment, commanded by Colonel Cortland, (which was transferred from Poor’s brigade to Clinton’s, August 23d); 3d New York, commanded by Colonel Peter Gansevoort; the 4th New York, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Fred. Weissenfels ; the 5th New York (Independent), commanded by Colonel Lewis Dubois; the 6th Massachusetts (transferred to Poor’s brigade after arriving at Tioga), commanded by Major Whiting and Captain Harper, with volunteers, making a force of 1400, and a total force that penetrated the Indian country, 3,712 men.
ORDER OF MARCH AND BATTLE.
The following order’s were given to the army by General Washington, May 24th 1779, as their guidance, in regard to the position they should occupy in their line of march and battle, which were promptly observed whenever the country would admit, as given in the two plates of this book, which I have copied from one of the Journals of the march.
Order of March.—The right of the first line to be covered by one hundred men drawn from Poor’s brigade.
The left of the first line to be guarded by
one hundred men drawn from Maxwell’s brigade.
Each flank of the second line, to be guarded by fifty men drawn from Clinton’s brigade.
The flanking divisions on the right to consist of the German battalion and one hundred men drawn from the whole line.
The flanking disvision on the left to consist of Hartlie’s and Dayton’s regiments and one hundred men drawn from the whole line.
In the order of march, the Light Troops, will advance by the right of company’s in files and keep half a mile in front.
Maxwell’s brigade will advance by the right in files, sections or platoons as the country will admit. Poor’s brigade will advance by the left in the same way.
Clinton’s brigade will advance by the right of regiments in platoons, sections or files as the country will admit. All the guarding parties and flanking divisions on the right, will advance by the left, and those on the left, by the right. The artillery and pack-horses, to march in the center.
Order of battle.—Should the army be attacked in front while on its march, the Light Troops will immediately form to repulse the enemy. The flanking divisions will endeaver to gain the flank and rear of the enemy. While the line is forming, the pack-horses will in all cases fall into a position as shown in the annex diagram. Should the enemy attack either flank, the flanking division will form in front, and sustain the attack till reinforced, and in such a case, a part of the light corps, is to be sent to gain the enemy flank and rear, and the guarding parties of the two lines will move to gain the other flank. Should the enemy attack their rear, the two lines will face about and form a line in front of the enemy, while the guarding parties of the first line will move toGeneral Sullivan’s Line of March.
Guard of
jo purar)
Lt. Guard, 100 Men,
Left Flank Guards. Left Flank Division.
Three Columns of Pack Horses.
Col. Proctor’s Artillery.
liss
□
•soiuojj sjouj jo suumjou
‘uoisiaiq; sprej^ •spj^nx)
Advance Guards,
Major Parr’s Rifle Corps.
um\[ ooi fcp^no *niGeneral Hand’s Light Troops.
Guard of
50 Men.
Guard of
50 Men.
t
General Sullivan’s Line of Battle.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
85
sustain it, while the flanking division face about and gain the enemy flank and rear. Should the light troops be driven back, they will pass through the center of the main army, and form in the rear. Should the army have either flank in danger, the covering party, move up to lengthen the line as may be found necessary, and the flanking divisions will display outward to prevent the enemy from succeeding.
The light corps will have their advances and flank guards, at a good distance from the main army. The flanking divisions will furnish flank guards, and the second line, a rear guard for the main army.
When the light corps begins an engagement with the enemy in front of the front of the pack-horses, they will halt and the rear will close up. And as the column moves at a small distance, they will close and display columns, which will bring the pack-horses in position as shown in the diagram of battle. Should the attack be made on either flank or rear, the horses must be kept in the position they were at the commencement of the attack, unless other orders are then given.
Sketch of Lieut. Thomas Boyd.
John Boyd, the father of Thomas, is supposed to have been born in Scotland about the year of 1720. He came to New York City, and then to Orange County, (same state), and from here to Pennsylvania, where he married a lady, (it is said; by the name of Hathorn, and died young, leaving a widow and four children, whose names were John, William, Mary and Thomas.
John, the oldest son, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and being the last that was known of him, he is supposed to have been killed by them.
William, the second son, joined Washington’s army, and fell in the memorable battle of Brandywine, September 11,1777.
Mary, the only daughter, lived near Washington ville, Pa., until her death, May 1st, 1851, and now has descendants living near that place and at South Bend, Indiana.
Thomas, the youngest son,—whose fate seemed to have been reserved for Indian torture—was born near Washington ville. Pa., in 1757. He was a young man of ordinary highth, strong built, fine looking, sociable and agreeable in all of his manners, which gained for him many friends, wherever he went. In his youth, his father died leaving him to the care of his widowed mother, who looked upon her sons, with the pride of a mother’s care, and when she was parting with them, she begged of them, never to let cowardice cross their path.
The younger days of Thomas was spent at home; and the first we have any account of him, he belonged to a Pennsylvania Rifle Company, commanded by Captain Matthew Smith. This was at the time of Benedict Arnold’s fa-mos march through the Pine Forrests, from Maine to Quebec.
Here Thomas took an active part in the assault upon the works, Dec. 81, 1775, and was wounded and taken prisoner; but was soon afterwards exchanged. Upon his return to his native place, he joined the First Pennsylvania Rifle Corps, and was present at the battle of Stillwater, October 7, 1775, and there witnessed the surrender of Burgoyne and his army. He was also present at the battle of Mon-mouth, June 28, 1778.
After leaving this army, he went to Schoharie in the fall of that year under the command of Major Posey, who commanded three companies of Morgan’s celebrated rifle corps, under the command of Captain Long, Pear and Sim-36
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
son 5 of which Thomas belonged to the latter.
Thomas remained here until the Summer of 1779, when he joined Captain Michael Simpson’s rifle company, in Colonel Butler’s regiment, in Sullivan’s campaign, against the Seneca Indians.
We have no more account of Thomas from the time of his setting out with the army from , Easton, Pa., Friday morning, June 18th, until the 12th of September following. Whatever were the daily scenes, of this little army, Thomas must have taken an active part.
On the 12th of September, the army resumed its march in a heavy rain, and through a dense forest for nearly eleven miles, until they reached the low flat piece of ground a little West of Foot’s Corners, which they reached the same at dark, and encamped for the night.
About 11 o’clock in the evening, General Sullivan sent for him to come to his tent, as he had important, business for him to do. Thomas went and soon received orders to select four of his most trusty comrades, as a scouting party, and go some fourteen miles (near Mt. Morris), in advance of the army, and to see if he could discover the location of the Indian village, and report the same to General Sullivan before day-break, so as to enable him to form plans, for the future guidance of his army. Thomas left his General’s tent, but to disobey his commander’s orders, for instead of four, he selected and took with him, twenty-six men and two Oneida Indians, and set out for his destination.
The little band, winded their way through the dense forest by the Indian trail, until they reached the little village of Canaseraga, situated in the present town of Mt. Morris, which they found deserted, although the fires were still alive in their huts. The night was far advanced, and the party weary, they encamped for a few hours, intending to ascertain at early
morning, the location of the Indian town, the object of their mission.
It was not yet break of day on Monday morning, the fourteenth of September—a day so fatal to most of Thomas’ party—when he, accompanied by Thomas Murphy—a noted Indian fighter—stole away from their companions, and entered the Indian village near at hand. They here discovered two Indians coming out of a hut, of which one of them was a wounded warrior, and the other an uncle to the sachem Soh-nah-so-wah. A ball from Murphy’s rifle quickly sealed the fate of the former, and the latter fled. Murphy, as was his custom, took off the slain Indian’s scalp, his three and thirtieth trophy.
The flying Indian, Thomas well knew, would at once make known his visit to the enemy, and thus defeat his purpose. He therefore resolved to rejoin the army without delay. On going back to his party, he dispatched two messengers to Gen’l Sullivan, with a report of his opperatiotis. They were directed to inform General Sullivan, that the scouts would return immediately in the morning.
The messengers reached the army, early in the morning. The scouting party prepared to retrace their steps also. Hanyerrv—an Oneida Indian—recommended his leader to follow a different trail; but, Thomas unwisely disregarded the advice of his faithful and intelligent guide. The most jealous caution was observed on the return march. u With Han-yerry in front, and Murphy in the rear, their eagle eyes fixed upon each moving leaf and waving bough, they marched forward slowly and with utmost caution. Five weary miles had they thus traveled the dangerous route, and were about to descend the Groveland hill to the flats below, upon which the army lay. Less than two miles intervened between themCONESUS LAKE.
[Looking north from the spot of the massacre of Lieut. Boyd and his Soldiers, by Seneca Indians, Sept. 13, 1779.]'THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
and their friends, and the party beginning to breathe freely, when they were suddenly surprised by five hundred Indians, under Brant, and the same number of Royalists under Butler. The enemy was secreted in a ravine.” The party at once took to a small grove of trees when the firing began. A moment was thus secured for reflection. Thomas saw at once that the only chance of escape for his little party, was the hazardous one of gathering all into a compact force, and breaking through the enemy’s lines. After a few encouraging words, he led forward his men for the attempt.
In the first onset, not one of Thomas’ men fell, while his fire told fearfully upon the enemy. A second and third attempt to break the enemy’s lines was made, and seventeen of Thomas’ men had fallen. The firing was so close, before the brave party was destroyed, that the powder from the enemy’s muskets, was driven into their flesh. Though a majority lay dead, yet at the third onset of Thomas’ men, the enemy’s line was broken through, and Murphy, tumbling a huge warrior in the dust who obstructed his passage—even to the merriment of his dusky companions—led forward the little band. Thomas, justly supposing if any one escaped with his life, it would be Murphy, and determined to follow him; but, not being so fast a runner, he was soon overtaken, and with him one of his men named Parker. General Sullivan says “ that Thomas was shot through the body at the beginning of the fight.” If so, this accounts for his inability to make his escape with Murphy.
Thomas and Private Parker were hurried forward, immediately after the affair, with the retiring enemy to the vicinity of Beardstown. On finding himself a prisoner, Thomas obtained an interview with Brant, who, as well as himself, was a freemason. After they had ex-
changed the magic sign of brotherhood, Brant assurred him that he should not be injured. But soon afterward Brant was called oft’ on some enterprise, the prisoners was left in charge of one of the Butlers (a half-breed;, who placing the prisoners on their knees before him, a warrior on each side firmly grasping their arms, a third at their backs with upraised tomahawk, began to interrogate them about the purposes of General Sullivan, threatening them with savage tortures if true and ready answer was not given. Thomas believing the assurance of Brant ample for his safety, and to high-minded in any situation to betray his country, refused —-as did Parker—to any question touching the immediate purposes of the army.
The savage Butler was true to his threat ; and when the prisoners peremptorily refused to answer, he handed them over to Little Beard and his warriors, who was already full of vindictiveness. The prisoners was seized, stripped, and bound to trees; they commenced a series of horrid cruelties, directed toward Thomas. When all was ready, Little Beard lifted his hatchet, stained with the recent blood, and with steady aim, sent it whistling through the air, and in an instant it quivered within a hair’s thickness of Thomas’ devoted head. The 3'0unger Indians were now permitted to follow the chief’s example, and from right, front, and left, their bright tomahawks cleved the air, and trembled about the unflinching victim. Wearied at length of this work, a single blow severed Parker’s head from his body, and mercifully ended his misery. Poor Thomas, was reserved for a worse fate. An incision was made in his abdomen, and a severed intestine was fastened to a tree. He was then scoured with prick ley-ash boughs, and compelled to move around until the pain became so excruciating it that lie could go no farther. Againm
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
pinioned, his mouth was enlarged with a knife, his nails dug out, his tongue cut away, his ears severed from his head, his nose hewn off and thrust into his mouth, his eyes dug out, and the flesh cut from his shoulders, and, then sinking in death, after these enormities, he was decapitated and his disfigured head raised by the frenzied savages upon a sharpened pole.
Just at night, as the army was preparing to encamp here, Paul Sanborn-—for many years afterwards a resident of Gonesus-—then a private soldier on the right of Clinton’s brigade, was moving with his detatchment, and, as it wheeled quickly around in the direction of the village, discovered the headless corpse of Thomas. The blood was yet oozing from it, so recently had the body been freed from its tormentors. Leaping over this, Mr Sanborn alighted beside that of Parker’s, as it lay in the long grass. He at once made known his discovery, the remains were placed under guard of Captain Michael Simpson’s rifle company, and at evening the multi la ted bodies and disfigured heads of these heroic men were buried with military honors, under a wild plum tree, which grew near the junction of two streams, which was named at a great meeting in 1811, as Boyd’s creek, and Parker’s creek. The heads of these two men were at once recognized by their companions, to whom Thomas’ features were so familiar, and Parker’s was identified, beyond doubt, from a scar on his face and his broken front teeth. Major Parr, who commanded the rifle battalion to which Thomas’ company belong, was present at the burial; and Johm Salmon, late of Groveland, N. Y., then a private in Captain Simpson’s company, assisted on the occasion.
In the year of 1841, some gentlemen in Rochester, N. Y., and along the Genesee Valley, determined to pay a tribute of respect to
Thomas and his companions, by removing their remains to Rochester, and reintering them, in the Mount Hope cemetery.
On the 20th of August of that year, was the day appointed to give the lost braves the honor that was due them. On this day, a large crowd geathered at first at the head of Conesus lake, where the burial place of Thomas’s companion was buried on the brow of Groveland hill, which was shown them by Mr Salmon, who was one of the men that was detailed the next day after the massacre to bury the dead.
On the spot where they were buried, there had been left a small grove of trees, to mark their burial place, but the wind had nearly destroyed them. Mr Salmon soon pointed out the graves, which were t wo in number. In one of them was found the remains of twenty-one bodies, and the other but two On opening the graves, many doubted whether these were their remains, or of some other race of beings. But these doubts were soon put at rest by finding some of the buttons belonging to their uniforms.
The late Mr. B. F. Fosdic of our town, a man of portly size, and who was present at their removal, says “ That these men must have been men of large stature. For their jaw-bones, I could place over mine, and their hip bones were longer.” Many of the bones as soon as exposed to the air crumbled to pieces, and as soon as possible, were placed in coffins, and taken to the burial place of Boyd and Parker, and their remains exhumed from beneath a wild plum tree, and all were taken to their last resting place, at Mount Hope, Rochester, N. Y.
Mr. Salmon—tis said, as he always lived near the spot where his comrades fell,—would on that day, 44 rain or shine,” visit this spot each succeeding year afterwards, as a token of remembrance of those,—his dear comrades, who slept the sleep of death, Sept. 12th, 1779.CHAPTER IV.
WM Mninmlu. gk. gtc.
^i®|ONESUS, before its first settlement by ( J||p the white man, was the home of the beasts of the forest as well as the red man. Here they wandered forth from hill to hill, and valley to valley, in search of their prey: or like the little squirrel in its frolic, leaped in and out among the forest trees. Here the fox burroughed deep into the soil, and the wolf ran and howled in his lair; the wild-cat screamed at night, and the panther lay crouched in the bushes, waiting to pounce on his prey ; while the deer came forth in early morning, into the clearings of the pioneers, to destroy their grain. Yet, beside these depredations to harrow men’s souls, that would cause them to give vent to their feelings, by being disturbed at night, by their heart-rending screams and yells. How far different it is to-day. Gone ! except a few smaller animals we have of the present day.
The most destructive animal, and one that caused the early settlers the most trouble, was the Bear. Often he would steal in upon them at night, and steal their pigs, or hogs, and try to carry them off into the dense forest. Sometimes they would succeed, but in most eases, were driven off by the sturdy arms of the pio-
neer’s family.
In the Summer of 1816, Mr. Jonathan Richardson, who was living at that time, in a log house, east of the railroad, near the present residence of J. II. Rowland, and upon lands nowr owned by Hiram Boyd, had a large bear visit him, and attempt to carry off a large hog, weighing nearly 3001bs. Mr. Richardson was awakened one night about 12 o’clock by a terrible noise at his hog-pen, and the squealing of his hog. Arising and dressing himself, he went out doors, and to his surprise, saw a very large black bear, trying to lift his hog over the side of the pen, which stood a short distance from the house. x\rousing the other members of his household, and wdth their united aid, they succeeded in driving him off. They found that the bear had managed to lift the hog out of the pen, and in doing so, had nearly killed it; for in a day or so, the hog lost one of his ears, which came off from the effect of its rough usage.
The next day, Mr. Richardson replaced the hog back in the pen, and resolved to watch the next night for the return of the bear. And the bear came about the same hour of night, and entered the pen and attempted to repeat his former undertaking, but by the firing of his
3940
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
rifle, and with the aid of the other members of the family, he succeeded in driving him off again ; and the bear did not return any more, to the great satisfaction of the family, as it was not every one that was able to own a hog in those days.
Bears, have been always considered harmless by the early settlers, and would run from them on approach of their steps. But, at certain times of the year, or when they were driven by hunger in search of food, or if wounded, or if aceompained by their young, were not at al-times pleasant fellows to fall in company with.
In the Summer of 1816, Miss Sally Richardson came near losing her life by a large bear, while passing through the piece of woods situated north of the ‘Conesus Cemetery, on lot No. 3., now owned by Hiram Boyd ; and was as follows :
In those days their were no well laid out public highways, as of the present day ; but foot paths, marked by blazed trees to guide the weary traveler through the dense forests, which more or less of them has became extinct at the present day. One of these old roads ran from Turkey Hill to South Livonia, through the a-bove woods; and on one summer morning Miss Sally Richardson started out upon a mission to the latter place. She walked along in a happy mood, until she had reached the center of the woods, and as she look ahead, she saw what she took to be a large black dog, sitting upon his haunches by the roadside, and looking toward her. She still advanced toward the animal, and when within a few feet of it, she to her horror discovered it to be a bear. Her first thought was to frighten it; and having a small bundle done up in a hankerchief which she carried in her hand, she shook the same at the bear, to drive him away. He seemed to pay no attention to her, as she quietly passed
by him, still leaving him setting where she first discovered him, and hoping that she had seen the last of her unwelcome traveler.
After going a little ways, she looked back, and toher surprise, she discovered she was being hotly pursued. She at once started on a run, screaming at the top of her voice, and the faster she ran, the faster the bear followed her.
A short distance from her, was a log fence on the north side of the woods, which she reached and succeeded in getting over in safety. The bear placed his paws upon the fence, and attempted to follow her, when he was met by a couple of men with hoes in their hands, who was hoeing corn at that time on the hill above her, and hearing her screams, had rushed to her rescue, and made bruin take flight back into the forest for his safety, and in time to save her life.
The next day a number of the settlers with their bear dogs set out in pursuit of the bear, which they soon found a short distance from the scene the day before. They drove him over the south end of Turkey Hill, down to the swamp, at the head of the Conesus lake, where he made his escape into the same, which was then impossible to enter.
Mr. Jesse Collar, who came into the town in the year of 1796, came near losing his life a few years afterwards by a bear, in the following manner. One day, Mr. Collar and his son Jacob, and his dog, had occasion to cross the Head of the Conesus Lake swamp, and when near the center of the same, they came across a large ferocious bear, which his dog attacked and drove up a large tree. As soon as they arrived at the foot of the tree, he commenced coming down, and when within a few feet of the ground, leaped off' and made a lunge for Jacob as he struck at him with an ax, which he carried in his hand ; but the bear dodged the blowTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
41
in safety. Jacob now called for his father to come and help him, and they started in pursuit of the bear, which was trying to escape from them, which they followed for more than an hour, avid whenever bruin would attempt to run, the dog would sieze him by the flank, causing him to turn about to fight off the dog, that would give them time to overtake him, and this they would improve by striking at him every chance they got.
At last bruin, not liking the treatment he was receiving, turned upon them, and sprang at Jessie, who attempted to dodge, slipped and fell as the bear pounced upon him.
Jacob now sawT that the time had come for a desperate move on his part, if he wished to save the life of his father; so he rushed up and struck the bear on the head with the ax, taking out a piece of his scalp, while the dog seized ■him by the flank, and drew him from the father, who immediately arose, and by their united strength, soon dispatched the bear.
There is one incident more, of a narrow escape from a bear, which we will give, to illustrate the manner of treatment a person would receive from one, while floundering about in water, which they often do.
In the year of 1802, there came to the town of Conesus, a hermit by the name of Maloy, who took up his abode upon lot No. 19, bordering upon the shores of the Hemlock lake, —then a vast wilderness,—where he built him a small log cabin, far from any civilization. Here he refused to mingle with any white people in these parts, who deseed to visit him. His whole desire seemed to have been to advance farther into the forest, so that civilization could not approach him ; for as soon as the early settlers began to settle around him, he packed up what domestic utensils he had, and -moved down the Ohio river, then an unsettled
country, avowing that improvements was disagreeable to him, and here his career became lost to the early settlers of the town.
T’was while living upon the shores of the Hemlock lake, that he came near losing his life. It was on one summer’s day, that he had an occasion to ramble toward the head of the lake, and when he had proceeded a short distance from his house, his attention was attracted by a large bear, swimming in the lake. Desiring to secure him for meat, he resolved to attack him in the water, which by doing, bruin would easily become his prey. So entering his boat, he pushed out toward the bear, and as he arrived near him, he found to his horror, that the bear, instead of swimming toward the shore' as he had anticipated, began advancing toward the boat. Maloy now plainly saw the danger he was in; for if the bear should undertake to get into the boat, it would without doubt upset the same and tip him out in the lake, and then the bear would easily be the conqueror. He at once seized his oar, and attempted to keep the bear off; but in doing so, the boat was upset, throwing him out into the lake, but as providence had directed, on the opposite side of the boat from the bear, while the boat turned upside down between them.
Now came a desperate struggle to see which should become the possessor of the boat. Maloy gathered up all of his energy, he struck out after grasping an oar in his hand, and succeeded in reaching the boat first. Now holding on the boat with one hand, with the other he held his oar, and as the bear would advance toward the beat, lie would poke bruin’s nose under the water, and by so doing, succeeded in drowning him. He then uprighted his boat, got in, and dragged the bear to the shore, and resolved hereafter to have his bear fights on dry land.42
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
One of the greatest enemies besides the bear, and that was feared the most, was the Wolf. These animals would roam through the forests in large droves, and at night they neither feared man or beasts. As a class they were the most destructive of all animals. They would break into the sheep folds, and beside killing what they wished to eat, they would bite and mangle many others, which the settlers would be obliged to kill, to get them out of their misery, and at other times would destroy whole flocks before they could be driven off.
Many times the early settlers would become belated at night in passing through the forest, and when ever they did, the sound of the wolve’s bowlings as they drew near, would warn them that the time had come for them to seek a place of safety. Fire was the wolf’s greatest enemy. This they dare not approach; and many settlers when they became lost in the forest, have saved their lives, by building up a large fire, and watclie it through the night, as will be shown by the following incident:
Through the summer and fall of 1806, James McNinch took up lot No. Ill, in the south part of the town, and built a log house and did some clearing on the same. Before he got his house done, he built him a coal-pit shanty to stay and sleep in, while his wife remained with her father’s family at the head of Conesus lake. As the country being full of wild animals, he would take his gun and a large dog along with him, to protect him from the danger of being attacked at night and day, by the ravinous beasts.
One day while he was at work chopping, a number of deer’s came into his clearing, to browse upon the small twigs of the trees he had fallen. So taking his gun, he shot one of them and dressed it and carried it to his shanty, to supply him with venison. While at work, his
dog through the day, got away from him, and went back to his father’s house at the head of Conesus lake, leaving him to enjoy his solitude all alone. So when evening came, after finishing a hard days work, he entered his place of refuge, built him up a rousing fire, and resolved to have a piece of roasted venison for his supper. So cutting a tender piece from the hind quarter of the deer, he soon had it roasting before the fire. No sooner had he began to roast the meat and the scent of the same began to spread out into the forest, before it attracted the attention of a large number of wolves and brought them to his clearings, while the scent of the roasting meat made them so ravenous that they soon surrounded his shanty, as if in a combined attempt to drive him out.
Seeing that there was but one course to pursue, he took his trusty rifle, and as the leaders would advance toward his abode, he would shoot them, and then by keeping up a large fire, he kept them at bay until morning, when they disappeared into the forest again, leaving him a wiser man with fixed resolution, that in the future, he would cook his meats in the day time.
In the fall of 1806, Mr. McNinch finished his house and he moved his family into it, but did not make or hang any door for some time afterward, but used in its place a blanket hung up for a door to keep the cold out.
One night shortly after they moved into the house, Mr. McNinch was called away from home, and Mrs. McNinch and her sister—who was upon a visit to her—was left alone to look after the domestic affairs of the household. Soon after dark, ihe wolves began to surround the house and threatened to enter. Mrs. Me-Ninch’s sister, had rode a white horse to see her, and had hitched the same to a tree a few feet from the door. So they gathered upTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
43
courage, ventured out, untied it, lead it up and tied it before the door. The wolves would now try their vengeance, by snapping at the horse. When ever they did, the horse would kick and many times would send one or more of them rolling and yelping back among his companions. The two ladies trembled all night with fear, as they every moment expected to see their noble sentinel overpowered, and their humble domain entered. But by keeping up a bright fire, they pasted the night in safety. And before another night, they made a door and hung it.
Wolves are sometimes known to become mad ; for in the year of 1811 or 12, Mrs. Lucy Patterson says, that the early settlers in the northern part of the town, were filled with terror by a mad wolf making his appearence among them. The incident she related to me is as follows :—
The wolf, was a large and voracious animal, and was first seen upon lands owned by the late Ephraim Cole, traveling toward the north. It was next seen near the residence of Flavius Coe at South Livonia, where it attacked and bit some cattle ; then it passed on near the residence of Jackson Backus, where it came across some sheep and served them in the same manner : from here it took a course to Livonia Center to the residence of Esq. Blake, and bit some cattle for him; then retraced its course and came back to South Livonia, and from here it went in a northwest course toward Lakeville, passing down what then was called “ Penny mite ” street.
When the wolf had reached this street, it was in the afternoon of the day ; and passing down it, by chance it overtook some children coming from school, who upon first seeing it, mistook it for a large dog, but on coming closer discovered their mistake, and tried to avoid it by climbing upon a fence near at hand; but as one
the boys was about to scale it, the wolf seized him by the back, and then passed along. But as Providence had directed, the teeth of the brute only passed through the boy’s clothing, leaving him unharmed. The next day the excitement rose to a high pitch, as it was not known who might be the victim, to fall to the fury of the wolf.
James Henderson—who was killed at the battle of Queenstown in the war of 1812—was keeping school at South Livonia, at once raised a company of men, and in a sleigh pursued the wolf near to the present sight of Lakeville by its tracks in the snow, where they overtook and killed it. When the wolf was seen passing through the forest, it would snap and bite at everything it came in contact with, while the foam and froth ran from its mouth. It seemed to have been in search of other wolves, to weak its vengeance on.
In the year of 1815, wolves became very troublesome, in breaking in upon the settlers flocks and killing their sheep and cattle. Mr. Nathaniel Cole, a venerable old pioneer of the town says, in that year he was living upon lot No. 61, now owned by William Gray, that one night, a pack of wolves broke in upon his sheep and killed a number of them.
At this time there happened to be several Indians in the town from Squakie Hill, and procuring their services, they followed the wolves into Calabogue Hollow and killed three of them. The Indians scalped the wolves by taking a piece of the skin from the nose down to the shoulder, which they took to Canandaigua to obtain a bounty of five dollars, which was then offered by the state on every wolf, and twenty dollars on every whelp (young wolf) that was killed. By some means, the Indians were cheated out except five dollars they received by some pretext or other.44
THE HISTOKY OF CONESUS.
Of all animals, the Panther was the most treacherous animal that the settlers had to contend with; for, they would lie crouched in the bushes, or up among the branches of trees, and there wait in suspense for their victim, and when it passed by, would leap out upon the same, giving no warning until it had its victim within its folds.
It happened one summer day in the year of 1815, that Joseph McNinch had an occasion to drive some cattle through the south part of the town, then a vast wilderness. While riding along on his horse he heard a rustling in the bushes that grew along the side of the way, and at the same time a low fierce growl. Looking ahead he discovered a large full grown panther crouched to the ground and lashing his tail, ready to make a leap at him. Giving his horse a sharp cut with his whip, he was soon out of his reach, and arrived home in a short time m safety.
On the next day, while a workman was standing in the door of a large tannery and currier’s shop, then owned and carried on by Esquire Gilbert in the town of Springwater, was surprised to see a large panther come up to the side of the steps, and look him full in the face.
There happened a large dog at that time who had been trained and accustomed to kill wolves in the building, which the man called to his aid, but no sooner than the faithful animal saw the monster, then he shrunk back between his master’s feet and refused to advance, at the same time uttering a fierce whining and howling, and trembling like a leaf. All at once the panther turned and went away, to the glad surprise of the man, who expected every moment he would make a spring at him, and that .moment would be his last.
The news spread very rapidly among the settlers, that there had been seen in the vicinity
a panther; so the next day a large party of men assembled and resolved to hunt and kill the monster of the forest. In this party there seemed to have been an enmity against an old hunter wThose name was Barber; and, who had long lived in their midst, and became known as a famous markman, and if he went with them he would carry off the trophy of the day. So after counseling among themselves, they resolved to set forth on their hunt unknown to him; but, in some way the news reached him, and the old hunter resolved to follow after them.
As soon as they had departed, he set out after them, following a short distance in their rear, armed with his favorite rifle.
The party passed a large tree, and when the old hunter arrived almost beneath its branches, he heard a rustling of the leaves above him, and on looking up, to his surprise, he saw the panther lying upon a limb preparing to spring upon him. Stepping back a few feet, he leveled his trusty rifle, took a deliberate aim and fired. The ball speded on its deathly course and the panther came tumbling down to his feet, pierced through the heart.
The report of the gun soon brought the other hunters back, and when they saw the panther lay before them, there arose a shout of joy, for instead of surprising the old hunter as they had sought to do, he had surprised them.
The next tormentors to the early settlers in the shape of wild beasts, though not dangerous only when brought to bay, was the timid deers.
In 1816, they were numerous, and caused the settlers much trouble by eating their, grain and vegetables. Often they were obliged to rise before the break of day, and take their rifle and stationing themselves in their grain fields, and by constantly firing upon them to keep them from destroying the grain. In the fields, the men were obliged to stay until 9 o’clockTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
45
a. m., when the deers would leave for the forest until next morning.
In the early days among the settlers, it was their custom to meet once in so often, and hold a holiday in shape of a shooting match or some other game of amusement. Upon a certain day it was announced that there would he held at May’s Corners (known now as Foot’s Corners,) a shooting match, and the chief prize to be competed for, was a deer, which at this time roamed over the town in large numbers; and it was decided that the person shooting nearest to the center of a mark at a certain distance should be the possessor of the deer.
But at this time the deers were wild in the forest, and there must be some mode adopted to capture one of them alive for the occasion. So after discussing the matter for a short time, several of the leading sportsmen got their heads together, and decided upon the following plan. First, they were to proceed to the Marrowback hills, and then with their hounds upon track, start the deers toward the head of Conesus lake,—for they well knew that the deers would take to escape the hounds by going into the water,—down what is known as Hogback, —above the residence of B. F. McMillen and brother,—then a noted runway for them to the waters of the lake.
At this point of entrance, they were to have rtome men ready with boat to overtake the deer in the water, and bind him with strong ropes, and then drag him to the shore, an easy captive.
So at last the day set for the capture arrived, which was three days before the match, and the men set out to take prisoner the wild fawn of the forest.
Stationing their men upon the shore of the lake near the present residence of William Gilbert, they proceeded to the hills of Marrowback
with their hounds, which was soon sent in search of a deer. Their labor were soon rewarded by hearing the loud baying of the hounds as they followed the timid animal whose trail they had struck toward the lake.
Down went the pursued and pursuers, like a flash of lightning toward the blue waters of the lake, and a dark streak passed the men on shore, which told them that the time for their work had commenced. So entering their canoe they pursued the deer, which had already entered the water, and before they could overtake him was half wray across. Placing a rope around his horns, they then resolved to allow him the free use of his feet until near the shore and then bind them and drag him upon the beach.
All went smoothly until they were about to stop to bind the deer, when all at once he struck a sand bar extending out into the lake, and with one bound upset the boat, throwing its occupants into the water, and made his escape up the Groveland hill on the other side. The hounds which by this time had made their way around the inlet, started hotly in pursuit, and as the rope being fasting to the horns of of the deer, would catch around the small saplings and bushes, which hindered the deer in his flight, so that the hounds soon overtook him, and before the men could reach him, killed him at the top of the hill.
Being late in the day, the party returned chagrined at their loss, which deprived them of a jolly day of sport, minus a deer, with a fine ducking in the cool clear waters of the lake.
In the late years, the most troublesome animal has been the fox, who would steal in the dead of night to the poultry coops, or carry off young lambs from the sheep folds.
On examining the town book, I find upon its pages, the following bounties offered by the46
THE HIST Oil Y OF CONESUS.
town, for the extermination of wild animals, in the town, was as follows:—
“ April 5th. 1881. Voted at the town meeting, a bounty of five dollars on wolves, and thirty-seven and one-half cents on foxes killed in town.”
“ April 3d. 1886. Voted at the town meeting to pay a bounty of fifty cents on foxes, and six cents on old crows, and three cents on young ones, killed in the town.”
“ April 5th. 1852. Voted at the town meeting to pay a bounty of fifty cents on old foxes and twenty-five cents on young ones, and one shilling on crows killed in the town.”
This last act must have been sufficient to have caused their extermination, for we can not find any other bounties offered by the town on the town book.
In closing this chapter on the wild animals of the town, we must say at the present day, that all of the most ravinous and dangerous ones, have become extinct. The last one to our
knowledge, was a wildcat, killed upon the shores of Conesus lake, a few years ago, under the following circumstances.
Charlie Trescott (a son of Cyrus Trescott), then living with his father in the north west corner of the town, went out one winter morning to do his morning chores, and as he opened the barn door, saw standing upon the floor a large cat-like looking animal, which at once became frightened at his approach, ran and attempted to escape through a spout in the side of the barn, which was used to pore swill through, to hogs in a pen on the outside.
The wildcat at once gave a leap into the spout, which was smaller at the lower end, and in doing so, became wedged in it. Charlie at once seized a nail hammer which happened to be lying upon the floor, and attacked and killed it before it could release itself from its position. The cat measured about three feet from the end of the nose, to the tip end of the tail.CHAPTER V.
She 0iii}in;il
^ie ^ 6th 6**}’ °f December, in the year of 1786, the western part of the State of New York, including what is now the county of Steuben, was in the possession of the native Indians, and the right of pre-emption and of jurisdiction was claimed, adversely to this State, by the State of Massachusetts, under the old grant of Jarnes the first, to the Council of Plymouth, of a tract extending from forty-eight degrees north, and west to the Pacific ocean;
On the above day a conpaet was entered into between the State of New York and Massachusetts, by commissioners for that purpose duly constituted and appointed by their respective States, by which said compact, duly executed, it was agreed, among other things, substantially as follows :
1 st. Massachusetts released and confirmed to New York all claim, right and title of government, sovereignty and jurisdiction of all the lands and territories heretofore claimed by the State of New York.
2d. New York granted, released and confirmed to Massachusetts the right of pre-emption of the soil from the native Indians of 230,000 acres between the Qwego and Chenango rivers,
47
gaud 0n ncri.
(including ten townships in Chenango county;) and also the right of pre-emption of the soil within the following limits and boundaries, viz: “ Beginning in the northern boundary line of the State of Pennsylvania on the Delaware river, in the parallel of forty-two degrees of north latitude, at a point distant eighty-two miles west from the northeast corner of the State of Pennsylvania, on the Delaware river, as the said boundary line hath been run and marked by the commissioners appointed by the States of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively, and from the said point or place-of be-> ginning running on a due meridian north, to the boundary line between the United States of America and the king of Great Britain; thence westerly and southly along the said boundary line, to a meridian which will pass one mile due east from the northern termination of the strait of water between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie; thence south along the said meridian to the south shore of Lake Ontario: thence on the eastern side of the said strait, by a line always one mile distant from the parallel to the said strait, to Lake Erie ; thence due west to the boundary line between the United States and the king of Great Britain ; thence48
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
along the said boundary line, until it meets with the line of cession from the State of New York to the United States; thence along the said line of cession to the northwest corner of the State of Pennsylvania; and thence along the northern boundary line of the State of Pennsylvania to the said place of beginning.”
These boundaries embrace the present counties of Steuben, Yates, Ontario, the western part of Wayne, and all the counties lying west of them.
For the purchase of the pre-emptive right to the principal tract described in the conpact between New York and Massachusetts, a proposition was made by the Hon. Nathaniel Gorham and Oliver Phelps, Esq., for the consideration of three hundred thousand pounds, in the consolidated security of Massachusetts. This proposition was accepted by a resolution of the Leg-silature of that State passed April 1st 1788, and the Rev. Samuel Kirkland was appointed to superintend and approve the purchase, which said Gorham and Phelps should make of the right of soil of the native Indians, according to one of the stipulations in the compact between New York and Massachusetts.
This’stipulation or clause was, that any person purchasing the above territory or parts of the same, must at first make a treaty with the friendly Indians occupying the same, and purchase their rights and title, and to Have the said treaty recorded in the office of the Secretary of the State of New York, in six months after the said treaties had taken place, or otherwise the same would become void.
On the 8th of July, 1788, a treaty was held and a deed was made and executed by the chiefs, sachems and warriors of the Five Nations of Indians, by which the said Indian Nations conveyed to the said Gorham and Phelps, for the consideration of two thousand one
hundred pounds, New York currency, a tract of land bounded and described as follows:—
“ Beginning in the north boundary line of the State of Pennsylvania, in the parallel of forty-two degrees north lattitude, at a point distant eighty-twTo miles west from the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, on Delaware river, as the said boundary line hath been run, and marked by the Commissioners of New York and Pennsylvania, respectivefully, and from said point or place of beginning, running west upon said line to a meridian which will pass through that corner or point of land made by the confluence of the Kansgwahaicona creek, so called, with the waters of the Genesee river, thence running north along the said meridian, to the center or point last mentioned, thence northwardly along the waters of the said Genesee river, to a point ■two miles north of Khanawrageras village, so called, thence running in a direction due w7est, twelve miles, thence running a direction northwardly, so as to be twelve miles distance from the most westward bend of the Genesee river, to the shore of the Ontario lake, thence east-wrardly along the shores of said lake, to a meridian which will pass through the first point or place of beginning above montioned, thence south, along said meridian, to the first point or place of beginning aforesaid.”
The above deed was witnessed by Rev. Samuel Kirkland, and many others, and approved by the Legislature of Massachusetts, the 21st of November, of that year.
Thus Gorhom and Phelps having purchased the pre-emptive right of the State of Massa-clmetts, and the right of soil of the Five Nations of Indians, they became possessors of all of the territory, wThich now comprises the counties of Steuben, Yates, Ontario, part of Wayne and most of Monroe, a small part of Genesee, Livingston, and about one-half of Allegany..THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
49
Gorham and Phelps immediately took possession of their purchase, and at once divided it into townships; and by deed dated the 17th of November, in the year 1790, Gorham and his wife Rebecca, and Phelps and his wife Mary conveyed the said tract, (excepting certain reservations,) to Robert Morris of Philadelphia.
Robert Morris and his wife, conveyed the same tract, excepting reservations, by deed, dated the 11th of April, 1792, to Charles Williamson.
This Williamson is described as having come from England, and at that time living in Ontario county. He is believed to have been an agent of Sir William Pulteney, and had come to this country for making purchases for him. He bought large quantities of land besides the above tract, in various, parts of the State, and hold them in his own name, although in fact as is supposed, as trustee for Pulteney.
Williamson and Pulteney being aliens, they were at this time deprived of the right to hold or sell lands in this State. To relieve them out of this situation, the Legislature passed an act x\pril 2d 1798, to enable aliens to hold lands in the State under certain restrictions, which gave them power to sell and possess. This act was to be in force for three years and no longer.
So accordingly, on the 81 st of March, 1801, before the expiration of the said act, Williamson and his wife Abigail, conveyed the said tract of land to Sir William Pulteney who sold a few years afterwards a part of what is now the town of Conesus, to William Bowers, and gave a small tract to the Canandaigua Academy, at Canandaigua, N. Y., as a charitable gift.
Before the year of 1819 or 20, the eastern part of Conesus belong to the town of Livonia,
and the County of Ontario ; the western part of the town to Groveland, in the same County. But on the 18th of April, 1820, the Legislature passed an act that “all that township eight, in the six range of townships (then) including in the towns of Livonia and Groveland, except that part of township eight lying on the east side of the Hemlock lake and adjoining the town of Richmond, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into a separate town by the name of Freeport..”
Soon after the town was formed, it was surveyed by the owners, and laid off into lots, numbering them from 1, to 189, then a division was made between the owners, of which Sir William Pulteney held as his proportion, 03 lots, Canandaigua Academy, 5, and the heirs of William Bowers (he having died a short time previous,) 70 lots, which was subdivided as follows, to his five children, namely : John Bowers, 18 lots, Mary (Bowers) Campbell, 14 lots, Rebecca (Bowers) Scott, 14 lots, Mary Ann (Bowers) Duane, 15 lots, Harriet (Bowers) Mumford, 14 lots. The Bowers family then had the head of the Hemlock lake laid out into five lots, numbering them from one to five, as water privileges, should any one desire them.
When the town was laid out into lots, it extended on the east side of Hemlock lake, consisting of lots No. 10 and 20, and parts of lots numdered 80, 39, 48, and 57, which has since been transferred to Ontario county, on account of giving the inhabitants, better advantages in reaching the center of the town of Canadice, than it would to come to this town, to transact their town business.
Soon after laying the town out into lots, the heirs of John Bowers came here and commenced selling off their lands to the settlers, who wished to purchase, at a low figure of eight50
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
or ten dollars an acre. Upon their arrival here, they found a large number of settlers, who had seized their lands, supposing it to be without an owner, and by loping down the trees around a small piece, and claiming the same as their own, which they refused to give up, causing some disturbances and some important law suits which were in the courts of the State for several years, and were at last decided in the favor of the rightful owners. These men were called by the settlers “ Squatters.”
The Pulteney claims, have become extinct,
and also those of the Canandaigua Academy and that of the Bowers family. The former established a Land Office with an agent at Bath, N. Y„ which transacted their sales, while the Bowers’ family sold their lands only by agent.
Many of the settlers, who had cleared up a large piece of land as a perminent home, after several years of successive toil, suffering for all the necessarys of life, finding that they would be compelled to abandon their claims, bought of the rightful owners their clearings, securing for themselves a pleasent home.The First Log House in Conesus.CHAPTER VI.
§he <gir;;t $$ttlements of the §own.
gam >EARLY fourteen long years rolled away after Sullivan’s campaign a--Vhi gainst the Seneca Indians before the whiteman first made a forest home in the wilderness of Conesus. This was in the year of 1793. There are evidences that plainly show that there may have been one person who came here at an earlier date,
-—and is given by Mrs. Lucy Patterson,who came here in the year of 1806—as thus :
66 When I came here, my father would take his horses from the northern part of Conesus, where we lived, over on Turkey Hill, to a small piece of ground that had been cleared several years before, to pasture. This place was known to the earlier settlers, as the ‘ 01-cott clearings’. This piece of ground consisted of about five acres, which had been cleared and a log fence built around the same, and was at this time covered with grass. In the center there had been built a Log cabin, in which the settler had lived, which with the fence, had nearly rotted down; showing that they had been built some years before.”
Having no deffinite account of the person or who settled here, we will therefore have to give the honor of the event, to James Hen-
derson, who came here from Pennsylvania, and made a permanent settlement at the head of the Conesus lake, upon lands now owned by B. F. & R. F. McMillen, in 1793. Here he built him a log house, and soon after brought his family, (consisting of a wife and several children,) to mingle their fortune with him, in an unknown wilderness. The old log house, it is now said to be still standing, having passed through many storms, and housed many families since.
The next settler, is supposed to have been Hector McKay, who it is said to have come (some of the old settlers differ in date) in 1795. He located upon lot No. 108, about three-fourths of a mile north of the village ofScotts-burgh, where he built him a log house, and in the construction of the same, obtained the assistance of the friendly Indians of Squakie Hill, to raise it.
The next early settlers, was Jacob Durham, in 1795, and Jessie and Jacob Collar, in 1796. After the entrence of these four pioneers the town began to become rapidly settled; and the sound of the woods-man ax, was heard from north to south, and east to west, and to day we can see what the sturdy hands of the Pioneer’s52
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
have done for us.
We will now turn our attention to the first settlements upon the different lots in the town as given by the early settlers ; which we will give who the original owners were, the number of acres was in the lot, the settlers name, and the year he built the first house upon the same. The name of the original owners, and number of acres in each lot, was copied from an Old Map, drawn by John Scott, February 5th, 1821; and now is in the possession of Jotham Clark, Sen., of this Town.
SETTLEMENT OF LOTS.
Lot No. 1. A Pulteney lot, and contains 106.27 Acres. Was settled by Solomon Root, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 2. A Duane lot, containing 125.-86, Acres. Was settled by him, and he built the 1st. Log House upon the same, in 1808 or 1809.
Lot No. 8. A Scott lot, containing 98.86 Acres. Was settled by William Bently, who built the 1st. Log House upon the same, in 1808 or 10.
Lot No. 4. A Pulteney lot, consisting 142.-25 Acres. The first settlement was made upon the same by Alexander Patterson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1814.
Lot No. 5. A Scott lot, containing 145.86 Acres. Was settled by Jabez Lewis, who built the 1st. Log House, in the Fall of 1805.
Lot No. 6. A Pulteney lot, and contained 156.36 Acres. Was first settled by Elias Chamberlin and John McMillen, who built each a Log House within a few month’s of each other, in 1805.
Lot No. 7. A Bowers lot, containing 159.-80 Acres. Was settled by William Reeves, who built the 1st Log House, in 1819.
Lot No. 8. A Mumford lot, containing
167.68 Acres. Wes settled by Peter Bevins, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1806.
Lot No. 9. A Pulteney lot, containing 182.30 Acrec. Was settled by Isaac Neff, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 10. A Pulteney lot, containing 81.07 Acres. This lot was situated on the east side of the Hemlock lake, and now belongs to the town of Canadice, N. Y. By whom it was settled, we are unable to say.
Lot No. 11. A John Bowers lot, contain-114.02 Acres. Was settled by Arron Orloway who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 12. Belonged to Mary Campbell, and contained 142.39 Acres. Was settled by Joseph Gilbert, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808.
Lot No. 13. Was owned by John Bowers, and contained 149.01 Acres. The first settlement and log house was built by Joseph Richardson, in 1805, and followed by Devenport Alger, 1808, who owned the same till his death.
Lot No. 14. Belonged to Mary Campbell, and contained 144.20 Acres. Was first settled by John Richardson who built the 1st. Log House, in 1806. He was followed by SamueLBently, in 1810.
Lot No. 15. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 143.25 Acres. This lot was settled by Elijah Richardson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1807.
Lot No. 16. Belonged to the Canandaigua Academy, and contained 158.90 Acres. Was settled by.Gashmem Jones, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 17. A Pulteney lot, containing 157.85 Acres. Was settled by Timothy Bailey, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1819.
Lot No. 18. A Mary Ann Campbell lot, containing 163.72 Acres. Was settled by William J ones, who built the 1 st. Log House,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
53
in 1809.
Lot No. 19. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 213.96 Acres. Was settled by Maloy the Hermit, in 1802. The 1st. Log House was built by —-----Holden, in 1825.
Lot No. 20. A William Pulteney lot, containing 59.37 Acres. This lot now belongs to Oanadice, N. Y.
Lot No. 21. To whom this lot belonged, it was not given on the map. It contained 116.-87 Acres. It was settled by Jacob Hubbard who built the 1st. Log House, in 1819.
Lot No. 22. Belonged to Mary Ann Puane, and contained 157.08 Acres. Was settled by Joshua Gills, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1809, and was followed by David Duffer, in 1810.
Lot No. 23. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 157.49 Acres. Was settled by Ely Clark, who built the 1st. Log House, in ----
Lot No. 24. A William Pulteney lot, containing 149.75 Acres. Settled by Harvey May,) who built the 1st. Log House, in the Spring of 1806.
Lot No. 25. A William Pulteney lot, and had 142.62 Acres. Was settled by John Robinson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808.
Lot No. 26. A Rebecca Scott lot, and contained 150 Acres. Was settled by James B. Robinson, who built the 1 st. Log House, in 1810.
Lot No. 27. A William Pulteney lot, containing 152.93 Acres. Was settled by Patrick McCartney who built the 1 st. Log House, in 1809.
Lot No. 28. A Harriet Mumford lot containing 167.26 Acres. Was settled by Reuben Jones and Richard Mitchel, who erected the 1st. Log House, in 1825.
Lot No. 29. A William Pulteney lot, containing 116.88 Acres. Was settled by Abner
Lewis, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812 or ‘13.
Lot No. 30. A William Pulteney lot, containing 159.24 Acres. The lot is now divided into two parts by the Hemlock lake. The part in the town of Conesus consisted of 120.-60 Acres, and that in the town of Canadice, 38.64 Acres. We have no account of who the first settlers were.
Lot No. 31. A Mary Ann Campbell lot, containing 119.60 Acres. Was settled by Jeremiah Young, who built the 1st Log House, in 1819 or ‘20.
Lot No. 32. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 101.78 Acres. Settled in the year of 1811, or ‘12, by Samuel Root, who built the 1st. Log House.
Lot No. 33. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 140.54 Acres. Was settled by Simeon Root, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1809 or ‘10, and was followed by Joseph George, in 1810.
Lot No. 34. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 140.34 Acres. Was settled by Moses Adams, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808 or ‘10.
Lot No. 35. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 147.46 Acres. Was settled by Moses Adams, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808.
Lot No. 36. A Harriet Mumford lot, consisting of 160.83 Acres. Was settled by a son of Joseph Richardson, and Harmon Wheeler, who built the 1st. Log House, but in what year, we have no date.
Lot No. 37. A William Pulteney lot, containing 190.04 Acres. Was settled by Hiram May who done the first clearing in 1811, and was followed by Elisha Hollister, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 38. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 116.16 Acres. By whom it was settled,54
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
we are unable to say.
Lot No. 39. A William Pulteney lot, and is divided into two parts by the Hemlock lake. The lot in Conesus, consisted of 200.01 Acres, and the part now in Canadiee, 30.80 Acres. This lot was settled by Peter Bevins, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810.
Lot No. 40. A William Pulteney lot, containing 182.57 Acres. Was settled by Ira Young, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810.
[There is a dispute among the early settlers, and some claim that Peter Marvin built the 1st. Log House, in 1819 or c20.]
Lot No. 41. A William Pulteney lot. containing 137.85 Acres. Was settled by James McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 42. A John M. Bowers lot. containing 107.91 Acres. Was settled by Joseph Whitney, who.built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 43. A William Pulteney lot, containing 145.14 Acres. Was settled by Abel Root, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1807.
Lot No. 44. A William Pulteney lot, containing 130.10 Acres. Was settled by Titles Orawfoot, who built the 1st. Log House, in
1809.
Lot No. 45. A William Pulteney lot, consisting of 163.91 Acres. Was settled by Israel Wells, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 46. A William Pulteney lot, containing 109.80 Acres. Was settled by Cros-well Green, who built the 1st. Log House, in
1810.
Lot No. 47. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 171.11 Acres. We have no record of its settlements.
Lot No. 48. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 188.80 Acres. This lot is divided in two parts by the Hemlock lake. The part now in
Conesus, contained 169 Acres. The part in Canadiee, contained 19.80 Acres. No record of the first settlements.
Lot No. 49. A William Pulteney lot, containing 443.25 Acres. Was settled by James Henderson, jwho built the 1st. Log House, in 1793.
Lot No. 50. No name on the map, to whom it belonged. It contained 83.72 Acres. It was
settled by-------Mudge, who built the 1st.
Log House, in 1809.
Lot No. 51. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 117.41 Acres. By whom it was settled, we are unable to say.
Lot No. 52. A William Pulteney lot, containing 62.42 Acres. Was settled by Jacob Durham, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1813.
Lot No. 53. A William Pulteney lot, containing 92.65 Acres. No account of its settlement.
Lot No. 54. Belonged to the Canandaigua Academy, and contained 167.80 Acres. Was settled by Jacob Wells, who built the 1st Log House, in 1810.
Lot No. 55. A William Pulteney lot, containing 154.41 Acres. Was settled by-------
Green, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 56. A William Pulteney lot, con^ taining 166.04 Acres. Was settled by Joshua Gates, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 57. A William Pulteney lot, containing 258.54 Acres. This lot was divided in two parts by the Hemlock lake. The part now in Conesus, contains 154.44 Acres. The part in Canadiee, 100.10 Acres. Whom it was settled by, we have no record.
Lot No. 58. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 112.13 Acres. Was settled by Her-culus Williams (a Colored Man,); yet we have no date.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
55
Lot No. 59. A William Pulteney lot, and had 198.01 Acres. Was settled by Elezur Alby, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1817.
Lot No. 60. A William Pulteney lot, containing 184.76 Acres. Was settled by Heman Janes, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810.
Lot No. 61. A William Pulteney lot, containing 170.95 Acres. Was settled by Jacob Durham, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1795.
Lot No. 62. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 180.56. Acres. Was settled by Henry Mann, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 63. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 166.94 Acres. We have no record of its settlement.
Lot No. 64. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 147.72 Acres. Was settled by ------
Armstrong, but what year we have no date.
Lot No. 65. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 149.94 x\cres. Was settled by Joel Bullock, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 66. A William Pulteney lot, containing 174.61 Acres. No record of settlement.
Lot No. 67. A Harriet Muniford lot, containing 154.21 Acres. No record of settlement.
Lot No. 68. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 222.85 Acres. Was settled by ------
Nash, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1818.
Lot No. 69. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 156.42 Acres. Was settled by Micah Spencer, who built the 1st Log House, in 1817.
Lot No. 70. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 112.25 Acres. Was settled by John McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1808.
Lot No. 71. A William Pulteney lot, containing 146.89 Acres. Was settled by Paul
Sanborn, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816 or ‘17.
Lot No. 72. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 147.80 Acres. Was settled by Stephen Cole, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 73. A William Pulteney lot, containing 168.56 Acres. Was settled by John H. Cole, who built the 1st. Log House, in
1814.
Lot No. 74. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 146.48 Acres. Was settled by Thomas Freeman, who built the 1st. Log House, in
1815.
Lot No. 75. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 197 Acres. No record of its settlements.
Lot No. 76. A William Pulteney lot, containing 167.84 Acres. No record of its settlements.
Lot No. 77. A William Pulteney lot, con-caining 153.56. Acres. No record of its settlement.
Lot No. 78. A John M. Bowers lot. containing 204.64 Acres. Was settled by Samuel McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1813.
Lot No. 79. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 258.36 Acres. Was settled by Ira Young, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 80. Belonged to the Canandaigua Academy and contained 167.63 Acres. Was settled by Samuel G. Campbell, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1838.
Lot No. 81. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 156.23 Acres. Was settled by Joseph Allen, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1806.
Lot No. 82. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 160.23 Acres. Was settled by Reubin Rogers, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1833.
Lot No. 83. A William Pulteney lot, containing 163.79 Acres. No record of its settlement.56
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Lot No. 84. A William Pulteney lot, containing 146.32 Acres. We have no record of its settlement.
Lot No. 85. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 151.62 Acres. No account of its settlement.
Lot No. 86. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 156.69 Acres. We have no account of its settlement.
Lot No. 87. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 142.54 Acres. We have no record of its settlement.
Lot No. 88. A William Pulteney lot, containing 218.34 Acres. Was settled by Matthew McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 89. Belonged to the Canandaigua Academy, and contained 206.96 Acres. Was settled by Zenas Whitening, who built the 1 st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 90. A William Pulteney lot, containing 208.43 Acres. Was settled by--------
Simpson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 91. A William Pulteney lot, containing 153.68 Acres. Was settled by James McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1805.
Lot No. 92. A William Pulteney lot, containing 151.43 Acres. Was settled by Stephen Bunker, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1820.
v Lot No. 93. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 170.38 Acres. By whom it was settled, we are unable to say.
Lot No. 94. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 147.15 Acres. Was settled by William Rice, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 95. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 152.82 Acres. Was settled by Derius Moor, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1814.
Lot No, 96. A William Pulteney lot, containing 154.88 Acres. Was settled by-------
Hinsdale and Clemons Clark, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1834.
Lot No. 97. A William Pulteney lot, containing 124.51 Acres. Was settled by--------
Hinsdale and Clemons Clark; we have no date of settlement.
Lot No. 98. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 176.99 Acres. Was settled by Jacob Collar, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1796.
Lot No. 99. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 163.85 Acres. Was settled by Elias Steel who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 100. A William Pulteney lot, containing 103.42 Acres. Was settled by Amos P. Sweet; yet we have no date of its settlement.
Lot No. 101. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 155.80 Acres. Was settled by Samuel and Matthew McNinch, wTho built the 1st. Log House, in 1806.
Lot No. 102. A William Pulteney lot, containing 153.32 Acres. Was settled by Johnson Pellon, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1827.
Lot No. 104. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 169.70 Acres. Was settled by James Munn, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1814.
Lot No. 104. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 143.48 Acres. The first clearings was made by William Williams, and the 1st. Log House was built by Nathaniel Cole, in 1815.
Lot No. 105. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 192.68. Acres. No record of its settlement.
Lot No. 106. A William Pulteney lot, containing 154.30 Acres. Was settled by Erastus Wilkenson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1836.
Lot No. 107. A Mary Campbell lot, con-THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
57
turning 147.08 Acres. Was settled by John Bevins, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1841.
Lot No. 108. A William Pulteney lot, and had 200 Acres. Was settled by Hector McKay, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1795.
Lot No. 109. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 158.82 Acres. Was settled by Jessie Collar, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1796.
Lot No. 110. Belonged to the Canandaigua Academy and contained 184.88 Acres. Was settled by Daniel Wharpool, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 111. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 158.19 Acres. Was settled by James McNinch, who built the 1st. Log House, in the Fall of 1806.
Lot No. 112* A William Pulteney lot, containing 149.98 Acres. Was settled by Winter Allen, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1820.
Lot No. 118. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 147.88. Acres. Was settled by John
Ewalt and--------Hale, who built the 1st. Log
House, in 1815.
Lot No. 114. A Harriet Mumford lot, containing 121.48 Acres. Was settled by--------
Curtis, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1816.
Lot No. 115. A William Pulteney lot, containing 101.60 Acres. Was settled by Ezra Whitney, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1822.
Lot No. 116. A William Pulteney lot, containing 164.17 Acres. Was settled by--------
Curtis, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 117. A William Pulteney lot, containing 109.62 Acres. Was settled by Charles Wood, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1840.
Lot No. 119. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 105.88 Acres. Was settled by Ransler Doty, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1850.
Lot No. 119. A John M. Bowers lot, con-
taining 121.97 Acres. Was settled by Anasa Lancton, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 120. A William Pulteney lot, containing 101.56 Acres. Was settled by Samuel Morris, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1882.
Lot No. 121. A William Pulteney lot, containing 168.26 Acres. Was settled by--------
Evans, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812 or ‘14.
Lot No. 122. A William Pulteney lot, containing 118.87 Acres. Was settled by Henry Lutes, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1840.
Lot No. 128. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 118.07 Acres. Was settled by George Johnson, but the date of the year, we have not.
Lot No. 124. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 126.01 Acres. Was settled by Ebe-nezer Lincoln. In what year we have no record.
Lot No. 125. A William Pulteney lot, containing 115.26 Acres. We have no record of its settlement.
Lot No. 126. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 110.08 Acres. Was settled by--------
Allen, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1810.
Lot No. 127. A William Pulteney lot, containing 116.64 Acres. Was settled by Samuel Millen, who built the 1 st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 128. A William Pulteney lot, containing 95.99 Acres. Was settled by Thomas Clark, but in what year he built the 1st. Log House, we can not say.
Lot No. 129. A John M. Bowers lot, containing 186.68 Acres. Was settled by--------
Ashley, who built the 1st. Log.House, in 1812 or ‘15.
Lot No. 180. A Mary Ann Duane lot, containing 119.82 Acres. Was settled by Charles58
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Shumway, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1815.
Lot No. 131. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 96.91 Acres. We have no account of its settlement.
Lot No. 132. A William Pulteney lot, containing 147.72 Acres. Was settled by John Ingles who built the 1st. Log House in 1817, or ‘18.
Lot No. 133. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 107.30 Acres. Was settled by Moses Collar, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1806.
Lot No. 134. A William Pulteney lot, containing 99.60. Acres. Was settled by Charles Thorpe, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1812.
Lot No. 135. A William Pulteney lot, containing 97.60 Acres. Was settled by William Oaks, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1807.
Lot No. 136. A Mary Campbell lot, containing 187.42 Acres. Was settled by Francis Richardson, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1803.
Lot No. 137. A William Pulteney lot, and had 90.78 Acres. Was settled by Thomas Young, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1811.
Lot No. 138. A Harriet Mumford lot, con-
taining 137.73 Acres. Was settled by William Cummings, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1825.
Lot No. 139. A Rebecca Scott lot, containing 123.23 Acres. Was settled by Charles Wood, who built the 1st. Log House, in 1830.
WATER LOTS.
As we have now given a record of the settlement of the lots, we will now turn our attention to the south part of the Hemlock lake, which we find upon the map to have been laid olf and surveyed into lots, by the Bowers family, and numbered from 1. to 5., as follows;—
Lot No. 1. Belonged to Mary Campbell, and contained 143 Acres.
Lot No. 2. Belonged to Harriet Mumford, and contained 143 Acres.
Lot No. 3. Belonged to John M. Bower, and contained 143 Acres.
Lot No. 4. Belonged to Rebecca Scott, and contained 143 Acres.
Lot No. 5. Belonged to Mary Ann Duane, and contained 143.38. Acres.
The above lots, comprised nearly two-fifths of the Lake. What was the object of the owners, we can not say, only that they claimed them for water privilege.CHAPTER VII.
IP® Wmses> §uxtom§, and fanners of the tgarhj Settlers.
%||3jG||r the present day there are left in the Town of Conesus but a few log ^ houses, to mark the spot that was once the home of her Pioneers. A few years more, and they will all be gone; and in their places, are now seen some of the finest mansions, sourrounded by the latest improvements of our times.
The Houses of the Pioneers, were of rude construction; built from round logs, notched at both ends, and laid up in a four square manner, as they were cut from the trees that sorrounded the sight of their domain. A few years afterwards, some of the early settlers having more taste than others, hewed the logs into square timber, and laid them up in the same way. Some of the houses were larger than others, and more or less of them were divided off into two or more apartments. Some would have a second floor, which they would use as a chamber, and was constructed by placing timbers across from side to side, about six or seven feet from the lower floor, and then covering them over with split logs or shake, for the floor, in place of boards.
Between the logs, they drove a long wedge shaped strip of wood, and plastered over the
same, to keep the cold out. For the construction of the roof, they used two kind of materials, straw, shakes or barks.
The former being made of straw, was thatched and held to place by poles; the latter, were made of shakes, cut about three feet in length, and split from logs, and bound on by poles, pinned .down, to keep them in their place. The floor was mostly made from split basswood logs, by placing the round side down, and the flat side up, and then hewing them off to an even surface.
After they had raised their houses, their first thing was to cut a hole for a door or window. Sometimes for doors, they would hang up a blanket. Others would obtain enough boards to make the same. . For windows, and window-glass, which could not be obtained, they would use greased paper or tanned skins of animals, hung up to let the light in. Their chimneys in the first houses, were built of wood, laid up similar to the style of their houses, and plastered over in the inside with mud. Many times these frail structures would take fire, causing them much trouble. A few years afterwards, they built them of stone, which proved more substantial. In the construction of the60
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
same, they would have a large fire-place, big enough to roll a large log into it. These chimneys, were mostly built on the outside of their houses, for the want of room inside.
In raising their houses, it was the custom of the settlers to go far and near, to aid each other. Sometimes the ladies would accompany their husbands, and while the men was at work raising the house, they would spend the day in assisting the hostess in quilting, spinning, or some other kinds of work. We are endebted to Mr. xAlexander Patterson, (diseased) for an account of one of these raisings, which took place upon Turkey Hill, near the residence of Jotham Clark, in the year of 1814. We will relate the same, as Mr. Patterson gave it to us, as follows:—
“While I was residing with the family of Mr. Jabez Lewis, a few weeks after I came here, I had the pleasure of being invited by Mr. Asel Clark, to assist him in raising a log house. As soon as Mr. Clark had got ready to raise his house, he asked his neighbors to help him, while his wife, invited the ladies to aid her in quilting at his father’s house, which was near by, where they were staying, until they could prepare a home for themselves.”
“ Having business at Avon, that prevented me from attending in the day time, I did not reach home until nearly dark, and being a stranger here, and the country new, I reflected a long time about starting out alone, for fear of being lost. Gathering up good courage, I resolved to make the attempt. So taking the directions given by my friends, I set out; and after losing my way several times, I at last saw* at a distance, a light, which I resolved to approach, and learn where I was. I approached the same, and to my glad surprise, I found I had arrived at my destination.”
“ On my arrival, I found that the men had
assembled in the morning, and through the day had raised the house, and laid the floor which consisted of bass-wood logs, split and laid dowm on the ground with the flat side up, and with a pair of adz, they had hewed them off smooth as they could, where the edges and ends came together. When I arrived I found only the en-trence to the building, was through a hole in the side, which they had cut for a window, through which they had entered, having not the time to cut a hole for a door, Here I found the ladies who had assisted Mrs. Clark through the day, and the gentlemen engaged in a social dance, in which I was made welcome.”
“ The twilight hours of night gradually wore away, and the time came for us to go home. Now was a trying time for me. A stranger in an unknown wilderness to me, and a night as dark, as dark could be, no road except a path marked by marks on the side of trees, I knew not what to do. While I was meditating as to the best course to pursue, a Young Lady, (Miss. Richardson,; who resided near the present sight of the Baptist Church at South Livonia, approached me, and asked how I came, and if I thought I could find my way home again. I soon told her my experience in coming, and then she volunteered to escourt me home, which I gladly accepted. We soon set cut on our way, and as we passed along through the forest, I was soon startled with fear, by the sound of wolves; but she laughed at my fears, and we soon reached what is now the main road between South Livonia and Conesus Center, near the present residence of S. E. Sherwood, where we turned, and she accompied me until we saw a bright light through the forest, at the residence of Mr. Lewis, then she bade me good night, and set out alone for her home, which was nearly three-fourths of a mile distant.”THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
61
THE CUSTOMS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
The customs of the Early Settlers, at the first settlement of the town, was entirely different than those of the present day. Their household duties, social relationship and religious gatherings were more on an equal footing. The poor and the rich enjoyed each others society, without any distinction. All that was required of either sex, was a good character; raid a person of a bad standing, was discarded with all of their dignity.
The settlers table was not laden with delicious food, such as pies, cakes, puddings and other eatables of the present day, but such as johnny-cake, baked beans, potatoes, and wild meats from the forest. Some were able to keep cows, which supplied them with milk, which furnished many families more than half of their living. Their tables was not the richest piece of furniture, but often a box or chest, or a substitute made of poles, and covered with boards, and often without a table cloth. Their dishes also ranked in the same comparison ; made principally of pewter, or brown clay. Their spoons of brass or some other cheap kind of metal. Their knives were of steel, but of a ruder quality then those of the present day. In many instances, the children were not allowed to come to the table, until they had arrived at a certain age. Often they were fed by placing a pan of milk with bread in it on the floor, and each child given a spoon so they could help themselves. Oftimes the children would become angry at each other, fearing that one was getting more than the other.
In many cases their bed-steads were made unmovable, being made in the corner, or the side of the room, by boring into the logs, and sharpening poles and sticking one end of them in the holes, and the other end resting on a corner'post, and then winding across from
pole to pole, strings made of bark or skins', and placing their bedding on top of them, which oftimes among the poor class, consisted only the skins of animals.
Their chairs were constructed from split logs by boring holes in them, and placing round pieces of poles in the holes, for legs, in shape of a stool. Their cooking was done, by pots or kettles, suspended by a chain hung down from a crane or cross-stick in the chimney. Their bread they baked in stone or brick ovens built out-doors. When ever a family wished to use it, they would fill it full of dry wood and set it on fire, when the same was consumed they would rake the coals and ashes out, then place their bread or whatever they wished to bake in it, and the heat of the oven would accomplish the purpose. A few years after-terwards, they improved this mode of cooking with less labor, by baking-pans. These pans was made of tin, about two feet {ong, with a bottom, back and ends, and in these they would put whatever they wished to bake, and place it up before the fire. A short time after this, the stoves of the present day came in use.
Their fire-place,—as we have said,—was made large enough, so they could go forth into the forest and cut a log, a foot or more in diameter, and six or eight feet in length, for a back log, and then place a smaller one in front, and the small wood in the center, for their fire. Oftimes they built their doors large enough to admit the use of a horse, to draw the log into the house with. These back logs would often last for several days, and then they would have to be replenished.
Cups or dippers to drink out of, they were made mostly from gourds, (a kind of squash,) by scooping out the inside when ripe. For pans to hold their milk, they used dishes made of earthen, while the poorer class used wooden02
THE HISTOttY OF CONESUS.
utensels
When the first settlers came here, on the account of being no grist-mills near them, they were obliged to grind their corn by hand. This they would sometimes accomplish by selecting a large stump, and burning a hole in the top of it, and poring the corn in it, and pounding it fine, then scraping it out and sifting out the finest to make their bread of. In after years they obtained iron morters with a pestle, and they considered this a great improvement.
Their clothing as a class, was generally very scanty and made mostly of flax. This was spun and wove by the women. The hum of the old spinning wheels could be heard in every household. When-ever they went a visiting, they would take their wheels under their arms, which would resound with their songs and conversation. So many knots was a days work. And then at sunset, each would take baby and wheel, walk home, get supper for a large family, 4t and wasn’t much tired after all.”
For want of shoes or boots, the most of them went bare-footed. No boots or shoes of any kind were kept for sale, until of recent date. Shoe-makers went from house to house with a kit of tools, and made shoes for the older persons. Small children had none. Baby shoes was not known. Shoes for women and girls, was made of cowhide, with thick souls projecting. I have heard old people say, 44 So that a mouse could run on the rim.” Women that were able, sometimes had calf-shoes. Oftimes when they went to Church, they would take their shoes in their hands, and just before they reached the Church door, put them on, and on their return, take them off again.
If a man wanted a plow, he was obliged get to a carpenter to make the wood-work, and a black-smith to put on the irons, and many times very clumsy. The first of the plows had
but one handle; then they improved them by two. The plows cosisted of a heavy beam a-bout seven feet long, with a wooden mol-board. Then they had a blacksmith to make the shaire point, and wings. When they became dull, they were taken off and conveyed to the blacksmith shop, to be re-sharpened. Over the mol-board, oftimes they would nail iron or tin to keep them from wearing out.
Every artisan had a certain hardship and inconvenience in his work then. The weaver, the fuller, the tanner,—each had the clumsiest machinery, and had to do a vast amount of hard work. 46 Labor-saving machinery ” was hardly known. Blacksmiths used to do what they do now; but also made scythes, axes, hoes, and nails. Every bolt was made by hand, and every nail came from the anvil. Blacksmiths, eighty years ago, used to go from farm to farm and shoe oxen where wanted. They would catch the ox, lead him into the barn, throw him down on some straw, turn him onto his back, cross his legs and tie them: and then and there the shoes were put on. The 44 oxswing” is of a recent date.
Generally the good old mothers had to carry every pail of water from a spring, from five to fifty rods away. Often they would wash their cloths at the nearest brook, and hung them on poles to dry. Wells was dug as soon as they were able to have such luxuries! Then women stooped down and drew up the pails of water with poles. The 44 well-curb,” and the 44 well-sweep,” was of a later date. Most of the log houses, was located near a spring.
When they had meeting, all people attended, traveling without shoes, and on foot ; the aged and feeble, and the mother with her babe, on horseback. Young ladies walked five miles to church, if need be. It was their custom to worship all day. They had two sermons aTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
63
Sabbath, and each was often two hours long.
The women and girls were accustomed to work with the men in the field all day long, if occasion required. They not only raised their own flax, but they took care of the barn, milked and split wood at the door, raked hay, and reaped the grain. They would lend a hand at any job in the smartest possable way, and it was considered proper and honorable. Generally the “girls” were the smartest reapers.
At their marriages a hundred years ago, they had great gatherings. When the guests had assembled, and all was ready for the ceremony, the bridegroom was conducted into the room, and introduced formally, and put into the proper position before the minister. Then the bride was led in and placed at the bridegroom’s right hand. The groomsman and bridesmaid took their immediately position behind the pair to be married. The service was very solemn and somewhat lengthy, always commenced with a prayer,- and embraced the ceremony of “joining hands.” Nor could they be gloved hands. Hence, to increase the precious formality of the occasion, the minister, asking them to “join hands,” waited ; and they, partly turning, each reached back the ' right hand to the attendant behind, to remove the glove. This was very elaborately done. Of course the two gloves must come off so as to free both at the same time. It was a matter of very nice importance. Then the hands were “joined,” some very wise remarks by the clergyman, and assent was given to a solemn marriage covenant. The whole was closed by a second prayer, after which the minister requested the husband to kiss his newlymade wife, which authoriative order was gracefully complied with. Then the minister proceeded to do the same thing. After him, the gentlemen in the company kissed the bride, and the
ladies the bridegroom. Then they set down to dinner, with abundances to eat aad drink, and lingered long at the board. The whole was closed by a “ jolly good time,” finishing up the day and evening. Often the great old kitchen was cleared for a dance. Ceremony was over, rules was dispensed with, and the laughing guests, the young and old, had their own way, and carried their jokes and pleasantries sometimes to extremes. The lapse of years has changed these methods very much. It is easy to get married now; and seemingly the same, to become unmarried.
There were, however, exceptions to this rule of ceremonies. For sometimes couples went quietly to the minister and was married, after which they both mounted upon one horse, or proceed on foot to their proposed home.
Such an incident as this transpired in the northern part of the town. Davenport Alger, —then acting as justice of the peace for the town,—were surprised one bright summer day by a young couple coming to him on foot, and requesting him to unite them in the bonds of matrimony. lie saw by their dress that they were poor, for upon their feet they wore no shoes, and carried upon their shoulders a couple of splint brooms, for to pay their way.
No sooner than they came into the presence of the justice, the bridegroom made known his errand by imforming the “ venerable squire,” that he was poor, and had no money to pay, but had brought along a couple splint brooms, to renumerate him for his services.
The justice being a man of deep thonght and intellectual power, after considering a moment, refused to marry them on the ground that a man who could not earn money enough to pay his marriage fees, would not be able to support a wife, after he was united to one in marriage.64
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
This refusal threw over the young couple, a dark cloud that shut out the light of a bright future prospect. With a downcast countenance and a heavy heart, the bridegroom once more shouldered his brooms and with his intended bride set out on their way home. As they reached the top of what is known as Henderson hill, who should they meet, but the honorable Esq. Blake, of Livonia, coming up the same, on his way home. The Esquire being acquainted with the bridegroom, and as he rode up to him, saw by his countenance that he was full of sorrow and trouble, so he accosted him :	“ Henry, what is this matter?”
“ Ah,” said Henry, “ we have been up to Esquire Alger to get married, but having no money, but these splint brooms to pay the fees with, he refused to marry us.”
“ What,” said Esquire Blake, “ would not Esquire Alger take brooms for pay?”
“ No,” said Henry in a sorrwful tone.
“I will,” said Esquire Blake, jumping from his horse.
He then requested them to “join hands,” and in a few minutes pronounced them man and wife, and sent them on their way rejoicing. He threw the brooms over his shoulder and mounted his horse, and went on his way home, no poorer then when he started in the morning, for he had sent one couple on their way rejoice-ing.
TROUBLES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
We must not forget to mention the trials and tribulations of the first settlers of Conesus. They had many perplexities and inconveniences to discourage them. Their crops oftimes would fail them and the deers destroy them. Hard times would find them permyless with a large family to support, and a cold winter before them. Many miles to go, to reach the nearest mill, and this to be accomplished on
horseback, or on foot.
In the Spring of 1796, when Jacob Collar came to the town, they had no grain, only corn that they bought of .the Indians. Wheat could not be had at any price. This corn, he paid at the rate of six shillings per bushel, and ground it in a hole of a stump.
In 1805, the settlers did the most of their trading at Pansville, a distance of nearly ten miles. At this time the merchants would not sell any person more than a quarter of a pound of tea, and two pounds of coffee to a time, and the price was from three to four shillings per pound for coffee, and from six to twelve shillings for tea. Sugar and molasses could not be got at any price. The northern part of the town at this time, did their trading at Lima. For the grinding of their wheat and corn, they went to Hemlock Lake, in the town of Livonia, taking their grist on the back of a horse as there were no roads but a foot path through the forest.
In 1805, the settlers was troubled with smutty wheat, although their crops were good. In this cold season, some of the inhabitants suffered for the want of provisions. Such was the case of Francis Richardson, who settled on lot No. 136. Mr. Richardson was a man of limited means, and became deeply involved in debt, and his creditors, as it was the custom in those days, placed him in jail for the same. While in jail his family suffered severely for the necessaries to sustain life, and when he would be released to return to his family, he could hardly reach his home circle, before he would find an officer waiting to convey him back to his old quarters again, upon other accounts.
Under this cruel treatment, it prayed heavily upon his mind, that he became insane. So procuring a rope, he went into the woods south of the present residence of Jotham Clark, Sen.,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
65
and selected a large tree, with the limbs near to the ground, he placed one end of the rope over it, and the other end around his neck, and launched himself into eternity.
It was several days before he was found by those who was in search of him, and the body had become in a state of bad decomposition, that they dug a hole under him, and let him down in it, and buried him.
In the year of 1816, on account of a severe frost, which took place on the 18th of July of that year, destroyed all of the crops, and caused great sufferings among the settlers. Wheat was worth fourteen shillings a bushel, and corn ten shilling, and very hard to be obtained at those figures. Potatoes were worth one dollar per bushel, and was obtained from
Livonia.
The scarcity and high price of provisions, was the cause of great sufferings, among the settlers on the Marrowback hills. On these hills, there were some who did not have a mouthful of bread for three successive weeks. This famine caused many men to become insane, on the account of the suffering of their families. Such was the fate of Micah Spencer, who settled lot No. 69; being a hard laboring man and of proud spirits, the sufferings of his family became so great, and the impression on his mind of their condition, soon made him a raving maniac. Now in closing this chapter, we must say, that we do not realize the sufferings of the early settlers, while laboring in the wild wooded forest of Conesus.CHAPTER VIII.
§he Routes of the j§<u[lg $ettkr&.
|HERE seems to have been two routes • taken by the early settlers in coming to the town of Conesus, to settle. One of these routes entered the town from the north, and was used mostly by the settlers coming form the State of Vermont. The southern route, has been better known, as the u old Bath road,” used by the Pennsylvanians in their transit here. This route was opened at an early day by Col. Williamson, who employed a company of Germans to open a road through the wilderness, from Northumberland county, Pa., to the Genesee river, near the residence of the late Col. Abell. In opening this route, they first started from Willams-port, Pa., passing up the Lycoming river, sixteen miles north of Trout Run, then followed up the run for twenty-five miles more to the foot of Laurel mountains, to the present sight of Blossburgh, Pa., striking the Tioga river and following the same down to Canisteo, and from there to Painted Post on the. Cohoe ton river, and following the same up to a point some three miles east of the present village of Way land.
The late William Scott, of Scottsburgh, N. Y., (who furnished me with the sketch of this road,) says he thinks he saw it stated in the his-
66
tory of Steuben county, that the route after leaving Wayland, passed down through Dans-ville to Williamsburgh, which he says he knows to be incorrect.
After leaving Wayland it branched off leaving the Dansville road to the left, taking a north-westerly course and passing the head of the Springwater valley, hence over Chestnut Ridge in the town of Sparta, and passing down the hill, and entering upon the farm of Samuel Scott of the same town, crossing the gully some forty rods east of his house, (this part is now used as a farm road by him,) then down the hill and crossing the public highway from Conesus to Scottsburgh, about thirty rods south of the late residence of P. H. Conklin, of the above town. It then entered Conesus between lots No. 108 and 109, then crossed the head of the lake valley, to the late residence of Hector McKay on lot No. 98, then passing around Groveland hill to its terminus on the Genesee.
The originator of this route was Colonel Williamson, who was a native of Scotland, and the first agent of the Pulteney estates in America. When a youth he entered the British army, and during the Revolutionary war, held the Commission of Captain, in the 25th reg-THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
67
iment, on foot. His regiment .was ordered to to America; but on the way, was taken by a French privateer, and he was taken to Boston, and kept in confinement until the close of the war.
On his return to Europe, he made acquaintance of the most distinguished men of England, and was often consulted, concerning the American’s affairs. On the organizations of the association of Sir. William Pulteney and others, he was offered the appointment of their agent for the colonizing the Genesee forests.
Having landed at Baltimore, in 1791, he at once took the steps as required by the naturalization laws of this country, and received in his own name from Robert Morris, a conveyance of the Pulteney estates, and began at once his labor in settling the same.
In the winter after his arrival, he made a visit to the Genesee country by the way of Albany and the Mohawk river. In the valley of the Mohawk, he passed the last of the “old settlements.” From these German Settlements, the road was but a lane, opened in the woods, passable only on horse or sled. A few cabins surrounded by scanty clearings, were the only indications of civilization which met his eyes till he stood among a group of cabins at the foot of the Seneca lake. Then the famous Genesee estate laid before him. A small settlement had been commenced at Canandaigua. The Wadsworths were at Big Tree. Beyond, was the meadows of the Genesee flats, and a dense forest unknown * to the ax, which harbored several tribes of Savages bordering between war and peace.
In the summer of 1792, Capt. Williamson, determined to open a road from Northumberland to the Genesee. At the same time, the association sent over to America, a large coloney of German emigrants, from Germany,
consisting of about two-hundred persons, men, women, and children, who was placed under the care of Capt. Williamson. Though stout and healthy enough, they were ignorant, and inexperienced people; accustomed to dig with a spade in the little gardens of their Fatherland, and as unfit for forest life of the frontiers as babes.
It was determined to send them over the mountains to the Tioga river, thence up the that Valley, and that of Conhocton, to Will-iamsburgh, on the Genesee. Benjamen Bennett —an old experienced hunter,—was at once selected as a suitable person, to take charge of them in their journey.
It was in the month of September, when the Emigrants appeared at the mouth of Lycoming creek ready for their march to their “ Northern Paradise.” A little ways up the creek, they commenced cutting a road. Here, they took their first lesson in wood-craft. They were not ready apprentices, and never carried on the art to perfection. An old gentlemen who came over the road a few years afterwards says: “The trees look as if they had been gnawed down by Beavers.”
Owing to their extreme ignorance of anything pertaining to wood-craft, their march progressed slowly, and great suffering to them all, and they became mutinous. “I could compare my situation,” said the guide, “to nothing, but of Moses with the Children of Israel. I would march them along a few miles, then they would rise up and rebell.” Once when some of the men were very clamerous and even offered violence. Patterson (an assistant man-eger) stood with his back to a tree, and brandishing a tomahawk, fur irously, said: “If you resist me, I will kill you—every one of you! This restored order once more.
They worked along slowly enough. At favor-68
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
able places for an ecampment, they would build Block-houses, or “ Plock,” as the Germans called them, and then open the road some distance in advance, before moving their families farther. These houses stood for many years, as landmarks in the wilderness. September and October passed, and it was far in November, before they crossed the mountains.
At a place now called Blossburgh, they made a camp, and called it “ Peter’s” camp, after their cook. Here, Patterson dug from the rocks with his tomahawk, pieces of coal, which the Germans pronounced of good quality.
Pushing on seven miles farther, they made the “ Canoe Camp,” a few miles below the present Village of Mansfield, and when they reached this place, their supply of provisions fell short. Patterson killed a supply of game, and then with some of the young men, went down to Painted Post, some thirty miles distant, and ordered provisions to be boated up to the place, from Tioga Point, and returned to camp with several canoes.
. When he returned, he found the poor people in a state of utter despair. They lay in their tents, bewailing their misfortunes; they said the Englishman had sent them here to die : lie had sent a ship to Hamsburgh, and had en-trced them away from their homes; he had brought them over the ocean on purpose that lie might send them in the wilderness to starve. They refused to stir, and beggedof Patterson to let them die. But he was merciless, and blustered about without-ceremony, cut down the tent-poles with his thomahawk, aroused the dying to life, and at once drove the whole Col-oney to the river bank. When the Germans saw the slender canoes, they screamed with terror and loudly refused to entrust themselves to such sculls. The woodsmen, however, put the women, children, and the sick into the ca-
noes almost by full force, and launched them forth into the river, while the men followed by land; thus making the journey to Painted Post.
It was now December. They had been three months in the wilderness, and were not in : a condition to proceed any farther toward the Genesee. Patterson left them here, and taking about thirty of the most trusty ones, kept on and opened the road up the Cohocton to Will-iamsburgh, and the whole Coloney was conducted thither in the Spring.
When the emigrants reached Williamsburgh they were properly provided for. Each family received a house and fifty acres of land, with a stock of provisions for present use, and farming utensils ; cattle and sheep, was distributed among them, and nothing remained for them, but to go to work and cultivate the land. But they were lazy and refused to do any thing for the sustainment of life, and became mutinous, until at last they dwindled away, or the Sheriff of Ontario, was sent to bring them unto submission. This ended the future days of Williamsburgh, in the town of Groveland.
Over this route, the Hendersons, Collars, McKays, McNinches and other Pennsylvanians came, when they came here to settle. This gave the settlers many advantages in coming and going to their native state.
THE NORTHERN ROUTE.
The Northern Route, entered the town of Conesus from the north upon lot No. 6, near a former residence of Charles Hitchcock; then passing down the hill upon lot No. 5, and then upon lot No. 14, between the residence of Hiram Boyd and Charles Gifford, crossing the flats below and passing about thirty rods south of the present residence of James M. Alger; then upon lot No. 184, situated on top of Turkey hill, then upon lot No. 8*2, down the hill^THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
69
terminating at the head of Conesus lake or upon lot No. 40, This road was used to a large extent by the persons from the north, although there was another road at the same time, starting on lot No. 6 from this road, and went to Conesus Center, which was known by the settlers as a Lumberman’s road. This is to-day used in part as highway between Livonia Center and Conesus Center.
Before the year of 1815, there was no road south of Conesus Center in what is now known
as Calabogue hollow. A few years after the road to the head of Conesus lake fron the north was open, there was one started from Foot’s Corners (then known as May’s Corners), passing to the southwest across the flats, striking Turkey Hill near the present residence of Ezra W. Clark, then up the hill and intersecting the other road on top of the hill. A part of this roadway can be seen at the present day, where it crossed the flats, upon lands now owned by Ashabel Alger,
kCHAPTER IX.
I%he	panics off the §own, and the ,gir§t §own Reefing.
^^^^EFOKE the year of 1819, the town of Conesus was divided into two parts.
IplBp All east of the line of lots running north and south between lots No. 5 and 6, on the north line, and lots No. 113 and 119, on the south line of the town, belonged to the town of Livonia, and all west of the above line, to the town of Groveland, then in the county of Ontario, N. Y., and since that time has been made part of the county of Livingston. All of the different articles of agreements for lands, &c., that were dated in what is now the town of Conesus, bore the indorsement of the County of Ontario, N. Y.
In 1819 the first attempt at the organization of the town took place. But on account of an irregularity in the date of calling the town meeting, it was not organized until 1820.
The first name given to the town, was that of Freeport. This name was derived, it is said, from the following circumstance:	A squatter
who had been a sailor, settled on a particular lot near the brow of the western hill. After fencing in a claim, and making some improvements he was forcibly driven off by the owner. The ejection provoked the landless pioneer, who, at some pains, published his version of the
story, urging that however ready other sections might be to welcome emigrants, this particular region was no “ Free-port.”
On the 26th of March, 1825, the Legislature changed the name of the town to Bowers-ville, in the honor of the Bowers family, who then owned a large tract of land here. This change was made through the influence of a man named Buxby, who slyly circulated a petition, unknowned to the leading men of the town, and sent it to the Legislature, in the same purporting to be the wishes of the majority of the town. As soon as the leading men became aware of what had been done, they at once sent in a remonstrance against it, but for some cause it did not reach its destination until the act had passed.
The failure of the opposers to prevent the change, filled the Bowers family with joy. For having succeeded in having the act passed, they took it for granted that it could not be easily changed, and if so, the opposing parties could not gather power to do so.
The opposing were not idle. All through the proceeding summer, they formed their future plans secretly, and when the next winter came, they sent in a petition to the Legislature, 70THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
71
that on the 15th of April, 1825, that honorable body, changed the name to Conesus, after the beautiful lake on its western border.
The First Town Meeting.
The first town meeting ever held in the town of Conesus—according to the record kept in the “ old town book,” though disputed by some of the early settlers,—-was in the spring of 1819. This proved to be illegal, for in the winter of that year, the legislature passed an act to take a part of GrOveland and part of Livonia and form a new township, to be known as Freeport. In this act, there was a special clause that there should be no town meeting or election of officers until the next year.
In some way the news reached the town a few days after the act had passed that the two sections should be formed into a township. The inhabitants at once called a town meeting to be held at the head of Conesus lake, for the election of their town officers.
In assembling they found great difficulty in finding a man suitable for the office of Supervisor. They did not consider every man’s qualification, suitable for that position. Yet, how were they to find out the person who possessed these qualifications. After consulting among themselves for a long time, they at length selected Tommy Collar, to fill that important position. Yet how were they to judge his qualifications. This was soon settled, by considering “ a man who kept up as good fences as Mr. Collar did, was the right man for Supervisor.” Under this evidences they elected him,—although Mr. Collar was not present at the time. They also elected Samuel Chapin Jr. as town clerk. This town meeting was held at the residence of Enoch Squibb.
After the meeting had passed by, Esq. Blake of the town of Livonia came here and informed
them they had been too fast and their proceedings were illegal. So by the town book, the first legal town meeting took place the 4th day of April, 1820, and the following officers were chosen :
For Supervisor,
Hevenport Alger.
For Town Clerk,
Samuel Chapin,
For Assessors,
Jessie McMillin.
Alexander Patterson.
Zenas Whiting.
For Overseer of the Poor,
Hector McKay.
Alexander Patterson.
For Commissioners of Highways,
Thomas Collar.
Jessie McMillin.
Joel Gilbert.
For Collector,
Peter Stiles.
For Constable,
Peter Stiles.
Reuben D. Jones.
For Commissioners of Schools,
Jessie McMillin.
Joel Gilbert.
Erastus Wilcox.
For Inspectors of Schools,
Andrew Arnold.
Samuel Chapin, Jr.
Elias Clark.
The following Path-masters was also elected at the same Meeting:
District No. 1. “	“	2.
“	“	3.
U	<C	4^
“	“	5.
Samuel Wisner. Benjamin Whitney. Benjamin Griswold. John Culver.
Orin Remington.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
'2
a	u	6.	Matthew McNinch.
u	66	7.	Ephraim Wilcox.
u	66	8.	Amos Root.
a	66	9.	Levi Simons.
u	66	10.	James Mann, Jr.
u	6>	11.	Samuel Pike.
a	66	12.	Joshua Gates.
a.	66	13.	Ezra P. Strong.
u	66	14.	Peter Bevins
a	66	15.	Ira Baker.
u	66	16.	James S. Redman.
a	66	17.	Jotham Clark.
a	66	18.	Joseph Horton.
The following resolutions was passed:
1st. Voted to comply with the School Act, and to raise fifty dollars, for school purposes.
2nd. Voted to raise eighty dollars for the poor.
3d. Voted that Waite Arnold be pound-keeper, and his barn and barn-yard, to be used as a pound-yard for the coming year.
4th. Voted that every path-master, be the fence viewer of his district.
5th. Voted that Hogs weighing over sixty pounds be free to run at large.
6th. Voted that male Hogs weighing less than 251bs., not to be allowed to run at large. Penalty, $ 1.00.
7th. Voted that male Sheep not be allowed to run at large from the 15th. of August to the 1st. of December. Penalty $2.00.
8th. Voted that male Colts over eighteen months old, should not be allowed to run at large. Penalty, $10.00.
9th. Voted that the next Town Meeting be held at Jerry Youngs.
On the 17th day of June, .1820, the town of Conesus made a final settlement with the town of Groveland. We find the same recorded on the Town Clerk’s book, and it reads
as follows:—
“Settlement with Groveland.” Amount of assesment in Groveland,. . $916.62.
The amount assesed to Freeport,. . . .	194.85.
Amount of money for the poor to
be divided,..................... 45.16.
Freeport’s portion of the money for
the poor,..................... 9.59.
Of the $9.59 : two dollars and seventy-eight cents, have been applied to the support of Richard Smith, leaving a balance of $6.81 in the hands of the Overseer of the Poor of Groveland, due Freeport.”
u Expenses of attending Richard Smith from the 1st Tuesday in April to the 20th of June, —11 weeks at 10 shillings per week—$2.75. We have settled the division of the poor moneys and expense of attending Richard Smith, and have agreed to support him in the same ratio hereafter, this 17th. day of June, 1820.”
“ Supervisors, Wm. Fitzhugh, Groveland.
Davenport Alger, Freeport.
Overseers of the Poor,
Robert Burns, Groveland. James Rosebrugh, “ Alexander Patterson, Freeport. Hector McKay.	“
There was a special town meeting held September 30th, 1820, at the residence of Jerry Youngs, to rescind some former resolutions, and to raise moneys. The Town Clerk’s book reads thus:—
“ At a c Special Town Meeting,’ Sept. 30th. 1820, held at Jerry Youngs, ‘Voted to recall the vote, for which to raise $80 for the poor.’ Voted to add $30 to the $50 for the schools.” We also find the following Election Notice for the year of 1820, in the Town Clerk’s book, which reads thus ;—THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.	73
“ An estimate of Votes taken at the Annual Election, held for the town of Freeport, which commenced on Tuesday the 25th day April, 1820, at the house of Erastus Wilcox, and closed Thursday, the 27th, at the house of Charles Thorpe, Town of Freeport, County of Ontario, were as follows:—
For Governor; Daniel D. Tompkins, 11 votes, against Dewitt Clinton, 6 votes.
For Lieut. Governor ; Benjamin Moores, 11 votes against John Taylor, 6 votes.
For Senators; Philetus Swift, Nathan Williams and Nathaniel Garrow, each 11 votes, against Ephraim Hart, Elijah Mills and Oliver Forward, each 6 votes.
For Assembly; John Price, Matthew Warner, Byram Green, Elijah B. Strong, Birdsey Brooks and James Rosebrugh, each 72 votes, against John C. Spencer. Trumain Hart, Myron Holley, Oliver Culver, William Cornwall, William H. Spencer and Claudeus V. Bough-ton, each 33 votes.
We do certify the above to be just and true: Davenport Alger.
Samuel Chapin,
Jessie McMillin,
Alexander Patterson,
Inspectors of Election.”
The following Excise Meeting of 1820, was recorded in the Town Book in the following words:—
“At a meeting of the Commissioners of Excise tor the town of Freeport, in the county of Ontario, on the 24th day of June, 1820. Present, Davenport Alger, Supervisor of the said town, Matthew McNinch and Andrew Arnold, J ustices of the Peace, residence in the said town, Thomas Collar and Russell Taylor of the said town, appears to us for a lisence to keep an Inn in town, and to retail liquoirs un-
der five gallons, as Inn keepers at their Dwelling House in said town, and we, Commissioners aforsaid, having satisfied evidences that the said Thomas Collar and Russell Taylor, are of good moral character, and suficient ability to keep an Inn or Tavern, and that they have goood accommodations to entertain travelers, and that an Inn or Tavern is absolutely necessary at the Dwelling House of Thomas Collar and Russell Taylor, and for actual accommodation of travelers aforesaid, it is therefore ordered that lisence be granted to the said Thomas Collar and Russell Taylor according to their application.”
Davenport Alger, Super. Andrew Arnold, (
Matthew McNinch, J Commiss.
'The following by-laws are found in the Town Clerk’s book, in regard wrhat was to constitute a lawful fence, and reads as follows:—
“April 3d, 1825. Voted a lawful fence of the Town shall be 4£ feet, high, and 5 inches beteen the rails, and a fence viewer should have 75cts. for each day labor.”
“April 5th. 1832. Voted a lawful fence to be 5 feet high.”
The following is a list of Supervisors and Town Clerks of Conesus, from the year of 1820, to 1885.
List of Supervisors.
1820, ‘21, Davenport Alger.
1822,	Samuel Chapin.
1823,	‘24, ‘25, Andrew Arnold.
1826,	Alexander Patterson.
1827,	‘28, David C. Higgins.
1829,	Andrew Arnold.
1830,	Samuel Robinson, Jr,
1831,	Jotham Clark.
1832,	Ely Y. Barnes.
1833,	Jotham Clark.74
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
1834,‘35, Gardner Arnold.
1836, ‘37, Harvey Purchase.
1838,	Hosea Gilbert.
1839,	Robert Baylis.
1840,	Gardner Arnold.
1841,	Robert Baylis.
1842,	Hector Hitchcock.
1843,	Luther Chapin.
1844,	Hector Hitchcock.
1845,	Robert Baylis.
1846,	Hector Hitchcock.
1 847, ‘48, Solomon Hitchcock.
1849,	Robert Baylis.
1850,	Davenport Alger.
1851,	‘52, Lewis Kingsbury.
1853, ‘54, ‘55, ‘56, George F. Coe.
1857, ‘58, Henry L. Arnold.
1859, ‘60, ‘61, ‘62, Ezra W. Clark.
1863, ‘64, R. Fulton McMillin.
1865,	Ezra W. Clark.
1866,	Henry C. Coe.
1867,	Ezra W. Clark.
1868,	Solomon Hitchcock (by appointment.)
1869,	‘70, ‘71, ‘72, Henry C. Coe.
1873, ‘74, Jotham Clark, Jr.
1875, ‘76, Amos D. Coe.
1877, ‘78, ‘79, ‘80, George F. Coe.
1881,	R. Fulton McMillin.
1882,	Granger Griswold.
1883,	Amos D. Coe.
1884,	‘85. Floyd McNinch.
List of Town Clerks.
1820, ‘21, Samuel Chapin. .
1822,	Andrew Arnold.
1823,	Davenport Alger.
1824,	‘25, “26, Peter Stiles.
1827, ‘28, David Gilbert.
1829,	Joshua Huntington.
1830,	‘31, ‘32, ‘33, ‘34, ‘35, ‘36, ‘37, Be-nona Fosdick.
1838, Joseph Wells.
1839’ ‘40, ‘41, Charles Pixley.
1842, ‘43, ‘44, Justus Allen.
1845, ‘46, ‘47, ‘48, ‘49, ‘50, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53, ‘54, ‘55, ‘56, ‘57, ‘58, ‘59, ‘60, ‘61, ‘62, ‘63, ‘64, ‘65, ‘66, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘70, ‘71, ‘72, ‘73, Benona Fosdick.
1874,	John F. Clark.
1875,	‘76, ‘77, ‘78, ‘79, ‘80, ‘81, ‘82, William H. Mills.
1883, ‘84, Arthur A. Stark.
1885,	William Miller.CHAPTER X.
tn o\
§(|n 1886, the little town of Conesus JH; has three small hamlets or villages, known at the present day as Conesus Center, Union Corners, and Foots (Corners. The largest of these villages, is Conesus Center, situated nearly in the center of the town, and upon the northern bank of Mill creek.
This Village contains 2 Stores, 3 Churches, 2 Wagon Shops, I Grist-mill, 1 Saw-mill, 1 Harness Shop, 3 Black-smith Shops, 1 Cabinet Shop, 1 Repair Shop, 1 Hardware, 1 Hotel & Town Hall, 1 Millinery Store, 1 Grain Warehouse, 1 Evaporator, I Agricultural Building, Post Office, and about 100 houses, and a population of nearly 200 human souls.
The first settlement was made here in the year of 1800, by Jacob Durham, who built a log .house, a little west of the Grave-yard, and on lands now owned by Solomon Trescott.
The first saw-mill was built here by James Henderson, in 1795. In raising this mill, he obtained assistance from Lima and Dansville. This mill stood upon the present sight of the Grist-mill.
The first store was opened here in the year of 1817, by Andrew Arnold and his nephew
Gardner Arnold. This store is said to have been kept in a log building.
The first hotel was built here between the year of 1830 and c35, by Daniel Bump. It was a large three story building, with a basement below, and a ball-room in the upper story. The second story consisted of bed-rooms and a setting room. On the floor above the basement, was the dining-room, bar-room and parlor. This hotel stood upon the present sight of the Universalist Church; and a few years afterwards it passed into the hands of John McVic-ar, who owned it for several years. In 1865, he rented it to Horace Brunson, and in 1866 sold it to Davenport Alger, who in a few years afterward sold it to Luman Baldwin, who owned it, when it was destroyed by the great fire of 1871.
After the fire, Baldwin opened a hotel in the present dwelling house of Granger Grisworld, for a year or more. In the spring of 1873, George K. Vincent opened the present one ; and in 1880, he rented it to Thomas Ward, and in 1882> to S. Robinson, and in 1885, sold the same to Davenport Alger, the present proprietor.
The first posl-office was opened here in 1819,76
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
and kept at the store of Andrew Arnold. In these days, the mail was carried by Post Riders, of whom B. F. Fosdick was the same at this time, and he brought the mails twice a week from Lima or Bloomfield, on horseback. In 1823, Sylvester Morris was the first person who performed the same service between here and Springwater. This route was established the spring before, and was continued until the building of the Corning & Buffalo Railroad.
The first church was built here by the Methodist Society, in 1836. It stood upon the sight of their church of the present day. After serving them as a place of worship for a number of years, it was totally destroyed by fire, Dec. 30, 1871. The present church was built in 1876.
The first shoe-shop was opened by Andrew Arnold and Gardner Arnold, in 1817, and was kept at their store. In 1818, William Williams, open the first shop in a frame building, in the town, at this place. We are unable to give a list of the different shoe-makers that has made their home in this village. But among those who has once lived here, is that of Ohas. Beadle, Matthew Mead, William Helm, Chas. and Clark Dibble, Joseph Lockwood and Edwin Brown.
As we have said the first saw-mill was built by James Henderson ; the next saw-mill, was the “old mill” that stood at the south end of the east dam of the grist-mill. This mill was built by David Coleman, in 1853. It was run by a wooden turbine wheel, and an up-down ' saw. After doing good service to the town, it took fire by some unknown cause, on the night of Febuary 21st 1873, and was burned to the ground. The next saw-mill in this village, is that of the steam mill, now owned by Amos D. Coe and Charles Humphrey, built in 1875 or ‘76.
The first grist-mill, is that of the present
one which was built by George Rockafellow in 1840. He owned and ran the same until 1854 or ‘55, when there came upon him a financial crisis, by a depreciation in the prices of wheat, and having purchased heavily upon credit, and borrowed capital, he failed ; causing a heavy loss to many of the town citizens who had put too much confidence in him. After this failure, the mill fell into the possession of George F. Coe and Robert Baylis, of which the former a few years afterwards, sold out his interest to the latter, who retained the same until his death, Febuary 7th, 1870. The mill now fell into the hands of Ezra W. and John F. Clark, until about the year of 1878, when the latter sold his interest to Jacob C. Green, who transferred the same in 1875, to Clark M. Herrick.
When the mill was built, it was run by two large over-shot water-wheels, each 36 feet in diameter, and were placed one above the other. When the mill was in the possession of Baylis and Coe, they placed a large powerful steam engine in the same to drive the mill through the dry season of the year. When it came in the possession of Ezra and John Clark, they removed these water-wheels and engine and boiler, and placed in their place, a * small turbine wheel, engine and boiler, which are used at the present day as the motive power. This mill has a water fall of 70 feet, being said, to be one of the largest in the state.
A little north of the grist-mill, and on the sight of C. M. Herrick’s barn, stood the “old Mill-right shop,” owned by Bell and Hedges. When this was built, we have no record; but it could not have been far from 1825 or ‘30. This shop was used as a tool and turning shop, and the building was set on posts placed in the ground. During the great flood of 1835—which we will speak more of hereafter,—it was swept away, and the owners with it, found a wateryTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
77
The first cabinet shop and undertaking establishment, was opened herein 1851, by Frederick Straub. It was in a little old building, which had formerly been used for a blacksmith shop, and stood upon the sight now occupied by the store of Arthur Stark, south of the Uni-versalist church. This building being inadequate for his business, he built the new one he now occupies, in 1856.
The present store of Arthur Stark, was built by Thomas Grover, in the year of 1885. He was soon followed by Charles Pixley, and in about 1840, by George Rockafellow, who sold a part of the same soon after to Lewis Kingsbury. About 1842, they , sold the same to James Dart, who transferred it to Benjamim Moulton and Clark M. Herrick about the year of 1866. The former sold out to Davenport Morris," and 1873 or ‘74, they sold the same to Granger Griswold and William Mills, and the former sold to the latter, about 1880, and he transferred the store to Arthur A. Stark in the spring of 1885.
The store that stands upon the south-east corner, and on lands now owned by Amos D. Coe, was built by Gardner Arnold, about 1825. In 18.27, Joseph Wells and Foster Foot, rented the same and occupied it until 1834, when Allen & Whitlock bought the same and in a few years failed; then it came into Oscar Ripley’s possession, and he, in a few years afterwards also failed. It was now bought by Amos D. Coe, who occupied the same until about 1870, when he moved the same across the way, and has since been converted into a dwelling house now occupied by Granger Griswold.
In this building, was the first millinery shop in the town. It was kept by Miss Mary Goe; but in what year, we have no date. She kept the same here at the time when it was own-
ed by Amos Coe. When the building was moved across the way, she transferred her goods to the dwelling house purchased by her across the way from the Methodist church, where she carried on business until a few years ago.
The store that was burned in 1871 that stood south of the present Universalist church, was the cabinet shop of Fredrick Straub, rigged over into the same soon after he vacated it, and moved into his new building. It was first occupied by Colvin Barnes & Co., until his death in 1868, when it fell into the possession of Granger Griswold and William Mills, who occupied it until the fire. In this building for several years the Post Office was kept.
The store that now stands on this sight, was built about the year of 1875 or ‘77, and the first person to occupy the same was George Vincent in ! 878, who opened the first drugstore in the town. He was sucee<led by Arther A. Stark in 1880, who carried on the same line of business, and connected with it the grocery trade, until 1885, when he moved into the store he now occupies. In the spring after M r. Stark’s
removal, it was occupied by ---------—- Brown
as a grocery store, and is still in his possession; but. the building is owned by A. A. Stark.
The store that stands on the north-east corner of the center of the village, was built by G. Lewis, in the winter of 1882 and ‘83. In the spring he' opened in one-half of the store, a grocery, boot and shoe store, until January of 1884, when he failed. The other half of the same, he rented to Miss Emma Scott as a millinery store, who moved her stock from her dwelling house on the “Pinacle” where she was in business for several years before. She remained here for one year, and then ^returned to her former place of business.
In the spring or summer of 1874, it came in the possession of Clark M. Herrick, who "ex78
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
change his interest in the eating saloon at the depot for the same. The building remained unoccupied until the spring of 1885, when it passed into J-.C. Green’s possession, who traded for the same his interest- in the grist-mill, and still owns it. In the spring of 1885, he rented it to Mrs. Lockwood—-a lady from Nunda,— who opened a millinery store for two or three months, and then to Fred. Eno, for a billiard-room', being the first tables ever in town. After a few months Eno sold out his interest to Davenport Alger, who now occupies the build-ing.
One of the first blacksmith shops was that of T. Wells, which stood upon the sight of Green’s store. It was built at an early day, and he carried on business until his death, when the building was moved toward the depot and converted into a dwelling house, now occupied by William Miller.
The blacksmith shop nOw owned by George Baker, was built by Moses Knights in 1849. It was bought by Solomon.-Trescott in 1851, who sold the same to George Baker in 1854 or 455, who moved it across the way in 1808, and now occupies it.
There has been at different times, several other blacksmith simps that lias sprung up for a short time through this village, of which we have no deffinite history. Among these is that of P. Philhower, situated in the east part of the village; also one east of the present school-house, on the north side of the way.; one now kept in the building occupied by Alex. Green, who still carries on the same in connection with his wagon shop; another by John D. Webster east of the Town Hall. The latter has not been in operation for only two or three years. The one in Green’s building, has been connected with a wagon shop for the most of the time. Among the owners are the names of Frank
Huffman, J. Y. Jones, William Clark, Or-naldo Morris, and others.
The repair shop of M. Jincks that stands east of the Town Hall, was first built in 1880, upon the sight of the Agriultural building, and in 1882, moved to its present location.
A store or grocery was kept by L. Snyder upon the sight of the Agricultural building. It was kept in an extention of a dwelling house toward the street. While he owned the same, it was destroyed by fire in 1871. Upon this sight was erected the Agricultural building of George W. Baker & Son in 1882, who carried on the business until 1883, when they rented it to Frank Shafer, who still occupies it.
The village of Conesus Center at the time of the first settlement, was covered with thick Pine and Hemlock trees. To day can be seen a floor in one of the barns owned by Hiram Boyd, that- was made from trees that grew upon the “ pinacle,” now occupied by Stark’s store, Alger’s hotel, and the dwelling houses of Maring, Scott, Darrow, Herrick, and otherSi
After the building of the Buffalo & Corning railroad, the village grew very fast until the afternoon of August 26th, 1871, when in midst of a heavy thunder-storm, a thunder-bolt struck a barn of Granger Griswold situated on the sight of his present barn, on the lot now owned by him—and the building was soon in flames. Jt soon communicated to a barn be-^ longing to Henry Gilbert, situated back of the Hardware store of John Dodge; from this to a small Scale building, a few feet south of Stark’s store ; then to a store owned by Griswold & Mills, which stood on the sight of Stark’s store; then to a small building used as a meat-market north of the same; then to the three story hotel, sheds and barns owned by Luman Baldwin, situated on the sight of the Universalist church. It now crossed an alley-THE HISTORY OF OONESU^
north of the hotel and . communicated to the grocery store of L. Shyder, when the wind changed, and the fire was stopped. In less than an hour, the fire had burned over several acres, and caused a loss of nearly $10,000. Since then, this territory has been rebuilt’
Union Corners.
Union Corners-—sometimes called “ Crockett Corners,” from a nick-name given it by Lewis Clark—is situated about one^half of a mile north of Conesus Center, and on lot No. 43. It contains about a dozen houses, and a population of about fifty persons. The place once contained a hotel, tailor shop and church;
The first log house was built here by Abel Root in 1807,
The first tailor shop was built by —— Bates in 1820. The first frame tailor shop was built
by ------- Gardner in 1837. It stood upon the
present sight- of the dwelling house of Matilda Romig, and after he " had carried on a successful business for several years, it was burned down. The next shop was that of John Magee, built by him in 1850. This stood upon the south-east corner^ and was occupied by him until Sunday morning, March 6th 1881, when by some unknown cause it took fire and burned down, with a total loss (except au insurance of $1,500,) to the owner.	„
The first hotel was built here in 1842 or ‘43, by Lewis Clark—^better known to the town’s people, as “Col. Crockett,” a name he adopted at the time of the Mexican war, and retained the same up to the time of his death; He followed the business here until his death in 1874 when the hotel was taken as a private dwelling house by one of his daughters, Mrs. Phoebe Henry;	- '/
Lewis Clark, also carried on the shoe-makers trade in the west part of his house, and in the
n
little building that stands south of the hotel. .•« In this building was the first millinery store, that Was every opened in .this village. This was by Miss. Lillie Henry in the year of 1882 or *83. It has been used for the past year as a wash-
*	board manufactory, by Jincks & Co..
The Universalist church, which stands upon the road leading from the west, was built in 1837. (See Chapter on Churches.)
Union Corners is now simply a village of the past. No stores! no shops! but a resident village. The Old Universalist church, is still standing to the age of time.
Foot’s Corners.
Foot’s Corners, is a small hamlet situated
•	about one mile south of the northern town line ; of Conesus, and two miles north of Conesus
Center, on lot No. 24. It is a village of ten houses and about thirty inhabitants.
The first settlement was made here by Harvey May, who built the first log house in 1806. v This house stood on the south side of the little i orchard of Franklin Foot, West of the railroad, and within a few rods of the same. The east i and west road at an early day used to pass on i the south side of this orchard down near to the center of the village, and then in a south-west I course across the flats, toward the residence of Ezra W. Clark.	.
This village was called for a long time “ May ’s Corners,” after the first settlerbut in 1834, Joseph Wells, Foster Foot & , Son (Franklin Foot), built a three-story frame store in the south-west eorner of the present door-yard of \ Franklin Foot, and then the name of the vil-1 lage. was changed to “ -Foot’s Corners.” j After the firm had done business successfully. sfor a number of years, the firm was dissolved, larid the store fell into, the possession, of F,
| Foot, who nloved away, the building in 1881,80	THE HISTORY
and converted the same into a horse-barn, that now stands east of his residence.
Upon the south-east corner, stands an “'old frame building” now owned by Ira Foot, that used to be used as a tavern, and was built in 1811, by Samuel Chapin and Harvey May. This is the oldest tavern in town, and many lively times has been held within its walls. It has not been used as a tavern for over thirty years, and is now used as a tenant dwelling house.
The first store kept at this place, was in the •‘old red house ” of Franklin Foot, that stands on the north side of the road leading across the flats. This was in operation at an early day, by Harvey May, who ran the same in connection to a potashery that he owned, and stood on the present sight of Hiram McNinch’s dwelling house, on the south side of the creek.
This store though not. overstocked with goods, proved of great value to the poor people; for they would save up their ashes, and take them to this Ashery, and there receive, an order on the store, and for them receive the scanty necessities of life, which otherwise they would have to go without. This mode of business, was in operation for several years.
The first blacksmith shop was built here by Daniel Bump, in about 1825 or ‘30. It stood upon the east side of the road leading to Cone-sus Center. In a few years afterwards it was moved across the way, on the north side of the creek, and there used for several years, and in about 1857, was torn down. The next shop that was built here, f was the Sherwood's shop built by James Ward, of which we have no date. Ward carried on business until 1845 or ‘46, when it came into possession of Stephen E. Sherwood, who still carried on business until about 1870 or f75, when it ceased to be used for that purpose, except the year of 1880,
OF CONESUS.
when it was used one year by Alex. Green, as a blacksmith and wagon shop together. It is now owned by Thomas Griffin.
The next blacksmith shop, and one built for that purpose, is the dwelling house of Mrs. Elizabeth Me Vicar, and stands south of the Sherwood’s shop. This was built soon after the latter, by a man named Bisbee, who ran the same for a short time, and then it was converted into a dwelling house.
Foot’s Corners at an early day, was a noted place for amusements. Here the early settlers held their horse-races, shooting-matches, trainings, and other amusements. The road run^ nirig west across the flats, was their race-course. Here some of the most noted trotters and running horses of the country, was placed against eachother. Evenings and Saturday afternoons was seldom missed without some of these doings. Training days, would fill the place from far and near, and oftimes many of them would come, simply to get a piece of a loaf of ginger-bread, ten or twelve feet long, baked on a board. Shooting-matches was all of the toast, which consisted of shooting at a mark for a deer, or some other kind ofgaiqe. At night, the sound of music was heard in the ball-room of the hotel, where the merry couple were trippling a waltz, schottische or quadrille, until the dawn of morning*
Scott’s Town.
This Village, is known to but a few of the town’s people. It was nothing more than the immagination of one person’s mind; And it was thus Among the original land owners were Rebecca Scott, who came here at an early day, to make her home on the eastern slope of Turkey Hill, a little west of the late residence of Lewis Carroll. Here, a little south of the orchard, she employed a Surveyor, andTHE HISTQBY QF CONESUS.

laid out a large piece of ground into lots, with streets running through it, for a village. The lots she tried to sell to the early settlers, bqt nq one seemed to fancy her undertakings, and the scheme at length fell through; and the village to he called “ Scott’s Town,” never arose above its birth.
Head of the Lake Village.
This village at one time consisted of about half a dozen houses, and among them an hotel and a blacksmith shop. The village was situ-uated in the western part of the town, upon lot No. 49, and at the head of Conesus lake. The first settlement was made here by James Henderson in 1793.
The first tavern kept here, was by--------
Clemons, in a log house, that stood north of the residence of McMillin & Bro., on the north side of the Mill creek. Another tavern was kept by Merreit Havens, in an old building, that, now stands at the forks of the road, south of McMillin & Bro. Another where they live. Another was kept by Russell Taylor in what is now the dwelling house of Alanson Toiler, on the road leading across the flats. The date and history when these taverns were in operation, we have not. We find in the town book, that Taylor applied for license in 1820. How much earlier we can not say, as this part of the town before this, belonged to Gfroveland.
The hotel, that, used to stand on the west side of the flats, was built by Moses King, but of what date we have no record. It was owned at different times, by different men, and among them was Davenport Alger, Try Cole, Wil-iard Cole, and was destroyed by fire, while in possession of George Pridmore, in 1881.
The blacksmith shops of this village, we have but a little record. They were not in operation here, at any length of time in success-
ion. A man would come and work at his trade a short time, and then move away; and in a few years, another one, and he would do the same.
At the present- day, there is nothing left here to mark this place as once a small village.
Clark’s Station.
Clark’s Station was situated about one-half of a mile south of the north line of Conesus, on what is now the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad, and now known as the Conesus Post Office. This place was never of any size. When the Corning & Buffalo railroad was built, Adams Clark built a large grain store-house of 30 x 70 feet square, and engaged in the grain market. In one end of the building, it was done off in a setting-room and ticket office, and the Railroad Company, made it one of their stopping places. * They also had a watering-tank on the east side of the track, on the north side of the public road, for their engines, which they obtained a supply from a spring, east of the residence of Mrs. Harriet King, on the lands formerly owned by Hector Hitchcock,— but now owned by Andrew Kuder.
In 1855, Adams Clark died ; and the business that once looked forth with every prospect of success, vanished, and in a few years, the Company took up the side-tracks, and the place ceased to be known as a station.
The warehouse stood on the west side of the track, and on the south side of the highway, and after it ceased to be used for grain, the setting-room and office was rented to Thomas Griffin, for a dwelling house. On Sunday morning of August 24th 1862, he and his wife rose early, and with out any jire, went to church at Livonia Centre, and returned at dark that night. Having let one of the children take the key in the morning, and sent them to82
THE HISTORY OF CQNESUS.
a friend to stay until they returned. So having no key, they were obliged to enter the building through a window, and went to bed. The next morning they were awakened from their sleep and startled by hearing a fearful cracking noise in the other part, and to find their room full of smoke. They arose hastelly, and without sufficient time to dress, they made their wav out of the burning building. In less then one-half of an hour, they saw all their goods they had in this world, reduced to ashes in a firey furnace.
At this place there was a Post Office established in 1852, and Hiram Boyd was appointed the first postmaster. The office was kept at the residence of Joseph H. Rowland, near by on the south side of the public road, and west of the railroad. He is still postmaster at this place.
ERRATA.
On Page 77, we have stated that George K. Vincent was the first person who .opened a store or drugs-store in Stark’s building, south of the [Jniversalist church. This is wrong; the store was built by parties from Spring water in 1878
or c74. In 1874 or c75, T. T. Thrall opened a dry goods and grocery store, and continued in business until 1878, when he failed, and it came in possession of George Vincent, as we have stated.
We also forgot to give a sketch of the Harness shops, that has existed at Conesus Center. The first one we have any record of, was opened by a man named Busbee, in a building that stood a little south of Alger’s hotel. This was about 1881 or‘82. In 1884 or ‘85, Daniel Clark bought the same, and continued business until 1852. The next shop we have any record of, was that of George K. Vincent, who opened one in 1871, in what is now Alger’s hotel building, and on the 17th of March, 1878, sold out to William Miller, who remained here until the Summer of 1874, when he moved into the building now owned by John Webster, as a wagon shop, and remained here until in April of 1884, when he moved into the building he now occupies, on the west side of the street leading into the village from the north, and in a south-west direction from the Universalist Church, in a building that was built by Luinan Baldwin for a meat-market in 1882.CHAPTER XI.
JPu? (^tmrches md ^eligiow §enomimtionz.
OW far different it is at the present day, than it was at seventy years ago, in keeping of the Sabbath Day. No person in those days what attended regular service every Sabbath, regardless of the storms, or what else might happen. Many times, when there was no Church near by, they would make the appointment at some settlers house, arid then, and there, the old, the young, and all must attend. Sermons oftimes two hours long; yet they did not complain. At the present day, these times are different, and among us are many, who are seldom seen to enter the Church door.
For many years after the first settlement of the town of Conesus, the u pioneers ” were without any regular organized religious society, and were dependent on local ministers, for the ministration of the Gospel. In the northern part of the town for a time, the nearest place of worship, was what was called “ Duel’s Hill,” in the town of Livonia, where service was held by the Presbyterians. About this time (1800) the Baptists held their meetings in the south part of the town, at private houses, under the guidance of Rev. Goodale, who has the honor of being the first minister to preach in the town.
83
The first minister who came and made a permanent home here, was in 1808, by the Rev. Ingham, of the Baptist persuation.
In 1806, the nearest place of service to the early settlers in the northern part of the town, was held by the Presbyterians in an old frame school-house, near Austin Woodruff’s, in the town of Livonia. In 1812 the Methodists began to hold meetings at John Miller’s on lot No 6., and in 1816, the Baptists began their meetings at South Livonia.
In 1818, there was a Society formed at Foot’s Corners (called then May’s Corners), known as the u Christians,” which only exsisted for a few years. The Rev. Sylvester Morris was of this order. (See his Biographical Sketch.)
One of the most noted early ministers of the town, was Baldwin Wright. This man seemed to have been very personal in his remarks. The following incident of this venerable man, transpired near the village of Honeoye Flats, at an early day, and came to my notice in an old newspaper which was printed a few years after, in that (Ontario) County. And in the same it reads as follows :—
“ It is well known to the first settlers of Ontario county, that in the vicinity of Honeoye84
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
lake, there was many of those reptiles called “ Rattlesnakes.” It so happened, that among the poor and very rough inhabitants of this new
region, there was a family by the name of--,
consisting of a father, mother and several grownup boys, all of which were grossly intemperate, vulgar and profane—a perfect nuisance to civilized society.”
“ On a certain occasion and on a certain time, one of the sons above aluded to, was so unfortunate as to receive a severe bite from one of his neighbors and associates—rattlesnake. The bite was supposed would soon prove fatal to the lad, and he, together with the rest of the family became excessively alarmed in the prospect of the future destiny that it was supposed awaited the invalid. He became alarmed to such an extent that he appeared to manifest symptoms of repentance of his past crimes and misdemeanors, and it was agreed by the family to send to Elder Wright, to come and converse and pray with him who was bitten.”
“ The Elder came forthwith, and having conversed a short time with the young man, became satisfied that he had been “ born again,” and was pretty sure of heaven if he did not live too long. The Elder therefore “ went to prayer;” and in his address to the throne of grace, he laid before the Lord all the circumstances of the case, so clearly and definitely that he could not be mistaken, portraying in the mean time, the atrocious characters of each member of the family, after which he used the following feeling and effecting language in tones of thunder. 6 O, Lord! do send more snakes into the neighborhood. Jo has been bit, and it has brought him to a sence of his sins, and to repentance—Lord, send more rattlesnakes! 0 Lord, let them bite the old man, and the old woman. Thou knowest who and what they are. 0, Lord, send snakes and let them bite Jonath-
an; let them bite Jim ; let them bite all the family ; then and not till then will they repent and turn to thee. Amen.’”
Among the early settlers was many strange things that has transpired at their Sunday services. Among them were two incidents, which we deem too worthy to let them pass, without giving them a notice in this book, and they are as follows :—
On a certain time, at an early day, when the settlers of the town were holding a series of meetings near the spot, that is now the residence of the late Ephraim Cole, on lot No. 25. At this time one of the settlers allowed a young puppy, to accompany his master to the meeting. Through the service, it was the custom for many of the congregation to fall upon their knees, and join in prayer. On this day, there happened to be a young man—though poor perhaps—who had attended the same barefooted, kneeled down with the rest, and began to give vent to his feelings, in a prayer to his maker. While thus praying, the puppy noticed a movement of the young man’s foot, and at once began to play with it, by biting and snapping at the heel. The young man would try to drive the puppy awav by pushing him off with his foot ; but the more he moved, the more playful made the puppy, and more interrupted was his remarks.
In this way he proceeded through his prayer, and at the close of the meeting some of his friends asked him, why he did not make a better prayer. “ How could I,” said he, “ when a person had a puppy at his heels'?” This remark, was a by-word of the settlers for a long time afterwards.
The other incident transpired upon the Mar-rowback hills, a number of years ago. At this time, a series of meetings was being held at what is now called the Webster’s school-house.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
85
Two worthy members of the society, who lived near by and tended meeting here, became deeply enraged at each other, over some dogs belonging to one, which had killed some sheep for the other. When these two men would happen to meet, they would cast all the ven-gence of language against each other. Not only at business places where they would meet, but at last they carried it in the midst of their Sunday services. So, one Sunday in the midst of the services, when the members were expressing their repentances for their bad doings through the week, these two men arose to do the same, but was soon drawn into a bitter discourse of words, and each accusing the other of the misdeeds in his past life.
At this time there happened to be a brother member in the congregation, whose misfortune in life, it was to be deaf, and seeing his brother’s motions, and by the same saw what he took to be an earnest supplication in the behalf of the Lord. Be arose from his seat, and commenced to address the congregation as follows :—	“ Brothers and Sisters! I am so hap-
py to-day to see the interest that our two beloved Brothers, are taking in the behalf of the Lord.” This was enough: and the two angry men dropped into their respective seats, as if a cannon-ball had fell into their midst; and for years afterwards they lived in peace.
In the early days of the town, it was not singular to see all the ministers use liquor before going to Church, as they thought in those days, that it helped the service, by enlightening their intellect, and gave them smartness in speaking. Whenever there was an ordination, or any important ceremonies to take place, the “ little brown jug ” was also found there to assist them. It was not an unusal thing to see a minister under the influence of the same. Those days are now gone, and with
them, many queer notions of the past.
The Methodist Church.
Rev. John Hudson became a resident minister at Conesus Center in 1815 ; and in 1816, the Methodists organized a society here, and he became their pastor. The records of this church from this date, up to building of the first church in 1887, are now lost. The dedication of their first church, took place the 27th day of that year, under the guidance of James Hemmingway the Presding Elder, and a board of trustees consisting of Thomas Young, Jessie Gray, and Justis Allen. The builders of the church was C. M. Crego and Samuel Mc-Ninch. This church was erected upon the sight of the new church, and was a large square building, and in front of the same was the anteroom, and stairs going from the same to the galleries. Inside of the service room, was with pews on the lower floor, and a gallery above them on three sides of the building, with the center opened, facing the pulpit, which was on the back .end of the house. 11 had a tall square steeple. The same in after years was torned down, and a small bell-tower used in its place.
This building was destroyed by fire, December 30th, 1871 : yet, the origin of the fire has never been discovered. There had been service the evening before, which had lasted until 10 o’clock, and at mid-night, it was discovered to be on fire, by a young man who was spending the evening with a lady friend near by, and gave the alarm, but to late to save the noble structure, from the fate that awaited it.
After the church was destroyed, the society held their meetings in the school-house at Conesus Center, for nearly two years: and then in the basement of the Universalist church, at that place. In the Summer of 1876, they built the New Church, which was dedicated86
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
November 15th, of that year. This church is situated upon the street leading into the village from the north. It has a basement, and the service room is above the same, with a anteroom as you enter the building. The architect and builder, was Rev, Marean—a Baptist minister —of South Livonia. The board of trustees consisted of David Coleman, Samuel Maring, William L. Perrin, Orville Chapin, and Daniel Trescott. The structure cost the society $4,000, which was raised by public subscription, of which a large portion of the same was donated by members of other denominations.
* In 1880 or‘81, there was an attempt, by some miscreant, to destroy this noble edifice, by setting the same on fire. This evening there had been an entertainment at the Universalist church, and a young man, who had attended the same, had left his horse hitched under the sheds of this society, and about 11 o’clock that night, when he went to get his horse to go home, he discovered fire breaking out through the clapboards on the gable end, upon the back side, and immediately gave a alarm, which was quickly responded to by several other persons and with their aid, succeeded in extinguishing the fire and save the church, which if it had not been for the timely discovery, it would have been beyond their control. On entering the building, they found a tallow candle set in a wooden block, and around the bottom, there had been rags dipped in kerosene, and rapped a short distance from the blaze, so it would give ample time for the incendiary to make his escape, before the burning of the building. After the fire had been extinguished, they found the candle as described, which had been placed in the garrett, where it had been consumed, and the smoking rags found around the same. The damage to the church, was but little, except a few burn ted clapboards on one end.
This society is now in a prospering conditie* under the pastorship of Rev. Arther Newton, and the regular service hour, is held at 11 o’clock, A. M., each Sunday.
The following ministers has been in charge of the society since 1836, namely;—
1st.	E. Thomas, Year of 1836.		
2nd.	Jacob Scott,	a	1837.
3d.	William Jones,	a	1838.
4th.	Garlos Gould,	«	1839.
5th.	Chandler Wheeler,	a	1840.
6th.	Shelden Doolittle,	a	1841.
7th.	C. L. Brown,	«	1842.
8th.	Wesley Cochrane,	a	1843.
9 th.	John Wiley,	u	1844.
10th.	E. O. Hall,	a	1845.
11th.	George Wilkeson,	a	1846.
12th.	Theodore McElhaney,	a	1847-8-9.
13th.	Hiram Sanford,	a	1820.
14th.	Veranus Brownett,	u	1851-2.
15th.	Z. L. Buck,	a	1853.
16th.	W. M. Haskell,	a	1854.
17th.	James Dodge,	u	1855.
18th.	Samuel McGurald,	66	1856.
19th.	Otis B. Weaver,	a	1857.
20th.	Myron DePuy,	u	1858.
21st.	Isaac McMahon,	u	1859-60.
22nd.	James Knapp,	u	1861.
23d.	L. J. Rodgers,	u	1861-2-8
24th.	E. Lattimer,	66	1864.
25th.	Robert E. Hancock,	66	1865.
26th.	John Parker,	66	1866-7.
27th.	D. Hutchins, )		
28 th.	-	Blakesley, J	66	1868.
29th.	T. J. O. Wooden,	66	1869-70.
30th.	G. J. Duboise,	66	1871-2
31st.	J. Duncan,	66	1873.
32nd.	J. W. Blanchard,	66	1874.
33d.	A. M. Bancroft,	66	1875.
34th.	Robert T. Hancock,	66	1876.
35th.	J. D. Recqua,	66	1876-7.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
87
36th.	J. W. Barnet,	«	1877-8.
37 th.	Porter McKinstrey,	a	1879.
38th.	A. E. Tanner,	u	1880.
39th.		Hawkens,	a	1881.
40 th.	A. J. Abbott,	u	1882-83.
41st.		Cowmans	u	1884.
442th.	Arther M. Newton,	a	1885-6.
The following is a list of the Officers, Teachers, and Scholars, of the Methodist Sunday School, January 1st, 1886. This school was organized October 1st, 1885, and is held at the church of the society, every Sabbath after the day service, and is in a prospering condition.
Officers.
Rev. A. M. Newton, Superintendant. Rancehann Gray, Assistant Superintendant. Miss. Roma Gray, Librarian.
44 Grace Losey, Assistant Librarian. Daniel Trescott, Secretary.
Mrs. Clara Darrow, Treasurer.
Class A., Rancehann Gray, Teacher. (Bible Class,)
James Patterson. William* Whiteman. Roy Coleman.
Mrs. Clara Darrow. 44 David Coleman
Mrs. Jane Northrup.
44 Win. Whiteman. 44 James Patterson. 44 Frank Mann.
44 Alice Fox.
Class B., Mrs. —:— Losey, Teacher. Sally Ingelow.	Arvilla Brown.
Kate 44	Matie Gray.
Alice Dean.	Nellie 44
Class C., Mrs. Oscar Chapin, Teacher. Velma Chapin.	Bert Mann.
Elmer Orr.	Charles Magee.
Charles McMillin.	Jessie Gray.
Katie Gray.
Class D., Miss. Grace Losey, Teacher. Mary Jacobs.	Luke Jacobs.
Nettie Orr.	Grace Darrow.
Mattie Fox.	2 Patterson Girls.
The First Universalist Church.
In 1835, there was a large number of Universal! sts in town, who had no place of worship. On the 19th of December, they formed themselves into a society, to be known and called the 44 First Universalist Society of Co-nesus.” Among the members of this organization, was Joshua and H. J. Huntington, Gardner Arnold, Hosea Gilbert, Davenport Alger, Alexander Patterson, Enoch Wilcox, Robert Baylas, Solomon Hitchcock, Timothy Degraw, Lewis Clark, David Gilbert, Samuel Buckley, Abial Stevens, Hiram Boyd, Darias Morris, Jarvis Beach, who subscribed liberal toward the society.
Soon after the forming of the organization, they at once commenced the building of a church at Union Corners, which was completed in 1836.
The old building—after standing the storms of fifty years—is still to be seen to-day standing at the head of the street, leading into the village from Foots Corners, in a dilapidated condition. This church has been the scene of many large congregations, who so often in the past has assembled for worship. Those days are now past; and to day it stands with its wooden pews and galleries around the building, like some lonely sentinel, who had been deserted by all of his comrades, and left to perish.
Among its venerable Pastors of the years gone by, we find upon the roll, the names of Rev. O. Roberts, Thompson, O. II. Clark, J. Sage, J. Dobson, who pored forth their eloquence within its walls. To-day, there is no service held here, and the prosperous Sunday School, under the guidance of that venerable88
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
worker, Mrs. L. B. Annis, has been moved to the new church, at Conesus Center.
The Second Universalist Church.
In the year of 18(18, Gardner Arnold died, and bequeathed property toward the erection of a new church, to be situated at Conesus Center. Under this arrangement, the first society became divided, and part went and joined the new church, and part remained with the old. This division, has proved almost the destruction of both societies; as at this church there are but few in attendance at Sunday service, while at the other, there is none, of what was once a large and prosperous society.
The church was erected by the new society in 1878, and was dedicated by Rev. W. B. Randolh in 1874. it is a large square building, of two story in bight, the upper one being used for the service room, and the lower story or basement, for donations or church festivals. The church is situated upon the street leading into the village from the north, and upon the sight of the Conesus hotel, that was burned on the eventful night, of August 2(), 187 ■.
The first pastor of the church, was Rev. G. W. Montgomery, who presided for three years; then Rev. Baker for one year more; then Rev. Nelson Shnell for another year; then Rev. John C. Mclnerney, who came in 1880, and presided for two years. He was followed by Rev. Shnell in 1885, who is now the present pastor, and holds service here every other Sunday. At this church, they have a re-organized Sunday School, (the first school was organized in the old church May 24, 1808, with O. W. Morris and Mrs. L. R. Annis as Superintend-ants and fifteen scholars,) and the following are a list of the Officers, Teachers and Scholars. This re-organziation took place, May 24, 1885 and holds its session every Sunday.
Officers.
Mrs. L. B. Annis, Supt.
“ I. Havens Thomas, Asst. Supt.
“ John Me Vicar, Sect. & Treas.
Miss. Romilla Gray, Librarian.
Class A., Mrs. George F. Coe, Teacher. (Bible Class.)
Mrs. John Webster. Miss. Jennie Allen. “	Stephen E. Sherwood. “	Frank Doud.
“	Edward Cole.	“	Kittie Alger.
a	George Jerome.	“	 Barber.
u	Lucius Doud.	“	Kate Ingelow.
Edward Cole.
Class B., Mrs. Ed\ Miss Phillie Leonard.
“ Minnie Degraw.
“ Lucy A1 verson.
“ Blanche Bailey.
Class C., Frank P. Frank Ingelow.
Johnie McArthur.
J. Adams Clark.
Charlie Bently.
Charles Jewell.
dn Brown,Teacher. Miss Grace, Clark.
“ Matie Boyd.
1,4 Hallie Kuder. 44 Lena Purkee.
Shafer, Teacher.
Lewis Cole. John Durkee. Welton Jewell. Seward Durkee.
Class I)., Mrs. Havens Thomas, Teacher. Miss Marion Ingelow.	Miss Belle Thomas.
44 Aggie Sommers. 44 Alice Wester.
44 Hattie Durkee.
Class E., Miss Rilla Degraw, Teacher.
Fred. Sommers.
Charles Follet.
Charlie Sommers.
Fred. A1 verson.
Ashe Durkee.
Bertie Mann.
Class F. Miss Villa Lula Morris.
Daisy Durkee.
Charlie Follet. Orange Green. Harry Follet. Hooker Griswold. Walter Ingelow.
Brown, Teacher.
Matilda Clark. Annie Franks.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
89
Class G., Miss Carrie Sommers, Teacher.
George Webster. Georgie Franks.
Ashley Cole. Victor H. Boyd. Johnnie Franks. Ernest Cole. Lester Durkee.
D. A. Reeves. Willie Durkee.
Class H., Mrs. Hellen R. Shafer, Teacher. Aggie Clark.	Cora Robbins.
Hellen Durkee.	Erma M. Shafer.
Onolee E. Shafer.
St. William’s Catholic Church.
The Church edifice of this society, was erected through the Summer of 1876, and finished on the 25t.h of November of that year, through the energy of Rev. Father Seymour, then pastor of St. Michael church, at Livonia Center, and from that place he held service in Conesus: once in three or four weeks. Previous to the building of the church, the Catholics had no regular place for holding service, until the school-house was opened to them by the trustees at Conesus Center.
The church erected by this society, is a neat edifice, situated on the top of a hill, in the eastern part of the village, and is finely situated so as to overlook the same. The grounds was first purchased by William Agan, a member of the society, of whom much is due for his untiring energy in procuring a place of worship; he was assisted by many Non-Catholics of the town, who contributed liberally toward the society. The membership numbers about twenty families. Among them are those of Con. Mc-Ginty, Patrick Ryan, Barney Lawn, William Dunn, Martin Burrigan, Thomas Griffin, James Conlon, William Agan, Thomas Finigan.
The first minister was father Seymour, who presided here from 1875, to 1876; then Father Murphy from 1876 to 1888; then Father
Hendrick. Service is now held every third Sunday at 9 o’clock, A. M.
These three societies, are the only societies that have churches in the town. Among the denominations having no churches, are the Millerites, Spiritualists and-Baptists, who has held services in some of the churches or school-houses. The former at one time had a large number of members, and in their belief on a certain day they would all leave the earth and enter heaven bodily. Several times this day has been set; and on one occasion, the members had their robes made for the ascension, and at the appointed time enrobed themselves fo the occasion. But “ Gabriel failed to blow the horn,” to their bitter disappointment. Late years, they ceased to be known as a society.
The Spiritualists at one time were quite numerous, and several of their noted speakers, as Dr. Sprague, Mrs. Allen and Dutton &c., held services in the old Universalist church. But the death of Miss Bonner of Avon, caused some to discard that belief. To-day they are still some strong believers, who at one time attended the Universalist meetings when they did not have any meetings of their own.
There are also a number of what is known and called the u Shouting Methodists,” in the south part of the town, who was at one time under the guidance of Rev. Stanton, Daniel Foster and Elder Peck. They held their services in the basement of the New Universalist church, and in school-houses in the town.
The Baptists has several members in the southern part of the town, who attend services at Scottsburgh. The two last named societies to-day have no organized society here; although at one time the members of the former were quite numerous, and increased in numbers vary rapidly. To-day many of them has become members of the Methodist church.CHAPTER XII.
Schools and School §gi8trii[fa of the j^own. Sc.
gEARLY twenty long years rolled a-way after the first settlement of the town, before the pioneers realized the necessity of preparing a school to educate their young, that they might grow up to manhood and womanhood, and be leading men and women, in the society that would in the future surround them.
The first school of this kind was commenced and taught in the northern part of Conesus by Miss Polly Howe, in a little log school-house, situated in the “ little orchard ” of the late John D. Alger, north of his late residence. This school was kept in the winter of 1810. The next summer Miss Howe changed her name by marriage, to that of Mrs. Joshua Gills.
This school was soon after moved from here to lot No. 183. now owned by Ezra W. Clark. The school-house—-which was a log building— stood upon the old road, leading from Foots Corners to Turkey Hill, and about one hundred rods north-east of the present residence of E. W. Clark, in what is now his pasture lot. The foundation stones, of the old wooden or stone chimney are plainly to be seen to-day; and that is all that is left to mark the spot where the birch rod, taught the pupil how to
shoot. This log school-house a few years afterwards was moved to the sight of the present school-house in District No. 1.
Before this date, the different schools in the town, were kept at private, or at log school-houses, regardless of districts, until the first organization in 1820. At one time there was no less than fifteen school districts in the town • but at the present day they have dwindled down to nine as follows:—
District No. 1. The school-house of this district is situated in the northern part of the town on lot No. 24, and a little north of Foots Corners. This district was first organized by James King, Andrew Arnold and Benjamin C. Whitney as commissioners of schools, March 19th 1823. At this time, there was a log school-house (which we have already mentioned), stood on the lands now owned by E. W. Clark. On the 29th of December, 1829, the present sight was bought, and the next year the old log school-house were moved upon it, and in a few years afterwards torn down, and the red school-house built. This was succeeded by the present one in 1869.
While building the present school-house, there transpired one of the most singular inci-
90THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
91
dent, that was ever kiiown to have taken place in the town. This took place on the 22nd day of September in 1869. The contractor (A. Keys) had several young men employd upon the same, who was very fond of hunting, shooting at the mark &c. South-east of the building was a lot owned by Mr. Franklin Foot, and nearly across it was a small rise of ground or knoll, with a hollow beyond it. Upon this rise of ground, there was several woodchucks, that had made this grounds their habitation, and through the day would come out to feed. These woodchucks was an eye-sore for the boys, and they long to try their skill as marksmen, in shooting at them.
So one day they brought a rifle, and in the forenoon they shot several times at intervals at the woodchucks, and as it seemed to them without success, as each time the woodchuck would disappear into their holes in the ground.
In the afternoon some of them happened to go over the rise of ground, and there to their surprise, found a two years old steer of Mr. Foot lying in a little hollow in the ground with a bullet-hole through its head. It seems that the steer as he was lying in the hollow, had been in a direct line of the woodchuck, yet so low in the hollow, as to be unnoticable to the marksman.
This discovery caused a commotion among the boys or workmen, as they all felt that Mr. Foot would be vexed at them for shooting on his lands without permission. But Providence had paved them a way out of trouble, and allow them to correct their wrongs. This day Mr. Foot had gone, to Cohocton on his wedding day, and was to return the next day, on an evening train. The boys of the neighborhood had made arrangements to give him on his return a reception as it is termed, “ a mid-night serenade.”
As soon as this accident had happened, Mr, S. Thorpe—a personal friend of Mr. Foot,— saw that it would be better for all parties to have an immediate settlement, called upon his friend soon after his arrival, and explained how matters stood, and soon effected a settlement; which was the payment of a reasonable sum to Mr. Foot for the steer, and the postponement of the “ mid-night serenade.”
District No. 2. This district is situated at the head of Conesus lake, upon lot No. 50, and called the “ McMillen” district, on the account of the school-house being surrounded by lands owned by R. F. and B. F. McMillen. The district was organized by School Commissioners Andrew xArnold, James King and Benjamin C. Whitney, March 17th, 1823. A few years ago the district repaired the school-house, and is now in a prospering condition.
District No. 3. This district is known as the Calabogue district, and is situated in the southern part of the town, and the house is upon lot No. 83. It was organized March 17th, 1823, under the direction of Andrew Arnold, James King and Benjamin 0. Whitney as Com-missoners. The school is quite small, to what it once was.
District No. 4. Known as the Conesus Center district, and was organized under the direction of Andrew Arnold, James King and Benjamin C. Whitney as Commissioners March 17th, 1823. The first school-house, was a red house with two departments—one for the advanced scholars, and the other a juvenile department,-—and was situated upon lot No. 52, a little north of the Methodist church, on lands that is now a part of the Conesus Center cemetery.
Through the winter of 1869-70, the district after a series of meetings, resolved to change the sight and build a new school-house. After92
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
having several sights in view, they at last selected one on the street leading from the Center to the Depot, and at once contracted with A. Keys to build them a house, which was finished that Summer. The building is ^ two story in bight, the upper being used for the small scholars, and the lower for advanced classes. This district, is the only district in the town, that has two teachers. They are also the only district in the town that has a school-bell.
District No. 5. This district is situated in the western part of the town, and the school -house stands upon lot No. 98, and is often called the “Guldner” district. It was organized under the direction of James King, Andrew Arnold and Beinjarnin C. Whitney as Commissioners, March 17th, 1823. The school-house is in good condition, and the school is prospering.
District No. (>. This district is in the eastern part of the town, and the school-house is on lot No. 38, and is often called the “Webster” district. This district was organized under the directions of Jessie McMillin and Erastus Wilcox as Commissioners, January 21 th, 1821. This school is not large, and the school-house is small.
District No. 7. This district is known as the “ Pine Wood’s ” district, in the south-east part of the town. The school-house is situated upon lot No. 131, and was organized under the direction of Jessie McMillin and Erastus Wilcox, as Commissioners, January 21st, 1821. The district has a good school-house, and is in a flourishing condition.
District No. 8. This is a “joint district,” part of it is in Livonia, and a part in Conesus, and is often called the “ Hart ” district. The school-house is an old one, and is situated upon lot No. 3, of this town. The district was organized by Andrew Arnold, James King and Benjamin C. Whitney, as Commissioners, March 17th, 1823 The school is in a good condition.
District No. 9. Sometimes ^called the “South Webster” district, and is situated in the south part of the town, with the school-house upon lot No. 138. Is was organized under the direction of Eli Steadman and Erastus Wilcox, as Commissioners, November 30th, 1820. The school-house is an old one, and the school is small.
The other seven districts that once exsisted in the town, has been added to the above nine.CHAPTER XIII.
Cemeteries and Epidemics of the Cown- &c-
.^|^^ONESUS, at the present day has four xlefSi Cemeteries named Union, Oonesus, ^0Iiesu,s Center and Arnold Cemetery.
'•f** The oldest, no doubt is the Union Cemetery, which in former years was called the “McKay Burial Grounds,” and is situated in the south-west part of the town, upon lot No. 108, and about three-fourths of a mile north of the village of Scottsburgh. The first person buried here, we have no record, but without doubt it was Elizabeth Collar, whose immortal remains was laid to rest in the year 1801, being the first white person we have any record of, that died in the town. If she is not buried here, her grave must be lost, as it was the custom of many to bury their dead at different places in the forests.
To-day we find that there has been four places of this kind in the town, that is now overturned by the white man’s plow. One of these places, is situated in the woods of William Gray south of Conesus Center, a little east of his farm barns and close to the fence on the south side of the road leading to Webster’s Crossing. At this place is the graves of several persons, which were buried here about 1806 or ‘10, by the name of Griffin.
The next place is a little east of the residence of Ezra Gray, north of Conesus Center, known as the family burial place of the Y oung’s family. Some of these graves was in the late years moved to Geneseo. The grounds is now plowed over, and the remaining graves lost.
Another place is near the residence are Mrs. John Jewell in the eastern part of the town, of which we have no record of.
The fourth place is situated upon the top* of the hill east of the residence of Hiram McNinch at Foot’s Corners, upon lands now owned by Franklin Foot. This burial place consists of several graves—mostly of children—who was buried here many years ago. The graves are now lost, and the ground is plowed over and tilled as agricultural grounds.
Union Cemetery.
The Union Cemetery—formly called McKay Burial Grounds—is suposed to have been given to the public, by Mrs. Rebecca Scott, an heir of John Bowers one of the original land owners, for that purpose. The land was under no incorporated society, until May 4th, 1878, when Jacob Bean, Samuel Buskirk, William C. Morris, William Wilber, William Magee, 9394
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
John C. Campbell, Henry Bean, Hugh Magee, J. J. G-ray, Janies McNinch, W. F. Barnes, Maron Cole, Orrin Hubbard, Jehiel Alger, Samuel Foster, D. H. Foster, Franklin Traxler, Ralph Foster, Elihu Hedges, Leonard Millin and A. B. Pickle, formed an Association to be called as above.
The first Trustees of the Association were Jacob Bean, Henry N. Bean, James C. McNinch, William Morris, D. H. Foster and P. H. Conklin, and the annual meeting is held on the 2nd Saturday of April, each year.
Soon after the organization was effected, they commenced to improve the grounds by enlarging them, and building a suitable fence —with an arched gate-way— around to protect them, and also other improvements, so as to render it a fine spot for the last resting place of the dead.
The first person buried here, we have no record ; but as we have stated, we believe it to be that of Elizabeth Collar, who died in 1801. In this cemetery, rests the last of the remains of Daniel Shays, the noted leader of the famous rebellion of 1786, known as “Shay’s Insurrection.” This old man we will speak more of in the future.
Conesus Cemetery.
Conesus Cemetery—formerly known as the Alger or Boyd Burying Grounds—is situated in the northern part of Conesus, upon lot No. 3. This land was originally given by Mrs. Rebecca Scott, and consisted of nearly three-fourths of an acre, and is pleasently situated, and will be a fine burial place when the society finishes the improvements they are now engaged in.
The first burial here was the daughter of Davenport and Mary Alger, aged one year and eleven months, August 2nd, 1810. At the
time of the death of this child, there was no burial place nearer than Scottsburgh or Livonia Center, and not having conveyances and roads as they have them of the present day, Mr. Alger went forth into the forests, and selected this spot, which was covered with “oak openings,” and directed the under-brush to be cleared off a small piece of ground, to bury the idle of his heart. A short time afterwards, was borne to this spot, the remains of Gilbert, Moore and Lewis, to be laid beside of the little one, that had gone before them.
The cemetery from that time until 1865, increased rapidly to nearly three hundred persons. In that year, under the energy of Mr. Hiram Boyd, who raised a subscription, and with the proceeds had the yard cleaned out' and alleys cut between the lots. The cemetery remained undisturbed except for burials, until June 14th, 1884, when Franklin Foot, John I). Morris, Jotham Clark Jr., Alfred Sliker, William P. Bovd, Romeyn W. Cole, Eugene Cole, Edward P. Clark and Ira Foot, met and formed an Association to be kuown and called the “Conesus Cemetery Association,” and the Trustees to be Jotham Clark Jr., Franklin Foot, William P. Boyd, John D. Morris, Romeyn W. Cole and Alfred Sliker, of whom the board made Jotham Clark Jr., Pres.; Franklin Foot, Vice Pres.; William P. Boyd, Treas.; Romeyne W. Cole, Sect., being the first Officers of the Association.
At the town meeting in the spring of 1885, the town voted to give the society a deed, which was properly done, and the society at once began to improve the grounds, first enlarged the same by buying on the north, east and west sides, fifty-three square rods, and putting a new fence around the same. This summer they will complete other improvements, to make the same, a fine burial place as any in the town.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
95
Conesus Center Cemetery.
This Cemetery is situated in the northern part of the village of Conesus Center, and on lot No. 52. At first it contained about one acre of land, but in 1871, the old school-house sight that laid south of it, was abandoned for school purposes, it was added to the "cemetery, making the same nearly an acre and one-half in size. The cemetery lies north of the Methodist church, and on the highest point in the village. The first burial here, we have no record, but must have been about the year of 1825 or 430. This cemetery is under no incorporated association; yet we find upon the town book, a vote taken at the town-meeting, March 4th, 1873, as follows ;—	“ That David Coleman,
B. F. McMillen, Henry C. Coe, L. B. Richardson and Andrew Arnold be elected trustees of the Old Cemetery grounds at Conesus Center.” The cemetery is highly indebted to the perseverance of Andrew Arnold in raising funds to keep the same in repair; and to-day its looks, shows the necessary care of that benevolent man.
ARNOLD Ce M KTERY.
This Cemetery is situated in the eastern part of the village of Conesus Center, and on lot No. 53. The land was donated for the same by Gardner Arnold in 1874, and reserved by him until his death for this purpose. It contains about two and one-half acres of land, and is rapidly being filled up with graves.
The first organization was formed January 23d, 1874, and Solomon Hitchcock, Henry S. Gilbert, Alanson B. Annis, William H. Mills, Granger Griswold anddDaniel Wilder were e-lected as trustees, and this board Selected from among its number for their officers, Solomon Hitchcock, Pres; Henry S?Gilbert, Vice Presf Alanson Annis, Sec.; William H. Mills, Treas.
Epidemics.
The town has been visited by several epidemics in the past years, in the shape of the small-pox, scarlet-fever, diphtheria Etc., and some of them proved quite fatal.
One of the most exciting times, was in the year of 1847-<48: it was in the winter time, and the small-pox broke out at Foot’s Corners, and a large number of persons became exposed and many cases, yet only one proved fatal. This was Martha Smith, who died February 20th, 1848.
This disease was brought here by two Miss Nortons, who had been to Vermont on a visit, and on there way back, when near Palmyra, there happened to be a railroad accident, and they were obliged to resume the rest of the way to Rochester in a Packet-boat, and upon this boat was a man who had the sinall-pox, and from him they took it unknown to them.
The family of Smiths—who was in moderate circumstances—lived in an old house that, stood upon the sight of the present residence of Hiram McNinch, and Mrs. Smith went to the home of Mr. Norton,—who lived in the u old red-house” now owned by Franklin Foot—and borrowed their washing-machine unknown to his family, and from the same took the disease.
In this state of excitement, she without doubt did not have proper care, although the neighbors did all they could for them, except their going into the house, and would carry food and set it at their door, and when they were gone, it was taken in by the family.
She died just at night, and Seymour Norton and Foster Foot, worked all night in making her a burial-casket, “ as good as farmer men could make.” She was then borne to the grave without any minister to say u farewell.”
There were about twenty persons exposed96
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
and taken down with the disease, yet they all recovered. Once or twice since, the same disease appeared in the town, but to no extent.
The next was the frightful scarlet-fever. It was in February of the year of 1845, when it entered the family of Lawrence Sliker, living on the south part of Turkey Hill. In this family it proved fatal; for on the 6th day of that month, two of their children lay corpse in their house at once.
In 1841, it entered the household of Isaac Bearss, and on the 13th, and 15th of January, respectively, two of their loved ones, was swept from their midst. On the 27th of July, and August 3d, 1860, two of Oliver Dean’s child-era with the same disease, bid farewell to this earthly world. There has been several families in the past years, who has lost one child, and some the only one they had.
The next disease was the diphtheria, and more or less of the cases proved fatal. In December of 1863, it entered the family of Elipb-lett. Kelleman at Foot’s Corners, and on the 8t.h and 10th of that month, swept two of his loved ones—Windfield aged four years, and Charlie aged eleven-—to the other world. On the 24th of April and 29th of November of the same year, it carried off two children of Isaac Bearss —Benjamin and Martha, aged respectively 36 and 15 years of age.
Other diseases has been quite prevailing, yet to no serious extent.
Deaths in the Town from 1861 to 1886.
The following is a list of deaths in the town from the year 1861 to 1886, as taken from Diaries kept by Hiram Boyd, and furnished by Frank P. Shafer, from records kept by him. Without doubt they are not complete, and may in some instances vary a day or so in date, but are as complete as I were able to obtain them.
Year of 1861.
February 15th. Mrs. Sheldon Wilcox.
Mach 24th. Ashabel Stephens.
April 22nd. Lester Carroll.
“	“ Pathuel Payne.
June 29th. Frankie Barnes.
August 28th. James Fogarty.
September 21st. George Macomber, Killed. October 17th. Mrs. Colvin Barnes. December 17th. Jasper Erwin.
“	29th. John Ingles.
Year of 1862.
January 8th. James Havens.
“	14th. Mrs. Ellis Carroll.
February 9th. Isaac Kelleman.
March 9th. Rebecca Scott.
“	“ Hannah Bennidict.
“	22nd. Benjamin Bennidict.
“	“	C. Wilder.
“	28th.	Esther Wheaton.
August 3d. Kittie Coe, killed.
December 9th. Mrs. J ohn Hart.
Year of 1863.
January 30th. Jerome Henry.
February 22nd. Lawrence Sliker.
March 3d. Harriet Ingles.
“	24th.	James May.
April 24th. Benjamin Bearss.
May 2nd. Sally McNinch.
“ 22nd. Henry Erwin, Jr.
June 8th. Yance McNinch.
September 22nd.	-----Baker.
October 20th. Mrs. Adaline Snyder. November 13th.	Watson Thomas.
“	27th.	Arron Degraw.
“	29th.	Martha Bearss.
December 3d. Mrs. Chandler Morris.
“	8th. Winfield Kelleman.
“	10th. Charlie Kelleman.
“	13th,	Even Thomas.THE HISTORY OP CONESUS.
97
December 27th. Jacob Collar.
44	29th. Mrs. Edwin Baylass.
Year of 1864.
January 2nd. Mrs. Henry Brown.
44	28th.	-------Lockwood.
February 9th. Child of Franklin Foot. March 11th. Mrs. James McNinch.
44	18th.	44 Austin Woodruff.
May 7th. Dayton Henry.
August 6th. Gustavus Baylass. September 28th. Ellen Johnson.
44	44	Lillie Erwin.
October 2nd. Lawrence Baldwin.
44	80th. Ella Hoes.
November 29th. Barney Kusic. December 1st. Lilly Erwin.
Year of 1865.
February 8th. Edith Ripley.
44	16th. Mrs. Wooster Bearss.
April 9th. Sylvester Morris. Sen.
44	26th. Mrs. Franklin Foot.
Year of 1866.
January 1st. Bean Guldner.
44	10th. Kittie Magee.
April 80th. Elisher Webster.
May 28d. Lucinda Yeomans. December 8th. Frederick Jewell.
Year of 1867.
January 16th. Alexander Patterson. February 8th. Mrs. Franklin Foot. April 80th. James Qarroll. ,
Year of 1868.
Fabruary 15th.	Mrs. James Dart.
44	16th.	Marshall Morris.
44	25th.	George Henry,
44	44	J. Andrew Wester.
April 2nd. Gardner Arnold.
44	23d. Jane Partridge.
June 14th. Samuel Campbell.
July 2nd. Mrs. John Alger.
44	3d. Child of Charles Homes.
44	31th. Charity Clark.
September 7th. Mrs. Jotham Clark Jr. 44	44 J. Colvin Barnes Jr.
44	llth. Colvin Barnes.
October 28th. Nathaniel Cole Sen.
Year of 1869.
February 4th. James Finigan.
44	13th. Child of Elias Bearss.
June 10th. Arche Alger.
44	26th. Ernest Patterson.
July 29th. Martin Griffin.
August 28th. Georgie Foot.
December 18 th.		Sarah Erwin*
u	26th.	Mrs. Ansel Ginnie.
	Year of 1870.	
February	7th.	Joel Gilbert.
u		Robert Baylass.
u	8 th.	Child of Harrison Pattridge.
u	10 th.	Mrs. William Harder.
u	6(	Jennie Parridge.
tc	llth.	John Matharty.
tc	28th.	Child of Luman Baldwin.
July llth. Mrs. Charles Hitchcock.
44 29th. Thomas Grinnell. October 16th. Theodore Redman. November 3d. Mrs. William Clark. 44	30th. Charlie Lowery.
Year of 1871.
January 7th. Mrs. Jessie Gray.
44	24th. Clament Clark.
.April 21st. Mrs. Myron Ray.
May 17th. Hugh Magee. .
44	29th. Gardner Wood.
July 16th. Mary Griffin, Drowned. 44	22nd.	Pheobe Wilson.
August 4th. Gabriel Sliker.
44 9th. Child of John Ingelow. 44	10th. Nathan Hewitt.98
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
November 10th. John Moffett.
Year of 1872.
January 12th. Sybil Perrin.
February 25th. Andrew Holmes.
March 2nd. William Dunn.
44 5th. Mrs. James Dennison.
44	24th. Nellie Brean.
April 7th. Ethridge Fish.
44	14th. Nathaniel Cole Jr.
44	23d.	Abial Daniels.
May 4th. Levi Moyer.
44 7th. Mrs. Samuel Sliker.
44 44	‘ Seymour Redmond.
44	10th. Child of Jacob Wester.
44	15th.	Mrs. John Spencer.
46	18th.	Florence Webster.
44	44	Horace Hill.
June 11th. William Lawn.
44	14th.	Mrs. Even Thomas.
July 12th. Annie May, Killed.
September 6th. Mrs. Hugh Magee.
44	8th. Child of Nelson Gilbert
November 7th. Alanson Northrope.
Year of 1873.
February 11th. Mrs. Benonia Fosdic.
44	44 Child of Edward Cole.
u	15th. Mrs. Thomas Bell.
44	44	44	Matilda Sliker.
April 21st. Michael Cary, Killed.
44 24th. Mrs. Jessie Gray.
44	28th.	44	Timothy Degraw.
August 24th. Orlando Webster, Drowned. September 8th. David Romig.
44	12th. Edward Holmes.
Year of 1874.
March 26th. Alda Burch.
April 19th. Mrs. Heman Barnes.
May 12th. William Landres.
44	13th. Robert Smyth.
44 14th. Mrs. J. C. Hunt.
June 24th. Ezra Follett.
July 3d. Child of M. V. Jones.
44 6th. Mrs. Ruth Allen.
44 7th. James Webster.
August 4th. Lucius Purchase.
December 10th. Rebecca Berass.
Year of 1875.
January 7th. Mrs. Lewis Carroll.
44	21st.	44 Parmela Jewell.
February 11th. Sally Bearss.
March	5th.	Benona Fosdic.
44	8th.	 Garber.
44	12th.	Mrs. David Partridge.
44	21st.	44 Henry Smith.
44	22nd.	Andrew Arnold.
44	27th.	Gilbert Marsh.
44	29th.	John Jewell.
44	30th.	Mrs. William Magee.
April 4th.	Mrs. Jasper Hendershott.
44	9th.	Ansel Jenny.
May 17th. Mrs Mary Bronson.
44	21st.	44	Johnathan Chapin.
July 26th. Jerry Baldwin.
August 18th. Helen Gray.
November 15th. Mrs. Lawrence Webster,
Year of 1876.
January 2nd. Mrs. Nicolas Pickle. February 2nd.	Jones Scott.
44	7th.	Hugh T. Magee.
44	10th.	Garrett Daniels.
44	13th.	Mrs. Garrett Daniels
March 25th. Fred. Straub Jr.
April — Amos Miller.
June 23d. William Scott, of Scottsburgh. 44	44	Bertie Trescott,
44	44	Estella Jones.
44 29th. Mrs. Elisha Webster.
July 1st. Willie Smith.
44	21st. Mrs. Hannah Barnhart.
September 2nd. Joseph Collar.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
99
“ 7th. Mr3. Nathan Hewitt.
“	14th. “ Nathaniel Dean.
November 24th.	“	Daniel Clark.
December 6th. Archabald Coleman.
“	15th. William Sliker.
“	28th. Mrs. Myron Ray.
Year of 1877.
January 15th. Mrs. Eliphlett Kelleman. February 14th. Sylvester Morris.
“	18th.	Lucy Stevens.
March 2nd. Samuel J. Scott.
“ 7th. William Harder.
“ 8th. Hugh Magee.
“ 9th. Mary Ann Whipple.
“	12th.	Enfield Crego.
“	15th.	Mrs. Sally Clark.
«	30th.	Child of M. V. Jones.
April 28th.	“	“ u “
“	25th. Mrs.---------Richardson.
May 11th. Mrs. John Holmes.
June 4th. Child of M. V. Jones.
“	12th.	Mrs.	Peter Clark.
“	29th.	“	Elisha Webster.
July 10th. Child of Charles Gifford. September 2nd. Joseph Collar.
“ 9th. Ulysses Pickering.
“	14th. Wakeman Cole.
October 4th. Charles Magee.
Year of 1878.
February 2nS. Child of Lewis Taylor. March 2nd. William Dunn.
<c 7th. Mrs-----------Simmons.
“	“	“	Matthew Scott.
April 2nd. Isaac Buskirk.
May 28th. Mrs. William Trescott.
June — Mary Lewis.
August 3d. Isaac Bearss.
November 10th. Aaron Washburn.
“	14th.	William Gray.
December 26th. Mrs. Elizabeth Haynes.
December 28th. Frank Alger.
Year of 1879.
February 28th. Clara West.
August 15th. George Me Vicar, (in Mich.) October 15th. Mary McNinch.
December 3d. Michael Callahan.
Year of 1880.
January 19th. William Holmes, Killed. February 8th.	George Weeks.
u	18th.	Henry Kavanaugh.
“	22nd.	Henry C. Coe.
“	23d.	Mrs. Horace Hill.
“	24th.	James McMillen.
March 14th. Suel Brown.
“	25th.	James Dennison.
“ 30fch. Jacob Barnhart.
April 21st. Geo. Rockefellow, Neb.
May 17th. Mrs. William Harder.
“	“	“	Erastus Knowles.
“	21st. Charles Hitchcock, Jr.
September 14th. Mrs. Henry Smith. November 9th.	George F. Coe.
u	21st.	Celestia Webster.
December 15th. Stephen Gould.
Year of 1881.
January 1st. Tyranus Ripley. u 8th. Myron Ray.
“	12th.	Willie & Tommy Buckley.
“	“	Child	of Corda Trescott.
“	26th.	Willfred Morrell.
February 19th. Charles Kavanaugh.
“	24th.	Sarah Clark.
March 9th. Mrs. Daniel Hoes.
“ 7th. “ Samuel Compton.
“	19th.	Wllliard Bearss.
u 31st. Mrs. Henry Coe.
May 10th. u Jotham Clark.
August 17th. Frank Jerome.
September 7th. Hattie Howitt.
“	28th. Aaron Degraw.100
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
October 8th. Child of Walter Chapin. November 8th. Mrs. William Magee.
“	14th.	“ Gardner Arnold.
“	17th.	Ann Buskirk.
“	24t.h	James Bonner.
Year of 1882.
January 1st. Frank Kinney.
“	23d. Mrs. Nathaniel Cole.
“	26th. David Lewis.
February 6th. Mrs. Sybil Burch.
“	15th.	Alfred Coleman.
March 3d. Rodney Sherwood.
“	18th. Mrs. William Polland.
“	23d.	“	Parsey McNinch.
April 4th. Child of Albert Jerome.
“	17th.	“	“ Allen Coinpton.
May 3d. John Magee.
“	18th. AdaAmer.
August 13th. Philip Conklin.
September 21st. Mrs. Lucy Patterson. December 4th. Ephram Cole.
Year of 1883.
February 7th. Francis Armstrong.
April 15th. Mrs. Isaac Kelleman.
“	18th.	“	Hiram Boyd.
“	23d.	“	Eliza Austin.
May 4th. John D. Alger.
June 2nd. David Partridge.
“	27th. Mrs. Edward P. Clark.
July 16th. Dennis Ratherly.
November 15th. Mrs. Ella Sage. December 1st. D. Thompkins Campbell. “	“ Jessie Calkins.
Year of 1884.
January 2nd. Lewis Carroll.
February 5th. Harriet Ray.
March 14th. Lemuel B. Richardson. May 16th. B. F. Cole.
Year of 1885.
February 1st. Child of Sanford Allen.
“	3d. Chandler Morris.
“	9th. Mrs. Solomon Hitchcock.
“	10th.	“	------Washburn.
“	22nd. “ Albert Acker.
March 6th. Elias Bearss, (in Livonia.)
“	12th. Mrs. Sally Weeks.
April 1st. William Masten.
“	17th. Mrs. William Wiliston.
“	“ Potter Austin.
“	22nd. Child of ------Robinson.
May 7th. “	“ Frank Acker.
June 21st. Dewitt Alger.
July 30th. Hugh Magee.
August 7 th. Mrs. Clarence Bay lass.
September 11th. James Myers, Killed.
“	18th.	Mrs. Homer Jincks.
“	25th.	Samuel Compton, Killed.
October— William Snyder, Killed.
“	25th. George Leonard, (Akrdn 0.)
December 17th. Jacob C. Green.
The names of Jacob Barnhart and Wife, Mr. Landres, Mat. Undergrove and Mrs. Rich, ardson, death we have no record of.
Deaths by Accident.
Since the first settlement of the town, there has been many accidents, causing the death of several persons by drowning, others being killed and some mangled for life. I will give only those under this heading, that ar£ not connected in any other chapter in this book.
Just west of the grist-mill of C. M. Herrick and E. W. Clark at Conesus Center, and on the west bank of the gull as it turns its course toward the lake, can be seen the spot where the ill-fated Hamilton made his famous leap unto death a number of years ago. The rocks at this point are perpendicular, and nearly 70 feet in hight. Hamilton at this time was under the influence of “delirium tremens*” and escaping from his friends, made a quick move-101
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
rnent, and reached this spot before they were aware of his intentions. As soon as they missed him, they rushed to the east bank, and as they saw him, he stood upon the brink of the other with his coat off and swinging his hands over his head, and the next instant he leaped out in the deep abyss, and fell a mangled corpse on the rocks below. He left a wife and several children to mourn his loss.
On the 26th of June 1869, was the death of Ernest Patterson, aged about four years, and a son of Robert Patterson, then living in the northern part of the town. Mr. Patterson had a boy to work for him, and on the evening of this day he was away from home. The boy took a couple of colts out of the stable to lead to the watering-trough in the road on the Gifford place. When in front of Patterson’s residence, the little boy came out and requested to be placed on one of the colts back, as he had done before. The boy thoughtlessly, took up the the little boy and placed him on the colts back, so he could ride to the watering-trough and back. No sooner than the little boy was farely seated the colt began to prance, jump and play and in doing so, threw the boy over his head, and as he struck the ground, the horse stepped on his breast, killing him in an instant.
In the Spring of 1851, Mr. Matthew Allen, living on the east side of the head of the Cone-sus lake swamp,;—upon the place now owned by Daniel Mason,—was in Mount Morris and came across a poor boy by the name of Johnnie Barnurn. The lad’s parents were both dead, and having no relatives here to befriend him, was turned out to a cold world to seek a shelter from some kind friend.
When Mr. Allen saw him, he took pity upon him, and brought him home to live with him. Johnnie was a bright boy, and had a good disposition, and tried to do all he could
to please his kind friends, so that they became deeply attached to him.
On Sunday morning, August 27th of that year, Mr. Allen had some horses running in a pasture lot north of the house, and among them was a mare and colt, which he requested John-nie to ketch and turn into another pasture. Johnnie took the halter and went into tho lot, and up to the mare to catch her, when she suddenly wheeled about and kicked with both hind feet, striking him in the stomach, and knocking him down. This was a fatal blow ; for it ruptured an intestine, and for four days he laid in great misery, until the 81st, when death ended his sufferings and he went home to his maker.
In December of 1865, the citizens of the town was surprised to hear of the accidental shooting of Bean Guldner, in the Head of the Lake swamp. Guldner had been out this day hunting for rabbits, and in stepping over a log in the swamp, his gun was discharged, and he* received the discharge through the muscle of his arm. As soon as he was able after the accident, he managed to get out of the swamp to a straw-stack in the lot below the residence of Havens Thomas—a broth or-in-law on the west side of the swamp,—and there from exhaustion he laid down on the straw. Here Mr. Thomas’ people saw him, and went and assisted him to their house. Guldner lived but a few days ; for the lock-jaw soon set in, and on the 1st of January he breathed his last.
On September 17th, 1880, Charles Mefford —a young man of the town—was out hunting and carrying his gun with the hammer raised, caught his foot on a rail and fell, causing his gun to go off, and he receiving the contents through the muscle of the right arm near the shoulder. So close was the gun, that pieces of his clothes was driven into the arm. No102
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
surgical aid was called until the following day, when it was found that gangrene had set in and amputation was useless, aud the wound could only be wrapped up, and the sufferer left to die.
On Wednesday morning, November 9th, 1880, the sad news was spread over the town, that George F. Coe,-—then Supervisor of the town, and one of the best-known men in the county—had been found dead on the railroad track, near the residence of Barney Lawn, and a short distance from his home. Mr. Coe had returned from Geneseo the evening before, where he had been attending the Board of Supervisors, the members had the day before chosen him Chairman. On alighting from train No. 16., which arrived at the Conesus Center Depot about 9 o’clock p. in., he started down the track for his residence, which was about three-fourths of a mile from the depot. This was the last that was seen of him while he was living. His lifeless body was found the next morning about 6 o’clock, on the east side of the track, face upwards, and the head within a couple feet of the rails. Mr. Coe had for some time been troubled with the heart disease, and it was supposed while walking on the track he was overcome by pain and faintness, but had the presence of mind to sit down at one side to avoid train No. 1., which was then soon due. His hat was on his head, and death probably came without a struggle, and without any one to soothe his dying head.
On the 16th day of July, 1871, Thomas Griffin and wife, were visiting at James Conlon’s on the road leading from Conesus Center to the depot. They had a young daughter four years of age with them, who was to play with the other children, and unknown to them, she went to a cistern on the outside of the house, where she raised the cover and looked in, and in doing so, tipped in, and before she could be rescued,
was drowned.
On January 19th, 1880, William Holmes an old gentleman of sixty years or more of age, and living in the north-east part of the town, went into a gull to cut some wood. He cut down a tree that stood upon the bank of the gull which fell lengthway of the same, and then cut off a log ten or twelve feet in length, and after cutting the same, and in some way he fell and the log rolled on him, and when he was found the log lay across his breast, and they found him dead.
September 11th, 1885, found James Myers and his son Bert, on the “ Old Patterson ” place in the northern part of Conesus, employed in drawing manure from his barn upon a lot west of it. The son was loading, and the father drove the team, using two wagons. After dinner, they went out to resume work: James hitched his team on and drove out toward the lot. After leaving his son, two of his old neighbors from Pittsford drove up to where his son was, and inquired for him. The son told them that his father had gone out with a load, and would soon be back. They by stepping one side a little, could see oyer the lot, and they saw his team standing and James lying on the ground. They at once went to him, and found a dung-fork in one hand, and the lines in the other, dead. He had fallen from the wagon and broken his neck.
On the 25th of September of the same year, Samuel Compton met a terrible death on the Marrowback hills, that filled many hearts with horror. He was assisting one of his neighbors in threshing grain, and was employed in cutting bands on the table of the machine. He had been kneeling on his knees,—being an aged man and without his limbs had become numb from his sitting position,—rose to his feet, and at that moment a couple of ladies happened to103
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
go along the road, he turned part way around to see who they were, and in doing so, slipped and fell with one foot into the cylinder, and in an instant, it ground his leg up to the hip. Poor Samuel had but one moment for reflection, and within that time, made two desperate attempts to free himself from his doom, and in the last one he was successful, and drew his mangled leg out of the machine, and laid on the the edge of the feed-board, and in a pitiful tone exclaimed: “ Boys, take me down, my leg is gone” He lived but a few hours, in great agony.	^
In October of the same year, William Snyder, who was picking apples on a ladder in the south part of the town, slipped in some manner, fell and broke his neck and died in an instant.	'
On August 3d, 1862, was the death of Kitty Coe, a young daughter of Amos D. Coe. Her father had drove his horse hitched to a carriage up to his door at Conesus Center, and placed her and a little brother in the buggy, and went in the house on and errand leaving the horse unhitched. In het absence of Mr. Coe, the horse started, turned short around, tipped the buggy over, and killed her and hurt the little boy .She was about four years of age.
On the 24th day of August, 1873, Orlando D. Webster—then living in the south part of the town—went to Conesus lake fishing. In some manner the boat became upset and threw him out in the lake, and he became entangled in his fish-lines, and drowned before help could reach him. He left a small family to mourn his loss.CHAPTER XIV.
.^MgHAT has been the storms that have Passed over the town of Conesus be-fore the whiteman came here to ^ live, we have no way of knowing. In years since they have been mild, and often are driven off the northern part of the town, by the two lakes. Most of the storms come from the west or south-west; but sometimes from the north or north-east, and when they come from the latter point, are generally very severe, lasting many times, several days. In the Winter, the snow often falls from eight inches to two feet deep, and has been known to have reached the depth of three feet on the level.
March 16th, 1870, was one of these great storms. It commenced snowing on the night of the 15th, and continued to do so in full force until the night of this day, which was found to have reached the depth of three feet on the level. Traveling by railroad and private conveyances had for several days, to be suspended.
In the fall of 1835 the town was visited by the most destructive flood known since its settlement by the whiteman. A dark, heavy cloud arose in the west and as it extended over the town poured out the rain in torrents. The heaviest of the storm cloud passed over the
southern portion of the town, and when it had reached the Calabogue Hollow it burst forth in full force, filling all the small ravines with rushing waters, that soon covered the flats below until they resembled a mighty river carrying everything before it to destruction in its course to the Conesus lake. The theory of many persons in regard to this destructive storm, was that a cloud broke as it was passing over the town.
When it reached the gull back of the gristmill, being so narrow for such a volume of water, that in one half hour, it was completely filled by the angry waters, which on reaching the McMillan flats, spread out and carried everything in its course into the lake. Trees and fences were like so many straws, and people living upon the flats had to flee to the hills for safety, some of them barely escaping with their lives. At this time, there was a family living upon the road leading across the flats, by the name of Wright. As Mrs. Wright was standing at the door of her house, looking out upon the foaming waters, she saw a feather bed come swimming down fbe stream, and enter her dooryard. She succeeded in securing it. 15ut where it came from v * never ascertained, al-
104THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
105
though it was exstensively advertised.
Upon the eastern bank of the gully, about twenty rods north of the present gristmill stood the old millright building, one end resting upon posts next to the gully, and the east end upon the bank, and used by Bell & Hedges—mill-rights—and in the same they had a number of valuable tools. When the water had risen almost up to the building and threatened to carry it from its foundation, they rushed in and carried each of them out an armfull. As they were returning for the second one, they were warned by their friends, that if they did so, it would be at the peril of their lives; but they heeded them not. As one of them was about to step from the building the second time, their friends saw an old Ashery building that used to stand where the Coleman’s saw-mill stood, come floating down the stream, and as it struck the building, they called to them to save themselves, but it was too late, for the next moment they saw the building fall, and was soon swallowed up by the rushing waters, carrying the two human beings to a watery grave. The body of Bell was found the next day a short distance from the scene of the disaster, but the body of Hedges was not found until the next July. It was discovered by some workmen who was employed with teams removing a pile of flood wood near the residence of McMillan brothers at the head of the Conesus lake, under a large log at the bottom of the pile.
The citizens of the town, as soon as the flood had subsided, turned out in large numbers and made what they thought to be a thorough search, but failed to find him, and many thought until his body was found that it had been washed into and sunk amongst the sand of the lake. The body when found was in a bad state of decomposition, having laid nine months in the water, which rendered it very difficult to
give it a decent burial. This was the largest flood ever known here.
The first day of June 1829, will long be remembered as the day of the death of Adaline Cobb, who was residing with her parents in the south part of the town. It was upon a Sabbath afternoon, and Miss Cobb had received a call from a friend—Mr. Benjamin Griswold. As the hours of the evening progressed, they took seats near each other, directly beneath a crosscut saw that had been laid or fastened to the floor-beams of the log house over their heads. While sitting here chatting to each other, there arose in the west a terrific thunder-storm, and passed over the town, sending forth its firey bolts of destruction, and shaking the ground in all directions with the explosion of its powerful elements.
While in the midst of the storm Mr. Griswold asked the lady if she was ever frightened by lightening. She quickly replied, “ never! ” These words had’nt more than passed from her mouth, when there came a sharp flash and a terrific report, and in an instant a bolt struck the house, passing down upon the saw and dropping from the same upon the young lady’s head, and then down her body, killing her in an instant. At the same time a second bolt struck Mr. Griswold, ran down his body and one leg, tearing his boot-leg open, passing through the center of the boot-heel, leaving a round hole about the size of a common rifle bullet and knocking him senseless, but in a few hours he recovered.
Miss Cobb—it is said—was a young lady highly respected by all who knew her. At the time of her death she was about eighteen years of age. The next day, Rev. Sylvester Morris when alive informed me, he carried the sad news on horseback, to her friends at Henrietta, N. Y.106
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
It seems that Mr. Griswold was fated by the heavenly elements; for it was not long afterwards, that one day on the approach of a thunder-storm, he went in a small corn-house for shelter. He had not been there long before a bolt struck one corner, knocking one end of the crib into slivers. He escaped unharmed.
The ,12th of July, 187*2, is a day that 1 will long remember. Several other men and myself were engaged at work in a harvest field, not far from the residence of James Alger, and on lands owned by my father. While we were at work, we heard a roaring noise above our heads, and on looking up, we saw a large cloud with a white border and a dark center about five-hundred feet above us, rolling and tumbling in an angry manner, and n oving rapidly from the north-west to the south-east. Little did we dream at the time, that this was a cyclone in full blast, and ready to destroy all the worldly things that came in its path.
Upon this day, Mrs. John Daniels and children, with a young daughter of Mr. D. May, were out berrying upon the farm of Mr. Carpenter, upon the south part of the Marrowback hills. When they saw the storm coming, they sought refiilge in a barn of this gentleman for shelter. They had no sooner than entered it, when the whirling element struck it, and like so many straws, tore it to pieces, burying its living contents beneath it. As soon as the catastrophy transpired, some men who happened to be near by, hastened to the scene, and released the living. Of this little company, Mrs. Daniels was badly hurt, and the little daughter of Mr. May was soon found with a large stick of timber lying across her, dead. The others were more or less bruised, but were saved from the falling timbers, as the barn stood on a wall, which kept the timbers off from them. So the little company that went forth in the
morning with joy, returned to their homes in sorrow.
One of the most severe snow storms that visited the town took place on the 1.6th and 17th of April, 1817, better known as one of the cold years. The ground was then covered upon the level from two to three feet in depth, and on the 10th day of May, 1818, the snow fell to the depth of nine inches. On the 19th of April, 1820, Jotham Clark says that he, with Thomas Clark, went across the Conesus lake upon the ice. The ice then was like a sponge, and they carried with them a pole to help themselves with in case they should break through. In many places they could punch their poles through into the water, and the ice had thawed from the shore so that they had to lay their poles down to cross from the same to the shore.
The Spring of 1842 was remarkable. Mr. Sylvester Morris says: “ I sowed my spring wheat the 18th of February and my oats in March. The weather was very fine.55
The year of 1816 and ‘17, are known as the “ cold seasons.55 In the former year, a frost came on the 13th of July, and was followed by another on the 10th of September, which almost destroyed all kinds of vegetable products. On the 15th of June, 1862, there also came a hard frost, which destroyed the corn and did great damage. The year of 1863, was a very cold year, and the corn crop among nine-tenths of the farmers of the town, never matured.
Some seasons has been colder than others. January 18th, 1857, thermometer went down 18 degrees below zero. From February 8th, 1865, to March 1st of the same year, it averaged 10 degrees below zero. The Summer of 1878, was very warm. Nine days in succession in July it was above 90 degrees in the shade.
The greatest change in one day that we find on record, and that took place in twelve hours,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
107
was on the 10th of February, 1885. About noon that day, the weather was a little below freezing point: the next morning, it stood 18 -degrees below zero. In four hours in the afternoon, the thermometer went down forty degrees.
In the Spring of 1867, is noted the highest point that Conesus lake is known to have reached since the settlement of the town.
Fires, Etc.
The town in the past has suffered severely by destructive fires. Some of these were caused by lightning, others by accident, and no doubt some by incendiarism. One of the most shocking and sad scenes that ever happened in the town, took place on the night of Janu-ary 12th, 1880. A family by the name off James Buckley, then living in a tenant house then owned by John Holmes, and was situated near the residence of Lawrence Webster on the Marrowback hills, took fire from a barrel containing ashes that stood near the dwelling. There being no barn on the place, Mr. Buckley was useing a part of the woodshead at the time as a colt-stable, which was attached to the house, in which he had a colt hitched. About one o’clock at night, he wTas awakened by a racket made by the colt, and arising he opened a door leading to the shed, when the flames burst in upon him, and he was obliged to flee for safety. The wife and one child who was sleeping below were immediately aroused and a desperate attempt was made to ascend the stairs leading to the chamber above, to save two children—aged 8 and 10 respectively—-who were sleeping there; but the fire was under too much headway, and the parents and one child were obliged to flee with only their night clothes and witness the burning of their household, and to hear the piteous cries of their two children, who was calling to save them from the firy
furnace. Their cries soon ceased, and their white charred bones was the next morning found among the ruins.
There was stored in the house a quantity of grain, and Mr. Buckley had $800 in his pantaloons pocket, a small portion being in gold and silver, with all of their clothing, furniture, and everything (except the colt which was badly burned, but escaped) was consumed. In addition to their afflction, Mrs. Buckley had her feet frozen. A subscription was at once circulated, and by the liberal contributing of the people, showed how deeply they were in sympathy with the afflcted.
One of the heaviest thunder-storms that has visited the town in the late years, took place on Sunday Evening of September 5th, 1875. This evening the lightning played all kind of frantic freaks, and most of the time it was light as day. The storm arose to its full hight about 9 o’clock P. M., when the rain came in torrents, and the ground shook as if it was under the vengeance of an earthquake. When the the people in the northern part of the town was about to retire to bed, they were startled by a bright flash and a quick report, telling them that the agent of destruction, had done its work near at hand. Casting their eyes, they beheld the frame barn of Ezra W. Clark, between his residence and that of R. W. Cole, had beeii doomed to destruction, and was all in a blaze. The building was an upright barn of about 86 by 50 feet on a basement, with a shed of 24 by 40 feet adjoining in shape of an “L”. As soon as the barn was struck, it was in one mass of flames, and in one short hour, with its contents —which consisted of grain and hay—was totally destroyed. Clark’s loss was about $1500. Insured $1000. To night a person could stand and gaze in the distance and count no less than six large fires out of the town, of buildings108
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
burning from the effect of the storm; jet by the good will of Providence, no lives were lost.
On Sunday, August 24th 1862, Mr. George F. ('oe had the misfortune to have a shed burned at his residence north of Union Corners. Mr. Coe and part of his family had gone to Church at the “ Old Universalist church” at the above place, leaving a younger son at home. While they was away, this son went into the shed and in a playful manner started a fire, and as it began to burn through the side of the building, it was noticed from the church, and most of the congregation hastened to the scene in time to save a barn joining the same from destruction. The loss was not heavy.
In the Summer of 1857, the dwelling house of Ellis Carroll, which had formerly been owned by Rebecca Scott, and was situated a little west of the present residence of the late Lewis Carroll in the orchard, took fire and was burned down with a total loss to its owners. The fire was thought to have caught from a spark unnoticed on a stick of wood that had been placed in the stove, and being to long had been taken out and thrown in a wood-box, as the family were retiring for the night. About 10 o’clock, they was awakened to find the house full of smoke, and the fire beyond control, and they were obliged to flee for their lives.
On the night of June 19th, 1877, the tenant house of Nelson Gilbert, which stood a little north of his present residence on the west side of the head of the lake swamp, took fire and was burned down. The occupants w.ere a-wakened about 12 o’clock by their child being restless, and fortunate it was, for on arising the flames were breaking through the side of the room. It was thought to have been the works of an incendiary. The loss was estimated at $1,000, insurance $500.
In the afternoon of July 29th, 1879, the
residence of Cary Johnson that was situated in the southern part of the town, took fire from a spark alighting on the roof and was destroyed. Nothing was saved except a clock and a feather-bed.
On the afternoon of July 2nd of 1881, the dwelling house of Elex. McArthur situated in the Calabogue hollow, took fire as was supposed at the time from a spark alighting on the roof where it was first discovered. The family were eating dinner at the time, and hearing an uncommon roaring went out in the yard, and saw that the house was on fire. A messenger was sent for help which soon arrived, and with their assistance, the contents of the house were saved. The loss were estimated at $1,400; insured $1,000.
On October 4th, 1869, the dwelling house G. W. McNinch, across the way from the Railroad Depot at Conesus Center, was burned. A fire were discovered in the house in the forepart of the afternoon, and by the aid of several persons was extinguished. About 5 o’clock, the same afternoon, it was discovered to be on fire again, but had gained such a headway, that it could not be got under control, and in a short time, was with its contents destroyed. It were occupyed by Mr. McNinch and his family, he being away from home. Not long afterwards, his barn which stood near by, was also burned.
On December 7th, 1885, the barn of Wilkes Masten at the Head of Conesus lake, and on October 4th of the same year, the barn of Sanford Allen in the south part of the town, containing a threshing-machine and other products was burned.
The other fires of the town have been described under their proper heading, except the great fire in Patrick McNinch’s woods, which destroyed a valuable timber-lot for him in 1881.CHAPTER XV.
JPf Railroad and Railroad ^cqidmte, Sc.
gN 1849 the people were agitating the | question of locating the New York and Erie railroad through the Cohocton instead of the Canisteo valley, and a public meeting, favorable to this action, was held in Geneseo August 11th. At this meeting James S. Wadsworth, Allen Ayrault, John Vernam, Philip Woodruff, Lester Bradner, W. T. Cyler, Hiram Boyd, Jerediah Horsford, W. S'. Fullerton, B. F. Angel, Luther C. Peck, Charles Colt, Andrew Sill, C. H. Bryan, H. G. Dyer and George Pratt were appointed “a corresponding and business committee to carry into effect the object of this meeting. A meeting in behalf of the same object was held in Dansville on the 8th of August. In 1850 this project was modified to a proposition to construct another line of road from Corning through the Cohocton valley to Rochester. A meeting was held at Bath January 10, 1850, to consider this question, which recommended that a general meeting be held in Geneseo on the 24th of Januarv, “ of those interested in the entire proposed route.” In accordance with this recommendation the meeting was held in Geneseo, and called together a large number of the enterprising men of Western New
York. Delegations were present from Buffalo, Attica, Batavia, Mount Morris, Dansville, and all parts of Steuben county. “ The convention was addressed by several persons from abroad, well versed in the conducting of railroad matters, and many encouraging inducements were held out. Among them was an offer from three extensive iron manufacturers to furnish the a-mount of iron necessary for the construction of the road, and take stock in payment.”
During the summer of this year an engineer was employed to make preliminary surveys. The citizens of Steuben county, with commendable enterprise, proposed to build on their own responsibility, the road from Corning to Bath, a distance of eighteen miles. From this point the engineer reported two feasible routes to the Genesee river.
The first of these, called the Honeoye route, was described as follaws:	“Commences at
Blood’s Corners, north^ near Naples, along west bank of Hunt’s Hollow and Honeoye lake to Richmond Centre, crossing the outlet of the Hemlock lake at Frost’s Hollow, thence, one mile east of Lima, one mile west of H oneoye Falls, to the village of West Rush, crossing the Genesee river on Judge Sibley’s farm, about
109110
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
fourteen miles south of Rochester, thence up the Dugan’s creek to Caledonia village, passing on the south side of the State road, through Le Roy, Stafford and Batavia—thence direct to Buffalo.” The distance by this route was 134 miles.
The Conesus route run “from Blood’s corners west six miles to Tuttle’s Inn (six miles east of Dansville), thence along the west bank of the Springwater valley, through Conesus Center, along the east bank of Conesus lake to Lakeville at its foot, thence down the outlet through Littleville and Avon Springs, crossing the Genesee river north of the bridge at Avon —thence up White Creek to intersect with the Honeoye line at Caledonia village.” The length of this route was 132 miles, a trifle less than that of the Honeoye line.
The Buffalo and Cohocton road was early put under contract, the Conesus route after some changes having been selected. The company met with less delay and embarrassment than usually fall to the lot of such enterprises, and in July, 1853, regular trains were running between Caledonia and Corning; the remainder of the road was completed soon after.
In the building < f the road, it was done by private subscription, of whom there were several from this town who gave large sums of money, and took stock in the same. In a few years the road changed hands, and they lost what they had invested.
When the road was built, it was made a six foot gauge, which in after years proved to be detrimental, as it did not correspond with the gauges of the other roads throughout the country, and the company were obliged to change trucks of cars of other companies, to transport them over their road. In the Summer of 1881, the company, resolved to place the road upon the “ Standard System of Railroads,” throughout
the United States, by moving one rail fifteen inches in toward the other rail, making a gauge of four feet and nine inches. This as a person that was not versed in railroading, would consider no easy matter, and keep the trains making their regular trips. But it was easily accomplished.
Through the month of July, the section men along the line commenced the work of drawing out along one rail, one-half of the spikes, and driving a row of them between the rails, at the right distance from the rail that was not to be moved—from Rochester to Corning,—so when the rail to be moved was shoved in, it would come to the row of spikes driven, and be of the right gauge.
When all were ready for the final move the company sent in upon this division about fifteen hundred men on the night of July 29th, from the other divisions of the road, and distributed them along the line. The time set to commence work was to be on the morning of the 30th, and the last wide gauge train was to be the 9 o’clock train in the afternoon of the 29th from Corning to Rochester, which was to run to the latter place, and return again to Corning so as to clear the division of all the wide gauge engines and cars, as all of the other wide gauged engines and cars had been taken off the day before.
Saturday morning came, as fine a morning as could be asked for the occasion, and at 4 o’clock, the men in two gangs (every six miles), on each end of a section, commenced working toward eachother, by drawing out the remaining spikes, and with bars throwing the loosen rail in to the driven row of spikes, and then driving enough on the outside, to keep the rail in position until properly spiked.
8 o’clock a. m. came and the work was done; and a train that was due at Conesus at 9 o’clockTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Ill
a. m., made her regular trip with narrow gauged engine and cars, and at 10 o’clock, the men belonging to the other divisions of the road, were sent on their way home, and in less than three hours, 95 miles of railroad, were changed from a gauge of six feet, to one of four feet, nine inches in width.
At the time of building the road, the company had two stations—Clark’s and Conesus. In a few years, the former was abandoned, as we have already stated.
Railroad x\ccidents.
We must not pass by and fail to relate the few railroad accidents, that has transpired in the town. The first of them to our knowledge is the Foot’s Corners disaster, which came near sending many souls into eternity. The road had not been in operation for more than a year, when on one dark night about 8 o’clock, two horses belonging to a man by the name of Carter,—who was living on the farm of the late Ephraim Cole—broke from their pasture upon the track below that place, just in time* for a passenger train that was approaching the bridge over the roadway leading east of Foot’s Corners, when it struck the first horse, and then the second which threw the engine off the track, and was followed by the baggage car, and in its transit lodged in mid-air between the hutments of the bridge, and remained there. The next was the first passenger car, which ran lengthways down the embankment, full of passengers, yet remained upright. The second car left the track, but did not rim far. As a good fortune to all, none were hurt.
In the fall of 1857 or c58, a terrible accident took place in the Calaboge hollow, a little east of the residence of Patrick McNinch. The morning express train from Corning, had become belated in reaching Conesus, and while
passing through this valley, was trying to make up lost time. It has been said that when the accident happened, the train was running at the rate of sixty or seventy miles per hour.
When the train had reached what was called an “ S ” (where the track crooks like an “ S ”), the track gave away, and soon piled the train in a frightful wreck. Where the cars left the track, there stood a trackman’s shanty within a few feet of the track. The tracksinan’s wife and one child were at the time standing in the door, and when she saw the train was off the track, she rushed out doors, as the cars struck the shanty, and knocked it in a thousand pieces. It has been reported that the trackman’s wife left a small babe in a cradle in her flight, and when it was found it was still asleep in the cradle unhurt, under the front end of one of the passenger cars.
The wounded was soon rescued from the wreck, and messengers sent forth after physicians to attend them. All that were not able to proceed by the next train were brought to Conesus Center, and placed under medical care at the hotel of John McVicar. In this disaster, there were two men and one child killed, and about twenty hurt.
On the 21st of September, 1861, George Macomber lost his life at the Conesus Depot, by his own folly. On the 18th of that-month, he went to Livonia Station, and on this day (Sunday), boarded a freight-train at that place with the expectation of the same stopping at Conesus, which it did not. This was the last known of his intentions; and the last seen of him alive, was by the engineer who saw him on the top of the cars, coming toward the engine just before reaching Conesus. The next that was seen of him, his mangled body was found at the south end of the depot steps, by the side of the track. How he lost his life, by112
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
jumping or falling from the cars, it was never known. He was about twenty-four years of age.
The next sad death, was that of Nicholas Ager of Avon, N. Y., who was in the employ of the Railroad Company, and had been sent one Sunday morning with a wrecking train and a squad of men up the road toward Corning, to gather up some broken cars, that had been thrown from the track through the week, and wrecked. They finished their work, and then started back for Avon—after tearing to-pieces several cars, and piling the iron parts upon flat-cars,—and when they had reached Boyd’s cut, north of Foot’s Corners, Ager undertook to step from one car to another, and in doing so hit his foot on some broken wheels on a car ahead of him, and fell backward between the cars on the track below, across the rail. It was but the work of a moment and four cars passed over his body, severing it into two parts just above the hips, and killing him in an instant. In passing over his body, it threw the four cars from the track, yet no one else was hurt. Ager left a wife and several children in Avon to mourn his loss.
Michael Callehann another victim, was a track-walker by occupation, whose duties were to walk over the track for six miles four times each day, to see that the track is in proper order. The company had given him orders that on his last trip which ended at South Livonia, the privilege of riding back on a night express to his home at Conesus. On the night of December 2d, 1879, he finished his days work, boarded the train at South Livonia, and as he reached his destination, he undertook to get off before the train stopped, and in doing so, slipped and fell under the hind-trucks, which passed over his leg, and severed it close up to the body. He survived his injuries but a few days, and died leaving a wife and several children.
Another man (whom I will call the 66 Elmira Dutchman,” as I do not know his name,) who was a carpenter on the road, met with the misfortune to break his leg, in the northern part of the town under the following circumstances. The company had sent several men, to put some timbers under a bridge over the farm lane of Hiram Boyd. They had finished their days work as a freight train came along on its way to Conesus, and as it passed them were running very slow. They had for several nights before this, jumped on this train and rode to Conesus. To-night the Dutchman—being a man of nearly 2501bs. weight—undertook to get on, and as the last car passed him, he grasped hold of the railing, and the train moving faster then he had anticipated, it threw him, and in his fall he struck on the end of the ties, which broke his leg. He was then conveyed on a hand-car by his companions to Conesus, where he received medical attendance and then sent to his home at Elmira, N. Y.
On the 2nd of January, 1864, a middle aged man, came near losing his life, by being under the influence of liquor. He was a track-walker, and the night before had been on a drunken spree. In the morning he resumed his occupation, but had not fully recovered from the drunken stupor, as he reached a farm crossing of the late John Alger, that used to be situated a little east of the Foot’s Corners school-house, and here laid down on the outside of the rail and went to sleep.
As the morning train, due at 9 o’clock going north, came down the long dump east of Foot’s Corners, and when about sixty rods of him, the engineer saw him, and at once saw the perilous position he was in, but to close to stop. He called his fireman’s attention, and said, “ there is a man on the track, and if he will lay still we will pass him and not hit him.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
113
If I blow the whistle or ring the bell, he will rise up and we will kill him.55 Under these circumstances the engineer reserved the customary signals, in hope to pass him in safety. To the engineer the seconds seemed like minutes, and mimuteslike an hour as he grasped the throttle of his engine as he passed him. All would have been well if he had not raised his head as the last car passed him, so as to be in reach of a car step, which hit him in the back part of the head cutting a deep gash and knocking him senseless. The section men took him to his his boarding place where he soon recovered so as to be able to be sent to his former home at Big Flats, N. Y.
Michael Cary a section boss between Conesus and Webster’s Crossing, met a terrible death on the morning of April 21st, 1873. He accompanied by his men started out on a hand-car for their work, un-aware of a train that had become belated and were following them. They soon saw the train approaching around a curve, when Cary’s men jumped and left the car. Cary saw at once that his car was doomed, he jumped from the same and undertook to get it off the track, and in doing so the train came upon him, and smashed him between the engine and the car, killing him in an instant. An other man, named Purcel was also killed near the same place, a few years ago, and we fail to be able to state the full particulars.
Too frequent it has been the custom of many young men when away from home along the railroad, to get on the cars and when they reach some spot near their destination, to leap from them while in motion.
Fay McFarlin,—then living with Esq. Alger on the James S. Alger place—happened one day to be at Livonia Station on business, and at night, got on a stock-train which in those days ran very slow, to ride as far as Boyd’s
lane bridge, and then get off and go across to his home. When the train had almost reached the bridge, Fay let himself down, behind the last car on to the track, with intentions of running a little ways before letting go, so as not to fall. He did so, yet he made a miscalculation in regard to the distance to the bridge, ran into the same and fell, striking on his nose on one of the cross-ties, breaking it and disfiguring his face for several days afterwards.
The next victim of of jumping from trains of cars, was that of John D. Webester on the night of December 4th, 1874. At the time Mr. Webster was residing with his father-in-law—Geo. F. Coe—near Union Corners. This day, Mr. Webster had business that called him to Livonia, and on his returning took a rain that passed through Conesus about 9 o’clock in the evening. At this time there was a large body of snow upon the ground, and the thermometer down to zero. When passing his place of residence, Mr. Webster concluded he would jump off the cars as he had done before so as to save him about a mile of travel from the station to his home. When he had reached nearly oposite his father-in-law’s, he made the jump, but the train moving faster then he was aware of, he came down to the ground with a crash, breaking one of his legs and leaving him in a helpless condition. Mr. Webster now tried at the top of his voice to make his friends hear him, but without avail. He knew too well his situation with a cold night upon him, and if he did not soon reach shelter, he would perish. In this deplorable condition, there was but one thing for him to do; that was to crawl on his hands and the well knee through the snow some twenty rods to his father-in-law’s house, which he reached after a length of time, in an almost famished condition. Medical attendance was soon called, and all done for the114
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
young man that could be done, but the fractured leg proved to be a serious affair, for it was nearly a year before he recovered, and a part of the time he was obliged to spend at the Hospital at Rochester, N. Y.
On the Evening of January 29th, 1884, there happened a railroad accident on the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad, where it crosses the lands of Hiram Boyd, in the northern part of the town. For several weeks, the weather had been very severe, and at the same time it was accompanied by a heavy fall of snow, making it almost impossible for the workmen to keep the track clear, and to see the condition of the rails. This day when the half past four o’clock train in the afternoon,—consisting of an engine, baggage and two passenger-cars— came around the sharp curve south of the bridge over Boyd’s farm lane, the track gave away throwing the whole train off, and sending them on to destruction at the speed of forty miles per hour. The rails were torn up for a distance of nearly forty rods, and thrown some twenty feet apart, and the train crossed the bridge on the ties, and ran the former distance before stopping. When this was accomplished, the engine and baggage-car stood on the bed of the road between the rails; the first pass-
enger-car stood cross-ways of the track; the second passenger-car,—in which were several ladies and about thirty gentlemen,—lay down an embankment of nearly eight feet, turned over on its side, in a snowbank of about seven feet deep, that broke its fall, and saved many lives within. In this car all was confusion, and the inmates thrown into a heap. Those who were not hurt, soon crept out covered with coal-dust and dirt in a bewildered way; for some knew not where they were, while others laughed to see the sad looks of their companions. In this car there were several soldiers on their way to take partin the Grand Army Encampment to take place at Rochester, N. Y., the next day. As soon as possible, the following wounded were taken from the wreck. Mr. Simons, of Elmira, hurt through the spine and was a soldier; Mr. Squires of Corning, hurt through the head and shoulders; Miss Lillie Gray of Hemlock Lake, the same; Mrs. Chas. W ester of Conesus, hurt through the head. There were several slightly hurt, but resumed their journey afterwards, and some others had narrow escapes from injury,—as that of Miss Cook of Buffalo, a lame lady who had to go on crutches, who escaped without an injury, and a blindman who came out all sound.CHAPTER XVI.
§hq ffar §ecord$ of gontana, Sc.
Y tracing the records of the little town of Conesus, I find it has the honor of being once the home of ten or more of the Revolutionary patriots, who came here after the close of that noted war, and made it their residence until their death. The list of these noted warriors as far as we are able to name them, (although there may have been others that have lived in the town unknown to us,) is as follows :	Francis Horth, Lemuel
Richardson, Aaron Hale, David Sopher, Paul Sanborn, Jabez Lewis, Charles Chamberlin, Theophilus Jackson, Thaddeus Gage, Isaiah Bacon. Five of these soldiers lie sleeping in the Conesus Center cemetery, two in the South Livonia, one in the Union, one in Hart’s, and one in Springwater. As it has been several years since the last of them died, we are sorry that we are unable to give a more definite sketch of each one, as we have the history of only a few, as follows:—
The first of these is Thaddeus Gage, who was born in the year of 1750. When at the age of twenty-six he first went into the army which was in the year of 1776, where he served in five successful campaigns. He was never called into any battles as he was stationed at
115
several different seaports. He was buried at Conesus Center.
Francis Horth was born at Providence, in the state of Rhode Island in the year of 1756. When at the age of nineteen, or in the year of 1775, he joined the army and served for four years and nine months. While the war was raging in the eastern part of New York, he with his company was sent north to join the army of General Gates, and on the 19th of September, 1777, he participated in the battle of Stillwater, twenty-two miles north of Albany. The battle was only checked by the darkness of night, and on the 7th of October, the second battle was fought, in which he was present, and saw General Burgoyne give up his sword to General Gates, which took place at Saratoga, N. Y. In the year of 1844 he breathed his last at the good old age of 88, and was buried at Conesus Center.
Aaron Hale was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1754, and at the age of twenty-one he enlisted ip the army, and was present at the battle of Benihington and Bunker hill. His grandfather, Moses Hale, was in the latter battle with him. In the year of 1821 he moved into the town of Conesus where he resided un-116
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
til his death, which occurred in the year of 1821, and was buried in the town of Springwater.
Jabez Lewis was born in the state of Vermont in the year of 1753, and in 1802 moved from there to Lima, Livingston Co. N. Y., and the next year, into Ontario County, and in the fall of 1805, to the town of Conesus and took up lot No. 5, and built a log house on the same, where he resided until his death, March 11th, 1836.
At the age of 22, Mr. Lewis entered the Revolutionary army, and served his country as a worthy soldier. Hardships, cold and hunger, he bore with fortitude and courage. On entering the army, hewas detailed as one of the body guards of Gen. Washington. While the army lay encamped in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, an incident transpired, which always dwelt in Mr. Lewis memory. The situation of the army at this time was very critical, for the soldiers w7ere not half clothed, and their provisions very scarce. One day as Mr. Lewis was standing guard at the entrance of Washington’s tent, he saw that the General had a nice dinner and he longed to become one of his guests. He did not make known his wants, but as soon as Washington had finished his dinner, he arose and walked out to where Mr. Lewis stood, and spoke to him in a friendly tone and said: “ Jabey would you like a bite to eat?” “If you please,” said Mr. Lewis. “Give me your gun,” said Washington, “while you go in and eat.” So shouldering the musket, Washington marched back and forth on sentry duty, while Mr. Lewis went in and partook of a luxurious meal and then returned to his old place of duty again. From that time up to Mr. Lewis’ death, there dwelt in his bosom a love for Washington that could never die. Mr. Lewis’ last resting place can to-day be seen in the cemetery at South Livonia, N. Y.
Another of these patriots that was often seen in the town, was the famous General Daniel Shay, “ the noted leader of Shay’s rebellion in Massachusetts in 1784.” As soon as the body of insurgents were defeated by Government troops at Petershann of that state, he made his escape, and afterwards came to Scottsburgh, and made it his home until his death, which took place in the year of 1825. Yet to our knowledge he nver lived in the town, therefore we refrain from giving a sketch of his life, only to say that he was buried in the Union Cemetery that is situated in the town.
War of 1812—‘14.
The war of 1812 and 1814, known as the second war with Great Britain, threw terror into the hearts of the settlers here. The country being new and the British having a large number of Indians under their control, whom thay would send forth against the weak American settlements, and encourage them to commit all kind of depredations.	The settlers well
knew that the scene of warfare was but a days march of them, and they expected every hour to see a hoard of .these savages turned loose upon them, to murder and destroy every living thing that came before them.
Being no block-houses or forts in the town of Conesus and Livonia, the settlers became greatly alarmed for their safety, as the greater portion of the able bodied men had gone to defend their countrys peril. So one day the ladies turned out and went to the old log house that was torn down by W. W. Wheeler in 1883, at South Livonia, to see if it would not serve them a place of safety in case of an attack. Here one of the most exciting times* took place in discussing the best policy of protection, in case of a sudden evasion of the enemy.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
117
As this house was of hewn logs and solid built, they resolved to put it to a test in regard to whether a rifle bullet could penetrate through its walls or not. So procuring the assistance of Mr. Richardson (an aged gentleman), they got him to take his rifle and go ten or fifteen rods away and shoot into the logs, to see if the ■bullets would go through. To their glad surprise they did not; and they selected this as a place of saftey. But the war passed, and they escaped from a visit of the enemy.
At the time of this war, it drew from the town several of its best citizens, who were divided into regulars and minute men. The regulars were those that staid with the army all the time, while the minute men remained at home and held themselves in readines to go at a moments warning. The regulars suffered the most, as they were sure to be drawn into battle, while the minute men would often reach the scene of action after the battle was over.
Some of the must prominent of the soldiers from this town, were James Henderson, Asa Stevens, Andrew Carter, Andrew Arnold, Ty-ranus Bipley, Benona Fosdick, Elisha Webster, Benjamin Clapp, Daniel and Samuel Monger, Chas. Thorpe, and Lamport. The following is a short sketch of the lives of these worthy heroes.
Janies Henderson, who was killed at the battle of Queenston, Canada, was a son of Esq. Henderson, the first settler of this town. Prior to his death, he was living with the family of James McNinch at the head of the Conesus lake. He was about twenty-four years of age, and at the time was holding the position of Quartermaster of a regiment of minute men, who were holding themselves in readiness to march to the front at a moments warning.
The news at last came that the British was advancing on Buffalo, and orders came for all the troops to go at once to the field of action.
The night before he was to leave, he walked the floor all night with a sad and troubled countenance, and when morning came, he could not eat his breakfast, as he seemed to have something on his mind that would not let him rest. After breakfast he went out and got his horse and rode away without bidding his friends a good-by. A few minutes after he had gone, Mrs. McNinch went to the door, and as she looked down the road, she was surprised to see him coming back to her house, and as he rode up to where she was standing, she spoke to him in a friendly tone and said:—■
“ James, what has brought you back?”
“I have come back Jennie, (Jane was her name) to bid you good-by,” he said, as his voice trembled with emotion.
“ Why James! what made you do so,” she replied. “ It is bad luck to come back.
“ Oh! Jennie, I could not help it,” he said and the tears stole down his cheek as he turned his horse and rode away. The next news that his friends heard of him, was that he had fallen upon the blood-stained field of Queenston, J uly 25th, 1812, while gallently facing the foe, and was buried on the field.
Andrew Carter was a young man who had scarcely reached the age of twenty-one, as the war broke out. At the time of entering the American army, he was residing with his parents, who lived near the present residence of x\shabel Alger. After a short time in the service of his country, he became disheartened from some unknown cause and deserted and returned to his home, to meet with trials equal to that of death. No sooner had his footsteps reached his native hearth stone, then he was missed by his fellow officers, and they started out to effect his capture and to return him to Buffalo, from whence he came, to suffer the full penalty of the law, which was death in case118
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
of desertion.
As if directed by the good will of Providence, the news reached him that he was being pursued by the officers of his regiment, he took refuge in the Purchase gully upon lot No. 38, owned by the late Lewis Carroll, where through one long winter he skulked through the pines, hemlocks, and among the rocks, expecting every moment to hear the shouts of his captors. When evening came he would come slyly to the humble cottage of James McNinch, that stood then near the present residence of William Whiteman at the top of the Henderson hill, and obtain food from Mrs. McNinch (her husband being most of the time away from home, following his occupation as a miller,) to sustain life with. At other times would come and stay all night when Mr. McNinch was at home, and return before the break of day, to his hiding-place again. “Often,” said Mrs. McNinch, “he would sit by my fire, and weep like a child while warming himself, and the tears would roll down his cheeks, which filled my heart full of sympathy for him.”
Several times the officers came from Buffalo and searched for him. They ransacked her house, hunted the gullies, laid all kinds of plans for his capture, yet by her kindness he escaped, while each day every person she met, she expected would bring her the news that he had been retaken. He was too shrewd for them; for his hiding place was in the top of a large hemlock tree, with broad and out-spreading branches, covered with green foliage, and the same surrounded by other trees, making the top invisible from the foot of the tree. In the top of this tree be constructed him a house or nest by placing among the branches, limbs and sticks and covering them with leaves, and then constructed over him a roof made of barks, which sheltered him from the storms through
the day, and at night he would seek his food. In this nest he remained until spring, and then he returned home again.
A few years ago, the late Sylvester Morris informs me that he felled this memorable tree for wood, and in the top of the same he found part of the old nest which sheltered Andrew Carter. It had rotted almost away, yet many of the sticks remained as he had place them.
The death of Andrew Carter took place a few years since at Scottsburgh. He bore to his grave the love and respect of all who knew him, as a worthy citizen of the town of Sparta, N. Y.
Benonia Fosdick was a resident of this town for a number of years until his death, which transpired March 5th, 1875. He was a large portly man and lame. Be resided many years in the house across the way from the Univer-salist church at Conesus Center. For many years he held the office of towrn clerk, being supported by both parties, until old age made him unqualified for the position. He was a favorite with all who knew him. He survived his wife but a few years, and at his death, left no children.
Tyranus Ripley spent the most of his days upon the farm now7 owned by Samuel Sliker on the shores of the Conesus lake, where he came in the year of 1815. The latter part of his life he became deranged and breathed his last at the County Alms House, at Geneseo, January 1st, 1881. He left several children.
Andrew Arnold, was one of the early settlers of the town. He came here when the country was new, and always resided here until within a few years of his death, which took place March 22nd, 1875. The most of his life time, he spent in living in the old log house that stood upon the north-west corner of the forks of the road, near the present residence ofTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
119
William Gray, south of Conesus Center. He lias two children living.
Charles Thorpe was born at New Haven, Ct., in 1785. He came to this town at an early day. Was drafted in the war of 1812, and served a year or more along the lines. His home was in the house now owned by Henry Cramer. He died in this town March 31st, 1829, and was buried at York, Livingston Co., N. Y. He left a family of several children.
At the time of the breaking out of the war of 1812, there were two brothers by the name of Joseph and Jonathan Richardson, then living just over the line between the town of Conesus and Livonia. Both of these brothers were cripples, Joseph not having the use of one of his legs, while one of Jonathan’s legs was shorter than the other.
When the news of the burning of Buffalo reached here, it aroused in their bosoms the spirit that they ought to do something for their country. Being cripples, everything looked dark to them, until at last the thought struck them that they could do no better than to take their teams and gather up what few men they could collect, and carry them to the scene of action. So gathering their respective loads they set out, and in a few days arrived at the American lines, and in a few days were called into the field of battle,—a battle long to be remembered by the Americans as the battle of Chippewa, Canada, fought on the 5th day of July, 1814.
In this memorable battle, Joseph was killed by a ball passing through his heart, while Jonathan fell a prisoner into the hands of the British, and was taken to Montreal. While on the way to that place, he, being lame, could not keep up with the other prisoners, which displeased the British, and they would prick him with the point of their bayonets, exclaiming in
their language to him, “ Assa, assa in front,” which ment for him to keep up. From Montreal they sent him to Halifax, and from there home, after some six months imprisonment.
The friends of Joseph Richardson, as soon as they learned of his death, went to Buffalo and from there to the field, and got his body, which they found among the other dead bodies gathered up for burial. They readily recognized it, and brought it home for burial, which took place at South Livonia.
Joseph Richardson, Jr.,—a son of Joseph that was killed—was also taken prisoner at the same time; but in a few days afterwards made his escape from the British and came to Niagara river, and after hiding and skulking along its banks for sometime, he found a man who ferried him over to this side. He then came home, after being absent several months in the service of his country.
Another one of the heroes, was Erastus Lewis, who was at the time of the breaking out of the war living upon the town line between Conesus and Livonia, at what is now the residence of Charles Hitchcock, which was occupied and owned by him up to the time of his death, which took place several years ago.
Mr. Lewis belonged to the minute men, and as soon as the news of the British advancing upon Buffalo reached them, he turned out as one to oppose them, carrying with him his own rifle. The first engagement he was called into was between the British and Americans, and transpired on the British side of the river.
The British were aided by a large number of Indians, and when they came into the battle he took his position behind a log fence, and as the enemy advanced, he fired upon them. After firing several shots he look around him, and to his surprise, saw that he was alone, his comrades had fallen back and deserted him.120
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
He jumped up and ran, under a heavy fire from the British and Indians, who had discovered him. He succeeded in escaping unharmed, reaching his companions in safety, with a hole through his hat which a ball had cut so large that a pair of woolen mittens had been drawn half way out by the force of the bullet.
He at once reported at head-quarters, and they took his gun away, as they had furnished a number of the minute men before the fight with arms, and they supposing him to be one of those furnished,, they kept his, which he never recovered. At the time of his hasty retreat from the field, he threw away his knapsack which hung over his shoulders, and his cartridge box, resolving rather to lose them, then to have the pleasure of serving several months in the British prisons.
The War op 1861.
When news of the war-cloud of the Southern Rebellion, and the fall of Fort Sumpter broke over the land, Conesus promptly responded with money and men. The sound of the drums were heard on Sunday, to break the silence of a sabbath-day. Men were seen going through the streets in full excitement, and everywhere could be heard the cry of “ To Arms'?”. The American flag was thrown out to the breeze, while men enrolled their names, as defenders of their country liberties.
After a year or so, two drafts came. The first released the unlucky man from service by paying $800. The second, by sending a substitute, or by the town filling its quota.
When the day came for the draft to take place, all held their breath in silence, until the news came who the unlucky men were. There was one man at the time very patriotic, and when the second draft took place, was living in the most remote part of the Marrow-
back hills, and on the eve of that day failed to learn who had been drawn. As soon as the drafted men learned the result of the day, they resolved to assemble together and furnish means for to procure substitutes with. So one of their number was selected to call upon this man, and to irnform him that he had been drawn, and that they desired him to be present with them the next day.
When the courier arrived at his residence he found the man busily engaged at his farm work, and after passing the time of day, he addressed in the following language:
“ The Boys that was drafted yesterday, has sent me up this morning to ask you to come down to Conesus Center this afternoon, to assist them to raise money to procure substitutes with!”
The man turned his head, and as he did so, replied thus: “ Oh ! I can not come; I have got so much work to do; and further more, I could not help them for my policy is, if they are drafted, to let them go! my money can’t help them.”
“Oh well then,” said the Courier. “I have the pleasure to inform you, that you are one of the’drafted men.”
The man hung his head for a moment in perfect disgust. “Well then,” said he, “I will be right down, and do all I can.” And he was the first man there.
The total enlistments under various calls, were 78. The amount of money raised to procure enlistments, was $8.100; and of that a-mount, $1,900 was raised by tax upon the town, and the ballance procured by individual subscription. Besides this amount, $700, was raised by donations, lor the hospital and Sanitary Commission.
We will not dwell too long upon the war statistics of the town ; but will say in all cases,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
121
the town furnished her quota of volunteers, and no drafted men had to go.
The following is a list of volunteers, and the company and regiment in which thay enlisted from the town.
13th Regiment, N. Y. S. V.
Jason Spencer enlisted in 1861, and was killed and buried on the field of battle.
James DeForester we have no record, more than that he was killed and buried on the field of battle.'
Marshall Morris, a short time after he enlisted, came home sick and died and was buried in the Union cemetery.
Manson Sanborn; no more record.
-------Masten. No record.
George Clark enlisted in 1861, and was slightly wounded. Came home and soon after married Miss. Hendershott. He now lives on Marrowback hills.
Co. B., 104th Regiment, N. Y. 8. V.
Henry Timbrooks enlisted in 1861, and served three years until discharged in 1864, when he re-enlisted in the 136th regiment, and was wounded at Bull Run and Laurel Hill in 1864. Came back to Conesus, and for a time carried the mail between this place and Scotts-burgh. He now lives at Conesus Center.
Charles Wilder enlisted in 1862, and died soon after at Albany, N. Y.
John Piatt enlisted in 1862 ; was discharged the same year on account of debility, and came home where he died in 1864, and is buried in the Conesus cemetery.
Albert Piatt enlisted in the year of 1862, and was wounded at the battle of Gettysburgh July 1st, 1863; came back and settled in Steuben county, N. Y., where he died since the war.
William H. Gould enlisted in 1862, and was discharged with his regiment in 1865; now re-
sides in Spring water, N. Y.
Charles Bush enlisted in 1862 ; was killed by a cannon-ball which hit him in the stomach, in the first battle he went into. Was buried on the field.
John Brown enlisted in 1862, and at the close of the war came back to the town. Can not tell now where he is.
Charles Holmes enlisted in 1862, and at the close of the war came back and bought a house and lot north of Foot’s Corners, where he resided until 1876, when he went to Kansas, where he now resides.
Co. G., 130th Regiment, N. Y. S. V.
[Afterwards 1st N. Y. Dragoons.]
Peter Sawdey, we have no record. Now lives in Springwater, N. Y.
Lucus Doud enlisted in 1862 ; was shot at the battle of Todd’s Tavern, Va., and wounded, and supposed to have died with the lock-jaw. His family still live in the town.
William Slaighter enlisted in 1862; now living in Livonia, N. Y.
William Spears. No record.
Charles Ray enlisted in 1862, and after the war came back and bought a farm on the Marrowback hills, where he resided until 1886, when he moved to Livonia, N. Y.
Mose Acker, went as a Captain’s waiter in 1862. No more record.
Moses Slaighter enlisted in 1862, and id supposed to have been shot on the field of battle, as that was the )ast heard of him.
Co. I., 136th Regiment, N. Y S. Y.
Henry L. Arnold enlisted in 1862, and entered the army as Captain; was promoted to Colonel of the regiment for bravery; was shot in the leg at the battle of Bentonville, Ga., March 19th, 1865, as he was standing on a log and cheering his men on to action. He now122
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
resides at Geneseo, where he went soon after the war, and now holds the position in the service of the state, as u Commissioner of Discharged Convicts.”
Matthew Mead served as Second Lieutenant through the war. He returned home and soon after went to Rochester, were he is now following the profession of shoe-maker.
Charles Bullard was First Lieutenant of his Company, and while in service was wounded. He left the town soon after the war, and where he is now, I am unable to say.
William Lawn was sergeant of his company. He fell upon the blood-stained field of Resaca, Ga., May 16th, 1864, and was buried on the field. Before entering the service, he was a farm laborer, and at the time of his enlistment was residing with the late Hector Hitchcock. He left a wife and child.
Fayette McFarlin enlisted in 1862, and died with dysentery at Washington, D. C., in August of that year.
Watson Thomas enlisted in August of 1862, and was taken sick with dysentery and came home on a furlough November 11th, 1868. A short time after he reached home, and on the day that his furlough expired, he died ; and his last resting place is in the Conesus cemetery.
John Duane Alger enlisted in 1862, and in the fall of 1868 were taken sick at Camp Smokey Hollow, Va., and died, and his body was buried where he died, and never brought home for burial.
Jerome Henry enlisted in 1862. In the Spring of 1868, he was taken sick and died in the Hospital at Washington, D. C., and his body was brought home for burial in the Conesus cemetery. He left a wife and several children, who still live at Union Corners.
James Conlon enlisted at Conesus Center, August 81st, 1862; was wounded at Gettys-
burgh in the arm July 8d, 1868, which was amputated at Philadelphia, August 18th. He was discharged June 24th, 1865, and came back to Conesus Center—where he now lives,— and carried the mail between that place and Scottsburgh for several years.
Charles Beadle was a shoe-maker, and enlisted in 1862, and served until 1864. He is now in Wisconsin.
Orville M. Chapen enlisted in 1862, and served through the war. He came home and purchased a farm east of Conesus Center, where he now lives.
Allen Timbrooks enlisted in 1862, and served through the war, and came back to the town. Now in Michigan.
James McGlin enlisted in 1862; he was wounded a the battle of Chancellorville, May 3d, 1863, and taken prisoner and sent to Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., from which he was afterwards exchanged. He is still single, and lives in Livonia.
William Polen enlisted in 1862; was discharged at Stafford Court House, Va., in 1863 for inability; came home, and purchased a house and lot at Foot’s Corners, where he resided until his wife died, in 1882. He now lives in Sparta, N. Y.
Henry Compton enlisted as Company’s cook in 1862, and held the position through the war; is now in Illinois, where he went soon after.
James Compton enlisted in 1862; deserted in 1863, at the battle of Gettysburgh, Pa.
Chester Gould enlisted in 1862, and served until 1863, when he lost the use of his voice, and was discharged. Soon after his return, he moved to Pontiac, Mich., where he resded until 1882, when he moved back to the town.
Joel Johnson enlisted in 1862, and was discharged on account of inability, and came back to the town and married, and then moved toTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
123
Springwater, and back to the town again. He now owns a sin all place in the southern part of the Marrowback hills.
Horace Wing enlisted in 1862, but was discharged on account of sickness in 1863. From here he went to Dansville, and for a time was the Proprietor of the Clinton Hotel. Now owns a farm in Sparta.
Harrison Coleman enlisted in 1862, and served through the war, and was promoted to 1 st. Sergeant. After his return, he married and went to Saginaw, Mich., where he is in the Livery business.
Joseph Barnhart enlisted in 1862, and was discharged in the fall of that year. Re-enlisted in 1863, in the 14th Heavy Artillery, and was wounded at Cold Harbor in 1864. Now a resident of Canadice, N. Y,
Abram Tittsworth enlisted in 1862, and was discharged the same year, by being sick. On his return, he and his family moved to Kalamazoo, Mich.
Orlando Webster enlisted in 1862. Deserted in 1863. At the close of the war came back to the town, and was drowned in Conesus lake, in 1872.
William Cole enlisted in 1862, and deserted at the first battle of Gettysburg!).
Theodore Acker enlisted in 1862. Now in Michigan.
Robert F. Bullard enlisted in 1862, and was wounded at Mission Ridge, Tenn., November of 1864. Now in Perry, N. Y.
Samuel Maring enlisted in 1862, and died in the Hospitipal in 1863.
Reuben Cole enlisted in 1862, and deserted at the first days battle of Gettysburgh.
Issac Philhower enlisted in 1862, and served until 1865. He now lives at Conesus Center.
John Gills enlisted in 1862, and was wounded at Gettysburgh in 1863, and discharged.
A. F. Tompson enlisted in 1862. After a short time he came home sick, and died October 27 th, 1864.
Samuel Compton enlisted in 1862; was killed in a threshing-machine on the Marrow-back hills, in 1885.
Henry Piatt enlisted in 1862, and soon after taken sick, and came home and died, and was buried in the Conesus cemetery.
William Burdick enlisted in 1862, and was honorably discharged. He now resides in the town.
William Agen enlisted in 1862, but his health failed him, and he was transferred to the Invalid corps in 1864. Now resides in the town, on Turkey Hill.
John Swartout enlisted in 1862, and came home sick, and died September 10th 1862, and is buried in the Conesus cemetery.
Gilbert Lewis enlisted in 1862, and was honorable discharged, has since resided in town.
Jonas Sourbier, Christopher Sylvester and J ohn Tierney enlisted in 1862 ; but we have no more record of them.
188th Regiment, N. Y. S. Y.
Wilber Payne enlisted in Company K, in 1864; was wounded at the battle of Five Forks, Va., April 1st, 1865; came home and soon went to Maryland, and came back to Conesus again.
Daniel Sliker enlisted in Company D, in 1864. Was honorable discharged in 1865, and is now in Ohio.
Morgan Shafer enlisted in Company C, in 1864. Came back, and now resides in the south-west part of the town.
Daniel Hoes enlisted in Company K, in 1864. Was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and came back to the town, and now resides at Belfast, N. Y.
William Gray enlisted in Company I, in124
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
1864. Came home at the close of the war and went to Michigan, and there died, and his body was brought back and buried in the Conesus Center cemetery.
Joseph Harvey enlisted in Company K., in 1864, and was promoted to 1st. Lieutenant. At the close of the war, came back to Conesus and married, and then went to Michigan.
Jacob Gray enlisted in Company I., in 1864, and was discharged in 1865. He is now living in the south part of the town.
William Wiliston enlisted in Company B., in 1864. Caine back to the town and now resides at Union Corners.
' Alvin Bearss enlisted in Company D., in 1864. Now resides on Turkey Hill.
John McNinch, George Patten and Arlington Sylvester enlisted in Company P., in 1864. No' more record of them.
The following is a list of those belonging to other regiments than what we have given.
G. Wiley Wells enlisted in 1861, in Company -—, 27th Regiment, in which he served with honor, and was promoted to 1st. Lieutenant. Upon his return, he was detailed to recruit for the 180th Regiment, and re-entered the same as 1st. Lieutenant; After the close of the war, he went to Mississippi, and from that State he was sent as Representative to Congress, and under President Grant’s Administration, was sent as U. S. Consul to China.
Theodore Redmond enlisted in the 14th. Heavy Artillery in 1863, and served until 1865, and then came home and went to Michigan, where he died in 1872 or ‘73.
Jessie B. Losey enlisted in 1864 in the 22nd N. Y. Cavalry as Assistant Surgeon. Now a physician in Conesus.
William Brown enlisted in 1864 in the 22nd Cavalry. At the close of the war was sent West to fight Indians, and was wounded over
the eye, by being kicked with a horse. I am unable to state where he is now.
Livingston Clark, Israel Wells and Ward Moore enlisted in 1864 in the 21st N. Y. Cavalry. No more record of them.
Joseph Orr belonged to the 93d Regiment, but did not go from the town, yet he come back here to live.
William Harrison enlisted in the U. S., Navy in 1864. Was discharged for inability in 1865, and now resides in the town.
George Northrup enlisted in the U. S Navy in March of 1864. Was sent to Tunica Island, La., where he became home-sick, and while in a fit of dispondency, jumped overboard and was drowned.
John Puane Scott enlisted in March of 1864 in the U. S. Navy. He served faithful the period of his enlistment, and now resides in Conesus.
Andrew Kuder enlisted in Company L., 8th N. Y. Cavalry, August 25th, 1862, and was promoted to Captain of Company B., of the same regiment. He went from Groveland, but now resides in Conesus.
Joseph Thomas—who was born and reared to manhood in the town before going West,— enlisted in Company II., 1st. Michigan Volunteers. IJe was killed in the following manner :— A Comrade had been out on duty and came into Joseph’s tent, as he was preparing to go out on picket duty. In some manner the lock of the Comrade’s gun became entangled in his clothes, and was discharged, and Joseph received the contents through the body. He lived about five hours, and was buried where he died.
State Militia op the Town.
Before the year of 1860, there were several Companies of State Militia in the town. ForTHE HISTOBY OF CONESUS.
125
in those days, every man between the age of eighteen and forty-five, was enrolled to serve a length of time in the militia service of the State. How many different organziations there has been in the town, we are nnable to say. But at one time, there were three companies, as follows:—
1st. The Horse Company, commanded by Jones Scott, who held the office of Colonel. How many men he had, we can not say.
2nd. The Infantry Company, commanded by Henry Arnold as Captain, who served so faithful in the last war.
Jd. The Artillery Company, under the command of Lewis Clark, Colonel. This company had a six pound cannon, which in the late years has been destroyed. The fate of this “ old cannon,” is remarkable, and it has been through many trying scenes, and in particular on a certain occasion, I will describe as follows:
The cannon had been used many times to give forth its echo upon election news. One night the victorious party made due prepreation to salute their defeated friends.. The defeated party not cherishing the idea, stole the march of the victorious party, seized the cannon and drew it to a spot north of the Grist-mill, and dumped it into the gully, breaking it badly. u No cannon, that night, sent forth the songs of the victorious party.” In a few days, the defeated party had the pleasure of getting the “ old cannon ” out of the gully, and repairing it. Several times it has been spiked, for nothing more then the work of mischievous boys ; and to-day, without doubt, it has gone to the melting furnace.
The training grounds, used by the different organizations of the town, seems to have been held at two places. One at Foot’s Corners, and the other near the present residence of Ezra Gray’s—then owned by Thomas Young—at
Conesus Center. These company trainings were generally held one day in the week, except on general training days, when they would last several days in succession. The “ General Training days,” were looked for in great anticipation, and would draw together a large number of men, who would come from far and near,—if for nothing more then to get a piece of ginger-bread baked on a board, which the loaf would often be from ten to twelve feet in length.
Many different ways was resorted too, to pass the time away. One of the most impor-ant, was the “ Sham fights,” which was held to test the discipline of the officers, in the handling of their men. These battles sometimes were made to lead to a serious affair; as all men were not honest, while others were mischievous. One of these sad affairs, which came near shedding innocent blood, transpired at Conesus Center, some fifty years ago, as follows :
One of these fights was advertised to take place near the residence then of Thomas Youngs. The two contending companies consisted of what was called the “ Invalid Corps,” consisting of men not belonging to the regular service, and under command of the late Kev. Sylvester Morris,—then a Captain in the Militia of the town. The Regular Militia was commanded by Hiram Boyd, then a Lieutenant in the same.
The twTo companies were placed in position. The “Invalid Corps,” occupying the orchard north of the house, and the Militia south of the same. The two companies then charged upon each other several times, and at last, resorted to the taking of prisoners.
The “ Invalid Company,” thinking it smart and unknown to their Captain, filled their pockets with cider apples, and when they advanced upon the Militia, drew a shower of ap-126
THE HISTORY OF GONESUS.
pies upon Lieut. Boyd’s men, hitting many about the head and face. This treatment enraged the soldiers of Lieut. Boyd to a high pitch, and they at once, fixed their bayonets and prepared to charge upon the u Invalid Corpse.” Lieut. Boyd and Capt. Morris, saw at once that something must be done to preserve order, or blood would soon flow. Lieut. Boyd graspped his sword,—which he soon spoiled,—and rushed in front of his men, and Capt. Morris did the same toward his, and between the two, succeeded in quiteing the malcontents.
In the conflict, many received bloody noses, and the Drum-major of the militia, smashed out both ends of his drum over one of the “ Invalid mens ” head. This wound up this kind of sport for several years to come.
One of the saddest events connected with the militia of the town, was the shooting of Abner Wilcox, near Upper Lakeville, about fifty years ago. This family lived upon the farm now owned by the family of the late Sylvester Morris, and had a young son, about fifteen years of age, who had accompanied his father —who belonged to the militia company of the town, under command of Lieut. Hiram Boyd—to a general training at the above place.
The company had been called into line, and Lieut. Boyd was at the front of his men, and engaged in making out a list of arms in his company, and at the time was writing it on the head of a drum.
At the time, there had been a company from Lima, detailed for guard duty, and stationed over the grounds. As it was the custom in those days for each man to furnish his own gun. In this company, there was a young man,—perhaps poor—had borrowed a gun of a neighbor, who had used it on a hunt the day before, and left it loaded, and had forgot to inform the young man. At this time the young man was kneeling and had his gun resting across his knee, and was snapping the hammer, when to his surprise it was discharged, and the ball went on its deathly course, passing over the head of Lieut. Boyd and scarcely missing it, striking Poor Willcox in the region of the heart, killing him in an instant. He threw his hand to his heart and exclaimed as he fell: “ My God! I am shot.” This at once ended the days sport, as they bore his cold form to his father’s house, and the next day, his friends in tears followed his remains to their last resting place in the Conesus Center cemetery.CHAPTER XVII.
'ffari[ative8 and Record off jfiMtoriqul invents.
-4{p|iT was no^ l°ng a^er the settlement of the town, before the early settlers be-gan the task of building saw and grist-mills, distillieries, woolen-mills, etc., to assist them in their manual labor, and to make the daily toils of life easy.
The first of these improvements, was the saw-mill, and the first one built in the town, was known as the “ Henderson’s mill,” built by Esq. Henderson in 1795, near the present sight of Conesus Center. To raise this mill, he was obliged to obtain assistance from the surrounding towns. This mill stood upon the sight of the present grist-mill, and did good service for the early settlers.
The next saw-mill, was the Wing mill, that stood upon lot No. 104, built by Nathaniel Cole, in 1816. This stood in the Calabogue Hollow, of which we know but little about.
The next was the Purchase saw-mill, built by Davenport Alger, about the year of 1828.
It was situated in the gully of that name, and about one hundred rods south of the residence of Jacob Wester. Another saw-mill was built by Hosea Gilbert in 1833 or ‘34, in the Mill gully, east of the residence of McMillen Bros. The old dilapidated frame of this mill is still
127
standing, being the only one standing, except Humphry’s, which we have already described.
The first portable saw-mill ever used in the town, was by Charles Humphry about the year of 1881 or/‘82. It was used upon lands owned by Lawrence Webster, on the Marrow-back hills.
The first grist-mill was built by Purchase & Baker, in 1824. It stood in the Purchase gully, south of the residence of Jacob Wester, on lot No. 42. All that is now left of this useful enterprise, is the old foundation of the mill, the dilapidated ends of the mill-dam, the mill-stones that was shaped out of a solid boulder, found in our lands, and now lies partly buried up with the earth, and through the center, a woodchuck uses it as the mouth of his retreat. The next grist-mill was a mill that stood north of the residence of John Jerome, on land now owned by Franklin Foot. This mill was only used to grind grain for a distillery that was there. The next mill was the Rockafellow mill at Conesus Center, which we have already described.
There has been several distileries at one time in the town. These aided the early settlers to a great extent, for they would take their128
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
wheat there and exchange it for whiskey, which they would trade for labor. The whiskey at this time, being worth but eighteen cents per gallon. This was abandoned a number of years ago. There was another distillery situated in the Purchase gully, which was built by Purchase & Raker, about the year of 1824. This also was of great service to the settlers. There were two other distillerys at the same time in the town,—one on lot No. 54,—of which we have no record.
The most important manufactury, was the old woolen factory, at the head of Conesus lake, at the mouth of the Purchase gully. It was a large frame building, and was erected by Esquire Henderson in 1816 or c17, and was used as a fulling mill. After a few years, the water supply was found to be inadiquate, and Hosea Grilbert opened a water-course from Mill creek, through hog-back, and carried the water in a trough to the north side of the Purchase gully to the flume leading to the woolen-mill. Toac-eoinplish this, they were obliged to cut through a high mountain of some sixty feet of solid or slate rocks, for the distance of a hundred feet. This task, was considered a great undertaking at the time : in the present day it would be accomplished by tunneling, instead of blasting from top to bottom. The mill after being used for several years, and no longer of service to the inhabitants, was abandoned, and since has been torn down. In this mill, the late William Scott, of Scottsburgh, N. Y., in 1818 or ‘19, carded the first yard of cloth, that were ever carded in the town.
One of the most charitable enterprises in the town, that gave aid to the early settlers, was the pot-asheries. The poor would save all of their wood ashes—and even would burn log heaps for them,—and then take it to the ash-erys, and sell it for goods or money.
To our knowledge, there were two of these enterprises in town. One of them was owned by Hiram May, who kept a small store near the residence of Romeyn Cole, and in a short time moved it to Foot’s Corners, in the year of 1819. He would sell his goods to the poor, and take ashes for pay, which he would convert into potash, and sell the same to replenish his stock, lie was succeeded in 1820 by Martin Neal, who carried on business at this place, on a larger scale, and after a few years, it was aban-ed. The other one, was that of Purchase & Baker, situated in the Purchase gully, near the residence of Jacob Wester in 1825, of which we are unable to describe.
Charcoal was another enterprise among the early settlers. This was accomplished by dig-ing a large hole in the ground, and cutting wood—which was principally soft timber—and standing it in the hole on the end, and covering it over with dirt, and then setting it on fire. Often these pits would contain from sixty to one hundred cords. These pits were obliged to be watched night and day ; for, should a hole break through the top, it would have to be repaired at once, or the wood would burn to ashes. In caring for these pits, it would have to be done with great risk to the tender, and many narrow escapes were made, from falling into these “ firev furnaces,” which would have been certain death. Some times nearly a week would pass, before the pit could be opened, and the coals raked out. Many places can be seen to-day by the dark earth and burned coals, where one of the enterprises has taken place.
The first reaper that was in the town, was purchased by Hiram Boyd and Jotham Clark, Sen., about the year of 1850. It was called the “ Huzzy,” and was built at Auburn, N. Y. “ This was a huge machine.” It had a drive-wheel about four feet high and a six inch face.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
129
The felly and spokes were made of wood, and had a cast iron hub, about eight inches in diameter and the same in length. The main shaft was three inches in diameter, and from two and one-half to three feet in length. On the same was a strait gear of about two feet in diameter, with a three inch face. This connected another bevel gear upon an inch and one-half shaft, which ran in another bevel gear < >f about four inches on a crank shaft of an inch and one-half in diameter, which drove the knives. The section bar was wrought iron, weighing about fifty pounds. The guards were of wrought iron, three-fourth of an inch square and was riveted to a wooden cutter-bar made of two inch plank, ten inches wide, and about eight feet in length. The frame was made of three by four inch square ash timber, bolted strongly together, and the machine was attached to the forward wheels of a wagon, to draw and guide it with. It would cut seven feet in width and each corner of the lot had to craddled into, so as to turn the same. All the grain was raked on and off by hand. It took three horses to draw it, as it'weighed nearly a ton. When the owners brought it into the town, it was a great curiosity, and many came to see the wonders. It was used first upon the lower side of the road between Conesus and Livonia, on the lands of Hiram Boyd. All day long the fences were lined with teams from far and near, who had come to see it work. It was in operation for nearly twenty years.
The first self-raking reaper used in the town, was a Hubbard machine, purchased and used by Timothy Degraw on the hill lot, north of his residence, in 1868. The first self-binding reaper was brought into the town, by Stephen E. Sherwood, in 1876 or 677. It was a very heavy machine, and failed to do its work satisfactorily, and was sent back to the company
again. I believe it was made by the Johnston Harvester Company,'of Batavia, N. Y.
One of the first mowers in the town, was purchased by my father (Hiram Boyd), in 1857. It was a Howard, made at Buffalo, N. Y. “I remember very well, when my father purchased the machine. A Mr. Thurston of Livonia came to our house a few days before he would wish to use one, and urged very hard for my father to buy a mower of him. My father hesitated at first, for he could not believe there could be such a machine made, as Mr. Thurston represented to him. At last Mr. Thurston made such an impression on my father, that he consented to let him send him one for trial, with the understanding if it did not do as Mr. Thurston represented, my father was to draw it by the side of the road and leave it, and Mr. Thurston was to come after it.”
“The machine was to come on the cars,and to have been here the Saturday before he was to have used it. My brother went to the depot the Saturday morning as agreed, but it did not come. The Monday morning came, that my father was to commence his haying. So obtaining several hands, he prepared to do it by the ‘old way.5 While the dew was on the grass in the morning, my father seut my brother to the depot again, and to their surprise, it came on the morning train. They brought it home and soon put it together. Yet they still could not believe it would do all that was claimed of it. My brother took the machine to the lot west of the Conesus cemetery, to commence operation; my father sent his men also with their scythes, to go to work when it failed. My brother started in, and the little machine left a swathe behind it. My father still had his doubts that it would yet fail, and Mr. Thurston would have to come and get his130
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
machine. My father then was called to the house, after leaving instructions with my brother to mow until noon, expecting that he would succeed in that time in cutting two or three acres. When the hour of twelve came, he had about six acres cut, and the men whom had been engaged, spent the forenoon in the shade. The little machine did its work so finely, that the next year, my father did not have any grass grow on the lot. Not knowing how to adjust it, it mowed the ground so close, as to kill all the grass-roots. My father kept the machine for several years, ‘ his special pride.’ ”
The next invention, that was of great importance to the farmers, was a threshing-machine to separate and thresh the “ golden grain ” from the straw, and in accomplishing the same, many devices were adopted. The first, was by the flail, swung by the strong arms of the men, or treading the grain from the straw7, by horses or cattle. This was in operation, until threshing-machines came in use.
The first one in the town, was fifty or sixty years ago, and was known as the “ Douglas^ machine,” and owned by Hiram May, at Foot’s Corners. This machine was constructed by raising two large posts, with a heavy beam from one to the other, in form of a bent. From this bent there was a shaft ran down, with a wheel on top, and a hole through the same in wrhieh was inserted a sweep, and a horse was hitched to this, so as he could travel between the posts, and turn the shaft and wheel. From the wheel, there ran a belt or rope to an open cylinder, which they passed the grain through, doing the separation by hand.
The next machine was that of Alexander Patterson and Hiram Boyd. This consisted of an upright shaft, placed on the out-side of the barn, with a sweep in it, to hitch a horse to. On top of the shaft, was a large wheel, on which
a chain ran from this to another wheel that was on the shaft that had the drive-wheel on, and from this to an open cylinder, on the barn-floor.
The next improved machine, was the Bills machine, made at Mount Morris, N. Y. The power was made with an iron wheel, in a wooden frame. The cylinder was drove by a pulley, on the end of the tumbling-rod, connecting to the power. The machine had a cylinder that was open, and the separation done by h^nd.
In the year of 1839, Thomas Luke brought the first separator into the town. This consisted of a cylinder and fanning-mill in the same frame, and the straw was run from the cylinder to the rattles by a belt. It had no straw-carrier.
James McNinch and Matthew Allen in 1841, bought of B. F. Dow & Co., of Fowlerville, N, Y., a machine like Lukes, except in the place of the belt they used rattles. They sold this machine, and then purchased in 1842, the first complete machine-—consisting of cylinder, chaff-carrier, fanning-mill, straw-carrier elevators, etc.—ever used in the town; using the wooden frame power, as described above. The first iron frame power, was brought into the town in 1844, by James McNinch and Geo. F. Coe.
The first portable threshing engine in the town, was brought here by Win. Holmes in 1876. It was Wood’s engine, made at Clyde, N. Y. The first traction engine, was that of John Hfclmes, in July, of 1884. It was called the “ Wide-a-Wake,” made by J. O. Spencer & Son, of Waterloo, N. Y.
The first stationary-engine, was that of Coe & Baylas, in the grist-mill at Conesus Center, about 1844. The same was sold by E. W. & J. F. Clark, a few years ago, and was replaced by a second one by them. The, first steam saw-mill, is that of Charles Humphry, at Conesus Center, built in 187-.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
131
The year when the first plow was introduced into the town, we are unable to say. But it was not long after the first settlemnet. At this time they were rudely made, having a wooden mould-board covered with iron, and one handle, which in a few years afterwards they were improved by using two handles. These plows had a wrought iron point, which was taken off and sent to the blacksmith shop when dull, to be sharpened. The next improved plow, was a cast-iron plow called the “Livingston County Plow,” made at East Avon, N. Y., by Thomas Wiard, about 1846, and was nearly the same style, as made at the present day. The first sulkey-plow, brought into the town, was by James Alger, about 1870.
When the first iron tooth drag wa,s introduced into the town, we have no record; yet it could not have been far from the year of 1835 or ‘40. Before this date, they were made from the forks of a tree in the shape of a “V.” The first-spring-tooth harrow was brought here by William L. Perrin, about the year of 1870, and was made by Ovlin & Co., Perry, N. Y.
The raking of all the hay and grain from the first settlement of the town for several years were done by hand. Then they brought into use the revolving horse-rake for hay, about the year of 1835, which was used until dhe wheel horse-rake took its place. For raking stubble, they first used a one horse, wire-tooth rake, and the driver walked behind, and when he came to the windrow, would raise it up by two handles, to dump it. The next came was the wheel horse-rake, and the fifst one in town, was owned by James Alger, about the year I860.
The first hay-tedder that was used here, was by the McMillan Bro’s, of which we have no date. Although it must have been about the year of 1868. It was called the “ American.”
The first platform-scales owned in the town,
was erected by A. D. Coe, where Dodge’s hardware store now stands. In what year, we are unable to say. Yet it was not far from 1857. These scales was destroyed in the great fire of 1871.
Mho started the first cider mill in the town, we have no record. One of the first, was that of Davenport Alger’s, who owned and ran one upon the farm now owned by his son James Alger. The date of this mill, we can not tell. Since that time, there has been three or four different ones here, as follows: One at the head of the Conesus lake, owned by J. 0. Pridmore. One south of Conesus Center, owned by David Coleman. One in the northern part of the town, upon lands now owned by Mrs. Harriett King, and owned by John McVicar. These mills were all run by horsepower and the pressing done by hand.
In the fall of 1874, Bennett R. Boyd built the first steam cider mill, near the residence of Mrs. Harriett King, on the land of his father. Here he did the grinding by the power of a 10 horse engine, and the working of the press by hand. In 1876, he went into partnership with Andrew Kuder, and moved into the building they now occupy, and then added more machinery, so as to do the grinding, pumping, pressing and elevating, by steam-power.
The first and only cheese-factory in the town was started by Andrew Perrin, in the Spring of 1878, near his residence, south of Conesus Center. It was a company formed of the surrounding farmers, who carried their milk there and had it made into cheese. It was in operation for a short time, and then abandoned, and the building has since been converted into a horse barn by the above gentleman.
The first hop-yard was started by Solomon Trescottat Conesus Center, in the year of 1862, and part of the same is now still in operation.132
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
He was soon followed by Lewis Carroll^ and still later, by David Coleman, Amos D. Coe, and others.
The first evaporater was started at Conesus Center, by Trescott Bros., in 1869. They have dryed several thousand bushels of apples every fall since.
The first church-bell, and the heaviest bell, was placed upon the school-house at Conesus Center, in 1870. Its weight is about 2501bs. The next heaviest, is the farm-bell of Hiram and William Boyd, bought in the summer of 1884. Its weight is 1601bs. The first farm-bell in town, was purchased by Franklin Foot, Sept. 21, 1868. Weight, 601bs.
The first iron road bridge built here, was erected by Road Commissioner, A. J. Piekle, over the inlet creek, at the head of Conesus lake, in the summer of 1883. The second one by Commissioner Maron Cole, in the spring of 1886.
The first billiard-room was opened in the town, by Frank Eno, in the building now occupied by Grover & Snyder, in the fall of 1865. In a few weeks he was followed by a second one in the town hall, bv Davenport Alger. In the spring of 1886, these two fell into the hands of John C. Coe, who built the bulding on the oposite side of the street, and moved into the same.
The first lathe for turning iron, was brought into the town by William P. Boyd, June 4th, 1878.
In January of 1875, he opened the first printing office in the town. At the time of the opening of this office, (which was located at the residence of Hiram Boyd,) there was no printing office nearer than Geneseo, or Dansville. In this office, he had the first printing press here. The second press was introduced by Geo. K. Vincent, soon after; both of these presses were
hand-lever presses. Two years later, I placed in the place of this press, a rotary power one of my own make, being the first printing press that was built in the town. In 1884, I issued from this press, a book entitled, “ History of the Boyd Family and Descendants,” being the first book ever printed here.
In the spring of 1867, the first base-ball club was formed here. They had their playgrounds, between Union Corners and Conesus Center, on lands owned by Timothy Degraw. This club only existed through one summer.
The first tin-shop was opened in town by Chas. Thorpe in the house now occupied by Henry Cramer. But the date it was opened, we have not. The first hardware store was opened by John Dodge at Conesus Center, in an “old building” that stood on the street leading to the depot, in the fall of 1867. From here he moved into a new store, which was built by him in 1880 upon the sight of John C. Coe’s building, across from the Universalist church, and in 1884, moved it across the way, where it now stands. The first dealer in coal in the town, was 0. W. Chapin, about the year of 1865. He was succeeded by Jacob O. Green, in the Summer of 1885, and in the spring of 1886, the business was transferred to William P. Boyd, who now owns the coal trestles at Conesus Center.
The first instrumental band of music in the town, was formed at Conesus Center, about the year of 1858 or ‘59. It was known and called “ Erwin’s Cornet Band of Conesus.” It was composed of eleven members, as follows :—
1st. Eb., Henry Erwin; 2nd Eb., Hiram McNinch; 1st Bb., Thomas Farnsworth; 2nd Bb., Matthew Mead; 1st Eb. Alto, Colvin C. Barnes; 2nd Bb. Alto, Orville Chapin; Barytone, George Northrup; Bb. Bass, Frederick Straub; Eb. Bass, Henry C. Coe; Snair Drum,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
138
Lafayette Dartt; Bass Drum, John Northrup. The Band was broken up in 1861, by several of its members going to the war ; but was soon re-organized with new members, and continued in exsistance until 1881, when it was again broken up and disbanded.
The first merino sheep was brought into the
town in 1822 or ‘23, by-------Fellows, who
lived in the eastern part of the Marrowback hills. The next person deeply engaged in them, was Hector Hitchcock a few years afterwards. The sheep before this was of a poor breed : for they were very coarse, long-legged, and had but a little wool on the belly.
The first sewing-machine brought into the town, was by S. E. Sherwood in about 1860. It was a Parker & Groodwin make. Mrs. Allen McNinch purchased one of them, being the first owner of the same, in the town.
The first birth, was that of Jane Henderson, a daughter of Samuel Henderson, in 1801. The The first marriage, was that of Hugh Harrison and Elizabeth Collar in 1796. The first death was Elizabeth Collar in 1801.
The first lawyer admitted to the bar from the town, was James M. Alger, May 14 1847. He still has resided here.
The first Democratic pole raised at Conesus Center, was by Cleveland and Hendrick club, in the fall of 1884.
The first post-master in the town, was John Scott, who had an office at his residence on Turkey Hill.
Incidents and Narratives.
The oldest person at the time of her death, that lived in the town, was Lucy Bates, who was born in 1725, and died in 1832. The next was Mary Mastin, who lived to the age of 103. The oldest person now living in the town that was born here, is Polly (Alger) Morris, born
Nov. 15, 1810. The oldest person living in the town, is Jotham Clark, born March 8, 1794.
In the fall of the year of 1859, the town was excited over a large comet, that appeared in the western sky. This comet was very bright, had a long firey tail, and shone several weeks in succession. At the time, it was held by many as the fore-runner of the war of 1861.
The year of 1820 is noted for the scarcity of salt in the town. It took eight bushels of wheat to buy a barrel, and many of the poorer settlers suffered for the want of it.
In 1805 or £6, there was a large tribe of Indians came and encamped for the winter, upon the flat lands of Hiram Boyd, west of his residence. When spring came, they departed for another location.
In the year of 1838, Robert McNinch came near meeting a timely death, while assisting in raising a large shed, attached to the barn, now owned by Franklin Foot. They had raised one of the bents half-way up, when the foot slipped, and it fell back, narrowly missing the other workmen, and striking him in the stomach, knocking him down, and crushing him into some soft earth, which saved his life. He was soon rescued, but badly injured, of which he never fully recovered.
Several years ago, Benjamin Bearss was engaged in feeding a threshing-machine upon the the farm of Cyrus Trescott, along the shores of the Conesus lake. Benjamin wore a pair of mittens, and in some manner, he place his hand too close to the cylinder, and it caught one of them, and in an instant, drew his arm in, and mangled it nearly to the shoulder. The concussion was so great as to stop the machine, and to release his arm, they were obliged to take the cylinder out. He bore it bravely, and with a good nerve had the same amputated without the ijse of any narcotics, and soon recovered.134
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
In the winter of 1867, Scott Jones was driving a young horse hitched to a cutter up the road by the grist-mill to Conesus Center, and as he reached the north sideof the mill, his horse became balky, and began pushing the cutter with Mr. Jones in it toward the brink of the precipice—some 70 feet high—leading into the gully. x Mr. Jones saw his perilous position, gave a leap from the cutter, landing in the center of the highway, as his horse and cutter disappeard from his view, over the edge of the bank, and fell a mangled mass to the bottom of the gully. The horse was instantly killed, and the cutter broken to pieces, while Mr. Jones and his friends felt grateful for his deliverance from a sure dearth.
In years ago,—as well as at the present time,—it was a custom for the young men to visit the young ladies, on Sunday evenings of mid-winter, to pass the time away.
A number of years ago, a certain young man of the town, paid his respects to a young lady of high respectability, near Conesus Center. He made it his custom to call every Sunday afternoon, through the whole winter. When spring came, an difference arose between them, and he stopped calling on his lady friend any more. The father of the young lady, feeling disappointed in not securing him as a son-in-law, as he supposed might be the case, commenced civil proceedings in the town, for the wood, lights, etc., they used through the winter hours, and received a judgement against him, which he duly paid.
Soon after the first settlement of the town, there was a certain landlord came to Conesus, and rented one of its famous hotels. He was a man of in temper ate^hab i ts, and when under the influence of “ ardent spirits,” was very abusive to his family. The pioneers, being a charitable, good disposed people, felt grieved at the
conduct of the landlord, resolved to appoint a committee to call upon him, and ask of him, to do better. The landlord hearing of what was soon to occur, purchased several bottles of the very best whiskey he could obtain, and set it away for his unwelcome (welcome at other times) visitors.
The day at last came; and the appointed committee called on the venerable landlord, and was conducted into the best room, that the house could afford, and requested to be seated. After spending sometime in telling stories, and discussing the events of the day, the landlord arose and went out, and soon returned with a bottle of his whiskey and several glasses, and the latter he sat down on the table, and began filling them from the bottle, and at the same time, telling them that he had just got a new brand of whiskey and desired them to sample it.
After he had passed it around several times, and they had taken freely of it, the committe-men, began to deeply feel the effects of the liquor. One of their number more shrude than the rest, saw if they did their errand, they must do so at once, or they would become powerless to accomplish their undertaking. So one of their number arose, and taking hold of a chair for support, said:—
“ Uncle, (as they called him,) we persume you know what we came here to-day for. We have come to consult yon in regard to your family ; and--------”
“Well! Well!” said the landlord. Come, never mind that. Let’s have another drink,” as he poured out each another glass, and urged his friends to accept of it.
This accomplished the landlord’s object; for the last glass laid out the comrnittemen, who resolved in the future, to let their friends do their own talking to the honorable landlord, in regard to his bad doings.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
185
The 16th. of January 1867, is the day that the robbery of the residence of John McVicar, now the Mrs. Harriet King place, in the northern part of the town took place.
This day, Mr. McVicar had gone away, and his wife had gone to one of her neighbors (Mr. Alexander Patterson) who had died in the morning, to assist the family to make arrangements for the funeral She left the house about 10 o’clock in the forenoon, and returned a little afternoon. In the meantime, a young man came along with a basket in his hand, selling stove-dampers, entered the yard, went to the door and knocked, but receiving no reply, looked in the window and saw that all had gone away. He raised the window, and crept in, and went to a bureau in one of the rooms, which he found locked. He now went to the wood-shed and got an ax, went back and pried open one of the drawers, and took out $275, and then left the place.
As soon as Mrs. McVicar returned, and found that her dominion had been entered, she gave an alarm, and then her husband returning, he with the aid of his neighbors offered a suitable reward, and soon had men in per-suit of the robber. The robber after leaving the house, cut cross-lots to South Livonia, then to Lakeville where he ate his dinner, and from there to Scottsville, where he was arrested by the men in pursuit as he was about to take the cars for Rochester. In the meantime he had walked twenty-eight miles in less than five hours, including the stop for dinner. Being his first offence, he was sent to Auburn prison for two years.
There once dwelt in the southern part of the town,' a middle aged man by the name of Shippy, who was always seeking after some hidden treasure that he claimed to have been revealed to him in some dream, and the
most of his time was spent in digging after these fancied treasures throughout the town.
So it came to pass one day, there came along the way a G-ypsy woman, claiming to have the power of telling fortunes, and revealing hidden treasures, &c. Animated by his dreams, he consulted her. Said she: u There is a certain lot in the south part of the town, where if you will go on such a night, to a particular spot, you will by digging to a certain depth, find a large pan of gold that will make you rich.”
This filled his heart with gladness, for the the secret was too good to be kept; and he was soon about revealing it to his neighbors, and telling them the night that he was to commence his work.
His neighbors resolved to have some sport with him. So when the evening came, two of them repaired to the place—which was a piece of new ground covered with large spots of underbrush,—and hid in the bushes. At last the sound of the pickaxe and shovel was heard, which told them that he had commenced his work. One of them now rigged the other so as to as to represent a ghost of enormous highth, by mounting him on a pair of stilts, and wrapping him in a sheet. When all was ready they gave forth unearthly groans, and the one dressed like a ghost, parted the bushes and began to advance upon the treasure-seeker. This was too much for poor Shippy, who gazed a moment upon the advancing form in bewilderment, then gave a shriek, dropping his tools, rushed acrossed the lot toward his home. For several days afterwards he related a splendid ghost story, until the truth was made known to him, which cured him of searching for hidden treasures.
The little town of Conesus was thrown into a state of wild excitement, in the summer of 1847, by a report being circulated by one Jer-136
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
ry Hall, that he had seen a wild man running at large in the woods on lot No. 35, near the residence of John Jerome. His story ran as follows:—
Jerry had some business that called him through these woods, which then consisted of a large tract of timber, which had a large brook running through the center. In passing along through the woods, Jerry claimed to have came across a large man, who at the time was busily engaged in washing himself in the brook. His description of the man was that he had hands that reached down to the ground, a long tail that he would draw after him in the mud, and his feet was nearly two feet in length, while his body was covered with long black hair. This hoax, of which he was the inventor, spread like wild fire throughout the town, and everybody was eager to see this wild monster of the forest. A large number of the citizens turned out and searched every nook and corner for him, but could get no sight of him, though they could trace him along in the mud by the mark of the foot, and on each side of it by the marks of the fingers as they stuck in the mud, while a trail followed after which they immagined to be the mark of his tail.
The excitement arose to such a pitch, that many were afraid to be seen after dark for fear of meeting this terrible wild man. But, after a short time the tables turned, and the real truth became known and the people were released from the fear of being gobbled up by the wild mobster of the woods.
In producing this excitement, Jerry had placed over his feet the toe ends of several pair of boots to give great length to his feet, and had punched his fingers into the mud at his side and had drawn after him a long stick. In this way he had gone through the woods several times, and then to the brook where he
had seen the wild man. He then went about the town, and reported what he had seen, and went with many of the citizens and showed to them the tracks of the “ terrible monster.”
We have read of many somnambulistic feats, but nothing has come to our knowledge that equals to the walk of Carrie Esteralt in June of 1885, while living on the Marrowback hills, at the residence of Nathan Marsh.
Carrie had bought a new hat and dress the day before, and like many girls at the age of fifteen, her mind was constantly upon them.
One night, about midnight, as near as can be judged, she arose in her sleep, put the bat on her head and the dress over her shoulders, went down stairs, unlocked the door, and started barefooted and in her night clothes, over a rough and stony road, for her father’s house, some three miles away. When she had nearly reached her father’s house, she awoke, and seeing where she was, were nearly frightened to death. However she went to her father’s door and knocked and called loudly for some one to let her in. Her father came to the door and opened it, and she stood before him, with her hat on, and her dress over her shoulders. The surprise of heir father may perhaps be better imagined than expressed, when he viewed his daughter in her scanty apparel, as she stood before him.
It was 2 o’clock when she got there, and her feet were badly bruised by her journey over the stones. She had to pass two pieces of thick woodland, and if she had awakened on that part of the road, or at any other place besides in the front of her father’s house, her fright would have been much greater. But after all, it is not the first instance that we can relate, where the purchase of new clothes has caused a turning of the head and a weariness of the flesh.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
137
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The following is a list of the different persons engaged in business in the town of Conesus, August 1st, 1886. Where the names of two persons are connected by an “ they belong to the same firm.
Agricultural Dealers,
Frank P. Shafer, John Dodge, Bennett R. Boyd, Floyd McNinch.
Architects and Carpenters,
Harvey Ripley, James Griffin, Mahlon Dar-row, William Howitt, George Follett, Hiram McNinch, James McNinch.
Attorneys at Law,
James M. Alger, Seymour N. Thorpe.
Blacksmiths,
George Baker, John Webster, J. Jincks, Alex. Green.
Billiard Room,
John C. Coe.
Cabinet Maker arid Undertaker, Frederick Straub.
Dealer in Drugs,
> Arthur A. Starks.
Dealer in Coal,
William P. Boyd.
Dealer in Lumber,
Alex. W. Green.
Dealers in Grain,
Lewis E. Chamberlin & Jothani Clark Jr.
Eating Saloon,
Frank Fox.
Hotel Keeper,
Davenport P. Alger.
Harness Maker,
William A. Miller.
Hop Yards,
Trescott Bros., Daniel Trescott, Dell Price.
Land Surveyor,
Ornaldo Morris.
Merchants,
Arthur A. Starks, George Snyder & Frank Grover, Frank Fox, Emma Scott,------Brown.
Milliners
Kate Hendershott, Jennie Johnson, Emma Scott, Lillie Henry.
Millers,
Clark M. Herrick & Ezra W. Clark.
• Music Teachers,
Mrs. Helen Shafer, William S. Alger.
Ministers of the Gospel,
Rev. Arthur M. Newton, Father Hendrick, Mr. Spicer, Elder Samuel Maring.
Manufacturers of Cider,
Bennett R. Boyd & Andrew Kuder, David Coleman.
Physicians,
J. B. Losey, L. M. Philips, J. M. McGowan. Printing,
William P. Boyd.
Post Masters,
Arthur Starks, Conesus Center Post Office. Joseph H. Rowland, Conesus Post Office. Thomas Holmes, Mail Carrier between Conesus Center and Scottsburgh.
Rail Road and Express Agent,
Aaron A. Mann. -
Shoemakers,
Thomas Griffin, Edwin Brown.
Telegraph Opperator,
Aaron A. Mann.
Wagon Makers,
Alex. Green, John Webster.
Weavers,
Mrs. Caroline Rowland, Mrs. Annie Alger.138
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
TOWN OFFICERS. *
The following is a list of the Town Officers of Conesus, for the year of 1886 :—
Supervisor,
Charles C. Gray.
Town Clerk,
L. Eugene Trescott.
Justices of the Peace,
William A. Miller, Edward Hitchcock, Romeyn W. Cole, Frank P. Shafer. Assessors,
James C. McNinch, Harrison Partridge, Alfred Sliker.
Town Collector,
Andrew F. Kelleman.
Commissioners of Highways,
Maron F. Cole.
Overseer of the Poor,
Corda F. Trescott.
Constables,
Andrew F. Kelleman, Solomon Artlip, John D. Webster, Charles W. Daniels, Thomas Coultry.
Game Constable,
John D. Scott.
Inspectors of Election,
Scott L. McNinch, (Republican.)
John C Holmes,	“
James S. Alger, (Democrat.) Commissioners of Excise.
George W. Baker, George Cleland, Horatio Holmes.
Town Statistics.
The following, was the Town Statistics for the year of 1885:—
Number of Acres of land in the Town, 19,827
Asessed value of the real estate in the Town, $739,175.
Assesed value per. acre, $37.28.
“	“ of personal estate in Town,
$61,550.
Total value of real and personal estate in the Town, $869,235.
The amount of State Tax, $1,451.91.
The amount or County Tax, $1,336.68.
The amount of School Tax, $740.76.
The amount of Returned Tax, $4.39.
The total amount of Town Tax, $3,535.69.
The number of Dogs in Town, 114.
The amount of Dog Tax, $61.00.CHAPTER XVIII.
genealogical jQixtorg of the jffonm.
HEN I commenced preparing a History of the town of Conesus, it was n°f my intention then of giving a <^Pl genealogical and historical sketch ^ of the different families here. But having a large amount of information concerning them, and a request from some of the worthy citizens of the town, I at last consented to do so, and have prepared the following Chapter.
In the preparation of the Chapter, I will say, it has been written from memory, and the dates has been gathered from the Cemeteries of the town, from journals kept by different persons, and from other sources, as a personal canvass would have been too much of a “ tedious affair.’5 Therefore, without doubt, there may be many errors in dates, names, etc., and many families- and members of others omitted, by my not being better acquainted with their genealogy. But what are given I consider full and complete enough for general purposes.
In condensing the matter in this book, I have adopted the abreviation of words, by using the letter 44 b.” for birth; k4m.” for marriage; 44 d.” for death, which I trust will be readily understood by those that may have an occasion to peruse this book for refferences.
Genealogy of the Town.
ADAMS.
Philip Adams, settled several years ago on the shore of the Conesus lake, in the nothern part of the town. He m. Augusta4 French, and had five children; Emily, d. June 27, 1877;
a.	3 y’s ; Richard, Jennie, Jessie, and Sireno.
AGAN.
William Agan, was born in Ireland, in 1824 ; came to America, in 1845, and to Conesus in 1849 or c50. He m. Catherine Walch, and now resides on Turkey Hill. They have no childern except two they adopted, named** Mary and Joseph. The former m. Meachum.
ALGER.
Capt. John Alger, the progenitor of the Alger families of the town, was b. in 1739, and d. Aug. 13,1829. Elizabeth, his wife, was
b.	1743, and d. Feb. 25, 1831. They came to the town at an early day, and made it their home with their son, on the 64 Old Alger place.” As far as I know, they had one child that was named Davenport, who came to this town.
139140
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Davenport, the above son, was b. at Stafford, Vt., in 1783, and d. here Sept. 24,1859; m. Mary Morrison, who was b. at Londonderry, N. H., in 1785, and d. here Oct. 29, 1854. They came here in an early day and settled on the farm now owned by his son James. He and she were large portly persons, kind and generous. He was the first Supervisor of the town, and a very influencial man, and would not humble himself to do a mean act. They had six children, as follows:
1st, Lucinda, who d. Aug. 2,1810; a. 2 y’s.
2nd, Jehiel, b. in 1805, and died May 24, 1857; m. Eliz’b. Allen, and resided at the head of the Conesus lake. They had nine children, namely: Mary Jane, m. Ephraim Cole; Davenport, m. Cassia Needham, and keeps hotel at Conesus Center. Their child Allie, m. George Snyder. William, a music teacher, now single. Electa, d. in 1840. George in. Laura Jerome, and lives on part of his father’s farm ; one child, George. Dewitt m. 1st Mary Osborn, by whom he had two children ; Arcelia, d. June 4, 1869; a. 5 y’s, and Duane. For his 2nd wife, Emma Brown, by whom he has two children, Clarence and Bertie. He lives on the east side of the head of the Conesus Lake swamp. Duane d. in the army, 1862. Elizabeth m. Edwin Shutt, and lives in Rochester; children three, Erwin, Emmett and Cameron. Jehial m. Emma Bay las and lives on the “ old place.” Has two children, Elmer and Arthur.
3d, Polly, b. in 1810; m. Sylvester Morris.
4th, John D.,b. in 1814, and d. May 4,1883. He resided in the northern part of the town on the place now owned by his daughters. He m. 1st. Dimmis Stevens, who d. March 11, 1852 ; a. 34y‘s, by whom he had four children ’grown to man and womanhood, namely :	Dewitt, m.
Anna Tittsworth, and d. June 21 1885, leaving one child, Jennie. Ashabel, m. Louisa
Baldwin and has one child, Minnie. Sarah and Laura are single. For his 2nd wife, Addie Morris, who d. July 20, 1868; a. 40 y’s, by whom he had several children, now all dead except one, a young lady named, Addie.
5th, Electa, m. Nathaniel Cole, and d. Jan. 23, 1882; a. 66 y’s.
6th, James, m. Jane Stone, and lived for a time east of Foot,s Corners, and now on the “ old homestead ” of his fathers. Their children are James m. Lucy Albertson, and Kittie.
ALLEN.
Joseph and Winter Allen, belonged to, two seperate families. Joseph was b. in Pennsylvania, and d. here. He m. Jennie McNinch, who was b. at the same place, and d. also here. They came here at an early day and lived at the head of the Conesus lake. Their family consisted of ten children, namely :
1st. Matthew, m. Mary Ann Thorp, and resided for a time at the head of the Conesus lake, and now on Turkey Hill. Has three children as follows:	America J., m. Ezra. W .
Clark; Mary R., m. William P. Boyd; and Jennie.
2nd, Elizabeth, m. Jehial Alger.
3d, Sally, m. Orren Hubbard.
4th, Mary, in. John Bryant, and now lives in Illinois.
5th, William, m. Sarah Gcve, and lives on the east side of the Honeoye lake. She d. a few years ago, leaving several grown up children.
6th, John, m.-------, and now lives west,
where he went a few years ago.
7th, James.
8th, Ellen, m. Daniel McLean. Both of them are now dead.
9th, Samuel, m. Sabra Blandin, and lived for a time on Turkey Hill. A few years ago,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
141
he went to Michigan, and since has died. His children are Josephine, Mary, Frank, Noah, Hector, and most of them are married.
10th. Ann, m. Arnold Hartson, and they resided in Livonia, where she died a few years ago. Had one son name Edwin, now dead, who m. Emma Buskirk, and left one child, named Curtis.
The next is the family of Winter Allen, of whom I know but a little about. He came here in 1810, and who he married, I am unable to say. His family consisted of several children, as follows:
• 1st. Gilbert, b. in Washington County, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1815; m. 1st Angeline Allen, who d. in 1852. Their children were Electa, Mary, Sanford, and Jenetta. For his 2d wife, Laura Tallman, by whom he has one child named, Winter.
2nd. Rosella, m. Samuel Buskirk.
3d. Olive, m. George Conklin.
4th. Stephen, m. Electa Cole.
Jehiel and Phineus, brothers to Winter, I know nothing of.
ALBERTSON.
Jacob Albertson, came to the town of Conesus, in 1884 or ‘85, and bought a farm on Marrowback. I am unable to give a history of his family farther then he has four children, of whom one m. Boyd of Caledonia, N. Y.; Lucy, m. James Alger Jr., and two minors.
ANNIS.
Alan son Annis, was born in Livonia, Apr. 19,1819 ; m. Lucina Brooks, who was b. in Windham, Vt., June 8, 1827. They came to Conesus in 1856, and lived first on the Marrowback hills, near the Albertson place, and from here to Conesus Center: He has held several town offices, and been a influential man. She, as a “ Christain worker,” seldom ever
had her equal in the town, and has been the Superintendant of the Universalist Sunday School for several years. They have one child Helen, b. June 13, 1857, who m. Frank Shafer.
ARMSTRONG.
Franklin Armstrong, was b. at New London, Ct., Aug. 29, 1793, and d. Feb. 7, 1883; m. Suseii Rudd, who was born in Ireland, 1817. They resided for a number of years, on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. This family, I know but a little about and can not give their pedigree.
ARNOLD.
Andrew Arnold, was b. Dec. 13, 1781, and d. March 23, 1875; m. Mariah Henderson who d. Oct. 27, 1837. He came to Conesus in an early day, and kept a store here in 1817 or ‘18. After a few years, he bought the farm now owned by William Gray south of the Center, where he resided to within a few years of his death, in a log house,—now torn down—that stood on the north-west corner of the road. They had five children, namely :
1st. Adaline, who a. June 10, 1849; a. 16 y’s.
2d. Albert, who d. Feb. 12, 1856.
3d. William, who d. Oct. 31, 1828; a. 2 y’s.
4th. Henry, in. Helen Bissell, and now resides at Geneseo. He now holds the position, as Commissioner of discharged prisoners of the State Prisons, of the State of New York. He has several children, and their names I am unable to give.
5th. Emma, m.----- Miller, and lives in
Chicago.
Gardner Arrold, a nephew of Andrew, was b. at Randolph, Vt., Mar. 20, 1794; m. Sarah Coe, who was b. in Livonia, in 1812. He d. May 2, 1868, and she d. Nov. 13,1881.142
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
He came here with his uncle in 1816, or ‘17, and with him kept a store. His last residence was at Conesus Center, and at the time of his death, bequeathed a certain sum of money to the Universalist Society, for a church at Conesus Center, and a like sum to the cemetery at the same place, that bears his name. They have no children.
AUSTIN.
Potter Austin, in the latter part of his life, resided at Conesus Center, where he d. Apr. 17, 1885, and also his wife Louisa, who was b. in 1811, and d. here, Apr. 13, 1883. This is all I can give of them.
BAILEY.
There were two families by this name once in the town ; yet I can not fully describe them. One of them lived at Conesus Center, and was called Job Bailey. His family consisted of severel children, and one of them was named James, who m. Eetta Swift, and has one child, and resides in Buffalo. The family a few years ago, went west. The other, is Timothy Bailey’s family, that lived on the Marrowback hills, of which I am unable to speak of.
BAKER.
There has been two families in the town that bore this name, and they were as follows:
Col. Frederick Baker, was b. in 1775, and d. Apr. 26, 1855; m. Huldah Parker, who was b. in 1787, and d. Sept. 7, 1872. They came to the town, at an early day and resided at Conesus Center. Their children were as follows:
1st. Sarah, who m. David Gray, and went west.
2nd. Jane, m. Stephen Sherwood.
3d. George, m. 1st. Elizabeth Gardner. 2d. Helen Erwin, who at the time of her death, eft two children, George, who m. Hattie F.
Bennett, an^ Jennie, who m. Frank Grover. 3d. Maria Dean.
Shelby Baker, the head of the other family, m. Marietta Sharpe. They lived fora time at the residence of Andrew Kuder. He is now a “prosperous merchant” at South Livonia.
BALDWIN.
Jerry Baldwin came to this town about 1855, and resided a few years, then went to Texas. Came back and m. Rachael Slate for his 2d wife, and moved to Mt. Morris, where he died a few years ago. By his 1st wife, who died before he came here, he had three children namely:
1st. Myron, who a number of years ago, went to Maryland, married, and died there, leaving several children.
2nd. Luman, m. Mary Romig, and now lives in Michigan. Has had three children, May, Lawrence, and a Infant that d. Feb. 28, 1870.
3d. Lawrence, who d. (I believe) in 1864; a. 20 y’s.
BARKER.
Samuel Barker, was born in England. Came to this country, and to the town of Conesus some thirty years ago, and settled on the' Marrowback hills, and resides now in the Cal-abogue hollow. His family consisted of several children, I know but little about. One of them, Elizabeth, m. Knights.
BARNES.
Hem an Barnes, was a Cooper by occupa-' tion, and came to the town, a number of years ago, and resided east of Union Corners, on the place now owned by Davis Jerome. His wife Cornelia, was b. 1806, and d. Apr. 18, 1874. They had four children, namely:
1st. Colvin, m. 1st, Mary Erwin, who d. Oct. 17, 1868 ; a. 26 y’s. For his 2d. wife, Rebecca (Gray) Fish. By his first wife, heTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
143
had three children, whose names were Mary, Charlie, and Frankie, who d. June 29, 1861. For several years he was a merchant at Conesus Center.
2nd. Sarah, m* Henry Erwin.
3d. Emma, m. Rev. Thomas Bell, and d. Feb. 15, 1873.
4th. Laura, m. Davis Jerome.
BAYLES.
- Robert Bayles, was b. in 1796, and d. Feb. 7, 1870. He came to the town at an early day, and settled east of Conesus Center, on the “Old Bayles place,” and from here he moved about the year of 1860, to the place where he died, south of Foot’s Corners. Who he married for his first wife, I can not say. His 2nd. wife, was Jane Beaty, by whom he had seven children, namely:
1st. Edwin, who has been married twice, and raised several children, yet I am not able to give a history of them.
2nd. William, who d. June 12, 1859; a. 25 y’s.
3d. Gustavns, who d. Aug. 16, 1864; a. 24 y’s.
4th. Alcemenia, m. Austin Woodruff, and d. Mar. 17, 1864; a. 26 y’s.
5th. Elvira, m. John Ingelow.
6th. Russell, m. Kate Howitt.
7th. Emma, m. Jehiel Alger.
His first wife’s children, I can not give.
BEARSS.
Peter and Isaac Bearss, two brothers, came and settled in the northern part of the town, many years ago. Peter was b. in 1789, and d. Apr. 4,1836 ; m. Electa Benedict, who was b. in 1799, and d. Feb. 16, 1865. They had four children, namely:
1st. Caroline, who d. Oct. 6, 1845; a. 20 y’s.
2nd. Cordon, who d. May 18, 1845; a. 21 y’s.
3d. Lucinda, m. Allen McNinch.
4th. Elias, m. Jane Hopkins, and d. Mar. 6, 1885. His family consisted of six children namely; Millard, m. Minnie Bowan, and has two children, George and Walter. Flora, Cora, Lettie, Anna, and Delia.
The brother Isaac was b. Aug. 3, 1878; m. Sally Benedict, who was b. in 1807, and d. in 1875. They were early settlers here, and lived on the place now owned by Albert Jerome, up to the time of their death. Their children were as follows:
1st. Jane, m. David Wilkison.
2nd. Electa, m. Norman Gould.
3d. Sarah, m. Freman Lindsley.
4th. John, m. and lives West.
5th. Alvin, m. Ella Jordon and lives on Turkey Hill. Has two children, John and Lena.
6th. Mary, m. William Barnhart.
7th. Benjamin, who d. Apr. 24, 1863; a 36 y’s.
8th. Willard, m. Emma (Buskirk) Hartson, and d. Mar. 19, 1881; a. 44 y’s.
9th. Martha, who d. Nov. 29, 1863; a. 15 y’s.
10th. Melville, who d. Jan. 15, 1841; a. 2 y’s.
11th. Eliza, who d. Jan 18, 1841 ; a. 6 y’s.
Rebecca, a sister of Isaac and Peter Bearss, was b. Feb. 4, 1813, and d. Dec. 9, 1874; m.
---— Bellknap and had one child, Edwin, who
d. Aug. 7, 1840; a. 4 y’s.
BELL.
Joseph Bell, was born in 1791. His wife
was Almira--------. They lived in the house
now owned by C. M. Herrick, at Conesus Center. He owned the Millright shop that stood144
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
north of the grist-mill, which was swept away by the flood, on the night of Oct. 20, 1835, in which he lost his life. As far as I know, he had one child, Betsy, who d. Feb. 1, 1836.
BENEDICT.
Benjamin Benedick, was b. in 1778; m. Elizabeth Couch, who was b. in 1778. He d. Mar. 22, 1868, and she d. Aug. 3, 1857. They were one of the early settlers here, and lived where Albert Jerome now resides. Their children were,
1st. Hannah, who d. Mar. 9,1862; a. 59 y’s.
2nd. Sally, m. Isaac Bearss.
3d. Betsy, in. Israel Johnson.
4th. Lucinda, m. Stephen Yeomans.
5th. Electa, m. Peter Bearss.
6th. Louis, m. Thomas Pierce.
7th. Unice, m. Willard Alton.
8th. Elizabeth, m. 1st, George Henry. 2d. Lisuph Sanford.
BONNAR.
James. Bonnar lived on the Calabogue road, south of Conesus Center, where he died. They had far as I knew three children, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Anna. They have left the town.
BOYD.
Philip Boyd, the progenitor of this family in the town, was b. at New Bedford, Westchester Co., N. Y., May 24, 1771; m. Elizabeth Barrett, who was b. at the same place, Apr. 6, 1773. He and she d. here May 31, 1*823, and Aug. 30, 1836, respectively. He was a Captain in the war of 1812, at Newburgh, and came to the town with his family, Apr. 6, 1821, and settled on the place now owned by his son Hiram. Their family consisted of ten children, and all died before coming to the town, except the following three, namely:
1st. Justus, who was b. June 16,1796. He lost his life, June 16, 1838, by the burning of the Steamboat, ” George Washington,” on Lake Erie, while assisting to save some thirty or forty children abandoned by their parents on the burning boat. After he had succeeded in placing them safely on a raft, he being a good swimmer, entered the water and being in a heated state, and after swimming nearly two miles, was picked up by a boat and taken fo the shore, where he died less than two hours in an Apoplectic fit, caused by over-exertion. He m. Almira Nutt, who was b. Sept. 19,1799. She now resides at Howell, Mich. They came to the town with his father’s family in 1821, and lived in a log house that stood west of the residence of Matthew Allen, then to Mt. Morris, and from there to Howell, Mich. Their children are, 1st. Lewis, m. Charity Cook, who d. in January of 1884 ; a. 57 y’s. Has two children, Justus, m. Janet Bates, (daughter of Ex-Governor Bates of‘Michigan), and lost his life in the great flood of California, in 1885, and Jerred, m. Harriet Newman. 2d. John, m. Lucinda Holloway. 3d. Hannah, who d. Mar. 9, 1872; a. 49 y’s. 4th. Norman, in. Rhoda Scofield. 5th. Henry, m. Matilda Curtis ; children two, Bartrom and Kate. 6th. Elizabeth, m. Rev. Lyman Dean. 7th. Henry, ,m. Elizabeth Briggs. 8th. Angeline, single. 9th. William, who d. Aug. 17, 1839. They all live near Howell, Mich., where they went in 1835.
2nd. Hiram, was b. at Newburgh, N. Y. Dec. 18, 1806; m. Jane McNinch, who was b. at Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1808, and d. Apr. 18, 1883. He came to the town in 1821 with his father’s family, and has always resided on the place he now lives on. Their family consisted of three children namely ;— 1st. Elizabeth, who d. Feb. 12, 1840;THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
145
a. 3 y’s. 2nd. Bennett R. who was b. Feb. 24, 1841; m. Elizabeth Jerome, who was b. Nov. 30, 1846. They have one child, Mary. 3d. William P., who was b. Mar. 26, 1849; in. Mary R. Allen, who was b. June 22, 1850. They have one child named Victor.
3d. Aimer, who d. Oct. 17, 1838; a. 29 y’s.
BROWN.
William Brown, was an Englishman by birth. He lived in what is the u tenant house” of Timothy Degraw, where Anna his wife died January 3, 1864; a. 47 y’s. They had five children namely:	1st. Ann, in. Ed. Pickard.
2nd. Emma, m. Dewitt Alger. 3d. Elizabeth whom married, I am unable to say. 4th. Mary, m. William White. 5th. William, who went West.
The next family by this name, lived at Foot’s Corners for a short time. They had five children, whose names were George, Nelson, Edward, and two girls whose names I can not give.
The next family is that of Edwin Brown of Oonesus Center, who is a shoe-maker by trade. He m. Sarah Kuder, and has two children, named George and Viola.
BREEN.
Joseph Breen lived for a time in the •• tenant house” of Janies Alger, and from here to that of Timothy Degraw at Union Corners. He was a married man and had a sister named Kate, who m. Joseph Orr.
BRUNSON.
Edwin Brunson lived east of Conesus Center. His wife’s name was Maryland she d. May 17, 1875; a. 53 y’s. They had several children, and among them Mary, who m. Ted. Wright.
BULL.
------Bull, lived for a time on the Al-
bertson’s place on Marrowback. He has left town, and I knew no more of his family.
BURCH.
Peter Burch, came to the town about the year of 1843. He m. Sybil (Durkee) Cross, and d. at Brushville, N. Y. She d. Feb. 6, 1882. They had one child, Alda, who d. Mar. 26, 1874; a. 29 y’s.
BUSKIRK.
John Buskirk, was b. in 1774, and d.
Mar. 8, 1851; m. Anna-----, who was b. in
1779, and d. June 2, 1852. Who their chil-are, or if they had any, I can not say.
Isaac Buskirk, was better known as “ Curly Ike,” d. in 1876. He m. Hannah Backus, who was b. in 1807, and d. June 13, 1852. They lived in the South part of the town, and had five children namely:
1st. Emeline, m. Phineas Shafer.
2nd. Lucy, m. Laben Shurd.
3d. Harriet, m. William Russell.
4th. Ama, m. 1st. Edwin Hartson; 2d. Willard Bearss; 3d. Levi Tully.
5th. Harrison, killed at the battle of Wil-liamsburgh, Va., May 5, 1863.
Isaac Buskirk, called “Big Foot Ike,” was b. in 1812, and d. April 2, 1878; m. Sally Ann Dickison, who d. Nov. 26, 1868. They also lived in the south part of the town, and had six children namely.
1st. Mary, m Andrew Conklin.
2nd. Phoebe, m. Philis Turner.
3d. Jane, m. Floyd McNinch.
4th. Irene, m. Wallace Coleman.
5th. Charles, m. Mary Duff.
6th. Farley, d. Mar. 31, 1861.
BUMP.
Daniel Bump, was b. in 1796, and d. Mar. 22, 1840; m. Lorenia Parker, whose birth and146
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
death, I have not. He built and owned for a time the hotel at Conesus Center, that was destroyed by fire in 1872. They had three children, namely:
1 st. Benonia, b. in 1819, and d. Dec. 7, 1870; m. Sarah Swift, who was b. in 1822, and d. Sept. 19,1870. For a number of years he was a Baggageman on the Erie Rail Road. Had three children, whose names were, Oscar, married and has one child. Dora m. Ira Foot, and G-ertrude, now single.
2nd. Alfred, who d. Mar. 20, 1887 ; a. 9 y’s.
3d. Fanny, m. William Pierce, and lives at Honeove Flats and has children.
CAMPBELL.
Samuel Campbell, was b. in 1816, and d. June 14, 1868; m. Samantha Clemons, who still resides oh their “ old place,” in the south part of the town. They had three children, namely:
1st. Jonas, m. 1st. Angeline Taylor. 2nd. Mary Yrettenburg, by whom he had four children, whose names are Vinna, Elizabeth, Matilda, and a boy, whoes name I do not know.
2nd. Benjamin, in. Ellen Allen.
3d. Mary, m. Daniel Hoes, and d. Jan. 9, 1870; a. 33 y’s.
ToMPKiks Campbell, was born in 1817, arid d. Dec. 1, 1882; m. 1st. Matilda Wright.
2nd.------- ------ by whom he had one
child, George ; and by the 1st. wife three children, whose names are x\daline,who m. Jacob Collar, and Elvira and Mary. He lived for many years in the Calabogue hollow.
CARROLL.
Ellis and Lewis Carroll, were two brothers, and both lived for a time on the Car-roll farm on Turkey Hill. Ellis was burned out here in 1857, and then moved to Foot’s Corners, where Jane, (his wife) died Jan. 4,
1862; a. 51 y’s. His family consisted of children three as follows:
1st. Oscar, who d. Oct. 17,1858; a. 23 y’s.
2nd. Lester, who d. Apr. 21,1861; a. 22 y’s.
3d. Eliza, single.
The other brother Lewis, m. Jane Owen, and d. Jan. 2, 1885 ; she d. Jan. 7, 1875. They came to the town, about 1863. They had seven children, namely:
1st. Ann, m. Even Thomas.
2nd. Mary, m.-----Lowery.
3d. Charles, m. and lives West.
Jane, Lester, Fanny, and Lewis are single.
James, a nephew of the above, lived for a time at Foot’s* Corners. He m. Mary Foot, and d. Apr. 30, 1867; a. 30 y’s.
CHAPIN.
There have been two families by this name in the town, as follows:
Joshlin, m. Lucy Hart, who d. in 188-. They lived for a number of years south of Oliver Hill, on the place now owned by Franklin Foot. Among their children were the following, namely:
1st. Lucy, m. Cyrus Trescott.
2nd. Henry. Married and d. in Michigan.
3d. Bert., m.-----Barber.
4th. Elmer, in. and lives West.
5th. Elizabeth, m. Parker.
Jonathan, the head of the other family, lived at Conesus Center. He m. Ann Fellows and d. May 21, 1875; she Aug, 18, 1886. They had five children namely;
1st. Orville, m. Lucretia Woodruff, and lives east of Conesus Center. They have two children, Velma, who m. Woodruff, and lives in Rush, N. Y., and Verna.
2d. Oscar, m. Carrie Kuder, and lives at Conesus Center. Children twd, Read and Virgia.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
147
3d. Walter, m. Lieuy Collar, and they live at Buffalo. Children two, May, who d. in 1882, and Bertie.
4th. Maria, m. Gilbert Lewis.
5th. —-----in. Duane Woodruff.
CLARK.
There has been several families by the name of Clark in town, unconnected with each other, as follows:—
Harry and Thomas Clark, were brothers. Harry lived for a time on the place now owned by E. W. Clark, and occupied by Matthew Allen. His family I know nothing of. His brother Thomas, lived for a time where Jotham Clark Jr. now resides. The two brothers were early settlers, and had large families of children, which has grown up and left the town. The next are two nephews of the above, who were brothers, and named Jotham and Peter Clark.
Jotham, was b. in Milton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 8, 1794; m. Mary Ann Adams, who was b. in Vermont, Aug. *22, 1794; d. May 10, 1881. They came to the town in 1817, and settled on Turkey Hill, where they have since resided. Their family consisted of nine children, namely:
1st. Harriet, m. Purchase Baker, and d. Dec. 4, 1844; a. 26 y’s. Had one son named Clark, who m. Emma Compton, and has children.	.	* ' .
2nd. Ozro, m. Mary Thompson, and lives at Mt. Morris, and has children.
3d. Wealthy, d. Apr. 30, 1846; a. 26 y’s.
4th. Ezra, m. America J‘ Allen. He lived for a time on the shore of Conesus Lake, and in 1873, he moved on the place he now resides on. He has been Supervisor of the Town for several terms. His children are J. Adams, Grace, and Matilda.
5th. J. Adams, d. July 28, 1858; a.32y’s.
6th. Mary Ann, m. William Gray.
7th. Dewitt, m. 1st Mary Babcock, by whom he had two children ; Frank, who d. in 1886, and Mary, who m. Thwing. 2d, wife, Nancy Smith, by whom he has one child, Dewitt; he d, in 1882, and resided at Eau Claire, Wis., where he went a number of years ago.
8th. Jotham, m. 1st. Celia Hart who d. Sept. 7, 1868; a 29 y’s. She left one child, named Alice. His 2d. wife was Elizabeth Hart, a sister of his first, by whom he has one child named Edith. He has held the office of Supervisor for several terms.
9th. Matilda, now single.
Peter, the brother, was b. 1796, and d.
Aug. 16, 1858 ; m. Roxeey----------, who was
b. in 1798, and d. June 9, 1877. They came here about fifty years ago, and resided where their son Edward now lives. They had eight children, namely:
1st. Samuel, who d. Apr. 20,1846: a. 24 y’s.
2nd. Mary, who d. Nov. 27,1844; a. 27 y’s.
3d. Zelia, who d. May 20, 1844; a. 24 y’s.
4th. A rad, who d. Aug. 5, 1830.
5th. Ichabode: who he m., I am unable to say. He lived for a time on the u old homestead,” and then to Portage, where he died leaving two children.
6th. Elias, is a Physician in Rochester, yet I can not describe his family.
7th. Clarisa, single.
8th. Edward, m. Aurelia Durbon who d. June 27, 1883. He owns the place that was his fathers, and has three children named Eddie, Frank, and Judson.
Lewis Clark, was the progenitor of another differant family from the above Clarks. He was b. in Westfield, N. J., Dec. 22, 1798, and
d. Dec. 28, 1874. He in. Sarah---------, who
was b. at Springfield, N. J., Sep. 13, 1799, and d. Mar. 15, 1877. They came here at an148
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
early day, and settled at Union Corners, and kept a Hotel. He was better known as “ Colonel Crocket,5’ a nick-name given by himself. His family consisted of four children namely;
1st. Mary, m. John Magee.
2nd. Phoebe, m. Jerome Henry.
3d. Sarah, who d. Feb. 24, 1881.
4th. Adaline, m. L. Snyder.
5th. A son, but I can not give his name.
Lewis had a sister named Charity, who lived with him, She was a single lady, and d. July 16, 1868 , a. 82 y’s.
Daniel Clark, progenitor of another family of Clarks, was b. in Vermont, May 2,1810, and d. Mar. IT, 1886. He in. 1st. Lovina Lymans, who was b. July 13, 1814, and d. Nov. 22, 1876; 2d. Elvira Gordon, b. in 1858. He came to Conesus in 1832, and opened a Harness shop. His residence were east of Conesus Center. His children were by his first wife as follows:
1st. Charles, who d. Apr. 16, 1859; a. 24 y’s.
2nd. Edwin, who d. in Oct. of 1857.
3d. Mary, m.---------Wilder, and d. Nov.
11,1866; a. 24 y’s. He was killed on the railroad.
4th. George, m. Cordelia Hendershott, and lives on Marrowback.
5th. Frank, single.
William Clark, lives at Conesus Center. His 1st. wife’s name was Corneatha, and she d. Nov. 2, 1879, leaving three children whose name are Samuel, Moses and a girl whose name I have not. For his 2d. wife, Helen Hopkins.
Horace Clark, was an early settler in the town, and liyed for a time on Marrowback. I find in the Cemetery at Conesus Center, the following: “ Horace Clark, d. Aug. 19,1861; a. 40 y’s. His wife’s name was Sophronia, and they had a son who d. Mar. 5, 1850.” This is all I know of the family.
CLELAND.
George Cleland, came to the town a few years ago, and now lives at Conesus Center. He m. Jennie Mitchel, and has one child.
CLEMONS.
Of the Clemons family, there were two brothers who came here about fifty years ago and settled in the south part of the town as follows:
Agustus Clemons, m. Polly Mastin, of whom I know but a little. Their children are Tilla, who m. Sarah Webster; Jackson m. Mary Webster; Sally A, m. Elishua Webster; Samantha, m. Samuel Campbell, and Lester.
Ulisis, the brother was b. in 1803, and d. Sept. 10, 1865; m. 1st Content Terry, who was b. in 1808, and d. Dec. 23, 1859. 2nd. Rachsel Ann McNinch. His first wifes, children were Horace, Marvin, Stephen, George, Clark and Diane, and all are married except the last one. By his second wife, Fayette and Hattie, who live with the mother on the “old place.”
COE.
Of the Coe families in the town, there were two brothers belonging to one family, and a cousin to them from another, as follows :
George Coe, lived upon a farm one-half mile north of Union Corners. He was b. in the town of Livonia in 1816, and was found dead beside the railroad track, Nov. 9, 1880; m. 1st, Roxey Howe, who died soon after their marriage. 2nd. Alta Stone. He was a kind and an influential man of the town, having held the office of Supervisor for several terms. His children were by the second wife, as follows :
1st. Anna, m. John Webster.
2nd. John, m. Dell Hann and lives on the “ old homestead.”
3d. Flavius, m. Hattie Hann and lives West.
Dixon, a brother to the above, m. Jane Jerome. He lives at Conesus Center, whereTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
149
he went some thirty or forty years ago. He, like his brother, is a prominent man, and has held the Office of Supervisor for several terms. They have had five children, namely:
1st. Ella, m. Rev. Sage, and d. Nov. 15, 1883: a. 34y’s.
2nd. Frank, m. Luna Quick, and lives at Conesus Center. Has one or two children.
3d. Jennie, single and a Teacher in the Normal School, at Genesee.
4th. Kittie, killed Aug. 3, 1863; a. 5 y’s.
5th. Allie, m. Frank Smith.
Henry Coe, was a cousin to the above. He m. Maria Wheeler and d. Jan. 22, 1880: she d. Mar. 31, 1881. When they came to the town, they lived on the road near Orren Hubbard, and a few years before their death, moved to the place now owned by Ezra Gray. He was a prominent towns-man. They had three children namely :
1st. Frederick, m. Ella Coleman, and lives in Buffalo, N. Y.
2nd. Kittie, m. Scott McNinch.
3d. Dell, single.
COLE.
Nathaniel Cole was one of the first settlers of the town, coming here March 23,1815. He was b. July 4,1776, and d. Oct. 21,1868;
m. Susan--------who was b, in 1785, and d.
Sept. 29, 1849. They had six children as follows :
1st. Rufus, who d. Mar. 15,1853; a. 37 y’s.
2nd. Allen, who d. Oct. 13, 1859; a. 37 y’s.
3d. Nathaniel, who was b. in 1821, and d. Apr. 14, 1872, m. Electa Alger, who was b. in 1816, and d. Jan. 23, 1882. Their home were west of Foot’s Corners, now owned by their son Romeyne. Their children are Eugene who m. Elizabeth Macomber, and has two children, named Scott and George. They live
east of Foot’s Corners. Romeyne, m. Dimmis McNinch.
4th. Willard, who m. Hannah Hubbard. They resided for a time in a hotel at the head of Conesus lake, and moved from there to the Marrowback hills, where they now reside. Their children are Fulton who d. in 1864; a. 10. y’s., Carrie who m. Mahlan Darrow, Elizabeth who m. Cecil Foot, James, Leroy and Rose.
5th. Franklin, m. Ethleuine Barnes and lived on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. Here he d. May 16, 1884. Children two; Maron, who m. Estella Gilbert, and Harlem, who d. Mar. 6, 1852.
6th. Ransom, who lived for a time on Maple Beach. Who he married, I am unable to say. Among his children, were Electa, m. Stephen Allen, Emma, m. William Dunn, Carrie m. George Leonard, and James.
Wakeman and Try Cole were brothers.
Try m.-----Carnes and lived for a time in the
hotel at the head of the Conesus lake, and now on the east shore of the same. His child Jennie m. James Green. Wakeman, the brother m. Clarie Jewell and lived at Union Corners, where he d. Sept. 14, 1877.
Ephraim Cole of another family, m. Mary Jane Alger, and lived east of Foot’s Corners, where he d. Dec. 4,1882. They had one child named Edward, who m. Louise Hayward and has three children, whose names are Lewis, Ashley and Ernest.
COLEMAN.
There were three brothers of this family that came here about forty-five years ago to live, whose names are as follows:
David, who lives south of Conesus Center, was b. in the State of New Jersey, Dec. 15, 1812 ; m. Elsie Gray? who was b. in the same150
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
State, Apr. 26, 1816. He came to the town in 1829, and has held the office of Overseer of. the Poor for over thirty years. They had twelve children as follows:
1st. Mary J., d. in 1834. 2nd. Elizabeth. 3d. Marilda, m. King. 4th. Harrison, m. Me-nerva Thomas and lives iin Michigan. 5th. Jessie. 6th. Mary J., m. Henry Smith, and d. Sept. 14, 1880. 7th. Welthy, m. Joseph Harvey. 8th. Delight A., d. June 19, 1851. 9th. Adel, d. in 1858. 10th. David M. 11th. Elsie L. m.--------.	12th. Lewis P.
Alfred, one of the brothers, m. Emeline Gray, and d. Feb. 15, 1882. He lived for a time at the Conesus Depot, where he kept an eating saloon. Their children are, Azel, in. Emeline West, Emma in. Augustus Wright, and Ella who m. Frederick Coe.
Archibald, the other brother, m. Jane Sweetland, and lived in the south part of the town, where he d. Dec. 6, 1876. Their children are 1st. Julia. 2nd. Mary, who m. Henry Mitchell, and lives at Scottsburgh. 3d. Kate, m. John Gray. 4th. Johannah. m. Seymour Babcock. 5th, Lydia, m. Daniel Blank. 6th. Richard, m. Susan Young, and has one child named Solomon. 7th. Wallace, m. Arenia Bus-kirk, who d. Apr. 20, 1885.
COLLER.
The progenitor of this family, was Jessie Coller, who came here with his sons in the Spring of 1796 and settled on lot No 99. As far as I know of his family, he had two sons as follows:
1st. Jacob, who was b. in New Jersey, Feb. 25, 1770, and d. in 1865. I can not tell any more about his family.
2nd. Joseph, was b. in 1795, and d. Sept. 2, 1877; m. Luchasy Millen, who was b. in 1806, and d. Apr. 30, 1823. They settled at
the head of tjie Conesus lake. Children, one whose name is Alanson, who was b. in 1824, and m. Ama Barber, who was b. in 1826. They moved on the place the now live on, in 1852, and had two children namely:	1st.
Frank, who m. Nancy Boyd, and d. in 1884, leaving two children; Fred, and Betsy. 2nd. Lieuy, who m. Walter Chapin.
COMPTON.
Of the family of Compton, there were two brothers, Jerome and Samuel.
J erome lived for several years in a log house that stood across the way from the residence of Charles Gifford, and from here he went West. Among his children, were Jerome, Henry and Emma.
Samuel the other brother, lived on Mar-rowback, and was a Cooper by trade. He lost his life in a threshing-machine, Sept. 25, 1885. He had four children, whose names are, Albert who m. Cora Swartout, Emma who m. James Sliker, Charles, and a daughter that died young.
CONLON.
Barney Conlon was b. in Ireland; m.
----Coon. They lived for a time on the lands
of Hiram Boyd, west of the Conesus Post Office, and then in a house that stood upon the railroad, near the residence of John Jerome. He d. a number of years ago, leaving seven children as follows :
1st. Ann, in. John Hogan, and is how dead.
2nd. James, m. Maggie Burnes and lives at Conesus Center. His children are Thomas, Mary, William, Charlie, Louisa, George, and Maggie.
3d. Ellen, m.-------Ryan.
4th. Michael, in. Ellen Ryan.
5th., 6th., and 7th., is John and Burnard, m. and lives in Chicago, and Edward now dead.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
151
CONROY.
Edward Conroy, m. -------Henry, and
lived where William Agan now resides on Turkey Hill. He and family went west about the year 1860, and I have lost track of them.
COULTRY.
Thomas Coultry was b. in Dansville in 1859: m. Cherrie Welch, and came to the town in 1880. Has one child, named (.Trace.
CONVERSS.
—----Conyerss, came to the toAvn several
years ago, and owned the farm of Jacob Albertson on Marrowback. He soon sold it, and left the town, being the last I knew of him.
CRAMER.
Henry Cramer came to the town, several years ago, and m. Mrs. Malinda Finigan, and lives south of the Carroll place. Has one child and her name is Luna.
CREGO.
There came two brothers to the town by this name several years ago, as follows:
Miles, m. 1st. Anna Scott, who d. Apr. 29, 1853; a. 28 y’s. 2nd. wife, Hannah Gray, who is also dead. He lived on the place now owned by Granger Griswold. Children by the first wife were Mary, Martha, and John , now dead, and Henry, who is m. and lives at Castile, N. Y. 2nd. wife’s children, were Enfield and Edna, now dead.
Lester, m. Elizabeth Scott, who d. June 18, 1844, a. 31 y’s. He lived where John Jerome now resides, and left the town soon after his wife’s death. His children were Francis, Elizabeth, and Harriet, now dead.
CROSS.
William Cross, m. Sybel Durkee, and is buried at Brushville, N. Y. They had four children; Isaac and Tyler, m. and lives West,
Caroline, m. Joseph Rowland, and Sarah, who
m. 1st.-------Chamberlin, and 2nd, Frank
Rowland, and lives at South Livonia.
DANIELS.
There has been two different families by this name in the town, as follows :
Garrett, was b. in 1808; m. Lucinda Thorpe, who was b. in 1811. They d. Feb. 10, and 13, 1876, respectively. She was born in Conesus, and he came here at an early day, and their home were on the Marrowback hills. They had ten children, namely.
1st. Seymour, m. Mary Ann Moot, and lives on Marrowback.
2nd. John, m. 1st. Martha Granger, by whom he had three children as follows : Edgar, who m. Sarah Sharpsteen and has one child named Bertha, Ella who now dead, and Nettie. His 2nd* wife, Betsy Taylor.
3d. Eunice, m. George Cole, and is now dead.
4th. Charles, m. Julia Smail, and live on the “Old Homestead.” Has one child, Burl.
5th. Elizabeth, m. ---Yates, and is now
dead. One child, named Mary.
6th. Electa, m. Henry Granger, and lives at Warsaw, N. Y.
7th. Abial, d. Apr. 23, 1872; a. 27 y’s.
8th. Charlotte, m. Solomon Artlip, and lives at Webster’s Crossing.
9th. Kate, m. Peter Redick, and lives at Jordan, N. Y.
10th. Frederick, single.
Albert Daniels, came to the town about the year of 1870, and lives on the Marrowback hills. Has one child, named Clara.
DART.
James Dart came to the town in 185—, and lived at Conesus Center, and kept a store in the building that A. Stark now occupies. He is now dead, and also his wife, who d. Feb.152
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
15, 1868. Their children were Isora, m.
-------, Frank single, Lafayette m. and lives
in Pennsylvania.
BARROW.
Mahlon Barrow came to the town a few years ago, and lives at Conesus Center, and is Carpenter by trade. He m. Clara Cole, and has children.
BEAN.
Nathaniel Bean was b. in 1792, and d. July 18, 1856; m. Phoebe Clark who was b. in 1795, and d. Sept. 14, 1876. They lived at Union Corners, and had nine children, namely:
1st. Emeline, m. Seymour Thorpe.
2nd. Catherine, in. Andrew Kelleman.
3d. Sarah, m.Aaron Ross.
4th. Mary, m.-------- Hill.
5th. George, d. Jan. 18, 1858; a. 19 y’s.
6th. Oliver, m. Jane Wivel. Roth dead.
7th. Theodore, 1 know nothing about.
8th. Maria, m. George Baker.
10. Mortimer, m. and now d.; left children.
BEGRAW.
Of this family, there were two brothers that lived in the town, whose names were Timothy and Aaron.
Timothy was b. in 1796, and d. May 8, 1866; m. Marinda Waite, who was b. in 1799, and d. Apr. 28, 1873. Timothy lived fora time where Albert Hunt now resides, and was an influential man and a large land owner in the town. They had six children, namely:
1st. Timothy, b. Nov. 15, 1833; m. Sarah Moore, who was b. Mar. 11, 1840. He is a farmer and lives at Union Corners, and has two children, Minnie and Verne.
2nd. Aaron, d. Nov. 27, 1863; a. 46 y’s.
3d. Esther, m. Robert Thomas and d. Jan,
6, 1853; a. 28 y’s.
4th. Electa, m. William Magee, and d. Oct. 18, 1878; a. 45 y’s.
5th. Cornelia, m. Esek Wheaton, and is now dead.
6th. Sarah, m. -----Hanna.
Aaron, m.--------and lived for a time on
the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp, and then he moved to Conesus Center, where he d. Sept. 28,1881, leaving one child, Marilda.
/	BENNISON.
The family of Bennison, I am not able to trace. The progenitor of the family in the town, was Bavid, who was b. in 1772, and d. May 14,1854. His children were James, who m. Jane McNinch; Nathaniel, whom. Welthy Fosdic; Polly who m. Hesther Allen; Hannah ni. Luke Bavis; Amanda, who m. Job Bailey; Baniel m. Pattie McNinch; Bavid, Rboda. BOBGE.
John Bodge came to the town of Conesus, about the year of 1870, and started a Hardware store at Conesus Center, where he still continues the business. He m.----Chiches-
ter, and has no children.
BOUB.
Lucius Boud, m. Beal Hewitt and lived at Conesus Center. Bied in the army in 1863, leaving two children, namely:
1st. Nora, m. William Miller.
2nd. Frank, now single.
BUEL.
I find buried in the Cemetery at Conesus Center, the remains of three persons of this name, that once lived in the Calabogue hollow, as follows: Martha Buel, b. in 1747, and d. June 13, 1833. Johnathan Buel, b. in 1777, and d. in 1847, and Eunice his wife who was b. in 1778, and d. Apr. 13, 1857. This is all I can give of that family.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
153
DUNN.
William Dunn was b.inlrelan.d and came to this country about 185—. He m. 1st. Ann Fogerty, and lived for a time east of the Cone-sus depot, and then they moved to where he now resides, where she soon afterwards died, leaving four children, whose names were as follows :	William, now dead ; Mary who is in
Rochester ; James and John, the latter is married. His 2d. wife, was a Mrs. Kusick.
DURKEE.
George Durkee was b. in Washington Co. N. Y.; m. Mary Webster, who was also b. there. They came here at an early day and settled in the Calabogue hollow, near the late residence of T. D. Campbell, then to Conesus Center, and from here to where Jacob Wester now lives, and then went to Dansville. They had ten children, namely :
1st. Mary J., m. Kennedy.
2nd. Harriet, died young.
3d. Charlotte, in. Samuel Redmond.
4th. Almira, m. George Franks.
5th. Sophena, m. Anderson.
6th. Ella, who died young.
7th. Lafayette, died in the army.
8t.h. Mahlon and John, in. and lives West.
10th. Washington, m. Harriet Payne, and lives east of Union Corners. Their children names are Alice, Seward, John, Lenna, Hattie, Arlington, Charles, Dasey, Frank, and Willard.
ERWIN.
Henry Erwin lived for several years in the house now occupied by Clark Herrick, and was a Miller by occupation tending at the time the mill for Robert Bayles. He m. Sarah Barnes, and now lives at Mount Morris, N. Y. Their children, were as follows:	Sarah, d.
Dec. 18, 1869; Henry, d. May 22, 1863;
Jasper, d. Dec. 17, 1861; Lillie, d. Sep. 28, 1864; and Allie.
ESTERHALT.
William Esterhalt lives on Marrowback, and has a daughter named Carrie. This is all I know of the family.
FARNSWORTH.
Thomas Farnsworth came to the town about the year of 1855, and was a shoe-maker by trade, living in the house now occupied by William Swift, at Union Corners. They left the town a few years ago. No children.
FINIGAN.
There were two brothers that has lived in the town, as follows :
John was b. in Ireland, and came to the town several years ago, and now lives at the Head of the Conesus lake. Whom he married, I am unable to say. His children are John, who m. Sarah Pridmore, Amelia, Miles, and Mary.
James, the other brother, also lived at the Head of the Lake, where he d. a few years ago, leaving one child, Frank. His wife re-married Henry Cramer.
FISH.
Etheridge Fish, m. Laura Stevens, and lived at Foot’s Corners, where they resided a number years ago. They had four children, namely:
1st. James, m. Rebecca Gray ; now dead.
2nd. William, I am unable to speak of.
3d. Romeyne, m., and lives in Iowa.
4th. Lucy, ra. 1st., Charles Sanford, by whom she has one child, named Grace, who m. John McVicar, Jr. Her 2nd. husband, Lewis Goddard, by whom she has one child.
FOLLETT.
George Follet came to the town several154
THE HISTORY OF OONESUS.
years ago. Whom he married, I am unable to say. He is a carpenter by trade, and lives at Conesus Center. Has two Children; Charles, and Harry.
Ezra, his brother, came here soon afterwards, and d. June 25, 1874; a. 21 y’s.
FOOT.
Foster Foot was b. in 1784, and d. July
17, 1857 : m. Debora-------who was b. in
1780, and d. Apr. 16, 1889. They came to Conesus about fifty years ago, and kept a store at Conesus Center, and then at Foot’s Corners on the place now owned by his son Franklin. Their family consisted as far as I knew of four children, namely:
1st. Ira, who d. May Id, 1840; a. 19 y’s.
2nd. Maria, m. Clark Dibble, arid lives at Livonia Center.
3d. Clarisa, m. Joseph Wells, and lives in Buffalo, N. Y.
4th. Franklin, m. 1st Emeline Smith, who d. Apr. 24, 1851; a. 88 .y’s.; left two children; Mary m. James Carroll, and Ira who m. Dora Bump. His 2nd wife, Minerva Morris, who d. Apr. 26, 1865 ; a. 40 y’s: left two children (now living), Ella, m. Albert Jerome, and Cecil, who m. Elizabeth Cole and has two children. His 3d wife, Jennie Brace, who d. Feb. 8, 1867 ; a. 31 y’s. 4th wife, HartieA. Crouch.
FOSDICK.
Nathan Fosdick was b. in 1769, and d.
May 4, 1850 ; m. Rocksenia------—, who was
b. 1770, and d. July 29, 1837. This family 1 can not give a full history of. Their children were as follows:
1st. Benona, who was b. in 1791, and d. Mar. 5, 1875; m. Fannie Parker, who was b. in 1789, and d. Feb. 10, 1873. They had no children, and lived at Conesus Center, where
he held the office of Town Clerk for over thirty years.
Chancey, Matthew, John, Theodore, Roxey (m. Charles Everitte), and Betsy (m. Aaron Rodgers) I know nothing about.
FOSTER.
Daniel Foster, m. Lucy Coller, and lived for a time at the Head of the Lake, on the place now owned by Yan Buren Guldner, then to the place now owned by the family of the late James Myers, and now has left the town. They had one child named Carrie, who m. Thomas Hunter.
FOX.
Frank Fox, m. Alice Youngs, and came to the town in 1885, and lives at the Conesus depot, where he keeps an eating saloon. They have one child.
FRENCH.
Sireno French was b. Aug. 12, 1810 : m. Jane E. Whitney who was b. Jan. 3, 1816; came to the town in 1857, and lives on the shore of the Conesus lake. He is now a retired Insurance Agent, and has three children: Julia, who m. Philip Adams, Byron, and Minerva.
FULLER.
Philo C. Fuller was b. in 1787, and d. Aug. 16, 1855; m. Mary Nowlen; came to the town in 1841, and left the same again in 1850. Had children, and among them was Edward and Samuel, the latter lived for a time south of Conesus Center, on a place now owned by Andrew Perine.
GAGE.
Thaddeus Gage was a Revolutionary soldier, and was b. in 1750, and resided in the town at the time of his death. As far as I know, I take the following as his children.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
155
Alphus, b. in 1787, and d. Oct. 7,1856. His wife Lobema, who was b. in 1796, and d. Nov. 15, 1856. A daughter that m. Ansel Jenny.
GATES.
Joshua Gates was an Revolutionary soldier. He was b. in 1760, and b. Mar. 19, 18*29. All the record I have of him, is that he is buried in the Conesus cemetery.
GIFFORD.
Charles Gifford came to the town a few years ago, and resided in the northern part. He m. Anna Stilson, by whom he had two children.
GILBERT.
Joel Gilbert was b. in Vermont, May 4, 1792, and d. Feb. 7, 1870 : m. Mariah Henderson, who was b. in 1800, and d. Jan. 13, 1860. He came to the town in 1818, and settled at the head of Conesus lake. Here to-day can be seen the works of his hands. Their family consisted of four children namely :
1st. William, who was born Oct. 28, 1828; m. Julia Carnes, who was b. Oct. 3, 1838; lives at the head of the Conesus lake, on the ” old Homestead.” They have five children, namely: Estella who m. Maron Cole, William, Nettie, Henry, and Luella.
2nd. Henry, m. 1st Emeline Scott, who d. June 30, 1860. 2nd. Frank Woodruff. By the first wife they had three children, Helen who m. William Arnold, Ermie, and Henry. He is now Sheriff of this County.
3d. Theodore, nowT in Oregon.
4th. Nelson, who was b. Oct. 23, 1823; m. Alta Coller, who was b. Apr. 25,1826. They reside on the west side of the Head of the Lake swamp.
Hosea, the brother, was b. in 1797, and d.
Feb. 11, 1844 ; m. Lucy------who was b.
in 1800, and d. Sept. 28, 1828.* He was one
of the early settlers of the town, and the works of his hands can still be seen near the sight of the Woolen mill, in the Purchase gully. The Genealogy of his family I can not give.
GOULD.
Stephen Gould, m. Ansey Sharp, and lived for a time on the shore of Conesus lake. They are both dead, and their children were Charlotte who m. Chancey Turner, William who in. Susan Neff, Norman whc m. Electa Bearss, Chester who m. Louisa Cadwell, Elvira m.
Henry Nash and is now dead, Fanny m. ------
Weller and is dead, and Teressa now single. I can not give any farther history of the family.
GRAY.
There were two brothers who came to the town at an early date, as follows:
Jessie who was b. in 1793, and d. April 24, 1873; m. Elizabeth Sliker, who was b. in 1795, and d. June 6, 1871. They resided for many years on Turkey Hill, on the place now owned by their son Rancehann, and from here to Conesus Center, where they were living at the time of their death. They had ten children as namely :
1st. Jessie, m. 1st Martha Crego: 2nd, a Lady in the West. Now lives at Louisville.
2nd. Rancehann, in. Matilda Havens, and lives on the “ old place.” Their children are James who m. Nellie Neff, Ida who m. Chas. Buck, Frank (married), Nellie, Susan, Jessie, Mary, Della, Kate, Nettie, and Joseph.
3d. Elizabeth, m. James McNinch.
4th. Ezra, m.--------- Wilkison, and lives
at Conesus Center, and has two children, Roma and —-—
5th. Elsie, m. David Coleman.
6th. Emeline, m. Alfred Coleman.
7th. Hannah, m. Miles Crego.
8th. Kate, m. William McDugal.156
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
9th. Rebecca, m. 1st James Fish; 2d Colvin Barnes; now in Washington, D. C.
10th. Seneca, m. Mary Crego. They are both dead. Had one child named Clark, who is married and lives West.
William, the brother, lived in the south part of the town, and d. in 1878. Whom he married, I can not say. His children were David who m. Ann Warrington, and lives on the Marrowback hills: Arthur m. and lives at Hemlock Lake, and has children ; William who m. Mary Timbrooks and #is now dead; Jake
who m.------Parson and lives in the south part
of the town: Jefferson who is m., and lives in New Jersey ; and Farley, whom ni., I can not say.
GREEN.
There were two brothers who came here a-bout ten years ago, as follows;
jACob, who m. Viola Quick, and d. Dec. 18, 1885. He owned the grist-mill fora time at Conesus Cep ter, and then in 1885, sold the same and bought the ware-house at the Depot. They had one $on, named Orange.
Alex., the dither brother, in. Emma May. He is a wagon maker by trade, and lives at Conesus Center. Has three children, Willie, Leo, and Mabel.
Joseph Green, lives at the Conesus Depot, and has been in the town for several years. His wife d. several years ago. I am not acquainted with a history of his family.
GRIFFIN.
There were two families by this name once resided in the town. One of them consisted of of two brothers named Andrew and Mark. Andrew’s wife, Rachael, d. Mar. 10, 1860; a. 52 y’s. This is all I know of the family.
Thomas Griffin, the head of the other family, was b. in Ireland: m. Mary----, who
was also born there. They came to the town in about 1860, and was residing in the depot at Clark’s Station when it was burnt, and then built them a house near by, until 1880, when they moved to Foot’s Corners. Their children were Thomas ( m.), Ella, John, Kate, James, Michael, Mary (drowned), Francis, and Martin who d. in 1869.
GRISWOLD.
Benonia Griswold was b. in 17—, and Feb. 28, 1848; m. 1st Dorothy Terry. 2nd. Clara Terry, who was b. in 1783, and d. Oct. 2, 1844. I do not know much of the family. They had four children namely :
1st. Herscal, m. Elizabeth Taylor. Both now dead.
2nd. Granger, m. Charlotte Perchase, and now lives on Turkey Hill. They have one
child, named Hellen, who m.----Tompson,
and has a son named Hooker.
3d. Octavua, m. Elisha Terry, and lived at Ithaca, N. Y., and is now dead.
4th. Clarisa, now single.
Benjamin Griswold was b. in 1769, and
d. Dec. 20, 1844; m. Sarah----- who was
b. in 1777, and d. Jan. 18, 1849. This fam. ily I am unacquainted with. Their children were Lucy, who m. Hosea Gilbert; Betsy, who m. Horace Hunnington; Polly, who m. John Hedges ; Lorenia, who m. S. P. Keep: Benjamin, who m. Sarah Taylor; and John.
GULDNER.
Martin Guldner was b. in 1802, and d. Oct. 26, 1861 ; m. Sarah Bean, who was b. in 1809, and d. June 18, 1886. They resided in the south-west corner of the town for over forty years. They had seven children namely :
1st. Henry B., who d. Jan. 2, 1866 ; a. 29 y’s.
2nd. Sylinda, m. Havens Thomas.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
157
3d. Emma, m. Morgan Hammond.
4th. Yan Buren, m. Emma Brown, and lives at the head of Oonesus lake. Has children.
5th. Noman, m. Elizabeth Short, and lives at Honeoye.
6th. Addie, rn. John Sliker.
7th. Sarilla, m. John Boyd.
HARRISON.
William Harrison now lives south-west of Conesus Center, where he moved several years ago. He m. Charlotte Simmons, and their children are Mary, whom. Frank Arner; Sarah, who m. Ornaldo Morris, and Emma.
HARVEY.
Rev. Ransom^ Harvey was a Methodist clergyman, and was b. in 1795, and d. Sept. 2. 1844. His family I know but little about. One of his daughters, m. Don. Backus of South Livonia.
HAVENS.
James Havens lives in the south part of the town. He m. Jemima Coleman, and has three children; Dolla, who m. Bert McNinch, and William whom. Celia Kelleman, and Essie.
HART.
John Hart lived for a time upon the farm
now owned by Oliver Hill. He m. ---------
Chapin, who d. in 1862; 2nd. wife, Elsie Coe. By his first wife, they had seven children, namely:
1st. Alonzo, m.---Nash and lives West.
2nd. Charity, m. Lewis Chamberlin.
3d. Celia, m. Jotham Clark, Jr., and d. Sept. 7, 1868 ; a. 29 y’s.
4th. Dell, m. Albert Swan.
5th. Luther, in. 1st Dell Wheeler; 2nd. Zelia McDonald; now dead.
6th. Merton, married and lives West.
7th. Elizabeth, m. Jotham Clark, Jr.
HENDERSON.
Samuel Henderson was b. in Pennsylvania, and came here as the first settler in the town in 1793, and took up his abode in the Perchase gully, near the present residence of the McMillen Brothers. Whom he married, I am unable to say; only he brought his family here, which cosisted of nine children, as follows:
1st. John, m. Luna Arnold.
2nd. William, who went West and married.
3d. Maria, m. Joel Gilbert.
4th. Adeline, m. David McMillen.
5th. Ann, m. Andrew Arnold.
6th. Syntha, m. Dr. Foot.
7th. Samuel, d. Feb. 2, 1826; a. 37 y’s.
8th. Jane, m. --Frost.
9th. James, killed in the war of 1812.
HENRY.
There has been two brothers that has lived here, as follows:
Jerome was b. in 1826, and d. in the army Jan. 30, 1863; m. Pheobe Clark, and lived at Union Corners. Their children were Jessie who d. May 10, 1854, Dayton who d. Mar. 7, 1864, Jerome, Lilly, and Rosy.
George, the brother, m. Elizabeth Benedict, and d. Feb. 25, 1868 ; a. 47 y’s. They lived on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp.
HERRICK.
Clark M. Herrick, came to the town several years ago, and first kept store at Conesus Center, then owned the eating saloon at the Depot, and now owns the grist-mill. He m.
------Hann, and has two children, whose
names are Frank, and Louise.
HEWITT.
Nathen Hewitt, m. Charlotte Hollenbaek and lived at Conesus Center, and both are now158
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
dead. Their children were Sarah, who in. Jason Hewitt; Caroline who m. Wm. Swift; Cordelia who m. Lueus Doud; Emma went to Pennsylvania and there died; and William who m. Elizabeth Robbins, who d. in 1884, and left a child named Walter.
HILL.
Oliver Hill came to Conesus a few years ago, and bought the place he now resides on, in the northern part of the town. Whom he he married, I am unable to say. He has a younger brother named Allie, living with him.
HITCHCOCK.
There were two brothers that came here at an early day, as follows:
Hector, who was b. at Sharon, Conn., xMay 1, 1796, and d. Aug. 30, 1865; m. 1st. Mary Loomis, who was b. at New London, Conn., Sept. 7, 1799, and d. Apr. 24, 1854. 2nd. wife, Emily J. Benton, who d. a few years ago. He came from the town of Avon to this town in 1827, and settled on the place now owned by Andrew Kuder, and was a prominent townsman of his day. His family consisted of six children by his first wife, as follows:
1st. Eliza, who d. in 1828.
2nd. Henry, married and lives West.
3d. Martha, m. Wilber Havens, and lives in Iowa.
4th. Charles, m. 1st Jennie Summers, who d. July 11, 1870, leaving two children; Charlie who d. May 21, 1880, and Isabelle. For his 2d wife, Nora Stedman, by whom they have one child named Genevieve. They now reside on the “ town-line” between Livonia and Conesus.
5th. Frank, m. 1st Lillie Fuller, who d. in 1865. He now lives some where West.
6th. Mary, m. Andrew Kuder.
Solomon, was b. in Amenia, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1809, and d. June 20,1886; m. Laura Coe,
who was b. at Parrish, N. Y., Apr. 10, 1814, and d. Feb. 9, 1885. He came here in 1831, and at the time of their death, was residing at Union Corners. Like his brother, he was a prominent towns-man, and their children were Anna, who d. Sept. 25, 1855, and Edward, now single.
HOES.
Daniel Hoes lived for a time at Foot’s Corners. He m. 1st, Mary Campbell, who d. Jan. 9, 1870; a. 33 y’s; by whom he had two children named Ella, that d. Oct. 30, 1864, and Fayette. For his 2nd wife, Mary Ingles, who d. Mar. 6, 1881; a. 37 y’s. He now lives in Aleghany County, N. Y.
HOLMES.
There has been four families by the name of Holmes in the town, as follows:
1st. Charles, who m. Betsy Stredder, and lived where William Penning now resides north of Foot’s Corners. He went West in 1876 or ‘77, and his family consisted of four children, William, Mattie, Charlie, and May.
2nd. Teddy, who lived on Marrowback, and is now dead. Whom he married, I am unable to say. They had one son.
3d. John, who m. 1st, Carrie Webster, who
d. May 11, 1877. 2nd.-------and now lives
at Webster’s Crossing, and has Children.
4th. Thomas, who lives at Conesus Center, where he came about 1855. He is an Englishman by birth; but whom he m., I can not say. His children are Horatio, who m. Emma Gray; Josey, who m. Henry Mathers; and Charlie.
HORTH.
Francis Horth, was a Revolutionary soldier, and was b. in 1757, and d. Apr. 6,1844;
m. Anna —------who was b. in 1780, and d.
Jan. 14, 1847. The genealogy of the family,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
159
I am not acquainted with, except two daughters, Mary Ann, who m. Samuel Marring, and Jane, who m. Anson Northrup.
110 WITT.
------- Ho wii T is an Englishman by birth,
and came to the town several years ago, and now lives on Marrowback. His children are William who m. Bell Willison; Kate who m. Russel Bayles; and Mary, Fred., and Frank.
HUBBARD.
There has been two families by this name in the town, as follows :
Stephen, who lived for a time on the Hubbard place, at the head of the Oouesus lake. Whom he m., I am unable to say. As far as I know of his family, they had one daughter named Hannah, who m. Willard Cole.
Orrin, the progenitor of the other family, was b. in 1804, and d. Sept. 26, 1865; m Sally Allen, who was b. in 18—, and d. Mar. 12, 1885. They resided for a time on the shores of the Conesus lake, and then moved to the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. Their children were two, as follows:
1st. Lydia, who d. May 10, 1857; a 15 y’s.
2nd. Orrin, whom. Malvina Sanborn, and lives south of Conesus Center. Children two, Grant, and Jennie.
HUFFMAN.
Frank Huffman lived for a time in the house now occupyed by Alex. Green at Conesus Center, and was a wagon-maker by trade. He went West several years ago, and I am unable to give his genealogy.
HUMPHRY.
Charles Humphry lived at Conesus Center for a time, and now resides in Alleghany County, N. Y.. Whom he married, I am unto say. Children three, Ray, Charlie, and Arthur.
HUNT.
Albert Hunt came from Brooklyn here about the year of 1868, and settled on the place he now resides on. He m. Anna Thomas, and has one child whose name is Frederick.
INGELOW.
There are now two brothers by the name of Ingelow in the town as follows:
John, who was b. in England, and came here several years ago, and worked for Robert Bayles. He m. Elvira Bayles, and now lives on part of his father-in-laws place, north of Union Corners. They have four children, whose names are George, Luella, Gertrude, and Carrie.
Thomas, was also born in England, and came here in 1884, and is a tailor by occupation and lives at Conesus Center. His wife died in England, and his childern are Frank, Albert, John, Walter, Kate, Sarah, and Marian.
INGLES.
There has been two brothers in the town, but I am not very well acquainted with their genealogy. They are as follows :
Andrew, who m. 1st Harriet Bayles, who d. Mar. 8, 1868 ; a 42 y?s. For his 2d wife, I am unable to say. He now lives in the south part of the town. His children, as far as I can say, are Mary, who m. Daniel Hoes, and Amelia.
John, the brother, m. ---- Steves, and
they lived on Marrowback. Their children as far as I can say, is Deal, who m. Swartout, and Carrie, who is also married.
JACOB.
Elias Jacob lives at Conesus Center where he moved a few years ago. Hem. —— Mc-Ninch. I am unable to give any farther his-of his family.160
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
JANES.
Marten Janes m. Mary Kelleman, and both are now dead. They had one son, whose name was Winfield, and if living, is in one of the Western States.
JENNY.
Ansel J enny came to the town as an early settler, and resided east of Conesus Center.
He m.------G-ates, who wa;s b. in 1786, and
d. Dec. 26, 1869: he d. a few years previous.
JEROME.
There has been three brothers that has lived in the town, as follows:
1 st. Myron, who m. Sarah Davis, and lived on Marrowback for a time, and now resides in Livonia. Their children are Davis, who in. Laura Barnes, and lives east of Union Corners; Sarah, who m. Fitz Barnard ; Hobart, who m. Hattie Patterson and lives on Marrowback: Wilber and Susan, single.
2nd. Samuel, who m. Alta Patterson, and lived for a time on the place now owned by his brother John, then on his father-in-law’s, and now resides in Livonia. Their children are Jennie, who m. James Armstrong; Clara, who in. Pitts Barnard; and Julia. Frank and Millie died young.
Jd. John, who was b. in 1818; m. Mary Bridges who was b. the same year. They came to the town in 1856, and settled on the place they now reside on. They had nine children, namely:
1 st. Laura, who m. George Alger.
2nd. Mary, who m. Hiram McNinch.
3nd. James, who m. Elizabeth Dibble and lives in Livonia. Children four; Louis, Lottie, Arthur, and Roy.
4d. Elizabeth, who m. Bennett R. Boyd.
5th. Albert, who m. Ella Foot and lives in
Livonia near the town-line. Children four; Charlie, Fanny, Mary, and Florence who d. Apr. 4, 1882.
6th. William, who m. Carrie Thorpe and lives in the town of Lima. Children three; Maud, Blanche, and Inez.
7th. George, who in. Lydia Quick and lives on his father’s place.
8th. Frank, who d. Aug. 17, 1881.
9th. Emma, who m. William Mates.
- JEWELL.
. Of this family, there were two brothers who has lived in the town, as follows:
Reuben, who lived at Union Corners for several years, and now at South Livonia. His children are Clara who m. Wakeman Cole; Alice who m. Lewis Smith; Eugene, and one or two others, whose names I do not know.
John, who was b. in 1829, and d. Mar. 29, 1875; m. Mary Partridge, and lived on Marrowback. Their children are Frederick whod. Dec. 8, 1 866, and Scott and one or two others.
JKWITT.
The family of the Jewitts, are one of the oldest families of the town. The ancestor was Moses Jewitt who was drowned in Conesus lake some sixty years ago. He m. Pattie
------, who was b. in 1 796, and d. July 20,
1858. Their children were Mit. who m. Albert Acker; Hannah who m. a Barnhardt: William (dead), and Alfred.
JINCKS.
J. M. Jincks came to the town a few years ago, and has resided in several places. As far as I know of the family, they have one. son named Homer, who m. Frankie Willison, who d. Sept. 18, 1885.
JOHNSON.
There has been two families by the name ofTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
161
Johnson in the town, as follows:
Israel, m. Betsy Benedict, who d. Dec. 19, 1874; a. 57 y’s. They lived for a time in the woods now owned by Edward P. Clark, in the northern part of the town, and from there to Webster’s Crossing. Their children were as follows:	Emeline, who m. Mahlon Webster;
Joel, who m. Malissa Van Gordon, and lives on Marrowback: Adelade, who nr Norman Roberts; and Ellen, who d. Sept. 28, 1864.
David, the head of the other family, lived for a time in the south part of the town, and now in the northern part. Whom he m., I am unable to say. Their children were Jennie, who m. Stephen Clemons, and is dead, and Cary, who m. Augusta Newell, and has two children, Effie and Newell.
JONES,
William Jones, was b. in 1817; in. Betsy Webster, who was b. in 18*20. They have resided in the south part of the town until a few past years, and now live at Scottsburgh, N. Y. Their children are as follows:
1st. Natelia, who m. Owen Sweeney.
2nd. Winfield, who m. Alice Keihl, and lives in the south part of the town.
3d. Luna, who in. Philip Conklin.
4th. Annie.
KAVANAUGH.
The family of Kavananugh in the town, consist of two brothers, John and Daniel, who live on Marrowback. Their family genea-logy, I am not acquainted with.
KELLEMAN.
Isaac Kelleman was b. in 1794, and d. Feb. 8, 1862 ; m. Catherine Sliker, who was b. in 1795, and d. Apr. 14, 1883. They resided in the south part of the town, and their children were namely :
1st. Mary, who in. Martin Janes.
2nd. Eliza, who m. Alonzo Hartson.
3d. Emeline, who m.------King.
4th. Mar ilia, who m. David Romig.
5th. Ann, who m. ----West.
6th. Rachael, who in. John Stillwell.
7th. Andrew, m. Kate Dean and lives at Union Corners. Children two; Ida who d. May 18, 1858, and Bell.
8th. Eliphlet, who lived for a time at Foot’s Corners, and now in the south part of the town. He m. 1st Juliette Wilson, who d. Jan. 17, 1877 ; a. 48 y’s., by whom he had four children namely: Charlie, who d. Dec. 10, 1863; Winfield, who d. Dec. 8, 1863; Ella, who d. Sept. 22, 1854; and Celia, who m. William Havens. For his 2nd wife, Alma Granger.
KENYON.
William Kenyon lives on Marrowback,
and in. ---Valance. I am unable to give
any history of his family.
KINGSBURY.
The genealogy of the Kingsbury family, 1 am unable to give. I was promised the same by one of the members, but have failed to receive the same as we go to press.
KUDER.
Andrew Kuder was b. Nov. 11, 1838 ; m. Mary Hitchcock who was b. in 184-. He came to the town about the year of 1866, and resides in the north part of the same. They have three children, whose names are Halcy-one, Dwight, and Kate.
LAWN.
There has been two brothers in town, by the name of Lawn, as follows:
William, who went in the army and was killed. He worked for Hector Hitchcock, and at the time of his death left a wife and child, of whom I know nothing about.162
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
Barney, (like his brother) was b. in Ireland, and came to the town some thirty or forty years ago. Whom married, I am unable to say. He now lives east of Union Corners, and their children are William, who d. June 11, 1872, and Mary, James, and Ellen.
LEWIS.
There has been two families of Lewis’ in the town, as follows:
1st. Jabez, who was b. in 1758, and d. Mar. 11, 1886. Whom he in., I can not say. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and came to the town in the year of 1805, and settled in what is now the orchard of Andrew Kuder, in tile northern part of the town. His family record, I have not; yet there were several children, and amoing them were Lucy, who m. Alexander Patterson.
2nd. Gilbert, the progenitor of the other family, lived at Conesus Center for several years, and was a miller by occupation. He m. Maria Chapin.
MACOMBER.
Simeon Macomber came to the town several years ago. He d. Aug. 25, 1886. His
1st. wife,---Wilder, by whom he had two
children. George, who was killed by the cars, and the others name I can not give. His. 2nd wife, was Ann Van Dorn, by whom he had one child name Elizabeth, who m. Eugene A. Cole.
MAGEE.
There has been two families of Magee’s in the town, as follows:
Hugh, was b. in Bangor, Ireland, in 1797, and d. May 17, 1871; came to this town some thirty or forty years ago, and lived at Union Corners, and worked at the tailor trade with his son John. Whom he married, I am unable to say. His children as far as I know, are
as namely:
1st. John, who was b. in 1821, and d. May 8, 1882 ; m. Mary E. Clark. He was a tailor by trade, and their children were Louisa, who
m.-------- Ayers; Sarah, who d. Oct. 14,
1858; Mary, who d. Sept. 14, 1854; Lillie, who d. Dec. 1, 1846; Kate, who d. June 10, 1866; Anna, who d. Aug, 24, 1845; Susannah, who d. July 14, 1846; Nellie, who m. Charles Trescott; Hugh, John, and Chalie.
2nd. Robert, who m. Mary A. Trescott, and lives at Macedon, N. Y., and is a painter by trade.
8d. William, m. 1st Electa Degraw, who d. Mar. 80, 1875. 2nd wife, Nora Durfee, who d. Oct. 18, 1878: a. 40 y’s. He is now West.
4th. Kate, who m. Charles Raisbeck, and d. May 18, 1876: a. 42 y’s.
5th. Mary A., who m.-------Whipple, and
d. Mar. 4, 1877; a. 47 y’s.
Hugh, the progenitor of the other family, was b. in 1798, and d. July 80, 1885 ; m. Elizabeth Thomas, who was b. in 1795, and d. Sept. 6, 1872. They lived at the Head of the Conesus lake, and were early settlers here. Their children were as follows:
1st. John, who m. 1st Jennie Magee. 2nd.
-------Plierris, and has three children, whose
names I do not know.
2nd. Hugh, m. Emma Bean and d. Mar. 8, 1877 ; a. 88 y’s. Has one child.
MASON.
Daniel Mason lived for a time on Turkey Hill, and also in the south part of the town. He m. Mary Baker.
MARING.
Samuel Maring lives at Conesus Center, and is an Elder in the Methodist church. Who he m. for his first wife, I can not say. 2d wife, Lucy Horth, by whom he had two children,THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
163
George, who d. in the army, and Frank who is now single, and lives with his parents.
MANN.
Aaron Mann is a Telegraph operator at Conesus Center where he came in 1885. His wife’s name I am unable to give. They have one child.
MASTEN.
There are two families in the town as follows :
Henry Masten came from Washington Co. N. Y., as an early settler. He m. Susannah -----, and their children are Cornelius,
Tanner, William, Mary Jane (who m. Davey, and has a son in Rochester), Henry, Samuel, and Permelia.
Selah, the head of the other family, m. Electa Clark, and now resides on Marrowback. Their children are Walter who is married and lives West, and Helen who m. Gough, and Or-ren.
MAY.
Harvey May was an early settler at Foot’s Corners where he resided for several years. I know but a little of his family. He had one
son named Hiram, who m.------------Morris,
and d. in 1884. They had five children, as follows:
1st. Delilah, single.
2nd. Elizabeth, m. Erastus Knowles and d. in 1880.
3d. James, who d. Mar. 6, 1863; a. 27 y’s.
4th. Jefferson, m. Elizabeth Sweet, and has five children whose names are Charles, Jennie, Willie, Fred., and Ross.
5th. Derias, m. .Charlotte Shafer, and their children are William, who m. Nettie Allen, and their children are Gilbert and Ellen; Ellen, m. William Trescott and d. May 28,
1878; Emma, m. Alex. Green; Frank m. Henry Case, and his children are Willie, Earl, and Emma; Charles, m. Frank Richard, and has two children, Herbert and Ralph ; Hermon and Minnie are single.
MILLER.
William Miller was b. Aug. 26, 1851; m. Nora Doud. He is a Harness-maker by occupation, and came here in 1874. Also is a prominent town officer, and they have one child whose name is Earl.
MILLS.
William Mills, while young, was adopted " and raised in the family of Granger Griswold. He m. Bell McArthur and kept store in Grover & Snyder’s building for several years. He went West in the Spring of 1885.
McArthur.
----McArthur lived in the Calabogue
Hollow, where his son Alex, now resides. He came here some twenty-five years ago, and at this place he died. His children as far as I knew were three namely:	Alex, (whom m.
I can not say); has two children whose names are William and John. Bell m. W. H. Mills, and another daughter who lives at Tuscarora^ N. Y.
McGINTY.
Con. McGinty was b. in Ireland, in 1826, and came to this country in 1851, and to the town in 1857, and was a Section boss for several years, and now lives at Union Corners. He m. Mary J. Lawn, and their children are John, Kate, William, and Charlie.
McGOWAN.
------ Gowan, is a Physician at Conesus
Center, where he came a few years ago. He is a single man.164
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
McKAY.
Hector McKay was b. in 1762, and d.
Sept. 28, 1846; m. Julia------, who d Feb.
£f, 1832. He came to the town in 1795, and settled upon lot No. 108, and the next spring he moved to the place that he was living' at the time of his death. The genealogy of his family, I am unable to give.
MoMILLEN.
David McMillen was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Feb. 30, 1794, and d. Aug. 29, 1837 ; m. Alta Henderson, whose record I have not. He came to the town in 1818, and settled at the head of the Conesus lake, upon a farm that now bears his name. He was a noted physician and an influential man. His family consisted of seven children as follows :
1st. Charles, who has been married twice, and his children’s names are Archie and Charles.
, 2nd. James, belongs to the U. S. Army.
3d. John, who d. young.
4th. Charlotte; 5th. Luna; 6th. Fulton ; 7th. Franklin, are single and live on the “old homestead.”
McNINCH.
Jane McNinch was born in Pennsylvania, in 1752, and was the wife of Patrick McNinch who died before she came here. She d. Oct. 10, 1825. They had five children, namely:
1st. James, who was b. in 1771, and d. Nov. 8, 1839; m. Jane Allen who was b. in 1788, and d. Mar. 11, 1863. They came from Pennsylvania, in 1806, and lived at the head of Conesus lake, and by occupation, he was a miller. Their children were as follows:	1st.
William, who d. young. 2d. Jane, m. Hiram Boyd. 3d. John, m. first Luvisa Warner, who d. about 1838, and left one son Hiram, who m. Mary Jerome, and lives at Foot’s Corners, and have one child, Alice. His 2nd. wife,
Phoebe Skanck, by whom he had seven children whose names are Henry, Mary, James, Sarah, Benjamin, Jane, and Scott. 4th. Mary, who d. Oct. 15, 1879; a. 63 y’s. 5th. James, m. Henrietta Wing and live at Union Corners. 6th. Robert, single. 7th. Ellen, m. Timothy Hopkins, and lives in Iowa, and their children are Jane who m. Elias Bearss, Timothy now d., Elizabeth m. Smith, Sarah m. Gleason, Roxcy m. Skiff, and Westley now single. 8th. Samuel, m. Harriett Taylor and is dead. His children are Almond, George, Jane,.Timothy, Laura, Yance (dead), and Ada. 9th. Washington, m. Elizabeth Gardner. 10th. Allen, m. Lucinda Bearss and live at Foot’s Corners.
2nd. Matthew, who was b. in Pennsylvania in 1784, and d. Mar. 18, 1867; m. Sarah Coller, who was b. in 1792, and d. May 1, 1863. He came to the town in 1806, and settled in the south-west corner of the town. Their family consisted of four children, namely:	1 st. Jauies
m. Elizabeth Gray, and live in the south-west part of the town. Has one child, named Floyd, who m. Jane Buskirk, and has three children. 2nd. John, m. Clarisa Cruger, and lived for a time on the “ old homestead,” then at Scotts-burgh, and now in Pennsylvania. Their children are Lina, Ella m. Krisher, James, Lewis, Eugene, Elizabeth, Susen and Alonzo. 3d. Thomas, who d. Nov. 5, 1836. 4th. Maria, m. Abraham Harrison, who is now dead. Children, two: Janies (m.), and Caroline.
3d. John, who came here in 1804, and settled at the head of the lake. tHe m. Charity Campbell. I am not able to give a history in full of his childrens families. His children are as follows: 1st. Jane, in. James Dennison and is dead. 2nd. James, m. Ann Sullivan. 3d. Patrick, m. Rosella Stephens, and now resides in the Calabogue hollow. Their children areTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
165
Scott, who m. Kittie Coe and has one child; Bert who m. Dolly Havens; Dimmis who m. Romeyne Cole ; and Florence who d. Mar. 4, 1857. 4th. Pattie, m. DanielJDennison. 5th. Christopher, m. Jane Smith. 6th. Louisa, m, John Wainard. 7th. Betsy, m. Henry Weaver. 8th. Sanmel, m. -----Smith. 9th. Sal-
ly, m. Horace Coppins. 10th. Rachael, m. Ulyses Clemons. 11th. Henry, m. -----Flem-
ings.
4th. Samuel, was b. in 1778, and d. Feb. 11, 1857 ; m. Parsey Coller, whose birth and death I have not. He came here with his brothers from Pennsylvania, in 1805. Their children are James, who m. Louisa Morris and live on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp; John who d. Oct. 6, 1866; a. 38 y’s; Jake m. Lucy Brown; Mary A , single; Chas. went to Pennsylvania and died : and Matthew m. Elizabeth Bryant, and lives in Springwater,
McYICAR.
William Me Vicar, m. Betsy Roberts and they settled at an early day in the south-west part of the town. Their children were Julia, Charles, Jane, John, Walter, Elizabeth, Edwin, Edward, Martha, George, and Sarah. I know but a little of the family, except their son John, which is as follows :
John, m. Elizabeth Thorpe, and lived for a time in the hotel that was burned at Conesus Center, and then in the northern part of the town. They had three children namely:
* 1st. Frank, m. Charles Austen, and lives at Geneseo. Children two; Lizzie who d. in 1874, and Julian.
2nd. George, m. Sofrona Northrup, and d. at Ionia, Mich., in 1879. Has two children, whose names are Leon and Georgie.
3d. John, m. Grace Sanford, and lives at Conesus Center.
MOORE.
Gabriel Moore m. -------- Hudson, and
lived for a time at Conesus Center. Their children were Lidiamen, who m. Westfall; Elizabeth m. R. Janes; Chester, Mary, and Arod.
MORREL.
This family I know but a little about. Of the family, there are two brothers; George, who m. Arsula Armstrong, and lives on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp, and Albert who is married and lives on the west side of the same, and has three children.
MORRIS.
Rev. Sylvester Morris was b. in 1776,
and d. iVpr. 9, 1865 ; m. Elizabeth ----,
who was b. in 1787, and d. Feb. 18, 1857. They came to the town as early settlers, and resided south of Foot’s Corners, on what is now the Bayles place, llis children are as follows :
1st. Caroline, who d. 1822.
2nd. Daniel, who d. in 1847.
3d. Chandler, d. June 3, 1885; m. Abigal Amsden, who was b. in 1800, and d. Dec. 3, 1863. They resided on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. Their children are as follows:	1st. William, m. Sarah Wash-
burn, and lives on the “old homestead.” Their children are Heman (m.), Addie, George who d. Feb. 10, 1861; a. 5 y’s, Ida who d. Apr. 5,1858, Jessie, Lillian, Mabel, and Vivian. 2nd. Louisa, m. James McNinch. 3d. Marshall, who d. Feb. 16, 1868; a. *31 y’s. 4th. Pheobe, who d. Feb. 17, 1847. 5th. Addie, m. John Alger, and d. July 2, 1868. 6th. Frank, m. Mary Amiis and'lives in Michigan. 7th. Minerva, m. Franklin Foot.
2nd. Sylvester, was b. in Paris, N. Y.,Nov. 30, 1801, and d. Feb. 14, 1877 ; m. Polly Alger, who was b. Nov. 15, 1810. He in life166
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
was a Christian minister. How often I have seen him in his u aged days,” as he entered a church or school-house door, and as he would advanced toward the pulpit or desk, take off his hat, and part back those white locks with his handkerchief, which would create a love for him in the heart’s of all who were present. And then in a feeble voice, with now and then a nod of the head, beseach them all to follow a true Christain life. He came to the town in 1818, and in 1847 was ordained as a minister by the Central New York Christain Conference. His wife is now the oldest person living in the town that was born here, and they lived for many years on the place where he died. Their children are as namely:	1st.
Sylvester, m. Mary Calmont, and lives in Pennsylvania, and his children are Maud, Grace, and R. R. 2nd. Ornaldo, m. Sarah Harrison and has two children. 3d. Davenport, m. Kate Ford and lives in Iowa, and has two children, .whose names are Fred., and Louisa. 4th. Joseph, who d. in 1840. 5th. Mary, now single. 6th. John, m. Josephene Trescott and lives on the Homestead, and has two children, whose names are Sula, and Mabel.
3d. Marshall, m. ------ Hoard. Unable
to give any more account of him.
4th. Derias, in. Clarrisa Johnson, and had a daughter named Mary, now dead.
5th. Emeline, m. Mortimer McKay. Unacquainted with her family.
6th. Smith, who d. young.
MOULTON.
Benjamin Moulton kept store at Conesus Center for a time, and now lives in Ohio. He m. Mariette Kuder, and have had two children.
MYERS.
James Myers m. Jennie---------, and came
to the town a few years ago, and bought the
place he was living on at the time of his death. He lost his life by falling from a wagon, Sept. 11, 1885. Their children are Frank, Hattie, Bert., Curtis, and Harrle.
NASH.
Gifford Nash resided on the lake road, where David Wilkison now lives. He m. ----Sharp, and had eight children as follows:
1st. Wells, m. Mary Uptagrove.
2nd. Henry, m. Elvira Gould. She is dead.
3d. Mary, in. Alfred Sliker.
4th. Polly, m. Frank Hilman.
5th. Ida, m.----Beckwith.
6th. Sarah, m. Alonzo Randolph.
Two daughters who m. Warren and Colton Sharp (former dead), and one m. A. Hart.
NORTON.
Seymour Norton was b. in Stafford, Vt., in 1802, and d. x\pril 5,1869 ; m. Fanny Stevens who was b. in 1805. They moved to Conssus from Bethany in 1 841, and lived for a time on the place now owned by David Coleman, and then moved to Foot’s Corners, then back to Bethany, N. Y., again. They had seven children as follows:
1st. Margaret, m. 1st Myron Hutchinson, by whom she had one daughter named Anna, who m.-George Meade, and lives m California. Her 2nd husband, Enestus Cross, who is also dead. She now lives with her daughter.
2nd. Harriet, m. 1st Thomas Gifford, who was killed in a railroad accident. They had two children, Charlie, who m. Anna Stiltson, and Carrie, who m. Edward Felthousen, of Buffalo. Her 2nd husband, William King, who is now dead. She now resides in Buffalo.
3d. Luvia, single.
4th. George m. Elizabeth Leach, and lives in Iowa. Children two, Annie and Lillie.
5d. Walter, m. Mary Smith, and lives in Ia>THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
167
6th. Elihu, who d. Feb. 16, 1844.
7th. Charles, who d. June 7,1862: a. 18 y’s.
ORR.
Joseph Orr came to the town some twenty years ago, and now resides at Conesus Center. He m. Kate Breen, and has children, whose names I can not give.
PARTRIDGE.
David Partridge came to the town several years ago, and settled on Marrowback, where he died June 2, 1888. He in. Laura
----, who was b. in 1805, and d. March 12,
1875. Their children are Lewis who is in., and lives at Livonia Center ; Harrison, m. a Payne and live on the “ old homestead; ”
------, m. Rollen Coe ; Jennie, d. Feb. 10,
1870; Jane, d. Apr. 28, 1868; and Mary, who m. «J°hn Jewell.
PATTERSON.
Alexander Patterson was b. in 1788, and d. Jan."16, 1868; m. Lucy Lewis, who was b. in Warren, N. J., in 1796, and d. Sept. 21,1882. Alex’s, birth place was in Vermont, and in 1884, then a young man, he resolved to make Conesus his future home. Having but limited means, and no more then sufficient to reach the town with, he resolved to peddle his way through, and by so doing to save what little he had earned to aid him when he reached the town. So procuring a small tin trunk and the necessary articles, he set out on foot accompanied by a male traveling companion who was coming here at the same time. All of the first day he tried to disposed of his articles, but without success. And on the second day, he presented his companion with a pair of mittens, who was suffering with the cold, through his pack or trunk over his shoulders, and resolved to peddle no more. On his arrival here, lie took up his abode with Jabez Lewis, then
living on the farm now own by Andrew Kuder, and in 1815, moved on the place that he was living on at the time of his death. They had eleven children as follows:
1 st. James, who in company with two young men name Purdy, started in 1850 by over-land route for California. On the 26th of October, —when most there,— was taken sick, and died, and his comrades buried him under the roots fo a turned-up tree. Aged, 25 y’s.
2nd. Alexander, d. Aug. 19,1840; a. 22 y’s.
8d. Theodore, m. Harriet Warrington, and lived for a time on Marrowback, and now at Livonia Center. Had one child named Frank, who d. Feb. 28, 1855.
4th. Lucy, m. Norman Thomas, and had two children; Anna, who d. Feb. 17, 1887, and George, who m. a McKay, and lives in Bethany, N. Y.
5th. Dafena, m. James Sherwood.
6th. Sally Ann, m. Lee Bennett of Livonia.
7th, Roxy, m. Artimas Bennett of Livonia.
8th, Alta, m. Samuel Jerome.
9th. Mary, in. David Densmore who died a few years ago. They lived in Livonia, and their childred are Allie (d.), Lilly who m. Frank Armstrong, Clarence and Nettie who lives at home.
10th. Ann, in. Jackson Backus of Livonia. Their children are Don., Theodore, George, and x\ndrew.
11th. Robert, in. Elizabeth Van Slyke, and lives in Iowa. Their children are James, Bert, Ernest, (k. in 1869), Erwin, Lucy, etc.
Cun ton Patterson, who is not connected with above, lives on Marrowback, where1 lie moved four or five years ago, and bought a farm near the Webster school-house. He
m.-------- Morris, and they have two small
children, whose names,—on account of my not being acquainted with them,—I can not give.168
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
PAYNE.
Nathaniel Payne resided on Marrowback, where he settled a number of years ago. The family I can not say much about. Their children were John, who went to California and died; Smith and Betsey were drowned in the Conesuslake; Daniel, Jane, Harriet, Sally, and Polly I know nothing about; Nathaniel’s children are Harriet who .m Washington Dur-kee, a daughter who in. Harrison Partridge, and Charity.
PENNING.
William Penning came to the town in 1876 or ‘77 ; m 1st Sarah Holmes by whom he has one child named Fred. 2nd Harriet Holmes. 3d. Minerva Bailey, by whom he has two children, named George and Ilermon.
PERRIN.
William Perrin was b. in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1825, and d. Dec. 8, 1853; m. 1st Sybil Chamberlin who d. July 26, 1847. 2nd wife, Rhoda Curtis. He came to the town, several years ago, and settled south of Conesus Center, on the place now owned by their son Andrew. The children by the first wife, are as follows:
1st. Andrew, m. Linda Williams, and is now Mayor of Titusville. Their children are Lin-na, William, Marion, Sybil, and Charles.
2nd. William L., m. Sally Foote, and lives in Olean, N. Y.
3d. Lewis, m. Gertrude McEntee and lives at Olean, N. Y.
4th. Mary M., dead.
5th. Sybil S., now dead.
By the second wife Luna, now single.
PHILHOWER.
Fred. Philhower lives at Conesus Center, where he moved several years ago. Whom he
married, I can not say. Children four, Isaac, who m. Margaret Row, Rose m, Patrick Strong, William (m.), and Hattie.
PHILIPS.
L. M. Philips is a young physician of the town, and resides at Conesus Center, where he came a few years ago and located, then went away for a few years, and then returned again in 1885. Whom he m., I am unable to say.
PICKERING.
Wm. Pickering is m., and lives on Marrowback. His children are Fanny and James.
PICKEL.
Nicholas Pickle was b. in 1796, and d. May 25, 1862; m. Elizabeth Gray, who was b. in 1800, and d. Jan. 2, 1876. They were early settlers, and lived for many years on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp. Their children were as follows:
1st. Rancehann, d. Jan. 14,1851 ; a. 15y’s.
2nd. Alexander, who belonged to the 1st. Michigan Sharpshooters, and was killed in battle, June 17, 1864.
3d. Arthur, m. Louisa Morris and d. Jan. 25, 1851; a. 29 y’s.
4th. Alonzo, m. Corintha Van Allen, and their children are Bertha, m. Charlie Sanger, Charlie, Miria, Arthur, etc.
5th. Richard, m.---Price.
6th. Adaline, m. Jacob Slate.
7th. Elizabeth, in. Morgan Shafer.
POLAND.
Wm. Poland, m. 1st. —-----by whom he
had two children, Sarah who m. Isaac Havens, and Alice, m. Arnold Hartson. 2nd. wife. Eliza Smith, who d. March 18, 1882. They lived for a time on the east side of the Head of the Lake swamp, and then to Foot’s Corners where his last wife died. Now living with hisTHE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
169
daughter,—Mrs. Havens—in Sparta.
POWELL.
Tyler Powell was b. Oct. 13, 1815; m. 1st, Mary Lowden who d. in 1858, living three children, Franklin, George, and Elizabeth. 2nd wife, Mary Wallace, and now resides on Marrowback.
PUTNEY.
George Putney, m. Lucia Neff, and in the year of 1885, lived in the northern part bf the town, and now on the eastern slope of Turkey hill. Children two, Adelbert and Imogene.
RAY.
Myron Ray came to the town a number of years ago, and d. Jan. 8, 1881; m. Laura
------, who d. Dec. 28, 1876. They resided
several years on the place now owned by Henry Cramer, and from here to Marrowback, where they died. Their children are Julian, Charlie (one child named Amanda who m. A. Cole), Harriet (dead), James, Maria, and Eunice, who d. June 28, 1852; a. 18 y’s.
RICHARDSON.
There seems to have been several families of Richardsons in the town. One of the families lived fora time east of the Conesus Post Office, on the lands now owned by Hiram Boyd. Another family, was that of Francis Richardson, who lived near Jotham Clark on Turkey hill, and as we have stated, committed suicide. As both families left the town some sixty years ago, I can give no history of them.
Lemuel Richardson was a Revolutionary soldier, who settled at an early day south-west of Conesus Center. He was b. in 1763, and d. June 22, 1847. His wife must have died before he came here, for we fail to find her grave beside that of his. His children as far as I know, are as follows:
1st. Stephen, d. May 24, 1840; a. 18 y’s. .
2nd. Hiram, d. Sept. 18, 1828 ; a. 28 y’s.
3d. Mariah, d. July 31, 1825; a. 2 y’s.
4th. B. Lemuel, m.-----and lived on the
“old homestead,” and d. Mar. 14, 1884.
5th. Ann, m.------and d. Apr. 25,1877.
RIPLEY.
There has been two families by the name of Ripley in the town as follows:
Tyranus came to the town as an early settler, and resided on the shore of Conesus lake where Samuel Sliker now live. He m. Rebecca Howe, who was b. in 1795, and d. in 1878. He d. Jan. 1, 1881. Their children, —as far as I am able to give their history— are as follows:— Leman lives at Dansville; Dr. H. Z, at Washington, D. C.; Lydia, m. Rev. Elias Buck ; Mary, m. I. Wells of Lakeville : H M., of Rochester; M. W., of Lima; and Willis, who was murdered in Michigan.
Harvey, the head of the other family, lives at Conesus Center, and is a carpenter by trade. He in. Mary Sliker, and has one child.
ROCKEFELLOW.
George Rockfkllow came to the town about the year of 1845. At~one time he had an interest in a store at Conesus Center, and was engaged in the milling business at this place when he failed. His family I know nothing about, except he went West and died at Carson City, Nev., in 1880.
ROMIG.
David Romig came to the town some twenty-five years ago. He m. Matilda Kelle-man, and d. Sept. 8,1873. Their children are Mary, who m. Luman Baldwin, and Frank who m. Lyda Buck and has three children.
ROWLAND.
Joseph Rowland bame to the town when1T0
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
he was a young man; m. Caroline Cross, and they lived for a time at Foot’s Corners, and then moved to a log house that stood on the lands now owned by F. Coe, north of the residence of Hiram Boyd, and then to the place they now reside on, and is Postmaster of the Cone-sus Office. They have five children, namely:
1st. Henry, m. Jennie Mainor, and lives at Savonia.
2nd. Nellie, m. Elmer Long.
3d. Frederick, in. Mattie Ames, and has one child, Leverne.
4th. Artimus, m. Florence Persons, and lives at Hemlock Lake.
5th. Gertrude, single.
SAWDY.
Fred. Sawdy lives at Union Corners ; m. Delia Duffy, and has one child.
SEDAM.
Jerrv Sedams family I know but little* of. They lived in a house that stood near the sight of the house of George Jerome. Their children were Eliza, Charles, Minervia, and Nathaniel.
SHAFEB.
There are two families by the name of Shafer in the town, as follows :
Phineas Shafer was b. in Pennsylvania, Aug. 22, 1820. When at the age of two years he came with his parents to Sparta, and in 1842, to Conesus. He m. Emma Buskirk, and has one child namely:	Frank P. who was
b. in the town, May 11,1854. At the age of five years, he came from the place where he was born (James C* McNinch place,) with his parents, to the place now owned by them, one mile west of Conesus Center. His younger days he spent in attending school near his fath-ers, until he arrived at the age of seventeen years, when he was sent to the Normal School at Geneseo, for two terms. At the age of
eighteen, he commenced teaching, which he followed for nine terms. In 1883 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and on the 1st. of November of the same year, he purchased the carriage and agricultural business of Geo. W. Baker, at Conesus Center. Sept. 10, 1879, he m. Helen R. Annis, by whom he has two children whose names are Erma and Onolee.
Morgan Shafer settled at the head of the Conesus lake, about 1870. He m. Elizabeth Pickle.
SHERD.
Laban Sherd kept for a time the hotel at the head of Conesus lake. His 1st wife were Lucy Gilbert, now dead, by whom they had
one son named Jay. 2nd. wife,---- Brown,
and they are now West.
SHERWOOD.
There has been two families by the name of Sherwood in the town as follows :
1st. Stephen, who in. Sarah Cook. Their children were Sarah, who m. Goodsal and is now dead; Jerushua, m. Buckland, and lives at Perry aDd has three children; Clark, m. Elvira Cook and lives at Lakeville, and has ten children; James, m. Daffeny Patterson, and lives in Wisconsin, and has four children; Stephen, in. Jane Baker and lived for a long time at Foot’s Corners, and was a blacksmith by trade, and now lives at South Livonia. Their children are Alberto, who in. Kittie Baker, and lives at Batavia, and Rodney, who d. March 3, 1882.
Rancehann, the progeniator of the other family, lives on Marrowback. His wife’s name is Lovelina, and their children are Emilton m. Sarah Howitt, Sarah m. George Mathers, and Louisa m. William Esterhalt.
SLIKER.
Stephen Sliker was b. in 1764, and d.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
171
May 11, 1849; in. Hannah----------- who was
b. in 1775, and d. May 11,1849. They came to the town as early settlers, and lived on Turkey Hill near the present residence of Carrie McKeown. They had three children as follows:
1st. William, who m. --------- Smith, and
lived in Calabogue hollow, where he died a few years ago. His children are Emma, who m. Wells; Mary who m. Harvey Ripley; Tillie who m. Alonzo Palmer and now dead; and William who m. Jennie Lindsley.
2nd. Lawrence, who was b. in 1808, and d. Feb. 22, 1863 ; m. Caroline Wolverton, who was b. in 1811, and d. Dec. 26, 1877. They resided on Turkey Hill, and their children are Alfred who m. Mary Nash and his children are Giabrella, Lawrence, Bert., Shelby,Cora, John, and Alfred ; John, m. Addie Guldner and now lives in Oregon ; Daniel, now West; Gabriel, who d. Aug. 4, 1871 ; a. 23 y’s; Carrie, who m. John McKeown; John, who d. Feb. 4, 1845 ; Catherine, who d. Feb. 6, 1845;
3d. George, went West.
4th. Sanuel, m. 1st Maria-----who d. May
7, 1872. 2nd. Mrs. Sarah Buck. He lived for a time on Turkey Hill, and now on the shore of Conesus lake.
SMITH.
There has been several families by the name of Smith in the town, as follows :
In 1848, there was a family that lived at Foot’s Corners, and the lady whose name was Martha, d. that year with small-pox. I know nothing farther of the family.
William, the head of the second family, lived for a time east of Foot’s Corners. He and his wife are now both dead. Their child is William, who in. Mary A. Barber, who d. a few years ago. He had three children, whose
names are Lewis, who m. Cora Jewell, Weltha who m. Sidmore, and Louisa.
Henry, who lived for a time at Conesus Center, but who he m. first, I am unable to say. They had two children, Willie who d. July 1, 1876, and Frank, who m. Allie Coe, and lives in Chicago. His 2nd wife, Jennie Coleman, who d. Sept. 14, 1880.
SNYDER.
Lysander Snyder was a resident of the town for several years, and d. a few years ago. He m. Adaline Clark, who d. Oct. 20, 1863; a. 37 y’s. They lived at Union Corners.
George, a nephew of the above, m. Allie Alger, and came to Conesus Center in 1886, where he is now a merchant,
SOPHER.
David Sopher was a Revolutionary Soldier and was b. in 1751, and d. Sept. 5. 1841; m.
Mary------- who was b. 1769, and d. Aug.
22, 1835. We have no more record of the family.
SOUTHWELL.
Fred. Southwell lived for a time south of Conesus Center, and then on the place now owned by the family of James Myers, in the northern part of the town, and now at Lima, N. Y. He in. Julia Moulton, and had one child, whose name is Ettie.
SPAIN.
John and Thomas Spain were two brothers, and at one time both resided in the town. The former m. Kate Fogarty, and they have several children, but I a in unable to give their names.
STARK.
Arthur Stark came to the town a few years ago, and kept store first south of the Universalist church, and now north of Alger’s172
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
hotel. Whom m., I can not say. His children are Lee., and an Infant.
STEEL.
James Steel was b. in the town of Amherst, N. H., in 1767, and d. Sept. 6, 1865;
m. Sarah------who was b. in 1772, and d.
July 15, 1857. He came to the town at an early day, and settled at the head of the Cone-sus lake. I know but a little of this family, except they had two sons, Elias and Harvey, the latter m. Miss Carey.
STEVENS.
Ashabel Stevens was b. in 1785, and d.
March 24, 1861; m. Dimmis---who was b.
in 1790, and d. April 1, 1852. The record of this family I have lost. But as far as I remember, they had two daughters, Rosella who m. Patrick McNinch, and Dimmis who m. John D. Alger, and d. July 2, 1868.
STRONG.
Patrick Strong lives upon Marrowback where he moved a few years ago. The family I am unacquainted with. His children are Thomas, Patrick, James, Ellen, Maria, Susan, and Bridget.
STRAUB.
Frederick Straub was b. in Germany, and came here in 1851, and opened the first Cabnet shop in the town. Whom he married, I am unable to say. He lives at Conesus Center, and his children are Fred., who d. March 25, 1876, and Della.
SOMMERS.
Rudolf Sommers came to the tcwn a few years ago, and now lives east of Foot’s Corn-ter. Whom he married, I am unable to say. Their children are Clara, Rudolf, Agnes, Fred, and Charlie.
SWEETLAND.
The grave of Molly Sweetland is found in the Conesus Center cemetery. Who she was, I am unable to say. She was b. in 1742, and d. June 7, 1826.
SWEENY
Alexander and Owen Sweeny were two brothers, and was born in Ireland. They came here somo thirty years ago, and Alexander died soon after. Owen m. Natelia Jones, and now lives in Sparta.
SWIFT.
William Swift came here as a wagon-maker in 1835. He w. Mary A. Hewitt, and they lived for a time at Conesus Center, and now at Union Corners. They have one child name Ettie, who m. James Bailey.
T1MBROOKS.
The family of Timbrooks, I know but a little about. They were one of the early families of the town, and lived for several years south of Conesus Centes. They have one son named Henry, that is married and now lives at that place.
TITSWORTH.
Abraham Titsworth lived for a long time in the Calabogue hollow, and now in Michigan. Whom he m., I can not say. Their children, as far as I know, were Annie, who m. Dewitt Alger, Hamilton and George, both now West.
THOMAS.
Even Thomas was b. in Pennsylvania, in 1790, and d. Dec. 13,1863 ; m. Saran Havens, who was b. in 1803, and d. Jan. 13, 1872. They came here as early settlers, and always resided on the place now owned by Ezra Clerk, where they died. Their children were as follows:
1st. Robert, m. Esther Degraw, who d. dan.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
•■173
6, 1853, leaving two children, Annie who m. Albert Hunt, and Charlie, now West.
2nd. Elizabeth, m. -------Haynes, and d.
Dee. 26, 1878: a. 51 y?s. She left two children.
3d. Matilda, m. John Hass, who was killed by Ellis a few years ago in Dansville.
4th. Sarah, m. -------Wisner.
5th. Frank, some where West.
6th. W atson, d. Nov. 12, 1863; a. 26 y’s.
7th. Evan, m. Ann Carroll, and lives West.
8th. Harriet, m. Leman Northrup.
9th. Ann, m. ----- Carroll, and is now dead.
10th. Joseph, accidentally shot by a comrade in the army.
11th. I. Havens, m. SyHilda Guldner, and lives at the head of Conesus lake. Children three, Willie, Belle, and Frank.
12th. Minerva, m. Harrison Coleman, and lives at Saginaw, Mich..
THORPE.
There has been two brothers that lias lived in the town, as follows:
Charles Thorpe was b. in New Haven, Ot., in 1785, and d. Mar. 31, 1829 : m. Charlotte Morrison who was b. in 1794, and d. Aug. 16,1850. He came here when he was a young man, and they lived for a time on the place now owned by Henry Cramer. They had six children, as follows ;
1st. .Lucinda, m. Garrett Daniels.
2nd. Mary Ann, m. Matthew Allen.
3d Olivia, who d. Jan. 4, 1828: a. 12 y’s.
4th, Henry, who d. in 1814.
5th. Elizabeth, m. John Me Vicar.
6th. Seymor, m. Emeline Dean, and lives at Foot’s Corners. Children two, lardell, and Carrie who m. William Jerome.
Joel Thorpe,—the other brother,—was b. in 1780, and d. in 1719; m. Lydia Thorpe,
who was b. in 1781, and d. in 1858. He came to the town as an early settler. Their children were as follows:
1st. Warren, m. Lucy Patterson and d. in 1873.
2nd. Amzi, b. in 1817 ; m. Celina Aider-man. and now lives at Gainesville, N. Y.
3d. Rollen, m. Henrietta Densmore, and lives in Wisconsin.
4th. Charles, m. Betsy Densmore, and d. in 1847 : she d. in 1852.
TRESCOTT.
There has been three brothers in the town, as hallows :
1st. Solomon, who m. ------ Remington,
and they have lived for a number years at Conesus Center. Their children are Mary A., m. Robert Magee; Daniel, m. Emily West, and lives at Conesus Center, and has one child named Eva; Josephene, m. John D. Morris: Corda, m. —— Andress; Charles, m. Nellie Magee : Cyrus (m.): and Eugene.
2nd. Asa, was b. in 1804, and d. Dec. 18,
1 886; in.----Smith, who d. a few years ago.
Their children are William, who m. 1st Ella May, who d. May 28, 1878. 2nd wife, I am unable to say. Laura, m. McGinley.
3d. Cyrus, ui. 1 st-----Bebee, by whom
he had one son name Charles. 2nd wife, Lucy Chapin, by whom he han one child named Elmer. He lived for a time on the shore of the Conesus lake, and now at Livonia Station.
VINCENT.
George K. Vincent came to the town in 1868, and was then a Harness maker by trade. He lived at Conesus Center. Married Alta Chase, by whom he had three children, whose name are George, Charlie, and Annie. The last years he was in the town, he was engaged in manufacturing “Patent Medicine.”174
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
WAMBOLD.
Edward Wambold lives at the head of Conesus iake. He in. Lyda Roberts, and has two children, whose names I can not give.
WEBSTER.
There were two brothers that came to the town at an early day, as follows:
Elisha, was b. in 1794, and d. Feb. 25,
1867; m. Betsey------who was b. in 1800,
and d. June 28, 1877. Their home was in the south part of the town, and near a school-house that bears their name. Their children were as follows:
1st. Elisha, in. Ann Clemons, and lives at Webster’s Crossing. Children two, Elisha (m.), and Luna who m. Harvey Hill.
2nd. Mahlon, m. Emeline Johnson, and they have four children, Frank, Cora, Willie, and Bert.
3d. William, in. --Barnhardt.
4th. Alantson, m. -----and has two chil-
dren, Ellen and Edward.
5th. Orlando, m.-----and had two chil-
dren, Della, and James, who d. July 7, 1874.
6th. John. m. Anna Coe, and lives at Conesus Center, and has one child name George.
7th. Victoria, in. John Vretenburg.
8th. Betsey, m. William Jones.
9th. Sarah, in. Tillie Clemons.
10th. Mary, Jackson Clemons.
Lawrence a, brother of the above, lived on Marrowback, near the school-house that bears his name. He m. Eliza Haywood who d. Nov. 15,1875. He died several years previous. Their children are Susan; Angeline, m. Guy Bennett; Elizabeth, m. Guy Bennett and is dead; Carrie, m. John Holmes, and d. May 11, 1877; Celestial, d. Nov. 21, 1880; Florence, d. May 18, 1872; Lawrence, m. Carrie Damon, and lives on his father’s homestead.
WELLS.
Isaac T* Wells was b. in 1807, and d.
Nov. 2, 1867; m. Charity---. He came to
the town some fifty years ago, and settled at Conesus Center, and was a blacksmith by trade. Their children were Hyler, who lives in Washington, Wiley, who is a Lawyer and has been Congressman from the State of Mississippi, and Elizabeth, who m. Robert Lee of Groveland, who is now dead.
WEST.
Joel West came to the town at an early day, and lived in the Calabogue hollow. He m. Angeline Wing, who was b. Oct. 27,1811. Their children were Emeline, who m. Azel Coleman, and is now dead; Emily, m. Daniel Trescott: Mary, single; Carrie, m. Charles Durfee, and now dead ; John, m. Rosana Lee, and their children are Andrew, John, Julian, now dead, and Eliza; Chancey, m. 1st, Mary
—-----; 2nd. Lucy Gardner, and has one
son, name Perry; Hulda, m. ----Arnold.
WESTER.
Jacob W ester was born in Germany, and came here about 1856. Whom in., I can not say. He lives in the Purchase gulley, and their children are Amel, who m. Ada Spencer, Charles (m.), George, John, Lillie, Mary, Alice, Andrew and Elias dead.
WHEATON.
There has been two brothers by the name of Wheaton in the town, and both of them lived at the head of the Conesus lake, as follows :
Esek, m. Cornelia Degraw, now dead. Their children are Frank, (who m. 1st, C. F. Basom, and 2nd, R. L. Pierson), George (m.), Jerome, Ira, John, and Esther who d. March 28, 1862 : a. 8 y’s.
Charlie, m. Lathuse Beaman, and they have two children, named Loyd and Leman.THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
175
WHEELER.
Warren Wheeler, came to the town as one of the early settlers, and lived in a log house that stood a little south of the residence of Hiram Boyd, and soon after moved to South
Livonia, wThere he d. in 1884. He m.-
Baker, and their children were Maria, who m.
Henry Coe; William, m. 1st. ----, 2nd.
Eliza McDonald ; Dell., m. Luther Hart, and is now dead ;----m. Simon Oley.
WHITEMAN.
William Whiteman was b. in 1828; m. Nancey Mills, who was born in 1836. They came to the town some twenty years ago, and have resided since on the place they now live. Have no children except an adopted boy named Henry, who m. Mary Shafer.
WILCOX.
Erastus Wilcox lived for a time upon the farm now owned by the Morris family, west of Union Corners. His wife’s name was Martha. While living here, they lost two children, Abner, who was accidentally shot at Lakeville, Sept. 23, 1832; a. 14 y’s., and James, who d. Oct. 6, 1832 ; a. 15 y’s.
WILDER.
Daniel Wilder came to the town, some forty years ago, and made it his home in the Calabogue hollow. He m. first a Strong, and for his second wife, a Meacham. He d. Nov. 27, 1886. This is all I know of the family.
WILISON.
William Wilison resides at Union Corners where he came some thirty years ago. He
m. ----Wood, who d. Apr. 17,1885. Their
children are Belle, who m. William Howitt, Frank, m. Homer Jincks, and d. Sept. 18, 1885, Hattie, m. William Bortels, Thomas, m. Kaddie Bortels, Ida, and Charles.
WILKINSON.
There are two families in the town, by the name of Wilkinson, as follows:
------Wilkinson lived at Conesus Center
for a time, and now with his son-in law, Ezra Gray. He was b. in 1800, but whom he m., I can not say, or give his childrens names.
David, —the progenitor of the other family— lives on the shore of the Conesus lake. He m. Jane Bearss, and their children are Myron and William, the latter m.-----.
WILLIAMS.
The family of Harkless Williams, consisted of himself and wife, and were Negro people. They came to the town, at its first settlement, with a white family by the name of King. They built them a small house on the flats, a little west of Alanson Colier, where he « died a few years ago, and their home was taken from his wife, and she died at the County House, at (Jeneseo. They, at the time of their death, were very aged, and were respected by all who knew them.
WING.
Aaron Wing was b. July 12, 1780, andd. Oct. 19, 184-; m. Lucy Warner, who was b. July 22, 1784, and d. Mar. 14, 1860. They came to the town as early settlers, and lived in the Calabogue hollow. They had eleven children as follows:
1st. Harriet, m. Alexander Warner and lives at Castile, N. Y.
2nd. Willis, m. 1st ------; 2nd Maggie
Wilder, and has one child named Olive, who m. Darius Cargo.
3d. x\lfred, m. 1st Caroline DyrufF; 2nd
4th. Adaline, who lives East. 5th. Ashabel, d. in 1810.
6th. Chancy, d. in 1821.176
THE HISTORY OF CONESUS.
' 7th. Asahel, m. Mary Brazee, and lives in Cleveland.
8th. Horace, m. Caroline Knight, and has one child name Ella, who m. Silas Keys.
9th. Philip, in. Hepsibeth Strong, and lives at Lockport. Children three, George (dead), Ada, and Elmer.
10th. Henry, who d. in 1822.
11th. Henrietta, m. James McNinch.
WILHELM.
Of this family, there are two brothers that came to the town in 1829, and settled in the southern part, as follows:
1st. John, who was b. in 1818; m. Lora Humphrey, who was b. in 1815. Their family consisted of six children namely:— Emily, Sidney, Ellen, Solon, Eugene, and Martha.
2nd. William, the other brother, was b. in 1825; m. Pharazina Allen, who was b. in 1881, and d. Feb. 15, 1870. For his second wife, Mary Tompson. By his first wife, their children were as follows:— Rhoda, Ella, Sarah, who d. June 28, 1856, Mary, who d. Apr. 17, 1857, and George, who d. Apr. 8, 1865.
WOODRUFF.
Duane Woodruff lived for several years
in the Calabogue hollow. He m. 1st-----
Chapin; 2nd----- Compton. I am not ac-
quainted with the family, to speak farther of them.
YOUNGS.
Thomas Youngs, was b. in 1772, and d. May 22, 1855; in. Mary Gale, who was b. in 1777, and d. Feb. 11, 1865. They came here as early settlers of the town, and always resided on the place now owned by Ezra Gray, north of Conesus Center, where they kept a hotel. As far as I knew, they had one son name John, who was b. in 1804, and d. April 23^, 1852 ; m. Ellen Harris, who was b. in 1812, and d. Apr. 26,1872. John was a prominent lawyer of his day, and rose to be Governor of this State.
ERRKTA.
The following family I have accidently skipped, and will insert it here.
Paul Sanborn was a Revolutionary soldier, and lived at the head of the Conesus lake, whom he married I can not say. He had one son name Joseph, who m. 1st. Lany Buskirk, who d. in 1866. 2nd. Catherine VanCuren. His children were by the first wife namely:—
Mary, dead; Malvina, m. Orren Hubbard; Mandania, single: Manson, now west; Emma, dead; Montroville, m. Corintha YanPatten, and was drowned; Medora, m. George Tillo-son; and Melvin, now West : Marquis, now dead; Minervia, m. William Penning.
> FINIS.SUPPLEMENTARY.
When I was about to deliver my book to the Binders, I discovered that I had accidentally over-looked one of the oldest families in the town by the name of Scott, which should have been given in the letter “S,” in the Genealogical Chapter. Not wishing to omit them, I will add it by a supplementary page here.
George Scott was b. in 1779, and d. Dec. —, 18215 m. Rebecca Bowers, who was b. in 1777, and d. Mar. 9,1862. She was the daughter of John Bowers one of the original land owners, and at the time of his death, left her and a brother and three sisters a large amount of property in the town. She was very charitable, and gave land for the Conesus (Alger’s) Cemetery and for several more in this section. They lived for a time west of the residence of the late Lewis Carroll, and she afterwards- lived at Conesus (enter, and d. in Mt. Morris.
Their children were James, who died young; Ann Rebecca, in. Miles Crego, aud d. Apr. 29, 1858, a. 48 y’s; John, m. Catherine O’Neal, and lived and d. at St. Louis; Elizabeth, m. Lester Crego, and d. Jan 18, 1844, a. 81 y’s; Samuel Jones was b. in 1808, and d. Mar. 8, 1877 ; m. Abigail Buckbee, who was b. in 1809. They have always resided in the town, except a few years in the State of Missouri. Their children are George d.; Emeline; Mary (m. Calvin Rich and lives at Batavia, N. Y.; Emma; Henry who d. Oct. 14, 1865; Helen who d. Nov. 14, 1864; Duane; Edward; Juliaette and Frankie who d. young. —-----------—------..___________ ________________