CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1 89 1 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Cornell University Library F 127L7 S65 History p^.UyingstonCount^j,N^^^^^^^ olin Overs ^(^J^. ^J^ ^^^ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028853822 21^ d III CO u z u CI, CO o z Q 5 u J D H z o z o H M o z H .^ —1687— ^ -OF- l^icingston Ol^wnntn, NE\¥ YORK. i-^=,y^v2Ts.^^--, |II!itslralwii^ att4 |pwgt|a^lika! ^Ii^ttlies r-^i^OF.;:^-! SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. By JA^livlES H. Sls^ITH, ASSISTED BY HUME H. CALE. Published by D. MASON & CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y. 1 — I88I— '%>. ^. ^^-^^^^ -*^- SYRACUSE, N. Y. : TRUAIR, SMITH & BRUCE, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. I 88 I. Contents. CHAPTER I. — Aborigines — Pre-Historic Period — page The Iroquois Confederacy — Its Origin and Organization — Tribal Relations — Secret of Its Power — Its Superiority and Suprem- ,acy — Its Degeneracy 1871, 20 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Advanced as the Iroquois were beyond other American tribes, there is no indication whatever of a tendency to overpass the confines of a wild hunter and warrior life. They were inveterately attached to it, impracticable conservatists of bar- barism, and in ferocity and cruelty they matched the worst of their race. That they were sagacious is past denying ; but it expended itself in a blind frenzy which impelled them to destroy those whom they might have made their allies in a common cause. Their prescience, apparently, could not comprehend the destiny of a people capable of emerging from barbarism into civilization. Their decline may be said to have begun when their con- quests ended. They soon became a hopeless de- pendency, without the means, if they had the de- sign, which they probably did not, to stop the en- croachment of the whites upon their domain. As early as 1753, their dissolution was foreshadowed, though it did not take place till about a quarter of a century later.* CHAPTER II. Indian Habits and Usages — Indian Dwellings — Indian Towns — Social Usages — Dress and Habits — Law of Marriages — Experi- mental Marriages — Family Discipline — Amusements — Dances and Feasts — The War Dance — Religion and Superstition — Stated Annual Festivals — Medical Feasts — Dreams — Wizards and Witches — Burials — Wampum — Hospitality. WE purpose giving in this chapter some of the more prominent features of Indian domestic and social life, which furnish the best index to his true character. The Indian, viewed as a distinct branch of the human family, has some peculiar traits and institutions which may be advantageous- ly studied. They furnish the key to those start- ling impulses which have so long made him an object of wonder to civilized communities, and re- veal him as the legitimate product of the condi- tions attending his birth, his forest education, and the wants, temptations and dangers which surround him. They show him also to be as patient and politic as he is ferocious. "America, w hen it became known to Europeans, t See an account of a conference between Col. Willi.nm Johnson and the Six Nations at Onondaga, Sept. 8, iis^.-Doc. Hist. II., 633. was, as it had long been, a scene of wide-spread revolution. North and South, tribe was giving place to tribe, language to language ; for the Indian, hopelessly unchanged in respect to indi- vidual and social development, was, as regards tribal relations and social haunts, mutable as the wind. In Canada and the northern section of the United States, the elements of change were especially active. The Indian population, which, in 153s, Cartier found at Montreal and Quebec, had disappeared at the opening of the next century, and another race had succeeded, in language and customs widely different ; while in the region now forming the State of New York, a power was rising to a ferocious vitaHty, which, but for the presence of Europeans, would probably have subjected, absorbed or exterminated every other Indian community east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio." * Hence we shall see that Indian habitations were not characterized by that durabihty and perma- nency which is manifest in stable communities. This mutability was governed primarily by success or non-success in war, or the fear of ambitious neighbors, for not unfrequently whole nations, or fragments of nations, submitted to expatriation to save themselves from extermination ; and, second- arily, by the mode of Indian life. They subsisted generally by hunting and fishing. Their agriculture was usually of the most primitive character ; and when, in the course of years, the fertility of their small clearings became exhausted, not being con- versant with the art of refertilization, they removed to and cultivated new fields. The scarcity of game and fuel also necessitated their removal to localities where it was more abundant. Usually, however, they had large central villages, which exhibited in a more marked measure the ele- ments of permanency. Thus the Iroquois, though living at different times in various localities in this State, retained their central habitations in or near the localities where the whites first found them. Of the Iroquois, who subsisted mainly by the chase, the Senecas, who occupied the most fertile portion of the State, brought agriculture to the highest de- gree of perfection, and had the best houses. When ' General SuUivan passed through their country with his army in 1779, thousands of acres had been cleared, old orchards of apples, pears, peaches and other fruits existed, and evidences of long cultiva- tion abounded. Corn, which was a- staple produc- tion, grew to marvelous perfection, ears twenty-two inches in length being found by Sullivan's soldiers, who, it is said, took to New England from the Gen- esee Valley the first sweet corn ever seen there. * Parkvtan^ s Jesuits. DWELLINGS, TOWNS AND FORTIFICATIONS OF THE IROQUOIS. 21 Their dwellings differed in shape and size, and, though rude, were generally built with considerable labor and care. They were generally about thirty feet square and of the same height. The sides were formed of hickory saplings set in two parallel rows and bent inward, thus forming an arch. Trans- verse poles were bound to the uprights and over the arch. The whole was covered with bark, over- lapping like shingles, and held in place by smaller poles fastened to the frame with cords of linden bark. An open space about a foot wide extended the whole length of the ridge and served the double purpose of window and chimney. At each end was an enclosed space for the storage of supplies of In- dian corn, dried flesh, fish, &c., which were kept in bark vessels. Along each side were wide scaffolds, some four feet from the floor, which, when covered with skins, formed the summer sleeping places, while beneath was stored their firewood gathered and kept dry for use. In some cases these plat- forms were in sections of twelve to fourteen feet, with spaces for storage between them. Five or six feet above was another platform, often occupied by children. Overhead poles were suspended for var- ious uses, to make and dry their fish and flesh, and hold their weapons, skins, clothing, corn, &c. In cold weather the inmates slept on the floor, huddled about the fires, which ranged through the center of the house. In their large structures the sides usu- ally consisted of rows of upright posts, and the roof still arched, was formed of separate poles. The door consisted of a sheet of bark hung on wooderr hinges, or suspended by cords from above. Gen- erally they were lined with a thick coating of soot by the large fires maintained for warmth and for cooking. So pungent was the smoke that it pro- duced inflammation of the eyes, attended in old age with frequent blindness. Their wolfish dogs were as regular occupants as the unbridled and unruly children. The Iroquois preserved this mode of building in all essential particulars till a recent period, and it was common and peculiar to all tribes of their lineage. The Indian towns were generally but an irreg- ular and confused aggregation of Indian houses, from five to fifty in number, clustered together with little regard to order, and covering from one to ten acres. As the Indian dug no wells, they were lo- cated adjacent to-copious springs or to considerable streams. They were often fortified, and a situation favorable to defense was always chosen — the shore of a lake, the crown of a difficult hill, or a high point of land in the fork of confluent streams. These defenses were not often constructed with any mathematical regularity, but made to conform to the nature of the ground. Frequently a precipice or river sufficed for a partial defense, and the line or embankment occurred only on one or two sides. An embankment was constructed of the earth thrown up from a deep ditch encircHng the town, and supported palisades of twenty to thirty feet in height, planted in one to four concentric rows, those of each row inclining towards those of the others till they intersected. These palisades were cut by the alternate process of burning and hack- ing the burnt part with stone hatchets * from trees felled in the same manner, and were often inter- laced with flexible branches, to prevent their de- struction by fire, a common effort of the enemy. They were lined to the height of a man with heavy sheets of bark ; and on the top, where they cr'ossed, was a gallery of timbers for the defenders, together with wooden gutters, by which streams of water could be poured on fires kindled by the enemy. Magazines of stones, and rude ladders for mount- ing the ramparts, completed the provisions for de- fense. The forts of the Iroquois were stronger and more elaborate than those of other nations, and large districts in New York are marked with the remains of their ditches and embankments, many instances of which occur in Livingston county. After the advent of Europeans and the introduction of suitable implements for making excavations, the palisades were set in the ground to a sufficient depth to render the use of embank- ments unnecessary ; f and their later defensive structures evince other modifications in form, sug- gested, probably, by the example or instructions of their white neighbors. Unsatisfactory efforts have been made to estab- lish a connection between the ancient works in this vicinity and those ascribed to the Mound-builders, and refer them to the same origin. " The resem- blance which they bear to the defensive structures of other rude nations, in various parts of the world, are the results of natural causes, and cannot be taken to indicate either a close or remote connection or dependence."! But the differences between the two in size, general conformation and mode of structure are too important to be overlooked and scarcely admjt of the thought of a Uke origin. The * The Indian had no metallic ax capable of felling a tree prior to 1492. — Schoolcraft. t A notable instance of this kind came under the observation of the writer in the town of Locke^ in Cayuga county. \ Antigititits of New York and the West^ 141. HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. former are much smaller and more numerous in a given extent of territory than the latter, which also conform in their structure to geometrical principles, while the former are conspicuous for their depart- ure from this rule.* The former also have the ditch outside the embankment, while in the latter it is invariably inside^ — a distinction too important and general to be merely accidental. Two of these remains which have come under our observation do not show by the relics found in them evidence of intercourse between their occupants and Euro- peans, showing that few had been abandoned prior to the advent of the white man— a fact which is at variance with the known mutability of the Indian ; furthermore, the forest growths covering these sites when the first settlers came into the country, and usually cited as an evidence of antiquity, with a few possible exceptions, did not indicate an anti- Columbian, if an anti-Jesuit, period. Squier says : " I am driven to a conclusion little anticipated when I started upon my exploration of the monu- ments of the State, that the earth-works of Western New York were erected by the Iroquois or their western neighbors, and do not possess any anti- quity going very far back of the discovery.":]: Inci- dental resemblances in the character of the relics disclosed by them in isolated cases do not warrant the broad deductions sometimes made for them ; for, if the connection is real, these resemblances should be of a general, not a special nature. Large quantities of timber were consumed in building these fortifications, and hence clearings of considerable extent were made and opened to their rude cultivation. In that work the squaws were employed, assisted by the children and superannua- ted warriors; not as a compulsory labor, but assumed by them as a just equivalent for the oner- ous and continuous labor of the other sex, in pro- viding meats and skins for clothing, by the chase, and in defending their villages against their enemies and in keeping intruders off their territory.? The implement used for tilling the soil was a bone or wooden hoe, (pemidgeag akwout;) and the chief crops, corn (mondaminjhems, pumpkins, tobacco, sunflowers and hemp. There was no individual ownership of land, but each family had for the time exclusive right to as much as they saw fit to cultivate. The clearing process was a laborious one, and consisted in hacking ofiF branches, piUng them together with brushwood around the foot * Antiquities cf New York and the West, 9. ^ Pre-Historic Races of the United States of America, 174. iAutiguitiesof New I'oriandthe lVest,Ho. § Schoolcraft. of the standing trunks, and setting fire to the whole. With the Iroquois the staple article of food was corn, "cooked without salt in a variety of dif- ferent forms, each," says Parkman, " more odious than the last." This, cooked with beans of vari- ous colors, was highly esteemed by them, but was more of a dainty than daily dish. Their bread, which was of indifferent quahty, kneaded in a bark tray with unwashed hands, but an article of daily consumption, was made of corn ; from which they also made a porridge, called by some Sapsis, by others Duundare, (boiled bread.*) Wild game was a common article of food, but venison (used specifically) was a luxury found only at feasts; dog's flesh was held in high esteem, and in some of the towns captive bears were fattened for festive occasions. Their food comprised many other arti- cles, some of which are far from being delectable to a refined taste. These stationary tribes were far less improvident than the roving Algonquins, and laid up stores of provision against a season of want. Their main stock of corn was buried in caches, or deep holes dug in the earth. In respect to the arts of life, also, they were in advance of the wandering hunters of the North. The women made a species of earthen pot for cooking, but these were supplanted by the copper kettle of the French traders. They wove rush mats with no Httle skill. They spun twine from the hemp by the primitive process of rolling it on their thighs ; and of this twine they made nets. They extracted oil from fish and from the seeds of the sunflower, the latter, apparently, only for the purposes of the toilet. They pounded their maize in huge mortars of wood, hollowed by alternate burnings and scrapings.! To the woman belonged the drudgery of the household, as well as the field, though it may be questioned if the task was as on- erous as it is generally supposed to have been.J Among the Iroquois there were favorable features in her condition. She had often a considerable influence in the decisions of the councils. It was her prerogative during war to propose a cessation of hostilities, and this could be done without com- promising the warriors and chiefs. For this purpose a male functionary, who was a good speaker, was designated to perform an oflice which was deemed unsuitable to the female; and when this resolution was taken by the matrons of the nation or tribe, the mess age was delivered to^this officer, who was >■ Col. Hist; /., z8j. t Park-mat^ s Jesuits. \ See Schoolcraft's Notes. INDIAN MODES OF DRESS. 23 bound to enforce it with all the powers of eloquence he possessed.* It was in this role that the talented, but anomalous Red Jacket, acquired so great a celebrity as an orator. To the men, in addition to the duties already enumerated, belonged that of making the implements of war and the chase, pipes,- which were often skillfully and elaborately wrought, and canoes, which were of two kinds — "some of entire trees, excavated by fire, axes and adzes,"t and others made of bark. The canoes of the Hu- rons and other northern tribes were made of birch bark; while those of the Iroquois, in the absence of birch, were made of elm, which was greatly in- ferior, both in lightness and strength. The dress of both men and women consisted of skins of various kinds, dressed in the well-known Indian manner, and worn in the shape of kilts, or doublets thrown over the shoulders, the men often wearing it only over the left shoulder, so as to leave their right arm free. Formerly these coverings were made of turkey feathers, woven together with a thread of wild hemp ;J but latterly both these and the skins were superseded by a piece of duffels,^ which they received in trade with the whites. The rich wore a piece of blue, red or black cloth about " two yards" long, fastened around the waist, the lower seam of which, in some cases, was decorated with ribbons, wampum or corals. The poor cov- ered themselyes with a bear-skin, and even the rich did the same in cold weather, or in its stead, a pelisse of beaver or other fur, with the hair turned inward. They made stockings and shoes of deer- skins and elk-hides, which, says Loskiel, were " tan- ned with the brains of the deer," which made them very soft; and some even wore shoes made of corn husks, of which, also, they made sacks. The dress which peculiarly distinguished the women, was a petticoat, made of a piece of cloth about two yards long, fastened tight about the hips, and hanging down a little below the knees. This they wore day and night. A longer one would have impeded them in walking through the woods and working in the fields. Their holiday dress was either blue or red and sometimes black, hung all around, fre- quently from top to bottom, with red, blue and yellow ribbons. " Most women of rank," says Los- kiel, " wear a fine white linen shift with a red col- lar, reaching from their necks nearly to the knees. Others wear shifts of printed linen or cotton of va- rious colors, decorated at the breast with a great * Benton's Herkimer County and the Upper Mohawk Valley, 18. t Colonial History of New York. i Loskiel and Colonial History of New York. § A kind of coarse cloth resembling frieze. number of silver buckles, which are also worn by some as ornaments upon the petticoats." The men also frequently appeared in a white shirt with a red collar, worn over the rest of the clothes. The dress " of the women, according to the Jesuits," says Parkman, in speaking of the Hurons, " was more modest than that of our most pious ladies of France ! The young girls on festal occasions must be except- ed from this commendation, as they wore merely a kilt from the waist to the knee, besides the wam- pum decorations of the breast and arms. Their long black hair, gathered behind the neck, was decorated with disks of native copper, or gay pen- dants made in France, and now occasionally un- earthed in numbers from their graves. The men. in summer, were nearly naked, those of a kindred tribe wholly so, with the sole exception of their moccasins." All Indians were very much addicted to personal ornamentation, the women more so than the men. In these decorations consisted their wealth, and they were a means also of marking their rank among themselves.* The men paid particular at- tention to the dress and adornment of their wives, and thought it scandalous to appear better clothed than they, f Their robes of fur were often richly decorated on the inside with painted figures and de- vices, and elaborately embroidered, and were of great value. Much time and labor was bestowed in decorating their faces and bodies with paint and other devices. The latter was frequently covered entirely with black, in case of mourning, and was most singularly tatooed with representations of ser- pents, birds and other creatures. The entire body was thus sometimes covered, and though the oper- ation was severe and painful, at times resulting in death, not a murmur escaped the suff'erer. From these decorations they sometimes acquired appel- lations by which their pride was exceedingly grati- fied ; thus an Iroquois chief, whose breast was cov- ered with black scarifications was called the Black Prince.J The face each day received a fresh ap- phcation of paint, and this was an object of special care if they were going to a dance. Vermillion was their favorite color, and with it they frequent- ly painted the entire head. At other times half the face and head were painted red and the other half black. Near the river Muskingum was found a yellow ochre, which, when burnt, made a beautiful red color. This the Huron warriors chiefly used for paint, and did not think a journey of a hundred * Kifs Jesuits. t Loskiel. X Loskiel. 24 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. miles too great a price to pay for it. Some pre- ferred blue, " because," says Loskiel, " it is the color of the sky, when calm and serene, and being considered an emblem of peace, it is frequently in- troduced as such in their public orations.'' White clay, soot and the red juice of certain berries, were among the agents employed in these fantastic decorations. Some wore a large pearl, or piece of silver, gold or wampum, suspended from a hole bored in the cartilage of the nose. From their ears, which had previously been distended and length- ened as much as possible, depended pearls, rings, sparkling stones, feathers, flowers, corals, or silver crosses. A broad collar made of violet wampum was deemed a most precious ornament, and the rich even decorated their breasts with it. " It is always necessary,'' says Father Sebastian Rasles, " to add a small piece of porcelain, which hangs at the end of the collar."* The hair was worn in various and grotesque fash- ions, and decorated with silver and other trinkets of considerable weight. The women suffered it to grow without restraint, and thus it frequently reached below the hips. Nothing was thought more ignominious in women than to have it cut off, and this was only now and then resorted to as an act of punishment. They anointed it with bear's grease to make it shine. " The Delaware women," says Loskiel, "never plait their hair, but fold and tie it round with a piece of cloth. Some, tie it behind, then roll it up, and wrap a. ribband or the skin of a serpent around it. * * » But the Iroquois, Shawanose and Huron women wear a queue, down to their hips, tied round with a piece of cloth, and hung with red ribband." The men did not allow their hair to grow long, and some even pulled so much of it out by the roots, that a little only re- mained round the crown of the head, forming a round crest of about two inches in diameter. This was divided into two parts, plaited, tied with rib- bon, and allowed to hang on either side of the head. The crown was frequently ornamented with a plume of feathers, placed either upright or aslant ; and the hair, at feasts, with silver rings, corals, wam- pum, and even silver buckles. With some the hair was braided tight on one side and allowed to hang loose on the other ; while with others it bristled in a ridge across the crown like the back of a hyena. European writers, among them Voltaire, long contended \ha.t, par tiaturel, the North American Indians had no beards ; and W. J. SneUing, who resided for some years among the Western Indians, *Kip^s Jesuiis. says, it is ?tot an error that the Indians have no •beard. Brant, the celebrated Mohawk chief, ad- dressed the following letter to a Mr. McCausland, who, desiring to know the truth of the matter, pro- pounded the inquiry* thereon : — "Niagara, 19 April, 1783. " The men of the Six Nations have all beards by nature ; as have hkewise all other Indian nations of North America, which I have seen. Some Indians allow a part of the beard upon the chin and upper lip to grow, and a few of the Mohawks shave with razors, in the same manner as Europeans ; but the generality pluck out the hairs of the beard by the roots, as soon as they begin to appear ;t and as they continue this practice all their lives, they ap- pear to have no beard, or, at most, only a few strag- gling hairs, which they have neglected to pluck out. I am, however, of opinion, that if the Indians were to shave, they would never have beards altogether so thick as the Europeans ; and there are some to be met with who have actually very little beard. Jos. Brant Thayendanega." It was common for the Indians to rub their bodies with the fat of bears or other animals, which was sometimes colored, to make their limbs supple, and to guard against the sting of mosqui- toes and other insects. The Iroquois studied dress and ornamentation more than any other Indian nation, and were allowed to dictate the fashion to the rest. The Iroquois married early in life, the men sometimes in their eighteenth, and the women in their fourteenth year. Both marriage and divorce were effected with equal facihty, and were attended with very little ceremony. The marriage ceremony consisted in the acceptance of a gift from a suitor by the intended wife, and the return on her part of a dish of boiled maize and an armful of fuel. Divorces ensued at the pleasure of the parties for the most trivial causes, and without disgrace to either, unless it had been caused by some scandal- ous offense. The man signified his wish to marry by a present of blankets, cloth, linen, and perhaps a few belts of wampum, to the nearest relatives of the object of his desire. If they happened to be pleased with the present and suitor, they proposed the matter to the girl, who generally decided agree- ably to the wishes of the parents or relatives. If the proposal was declined the present was returned by way of a friendly negative. The woman or girl indicated this desire by sitting, with her face covered with a veil. If she attracted a suitor, negotiations were opened with parents or friends, * Biography and History of the Indians of Xorth America.—^afk v., Chap, v., 92. ^ See Holland Documents, Col. Hist, of New York, /., z8l. SOCIAL CUSTOMS OF THE IROQUOIS. 25 presents given and the bride taken. Says Father Cholonce, missionary of the Society of Jesus, in 1715, referring to the Iroquois : " Although these heathen extend their dissoluteness and licentious- ness to the greatest excess, there is yet no nation which in public guards so scrupulously the outward decorum, which is the attendant of perfect modesty. A young man would be forever dis- honored if he should stop to converse publicly with a young female. Whenever marriage is in agitation the business is to be settled by the parents, and the parties most interested are not even permitted to meet." * Taciturn, morose and cruel as the Indians were usually in their hunting and war-like expeditions, in their own cabins and communities they were very social, patient and forbearing ; in their festal seasons, when all were at leisure, they engaged in a round of continual feasting, gambling, smoking and dancing. In gambling they spent much of their leisure, and staked all they controlled on the chances of the game, — their food, ornaments, canoes, clothing, wives, and even the skins from their backs.f The game of bowl, in which two entire villages sometimes contended, had a pecu- liar fascination, and cases are related where some of the contestants lost their leggins and moccasins, and complacently returned home barefooted through the snow. Some of the Iroquois believed that they would play this game in the spirit land. % Various devices were employed, — eight plum stones, pieces of wood, or small pebbles, (twyaux) painted red or black on one side, and yellow or white on the other. These were put into a wooden bowl, which, being struck heavily upon the ground, caused them to bound upward, and the betting was upon the colored faces which were uppermost when they fell. So long as one threw seven or eight of the same color he gained and continued playing. § Ball {la crosse,) was also a favorite game and engaged twenty or more contestants on each side. Entire villages were often pitted agamst each other. Two poles were set up and the game commenced in the center ; one party, with bat, which is described "as a sort of little racket," pro- pelling the ball, (which was made of " very heavy wood, somewhat larger than the balls used at tennis,") from one side and the other from the op- posite, and whichever^eached the goal won. * Early Jesuit Missions.— T^\p, p. 86. \ Biography of the Indians of North America.— Book 11., Chap. II., 31. % Parknian' s fesuits. ^Col. Hist. IX., 888. (Paris Documents.) Carver's Travels, London Ed. 363 ; Phila. Ed., 1796, ^J7' When playing they were entirely naked, except a " breech cloth,'' and moccasins on their feet ; and their bodies were completely painted with all sorts of colors. They played "very deep {gros jeii,) and often ; " and the bets sometimes amounted to " more than eight hundred Hvres."* These games occasionally provoked bitter feuds, resulting in deadly combat, and tradition ascribes the war be- tween the Neutral nation and the Iroquois to the defeat of the former in a series of games of ball.f Dancing was a common amusement and a sol- emn duty with all Indians, and not a night passed during these periods of leisure without a dance in one family or another to which the youth of both sexes resorted with eagerness. The common dance was held in a large house or in an open field around a fire. A circle was formed and a leader chosen. The women danced with great decorum, even gravity, never speaking a word to the men, much less joking with them, as that would injure their character. They neither jumped nor skipped, but moved one foot lightly backward and forward, till by gradual advances they reached a certain spot, when they retired in the same manner. They kept their bodies straight and their arms hung down close to their sides. The men shouted, leaped and stamped with great violence, their extreme agility and light- ness of foot being shown to great advantage. The sole music consisted of a single drum, made by stretching a thin deer skin over an old barrel or kettle, or the lower end of a hollow tree, and beat with one stick. Its sound was disagreeable, and served only to mark the time, which they kept with exactness, even when dancing in great numbers. The intervals between the rounds were enhvened with singing by the drummer. The dances com- monly lasted till midnight. The dance was a com- mon way of welcoming and entertaining strangers. Baron Lahonton says it was the custom of the Iroquois to dance "-lorsque les etrangers passent dans leur pais, ou que leurs ennemis envoient des ambassadeurs pour f aire des propositions de peix."X Another kind of dance was attended only by men. Each rose in his turn and danced with great agility and boldness, extolling the great deeds of himself or forefathers in a song, to which the whole company beat time, by a rough, monotonous note, sung with great vehemence at the commencement of each bar. * Col. Hist. IX., 887. t Biography and History of tlu Indians of North A merica.— Book II., Chap. II., ii.—Doty's History of Livingston County, Ji. Other authors ascribe to this cause the war between the Eries and Iroquois. t Memoirs deVAmerique, II , no. HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Other dances were held upon particular occa- sions, the chief of which was the dance of peace, called also the calumet, or pipe-dance, because the calumet, or pipe of peace, was handed about durmg the dance. The dancers joined hands and leaped in a ring for some time. Suddenly the leader let go the hand of one of his partners, keeping hold of the other. He then sprang forward, turned round several times, so that he was encircled by the rest of the company. They disengaged themselves as suddenly, keeping hold of each other's hands during all the evolutions and changes of the dance, which, as they explained it, represented the chain of friend- ship. A song, composed especially for this solem- nity, was sung by all.* The War Dance, held either before or after a campaign, was dreadful to behold. No one took part in it but the warriors themselves. They af- fected with such marvelous fidelity the fierce pas- sions which actuated them in their bloody deeds of valor, as to give to the shuddering spectator an exact pantomime representation of the scenes in which they had actually engaged — representations as horrible as life-like. It delineated the prepara- tions for the war, and all the common incidents at- tending it — their arming, departure, arrival in the enemy's country, the encampment, the attack, the struggle, the victory, and lastly the torture of the captives. Prodigality was as much a characteristic of their feasts as their dances and other amusements, with which they were often associated, and Uke them are supposed to have had their origin in religion.! They were often participated in by whole villages, sometimes even by neighboring villages, and in this way a vain or ambitious host applied all his sub- stance to one entertainment. Brebeuf relates an instance of this kind which occurred in the winter of 1635, at the village of Cantarrea, where thirty kettles were over the fires, and twenty deer and four bears were served up.:}: The invitation was simple and consisted in the concise summons, " Come and eat." To refuse was a grave offense. Each guest took his dish and spoon and as he entered, greeted his host with the ejaculation. Ho .' He then ranged himself with the rest, squatted on the earthen floor or on the platform along the sides of the house, around the steaming kettles. A long prelude of lugubrious singing preceded the feast. The host, who took no share in the feast, then pro- claimed^ in^ loud voice the contents of each kettle ^ Loskiel. * Charlevoix. t Parkman^ s jfesuits. and at each announcement the company responded in unison, Ho/ The attendant squaws then filled the bowls of the guests, who interspersed their feast- ing with talking, laughing, jesting, singing and smoking, at times protracting the entertainment throughout the day. When the feast partook of a medical character it was indispensable that each guest should eat all that was served to him, however enormous the quantity, even if he should die. Should he fail, the host would be outraged, the community shocked, and the spirits roused to vengeance. Disaster would befall the nation ; death, perhaps, the individual A vicarious alternative was provided, however, and when one found himself unable to conform to the ridiculous practice, he engaged, when he could, another of the company to eat what remained of his portion, generally rewarding his benefactor with a present. This was the only way of getting out of the dilemma. " In some cases the imagined efficacy of the feast was proportioned to the rapid- ity with which the viands were dispatched. Prizes of tobacco were offered to the most rapid feeder; and the spectacle then became truly porcine. " These feasts were much dreaded, but were never known to be declined. The War Feast of the Iroquois, as observed by Father Dablon on the occasion of the contemplated war with the Eries, in January, 1656, and which, he says, " serves to stimulate their courage for the approaching conflict," is thus described by him :— " First of all the war-kettle, as they call it, is hung over the fire as early as the preceding autumn, in order that each of the allies going to war may have the opportunity to throw in some precious morsel, to be kept cooking through the winter, by which act they are solemnly pledged to take part in the proposed enterprise. The kettle having been kept steadily boiling up to the month of February, a large number of warriors, Senecas as well as Cayugas, gathered to celebrate the war feast, which continued for several nights in succes- sion. They sang their war songs, danced and went through all possible contortions of body and ex- pressions of countenance, protesting the while that never should they retire from the combat, but fight to the death, whatever tortures they might suffer, before they would yield an inch of ground. At the same time that they make this boast of their courage, they hurl at one another fire brands and hot ashes, strike each other heavy blows, and burn one an- other to show they do not fear the very worst the enemy can do. Indeed, one must remain firm and suffer himself to be bruised or burned by his nearest friends without flinching ; otherwise, he is regarded as a miserable coward.*" "Relation, Jf>s6, Chap. X. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF THE IROQUOIS. 27 The Indians had rude, though positive religious ideas, which were associated with — almost entirely embodied in — superstition, that natural concom- itant of ignorance. As observed by the early Jesu- its, before being contaminated by those of civilized nations, they were in strict accordance, as with other nations, civilized or barbarous, with their mental and moral development, and hence differed in different nations. They evinced, in perfect an- alogy with the Indians themselves, a greater fear of evil than of reverence for good; and hence their devotions consisted more in propitiating evil spirits than invoking the interposition of the good. In- deed, and here we realize the beauty of their sim- plicity, it was deemed superfluous to importune the source of goodness. The belief m immortality was almost universal, but, though rarely, there were those who denied it.* Even animals were en- dowed with it, and were deified and worshiped.f This veneration for the animal kingdom is reflected in the common practice of selecting from it the names by which the tribes were designated. They were tolerant towards others, and allowed as large a liberty upon the subject of religion among them- selves as in their social and civil arrangements. To use the trite expression of a Creek chief who accompanied an American to England in 1791, on being asked as to his religious beUef, he replied that, upon a subject upon which there was no pos- sibility of people's agreeing, he thought " it was best that every one should paddle his own canoe his own way \" X The Indians' God, whom the Iroquois called Hawenniis, (meaning he rules, he is master^ was endowed with attributes akin to their own, but primitively not with that of moral goodness. The Indian language had no word expressive of our abstract idea of deity. The Iroquois had another God, with equal claims to supremacy. Him they called Areskoui, and his most prominent attribute was that of a god of war. He was often invoked and the flesh of animals and captive enemies was burned in his honor. They had also a third deity, called Terenymvagon, or Teharonhiwagon, whose place and character is not well defined. In some traditions he appears as the son of Jouskeha, the ruler of the world, and endowed with great influ- ence, for he it was who spoke to men in dreams. * Father Gravier once said that a Peoria Indian once told him that there was no future life. — Parkman's jfesjtits. t It is the settled belief among the northern Algonquins that animals will fare better in another world, in the precise ratio that their lives and enjoyments have been curtailed in this life. — Schoolcraft^ s Notes. X Biography and History of the Indians of North A merica. — Book I., Chap. III., 20-21. Some writers identify him with Hiawatha, to whom the Iroquois ascribe their confederation ; while Van der Donck assumes that he is God, and Areskoui, the Devil. Besides these they had numerous objects, both animate and inanimate, which were endowed with supernatural powers and supplicated. These the Iroquois called Okies; the Algonquins and other tribes, Manitous. There were local manitous of streams, rocks, mountains, cataracts and forests, which, when they revealed themselves to mortal sight, bore the semblance of beasts, reptiles or birds, in unusual or distorted shapes, their conception betraying for the most part, a striking poverty of imagination. There were manitous without local habitations, some good, some evil, countless in number and indefinite in attributes. They filled the world and controlled the destinies of Indians, who were held to be under a spiritual rule distinct from that which gov- erns the white man. These were, for the most part, in the shape of animals. Sometimes they took the form of stones, and, though less frequent- ly, assumed human proportions. Each Indian had his guardian manitou, to whom he looked for counsel, guidance and protection. The points of the compass and the winds were also personified as manitous. There was a Sum- mer-Maker and Winter-Maker, and the latter was kept at bay by throwing fire-brands into the air. The hunter sought to propitiate the game he desired to kill, and was often known to address a wounded bear in a long apologetic harangue. This is also true of the fish, which, says Parkman, " were addressed every evening from the fishing- camp by one of the party chosen for that function, who exhorted them to take courage and be caught, assuring them that the utmost respect should be shown to their bones. The harangue, which took place after the evening meal, was made in solemn form ; and while it lasted, the whole party, except the speaker, were required to lie on their backs, silent and motionless, around the fire." The fish nets were no less objects of solicitude, and to in- duce them to do their work effectually, were mar- ried every year to two young girls, with a ceremony far more formal than that observed in human wed- lock. As it was indispensable that the brides should be virgins, mere children were chosen.* Though believing in the immortality of the soul, the Indian did not always accompany it with a be- lief in a state of future reward and punishment ; and when such belief did exist, the reward and * Parknmn^s Jesuits. 28 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. punishment were sensuous rather than moral. Some, though but few, beHeved in the transmigra- tion of the soul. They had religious teachers whose code of morals, says Loskiel, was as severe as their own non-observance of it was universal. To the poor they recommended vomiting, among other things, as the most expeditious mode of puri- fication from their sins. "Some," says Loskiel, "who beUeved in these absurdities, vomited so often that their Uves were endangered by it." He pertinently adds, " few indeed persevered in attend- ing to so severe a regimen." Others, he says, re- commended stripes as the most effectual means to that end, " and advised their hearers to suffer themselves to be beaten with twelve different sticks, from the soles of their feet to their necks, that their sins might pass from them through their throats." " Even these," he says, " had their wil- ling scholars, though it was apparent that the people became no better, but rather worse by these wretched doctrines." The Iroquois had five stated annual festivals, each conducted in a manner appropriate to the special event commemorated.* The first was held in the spring, after the close of the sugar-making season, in gratitude for the abundance of sap and quantity of sugar they had been permitted to make. The aged chiefs ad- monished the young men to rectitude and virtue as the way to merit a continuance of these favors. It was usually closed with dancing, singing and games. The second was held immediately after corn- planting; when thanks were rendered for a favor- able seed time, instructions given for the care and cultivation of the crops, and the great spirit in- voked to give it a healthy growth. The third, called the green-corn feast, was held when the corn was ready for use, and thanks were rendered for this valuable gift, which was prepared and consumed in great quantity and in a variety of ways. Songs and dances entered largely into the ceremonies of the occasion, which were closed by the famous succotash dance. The pipe of peace was usually smoked on these festal days by the head men of the nation. The fourth was held after the close of the corn harvest, for which thanks were given, and was fol- lowed by the usual festivities. To the preceding festivals, which latterly occu- pied but one day each, three days each were form- erly allotted. •According to Morgan there were six, the third being the strawberry festival. — League of the Iroquois, The fifth, the last, and crowning festival of the year, the one to which the greatest importance was attached, was held late in January, or early in February, immediately after the return of the hunters from the chase, with their wealth of game and skins, and was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony. When every preparation had been made by the managers chosen for that purpose, runners were sent to every cabin in the nation, to give notice of the fact. The fire was extinguished in every cabin, each of which was then visited and purified by persons designated for that purpose, who scattered the ashes, swept the hearth, and re- kindled the fire. This occupied the first day. On the second, the managers, fantastically dressed, visited each house and received the gifts of the people, which consisted of various articles useful for food, incense or sacrifice. This was continued several days, according to the time allotted for the continuance of the festival, during which time the people assembled at the council-house were en- gaged in various sports. All must give something, or be saluted with a " rub " by the solicitors, which left a mark of disgiace not easily effaced, and be excluded from the sacrificial absolution. Preparations were made on the day preceding the last for the great sacrifice, which was to take place on the succeeding one. The offerings which had been collected were presented separately by the giver to the master of ceremonies, who, with the utmost gravity, uttered a short ejaculatory pray- er, to which those present made a hearty response. These gifts as they were returned were hung around the council room. The sins of the people, which were supposed to have been concentrated in the managers, were transferred by them to two individ- uals clad in white, who, in turn, transferred them to two white dogs, which had been previously fantas- tically painted with red figures, decorated with small belts of wampum, ribbons and feathers, and killed by strangulation. These were then taken to the council-house and laid upon a platform, the whole proceedings being characterized by the most devout solemnity. They were subsequently carried with formal ceremony to the fire, which had been kindled outside the house, and around which the multitude gathered. Each in turn was thrown upon the fire, the act being preceded by prayer and song. Baskets of herbs and tobacco were thrown upon the fire at intervals and the whole consumed.* * C/ari's Otunidaga, in which may be found a more minute descrip- tion. THE IROQUOIS FAITH IN DREAMS. 29 An Indian community swarmed with sorcerers, medicine-men and diviners, whose functions were often united in one person. The former, by charms, magic songs and feasts, and the beating of drums, professed power over spirits and those occult influ- ences inherent in animals and inanimate things. The Indian mind, so prone to mysticisms, was largely influenced by these deceivers. The doctors knew how to cure wounds, and treated simple dis- eases successfully, but were not skilled in the prac- tice of medicines. The general health was due more to their habits than a knowledge of remedies. One method of treatment was the sweating bath, which was Hterally an earthen oven, around which heated stones were placed to raise the temperature. Into this the patient crawled, and after remaining under perspiration a certain length of time, was taken out and immersed suddenly in cold water, a process well calculated to "kill or cure." The oil obtained from beavers was used by them in many forms and for various purposes. It was a remedy to which the Dutch attached much value. But they relied far more on magic than natural remedies. Diseases, they believed, resulted from supernatural causes, and hence supernatural and extremely ludi- crous curative agencies were resorted to. They beat, shook, pinched and bit their patients, and sought to expel the evil spirits by deafening noises and various incantations. These, together with dances, feasts, dreams, an unearthly din in the cabin of the invalid, kept up for hours, and sufficient to make the well sick, strewing ashes about the hut, and roUing one of their number in skins, were the principal remedies. The diviners, or prophets, had various means of reading the secrets of futurity, and wielded an im- mense influence with the people, who, apparently, were incapable of abstract thought. For the spirit- ual and purely esthetical they cared nothing ; but directed their study chiefly to physical phenomena, with which they were so intimately associated, always referring their causes to a supernatural agen- cy. Hence their mind was a fruitful field for the mystic arts of divination. The sorcerers, medicine-men and diviners did not usually exercise the functions of priests, says Park- man. Each man sacrificed for himself to the pow- ers he wished to propitiate. The most common offering was tobacco, thrown into fire or water ; scraps of meat were sometimes burned to the manitous ; and on a few rare occasions of public solemnity, a white dog, the mystic animal of many tribes, was tied to the end of an upright pole, as a sacrifice to some superior spirit or to the sun, with which the superior spirits were constantly con- founded by the primitive Indian. Among the Iroquois, and, indeed, all the sta- tionary tribes, there was an incredible number of mystic ceremonies, extravagant, puerile, and often disgusting, designed for the cure of the sick or for the general weal of the community. Most of their observances seem originally to have been dictated by dreams, and transmitted as a sacred heritage from generation to generation. They consisted in an endless variety of dances, masqueradings, and nondescript orgies ; and a scrupulous adherence to all the traditional forms was held to be of the first moment, as the shghtest failure in this respect might entail serious calamities. Dreams were the great Indian oracles, and were imphcitly obeyed. They beHeved them to be direct emanations from the Great Spirit, and as such were immutable laws to them. From this source arose many of their evils and miseries. In them were revealed their destiny and duty ; war and peace, health and sickness, rain and drouth, were all re- vealed by a class of professional dreamers and dream interpreters. Sir WilHam Johnson, before he was knighted, profited by his knowledge of this pecuharity of the Indian character. He was ac- costed at one time by King Hendrick, the cele- brated Mohawk chieftain, to whom Sir William was greatly attached. King Hendrick said he had dreamed, and on being invited by Sir WilHam to state the nature of his dream, added, " I dream you give me one suit of clothes." Sir William replied, " Well, I suppose you must have it." But now it was the latter's turn. He not long after met Hen- drick and with a bland smile told him that he had dreamed. " Did you," said Hendrick, " what you dream?" "I dreamed," said Sir William, " You gave me such a tract of land," the outHnes of which he described. King Hendrick paused, and with a significant shake of his finger, said, " I suppose you must have it," but, he added, " You must not dream again."* This incident has also been credited to the illustrious Oneida chief Skanan- doah, through whose friendly andpowerfulinterven- tion the arms of the Oneidas were bared in the interest of the colonists during the Revolutionary war. Homionouaroria, The Dream Feast of the Iro- quois, was one of their most noted festivals, and while it lasted was one scene of frenzy. It is thus described by Father Claude Dablon, who with * Benton's Herkimer County and Upper Mohawk, 23- 3° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Father Joseph Chaumonot, witnessed its observ- ance in 1656, the year of their embassy to Onon- daga to open the way for the missions in the several Iroquois cantons; premising that on such occa- sions Ucense was given to any one who had dreamed of anything involving his welfare, to de- mand of others that they should tell him his dream and satisfy his desire as thus indicated : — "It began with the 22d of February and lasted three days. Immediately upon the proclamation of the feast by the old men of the village, to whom this duty is entrusted, the whole population, men, women and children, rush from their cabins through the streets in the wildest confusion, but by no means after the fashion of an European masquer- ade. The larger part are nearly naked and seem almost insensible to the cold, which is almost in- tolerable to the warmly clad. Certain ones carry with them a plentiful supply of water, and it may be something more hurtful, to throw upon those who come in their way. Others seize fire-brands, live coals with ashes, which they fling about without regard to consequences. Others still occupy them- selves in smashing pots, plates and the small house- hold utensils they happen to encounter. A number are armed with swords, spears, knives, hatchets, clubs, which they make as though they would hurl at the first comer; and this is kept up until some one is able to interpret and execute the dream. "It sometimes occurs, however, that the skill of each and all fails him in divining their meaning, since instead of proposing the matter plainly, they rather conceal in enigma, chanting a jumble of ambiguous words or gesticulate in silence as in pantomime. Consequently they do not always find an CEdipus to solve the riddle. At the same time they obstinately persist in their demand that the dream shall be made known, and if the diviner is too slow, or shows an unwiUingness to risk an interpretation, or makes the least mistake, they threaten to destroy and burn."* Wizards and witches were the great bane of the Iroquois, and objects of utter detestation. Murder might be condoned, but witchcraft was punishable with death in all cases. Any one might kill a witch on sight with impunity. They believe that witches could transform themselves at will into any one of the wild animals or birds, or even assume the shape of logs, trees, rocks, etc., and in forms invisible, visit public assemblies or private houses, and inflict all manner of evils. The delusion was at one time so prevalent and their destruction so great as to seriously lessen the population. The Indians never destroyed rattlesnakes be- cause they believed them to be the offspring of the devil, who, they tliought, would revenge the act by preventing their success in hunting. Hll^y""" '^'^" """■ ^^•'^''^- ^^ Chafte7s'7/ Cayuga Indian burials were attended with solemn cere- monies, and differed somewhat in the method of conducting them. The most ancient mode of burial among the Iroquois was first to place the corpse upon a scaffold, some eight feet high, and allow it to remain there till the flesh fell off, when the bones were interred.* How long this method prevailed is not known, but latterly, and from their first association with the whites, a more commendable one prevailed. The corpse was clad usually in the best attire of the deceased. The grave, usually about three feet deep, was lined with bark, into which the body was laid. There were deposited in the bark coffin a kettle of provisions, deer skin and the sinews of the deer, (to sew patches on the moccasins, which, it was believed, would wear out in the long journey to the spirit land,) bows and arrows, a tomahawk, knife and sometimes, if he was a distinguished person, a gun. These were deemed indispensable to a prosper- ous and happy journey to the Indian's land of shades. The final covering was then placed over the whole, and the grave filled with earth. This done, the Indian women kneeled down by the grave and wept. The men were silent for a time, but eventually set up a doleful cry, chanted the death dirge, and all silently retired to their homes. It was formerly customary for the friends to visit the grave before sunrise and after sunset for twelve successive days, but this practice has been aban- doned. The practice of putting into the grave certain articles designed to promote the journey of the deceased to the great hunting grounds was com- mon to all Indian nations, and often very costly ornaments and trinkets belonging to the deceased were buried with them. The face and hair of the corpse were sometimes painted red to obscure the pallor of death and give it an animated appearance, and the obsequies were celebrated with all the pomp of savage splendor. \\'ith the Natchez it was customary for the mourning friend to name the degree of relationship he sustained toward the deceased, and the nearest relatives continued this ceremony for three months. Colden says the custom was to make a large round hole, in which the body was placed in a sit- ting posture. It was then covered with timber to support the earth, which was heaped up in a round hill, f Bradford cites several authorities with regard to the position of the corpse, among them *LaFort. American Antiquities, Bradford, 19;. t Colden's Five Indian Nations- INDIAN MODE OF BURIAL — WAMPUM. 31 Charlevoix, who says : " The dead body, dressed in the finest robe, with the face painted, the arms and all that belonged to the deceased by his side, is exposed at the door of the cabin, in the posture it is to be laid in the tomb ; and this posture is the same, in many places, as that of the child before its birth."* " At intervals of ten or twelve years," says Park- man, "the Hurons, the Neutrals, and other kin- dred tribes, were accustomed to collect the bones of their dead, and deposit them, with great cere- mony, in a common place of burial. The whole nation was sometimes assembled at this solemnity; and hundreds of corpses, brought from their tempo- rary resting places, were inhumed in one capacious pit. From this hour the immortality of the soul began. They took wing, as some affirmed, in the shape of pigeons ; while the greater number de- clared that they journeyed on foot, and in their own likeness, to the land of shades, bearing with them the ghosts of the wampum belts, beaver skins, bows, arrows, pipes, kettles, beads, and rings buried with them in the common grave. But as the spirits of the old and of the children are too feeble for the march, they are forced to stay behind, lingering near their earthly villages, where the living often hear the shutting of their invisible cabin-doors, and the weak bodies of the disembodied children driving birds from the corn-fields." Cleared areas were chosen for this sepulcher. The ceremonies attending the event lasted for days and were very imposing. The subsequent discov- ery of these immense deposits of bones have elici- ted much inquiry on the part of those not familiar with the facts. Father Brdbeuf saw and fully ex- plained one of these burials in 1636. Wampum, or Zewant, served the Indians as a cur- rency, as an ornament and as the pubHc archives of the nation. It was, therefore, an important factor in all their civil, social, political and religious affairs. It was of two kinds, purple or black, and white, both being used as a measure of value, the black being estimated at twice the value of the white. The purple wampum was made from the interior portions of the common conch, (venus merceneria,) and the white from the pillar of the periwinkle. Each kind was fashioned into round or oval beads, about a quarter of an inch long, which were perforated and strung on a fibre of deer's sinew, but latterly on linen thread, after that was discovered. The article was highly prized as an ornament, and as such constituted an object of traffic between the sea-coast and interior tribes. It was worn in various ways, upon the clothing, and in the form of necklaces, bracelets, collars and belts ; and when these strings were united it formed * American Antiquities-, 195-196. the broad wampum belts, by which solemn public transactions were confirmed. As a substitute for gold and silver coin, its price was fixed by law, though its value was subject to variations, accord- ing to time and place. Three purple beads, or six white ones, were equal to a stiver with the Dutch, or a penny with the English, each equal to two cents United States currency. The price of a string six feet long, denominated a fathom of wam- pum, ruled at five shillings in New England, and was known to reach as high as four guilders in New Netherland. Previous to the advent of the Europeans, wam- pum was made largely of small pieces of wood of equal size, stained black or white. Its manufac- ture from shells was very difficult, and although much time was spent in finishing it, it presented a very clumsy appearance, owing to the want of proper tools. The Dutch introduced the lathe in its manufacture, polished and perforated it with exactness, and by supplying an article far superior to that previously in use, soon had the monopoly of the trade, which they found very advantageous. The principal place of manufacture was Hacken- sack, N. J., and the principal deposit of sea shells. Long Island. Imitations in glass and porcelain soon became abundant. The most important uses to which wampum was appUed, however, was in confirming compacts and treaties between nations, both Indian and Euro- pean, for which purpose it took the place of feathers, which had been previously employed. Every speech and principal part of a speech was made valid by a string or belt of wampum, the value of which was determined by the gravity of the subject under con- sideration. The color of the wampum was of no less importance than its other qualities, as it had an immediate reference to the things which it was meant to confirm ; thus a black belt implied a warning against evil, or an earnest reproof, and if it was marked with red and had the added figure of a hatchet of white wampum in the center, it signified war. Black or purple always signified something grave, if not of doubtful import; while white was the symbol of peace. It was necessary that the answer given to a speech be confirmed by strings and belts of the same size and number as those received. The Indian women dexterously wove these strings of wampum into belts, and skillfully wrought into them elaborate and significant devices, suggestive of the subject of the compact or speech, and designed as aids to memory. These strings and belts of wampum became the national records, 32 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. and one or more old men were charged with their safe keeping and interpretation. At certain sea- sons the Indians met to study their meaning, and as it was customary to admit to these assemblies the young men of the nation who were related to the chiefs, a knowledge of these documents was thus transmitted to posterity. The figures on wampum belts were for the most part, simply mnemonic, so also were those carved on wooden tablets, or painted on bark and skin, to preserve in memory the songs of war, hunting or magic. The Hurons had, however, in common with other tribes, a system of rude pictures and arbitrary signs, by which they could convey to each ether, with tolera- ble precision, information touching the ordinary subjects of Indian interest.* The Indian standards of value were the hand or fathom of wampum and the deiwfas or bags which they themselves made, for measuring and preserv- ing corn.f Hospitality among the Indians was proverbial, not only among their own race, but was extended also with the greatest freedom toward strangers. They regarded it as a sacred duty, from which no one was exempt. CHAPTER HI. Early Discoveries— European Competition in THE Western Continent— Settlements and Conflicting Claims of the Dutch, French AND English— The English Supersede the Dutch in New Netherlands— Iroquois and Early Colonists— Champlain's Invasions of 1609 and 1615— Location of the Fort at- tacked BY Champlain in i6 15 — Iroquois MAKE Peace with the French — Iroquois Conquests and Supremacy. DEFORE proceeding to the consideration of IJ the events immediately preceding the set- tlement of this portion of our country, it will be well to glance cursorily at the more salient of the earliereventswhich prepared the way for it. *Park,„au's7es,.its: Indian Tribes o/Hudso^sRi^er.^^^XX^r ^; A,nerua,tA„ti,„iUes,-Br^i{ori, ,89, ,90; Clu^rlevoisc', Vcyaze ; T"^^-' "" ■ ■^""■''''^ """"y "^ ■''"" Y'-''' I-. 74 ; hIL, o/theM.s,onofth.. United Brethren a,nong the Indians in nZL America, Losk.el, 28; Biography and History of the Indians of t Rultenier, Col. Hist., I., 281. In the light of modern research and archseolog- ical discovery it is difficult to speak with definite- ness upon the discovery of America. It was known to ancien t Arabian geographers ;* Chinese records give a circumstantial account of its discovery as early as the fifth century of our era, by the Chi- nese, who called it Fee-Sang, and described it as being distant 20,000 /z (7,000 miles or more,t)from Ta-Han;X and "there is an abundance of legends and traditions concerning the passage of the Irish into America,, and their habitual communication with that continent many centuries before the time of Columbus."§ The Basques, who were adventurous fishermen, and extensively engaged in the whale fishery, were accustomed to visit the north-east coast of America long before the time of Colum- bus, and probably " from time immemorial."|| It was not, however, known to modern Europe until 861, when it was discovered by Nadodd, a Norse rover; and colonization was not begun until 875, in which year Ingolf, a Norwegian, estabhshed a colony in Iceland, where, owing to civil difficulties in Norway, he was soon joined by many of the most intelligent, wealthy and honorable of his country- men. This Icelandic colony, during the two suc- ceeding centuries, developed an intellectual culture, which made them eminent in Norse communities, far surpassing their countrymen in Norway; and to them we are indebted for the existing records of Scandinavian mythology. In 983,ir they discovered and colonized Greenland; and about the year 1000, in the course of many voyages, had explored the coast of North America as far south as the present State of Massachusetts. From the Appendix to Ancient America, we epito- mize an account of these discoveries. Thorvald, a nobleman, and his son Eirek, surnamed the Red, being obliged to flee from Jadir, in Norway, in con- * General Hussein Pasha, an Arab gentleman, in a work on America, m&Wzi. En-Nesir-El-Tayir, quotes from Djeldeki and other writers to show this. Historical Magazine, New Series, VahW., No. HI., 220. t IVa-ian-san-tai-dzoH-ye, the great Japanese Encyclopajdia. tAbbede Bourboiirg's Introduction to the Popol-Vuh— Baldwin's Pre-Historic Nations, 401 ; and Historical Magazine, New Series, Vol. VI., No. in., 221 (quoting the Gentleman's Magazine,) yi\\vl!xsa^i%:~]. Haulay, the Chinese interpreter in San Francisco, wrote an essay on this subject, drawn from Chinese historians and geographers, from which the following statements are gathered :— n,rri?"'''^''" ''""dred years ago even, America had been discovered by !„,. ^'^™<=== ^""^ described by them. They stated that laud, to be about Ift^^H J,°",f °?r-ir''^^ ^'^""' f""" China. About five hundred yeare after the birlh of Christ, Buddlust Priests repaired there, and brought back the news that they had brought back Buddhist idols and religious writings, ol, .f l"!," J' ^''■■"^^- T''^"' descriptions, in many resplcts, resemble ' ?5L . Spaniards, a thousand years after. They called the country th»^= -1' I. " ''■^e,"''}'<:h grew there, whose leaves resemble those of whofe fruU lh^y°ate!^' ""= ""'"" ""^^ '^'■°"'" ^""^ P^P^'' <"" <>'• ^'"^ § Baldwin's Pre-Historic Nations, 401. II Ibid. II Zell. Baldwin fixes the date at 982. EARLY NORWEGIAN AND WELSH DISCOVERIES. 33 sequence of a homicide committed by them, went to Iceland, where Thorvald soon after died. Eirek, -becoming involved in another feud resulting in homicide in Iceland, fled that country with a colony in search of the land, which Gunniborn had seen when driven by a storm into the Western Ocean. Sailing west from the west coast of Iceland, he at length discovered land, which he called Midjokul. He coasted along the shore in a southerly direction in search of a more suitable place for settlement, and spent the winter on a part of the coast he called " Eirek's Island," where his colony remained two years. On returning to Iceland he called the dis- covered country Greenland, saying to his confiden- tial friends, "A name so inviting will induce men to emigrate thither.'' He returned to Greenland with "twenty-five ships," filled with emigrants andstores, "fifteen winters," says the chronicle, {an Account of Eriek the Red and Greenland^ " before the Christian religion was introduced into Iceland," i. e. in 985. Biarni, son of Heriulf, a chief man among these colonists, was absent in Norway when his father left Iceland. On returning he resolved to join the colony, and with others set sail, making "one of the most remarkable and fearful voyages on record." After three days' fair sailing he was driven for many days by a north-easterly wind, and on saiUng west one day after the abatement of the storm, he discovered land which he concluded was not Greenland, as it " was not mountainous " — sup- posed to be Nantucket or Cape Cod. The ship was put about, and after sailing two days in a north- easterly direction, he discovered land " which was low and level" — supposed to be Cape Sable, Nova Scotia. He sailed three days more in the same direction and came to land, "mountainous and covered with ice" — supposed to be Newfoundland — around which he sailed. After saiHng north four days he reached the southern coast of Greenland, near the new settlement. This was in 985, 507 years before the first voyage of Columbus. Four- teen years later, Leif, a son of Eirek, fitted out an expedition, comprising a ship, manned with thirty- five men, to go in search of the land seen by Biarni. The first land seen by Leif after sailing from Green- land, was the island around which Biarni sailed, which he called Helluland, "the land of broad stones." SaiUng south he came to a low and level country covered with wood. This he named Mark- land— the land of woods. Still saihng foward the south, after two days he touched an island (Nan- tucket ?) " which lay opposite the north-east part of the main land." He then " sailed through a bay between this island and a cape running north-east, and going westward, sailed past the Cape.'' At length he " passed up a river into a bay," proba- bly Mount Hope Bay — where he landed and spent the winter. This was about mid-autumn, and finding wild grapes, he called the country Vin- land. In the spring he loaded his vessel with tim- ber and returned to Greenland. The next year Leif's brother Thorvald went to Vinland with one ship and thirty men, and i)assed the winter; The next summer he explored the coast westward and southward, and seems to have gone as far south as the CaroUnas. The next summer he coasted around Cape Cod, toward Boston Harbor. Here the chronicle first speaks of the natives, whom he calls " Skrsellings," with whom they provoked a severe engagement, in which Thorvald was mor- tally wounded. His companions, after passing the third winter in Vinland, returned to Greenland. Thorfinn came to Greenland in 1006. He made a voyage to Vinland, taking with him three ships, one hundred and sixty men, live stock and all things necessary to the establishment of a colony, and passing up Buzzard's Bay, disembarked, and prepared to pass the winter, which proved a sevene one and threatened famine to the little colony. The next spring he explored the coast farther west and south, and passed the second winter in Vin- land. He called the bay Hop; the Indians called it Haup ; we call it Hope. During the next sea- son, in which he explored Massachusetts Bay, he saw many natives and had much intercourse with them, which finally led to hostilities, in which the latter were signally defeated. After spending a third winter in Vinland he returned to Greenland. A part of the colony remained, and a lucrative traffic was maintained between Vinland and Greenland, where the timber which abounded at the former place found a ready market. Old Welsh annals preserved in the abbeys of Conway and Strat Flur, and used by Humphrey Llwyd in his translation and continuation of Cara- doc's History of Wales, relate the particulars of Welsh emigration to America under Prince Madoc, Madog or Madawc, in 1 1 70.* About the year 1 168 or 1 169, Owen Gwynedd, ruling prince of North Wales, died, and among his sons there was a contest for the succession, which, becoming fierce and * This emigration, whicli Squier (^ 7itiguiiies of New York and the West, 137,) regards as *'apochryplia!," but to the verity of which authors generally give credence, " is mentioned in the preserved works of several Welsh bards who lived before the time of Columbus ;" and ''by Haklnyt, who had his account of it from writings of the bard Gutten Owen." An- cient America, Appendix-, 28s, i86. 34 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. angry, produced a civil war. His son Madoc, who had " command of the fleet," took no part in this strife ; but, in consequence thereof, he resolved to leave Wales. Accordingly, in the year 1 1 7 o, he left with a few ships, going south of Ireland, and steer- ing westward, to explore the western lands and se- lect a place for a settlement, which he established in " a pleasant and fertile region," which Baldwin supposes to have been in the Carolinas,* and Cat- lin, " on the coast of Florida or about the mouth of the Mississippi."! Leaving one hundred and twen- ty persons, he returned to Wales, prepared ten ships, prevailed on a large company, some of whom were Irish, to join him, and sailed again to America. Nothing more was ever heard in Wales of the prince or his settlement. The locahty and destiny of this Welsh settlement is a matter of conjecture, but, says Baldwin, it is supposed that, being " unsupported by new arrivals from Europe, and cut off from communication with that side of the ocean," it " became weak, and, af- ter being much reduced, was destroyed or absorbed by some powerful tribe of Indians.'' In our colonial times, and later, he adds, " there was no lack of re- ports that relics of Madoc's Welshmen, and even their language, had been discovered among the In- dians ; but generally they were entitled to no credit. The only report of this kind, he says, having any show of claim to respectful consideration, is that of Rev. Morgan Jones, a Welsh clergyman, made March 10, 1685, and published in the Gentlemeii s Magazine in 1740, giving an account of his adven- tures among the Tuscaroras, by whom he was cap- tured in 1660. It states that he was promised im- munity from harm by an Indian who appeared to be a war captain, and conversed with him in the Welsh language ; and that they (" the Doegs ") en- tertained him " civilly and cordially" for four months, during which time he had opportunity to converse with them famiharly and preached to them three times a week in the Welsh language. In conclu- sion Baldwin says in regard to this report : " With- out meaning to doubt his veracity, one feels skepti- cal, and desires a more intehigent and complete ac- count of these 'travels.' "J Says Foster, in refer- ring to this matter, "he [the Rev. Mr. Jones,] may have been a very worthy man ; but we are disposed to question the truthfulness of a statement at this day, when the author deems it necessary to fortify * Ancient America^ Appendix, 286. t Catlings North A nierican Indians, //., 259. + A ncient A mericn. Appendix, 285—187. Baldwin's Pre-Historic Nations, page 40J, says: "It will be recollected that, in the early colony times, the Tuscaroras were sometimes called ' White Indians.' " it by a self-sought oath." Elsewhere, referring to the Northmen and Welshmen under Madoc, he says : " these peoples have left behind no memo- rials."* Catlin enters into an elaborate and plausible argument to show that Madoc's Welsh colony were the progenitors of the Mandans, who occupied and have left so many interesting memorials in the Missouri valley. He shows a remarkable analogy between the two languages — an analogy, appar- ently, too close to be accidental. He supposes that, having landed on the southern coast of the United States, they, or a part of them, made their way through the interior, to a position on the Ohio, where they cultivated fields and' established a flour- ishing colony in one of the finest countries on earth, but were at length driven from thence by overpowering hordes, and were besieged, until it was necessary to erect the fortifications referred to for defense, where they held out against a confed- eracy of tribes, till their ammunition and provisions were exhausted, and eventually all perished, except such as may have formed an alliance by marriage with the Indians ; that the half-breed offspring of the latter, despised, as he says, " all half-breeds of enemies are," gathered themselves into a band, severed themselves from their parent tribe, and in- creased in numbers and strength as they "ad- vanced up the Missouri river to the place where they have been known for many years past by the name of Mandans, a conception or abbreviation, perhaps, of " Madawgivys" the name appUed by the Welsh to the followers of Madawc."t An earlier writer under the caption of "Welsh or White Indians," furnishes voluminous if not authentic, testimony confirmatory of Catlin's sup- positions ; and cites, also, in a somewhat modified form, a case which, evidently, corresponds with that of Rev. Mr. Jones, before referred to. He does not, however, attach much importance to the several narratives, for he says, in conclusion : " Up- on the whole we think it may be pretty safely said ' that the existence of a race of Welsh about the re- gions of the Missouri does not rest on so good authority as that which has been adduced to estab- Ush the existence of the sea-serpent. "J Notwithstanding these discoveries of the Norse- men and Welsh, real, as they unquestionably were, America was not known to Southern Europe until the latter part of the fifteenth century, when it was * Pre-Historic Races of the United States, 400. t Catlin's North American Indians, IL, 259 — 265. XBiography and History o/the Indiatis of North America, Book I, chapter III., 36 — 39. FIRST SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENGLISH DISCOVERIES. 35 accidentally discovered while in quest of a westerly route to India and China. In 1492, Columbus, a Genoese, set out on a voyage of discovery under the patronage of the Spanish Government, and in that and the two succeeding years made his tropi- cal discoveries. In 1497, John Cabot, a Venetian, in company with his son Sebastian, set out on a voyage of discovery under letters patent from Henry VII. of England. Sailing westward he dis- covered Newfoundland, and on the 24th of June of that year, struck the sterile coast of Labrador, taking possession of the same in the name of the King of England. The following year his son Sebastian, while in quest of a north-west passage to China, was compelled to turn from the frozen re- gions of the north, and sailing south he explored the coast from Newfoundland to Florida, of which he took possession for the English crown. In 1500, the coast of Labrador and the entrance to the Gulf of St. Ijawrence, were explored by two Portuguese brothers named Cortereal. In 1508, the St. Lawrence was discovered by Aubert, and four years later, in 15 12, Ponce de Leon discovered Florida. Magellan, a Portuguese, passed through the straits which bear his name in 15 19, and was the first to circumnavigate the globe. In 1534, the St. Lawrence was explored by Jacques Cartier (Quartier) as far as Montreal. In 1539, Florida was explored by Ferdinand de Soto. Upper Cali- fornia was discovered in 1578, by an English navi- gator named Drake. These data will be of service in aiding to a proper understanding of the relative importance of the events which subsequently trans- pired. Thus we see that within a decade from the time that Columbus discovered America the different maritime powers of Euroj^e were engaged in active competition for the prizes of the New World. Spain, actuated by the greed of gold and lust of conquest, conquered Mexico in 1521, seized upon the rich treasures of the Montezumas, and in 1540, carried her conquest into Peru. Stimulated by these successes, she took possession of Florida and that portion of the Northern continent bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, and in 1565, seventy-three years after Columbus' discovery, and fifty-three years after that of Ponce de Leon, planted the first Spanish colony in North America, at St. Augustine, Florida. While the Spaniards were pushing their territo- rial acquisition in the South, the French, attracted by the rich prize of the Newfoundland fisheries, had gained a foot-hold in the northern part of the continent. As early as the beginning of the six- teenth century the French, Basques, Bretons and Normans fished for cod along the entire coasts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and those in the vicinity, and traded for peltries. In 1518, Baron Livy set- tled there. In 1524, King Francis I. of France, sent thither Jean Verrazani, a distinguished Flor- entine mariner, on a voyage of exploration. He sailed along the coast twenty-one hundred miles in frail vessels, and returned safely to report his suc- cess to his sovereign. At about 41" north latitude he entered a bay — supposed to be the entrance to New York harbor — and remained there fifteen days. His crew are supposed to be the first Euro- peans who trod the soil of New York. Ten years later the same king sent thither Jacques Cartier, a pilot of St. Malo, who made two voyages, and ascended the St. Lawrence as far as Montreal, pre- viously called Hochelaga. As he sailed up the broad expanse of waters on St. Lawrence day, (August 10, 1534,) he apphed to the river the name of the illustrious saint whose virtues that day commemorates. In 1540, Cartier was sent back with Jean Francis de Robarval, a gentleman of Picardy, whom King Francis I. appointed his Lieu- tenant-General over the new countries of Canada, Hochelaga and Saguenay. In 1543, Robarval came the second time from France, in company with the pilot Jean Alphonse of Saintogue, and they took possession of Great Breton. At this time the settlement of Quebec was commenced. In 1598 King Henry IV. of France conferred on the Marquis de la Roche, a Breton, the govern- ment of the territories of Canada and the adjacent countries; and in 1603, he conferred his commis- sion of Lieutenant-Colonel in the territories of New France, Acadia, (Nova Scotia,) Canada and other parts on Sieurde Mons, a gentleman of Saintogue, who, in 1608, built a fort at Quebec, the govern- ment whereof he let to Sieur Champlain, the first discoverer of the Iroquois. The year previous, 1607, the Enghsh colonists made the first permanent settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, under the immediate supervision of that Englishman of heroic spirit and indomitable energy, Capt. John Smith. In 1620, the English planted a second colony on this western continent at Ply- mouth Rock, which was destined to exert an im- portant influence in the affairs of this country. These two colonies were the successful rivals of all others of every nationality in that competition for empire, which has made their descendants the mas- ters of North America. 36 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Henry Hudson, an intrepid English navigator, having failed in two attempts to discover a western passage to the East Indies in the interest of a com- pany of London merchants, sailed from Amsterdam on the 4th of April, 1609, in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, of Holland, formed the year previous for traffic and colonization. He arrived on the American coast near Portland, Maine, whence he proceeded south along the shore to the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. From thence he pro- ceeded northward, discovered and entered Delaware Bay, and on the 3rd of Septernber moored his vessel, the Half Moon, a mere yacht, at Sandy Hook. Proceeding up the bay, he sent his boats to the Jer- sey shore and received on board the natives who came in great numbers to traffic, and by whom he was in turn entertained. On the 12th he entered the river which bears his name, and ascended it to a point a little above the city of Hudson, having been frequently visited on the way by the Indians, who came to traffic, bringing maize, tobacco and other indigenous products. Deeming it unsafe to proceed further with his ship, he sent a boat with a part of his crew to explore the river higher up. They went, it is supposed, ahttle above Albany. On the 23d he commenced to descend the river; and a lit- tle below the Highlands became embroiled with the natives, to whom he had imparted a knowledge of the baneful effects of intoxicating liquors, shooting in the encounters ten or twelve of their number and losing one of his own men. He returned to Europe and imparted the information he had gained which soon led to the establishment of a colony by the Dutch, by the name of New Netherlands. The fol- lowing year Hudson voyaged in search of a north- west passage to India and discovered and entered the bay which bears his name ; but continuing his search too long he was compelled to spend the winter in a northern latitude. In the spring a part of his crew mutinied, and placing him, his son and seven others in a boat, left them to perish. On the foregoing discoveries three European na- tions based claims to a part of the territory embraced in the State of New York : England, by reason of the discovery of Cabot and his son Sebastian, claim- ing a territory eleven degrees in width and extend- ing westward indefinitely ; France, by reason of the discoveries of Verrazani, claiming a portion of the Atlantic coast ; and Holland, by reason of the dis- covery of Hudson, claiming the country from Cape Cod to the southern shore of Delaware Bay. The Dutch became the actual possessors of the country. In 16 10, they sent out a vessel to engage in the fur trade on the banks of the river discovered by Hudson. In 16 12, Hendrick Christiansen and Adrian Block fitted out two other vessels for the same purpose, and were soon followed by others. The fur trade proving successful, Christiansen was 9.ppointed to superintend it and Manhattan Island made the chief depot. In 16 14, he erected a small fort and a few rude buildings on the southern extremity of the Island, which he called New Am- sterdam. October nth of the same year the States General granted a charter to the merchants en- gaged in the traffic, conferring on them the exclusive right to trade for three years in the territory embraced between New France and Virginia, and giving the name of New Netherlands to the whole region. In the meantime explorations were being made in the surrounding country. Adrian Block had passed up the East River, Long Island Sound and Connecticut river, and into the bays and along the islands eastward to Cape Cod. Cornelissen Jacob- son May had explored the southern coast of Long Island and southward to Delaware Bay; while Hen- drick Christiansen had ascended the Hudson to Castle Island, a few miles below Albany, where he estabhshed a trading post and, in 16 15, built a small fort, which, being damaged by the flood, was re- moved a Uttle below to the Normans-Kill. Here, in 1623, a treaty of peace was formed between the Five Nations and the representatives of the New Netherlands. The Dutch estabUshment at New Amsterdam increased, and their fur trade became so profitable that at the expiration of their charter, the States General refused to renew it, giving instead a tem- porary license for its continuance. It had become sufficiently attractive to tempt the avarice of Eng- lish capitalists. In i6:jp, James I. granted all the territory between the 40th and 48th degrees of north latitude, extending from ocean to ocean, to Ferdinando Georges and his commercial associates, and in their interest Capt. Dermer appeared at Manhattan and laid claim to all the territory occu- pied by the Dutch. This claim was strengthened by instructions to the EngUsh ambassador at the Dutch capital to remonstrate against Dutch intru- sion. Notwithstanding this remonstrance, however, in 1 62 1, the States General granted to the Dutch West India Company, an armed mercantile asso- ciation formed that year, a charter, which gave them exclusive jurisdiction for a period of twenty years over the province of New Netherlands, with power to appoint governors, subject to the ap- proval of the State, to colonize the territory and CHAMPLAIN'S INVASION. 37 administer justice. By virtue of this charter the company took possession of New Amsterdam in 1622-3. The executive management was entrusted to a board of directors, distributed through five separate chambers in Holland. The charge of the province was devolved on the Amsterdam cham- ber, which, in i623,sent out a vessel underthe direc- tion of Capt. Cornelissen Jacobson and Andriaen Jorissen Tien point, with thirty families for coloni- zation. A portion of these settled on the Connec- ticut river, and others on the Hudson, at Albany, where, in 1624, they built Fort Orange, and the same year Fort Nassau on the Delaware river, near Gloucester. The colonies thus commenced were soon after augmented by other accessions. In May, 1626, Peter Minuit arrived in New Nether- lands as Director-General or Governor of the Prov- ince, and in that year purchased Manhattan Island for trinkets valued at sixty guilders. For fifteen years the colonists lived on amicable terms with the Indians, carrying on a brisk and profitable trade in furs ; but the harshness and cruelty of William Kieft, who was commissioned Director-General in September, 1637, soon provoked the just resent- ment of the Indians, involving the colonists in a war with the latter, which continued, with sHght in- terruptions, during the remainder of the Dutch occupancy, and jeopardized the very existence of the colony. On the 12th of March, 1664, Charles II., of England, conveyed by patent to his brother James, Duke of York, all the country from the River St. Croix to the Kennebec, in Maine, also Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Long Island, together with all the land from the west side of the Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware Bay. The Duke sent an English squadron, under Admiral Richard Nicolls, to secure the gift, and on the 8th of September following. Gov. Stuyvesant capitu- lated, and the territory till then held by the Dutch, passed into the hands of the Enghsh, who changed the name of New Amsterdam to New York. The victory was an easy one, for restricted in their rights and liberties, and desirous of enjoying the privileges accorded to the neighboring English colonists, the Dutch settlers refused to contest the Supremacy, and Stu)rvesant, unsupported, was obliged, though re- luctantly, to resign. When the French first assumed a military domi- nence in Canada, they found the Iroquois at war with the Adirondacks, who Hved in the vicinity of Quebec. The French alhed themselves with the Canadian and Western Indians, and maintained friendly relations with them during the period of their supremacy in Canada. They espoused the cause of the Adirondacks against the Iroquois, with whom they were at sword's-points during much of that period, and long after the Adirondacks had been exterminated by their inveterate enemies. Champlain, having raised the drooping spirits of the Adirondacks, by an exhibition of the wonderful effect produced by the French guns, armed them and joined them in an expedition against the Iro- quois in 1609, and thus commenced that horrible series of barbarities, which continued for more than a century and a half, and from which the European colonists both in Canada and New York, suffered beyond description. Champlain and his Indian alHes met a party of two hundred Mohawks on the lake which bears his name, (and then first discovered by him.) Both parties landed; but the Mohawks, dismayed at the murderous effect of the strange weapons, retreated to their fastnesses in the wilderness, leaving the French to return to Canada, without, however, having accomplished the object of their mission, which was to force the Iroquois to easy terms of peace. This was the first meeting of the Iroquois with the whites, and the circumstances certainly were not such as to give a very favorable opinion of them, nor soften the savage nature so largely predominant in them.* Emboldened by this success, Champlain, with a few Frenchmen, and four hundred Huron allies, renewed the attack on the Iroquois in 1615, this time directing his efforts against the stronghold of the Onondagas. He arrived before the fort on the afternoon of the i oth of October. At the first fire the Indians fled into their fort, which inclosed their village, and which Champlain describes as consist- ing of " quadruple paUsades of large timber, thirty feet high, interlocked the one with the other, with an interval of not more than one foot, with galleries in the form of parapets, defended with double pieces of timber, proof against our arque- buses, and on one side they had a pond with a never-failing supply of water, from which proceeded a number of gutters which they had laid along the intermediate space, throwing the water without, and rendering it effectual inside for the purpose of extinguishing fire.'' The next day Champlain con- * It is a most singular coincidence that while Champlain was acquaint- ing the Iroquois with that deadly enemy ^impowf^er, the very same week and year Henry Hudson was cautiously feeling his way, as he supposed, into the Northern ocean, through the channel of the river which bears his name, and regailing them with an equally deadly enemy — ruTn. Lifeand Times of Red Jacket^ 291. 38 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. structed a movable tower of sufficient height to overlook the palisades, and moved it near the fort, placing thereon marksmen to fire over the pahsades, while they themselves were protected from the stones and arrows of the enemy by boards forming a species of parapet. Attempts were made to burn the palisades, but as his forces consisted mostly of undisciphned Hurons who could not be controlled, they suffered severely from the arrows shot from the fort, without accomplishing their object. After a three hours' engagement, during which Cham- plain was twice severely wounded with arrows, like- wise many of his allies, who were sadly demoralized by the efficient resistance made by the enemy, they withdrew to a fort erected for defensive purposes, to await an expected re-enforcement of five hun dred Indians, who, however, did not come. They remained encamped until the i6th, during which time several skirmishes occurred; but being unable to induce his aUies to renew the attack which their rash impetuosity had made so ineffectual, Cham- plain, in pain and mortification, retreated to Canada, being carried upon the back of an Indian. The precise location of this fort has long been in controversy.* Champlain's narrative of this ex- pedition is accompanied by a diagram of the fort, which is in the form of a hexagon, situated on a slight elevation, in the angle of a stream, which is at once the inlet and outlet of a pond, which, with the stream, bounded three sides of the fort. The stream flowed into and out of the pond at points but a few rods apart. The situation is a peculiar one, and it is scarcely probable that another one could be found which so exactly corresponds with Champlain's description, as the site designated by Gen. Clark, who locates it in the town of Fenner, in Madison County. While writers differ as to the exact location of the fort, nearly all agree that Cham- plain's last encampment before he attacked the fort was at or near the mouth of Chittenango Creek, for none other of the interior lakes in the State meet the requirements of his description as to the *E. B. O'CaUaghan, M. D., the able editor of The Documentary His- tory and Colonial History of the State of New York^ assigns to it tlie neighborhood of Canandaigua Lalte : while others locate it on the shore of Onondaga Lake. Gen. John S. Clark, of Auburn, a most excellent authority on Indian antiquity, made a recent and most critical examina- tion of a locality which discloses physical and other features so precisely correspondms with Champlain's description, as to make irresistible the conclusion that the site is on the farm of Rufus H. Nichols, about three miles east of Perryville, near the Mile Strip four corners, which was, at that time the home of the Onondagas. Gen. Clark says ; '■ That the east branch of the Limestone is the dividing line absolutely between the historic and pre-historic town sites of the Onondagas ; and that Cham- plain's narrative contains internal evidence, in statements of fact, unques- tionably, that the fort was within a few miles at least, and south of Oneida Lake." presence of islands. Of the western lakes, Cayuga is the only one thus graced, and that has but a soli- tary one. Oneida is the only lake upon which he could have encamped that has islands. The locality indicated by General Clark as the probable site of the fort has long been regarded an important one in connection with the Indian anti- quities of the State, and has yielded many rare and interesting relics which are now in the Government collections in the Smithsonian Institute. A large part of the area which bears evidence of having been inclosed within the well-defined outlines of the fortification, has been cultivated for years, but a part is covered by venerable forest trees of great size. The plow has disclosed man} bits of crockery and broken stone implements, which have enriched many private cabinets; but, singularly, none of those articles so clearly referable to the Jesuit missions, and generally found in great abundance elsewhere, reward the searcher for anti- quarian relics here. This fact is a strong confirm- ation of Gen. Clark's deductions, as it clearly proves the existence of the fortifications anterior to the advent of the Jesuits.* In the undisturbed ground may be plainly seen marks left by the de- cay of the deeply-set palisades, and indentations, apparently, where corn was cached. From the high points adjacent, the eye commands a wide range of country of unusual beauty, and an alarm-fire on these commanding heights would be seen from near Lake Ontario to the western peaks of the Adirondacks. A small pond, whose ancient water- mark was much higher than at present, is fed by a stream which enters and leaves it on the south, and a low, broad knoll lies between these streams. The coincidences are striking ones ; but the ele- ments of correspondence are so peculiar as to make it scarcely possible that they are merely coin- cidences, "j" These unprovoked attacks of Champlain on the Iroquois provoked hostilities which ended only with the extirpation of the French domination in North America. Great must have been the chagrin of the proud and boastful French General to be com- pelled to retreat thus ignominiously before a "sav- age" horde, whom he confidently expected to over- * The first Jesuit mission in Canada was established in 1625. These learned, devout and faithful disciples of Loyola, the hero of Pampeluna, adopted as their own the rugged task of christianizing New France, sup- planting the Franciscans, (Peres Recollects,) who were commissioned by royal decree, in 161 5, missionaries in Canada, and who celebrated Mass in Quebec that year. t We have been aided in these investigations by a contribution from the pen of Mr. L. W. Ledyard, of Cazenovia, to the Cazenovia Republican of March 20, 1879. FRENCH AND ENGLISH RIVALRY. 39 awe into submission. But he was destined to still greater humiliation. The Iroquois, alarmed but not dismayed, now artfully sued for peace. The French gladly listened to these overtures from an enemy from whom, in their weak state, they had so much to apprehend, and consented to a truce, imposing as the only condition that they might be allowed to send mis- sionaries among them, hoping by this means to win them over to French allegiance. But the Iro- quois held the Jesuit priests thus sent to them as hostages, to compel the neutrality of the French, while they prepared to wage a deadly war against the Adirondacks * and Hurons, (Quatoghies,!) the latter of whom they defeated in a dreadful battle fought within two leagues of Quebec. This defeat, within sight of the French settlements, and the terrible loss inflicted on the Hurons, filled with terror the Indian allies of the French, who were then numerous, having been attracted to the local- ity of Quebec by reason of the profitable trade car- ried on with the French, who supplied them with many useful conveniences. Many of them fled, some to the northward, others to the south-west, beyond the reach, as they hoped and supposed, of their terrible enemies, but only to enjoy a tempo- rary respite, for they were sought out by the vin- dictive Iroquois and murdered in detail. The Adfrondacks, however, remained, and on them the Iroquois planned another raid. They had been supplied with fire-arms by the Dutch traders of Albany, and in 1646 they sent word to the Governor of Canada, (whom the Iroquois called Onontio,) that they intended to pay him a friendly visit during the winter. They set out with a thousand warriors and reached the village of the Adirondacks at a time when the warriors of that nation were engaged in their annual hunt. They captured the women and children and a party of ten set out in search of the absent warriors. They fell in with Piskaret, a renowned Adirondack chief, who was returning alone. They knew his prowess from previous encounters with him and feared to openly attack him. They therefore approached him in the attitude of friends, Piskaret being igno- rant of the rupture of the treaty of peace con- cluded in 1645. After learning from him that the Adirondack warriors were divided into two bodies, and their whereabouts, one of the party treacherously ran him through with a sword, and returned with his head to their army. They then •This is the French name for the Algonquins, Col. Hist. V., 791. In Iroquois the name signifies "tree eaters," Col, Hist. IV., 899. tAlso called Wyandots. divided their own forces, surprised and fell upon the unsuspecting Adirondacks, whom they almost exterminated. Thus a once powerful people, whom Colden regarded as "the most warlike and polite" of all the Indian nations of North America, were almost wiped out of existence by an enemy they had once despised. CHAPTER IV. French and English Rivalry — Expedition of m. de courcelles against the mohawks m. DE Tracy's Expedition against the Mohawks— Peace of Breda — French and Iroquois again AT war in 1669 — Peace of 1673 — M. de la Barre's Expedition against the Senegas — ■ M. DE Denonville's Expedition against the Senegas — French and English War of 1689 — Attack on Montreal and Quebec — Fronte- nac Invades the Onondaga Country — Treaty OF Ryswick — Treaty of Utrecht — Tuscaro- ras Admitted to Iroquois Confederacy — French and English War of 1744 — 1748 — Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — War Renewed 'N 1755 — Treaty of Paris — Pontiac's Con- spiracy — ^War of the Revolution — Present Status of Iroquois. n^HE peaceful relations which existed between the 1 Dutch colonists and the Iroquois were perpetu- ated by the English on their accession to the Dutch possessions in 1664, by a treaty held at Fort Al- bany, Sept. 24, 1664; and, with immaterial excep- tions, the Iroquois remained the firm allies or friends of the English till the domination of the latter was broken by the triumph of the colonists in the war of the Revolution. But from the time the English supplanted the Dutch, the jealousy and strifewhich characterized the English and French intercourse in Europe were extended to this portion of the Western Continent. A sharp rivalry was main- tained in the acquisition of territory, and in the effort to gain an acknowledged supremacy over the Iroquois, of whose country M. de Lauson, the Gov- ernor of New France, took formal possession in 1656, and Thomas Dongan, then Governor of New York, in 1684, by placing the arms of the Duke of York in each of the castles of the Five Nations, with their consent.* The French displayed the most enterprise in the extension of her dominions ; » Col. Hist., III., )6j ; /., 75, 76. 40 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. while the English were most successful in gaining the allegiance of the Iroquois, though their dilatory movements in wars with the French often provoked sharp criticisms from their savage and impetuous allies.* The French sent out parties in various di- rections, to the west, north-west and south-west, to explore new sections of country and take possession, which they did by erecting the king's arms and drawing m-^ froces-verbeaux to serve as titles. They thus gained a useful knowledge of the country and its savage occupants, and enlarged the scope of their fur trade, which, together with the zeal of pro- pagandism, were the vital forces operating in the colonization of New France. But the prosperity of the French colony was not commensurate with the zeal of the Jesuits or the enterprise of the fur traders, as compared with that of the English colonies. The reason is quite ob- vious. Those who composed the English colonies came with the intention of making this their home, and though immigration had virtually ceased, the natural increase had been great. The strong de- sire to escape persecution had given an impulse to Puritan colonization ; while, on the other hand, none but good Catholics, the favored class of France, were tolerated in Canada. These had no motive for exchanging the comforts of home and the smiles of fortune for a starving wilderness and the scalping-knives of the Iroquois. The Hugue- nots would have emigrated in swarms ; but they were rigidly forbidden. Of the feeble population of the French colony, the best part were bound to perpetual chastity ; while the fur- traders, and those in their service, rarely brought their wives to the wilderness. The fur-trader, moreover, is always the worst of the colonists ; since the increase of population, by diminishing the number of the fur- bearing animals, is adverse to his interest. But be- hind all this, there was in the religious ideal of the rival colonies an influence which alone would have gone far to produce the contrast in material growth.f The Puritan looked for a substantial re- ward in this life ; while the Jesuits, lightly esteem- ing life themselves, and looking wholly for reward in a future life, endeavored to inculcate the same idea in those with whom they came in contact. The interests of the French king were of far less moment to them than those of their Heavenly King. Nor was the French king ignorant or un- mindful of this baneful tendency. His instructions to Count de Frontenac when the latter was ap- * New Vark Colonial History. t Parkma?^ s Jesuits. pointed Governor and Lieutenant-General of Can- ada, not only evince this fact, but that he had a keen perception of the great disparity in their estimate of the Jesuits between Frontenac and his predeces- sor M. de Denonville. While the Iroquois were engaged in exterminat- ing their kindred nations they kept up a desultory warfare with the French, broken by brief intervals of peace, when their interests or necessities de- manded a cessation of hostihties. In 1650, they had brought the French colonists to such extremity, that the latter endeavored to gain the powerful support of New England. Massa- chusetts had expressed a desire for the establish- ment of a reciprocal trade between her own and the French colonists, and it was thought this con- cession might be made the condition of securing her military aid in subduing the Mohawks. It was urged that as the Abenaquis, an Algonquin people, living on the Kennebec, in the present State of Maine, were under the jurisdiction of the Plymouth colony, and had suffered from Mohawk inroads, it became the duty of that colony to protect them. Gabriel Druilletes, a Jesuit missionary, was deputed to make these representations to the Massachusetts Government, and proceeded to Boston for that pur- pose. Druillettes met with a cordial reception, but received no encouragement with regard to the ob- ject of his mission, as it was scarcely to be expected that the Puritans would see it for their interest to provoke a dangerous enemy in a people who had never molested them. The French Government now resolved to put an end to the ruinous incursions of the Iroquois. In June, 1665, M. de Tracy was appointed Viceroy of the French possessions in America, and brought with him to Quebec four regiments of infantry. March 23, 1665, Daniel de Runy^ Knight, Lordde Courcelles, was appointed Governor of Canada, and in September of that year arrived with the regi- ment of Carignau SaUeres, composed of a thousand men, " with all the arms.and ammunition necessary to wage war against the Iroquois, and oblige them to sue for peace," together with several families, and everything necessary for the establishment of a colony. January 9, 1666, M. de Courcelles, with 500 men, set out on a most hazardous expedition to the country of the Mohawks. The journey was undertaken on snow-shoes. After a perilous march of thirty-five days, during which many of his men were frozen, he arrived within twenty leagues of their villages, when he learned from prisoners taken that the greater part of the Mohawks and Oneidas M. DE TRACY'S EXPEDITION AGAINST THE MOHAWKS. 41 had gone to a distance to make war with the " Wam- pum Makers." Deeming it " useless to push further forward an expedition which had all the effect in- tended by the terror it spread among all the tribes," he retraced his steps, having '• killed several sav- ages who from time to time made their appearance along the skirts of the forest for the purpose of skirmishing," and lost a few of his own men, who were killed by the enemy.* This expedition, so bootless in material results, had the effect to induce the Iroquois to sue for peace. May 22, 1666, the Senecas sent ambassa- dors to Quebec, who represented " that they had always been under the King's protection since the French had discovered their country," and de- manded for themselves and the Onontac nation, " that they be continued to be received in the num- ber of his Majesty's faithful subjects," requesting that some Frenchmen be sent to settle with them, and "blackgowns" to preach the gospel to them and make them understand the God of the French, promising not only to prepare cabins, but to work at the construction of forts for them. This having been granted, the treaty was concluded May 26, 1666. July 7, 1666, the Oneidas sent ten ambassa- dors to Quebec on a Hke mission for themselves and the Mohawks, and ratified the preceding treaty July 12, i666.t Pending these negotiations the Mohawks com- mitted an outrage on a portion of the garrison of Fort St. Anne, and M. de Tracy concluded that to ensure the success of the treaty it was necessary to render the Mohawks more tractable by force of arms. Accordingly, in September, 1666, at the head of 600 troops and 700 Indians, he made an incursion into the country of the Mohawks, who, with their usual sagacity, being unable to cope with so powerful an army, fled to the forests on their ap- proach, and left them to exhaust themselves in a contest with privation and hardships in the wilder- ness. After destroying their villages, corn and other products, M. de Tracy returned. Following this expedition, Oct. 13, 1666, the Iro- quois ambassadors of the Onondaga, Cayuga, Sen- eca and Oneida nations repaired to Quebec to re- quest a confirmation of the continuance of his majesty's protection, which was granted by divers articles on several conditions, among others, that the Hurons and Algonquins inhabiting the north side of the River St. Lawrence, up from the Es- ciuimaux and Bertamites into the great lake of the ' Relation tbbi—bb. Doc. Hist. New York. 1 New York Colonial History. Hurons, and north of Lake Ontario, should not be disquieted by the four Iroquois nations on any pre- text whatsoever, his Majesty having taken them un- der his protection ; and that on the contrary, the said Iroquois should assist them in all their necessi- ties, whether in peace or war ; that agreeably to their urgent prayers, there should be granted to them two " blackgowns." one smith and a surgeon ; that the King, at their request allow some French fami- lies to settle in their country ; that two of the prin- cipal Iroquois families should be sent from each of these four nations to Montreal, Three Rivers and Quebec ; that all hostilities should cease till the re- turn of the ambassadors with the ratification of the present treaty ; that the Mohawks, ( Guagenigro- nons,) having been informed of the estabhshment of the French on the River Richelieu, without send- ing ambassadors to demand peace, should be ex- cluded from the preceding treaty, his majesty re- serving unto himself the right to include them there- in, should he deem it fitting so to do, whenever they sent to sue for peace and his protection. The Mohawks acquiesced in the conditions of the treaty, but under circumstances which induced a behef in the lack of fidelity. The following year (July 31, 1667,) was con- cluded the Peace of Breda, between Holland, Eng- land and France. By it Acadia (Nova Scotia) was left to the French, and its boundary fixed, and the New Netherlands to the English. In 1668, a treaty of peace was signed between France and Spain, whereby Louis XIV. surrendered his claims to the Spanish Netherland, but was left in possession of much he had already conquered. A general peace now ensued ; but it was of short duration, for in 1669, the French and Iroquois were again at war. The harvests of New France could not be gathered in safety, and much suffering and the greatest con- sternation prevailed among the French colonists. Many prepared to return to France. Louis de Brande, Count de Frontenac, was appointed Gov- ernor and Lieutenant-General of Canada, April 6, 1672, and under his efficient management confi- dence was restored and a treaty of peace again rati- fied in 1673. In 1684, another rupture occurred between the French and Iroquois, the latter of whom (the Sen- ecas) in that year pillaged seven hundred canoes belonging to Frenchmen, arrested the latter to the number of fourteen and detained them nine days, and attacked Fort St. Louis, which was successful- ly defended.* M. de la Barre, who was then Gov- * Memoir of M. de la Bane, Paris Doc. II., Doc. Hist. I., 109. 42 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. ernor of New France, that year lead an expedition against the Senecas to punish them for this out- rage. But before he reached the Seneca's country a rumor reached him that, in case of an attack. Col. Dongan, Governor of New York, had prom- ised the Senecas " a re-enforcement of four hundred horse and four hundred foot." This so alarmed him that he decamped the next day. Sickness had made such inroads in his army "that it was with difficulty " he found a sufficient number " of per- sons in health to remove the sick to the canoes."* An expedition of such magnificent proportions, yet so barren of good results, brought censure upon M. de la Barre, and led to his supersedure the fol- lowing year by the Marquis de Denonville, who was instructed to observe a strict neutrality. Denonville thoroughly examined the situation, and, having reached a conclusion, he wrote his royal master that the reputation of the French among the Indians, whether friends or enemies, was absolutely destroyed by the ill-starred expe- dition of la Barre, and that nothing but a success- ful war could avert a general rebelhon, the ruin of the fur trade, and the extirpation of the French. He adds, in speaking of the enemies of the French colonists, " the Iroquois are the most powerful by reason of the facility they possess of procuring arms from the Enghsh, and in consequence of the num- ber of prisoners (esclaves) they daily make among their neighbors, whose children they carry off at an early age and adopt. This is their only means of increase, for in consequence of their drunken de- baucheries which impel them into frightful disor- ders, the few children their wives bear could not assuredly sustain them alone. * * * Their large purchases of arms and ammunition from the English, at a low rate, have given them hitherto all the advantages they possess over other tribes, who, in consequence of being disarmed, have been de- stroyed by the Iroquois. * * « Even the Enghsh in Virginia, have suffered and still daily suffer from them, but the gain of the merchants of Orange and Manatte is paramount to every public interest, for were they not to sell the Iroquois pow- der, that Nation could be more easily conquered than any other. It consists of five principal tribes, {villages) each of which has other small dependen- cies. The first calls itself Mohawk {Anic) and can muster 200 men fit for service. * * * -phe second is Oneida, ( Oneyoiist,) » * * ^\^q g^jj muster 250 men. The third is Onontague', * * it can muster 300 men. The fourth is Cayuga, * Memoir of il. de la Barre, Paris Doc. Hist., /., 109. [Goyoguoain) * * * which can furnish 200 men; and the Senecas (Sonontouans) are the fifth. The last consists it is said of 1,200 fighting men, and are five leagues south of the lake. The Senecas, being the strongest, are the most insolent. Their subjugation need never be expected except we be in a position to surprise them."* Louis responded with additional re-enforcements, and not only approved the war, but advised that Iroquois prisoners be sent to him for service as gal- ley-slaves. Denonville therefore determined to divert the Iroquois from their inroads among the river Indians by giving them employment at home; and especially to overawe and punish the Senecas. Accordingly, in the summer of 1687, he invaded them with about two thousand French and Indians. Having arrived at Irondequoit Bay, he constructed a paUsade for the protection of his bateaux and canoes, which was finished on the morning of July 1 2th. The re-enforcements ordered from Niagara arrived simultaneously with his own forces at the mouth of the bay. The Senecas appealed to Gov- ernor Dongan for aid, but he gave them only a quasi support. We quote from Denonville's report of this ex- pedition so much as is of especial interest to this locality : — " I 2th. After having detached 400 men to garri- son the redoubt which we had already put in con- dition of defense for the protection of our provi- sions, bateaux and canoes, we set out at 3 o'clock with all our Indian allies, who were loaded like our- selves with 13 days' provisions, and took the path leading by land across the woods to Gannagaro. We made only three leagues this day, among lofty trees sufficiently open to allow us to march in three columns. " 13th. We left on the next morning, with the design of approaching the village as near as we could, to deprive the enemy of the opportunity of rallying and seizing on two very dangerous defiles at two rivers which it was necessary for us to pass, and where we should undoubtedly meet them. We passed these two defiles, however, unmolested, no one appearing but a few scouts. * * * There still remained a third, at the entrance of said vil- lage. It was my intention to reach that defile in order to halt there for the night and to rest our troops, who were much fatigued in consequence of the extraordinary and sultry-heat of the weather; but our scouts havmg notified us that they had seen a trail of a considerable party, which had been in that neighborhood, in order that w? may call our troops together, M. de Calli^res, who was at the head of the three companies commanded by Tonty, de la Durantage and du Lhu, and of all>pur Indians, * Memoir of M. de Detwnville on the State of Canada, Nov. ii, ^685, Col Hist. IX., 281, 281. DENONVILLE'S INVASION OF THE COUNTRY OF THE SENEGAS. 43 fell about three o'clock in the afternoon, * * * into an ambuscade of Senecas, posted in the vicinity of that defile. They were better received than they anticipated, and thrown into such con- sternation, that the most of them flung away their guns and blankets, to escape under cover of the woods. The action was not long but the firing was heavy on both sides. ■Sli # flt- ■* 3lt " The severe fatigue of the march which our troops had undergone, left us in no condition to pursue the routed enemy, as we had a wood full of thickets and briars and a densely cov- ered brook in front, and had made no prisoners who could tell us positively the number of those that attacked us. Moreover, we had not sufficient knowledge of the paths, to be certain which to take, to get out of the woods into the plain. " The enemy, to our knowledge, left twenty-seven dead on the field, who had been killed on the spot, besides a much larger number of wounded, judging from the bloody trails we saw. We learned from one of the dying that they had more than eight hundred men under arms, either in the action or in the village, and that they were daily expecting a re-enforcement of Iroquois. "Our troops being very much fatigued, we halted the remainder of the day at the same place, where we found sufficient water for the night. We maintained a strict watch, waiting for daylight that " we might enter the plain which is a full league in extent before reaching the village. The Rev. Father Enialrau, missionary among the Outawas savages whom he had brought to us, was wounded in this action. It cost us also the death of five Canadians, one soldier, and five Indian allies, besides six militia and five soldiers wounded. "14th. — A heavy rain that lasted till noon next day, compelled us to remain until that time at the place where the action occurred. We set out thence in battle array, expecting to find the enemy entrenched in the new village which is above the old. We entered the plain however, without see- ing anything but the vestiges of the fugitives. We found the old village burnt by the enemy, who had also deserted the entrenchment of the new which was about three-quarters of a league distant from the old. We encamped on the height of that plain, and did nothing that day but protect our- selves from the severe rain which continued until night. "15th. — The Indians brought us two old men, whom the enemy had left in the woods on their retreat, and two or three women came to surren- der themselves, who informed us that for the space of four days, all the old men, the women, and children, had been fleeing in great haste, being able to carry with -them only the best of their effects. • * * One of the old men who had been of note in the village, * * * told us the ambush consisted of two hundred and twenty men stationed on the hill-side to attack our rear, and of five hun- dred and thirty to attack our front. * * * In addition to the above, there were also three hun- dred men in their fort, favorably situated on a height, into which they all were pretending to retire, having carried thither a quantity of Indian corn. * * * "After we had obtained from this old man all the information he could impart, he was placed in the hands of Rev. Father Bruyas, who finding he had some traces of the christian religion, » * * set about preparing him for the baptism, before turning him over to the Indians who had taken him prisoner. He was baptized, and a httle while after they contented themselves at our solicitation, with knocking him on the head with a hatchet in- stead of burning him according to their custom. "Our first achievement, this day, was to set fire to the fort of which we have spoken. It was eight hundred paces in circumference, well enough flanked for savages, with a retrenchment advanced for the purpose of communicating with a spring which is half way down the hill, it being the only place where they could obtain water. The remain- der of the day was employed in destroying Indian corn, beans and other produce. " i6th July. — We continued the devastation. Our scouts brought us from time to time the spoils of the fugitives found scattered in the woods. " In the afternoon of the same day, we moved our camp towards those places where corn was to be destroyed. A party of our Indians about whom we had been anxious, arrived in the evening with considerable booty, which they had captured in the great village of Totiakton, four leagues distant. They found that village also abandoned by the enemy, who on retreating had set it on fire, but only three or four cabins were consumed. "17th. — -We were also occupied in destroying the grain of the small village of St. Michael or Gannogarae,* distant a short league from the large village. "i8th. — Continued, after having moved our camp in order to approach some fields which were concealed and scattered in the depths of the for- est. " 19th. — Moved our camp in the morning from near the village of St. James or Gannagaro, after having destroyed a vast quantity of fine large corn, beans and other vegetables of which there re- mained not a single field, and after having burned so large a quantity of old corn that the amount dared not be mentioned, and encamped before Totiakton, surnamed the Great Village or the Vil- lage of the Conception, distant four leagues from the former. We found there a still greater num- ber of planted fields, and wherewithal to occupy ourselves for many days. * * * "20th. — We occupied ourselves with cutting down the hew corn and burning the old. "21st. — Went to the small village of Gannoun- ata,t distant two leagues from the larger, where all the old and new corn was destroyed the same day, *Gann0f^arnc or Gandougarae '«^J^ situated south of Ga««rt^rtr(?, near the site of East Bloomfield. ^Gannoiinata or Gannoudata, named on Clark's map as Gandachira- gon, the site of the mission of St. John, was located near East Avon. 44 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. though the quantity was as large as in the other villages. It was in this village that we found the arms of England which Sieur Dongan, Governor of New York, had caused to be placed there con- trary to all right and reason, in the year 1684, having antedated the arms as of the year 1683, although it is beyond question that we first discov- ered and took possession of that country, and for twenty consecutive years have had Fathers Fremin, Gamier, &c., as stationary missionaries in all these villages. " The quantity of grain which we found in store in this place, and destroyed by fire is incredible. * * * * " 2 2d. — We left the above named village to re- turn to Totiakton, to continue there the devasta- tion already commenced. Notwithstanding the bad weather and incessant rain, the entire day was employed in diligent preparation for our departure, which was the more urgent as sickness was increas- ing among the soldiers, the militia and the Indians, and provisions and refreshments were rapidly diminishing. Besides the impatience of the sav- ages to return with a great number of the sick and vvounded, gave us no hope of retaining them against their will, some having already left on the preceding day without permission. " 23d. — We sent a large detachment of almost the entire army * * » to complete the destruc- tion of all the corn still standing in the distant woods. "About 7 o'clock in the morning, seven Illinois, coming alone from their country to war against the Iroquois, arrived at the camp, as naked as worms, bow in hand, to the great joy of those whom Sieur de Tonty had brought to us. "About noon of the same day, we finished the destruction of the Indian corn. We had the curi- osity to estimate the whole quantity, green as well as ripe, which we had destroyed in the four Seneca villages, and found that it would amount to 350,- 000 minots * of green, and 50,000 of old corn — [1,200,000 bushels]. We can infer from this the multitude of people in these four villages and the great suffering they will experience from this de- vastation. "Having nothing more to effect in that country, and seeing no enemy, we left our camp in the af- ternoon of the same day to rejoin our bateaux. We advanced only two leagues. * * * " 24th July. We reached our bateaux after marching six leagues. We halted there on the next day, the 2Sth, in order to make arrangements for leaving on the 26th, after we had destroyed the redoubt we had built." Denonville then repaired to Niagara, and con- structed a fort in the angle of the lake, on the Seneca side of the river. He left a hundred men under the command of Sieur de Troyes to garrison it, provisioned it for eight months, and returned with his army. This fort was so closely besieged *A minot is equal to three bushels. by the Iroquois that nearly all the garrison perished by hunger. The Iroquois were alarmed at this bold incur- sion into the country of the strongest nation of their league, and applied to Governor Dongan of New York, for protection. A council was held in the City Hall at Albany, August 5, 1687, at which the Five Nations assigned as the probable reason of Denonville's invasion, "that wee have given our land and submitted ourselfs to the King of Eng- land, which we confirmed solemnly when the Gov- ernor of Virginia was with you here," three years previously. They added, "It is true, wee warr with the farr Nations of Indians, because they kill our people, and take them prisoners when wee goe a beaver hunting, and it is our custom amongst In- dians to warr with one another ; but what hath the Christians to doe with that to join with either one side or the other ? O Brethren, you tell us the King of England is a very great King, and why should you not joyne with us in a just cause, when the French joynes with our enemies in an unjust cause; Brethren, wee see the reason of this, the French would faine kill us all and when that is done they would carry all the Beaver trade to Canada, and the great King of England would loose the land likewise, and therefore, O Great Sachim beyond the Great Lake, awake and suffer not those poor Indians that have given themselfs and their lands under your protection to bee destroyed by the French without cause."* Governor Dongan wrote to the Lord President, requesting instructions as to what course he should pursue in this emergency, adding in his letter on that occasion : " Those five nations are very brave and the awe and Dread of all ye Indyans in these Parts of America and are a better defense to us than if they were so many Christians."! On the loth of November, 1687, he was in- structed to afford them protection. J He advised them not to make peace with the French, and prom- ised them supplies of arms and ammunition. But Denonville called a meeting of the chiefs of the Five Nations at Montreal, for the purpose of arranging terms of peace, and they decided to send representatives for that purpose. In this year, 1687, the English colonists of New York resolved to avail themselves of the peace which then existed between the English and French, by virtue of the treaty of neutrahty of Nov. 16, *Col. Hist. III., 442. tCol. Hist., III., 429, 4J0. t Col. Hist., Ill-, S03. WARS BETWEEN THE IROQUOIS AND FRENCH. 45 1 586, to attempt a participation in the fur trade of the upper lakes. They induced the Iroquois to liberate a number of Wyandot or Huron captives to guide them through the lakes and open a trade with their people, who were then living at Michili- mackinac. The party, which -was led by Capt. McGregory, was intercepted and captured by a large body of French, and their goods distributed gratuitously among the Indians. The lake Indians, who had favored the project, by reason of the high price and scarcity of goods, now became anxious to disabuse the French of the suspicions their actions had engendered, and to prove their fidelity to them. To this end Adario, a celebrated chief of the Wyandots, shrewd and wily in his plans, and firm and courageous in their execution, led a party of one hundred men against the Iroquois. Stop- ping at Fort Cadaraqui for intelligence which might guide him, the commandant informed him of the impending peace negotiations, that the Iroquois embassadors were expected at Montreal in a few days, and advised him to return. But perceiving that if this peace was consummated, it would leave the Iroquois free to push their war against his nation, Adario resolved to prevent it, and waylaid, sur- prised and killed, or captured the Iroquois em- bassy, with the forty young warriors who guarded them. By dissembling he fully impressed his cap- tives with the behef that the treachery, of which he was made the unwitting instrument, was instigated by Denonville. With well-simulated indignation he looked steadfastly on the prisoners, among whom was Dekanefora, the head chief of the Onondagas, and said : " Go, my brothers, I untie your bonds, and send you home again, although our nations be at war. The French Governor has made me com- mit so black an action, that I shall never be easy after it, until the Five Nations have taken full re- venge. He then dismissed them, with presents of arms, powder and balls, keeping but a single man, an adopted Shawnee, to supply the place of the only man he had lost in the engagement.* The Iroquois were deeply incensed and burned to revenge the base treachery. They refused to listen to amessage sent by Denonville disclaiming any partici- pation in the act of perfidy. On the 5th of August, 1689, fifteen hundred Iroquois warriors landed, with the stealth and deadly purpose of enraged tigers, on the upper end of the island of Montreal, and pursued their murderous work without any- thing to impede them. They burned houses, sacked plantations and massacred men, women * Colden. and children of the French inhabitants to the num- ber of two hundred, and retired with more than one hundred and twenty prisoners. November 13th following they visited the lower part of the island with an equally deadly scourge.* These incursions were incalculably disastrous to the French interests in Canada and reduced the colonies to the most abject despondency. Their minds were filled with the fear of foreboding ills. They burned the two barks they had on Cadaraqui (Ontario) Lake and abandoned the fort at Cada- raqui. They designed to blow up the fort, and hghted a match for that purpose; but in their fright and haste they did not wait to see that it took effect. The Iroquois, hearing of the destruc- tion of the fort, took possession of it. The match the French lighted went out without igniting the train. They found twenty-eight barrels of powder, besides other stores. These disasters to the French soon spread among their Indian alUes, already disgusted with la Barre's miserable failure, and whose confidence the questionable success of Denonville had not restored. The French influence over them was greatly lessened, while the dread of the Iroquois was measurably increased. Many sought an alli- ance with the English, with whom this misfortune to the French enabled them to open a trade; and they would have murdered the whole French col- ony to placate the Iroquois, "and would certainly have done it," says Colden, " had not the Sieur Perot, with wonderful sagacity and eminent hazard to his own person, diverted them." The French colony was in a most pitiable condi- tion, for while the larger proportion of the men had been engaged in the expedition against the Senecas, in trading with the Western Indians, and in mak- ing new discoveries and settlements, tillage had been neglected. Several thousand of the inhabi- tants had been killed. The continual incursions of small parties of the Iroquois made it hazardous to go outside the forts ; they were liable at any time to sacrifice their scalps to a lurking savage, to have the torch applied to their cabins, and the toma- hawk fall upon the defenseless heads of their wives and children. Their crops were sown in constant fear, and were often destroyed before they could be gathered. To add to the horrors of their situa- tion, famine was rapidly decimating those who had escaped the hatchet of the revengful Iroquois, and threatened to put a miserable end to their existence. "Col. Hist. IX., 419. 4!', 4!4, 4!S- 46 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. But this deplorable condition was destined to a favorable and most unexpected change, toward which the bitter animosities and divided counsels of the English colonies, growing out of the Revolu- tion in England at this time, which resulted in the accession of the Prince of Orange to the throne, contributed in no small measure. The Count de Frontenac, whose previous management of the col- ony had been eminently wise and satisfactory, was again appointed Governor, May 21, 1689, and though he had arrived at an age when most men pre- fer a retired hfe to the onerous burdens of State, he entered upon his duties with such energy and manifest wisdom as to revive the flagging spirits of the colonists, notwithstanding the impending dan- ger of a war with the English colonies which soon ensued. He arrived on the second of October 1689, and at once commenced an effort to nego- tiate a peace with the Iroquois, having learned by sad experience that they could not hope to gain by the continuance of war with them. He was the more anxious to effect a peace with them, as the French then had a war on their hands with the EngHsh, which was declared that year. Faihng in this, he hoped to terrify them into neutrality, and for this purpose, and to lessen the influence with the Enghsh with them, he fitted out three expedi- tions that winter, one against New York, another against Connecticut, and a third against New Eng- land. It was a hazardous undertaking at that sea- son of the year, but the desperate condition of the French colonists demanded heroic treatment. The first expedition was directed against Sche- nectady, which was sacked and burned, on the night of February 9, 1690, only two houses being spared, that of Major Sander, (Coudre,) from whom the French had received good treatment on a for- mer 'occasion, and that of a widow, with six chil- dren, to which M. de Montigny, one of the leaders of the expedition, was carried when wounded. They spared the hves of some fifty to sixty old men, women and children, who escaped the first fury of the attack, and some twenty Mohawks, "in order to show them it was the EngHsh and not they against whom the grudge was entertained." The loss on this occasion in houses, cattle and grain, exceeded 400,060 livres.* There were up- wards of eighty weU -built and well-furnished houses in the town." They returned with thirty prisoners, loaded with plunder, and with fifty good horses, only sixteen of which reached Montreal, the rest having been killed on .the road for food. They *A French coin, now superseded by the franc, equal to li}i cents, lost one Indian and one Frenchman in the attack on the town, and nineteen on the return march.* This disaster at Schenectady so disheartened the people of Albany, that they resolved to abandon the place and retire to New York. Many were packing up for that- purpose, when a delegation of Mohawks who had come to condole with them on the loss, on hearing of their design, reproached them and urged them to a courageous defense of their homes. This passage in our colonial history fills us with humiliating reflections, when we con- trast the supineness of the English colonists, arising from the bitter dissensions incident to the governmental changes which the recent revolution wrought, with the magnificent energies exerted by the French colonists under the energizing influence of the sagacious Frontenac. Our admiration is not less challenged by the heroic conduct of the Iro- quois, who, notwithstanding French intrigues and Jesuitical influence, combined with an exasperat- ing Enghsh apathy, which appeared willing to sac- rifice these savage but noble alUes, kept firmly to their early allegiance Count de Frontenac, encouraged by the answer made to his former message, renewed his eff'orts to bring about a peace with the Iroquois ; but they compelled his embassadors to run the gauntlet and then delivered them over as prisoners to the Eng- lish. Foiled in this, he endeavored to prevent the peace which the Iroquois were on the point of making with the Utawawas and Quatoghies. The Iroquois continued to harrass the French in small bodies and kept them in constant alarm. In the summer of 1691, New York and New England concerted an attack by a combined land and naval force. The former, under command of Major Peter Schuyler, was directed against Mon- treal ; and the latter, consisting of thirty sail, under command of Sir William Phips, against Quebec. Both failed of the ultimate object for which they set out; though Schuyler inflicted a heavy loss upon the enemy, killing three hundred, which ex- ceeded his entire command,! having seventeen killed and eleven wounded of his own forces. But finding the enemy vastly more numerous than he expected he was obliged to retire. The naval attack was illy directed and proved an ignoble fail- ure. It was Ukewise attended with considerable loss, both in men and material, without inflicting much damage on the enemy, who, with ordinary * Paris Document IV. Doc. Hist. I , 297. The English account places the number killed at 60, and the number taken prisoners ^7, including several negroes. — Ibid. \C olden. FRONTENAC'S INVASION. 47 promptness and prudence, might have been routed. The Iroquois, however, continued their stealthy raids, which were more dreaded and really more destructive to the French interests than the more imposing efforts of their EngUsh aUies. The French were prevented from tilling the ground, or of reaping the fruit of what they had sown or planted, and a famine ensued, " the poor inhabi- tants," says Golden, "being forced to feed the soldiers gratis, while their own children wanted bread." The French fur trade was also stopped by the Iroquois, who took posession of the passes between them and their allies, the western Indians, and intercepted the traders and others passing over these routes. Count de Frontenac was pierced to the heart by his inability to revenge these terrible incursions of the Five Nations. His desperation drove him to the commission of an act which must have been as revolting to him in his normal condition, as it was barbarous. He condemned two Iroquois prisoners to be burned pubUcly aUve, and would not be dis- suaded from executing the sentence. One of them, however, killed himself with a knife which was thrown into his prison by "some charitable person." June 6, 1792, the Iroquois entered into a formal treaty of aUiance and friendship with Major Rich- ard Ingoldsby, who assumed the Gubernatorial office of New York on the death of Golonel Henry Sloughter, July 23, 1691. The speech of Cheda, an Oneida sachem, on that occasion, is a rare piece of pathetic eloquence. The French colonists having been obliged to re- main so long on the defensive, were becoming des- pondent, so that Gount Frontenac felt it imperative to undertake some bold enterprise to restore con- fidence. He therefore planned an expedition against the Mohawks, and as it was necessary to surprise them, it was undertaken in the winter, when it would be least expected. Jan. 15, 1693, a force of six hundred to seven hundred French and Indians, under command of three captains of the regulars, started with snow-shoes from la Prairie de Magdaleine, and after a long and perilous march through the forests, surprised and captured three of the Mohawks' castles, in only the latter and largest of which did they meet with any resistance. They returned with about three hundred prisoners, and though pursued by a party of Albany miUtia and Mohawks to the number of about five hun- dred, hastily gathered and commanded by Major Peter Schuyler, and reduced to such extremity for want of food that they eat their shoes, they escaped with the loss of eighty men killed and thirty-three wounded. This successful raid greatly alarmed the English settlers and dispirited the Iroquois, who saw that surprises could be made by their enemies as well as themselves. The latter were now more incUned to listen to the French proposals of peace, and having been the greater sufferers by the war, were quite anxious that it should cease. The years 1693-4 were spent in efforts to nego- tiate a peace between the French and Iroquois, which the English endeavored to prevent. The three intermediate nations, influenced by the Jesuit priests, were more inclined thereto, than the Sene- cas and Mohawks. The Senecas held the French in abhorrence, and were not so much influenced by the Jesuits; while the Mohawks were the near neighbors of the English, and much influenced by them in favor of continuing the war, although they had been the greatest sufferers from it. These negotiations failed and Governor de Fron- tenac now resolved to coerce them to submission, to that end made arrangements to attack the Mo- hawks with the whole force of Ganada. But learn- ing that the Mohawks had been advised of his in- tention by an escaped prisoner, and the prepara- tions that had been made to repel him, he changed his plan, and instead sent three hundred men to the neck of land between lakes Erie and Cadara- qui, the usual hunting place of the Iroquois, hoping to surprise them while carelessly hunting, and at the same time to observe the condition of Fort Gadaraqui, which was found to be better than was expected. In the summer of 1695, he sent a strong force to repair and garrison the fort, which then took his name. This fort was of great advantage to the French from its proximity to the beaver hunting grounds of the Iroquois, thus enabhng the garrison to make incursions on them when so en- galged. It was also important to the French trade with the western Indians, as a place of deposit for supplies ; and not less so as a place of refuge in time of war with the Iroquois. The French also succeeded in putting a stop to the peace negotia- tions then progressing between the Iroquois and Dionondadies ; but in order to accompUsh that end perpetrated an act of cruelty, which, for fiend- ishness, parallels anything in the annals of Indian horrors. But notwithstanding the French oppo- sition a treaty was concluded covertly soon after. The treaty of Ryswick, while it established peace between the English and French, left unsettled a question with regard to the Iroquois. The French, 48 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. while they insisted on including their own Indian allies in the terms, were unwiUing to include the Iroquois, and made preparations to attack the lat- ter with the whole force of Canada ; but the Eng- lish as strenuously insisted on extending the terms of the treaty to their allies, and Earl Bellraont notified Count de Frontenac that he would resist an attack on the Iroquois with the whole force of his government if necessary. This put an end to French threats, and the question of sovereignty over that nation was relegated to commissioners to be appointed pursuant to the treaty. But the ques- tion arose in another form, with regard to the ex- change of prisoners. The French insisted on ne- gotiating with the Iroquois ; but the English refused to yield even by implication, the right of sover- eignty which they claimed, and demanded that the exchange be made through them. The Iroquois refused to negotiate independently of the English, and thus the French were obhged to yield the point.* Peace, such as had not fallen upon the wilder- ness of the New World since the Europeans added their conflicting interests to the field of savage con- tests, prevailed at the opening of the eighteenth century; for not only had the Europeans and their alUes ceased to war, but the Indians themselves had buried the hatchet. It was of short duration, .. however ; for with the succession of Anne to the English throne, on the death of King William in March, 1702, the war of the Spanish succession, or Queen Anne's war, was inaugurated and con- tinued till the treaty of Utrecht, April 11, 17 13. Although New England was ravaged with ruthless hand. New York scarcely knew its existence ; not- withstanding the Province was put in a condition for defense. Not until after the treaty of Utrecht did the set- tlements in New York make much progress, owing to the massacres that in King William's war were committed by the French and their Indian allies on the outskirts of the settlements. At its con- clusion, or soon after, settlements in the Mohawk were begun. By that treaty the French engaged not to attack the Five Nations, who were acknowl- edged to be the subjects of Great Britain, and a free trade with them was guaranteed to both Eng- land and France. The Iroquois, being thus debarred from continu- ing their predatory raids on the northern and western Indians, extended their conquests in the South, *Thi5 question was not fully settled till the treaty of Utrecht, April il, 171J, by which the French surrendered all claims to the Five Nations who were acknowledged to be subjects of Great Britain. and chastised their old enemies, the Flatheads, liv ing in Carolina. While on this expedition the' adopted into their confederacy the Tuscaroras, North Carolina, one of the most powerful Indiar nations of the South, who, in resisting the encroach ments of the proprietaries of Carohna, who assignee their lands to the German Palatines, were almos destroyed in their fort on the River Taw, Marcl 26, 1 7 13, having lost eight hundred in prisoners who were sold as slaves to the allies of the Enghsh They became the sixth nation of the Iroquois con federacy, which was afterwards denominated by th( English, the Six Nations. They were assigned ter ritory in the country of and in close proximity tc the Oneidas. From 1774 to 1748, the French and Engtisl were again at war, which was concluded by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, April 30th, 1748, which virtually renewed the treaty of Utrecht. The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was very imperfect as it left unsettled many important questions whid must sooner or later demand adjustment. The contest was renewed in 1755. The French, imme diately after the cessation of hostilities, had enterec upon the vigorous prosecution of a pohcy inaug urated by them as early as 1731, of connecting the St. Lawrence with the Gulf of Mexico by a chain o forts, and by the end of 1753, had a connectec line of forts from Montreal to French Creek ir Pennsylvania. The completion of the fort or French Creek provoked the resentment of Virginia and a force was sent out by that colony undei Major George Washington, with instructions "tc make prisoners, kill or destroy all who interruptec the English settlements" in the invaded territory The success was only temporary, for Washingtor was soon compelled to capitulate within the feebk breastworks of Fort Necessity. The EngUsh colonies were wholly unpreparec for the vigorous onslaught with which the Frencl followed the overt act of Virginia; and being divi ded in their counsels— lacking centralization — i required some time to collect themselves and ti interpose an effectual resistance. Among the eai liest measures concerted were four expeditioni planned by General Edward Bullock, the first ti effect the complete reduction of Nova Scotia, th second to recover the Ohio Valley, the third t expel the French from Fort Niagara and form junction with the expedition to the Ohio, and th fourth to capture Crown Point. The latter wa entrusted to Col. Johnson, who was to have th militia of New York, Massachusetts and Connee ESTABLISHMENT OF THE "PROPERTY LINE.' 49 ticut and the warriors of the Six Nations. He con- vened the latter in council at Mount Johnson on the 2ist of June, 1754, hoping to induce them to join the expedition; but with all the art he was master of, he could obtain little else than excuses. Hendrick and his Mohawks, with here and there a warrior from the other nations, to the number of fifty, left Albany with him on the eighth of August. At the "carrying place'' some two hundred war- riors joined him, giving him, with the militia, a force of about thirty-five hundred men. The French, marching in about equal force to Oswego, were called back and sent, under Baron Dieskau, to the defense of Crown Point. Leaving the larger portion of his forces at that fort, Dieskau pushed on to attack Fort Edward, cut off Johnson's retreat, and annihilate his army. Misled by his guides, he found himself on the road to Lake George, and only four miles distant from Johnson's encamp- ment at Ticonderoga. Leaving his position, John- son detached one thousand men and two hundred Indians to bring on an engagement. The oppos- ing forces met on the 8th of September. Finding the French too powerful, the English fell back to Ticonderoga ; the French pursued and resumed the battle under the walls of Johnson's position. After a severe engagement of four hours the French re- treated. The losses on both sides were heavy, that of the English being one hundred and fifty- eight killed, including King Hendrick and thirty- eight of his warriors, ninety-two wounded and sixty- two missing ; while that of the French was between three and four hundred. Johnson was wounded slightly, and Dieskau mortally. The French retreat was unmolested; Crown Point was not reduced.* For the most part the remainder of the war was a prolonged and sanguinary contest with the savage aUies of the French, which brought the war to the doors of the colonists and gave them ample work to defend their homes. The border settlements of Pennsylvania were especially afflicted by this deso- lating scourge. The war, which for many years threatened dis- aster to the English, finally resulted in their favor, ■and was concluded between the English and French, by the treaty of Paris, in 1763, leaving England in possession of Canada and the territory west of the Mississippi. It was continued, however, with un- abated fury two years longer by the Indians under Pontiac, king of the Ottawas, who in the summer of 1762, formed a league to drive the English from the country. •Ruttenber. Following the cessation of hostilities, territorial disputes arose between the various Indian tribes and the colonies, to adjust which. Colonel John- son, in 1765, proposed the establishment of a line which should be recognized alike by the Indians and the English as a boundary beyond which neither should pass. To this the Indians assented ; but its execution was delayed till the irritation of the Indians under the aggressions of European immi- gration, became threatening and alarming. The Senecas, smarting under these aggressions, and the humiliating treaty they had been forced to make, said by a large belt to the Lenapes and Shawanoes in 1768: "Brethren, these lands are yours as well as ours; God gave them to us to Hve upon, and be- fore the white people shall have them for nothing, we will sprinkle the leaves with blood, or die every man in the attempt." Finding that the matter could not longer be safely delayed, a conference was called at Fort Stanwix, and the treaty by which the boundary line was established was concluded Nov. 5, 1768. This line, which was long known as the " Property Line," is indicated on a map accompanying the treaty. This treaty was ratified by Sir WiUiam Johnson in July, 1770. But this action did not long suffice to preserve inviolate the Indian territory. The influx of new settlers and the avarice of traders led to encroach- ments which soon provoked complaints and gave rise to apprehension on account of the Senecas. At a Congress of the Six Nations at Johnson Hall, in June and July, 1774, a Seneca orator complained that the whites and traders encroached upon their territory, followed their people to their hunting grounds with goods and liquor, " when," he said, " they not only impose on us at pleasure, but by the means of carrying these articles to our scattered people, obstruct our endeavors to collect them.'' " We are sorry," he added, " to observe to you that your people are as ungovernable, or rather more so, than ours.'' The continued and alarming encroachments on the Indian domain prepared the way for the hostil- ity which characterized the action not only of the Iroquois, but also the western Indians, against the colonists during the wai of the Revolution, which soon followed. The Indians had adopted a settled and well-understood policy, involving resistance to further encroachments ; and the Iroquois, who had hitherto preserved a uniform friendship towards the colonists, now, with the exception of the Oneidas, Tuscaroras, and possibly a few others, opposed them. Eighteen hundred of their warriors allied so HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. themselves with the British,* and only two hundred and twenty, with the colonists. The atrocities of of the former under the leadership of the redoubt- able Brant, will long be remembered by both New York and Pennsylvania. The long hst of Indian and tory atrocities 'on the border settlements of New York and Pennsyl- vania, including the terrible massacres of Wyom- ing, Cherry Valley and Minnisink, determined the action of Congress in projecting the successful ex- pedition of General Sullivan in 1779 — ^an expedi- tion of paramount importance in its bearing on the subsequent settlements in Central and Western New York — and directed especially against the country of the Senecas, which the tories and their allies made a place of rendezvous, and from which issued forth many a band of stealthy, prowling sav- ages, an'd not less vindictive tories, to visit death and destruction upon the outlying settlements of the colonies. Appeal after appeal went up from the exposed and desolated homes on the frontier, and though they reached the ears of Congress, that body was too deeply engrossed with other duties and its re- sources too heavily taxed to render the needed succor. They did not, however, fail to receive the attention and serious consideration of those guardi- ans of the nation's weal, though the censure with which some authors have visited them and the accusation of culpable dilatoriness may not be en- tirely unmerited. It is fair to presume that they, in common with the general public, were lulled into a partial sense of security by the anticipated aid from French alliance. Not so, however, with the ever vigilant Washington, who had busied himself with plans to put an end to this desolating warfare — plans which he lacked the means to execute. The general inactivity which, in 1779, supervened the unconsummated mihtary projects, owing to the failure of expected French aid the previous season, seemed to offer a favorable opportunity to strike a decisive blow against these border depredators — a measure which was made more imperative by the horrible massacre of Wyoming the previous sum- mer, in which Queen Esther, a Seneca half-breed, distinguished herself by the conspicuous part she took in those fri ghtful orgie s, f Washington urged * Ruttenber says there were not more than eight hundred engaeed at anytime. Chnton says there were 1,580. tCatharins Montour, the Queen Esther of the Senecas, was a half- breed, a native of Canada, and a putative daughter of one of the French Governors, ' probably," says Lossing, "of Frontenac." Her superior mind gave her great ascendancy over the Senecas, among whom she was indeed a Queen. At Wyoming she "assumed the ofEce of executioner and, using a maul and tomahawk, passed around the ring of prisoners' who had been arranged at her bidding, deliberately chanted the son? of death and murdered her victims to its cadences in consecutive order ''— Losstng and Ruttenher. its importance on the attention of Congress, and on the 25th of February, 1779, was directed by that body to protect the inland frontier and chas- tise the Senecas, thus seconding the efforts which the New York governor had put forth. Having determined upon the expedition, Wash- ington tendered its command to General Gates, who declined the service "in a letter by no means creditable to himself or courteous to his superior."* It was finally entrusted to Major-General John Sullivan, who was instructed on the 31st of May to assemble the main body of his army at Wyom- ing, then recently devastated by Brant and Butler,| and proceeded thence to Tioga and onward into the heart of the Indian settlements. " The mode of fighting," says Hamilton, "was such as Wash- ington's early experience would suggest 'to make rather than receive attacks, attended with as much impetuosity, shouting and noise as possible, and to make the troops act in as loose and dispersed a way as is consistent with a proper degree of gov- ernment, concert and mutual support. It shall be previously impressed upon the minds of the men, whenever they have an opportunity, to rush on with the war whoop and fixed bayonet. Nothing will disconcert and terrify the Indians more than this.' "\ " The immediate objects of the expedition were set forth at large : they were, the total devas- tation and destruction of the settlements of the Six Nations, as well as of their adherents and asso- ciates, and the capture of as many prisoners as possible of every age and sex."§ The country was not merely to be over-run, but destroyed; and he was not to listen to any proposals of peace until this was thoroughly done. General Sullivan's army consisted of three divi- sions : one from New Jersey, under command of Brigadier-General WiUiam Maxwell; another from New England, under command of Brigadier-Gen- eral Edward Hand ; and the third from New York, under command of Brigadier-General James Clin- ton. The New Jersey and New England divisions marched from Elizabeth, N. J., via Easton, to Wyoming, where General Sullivan awaited the re- ceipt of supplies for his army, which were not only poor in quality, but insufficient in quantity, so that, on his arrival at Wyoming, he was constrained to write, " of the salted meat on hand, there was * American Biogra^hy^ New Serus, Sparks^ III. 127. t Hamilton's History of the Republic of the United States, I-, 54!, 544- Col. Wm. L. Stone says it is doubtful whether Brant was at any time in company with thij, expedition, and certain that when the battle occurred he was many miles distant. — Life of Joseph Brants I., 5]S. t Hamilton's History of the Republic of the United States, I., 54!, !44' § American Biography, New Series, Sparks, III., 127. SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION. SI not a single pound fit to be eaten." A delay of several weeks was occasioned, says Dr. Gordon, "through the villainy or carelessness of the commis- saries." Sullivan has been widely censured for his extravagant requisitions on the board of war, and the tardiness in supplying them provoked from him unequivocal complaints, which subjected him to the retaliatory strictures of that body, and, whether justly so or not, to a general feeling of dissatisfac- tion.* Washington became impatient, fearing the delay and the publicity it gave would imperil the success of the movement. He had repeatedly enjoined Sullivan to "move as light as possible, even from the first onset," adding, " should time be lost in transporting the troops and stores, the provisions will be consumed, and the whole enterprise may be defeated. Reject every article that can be dis- pensed with ; this is an extraordinary case, and re- quires extraordinary attention. "f While General Sullivan was wrestling with these embarrassments, Col. Van Schaick, with six hun- dred men from Fort Schuyler, on the 21st of April, 1779, surprised the Onondagas, destroyed their vil- lage, provisions and munitions of war, killing twelve and taking thirty or forty prisoners, and returned within three days without the loss of a man. Having at length completed his arrangements General Sullivan left W)'oming on the 31st of July, and moved his army, consisting of thirty-five hun- dred men, up the east side of the Susquehanna. In transporting the baggage and stores, one hun- dred and twenty boats and two thousand horses J were employed. The boats were propelled up the stream by soldiers with setting poles, and were guarded by troops. The provisions for the daily subsistence of the troops were carried by horses, which threaded the narrow path in single file, and formed a line about six miles in length. They ar- * Says Bancroft, who sharply criticises his conduct during the entire ex- pedition, he "made insatiable demands on the Government of Pennsyl- vania," and "while he was wasting time in finding fault, writing strange theological essays, the British and Indian partisans near Fort Schuyler surprised and captured 29 mowers. Savages under Macdonell laid waste the country on the west bank of the Susquehanna, till the Indians, by his own report, ■• were glutted with plunder, prisoners and scalps.' Thirty miles of a closely settled country were burned. Brant and his crew con- sumed with fire all the settlement of Minnisink, one fort excepted. Over a party of a hundred and fifly men, by whom they were pursued, they gained the advantage, taking more than forty scalps and one prisoner." —History of tite United States, X., ijc— 2jz. t Bamro/t's History of the United States, X., 2)0—231. X Many of the horses furnished for the expedition were quite unservice- able, and some fifty were shot in the locality of Horseheads, being un- able to proceed further. The heads of these abandoned horses were after- wards gathered by the Indians and placed beside the route of the army— a circumstance from which the village of Horseheads derives its name. Many of the cattle furnished Sullivan were in even worse condition ; some, it is said, being unable to walk, while others could not even stand. rived at Tioga Point on the nth of August. The Indians had collected in considerable numbers at Athens, but on the arrival of the army, awed and dismayed by its formidable appearance, they yield- ed their stronghold with only a few inconsiderable skirmishes. The following day a detachment was sent forward to Chemung, twelve miles distant, and after dispersing a body of Indians, with the loss of seven of their number, destroyed the village, and rejoined the army the next day. Here a fort was built and named in honor of the commander of the expedition, and here the army awaited the arrival of the forces under General Clinton. General Clinton collected his forces at Canajo- harie. He endeavored to induce the Oneidas and Tuscaroras to join the expedition ; and his efforts would doubtless have proved successful, as he at first supposed they were, but for an address, written in the Iroquois language, and sent them by Gen- eral Haldimand, then Governor of Canada, which discouraged all but a few Oneidas from sharing in it. Bateaux to the number of two hundred and twenty, which had been constructed the previous winter and spring at Schenectady, were taken up the Mo- hawk to the place of rendezvous, and from thence transported by land to Otsego Lake, a distance of twenty miles. Each bateau was of such size that in its transit from the river to the lake, four strong horses were required to draw it, and, when placed in the water, was capable of holding from ten to twelve soldiers. About the first of July, Clinton proceeded with his troops to the southern extremity of the lake, and there awaited orders from General Sullivan. He had previously scourged the Mohawk country and destroyed every village, with a single excep- tion,* which was spared at the solicitation of home- less frontier settlers, who begged that they might occupy it until they could procure other shelter. The villages of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras were also spared. In the meantime he constructed a dam across the outlet, in order to make the passage of the river feasible and rapid. He waited through the whole of July for orders from General SulHvan, who, immediately on his arrival at Athens, dis- patched a force of eight hundred men under Gen- eral Poor, to form a junction with Clinton and with him rejoin the main army at that place ; but not until the 9th of August was the dam torn away and the flotilla committed to the bosom of the river *The castle of "Praying Maquas," at the Schoharie Creek, consisting of four houses. 52 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. thus suddenly swelled, which afforded a current not only sufficiently deep to float the bateaux, but at Oquaga and other places overflowed the river flats, and destroyed many fields of corn belonging to the Indians. At Oquaga, Chnton's forces were aug- mented by a detachment under Col. Pauling, and at the mouth of the Choconut, about thirty-five miles from Athens, they met the detachment of Sullivan's army under General Poor. On the 22nd of August they formed a junction with the forces under Sullivan, which then numbered some five thousand men. What emotions must have swelled the swarthy bosoms of the Iroquois at the sight of this formida- ble hostile array, which portended to them the de- struction of their loved homes and the breaking of the sceptre by which they had so long held the Su- premacy of this vast territory ; and coming too, in a dry season, on the bosom of a river swelled much beyond its ordinary dimensions. So much was it invested in mystery that little resistance was offered to the advancing foe. The Indians fled from their homes and cultivated fields, in many of which, it was remembered by those who participated in the expedition, corn was growing . in abundance and great perfection, and cautiously watched their progress from the neighboring hills. On the 26th of August, after the junction between Sullivan's and Clinton's forces was effected, the whole army proceeded up the Chemung River. In the vicinity oi Newtown* (Elmira,) where the In- dians under their trusty leader, Brant, were con- centrated, a battle was fought on the 29th, and its issue hotly contested for two hours, when the enemy, to avoid being surrounded, fled from their works and retired before the victorious army. The battle-field was well selected by the Mohawk war- rior, and evinced the sagacity and military tact with which he is credited. The enemy numbered about one thousand, including three hundred or four hundred rangers under Walter Butler, who had chief command. Their loss is unknown ; but they left seventeen dead on the field. Sullivan sustained a loss of three killed and thirty wounded.f General Sulhvan's army spent the night in New- town, where it remained encamped the next day, a part of which was occupied in burning the village and destroying the corn and other things from 'Authors differ as to the exact locality of this battleT^StomTlnTis Z,!/e ^/^ ^ra»/!, says it occurred at Elmlra: Wilkinson, in his AnnaJs 0/ Binghamton, fixes the locality at a distance of six miles below that place, nearly opposije Wellsburg, in which opinion he is generally con- firmed by modern writers; while others designate a mile below Newtown as the locality. t Dm?y of Dr. Jahez CampfieU, a Surgeon in Sullivan's army. which the enemy might hereafter draw subsistence. " The Indians shall see," said Sullivan, " that we have malice enough in our hearts to destroy every- thing that contributes to their support," and most effectually did he execute that purpose, leaving in his path a scene of desolation and woe. Here it was ascertained that the supply of pro- visions the army had was inadequate for its subsis- tence for a period sufficiently long to enable it to accomplish the objects of the expedition. Gen- eral Sullivan announced the fact in a public order, at the same time declaring that he had used every effort to obtain a sufficient supply, but without suc- cess.* He appealed to the patriotism of his army, and proposed as an expedient to shorten the allow- ance, to which both officers and men "almost unanimously" acceded, offering to subsist on a half pound each of flour and bread per day, " a striking instance of the virtue of the army."! On the night of the 30th, the wounded, together with four of the heaviest pieces of artillery and all wagons were sent back to Tioga, and on the 31st, the march was resumed. On the night of Sep- tember ist, they arrived at Catharinestown, distant three miles from and near the southern extremity of Seneca Lake. The march during the latter part of this day was so difficult, says Dr. Campfield, as not to " admit of description, it being totally dark and through a thick swamp." Sullivan " arrived at the entrance of this swamp late in the afternoon and was strongly advised not to venture into it until the next morning ; but he persisted, and a mira- cle only prevented his obstinacy from bringing de- struction upon his men . Som e of the defiles through which he had to pass, were so narrow and danger- ous that a score or two of Indians might have suc- cessfully disputed the passage against any number of men. The night was exceeding dark, the men wearied, scattered and broken, and ready to die rather than move on ; but the Indian scouts who had been sent to watch them, having retreated as soon as it was dark under the full persuasion that no General in his senses would attempt such a road by night, the defiles were fortunately unguarded, and the General arrived with his wearied army about midnight at the town."t Sulhvan's action in this instance has subjected him to adverse criti- cism, perhaps not unjustly ; but while he was per- tinacious in pursuing a pohcy dictated by his judg- ment, he can scarcely be charged with obstinacy in ^ American Biography, Sparks, III, 139. t Diary 0/ Dr. Jabez Campfield. %AlUn, II., 278. SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION, 53 the sense in which it is used in the quotation. It is fair to presume that he was not wholly ignorant of the dangers attending so difficult a passage, but that his guide, a Presbyterian minister, who was a resident missiortary at Canidesego, was conversant with them j and that, with his intimate knowledge of Indian character and warfare, he doubtless fore- saw that while it might be undisputed at such a time, its advantageS-as a means of defense would not be likely to escape observation by the vigilant Brant, who, without hazarding an engagement, had kept a close watch upoii his advancing enemy, and might reasonably be. expected to contest in the day time a passage, which, under the most favorable circumstances, could only' be forced at a great sac- rifice of life. The undertaking was certainly a hazardous one — seldom wacranted ; and while an error in judgment might have entailed irretrievable disaster, the sequel proved that what the enemy regarded an insuperable obstacle was a sure defense, if not the salvation of Sullivan's army. Sullivan •was keenly ahve to its perils ; for at its conclusion he is said to have remarked that he would not repeat it for the honor of a command. The rear guard, however, under Clinton, did not venture to cross until the following day. y Catharinestown, with its thirty houses, some of them quite good, was laid in ashes and its orchards and growing crops of corn, beans' and other vege- tables destroyed. On the way the small settle- ment of Knawahola was destroyed, together with the cornfields around it, and a detacfiinent was sent forth fo extend the circle of devastation. The march was resumed on the third, the army pro- ceeding north on' the east side of Seneca Lake. On the 4th the little village of Apple Town was destroyed, and on the sth a village variously named Kendia, Thendara and Canidesego. was reached. It presented the appearance of an old village and contained "■ about twenty decent houses,"* " four or five small framed houses,"! and some of them painted, but "nasty beyond descri]^tion."f All were burned ; and the apple trees, which were large and of many years growth, destroyed. The corn and beans were gathered by the troops; but the cornstalks and grass about the town was not suffi- cient for the horses and cattle, which strayed away, thus preventing a, resumption of the march till the following afternoon. Colonel Gansevoort's ser- vants having missed their way took a path which led them to Cayuga Lake, where they burned a *5pit\i.'% American Biography, New Series, III., 140. ^Ci)l.Hist.,\lU.,lii-(>. t Diary 0/ Dr. Jabez Campfield, deserted village. On the 7 th, the army forded the mouth of Seneca Lake, destroyed a small village a little beyond it, and three miles further on entered the village of Kanadaseaga, the capital of the Sene- cas, located a mile and a half west of the village of Geneva, which the Indians had deserted but a short time previously, Kaingwanto, the chief of the village, having it is supposed, been killed at the battle of Newtown. This was a large and impor- tant town, surrounded by numerous apple and other fruit trees, and a few acres of cleared land covered with grass.* The cornfields, which were extensive, were situated some distance from the town. All these evidences of wealth and comfort were sub- mitted to the torch and the avenging hand of deso- lation, which spread with " dreary uniformity" over the entire country. Great quantities of corn, beans and other vegetables were found here. The apple trees at this place were twenty to thirty years old. A few old apple trees which have since grown up from the stumps of those cut down still mark the site of this once populous Indian village. Here the army found a Kttle white boy "about two years old," in whom the officers took great interest. He was doubtless the sad remnant of a desolated frontier home. He was almost famished and had to be restrained from over- eating. Though he could un- derstand English he could speak only Indian. He died of small pox a few months after the return of the expedition. On the Sth, while the army lay in camp. Colonel Smith was detached with two hun- dred men to destroy the village of Gothseunguean, called by some of the journalists Kashong, a name perpetuated in that of Kershong Creek. It was situated on the west side of Seneca Lake, seven miles south of Geneva, contained about fifteen houses, compact, and "tolerably well built," and a great quantity of "potatoes, apples, peaches, cucum- bers, watermelons, fowl, &c.," besides corn. From Kanadaseaga, on the 9th, the invalids were sent back to Tioga under an escort of fifty men, commanded by Capt. Reid, who was ordered to forward supplies for the army on its return to Kanawaholla. The army resumed its westward march on the afternoon of this day and the next day reached Shannondaqve or Kanandaigiia, situ- ated about a mile west of the lake of the same name, whose outlet they forded. This village, which occupied the site of the west part of the vil- * Rev. David Craft, in a Historical A ddress delivered at the Centen- nial Celebration at Geneseo, Sept. i6, 1879, said this village contained fifty houses. The Diary of Dr. Jabez Campjield, says there were about fifty ; Sparks' A mericau Biography, says there were about sixty. 54 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. lage of Canandaigua, consisted of twenty-three houses, elegant and mostly framed, some log houses, large and new. The rear guard of the enemy had so recently left that their fires were found burning. The torch was applied to the buildings and the army encamped about four o'clock in the after- noon among the cornfields about a mile further west. Fatigue parties were at once detailed to de- stroy the crops, which was pretty thoroughly accom- plished before dark. On the nth the army pro- ceeded to the Indian village of Angiiyca, (Hon- eoye,) situated at the foot of Honeoye Lake, on the east side of the outlet, near the site of the present village of Honeoye. This village consisted of eleven houses,* and about it were five cornfields, " affording abundant forage for the stock and food for the men." When Sullivan's riflemen entered it, a few Indians just made their escape, leaving their packs and blankets behind them and their potatoes roasting in the fire. On reaching Angayea, Sullivan estimated that he was within twenty-five miles of his destination, Chenussio, the great town of the Senecas. He issued four days' rations and extra ammunition to his men, and, with what baggage a few of the strongest horses could carry, pushed on by more rapid marches toward this objective point ; leaving the remainder of the stores, horses and cattle, and one piece of artillery f at Angayea, under the protec- tion of Capt. John N. Gumming, of the 2nd New Jersey regiment, and fifty good men, to whom were added all the invalids, or, as one journalist ex- presses it, says Mr. Craft, " the lame and lazy," to the number of two hundred and fifty. Capt. Cum- ming at once set about fortifying his position. He selected the largest and strongest log house in the town, pierced it with loop holes, and strengthened its walls with bags of flour and boxes of ammunition, while with the apple trees cut down he constructed about it a strong abatis. The little fortress thus improvised the men named Fort Cumming, in honor of its gallant commander. Sunday noon, Sept. 12th, the army left Angayea, an earlier advance having been prevented by a heavy thunderstorm, and after a journey of eleven miles " over a body of excellent land," even the hills being good, and bearing much chestnut tim- ber, the advance encamped about sunset " in the open wood a mile and a half or two miles from * Rev. Mr. Cvaft says, "about twenty." The above is the number designated in the Journal of M.\jor James Norris, an oificer in Sullivan's army. t Diary of Dr. Jabez Campfield and Jmirtial of Major James Nor- ris. Rev. Mr. CTAh[CeHtemtial Historical Address) says two pieces of cannon were left here. Kanaghsaws* (Conesus,) an Indian village con- sisting of eighteen houses, on the east side of Conesus Inlet, a short distance from the head of Conesus Lake, and about a mile north-west of Conesus Center, on the north and south road cross- ing the McMillan farm. The main part of the army, being impeded by the rain, encamped nearly two miles north, on the flats south-west of Foot's Corners.f The route of the army this day was acoss the outlet of Hemlock Lake and thence in a south-westerly direction to the head of Conesus Lake, entering the town of Conesus near the old residence of Charles Hitchcock, crossing the main road between South Livonia and Conesus Center near the residence of Mrs. ElizathMc Vicar; thence to the flats below now owned by Hiram Boyd, J and following these to site of the residence of the late Nathaniel Cole.§ " George Grant says that a fine stream of water ran through the town, and that an enterprising negro called Captain Sunfish, who had acquired considerable wealth and influence, resided here." || It was also the home of a Seneca chief named Big Tree, who was a useful friend of the colonists during the Revolution, and a leading adviser in the treaties and councils of the Senecas ; but who finally yielded to the universal sentiment of his nation in their enmity to that cause. Presi- dent Dwight says, that while Big Tree, in company with other Indians, witnessed from a commanding height the destruction of his possessions by Sulli- van's army, one of his companions observed, " You see how the Americans treat their friends ! " He calmly replied, " What I see is only the common fortune of war. It cannot be supposed that the Americans can distinguish my property from yours, who are their enemies." After the war Big Tree lived in the town of that name on the west side of * This village is variously named Adjuton, {CrafVs Historical Ad- dress, ) Cannehsawes, {Diary of Dr. fahez Campfield, ) Koneghsaws, {Spark's American Biography., which says it contained twenty-five houses,) and Katieysas or Yucksea, {Journal of Major James Norris, which says it contained eighteen houses, situated on an excellent inter- vale.) t "The local tradition that Hand took the road through Union Comers and encamped on the L. B. Richardson farm at the False Faces is not mentioned in any journal and is without doubt incorrect." Rev. David Craft's Centennial Historical Address. tUpon these flats a few years ago a son of Mr. Boyd plowed up a copper plate in a good state of preservation, supposed to have been worn upon the hat of one of Sullivan's soldiers. It was in the form of a dia- mond, about five inches square ; in the center was a raised eagle, carrying in its talons a bunch of arrows, and at the top comer the inscription, "U. S. Riflemen." The lower comer was destroyed by the finder before he knew what it was. — Pioneer Sketches of Conesus No. z. — The Dansville Advertiser, February lo, 1876. § A few years since Mr. Cole found upon the flats below his residence a pair of bullet molds, capable of molding twelve ounce balls at a time.— Pioneer SketcJtes of Conesus No. 2.— The Dansville A dvertiser, Feb- ruary 10, 1876. II Craft's Centennial Historical Address. SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION. 55 the river near the great bend. He died at his lodgings in Philadelphia, in 1792, after a few hours sickness resulting from over-eating, and was buried thereon the 22nd of April with something Hke public honors.* In this vicinity occurred the most tragic events connected with this eventful expedition, and as the further progress and operations of the army were mostly limited to territory now embraced in Liv- ingston county a detailed account of them seems warranted. We quote, therefore, from the admir- able address of Rev. David Craft, before referred to.f " When General Sullivan reached his encamp- ment near Kanaghsaws, he supposed that he was near the great Seneca town on the Genesee river and accordingly sent Lieutenant Boyd to recon- noitre it. This town, which some of the journals refer to, was generally known as Chenussio, though not in existence at the time of the cam- paign, yet bears such an important relation to it, and Sullivan's mistake in regard to its existence was attended with such serious consequences, that a few words of explanation are necessary. "As early as 1750 and as late as 1770, this great town was on the east site of the Genesee river, near its confluence with Canaseraga creek, on the site of ancient Williamsburg. ' It appears on the Guy Johnson map of 1771, as Chenussio, as Connecchio on the Ponchot map of 1758, in both cases at the point described. Cammerhoff and Zeisberger visited it in 1750, calhngit Conness- chio, describing it as containing forty large huts. Mary Jemison, in her narrative, mentions the fact of its being on the east side of Genesee river and south of Fall Brook. * * * There is no men- tion in any journal of a town at this point in 1779, on the other hand, Col. Dearborn says expressly that the General expected to find the great Gene- see town a mile and a half from Gaghehegwalehale and on the east side of the river, but upon recon- noitering found it was five miles distant and on the other side of the river. { Keeping this fact in mind will enable us to understand the movements about to be related. All day on the 12th the In- dians had been so near that their tracks were fresh on the path and the water was roiled through which they had passed. Reaching Kanaghsaws a little after 7 o'clock in the morning it was discovered that the inlet ran through a soft miry bottom sev- eral rods in width over which one could go on foot, but where it would be impossible to take the pack horses and artillery, the enemy having destroyed *Craft^s Centennial Historical Address t and yournal of Major Jatnes Norris; tX^o Spark's American Biosraphy., New Series, III., 146, Note. tThis address is published in full in Tke Livingston Republican of Sept. 18, 1879. + Major Norris' Journal corroborates this statement fully ; and Dr. Campfield's Diary says in referring to this village discovered by Boyd, and which Major calls Gagliehegwalchale, " we expected this would be the end of our labor, but we are mistaken, we are again to march on." the bridge across the stream.* The General, therefore, detailed a part of the army to destroy the town and cornfields, and the other part to aid the pioneers in building a corduroy causeway across the marsh and in repairing the bridge. It was near noon when the large cornfields had been laid waste and the bridge completed, and the army ready to resume its march. In the meanwhile events of a most serious character had been tran- spiring in the front. * * * " * * * Just west of the inlet and bounding the slough over which the army was compelled to make the road, is a ridge of considerable height, running north and south, whose eastern slope is so steep that one can climb straight up it with diffi- culty ; the path winding obliquely along its face, which is broken by several ravines. " After the battle of Newtown, Butler with the main part of his army retired to Canawaugus, the site of the present Avon, where he remained until the 1 2th of September, when learning by his scouts the approach of Sullivan to Kanaghsaws, and knowing the difficulty in crossing the morass, deterr mined if possible to surprise that portion of the army which should first cross the bridge and put them to flight before the remainder could come to their assistance. The place was admirably chosen and the plan skillfully made. For this purpose Butler and Brant with their forces left Canawau- gus early in the morning and posted themselves near the crest of the ridge, which was covered with open woods, but at a sufficient distance north of the path to escape the observation of Sullivan's advance guard. They were within musket-shot of the creek, and could observe every movement of our army, while they themselves were entirely con- cealed. It was at this place that the incident mentioned of Big Tree occurred. Here the enemy anxiously awaited the advance of our army. " When General Sullivan ordered Boyd to recon- noiter the great Seneca town, he was directed to take five or six men with him, and report at headquarters as early as sunrise the next morning. He took however twelve riflemen, six musketmen of the 4th Pennsylvania Regt., and six volunteers, who, with himself, and Hanyerry, an Oneida Indian guide, and Capt. Jehoiakim, made twenty-seven men in all. The party left camp at eleven o'clock in the evening and set out on the trail leading to the great town. Owing to his misinformation, Sul- livan's directions had been confusing. It was found the principally traveled trail took a different direc- tion than the commander had expected. Boyd did not lose his way,t but instead of taking the unused path which would have led him to the abandoned Chenussio, took the one which led to an important town two miles farther up the Canaseraga. In the darkness he had passed Butler's right flank without * The inlet " then extended over the flats south of the main road that crosses the same. The exact location of the bridge is not known, but is supposed to be south of the highway and to have been nearly two-thirds of a mile in length." — Pioneer Sketches of Conesus No i, — The Dans- ville Advertiser, February lo, 1876. t Sparks^ A merican Biography says '* his guides, not fully acquainted with the country, mistook the route. 56 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. either party discovering the other. Boyd reached the town which had been left by the enemy, early in the morning without encountering any difficulty. Halting at the outskirts of the village, himself and one of his men carefully reconnoitered the place, when they rejoined the rest of the party which lay concealed in the woods near the town. He imme- diately sent back two of his men to report his dis- covery, while the rest awaited the light of the day whose morning was just breaking. In a short time four Indians were seen to enter the town on horse- back, and Boyd sent five or six of his party to take or kill them. They succeeded in killing one, wounding another, and taking one horse with its accoutrements. The wounded man with the others escaped. Boyd then sat out to return to camp. When he had gone four or five miles, thinking the army must be on its march toward him, he sat down to rest. After a short halt he dispatched two of his men to inform the General where he was, and of his intention to await the coming of the army. In a short time these two men came back to him with the information that they had discov- ered five Indians on the path. Boyd again resumed his march and had gone but a short distance when he discovered the same party and fired at them. They ran and Boyd, against the advise of Han- yerry, pursued them. The chase was kept up for some distance, they keeping far enough away to escape danger from the fire of the scout which they frequently succeeded in drawing, until they had beguiled him in the midst of the enemy. Butler, hearing the firing on his right, as his force was arranged facing Conesus, and fearing that he had been discovered, and that an attempt was being made to surprise his camp, hastened to the spot, when he discovered Boyd's party, and at once gave such orders that before the Lieutenant was aware of the presence of the enemy he was completely surrounded by them. Once and again he attempted to break the enemy's line but without success ; he then attempted to retreat, but he was encompassed on all sides by Butler's forces. Our men fought with desperate bravery against fearful odds, for there were about eight hundred of the enemy* to twenty- six Americans, and every moment expected relief from our army from whose lines they were not more than a mile distant. Covered by a clump of trees standing on a slight knoll they poured a mur- derous fire upon the enemy, of whom numbers were seen to fall. Here the greater part of Boyd's party were slain. At this point the body of Hanyerry was found Hterally cut to pieces. The story of the theatrical address of his brother and his tragic end, as related by Stone and followed by others, lacks both confirmation and probabihty ; on the other hand he was found with the others who fell with him, which would not have been the case had he been captured before he was slain. Near the same spot, fifteen of Boyd's men were found killed. Boyd and his sergeant, Parker, were captured, and eight escaped ; among the latter was that noted scout, Timothy Murphy, an account of whose hair- • Major Norrissays the number of Boyd's assailants was joo. breadth escapes and deeds of reckless daring would fill a volume ; others were Elerson, McDonald, Garret Putnam and Captain Jehoiakim, a Stock- bridge Indian.* Boyd and Parker were hastened to Little Beard's town, where they were put to death with cruel tortures. It is said that Boyd approached Brant under the sign of a Free Mason, of which ancient fraternity both were members, that the chieftain recognized the bonds of brotherhood and promised his prisoner protection, but being unex- pectedly called away, the captives were handed over to Butler, (probably Walter N.,) who, exasperated at Boyd's refusal to give information concerning the numbers and disposition of Sullivan's army, handed the heroic Lieutenant over to the Indians to be put to death. How much of this story is true is diffi- cult to ascertain ; it is, however, extremely doubt- ful if any such transaction occurred. All that is known is that the bodies of Boyd and Parker were found by our troops the next day, horribly mutilated, and bearing marks of having been subject to un- speakable tortures. "Sullivan had estabhshed a line of sentries along the base of the hill next the morass, to guard the pioneers against surprise while repairing the bridge and causeway. Capt. Benjamin Lodge, who was the surveyor for the expedition, and with chain and compass had measured the entire route from Easton, about a half an hour after the skirmish with Boyd, had gone a short distance up the hill beyond the piquet line, where he was set upon by a party of Indians. " Thomas Grant, who was one of the surveying party, thus tells the story : — " 'Myself and four chain carriers, who were about one and [a] half miles in advance of the troops, were fired on by several Indians who lay in ambush ; a corporal by the name of Calhawn, who came vol- untarily with me, was mortally wounded and died the next day. The Indians pursued us a fourth of a mile, but without success — we being unarmed were obliged to run.' " Mr. Lodge was compelled to leave his compass and ran toward the nearest sentinel, who shot the Indian who was chasing him with uplifted toma- hawk and Mr. Lodge escaped. Campfield says they were the Indians who were pursuing Murphy and others.! These two affairs disclosed the posi- tion and force of Butler, and thwarted his plans to surprise the army. Gen. Sullivan ordered Hand's brigade to cross the morass, push up the hill and dislodge the enemy. Butler on returning to his position after the affair with Boyd found his force in confusion, who, seeing they were discovered, beat a hasty retreat, leaving their hats, packs, etc., behind them. Butler withdrew his force to Gaghe- hegwalchale. " Having destroyed Kanaghasaws, and com- pleted the bridge and causeway, Sullivan with the *Dr. Campfield says "our loss in killed and taken was sixteen and tlie officer."' Sparks says Boyd was dangerously wounded before being cap- tured and "was put to death with the most inhuman torture. t Dr. Campfield adds, one of the surveyor's men was wounded and all his instruments taken. SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION. 57 main army, pushed forward on the trail taken by Boyd the night before, a distance of seven miles to Gaghehegwalchale or Gathsegwarhohare, Cassa- waughloughly. This was an Indian town of twenty- five houses,* mostly new, on the east side of the Canaseraga Creek, about two miles above its con- fluence with the Genesee. The site is now occu- pied by the house and surrounding grounds of the ' Hermitage,' the ancestral home of the CarroUs. The tribes residing here, called by Sullivau, Squat- chegas, by the Onondagas, Tchouera-gak, signify- ing wild cats ; and by others Kah-Kwas, were the same that afterward settled on Squakie Hill, to whom two miles square were reserved in the treaty of 1797. They were a remnant of one of the tribes of the historic Eries. * * * " As the advance of the army approached this town about dusk of Sept. 13th, they found them- selves confronted by a strong force of Indians and Rangers, drawn up in battle array, to dispute their farther progress. The General at once began to make the proper disposition of his troops to attack them, and pushed forward the flanking divisions to cut off their retreat, but before the troops were in position, the. enemy retreated in a precipitate man- ner, and the army encamped in the town without opposition. There were extensive cornfields ad- jacent to the town, which it took two thousand men from six until twelve o'clock of the r4th to destroy, when they set out for the great town of the Gen- esee. At two and one-fourth miles they crossed the creek, then says Dr. Campfield, we 'advanced on to a plain, throughaswamp of large trees. * * * This plain appeared to be about two miles in length and upwards of a mile wide, lying almost east and west. [Approaching it] on the east end, the view was obstructed by a hill, not very high, but when we approached the middle of the plain, we found it open to the right to an amazing extent. When we came nigh the hill mentioned before, our march was obstructed by the Genesee River, which takes its course through the hills, and at this place enters this extensive plain. * * * The grass on this plain is good, the wild horses are very fond of it, and it grows as high as a man's head in many places. Here we had a charming view of our army, which is the first, all moving in our original order of march. The army here crossed the river and ascended the hill — it continued its progress to Geneseo, over several sudden hills and swamps which were general [ly] miry, if not three rods across, at which place it arrived about sunset. * * * The town is situated on a very fine plain, higher than the other large plain. Other journals speak of it as being in a bend of the river, f by which it was nearly encircled, and that a pretty brook of good water ran through it. The location of this great Seneca Castle was on the west side of the Genesee River, on the flat immediately in front of Cuylerville in the town of Leicester, on the oppo- * Major Norris' yournal says it contained twenty-lwo houses. t See Major Norris' Journal', which, as well as the Diary of Dr. Campfield, says it was much the largest town the army met with. The latter adds, "a pretty brook of water runs through it." site side of the valley from Geneseo. It appears on Evan's map as Chenandoanes ; in 1776, it was called Chenondoanah ; by Morgan is called De-o- nun-da-ga-a, as a more modern Seneca name, sig- nifying ' where the hill is near ;' and is often called Little Beard's town, from the name of the noted Seneca Chieftain. The Castle consisted of one hundred and twenty-eight houses, of which most were large and elegant, and was surrounded by about two hundred acres of cornfields, with every kind of vegetable. It was also the western door of the Long House, to which the Iroquois were ac- customed to liken their confederacy. Near this place were found the bodies of Lieut. Thomas Boyd and Sergeant Parker, horribly mutilated by the tortures to which they had been subjected in the presence of an officer of the British army. They were buried with the honors of war, that evening, near the spot where they were found, under a clump of wild plum-trees, standing near the junction of Boyd's and Parker's creeks, which form what is ^nown as Beard's creek. A large mound by the road-side still marks their first burial place. Our army found the town deserted, but with every ap- pearance of being left in a hurry and confusion. This marked the extreme limit of the march of the army. " There was an Indian town, called Canawaugus, twelve miles from the Great Castle, near the site of Avon, which has been reported to have been destroyed by a detachment under Poor and Max- well, but this is a mistake. AH the journals agree that Little Beard's town was the last town destroyed and make no mention whatever of Canawaugus. "At 6 o'clock on the morning of the 15th of September, the whole army was turned out to destroy the crops, orchards and houses of the place. The corn was piled up in the houses and burned with them, or thrown upon log heaps and consumed. It was estimated that more than 15,000 bushels were destroyed at this place.* It was the largest corn the troops had ever seen, some of the ears being twenty-two inches in length. It was about 2 o'clock when the fields had been overrun, tlie abundant harvest destroyed, the trees hewn down, and nought of the great town re- mained but smoking ruins, and blackened logs ; then came the joyful order to about face and re- turn. While the army was in this town Mrs. Lester with a child in her arms came to our troops. The autumn previous, (Nov. 7th,) her husband with others, was taken by the Indians to Nanticoke ; he was slain but his wife was carried into captivity. In their haste to leave the town her captors left her behind, when she escaped to our lines. Her child died in a few days. She subsequently became the wife of Captain Roswell Franklin, who was among the very first settlers at Aurora, N. Y. " The army set out on its return by the same path it came, at 3 o'clock p. m, * ** * [and] encamped that night on the flats near Canawagh- loughly. On Thursday, the i6th, the army were * Maior Norris estimates the quantity of corn destroyed at 20,000 bushels. 58 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. early at work, finishing cutting some corn which had been left, and resumed the march about ten o'clock. Captain Henderson with sixty men was detached to bury the dead who fell in the affair at Groveland. Fifteen bodies were found, which were buried in the presence of the army with the honors of war,* and the army proceded to Kanagh- saws, where it encamped. The next morning was cold with severe frost, but the troops were in mo- tion as early as sunrise and hastened to Haneyaya, which they reached at one o'clock, and found Capt. Cummings and party safe and sound, greatly to the relief of the General and their friends. Here the full ration was again issued, which, says one of the journals, ' came very welcome, as we can now sit down and eat a hearty meal of victuals with a clear conscience, and before, on our half allowance, we dare not.' "On the evening of the 19th the army reached Kanadaseaga, without any occurrence worthy of note, except that scattered dwellings and fields of corn which had been overlooked or purposely spared were completely destroyed, and a number of pack horses being unable to go farther were shot. At Kanadaseaga, Colonel Smith with a de- tachment was sent up on the west side of Seneca lake to lay waste more effectually the country about Kershong. Detachments under Colonel But- ler and Colonel Dearborn were sent on each side of Cayuga lake to complete the ruin of that region. On Friday, the 24th of September, the army reached KanawalahoUa, the site of Elmira, where it found Captain Reid with an abundant supply of provisions, and who received the approaching army with demonstrations of joy. The next day was spent in rejoia'ng, and the following days detach- ments underColonel Courtlandt and Captain Simon Spaulding were sent up the Tioga, who devastated the country as far as Painted Post. On the 30th of September the army returned to Fort SuUivan, and reached Easton on the 15th of October." Efforts have been made to disparage the man- agement of this expedition and belittle its results ; but it is remarked by the translator of M. Chastel- let/x's Travels, an EngUshman then resident in the United States, that the instructions given by Gen- eral Sullivan to his officers, the order of march he prescribed to his troops, and the disciphne he had the ability to maintain, would have done honor to the most experienced ancient or modern generals.f * In 1841, these remains, together with those of Lieutenant Boyd and Sergt. Parker, at Cuylerville, were exliumed and removed to Revolution- ary Hill, in the beautiful Mount Hope Cemetery of Rochester, a spot assigned by the authorities of that city for the interment of all Revolution- ary heroes in Western New York, and there reinterred with imposing ceremonies, which were participated in, besides the people of Livingston county, by the military and civic authorities of Rochester. This action was in consonance with a decision of a public meeting held at the court house in Geneseoon the 14th of August, 1S41, and under the supervision of a committee then designated, consisting of Colvin H. Bryan, William T. Cuyler, Daniel H. Bissell, Reuben Sleeper, John Henderson, Horatio Jones, John R. Murray, jr., Allen Ayrault, Samuel Treat, jr., Edward R. Hammatt, William W. Weed, Wm. H. Stanley and Daniel P. Bissell. t Thatcher's Miliiary ymtrnaL With a " loss of less than forty men, in killed wounded and taken, and those who died natural deaths,"* it over-run and desolated the vast terri- tory of a vigilant, crafty and powerful enemy and inflicted a blow from which they never recovered ; burning forty Indian towns, destroying one hun- dred and sixty thousand bushels of corn in fields and granaries, cut down a vast number of the finest fruit trees, desolated luxuriant gardens, leaving not a " single trace of vegetation upon the surface of the ground," and opened up to commerce and civilization a territory exceeding in extent one-third of the area of this great State, and that the most fertile and beautiful. The proud Iroquois, who had scarce felt the touch of the colonists except in kindness, were driven into the forests to starve and be hunted Uke wild beasts ; their altars were over- turned, their graves trampled upon by strangers, and their beautiful country laid waste.f The terror- stricken Iroquois fled to Niagara, where they per- ished in large numbers from diseases caused by the absence of accustomed food, and insufficient pro- tection from the severity of the succeeding winter, which was one of unexampled rigor and was dis- tinguished as the hard winter. X The result of the expedition was highly satisfac- tory to Congress, which, on the 14th of October, 1779, passed the following resolutions: — Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be given to his Excellency, General Washington, for direct- ing, and to Major-General Sullivan and the brave officers and soldiers under his command, for effect- ually executing an important expedition against such of the Indian nations, as, encouraged by the counsels and conduct of the officers of His Britan- nic Majesty, had perfidiously waged an unpro- voked and cruel war against these United States, laid waste many of their defenseless towns, and with savage barbarity slaughtered the inhabitants thereof. Resolved, That it will be proper to set apart the second Thursday in December next, as a day of general thanksgiving in these United States, and that a committee be appointed to prepare a recom- mendation to the said States for this purpose. This retributive justice suggested by Washington and executed by Sullivan was indeed terrible in its consequences to the Iroquois, and has been re- garded with some degree of disapprobation by those whose amiable disposition leads them to con- demn, says Chief Justice Marshall, "whatever may have the appearance of tending to aggravate the miseries of war;" but it had the sanction of Con- * Diary of the A inerican Revolution, Frank Moore. \ Indian Tribes of Hudson's River., Ruttenber. XSpark's American Biography, Ne'w Series, IH., 147. THE IROQUOIS AFTER THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 5^ gress, and, says Sparks, " was demanded as well as justified, by the deliberate sentiments of the best and wisest " of that day. It should not be over- looked either that it was directed not against an en- emy who regarded and respected the common usages of civilized warfare, but against one whose heteroclit- ical habits made him amenable to none of these, and, says Sparks, " against whose fury neither the helplessness of infancy, nor feeble age, nor the de- fenseless state of woman, could afford the least protection." Of the Iroquois, who, says Clark, "hung like the scythe of death in the rear of our settlements," and whose " deeds are inscribed with the scalping- knife and tomahawk in characters of blood," but few ever returned to their native lands ; and in the treaty of peace which put an end to this interne- ciary struggle, no stipulation whatever was made respecting them. Keenly sensible of the deadly scourge which had devastated her border settle- ments, the New York Legislature evinced a dispo- sition to expel them from her territory, but, through the influence of Washington and Schuyler, better and more humane counsels prevailed ; and, though according to common usage they, as conquered allies of the British, had forfeited all territorial rights, they still pressed claims, which both the State and Federal Governments generously recognized and respected by subsequent treaties. Ungenerously left without provision by the allies who so strenu- ously courted their assistance, many of them mi- grated to the West. Their descendants are now largely located at Forestville, Wisconsin, where they are said to number six thousand, of whom the Cayugas form the larger part. Two thousand of their number can read and write, and they have twenty-nine day, and two manual labor schools. They support themselves by agriculture and dis- play their superiority over the other tribes in the arts or civilization in as marked a degree as they did in the prowess of their savage warfare. They are not dying out. Their numbers rather increase than diminish. Not so unmindful of the Iroquois, however, was the Federal Government. At the conclusion of the Revolutionary war, Oliver Wolcott, Richard But- ler and Arthur Lee were appointed commissioners to amicably adjust their rights and claims, and at a council held at Fort Stanwix in 1784, reservations were assigned to each of the Six Nations, except the Mohawks, who after residing awhile on the American side of the Niagara river, in the vicinity of the old landing place above the fort, retired to the banks of the Onise or Grand river, about forty miles above Niagara Falls, on lands assigned them by the Canadian Government, under the protec- tion of Great Britain. January 9, 1789, St. Clair held treaties at Fort Harmer with the Iroquois (the Mohawks excepted,) and other Indians, which, while they recognized the boundary line estabUshed in 1784, modified that treaty so as to concede to the Indians the right to compensation for lands east of that line as far as the boundary established in 1768. Special legislation had been previously had with regard to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras. October 15, 1783, Congress passed a series of reso- lutions relating to the Iroquois, of which the sixth reads as follows : — " Whereas, The Oneida and Tuscarora tribes have adhered to the cause of America, and joined her armies in the course of the late war, and Con- gress has frequently assured them of peculiar marks of favor and friendshij), the said Commissioners are therefore instructed to reassure the said tribes of the friendship of the United States, and that they may rely that the land which they claim as their inheritance will be reserved for their sole use and benefit, until they may think it for their advantage to dispose of the same." CHAPTER V. The Senecas — Their Origin and Symbols — An- tiquity AND Extent of their Country — Their Status among the Iroquois — Their Early Town Sites — Greenhalgh's Journal — The Senegas Visited by I^a Motte, Hennepin AND La Salle — Mission of Sieur deJoncaire — Jesuit Missions ^ — -Jogues' Mission to the Mohawks — LeMoine's Mission at Onondaga — Chaumonot Establishes the Mission of St. Joseph among the Cayugas and the Mission of St. Michael among the Senegas — Missions of Fathers Fremin, Raffeix and Garnier — Seneca Mission Resumed by Fathers Garnier and Vaillant — Fathers Bruyas and Fene- LON — Episcopal Missions — New England Missions — Rev. Samuel Kirkland — Mission- ary Societies of Massachusetts and New York. THE origin of the Senecas, like that of the con- federacy to which they belonged and the other nations composing it, is ascribed to supernatural agencies. It rests wholly on tradition reaching back to a dim and misty past, which affirms that 6o HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. they sprang from the crest of a mountain near the head of Canandaigua Lake, which is still venerated by a remnant of the tribe as the place of their birth- This eminence they designated Geimandewahgah, or Goananonda, (mtaxvmg great hill, or big moun- tain ;) and hence they were called the g/ral ///I/ or big mountain people, and their armorial device was a big mountain* This till a recent day and tradi- tionally from a long remote period, was the place where the councils of the nation were held. In their infancy, the base of this mountain, so tradition alleges, was encircled by a huge serpent whose head and tail met at the entrance to the pathway which led to and from its summit, and few who essayed the passage escaped its voracious jaws. They were thus immured till fright and the deadly feted odor of the poisonous monster made their condition insupportable; and arming themselves with such weapons as were at hand, they attempted an escape, but were seized and devoured. All thus perished except two children, who were miraculous- ly preserved and as miraculously made the instru- ments of the destruction of this terrible enemy of their race. In obedience to oracular instruction they fashioned from a particular kind of willow a bow and arrow, the barb of which was dipped in poison, and with this weapon shot the serpent, the arrow, by divine direction, entering its vitals beneath its scales. The serpent was instantly seized with violent convulsions, uncoiled itself from about the mountain, and in its agonized writhings and con- tortions disgorged the human heads, which rolled down the declivity to the lake, whose limpid waters petrified them and reveal them to this day in the shape of large round stones, which exist in great numbers, near the bank of the lake. The serpent in its descent to the lake .destroyed in its death- throes all the timber in its course ; and the trav- eler as he passes through Canandaigua Lake, will observe as he approaches the great hill, a gully ex- tending from base to summit, which the Indians claim was the track left by the serpent in its de- scent to the lake. From the two orphans thus preserved sprang the present race of Senecas.f The Senecas had no tradition of a people occu- pying their country prior to themselves, and which was held in .possession by them from a period " whereof the memory of man runneth not to the * Life and Thnes of Red Jacket, in. Col. Hist., VIII., 506. ZIoc. Htst.,I,z\. It IS also designated Simntdozoanne, (Col. Hist IV. 90s,) and Souendaouannen, (Col. Hist.. III.. ,25,) the former meamng the great hi.l" and the latter " the great mountain." t Life and Times 0/ Red yacket, in-i.j. Seaver's Life of Mary •Jeniison- "^ contrary."* One of the first allusions to them by the Europeans occurs in a Jesuit Relation dated 1644-45, and is as follows : " Toward the termi- nation of the great lake called Ontario is located the most numerous of the Five Nations, named the Senecas, which contains full 1,200 men, in two or three villages of which it is composed." Their country, indeed, had been referred to incidentally a century earlier. Jacques Cartier was informed in 1535. by the Indians hving upon the borders of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, " that, after ascending many leagues among rapids and waterfalls, he would reach a lake one hundred and fifty leagues long and forty or fifty broad, at the western extremity of which the waters were wholesome and winters mild, and that a river emptied into it from the south, which had its source in the country of the Iroquois."t In 1726, their country is described as extending from Canahogue Creek (Cuyahoga Creek, Ohio,) to Sodoms Creek (Little Sodus Creek,) J the very gran- ary, not only of the confederacy, but of the western continent then inhabited by Europeans. As a member of the traditional Hodenosaunee, of which they, in conjunction with the Onondagas, were re- garded the fathers,! they were by far the most nu- merous and powerful (more than equaling the com- bined numbers of all the others composing it,) and wielded an influence proportionate to their com- manding strength and sagacity. Their great prowess was acknowledged by their confederates, and their vigilance and power extorted its admis- sion from their enemies. From their geographical position with regard to the other members of the league, they were the western door-keepers of their so-called long house; while the Mohawks, being the easternmost of the Five Nations, guarded the eastern door at Scheneghtade. Thus the Senecas in- terposed a living barrier to the enemies of the Con- federacy from the west and south, and the Mo- hawks, to those from the north and east, a duty which they proudly fulfilled. " Whenever," says Stone, " at either door of the long house, other na- tions, or their ambassadors, knocked upon business, the first duty of the nation keeping the door was to ascertain its character and importance. If not of great moment, the council of the separate nation attended to it. Bat whenever the subject matter presented from without was of interest to thewhole confederacy, or of sufficient weight to require the * CharlevoL-c ; Colden's Six lYations ; Moulton' s New York ; Lift and Times of Red Jacket. t MarsAall's Niagara Frontier, t Col. Hist., K.Soo; F//., 488, § Col. Hist., VII., 382. GREENHALGH'S JOURNEY AMONG THE SENEGAS. 6i consideration of the united council, the messengers charged with it were sent forward to the Onondaga Valley, where the grand council fire was kindled and it was discussed by the national congress." * The earUest location of the Senecas of which we have any authentic record is the one in which they were found by M. de Denonville in 1687 ; and though these were their principal villages, they had others quite remote from them. Father Hennepin, in 1678, refers to an Iroquois (Seneca) village,! named Tai-ai-a-gon, in the locality of Toronto, and to a small village of Senecas on the west bank and near the mouth of Niagara River.| In 1677, ten years previous to M. de Denonville's invasion, this country was visited by Wentworth Greenhalgh, yihoa Journal oi that journey is of peculiar interest in this connection. We quote : — " The Senecques have four towns, vizt. Cana- gora. Tiotohatton, Canoenada and Keint-he ; Ca- nagorah and Tiotohatton lye within 30 miles of ye lake ifrontenacque, and ye other two ly about four or five miles apiece to ye southward of these, they have aboundance of come ; none of their towns are stockadoed. " Canagorah lyes on the top of a great hill, and in that as well as the bignesse much hke Onondago, containing 150 houses; north-westward of Caiougo 72 miles. « * * " Tiotebatton lyes on the brink or edge of a hill, has nott much cleared ground, is neare the river Tiotehatton which signifies bending, itt lyes to the westward of Canagorah about 30 miles, contains about 120 houses being ye largest of all ye houses wee saw, ye ordinary being about 50 or 60 foott long, with 13 or 14 fires in one house, they have a good store of come growing about a mile to ye northward of the towne. "Being at this place the 17th of June, there came 50 prisoners from the South west-ward, * * *; this day of them was burnt two women and a man, and a child killed with a stone, att night we heard a greatt noyse, as if ye houses had all fallen butt itt was only ye Inhabitants driving away ye Ghosts of ye murthered. "The 1 8th, goeing to Canagaroh wee overtook ye prisoners, when ye souldiers saw us they stopped each his prisoner and made him sing, and cuttoff their fingers, and slasht their bodys with a knife, and when they had sung each man confessed how many men in his time hee had killed ; thatt day att Canagaroh there were most cruelly burned four men, four women and one boy, the cruelty lasted about seven hours, when they were almost dead, * Life and Times of Red Jacket, 107. t This village is also known as Gandatsiagon, and was located where Whitby now stands, thirty miles north-east of Toronto. Early Ouipiers of Cayuga History- X Probably the village of Chenondaanah, which Pownall's Map of the Middle British Colonies locates on the west bank of the Genesee, about fifteen miles from its mouth. Co/. Hist-, yin ^99- letting them loose to ye mercy of ye boys, and tak- ing the hearts of such as were dead to feast on. " Canoenada lyes about four miles to ye South- ward of Canagorah, conteyns about 30 houses, well furnished with Come. " Keint-he lyes aboutt four or five miles to ye Southward of Tiotehatton, contayns about 24 houses well furnished with come. " The Senecques are counted to bee in all aboutt 1,000 fighting men." * Canagorah was visited in the winter of 1678, by Sieur de la Motte, a lieutenant of the adventurous La Salle, and Father Louis Hennepin, a devoted attache of that celebrated and daring explorer. Af- ter a five days' weary journey by Indian trail through the frost-bound wilderness from Niagara, sleeping at night in the open air without other shel- ter than chance afforded, they arrived on the last day of December at the principal village of the Sene- cas— Tagarondies — which occupied the site of Boughton Hill, in Victor, Ontario county, where they found the Jesuit missionaries. Fathers Julien Gamier and Peter Raffeix. The object of their visit was to placate the Senecas and gain their ac- quiescence to the ambitious project of La Salle in extending his western explorations in which interest La Salle himself visited them the following year, having visited the same village in company with the Sulpitians, DoUier and GoUint^e, ten years be- fore. La Salle succeeded in gaining what La Motte and Hennepin had failed to obtain — the full assent of the Senecas to the execution of his enterprises, notwithstanding they subsequently proved them- selves inimical thereto, f Three of the villages described by Greenhalgh are in the county of Ontario ; the fourth, Kei7tt-he, corresponds with the village which Denonville calls Gannounata and was known in the Seneca dialect as Z'jw.'&i^jtf/ (pronounced De-o-dou-sote) and meaning " at the spring." It was situated near the modern village of East Avon, and the plow, which has nearly obHterated all trace of its existence, has from time to time disclosed many relics of its former occu- pants. The location of these villages corresponds with their designation on Clark's Map of the Iro- quois Five Nations and Mission Sites, 1656-1684 ;t and, though less specifically with that of a map pub- lished by the Jesuits in 1664. § A map of North America, drawn in 1688 by Jean Baptiste Louis FranqueHn, Hydrographer to Louis XIV., and pre- served in the archives of the Ministere de la Ma- • Col. Hist. III., 151, 151. t The Building and Voyage of the Griffon, in i679i ^y O- H. Marshall. X Early Chapters of Cayuga History. \Kip's Jesuits. HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. rine, in Paris, represents two Seneca villages on the east bank of the Genesee, ( Toinnontchianagon,) apparently near the confluence of Honeoye out- let, and two others upon the west bank and near the head waters of a stream corresponding with Irondequoit creek, emptying into the bay of the same name ( Gatmiatarontaquat.)* After the destruction of the Seneca villages by Denonville in 1687, several others sprang into ex- istence, some to the westward and others to the eastward of them. In 1720 they had two villages, which were distinguished as great and /////i? village; but their exact location is left to conjecture. In 17 18, the court of France ordered the establish- ment of a trade for the benefit of the king in the circuit of Lake Ontario and the building of maga- zines upon the north and south sides thereof In 1 7 19, "in the beginning of harvest," the Sieur de Joncaire, Ueutenant of a detachment of marines, with an interpreter, was sent in obedience to this order by Marquis de Vaudreuil and Monsieur Begon, to try the minds of the Senecas and see if they could engage them to consent to the building of a house upon their land, and to maintain that settlement in case the English opposed it. This message was accompanied with some belts of wam- pum and other presents, consisting of powder, lead, brandy and "other small merchandizes." "Sieur de Joncaire wintered partly at the great, and partly at the little village of the Senecas, and departed thence at the breaking up of the ice for the fort of the Cataracouy, where he had orders to take pro- visions and merchandizes for the trade at Niagara in case he could dispose of the Senecas to his inter- est." He arrived at the fort about the beginning of May, 1720, and reported to a council of French and Indians that the Senecas had favorably re- ceived the message "and produced several of Pel- letrie by which the said Indians answered, Father Onontio, (M. de Vandreuel) and their uncle Son- onchiez (Sieur de Joncaire) were the masters of their land and that the Indians consented not only to the building of the house of Niagara but also engaged themselves to maintain it, and if the Eng- hsh should undertake to demolish it they must first take up the hatchet against the Cabanes of the two villages of the Senecas." After ten or twelve days spent at Fort Cataracouy, Jon- caire returned to Niagara with Sieur de la Come, son of Mons. de la Corne, Captain and Major of Montreal, and eight soldiers, with a canoe of mer- chandise. Sieur de la Corne was commissioned * The Building and I'oyagi qftlie Griffon, in 1679. by M. Begon to winter at that post, and there Joncaire left him in July, after having "built in haste a kind of cabin of Bark, where they displayed the King's colors, and honored it with the name of Magazine Royal." Joncaire received orders to return to Niagara with the title of commandant, and about the middle of October, 1720, he left Montreal to winter at Niagara, taking with him two canoes laden with merchandise and twelve soldiers, six of whom he detached on his arrival at Catara- couy. He pursued his voyage, but was stopped by the ice thirty-five leagues from the mouth of the Niagara, and was obhged to put into the Gen- esee, ( Gasionchiagon or Gasconchiagon,) where he passed the winter.* Sieur de Joncaire was cap- tured and adopted at an early day by the Senecas, by whom he was greatly beloved.t From his long residence with them he acquired a great influence over them and incidentally over the other Iroquois nations. He thus became a useful emissary of the French in winning over to that interest the gen- erally recalcitrant Iroquois, and much of his life was spent in this service as mediator, interpreter or concihator. At the opening of the eighteenth cen- tury we find him officiating at a conference be- tween the French and Iroquois ; J and previous to 17 II, Governor Hunter testifies that he, in con- junction with M. de Longeuil had built a block- house and projected a fort in the chief village of the Senecas.g About 1730, he obtained permis- sion of the Senecas to establish a trading post at Irondequoit. || His sons, Chabert de Joncaire, Jr., and Philip Thomas de Joncaire Clauzonne, were also active public servants and residents in the Seneca county. Sir Jeffrey Amherst's letter to Sir William John- son, September 30, 1763, refers to Kanadaseagy and Canadaraggo, (the former occupying the site of Geneva and the latter to the westward of it,) as two Seneca castles which were in the English interest and to be exempted from molestation in offensive operations which might be carried on against the Senecas. II Sir William Johnson's Enumeratioti of Indians within the Northern De- partment, November 18, 1763, states the number of Senecas to be 1,050 men, who "have several villages beginni ng about fifty miles from Cayuga, • Col. Hist, v., 589. tCol. Hist., IX., 747. tCol. Hist., IX., 709. §Col. Hist., v., 253. II Col. Hist., v., 911. ICol. Hist.. VII., 568. See also Sir William Johnson's letter to Sir Jeffiey Amherst, Sept. 14, 176J, in which Kanadessegy .3.vA Caiiaja- saggo are referred to as being in the English interest and east o( Clunvs- siff. FIRST JESUIT MISSIONS. 63 and from thence to Chenussio, the largest, about seventy miles from Niagara, with others thence to Ohio."* In the Journal of Sir William Johnson's Proceedings with the Indians, at Fort Johnson in 1757, Chinosia is referred to as the " farthest Sen- eca castle;"! and from the Proceedings of Sir Wil- liam Johnson with the Indians, September 7, 1763, it appears that the Senecas had two castles at Che- nussio,X which is designated on Guy Johnson's map as Geneseo, ( Cenosio.)% The Seneca villages of Kanuskago or Ganuskago, is located in the town of Dansville on Guy Johnson's Map of the Country of the Six Nations, || and was also called " the door of the Six Nations," at a meeting of certain of the Six Nations and their allies at Fort John- son, February 18, 1756. H But it is not our pur- pose to pursue here a subject which will be more specifically treated in respect to this country in connection with the several towns ; for the county throughout almost its entire extent is dotted over with the sites of these ancient villages which ex- isted before the avenging hand of SulUvan's army laid waste the fair country of the Senecas, or which subsequently sprang into being. The principal of these, however, prior to that epoch, have been noticed in connection with that expedition. The advent of the Jesuit missionaries among the Iroquois was a marked event in the history of the latter, as from the Jesuit Relations we obtain the earliest, most exact and most authentic informa- tion regarding them. The Jesuits were men of culture and intelligence, who forsook homes of luxury in Europe and submitted with a wonderful patience and heroism to the most menial offices, the utmost hardships and privations, and cheer- fully accepted missions attended with the most in- conceivable danger in the zealous pursuit of their calling. Whatever estimate we put upon them as men, we must admit their great devotion and self- sacrifice. The first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Canada in 1625, and from that period exerted a vast in- fluence upon the interests of the French colony in that province. The mission was interrupted during the English occupancy of Quebec, from 1629 to 1632, and was resumed the latter year. They were instrumental in securing and holding the friendly aid of the northern and western Indians to the French arms in Canada. Had their influence been the first directed towards the Iroquois, it is probable their friendship, possibly their aid, might *Col. Hist., Vll t Ibid, VII., 264. tlbid, VII., 554- ,582. §Ibid, VI r , 154- i: Ibid, VII., 57. I1 Ibid, VII., 57- have been secured, and then American coloniza- tion might have presented a vastly different phase. But while their beneficent policy attracted, that inaugurated by Champlain and pursued by his suc- cessors repelled them and provoked a deadly hatred. Failing in their efforts to- coerce the Iroquois to terms which they presumed to dictate, the French colonists, chagrined and deeply humiliated, sought to gain their friendship by the aid of the mission- aries of a religion whose precepts they had so wan- tonly violated, and in 1646, Father Isaac Jogues was sent in the double capacity of ambassador and missionary to the Mohawks, who were the first of the Iroquois nations to be outraged by the French lust for dominance, and oy whom, three years pre- viously, he had been captured, subjected to the most horrid torture, and threatened with death, which he escaped through the friendly interven- tion of the Dutch settlers at Albany, (Fort Orange.) His mission, like his office, was of a double nature. He was commissioned by his Father Superior to establish on the scenes of his torture a mission which was given in advance the prophetic name, the Mission of the Martyrs ; and by Charles Huault de Montmagny, who succeeded Champlain as Governor of Canada, to use his influence with the Mohawks in perpetuating a peace which had been concluded the previous year, through the instrumentality of the Jesuit Guillaume Couture, who was captured by the Mohawks at the same time as Jogues, and adopted into one of their families in place of a dead relative. Jogues, suffering under a keen recollection of his recent tortures, apprehen- sive also of his reception, and having, as he wrote a friend, a presentiment of death, at first revolted at the thought ; but it was only a temporary weak- ness. Exchanging the uniform of Loyola for a civilian's suit, by advice of an Algonquin convert, he sat out on his mission about the middle of May. His appearance in that character created no little amazement in the Mohawk village ; but he was respectfully received, and he delivered the gifts and wampum belts, with the message of peace, of which he was the bearer from the Governor, his speech being "echoed by a unanimous grunt of applause from the attentive concourse,'' and eliciting con- firmations of peace in return. Two Algonquins accompanied him as deputies, but their overtures of peace were rejected. " The business of the Embassy was scarcely fin- ished," says Parkman, "when the Mohawks coun- selled Jogues and his companions to go home with 64 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. all dispatch, saying, that, if they waited longer, they might meet on the way warriors of the four upper nations, who would inevitably kill the two Algonquin deputies, if not the French also. Jogues, therefore, set out on his return, but not until, despite the advice of the Indian convert, he had made the round of the houses, confessed and instructed a few Christian prisoners still remaining there, and baptized several dying Mohawks." Jogues returned to his mission the following August, but only to meet his death, which occurred on the 1 8th of October following. Eight years later, the first successful mission among the Iroquois {Sf. Marie) was established at Onondaga, by Father Simon Le Moine, who left Quebec on the second of July, 1654, and arrived at the principal Onondaga village on the fifth of August.* The Onondagas having " for a long time and earnestly demanded that some priests be sent to them, Father Joseph Chaumonot, an experienced Huron missionary, and Father Claude Dablon, then recently from France, embarked on the 19th of September, 1655, and arrived at OimotUague, November 5th of that year. ' They were leceived, like Le Moine, with distinguished honor, and wel- comed at a council of the nations held on the 15th, with the most profuse demonstrations of joy. Be- ing hstened to with approbation and kindness, Dab- lon returned the following March to Quebec for additional help. In the latter part of August, 1656, Fathers Chau- monot and Menard left the Onondaga mission to extend their labors to the western Iroquois nations. Proceeding to the Cayugas, where they arrived after a journey of two days, they established the Mission of St. Joseph on the site of Goiogouen, which was situated three miles south of Union Springs, on the east shore of Cayuga Lake. Leaving Menard in charge of that mission. Father Chaumonot, after a brief sojourn, proceeded to the country of the Sen- ecas and estabhshed at the village of Gannogarre or Gandougarae, situated near the site of East Bloomfield, the Mission of St. Michael. On his arrival at the village a council was convened by the sachems, to whom he delivered his presents and communicated his designs, which met their appro- bation. He thus addressed them says Marshall : " I offer myself as a guarantee of the truths which I utter, and if my life is deemed insufficient, I offer you in addition, the lives of all the French I have left at Onondaga. Do you distrust these living presents ? Will you be so simple as to beheve that * Relation, 1654, Chap. \l. we have left our native country, the finest in the world, to come so far, and to suffer so much in or- der to bring you a lie? " Father Chaumonot vis- ited the other Seneca villages, where he was equally well received, and converted Garonheaguerha, a distinguished Seneca chief and orator, then pros- trate with disease, but who, after his recovery, be- came a firm friend of the French and Jesuits. In 1657, "the harvest appearing plentiful in all the villages of the upper Iroquois, the common people listened to the words of the gospel with im- plicity and the chiefs with a well disguised dissim- ulation,"* Fathers Paul Ragueneau and Francois Du Peron, some Frenchmen and several Hurons came to the aid of the missions. These were the first missionary labors among the Senecas. La Carnon, an ambitious Franciscan priest, had, indeed, in 1616, passed through their country on his way to that of the Hurons, on the borders of the lake which bears their name, but did not attempt to acquaint them with the princi- ples of his faith. These first missions among the Iroquois were however of short duration. The apparent desire for peace on the part of the Iroquois immediately after M. de Tracy's expedi- tion in 1666, seemed to be a favorable opportunity to re-establish missions among them, and in that and the one or two succeeding years, missions were established in each of the Five Nations. The Senecas, {Isonnontouans,) says Bishop Kip, were the fourth of the Iroqiiois cantons to have the mission restored.! Father Jacques Fremin, who knew the language of the Iroquois, was assigned to this station. He is supposed to have arrived in Canada in 1655. He accompanied Dablon the year following to Onondaga, where he remained till 1658, after which his labors were confined to Canada until 1667, when he was sent as mission- ary to the Mohawks, where he was made Superior of the Iroquois missions. In October, 1668, he transferred his labors to the Senecas, with whom he remained till 1671. He revived the Mission of St. Michael at the village of Gannogarae, which was composed of refugees from the Neutral and Huron nations, and extended his ministrations to the other Seneca villages, in each of which a mis- sion was established.}: His knowledge of medi- * Relation, 1657—58, Doc. Hist., I., 45. t Early Jesuit Missions, 85. t Early Chapters of Caynga History, 41. Note. The Seneca Mis- sions were St. Michael, at Ganogarae, near the site of East Bloomfield: St. James, at Gannagaro or Canagorah, on Boughton Hill, in the tcvm of Victor ; La Conception, at Totiakion or Sonnoniovan, near the vil- lage of Honeoye Falls : and St. John, at Gantwunata or Gatuhchhr- agon, near tlie site of East Avon. EARLY MISSIONS AMONG THE SENEGAS. 65 cine — a knowledge possessed in common by most of the Jesuits — made his services peculiarly accept- able to the afflicted Senecas, among whom, soon after his arrival among them, a contagious fever which proved very fatal, broke out. The skill he displayed in its treatment won for him the confi- dence and esteem of the savages ; and the care and treatment demanded of him in the diiferent villages engrossed much of his time during the earher part of his mission. The simple life of the Jesuit mis- sionary is illustrated by Father Fremin, who says : " I neither see, nor hear, nor speak to any but the Indians. My food is very simple and light. I have never been able to conform my taste to the meal or the smoked fish of the savages, and my nourishment is only composed of corn which they pound, and of which I make each day a kind of hominy, which I boil in water." Father Fremin was soon joined by Father Pierre Raffeix, who was chaplain of the French expedition against the Mohawks in 1666. Father Raflfeix continued his labors with the Senecas till 1701, when he supplied the Cayuga mission of St. Joseph, which Father Stephen de Garheil was obliged to relinquish on account of ill health. After a year's respite, during which he obtained relief from the nervous disorder which afflicted him. Father de Garheil resumed the Cayuga mission, and Father Raflfeix, thus relieved, returned to his duties among the Senecas, which he continued until 1680. His brief stay in the coun- try of the Cayugas gave him a highly favorable opinion of it. In a letter dated June 24, 1672,* he writes: "Cayuga is the most beautiful country I have seen in America." He was familiar with all the Iroquois cantons. Agnie, (Mohawk,) he says, is a very contracted valley; for the most part stony, and always covered with fogs; the hills that enclose it appear to me very bad land. Oneida and Onon- daga, he adds, appear too rough and little adapted to the chase, as well as Seneca. In 1669, Father Julien Gamier, brother of the celebrated Benedictine, joined the Seneca mission, and was assigned to the Mission of St. John, at Gan- fiounata, (East Avon,) while Fremin took charge of that of St. MichaeLf In 167 1, Fremin was called to take charge of the Indians at Laprairie.| 'Relation, 1671-2, Chap. VI., Part I. \ Early Chapters of Cayuga History, 41, Note. O'Callaglian says Gamier was ordered to the Senecasin 1671, {Col. Hist. IX., 171.) Mar- shall says, "In 1669 he had charge of the Seneca Mission of St. Michael, and the following year that of St. James. In 1671 he conducted the three missions among that people." ( The Building and Voyage of the Grif- fon, 261; where he cites as authorities fesuit Relations, Quebec ed. 1668, p. 17; 1669, p. 11; 1670, pp. 69— 78 ; i67J,p.io; 1666, p. 9.) t Charlevoix, I., J13, 398: 402> 452- This mission was removed to the Sault St. Louis in 1676, and in 1679, Father Fremin visited France to solicit aid for it.* He was again in Canada in 1682, and died in Quebec, July 2, 1691.! Father Garnier was born at Connerai, in the dio- cese of Mans, about 1643. In 1662 he came to Canada, where he completed his studies, and re- ceived Holy Orders in April, 1666, being the first Jesuit ordained in that country. He was sent to Oneida in 1667, and in 1668, visited Onondaga and Cayuga.f His Seneca mission was interrupted in 1673, by M. de la Barre's threatened invasion.§ In July, 1672, in addressing Father Dablon, he says of the Senecas: " Their minds being ill-dis- posed, the devil uses every occasion to make them speak against the faith and those who preach it." Father Dablon, in a letterto the Provincial Father Pinette, in referring to Father de Carheil and the Cayuga mission, says : " This holy man is of an apostoUc zeal which does not find that the Indians correspond to his care; but I think that he asks from them too much virtue for beginnings. If he does not sanctify as many of them as he would, it is certain that he sanctifies himself in a good degree as do Fathers Garnier and Raflfeix in the towns of Sonnontonans," [Senecas.] || In the Relation of 1676-7, 1[ printed by James Lenox, Esq., of New York, from the original manuscript, we find the following: "The upper Iroquois, that is to say those who are most remote from us, as the Son- nontonans and Oioguens, [Senecas and Cayugas] are the most haughty and the most insolent, run- ning after the missionaries with axe in hand, chas- ing and pelting them with stones, throwing down their chapels an'd their little cabins, and in a thou- sand other ways treating them with indignity. The Fathers suffer all and are ready for all, knowing well the apostles did not plant the faith in the world otherwise than by persecution and suffering. What consoles them in the pitiable state they are in, is to see the fruit which God derives for His glory and for the salvation of these very Indians by whom they are so maltreated. For within a year since these violences begun, they have bap- tized more than three hundred and fifty Iroquois, of whom, besides twenty-seven adults, there were *Faillan; Vie de S. Bonrgeoys, V, ^%b. •^ Col. Hist. IX., IJO. + C0I. Hist.. XI., 17I, The Buildingand Voyage of the Griffon, 260, 261. §Col. Hist., IX., 229. II Relation Inedites, II., II. IT Relation de ce gici s^est passe des plue rentarquable aitx tnissions des Peres de la Compagnie de fesus, en la Nouvelle France es annees 1676 et 1677. 66 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. one hundred and twenty children who died after baptism, which is a certain gain for heaven. I cannot extract anything else from Father de Car- heil, Pierron, Raffeix and Garnier who are among the upper Iroquois, because their greatest employ- ment is to suffer and, so to speak, die at every moment by the continual threats and insults which these Indians offer them, who, notwithstanding all this, fail not to wrest many souls from the devil. Father de Carheil writes from Oioguen that the spiritual gain of this year is thirt)'-eight baptized, six of them adults and thirty-six dead, all children ex- cept three ;" hence we may conclude that the re- mainder of those enumerated above are the fruit of the Seneca missions. In 1679, Father Louis Hennepin and Sieur la Motte de Lussiere visitedCa.na.gorah ( Tagarondies J in the interest of La Salle's western project, and found Fathers Garnier and Raffeix residing in that village. " They were received by the Senecas," says Marshall, " with marked consideration, and conducted to the cabin of their principal chief, where they became objects of curiosity to the women and children. The young men bathed their travel-worn feet, and anointed them with bear's oil. The next day, being the first of the year, Hen- nepin celebrated mass and preached the mysteries of his faith to the mixed assembly of French and Indians. * * * After Hennepin had concluded his religious services, the grand council was con- vened. It was coriiposed of forty-two of the elders among the Senecas. Their tall forms were com- pletely enveloped in robes made from the skin of the beaver, wolf and black squirrel. With calumet in mouth, these grave councilors took their seats on their mats, with all the stateliness and dignity of Venetian senators. At the opening of the coun- cil, La Motte, suspecting Father Garnier of hos- tility to La Salle, objected to his presence. At the request of the Senecas he withdrew. Henne- pin, considering this an affront to his cloth, retired with him. La Salle was ever suspicious of the Jesuits; believing them to be opposed to his enter- prises, and inclined to influence the Indians against him. The council was informed, through Bras- sart, the interpreter, that the French had come to visit them on the part of Onontio, their governor, and to smoke the calumet on their mats ; that the Sieur de la Salle was about to build a great wooden canoe above the Falls, [Niagara,] in which to bring merchandize from Europe by a more convenient route than the rapids of the St. Lawrence ; that by this means the French would be able to undersell the English of Boston, and the Dutch of New York.* This speech was accompanied with four hundred pounds weight of presents, consisting of hatchets, knives, coats, and a large necklace of blue and white shells. Portions of these were handed over at the end of each proposition. This mode of treating with the Indians by bribing their chiefs, has, unfortunately, continued to the present day. Among other inducements. La Motte promised to furnish, for the convenience of their whole nation, a gunsmith and blacksmith, to reside at the mouth of the Niagara, for the purpose of mending their guns and hatchets. Several coats and pieces of fine cloth, iron, and European merchandise of great rarity among the Indians, and of the value of four hundred francs, were added, as weighty reasons, to influence them in favor of the French. ' The best arguments in the world,' says Hennepin, are not list- ened to by the natives, unless accompanied with presents.' f " On the next day, the Senecas answered the speech of La Motte, sentence by sentence, and re- sponded by presents. As aids to the memory, they used small wooden sticks, which the speaker took up, one by one, as he replied seriatim, to the sev- eral points in the speech of the day previous. Belts of wampum, made of small shells strung on fine sinews, were presented after each speech, fol- lowed by the exclamation '■ Ni-a-oua,' signifying ap- proval, from the whole assembly. This, however, proved an insincere response in the present in- stance, for La Motte, with his specious reasoning, made no impression on these shrewd children of the forest. They knew that the English and Dutch had greater faciHties than the French for supply- ing them with merchandise, and could outbid the latter in trading for their furs. They received the offered presents with apparent acquiesence, and after the customary salutations the council broke up."t Father Garnier, in a letter dated July 10, 1673, says the Seneca nation consisted of three villages, " two composed of natives of the country, and the third of the remnant of the divers Huron nations destroyed by the Iroquois. § All together they may amount to eight hundred men capable of waging * Alluding to the plan of La Salle to send merchandise to the Niagara by the way of the Mississippi and the lakes. t Hennepin, N. D., p. 85. t The Building; and V'oyage of the Griffon, 260 — 263. § Greenhalgh, who visited the Seneca country in 1677, says they had four towns, though he refers to only two missions - St. Jacques, at Can- garo, (Canagorah, ) and La Conception, at Tiotehation, (Totiakton.) 6'Callaghan adds, (Relation, 1669-70, J17,) the French had another mission at the village of Gandougarae, which they called St. Michael- Co/. Hist. III., 251, 252. EARLY EFFORTS TO CHRISTIANIZE THE INDIANS. 67 war." He adds, " the chiefs of each village have been deputed to go visit you at the place you indi- cated to them ; they are well disposed to receive your orders, and give you every satisfaction. They have made peace with all the nations against whom M. de Courcelles had forbad them waging war, the King having taken them under his protection. They have strictly enjoined on their young men not to turn their arms in that direction. They anxiously desire the French to settle in their country, especially those who are useful to them, such as smiths and armorers."* In 1683, Colonel Thomas Dongan, then Gov- ernor of New York, though himself a Catholic, had well nigh succeeded in destroying the French in- fluence over the Iroquois. He clearly saw the dan- gers which menaced the EngUsh Government under the stimulus of Jesuit influence and intrigue, and was too loyal to allow his rehgious convictions to cause him to swerve from political rectitude. He therefore directed all his efforts to expel the Cana- dian missionaries from among the Iroquois, and to conciliate the latter promised to send them Eng- lish ministers and build churches in their cantons. He had so far succeeded that as early as 1684 the greater part of the Jesuits had abandoned their missions, and in 1687, the last, Jean de Lamber- ville, had left his station at Onondaga, and gone to Niagara ; his brother, Jacques de Lamberville, left the same station the previous year. From this time, or a few years later, the Jesuit missions began sensibly to decline. Father Gamier acted as interpreter to the Hu- rons at the peace of 1701, and is said to have returned to the Senecas in 1702,! accompanied by Father Francois Vaillant de Gueslis. Garnier was then old and infirm, and from this fact it was as- sumed that Jesuits were in great demand in the Iroquois missions.^ He was the last missionary of that order among the Senecas. § Lafitau, who was his pupil, and learned from him all he knew of the Indians, says that he had spent more than sixty years on the mission, and that he was well ac- quainted with the Algonquin, Huron and Iroquois languages, but better with the latter two. || He died in Quebec in February, i73o.1[ The distinguished Jesuit missionary, Jacques Bruyas, was among the Senecas in 1673 ; and the • Col. Hist., IX., 792- t Col. Hist., IX., ryl, 737, 76l- t Col. Hist., IX., 750- § Shea's Catholic Mission, 194, 11. II Jesuit Relation, ed. 1666, p. 6. Parkmnn's Jesuits, 54. The Building and Voyage 0/ the Griffon, i6i. Col. Hist. IX., 171. IF The Building and Voyage of the Griffon, 261. Sulpitian priest, Francois de Salignac de Fe'nelon, whose identity has been confounded with that of his half-brother, the celebrated archbishop of Cambray, though one of the first missionaries under the aus- pices of the Sulpitians among the Iroquois, was not stationed in that capacity among the Senecas south of Lake Ontario, as has been stated by a cotem- porary, but among a branch of that nation, who resided on the north shore of that lake at a village called Gandatsiagon, which was located on the site of Whitby, a port of entry and an excellent harbor on the north shore of the lake, thirty miles north- east of Toronto. The Dutch colonists did not give the matter of Christianizing the Indians much consideration ; and the Government of New York made no effort in this direction, further than to pay for some time, a small salary to the clergyman at Albany to at- tend to the wants of such Indians as might apply to him. The Rev. Mr. Freeman translated a part of the English liturgy, the morning and evening prayers, the litany, the Athanasian creed, with some passages of the Old and New Testament, into the Indian language; but those professing to be Christians in 1710, are represented as "so ignorant and scandalous that they can scarce be reputed Christians."* In 1712, Rev. WilHam Andrews was sent by the Society for Propagating the Gospel, as missionary to the Mohawks, succeeding in that capacity Rev. Thoroughgood Moor, and extending his labors occasionally to the Oneidas. But he abandoned his mission in 1719, having had no greater success among the natives than his prede- cessor; f and as he was the first, so was he the last that resided among them for a great many years, the Society afterwards contenting themselves by imitating the pohcy of the government, and allow- ing a small stipend to their clergyman at Albany to act as a missionary among the Mohawks, in which capacity he did them but very httle good.f Revs. Henry Barclay and John Ogilvie, who succeeded to the rectorship of St. Peter's Church, Albany, the former in 1737, and the latter in 1749. also extended their labors to the Oneidas. Mr. Barclay, who was a son of Rev. Thomas B. Bar- clay, the second rector of that church, was a native of Albany and was graduated from Yale College in 1734. In 1735, at the recommendation of Rev. Mr. Milne, who preceded him in the rectorship of » Doc'. Hist. IV., S05, t "He became discouraged and asked to be recalled, saying-, *lhcre is no hope of making them better — heathen they are, and heathen they must still be.' *' — Hammond's History of Madison County, lo6. XDoc. Hist. IV.. 505. 68 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. St. Peter's, he was appointed catechist to the In- dians at Fort Hunter. He closed his rectorship at Albany in 1746, when he became rector of Trinity Church, New York, where he died in 1764. Mr. Ogilvie was a native of New York and a graduate of Yale. Being a Dutch scholar he was appoint- ed to this mission in 1748, and arrived at Albany in March, 1749. In 1760, he joined the expedi- tion against Niagara and continued attached to the army till the close of the French war. He succeeded Mr. Barclay as rector of Trinity Church, and died Nov. 26, 1774. In 1744, the New York Legislature made pro- vision for presents for the Indians, as well as for an interpreter and missionary to be sent among them.* In 1748, the people of New England turned their attention to this field Of labor, and Revs. Messrs. Spencer, Timothy Woodbridge and Gideon Hawley visited successively the tribes on the Mohawk and Susquehanna rivers. The com- mencement of the French war soon after interrupt- ed all missionary efforts west of Albany, and they were not renewed till 1761, when Rev. Dr. Eleazer Wheelock directed his attention to this quarter, and endeavored, by introducing Indians as mis- sionaries and schoolmasters, to reclaim the natives from their savage life. In 1754, the Commissioners of Indian Affairs at Albany, adverted to the fact that the French had long been endeavoring to prevail on the Senecas to settle at Irondequoit, in order to have them nearer their settlements and the more easily to debauch them from British interest, and expressed the opinion that, as they (the Senecas) then hved "very re- mote from one another," it should be insisted upon that they make a general castle near the mouth of the Genesee (Senecas') River, where they had "already begun to build a new castle," (probably Chenondoanah,) and farther that the most effectual method to retain and secure the Six Nations to the British interest, would be to build two forts, one at Onondaga, the other in the Senecas' country, and supply each fort with a proper missionary. They also deprecated the carrying and selling of rum in the castles of the Six Nations, as having the most pernicious influence on the British inter- est in general and this colony in particular.! Speedy action was taken on the recommenda- tion of the Commissioners in respect to the erec- tion of forts,! but none, apparently, in regard to • Col. Hist. VI., 641. IC0I. Hist., VI., 856, 857. %Cai.Hise.,yii.i 177." supplying them with missionaries proper or im- proper, though its importance was frequently ad- verted to. Sir William Johnson, in a communi- cation to the Lords of Trade, November 13, 1763, writes thus disparagingly of the missions of that period. He says : — "Another matter extremely essential, will be the choice of proper missionaries to reside amongst the Indians in their own villages; many of the present missions are established at settlements on the sea-side, where the nations formerly residing are become extinct, or reduced to an inconsidera- ble number, whilst other missionaries are allowed to double a cure, or live in our towns; so that two or three visits in a year, are all that the Indians get, and the missionaries, unable to speak their language, are obHged to have recourse to the very bad interpreters which the country affords ; by which means the worthy design of the Society is in a great measure defeated. There have been other missionaries, who have too often used their influence in obtaining grants of lands, which gives the In- dians the most unfavorable opinion of their worldly and interested views. The Mohawks lately told me that they apprehended the reason they had not clergy as formerly amongst them was because there was no more land to spare."* Rev. Samuel Kirkland was for many years a dis- tinguished missionary among the Oneidas, and for a shorter period, among the Senecas. He was born in Norwich, Conn., Dec. t, 1741, and educated at Dr. Wheelock's Indian school. In 1761, he was sent to the Mohawks to learn their language. He entered Princeton college in 1762, and in 1764 returned to the Mohawk country to teach school and perfect himself in that language. He received his collegiate degree in 1765, and in that and the following year was employed among the Senecas. In 1779, he was Brigade Chaplain in General Sul- livan's campaign against the Indians in Western New York, and at the close of the war remained with the Oneidas. He died after a life of much pubhc usefulness, February 28, 1808. After the war of the Revolution, Washington lent his powerful influence to the furtherance of a project looking to the emancipation of the Iroquois and the American Indians generally from their savage barbarism through the medium of a benign civihzation; and in the spring of 1792, a deputa- tion of fifty of the representative men of the red race were invited to Philadelphia, then the federal city, for the double purpose of discussing plans looking to this end and of attaching them more closely to the United States' interests. The same year the Federal government seconded these efforts •Co/./y/rf., VII., 579, 5S0. RED JACKET'S HOSTILITY TO PROTESTANT MISSIONS. 69 by the following enactment: "The United States, in order to promote the happiness of the Five Na- tions of Indians, will cause to be expended annu- ally, the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars, in purchasing for them clothing, domestic animals, and implements of husbandry, and for encouraging useful artificers to reside in their vil- lages." But the Indians were not in a condition to be immediately benefited by these beneficent designs. The angry turmoils fomented and per- petuated by British emissaries in Canada, and the jealous apprehensions with which the Indians re- garded the encroachments of white settlers on their lands, measurably defeated these measures. Red Jacket, who was then in the height of his power and influence, at first gave a quasi endorsement of the plan, but afterwards proved its most implacable and obdurate enemy; and when, sub- sequently, efforts to christianize the Indians were made through missionary labors, he and the younger Cornplanter, (notwithstanding the latter's father had been converted to the christian faith,) became the leaders of the anti-christian party of the Senecas, while Captain Pollard, or Kaowndoo- wand, Gishkaka, commonly called Little Billy, and other distinguished Seneca chieftains, became the champions of the opposite party, which, gaining the ascendency, deposed Red Jacket from his sachemship in 1827.* He was, however, soon after restored.! After the adjustment of the great controversy between the Indians and the United States at Can- andaigua in 1794, the broad and beautiful domain of the Six Nations was curtailed to a few compar- atively small reservations, which were afterwards reduced by greedy and avaricious land cormorants.J These reservations included several small tracts on and adjacent to the Genesee, the Indian title to the east of which in this county was extinguished in 1826; but the greater portion of the Senecas took up their residence on the Buffalo Reserva- tion. In 1796, several families of Friends settled on the Oneida Reservation and improved the condi- tion of that nation by instructing the men in the art of husbandry and some of the indispensable *L!/e and Times of Red Jacket, 441. t Ibid, 447. + These reservations as affectmg the Western tribes are as follows : — Tonawanda Reservation, near Niagara river, containing about 13,000 acres. Buffalo Reservation, near the city of Buffalo, containing about 53,000 acres . . Cattaraugus Reservation, near Cattaraugus creek, containing about 2i,ooo acres. Alleghany Reservation, near the Alleghany river, containing about 31,- 000 acres. Life and Times of Red yacket, 182, note- mechanic arts, and the women in household duties, spinning, sewing and knitting. In 1798, the Sen- ecas, observing the improvement of the Oneidas, requested the Friends to aid them in the same way, and accordingly three families established themselves in the canton of the Alleghany. In the summer of 1805, a young missionary named Cram was sent by the Evangelical Mission- ary Society of Massachusetts to establish a mis- sionary station among the Senecas; but he met with no encouragement, and was filled with discom- fort by the speech of the wary Red Jacket, which has been pronounced one of the best of the many attributed to him. He artfully confronted the dis- concerted missionary with the worst phases of a pseudo-christianity, such as too often presented themselves to the untutored savages, and dwelt upon the glaring injustice practiced upon the latter by professors of the religion sought to be incul- cated. In the spring of 18 11, the Be v. Mr. Alexander, the agent of the Missionary Society, accompanied the agent of a New York company holding the preemptive title to the reservations in the Holland Purchase, in an attempt to acquire the right to these, to renew the effort to estabHsh a mission among the Senecas. This drew from Red Jacket an equally terse and laconic speech, in which, among other things, he said: — " Great numbers of black coats have been amongst the Indians, and with sweet voices and smiUng faces, have offered to teach them the religion of the white people. Our brethren in the east listened to the black coats, turned from the religion of their fa- thers, and took up the religion of the white people. What good has it done them? Are they more happy and more friendly one to another than we are ? No, brother, they are a divided people — we are united ; they quarrel about religion — we Hve in love and friendship ; they drink strong water ; have learned how to cheat, and practice all the vices of the white men, which disgrace Indians, without imitating the virtues of the white men. Brother, if you are our well wisher, keep away and do not disturb us. * * * You wish us to change our religion for yours ; we like our religion and do not want another. Our friends* do us great good ; they counsel us in our troubles, and instruct us how to make ourselves comfortable. Our friends the Quakers do more than this; they give us ploughs and show us how to use them. They tell us we are accountable beings, but do not say we must change our religion. We are satisfied with what they do." * Referring to Mr. Granger, the United States Agent of Indian Affairs, Mr. Parish, the Indian Interpreter, and Mr. Taylor, the Agent of the Society of Friends for improving the condition of the Indians, who were present at the Council. 70 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. These, however, were either not the sentiments of many of the Senecas, or they were not held as tenaciously by them ; for, notwithstanding the re- pulse of Mr. Alexander in 1811, the New York Missionary Society had succeeded in establishing several missionary stations, that among the Tuscaro- ras as early as 1805, in consequence of which there had been a rapid improvement in their moral and social condition. A missionary house had like- wise been opened at the Seneca village, (the home of Red Jacket, whose Indian name was Sagoye- watka, signifying, he keeps them awake,) about five miles from Buffalo, and another upon the Cattarau- gus reservation. Such was the success of these efforts, that, previous to 1820, the Senecas were divided into two distinct parties, Christian and Pagan. Similar measures were instituted with the Indians living at Squakie Hill. In December, 1815, a secular school was estabhshed there under the auspices of the Presbyterian Synod of Geneva, with Jerediah Horsford as teacher. So grave had the encroachments of civilization become, in the eyes of the Pagan Senecas, and so uncompromising was their hostility to it, that in the winter of 1819-20, an appeal, embodied in a letter dictated by Red Jacket, who was then too feeble to enunciate the sentiments in council, was made to Governor CHnton, complaining of the of- fensive and destructive encroachments of the white settlers on their reservations, and invoking protec- tion against the "black coats," as the missionaries were called. A Mr. Hyde who had formerly been a schoolmaster among them, but had changed his vocation to that of a minister of religion, had made himself especially obnoxious, having threatened, the remonstrance said, that unless they listened to his preaching and became Christians, they would be turned off their lands. " If he has no right to say so," the letter says, " we think he ought to be turned off our lands, and not allowed to plague us any more. We shall never be at peace while he is among us.'' In consequence of this and similar representa- tions, the Legislature, in 1821, passed an act to more effectually prevent encroachments upon the lands of the Senecas. The secular provisions of the act were occasionally enforced; but in regard to the missionaries, says Stone, its energies were allowed to slumber for two or three years. In the meantime the New York Missionary Society had transferred its stations to the care of the American Board of Foreign Missions, by which the Seneca missions had been re-organized upon a more effi- cient basis. In 182 1, Rev. Thompson S. Harris, with an augmented mission family, was stationed at the Seneca village, and commissioned superin- tendent of the stations in the several cantons. A church was soon after formed and male and female schools opened. In 1822, Rev. Mr. Thayer, with his family and suitable teachers, were stationed at the Cattaraugus reservation. These labors were successful; and the Pagan party, mortified by the rapid increase of the Christian party at the ex- pense of their own, and alarmed at the disaffection of Capt. Strong, or Oquiyesou, a prominent Cat- taraugus chief, who had become converted to the Christian faith, aided by several "white Pagans" in Buffalo, secured the ejectment of the mission- aries and school teachers under the act of 1821. Efforts were immediately put forth, which, though at first unavaiUng, finally resulted in such a modi- fication of the law as enabled both missionaries and teachers to resume their labors.* Within the next half decade the Indians had disposed of their Hmited reservations in this county, and removed to others outside the county; and within the two suc- ceeding decades the Senecas had disposed of every vestige of their lands within the State. CHAPTER VI. Titles to the Soil — Extinguishment of Indian Titles — Line of Property — Conflicting Claims of New York and Massachusetts — Preemption Line — New York and Massachu- setts Surrender Claims to Territory to Federal Government — Treaty and Cession OF 1784 — Phelps and Gorham's Purchase- Treaty AND Cession of 1788 — Pultney Es- tate — Holland Land Company — Holland Purchase — Connecticut Tract — Transit Line — Morris Reserve — Forty Thousand Acre Tract — Morris Honorary Creditor's Tract — Robert Morris' Letter to President Washington — Treaty and Cession of Big Tree in 1797 — Red Jacket's Insincerity- Difficulties Experienced in Determining the Extent and Boundaries of Reservations- Mary Jemison's Farm — Lessee Company- Effort Made to Dismember the State — Reservations made in 1797 — Treaty and Ces- sion of 1826. UNTIL after the close of the Revolutionary war in 1783, the territory embraced in the county of Livingston, and indeed, of the whole of Western * Life attd Times 0/ Red Jcukeit 387, 394. TREATY AND CESSION OF 1784. 71 New York, was included in the indefinite Indian domain, the east line of which, known as the Property Line, was established by a treaty held at Fort Statiwix, (Rome) November 5, 1768, and ex- tended so far as it relates to this State, from a point on Wood creek, near the mouth of Canada creek, thence to the head waters of the Unadilla, down that stream to its mouth, and thence south to the line of Pennsylvania. This tract was sub- sequently acquired from the Indians by treaty ; for, notwithstanding the treaty of peace between the English and Americans in 1783 contained no stipu- lations respecting the Iroquois, or that portion of them who had been the aUies of the former, their right to the soil was generally recognized by both State and Federal governments. At the close of the war, claims were established by Massachusetts under Colonial patents to the right of soil of a large portion of Western New York, and were confirmed by a Commission ap- pointed by the two governments, which met at Hartford, Conn., December 16, 1786, and which, while it reserved to New York the right of sover- eignty, conceded to Massachusetts the right to pre- empt the soil from the native Indians of all that tract lying west of a line, known as the Pre-emption Line, extending north from the eighty-second mile- stone from the Delaware River at the north-east corner of Pennsylvania, or the south-east corner of Steuben county, through Geneva and Sodus Bay, on the meridian of Washington, (except a tract a mile wide along Niagara River,) and an ad- ditional tract east of that line, known as the Boston Ten Towns, lying in the counties of Broome, Cort- land and Tioga. This agreement was sanctioned by Congress in 1787.* Early in 1784, the State Legislature passed an act, appointing as Superintendents of Indian Af- fairs, a Board of Commissioners, of which Governor Clinton was a member. In June of that year, these commissioners met Brant, Cornplanter, Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother, representatives of the Six Nations, at Fort Stanwix, to negotiate a treaty for the extinguishment of their title to lands in Western New York. Nothing, however, was ac- compUshed at this meeting, as the Indians declined to negotiate with the State independent of the Federal government, which had also appointed commissioners for a similar purpose. The succeeding fall, Oliver Wolcott, Richard t The territory of both New York and Massachusetts extended indeH- nitely westward from ocean to ocean ; but March i, 1781, New York relinquished to the United States its claims to territory west of the western boundary of the State. Massachusetts did the same in 178S. Butler and Arthur Lee, commissioners of the Fed- eral government, met the Indians at Fort Stanwix, and on the 22d of October, 1784, concluded a treaty, by which peace was established between the United States and the Six Nations, who were re- ceived under the protection of the former and guaranteed undisturbed possession of the lands they then occupied, including all that part of this State west of the-line estabUshed in 1768. Prisoners were exchanged, and a large tract of land ceded to this" State, whose commissioners also attended the treaty. It was at this treaty that Red Jacket first dis- tinguished himself as an orator, displaying talents which challenged the admiration and elicited the commendation of that distinguished patriot, La- fayette. He inaugurated at this time a poHcy which characterized his subsequent life — that of determined opposition to disposing of their lands to the whites. It is believed that Brant, who was not present at this treaty, would have supported Red Jacket's opposition. His great opponent was Cornplanter, who, though an able orator, was more distinguished as a warrior, and had through his valorous achievements and past services, acquired a great influence with his people, who, however, afterwards made him feel the weight of their re- sentment of his great readiness to part with their lands, even threatening his life,* a fact to which he alluded in a pathetic appeal to Washington at Phila- delphia, in 1790, when he sought to effect a recon- sideration of the treaties and other proceedings with the Indians, and especially to obtain redress for alleged grievances connected with the purchase of Phelps and Gorham soon after.f "Father," he said, we will not conceal from you that the Great God, and not man, has preserved the Cornplanter from the hands of his own people.'' The journals of this treaty are lost; hence this speech of Red Jacket's, whose eloquence astonished his auditors, is not preserved.:]: Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris, whose extensive and careful re- searches into aboriginal and pioneer history have enriched the annals of this county and vicinity, gives, in a contribution to the Dansmlle Advertiser, the substance of some of its more striking passages, as related by the Indians who heard it to his father, who, for many years, had an intimate acquaintance with the Indians in this locaUty. We quote :— * Drake's Book of the Indians. \ Life and Times of Red Jacket^ 132, 133. X General Erastus Root is said to have remarked, " that he considered John Randolph and Red Jacket the two most perfect orators whom he had ever heard." [Life and Times 0/ Red jacket, Jig, note.) That his name should be coupled with that of Randolph in such connection is highly eulogistic. 72 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. " Red Jacket * * * said they would be lowered in the estimation of other tribes if they parted with their lands and disposed of their great rivers and hunting grounds, and would become a little people, whom the great spirit, as well as the great white father, (Washington,) would have little regard or respect for ; that the principle itself was in open hostility to the best interest of the Indian ; that their occupation was hunting and fishing and following the war-path. ' Deprive the Indian of these resources, and you bind his hands, and tie his feet, and then say to him joggs [run,] which is an impossibility, and will render the Indian a helpless object, and, perhaps, by and by, an object of charity,' which, he trusted, would never happen. If it did, he hoped the great spirit would not per- mit him to live, to behold his people so degraded. ' My eyes must never witness such a scene ; Red Jacket's blood must all flow out of his body before this can happen. Brothers, we desire to live in peace with the white man ; we have had a great deal of war ; we have become wearied ; we have followed our well-beaten trails a long distance to this council fire. We want peace; but if that is to be obtained by the disposing of our lands, I am for war. April I, 1788, Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gor- hani purchased of Massachusetts, in the interest of an association of capitalists, its pre-emptive right to lands in this State, variously estimated to com- prise from 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 acres ; the con- sideration being 300,000^, to be paid in three annual installments, in the depreciated securities of that State, which were then worth about one-fifth of their par value. Failing to meet their obhga- tions, owing to the unexpected depreciation in these securities, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham surrend- ered all that part of this tract lying to the west, and a small portion lying to the east, of the Gene- see, or more than a half of the original purchase, which reverted to the State of Massachusetts in June, 1790. The eastern line of that portion retained was the old Pre-emption Line ; the western line commenced on the Pennsylvania line 44.78 miles west of this, and extended directly north, along the east hne of the towns of Nunda and Mt. Morris, to the confluence of Canaseraga creek with the Genesee river, thence following that stream to a point two miles north of the Indian village of Cana- waugus, thence due west twelve miles, and thence north twenty-four degrees east to a point on Lake Ontario which would intersect the prolongation of the line from the point of beginning. The Indian title to this tract was extinguished at a treaty held at Buffalo Creek,* July 8, T788, the Senecas re- *Li/e and Times of Red Jacket, IJ6; Pioneer History of Plielps and Gorham' s Purdiase, 141— Note. This treaty has commonly, but erroneously, been supposed to have been held at Canandaigua. ceiving in consideration from Phelps and Gorham the inconsiderable sum of five thousand dollars, one-half of which was paid in cash and the other half in goods, and a perpetual annuity of five hun- dred dollars. The amount paid therefor to Massa- chusetts was 3 1,000 _;^. In 1789, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham opened a land office at Canandaigua and commenced the settlement of their lands. November i8, 1790, Phelps and Gorham sold to Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, the distinguished financier and patriot of the Revolution, 1,200,000 acres of their purchase, reserving what had been previously sold by them and two townships addi- tional. The next year Mr. Morris, through his agent in Europe, WiUiam Temple Franklin, a grandson of Dr. Benjamin Frankhn, sold the whole tract at an advance of 4,000^^ to a company of London capitalists, composed of Sir William Pult- ney, a capitalist and noted British statesman, John Hornby, a former governor of Bombay, In- dia, and Patrick Colquhoun, a wealthy Scotch phi- lanthropist, then high sheriff of Westminster, Eng- land, upon the latter of whom the duty of pro- moting its settlement mainly devolved — a duty he performed with great acceptability. This tract, which embraced the present counties of Ontario, Yates and Steuben, and large portions of Wayne, Monroe, Schuyler, Allegany, Chemung and Living- ston counties, has since been known as the Pultney Estate, and the details of its settlement have been successively managed by Colonel Charles William- son, a native of Scotland, to whom the land was originally conveyed, as attorney of the company, Robert Troup, W. W. McKay, Joseph Fellows and B. F. Young. The principal settlements were be- gun at Geneva, Canandaigua, Bath and Sodus Bay. May 12, 1791, the reverted portion of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase was bought at one shilling per acre, by Samuel Ogden, for Robert Morris, in whom the Legislature confirmed the title May 11, 1 791. July 20, 1793, Mr. Morris sold the western portion of this tract, constituting about seven- eighths of the whole, to the Holland Land Company, an association of capitalists of Amsterdam, Hol- land, consisting of Wilhelm Willink, Jan Willink, Nicholas Van Stophorst, Jacob Van Stophorst, Nicholas Hubbard, Pieter Van Eeghen, Christian Van Eeghen, Isaac Ten Gate, Hendrick VoUen- hoven. Christian Coster, (widow,) Jan Stadnitski and Rutger J. Schenimelpennick, who, being aliens, made the purchase through residents in this country, the consideration being 55,0^.0 ;£. This THE MORRIS RESERVE. 73 tract has since been known as the Holland Pur- chase, no portion of which lies within this county. Its east line commences on the Pennsylvania line twelve miles west of the west line of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, on the line between Alma and Bolivar, Allegany county, and extends thence due north to near the center of the town of Staf- ford, Genesee county, to the south line of the Con- necticut Tract,* thence due west two miles and thence due north, on the west line of the Connec- ticut Tract to Lake Ontario.f Between the Phelps and Gorham Purchase and the Holland Purchase was a tract twelve miles in width, containing a half miUion acres, reserved by Mr. Morris at the time of his sale to the Holland Company, and hence known as the Morris Reserve. It embraced the towns of Nunda, Portage, Mt. Morris, Leicester and the south half of York in Livingston county, and was sold out in several large tracts to different purchasers. The Forty Thousand Acre Tract, sold by Morris to Wilhelm and Jan Willink, lies partially in this county and partially in Wyoming county; and the Morris Honorary Creditors' Tract containing 58,570 acres, and joining this on the south, lies partly in Living- ston and partly in Allegany county. By the terms of the sale to the Holland Com- pany, Mr. Morris obligated himself to extinguish the Indian title to the tract thus sold, and 3S,ooo_;^ of the purchase money was withheld till its consum- mation; but, owing to the threatening attitude of the Indians for a full decade succeeding the war of the Revolution, and until the signal victory of General Wayne over the Western Indians in 1794, he did not deem it prudent to make an effort in this direction. On the 25th of August, 1796, he addressed the following letter to President Washington : — "Sir: — In the year 1791, I purchased of the State of Massachusetts a tract of country lying within the boundaries of the State of New York, which had been ceded by the latter to the former state under the sanction and with the concurrence of the Congress of the United States. This tract of land is bounded on the east by the Genesee river, to the north by Lake Ontario, to the west partly by Lake Erie, and partly by the boundary line of the Pennsylvania Triangle, and to the south by the north boundary Kne of the State of Pennsyl- vania. * * * To perfect the title it is neces- *This tract comprises 100,000 acres, lying in the counties of Genesee and Orleans, and extending in a narrow strip to the lake. It was sold by Mr. Morris to Watson, Cragie & Greenleaf; and in 1881, conveyed in un- divided halves to the State of Connecticut and Sir William Pultney, the former using part of her School Fund in the purchase. It was divided by alternate lots in 1811. FrencKs State Gazetteer. t This line is known as the Transit Line, from having been run with a transit instrument, then first used in surveys. sary to purchase of the Seneca nation of Indians their native right; which I should have done soon after the purchase was made, * * * but that I felt myself restrained from doing so by motives of public consideration. " The war between the Western Indian nations and the United States did not extend to the Six Nations, of which the Seneca nation is one; and as I apprehended that if this nation should sell its right during the existence of that war, they might the more readily be induced to join the enemies of our country, I was determined not to make the purchase while that war. lasted. "When peace was made with the Indian nations I turned my thoughts towards the purchase, which is to me an object very interesting; but upon its being represented that a little longer patience, until the western posts should be dehvered up by the British government, might still be public utility, I concluded to wait for that event also, which is now happily accomplished, and there seems no obstacle remaining to restrain me from making the purchase, especially as I have reason to believe the Indians are desirous to make the sale. " The delays which have already taken place and that arose solely from consideratj^ans above mentioned, have been extremely detrimental to my private affairs ; but still being desirous to comply with formalities prescribed by certain laws of the United States, although those laws do not probably reach my case, I now make application to the president of the United States, and request that he will nominate and appoint a commissioner to be present and preside at a treaty, which he will be pleased to authorize to be held with the Seneca nation, for the purpose of enabling me to make a purchase in conformity with the formalities required by law of the tract of country for which I have already paid a large sum of money. My right to the pre-emption is unequivocal, and the land has become so necessary to the growing population and surrounding settlements, that it is with difficulty that the white people can be restrained from squatting or settling down upon these lands, which, if they should do it, may probably bring on con- tentions with the Six Nations. "This will be prevented by a timely, fair and honorable purchase. " This proposed treaty ought to be held imme- diately before the hunting season, or another year will be lost, as the Indians cannot be collected during that season. The loss of another year under the payments thus made for these lands would be ruinous to my affairs; and as I have paid so great deference to public consideration whilst they did exist, I expect and hope that my request will be readily granted now, when there can be no cause of delay ; especially if the Indians are willing to sell, which will be tested by the offer to buy. " With the most perfect esteem and respect, I am, sir, your most obedient and humble servant, ROBERT MORRIS. "George Washington, Esq., " President of the United States." 74 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. In the meantime Washington, who was disposed to further the wishes of Mr. Morris in any way con- sistent with the pubhc interest, had been put in possession of documents, drawn at the instigation of Capt. Bruff, then commandant of the.British gar- rison at Fort Niagara, expressing an aversion of the Senecas to parting with any more of their lands ; and he told Mr. Morris that he should feel con- strained to accompany his recommendation and nominations to the Senate with these documents, expressing doubt of the favorable action of that body. Isaac Smith, of New Jersey, was nominated by the President, and the Senate confirmed the nomination, stipulating, however, that no treaty should be held for this purpose until the Indians themselves requested it. Thomas Morris, a son of the purchaser of the tract, was deputized by his father to obtain the consent of the Indians and conduct the negotiations with them for the purchase of their lands, in both of which he was successful. At the time designated for the treaty, the atten- dance of Commissioner Smith was prevented by judicial duties, and Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth of Connecticut, was appointed in his stead. Gen- eral WiUiam Shepard was designated to attend by Massachusetts; Captains Horatio Jones and Jasper Parish were selected as interpreters, and James Rees, of Geneva, as secretary. Captain Israel Chapin, then Superintendent of Indian Aifairs, was present ; also Charles Williamson, in behalf of the Pultney Estate, William Bayard, in behalf of the Holland Land Company, and two young gentle- men from Holland, named Van Stophorst, relatives of the proprietors of the name connected with the Holland Company. The treaty was held at Geneseo, and the log- house of the Wadsworth brothers, then unfinished, located between the site of the village of Geneseo and the river, was hired for the use of the Commis- sioners and officers in attendance. A large council house, covered with the branches of trees was pre- pared for the convenience of the negotiators ; and after a week spent in preUminary matters, the busi- ness of the council was commenced on the 28th of August, 1797, continuing till the 15th of Septem- ber, when a deed was executed by which the Sene- cas disposed of the remainder of their lands in Western New York, with the exception of certain reservations. The council was a stormy one, and was more than once threatened with utter failure, owing to the machinations of certain venal white persons, who stimulated a prevalent disinclination on the part of the Senecas to part with their lands for the purpose of defeating its object. Mr. Mor- ris had hoped that $75,000 would sufliice to satisfy the demands of the Indians ; but, in view of the accumulating difficulties, was constrained to offer them $100,000. Even this sum, however, was in- sufficient; and Red Jacket, who, in consonance with his former opposition to the disposition of their lands, opposed with his fiery eloquence the object of the treaty, responded to the offer that the Senecas did not want to sell their lands ; but as there were expenses attending the treaty, which they had re- luctantly consented to hold, he offered Mr. Morris a single township on the Pennsylvania border at one dollar per acre, which, he said would sell for a suffi- cient advance to cover the expenses. Mr. Morris, by the urgent advice of the commissioners, and Mr. Bayard, who had become impatient at the dila- tory proceedings and desired to bring the parley to a close, but in opposition to his own judgment and wishes, affected to reject the offer with contempt ; whereupon Red Jacket, with great vehemence, retorted, "you have now arrived at a point to which I wished to bring you. You told us in your first address that even in the event of our not agreeing to sell our lands, we would part friends. Here, then, is my hand. I now cover up the council fire." This decision was received with great apparent satisfaction by the Indians, who gave expression to violent demonstrations, such says Stone, as " a person unaccustomed to their character and man- ners would have trembled for his scalp.'' Mr. Bayard, who had been particularly importunate to have Mr. Morris take the course pursued, hoping it would expedite a favorable adjustment, was deeply mortified with the result, and strenuously urged Mr. Morris to make an effort to re-open the negotiations, which the latter who was equally soHcitous, promised to do, on condition that he be allowed to take his own course, without interference either by the agent or commissioners. On the following day he observed to Farmer's Brother, who called on him in a fraternal spirit, that, in accordance with their established customs, it was the prerogative of the one who lighted a council-fire to extinguish it ; and since he had lighted the present one. Red Jacket, by putting it out, had usurped a right which belonged solely to him, to which Farmer's Brother assented. Several days intervened before a council could be convened, during which Mr. Morris industriously appUed him- self to an effort to win the approbation of the wo- men and warriors, as there seemed little probability BIG TREE" TREATY. 75 of being able to accomplish his purpose with the sachems. For this purpose he artfully pandered to their fondness for display and ornamentation, by distributing among the women such articles as were calculated to excite and gratify this passion — a plan which fully met his expectations; for he was soon able to convene a council of women and war- riors and bring the negotiations to a favorable ter- mination.* From the moment the women and warriors assumed the task of negotiations, Red Jacket withdrew and remained drunk during the rest of the proceedings.! Cornplanter, the princi- pal war chief, then became the main speaker, and opened the proceedings. He said the women and warriors regretted the misconduct of their sachems and censured the haste displayed by Mr. Morris, and expressed the hope that the renewed negotia- tions would be conducted with better temper on both sides. After the terms of the treaty were agreed upon, much difficulty was experienced in fixing the bound- aries and extent of the reservations. The Indians insisted that the former should be designated by natural rather than arbitrary lines, such as the courses of streams, etc.; but this was inadmissable, as it gave the Indians every advantage over the whites, who possessed little exact knowledge of the geography of the country. J The chiefs were jeal- ous of each other, and, as their importance was measured by their following, which was determined by the extent of their lands, each was solicitous to * Indian polity vested the ultimate right to dispose of their lands in the women and warriors, because the former tilled, while the latter protected them. t Stone says Red Jacket's opposition to this treaty was insincere, and that his object in thus withdrawing was to throw the entire responsibility upon Cornplanter. He adds it is a fact "no less true than disgraceful, that after the negotiation had been completed, he repaired to the lodge of Mr. Morris by night, and told him that he had in reality no objections to the sale of their lands, but yet he must seem to oppose the measure, or he should lose his popularity. That popularity had been acquired by op- posing every land sale that had been made, and he must at least affect to continue his opposition to the end. * * * In order to manifest his apparent opposition to the treaty, he refused in Council, after the decision had been made, to sign it ; and yet before any signature had been made to the document, he arranged with Mr. Morris to have a blank left for the insertion of his name afterwards— desiring that the space might be high up among the first, that when Washington saw the treaty he might know that Sagoyewatha was yet a man of consequence among the chiefs of his people." Life and Times of Red Jacket^ 249. X Mr. Morris did in one instance depart fron his fixed determination to have the boundaries of reservations established by survey. In his im- patience he yielded to the persistent importunities of Mary Jemison, the white woman, for whom the chiet's were desirous of making provision. She objected to her reservation being designated by a definite number of acres, for the reason, as she said, that she had various improved places, one of which was a patch of corn, another of potatoes, another of beans, etc., she then named certain boundaries, to which Mr. Morris assented, supposing the tract would not exceed 150 acres; but when surveyed, Mary's farm, the Gardeau flats, proved to contain, according to the sur- vey of Augustus Porter,made in 179^ '7i929 acres and 137 rods of land of an .excellent quality. increase his own allotment and diminish that of his rival. Difficulties were also experienced before the final consummation of the treaty, prominent among which was the arrival at the council of Young King, a youthful warrior, who, as a descendant of the famous chief Old Smoke, inherited the title of Chief Sachem of the Seneca nation, and an influ- ence to which his merit did not entitle him. As Chief Sachem of the nation his signature to the treaty was necessary to make it valid; and though he was at first averse to the sale, by dint of much persuasion his objections were finally overcome. Another obstack was presented by the instructions of Washington to Col. Wadsworth, to withhold his assent from any treaty which did not provide for the investment of the purchase money in the stock of the United States Bank, in trust for the Seneca nation. It was only with great difficulty that the Indians could be made to comprehend the magni- tude of a hundred thousand dollars, the purchase price ; while it was utterly impossible to make them understand the nature of an investment and why the dividend resulting therefrom varied in amount. As an aid to the former they were told how many casks of a given size would be required to hold the amount, and how many horses would be necessary to draw it ; while their idea of the latter was, that a bank was an extensive place in Philadelphia where money was planted and produced better crops some years than others. Frequently in after years they would inquire of Mr. Morris what kind of a crop they might expect in a season like that they were then experiencing. Pending the negotiations between New York and Massachusetts relative to their claims to the territory of Western New York, a project was set on foot by a company of Columbia county specu- lators to get possession of this entire country, vnth the ulterior motive of erecting it into a separate State.* In order to evade the law then existing in this State, which prohibited the purchase from the Indians of land within the State, by individuals or companies, without the sanction of the Legislature, in 1776, they negotiated a lease with the chiefs of the Six Nations of all the lands possessed by them, exclusive of certain reservations, for a term of 999 years, the consideration being $20,000 in hand and an annual rental of $2,000. Under these auspices sales were made to settlers, who took possession of various portions of the land. On the sale to Phelps and Gorham in 1788, a second lease was ♦This company consisted of Jolin Livingston, Caleb Benton, Peter Ryckman, John Stephenson, Ezekial Gilbert and others. 76 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. executed for a like period for the residue of their lands, and a reduction of one-half made in the annual rental. The Legislature, however, regarded a lease of this character equivalent to a purchase and an infraction of the law; and in order to put the matter at rest, a law was passed in March, 1788, declaring the pre-emptive right to the lands to be vested in the State, and authorizing the strongest measures to be used to remove all in- truders from the lands.* Accordingly Governor George Clinton sent the sheriff of Herkimer county, which then embraced this territory, with a posse of sixty men to eject these intruders upon the Indian lands and burn their dweUings. Though baffled in these efforts the lessee company did not abandon their project, but in 1793 developed a plan to form a new state which was to embrace the whole of Western New York. It was, however, defeated by the energetic action of the better class of citizens, although serious alarm was occasioned among those settlers who were favorably disposed towards the constituted authorities. The formid- able character of the movement is indicated by the proceedings of a public opposition meeting, held at Canandaigua in November, 1793, and presided over by Judge Timothy Hosmer, from the minutes of which the following is an abstract : — " Whereas, Certain restless and turbulent char- acters from the eastern district of this State, evil disposed towards this country, have for some time past, endeavored to stir up sedition among the peaceable inhabitants thereof, and to excite them to acts both treasonable and improper; and, "Whereas, They have proposed to many indi- viduals of the county that the county of Ontario, in conjunction with that of Otsego, and part of Tioga and Herkimer, should immediately shake off all allegiance and dependence from the State of New York, and support their independence by force of arms, in case the state should be unwilling to ratify and confirm the same ; and, "Whereas, The passions of the dishonest and disorderly, of the ambitious and the timid, have been flattered by the expectation of hav- ing laws passed for the screening of individuals from the payment of their just debts for six years, and they have been falsely told that all the Indian lands, as well as those belonging to the state of New York as those which the said State, together with Massachusetts, have guaranteed to individu- als, should become a prey to the rapacity of their hungry followers, and have engaged to support these measures by a number of armed troops col- • "In order that not even the color of injustice towards the lessees might remain, the Legislature, five years afterwards, made a grant to them of a district of country ten miles square, in the northern part of the state and subsequently they received grants of several large tracts in the Genesee country from Phelps ana Gorba.m."—Li/e a>ia Times of Red "Jacket, 13S- lected from Vermont and elsewhere, in case of opposition ; therefore, " Resolved, That the inhabitants of Ontario, sen- sible to the many advantages that they have derived from their connection with one of the most respect- able states in the union, and desirous of the con- tinuation of the same advantages, highly resent the ill-timed and improper attempt made by the charac- ters above alluded to, to disturb their peace and harmony, and they conceive their measures are preg- nant with danger, and such as if carried into effect would introduce into our infant country all the comphcated evils which anarchy and confusion can create." Following this, in 1794, the Federal government effected a treaty, guaranteeing to each of the Six Nations the right to its own reservations; so that the confederacy could not thenceforth dispose of any of the land of either of its members against their will; and while other Indians were restrained from selling their land, except to the United States, it conferred on each of the Six Nations, separately, the right to sell any or all of its lands to citizens of the United States whenever and however it might choose. The following reservations were made by the Senecas at the Geneseo or Big Tree treaty in 1797:— 1. Canawaugus Reservation, two miles square, located on the Genesee west of Avon. 2. Big Tree Reservation, two miles square, located on the Genesee, opposite Geneseo, in the present town of Leicester. 3. Little Beard's Reservation, two miles square, located on the Genesee in the town of Leicester. 4. Squakie Hill Reservation, two miles square, located on the Genesee, in Leicester, near Mt. Morris. 5. Gardeau Reservation, twenty-eight square miles, located on both sides of the Genesee in Cas- tile and Mt. Morris. 6. Canadea Reservation, sixteeen square miles, located on both sides of the Genesee, in Allegany county. 7. Oil Spring Reservation, one square mile, on the line between Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. 8. Allegany Reservation, forty-two square miles, on both sides of the Allegany river, and extending north from the Pennsylvania line. 9. Cattaraugus Reservation, forty-two square miles, at the mouth of and on both sides of Catta- raugus creek. 10. Buffalo Reservation, one hundred and thirty square miles, on both sides of Buffalo creek. ri. Tonawanda Reservation, seventy square miles, on both sides of Tonawanda creek, and mostly in Genesee county, 12. Tuscarora Reservation, one square mile, three miles east of Lewiston in Niagara county. EARLY CIVIL DIVISIONS. 77 The titles to all these reservations in Livingston county, together with the portions of the Buffalo, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus and Canadea reserva- tions, were extinguished at a treaty council held August 31, 1826, and attended by Hon. Oliver Forward, of Buffalo, as United States Commis- sioner, Hon. Nathaniel Gorham, as agent for the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and John Greig, of Canandaigua, as agent of The Ogden Company, who had acquired the pre-emptive right of Mr. Morris, and in whose interest the treaty was held. At this date the representatives of the once lordly and powerful Seneca nation remaining in this coun- try, had dwindled to an insignificant number, who found an asylum on other reservations.* CHAPTER VII. Early Civil Divisions — Formation of Living- ston COUNTY — Original Towns in Livingston county — Subsequent Territorial Changes — Topography — Boundaries, Area and Geo- graphical Situation — Improved Land in 1820 AND 1875 — -Character of Surface — Genesee River — Falls at Portage — The Genesee made a Public Highway — Charlevoix's De- scription OF the Genesee in 17 12 — Indian Name of the Genesee — Its Principal Tribu- taries — Canaseraga Creek — Cashaqua Creek — Conesus and Hemlock Lakes — -Cli- mate OF Livingston County — Soil — Staple Productions — Chief Industry — Comparative Analysis of the Census of 1875 — Livingston County Compared with Other Counties in the State — Towns in Livingston County Compared. IN 1638, the Dutch gave to all that part of New York lying west of Albany its first specific designation — Terra Incognita.'^ The Province of New York was divided into coun- ties November i, 1683, and the counties then formed, twelve in number, were named from the titles of the Royal family.J Albany county, one * The materials for this chapter have been drawn mainly from : Life and Times 0/ Red Jacket; Stiae's Life of Brazil; Turner's Phelps and Gorham' s Purchase ; Turner's Holland Purchase. A ddress of Hon. B. F. Angel, of Genesee, before the Livmgston County Historical Society, 1878 ; Contributions to the Local Press by Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris; YxmACs State Gazetteer; tAcMdiSler' s, History 0/ Steu- ien County ; Tlie Historical Magazine ; and other documents. t Pioneer History of Phelps & Gorham's Purchase, ii5. \ These original counties were : Albany, Cornwall, (now in Maine,) Dukes, (now in Massachusetts,) Duchess, Kings, New York, .Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester. of the twelve, was the first civil division to which Livingston county belonged, and then embraced " the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, Schenectady and all the villages, neighborhoods and Christian plan- tations on the east side of Hudson's river, from Roeloffe Jansen's Creek ; and on the west side, from Sawyer's Creek to the outermost end of Sa- raghtoga." By subsequent statutes it was made to include everything within the colony of New York north and west of its present limits, and, at one time, the whole of Vermont. March 12, 1772, Tryon* county was formed from Albany county and comprised the country west of a north and south line extending from St. Regis to the west bounds of the township of Schenectady, thence running irregularly south-west to the head of the Mohawk branch of the Delaware, and along the same to the south-east bounds of the present county of Broome ; thence in a north-westerly direction to Fort Bull, on Wood Creek, near the present city of Rome ; all west of the last mentioned Hne being Indian territory. In 1788, all the region west of Utica was known as Whitestown. At the third town meeting of that town, in 1791, True worthy Cook, of Pompey, Jeremiah Gould, of Salina, and James Wadsworth, of Geneseo, were chosen path-masters. Ontario t county was formed from Montgomery, January 27, 1789, and included all that part of the State lying west of a north and south line drawn through Seneca .Lake, two miles east of Geneva. March 30, 1802, Genesee f county was formed from Ontario, and originally comprised all that part of the State lying west of Genesee River and a line extending due south from the point of junction of the Genesee and Canaseraga Creek to the south line of the State. Livingston county was formed from Genesee and Ontario counties, February 23, 182 I, and named in honor of Chancellor Robert Livingston, an eminent jurist and statesman and a distinguished patron of agriculture. It originally contained twelve towns, eight of which formerly belonged to Ontario county § and four to Gene- see. 11 In February, 1822, the north-west quarter of the township No. 6, in the 7th range, then in thetownofDansville, Steuben county, including the * Named from William Tryon, Colonial Governor, and changed April 2, 17S4, in consequence of Tryon's manifest disloyalty to the colonies dur- ing the Revolution, to Montgomery, in honor of General Richard Mont- gomery, who fell at the capture of Quebec. t Named from the lake of the same name, which then formed its northern boundaiy. X Named from the Genesee River which formerly was partly within its limits. § Avon, Freeport, (Conesus) Geneseo, Groveland, Lima, Livonia, Sparta and Springwater. II Caledonia, Leicester, Mount Morris and York. 78 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. village of that name, was annexed to Sparta in this county. The towns of Nunda and Portage were annexed from Allegany county in May, 1846; and Ossian in March, 1857. These, together with North Dansville and West Sparta, which were formed February 27, 1846, by the division of Sparta, con- stitute the present seventeen towns of the county. Livingston county lies upon the Genesee River, and occupies a central position in the region com- monly called Western New York. It is centrally distant. two hundred and five miles from Albany; and is bounded on the north by Monroe county, on the east by Ontario and Steuben counties, on the west by Genesee, Wyoming and Allegany counties, and on the south by Allegany and Steuben counties. It contains 380,665 acres.* It is geographically situated between 42" 29' and 43° north latitude, and 44' and 1° 4' west longi- tude from Washington. t Its greatest length, from north to south, is 33.8 miles ; its greatest width, from east to west, 27.3 miles. The subjoined table shows the number of acres of improved land in each town in 1820 and 1875 i also the aggregate number of acres in 1879, indi- cated as farm, village and railroad lands, the village lands including, in addition to incorporated vil- lages, mill property, factories, and lots of four acres or less having buildings thereon which enhance their value as compared with farm lands : — Avon Caledonia Conesus ^ Geneseo Groveland Leicester Lima Livonia Mt. Morris No, Dansville§ Nunda Ossian Port3ge|[ Sparta Springwater ... West Sparta^. Yoric 1820. 187;. Farm. Village 1,946 R.Rl 119 I2>'^33 21,134 22,867 8,205 21,777 25,883 •43 204 3,611 15.187 i';,798 .36 61 62S6 21,590 24.784 '.5'4 63 S.3°i 17.^74 24,402 <5 44 4,685 17,130 20.096 •34 8,°7 3 •7.347 18,799 767 10,915 "9>'34 22,415 392 69 2,500 25,056 28,425 469 64 3.578 4,152 1,296 12 3.192 >5'4+o 21,818 594 116 2,930 •+.771 25.094 22 10,868 15,138 ic6 54 6,229 12,987 17,100 103 8 2,790 ^^.343 3',649 188 81 14.238 '9,599 5' 42 7,609 84,359 »5.377 295,232 29,458 ^35 371,577 8,141 937 Aggreg'te 24,932 26,230 19,995 26,361 24,49' 20,230 19,566 22,876 28,958 5,56° 22,528 25,116 15,298 17,221 31,918 19,692 29,693 380,665 The surface of the county is diversified, and the s oil variable and adapted to a w ide range of crops. "JleMrt of the Committee on Egualizfitioti of the Board of Snter visors, 1879. The Census of 1875 says it contains 374, 18S acres- and Prench's State Gazetteer, 419,200 acres (6js square miles.) t The meridian of Washington corresponds mth the seventy-seventh west of Greenwich. t Originally named Free/,ort. Name changed to Bowersville, March z6th, 1825; and to Conesus, April 15th, 1825. § Included in Dansville, Steuben county, in 182c. II Not given in 1810. IF Included in Sparta in 1820. The surface has a general inclination toward the north, and consists of two terraces, separated by the broad, deep valley of the Genesee, and broken in a transverse direction by the streams which flow over them. West of the Genesee the country is level till we reach its ancient banks, which descend by a series of ledges from one to two miles in width. The eastern terrace rises similarly to a correspond- ing height, attaining its greatest altitude in the well- defined ridge which separates Conesus and Hem- lock lakes, the former of which is about six hundred feet above Lake Ontario, and about one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet above Canandaigua lake, to which the land descends. The slopes are generally smooth and arable, except along the banks of the streams, and nearly every acre of land in the country is arable. The Genesee Valley varies in width from two to four miles, and in the south part of the county, where the highest eleva- tions are ten to twelve hundred feet above the val- leys and twenty to twenty-two hundred feet above tide,* its depth is more than four hundred feet. "In a comprehensive view it will be included in the great western plain, forming part of the great St. Lawrence basin, and probably once part of the bed of the lake which covered the wide spreading of Ontario and Erie when those inland seas had no distinctive existence."! Genesee river is the principal stream. It divides the county into two unequal portions, and in its upper course through it, forms a portion of the western boundary. It rises in Potter county, Penn., on the great western table-lands of that State, at an elevation of nearly two thousand feet,t and in- terlocks the head waters of the Allegheny, the west branch of the Susquehanna and French Creek. Its entire length is about one hundred and forty- five miles, one hundred and twenty-five miles of its course being in this State. It is a small stream m its upper course, and runs sluggishly through a rich country to its first series of falls in the town of Portage, where it is precipitated over four ledges, which are respectively eight, sixty-six, one hundred and ten, and thirteen feet in height.§ The entire • French's State Gazetter, 1860. t Gordon's Gazetier of New York, 1S36. t At Angelica its bed is 1291 feet above tide, according to the report of engmeers on the Erie railroad. At the head of the great falls at Portage i'.^ !,'°' ,'^S': ,=" Gardeau Flats, 650 feet; at Squakie Hill, S74; at trie Canal, Rochester, 506. Natural History of New York. § Gordon's Gazetteer of New York. Stafford's Gazetteer (1824) mentions only two falls at th;s point, near each other, and of sixty and ninety feet respectively. Disturnell ( Gazetteer of the State of New York, 1842,) mentions three, respectively sixty, ninety and one hundred and ten leet, within the space of two miles, "each," he says, "differing in charac- ter and each having peculiar beauties. " He adds, "although the cas- cades are highly admirable, they are almost disregarded in the wonder and fear caused by the stupendous perpendicular walls of the river," be- tween which It flows, "in turns as short and graceful as if winding through the softest meadow." THE GENESEE RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES. 79 fall within a distance of two miles, is two hundred and seventy-four feet. At the lower fall the bed of the stream is bounded on either side by cliffs three hundred feet high. Upon the left bank is a table rock which was formerly the river bed ; and upon the right, is a small conical island of rock, between which and the table on the other side, the stream now flows. Within the memory of the ear- liest observers the river flowed almost wholly over this table rock, and the isolated mass was joined with the right bank of the river. This table rock is ninety-six feet above the level of the river below the falls, and was formerly continuous to the small conical island, which is separated from the main bank by a recent gorge, whose bed is about inter- mediate between that of the present narrow chan- nel and the table rock above, which is composed of a fine sandstone, less than two feet thick, resting on softer strata beneath.* The upper fall is a mile be- low Portageville, and is known as the horse-shoe fall, deriving its name from the curve in the face of the cliff over which the water flows. Below this is the middle fall, which pours an unbroken sheet one hundred and ten feet into a chasm bounded by perpendicular cliffs. In the west bank, near the foot of the falls, an excavation known as the devil's oven, has been worn in the rocks, large enough when the water is low to seat one hundred persons within it. Two or three miles below this point the hills approach the river closely, and are separated only by a deep chasm, with perpendicular banks of aluminous slate four hundred feet high, almost as regular as if a work of art, through which the river passes in a rapid winding course for a distance of three miles, after which it descends by a succession of steps nearly as regular as a stair-case, and emerg- ing from the narrow channel beneath the shelving rock, makes a perpendicular descent. The water strikes the base of high rocks and is hurled back at nearly right angles into a deep pool overhung with shelving rocks, the conical column of rock, or sugar- loaf as it is called, receiving nearly the full force of the stream. Thence by a tortuous course of ninety miles it flows to Rochester, forming the western boundary of the town of Portage and the south half of Mt. Morris, and separating that town, the north-west corner of Groveland, Geneseo and Avon on the east, from Leicester, York and Cale- donia on the west. From the head of the falls at Portage the descent to Rochester is about seven hundred and thirty-six feet, nearly the whole of which is between Portage and Mt. Morris. At "Geohgy of New York, Part IV., James Hall, 1843. Rochester another series of falls commences, over which by leaps of twelve, ninety-seven, twenty and one hundred and five feet, the river attains the level of the lake, which is two hundred and thirty- one feet above tide. From thence it is navigable for sloops and steamboats about five miles to its recipient. The Genesee is subject to an annual overflow, the water often covering the entire flats which bor- der upon it.* This frequently causes destruction of property; but it is a source of constant fertility to the soil. In its course through the county it ' has innumerable small curves, which embrace, sometimes on the east and others on the west side of the valley, fine tracts of alluvian, covered with deep, rich and inexhaustable soil. These flats rest upon quicksand, twenty feet below the surface, and are generally from one to two miles wide. The river frequently mingles its waters with the quick- sand, and occasionally cuts the base of the hills which skirt the valley. Its scenery is both beauti- ful and sublime. The views from its banks are everywhere beautiful and agreeable, and are fre- quently of unsurpassed beauty. By an Act of the Legislature passed April i8, 1828, the river from Rochester to the Pennsylvania line was declared a public highway, without preju- dice to mills and dams previously erected. Previ- ous to the construction of the Genesee Valley canal, it was navigated by boats between that city and Mt. Morris, and an extensive traffic, which was absorbed by that artificial commercial artery, was carried on by that means. Both have now succumbed to a more expeditious method of trans- portation. The principle streams tributary to the Genesee, which are generally bordered by steep, and some- times precipitous, hillsides, are Canaseraga creek, Conesus and Honeoye outlets and Fall Brook on the east, the former of which receives as confluent near its junction with its recipient, Cashaqua creek; while numerous small streams indent its western margin, the principal of which are Beard's and White creeks. Canaseraga creek rises in the town of Nunda. and flows thence in a circuitous course, first south- east and then north-east, crossing the town of Os- sian into Steuben county. It again enters this county on the south line of North Dansville, receiv- ing near the west line of that town. Mill creek, a small but important mill stream. It thence flows *In March, 1865, the city of Rochester suffered from a flood, which did great damage to private properly, and to the streets, sewers, bridges and public works. HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. in _ a north-westerly direction, through a rich inter- vale, averaging about one and one-half miles in width, and resembhng in character the Genesee flats, crossing the western portion of North Dans- ville, forming the boundary line between Sparta and West Sparta, and crossing diagonally the town of Groveland, unites with the Genesee near the north-east corner of the town of Mt. Morris. Its length exceeds thirty miles. Cashaqua, or Kisha- qua creek rises in Grove, Allegany county, enters this county on the south line of Nunda, crosses the south-west part of that town into Portage, which, after making a short circuit in its eastern part, and furnishing a good water-power whicli is not as much utilized as formerly, it leaves a little north of the center of the east border ; passing thence into the town of Nunda, through the pleasant and once thriving village of that name, it pursues a north- easterly direction through the north-west part of that town, the south-east part of Mt. Morris, giv- ing power to the little village of Tuscarora, whose business has been ruined by the closing of the Genesee Valley canal, and thence through the west border of Groveland, which it enters in the south-west corner, to its recipient, into which it empties near the line between that town and Mt. Morris, about a mile from its mouth. A canal three miles long in the latter town connects with it the waters of the Genesee, and affords to the vil- lage of Mt. Morris a valuable water-power. Its length is about twenty miles. Conesus* and Hemlock lakes are situated in the east part of the county, the latter forming a por- tion of the eastern boundary. Their outlets are good mill streams, and the outlet of Honeoye lake into which that of the latter discharges, forms the east boundary of the town of Lima, which is also the county line. They are the only considerable bodies of water in the county. Conesus lake is one of the most beautiful sheets of water in this region, and, indeed, in the State. Its banks slope gently to the water's edge, and are covered with a fine forest of oak, hickory, &c., except where the hand of industry has replaced them with cultivated fields and meadows. It is about nine miles long and one wide. Its depth does not exceed sixty feet, and for the greater part is much less .f Its * The Indian name of this lake was Ganeasoit, signifying, "where the heavens rest upon the earth." Address of Dr. M. H. Mills at Ihe Second Annual Meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association August }, 1877- From The DansviUe Advertiser, Aug. 23, 1877. ^ Natural History of New York, Part I V., Geology, James Hall Thomas F. Gordon, {Gazetteer of New York,) J. Distumel, (Gazetteer of the State of New York,) mi Mather and Brockett, [Geographical Hutory of New York, ) all state that Conesus Lake " is said to exceed 300 feet in depth." waters are pure and cold. Its outlet is more valu- able for hydraulic purposes from its great fall and steadiness than its volume. The streams flowing into the lake have deep channels. The lake is much frequented during the summer months by pleasure seekers ; and Long Point is hallowed by its association with the meetings of the Livingston County Pioneer Association. Hemlocklake, though smaller than Conesus, is said to surpass it in beauty, and has been pronounced " the most attractive of all the beautiful chain of lakes which adorn Western and Central New York. Its banks rise somewhat abruptly from the water's edge to the height of two to three hundred feet, and are covered with stately pines and hemlocks. Halfway up the slope a ridge of splendid chestnuts stretches away as far as the eye can reach. It is six miles long and one wide. Its depth is remarkable for its size, and is remarka- bly uniform, especially the middle and upper por- tions, where for several miles it has an easy average of eighty feet, occasionally reaching ninety feet ; in no part is it a hundred feet deep. For miles at the upper end the depth is as great fifteen rods from the shore as it is in the middle. At the foot of the lake, as at the extreme head, the water is shal- low, and abounds with weeds, as do all the coves, and the shores where they are not too bold. In the deep parts of the lake the water is remarkably cold. It is well stocked with black and rock bass, and has become a popular summer resort in that region. Within a few years many cottages have been erected upon its shores, also places of public resort. The Jacques House, at the foot of the lake, was the pioneer of Livingston county pleasure resorts.* The cHmate of this section is characterized by uniformity. The mean temperature does not differ materially from that of the whole State; but the average annual range of the thermometer is only 96", while that of the State is 104°. Vegetation in the spring is somewhat in advance of the State generally, corresponding with that of Albany. The prevalent local wind of this region is from the southwest. In the autumn it is violent throughout the whole section, and frequently attended with rain. The extreme heat of summer is very uni- form throughout the State ; only five places out of fifty-five show a difference of over 3° from the average of the State, which is 92°. The average time throughout the whole State, from the bloom- ing of the apple tree, to the first killing frost in * Rochtster Democrat and Chronicle, July, 1871 ; Advertiser, August 9, 1877. Tlie Dam-,'iUi CLIMATE — SOIL — PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIES. 8i autumn, is 174 days. On the west end of Long Island it is 12^ days more; and in St. Lawrence county, 22 days less. These are the extremes. It has been ascertained by numerous observations made in this State and New England, that an ele- vation of surface of 350 feet produces a diminution of heat equal to the addition of a degree of lati- tude. Hence we see the influence of our moun- tain systems upon the climate of the State. In the eastern counties, consumption and other pulmonary diseases are the prevailing maladies ; while in the western counties bilious affections are more preva- lent.* Cutting away the forests has doubtless exerted some climatic influence and tended to shorten or modify the distinguishing characteristics of the spring and autumn seasons. The malarial diseases which were so fatally prevalent during the clearing process incident to the early settlement of the county as to make the death rate greater than in any other locality in this country| have vastly diminished, though not entirely subsided; and at present there are only sixteen counties in the State which show a greater comparative healthfulness as indicated by the percentage of deaths — the rate in this county being 1.03, while the average for the State is 1.15. The maximum rate — 1.41 — is in Madison county — the minimum, .85 — in Clinton county, t The soil of the county is mainly derived from the disintegration of the underlying rocks. It con- sists of a sandy loam with clay sub-soil upon the oaklands which abound in the north, and a deep, rich alluvian on the flats bordering the Genesee and Canaseraga. Beech and maple was the pre- vailing timber on the west side of the river, where the soil is a deeper sandy loam. Elm grew on the flats and was also common on the uplands. In the southern portion, which is better adapted to spring crops and grazing, being supplied with an abun- dance of pure soft spring-water, the timber consists of oak, maple, elm, basswood, butternut, walnut, ash, hemlock and white pine. About two-thirds of the county is admirably adapted to the culture of grain, and wheat of excellent quality is raised in great abundance, the product in 1874 being one- fifteenth of that of the entire State, and the grain product, nearly one-thirty-second part. This great staple was raised in its greatest perfection in this * Gazetteer of New York^ Thomas F. Gordon ; Geographical His- tory of New York, J. H. Mather and L. P. Brockett, M. D. t Address of Dr. D. H. Bissell, of Geneseo, at the Second Annual Meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association. Dr. Bissell was one of the pioneer physicians and settlers in Livingston county, and is one of the few remaining representatives of that early period. tCensus ofliJS. section prior to the destructive ravages of the weevil in 1855, and the reputation of the Genesee wheat surpassed all others in the market. Subse- quent to that date its culture greatly diminished. In 1836, the surplus product of wheat in the coun- ty exceeded a million bushels annually,* while in 1874, the entire product was only 670,799 bush- els,! notwithstanding the increased area under cul- tivation by the acquisition of territory and other means. Joseph Harris, who was editor of the Genesee Farmer in 1859, pronounced Western New- York "the best natural wheat-producing region in the world," and said "that the soil lacked none of the ingredients which were necessary for the produc- tion of wheat, but what could be easily supplied by proper manuring and cultivation." Grazing is receiving more attention than form- erly, especially in the southern part of the county ; and though the county does not take a high rank in the magnitude of its dairy products, these form an important industry and are increasing in value. Dairying is confined almost entirely to private fami- lies. Fruit of excellent quality grows readily. Bean culture is an important industry and has developed within the last six years on the east side of the river. It was previously carried on quite extensively in York and Caledonia, and, though to a less extent, in Leicester. In 1874, the county ranked fifth in the State in this product, which was nearly one-thir- teenth of the entire product. Monroe and Or- leans counties, however, produced alone nearly one-half; and Livingston about one-seventh of the remainder. Broom corn is raised quite extensive- ly on the flats, and is manufactured within the county. Sheep husbandry, in which, in 1855, Livingston county ranked second in the State, in- creased in magnitude during the succeeding decade, but in the next one it rapidly diminished to nearly one-third its magnitude in 1865, although in 1875, it still ranked second in the State, and its fleeces gave 4,244 pounds more wool than in 1855.:!; Formerly pork and cattle were staple products. Large quantities of pork were cured for market by farmers and merchants ; and four or five droves of cattle of from 300 to 500 head each were annually * Gordon^ s Gazetteer of New York, i Census of tSjS- t The following table shows the variations in this industry between the years 1855 and 1875 :— No. of Fleeces. Total Clip. Average Weight of Fleece. I8S5 1S64 186; 1874 1875 lo6,8j9 178,637 "8^;'9l6 68,83Z 377,689 786,256 776,16s 449,343 381,933 3-53 4.40 4.22 sss s-ss 82 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. collected at Geneseo for the Philadelphia and New York markets. Stock raising is still an importanl -industry, but is more exclusively confined than . formerly to improving the domestic herds' than to fattening for the market. The industries of the county are almost exclu- sively agricultural, and the disparity between agri- cultural and mechanical pursuits is increasing. There were eighty-six more manufacturing estab- lishments in the county in 1870 than in 1875; and in the latter year there were only fifteen counties in the State having a less number of manufactur- ing establishments than Livingston county. The manufactures of the county are mostly confined to local needs. The soil and climate, aside from intelligent cul- tivation, determine the character and magnitude of the agricultural productions of the county; and since there is little material variation in climate, and, though some difference in the quality, but little in the character of the soil, we observe a great similarity in the staple productions. Hence, an analysis of the census with a view to arriving at ■comparative results, will be both interesting and instructive. In its great staple product — winter wheat — Liv- ingston county ranks sixth in the State in the quantity produced, (633,148 bushels,) but only thirty-fourth in the average yield per acre, which is 14.62, while the State average is 16. t6. In the other cereals — corn, oats, rye, barley and buck- wheat — it ranks as follows : eighth in corn, yielding 38.63 bushels to the acre, the State average being 32.33, the maximum, (Yates county,) 47.82, and the minimum, (Albany county,) 168.78; twelfth in oatSj yielding 32.67 bushels to the acre, the State average being 28.59, the maximum, (Monroe coun- ty;) 36-97, and the minimum, (Rockland county,) 19.49 ; forty-third — next to the lowest — in rye, yielding 11.37 bushels to the acre, the State aver- age being 11.82, the maximum, (Herkimer county,) 21.63, and the minimum, (Warren county,) 8.34; twenty-fourth in barley, yielding 22.73 bushels per acre, the State average being 22.83, the maximum, (Saratoga county,) 32.87, and the minimum, (Rich- mond county,) 10.00; and sixteenth in buckwheat, yielding 17.10 bushels to the acre, the State aver- age being 15.14, the maximum, (Steuben county,) 19.99, and the minimum, (Albany county,) 9.78. In the product of hay it ranks twenty-sixth, yielding 1.14 tons to the acre, the State average being 1.13, the maximum, (Herkimer county,) 1.35, and the minimum, (Warren county,). 75; in potatoes, twen- ty-sixth, yielding iog.34 bushels to the acre, the State average being 102.22, the maximum, (Kings county,) 153.64, and the minimum, (Rockland county,) 58.03. A somewhat different result is obtained by com- paring the results on farms of one hundred acres, which is, perhaps, a fairer test. By this we find -that Livingston ranks seventh in winter wheat, tenth in barley, fifteenth in corn, twentieth in oats, thirty-fourth in rye, fifty-third in hay and forty-fifth in potatoes. This at least exhibits more fairly its status in its great staple product — winter wheat. The ratio of milch cows to the acreage of im- proved land, June 1, 1875, was 3.57, the State av- erage being 8.44. Themaximum ratio,(in Herkimer county,) was 14,89, and the minimum, (in Kings county,) 3.46. Livingston county ranked fifty-eighth — next to the lowest. It ranked twenty-seventh in the average yield per cow of dairy products in 1874, its average being 123, that of the State, 124, the maximum, (Orange county,) 172, and the min- imum, (Kings county,) 72.* In the production of hay, Springwater takes the lead, as compared with other towns in the. county. Conesus, Geneseo, Groveland, Livonia, Mt. Morris and York, exceed the general average, which is 3,742 tons per town. Lima takes the lead in barley, producing nearly one-sixth of the entire product of the county. Avon, Groveland, Leicester, Livonia, Mt. Morris, Sparta and York exceed the general average, which is 15,932 bushels per town. Spring- water takes the lead in buckwheat, producing nearly one-half the quantity raised in the county. Nunda, Ossian, Sparta and West Sparta are the only towns which exceed the general average which is 3,424 bushels per town. Avon takes the lead in Indian corn. Caledonia, Geneseo, Leicester, Lima, Livonia, Mt. Morris and York exceed the general average, which is 38,488 bushels per town. Springwater produces nearly twice as many oats as any other town in the county, except Mt. Mor- ris, which produces less than three-fourths, as many. Avon, Geneseo, Nunda and York are the only other towns which exceed the general average— 44,946 bushels per town. Springwater also takes the lead in rye, producing more than one-fourth of all that is raised in the county, and, with the excep- tion of North Dansville and Sparta, more than double the quantity of any other town in the county. Ossian is the only other town which ex- ceeds the general average — 935 bushels per town. * In this estimate two and a half pounds of cheese, one pound of butler and three gallons of milk are considered equivalents. COMPARATIVE STATISTICS. 83 Avon, Geneseo, Groveland, Lima and Livonia do not raise any. Nunda takes the lead in spring wheat, producing nearly one-fifth of all that is raised in the county. Mt. Morris, Ossian, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta exceed the general average — 2,215 bushels per town, Springwater trebling it, and Ossian and West Sparta nearly so. Caledonia, Geneseo and Groveland did not pro- duce any ; while Lima raised only 1 2 bushels, Avon 17 and York 99. The towns generally pro- duce liberally in winter wheat, Caledonia taking the lead with 77,406 bushels. The general aver- age is 37,244 bushels per town, and is exceeded by all the towns except Conesus, North Dansville, (which naturally produces the least quantity, only a little more than one-fourth of the average,) Nunda, Ossian, Portage, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta. York takes the lead in beans, producing a little more than a fourth of the product of the county. North Dansville is the only town which did not produce any, and Ossian raised the least quantity, 46 bushels. The average per town — 4,692 bushels — is exceeded only by Avon, Caledo- nia, Geneseo, Leicester and York. West Sparta takes the lead in hops, producing nearly a third of what is raised in the county— 163,561 pounds. Conesus, Leicester, Livonia and Nunda are the only other towns which exceeded the general aver- age — 9,033 pounds per town ; while Caledonia, North Dansville, Ossian, Sparta, Springwater and York did not produce any. Potatoes were a plen- tiful crop in all the towns, Lima taking the lead with 51,926 bushels. Avon, Caledonia, Geneseo, Livonia, Springwater and York are the only other towns which exceed the general average — 26,029 bushels per town. Avon was the only town which raised tobacco, producing 1,400 lbs. Apples were produced bountifully in all the towns. The greatest quantity— 47,212 bushels — was raised in York. The number of horses on farms, two years old and over, June i, 1875, was proportionate to the natural requirements of the towns, Mt. Morris having the largest number and North Dansville the smallest. All, excepit North Dansville, closely approximate the average number — 689 — and all, except Conesus, Leicester, North Dansville, Nun- da, Ossian, Portage, Sparta and West Sparta, exceed it. The towns generally show a slight in- crease in the number of milch cows kept in 1875, as compared with 1874, the number in the county increasing from 10,259 ^^ ^^74 to 10,531 in 1875. Springwater had the largest number— 929 — and North Dansville the least— 148. Avon, Geneseo, Groveland, Lima, Livonia, Mt. Morris, Nunda, Sparta and York exceed the average number — 619 — while Caledonia, Conesus, Ossian and Portage closely approximate it. Milk was sent to factories from only 256 cows in 1874, and 383 in 1875. The number of pounds of butter made in families in 1874 was 1,198,134 pounds, (to which all the towns contributed generously,) and of cheese, 43,162 pounds. Springwater produced the largest quan- tity of butter — 128,224 pounds — and North Dans- ville thesmallest— 18,965 pounds. Avon, Caledonia, Geneseo, Lima, Livonia, Mt. Morris and Nunda, exceed the average per town — 70,478 — but none of them very largely ; while Conesus, Groveland, Ossian, Sparta, West Sparta and York closely ap- proximate it. Groveland produces the greatest quantity of cheese — 21,000 pounds — -nearly half of the product of the county. The only other town which approached it was Ossian, which made 8,400 pounds. The product of the other towns ranged from 450 to 2,820 pounds, though the majority of them made less than a thousand pounds. All the towns are large pork producers, the entire product of the county in 1874 being 2,529,205 pounds, of which Avon produced the greatest quantity — 254,661 pounds, and North Dansville the least — 34,225. All the towns, except Conesus, Leicester, North Dansville, Nunda, Ossian, Portage, Sparta and West Sparta, exceed the average per town — 148,777 pounds. CHAPTER VIIL* Geology — Succession of Underlying Rocks in THE County — Water-lime of the Onondaga Salt Group — Onondaga Limestone — Cornif- EROUS Limestone — Marcellus Shales — Hamilton Group — Genesee . Slate — Portage Group — Cashaqua Shale — Gardeau Shale and Flagstones — Portage Sandstones — Diagonal Lamination — Ripple Marks — Casts OF Shrinkage Cracks — Concretions or Sep- taria — Casts of Flowing Mud, &c. — Indica- tions of Coal — Sulphuretted Hydrogen Springs — Avon Springs — Brine Springs — Alluvial Deposits — Marl — Chara — Masto- don Remains— Speculations as to the Time when the Mastodon Existed. I'^HE lowest rock in the county is the water-lime of the Onondaga salt group. Above this, as we proceed south, appear in succession the Onondaga * In preparing this cliapter we have relied mainly on the Geology o/ New York, Part IV., by James Hall. 84 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. and corniferous limestones, the Marcellus shale, the Hamilton group, Genesee slate and Portage group, the latter occupying the high lands in the southern part of the county. The thick-bedded hydraulic limestone passes through Caledonia and Avon. In the former town it is quarried in several localities, chiefly for build- ings and enclosures. It underlies the village of Caledonia, extending thence south-easterly towards the Genesee, reappearing on the other side, and extending north-easterly to Mendon. In several instances where it has been burned for cement it has been found unfit for the purpose, either from improper composition or from the mode of burning. For a distance of two or three miles south-east of Caledonia village these flat masses of the drab limestone are scattered over the surface, in many places in sufficient quantities for enclosures; its out-cropping edges approach so near the surface as to be turned up by the plow. At the Wadsworth quarry, three and one-half miles south-east of Cal- edonia, it was quarried in large quantities for use on the Genesee Valley canal. It is easily quarried, splitting into masses of any dimension, and be- comes very hard and brittle on exposure. The upper seven feet of the mass is often in one course, though generally divided into two ; this portion and a course of two feet below, contain numerous ir- regular cavities, often filled with greenish clay, gyp- sum, and sulphate of strontian, blende, &c. In some of these cavities there are remains of some coralline fossils, the greater part having been expel- led, probably by the action of sulphuric acid, which formed, with the lime, gypsum, and with strontian, its sulphates. The same causes which here produced the small nodules of gypsum were in operation over a large extent, to form the immense quantity which occupies a place in the rocks beneath the drab limestone. Owing to this circumstance only, we find no fossils in the gypseous rocks ; for none could exist in a sea where sulphuric acid was a free in- gredient. The Onondaga limestone is but a thin mass in this county, scarcely appearing except in a few lo- calities. The principal of these is at Caledonia, where it is a thick compact mass, with a few thin layers separated by shale, and contains agreat num- ber of Cyathophylli Favosites and other fossils. It extends also for several miles north-west from the village, maintaining the same character, and the surface is strewed with fragments which contain its typical fossils. It abounds in its usual coraHine fossils, but there are no places where it is sufficient- ly developed for quarrying. Its usual characteristic is a light-gray color, often approaching to white, more or less crystaHine in structure. In many in- stances it is almost entirely composed of broken and comminuted fragments ofcrinoidea and corals sometimes extremely attenuated, and at other times fragments of large size are presented. These frag- ments of crinoidal columns, with some of the other fossils are frequently of a pink or reddish color and give a beautiful variegated appearance to the mass, particularly when polished. The Corniferous limestone scarcely extends into the town of Lima but forms the substratum of the northern portion of Avon, and in the river valley extends as far south as the center of the town. It occupies a width of from two to four or five miles, dipping gradually to the south under the Marcellus shales. It is quarried in the outlet of Conesus lake, and on a small stream a short distance further east ; at these places only a few feet of the upper part of the mass are seen. It is easily quarried in blocks of large dimensions, and is nearly free from hornstone. It was wrought for use on the Genesee Valley canal. The fossils at this place consist chiefly of Stropho- meiia negosa, Atrypa affinus, Delthyris, and some fragments of trilobites. The greater portion of this rock, on the east side of the river, is covered by a deep alluvium, which renders it difficult to trace its bearing and outcrop with extreme accuracy. On the west side of the river it first makes its appear- ance in the south-east corner of Caledonia, near the town line. Two miles south-east of Caledonia village a very extensive quarry has been opened on the west bank of a small stream, on the Christie place, from which large quantities of the gray por- tion of this limestone were taken for the construc- tion of locks, aqueducts, &c., for which purpose no better stone can be found. It is mostly free from seams and is easily quarried and dressed. The whole thickness exposed does not exceed ten feet, the courses varying from one to two and one-half feet, and being thicker than elsewhere in the State to the westward of Seneca Lake. None of the layers preserve a continuity of thickness. Some- times the courses are separated by a thin, irregular course of hornstone; at others this hornstone is in the center, or near the surface of the layer of lime- stone. From Christie's Quarry the limestone pursues a north-west direction, passing just to the south of Caledonia village ; it crosses the road a little west of that place, and pursues the same direction to the top of the terrace on the south side of Allen's GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. 85 creek. In the west and north-west part of Cale- donia large numbers of fossils are found in it, the lowest portion of the rock is thick-bedded and com- pact, while above it contains a large proportion of hornstone, and in some places is composed almost entirely of that substance. Being in irregular shaped masses, and surrounded by limestone, which de- composes on exposure, it is scattered over the sur- face in rough and shapeless forms. These fragments are crossed in every direction by innumerable fis- sures, which are expanded by freezing water, and the whole falls into small fragments which, in many places, literally cover the surface for many acres. Where the road crosses this part of the rock, it has the appearance of being made in a bed of flints. From the jagged and irregular appearance of the hornstone rock, as its occurs in detached masses, it has received the familiar and expressive name of " chawed rock!' This rock is the best material for road making which Western New York affords. Where it approaches the surface the soil is rather barren, producing only a growth of dwarf oaks ; but where there is a tolerable proportion of finer materials, it produces a fertile soil. A large pro- portion of the native growth along this terrace con- sists of oaks. The Marcellus shales possess their usual essen- tial characters ; the middle portions being quite compact and highly bituminous, becoming more slaty above and below. The compact part of the shale usually contains large septaria; these some- times consist of large silico-calcareous masses, with- out seams of crystalline matter. This rock follows the same course as the limestone. Commencing on the east near the north line of the county, it passes south-west to the Genesee; thence its course is north-west through Caledonia, passing into Gene- see county near the north line of this town. On the Conesus outlet, near the lower saw-mill at Avon, this shale may be seen resting on the lime- stone. About thirty-five feet from the bottom of the shale there is a stratum of limestone one foot thick, sometimes concretionary, and containing Orthoceras, fragments of trilobiUs, &c. For sev- eral feet below this the rock is black, slaty and very fragile. A few feet of the shale above this limestone is black and slaty ; it abounds in fossils of Orthoceras, Orthis, Strophomena, Avicida, and a very small species of Orbicula. Above this the mass graduates into a grayish or bluish gray slaty shale, and contains few fossils. This shale is seen in the ravines and hillsides on the west-side of the Genesee, extending through the north-east corner of York, and thence through the south-west part of Caledonia. In the south part of this town two ex- cavafions, one on each side of a small shallow val- ley originally worn in this shale, were made for coal. The indications which induced the under- taking were the black and highly bituminous char- acter of the shale, thin seams of coaly matter and petroleum. North of the valley on the McLean farm, the same shale was penetrated in digging a well. Some portions of the rock are so highly charged with bitumen as to burn when thrown into a hot fire. Numerous excavations for coal have been made in these shales as well as in the upper Genesee slate, and in each alike fruitless. The Hamilton group, consisting of several mem- bers, but the product of one period, is exposed in numerous localities in the county, and is every where highly fossiliferous. Its destruction has af- forded the highly fertile argillaceous soil which is everywhere so productive of wheat in this part of the State, and, perhaps, nowhere more so than in this county. It occupies a belt of country from five to eight miles wide covering nearly the whole of the towns of Avon and York, a part of Geneseo, Leicester and Caledonia. The deep valley of the Genesee, with numerous lateral ravines and water courses, renders this county one of the most de- sirable localities for examining its rocks. On Jack's Run the Ludlowville and Moscow shales can both be seen, separated by the thin mass of crinoidal limestone. The Moscow shale is known by its fossils, the Calymene and Cryph- CEUS ; while the Atrypa concentrica and large num- bers of Cyathophylli and other corals characterize the Ludlowville shale. In some localities the Cyathophylli and smaller corallines occur in the Moscow shales, but are not characteristic of this mass. At York the Ludlowville shale is exposed on a small stream near the village ; but the fossils are chiefly Cyathophyllites and Favosites, both in great perfection and beauty. Among the former there is a specimen in the State collection, consist- ing of twenty-six individuals of the species turbina- tum (?) all closely grouped together. In the same ra- vine several hundred feet lower, and in several other localities may be seen a hard calcareous shale, or shaly limestone, which, though of interest elsewhere, possesses here but little economic importance. At Moscow, the locality which gives name to the upper number of this group of fossiliferous shales, they are exposed in great perfection and contain an abundance of the characteristic fossil. These are the Colymene bu/o, Cryphceus calliteles, Atrypa 86 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. affinis and two or three species of Delthyris. The principal locality is in the bed and banks of Beard's Creek, on the Jerediah Horsford place, where more than fifty species of fossils have been found. The rock at this place is a pure calcareous mudstone, of a blueish color on first exposure, but weathering to a whiteish ashen. Its decomposition is hastened by the diffusion of iron pyrites which sometimes replace the fossil bodies. The Mos- cow shale is exposed in a ravine and the bed of a small stream, near the residence of Hon. G. W. Patterson. These localities are in a deep valley of denudation, and much below the general eleva- tion of the surrounding country, the surface of which is occupied by the Genesee slate. It is also seen at the base of the fall on Fall Brook, south of Geneseo village, and near the Conesus outlet, along which the lower division of the group is ex- posed at several places. The Genesee slate extends through the coun- try in an irregular course. From the outlet of Conesus Lake its direction is south-west till it comes to the level of the Genesee Valley in Grove- land and Mt. Morris. From the west side of this valley its course is north-west to the south part of the town of York, whence it continues westward to Allen's creek. It appears in the ravines both east and west of Moscow; also in a hill crossed in going from Moscow toward the Genesee, and in the hillside ascending from the valley to Geneseo. The same shale is seen in Fall Brook, where the water leaps a hundred feet from the top of this rock. It underlies the village of Geneseo, and is seen in many places on the road east from that place, and in the ravines between it and Conesus lake. In this neighborhood the black shale is succeeded by a thin stratum of impure limestone which has been burned for lime near Moscow. At the bridge crossing the Genesee near Mt. Morris, and for a mile in the perpendicular cliffs forming the gorge in that river, the Genesee slate is well exposed, possessing all its essential characteristics being bituminous, containing thin seams of coal great numbers of septaria, sometimes irregularly scattered, at other times in regularly courses. Its greatest development in Western New York is at the opening of the gorge at Mt. Morris. The Portage group covers the remaining south half of the county. It presents an immense development of shale and flagstones, together with some thick-bedded sandstone towards its upper part. Like all the other mechanical depos- its of the system, as they appear in New York, it is extremely variable in character. From its superior development along the banks of the Genesee in the town of Portage, in the locality of the middle fall, it has received the name of the town to dis- tinguish it from the higher rocks, which possess some differences in lithological characters, but a more striking dissimilarity in organic remains. The group rises sometimes in a gentle slope, and at other times abruptly from the softer shales below. The enduring sandstones of the upper part have enabled it to withstand denuding action to a con- siderable degree, and these often extend far north- ward to the elevated grounds between the deep north and south valleys, presenting a gentle north slope to the shales of the Hamilton group ; while on the sides of the same hills the slope is abrupt and the surface being but little covered with north- ern drift, the valleys on either side are bounded by steep hills. This character is well illustrated along the south part of the Genesee Valley towards Dansville. The change in the external appearance of the coun- try indicates the commencement of these rocks ahhough they are not seen. The valleys just spoken of, in their course through the shales of the Hamilton group, present gently sloping sides, and the country rarely rises far above the level of the valley bottom or bed of the stream. On approaching the north margin of the Portage group, the observer finds a gradually increasing elevation of the hills on either side, and an abruptness in their slope ; and in a short time he finds himself in a deep valley, bounded on either side by hills rising four hundred or five hundred feet, and in some instances even eight hundred feet above the bed of the stream. These elevations often extend several miles un- broken, except partially by the deep ravines which indent their sides. The higher sandstones of the group, and in many instances some of the inter- mediate ones, produce falls in the streams which pass over them, and some of the most beautiful cascades in the State are found among the rocks of this gronp. The highest perpendicular fall of water in the State is produced by the rocks of this group, and in none others do we meet with more grand and striking scenery. Conspicuous among these are the upper, middle and lower Portage falls. On the Genesee, which affords the best develop- ment in this district, the group admits of these subdivisions: i. Cashaqua shale; 2. Gardeau shale and flagstones; 3. Portage sandstone. The Cashaqua Shale differs sufficiently in htho- logical and fossil characters from those above to be GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. 87 considered under a separate name, which was given it from its perfect development on Cashaqua creek. The mass at this place is a soft argillaceous rock of a green color, rapidly crumbling on expos- ure, and forming a tenaceous clay. From the in- fluence of atmospheric agency, it is very difficult to procure good specimens; and fossils not being abundant, they might be easily overlooked. It is, however, marked by certain species of shells which have not been seen in any other rock, and these have been found to hold the same position over an extent of a hundred and fifty miles. On Casha- qua creek, and in some other places in the same neighborhood, it contained some flattened concre- tions of impure limestone, and sometimes of sand- stone, but of these it presents no continuous layers. It is deeply excavated, presenting high and abruptly sloping banks, which project into the valley on one side and recede on the other, as the stream widens along its course below. In looking down the stream, the slopes of these cliffs are free from veg- etation, while on the opposite side they are entirely covered, often with large trees. This effect is produced by the action of the meandering stream, which flows in its channel from one side of the gorge to the other, continually undermining the rock, which crumbles down from above, thus constantly presenting a fresh surface. From one hundred and ten feet on the Genesee, the rock diminishes to thirty-three feet on Eighteen Mile creek. Along the Genesee, above the Cashaqua shale, the Gardeau shale and flagstones present a great development of green and black slaty and sandy shales, with thin layers of sandstone, which form beautiful and durable flagstones, and are quarried in many places between Stony Brook in Sparta and Dansville, where materials were obtained for locks, bridges, etc., on the Genesee Valley canal. The shale in the upper part of the ravine formed by Stony Brook has been ground and used as a plaster. The rocks in this part of the group form high, almost perpendicular banks on the Genesee, only indented by the incipient ravines caused by slides and the action of running water. From their great exposure on the Gardeau Reservation, that name was adopted to distinguish this part of the formation, in the lower part of which the shales consist of alternations of green slaty and sandy shales with black slaty shale, one or two thin courses of sandstone occurring in the space of four or five feet. As we ascend, the arenaceous matter increases in quantity, the layers are thicker and more numerous, and the shale forms distinct alter- nations of black and green, often many times in succession, within the space of fifty feet. Towards the upper part the courses of sandstone become too thick for flagstones, and the shale is in thicker masses than below. These characters, however, which are sufficiently obvious in the gorge of the Genesee, are not constant for any great distance in either direction. Toward the east the arenacious strata augment in a great degree to the exclusion of the shales ; while in a westerly direction the sandstones are constantly disappearing, and the proportion of shale con- stantly increasing. With the absence of sandy strata and the augmentation of shale, a few fossils which were rather sparingly seen along the Gene- see and in the east part of the district, become more numerous, and form a distinguishing feature of the rock. The Portage sandstones are well exposed in the deep gorge below Portageville, where the perpen- dicular cliffs rise to the height of three hundred and fifty feet. The upper part consists of thick bedded sandstone, with little shale; while below, the sandy layers become thinner with more fre- quent alternations of shale. The thick-bedded character of the sandstones, and the presence of fucoids passing vertically through the strata, in- duced the separation from the rocks below, where the characteristic species of the same genus lie horizontally upon the surface of the strata. The lithological character of the sandstone, and the presence of the vertical fucoid, hold uniform over a considerable extent; and the presence of the latter alone is often sufficient to decide the posi- tion of the rock, when it is but sHghtly exposed. The higher mass of sandstone of the Portage group is very persistent and forms a line of demarkation between the almost non-fossiUferous shales and sandstones below, and the highly fossiliferous sand- stones and shales above. Canaseraga creek and its branches in the vicinity of Dansville, offer good exposures of the rocks of this group. The small streams flowing into the Genesee Valley between Dansville and Mt. Morris, on both sides, afford good opportunities for inves- tigation. Cashaqua creek is the best of these. The Genesee in its passage from Portage to Mt. Morris, exposes the whole series of rocks in five mural escarpments which rise from fifty to three hun- dred and fifty feet high. The examination of this gorge throughout its whole length will give a most perfect and connected view of all the subdivisions HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. of this group, the thickness of which on the Gene- see cannot be less than one thousand feet. Carbonaceous matter is disseminated through the black shales, and sometimes appears in seams of half an inch thick. Some fragments of large vege- table forms appear, and thin laminas of coal usu- ally accompany these. From the frequency of these small seams of coal, which are usually of no greater extent than the specimen procured, excavations and borings have been undertaken in search of larger beds. It is unnecessary to say, says Mr. Hall, that these always fail, as do all similar un- dertakings in rocks of this period. Traces of coal have been found in Conesus; and as late as 1876, the community was considerably agitated by the discovery of a vein in the wall of a deep gully, known as the Purchase gully, near the center of the town, about thirty rods south of the foundation of the old Purchase grist-mill. "The vein is an inch in width and seems to widen and thicken as it extends into the rock. It is about ten feet above the water, which winds at the foot of rocks fifty feet in height at this place. Coal is seen in other places, but nowhere in sufficient quantities to pay for mining." Formerly it was found in the north-west part of the town on the Adam and Cyrus Trescott farms; also on Turkey Hill, in digging wells, slight veins were seen. More recently, in September, 1880, coal was discovered by workmen engaged in digging a well on the Mountain Dew premises, at the head of Liberty street in the vil- lage of Dansville. " In the search for water, much rock was encountered, necessitating drilling and blasting ; and at the depth of twenty-four feet below the surface of the earth a vein of superior soft coal was struck, of about four inches in thickness in either way, while coal slate was plentiful."* The country underlaid by the rocks of this group is well watered by never-failing springs. Except where the black slaty shale is thick, there is no dif- ficulty in procuring water. In such instances the vertical joints appear to be more open, and to allow the percolation of water through the mass. There is here no remedy but to bore through the black to the green shales, which are less divided by joints, and usually impervious to water. In some parts of the country occupied by this group we first notice a deficiency in the calcareous matter in the soil. This change is indicated by a different growth of timber, and a corresponding change in the cultivated products of the soil. Wheat does not always produce a sure crop after the field * TheDamville Advtriiser, September 2j, 1880. has been cultivated for some years. When fin cleared the land produces good crops of all the grain: In this statement, however, must not be include the valleys and low northern slopes, which ar deeply covered with northern drift and alluviun containing a large proportion of calcareous mattei This on examination proves to be composed of th ruins of the limestone and calcareous shales befor described, with a small admixture of sand. Thi kind of soil is but sparingly spread over the highe grounds, and in many of the highest places is no known at all. In consequence of its absence, th character and productions of the soil of the valley and of the hills are quite different. The soil derivei from the lower part of the group is a stiff clay, thi soil being in too small proportions to produce mucl perceptible effect. As we ascend, the arenaceou: matter increases, and the broken fragments of th( sandy strata become intermixed with the finer ma terials, giving it the character of a clayey gravel The fragments, however, show little effect of attri tion, and from being fiat and irregular, the soil ii known locally as " Jiat gravel," to distinguish i from that of the valleys, where the fragments ar( rounded into the form of pebbles. In the valleys and on the low northern slopes o this group, the soil produces wheat with the same facility and equal certainty as the formations nortl of it. As we ascend to the south, the wheat crops are less abundant and less certain, and this gives place to the coarser grains and to pasturage. Foi the latter object the soil is superior to that on the north of it, and the evidence is fully substantiatec by the increasing number of cattle and the product of the dairies. In the Cashaqua shale there are several species of shells which have not been seen in any othei rock, and at the same time there are no fossils found with them which are known in other rocks beyond the group. The more common forms are the Avicula speciosa, Ungidiiia suborUscularis Bellerophon expanstis, Orthoceras aviculum, Cly- menia (') complanata, Goniatites sinuosis, PinnopsL acuiirostra, and Piimopsis ornatus, all of which are found on Cashaqua Creek, and the first also on the Genesee. The following fossils occur in the more central or higher part of the group, but, with the exception of the last, are unknown in the Cashaqua shale : Delthyris lavis, Cardium (I) vetustum, Or- this termistrata, Liicina (?) reti/sa, Nucula lineolaia, Astarte subtextilis, Bellerophon striatus (I), Goni- atites bicostatus, Goniatites sinuosis. The Cyatho- criniis ornatissimus, among the most beautiful GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. 89 crinoideans in the system, occurs in this group, but only in a limited stratum, upon the shore of Lake Erie, in the town of Portland. The sculptured column and tentaculated arms and fingers place it among the most ornamental forms of this family of fossils. Sulphuretted hydrogen springs are numerous, and occur in almost every rock in the district, but those which are copious in water and highly charged with gas, are confined to a few situations. The most important ones are those issuing from the rocks of the upper part of the Onondaga salt group; these being almost the only ones resorted to for the medical properties of their waters. They con- tain, besides the gas, carbonate and sulphate of lime, which are deposited upon the stones and twigs over which the waters flow. At some there is a considerable formation of calcareous tufa, often covered with a yellow coating, which apparently consists of sulphur, and sulphate of lime. The water is usually perfectly limpid, though sometimes it has a whitish or chalky appearance when first flowing from the spring. Such are the springs which occur at Avon.* There are several unimportant brine springs in the higher rocks of the district. The most remark- able of these is at York, which, for some time after its discovery, yielded a large supply of water, but which has since diminished. It gives evidence of a large proportion of iodine on the application of the usual tests. It issues from the shale of the Hamilton group. A sulphur spring, evolving sul- phuretted hydrogen gas, issues from the upper part of the Onondaga salt group at Caledonia village ; another near Moscow, issuing from the Hamilton group, evolves the same gas. The superficial or alluvial deposits are extensive in the valley of the Genesee, and originated mainly at a time when that valley of ancient excavation formed the basin of an immense lake, extending from Dansville on the south to its northern extrem- ity, with original outlet at Irondequoit, and into which the detritus was poured through the valleys south of Dansville and that of Cashaqua creek, forming the deep beds of alluvian observed about Dansville and below the mouth of the Cashaqua, and spreading over the entire valley a fine sandy loam. An examination of this deep deposit on the Genesee flats shows conclusively that it was made in a lake such as described, with a current passing through it from south to north. The deposit was evidently carried forward in that direction, as indi- • See chapter Town of Avon. cated by the lines of lamination. The coarser materials, at the points mentioned, near the em- bouchures of the streams into this lake, are in con- siderable proportion of southern origin. As an illustration of this may be noticed the accumulation of gravel and sand resting on regularly stratified clay, at Squakie Hill, near Mt. Morris. The exca- vation of the Genesee Valley canal exposed a deep section at this place, showing the lower deposit of fine clay horizontally stratified, and succeeded by a stratum of coarse pebbles and gravel, and above this loose sand and gravel, the ruins of rocks on the south. This shows the inundation of these materials after the deposition of clay and loam forming the Genesee flats. In the vicinity of Portageville we find an immense deposit of coarse sand and gravel, piled upon an older deposit of sand and clay. The lower deposit is regularly stratified, and consists in part of materials of northern origin. This appears to have been partially excavated, and another deposit spread over it of materials from the south, consist- ing of flat masses of sandstone and scarcely worn pebbles, with loam and gravel. It is entirely dis- tinct from the formation below, and proceeded from a long subsequent operation. The excava- tion of the Genesee Valley canal has given an opportunity of examining these deposits in a very satisfactory manner. In the broad indentation on the east side of the river, opposite the middle falls, the canal passes along the slope of the hill, which rises nearly two hundred feet higher. The lowest deposit excavated at this point consists of alternating clay and quick- sand, which, about one hundred feet lower, rest upon the rocks of the Portage group. This de- posit of clay and quicksand extends about one hundred feet above the level of the canal, when it is succeeded by sand and gravel. For more than two hundred feet from the bottom, the mass con- sists of alternating layers of sand from two to eighteen inches, with layers of clay of half an inch to two inches, each becoming thicker as we ap- proach the upper part, where the quicksand layers are fifteen to twenty feet. The upper layer of fif- teen feet thickness becomes perfectly saturated with water, and is termed liquid quicksand; and this is succeeded by the deposit of coarse sand and gravel, which is of subsequent origin, containing materials from the rocks of the south, mingled with some of the older drift deposits which have been broken up. Through this the water percolates, saturating the mass below, and giving it the char- go HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. acter of quicksand. Fragments of the trunks of trees have been found in this deposit, in a layer of clay about thirty-five feet below the gravel. The whole of the lower deposit, consisting of regularly alternating layers of clay and sand, was evidently deposited in a quiet lake, while the sub- sequent one of gravel and coarse sand was brought on by some powerful inundation from the south. The fragments of wood are doubtless such as were drifted from the higher grounds into this lake, and sinking to the bottom were covered by the subse- quent sediment. In several similar situations, bones of the mastodon have been found, and con- sequently referred to the drift period. These facts, however, offer no arguments in favor of such an hypothesis ; for in all instances which occur in Western New York, there is the strongest evidence of their having been transported from their origi- nal situation, and mingled with the more modern fluviatile or lake deposits. Another circumstance to be noticed in connec- tion with this section, is a superficial deposit of about ten feet in depth, covering the whole slope from the base of the gravel hill to the bank of the This surface deposit is composed of the river. ruins of the gravel hill, with the clay and sand be low. From the constant oozing of water from the lower deposit, it undermines that above, which fall- ing, carries with it something of those below, the whole constituting a moving mass, saturated with water. Its nature only became fully understood upon the excavation of the canal, when all that part above commenced shding down, completely destroying the work. Farther examination proved that the whole hillside, for ten feet in depth, was in motion towards the river, and of course no exca- vation or fixture could be made permanent on such a foundation. In proof of this, and that such for a long time has been its condition, we find that the oaks which grow upon the hill towards the top, have slidden down the rocky margin of the river, where they stand among the hemlocks and cedars, sometimes upright, but often leaning in various directions. The whole surface for half a mile, is saturated with water, and springs gush out at every step. In nearly all situations the muck swamps are underlaid by a deposit of calcareous marl. This is usually very finely pulverulent, and, though co- hering when wet, is very friable when dry. When this calcareous deposit is made upon the surface, or in situations exposed to the air, it becomes tufa or travatine, often preserving in a most beautiful manner, the impressions of twigs and leaves, etc. so perfectly that the species may be determined. This marl is derived from two sources, one being the limestone rocks themselves, and the other the calcareous particles distributed through the super- ficial detritus, the origin of which is still the lime- stone formations. The drift materials being com- posed, in a large portion, of the debris of the rocks of the district, calcareous matter is widely diffused. This is not only a constant fertilizing agent in the soil, but from the action of rains upon the surface, and the passage of water through tliese superficial deposits, the calcareous matter is dis- solved and carried forward into some lower situa- tion, where it accumulates in the bottom of the small lakes and marshes. Some of the most ex- tensive formations of this kind in the district are made upon the Onondaga salt group, and are de- posited from the copious springs which rise along its southern margin. These deposits of marl usually rest upon a bed of clay or sand, and are succeeded by muck. In the greater number of localities its formation has long since come to an end, but in others it is still in progress. In many of the springs issuing from the rocks, its daily deposition can be observed ; it incrusts all the vegetables growing in the stream, and, in favorable situations, forms deposits of con- siderable extent. The tufa is used for building- stone ; being soft, when first removed from its bed, it is easily cut, or hewn into blocks of convenient size. These, after drying, become comparatively hard, and form a durable material. There are, however, but few situations where there is a quan- tity sufficient to allow of its being used in this manner. Remains of the mastodon have been found within the county. In 1825, while a ditch was being opened to drain the swampy tract on which are located the springs which supply the village of Geneseo with water, a large number of bones, in- cluding several teeth of the mastodon maximus were found beneath a deposit from two to three feet deep, of muck intermingled with a sandy cal- careous marl. The animal was young, as eight molar teeth were found — old ones having only one molar on either side of each jaw.* A molar tooth of this animal, the only known remaining specimen of this collection,! was in the possession of the late C. H. Bryan, of Geneseo, and is illustrated in the Geological Reports of this State. Ten years later * Sillimatt's Journal, First Series XII., j8o. t Geological Reports, THE DANSVILLE MASTODON. 91 other mastodon remains were found in a swamp, about three feet below the surface, while men were engaged in straightening the road from Scottsburg to Conesus lake. Portions of this collection are now in the cabinet of the LeRoy Female Semi- nary. The most important discovery of this charac- ter was made in 1874, on the farm of Edward Whiteman, in the town of Wayland, about two miles from the south corporation line of Dansville village.* The first discovery was made accident- ally by Mr. Whiteman, while engaged in digging a ditch through a long swail on that farm early in the preceding December. Two teeth, a tusk, and fragments of ribs and vertebra of the mastodon giganteus were then unearthed. The teeth weighed respectively five pounds and five pounds and three ounces. One was seven inches long and four and one-half inches wide, and, although an inch or two of the points of the roots had crumbled off, seven and one-half inches from top to bottom. The other was seven inches long and thick and four inches wide. In the spring of 1874 further ex- aminations were made under the direction of Dr. F. Ferine, of Dansville, and partially in the presence of Prof. Jerome Allen, of the Geneseo Normal School. Additional portions of the ani- mal were discovered, consisting of a part of a tusk, a part of a lower leg bone, a nearly complete ver- tebra, three teeth, a part of a rib, the head of a femur and a portion of the humerus. The tusk measured nine feet two inches in length, and twenty-five inches in circumference. It is believed that it was not less than fourteen feet long before any portion of it was decayed. The piece of leg bone was thirty-five inches long, ten inches thick at the upper end and nine at the lower; it weighed twenty-eight pounds. The piece of rib bone was thirty-eight inches long and three and one-half inches wide. The vertebra, apart from its connec- tions, was four and one-half inches thick. The largest tooth weighed five pounds, ten ounces. All the teeth were very much worn, and indicated great age. The animal is the third one of its species exhumed in this country, and its remains were the largest hitherto found, f These relics are now in the possession of Dr. Ferine, of Dansville. Prof Allen says : — "At no very remote geological period, before the advent of man, the whole of Western New York * These remains, though found iust over the line, in Steuben county, are commonly denominated the "Dansville Mastodon." The accom- panying description of them is gleaned from The Dansville Advertiser, of May 7 and 14, 1874. t The Mastodon and his Colemporaries, Prof Jerome Allen, from The Dattsville Advertiser, of June n, 1874. was covered with a great number of lakes. We see the remains of them, not only in the blue waters of the Ontario and Erie, but in the beauti- ful Chautauqua, Silver, Conesus, Hemlock, Crooked and Canandaigua. At this period ["when the mastodon roamed through these ancient forests and on the shores of these old lakes,"] the whole of the Genesee Valley was filled with a lake which could not have had an average depth of less than three hundred feet. Into this water flowed in beautiful cascades the Genesee river, the Canaser- aga and other creeks, with many smaller streams. The surface of the land on all sides was covered with dense forests, interspersed with deep and almost impassable swamps ; birch and willow grew in great abundance in the forests, the mastodon abounded, and in seeking for the rankest vegeta- tion, often sank, on account of his immense weight, when he ventured too far into the shady bogs. Such a swamp existed on the hill above Geneseo, and here a few years ago the remains of a huge monster were found. Another swamp was found near Dansville, on the road to Wayland, about six hundred feet above the bottom of this old lake. On the edge of this morass the Dansville mastodon died. No bones of this animal have ever been discovered in the place covered by the lakes of this alluvial period."* CHAPTER IX. First Settlements and Measures leading Thereto — Military Tract — Mill - Yard Tract — Census of 1790 — First Settle- ments IN Livingston County — Communica- tion opened with the Settlements in Penn- sylvania — Arks — Charles Williamson — Be- comes Agent of the Pultney Estate — Pro- gress OF Settlements under his Energetic Exertions -The Village of Williamsburgh Founded — Settlements Retarded by War WITH THE Western Indians and Unfriendly Attitude of the British in Canada — " Simcoe War" — Remarkable Progress of Settle- ments — Scotch Colony at Caledonia — Rob- ert MuNRO's Description of the Genesee Country — 1804 — Settlements Interrupted by War of 181 2 — -Population at Different Periods — ■ Homes and Privations of the Early Settlers. IN the events connected with the Colonial strug- gle for independence, especially that which wit- nessed the devastation of the Iroquois country by the invading army of General Sullivan in 1779, we trace the immediate agencies which opened up *Il!id 92 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. to eastern and southern immigration the whole of Western New York, for until after the close of that struggle, as we have seen, the whole of that vast extent of country west of the Line of Property was a reserved Indian domain. Having thrown off the oppressive burdens imposed on them by the mother country, the mind of the colonists expanded with the new and invigorating thought of liberty, and they were stimulated to the development of new enterprises and new industries. It is fair to pre- sume that those who had been favored during the war with a view of the beauty and fertihty of this country, as were the soldiers who accompanied Sul- livan's expedition, bridged with prophetic vision the interval which must elapse ere the return of peace should enable them to make this fair land their future home, which many of them did, and that the favorable reports given of it to their associates in arms and their neighbors at home, gave direction to the minds of many who subsequently took up their abode in this wilderness, which, however, then abounded in extensive tracts of cleared land which had been subjected to the rude cultivation of the Indians ; certain it is that the extinction of the Indian title and the immediate subsequent opening of these lands by survey and sale to settlement, was the signal for a vast hegira from the New England States, and a httle later from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, with a Hb- eral representation from the more intelligent and industrious classes of the pauper-ridden countries of Europe. In 1789, the year after the extinguishment of the Indian title to the reserved tract known as Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and extending from the Old Preemption Line, or in general terms from the Military Tract to the Genesee River, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham commenced a settlement and opened a land office on the tract at Canandaigua, and in 1789 had completed the survey of their purchase, including the Mill- Yard Tract,* into lots, generally six miles square and containing 23,040 acres. The tract was divided into seven ranges, •The Mill-Yard Tract, lying on the Genesee River, mostly in Monroe county, extending from Lake Ontario into the north edge of Livingston county, and embracing a territory twelve by twenty-four miles in extent, was given by the Seneca Indians to Phelps and Gorham, pending the negotiations for the extinguishment of their title to the Phelps and Gor- ham Purchase, for the purposes of a mill-yard, for which, it was repre- sented, a tract as large as this would be required. Messrs. Phelps and Gorham conveyed one hundred acres of this tract — known as the *' Hun- dred Acre Tract"— where the city of Rochester now standr, for the erec- tion of a mill at the Genesee Falls, to Ebenezer Allen, a notorious char- acter in this vicinity and the pioneer settler of Mt, Morris, who, in 1789, erected a small mill. When the Indians saw the diminutive size of the mill, they were not a little astonished that so large a tract shotild be needed for its accommodation. numbered from east to west, and extending from the Pennsylvania line to Lake Ontario. These ranges were six miles wide, and were subdivided by parallels six miles apart. The squares thus formed were designated townships and were num- bered in ranges from south to north. The portions of this tract embraced in the present hmits of Liv- ingston county are townships 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in range 7, (corresponding with the present towns of Ossian, West Sparta, Groveland, Geneseo and Avon,) townships 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the north- west quarter of 6 in range 6, (corresponding with Sparta, Conesus, Livonia, Lima and North Dans- ville,*) and 7 and the western part of 10 in range 5, (corresponding with the eastern parts of Spring- water and Lima.) The survey was made under contract by Col. Hugh Maxwell, who completed most of the northern portion of the purchase in 1788, and the remaining portion in 1789, with the assistance of Judge Porter. Settlements were speedily begun at various dif- ferent points in the tract, principally at Geneva, Sodus, Bath and the Friends' settlement at the outlet of Crooked lake, and in 1790 the popula- tion of the preemption lands, or Ontario county, which then embraced al! the State west of the Old Preemption Line, had increased to 1,047, 0"ly 5' of whom were west of the west line of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. This attempt at settlement,! however, says Charles Williamson, the first agent of the Pultney estate, referring to that at Canan- daigua, in a letter addressed to a friend in 1799, "was attended with great and almost insurmount- able difficulties. There was no access to the country but by Indian paths, and the nearest set- tlement was above one hundred miles distant; the Allegheny Mountains, then never passed, lay on the south, and Lake Ontario to the north ; to the west was one boundless forest. It is not to be wondered at, that, under such circumstances, the country made little progress in population and improvement for some years."}: * The west part of Sparta is included in No. 7 of range 7: the western part of Springwater, a little more than a third of that town, in No. 7 of range 6 ; and that part of Lima lying between Honeoye Outlet and a line in pro- longation of the east line of Liviona, was included in No. 10 of range 5. t This census was taken in December, 1790, by Gen. Amos Hall, and is pven in tabulated form in Doc. Hist. //., 1 1 14. It included, says Mr. Williamson, "all travelers and surveyors, with their attendants, who happened at that time to be within the bounds of the country." ^Pi^- Hist. 11., lijo.) It appears that township 10, ranye 5 (part of Lima,) then contained seven families, numbering twenty-six individuals : No. to, range 6 (Lima,) four families, numbering twenty-three individuals; No. 6, range 7 (Ossian,) one family, numbering five individuals: No. 9, range 7 (Geneseo,) eight families, numbering thirty-four individuals ; and No. 10, range 7 (Avon, then Hartford,) eight families, numbering fifty-n"" individuals. Two additional settlements, on what were then Indian lands, existed within the present county of Livingston : one opposite No. (Groveland,) in the town of Mt. Morris, and the other opposite No. 9 (Geneseo,) in the town of Leicester; which together with_ a settlement opposite No. s (Bums,) contained four families, numbering seventeen individuals. + Doc. Hist. II., 1 1 30. EARLY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE GENESEE COUNTRY. 93 Happily the pioneer settlers of the Genesee country were not perplexed by those distressing litigations which environed their contemporary set- tlers on the Military Tract, and the soil of the country possessed a fertility which was unknown ■to the lands further east. It responded generously to the moderate exertions of the husbandman; and during the many years while his less fortunate neighbor could only by the most pinching industry coax from an almost sterile soil a scanty subsistence, he had acquired a title of undoubted validity to his property, and was enjoying the blessings which flow from a moderate competence. A writer in describing the country between Albany and Niagara in 1792, speaks in glowing terms of this country. He says : — ■ " The famous Genesee flats He on the borders of the Genesee river ; they are about twenty miles in length, and about four miles wide; the soil is remarkably rich, quite clear of trees, and producing grass near ten feet high. I estimate these flats to be well worth 200,000 £ as they now lie. They are mostly the property of the Indians. Taking a view of this country altogether, I do not know an extent of ground so good. Cultivation is easy, and the land is grateful. The progress of settle- ment is so rapid, that you and myself may very probably see the day when we can apply these lines to the Genesee country: — " ' Here happy millions their own lands possess, No tyrant awes them, nor no lords oppress.' " Many times did I break out in an enthusiastic frenzy anticipating the probable situation of this wil- derness twenty years hence. All that reason can ask may be obtained by the industrious hand ; the only danger to be feared is, that luxuries will flow too cheap." The same writer adds : — " From Canandaigua I traveled about twenty-six miles through a fine country, with many settle- ments forming ; this brought me to Genesee river. On this river a great many farms are la3dng out ; sixty-five miles from its mouth is a town marked out by the name of Williamsburgh, and will in all probability be a place of much trade ; in the pres- ent situation of things it is remote, when consid- ered in a commercial point of view; but should the fort of Oswego be given up, and the lock navi- gation be completed, there will not be a carrying placebetweenNew York and Williamsburgh. * * * " After I had reached the Genesee river, curi- osity led me on to Niagara, ninety miles — not one house or white man the whole way. The only di- rection I had was an Indian path, which sometimes was doubtful. The first day I rode fifty miles, through swarms of mosquitos, gnats, etc., beyond all description."* The comparative advantages attending a settle- ment in the Genesee country were enumerated in * (Massachusetls Historical Collection I.) Col. Hist. II., 1105-1109. Imlay's Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America. After some prelimi- nary references it says : — " But the peculiar advantages which distinguish these lands over most of the new settled countries of America, are these following: — i. The uncom- mon excellence and fertility of the soil. 2. The superior quality of the timber, and the advantages of easy cultivation, in consequence of being gen- erally free from underwood. 3. The abundance of grass for cattle in the woods, and on the extensive meadow grounds upon the lakes and rivers. 4. The vast quantities of the sugar maple-tree, in every part of the tract. 5. The great variety of other fine timber, such as oak, hickory, black walnut, chestnut, ash of different kinds, elm, butternut, basswood, poplar, pines and also thorn trees of a prodigious size. 6. The variety of fruit-trees, and also smaller fruits, such as apple and peach or- chards, in different places, which were planted by the Indians, plum and cherry trees, mulberries, grapes of different kinds, raspberries, huckle-ber- ries, black-berries, goose-berries, and strawberries in vast quantities ; also cranberries, blackhaws, etc. 7. The vast variety of wild animals and game which is to be found in this country, such as deer, moose deer, and elk of very large size, bea- vers, otters, martins, minks, rabbits, squirrels, rac- coons, bears, wildcats, etc., many of which furnish excellent furs and peltry. 8. The great variety of birds for game, such as wild turkeys, pheasants, partridges, pigeons, plover, heath-fowl, and Indian hen, together with a vast variety of water-fowl on the rivers and lakes, such as wild geese and ducks, of many different kinds, not known in Europe. 9. The uncommon abundance of very fine fish, with which the lakes and rivers abound, among which are to be found excellent salmon of two dif- ferent kinds, salmon-trout of a very large size, white and yellow perch, sheep-heads, pike, suckers and eels of a very large size, with a va- riety of other fish in their different seasons. 10. The excellence of the climate in that region where these lands are situated, is less severe in winter, and not so warm in summer, as the same latitudes nearer the sea. The total exemption from all periodical disorders, particularly the fever and ague, which does not prevail in the Genesee country, on account of the rising grounds and fine situations. 11. The vast advantages derived from navigable lakes, rivers and creeks, which intersect and run through every part of this tract of country, affording a water communication from the north- ern parts of the grant by the Genesee river one way, or by the Seneca river another way into the great lake Ontario, and from thence by Cataraqui to Quebec, or by the said Seneca river, the Oneida lake and Wood creek, to Schenectady on the Mo- hawk river, with only a short land carriage, and from thence to Albany, with a portage of sixteen miles ; affording also a water communication from almost every township of the southern part of the grant by means of the different branches of the 94 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Tioga river, which joining the Susquehanna, affords an outlet to produce, through an immense extent of country on every hand, to Northumberland, and all the towns upon the great branch of this river, down to Maryland and Virginia ; and (with a port- age of twelve miles) even to Philadelphia with small boats ; and when the improvements are made in the Susquehanna, and the projected canal cut between the Schuylkill and that river, there will be an uninterrupted good water communication for boats of ten or fifteen tons from the interior parts of the Genesee country all the way to Philadelphia. 12. But above all, the uncommon benefits these lands derive from the vicinity to the thickly settled countries in New York and New England govern- ments on the one hand, and Northumberland coun- ty in Pennsylvania on the other, from all which quarters, from the great advantages which are held out, there must be an over-flow of emigrants every year, until these lands are fully settled, which ex- pectation is already completely evinced, from the rapid population that has taken place on the east boundaries of the grant upon the Tioga river, and between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes up to On- tario, where, in the course of three or four years, above eight hundred famiHes have fixed themselves in this fertile country, most of whom having emi- grated from the Eastern States of New England, New York and Pennsylvania, have all the advan- tages which are to be derived from a perfect knowl- edge of the country, and from that kind of educa- tion and local resource, which soon renders the situation of a new settler comfortable and happy, enabling them, at the same time, to assist new comers, who may be less acquainted with the na- ture of the country." The same work adds : — " ' At present wheat can be sent from the Gene- see Settlement to Philadelphia, at one shilling sterling per bushel ; but if the water communica- tion be opened between the two rivers, the cost will not exceed fourpence.* " ' Dry goods can now be sent to these new settlements at about eight shillings sterling per hundred weight, which will probably be reduced to three shilhngs when the navigation is completed. " ' No country in the world is better adapted for raising cattle than the Genesee grant. One of the first settlers in that country asserts that he can every season cut wild grass on his own farm in the Genesee flats sufficient to maintain 2,000 head of cattle through the winter ; and that such hay, with rushes and vegetables which are found above the snow, generally keep the cattle fat without any ex- pense. Hogs can also be reared in the woods at little or no expense to the farmer. " ' As the distance from Philadelphia (between which and the Genesee lands a road was to be com- pleted in 1791) is somewhat less by land than two hundred miles, there can be no difficulty in driving fat cattle and hogs to that market for sale : as they can transport themselves at a very small expense, * This communication was begun in I79J. and as the demand for provision increases every year, and a liberal price is given for beef and pork, there can be no doubt but the rearing of cattle and hogs, as well as horses, for sale in the low coun- tries, will soon become a great object of profit to the settlers, as the extensive ranges of meadow ground on the fiats, and the blue grass,white clover and pea-vine in the woods, must enable the farmer to feed almost any number he can raise, or find capital to purchase. In many parts of the tract there is little or no underwood, and excellent pas- ture in the forests between the trees, inconsequence of their being in general of an enormous size, and of the considerable distance between them ; thereby affording even a wide range for cattle in the upland country, as well as in the flats and meadows,which have already been represented to be luxuriant be- yond description, in a species of coarse grass, very fit for hay. It is said that there are many wild horses upon the tract, which is an additional proof of there being winter food in the flat lands and in the forests. " ' The present settlers have already got a fine stock of cattle and hogs, and find that they thrive and increase very fast ; but as yet there are very few sheep, although, it is supposed, they would suc- ceed well on the hills, after the country is more fully peopled. Several genteel families are prepar- ing to settle on the tract this season, which will greatly facilitate the population of these lands. " ' The crops of wheat, Indian corn, and other small grains were very abundant last year ; so that the present settlers are in a situation to assist and supply the wants of new-comers. " ' The market for grain and provision raised in the Genesee country will be on the spot for some time to come, and the constant influx of settlers, who may be expected, until the whole of these lands are occupied, will, at least for a time, con- sume all the surplus produce ; afterwards the city of Philadelphia will probably be the best market ; and while the country is in progress of being set- fled, the hemp and flax raised by the Genesee farmers, and also the ashes and sugar made upon these lands, and the skins and furs procured by hunting, must ultimately go to Philadelphia and New York ; but this will be the business of the merchant, who will receive all these articles from the farmer in return for dry goods, implements of husbandry, salt and rum, and such other articles as the settlers may want.' * » » * * " Wheat is at present, 1791, one dollar per bushel (4S.6d. sterling;) Indian corn, 2s.6d. ditto; salt from the Onondaga works, 60 miles east of the grant, is half a dollar a bushel."* The following extract from the journal of the journey of a gentleman into the Genesee country in February, 1792, gives additional glimpses of the * Doc. Hist. //., nil — II2Z. WADSWORTH'S NOTICE TO NEW SETTLERS. 95 condition and prospects of the pioneer settlers of the Genesee country. We quote : — " From Canandaigua to the Genesee river, twenty-six miles, it is almost totally uninhabited, only four families residing on the road. The coun- try is beautifully diversified with hill and dale, and in many places, we found openings of two and three hundred acres, free from all timber and even bushes, which, on our examining, proved to be of a rich, deep soil. It seemed that, by only inclosing with one of these openings a proportionable quan- tity of timbered land, an inclosure might be made similar to the parks in. England. " At the Genesee River I found a small Indian store and tavern ; the river was not then frozen over, but was low enough to be forded. As yet there are no settlements of any consequence in the Genesee country. That established by a society of Friends, on the west side of the Seneca lake, is the most considerable ; it consists of about forty famihes. But the number of Indians in the ad- joining country, when compared with the few in- habitants who venture to winter in the country, is so great, that I found them under serious appre- hensions for their safety. Even in this state of nature, the county of Ontario shows every sign of future respectability. No man has put the plough in the ground without being amply repaid ; and, through the mildness of the winter, the cattle brought into the country the year before are thriv- ing well on very slender provision for their subsist- ence. The clearing of land for spring crops is going on with spirit. I also found the settlers here abundantly supphed with venison.* We have indicated the small beginnings which had been previously made in this county ; but as the details of settlement will be more fully noted in connection with the various towns it is not our purpose to dwell upon these matters here. Of these settlements, however, that projected by the Wadsworths at Geneseo was the only one which continued to exert a permanent and controlling influence upon the subsequent development of the country. The following is a copy of a notice issued by James Wadsworth, relative to lands offered for sale by him, taken from the original in the possession of Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris:— " Notice to New Settlers." "The subscriber offers for sale the following townships and tracts of land, in the counties of Ontario, Genesee, and Allegany, in the State of New York. "A tract containing upwards of 60,000 acres, situated within six miles of the landing in Fall- town, on the west side of the Genesee River — this tract is divided into lots of about 100 acres. In order to encourage and accommodate industrious and enterprising settlers, one-half of the land, con- •D0c.Hist.1t; 1131-1132- sisting of every other three hundred acres through- out the tract, will be sold for wheat, pork and neat cattle ; the wheat and pork to be delivered at Fall- town Landing. The very flourishing settlements of West Pultney, Braddock's Bay and Fairfield are within this tract. The inhabitants in these settle- ments have been remarkably healthy. Vessels of 200 tons sail from Lake Ontario up the Genesee River to the lower falls; this place is called Fall-, town Landing, and is only six miles from the tract now offered for sale. A barrel of flour can now be sent from Falltown Landing to Montreal for one dollar, and a barrel of pot-ashes for one dollar and a half; these prices will be reduced as the busi- ness of transportation increases. Most articles of American produce command as high prices at Montreal as at New York. " The intervals and swails in this tract are tim- bered with elm, butternut, white and black ash, walnut, etc., the uplands with sugar maple, beech, basswood, liickory, wild cherry, white oak, black oak, chestnut, etc. There are a number of groves of excellent white pine timber. There are no mountains or ledges, and scarcely one hundred acres of waste land in the tract. Some of the intervals or flats will produce, if well cultivated, 80 bushels of corn, 800 weight of hemp, or 2,000 weight of tobacco on an acre, and other crops in proportion. "Also, the Township of Troupton, situated eighteen miles south of the village of Gen€seo, and adjoining the village of Dansville. This tract is within twelve miles of Ark Port, a landing place on the west branch of the Susquehannah river ; a barrel of flour may be transported from Ark Port to Baltimore, for a dollar and a half, and other articles of produce in proportion ; the situation of this township is considered very healthy, the lands are fertile and well watered. " Also the town of Henrietta, being township No. 12, in the seventh range, on the west side of Gen- esee river ; this tract is within eight miles of Fall- town landing, and adjoins the flourishing towns of Hartford, (now Avon,) and Northfield ; the lands in Henrietta are excellent and the settlement very flourishing; the lots adjoining the Genesee river containing handsome portions of timbered flats, are put at five dollars per acre, the back lots at four dollars per acre. " Also a number of lots in a tract of land, usually known by the name of Allen's Flats, or the Mt. Morris tract, situated in the forks of the Genesee river, fifteen miles south of the great State Road to Niagara, and four miles from the village of Gene- seo. The tract contains about 10,000 acres, 3,000 acres of which are flats or interval. It has lately been surveyed into lots of convenient size ; the village lots contain from one to- forty acres, and the farm lots about one hundred acres each. The village is situated on elevated ground timbered with white oak, and bids fair to be a very healthy situa- tion. The subscriber will sell the upland and lease the flats, or will sell both upland and flats, as applicants prefer. 96 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. " It is fully ascertained that the flats or intervals on the Genesee river are perfectly adapted to the cultivation of hemp. Mr. Stephen Colton, from Long Meadow, raised ten hundred weight of excel- lent hemp the last season, on one acre of flats in Geneseo. One hundred and six bushels of Indian corn have been raised on one acre in Allen's flats. " Hemp may be transported by water from the mouth of the Genesee river to Montreal; or it may be sent from Ark Port down the Susquehan- nah river, in arks to Baltimore, or it may be sent by land to Albany. " The price at which lots in the above tracts are put, is from two to five dollars per acre. The subscriber usually requires the purchase money to be paid in four equal installments to be made in two, three, four and five years from the time of purchase, with one year free of interest; in some of the tracts he gives a credit of six and eight years. " Liberal encouragement will be given in different settlements to carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, millwrights and other tradesmen. " The subscriber, in order to encourage the settlement of substantial New England farmers, will exchange a few lots for improved farms. " The tract of country in which the above de- scribed townships are situated, tho' north of New Jersey, resembles that state in the mildness of its climate. Peaches, apricots and nectarines grow to great perfection on the Genesee river. " A valuable salt spring is discovered in Brad- dock's Bay township. Salt can now be afforded at this spring at one dollar per bushel ; when the works are extended salt will probably be afforded at fifty cents a bushel, the same price at which it is sold at the Onondaga salt works. " A turnpike road is completed from Albany to Canandaigua; and from Canandaigua to Geneseo, and thence to the above mentioned settlements there are excellent wagon roads.. " The subscriber has still for sale a number of reserved and other lots of land, in the midst of flourishing settlements, in the towns of Geneseo, Hartford, Bloomfield and Pittstown ; some of these lots contain handsome improvements. "JAMES WADSWORTH. " Geneseo, (Ontario county,) March, 1809." The first settlement in the Genesee country was made in the county of Livingston as early as 1759, by that remarkable character, Mary Jemison, whose residence of seventy-eight years with the Indians, seventy-two of which were spent in the Genesee Valley, has made her a valuable contributor to the early history of this locality. The next while set- tler in the present county of Livingston was Eben- ezer, or Indian, Allen — a character as notorious for his vice and savage brutality, as was that of Mary Jemison made conspicuous by its gentle vir- tues. Both these settlements were made in the present town' of Mt. Morris; the fprmer on what subsequently became the famous Gardeau reserva- tion, and the latter, in 1782, on the site of the village of Mt. Morris. The first important settle- ment made within the county after the extinguish- ment of the Indian title in 1788, from which the settlement of the county more properly dates, was that of John H., and George Jones, brothers to Horatio Jones, who, like Mary Jemison, had been held in captivity by the Indians. They located in 1789 in the present town of Leicester, where they were joined the following year by Horatio and his family, although that was then, and for eight years thereafter, Indian territory. These characters, from their intimate connection with the history of this county, merit and will receive further notice. Hitherto the tide of emigration had been from the New England States, that from the south hav- ing been retarded by the inaccessibility of the country, owing to the lack of roads across the Al- leghanies, which formed a formidable barrier. In the summer of 1792, Charles Williamson, agent for the Pultney estate, visited the tract and put in execution a plan he had formed for its improve- ment, by opening communication with Philadel- phia and Baltimore by means of a road across the AUeghanies. Notwithstanding the difficulties which attended this enterprise, and which had been re- garded as insuperable, by the month of November of that year, thirty miles of the road were made sufficiently good for the passage of wagons ; and by the following August it was completed from the mouth of Lycoming creek to Williamsburgh, a dis- tance of one hundred and seventy miles. " It was only from this period, which opened to the Gene- see a communication with the settlements in Penn- sylvania,'' says Capt. Williamson, "that we can trace the beginning of that singularly rapid pro- gress in population and improvements, which has so eminently distinguished that country. The opening of this road from Pennsylvania over a chain of mountains before regarded impassable, excited the curiosity of the inhabitants of the ad- jacent country, and many were tempted to explore the Genesee lands, that, previous to this, had never given them a thought. The idea of the im- mense distance was at once destroyed. At this early period, however, it was only men of observa- tion that were pleased. Many returned disgusted with the inconvenience of traveling through a coun- try almost destitute of inhabitants, for the distance of one hundred and seventy miles, and particularly when they found the only settlement in that part •FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS. 97 of the country depending on the Indians for sub- sistence."* As in all new countries, the first settlements were made on or adjacent to navigable streams, which, in the absence of suitable roads, were, for many years, the common means of communication and transportation, especially of the marketable productions. The streams were navigated by a species of boats called arks, which were invented and first used about 1793, by a Mr. Kryder, a farmer on the Juniata river. They were construct- ed of large timbers or planks, and after their cargo was discharged, were broken up and sold for lum- ber. They were capable of floating three hundred barrels of flour, which, as well as lumber and vari- ous other productions, were transported in them. They were -afterwards improved and their capacity increased, and were for many years in common use.f In 1791, Capt. Charles WiUiamson became the agent of the Pultney estates and in 1792, inaugu- rated those improvements in the Genesee country, which, during the succeeding ten years, he contin- ued with such distinguished energy, and a success commensurate with the obstacles which opposed his efforts, if not with the expectations of the com- pany in whose interest he labored. Mr. Williamson visited the Genesee country first in February, 1792, and from observations made at that time, decided on locating a village at the mouth of Canaseraga Creek, which was then nav- igable for nearly twenty miles, to Dansville. The projection of this plan in 1792, and the ill-starred colony sent there to develop it form an interesting episode in the history of Livingston county; for this was not only the first settlement in the county which aspired to the dignified title of village, but here, in 1793, was taught the first school in this county by Samuel Murphy, an Irishman, — here in 1797, was kept the first inn, by William Lemen, — here, in 1795 or '96, was kept the first store, by Alexander McDonald, a Scotchman, if we except the Indian " mart" kept by Indian Allen, on Allen's hill, (Mt. Morris,) " as early as 1784, if not in the fall of 1783," — here also, in 1797, was built, on lot 58, the first grist mill, by Col. Williamson, — and here too lived " the first preacher of the evangelical truths of the bible in the county"— Rev. Samuel J. Mills, a Presbyterian. I But this embryo village has * Doc. Hist. II., 1134. ^ Doc. Hist. II., 115°, "Si. XAddressof Dr. M. H. Mills le/ore the Livingston County Pioneer Association, Aug. J, 1877. The same gentleman, in an address before the Livingston County Medical Society, Jan. 11, 1876, says the first inn was kept in 1795. long since vanished together with the delusions of its founder.* Under the stimulus of WiUiamson's efficient en- deavors, seconded by the exertions of more local agencies, in the persons of those who had become land owners and interested in the progress of im- provements, accessions were rapidly made to the settlements in various parts of the county. They were, however, sensibly retarded by the unsettled state of things which existed during this period ; for, although the treaty of 1783 settled the terms of peace between England and the United States, the former government still retained possession of the fortifications at Oswego and Niagara, and other- wise menaced the young nation so recently one of its tributary dependencies, and then waging a war with the western Indians, which was terminated in its favor by the signal victory of General Wayne in 1794, in which year also the Jay treaty adjusted the hitherto unsettled question of jurisdiction over certain territory in the United States, including lands in Western New York. During this period, in 1794, an event transpired which threatened to precipitate hostilities between this and the Canadian government, which watched with a jealous regard the progress of settlement in Western New York. In that year, Capt. William- son had projected a settlement at Sodus, which proved the gravamen for a hostile demonstration on the part of the Canadian authorities, who were determined to resist it. Governor Simcoe sent Lieut., afterwards Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe of the British army, to demand that that settlement, as well as all others in Western New York, be abandoned. Capt. Williamson met the demand with an unqualified refusal, and, under the prevalent impression that the British government meditated war, active measures were instituted to put the frontier in a state of defense and to repel any invasion which might be made. Happily, how- ever, the war-cloud blew over, and the apprehen- sions of the anxious settlers were dispelled. From this period the work of colonization and improvement progressed rapidly ; and " as early as the year 1796, the various settlements had begun to assume," says Capt. WiUiamson, "an appearance of respectability never before instanced in so new a country." In this year a Jersey settlement was made at the head of Canaseraga creek, which exhibited " instances of industry and enterprise, rare as uncommon;" printing offices were estab- * A detailed account of the founding of this village may be found in connection with the history of the town of Groveland, in the north-west comer of which it was located, 98 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. lished at Bath and Geneva, the former village having been laid out in 1793, in which year it con- tained fifteen families; and towards the close of the season a sloop of forty tons burden was launched at Geneva to run as a packet between that place and Catharine's Town, a small village at the head of Seneca lake. This was an event "of sufficient importance to assemble several thousand people,'' and as none had previously "occurred to draw together the different settlements, the people com- posing them were not a little surprised to find themselves in a country containing so many inhabi- tants, and these so respectable. Natives of every State in the Union, and of every nation of Europe, were to be found in the assemblage, all ambitious of the same object, the aggrandizement of the Genesee country."* "The only part of the Genesee country," adds Capt. Williamson, "that seemed, until now to have escaped the general improvement, was that contiguous to the Genesee River, below Hartford [Avon] or Canawagus ; a set of very good mills, however, have been built at the falls, and some settlers were to be found in that" neighborhood, on the fertile plains by the side of the river; but the idea of exposure to Indian depredations on a fron- tier is always sufficient to prevent the man of industry and property from settling. The luxuri- ance of the soil will not always tempt him. The moment, however, the western posts were given up to the United States, and this part of the country rendered safe, the industrious settlers turned their attention to the lands west of the river." j The emigration into this country in r797 exceeded that of former years, both as to numbers and respectability.}; About this time a Scotch settle- ment was projected in the present town of Cale- donia, and during the succeeding few years it was joined by a considerable number of that nationality,§ whose simple habits and sterling virtues were a weighty influence in the material growth and pros- perity of that region. At this time, however, the country for about twelve miles west of the Genesee to the Niagara still remained a wilderness ; || but the extinguishment of the Indian title to the Hol- land Purchase this year gave an impulse to settle- ments in that direction. Robert Munro, in describ- ing the Genesee country in 1804, says: "From Canandarqua to Genesee River, * * * the coun- • Williamson's Letter II., Doc. Hist. II., iij7. t Doc. Hist. II., 1141. i WiUiamson's Letter III, Doc, Hist. II., 1141. § Williamson's Letter VI, Doc. Hist. II., 1156. II Williamson's Letter VIII.. Doc. Hist. II., 1 165. try has the most flourishing appearance, that part being earliest settled, and abounds with very sub- stantial improvements, which are seldom equalled in the United States, in the pleasantness of their appearance."* At this time the price of the best unimproved lands on the east side of the Genesee was commonly from two to four dollars per acre • those on the west side sold for from one and one- half to two and one-half dollars per acre, on a credit of six to ten years. Lands which then sold for four dollars per acre, sold twelve years pre- viously for as many shillings.! Says the same author : — "A turnpike road is now completed from Albany to Canandarqua, at a great expense, which is dis- charged by tolls, and renders travehng and car- riage of produce to market much easier when the rivers are not navigable. Wagons now frequently carry loads of fourteen barrels to Albany, and return with an equal weight, and sometimes carry two tons, going and returning in fourteen days. A mail stage runs from Canandarqua to Albany in a week. " Trade is yet in its infancy and has much in- creased within a few years. Grain is sent in con- siderable quantities from Seneca lake and the Co- hocton, Canisteo, Canawisque and Tioga rivers, to markets on Susquehanna river; and flour, potash and other produce to Albany; and a considerable quantity of grain has for some years past been exported by sleighs in winter to the west of Albany. Whiskey is distilled in considerable quantities, and mostly consumed in the country, and is also ex- ported to Canada and to Susquehanna. The pro- duce of the country is received by the store-keepers in payment for goods, and with horses and cattle, is paid for land. Several thousand bushels of grain have been purchased in the winter beginning this year, 1804, for money at Newtown and at mills near Cayuga lake. Hemp is raised on Genesee river and carried to Albany. Droves of cattle and horses are sent to different markets, and a consid- erable number of cattle and other provisions, are used at the markets of Canandarqua and Geneva, at Niagara, and by settlers emigrating into the country. Cattle commonly sell for money at a good price, and as this country is very favorable for raising them, they will probably become the the principal articles for market ; many being of the opinion that the raising of stock is more pro- fitable as well as easier than any mode of farming. " The following is a list of prices of articles, and the rates of wages since January, 1801 : — " Wheat, from 62 cents to i dollar a bushel- corn from 37 to 50 cents a bushel — rye from 50 to 62 cents a bushel — hay from 6 to 12 dollars a ton — butter and cheese, 10 to 16 cents a pound — a yoke of oxen, 50 to 80 dollars — milk cows from 16 to 25 dollars — cattle for driving, 3 to 4 dollars a 100 lb., * Doc' Hist, 11., 1172, 1173. \ Doc. Hist. II., 1 182. POPULATION FROM 1810 TO 1880. 99 a pair of good working horses, 100 to 125 dollars — sheep from 2 to 4 dollars — pork, fresh killed in winter, 4 to 6 dollars a hundred, and salted in spring, 8 to 10 dollars — whiskey from 50 to 75 cents a gallon — salt, i dollar a bushel weighing 56 pounds — field ashes, 4 to 9 cents a bushel — 600 bushels may be manufactured into a ton of pot or pearl ash, which has been sold at market at 125 to 150 dollars, and some persons by saving their ashes, or by manufacturing them, have nearly cleared the cost of improving the land. The wages of a laborer, 10 to 15 dollars a month, and board. A suit of clothes made at 4 or 5 dollars. A pair of shoes, 175 to 250 cents. Store goods are sold at very moderate prices, the expense of carriage from Al- bany to New York being about two dollars a hun- dred weight."* Settlements progressed rapidly till the opening of the war of 181 2, which was '' a complete damper to all sales of new land," and it was said " more set- tlers went out than came into the Genesee coun- try."! The settlers responded promptly to the call for volunteers, and left the improvements many of them had so recently commenced to take up arms to repel a threatened invasion. Under the leader- ship of Gen. William Wadsworth, of Geneseo, who early tendered his services to the government, they participated in the brilHant but unfortunate engage- ment of Queenstown Heights, October 13, 181 2, and were surrendered with their commander, to- gether with the fort cajitured in the early part of the engagement, to the British under General Sheaffe. To subsequent calls the sturdy pioneers of the Genesee Valley as promptly and generously responded, but owing to the incompetence or cow- ardice of their leader — General Smyth — their labors were mostly crowned with inconsequential results ; notwithstanding they sustained severe losses by sickness and battle. The settlements during this period were frequently troubled with serious alarms by the reported invasion of the British and Indians ; and especially was this true on the capture of Fort Niagara by the latter December 19, 1813, with the burning of Youngstown, Lewiston, Manchester, (Ni- agara Falls,) and the Indian village of Tuscarora, and the destruction of Black Rock and Buffalo in like manner on the 30th of the same month. " After the close of the war," says Hon. Augus- tus Frank, " the tide of emigration again set in for the Genesee country, and from that date until 1820 the increase of population was large, coming par- ticularly from the New England States. On the return of peace a surplus of labor, which the cur- rent prices of produce would not remunerate, -iDocHut., II., 1184. n8S- t Address of Hon. Augustus Frank, of Warsaw, Wyoming county. flooded the land. The heavy duties which had been imposed on imports for the support of the war had stimulated domestic manufactures. On the removal of these imports the country was flooded with foreign goods. Manufacturing indus- tries became stagnant, the country was depleted of specie, and the currency greatly depreciated. Un- der such circumstances it is not wonderful that * * * the early snows of winter showed the tracks of many naked little feet." From this period up to 1850 the population gradually increased; from 1850 to 1865 it de- clined; and since 1865 there has been a gradual increase, till at present, (1880) is has nearly reached the highest point attained, in 1850, and nearly double the population on the organization of the county. The subjoined table shows the population of the county at different periods : — 1810* 13.390 1850 40,873 1820 t 21,305 1855 37,943 1825 23,860 i860 39,546 1830 27,729 1865 37,555 1835 31,092 1870 38,309 1840 35,140 1875 38,518 1845 33,193 1880 39,261 The Genesee's beautiful valley attracted many sturdy and active emigrants from the comparative luxury of their eastern homes to grapple with the temporary hardships and privations incident to the settlement of a new country. A steady and healthy growth was maintained for many years; and though Livingston cannot point to any gigantic commercial or manufacturing enterprise within her borders, she can, with just pride, refer the stranger to the no less gratifying evidences of wealth, pros- perity and contentment exhibited by the tillers of the soil, who have supplemented nature by im- proving an already beautiful country and trans- formed it from its pristine wilderness to the produc- tive and attractive farms which adorn its hillsides and gentle slopes. If we do not hear the busy hum of mechanical industry as it greets us in large and populous cities and villages, neither do we see and deplore the disparaging contrasts between affluence and poverty which the latter picture inva- riably presents. Here all are producers, and the wealth of the country is more uniformly distributed. * This is not exact, but a close approximation to exactness. It is de- signed to give the population at that period of tlie towns at present com- posing Livingston county, as nearly as that can be ascertained. It does not, however, include that of North Dansville, which then formed a part of Dansville, Steuben county, which then had a population of 666. t The figures for this year also embrace the population of all the tovras at present in Livingston county, except North Dansville, then a part of Dansville, Steuben county, which had a population of 1,565. 100 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. CHAPTER X. Internal Improvements — Routes and Means BY WHICH the Pioneers reached their Wilder- ness Homes — Navigable Streams the public Highways — Indian Trails — Routes Indicat- ed BY Blazed Trees — Improvements in the Natural Water Channels — Western Inland Lock Navigation Company — Old Genesee Road — Cayuga Bridge — Seneca Turnpike Company — First Mail between Whites- town and the Genesee — Williamsburgh Road — First Vessel and Steamboat on Lake Erie — The Erie Canal — Early Speculations Regarding It — First Survey Thereof — First Board of Canal Commissioners — First Con- tract on Erie Canal — Construction Com- menced — The Completion Celebrated — Erie Canal Enlargement — Navigation of the Genesee — -First Canal-boat and Steamboat Thereon — Genesee Valley Canal — Prelimi- nary Measures — -Construction Authorized — Its Completion — Dansville and Rochester Railroad — -Geneseo and Pittsford Rail- road — Attica and Hornellsville Railroad — Portage Bridge — Portage Riot — Buffalo and Cohocton Valley Railway — Roches- ter and Genesee Valley Railroad — Gene- see Valley Railroad — Avon, Geneseo and Mt. Morris Railroad — Dansville and Gen- esee Valley Railroad Company — Erie and Genesee Valley Railroad — Silver Lake Railroad — Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad — Rochester, Nunda and Pennsyl- vania Railroad — Rochester and Genesee Valley Canal Railroad. WE turn from the fruitful and inviting subject of pioneer life to the consideration of the means by which the pioneer reached his home in the wilderness and the projects of internal improvement which subsequently engaged his attention. When the first settlers came in there was not a road in the county, nor one leading immediately to it. To the Wadsworths belong the honor of opening the first road into its borders. There were two princi- pal routes by which the pioneers came, denomina- ted the north and south water routes — the former the Hudson, Mohawk and Seneca rivers, the latter the Susquehanna and its branches — and the navi- gable streams were the most frequented highways for some years after they arrived. Many, however compassed the entire distance from the far New England States on foot, bringing nothing with them but an axe. Those who came with their families generally came with ox teams drawing sleds, sometimes wood-shod, or covered wagons, often performing the entire journey in this manner, and frequently driving a few sheep, cattle and other animals before them. Many, however, re- sorted to this mode of conveyance only to and from the termini of the water routes ; while others, accommodating themselves to circumstances, left water routes at various points. The winter season was generally selected, as they could then reach points in the wilderness which were inaccessible to their rude conveyances at other seasons. Many, after leaving the main roads, threaded for long distances forests unbroken, except by the few scant, rude clearings made by the Indians. Blazed trees were the forest guide boards, and by their aid the forests were traversed from one locality to another. But these human denizens could not prosper in their isolated settlements; they must needs open communication with each other and to points af- fording a market for their surplus products, and to this end roads were indispensable and of the first importance. The pioneers first followed the Indian trails and from these branched off into routes indicated by marked trees. The principal trail extended from the Hudson, at Albany, to Lake Erie, terminating on the site of Buffalo. It followed the Mohawk to a point about in the locality of Utica, thence passing through Oneida and Syracuse, and near the foot of Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca and Canandaigua lakes, crossing the Genesee at Avon. Its route was found to be so advantageous that subsequently the first great western turnpike was laid out mainly along its course. Two trails ex- tended along the Genesee, one on either side of the river, that on the west side following its tortu- ous windings through the Indian villages of Cana- waugus, near Avon, Ohagi, a Tuscarora village on the flats below Cuylerville, Big Tree, (Geneseo,) Beardstown, (Cuylerville,) Squakie Hill, near Mt. Morris, Gardeau, the home of Mary Jemison, and thence to Caneadea, in Allegany county, the last of the Seneca villages in the Genesee Valley. That on the east was intersected near Mt. Morris by trails extending up the Canaseraga to Dansville. Several other trails intersected these, connecting the numerous Indian villages within the county, and in many instances they have been perpetuated by local roads opened along their course. From an early period in English colonial history, EARLY ROADS AND NAVIGABLE WATER COURSES. lOI the subject of improving tlie internal water courses between the Hudson and the great lakes engaged the attention of the government. In 1724, Cad- wallader Golden, then Surveyor-General of New York, after mentioning the communication between the Oswego ( Oyiondaga) river and Lake Ontario, ( Cadaraqni,) intimates that Seneca river might give a more advantageous route to Lake Erie, and avoid the falls of Niagara, (Jagara,) by which the French were obliged to reach it.* This is doubt- less the first speculation in regard to an interior water communication between the Mohawk and Lake Erie ; and "was but the expression of a hope that a more safe, as well as convenient way might be found to the trade of the upper lakes than that frequented by the French, and made dangerous to the frail boats then employed in the fur trade by the storms of Lake Ontario."! In his report of that year, (1724,) Golden describes the portage be- tween the Mohawk and Wood Creek as being three miles long, except in very dry weather, when goods must be carried two miles further. This portage was obviated as early as 1766, for Carver, who tra- versed the lake country in that year, said the pas- sage between those streams was effected by means of sluices.}: In 1768, Sir Henry Moore, in a mes- sage to the Colonial Legislature, suggested as a remedy for the obstructions to navigation in the Mohawk between Schenectady and Rome, (Fort Stanwix,) sluices Hke those in the great Canal of Languedoc, France.§ In 1784, and again in 1785, Cristopher Golles of New York city memorialized the Legislature and procured an appropriation of $125 to enable him to examine the Mohawk River, with a view to its improvement ; || and in 1786, Jeffrey Smith, a member of the Legislature, intro- duced a bill to effect this improvement, and for "extending the same, if practicable, to Lake Erie."l Before and during the Revolutionary war, the Mohawk was navigated by bateaux of light draught and easy transport over the carrying place at the lesser falls.** In 1 79 1, Gov. George GUnton urged upon the Legislature the necessity of improving the natural water channels, so as to facilitate communication with the frontier settlements, and in that year a law was passed to authorize the Commissioners of * ColdetCs Memoir y 28. t Origin and History of Erie Canals by George Geddes, %. t ColdeiCs Memoir^ 12. § Colden^s Memoir^ II Clark's Onondaga 11.^ 51. H Turner's Holland Purchase-, 619. •• Benton's Herkimer county and Upper Mohawk Valley, 212. the Land Office to survey the portage at Rome and the Mohawk to the Hudson, for improvement by locks, and ioo_;£' were appropriated for the ob- ject.* The survey was made by Abraham Harden- burgh, under the advice of William Weston, an Enghsh engineer."!" The report of the commis- sioners was so favorable that March 30, 1792, the Legislature incorporated the "Western Inland Lock Navigation Company,'' with power to open lock navigation from the Hudson to Ontario and Seneca lakes, to " encourage agriculture, promote commerce and facilitate intercourse between the citizens" of the State.| The capital stock of the company was fixed at $25,000, and afterwards increased to $300,000. The improvement made consisted in the construction of locks and a canal around Little Falls, the removal of other obstruc- tions in the Mohawk, connecting that river with Wood creek by a canal from Rome, straightening Wood creek and shortening the distance over it nearly one-half, and the removal of obstructions in Oswego and Seneca rivers. These improvements, shght as they were, are said to have doubled the value of the contiguous lands, and greatly aided the settlement and development of the resources of Central and Western New York. As early as 1796, navigation was opened from Schenectady to Seneca lake for boats of sixteen tons burden, in favorable stages of water in the rivers ; but the locks, being constructed of wood and brick, soon failed, and had to be replaced by stone. In 1813, the company had expended $480,000, towards which, in 1795, the State sub- scribed $10,000, and in 1796, loaned $37,500, taking a mortgage on the canal and locks at Little Falls. § At a later day, a proposed canal to con- nect the waters of Mud creek with those of Tona- wanda creek, thus opening water communication between the Genesee above Rochester and the Niagara above the falls, formed a part of this scheme of internal improvements. In 1794 and '95 the State made appropriations for the improvement of the road which followed the trail between the Mohawk and Lake Erie, afterwards known as the "Ontario and Genesee turnpike,'' and subsequently as the "Genesee road" — the route by which the first settlers reached their homes in this county. The first improvements on * state Engineer's Report, 1862, 6ig. The commissioners who had charge of the Vv'ork were Elkanah Watson, General Schuyler and Golds- boro Banyer. t Claris Onondaga II,, 51. t Benton, 212. § Geddes, 3. 102 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. this road in its western course were made by the Wads worths in 1790. They passed over it with a cart drawn by oxen on their way to the Genesee country. West of Whitesboro they were obhged to cut away logs, build causeways, ford streams, and at Cayuga lake to construct a pontoon, using for that purpose two Indian canoes, which they lashed together and covered with poles. In 1792, the road was described as passable for wagons east from Whitestown ; " but from that to the Genesee river it was little better than an Indian path, just sufficiently opened to allow a sled to pass, and the most impassable streams bridged." " From Geneva to Canandaigua'' it was "only the Indian path, a little improved the first five miles." * The Duke de Liancourt, a French nobleman, who vis- ited this country in 1795, P^''^ '' '^^ questionable compliment of being "a good one for this country," between Canawaugus and Canandaigua. He adds, " as usual it leads through the midst of woods. Within the space of twelve miles we saw but one habitation. " At Canawaugus, though there were but few inhabitants, he found "one of the best inns" he had "seen for some time past." It was kept by a "good civil man" named Gilbert R. Berry. March 22, 1794, three commissioners were appointed to lay out this road from old Fort Schuyler, (Utica,) as nearly straight as possible, to the Cayuga ferry, and thence by Canandaigua to Canawaugus, on the Genesee, where the first bridge spanning that river was built in 1803 or 1804.! In October, 1796, the consent of the Indians was gained to the opening of this road to the Niag- ara; J and in 1797, the State authorized the rais- ing of $45,000 by lotteries, to be expended in improving various roads. Of that sum, $13,900 were appropriated to the improvement of this road from Fort Schuyler to Geneva. § The inhabitants of the country through which the road passed made a voluntary offer of their services, to aid the State Commissioner, and subscribed four thousand days' work, which they performed with fidelity and cheer- fulness. By this generous and uncommon exer- tion, and by some other contributions, the State Commissioner was enabled to complete this road " Z?(7£r. //"w^ //., Iijl, 1IJ2. " t "On the first day of November, i8oj, tlie following notice was pub- lished in relation to building a bridge over the Genesee at Canawaugus ( Avon) ;— ' Genesee bridge proposals will be received by Commissioners Asher Sexton and Benjamin Ellicott, for building a bridge over the Gen- esee, between the towns of Hartford [Avon] and Southampton, [Cale- donia,] in the counties of Oniario and Genesee.' " Canandaigua Rtios- ilory, February ll, 187s. XAIhayiy Gazette, Oct. 17, 1796. § Hammond's History 0/ Madison County, 128. of near one hundred miles, opening it sixty-four feet wide, and paving with logs and gravel the moist parts of the low country through which it was carried. Hence, the road from Fort Schuyler * * * to Genesee, from being, in the month of June, 1797, a little better than an Indian path, was so far improved, that a stage started from Fort Schuyler on the 30th of September, and arrived at the hotel in Geneva on the afternoon of the third day, with four passengers. * * * Not less than fifty families settled on it in the space of four months after it was opened."* During the winter of 1798, two weekly stages, one of them a mail stage, ran between Canandaigua and Albany jj and so great was the effect produced by the improvements made the preceding year, five hun- dred and seventy sleighs, with families, passed through Geneva within the space of five weeks.| The Cayuga Bridge Company, consisting of John Harris, Thomas Morris, Wilhemas Mynders, Charles WiUiamson and Joseph Annin, was char- tered in 1797. and in 1799 commenced the con- struction of the celebrated Cayuga bridge, which was completed September 4, 1800, and speedily became the great highway of western emigration. It was for many years looked upon as one of the greatest public improvements in the State, and was considered the dividing Hne between the east and the west. It was about a mile long, twenty-two feet wide, and twenty-two feet between the trestles. Eighteen months were consumed and about $150,- .000 expended in its construction. It was destroyed in 1808, rebuilt in 181 2-13, and finally abandoned in 1857. Nothing is now left of it but the spiles and timbers, which are mostly hidden by the waters of the lake. The Seneca Turnpike Company was chartered in 1800, having for its object the improvement of this road.§ The company was required to construct a road six rods wide from Utica to Canandaigua; twenty-five feet of it, in the center, was to be cov- ered with gravel, or broken stone, to the depth of fifteen inches. They were permitted to place gates at intervals of ten miles, and exact twelve and one-half cents toll for two horse teams, and twenty-five cents for four horses. The first United States mail over this road be- tween Whitestown and the Genesee was carried * Williamson's Letter III., Doc. Hist., II., 1 142. t Iliid t Witiiajnson' s Letter V., Doc. Hist. II., 1152. § The capital stock was g 110,000, in shares of $50 each. Jedediah Sanger, Benjamin Walker, Charles Williamson and Israel Chapin were appointed Commissioners. THE GENESEE TURNPIKE. 103 on horseback in 1797 or '98, by a Mr. Langdon, who distributed papers and unsealed letters on the way, before intermediate offices were established. Mr. Lucas succeeded Mr. Langdon in transporting the mail, which, in 1800, had become so heavy as to require a wagon to carry it. Mr. Lucas estab- lished a sort of two-horse passenger hack and did a brisk and profitable business. The first four- horse mail coach was sent through once a week by Jason Parker, in 1803, and in 1804 commenced run- ning regularly twice a week from Utica to Canan- daigua, carrying mail and passengers. In 1804, an Act was passed, granting to Jason Parker and Levi Stephens, the exclusive right for seven years, of running a line of stages for the conveyance of passengers, at least twice a week,' between Utica and Canandaigua. They were bound tp furnish four good and substantial wagons or sleighs, and sufficient horses to run the same ; the fare, not to exceed five cents per mile for each passenger, with fourteen pounds of baggage. They were required by law to run through in forty-eight hours, acci- dents excepted, and not more than seven passen- gers were allowed in any one carriage, except by the unanimous consent of the passengers. If four in excess of that number applied for passage, they were bound to fit out and start an extra for their accommodation; or any number less than four could be accommodated by paying the fare of four. In 1808, a daily line was established, and afterwards several others, which were continued till the com- pletion of railroads along the line.* This road was opened to Col. Ganson's, within a mile of LeRoy, in 1798, and completed to New Amsterdam (Buffalo) as early as 1809; and in 1810, the first mail stage was run over it west of the Genesee, carrying passengers at six cents per mile. The road from the mouth of Lycoming Creek to Williamsburgh, at the mouth of Canaseraga Creek, before referred to, was the other important early highway affecting this county; and over it came the tide of emigration from the south-east, as did that from the New England States and the eastern part of this State over the one just des- cribed. This road pursued in the main the great Indian trail from the Genesee over the Alleghanies into Pennsylvania and the country of the Andas- tes, intersecting the Lake Erie and Susquehanna and Bath turnpikes, at Bath. It was located after a laborious exploration in the summer of 1792, by Captain Williamson and a party of Pennsylvania hunters, and opened in that and the succeeding * Hammond's History of Madison County, 128— ijo. year, by " seven stout young Pennsylvanians, well skilled in the use of the ax and the rifle," under the immediate supervision of Benjamin Patterson, a notorious backwoods hunter and guide, assisted by a colony of German emigrants, numbering some two hundred, who were established at Wilhams- burgh under the auspices of the Pultney Estate.* A small portion of this road in its lower course through this county is perpetuated in the present road between Geneseo and Dansville. The rest of its course through the county was in a south- easterly direction through Groveland, across the south-west part of Conesus, the north-east part of Sparta, and through Springvvater, crossing at the head of the Springwater valley. For some years after it was opened the streams were unbridged and the low marshy places unimproved. The enterprise which had the most marked effect upon the settlements of Central and Western New York was the completion of the Erie canal. It promoted the full development of agriculture, by opening up cheap and accessible markets for the surplus products of the agriculturalist. Lands ap- preciated and prices advanced. With the rapid increase in population came the demand for increased facilities for transportation. The old methods were inadequate, and for several years in the early part of the present century the minds of public men, statesmen, and those whose genius adorned the humbler walks of life, were agi- tated by this intensely absorbing topic, as the necessities of its proximate cause became more immediate and pressing. To Gouverneur Morris is due the credit of first broaching the subject of connecting the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Hudson, a thought which took form in his brain as early as i777,t and found more tangible expres- sion in 1800, in December of which year, he wrote his friend, John Parish, then of Hamburgh, and in descanting on the glories of Lake Erie, which he visited in that year, he said : — " Here again the boundless waste of waters fills the mind with renewed astonishment ; and here, as in turning a point of wood the lake broke on my view, I saw riding at anchor nine vessels, the least of them 100 tons.| Can you bring your imagina- * See history Town of Groveland. t Hosack^s Memoir^ 150. X The first vessel on Lake Erie — the Griffon — was projected and built by the adventurous Cavalier de la Salle in 1679, and left her anchorage near the foot of Squaw Island, In Niagara River, August 7, 1679. She reached Washington Island, at the mouth of Green Bay : but perished in a storm on the return voyajie in September of that year, together with her crew and cargo, which, with the vessel, was valued at 50,000 or 60,000 francs. The Building and Voyage of the Griffon, by O. H. Marshall. The first steamboat on Lake Erie was the Walkin the ^ez^^r, which was launclied at Black Rbck, May 28. 1S18, and wrecked near Buffalo on the night of Oct. Ji, 1821. Doc. Hist. III., 1194. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser. Nov. 7, 1879. 104 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. tion to realize this scene ? Does it seem like magic ? Yet this magic is but the early efifort of victorious industry. Hundreds of large ships will in no distant period bound on the billows of these inland seas. At this point commences a navigation of more than a thousand miles. Shall I lead your astonishment to the verge of incredulity? I will. Know then that one-tenth of the expenses borne by Britain in the last campaign would enable ships to sail from London through Hudson's River to Lake Erie."* In 1803, in a conversation with Simeon DeWitt, who was then and had long been Surveyor-General of this State, Mr. Morris adverted to the long cher- ished " project of tapping Lake Erie and leading its waters, in an artificial river, directly across the country to Hudson's river ;" but DeWitt, with his intensely practical mind, regarded it as a chimeri- cal scheme, and related it on several occasions in a spirit of levity, among others to James Geddes, a surveyor, who, in 1794, moved from Pennsylvania with the facilities for manufacturing salt, and loca- ted near the Onondaga salt springs, from whence, in 1804, he was sent to the Legislature. Mr. Geddes was strongly impressed with the idea, and untiringly pursued his investigations in regard to the nature of the intervening country, thus acquir- ing data which not only made him an ardent advo- cate of the project, but enabled him to create a public sentiment in its favor, so that it was made a political issue, and in April, 1807, Judge Joshua Forman, of Onondaga county, was elected to the Assembly as the representative of its advocates and supporters, October 27, 1807, the first of a series of articles from the pen of Jesse Hawley appeared in the On- tario Messenger, over the signature of Hercules, strongly advocating the construction of the canal. March 21, 1808, in consonance with a resolution previously introduced by Mr. Forman, the Assem- bly passed a bill instructing the Surveyor-General " to cause an accurate survey to be made of the rivers, streams and waters, (not already accurately surveyed,) in the usual route of communication between the Hudson river and Lake Erie, and such other contemplated route as he may deem proper, and cause the same to be deUneated on charts or maps for that purpose accompanying the same, with the elevations of the route, and such explana- tory notes as may be necessary for all useful infor- mation in the premises." The Senate concurred April 6th, and on the nth of that month six hun- dred dollars were appropriated to carry out the pro- visions of the resolution. * Hosack's Memoir, i$'J. Upon James Geddes was devolved the task of making these surveys ; and January 20, 1809, he submitted his report to the Surveyor-General, who afterwards wrote that it marked out a route " almost precisely in the line which, after repeated, elaborate and expensive examinations, has been finally adop- ted," and thus was " the fact satisfactorily estab- hshed, that a canal from Lake Erie to Hudson's River was not only practicable, but practicable with uncommon feHcity."* The favorable report of Judge Geddes silenced much local opposition, and induced the Legislature, March 15, 1 810, to unanimously authorize the or- ganization of a Board of Commissioners consisting of Gouverneur Morris, Stephen VanRensselaer, De- Witt Chnton, Simeon DeWitt, William North, Thomas Eddy and Peter B. Porter. May 8, 181 1, Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton were added to the commission, who were empowered to employ engineers to make further surveys, and to apply to the National and State governments for aid. June 19, 1812, the commission was authorized to purchase all the right and interest of the West- ern Inland Lock Navigation Company, with cer- tain provisos, and to borrow five millions of dol- lars to be used in the construction of the canal; but the ensuing war necessitated a suspension of operations, and April 15, 1814, the law authorizing this loan was repealed. The project was revived in the fall of 1 8 1 5, and in March, 1817, thenew board of commissioners, con-' sisting of Stephen Van Rensselaei", DeWitt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott and Myron HoUey, made an elaborate report, and from revised esti- mates placed the cost at $5,000,000. April 15, 1817, the bill which established the canal pohcy of the State passed the Legislature, after a sharp and talented controversy. The Canal Commissioners were authorized by that law to commence constructing the canals from Lakes Erie and Champlain to the Hudson. The first contract for the Erie canal was made June 27, 181 7, with John Richardson, of Cayuga county; and the first spadeful of earth was raised at Rome, with appropriate ceremonies, July 4, 181 7. Ninety- four miles of canal, including the lateral branch to Salina, were completed in the autumn of 1820, on the middle section; and Oct. 26, 1825, it was fin- ished the entire length, a distance of three hundred and sixty-three miles, at a cost of $7,143,789.! * Canal Laws, I., 40, 41. t State Engineer's Report, 1878, p. 8;. COMPLETION OF THE ERIE CANAL. 105 The final completion of the canal was a signal for an outburst of the wildest enthusiasm along its entire length, and the event was celebrated with imposing ceremonies at New York and other points on the 4th of November, 1825. As the first boat,* with Governor Clinton on board, entered the canal at Buffalo, on the morning of October 26th, the fact was signalled to New York by means of cannon previously stationed at intervals of a few miles along the entire length of the line and down the Hudson. Within the first decade after its completion the necessity for its enlargement was felt, and this work, which was ordered May 11, 1835, was com- menced in August, 1836, and completed in Sep- tember, 1862, at a cost of $36,495,535. This improvement reduced its length from 363 miles to 350^ miles; changed the number of locks from 83, each 90 by 1 5 feet, to 7 2, each 11 o by 1 8 feet ; reduc- ing the number of feet of lockage from 675.5 '° 654.8; increased the width at the top from 40 to 70 feet, and at the bottom from 28 to 56 feet, and the depth from 4 to 7 feet ; and increased the burden of boats from 75 to 220 tons. The difference in length was occasioned by a change in route in various places. The completion of the Erie canal exerted a marked influence on the industries of the counties bordering upon it, and measurably benefited those more remote from it. To Livingston county it was only the prelude to and precursor of a subsequent enterprise, which brought within the reach of its citizens the full fruition of its advantages. The tedious, toilsome and unreliable water route to that great artery was still, as formerly, its chief depend- ence. The Genesee was navigable for boats be- tween Mt. Morris and Rochester from an early day, but up to the time of the building of the Erie canal the regular commercial navigation between these points was not more frequent than once in two weeks. In May, 1824, the canal boat Hazard, the pioneer of its craft on the Genesee, and owned by Sanford Hunt, of Nunda, made the passage of the river, carrying a load of pine lumber, ashes, &c., from Nunda to Albany ; and in July of the same year, Captain Bottle, with the steamboat Erie Canal, first navigated the Genesee by steam, making the trip from Rochester to Geneseo. The event was suitably recognized by the citizens of * This was the first after the completion of the canal. The first packet boat, the Oneida Chief, of which George Perry, a resident of Sullivan, JIadison county, was captain, commenced running between Utica and Montezuma, in July, 1810. Three'trips were made each week, each trip occupying two days. The fare, including board, was $+. The following year the canal was open to Schenectady. Geneseo and Avon, as it stopped at the latter place on its way up the river. The day following his arrival at Geneseo, Capt. Bottle acknowledged the compliment of the generous reception given him by taking a large company of ladies and gentlemen on an excursion up the river. Subsequently a stock company, in which citizens of this county were interested, attempted the navigation of the river between Rochester and Geneseo with the Genesee, a stern-wheel steamboat of small capacity, designed to carry passengers and tow river boats ; but the enterprise proved unsuccessful, and it was abandoned after two seasons, during the first of which the boat was commanded by Captain Wil- liam W. Weed, and the second, by Capt. John Dallson. Immediately on the completion of the Erie canal measures were taken by the residents of the Gene- see valley to improve the water communication with it ;• and the idea of a canal as a substitute for river navigation early took definite shape. In the spring of 1825, a bill authorizing a survey for a canal in the Genesee valley was introduced in the Legislature, but failed to receive the sanction of that body. June 15, 1825, Phillip Church, Daniel H. Fitzhugh, WiUiam H. Spencer, Ira West, Jon- athan Child and Heman Norton issued through the columns of the Livingston Register, a call for a public meeting of those interested in the construc- tion of a canal along the Genesee and Canaseraga valleys, also from the Genesee to some point on the Alleghany. The movement thus auspiciously begun, notwithstanding the continued agitation and the many meetings subsequently held in various places in its interest, did not receive official encouragement until 1834, when surveys were authorized and made, and the cost of construction estimated by F. C. Mills, tlie chief engineer engaged in it, to be $2,002,285.* The construction of the Genesee Valley canal was authorized May 6, 1836,! and the contracts awarded therefor during the three succeeding years. * The estimated cost at contract prices was $4, 900, 122. Report of the State Engineer and Stirveyar of the Canals of t/te State, 1878, p. 96. t It is proper to state that a respectable and influential minority advo- cated with much ability the improvement and use of a part of the river in connection with the canal, for the reason that, as they beheved, it would effect a *' saving of more than a quarter of million dollars to the State, and at the same time render greater facilities to trade at a period of inter- rupted navigation in the spring and fall, when a canal, supplied with water from the summit level of the Genesee Valley canal, would be locked with ice," A public meeting held in the court house at Geneseo, Dec. 16, 1 8 j6, was largely attended by citizens of Avon, Geneseo and York, but from which those from the southern towns in the county were conspicu- ously absent, and Calvin H. Bryan, George Hosmer, Allen Ayrault, Charles Colt, Joseph B. Bloss and Elias Clark were appointed to present and urge these views on the attention of the Legislature. io6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. It was completed to Dansville, November i, 1842; to Olean, in November, 1856; and to Mill Grove pond, connecting with the Alleghany, (to which point its extension was authorized in 1857,) in December, 186 r. Its completion to the various points within the county was hailed with enthusi- astic demonstrations of joy. The entire length of the canal, with side cut, was 124J miles. The total cost of the canal and reservoirs was $6,433,842. It was 42 feet wide at the top and 26 feet at the bottom, with a depth of four feet, giving it a capac- ity for boats of 50 to 55 tons burden.* It had 112 locks, each 90 by r5 feet, with a total lift of 1,128,87s feet; 28 were built of stone, at a cost of $10,000 each ; 73, of composite, at a cost of $8,000 each, and 11, of wood, at a cost of $5,000 each. Eight of these were on the Dansville branch, eleven miles in length, with an aggregate lift of 82.6 feet. This canal extends from Rochester to Mill Grove pond, near the Pennsylvania Une, and enters Livingston county in the northeast corner of the town of Caledonia. Thence it extends in a south- westerly direction on the west side of the river, which it crosses at Mt. Morris, thence following the Cashaqua valley to Nunda, where it deflects to the west till it again reaches the river, which it crosses on a wooden aqueduct, forty feet high, at Portage- ville, where it leaves the county. The Dansville branch intersects it at the Shaker settlement, in the south-west part of Groveland, and pursues a south- easterly direction to Dansville, crossing the Cana- seraga at Comminsville. The most difficult and expensive portions of the work were encountered between the Dansville branch junction and Portageville. The original plan included, besides deep cuttings, heavy rock excavations, the aqueduct across the Genesee and a tunnel through the high hills near Portageville;! but such were the obstacles encountered in the latter undertaking that the project was abandoned after much expensive labor had been performed on it. The following description of the tunnel appears in Disturneirs Gazetteer of the State of New York, published in 1842, while that work was in progress : — " The trunk of the tunnel is to be 27 feet wide, 20 feet high and i,t8o feet in length; the entire excavation * * *, including the gallery, shafts and lateral drifts, w ill amount to more than 25,000 * Retort of the State Engineer and Surveyor on tlie Canals of the State, 1878, p. 96. On page 84 of the same work it is stated that the average burden of boats on the Genesee Valley canal was 70 tons, and the maximum burden, 76 tons. t The project of tunnehng the hill was adopted on account of the treach- erous nature of the earth composing it, as explained in the chapter on geology, and abandoned for the same reason. cubic yards. * * * Since the excavation has been commenced, such is the character of the rock, thrown together apparently by nature in loose masses and blocks, that it now appears that the entire roof and sides of the tunnel will require arching with sohd mason work. Indeed temporary arches of wood have been found necessary during the progress of almost every successive yard of the work. It is by far the greatest undertaking of the kind that has been attempted in our country. The whole region through which the canal here passes, also possesses great interest; the tunnel running near by and parallel to the Genesee, which here has a perpendicular bank of about 400 feet." On the abandonment of the tunnel project, the engineer adopted what long seemed an equally un- promising one ; but after overcoming many per- plexing difficulties he succeeded in placing the canal on the treacherous hillside, overlooking the deep gorge of the Genesee, and overshadowed by the towering hill above, thus accomplishing a most remarkable engineering feat. In the early part of its, existence and for many years this canal exerted a marked and beneficial influence on the industries of the country through which it passed, though it was an onerous burden on the State treasury. The advent of the railroads, however, soon demonstrated that it had outlived its usefulness, and foreshadowed its abandonment, which followed in 1878, the order directing its abandonment being issued September 30th, 1878. The evidences of its existence are rapidly vanishing. Pending the prolonged effort to secure favorable legislation in the interest of the Genesee Valley Canal, its friends, becoming impatient of delay, and feeling the urgent demand both for increased and improved facilities for transportation, turned their attention to the project of constructing a rail- road through the Genesee Valley; and in 1831, five years after the first railroad company in this State was incorporated, and the year in which the first railroad in the State was opened to the public,* * The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad Company, incorporated April I7, 1826, built the first railroad in this State between Albany and Schen- ectady, a distance of seventeen miles. The work of construction was commenced at Schenectady, July 29, 1830, and about the 20lh of July fol- lowing, the road from the top of the hill at Albany to the brow of the hill at Schenectady, a distance of about 11 1-2 miles, was completed and for- mally opened September 24,1831. Previously, however, the road was regularly operated by horse power. The science of railroad engineering was then in its infancy, and the art of surmounting grades by locomotive steam power was then unknown; hence, both termini were inclined planes, up which the cars were drawn by stationary engines, and balanced by means of a car loaded with stone descending an opposite track. The road was completed through its entire length in the spring of iSjl. The first cars used upon it were stage coach bodies placed upon trucks : and the first train, of three coaches, was drawn by the engine De IVUt Clinton, which made the return trip, with five cars, in thirty-five mitmtes. The inclined planes were used till about 1840, when a portioffof the route was changed for a line with grades that could be worked with locomotives. This road now forms a part of the New York Central and Hudson River R. R, — Hough's Gazetteer of New York, 126, 145. RAILROAD ENTERPRISES. 107 a series of meetings were held along the line of the proposed railroad, which culminated in the passage of an Act on the 2 2d of March, 1832, incorporating the Dansville and Rochester Railroad, for the con- struction of a steam railroad from Dansville to Rochester. This favorable legislation was joyfully received by the friends of the enterprise, promi- nent among whom, in this county, were Charles H. Carroll, Hezekiah D. Mason, Allen Aj/rault, Wil- liam A. Mills, C. H. Bryan, James Faulkner, Felix Tracy, D. H. Fitzhugh, James McCurdy, John Young, S. G. Grover, William H. Spencer, William Lyman and others, and in July, 1832, surveys were commenced. The public, however, were not pre- pared for such an enterprise, and after ineffectual efforts to secure the requisite amount of stock, it was abandoned by its projectors. The next railroad enterprise to engage the at- tention of the people of Livingston county was the Genesee and Pittsford Railroad, which was incor- porated May 21, 1836, but, like its predecessor, was not constructed. The construction of a railroad from Attica to Hornellsville, for which purpose the Attica and Hornellsville Railroad Company was incorporated May 14, 1845, with a capital of $750,000 was the next railroad project which agitated the people of Livingston county; and a sharp competition ex- isted in the effort to determine the choice of one of two proposed routes through the county, one of which extended through the western and southern parts of the county, and the other and shorter one, and the one finally selected, through the south- western corner, entering the county and crossing the river at Portage, near the center of the west border of that town, which it crosses in a south- easterly direction, also the south-west part of Nun- da, leaving that town and the county near the center of its south border. The time for the com- pletion of th^p road was extended to April 11, 1849 ; and April 9, 185 1, other roads were allowed to take stock. March 3, 1851, the capital was in- creased, and the company allowed to purchase the Buffalo and Rochester Railroad, from Attica to Buffalo, and to change its name, which it did April 16, 1851, to the Buffalo and New York City Railroad. The road was completed and in operation between Portage and Hornellsville in January, 1852, and the following year was open its entire length — ninety-one miles.* That portion of the road from Attica to Buffalo was sold to the Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad ; and that •The length of the road from Attica to Hornellsville is 59.848 miles. portion from Attica to Hornellsville, changed to the Buffalo branch of the Erie, December 12, 18621 It is now owned and operated by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. This road crosses the Genesee at Portageville on a magnificent wrought-iron bridge, erected in 1875, at a cost of about $75,000, in place of the famous wooden structure, which was destroyed by fire, and was completed August 25, 1852, at a cost of $175,000. It was the largest wooden railroad bridge in the world; being 800 feet long, and 234 feet above the river bed. The present bridge is eighteen feet longer than the old one and one foot higher. It is a Pratt truss bridge, consisting of ten spans of fifty feet each, two of one hundred feet each, and one of one hundred and eighteen feet. It rests upon six double towers, each com- posed of four hollow iron beams, in sections, six- teen inches square. These are seventy feet apart at the bottom, and wide enough at the top for double tracks. They rest upon moveable steel rollers, which admit of adjustment as heat or cold may expand or contract the structure. The whole is supported by stone piers. The first iron work was put up June 13th, and the last, July 16, 1875. Its sustaining power is 20,000 pounds to the square inch. During the construction of this road through Portage, in July, 185 1, a riot which threatened ser- ious results occurred among the striking work- men engaged in its construction, and render- ed it necessary to apply to the civic authori- ties of Livingston and Wyoming counties for aid in quelling it. A desperate encounter en- sued in which several of the rioters were shot, two fatally, and it was not until the militia was summoned to the scene that the emeute was quelled. The Big Tree Artillery, of Geneseo, were summoned and repaired to the scene of action. In 1849, the project of constructing the New York and Erie Railroad (which was opened June I St of that year to Elmira,) through the Cohocton instead of the Canisteo Valley from Corning was discussed and enlisted the earnest support of the people of this section in favor of the former route. The latter, however, being decided on, a separate railroad was resolved on through the Cohocton Valley from Corning, and June 26, 1850, the Buf- falo and Cohocton Valley Railway company was formed to effect that object. Two feasible routes were reported from Bath to the Genesee ; one known as the Honeoye route, which would cross io8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. only the towns of Lima and Caledonia in this county, and the other, the' Conesus route, which was two miles shorter, and was adopted with Buffalo instead of Rochester as the western ter- minus. This enters the county on the south line of Springwater, passes northerly through the west- ern part of that town, the central part of Conesus and the western part of Livonia, to its north line, and to the south-west corner of Lima, where it deflects to the west, and reaches the Conesus out- let, which it follows in most of its course through the southern and central parts of' Avon, to the north line of Avon village, where it again deflects to the west, and crosses the town of Caledonia diagonally in a north-westerly direction, leaving the county in the north-west corner of the latter town. March 3, 1852, it was changed to the Buffalo, Corning and New York Railroad Com- pany ; and subsequently that portion of the road extending from Corning to Batavia was sold to the Buffalo, New York and Erie Railroad, which was organized in 1857. It is now leased by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, belong- ing to the Rochester division of that road. Forty- four miles of the road were completed in 1852, and an additional forty-six miles in 1853, in July of which year trains were running regularly be- tween Corning and Caledonia. The project of a railroad through thp Genesee valley was revived, and June 7, 1851, the Roches- ter and Genesee Valley Railroad Company was or- ganized for the purpose of building a road from Rochester to Pittsburgh by that route and char- tered July 2, 185 1, with a capital of $800,000. James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo and Freeman Clark of Rochester were the prime movers in this enterprise. Amon Bronson of Rochester, was also prominently identified with it. The route was sur- veyed in 185 1, by McRea Swift, assisted by Edward Everett. The work of construction was com- menced in 1852, and was completed to Avon, a dis- tance of 18.261 miles, in 1854. About $100,000 were expended for grading, masonry and right of way on that part of the line between Avon and Mt. Morris. At this point the means of the com- pany gave out, and its subsequent efforts to com- plete the road were unavailing. Oct. i, 1858, the road was leased to the Buffalo, New York 'and Erie Railroad Company for ten years, with the privilege of renewal at the same terms. The lease was sold and assigned to the Erie Railway Company, and the road is now leased and operated by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Rail- road, as a part of the Rochester division of that road. Energetic measures were set on foot by the resi- dents of this county to extend this road from Avon to Portage, and July 12, 1856, the Genesee Valley Railroad Company was formed for the accomplish- ment of that object. It was composed among others, of James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo ; John R. Murray, Judge Geo. S. Hastings, Hiram P. Mills, and Reuben P. Wisner of Mt. Morris ; Judge Charles H. Carroll and Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh of Groveland ; and William Kidd, Waterman F. Rey- nolds and Henry E. Rochester of Rochester, all of whom were prominent members of the company. Arrangements were made whereby the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Company agreed to transfer to this company all its right and title to real property on the line south of Avon, on condition that it carry forward the project. This transfer was made by deed, Dec. 26, 1856. In September, 1856, a contract was entered into with George W. Phelps of Mt. Morris, to complete the road from Avon to Mt. Morris. He commenced operations in October of that year ; but owing to the financial crisis of 1857, and the consequent inability of the company to furnish the means for prosecuting the work, it was not completed until 1859. The first train passed over the road on Thursday, January 20, 1859, when Mr. Phelps took the directors to Avon and gave them a dinner there. The road was formally opened, June 5, 1859. Its length from Avon to Mt. Morris is 17.561 miles; and to the town line 19 miles. In 1856, the Genesee Valley Railroad Company issued bonds to the amount of $175,000 for con- struction expenses, and July 22, 1857, executed a mortgage on its property to secure them. The road was sold on foreclosure in 1858, and was sub- sequently purchased by the Avon, Geneseo and Mt. Morris Railroad Company, which was chartered March 8, i860, with a capital of $225,000. On the completion of the road it was managed by Mr. Patchen, who ran his trains over it to Roch- ester, for 3, pro rata of the expenses, and in eight months made the running expenses exceed the re- ceipts by about $1,800. May i, i860, the roadwas leased to George W. Phelps, then a large stockhold- er, for one year, he agreeing to pay seven per cent, on the cost of construction. Mr. Phelps renewed the lease a second year, at the expiration of which he became its manager, and continued it success- fully till i872,when it was leased to the Erie Rail- way Company for eighty years with all renewals and RAILROAD ENTERPRISES. 109 charters. It is now leased and operated by the Ne%v York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad Com- pany, as a part of the Rochester division of that road. The Dansnille and Genesee Valley Railroad Company was organized March 22, 1864, for the purpose of constructing and operating a road fifteen miles in length from Dansville to Mt. Morris, to intersect at or near the latter place the Avo7i, Gen- eseo and Mt. Morris Railroad, but without accom- plishing its object. The capital stock was fixed at $150,000, divided into 6,000 shares. The follow- ing named directors were chosen : George Hy- land, James Faulkner, Charles Shepard, James C. Jackson, Jesse Angel, Hugh McCartney, Sidney Sweet, Alonzo Bradner, Orville Tousey, all of Uansville ; Hugh T. McNair, of West Sparta ; Anson D. Smith, of Mt. Morris, and Isaac Butts and William Kidd, of Rochester. January 24, 1868, a charter was granted to the Erie and Genesee Valley Railroad Company for the purpose of extending the Avon, Geneseo and Mt. Morris Railroad from Groveland to Burns, in Allegany county, to connect at the latter place with the Buffalo and Hornellsville branch of the Erie road. In 1871, seven miles of this road was constructed, and in 1872, an additional five and one-fourth miles, completing it to Dansville,* be- yond which point it has not since been carried. On its completion to Dansville the company leased the road to the Erie Railway Company, agreeing in the lease to build it through to Burns. The road is now operated by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. The Silver Lake Railroad was chartered July 1 9, 1869, for the purpose of constructing a railroad from Perry to Caledonia, with a capital of half a million dollars, $120,127 of which is paid in. Six and one-half miles of the road, from Perry to East Gainesville, have been constructed, connecting the former village with the Erie Railroad. The Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Railroad Company "^ss, incorporated May 18, 1851, under the general railroad Act of 1850, and in 1853 con- structed a railroad from Canandaigua to Suspen- sion Bridge, mortgaging its property, corporate franchises, etc., to secure the issue of certain bonds. This mortgage was subsequently foreclosed, and the mortgaged property purchased by James M. Brown, Charles Congdon and Bobert B. Potter, who, with others, organized the Niagara Bridge and Canandaigua Railroad Company, August 25, • state Engineer's Report on Railroads, 1879, /• 61. 1858, and to whom they subsequently transferred the property. The company then leased the line to the New York Central Railroad Company for the term of its charter. The road is now leased and operated by the New York Central and Hud- son River Railroad Company. It extends from east to west through the north part of the town of Caledonia. The Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Rail- road Company was organized April 9, 1870, for the purpose of building a road from Mt. Morris to Belvidere, the object being to estabHsh a railroad connection between Rochester and the trunk line of the Erie road. The project enlarged and on the loth of January, 1872, a company styled the Northern Extension of the Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railro3,d was formed to build a road from Mt. Morris to Rochester on the west side of the Genesee Valley, passing through the towns of Leicester, York, Caledonia, Wheatland and Gates. The same year another company known as the Southern Extension of the Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad was formed in the same interest to build a road from Belvidere to the Pennsylvania line ; and immediately thereafter the three companies consolidated into one, taking the name of the first. Immediately thereafter the con- solidated company consolidated with another rail- road company in Pennsylvania, known as the Northern Railroad and Navigation Company, under the name of the Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad Company, having for its objects the opening of a direct communication with the cities of Rochester and Pittsburg, and the cities lying to the south-west of the latter, and to open to people on its line and to northern markets the vast forests of timber and especially the im- mense bituminous coal basin of Pennsylvania, which the road penetrates for a distance of fifty miles. The company adopted mainly a route sur- veyed for a railroad more than twenty-five years previously. With about seventy-five miles graded and about eighteen miles of iron laid and ballasted (from Mt. Morris south through Nunda and Rosse's Crossing,) the panic of 1873 overtook and swamped the enterprise. In June, 1877, the fran- chises and property of the company were sold on foreclosure of mortgage and bought in the interest of the stockholders, who re-organized, June 27, 1877, as the Rochester, Nunda and Pittsburg Railroad Company, of which George Jerome, J. Simpson, of Detroit, Charles L. Bingham, of Mt. Morris, C. W. Leavitt, of Philadelphia, T. Gilbert tto HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTV. Smith, George M. Osgoodby, Buffalo, Franklin D. Lake, Nunda, J. C, Wicker, Leicester, are the directors ; George Jerome, president ; Franklin D. Lake, vice-president; C. W. Leavitt, secretary; Charles L. Bingham, treasurer. The property was kept intact and was sold in September, 1880, to capitalists, who propose to build the road. The road has never be operated. The Rochester and Genesee Valley Canal Rail- road Company was incorporated April 15, 1879, for the purpose of building a railroad as nearly as prac- ticable on the line of the Genesee Valley Canal, (abandoned,) from Mt. Morris, and through that town, Nunda and Portage, in Ijvingston county, Genesee Falls, in Wyoming county, Hume, Cane- adea, Belfast and New Hudson to Cuba, in Alle- gany county, its southern terminus. No portion of the road is yet under construction. The directors and officers are : George W. Phelps, (president,) and Norman Seymour, Mt. Morris; Mortimer F. Reynolds, Lewis P. Ross, (secretary,) R. A. Sibley and S. J. Arnold, Rochester; F. D. Lake and Michael DowUng, Nunda ; John N. Davidson,Gen- esee Falls; WiUiam P. Brooks, Fillmore; M. L. Ross, Hume; A. M. Smith and W. P. Stevens, Cuba; and Geo. C. Buell, (treasurer,) Rochester. CHAPTER XL Societies — The Medical Society of the County OF Livingston — Its Organization and First Officers — Succession of Presidents of the Society — Names of Members From its Organ- ization — Origin of Homeopathy — Its Intro- duction into Livingston County — Homeo- pathic Medical Society of Livingston CouNT^■ — Its Constituent Members — Succession of Presidents of the Society — Addi- tional Members — The Livingston County Agricultural Society — First Officers Premiums Awarded— Classification of Mem- bers IN 1855— Prominent Stock Raisers and Horticulturists in the County — Geneseo Credited with First Suggesting the Idea of THE Mowing Machine— Succession of Presi- dents OF the Agricultural Society — Living- ston County Stock Association— Livingston County Historical Society — Livingston County Pioneer Association. THE formation of county medical societies was authorized in 1806, by an Act of the Legislature which conferred on them certain powers and im- posed certain duties. Previously all persons de- siring to practice "physic and surgery," were re- quired to present evidence of their competency to the Chancellor of the State, to a Judge of the Su- preme or Common Pleas Court, or to a Master in Chancery, and on receiving a certificate entitling them to practice, to file it in the county clerk's of- fice, under penalty of receiving no remuneration, or in case pay was received, of being fined twenty- five dollars each time it was so received. The law authorizing county medical societies conferred on them authority to grant licenses and recognize diplomas from other States and countries, but such licenses and diplomas were required to be filed in the county clerk's office under like penalties. The Medical Society of the County of Livingston was organized at a meeting of physicians and sur- geons at the house of Col. John Pierce in Genesee, on Tuesday, the 29th of May, 182 1. The meet- ing was attended by the following physicians : Charles Little and Jared D. Ensworth, Avon; Jus- tin Smith, Lima ; Samuel Daniels, Elkanah French and EH Hill, Livonia ; Royal Tyler and John W. Leonard, York; and Cyrus Wells, Jr., Geneseo. Dr. Charles Little was chosen chairman, and Dr. Justin Smith, secretary of the meeting. The fol- lowing officers were chosen for the ensuing year : Charles Little, president ; Justin Smith, vice-presi- dent ; Cyrus Wells, Jr., secretary; Samuel Daniels, treasurer. At this early period the facilities for acquiring a medical education was much more limited than at present, and a large proportion of the practitioners of medicine were licensed to practice by State and county societies. The proportion of those who were Ucensed to those who were graduates of medi- cal colleges was about two to one. Up to 1852, the copies of diplomas filed in the County Clerk's office show that seventy-three were licentiates and forty- four graduates.* The society, feeling their responsibility, provided by their first code of by-laws for a triumvirate, con- sisting of the president, secretary and one of the censors, " to examine students in the preparatory branches of education and give a certificate pre- vious to their entrance upon study." Candidates for license to practice " physic and surgery" were required to give notice thereof to the president and * History of the Medical Society of Livingston county, by Walter E. Lauderdale, M. D, of Geneseo, as published in the Transaciims of the Medical Society o/the Stale 0/ New York, 1S76. Access to this docu- ment was kindly permitted us by the author, who is one of the oldest, as he is among the most honored and respected members of the profession in this county, and of this society. LIVINGSTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. Ill censors fifteen days previous to examination, and to produce to the censors satisfactory proof that they were twenty-one years of age and of good moral character ; that they had studied the term required by law with one or more " reputable and legal practitioners," and had " appropriated that time solely to the study of physic and surgery." They were required to undergo an examination in Materia Medica and pharmacy, anatomy, physi- ology and the "theory and practice of physic." Candidates for license to practice surgery were required to undergo an examination, particularly in anatomy and surgery. If the examination proved satisfactory a diploma was issued. These by-laws further specify that "it is consid- ered the duty of every member of this society to support the honor and dignity of the medical pro- fession and execute their respective duties with justice andfidelity." Each new member was required at the next meeting after his admission to deliver in the presence of the society a dissertation on some subject connected with medical science. The records of a later period show that new members were permitted to deUver a dissertation in Heu of the regular initiation fee, which, at different times, was two, three and five dollars. These disserta- tions were also required from members joining from other counties, who, however, were allowed to join without fee. An officer who absented himself from any stated meeting, unless he gave a reasonable excuse at the next meeting, was Uable to a fine of not less than two dollars, and other members, to a fine not exceeding one dollar. All members over sixty years of age were exempted from fines for non-attendance. The president, at the expiration of his office, was required to dehver a dissertation on some medical subject or an address, and in case of failure topayafineof$2S. The by-laws adopted in 1829, required the delegate to the State Society to deliver an address before the society at the ex- piration of his office or forfeit the sum of $20. These by-laws have since been several times modi- fied to meet the exigencies of the times. June 28, 1830, the Society put itself on record on the temperance question by the adoption of the follow- ing resolutions presented by Dr. G. W. Little : — " Resolved, That we view intemperance in any degree in the use of distilled spirits a great moral and physical evil; and that we consider it our duty, both as physicians and as citizens, to exer- cise all the influence of which we may be possessed to aid in its suppression. "■Resolved, That the exertions making very gen- erally throughout this country, for the promotion of this object, while they are confined to their legitimate and avowed purposes, and preserved en- tirely disconnected with any extraneous question, meet our cordial approbation ; and that all the aid which we can contribute to promote their success shall be cordially and constantly afforded. '■'■Resolved, That the popular opinion that a common use of ardent spirits renders the human system less subject to the diseases of this climate, we consider to be a dangerous, and in many in- stances, a fatal error. '■"Resolved, That our medical experience conclu- sively shows us that persons intemperate in the use of ardent spirits, are more Uable to be attacked by the diseases incident to this climate ; and that their diseases are uniformly of a more dangerous and intractable character. '■'■Resolved, That we will on all proper occasions enforce the above sentiments by our advice to those under our professional care ; and at all times by the influence of our personal example." Up to this period regular annual and semi- annual meetings were held, with possibly one or two exceptions, when they were omitted for want of a quorum till 1834. From that year until 1841, no semi-annual meetings are recorded. In the latter year they were resumed. This was a period when the physicians in this county in common with others throughout the country were deeply agitated — the period when homeopathy began to force its just claims on pub- lic attention and to legal recognition. The legis- lative action which soon followed — in 1844 — was regarded by many with grave and honest appre- hension ; for it was thought that it would prove detrimental to the interests of the profession, and many beheved, says Dr. Lauderdale, "that their efforts to advance a sound rational system of medi- cal education and practice were neither apprecia- ted by the people, nor their representatives in the legislature." It has, however, worked beneficially in resting the prestige of the profession upon its real, rather than its assumed merits. This Society, in a measure, anticipated and in- vited legislative action on this subject. January 30, 1844, Drs. Salisbury, Metcalf and Lauderdale were appointed to draft resolutions, which, after having been signed by the presiding officers of this meeting, should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Committee on Medical Colleges of the Legis- lature of this State, "urging the abolition of all laws in relation to the practice of physic and sur- gery." At the annual meeting of June 25, 1844, " after some discussion on the utility of continuing this Society under the disadvantages" which then existed, "it was 112 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. "■Resolved, That when this meeting adjourn they adjourn sine die ; and that a committee consisting of three be appointed by the Chair to draft a state- ment and resolutions expressive of the views of this Societj ; and that the editors of the several newspapers of the county be requested to publish them ; that a copy be forwarded to the State Med- ical Society." Drs. Salisbury, D. H. Bissell and Sill were ap- pointed such committee. At this meeting it was further "Resolved, That the funds belonging to the So- ciety, amounting to $12.25, be expended by the Sec- retary for medical books, which shall be deposited in the medical library room estabUshed by the late James Wadsworth in the village of Geneseo." This is the first reference made in the records of the Society to medical literature. The annual meetings up to 1844 were held with great regularity at Geneseo, where, also, the semi- annual meetings were generally held. During the eight years succeeding 1844, the society was practically dormant, its meetings being discontinued. In 1852, " it was concluded," says Dr. Lauderdale, " by a number of the physicians of the county, upon consultation, that the interests of the profession and the community at large, requires a reorganization of the Society ; and an invitation was extended through the papers to the physicians of the county, to meet in Geneseo, on the 28th day of September, for the purpose of re- organization." In accordance with this call the following named physicians convened at the American Hotel, Gen- eseo, viz. : D. H. Bissell, T. Morse, J. B. Pur- chase, A. L. Gilbert, S. L. Endress, W. E. Lauder- dale, William C. Dwight, W. H. Sellew, E. W. Patchen, B. L. Hovey, Z. H. Blake, A. W. Mercer, A. H. Hoff, L. J. Ames, B. F. Fowler. Dr. A. H. Hoff was chosen chairman, and B. F. Fowler, sec- retary. Committees were appointed to draft by- laws and medical ethics, officers were elected for the ensuing year, and a committee appointed to select suitable persons to prepare addresses on medical subjects to be read at subsequent meetings. The meetings of the Society continued to be held regularly until 1858. There is no record of a meeting from January 7, 1858, to January 7, 1864. At the latter meeting a new fee bill to correspond with the times was adopted. Two fee bills had been previously adopted, one in May, 1857, and the other June 28, 1842. This meeting was attended by Drs. Bissell, who was called to the chair, Nesbitt, Wells, Ames, G. H. Bennett, William Sprague, Ellis, Vickery, and J. A. Bennett. The next meeting recorded was held July 24, 1867, and was attended by Drs. Blake, Patchen, Perine, Purchase, Bennett, Ellis, Lauderdale and Chase. Dr. Lauderdale, as senior member, was called to the chair, and Dr. Chase appointed sec- retary. Drs. Perine, Purchase, Bennett and Blake, were appointed a committee to draft resolutions, and after a recess of fifteen minutes reported as follows : — Whereas, The Livingston County Medical Society has failed to meet for a term of years; therefore, Resolved, That we request the secretary to call the members together for an annual meeting on the i8th of September, 1867." A new fee bill was adopted in January, 1868, and another in June, 1873. In 1874, the Legislature in a measure put up the barriers taken down in 1844, so far as to dis- criminate against quackery, but not against regular schools of medicine. Practitioners are required by the law of 1874 to have a license from a medical society or to be a graduate from, a medical college. May 29, 1880, an Act was passed by the Legisla- ture requiring medical practitioners to register in the County Clerk's office, on or before October i, 1880, their name, residence, place of birth and authority for practicing. Both these laws make illegal practice punishable by fine or imprisonment or both. The following gentlemen* have served the Society as president : — Charles Little 1821, 1833. Justin Smith 1822. Caleb Chapin 1823. Charles Bingham 1824, 1829. E. Hill 1825, 1828. Samuel Daniels 1826, 1827. Cyrus Wells, Jr 1830. Andrew Sill 1831. Daniel H. Bissell 1832, 1837, 1839. E. P. Metcalf ; 1834, 1836. S. Salisbury, Jr 1835, 1840. Joseph Tozier 1838. Gilbert Bogart 1841. William H. Reynale 1842, 1867. John S. Graham 1843. Ellis 1868. E. G. Chase 1869. W. B. Alley 1870. C. H. Richmond 1872- F. M. Perine 1873- R. J. Menzie 1874- B. J. Kneeland 1875- J. E. Crisfield 1880. Following is a list of the names of members who * This list may not be complete, as the records themselves are veo' incomplete. LIVINGSTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 113 have joined the society since its organization, as far as they can be ascertained from the records. The right hand column of dates represents the time when they joined the society ; the left hand column, the time they filed copies of their diplomas in the County Clerk's office at Geneseo : — Alley, Wm. B., Nunda, as early as 1870. Alvord, Ariel, 1833. Alvord, Milton, 1828. June 24, 1828. Ames, Loren J., Mt. Morris, 1843. June 27, 1843. Baker, Milan, Benedict, Avery, 1822. Bennett, Geo. H., Lima, Jan. 7, 1864. Bennett James A., Geneseo, . do. Bingham, Chas., Mt. Morris,. 1821. Bishop, Eben H., June 30, 1829. Bissell, Danl. H., Moscow, .. 1823. 1822. Bissell, Danl. P., Moscow, .. .1828. Jan. 29, 1828. Blake, Geo. M., Dansville, . . . Blake, Z. H., Dansville, Sept. 28, 1853. Bogart, Gilbert, Mt. Morris, . . 183 1 June 30, 1829. Bosley, Geo. H., Geneseo, . . . Bowers, J. R., Mt. Morris, . . 1828. June 24, 1828. Briggs, Chas. A., Avon, 1877. Brockway, C. C, Avon, Brown, Goit, Butler, Wm., Lima, 1837. June 26, 1838. Butler, Wm. C, Avon, 1842. June 28, 1842. Byam, L. W., Geneseo, Camp, Abraham, Campbell, A. C, Sparta, .... June 29, 1841. Campbell, Alex, June 26, 1838. Campbell, Duncan, Caledonia, June 28, 1842. Campbell, I. A., Jan. 31, 1832. Campbell, John, Livonia 1823. Campbell, Jno. A., Lima, 1829. Carman, Samuel, Livonia,. . .1828. June 24, 1828. Caton, Peter T., Livonia, 1839. June 30, 1840. Caulkins,T. N., Chafee,C. C, Allegany Co.,(hon'ry) June 28, 1842. Chapin, Caleb 1822. 182 1. Chase, Enos G., Geneseo, . . . July 24, 1867. Childs, Ebenezer, Mt. Morris, June 30, 1840. Clark, Josiah, Caledonia, 1827, Jan. 29, 1828. Clarke, Joel W., Livonia, 1829, Jan. 26, 1830. Coe, Wm. H., Avon, Calvin, Jonathan, Cook, Lyman N., Sparta, 1821. Craig, John, York, 1841. June 30, 1840. Craig, John Reid, York, Jan. 25, 1842. Crandall, Amos, Jr., Livonia,. 1834. Jan. 31, 1832. Cressy, Alonzo, Lima 1829. June 28, 1830. Crisfield, J. E., Dansville, Culbertson, Isaac W., Grove- land, Currie, John, Caledonia, 1823. Jan. 26, 1830. Daniels, Samuel, Livonia,. . .1821. May 29, 1821. Davis, Aaron, Mt. Morris,. . . June 28, 1842. Davis, Kendall, Moscow, Day, Asel, Sparta, 1824. Day, E.G.,... 1822. Dayton, David D., Hopewell, N. Y., 1844. June 25, 1844. DeCamp, William H., Denton, L. A., Moscow, 1877. Dewey, Horatio H 1846. Dildine, C. T., Dansville, Drake, Israel, 1852. DuRelle, Geo. O. J., York,. .1839. June 25, 1839. Dwight, Wm. C, Moscow, . . . 1824. June 30, 1829. Dyke, L A. M., York, 1877. EUis, S. G., Lima, Ellis, Samuel L., Jan. 7, 1864. Endress, Samuel L., Dans- ville, 1829. Jan. 27, 1829. Ensworth, Jared D., Avon,. . . 1821. May 29, 1821. Fenn, Horatio N., 1823. Jan. 6, 1824. Ferris, Lewis G., Mt. Morris, June 30, 1840. Filkins, J. G., York, Findlay, Solomon B., 1823. Fitch, Graham N., Caledonia, 1835. June25, 1833. Foote, Henry K., Conesus,. ..1830. June 28, 1830. Fowler, B. F., Geneseo, Sept. 28, 1853. French, Elkanah, Livonia, ... 1821. May 29, 1821. GailUck, Thaddeus, Gallantine, Samuel, Mt. Mor- ris, 1842. June 27, 1843. Gates, H. S., 1835. June 28, 1836. Gibbs, Anson A., Livonia, . . . Gilbert, Augustus L., Mt. Morris 1852. Sept. 28, 1852. Gilmore, John, Nunda, Graham, John S., York, 1829. June 28, 1830. Grant, Abraham, 1829. June 28, 1830. Graves, Geo. W., Gray, Arnold, Springwater, . . 1827. June 26, 1827. Gray, John W., Avon, Gray, Joel, Geneseo, June 29, 1841. Gray, Orlando S., Springwa- ter, 1835. Green, James, York, June 28, 1825. Green, Jay L., Livonia, Green, Wm. T., Livonia, 1827. Hale, Thara, 1822. Hanson, Benajah, York, 1829. June 24, 1828. Harris, Francis L., Geneseo,,i829. June 26, 1832. Higgins, David C, 1825. Hill, Eli, Livonia, 1823. May 29, 1821. Hoff, Alexander H., Mt. Mor- ris, Sept. 28, 1852. Holloway, Wm., York, 1823. 1822. Hovey, Bleaker L., Sparta,. .1842. June 28, 1842. Hudnutt, Isaiah B. Jr., West Sparta, 1837. June 30, 1835. Hume, Julius M., Conesus,. . 1835. Jan. 28, 1834. Hunt, Hiram, Mt. Morris,. .. 1825. Jan. 30, 1827. Hunt, John S., Sparta, 1842. June 28, 1842. Huntington, T. R., Mt. Mor- ris, Hurd, Isaac W., Sparte, 1829. June 30, 1829. Jinks, James E., Avon, Jones, Geo. H., Fowlerville, . 1878. Joslyn, Z. H., Mt. Morris,. .. Kelsey, Robert, June 26, 1838. King, John M., 1834. Kneeland, Benj. F., Nunda,. as early as 1875. Landon, J. C, Geneseo, 1825. June 28, 1825. 114 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Lauderdale, Edward, Grove- land Lauderdale, Walter E.,Sparta,i828. Jan. 27, 1829. Lauderdale, Walter E., Jr., Geneseo Leonard, John W., York, 1821. May 29, 1821. Little, Charles, Avon, 1821. May 29, 1821. Little, Geo. W., Lima, 1823. June 24, 1823. Long, Josiah, York 1840. June 29, 1841. Losey, J. B., Conesus, Luce, Charles T., 1823. Luke, Philip C, 1833. Lyon, Lockwood, Groveland,i829. June 30, 1829. Manning, J., Mason, Truman E., 1835, June 30, 1835. McArthur, P. S., Mt. Morris, Mclntyre, A. F., York, May, 1853. McMaster, James, Livonia, ..1826. June 24, 1828. McMillen, David, Conesus, ..1823. 1822. McPherson, Thomas, 1833. Meacham, E. H. G., Mt. Morris, June 27, 1843. Meacham, Wm. G., Geneseo, Menzie, R. J., Caledonia,. . . as early as 1874. Mercer, Alfred W., Syracuse, . Sept. 28, 1852. Merriam, Harvey R., 1840. Metcalf, Elias P., Geneseo,. . 1828. Jan. 27, 1829. Minard, Isaac, 1837. June 25, 1839. Morey, George, Avon, Morgan, Charles F., Morse, T Sept. 28, 1852. Moyer, Frank H., Moscow,.. Munson, Wm. Beers, Mt. Morris, June 28, 1830. Nesbitt, Wm., Avon, J^n'y 7. 1864. Northrop, James, Norton, John B., Springwater,i82 7. Paine, Zina G., York 1835. June 28, 1831. Palmer, Asa R., 1823. 1822. Patchen, Edward W., Livonia, June 30, 1840. Patchen, Robert A., Livonia, Patterson, J. C, Livonia, . . . Peck, Enoch, York, 1826. Jan'y 6, 1824. Peckham, P. B., Ferine, F. M., Dansville, .... July 24, 1867. Perry, Abijah E., 1828. Jan. 29, 1828. Potter, E. A., Mt. Morris, . ..1830. Potter, Wm. W., Mt. Morris, Pratt, O. S., Dansville, Purchase, J. B., Conesus, Sept. 28, 1852. Purdy, Wm. S., Lima 1834. Jan. 28, 1834. Reynale, Wm. H., Dansville, 1826. June 26, 1827. Richmond, Chas. H., Livonia, as early as Jan., 1875. Rider, Ebenezer, 1844. Robinson, J. H., Conesus,. .. 1827. Jan. 29, 1828. Rogers, S. C, Lakeville, .... Rowland, M. E., Geneseo, . . Royce, Phineas 1823. Sabin, J. B., Nunda, Salisbury, Samuel, Jr., Avon,. 1829. June 28, 1831. Seaman, Ezekiel 1834. Sellew, Wells H., Moscow. .. Sept. 28, 1828. Seymour, Levi D wight, Lei- cester 1842. June 28, 1842. Sheldon, H. P., Livonia 1880. Shepard, Lester G., 1823. 1822. ShuU, D. L., York, Sill, Andrew, Livonia, 1826. Jan. 30, 1827. Smith, Athelstan W., Spring- water 1841. Jan. 26, 1841. Smith, Geo. M., Smith, Jacob K., Moscow, . . . Smith, Justin, Lima, 1821. May 29, 1821. Southwick, Wm. W., Avon, . . Southworth, Samuel, Avon, . . Sprague, Wm., Jan'y 7, 1864. Sprague, Wm. B., York, Staley, Jacob G., York, Stickney, Frederick R., York, June 29, 1841. Stickney, T. R., Fowlerville, . Sept. 9, 1878. Stillwell, Danl. C, Livonia,.. 1835. June 28, 183 1. Thomas, Wm. H., Mt. Mor- ris, Jan. 26, 1841. Townsend, Absalom, Cuyler- ville, 1843. June 27, 1843. Townsend, Wm. A., 1821. 1821. Tozier, Joseph, York, 1824. Jan. 27, 1829. Truesdale, Norman, Tyler, , Jan'y 6, 1824 Tyler, Royal, York, 1824. May 29, 1824. Upson, S., Nunda Van Dike, J., York, 1877. Vickery, Wm. H., Jan'y 7, 1864. Wallace, Walter, 1838, June 30, 1840. Ward, David, Warner, Chas. F., Nunda,. . . Weeks, Joseph, Sparta, June 28, 1842. Wells, Cyrus, Jr., Geneseo,. .1821. May 29, 1821. Wells, Harlow W., Caledonia, 1842. June 28, 1842. Whitbeck, J. F., Avon, 1835. June 30, 1835. Whitney, Wm., Mt. Morris, ..1840. June 30, 1840. Wynn, Wm. W., Yale, Asahel, Dansville, 1829. June — , 1824. The present officers of the society (Dec. i, 1880,) are: — President— J. E. Crisfield, Dansville. Vice President — J. G. Filkins, York. Secretary — -George H. Jones, Fowlerville. Treasurer — W. E. Lauderdale, Jr., Geneseo. Delegate to State Society — J. W. Gray, Avon. Delegates to National Association — D. H. Bis- sell and W. E. Lauderdale, Sr., of Geneseo, and Z. W. Joslyn, of Mt. Morris. Delegates to Central New York Society — J. E. Crisfield, W. E. Lauderdale, Jr., J. W. Gray, J. G. Filkins and George H. Jones. Censors— B. T. Kneeland, Z. W. Joslyn, W. E. Lauderdale, Jr., and B. J. Menzie. The Homeopathic Medical Society of Livingston Co. — The therapeutics of the homeopathic school of medicine is founded on the theory of similia similibus curantur. The principle was discovered by Samuel Hahnemann, who was born in Leipsic, in the Province of Saxony, April 10, 1755. He was an accomplished and skillful practitioner of the ' old school of medicine, and having proved certain HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY. IIS remedies upon himself and others, he abandoned a lucrative practice under government patronage, at Gommeon, near Magdeburg, on account of con- scientious scruples against administering drugs according to the vague formulas then in use, and in 1796, first enunciated the principles of home- opathy, the practice of which he commenced in his native place. He was soon driven from thence by the bitter opposition he encountered, to Paris, where he met with success and secured converts, among whom was Dr. Hans B. Gram, of Copen- hagen, an American by birth, who, having won the highest grade of merit in the Royal Academy of Surgery in that city, came to New York in 1825, and introduced the new practice into America, con- tinuing it in that city till his death in 1840, three years previous to that of his preceptor, Hahne- mann, who died in Paris in 1843. It spread rapid- ly, notwithstanding the prejudice and bitter oppo- sition against it, and was first introduced into Liv- ingston county in 1848, by Chauncy M. Dake, a celebrated physician, who located in Geneseo, where he practiced fourteen years. He went to Pittsburgh, Penn., and died in Springwater. Previous to 1857 homeopathic societies exist- ed as informal associations only, having no legal status. April 13, 1857, the Legislature authorized the formation of homeopathic county medical so- cieties, with equal privileges and immunities en- joyed by similar so-called allopathic associations. April 17, 1862, the Legislature passed an Act to in- corporate the Homeopathic Medical society of the State of New York. Under that act a reorgani- zation was effected whereby county societies then existing became auxiUary to the State society, and the following year it was formally inaugurated. The Homeopathic Medical Society of Livingston Coimty was organized under the Act of 1857, at a meeting convened at the Court-house in Geneseo, on Tuesday, December i, 1857, pursuant to no- tice issued by Drs. C. A. Dake, I. J. Mechem and C. M. Dake, November 18, 1857. Dr. I. J. Me- chem was appointed chairman pro tempore, and W. R. Wells, chosen secretary. After resolving to organize under the above name, for " the advance- ment of the science of medicine," the following named officers were chosen : — C. M. Dake, Gene- seo, President; I. J. Mechem, Nunda, Vice Presi- dent; W. R. Wells, Mt. Morris, Secretary; I. J. Mechem, Nunda, Treasurer. By-laws and regula- tions for the government of the Society were then adopted. These provide for an annual meeting to be held on the first day of December in each year. (except that day be Sunday, in which case it is to be held on the Saturday next preceding it,) and for extra meetings on the written application of a ma- jority of the officers or members. College gradu- ates and medical licentiates "acknowledging the Homeopathic Law of Cure, and by the Censors found qualified to practice Homeopathy," are eli- gible to membership on payment of an initiation fee of five dollars. Provision is made for the ap- pointment, at the annual meetings, of a committee, " whose duty it shall be to propose drugs for trial, and aid in the augmentation and improvement of the Materia Medica." A fine of five dollars' is im- posed on members absenting themselves from meetings of the Society without satisfactory excuse ; and it is made the duty of each member to write dissertations or cases in practice, and report the same at the annual meetings. Applicants for license are required to undergo an examination by the Censors, and present them with a written statement from one or more respectable practition- ers of medicine in this State, certifying to their good moral character, and to their having pursued the study of "physic and surgery" for the term required by law. Each applicant passing a satis- factory examination is entitled to a diploma ; but is required to pay ten dollars, to be divided equally among the Censors making the examination. The code of medical ethics adopted by the "Al- lopathic State Medical Society" in February, 1823, was, " with a few alterations," adopted by this So- ciety, after which the following additional officers were elected: — C. M. Dake, I. J. Mechem and W. R. Wells, censors ; A. A. Hendee, Geneseo, at- torney ; C. M. Dake, delegate to American Insti- tute of Homeopathy; I. J. Mechem, delegate to the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York, which, though not incorporated until 1862, was organized in 1857. The following named persons were then elected "permanent and taxable members," C. M. Dake, M. D., Geneseo, I. J. Mechem, M. D., Dr. A. L. L. Potter, Nunda, and W. R. Wells, M. D., Mt. Morris; " honorary member," Hon. Allen Ayrault, Geneseo ; "corresponding members," Constantine Herring, M. D., Prof W. WiUiamson, M. D., Philadelphia, Pa., D. M. Dake, M. D., and Prof J. P. Dake, M. D., Pittsburgh, Pa., S. R. Kirby, M. D. The following named gentlemen have served the Society in the capacity of president : C. M. Dake, 1858, 1862 ; J. M. Blakesley, i864-'66 ; J. N. An- derson, 1867-70; J. W. Dake, 187 1-3; James A. West, 1874,1876; Herbert M. Dayfoot, 1875; G. u6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. R. Traver, 1877, '79, '80; I. H. Dix, (now in Kan- sas,) 1878; W. W. Russell, 1881. The society now hold annual meetings in June, at which the officers for the ensuing year are elected, and semi-annual meetings in December. Following is a list of the names of additional members who have joined the society, with the date of joining, the names of the present members being italicised: J. M. Blakesley, Dansville, and A. L. L. Potter, Geneseo, 1862 ; Milton H. Halsted, Geneseo, M. G. Davis, Perry, C. A. Dake and Jabez W. Dake, Warsaw, and F. C. Fitch, Castile, 1863 ; James A. West, Geneseo, O. D. Hamilton, Fowlerville, D. F. Dake, Mt. Morris, 1864; J. N. Anderson, Dansville, and A. A. West, Fowlerville. 1865 ; Herbert M. Dayfoot, Mt. Morris, i^(>t ; /. T. Bettis, Livonia, 1869 ; Isaac H. Dix and Henry A. Whitfield, Dansville, and T. P. Tisdale, Lima, 1870; W. H. Thomas, Mt. Morris, 187 1; C. C. Curtis, Nunda, (now at Dunkirk,) and G. R, Tra- ver, Perry, June 23, 1874; Cyrus Allen, Avon, and C D. Woodruff, Lima, June 20, 1876; F.J. M. Whitcomb^, Nunda, June 19, 1877; W. W. Russell, Hemlock Lake, and C. W Brown a.nd R. P. Andrews, Dansville, June 9, 1878; E. W. Southall, Geneseo, Dec. 9, 1879; G. T. Borden, Caledonia, and C. C. Gifford, Attica, June 8, 1880. TAe Livingston County Agricultural Society. — The Livingston County Agricultural Society was organized in 1841. On the 25th of May in that year, the following named farmers of York, "feel- ing a deep interest in the cause of Agriculture," and desirous of exerting themselves for its promotion ; and believing that if the plan suggested in the "Act to promote agriculture," passed Mays, 1841, were carried into effect, it would " be attended with the most salutary consequences," requested the clerk of the county to cause notice to be given, in conformity to said Act, that a meeting of the inhab- itants of this county would be held in the court house at Geneseo, on the first day of July follow- ing, at 10 o'clock, A. M. This request was signed by John Holloway, David Piffard, James Doud, HoUoway Long, Wm. Craig, Duncan Stewart, John Stewart, Archibald Mclntyre, Robert Vallance, John Donnan, Daniel McKercher, John Campbell, Erastus Lawrence, Geo. N. Russell, J. B. Harris, Roswell Stocking, Allen S. Wyman, Otis Presby, Miles Torrey, Erastus Harris, A. S. Martindale, James Oilman, Neil Stewart, Robert Wait, George Blake, J. B. Bloss, James Hamilton and John Hamilton. S. P. Allen, then county clerk, gave the required notice May 29, 1841, and in conforming with this action a meeting was held at the time and place designated. General Wm. A. Mills was chosen chairman and Colonel Samuel W. Smith, secretary. It was "resolved that it is expedient to form an agricultural society for the county of Livingston." General Micah Brooks, Colonel Holloway Long, Fehx Tracy, C. H. Bryan and John Holloway were appointed to draft a constitution for the Society, which, after being debated . and amended, was adopted at the same meeting. The constitution states the object of the Society to "be the promotion of agriculture, horticulture and household manufactures." The payment of one dollar on admission and one dollar annually thereafter during the continuance of membership, was and is the only requirement for membership; and by the payment of ten dollars on admission any person can become a life member. The officers were made to consist of a president, three vice-presidents, a recording secretary, a correspond- ing secretary, a treasurer and twelve managers, one from each town, who together constituted the execu- tive committee. They were elected annually and had power to fill vacancies in their own body. The present by-laws state that "the object of the society is the advancement of agriculture, horticulture, mechanic arts and household industry." The present officers consist of a president, vice-presi- dent, secretary, treasurer and six directors, who are elected in the manner prescribed by section 5 of "an Act to facilitate the formation of agricul- tural and horticultural societies," passed April 13, 1855. They "constitute a board of managers for the general administration ot the business of the society." In addition there are town committees, consisting of one from each town, elected or appointed at the annual meeting of the officers, who " superintend the affairs of the society in their respective towns, under direction of the board of managers." There may be appointed annually a geologist and librarian ; * also a registrar of stock, whose duty it is to register " the pedigrees of such thorough-bred animals as may be presented for entry." The following named officers were then chosen : Wm. A. Mills, president; Holloway Long, James S. Wadsworth and Daniel H. Fitzhugh, vice-presi- dents ; C. H. Bryan, recording secretary ; C. R. * We find no record of an election to either of these oflRces until Janu- ary 3, i860, -when John V. Lauderdale was elected to both. This, we believe, is the only instance in which the former office has been filled, and the latter but one additional time. LIVINGSTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 117 Bond, corresponding secretary; Allen Ayrault, treasurer ; Micah Brooks, Mt. Morris, S. W. Smith, Sparta, C. H. Carroll, Groveland, W. H. Spencer, York, W. W. Wadsworth, Geneseo, W. W. Woos- ter, Leicester, Hector Hitchcock, Conesus, Edward A. LeRoy, Caledonia, Asahel Warner, Lima, H. S. Tyler, Springwater, Leman Gibbs, I jvonia, and John E. Tompkins, Avon, managers. The following named persons then paid each one dollar : — David Shepard, Chas. Shepard, Hollo- way Long, J. B. Harris, W. W. Wooster, J.Worth- ington, D. Warner, Jr., P. E. Baker, J. W. Merrill, J. White, Jr., Samuel Vance, P. Goddard, C. H. Bryan, Robert Crossitt, O. D. Lake, R. L. Blake, S. P. Allen, M. Brooks, Wm. A. Mills, O. Skinner, Cornelius Shepard, Reuben Squier, S. W. Smith and John HoUoway. At a meeting of the executive committee, (the first one recorded,) Aug. 3, 1841, the following town committees were appointed : Geneseo, Cornelius Shepard, Jr., Reuben Squier, Chas. Colt; Mt. Morris, Alfred Hubbard, Wm. D. Morgan, Moses Barron; Sparta, Charles Shepard, Wm. Scott, Wm. Fullerton, Morgan Hammond; Groveland, W. W. McNair, John White, William Ewart ; Lima, Asahel H. Warner, Jasper Marvin, Samuel Stevens ; Livonia, James Campbell, John Adams, Ruel L. Blake ; Springwater, Parker H. Pierce, Horatio Dyer, Zenas Ashley; Conesus, John Henderson, Timothy DeGraw, Jotham Clark ; Lei- cester, W. T. Cuyler, Jerediah Horsford, Allen Smead; Caledonia, Ephraim Lacy, Th. H. New- bold, John McKay; Avon, John Kelsey, Asa Now- len, Ira Merrill ; York, John HoUoway, James Dow, Wm. Craig, John Russ, Wm. Stewart, James B. Harris, Angus McBean. At this meeting it was resolved to hold the an- nual fair at Geneseo, October 2 2d, and to award forty-five specified premiums, ranging in value from two to fifteen dollars, and aggregating two hundred and forty-nine dollars, to the persons exhibiting the best specimen of each article or thing for which the premiums were offered. In addition, provision was made for " discretionary premiums," to be awarded to exhibitors of "articles not enumerated, and which for their excellence or peculiar qualities" might in the judgment of the committee be entitled thereto. For this object forty dollars were appro- priated. At the first annual meeting, Oct. 22, 1841, no less than five premiums were awarded to David Brooks of Avon, four to Reuben Squier of Gene- seo and three to Chas. Colt of Geneseo. Several received two ; and of the entire number awarded, eight went to exhibitors from Avon ; two to Cale- donia ; thirteen to Yoik ; seven to Mt. Morris ; one to Groveland ; twenty-one to Geneseo ; fout to Leicester ; two each to Lima and Sparta ; and one to Jonathan Miller, for the best yearling colt, not designated. David M. Smith of Avon, received the-highest premium — fifteen dollars — for the best bull, two years old and over. There were five pre- miums of ten dollars each ; of which David Brooks of Avon received one for the best cow, and another for the best stallion ; Roswell Root of York, one for, the best pair of working oxen; Wm. A. Mills of Mt. Morris, one for the best pair of fat oxen ; and Wm. A. Mills, Jr., of Mt. Morris, one for the best pair of matched horses. Encouraged by the patronage of the Legislature and by the citizens of the county, the executive committee signified their intention " to offer pre- miums for the promotion of the objects of the institution, on the occasion of the second anniver- sary, to the utmost extent of their means." Noticeable among the premiums of that year is one of ten dollars (the highest paid that year) for the best cultivated farm of fifty acres or more, which was awarded to Angus McBean of Caledonia. At this meeting a plowing match was inaugurated, the object of which was "to exhibit for public benefit the comparative excellence of our best ploughs and ploughmen ; not to try the strength or speed of the teams, but to excite a laudable spirit of emulation and improvement in the construction and use of this most important agricultural imple- ment." This took place on the 5th of October, " in the presence of a large concourse of specta- tors." Premiums of five dollars were offered for the best work done by an ox team and the best by a horse team; but none was awarded for the former. The latter was awarded to David McDonald. At the annual meeting of 1845, it was decided to hold the next cattle show and fair, which till then had been held in Geneseo, at Avon. The exhibition at this place — September 24, 1846 — was pronounced one of the most interesting of the kind ever held in the county. " The display of working cattle was very large and highly creditable to the farmers of the county," though the variety of farming utensils was not as large as had been ex- hibited on former occasions. "The ladies sus- tained their part of the exhibition with the greatest credit." This part of the fair was held in the Academy building, and the room in which it was ii8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON" COUNTY. held was " elegantly decorated," and the articles for exhibition " skillfully arranged." There was a very large variety of domestic and fancy articles, fruits and flowers, Richard Johnson, of Groveland, exhibiting seventeen varieties of apples. At the meeting of 1848, which was held at Mt. Morris, a resolution was adopted, " expressing the sense of the society that its interests would be bet- ter promoted by the selection of a suitable place and making it a permanent location for the annual fair." In 1849,* the county seat was designated for this purpose; and in 1850, Mr. J. S. Wads- worth generously offered the society the use of eight acres, near the court house, for show grounds, free of rent for five years, upon condition that the society fence and put the ground in order. This offer was ac- cepted and measures taken to adapt it to the use of the society. A track for the trial of horses was constructed this year in the new grounds. August 18, 1855, Lyman Turner, Charles Jones, Hezekiah Allen, David Skinner, Henry V. Colt and Wm. Cushing were appointed to obtain grounds for holding the annual exhibitions of the society, and to ascertain the cost of fencing the same and erecting thereon suitable fixtures, includ- ing at least one permanent building, and in case they should find that the cost thereof would not ex- ceed $1,800, they were authorized and required to make and erect such fixtures and building without unnecessary delay. The committee procured a lease for twenty-one years of the grounds hitherto occupied by the society in Geneseo, together with lands adjacent thereto, north and east, containing in all about fourteen acres, mostly a grove, afford- ing shade for stock, at an annual cost of $30. During this year the land was inclosed with a fence, costing $676.63 ; an agricultural hall, 40 by 80 feet, with 16 feet posts, admirably fitted up for the ex- hibition of domestic manufactures, was erected at a cost of $1,393-53, anda trotting course for the trial of horses, one-third of a mile in length, which, in the opinion of the committee, the interests of the society demanded without delay, laid out at a cost of $316.17, although it was not strictly included in their trust. The whole was completed in time for the annual fair of that year. July 4, 1865, ahorse fair was held under the auspices of the Society, and at that time premiums were offered for the first time, we believe, for a * In this year the members of the society numbered 255, as follows :•— Avon, 26; Caledonia, 4; Conesus, ij; Geneseo,8i; Groveland, IJ; Leices- ter, il ; Lima, 8 ; Livonia, 6 ; Mt. Morris, 10 ; North Dausville, 4, Nunda, I; Portage, 3 ; Sparta, ! ; Springwater, none; West Sparta s; York, 53 ; The number of members in 184S was 141. test of speed for trotting and running matches. The highest premium in the trotting match — $150— was awarded to D. Mahoney, of Geneseo; the second — $50 — to Geo. W. Pond, of Roches- ter; and the third — $25 — to O. C. Seymour, of the same city. C. W. Wadsworth, of Geneseo, was awarded the first premium — $50 — in the running match. Various other premiums, ranging in amount from $5 to $20, were also awarded. In 1880, the Society gave the Geneseo Driving Park Associa- tion permission to build a half-mile track on the fair grounds. This work is now in progress. The annual meetings of the Society have been held with interest and without a single omission, and since the grounds now in use were first leased, in Geneseo. The following named persons have been promi- nent as stock raisers in the county: — David Brooks, Jasper Barber, Aaron Barber, Aaron Bar- ber, Jr., C. Kelsey, F. B. Pierson, D. Hilliman & Son, Asa Nowlen, Wm. T. and Norman Chappell, D. B. Whaley, H. S. Sherman, Avon; Henry Simpson, A. HoUenbeck, Caledonia; Solomon Hitchcock, Geo. F. Coe, S. L. Fuller, Conesus; Allen Ayrault, W. W. Wadsworth, Lyman Turner, Mrs. Elizabeth Wadsworth, Chas. Colt, Chas. Shep- ard, Jr., J. S. Wadsworth, C. W. Wadsworth, Gur- don Nowlen, Geneseo ; Wm. D. Fitzhugh, W. T. Curtiss, Judge Chas. H. Carroll, Ozro Clark, Grove- land; W. Elliott, W. W. and W. B. Wooster, Lei- cester; Richard Peck, T. Steele, Horace Warner, Z. Longyer, Lima; C. A. Jackman, A. C. Bennett, Livonia; James Conklin, (who in 1850, exhibited a cow with triplet calves,) Wm. A. Mills, J. R. Murray, Jr., Mt. Morris; E. S. Ashley, Nunda; Geo. W. and Chester Root, Lyman Casey, C. Powell, HoUoway Long, L. Tryon, Israel Casey, James Gillraore, D. Pififard, Abram Stocking, A. M. Hardy, York ; and the following as Horticulturists: — Benjamin F. and Robert F. McMillen, Conesus; C. Colt, Mrs. W. W. Wadsworth, J. S. Wadsworth, Daniel Bigelow, Robert Clark, Geo. Mercer, Prof. R. A. Waterbury, Geneseo; C. H. Carroll, Groveland; Peter Patterson, Col. J. Horsford, John Sheldon, A. W. Wheelock, Chas. Jones, Geo. B. Francis, Leicester; Shepard P. Morgan, Lima; Geo. W. Battorf, Livonia; D. McKee, John Henner, (who was awarded eleven of the eighteen premiums for vegetables in 1853,) Geo. A. Green, Henner & Parker, Dr. R. W. Wells, Mt. Morris; Dr. F. M. Perine, North Dansville. Says an author, unknown to the writer: — " To a deceased citizen of this village, [Geneseo] LIVINGSTON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 119 we believe, belongs the credit of first conceiving the idea of a mowing machine. About the year 1835 or '36, the late Wm. W. Wadsworth conceived the idea of constructing a machine for mowing, and he had a machine constructed after his plan, but we beUeve it did not work well, though it was doubt- less the first attempt to construct a machine. The machine of Mr. Wadsworth embraced a square frame, underneath which was a circular revolving plate, to which was attached short knives, and when in motion the plate revolved, bringing the knives in contact with the grass. Above the plate was a grind-stone in such position that the knives sharpened themselves as they passed beneath it. The machine was tried several times, but we be- lieve was never made to work satisfactorily, and after a while was abandoned. This, doubtless, was the first attempt to cut grass with a machine, and was, so far as we know, the starting-point from which emanated the great variety of mowers and reapers that have since been perfected, and which have done so much to lighten the labors of the farmer." The following named gentleman have served the society in the capacity of president: — Wm. A. Mills, Mt. Morris, 1841; James S. Wadsworth, Geneseo, 1842, 1861 ; Holloway Long, York, 1843; Wm. H. Spencer, York, 1844, 1867-8; W. W. Wadsworth, Geneseo, 1845; AjaJ^owlen^_Avon,- 1846; Allen Ayrault, Geneseo, 1847; John R7 Murray, Jr.,* Mt. Morris, 1848 ; Jedediah Hors- ford, Leicester, 1849; Chas. H. Carroll, Grove- land, 1850, 1863, 1864; Chas. Colt, Geneseo, 1851; Robert Rome, Geneseo, 1852; Chauncey R. Bond, Geneseo, 1853-4; Aaron Barber, Jr., Avon, 1855; Chas. Jones, Leicester, 1856; G. W. Root, York, 1857; Richard Peck, Lima, 1858; Alonzo Bradner, Dansville, i8s9-'6o; Jasper Bar- ber, Avon, 1862; Craig W. Wadsworth, Geneseo, 1865-6; Aaron Barber, Jr., Avon, 1869-70; James W. Wadsworth, Geneseo, 187 1-2; R. F. McMillan, Conesus, 1873-4; Hugh Wilson McNair, Sparta, 1875-6; Wm. A. Wadsworth, Geneseo, 1877-8; Jotham Clark, Jr., Conesus, 1879-80. TAe Livingston County Stock Association. — Liv- ingston county early acquired a wide celebrity for its choice herds of blooded cattle and other stock. About 1836, the first important importation of Durham stock was made into the county, though the Messrs. Wadsworth had previously introduced a few head among their own herd. In that year Edward A. LeRoy and Thomas Newbold imported the bull "Cadmus" and the cow " Lady Morris," which were then considered very choice stock. In • Resigned. George T. Olyphanl, elected Feb. 3, 1848, and resigned Feb. 8, 1848. Both resignations were based on the assumption that the office should be filled by a practical agriculturist. Jedediah Horsford was elected July i, J848. 1840, David Brooks, of Avon, introduced into the county about forty head of thoroughbred and grade Durhams, including the famous bulls " De- fiance" and "Red Jacket," and the cow "Betsey Blossom," portraits of which may now be seen in the office of the estate of W. W. Wadsworth, in Geneseo. About 1841 or '2, Mr. Brooks added to his stock the renowned bull "Splendor,'' and the cows "Moss Rose" and "Cleopatra." About the same time the late Gen. James S. Wadsworth bought the imported "Rockett" bull. The pro- geny of this stock are yet marked in the appear- ance of some of the present stock, and traced back to them. Soon after Mr. Sotham introduced a herd of Herefords.* From this time until 1853 nothing further seems to have been done to stimulate improvements in this direction. At the close of the fair of the Liv- ingston County Agricultural Society in 1853, "the formation of an association for the purpose of importing blooded cattle for the improvement of the stock in this county, was discussed at some length by a number of the largest and most suc- cessful stock raisers of the county, and resulted in the appointment of -Mes&rsr James- S-.-W-adsWortfi^ Allen Ayrault and C. H. Carroll, as a committee to mature a plan and call a meeting of the farmers at this place at an early day. Those present seemed fully convinced of the necessity of such a move. All admitted that the stock of this county instead of improving had for the last three or four years remained stationary."! This action resulted in the formation of an asso- ciation for the above purpose, October 2 2d of that year, with a capital of $8,000. Any person was eligible to membership on the payment of fifty dol- lars, and thus secured the privilege of preference in the use of the stock imported, which was to be sold at pubHc auction, the purchasers pledging themselves to retain it in the county for at least three years from the time of purchase. The asso- ciation made choice of the following named officers : James S. Wadsworth, President ; Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Secretary ; Allen Ayrault, Treasurer ; Charles H. Carroll, Aaron Barber, Wm. A. Mills, Robert Rome, Geo. W. Root and Richard Peck, Directors. In furtherance of the object of the association, David Brooks, of Avon, and Samuel L. Fuller, of Conesus, repaired to England in January following * Short-Horns in the Genesee Valley— Their History in Livingston County, by Wm. A. Brodie, of Geneseo, in A merican Rnral Home, Vol. I., No. ., Jan 7, 1871. t The Livingston Republican, October 6, 18S3. 120 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. for the purchase of stock. They carefully selected and purchased twenty-four head, which were shipped the following spring to America; but unfortunately one-half the number were lost during a long and stormy passage. The remaining twelve were sold June 27, 1854, but at a figure which resulted in a small loss to the association. Many of the fine herds now owned in Livingston county are the progeny of this importation. Soon after this the celebrated bull '•' Governor " and two cows were sent to this country. " ' Gov- ernor ' and his stock are too well known by stock men in Western New York to require special men- tion.'' In 1857, Mr. Brooks again did good service in introducing the bull " John O'Gaunt " and cows "Lady Rose " and " Dairymaid." Richard Peck, of Lima, was largely instrumental about this time in improving this class of cattle by introducing, with J. W. Taylor, some very fine blooded animals from Kentucky. Aaron Barber, of Avon, also aided largely in the same direction, and in the same way. In 1864, General James S. Wads- worth purchased the bull " Reynolds," of Mr. Alex- ander, the celebrated Kentucky stock breeder, "and there is much good stock in Geneseo and adjoining towns which attest his worth as a stock getter." A Kentucky bred bull was introduced about this time by Aaron Barber, and is credited with much good stock, known as the " Red Duke," which has been exhibited at Livingston county fairs. Since then the late Craig W. Wadsworth and James W. Wadsworth, especially the latter, have been conspicuous in their efforts to improve the stock in Livingston county, and have succeeded, adds Mr. Brodie, "in placing her in the van as the producer and exhibitor of the very best grades of cattle. Twenty years ago, but few farmers pos- sessed an animal other than of the common kind, but to-day almost everyone has some choice stock." The Livingston County Historical Society. The initiatory steps to organize the Livingston County Historical Society were taken by a few persons in Dansville in December, 1875. An adjourned meeting was held at Mt. Morris in Jan- uary, 1876, and attended by L. B. Proctor, of Dansville, Norman Seymour and Dr. M. H. Mills of Mt. Morris, Richard Peck, of Lima, George w! Root, of York, and E. P. Fuller, of Grand Rapids, Mich., formerly of this county. Dr. M. H. Mills was chosen chairman and Norman Seymour, secre- tary. The officers chosen for the year 1876 were Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, president ; Dr. James Faulk- ner, William Scott, Adolphus Watkins, Dr. D. H. Bissell and Deacon John McCall, vice-presidents; Norman Seymour, secretary; Hon. B. F. Angel, Dr. M. H. Mills, Samuel P. Allen, L. B. Proctor, Richard Peck and George W. Root, executive committee. The secretary, in compliance with the request of the Centennial Commission, prepared a historical address, which was delivered July 4, 1876, at Geneseo. February 13, 1877, the society met at the rooms of the Hook and Ladder Com- pany in Mt. Morris, and perfected its organization by incorporating under the statute. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the following named officers chosen: Dr. D. H. Bissell, Geneseo, pres- ident ; Dr. M. H. Mills, vice-president ; Norman Seymour, secretary and treasurer; L. B. Proctor, Dr. L. J. Ames, Dr. D. H. Fitzhugh, George W. Root, Samuel P. Allen, Hon. B. F. Angel, Richard Peck, John F. Barber, E. H. Davis, councilmen, or board of administration. The constitution declares that "the general ob- ject of the Society shall be to discover, procure and preserve whatever may relate to the history of Western New York in general, and Livingston county and its towns in particular, and to gather such statistics of education and population, growth and prosperity, and business of this region as may seem advisable or of public utility." Members are required to pay an admission fee of one dollar and an annual due of like amount, except resident clergymen, who are exempt from the payment of dues. The payment of ten dollars at any one time constitutes a life membership, ex- empt from all annual dues. The annual meetings of the Society are held the second Tuesday in January, at such place as the president may desig- nate, and at such hour as the secretary in the notice of such meeting may name. At the annual meeting in 1878, a place was ten- dered the Society in the Wadsworth Library build- ing in Geneseo, for depositing its books, maps, charts and relics. The annual meetings of the Society have been regularly held at Geneseo during the last three years, and have been made both interesting and instructive by addresses and other literary ex- ercises. The successive presidents are : Dr. D- H. Fitz- hugh, 1876; Dr. D. H. Bissell, 1877-8; Dr. M. H. Mills, 1879; Hon. William M. White, 1880. Livingston County Pioneer Association. — This as- sociation was organized at Long Point, on Satur- day, September 9, 1876, having objects kindred to those of the Historical Society, and made choice THE PRESS OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 121 of the following named officers : Dr. D. H. Bissell of Gtnesto, president ; H. Tilton of Leicester, and M. Willard of Avon, vice-presidents ; S. P. Allen of Geneseo, recording secretary ; Oscar Woodruff of Geneseo, corresponding secretary. Committees of three from each town in the county were subse- quently appointed as follows: E. H. Davis, I. R. Newman and Fred Pierson, Avon ; Deacon J. Mc^ Call, Peter Campbell and Alexander Ferguson, Caledonia ; S. Morris, H. Boyd and Jotham Clark, Conesus; W. E. Lauderdale, Geo. W. Barney and John White, Geneseo ; Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Sam- uel Vance and Richard Johnson, Groveland ; James A. Bolton, E. W. Sears and W. B. Wooster, Lei- cester; W. A. Bristol, Richard Peck and A. T. Norton, Lima ; W. Wheeler, O. Remington and Henry Dixon, Livonia; Dr. Z. Joslyn, Jacob Chil- son and N. Foote, Mt. Morris ; H. McCartney, George Hyland and Geo. A. Sweet, North Dans- ville; J. V. D. Coon, H. D. Page and E. O. Dick- inson, Nunda ; I. Hampton, W, M. White and L., C. Lemen, Ossian ; John Fitch, J. D. Lyon and J. D. Bennett, Portage ; John Shepard, Wm. Wilbur and John Campbell, Sparta ; O. Walbridge, D. Norton and A. Snyder, Springwater ; L. B. Field, J. W. McNair and C. W. McNair, West Sparta ; G. W. Root, Neil Stewart and B. F. Dow, York. The meetings of the association are held annu- ally at Long Point and are always largely attended. The Livingston County Bible Society was organ- ized at the court house in Geneseo, January 28, 1824, as an auxiliary to the American Bible Soci- ety, and made choice of the following officers : James Wadsworth, president ; Chas. H. Carroll and Jeremiah Riggs, vice-presidents ; Augustus A. Bennett, recording secretary; Rev. Norris Bull, cor- responding secretary ; Orlando Hastings, treasurer; George Hosmer, Avon, Willard H. Smith, Cale- donia, Samuel Chapin, Jr., Freeport, (Conesus,) Eben E. Buell, Geneseo, James Rosebrugh, Grove- land, Orrin Gilbert, Lima, Leman Gibbs, Livo- nia, Dr. Asa R. Palmer, Leicester, Jonathan Beach, Mt. Morris, William McCartney, Sparta, Alvah Southworth, Springwater, and William James, York, directors. The society, during its long and useful existence has distributed thousands of Bibles, the entire county having several times been canvassed for this purpose, and a copy left, often gratuitously, in every home where it was found wanting. Its annual meetings have been occasions of deep interest. At the last, recently held in Gen- eseo, the following named officers were chosen for i88i. A. J. Abbott, president ; Rev. J. E. Kitt- ridge, corresponding secretary ; L. R. Doty, record- ing secretary ; John Davidson, treasurer; Dr.Wm. J. Milne, Col. John Rorbach, Dr. L. J. Ames, Dr. W. E. Lauderdale, Rev. O. S. Chamberlayne, exec- utive committee. Theo. E. Winans, Avon ; Rev. D. F. Bonner, Caledonia ; John Magee, Conesus ; E. F. Curtis, Geneseo ; Fort Benway, Groveland ; Rev. E. W. Sears, Leicester ; Rev. W. H. Milham, Livonia ; Rev. O. Gibson, Lima ; Rev. Mr. Wil- bur, Mt. Morris ; Rev. Mr. Hill, North Dansville ; Rev. A. Sutherland, Nunda ; Hon. William H. White, Ossian ; Chas. D. Bennett, Portage ; James Brownell, Sparta ; E. N. Curtice, Springwater ; Hugh T. McNair, West Sparta ; Hon. Arch. Ken- nedy, York, vicepresidents. CHAPTER XII. The Press of Livingston County — Origin of THE Press — The American Press — Its Mar- velous Growth— Early Journalism in Living- ston County — The First Newspaper in Liv- ingston County — The Union and Constitu- tion — The Livingston Republican — The Dansville Express — The Laws of Life and Journal of Health — The Nunda News — The Dansville Advertiser — The Mount Morris Enterprise — The Livingston County Herald — The Union Citizen •— The Caledonia Advertiser — The Springwater Enterprise — Obsolete Papers. IN this chapter we have to consider what has been very appropriately termed the " art of arts ;" " the art preservative." It is to be regretted, how- ever, that the art which has given us so fully the history of other enterprises is so deficient in that of its own. In view of the immense influence exerted by the press, whose power, says Douglas Jerrold, " is as boundless as that of society," it may not be inap- propriate to preface its history in this county with the following account of its origin : — "Among the millions who are in the habit of consulting the columns of a newspaper, doubtless there are few, comparatively, who are acquainted with its origin. According to DTsraeli, we are in- debted to the Italians for the idea ; although in ancient Rome, reports of important events, and the doings of the senate, were frequently published, under the title of Acta Diurna. The periodical, press proper, commenced at Vienna and Augs- burg, Germany, in 1524; these bulletins were. 122 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. however, not printed. About the year 1563, at the suggestion of the father of the celebrated Mon- taigne, offices were first established in France, for the purpose of making the wants of individuals known to each other. The advertisements received were posted on the wall to attract attention ; as in the case of the Romans, this ultimately led to a systematic and periodical publication of advertise- ments in sheets. The epoch of the Spanish Arma- da, is also the epoch of the first orthodox newspa- per ; although we are told by Chalmers, and it is often repeated, to the wisdom of Elizabeth and the prudence of Burleigh, we are indebted for the first English newspaper, yet it is also claimed that the first English newspaper was the Liverpool Mercuric, begun May 28, 1576, forty-five years after the Gazetta at Venice. It is also said, on very good authority, that the copies of The English Mercuric in the British Museum are forgeries. The circum- stance of their being printed in the modern Roman character, instead of the black letter of that period, (1588,) awakens suspicion of their authenticity. During the reign of James I., newspapers in the quarto form were occasionally issued ; but during the thirty years' war, when the exploits of Gustavus Adolphus attracted the eyes of the civilized world, we find a regular weekly paper edited by Nathaniel Butler, and published under the title of ' The Cer- tain Newes of this Present Week,' which may be regarded as the first regular weekly newspaper.* During the civil war in England in 1643, there was, however, a score of the ' Diurnals' and ' Mercuries' in circulation. So important an auxiliary was the press considered, indeed, that each of the rival armies carried a printer along with it. In the reign of Queen Anne, in 1702, there was but one daily paper published in London, the others being weekly issues. Steele introduced poHtics as an essential element of the press, and Addison sought to devote it to purely Hterary purposes ; the result has been the establishment of distinct vehicles for both.f The first journal having the character of a magazine or review, was \he Journal des Savants established in Paris in 1693 ; in England, the first monthly of this sort appeared in 1749. From these simple elements has grown up an engine whose potency and influence is now felt throughout all classes of the civilized world." % The first printing press in America was set up in Mexico, in 1536; the second was at Lima, in 1 5 86; and the third, and the first in the United States, at Cambridge, Mass., in 1639. The first Ameri- can newspaper was issued at Boston, September 25, rego. It was published by Benjamin Harris, and printed by Richard Pierce, and was intended to be published once a month, but was immediately suppressed by the authorities. The only copy *" The first regular series of weekly newspapers hitherto discovered was entitled, *The Weekly Newes from Italy, Gervtaiiie, etc ,"* (1621.) A Tnerican Enclycopedia, A rticle on Printing, t "The first hterary paper, the Mercurius Librarim, was published in i6io."—Itid. X Typographical Miscellany, 60. known to exist is in the State Paper office in Lon- don, and is headed " Publick Occurrences, both Foreign and Domestick." The "Boston News Letter," published by John Campbell, appeared April 24, 1704, and was continued weekly until 1776. October i6, 1725, William Bradford, who founded the "American Weekly Mercurie" at Philadelphia, December 22, 17 19, commenced the " New York Gazette," the first newspaper in the city indicated by its name. Daily newspapers did not make their appearance until the eighteenth century. The first daily morning newspaper was the Daily Courant, in 1709.* The press of this country has had a marvelous growth. In 1840, there were in the whole United States but sixteen hundred and thirty-one news- papers of all kinds; now we have over seven thou- sand. The circulation of all the newspapers in 1840 was one hundred and ninety-five million copies a year ; but now it is over two thousand millions, more than ten times greater than in 1840, and an annual average increase in over forty years of about thirty per cent. But in the gain in the size of sheets now published, in the amount, quality and variety of matter, in the number of the illustrations, in the quality of the paper and the perfection of the letter press, the progress has been still greater. In the number of newspapers pub- lished, the United States are far in advance of any of the older nations. We issue more newspapers than the four principal nations of Europe, viz: — Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy, not- withstanding one of them exceeds us in population, and a second is inferior in this respect by only an inconsiderable amount, while the other two closely approximate us. This fact is important as show- ing the reading habits of our people as compared with those of Europe. The progress in this county is, in a measure, in- dicated by Samuel P. Allen, the veteran publisher of The Livingston Republican, who, in the retros- pect of the history of that paper on the completion of its fortieth year says : — "It was in the office of the Register,^ in 1830, that we first saw a printing press and types, and gradually learned to use them. The old office was the building now occupied in part by the United States Express Company, which then stood in the rear of Deacon Gardiner's cabinet shoji. The old 'Ramage' press had then been super- seded by Hoe's iron presses, upon which two pages of newspaper could be printed at a single * The A inerican Cyclopedia. A rticle on Printing. t This was the name under which the Genesee Farmer, the first paper in Livingston county, was published on its removal to Geneseo. THE PRESS OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 123 'pull.' With the 'Ramage' it took two, and the papers were worked at the rate of 200 to 250 per hour by a fast pressman, but this was then re- markable speed. A cylinder press was scarcely known in the cities, while now steam power and steam presses are very common in country offices. There were only two papers in the county, the 'Register' and the 'Journal,' and the weekly edi- tions were distributed over the county by post- riders. * * * Instead of the post-rider as formerly, who would be two or three days in pass- ing over his route, we send the ' Republican ' by railroad into nearly every town within a few hours after it leaves the press." There are now twelve papers, all weeklies, and one medical monthly, published in the county,* viz: — The Livingston County Herald, by' E. H. Davis, Avon ; the Caledonia Advertiser, by A. H. Collins, Caledonia; The Livingston Republican, by Samuel P. AUen, and The Union Citizen, by Dr. Alonson L. Bailey, Geneseo ; the Lima Re- corder, by A. Tiffany Norton, Lima ; The Livonia Gazette, by C. M. Alvord, Livonia ; The Union and Constitution, by WilUam Harding, and the Mt. Morris Enterprise, at Mt. Morris; The Dansville Advertiser, by A. O. Bunnell, and The Dansville Express, by Woodruff & Knapp, at Dansville; The Nunda News, by C. K. Sanders, Nunda; The Springwater Enterprise, by H. S. Niles, Springwater, and The Laws of Life and Journal of Health, by Our Home Hygienic Institute, at Dans- ville. The first newspaper in Livingston county was the Genesee Farmer, which was estabUshed and the first number issued February 6, 1817, by Hezekiah Ripley, at Moscow, which was then the most important village in the county. Franklin Cowdery soon after became associated with Mr. Ripley in its publication, at which time the paper was enlarged and its name changed to the Moscow Advertiser and Genesee Fartner. Within the year Mr. Ripley again became its sole pubHsher, and changed its name to the Moscow Advertiser, under which title he continued it till January 8, 1824, when it passed into the hands of James Percival, who removed it to Geneseo, where the county seat had been located, and changed the name to The Liv- ingston Register, which, in an enlarged form, became the advocate of the Bucktail party. Inci- dent to the excitement produced by the abduction of Morgan in 1826, in the adjoining county of Genesee — an event which exerted a marked and wide political influence — it became an anti-masonic paper ; and subseque ntly it espoused the cause of * In addition to this a paper styled Tlie A vonian is published at War- saw. the Whigs. In 1829, the paper became the prop- erty of Anson M. Weed and Allen Warner, who published it in company till the death of the former in 1 83 1, when it again passed into the hands of Mr. Percival, who, in 1832, sold it to Elias Clark, from whom it was purchased in 1834 by Wra. H. Kelsey and Richard M. Miel, the latter of whom became the sole proprietor in 1835. Mr. Miel, being dissatisfied with the support it received from the Whig party, converted it into a Democratic paper, but soon after sold it to D. S. Curtiss, who discontinued it in 1837. It was soon after revived and published a short time by Hugh Harding, who was succeeded by John Kempshall, who pubhshed it till the close of the presidential campaign of 1840, when the material was sold and removed to Perry. This pioneer newspaper of Livingston county presented a marked contrast with those published within her borders to-day, the latter of which fur- nish some of the best specimens of country news- paper work in the State, and are creditable aUke in their literary character and mechanical execution. It was a small four-column sheet, printed on coarse paper in ungainly large type, and was prin- cipally filled with foreign and legislative news, official documents and promiscuous advertisements. Like all the papers of that period it contained httle or no local news. The Livingston Journal, the second paper in Livingston county, was started in Geneseo, April IT, 1820, by Chauncey Morse, and became and was conducted as an opposition paper to its prede- cessor. Asahel Harvey was subsequently associ- ated with Mr. Morse in its pubUcation. In 1829, Levi Hovey became the proprietor. He was suc- ceeded in 183 1, by Benjamin C^ Denison, who was previously connected with The Village Chron- icle, of Dansville; and in 1832, by Evans & Wood- ruff. Denison changed the name to the Livingston Courier. In the fall of the latter year Henry F. Evans became sole proprietor. It was subse- quently published for a short time by Wm. J. Ticknor, and was suspended in 1834. The Village Chronicle was commenced in Dans- ville, in 1830, by David Mitchell and Benjamin C. Denison, who conducted it as an independent paper till April 12, 1831, when Denison withdrew and assumed the control of the Journal, published at Geneseo. Mitchell converted it into an anti- masonic advocate and soon after changed the name to The Village Record ; but it was soon dis- continued. 124 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The Mount Morris Spectator was established Jan. I, 1834, by Hugh Harding, who came here from Dansville, where he had been employed in the office of the Chronicle. The office was located in a quaint wooden building, which occupied the site of Yeoman's drug store in the Empire Block. February 2, 1848, it was united with the Livings- ton County Whig, which was started in the same village in 1843, by Geo. B. Phelps, who published it about six months and sold it to James T. Norton, by whom it was continued until this consolidation was effected. At this time the name was changed to The Livingston Union and its publication was continued by Harding & Norton till 1849, when the latter removed to Geneseo and assumed the management of The Livingston Republican. In 1846, Mr. Norton, while pubHshing the Livingston County Whig, printed in connection with it a daily — The Mount Morris Daily Whig — which was discontinued after three months (from June to August) as an unprofitable venture. In February, 1862, Mr. Harding purchased the Constitution, published in Geneseo, and united the two papers under the name of The Union and Constitution, under which it has since been pubHshed at Mt. Morris. In 1871, Mr. Harding sold the establish- ment to David Frysinger from Pennsylvania, who continued it eight months and sold it to William Harding, a son of its founder, who issued his first number July 16, 1872, and has since continued its publication. The paper has been thrice enlarged. It is an eight-column paper — twenty-six by forty inches; is pubhshed every Thursday; and has a circulation of about one thousand. It was started as a neutral paper, but became a Whig organ when that party was formed. When the American party was in power here it was the advocate of its prin- ciples, and since the disbandment of that party has been allied with the Democracy. The Dansinlle Times wa.s published in 1835 by D. C. Mitchell. The Livingston Democrat was started at Gen- eseo in the autumn of 1835, by David Mitchell and Wm. H. Kelsey, (who purchased the establishment of the Livingston Journal, then recently sus- pended,) and published in the interest of the Whig party. Mitchell soon withdrew; and Kelsey con- tinued its pubhcation till the spring of 1837, when it succumbed to adverse circumstances. The Livingston Republican was established at Geneseo, September 19, 1837, at the solicitation and under the auspices of the Whig party in this county, by Samuel P. Allen, who pur- chased it in 1844, and continued its pubhcation for nine years, when (in 1846) he sold the estab- lishment to John M. Campbell and became con- nected with the Rochester Democrat September 10, 1847, Joseph Kershner, a lawyer in Geneseo, succeeded Mr. Campbell as its publisher, and July S, 1848, he was succeeded by Charles E. Bronson, who terminated a three years' period of pecuniary losses by its sale on the 27th of December, 1849, to James T. Norton, who pubhshed it successfully till his death in 1865, when his son, A. Tiffany Norton, succeeded to its publication, which he continued until 1869. It was then purchased by Col. Lockwood L. Doty and James W. Clement, the former of whom retired after a few months on account of ill-health. Mr. Clement continued its pubhcation till September, 1874, when Samuel P. Allen, its founder, repurchased it, "with the pur- pose of continuing its publication as long as life and health are spared." Mr. Allen still publishes it. The Republican is, with one exception, the oldest paper in the county; and it not only takes a leading position in the county, but is one of the ablest and best representatives of the country press of Western New York. During the proprietorship of Mr. Norton, it was for a short time the organ of the American party, but before his death was changed to the advocacy of Republican principles, a complexion it still retains. It is an eight-column paper— twenty-seven by forty inches ; is published every Thursday; and has a circulation of 1,656. The Western New Yorker was commenced in Dansville, January 13, i84r, by George W. Stevens, who soon after changed the name to Tlu Dansville Whig, and in 1848, to The Dansi'ilk Courier. During this period Charies W. Dibble pubhshed it about one year. In 1849 it passed into the hands of H. D. Smead, who changed it to The Dansi'ille Democrat; and subsequently to those of George A. Sanders, who removed it to Geneseo in 1855, and changed it to The Geneseo Democrat, the first number of which was issued April 4, 1855. In October, 1857, it was returned to Dansville and published for a short time by H. C. Page, as The Livingston Sentitiel. The Nunda Gazette, was started in 1841, by Ira G. Wisner. After about a year it was removed to Mt. Morris and continued there till 1843, as The Genesee Valley Recorder. The Dansville Republican was published in 1842, by David Fairchild. The Geneseo Democrat ^z.i. started in 1843, by Gilbert F. Shankland. It was removed to Nunda THE PRESS OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 125 in 1847, and to EUicottville, Cattaraugus county, in 1843. The Livingston Express, was published semi- monthly in 1843, by J. G. Wisner, at Mt. Morris. The Cuylerville Telegraph was started in 1847, by FrankUn Cowdery, at Cuylerville, which was then a thriving canal village. In 1848, it passed into the hands of Peter Lawrence, who soon after removed it. The Dansville Chronicle was started in June, 1848, by Richardson & Co., and was discontinued in 1851. The Nunda Democrat -^zs, started in 1848, by Milo D. Chamberlain, but was soon discontinued. The Fountain, a monthly pubHcation, was started at Dansville in 1849, by J. R. Trembly, and con- tinued about two years. The Dansville Herald was started in 1850, by E. C. Daugherty and J. G. Sprague, under the name of E. C. Daugherty & Co., as a Whig paper. Sprague retired in a few months, and in the fall of 1854, Daugherty was succeeded by H. L. & L. H. Rann. About the ist of January, 1857, it passed into the hands of the Know-Nothing party, in whose interests it was managed by E, G. Richardson & Co. In April, 1857,- H. C. Page took the paper ; and about the close of that year it was purchased by George A. Sanders and changed to an advocate of Republicanism. During this time it had under- gone various changes in form and size. August r, 1865, it was sold to Frank J. Robbins and L. D. F, Poore, who changed its name to The Dansville Express, haguiX 9, 1865, and enlarged it from a six to a seven-column paper. F. J. Robbins became the sole proprietor in October, 1870, and enlarged it to eight columns. He conducted it in the interest of Horace Greeley and at the close of that campaign continued it as a Democratic paper. June I, 1877, Oscar Woodruff and A. H. Knapp purchased it of Mr. Robbins and still publish it. It is an able exponent of Democratic principles. Its circulation exceeds one thousand, and nearly all of its subscribers reside within ten miles of the office— a fact which sufficiently attests its worth. The Nunda Telegraph was started by Charles Atwood in 1850, and published about a year. The Nunda Times, was started in January, 1852, by N. T. Hackstaff. In July following the office was burned, and the paper discontinued. The Lima Weekly Visitor ^ as, started in 1853, by A. H. Tilton and M. C. Miller. It was subse- quently published by Raymond & Graham, and by S. M. Raymond, the latter of whom changed the name to the Genesee Valley Gazette. It was dis- continued in 1856. The Neiv Era was commenced at Hunt's Hol- low, in the town of Portage, in 1854, by David B. & Merritt Galley, boys aged respectively fifteen and seventeen years. In 1855 it was removed to Nunda and its name changed to Young America. It was discontinued after about a year. The Laws of Life and Journal of Health was started in 1857, by Dr. James C. Jackson at Glen Haven, Cayuga county, and in 1858, was removed to Dansville, where it has since been pubUshed monthly, successively under the auspices of Our Home on the Hillside and Our Home Hygienic In- stitute. The Dansville Daily Times was commenced in May, 1859, by W. J. LaRue, and in June of the same year was changed to The Dansville Daily Register. It was discontinued in i860. The Nunda News was established October I, 1859, by C. K. Sanders, who has pubhshed it continuously since, having been longer published continuously by the same person than any other paper in the county. The paper was printed for the first six weeks at Dansville, at the office of the Dansville Herald, which was then published by George A. Sanders, a brother of C. K. The first issue printed at Nunda bore date of Novem- ber 19, 1859. It was started as a five column paper and has been increased to eight columns — twenty-six by forty inches. It has a circulation of twelve hundred, and has always been pubhshed on Saturday of each week. The success of the Ne7vs is remarkable, in view of the many unprofitable newspaper ventures which had preceded it in Nunda; for, says E. W. Packard, who has ever been its firm friend and supporter, it "had not only to win its own favor, but was obliged to overcome prejudices engendered by the mistakes of its pre- decessors. To do this without capital, reputation or experience, required industry, perseverance, ability and pluck. For instance, when the first issue of the News came out, a large majority pre- dicted it would not last three months, and most of the subscribers only paid for that time. The out- look was not really very promising, and the public were not to be blamed for want of faith, for at that time the News had no press nor type, and its office was temporarily in my law office, and the paper printed in Dansville. But before the three months had expired, the News had its own home, with presses and type, ready for business. The people soon began to have faith in its ability to live, and 126 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. once established the News has never lost its hold upon the public.'' The Dansville AdvertiserfizSi established August 2, i860, by A. O. Bunnell, who has since pubHshed it, having been associated from 1866 to 1868 with Joseph Jones, under the name of Bunnell & Jones. Mr. Bunnell has been its editor during the whole period of its publication. It was started as an in- dependent advertising medium, but on the opening of the war in 1861, it espoused the cause of the Republican party. It has since been a staunch advocate of Repubhcan principles, and has led the van in the cause of education. It is a model of neat typographical execution, and has won a high reputation for its literary character. It is an eight- column paper — twenty-six by forty inches; is issued every Thursday, and has a circulation of about twelve hundred. Its columns have richly rewarded _ our researches for historical data — a feature in which it is exceptionally full and interesting. The Livingston Democrat was started at Nunda in January, 1868, by H. M. Dake, and succumbed to the hard times and an insufficient patronage November 4, 1876, the date of its last issue. Dur- ing the greater part of its existence it was published by C. F. Peck ; but during the last nine months by Shepard & Holly, and C. L. Shepard. The Genesee Valley Herald, an ephemeral pub- hcation, was issued at Geneseo, in 1869, and pre- viously for about two years, by James W. Clement, but was abandoned when he purchased an interest in the Livingston Republican, about the first of January, 1870. It was Repubhcan in politics. The Avon Reporter W2& started about 1871, by C. F. Peck, of Nunda. It was continued two or three years under several different proprietors and failed, the presses and type being removed from the place. The Mount Morris Enterprise was estabHshed March 4, 1875, by Shull & Knapp, (George M. ShuU and A. H. Knapp.) In May, 1877, Mr. Shull purchased Mr. Knapp's interest and has since pubhshed it alone. It is a staunch advocate of Democracy, and occupies a leading position in the county in its pohtical affihations. It is an eight-column paper— twenty-six by forty inches- having been enlarged in March, 1878, from seven columns. It is published every Saturday; and has a circulation of eight hundred. The Lima Recorder was established October I, 1869, by Elmer Houser. It was subsequently published by Houser & Dennis, Dennis & Dennis, and Deal & Drake. January i, 1875, it was sold to A. Tiffany Norton, the former publisher of the Republican, at Geneseo, and for the first time in its history was thus placed under the control of a journalist and printer of long experience and train- ing. Under Mr. Norton's management it has se- cured a leading position among the newspapers of the county and has enjoyed a prosperous career. From a neutral journal it was changed to a Re- publican paper, and advocates the principles of that party with force and earnestness, while it fear- lessly condemns all wrongs within as well as without the party. It is marked in its boldness, independ- ence and fearless criticism. Mr. Norton is the author, in connection with the late Col. L. L. Doty, of a valuable history of Livingston county, and in 1879, wrote a very interesting history of "Sullivan's Campaign Against the Iroquois," which met with a large sale. The Livonia Advertiser, a three-column month- ly, was established in the spring of 1869, by W. A. Champ, and was printed at the office of the Living- ston Republican, at Geneseo. The following sum- mer it was transferred to H. D. Kingsbury. It was published about twelve months. The Livonia Express was established in the spring of 187 r, by Henry Benjamin Newell, who brought to Livonia the first printing press ever used in that town, and opened an office in what was then the Baldwin House. Mr. Newell was an erratic genius and his paper reflected bis peculiar- ities. A contemporary says : — " No comic almanac ever made more sport for all classes and conditions of people than did the Livonia Express, with its numberless eccentricities, in the few months of its checkered existence." The Livonia Gazette, a twenty-eight column paper, was established by Lewis E. Chapin, who issued the first number on Tuesday, October i, 1875, 3.nd continued its publication until July, 1877, when the establishment was purchased by Clarence M. Alvord, of Albion, Orleans county, who still continues it. The Gazette is Republican in poli- tics, and evinces the enterprise of its pubhsher in the collection of local news. It has a large circu- lation in eastern Livingston and western Ontario counties. The Livingston County Herald was established in Avon, May 11, 1876, by E. H. Davis, who still continues its publication, and receives deser\-ed aid and encouragement from the business men of that pleasant, enterprising village. It is Republican in politics and is issued every Thursday. The Union Citizen was established in Livonia, LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT AT GENESEO. 127 July 29, 1876, by Dr. Alonson L. Bailey, who re- moved it April I, 1879, to Geneseo, where he has since published it as a Democratic paper. Its size is six columns — twenty-two by thirty-two inches. It is published every Saturday, and has a circula- tion of 528. The Caledonia Advertiser, a six-column paper, was established May 7, 1878, by James Beattie and A. H. Collins, with a circulation of 290. The ven- ture proved successful, and the circulation steadily increased, till at present it is 690. February i, 1880, Mr. ColHns purchased Mr. Beattie's interest and has since had its entire management. It is published on Friday of each week. It is devoted to agriculture and matters of local interest, and in politics is Republican. It is the first and only paper ever published in Caledonia. The Springwater Enterprise was established in January, 1879, by H. S. Niles and C. B. Potter, who continued it until February, 1879, when Mr. Niles purchased Mr. Potter's interest and assumed the entire control. It is published every Thurs- day. CHAPTER XIII. Early Courts — County Seat Designated — First County Officers — County Buildings — First Court in Livingston County — County Poor-House — Insane Asylum — Livingston County Civil List — Delegates to State Constitutional Conventions — State Sena- tors — Members of Assembly — First and County Judges — Surrogates — District At- torneys — Sheriffs~C ounty Clerks — County Treasurers — County Superintendents of Common Schools — School Commissioners — Presidential Electors — Representatives in Congress. PREVIOUS to the erection of Steuben and Genesee counties from Ontario, the territory now embraced in Livingston county occupied a central position in the latter county, but on the formation of Genesee county in 1802, it lay partly in the three counties of Ontario, Genesee and Steuben, but a small portion, however, being in the latter county. The Hne of division between Ontario and Genesee passed nearly centrally through this county, following the Genesee up to its confluence with the Canaseraga, and thence extending due south, being identical with the west line of Phelps and Gorham's purchase. Hence it lay on the confines of the two civil divisions^ remote from the seat of justice of either. The county seat of Ontario county was at Canandaigua, and deeds were required to be filed in the clerk's office at that place by the act of April 3, 1798, many years be- fore the general act for the recording of deeds was passed. The first circuit court of that county was held at the inn of Ezra Patterson, in Geneva, June 9, 1793, and was presided over by John S. Hobart ; and the first court of common pleas at the house of Nathaniel Sanborn, in Canandaigua, Novem- ber 4, 1794. Timothy Hosmer and Charles Wil- liamson were the presiding judges. Oliver Phelps was appointed First Judge on the erection of that county in 1789. The county seat of Genesee county was fixed at Batavia. On the erection of Livingston county. Dr. Gama- liel H. Barstow, of Smithsboro, Tioga county, Archibald S. Clarke, of EUicottville, and Nathaniel Garrow, of Auburn, were appointed commissioners to designate the county seat and fix the site for buildings, and were directed to meet at the tavern of James Ganson, in Avon, in the discharge of this duty, which was no sinecure, for a sharp rivalry existed for the honor of being the shire town, and the adjustment of the question developed acrimo- nious discussions, and gave rise to ungenerous reflections on the residents of the southern part of the county, which was then less developed and consequently less populous and wealthy. Avon, Williamsburgh, and the little hamlet of Lakeville, were the rival competitors of Geneseo, which was then the principal village and the commercial centre of the county, and was finally selected be- cause it was also nearer the geographical center of the county. The Act required that a suitable lot for the erec- tion of a court house and jail should be conveyed to the supervisors before the site therefor was de- termined, and appointed Gen. William Wads- worth, of Geneseo, Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugli, of Groveland, and William Markham, of Avon, com- missioners to superintend their construction. Can- andaigua was designated for the confinement of prisoners until, in the opinion of the sheriff the jail was fitted for their reception. The former pro- vision was complied with July 14, 1821, at which time William and James Wadsworth deeded 1.79 acres in the northern part of Geneseo village as a site for those buildings.* The first county officers were : — Moses Hayden, * The same deed conveyed 1.47 acres for a public square or promenade. 128 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. First Judge ; James Ganson, Cmmty Clerk ; Gideon T. Jenkins, Sheriff; James Rosebrugh, Surrogate; and George Hosmer, District Attorney. All, ex- cept Hayden, who was appointed March 28, 1821, were appointed February 26, 182 1. The first Board of Supervisors consisted of :— Thomas Wiard, Avon, Robert McKay, Caledonia, Davenport Alger, Freeport, (Conesus,) Wm. H. Spencer, Geneseo, Wm. Fitzhugh, Groveland, Jellis Clute, Leicester, Mannasseh Leach, Lima, Ichabod A. Holden, Livonia, Wm. A. Mills, Mt. Morris, Wm. McCartney, Sparta, Alvah Southworth, Spring- water, and Titus Goodman, York. Wm. Fitzhugh was chosen chairman, and Ogden M. Willey, of Geneseo, clerk, a position he filled very acceptably for thirty years. Orlando Hastings, of Geneseo, was appointed county treasurer, an office then filled by the Boards of Supervisors of the various counties. The supervisors being required by the Act erect- ing the county to determine the proper amount to be raised for the erection of county buildings, at their first annual meeting in October, 182 1, resolved to raise nine thousand dollars for that object. This amount being afterwards deemed insufficient, in December following the Board applied to the Leg- islature for permission to raise an additional two thousand dollars. Permission was grantedandthat further sum raised. The court house and jail were completed and ready for use in the spring of 1823. Both are still in use. The court house is a brick building and begins to show the ravages of-time and the elements, but Judges from abroad pro- nounce it superior in all needful requirements to any on their circuit. It is beautifully situated in the north part of the village, facing the main street, which runs north and south. The jail is a wooden structure, standing a little north-west of the court- house, and in September, 1880, contained eight inmates. The county clerk's office is a one-story cobble-stone building, standing directly east of and adjacent to the court house. All are in the same inclosure, and all are common-place looking build- ings. The clerk's office was for several years kept in the court house. While the court house was in process of con- struction the courts were held in the upper story of the brick building which occupied the site of the present union school building on Center street, in Geneseo. It was the regular district school house, the lower part being used for that purpose, and the upper part to some extent as a private academical school. There the first court of record held in the county was convened on the last Tuesday in May, 1821, and after prayer by Rev. Mr. Bull, was opened by the usual proclamation. Moses Hay- den, First Judge, presided, and was assisted by Matthew Warner, Jeremiah Riggs and Leraan Gibbs, Associate Judges. The grand jurors im- paneled on this occasion were : William Janes, foreman, Robert McKay, James Smith, Asa Now- len, Josiah Watrous, Francis Stevens, William War- ner, Ichabod A. Holden, Ruel Blake, Wm. A. Mills, Ebenezer Damon, P. P. Peck, Joseph A. Law- rence, William Crossett, William Carnahan, James McNair, John Culver, Erastus Wilcox, John Hunt, Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Thomas Sherwood, Ebe- nezer Rogers and Gad Chamberlin. The first case tried was that of Mary DeGraw, who was indicted for assault and battery with in- tent to kill. She was convicted of assault and bat- tery, but acquitted on the rest of the indictment. May Brown was sentenced at this time to the On- tario county jail for thirty days. This appears to have been the first commitment. The first term of the Court of Common Pleas was held the same day. James Richmond, LeRoy Buckley, Roger Wattles, T. H. Gilbert, Joseph White, Jehiel Kelsey, John Salmon, George Whit- more, David A. Miller, Riley Scoville, Andrew Stil- well, and Federal Blakesley composed the jury. The first court held in the court house was the May term of the Common Pleas Court in 1823, Charles H. Carroll, First Judge, presiding. The county poor house is pleasantly situated on a farm of one hundred and fifty-one acres in the town of Geneseo, about one and one-half miles east of Geneseo village. The farm, which originally contained about one, hundred and thirty-six acres, was bought for the purpose in 1829, for $5,440, and a two-story addition forty-eight by thirty-six feet made to the dwelling house then on the premises. On the loth of June, 1829, it was opened for the reception of paupers. It soon, however, ceased to meet the demands on it, and in 1849, the Super- visors appropriated $6,000 for the purpose of erect- ing a new building, and appointed Allen Ayrault, Wm. J. Hamilton and Russell Austin to superin- tend its construction and to dispose of the old one, which, with eighteen acres of land, was sold at auc- tion Dec. 13, 1850, to Dr. Daniel H. Bissell, of Geneseo, for $2,001. The old building is now owned and occupied as a residence by Joseph Truesdell Lamson. A new three-story brick building, 108 by 36 feel, with basement, and two lateral wings, each 53 feet deep, was erected in 1850, and completed ready COUNTY POOR HOUSE AND INSANE ASYLUM. I2g for occupancy early in the winter of that year, at a cost of $7,356.40, exclusive of furniture and heat- ing apparatus. It is situated on the opposite (north) side of the road, and adjacent to the old one. The central portion is occupied by the su- perintendent and his family ; the right wing by the male, and the left wing by the female paupers. The sexes are separated at night, and as far as practicable during the day. In 1868, when the late superintendent, George W. Barney, entered upon the discharge of the duties of that office, the only accommodations for the insane were "a few cells in the basement of the men's building, and the ordinary rooms in the building for women." The apartments were wholly unfit for their purposes, and the insane re- ceived no special attention. The building was heated by stoves, was imperfectly ventilated, and without proper bathing facilities.* In 1869, a small two-story brick building was erected for the accommodation of the insane paupers, and subse- quently another and larger building was erected for the same purpose, the two affording accommo- dations for about fifty patients. In 1879, ^ third building was erected for the use of the female in- sane, accommodating forty-four patients. Thirty- three acres have also been added to the poor-house farm. "The entire place," says Mr. Barney, in his Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors, Nov. 20, 1879, "has been put in the best of order, and above all, the condition of the buildings has been raised from a state of filthiness hardly to be de- scribed to a condition second to no building of the kind in the State, and the institution has now at- tained a reputation such as reflects the highest honor upon every taxpayer in the county." The county provides for such of its dependent children as cannot be secured situations in famihes, in or- phan asylums at Rochester. During the year end- ing Oct. 31, 1879, there was expended for the maintenance of such children $888.85. At that date there were eight in the Rochester Orphan Asylum and one in St. Mary's Boys' Orphan Asy- lum, in the same city. The farm, which is in a good state of cultivation, is tilled by the sane t and insane paupers, with the * Twelfth Antmal Refort of the State Board of Charities for 1878, A73- t Says Mr. Barney in the report above referred to : "I have stren- uously endeavored to utihze the services of able-bodied paupers on the farm and have succeeded to a greater degree than ever before, but an ex- perience of twelve years with this class convinces me of the fact that the supervision necessary to get work done properly and in the proper time amounts to almost as much as the value of the services rendered, and that the inmates of the Insane Asylum, under a keeper, will perform more work in a given time, and in a better manner, than tlie same num- ber of paupers. " aid of one assistant, and, strange as the fact may seem, the labor of the insane is far more efficient and satisfactory than that of the sane. The value of this pauper labor for the year 1879, is estimated at at least $2,300. The stock upon the farm con- sisted of two pair of working horses, two single horses and ten milch cows, the whole valued at $950, and the products of the farm for the year ending Oct. 31, 1879, of 1,000 bushels of corn, (in ear,) 445 bushels of barley, 508 bushels of oats, 40 tons of hay, 400 bushels of wheat, 60 bushels of beans, 600 bushels of potatoes; straw, valued at $75, milk from ten cows, valued at $300, 20 fat hogs, 30 store hogs, 50 bushels of apples, garden vegetables, valued at $20, and corn stalks, valued at $50, the total valuation being $2,435.80. The number of persons received and supported in the alms house and insane asylum during the year ending Oct. 31, 1879, was 335; the number remaining Nov. i, 1879, was 158. Of the whole number, 228 were males, and 107, females; 206 were natives of the United States, 94, of Ireland, 14, of England, 16, of Germany, 2, of Canada, 2, of France, and i, of Scotland. The expenses connected with the sui)port of the poor during the year ending Oct. 31, 1879, are thus stated in the report of the superintendent :— Alms House Supplies, $11,086 17 Alms House Expenses, 5, 860 65 Temporary relief in the several towns, . 3,031 87 Transportation, 67 40 Total, $20,046 09 The number of deaths during the year was twenty-one. The average age of the deceased per- sons was 58,17-21 years. The number of insane persons received and sup- ported in the insane asylum during the year was 75. Of this number 7 males and 4 females were discharged cured ; 1 male was discharged unim- proved ; I male and 3 females died ; i female com- mitted suicide ; and 30 males and 28 females then remained. Mr. Barney, in referring in his report to this class of unfortunates, says : — " Under the advice of the Hon. Wm. P. Letch- worth, president of the State Board of Charities, I have given great attention to the food and diet of the insane. I feel the deepest gratification at the results of my efforts, and confidently invite com- parison of the proportion discharged cured from our own asylum with that of any other Hke institu- tion in the State. The new building for female patients is now about finished and will accommo- date 44 persons. With this increased room it will be possible to classify patients much more com- pletely than heretofore and from the result of this 13° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. classification I look for the most favorable results in the future." The present Superintendent of the Poor is James C. Wicker, who entered upon the discharge of his duties January i, 1880. Mr. Barney was preceded in the office by A. Howard, who filled that respon- sible position for twenty-three years. Livingston County Civil List. — Livingston county has produced many men of talent and eminence in the various professions and occupies a distinguished position in the civil Hst. She has furnished a gov- ernor, in the person of John Young of Geneseo, who was elected in 1846, by a vote of 198,878, over three opponents, Silas Wright. Henry Bradley and Ogden Edwards, who received respectively 187,306 12,844 and 6,306 votes ;* a Private Secretary of the Executive chamber of New York, in the person of LockwoodL. Doty of Geneseo, who was appointed in 1861 and held the office two years; a Chief of the Bureau of MiUtary statistics, in the person of the latter gentleman, who was appointed on the creation of that office April 8, 1863, and was suc- ceeded September 10, 1866, by Augustus J. H. Duganne of New York, who subsequently became Mr. Doty's biographer ; a Judge- Advocate- General, in the person of Campbell H. Young of Geneseo, who was appointed January i, 1867; two State Comp- trollers, in the persons of Philo C. Fuller of Geneseo, who was appointed Dec. 18, 1850, on the election of Washington Hunt to the gubernatorial chair, and held the office till the close of the term, and Jas.W. Wadsworth of Geneseo, elected Nov. 4,1879 ; a Ca- nal Commissioner, in the person of Daniel P. Bissell of Moscow, who was appointed February 8,1842, to fill vacancy, and again November 4, 1844, for the term of four years ; a Canal Appraiser, in the per- son of Calvin H. Bryan of Geneseo, who was ap- pointed April 4, 1846, and served one term of three years ; a Regent of the University of New York, (in addition to John Young, who, as Governor of the State, was an ex-officio member of the board,) in the person of James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo, who was appointed May 4, 1844, and held the office till his death, May 8, 1864; two Clerks of the Court of Appeals, in the persons of Benjamin F. Harwood and Eussell F. Hicks, both of Dansville, the former of whom was elected November 8, 1853, and died in office at Albany, March 30, 1856, and the latter November 7, 1856, holding the office three years; and a Diplomatic Officer in the person of Benja- min F. Angel of Geneseo, who was appointed Min- • James S. Wadsworth of Geneseo, was the candidate of the Republi- can party for Governor in iS6z, but was defeated by Horatio Seymour, by a vote of 306,649 to 295,897. ister-Resident to Sweden and Norway July 17, 1857- Delegates to State Constitutional Conventions. — James Rosebrugh represented this county in the Convention of 1821 ; Allen Ayrault and William H. Spencer, both of Geneseo, in that of 1846; and Isaac L. Endress, of Dansville, in that of 1867. State Senators. — Previous to 1821 the Senato- rial Districts were designated as Southern, Mid- dle, Eastern and Western. The latter originally comprised Albany and Tryon (afterwards Mont- gomery) counties, and Ontario which then em- braced the'territory included in Livingston county, from Jan. 27, 1789. During the continuance of the First Constitution it comprised these counties and those subsequently erected from them. The representation, which at first was six members, was changed February 7, 1791, to five ; March 4, 1796, to eleven; in 1803, to nine; in 1808, to twelve; and April 17, 1815, to nine. Under the Second Constitution which was adop- ted the year in which this county was organized, (182 1,) the State was divided into eight Senatorial Districts, which were designated by number. Liv- ingston county belonged to the Eighth District, which also embraced the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Steuben, until November 12, 1824, when Orleans was added. April 18, 1826, Steu- ben was transferred; and May 23d, 1836, Alle- gany, Cattaraugus and Livingston were transferred to the Sixth District, which then comprised addi- tionally the counties of Broome, Chenango, Tioga, Tompkins, Steuben and Chemung. This connec- tion it retained during the further continuance of the Second Constitution which entitled each dis- trict to four Senators, one of whom was elected annually for the term of four years. Under the third or present Constitution, the State is divided into thirty-two districts, in each of which one member is elected each odd year. Liv- ingston was associated with Ontario in forming the Twenty-ninth district. April 13, 1857, it was asso- ciated with Allegany and Wyoming counties in forming the Thirtieth district, and maintained this relation till April 23d, 1879, when it became asso- ciated with Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming coun- ties in forming the same district. Livingston county did not furnish a State Sena- tor previous to its organization as a separate county, nor during its connection with the Western district, which continued till 1823. The office was first LIVINGSTON COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 131 filled by a resident of Livingston county in 1827, by Charles H. Carroll, of Groveland, who served till his resignation in March, 1828. He has been succeeded by Moses Hayden, of York, who served in 1829 and until his death February 14, 1830; Philo C. Fuller, of Geneseo, who was elected on the death of Hayden and served in 1831 and '32; James Faulkner, of Dansville, in 1842, '3, '4 and 5 ; Allen Ayrault, of Geneseo, in 1848 ;* Charles Colt, of Geneseo, in 1849-51 ;• Sidney Sweet, of Dans- ville, in 1856-7 ;t David H. Abell, of Mt. Morris, in 1860-61 ; James Wood, of Geneseo, 1870-73. Members of Assembly. — There has been little variation in Livingston county's representation in the Assembly, which has corresponded with that of the ratio of her population to that of the State, the extremes being one and two. She had one mem- ber at the time of her formation ; two, under the apportionments of April 12, 1822, April 18, 1826, May 23, 1836, March 8, 1846, and April 13, 1857; and one under the apportionments of April 16, 1866, and April 23, 1879, the latter of which re- mains in force. The Assemblymen from the territory now em- braced in Livingston county prior to its erection as such were: Gideon T. Jenkins, who represented Genesee county m^ 1808, and Hugh McNair, of Sparta, who represented Ontario county in 1808-9 \ William Markham, of Avon, who represented On- tario county in 1810; Chauncey Loomis, who represented Genesee county, and Hugh McNair, Ontario county, in 1811; James Ganson, of Gen- eseo, who represented Genesee, and Hugh McNair, Ontario, in 1812-14; James Rosebrugh, who represented Ontario, in 1814-15, 1816-17, 1818; James Ganson, who represented Genesee in 1816 and 1816-17; Elijah Spencer and Wm. McCart- ney, who represented Ontario in 18 19; Gideon T. Jenkins and Robert McKay, who represented Genesee, and Matthew Warner, Ontario, in 1820; Wm. H. Spencer, who represented Genesee, in 1820-21. Since its formation Livingston county has been represented in the Assembly as follows : George Smith, 1822; William Janes and Matthew Warner, 1823; George Hosraer and George Smith, 1824; James Faulkner and Robert McKay, 1825; James Faulkner and Wm. H. Spencer, 1826; Wm. H. Spencer and Felix Tracy, 1827; Calvin H. Bryan and Wm. Janes, 1828 ; Philo C. Fuller and Titus Goodman, Jr., 1829-30; Jerediah Horsford and * Resigned June 2, 1848. t During this session Samuel P. Allen, of Geneseo, was clerk of the Senate, James Percival, 1831; George W.Patterson and John Young, r832; George W. Patterson and Samuel W. Smith, 1833; Salmon G. Grover and Tabor Ward, 1834; H. Hutchinson and George W. Patterson, 1835; Charles H. Carroll and George W. Patterson, 1836; George W. Patterson and William Scott, 1837-8; Ehas Clark and George W. Patterson, 1839-40;* Augustus Gibbs and Reuben P. Wisner, 1841; Gardner Arnold and Chester Bradley, 1842 ; Daniel H. Fitzhugh and Daniel D. Spencer, 1843; Gardner Arnold and Daniel D. Spencer, 1844; Harlow W. Wells and John Young, 1845; William S. Fullerton and John Young, 1846; William S. Fullerton and An- drew Sill, 1 847 ; Gurdon Nowlen and Nathaniel Coe, 1848; Archibald H. McLean and Philip Woodruff, 1849-50; Alvin Chamberlain and Orrin D. Lake, 1851-2; Amos A. Hendee and Abram Lozier, 1 853 ; Leman Gibbs and Abram Lozier, 1854; Lyman Odell and McNeil Seymour, 1855; Lyman Odell and Alonzo Bradner, 1856; Lyman Hawes and Alfred Bell, 1857 ; John H. Jones and Alfred Bell, 1858; Samuel L. Fuller and John Wiley, 1859-60; Matthew Wiard and George Hyland, 1861 ; Matthew Wiard and Samuel Skin- ner, 1862; Hamilton E. Smith and Samuel Skin- ner, 1863 ; Hamilton E. Smith and Jonathan B. Morey, 1864; Hugh D. McCoU and Jonathan B. Morey, 1865 ; Hugh D. McColl and Samuel D. Faulkner, 1866; Jacob Mead, 1867; Lewis E. Smith, 1868-9 ■> Richard Johnson, 1870-1 ; Arch- ibald Kennedy, 1872-3 ; Jonathan B. Morey, 1874; James Faulkner, Jr., 1875-6; Jonathan B. Morey, 1877; James W. Wadsworth, 1878-9; Archibald Kennedy, 1880; Kidder M. Scott, 1881. Fh-st and County Judges. — The Court of Com- mon Pleas was continued from the Colonial period. For most of the time under the First Constitution the number of Judges and Assistant Justices in the various counties differed, reaching, in some counties, as many as twelve of each. March 27, 1 81 8, the office of Assistant Justice was abolished, and the number of Judges limited to five, including the First Judge. The Judges were appointed by the Governor and Senate for a period of five years. The constitution of 1846 provided for the election of a County Judge for each county, except the city and county of New York, and the new judiciary article extended the tenure of office from four to six years, upon the election of the successors of the present incumbents. * During these sessions— 1839-40— George W, Patterson was Speaker of the Assembly. He is the only person from this county who has oc- cupied that position. 132 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The First Judges of Livingston county were: — ■ Moses Hayden, of York, appointed March 28, 1 821; Charles H. Carroll, of Groveland, appointed February i, 1823; Hezekiah D. Mason, appointed April 8, 1829 ; Willard H. Smith, appointed March 24, 1832. The County Judges, since the office was made elective, have been : — Scott Lord, of Geneseo, June, 1847; George Hastings, of Mt. Morris, November, 1855; Solomon Hubbard, No- vember, 1863; Samuel D. Faulkner, of Dansville, November, 187 1; Daniel W. Noyes, appointed in place of Faulkner, deceased, August 30, 1878; Edwin A. Nash, of Avon, November, 1878.* Surrogates. — Previous to 1821, Surrogates were designated by the Council of Appointment ; from 1 82 1 to 1846, by the Governor and the Senate. The Constitution of 1846 abolished the office and devolved its duties on County Judges, except in counties having a population exceeding 40,000. This office has been held successively by James Rosebrugh, who was appointed February 26, 1821; Samuel W. Spencer, appointed March 20, 1832 ; Benjamin F. Angel, appointed March 23, 1836; William H. Kelsey, appointed April 22, 1840; Benjamin F. Angel, appointed March 3, 1844, and held the office until it was abolished. District Attorneys. — The original appellation of this office, which was created February 12, 1796, was that of Assistant Attorney-General, who was appointed by the Governor and Council. The of- fice of District Attorney was created April 4, iSoi. At first the State was divided into seven districts, but subsequently several new ones were formed. In April, 18 18, each county was constituted a sep- arate district. The office was made elective by the Constitution of 1846. The first person to hold this office in Livingston county was George Hosmer, who was appointed February 26, i82r. He was succeeded by Orlan- do Hastings, January 27, 1824; George Hosmer, May 29, 1824; Calvin H. Bryan, January 20, 1836; Augustus A. Bennett, May 30, 1836; George Hast- ings, May 27, 1839; Amos A. Hendee, June, 1847; WilHam H. Kelsey, 1850 ;t James Wood, Jr., 1853;! Amos A. Hendee, 1856;! Gershom Bulk- ley, 1859;! George J. Davis, 1862 ;tt James B. Adams, 1866 ;t§ Edwin A. Nash, 1869;! Daniel *Jolin H. Jones, of Moscow, held the office of First Judge in Genesee county, which then embraced the western part of this county, from June 10,1812, to May 9, 1821. t Elected in November. + Resigned. § Appointed January, 1865, vice Davis, resigned ; elected November 1865. ' W. Noyes, 1875 ;*t Charles J. Bissell, August 30, 1878;}: John R. Strang, 1878,! the present incumbent. Sheriffs. — Under the first Constitution (1777- 1821) Sheriffs were appointed ann ually by the Coun- cil of Appointment, and no person could hold the office for more than four successive years. The Sheriff could not hold any other office, and must be a free-holder in the county to which he was ap- pointed. Under the second Constitution (1821 to 1846) Sheriffs were elected for a term of three years, but were ineligible to election the next suc- ceeding year. These provisions are operative at the present time. The Sheriff was once an officer held in great re- spect. He arranged all the ceremonials of the court, and formally announced to the Judges the particular hour the court-room was in order for their reception. He was equipped with side arms, and kept his sword unsheathed on the desk in front of his seat. He, with his deputies, formally inducted the Judges from their lodgings to the court-room; the jurors closed the procession. He opened the court with solemn proclamation. In every respect the office of Sheriff was once of more import in the public estimation than now.§ The first Sheriff in I,ivingston county was Gid- eon T. Jenkins, who was appointed February 26, 1821. His successors have been: — William Car- nahan, 1822; Martin Nash, 1825; Russell Austin, 1828; Augustus Gibbs, 1831 ; Josiah Wendell, 1834; Wm. W. Weed, 1837 ; James Brewer, 1840; Wm. H. Scott, 1843; William Scott, 1846; Har- vey Hill, 1849 ; Norman Chapel, appointed De- cember 15, 185 1, vice Hill, deceased; William Scott, 1852; Hugh McCartney, 1855; John N. Hurlburt, 1858; Wm. B. Lemen, 1861; Thomas C. Chase, 1864; George Hyland, Jr., 1867; Henry L. Arnold, 1870; Elijah Youngs, 1873; Wm. B. Wooster, 1876; Martin F. Linsley, 1879. || County Clerks. — County Clerks, in addition to keeping the county records, were required by the Act of February 12, 1796, to act as clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and of the Oyer and Terminer. At present they are clerks of the Supreme Court in their respective counties, and their seals are declared to be the seals of the court. Their term of office, like that under the second constitution, is three years. * Resigned. t Elected in November. i Appointed vice Noyes, resigned. § Clark^s History of Chenango County. II All except Gideon T. Jenkins and Norman Chapel were elected in No- vember. LIVINGSTON COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 133 Livingston county furnished one County Clerk for Ontario county while connected with it, in the person of Hugh McNair, who was appointed March 17, 1815, and was succeeded July 3, 1819, by John Van Fossen. James Ganson, who was appointed February 26, 182 1, was the first person to hold that office in Livingston county. His successors, all of whom were elected in November, have been Syl- vester Brown, 1822; LeviHovey, 1825 ; Chauncey R. Bond, 1828; Elias Clark, 1834; Wm. H. Stan- ley, 1837 ; Samuel P. Allen, 1840; Wm. H. Whit- ing, 1843 ; Israel D. Root, T849 ; James S. Orton, 1852 ; Charles Root, 1855 ; Harvey G. Baker, 1861 ; Augustus A. Curtiss, 1867 ; Nathaniel A. Gear- hart, 1871; Hurlburt E. Brown, 1874; Jerome B. Patterson, 1877 ; Mark J. Bunnell, 1880. County Treasurers. — ^County Treasurers are elected under the Constitution of 1846, for a term of three years. They were formerly appointed by the Boards of Supervisors in the several counties. Chauncey Metcalf was the first person elected to the office in Livingston county under the new re- gime — in 1848. He has been succeeded by: John White, Jr., 1851 ; Chauncey R. Bond, 1856; James T. Norton, i860; Chauncey Metcalf, 1863; Theo- dore F. Olmsted, 1871 ; John Shepard, 1874; and Wm. A. Brodie, the present incumbent, in 1877. All were elected in November. County Superintendents of Common Schools. — April 17, 1843, the Boards of Supervisors were di- rected to appoint Superintendents of Common Schools ; and Ira Patchin and Russell F. Hicks were accordingly so appointed in Livingston coun- ty. The office was abolished March r3, 1847. School Commissioners. — Prior to 1857, School Commissioners were appointed by the Boards of Supervisors. In 1856 the office was made elective ; and the first election under that act was held No- vember, 1859. The office has been held in Living- ston county by the following named persons : — Chauncey Loomis^ Levi P. Grover, Franklin B. Francis, S. Arnold Tozer, Franklin B. Francis, John W. Byam, Lewis C. Partridge, Foster W. Walker, in the First District ; and Horace L. James Harvey Farley, Isaac C. Lusk, Thomas J. Thorp, Robert W. Green and Ezra N. Curtice, in the Second District. Foster W. Walker of Caledonia, and Ezra N. Curtice of Spring water, are the present incumbents. Presidential Electors.^-Tht Federal Constitu- tion provides that the President and Vice-Presi- dent of the United States shall be chosen by Elec- tors appointed in such manner as the Legislatures of the respective States shall direct, the number to be equal to their number of Senators and Repre- sentatives in Congress. In this State the Electors were originally appointed by the Legislature, pursu- ant to an Act passed April 12, 1792. March 15, 1825, the Legislature submitted to the people the question of choosing electors by districts, or on 3.gen- eral ticket, and it was decided by a small majority in favor of the former. The system thus adopted, however, was in vogue at one election only ; for April 15, 1829, the Legislature .adopted the gen- eral ticket system now in use. The Electors must be appointed within thirty-four days before the first Wednesday of December, in every fourth year ; and in this State, as, indeed, in all the States, they are now chosen on the Tuesday after the first Mon- day of November. In making up the general ticket, one person is selected from each Congressional District, and two to represent the State at large. The Electoral College is required to meet at the State capitol on the first Wednesday of December, cast their votes for President and Vice President, make a certified Kst thereof, and forward it under seal to the President of the United States Senate, who opens and announces the result in the pres- ence of the two houses of Congress. Livingston county has been represented in the Electoral College as follows : — Daniel H. Bissell, 1836; John Wheeler, 1840; Benjamin F. Harwood, 1848; Isaac L. Endress and James S. Wadsworth, (the latter one of the Elec- tors at large,) 1856; James S. Wadsworth, i860; Kidder M. Scott, 1872. Daniel H. Bissell was the Messenger to Washington from the Electoral Col- lege of this State in 1836; and Isaac L. Endress, Secretary of the College in 1856. Representatives in Congress. — Livingston county has undergone various changes in its Congressional associations. On its formation, in 1821, in con- junction with Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Ontario coun- ties, it formed the Twenty-first District, which was entitled to two members. . Under the Act of April 17, 1822, it was united with Monroe in forming the Twenty-seventh District; under that of June 29, 1832, this and Allegany county formed the Thir- tieth District; under that of Sept. 6, 1842, it was associated with Ontario county, and formed the Twenty-ninth District; under that of July 19, 1851, in conjunction with Steuben county, it formed the Twenty-eighth District ; under that of April 23, 1862, it was united with Ontario and Yates in forming the Twenty-fifth District ; and under that 134 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. of June i8, 1873, the same counties were consti- tuted the Twenty-seventh District, and still retain that relation. Livingston county has not been represented in the United States Senate ; and had only one Rep- resentative prior to its organization. That was Samuel M. Hopkins, from the Twenty-first District, in 1813-15. Micah Brooks, who subsequently lived and died in this county, was, indeed, while residing in Ontario county, a Representative in the succeeding Congress — 1815-17 — but resigned the first session. The Representatives from this county since its organization have been : — Elijah Spencer, 182 £-'3 ; Moses Hayden, of York, i823-'27 ; Philo C. Fuller, of Geneseo, i833-'36;* John Young, of Geneseo, i836-'37, 1841-' 43; Charles H.Carroll, of Groveland Center, i843-'47; Jerediah Hors- ford, of Moscow, i85i-'53; George Hastings, of Mt. Morris, i853-'55 ; Wilham H. Kelsey, of Geneseo, 1855-59, 1867-71. CHAPTER XIV. War of the Rebellion — Its Underlving Cause — Secession of South Carolina — Followed BY Other States — First Measures to Repress Rebellion — Ready Response of the North — Additional Troops Called for — Prompt and Generous Response of Living- ston County — Thirteenth Regiment — Twenty-Seventh Regiment — Thirty-Third Regiment — Regimental Camp at Geneseo — One Hundred and Fourth Regiment, or Wadsworth Guards — Calls of July 2, 1862, AND August 4, 1862— Military Dis- tricts Formed— The One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment, or First New York Dragoons— One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Regiment — The Draft — Quotas Under Various Calls— Subsequent Calls— County Bounty— Enormous Local Bounties— State Bounty— Local Bounties Abrogated— Con- tributions TO the Support of the Indigent Families of Volunteers— Quotas Under Last Three Calls. THE war of the rebellion covers a period in the history of Livingston county to which the de- scendants of those who participated in it may re- cur with just pride. The causes which led to' this sanguinary interneciar y struggle date back to the * Resigned September z, l8j6, ~~ dawn of civilization on this continent. Coloniza- tion in New England and Virginia commenced with radical social distinctions, which engendered different habits, thoughts, aspirations and interests and eventuated through the operation of climatic influence and diverse occupations in bitter section- alism. Variances which were at first regarded with zealous apprehension ripened into direct antag- onism, determined opposition and finally intense hatred. One was the champion of the broad cathoHc spirit of liberalism and progress ; the other was firmly wed to a debasing and enervating conservatism, on which it sought to build a slave- holding and slave-perpetuating aristocracy. Amity and fraternity cannot subsist between communities thus constituted ; and an open rupture could not be averted. It was only delayed by meeting the demands of the one with the concessions of the other. When further concession could not con- sistently be made, rupture was inevitable, and the issue thus delayed was the more bitterly contested when it came. The South, for obvious reasons, construed the Federal government to be a mere confederation of sovereign states, in contradistinction from a sovereign nation composed of subordinate states. This doctrine as expounded in the writings and speeches of Calhoun and subsequently of those of Stephens, its two great champions, implies not only the right of nuUification, but also of secession. Whatever may be the just claims of this theory as an abstract proposition it is clearly inconsistent with the spirit which actuated the founders of our constitution, incompatible with the aspiration of the great free North, and not permissible when, as in this case, associated with the perpetuation of an evil so repugnant as that of human slavery. The struggle which culminated in the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free state, con- firmed a conviction which had long been matur- ing, that the territorial extension of slavery in this country had reached its limit under the provisions of the constitution, and marks the period when covert assaults gave place to the open and avowed purpose to disrupt the Union. As in 1832 an ob- jectionable protective tariflf was made to justify nullification, so now the premonition that her peculiar institution was doomed, was made by the South to justify secession. South Carolina, in both cases, taking the initiative. On the election of Mr. Lincoln, the nominee of the Republican or anti-slavery party, to the presi- dency in i860, it was evident that further delay was WAR OF THE REBELLION. I3S useless, and the leaders in secession labored assid- uously to create a sentiment in the South favorable to its immediate consummation. Dec. 17, i860, the people of South Carolina met in convention at Columbia, and adjourned thence by reason of the prevalence of small-pox to Charleston, where they repealed the Act of May 23, 1788, ratifying the Federal constitution and the amendments thereto, and declared "that the union now subsisting be- tween South Carolina and other states, under the name of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved." An address to the people of the other slave-holding states was issued, inviting them to join in " a great slave-holding Confederacy," and reciting that "we must be the most independent, as we are the most important of the nations of the world." This action was followed in a few days by Georgia, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. " The Border States, foreseeing inev- itable war, and that the shock of the conflict would fall upon them, temporized. After all that had been done to pledge them to the movement, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, though a reign of terror, political and social, was inaugurated in them, either took the step with great reluctance, or avoided taking it at all."* Preeminent among these, and indeed among the states composing the Confederacy, was Virginia, which did not pass the ordi- nance of secession until April 17, 1861, and then only after exacting the foremost rank in the Confederacy and protection for her slave interests. Even then she did not carry the whole state with her ; for the western portion maintained their de- termination to adhere to the Union, and was after- wards recognized as a separate state. Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee also passed ordi- nances of secession. February 4, i86r, the delegates of six of the seceding states (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississipi, Louisiana and Florida,) met in conven- tion at Montgomery, Alabama, and formed a pro- visional government, denominated "The Confed- erate States of America," founded, as affirmed in the inaugural address of its president, on the prin- ciple of the inequaHty of men, and with human slavery as its corner stone. Jefferson Davis was elected President and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President. They were soon after elected permanently for six years. The permanent consti- tution was modeled substantially from that of the United States. The following summer the seat of • Draper's History of the A merican Cmil War I., S"7. government was removed to Richmond and their Congress opened its first session in that city, July 20, 1861, the day previous to the battle of Bull Run. The people of the South, deluded with the as- sumption of their vast superiority over those of the North, did not believe that the latter would offer any great resistance to secession, much less attempt to coerce them ; and the people of the North were equally deceived as to the real intent of the former, beHeving that secession was not meditated then, but only employed as a means to extort further con- cessions. Not, however, that they failed to per- ceive the ultimate issue of the threatening antago- nism of the times, but that it was hoped — believed, that an amicable adjustment would be reached. Wm. H. Seward, in referring to this subject in 1858, said: "Shall I tell you what this conflict means ? They who think it accidental, unnecessary, the work of interested or fanatical agitators, and therefore ephemeral, mistake the case altogether. It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces.'' Notwithstanding, the South did not fail to make extensive preparation for a forced separation. In this they were aided by their long- continued control of the Federal government, both in its executive and legislative branches. When war became inevitable, and the North found it nec- essary to prepare for it, the Federal treasury was de- pleted ; the army — a large portion of it — was sta- tioned in the distant State of Texas, where it was surrendered with all its equipments to the Confed- erates ; the navy was dispersed to distant foreign stations, so that when the war broke out there was only one war vessel on the whole northern coast, and not a gun on the Mississippi and its great sys- tem of waters; the material of war was distributed throughout various places in the South, where, as was contemplated, it was seized, together with mints, arsenals and fortifications, by the authorities of the seceded States, and appropriated to the uses of the Confederates. Many of the officers both in the army and navy treacherously deserted to the Confederacy; as likewise did the legislators of the seceded States, not, however, until they had done their utmost to embarrass the Federal authorities, and to procure legislation to the detriment of the Union and in the interest of their confederates, so that when the North awoke to the reaUties of war, they found their enemy abundantly supphed with the materials of war, and with an army already in a well-advanced state of discipline ; while they, though seriously crippled to furnish these, were ut- 136 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. terly destitute of both. Their efforts to supply these, as well as their early military movements, were long embarrassed by spies in the persons of government employees and the host of secession sympathizers who abode in Washington. The delay of Virginia saved to the Union the stronghold of Fortress Monroe, the most important of our southern coast defenses. During the night of December 26, i860. Major Robert Anderson, who was then in command of the insignificant government forces in Charleston, and stationed in Fort Moultrie, one of the weaker works in that harbor, after repeated entreaties for aid from the authorities at Washington, removed his force to Fort Sumter, which is built on an arti- ficial island, made of stone chips from the quarries of New England, and had cost the government a million of dollars. This act Major Anderson be- lieved to be warranted by his instructions from the President, which were to the effect that while he " must carefully avoid every act which might need- lessly provoke collision, if attacked, he must defend himself to the last extremity." He was also au- thorized, if attacked, or if he had tangible evidence of a design of that kind, to put his command into either of the forts he might think best. It never- theless greatly surprised the President, who had " carefully abstained from increasing the force in that harbor, or taking any measures which might add to the public excitement there," and filled the impetuous South Carohnans with indignation and rage. The latter immediately took possession of Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie, the guns of which had been spiked and carriages burned by Anderson before leaving it, and hoisted over these and the government buildings in that city the pal- metto flag. They also forcibly seized the government arsenal in Charleston, which through the careful providence of the traitor, Floyd, while Secretary of War, was well-supplied with the material of war, the munitions contained therein being estimated to be worth a half million of dollars. An attempt was made to reenforce and provis- ion Fort Sumter, and on the 5th of January, the unarmed steamer Star of the West left New York for that purpose. The Confederate authorities at Charleston were apprised of her departure, (which it was designed should be kept secret,) by Mr. Thompson, of Mississippi, who was then Secretary of the Interior, and present at the Cabinet meet- ing which made provision therefor. She was fired upon from a battery on Morris Island and struck, and an attempt was made to cut her off by two steamers and a schooner. She returned to New York without having accomplished her object. South Carolina, immediately after passing the ordinance of secession, sent commissioners to Pres- ident Buchanan to negotiate for the transfer of the public property within her borders and establish amicable relations with the Government in her sovereign capacity. Compliance was, of course promptly declined. So, likewise, were similar pro- positions made to President Lincoln, March 12, 1 86 1, by representatives of the Confederate gov- ernment. Failing in this, South Carolina immediately com- menced a systematic organization of her troops and the construction of works for the reduction of Fort Sumter, which she continued for several months unmolested. By April, fourteen batteries with thirty heavy guns and seventeen mortars were completed ready for this object, and on the loth of that month. Gen. Beauregard, who was placed in command of Charleston, was instructed to de- mand the immediate surrender of the Fort, and on refusal, to reduce it. He made the demand the fol- lowing day, and compliance being declined, he commenced the bombardment on the morning of the 1 2th. Fort Sumter made no reply for nearly three hours. The first shot in defense of the Union was fired at 7 o'clock, a. m., of that day, by Capt. Abner Doubleday. The Fort was sur- rendered on the 13th, and on the 14th, Anderson, without the loss of a man, marched out with his command, consisting of thirty-five artillerists, nine officers, thirty laborers, and fifteen musicians, and left on the steamer Isabel for New York. The ex- ample thus set by South Carolina was quickly fol- lowed by the other seceding States, until they had possessed themselves of nearly every one of the southern coast defenses. The firing upon Sumter put an end to the hope which largely prevailed in the North that the dif- ferences between it and the South could be ad- justed by peaceful arbitration. The Administra. tion, which haS studiously abstained from any act which might prejudice an amicable settlement — a means which the South, though fully determined to apply force if necessary, would gladly have ac- cepted — were now convinced that the application of force was necessary. It was a relief to many who were clamorous that secession should be op- posed as promptly and vigorously as was nullifica- tion, and who chafed under the diplomatic restraints with which the Administration surrounded itself in the hope of promoting a peaceful solution of the WAR OF THE REBELLION. 137 difficulties. The London Times, which represent- ed, and in no small measure manufactured, public opinion, not only in Great Britain but also through- out Europe, in referring to this period, ungenerous- ly or unwittingly said : — " The secession of South Carolina is to them what the secession of Lancashire would be to us ; it is treason and should be put down. But the North is full of sophists, rhetoricians, logicians and lawyers ; it has not a man of action. Mr. Seward can tell us what will not save the Union, but not what will. He looks upon secession as ideal and impossible. While he is dreaming the Confede- racy is strengthening. The Union seems to be destined to fall without a struggle, without a lament, without an epitaph. Each individual State finds numberless citizens ready to lay down their lives for its preservation ; but for the Union, the mighty firmament in which those stars are set, and which, though dark itself, lends them their peculiar lustre, nothing is done." But how different is this from the real picture ! On the 15 th of April, two days after the fall of Sumter, President Lincoln called on the several States for 75,000 men to suppress the uprising, which was then regarded, even by those in the best position to judge, as little more than an evanes- cent emeute. The proclamation also called an ex- tra session of Congress to be convened on the 4th of July. On the 19th of April he established a blockade of the forts of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tex- as; and on the 27th of that month extended it to those of Virginia and North Carolina. The people were ready and promptly responded to the call of the President. Had the prescience of the governmental authorities been equal to the readiness and willingness of the common people, in all probability we should have been spared much of the bitter fruitage which early lassitude com- pelled us to reap. "To an eye-witness," says Draper, in referring to the response of the North, " there was something very impressive in the action of the people. A foreign observer remarked, ' With them all is sacrifice, devotion, grandeur and purity of purpose — with the poor, if possible, even more than the rich.' In the large cities great meetings were held, in which men of all parties united. Party lines vanished. There was none of that frantic delirium which was manifested in the Slave States, but a solemn acceptance of what was clearly recognized to be a fearful but unavoidable duty — 'Faint not, falter not; the repubUc is in peril' "* The Livingston Union, of Mt. Morris, in referring to secession, in an editorial under date of * Draper's History of the American Civil IVar, II., 79- March 20, 1861, says: — " * * * it can no longer be treated as a brief malady whose virulence will subside under the influence of careful nursing and soothing mixtures. Its cure, if possible at all, will require the greatest wisdom — the most self- sacrificing patriotism." Such it proved. On the day after the proclamation was issued some Pennsylvania companies reported for duty in Washington, just in time to frustrate a plot for the seizure of that city.* Within four days Massachu- setts had despatched four regiments, and in less than a week her whole quota was far in advance towards Washington. The passage of the Sixth Massachusetts through Baltimore on the 19th of April was resisted by an infuriated mob, which assailed it with guns and revolvers, and with bricks, stones and pieces of iron thrown from the upper windows of the houses. The regiment sus- tained a loss of three killed and eight wounded, and killed eleven and wounded four of the assail- ants. Maryland and others of the border slave states endeavored to observe an "armed neutrality" between the North and South — a means by which they hoped to secure immunity from attack them- selves, while they would be able to aid the South by prohibiting the passage of Northern troops through their borders, and by giving her direct material succor under this guise. New York, instead of filling the requisition on her for seventeen regiments — -between 13,000 and 14,000 men — for three months, for which the 75,000 were called, raised 30,000 men for two years and added a war loan of $3,000,000. Many other states acted in hke manner ; Rhode Island not only instantly sent her quota and added a loan, but her governor, Sprague, went at the head of her troops. Within fifteen days 350,000 men had offered their services. The South, by years of anticipation and covert preparation, were in a better state of readiness than the North, and were thus able to precipitate events with astounding rapidity. The conviction of the extent of that preparation, the magnitude of the struggle, and the means necessary to oppose it, forced itself only gradually on the minds of the authorities at Washington, who repressed rather than stimulated a popular uprising. It soon became evident that the time of the 75,000 three months' men would expire before they could be fully armed and equipped. On the 3d of May, 1 86 1, a call was issued for 42,034 vol- unteers for three years, and provision made to in- * Ibid II, ^^. 138 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. crease the regular army by 22,714 men and the navy by 18,000 men, for five years. On the ist of July two hundred and eighty regiments had been accepted. Congress met July 4th and July 22, 1861, voted $500,000,000 and 400,000 more men, of which New York's quota was 25,000 men, who were called for on the 25th of July, four days after the disastrous battle of Bull Run, which was fought on Sunday, July 21, 1 861, mostly with three months' men, whose time was then expiring. July 29th the addition of 25,000 men to the regular army was authorized. Livingston county's contributions to the quotas under these early calls were both prompt and gen- erous. Public meetings were held in various parts of the county and eloquently addressed by able speakers. Each village and hamlet became the center of an organized effort in this interest, and as these measures were mostly prosecuted by the several towns in their independent capacities, they will be noticed more in detail in connection with the several towns. Six hundred volunteers were raised in the county for the first thirty-eight two- years' regiments. In Dansville, seventy-seven men were recruited by Captain Carl Stephan, and be- came Co. B of the 13th regiment; for which a second company (G) was raised there by Captain Ralph T. Wood in the summer and fall of 1861. During the winter a third company was raised for this regiment in Dansville and Rochester, by Job C. Hedges and Albert S. Lema, of Dansville, and Lt. C. S. Benjamin, of Co. A in that regiment, who opened an office in Rochester. Enough men for another company were raised in Avon, Lima, Li- vonia, GeneseuandCaledonia^ and were distributed through that regiment. Captain James Perkins recruited eighty-five men in Lima, and Captain Charles E. Martin, eighty-eight men in Mt. Mor- ris, for the 27th regiment, the former becoming Co. G and the latter Co. H. Captain Wilson B. War- ford recruited seventy-four men in Geneseo, and Captain James M. McNair, seventy-seven in Nunda, for the 33d regiment, the former becoming Co. E and the latter Co. F. Both these towns subse- quently sent forward recruits to fill the depleted ranks of their companies. A large number of young men of this county enlisted in various cavalry and artillery regiments — the 19th, 22dand 24th cavalry and 14th artillery. The 13th Regiment was raised in Rochester, by Col. Isaac F. Quimby, and in April, 1861, and on its organization in Elmira, May 6, i86r, Captain Stephan, of the Dansville companjr, was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, George Hyland, Jr., who was formerly First Lieutenant of his company, became its captain. The Dansville band joined this regi- ment in Elmira, May 20th. It was the first regi- ment which passed through Baltimore after the Sixth Massachusetts was assaulted in the streets of that city by a mob. It served two years with marked distinction and was mustered out on the 14th of May, 1863. It participated in the follow- ing battles, as detailed in the Dansville Advertiser of February, 12, 1863 : — Cub Run, July 18, 1861. Bull Run, " . 21, 1861. Yorktown, April 5, 1862. Siege of Yorktown till May 4, 1862. Hanover Court House, " 27, 1862. Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862. Malvern Hill, July i, 1862. Manassas, August 30, 1862. Shepardstown, Sept. 17, 1862. Antietam, " 19, 1862. Fredericksburgh, Dec. 13, 1862. The 27th Regiment was organized at Elmira, May 21, 1861. It was composed, besides the companies from this county, of Capt. Adams' com- pany from Lyons, Capt. Chambers' company from White Plains, the companies of Capts. Bartlett, Rodgers and Jay, from Binghamton, of Capt. Ar- chilles, from Albion, of Capt. Gardiner, from An- gelica, and Capt. Wanzer, from Rochester. Henry W. Slocum, of Syracuse, a graduate of West Point, and for eighteen years in the regular service, hav- ing participated in the Florida and Mexican wars, was chosen Colonel ; Joseph J. Chambers, of White Plains, Lieutenant-Colonel; and Joseph J. Bartlett, of Binghamton, Major. As it was cus- tomary to give the early regiments names in addi- tion to their numeral designation, this was denomi- nated "Union Regiment." It was mustered at Elmira, for two years, July 5, 1861, and the next day set out for Washington, where it arrived on the nth, and was assigned to the First brigade, (Col. Andrew Porter,) of the Second division, (Gen. Hunter.) It left Washing- ton on the i6th and on the i8th encamped near Centerville. At two o'clock on the morning of Sunday, July 21, 1861, it marched to the field of Bull Run, where it first encountered the 27th Vir- ginia regiment, which fell back. It next met the 8th Georgia, which fell back till reenforced, when the 27th was repulsed and took refuge under a hilL It was soon ordered to charge a battery stationed on a knoll, which it did under a heavy fire which told fearfully on its ranks. Col. Slocum was WAR OF THE REBELLION. 139 wounded, the color guard reduced from nine to two. The movement was abandoned. It retired from the field in good order, but on reaching the road its ranks were broken and it participated in the confused retreat to Washington. August 14th it encamped near Alexandria, where Col. Slocum was promoted Brigadier-General, and Lieut.- Colonel Chambers resigned. Major Bartlett was made Colonel, Captain Adams, Lieut.-Colonel, and Capt. Gardiner, Major. Sept. 12th the regi- ment, having been assigned to Slocum's brigade, with the 1 6th New York and Franklin's division, commenced the construction of Fort Lyon, and on the 14th of October went into winter quarters four miles north of it. March 13, 1862, the Division with which it was connected was attached to Gen. McDowell's (ist) corps. April i6th the divisions of Generals Franklin and Smith were detached from Mc- Dowell's corps, and May 7 th, were organized as the 6th corps, under Gen. Franklin, Gen. Slocum succeeding Franklin in command of the Division. This arrangement was not subsequently changed during the term of service of the 27 th, although the officers in command were changed, Gen. Bartlett succeeding to the command of the brigade, Gen. Brooks, to that of the division, and Gen. Sedgwick, to that of the corps. April 12, 1862, the division to which the 27th belonged embarked on transports, and on the after- noon of the 23d sailed to Fortress Monroe. On the 24th it encamped on the Peninsula about seven miles from Yorktown, in the siege of which it par- ticipated. May 5th, the day succeeding the evacu- ation of Yorktown, it went with other forces to the head of navigation on York river and landed under cover of the gunboats, which dispersed the rebel cavalry and. infantry skirmishing on the shore. The 27th were the first to land, and as the enemy was near, six companies were deployed as skirm- ishers, the others acting as a reserve. Picket firing was opened and continued during the night. The regiment lost several in killed and wounded, and captured a few prisoners. On the morning of the 7th the enemy surprised the Union troops while at breakfast, but were repulsed after a sharp engage- ment with the loss of one of their batteries. On Thursday, the 22d of May, a recomioissaiice was made in which the 27th participated; and from this time until June 29th it was actively en- gaged, most of the time in skirmishing, in connec- tion with McClellan's peninsula campaign. On the afternoon of the 27th, the second of the Seven Days' Fight, it crossed the Chickahominy to the support of Gen. Porter, who was strongly pressed by an overwhelming rebel force, and took part in the desperate encounter of Gaines' Mill. The 2 7th went into action about 5 p. m., on the extreme right of Porter's corps, drove the enemy from his position by a bayonet charge, and captured a large number of prisoners. They held their position till dark, when Porter withdrew his forces and joined in the retreat towards Harrison's Landing. The regiment lost in this engagement 179 men in killed, wounded and missing. At Charles City Cross Roads, on the 30th of June, it skirmished and sup- ported batteries; and at Malvern Hill, July ist, was early sent into action on the right of the army to prevent a flank movement. The regiment remained at Harrison's Landing till about the middle of August, when, McClellan having been ordered to withdraw his army to the support of Gen. Pope in repelling Lee's sortie through Maryland, it retraced its steps down the Peninsula, and embarked at Newport News for Alexandria. Thence it was sent to the support of Pope, and arrived at Centerville on the night of the 30th of August, in time to cover Pope's retreat from the second battle of Bull Run, but too late to affect the issue of that desperately fought contest. It followed the retreat and went into camp at Fort Lyon. The regiment was engaged in the battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14th, acting as skirmishers and routing a rebel battery; and in that of Antietam, with its horrible carnage, three days later, but, though supporting batteries and being under heavy fire all day, suffered no loss. It join ed in the pur- suit of Lee, and on the 13th of December, shared with the army under Burnside, who superseded Mc- Clellan in command Nov. 8th, in the terrible dis- aster at Fredericksburgh. The 27th was the first regiment to cross the Rappahannock in the left grand division of the army. Burnside withdrew his army from this memorable field on the 15th, and the 27th spent the winter in camp at White Oak church. In the latter part of April it was again engaged at Fredericksburgh, under Sedgwick ; and on the 3d of May, in the disastrous defeat at Chancellorsville, under Hooker. From this time it guarded Bank's Ford till the expiration of its term of service. May 13, 1863, General Sedgwick directed their muster out, which took place at Elmira, May 31, 1863. The order contained the following allusion to their services : — " The general commanding the corps congratu- 140 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. lates the officers and men of the 27th N. Y. Vols, upon their honorable return to civil life. They have enjoyed the respect and confidence of their commanders and companions. They have illustra- ted their term of service by gallant deeds and have won for themselves a reputation not surpassed in the Army of the Potomac, and have nobly earned the gratitude of the Republic." The 33d Regiment, composed, besides the companies from this county, of two companies from Seneca Falls and one each from Pal- myra, Waterloo, Geneva, Canandaigua, Penn Yan and Buffalo, was organized at Elmira, May 21, 186 1, and Robert F. Taylor chosen Colonel. It left that rendezvous on the 8th of July, and like the 27th, with which its military career was nearly a parallel, shared the varying fortunes of the Army of the Po- tomac, participating in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Lee's Mill, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburgh, besides other minor engagements, and at the expi- ration of its term of service, being connected with the command of Gen. Sedgwick, received from him the same compUmentary notice as the 27th. The regiment was mustered out June 2, 1863. Livingston County raised 750 two years' volun- teers between June i, 1861, and July i, 1862 ; and 1,500 three years' volunteers from July i, 1862, to July I, 1863, making a total of 2,850 up to the latter date. Some portion of these were connected with the 75th and 89th regiments. The second company of volunteers from Mt. Morris, which was raised by Capt. C. W. Burt, and left for Elmira September 13, 1861, was attached to the latter regiment which was commanded by Col. Fairchild and left Elmira for Washington, December 6, 1861. It sailed with Burnside's Expedition, and was left at Fort Clark, Cape Hatteras, where the men were drilled. Sept. 24, 1861, a regimental camp was formed at Geneseo, under Col. John Rorbach, for recruiting the 104th Regiment, or " Wadsworth Guards," a name it received in honor of General James S. Wadsworth, who was desirous that Livingston county should be represented in the service by a complete regiment, and first suggested its organiza- tion. Recruiting for it was general throughout most of this county and in a portion of Wyoming county. Sept. 30, i86r, Capt. Henry G. Tuthill, with sixty men, arrived in Geneseo, with the first company for this regiment. It afterwards became Co. A. The second company of about forty men reported three or four days after. These two com- panies were quartered in the hotels of the village until barracks for their accommodation were built soon after, on the old camp ground at the head of North street. To this rendezvous, which received the name of Camp Union, the men were sent as fast as they arrived. By the 24th of January, 186 2 ten companies had been recruited to the minimum number and on that day were mustered into the United States service by Capt. E. G. Marshall. By the close of February the regiment had been re- cruited to 683 enlisted men and 20 commissioned officers; and on the 25th of that month it left Gen- eseo, " amid the cheers and tears of thousands, who had assembled to bid them ' God-speed,' " for Al- bany, where it was formed into seven companies and consolidated with a skeleton regiment of about 300 men, under command of Col. John J. Viele then in camp at Troy, which became Companies H, I and K of the 104th, the seven companies from Geneseo being lettered from A to G, inclus- ive. The regiment thus formed contained 1,040 men, and the following is a roster of the field, staff and commissioned officers, as taken from the order organizing the regiment, issued March 8 1862 :— Colonel — ^John Rorbach. Lieut.-Colonel — R. Wells Kenyon. Major — Lewis C. Skinner. Adjutant — Frederick T. Vance. Quarter-Master — Henry V. Colt. Surgeon — Enos G. Chase. Asst- Surgeon — Douglas S. Landon. Chaplain — Daniel Russell. Company A— Captain, Henry G. Tuthill ; First Lieutenant, ; Second Lieutenant, Al- bert S. Haver. Company B — Captain, Lehman H.Day; First Lieutenant, Henry A. Wiley ; Second Lieutenant, Homer M. StuU. Company C— Captain, Stephen L. Wing; First Lieutenant, Henry Runyan; Second Lieutenant, Nelson J. Wing. Company D— Captain, Zophar Simpson ; First Lieutenant, Jacob H. Stutt ; Second Lieutenant, George H. Starr. Company E— Captain, H. C. Lattimore; First Lieutenant, Wm. F. Lozier; Second Lieutenant, Wm. L. Trembley. Company F— Captain, Gilbert G. Prey; First Lieutenant, Luman F. Dow; Second Lieutenant, W. J. Hemstreet. Company G— Captain, James A. Gault ; First Lieutenant, John P. Rudd ; Second Lieutenant, John R. Strang. Company H— Captain, James K. Selleck; First Lieutenant, E. B. Wheeler ; Second Lieutenant, Thomas Johnston. Company I— Captain, John Kelley; First Lieu- tenant, J. J. McCarffey; Second Lieutenant, Chas. \V. Fisher. WAR OF THE REBELLION. 141 Company K — Captain, John C. Thompson ; First Lieutenant, John H. Miller; Second Lieuten- ant, Wm. C. Wilson. The regiment left Albany on the 20th of March, and late in the evening of the 2 2d arrived in Wash- ington, where for the first time the men had the experience, so common in after years, of sleeping upon the open ground, or the still more filthy de- pot floor. The next day it went into camp at Kalorama Heights, three miles from the Capitol, and there remained about three weeks, during which time arms (Enfield rifles) and accoutrements were issued to the men, and ceaseless drill went on. Early in April it was attached to Gen. Abram Duryee's brigade, which also contained the 97th and 105th New York and 107th Pennsylvania reg- iments. After a month spent at Alexandria in drill, in which the 104th excelled, it advanced to Catlett Station, Va., to be in position for the for- ward movement by McDowell from Fredericks- burgh. Here the regiment was presented with a magnificent stand of colors, gurdons, etc., by Mrs. Gen. James S. Wadsworth, in recognition of the compHment paid her gallant husband in naming the regiment the " Wadsworth Guards." On the 24th of May, the 104th was detached from its brigade and proceeded by rail to Thorough- fare Gap to join the command of Gen. Geary, who was then confronting Gen. Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley. It arrived in time to partici- pate in a hasty and toilsome retreat to Manassas, in which it lost its tents, stores and equipage which could not be carried on the person. On the 28th of May, it returned to Catlett Station, where it re- mained three weeks as an independent command, picketing all the adjacent country. About the middle of June, Gen. Duryee, who had withdrawn during the temporary absence of the regiment, re- turned with the rest of the brigade to Catlett Sta- tion. The camp of the 104th was removed to a low marsh, which resulted disastrously to the health of the regiment, diarrhea and a low type of mala- rial fever becoming very prevalent. Several lives were thus sacrificed and about one hundred were sent to general hospitals, many. of whom never re- turned to duty with the regiment. July 5th the brigade moved to Warrenton, and on the 2 2d to Waterloo, where it was attached to Rickett's division of McDowell's corps. August 5th Gen. Pope, who was assigned to the consoli- dated commands of Fremont, Banks and McDow- ell, designated the Army of Virginia, June 26, 1862, commenced a diversion in favor of McClel- lan, who was operating on the Peninsula, which eventually brought on him the combined and over- whelming forces of Lee and Jackson, and forced his dispirited columns, shattered in the fierce con- flicts on the plains of Manassas, within the defenses of Washington. The first contest occurred at Cedar Mountain on the 9th of August. The 104th reached the field of battle on the evening of that day, but too late to take any special part in the en- gagement. It was for a time, (the first time,) under a sharp artillery fire, but sustained no loss. His communications being threatened, Jackson, though the victor in this encounter, retired across the Rapidan, whence Pope's retrograde movement commenced on the i8th. Pope took post behind the north fork of the Rappahannock on the 19th, where the 104th held a position near the railroad bridge crossing that stream, and was exposed to a sharp artillery fire, during a feigned attempt ot the enemy to cross the river to facilitate Jackson's flank movement by Thoroughfare Gap, on the right of Pope's army. The regiment was detached with its division to intercept Jackson's retreat through Thoroughfare Gap, but met the enemy in such force as to compel a retreat to Manassas, where it arrived on the evening of the 29th, after an exhausting march of nearly thirty miles. The men slept on their arms, and at early dawn the next day relieved some troops who were holding a piece of woods through which ran an unused raihoad embankment. The line was advanced across this embankment under a sharp musketry fire from the enemy concealed in the dense under- growth beyond. The regiment sustained a loss of several in killed and wounded, including one officer, Lieut. John P. Rudd. The line retired behind the embankment, which it held, notwithstanding a fierce attempt was made to dislodge it. About noon the brigade was removed to a new position, from which it was forced back about 4 p. m., by an overwhelming force of the enemy, retreating in haste and some confusion, in common with the rest of the army, to Centerville, which was reached during the night. The loss sustained by the 104th was five killed, forty-one wounded and forty-eight missing, most of the latter of whom were taken prisoners. During the succeeding night the retreat was con- tinued to Fairfax Court House, and on the after- noon of Sept. I St, the 104th was hurried toward the field of Chantilly, where, during a terrible thunder storm, a second attempt to turn Pope's flank by Jackson was defeated by Gen. Kearney, 142 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. who, together with Gen. Stevens, were killed in that action. Then followed the retreat to Washington, the retirement of Gen. Pope, the return of McClellan to the chief command, and various other changes, including the substitution of Hooker for McDowell as the corps commander of the 104th. After a halt of only four days in the vicinity of Washington, began the Maryland campaign, in which the first note-worthy event was the battle of South Mountain, which occurred on the 14th of September. While Reno's attack was progressing, Rickett's division pressed up the mountain about 5 p. M., and reached the crest in time to participate in the engagement. Duryee's brigade, of which the T04th led the advance, occupied the right of the line, and forced its way through fields and tangled underbrush, and over steep and ragged rocks, with great impetuosity. The 104th escaped with the loss of only one man wounded, the fire of the enemy passing over their heads owing to the steepness of the ascent. On the evening of the i6th, position was taken upon the field of Antietam. At early dawn of the following day. Hooker, who occupied the right of McClellan's line, made a furious attack, and drove Jackson's brigade, with severe loss, upon his reserves, who, after an infuriated struggle, checked Hooker's advance. Duryee's brigade, which had been designated as a reserve the night previous, now found itself upon the front, without any reserve. Advancing steadily in a position absolutely without shelter, they were met with a terrific storm of iron and lead, which at last rendered it beyond the power of mortal man to advance farther, and the men lay down for temporary shelter. Twice they were driven sullenly back, but rallying again, each time with desperate energy, they again ad- vanced, and held their Une until the arrival of reenforcements about 10 a. m., when they were withdrawn. "The antagonists," says Draper, "fight- ing in a cloud of sulphury smoke, almost extermi- nated each other." The loss of the 104th in this engagement was nine killed and sixty-seven wounded. To this succeeded the inactivity of camp hfe at Mercersville, Md., till the 26th of October, when the army crossed into Virginia, and on the 7 th of December the regiment was on the banks of the Rappahannock, a few miles below Fredericksburgh. During these marches Burnside had superseded McClellan in command of the army ; Maj.-Gen. John F. Reynolds was now the corps commander; Brig.-Gen. John Gibbon, in command of the division, and Col. A. R. Root, of the brigade; while Major Skinner succeeded Col. Prey in com- mand of the regiment. The 104th crossed the river on the 12th and on the 13th went into action below Fredericksburgh, participating in the assault of Gen. FrankUn on the left of the line, which broke through the enemy's line, and gained the heights, but being unsupported was forced back. The brigade with which the 104th was connected, having been in reserve, was ordered to drive the enemy from a sunken railroad track, which they did by a gallant bayonet charge, cap- turing about 200 prisoners and driving the enemy far into the woods beyond. The right, under Sumner, who was principally engaged, was the scene of a terrible carnage. The 104th lost in this ill-starred encounter 5 killed, 45 wounded, and 3 missing, of the latter of whom two were afterwards ascertained to have been killed. During the night of the 15th Burnside quietly withdrew his army to the north side of the river without loss, and the 104th went into winter quarters near Belle Plain, Va., where it remained till near the ist of May following, the quiet of winter being only once inter- rupted by that episode known as " Burnside's Mud March." On the 28th of April the regiment left its winter camp and advanced first to Fredericksburgh, and thence to the field of ChancellorswUe, but was not actively engaged in that disastrous conflict. It again went into camp at White Oak church, and there remained until the middle of June, when it participated in those movements which culminated at Gettysburgh, the battle of the war, at which place the 104th arrived July ist. On the morning of that day, Buford's cavalry met and engaged the enemy to the westward of Gettysburg, holding him in partial check till Reynolds reached the scene of action, with Wadsworth's division in advance. Al- most with the first dash of the infantry forces came the great disaster of the day— the death of Gen. Reynolds, who commanded the corps to which the 104th belonged. Our forces gained a temporary advantage, Wadsworth's division driving the ene- my some distance, and capturing numerous prison- ers, among them Gen. Archer. But, though How- ard had come to their support with the i ith corps, the rapidly increasing disparity in their numbers compelled them to give way. With a persistence and tenacity worthy of all praise the ist corps clung to the Une of Seminary Ridge, prolonging the line of battle to the right by utilizing all the reserve, WAR OF THE REBELLION. 143 until at last the whole corps was in one line of bat- tle, the 104th being upon the extreme right, and resting upon the Cashtown road, at some distance beyond which, with quite an interval between, were deployed two divisions of the nth corps. All along this line from 10 a. m., until about 3 P. m., waged a hotly contested battle. During the last hour of this time the loss of the 104th was very severe, as it was exposed to a mur- derous enfilading fire at short range. The arrival of Swell's forces from York and Carlisle, forced back the divisions of the i ith corps with confusion, and gave easy access to the flank and rear of the I St corps, which fell back slowly and sullenly on the city, in the streets of which it became a broken and confused mass. They were closely fol- lowed by the enemy, who poured in their fire with deadly effect and secured a good many prisoners. They soon reached Cemetery Hill, where Gen. Howard, by a happy inspiration, had posted his third division, with three batteries of artillery, and behind these the shattered corps withdrew to re- form its ranks. Three officers and forty-three men of the 104th alone answered to the first roll-call. On the morning of the next day the number had increased to ninety. During the rest of the battle the first corps was held in reserve, brigades and regiments being de- tached to strengthen weak points hard pressed by the enemy. Thus it happened that the brigade to which the 104th was attached took part in the fierce struggle on the evening of the 2d of July, when Sickles' corps was almost overwhelmed ; and again on the 3d were called on to occupy succes- sively several distinct points where danger seemed to be great, finally taking part in the repulse of Pettigrew's division in the afternoon, and being in plain sight of the wonderful charge made by Pick- ett's division on that memorable day. The casualties in the 104th were 15 killed, 86 wounded, and 94 missing, (mostly taken prisoners,) at least nine-tenths of which occurred on the first day. Lee was feebly pursued intoVirginia, and various counter movements ensued without, however, bringing on an engagement. During the succeed- ing fall about 250 recruits were infused into the shattered ranks of the regiment ; but as a large number of these were substitutes and men who had enlisted to make money by the operation, and took the first opportunity to desert, not much more than half that number was a real addition to its strength. The brigade to which the 104th belonged, then composed additionally of the i6th Maine, and the 13th and 39th Massachusetts, was removed about the 20th of December, 1863, to Mitchell's Station, in the immediate vicinity of the battlefield of Cedar Mountain, where it did out-post and picket duty, far in advance of the rest of the army, until the opening of the spring of 1864. During the winter 1 13 men of this regiment who had served two years, reenlisted for three years. They received a thirty-days' furlough, and were designated by gen- eral orders " veteran volunteers." During this time also a reorganization of the Army of the Po- tomac was effected. The 104th was attached to the 5th corps, to the command of which Major General G. K. Warren was assigned. On the 4th of May, 1864, the Army of the Po- tomac, now commanded by Gen. U. S. Grant, com- menced a vigorous advance movement, the 5th corps taking the lead. The enemy was encoun- tered on the sth in the " Wilderness," and then com- menced a series of battles and movements, which, from the stupendous losses they inflicted on our army, were without a parallel in the history of the war. The 104th took an honorable part in the battles of the Wilderness, and the several engage- ments at Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River and Bethesda Church. In the forty-three days which elapsed between the crossing of the Rapidan and the James, there were but five in which the regiment was not under fire. The total losses during this period were 6 killed, 37 wounded and 3 missing. The regiment crossed the James on the i6th of June and were hurried forward to the front of Pe- tersburg, the heights to the south of which had been carried the previous day by Gen. W. F. Smith. On the i8th, to the 104th New York and 1 2th Massachusetts was assigned the task of cap- turing the Petersburg and Norfolk railroad, which they did in splendid style, in the face of a heavy artillery fire at short range, "the charge of the 104th on that occasion," says Col. John R. Strang, to whose history of the regiment we are mainly in- debted for these facts, "being, in my opinion, the most brilliant achievement of their whole service. Not content with capturing the railroad, they pushed forward to a considerable distance beyond, and then deploying as skirmishers, drove the rebel skirmishers inside of their earthworks, and for a time, by picking off the exposed artillerymen, silenced the battery which had so annoyed them during the charge, enabling our line of battle to take possession of the railroad track without loss." 144 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. On the 26th of June it moved to the Jerusalem Plank Road, where the brigade constructed and garrisoned Fort Warren, afterwards officially desig- nated Fort Davis, and was constantly engaged in picket and skirmish duty until about the i8th of August. On the morning of that day it made a long detour to the southwest, struck the Weldon railroad a few miles north of Ream's Station, and took possession of it for several miles with but little opposition. Up to the commencement of this movement, from the time of crossing the James river, the casualties in the regiment were 6 killed, 32 wounded and 2 missing. It then numbered less than 300; but of these about 100 were recently arrived recruits, who were unarmed and did not accompany it. This movement on the Weldon railroad left a gap between Warren's corps, (the sth,) which was engaged in it, and the troops on his right, and into this, on the 19th of August, Lee thrust Mahone's division, taking 2,000 prisoners, but being event- ually driven back into his lines. The division to which the 104th belonged, then commanded by Gen. S. W. Crawford, occupied the right of War- ren's line, and the brigade to which it belonged, the right of that division. Suspecting that such an attempt would be made, the 107th Pennsylvania was ordered to deploy as skirmishers to prevent surprise from that quarter ; but a vigorous attack now being made on their front that regiment was unable to execute the movement, and the 104th were ordered from their hastily constructed trenches for that purpose. After proceeding about one- fourth of a mile through a dense forest filled with underbrush, the regiment suddenly and unex- pectedly encountered Mahone's division, by which it was almost immediately surrounded. After a few minutes' sharp fighting, in which a few were wounded, every commissioned officer and nearly every enlisted man, were captured and sent into the rebel hues, where many of them died in rebel prisons, and most of the remainder were so en- feebled by exposure and starvation as to be wholly unfit for further service. Few ever returned to the regiment, which was thus left without a single field or line officer present for duty, and so remained during the entire fall and winter following. Its ranks were increased by recruits until it again num- bered about 250 enlisted men. Capt. Graham, of the 39th Massachusetts, was assigned to its com- mand, and it was ordered on duty at corps head- quarters, where it remained until after Lee's sur- render. Col. Strang, who was wounded and taken prisoner at the Weldon railroad, returned to the regiment April 5, 1865. About the last of April, 18.65, the regiment was restored to its former brigade, and accompanied the army on its return to the vicinity of Washing- ton. It was mustered out at Elmira, July ij^ 1865, and paid off and finally discharged on the 29th of that month. The following tabulated statement presents a general summary of the total number of officers and men who were ever connected with the regi- ment, and the disposition of them : — H M £0 C n! O ■ 2 u : p<| -a ^Q -o -31 -g-Sf S E o .231 i«| g ui « Commis'ned Officers. Non-commis'ed Staff. Company A B C. D E F G H. I K. Totals. . 19 a J t 4 '4|-- z l6| . 5 I5;.- 4 16 I 5 u,.. 141 3 3 lol 1 1914 6. 67 57 78 56 60 72 66 46. 6 54- fl < IS 10 40, I! 3 10^ !« Ji IS 17, 16 JJ, s 72: 71 11 4S; 7 7! 1 jz 19 6, i IJ 1 10 I l704 5zl3jl'3S ii6^;'647'<4 i^ 6'loo'lS il7loil6o The serious losses sustained by the Federal armies in the early campaigns of 1862, induced the President on the 2d of July of that year, to call for an additional 300,000 men, to serve for three years or during the war ; and to faciUtate and sys- tematize the labor of raising them, and equalize the burdens to be borne, military districts were formed, and committees appointed to represent the various counties embraced therein. Under this call, and the succeeding one on the 4th of August following for a like number, the 130th and 136th regiments were formed. July 7, 1862, the State was divided into military districts corresponding with the Senatorial districts. Geneseo was designated the recruiting rendezvous for the 30th district, which then comprised the counties of Livingston, AHegany and Wyoming, and the following named persons were constituted the military committee for the district: Hon. Chas. Colt, chairman, Amos A. Hendee, Walter E. Lau- derdale, Geneseo; W. S. Fullerton, Sparta; James Faulkner, Alonzo Bradner, Dansville ; McNeil Sey- mour, Mt. Morris ; Alfred Bell, Nunda ; Martin Grover, Wilkes Angel, Angelica ; M. B. Champlin, Cuba; John B. Halsted, Castile; L. W. Thayer, H. L. Comstock, Warsaw ; John B. Skinner, 2d, WAR OF THE REBELLION. 145 Attica. Gen. W. S. FuUerton of Sparta, was se- lected as the Commandant of the military depot for this district, which, pursuant to the request of the committee was soon changed to Portage, and there barracks were erected for the accommodation of recruits who rapidly congregated there. With a view to stimulating enlistments, the follow- ing enactments were passed by the general gov- ernment : — " War Department. ) "Washington, D. C, June 21, 1862. j "Pursuant to a joint resolution of Congress to encourage enlistments in the regular army and vol- unteer forces it is " Ordered, That a premium of two dollars shall be paid for each accepted recruit that volunteers for three years or during the war ; and every sol- dier who hereafter enlists, either in the regular army or the volunteers for three years, or during the war, may receive his first month's pay in advance upon the mustering of his company into the service of the United States, or after he shall have been mus- tered and joined a regiment already in the service. This order will be transmitted to the Governors of States and recruiting officers. " Edwin M. Stanton, " Secretary of War.'' " War Department, ) "Washington, D. C, July 2, 1862. )" "Ordered, That out of the appropriation for collecting, organizing and drilling volunteers, there shall be paid in advance to each recruit for three years, or during the war, the sum of $25, being one -fourth of the amount of bounty allowed bylaw ; such payment to be made upon the mustering of the regiment to which such recruits belong into the service of the United States. "Edwin M. Stanton, " Secretary of War." In addition to the government bounty of $100, Governor Morgan offered a State bounty of $50, to be paid at once to each private soldier who should enlist thereafter into the United States' ser- vice. Enlistments were stimulated by these induce- ments, and in various parts of the county meetings were held to promote that object. July 25, 1862, an order was granted for raising the 130th Regiment, and such was the energy displayed that its ranks were filled within five weeks. An enthusiastic meeting was held at Scottsburgh, in the town of Sparta, July 28th, under the auspices of A. T. Slaight, Supervisor of the town, who energetically put his shoulder to the wheel, issuing stirring ap- peals to the patriotic Spartans to rally to the call of country. The M. E. church of Scottsburgh was filled to repletion, and stirring speeches were made by Drs. Jackson and Hurd and Prof. Porter of the Dansville Water Cure, Dr. Jocelyn, Capt. Smith and Lt. Lancey of Mt. Morris, and A. T. Slaight, Wm. Scott and Col. McNair of Scottsburgh. A committee was appointed to raise funds for the sup- port of the families of those who enlisted. Another meeting was held at the same place on the first of August. These were but samples of the energetic efforts put forth throughout the county. Lockwood L. Doty, then Private Secretary to Governor Morgan, offered a premium of $100 to the first ten men recruited in Groveland, his native town, in which also a bounty of $50 was offered to the first com- pany recruited in the district to the maximum stan- dard. Generous bounties were also offered by the several towns. Prof. Smith of the Academy in Mt. Morris, took hold of the business of recruiting with a will, to raise a company of which he was to be Captain, and Rev. S. H. Lancey, (who had seen service in the army as chaplain,) Lieutenant. Springwater, which had already done more than any other town in the county of its size, held a mass meeting July 31st. In Geneseo, Sidney Ward of the firm of Ward, Abbott & Wilkinson, opened a recruiting office, and gave zealous and efficient aid to the great work. In Avon, Capt. Orange Sackett, Jr., a young man well and favorably known in Livingston county, raised a company for the regiment to be formed in the district. In Conesus a well-attended and spirited meeting was held in the hotel of John Mc Vicar on Saturday, July 26th, and a bounty of $30 voted to each volunteer from the town. The quota under the call was thirteen. In Dansville a highly enthusiastic meeting was held on Wednes- day, July 30th, and enlisted the earnest efforts of many of its ablest citizens. The town sent one full company (K) under Capt. Leach, and another for the 136th, under Lt.-Col. L. B. Faulkner. In West Sparta Prof. D. F. Brown was the soul of the movement, spending his whole time in dis- tributing circulars and harangtiing the people. A meeting of the citizens of that town was held in the M. E. church one mile north of Byersville, Thursday, August 6th, for the purpose of enrolling the names of volunteers. L. B. Fields, Supervisor of the town, was also active. At Canaseraga Hall, in Dansville, Tuesday evening, August 5th, Capt. Leach's war meeting was held in conjunction with Russell's War Panorama, and great enthusiasm pre- vailed. The meeting was addressed by O. W. West, G. H. Read, B. T. Squires, S. N. Hedges, 146 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. J. H. Jackson and F. W. Hurd of Dansville, and A. E. Crittenden, recruiting officer for the town of Burns. At Springwater Capt. Leach held a war meeting on Monday, August 4, 1862, which was addressed by Dr. James C. Jackson, J. W. Smith D. W. Noyes and L. B. Proctor. A meeting was held the same evening at South Livonia and ad- dressed by Capt. S. Ward, O. W. West, E. K. Scott, A. A. Hoyt and others. The meetings in Dansville were followed by others on the 8th and nth of August, and stirring addresses were made by D. W. Noyes and S. Hubbard. York and Cal- edonia paid each one of their recruits $100. Sat- urday, August 9, 1862, a war meeting was held at Read's Corners, and was addressed by Lieut. West, Charles S. Hall, G. H. Read, B. T. Squires and William Hamsher. It was the first meeting held there and a great deal of enthusiasm was mani- fested.- Other portions of the county made equally noble and strenuous efforts to fill the quotas without re- course to a draft, which was ordered to take place to supply deficiencies on the 15 th of August. The 130th was sent to the seat of war September 6th, 1,044 strong; and before it was completed the 136th was under way. The latter left for Washington with 874 men under Col. James Wood, October 20th. For these two regiments Livingston county fur- nished about 1,200 men. Between August 11, 1862, and Dec. 31, 1862, there was raised by tax and paid by the county for bounties to volunteers, $76,929; and by subscription, in 1862, $4,000. The 130th Regiment, afterwards the ist N. Y. Dragoons, was composed of men from the three counties comprising the district. Companies B and K were from Livingston county, G and I, from Livingston and Allegany counties, C and D from Wyoming county, E, F and H, from Allegany county, and A, from Allegany and Wyoming connties. The following constituted its organiza- tion : — Colonel— William S. FuUerton.* Lieut.-Colonel — Thomas J. Thorpe. Major — Rufus Scott. Adjutant — George R. Cowee. Quartermaster — A. B. Lawrence. Surgeon— B. F. Kneeland. Company A— Captain, J. E. Bills; ist Lieu- tenant, J. P. Robinson; 2d Lieutenant, C. L Daily. * Resigned before the regiment left the county ; and Sept 6, 1S62, was succeeded by Alfred Gibbs, who had had twenty years' experience in the regular army, and at West Point was in the same class as McClellan, at whose suggestion he was appointed. Company B — Captain, Howard M. Smith ; ist Lieutenant, S. Herbert Lancey ; 2d Lieutenant, Saul C. Culbertson. Company C — Captain, R. P. Taylor; ist Lieu- tenant, O. R. Cook ; 2d Lieutenant, S. V. Waldo. Company D — Captain, Jacob W. Knapp; ist Lieutenant, Leonard Wilkins; 2d Lieutenant, Jared M. Bills. Company E — Captain, Wheeler Hakes; ist Lieutenant, S. F. Randolph; 2d Lieutenant, Elias Horton, Jr. Company F — Captain, Jeremiah Hatch; ist Lieutenant, S. A. Farnam; 2d Lieutenant, A. K. Thorp. Company G — Captain, Alanson B. Cornell; ist Lieutenant, C. L. Brundage; 2d Lieutenant, G. Wiley Wells. Company H — Captain, Joel Wakeman; ist Lieutenant, Ira Sayles; 2d Lieutenant, E. S. Os- good. Company I — Captain, James Lemen ; ist Lieu- tenant, R. A. Britton; 2d Lieutenant, F. S. Adams. Company K-^Captain, Andrew J. Leach; ist Lieutenant, James O. Slayton; 2d Lieutenant, Edmund Hartman. The regiment was mustered into the United States' service Sept. 3, 1862, and three days there- after left its quarters at Portage for the seat of war, followed by the well-wishes of a vast throng of spectators who had gathered from all parts of the district to witness its departure. On the 13th it arrived at Suffolk, Va., where it remained until the following summer, performing the duties of an advanced garrison, and suffering the inconvenience of a malarial district contiguous to the Dismal Swamp. While in this position it participated in an expe- dition which repulsed a force under Gen. Roger A. Pryor, who was advancing on Suffolk, losing in the engagement about thirty men killed and wounded. It left the camp at midnight of the 29th of January, with a force of 3,500 infantry, 12 pieces of artillery, and Spear's cavalry, the whole com- manded by Corcoran, and about 4 o'clock on the morning of the 30th, encountered a similar force of the enemy midway between Suffolk and Black- water. For two hours it lay in support of and immediately behind the artillery, exposed to a galling fire. Col. Gibbs ventured to remonstrate with Corcoran at this disposition, and suggested that the infantry be placed on the flanks of the artillery, but for his temerity he was placed under arrest and deprived of his sword. Corcoran's brigade, which was still farther to the rear, was soon thrown into confusion, and broke into pre- cipitate retreat. Corcoran was obhged to retire and join in the effort to rally them. The artillery WAR OF THE REBELLION. 147 withdrew, and the infantry supports lay in front of the enemy without direction. The cry to advance without orders was raised and passed quickly along the line. The three regiments composing the sup- port dashed forward and drove the enemy before them, until recalled by Corcoran, who, after re- forming his brigade, resumed the pursuit, but only succeeded in overtaking a small rear-guard. Col. Gibbs, though under arrest, and destitute of horse or sword, joined in this impetuous charge, and seizing the flag of the regiment, heroically led the advance. April 3, 1863, Gen. Longstreet invested their position in force, and on the 17th of that month, the 130th, with two other regiments, made a bril- liant sortie, for the purpose of developing the enemy's strength. They drove the enemy from his rifle pits and first line of works, compelling him to disclose the main body of his force, and could with difficulty be induced to retire. The loss of the 130th was only eight or ten killed and wounded. The siege was raised on the ist of May and the 130th joined in the pursuit. After participating in some minor operations on the Peninsula, the regiment was ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, which it did at Berlin on the 19th of July, and with it proceeded to Warrenton, Va., where, July 28, 1863, it was changed to a cavalry organization and designated the 1st New York Dragoons. At Manassas it was instructed in the cavalry drill, and in September was mounted. After a few days' mounted drill it resumed active duty, making a reconnaissance on the 1 2th of October through Thoroughfare Gap, to ascertain if the enemy were threatening the rear of the Union army, which was then being pressed back by Lee from the Rapidan. Having proceed- ed to Salem without finding the enemy, it returned and joined the army near Catlett's Station. From thence it guarded the approaches on the left flank of the retreating army to Centerville, whence it re-crossed Bull Run on the evening of the i6th, and engaged in a skirmish on its recent camp ground. On the evening of the 17th on the plains of Manassas, it charged a brigade of rebel cavalry and, single-handed, drove them to near Bristow Station, with considerable loss, continuing the pursuit until night, and resuming it the follow- ing day to the Rappahannock, but without further engagement. It was engaged in picket duty at Morrisville and Bealton till November 8th, when it made a rapid advance with the cavah-y column, crossing the Rappahannock at Sulphur Spring, and attacked the enemy in flank as they were retreating through Culpepper on the 9th, inflicting severe punishment, but sustaining no loss. The following day the pursuit was continued to the Rapidan. The regi- ment soon after went into camp near Culpepper, whence, in several important reconnoissances, it engaged the enemy, on one occasion capturing a signal station on Slaughter Mountain, and on an- other developing the full strength of the enemy in its works at Rapidan Station. On the 23d of No- vember, in aid of the contemplated operations at Mine Run, in connection with other forces, it crossed the river at Ely's Ford, occupied the heights beyond, and raided the country to and beyond Chancellorsville, returning to Culpepper on the abandonment of the movement. The regiment soon after went into winter quarters near Mitchell's Station, and was occupied during the winter in picketing the Rapidan. May 4th, 1864, it was again in active service on the left of Grant's army. It was engaged in the Wilderness, and on the afternoon of May 7th, it attacked a greatly superior force of the enemy on a small run near Todd's Tavern, maintaining the unequal contest till far into the night, twice re- forming its hne, broken by the desperate assaults of the enemy, who were each time compelled to relinquish their temporary advantage, and pressed far back into the woods towards Spottsylvania. The night was spent in burying the dead. In the morning, before it was yet light, the contest was renewed, and the enemy forced steadily back to their infantry lines, where it was relieved by the 5th Corps. The regiment sustained a loss of 104. After a day spent at Aldrich's Tavern, to replen- ish their supplies, they joined Sheridan's Cavalry in a raid on Lee's line of communication. At Beaver Dam Station, on the evening of the 9th, they burned Lee's suppUes, captured several trains of cars, pierced the locomotives with cannon-balls, and destroyed the track. The following day they proceeded towards Richmond, and encamped at night beyond Squirrel Bridge. The ist Dragoons brought up the rear, which was twice attacked by Stuart's cavalry, who were repulsed each time with loss. At early dawn the next day an attack was made at the point where the ist Dragoons was encamped. Leaving every fourth man to saddle the horses, the rest of the regiment charged the assailants, who were slowly forced back; when, returning hastily to their horses,#they mounted and filed out after the main column, just as the enemy 148 HISTORYIOF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. again got in range, and opened on them without effect. Major Scott was wounded in the thigh in this charge. In the afternoon the ist Dragoons, supported on either side by regular regiments, dislodged Stuart's cavalry, who had gained a threatening position to- wards the front, sustaining a loss of twenty men ; and although it was near night when the action ended, the troops continued the advance towards Richmond, and got within its first line of defenses. Turning to the left they proceeded down the Chickahominy between the Hnes amid exploding torpedoes, and about dawn the advance was en- gaged with the second line of defenses. They es- sayed to recross the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge, but the passage was disputed by Stuart's cavalry. The enemy had gathered in large force in their rear. While engaging these, a division was massed to force the passage of the river, which was accomplished after a hot dismounted fight. The bridge was repaired and the ist Dra- goons crossed in advance of the mounted troops. They charged the enemy who fled in every direc- tion. The ist Dragoons led in the advance to Me- chanicsville. During the noon bivouac pickets were thrown out in every direction. On resuming the march to Cold Harbor, the brigade to which the ist was attached took the lead, but the regi- ment was delayed by drawing in its pickets. It pushed rapidly by the moving column to overtake the advance, which was already engaged with the enemy, and was met by an orderly who was sent to accelerate its movements. Proceeding at a gallop, the rest of the brigade was met flying in wild con- fusion before the closely pursuing and exultant foe. The battery, which stood in column, seemed doomed. As the head of the regiment came abreast of the battery, Col. Thorpe, who com- manded, shouted the order " Forward into line ! Prepare to fight on foot !" Each man designated to fight on foot, as he reached the line, leaped from the saddle and pressed forward, firing as he went. In ten minutes, without the loss of a man, the enemy was put in full flight and fifty of their men were left prisoners in our hands. After various movements with Sheridan's com- mand, the Dragoons joined in the race with Lee to Richmond. On the morning of the 26th they dashed across the Pamunkey at Hanovertown and during that and the succeeding day drove the ene- my some distance beyond Hawes' Shop. On the 28th, the enemy in force attempted to dislodge this advance, and there ensued for several hours one of the most hotly contested battles of the war. The Dragoons led the advance in a flanking party to the right, and were met with a shower of grape and cannister from a battery posted beyond a deep and seemingly impassable gulf. They dismounted, and sending their horses to the rear, plunged into it out of harms way, for the guns of the enemy could not be depressed to reach them. Capt. Knapp led the charge up the opposite bank and the enemy were quickly put to flight. Turning to the left they at- tacked the remaining force, which fled precipitately, leaving their dead on the field. On the 30th, at Old Church, Custer's brigade and the ist Dragoons drove the enemy back, with considerable loss, on Cold Harbor, before which the Union forces en- camped for the night. The next day the contest was renewed for the possession of that point, and an attempt was made to carry the formidable earthworks by direct assault. The Dragoons charged through a shower of iron and lead over an open field, broken by swells, halt- ing in each successive depression for a fresh start. In the last of these, within five rods of the enemy's works, they paused to make preparation for the final assault, which they carried to within twenty feet of the enemy's line ; but the fierce fire which swept the field and rapidly thinned their ranks, was more than poor human nature could endure. They were forced back to their cover, where they opened a straggling fire. The bugle advance of Custer was heard on the left above the din of conflict. As his line swept up to the Dragoons they rose the crest together and charged. Another fierce but short conflict ensued, and the enemy were driven from their works with loss and confusion. The loss of the Dragoons was sixty men. The ground was held against repeated and desperate assaults till about noon, when they were relieved by the 6th corps and Smith's command from Butler's army. During the two succeeding days, while the further scenes in this bloody drama were being enacted, the Dragoons, with two divisions of cavalry under Sheridan, watched the lower crossing of the Chicka- hominy at Bottom's Bridge, and covered the base of supplies at the White House. On the 7th of June they accompanied Sheridan with the cavalry divisions of Torbert and Gregg, in an expedition against the Virginia Central Rail- road, which, it was expected, would facilitate Grant's passage of the Chickahominy and James, by withdrawing Stuart's cavalry from Lee's army, and enable Sheridan to effect a junction with Hun- WAR OF THE REBELLION. 149 ter's forces and return with them to the Army of the Potomac. On the nth and 12th of June, at TreviUian Station, where Gregg encountered Hampton's cavalry division, the Dragoons were again hotly engaged and Col. Thorpe was wounded and taken prisoner. Returning they crossed the James with the main army on the 25 th. On the afternoon of the 26th of July, having in the interval enjoyed a period of rest, the regiment with a large force of cavalry and the 2d corps were thrown across the James, and in conjunction with the force under Butler, the next day, after an all night's march, drove the enemy from his entrenched position at Darbytown. The next day, the enemy having been heavily reenforced, made an unsuc- cessful effort to recover the lost ground. In a charge made on the first day by a squadron of the ist Dragoons Gen. Wade Hampton and his staff barely escaped capture by them ; and on the second day the regiment maintained the only unbroken portion of the line, repelling repeated assaults. But the movement having failed in its object, which was the cutting of the enemy's railroad from near Richmond to the Anna River, and thus endan- gering Early's position in the Shenandoah Valley, the regiment recrossed the James on the evening of the 28th and returned to its old position in front of Petersburgh. On the ist of August the regiment was ordered to the Shenandoah Valley, up which, on the 9th, it moved with other cavalry to aid in operations against Early by the Army of Virginia, to the com- mand of which Sheridan was appointed August 7th. On the loth it took part in an encounter at White Post, where it drove a rebel force from be- hind a stone wall and with but little loss made im- portant captures. On the nth, while on a recon- naissance to Newton, it met the enemy's infantry and cavalry a half mile from that place and five miles from the main body of Sheridan's army, maintaining a fierce and desperate contest unaided for an hour and a half, and holding its position till the arrival of the main force, though too late for the operations of that day. In this engagement the regiment suffered severely. The enemy with- drew in the night and the hospital records found in their abandoned camp contained the names of men wounded in that action from thirty-three different regiments. At Smithfield and Kearns- town on the 2Sth, 26th and 28th of August it was hotly engaged and lost heavily, brave Lieutenant Alfred being killed and many officers wounded. On the 19th of September, in the desperately fought battle of Opequan, the regiment bore a conspicuous part. It routed the enemy's cavalry and charged his infantry, capturing twice its num- ber of prisoners and three battle flags. Among its losses was the gallant Capt. Thorp, who was killed in the charge on the enemy's cavalry. The regi- ment joined in the pursuit of Early, who escaped in the night with the wreck of his army and fled to Fisher's Hill, from which he was driven on the 2 2d with the loss of 1,300 prisoners and 21 cannon. During the following night the regiment led in the further pursuit. On the 24th it drove the enemy's cavalry and by threatening his flank compelled him to abandon his position on the bluffs of Mt. Jack- son. On the 26th, being still in the advance, an unsuccessful attack was made between Port Re- public and Brown's Gap. October 9th, at Tom's Brook, it was engaged in turning Early's cavalry and capturing their trains and artillery. Sheridan posted his army in echelon behind the bold bluffs which form the north border of Cedar Creek, and proceeded to Washington to consult with the Secretary of War respecting the return of the 6th corps to that city. Early, whose original strength had been restored by the addition of Ker- shaw's division, crossed Cedar Creek on the night of October i8th, and early the next morning sur- prised and routed the 8th corps, which occupied the left of the Union line. In this battle the ist Dragoons more than sustained its reputation. During the demoralization which prevailed in the early part of that day, its organization was kept in- tact, and by its coolness and courage aided to re- trieve those early misfortunes and secure the glorious victory which eventually crowned the Union arms, and put an end to rebel raids into the North through the Shenandoah Valley. In November the regiment participated in an expedition to Loudon Valley, which, by common consent, was styled the "bull raid," from the nature of the captures made ; and in December it consti- tuted a part of the force which advanced from Winchester to Gordonsville, making a gallant charge at Liberty Mills on the night of the 2 2d, capturing two pieces of artillery and about thirty prisoners, but suffering greatly from the intense cold, many of the men having their feet frozen. February 24, 1865, Sheridan, with a force of io,ooo cavalry, including this regiment, left Win- chester and arrived at Staunton in four days. He defeated and captured the remnant of Early's forces at Waynesboro, crossed the Blue Ridge at Rock- fish Gap, turned and destroyed the Virginia Cen- ISO HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. tral railroad from Frederick's Hall to Beaver Dam, and won the memorable and decisive victory at Five Forks, April i, 1865. From this time until the surrender of Lee's army on the 9th of April, 1865, the cavalry were daily in action, inflict- ing on the rebel army the blows which so rapidly crippled it and brought on its final catastrophe. During its term of service the regiment cap- tured 1,533 prisoners, 19 pieces of artillery, 21 caissons, 240 artillery horses, 40 army wagons and ambulances, 160 animals of draught and 4 battle flags. It lost in killed 4 officers and 155 enlisted men; and in wounded, 24 officers and 204 en- listed men. One officer and 80 enlisted men died of disease. The 136th regiment, like the 130th, was raised in the counties composing the 30th Senatorial Dis- trict, through the efforts of Col. James Wood, Jr., of Geneseo, aided by the patriotic endeavors of the community at large. Five companies, B, C, F, G and I, were recruited in Livingston county ; two, A and K, in Allegany county ; and three, D, E and H, in Wyoming county. Capt. Augustus Harrington reported at Portage with the first com- pany for this regiment, August 29th, 1862, having recruited his company in eleven days. Within a month from the date of its authorization the entire regiment was in camp at Portage. The regiment was organized September 8, 1862, and mustered September 25, 1862. The following is a roster of its officers: — Colonel — James Wood, Jr. Lieutenant-Colonel — Lester B. Faulkner. Major — David C. Hartshorn. Adjutant — Campbell H. Young. Quartermaster — John T. Wright. Surgeon — B. L. Hovey. First Assistant Surgeon — -Edwin Amsden. Second Assistant Surgeon — Charles F. Warner. Quartermaster Sergeant — Richard W. Barney. Commissary Sergeant — J. S. Galentine. Chaplain — Alvin T. Cole. Company A — Captain, A. T. Cole ; First Lieu- tenant, M. M. Loyden ; Second Lieutenant, John M. Webster. Company B — Captain, Edward H. Pratt ; First Lieutenant, John J. Bailey; Second Lieutenant, Nicholas V. Mundy. Company C— Captain, A. A. Hoyt ; First Lieu- tenant, Wells Hendershott; Second Lieutenant, Emerson J. Hoyt. Company D — Captain, Augustus Harrington; First Lieutenant, Myron E. Bartlett ; Second Lieutenant, Russell G. Dudley. Company E— Captain,^ Henry B. Jenks; First Lieutenant, James G. Cameron; Second Lieuten- ant, Seth P. Buell. Company F — Captain, J. H. Burgess; First Lieutenant, John Galbraith ; Second Lieutenant Charles H. Wisner. Company G — Captain, Sidney Ward; First Lieutenant, Orange Sackett, Jr. ; Second Lieu- tenant, Kidder M. Scott. Company H — Captain, E. H. Jeffi-es; First Lieutenant, Edward Madden; Second Lieutenant, Anson B. Hall. Company I — Captain, H. L. Arnold; First Lieutenant, Frank Collins; Second Lieutenant, George M. Reed. Company K — Captain, A. F. Davis; First Lieutenant, George H. Eldredge ; Second Lieu- tenant, George Y. Boss. The regiment left Camp Williams at Portage on the 2d of October ; received arms and equipments at Elmira ; and on the 4th of that month proceeded to Camp Seward, on Arlington Heights, Va. From thence, Sunday, Oct. 12, 1862, it went to Fairfax Court House, Va., where it was attached to the 2d brigade (Von Steinwehr's) of the nth corps, (Sigel's,) retaining this connection until April 14, 1864, when it became a part of the 3d brigade, 3d division, 20th corps. It left Fairfax Court House, Dec. 14th, and proceeded to Bank's Ford, where it was occupied in picket duty on the advanced line of the army, and suffered the hardships incident to the sudden change from civil to military life, its ranks being much depleted by sickness. Early in November, McClellan, by reason of his failure to reap the legitimate fruits of Lee's defeat at Antietam, and his subsequent dilatory move- ments, was superseded in the command of the Army of the Potomac by Burnside, who in the reorganization of the army which followed, gave Sigel the command of a grand division, which formed the reserve, and to which the 136th belonged. Dec. i oth, Burnside crossed the Rap- pahannock with his army to attack Fredericks- burgh, and the same day the 136th left its camp at Germantown in aid of that movement. The regi- ment was reduced in numbers, but those who re- mained had become inured to the duties of a sol- dier. When the regiment reached Falmouth, the army, which had assaulted the enemy's works behind Fredericksburgh on the 13th and been repulsed with great disaster, was recrossing the river, and it went to Banks' Ford where it did picket duty in the face of the enemy. Burnside projected another advance movement the succeed- ing January, but the march was scarcely begun before it was arrested by a sleet-storm, which turned the roads into quagmires, and rendered movement impossible. The project was aban- WAR OF THE REBELLION. rSi doned, and the troops ordered back to their old camps. From Banks' Ford the regirrient went into camp at Stafford Court House, Va., where it remained till the last of April, when it crossed the Rappa- hannock at Kellogg's Farm, and moved to the disastrous field of Chancellorsville. In the mean- time (Jan. 26, 1863,) Hooker had succeeded Burn- side in command of the army. The brigade to which the 136th belonged made a reconnaissance to the right of the nth corps under Gen. Francis C. Barlow, and captured nearly a thousand pris- oners, but while so engaged, the nth corps had been driven from the field, and the guards and camp . equipage left behind by the regiment, fell into the enemy's hands. On its return, the brigade took position in rear of Gen. Sickles' command, and witnessed the fierce conflict between it and the Confederate force under Stuart, in which the position of the latter was taken and retaken repeat- edly. From the field of Chancellorsville the 136th returned to its old quarters at Stafford Court House, where it remained until, on the 3d of June, Lee commenced another sortie into the Northen States through the Shenandoah valley, which cul- minated in the disaster at Gettysburg. Hooker followed the numerically superior rebel army down the valley, interposing between it and Washington, till both had crossed the Potomac, Lee making the passage at Williamsport and Shepardstown on the 26th, and Hooker, at Edward's Ferry, the same day. On the 27th Hooker resigned the command of the army, and on the following day was succeeded by Meade. On the 30th of June the Union army extended from Manchester to Emmettsburgh, the nth corps forming a part of the left flank. The Con- federate army was at Chambersburg, where Lee tarried to consort with copperheads in the North. Meade purposed fighting on the defensive in a position he had selected on Pipe creek, about Hfteen miles south-east of Gettysburg. The left, consisting of the ist, nth and 3d corps, under Reynolds, was sent as a mask toward Gettysburg to screen this movement. At 5 P. M. on the ist of July, the 136th, which had been detached a short time at Hagerstown, left that place for Gettysburg, thirty-eight miles distant, and arrived there at n a. m. on the 2d. The enemy had been met the previous day, first by Buford's cavalry, who encountered him on the Chambersburg road^ two miles westward of Gettys- burg, and were forced back to Seminary Ridge, where they were supported by Reynolds, who was then in Gettysburg with the ist corps, and was killed in the early part of the action. Howard arrived on the field with the nth corps at 11:30 A. It., and having forwarded two of his divisions to the support of the troops engaged, posted his third division, with three batteries of artillery on Cemetery Hill on the south side of the town. Heth's division of Hill's corps, which was the first engaged of the enemy's forces, was heavily reenforced, and the Union forces driven with loss and confusion through the streets of Gettysburg, took refuge at night behind Howard's position. Here the 136th was posted on its arrival the following day. Meade, who was at Taneytown, planning his de- fensive line on Pipe Creek, on hearing of the battle at I p. M., sent Hancock to take command. That officer, perceiving the advantages of the position, advised Meade to bring on the whole army, which he accordingly did, arriving himself soon after mid- night. All his corps, except that of Sedgwick, which was thirty-two miles distant, arrived during the night, and were posted on Cemetery Ridge,, prolonging the line to the rear of Howard's posi- tion, along the crest of the ridge. Sedgwick's corps arrived at 2 p. m. on the 2d, and was posted on the left, at the terminus of the ridge, behind the Round Tops. Reynold's corps, commanded by Newton, was in reserve, and was within thirty minutes' march of any part of the line, which was compressed into an area of about three square miles. Lee's army — which, numerically, was about equal to that of Meade — each being then about 80,000 strong — was posted along Seminary Ridge, in the form of a huge crescent, five miles in length, its concavity facing his antagonist. Meade had the advantage of position and the farther advantge of acting on the defensive. Thus was commenced the memor- able battle of Gettysburg. The Union losses during the three days' fight were 23,210, of whom 2,834 were killed, 13,733, wounded, 6,643, missing; those of the Confederates were 36,000, of whom 5,000 were killed, 23,000 wounded. Soon after this decisive victory, which sent Lee , back into Virginia, the 136th was called to, other not less trying duties. After his defeat at the battle , of Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863, Rosecrans with- drew the army of the Cumberland to the defenses at Chattanooga, and was succeeded in the com- mand by General Thomas. Here Bragg followed , 152 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. them and invested them so closely that they were threatened with starvation, or a disastrous defeat if the evacuation of the place was attempted. In this extremity General Grant was assigned to the com- mand of that army, which was reenforced by Sher- man with the Army of the Tennessee, and by Hooker, with the nth and 12th corps from the Army of the Potomac. In comformity with this arrangement the 136th left the latter army on the 23d of September, and in seven days was trans- ferred from the Rapidan to Stevenson, Alabama, a distance of 1,192 miles. On the 27 th of October, Grant had restored the interrupted communication with Chattanooga ; but Bragg, who had lost control of the roads by a sur- prise, did not submit to the result without a strug- gle. He determined to recover what he had lost by a night attack. He observed from Signal Rock the situation of Geary's weak division encamped in the Lookout Valley near Wauhatchie and ordered Longstreet to assail it on the night of the 29th. After a three hours' conflict the enemy were repulsed with great loss. Gen. Howard, hearing the heavy firing, proceeded to the aid of Geary, but was in- terrupted by a force of the enemy posted on the heights west of Lookout Creek, who announced their presence by a sheet of fire from their crest. Though the slope was heavily wooded and the ground entirely unknown, the 136th, the 73d Ohio and 33d Massachusetts, charged the enemy and drove them from their entrenched position, but with heavy loss. The 136th now crossed the Chattanooga and joined the command of General Thomas, which occupied the center of Grant's Kne in the battle of Chattanooga, and with it participated in the assault on Bragg's position on the 25th of November, which terminated a three days' con- flict, and drove his army from Chattanooga back into Georgia. As soon as the battle of Chattanooga was won Grant detached Sherman with a portion of his army, including the i ith corps, to the relief of Burn- side, who was beleagured at Knoxville, Tenn.; but before they arrived Longstreet raised the siege, having on the 29th of November twice attempted to carry the works by assault, being each time re- pulsed. The hardships endured on this march of eighty-four miles are indescribable. The weather was severe, and many of the men marched on frozen ground with feet nearly bare and with insuf- ficient clothing and food, having to subsist on the country. The regiment then returned to the Wau- hatchie Valley and went into comfortable winter quarters. In the spring a reorganization of the army was effected. Grant having been appointed Lieutenant- General and taken charge of the army of the Po- tomac, Sherman was assigned to the command of the Military Division of the Mississippi, comprising the armies of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Arkansas. In this change, on the 14th of April, 1864, the 136th was attached to the 3d brigade, 3d division, 20th corps, the latter commanded by Hooker. April 20, 1864, Col. James Wood, Jr., of the 136th was assigned to the command of the 3d brigade, which comprised in addition to the 136th, the S5th and 73d Ohio, 33d Mass., and 26th Wis. The command of the regiment thus devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Faulkner. After turning the strong position of Dalton by a detour through Snake Creek Gap and compelling its evacuation on the 12 th of May, Sherman di- rected his forces against Resaca. At i p. m. on the 14th an attempt was made to break the enemy's line and force him from an elevated position in the immediate front. Johnston retreated during the night of the 15th after a sharp struggle. This, to the 136th was the most destructive of all its engagements. The 3d brigade was a part of the storming party and was exposed to a murderous fire of musketry and artil- lery. The loss of the 136th was 82 in killed and wounded — 12 enlisted men killed, and 3 officers and 67 enlisted men wounded. Johnston was closely pursued, forced across the Etowah, and his position at AUatoona Pass turned by a circuit toward Dallas, Hooker having the ad- vance, and having some sharp encounters at New Hope Church, in which the 136th was again engaged. Sherman drove Johnston across the Chattehoo- chee and forced the passage of that stream with his army, which he posted in proximity to Atlanta on the general line of Peach Tree Creek and across the Augusta Railroad. Here, on the afternoon of the 20th, he was attacked in force by Hood, who had superseded Johnston in command of the Con- federate forces in Georgia. The blow was unex- pected and its weight fell mainly on Hooker's corps, which was unprotected by works, and fought in comparatively open ground. After a very severe battle it was repulsed. During this action, while the Union troops were moving to repel a charge, a rebel color-bearer advanced in front of his regi- ment and confronted the 136th whose color- WAR OF THE REBELLION. 153 bearer at once advanced to meet him, and the two stood defiant in view of the two armies. The bold rebel was immediately shot, and his colors captured and flaunted in the face of the foe. A com- rade avenged him by the death of his slayer and recovered the colors, but was himself slain while bearing away the trophy, which was retaken. This thrice captured flag now hangs among the war trophies in the Military Bureau in Albany. The 136th participated in the brilliant successes which followed: — the capture of Atlanta Sept. ist, 1864; the march from "Atlanta to the sea," Nov. 16 — Dec. 21, 1864; and the terrible northern march through the Carolinas in mid-winter to Goldsboro which was reached March 21st, 1865, after a journey of five hundred miles of toil and suffering. On the 14th of April, 1865, Sherman received a letter from Johnston, inquiring the terms on which he might surrender. An interview was had, and terms such as were accorded to Lee on the 9th of that month offered, which he was constrained on the 26th of April to accept. This ended the mihtary service of the 136th, which continued the march through Virginia to Washington, and was mustered out Jan. 13, 1865. October 15, 1862, the members of the District Senatorial Committee residing in Livingston county and the Board of Supervisors met at Geneseo to arrange the lists of volunteers, and make provision generally preparatory to the draft, which was ordered to take place November loth. The Supervisors were called upon to furnish lists of the men who had volunteered since July 2d, and thereby the deficiency of the county for the 600,000 was arrived at. Below are the quotas and lists claimed by Supervisors : — Towns. Quota. No. Reported. Avon 90 52 Caledonia 62 62 Conesus 45 46 Geneseo 93 78 Groveland 48 49 Lima -- 86 85 Livonia* 8 r — Leicester 62 64 Mt. Morris 122 140 North Dansville 116 122 Nunda 89 85 Ossian 39 35 Portage 46 36 - Springwater 75 ^^ Sparta 39 4° West Sparta 46 37 York ^5 79^ * No report ; said to be full. Hon. R. P. Wisner, of Mt. Morris, was em- powered by the Governor to superintend and aid enlistments, to fill up the quota with nine months' volunteers. March 3, 1863, Congress authorized the raising of additional troops to take the place of the two years' men whose terms were about to expire, and otherwise strengthen the army. President Lincoln issued a conscription proclamation on the 8th of May to carry that law into operation. The draft for the district comprising the coun- ties of Livingston, Ontario and Yates commenced at the Town Hall in Canandaigua, on Saturday, July 25, 1863, and continued on the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. The following is a list of the num- ber in the several towns who were exempted and held to service. Most of the latter, however, paid the commutation of $300, in accordance with the provisions of the law: — Drafted. Exempted. Avon 85 70 Caledonia 54 42 Conesus 31 26 Geneseo 86 74 Groveland 42 32 Leicester 49 41 Lima 81 64 Livonia .. 78 61 Mt. Morris 107 89 North Dansville no 94 Nunda 54 41 Ossian 25 21 Portage 24 19 Sparta 37 34 Springwater 74 67 West Sparta .31 31 York 76 64 October 17, 1863, another call for 300,000 men was issued. The substitutes furnished and com- mutations paid were as follows : — Substitutes. Commutations. Avon 2 19 Caledonia o 22 Conesus o 13 Geneseo 6 23 Groveland o 10 Leicester o 17 Lima 2 11 Livonia i 25 Mt. Morris 3 29 North Dansville 3 11 Nunda i n Ossian i 5 Portage o 9 Sparta' i 12 Springwater 2 21 West Sparta. . .• 2 10 York I 27 The quota under this call in Livingston county was 537. IS4 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. During the summer and fall of 1863, H. R. Cur- tis was recruiting for the 13th New York Artillery, the nucleus of which was composed of the remnant of the 13th New York Infantry, under command of Col. E. G. Marshall. Lieut. S. H. Draper was also recruiting for the Griswold Light Cavalry. Both were organized in Rochester. February i, 1864, a call was issued for 200,000 men, and immediately thereafter recruiting agents were appointed in the respective Assembly Dis- tricts. February 11, 1864, the Supervisors ex- tended to the volunteers under this call the pro- visions of an Act passed by them December 11, 1863, authorizing the Supervisors of the several towns to draw on the County Treasurer for $300 for each volunteer furnished by his town until its quota was filled. But the generous contributions thus far made by Livingston county were not the full comple- ment of what was required of her. Two further calls were issued — one July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men, and another December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men. In August, of that year, the Supervisors concluded to offer a bounty of $300 for three years' men; $200 for one year's men, and $25 premium for the expenses of each recruit. Persons furnishing substitutes were entitled to receive the bounty. Messrs. Beckwith, Hampton and Lau- derdale were appointed a committee to disburse the county fund. For the purpose of filling the county quota, John Hyland, of Dansville, and S. E. W. Johnson, of Avon, were sent South to recruit there. There, however, the competition was sharp, and high bounties were paid to recruits. A telegram from John Hyland, dated August 23, said they could do nothing, as other agents were offering $500 bounty for one year men. This foreign market for recruits produced a laxness in the efforts at home. Says The Livingston Repub- lican xw h.M%\isX., 1864: — " So far as we can learn comparatively little is being done in the several towns toward filKng the quota under the last call. There are various causes for this. The season of the year is un- propitious — for the last three years there has been a constant drain on the people, until laborers in every branch of industry are scarce and are in great demand at almost unheard of wages. The farmers also engage their help in the spring for the season and the time of these men does not expire before October or November, and another cause in this county is the quite prevalent opinion that the quota of the county can be filled up by the agents sent south. * * * fhe finance committee of the Board of Supervisors held a meeting at this place [Geneseo] on Tuesday and they report that there is no trouble in obtaining from the people of the several towns on county bonds all the money needed to pay bounty." Sept. 2, 1864, the Supervisors authorized each town in the county to increase its bounty to a sum not exceeding $1,000, and the County Treasurer was authorized to issue county bonds as each Supervisor might call for them. Most of the towns of the county found it necessary to increase the bounties largely to fill the quotas in the hope of avoiding a draft. In the early part of 1865, an additional stimulus became necessary. The local bounty system had worked such gross injustice and been subjected to such outrageous abuses that the Legislature pro- vided for a State bounty of $300, $400 and $600, to one, two and three years' men, and prohibited payment of all local bounties. This was at least an approach to a healthier system, but its injustice differed only in degree. In addition to the large sums paid for bounties, considerable amounts were also generously paid for the support of the indigent families of soldiers. In 1861, not less than $16,000 was contributed by towns for this purpose; and to July i, 1863, $33,000 was paid by the county for the same object. The troops raised in this county under the later calls were distributed through the various organiza- tions, generally but a few in each, whose history we have not the space even to epitomize. Many, however, went to fill the depleted ranks of old organizations. The quotas of the several towns under the last three calls are given below : — Call of Call of Call of Feb. I, '64. July i8, '64. Dec. 19, '64-* Avon 23 66 49 Caledonia i8 35 33 Conesus 12 35 25 Geneseo 25 57 43 Groveland 13 29 16 Leicester 14 44 3^ Lima 23 53 36 Livonia 24 54 31 Mt. Morris 31 88 64 North Dansv'Ue. ..32 91 45 Nunda 18 58 45 Ossian 6 30 7 Portage 9 24 23 Sparta 32 25 Springwater 22 61 52 West Sparta 12 35 27 York 23 59 51 * These quotas are assessed with reference to all deficiencies or ex- cesses under previous calls ol years of service, reducing everything to a three years' basis, and representing the claim against each town Dec. 19, 1864. NORTH DANSVILLE. iSS CHAPTER XV. History of the Town of North Dansville. NORTH DANSVILLE was formed from Sparta, Feb. 27, 1846, and like the town to which it originally belonged,* and the village of the same name, derives its name (Dansville) from Daniel P. Faulkner, an early settler, who, for a few years, was conspicuously prominent in its affairs, and was re- ferred to by Capt. Williamson, the agent of the Pultney estate, as the head of the settlement in 1798. A part of Sparta was annexed in 1849. It lies upon the south border of the county, east of the center, and is bounded on the north by Sparta, on the east by Wayland, Steuben county, on the south by Dansville, Steuben county, and on the west by Ossian and West Sparta, in this county. It lies at the head of the Genesee Valley, or rather the flats so designated, which are terminated by the convergence of the east and west hills, whose summits rise to the height of six hundred to eight hundred feet above the valleys. These flats are continuous and mostly of uniform width from a point a few miles above Rochester to Mt. Morris, where they diverge from the Genesee, and gradually contracting, follow the course of Canase- raga creek to Dansville, where, after expanding and gradually rising in beautiful table lands, they are suddenly terminated by a succession of promon- tories overlooking the village, on one of which is located the beautiful Greenmount Cemetery, not unlike, in general appearance the equally beautiful Mt. Hope, at the northern terminus of the valley. They form in the immediate vicinity of the village a tract of some three thousand acres of choice lands, with a warm and productive soil. The hills, though steep, are generally tillable to their summits. Its streams are Canaseraga and Great and Little Mill creeks, which emerge through narrow gorges from the highlands in the south and east portions of the town. The latter two unite near the south- ern limits of the village, and discharge their united waters into the former near the west bounds of the village. They are small but rapid streams, making a descent of some sixty feet within a mile and a half in the town, and furnish numerous mill seats and an abundant and constant water power, which is only partially utilized, though the manufacturing * It originally comprised the north-west quarter of township 6, range 6, of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, and as such was set off from , Dansville, Steuben county, and annexed to Sparta, Feb. IS, 1822, its nat- ural affiliations with the inhabitants of Livingston county being greater than viiith those of Steuben county, from which it is in a measure barred by the conformation of the surface of the country. interests of the town equal, if they do not exceed, those of all other towns in the county combined. The Canaseraga enters the valley through a nar- row pass called " Pogue's Hole,"* through which, climbing along a steep aclivity, and then descend- ing to a level with the stream, passes the Hornells- ville road. On the opposite side from the road through the whole length of the pass, is a perpen- dicular ledge of rocks a hundred feet in height. Beyond this pass the valley widens out occasionally into small areas of intervale, but ranges of high- lands rise in near proximity on either hand. The town is wholly underlaid by the rocks of the Portage group. Quarries have been opened in both hills and valuable building and flagging stones obtained. A good quality of bituminous coal was recently discovered in the east hill, in a seam larger than is usual in thislocaUty.j The soil in the valleys is mostly alluvion and superior bottom timbered lands, and these, with much of the hills, where a mixture of clay and gravel prevails, produce excellent wheat. Fruit, especially grapes, thrives well upon the hill- sides. Upon the flats adjacent to the village, the nursery business has become an important indus- try, and engages the attention of various firms, among whom are E. PI. Pratt, Sweet & Morey Bryant Bros., S. P. Williams, E. P. Clark, William Wilkinson, Uhl & Rhoner and Herndeen & Stone, besides several others who are less extensively en- gaged in it. The Erie and Genesee Valley railroad, extend- ing by its charter from Mt. Morris to Burns, ter- minates in this town at Dansville village; likewise the abandoned Dansville branch of the Genesee Valley canal. The canal, so far as State enter- prise was concerned, terminated at Faulkner's dam, a half mile from the business part of the vil- lage on Main street. To better accommodate the business of the village, in 1844 a branch canal, terminating within about thirty rods of Main street, was constructed by private enterprise, at a cost of about $6,000, though the project was attended with intense local excitement. The completion of the canal gave a great impetus to business, especially the lumber trade, which was immense for many years, the principal operators being Coleman, of Troy, William HoUister, H. Southwick, Peter Myers and B. R. Streety. The streets of the vil- * This name is variously spelled ; but we have adopted the orthogra- phy of James McCurdy, who says it derives its name from Benjamin Kenyon, who located at Dansville village in 1807, and afterwards in this narrow valley. " He was a desperate character," and was nicknamed "Capt. Pogue, signifying the devil." Recollections 0/ James McCurdy, in the Dansiiille Advertiser of AvgyaX 9, 1877. t See Subject of Geology, Chapter VIII. iS6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. lage'were thronged with lumber teams from Per- kinsville, Wayland, Loon Lake and Ossian. In 1836, there were sixty saw-mills within a circle of a few miles of this place.* In 1844 there were 10,372 barrels of salt brought here, on each of which a dollar was saved in the item of transportation charges as compared with former rates, f During the four years from 1841 to 1844, it is said that 450 new buildings were erected in Dansville. X The citizens of Dansville were interested at an early day in the subject of railroads, for in 1832 a charter was granted for the construction of a road from Rochester to Dansville ; § but for thirty-nine years they awaited the fruition of these early hopes. Ground was broken for the Erie and Genesee Val- ley railroad July 20, 1869, and the first passenger train rolled out of Dansville at 10:24 a. m., De- cember 12, 1 87 1. II The population of the town in 1880 was 4,181 ; the number of dwelHngs, 903 ; and the number of famihes, 937. It is the most populous town in the county. In 1875 the population was 4,061 ; of whom 3,403 were natives, 658, foreigners; 4,054, white, 7, colored; 1,903, males, and 2,158, fe- males. In area it is by far the smallest town in the county, and one of the smallest in the State. In 1875 it contained 4,425 acres ;1I of which 3,578 were improved and 847 woodland. The cash value of farms was $406,100; of farm buildings other than dwellings, $46,300; of stock, $33,039; of tools and implements, $1 1,787. The amount of gross sales from farms in 1874 was $32,898. There are six common school districts in the town. The number of children of school age re- siding in the districts Sept. 30, 1880, was 1,344. During the year nine teachers were employed at the same time ; the number of children residing in the districts who attended school was 708; the average daily attendance during the year was 269 ; the number of volumes in district libraries was 232 ; * Gordon' s Gazetteer 0/ New York; In 1850, the number had in- creased to loowithin a circle of two miles.— 7y« Damville Advertiser of May I, l86z, t History of Dansville, No. S, in The Joiinml of the Fair, to raise funds for the establishment of St. Patrick's School, Dansville, October JO, 1880. t A. O. Bunnell, in Tlie Dansville Advertiser oi April a6, 1877. § It has been erroneously stated that tliis was "the second railroad charter ever granted in this State." There were seventeen railroads chartered previous to 1831, and twenty-four in that year, six of which were prior to the "Dansville and Rochester." — State- Engineer's Report on Railroads. II A. O. Bunnell, in The Dansville Advertiser of April 26. 1877. X Census oiiiTi. The published Proceedings of the Board of Su- pervisors of Livingston Coimty in 1879, state the number of acres to be 5,560, the equalized assessed value .of which was $1,267,273, or $227.94 per acre, far exceeding, notwithstanding its diminutive size, any other town in the county. the value of which was $191; the number of school houses in 1877 was six, five frame and one brick, which, with the sites, embracing seventy- nine rods, valued at $575, were valued at $7,775 ' the assessed value of taxable property in the dis- tricts in 1877 was $1,794,523, and in 1880, $1,428,993. In 1877 there were 11 private schools, attended by 147 pupils. This sufficiently indicates the character of the public schools, which in the vil- lage are lamentably poor. The Indian village of Kanuskago or Ganuskago occupied the site of the present village of Dans- ville. Though it had once been a village of con- siderable magnitude and importance, it was nearly deserted when the first white settlers came in, only fifteen or twenty huts then remaining, though several Indian famihes lingered in the neighbor- hood for several years. * Their presence here was of incalculable advantage to the first settlers; for, says one of them, "we could hardly have lived here the first year had it not been for the Indians, who were exceedingly friendly."t This beautiful and romantic portion of the famed Genesee valley_was a favorite haunt of theirs, and was regularly visited by them from their settlements on the Genesee during their annual hunting excursions, for these hills abounded in deer and other game, which were taken in large quantities. A favorite camping ground, says one of the oldest Hving pioneers, was on the deep gulch on the creek, at the upper end of the village, at what is now called the California House, as the bank, under which they built their huts, protected them from the winds."t We have no means of knowing at how eaily a period this Indian village was established, though it has been supposed by modern writers to be of modern origin. It may have existed at the time of M. de Denonville's invasion in 1687, though no specific mention is made of it. That Governor, in his report of this expedition, regretted that sickness, extreme fatigue and uneasiness of the savages, prevented his visiting other villages. When we reflect that that expedition was directed especially against the Senecas, it is fair to presume that the villages referred to were Seneca villages. There are other circumstances, however, which inchne to the supposition that its origin was either subsequent to that event, or that the Indians * Recollections of Conrad Welch, a son of the pioneer Jacob Welcli, in Turner's Pioneer History of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, J59. t Recollections of James McCurdy, in The Dansville Advertiser of August 9, 1877. X Dansville as I found it, by Dr. James Faulkner, at the Pioneers' gathering at Dansville, Jan. 21, 187J. NORTH DANSVILLE — EARLY SETTLERS. 157 residing here, though it was denominated the " door of the Six Nations," in "the most remote parts of the Senecas' country,'' did not hold important diplomatic relations with the English and French colonial governments. These Indians had an extensive burying ground, covering some two or three acres. The main street in Dansville village passes directly through it. Numerous remains and relics of this interest- ing people have been exhumed in making excava- tions in that part of the village adjacent to the public square. There is a tradition that before the Revolution a battle was fought on a hill a few miles distant from the village of Dansville between the Canisteo and Kanuskago Indians, in which a renowned chief of the latter tribe was killed. He was in- terred in this old burial place, near the site of the German Evangelical Lutheran church in Dansville village, which is said to occupy the site of an ancient Indian mound, and its pulpit to rest over the remains of a noted Indian chieftain. The spot where he fell was marked by a large excavation, made in the form of a man lying prostrate, with his arms extended, and was quite discernible when the first white settlers came here. It was near an Indian trail, and the depression was kept free from forest debris by the passing braves, who also reared to him a monument of loose stones, brought from a hill a mile distant, each as he passed casting upon the accumulating heap his tribute of affection, "after the manner of the ancient Caledonians." These stones are said to have remained in their monumental form until 1825, when they were used in the construction of the foundation walls of the edifice before referred to.* Local authorities do not entirely agree as to who was the first settler within the limits of the present town of North Dansville, and this is not surprising in view of the many territorial changes affecting it. It may not be possible at this day to definitely de- termine the fact ; yet, from inquiries made and a careful analysis of conflicting statements in reference to this matter, we see little reason to doubt that the credit rightly belongs to William McCartney, who was born in 17 71, at Kirkcudbright, in the county and on the bay of the same name on the south coast of Scotland, whence he came to this country at the instance and as the clerk of Charles WilUamson, on the latter's assuming the agency of *From Turner's Pioneer History of Phelfs and Gorhmn's Purchase, 359, (note) which copies from the manuscript of W. H. C. Hosmer; and contributions to tlie local press, especially The Damville A dvertiser of August 12, 1880. the Pultney estate. Reaching Philadelphia in 1 7 g i , early the following year he came to Bath, which Capt. Williamson made his home. Thence, after a few months, he came to Sparta, which then em- braced the present towns of Groveland, Spring- water, West Sparta and the major portion of Cone- sus, and subsequently North Dansville. In com- pany with Andrew Smith, who accompanied him from Scotland, he occupied a log-house erected by Capt. WiUiamson on the west bank of Canaseraga creek, on what is known as the McNair farm in West Sparta, three miles north of Dansville. Both McCartney and Smith were young single men, and there they kept bachelor's hall for about two years, when Smith, who was suffering from fever and ague, removed to and settled at Bath. McCartney moved further up the creek, and built on 209 acres purchased in 1793, on the flats in the locality of Comminsville, including that site, but lying mostly north-east of it, a log-house which stood about thirty rods east of the Canaseraga and about a hundred rods north of Comminsville. July 14, 1796, William McCartney married Mary McCurdy, (a step-daughter of Cornelius McCoy, the pioneer settler on the site of Dansville village,) who, says Dr. James Faulkner, is remembered as a girl and woman of great beauty. The ceremony, it is supposed, was performed by Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Groveland, from whom the Millses of Mt. Morris are descended, who occasionally extended his labors in this direction at an early day. This was the first marriage contracted in the town. He continued to reside on his farm in this town till his death, February 9, 183 1. He was one of the original members of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, three miles north of Dansville, and one of its ruling elders. He was the recipient of various ofiicial trusts, irrespective of party. He was for twenty- seven years Supervisor of the town of Sparta, and for several years, during anti-masonic times, was the candidate of both parties. For a number of years he went to Canandaigna to attend the meet- ings of the board. He was for several years a Jus- tice of the Peace. He represented Ontario county in the Assembly in 1819, and decUned a re-nomi- nation. He served on the Niagara frontier during the war of 181 2. He was one of the most promi- nent pioneer settlers in this section. His wife sur- vived him many years. She died Sept. 5, 1864. They had thirteen children, eleven of whom Uved to maturity, and most of whom settled in this locality. Six are still Uving :— Maria, wife of Charles R. Kern, Hugh, Matthew and Sarah A., a iS8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. maiden lady, in Dansville village ; David, in Ster- ling, 111. ; and Janjes F., in Dansville, Steuben county. It is generally conceded that Cornelius McCoy, familiarly called " Neal" MCoy, made the first set- tlement on the site of the village of Dansville, and it is also urged that he was the first settler in the town, which is probably true of the quarter section of three miles square which originally composed it. Cornelius McCoy was a native of the North of Ireland and rharried in county Antrim, Mary Mc- Curdy, whose first husband, John McCurdy, died in 1784. The McCurdys were natives of Scotland. In 1788, soon after his marriage, McCoy immi- grated to this country with his wife, two step-sons — David and James McCurdy — and a step-daughter, named Mary McCurdy, who contracted the first marriage in the town with William McCartney. They landed at Wilmington, Delaware, in the spring of that year, and proceeded to Buffalo Val- ley, Northumberland county, Penn., where they resided seven years. In June, 1795, they removed thence to this town, locating in the south-west part of the village of Dansville. Our route from Penn- sylvania, says, the late James McCurdy, " was through a wilderness most of the way until we reached Painted Post in this State. There we found a store and tavern. Mr. Thomas McBurney settled there about that time. Twelve miles from there we found Mr. Tolbert located at the mouth of Mud creek. At Bath the principal settlers were Capt. Charles Williamson, Andrew Smith, Dugald Camer6n and Daniel Cruger, senior, tavern-keeper. Eight miles from there Mr. Thomas McWhorter had settled at a place now called Avoca ; at Liberty, Mr. Bevins; at Blood's Corners, Mr. Hooker. From there to Havens's through the Springwater valley there was no settlement. The object of our coming this roundabout way was, there was no wagon road by what is now the ordinary road to Bath."* The journey from Painted Post occupied five days. The first night they stayed at Bath ; the second they encamped in the woods near Liberty Corners, in the the town of Cohocton ; the third was also spent in the woods, near the Conesus Lake inlet ; the fourth at Darling Havens's, in the present town of Sparta; and by the fifth they had reached their destination. There was then a small surveyor's hut where Conrad Welch after- wards resided, on Ossian street. "At this time there was no white inhabitant in what is now the * Reminiscences 0/ James McCurdy, in tlie Dansville Advertiser of August % 1877. town of Dansville ; on the south, none nearer than Arkport." McCoy took up the half of a 300 acre lot, thefirst lot, says Dr. James Faulkner, surveyed in this locality. "The first summer," says Mr. McCurdy, "we or most of the family had the fever and ague, but in the fall of the first summer, my step-father, McCoy, and myself made out to chop logs enough to build a log-cabin 18 feet by 14, which we thought a very large house ; the next thing was in our opinion the hardest part of all about our log-cabin, that was to get it raised. But we found no trouble in that, as we gave notice of our raising day. We had hands enough and more than we wanted, for the hands came mostly the day before, and we got our build- ing up and shingled in one day with basswood bark which we had prepared in the summer."* This log-house stood near a fine spring a little north of the residence of the widow of David McNair, (a grand- daughter of McCoy's wife,) on land now owned by Mrs. Alexander Edwards. A second log-house, clap-boarded, and standing nearer the road, was afterwards built and occupied by the family. It stood until about 1870, and was then taken down. Here McCoy resided till his death, which occurred May 8, 1809. at the age of 46 years. His wife survived him many years. She died in 1835, in her 93rd year. She had only one child by her second marriage — a daughter, who died in infancy. During the first winters they needed no hay as the cattle preferred rushes which were abundant along the Canaseraga, which gave it the name of Rushbottom. Of these rushes, Mr. McCurdy says, the cattle were extremely fond; they grew as much in one winter, he says, as in two summers; horses did well on them in the winter, but not in the spring. There was no grist-mill nearer than the outlet of Conesus lake. This family and others purchased meat of the Indians, at a settled price. The rate of exchange with this family was settled by Mrs. McCoy. * * * The price of a good hind quarter of venison was two pumpions, six turnips, or two quarts of Indian meal. This was so perfectly understood, and so satisfactory to both parties, that there was no demurring ; the Indian threw down his venison and took his pumpions or turnips without speaking, and all was rights The McCurdys — David and James — step-sons of McCoy, were young lads when they came here in 1795, being aged respectively sixteen and thirteen years. They took up the remaining half of the lot * Miniature o/Dansvilte Village., J. W. Clark. NORTH DANSVILLE — EARLY SETTLERS. 159 on which McCoy settled. The latter, at his death, gave one-half of his farm to his nephew, James D. McCurdy, who, says Dr. James Faulkner, was called "Little Jimmy," to distinguish him from James McCurdy, McCoy's step-son, who, for a like reason, was called "Big Jimmy." The other half went to McCoy's wife. David McCurdy after- wards settled in Ossian, andabout 1825-30 removed to Indiana, where he became very wealthy. He died there in the fall of 1859, aged eighty years. James McCurdy, his brother, who was born in the parish of Billy, county Antrim, Ireland, May 10, 1782, married May 3, 1808, Sarah Gray, a native of Lancaster, Penn., her father having been one of the pioneer settlers of Almond, Allegany county. He succeeded to the homestead farm, eventually acquiring the whole original 300 acres, and bofh he and his wife resided there till their death. They became one of the wealthiest and most respected families in the town. Mr. McCurdy was Super- visor for many years. He died November 16, 1864, and his wife, February 5, 1864. They had nine children, seven of whom — four sons and three daughters — lived to maturity. They all settled in this locaUty, and all are now living in this town, viz: — William G., Mary Ann, wife of Samuel Stur- geon ; Margaret, widow of David McNair ; John ; Hugh F.; Elizabeth G., wife of Alexander Edwards, and James. Several families moved into the town during this and the two succeeding years, among whom were Amariah Hammond, Alexander Fullerton, David ShoU, the Faulkners, the Porters, the Van De- Venters, Samuel Stillwell and Thomas Macklen. Amariah Hammond came here in 1795 on a prospecting tour, and "during his first visit to this place slept two nights under a pine tree, on premises which he afterwards purchased. ' I put a bell on my horse,' said he, ' that he might not stray beyond hearing;' but it was unnecessary, as the horse came as often as every hour to where he lay and dis- turbed his sleep ; the horse seemed sensible of his lonely situation, and fearful in view of it."* He took up land on the main road to Geneseo, about three-fourths of a mile from the center of the vil- lage, where Henry Hammond now resides, and ■during that season put up a log house, into which he removed his family from Bath the following April. His family consisted of his wife and infant child, who made the journey on horseback. Mr. Hammond afterwards acquired that portion of the Fullerton farm lying east of Main street. * Miniature of Dansville Village' He was the successful farmer of North Dansville, and though uneducated, was sagacious and made money and became influential. He was the first Supervisor of the town of Dansville, which was formed in March, 1 796. Mr. Hammond used to re- late as one of the embarrassing incidents of pioneer life, that when his first grass needed cutting he had to go to Tioga Point to get scythes. He pur- chased two, which, with the expenses of the jour- ney, cost him eleven dollars. He continued to reside where he first settled till his death. He was born June 24, 1773, and died November 5, 1850. He was twice married. His first wife, named Catherine, died May 3, 1798, aged twenty-two. His second wife, named Elsie, died April 26, 1842, aged sixty-seven. Mrs. Fannie Bradner, of Dans- ville, widow of Lester Bradner, is a daughter of his, and the only one of the children left here. Another daughter became the wife of the venerable Dr. James Faulkner, who is still living in Dans- ville, in his ninety-second year. Lazarus Hammond, a brother of Amariah Ham- mond, came here soon after him and lived in a log house below him till 1806, when he sold to Har- man H. Hartman, who came here from Pennsyl- vania about that year. Lazarus Hammond was the first Clerk of the town of Dansville. Hartman died here June i, 181 1, aged 53. He left numer- ous descendants, principally in Dansville and its vicinity. Alexander Fullerton, who was born of Scotch parents in Chester county, Pennsylvania, removed thence to this town and located in the north part of the village, near the residence of Jonathan B. Morey. He also sold to Harman H. Hartman and removed to the town of Sparta, where he died. He was something of a military character in his native county, and was the father of Gen. Wm. S. Fullerton, of Sparta, who represented Livingston county in the Assembly in 1846-7. David ShoU came here from Pennsylvania like many of the pioneer settlers. He was a mill- wright and was engaged in that capacity by Capt. WiUiamson. He built the first saw-mill and grist- mill in Dansville for the Pultney estate, the former in 1795 and the latter in 1796. * The saw-mill, says one authority, stood on the site of the plan- ing-mill belonging to the Jesse Angell estate, and operated by Geo. W. DeLong. It went to decay many years ago — about 1824-6. The grist-mill occupied the site of the Readshaw mill, on the corner of Gibson and Main streets. It was burned * French's Gazetteer of the State of New York. i6o HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. soon after, before it was entirely finished,* but was immediately rebuilt by ShoU. The frame of the second structure is a part of the present one, which was enlarged to its present size by Benj. F. Readshaw, the present proprietor. ShoU was hving in 1797 in a pine plank house, opposite the Readshaw grist-mill, which he afterwards pur- chased. He was a man of moderate capacity, but industrious and careful. He disposed of the mill property to Nathaniel Rochester and afterwards removed to Mt. Morris, where he built the pioneer grist-mill of that town. He subsequently went to Michigan, where he died. Solomon Feustermacher was born at Northamp- ton, Penn., April i, 1789, and came here from that State in 1805. Says a local writer: "He built 'Solomon's temple,' a large three-story building, the largest structure in I^ivingston county at that time, and so a great curiosity. Himself and his brother Isaac built a great part of early Dansville." He died Feb. 5, 1851. There were three Faulkners f — brothers — Daniel P., Samuel and James. The former, if not the most worthy, seems to have been the most active and enterprising. Daniel P. and James Faulkner came here from Milton, Northumberland county. Pa., in 1795. The former, who brought with him $10,000, the proceeds of the sale of lands on the present site of Troupsburgh, Steuben county, pur- chased, in conjunction with three others, the west half of township No. 6, range 6, (including the original town of North Dansville,) and infused into the budding settlement an energy and enthusiasm characteristic of the man. Daniel P. Faulkner settled on the site of the First National Bank of Dansville, and tliere erect- ed a plank house. With his acquisitions of land in this neighborhood he also became the owner of a saw-mill, which stood on the site of the well-curb factory about a mile above the Readshaw grist mill. He was lavish of his money and not a prudent business man. He possessed a taste for military display, and organized and became captain of a grenadier company numbering thirty men, whom he gaily uniformed at his own expense,! ^"d " so beautiful a company," says a contemporary of his, " I [have] never seen since." This was Dans- * Turner says : "The mill was burned down soon after 1800, after which, before rebuilding, the neighborhood had to go to Bosley's mills," at tlie foot of Conesus Lake. Pioneer History 0/ Phelps ? < (T) CO H O z o o < j^ ^u^'C 0. JZ Prcae^ ^9'''- CORYDON HYDE — ELI AS H. GEIGER. 215 his already large farm which now contains 581 acres. His father died in 1877, being 92 years old and a consistent member of the M. E. Church. His wife, Lucinda, only surviving him one year, died at the advanced age of 83 years, as she had lived, an honored member of the Presbyterian Church. Corydon was united in marriage Oct. 11, 1848, to Ann Lemen. The result of this union was four children as follows: Henry C, Wm. L., who inarried Cora B. Hampton of Ossian, Charles E., who mamed Jennie Shay of Ossian, and Lucinda Jennie who died in her youth. Mrs. Hyde was the fourth child of a family of twelve, eight of whom are now living. Her father was Tom Lemen who came from Pennsylvania at an early day and settled in Ossian, where he married Jane Boyles about the year 1814, and died in 1862 aged 72 years. His wife died in 1874 aged 79 years. They were among the first members of the first Presby- terian church which was built in the town of Ossian, he being the first deacon, and holding that office during his life. His wife was a worthy member and adorned her profession by a truly christian life. Mr. Corydon Hyde was for several years afflicted with dyspepsia, of which he finally died, Aug. 20, 1880, in his 66th year. He passed away peacefully to that land where peace and life ever-lasting is the reward of an honorable and upright christian hfe. ELIAS H. GEIGER. The life of Mr. Geiger is a fine illustration of what energy, honesty, industry and economy, moved by strong common sense, and unaided by wealth and influence, can attain. It proves that every young man holds in his own hands the issues of success, and that the business world is made up largely of young men, who have improved such op- portunities. EUas H. Geiger was born in North- ampton county. Pa., Nov. 25, 1819. His parents, John and Mary Geiger, were natives of Mt. Bethel, Pa. He was the fourth child of a family of seven children. When Efias was seven years old he sus- tained an irreparable loss by the death of his father, which, at that tender age, cast him out upon the world with no one to shield him from the storms of adversity. But as Providence tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, so in this case, the child found a home and protector through a farmer named Rida- nour. He continued to reside with them until he was twenty years old, enjoying such advantages for an education as a limited attendance upon a common school afforded. He devoted his time and energies in aiding Mr. Ridanour in working his farm, and as he soon developed into a well-formed, strong and muscular man his services proved of great value to his employer, and he learned the art of agriculture well and practi- cally and this he never has forgotten. Through all his early years he evinced a strong love of mech- anism, which gravitated to the calling of a car- penter, and in his twenty-first year he apprenticed himself to Mr. John Levis, a carpenter of Bethle- hem, Pa., remaining with him two years and be- coming a very competent carpenter and joiner. Leaving Mr. Levis, he settled at Lima, attended school there one winter and devoting himself to his studies finished a good common school educa- tion. In the following spring he removed to Dans- ville, where, with great energy, he entered upon the duties of his occupation. For a time he was employed by "boss" carpenters who paid him a fair salary, but at length he commenced the busi- ness of a master builder, and. in his turn employed men by the day. He entered largely into the business of building dweUing houses and then sell- ing them ; many of the pleasant and commodious dwellings of Dansville having been erected by him in this way. In 1852 he erected a steam saw-mill near Ossian Center, and such was the capacity of the mill for furnishing lumber, that the great demand for it was fully supplied. At this time the town of Ossian was, to a large extent, covered with splendid ma- terial for building purposes. A few years later he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Alonzo Brad- ner, in the manufacture and sale of lumber, build- ing a large steam saw-mill near Bisbeetown in Os- sian, which, in 1863, they moved two miles west of Ossian Center on Sugar creek. This relation con- tinued with great pecuniary success to both parties about six years, when it terminated by mutual con- sent. Mr. Geiger's wealth continued to increase until he became one of the largest lumber dealers in the county. In 1865 he erected a large steam saw-mill not far from Canaseraga. This mill is now in successful operation, turning out a large amount of lumber. In 187 1 he built another large steam saw-mill, near his present home in the town of Ossian. In pohtics Mr. Geiger is a Democrat, though always at his post of duty as a voter, he never sought office. Forty years ago he united with the Lutheran church at Dansville, and has since been an unassuming and exemplary member of that church. Tested by the standard of those the world calls learned, Mr. Geiger is no scholar, but tried by what people call safe, practical, and useful, he certainly is learned. February 22, 1844, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of WiUiam and Susan Gilger Haas. She was born in Northumberland county, Pa., July 1 1, 1820, and moved with her parents to Dansville in 1823, where she was subsequently married. This union has been in every sense a happy one, as Mrs. G. possesses all those amiable and attractive qualities which constitute the true, faithful and affectionate wife. Through all her married life she has been an intelUgent, useful counsellor and advisor. Her father died in Dansville, December 8, 1873. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of 81 years. Mr. Geiger's mother died at Hazelton, Luzerne county, Pa., in 1871. 2l6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. CHAPTER XVII. History of the Town of Springwater. SPRINGWATER, the land of hills and valleys, lies in the southeastern part of Livingston county. It is the largest town in the county, being eight and one-quarter miles east and west, six and one-half miles north and south, and containing an area of farm lands of 32,579 acres. It waserected by legislative enactment in the spring of 1816, and was formed from Sparta and Naples, then belong- ing to Ontario county. It is bounded on the north by Conesus and Canadice, (Ontario county) ; south by Wayland and Cohocton, (Steuben county) ; on the east by Naples, (Ontario county) ; and on the west by Sparta. The chief streams are the inlet of Hemlock Lake, which flows north through the western part of the town, and Cohocton river, rising in the north- eastern part of the town and flowing southerly into Steuben county. The year 1 807, memorable as the year in which the first steamboat sailed on American waters, was the year in which the settlement of Springwater began. To Seth Knowles is accorded the credit of being the first settler in the town. He was native of Massachu- setts, and in 1805 left his home among the New Eng- land hills and came to the then distant lands of Western New York, locating in Livonia, on what is now known as the " Gibbs Farm." The first and second season of his arrival there the crops in Livo- nia, and in the towns north, suffered from severe drought. Mr. Knowles observed that clouds often rested on the hills south of him, and that showers were of frequent occurrence there while no rain fell in his locality. He therefore resolved to make a prospecting trip in that direction after harvest. Accordingly in the fall of 1806, he and his son, Jared, and Peter Welch took their guns, axes, and necessary provisions on their shoulders, and fol- lowed the old Indian trail over Bald Hill, in the town of Canadice, to Springwater Valley. About a mile from the head of Hemlock Lake, they made a small clearing and built a log cabin on lot number 4, now part of the farm owned by John Jennings. They then returned to Livonia and remained there during the winter. On the last day of March, 1807, Mr. Knowles and his family came up Hem- lock lake on the ice and took possession of the cabin. Other settlers soon followed, several fami- lies coming in the same year, but it was not until ten years after Mr. Knowles' occupancy that the town was organized. Its organization took place on the first day of April, 181 7. It was suggested that the new town be named Knowlesville in honor of the first settler, but the suggestion did not meet with general ap- proval. John Roberts then proposed the name of Spring- water, remarking that he never before had seen a place where springs were so numerous. This name met with instant and general approval, and the vote was unanimous to call the town Springwater. The name was well chosen; for, in the language of Scripture, the town is a land of brooks of water, and of fountains that spring out of valleys and hills. Among other early settlers were Eber Watkins, Joshua Herrick, Hosea Grover, Peter Welch and Adam Miller. In 18 13 there were but thirty fam- ilies in the township. What is now the village of Springwater contained but one dwelling, built by Samuel Story, a frame barn built by Eber Wat- kins, a small store built by Hosea Grover, in that same year, two or three saw-mills and a frame grist-mill. In 1817 the principal inhabitants were located as follows: John Roberts lived in a log cabin where the hotel now stands.* Hugh Wilson, a native of Northumberland, Pa., where A. Wiley lived. He also built the first grist-mill in 1813. It stood at the foot of the hill where the road from Scottsburgh enters the valley, and was a two-story frame building containing two runs of stones. Sam- uel Story erected and occupied the first frame house in the town. It stood between Styler's barns and orchard on the flat. The first saw-mill was also built by Mr. Story on land occupied by the sash factory. Hosea Grover's store was located between Tyler's Grove and the Corners; and near it was the residence of Thomas Grover, Sr. Alva Southworth occupied the farm now owned by Na- than A. Kellogg. He also built the first distillery in the town, distilling about twenty gallons per day from rye and corn. The liquor was sold by him at the still, and was carried away by the purchasers in pails, bottles and jugs. On the corner where John McCrossin now resides, the late Hon. John Wiley then Hved. He had a blacksmith-shop on his premises and worked some at the forge him- self, being the first man in the town who did such work. He soon left the shop for the farm, and finally became a minister of the gospel. He served as Member of Assembly in 1859 and i860. Jonathan Lawrence lived where Addison Marvin now lives. He was among the foremost of the * Nearly all of these settlers located on, or near, what is now the site of Springwater village. n w o n 2 n m o ■n % o ? o z 0) TJ I ! :^ ' ' ' V '!'-,.. MJ il .1 lil •ARTA, Livingston Co.N.Y. SPARTA— TOWN OFFICERS. 227 to act in the capacity of a lawyer, went West many years ago. Archibald McFetridge, father to Edward Mc- Fetridge, the supervisor of the town in 1880, still lives in Sparta at the advanced age of ninety years. Edward Logan died several years ago. His sons, John, James and Andrew, are residents in Sparta ; the oldest son, Edward, lives in Groveland. Robert Ross died some six years ago ; only one son, Robert, survives him. William Carney, still living, has two sons, Hugh and William, Jr. Squire Magee died ten years ago. None of his sons live here. Hugh Magee, his brother, still lives in the town. Henry Havens died two years ago. Four sons, William, Henry, Isaac and Willard survive him. Rev. Andrew Gray, the first settled minister in the town, had two sons, James and William, who are now dead. Mrs. Perrine is the only survivor of his family in Sparta. 'There has been no resident lawyer in Sparta in forty years. Col. Woodruff, now dead, William Scott, and James McKay used to act in that ca- pacity, but not as regular practitioners. Of the physicians who have practiced in Sparta, Doctor A. Campbell, who resided in Scottsburgh, and who was highly esteemed, moved to Mount Morris where he died some years ago. Doctor E. Patchin moved to Dansville where he died. Doctor Jocelyn removed to Mount Morris where he still lives. Doctor Coe left Sparta several years ago. The present physicians are Drs. J. B. Purchase, D. H. Foster,* and Harrison, located at Scottsburgh. Town Officers. — The first town meeting held in Sparta, when it embraced its original territory, was held at the house of WiUiam Lemens in WilUams- burgh, on the first Tuesday in April, 1796. The officers elected at that meeting were as fol- lows: Supervisor, WiUiam Harris j Town Clerk, William Lemens ; Assessors, John McNair, James Rosebrugh, Henry Magee ; Commissioners of Highways, Matthias Lemen, Alexander McDonald; Commissioners of Schools, Samuel Mills, James Henderson, Robert Erwin ; Pathmasters, WiUiam McCartney, Hector McKay; Pound Keeper, Asahel Simons ; Fence Viewers, Nathan Fowler, + Lives across the line in Groveland. Jeremiah Gregory ; Constable and Collector, John Ewert. Thereafter, as near as can be learned from the records, the succession of Supervisors and Town Clerks was as follows : — • Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1797. William Harris. WiUiam Lemens. 1798-99. " " WiUiam McCartney. 1800. James Henderson. William Lemens. 1801. John Smith. Robert McKay. 1802. Hugh McNair. 1803-04. " " WiUiam McCartney. 1805 " " David McNair. 1806-10. WiUiam McCartney. " " 1811-12. David McNair. James Rosebrugh. 1813-15. William McCartney. Benj. Wilcox. 1816. James Scott. Samuel Stillwell. 1817. William McCartney. James Scott. 1818-19. " " Wm. D. McNair. l820.'( iS 1821. j 1822-25. William McCartney.Phillip Woodruff. 1826. " " Samuel Shannon. 1827-29.1 1830-34 , , 1832.1 Isp,ac Wendell. 1833-' 1834. Isaac Wendell. 1835. Isaac L. Endress. 1836. H. T. Taggart. 1837. Isaac L. Endress. 1838. D. McNair. 1839. Isaac L. Endress. 1840. Samuel M. Welch. 1 84 1. E. Faulkner. 1842. J. B. Smith. The first recorded vote for governors and repre- sentatives was in 1801. George Clinton received twenty-nine and Stephen VanRensselaer ten votes on the gubernatorial ticket. For Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Jeremiah VanRensselaer received twenty- seven, James Watson, ten, and WiUiam Harris, one. Lemuel Shipman, for Senator, received thirty-eight votes, Isaac Foote the same, and Judge Meyer, thir- ty-seven. In May, 1801, the first recorded license was granted by John Smith, H. W. McNair and WU- Uam Wadsworth, commissioners of excise, to Thomas Hammer, of Sparta, for tavern keeping and for the sale of spirituous liquors. The first town meeting after the division of the town was held on the first Tuesday in April, 1847, •There are no records of the Supervisors or Town Clerks for 1820-21 ; though it is supposed that McCartney was Supervisor and W. D. McNair Town Clerk. t From 1827 to 1830 the Supervisor is believed to have been WiUiam McCartney. He filled chat office twenty-six years in all. t No records as to either Supervisor or Town Clerk, but it would ap- pear that Shannon was Clerk, as his name is appended to road surveys, etc., in diose years. § No records as to Supervisor. 228 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. at the house of Darling Havens. The chief offi- cers elected at that meeting, and the succession from then to 1880, are as follows : — Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1847-48. P. Woodruff, Harvey G. Baker. 1849-51. John Gilman, John Shepard. 1852. David D. McNair, " " 1853. John Shepard, Timothy Hopkins. 1854. Hugh McCartney, 1855. " " David D. McNair. 1856. David D. McNair, Harvey G. Baker. 1857. " " John Shepard. 1858. Harvey G. Baker, 1859. George Shafer, i860. Harvey G. Baker, F. P. Harrison. 1 86 1. David D. McNair, " 1862. Alonzo T. Slaight, " 1863. John Shepard, 1864-65. " " Edwin E. Shutt. 1866-67. " " Jesse Smith. 1868-70. " " Freeman P. Harrison. 187 1. " " Samuel L. Shutt. 1872. " " George Tillotson. 1873-74. " " Rockwell M. Lozier. 1875. John Logan, D. H. Foster. 1876-77. John Galbraith, James M. Newton. 1878. E. L. McFetridge, Edwin E. Shutt. 1879-80. " " John N. Foster. The following is a list of the names of the re- maining officers of the town of Sparta for the year 1880 :— Justices, Jesse Smith, James Newton, J. M. Campbell, Wm. W. Sutton ; Assessors, Jesse Roberts, Benjamin Kiehle, Wm. Driesbach ; High- way Commissioner, Philip Hilts ; Overseers of Poor, G. H. Johns, W. P. Barnes ; Inspectors of Election, Thomas Dodd, John Gilman, Rensselaer Cranmer ; Collector, D. D. Dunn ; Constables, D. D. Dunn, Jotham McGregor, Wm. Henry, H. K. Needham, Harmon Gilman ; Game Constable, Samuel Roberts ; Excise Commissioners, Wm. H. Kiehle, Henry Thompson. The war record of Sparta is manifestly incom- plete, although the town furnished a considerable number of volunteers in the late rebellion. There has been kept no complete record of the enhst- ments either as to men or regiments, and what is here given is mostly from the personal recollections of soldiers who survived the vicissitudes of the war, and of citizens of the town. The town clerk's records contain but the actions of a special meeting of the citizens, called by the Supervisor for the 25th day of August, 1864, at which the following resolutions were passed : — Resolved, That the town of Sparta pay to volun- teers who shall be credited to the town, under the late call of the President for five hundred thousand men, a bounty of $800, in addition to the amount raised by the county for one year men; the same amount to be paid to any person furnishing a sub- stitute under said call, who shall be credited to said town, up to the amount of our quota, and payable in five equal annual payments with interest thereon, and the same to be levied and collected from the taxable property of the town of Sparta. Resolved, That every drafted man from said town of Sparta receive the same amount as volun- teers, and Resolved, That each elector in said town of Sparta shall pay ten dollars per capita tax, to apply on the tax levied on said town to pay volunteers. The following number received a bounty of $300 : George E. McGregor, Charles E. McGregor, Peter S. Ort, Jacob Moose, George Krisher, Ezra Sturdevant, George A. Miller, James B. Cratser, 2 1 St New York Cavalry; George W. Loveland, James Emo, Henry Bovee, Joseph Hersh, Joseph Doty, Solomon Freed, Jesse B. Lasey, Captain O. F. Wisner, 2 2d New York Cavalry; R. Alfred Allen, hospital steward, 2 2d New York Cavalry; Patrick McSheane, assistant surgeon, 2 2d New York Cavalry. The following received one thousand dollars bounty: Abram Swartz, Allen Conkling, William Stuffy, Edward Brennen and John Dexter (substi- tutes). In J 862 the following volunteers received a town bounty of $50 each: Andrew ConkUng, 130th Regiment ; D. D. Dunn, 130th Regiment, wounded by explosion of shell; Phillip Gilman, 130th Regiment, blind from effects of the war; Edson C. Marshall, 130th Regiment; Har- mon Gilman, 136th Regiment; Henry K. Need- ham, 136th Regiment; David Langley; John Young, died in army; WilHam J. Hampshire, George Snyder, Andrew McWhorter, Archibald Simpson, Sidney E. Roberts, Laban Upthegrove. In 1863 the appended number received a bounty of $50 and $75 : Thomas Van Scooter, Martin S. Hampshire, Henry C. Kiehle, George Swartz, Eli Gilman, Martin Sandey, William Pifer, John Kiehle, R. M. Lozier, Solomon Swartz, J. Deiter,* 136th Regiment; Milton Flory, Prosper A. Smith, Rensselaer Cranmer, Cady Smith, 130th Regiment; William A. Miller, Joseph Emo, 21st New York Cavalry ; Monroe Conkling, John Curtis, Abraham Kiehle, killed at the second battle of Bull Run, old 13th Regiment; Horace Curtis, 13th Regi- ment, wounded in the head, from the effects of which he died ; Mark Hall, wounded ; John Dunn, George Sutton, Harrison Clemens, James M. Kiehle, W. B. Strickland, David Wambole, George * Shot through the lungs. Photo, by Belts, Dansville. M.R. &• Mrs. John Galbr^ith. JOHN GALBRAITH. John Galbraith was born May 8, 1826. His father, Patrick Galbraith, came from the north of Ireland about the year 1820, and a few years later settled in Sparta, on the farm where Robert Ross now lives, and where John was born. He was the fifth of a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, three of whom are now living, as fol- lows : — Jane, wife of James Gilman, of Groveland, Lizzie Galbraith, living in Mt. Morris, and Mary L., wife of P. G. Kelley, of the latter place. John remained with and assisted his father until twenty-one years of age, when he and his brother Samuel B., bought their father's farm and worked it together for a few years, when John sold his in- terest to Samuel. Soon after this he bought a farm in the town of Groveland, built there a new house, and February 9, 1854, was married to Lydia, daughter of Henry Driesbach, Sr., of Sparta. This farm he sold in 1857 or 58, and moved to Mt. Morris, where he engaged in business in a flouring mill, which he conducted till 1862, when he entered the army, having enlisted and been appointed First Lieutenant in company F, of the 136th Regiment. After his return from the army he engaged in farm- ing, his principal occupation until his death which occurred Feb. 23, 1880, at the age of fifty-three. In politics he was a Democrat, and held the office of highway commissioner a number of years, as also that of Supervisor of Sparta for several terms. In religious views he was a Presbyterian. John Galbraith, though a man of few words as well as modest and retiring, naturally won the esteem and confidence of all with whom he come in con- tact. In all his business transactions he was hon- orable, direct, and in every sense reliable, and throughout the whole history of his life there has nothing occurred that detracts in the least from a uniformly honorable record. He took a deep though unobtrusive mterest in public matters. He was always proud of the high agricultural fame of Livingston county, inheriting from his Scottish ancestry that love of Uberty, that devotion to free institutions, that independence which characterize the Scottish people wherever they may be. When the late rebellion broke out, his love of country was exhibited in his enlistment into her armies, where he faithfully served as First Lieutenant. He was generous to a fault, and his liberality was proverbial, and yet many of his most liberal acts were unknown to all but him and the recipients of his kindness. In every sense Mr. Galbraith was one whose life though unostenta- tious, was in every way worthy to be recorded in the history of Livingston county. Mrs. Galbraith has been a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church over seventeen years. The married Hfe of Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith has been a happy one. They had nine children, three of whom died in their youth. Those who are living are Mary E., Lydia D., now Mrs. John A. Cul- bertson, of Sparta, Henry D., John, Jennie M., and Anna W. Mrs. Galbraith and Henry D., con- duct the large farm of three hundred acres, in a successful and creditable manner. M.R. & M.RS. GeOB\GE ff. jIoHNS. GEORGE H. JOHNS. George H. Johns was born in Catawissa, Columbia county, Pa., May 23, 1818. His father, Abraham Johns, was born in the same town in 1785 and died in 1830, aged 45 years. His mother, a native of the same town, was born in 1789 and died in 1871, aged 81 years. They had seven children, as follows: Lavina, (dead,) Angelina, living in Shamokin, Pa., Stacey, (dead,) Mary Ann, wife of Isaac Traxler, and living in Dansville, N. Y., George H., (our subject,) Hiram, (dead,) and Sarah J., living in Bloomsburg, Pa., the wife of Freas Brown. George lived at home till twenty-one years of age. Having bought out the remaining heirs after his father's death, he operated the home farm until he was twenty-five years old, when he came to Sparta, and May 23, 1843, married Susan R., daughter of Erhard and Susan (Kidd) Rau, who was born September 20, 1822. He then returned to his home in Pennsylvania, and remaining there about ten months came to Sparta, locating where he now lives, on the farm he bought of George Cole. He held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years, Assessor six years, In- spector of Election six years, and in 1878 was appointed Notary Public, being re- appointed in 1880. In politics, "Squire" Johns is a Democrat, but formerly an old line Whig. He is a member of the Lutheran church in Sparta Centre, having united with it in 1845, and his wife has been a worthy member of the same since 1841. They have had four children, Saloma A., born October 26, 1844, wife of George Kercher, now living in Kalamazoo county, Mich.; Sabina Adelia, born May 28, 1846, married William Dries- bach", and now living in Sparta; Mary A., born September 15, 1848, wife of John Foster, now Town Clerk of Sparta ; and Heman H., born February 23, 1852, married Emma R. Shafer, of Sparta, and now living at home. SPARTA — CHURCHES. 229 Coon, William Sorg, Charles P. Hilts, George M. Reed, James W. Roberts. Churches. — Early in the history of this section of country the pioneers began to take measures to estabHsh the worship of God. The first people to form a permanent society for religious observances were the Presbyterians. The origin of the church of this denomination is involved in considerable obscurity, owing to the loss by fire of all the papers that could have given authentic information on the subject. The beginning of its existence may be safely dated from the time when the first settlers entered the township, which, as before stated, then included what is now known as the towns of Sparta, West Sparta, Groveland and North Dansville. Tne first settlement in this region appears to have been at a place called Williamsburgh, now in the town of Groveland, where certain Presbyterian families made choice of a home, about the year 1795- These people were supphed with sermons occa- sionally by the Revs. Daniel Thatcher, John Lind- sley and others ; these ministers being missionaries under the care of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. There is no record extant of any church having been organized at Williams- burgh, but the names of certain elders are given as having been connected with the church there, and the Lord's Supper must have been dispensed among the settlers who had previously been connected with the Presbyterian body as early as 1800. The settlement at WiUiamsburgh having been broken up, its component elements afterward constituted the churches of Groveland and Sparta. At about the time that WiUiamsburgh was occu- pied, a settlement was also formed near to the place where the Second Presbyterian Church of Sparta now stands. The settlers principally having been members of that church in Pennsylvania, from whence they emigrated ; and many of them being of Scotch or Irish origin, their first concern, after choosing their location, appears to have been to have the ministrations of religion dispensed among them. Various ministers are mentioned as having occasionally preached to them, but for many years they had no settled pastor. The Rev. Andrew Gray of the Dutch Reformed Church, who went to Alle- gany in 1795, took charge of the churches of Almond, Angelica and Dansville, all in connection with that denomination. This call was dated November, 1803, and was sustained by the Classis of New Brunswick in September of the following year. He continued his labors in this connection until the year 1807. At that time the church in question was known as the "United Congregation of Ontario and Steuben."* About the year 1804 or 1805, this society received valuable additions from the settlement at Williamsburgh, which had been discontinued. As a consequence of these acces- sions, the church appears to have formed a connec- tion with the Presbyterian denomination. This is supposed to have been in the year 1806, but no record of the exact date is preserved. In the year 1807, June 18, a call was presented to the Rev. Andrew Gray from the above society, which states that " they had changed their situation from under the direction of the Dutch Synod, and had cast themselves under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly of Divines, and had chosen themselves a body of trustees according to law." This call stipulates that Mr. Gray shall leave the Dutch Reformed Church and connect himself with that of the Presbyterians. Mr. Gray did not accept the call; but in December, 1807, he was appointed by the New York City Missionary Society to establish a mission among the Tuscarora Indians at Niagara, to which field he removed with his family in the fol- lowing spring. From this time the church appears to have depended for a number of years on mis- sionaries from, the General Assembly, and on stated supplies, for the ordinances of religion. Public worship continued to be held occasionally in a small log school house a mile or so north of the village of Dansville, and also in a barn— still standing- belonging to William D. McNair in Sparta, the worshippers coming long distances in various prim- itive conveyances, or on foot. In the fall of 1807 subscription papers were put in circulation to raise money for the erection of a church edifice. These papers are still preserved, and testify to the liberality of the pioneers and to their appreciation of religious privileges. These papers contain the names of all the residents of the neighborhood, with very few exceptions, and the subscriptions are in sums of from five to twenty doUarS'in cash, or "merchantable wheat or lumber." One of the conditions of the papers is that the site on which to build shall be chosen by lot. Subse- quently, a meeting having been called for that pur- pose, and the lots prepared, the drawing was made by a small boy present who was called upon by the chairman of the meeting to perform that duty. This boy was the late Charies Clayton,t of Sparta, * Livingston County had not then been formed. t Mr. Clayton died in 1879, at the age of eighty-six. 230 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. a grandson of John McNair. The two proposed sites were, one in the village of Dansville and the other on land owned by David McNair, in Sparta. The latter site was chosen, and on it the year fol- lowing a church building was erected and en- closed, but the funds being insufficient it was not finished. This is beUeved to be the second church edifice erected in the State west of Cayuga Lake. A year or two later another effort was made to finish the building, which resulted in ceiling the in- terior with very knotty pine lumber, and in fitting it up with loose boards, resting on blocks, for seats, a small table for a pulpit, and a stove for warmth in cold weather. Thus furnished, it was thought to contain all the really necessary fixtures for a sanctuary, and was used for that purpose for sev- eral years. Among the papers of that time still pre- served is an earnest appeal, bearing date of May 2oth, 1809, and addressed to the General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian church of the United States, setting forth the destitution of rehgious privileges, and asking that a missionary be sent by that body to labor in this region. The names appended to this paper are : Samuel Bauer and William Mc- Cartney, Elders; and John McNair, Sr., David McNair and others. Trustees. Whether in re- sponse to this request or not, Rev. T. Markle came in the following year and preached for a season. An old paper dated 181 1 is also preserved, bear- ing the names and subscriptions of all the promi- nent members of the Society for the support of the Rev. Mr. Glasgow. It is not known how long he ministered to the people. Rev. Silas Pratt was the next stated supply, but the date of his entering upon the work is unknown. He preached in the old church in connection with other places while residing in Dansville, and was thus engaged when, in 1814, Rev. Andrew Gray, having been burned out by the British during the war, returned from the Hnes to his farm in Sparta. Some of Mr. Gray's friends and former parishioners were in favor of reinstating him in his old position as pastor ; others decHned and adhered to their support of Mr. Pratt. The consequence of the controversy which then sprang up was that the church became divided, and for some time both ministers held service at different hours in this same church ; and the difference soon resulted in the complete division of the Society, those favoring Mr. Pratt continuing to meet in this church, and in the village of Dansville, and those adhering to Mr. Gray holding services at Havens' Corners, where the First Presbyterian church of Sparta now stands, and in the "Gully School House" in the town of Groveland, near the burying ground. Here for several years Mr. Gray supplied the pul- pit until increasing age and infirmities led him to retire from the active duties of the ministry. In 1825 the village of Dansville increasing in population, the members of the church presided over by Mr. Pratt, residing in and about that vil- lage, decided to have a separate organization. This separate existence of the Dansville church appears to have interfered with the prosperity of the congregation of Sparta to such a degree that measures were taken to change the location to Havens' Corners and form a union with those wor- shipping there, and those who worshipped at the "Gully School House." A meeting to effect this object took place on the 28th day of April, 1827, at which meeting it was stated that "on account of the weakened state of the church by the departure of some of the members to Dansville, and consid- ering that it would be highly injurious to join the church there, they resolved in the future to meet at Havens' Corners." The organization, according to the law of the First Presbyterian church, occurred January 18, 1828. Its ecclesiastical origin, how- ever, must be assigned to a period prior to the date of the call to Rev. Andrew Gray, and proba- bly took place in 1806, as before stated. Imme- diately after its legal organization, measures were taken to build the present house of worship, and a deed of the ground on which it stands was obtained bearing date February 19, 1829. A substantial and commodious edifice was erected in the course of the year. This measure resulted in the amal- gamation of the two parties known as the adher- ents of Mr. Gray and the adherents of Mr. Pratt, which was consummated at a meeting of the Pres- bytery of Ontario, held at Sparta, April 10, 1830. The Rev. Silas Pratt continued to sign the minutes of session until January 24, 1829. The Rev. S. Gaylord then became stated supply, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Amos P. Brown, who signed the first minutes of session September 11, 1830. He was installed as pastor August 24, 1831, and dur- ing his ministry the church appears to have en- joyed a season of great awakening, many being added to the roll of communicants. On the 2 2d of January, 1834, he was dismissed on account of ill-health, and was succeeded by the Rev. S. Hall. In 1837, March 5, the Rev. H. Snyder became the stated supply for several months, and during his pastorate the church resolved to join the Old School General Assembly. Photo, by Belts, Dansville. M.R. &■ M.RS. John Shutt. JOHN SHUTT. John Shutt, a native of Moore township, Northamp- ton county, Pa., was born March 10, 1798. He lived at home until twenty-six years of age, assisting his father to work a small farm, and occasionally helping in weaving the cloth used among the hardy pioneers. His father came to Livingston county to visit some friends, and thinking he could better his prospects in life, purchased the farm of 115 acres, where William J., a grandson, now lives. He died December24, 1833, and the farm and per- sonal property were willed to John, who came there with him, with this provision, that he should pay his brother i2.50, and his sisters each f 1")0, also a claim in the land office, making the farm cost him eleven dollars per acre. In 1819 he married Christine Weldy, of Northamp- ton county, Pa. The result of this marriage was thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living. Mr. Shutt was a hard working, industrious man, but assisted his children so much with his money that at the time of his death, which occurred January 9, 1875, his large property was considerably reduced. He and his estimable wife were members of the Keformed church for ifearly sixty years, always ready to aid the church, and at one time spending nearly eight hundred dollars in the good cause. In politics he was a Democrat, sustaining his party with his help and influence, but never accepting an office even when urged to do so. He left ti will similar to his father's, his property going to his son, Wm. J., with the proviso that he pay the other heirs their portion men- tioned in the will. This he has done and now owns the old homestead where he was born. He is the seventh child of the family and was bom March 10, 1832. April 3, 1862, he married Maggie McFetridge. They had five children, four of whom died in their youth ; the only surviving one being Freddie E., who is now in his tenth year. At his father's death, Wm. J. found his estate re- duced to a mere nothing. He went to work with a will, determined to keep the old home, and to-day sees what perseverance and industry combined with the work of a wife who is able and willing to assist his every effort, can effectually accomplish. He writes this as a memorial to his parents, whom he remembers as indulgent and loving to their family and steadfast in their regard for others. (Photo, by Belts, Dansville.) M.R. ^ Mrs. -Benjamin Kiehle. BENJAMIN KIEHLE. Benjamin Kiehle was born in Lehigh county, Pa., Feb. 23, 1816, being the seventh child of a family of ten children. His father, Abraham Kiehle, was born in the same county in 1782, and in 1817, with his wife, Elizabeth Hughes, left Pennsylvania, and after a long and tedious journey settled in Sparta, taking up the one hundred and eighteen acres where Benj. now resides, where he died Feb. 12, 1868. His wife survived him six years and died Sept. 24, 1874. Feb. 28, 1839, Benj. married Salome, daughter of Abraham and Hannah Zer- fass, of Sparta, by whom he had seven children as follows: Abraham I., James M., Hulda V., Fran- ces M., William H., Rosabella C, (dead,) and George M., the latter of whom lives on the farm near the old homestead. During the late war Abraham I. enlisted in the old 13th Regiment and was killed at the second battle of Bull Run, and James enlisted in the 136th Regiment and died in Washington of typhoid fever contracted from ex- posure. Hulda is still living, but Frances died in April, 1871. Jan. 12, 187 1, Mrs. Kiehle died from paralysis. She was a devoted member of the Luth- eran church, a kind mother and a loving wife. Mr. Kiehle afterward married Vienna Zerfass, a sister of his first wife, and both are members of the Lutheran church of Sparta, having joined that organization a number of years ago. Benjamin, after the death of his father, bought out the re- maining heirs, and now owns and lives on the old homestead, and is probably surpassed by none in knowledge relating to a proper cultivation of the soil. Although his education .was confined to the common schools of his early day, by the improve- ment of the opportunities afforded him by inter- course with others, he, to-day, ranks among the most intelligent farmers of his town. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and is now filHng the office of Assessor for the fifth term. SPARTA— CHURCHES. 231 The name of Rev. Alfred White appears on the minutes of session as Moderator, February i8, 1838. He officiated as stated supply for about six months, when the congregation first invited Rev. George Morris, and then the Rev. Hugh Mair, D. D., to become their pastor, but neither of them accepted the invitations. Rev. Thomas Aitken * was extended an invita- tion April 23, 1839, and was installed pastor Au- gust IS, 1840, his installation having been deferred to this time on account of the Assembly's rules re- specting foreign ministers. The membership of the church is forty-nine, still presided over by Mr. Aitken. Second Presbyterian Church. — The building near the burying ground, which was abandoned by those who went to Havens' Corners to worship, having become much dilapidated, was in 1837, re- paired, fitted with permanent seats, platform, desk and circular table enclosing an area in front of the platform, and was used by debating and literary societies, singing schools, and for political and other meetings. On the 28th of December, 1847, a meeting was held there and preliminary steps taken to organize the Second Presbyterian Church of Sparta. The following Board of Trustees was elected : John Culbertson, Samuel Sturgeon, Hugh T. Mc- Nair, John W. McNair, Jacob Knappenburger, David McNair. In May following the organiza- tion was effected by a committee of the Presbytery of Steuben, and the following persons enrolled themselves as members : — Joseph Knappenburger, James McNair, Hugh T. McNair and wife, Samuel McNair and wife, Jacob Knappenburger, William D. McNair and wife, Mrs. Anne McNair, Mrs. Catharine Knap- penburger, John W. McNair, Mrs. Nancy Culbert- son, Frances McNair, Jane McNair, Mrs. Ann Shafer, James Sturgeon, Samuel Sturgeon and wife, Mrs. Margaret McNair. James McNair, William D. McNair and Samuel Sturgeon were chosen elders. Rev. Jesse Edwards was stated supply for two years. Rev. James E. Miller became pastor in 1850 and remained until 1854. In 1852 the church building was renovated and re-dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Miller. A call to the Rev. Thomas Aitken, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, was presented at the Presbytery in April, 1855, and was sustained. Since that time the two churches have been pre- •To this venerable pastor, and to Hugh T. McNair, Esq., we are in- debted for the facts in the history of this and the Second Presbyterian church of Sparta. sided over by Mr. Aitken. The church has a mem- bership of forty-five. German Lutheran and German Refortned Chicrch. — This church is located in the eastern part of the town, and is vacant at present, the con- gregation scattered, and the society will probably soon be extinct. From such records as could be found it is learned that the congregation was or- ganized in 1837, and the church edifice erected in 1839. The trustees and principal members are, John Kiehle, Caleb Smail, Catilp Light, Conrad Clinetop. The present membership is about fifty. The pastors have been : Rev. A. Bayer, of German Reformed church, Rev. Abraham Berkey, of German Reformed church. Rev. Daniel Lautz, of German Reformed church, Rev. S. S. Klein, of Lutheran church. Rev. Edmund Erb, German Re- formed church. St. John's Lutheran Church is situated at nearly the center of the town. The congregation was or- ganized in 1837. The church edifice was erected in 1840. The principal members are : Erhardt Rau, Barnard Hamsher, Peter Trexler, Daniel Lichard, Charles Lorish, Jeremiah Kuhn, Isaac Trexler, S. G. Roberts, John Kohler, Peter Kuhn, Abraham Artman, Michael Klein, George H. Johns. Among the first officers chosen were: Peter Kuhn, Barnard Hamsher, Peter Trexler, Michael Klein, Erhardt Rau and John Kohler. The following have been pastors : — Revs. M. L. Stover, Levi Sternberg, D. D., John Selmser, F. W. Brauns, C. H. Hersh, L. L. Bau- nell, D. Swope, Albert Waldron, E. H. Martin and Rev. P. A. Strobel, the present pastor, from whom is derived the facts concerning this and the Ger- man Reformed church. Church of the Baptists and Evangelists. — This is a union church situated at what is known as Reed's Corners, a mere settlement containing this church, a school house, blacksmith shop, and some twelve or fifteen houses. No records are extant to throw definite light on its origin and history. It is learned that the Evangelists, in 1842, purchased of Erhardt Rau an old dwelling house which was moved on the present site and refitted for church uses. The first minis- ter of this society was Rev. John Sendlinger, who occupied their pulpit two years. Bishop Siberd also preached to them, but at what time we could not learn. In the summer of 1857 this edifice was reframed and changed to the Union church of the 232 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Baptists and Evangelists. The first Baptist min- ister was Elder Kellogg. The succession of pastors in neither society can be given. The Baptists hold no meetings there at present. The Evangelical pastor in 1880 was Rev. William Wallace. First M. E. Church of Sparta. — This church is located a little south of the center of the town. The Society was organized in 1841. The church edifice was erected in 1862. Rev. James Duncan was the first pastor after the erection of the church, remaining three years. Rev. Stephen Brown sup- plied the pulpit two years. Rev. DeWitt Munger was then pastor for two years, succeeded by Rev. Henry Van Ben Schoten, who also remained two years. For several years after the ministry of the latter pastor the church was supplied by local preachers until the coming of Rev. John Parker who presided two years. His successor was the Rev. George Dryer who officiated but one year. Rev. John Burchard preached two years. Rev. Joseph Wayne two years, and Rev. James Landreth two years, supplying the pulpit of the Methodist church at Scottsburgh also. He was succeeded by the Rev. W. W. Mandeville, who remained one year. The present pastor is Rev. D. C. Blakely, who resides in Scottsburgh. School Statistics. — The town of Sparta con- tains nine school districts. In these districts there are 398 children over five and under twenty-one years of age. During the past year school was taught 276 2-5 weeks, employing nine teachers, and having an average attendance of 177 scholars. The number of children attending during some por- tion of the year was 302. The amount paid to teachers was $1,514.15. The district libraries contain 305 volumes valued at $175. There was paid out during the year for school apparatus $96. The total incidental expenditures for the year were $201.10. For school houses, fences, repairs, fur- niture, etc., there was paid out during the year $492.18. The school houses and sites are valued at $3,100. The total valuation of the districts is $6,975.64. The houses are all frame buildings, some quite comfortable, but many too poor for school purposes. Agricultural Statistics. — At the last census of the State, Sparta contained 12,987 acres of im- proved lands, 3,191 acres of woodland, and 447 acres of other lands unimproved. The valuation of farm lands was $1,042,080; of farm buildings, aside from residences, $149,075; of tools and agricultural implements, $40,915; and of stock, $124,684. The gross sales from these farms was $98,883, while the cost for fertilizers was but $730. The area plowed was 3,895 acres; 2,439 acres were devoted to pastures, and 2,669 acres were seeded to hay, producing 1,694 bushels of seed, and 3,207 tons of hay. Statistics of Population. — According to the census of 1870, S^parta contained a population of 1,182, of which 1,080 were native, 102 foreign, and none of the colored race. In 1875, the total population was 1,133; native, 1,039, and foreign, 94 ; a decrease of 49 in the total population in those five years. Of the population at that cen- sus, 789 were born in the county of Livingston; 72 in adjoining counties; and 46 in other counties of the State. The nativity of the remainder was : New Hampshire, i ; Vermont, 4 ; Massachusetts, I ; Connecticut, 4 ; New Jersey, 7 ; Pennsylvania, 105, and 10 in other sections of the United States ; 18 were born in Canada, 13 in England, 3 in Scot- land, 36 in Ireland, and 24 in the German Empire. Scottsburgh. The pleasant little village of Scottsburgh lies in the northern part of the town, close to the line be- tween Sparta and Groveland. This is the only place of note or commercial im- portance in the town. The village has about two hundred and eighty inhabitants, and contains two stores, the postoffice, two churches, school house, one hotel, three blacksmith shops, and two manu- factories for wagons. The postmaster is J. E. Brownell, who was appointed to that position May 9, 1875. The merchants are, Brownell & Slaight, dealers in general merchandise, who began busi- ness here in April of 1857, and John Shepard, also dealer in general merchandise, who has been en- gaged in business here nearly thirty years. The business was established by Mr. Shepard. In 1854 the firm name was Shepard & Blake. The part- nership continued some five years, when Mr. Shepard bought Mr. Blake's interest and has since conducted the business alone. The hotel, the Scottsburgh House, is the one kept at a former time by William Scott, and built by him in 1819. The present proprietor is W. H. Guy, who has been in the business one year. Of the blacksmiths and workers in iron, John McMillan has been in business here three years and Frank Craver one year. Rockwell M. Lozier, carriage and general painter, has been in that business here three years. J. B. Cratser, wagon maker, started in that busi- John Florj-. David Flory was born in Lancaster county, Penn., and emigrated thence to Franklin county, N. Y., when quite a young man. From there he removed to Buffalo, where he remained till a short time after that city was burned by the British, when he removed to Sparta and settled on the farm where he lived till his death, and on which his son John was born. David Flory was the father of four children, of whom two are now living — John, the youngest of the family, and Jeremiah, who resides near his brother. John Flory, the subject of this sketch, remained at home assisting his father in his farm work, until twenty years of age, when he rented the same farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres which he afterwards pur- chased. To this he added from time to time till at the present date he is the owner of three hundred and eighty-six acres of land, situated in the town of Sparta. Nov. 1 8, 1834, Mr. Flory was married to Clorinda, daughter of Matthew and Annie Scott, of Scottsburgh. To them were born five children, as follows :— Elizabeth Ann, born Nov. 25, 1835, died May 10, 1862; Milton, born Sept. i, 1839, joined the 136th Regiment, passed through all the battles of that regiment till their discharge at the close of the war, was wounded with a piece of shell at Gettysburg, and died Feb. 16, 1875 ; Mary, born Aug. 17, 1841, died Nov. 14, 1863; John, born July 14, 1845, the only surviving child; and Scott, born Sept. 27, 1849, died Nov. 22, 1863. Mr. Flory is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church of Sparta, having joined with that congregation many years ago, during which time he has been ever ready to assist in all cases where he has seen the need of such assistance. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and although he has held the office of assessor six or seven years, he has never been a politician, but has preferred to have the office seek the man. Mr. Flory has resided on his present farm, or a portion of the same, during the last sixty- seven years, and it is entirely due to his energy and perseverance that the broad fields which greet the gaze of the passer-by, are in such a fine state of cultivation and so well provided with the many requisites of a well kept farm. SCOTTSBURGH— JESSE SMITH. ^33 ness here in 1877. J. H. Shutt began the manu- facture of wagons here twenty-two years ago. From this shop very fine work is turned out. The churches are the First Free Baptist zxvA the Methodist Episcopal. The former was organized in 1840. The first pastor was Rev. Levi Kellogg.* The succession of pastors thereafter, as near as can be learned, was Elders McKay, Cobb, H. Esten, Joseph Wood, D. M. Stewart, D. I. Whitney, James L. Box, J. W. Brown. The present pastor is Rev. Wilham Walker, who has presided three years. The membership at the last report was eighty-three. The church edifice is a neat and substantial building, with a comfortable parsonage attached, both clear of debt. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1840. In 1839 the first class was formed com- posed of some eight or ten members, among whom were James Collar and wife, Mr. Moore, James Haynes, S. P. Keep and Timothy Hopkins. In the spring of 1840, Rev. Mr. Kellogg came to Scottsburgh, and under his ministration a series of extra meetings were held which resulted in the en- deavor to permanently establish a church of this denomination. This endeavor assumed definite form on the 29th of April, 1840, when a meeting of "the male members of full age of the M. E. congregation in Scottsburgh," was held in the school-house in the village for the purpose of forming a religious incorporation. Of this meeting Chandler Wheeler and Timothy Hopkins were appointed as chief officers, and five trustees were elected. These were, James Collar, Timo- thy Hopkins, James Carey, WiUiam Scott and Eli Holeman. It was resolved that the incorporation receive the name of the Third Society of the M. E. church in Sparta ; Timothy Hopkins was appointed to take charge of the records of that meeting. The voters who participated in the proceedings at that date were Timothy Hopkins, Chandler Wheeler, James Collar, Allen Simons, Orlo M. Hopkins, Eli Holeman, James Carey and James Fitzgerald. The only men now living in Scottsburgh, who belonged to the church in its early days are John Shepard and Samuel Scott. The erection of the church edifice was begun in 1841, and finished in 1842, under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Doolittle. The succession of pastors, owing to the meagreness of the records, could not be learned. Since 1872 the following ministers have ofliciated: — Rev. James Wayne, 1872-75 ; Rev. James * Now living in Addison, N. Y- Landreth, 1875-77; Rev. W. \\. Mandeville, 1878-79; Rev. D. C. Blakely, 1879-80. The present membership is seventy-seven. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, JESSE SMITH. Photo, by Betts, Dansville. (JESSE SMITH.) Jesse Smith, who was born in Northumberland county. Pa., Dec. i6, 1822, is a son of Adam and Ehzabeth (KUne) Smith, who came from Pennsyl- vania, and settled in Sparta in 1825, where the father carried on the business of farming until within a few years of his death, which occurred Nov. 25, 1878. His wife died July 14, 1857. Jesse was three years of age when his father came to this county, and his education was only such as he could obtain at the district school winters, his summers being spent in working on the farm for his father and others. In his twenty-third year he decided to learn the business of blacksmithing, and settled in Mt. Morris for that purpose. Having served his apprenticeship he returned to Sparta and built a shop near his present residence, where he now carries on the business to a Hmited extent in con- nection with farming. Oct. 2, 1856, he married Catherine, daughter of Abraham and EHzabeth Kiehle, of Sparta. Of this marriage were born three children, Myron, William B. and Lizzie M. Mr. Smith has been a member of the M. E. Church twenty-one years, and his wife is a mem- ber of the German Lutheran Church of Sparta. In politics he is a Republican, having acted with 234 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. that party since its formation. He has been Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and is now Justice of Sessions, having been reelected for the third term. Having always been a careful and industrious man, and investing his money in land, he now owns a farm consisting of 91 acres, together with his other business. ELIAS DRIESBACH. Elias Driesbach, was a son of Henry and Lydia Driesbach, and we are sure that in saying he is a worthy son of his highly respected parents, we but utter a truth that is his due. Like his father he is a farmer and no better cultivator of the soil is found in the town of Sparta. Besides this he is one of the largest land owners in that town. His homestead farm where he resides consists of one hundred and thirty-nine acres. It is beautifully situated on elevated land above the magnificent valley of the Canaseraga, which lies in all its beauty in full view of his homestead, stretching far away to the north, until lost in the valley of the Genesee. No finer view than this is found in Western New York. EUas D.,was born at Sparta, Feb. 17, 1822. In his youth he was subjected to the trials and hardships incident to a life in a new country, and therefore had few advantages for gaining an education. But he made the best use of those he did have, and obtained a competent common school education — all that was necessary to rank him among the intelligent, successful farmers around him. It is not saying too much that he possesses in a large degree, native sagacity, judgment and discernment. He is a man of much practical ability, order and promptness. His honor and integrity have never been ques- tioned or doubted and his word has always been regarded as good as his bond — which is, beyond the shadow of a doubt, good. In his dealings with men he is upright and just, demanding what is his due, and giving to others their whole due to the last farthing. Until he was twenty-three years of age he lived with his father, and much of his labor was devoted to assisting him on his farm. January 16, 1845, he married Susannah, daughter of Joseph Kidd, of Dansville. She, though now an invalid, is all that a wife and mother should be, kind, affectionate and exemplary. Thus far six children have been born to them, named as fol- lows, Susan Catharine, Lydia Ann, Mary, Rosy, Joseph and Emma. Mr. Driesbach settled on the farm where he now resides, soon after his marriage. He has been very fortunate in his business rela- tions. By successful negotiations and far-sighted enterprise, he has accumulated quite a large fortune. Among his property he owns five hun- dred and ninety-four acres of valuable land, one hundred and forty acres of which are situated in the town of Springwater and the remainder in Sparta, including the old homestead of seventy acres, purchased by his father. Mr. Driesbach is a member of the Lutheran Reformed church, of Dansville, having united with that congregation many years ago. The old church, which still stands, was erected in 1826, and his father was very active in building it and sustaining the con- gregation. Mr. Driesbach has, since uniting with the church, been a consistent, influential, devoted, and exemplary member. In politics, like his father, he is a Democrat, strong m the faith of the fathers of that party. While firm in his principles, he still accords the same right to his political oppo- nents, believing in everyone's thinking for himself, and would not, if he could, control any person in his poUtical or religious rights or belief. It is just to Mr. Driesbach to state that in his business re- lations, in his family and as a citizen, his life and career is certainly an honor to his town and county, and that the pages of this history could not prop- erly be filled without a fair, impartial, and just biography of him. HENRY DRIESBACH, JR. Henry Driesbach, Jr., was another son of Henry Driesbach, Sr., whose biography appears in the pages of this work. He was a farmer, and in the truest sense realized and appreciated the duties, trials and embarrassments of an agricultural life. It is said by those in the great book of human na- ture that all men are born with natural proclivities for certain business occupations or science. Hence, one man is a chemist, another an anatomist, an- other an astronomer, some are intuitively mechan- ics and some musicians. Conceding this to be true, then, we unhesitatingly say that Henry Dries- bach was intuitively a farmer. To him the farm was as natural as the native heath of the McGre- gors to Roderick Dhu. One of the distinguishing features of Livingston county is the success of its farmers in raising stock. Into this Mr. Driesbach entered enthusiastically. His judgment in this department was second to no man's in the county, young as he was during the active period of his business life. He was born at Sparta, Livingston county, May 9, 1824. He lived with his father until he was twenty-eight years old. Having attained that age he decided to commence business for himself. Be- ing of an independent, self-reliant turn of mind, and determined to be indebted to no one for whatever success awaited him, he declined to ask his father for any pecuniary assistance. Trusting to his own intelligence and business capacity, he purchased on his own account the farm just north of the vil- lage of Dansville called the "Shepard farm." Without a dollar in the world he entered into spec- ulation. His self-reliance gave him success, and within a comparatively brief period of time he stocked his farm, paid for it and brought it to a very high state of cultivation. As an evidence of his perseverance we relate the following ; — 'U&^ r^Ja^^n. €/r(yiyf^^iJju^ WEST SPARTA— EARLY SETTLERS. 235 A portion of his farm extended to the bottom land of the Canaseraga, and was accordingly so damp and boggy that it was a common thing to see cattle almost hopelessly mired in those bogs. Mr. Driesbach conceived the idea of draining those lands. He accordingly commenced a system of drainage by underground causeway with such suc- cess that he soon made the lands perfectly dry, fertile and productive. Henry Driesbach was a man of uncommon good sense, thoughtful, candid, honest and direct. He had no platitudes. One always knew exactly how to take him, and if he gave his word he carried it out to the letter, as to time, place and everything. He was a man of very few words, but when he spoke it was to the point. He was retiring but firm in his convictions, to an extent ahttle removed from stubbornness. In the midst of activity and usefulness he was seized by an incurable malady which ended his days while he was in the prime of manhood, and in the midst of his finan- cial success and usefulness. He died October 28, 1868, at the age of forty-five. His knowledge of the value of farming land was almost unequalled. In recognition of this knowledge he was elected an assessor of the town of Sparta for a considerable period of time. In politics he was a Democrat, honest and true to his convictions, but modest and unassuming in declaring them. He early united with the Lutheran Reformed Church at Dansville, and was in every sense a worthy, consistent. Chris- tian man, observant of all the duties and ordi- nances of the Church. Such was Henry Dries- bach, Jr.; in every sense a man who commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. CHAPTER XIX. History of the Town of West Sparta. THE town of West Sparta Ues south of the center of the county. It is bounded on the north by Groveland, on the south by Ossian, on the east by Sparta and North Dansville, and on the west by Mt. Morris and Nunda. The surface of West Sparta is also quite hilly, though less mountainous than that of Sparta and Ossian. There is also more of an unsettled, un- cultivated appearance than is characteristic of the towns lying to the east or west. The soil is some- what heavier than that of the surrounding towns, especially in the northern part, where it is of a clay loam. In the southern part the soil incHnes to a sandy loam. An extensive marsh, known as Can- aseraga swamp, in the northeastern part robs the town of much of its tillable soil. The only impor- tant streams are Canaseraga creek, which flows north along the eastern border, forming the boun- dary line between this town and Sparta, and Butler brook, a smaller stream in the southern part, in which is a perpendicular cascade of some sixty feet. The Dansville Railroad passes through the extreme eastern part of the town. This town was formed at the time of the division of the original town of Sparta, February 27, 1846. The first white person to break land and build a cabin in the present Umits of the town were William McCartney and Andrew Smith, who came from Scotland in 1791, landing in Philadelphia and coming to West Sparta in 1792. William McCart- ney acted as clerk for Captain WilUamson, a land agent. The cabin which was built under the directions of WilUamson was situated on land afterwards owned by John McNair, later by Judge James McNair, and at present by Hugh T. McNair. The nearest white settlers at that time were at Arkport, Steul)en county, some fourteen miles south, and at Williams- burgh, in Groveland, twelve miles north. McCartney and Smith, however, must be regarded only as temporary residents within these Umits, for two years later the former purchased land near what is now known as Comminsville, within the present limits of North Dansville, where he moved and where he resided until his death in 1831. Andrew Smith remained but one year, when, on account of fever and ague which was probably developed by the swampy nature of the soil in that section of the town, he removed to Bath, purchasing there a farm where he resided until his death, some time about 1840. The first permanent settler was Jeremiah Gregory, who located in 1795 in the southern part of the town. After him a short time came other settlers, among whom were William Stevens, in 1796, Abel Wilsey in 1797, Benjamin Wilcox in 1798, and still later, Sam- uel McNair in the year 1802 or '3. John McNair, in 1803, came on a prospective trip to this new country and purchased of John Wilson of Fred- ericksburgh, Maryland, a tract of land containing four hundred acres in the then town of Sparta three miles north of Dansville. He then returned to his home in what was known as " The Irish Set- tlement," Northampton county, Pennsylvania ; and in the early part of 1804, with his family of six sons and one daughter with her husband, set out for his new home in the Canaseraga Valley, joining there a son and daughter who a year or two before had preceded him. The journey was made in cov- ered wagons, containing besides the family the furniture and implements with which to begin their 236 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. pioneer life in this region of forests and hills. Arriving some time in the middle of June, the family found a temporary home in the log cabin which had been put up on the tract in 1792 by direction of Captain WiUiamson, and occupied by WiUiam McCartney. A part of the farm was cleared of timber and had doubtless been at some time cultivated by the Indians. Here on this tract they at once built a comfort- able home of hewn logs, which is still standing in a good state of preservation on the farm which is now owned by Hugh T. McNair. The children of John McNair were William, Samuel, John, David, James, Andrew, Robert, Margaret and Christiana, all of whom are dead ; but many descendants are now Uving in the vicin- ity. Among other pioneers of the McNair family was Judge Hugh McNair, grandfather to Hugh T. Mc- Nair, now living in West Sparta, who for some years was Prothonotary of Ontario when it in- cluded the county of Livingston. All of his sons are dead but one who lives in Corning, Iowa. William W. McNair, whose widow lives here, was Hugh's oldest son. The early history of this region is but a repeti- tion of that of the surrounding towns. Lumbering and shingle making were for some years the prin- cipal occupations of the settlers. The privations incident to the new settlement were keenly felt; but it is not known that any of the pioneers suffer- ed from actual want. For some time the mar- ket for such produce as their farms yielded was confined to the settlers each year arriving, or oc- casionally they bartered their products for the wares and goods of the merchants at Bath and other as scantily inhabited settlements in Steuben county. It was not until 1823 that the first store in the town was opened by Jonathan Russell at what is now Union Corners. The nearest post-office was at Bath, thirty miles distant. These inconven- iences in procuring merchandise, and in keeping up an intercourse with the outside world, were, it may be imagined, among the chief hardships of their pioneer existence. It is to the fortitude with which these early fathers and mothers endured privations; to their hardy self-denial, and to their courage under the difficulties which beset them, that their descend- ants are indebted for whatever prosperity and comforts surround them to-day. Beyond the clearing of land into farms, and the lumbering traffic attendant upon such labors, the progress in other kinds of business was slow. The first grist-mill was built by Samuel Stoner in 1823. The first tavern kept in the town was by Ebenezer McMaster in 1820,* at what is now known as Kysorville. The first wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill was established by Benjamin Hungerford in the year 1814. In this establish- ment Millard Fillmore, President of the United States in 1850-53, was apprenticed to the trade of cloth-dressing, serving four months on trial. Hav- ing been set by Hungerford at menial labor that had no connection with the contemplated trade, when the four months had elapsed he gave up the busi- ness and returned to his home in Cayuga county to begin the career which made his name a house- hold word throughout the nation. The first town meeting after the division of the town in 1846, was held on April 7th of that same year in the school-house standing at that time near the property of J6hn Muchler. At that meeting the following officers were elected: — Supervisor, Roswell Wilcox ; Town Clerk, Gid- eon D. Passage ; Superintendent of Schools, Sam'l G. Stoner; Assessors, Jacob Chapman, James F. McCartney, Alexander Henry ; Commissioners of Highways, David McNair, James Van Wagner, James Northrop; Inspectors of Election, Peter VanNuys, WilKam D. McNair, Jr., Levi Robin- son, Jr., appointed; Justices of the Peace, Hiram Jencks, short term, Stephen Stephenson, one year, Samuel Scribner, two years, H. G. Chamberlin, four years ; Overseers of the Poor, William Spin- ning, Aaron Cook ; Collector, B. F. Hyser ; Con- stables,Freeman Edwards, B. F. Hyser, A. J. Thomp- son, Nathaniel Hanna ; Town Sealer, John Sto- ner, Jr. Thereafter the succession of Supervisors and Town Clerks was as follows : — Supervisors. Town Clerks. T847. Roswell Wilcox, David McNair. 1848. " " 1849. " " 1850. Hugh McCartney. Calvin B. Smith. 1 85 1. Jas. F. McCartney. Alvin W. Spears. 1852. " " Calvin B. Smith. 1853. Alexander Kinney. Alexander Rogers. 1854. David McNair. " " 1855. Leonard B. Field. Peter C. Cuykendall. 1856-57- " " Alexander Rogers. 1858-63. " " Willis C. Rose. 1864-65. " " Alexander Rogers. 1866. Peter VanNuys. " " 1867. Leonard B. Field. Stephen Stephenson. * Some doubts exist as to the correctness of this, although it is not pre- cisely known where or by whom the first tavern was kept. WEST SPARTA — TOWN OFFICERS. 237 Leonard B. Field. Isaac Van Hooser. Ogden March. John O. Kelley. Leonard B. Field. Isaac Van Hooser. 1868. 1869. 1870. 1871. 1872-74. William J. Slaight. " " 1875. " " Edward M. Gregory. 1876. Leonard B. Field. " 1877-78. " " Henry B. McNair. 1879. James B. Frazer. C. Fredk. McNair. 1880. James B. Frazer. Russell C. Stoner. The other officers for 1880 are: — Justices of the Peace, Merritt B. Dake, Henry B. McNair, Stephen Kemp, John Ferine; Highway Com- missioner, William Johnson ; Assessors, Fred Mil- ler, Andrew J. Kennedy, Augustus Hungerford ; Overseers of the Poor, John N. Kemp, Henry F. Muchler; Collector, Joseph McCay ; Constables, Joseph McCay, Nelson B. Willett, George Hunt, George Lester, Buell Gould ; Inspectors of Elec- tion, Frederick Miller, James F. Muchler, A. C. Green ; Game Constable, Job Woodworth ; Excise Commissioners, Hugh T. McNair, William Van Doren. West Sparta furnished a large number of soldiers during the war of the Rebellion, but as no correct record of the enlistments was ever kept we cannot learn in what regiments they enlisted, nor what fate met the brave men who perilled their lives in the defense of their country. The following is as complete a list as could be obtained of the men who entered the service at different times during the progress of the war. The following enlisted from West Sparta pre- vious to July 2, 1862 : — Marshall Hungerford, Charles Burr, James Edwards, Alonzo Farnsworth, Horace Herrick, Edward Kenney, John Johnson, Jerome Harden- dorf, Robert Pierce, Stephen A. Kemp, Thomas Radigan, Michael Radigan, Edward Kiehle, Josiah Kiehle, Wm. Streffa, Archibald Van Ness, George Walters, Frank Swager, Jasper Wadsworth, John Wadsworth, Henry Vorhees, Melvin Walker. After that date, and previous to July 18, 1864, the town paid a bounty of $50 to each of the fol- lowing who enlisted : — Geo. W. Libby, Henry K. Price, Jas. UUyett, Ogden Marsh, Solomon Wise, Roswell Masten, Thomas Owens, Wm. A. Edwards, John Gorigan, Wm. H. Whetstone, James McKeown, Hamilton S. McMaster, Wm. A. McMaster, Shubal W. Farnsworth, Gilbert M. Van Velzer, John Kelly, Thomas Bonner, John F. Gill, John Aon, Ira B. Sherwood, Wm. A. Selover, Henry W. Spear, Jehiel Johnson, James A. Rogers, A. T. Blan- chard, Andrew J. McNair, Squire L. Herrick, John W. Wampole, Geo. R. Torrey, Daniel B. Wads- worth, William Servis, John M. Dennison, Charles C. Vorhees, Edwin Smith. In 1864, and previous to July i8th, the follow- ing number enlisted : — Orlando Abby, Andrew J. Kennedy, John Kemp, Jr., Joseph Aeret, Henry V. Thompson, Joseph Doty, James Pendergast, John Johnson, Charles Gant, Wm. Brown, Sylvanus H. Cook, Calvin Shortliff, Wm. Patterson, Marshall Hungerford, John Aplin, Wm. C. Hague, Josephus H. Lawrey. Under the call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred thousand men, the appended number was en- listed: — George C. Brooks, James Simpson, David Simley, Henry Atwood, Wm. Butler, John Walker, Jesse Smith, Jr., Benjamin Wampole, David Blank, Roswell S. Clark, Alex. Duvall, James Colwell, Robert Kelly, John Cunningham, Geo. Froehg, Amasa W. Aber, John M. Harvey, Westley P. Gridley, Silas R. Rhodes, Thomas H. Rhodes, Duty S. Cram, Wm. M. Wolcott, Albert West, Charles Sawyer, Daniel Brace, Thomas Hennessey, George Judson, John Gallagher, Thomas Wilcox, Andrew Rush.* Statistics of Population. — In 1870, West Sparta had a population of 1,244, of which 1,144 were native, and 100 of foreign birth. In 1875 the population was 1,208, a decrease of 36. In this year the native population was but 1,097, a de- crease of 47 in those five years, while the foreign population had increased to in in the same length of time. Of these 1,208, only 6 belonged to the colored race, 610 were males, 598 females, and 32 aliens; and of this number but 12 who were twenty-one years of age, and upwards, were unable to read and write. Of the total population but 164 were owners of land; 238 were liable to military duty ; 349 were of voting age, of which number 297 were native, 34 naturahzed, and 18 were aliens. Agricultural Statistics. — The census of that same year gave the town in improved land 14,238 acres; 3,261 acres of woodland, and of unim- proved land 1,708 acres. The value of farms was $911,718; of farm buildings, $95,061; of stock, $107,370; andofagriculturalimplements, $29,164. The sales from these farms were to the amount of $81 041. Fertilizers were used to the amount of $55- * The foregoing military record was kindly furnished by L. B. Fieldi the efficient Supervisor of this town during those trying years. 238 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. School Statistics. — West Sparta has 12 school districts, containing 334 children of school age. During the past year school was • taught 3394-5 weeks, employing 1 2 teachers, and with an average attendance of r 5 2. The number of children attend- ing some portion of the year was 284. The amount paid for teachers during the year was $1,520.88. The district libraries are very meager, being valued at $ii.oo only. There was expended during the year for school apparatus, $2.10 ; for fences, repairs, furniture, &c., $55.28, while the total incidental expenses were $191.31. The value of school houses and sites is $4,460. The total valuation of the districts is $6,454.08. West Sparta contains no villages of note. Kysorville. Kysorville, a httle hamlet in the northern part of the town, consists of a grocery store conducted by Frank Muchler, in business one year, a cider mill, (William Buell,) blacksmith shop, (James Jones,) a school house, and a few dwelUngs. WoODVILLE. Woodville, in the south-eastern part, contains a large flouring mill, owned by Morey & Goho, who have been engaged in the business here five years, a church, a school house, and a few dweUing houses. The place derived its name from John, Rufus, and Asa Wood, who located there at an early date. The Union Church of Woodville was built by the EvangeHcal Association of that place about the year 1850. It was first preached in by Rev. Thomas Aitken. No records exist to show the origin of the society or its progress. The church is also used by the Free Methodist society, the pastor of which, in 1880, was Rev. Charles South worth. Byersville. Byersville, in the southern part of the town, some three miles west of Woodville, derived its name from Samuel Byers. The first settlement was made here about 1823. It contains about sixty inhab- itants. The only store is devoted to general mer- chandise and is kept by Russell C. Stoner, who has been in business here two years. The present post- master is Elijah Kinney, who was appointed in February, 1880. The present physician is Dr. A. V. Watkins, a graduate from the Eclectic College of Philadelphia in March, 187 1, who has been located in Byersville since that time. Churches. — The Free Methodist Society of Byersville was organized in 1876. The class was formed September 9, 1877. The church was built soon afterward, and at the time of dedication the members were : D. L. Pickard and wife, L. N. Tur- rey and wife, Mr. Merrick Jencks and wife, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Stoner, Georgiana Powell, Libbie Powell and Clarence Pickard. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. F. Curney, who presided two years. The second pastor was Rev. D. J. Santmier, who officiated one year. The Rev. Charles South worth was in charge in 1880. The church edifice is quite a fine building for so small a place, and is clear of debt. The present mem- bership is thirty-five. Union Corners. Union Corners hes in the western part of the town about a mile north of the center, and close to the Une dividing the town from Mount Morris. It contains but a school house, blacksmith shop, two churches, and a few dwelling-houses. The Union Corners Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1879 under the pastorate of Rev. B. A. Partridge. The church edifice was erected in 1880, and is a nicely situated and substantial building. The membership is thirty-six. The pastor in 1880 was Rev. F. M. Cole. The Presbyterian Church of Union Corners was organized by Rev. Elihu Mason, August 21, 1825, with the following members : — Garrett VanWagnen, and Mary, his wife, Mrs. Catharine Bogart, Mrs. Catharine Thompson, Abraham Thompson, James O'Brien, and Nelly, his wife, James J. Amerman, and Jacob VanMid- dlesworth. The following were the officers chosen and ordained : — Garrett VanWagnen, First Elder ; James J. Amerman, Second Elder ; Jacob VanMid- dlesworth. Third Elder. There is no further record regarding the trans- actions of the society until August 6, 1828. At that date Rev. Norris Bull as moderator, received to membership in the church Catherine Thompson, Archibald Ten Eyck and Eliza, his wife, PhiUip Thompson and Hannah, his vidfe, and Hannah G. Thompson. September 17, 1828, the Rev. N. W. Fisher as moderator, Philhp Thompson and Archibald Ten Eyck were elected elders. April 19, 1832, the following elders were added: Obed Cravath, Calvin E. Crank, Jacob Bergen, and Samuel Comstock. On the 5th of March, 1834, the first trustees were chosen. These were OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN. 239 Jabez Hungerford, Stephen Trowbridge, first class; Samuel T. Comstock, Jacob Bergen, second class ; Abraham S. Thompson and Gilbert Bogart, third class. The following has been the succession of pas- tors : — Rev. Amos P. Brown 18^9-1830. Rev. L. Robbins 1831-1832. Rev. Leonard Rogers 1835-1836. Rev. L. Hull 1837-1840. Rev. Samuel H. Rawson 1841-1842. Rev. Horatio Norton 1 843 . Rev. William Bridgeman 1844-1845. Rev. William Fithian 1 846-1 853. Rev. M. Barton 1855-1856. Rev. T. Darling 1857-1859. Rev. R. W. McCormick 1865-1866. Rev. P. S. Van Nest 1867 . Rev. Willis C. Gaylord 1 868-1 869. Rev. William Jones 1870-1872. Rev. J. M. Horton 1874-1875. Rev. S. McKinney 1876 . Rev. B. A. Partridge (M. E. pastor). .1878-1879. Rev. J. Mitchell 1880- ■. The present house of worship was built in 1835, and was the first one built by the society. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN. Oscar Lafayette Chamberlain was born in the old town of Sparta, (now West Sparta,) Feb. 7, 1825. His father, H. G. Chamberlain, with his wife, Anna, moved into Livingston county while the greater part of the country was a wilderness and settled on a farm about one mile south of Union Corners where they raised a family of six sons and five daughters. He was a man of strict morals, and upright in all of his dealings with man- kind. Four daughters and four sons survive him. The eldest, O. H., lives in Wisconsin. The fourth, A. O., in Darlington, Wisconsin. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1880. The fifth, A. B. Chamberlain of Auburn, N. Y., is a minister of the gospel of the Disciple Order, and is an able speaker. The youngest, H. G., resides in Mt. Morris. Oscar L. remained in the county till the spring of 1847, when he emigrated to the West, laboring in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, till the spring of 1850, when in company with two other young men he went the overland route to CaKfornia, the jour- ney being accompUshed with oxen. After about three months' time he reached his destination and soon began his career as miner. He diligently sought for riches, and after eight years was rewarded by an interest in the famous Amadore mine at Sut- ter Creek, Amadore county, California, where he accumulated a large fortune. In i860, he visited his native county, and Oct. 15, married Mary Z. Farrell and they together returned to Cahfornia, where they remained a few years, when his health having failed they returned to this county, where he purchased a beautiful residence in Mt. Morris, now the residence of H. G. Chamberlain, where he -4^ I (OSCAR L. CHAMBERLAIN.) remained a little over two years. His health con- tinued to dechne but he regarded himself able to go to California on business in the spring of 1870, but his strength proved unequal to the task and he died July 24th, at the Grand Hotel in San Francisco. Mr. C. was a man whose unchallenged integrity commanded the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and noted for those positive traits of character which made him outspoken and frank on all questions which claimed his attention. In pol- itics he was an ardent Republican and was once offered a nomination for State Senator in Califor- nia, when nomination would have been equivalent to an election. He declined the honor, preferring the place of a private worker for the principles of his party. He was beloved for his noble genero^ty, which prompted him to help all who needed assist- ance with princely benevolence. He left a wife and three children, who since his death have removed to California. His name is embalmed in the hearts of his brothers and sisters for his un- selfish and manly regard for their welfare, and in the hearts of many who were the objects of his solicitude. 240 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. LEONARD B. FIELD. Photo, by Betts, Dansville. (LEONARD B. FIELD.) Leonard B. Field, a portrait of whom appears in connection with this sketch, is one of West Sparta's self-made men, and one who from his intimate as- sociation with the pubUc affairs of the town is eminently deserving of the brief record of his hfe here given. He like many others of the worthy residents of livingston county is a native of the old Green Mountain State ; the State from whence so much of the brain and brawn that developed the new set- tlements and made the " wilderness blossom as a rose" was derived. Mr. Field was born in New Fane, Vermont, the 30th of March, 1821. In the spring of 1824, his parents, seized with the desire of change from the rugged hills of Vermont, to the famed valley of the Genesee, moved thence with their family consist- ing of Leonard B. and his two sisters, and settled in the town of Groveland. Here they made their home for some httle time, afterwards moving to Geneseo and Dansville, and finally to West Sparta, then Sparta, in the spring of T843. It was here that Mr. Field's father and mother died ; Reuben, his father, on the 23d of November, 1865, and MaryG., his mother, on the sth of October, 1869. Mr. Field's elementary education was obtained fronri the district schools of the neighborhood and he improved the time allotted to him there to the best possible advantage as has been fully shown by his later life. After leaving the district-school, he attended private schools of prominence at Lock- port, Temple Hill and Bath, the High school at Geneseo, and the Academy at Canandaigua, which latter institution he left in the spring of 1840. He then returned to his chosen vocation, that of a farmer, and has since devoted the best energies of his life to that most honorable caUing, winning de- servedly the highest encomiums from his neigh- bors who have shown their appreciation of his merit by repeatedly electing him to various offices within their gift. In the spring of 1845, Mr. Fields was elected to the office of the Justice of the Peace of the town of Sparta, by the Whigs, and in 1849 ^-nd 1853 was reelected by the same party to that office in the town of West Sparta. Upon the disruption of the old Whig party into two factions, the "silver grays" and the ''wooly heads," Mr. Field cast his lot with the former, be- lieving them the better of the two. Upon the for- mation of the American party, Mr. Field, from the positiveness of his nature and through the Protes- tant ideas and prejudices imbibed in his youth, naturally sided with it and was elected to the office of Supervisor in 1855 upon the American ticket. The American party at the time of its in- ception was popular with the masses and developed strength sufficient in the year 1854 and 1855 to elect a sheriff of Livingston county, a senator of the district and nearly sufficient to elect a Gover- nor. The party being based upon National and rehgious antipathies, the native element against the foreign and the Protestant against the Catholic, was deservedly short-Uved and soon sank to its poKtical grave never to be resurrected. The "barnburner" or "soft-shell" wing of the Democratic party having united with the Whigs to form the Republican party, Mr. Field joined the "hunker" or "hard shell" faction of the Demo- cratic party. Since this time Mr. Field has served his town faithfully, having been elected to the re- sponsible and trying position of Supervisor in the years 1856, 1857, i8i;8, 1859, i860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1867, 1868, 1870, 1871, 1876, 1877 and 1878. In the year 1846 Mr. Field was baptized by El- der Seneca Short, and became a member and com- municant of the Methodist Episcopal church, fully believing in the doctrines of the Atonement and of the Trinity as expounded in the teachings of that church. Mr. Field being a man of positive and forcible convictions, in the matter of religion as in all else, has in after years found good and sufficient reasons in his mind to doubt the truth of the doc- trines that are the foundation stones of the church and beUeving that these doctrines are pernicious, and tend to retard rather than assist the spiritual and moral development of the human race, takes every means within his power to advance his views, beUeving that he is thereby a help to erring hu- manity. In the fall of 1877, Mr. Field while in Rochester witnessed some remarkable spiritualistic phenomena in the shape of direct or independent slate-writing which fully convinced him of the fact that disem- bodied human spirits can and do communicate freely with mortals, and he now holds firmly to the doctrine of Spiritualism. (n d ri z o ni o CO c r > o CO H J ,>^ r < z (p (A H o z o o ^ James f. f ef^ne. »4' J J > 3?ii Photo, by Betts, Dansville- MlR. ^ JArS. "^ILLIAM yAN pOI^EN. BENJAMIN F. KYSOR— JAMES P. FERINE— WILLIAM VAN DOREN. 241 BENJAMIN F. KYSOR. John Kysor emigrated from Germany to America previous to the Revolution and took an active part in the fight for Independence. His son Syl- vanus married Lois Fisk, of Mayfield, N. Y., by whom he had three children, Benj. F. being the second child and only son. They were among the pioneers of Livingston county, commenced with Small means, but by strict economy and industry obtained a handsome property as their reward. Oct. 28, 1846, Benj. F. Kysor married Juha A., daughter of Harlem G. and Anna (Bush) Cham- berlain. She was the third child in a family of eleven. Her father belonged to a patriotic family ; his grandfather fought in the Revolution ; his brothers fought in the war of 181 2, and one of his brothers, Joseph H., was a distinguished minister in the Baptist church. Harlem G. Chamberlain moved from Vermont to Cayuga county, and from there to West Sparta^ where he died.* Benj. F. Kysor was the father of twelve children, as follows: Harrison F., (dead,) Oscar C, (an invalid,) Hattie A., Helen C, Horace G., (dead,) Effie A., Herbert S. and Albert H., (twins, deceased,) Octavius H., Julia E. and Franklin A., (twins,) and Dayton A. Harrison F., who was a talented young lawyer, went to Walla Walla city, Washington Territory, in the fall of 187 1, where with great vigor and hopeful prospects, he began his work of life. But being stricken with disease of the heart, he Hngered but a few days and died Dec. 13, 1871. Benj. F., a man of untiring industry and sterling integrity had been suffering several years from a malady, which in 1874 carried him nearly to the grave. He ralhed however, and in 1875 undertook the erec- tion of the magnificent residence now occupied by his family. Improving in health during that year, in 1878, he started with his wife on a trip to Wis- consin, but was taken sick on the cars and during his six weeks' stay in the West, was constantly un- der the care of a physician. Returning home, he Hved only a month and died Aug. 8, 1878, and is buried in the cemetery at Union Corners where a magnificent black and white granite monument marks his resting place, and where his grand- father and father are also buried. Mrs. Kysor is a mem- ber of the Baptist church, and is a hopeful believer in the gospel of Christ. She carries on the busi- ness connected with the large farm surrounding her house. Six of the children are there with her. JAMES P. PERINE. The Perine family who emigrated from France to New Jersey at an early day are of French origin. James P. Perine, son of Peter Perine ajid grand- son of James Perine, of Brunswick, Middlesex county, N. J., was born July 4, 1784. No record of his early life is given until his marriage in 1805 * See biographical sketch of 0. L. Chamberlain. to Mary Cheeseman, of N. J. They moved to Cayuga county in 1818, and after living there eight years removed to Mt. Morris and settled on the farm now occupied by their son, Wm. H. Ten children were born to them named as follows: Ehza, Joseph C, Huldah Ann, Phoebe Maria, Eleanor, Prudence, John, James Barzillai, and W. H. Phoebe Maria, the oldest child now Uving, is the widow of David Truman, and resides in West Sparta. Eleanor, unmarried, resides in Mt. Mor- ris. Prudence, the wife of Frederick P. Hardy, now lives in Lima. John married Harriett Stone, of Mt. Morris, and has four children — Frank, Elmer, Mary and Edson. James B. married Ehza- beth Chapman, of West Sparta. W. H. married Josephine Millholland, of Mt. Morris. Nine chil- dren were born to them, eight of whom are now living as follows: — Molly, Helen L., Ida R., James C, Wm. W., Latetia, Josephine and Burgess. John occupies the farm adjoining that of W. H. His children are all married : Frank to Harmon Hall, and living in Kansas ; Elmer to Virginia Chapman, of West Sparta ; Mary to Gerdell Linds- ley, of Dansville, and Edson to Jennie Knapp, of Ossian. The family of Wm. H. are unmarried and live at home. Jas. G. Perine first purchased eighty acres of heavily timbered land in Mt. Morris, having to clear a space for the erection of a log house into which he moved during the month of April, and by his untiring industry cleared four acres from which he raised a fine crop of corn and potatoes the same season. Two years later he purchased eighty acres more, and with the help of his family cleared and worked the land so successfully that in 1836 he built the house now occupied by Wm. H. Of the many who moved into the county at that time none tasted more of the privations and discomforts of a pioneer life. He moved from Cayuga county with an ox team. The first winter spent in the log house was very disagreeable, as an improvised blanket was used as a door, and not being imper- vious to cats and dogs, they were greatly annoyed by the midnight r3.ids of these animals. The team of white oxen which he owned were called the finest in the country and did the double duty of farm work during the week and drawing the family to church on the Sabbath. Mr. Perine was a mem- ber of the Union Corners Baptist Church, and was deacon of the same for several years. Being a man possessed of great energy and perseverance he raised a family that to-day are numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of the county. He died Feb. 9, 1869, and was buried in the cem- etery at Union Corners. WILLIAM VAN DOREN. WilUam VanDoren whose grandfather came from Holland at an early day and located in New Jersey, is one of the self-made men of this county. His father, John VanDoren, was born in New 242 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Jersey September 3, 1780, and married Alchsy Voorhees, from which union eleven children were born, as follows: — Cornelius, Elizabeth V., Maria, Sarah Jane (deceased), C. V., Ellen Ann, William, Catharine, Sarah J., John V., and Henry W. John VanDoren died March 21, 1856, and his wife September 23, i868. They were buried in the Kysorville cemetery. WiUiam VanDoren was born in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga county, May i, 181 7 and in 1831 moved with his father's family to West Sparta, where he worked for him till twenty-two years of age, and then for Deacon Ammerman of Mt. Morris for twelve dollars per month. After working for him two years he married Jane E., daughter of Ephraim Walker, of Mt. Morris, Feb- ruary ir, 1841. He then took land to work on shares until 1850 when he bought twenty-five acres, running in debt for it, the total amount of his pos- sessions at that time being five hundred dollars. The venture proved a profitable one, and after working a little over three years, he purchased fifty acres more and moved there with his family. With- in the next two years he bought twenty-seven acres of woodland which proved to be the most profita- ble of his investments. He then bought the Hun- gerford farm of seventy-six acres and moved there, where he lived six years, and then sold one hun- dred and two acres and purchased the farm, on which he now resides, containing one hundred acres. He is now the possessor of two hundred and sev- enty-six acres of land in the town of West Sparta. The pleasant home where he now resides, is situated about six miles from Dansville. He has two daughters, both of whom are married and settled within three miles of their old home, Mary J., having married Wm. A. Green and Jennie M., having married Edwin G. Stoner, both of West Sparta. In politics Mr. VanDoren is a Democrat, has held the office of Assessor six years, and in 1880 was elected Supervisor by a large majority. He possesses, in a marked degree, those qualities which characterize the useful citizen, the good neighbor, the fihal son and the kind and indulgent parent. The life of Mr. VanDoren, although containing no thrilling episodes, may well be regarded with attention by the young ; commencing life but a poor boy, with his unaided arm he has conquered a place in the world that stands as an example to all. Mr. and Mrs. VanDoren are now in the autumn of Ufe, enjoying the comforts of a happy home and fireside, and are members of the Methodist church, esteemed and beloved by family and friends. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. VanDoren came from Holland ; fought in the Revolution and was taken to Halifax a prisoner of war by the British. Her father was a soldier in the war of 181 2, and was drawing a pension up to the time of his death. She was the second child in a fam- ily of nine by his first wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lake, born in the town of Hoosick, Rensselear county, a woman of eminent piety, and half-sister to ten children by his second wife. CHAPTER XX. History of the Town or Nunda. NUNDA lies in the south-western part of Living- ston county, being the last town but one on the south-western border. It is bounded on the north by Mount Morris ; on the south by Grove, (Allegany county j) easterly by West Sparta and Ossian, and westerly by the town of Portage. It has an area of 22,291 acres. The soil in some parts is a sandy loam ; in other parts a gravelly loam with an inter- mixture of clay. The soil is adapted to the cul- ture of cereals, of which, especially of wheat, the town was at one time a prolific producer. The Cashaqua Creek, the only stream of im- portance, rises in Grove, Allegany county, flows through the north-western part of the town and empties into the Canaseraga Creek between Dans- ville and Mount Morris, and thence into the Gene- see river, affording the chief motor power for the saw and grist mills scattered along its banks. The name Nunda is an Indian word said to sig- nify " the meeting of the hills ;" the popular signifi- cation being " Potatoe Ground," applied because of the richness of the soil, which favored the culture of that tuber. Tradition says there was in early times an Indian village called Nunda[ah,J but it was abandoned at the beginning of the Revolution- ary war, and its exact location is now unknown. Nunda was originally twelve by twenty-four miles, embracing the towns of Portage, Pike, Grove, Granger, Centreville, Eagle, Hume, and Genesee Falls. It has now a territory of about six miles square. The town of Nunda was formed from Angelica, Allegany county, March i ith, 1808. At an early day its people desired to be annexed to Livingston county, and soon after this county was organized began to take steps to secure that end. In 1846 they succeeded, and Nunda was taken from Allegany and annexed to Livingston county. The early settlers came chiefly from New Eng- land, New Jersey, and from Cayuga county, N. Y. A few were from Pennsylvania, and from Oneida county, in this State. The settlers came to this new country with oxen and sleds, and some with horse teams. Those who came from a dis- tance journeyed by the Erie canal to Rochester, and from thence traveled overland to this valley. Their scanty stock of goods was drawn by teams from Rochester and Albany, and Catskill, while others shipped their goods on keel boats from Rochester to Geneseo, and from there conveyed RESIDENCE AND GROUNDS OF E.O ■i.ifM^'^k^ '^A.^'u^ljij [SON, NuNDA, Livingston, Co. N.Y. NUNDA— EARLY SETTLERS. 243 them by team to this town. For years there were but few to fell the forests, and cultivate the land which their hardy hands had rescued from its primi- tive wilderness ; while for many years there were, in all this surrounding region, but few schools in log-houses, with but few pupils, and but few of the comforts and conveniences of society and religion with which the town is now so abundantly favored. The honor of the first residency in the town has been ascribed to Phineas Bates and Bela Elderkin, who located near the present village of Nunda in 1 806. A closer investigation shows that they were not what was termed settlers, but "squatters," who occupied land in thatlocaUty before it had entered the market for public sales ; and who, upon the in- coming of purchasing residents, moved onward to newer and unlocated lands. The lands in this vicinity were put into the mar- ket by McSweeny, agent for Luke Tiernan, of Baltimore, owner of the Tuscarora Tract, which embraced fully one-half of the township. After these lands were opened for sale by McSweeny as resident agent, the first actual settlers in the pres- ent limits of Nunda, as near as can be learned, were the families of James A. Paine, Reuben Bates, and George W. Merrick, who came in the spring of 181 7, James A. Paine coming March 15th, 1817. It is known that in the previous year — 1816 — there came to Nunda, John and Jacob Passage, Schuyler Thompson, Henry Root, John White, and Abraham Acker; but it is not known that they settled within the present limits of Nunda, for at that time the township contained a much larger area than at present. George W. Merrick built the first frame house ever erected in the town. When he came to Nunda in 18 1 7 he bought some land, and a log-house partly finished, for forty dollars in gold. He raised the roof and shingled it with shingles of his own make without the use of a nail ; laying on a course of shingles and then putting on a pole to weight them down, and so on till the roof was completed. Mr. Merrick was one of the township's most ener- getic and prominent residents. He held the office of Supervisor six terms, and was Justice of the Peace for sixteen years. Noah Warren was among the first settlers in Nunda, coming in 181 6 from Cherry Valley, Otsego county. Remaining but a short time he went from here to Massachusetts, and returned in April 1819. The first night of his stay in this locality he passed with George Patterson, who lived at Oakland in a little log-cabin in which he could hardly stand up- right. Mr. Warren setfled at first near what was known as " the Corners." He located one hundred acres on the tract then known as the Norton Tract, cleared about fifty acres, and lived there until 1823, when he moved to the Tuscarora Tract, where he purchased sixty acres. At that time the land where the village now stands could have been bought for seven dollars per acre. There was a log house occupying the ground where the Livingston House now stands, and whortleberries could be picked on what are now the main streets. Other settlers located rapidly after the opening of these lands for sale. Among the earlier of these was James H. Rawson, who came to Nunda in 1 819, and settled near the south line of the town. He lived to see thrifty farms take the place of forests, an enterprising and beautiful village spring up on the site of unkept and unsalable lowlands, and to witness all of the improvements which have added to the wealth and industry of the town. Mr. Rawson held for a number of years the office of Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk. He died August 7th, 1879, in his eighty-third year. Adaline R. Barker, now in Nunda, is his daughter. Other early settlers were Reuben and Peleg Sweet, Abner Tuttle, David Corey and brother; John H. Townser ; Willoughby Lowell, who came in 18 18, and in that year built the first saw-mill; Alanson Hubbell, who came in 1819, and who kept in 1820, the first hotel in Nunda, which stood where the Nunda House now stands; William P. Wilcox, in 1820, and who built a residence be- tween Nunda village and Nunda station, at what was called " Wilcox Corners," probably so named in his honor; Henry C. Jones, in 1820, and Nathaniel Clough, who came in 1821 or 1822. James A. Paine, Wilham P. Wilcox and George W. Merrick assisted in laying out and building the State road in 1821. Earl J. Paine and L. F. Paine, now living in Nunda, are sons to James A. Paine, and are about the only, survivors of the early settlers. Earl J. Paine was ten years old when his father located in the town in 1817. L. F. Paine is still a hale and rugged man, with a powerful memory, and one who has played a by no means unimportant part in the upbuilding of the town. From him we learn that the early settlers lived a life of roughness and severity compared to the lives of their descendants. Living in houses built from logs hewed from the 244 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. forests which surrounded them ; subsisting'on what they could cultivate from the meager patches of land hurriedly cleared, or on the scant produce procured miles away in the more settled towns; toiling early and toiling late, and dressing in home- spun from their own looms ; theirs was a rugged life and demanded more than ordinary persever- ance and self-denial, to procure a living for them- selves and families. Shingle making and lumbering was at first the only important business, the former being made there for fifty cents per thousand, and the best lumber selling for two dollars per thousand feet. In those days deer were abundant. There were also some bears and elk, but not in large numbers. Wolves were so plentiful that the settlers could keep but few sheep, and a reward was paid by the town for the kiUing of each wolf. Wheat drawn to Rochester, then a three days' journey, sold for three and sixpence per bushel, which was consid- ered a good price. It cost them twelve dollars per year to get deUvered in Nunda a small paper published at Geneseo. In 1820 the Hon. Charles Carroll superintended the sale of lands in this locahty. He afterwards purchased the land on which the village of Nunda now stands, which he laid out in the year 1824. The first grist mill was built by Samuel Swain and Lindsley Joslyn in 1828. William Alward, or C. C. Ashley, built the first tannery. WiUiam P. Wilcox kept the first store near the Centre in 1820. M. F. Blanchard and John Gilmore were the first doctors. The first death was that of Cornelius Bulson, who was killed by the falling of a tree in 1820. He was buried on the farm since owned by Mr. Partridge. There was no clergyman in the town at that time to conduct the services; a neighbor read a chapter from the Bible, prayer was offered, and the service ended. In 1832 the Eagle Hotel was built by James Heath, who kept it for two or three years. It was for years the largest hotel in this section of country, and was con- sidered one of the sights of the town. It occupied the ground where the Livingston House now stands. Under Andrew Jackson's administration — 1832 — the first postofiice was estabHshed in what is now Nunda village, and Lindsley Joslyn was appointed postmaster. The office stood on the corner of Mill and State streets, where the store of W. B. Whitcomb now stands. After the town of Portage was set off in 1827, George W. Merrick was the first Supervisor of Nunda ; J. H. Rawson, the first Town Clerk, and William Richardson the first Justice of the Peace. The first town meeting held in Nunda when it embraced its original territory, and in the year when it was erected into a township from Angelica, Allegany county, was in the house of Peter Gran- ger, April 4, 1809. Eli Griffith was elected Su- pervisor, and Asahel Trowbridge, Town Clerk. The first town meeting after Nunda attained its present limits, and had been annexed to Livingston county, was held at the Eagle Hotel, kept at that time by F. S. Cooley, in the village of Nunda, March 3d, 1846. At that meeting the following town officers were elected : Edward Swain, Supervisor ; Charles E. Crary, Town Clerk; Earl J. Paine, Highway Commissioner. The following have been the Supervisors and Clerks succeeding that date to the present time : — Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1847. Edward Swain. Charles E. Crary. 1848. Samuel Skinner. " 1849-50. " Edgar M. Brown.* 1851. " James H. Camp. 1852. EHsha Whipple. " 1853- t 1854. Samuel Skinner. Peter Carter. { 1855. " Bradford P. Richmond. 1856. Lewis B. Warner. David D. Tuttle. 1857. L. B. Warner. Hiram C. Grover. 1858-59. " Lewis C. Skinner. i860. Samuel Skinner. Isaac Bronson. 1 86 1. " C. H. Herrick. 1862. E. O. Dickinson. " 1863. " Benj. F. RoUah. 1864. Alfred Bell. Whitman Metcalf 1865. Herman D. Page. " 1866-67. " " 1868. " Edmond Daggett. 1869. " Geo. W. Daggett. 1870. " Milo S. Goldthwait. 187 1. Jared P. Dodge. " 1872. Elijah Youngs. Benj. F. RoUah. 1873. Jared P. Dodge. " 1874-75. E. O. Dickinson. " 1876-77. Plin. D. Lyon. " 1878. William M. Hunt. Adelbert Moot. 1879. Wm. Y. Robinson. Wilford E. Willey. 1880. " Benj. F. RoUah. The following were the additional town officers for the year 1880: — Highway Commissioner, J. A. Paine ; Justices of the Peace, John F. Olney, W. S. Orcott, Moses ♦ Edgar M. Brown was appointed by the Justices of tlie Peace as Clerk for that year, no Clerk having been elected. t No Supervisor was elected that year ; Samuel Skinner and Alfred Bell each received 146 votes ; and there is no record showing that any one was appointed. t Chariest. Spencer was soon after appointed Clerk vice Peter Carter resigned. Carter removing from the town. Merjvian p. Page. Herman D. Page was born December 10, 1828, and Oct. 22, 1852, married Margaret Consales, who died May 20, 1855. By her he had one child, Carrie M., who is now wife of Hector Sinclair, of Jamestown. October 27, 1867, he was again married to M. O. Warner, by whom he had three children as foUows : — George W., Boy A., and 'Albert H. Mr. Page has filled several offices in the town, being, in 1865, elected Supervisor and reelected five consecutive terms. He occupies the old homestead, which is beauti- fully situated about one mile east of the center of the village of Nunda. There are two fine dwellings on his farm — which contains 285 acres — one of which is occu- pied by his tenant. Aside from the fine crops yearly produced, Mr. Page carries on quite an extensive dairy, having from twenty -five to thirty cows. He takes great interest in keeping up his stock, the farm being particu- larly adapted to this branch of work, as it contains sev- eral very fine springs which are never dry. After the death of his father, he purchased the interest of the heirs and to-day is sole owner of the homestead. In politics Mr. Page is a Republican, but liberal in his views, believing that all men should worship and vote as their conscience dictates. Alberj- Page. The ancestors of our subject were of English origin and moved into this country as early as the eighteenth cen- tury, participating in the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. Albert Page, son of Eli Page, of Bradford, Conn., was born in Paris, Oneida county, in 1800. He moved into Nunda at the age of twenty-three, and cleared from an unbroken forest the foundation of what is now one of the finest farms in the town. After making a clearing he erected a log house and returned to his native place, where he married Jerusha C. Tyler. Eeturniug, he added 100 acres to his original purchase of fifty, after- wards adding thirty-five and fifty acres. He was married three times and is the father of nine children, six of whom are now living as follows : — 0. A., in Ionia connty, Mich,; H. D., in Nunda, on the old homestead; Ava E., at Pleasant Gap, Mo. ; Edward E. , and John E. , at Apple- ton, Mo., and Mary L,, wife of Charles Giddings of Nunda. The second wife of Mr. Page was Abigail Hanford, and his third, Eliza Weeks, still lives to mourn his loss. He was a Whig and afterwards a Eepublican. He filled the position of Assessor and Highway Commission- er for several years, and in 1 862-3 was Assistant Revenue Assessor and Collector. Mr. Page possessed those quaU- ties that make the kind parent and influential citizen. He was a deacon in the Baptist church for a number of years. He died August 22, 1876. VILLAGE OF NUNDA. 245 Wescott, M. H. Wakeman; Assessors, John W. Banker, D. S. Paine, George Passage; Overseer of the Poor, Alfred Tabor ; Collector, Alfred W. Skinner; Constables, Alfred W. Skinner, Isaac Preston, Ezra W. Davis, Charles Dunn ; Game Constable, J. B. Satterlee, Jr. For twenty years, with but one exception, the town meetings were held in the Eagle Hotel. Nunda has enjoyed numerous improvements which have aided the business capacities of the town. Among these was the Genesee Valley ca- nal which traversed the northwestern corner of the town, and which for years was an important factor in the business of Nunda. This channel of com- merce opened up to transportation the vast lumber regions of Livingston and Allegany counties, and for the greater part of its course passed through some of the most rugged and beautiful scenery in the State. From this point to Portage it had a great elevation, which, with its deep cuts through embankments, its numerous locks, and the natural scenery through which it passed, made an exceed- ingly picturesque view. But now all this has changed. The forests have been cleared up, the great bulk of the lumber shipped, railroads thrust out their competitive branches, and the canal ceas- ing to be self-supporting was abandoned a few years ago. * It is no longer the busy commercial thoroughfare of yore ; the boats have ceased to run ; wild grasses grow in the bed of the stream ; the locks are moss covered and decaying; and ruin reigns over what was once not only picturesque, but the pride of citizens and a spur to business activity. The Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania rail- road was another improvement which bid fair to be of the greatest importance to Nunda. The object of this enterprise was to open to the markets of the north the vast forests of timber and the bituminous coal basin of Pennsylvania, which the road was to have penetrated for some fifty miles, and to make a direct communication by rail between Rochester and Pittsburgh, and the cities lying southwest of the latter. The cash cost of the road was estimated at $6,732,000. Towards this sum the citizens of Nunda contributed hberally. The entire length of the road was located, extending from Rochester, its northern terminus, to a junction with Bennett's branch of the Allegany Valley railroad, its southern terminus, in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, a dis- tance of two hundred miles. For that distance the ' 1877. right of way was in great part secured, and a por- tion paid for. The grading, bridges and fencing were all under contract, the road was graded from Belvidere, Allegany county, to Sonyea, Mount Morris, and for some distance beyond toward Rochester, and the track was laid for some thirteen miles over which cars ran. Work on this road was extended over a space of three years, when the enterprise was abandoned for lack of funds with which to complete it. In 1875, Nunda had a populatiori of 2,697, of which 2,477 were of native and 220 of foreign origin. The white population was 2,864, while of the colored race the town contained but 13 persons. The sex of the population was 1,397 males and 1,300 females. In the township there were but 19 aliens. The persons of school age, over five and un- der eighteen years of age, were, males, 329 ; females, 354 ; and in the town there were but three persons twenty-one years old and upwards unable to read and write. The number of males of voting age was 756 total; of which 650 were native, 97 naturalized, and 9 aliens. The area of improved land was 15,440 acres; of woodland, 3,747 acres, and of other unimproved land, 1,891 acres. The cash value of farm lands was $1,009,325 ; of farm buildings, exclusive of dwellings, $143,310; of farm stock, $129,737; of farming tools and im- plements, $42,038. Of this area of farming land, 4,949 acres were plowed ; 4,398 acres were devoted to pasture, and 3,213 acres were mown, producing 3,575 tons of hay; 407 acres were devoted to the culture of bar- ley, producing a yield of 5,561 bushels. Nunda. Nunda is situated in the north-western part of the town, and is a village closely bordering on the realm of the picturesque. NestHng in a valley some two miles wide ; surrounded on nearly all sides by highlands of unusual beauty, on whose slopes are some of the finest farms in the county; with its wide and level streets, well paved and shaded walks; with its stately churches and fine residences, and every evidence of business activity and thrift, — all combine to make it one of the pleasantest villages in the State. It is twenty miles from Angelica on the south; eighteen from ' Dansville on the east; eleven from Mount Morris on the north, and a mile and a half from the Erie railroad at Nunda Station, from which point it is accessible by stage. 246 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The business part of the village faces on a broad square, and contains several groceries, two drug stores, milUnery shops, clothing houses, dry goods, boot and shoe and hardware stores, harness shops, jewelry stores, marble factory, public hall, two banks, two hotels, and a newspaper and general printing office, all of which are kept up in good style and bear evidences of prosperity. A noticeable feature of the village is that the residences and business houses are uniformly good, many quite fine ; and there is a pleasing lack of squallid and dilapidated buildings so apt to be seen in villages half a century old. The Nunda House, W. W. Church, proprietor, stands on the corner of State and Portage streets, and is a large roomy hotel, superior in many re- spects to public houses usual to villages of that size. The Eagle Hotel, on East street, C. Smith, pro- prietor, built in 1832 — as before mentioned — is a hotel of historic interest. For nearly half a century it has kept open doors for the accommo- dation of travelers and for the benefit of residents of the town, and is still as hospitable as in bygone days. A few years ago it was moved from the site it occupied, on the corner where the Livingston House now stands, to its present location. It is a long, low building, with a veranda across the entire front, and retains nearly the form in which it was built. The large building on the corner of State and East streets was erected a few years ago and was devoted to the uses of a hotel and named tlie "Livingston House." It was abandoned for such purposes, the ground rooms turned into various business places, and the upper floors changed into offices, and a hall for political and general public business. The Nunda News, the only newspaper in the town was established in 1859 by C. K. Sanders, who still continues as its editor and proprietor, and who is also the present postmaster, having held that office for a number of years. The village has several lodges in good working order, — Kishequa Lodge, No. 299, F. and A. M., organized in 1851. Ancient Order United Workingmen, organized in 1879. The Foresters, a benefit order on the insurance plan, organized in 1879, and The Union, an order somewhat similar to the former, organized in 1880. The village is favored with a fine body of musi- cians, the Livingston Cornet Band, containing thirteen pieces, and organized in 1879, under the leadership of W. H. Willard. Among its other attractions Nunda is favored with a mineral spring, whose medicinal properties are becoming quite celebrated. The spring is situated about half a mile from the village on the land of Daniel Passage. The spring was discovered in 1867 by Mr. Passage, while dig- ging for water for his stock. Noticing that the water had an unusually acrid and bitter taste he was induced to have it analyzed, the analysis show- ing that it contained in large quantities the sul- phates of magnesia and lime, together with the carbonates of lime and iron. A large and attractive building has been erected on a commanding portion of the land for the ac- commodation of visitors wishing to test the quali- ties of the water, and pass the summer days amidst the delightful scenery of this section of country. The first permanent settlers in the village -were Deacon Rawson, Asa Heath, Samuel Swain, David Bassett and James M. Heath. The first frame house in the village was built in 1824 by Asa Heath, who came from Washington county, and settled in Nunda in 1820. A portion of the house he built is still standing. In 1824 the village was laid out with some degree of system, and in fifteen years after was incorporated, April 26, 1839. The first meet- ing held for the election of village officers was on Tuesday, the nth day of June, 1839, at the Eagle Hotel, at which meeting the following officers were elected : — Trustees, Benedict Bagley, Russell Barnes, Wal- ter Whitcomb, Calvin B. Lawrence, David Holmes. Assessors, Calvin B. Lawrence and Samuel Swain, Jr. At a meeting of the trustees held at the office of Benedict Bagley on the following Thursday, June 13, 1839, Nathaniel Coe was appointed Clerk, William D. Hammond, Collector, and Albert H. Prescott, Pound Master. The following were other appointments made by the trustees at that date : — Fire Wardens, Clifford Chaffee, B. P. Richmond, W. M. Chipman, Henry C. Jones. Members of Hook and Ladder Company, Addison M. Crane, Hiram C. Grover, Thomas Raines, Francis F. Gibbs, Joseph White, James Swain, Jehiel Reed, Henry Ashley, Doctor D. Morse, Henry Chalker. Law^yers. — Benedict Bagley, at whose office this meeting is mentioned as being held, was one of the most prominent men in the town for nearly a quar- ter of a century. He came to Nunda in 1832 and n S2 o m en P CO o r i ■ ^ 73 CO ^ w 5 03 z O o K VILLAGE OF NUNDA— PHYSICIANS, BANKS. 247 remained till 1855, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in the banking business. He was a lawyer of no mean ability, and held a high place at the bar, but his interest in other business led him to gradually give up active prac- tice. When he came to Nunda it was a small ham- let, and he resided in a house where Grace church now stands. He took a prominent part in the local affairs of the town ; was one of the first trustees, and held the office of Justice for one term. He was a stockholder and one of the directors in the Cornell Telegraph line, laid through that region in 1850. He was also Attorney for and Vice-President of the Buffalo and New York City Railroad during its construction from Hornellsville to Buffalo, now the Buffalo Branch of the Erie Railroad. He also en- gaged in building railroads in the West. Previous to his removal to Cincinnati he v/as interested in a contract on the Chicago and Mississippi Railroad near Springfield, 111. He died in Dansville, Novem- ber 4, 1875, at the age of seventy-five. Among other lawyers of the past were A. C. Chipman and Luther C. Peck, the latter holding a prominent position at the bar. He represented in Congress the Thirtieth Congressional district, con- sisting of Livingston and Allegany counties, his Congressional career extending from 1837 to 1841. The present lawyers of Nunda are Peck & Wil- ley — the former a son of Luther C. Peck, and who has inherited much of his father's legal acumen — Osgoodby & Moot, Daggett & Norton, E. W. Pack- ard, D. S. Robinson, Frank Dake, E. C. Olney, W. S. Coffin, H. M. Dake. Physicians. — Among the past physicians of the town were, Dr. Wright, W. G. Blanchard in 1829; John Gilmore, who moved to Nebraska, but at what date is unknown. The present doctors are WiUiam B. Alley, who has been in Nunda seven- teen years. He graduated at the Berkshire Medi- cal College, Pittsfield, Mass., and has been in prac- tice thirty-one years. C. L. Harding, who located in Nunda in 1846, graduated at Cincinnati. Has been in practice thirty-four years. S. C. Upson, a licentiate of New York State, has resided in Nunda thirty-five years, and has been in practice sixty years. John B. Sabin graduated at Buffalo, N. Y., and has been in Nunda about ten years. Mrs. Doctor Whitcomb, (Homeopathic,) gradu- ated at Boston ; has been in practice four years. T. A. Hammond, graduated at Pulta Medical School, Cincinnati, (Homeopathic,) has been in practice one year. Banks. — The Nunda £a?tk was organized in May, 1873, as a private bank. The officers are Robert J. Baity, President; W. B. Whitcomb, Vice-President ; John E. Mills, Cashier. The office is situated on the corner of State and East streets, in the Livingston House building. The First National Bank of Nunda was organ- ized February 5, 1875, the articles of association being drawn and signed on that day. The directors were elected the 1 2th of February as follows:— John F. Barber, Michael DowHng, John M. Griffeth, James S. McMaster, Gordon L. Gilbert. President, John F. Barber ; Vice-Presi- dent, John M. Griffeth ; Cashier, James S. McMas- ter. The bank commenced business April ist, 1875, succeeding the Bank of Nunda, a private bank established in 1868. The capital was $50,000 in $100.00 shares. The present directors and offi- cers are John F. Barber, Peter DePuy, William Y. Robinson, Gordon L. Gilbert, John M. Griffeth. President, John F. Barber ; Vice-President, John M. Griffeth ; Cashier, Peter DePuy. The Oakwood Cemetery Association. — This association was formed June 17, r865, conformable to an Act passed April 27, 1847, authorizing the incorporation of Rural Cemetery associations. At that meeting the following trustees were elected : — Hon. Alfred Bell, Robert J. Baity, John Angler, Willard Wood, Cyrus Rose, E. O. Dickinson, L. B. Warner. The members of the society are the same as the officers given, with the following additions — Walter Whitcomb, Henry Lambert and Henry Martin. The Pioneer Association of Nunda and Por- tage. — The first meeting for the formation of this society was held August nth, 1877, at which meet- ing it was "■Resolved to organize a Pioneer Association for the towns of Nunda and Portage, for the purpose of gleaning and preserving facts per- taining to the early and modern history of these localities." On Saturday, August i8th, 1877, the permanent organization was effected with the appended Ust of officers and members : — President, Utley Spencer ; Vice Presidents, Am- mon Smith, of Portage, and John Gilmore of Nunda ; Secretary and Treasurer, C. K. Sanders ; Historians, B. P. Richmond, Nunda, Charles D. Bennett, Portage ; Medical Statisticians, Dr. Wil- liam B. Alley, Nunda, B. F. Kneeland, Portage; Executive and Financial Committee, Joel C. Ben- 248 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. nett, E. O. Dickinson. The object of this society is to procure and preserve whatever may be of his- torical interest to these towns, and to gather such statistics relating to education, population, the growth, general prosperity, and business of this lo- cality as may be of public utility. Such an asso- ciation must be of great benefit to any town if its object be to any great extent attained. A few years hence and its worth will be fully appreciated if not in the present decade. An important feature in the society is the keeping of a book of registry, in which all members are required to sign their own names, that their autographs may be pre- served. The meetings of the association are held annually. Educational Institutions. — Thirty years ago Nunda had an enviable reputation for the high character of its schools. In fact, there were few if any villages in the State whose facilities for educa- tional purj)0ses were equal to hers. Various causes, not the most unimportant of which was the indif- ference of the people to educational matters, led to a decline in the high character of the schools ; and though not now behind the times in educational facihties, it must be confessed that up to 1876 its former glory had, to a great extent, departed. The Nunda Literary Institute was opened in 1843, and was for years a widely known and in- fluential school of learning. The first term began May I St, 1843, with Rev. Amasa Buck, Principal; Mary S. Buck, Preceptress ; and Eliza Brown, Musical Teacher. It had a thorough course in EngUsh, French, Latin, Greek and Music, and was well attended by pupils from various parts of the country. Occupying so high a position it had a prosperous career till the building was destroyed by fire May 2, 1859, when the school was adjourned and never fully resumed. A few years after the burning of the Institute building a united effort was made by the people, and a new and commodious brick building was erected. In this building began the existence of the Nunda Academy which con- tinued till 1876. On the whole this was a success- ful school, and left its impress in the community ; but it suffered, Uke most of the Academies of the State, by a frequent change of principals. Becom- ing apparent to the people that as an Academy it ceased to accomplish the work which it was felt the community needed, a movement was started to consolidate the adjacent districts and form a Union graded School, which object which was accom- plished on Tuesday evening, August 15, 1876, when five districts were consolidated into one. On Saturday evening, August 12, 1876, pursuant to a resolution of a previous meeting, the election of a Board of Education took place. The trustees elected were as follows : — One year — Cyrus Rose, James McNair, Daniel Passage. Two years — John F. Olney, James Lemen, Samuel Swain. Three years— L. B. Warner, J. V. D. Coon, E. O. Dickinson. At this meeting W. S. Coffin, Esq., offered the following resolution, which was adopted : — " Whereas, there exists within the limits of this Union Free School District an academy known as the Nunda Academy, and an academic institution is needed in said district, therefore "Resolved, That the Board of Education of this Union Free School District be, and they are hereby authorized and directed (by and with the consent of the trustees of the Nunda Academy,) to adopt said Nunda Academy as the academic de- partment of this Union Free School District." The trustees of the academy consented, and thus was formed the Nunda Academy and Union Free School. A meeting of the Board of Education was held on the succeeding Monday, and the following officers were chosen : — President, J. V. D. Coon; Secretary, J. F. Olney; Treasurer, L. B. Warner ; Committee on Teachers, Samuel Swain, James Lemen, Dr. Coon; Com- mittee on Repairs and Supphes, Cyrus Rose, Dan- iel Passage, E. O. Dickinson. In 1877 the school opened with the subjoined faculty : — M. T. Dana, Principal; Miss Frankie Hinds, Mrs. Nellie Ransom, Miss Mattie McNair. The Board of Education and Faculty for 1880-81 are as follows: — H. D. Page, President; J. F. Olney, Secretary; L. B. Warner, A. C. Dodge, E. W. Packard, James Lemen, Virgil Hungerford, Fidelia J. M. Whitcomb, S. Augusta Herrick. M. T. Dana, Principal ; Carrie A. Van Ness, Academic Assistant ; Frankie Hinds, Preparatory Department ; Mrs. Nellie Ransom, Intermediate Department ; Mattie McNair, Primary Depart- ment; Mary N. Cofiin, Primary Department. The school is free to all actual residents of the town, and although the attempt to consohdate the districts was earnestly opposed by many of the inhabitants as an unwise plan, their experience has demonstrated that it was both a wise and a bene- ficial movement. VILLAGE OF NUNDA — CHURCHES. 249 The number of districts having school houses in the town are twelve, employing eighteen teachers. There are in these districts 790 scholars over five and under twenty-one years of age; the num- ber of children attending school during the year being 639. During the past year school has been taught 355 weeks, with an average attendance of 385, and an expenditure of $4,382.82 for teachers for the year. There was paid for school apparatus during the year but $3.69, while for libraries there was ex- pended $39.35. The total value of the district libraries is $398. The total incidental expenses for the year were $431.18. There has been paid out for school houses, sites, fences, furniture, repairs, &c., the sum of $974.78. The school houses and sites are valued at $16,480; and the total valuation of districts is $1,213,949. The present officers of the village of Nunda are:- Chris. Smith, Mayor and Deputy Sheriff; F. P. Thomas, Trustee; R. J. Baity, Trustee; B. F. Rol- lah. Village Clerk ; John E. Mills, Treasurer. Churches. — Coming as many of the early set- tlers did from the New England States, where religious observances had for years been as much a part of their nature as the breath they drew, it was natural that the pioneers in this new region should stilllovingly cling to those observances and endeavor to form as early as possible societies for the wor- ship of God. Hence we find that in the very first years of the settlement a movement was begun to incorporate into a society the people of religious antecedents. The first society thus formed was by the Baptists in 18 19, under the efforts of Elder Samuel Messenger. Elder Messenger came from the town of Phelps, Ontario county, and located near the hamlet of Oakland on a farm, which the greater part of his time he was obliged to cultivate to derive subsistence for himself and family. He found in the valley several people who were mem- bers of Baptist churches in the places from whence they had come ; and who anxious to be associated in one common body, with his advice and assist- ance drew up a list of articles of faith and cove- nant, to which twelve members subscribed. To this body of pioneer worshipers Elder Messenger extended the hand of fellowship as a regular, inde- pendent Baptist Church, at a meeting held for such organization at the house of Mr. Button in Hunt's Hollow,* May 21, 1819. * In Portage now, but which at that date was part of Nunda. The names of the twelve subscribing members were : — Russell Messenger, Schuyler Thompson, Elijah Bennett, Aaron Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Jr., Jacob Devoe, Wm. Greening, Susanna Greening, HuldahRoot,Rhoda Ann Bennett, Sally Thompson. Elijah Bennett was chosen clerk, which office he held until October 5, 1820, when he resigned and Jas. H. Rawson was elected to fill his place. After the organization of the church, the first member who joined it was Willoughby Lowell, who presented his letter and was received to mem- bership at the first covenant meeting June 5, 1820, James H. Rawson was the first member received into the church by baptism. In October, 1820, Elijah Bennett, one of the first subscribing members, having by'his ability and zeal shown himself adapted to ministerial work, was duly ordained as a minister by elders Bradley, Case and Messenger. In that year Schuyler Thompson, EUas Rawson and James H. Rawson were elected deacons. In 1820 this church was annexed to the Ontario Baptist Association, which connection was severed in 1824, when it united with the Holland Purchase Association. The organization of this church and society in a legal form occurred on the 8th of Oc- tober, 1827, when Daniel Ashley, Silas Warren and John Waite were chosen trustees. In the twelve succeeding years the trustees were annually elected according to the laws of the State; but at the an- nual meeting in April, 1840, it having become ne- cessary to be more expUcit, in order to possess and hold real estate this body was regularly incorpor- ated pursuant to the statutes of the Legislature, and under such corporation Samuel Swain, Jr., Albert Page and Edward H. Brackett, were elected trustees. At this date the membership for the first time since the organization, numbered one hundred, which, in July of the following year, was reduced to eighty-two by the withdrawing of Curtis Coe, Thaddeus Bennett, John Gearhart and fifteen other members to form the Grove and Portage Church at Hunt's Hollow. In the infancy of the church its meetings were held in private houses, log school-houses and in barns. In 1827, at the annual church meeting in April, the following resolution was adopted : — " Voted, that we hold our meetings from the first Sabbath in May until the ist of October in one place, and that shall be at Mr. Jones' barn. In June, 1827, this church was incorporated in the Genesee River Association formed at that 250 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. date, in which body it still retains a membership. The Society at this union with the above asso- ciation began to feel the need of a settled and central place of meeting, and soon after were al- lowed the use of a school-house in a central local- ity, and which the society enlarged at its own ex- pense. In this house their meetings were held for a short time, when it was found too small to ac- commodate the increasing congregation and a more suitable place was sought. Early in 1832, by a united effort, they com- menced the erection of a house of worship which was located on the corner of Mill and Church streets, and which in the following winter was com- pleted and dedicated. Long before its dedication it was needed for their use. Furnishing it with temporary seats their regular services were held on the Sabbath day, and the church at this time passed through one of its most important revivals, during which more than eighty united by baptism. At the succeeding meeting of the Association, the membership of this church was reported as two hundred and twenty-eight. The rapidly increas- ing congregation made it necessary in a few years to erect a larger place of worship, which, by an earnest and united effort, was partly accomplished in 184 1, and completed and dedicated in 1842. This is the edifice now standing on the south- east corner of Church and East streets. The form- er building was sold and converted to the use of an academy for the Nunda Literary Institute, and was used by that society until May 2, 1859, when it was destroyed by the torch of an incendiary. The lives of the early pastors of this church and the pioneer ministers of this section of the country are full of interest in the exhibition of unselfishness and zeal with which they labored to foster and ex- tend the worship of God. Elder Messenger devoted a portion of his time for seven years to the upbuilding of this church, for which labor he received but little pecuniary compensation. His salary scarcely ever exceeded one hundred dollars per annum. In 1826, he resigned his pastorate and was suc- ceeded by Elder Elijah Bennett, whose ministerial labors extended to 1830, the last year being as- sisted a part of the time by Elder Harvey. He also preached in 1831-32. Elder Bennett died in Nunda, in 1835. In the latter part of 1832, the church came under the pastoral care of Elder Ezra W. Clark, who remained until 1836, when he re- signed on account of ill-health. He was succeeded by Elder Abram Ennis, who retained the pastorate till 1840.* His salary was $400 for the first year, and $500 for each of the last three years. Elder J. W. Spoor, the next pastor, began his labors in October of 1840, and continued them until May, 1844. Under his pastorate about two hundred and thirty members were added to the church, while a reduction in the membership of two hun- dred and five left a total of a little over five hun- dred at the time of his resignation. In May, 1844, Elder Ichabod Clark assumed the ministerial duties. Elder Clark's pastorate ended in May, 1848. In June of that year the membership reported was three hundred and sev- enty-nine, which exceeds the membership reported in any subsequent years. Elder Jira D. Cole suc- ceeded Elder Clark, and remained with this people about two years, during which time the church passed through a season of very deep trial, occa- sioned chiefly by connections with secret societies, in violation of resolutions which had been passed in 1827. t For some months after the expiration of Elder Cole's term the desk was supplied by a licentiate, when Elder P. B. Houghout was engaged but re- mained only a short time, resigning in July, 1851, and Elder Spoor again assumed the pastorate in November, 1851, holding it till May, 1854. He was succeeded by Elder Whitman Metcalf, whose labors extended over a period of nine years. His advanced age and infirmities caused him to resign in May, 1863. He was succeeded by Elder J. J. Keyes, who labored here for nearly two years. He was succeeded by Elder J. B. Vroorman, who re- mained till April, 1870. Elder William Mudge came in May, 1870, re- maining until July, 1873, when he was succeeded by Elder C. B. Parsons, who continued from Oct., 1873, to April ist, 1876. The present pastor is Rev. J. D. Tucker, who came in April, 1876. Several members of this church have entered the ministry. Elijah Bennett, before mentioned as being ordained in 1820. Peter Robinson was or- dained to the work of the ministry in 1836. Newell Boughton was licensed in 1836, and subsequently ordained. James Work, a native of the Orkney Islands, was licensed in Hamilton, Canada, and united with this church in 1855. He completed a course of education at Rochester, and was or- dained here February 11, 1863, being about to re- turn to his native land to preach to his country- men. Lysander L. Wellman was licensed in 1861 * Elder Ennis died in Mendon, Monroe county, in 1845. t Tliese resolutions were repealed in April, 1866. VILLAGE OF NUNDA— CHURCHES. 251 and afterward ordained. Alvin W. Tousey was licensed in 1861, was subsequently ordained, and went to Illinois where he engaged in the ministerial work. The First Presbyterian Church of Nunda* — This, in point of time, was the next church to or- ganize for the worship of God; for among the in- coming tide of new settlers was an increasing num- ber of Presbyterian antecedents and associations, and it was but natural that they should wish to en- joy the same ministrations as to doctrines and or- dinances as those under which they had received their early training. Accordingly, upon the sixth of October, 183 r, they were organized into a Presbyterian church. The meeting for the organization was held in a school house near Deacon Wisner's, two miles northeast of the present site of the church. So far as can now be ascertained it seemed to have been a spontaneous movement among those of like mind and faith. No record and no personal recollec- tion of the oldest residents remains, pointing to any particular one as a leader of others. The ministers present and assisting in the organization, were Revs. Robert Hubbard, Abel Caldwell, and Ludovicus Robbins. The Elders were Joseph Waldo and Silas Olmstead. Of these ministers, Mr. Hubbard had organized the Presbyterian church at Angelica in 18 11, and preached there a number of years. He assisted in organizing the Presbyterian church at Dansville in 1825, and was for a number of years its pastor. He was subse- quently pastor of the church at Fowlerville, at which place he died in 1840. Mr. Caldwell was the minister at Hunt's Hollow, to which place he had come, it is believed, from Bloomfield. The entire number uniting at this organization was fourteen. Ten of these were by letter, and four upon profession of faith. Their names were : John Chapin, Clarissa Chapin, James Patterson, Sarah Patterson, Zaddock Herrick, Betsey Her- rick, EHza Guy, Mille Pierce, Celestia J. Hills, Abraham Van Sickle. Those uniting upon pro- fession of faith were Sillah Lee, Lucinda Booth, William R. Duryee, and Mrs. Lany Duryee. It has been said that the church was organized first as Congregational, and afterward changed to Presbyterian by a vote of the members ; but ac- cording to the records, and from the recollections of many of the older members, it would appear * To Rev. B. S, Foster, a former pastor of this church, now in Spring- ville, N. Y. , we are gready indebted for a full and accurate history of this Society ; he having during his pastorate taken especial pains to glean all that was of historical interest, and which he kindly placed at our disposal. that the organization was designed from its origin to be Presbyterian, although there was no election and ordination of Elders until May 21, 1835. The business seems to have been transacted by church meetings, and practically the church was carried for- ward according to Congregational usage. The first clerk of the society was James Patter- son, Nathaniel Chandler succeeding him in office. At a meeting of the church which is without date, but which must have been soon after August 25, 1833, David Shager and John Chapin were elected deacons. The former accepted, the latter declined. At a meeting held May 21, 1835, six ruling elders were elected as follows : — Samuel Swain and Rus- sell Barnes, for one year; Elihu Dickinson and Ephraim Smith, for two years; and John Chapin and Abraham Burgess for three years. At the same meeting it was voted to have four deacons — Guliel- mus Wing, one year ; David Thayer, two years ; Erastus Buck, three years ; and Josiah Phelps, four years, all of whom accepted but Mr. Wing. This completed the organization as a church, which at this time was under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, from which it was transferred to Ontario Presbytery, October 8, 1844. The first minister who assumed pastoral charge of this church was Rev. Ludovicus Robbins, who remained one year, and who preached to the con- gregation in the school house where the organiza- tion took place. Afterward the meetings were held in the Page school house, one-half mile east of the present church, and were held there for about a year. The best recollection concerning Mr. Robbins is that he formerly preached at Avon, Conn., but that he came from Union Corners to this place, and afterwards went to Michigan. Soon after this time, and up to 1844, the funds for church expenses were raised by assessment upon the property of the church and society. Those not consenting to that plan had a subscription taken up among them, and the amount thus raised was subtracted from the whole sum to be raised, and the remainder was raised by assessment. In April, 1844, that rule was abrogated, but sub- stantially the same rule was afterward resumed. It is not in force now, but there is no record of when the custom was abandoned. The name of the next pastor, Rev. William P. Kendrick, first appears on the record October 25, 1832. He remained till the close of 1833. It is be- lieved he came to this place from West Bloomfield. i^rom here he went to Grove, Allegany county. 252 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. In January, 1834, the name of Rev. Asa John- son first appears, who, having preached three months on probation, was installed pastor of the church by the Presbytery of Angelica, Febru- ary 26, 1834. His pastorate extended to October, 1837. He was a graduate of Auburn Theological Seminary, and had preached in Richmond, Ontario county, from which place, it is believed, he came to Nunda. At the close of his pastorate here he went to Logansport, Indiana. Under his ministration occurred the first revival in this church in which he was assisted by Rev. Mr. Littlejohn, well known in those days as an Evangelist. The name of the succeeding pastor, Rev. Wales Tileston, first appears November 5, 1837, as mod- erator. Although there exists no record of his in- stallation as pastor, or of the time when his labors with this society ceased, it is the recollection of those who remember that he was installed. He came to this place from Heath, Mass. Subse- quently he went to Illinois. He was followed by Rev. Edwards Marsh, whose name first appears in the minutes of June 7, 1840, as moderator of the session. It seems probable, however, that he commenced his labors as stated supply in the spring of 1840. In this capacity he continued to labor until at a meeting of the congre- gation on the ninth of March, 1846, a formal call was made to him to become the settled pastor of the church, and he was so installed. In the following year he tendered his resignation which was accepted March 8, 1847. He came to this church from Avon, and on retir- ing went to Canton, Illinois. Rev. WilUam Lusk became the next pastor, a call having been extended to him June 7, 1847. He remained till February 26, 1852, when he re- signed his pastorate. He had formerly preached in Washington county and in Cherry Valley, N. Y. He afterwards preached in Batavia. Soon after the resignation of Mr. Lusk his suc- cessor, Rev. Pliny F. Sanborne filled the desk as temporary supply, and was engaged as stated sup- ply for one year from December 11, 1852. He was not installed, but continued as stated supply until the spring of 1857. He came to this place from Granby, Connecticut. He afterwards labored nine years at West Bloomfield, Ontario county. Rev. L. G. Marsh was his successor, beginning his labors in June, 1857. He was not installed, but labored with great acceptance as stated supply until September, i860. During his pastorate, according to the best recollection, was made the change in time of church service from afternoon to evening, there having formerly been two services each Sabbath, one in the morning and the other at one and a half o'clock p. m. Mr. Marsh had previously preached in Thomaston, Maine, from which place he came to this charge. In the fall of i860 Rev. I. O. DeLong began his labors, remaining as stated supply for about three years. After the retirement of Mr. De Long, Rev. L. G. Marsh returned and began his second pastorate February 9, 1864, which he retained until Decem- ber, 187 1, when he resigned and returned to Ban- gor, Maine. Rev. T. Dwight Hunt was the succeeding pastor, to whom a call was extended in February, 1872, and who was soon after installed. He remained until September, 1875, when his pastoral relation was dissolved. He had previously been a mission- ary to the Sandwich Islands ; had also labored in San Francisco. He was succeeded by Rev. B. S. Foster, who was installed March ist, 1876, and whose pastorate extended to the first of June, 1879. After the expiration of his pastorate, the church was unsupplied some eight or nine months, his successor, the present pastor, Rev. N. H. Bell, commencing his labors in February, 1880. He came from Arcade, Wyoming county. During the pastorates of the two latter ministers the church has suffered much from deaths. The succession of elders and deacons, after those elected in the first years of the organization, were Erastus Buck, 1838; William R. Duryee, May 21, 1839; C. W. King, June 23, 1840; Joseph Waldo, Dec. 31, 1841; Charles V. Craven, Stephen Bald- win, and Earl J. Paine, Jan. 10, 1846; Alfred Bell, John Gilmore and George H. Bayley, March 5,1864; Jacob Brinkerhoff, Charles T. Metcalf, Dec. 31, 1870; Adam Potts, George Arnold and J. M. Mc- Nair,July6, 1872 j John T. Van Ness, May 6, 1876. Deacons — William R. Duryee, July 2, 1836; Zaddock Herrick, Sept. 4, 1837 ; Chauncy Ladd, May 21, 1839; John Briggs, Dec. 31, 1841 ; Charles V. Craven and Erastus Buck, Jan. 10, 1846; George H. Bagley and Andrew B. Lock- wood, March 6, 1864; C. T. Metcalf, April 8, 1871. The rapid increase in members and in attendance upon the services soon required a more commodi- ous place of meeting than the school house in which the meetings were held, and the society erected their first church edifice in 1833. It stood VILLAGE OF NUNDA — CHURCHES. 253 on thq east part of the present church lot. No records can be found respecting its erection. It is learned, however, that Samuel Swain, Nathaniel Chandler and Gulielraus Wing were prominent in originating and furthering the enterprise. The cost of this building was about $2,200. Upon the completion of this place of worship there were two services regularly every Sabbath, the services pre- viously having been held every alternate Sabbath, the minister in charge having been obliged to de- vote half of his time to another field. After a lapse of thirteen years the still increasing membership and attendance made .it necessary to build a larger church, and in 1846 the erection of the present edifice was begun, and in June of 1847 was dedicated by Rev. Edwards Marsh, in the interval between his resignation and the arrival of Rev. William Lusk, his successor. To Mr. Alfred Bell is accredited an especial in- fluence in originating and aiding the work of con- structing this second and commodious house of worship. The trustees when the church was built were Alfred Bell, William M. Marsh, Nathaniel Chand- ler, Russell Barnes and A. H. Prescott. The cost of this building was about $6,000. The former house was sold to the Methodist Epis- copal society previous to the erection of this. The size of this church is 50 by 80 feet, with a seating capacity, including galleries, of 650. Early in the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Tileston — probably some time in 1838 — a session house was built on the present site .of the parsonage, the cost of which was $800. It was divided into two stories, the upper one being for many years devoted to school purposes. In 1872 this session house was sold for $600 and re- moved. The proceeds of the sale were devoted to the erection of the parsonage which occupies the site where the session house stood. The par- sonage cost $3,000, less the amount received for the session house. The present membership is about 120, and the aggregate membership since the organization 854. The church property is situated on the north- west corner of Church and East streets, the par- sonage being on the former street. Methodist Episcopal Church of Nunda. — The next people to form into an organization for the worship of God were the Methodists, a considera- ble number of whom had become by this time located m the township. The first meeting for the organization of this society was held in the house of Samuel Record, in the village of Nunda, some time in the year 1837. No records of this or of meetings immediately fol- lowing can be discovered. According to the re- collection of Mr. Record, who still resides in the village, the only members present at that meeting were Jacob H. Osgoodby and wife, Mrs. Stivers, and Mr. Record and his wife, who constituted the original membership. The society was at first organized as Indepen- dent Methodist, but afterward, the society under that name becoming to a great extent inoperative, it was joined to the Methodist Episcopal Confer- ence, but in what year is not known. It would appear that the pastors who first labored with this society were Revs. Mr. Hard and Bron- son, about the year 1840. In its early days the church passed through many trials and vicissitudes, and the pioneers in this movement were obliged to struggle against much discouraging opposition. Their meetings for years were held in private houses, school houses, and in barns, but being composed of energetic and determined men and women, the society grew in strength, in zeal, and in means, and in 1846 succeeded in procuring a church of their own. The Presbyterian society in this year beginning the erection of a new church, the Methodists pur- chased of that society the edifice about to be va- cated, and removedit from the Presbyterian ground to its present location on the northeast corner of Church and East streets, repairing, improving, and dedicating it in 1849. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. S. Baker, who was the pastor at that time. After the pastorates of Revs. Hard and Bronson, it would seem that preaching had been conducted by Revs. Church and Wheeler, but in what order of succession, and at what dates, is unknown. The first trace that can be discovered of any settled pastor is in 1 840, when Revs. Amos Hard and Ira Bronson are mentioned in conjunction. In 1841 Rev. Mr. Doolittleis mentioned as having officiated. In 1842 and '43, the name of Rev. Carlos Gould is mentioned. Thereafter, the succession of pas- tors was as follows : — Rev. D. B. Lawton, 1844-46; Rev. Robert Par- ker, 1847-48; Rev. A. S. Baker and colleague, Rev. Thos. Tousey, i848*-49; Rev. I.J. Mecham, Rev. J. L. Edson, 1850; Rev. Mr. Laman, 1851-52; Rev. Albert Plumley, 1852-54; Rev. Mr. Latimer, 1855 ; Rev. Wesley Cochrane, 1855- * The Methodist Conference year began in October, and a pastor com- ing, for instance, in October, 1848, would be put down for that year, though his first year would not occur till the next October. 254 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 1856; Rev. R. Harrington, 1856-58; Rev. L. L. Rogers, 1859-60; Rev. Charles S. Fox, 1861-62; Rev. B. F. Bradford, 1863 ; Rev. E. P. Hunting- ton, 1864-65; Rev. Elijah Wood, 1866; Rev. J. L. Edson, 1867; Rev. J. C. Hitchcock, 1868-69; Rev. L. D. Chase, 1870-72; Rev. WilHam Brad- ley, 1873-75; Rev. J. B. Countryman, 1876-78; Rev. A. Southerland, 1879-80. The present membership in the church is one hundred and twenty-two. First Universalist Church of Nunda. — The first meeting for the organization of the Universa- Ust congregation was held in a district school-house in the village of Nunda, September 12th, 1840. The officers at that meeting were Elijah Horton, Moderator, and L. S. Church, Clerk. The deacons chosen were Granville Sherwood and Joseph Root. The names of the persons en- rolling themselves as members were : — Richard Church, Elijah Horton, Abram Merrick, Joseph H. Root, Charles Stillson, Granville Sher- wood, Joshua Fuller, George Townsend, Lawrence S. Church, Lyman Smith, Amman Smith, Leonard Church, Nathan Sherwood, Jonathan Hay, Sarah Horton, Elvira Starkweather, Malvina J. Church, Esther Merrick, Abigail Gould, Harriet Horton, Mercy Fuller, Maria Sherwood. On the 23d of January, i84i,the Universahst society was formed, R. Church, presiding as chair- man, and Elijah Horton, as secretary of the meet- ing. The following trustees were elected — David Grover, Richard Church, David Babcock, Gran- ville Sherwood, Hiram Merrick, Elijah Horton, Joshua Fuller, William Huggins, Silas Grover. A committee on building was appointed at this meeting, and the church was built in that same year. In 187 1, the Church of the Redeemer was erected, a large and beautiful structure standing on East street. The first pastor mentioned in the records is Rev. A. Kelsey, who officiated four years. After his ministration the following is the succession of pas- tors as near as can be ascertained : — Rev. O. F. Brayton 1852. " A. J. Aspinwall 1856-1860. " C. C. Gordon 1861-1862. " E. Tomhnson 1863. " A. C. DeLong 1864-1865. " C. V. Craven 1866. " E. Reynolds i866. " F. S. Bacon 1867-1869. " G. F. Jenks 1870. " A. L. Rice 1870. " J. A. Dobson 1871-1873. Rev. Mr. McLean 1874. " Mr. Kelsey 1874. " H. Jewell 1875. " Mr. Shepherd 1876. " Mr. Snell 1876. " Mr. Aldrich 1876. " S. J. Aldrich 1877-1879. Since the first of April, 1879, there has been no settled pastor. Grace Church {Episcopal). — Services were com- menced with a view to forming a parish in 1845, and were conducted by Rev. Gershom P. Waldo with as much frequency as a place for such services could be had and other circumstances would permit. The society was incorporated March 28, 1847, and the following officers were chosen : — Warden, C. Remington; Vestrymen, J. Y. Turner, R. H. Spencer, N. Chittenden, John Guittram, Samuel Swain, Sr., David T. Swain, Henry Chalker, R. Bennett. On the 7th day of April, 1847, the formation of the parish was accomplished. There being no resident rector, the services were conducted by Rev. Mason Gallagher, Rector of St. Peter's, Dansville. Services were afterward conducted at different periods by Rev. Gershom P. Waldo, Rev. Lucius Carter, and Rev. Asa Griswold. On the first of December, 1849, Rev. Andrew D. Benedict assumed the pastoral charge in con- nection with that of St. Mark's, at Hunt's Hollow, resigning the charge May ist, 1852. The corner stone of Grace church was laid May 23, 1848, at which ceremony the Eev. Mason Gal- lagher and Rev. Gershom P. Waldo were present as clergy, the sermon being preaclied by Rev. Mr. Gallagher. During the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Benedict the church was in process of construc- tion, and nearly ready for consecration; Trinity church in New York giving very generously four hundred dollars in aid of the project. On the fifth of May, 1853, the church was duly consecrated by Rt. Rev. Dr. WilUam H. DeLan- cey. The clergy attending this ceremony were: Rev. Lucius Carter, Rev. Andrew D. Benedict, Rev. I. A. Robinson, Rev. Mr. Wilson, Rev. Mr. Howard, and Rev. H. W. Lee, of St. Luke's, Rochester, afterward Bishop of Iowa. In 1853, May ist. Rev. James A. Robinson took the pastoral charge, resigning in the spring of 1854. He was succeeded by Rev. James O. Stokes, who was appointed missionary in charge, coming in 1854 and leaving in 1855. NUNDA STATION. 25s His successor was Rev. Gershom P. Waldo, who was appointed missionary to Nunda with full stipend July r, 1856, and who in April, 1857, resigned the stipendj^in favor of Rev. Henry Gardner, who then took this charge and that of St. Mark's, Hunt's Hollow, resigning in April of i860. In June, 1863, Rev. Fayette Royce took charge in connection with Brook's Grove Mission and Trinity church, Canaseraga, retaining the pastorate until February, 1866. After the departure of Rev. Mr. Royce, Rev. G. P. Waldo assumed temporary charge till the parish was supplied by the coming of Rev. Hiram Adams, whose pastorate dates from January 1st, 1867. Rev. Noble Palmer, M. A., succeeded him in November, 1868, having in charge the parishes of Nunda, Hunt's Hollow, and the Brook's Grove Mission, which he retained two years. In 1872, Rev. Charles Woodward assumed the pastoral charge after the parish had been without a settled clergyman for two years. He also officiated at St. Mark's, Hunt's Hollow. He resigned July I, 1876. In 1877, Rev. Stephen H. Battin took charge for a limited period, he then being rector at Can- aseraga. Since that time the church has been without a settled rector, having had but occasional services from different clergymen. In the early period of this church's history and growth it was largely aided and encouraged by subscriptions and offerings from General Micah Brooks and members of his family, which in- cluded the rectory and a solid silver communion service. The means to build the church were in great part obtained through the persevering efforts of Miss . Laura A. Brooks, who visited New York, Albany and Boston to procure aid in furtherance of the project. A beautiful Italian marble font was presented by a number of the parishioners ; and a bell, an organ, and other necessary improvements were given by the united efforts of members of the con- gregation and early sustainers of the church. The church has suffered much in these years by the death and removal of valued and useful members. Among the deaths are included Gen. Brooks, Miss Catherine Brooks and Leonidas Nichols. The present membership is, families, 26, indi- viduals, 68, communicants, 41. The value of the church edifice is $2,500. The rectory is valued at $800. Nunda Station. Nunda Station (Dalton P. O.) lies in the south- western part of the town on the line of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railway. It has a population of between four and five hundred, and is the prin- cipal shipping point of the town for all products. The first settler here was Maxam Smith who was owner of nearly all of the property in that vicinity. The first store was kept by Lyman Ayrault, who is still in business there. The post office was established in 1856, and the first postmaster was James Douglass, at which time Lyman Ayrault was deputy postmaster. Mr. Ayrault is the pres- ent postmaster, having held the office, with the exception of one year, since i860. The present physicians are Drs. J. C. Durgan and Hugh Hill. W. S. Orcutt is the only lawyer residing there. The place has one school house, six stores devoted to dry goods and general mer- chandise, two harness shops, two drug stores and one hotel, the Parker House, built in 1873, and kept by Sanford Parker, who was one of the first settlers. The place has but one church, the Methodist Episcopal, built in 1858 or '59. The society was formed at the meeting of the M. E. Conference at Corning in 1858, from parts of Nunda and Granger charges. The church edifice is pleasantly situated in a commanding part of the village, and is a large and substantial building, free from all encumbrances. The society also owns a neat parsonage in connection with the church, which is also free from debt. The church is valued at $1,500 and the parsonage at $1,200. The church at its formation had a membership of forty-five. The first class leader was H. Mirethew. The present membership is 134, all of Nunda Station. The first pastor was Rev. Woodruff Post, who officiated one year followed by Rev. De Puy 1859-1860. Rev. John Spinks 1860-1862. Rev. John J. Turton 1862-1864. Rev. Elijah Wood presided for a short time when there was a vacancy till the pastorate of Rev. A. Maker who presided in 1867, when another vacancy occurred till the coming of Rev. C. G. Lowell in 1869, who was followed by Rev. T. W. Chandler 1870-1872. Rev. T. L. King 1872-1874. Rev. G. B. Richardson 1875-1877. Rev. C. Dillenbeck 1877-1878. Rev. E. T. Cook , . . . 1878-1881. 2s6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. War Record. — No town was more patriotic, or evinced its patriotism in a more tangible way in the war of the Rebellion, than Nunda.* On the afternoon of Friday, April 19, 1861, a telegram was received by Mr. G. M. Osgoodby asking if Nunda could furnish a company of men under the call of the President for 75,000 volunteers. A meeting was held that same evening, and so great was the enthusiasm, and so ready was the response, that twenty-eight men immediately stepped forward and entered their names on the enlistment roll. The citizens generously received volunteers into their homes and provided for them while perfect- ing themselves in drill. The enthusiasm extended even to the women of Nunda, who began immediately to manufacture various articles for the comfort of the soldiers dur- ing the career on which they were about to enter. There was also raised a fund for the relief and support of such families as this enlistment might leave dependent. On the 6th day of May, 1861, less than a month from the receipt of the telegram asking for such a company, this band of -brave men was mustered, and James McNair elected Captain, George T. Hamilton, First Lieutenant, and Henry G. King, Second Lieutenant. The company numbered fifty-six men, and they entered the 33d Regiment of New York Volun- teers as Company F. Of this number and of those who afterward joined the company : — Morton Bardwell, who enlisted May 13, 1861, was killed at the battle of Fredricksburgh, May 4, 1863. Elias Smith was killed in battle at Antietam, September 17, 1862. Whitfield Whitney, died of fever at Yorktown, Va., June i, 1862. Henry Swartz died of fever. May 10, 1862. William John Nolan was wounded and taken prisoner at Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864, and sup- posed to have died in the hands of the enemy. Lycurgus Twining died from wounds received in action, but at what date is unknown. Michael Clark, killed in the battle of the Wilder- ness, May 10, 1864. Howard B. Doty was transferred from the 33d to the 49th New York, and died October 20, 1864, from wounds received at battle of Cedar Creek. Gardner Bacon died .Oct. 3, 1861, of sunstroke at Fort Ethan Allen. *To Dr. William B. Alley, who has manifested great interest in sta- tistics relatmg to the soldiers from Nunda, we are m great part indebted for the war record of this town. The major portion of this account is from his records, changed only m the order of its original appearance to admit facts gleaned from other sources. John DeLong died at Hagerstown, Md., Dec. 4, 1862. Augustus L. Damon died Nov. 11, 1862, at the Soldiers' Home in Washington. Daniel Chilson died of fever at Alexandria, March, 1862. Jonathan Greenwood was taken prisoner in the latter part of June, 1862, during McClellan's re- treat from before Richmond, and died a prisoner at Bell Island. James Kiley, after two years' service, contracted lung disease, was honorably discharged, came home and died June 2, 1863. Ervin VanBrunt died at Fort Ethan Allen, Oct. 16, 1861. George H. Prentice died of typhoid fever at Camp Griffin, Va., Feb. 28, 1861 or 1862, andwas buried in Nunda. Charles R. Lowe died on the 19th of April, 1862, of typhoid fever at Newport News, Va., and was buried at Nunda. Thaddeus Maynard died of fever at Philadel- phia, Aug. 6, 1862. William James Casnett was killed at Chancellors- ville May 3, 1863. A more extended notice of this patriotic man may not be out of place. Mr. Cas- nett was attending Hamilton College at the break- ing out of the war, preparing for the ministerial service. While spending the summer vacation of 1862 at his home he deemed it his duty to go to the defense of his flag, and so he enUsted in the 33d Regiment as a private in the ranks, leaving at home a sister and a widowed mother. He reached his regiment at Hagerstown, Md., soon after the desperate battle of Antietam, where he lay sick of fever at Clear Spring long after the army had crossed the Potomac. He joined his regiment, however, in time to be engaged in the first battle of Fredericksburg. During the four months while the army lay in winter quarters he improved his leisure moments in study and in defense of the religion which he professed. On the 28th day of April, 1863, the army broke camp and immediately moved upon the enemy's works. Casnett's regiment was compelled to lie flat on the ground for several hours in the midst of falling shot and shells. He seemed sin- gularly anxious for action, and was heard to say re- peatedly : " Why don't we charge ? The only way to take this fort is to march up there sxiA fight!" At last the assault came. In the tempest of fire and smoke, of shot and shell, he was lost sight of, nor was he seen again till the battle ended and NUNDA— WAR RECORD. 257 victory gained, he was found some yards in advance of his company, dead. His companions buried him on the heights of Fredericksburg. A history of his life, and a poem commemorating his bravery, were prepared by his college class by whom he was held in great esteem. In September, 1861, the town of Nunda fur- nished thirty-six more men who enUsted in Captain Tuthill's company, which constituted Company A of the Wadsworth Guards. Failing to procure men enough to form a complete regiment, they went to Albany and joined the 104th Regiment, and these men were afterward known as Company K. Of these thirty-six men -. — Captain E. A. Tuthill died December 30, 1867.^ Corporal Daniel White died in prison, date un- known. James Macken, died in service Feb. i, 1864. Sergeant Lewis W. Shepard, Co. A, died from wounds received at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. George Flint, Co. A, died at home from disease contracted in the service. Frank Russell, Co. A, died at home from wounds received in the service; date unknown. Elijah White, died at home from disease con- tracted in the service ; date not known. Cicero C. Clark, died at Mount Pleasant Hospital, June 30, 1862. Corporal Lewis Sutton, died in prison Dec. 13, 1862. Charles Crawford, died from wounds received at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. Hiram Passage, died in prison ; date unknown. George Britton, died in the service ; date un- known. Octavius Clark, killed at the battle of the Wild- erness, 1864. Samuel Wright, died at the Soldier's Home, Bath, N. Y., 1879. Corporal John Gruber, Co. F, died in prison ; date unknown. Corporal Daniel Swinder, Co. F, died in prison ; date unknown. William Hooson, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Sergeant Thomas J. Curtis, killed at Gettysburg, July I, 1863. Lucien Carpenter, killed in service, 1864. Abram Carpenter, killed in battle of the Wilder- ness, 1864. Corydon Smith Thompson, was wounded at Fred- ricksburg. May 4, 1863, taken prisoner and sup- posed to have died soon after. James L. Thompson, was taken prisoner at Get- tysburg, July I, 1863, and died at Richmond, Feb. 16, 1864. William George Chislett, was wounded at Fred- ericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862, and died at Washington, January i, 1863. Sergeant John S. Satterlee, served his time in the 104th and reenlisted in the same regiment; died from wounds received at Spottsylvania, on the 13th of May, 1864, and was buried on the battleground. George Satterlee, served his time out, going through all the battles with his regiment, and reen- listed as a corporal, Jan. 4, 1864; was taken pris- oner, and died of starvation at Salisbury, N, C. ; place of burial unknown. William Davis, killed at Gettysburg, July i, 1863. Perry Haynes, was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, July I, 1863. Was afterward paroled ; came home and died from the effects of his starvation, Dec. 28, 1864. Richard B. Connett, died in hospital at Balti- more, Jan. 7, 1863. Mortimer Herrick, was wounded May 7, 1864, in battle of the Wilderness ; was taken to Wash- ington and died there from the effects of his wounds. William Woodruff, killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. Corporal Stephen P. Havens, was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, on the first of July, 1863, and sup- posed to have died in Salisbury prison. Under the call of July and August, 1862, for three hundred thousand men in each month, the 130th Regiment was organized, and the town of Nunda sent out under Capt. James Lemen of Company I, forty-three men. By an order from the War Department and of the Governor of this State, dated July 28, 1863, the i30tli was changed and designated the First Regiment of New York Dragoons. There was afterward added to this regiment twelve other men from Nunda as recruits, making fifty-five in all. Of the N. Y. Dragoons from Nunda : — Sergeant Seth H. Weed was killed at Todd's Tavern, May i, 1864. Corporal Charles A. Kinney, died at Newberne, N. C, Sept. 25, 1864. Z. E. Barney, died at Suffolk, Va., January 4, 1864. James H. Poland, died in Andersonville prison. May 7, 1864. Josiah H. Fhnt, died in Andersonville prison ; date unknown. 2s8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Nathaniel Marr, died June 3, 1865. Milan Parker, died September to, 1864. George I. Philips, died in the service, Dec. 28, 1862. Corporal Hiram J. Woodard, died in Anderson- ville prison ; date unknown. Simeon Gelzer, died in Andersonville prison ; date not learned. Leonard Russell died from wounds received in action, May 22, 1864. Alexander Drake died from wounds received in battle, October 22, 1864. Levi C. Davis died Jan. 4, 1864, at Mitchell Station, and was buried at Culpepper, Va. John Gothard was killed in battle at Newtown, Va., on the nth of August, 1864. James Christie was taken prisoner at Todd's Tavern, May 7, 1864, and died Oct. 15 of same year at Andersonville, Ga. Wilham Black was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 7, 1864, and was buried near Todd's Tavern. Corydon C. Lovejoy was wounded and taken prisoner, and died in Andersonville Prison in Au- gust, 1864. Hiram O. Seeley, after more than two years' service, died at home of disease contracted in the army, Nov. 3, 1864. William J. Wright died at Suffolk, Va., Nov. 6, 1862, and was brought home and buried. John Callahan died Aug. 14, 1864, at Winches- ter, Va., from wounds received at Newtown, Va., Aug. II, 1864. Isaac Johnson, after two years' service, was dis- charged on account of ill health, and returning home died in June, 1864, of consumption. In August and September of 1862, the 136th regiment was organized. The town of Nunda, as near as can be learned, furnished for this regiment about twelve men, who went out under Captain Arnold, of Conesus. Of this number : — David C. Wade died while home on a furlough at Nunda Station, Feb. 27, 1864. Rufus P. Wescott died from wounds received in action. May 24, 1864, and was buried near Resaca. David Close was killed May 15, 1864, at Resaca and was buried on the field. There were also several men from Nunda who, for different causes, joined various regiments of this and even of other States. Of this class from or representing some one of this town : — Corydon Crossett, supposed to be a, recruit credited to Nunda, joined the 3d Michigan regi- ment, Jan. 20, 1864, and died in August of that year a prisoner at Andersonville. Alpheus C. Willett, of Nunda, joined the 8th Heavy Artillery, Jan. 4, 1864, and was killed in battle at Cold Harbor on the 3d of June, 1864. Alva J. White, credited to Nunda, entered the 97th New York Volunteers, July 26th, 1863 ; died May 28, 1864, from wounds received in battle. Orin Nickerson joined the 6th New York Cav- alry, Oct. 14, 1 86 1, and died at Point Lookout from sickness produced by hard service. George W. Fuller, of Nunda, joined the 126th Regiment of New York Volunteers, Aug. 6, 1862, and was killed in battle at Romeo Station, Nov. 25, 1864. Philander Maker enhsted in the 27th New York Volunteers in 1861, and died March, 1865, at Blackwell's Island, from disease acquired in the service. Gardner Milleman, credited to Nunda, joined the 2 2d New York Volunteers; supposed to have died of starvation at Andersonville, September 7, 1864. Philander McGee served his time out in the 27th New York Volunteers, was wounded in the hand at battle of Petersburgh ; reenhsted, and died of disease contracted in the service, at New York Har- bor, March, 1865. Charles Harris was drafted and then enlisted ; was sent South, lost his health, came home and died in the winter of 1864. George Fay, i88th New York, was killed in action, but at what date is unknown. L. E. Willey, 4th Heavy Artillery, died 1863. In the latter part of Aug., 1863, thirteen men from the town of Nunda joined the ist New York Veteran Cavalry under Captain John J. Carter. Of this number : — Perrin Page was killed in battle of New Market, May 17, 1864, and is supposed to be buried near that place. Martin H. Myers died from wounds received in battle at New Market, May 17, 1864. Abram Burdick died about the same time from wounds received in battle of New Market. William A. Ecker was taken prisoner at New Market, May 17, 1864, and died while a prisoner at Florence, S. C, Sept. 30, 1864. Samuel S. Tallmadge entered the service Sept, 18, 1863, and served in the army till the spring of 1864, when, on account of ill health, he was sent to Martinsburg Hospital. While in that hospital he NUNDA — WAR RECORD. 259 was taken prisoner on the 3d of July, 1864, by a force under Breckenridge, was kept until the 5 th and was placed in prison at Lynchburg on the i ith day of July. On the 20th he was marched to Dan- ville prison, and on the 2 2d he was again marched South, and on the 25th reached a prison in Au- gusta, Ga. On the 27th of July he was taken from there to Andersonville, where he remained until the 28th of September, when he was again moved and placed in prison at Savannah. At this place he remained till the 13th of October, when he was sent to Milan, and after a few days was re- turned to Savannah to be exchanged. He was finally paroled November 19, got back on his way home as far as Annapolis on the 25th of Novem- ber, but was too feeble and reduced in flesh to go any farther. He died at Annapolis, Dec. 8, 1864, of inanition, the result of systematized starvation. The following is a further list of those who en- tered the service for or from Nunda, but whose lo- cation, if hving, or place of burial, if dead, we are unable to learn. 104//5 Regiment N. Y. Volunteers. William Magee, Judson D. Van Sly ke, James L. Toms, John A. Wright, Philetus Mayhew, Edwin Wilcox, Abram Poland, Lucius H. Barron, George H. Graham, Abram Youells, Christian Smith, Jos. Moyer, Jacob Lieb, Albert Bennett, Theodore Magee, William C. Cain, Geo. W. Snyder, William DeMocker, Patrick Gould, WiUiam Brown, Edgar J. Whipple, A. W. Skinner, W. H. Boyd, Michael Emo, Randall Haynes, William Barton, Joseph C. Dean, Lewis C. Skinner, DeLancy Smith, Michael Welch, David E. Taddler, Nelson Craft, Adelbert S. Haver, Edwin Hinman, John C. Haze, C. G. Lowell, Edgar M. Chipman, William E. Keen. 2,yd Regiment N. Y. Volunteers. Aikin Aspinwall, John J. Carter, Volney O. Car- ter, Geo. W. Daggett, CHnton Guy, William J. Marshall, James Norris, Martin L. Porter, Francis W. Sargent, Irvin I. McDuffie, John F. Barker, Justus H. Cain, James Christie, Geo. W. Dennis, Gotlep KoefRe, Geo. D. Martin, Rufus H. Newell, Phillip Smith, Henry A. Hills, Charles R. Len. First N. Y. Dragoons. Sidney S. Morris, Charles F. Wilkins, David C. Lamb, Romeo St. Clair, James Lemen, C. S. Strickland, B. F. Town, W. C. Mayhew, H. H. Wheeler, F. M. Town, L M. Barker, G. W. Piper, C. M. Havens, G. D. Waldo, O. F. Record, Geo. W. Durfee, John Provo, Chester C. Carter, Russell A. Britton, C. C. Bowen, N. H. Spicer, J. W. Rog- ers, EH H. King, Havella D. Baker, W. E. Town, Gilbert Freer, Horace Howe, Milo Goldthwait, W. C. Hendershott, R. H. Greenfield, W. B. Wagor, Philo Mosier, H. O. Seeley, C. E. Lewis, F. S. Adams, N. H. Shute, N. S. Goldthwait, D. C. Town- send. A somewhat noteworthy fact in relation to these men is that in the above list the oldest man was but forty-three; thirty-four of the number being considerably under thirty years of age, and ten being but eighteen years old at time of enlistment. The cemetery at Nunda contains the remains of the following soldiers : — Capt. E. A. Tuthill,* Company A, 104th Regi- ment. James Macken, Company A, 104th Regiment. Perry Haynes, Company A, 104th Regiment. Sergeant Lewis Shepard, Company A, 104th Regiment. George Flint, Company A, 104th Regiment. Frank Russell, Company A, 104th Regiment. Needliam C. Knight, 104th Regiment, died Au- gust 13, 1870. Sergeant Prosper Swift, Company I, First N. Y. Dragoons. ElishaT. Ames, Company I, First N.Y. Dragoons. William J. Wright, Company I, First N. Y. Dragoons. Isaac Johnson, Company I, First N.Y. Dragoons. W. J. Nolan, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers. Alfred H. Cain, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers. Charles R. Lane, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volun- teers. Charles Harris, 15 7th Regiment. Schuyler Duryee, 136th Regiment N. Y. Vol- unteers, died in the service, date unknown. Samuel Tallmadge, First Veteran Cavalry, N. Y. Rufus Chandler, Fourth Heavy Artillery, died at the general hospital in Washington, D. C, Feb. 2, 1863. H. Smith, 33d New York and Veteran Cavalry, died in the service in 1863. Henry Fuller, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, died March, 1875. John B. Paine, 33d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, died March, 1869. Captain John P. Wood, staff officer killed in the service. •Time and cause of death of those belonging to the 104th Regiment has been previously given ; also of those of other regimenti when not especially mentioned. 26o HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Captain Wood entered the service from Ohio', and was promoted and appointed by the President Assistant Adjutant, and assigned a place on Gen- eral Gibbon's staff. He died on the 6th of March, 1864, and was brought to Nunda and buried, where his wife and children resided. The town of Nunda contributed liberally in money and material as well as in men, toward putting down the RebelUon. Early in the war the ladies of Nunda organized a society called " The Ladies' Hospital ReUef Association." This society sent to the soldiers eleven large boxes containing clothing and hospital stores. Three boxes were sent to Suffolk ; one to Washington, two to Roch- ester, three to Buffalo, and two to the Howard Hospital. The freight and all charges being paid by the society. The entire cost was estimated at $750. This society also raised and paid out in cash $144.27, making in all $897.27. There was raised by subscription and paid to Nunda's men in the 130th Regiment, by and through Mr. B. F. King, the sum of $380. There was raised and paid out through Mr. Page $392. The town paid out in the year 1 864 for the sup- port of soldiers' families $250, and in 1865, $142. There was raised on subscription $1,000 to pay the taxes of those women who had lost friends in the war, or whose husbands were still in the service. Under the President's call of July and August, 1862, for six hundred thousand men, the town raised $2,250 and paid as bounty to forty-five men. Under the call of July, 1863, for five hundred thous- and men there was raised and paid to forty-seven men the sum of $8,100. Under the call for two hundred thousand men of March 14, 1864, the town raised and paid $9,000 to eighteen men. Under the call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred thousand men, there was raised and paid to fifty- one men the sum of $44,050, besides the sum of $1,225 called "hand money ;" and under the call of December 19, 1864, for three hundred thousand men, the town paid $19,600 to twenty-eight men. The town also paid connected with the draft the sum of $817, making a total of $88,103.27, exclu- sive of the numerous boxes sent by individuals to their sons, brothers and friends in the army, and the large sums expended by relatives and friends in going to the camps and battle-fields and bringing home their sick, wounded and dead. Nunda also furnished one company of men who in the fall of 1864, served three months at Elmira, guarding rebel prisoners. In all Nunda sent out and furnished for the war three hundred and twen- ty-three men. Of that number, as near as can be learned, two hundred and forty-five were actual residents of the town. Of those who were actual residents, with perhaps two or three exceptions, twenty-five were killed in battle, three were taken prisoners soon after being wounded and died in the hands of the enemy ; four are known to have died of starvation ; seven have died in rebel prisons ; and twenty-two died from diseases contracted while in the service. This is a sad catalogue for relatives and friends, but on the scroll of honor are inscribed the names of these sixty-one young, strong and brave patriots who gave their lives that Nunda might continue to have the protection of a united government. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. SETH S. BARKER. The subject of this sketch was born near Oris- kany Falls, N. Y., August 30, 1801. His parents whose ancestors came from England in the seven- teenth century, and settled in New England, were from Connecticut. Feb. 8, 182 1, he married Sarah Durfee, who was born in Fall River, R. I., and whose mother was a descendant from the old warrior. Col. Church, of King Phillip's time. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Barker set out on foot with his knapsack on his back to seek a home in the West. In August, 1821, he came to Nunda and took an article for the farm on East Hill, where he now resides, selecting it on account of the large timber growing thereon. The place where the village now stands being then covered with pitch pine and scrub oaks, he considered it valueless. He then went for his wife and her mother, and re- turned in November with them to his forest home. The house to which they moved scarcely deserved the name, blankets being suspended instead of doors and windows. He was a person of few words, but deep thought, and though not appearing to be as vigilant as some was silently conquering troubles and overcoming difficulties little known to others. He has held several offices of trust, serving several terms as Assessor and Commissioner of Highways of the town. Being quite a mechanic, he manu- factured many of his tools, while most of his neigh- bors had to purchase theirs. He kept well in- formed as regards the news of the day, both in our own and foreign countries. Mrs. Barker, as a weaver and spinner, was un- excelled. She wove cloth for her neighbors, made cloths and exchanged them at the stores for her pur- chases; also worked considerable at the t-ailor's trade. While her husband was working in the timber, she nobly did her part working at her loom, JAr. ^ JVLrS. ^. ^. ^AI^ER. Eai\l J. Paine. John H. Townsend. JOHN H. TOWNSEND — EARL J. PAINE — E. O. DICKINSON. 261 and to show her skill it is stated that when only 1 1 years of age she wove 1,100 yards of checked dress cloth for a factory in Fall River. Mr. and Mrs Barker have been married 60 years, and have had four children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Munson O., who married Adaline Raw- son; Orlando W., who married Mary E. Swain, and Justus L., who married Olive L., daughter of Richard Bowen, who moved to this county from Fall River, Mass., in 1825. Time has dealt gently with this pioneer couple, and tlie severe hardships and trials through which they have passed have left but few impressions. They have been members of the Baptist church for over fifty years. Surrounded by their sons, who are living on adjacent farms, their path of life is, in return for untiring energy and industry, being beautifully strewn with flowers of filial love and veneration. JOHN H. TOWNSEND. The subject of this memoir deserves especial mention from the pen of the historian as being one of the few hardy pioneers who lived to see the usher- ing in of the year 1880. John H. Townsend was the son of Gideon and Freelove (Haynes) Townsend, and was born in Putnam county, October 25th, 1793. November 22, 1818, he was married to Betsey Barnum, and in 1822 moved to this county bringing all his worldly effects on one wagon drawn by an ox team, and settled on what is now the State road and of which he was one of the founders and builders. During the first winters he spent there he walked to Hunt's, a distance of four miles, and chopped wood at 2S. 6d. per cord, the cold being so severe at times that he was obliged to bury his dinner in the snow to prevent its freezing. He " articled" for 85 acres of land and made additions to it until he had 275 acres. In 1830 he overworked in the harvest-field, bringing upon himself a sickness from which he never recovered. He was an invalid for fifty years and though suffering great pain at times, his indomitable nerve and happy disposition showed itself in his greatest trials. He died September 4, 1880. After the death of his first wife he married Mary VanDeventer, November 7, 1824, by whom he had three children as follows : — John V., Peter H., and Gideon. She died March 4th, 1881, surviving her husband only six months. He served in the war of 181 2, and was drawing a pension at the time of his death. EARL J. PAINE. The Paine family were among the first settlers of the State of Connecticut. James Paine, the father of the subject of this sketch, and the pro- genitor of the Paine family in this county, was born in Litchfield county. Conn., January 27th, 1783. He moved to Herkimer county, N. Y. , about the year 1800, and married Polly Dana, the result of the union being five children, three of whom are now living, named Earl J., L. F. and J. A. A deceased daughter, Mary A., was the wife of Rev. Mr. Stilson, a celebrated Burmah missionary. Mr. Paine moved with his family to Nunda, March 15, 1817, and was one of the earliest pio- neers in this region. The limits of the town of Nunda at that time were so extensive that three days were consumed by him in attending town- meeting, being obliged to walk from his home to the voting place. He died April 8, 1866. Earl J., the subject of this brief sketch was born at Paine's Hollow, Herkimer county, March 24, 1807, and was ten years old at the time of his father's rettlement in this town. He was married to Catharine, daughter of Richard Grimes, of Nunda. Four children were born to them, two of whom are now living. Wells and Ann. Mr. Paine by his untiring industry has succeeded in carving a fine farm out of the wilderness that he settled in. He possesses a powerful constitution, which has succeeded in carrying him through several very severe trials during his life, and at present, (April, 1B81,) is rapidly convalescing from a painful malady that has confined him to his room for more than a year. Although having lived more years than are usually allotted to man, his friends have hopes of his companionship for several years to come. His wife died Feb. 25th, 1879. He and his brother L. F. are the only ones left of the early pioneers who were here at the time they moved in. Of his children, Ann married Mr. Buck, of Vincennes, Ind., and Wells is one of the most extensive and successful farmers in this sec- tion of the county, having over six hundred acres of land on " East Hill," conveniently located and under a fine state of cultivation. Mary Jemison, the celebrated " White Woman," was a frequent visitor at the early home of the family. E. O. DICKINSON. Emilus O. Dickinson, a sketch of whose residence appears in this book, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., August 30, 1818, and is the son of Wm. and Lois Dickinson. At the age of eighteen he com- menced droving, between Oneida county and Bos- ton, and for a few years has been shipping cattle from the West to New York. When twenty years of age he purchased a farm of 80 acres in Oneida county, at $25.00 per acre. In 1849 he went to Davenport, Iowa, and engaged in the lumber busi- ness, but remaining there only a short time, returned to New York State, and settled in Nunda. Novem- ber 10, 1850, he was married toLydia, daughter of Thomas and Elvira Starkweather of Nunda. Was elected Supervisor in 1861, returning the year fol- lowing, and also in 1874-5. On his farm, which 262 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. consists of 236 acres and is situated one-half mile east of Nunda, there is a mineral spring which issues from a rock and the water of which has been analyzed and found to possess great medicinal qualities. It has unusual alterative and eliminat- ing power, and one gallon of it is said to contain many more grains of valuable medical substances than the water of any other spring in the State of New York, and some even assert its superiority in that respect, over any otherspring in the United States. It is one of that class of springs whose water contains those natural combinations of med- icines that occasionally cure cases of some forms of disease which the most skilled among our profes- sional men cannot. No chemist can exactly imitate these natural compounds, and these waters do not operate alone by means of their predominant min- eral constituent. Mr. Dickinson was very instrumental in securing to Nunda its free Union School. He was a Repub- lican until after the death of Lincoln, and then not agreeing with the party became a Democrat. He has four children, as follows : Nellie M., Allie J., Mattie E. and Neva L. His place is one of the finest in the county, being almost unequalled as re- gards its handsome and commodious buildings. The land is very fertile and watered by several large springs, one of which has been analyzed by S. A. Lattimore, as follows : " One U. S. gallon contains 203. sSgrains sulphate of magnesia, 184.41 sulphate of hme, 104.10 carbonate of lime, 6.82 chloride of sodium, 1.05 carbonate of iron, .12 sil- ica, and traces of alumnia." He also says this water belongs to the magnesia class of mineral waters, and will be a powerful agent if judiciously applied. THE WATER CURE AND MINERAL SPRINGS. These springs, which are becoming justly cele- brated for their curative properties, are situated about a half mile south of the beautiful village of Nunda. They are on a rise of ground, nearly one hundred feet higher than that on which the village stands, and are situated about fifteen minutes' drive from Dalton Station on the line of the Erie railroad. The cure, located on a rising elevation near the s.prings, is a large, commodious building, adjoining a grove of pines and maples, containing pleasant shaded walks and drives. The interior is fitted up for the accommodation of those who wish to avail themselves of the medicinal properties of the springs, and contains hot and cold baths sup- plied from the naturally medicated waters. The rooms are large, thoroughly ventilated, and supplied with all the modern improvements and the location is in all respects desirable, combining the best hy- gienic conditions, with a landscape view of excep- tional beauty. The first discovery of one of these springs was in 1878 while workmen were engaged in repairing the public highway adjoining the lands of Daniel Passage. As the earth was removed from the side of the beaten track a vein of water gushed from the rock beneath. Tubing was placed in the spring from which the water flowed, for the benefit of the traveling public. The medicinal properties of the water were discovered by use and led to an analysis of the water, which showed one U. S. gallon to con- tain 203.58 grains sulphate of magnesia, (Epsom salts,) 184.41 grains of sulphate of lime, 104.10 grains of carbonate of lime, 6.82 grains of chloride of sodium, 1.05 grains of carbonate of iron, .12 of silica and traces of alumnia. The two larger springs emanate from the rock about five feet beneath the surface of the earth and about twenty-five rods distant from the spring by the roadside, and are situated upon slightly more elevated ground appearing to be the fountain from which these mineral waters are supplied. These two springs furnish an abundance of water and from these springs water is drawn to supply the cure. These springs belong to the class of magnesia mineral waters and in a general sense their therapeu- tic effects are alterative, and it may well be called nature's sovereign remedy for all the ills that the human family is heir to. The springs are on the estate of Daniel Passage, who in 1879 began the erection of the cure. The first discovery of the curative properties of this water was in 1878. Since that time it has been confirmed by many^who have used it as a singular alterative for the cure of blood diseases, and is becoming quite generally used, large quantities being shipped each year to various parts of the country. It is being used more exten- sively each year. CHAPTER XXL History of the Town of Portagk. ON the extreme south-western border of the county lies in some respects the most remark- able, and in nearly every respect the most pictur- esque town in Livingston county. Originally a part of the town of Leicester in Genesee county, at its first formation, in' 1805, Portage was set off as a part of Angelica, (Allegany county,) and in 1808 was again set off as a part of Nunda ; being formed from Nunda as the town of Portage, March 8, 1827. It was about six miles square, bounded on the east by the Piquot line, and on the west by the Transit hne. In 1846 it was taken from Allegany and annexed to Livingston county. At the same time from about one-third of it, lying on the west side of the river, was formed the town of Genesee o ? g CO O o 1 w ^ -■. siVi i. r;/ .' s , fr 1 E^ 'if n •V I m i- ^ . 1 *ik ' t*1 T 3D '^ -4—^.^ .^ — ^ ■,-a "■* -, vfj- PORTAGE - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 263 Falls, which was annexed to Wyoming county. The town is six and a quarter miles long, and four and three-quarters in width at its widest part. It is bounded on the north by Mount Morris, on the south by Granger, (Allegany county,) on the east by Nunda, and on the west by the Genesee River and Genesee Falls, (Wyoming county.) Within these Umits Portage has been called "The Switzerland of the Empire State." With less of the general ruggedness characteristic of Ossian ; with but little, if any, of the quiet rural scenery of Springwater ; and to a great extent devoid of the enterprising appearance which characterizes Nunda, Portage surpasses all in presenting the most varied scenery bordering on the modern, the ancient, the beautiful and sublime. Near the line of the Erie road, which passes through from the western to the south-western part of the town, the surroundings approach to the modern and business appearance of to-day. Back from the railroad and the river the scene changes to rolling farm lands, and to a settled and ancient look, as though at some time the town had taken immense strides in advancement, and had sud- denly stopped afraid of its own progress, and never again having the courage to proceed had settled down contentedly and allowed age to cover it with quaintness and beauty. Here is seen the deserted channel of the Genesee Valley canal cut through high embankments, and spanned by old-fashioned and decaying bridges; with its oft recurring locks, now grass grown and crumbling, rising like giant stairs to higher levels ; passing through scenery now rural, now romantic, — a busy stream no longer, but picturesque even in its idleness and desertion. Near the Genesee river on the western border of the town, and extending nearly the entire length of that boundary, the scenery changes from cleared lands and thrifty farms dotted with comfortable buildings to wild and rocky ravines skirted with a dense growth of saplings and heavy timber, sprinkled with lumbering camps and saw-mills, and where is heard the ringing of axes and the crash of falUng trees as in the days when the whole town was a forest, unbroken only by the ax of the sturdy pioneers. It is in this section that the town presents its most striking beauty. Through the winding ra- vine, whose shaley walls, straight and smooth, tower hundreds of feet, or break up into ragged masses of rocks crowned with the verdure of pine tree and shrub, flows the Genesee, calmly and sluggishly, or whirling with a dash and roar over the falls into the basins which its action for ages has channelled deep and smooth. Within a dis- tance of three miles are three falls varying in height and in scenery. At the lower falls the scenery approaches the sublime. Here the river lashed into a creamy foam thunders through a gorge worn narrow and deep by the eternal rush of its waters, and whose perpendicular walls hem- ming it in on either side rise to an elevation of four hundred feet above the level of the lower stream. Standing here in the silence, unbroken save by the roar of the falls and the ringing of the lumber- man's ax in the forest which crowns the summit, fancy reverts to the time when these waters floated the graceful canoe of the Indian, parted before the homely keel boat of the advancing pioneer, and bore upon their surface the freightage of the forests to the markets of the East. Then, as now, the water poured ceaselessly over the falls, but in wider and more eager torrents, while along its banks the river was dotted with the wigwams of the savage whose war song blended with the music of the cataract. But the scene has changed. The canoe, the wigwams, the Indians, have disappeared; the keel boats have passed from existence, and the river long ago ceased to be navigable for the rafts of the hardy lumbermen. Above this point a few rods, is still seen the carrying road over which the lumber and other freight of early days was conveyed from the upper to below the lower falls, and from which "port- age," or carrying place, the town derived its name. Just below these falls there arises an island of rock, crowned by large flat stones, as though placed there by some human agency, on the sur- face of which grasses grow and in whose scant soil several pines and sapUngs have taken root, lending their verdure to that barren and shaley rock. At some time in the past this pyramidical island haj been connected to the eastern bank, but it has been gradually separated therefrom by the crumb- ling of its surface into the river. It is called "The Haystack " by the inhabitants of the town, and is not unlike one in appearance, tapering, however, on all sides, somewhat like a pyramid, toward the top. The fall of water here at one time was nearly one hundred feet ; but the stream, becoming shallower, changed its course, and cutting its way deeper into the narrow gorge has reduced the height to sixty- 264 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. eight feet, and in five years the falls have receded fully one hundred feet. Midway between the lower and middle falls the barren, perpendicular walls on the western side take a graceful curve, in shape like an Indian bow, and rise to a height of three hundred feet above the stream below. On the eastern side the ascent is less abrupt, and is sprinkled with a growth of saplings, crowned on the summit with a parapet of huge flat stones that formerly protected the towing path of the Genesee Valley canal, which began at this point its parallel course, with the river. In the precipitous rocks which skirt the canal on its east- ern side is seen the side drift of the tunnel began by Elisha Johnson, * through which the canal was originally intended to run. The tunnel was begun at a point on the southern side of the gorge, and had a south-western termination near the Middle Falls. The spot is now covered up by the caving in of its walls, so that the terminus is not visible. Work was begun on the tunnel in 1839. It was eleven hundred and eighty feet long,- and was at that time the greatest undertaking of that nature in this country. Owing to the treacherous nature of the earth forming this hill, the tunnel was not found practicable and was therefore abandoned. The canal was not completed to Olean until 1856.! At the Middle Falls tlie scenery is less grand, but still beautiful. The water falls in a broader sheet over the shelving rocks to a distance of one hun- dred and ten feet into an immense basin which its action has furrowed out, but the walls of the ravine below are not so high or imposing. On the east side is seen the wooden aqueduct of the canal now hastening to decay. On the western side the summit is surmounted by a table-land thickly strewn with pine and oak, and dotted with cottages, while on the bank of the river numerous places of observation have been built for the benefit of tourists. Between these and the upper falls the land on the eastern side slopes gradually up to the bed of the canal. On the western, it lies quite level for some distance back from the river, when it gradu- ally rises into hills covered with forests. At the upper falls the banks abruptly rise again to a height of two hundred and thirty-five feet, where stretches the Portage bridge, like a gossamer thread, across the chasm. The water at this point has a fall of seventy-three feet; the three cataracts having a total fall of two hundred and fifty-one feet. * At one time Mayor of Rochester, N. Y. t See page io6. The Portage bridge stands not only as one of the wonders of the State, but as a monument to the ingenuity of man, and to the rapidity with which his skill can surmount obstacles and over- come difficulties. This bridge was built for the Erie R. R., to replace the wooden one which was destroyed by fire May 6, 1875. The old bridge was built in 1852, at a cost of $175,000. It was 800 feet long, 234 feet high, and contained 1,602,- 000 feet of lumber, and 108,852 pounds of iron, and was the largest wooden railroad bridge in the world. In twelve weeks after its destruction by fire, the present bridge was tested and opened for traffic, July 31, 1875. It is 280 feet from bank to bank, 235 feet high from the bed of the river to top of railing, and contains 1,314,500 pounds pf iron, besides track material. It was built by the Watson Manufac- turing Company, Faterson, N. J.* Seventy years ago where now this railroad stretches its iron course, was a dense forest and the whole township was an unbroken wilderness ; where now the shrill whistle of the flying locomotive breaks on the air as it sweeps past well-tilled farms the silence was undisturbed save by the howling of wolves, the chase of the savage, or the fury of the tempest. Jacob Shaver, Seth Sherwood and other pio- neers who first penetrated these wilds scarcely conceived that in the lapse of forty years, that engine of civilization, the locomotive, would become an established feature of the town, and that over the forest-skirted chasm of the Genesee would be constructed the largest railroad bridge in the world; to be replaced in a few years by the grand piece of mechanism that spans the river to-day. To Jacob Shaver, who came in 1810, and Seth Sherwood, who came at about the same time or soon after, has been awarded the honor of the first settled residency in the town. This claim, how- ever, is doubtful. As pioneers they were undoubt- edly the first to wield the ax in making for them- selves small clearings, upon which they located as squatters, with no, pretense to title or ownership. But here their labors toward the settlement of the town probably ended; for when in 18 16 these lands were opened for sale, and the incoming of permanent settlers began, they moved onward to become pioneers in other unbroken regions. To Ephraim Kingsley is accorded the credit of being the first actual settler in the present limits of Portage. He came here from Vermont in 1814, * See page 107. PORTAGE — EARLY SETTLERS. 265 and located on lot 169, since owned by Frederick B. Hunt. In 1816 Col. George Williams settled in the town as resident agent for the Cottinger Tract, which contained fifty thousand acres con- veyed to Gerrit Cottinger in 1791, and by him con- veyed to John Hornby, of Scotland, who sold the half of it in alternate lots to his agent, John Greig, of Canandaigua, for the sale of them. Ini 807 the tract was surveyed and subdivided by Elisha Johnson. The lots were three quarters of a mile long and about one-third of a mile wide, containing one hundred and sixty acres, the measures varying and generally over-running. The lands in the town have all been sold. There are one hundred and one lots and parts of lots, containing in all 16,580 acres, the town being situated about the middle of the east side of the entire tract. As agent for these lands Col. Williams continued for years, becoming himself an extensive land owner, and taking an important part in the settle- ment and improvement of the town. In his eighty- first year he was thrown from a buggy, sustaining in- juries which hastened his death. He died May 1 1, 1879. He had a son who now occupies the home- stead, and a daughter residing at Portage Bridge. These lands opened for sale, the settlement of the town was accelerated, and the next few years witnessed the influx of those whose labors convert- ed the forests into farms and laid the foundation for the future wealth and prosperity of the town. Among the settlers who came in these early days were Prosper Adams and his brother Abijah, Rus- sell Messenger, Nathaniel B. Nichols, Asahel Fitch, Elias Hill, Halliday, Stephen Spencer, Horace Miller, EUsha D. Moses, WiUiam Dake, Joseph Walter and Thomas Bennett. Of these pioneers and settlers, Nathaniel B. Nichols was the first Justice of the Peace, in about 1818.* Pros- per Adams built the first tavern in the town just south of what is now known as the Deep Cut,t on land now owned by A. J. Burroughs. This tavern was for many years the center of business for the town, and was kept by Adams for several years. He sold it to William Marks, his brother-in-law, who in his turn kept it about fifteen years. In 1835 °^ '36 Marks went to Kirtland, Ohio, with a society of Mormons who had held a branch church in Portage, meeting principally at Marks' tavern . j: * Magistrates have been the only legal representatives with which Por- tage has been honored. There has never been a lawyer's office in the town. t Where the Genesee Valley Canal was cut through the high land. t Afterwards, and for a number of years, this tavern was kept by Mr. Burroughs. William Dake, with his wife and two children, — Jonathan and Charles — came from Saratoga coun- ty, in this State, in 1819, locating on Oak Hill. July 27, 1822, he purchased of John Horn- by, through his agent and attorney, John Greig, one hundred acres of land on lot 142. For this land, heavily timbered with oak, he paid four hun- dred and fifty-two dollars, and cleared it entirely with the labor of his own hands. Here, on Oak Hill, he lived fifty-four years, dying in May, 1873. His wife died in Rochester, N. Y., in 1878. Two of his children died, Wilham J., in 1849, and Clarrissa E., in 1872. His descendants are J. M. Dake, a hardware merchant in Nunda ; Jabez W. Dake, M. D., now living in Rochester, N. Y.; Dr. Charles A. Dake, of Irondequoit, N. Y.; and Benja- min F. Dake, M. D., now in Pittsburgh, Pa. Elisha D. Moses was the first physician, coming from Connecticut in 1816, and beginning at once his practice which continued until 1837, when he removed to Rochester, N. Y., where he died in October of 1872. His father, Elisha Moses, came to Portage in the following year, 181 7. He was a native of Sims- bury, Conn., where he and his father before him were born. In 1826 he moved to Mt. Morris, pur- chasing a farm and living there until his death. He had a family of twelve: — Elisha D.; Amarila, the date of whose death is unknown ; Phtxbe, who died in Portage in January, 1820; Timothy, in Indiana, September, 1823 ; Arden, in Michigan, April, 1847; Flavia, in 1858; Betsey, in 1863; Edmond, in 1865; Ormenta, in March, 1825; Marcus, in Lockport, N. Y., December 9, 1880, and Auielia and Schuyler, the former now living in Mt. Morris, and the latter in Rochester, N. Y., at the advanced age of eighty-two. Thomas T. Bennett's family all went west but one daughter, the wife of William Tousey, who lives near Joel C. Bennett. The family of Joseph Bennett are also settlers in Western States, none remaining in Portage. Walter Bennett's widow, Mrs. Huldah' Bennett, still lives in the town with one of the sons, J. Y. Bennett. The improvements made by Jacob Shaver, who, as we have remarked, was a squatter at will in this region, were purchased by Captain Richard Church in 18 1 6. Near him soon after settled Abner Tut- hill and his sons, Henry and Lewis. Rev. Mr. Miller and sons, Allen, Horace and Orrin, with their families, came about the same time from Saratoga county. Allen Miller was ex- 266 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY: tensively know as a drover, and Orrin Miller be- came distinguished as a Methodist .minister of rare eloquence and power. Robert, George and Reuben Gifford, Elias Bowen, Benjamin Utter, Nathaniel Lewis, John McFarline, a Scotchman, and others, early occu- pied every lot in the school district No. i, called North Oak Hill. A few of these pioneers lie buried here, but a majority sought other homes. All are gone and their posterity are widely scattered. Alexander McFarUne remains the sole representative of the only family that holds the paternal homestead. The northern part of the town was settled mainly by people from Saratoga county and were most of them related to each other. Most of those who settled about Marks' Tavern, the old town center, were from Windham, Vt. ; those who located at / Hunt's Hollow were from Cayuga county, while in the district between that place and Oakland the settlers were from Coleraine, Massachusetts. George Wilner, another inhabitant of Connecti- cut, came to Portage in 1817 or '18, and married Betsey, daughter of Ehsha Moses. His descend- ants are Malcolm, who resides in San Francisco ; Flavia, who lives in Michigan, and Marcus and Merriman, who still live in Portage. Solomon WiUiams and Capt. EUsha Smith, who came from Vermont, were early settlers ; the former coming in 181 6 and locating just south-west of Hunt's Station, on the Short Track road and the latter locating near Adam's tavern south of the Deep Cut. Russell Messenger built the first saw and grist mill in 1817, at Messenger's Hollow, which was named for him, and now known as Oakland. Dur- ing the next few years fourteen saw mills were constructed on the Cashaqua Creek, which flows northerly through the eastern part of the town, and within the same time, nearly as many more were built on the Genesee River and smaller streams. Wherever a stream of sufficient force could be found a saw mill was built, for at that time and for many years afterward, the principal business was lumbering. Of all those mills built by the pioneers scarcely a vestige now remains. Soon after the building of the first grist mill by Russell Messenger, a second mill was built by Thomas Alcott near the head waters of Spring Brook, which was afterward moved to the mouth of the brook, and again removed about fifty rods down the stream to receive the water of the Cashaqua Creek, and was then enlarged to an extensive flour- ing mill by Hunt & Thompson. It afterward passed to the proprietorship of Smith & Mills, and was destroyed by fire on Christmas day, 1869. Among the most prominent and energetic of the pioneers in this new region of country was Sanford Hunt. He was a native of Connecticut; born in Tolland county, in April, 1777, and came to Por- tage from Greene county in December, 1818, with his wife and seven children. He located at Hunt's Hollow, which derived its name from him, and engaged in farming and mer- cantile business in a small way, opening the first store in 1819, afterward building an ashery and saw-mill. He kept the post-ofiice at this place from its first establishment and for many years afterward. When he came there were but few settlers, and the township was nearly a dense wilderness. On the evening of his arrival he met Dr. EHsha D. Moses, who was then School Inspector, and whose first residence in the town was at the forks of the Short Tract and Hunt's Hollow road, south of Mr. Bur- roughs'. He was then post-master, being the first postmaster and second Town Clerk of Old Nunda.* Rev. Orrin Miller was the first Town Clerk. Of the children of Sanford Hunt but one, Sam- uel, Uves here at Hunt's Hollow. Another son, Horace, is living in Jackson, Michigan. The mail was then carried once a week, on foot or on horseback, through fi-om Moscow to Angeli- ca. The post-office was established some time in 1818, and was located on lot 169, near where Adams' tavern stood. Mr. Hunt had for some years a large trade with the Indians, whose encampments extended along the Genesee Valley, and who placed in him the fullest confidence. His goods were purchased mostly at Geneseo, twenty miles distant. The store continued in his hands until his death in 1849, when the business passed into the manage- ment of his son Horace, who continued it some ten years longer. Sanford Hunt was the father of nine children: — Horace, Samuel R., John H., Sanford, Frederick B., Washington and three girls. The latter soni Washington, became Governor of this State in 1851-52. Studying in the common schools of Portage — which, in his day, were limited in both comfort and educational facilities — and laying the ground-work of his education there, Washington went to Geneseo and entered the Academy pay- • Portage, it will be borne in mind, was then part of Nunda ; not being separated therefrom till nine years later. PORTAGE— EARLY SETTLERS, CHURCHES. 267 ing his way by manual labor. He afterward entered the store of Bissell & Olmstead in Gene- sec, and Mr. Bissell soon after renfoving to Lock- port, N. Y., Washington followed him, where he found a field that presented a wider scope for his faculties, and a surer reward for his efforts and his ambitions. Here he advanced rapidly in his pur- suits and in the opinions of the pubhc, until he at- tained the highest position in the State within the gift of the people. Another prominent early settler in Portage was Col. Greenleaf Clark, who came from Tamworth, N. H., in early boyhood to the then wilds of West- ern New York. He also located in Hunt's Hollow in 1824, and in 1826 married Eliza, the eldest daughter of Sanford Hunt. Col. Clark began business there as a tanner and currier, succeeding William Alward, who had built the tannery in 1818 or thereabout, and continuing the business until his death in 1875. He assisted at the organization of St. Mark's Church, of which he was a valued member ; and for many years held the office of Magistrate. The tannery is now con- ducted by his son, John H. Clark. Hunt's Hollow in its early days was believed to have before it a rapid growth in population and in business. In the ten years that succeeded the coming of Sanford Hunt, other stores were built ; a cloth- dressing establishment, a tannery, two asheries, a hat shop and two churches were erected, in one of which — the Episcopal — Mr. Hunt was a leading member. Three taverns were also built, one of them being kept by John Slater* for many years. To the minds of the inhabitants. Hunt's Hollow appeared in the future as the center of business for that immediate region east of the river. But the hopes and aspirations of the people were doomed to disappointment. The birth of the Genesee Valley Canal drew from it the greater share of its traffic to Oakland, and the building of the Erie Railroad in 1852 robbed it of whatever remnants the canal had left, Nunda Station absorbing it. The lumber trade which had given employment to so many hands became exhausted ; the Casha- qua creek, which had driven the wheels of its saw- mills, tanneries, clothing works and turning lathes, for several months in the year ran dry, and the place began to decline by perceptible degrees, and from being the largest village and principal place of business in that section of the country, has faded to a nearly deserted hamlet, which seems * He died somewhere about the year 1870. likely in the lapse of a few years to be known only in the history of the past. It stands to-day a quaint old village, presenting the appearance of having come to an abrupt halt when young and forever after fearful of progress. There remains at present but the churches, a school- house, a tannery, a blacksmith shop, and the time- worn houses of the few remaining inhabitants. The mills have all disappeared, the business has fled, and a moss-grown age, touching and picturesque, has settled on what was once the pride and hope of the town. Churches. — Of the religious societies organized for the worship of God in the town of Portage, it appears that the Presbyterians were the first to form a permanent organization. The church was organ- ized and united with the Presbytery of Ontario, Jan. 18, 1820, but was transferred to the Presby- tery of Angelica, Feb. 24, 1829. No early records of this church can be found to establish the pre- cise date and particulars of its organization, but it is learned that its first minister at Hunt's Hollow, where the church was located, was Rev. Mr. Linds- ley. After him were Revs. Messrs. Phineas Smith, who was ordained and installed March 5, 1829, and who left Feb. 24, 1830, Abel Caldwell, who re- mained six years, Horatio Waldo, A. C. DuBois, Rogers, Lewis Hamilton, James B. Wilson, L. Rogers and John M. Bear. In 1825, the membership numbered eighty-three; in 1832, one hundred and eleven, and in 1846, one hundred and fourteen. Among the elders, were Erastus Norton, Silas Olmstead, J. B. Hewitt, Edwin S. Olmstead, Joseph C. Burton, Arad French and Delos C. Wells. In October, 1848, it became consolidated with a second Presbyterian church which had been organ- ized in Nunda, under the name of the Oakland Presbyterian church, located in the village of Oak- land and being under the care of the Presbytery of Wyoming. Among its ministers at this latter place were Revs. Richard Kay, Isaac Oakes, William Hall, Henry B. Thayer, Pliny Twichell, E. W. Kellogg and R. W. McCormick. Its sessions included the following names: GuHelmus Wing, David H. Thayer, Silas Olmstead, Edwin S. Olmstead, John Preston and J. B. Hewitt. Here in 1850 a church building was erected, which on the 8th day of June, 187 1, was destroyed by fire, and the membership* uniting with the * The membership at that time was Ji. 268 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Nunda Presbyterian church, its after history was merged into the history of that society located in the village of Nunda. The Episcopal Church at Hunt's Hollow was or- ganized in 1826, as St. Mark's Church. Sanford Hunt and Walter Bennett were chosen as wardens. The Vestrymen were as follows : Joseph Bennett, Miner Cobb, Thomas T. Bennett, Henry Bagley, Roswell Bennett, Samuel R. Hunt, Greenleaf Clark and Lewis Peet. Of these officers but two, Samuel R. Hunt and Henry Bagley, are now liv- ing. The church edifice was erected by the society in 1828, and was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart on the first day of September, 1829. The first Rector was Rev. Richard Salmon, who was present as pastor at the organization of the society, but the length of whose pastorate could not be learned. It is probable, however, that he remained until 1831, or thereabouts, as the name of his successor. Rev. George Bridgeman, does not appear until 1832. After the ministration of this latter pastor, which lasted until 1833, the succession of pastors was as follows: — ■ Rev. Thomas Meecham, 1833-1837. " Lucius Carter, July, 1837-1840. " H. S. Atwater, 1841-1844. " Lucius Carter, 1845-1847. " Asa Griswold, 1847-1849. " Andrew D. Benedict,* 1849-1852. " James O. Stokes,* 1854-1856. " Henry B. Gardner,* 1857-1860. " Lucius Carter, 1860-1866. " Noble Palmer,* 1868-1870. " Fayette Royce, 1871-1872. " Charles Woodward,* 1872-1876. " William Westover, 1877-1879. In 1880 there was no settled pastor. The present membership is about twenty-five communi- cants. The church is gradually losing member- ship from deaths and removals. The older mem- bers are nearly all dead. Portage Baptist Church. — On the 21st day of May, 1819, Elder Samuel Messenger and eleven other members of Baptist churches, met at the house of David Button, near Hunt's Hollow, and organized the Nunda f Baptist church. Their names were : R ussell Messenger, Aaron Thompson, Aaron Thompson, Jr., Elijah Bennett, Jacob Devoe, Wm. Greening, Susannah Greening, Huldah Root, Rhoda Ann Bennett and Sally * Rectors thus marked presided over Grace Church, Nunda, having St. Mark's included in their charge. t Portage was then part of tlie town of Nunda. The history of tliis church is incorporated in the history of Nunda township, where before and since 1827 its services have been held. Thompson. Elijah Bennett was chosen clerk. Their public meetings were held at Hunt's Hollow and vicinity, many of them in private dwellings. Additions to its membership were numerous, but mostly from persons living further east and north. Consequently the places of meeting grad- ually changed to the eastward, and were mainly at or near Wilcox Corners,* on the State road, north of Daltonf for a length of time, and finally to the present site of the village of Nunda. But these changes in the place of meeting made it quite in- convenient for those members residing in Grove, and the south part of what is now the town of Portage, from five to eight miles away. This led to the appointment of a meeting to con- sider the propriety of organizing another church. The meeting was held on the 24th of May, 1828, at the house of John Messenger near the southeast corner of Portage. They soon concluded to take measures to this end, and appointed a committee, viz: Curtis Coe, David Baldwin and Israel Root, to prepare a form of church articles of belief and practice to be considered at the next meeting. They also sent a committee to gain the consent of the Nunda church, of which they were all mem- bers, and also to invite them to send delegates to assist in recognizing them as a church. To this the church in Nunda readily consented, and also voted letters of dismissal to all who wished to unite with this new church. On the 21st of June, 1828, the meeting re-con- vened to hear the reports of the committees, and adopted the articles of faith and covenant reported, to which the following eighteen members sub- scribed: Israel Root, Curtis Coe, David Bald- win, Thaddeus Bennett, John Gearhart, Samuel Carman, John Messenger, William Alward, John Boughton, Bethuel Bradley, Betsey Bennett, Cath- erine White, Huldah Smith, Rosannah Bradley, Sally Root, Almeda Carman, Hannah Coe, Mar- garet Peet. The meeting was presided over by Samuel Mes- senger. Israel Root was elected clerk of the church, and David Baldwin and Curtis Coe as leaders ; but no deacons were chosen until a few years after. The clerk failed to record any public recognition of the church, but the invitations of the Nunda church, the presence and official position of Elder Messenger, and other circum- * Frequently in the barn of Deacon Schuyler Thompson, Gideon Lowell and perhaps others. The ordination of Elder Elijah Bennett took place in the barn of G. Lowell, Oct. 20, 1820. t The name of Nunda Station has been changed to Dalton. PORTAGE — CHURCHES. 269 stances, indicate that they were regularly received into the fraternity of Baptist Churches. The society was thereafter known as the Grove and Portage Baptist Church until 1877, when the name becoming inappropriate, — there being for many years but one member residing in Grove, — was changed from that to the Portage Baptist Church. From the organization of the church in 1828 until September, 1842, its meetings were held at the school house near the corners of the towns of Grove and Portage. In that year the society ap- pointed a committee to procure a more suitable and convenient place of meeting, which resulted in obtaining the privilege of using half of the time, the Methodist chapel* at Hunt's Hollow. In this chapel their meetings were held for five years, until the house now occupied by the society was purchased of the Presbyterian Church in 1848. During the entire course of its history, long in- tervals have occurred between the departure of one pastor and the settlement of his successor ; but the society during such intervals has not neglected to hold services, conference, and prayer-meetings, and sometimes the reading of sermons taking the place of pastoral ministrations. In May, 1829, a year after its organization, the society received an invitation from a conference of neighboring churches to meet with them at the Portage and Castile church on the third Wednes- day in June following, to assist in organizing a new Association. To this invitation the society as- sented, and a delegation of its members were pres- ent at that meeting. Elder Messenger, their pas- tor, being made moderator. The abduction of William Morgan had then but recently taken place, causing a most intense excitement regarding the danger of secret societies, and of Masonry in particular. The churches rep- resented at that meeting recorded as their first declaration : "This Association shall be composed of such Baptist churches only as have no fellow- ship for Masonry." This feature of the Constitu- tion was particularly admired by the Grove and Portage church, to which principle they as a body remained steadfast, until the amendment passed in 1868 expunged that article from the Constitution. In October of 1829, when the Baptist churches * Of this society no records are extant and nothing to indicate either its origin, progress, or dissolution. There is now no church of that denom- ination in Portage. Mr. J. C. Bennett thinks that this chapel was owned by a Methodist class whose membership was with the M. E. Church at Nunda, but the class lost its visibility soon after 1850. and Associations of the State held the famous Whitesboro Convention for the purpose of trying to organize a uniform system of defense against Masonry, they took measures to see that this As- sociation should be duly represented in that body. Elder Samuel Messenger had up to this time occupied the position of pastor, and the member- ship during these four years had increased to thir- ty-one. The society then obtained for half of the time, the services of Gilead Dodge, a Hcentiate hving in Mt. Morris. He remained until Septem- ber, 1833, when at the instance of the church, a council was convened and he was set apart by or- dination to the work of the ministry, after which he immediately resigned. In the fall of 1834, Silas Morse bought a farm within the bounds of the church, on which he lo- cated, and was soon invited to preach. Accepting the invitation, he so rapidly gained the esteem of the church that in January, 1836, at the request of the society, a council was called for his ordination to the labors of the ministry. The society now began to feel the need of a house of worship for the better accommodation of the congregation, and several meetings were held to consult in regard to the erection of a suitable building. Elder Morse was appointed to solicit aid from neighboring churches, but he met with but little success. After appointing a committee to consult with a like committee from the Grove church* in relation to uniting with them in the erection of a building to accommodate both socie- ties, the decision was soon reached that this would be poor policy, and the idea of building was aban- doned. In the beginning of the year 1840, there were in this society but thirty members. In September of the same year, the resolution appointing leaders, which had been in force for twelve years, was re- scinded, and David Baldwin and John Gearhart, who had served as leaders, were elected deacons. Those since elected have been Alfred Taber in 1868; P. W. Hewitt and F. M. Nicholson in 1878. At the time of this first election of deacons, Israel Root was still clerk of the society, holding that office until 1842 — fourteen years. His suc- cessor was Record Taber, who held the office seven years, and who in 1849 was succeeded by Joel C. Bennettjt the present clerk. * Afterward the Granger Church. t To him we are indebted for the major portion of the history of this church; he having compiled an epitome of its history from 1828 to 1869, which he placed at our disposal, and which is changed only somewhat in phraseology and in the sequence of events. 270 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. In April, 1841, Elder Morse, who had occupied the desk as pastor most of the time from 1834, died after a long andpainful illness, and the church secured the service of Elder Rufus Sabin.* In 1850, Elder J. H. Greene became pastor, to whose faithful preaching and exemplary Christian hfe the church owed much of its prosperity and strength. During the four years of his pastorate, seventeen were added to the church by baptism and fourteen by letter. In the latter part of 1854 Elder F. Glawville became pastor, remaining about a year and a half, but not becoming a member of the church. In 1856 Elder Sabin was again called to the pas- torate, which he retained for three years. Under his ministrations in the winter and spring of 1858, occurred an interesting revival which resulted in the addition, by baptism, of sixteen members to the church. In 1859, O. E. Mallory, then a student of the Institution at Hamilton, during his summer vaca- tion, preached to the church with much accept- ance, and his labors are still held in grateful re- membrance. In November of 1859, Elder Edward Teuney occupied the desk, sustaining the pastoral relation until April, -1860. In the summer of that year he was succeeded by Elder J. Trowbridge, who, in the course of a few months, aroused the church to the necessity of repairing and remodeling their house of worship. This was completed in July, 1861, and again dedicated to divine worship. In a few months afterward Elder Trowbridge resigned, and was succeeded by Elder W. W. Beardslee, whose pastorate lasted two years. Elder William Brooks then assumed the pastoral care of the church, which he retained three years, closing his labors on the first of April, 1867. During the next seven months, the desk was sup- pUed by Elders A. L. L. Potter and W. Metcalf, of Nunda. In November, 1867, Elder L. S. Stowell was called to the pastorate, and his work was greatly blessed. Within two years the membership was doubled. He remained eight years and then re- signed on account of ill health. During this time the church was unusually prosperous, seventy- seven being added to its membership by baptism. A year or two then elapsed without a settled pastor, until the coming of Elder J. A. Taylor, the t His pastorate continued nine years. The first six years he preached to this church but half the time, the other half with the Baptist church in Granger. But in 1847 the latter was disbanded and this church enjoyed his full labors. incumbent in 1880. The church is located at Hunt's Hollow, in a thinly settled farming country, and the membership and congregation have always been small. The present membership is about eighty. Statistics. — In i860 the population of Portage was 1,519, which in 1870 had decreased to 1,338, and in 1875 was but 1,170 total. In this latter year the town had a native population of 1,044, of foreign, 126; of white, 1,165, of colored, 5 ; a loss in those five years of 168 in the total pop- ulation ; of 143 in the native ; of 25 in the foreign; of 169 in the white, and a gain of i in the colored population. The town in 1875 had 570 males, 600 females, and 7 aliens ; and of voting population a total of 329, of which 278 were native, 47 were naturaUzed, and 4 were aliens. The soil of Portage is a clay loam in the eastern and a sandy loam in the western part. The area of farm lands in 1875 was given as 10,868 acres of improved lands, 3,019 acres of woodland, and of other lands 1,323 acres. The cash value of farms was $964,185; of farm buildings, $111,860; of stock, 98,595 ; of tools and implements, $26,725 ; while the gross sales from farms in the preceding year were $72,899. A portion of the town records having been de- stroyed by fire on the night of December 24th, 1 868. no accurate or reliable list could be obtained prior to 1869, although it is learned that Joel C. Bennett was Supervisor during the war, and John A. Lyon in 1866. We give here as extended a list as possible of the Supervisors and Town Clerks of Portage. Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1869. Benj. T. Kneeland. E. Selden Kellogg. 1870. Charles D. Bennett. " 1871. Benj. T. Kneeland. Jno. M. Griffith. 1872-73. MerrimanJ. Wilner. C. S. Gilbert. 1874. Jno. Fitch. Chas. C. Adams. 1875- " C. S. Gilbert. 1876-78. " Jno. M. Griffith. 1879-80. Jno. M. Griffith. O. L. Crosier. The following officers were elected April 5, 1 88 1 :— Supervisor, John M. Griffith; Town Clerk, Otis L. Crosier; Highway Commissioner, William Townsend; Assessor, Lyman L. Edmonds; Over- seer of the Poor, Lorenzo D. Gififord ; Constables, John Stager, Cornelius J. Whipple, Willie E. Spencer, R. R. Parks ; Game Constable, Philip M. Payne; Excise Commissioner, F. B. Hunt. Portage has eleven school districts in which there are school houses, and one joint district in 70 R-fi' m K'i'J'i CO 1^1 V O fe m ^fe . ■ 2 ^k; >: > n o DO m > O Co r- m < no o :n H > ni < il 2 ^^ O i^' CO MJ^ H ^4,<- O ^H 2 ^t O k^ih o §&. ' OAKLAND — CHURCHES. 271 which there is no school house in the town. In these districts there are 429 children over five and under twenty-one years of age. During the past year school was taught 322 2-5 weeks, employing 11 teachers, and with an average attendance of 164, there being 341 children of school age attending school some portion of the year. The totalamount paid to teachers during the year was $1,732.62. The total value of school houses and sites is $3,460 ; of district libraries, $183. There was paid during the year for school houses, sites, fences, repairs and furniture, the sum of $123.20; the total inciden- tal expenditure for the year was $153.55. The total valuation of the districts is $6,333.49. Dr. B. T. Kneeland who graduated at Geneva, N. Y., in 1 85 1, resides in the eastern part of the town. Oakland. Oakland is situated in the eastern part of the town. In its earlier history it was known as Mes- senger's Hollow, from Russell Messenger, who, as before mentioned, located there in 1817, build- ing there the first grist-mill erected in the town. It went by the name of Messenger's Hollow for years, until the post-office was moved from Col. George Williams' on Oak Hill to the Hollow, bearing the name of Oakland with it. This name grew in public favor slowly, especially among- the older residents, but at last the hamlet came to be generally known by its present name. The mill erected by Russell Messenger was rebuilt and enlarged in 1832. It is the only grist-mill now in the town, and is a very large and substantial struc- ture. Here in Oakland, Russell Messenger died, and his son, Orlaton F. Messenger, succeeded him in the business of the mill and the warehouse which was built after the opening of the canal. Here, also, Asahel Fitch kept for many years a general dry-goods and grocery store. His son, John Fitch, manufacturer of carriages, is now living here. None of Russell Messenger's family are left here, but live at or near Rochester, Minn. When the Genesee Valley canal was completed Oakland had, besides the grist-mill, a tannery, a cloth dressing establishment, several saw-mills, a store and a tavern. The growth of Nunda Vil- lage, and the abandonment of the canal, detracted from the business of the place, and it contains at present but the mill, carriage shop, a blacksmith shop, school house, a manufactory for plows and other agricultural implements, and thirty or forty houses. Churches. —The place formerly contained two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian. The former was built about 1830 or '32, and the society becoming extinct, the church was aban- doned somewhere about 1872, and was then con- verted into a hall for public use. Oakland Presbyterian Church. — On Sunday, the 5th day of December, 1819, Rev. Elihu Mason, pastor of the church in Mt. Morris, organized the Presbyterian church of Portage, at Oak Hill, then in the town of Nunda, with the following mem- bers : — Arad French and Lucinda, his wife ; Rich- ard W. Robinson and Charlotte, his wife; Mrs. Laura Strong, Wm. T. Totten, Enoch Miller, Mrs. Rosanna Marks, Mrs. Hannah Moses, Samuel Swain and Mrs. Elizabeth Tuthill. Arad French was chosen deacon, and Messrs. French, Robinson and Swain elders. Mr. French was also chosen clerk, and for more than twenty years kept a model record. In January, 1820, the church became a member of the Presbytery of Ontario. The next two years it remained under the care of Mr. Mason. In the spring of 1822, Rev. John Lindsley became pastor. He was a native of Connecticut, and though an old man, he was a missionary in Western New York, where his name is found in the history of most of the old churches. He settled at Oak Hill, where he died December 4th, 1838, aged eighty-seven years. He was a deep thinker and a very exemplary man. September, 1822, the church numbering seventy- five members, Isaac P. Atwood, Erastus Norton and Solomon Williams were chosen additional elders, and William T. Totten and William Town, deacons. Rev. Mr. Lindsley having become superannu- ated, Phineas Smith, a licentiate, became pastor in 1828, and was soon afterwards ordained. Though the church had one hundred members, it had no house or home. Its meetings were held in the school-houses and barns, niostly at Oak Hill or Hunt's Hollow. The parish extended from Pike Hollow to East Hill, in Nunda, and on the river from St. Helena to Wiscoy. Efforts were made to build a meeting-house, but in 1827 the church was organized in Portage ville, within this parish. The pastor had not the wisdom of experience, and several of the leading members joined the Episcopal church. It was not till the summer of 1830 that they built their house in Hunt's Hollow. The church then became a mem- ber of the Presbytery of Angelica, and Rev. Abel Caldwell succeeded Mr. Smith, who became, soon 272 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. after, a missionary to Texas, then just entering the family of nations as a Republic. In 1 83 1, a Presbyterian church was organized in Nunda and another in Pike, both of which drew many of her members, but accessions were more numerous; for in 1835 the membership is stated at one hundred and thirty — the greatest number the church ever reported. Rev. Leonard Rogers succeeded Mr. Caldwell in 1837, and was followed by Rev. Abram C. DuBois in 1840; and James B. Hewitt, Edwin S. Olmstead, Delos Wells and Jos. C. Button were chosen elders. Abel Caldwell was again pastor in 1841-42, Rev. Lewis Hamilton in 1843-44 and Rev. John M. Bear in 1845-47. He was an ob- trusive pro-slavery man from Delaware, out of time and place. Several of the leading members left the church for political reasons and never joined it again. John Preston, John F. Woodruff and Nel- son C. Lockwood were chosen elders, and Tracy Ensworth, deacon. The mania for going west which began in 1836 carried away many members, and the dechne con- tinued till in 1848 Messrs. Caldwell and Leonard labored as supplies to a membership of about fifty. They sold the church and parsonage to the Baptist church for $800, joined the Presbytery of Wyoming, and uniting with the Old School church, of Nunda, formed the Church of Oakland, Richard Kay, pas- tor, Gulielmus Wing, David W. Thayer, Silas Olm- stead, E. S. Olmstead, J. Preston and J. B. Hewitt, elders, and Wm. T. Totten and Tracy Ensworth, deacons. July ist, 1848, the church and society were incorporated, G. Wing, Wm. Houghton, Jas. Camp, L. Tuthill and Asahel Fitch, trustees ; Rev. Moses Miller, pastor. They built a commodious church and session room on the corner of lot 170 in Oakland, which was dedicated Oct. 3d, 1850. The building com- mittee were G. Wing, E. H. Nash, A. Fitch, O. F. Messenger and Jas. Camp. N. C. Lockwood and Geo. Arnold were chosen additional elders. Richard Kay's pastorate closed in 1852, and Rev. Isaac Oakes was pastor till 1857. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Hall for one year. Rev. Henry B. Thayer followed for two years. In his pastorate many were added to the church. Rev. Pliny Twitchell was pastor from the fall of 1 86 1 till his death in 1864. His successor, E. W. Kellogg, continued till 1868, when Rev. R. W. McCormick was pastor for one year. Rev. L. G. Marsh fol- lowed him in 1870, and continued till the meeting house was burned June 8th, 187 1. The schism between the old and the new school was healing and as many of the members had once been united with the Church of Nunda, so now she welcomed the Church of Oakland to her com- munion. During the fifty years the Church existed about 450 names were on her records. The first settlers of Portage were mainly from New England, and the Presbyterian faith had probably more adherents than all other creeds combined, perhaps they still outnumber any other, but their names are enrolled in Portage or Nunda.* Hunt's Station. Hunt's Station, or Hunt's, as it is as frequently called, is situated at nearly the geographical center of the town, on the line of the Erie railroad. It contains two stores, a post-office, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, a warehouse, the depot, and eight or nine dwelUng houses. One of the stores, devoted to dry-goods and doing a consider- able business, is kept by Williams & Averill. The other, devoted to groceries, is owned by Milo Eldridge, who came here in December, 1874, com- mencing business the following July. The post- office was moved to this place from Hunt's Hol- low in 1875, and Mr. Eldridge was appointed post- master, which position he has since held. Mr. Schwartz began business here as a black- smith in the spring of 1876. In 1877 Frank Nickleson built here a wagon shop, devoting a portion of it to blacksmithing. The warehouse was built by J. L. Smith in the spring of 1877, sell- ing in 1878 to J. B. Simmons, who as produce dealer, is now in business here. Hunt's Station is quite an extensive shipping point for farm produce, the only depot in the town of commercial importance. At this place is located the Portage Memorial Hall, a neat slate roofed brick building, twenty-six by fifty feet, containing within its interior three large marble slabs inscribed with the names of the soldiers from Portage who died on the field of bat- tle, or in prisons, during the war of the Rebellion. The building was erected at an expense of two thousand dollars, and is also to be used as a town hall. This Hall was built through the efforts of an as- sociation of citizens under the title of "The Soldiers' Monument Association of the Town of Portage." The society was organized Saturday, June 9, 1866, in accordance with Chapter 237, * For this sketch we are indehted to C. D Bennett. PORTAGE— WAR RECORD. 273 Laws of 1866 for the erection of a monument in said town in memory of her soldiers. The meeting for organization was held in the school-house at Hunt's Hollow, Horace Hunt pre- siding as chairman, and Hiram Smith, as secre- tary. In addition to the Supervisors and Justices made by the law ex-officio members of the Board of Trustees, eight more were elected, making the first Board of Trustees as follows :— John A. Lyon, Supervisor ; Greenleaf Clark, Latham Coffin, Chas. H. Randall and Hiram Smith, Justices ; John F. Barber, Alfred A. Cox, Horace Hunt, Charles D, Bennett, Orlaton F. Messenger, J. Bradley Clark, Enos H. Nash, Roderick P. Spencer. The certificate of organization was recorded in the Livingston County Clerk's office, June 13, 1866. On the 1 6th of June, the organization was perfected by the election of John F. Barber, Presi- dent ; Orlaton F. Messenger and J. B. Clark, Vice- Presidents; Charles D. Bennett, Treasurer; and Hiram Smith, Secretary. By means of Fourth of July celebrations, fairs, festivals, and various school exhibitions, a fund was accumulated with which to build a monument. Committees on locations, plans and specifica- tions were at various times appointed, but no location could be agreed upon. In 1872 or '73, a law was passed allowing a Memorial building to be erected in place of the monument con- templated by the Act under which this Association was organized. On the 30th of April, 1874, the Association resolved that the funds of the society should be expended in the erection of a Memorial Hall. The location selected was on the south side of the road at Hunt's Station, where in 1880 the building was erected. The committee on Building, were J. Beardsley, G. S. Hovey and Hiram Smith. The committee on Marble Tablets were Joel C. Bennett, Charles D. Bennett and L. B. Gallup. By the usual changes in town officers, and by deaths and removals, corresponding changes have been made in the Board of Trustees. At the time of the erection of the Memorial Hall, the follow- ing were the members of the Association : — John M. Griffith, Supervisor; G. S. Hovey, Charles H. Randall, Hiram Smith and L. B. Gallup, Justices; Amman Smith, President ; Charles D. Bennett, Treasurer; John S. Lyon, Vice-President; E. H. Nash, R. P. Spencer, Joel C. Bennett, Jared Beards- ley, A. M. McFarlane. The present Secretary is Hiram Smith. Portage Bridge. Portage Bridge has but a few scattering houses, the depot, and two hotels. The Emerald House, proprietor P. M. Brogun, was built fourteen years ago. Mr. Brogun has been its proprietor thirteen years. The Cascade House was built about 1853, after the burning of the old Laman House. Its present proprietor is J. G. Barr. This hotel is a large handsome building, finely located, and is quite a resort for tourists who come here to pass the sum- mer months amidst the beautiful scenery of the Genesee. War Record. — The history of Portage for years, was that of a tranquil farming country, and not until the war broke out in 1861, did anything occur to disturb its citizens in their pursuits. At the breaking out of the RebelUon, thirty-six men from the town of Portage, without bounty, and with no expectation of reward but their meager pay, entered the army to maintain as far as they could the integrity of the nation. During the year 1862, forty-five more of the citi- zens of Portage, whose hves had been passed in the quiet pursuits of husbandry or trade, threw down the implements of industry and, at the call of the President, went resolutely to the fields of strife, there to wield the implements of death in behalf of the same noble cause. In answer to the^call of 1863, nineteen more men quietly and bravely left their homes and went forward to take the place of those who had fallen in battle, or dropped from the ranks from the blighting effects of toil, privation and disease. The town furnished in all, one hun- dred and fifty-two men. Of those who enlisted in 1861,* Wilbur Haver entered the 27th Regiment, and was killed at Fredericksburgh, Va., May 3, 1863. Fifteen men entered Company F, 33rd Regi- ment, under command of Captain McNair. David Bentley was disabled and discharged in April, 1862. He afterwards reenlisted in Co. F, 4th Heavy Artillery, was wounded June 23, before Petersburgh, and transferred to the Invalid Corps. George Benjamin deserted, but reenlisted in the 8sth Regiment, and was taken prisoner at Ply- mouth, N. C, April 20, 1864, serving the remainder of his time in Andersonville prison. J. H. Delong died at Hagerstown, Md., Decem- ber 4, 1862. * For Ihis record of the soldiers from Portage, we are indebted to Joel C. Bennett, who has manifested much interest in matters pertaining to their history. 274 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Michael Driscoll served his two years, was then transferred to Company D.of the same regiment, and on May 15, 1863, was attached to the 49th Regiment. James C. Gillett was discharged August 4, 1861, came home and died at Oakland. Robert S. Hall was discharged Aug. 15, 1861, afterward reenlisting. James Haver served two years, and was dis- charged with his Regiment, but reenhsted in the New York Dragoons and served to the end of the war. George M. Lockwood, Jan. i, 1862, was de- tailed to duties in the Signal Corps, where he served to the end of his two years' term. Rufus Newell served his two years. Eben Patterson died at Nunda Station Dec. 30, 1862, of disease contracted in the service. Reuben W. Mayhew was discharged for dis- abihty Aug. 4, 1861, but reenlisted in Company D, 4th Heavy Artillery, and was again discharged for disabihty. Henry Schwartz died of fever Aug. 10, 1862. Hosea F. Shaw was promoted to First Sergeant, and served his two years. Theodore Washburn was killed at Deserted House, Va., June 30, 1863. Delancy Smith * served two years and was trans- ferred to Company D of the same regiment, and attached to the 49th Regiment May 15th, 1863. Of those who joined the 85th Regiment f in 1861:— Charles Buckbee served his two years, reenlisted in the same regiment, was taken prisoner at Ply- mouth, N. C, and died in Andersonville. JuUus C. French was discharged for his disabil- ity, but recovered and reenlisted in the First New York Veteran Cavalry and was again discharged for ill health. James Holbrook sickened and died in the service. Charles Hale died in the hospital in the winter of 1862. Jay J. Mills, at the end of his two years' service, reenlisted in the same regiment, was taken prisoner at Plymouth, N. C, and died at Andersonville. George W. Randall was discharged for disability. * Enlisted in 1862. ^ t This entire regiment was captured at Plymouth, N, C, after perhaps the most gallant and obstinate resistance to superior numbers that took place durmg the war. This courageous defense secured honorable terms of capitulation, and such was the respect entertained for them by their captors that, dunng their march to Andersonville, not a man was plun- dered although they were well clothed and were in possession of several months' pay. Albert O. Taber died at Suffolk, Va., Oct. 28, 1862. He had been promoted to Lieutenant, but died before receiving his commission. Of Company A, 104th regiment, enHstment of 1861:— George W. Brittan was discharged for disability, but re-enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery. He died at Washington, March i, 1865. Albert H. Cleveland was discharged July r, 1862. William Davis was killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July I, 1863. George Flint was discharged Sept. 3, 1862, and died soon after the war. George H. Graham was discharged Dec. 18, 1862, on account of ill health. Reenlisted in the Veteran Reserve Corps Sept. 12, 1864. Died at Boston Harbor Dec. 8, 1864. Nathaniel A. Gearhart was wounded at Gettys- burg, Pa., July I, 1863, and was discharged Oct. 12, 1864. Edwin M. Hinman deserted from Camp Chase, Ohio. Alexander H. Hinman served his full three years. John C. Hays was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, and passed twenty-one months in Rebel prisons, before being exchanged. Albert S. Haver was promoted from Second Lieutenant to Captain, but was dismissed from the service for using disrespectful language to a superior officer. George W. Rowell was dismissed for disability Dec. 13, 1862, but reenhsted in the First New York Veteran Cavalry. George W. Snyder was discharged on account of ill health, Aug. 4, 1862. William Youngs was transferred to Invalid Corps Oct. I, 1863. In the months of August and September of 1862 volunteers were organized into regi- ments as if by magic all over the Northern States. The camp-grounds for Allegany, Living- ston and Wyoming counties was in Portage. Here the 130th and 136th Regiments were organized with wonderful rapidity and sent to the front. The name of the 130th was afterwards changed to the First New York Dragoons. Eighteen men from Portage, enhsted in the companies of this regiment, receiving from the town a bounty of fifty dollars each, and in 1863 and 1864 twelve recruits from this town were added to the number. B. T. Kneeland was appointed Surgeon at the PORTAGE — WAR RECORD. 275 organization of the regiment, with the rank of Major, and remained until the close of the war. Jacob Alvord, Company I, was wounded near Malvern Hill, disabled, and discharged. Elisha T. Ames, Company I, lost a leg in the battle of the Wilderness, May 7, and died in Wash- ington June 26, 1864. Thomas W. Edmonds, Company I, was trans- ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. William C. Hendershott served to the close of the war, mostly as nurse in the hospital. John M. Hall, Company A, served to the end of the war. Geo. A. Gearhart, Company I, also served to the close of the war. Geo. M. Gearhart, Company A, killed at the battle of Cedar creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. John Kegan, Company A, was killed at Deserted House, Va., Jan. 30, 1863. Horace C. Orton, Company I, died in Ander- sonville prison, Ga. Phillip M. Payne, Company A, was transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps June 13, 1864. Albert Smith, Company I, served three years. Horace Ward was transferred to InvaUd Corps. John L. Snyder and A. J. White, of Company I, were transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. H. E. Youells, Company I, sickened and died at Norfolk, Va., April 3, 1863. Sergeant Prosper Swift, after fighting through a great many severe skirmishes and battles, was killed in action at Cedar creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864, and hes buried at Nunda. George Stockwether, Company F, was wounded and taken prisoner at Travihan Station, Va., but was exchanged and mustered out with his regi- ment. M)Ton H. Haver, Company F, served to the close of the war. Wm. J. Wright, Company I, died of fever, Nov. 6, 1862. George C. Abbott, Company B, enlisted in 1864, and served to the end of the war. Thomas Brick, Company B, enhsted in 1863, and was mustered out at the close of the war. David L. Randall, Company F, enlisted in 1863, sickened, came home on a. furlough, and did not return to his company. James H. Haver, Company I, served through the war. Geo. W. Lowell, Company F, enhsted in 1864, and died of fever at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., July 27, 1864. Peter J. Quant, Company I, enhsted in r864, and died in that year from exposure to frost while sick. Fletcher Walker enlisted in 1864 in Company F, was killed at Cedar creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. Wilham Beach enhsted in 1863 and served to the end of the war. Lorenzo D. Lowell, Company F, enhsted in 1864. His heath failed and he was discharged. Emerson Rude, Company I, enhsted in the 130th Regiment, Aug. 13, 1862. Generally known by the citizens of both Portage and Nunda, the news of his death cast a gloom over the commun- ity. After landing at Suffolk, Va., his first battle was at Deserted House, Va., Jan. 29, 1863. He was in active camp duty until the dread seige of Suffolk in April, 1863, when he was under fire in the rifle-pits and forts every day for twenty-one days in succession. Again he was in another battle near Baltimore Cross Roads, the first of July. In November, 1863, he was in a severe skirmish at Manassas Junction, and also in another near Orange Court House in January, 1864. At the battle of the Wilderness, on Saturday, May 7, 1864, he was shot through the left arm and right thigh. He was carried back into the field, where he remained that night and until Sunday noon, receiving such care as a fighting and pursuing army could render. He was finally placed in an ambu- lance and started for Fredericksburgh ; carried about half way and obhged to lay out in the ambu- lance over night without a fire. On Monday fore- noon he reached Fredericksburgh and in two or three days thereafter died and was buried with the army's dead. Of those who in 1862 entered the 136th Regi- ment : — Thomas F. Carroll, Company H, was discharged at Fairfax Court House, Va., for disability. Otis L. Crosier served to the close of the war, and is now living at Oakland. Levi Guernsey was taken prisoner at Manassas Junction, Va.,in August, 1863, and has never been heard from since. Norman A. Hamilton was discharged on account of failing health. Wilham C. Hall was promoted to the oflSce of First Lieutenant, was wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, and died of lock-jaw at Nashville, Tenn., June 27, 1864. Henry S. Lyon served through the war. George H. Mosier was wounded at Gettysburg, Pa,, July 3, and died August i, 1863. 276 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. John McDonald was discharged at Atlanta, Ga., for disability. Felix Managhan was mustered out at the close of the war. Patrick Ryan died at Stafford Court House, Va., in March, 1863. Alterva Smith was wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1804, and died soon after. Jackson L. Wallace served until the war closed. H. W. Hand was promoted Captain of Com- pany I, 39th Regiment of colored troops and served till the close of the war. Of the 105th Regiment:— Lyman B. Gallup, when the regiment was con- solidated with the 94th, was placed in Company H, but was discharged for the purpose of reenlist- ment as hospital steward, and finally, was dis- charged for disability July 6, 1865, and is now in Portage. John Quinn enlisted in 1862, was discharged for disabiHty, reenlisted in the First Veteran Cavalry, and served through the war. John H. Parks died of disease contracted in the service. May 17, 1864, at Washington. James B. Randall, Company F, 169th Regiment, was wounded at Cold Harbor, June i, 1864, and died on the 4th of the same month. John Simpson, of Company D, i88th Regi. ment, served to the close of the war. Of the 4th Regiment of Heavy Artillery : — Augustus Beardsley, Company E, served to the close of the war. George W. Bingham, of Company E, and Aaron Burroughs, of Company D, remained in the army until the close of the war. Rufus Chandler, Company E, died at Washing- ton, February 2, 1863. W. H. H. Havey, Company D, served till the end of the RebelHon. Matthew Lake, Company D, also served to the close of the war. Michael Loughlen entered the service in Janu- ary, 1864, was wounded at the battle of the Wilder, ness, disabled and discharged. Robert R. Parks, Company E, served to the end of the war. Rowland Ward, Company E, was wounded at Ream's Station and disabled, but was not dis- charged till the war closed. E. Adelbert Nash, Company F, enlisted in Feb- ruary, 1864, was taken prisoner at Ream's Station, was paroled, exchanged and served to the end of the war. Charles H. Rowell, Company F, entered the army at the same date, and was killed at Peters- burgh, Va., June 23, 1864. Michael Welch, Company F,, enlisted in 1862, and served to the end of the Rebellion. William Riley entered the service January i, 1864, and died in prison at Salisbury, N. C, date unknown. Marion W. Mosher, Company E, joined the regiment in 1864, and was lost in the battle near North Anna river, Va., in May, 1864. Isaac L. Holley and George F. Rogers entered the service in 1863, in Company F, ist New York Veteran Cavalry, and remained until the war ended. A number of men, residents in Portage, enlisted for other towns. Among these were John Slater and James Moore, the former being wounded in the second battle of Bull Run and permanently disabled; the latter remaining with the regiment until the close of its two years' service, when he re- enlisted in the sth New York Cavalry and was sent with that regiment to Texas. Charles Calahan entered the 130th Regiment at its organization, and was severely wounded at Travilian Station ; but after eight months' absence in the hospital he rejoined the regiment, was with it in its last campaign, and with it was mustered out at the close of the war. Twelve of the citizens of Portage, in 1863, were also claimed by the draft, two only responding to the call, viz. — Wm. D. Lake and Theodore Elhot. The former was placed in the 146th Regiment. He was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, May 7, and died in Andersonville prison, Novem- ber 21, 1864. Theodore EUiot entered Company B, 76th Regi- ment, was also taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, and died in Andersonville, Sept 16, 1864. The other ten men satisfied the demand of the government by the payment of three hundred dol- lars each in commutation for their services. These were Jason D. Hunt, J. S. Hewett, Martin Dona- hue, Thomas N. Lockwood, Edwin Thompson, Justus G. Yule, Sylvenus H. Reece, Stephen G. Scott, Lyman W. PhiUips and Nelson Devoe. In addition to all regular quota, in 1864, the town furnished twenty-six men for four months' service in the 58th Regiment of New York State Militia to guard rebel prisoners at Elmira. These were Major Geo. M. Lockwood, Captain Jason D. Hunt, Lieutenants H. F. Shaw and PORTAGE, WAR RECORD— JOEL C. BENNETT. 277 George Conklin, Edward L. Hunt, J. M. Hayne, John E. Spees, Samuel Russell, Chas. E. Gardner, Henry Allegar, Benjamin Brigham, Eramett Dick- ens, E. L. Hayne, Nelson Link, James Lyon, Joseph C. Russell, Robert Scutt, H. O. Sparks, Charles L. Williams ; — Franklin W. Payne, S, A. Spencer, John Moffett, Elijah Dunn, Curtis S. French, A. W. Chase, S. G. Scott, George Fletcher, A. A. Smith, B. L. Brooking, J. B. Chase and Oscar F. Sharp, by substitute, and E. A. Lowell. Of the brave defenders of the Union who went from Portage, thirteen were killed or died from wounds received in battle, thirteen died from dis- eases contracted in the service, and nine drooped and died from starvation and exposure in the various prison pens of the South. The town also paid a large amount in bounties to the men who went forward to the fields of strife. ■In 1 86 1 thirty-six men entered the service without bounty. In 1862 seventeen men were paid $50 each,— $850; twenty-five were paid $75 each,— $1,875, and nine of the same men received by subscription $125 each,— $1,125; total for the year, $3,850. In 1863 eight men went without bounty, eleven were paid $300 each,— $3,300 ; ten paid commu- tation of $300 each,— $3,000 ; total for the year, $6,300. In 1864 eight men received $1,000 each, — $8,- 000; one man received $950; fifteen men were paid $900 each,— $13,500; and one substitute was paid by H. Smith $1,000; total for the year, $23,450. In 1865 one substitute was paid by A. Smith $1,100, one substitute for H. Dutton was paid $1^300, — $2,400; and fifteen men enhsted in Washington for the town were paid $750 each, — $11,250; total for the year $13,650, and a final total for the four years of $47,250. Previous to July, 1863, the various Ladies' Aid Societies in the town had sent to the armies through organized agencies of benevolence, hospi- tal stores and comforts to the amount of $239. Besides this a large number of boxes were sent by individuals and societies to particular friends and companies. In 1864 a festival was held on the Fourth of July, the net proceeds from which were $437.54. Two hundred dollars of this sum was sent to the Sanitary Commission and $200 to the Christian Commission. Collections were then made in the various school districts and in August $61.75 were sent to the same Commission. In October and February $61.25 were added to the contribution ; the Thanksgiving dinner, which resulted in the receipt of $77.16, swelling the yearly contribution to the sum of $600.17. In addition to this cash and goods to the amount of $374.76 were forwarded to the freed- men of the South in March, 1864, making a grand total of $48,501.47 that Portage contributed toward the suppression of the RebeUion. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOEL C. BENNETT. (JOEL C. BENNETT.)" Among the early settlers of Portage the Bennetts were somewhat conspicuous. They are of English origin, tracing the immediate family tie back to Ephraim Bennett, who was born in England about the year 1720, but the exact date of his birth, mi- gration to this country, marriage and death, are lost to this branch of his posterity. His death oc- curred about the year 1780. Thomas, one of his three sons, was born in Newtown, Conn., Nov. 17, 1752, and died in the same town, Feb. 7, 1836, at the age of eighty-four. He had a family of eight sons and three daughters, all reared in Newtown, all married and all living to raise famihes of chil- dren. As the sons successively came of age, they left their native town, and most of them settled in Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y. But after a few years the wild Genesee country had attractions for them, and between 1817 and 182 1, seven of the brothers bought lands and settled in the wilderness of Nunda, (now Portage.)* • Ebenezer Bennett, the oldest son settled in Ovid, Seneca County N. Y., (now Covert,) where many of his posterity now reside. 278 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Their names were Henry, David, Thomas T., Joseph, Walter, Philo and Roswell Bennett. So numerous were their children that it was said there were seventy-seven Bennett cousins living near enough to attend church at Hunt's Hollow. The descendants of these seven brothers afford an illustration of the Yankee tendency to spread and " replenish the earth," as they are known to be settled in various parts of seventeen different States and also in Canada and Brazil, S. A. Very many of them are or have been teachers, thus nat- urally occupying positions of responsibility and influence. Only one of the old homesteads built by the fathers now remains in the hands of the chil- dren reared in them. This is the one established by David Bennett, now owned and occupied by his son, Charles D. Bennett. David Bennett was the third child in the above mentioned family of eleven and was born on the 7th of March, 1777. He was married to Polly Botsford, May 4, 1799, and soon afterward moved to Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y. Here his wife died in Oct., 1812, leaving a family of five children. April 10, 1813, he was again married, his second wife being Mary, eldest daughter of Joel Coe one of the first settlers of the town of Scipio. In the spring of 1 82 1 he removed to Portage, arriving on the 16th of May. He commenced at once his work upon the Springbrook farm, establishing a home where the social and family tie have ever been, and still remain strong and tender. Here he died Dec. 7, 1857. Six children resulting from his second marriage here grew to maturity, viz: — Joel C, Mary J., Charles D., Emily C, Curtis N. and Rachel A. Bennett. Joel C. Bennett, the oldest of these was born May 16, 1815. He received a district school edu- cation and also taught school several terms, be- coming pretty well acquainted with the school sys- tem as it was administered in the early days. He was the first to introduce the use of blackboards in school in this part of the country, and it had to be done at his own expense. He, with thirty-five other teachers of Portage, helped to organize the first Teachers' Institute in Western New York, at Hume, under the auspices of R. H. Spencer, then County Superintendent for Allegany county, in 1844. For many years he discharged the duties of School Inspector, School Commissioner or Town Superintendent, but he has held office very little except in this connection. He was, however. Su- pervisor at the opening of the war in 1861, and held the office two years. He tried to keep pretty full statistics with regard to the soldiers enlisted, bounties paid, companies in which they served, casualties which happened to them, &c. Most of the statistics on this subject for Portage have been compiled from memoranda kept by him. On November 10, 1850, he was married to Cor- nelia Botsford, youngest daughter of Ezra Bots- ford, Esq., long a resident of Granger, Allegany county. They have four children, Ada E., Nora M., Carl D., and Ezra W. Bennett. CHARLES D. BENNETT. Charles D. Bennett, the subject of this sketch was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, Feb. 15, 18 rg. Two years after this, his father moved to Nunda, now Portage, and cut for himself a farm out of the woods, and as the forest was partly pine, he was obliged to combine lumbering with clearing. His education began in the rude log school-house, but was afterwards continued in Henry Chalker's select school, the LeRoy high school and Canandaigua academy, with teaching school between the terms, and he also made good use of the Nunda Farmers' library. On reaching his majority he went to Louisiana and clerked for his brother Ezra for a year, then taught school atime on Bayou LaFourche, and returning home, spent four years in farming and teaching, and was for two years town superin- tendent of common schools. An attack of inflam- mation of the eyes then forced him to refrain from hard labor and he sought the dry climate of Texas, then recently annexed, and settled at Gonzales, on the south-western frontier, where he was chiefly en- gaged in teaching, and for several years was presi- dent of Gonzales college. About the year 1850, the temperance wave spread over Texas, and he joined the ranks of " Sons of Temperance" and was for several years Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch of the order. In 1853, he visited the north and married Miss Huldah Olney, of Scipio, who after a few years residence in Texas, desired to leave society controlled by slavery. The hard times of 1857 making the sale of property and collection of debts impracticable, Mr. Bennett converted his means into a herd of cattle and drove them to Chicago, a distance of 2,000 miles, about the be- ginning of a trade now amounting to millions. In 1858 he drove a herd of Texas oxen to Leaven- worth, and returning to Portage bought the old homestead where he has since followed the quiet and uneventful life of a farmer. In politics he has never sought preferment, but of the many minor offices which a riian assumes voluntarily and fills at his own expense, he has held his full share. He is perhaps chiefly noted for his labors in improving the highways. HON. NATHANIEL COE. Hon. Nathaniel Coe was born in Morris county, N. J., September 6th, 1788. His paternal ancestry is given in the sketch of his sister, Mrs. Huldah Bennett. " The wish to cherish the remembrance of our ancestors is akin to the equally laudable desire to live in the memory of posterity, *'E'en though our ancient but ignoble blood Has crept through scoundrels, ever since the flood." His mother, Huldah Horton, was born in Ches- ter, N. J., Jan. 14th, 1762. She was the daughter of Deacon Nathaniel Horton, of Southold, Long Island, who was the seventh in descent from Barnabas Horton of Mousely, in Leicestershire, (PORTAGL ) p.p.p ENNETT. MX. MORRI; Jonathan Phiulips. Chester Fo ESTER f OOTE. HON. NATHANIEL COE — MRS. WALTER BENNETT. 279 England, whose ancestry and coat of arms were traced back several centuries. He was born in about 1600. About 1635, with his wife, Mary, and two children, he came to Hampton, Mass., in the ship Swallow, Capt. Jeremy Horton, master. In 1640, his family, with twelve others, formed a church in New Haven, Ct., Rev. John Youngs pastor, and together soon removed to the east end of Long Island, then a wilderness. They named their place Southold, from their old home in England. He built the first framed house there, and in strange contrast with the restless, moving habits of our population, it has continued to be the residence of his posterity in lineal descent, viz: Jonathan, Jonathan, Jr., I^awrence, Jonathan and Jonathan G. Horton, who died there July 3d, 1873. A similar instance of continued possession is found in Stratford, Ct. Robert Coe, from England, settled there about 1650. His premises have ever since been held by his descendants, viz : John, Robert, Ebenezer, Eben- ezer, Jr., John Ebenezer and John Henry Coe, born in 1842. N. Coe found himself in the woods of Scipio at seven years of age, where his father had a soldier's right of 640 acres, for which he paid a shilling per acre. Schools were few, and those not the best, but the youth was one of those who take to books and seem to learn by intuition. In 1818 he came to Portage, tended saw-mills, practiced surveying, etc. In 1820, with his brother Joel and a schoolmate, Myron Strong, he went to Olean, where they procured a boat, in which they passed down the rivers to New Orleans. He remained a,bout six years in various places at the South, generally teaching school or classes in penmanship. In his travels he became ac- quainted with the Lancasterian method of teach- ing, then quite famous as well as novel. He taught school several sessions. By the introduction of better text books and methods of teachipg by him, and a fewsimilar teachers, such as Hiram Olney and Stephen Fuller, the common schools of Portage attained the reputation of being the best in this region. He was a member of the school board as inspector or commissioner till these offices were abolished by law. In 1828 he and W. Z. Blanch- ard, partners, opened a store in Oakland. "No liquor sold to be drank here " was hung in a con- spicuous place, a novel and unpopular sign in that day, when liquor sellers were prominent church members. October 9th, 1828, he married Miss Mary White, of Auburn, a young lady of fine Ht- erary taste and high moral sentiments. Her extra- ordinary social faculties enabled her to take a lead- ing place in society. Acting with earnestness and consistency, with a unity of object, few families have exerted a stronger influence, always for good, than they. In the countless instances in common life when public good or private want required the aid of a benevolent heart, a prudent head or skill- ful hand, he was the ready helper — " The Ajax and the Mentor, too, To sagely plan and stoutly do." He was several terms a Magistrate and often Supervisor. For rare discernment and integrity he had the confidence of all. He was elected to the Assembly from Allegany in 1843, '44 and '45, and from Livingston in 1847, and became one of the leading members of the legislature. Twice he had the misfortune to be reduced from comparative affluence to bankruptcy by the failure of others. In 1851 he was appointed Mail Agent for Oregon. He selected a homestead at the mouth of Hood River on the Columbia. His sons, Lawrence \V. and Eugene F., were the first navigators of that river above the Dalles. As a successful fruit culturist he spent the evening of a useful life that had been a blessing to many, dying Oct. 17th, 1868. " Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." MRS. WALTER BENNETT. (MRS. WALTER BENNETT.) Mrs. Walter Bennett nee Huldah Coe, was born in Morris county, N. J., July 15, 1793. The Coe family came to this country from Suffolkshire, England, where the family descendants had re- sided for many generations. The earliest mention of them which can now be found is in Fox's Book of Martyr's, which states that Robert Coe, (Coo it is there spelled) of Millford, Suffolkshire, was burned at the stake by Queen Mary, September, 1555, at Texford. A full account of his trial and defense is given by Fox in vol. 3, page 349. Robert and his sons John, Robert and Benjamin Coe, came to America from England in 1634. Robert, Jr., settled in Stratford, Conn. Robert was married in 1657, and died in 1659, leaving one son, John Coe, who was born May 10, 1658. This son was married to Mary Hawley, December 20th, 1682. The result of this marriage was a family of ten children. His second son Joseph, was married to 280 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Abigail Robinson in 1708. His son Joseph was born in 1713. He was married in 1739 to Abigail Curtis, by whom he had ten children. Joel was the eighth child in this family. He married Hul- dah Horton in 1780. In 1795 he moved with his family to Scipio, Cayuga county, which was then a wilderness, and settled ten miles south of the log grist-mill, on the site of what is now the city of Auburn. It took them a week to sail to Albany. From Albany they went to Schenectady by wagons, and from that place on a boat, propelled by oars and poles, to Fort Stanwix, now Rome. They hauled the boat on an ox wagon three miles, to Wood creek, thence on Oneida lake, Oswego and Seneca rivers, and Cayuga lake to Aurora. For nine miles they cut the greater portion of their way through the forest to their settlement one mile north of Scipio Center. Mary was the first born in Joel's family of eight children. She was the mother of Joel C. Bennett, whose portrait appears in another part of this work. Huldah Coe, whose name heads this sketch, was the sixth child in this family. Both Mary and Huldah were born in Morris county, N. J. Mary was born in September 8, 1782, and died Septem- ber 12, 1872. Huldah was born July 15, 1793, and was married to Walter Bennett September 20, 1809. They settled in Portage in 1817, cutting their roadway much of the last twenty miles, and were one of the most influential families of that town, taking a leading part in all the earlier settle- ments and improvements. The Coe family are noted for their longevity, and the subject of this sketch will be eighty-eight years old in July, 1881, enjoying remarkable health for a woman of her age. Brightness of intellect, with uniform cheerfulness, blended with Christian graces, purity of heart and life, works of charity, and steadfast faith have been her eminent charac- teristics. The "dew of youth" is still fresh in her warm affections, and her children, friends and neighbors "arise and call her blessed." She resides with her son J. Yates Bennett, who is the subject of the following sketch. J. YATES BENNETT. Walter Bennett, father of J. Yates, was born in Newtown, Conn., May 2, 1786. Came to this country in 181 7, and settled in the town of Portage. He is the grand-son of Ephraim Bennett, who emi- grated from England to Connecticut about the year 1720, and son of Thomas Bennett, who was born November 17, 1752, and died February 7, 1836. Walter settled in Scipi6, Cayuga county, in 1808. Married Huldah Coe, (a portrait and sketch of whom appears previously,) September 26, 1809. Eleven children were born to them, seven of whom are now living as follows: — Thomas F., a wealthy farmer, residing in Atchison county, Mo. ; Walter, an inventor, residing in Rhode Island ; Flora, principal of the Peabody Institute at Summit, Mississippi; J. H. Hobert, sewing machine dealer, residing in Springfield, 111.; M. Louise, wife of J. W. Johnson, and residing in Bal- timore; Mary K, residing with J. Yates Bennett. On moving to Portage, Walter Bennett formed a co-partnership with N. B. Nichols, and they built the first saw-miil erected in the town, in Hunt's Hollow, and there carried on the lumber business and farming for a number of years. In poUtics, he was a Democrat. Was Justice of the Peace a num- ber of years. He was elected warden of the Epis- copal church at its organization, which office he held till his death May 26, 1843. (J. YATES BENNETT.) J. Yates Bennett was born in Portage, Nov. 30, 1822. Moved to Louisiana in 1844, and resided there mostly for sixteen years, seven of which he spent in teaching school, five as postmaster and book dealer in Thibodeaux, La., and two in New Orleans. Returned to Portage, and in 1862 mar- ried Marietta Galusha, of Arcadia, N. Y., who died Dec. 23, 1868. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth B. Siiiith, daughter of Dr. G. W. Branch, of Mt. Morris, May 2, 1872. Two childten were born to them, one of whom, Arthur Yates, born July 28, 1873, is now living. Mrs. Bennett died May 27, 1877. In politics J. Yates is a Democrat and was elected Justice of the Peace in t88o. Is also war- den of the Episcopal church, and is engaged in the lumber business and farming. COL. GEORGE WILLIAMS. Col. George WiUiams was born in Hatfield, Mass., May 26th, 1793. He was educated at Can- andaigua Academy, his father, Dr. William Wil- liams, being a prominent pioneer on the Phelps COL. GEORGE WILLIAMS. 281 and Gorham purchase. At nineteen he enlisted as a volunteer and became a member of Gen. Peter B. Porter's staff. At the close of the war of 181 2 he commenced the study of law in the office of John Greig, Esq. Mr. Greig was the agent and afterwards the partner of Mr. Hornby, of Scot- land, in the survey and sale of the Cottinger tract of 50,000 acres which included the town of Portage. (COL. GEORGE WILLIAMS.) In the spring of i8i6_h&.^ent the student to act as resident agent foF its sale and settlement. He established his land office at Oak Hill, a little south of the Deep Cut, and as it was a pleasant location, central among the settlements, it soon became the principal seat of town business, where trainings, elections and town meetings were usually held. He located his homestead a half mile north, where he opened a large farm. Its clearing and cultivation, his extensive milling and lumber operations, the business of the land agency and his various civil and mihtary offices made his life a busy one. Of powerful frame and vigorous con- stitution, he shunned no exposure and feared no fatigue. He had a genial, social temperament, which made hinr the acknowledged leader in the festive scenes and athletic sports that enlivened the rough labors of the early settlers. As a land agent he was kind and indulgent to the buyers, few^ of whom were able to comply with their contracts, and none who labored faithfully to improve their premises were ever ejected for non- payment. In 1822 the Nunda post-office was re- moved from Oak Hill to Hunt's Hollow, and he obtained the establishment of the Oakland post- office at his residence, where he was about ten years postmaster. About the same time the militia brigade was constituted a regiment, and he was made its colonel. Mr. Williams had been Town Clerk and Super- visor, and in 1826 he was elected to the Legisla- ture as a Clintonian, but in Albany he went over to the opposite party. That was, among poli- ticians, the unpardonable sin. The principle of free toleration, though early preached, was slow in coming into practice, and party spirit, though less bitter than it had been in the last century, when Federalists and Republicans would not sometimes send their children to the same schools, was far more rancorous than now, and knock-down argli- ments were often used in political discussions. In the lonely road east of Portageville about that time, he chanced to meet Dr. A. A. Parmelee, when a discussion at once began. His artillery of logic well shotted with facts was in such a skirmish hardly a match for the Doctor's keen thrusts of wit and ready repartee surcharged with a sarcasm that was venomous. Tortured to madness, the Colonel's threat of harsher arguments was quickly met by the Doctor, whose physique was above the average, and if inferior to the Colonel in size of frame and power of muscle, he fully made up the deficiency in agility and skill at scuffling, for this was not a contest under the rules of the ring, but a common rough-and-tumble. Whether a thought of their former friendship, or from an idea of its ridiculousness, or from weariness they gave up the discussion as a draw game is not known, as there were neither spectators nor umpire, and the parties were never profuse in giving particulars. This incident is given as an illustration of the custom of the times, rather than of the character of the persons, for both were men of the first re- spectability; nor was it at all akin to the vengeful vendetta still so common at the south, for as they had before been fellow' partisans, so they after- wards worked as warm Whigs together. Col. Williams was never again an aspirant for office. He was too impatient of the criticism and calumny heaped upon candidates, and he gradually with- drew from party politics, but he was always pro- nounced in his poHtical principles. About the time he opened his agency, Hubbard, Mumford, McKay and Smith, a company of enter- prising men, undertook to develop the immense water-power at Portageville, but with indifferent success. They built mills and laid out the village, but weary of their work, they sold their interests at different times, till finally Col. Williams became sole proprietor. The purchase did not prove a wise one, for hke the company, he failed to make it a paying investment. Besides it left him the im- putation of holding a valuable and useful property which he would neither improve himself, or allow others to develop. His naturally genial temper was soured by such accusations and the hostility of the villagers \ he became estranged from his fellow citizens and diverted his mind from social enjoy- ments to the cares of his family and the conduct of his extensive business. But his kindness of heart continued. The needy called often upon him and never in vain. His generous disposition made him very public spirited, but impulsive in his methods and im- 282 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. patient of dictation, he preferred to act by himself rather than be fretted and crossed by the co-opera- tion of others, even in the construction of costly highways, or the building of a river bridge. He took a leading part in causing the construc- tion of the Genesee Valley canal, and was a large stockholder in the Attica and Hornellsville railroad, which was mainly built by subscribers along its line, but has since become a part of the great Erie Railway, whose insatiate maw has devoured the funds of successive series of stockholders. His health remained firm and vigorous till his eightieth birthday, when he was severely injured by being thrown from his buggy. When he had partially recovered, a similar injury, September 22d, caused his death. May nth, 1874. If the great opportunity given him at that early day, in the possession of ample means for doing great good to others and gaining greater for himself, was not crowned with commensurate success, it was not for want of the will, for he was frugal and industrious, liberal to lavishness, and he has left a character noted for strict integrity, as well as an ample fortune. August 30th, 1843, he married Miss Alma De- voe, sister of Isaac, Henry and Col. Jacob Devoe, among the first settlers of the town. Their children are : George W., who occupies the home- stead; Juha, the wife of Willis H. Fuller, of Por- tageville; Henry, who died in Montana, and Char- lotte, wife of Edwin Pattison, Esq., of Buffalo. Charles Williams, brother of Col. Williams, and for many years a noted teacher, lived near him. He married Miss Mary Hunt, daughter of Sanford Hunt, and afterwards Miss Maria Taylor. He died September 24th, 187 1, aged sixty-eight years. His children were : Mary H., wife of Chapin C. Williams; Delia, wife of Morris Ayrault; Charles L., who died December 15th, 1871 ; C. Anna, a distinguished teacher and elocutionist, and Ella WiUiams. OTHER EARLY SETTLERS. Among others of the early settlers worthy of an extended sketch may be mentioned the follow- ing :— George Wilner was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1797 — of German origin. His father was one of the conscripts furnished by the Duke of Brunswick to George III. to help sub- due his rebellious colonies in America, and sailed from Plymouth, England, in 1776 with his regiment known as the Brunswickers, under the command of Baron Frederick Adolphus von Riedesel. In 1777, he was attached to Burgoyne's army for the invasion of New York. Under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Col. Baum, he with others were sent to take Bennington, Vt., where they were captured by the Americans under Gen. Stark. Young Wilner took the oath of allegiance rather than be held a prisoner for exchange, and after- wards married and settled in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In 18 13 his sons George and Henry joined a company then being raised by Capt. Perkins for the war. Henry was killed at the bat- tle of Plattsburgh. In 1816, George Wilner, in company with Capt. Perkins settled in Nunda, •now Portage, each purchased a farm near the Genesee river above Portageville. George Wil- ner married Betsey Moses, a sister to Dr. Elisha D. Moses, and with him moved to Intiiana in 1822. He returned in 1824 and purchased a farm in the town of Portage, where he Uved until his death, which occurred in 1864. He held several town offices and was an active business man. Two of his children reside in the town : Marcus W., who was born in 1825, and who has held the office of Assessor and Supervisor, and Merriman J., who was born in 1827, and who has been Highway Commissioner, Assessor and Supervisor. Captain James Perkins better known here as Colonel Perkins sold his farm on the river about the year 1855, and moved to Lima, where he died m li: 50. Jonathan Bailey was bom in Athens, Vt., April I, 1792. His father dying when he was seven years old, he was brought up by Asa Barry of Rockingham. He was a soldier on the Niagara frontier in the war of 1812. At the battle of Lundy's Lane he received a ball in his thigh. It was unsafe to remove it and it made him lame for life. He married Miss Bethany McCurdy, Febru- ary 26, i8i8. She was a daughter of Samuel Mc- Curdy, and born in Surry, N. H., July i, 1794. They settled in Burns, Allegany county, in 1818. In 1832, they removed to Pennacook, where he died August 12, 1869. He was a leading citizen, an exemplary Christian, and for several years the superintendent of the Sunday school in his school district. They had eight children, the fifth, Jas. Hinman Bailey, succeeds his father on the farm. Allen Paine was born in Peru, Berkshire county, Mass., February 19, 1792. He taught school sev- eral terms. December 26, 18 14, he married Miss Lucy Meacham, who was born in Middlefield, Hampshire county, Mass. They moved to Leices- ter in 1 818. In 1 83 1 they settled in Pennacook, where she died April 22, 1845. He continued many years a popular singing-school teacher, was often elected to various town offices and was sev- eral terms a magistrate. He married Miss Mary Wilkinson, July 4, 1846. He died January 13,1876. His children are Lyman F., who removed to Ohio; Philip M., who was a soldier in the 130th Regi- ment; Cecelia, wife of N. Wilder; Adaline, wife of Samuel Star; Lucy, wife of Elisha Town ; Hannah wife of Monroe Griffin ; and by his last marriage, Franklin W., Nelson and Mary Belle. Deacon Richard Willis Robinson and Charlotte, his wife, of Rutland county, Vt., settled at Oak Hill, in October, 18 18, after the usual two weeks' journey by horse team, which the distance re- quired. He was a farmer, a caipenter and a brick and stone mason. He was a pioneer in burning MOUNT MORRIS— PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 283 brick kilns. They were constituent members of the Presbyterian church at Oak Hill, in 1819, and also of the Congregational church formed at Por- tageville, in 1827. She spun and wove the clothing for the family, and since his death, Nov. 23rd, 1839, she has continued to keep house for her son, E. F. Robinson, a farmer in Pennacook, and still does so, though in her 87th year. Their children were : — E. F., Huldah M., wife of R. P. Spencer, Richard W., Charlotte E. and Alba G., who went west, and Ann Z., wife of Judson Stockwell, in the river valley. Nathaniel Wilder was born in Buckland, Frank- lin county, Mass., December 3d, 1815. Married Miss Cecelia Paine, of Pennacook, November 30th, 1848, where they settled in 1851. Their children are: — Charles N., a teacher; Lucy M. and Wm. P. Wilder. He is a successful farmer and Hke the Paines a Presbyterian. George Gearhart was born near, the Schuylkill, Pa., in 1774. Soon afterwards his father removed to Scipio, Cayuga county, then a wilderness. There George Gearhart married and had twelve children. He moved to Portage in i8r8, where he died in 1857. Deacon John Gearhart, his son, was born Jan. 3, 1804. He married Miss Elizabeth Guthrie in Nunda, June 19, 1828. She was born in New Jersey, August 8, 1804. She was a woman of un- common abilities with a will to use them for the good of others. She died July 13, 1879. Deacon Gearhart was one of the 'constituent members of the Portage Baptist Church. He was a lumber- man, built a saw-mill and became a farmer on the paternal homestead. They raised nine children : Chas. H., who mar- ried Louisa Taber; Anna Cordelia, wife of Deacon Alfred Taber; John G., who married Anna Van- slyke; Sarah A., wife of Rev. Lucius E. Palmer; Mary E., wife of Augustus Beardsley, of Portage- ville; Martha, wife of Menzo Lowell; William C, who married Nancy Orton ; Nath. A., who married Ella Gilbert, volunteered in the 104th Regiment, and was severely wounded in the battle of Gettys- burg, has been several terms the efficient County Clerk of this county, as chief or deputy; and George Adelbert, who enlisted in the 130th Regi- mant or First New York Dragoons, served through the war, was several years a merchant at Dalton, a public lecturer, and efficient Sunday school superintendent. He married Miss Elizabeth Wing, of Mt. Morris. George Gearhart, the youngest of the twelve children of George Gearhart, Sr., was born in 18 1 6. He still occupies the paternal homestead, and is a successful farmer. He married Miss Sally Baldwin, whose father. Deacon David Bald- win, was one of the first settlers. Their children were : Armilla, wife of Albert Dunn ; G. Munroe, killed at the close of the battle when Gen. Sheri- dan destroyed the army of Jubal Early; Fayette, Esther, Mary, Merritt and Frank. Record Taber was born in Rhode Island, April 17th, 1798. The family soon after moved to Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y. In 1820 he married Miss Sally Meeker, and in 1825 they settled in Portage and became noted as prosperous and public spirited citizens. He still resides on the old farm. They reared a large and intelligent family, of whom only two remain here, viz : Deacon Alfred Taber, of Dalton, and Clark W. Taber, who married Sarah, daughter of D. P. Lake, Esq. CHAPTER XXII. History of the Town of Mount Morris. MOUNT MORRIS was formed from Leicester April 17, 18 1 8, and named* in honor of Robert Morris, a son of the distinguished financier of the Revolution of that name, whose large means greatly aided the straitened colonists in their struggle for independence. It lies upon the west border of the county, south of the center, and is bounded on the north by Leicester, from which it is separated by the Genesee, on the east by Grove- land and West Sparta, on the south by Nunda and Portage, and on the west by Leicester and Castile, Wyoming county. The surface presents a pleasing variety of roll- ing and hilly upland and rich valley lands. Gen- esee river forms the north and west border. Cashaqua creek, the only considerable stream in the town, enters it near the center of the south border, and flowing in a north-easterly direction across the south-east part, leaves the town near the center of the east border. It again enters the town for a short distance near its confluence with the Canaseraga. Numerous small streams flow into these from all directions. They generally rise in the central and southern portions of the town, which attain the altitude of several hundred feet above the broad alluvial flats which border the river and creek. The valley of the Genesee, " the terrestrial para- dise of the Seneca's," says a modern writer,! takes its name and signification, ("a pleasant open val- ley,") from the beautiful broad flats below Mt. Morris; and the Marquis de Talleyrand, the dis- tinguished French statesman and exile, as, in 1793, he stood on the bold terrace which skirts the flats in the vicinity of that village, on the spot now occu- pied by the residence of Dr. M. H. Mills, filled with admiration at the grand scenery which long fixed his gaze, exclaimed " it is the fairest land- * Pioneer History of Phelps and Gorfuim's Purchase^ lyj. t From Sketches of the Caneadea Reservatioti and its Inhabitants^ by John S. Minard, of Hume, Allegany county. 284 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. scape that tire human eye ever looked upon." A writer of a nearly equally early period,* after refer- ring to the large, numerous and " singularly curious " openings in the Genesee country, giving signs of extensive cultivation, land which, from the ignor- ance of the early settlers as to its quality, was sup- posed to be barren, until necessity compelled them to attempt its cultivation, says : " It is difficult to account for these openings, or for the open flatson the Genesee river, where ten thousand acres may be found in one body, not even encumbered with a bush, but covered with grass of such height that the largest bullocks, at thirty feet from the path, will be completely hid from view. Through all this country there are not only signs of extensive cultivation having been made at some early period, but there are found the remains of old forts where the ditches and gates are still visible. They ap- pear to be, in general, well chosen for defense." The town is wholly underlaid by the rocks of the Chemung and Portage groups, deeply covered in many places with alluvion and drift. The river flats comprise some of the most valuable land in the county. The best is assessed at $135 per acre, without buildings, or with only a barn,t while the average equalized assessed value throughout the county is only $62.03. Much of the high land is clay and some of it is very hard and unproduc- tive. It is a grain-growing town, with a majority of the farms adapted to wheat. The Avon, Geneseo and Mt. Morris Railroad enters the town in the north-east corner and ex- tends in a south-westerly direction to Mt. Morris village, thence it deflects to the south-east, leaving the town a little north of the center of the east border, and connecting with the Erie and Genesee Valley Railroad to Dansville. The projected Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad ex- tends through the town along the valley of Casha- qua creek. The rails are laid through the town, but the road has never been operated. The aban- doned Genesee Valley canal enters the town on the north border, at the village of Mt. Morris, where it crosses the river, and extends in a south- easterly direction of the Cashaqua Valley, entering and leaving the town with that stream, and skirting the first terrace which rises from the flats. The population of the town in 1880, was 3,943, being exceeded only by North Dansville. In 1875 it was 3,795, of whom 3,207 were native, 588 foreign, 3.776 white, 19 colored, 1,876 males and * IVilliamsan's Letter IV., Documentary History of New York II., 1147. t The assessments range from 80 to 100 per cent, of full value. 1,919 females. In area it ranks third in the county, being exceeded only by Springwater and York. In 1875 it contained 29,705 acres,* of which 25,056 were improved, 4,236 woodland, and 413 otherwise unimproved. The cash value of farms was $1,837,876, ranking fifth in. the county ; of farm buildings other than dwellings, $135,522 ; of stock, $190,074, being fifth in rank in the county; of tools and implements $57,884, ranking fifth in the county. The amount of gross sales from farms in 1874 was $155,231, in which respect it ranked ninth in the county. In 1877, there were one union and eleven com- mon school districts in the town. The number of children of school age residing in the districts September 30, 1880, was 1,101. During the year ending that date, eighteen teachers were employed at one time for twenty-eight weeks or more; the number of children residing in the districts who attended school was 782, the average daily atten- dance during the year was 399, the value of the volumes in the district libraries was $1,195, the number of school-houses was fourteen, eleven frame and three brick, which, with the sites, em- bracing 4 acres and loi rods, valued at $1,390, were valued at $20,400, the assessed value of taxa- ble property in the districts was $1,783,530. Paid for teachers' wages, $4,357.60. Paid for school apparatus, $540. 1 2. Paid for school houses, sites, fences, out-houses, repairs, furniture, &c., $9,716.83. Paid for other incidental expenses, $736.07. Paid for school libraries, $400.00. The first white settler in Mt. Morris, and, indeed of the entire Genesee Valley, was Mary Jemison, com- monly known as the " White Woman," who resided with the Indians seventy-eight years, seventy-two of which were spent in the Genesee Valley and fifty-two on the Gardeau flats, which Ue upon the Genesee, partly in this town and partly in Castile, Wyoming county. She was highly esteemed by the Indians, who named her Dehewamis, signifying, " the woman with hght hair." Her biography was published at her dictation in 1824, and re-published in 1877, by Hon. William P. Letchworth, of Glen Iris, Wyoming county. Her hfe is one of strange vicissitudes, and from its intimate connection with the history of this section merits an extended notice in this connection. * Census of 1875. The published Proceedings of ike Board of Super- visors in 1879, state the number of acres to be 28,958, the equalized assessed value of which was >i,7ii,3J7, or $59,09 per acre. Id this, however, it was less than the average per town— $62.oj— which was ex- ceeded by only six towns in the county, though it exceeds the avei^ge value per acre in the county, which was 3154.62. MOUNT MORRIS — EARLY SETTLERS. 285 Mary Jemison was born on the ocean in 1742 or '43, during the voyage of her parents, Thomas and Jane {nee Irwin) Jemison, from Ireland to Philadelphia. In the spring of 1755, while resid- ing on Marsh creek, then on the Pennsylvania frontier, a party of four Frenchmen and six Shaw- nee Indians surprised and captured the entire family, (except two of Mary's brothers, who were in the barn at the time, and escaped to their mother's family in Virginia,) consisting of her parents and three children, including herself, to- gether with the wife and three children of a soldier, who was visiting with them, and, having set out for a bag of grain, was killed the instant before by the same party. All were inhumanly murdered, except Mary and a boy — one of the soldier's chil- dren — who were taken to Fort Du Quesne, (Pitts- burgh,) where Mary was adopted by two Seneca women in place of a lost brother, and kindly treated by them. From her hopeful nature and buoyant spirits she rapidly acquired the habits of her rude captors, with whom she soon became a great favor- ite, and of whom she always spoke in terms of the highest praise. During a four years' residence on the Ohio she married a Delaware Indian named Sheninjee, by whom she had two children — a girl, who died in in- fancy, and a boy, whom she named after her father, Thomas Jemison. In the autumn of 1759, she accompanied her foster-sisters to the home of their mother, who lived at Beardstown, on the Genesee, near the site of Cuylerville, in Leicester. She made the long and toilsome journey of six hundred miles on foot, carrying upon her back her infant son, then nine months old. Here she expect^ to be joined the following spring by her husband, who was to spend the winter on the Ohio in hunting furs, but he sickened and died soon after her departure. After the close of the French and English war in 1763, the latter government offered a bounty for the surrender of prisoners captured during its con- tinuance, and Mary was offered her freedom ; but she chose to continue her forest life, and actually concealed herself to avoid abduction by parties who were bent on securing the bounty. About that year she married a noted Seneca warrior named Hiokatoo, by whom she had two sons and four daughters, whom she named after her rela- tives — John, Jesse, Jane, Nancy, Betsey and Polly. All, except Jane, who died about 1795 or 1796, married and raised families, and many of their descendants still reside on the Indian reservations. During the Revolutionary war, her home, which was always a hospitable one, frequently harbored Brant and Col. John Butler, while planning their predatory incursions upon the frontiers of the col- onies, and when the Senecas fled before the ad- vance of Sullivan's army in 1779, she accompanied them to Niagara. She was among the first to re- turn to the Genesee, and finding nothing but deso- lation at the once populous and thrifty Beardstown, she made her way up the river to Gardeau flats, which had escaped the desolating hand of Sullivan's army, and there engaged her services to two fugitive slaves to husk corn on shares. Her negro com- panions left the flats after two or three years ; but Mary continued to reside there until 1831, becom- ing rich in herds and flocks as well as in lands. The treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1784 provided for the restoration to freedom of all white persons held as prisoners by the Indians. Pursuant to this pro- vision Mary was again offered her freedom, but, notwithstanding the importunities of her son Thomas, who urged her to return to her white relatives, she persisted in her determination to pass the remainder of her life amidst the scenes of her womanhood. She feared that her friends, if found, would disdain to recognize her Indian children, and she preferred to pursue the quiet of her simple yet happy life rather than subject them to contumely. She would not throw aside her Indian costume, even after the white population had surrounded her residence, but adhered- to the Indian habits and customs to the last. At the treaty at Big Tree in 1797, a tract of land of nearly 18,000 acres, comprising the Gardeau flats, was secured to her in perpetuity, notwith- standing the violent opposition of Red Jacket. This she let out on shares to white people and thus lived in comparative ease. A contemporary author* writes that he "remembers to have seen the old white woman at his father's house, when a boy, and to this day distinctly recollects how she looked and appeared; short in stature, under size, very round shouldered and bent forward, caused by toting luggage on her back, supported by a strap across her forehead. Her complexion, once white, was tawny; her feet small and toed in ; dressing in the ordinary costume of the Indian female, she resem- bled a squaw, except her hair and light-colored eyes. Her house was the stranger's home. None were turned away hungry from her table. In all her actions she showed so much simplicity, good- * Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris, who writes under thettam deplume of Corn Planter, and is a voluminous contributor to the local press. 286 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. ness of heart and sincerity, her admirers and friends increased as her acquaintance became ex- tended. She never was known to make trouble among the Indians, or among white people and Indians. She was always a peace maker, and minded strictly her own affairs." Hiokatoo, Mary Jemison's second husband, was born on the banks of the Susquehanna in 1708, and died of consumption in November, 1811. His mother was sister to the mother of the celebrated chief Farmer's Brother. He was a warrior, and from his youth to the close of the Revolution was engaged in all the wars of the Senecas, often lead- ing hostile expeditions. Though kind in his do- mestic relations, as a warrior he was capable of the most cruel atrocities attributed to a savage nature, and exulted over the many fiendish tortures inflict- ed on his captive foes. Mary bears testimony to this complex nature, not, however, peculiar to the savage. She says : — "I have frequently heard him repeat the history of his life from his childhood, and when he came to that part which related to his actions, his brave- ry and war; when he spoke of the ambush, the combat, the spoiling of his enemies, and the sacri- fice of his victims, his nerves seemed strung with youthful ardor, the warmth of the able warrior seemed to animate his frame, and to produce the heated gestures which he had practiced in middle age. He was a man of tender feelings to his friends, ready and willing to assist them in distress ; yet, as a warrior, his cruelties to his enemies were, perhaps, unparalleled, and will not admit of a word of palliation." From such a parent we might not unreasonably expect the transmission of those quahties to the offspring which embittered Mary's later life. Two of her sons, Thomas and Jesse, were the victims of the savage brutahty of a third, John ; and the latter was in turn murdered by two Indians with whom he had quarreled. Thomas, who married the daughter of an Eng- hsh fur-trader, trapper and hunter and a Seneca squaw named Sally — ^who afterwards became the wife of Ebenezer Allen — died at the age of fifty-two. He left a family, of whom one — Jacob Jemison — was in part educated at Dartmouth College. He afterwards passed through a regular course of med- ical studies, and became an Assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy. He died on board his ship in the Mediterranean squadron about 1850. Another son, Thomas, was a worthy representa- tive of his race, and an earnest advocate of the degree of civiUzation to which it is attainable. He was born at Squakie Hill, near Mt. Morris, in the latter part of December, 1796, and died on the Cattaraugus Reservation, September 7, 1878. Col. William Lyman, of Mt. Morris, formerly of Leices- ter, one of the oldest and worthiest representatives of the venerable but rapidly diminishing pioneer race, pays the following tribute to this man, whose word, said Governor Patterson, " was good as any white man's note in the valley." He says: — " As the hst of our pioneers grows shorter, and worthy individuals drop from the stage of action, and we miss a friend, we are ambitious to add our testimony to their worth and spread before the living our impressions of their good deeds, their in- tegrity and usefulness. I am unwilling that the opportunity should pass without notice. The death of Tom Jemison * « « brings up recollec- tions of past interviews and transactions that are not easily effaced. I knew him intimately; he was an honest man, a good friend, and a promi- nent man in his connections. The house he built on Squakie Hill, where he lived in his youth, still stands as a monument of his enterprise, and almost the only mark of the aborigines who once covered that location and were a power. Although no writer, he swayed the judgment and actions of his tribe for good, and was the peer of Tall Chief, Sharp Shins, BKnkey, Keneda, Straight Back and Capt. Cook, and we can say, without fear of con- tradiction, that a good man has fallen." In 181 1, Dehewamis commenced negotiations with Jellis Clute and Micah Brooks for the sale of a part of her land. In 1817, a special Act of the Legislature invested her with the power to convey it; and in the winter of 1822-23, she conveyed all, except a tract of two square miles on the west bank of the Genesee, and a lot for Thomas Clute, to Messrs. Gibson, Brooks and Clute, who, in con- sideration, bound themselves, among other things, to pay to her or her heirs or successors, $300 a year forever. In 1 83 1, she sold her remaining lands in the Gardeau Tract, and removed with her daughters and their families to the Buffalo Reservation, where she died September 1 9, 1833. She was buried with Christian rites, in the cemetery near the Seneca mission church, and over her grave was placed a marble slab, which bore the following inscription : — "In memory of Mary Jemison, daughter of Thomas Jemison and Jane Irwin. Bom on the ocean between Ireland and Philadelphia, in 1842 or '43; taken captive at Marsh creek. Pa., in 1755, at thirteen years of age ; carried down the Ohio ; adopted into an Indian family. "In 1759, removed to Genesee river; was natur- alized in 181 7. Removed to this place (Buffalo Reservation) in 1831, and having survived two husbands and five children, leaving three still alive, she died September 1 9, 1833, aged about ninety- MOUNT MORRIS — EARLY SETTLERS. 287 one years, having a few weeks before expressed a hope of pardon through Jesus Christ."* In less than two decades from the time of her burial every vestige of her grave had disappeared, and the ground which contained her remains brought under cultivation. Subsequently a street laid out through the cemetery passed over it, and the stone which marked it was much defaced by the vandalism of relic seekers. In March, 1874, her remains were disintered by Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth, under the immediate supervision of her descendants, and, together with other articles found in her grave,! placed in a tasteful black walnut coffin, and deposited in a marble sarcopha- gus, on Glen Iris, at Portage Falls, six miles from her former home at Gardeau. The spot selected for the final resting place of her remains is a high eminence on the left bank of the Genesee, overlooking the upper and middle falls and railroad bridge, and commanding the finest view of the picturesque scenery of that lo- caHty. Near to and upon the same eminence is the ancient Seneca council house,J where she rest- ed after her long, fatiguing walk from the Ohio. It was brought down the canal from the Caneadea Reservation in 1872, by Mr. Letchworth, who has made varied and extensive contributions to Indian lore, and filled an adjoining artistically constructed Indian hut, fifteen feet square, with Indian curios- ities. The grave is curbed with stones once used as head-stones in the Indian cemetery at Gardeau, and afterward to construct a road culvert ; at its head stands what remains of the slab which mark- ed her grave at Buffalo, the original inscription on which has been transferred to a square block of mar- ble six feet in height, which stands near it, and is de- signed to form the pedestal to a statue of Mary Jem- ison, in Indian costume, and bearing on her back a babe, just as she made her advent into the Genesee Valleyj at its foot is a blackwalnut tree, planted by * Mary Jemison was religiously instructed in her childhood : and after her capture, her mother, judging from the fact that her shoes were ex- changed fbr mocca.sins that Mary was destined to escape the cruel death which awaited herself, enjoined her to remember these early instructions and her native tongue as long as she lived ; but, though at first she en- deavored to fulfill the promise then made, in the lapse of time both were lost to memory, and she became a Pagan, continuing such till within a few weeks of her death. t Near the center of the grave was found a peculiarly shaped porcelain dish, containing what, when placed there, may have been articles of food, and a wooden spoon much decayed. t This council-house is constructed of hewed logs, and is i8 by j6 feet. It has a door on either side, and seats of poles inside. The roof is made of large shingles, covered with poles. Each log as it was taken down was marked and replaced so as to present the same appearance as when orig- inally constructed. Upon one of its logs there still remains the sign of a cros^, precisely like those the early Jesuits are known to have used. her grandson, Thomas Jemison, and raised from seed borne by the tree that shaded her grave at Buffalo. The next white settler in this town was Ebene- zer or " Indian" Allen, a native of New Jersey, who came to this locaHty in 1782. He was a Tory and ally of the Indians, and fled from Penn- sylvania to evade the just punishment of his crimes. He made his home at the house of Mary Jemison, on the Gardeau flats, and worked her land till the close of the Revolution. He provoked the enmity of the Indians by taking a wampum belt and a tender of peace to an American out-post, thus treacherously misrepresenting a party of British and Indians who contemplated a renewal of border hostiUties. The sacred pledge of the wampum belt was observed, but the Indians determined to pun- ish Allen for his perfidy, and tracked him like a wild beast, so that for weeks he was obliged to conceal himself to elude his pursuers, his physical wants being supplied by the kind-hearted Mary. He was, however, captured, and tried and acquit- ted in Canada. In 1785, he located on the site of the village of Mt. Morris, which received from him the designa- tion of Allen's Hill. He married a Seneca squaw named Sally, (the mother of the wife of Thomas Jemison, the eldest son of Mary Jemison,) who bore him two daughters, named Chloe and Polly. Allen procured a boat-load of goods in Philadel- phia and bartered them with the Indians for gin- seng and furs, being at the same time engaged in agricultural pursuits. The old Indian council tree, under which he exposed his first stock of goods, was blown down during the storm of Saturday, June 9, 1866. It measured twenty-three feet in circumference. After harvesting his crops he re- moved to the locality of Scottsville, near the mouth of Oatka or Allen's creek, which derived the latter name from him. He soon after removed to the falls of the Genesee, on the site of the city of Rochester, and built there, in 1789, a saw and grist-mill, receiving in consideration therefor from Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, what is known as the Hundred Acre Tract, including the mill site and apart of the site of Rochester. In 1792, he dis- posed of his interest in this property and returned to Mt. Morris. His long log cabin "which," says Rev. Darwin Chichester, " combined a store, a tavern and a harem," (for Allen had several wives of vari- ous colors,) stood near the site of the residence of the late Judge George Hastings. He also com- bined trading with agriculture. HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. " Ebenezer Allen," says the author just quoted, "was a bad man. He had courage, talent and energy ; was remarkable for accomplishing his ends ; knew how to please, and had great influence over the Indians; but he was guilty of many crimes. His hands were stained with the blood of the in- nocent." According to Mary Jemison, the history of whose Ufe contains a chapter devoted to him, he was a monster of iniquity, capable of dragging an infant from the breast of its mother and dashing out its brains before her agonized eyes. In 1797, "as white settlements increased," says Mr. Chi- chester, »" he fled from those whose vengeance he had provoked" to Canada, and died at Grand River in 18 14. In 1 791, at his sohcitation, the Senecas deeded to Allen the Mt. Morris Tract,* for the reasons set forth in the instrument in the following lan- guage :— " Whereas, Kyendanent, our Seneca squaw, Sal- ly, has two daughters born of her body by our brother Jenushshio, named in EngUsh, Ebeneezer Allan. The names of said daughters being, in English, Mary Allan and Chloe Allan! The daugh- ters here mentioned are to be sent to school and instructed in reading, writing, sewing and other useful arts, according to the customs of white peo- ple. Sally, the mother, to have a comfortable maintenance during her natural Hfe, or as long as she remains unjoined to any other man." The deed is signed by the Sachems of the Sen- eca nation, and by Timothy Pickering, U. S. Com- missioner. It is witnessed by Horatio Jones, Jos. Parish, Oliver Phelps and Ebenezer Bowman. Within a reasonable time Allen commenced to execute his trust. He sent his daughters to school in Philadelphia, where they remained about two years. In 1793 Allen sold this tract, for a nominal sum paid in goods, to Robert Morris, whose ac- qiiaintance he made during his frequent visits to Philadelphia in marketing peltry. It has never been satisfactorily explained how Mr. Morris was induced to make the purchase with no better title than a trust deed, which reverted when the trust was broken, though it has been asserted that Allen by fraudulent practices procured a vahd title. Be this as it may, there can be little doubt that Mr. Morris' title was confirmed by the Big Tree treaty, and effectually bars the numerous claims which have been made by persons claiming relationship to Allen, among them the two daughters, one of whom was Hving till within a few years in Canada. * This tract is also known as the " Indian Allen Tract," the "Four Miles Square Tract," and the " Ten Thousand Acre Tract." For the history here given of it we are indebted to the versatile pen of Corn Plant- er, (Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris). Robert Morris dying insolvent in 1806, the Bank of North America, holding as collateral security an assignment of the title papers to this tract from Mr. Morris, for loans and advances made to him, caused it to be surveyed the same year, Stephen Rogers, a familiar name to the early settlers, as surveyor. In 1807 the Bank of North America sold an eighth interest in the Mt. Morris Tract to each of the following persons, retaining an eighth interest itself: John R. Murray, (grandfather of John R. Murray, of Mt. Morris,) merchant, of New York city, and Harriet, his wife, William Ogden, mer- chant, of New York city, and Susan, his wife, John Tremball, James Wadsworth and Naomi Wads- worth, his wife. In 1810 they made a partition of that part of the tract which lies south and east of the river, excepting the public square in Mt. Mor- ris village, which lies nearly in the geographical centre of the tract, and a certain lot and mill seat which were held in common, Peter J. Monroe, Esq., acting in behalf of the bank. It was laid out into lots numbered from i to 241 inclusive, and subdivided into eight parts for distribution. Mark Hopkins was the first land agent for the Mt. Morris Tract, acting for Messrs. Murray, Og- den and Rogers,* the latter having purchased an interest therein. He came to Mt. Morris in the summer of 18 11, in company with his father, Sam- uel Hopkins, Deacon Jesse Stanley and his two sons, Oliver and Leman. His father, who was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1748, died March 19, 1 818, aged 69, and was buried in the old cemetery in the village of Mt. Morris. " He was an honor- able, high-minded, worthy Christian man, and a gentleman of the olden school." His wife died in Geneseo, Sept. 19, 1811, aged 58. On her ar- rival in Geneseo her husband lay very sick in that village with the Genesee fever, but recovered. She contracted the same disease and perished through her efforts to save her husband. Mark Hopkins reUnquished his land agency in 1817, and removed to Strong Bridge, Huron county, Ohio. He subse- quently removed to Chillicothe in that State, where he died in 1831, aged 53 years, " honored and re- spected for his high sense of honor, strict integrity and social qualities." The next settler in Mt. Morris, (with the excep- tion of a dissolute mason named Clark Cleveland,) and the first permanent white settler, was William A. Mills, son of Rev. Samuel J. Mills, the pioneer * In 1810 Benjamin W. Rogers and Samuel Miles Hopkins, both of New York city, purchased jointly the interest of the Bank of North America in the Mt. Morris Tract. ^ «^^^^ ^- John S MITH. John Smith, the subject of this sketch was born in Maryland, in the year 1794, and removed with his parents to Cayuga county about 1801. In the year 1823, he was married to Harriet, daughter of Othniel Allen, of Saratoga county. Being energetic, and having a strong constitution, he resolved to leave the fertile lands of Cayuga and seek a fortune elsewhere. To this end he removed westward, about eighty miles, to Mt. Morris, Livingston county, and there purchased an "article" of a hundred acres of almost wild land. Having used all of his money in the pur- chase, his situation here was not very flattering; but being strong of limb and possessing a brave heart, he very soon built for himself a comfortable home. Here he resided about fifty years, be- coming quite an extensive land holder. He died June 4, 1872. He was noted throughout hfe for his energy and perseverance in business, and for the strictest hon- esty and integrity in all of his dealings with man. The poor always found in him their friend, helper and advisor. He was a good husband and a kind, indulgent parent. He was the father of the following eight children: — Angeline B., Harrison W., Kate M., Sarah M., Susie A., Lida I., Frances Adelia and Emma Amelia, the last two of whom are twins. Only four of these children are now living, viz: — Harrison W., a prominent attorney in the village of Castile, Wyoming county, and Susie, Lida and Emma, residing in Mt. Morris, Mrs. Smith, wife of John, died September 12, 185 1. She was a noble example of a Christian mother, beloved by all, and her death was lament- ed by all that knew her. MOUNT MORRIS— EARLY SETTLERS. 289 preacher of the Genesee Valley, who came in 1793. Rev. Samuel J. Mills was a Baptist clergyman, and preached during the summer in a large barn erected by Col. Williamson, at Williamsburgh, and in the winter in private houses. He also conducted the first religious services held in Mt. Morris. His sons, Samuel, Jr., Alexander, Lewis, Philo and William A., all men grown, resided with him, and afterwards settled in this vicinity. William A. Mills was born at Patterson, Putnam county, N. Y., May 27, 1777, and in 1794, at the early age of seventeen, without means, he took up his abode at Mt. Morris, then known as Allen's Hill. He built and kept bachelor's hall in a small cabin which stood near the residence of the late David A. Miller, upon the sightly eminence over- looking the beautiful river valley and the noble flats, portions of which he rented on easy terms and cultivated in common with the Indians, whose language he soon acquired. He gradually won the respect and confidence of his dusky neigh- bors, whose counselor he afterwards became in their dealings with the white settlers, and an arbi- trator in controversies among themselves. They bestowed on him the name of Sanungewah, mean- ing "big kettle," and indicating the generous hos- pitality dispensed at his home, which they fre- quented in after years. In March, 1803, Wm. A. Mills married Susan- nah H., daughter of Jonathan and Lodema Harris, of Connecticut, and brought her on horseback from her home at Tioga Point, Pa. She was an estima- ble woman and endeared herself to the community by her excellent social qualities and great benevo- lence. She died April 26, 1840, aged fifty-eight years. Their youngest son. Dr. Myron H. Mills, who, after an absence of some years in the West, has returned to the parental homestead, is a worthy representative of this highly respected family. For a more extended mention of the Mills family we would refer to the close of this chapter. But very few additions were made to the settle- ments in Mt. Morris during the first ten or fifteen years after Gen. Mills located in the town. Many, indeed, came and located here, but were soon driven away by the fever and ague, which was then fearfully prevalent. Among the early settlers who located in the town prior to 1810, were Benedict Satterlee, Isaac Bald- win, Squire Solomon, Grice Holland, Jonathan Harris, Chappel, Eaton, Wilson, Adam Holtslander, Ganon, Erwin, Manier, Simeon Kittle, William Col. Haskell, Isaac Powell, Gifford Simmons, Damon and the McNairs. William McNair came from Northumberland county. Pa., in 1798, and after stopping for a few months at Williamsburgh, removed thence to Son- yea, in this town. He drove from Pennsylvania thirty head of cattle, being assisted by his son, James H. McNair, who was born in Northumber- land county and was then ten years old. On arriving at Mt. Morris they found there Gen. Wm. A. Mills, Louis Mills, Jonathan Harris, David Marsh, Grice Holland, Adam Holtslander, and two others named Fuller and Sanford. In plowing on the farm in Sonyea they found gun barrels, hatchets and other articles. James H. McNair was in many respects a model man, a pattern of industry, and of incorruptible integrity. He was highly esteemed for his kindness of heart and generous impulses. He died Januarys, 1874. He was a brother to Robert and Andrew McNair, of Groveland, in company with whom, for many years, he carted wheat to Rochester with ox teams, frequently re- ceiving only thirty cents per bushel. Robert, who was born in AUentownship, Pa., May 28, 1793, died at Groveland, June 26, 1863. They were brothers to Mrs. McCurdy, of Dansville. Adam Holtslander, the famous rail-splitter, was born in Goshen, Orange county, in 1783, and re- moved to Mt. Morris in 1799. In 1808 he mar- ried Betsey Sash, who came to Mt. Morris with her father's family in r8o2, at the age of fifteen years. They lived, until their removal to Michigan in 1849, in a log house which stood on the high ground a mile to the west of the village, and for many years isolated from other settlers. Mr. Holtslander was one of the few residents of this town who volunteered his services and went to the frontier in 181 2; but the threatened danger being over he returned to his home after an absence of only a few days. He was a tall man, standing six feet and four inches in his stocking feet, and very straight, with a muscular and bony frame, strikingly marked features, and a good constitution, rendered more hardy by pioneer life and the primitive man- ner of living in those early days. He furnished the rails to fence a large share of the original improve- ments in this locality. He helped to build the first dam across the Genesee to divert its waters to the village ; also the mill-race, which completed that enterprise. He raised a large family, most of whom reside in Michigan, and died in Mt. Morris in that State, (named by his and other families who re- moved there from this town,) February 27, 1872. 290 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. His wife died at the same place November 28, 1877, in her ninetieth year. Deacon Jesse Stanley, Oliver Stanley, Luman Stanley, Deacon Jonathan Beach, the father of nine sons and two daughters, Oliver Beach, Martin Beach, Elisha Parmelee, Dr. Abraham Camp, Rus- sell Sheldon, Isaac Seymour, Sterling Case and Mr. Coe, each the head of a family, came about 18 11, from Goshen, Conn., bringing with them the New England habits of thrift and religious worship. They gave an impulse to religious influences which culminated in 1814 in the formation of the Pres'by- terian church of Mt. Morris. They gave atone to society, in a religious point of view, the influences of which are still felt in the community. There were other persons of a similar character from Ver- mont, such as Luther and Russel Parker, with their families, who came about the same period. Jesse Stanley, " than whom," says Rev. Mr. Par- sons, "there was perhaps no other one so influen- tial in laying the foundations of religious institu- tions in this place," came in 1811, and erected the first frame house in the village of Mt. Morris, and subsequently the present residence of Norman A. Seymour, in front of which it stood. This first house was removed and a part of it is now to be found on Murray street, just east of the residence of the late Philo Thompson. One of the principal streets in the village bears his name. He died June 24, 1845, aged eighty-seven years. He had three wives — Eunice, who died January 26, 1813, aged 57; Sarah, who died September 22, 1821, aged 64; and Mary, who died January 14, 1840, aged 73. Luman and Oliver were sons of his. The former died Oct. 14, 1839, aged 60, and the latter, Oct. 24, 1851, aged 74. Russell Sheldon died about 1850; and Sterling Case, April 4, 1846, aged 78. Between 181 1 and 1820 came the families of Enos Baldwin, Sr. and Jr., Daniel and Amos Bald- win, each of whom was the head of a family, Ben- jamin and WiUiara Begole, Joseph Cowding, Aaron Adams, Adam and David A. Miller, Adino Bailey, Riley Scoville, J. Miller, Sr. and Jr., Allen, Orrin and Horace Miller, each the head of a family, Samuel Learned, Chester Foote, David Sanger, Horatio Read, Phineas Lake, Samuel Rankins, James B. Mower, John Brown, John C. Jones, William Lemmon, Asa Woodford, David H. Pear- son, Richard W. Gates, Eli Lake, Dr. Charles Bingham, Joseph Thompson, Vincent Cothrell, the Whitings, Starkweathers, Pratts and others. "From 1820 to 1835," says Dr. Mills, in an ad- dress delivered at the farmers' pic-nic held in Begole's woods, Sept. 2, 1876, "came the list of farmers and their descendants, who to-day are the bone and sinew of the town of Mt. Morris, paying a large share of the burden of taxation and who are on this occasion assembled, under the guidance and direction of the officers of your association, and especially your venerable and esteemed Presi- dent, Mr. Jacob Chilson, who, commencing life as a farmer bare-handed in this town when a young man, nearly a half a century ago, has by industry, prudence, economy * * * and upright deal- ing acquired a competency, and still retains through all these long years, the confidence and respect of his neighbors and all who know him." Mr. Chilson was a native of Cayuga county, and came to Mt. Morris in 1829, but disliking the ap- pearance of things, he returned to his former home. Two years later, however, he had overcome his re- pugnance, and in the spring of 1832 brought in his family, consisting of his wife and one child a few months old. " At that time the town presented the appearance of an unbroken wilderness, except the Genesee flats, there being but few pieces of the up- land cleared and cultivated." There was a cordu- roy wagon road from the Ridge to Brooks Grove, but the land was heavily timbered, level and wet ; also one from the foot of the mill-hill well out on the flats. There was a warehouse on Canaseraga creek to receive grain and flour for shipment by boat down the creek into the river, and thence . down to Rochester. Mr. Chilson, though a black- smith by trade, followed the business of farming. He died in 1879, aged 76 years. The first town meeting was held the first Tues- day in April, 1819, and the following named officers were elected : — William A. Mills, Super- visor ; Horatio Read, Clerk ; Allen Ayrault, Jesse Stanley, Aaron Adams, Assessors ; Allen Ayrault * and Oliver Stanley, Overseers of the Poor ; Samuel Learned, Phineas I^ake, Samuel Rankins, Com- missioners of Highways; Horatio Read, Aaron Adams, James B. Mower, Commissioners of Com- mon Schools; John Brown, Constable and Col- lector; Phineas Lake, Amos Baldwin, Wm. A. Mills, James H. McNair, Aaron Adams, John C. Jones, William Lemmon, Fence Viewers; Ebe- nezer Damon, Dist. No. i, Asa Woodford, Dist. No. 2, John Sanford, Dist. No. 3, David H. Pear- son, Dist. No. 4, Sterling Case, Dist No. 5, Road Masters ; Abraham Camp, James H. McNair, * James Coe was elected Overseer of the Poor, September 2y, i8lg, in place of Allen Ayrault removed. MOUNT MORRIS — TOWN OFFICERS. 291 Richard W. Gates, Eli Lake, Inspectors of Com- mon Schools; Enos Baldwin, Poundkeeper. Among the legislative enactments at that meet- ing, in addition to the imposition of certain re- strictions on the running at large of cattle, etc., was one which evinced the careful husbandry which has since characterized the farming opera- tions in that town. It provided that no person should knowingly suffer Canada thistles to go to seed on his premises under a penalty of five dollars. It was also voted to raise twenty-five dollars for the support of the poor;* and "money sufficient to obtain the public school from the State." At the annual election held April 27, 28 and 29, 1819, the following votes were cast, and serve to indicate the poHtical character of the population f of the town at that time: — For Gideon Granger, for Senator 33 " Lyman Paine, " " 33 " Robert McKay, " Assemblyman 76 " Gideon T. Jenkins, " " 78 " Joseph Sibley, " " 7 " Fitch Chipman, " " 2 The following have been the Supervisors and Clerks of Mt. Morris, from 1819 to 1880: — Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1819. William A. Mills. Horatio Reed. 1820. do David A. Miller. 1821. do Phineas Lake. 1822. do Eli Lake. 1823. David A. Miller. do 1824-6. William A. Mills. Reuben Sleeper. 1827. Othneil Allen. do 1828. Riley Scoville. do 1829. WilUam A. Mills. do 1830-1. do Abner Dean. 1832-3. do George Hastings. 1834-6. Riley Scoville. James H. Rogers. 1837. Orrin D. Lake. Reuben P. Wisner. 1838. do James H. Rogers. 1839. do George H. Elliott. 1840-1. C. Hangerford. Lucius C. Bingham. 1842. Alfred Hubbard. do 1843. do Hugh Harding. 1844. Orrin D. Lake. do 1845. do Lucius C. Bingham. 1846. Geo. T. Olyphant. do 1847-8. do James T. Norton 1849. Jesse Peterson. do 1850-2. do Hugh Harding. * The number of paupers from Mt. Morris remaining in the county house, November i, 1879, was 2J, a larger number than from any other town in the county ; while the amount expended for the temporary relief of indigent persons in this town during the year ending October 31, 1879, was$4j2.sj. t The population of the town in 1821, three years after its formation, was "1002; 267 farmers, 35 mechanics, i slave; taxable property, $232,754; 6 schools, 8 months in 12 ; $129.37; 304; 322; 153 electors, 2,500 acres improved land, 882 cattle, 98 horses, 981 sheep : 4,443 yards cloth; I grist-mill, J fulling mill, i carding machine, 5 distilleries, 3 asheries."— i>l«^orrf'i Gazetteer., 1824. 1853-60. Jared P. Dodge. Hugh Harding. 1861-5. Abraham Wigg. do 1866-70. McNeil Seymour. do 187 1. John Simerson. do 1872-4. Thomas J. Gamble. do 1875-6. do Charles Harding. 1877. Orrin D.Lake. Carlos A. Miller. 1878. George W. Phelps. Hugh Harding. 1879-80. Hugh Harding.* do The following officers were elected April 5, 1881: — Supervisor, Thomas J. Gamble; Town Clerk, Charles J. Perry; Justice of the Peace, James L. Skillman; Highway Commissioner, Amos O. Dalrymple ; Assessor, William Petrie ; Overseers of Poor, John Olp, Frederick Lehman ; Collector, Paul R. Kingston ; Constables, Cor- neUus O'Leary, James Gamble, James Patten, Michael Powers, Richard Dunning; Game Con- stable, Nicholas Myers; Excise Commissioner, Archibald McCarthur ; Inspectors of Election, District No. i, Clinton Sutphen, Thomas McNam- District No. 2, John L. Gamble, Deloss Edward M. Petrie, ara; Williams; District No. Barkley Miller. The following census of Mt. Morris taken in July, 183s, by Levi L. Totten, is of interest, as showing the rapid increase in the population of the town and the development of its varied in- dustries : — Whole number of families in town 598 Males 1797 Females 1702 3.499 Persons subject to military duty 362 " quahfied to vote at election 740 Aliens not naturalized 27 Persons of color not taxed 2 Married females under the age of 45 yrs. 485 Unmarried females between 16 and 45 . . 259 " " under 16 830 Marriages occurring within the last year . 9 Births — Males 72, Females 71, Total. . . 143 Deaths— Males 22, Females 27, Total. . 49 Number of acres of improved land 16,179^ of neat cattle 2,841 of horses 1,100 of sheep 5)^33 of hogs 3)548 of yards of fulled cloth manuf'd. 5, 862 J of " flannel " " 5,985 of " linen, cotton, etc.," 4i428 Grist Mills, 2 value of raw material $ 4,878 manufactured articles 60,115 Saw Mills 6 value of raw material 3.35° manufactured articles 6,800 • In 1879, Myron H. Mills and George W. Phelps each received 397 votes. The Board of Canvassers appointed Hugh Hardmg. 292 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Fulling Mills 3 value of raw material 9,000 manufactured articles 1 1,75° Carding Machines, 3 value of rawmaterial 6,875 manufactured articles 7>867 Distilleries i value of raw material 1,000 manufactured articles i>40° Asheries, 3 value of raw material 1,050 manufactured articles 1,860 Tanneries 2 value of raw material 2,600 manufactured articles 4,7°° Blind persons, i ; deaf and dumb persons, i ; idiots, 5 ; lunatics, i ; paupers, o. " On the bank of the river in this town an ancient mound or barrow was discovered and opened in 1845, ^^ which were some human skele- tons in a very decayed state, with some stone arrowheads, stone knife and cleaver, and a copper skewer about the size of a pipe shank, flattened at one end and slightly twisted. The knife was of a fine, hard stone of the thickness of a quire of paper with sharpened edges. The cleaver was of slate. The articles were of the rudest workmanship."* These relics and others which have been met with in the town are doubtless referable to the Indians, who had a considerable town near the village of Mt. Morris, and resided in this vicinity for many years after the white settlers came in, and in considerable numbers. Their principal chief was Tall Chief, a fine specimen of his race, physi- cally and otherwise. Mount Morris. Mount Morris, generally known to the Indians, even to the present day, as Sanungewage, from Sanungewah, a name given by them to Gen. Wil- liam A. Mills, is beautifully situated in the north part of the town, on the margin of the high terrace which overlooks the broad, fertile flats bordering the river and its confluent streams, and is the southern terminus of the Avon, Geneseo and Mt. Morris Railroad, the northern terminus of the Erie and Genesee Valley Railroad to Dansville, and on the line of the proposed Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Raikoad. The abandoned Gen- esee Valley canal extends through the northeast portion of the village, which, when in operation, connected with the Erie at Rochester, thirty-eight and one half miles distant. It is distant six miles southwest of Geneseo, the county seat. Its streets are regular, handsomely shaded, and lighted with oil, and being based on a sandy soil are generally * Gazetteer of New Vork^ Thomas F. Gordon, 1836. dry. The village is abundantly supplied with wholesome water from an elevation sufficient for fire purposes without the aid of mechanical force, though this is not wholly relied on. It has some fine churches and business blocks and many taste- ful residences. The village was first known to the white settlers as Allen's Hill, from Ebenezer Allen, its first settler, and subsequently as Richmond Hill, a name given it by Col. John Trumbull, an artist who delineated some of the most important scenes of the Revolution, and at one time contemplated making it his place of residence. He selected and purchased a site near the residence of the late Judge Hastings, planted an orchard, and made some preparations for building ; but the name was abandoned with the abandonment of his idea of settling here, and, like the town, received and has since retained the distinctive name of its dis- tinguished proprietor. It contains six churches, (Presbyterian, Episco- pal, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist and Catholic,) a fine Union school, with academic department, two district schools, two newspapers,* {^Tke Union and Constitution, William Harding, publisher, and the Mount Morris Enterprise, George M. Shull, publisher,) two banks, (Genesee River National and Bingham Bros. — private,) various important manufacturing establishments, twenty- one stores of various kinds, four hotels, (Dodge House, Scoville House, 'Wallace House and Burke House,) various mechanics' shops, including two harness shops, (Frank Austin and Thomas Conlon,) and four blacksmith shops, (O. C. Matteson, George Wooster, John Sleight and F. S. Dal- rymple,) and a population of 1,928. "No village," says Jessie Jasper, a local writer, "has sent out more professors, clergymen, mission- aries, painters, musicians, poets, writers, judges, congressmen, architects, and machinists than Mt. Morris." The village was incorporated May 2, 1836. The first corporation meeting was held at the house of Riley Scoville, June 9, r835. Justice O. D. Lake presiding^ and the following named ofiicers were elected : Reuben Sleeper, James Conkey, Ichabod Thurston, Oliver Stanley and John Sloat, Trustees; and James H. Rogers, Adino Bailey and Stephen Summers, Assessors. George Hastings was clerk of the meeting. At a meeting of the Board held June 12, 1835, the following named officers were chosen: — Reu- * See Chapter XII. for History of the Press. VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — OFFICERS. 293 ben Sleeper, President; George Hastings, Clerk; Aylmer Keith, Treasurer; Walker M. Hinman, Asa Woodford, John P. Gayle, John N. Hurlbut, Fire Wardens; Reuben P. Wisner, Collector; Ezra Kinne, Pound Master. Following is a list of the Presidents and Clerks of the village from the date of incorporation : — Presidents. Village Clerks. 1835-6. Reuben Sleeper. Geo. Hastings.* 1837. Phineas Canfield. Reuben P. Wisner. 1838. Stephen Summers. do 1839. Geo. G. Williams. do 1840. do Wm. H. Houghton.j 1841. David A. Miller. George H. Elliott. 1842-3. Geo. G. Williams. Geo. N. Williams. 1844. John Vernam. do 1845. Elijah E. Thatcher. do 1846. Hugh Harding. do 1847. Reuben P. Wisner. do 1848. Jesse Patterson. do 1849. do Henry D. Barto, Jr. 1850. Augustus Conkey. do 1851-3. John Vernam. McNeil Seymour. 1854. Abraham Wigg. do 1855. Henry K. Satford. C. B. Adams. 1856-8. Abraham Wigg. do 1859. Reuben Sleeper. do i860, Abraham Wigg. McNeil Seymour. 1861. Reuben Sleeper. do 1862-4. Hiram P. Mills. do 1865-9. C. B. Adams.J do§ 1870. A. F. French. Z. A. Colburn. 187 1. Z. W. Joslyn. do 1872. H. P. Mills. do 1873. Hugh Harding. do 1874. Z. W. Joslyn. F. E. Brown. 1875. H. P. Mills. C. Sutphen. 1876. Henry Scoville. do 1877. F. E. Hastings. J. M. Hastings. 1878. Geo. W. Phelps. Carlos A. Miller. 1879. H. W. Miller. do 1880. Z. W. Joslyn. James L. SkilUn. Village officers of 188 1 :— H. H. Scoville, Presi- dent; Mathew Taylor, Peter Schermer, Morgan Hammond, Hugh Harding, Trustees; James L. SkiUin, Clerk; H. M. Dayfoot, Health Officer; E. A. Mills, Treasurer ; Daniel Cassidy, Collector ; William Murray, H. S. Wigg, A. McCarthur, As- sessors; C. J. Perry, Chief Engineer, H. S. Wigg, Assistant Engineer Fire Department ; Chas. Hard- ing, Treasurer Fire Department. Mt. Morris, though its inception dates back to the first settlement of the town, did not early de- * November 21, 1836, Reuben P. Wisner was appointed Clerk vice George Hastings removed. t January 23, 1841, George H. Elliott was appointed Clerk vice W. H. Houghton, deceased. t December 17, 1869, A. F. French was appointed President vice C. B. Adams, deceased, December 9, 1869. § May ij, 1870, Z. A. Colburn was appointed Clerk vice McNeil Sey- mour, deceased. velop a commercial importance. The following description of it in i8 13, which we extract from the discourse of Rev. Darwin Chichester, will be read with interest by the, present generation. He says : — "We will enter on what is now the plank road across the flats. Ascending the hill, we pass what is now Beach's Temperance House. There stands the frame dwelling of widow Baldwin — on the cor- ner opposite, towards the north, is the frame dwell- ing of Capt. Baldwin — going a little farther, we are near the frame residence of deacon Jesse Stanley, now the site of the residence of James R. Bond, Esq. In reaching this point, we pass the school- house, a few rods to the left, that building which is so plainly pictured to the minds of some of this audience, around which so many associations of early days cluster. Its unpainted and mutilated seats and dingy walls, bring with them pleasing thoughts, for they are fresh, strong impressions of early days. This building is not seen from the road, for, though we stand in front of what is known as Dean's brick store, and look no farther than what was lately the law office of R. P. Wisner, Esq., yet the oak bushes and saplings completely conceal it from view. A little farther on, and we are oppo- site the site of this [Presbyterian] church building. On the other side of the road stands the old block- house, into which all the inhabitants fled on one occasion the year before, for fear of a'coming army of British and Indians. A few rods farther, and on the north side of the road, is the frame dwelling of Mark Hopkins, Esq., on the site of the residence of the late David A. Miller, Esq. We ascend, and from Prospect Hill, look over the village, and we can count the four framed dwelHngs just mentioned, and no more. These, with twenty-two log-houses, constitute the Mt. Morris of 1813. The eye can rest upon two streets, the one we have passed over, coming from the valley, passing the site of this church edifice, turning to the left, and winding up the hill towards Nunda, and the other running through the place north and south, being what is now Main street. These two streets, or roads, the sides of which are well lined with oaks, shrubs and sapHngs, are the only streets of the village. Here is now and then a remaining tree of the forest, and plenty of undergrowth. On every side, except that of the valley, is a dark forest, the impressions upon which, by the woodman's ax, are, as yet, hardly perceptible. " Going towards Nunda, we pass through an un- broken forest for three-and-a-half miles, we then reach a solitary dwelling, that of Mr. Houselander, and for six miles beyond that (where now is a suc- cession of fine farms, with their neatly painted dweUings,) is an unbroken forest." In 1817, says Frankhn Cowdery, in describing the condition of Western New York in that yean in the Cuykrville Telegraph of March 18, 1848, Mt. Morris had a tavern, a few mechanics' shops, and a small store kept by Allen Ayrault. " This," 294 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. says Mr. Chichester, in referring to the epidemics which have raged with great power in this vicinity, " was a memorable year — one that brought sorrow into many a dwelling. Hardly a family in the place escaped sickness — and one family, (a member of which told me of the ravages of the disease,) lost four of its members." Spafford, in his Gazetteer of 1824, dismisses the subject of its description with a single sentence. He says, " the village of Mt. Morris, where the town meetings are now held, * * * has the post-office, and a small collec- tion of houses." In his Gazetteer of 18x3 it is not even mentioned. In 1836, as described in Gor- don's Gazetteer of that year, the village contained three churches, (Presbyterian, Episcopal and Meth- odist,) three taverns, nine dry goods stores, three groceries, two hatters, one tannery, two shoe stores, three cabinet makers, one chair factory, one bakery, one iron foundry, one hemp factory, one plow and wagon factory, two blacksmiths, one hardware store, tin factory, two saddlers, three tailors, two drug shops, one printing office, issuing a weekly paper, two lawyers, four physicians, one flouring mill, one carding and cloth-dressing mill, and had in the im- mediate vicinity three saw mills and more than a hundred dwellings. There were then four addi- tional post-offices in the town — at River Road, Brushville, River Road Forks and Brooks Grove. In 1840, says Disturnell, in his Gazetteer of 1842, it contained about 1,200 inhabitants, 200 dwell- ings, four churches, (Presbyterian, Episcopal, Pap- tist and Methodist,) three pubhc houses, twenty stores and groceries, one furnace and a pottery, two flouring mills, two saw mills. The post-offices in the town, in addition to Mt. Morris, were, Brush- ville, Brooks Grove, Ridge River Road, and St. Helena. Merchants.— The first merchant in Mt. Morris, if such he may be called, was Ebenezeror " Indian" Allen, a native of New Jersey, who came here dur ing the Revolutionary war to escape the military enrollment. He did not continue in trade after the white settlers came in. He obtained his goods at Philadelphia and exchanged them with the Indians for peltries. The first regular merchant, it is believed, was Elisha Parmelee, who came here from Connecticut about 18x1, and opened a store on State street, in a building which stood on the site of the residence of J. B. Bacon, on the north side of that street, and was removed about 1854 to its present loca- t"ion on Eagle street. It is now owned and occu- pied as a residence by Cornelius Cassidy. Parmelee removed to Warsaw in 1817, and was succeeded in the same store by Allen Ayrault, from Connec- ticut, who removed to Moscow in 1819, and two or three years later to Geneseo, where he became a prominent banker. There was no store from that period until 1823, when Abner Dean and Reuben Sleeper (Dean & Sleeper) came from Laurens, Otsego county, and occupied the same store. They dissolved partner- ship in 1828, and both continued to trade separately, Dean in a new store, adjacent to the old one, until 1841, when D. K. Moss, from Greene county, took the store and put in a new stock of goods, but after trading about two years he sold out at auction and went away. Sleeper became a prominent mer- chant in the village, continuing at intervals till his death May 11, 1872, at the age of 74. He was associated from 1847 to 1854, with Lucius C. Bingham, who then engaged in the hardware busi- ness. David A. Miller, from Orange county, was con- temporary with Ayrault and traded two or three years. He then engaged in farming and distilling, and some fourteen years later resumed mercantile business, which he continued successfully about ten years, from 1831 to 1841, when he sold to his sons Henry R. and David, who traded with some shght changes till about 1843, when Henry retired. David continued until 1854, when he sold to his brother Henry, who sold out about 1864, and died Sept. 23d, of the following year, aged 50. His father died August 6, 1853, aged 64. In 1824, William H. Stanley, who came here with his parents from Connecticut in 181 1, opened a store and traded till 1831, when James H. Rogers became his partner, continuing for three or four years, when Stanley retired. Rogers continued alone until 1842, when he failed. In 1829, Phineas Canfield, from Chenango county, commenced trading in company with Henry Gale, from Orange county, under the name of Gale & Canfield. After two years, David A. Miller took Gale's place and soon after acquired Canfield's interest, continuing till 1841. In 1833 N. L., George W. and Joseph Totten, brothers, commenced business. They closed out in 1835. In 1848 N. L. Totten opened a grocery, continuing till t86o, associated the first two years with R. C. Hill. In 1871 Mr. Totten resumed the grocery business, which he continues to the present time. In r837 James R. Bond came from Geneseo and did an extensive business till about 1843. VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — MERCHANTS. 29s In 1839 Higgins & King, (Henry I. Higgins and Charles W. King,) the latter from Cayuga county, established the first hardware store of any importance in the village. They sold out about 1841 to Abram Vernam, from Saratoga county, who sold in 1850 to Harvey & Thatcher, (George C. Harvey and Elijah E. Thatcher,) who continued the business until 1854, when they sold to Bing- ham & Thatcher, (Lucius C. Bingham and Elijah E. Thatcher,) who continued till the death of Thatcher, Sept. 3, 1855, at the age of 47. Mr. Bingham continued the business alone until 1863, when he associated with himself William H. Coy, under the firm name of Bingham & Coy. In 1875 Mr. Bingham purchased Mr. Coy's interest, and in January, 1879, he admitted to partnership Henry Gale, with whom he is still doing business under the name of L. C. Bingham & Co. About 1840 Hugh Harding, who came from Dansville and in 1834 established the Mount Morris Spectator, the pioneer newspaper in Mt. Morris, which he was then publishing, opened a stock of books and stationery — a business he has continued to the present time. This was the first, and is now the only book store in the village, and with the exception of one started some years ago by J. W. Webb, but continued only about a year, it is the only one that has been established in the village. In 1841 Norman Seymour, a native of Herki- mer, came here from Geneva and commenced the dry-goods business, which he changed in 1S64 to hardware, continuing the latter to the present time under the name of Seymour & Co. In 1844 Sanford E. Hunt and George Talcott, the former from Portage and the latter from Hart- ford, Conn., commenced trading and were promi- nent merchants for about two years, dealing in merchandise and lumber. H. W. Miller, druggist, came here with his parents from Cayuga county about 1835. In 1850 he bought out R. J. Stanley, who had traded some four or five years, and subsequently he purchased the stock of George S. Whitney who had traded some fifteen or twenty years. Jacob O. Crevling, boot and shoe dealer, com- menced mercantile business in December, 1850. He was associated with Ezra Kinney in 1852, with John Marsh in 1862, and with Dennis Evans in 1863-4. Mr. Crevling is a native of New Jersey, and came with his parents to Mt. Morris in 1833. Wheeler Hinman, who was born in this county February 14, 1815, commenced trading here in 1856, and did a prosperous business here till his death, January 4, 1867. Numerous others of little prominence have traded here for short periods. The other merchants now engaged in business here are : — Timothy Hennessy, grocer and liquor dealer, who commenced business some twenty years ago; W. Richmond, jeweler, a native of Ba- tavia, who came here from Geneseo, where he had carried on the same business, and estabhshed him- self in trade March 16, 1863; H. Burt, general merchant, who, in 1865, in company with the late P. J. Runyan, purchased the grocery business of S. E. Brace, who had traded some seven years at differ- ent times, and quit mercantile business to engage in banking with the Messrs. Bingham ; (Mr. Burt resumed his present business in the fall of 1874. He is the present post-master, having been ap- pointed to that oflrce in 1877 ■) Emma Burke, mil- Uner, a native of Mt. Morris, who commenced business in 1867; M. J. Noonan, tobacconist and cigar manufacturer, a native of Mt. Morris, who commenced business in 1868; M. Beggs, milliner and fancy goods dealer, who is a native of Mt. Morris, and commenced business about twelve years ago ; Alfred Harris, furniture dealer, and a native of Mt. Morris, commenced business some ten years ago — his father, E. S. Harris, who now carries on the undertaking business at the same place, came here from Warsaw about 1837, and engaged in the cabinet business ; Henry Wagner, grocer and liquor dealer, commenced business in January, 1874, at which time he bought out Timo- thy Hennessy, is a native of Germany, and had resided here several years previously ; Norman A. Seymour, druggist, who commenced business in 1875, in company with William R. Hinds, whose interest he purchased at the expiration of two and one half years ; the business was established in 1850 by Thomas & Joslyn ; (Mr. Thomas of that firm sold to James Yeomans, who sold to Messrs. Seymour & Hinds ; the store has always been known as the Empire Drug Store ;) J. S. Mosman, general merchant, purchased the dry goods estabHshment of Eddy, Gregg & Co., who had traded here for three years, in August, 1875, and the following January added to his stock gro- ceries, boots and shoes and clothing; and in March, 1880, he admitted his son, William O. Mosman, to partnership ; A. Halstead, dealer in boots and shoes, commenced business October 25, 1875, under the name of Halsted & Co.; he bought out WiUiam H. Coy, whose father, Loren Coy, had 296 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. carried on business for many years ; Barney Beu- erlein & Co., (Nicholas Johantgen,) clothiers, from Dansville, where Mr. Johantgen resides and car- ries on the same business, commenced business here in 1877 ; F. W. Woolever, furniture dealer and undertaker, commenced business some two years ago, having previously worked at. the cabmet business in this town ; Thomas T. Gallagher, gro- cer, commenced business here April i, 1879, — this is a branch of his store in Dansville, where he has traded since 1868, in company, until 1872, with Albert Sweet, under the name of Sweet & Gallag- her ; and Allen & Pennington, (WiUiam P. Allen and J. W, Pennington,) flour and feed dealers, who commenced business in August, 1880. Postmasters. — The post-office at Mt. Morris was established in 18 18, and the mail was received once a week. It was carried on horseback, but often on foot, over the route between Moscow and Angelica. The first postmaster was David A. Miller, who held the office from 1818 to 1841. His successors have been Stephen Summers, Henry Swan, Augustus Conkey, Moses Clark, (who held the office eight years,) Philo Thomson, (appointed in the fall of i86r,) George W. Barney, Norman Seymour, Jacob A. Mead, Dr. Loren }. Ames and Hathorne Burt, who was appointed in 1877. Physicians. — The first physician to locate in Mt. Morris was probably Henry Gale, though it is doubtful if he ever practiced here. He was the father of Mrs. David A. Miller, whose husband was one of the first merchants here. He was blind for many years prior to his death, which occurred July 6, 1835, at the age of seventy-one. Abraham Camp, whom the Rev. Dr. Parsons says was the first regular practitioner in this village, and was highly esteemed both as a physician and a man, was born Norfolk, Conn., July 31, 1770, and there he spent his youth and early manhood. In October, 1813, after a short residence in Vermont and in Greene county, in this State, at the solicita- tion of Deacon Jesse Stanley, he came to this place accompanied by his wife, four sons and two daughters. His first residence was on Main street, on the premises now owned and occupied by Ozro Clark. With the exception of three or four years spent with his son Cicero, in Ohio, he resided here till his death, August lo, 1850, aged eighty. Mary, his wife, died August 3, 1844, aged seventy-four. He was the father of Abraham C, and Moses Camp. He practiced here till about 1820, until Dr. Bingham came. Dr. Gates located in Mt. Morris in 1817, but re- mained only a year or two. He then went to Al- legany county. Charles Bingham was born in Bozrah, Conn., and studied medicine in that State. He was licensed by the State Medical Society of Connecti- cut in 1808, and in that year moved to Avon, where he practiced his profession until 1820. In that year he removed to Mt. Morris, where he pur- sued an extensive and successful practice until failing health compelled him to abandon it. He died at Mt. Morris December 3, 1842, aged 58. Mary, his wife, died here February 8, 1873, at the advanced age of 87. Messrs. Lucius C. an3 Charles L. Bingham, two of Mt. Morris' most prominent business men and influential and re- spected citizens, are sons of Dr. Bingham, and all that are left of the family. Hiram Hunt came here from Cayuga county about 1824. He studied medicine with Dr. Stephen Mosher, of Union Springs, in that county, and with the exception of two years spent in De- troit, Mich., practiced here till his death, which occurred Oct. 8, 1853, at the age of sr. Eben- ezer Childs came here from Massachusetts in 1834 and practiced till about 1849, when he went to North CaroUna and died in the South. William H. Thomas game here from Allegany, his native county, in 1837 and practiced here till his final sickness, dying here about 1876. He was Winded in 1858 from accidental shooting. William Whit- ney, a son of Dr. Jonathan Whitney, one of the old pioneer physicians of Cayuga village, removed thence to Mt. Morris in 1839. About 1847 he removed to Chicago, where he died some time during the late war. John SulUvan Hunt, a brother to Dr. Hiram Hunt, whose parents were among the early settlers of Mt. Morris, studied with his brother Hiram and graduated about 1838. He practiced a few years at Union Corners, in this town, and at Mt. Morris about three or four years from 1845. He died here of consumption about 1850. Henry Maxwell came here about 1846, and after practicing some four years returned to Lockport, whence he came. Alexander H. Hoflf, the son of a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church, came here from the Hudson river coun- try about 1847, and succeeded Dr. Whitney, con- tinuing his practice here till about 1863, when he went to Albany. During the war he became a surgeon in the regular army and died while serving in that capacity after the war. He was succeeded by T. Romeyn Huntington, son of Dr. Hunting- ton, of Perry, whence he came about 1854. He VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS -PHYSICIANS. 297 graduated at Philadelphia. After practicing some two years he returned to Perry. Alexander C. Campbell, who was born April 30, 181 2, came here in 1857 from Lima, where, and in Nunda, he had previously practiced. With the exception of some two years spent in Avon he practiced here till his death, Oct. 30, 1871. David L. Williams came here from Elbridge about 1845, and practiced till his death, February 16, 1853, aged 34. He was the first homeopathic physician to locate here. W. T. R. Wells, who had formerly belonged to the regular school, came here from Covington, Wyoming county, about the time of Dr. Williams' death and practiced here a few years. He afterwards practiced electropathy and subsequently became a lecturer on that branch of medical science. He is now living in Roch- ester. W. W. Potter came here from Washington, D. C, in 1872, having served as a surgeon in the army, and at the close of the war established' him- self in practice in that city. He left here in the summer of 1876 and went to Batavia, where he still resides. Augustus F. McKay came from the locality of Wilkesbarre, Pa., and succeeded Potter, continuing two years, during which time he became a convert to homeopathy. He returned to Penn- sylvania. Charles F. Morgan, a young man from Connecticut, came in 1870 and practiced a year or two with Dr. Joslyn. He went to Michigan. Dr. Spiegel, who had practiced some two years in Tus- carora in this town came here about 1877, and after practicing about a year returned to Utica, whence he originally came. Miss Mina A. Baker, a graduate of Ann Arbor, who was a native of Monroe county, but raised in Mt. Morris, practiced here about a year — 1876-7. She removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where she is now practicing very successfully. She was the first lady physician in Mt. Morris. Lewis G. Ferris, from Cayuga, settled about 1837 or '38 in the locality of Brooks Grove, and prac- ticed till his death about 1850. He was preceded there by Dr. William Munson, who was one of the earlier practitioners of the town. Drs. Hiram Hunt, E. Childs and Alexander Campbell were among the most prominent physi- cians. Dr. Hunt was a heroic practitioner. When he undertook a case he did it with a firm decided hand, gave thorough doses of medicine, and was regarded as successful. Dr. Campbell was a man of very decided ideas. He had a happy faculty of impressing his patients with them, and was re- markably successful in gaining their confidence. His fame extended throughout the county. Drs. Hoff and Potter were regarded and proved them- selves distinguished surgeons. They were more noted as such than as physicians. The present physicians are: — Loren J. Ames, Zara W. Joslyn, Herbert M. Dayfoot, Henry Povall and A. L. Cook. Loren J. Ames was born in Royalton, Vt., July 12, 1 81 5, and educated at the academy in his native town. He removed thence to Rochester in this State, and — in 1839 — to Geneseo, where, in 1840, he commenced the study of medicine with Drs. Bissell and Lauderdale. He attended lectures at Geneva Medical College and graduated there in 1843. He established himself in practice in March of that year at Mt. Morris, where he has since pur- sued his profession. He was coroner of this county for twelve years, and postmaster of Mt. Morris from March, 1873, to May, 1877. Zara W. Joslyn was born in Mentz, Cayuga county, November 6, 1815, and received an acade- mic education at Wyoming, N. Y. He com- menced the study of medicine in 1839, with Dr. C. C. Chaffee, of Nunda, and in the spring of 1841, entered the Castleton Medical College of Vermont, where he graduated in June, 1842. In November, 1853, he removed to Mt. Morris, where he has since practiced. Herbert M. Dayfoot was born in Georgetown, Canada, February 21, 1846. He received an academic education at Woodstock Institute in Canada, and Rochester University. In 1864, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Elias Vernon, of Hamilton, Canada. He attended lec- tures at the Buffalo Medical College and the Western Homeopathic College of Cleveland, grad- uating at the latter in 1867, in which year he com- menced practice in Mt. Morris, where he has since continued, with the exception of six months spent in Ithaca. Henry Povall was born in Bunbury, England, August 14, 1828. He was licensed in 1870 by the Eclectic Medical Association Examining Board of Liverpool, having previously read medicine with a private tutor for fifteen years, during ten of which he was engaged in practice. He emigrated to Mt. Morris in 1878. A. L. Cook was born in Stephentown, N. Y., September 4, 1822, and received an academic edu- cation at Castile and Perry. At the age of twenty- one he commenced the study of medicine, but abandoned it after one season and engaged in other 298 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. business. In i874he resumed his medical studies. He commenced practice at Oil City, Pa., and re- moved to Mt. Morris in the spring of 1878. Lawyers.— "Bill" Haskell, a pettifogger, was the first to undertake to expound law in Mt. Mor- ris. He came here about 1812. He was illiterate, but possessed a good deal of native talent. He was an odd, uncouth genius, largely engaged in Justices' courts at an early day. He left here for the Western country about 1835. Simeon Kittle was contemporary with Haskell, who removed to Michigan, and a similar character. Both receded from civihzation. The first representative in Mt. Morris of that elegant diction for which the bar of Livingston county has been so ably conspicuous was George Hastings, who was born in Clinton, Oneida county, March 13, 1807,* and graduated from Hamilton college at the early age of nineteen. His father was Dr. Seth Hastings, of Clinton. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1830, in which year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Mt. Morris, where he resided till his death, August 29, 1866. He at once took a leading po- sition at the bar and had a large practice. He was appointed District-Attorney of Livingston county. May 27, 1839, and held the office till it was made elective in 1847. He was a Representative in Congress from this county from 1853 to 1855, and was County Judge from November, 1855 to 1863. He was a man, who, both in pubHc and private Hfe, evinced great purity and could not be tempted be- yond the line of rectitude. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church and noted in its councils. His widow, two sons and three daughters still reside here. Samuel H. Fitzhugh was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1796, and graduated at Jef- ferson college in Pennsylvania. In 181 7 he re- moved to Canandaigua, where he prepared for the bar in the office of N. W. Howell. In 1820 he married a daughter of Judge Addison, of Wheeling, Va., where he practiced his profession until his re- moval to Mt. Morris in 183 1. In 1840, he was appointed Associate Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of Livingston county. Reuben P. Wisner, who was born in Springport, Cayuga county, January 4, 181 5, was the next to engage in the practice of law in Mt. Morris. His early scholastic advantages were restricted by the limited means of his parents, but by assiduously * Lanma7is Dictionary of Congress^ 178. Proctor makes the date March 10, 1807. devoting every leisure moment to the culture of his mind, he made considerable progress in the languages, in rhetoric, logic and history. When old enough he became a farm laborer, working by the month in summer, and in winter engaged at cabinet making. He subsequently became bar- tender and clerk in what was then the principal hotel in Auburn, and there his passion for forensic display was stimulated by the great luminaries who congregated at that political center. By invitation he entered the office of William H. Seward, and after receiving his license remained in that office two or three years as assistant. In 1837 he located in Mt. Morris and formed a co-partnership with Judge Samuel H. Fitzhugh. The practice of the firm soon became extensive and lucrative. Mr. Wisner was an able and successful lawyer and possessed great character — qualities which soon gave him a high position at the bars of this and ad- joining counties. Clark B. Adams, who had studied law in Nunda, removed thence about 1843 to Mt. Morris and entered the office of Reuben P. Wisner. He was admitted to the bar about 1846, and practiced here till his tragic death on the 9th of December, 1869. He was a man of fine abilities and good practice. McNeil Seymour was a native of Rome, Oneida county, and was educated at Oberlin College. He came to Mt. Morris in 1843, and entered the law office of George Hastings as a student. He was admitted to practice about 1847, and immediately after opened an office in Mt. Morris, where he practiced till his death in 1870. He represented this county in the Assembly in 1855. He was a man of superior ability, a sound lawyer, and was highly esteemed in the community, aUke for his professional skill and probity, and social qualities. In addition to his other accomplishments he pos- sessed a fine discriminating literary taste. He was a brother of the Hon. Norman Seymour, of Mt. Morris, the urbane and efficient secretary of the Livingston County Historical Society. Scott Lord came here from Buffalo in 1843, im- mediately after his admission, and practiced till his election as County Judge in 1847, the first incum- bent of that office under the elective system. On his election as Judge he took up his residence in Geneseo, where he practiced till about 1872, when he removed to Utica, where he formed a co-part- nership with Hon. Roscoe Conkling, and imme- diately took a leading position as a lawyer. He was a Representative in Congress from 1875 to VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — PHYSICIANS, MANUFACTURERS. 299 1877, and at the expiration of his Congressional term, during which he distinguished himself as a parliamentary debater and tactician, he removed to New York, when his recognized legal ability secured for him a leading position among the mem- bers of the bar, and where he was more recently made conspicuous by his connection with the Van- derbilt will case. Charles L. Bingham, son of Dr. Charles Bingham, was born in Mt. Morris, April 25, 1827. He received an academic education in his native vil- lage, where, in 1848, he commenced the study of law with George N. Williams. He subsequently pursued and completed his studies with R. P. Wis- ner, of that village, where, immediately after his admission, in 1851, he entered upon the practice of his profession which he continued until August 17, 1869, when he engaged in the banking business, which he still continues in company with his brother, Lucius C. Bingham, who is also engaged in mer- cantile business. The present attorneys are Albert M. Bingham, Thomas J. Gamble, Ziba A. Colburn, William A. Sutherland, John M. Hastings, Alexander H. Mc- Kay and Frank M. Joslyn. Albert M. Bingham was born in Perry, N. Y., October 15, 1825, and received an academic edu- cation at the Perry Center Institute. He coin- menced the study of law in Michigan, with Judge Leonard, of Mt. Clemens in that State, in 1846, and after pursuing his legal studies there two years, he returned East and resumed them with Scott Lord, of Geneseo. He was admitted in 1850, and commenced practice about 1852, in Moscow, whence he removed April i, i86o, to Mt. Morris, where he has since practiced, with the exception of a period spent in the army from October, 1861, to January, 1863, in the capacity of ist Lieutenant of Company C, 89th N. Y. Vols. In the fall of 1879, he formed a co-partnership with Frank M. Joslyn, which still continues. Thomas J. Gamble was born in Groveland, in this county, Dec, 21, 1839, and educated at Tem- ple Hill Academy in Geneseo. He commenced the study of law April 3, 1859, with Wisner & Sey- mour, of Mt. Morris, and afterwards pursued his studies with R. P. Wisner, of that firm. He was admitted in December, 1865, and Jan. i, 1866, formed a co-partnership with his preceptor, Mr. Wisner, which continued till July 7, 1872. Mr. Gamble has practiced here continuously since. He was Collector on the Genesee Valley Canal from 1876 till its abandonment in 1878. Ziba A. Colburn was born in Westmoreland, N. H., Dec. 6, 1839. He studied law with McNeil Seymour in Mt. Morris, and was admitted in 1869. He entered upon the practice of his profession in this village in 1870. Wilham A. Sutherland was born in Hopewell, Ontario county, May 30, 1849, and educated at Genesee College in Lima. In 187 r, he became a student in the law office of Judge E. A. Nash, of Lima, (now of Avon.) He was admitted to prac- tice in 1874, at which time he formed a co-part- nership with his legal preceptor, which continued till Jan. I, 1876, when he moved toMt. Morris. John M. Hastings was born in Mt. Morris, July 4, 1853, and was educated at the Union Free School and Academy of that village, and subse- quently at the College of the city of New York, where he commenced his legal studies, subsequently pursuing them with J. E. Lee, A. M. Bingham and Norton & Brown, all of Mt. Morris. He was admit- ted in January, 1875, and commenced practice in Mt. Morris in 1877. Alexander H. McKay was born in Sparta in this county March 2, 1853. He is a graduate of Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He pursued his legal studies while acquiring his literary education, and completed them with John H. Martindale, of Rochester. He was admitted in 1877 and com-; menced practice that year in Mt. Morris. Frank M. Joslyn was born in Mt. Morris, Aug. 22, 1854, and received an academic education at the Union Free School of Mt. Morris. He com- menced the study of law in 1874, with Norton & Brown, of Mt. Morris, and completed his studies with Turner, Dexter & VanDuzer, of Elmira. He was admitted at Rochester in October, 1877, and commenced practice at Mt. Morris in the spring of 1878. In November, 1879, he formed a co- partnership with Albert N. Bingham, which still continues. Manufacturers. — Mt. Morris has for many years been the seat of important manufacturing interests, and to-day takes a high rank in this branch of industry. Previous to 1820, Col. Ebenezer Damon was engaged in carding and cloth-dressing on a small stream in the west part of the village, and contin- ued until about 1835. The local name of " Damons- ville," by which that part of the village, as well as the stream, is designated, perpetuates his memory. Fed by the same stream on the steep side-hill, just north-east of the present residence of Dr. M. H. Mills, was the pioneer grist-mill of Mt. Morris. It 300 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. was a large four-story structure, operated by an immense overshot wheel, and known as the Sholl mill, from its owner, David Sholl, by whom it was built in 1814 or '15. At Damonsville the water was diverted from the brook of that name and brought in an open ditch along the south bank of the deep ravine near Dr. Mills' residence, gaining a fall of twenty feet at the mill. Around the bluff, down the dugway and under the road to the mill, the water was conveyed in a wooden trunk. It was torn down in 1827. The flats around the base of the hill were inundated to the extent of about one hundred acres. They were partially drained by a. ditch extending south-east to Casha- qua creek, about one and one-half miles distant, but were never completely drained until the dam was built across the river and the tail race con- structed in 1827. Prior to the erection of the Sholl mill, hard wood stumps andiron mortars were used as a basin to bruise the corn and make samp. Subsequently Dr. Fitzhugh's mill on Cashaqua creek in Sonyea (the Shaker settlement) received the principal business of this village, and earlier the Wadsworth mill at the foot of Conesus lake did a good deal of the milling for this place, espe- cially for Gen. Mills' distillery. From 1820 tp 1830 Riley Scoville raised a quan- tity of hemp on the flats adjacent to the village, and on the horse-shoe flats j ust west of it, which he water-rotted and dressed by hand. The early settlers generally were engaged in raising hemp on the rich bottom lands, for the reason that it was transported with greater facility and with less lia- bility to injury than grain or other commodities, "and had also a readier and greater market value. It was marketed at Baltimore by the Susquehanna and its tributaries, the shipping point being Ark- port on the Canisteo. But the enterprise which gave Mt. Morris its importance as a manufacturing center, and also gave a great impetus to its growth, was the con- struction of a dam across the Genesee river and a canal connecting that stream with Canaseraga creek, a Uttle below the mouth of Cashaqua creek, in 1827. This improvement was the work of John R. Murray and William B. Rogers, of New York, and their associates. General WiUiam A. Mills and Jesse Stanley, of Mt. Morris, and was designed to open water communication by the Canaseraga and Genesee between Mt. Morris and Rochester, but was never accomplished, though it has given Mt. Morris a valuable water power. At the intersec- tion of the canal with Canaseraga creek a guard- lock was built to lower boats to the level of the creek. The first dam was built of timber; the present one is a substantial stone structure, which also accommodated the canal while that was in operation, as it crossed the river at that point. Over this dam was built, in 1831, the first bridge over the Genesee between Mt. Morris and Leices- ter. In 1 83 1, John R. Murray built, in the interest of his maiden sisters — Mary and Hannah L. Mur- ray — a grist-mill, which was located adjacent to Humphrey's mill which was recently burned. It was rented to various persons ; first to James Campbell and a younger brother. It was burned about 1866. A second grist-mill was built about 1841, by William Gay, who sold it to the Totten Bros. It finally passed into the hands of the late Asel Galbraith and burned during his ownership, about 1864. It was located some twenty rods north of the first one. William P. Allen bought the property and immediately after, in 1864, erected a saw and planing mill on the site, which he still operates. The works contain one circular log saw, several smaller saws, and one Hopkins planer. In 1878 Mr. Allen added a cider-mill, containing two of Boomer & Boschart's cider-presses, and pur- poses the coming winter (1880) to put in a gener- ator for the manufacture of vinegar. Near the guard-lock, John Murray Ogden erect- ed a hemp factory about 1834. It was destroyed by fire in 1835, and never rebuilt. In 1824, John Runyan came from Livonia and manufactured bull-plows, with wooden mold-boards. In 1 83 1, in company with Charles W. King, he established a furnace on Eagle street, and manu- factured the Jethro Wood plow and other castings. About 1835, the establishment was sold to Albertus Childs, Runyan continuing to wood the plows dur- ing his life for Childs and his successors. He died December 4, i860, aged seventy. Mr. Childs added to the business the manufacture of agricul- tural implements, including a smut machine of his own invention. About 1838, he sold to Gideon Henderson, who sold to James H. Rogers about 1843, when the establishment was removed to its present location on the race. It passed successive- ly into the hands of H. C. Brown about 1850, Dr. Hubbard Foster about 1853, and the Bodine Bros., (John and Joseph) about 1858. In November, 1869, the Bodine Manufacturing Company of Mt. Morris was organized, with an authorized capital of $isoyOoo, for the manufac- VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— MANUFACTURERS. 301 ture of the " Bodine Jon val Turbine Water Wheel," which was invented by Truman A. Hill, of Mt. Morris, and patented by him and Col. J. H. Bo- dine, the former owner of these shops. C. Laflin was chosen President, and George S. Whitney, Secretary and Treasurer of the company. From the organization of the company till about 1875, extensive sales were made, about 2,000 wheels hav- ing been shipped to the various States and Terri- tories, besides many to foreign countries. Subse- quent to that time the sales were greatly dimin- ished by the great financial depression of that period. In the fall of 1877, on the death of their President, Mr. Laflin, who had retained the office up to this time, the company sold the entire busi- ness to S. L. Rockfellow, then of Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Rockfellow took possession January i, 1878, and on the first of March following associated with himself Frank Sleeper, of Mt. Morris. They im- mediately recalled Mr. T. A. Hill, from Jefferson City, Mo., to take charge of the shops. Mr. Hill brought with him the patterns of a grain drill which he had patented under the name of the " Missouri." Messrs. Rockfellow & Sleeper, besides doing a gen- eral foundry business, commenced the manufacture of this drill in Hmited numbers, adding a phosphate attachment, testing its merits, etc. In the fall of 1879, they found it desirable to enlarge their busi- ness, and organized a stock company, which was incorporated under the name of the Genesee Val- ley Manufacturing Co., for the manufacture of the " Missouri Grain Drill," Fargo's V Tooth Harrow, the Bodine Jonval Turbine Water Wheel, Sad-irons, and to do a general foundry business. L. C. Bing- ham was elected President; S. L. Rockfellow, Vice-President and Superintendent; W. H. Coy, Secretary and Treasurer. The new company com- menced operations January i, 1880, and are now turning out manufactured goods at the rate of 500 drills, 300 harrows, and 100 tons of sad-irons, etc., per annum. They employ from 75 to 100 men. In 1 831, Albertus and Ebenezer Childs, brothers, and then young men, came here from Massachu- setts, and were the first to introduce the culture of broom corn in this vicinity and the manufacture of brooms with wire. The business has since been continued and has developed into very respectable proportions. There are now ten broom factories in the village of Mt. Morris, employing in the ag- gregate more than forty hands, viz :— Swett Bros., Jacob Remmell, Jacob Sickles, James Kellogg, George A. Miller, Bump & Pray, Hurlburt & Son, Sweeney & Son, Miller & Co., John Samerson. In 1 841, John R. Murray, Jr., and George T. Olyphant erected glass works on the flats north of the village, which subsided about 1848. The nine houses built in that locality were and are still known as the "Nine Sisters," and the locaUty as "MuUingar." John R. Murray also had a saw and planing-mill near and a Kttle east of the head of the race which was burned down about i860. About 1848, John R. Murray erected a paper-mill on the south end of the race. It was the last building on the race and stood directly south of the Exchange mills recently burned. Elijah Powers, from Mas- sachusetts, put in the machinery and operated it two or three years. In 1852, James Yeomans rented the mill and carried on the business until 1856, when he became associated with his brother- in-law, R. J. Stanley. In 1857 Mr. Yeomans with- drew. Mr. Stanley continued the business about a year. It was operated for a short time success- ively by Augustus Conkey and J. E. Robinson. Wm. F. Jones, an Englishman, then bought the property — -about 1863 — and about 1868, removed the machinery to LeRoy. The building was after- wards occupied by Begole & Olp, (Joseph Begole and Joseph Olp,) for the manufacture of spokes; and subsequently by Joseph Begole and J. C. Prout, for the manufacture of barrels. It was burned while so occupied,m 1874. Originally, and during its continuance as a paper-mill, it was used for the manufacture of wrapping and tea paper. A planing-mill and manufactory of sash, doors and blinds, was estabHshedin the building now oc- cupied by Mr. F. B. Seymour, by a man named ChamberHn. Spencer & Ferris succeeded him and carried on the business several years — until i860 — when they were succeeded by the present proprie- tor, Mr. Seymour, who, on taking possession, added to the business the manufacture of moldings and broom handles, of the latter of which he makes aboxit 100,000 per annum. He was associated for a short time with John Ferris, who soon enhsted. The manufacture of sash, doors and blinds was soon after discontinued. The Exchange Mills (flouring and grist) were built in 1852, at a cost of $18,000, by Harmon Bros., (A. and E. Harmon, of Wheatland,) who sold them in 1864, to Samuel B. and Azel D. Gal- braith, natives of Dansville, the former of whom was engaged in milling business at Oakland, in the town of Portage, from 1857 to 1865, in which latter year he disposed of his mill property at Oakland and took up his residence in Mt. Morris. The Galbraiths operated the mills till their death. They 302 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. " did a large and prosperous business, and were sympathetic and liberal to the poor, always making advances to them from their mill of the staff of life, without security, and trusting the recipients of their bounty to pay." Samuel B. Galbraith died Dec. 7, 1876, aged 56, and Azel D., May 5, 1872, aged 43. Since their death the mills were owned by their heirs and were operated under the name of Galbraith & Hammond until they were burned on the morning of August 24, 1880. The Equity mills, (flouring and grist,) were built in 1866-7, by Humphrey & Braman, (W. H. Humphrey and C. F. Braman,) at a cost of $25,000. Mr. Humphrey bought his partner's interest in the property about 1874, and still owns it. The build- ing was a wooden structure, with four stories besides attic and basement, and contained four runs of stones. It was located on the race on State street, directly opposite the Exchange mills, and was burned at the same time as the latter, which com- municated the fire to it. Mr. Humphrey has already rebuilt on the same site a mill of like ca- pacity and dimensions, 40 by 60 feet. The fall at this point, like that at the Exchange mills, is sev- enteen feet. A. B. Goff is doing a general machinist business, which he commenced June, 1876. His shop is located on the race which supplies the motive power. Pennington & Co., (J. W. Pennington,) are en- gaged in the manufacture of the Little Tiger fan- ning-mill, which business they commenced April i, 1880. Connected with the establishment is a saw and planing-mill, but used only for their work. The building they occupy was erected in 1876 by E. Winegar, who occupied a part of it for a plaster- mill, for which purpose it is still used in part by Winegar & Cornell. Pennington & Co. have also a feed run, which they put in about Sept. i, 1880. J. W. Pennington also deals in ready-made wagons and carriages, a business he established in June, 1880; and he and William Allen have leased the site of the old Farmers' mill, which it is their pur- pose to purchase, and erect thereon a flouring-mill. Mr. Pennington and George W. Barney are also dealers in phosphates, a business they commenced in the fall of 1880. Messrs. Winters & Prophet, (John C. Winters and John M. Prophet,) are extensively engaged in canning fruit and vegetables. The business was commenced in January, 1878, by Mr. Winters, who associated Mr. Prophet with himself as partner in in April, 1879. They employ from 75 to 100 hands, and sometimes as many as 125, the major portion of whom are women and girls. The busy season lasts from the middle of June to the middle of October. They have 105 acres under cultiva- tion, all planted to sugar corn. They also pur- chased and used the present season the crop from an additional twenty acres. They put up about a half a million cans, averaging two pounds each in weight. Corn is the principal article canned, but cherries, plums, pears, grapes, quinces, tomatoes, apples, strawberries and green peas are put up in their season. The " Empire" brand is labeled on all their goods. The business requires a capital of about $30,000. The works are located on the flats in the north part of the village. In 1880, the firm opened a branch estabUshment at Medina, where from 50 to 75 hands are employed. The Genesee Valley Fruit Evaporating Co., was organized May i, 1880, for the purpose of drying fruit and vegetables by the evaporating process, and is composed of Morgan Hammond and G. W. Barney, Jr. They have an invested capital of $7,000, and employ forty persons, over two-thirds of whom are females. The works are in operation about eight months in the year. M. J. Noonan employs on an average thirteen persons in the manufacture of cigars, of which he makes 35,000 per month. He commenced busi- ness in 1868. The Schwartz Brewery, located on the berme bank of the canal, was established in 1 860, by David Schwartz, who carried on the manufacture of lager beer about fourteen years. In 1876, John E. White & Bro. acquired the property. It has not been operated as a brewery for about two years. The Mt. Morris Spring Brewery, located just over the south line of the village, was established in 1862, in which year also the building was erected by John E. White & Bro., the present proprietors. They make about a thousand barrels of ale per annum. Banks. — The Genesee River National Bank was organized as the Genesee River Batik, May 2, 1853, with a capital of $130,000. When the change was made to a National Bank, application for which was made May 31, 1865, the capital was reduced to $100,000; and February 6, 1877, it was still further reduced to $50,000, which it at present remains. The first Directors were John R. Murray, John Vernam* Henry Swan, Hiram P. Mills, Reuben P. Wisner, Reuben Sleeper, Calvin Norton, Jesse Peterson, Lyman Turner, * Those whose names are in italics are dead. 5f d O o H CO (9 z > ss K CC O o o C^ id Z o en 1 X o 2 c3 VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — BANKS, HOTELS. 303 Calvin T. Chamberlain, David McDonald, Charles T. Flint, Samuel Skinner, Samuel J. Mills and Azariah Boody. The first officers were: — John Vernam, President; Calvin Norton, Vice-Presi- dent; E. C. Galusha, Cashier; H. W. Gregory, Teller. The bank opened for business Oct. 5, 1853, in the building now occupied by Thomas J. Gamble as a law office, which was fitted up for its accommo- dation. In 1866, it was removed to its present location, the Bank Block, on the corner of Main and State streets, which was built by a stock com- pany in 1865-6. Reuben Sleeper was elected President Dec. 13, 1859, succeeding John Vernam, and was succeeded Oct. 7, 1861, by Hiram P. Mills, who has since held the office. Calvin Norton was Vice-President until Nov. 19, 1859, when Reuben Sleeper was elected. John F. Barber was elected to that office Dec. 31, 1859, and still holds it. E. C. Galusha was succeeded as Cashier Nov. r, 1858, by William Mills, who held the office till April 6, 1 86 1 . Jonathan E. Robinson succeeded him. H. E. Brown was elected cashier Nov. i, 1864, and has since held the office. The first private bank in Mt. Morris, was estab- lished by George S. Whitney, who did business from about 1853 or 4, till 1870. Binghatn Bros'. Bank, Mt. Morris, (private,) was established August 17, i86g, by Messrs. Bingham Bros. & Brace, (Lucius C. and Charles L. Bing- ham and Sears E. Brace, the latter now of Roches- ter.) In 1876, Mr. Brace retired from the firm, and the business has since been conducted by the remaining partners, Charles L. Bingham being the manager. The Messrs. Bingham do a general banking business, and an extensive one in respect to their local accommodations to the business com- munity. Their bank occupies one of the oldest business sites in the village, having been used for business purposes ever since Mr. Miller first estab- lished himself here. It is also the business center of the village. The building was erected about "^SSi by David A. Miller, one of the first mer- chants in Mt. Morris. It was purchased by the Bingham Bros., in 1869, and was remodeled, en- larged and adapted to their uses as bankers. The block is now designated the Bingham Bank Block. The Messrs. Bingham are both natives of Mt. Mor- ris. Their father. Dr. Charles Bingham, removed from Bozrah, Conn., to Avon, in 1810, and from thence in 1820 to Mt. Morris. Hotels. — The Scoville House occupies the site of the old Eagle Tavern, which was built and kept by Enos Baldwin, who came from Litchfield, Conn., in 1813, and kept the tavern till his death, Oct. 3, 1817. His widow succeeded him and kept it till her death. May 25, 1844, the heirs transferred the property to Riley Scoville, who kept the house till his death, Feb. 6, 1852, aged 61. His widow and son Daniel A., each kept it a short period. In 1855, Henry H. Scoville, another son, took pos' session and bought the property of the heirs. He has kept it continuously since, having changed the name from the Eagle Tavern to the Eagle Hotel soon after taking possession, and again, in 1875, to the Scoville House, by which name it is now known. The front part of the house was built in 1834, by Riley Scoville, who also built the rear part in 1840. Enos Baldwin first located on the lot on which Woolever's cabinet shop now stands. His house stood a little north of that shop. Experiencing some difficulty in getting a title to that property he removed to the Scoville House corner, taking his house with him. The Dodge House likewise occupies an old tav- ern stand. The first tavern on its site was kept by Isaac Baldwin, who died about 1813. It was an unfinished house in 1818, when the widow Bailey came to this county. Baldwin's widow kept the tavern for a short time after his death, but was obhged to surrender it to her son-in-law, Joseph Thompson, who kept it several years, and until his death, April 30, 1829, at the age of 40. His widow kept it for some years after his death and finally exchanged it for property on Murray street. The present brick structure was erected in 1843, by Alvah Beach. There have been many occupants since, among them George P. Phelps, who called it the Phelps House. Dexter Dodge, the present pro- prietor, took possession of the house May i, 1872. The Wallace House. — Phineas and Eli Lake came to this village with their families from Greene county, about 181 6, and established themselves in the smithing business. The latter retired to his farm, now known as the "Amentfarm," about t8i8, still pursuing his old vocation. Phineas continued the business in the village till about 1824, when he turned his House into a hotel, now known as the Wallace House, which was kept by him until 1826, and since then by Mr. Chase, Rial O. Moore, the Beaches, Wheelock, Delcampo, W. C. Green and others until 1864, when J. D. Wallace became the owner and proprietor and has so continued to the present year — 1880. 304 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The Burke House, situated on the canal, was built in 1842, by Ketchum, who kept it some years. Richard Burke, the present proprietor, took possession of the property in 1866, and has kept it continuously since. Mt. Morris Water Works. — The project of constructing water works and supplying the village of Mt. Morris with an abundance of pure and wholesome water for domestic use and for fire pro- tection, has been a question of frequent discussion among its citizens for the past twenty-five years. About fifteen years ago a company was organ- ized to construct works ; George W. Phelps, President. The works were undertaken and, al- though water was brought into the village, the at- tempt proved a failure and the enterprise was abandoned by this company. In 1873, pr. M. H. Mills published an article in the Mt. Morris press, showing the practicabiHty and importance to the village of constructing water works, and the manner of providing the necessary capital. On June 3, 1879, a pubUc meeting of the citi- zens was held in Wallace Hall in said village to consider the subject of constructing water works. By special request of the trustees of the village Dr. Mills appeared and addressed the meeting and submitted a plan for the construction of the works, coupled with a proposal to build them. This meeting, without a dissenting voice, indorsed and approved of said plan and proposal. The "Mills Water Works Company" was organized, and entered into a contract with the trustees of said village to construct the works and to supply the corporation of said village with water for twen- ty-three fire hydrants at $45.00 each per annum, and to furnish water for two public water troughs with drinking fountains attached, without charge, for thirty years, with the proviso that additional fire hydrants should be furnished on the line of any water-pipes hereafter laid, on the same terms. Water rights, land damages and all preliminary matters being adjusted, the works were commenced August 20, 1879, and prosecuted with energy and dispatch, and were substantially completed the same year. The water supply is obtained from a number of quicksand springs. The water is quite soft and very pure.* The works are operated on the gravity system. In December following an exhibition of the capacity of the works for fire purposes was made. * May 30, 1879, by measurement, there was flowing from the Packer & Henner spring, and from one of Fiddler's two springs, thirteen and one half gallons in thirty secoiids. A large concourse of citizens gathered to witness the display, which was under the direction of the Fire Company. Four streams at the same time were thrown upon and over the highest blocks of buildings on Main street, the streams reaching to the estimated perpendicular height of from seventy- five to eighty feet. The citizens express their satisfaction with the efficiency of the works, and their belief is that everything has been done in the best possible man- ner. The reputation of these works stand very high j and, in fact, are not excelled by any of their capacity in the country. About seventy private families are now taking water and the number is increasing from year to year. No other so great an improvement for the fu- ture prosperity and health of the village could have been undertaken ; and there is little doubt but that it will eventually prove to have been a wise and sagacious investment for the father of the enter- prise. All the improvements in the construction of water works known to science have been adopted. Their cost was about $30,000. Dr. M. H. Mills is the sole owner and proprietor. "To him alone are the citizens of Mt. Morris indebted for having their beautiful village supplied with an abundance of pure and wholesome water and protected from the ravages of fire." Mt. Morris Fire Department. — Contempo- raneous with the incorporation of the village were the measures looking to the protection of the vil- lage property from the ravages of fire. The first village charter provided for the organization of fire companies to consist of not more than twenty-four individuals to every engine possessed by the village ; of one hook and ladder and company, to consist of not more than ten members, and the adoption of rules for their government, and to regulate the time and manner of their exercises. It authorized the village to provide engines and all necessary apparatus for the extinguishment of fires, and to require the inhabitants to provide and keep fire- buckets ; to compel them to aid in the extinguish- ment of fires, and to prescribe the mode of opera- tions and to protect property in case of fire. The amended charter of 1853 authorized the increase of the membership of fire companies to a number not to exceed forty each, and of the hook and ladder company not to exceed twenty. August 5, 1836, $500 were voted for the pur- chase of hooks and ladders, a fire-engine and hose, VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — FIRE DEPARTMENT, SCHOOLS. 30s "and in defraying the incidental expenses of the corporation." September 4, 1836, the President was authorized to order from the " American Hy- draulic Company," of Windsor, Vt, "a No. 3 Rota- tive Fire Engine, constructed for suction hose^ according to proposal, for the sum of $300." No- vember 21, r839. Walker M. Hin man was appoint- ed Chief Engineer, and John N. Hurlburt, Assistant Engineer, and they were authorized to "enlist" twenty-four persons to form an engine company, and ten to form a hook and ladder conipany. July 28, 1849, the fire company was disbanded "for neglect of duty," and July 31, 1849, the hook and ladder company was disbanded for the same reason. The names of the officers and members of these companies are not given. On the dates respectively given, James G. Norton, Darius W. Stone, Robert R. Conkey, Norman Seymour, Jr., Frederick Davis, Jr., Joseph Garlinghouse, Jr., Rufus Hilliard, H. C. Brown, Jacob A. Mead, Samuel Rockfellow, Hugh Harding, F. L. Burfee, I. A. Burfee, A. T. G. Carroll, C. E. Martin, Wheeler Hinman, D. N. Bacon, Henry Root, A. N. Norton, Isaac Specs, B. P. Driggs, Noah North, Henry W. Maltbey, Levi Dalrymple were consti- tuted a new fire company, and George W. Branch, Hugh Harding, A. G. Miller, E. T. Baker, M. Goodwin, Norman Seymour, Jr., Maxwell Thorp, Charles C. Goodale, A. R. Fargo and Peter M. Murray were, on their petition, constituted a hook and ladder company. In 1852 a new engine was purchased of Thomas Snooks, of Rochester, for $750.00. January 18, i860, Reuben Sleeper was appointed "to consult with and attempt to reconcile the differences exist- ing between the fire companies of the village." At present, the department comprises two fire companies, a hose company, a protective company, and a hook and ladder company. The equipment consists of two hand engines, two hose carts, a hook and ladder truck, and a protective cart. The water for fire purposes is supplied by the Water Works Company. Previous to the construction of the water works, cisterns, reservoirs and the canal were the dependence. Living Stream Fire Co. No. i was organized in 1852 and incorporated in 1875, under the Act of May 2, 1873. It consists of about twenty-six members. John Gorman is foreman. Neptune Fire Co. No. 2 was organized in i860, and incorporated in 1875 under the same Act. It contains sixteen members. F. G. Harding is fore- man. Active Hose Co. No. 3 was organized in 1875 and incorporated in that year under the Act of 1873. It has about twenty-five members. Charles J. Perry is foreman. Mt. Morris Hook and Ladder Co. No. 4 was or- ganized and incorporated in 1874 under the Act of 1873. It has fourteen members. James McNielly is foreman. The Protectives were organized in 1876. They consist of eighteen men. Frank BurUngame is foreman. The following have been the successive Chief Engineers of the Fire Department from the first appointment to the present time, except the years 1838, '63, '64 and '66, when they are not recorded : Walker M. Hinman, 1836-7; John N. Hurlburt, 1839-42, 1848-50; Jesse Peterson, 1843-7; Henry Swan, 1851, 1853-7; Loren Coy, 1852; Archibald McCarthur, 1858, 1868; C. E. Martin, 1859; Newton P. Lee, 1860-1 ; A. Veazie, 1862; Henry H. Scoville, 1865; John C. Vernam, 1867; T. L. Swan, 1869; Henry Phillips, 1870-4; Hathorne Burt, i875-'8o. Schools. — The Mt. Morris Union School was organized in the fall and winter of 1844, by the consolidation of the four district schools then ex- isting in the village ; and in 1845, the brick school house which occupied the site of the Union school building, was erected at a cost of $3,500. That structure was torn down in 1879 to make way for the present one. H. G. Winslow, who came to Mt. Morris and opened a private school in the fall of 1843, divid- ing the patronage between four district schools and as many private ones,became the first principal of the Union School on the opening of school in the new building about the first of November, 1845. He was assisted by Miss Emily Bradley, Miss Ellen Fisk and Miss M. Jane Church, than whom, says Mr. Winslow, "no man in such a position, ever had a purer, truer, nobler, better corps of assist- ants." Mr. Winslow served as principal until the fall of 1848. E. D. Wellar was also a prominent teacher of the Union School. The beautiful elms which now adorn the grounds were planted in 1846. In the summer of 1857, at the suggestion of Lester Phelps, the only survivor of the trustees of that period, the question of reorganizing under the act of 1853 was discussed ; and August 18, 1857, at a special meeting held for the purpose at the dis- trict school house, it was decided, with but one dissenting vote, "that a Union Free School be established within the Umits of District No. i, in 3o6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. the village and town of Mt. Morris," pursuant to the provisions of that act. The number of trustees was increased to nine, and they were constituted a Board of Education. The trustees then elected were, Norman Seymour, Jr., John Vernam, Loren J. Ames, Hiram P. Mills, Loren Coy, Clark B. A.dams, Reuben Sleeper, Zara W. Joslyn, Thomas F. Wilcox. August 20, 1857, the Board met and elected Clark B. Adams, President; L. J. Ames, Clerk; E. C. Galusha, Treasurer; Moses Camp, Collector. The following have served as members of this Board, at different periods, since its organization : — W. H. Noble, C. L. Bingham, R. T. W. French, A. M. Bingham, A. F. French, Charles Woodman, S. L. Rockfellow, J. H. Bodine, A. B. Millard, W. A. Mills, Byron Swett, Wm. Sickles, H. W. Mills, M. H. Mills, Warren Richmond, H. E. Brown, Phihp Yeoman, F. E. Hastings, A. P. Dean, Hugh Harding, Archibald McArthur, E. A. Mills, H. S. Wigg. The gentlemen who have filled the office of prin- cipal since the organization of the Board, are : — Isaiah McMahon, G. S. Hastings, F. E. Pierce, H. M. Smith, H. M. Morey, W. M. Benson, A. J. Thomas, Richard Green, Z. A. Colburn, H. A. Balcom, Howard Allison, W. H. Allen, W. P. Hes- ton, I. O. Best, L. P. Bissell, Burr Lewis, E. C. Springer, J. F. Forbes, G. F. Slocum. The fol- lowing ladies have occupied the position of assist- ant in the academic department: — Ann Clark, Mary Green, Mary E. Joslyn, Jennie Chamberlain, Sarah 4- Ford, Ann E. Kendrick, Sarah O. Peck, Kate Hinman, Ella Bacon, Sabry PhiUips, Emma Darling. The new Union Free School building was erect- ed in 1879-80 at a cost of about $8,000, though it cost the contractors about $10,000. It is a noble brick structure — a credit to the enterprise of the village — and far surpasses any other public school building which has come under our observation in the county, except the Normal school in Geneseo. The funds with which it was built were raised on the bonds of the district, amounting to $8,000, and payable $1,000 each year from January i, 1 88 1, with interest semi-annually at 6 per cent. The bonds were sold to the First National Bank, of Dundee, at a premium of $128.50. The build- ing is 68 by 78 feet, two stories high, with a cellar under the whole. It is provided with four exits from the first story; is heated with three furnaces, with the best modern appliances for ventilation and newly furnished throughout with modern fur- niture. In addition to this, the school buildings in the north and south sub-districts, both formerly used as district schools, are used for school pur- poses. One is of brick, the other of wood; the latter in the north sub-district. Each contains only one room, presided over by one teacher. The present teachers are: — Winfield S. Smith, Principal, commenced in 1879; Miss Kate L. Hitchcock, Preceptress, in 1880; Miss Emma L. Joslyn has taught for nine or ten years; Miss Car- rie L. Gamble, 1879; Mrs. Ada Briggs, 1879; Mrs. Juha Annin, in south sub-district, in 1878; Mrs. L. M. Burlingame, in north sub-district, has taught for nine or ten years. We gather the following additional information from the report to the Regents for the Academic year, ending May 30, 1879: — The hbrary contained 874 volumes, the original cost of which was $1,206.31, and the estimate value $850. The apparatus, which originally cost $546.46, was esti- mated at $330. The whole number of scholars taught during the year was loi, of whom 51 were males, and 50 females. Their average age was 14.7 years. The revenues and expenditures were: — From tuition collected or considered collectable $92-50 Apportionment from Literature Fund 20.78 For the purchase of books and apparatus 150.00 From local taxes i, 761 . i j $2,014.41 For salaries of teachers 1,213.51 For repairs of property belonging to Academy 200.00 For fuel and other incidental expenses 350.00 For the purchase of books and apparatus 210,90 For Librarian 30.00 $2,024.41 Churches.* — "Although the settlement of Mt. Morris was commenced about 1790," says Rev. Dr. Parsons, " we discover but little that is worthy of favorable notice in its religious character prior to 1 8 14. * * * For the first twenty years after General Mills located here, there were very few re- ligious people who were attracted to this spot. The inhabitants generally paid no regard to the Sabbath, but both white people and Indians from the settlements around, were accustomed to con- gregate here on the Sabbath and spend the day in drinking, wrestling, shooting, horse racing and the like. We find it stated that in an early day the smoke of five distilleries might be seen ascending from this town. It was against such discourage- ments as these that the few Christians who gath- ered here in an early day and the preachers who visited the settlement were called to contend."! ♦ Promised data regarding the Free Methodist Church has not been furnished ; and owing to the loss of the records of the Baptist Church we are unable to give its history. The church edifice of the latter was built in 1840. t From Historical Discourses, by Rev. Dr. L. Parsons, pastor of the Presbyterian church, of Mt. Morris, July 9, and 16, 1876, from which we draw our materials for the history of that church. VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— CHURCHES. 307 In 1810, after residing for a brief period in Ovid and Genesee, Robert Chappel, of Colchester, Conn., with his wife, four sons and two daughters, selected this place as his home. He lived in a log house, not far from the site of the Wallace House ; and it was there that the first services conducted in this town by a Presbyterian minister were held. That minister was Rev. Robert Hubbard, who, it is thought, then preached regularly at Dansville and Angelica. Mr. Chappel died in 181 1, aged 44. The Presbyteriati Church of Mt. Morris was organized April 29, 1814, in the new school house,* which was located on the west side of what was then an open square, not far from the site of the house of J. J. Ferris. The first or south half was built in the fall of 1813, and was about twenty-five feet square. About 181 5 it was lengthened by the addition of about twenty-five feet. A swing par- tition in the center was so adjusted that it could be closed when used for school purposes and opened when more room was required for religious servi- ces. Here the Church worshipped about eighteen years after its formation. The constituent mem- bers were Jesse Stanley, Jonathan Beach, Luther Parker, Enos Baldwin, Abraham Camp, Luman Stanley, Russell Sheldon, Almira Hopkins, Lucy Beach, Martha Parker, Sarah Baldwin, Mary Camp, Patty M. Stanley and Clarissa Sheldon. Soon afrer the organization Stephen M. Whee- lock, a licentiate, commenced his labors here and continued them two or three years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Silas Pratt, who, it is supposed, commenced his labors early in 1817. The Church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Feb. 12, 1817. May 7, 1817, Mr. Pratt was ordained and installed pastor, the services being held in the barn of Deacon Stanley. His pastoral relation was dissolved by the same body April 9, 181 8. A period of nearly twenty years elapsed before another pastor was installed over the Church, and many were the changes in ministers during this in- terval. Rev. Elihu Mason soon succeeded Mr. Pratt, commencing his labors about June, 181 8, and remaining till near the close of 1820, supply- ing during the first year the Church at Perry Center half the time, and the second year alternating between this place and Portage. His widow still lives in this village, aged 94 years. Mr. Mason was succeeded by Rev. Bartholomew F. Pratt, brother of Silas Pratt, who commenced his labors * There was a log school house prior to this time on the site of the Wallace House. in the spring of 1821, while a student of theology. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Ontario, Jan. 16, 1822. Feb. i, 1825, he was ordained as an Evangelist in this village. He con- tinued his labors till the close of 1825. During his stay, in 1822, the membership was increased from 79 to 153. The pulpit was next supplied by Rev. Wm. Lyman, D. D., who commenced his labors in the fall of 1825 and remained two years. Soon after he left, the pulpit was supplied for a short period by Rev. Abel B. Clary, after which it re- mained vacant about eight months. Rev. James W. McMaster commenced his labors in the fall of 1828 and continued them till the fall of 1830. Dec. 7, 1830, Wm. H. Stanley, Wm. A. Mills, Alfred Hubbard, Asa Woodford and Abner Dean, were appointed a committee to build a church. It was erected in 1831, was 64 by 44 feet, and was located a little southwest of the residence of Gen. Mills, upon the public square, facing south. It was dedicated in January, 1832, Rev. S. H. Grid- ley, of Perry, preaching the sermon. The pulpit was at the front end, between the doors, with the singers' gallery behind it and over the vestibule. This arrangement proving unsatisfactory, a plat- form some two or three feet higher than the floor of the Church, was provided for the accommoda- tion of the singers a few years afterwards, by an additional building in the rear. In 1833 the public square was sold to supply the means for rebuilding the dam, which had been washed away. It was divided into village lots, which soon began to be occupied; as a conse- quence the society found the location of the church to be inconvenient, and removed it about twenty rods to the south, upon State street, a little west of the present site of the Free Methodist Church. At this time the building was lengthened making it 84 by 44feet; a session house, 40 by 24 feet, erected just east of the church ; and sheds built in its rear. These improvements were completed in 1 841, and the house was re-dedicated, the sermon being preached by Dr. Lord, then of Geneseo. This structure, with the session house and sheds, were all swept away by fire during the night of Sept. 29, 1852, this being the first very large fire that had occurred in the village. Before the fire was entirely extinguished measures were instituted for rebuilding, which resulted in the erection of the present edifice, located on the northwest corner of State and Stanley streets, on land donated by John R. Murray, Jr. It was dedicated Feb. i, 1855, Rev. Darwin Chichester preaching the sermon. 3o8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The entire cost was about $10,000. For a time after the fire the congregation worshipped in the Methodist and Baptist churches. Temporary ac- commodations were soon provided however in a large room on the south side of Chapel street, where Mr. Barnhart's market is now located. This they occupied until the church was completed. The lecture room, located a few feet west of the church, was built in i860, and dedicated Nov. 14th of that year. It cost, including furniture, not far from $600. The organ now in use was purchased in June, 1864, at a cost of $1,100. The first bell was pur- chased in Albany in December, 1834. It weighed 810 pounds and cost $324. It was placed in the tower of the old church before its removal to State street. This bell proving defective another weigh- 1,209^ pounds was substituted in its place about November, 1839, at an additional cost of $224. This also faiHng a third one, weighing 1,525 pounds, was procured in November, 1844, at an additional cost of $200. The latter was destroyed when the church was burned, together with the town clock which for a number of years had been attached to it. The present bell, weighing about 1,400 pounds, was purchased on the completion of the church. The Rev. Mr. McMaster was soon succeeded by Rev. Calvin Bushnell, of the Oneida Presbytery. He preached several months to the general accept- ance of the community and was called to the pas- torate, but for reasons which do not appear this relation was never consummated. His name last appears on the records Feb. 12, 183 1. Rev. James B. Wilcox commenced his labors within a few weeks after the above date and acted as stated supply for one year. He was followed by Rev. George W. Elliott, who supplied the pulpit for two years, till the spring of 1834. The next minister was Rev. Clark B. Goodrich, who commenced his labors August, i, 1834, and continued them four years. He was installed Jan. 9, 1837. Rev. John Van Buren soon followed Mr. Goodrich, supplying the pulpit till the fall pf 1839. During the ten years terminating with this period 296 were added to the membership. lu 1837 occurred the disruption of the Presby- terian General Assembly, which deeply agitated the churches in this section. This church, though many times among the breakers, was saved from actual division. Oct. 31, 1830, Moses Marvin and Ann his wife, Harriet Speas, Fanny Roland and Anna Sharp were dismissed in order to unite with others in the formation of the Second Presbyterian church of Mt. Morris. This church united with a school district in the erection of a house, which for a number of years was used for both church and school purposes. It was located on the west side of the State road, about five miles south of this village. The church was organized by a commit- tee of the Presbytery in 1830, and received under their care in January, 1831. It was disbanded about 1839, there having been a Dutch Reformed Church * established in the same locality about the same time with which a portion of the mem- bers connected themselves. Rev. Elam Walker was the first minister of the Second Church, and is remembered as a very forcible preacher. He was followed by Rev. Messrs. Hall, Ward and Lindley. The greatest membership was about fifty. Moses Marvin, Sylvester Roland and Clark Mather were elders and the two first named acted as deacons. The church maintained a prayer meeting ; also a Sunday school, of which S. Roland and J. McCrary were Superintendents. During the intense anti-slavery agitation between 1820 and 1830 an attempt was made to blow up the church in Mt. Morris with powder when the people were gathered in it to hear an abohtion lec- turer named Storrs. A quantity of powder was placed under the building and the slow match lighted, when happily it was discovered and ex- tinguished. Rev. Cyrus Hudson, after supplying the desk for about a year, was, on the loth of September, 1840, installed pastor of the church. He continued his labors till Jan. 5, 1847. Rev. C. H. A. Bulkley soon succeeded Mr. Hudson, and was installed pastor Oct. 21, 1847. He remained nearly four years, being dismissed at his own request, and contrary to the wishes of the congregation gener- ally, Jan. 7, 1851. He was succeeded in the spring of 185 1 by Rev. Darwin Chichester, who remained as stated supply till the summer of 1855. Levi Parsons commenced his labors as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Cayuga, the first Sabbath in February, 1856, and was ordained and installed pastor July 10, 1856. His pastorate continues to the present time, covering nearly a quarter of a century of the church's history. * '* It is not often that a religious society becomes dwindled down to one trustee and only one surviving member, and both of these in the same person. But such an instance has occurred in Mt. Morris. Jacob Van Wagner, the sole surviving trustee of the True Reformed Dutch Church has applied for an order to dissolve the corporation and sell the prop- erty." (Nunda News.) The Union and Constitution, Mt, Morris, April 22, 1880. VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— CHURCHES. 309 The first ruling elders were Jesse Stanley, Abra- ham Camp and Jonathan Beach. Subsequently there have been added to the sessions : — James Coe and Luther Parker, 1818; Asa Woodford and Oliver Stanley, 1820; John Pratt and James Conkey, 1829; George Kemp, Jr., and George Hastings, 1831; Harry H. Evarts and James H. Rogers, 1834; Reuben Weeks, Reuben Sleeper and Charles W. King, 1836; Marsena Allen, 1842; Henry Sheldon, Charles Holmes and Levi God- dard, 1844; Samuel J. Mills, Loren J. Ames, Milo H. Maltbie and Stillwell Burroughs, 1853; Loren Coy and Pomeroy Sheldon, 1857; Jonathan E. Robinson, Samuel L. Rockfellow and Justine Smith, 1862; Elijah N. Bacon, Frederick E. Hast- ings, Ziba A. Colburn and Jay E. Lee, 1871; Reuben S. Weeks and Wilder Silver, 1875. In 1875 the church adopted the plan of limited elder- ship. Jesse Stanley and Jonathan Beach were the original deacons. Subsequently there were elected to this office : — Asa Woodford, Wm. Marvin and Abraham C. Camp, 1831 ; James Conkey and Marsena Allen, 1834; Robert E. Weeks, 1861; Esek M. Winegar, 1862; James Beggs and Milo H. Maltbie, 187 1 ; and Wilder Silver, 1879. In 1815, Mrs. Oliver Stanley first made an effort to establish a Sunday school, before there were any such schools in this section. She was assisted in her efforts by Emily, daughter of Luman Stanley. They met with many discouragements, and it was not until 181 7 that anything like a permanent or- ganization was effected. Of this there is no record, and no hint as to who was Superintendent. In 1818, Allen Ayrault was the Superintendent. Deacon Woodford is thought to have succeeded him, and for many years he ably discharged the duties of the office. At an early period some In- dian girls were among the pupils. The present Superintendent is Joshua Weeks. Loren Coy acted as chorister of this church from 1846 to 1879. The membership of the church April i, 1880, was 273; the attendance at Sabbath school, 242. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt Morris. The Methodists, if not the first, were among the first to cultivate this religious field, though the Presbyterians were the first to do so systematically. The first religious services in the town, however, were conducted by a Baptist, Rev. Samuel J. Mills, before referred to. The first Methodist preacher who visited this locality was, it is supposed. Rev. J. H. Hudson, familiarly known as Father Hudson, who came here in 1804 from Friendship, in Alle- gany county, guided by Indian trails and follow- ing the course of the Genesee to Gardeau having, he said, for the last thirty-five miles, " traveled over a country where not a white inhabitant had yet broken ground," where " all was forest, wilderness and river." He proceeded down the river to Squakie Hill, and thence to Allen's Hill. He found a few ''who called themselves Methodists " living on the flats and preached to them. From that time Mt. Morris became a stated appointment on the circuit whose head was at Canisteo, and ex- tended thence to the mouth of Genesee river, and thence east to Seneca lake. Rev. A. Owen, then presiding elder, sent Hudson a colleague in the person of Sela Paine, a young man, says Hudson, full of Holy Spirit and Ufe. At the conference of 1805, Paine was taken away and Frederick Stiars and Timothy Lee sent as additional help. In 1806, J. B. Hudson, Gerard Morgan and John Richards were assigned to this extensive field. Hudson, speaking of the moral character of Mt. Morris at that time says : — " It was notorious for its whiskey and Sabbath desecration," " a charac- ter," adds Rev. T. Cardus, from whose Historical Discourse we quote,* " which seems to have clung to the place during all the years of its existence." These pioneer preachers held services in the log school house which occupied the site of the Wallace House. A class, it is supposed, was formed among the few Methodists first met by Mr. Hudson on the flats, and " a constant attendant at this Methodist ordinance," says Mr. Cardus, " was the wife of Gen. Mills, her only path to and fro being an Indian trail." Mr. Hudson attended to the interests of the so- ciety here until 1814. In 1815, Rev. Mr. Parker preached here. In 1 816, a new circuit was formed, containing the following appointments: — Geneseo, Mt. Mor- ris, Nunda, Groveland, and parts of the towns of Livonia and Conesus. By request. Rev. Mr. Hud- son took its charge, receiving for his faithfully performed labors for the year, $100. In spite of all privations men of good ability found their way to this locality. Among these was Rev. Mr. Hoag, in 1820. In 1824, Louisa Kinney, Ebenezer Da- mon, Ehzabeth Damon, Elizabeth Holtslander and Rebecca McNair were members. There were, doubtless, others, but none others are recorded. In 1827, Mt. Morris was still in the Geneseo circuit, of which Revs. B. Williams and M. Doud • History of the M. E. Church, Mt. Morris, by Ihe pastor, Rev. T. Cardus, July 2, \ilb.— Union and Constitution, Mt. Morris, July 15, 1876. 3IO HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. were the preachers. They stayed, it is believed, two years. Two classes were then in existence, with forty members, Chester Grover and Benjamin F. Robinson being leaders, and the preaching was held in a frame school-house which stood near Father Arnold's. In 1829, Revs. Haywood and St. John became the preachers, and regular preach- ing was then held in the village, in a small school- house which stood on the corner of the lot where Mr. Moss now lives. In 1830, Mt. Morris was transferred from the Geneseo to the Angelica circuit. The preachers appointed were: — Revs. Jonathan Benson and Merrit Ferguson. "There was a revival all the year.'' The leaders were Ezra Kinney and Levi Keyes, the class of the former containing sixty members, and that of the latter, twenty-four. In 1831, Rev. J. Lent became the preacher, and the place of meeting was changed from the white to the long school-house. During Mr. Lent's minis- try, steps were taken to secure a church edifice. A site was selected on the lot where Dr. Joslyn now resides, and March 5, 1832, the contract for building the church was let to Benjamin Dodge, of Castile, who, in presenting his bill of costs amount- ing to $1,622.16 said: — "The house has cost me the above bill, besides all chorin' and runnin' about, and without anny prophit except on the frame and chargin' day wages." It was finished in January, 1833, and dedicated on the 4th of that month. Dr. Lackey, of Lima, preaching the dedi- catory sermon. The first trustees, at the building of the church, were:— Ebenezer Damon, Ezra Kinney, Leonard Hoskins and George W. Barney. Rev. Mr. Lent was removed in 1832, and was succeeded by Revs. Asa Story, Daniel Anderson and Wm. Gage Anderson, who remained on the circuit two years. After the dedication of the church, Mt. Morris was severed from Angelica and became the head of a circuit, with Anderson as sole pastor. The members at that time, with pos- sibly a few omissions, were : — Ezra Kinney, who was for twenty-six years a class leader, Louisa Kinney, Aylmer Keith, EHza Keith, Eleanor Begole, Chester Grover, Martha Aldrich, Ebenezer Damon, Elizabeth Damon, Henry Lake, Clarinda Lake, John Hartsock, Jacob Chilson, Jr., Lucy Ann Chilson, Jonas Bellows, Charles Seymour, Peggy Miller, Wm. S. Parsons, Mary Parsons, Diadama Parsons, Asahel Parsons, Esther Parsons, Sally Parker, Gordon Williams, Hiram H. Gladding, Juha DaboU, (afterwards Mrs. Green,) Gilbert G. Townsend, Rachel Townsend, George Eaton, Josiah Eaton, Noah Chapman, Daniel Miller, Sally Washburn, Lucy Cooper, John T. Keith, Satterlee Holland, G. W. Barney, Mary Barney, Daniel Cothreil. At this time Mt. Morris was in the Rochester district. Mr. Anderson was succeeded in the pastorate in 1834 by Revs. Loren Grant and J. Robinson. J. H. Wallace was sent to this charge in 1835, and stayed two years. His colleague the first year was Rev. Mr. Benjamin, and the second, Mr. Atchison Wallace. Rev. S. W. Wooster was stationed here in 1837, but in a short time was removed to Perry. Rev. Mr. Hudson supplied the pulpit the remain- der of the year. Rev. Mr. Church was the pastor in 1836 and Rev. Mr. Hall in 1839-40. During Mr. Hall's pastorate. Rev. Mr. Farrell came on the circuit and labored a year and nine months. In 1842, Mt. Morris was placed in the Dansville district. Asa Abell was the preacher in charge. He stayed two years. In 1844 Rev. J. G. Gulick, a man of more than ordinary pulpit talent, became the pastor. The pulpit was supplied the succeeding year by Rev. S. Reed Cook. He was succeeded in 1846 by Rev. Alexander Farrell. Rev. John Parker was sent to this charge by the East Genesee conference in 1848 and remained two years. In 1850 Mt. Morris was placed on the Lima district and Rev. Zyna J. Buck stationed here. He stayed two years, adding during the first year, by means of a revival, 43 probationers. In 1852 Mt. Morris was in the West Rochester district and Rev. E. Latimer was the preacher in charge. He was succeeded by Rev. Ralph Clapp, who also re- mained a year. In 1854 Rev. Wesley Cochrane became the pastor. In February, 1855, it pur- chased the Episcopal church and the house which now forms the Methodist parsonage, giving in ex- change the old church and $500. This old church was sold to Geo. H. Summers in 1856, and removed from its location on Chapel street about 1865 to the south side of the Wallace House, on Main street. It is now known as Concert Hallj and is owned by the proprietor of the Wallace House. It was vacated by the Methodists in 1855, and the one received in exchange — the one now in use — occupied. Mr. Cochrane was succeeded after a year by Rev. Jonathan Benson, who had minis- tered to this people twenty-five years previously. In 1856 "the beloved Edson" became the pastor. He was succeeded in 1858 by Rev. H. T. Giles. Rev. R. Harrington took charge in 1859. In i860 Rev. O. Trowbridge took the field, and after an M.ARjr Baf^ney. pEOE^E W. Bae^ney. GEORGE W. BARNEY. George W. Barney was bom in the town of Newport, Herkimer county, Sept. 18, 1808. He is a son of Reuben and Sarah (Pierce) Barney, natives of Rhode Island. The former was bom March 28, 1774, in the town of Swan- zey, and the latter in the same town in 1777. They were farmers by occupation and moved from Rhode Island to Herkimer county in 1801, and resided there until they died, the father March 31, 18.55, and the mother May 25, 1844. They had twelve children, eleven of whom grew up and married. Their names were as f olows : Pardon, (dead, ) Davelia Lorean, (dead,) Sarah, (dead,) Sophia, Mathilda, (dead,) Temperance, (dead,) (Jeorge W., Angeline, Reuben, Louisa and Daniel. George W. Uved at home, working on the farm and attending the district school until he was seventeen years of age. " These were the only advantages he ever enjoyed for an education. On leaving home he was apprenticed to Wm. Talcott, of Little Falls, to learn the hatter's trade. Here he appUed himself industriously and perseveringly to the acquisition of a thorough knowl- edge of the trade he had adopted for a livelihood. At the expiration of his term of service he went to Fairfield, N. Y., and worked one winter. From thence he went to Albany. From the last named place he went to SuflSeld and Hartford, Conn., and worked at his trade about six months. Thus hfe opened before him its rugged path and bade him rely upon his own energies in surmounting its obstacles and achieving success. In 1828 Mr. Barney removed to Mt. Morris, where he found a wider field for the exercise of his maturing judgement and his untiring energies. Here Mr. Barney commenced his long, useful, and hon- orable career. He was engaged by Mr. Peter Peterson, who was carrying on business quite extensively here at that time, in the manufacture of hats, and dealer in hats, caps, furs and clothing. In 1830 Mr. Bamey bought out Mr. Peter- son and carried on the business about thirty-two years. Li 18G0 Mr. B. closed out his business and from that time for many years his energies and capacity were devoted to the discharge of the duties of the various offices of trust and responsibility that had been bestowed upon him, either by election or appointment. He was poor- master seven years, County Supt. of the Poor from 18G8 to January 1, 1880 ; was deputy ^eriff of Livingston county six years. During the war of the rebellion he was U. S. detective four years and now holds the office of deputy sheriff. During Abraham Lincoln's administra- tion he was post-master at Mt. Morris. July 12th, 1865, he was appointed to the same office by Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, and re-appointed by Johnson June 18, 1866-. Owing to his refusal to sup- port the policy of Johnson's administration Mr. Bamey was soon thereafter removed and Norman Seymour, Esq., was appointed to succeed him. In politics Mr. Bamey was formerly a Whig; but upon the formation of the Republican party he united with that and has always been an active and zealous supporter of its principles and measures. In the cause of Christ Mr. Bamey has, since 1832, (at which time he experienced reUgion,) been an ardent and faithful laborer. In 1847, at the 38th session of Genesee Conference, he was ordained Deacon of the Methodist Episcopal church by Bishop Hamlin, at Geneva, N. Y. In 1873 he was ordained Elder ia the Free Methodist church by Superintendent Rev. B. T. Roberts, at Perry, N. Y. He traveled as a circuit preacher eight years, while carrying on his business in Mt. Morris, In his support of the church he has always been liberal. He gave largely of his means in aid of the construction of the first M. E. church and parsonage ever built in Mt. Morris — has always been ready and willing to give liber- ally when the demands of the church were made upon him. His house was the home of the circuit preachers for many years. Mr. B. remembers when as many as twelve were gathered under his roof at one time. In 1829, Jan- uary 29, Mr. B. was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Garret C. and Rebecca (Babcock) Peterson, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, Feb. 25, 1777, and died Nov. 1, 1843. The latter was born Janu- ary 25, 1782, and died March 8, 1840. They had eleven children, viz. : Jessie, born September 24, 1802 ; Sarah, born January 22, 1804, died January 22, 1838; Peter, born July 27. 1806; William,, born November 26, 1808; John, born January 26, 1810, died November 26, 1831 ; Mary, born February 28, 1813 ; Jane, bom April 20, 1814 ; Rebecca, born July 29, 1817 ; Caroline, bom Jan- uary 28, 1822 ; Gilbert, bom August 5, 1824, and Harriet, bom May 16, 1827, all of whom are now living, except Sarah and John. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barney eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Their names are as follows : Sarah', (dead,) Richard W., Mary, (dead,) George W., Alice M., and Charles W. The latter, a graduate from the Normal school at Geneseo, N. Y. , is now in the Custom House, New York. Richard W. was a member of the 13(ith New York Infantry during the late war, and George W. enlisted in the 27th New York Infantry, and afterwards in the 14th New York Heavy Artillery, and in both organizations was a drummer. Mr. and Mrs. Barney celebrated their golden wedding Jan. 29, 1879. Like many other men who were and are now the bone and sinew of the country, he lives in his seven- ty-third year, one of the few old living landmarks of our country's pioneers, having led a life of integrity and uprightness of character, honored by all who know him, and at the writing of this brief sketch bids fair for more years of usefulness to his friends. VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS— CHURCHES. 311 unhappy ministry of one year went to another sphere of labor. Mt. Morris was dissociated from the church at Ridge, with which it had been con- nected, and reported a reduced membership of 73. Rev. John Shaw next served a pastorate of one year. In 1862 Rev. J. L. Edson returned and remained three years. In 1865 Rev. A. N. Filmore came with his genial disposition. The church became too small and March 4, 1867, it was resolved that it should be remodeled and enlarged. This work was accomplished at a cost of about $4,500. Mr. Filmore remained two years till the fall of 1867, when Rev. C. M. Gardner entered upon a three years' ministry. The alterations to the church were finished during the first year of his pastorate, and it was re-dedicated by Dr. Mattison. In 1870 the Ridge was again annexed to Mt. Morris, under the charge of Rev. William Bradley, who continued his labors for three years, increasing the membership from 88 to no. During the second year of his ministry Mt. Morris was con- nected with the Western New York conference and again returned to the Lima district. Rev. T. Cardus became the pastor in 1873 and added thirty-six to the membership during the first year of his labors here. The present pastor. Rev. James Hill, entered upon his labors in October, 1877. The present membership (September, 1880,) is 130; the average attendance at Sunday school, 100. The church is valued at $7,000; the parsonage at $3,000. The first Sunday school superintendent was Ezra Kinney, and Jennie Jas- per was the first teacher of the Bible class. The Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church, four miles south of Mt. Morris, has a membership of about fifteen. The church was built by the Bap- tists and bought of them many years ago. It is one of the oldest churches in this section of the country. St. Johiis Church, (Episcopal,) of Mt. Morris, was organized on Easter Wednesday, 1833. Rev. Thomas Meacham, rector, presided, and David A. Miller was secretary of the meeting at which the or- ganization was effected. Jellis Clute and Nehemiah Barlow were elected wardens and David A. Miller, John W. Montross, Walker M. Hinman, Phineas Canfield, Stephen Summers, Charles B. Stout, James S. F. Heald and Hiram Hunt, vestrymen. Hiram Hunt was elected clerk of the vestry. Ser- vices were previously held here occasionally by Rev. Mr. Croes, who was located at Geneseo, and were conducted in the school house on the west side of what was then the public square, which was bounded by Chapel, Main, Clinton and the second street north of Clinton, running parallel with it. In 1833, when Mr. Meacham commenced his labors, the services were transferred to a private school house belonging to David A. Miller, where they were continued until the church was built. Dec. 27, 1833, an invitation was extended to Mr. Meacham, who was then ministering to the church at Hunt's Hollow, to become the minister half the time at a salary of $250, including the missionary stipend — a salary like to that he had previously received. July 6, 1834, Charles B. Stout, Summers and Hiram Hunt were appointed a committee to draft a memorial to Trinity church, and David A. Mil- ler, Stephen Summers and Walker M. Hinman, to draft a plan for a church and procure a site for it. November 7, 1834, Hiram Hunt, David A. Miller and Walker M. Hinman were appointed a build- ing committee. At the next meeting, November 17, 1834, Stephen Summers was substituted on the latter committee for Mr. Hinman, who requested to be excused from such service. At this meeting also the vestry made binding the writing of the committee with Charles B. Stout for the purchase of a building lot. December 28, 1834, the plan of a church presented by the committee appointed for that purpose was accepted, and the building committee authorized to proceed to expend the amount of subscription, and no more, in building a church. March 30, 1835, it was resolved to ex- change lots with Charles B. Stout for one on the corner of Chapel and Stanley streets. The corner stone of the church was laid July 3, 1835, by Rev. Henry J. Whitehouse, D. D., assisted by the rector, Rev. Thomas Meacham, and Revs. Wm. P. Page, Rarand Karney and Richmond. Wm. Ham- lin was the architect. Walker M. Hinman, the builder, and Isaac A. Kemball, the mason. May 1, 1837, a call was extended to Rev. Henry S. Atwater to take charge of the parish, at a salary of $500, the rent of a house, and a missionary stipend if it could be obtained. June 30, 1840, the salary was increased to $600. August 14, 1837, it was resolved to separate from the Sunday school library certain books suited only to adults and make them the nucleus of a parochial library for the use of the congregation. At that time also the church edifice was formally donated to Rt. Rev. Benjamin Tredwell Onderdonk, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of New York, by whom it was consecrated August 19, 1837. The 312 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. church slips were sold at public auction September 23, 1837 ; Phineas Canfield was the auctioneer. June 29, 1843, Rev. Charles D. Cooper was called to the rectorship, and March 5, 1845, was granted a leave of absence for one year. His resignation was accepted Dec. 21, 1846, to take effect March i, 1847. June 21, 1847, a call to the rectorship was given Rev. Maunsell Van Rensse- laer, of Albany, and accepted. March 17, 1853, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted March 21, 1853. October 3, 1853, a call was ex- tended to Rev. Thomas L. FrankUn and ac- cepted. His rectorship continued till the summer of 1871. The demand for increased church accommoda- tions being felt, March 4, 1854, J. R. Murray, G. H. Summers, Henry Swan, John Vernam and W. M. Hinman were appointed a committee to ex- amine and report at an adjourned meeting a plan and estimate of the cost of enlarging the church at the south end, so as to give an additional window on each side, and also of an alteration at the north end by throwing the vestibule into the body of the church and the erection of a new tower. At the next meeting Mr. Murray offered to purchase the church and lot at $1,500 and give the society a lot on which to build a new edifice. W. M. Hinman, Geo. H. Summers and John Vernam were ap- pointed to confer with pew holders and obtain their consent. A majority of the pew holders con- curring, committees were appointed to procure plans for a church, with estimate of cost, and solicit subscriptions for its erection. April 6, 1854, Mr. Murray modified his former proposition by an offer to erect a new church on a site opposite the old one, and convey the same to the vestry, provided that body would sell and convey to him the church building and lot then in use and pay him $1,500, provided also the vestry would accept the plan for a new church which he might propose, his proposi- tion to remain open one week. The vestry then resolved to build a new church, provided the same could be done without incurring a heavy debt, and the subscription committee were instructed to use their utmost exertions to raise $1,500 for that pur- pose before the next meeting, which was held on the 13th of April following. At that meeting the vestry accepted Mr. Murray's proposition of April 6, 1854, the plan of a new church presented by him was adopted, and W. M. Hinman, Henry Swan and Jesse Peterson were appointed to enter into a contract with Mr. Murray in behalf of the vestry in accordance with his proposition. In 1856, an organ costing $1,000, (toward which the old organ was applied at $200,) and a bell weighing 1,930 pounds, were purchased for the new church, which was built at a cost of $25,000, and was consecrated September 18, 1856, by Wm. Heathcote De Lancey, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L., Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York. December 29, 1857, a deed from John R. Mur- ray and Mrs. Anna Vernon Murray, (Jated July 24, 1857, of parts of lots 19 and 20 in the village of Mt. Morris for a parsonage site, was accepted and the thanks of the vestry tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Murray for their liberality and kindness.* That the office of vestryman was not a sinecure may be inferred from the fact that June 8, 1858, a fine of fifty cents was imposed upon each vestry- man or church-warden who should be "more than thirty minutes behind time, or be absent from any vestry meeting without a reasonable excuse." September 20, i860, Judge Charles H. Carroll, in behalf and at the expressed wish of his deceased daughter. Miss A. V. R. Carroll, donated to the vestry $500, to be invested, and the annual income arising therefrom devoted to the Sunday school and parish libraries alternately. In 187 1, Hon. J. A. and Mrs. Mead donated to the parish a new com- munion set to take the place of one donated by Mrs. David A. Miller and in use from the organi- zation of the church. Mr. Frankhn, who resigned June 23, 1871, to accept a call to the parish of Christ church, in Madison, Ind., was succeeded in the rectorship by Rev. L. Van Bokkelen, D. D., to whom a call was extended August 14, 1871. Dr. Van Bokkelen's resignation was accepted August 31, 1874. Jan- uary 17, 1875, Rev. Francis B. Dunham was called to the rectorship. His resignation was received and accepted February 15, 1877. Rev. George S. Teller took charge of the parish April i, 1877. His resignation was accepted August 27, 1879, to take effect November i, 1879. A call was given Rev. J. A. Massey, D. D., of Mobile, Alabama, October 15, 1879. The following have been the wardens of this church: — Jellis Clute, 1833 ; Nehemiah Barlow, 1833-5; Stephen Summers, 1834-57;! David A. * Mrs. Anna Vernon Murray, wife of John R. Murray, died at Caze- novia, March 8, 1878. In accordance with her exoressed wish she was buried in the church yard, near the church which the generous bounty of herself and husband provided for this Parish, together with the lot on which the parsonage stands. The vestry granted Mr. Murray tlie right in perpetuity to use that part of the church yard he had designated as his family burial lot, and assumed the reverent care of the mortal remains thus placed within their grounds. t Died Aug. 5, 1847, aged 57. David A. Miller elected his successor Aug. 25, i847. VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS — CHURCHES, SOCIETIES. 313 Miller, 1837, 1840-52 ; Col. Wm. Fitzhugh, 1838- 39, (died in 1839;) Frederick A. Davis, 1847-51, 1853; George H. Summers, 1852; W. M. Hin- man, 1853-67; Charles H. Carroll, 1854-65;* Hiram P. Mills, 1866-78; C. B. Adams, 1868-9; Robert H. Brooks, 1870-80; J. R. Murray, 1879- 80. The following Vestry was elected March 29, 1880; Wardens, John R. Murray, R. H. Brooks; Vestrymen, M. H. Mills, James Yeomans, Arthur Sawyer, C. L. Bingham, N. A. Seymour, Ozro Clark, L. C. Bingham, Wm. Harding. St John's Church, (CathoUc,) Mt. Morris.— The first Catholic services in this vicinity of which we have information were held during the building of the canal by Father McGuire from Rochester, and about the second year of the progress of that work a house of worship was erected at " Brushville,"t (Tuscarora,) on land, the use of which was do- nated by Judge Carroll, of Groveland. When operations on the canal ceased the services were discontinued and the building, which was an inex- pensive one, was subsequently burned down. Among the earliest to conduct services in the village was Father Edward O'Flaharty, who preached in the school-house, in the hall which oc- cupied the site of the Greens' Empire Block, (the latter of which was built in 1874,) and in the resi- dence of John Toole, at Damonsville. Occasional services were held till about 1 851, about which time a house of worship was erected on the site of the present fine brick structure, which was built in 1869, and there they continued to worship until the present house was built, when the old one was torn down. At that time Father O'Brien was the pastor. The first priest stationed here was Father Riley, who had previously read mass here. He remained till his last sickness, his death occurring soon after at Buffalo. He was succeeded by Father McCool and numerous others. The pres- ent pastor. Rev. J. J. Donnelly, has labored here about six years. The Church has a large mem- bership, and a congregation exceeding in numbers that of any other church in the village. Mt. Morris Cemetery Association was incorpor- ated July 20, 1859. The incorporators were George W. Branch, Hiram H. Gladding, Justin Smith, Henry Swan, Reuben P. Wisner, Hiram P. Mills, George Hastings, Clark B. Adams, Reuben Sleeper, Norman Seymour, Jr., Abraham Wigg and *Died in 1865. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, M. D., elected his successor Sept. I, 1865. t This name is probably due to the fact that the locality was character- ized by a growth of low brush and the absence of large trees. Walter H. Noble, who were trustees by the char- ter, and seven of whom are buried in the new cemetery. The trustees met July 23, 1859, and elected the following officers : — Reuben P. Wisner, President; Hiram P. Mills, Vice-President; W. H. Noble, Secretary ; Reuben Sleeper, Treasurer ; Henry Swan, Clark B. Adams and Norman Sey- mour, Jr., Executive Committee. Mr. Noble has held the oflSce of Secretary since the organization of the Association. George Hastings succeeded Mr. Wisner as President in 1863, and was followed by Clark B. Adams in 1867, and by Hiram P.Mills in 1870. Mr. Mills still holds the office. The Association purchased 15.57 acres of land about three-fourths of a mile west of the center of the village of Hiram P. Mills and Abraham Wigg, for which they paid $100 per acre. The grounds were immediately laid out by H. B. Allen, a civil engineer of Arcade, at a cost of about $400. The Association have since expended $6,426 in the general care of the grounds, inclosing them with a fence, and in building a receiving vault, gateway, bridges, &c., all of which, together with the pur- chase price, the cost of laying out the grounds, and $1,5x0.47 now in the treasury, has been reahzed from the sale of lots ; while only about one-fourth of the plot has been sold. The grounds occupy a beautiful eminence overlooking the village. They present a pleasing diversified surface, are hand- somely laid out, and tastefully adorned with trees and shrubbery. The present officers, elected in June, 1880, are : Z. W. Joslyn, Hathorne Burt, C. L. Bingham, W. H. Noble, Hiram H. Gladding, H. E. Brown, L. J. Ames, Norman Seymour, H. P. Mills, Ozro Clark, Henry H. Scoville, Hugh Harding, Trus- tees ; Hiram P. Mills, President ; Norman Sey- mour, Vice President ; W. H. Noble, Secretary ; C. L. Bingham, Treasurer; H. E. Brown, Superin- tendent, a position he has held for the last fourteen years; Porter Kellogg, Sexton; Z. W. Joslyn, Hathorne Burt, Dr. L. J. Ames, Executive Com- mittee; C. L. Bingham, H. E. Brown, H. H. Scoville, Investing Committee. Societies. — Mt. Morris Lodge No. 122 F. 6^ A. M. was instituted in 1847. The charter mem- bers were: Wm. D. Morgan, farmer; John Ver- nam, farmer; Joseph Favor, merchant; Eli Lake, blacksmith ; Alfred Dean, carpenter ; Henry Max- well, physician; Ebenezer Damon, clothier; Ehas B. Driggs, tinsmith; Walker M. Hinman, mechanic; Prentice Pendleton, mechanic; George G. Wil- liams, mechanic ; David A. Miller, merchant, and 314 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Samuel H. Fitzhugh, attorney, all residents of Mt. Morris. Wm. D. Morgan was the first Master. The present officers are : James Yeomans, Mas- ter; Henry G. Ames, S. W.; H. M. Dayfoot, J. W.; Hathorne Burt, Treasurer; John M. Hastings, Secretary; Wm. J. Pressey, S. D.; Dr. Frank H. Moyer, J. D.; John W. Sickles, Tiler. Past Masters — Wm. D. Morgan, Henry Max- well, John N. Hurlburt, Elias B. Driggs, Judson C. Goodrich, Henry Wells, Loren Coy, John Ver- nam, Charles L. Bingham, McNeil Seymour, George N. Williams, Archibald McCarthy, James Yeomans, T. T. Swan, Charles W. Stevens, Walter H. Humphrey. The lodge meets the first and third Mondays of each month in the Empire Block. It numbers about 85 members. Mt. Morris R. A. C. No. 37 was organized in 1850 and warranted Feb. 5, 1850. Moseley Stod- dard was the first High Priest, John N. Hurlburt the first King, Elias B. Driggs the first Scribe. Present officers — Loren Coy, H. P.; James Yeo- mans, K.; Wm. H. Swan, Scribe; Charles I,. Bing- ham, Treasurer ; Hugh Harding, Secretary. The present membership is 29. The Chapter meets on Wednesday of each month on or preceding the full of the mooB. Among those who have passed the chair are John N. Hurlburt, Moses Stoddard, Moses Camp, McNeil Seymour, James Yeomans and Loren Coy. Genesee Valley Lodge No. i2g A. O. U. W. was organized Jan. 30, 1878. The charter members were: Morgan Hammond, P. W. M.; Dr. H. M. Dayfoot, M. W.; W. R. Hinds, Foreman; Henry H. Scoville, Overseer; Henry Wigg, Recorder; Wm. H. Swan, Financier; Adam Sech, Receiver; John White, Guide ; John Brown, Inside Watch- man ; George White, Outside Watchman, and Hathorne Burt, A. F. McKay, Henry Gale, L. A. J. Gage, Joseph Fraley, Charles H. Gladding, James Yeomans, P. S. Moxon, N. A. Seymour, John C. Winters. The lodge meets every Thurs- day evening. The present membership is 39. Ml. Morris Lodge No. in E. O. M. A. was organized July 2t, 1879. The charter members were: Wm. A. Sutherland, P. P.; Norman A. Sey- mour, P.; Wm. O. Mosman, V. P.; Charles H. Scoville, Secretary ; F. E. Hastings, Treasurer ; W. H. Buell, Conductor; James Hill, Chaplain; Eugene Ferris, Inside Guard; John V. Sickles, Outside Guard; Herbert M. Dayfoot, Medical Examiner; C. F. Braman, William Sickles, W. Richmond, Trustees, and Hathorne Burt, W. H. Humphrey, Addison P. Wisner, H. S. Wigg, Charles J. Perry, John D. Wallace, William Chap- pell, P. Durkin, James McNeilly, James M. Chil- son and James S. Mosman. The present number of members is 24, four having been admitted and four suspended since the organization. The lodge meets each alternate Friday evening. TUSCARORA. Tuscarora is a post village situated on Cashaqua creek in the south-east part of the town, some six or seven miles south of Mt. Morris, on the Une of the Genesee Valley canal and the Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania railroad. The business of the place has been ruined by the abandonment of the canal. It contains two churches, (Presbyterian and Free Methodist,) but only one church building, one hotel, kept by Samuel Lashell, two stores, a grist- mill, cheese factory, two wagon shops, (kept by L. J. Colburn and Harrison Hagadorn,) two blacksmith shops, (kept by Frederick Layman and WilUam Naraganz,) one harness shop, (kept by Squire Rumsey,) a saw-mill, and a population of 159. The settlement here, says Hotchkin, was commenced in 1822-23, by Messrs. Culver, Bab- cock and Caulkins. Prominent among the merchants who have done business in this place were Benjamin Irish, who occupied the building next south of Mr. North- way's store some sixty years ago, John and David LaRue, Elias Kinney, who was afterwards associ- ated with John Sherwood, WiUiam Townsend, Henry and Sidney Alden, Demorest & Son, and Wilham Petrie, from 1839 to 1873. The present merchants are Frank A. Northway and Edward R. Crevling. Mr. Northway commenced business August 24, 1872, and was successively associated with L. H. Barron, R. K. Bergen, C. Whiteneck, the latter of whom he bought out May i, 1879. The business was established about forty years ago by Jared P. Dodge in the building next south of the store now occupied by Mr. Northway, and now used by him as a storehouse. Mr. Dodge removed some ten years later to Mr. Northway's present store and continued in trade till 1865, ex- cept at intervals, when his sons A. and A. C. Dodge, and later A. C. Dodge and E. Youngs, carried it on. In 1865 he sold to Hand & Post, (Wesley Hand and Jacob Post,) the former of whom sold toTallman T. Van Arsdale about 1867, and Van Arsdale to Lucius H. Barron about 187 1. TUSCARORA. 315 Post sold to Mr. North way, the present proprietor, in 1872. Mr. Northway is the postmaster at this place, having received the appointment June i, 1878. E. R. Crevling came here from Sparta, his native town, and commenced business May i, 1874. He was associated one year, in 1879, with W. M. Crevling, under the name of E. R. & W. M. Crevling Dr. James S. Sharp and Orville L. Rowe, are the physicians at Tuscarora. Dr. Sharp located here in 1864, and Dr. Rowe in 1879. The grist-mill at Tuscarora was built in 1 860, by David LaRue, who operated it about eight years, when he was succeeded by the present proprie- tors — Garrett, Barckley and David Miller — broth- ers. It contains three runs of stones, and is pro- pelled by water from the Cashaqua creek, which has a fall of ten or twelve feet. The saw-mill is located on the same stream about half a mile above the grist-mill. It was built about i860 by Isaac Hall and David LaRue, who operated it till the death of Mr. LaRue, July 8, 1876, when Mr. Hall purchased the latter's interest, and still operates it. The mill contains one circular log saw. The creek at this point has a fall of about nine feet. A former saw and lath mill at this place, owned by J. P. Dodge, was swept off bodily and completely by the great flood of Sep- tember, 1861, which nearly equalled that of 1835. The Tuscarora cheese factory was built in the spring of 1877, by a stock company, who still own it. It receives from 1,000 to 6,000 pounds of milk per day. There are two other factories in the town; the Johnson factory, a small one, located near the Shaker settlement; and the Genesee River cheese factory, which was built, and is still owned by a stock company, about 1874, and re- ceives somewhat more milk than the Tuscarora factory. The Tuscarora House was built in 1 841, by John and David LaRue, who kept it until i860, since which time it has been kept by Samuel La- shell. The first tavern in the village, which forms the rear part of the present hotel, was built about fifty-five years ago, by Wm. Babcock. The First Presbyterian Church of Tuscarora was organized in 1839, '^y ^^'^- Israel Hammond, with eleven members of the Dutch Reformed order. January 20, 1844, it was incorporated as The First Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Mt. Morris. At this time Israel Hammond was the pastor, and had been from the organization. Aaron Conover, Garret VanArsdale, Peter Van- Nest and William Howell were the elders; and John L. Tallman, Aaron Hall, Abraham S. Thomp- son and Stephen Birch, deacons. Says Hotchkin: "The church was organized as a Presbyterian church, and named the Second Presbyterian Church of Mt. Morris, February 26, 1846. The number of members in November of that year was thirty-six. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario June 2, 1846. Rev. Israel Hammond was five years the pastor of the church while it was connected with the Re- formed Dutch denomination, and during this period the church was aided in the support of its pastor by the Synod's Board of Missions."* October 25, 1852, Stephen Birch, Wm. N. Hall, Aaron Conover, WilUam Yules, Isaac VanDeven- ter, William VanDeventer, William Post and Rev. Thomas S. Dewing met for the purpose of re-incorporating. Rev. Thomas S. Dewing was then pastor. Stephen Birch and Wm. N. Hall were chosen to preside, and James Concklin, Wm. N. Hall and Isaac VanDeventer were elected trus- tees. The name was then changed to " The Pres- byterian congregation of Tuscarora." In 1870, the church united with the Presby- terian church at Union Corners, in the west edge of West Sparta, and January 2, 1871, the combined organization elected as first trus- tees; Hezekiah Johnson, L. J. Colburn, R. R. Concklin, from the^ Tuscarora congregation, and Wm. Slaight, Andrew Suydam and Peter D. Green, from the Union Corners congregation. Wm. E. Jones was then the pastor, and continued such till September, 1873. John Jones, then located at Geneseo, next supplied the pulpit for a few months and was followed by Rev. T. Dwight Hunt, then the pastor at Nunda, who suppUed the pulpit for six months. This union between the two churches was dissolved in the spring of 1874. The church was built in 1844. The church now numbers ninety-eight members. The present pas- tor is Rev. John Mitchell, who has served them about a year. Mr. Mitchell is also the superin- tendent of the Sunday-school, the average attend- ance at which, as reported in January, 1880, was ninety-one. The Free Methodist Church of Tuscarora was organized in August, 1875, with about thirty mem- bers, by Rev. R. M. Snyder, the first pastor, who had held services from March previous, and sus- tained pastoral relations two years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Wm. Southworth, who remained *Hotchkit{s History of Western New York, pp. jSi, jSj. 3i6 HISTORY OF.- LIVINGSTON COUNTY. till the fall of 1880. Services have been held in the school house since the organization. The present number of members is seventeen. Brooks Grove. Brooks Grove, an early post-village, is located in the south part of the town, on the main road from Mt. Morris to Nunda. Its derives its name from having been the place of residence of one of Mt. Morris' most substantial farmers and intelligent and trusted business men — Gen. Micah Brooks* — a son of David Brooks, A. M., of Cheshire, Conn., the latter of whom was a graduate of Yale College, a member of the Connecticut Legislature at the time of Burgoyne's surrender, and a delegate to the State Convention that adopted the United States Constitution at Hartford. In 1796, Micah Brooks, who was born in Cheshire, Conn., in 1775, and edu- cated by his father, visited the Genesee country on a tour of exploration, and again in the fall of 1797. In 1823, in connection with Jellis Clute and John B. Gibson, he purchased of Mary Jemison the major part of the Gardeau Tract, a fine por- tion of which he selected for a farm and residence in the locality which bears his name, where he died July 7, 1857. During his residence here he ex- erted a marked influence upon the agricultural and other interests of the town and vicinity — an in- fluence perpetuated by his sons Lorenzo H. Brooks, of Caneadea, and Micah W. Brooks, the latter of whom resides on the homestead farm and is the present postmaster at Brooks Grove, an oflice to which he was appointed in January, 1862. The residence of the late Gen. Brooks was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1875. " The history of Micah Brooks," says Turner, "furnishes a remarkable instance of a man well edu- cated, and yet unschooled, for," he adds, "he never enjoyed in all, a twelve months of school tuition ! The small library of his father, a good native intellect, intercourse with the world, a lauda- ble ambition and self-reliance, supplied the rest." He was a "successful teacher," a "competent Justice and Judge," an able debater, and "the author of able essays upon internal improvements and other subjects." Even in his old age he was " a vigorous writer, and a frequent contributor to the pubUc press."! Ridge. Ridge is a hamlet containing a Methodist church,^ * See portrait and biography of Gen. Micah Brooks on another page. t Pioneer History ofPhtlps &^ Gorhavi's Purchase^ pp. 197,198 % This Church is on the same charge as Mt. Morris, and has been noticed in connection with that Church. a blacksmith shop and a wagon shop. Jonathan Shank, who keeps the blacksmith shop, also keeps the post-office. It is about midway between Mt. Morris and Brooks' Grove, on the road from the former village to Nunda. War Record. — The military record of Mt. Mor- ris is very incomplete ; while the record of the legislative action of the town in regard to the part taken by it in the war of the Rebellion is even more so. The latter, with the exception of a single item, relates wholly to the provision made for the indi- gent families of volunteer soldiers from this town, and even in that respect it is evidently incomplete. But such facts as we have been able to glean from these sources, and additionally from the partially preserved columns of the local press ol that period we give, regretting our inability to give more ample and exact information in regard to this important and interesting portion of the town's history. Hap- pily we are able to gather the earliest action of the town in this eventful period from the columns of The Livingston Union of April 22, 1861, and sub- sequent early action from later issues. The first war meeting in the town was held pur- suant to the following notice : — "We, the undersigned, citizens of Mt. Morris, for the purpose of responding to the call of our Gov- ernment, for the protection and defense of our Na- tional honor and prosperity, request that a public meeting be held on Monday evening, April 2 2d, at Empire Hall. Let there be a prompt attendance." This was signed by the following prominent citizens of the place : — Z. W. Joslyn, A. Conkey, W. A. Mills, P. H. Hinman, J. A. Mead, McNeil Seymour, J. Conklin, J. Olp, C. B. Nash, G. VanHouten, H. Scoville, John H.'Bodine, H. Ruggles, S. L. Rockfellow, N. Seymour, G. S. Whitney, H. Swan, L. C. Bingham, H. W. Miller, ' S. McNeilly, R. P. Wisner, H. Woodford, I. McNeilly, C. P. Winegar, G. W. Phelps, W. G. Thompson, J. Vernam, H. Bump, D. D. Strain, A. M. Bingham, H. SkiUin, G. W. Branch, M. Clark, J. E. Robinson, L. Coy, • R. T. W. French, H. M. Smith, H. G. Ames, E. L. Ament, C. T. Wygant, H. R. Miller, W. Humphrey, O. H. Phillips, J. S. Thompson, S. E. Brace, W. Hinman. " Pursuant to the above notice," says the report in the Union, " one of the most enthusiastic meet- GENERAL MICAH BROOKS. . This brief record commemorates the life and services of one who lived in the most eventful period of human history, excepting only the years made memorable by the life and teachings of the Saviour of the world. Micah I'rooks was born a subject of George III., at the time the American colonies were r&solvinc: upon open revolt — he died eighty-two years later, having witnessed and taken part in the most remarkable changes that ever occurred in government, society, industry, science, and art. He was the son of David Brooks, who was the son of Enos, who was the son of Thomas, who was the son of Henry Brooks, who came from Cheshire, England, to Cheshire, Conn. He had fought under Oliver Cromwell, and the restoration of (I has. II, was offensive to him and caused him to remove to America. His son -I'homas- settled fourteen miles north from New Haven, and the town to which he removed was called Cheshire, af- ter the place of his father's nativity, at least so read the family records. His grandson, David, the father of Micah, was born in Cheshire, Conn., in June, 174+, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Doolittle of Wallingford, Conn,, who was a son of David, the son of Abram Doolittle who came from England. He wasgraduated at Yale College in 176?. and received the degree of Master of Arts. He also studied theology and was duly ordained as a minister, but continued to conduct his farm at Cheshire, taking a prominent part in the discussions and agitations that preceded the Declaration of Independence- Hewas appointed amember of the Vigilance Committee for the town of Cheshire, to prevent the con- sumption of tea and other articles unjustly taxed by the British govern- ment, the inhabitants having voted not to use them. On the breaking out of hostilities he joined, as a private soldier, the first company organized in his town, but afterwards became Quartermaster of his regiment. When occasion required he served as chaplain and in emergencies, shouldered his musket. He was also a member of the State Legislature and a dele- gate to the state convention that adopted the U. S. Constitution at Hart- ford. Later in life he retired to his farm in Cheshire and died there in 1802. Micah Brooks was born May 14, 1775, on his father's estate in Cheshire, Conn., where he spent the first years of his life, and acquired the studi- ous and diligent habits which distinguished him through life. Schools were few and poor duiing the Revolution, and die years that followed, but Micah belonged to a family that had the benefit of parental discipline and instruc- tion and where reading was enjoined and enjoyed. Thus he acquired habits of observation and research that made his mind a repository of useful knowl- edge He was ihe oldest of liis father's familv, which consisted of Micah, David, Elizabeth, Benedict, Laura- Charity, "Polly, Patty and David, all of whom lived to maturity except David, the second son, who died in his sixth year ; and all, excepting Patty, married.' Mic^h Brooks gave from his own recollection, a very interesting account of the period imme- diately following the Revolutionary war, and it was published in Turner's, Phelps and Gorhani's Purchase. In 179& in common with many sons of New England, he explored the regions of the west, visited the Mohawk. Susquehannah, Seneca, and the Genesee, and saw many pioneers in their lonely cabins, suffering privations, but full of hope. In the fall of 1797 he visited the land of promise the second time remaining at East Bloom- field durins: the winter and keeping the district school there. Mr. James Sperry gives an account of this venture as follows : " In the fall of '97, a young man with a pack on his back, came into the neighborhood of Gunn, the Bronson'^s, &c., and introduced himself as a rchool teacher from the land of steady habits, proposing that they form anew district and he would keep their school. The proposition was accepted, all turned out and built a school-house, the youne; man assisting, and he kept school there that winter and the one following, and the house was entirely filled. My father sent eight children to .his school : there we learned for the first time, that the earth is round — an old hat with a chalk line 'round it for the equator served as a globe to illustrate the revolution of the earth on its axis. Al- though the schoolmaster was a favorite with parents and pupils, they thought he was telling something he knew nothing about, and still believed the earth was flat, and immovably fixed." In those days to be a good surveyor was a great accomplishment and a vast amount of surveying was to be done. Micah Brooks studied the art with Prof. Meigs, and held a certificate from the court of New Haven County, appointing him "surveyor within and for said county." In the fall of 1798 he made a tour, on foot, to Niagara Falls, following the Indian trails and stopping over night with Poudry and his Indian wife at Tona- wanda. In 1799 he purchased a farm In East Bloomfield, paying six dol- lars per acre for it. The price of land soon declined, speculators having run the price up too high. In 180J-4 good lands on the Holland Pur- chase was bought for three dollars per acre, Mr. Brooks Immediately commenced clearing his land, boardmg with Dencon Bronson and giving two days' work for one week's board. In 1800 he was associate com- missioner with Hugh McNair and Matthew Warner, to lay out a road from Canandaigua to Olean, and another from Hornellsvllle to the mouth of the Genesee river. Subsequently he found much use for his chain and com- pass In layiu'.^ out roads and running lines on his wild lands In Livingston and Allegany counties. In 1801 he built a small frame house, then re- turned to Conn., and brought _ out two sisters to keep house for him, but as they soon married, he went back again to Conn., and December i^, 1802, was there married to Mary, daughter of Deacon Abel Hall, of Lyme, Conn. Frug^al, industrious, Intelli- gent and public spirited, he became a prominent and useful citizen. In the militia he rose through successive gradations to the rank of Major General. In 1S06 he was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1808 assistant Justice of the County, the same year was elected to the Legislature from Ontario Co., and In the war of iSii served in three campaigns as Lieut. - Col. He was elected to Congress In 1814, representing avery large terri- tory and serving on important committees. In 1821 he was elected to the New York state convention that revised the state constitution, and was a presidential elector in 1824 For twenty years he was a Judge of Ontario county courts. While a member of Congress he presented to that body a petition drawn by DeWitt ChnlOn, askinq; the national government to aid in the construction of the Erie canal. Some twenty years later he ad- dressed a large convention at Rochester, presided over by Judge Nathan Dayton, of Lockport, urging the "speedy enlargement" of the Erie canal— which was effected with manifest advantage to the state and nation. Februarv ', 18J9, delegates from several counties assembled at Cuba, Allegany County, to Jorward the completion of the New York and Erie Railroad, which had been chartered seven years before, but which, owing to the great commercial revulsion of i8?7, and the magnitude of the un- dertaking, had not been completed. Gen. Brooks was chosen president of the convention, and addressed that body : his_ speech was pub- lished in the papers and widely circulated. In i8ij In connection with John B. Gibson and Jellis Clute, he purchased the lands of Mary Jemi- son . and soon after removed to them ; the place of his residence Is known as ** Brook's Grove." In iSjj hebought6,?82acres In Caneadea, Alle- gany Co , consideration $8,000. His wife having died, he was again, Sep- tember 2j, 18 H, married toElIza Chattin, who died in '86j, without issue. His sons were, Lorenzo H., of Caneadea, now deceased, and Micah Woosler, who is married and resides at the homestead. His daughters were, Marcia, wife of Henry O'Reilley, Clarissa, wife of Theodore F. Hall, of Kansas, Catharine, a mute, very Intelligent and highly educated, now deceased, Laura, residing at Brook's Grove, and Cornelia, wife of Geo. EUwanger, of the Mc Hope Nurseries, at Rochester. In politics. Gen. Brooks was a firm supporter of the Whig party. He was master of him- self, temperate in his habits, upright in his dealings, kind, compassionate and forbearing July 7, 1H57, his life work being done, he leaned back in his chair and died, without a struggle. A public meeting of citizens testi- fied to the respect in which he was held, and the "press"of the country announced that a true patriot and useful citizen had departed. MOUNT MORRIS — WAR RECORD. 317 ings that ever occurred in our village took place. At 7 P. M., our bells chimed most furiously, bring- ing crowds of our citizens into Main street. Our band was out playing spiritedly the Star Spangled Banner, Hail Columbia, Yankee Doodle, and other national airs. The stars and stripes were displayed from our hotels, churches and dweUings in great profusion. At an early hour Empire Hall was filled. Hon. John Vernam called the meeting to order, nominating R. P. Wisner to preside. Mr. Wisner, on taking the chair, made a stirring patriotic speech, eliciting rounds of ap- plause. « * * xhe following gentlemen were selected as officers of the meeting : Vice-Presidents, John Vernam, H. Bump, Dr. Branch, H. Swan, H. P. Mills, Rev. T. S. Frankhn, R. Sleeper, W. A. Mills, George S. Whitney; Secretaries, Mc- Neil Seymour, L. C. Bingham, A. Conkey." Stirring and patriotic speeches were made by Messrs. Wisner, Vernam, Frankhn, Ames, A. M. Bingham, Janes and Hastings ; after which a com- mittee consisting of Geo. S. Whitney, C. E. Mar- tin, McNeil Seymour, Reuben Sleeper and C. B. Adams were appointed to raise and distribute funds for the support of the families of volunteers. C. E. Martin was duly authorized to raise a com- pany, and half the requisite number signed the roll for volunteers before the meeting adjourned. It was then left at the American Hotel for additional signatures. Lucius Southwick, of the Shaker Society in Groveland, was present on the rostrum, and declared that his fraternity were ready to pay their quota for the support of the war. In referring to the meeting, the Union says : — "The love of country has obliterated party lines — but one spirit and sentiment prevails — that insurrection and treason must be put down." On the 27th of April a Uberty pole was raised at Tuscarora and the stars and stripes flung to the breeze. It was saluted by martial music and thirty-four guns. The people were addressed by Dr. Joslyn, Capt. Martin, A. Hall and R. P. Wis- ner. ''A large share of patriotic spirit was ex- hibited. Several names were added to the list of volunteers, and hberal contributions were made to the Patriotic Fund." The Livingston Union, of May I, 1 86 1, says, "our volunteer company is nearly full, and will be prepared to leave for Elmira in a few days." The same paper says that up to April 27th, $1,678 had been contributed for the support of volunteers from this village and vicinity. Conspicuous among the subscribers is the name of John R. Murray, who subscribed $250— the largest individual subscription. Seven others subscribed $100 each, viz:— George S. Whitney, R. P. Wis- ner, George W. Branch, R. Sleeper, Bump & Pray, •Frederic Davis and C. B. Adams. Capt. Martin's company, with seventy-seven en- listed men and eleven commissioned and non- commissioned officers, left for Elmira, Thursday, May 16, 1 86 1, and was there designated Co. G of the 27th Regiment. The following were its officers: — Captain, Charles E. Martin ; Lieutenant, Joseph H. Bodine ; Ensign, Oscar H. Philhps ; ist Sergeant, John J. Kellogg; 2d Sergeant, Ed- win C. Bennett; 3d Sergeant, Edward WiUiams; 4th Sergeant, Wm. M. Nimbs ; ist Corporal, E. R. Parker; 2d Corporal, George W.Bingham; 3d Corporal, William Biggs; 4th Corporal, George Bennett. The occasion of their leaving was made a grand ovation. The Livingston Union, of May 22, 1861, says: — " Thursday last, the day appointed for the de- parture of our volunteers to Elmira, was one never to be forgotten by the citizens of our village. About 2 o'clock P. M. the crowd began to gather in Main street, until it was one mass of men, women and children. The occasion was one of thriUing interest — its equal never before witnessed in our town. Our worthy volunteers were drawn up in line to receive the parting blessing of their fellow- citizens. The ceremonies were impressive and affecting — stout hearts gave way and tears flowed freely. Speakers as well as Hsteners were sensibly affected, and the moistened eyes of hundreds grate- fully expressed the deep solemnities of that interest- ing occasion." The ladies were indefatigable up to the last hour in providing garments, etc., for the comfort of the men. About 4 o'clock the procession started for the depot, followed by the entire crowd. "Here," says the Union, "the scene was really affecting, as the parting moment had come. Amid loud cheers, waving of handkerchiefs, faUing tears, and aching hearts, the volunteers left for Elmira." With this much accomphshed Mt. Morris did not relax her efforts. The good work so nobly begun was continued. On Saturday, May 18, 1 86 1, a pole 112 feet long, surmounted by a large gilt ball, was raised on thegrounds of the late Gen. Brooks, and stirring addresses were made by Rev. T. L. Frankhn, R. P. Wisner, A. M. Bingham and Capt. Randall, of Portage, urging the people to rally to the defense of a suffering country. On Saturday, Jurie i, 1861, a hberty pole was raised in the village amid impressive ceremonies, and ad- dresses were made by C. B. Adams, Revs. Story and Keyes, R. P. Wisner, Col. Sleeper, A. M. Bingham, Hon. Wm. Scott, N. Seymour, Drs. Joslyn and Ames and Prof. Smith. The second company of volunteers from Mt. Morris was raised by Capt. C. W. Burt, whose in- 3i8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. defatigable efforts enabled him to leave with his company for Elmira, September 13, 1861. The company was escorted to the depot by the band and a large number of citizens. Among its mem- bers was A. M. Bingham, a lawyer of this village, who had done much in the way of addressing meet- ings to encourage enUstments. The number neces- sary to fill it were obtained while at Elmira, a re- cruiting office being kept open in Mt. Morris for thai purpose. It was attached to the 89th Regi- ment, commanded by Col. Fairchild, and left Elmira for Washington, December 6, 1861. During the war Mt. Morris furnished 285 men ; of whom I was a substitute, 8 reenHsted, i was drafted, 233 resided in the town, and 27 were na- tives of the town. They were distributed through various organizations as follows, as nearly as can be ascertained from the records : — -51 in the 136th, 40 in the 27 th, 10 in the 130th, 6 in the 89th, 5 in the 104th, 2 each in the 24th, 58th and 133d, and I each in the nth, 15th, 33d, 140th and 147th in- fantry regiments ; 2 in the 4th New York artillery, I each in the 2d and 24th batteries, and i in the 5th Rhode Island artillery; 29 in the 24th New York cavalry ; 2^ in the ist dragoons, 3 in the 8th and I in the 3d cavalry regiments. This, like other details of the records is manifestly incom- plete; while in regard to bounties, it only shows that a town bounty of $ioo was paid to 60 indi- viduals, and of $300 to 31; a county bounty of $300 to 16, of $100 to I and of $75 to i ; and a State bounty of $75 to i. We simply cite this to show how unreUable and unsatisfactory is the data from which to compile these local histories of the rebellion. B10GR>PHICAL SKETCHES. MYRON H. MILLS. Myron H. Mills was born in Mt. Morris, Dec. 8, 1820. He is a son of Maj.-Gen. Wm. A. Mills and a grandson of Rev. Samuel J. Mills, one of the earliest evangelical preachers of the county of Living- ston, south of Avon. This distinguished clergyman was a graduate of Yale College ; uniting many promi- nent mental quahties with a superior education, he was well qualified, in every respect, for the duties of his sacred profession. He was a native of Derby, Connecticut. Soon after completing his theological education, attracted by the glowing accounts of the beauties and promised wealth and greatness of the Genesee Valley, about the year 1792 he immigrated with his family to that part of Livingston county now known as Groveland, and settled in Williams- burgh, then a mere hamlet. This was the first village in that county, and for a time was the successful rival of Geneseo. But more- powerful influences favoring the latter, it became the county seat, and the growth of the former was at an end, and the population gradually decreased, until at last there was left no trace of the once busy little town. The Rev. Samuel J. Mills preached the great truths of the gospel to the pioneers in an acceptable and profitable manner, and he became an object of af- fection and love to the early settlers about him. A few old apple trees standing to the left of the road after crossing the Canaseraga bridge going to Geneseo, planted by his hands, mark or nearly so, the site of his ancient home. In the midst of his prosperity his house was consumed by fire. This, together with the unlucky turn of a land specula- tion, so greatly disheartened him that it superin- duced a disease known as the Genesee fever, which soon terminated his life. At the request of James Wadsworth, Sr., his remains were interred in the cemetery at Geneseo. After his death his family, with the exception of Wm., — afterwards General Mills, — returned to New England, and became resi- dents of New Bedford. William with that penetra- tion, comprehension and sagacity which were strong features in his character, had a clear conception of the destined wealth and greatness of the country about him, and he determined to remain in the country, and move on with it to success, prosperity and usefulness. As a conseqence his name is enrolled in the history of Western New York, among its lead- ing pioneers, and he is spoken of as a chief artificer in the erection of that noble and distinguished civil edifice — Livingston county. When only seventeen years of age, he settled at Allen's Hill — now Mt. Morris — and with his own hands prepared the ma- terial for the log house which was for a long time his home. Among his many Indian neighbors there was only one white man, Clark Cleve- land, a mason by trade. The myriads of dusky sons and daughters of the forest, became to young Mills his friends and he proved to be a great favorite with them, whose generous sentiment they recognized by giving him the name of "Sa-nun-ge- wa" — interpreted signifies a big kettle or generous man. To this day among the old Indians on the Allegany and Cattaraugus Creek reservations the village of Mt. Morris is called " Sa-nun-ge-wa-ge," in honor of his memory. He spoke the Indian language fluently, giving it the pecuUar sound of the " red man's" vernacular. He witnessed the subduing of the wilderness, the increasing population and the changes of the country, until it developed into a region that lost little when compared with the Vale of Tempe and the gardens of the Hesperides. He erected the first framed house in the village of Mt. Morris. It stood on State street nearly opposite the present residence of Mr. Moss. In the year 1803 he was united by marriage to Susannah H. Harris of Tioga Point, Penn. Ten children were MYRON H. MILLS. 319 born of this happy union, of whom nine grew to maturity and four are still living, viz : Samuel J. Mills and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Hamlin of Iowa, Mrs. Susan H. Branch and Dr. Myron H. Mills of Mt. Morris. Gen. Mills was not only a friend to the In- dians, but it is stated he never permitted a settler to lose his property for want of means to meet the payments due on his land. So notable did he be- come in this respect, that he was known and called by the original settlers, the "father of Mt. Morris." General Mills was the first Supervisor of the town of Mt. Morris, holding the office for nearly twenty years in succession. He saw his old and life-long friend, Moses Hayden, who had been ap- pointed March 28, 1821, First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, lake his seat for the first time on the bench of the new county. He was also the first President and prominent organizer of the Liv- ingston County Agricultural Society, and was di- rector in the old Livingston County Bank — the first banking institution opened in the county. He or- ganized the first militia company in what is now Livingston county. When the war of 181 2 broke out General Mills was among the first to respond to the call of his country, and served as a soldier on the frontiers. By rapid gradations, he rose to the rank of Major-General in the service of the State. His command embraced Livingston, Gen- esee, Ontario, Steuben, Monroe and Allegany counties. On occasions of pubHc parade and drill of his command, which occurred in the fall of the year at the principal villages in the above counties, he, like the President of our times, says an old set- tler, " was the observed of all observers." Among the distinguished gentlemen who have served on his military staff were Col. Reuben Sleeper of Mt. Morris, Gen. Frank Granger of Canandaigua, Hon. Daniel D. Barnard and Hon. Charles J. Hill of Rochester. Col. Hill is one of the Ex-Mayors of Rochester, N. Y., and is still living in the 86th year of his age, honored and re- spected for his many virtues, by the entire com- munity where he resides. Gen. Granger subse- quently became Postmaster-General and a member of the President's Cabinet, and Daniel D. Barnard a Member of Congress. Gen. Mills become a large landed proprietor, was influential and public spirited, but his useful and active life was suddenly terminated, while yet in the vigor of his manhood. After ])artaking of his dinner, April 6th, 1844, he retired to his room for his customary after-dinner nap, from which he never awoke in this world. He died from disease of the heart, at sixty-seven years of age, leaving an extensive landed property to his nine surviving children. Dr. Myron H. Mills, to whom we have already referred, is a citizen of Livingston county, whose interests are his interests, and whose prosperity and advancement are a source of unquaUfied gratifica- tion to him. After receiving an excellent Enghsh academic education, he entered upon the study of his chosen profession — medicine and surgery. Upon a thorough preparatory course in the office of Dr. Hiram Hunt his father's old friend and family physician, he entered Geneva Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1844. In June, 184s he became a resident of the city of St. Louis, where he commenced the practice of his profession, and hardly had six months passed away, before the young physician had gained a remunera- tive practice, and was surrounded by strong and influential friends and holding the position of phy- sician to the City Hospital. In the spring of 1846, when the government had declared war with Mexico, Dr. Mills was ambitious to serve his country, resigned his office in the city hospital, volunteered as a private in Captain Hud- son's company, then being raised and organized in St. Louis for the war, but before being mustered into the United States service, he applied for the ap- pointment of Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. Army. His appKcation to the proper authorities for the position he desired, being made at the suggestion of, and indorsed by influential friends. He went to Fort Leavenworth, five hundred miles from St. Louis, to present his papers in person to Gen. Stephen W. Kearney, who was to command the "Army of the West," and if possible to obtain his endorsement to his papers, before making appUca- tion to the Secretary of War's office at Washington. In this his efforts were successful, and he received his appointment, and served through the entire war. He was wounded at the battle of Canada, New Mexico, but remained on the field until the close of the action — the ball striking the fleshy portion of the right leg below the knee. Lieut. Irwin, near the Doctor at the same moment, was severely wounded by a musket ball. Mr. Mills being fresh from the graduating schools of medicine and surgery, was the first to introduce the " flap operation" in amputations in the army of the west, the "circular" being the former in use from time immemorial. For this he was promoted by Surgeon DeCamp, of Baltimore, of the United States Army, to the head of the Medical and Sur- gical department of the army. After the close of the war while in Washington attending the court martial of Col. Fremont, Hon. Wm. L. Marcy then Secretary of War, tendered him a commission as Assistant Surgeon in the regular army, under the Act known as the ten regiment bill, to increase the standing army, which he declined. After an absence of nearly three years, he returned to Mt. Morris, and soon after at the request of a commit- tee of citizens, delivered an address on the " Mexi- can war and its incidents," which, by special requests from committees, was repeated in Nunda and Perry. In June, 1849, Dr. Mills was united in marriage to Mary E. Mills, only daughter of Hiram P. Mills, Esq., of Mt. Morris. She is a most estimable lady, possessing those admirable traits of character which make the domestic circle cheerful and happy. The marriage has been one of happiness and reciprocal affection, deepened and brightened by the flight of time. Six children were the fruits of this marriage, two of whom only sur- vived to maturity. 320 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. In the spring of 1850, the Dr. removed to Roch- ester, N. Y., where he opened a drug-store, and al- though the business proved remunerative, it was too small and contracted a business to suit his broad and comprehensive mind. He therefore embraced the first opportunity presenting itself to sell out his stock of goods, and engaged in the con- struction of pubhc works for the State of New York. Here he found ample scope for his busi- ness qualifications, and was rewarded by a liberal compensation, which afforded him a competency for hfe and enabled him to retire from business in the fall of 1868. In 1863, he was appointed a delegate by the Mayor and Common Council of Rochester, to re- present that city in the National Ship Canal Con- vention, held at Chicago in June of that year. In November, 1870, he removed to Mt. Morris, his native village, and purchased the homestead grounds upon which he was born, but which had passed out of the family. He enlarged and taste- fully improved the mansion, constructing elaborate and costly outbuildings, embelhshing the grounds which embrace nearly five acres of land with pleas- ing walks and shrubbery. This home is situated in the northern part of the village, at the extremity of Main street, and overlooks the broad valley of the Genesee for miles around. The imagination can hardly conceive of a more beautiful situation. The view of the surroundings and landscape scenery would inspire the muse of a poet, and imbue the imagination of the painter with all the beautiful inspirations of his creative art. Here the representative red-men of the forest used to corne in bygone times to see " Sa-nun-ge-wa," (General Mills) their friend and counselor — not unfrequent- ly settling difficulties between the white settlers and the Indians, as well as other matters of more grave import. Here Mary Jemison, better known in history as the "Old White Woman," paid, it is said, her last visit in the Genesee Valley, the cherished home of her youth, before leaving for the Buffalo Creek Reservation, in 1830, to reside. Here upon these grounds, made historic by the white and red man. Doctor Mills ("Hod-a-geflts- sa-nun-ge-wa," a title given him by the Seneca nation of Indians in honor of his father, which in- terpreted signifies in the Indian tongue " Doctor Big Kettle ;" in our language. Dr. Mills,) devotes a large share of his leisure time to literary pursuits. He was one of the founders of the Livingston County Historical Society, also of the Livingston County Pioneer Association. He has been presi- dent at different times of both societies, and has labored zealously for their success, which appears now established. He is known as an easy, flexible and forcible writer. Under the 110711 de plume of " Corn-planter " is the author of a series of articles on Indian history. He also published an elaborate and the only com- plete history of the Mt. Morris tract. The Doctor has attained much reputation as a public speaker and lecturer. He delivered an address before the Wyoming Historical Pioneer Association at the dedication ol their log-cabin at Silver Lake, in 1878, and was there greeted by an immense audience, 20,000 people having assembled at the lake on that occasion. His address before the State Associa- tion of Mexican War Veterans, at Detroit, Sept. 14, 1880, was another masterly effort. His review of the results and benefits of that war to the coun- try, and the claims of the veteran soldiers upon the government for a pension, are unanswerable. In February, 1878, he deKvered a lecture on the Pre-Historic Races in America, by special invita- tion, at Dansville. His audience consisted of the clergy, lawyers, physicians, professors in the Semi- nary, and leading business men, and literary ladies and gentlemen of the place, who were unanimous in their approval. In August, 1877, he deHvered an oration on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association, at Long Point, Con- esus Lake, holding the vast audience, thickly inter- spersed with ladies, for more than an hour, during the last half of which a threatening thunder storm seemed rapidly gathering, with but limited shelter accomodations at hand, save that offered by the friendly and wide-spread branches of the stately forest trees. He has delivered at various times acceptable addresses upon agriculture and its kindred sub- jects before the Farmers' Association of his town, on the occasions of their annual gatherings after harvest. To him they look for counsel and advice in local affairs effecting their welfare. He is a fearless and bold advocate of the people's interest and is regarded by them as one of the few men in whom implicit confidence can be placed. He is President of the Board of Education of Mt. Morris, President of the " Mills Water Works Company," was appointed in December, 1880, by the Board of Supervisors of Livingston county on the commission to devise ways and means to sup- ply the Poor House, Insane Asylum and other buildings belonging to the county with an abundant supply of pure water for sanitary purposes, domestic use and for fire purposes. The commission was a success, and reported to the Board in April, '8r, for their consideration, plans of the work with esti- mated cost, to supply upon the "gravity system" the two former requirements, also the latter. In politics Dr. Mills has always been a Demo- crat, firmly, but never obtrusively, sustaining his principles. He was never an office seeker, pre- ferring private life and its retirement and the good opinion of his fellow citizens to pubHc office, although occasionally accepting positions of honor and public trust tendered him. He admires in men the distinction of moral worth, integrity, industry and virtue, and all men who possess these traits are equal in his estimation. Though retired from active business life, what- ever tends to promote the growth of his native vil- lage or beautify it, finds in him a zealous and efficient advocate. A son Of a pioneer who was conspicuous for enterprise and upright dealings, JONATHAN PHILLIPS— CHESTER FOOTE. 321 and valuable in doing those things which have so largely tended to make Mt. Morris reach its present advanced and progressive condition, it is not sur- prising the son should emulate the example of his father, and reflect his virtues in whatever pertains to the public interests and welfare of his native vil- lage. In 1873 he published an article exhibiting the feasibility and necessity of constructing water works to supply the village of Mt. Morris with water, and June 4th, 1879, at the request of the Trustees of the village, met the citizens in a public meeting .to discuss the subject to which he had previously called their attention. His able and well matured plans for the construction of water works were accepted, and the works were con- structed the same year with that push and energy characteristic of the man, who furnished the entire capital himself The expectation of the public in their construction were more than realized and a grand success was achieved. The health of the village has materially improved since the con- struction of these works, aside from the great con- venience of an abundant supply of pure and whole- some water for sanitary and domestic purposes brought to the doors of the citizens, as well as to protect their property from destruction by fire. For this enterprise, and the great blessings result- ing therefrom, the citizens are indebted wholly to Dr. Mills. Courteous, kindly disposed, self-reliant, clear- headed and gentlemanly in his demeanor. Dr. Mills never stops at trifles, but presses right on to the successful completion of whatever he undertakes. In his domestic relations he is peculiarly fortunate and happy. Two amiable and accomplished daugh- ters — Jennie and Isabell, and their estimable mother — adorn his household and contribute largely to his happiness. JONATHAN PHILLIPS. Jonathan Phillips was born in Romulus, (now Varick,) Seneca county, November 2, 1810. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Scoby) Phillips, natives of New Jersey. They settled in Cayuga county, about 1800, and soon thereafter in Seneca county. They came into this county in 1826, where the father died December 22, 1874, aged eighty-eight years, and the mother January 31, 1870, aged seventy-eight years. They had eleven children, only three of whom are now Hving, viz : — Calista, Isaac and Sophronia. Jonathan, the sec- ond of the family, when in his twenty-second year, left the home of his parents, (where he had lived up to that time, assisting his father on the farm and attending the district school winters, the only advantages for an education he ever enjoyed,) and worked land on shares for about five years. Then he bought the farm on which he lived till he died, and which is now operated by his widow. He moved into a log house which was on the place and occupied that until he finished the pres- ent fine residence in 1853. He at first purchased only 50 acres, but added from time to time till he owned 360 acres in his home farm, and in other localities about 200 acres, making his estate con- sist of 560 acres. He was a most thorough and successful farmer, and for about sixteen years be- fore his death was very extensively engaged in buy- ing and selling live-stock; and it may safely be said that as a farmer and speculator he was to be ranked with the first in the town of Mt. Morris. Ink politics he was a Repubhcan, but never an office-seeker. He took a lively interest in the suc- cess of his party, and sustained its measures and advocated its principles with a warmth that is al- ways characteristic of the earnest partisan. April 25, 1832, he married Violetta, daughter of Richard and Hannah (Keeler) Akers, natives of New Jersey, who came to Seneca county in 1823, and to this county in 1825. Her father died De- cember 22, 1866, aged about ninety years, and her mother, aged ninety-six years, is still living and residing in Michigan with her daughter Jane, wife of Samuel Klady. They had seven children, four of whom are now Hving, viz : — Violetta, Jane, John G., and Aaron. He died March 15, 1870, in the sixtieth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have had three children as follows : — Sarah Jane, born February 10, 1833, married Charles Moyer, of Mt. Morris and died February 5, 1875 ; Janette H., born June 23, 1839, and died January i6, 1842; Adella Z., born May 2, 1850, married L. DeWitt Smith, of Geneseo, and lives now with the mother on the old homestead. CHESTER FOOTE. Chester Foote is one of the oldest residents now living in the town of Mt. Morris. He was born in the town of Kingsboro, Montgomery county, N. Y., April 27, 1790. His parents were Joseph, Jr., and Beersheba (Burr) Foote, of Conn. Joseph, Jr., was born about 1755. He served his country during the Revolutionary war as cavalryman. He died in Kingsboro in 1790, aged about 35 years. His wife survived him many years, and died in Ohio at the great age of one hundred years. They had four children, Levi, Joseph, Beersheba and Chester, of whom Chester alone is living. The mother married for her second husband Isaac Flowers, by whom she had three children, Lucy, Sylvia and Livinia, all now dead. For her third husband she married Thomas Thompson, of Ohio. No children were born of this marriage. After the death of his father, which occurred when Chester was about two months old, Mrs. Foote kept her four children together as long as possible, but soon had to place them out among her rela- tives until they became old enough to support themselves. At the age of nine years Chester was taken into the family of his uncle Aaron, a brother of his father's and lived with him until his marriage with Fanny Hoofcoot, Feb. 25, 1812. She was born in 1792. 322 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Four years after this marriage Chester moved to Trenton, Oneida county, where he carried on farming about three years. In 1817 he moved with his family, consisting of wife and one child, and what few goods he had to Western New York, passing through Mt. Morris, which was then a small settlement, to his destination at Plum Creek, Allegany county. He found a small settlement at Nunda, also one at Solomon Williams' on the old short tract road, which was merely marked out through the woods. A short distance beyond^Mr. WiUiams' there was a very steep hill, on which the snow had been thawing quite rapidly, so that the horses' feet balled up, causing them to slip and stumble so badly that before reaching the top of the hill the horses were drawn back again by the weight of the sleigh to the foot of the hill. After several attempts they succeeded in gaining the summit and about dark reached a creek in which the melting snow had caused the water to rise so high that it carried off the log bridge which spanned it. Finding it impossible to cross with the sleigh, he unharnessed the horses and placing his wife on one rode the other himself and carried the child. After crossing the creek, while on their way, his wife, not being accustomed to riding on horseback, would occasionally fall from her elevated position, and he would spread a blanket on the snow and lay the child on it while he helped her to mount again. About twelve o'clock at night they reached their destination, and the next day he brought over the sleigh and goods. They brought provisions with them sufficient, as they thought, to last till they were started, but provisions were becoming so scarce among the settlers that when a new corner arrived they flocked in in such numbers to make acquaintance and get something to eat that in a few days the future began to look gloomy to Mr. Foote and his family. While meditating on the subject one evening, they fancied they heard a voice, saying: "Arise and get thee hence;" and obedient to the summons, they packed their goods the next day and returned to Mt. Morris where they settled about a mile south of the village, on land owned by the father of John R. Murray, the latter now a resident o^ Mt. Morris. Here Mr. Foote lived about three years, when he moved to West Sparta, where he resided till about 1832, when he purchased and moved to the farm in Mt. Morris where he now lives. Here his first died June 10, 1827, aged sixty-four years, months and three days. In 1863 he married Mary Bingham, having rented his farm to his son Norman, moved to Nunda and resided there six years, when the death of his second wife occurred. He then re- turned to his farm. Since leaving Nunda he has Hved at times with all of his children. In 1870 he sold his farm to his son Norman, with whom he spends half of his time and the re- mainder with his son Giles W. He is a remark- ably well preserved man, but the signs of old age are manifesting themselves in the loss of hearing wife ten and and impaired eyesight. There have been born to him eight children, one of whom died in infancy. Those that reached maturity are named as follows Maria, born Dec. 31, i8r3, died Dec. 13, 1839 Ehza, born Nov. 8, 1816, died April 15, 1854 Giles W., born July 11, 1818; Chas., born Oct. 15, 1822; Norman, born Sept. 15, 1824; Mary, born Sept. 14, 1826, and Harriet, born Jan. 8, 1834. COL. REUBEN . SLEEPER. (COL. REUBEN SLEEPER.) Col. Reuben Sleeper was born in Laurens, Otsego county, February 22, 1798. He was of Quaker descent and enjoyed vigorous health, being of temperate habits. He early espoused the temperance reform and abandoned the sale of spirituous liquors, even at a sacrifice of business interests. With only a common school education he, at sixteen years of age, entered upon a clerk- ship in his native town in a " general dry goods and variety store." In 1821, he, with his partner, Abner Dean, engaged in the mercantile business at Manlius, Onondaga county. In 1823, they re- moved to Mt. Morris, and for some time kept the only store in that town. For years their goods, bought in New York, were brought up the Genesee river from Rochester, being, from Rochester, poled up, on flat boats, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles. Also goods were brought by teams from Albany in favorable weather. After occupy- ing a small wooden store for four years, they re- moved it, and erected the first brick building in the place. In 1828 the partnership was dissolved, the brick building being sold to the partner of Mr. S., and he opened in another building a store, continu- ing there till he built a store on a lot adjoining his residence. In April, 1 82 7, he married Lucretia C. CONESUS— ORGANIZATION. 3^3 daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman, of East Haddam, Conn., who survives him. On the incorporation of the village in June, 1835, he was chosen President of the Board of Trustees, and at the time of his death was the last survivor of the Board chosen at that time. He retained that position several years, the late Hon. George Hastings acting as clerk. After the death of the first president of the Genesee River Bank, he was chosen President, and served in that capacity for a long time. Col. Sleeper was widely known throughout the Genesee Valley and Western New York, as a successful business man and a man of strong and earnest convictions, of great industry and steriing integrity. On all public questions he was independent and acted without regard to self-interest or policy. Being early known as an Abolitionist, his house for years was the resting place of fugitives from slavery, fleeing to the Queen's Dominions, and his integrity of charac- ter and strict sense of justice led him to adopt and advocate principles that were not popular with the people. He was a man of culture and extensive reading and a courteous gentleman. During a residence of about fifty years he held many posi- tions of public trust with credit to his sagacity and integrity. He retired from active business in 1 856, but at the time of his death, May 11, 1872, was director of the Genesee River National Bank, hav- ing held that position since its organization, and being a public spirited man he took an active in- terest in all public improvements. CHAPTER XXIII. History of the Town of Conesus. THE town of Conesus is situated on the eastern border of the county, and contains an area of six square miles. It is bounded on the north by Livonia, on the south by Sparta and Springwater ; on the east by Canadice, (Ontario county ;) and on the west by Groveland. The town lies between the beautiful lakes of Conesus and Hemlock. Its surface is quite uneven, with a higher general elevation than any town of the eastern range. Several ranges of hills extend through the town, most of them small ; the largest being the " Mar- rowback Hills,'' in the eastern part, and what is known as " Turkey Hill," in the western part.* At points in the larger range the hills rise to an elevation of several hundred feet, in which vicinity *These names are of local derivation. The name ^^ Marrowback,'' as applied to the largest range, was derived from this instance : Two men — inhabitants of the town — engaged in a personal conflict. One of them was from this region of hills, and he getting the better of his adversary the bystanders exclaimed to the vanquished — "He's got too much mar- row in his back for you, boy !" Turkey Hill was so named on account of the numerous fowls of that species stolen from the dwellers in the valley by pillaging families who lived on this hill. The name signifies " Many Stolen Turkeys." several fatal accidents have occurred, the most no- table being that of the death of a citizen named Hamilton who, in an attack of delerium tremens, leaped over the rocks and was dashed to pieces below. From near the center of the town begins the Calabogue valley * which extends into Springwater. The town derives its name from Conesus Lake, which was named for the celebrated Indian chief, Conesus.f The town was first organized in 1 821 as Free- port. Before the year 1820 Conesus was divided into two parts, the eastern, belonging to the town of Livonia, and the west part to the town of Grove- land. At that date the two towns belonged to the county of Ontario, and all of the different articles of agreement for lands were dated in the above named towns and county before 1820. In 1820 the first attempt was made for the or- ganization of the town, but on account of certain irregularities the organization was not effected till 1821. The name Freeport was given to the town by the early squatters, who supposed the land to be free to all who came here to settle, and who as erroneously supposed that building a brush fence around their quasi claims was all that was neces- sary to secure to them the future ownership.^ When a few years after the actual owners came and claimed the land, some of the squatters, when they discovered the invalidity of their titles, left for parts unknown, while a number who had thus seized their land, supposing it to be without an owner, refused to yield their claims, causing no little disturbance and some important law suits which were in the courts of the State for several years, but which were finally decided in favor of the right- ful owners. For three years the town retained the name of Freeport, when, in 1824, through the influence of a man named Bugbee, it was changed to Bowers- * Or Calabogue Hollow, as it is sometimes called. The name signiiies "The Headless Place." t The Indian name for Conesus Lake was Ga-ne-a-sois, or Gah-nyuh- sas, meaning—'* Place of Nanny Berries," — a small mealy berry which at one time grew there in great profusion. J Doty's History says the name of Freeport was derived 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 it in and making some improvements, he was forcibly driven off by the owner. The ejection provoked the landless pioneer, who, at some pains, i>ublished his version of the story, urging that how- ever ready other sections might be to welcome emigrants, this particular region was no 'free-port.' " This, from the meaning of the term, " free-port, " would seem to be the most probable version, though the other is given as correct. 324 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. ville, in honOr of the Bowers family who then owned here a large tract of land. The inhabitants, however, soon became dissat- isfied. with this name and petitioned the legislature to again change it. This petition was signed by a large number of inhabitants. At the same time a remonstrance was raised against the proposed change which did not prove successful, and after retaining the name of Bowersville one year it was in 1825 changed to Conesus, which name it has since retained. Among the early purchasers of land in this town were Phelps and Gorhara, a number of years before the first settlement of the town was made by white men. After they had retained possession of the land a certain length of time, they transferred their claims, in part, to Henry Bowers and Sir Wilham Pulteney, and a small tract to what was then known as the Canandaigua Academy, situated at Canandaigua, N. Y. Thig tract consisted of five lots, which, a few years after, were numbered as lots Nos. 16, 54, 80, 89, no, a total or 814 acres. In 1819 or '20, a few years after Bowers and Pulteney had obtained possession, they laid this tract of land out into lots, and numbered them from I to 139, including a tier of lots on the east •side of Hemlock lake that formerly belonged to the town, which were numbered 10 and 20, and parts of lots 30, 39, 40, and 57, which have since been transferred to the county of Ontario. They also laid out part of Hemlock lake into lots, as Nos. J, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which they reserved for those who wished to purchase water privileges. A few years after Mr. Bowers died, his prop- erty, consisting of seventy lots, was divided among his five children as follows : John Bowers, 13 lots ; Mary Campbell, 14 lots; Mary Ann Duane, 15 lots; Harriet Mumford, 14 lots; and Rebecca Scott, 14 lots. Soon after his death the heirs came to the town and sold their claims to those who desired to pur- chase at the extremely low price of from eight to ten dollars per acre. It was upon their arrival that .the. squatters departed, or refusing to yield their occupancy, caused the important but tedious suits at law. The Pulteney claims, which consisted of fifty- eight lots, have now almost ceased to be known. Their lands were sold to different purchasers, and those lands belonging to the Canandaigua Academy have also passed into other hands. The first settlement of the town was begun in the year 1793, although there are evidences that some one settled here prior to that date. Some of the settlers of 1800-05, pastured their cattle on what was known as the " Olcutt clearing," which was situated on what is now called Turkey Hill. This clearing had an area of some five acres, well covered with grass, and surrounded by a log fence, in the center of which stood a cabin where had hved the person when clearing the land. In 1806 this cabin was nearly gone to decay, and the indi- cations were that the tract had been cleared a num- ber of years, but by whom it was never known, as he was gone when the first settlers came, and no record of his life has ever been found. He must have settled here about 1793, if not before; but as the attempted location may have been made by some venturesome squatter, and as there exists no authentic record of it, the first permanent settle- ment must be ascribed to James Henderson who, in the year 1793, came from Pennsylvania, and located at the head of Conesus Lake, where he built a log house on lot 49, on land now owned by B. F. and R. F. McMillen. In 1795, he was followed by Hector McKay, who located on lot io8, about three-quarters of a mile north of the site of Scottsburgh. Here he built a log house, in the construction, of which he procured the assistance of friendly Indians from Allen and Squakie Hills. In the following spring he pur- chased the land on which he resided at the time of his death, the date of which is unknown. He was buried in the south part of the town in the old cemetery, known as McKay's burying-ground. The family of James Henderson * consisted of a wife and several children, who came here with him to mingle their fortunes in an unknown wilderness filled with varied trials and discomforts. Mr. Henderson was by occupation a mill-wright, and soon after his arrival here — probably about 1794 — built the first saw-mill near the site of Conesus Center. This was a great aid to the in- coming settlers, in preparing material for their houses, in raising which they obtained the aid of other settlers throughout the county. In 181 6 and '17 he built the old woolen and fulHng mill that used to be situated in the gully at the head of Conesus lake. This mill has for many years been abandoned, and nothing now re- mains of that once famous factory but the stones that were used for its foundation. In this mill in 18 18 or '19, William Scott, of * Betttr .known thioughout the town as Squire Henderson. PI w 5 z ^ PI ■a •50 2 M CO c m Z CO ►^ z c 2 -< I "V < ' 'v'WV V ' I I \1 ' ■ ■;■ } '"■ " ■ III ■\\\^ "I I, 1 ,1.. I, I1 11 1 1 'ii ' \ 'III "„ 'I'! I " ' || ■ 1 1 I III I I i 'Ill I III } "Ill, I. ii f f ' I' I «■ 1 1 I |l' J III" ,1'' ill! I J Ill ' lllll II ..ill' Jl' I I" J ill' III I I ' ' ' I ' CONESUS — EARLY SETTLERS. 325 Scottsburgh, carded the first yards of cloth ever carded in the town. In 1 80 1 Squire Henderson's family was pre- sented with a child, which hved but six months — the first white birth known to have occurred in this town. A son of Squire Henderson, James Henderson, Jr., was killed at the battle of Queenstown, Canada, October 13th, 181 2. At the time of his death he had reached the age of twenty-five, and held the ofiice of Quartermaster in his regiment. Squire Henderson, the pioneer, quietly sleeps in the town of Richmond; other members of the family have passed away, and the name of Hen- derson has become extinct, although there are de- scendants of the family still Hving who are among the most worthy citizens of the town. These de- scendants are: — Frank and R. F. McMillen, a brother, Charles McMillen, who is United States Minister to China, and William H., Nelson N. and Henry S. Gilbert, grand-children. After the advent of Henderson and McKay, the settlement of the town progressed quite rapidly. Among the settlers who immediately followed those hardy pioneers were Jacob Durham in 1795, and Jesse and Jacob Collar in 1796.* Jacob Collar was one of the most useful citizens of the town. He was born in Sussex county. New Jersey, February 25, 1770, and in the spring of 1796, at the age of twenty-six, came with his father, Jesse Collar, to Conesus and located on lot No. 109, in the southwestern part of the town, about one-half mile north of Scottsburgh, where they built a log house. In coming here from the then far away State of New Jersey they were assisted by one horse and an ox team, and the condition of the route through the forests was such that they were twenty-eight days in making the journey. When they arrived at the Great Bend in the Susquehanna river they were obliged to cut their way through what was then called the beach woods, and for many days their journey did not average seven miles per day, while the teams had to subsist on the scant herb- age of the highway. When night came upon them they would build a large fire, cook their scanty meal, and then roll themselves in their blankets and sleep till another morning came with its tedious journey and attend- ant difficulties. In this way the journey was conducted to and through Dansville, their only guide from being lost * For whom Scottsburgh at an early day was called Collartown. in the dense forests being the blazed trees along the route. Upon arriving in the town they procured the aid of Wigot Andrews, James and Samuel Culbertson of the town of Groveland, and Isaac and Darling Havens, of Sparta, to assist them in raising their house. The timber being so thick they had but to cut and peel the logs and roll them up to place. The first year their food, which they had to buy mostly of the Indians, consisted of corn — wheat could not be obtained at any price — for which they paid at the rate of six shillings per bushel. There being no grist-mill near, they ground the corn by burning a hole in a stump, pouring the corn in it, and then pounding it into meal, from the finest of which they made their bread. Jacob Collar died in the fall of 1865, ending his useful life at the age of ninety-five. He was buried in the McKay burial ground. In 1802 there came to the town of Conesus a singular man known by the inhabitants as Maloy, the hermit. He located on lot 19, bordering on the shores of Hemlock lake, where he built him a log cabin quite remote from any civilization. Here he lived the life of a hermit, refusing to mingle with any white people who sought to become ac- quainted with him. He seemed desirous to retreat further into the forest to escape the encroachment of civilization, and when other settlers began to lo- cate around him he packed his effects and moved to the Ohio river, where his career became lost to the settlers in Conesus. We give here others of the prominent pioneers, and the lots by them settled : — John McNinch, lot 70, in 1803. Samuel McNinch, lot 78, in 1803. James McNinch, lot 91, in 1805. Jabez Lewis, lot 5, in the fall of 1805. John McMillen and Elias Chamberhn, about 1805, located on lot No. 6, each building there a log house. Joseph Richardson at about the same time settled on lot 13, and in 1808 Davenport Alger also located there and built a log house. Francis Richardson, in 1803, settled on lot 136, and a few years after committed suicide by hang- ing himself to a limb of a tree. Repeated incar- ceration in jail for debt, at which times his family suffered severely, caused him to become insane. Joseph Allen settled on lot No. 81, in 1806. John Richardson settled on lot No. 14, about 1806. Moses Adams, lot 133, in the spring of 1806. 326 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Samuel and Matthew McNinch. lot loi, in 1806. Elijah Richardson, lot No. 15, in 1807. Joseph Gilbert, lot No. 12, in 1808. Charles Thorp, lot 134, about 1808. John Robeson, (or Robinson,) lot 25, about 1808. WiUiam Johns, lot 18, in 1809. Joshua Gile, lot 22, in 1809. Eli Clark, lot 23, in 1810. Lot No. 24 was first settled by Harvey May, who built the first log house there in the spring of 1806. This tract was afterward divided into sev- eral village lots, and is now known as Foot's Cor- ners. Peter Bevins, lot 39, about 1810. Hinman Janes, lot 60, about 1810. Simeon Root, lot 33, soon after joined by Joseph George, who erected a log house on the same land in 1810. Lot 43 was first settled and the first log house built thereon by Abel Root, about 1807. This tract is now known as Union Corners, a small hamlet. Matthew McNinch, who settled lot 10 1, was born in Sussex county, N. J., March 3, 1784. In early infancy his parents moved to Northumber- land county. Pa., and in 1806, at the age of twen- ty-two, he moved with his father's family to Cone- sus. His father had come here about two years previously, leaving his family in Pennsylvania; then he returned to his home, and as the family were about to start on their journey to this town he was taken sick and died shortly after. Matthew Mc- Ninch died in 1866, and was buried in the McKay burying ground. Jabez Lewis, who in the fall of 1805 settled on lot No. s, was born in Vermont. In 1802 he moved to Lima, this county, where he remained one year, removing from there to Richmond, On- tario county. In the fall of 1805 he came to Con- esus and built a log house on lot No. 5, and sent a son and daughter there to live and clear up the land. In 1806 he moved the rest of his family here to live. He was one of the soldiers of the Revolution. One of the later and prominent settlers was Alexander Patterson, who came to the town in 181 4, and in the following year built the first log house on lot No. 4, on which land he Hved the remainder of his life. He was born in Vermont, and at an early age resolved to make Conesus his future home. Hav- ing but limited means — not more than sufficient to reach the town — he resolved to peddle his way through, and by so doing save what little he had earned to aid him when he had reached his new home. So, procuring a small traveling trunk and the necessary articles, he set out on foot, accom- panied by a companion who was also bound for Conesus. All the first day he tried to dispose of his goods but met with no success, which so dis- couraged him that on the second day he presented his companion, who was suffering from the cold, with a pair of mittens, and then threw his trunk across his shoulder and resolved to peddle no more. On his arrival at Conesus he took up his residence with the family of Jabez Lewis, who were then liv- ing on lot No. 5. A short time after, he married Lucy, one of Lewis' daughters, with whom he Uved happily over fifty years. He died in 1866. Among other prominent early settlers were the parents of John Young, Governor of New York State in 1846. John Young was born in Bennington, Vt, in 1804, being but four years old when his parents came to this town. He attended the Academy at Lima, N. Y., from wliich school he was graduated, and at the age of sixteen taught school in Conesus, receiving nine dollars per month. About the year 1823, he began the study of law with A. A. Ben- nett, at East Avon, and in 1829 was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court and opened an office at Geneseo. In 1832, with Hon. George W. Patterson, he was elected member of Assembly from this county. From 1833 to 1837 he was representative in the Twenty-fourth Congress from this Congressional district, and also in the Twenty-seventh Congress from 1 841 to 1843. He was also member of As- sembly in 1845-6. As a Whig in 1846, he was elected Governor of this State by about 1 1,000 majority over the Hon. Silas Wright. In July of 1849, he was appointed Assistant United States Treasurer, at New York, which position he held until his death. He was an able lawyer, occupying a front rank in his profession, and the dignified positions which he held and graced were a just return for his years of patient toil and untiring energy. He died in New York, April 23, 1852, and lies buried at Tem- ple Hill, Geneseo. Nathaniel Cole was another prominent after settler. He was born in Rensselaer county, N.Y., July 4, 1776, — the memorable day in the history of our nation. CONESUS — EARLY SETTLERS. 327 At the age of eleven his father moved to within five miles of Ballston Springs, N. Y., where they remained a few years, moving from there, when he was twenty-two years old, to Aurelius, Cayuga county, N. Y., and from that town to Conesus, ar- riving here March 23, 1815. At that time most of the town was a wilderness. His first land was purchased of William Williams, lot No. 104, on which Mr. Williams had done but three days' work. Here he built a log house, and the first year cleared five acres, and the next, seven acres. In i8i6, he aided in building the Wing saw-mill on lot 104, which for many years has ceased to be in use. Even in his early days here the nearest grist-mill was at Hemlock lake. Wheat was then worth fourteen and corn ten shillings per bushel ; while potatoes, brought from Livonia, commanded one dollar per bushel; and even at those prices both grain and potatoes were scarce. The scarcity and high prices were due to a severe frost which oc- curred in i8i6, appearing in July and followed on the loth of September by another equally as severe. This frost caused much hardship'among the settlers, especially to those on the Marrowback hills, where there were some who did not have a mouthful of bread for three successive weeks. This brief famine caused some of the settlers to become insane on account of the suffering of their families. Among those thus seriously affected was Micah Spencer, who settled on lot 69, — a poor man of proud spirit — the suffering of whose family made such an impression on his mind as to make him demented. In 181 7, Mr. Cole moved on lot No. 79, where he was obliged to plan every way to procure pro- visions. The most successful plan was in burning wood and selling the ashes therefrom, and with the proceeds purchasing the necessaries of life. Mr. Cole died in 1868, at the advanced age of ninety- two. Mrs. Jane McNinch,* wife of James McNinch, who came here in t8o6, was born in Washington, Columbia county, Penn., April 24, 1788. At the age of seventeen, October, 1805, she was married to James McNinch. In February, 1806, in com- pany with Matthew, Annie and John Scott and Matthew McNinch, she moved from Columbia county to this town, arriving here about the ist of March, and stopping at the house of James Hen- derson at the head of Conesus lake. Her hus- • Grandmother to Wm. P. Boyd, Esq., of Conesus. band, who was a mill-wright, had remained to attend to his mill, but in a few months joined her here. One of his brothers, John McNinch, came to Conesus about 1804, and his father and others of his brothers came soon after, and rented a farm of Squire Henderson near the head of the lake,- and early in the fall of 1804 the father returned and brought the rest of the family here to live. In the summer of 1806, James McNinch took up lot III in the south part of the town, where he cleared a small area and built a log hoiise into which they moved in the fall of 1806. In that same year Mrs. McNinch and her husband moved to Dansville, where he had engaged to tend mill for Mr. Rochester. This mill, in the early part of the winter, was destroyed by fire. They then re- turned to Conesus, and in the spring they moved to Frost's Hollow, Ontario county, where for two years Mr. McNinch tended mill, when they again returned to Conesus where they lived two years. In the spring of 1813, they went to Lakeville, town of Livonia, where for ten years Mr. Mc- Ninch tended mill for Mr. Bosley. At the expira- tion of that time they moved again to Dansville where they remained two years, and then returned to Conesus where they passed the rest of their life. When they first came to the town, all of their trading was done at Dansville. The merchants there would sell no person more than a quarter of a pound of tea and two pounds of coffee at a time, for which the purchaser paid from three to four shillings per pound for coffee, and from six to twelve shillings for tea. Sugar and molasses could ^scarcely be obtained at any price. Their grist was carried to Hemlock lake on horseback, as there was no road but a foot path through the forest. Tames McNinch died of consumption Novem- ber 8, 1839. Jane McNinch died March 11, 1869, at the age of eighty-five, and was buried in the north part of the town in what is known as the Alger and Boyd burying ground. Mrs. McNinch resided several years among the Indians at the head of Lake Conesus, where, during the summer months, large numbers would encamp about the inlet for the purpose of hunting and fishing. Before the cold weather of fall set in, the most of them would depart for the south to pass the winter, re- turning when spring came. At times through the summer they would become quite troublesome, and often it was not safe for a white person to be seen near the inlet. These times were occasioned chiefly by their use of intoxicating liquors which 328 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. the settlers sold to them. When not under the in- fluence of Uquor they were friendly and docile. The settlers living near them generally endeavored to keep on friendly terms withithe Indians, and whenever they wished to borrow pots and kettles in which to cook their food always managed, if possible, to accommodate them. These the In- dians were careful to return, cleaned in their own way, but not at all times to the taste of the loaners. When the news of sickness among the settlers reached the Indians, the squaws would come with roots and herbs to doctor them. Of these herbs they made teas, and to assure the whites that they were not poisonous, they would taste of them first before offering to the patient. In most cases these simple remedies were sure to cure the diseases that were prevalent at that time, and especially the dis- eases incident to children. Th€ habits and customs of the early settlers were nearly as primitive as those of the Indians. The houses of those early days were rude aff'airs, as compared with the dwellings of to-day. They were uniformly of logs, either round or hewn on two or more sides, and between the logs to keep out the wind and cold, the chinks were plastered with mud, or filled with strips of wood sharpened on one side and wedged firmly in. In rearing these primitive houses the pioneers held logging bees, to which the settlers far and near would come to assist in the erection of the home for the new comer. When the house was raised they would cut places for doors and windows, before the doorway hanging a blanket, and for the windows using sheets of greased paper or the hides of wild animals. The roof was covered with the bark peeled from the logs used in the construction of the cabin, and bound on by poles to keep it from blowing away. The floors were made of slabs of basswood hewed on one side and with the round side turned down. In one end of this rude building they constructed a fire-place on which they placed a back log from two to three feet thick, with one half the size for a forward log, and between these logs they would pile huge sticks of wood, before whose cheery blaze, surrounded with no comforts, and pinched by all the privations and trials of pioneer life, they passed their evenings as happily as do their descendants who live in costlier and more comfortable homes. But few of these relics of that pioneer age exist. In a few years not a vestige will remain of the log cabins under whose bark roofs those hardy men and women Hved lives of heroic devotion and en- durance. In 1816, there were but four frame buildings in the town, three of which were barns. The house was burned a number of years ago. One of the barns belonged to Davenport Alger and one to a Mr. Younge. The rest of the buildings through- out the town were of logs. Early Merchants, Early Events. — The busi- ness interests of the town developed but slowly. The pioneer effort in that direction has been as- cribed to Squire Henderson who in 1794 — the next year after his arrival — built the first saw-mill. One of the earliest merchants was Harvey May, who, in 181 9 opened a small store at what is now known as Foot's Corners, and near the residence of Nathaniel Cole, Jr. He sold general merchan- dise to the settlers, taking his pay in ashes which he converted into potash. In 1820 or 21, he was succeeded by Martin Neal, who began business on a larger scale, which he continued a few years. Harvey May and Samuel Chapin in 1822 built here the first frame store in which merchandise was ever sold. In 1818 Andrew and Gardner Arnold opened a store at what is now Conesus Centre. The first grist-mill was built in 1824. The first school-house was built in 1 810, in which year Polly Howe taught the first school. The first preacher was Rev. Mr. Goodale, who in 1795 preached in the southwest part of the town for the Free Will Baptists. Another early and noted minister was Rev. Baldwin Wright. The first Church built was the Methodist at Conesus Centre in 1836. The first marriage was that of Hugh Harrison and Elizabeth Collar in 1796. The first birth was that of a daughter, Jane, to Squire Henderson in i8oi. The first death was that of EUzabeth Collar * in 1801. The first resident minister was Rev. Mr. Ing- ham (or Ingraham) in 1808. The first Justice elected by the people was Samuel Robinson in 1829. One of the most noted early physicians was Doctor E. Campbell. The oldest person ever known to have died in the town was Lucy Bates, born in 1725, and dying in 1832, at the age of 107 years. ♦Probably wife to Hugh Harrison, whose marriage to an Elizabeth Collar, the reader has noticed. CONESUS — SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION AND WAR OF 1812. 329 Near the head of Lake Conesus, occurred in the year 1779 a memorable battle between the Indians and a portion of General SulHvan's army. The army passed through the northwestern part of the town, entering nearly on lot No. 6, and pursued a direct course to the head of the lake. Gen. Hand's light corps encamped on land once owned by Doctor McMillen, while the main body of the army encamped about three-quarters of a mile southwest of what is now Conesus Centre. This spot was on part of the farm taken up after the war by Lemuel Richardson, who was a Revo- lutionary soldier and also a member of Sullivan's expedition. Since the settlement of the town the plow has unearthed many relics of that memorable cam- paign, among which is a brass or copper plate, worn on the hat, inscribed " U. S. Rifleman." In the center of this plate is an eagle with out- spread wings, holding in one claw an olive branch, and in the other a bow and bunch of arrows. This was found by Bennett R. Boyd while working for Hiram Boyd on lot 14. On land of Nathaniel Cole, Jr., a bullet mould was found capable of running twelve balls of the size of an old style horse pistol. Numerous mementos have been discovered of the Indians who formerly inhabited this region. Warren Wheeler, who came here from Vermont, in 1816, says that in the fall of that year an Indian mound, or burying ground, was discovered near the head of Conesus Lake, in which, in a sitting pos- ture, were found the remains of a number of In- dians, with the arms and trinkets with which they had been buried. The mound was about thirty feet in diameter, thatched overhead with stones. Revolutionary Soldiers. — Conesus has the honor of once being the home of ten or more of the patriots of the Revolution who came here after the close of the war and resided until their death. The list of these soldiers as near as can be learned — although there may have been others who made this town their home — is as follows : — Francis Horth, Aaron Hale, Lemuel Richardson, David Sopher, Jabez Lewis, Charles Chamberlin, Paul Sanborn, Theophilus Jackson, Thaddeus Gage, Isaiah Bacon. Five of these patriots lie buried in the cemetery at Conesus Centre, two in South Li- vonia, one in the McKay burial ground, one in Hart's and one in Springwater. In those graves which are honored by their presence they have slumbered many years, and no records exist con- cerning the majority of them. It is learned that Thaddeus Gage was born in the year 1750, and in 1776, when but twenty-six years of age, entered the Revolutionary army with which he served in five campaigns. Francis Horth was born in Rhode Island in 1756. At the age of nineteen he Joined the army and served nearly five years, participating in the battle of Stillwater, and being present at Saratoga when Burgoyne surrendered his sword to General Gates. He died in 1844 at the age of 88. Aaron Hale was born near the city of Boston. At the age of twenty-one he entered the army and was present at the battles of Bunker Hill and Ben- nington. In 1815 he came to Conesus where he lived until his death in 182 1. He was buried in the town of Springwater. War of 181 2. — In this war, as the town was not thickly inhabited, there were but few who joined the American forces. Among those who entered the field at that time were James Hender- son, who was killed at the battle of Queenstown, Andrew Carter, Andrew Arnold, Tyranis Ripley, B. F. Fosdick, Asa Stevens, Benjamin Clapp, Elijah Webster, and Daniel and Samuel Monger. Erastus Lewis served as one of the minute men, and when the news of the British advance on Buf- falo reached the town he was called out to oppose the enemy. In an engagement between the Amer- can and British forces, on the enemy's side of the river, in which the British were aided by a large number of Indians, he took his position behind a log fence, and as the enemy advanced he began to fire upon them. After firing several shots he dis- covered that he was alone, his comrades having fallen back and deserted him. Under a heavy fire from the British he jumped up and ran after them, reaching his companions with only a bullet hole through his hat. Two brothers, Joseph and Jonathan Richardson, both cripples, participated in the battle of Chip- pewa, fought July 5, 18 14, in which battle Joseph was killed by a ball passing through his heart, and Jonathan was taken prisoner by the British. He was taken to Montreal, and from there to Halifax, from which place, after some six months imprison- ment, he was released. Joseph Richardson, Jr., a son to Joseph who was killed, was also captured by the enemy, but in a few days escaped. The friends of Joseph Richardson visited the battle-field, where among the other dead gathered for burial they found his remains, which they brought home and buried at South Livonia, 330 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Andrew Carter, whose name is given in the above list, entered the army when scarcely twenty years of age, and soon after becoming disheartened he deserted and returned home to suffer trials greater than those from which he had fled. He was soon missed, and an immediate search was made for him, which, had he been re-taken, would have resulted in his death for desertion. Learning that he was pursued he took refuge in what is known as Purchase Gull, where through one long winter he hid away among the pines and rocks, from whose recesses when the nights came he would cautiously emerge and seek food at the log cabin of James McNinch. Several times officers came from Buffalo and searched for him, ransacking this house, exploring the guUeys, and laying every plan for his capture, but through the aid of Mrs. McNinch he escaped. In the branches of a huge hemlock he built a nest, covering it with bark, in which through the winter storms he lay until spring, when the search was abandoned. He died a number of years ago in Scottsburgh, respected by all as a worthy and upright citizen. As a reHc of this war Hiram Boyd, Esq., has in his possession a captain's commission given sixty- seven years ago to his father, Phillip Boyd. It is dated at Albany, March 2, 1814, and is signed by Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor of the State, and by J. Kutsch Van Rensselaer, Secretary. Flood of 1835.— In the fall of 1835 the town of Conesus experienced the most disastrous flood known since its settlement by the pioneers. The flood was caused by a furious storm which swept over the southern portion of the town, and when it reached Calabogue Hollow the rain fell in torrents, filling the ravines with a rush of water which soon covered the flats below, carrying every- thing before it to destruction, until its fury was abated at Conesus lake. Trees and fences were whirled away like straws before the wind, and the residents on the flats flew to the hills for safety, some of them barely escaping with their lives. On the eastern bank of the gully stood the millwright shop of Bell & Hedges, which was swept away as the unfortunate owners were endeavoring to save their tools. The body of Bell was found next day a short distance from the ruins, but the body of Hedges was not found until the next July, when it was discovered buried beneath a pile of floodwood near the head of the lake. Town Officers.— The first town meeting was held at the head of Conesus lake, April 4, 1820. This meeting proved to be illegal, as the legislative act to form a new township from parts of Grove- land and Livonia, which was passed in the early part of the preceding winter, contained a special clause that there should be no town meeting or election of officers until the spring of 1821. Soon after the passage of this act the inhabitants, un- aware of this clause, issued notices for the election of town officers on the day mentioned, when they nominated Davenport Alger for Supervisor and Phoenix Squibbs for Town Clerk. These nomina- tions not being satisfactory to a large number of the inhabitants, they determined to place in nom- ination two other candidates. In this determina- tion they experienced some difficulty, for at that time they were but little acquainted with each other's ability to hold office. They finally resolved to try Thomas Collar for Supervisor, although for a long time they were in doubt as to his abihty ; but be- lieving that a man who kept up as good fences as Mr. Collar did would make a good Supervisor, they placed his name on the ticket and succeeded in electing him, together with Samuel Chapin, Jr., as Town Clerk. The illegality of the election was soon discovered, and in 182 1 was held the first legal town meeting, at which Davenport Alger was elected Supervisor, and Samuel Chapin, Jr., Town Clerk. The other officers elected at that time were as follows: — Assessors, Jesse McMillen, Alexander Patterson, Zenas Whilen ; Overseers of the Poor, Alexander Patterson, Thomas Collar; Highway Commissioners, Jesse McMillen, Joel Gilbert; Constable and Collector, Peter Stiles; School Commissioners, Jesse McMillen, Joel Gilbert, Erastus Wilcox; Inspectors of Schools, Andrew Arnold, Samuel Chapin, Jr., Elias Clark. From that date to 1880 the succession of Su- pervisors and Town Clerks has been as follows : — Supervisors. Tovm Clerks. 1822. Samuel Chapin, Jr. Andrew Arnold. 1823. Andrew Arnold. Davenport Alger. 1824-25. " " Peter Stiles. 1826. Alex. Patterson. " " i827-28.David C. Higgins. David Gilbert. 1829. Andrew Arnold. Joshua Huntington. 1830. Samuel Robinson, Jr. B. F. Fosdick. 183 1. Jotham Clark, Sen. " " 1832. EK Barnes. " " 1833. Jotham Clark. " " 1834-35. Gardner Arnold.- " " 1836. Harvey Purchase. " " 1837. Jotham Clark. " " 1838. Hosea Gilbert. Joseph Wells. 1839. Robert Bayles. Charles Pixley. 1840. Gardner Arnold. " " CONESUS — TOWN OFFICERS, CHI)rCHES. 33^ 1 84 1. Robert Bayles. Charles Pixley. 1842. Hector Hitchcock. Justus Allen. 1843. Luther Chapin. " " 1844. Hector Hitchcock. " " 1845. Robert Bayles. Benoni F. Fosdick. 1846. Hector Hitchcock. " " 1847-48. Solomon Hitchcock. " " 1849. Robert Bayles. " 1850. Davenport Alger. " " 1851-52. Lewis C. Kingsbury. " " 1853-56. George F. Coe. 1857-58. Henry L. Arnold, i859-62.EzraW. Clark. 1863-64. R. Fulton McMillen. " 1865. Ezra W.Clark. 1866. Henry C. Coe. " 1867. Ezra W.Clark. " 1868. Solomon Hitchcock.* " i869-72.Henry C. Coe.t 1873. Jotham Clark. 1874. " " William H. Mills. 1875-76. Amos D. Coe. " " 1877-80. George F. Coe.t " " The following officers were elected April 5, 1 881: Supervisor, R. Fulton McMillen; Town Clerk, William H. Mills; Justice of the Peace, Floyd McNinch ; Highway Commissioner, William P. Whiteman ; Assessor, James C. McNinch ; Over- seer of Poor, David Coleman ; Collector, Andrew F. Kelleman; Constables, Andrew F. Kelleman, John C. Coe, George Jerome, Timothy Bailey, Sanford Allen ; Game Constable, Luman H. Bald- win; Excise Commissioner, Patrick McNinch; Inspectors of Election, William A. Miller, Charles C. Gray. Churches. — For many years after the settle- ment of the town the pioneers were without regu- larly organized religious societies and were depend- ent on occasional preachers for the ministration of the gospel. At first their nearest place for wor- ship was at what was then known as Buell Hill, in Livonia, where the Presbyterians held service. About 1810 the Methodists began to hold religious services in private houses throughout the town, followed soon after by the Baptists, who had as an occasional preacher a minister named Ingham.§ A society of the Christian order was organized near May's (now Foot's) Corners in 1818, but it existed only a few years. Of this order Rev. Syl- vester Morris, who settled here in 18 18, was after- ward an honored pastor. Mr. Morris was born in the town of Paris, Oneida (now Clinton) county, * Appointed. t Died February 22, 1880. t Mr. Coe died and R. F. McMillen was appointed to fill the unex- pired term. § Or Ingraham, who settled in Conesus about 1808, and who was the first resident minister in the town. N. Y., Nov. 30, i8or. In 1815 he moved to East Henrietta, N. Y., and from there to Conesus in 1818. In 1847 he was ordained as a minister in the Central New York Christian Conference, which was formed in pioneer times by circuit riders. He died February 14, 1877. Rev. John Hudson became a resident here in 1 81 5, and when in about 1816 the Methodists organized a society at Conesus Centre he became the pastor of that denomination. Of the Methodist Episcopal Society thus organ- ized there are no records until the erection of its church edifice in 1836. The church was dedicated January 28, 1837, by Rev. James Hemmingway, Presiding Elder. First Board of Trustees — Thomas Youngs, Jesse Gray, Justin Allen. The first preacher in charge was Rev. E. Thomas, followed by Revs. Jacob Scott in 1837, Wilham Jones in 1838, Carlos Gould in 1839, Chandler Wheeler in 1840, Sheldon Doolittle in 1 841, C. L. Brown in 1842, Wesley Cochrane in 1843, John Wiley in 1844, E. O. Hall in 1845, Geo. Wilkinson in 1846, Theodore McElhaney in 1847-9, Hiram Sanford in 1850, Veranus Brownell in 1851-2, Z. I. Buck in 1853, W. M. Haskell in 1854, Jonas Dodge in 1855, Samuel McGerald in 1856, Otis B. Weaver in 1857, Myron De Puy in 1858, Isaac McMahon in 1859-60, James Knapp in 1861, L. L. Rogers in 1861-3, E. Lattimer in 1864, Robert T. Hancock in 1865, John Parker in 1866-7, D. Hutchins and Mr. Blakeslee in 1868, T. J. O. Woodin in 1869-71, G. J. Du Bois in 1871-2, J. Duncan in 1873, J. W. Blanchard in 1874, A. M. Bancroft in 1875, R. T. Hancock in 1876, J. D. Recqua, 1876-7, J. W. Barnett in 1877-8, Porter McKinstrey in 1878-9, A. E. Tan- ner in 1879-80. This church edifice was destroyed by fire Decem- ber3o, 1871, and the meetings were held in aschool house for two years and then in the First Univer- salist Church until the fall of 1876, when a new church was erected. This church was built and furnished at a cost of $4,000, and was dedicated November 15, 1876, by Rev. B. I. Ives. Board of Trustees: David Coleman, Samuel Maring, WiUiam L. Perrin, Orville Chapin, Daniel Trescott, Secretary. TAe First Universalist Church. — This society was organized December 19, X835. Among early members were Joshua Huntington, H. J. Hunt- ington, Gardner Arnold, Hosea Gilbert, Daven- 332 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. port Alger, Alexander Patterson, Enoch Wilcox, Robert Bayles, Solomon Hitchcock, Lewis Clark, Timothy DeGraw, David Gilbert, Samuel Buckley, A. Stevens, Hiram Boyd, Darius Morris, J. T. Beach. The erection of a church edifice was begun in 1836 and was completed in 1837. The church was built at Union Corners, on land owned by Timothy DeGraw. Here the society worshipped until the erection in 1873 of a more commodious church in the village of Conesus Center. This church was dedicated by Rev. W. B. Randolph in March, 1874. Among the pastors who officiated in the early years of the society were :— Rev. O. Roberts, Rev. Mr. Tompkins, Rev. O. B. Clark, Rev. J. A. Dobson, Rev. W. B. Randolph. The first pastor after the erection of the new church was Rev. G. W. Montgomery, who remained three years. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Baker who presided one year. The next pastor was Rev. Nelson Snell, one year, succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. John Charles Mclnerney, who came in April of 1880. St. William's Catholic Church. — The church edifice of this society was erected in 1876 by Rev. Father Seymour, the resident pastor of St. Mi- chael's church, Livonia, from which place Conesus was attended. Previous to this time there was no regular place of worship in the town, the people of that faith being obliged to attend the church at Livonia Centre, except when Father Seymour came and held service in the school-house kindly opened by the Trustees for that purpose. The church erected for the accommodation of the society is a very neat structure, and was completed and suita- bly furnished by Father Murphy, who succeeded Father Seymour, Nov. 7, 1877, and who attends this charge from Livonia Center, where he resides. Since the erection of the church the members have done remarkably well in reducing the indebtedness incurred, which at this date does not amount to one hundred dollars. The ground upon which the church was erected was purchased by William Egan, a member to whom much is due for his un- tiring zeal in prqcuring a place of worship. Among the many generoiis non-Catholics who contributed liberally toward the erection of the church were Amos D. Coe, Ezra W. Clark, Solomon Hitchcock, Jotham Clark, Fulton McMillen, George F. Coe, T. F. DeGraw, and W. H. Mills. The membership numbers about twenty families, prominent among whom are those of Patrick Ryan, C. McGinty, B. Lawn, John McGinty, William Dunne and Martin Berrigan. Services are held in the church every third Sun- day at nine o'clock, a. m. Population. — The population of Conesus in 1870 was 1,362; of which 1,262 were native, 100 foreign, 1,357 white, and 5 colored. In 1875 the total number of inhabitants was 1,371 : of which 1,263 were native; foreign 108 ; and white 1,371. At the last census, 1880, the total population was 1,397; a gain of 35 in ten years. School Statistics. — The first school districts in Conesus were organized in the year 1820, Jan. 21, under the direction of Jesse McMillen, Erastus Wilcox, School Commissioners. These are known as Districts 6 and 7. There are 9 districts in the town which, in 1 880, employed ten teachers. During 1880 school was taught 441 3-5 weeks, with an average attendance of 186. The number of children in these districts over five and under twenty-one is 443. Of that number 347 attend school during some portion of the year. The amount paid as wages to teachers during the yearwas $1,734.09. The district libra- ries were valued at $75.00, and the amount paid out on them in 1880 was $404. Total value of school houses and sites, $6,235. Total amount paid for school apparatus during the year, $2.11. Total amount expended on school houses, sites, repairs, furniture, &c., $174.30. Total incidental expenses for the year, $264.52. Total valuation of districts, $7,645.79. Printing Establishments. — The only enter- prise of this kind in the town is Boyd's Job Print- ing EstabUshment, situated in the northern part of the town at what is known as Conesus post-office. The business was established by the present pro- prietor, Wilham P. Boyd, in 1875. The estab- lishment has every faciUty for job printing. Mr. Boyd is a practical mechanic. The press which he uses in his office was made by himself, and he also manufactures for the trade, his presses giving general satisfaction. Besides the labor attendant on his business, Mr. Boyd is a well known and interesting contributor to the press of the county and State. He and Hiram Boyd, his father, have made the history of Conesus an especial study, and it is to them that we are indebted for the material used in this history of the town, much of which appears in its original form. The subject of this brief memoir was the son of John C, and Anna (Dixon) Coe, who moved to Livonia at an early day, being among the pioneers of that town. He was born in Livonia in 1816, and moved to Conesus in 1843. He was twice married, first to Roxy Howe, of Livonia, who lived but a few years ; afterwards to Alta A. Stone, also of Livonia. To them were born three children, viz: — Annie C, John C, and G. F. J., all of whom survive him. At the time of his death, Mr. Coe was 64 years of age, and had been for many years a prominent citizen of his town, and well known throughout the county. That he greatly endeared himself to the people of his town, the many public offices he held fully testify. For eight years he represented the town of Conesus as Supervisor, having been elected to that office in 1853, reelected in 1854-5 and'56, and also in 1 877-78-79 and '80. The board of Supervisors, recognizing his particular fitnesss for the position, elected him chairman of that board in 1880, which position he held at the time of his death. As a public officer, he was faithful, vigilant, and trustworthy, guarding carefully the interests of the county at large, as well as of his own imme- diate constituents. A favorite among his ac- quaintances, keen in perception, and full of the poetry of wit, genial and pleasant to all, his pres- ence brought sunshine into every gathering in which he mingled. He was one whom nature fitted for the highest responsibilities of life, possessing clear and accurate judgment combined with broad and liberal views, and unbounded benevolence. He was a kind and generous friend to the poor. Being full of sympathy for all the distressed or unfortu- nate, he never allowed a suffering or needy appli- cant to be turned away empty-handed, thereby ex- emplifying in his daily life the distinguishing tenet of his religious faith, which was the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He was socially honest, and what he said to-day, he was ever will- ing to repeat to-morrow. In the community in which he lived, the foot-prints of his kindness and charity will remain long after the mould of time has gathered on the tablet erected to his memory. Mr. Coe was a member of the Masonic fraternity, hav- ing become so in 1858. His death which was a pecuharly sad one, occurred November 9, 1880. Returning from a meeting of the Board of Super- visors, which he left in apparent health, when almost in sight of his home, he was attacked with heart disease, a difficulty which had troubled him occa- sionally for some years, and stricken down instantly, breathing out his precious spirit in solitude where no eye beheld him except the Eye that never sleep- eth. So true is it, that in the midst of life, we are in death. UNION CORNERS — FOOT'S CORNERS — CONESUS CENTRE. 333 Hiram Boyd came to Conesus in 1821, at the age of sixteen, and is known as one of the most successful and inteUigent farmers of the town. Union Corners. Union Corners is situated about half a mile north of Conesus Centre, on lot No. 43. It has some eighteen or twenty houses, and about fifty inhabitants. The first house was built here in 1807 by Abel Root. The only business place is a tailor shop conducted by John Magee. The first tailor shop was built here by a Mr. Bates in 1820. In 1837 he was succeeded by Gardner Arnold, who built the first frame tailor shop, in which for a few years he carried on a successful business when it was burned down. John Magee, the present merchant tailor, was born in Ireland in 1821, and came to America when ten years old. He came from New York to Conesus as a permanent resident in 1846, and in 1850 built his store in which for thirty years he pursued his business until Sunday, March 6, 1881, when both his store and his dwelling house were destroyed by fire. Foot's Corners. Foot's Corners is a small hamlet about a mile south of the northern boundary of the town. In the early settlement of the town this place was called May's Corners, for a family of that name who made the first settlement here in 1806. The ham- let contains ten or fifteen houses and was once the chief place of the town. In earlier days it had a store, tavern, and blacksmith shop. The tavern was built about sixty years ago by Harvey May and Samuel Chapin. The store was built about the year 1835 by Foster Foot, from whom the place derived its pres- ent name. Both tavern and store have been abandoned for many years. This place at an early day was a noted resort for races, general trainings, and other amusements. Conesus Centre. Conesus Centre, the chief business place of the town, contains a population of about two hundred. It is situated nearly in the center of the town on the line of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. The first permanent settlement known to have been made here was by Jacob Durham, about the year 1800, who built the first log-house. The village contains three churches, one hotel, post-office, a harness shop, and three stores. The first store was opened here in 181 7 by Mr. Arnold and his nephew, Gardner Arnold. Their place of business was in a log building. The first hotel was built by Daniel Bump be- tween 1830 and '35, which was destroyed by fire a number of years ago. The post-office was estab- Hshed here in 1819 with Andrew Arnold as post- master, and B. F. Fosdick as post-rider. In 1823 a mail route was estabUshed between Conesus Cen- tre and Springwater, and Rev. Sylvester Morris was the first to perform the service of post-rider on that Hne. The present post-master is WiUiam H. Mills, who was appointed in 1874, succeeding B. M. Moulton who had held the office some four or five years.* The hotel is kept by Dr. G. K. Vincent, who is also extensively engaged in the manufacture of perfumery and flavoring extracts, and various med- ical compounds. This business was founded by G. K. Vincent in 1873, and is conducted by G. K. Vincent & Co. The medicine and extracts man- ufactured by this firm have met with great success and the business bids fair to live among the prom- inent manufactures of the county. WiUiam H. Mills, general merchandise, has been in business here ten years. He was born in Grove- land, February 24, 1845, and has been a resident of the town twenty-seven years. Lewis & Stark, (Gilbert L. Lewis, Arthur A. Stark,) general merchandise, have been in business as a firm since April i, 1880. John Dodge, general hardware, has been in bus- iness here since 1876, coming here at that time from Liberty, Steuben county, in which place he was born July 15, 1847. Frank S. Gilmore, jeweler, has been in business two years, coming here from Springwater, N. Y. WiUiam A. Miller, harness-maker, has been en- gaged in that business here seven years. He was born in DansviUe in 185 1, and came to Conesus eight years ago. Dr. Jesse B. Losey is the only practicing physi- cian in the town. He was born in South Dans- viUe, Steuben county, October 20, 1828, gradu- ated at Castleton, Vt., in 1857, and came to Cone- sus in i860. During the war of the Rebellion he served as Assistant Surgeon in the 2 2d New York Cavalry. * The town has also another office, known as Conesus post-office, in the northern part of the town. The post-master is Joseph H. Rowland. 334 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Soldiers of thk Rebellion. — When the war cloud of the Rebellion broke over the land the town of Conesus promptly and enthusiastically re- sponded to the call both in money and men. The town stood two drafts, and had the honor of being able to furnish the requisite quota of vol- unteers without compelHng the drafted men to en- ter the service. Through the enthusiastic efforts of the inhabit- ants, who with fife and drum recruited on the Sabbath day as well as during the week, the de- sired number of men was obtained, and they marched from the town to carry the flag on the bloody fields of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, York- town and Richmond, and in Sherman's triumphant march to the sea. The total enlistment from the town, under the various calls was seventy-eight. The amount of money raised to procure enlistments was $3,100, and of that amount $1,900 was raised by a tax upon the town, the balance being procured by in- dividual subscription. Besides that amount $700 were raised as donations to hospitals and sanitary commissions. The following is the list of the volunteers and the regiments in which they enlisted : — One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment: — Henry L. Arnold, entered as Captain of Company I, was promoted to Colonel of the regiment, and was wounded in battle at Bentonville, N. C, March 19, 1865. He is now in Geneseo, N. Y. Matthew Mead, Second Lieutenant, Company I, served through the war. Now in Rochester, N. Y. Charles Bullard, First Lieutenant, Company not known, was wounded. William Lawn, Sergeant, Company I, killed at the battle of Resaca,* Ga., May 16, 1864; buried on the field. LaFayette McFarlin, Company I, enlisted in 1862. Died in hospital at Washington, in August of 1863. Watson Thomas, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ; taken sick, came home on a furlough, and died in November, 1863. John Duane Alger, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ; died at Camp Smoky Hollow, Va., in the fall of 1863. Jerome Henry, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ; died in the hospital at Washington, in the spring of 1863. James Conlen, Company I, enlisted in 1862 ; lost * Another record says he was killed at Chattanooga. an arm at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, but served till close of the war. Now living in Conesus. Charles Beadle, Company I, served till 1864, when he was discharged. Now in Wisconsin. Orville M. Chapin served through the war. Now in Conesus. Allen Timbrooks, Company I, served through the war. Now in Michigan. James McGHn, Company I, wounded and taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Was taken to Libby Prison, and was afterwards released and returned to his regiment. Now in Livonia, N. Y. William Poland, Company I, discharged in 1863, at Stafford Court House for inability. Now in Conesus. Henry Compton, Company I, was Company cook. Now in Illinois. James Compton, Company I, deserted in 1863, after the first day's battle at Gettysburg. Chester Gould, Company I, served till fall of 1863. Lost his voice and was honorably dis- charged. Now near Pontiac, Michigan. Joel Johnson, Company I, was discharged on account of inability. Now in Springwater, N. Y. Horace Wing, Company I, was discharged on account of sickness, in 1863. Now proprietor of the Clinton House, Dansville. Harrison Coleman, Sergeant, Company I, served through the war. Now in Saginaw, Michigan. Joseph Earnhardt, Company I, discharged at Washington in the fall of 1862. In 1863 he re- enlisted in the 14th Heavy Artillery. Was wound- ed at the battle of Cold Harbor, in 1864. Now in Canadice, Ontario county, N. Y. Abram Tittsworth, Company I, was discharged on account of inability in 1862. Now in Kalama- zoo, Michigan. Orlando D. Webster, Company I, deserted in 1863. Was drowned in Conesus lake in 1873. WiUiam Cole, Company I, deserted after the first day's battle of Gettysburg. Theodore Acker, Company I, enlisted in 1864, at Savanah, Ga. Now in Michigan. Robert F. Bullard, Company I, was wounded at Mission Ridge, Tenn., in November of 1864. Now in Perry, Wyoming county, N. Y. Samuel Maring, Company I, died in the hospi- tal in 1863. Reuben Cole, Company I, deserted in 1863, af- ter the first day's battle at Gettysburg. Isaac Philhouse, Company I, enlisted in 1862. Was discharged in 1865. Now in Conesus, ©aoias^ ^s>yaIL.E,MSIL,M» CONESUS — WAR RECORD. 335 John Gill, Company I, was wounded at Gettys- burg in July, 1863, and was honorably discharged. A. T. Thompson, (dead,) Samuel Compton, Henry Piatt, (dead,) John Tierney, Christopher Sylvester, Wm. Burdick.* Of those who enlisted in other regiments in de- fense of the Union, G. Wiley Wells, at the break- ing out of the RebeUion was one of the first from this town to tender his services, entering the 27th Regiment New York Volunteers, and serving with credit to himself until the expiration of his term of enlistment. Upon his return he recruited for the 130th Regiment, afterward changed to the First New York Dragoons, and on reenHsting was commissioned as First Lieutenant. At the close of the war he removed to Mississippi, from which State he went as a Representative to Congress, and under President Grant's administration was U. S. Consul to China. Wilber Payn, enHsted in 1864 in Company K, 1 88th Regiment. Was wounded at battle of Five Forks, Va., April ist, 1865. Now in Conesus. Daniel Shker, Sergeant, Company D, i88th Regi- ment. Now in Ohio. Morgan Shafer, Sergeant, i88th Regiment. Now in Conesus. Peter Sawdey, First N. Y. Dragoons. Now in Springwater, N. Y. Daniel Hoose, enlisted in 1864 in Company K, 1 88th Regiment. Was honorably discharged at close of the war. Now a farmer in Sparta, N. Y. William Gray enhsted in 186 1. Died in Michi- gan ; date unknown ; buried in Conesus. Wilham Harrison enlisted in 1864 in U. S. Navy. Was discharged in 1865 on account of sickness. Now in Conesus. Theodore Redmond enlisted in 1863 in 14th Heavy Artillery. Served till 1865 ; was discharged and afterwards went to Michigan, where he died in 1872 or '73. Lucius Doud, Company G, First N. Y. Dragoons, was shot in battle at Todd's Tavern, Va., and is supposed to have died of lockjaw. William Sleiter, Company G, First N. Y. Dra- goons. Now in Livonia, Jesse B. Losey enlisted in 1864 in 22nd N. Y. Cavalry as assistant surgeon. Now practicing phy- sician in Conesus. William Egan, transferred to invalid corps in 1864. Now in Conesus. Henry Timbrooks enlisted in 1861 in Company * Of this list there are no records to show the date of death, or the present resideoce of the living. B, 104th Regiment, ^eenlisted at Mitchell Sta- tion, Va., in 1864. Was wounded at second battle of Bull Run, and at Laurel Hill in 1864. Now mail carrier in Conesus. Joseph Orr, 93d N. Y. Volunteers. Now in Conesus. Joseph Harvey, Company K, i88th N. Y. Vol- unteers, was promoted to First Lieutenant. Now in Saginaw, Mich. Chauncey (or Charles) Wilder, Company B, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, died at Camp Rathbun, Albany, in 1862. John Piatt, Company B, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, was discharged in November of 1862 on account of inability. Died in Conesus in 1864. Albert Piatt, Company B, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, was wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July I, 1863. Died in Steuben county since the war. Truman Powell, Company B, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, discharged in 1862, on account of inability. Now in Kansas. William Henry Gould, Company B, 104th Regi- ment N. Y. Volunteers, discharged with his regi- ment in 1865. Now in Springwater. Jacob Gray, Company I, i88th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, discharged at close of the war. Now a farmer in Conesus. George Northrop enlisted in March, 1864, in U. S. Navy. Was drowned at Tunica Island, La., in 1864. John Duane Scott* enhsted March 20, 1864, in U. S. Navy. Served faithfully through the period of his enhstment. Now in Conesus. Charles Bush, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volun- teers, was killed by a cannon ball in the first battle in which the regiment was engaged. Joseph Thomas, Company H, First Michigan Volunteers, killed by accidental discharge of a gun in the hands of a comrade. Jason Spencer, 13th Regiment. Killed. William Wilson, i88th Regiment. Manson Sanborn, 13th Regiment. Wilham Spears, 130th Regiment. John Brown, 104th Regiment. William Brown, 22nd N. Y. Cavalry. Charles Ray, 130th Regiment. Moses Acker, captain's waiter, 130th Regiment. Moses Slater, 130th Regiment. Missing. George Patten, i88th Regiment. * To whom, and to James Conlon and W. P. Boyd, we are indebted for this soldiers' record. 33^ HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Marcus Hutchin, i88th Regiment. Livingston Clark, 21st N. Y. Cavalry. Israel Wells, 21st N. Y. Cavalry. Ward More, 21st N. Y. Cavalry. Charles Holmes, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volun- teers. Alvin Beers, i88th Regiment. Marshall Morris, 13th Regiment. Dead, George Clarke, 13th Regiment. Wounded slightly. Arlington Sylvester,* Gilbert Lewis, John Mc- Ninch, John Swartout, James De Forster. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. GEORGE WILHELM. Among the early settlers of this county the Wil- helm family deserve special mention, and are of German origin. Three brothers came over from Germany about the year 1700, and settled one each in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. John, the father of George and progenitor of this family, was born in New Jersey. He was the father of eight children — six sons and two daugh- ters. Jacob, the sole surviving member of the family, lives in Woodhull, Steuben county, N. Y. George, the subject of this brief memoir, was born September 2, 1791, and December 25, 18x5, was married to Sarah Bailey, of Yates county, N. Y., by whom he had ten children, viz : Ursula, John, Jonathan, Benjamin F., William B., George, Elsie Ann, James G., Rhoda, and Phillip C. March 22, 1828, he moved to the town of Sparta, taking his goods on sleighs. Here he purchased one hundred and forty-three acres of land, on which only fifteen acres had been partly cleared, and built a frame barn. In 1835 he erected a frame building on the place previously oc- cupied by a rude log hut, and by his sturdy will and industry made a clearing on what is now a finely cultivated farm. He held the position of road commissioner several terms, and he never sought pohtical preferment, but was satisfied to devote his energies to the task he had undertaken — that of clearing and making a comfortable home for his family out of the wilderness he had selected as a foundation. Three of his children are now living — John and William, who occupy farms in Conesus, and Jonathan, in Springwater. He died March 7, 1855, and his wife October 20, I87.S- As an individual member of this family, John is, perhaps, the most prominent and successful. He * Company and regiments of these are unknown. is the second child, was born September 14, 181 8, and April 23, 1843, was married to Leora, daugh- ter of Ozias Humphrey, of Springwater. They had eight children, six of whom are now living, as follows : — Emily A., Sidney S., Elsie J., Solon H., Eugene B. and Martha V. His first business ven- ture was in a saw-mill, which he ran in connection with his father about four years. His first pur- chase of land was one hundred and eighteen acres, to which he has added at different times, until he is now the owner of about four hundred acres, in- cluding the old homestead. He deals extensively in cattle and sheep. On one of his trips through the Western States he stopped at the town of Mil- ford, Oakland county, Michigan, where, there being no bank and the business needing one, he became one of the originators of an exchange bank. The increasing population, however, de- manded a national bank and they changed the Ex- change bank to the National bank of Milford, of which Mr. Wilhelm is vice-president. Two of his sons, Sidney S. and Solon H., seem to have in- herited their father's business qualifications and hold responsible positions. Sidney S. was elected Supervisor of Holly, Mich., in April, 1881, and is cashier of the Merchant's National bank there, to which position he was appointed at the early age of twenty-one years, and Solon H. is the cashier of the National bank of Milford. The two brothers are extensive dealers in lumber, their transactions amounting to millions of feet of the same each year. Of the family all are married, excepting Martha and Eugene who reside at home, the latter assist- ing in the management of the large farm which he occupies with his father, and which is a very pro- ductive one, the soil being a loam and clay sub- soil. In his domestic relations, Mr. Wilhelm is a kind and loving father, teaching his children by an up- right Ufe the value and importance of virtue, and inspiring them with worthy ambitions to be true men and women in the loftiest sense of the word. His teachings are not forgotten, but are fully ex- emphfied in the lives of his children. ANDREW N. PERRIN. Among the younger men who were natives of this county, few, if any, are more deserving of special mention than Andrew N. Perrin. His father, William Perrin, came here from Washington county, N. Y., about 1825, and pur- chased the farm situated about half a mile south of Conesus Center, and which is still in the family. December 27, 1833, he was married to Sybil Chamberlain. They had three sons, the eldest of whom is the subject of this sketch, and was born September i, 1839. The others are, Wm. L. and Lewis D. s^mmwimwi si., F-jaiamsn, ANDREW N. PERRIN— JOEL GILBERT. 337 Perrin ; also two daughters, Mary M. and Sybil S., who have died. Mrs. Peirin died July 26, 1847. Mr. Perrin married, as his second wife, Rhoda M., daughter of Titus Curtiss, of Groveland, by whom he had one child, Luna L. Mr. Perrin, Sr., became one of the leading citi- zens and farmers of the county, and was well- known in the State and beyond for his superior stock, especially in the line of merino sheep, and horses. He died December 8, 1853, truly respected and lamented, and was buried in the cemetery at South Livonia. A picture of the " good old home '' is given in this volume. The father's death occurring when Andrew N. was fourteen, left him, with the widow, the main reUance of the other children. With a brave young heart, he entered upon the responsi- bilities of the situation, and by virtue of his work- ing on the farm in summer and teaching in winter, the following eleven years witnessed all the family well cared for, and each of the children with a good education; Andrew N. having found time also to spend two years in Brockport Collegiate In- stitute. Wilham L. married Salhe, daughter of S. K. Foote, of Louisville, Ky. Lewis D. married Ger- trude, daughter of Patrick McEntee, of Perry, N. Y. Both these sons reside at Clean, N. Y., suc- cessfully engaged in the oil business. Andrew N. was married May 8, 1867, to Linda, daughter of C. G. Williams, of Waukesha, Wisconsin. They have five children : — William, Marion W., Sybil M., Linna and Charles W. In 1865 he engaged in the development of oil in Western Pennsylvania, and in 1868 located at Titusville, Pa. After passing through the vicissitudes incident to that business, he appears in the front rank of prominent men in position and character. He is part owner and a manager in the Tide Water Pipe Line Company, which transports, by pipe line, from the oil regions to the seaboard, two millions or more barrels of crude oil annually ; and has recently added refining on a large scale to its business of transportation. Under appointment of the Governor, he is a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agri- culture, where his early experience will be of great value. He is also under appointment, by the President, as a Commissioner from Pennsylvania to the World's Fair proposed to be held in New York in 1883. In 1880 he was elected Mayor of the city of Titusville, which position he still holds. As a public speaker he takes high rank in both matter and manner. In a word, by natural en- dowments and expanding personal character, he is one of those reliable, rising men, who are not only successful in private life, but are also needed by the community in the administration of its more important and public affairs. JOEL GILBERT. Joel Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, was born in Vermont, May 4th, 1792. He was the son of Moses Gilbert. He moved to Conesus about the year i8io, and was married to Maria Henderson, of Conesus, August 31st, 18 19. She was the daughter of Samuel Henderson, who was one of the oldest settlers in the town. The result of his (JOEL GILBERT.) marriage was four children viz: — Theodore H., Nelson N., Wm. H. and Henry S. Nelson N. married Alta, daughter of John CoUer, of Sparta. Her grandfather, Jacob, was among the first settlers of that town. Wm. H. married Juha A., daughter of Wm. Games and Phoebe Shay, a family noted for their lon<^evity; in 1870, at a re-union of the family of Mrs. Games, there were five generations sitting at one table. WilUam H. Gilbert's family consists of five children:— Estella M., Nettie E., Wm. Sherman, Henry N., Luella E. Wm. H. occupies the old homestead, which is pleasantly situated on the eastern shore of Conesus lake. Henry S. married Emeline, daughter of Riley Scott, of Conesus. Three children were born to them :— Helen M., Ermie E. and Henry S. Theo- dore lives in Oregon. The subject of this memoir was one of the oldest and a highly respected citizen of the town in which he lived. Although never seeking office, he held the position of Assessor for a number of years. He possessed the nerve and energy peculiar to the sturdy New England stock from which he sprang. In politics he was a Re- pubhcan at the time of his death. Pnor to the war he was an Andrew Jackson Democrat. He died February 7th, 1870. His wife died January 30th, i860. 338 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIV. - History of the Town of Leicester. LEICESTER is the central town on the west border of Livingston county, and is bounded on the north by York, east by Geneseo and Grove- land, south by Mt. Morris, and west by Castile, Perry and Covington, Wyoming county. It was formed March 30, 1802, under the name of " Lester," in honor of Lester Phelps, son of Oliver Phelps, a partner of Nathaniel Gorham. This name was changed February 9, 1805, to the present one. Its surface is undulating, but grows more level as the Genesee river is neared, along the valley of which are extensive flats. The soil is mostly a sandy and clayey loam on the uplands and a rich alluvium on the flats. The principal streams are the Genesee river which forms its eastern and southern boundary, and Beard's and Sam's creeks which are tributary to it. Rice's Falls are located upon the former stream and have a fall of fifty feet. Beard's creek derives its name from the famous Indian chief, Little Beard, who was killed June ist, 1806, at Stimson's tavern, by being pushed out of a door in a drunken quarrel between some Indians and whites. On the farm of Wm. DeForest exists a very fine fossiliferous deposit which is full of interest to the geologist, so much so that the Moscow shale and fossils are widely known. At the time of its formation, Leicester embraced a territory quite large in area extending about sixty miles north and south, and twelve miles east and west, with the following original recorded boun- daries : — " Commencing on the eastern transit at the southwest corner of South Hampton, thence east to the Genesee river, thence south on that river to a point near the junction of Canaseraga creek and Genesee river, thence directly south to Steuben county, and on the west line of Steuben county to the Pennsylvania line, thence west on the Pennsylvania line to the east transit, thence north on the east transit to the place of beginning.'' At this time the eastern tier of townships of Alle- gany county were included within the bounds of Steuben county, but were annexed to Allegany county, March 11, 1808. Angelica was set off from Leicester, Feb. 25, 1805, and included all of the town south of the southern boundary of Mt. Morris. Perry, Wyoming county, which then in- cluded Castile and a part of Covington, was set off March 11, 18 14, and Mt. Morris, April 17, 1818. March 26, 18 19, the north part of Leicester and the south part of Caledonia were united to form the town of York, leaving the town reduced to its present boundaries. There is more than usual historical interest at- tached to this town from the fact that within its borders was located three of the principal villages of the Senecas — Little Beard's town, Squakie Hill and Big Trge — and it was here, also, that the ob- jective point of General Sullivan's noted expedition against the Iroquois confederacy was located, and from whence, August 17, 1779, he commenced the retracing of his footsteps, having accompUshed the total destruction of all of the Iroquois towns. It was to Little Beard's town that Boyd and Parker were taken after their capture; and it was near the flouring mill, at Cuylerville, that they were so cruelly tortured and put to death by the Indians under the sanction of Col. Butler, Commander of the British Rangers. This town at the time of its destruction contained upwards of one hundred and fifty houses, and was surrounded by orchards and fertile fields of corn. It was here, also, that Mary Jemison lived for a number of years previous to its burning. After the commencement of the Revolutionary war white persons of both prisoners and allies were fre- quently seen at this place, as it was considered the headquarters of the Senecas. Among the prisoners was one Joseph Smith who was taken prisoner in 1776, by the Indians in Cherry Valley. He remained with them as prison- er until the close of the war in 1783, when he was released. The Indians afterwards made him, in conjunction with another prisoner, Capt. Horatio Jones, a present of a tract of land five miles square, bounded as follows : " Commencing at a point near the junction of Canaseraga creek and Genesee river, running west five miles, thence north five miles, thence east to the Genesee river, and thence south along said river to the place of beginning." At the treaty held at Geneseo in 1797, but part of this grant was confirmed, only three by five miles being allowed. Smith was rather eccentric in his habits, and through his open-hearted dispo- sition and willingness to assist his friends financial- ly, finally lost all of his property. He died at Moscow. Through some misrepresentation on the part of Oliver Phelps, he obtained control of a large por- tion of Horatio Jones' share, and upon Phelps' failure these lands were transferred to the State of Photo by Merrell, Ganeseo. MR. & MRS. JAMES E. BEEBE. Russell Beebe, father of James E., was born in Canada, and came with his parents, when a mere child, to Whitehall, Washington county, N. Y., where he resided until nineteen years of age. He then concluded that the then far west in the Genesee Valley, was the place where a young man should commence to make for himself a home and a fortune. Selecting the Genesee fiats he settled there and remained about two years, when he engaged to work by the year for William Wads- worth, with whom he remained about three years. From that time he worked by the month for different parties until the year 1814, when May 29, he was married to Orville, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Bell, of Leicester. He was then superintendent of the Rogers farm and continued in that capacity for the ten years following, when he bought a farm one mile north of Moscow, where he hved until he died March 14, 1864, his wife having died in May, 1862. Their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters, four of whom are now living. James E. is the eldest child and the only one residing in the town of Leicester. He resided with his parents until nearly twenty-three years of age, and his education was such as he could obtain at the district school, which he attended winters, working on his father's farm during the summer. December 25, 1839, he was married to Caroline F. Royce who was born March 31, 1821, and was daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Reed) Royce, of Leicester. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe lived with his father one and a half years after their marriage, when they moved to where he now resides, and for five years lived in the log house which then stood where his present residence is now situated. He then erected the- fine and com- modious farm house which he now occupies. They have had five daughters, four of whom are now living, and three of whom were born in the old log house. Emily M. is now Mrs. Charles Beckwith, Hving in Bethany, Genesee county. Dora M.,vvife of Edward J. Van Sickles, of Mt. Morris. Ruth A., now Mrs. Albert Filkins, of Bethany, Genesee county, and Sarah E. is now Mrs. Augustus Burt, of Perry, Wyoming county. Carrie L. died Sept. 22, 1880, at the age of twenty-two years. Mr. Beebe has filled several important offices of trust in town. He has been commissioner of highways and assessor for a number of terms and also auditor. He is a practical farmer and well deserves the success that has followed his efforts. LEICESTER— EARLY SETTLERS. 339 Connecticut. This land was divided into lots and parcels about 1813. At the time of the donation to Smith and Jones the flats were valued at 75 cents and the uplands at 25 cents per acre. To Joseph Smith was born, in Geneva, in No- vember, 1787, Mary, said to have been the first white female child born west of Utica; and to Horatio Jones, at Geneva, was born, December 17, 1786, William Whitemore, the first white male child born west of the same place. To Ebenezer Allen is ascribed the honor of mak- ing the first settlement soon after 1783, but did not remain but a short time, the first permanent settlers being Horatio and John H. Jones, in 1789, although John H. and George Jones had come in the year previous, for the purpose of cutting grass and stacking hay preparatory to the settlement the next year. They cut the grass from about nine acres aUttle east and south of the bridge over Beard's creek, on the road to Cuylerville, and after secur- ing the hay, left but returned in the fall and plowed and sowed to wheat the ground they had mowed over in the summer. This is beUeved to have been the first wheat sown west of the Genesee river. Captain Jones and his family, consisting of his wife and three sons, Wm. W., George and Hiram and a hired girl by the name of Sally Griffith, moved into the town in June, 1789, and located in a small hut located near the field of wheat sown the fall before. It was here that the first white birth occurred in the town, that of James Jones, who was born May 5, 1791. James and his brother George were taken prisoners by the Indians near Lewiston in 1813 during the war with Great Britain. After their capture a difficulty arose between their captors as to the division of the prisoners, and dur- ing the quarrel they were both cruelly tomahawked. Sally Griffith who came in with Captain Jones' family afterwards married Benjamin Squires of Geneseo. The first death in the town was that of Mrs. Horatio Jones, in June, 1792. The first inn was kept by Leonard Stimson, who established in 1797 a tavern near the bank of the river, about a fourth of a mile north of Jones' bridge. In 1803 he built a frame building, and used it as a tavern. This was the first frame house built in the town and was afterwards bought by Charles Jones. It stood on the site of his residence, being incorpo- rated in the same. The first frame barn was built by Capt. Horatio Jones in 1796 and was the first frame building in the town. It was erected a little west of Jones' bridge. The facilities for the transportation of grain dur- ing the early history of the town were extremely limited and being debarred by the expense of trans- portation from sending the bulk of the grain raised away to market, they were perforce compelled to create a market for it at home, by converting it into something more easily carried, and it was not but a few years after the settlement of the town, before a distillery sprang up, built by John H. Jones on the old Fort farm where Col. W. W. Jones afterwards lived. Since that time there have been eight other distilleries in operation, although at present the business has entirely died out. A great deal of this Hquor found a " home mar- ket " also, as is witnessed by the fact that no less than sixteen taverns have had existence in the town. Besides Stimson's tavern there was the Pine tavern, which at first was only a log shanty in the woods kept by Joseph Simonds, a tavern kept by Francis Richardson on the farm afterwards owned by Hiram Crosby, one kept by Pell Teed, one at the river on the road between Geneseo and Moscow kept by James Forbes, and one at the Jones Bridge kept by Mr. Whitmore, all of which were the earliest in the town. Dennison Foster kept tavern on the place afterwards owned by Geo. Lane, in a house which he erected for this purpose, and which was afterwards purchased by Wm. Robb, who moved it to Moscow in 1816, where he fitted it up as a store and occupied it for a few years. It was after- wards occupied successively by Allen Ayrault, Ly- man Ayrault and Daniel Gates, and was finally incorporated in the tavern afterwards kept by a Mr. Pratt. Col. Joseph White was another early tavern keeper at Leicester. Elder John B. Hudson, an early Methodist preacher who settled in Geneseo in 1808, states in his "narative" that "Lester was at this time (1808) known as a thinly scattered settlement, certainly not noted for its moraUty, and still less so in regard to rehgion. Whiskey and Sabbath dese- cration were then and there notoriously prevalent." Another writer says: "For a number of years after the first settlement of the town the inhabi- tants were beyond the reach of the healthful influ- ence of civil authority. Intemperance was general and crime was of frequent occurrence." All this, however, has long since undergone a change, and Leicester, freed from the incubus of alcohol, has taken a front rank among the towns of the county for the industry, thrift and law abiding spirit of its inhabitants. Old Leicester village was laid out in 1800 about three-fourths of a mile east of Moscow by Augus- 34° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. tus Porter. The first postmaster in Leicester was Nicholas Ayrault. The formation of roads received due attention from the early settlers, and some of the principal thoroughfares from Geneseo passed through this town. The first recorded roads in the county were one located in Geneseo in 1791 and one in Avon in 1797. In 1792 a gentleman from Boston jour- neying from Canawaugus to Fort Niagara says that "there was no path except an Indian trail which was sometimes very difficult to follow, and no white man lived on the route.'' Soon after this, as the settlements increased in number, temporary paths were opened through the forest, through which, by means of " blazed " trees the traveler could wend his way with a sense of safety against losing his way through the forest, even if the road was rough and primitive in its construction. One of the earliest roads in the town was from the set- tlement first known as Old Leicester to Batavia, and from thence to Lewiston ; another was opened from Leicester directly west twenty-five miles to the town of Sheldon, while a third road starting from the same point as the other two was laid off in a south-westerly .direction to the Alleghany river. Between Beard's creek, at this time, and Leicester village was a swamp which though pass- able was during wet seasons mostly under water. The highway from Leicester to Mt. Morris was the continuation of the present road leading south from Leicester to its intersection with the present road a few rods south of the school house at Squakie Hill. From thence north to Moscow in 1818 the present traveled road was opened and made passable for teams, mainly through the efforts of Jellis Clute, who with Thomas and Wm. Clute were prominent early settlers, coming from Schenectady. The old road from Leicester village to Rice's Falls came across Moscow green, thence by the northwest corner through the center of the ceme- tery and from there to the falls. In regard to the means of crossing the river we have only been able to glean the following items: Daniel Curtis, in 1804-5 '^spt ^ ferry across the river on the road leading from Geneseo to Leicester. The first bridge built south of Avon was called the Jones bridge, and was erected in i8i6. In 183 1 this bridge was carried away by a large freshet, and was not rebuilt till 1832-3. The bridge at Mt. Morris was built in 1830, washed away in 1832, and rebuilt two years later. The Cuylerville bridge was erected in 1852. Besides the early settlers already mentioned that wielded a prominent influence in the early history of this town there were Jesse Wadhams, Joseph White, Joseph Edmunds, Gideon T. Jenkins, after- wards the first sheriff of the county, Festus Cone, Dr. Asa R. Palmer, Justin Dutton, Col. Jerediah Horsford, Samuel Miles Hopkins, Col. Wm. Ly- man, Elijah Hunt, Alexander Ewing, Theodore Thompson, and others. Jedediah Richardson set- tled in Leicester in 1816. His son Hiram W. Richardson was born in 1817, and is now living in the town. Col. Lyman's wife was a daughter of Capt. Horatio Jones, and was born in Leicester ; she died March 14, 1875, aged seventy-one. Cap- tain Horatio Jones, already mentioned, was born Dec. 17, 1763, in Penn. He enlisted in the Con- tinental army in 1780, and was captured by the Indians that same year and taken to their home. He lived with them till after the close of the war. He died in 1836 and is buried in Geneseo. The industrial interests of the town have been quite prominent in their time. Besides the nine distilleries already mentioned, there have been five grist-mills, the first of which was erected by Oliver L. Phelps, on the west -branch of Beard's creek at Rice's Falls in 1797, and was burned in 1817 and the second one by Noah Benton, near Mos- cow, in 1799. The one at Cuylerville was first built in 1844, by Col. Cuyler. There have been three fulling mills in the town, two of them as early as 1815, viz: one built by Peter Roberts and Samuel Grossman in the gully, north of the resi- dence occupied by Lewis Newman, and one built by Peter Palmer. Three tanneries have been in operation, conducted by Messrs. Ira Holmes, Cone & Ferry and Spencer. The first saw-mill was built by Ebenezer Allen, at Gibsonville, in 1792, Samuel M. Hopkins owned a brewery in 1820. The first upland farm cleared and cultivated was that of Josiah Risdon's, and was situated a little north of Cuylerville. It was afterwards owned by David Bailey. The first physician was Paul New- comb. In September, 1825, there was held at the Academy in Moscow an important treaty with the Seneca Indians. On the part of the United States, Major Carroll, Judge Howell and Nathaniel Gor- ham acted as commissioners, Jasper Parish was Indian agent and Horatio Jones acted as inter- preter. This treaty was held mainly for the purpose of extinguishing the title of Mary Jemison to the Gardeau reservation by purchase by the whites. The land amounting to nearly i8,oqo acres was LEICESTER— TOWN OFFICERS. 341 bought by Henry B. Gibson, Micah Brooks and Jellis Clute. The Indians soon after this sale was con- summated, moved away to their reservations west. In 1815 the Synod of Geneva proposed opening a school at Squakie Hill for the instruction of the Indian children, provided a school house could be built for that purpose. Rev. Daniel S. Butrick engaged to have a suitable school house provided which was completed Jn November, 1815. Soon after the completion of the house a school was opened for the Indian children under the care of Col. Jerediah Horsford, who was employed for the purpose by the above mentioned Synod. At the time of this school the number of Indians at the place, old and young, was about eighty. August 20, 1 84 1, occurred a most notable event in the history of the town. On that day, in the presence of large delegations from Livingston and Monroe counties, the remains of those brave men who formed Lieut. Boyd's scouting party and who were so cruelly sacrificed, were, to- gether with the remains of Boyd and Parker, taken to Rochester and there interred in Mt. Hope ceme- tery. T"hc remains of Boyd's unfortunate comrades were exhumed August 16, from the farm of James Boyd, in Groveland, having been buried near where they so bravely fell. Boyd and Parker were buried near the bridge at Cuylerville. The two small streams that join near here were at this time (1841) named respectively Boyd's and Parker's creeks in their honor. The first town meeting was held March 1st, 1803, at the house of Joseph Smith, who then lived very near the spot that Col. Cuyler's farm house was located. This Joseph Smith was the one to whom, in company with Horatio Jones, the Indians granted a tract of land. At this meeting there were elected the following officers : — Supervisor, John H. Jones ; Town Clerk, Geo. A. Wheeler; Assessors, Samuel Ewen, Alpheus Harris, Dennison Foster ; Collector and Constable, Peres Brown; Poor Masters, Benjamin Gardner, Adam Wisner; Commissioners of Highways, George Gard- ner, Wm. Mills, Joel Harvey ; Fence Viewer, Daniel Curtis ; Pound Keepers, David Dickinson, James Dale, Joel Harvey; Path Masters, Abel Cleveland, Samuel Hascall. The following have been the successive Super- visors and Town Clerks : — Supervisors. Town Qerks. 1804-06. John H. Jones. Daniel Curtis. 1807. Tom Lemen. Jared Spalding. 1808-09. Tom Lemen. 1 8 10. John H. Jones. 1811-13. Wm. A. Mills. 1814. ■25- 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819, 1820- 1822 1823 1824 1826 1827 1828 1829, 1830, 1831 1832 1833-34- 1835-36. 1837. 1838. Jellis Clute. Abraham Camp. Joseph Butrick. Jellis Clute. Joseph White. JeUis Clute. EHhu Scofield. Jellis Clute. Allen Ayrault. Felix Tracey. Wm. Jones. Justin Dutton. JeUis Clute. Justin Dutton. II (( John Baldwin. Joseph White. Hezekiah Ripley. John Baldwin. Jerome Curtis. Wm. Lyman. Jerediah Horsford. Daniel Gates. Wm. Lyman. Geo. W. Patterson. " " Daniel H. Bissell. H. A. Wilmerding. Horatio Jones, Jr. Ebenezer Walker. Daniel H. Bissell. H. A. Wilmerding. Daniel C. Maxson. Ephraim Cone. Daniel P. Bissell. M. N. Burchard. Geo. W. Patterson. H. A. Wilmerding. 1839-40. H. N. Wheelock. 1841. Richard H. Wells. Wm. W. Wooster. Sylvanus L. Young. Wm. M. Older. Horatio Jones, 3d. Wm. M. Older. D. B. Noble. Henry Tilton. D. B. Noble. John H. Jones, Jr. Gideon Thompson. Erastus Brooks. John H. Jones. John Kennedy. 1842 1843-44. 1845- 1846. 1847. 1848-50. 1851. 1852. 1853- 1854. 1855- 1856. 1857- 1858. 1859. i860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864-66. " 1867. A. M. Woosler. 1868-70. John H. Jones. 1871. A. M. Wooster. John Kennedy. Wm. W. Wooster. Wm. W. Sears. Hiram D. Crosby. Wilbur H. Boies. Thos. J. Jones. " " " " James McCarter. " " Barney Van Vleet. Wm. C. Dwight. E. N. Bacon. N. E. Clute. A. E. Clute. W. W. Wooster. W. B. Wooster. W. B. Wooster. Chas. O. Atherton. Dorus Thompson. P. A. Phillips. Austin S. Smith. Dorus Thompson. Bingham Knapp. D. Thompson. 1872. 1873- 1874. John H.Jones. 1875. A. M. Wooster. 1876. Wm. C. Dwight. 1877. 1878-79. Jas. C. Wicker. 1880. C. O. Atherton. The following officers were elected April 5th, 1881: Dorus Thompson, Supervisor; Squire P. Utley, Town Clerk ; George W. Lane, Justice of the Peace ; William B. Wooster, Highway Com- missioner; John Robinson, Assessor; Martin S. Wheellock, Overseer of the Poor ; George W. 342 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Richardson, Collector; George W. Richardson, Harrison Harrington, Ira Green, Reuben G. Moses, Constables; Daniel G. Ten Eyck, Game Constable ; Henry H. Warner, (vacancy.) James Brophel, Excise Commissioners ; James E. Beebe, John W. Kellogg, Louis A. Allen, Inspectors of Election. At the first town meeting it was voted that $400 be raised for the expense of the town for the year, and also that a bounty of five dollars be offered for every wolf killed in the town. The following order appears on the town records : — Ontario County, ss : To Samuel Hascall, Poortnaster of the District of Leicester : — In the name of the people of the State of New York, you are hereby authorized and required to warn and see that each and every per- son hereafter named doth faithfully work the num- ber of days opposite their respective names on the road, beginning at the northeast corner of the square against the Indian town, thence from the southeast corner of said square to the river at "Squarker" Hill, thence east from the place of beginning to the top of the hill at Leonard Stim- son's, and make returns of your proceedings to tjie Commissioners of Highways according to law. Hereof fail not at your peril. Given under our hands this the 31st day of May, 1803. Geo. Gardner, Joel Harvey, Wm. a. Mills, Com'n'rs of Highways. The following are the names appended : — John Redford, Stephen Hoyt, Warner Finton, Wm. Carter, John H. Jones, John Solomon, James and Stephen Dale, Joshua Quivey, John Griffith, Wm. White, James Blakesley, Martin Griffith, Willard Lewis, John Sample, Andrew Rose, Wm. Rose, John Lewis, Josiah Rirden, Ralph Brown, Elijah Hunt, Geo. and EH Cooper, John Shackleton, Peres Brown, Ransom Harmon, Ephraim Fosster, Denison Foster, Geo. Gardner, Joel Harvey, Major Nobles, Daniel Curtis, Benjamin Gardner, Benj. Gardner, Jr., Geo. A. Wheeler, Joseph Smith, Peter Myers, Adam Wisher, Josiah Jewett, Caleb Shaw, David and Joseph Pond, Josiah and John Hovey, David Philips, Moses Wilson, John Knuckle, Jacob Holden, Aaron Wheeler, Josiah Hovey, Jr., Simeon and Guerdon Hovey, John Bonard, Rich- ard Cramer, Teeple, Jonathan Jinner. The following names were appended to a similar order sent to Wm. A. Mills : Clark and Abel Cleve- land, Joseph Philips, Jared Spalding, Thos. Philips, Alpheus Harris, Isaac Powel, David Dickerson, Lewis Mills, Wm. A. Mills, Alexander Mills, Bela Elderkin, Samuel Patterson, Dorastus P. Snow Zebulon Tubbs, Squire Haskin, Phineas Bates, Robert Wilson, Lauraby, Amos Solomon, John Kinyon, Geo. Minigar and James Haskins, At an election held in this town April 26, 27, 28, 1803, there were forty-five votes cast. In 1810 there were fourteen votes cast for Governor. In the war of the rebellion Leicester contributed her full share and it is a matter for serious regret that a perfect record of those who so bravely vol- unteered from this town at the time of their coun- try's peril and who laid down their lives upon the altar of liberty, should never have been made. The following is a copy of all that appears on the town records essentially ])ertaining to its military record. April sth, 1864, the following resolution was passed : — ^^ Resolved, That the Board of town auditors be authorized to pay such sums of money to the indi- gent families of the soldiers from this town now in the service of the United States or that may be called into such service during the present year as in theirjudgment shall from time to time be deemed necessary to make such families comfortable, and that the same be levied upon the taxable property of said town the same as other town expenses and not to exceed One Hundred and Fifty Dollars." August 15, 1864, it was "■^ Resolved, ^\idX the town of Leicester pay for volunteers who may enhst under the last call of our President for five hundred thousand men dated July 18, 1864, in addition to all other bounties the sum of three hundred dollars for those who may enhst or be mustered in, to the credit of said town for one year, and six hundred dollars for those en- listing for three years until the quota is filled. " Resolved, That the town pay the sum of five hundred and twenty-five dollars to men that are drafted under the late call of the President for five hundred thousand volunteers and who furnish a substitute." September 12, 1864, the following resolution was passed : — " Resolved, That the Supervisor of the town of Leicester be and is duly authorized to pay for vol- unteers to fill the quota of said town under the call of July 18, 1864, for five hundred thousand men for the service of the United States, not to exceed the sum of one thousand dollars to each recruit." The following school statistics for the town of Leicester were taken from the last report filed with the county clerk, which bears date of October i, 1877:— Number of licensed teachers employed at the same time for twenty-eight weeks or more, 12; M.R. 8f M.RS. Oliver Atherjon. OLIVER ATHERTON. Oliver Atherton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Chesterfield, Cheshire county, N. H., Dec. 5, 1806. He was the second son of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. He remained at home with his parents, assisting his father on the farm, until 19 years of age, when he went to Warsaw, now Wyoming county, and in partnership with a man named Marvin,- bought the stage route running between LeRoy and Angelica. This proved to be a bad investment, for his part- ner was unreliable, and he then commenced working in a hotel for Col. Wm. Bingham, of Warsaw, with whom he remained two years. After this he drove the stage for Gen. McEl- wain, from Warsaw to Moscow, and in 1838 commenced the grocery and restaurant busi- ness in Moscow, where he continued till his death, which occurred Feb. 5, 1865. Mr. Atherton was successful as a merchant, careful, prudent, and industrious. Feb. 27, (1839,) ^^ was married to Maryette. daughter of William and Clarinda Knapp, of Perry, Wyoming county. They adopted a son who is as dear to Mrs. Atherton as though he were her own. He carries on the same business, begun by his father and occupied the same building until iSSo, when he moved to the present large and commodious building near the old one. In politics, Mr. Atherton was a Republican, supporting his party by his vote only, never interfering with others in their political views. LEICESTER— VILLAGE OF MOSCOW. 343 number of children between five and twenty-one years of age residing in the town Sept. 30, 1877, 552; number of children attending school during the year, 428; average daily attendance, 229.950; whole number of days attendance through the year, 34,685 ; number of volumes in district library, 263; value, $140; 10 school houses, all frame; valueof sites, $800; valueof school houses, $4,355 ; size of sites, 2 acres 77 rods ; assessed value of tax- able property in the district, $1,289,820. Statement of receipts and disbursements for the school year ending Sept. 30, 1877 : — RECEIPTS. Amount on hand Oct. I, 1876 Amount apportioned to district Amount raised by tax Amount from teachers' board and other sources .$ 87.78 • l,!7547 ■ 1,717.2) 36.00 $3,2'648 DISBURSEMENTS. For teachers' wages $hS^^-'9 For libraries 8.4J For school apparatus 10.46 For school houses, sites, fences, out-houses, repairs, furniture, etc ii9.'2 For all other incidental expenses 332.16 Amount on hand Oct. 1st, 1877 14S.11 $3,116.48 The following from this town have held distin- guished positions in various places : — John H. Jones was appointed one of the Judges of Genesee county at its organization in 1802 and continued on the bench of that county till Living- ston county was formed in 182 1. He was after- wards Side Judge in Livingston county for a few years. Gideon T. Jenkins was the first Sheriff in the county, and also served in the State Legisla- ture in 1819. Samuel Miles Hopkins and Felix Tracy both served in the legislature. Col. Hors- ford was in the legislature in 1830, and Geo. W. Patterson in 1832-33-35-36-37-38-39-40, twice Speaker during that time. John H. Jones, Jr., in 1857, and Lyman Odell were elected to the assem- bly. In 1 814 Samuel M. Hopkins was elected a member of Congress and served one tern. J. Horsford was elected to Congress in 1850. Geo. W. Patterson was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1848 on the Whig ticket. Prof. Eben Horsford, a chemist of note, is a native of this town. Moscow. In the year 181 1, Samuel Miles Hopkins came to Livingston county ; but it was not till 1813 that he finally made a permanent location in Leicester. In 1 814, he made arrangements with his brother- in-law, Jesse Wadhams, to erect a large hotel at Leicester village. Mr. Wadhams, therefore com- menced operations and collected part of the ma- terial for the new house when some difficulty arose between Mr. Hopkins and some of the villagers in which Mr. Hopkins felt himself much aggrieved, and, in consequence of which, he determined to do nothing towards the advancement of that settle- ment. Mr. Hopkins soon after had completed the plans of another village, and in accordance there- with the present village of Moscow was laid out, and the plot surveyed in August, 18 14, John Smith, of Groveland, acting as surveyor. Samuel Miles Hopkins was an eminent lawyer, and a brother to Mark Hopkins. He graduated at Yale College in 1791, and in 1792 became the pioneer lawyer in the village of Oxford, Chenango county, which was then just budding into promise. In 1 81 7, Mr. Hopkins was considered to be worth about $75,000, which, three years later, owing to a depreciated currency — the legacy of the war of 181 2-15 — was wholly absorbed in the payment of his debts. In 1822, he moved with his family from the Genesee Valley to Albany, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1831, he removed to Geneva, N. Y., where he died October 8, 1837, aged sixty-five. He represented the 21st District in Congress in 1813-15 ; was a member of Assem- bly from Genesee county (which then embraced the town of Leicester,) in 1820-21; represented the Western District in the State Senate in 1822 ; and March 7, 1825, in conjunction with George Tibbits and Stephen Allen, was appointed a Commission to sell the State prison at Newgate (which was inadequate to accommodate the con- victs in the eastern section of the State,) and build a new one — at Sing Sing. He was much respect- ed as a philanthropist and a Christian. The land upon which Moscow is located, was, at the time it was surveyed, covered with a young growth of hickory and oak. When first laid out, the square was bounded about one rod south and three or four rods north of its present hmits, and was donated to the town for a public square and the land sold by the original proprietor with that understanding. The roads running east and west from it were six rods wide, but encroachments have been made upon both, and afterwards held by occupants of adjoining lands. The first building of any kind built in Moscow was a barn erected by Jesse Wadhams. The first public house in the place was built and kept by Jesse Wadhams in 1814. He was succeeded by Gideon T. Jenkins who kept it for some little time. The building was afterward used as a residence 344 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. by Horatio Jones. Homer Sherwood and Joseph White, from Leicester, each built a tavern in Mos- cow soon after and kept them for some time. Col. Jerediah Horsford succeeded Mr. Sherwood in business in 1848. Jerediah Horsford first opened a pubHc house in Moscow in 1817 and kept it about [twenty years. The Moscow Academy was built in 1 81 5-1 6 and was one of the first institu- tions of the character in Western New York. In the first few years of its existence it drew pupils from as great a distance as Canandaigua and Buf- falo. With the decadence of the village the acad- emy gradually lost its patronage, until it was finally closed. The building is now used as a black- smith shop. The first physician in Moscow was Asa R. Palmer, and John Baldwin, who came from East Bloomfield in 181 4, was the first lawyer. The first pubKc school house built in Moscow was the one known as the "old brick school house," built in 1817. The first store was opened in 1815 by Nicholas Ayrault. A weekly mail, sometimes on foot and on horse- back, was established between Moscow and Angel- ica by the " short tract. " Pre vious to 1 8 1 7 settlers of Mt. Morris had to go to Moscow for mail. The first newspaper in the county was estab- lished in Moscow by Hezekiah Ripley in 181 7 under the name of the Moscow Advertiser and Genesee Farmer. In 1821 James Percival pur- chased the paper, and removing it to Geneseo continued it under the name of The Livingston Register. According to French's State Gazetteer Moscow village was incorporated in 1856, although no mention of this fact is found elsewhere. The following includes all of the present business of the village : — F. H. Moyer, M. D., came to Moscow in June, 1876 ; was graduated from Buffalo Medical College in 1872. J. Denton, M. D., came to Moscow in 1879 and succeeded to the practice of T. A. Denton, who located here in 1876. He was graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city in 1879. D. Thompson, general store; business estab- hshed in Moscow, January, 1856. C. O. Atherton, general store, drugs, etc.; com- menced business in 1864, and succeeded to the business estabUshed by his father, Oliver Atherton, in 1838 soon after his settlement here. Edmund W. Sears commenced the boot and shoe business in 1842, and has since carried it on in this village. He is the son of Franklin Sears, who came to Groveland in 18 r6. Mr. Sears came to Moscow in 1828; he has been postmaster since May i, 1865, succeeding Erastus Brooks. St. James Hotel was built by Henry Bush in 1836 and was opened as a temperance house, but was not financially successful. Catharine Rail now owns the property. E. P. Hill has been land- lord since February, 1880. There are three blacksmith shops, kept by John McMahon, Mathew Shirley and Wm. Grant; also two wagon shops, kept by Anthony Shaler and Wm. Grant. Leander Rowley keeps a shoe shop. Churches— 7^/4^ Presbyterian Church of Mos- cow was organized in June, 1817, by Rev. Abra- ham Forman of Geneseo, with the following origi- nal members : — Asahel Munger, Eunice Munger, Asahel Munger, Jr., Lydia Munger, Hinman A. Boland, Amanda Munger, Asa R. Palmer, Abijah C. Warren and Bathsheba Warren. Asahel Hun- ger, Abijah C. Warren and Asa R. Palmer were chosen the first elders. Previous to the organiza- tion of this Church, Moscow had been favored for some time with opportunities for religious wor- ship though not regularly. Rev. Mr. Wheelock is recollected as being the first one to preach the " Word of God" in the village ; coming at inter- vals from Mt. Morris, where he then resided. The first resident pastor was Rev. Elihue Mason, who came in 1816, from Barkhampstead, Mass., and remained here two years. He came here under the patronage of the Congregational Missionary Society of Connecticut, an organization that did much to render the life of the hardy pioneers brighter and their physical burdens easier to bear from the religious teachings and associations of those early missionaries. Rev. Mr. Mason after- wards moved to Mt. Morris, where the last sixteen years of his life were spent. The first person added to the Church was Mrs. Polly Dutton, the daughter of Capt. Joseph Smith, spoken of previously as the first white female child born west of Utica. She was married to Justin Dutton, who died in Mos- cow in 1815. At the time of its organization the society wor- shipped in the chapel of the Moscow Academy, and continued to hold their meetings therein until their present church building was finished in 1832. This building was erected at a cost of $3,000, and was repaired in 1868. Rev. EHhue Mason was the first pastor after the organization of the society. Rev. S. T. Mills fol- lowed him in July 1820, though what interval in- tervened between him and Rev. Mr. Mason, is not VILLAGE OF MOSCOW — CHURCHES. 345 definitely known. He remained till 1826. Rev. Ames P. Brown filled the pulpit from May, 1827 til! 1 8 2 9 ; Rev. J. Walker, 1829-1833. After Re v. Mr. Walker, Rev. Mr. Schaffer filled the pulpit for a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Porter from November, 1833—1835. The first settled pastor was Rev. John H. Redinglon, who remained from September, 1835, till his death Sept. 15, 1841. It was during his pastorate that a divi- sion of the church occurred between the old and new schools — so-called. The "new school" party retained possession of the church, and Mr. Red- ington with the " old school" faction were obliged to seek accommodations elsewhere. They ac- cordingly built a small church on the east of the the park. After Mr. Redington's death. Rev. J. W. McDonald succeeded to the pulpit Sept. 19, 1841. In the " New School" branch Rev. Mr. Gilbert officiated from 1838 to 1841, and Rev. E. H. Stratton from February, 1.842, till 1845. It was in the latter year that Mr. Stratton succeeded in uniting the two branches into one harmonious church. After the consolidation. Rev. J. W. Mc- Donald officiated as pastor till 1848. From July, 1849, till July, 1856, Rev. L. Leonard served as stated supply. Rev. Walter V. Couch then sup- plied the pulpit for three months, and was followed by Rev. J. M. Harlow, January 25, 1857-64; Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., two months; Rev. G. R. Howell, March, 1864, to fall of 1865; Rev. W. D. McKinley, January, 1866, to April, 1873 ; and Rev. F. Gutelius, the present pastor, since July, 1874. The present membership of the church is ninety ; of the Sunday-school, onehundred and forty. M. H. Crosby is the superintendent of the Sunday-school. Rev. Herman N. Bamum, son of D. T. Barnum, and formerly of this church, has been a missionary at Harpoot, Turkey, for twenty-four years. Miss Sarah Dales, daughter of John B. Dales, D. D., went from this church, some years since, to Cairo, Egypt, where she is now located. Elam H. Walk- er, Wm. Wilder, Charles Ferry, John B. Dales, D. D., — who is now located in Philadelphia, and who is a prominent divine — and George Lane, have all been ordained ministers from members of this church. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Moscow. — The Methodists at an early day in this vicinity were sufficient in number to warrant the formation of a church organization and they were accordingly placed on a circuit though the date cannot be as- certained. In 1829 they built a church edifice. The succession of pastors since 1840 has been as follows : — Revs. Richard Wait, Selleck, and Richmond, in 1840; Fellows, Hood and Baker, in 1844; Asa A. Abel and G. W. Barney, in 1845 ; J- W. Hinds, 1846; J. B. Jenkins and Z. Hurd, 1847; C. D. Burlingham, 1848; G. Hines, 1849; H. May and G. W. Terry, 1850; J. J. Gridley, 1851; W. C. Kendall, J. A. Wells and J. H. Wallace, 1852-53 ; Wm. D. Buck and J. P. Kent, 1854-55 ; J. G: Mil- ler, 1856 ; A. W. Luce and D. Nichols, 1857 ; Geo. W. Terry, 1858; A. Newton, 1859; A. Kendall, 1860-61 ; E. Thomas, 1862-63; J- Hager, 1864; J. H. Rogers, 1865; L. L. Rogers, 1866; H. F. Osborne, 1867; J. C. Whiteside, 1868; J. W. Vaughn, 1869; W. D. Buck, 1870; John Irons, 1871; King, part of 1872; C. D. Rowley, 1873; E- C. Hermans, 1874; R. F. Kay, 1876; W. V. Cliff, 1878; B. F. Hitchcock, 1879; Isaac Harris, 1880. This church is one of three on the circuit sup- plied by Mr. Harris, the other two being Greigs- ville and Fowlerville, in the latter of which places Mr. Harris resides. The present membership of the church is about 35, with about the same number in the Sunday- school. E. W. Sears is the Superintendent of the Sunday-school. The church edifice was repaired in 1848, and again in 1872-73 ; the latter time at an expense of about $1,300. The First Baptist Church of Leicester was or- ganized in 1843, Elder O. D. Taylor officiating as the first pastor. Their house of worship was erect- ed the following year. This church has experi- enced various vicissitudes during its existence and has been quite irregularly supplied with pastors. As near as can be ascertained, the following have filled the pulpit at the times stated; although as the records are lost it is impossible to verify the dates : The first pastor, Mr. Taylor, was succeed- ed by Rev. Mr. Kneeland, and he by Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, who supplied them about two years. He was followed by Rev. Mr. Leggett, who only remained a short time, after whom there was no regular pastor for several years. In 1857, Rev. R. Marien took the charge as the next regular pastor and remained about two years. The pulpit was then vacant, except occasional preaching, until 1 86 1, when Rev. J. Coley came and remained two years. Rev. Bela Palmer came in 1864, and re- mained three years. Prof. Waterbury, of Gene- seo, supplied the pulpit from 1870 till 1872. Rev. Mr. Delano, who came soon after and remained 346 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. two years, was the last regular minister. Since then only occasional services have been held. The church membership has been largely merged with that of the Mt. Morris church. At its organiza- tion the membership was about twenty-five, and at one time was over ninety. The society still owns the building in Moscow. Mrs. Sarah Jenkins was one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Moscow, and was the wife of Gideon T. Jenkins, who moved from Auburn in 1807 to the Holland purchase, stopping over night on his way at Dennison Foster's, who then kept tavern in the house where Rev. George W. Lane now lives. In 1815, Mr. Jenkins kept hotel in the house where one of his daughters, Mrs. Clarinda Jones now Hves. He was the first Sheriff of the county, and the first person from the village elect- ed to the State Legislature. Jerediah Horsford was born in Charlotte, Vt., 1 79 1. He came to Moscow from Mt. Morris in 1817, and kept public house in the house at the foot of the square, now occupied by Mr. Austin Weaver. He was a member of Congress in 1856. He died in January, 1875. CUVLERVILLE. Cuylerville is situated on the old Genesee Valley canal, between Geneseo and Moscow, and owes its origin to the construction of the canal which stimulated business at this point. It derives its name from Col. Cuyler, who settled here about 1833, and who took a prominent part in laying out the village in 1840. The first ware-house at Cuylerville was built by Seymour Phelps in 1841, and how stands next to the canal bridge. Col. Cuyler built one very soon after. Col. Cuyler built the large distillery in 185 1, and in 1855 it was burned. He rebuilt it the same year, but failed in business soon after. His son, George Cuyler, and Stephen Slocum after- wards operated it about two years. It was then idle till about 1873, when George Cuyler again placed it in operation and continued it about two years, since which time it has been idle. Cuylerville reached the height of its prosperity in 1848, in which year it was incorporated as a vil- lage. At about this time there were four ware- houses located here, owned by Lyman Odell, A. Baker, Bowman & Burt and Col. W. T. Cuyler. H. Truesdell, A. Baker, Jos. Wheelock and Mr. Gordon were conducting mercantile business here at about that time. The old building just south of Mr. Wheelock's was built in 1846 by Mr. Fish as a storehouse and store. It was converted into a malt-house about 1858, and was operated as such by Thomas Copeland for a few years. It was last in operation in 1874 under a Mr. Curtis. The Cuylerville Mill, situated just east of Cuy- lerville, was built by Col. Cuyler in 1844. Wm. Marsh operated this mill as early as 1856, but since 1878 it has been run by his son, David Marsh. This mill was for some time idle on ac- count of the mill dam being torn down by the State. The dam was replaced in 1878. The present business consists of J. S. Wheelock, general merchant, commenced business in 1845, keeping then a canal grocery; M. S. Wheelock, general store, commenced in 1856, in 1858 relin- quished business till 1 868, when he resumed ; Sco- ville House, W. B. Scoville proprietor, was built as the " National Exchange" in 1841 by Chas. Phin- ney, and opened by Truesdell Lamson, who kept it five years, operated since 187 1 by Mr. Scoville; Farmer Hotel, John Black, proprietor ; Alanson Decker, blacksmith. J. S. Wheelock has been postmaster since 1863 and succeeded Melvin Dales. Cuylerville is located upon the site of Little Beard's town, the most prominent of the Seneca villages elsewhere spoken of. The United Presbyterian Church of Cuylerville. — About 1840, at the time Cuylerville commenced springing up into existence, there were no facilities offered to the inhabitants for religious worship at this place, with the exception of occasional visits from Rev. A. Blakie, of the York Church. A par- tial church organization was effected soon after, and a supply furnished by the Synod. In the spring of 1844 efforts were made to erect a house of worship which was completed in 1846. At the same time application was made for a church organ- ization to the Presbytery of Caledonia. A committee met July ist, 1845, for the pur- pose of organizing a church with the following named members: Hugh Sales, Margaret Sales, Eliza Sales, James Hutton, Henry Van Vecten, Ann Van Vecten, Andrew Rome, Jane Rome, James Niven, Clarissa Niven, John D. Eraser and Sarah Eraser. The church organization was not completed, however, till April 7, 1847, when the election of elders took place, John Kennedy, Matthew Crawford and Hugh Rippey being elected to that office. John Kennedy is still living. Rev. James B. Scouller was called November 4, 1846, and commenced his labors in January, 1847, /, '1^/^..^C/ C^i/^c GIBSONVILLE— JOHN SEARS ROYCE. 347 but was not installed till April 7, 1847. He left in April, 1852. Rev. W. C. Somers commenced June I, 1853, and remained a little over three years. Rev. F. M. Proctor's name appears first upon the records March 7, 1859, and last October 28, 1865. Rev. John Rippey, the present pastor, commenced December 26, 1866. The present membership of the church is about 80, and of the Sunday school about 95. The Sun- day school superintendent is Wm. B. Wooster. The present elders are John Kennedy, now 90 years of age, and who has been elder since the or- ganization of the church, John McKercher, David Donnan, Joseph N. Rippey, Wm. B. Wooster and John F. McKercher. GiBSONVILLE. Gibsonville is a post village and lies in the south- ern portion of the town, south-west of Mt. Morris, and is situated on the outlet of Silver Lake. It was named in honor of Henry B. Gibson, of Canan- daigua. Ebenezer Allen was the first settler here in 1792, and while here built the first saw-mill in the town. The Silver Lake Paper Mills are located here, and are operated by water power. Geo. H. West is the proprietor. The buildings cost four thousand dollars; capacity of mill, 3,000 pounds per day; ten men employed. They manufacture rag, hard- ware, manilla and tea papers. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN SEARS ROYCE. About the year 181 5 a man who during his Hfe was widely known as " Deacon Samuel Royce," in company with his good wife, Betsey Reed Royce, emigrated from the town of Lyme, New London county. Conn., to Leicester, Livingston county. There Mr. Royce purchased a tract of timbered land from John Gregg, and with the aid of his sons in due time converted it into a productive farm. Upon this same homestead which he had created. Deacon Royce died on July 12, 1850. He could look back upon a life well spent, adorned with Christian virtues, commanding the respect of many friends and the love of the family. He was a member of the close communion Baptist church, and the father of eleven children, ten of whom are now living. Among these children was one named John Sears Royce, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Leicester July 15, 1819. His boyhood and youth were passed on his father's farm, and although young Royce found much hard labor be- fore him, he battled manfully with it till eighteen years of age, when his father became convinced that his son was born with an inventive genius that would not contentedly brook the narrow restraints of farm Hfe. Fortunately for John, his father desired the happiness and future welfare of his children as much as the immediate advancement of his own affairs, and cheerfully allowed his son to act at will, and bade him God-speed in the broad field of in- vention. The young inventor's first work was a threshing machine, the entire drafting and pattern making for which was done by himself, and the result was a better machine than any in existence at that time. When twenty-two years old, Mr. Royce in- vented and perfected a plow, which was a favorite with many farmers of that day, and was widely known as the Genesee Valley Plow. He then took out his first patent on a metallic spoke sus- pension wheel for carriages, which was followed by improvements in portable steam engines, and afterward by his great work on mowers and reapers. In the year 1849, when thirty years of age, Mr. Royce was married to Louisa M. Boom, of Litch- field, Herkimer county, N. Y., and in thus select- ing a hfe partner he was most fortunate, his wife proving a true helpmeet in all his labors. Mrs. Royce is spoken of as endowed with caution and prudence, combined with good business capacity, and prominent in the social circle in which she moves. She is looked up to and respected by a large circle of acquaintances and many valued friends. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Royce, (of whom six are now living) viz: Ida A., Samuel J., (deceased,) Cora I., Jennie L., J. Byron, Carrie M., and Eva D. This family have been nurtured to habits of industry and characters of respectability. In the year 1850, Mr. Royce took out a patent for a Rockaway carriage, which proved successful and in the manufacture of which he was engaged for nearly ten years, when he began the work which was destined to become the crowning achievement of his life — the invention of the com- bined mower and reaper, known as the Empire Harvester. During that era this was a successful machine, and Mr. Royce continued its manufac- ture till the year 1870. These combined machines weighed from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds, and the practical-minded inventor readily perceived that farmers were injuring their horses in causing them to draw these great weights of moving machinery over the soft fields, and immediately employed his mind in constructing a plan for a machine which should require less power than the ones then in use and yet do the work so successfully ac- complished by a man with a slender "cradle." 34^ HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The result was the machine known as the Royce Reaper, and the first one constructed weighed 370 pounds. It was a perfect success and possessed ample weight and power for cutting the heaviest grain. During the years 1871, '72, and '73, a few of these machines were made, well tested by farmers, some improvements made, and in the year 1874, Mr. Royce took out patents in the United States, and Canada, covering nine claims. This machine worked a revolution in that branch of business, and still continues in almost universal use. It was a proud triumph for Mr. Royce when his reaper secured, as it did, the first prize for simplicity, ease of draft, lightness and quality of the work done by it, at the great three days' trial of the Centennial exhibition. Since that time, the Royce Reaper has invariably been awarded first prize whenever exhibited in competition in the States and Canada, and it is not exaggera- tion to state that Mr. Royce has made more valuable improvements in reapers than any other inventor. Not satisfied with the success already achieved, in the year 1878, Mr. Royce invented and patent- ed two other reapers, differing widely from each other, as well as from the first. One is known as the Centennial reaper, and the other as the Little Joker, the patent for which covers thirty-two claims, and which has never been presented before the public, but will, we trust, in due time make itself favorably known. Mr. Royce's last work is the invention of a header, thresher, cleaner and bagger, which, pre- diction says, will work an entire revolution in har- vesting and reduce the cost of it to a nominal sum. It is expected that this machine will cut and prepare for market twenty acres of grain in a day, and its weight is not to exceed 800 pounds. For this great work all farmers will forever be grateful to the inventor. In speaking of Mr. Royce's characteristics it should be noted that he combines with his inven- tive genius, great energy and executive ability; otherwise he never could have reached his present measure of success. He is a born inventor, has loved the solution of mechanical problems from boyhood, and his mechanical ideas always possess originality and simpUcity — two great elements of success. The influence of his genius has left its impression upon many branches of industrial sci- ence. The light reaper that bears his name is the pride of his life, an honor to its inventor, and, like many others, the work of his life will live after him. Mr. Royce is radically temperate in all respects, and earnest and industrious in his habits. He possesses generous impulses, and has never turned a deaf ear to the wants of mankind. Being social in his nature, he is ever ready to promote the wel- fare and happiness of his family and those sur- rounding him. Now, while living, he is respected by all who know him, and when his work is done he will be mourned by many. WILLIAM WHITMORE. William Whitmore was born in 1802, and came to Livingston county with his father, George Whit- more, who took up land at what is now known as Jones' Bridge, in the town of Leicester, and there kept the first hotel in that part of the county. He was the second son of a family of eight children and Uved at home until he was twenty-one years of age, working on the farm and attending school winters. He then bought a farm near what is now known as the "High Banks," forming a nucleus for the large fortune he afterwards accumulated, owning, at the time of his death, eight hundred acres of land. About the time of his first purchase he was mar- ried to Nancy L., daughter of Jedediah and Tri- fosie Richardson, of Leicester, who came from Massachusetts at an early day; Mrs. Richardson being an aunt of the late Charles Sumner. This marriage proved a very happy one, and of the eleven children born to him, four are still living. Daniel W., is a farmer in Ashland, O., but has been honored to some of the most important offices in his county. Sally Ann was the wife of Samuel O. Roberson, of Geneseo. He was a mill- wright and farmer, and died in Leicester, where he came to reside a year before his death, which occurred February 4, 1865. His wife survived him fifteen years and died December 23, 1880, leaving one son, William W. Roberson. Miss Emily Whitmore, who resides on the Col. White farm, is the only daughter living, and it is through her generosity that the portraits of her father and mother appear in this work. George W., was married to Sarah Jane Ostrom, of Leicester, by whom he had two children — Wm. H., who resides in Leicester, on the old Ostrom homestead, and Nancy L., who resides in Paris, France. John is married and resides in Jersey City, N. J. William, Jr., is married and resides in Farmer City, 111. He and John together own the old homestead on the " High Banks." In poUtics, Mr. Whitmore, Sr., was a Democrat, but never thrust his views on others, and allowed every man to vote and think as he pleased. James M., the youngest son, when about twenty- one years of age, went to St. Louis, and at the close of the war was a book-keeper in Benton Bar- racks. Since that time his relatives have heard nothing from him, and mourn him as one who is dead. CHAPTER XXV. History of the Town of Groveland. GROVELAND, the central town in Livingston county, is bounded on the north by Geneseo, on the east by Conesus, on the south by Sparta and West Sparta and on the west by Mt. Morris, '/l^m/?t^&. a n r/7^//^^ / A/r/^Ae GROVEL AND — EARLY SETTLERS. 349 It was formed April 6, 1813, from Sparta, and con- tained in 1875 a population of 1,366. In its physical characteristics it is one of the finest towns in the county, both as regards the fertility and value of its farming land, and the many picturesque views that greet the eye. Near- ly three- fourths of the town consists of an elevated table-land that slopes gradually, as the boundaries of the town are neared, to the valley of the Cana- seraga on the south and east and to the inlet and head of Conesus lake, on the west. To Groveland belongs the honor of having had located within its borders the first village in the county — Williamsburgh — which was situated mid- way between Mt. Morris and Geneseo. Nothing so strongly illustrates the erroneous ideas in relation to the future of this section held by the early hold- ers of the large tracts of western lands, as they were then called, than the founding of this village, which, commencing under such influential patron- age, soon reached the zenith of its prosperity, and then, giving away to the march of events, gradually lost its prestige, so that now not a build- ing remains to testify to its original prosperity. The first purchasers of the Indian territory between the Genesee River and Seneca Lake had sold an immense estate to Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, who in turn offered his lands for sale in the principal cities of Europe. The repre- sentations of his agents gained much attention from men of capital, and three gentlemen of Lon- don, Sir William Pultney, John Hornby, and Patrick Colquhoun, purchased that noble estate which has since borne the name of the English baronet. Their agent, Captain Charles William- son, visited America, and excited by the reports transmitted by him, the associates indulged in brilliant dreams of the destiny of the wilderness which had fallen into their hands. Charles Williamson, the first agent of the Pult- ney estate, was a native of Scotland. He entered the British army in youth, and during the Revolu- tionary war held the commission of captain in the twenty-fifth regiment of foot. His regiment was ordered to America, but on the passage Captain Williamson was captured by a French privateer. He remained a prisoner at Boston till the close of the war. On his return to Europe, he made the acquaintance of the most distinguished public men of England, and was often consulted concerning American affairs. On the or- ganization of the association of Sir WiUiam Pultney and others, he was appointed its agent. and entered zealously into the schemes for colonizing the Genesee forest. Captain Williamson was a man of talent, hope, energy and versatility, generous and brave of spirit, swift and impetuous in action, of ques- tionable discretion in business, a lover of sport and excitement, and well calculated by his tempera- ment and genius to lead the proposed enterprise. His spirit was so tempered with imagination, that he went up to the wilderness, not with the dry and dogged resolution of one expecting a labor of a lifetime in subduing the savage soil, but in a kind of chivalrous dashing style, to head an onslaught amongst the pines, and to live a "Baron of the Backwoods" in his Conhocton Castle, ruling over forests and rivers, after the manner of the old Norman nobles in England. Having landed in Baltimore in 1791, and taken the steps required by our naturalization laws, he received in his own name, from Robert Morris, a conveyance of the Pultney estate and began im- mediately his preparations for the colonization of the same. Of these preliminary movements there is but little to be said. It appears that he corresponded extensively with men whom he sought to engage in his enterprise, that he opened communication with many planters of Virginia and Maryland, proposing a transfer of themselves and their households from the worn-out planta- tions of the South, to the fresh woods of the Genesee; that he traveled much through the country and made active exertions by personal application and by advertisement to induce farmers and emigrants of the better sort from Great Britain to settle upon his Northern lands. He established his centre of organization and cor- respondence at the village of Northumberland, Pa. In the winter after his arrival in America, Capt. Williamson made a visit to the Genesee by way of Albany and the Mohawk. In the upper valley of the Mohawk he passed the last of the old settle- ments. From these old German farms the road was but a lane, opened in the woods, passable only on horseback, or in a sledge. A few cabins, surrounded by scanty clearings, were the only in- dications of civilization which met his eye, till he stood amongst a group of cabins at the foot of Seneca Lake. The famed Genesee estate was before him. Surely few city builders of ancient or modern times have gazed upon districts which offered less encouragement to them than did the wild Iroquois forest to the hopeful Scot. A little settlement had been commenced at Canandaigua. 35° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The Wadsworths were at Big Tree. The disciples of Jemima Wilkinson, the prophetess, had estab- lished their new Jerusalem on the outlet of Crooked Lake, and, scattered through the vast woods, a few hundred pioneers were driving their axes to the hearts of the tall trees, and waging war with the wolves and panthers. Beyond the meadows of the Genesee Flats, was a forest as yet unknown to the ax, which har- bored several tribes of savages wavering be- twixt war and peace. British garrisons, surly from discomfiture, occupied the forts at Oswego and Niagara; colonies of Tories, including in their numbers, men of infamous renown, dwelt on the frontiers of Canada, on lands allotted to them by the Crown, and there were not wanting those amongst the military and political agents of the provincial government who incited the jealous barbarians to the general slaughter of the back- woodsmen. In the following summer Captain Williamson determined to open a high road from Northum- berland to the Genesee. The only road leading to the north from the mouth of the West Branch followed the valley of the Susquehanna, which at this point, to one going above, begins a long and unnecessary ramble to the east. A direct road to the Genesee would cross a ridge of the Alleganies. An Indian trail, often trod during the Revolution by parties from the fastnesses of the Six Nations, ran over the mountains; but to open a road through the shattered wilderness, which would be passable for wagons, was deemed impossible. After a laborious exploration, however, by the agent and a party of Pennsylvania hunters, a road was located from "Ross Farm" (now Williams- port) to the mouth of Canaseraga Creek, on the Genesee, a distance' of one hundred and fifty miles. This road was opened in the ensuing autumn by a party of German emigrants. The fortunes of this German colony formed quite a perplexing episode in Captain Williamson's history. The simplicity, the sufferings and the terrors of these Teutonic pioneers were sources of much amusement to the rough backwoodsmen, and their passage through the wilderness and over the wild Laurel Mountains was in early times an event so momentous that although the matter has strictly but little reference to the history of this county, it may nevertheless be permitted to recount their frights and tribulations. It seems that Mr. Colquhoun, who conducted the business affairs of the association, became ac- quainted in London with a certain Dr. Berezy, a German of education and address, who engaged to collect a colony of his countrymen, and conduct them to the Genesee lands under the auspices of the association. Capt. Williamson seems not to have favored the scheme, but while living at Northum- berland in 1782, the colony arrived, and it fell upon him to devise some plan of disposing of this very raw material to the best advantage. There were about two hundred of them, men, women and children. Though stout and healthy enough, they were an ignorant and inexperienced people, accus- tomed to dig with the spade in the little gardens of the Fatherland, and as unfit for forest work and the rough life of the frontiers as babes. It was determined to send them over the moun- tains to the Tioga, thence by the valleys of that river and of the Conhocton to Williamsburgh on the Genesee. It was necessary to give the emi- grants in charge to some reliable and energetic guide and Benjamin Patterson, the hunter, who was well acquainted with the German language, and in whose judgment and resolution Capt. Wil- liamson had entire confidence, was employed in this capacity. He was abundantly provided with money and means. Seven stout young Pennsyl- vanians, well skilled in the use of the ax and the rifle, were chosen by him as assistant woodsmen, and these and the Germans were to open the road, while the guide, in addition to his duties as com- mander of the column, undertook to supply the camp with game. It was in the month of September when the emi- grants appeared at the mouth of Lycoming creek, ready for the march to the northern paradise. A little way up the creek they commenced hewing the road. Here the Germans took their first les- sons in woodcraft. They were not ready appren- tices, and never carried the art to great perfection. We hear of them in after years sawing trees down.* Owing to their extreme ignorance of anything pertaining to woodcraft their march progressed slowly and with great suffering to all. They became mutinous. " I could compare my situation," said the guide, " to nothing but that of Moses with the children of Israel. I would march them along a few miles, and then they would rise up and rebel." Mutiny effected as little with the inflexible com- mander as grief. He cheered up the down-hearted and frightened the mutinous. They had fairly to * " An old gentleman who came over the road in an early day says the trees looked as if they had been gnawed dovm by the beaver." Turner' i Phelps and GorhanCs Purchase. GROVELAND — EARLY SETTLEMENT OF WILLIAMSBURGH. 351 be driven. Once, when some of the men were very clamorous, and even offered violence, Patter- son stood with his back to a tree and brandishing his tomahawk furiously said, " If you resist me I will kill you — every one of you." Thereupon discipline was restored. They worked along slowly enough. At favor- able places for encampment they built block- houses, or Flocks, as the Germans called them, and opened the road for some distance in advance before moving the families further. These block- houses stood for many years landmarks in the wil- derness. September and October passed and it was far in November before they completed the passage of the mountains. At the place now occupied by the village of Blossburgh they made a camp, which from their baker, who there built an oven, they called "Peter's Camp." Patterson, while hunting in this neigh- borhood, found a few pieces of coal which he cut from the ground with his tomahawk. The Ger- mans pronounced it to be of good quality. Pushing onward seven miles further they made the " Canoe Camp," a few miles below the present village of Mansfield. When they reached this place their supply of provisions was exhausted. The West Branch youths cleared two acres of ground ; Patterson killed an abundant supply of game, and went down with some of his young men to Painted Post, thirty miles or more below. He ordered provisions to be boated up to this place from Tioga Point, and returned to the camp with several canoes. He found his poor people in utter despair. They lay in their tents bewailing their misfortunes, and said that the Englishman had sent them there to die. He had sent a ship to Hamburgh, he had enticed them away from their home, he had brought them over the ocean on purpose that he might send them out in the wil- derness to starve. They refused to stir and begged Patterson to let them die. But he was even yet merciless. He blustered about without ceremony, cut down the tent poles with his tomahawk, roused the dying to life, and at length drove the whole colony to the river bank. When the Germans saw the slender canoes they screamed with terror, and loudly refused to entrust themselves ' to such shells. The woodsmen, however, put the women, the chil- dren and the sick, into the canoes almost by main force, and launched forth into the river while the men followed by land, thus making the journey to Painted Post. It was now December. They had bean three months in the wilderness, and were not in a con- dition to move onward to the Genesee. Patter- son with thirty of the most hardy men, kept on, however, and opened the road up the Conhocton to Dansville and the place of destination. The others remained through the winter of 1793 at Painted Post. The whole colony was conducted to the Genesee in the spring. There was, at this time, a single settler in the valley of the Conhocton above the settlements near Painted Post. After manifold tribulations, the Germans were at last deposited at the Genesee, with the loss of but one man, who was killed in the mountains by a falling tree. The subsequent fortunes of this ill- starred colony can be told in few words. * At Williamsburgh they were abundantly pro- vided for. Each family received a house and fifty acres of land, with a stock of provisions for pres- ent use, and farming utensils. Cattle and sheep were distributed amongst them, and nothing re- mained for them to do but fall to work and culti- vate their farms. Hardly a settlement in Western New York had such a munificent endowment as the German settlement on the Genesee. But it soon became apparent that the leader of the colo- ny had failed to regard the instructions of Mr. Col- quhoun. Instead of recruiting his numbers from the sturdy and industrious Saxon population, as directed, he had collected an indiscriminate rabble from the streets of Hamburgh, not a few of whom were vagabonds of the worst kind. They were lazy, shiftless, and of the most appalling stupidity. Breeding cattle were barbacued. Seeds instead of being planted in their fields, vanished in their ket- tles ; and when provisions were exhausted, Captain Williamson was called upon to dispatch a file of pack-horses to their relief. The emigrants were greatly disappointed in the land which received them, and complained with bitterness of the treachery that enticed them from the blessed gutters of Hamburgh, first to starve in frightful mountains, and then to toil in hungry forests. At length they broke out into open and outra- geous rebellion. Captain Williamson, who was on the ground was assailed by Berezy and the rabble, and as he himself says, " nothing could equal my situation but some of the Parisian scenes. For an hour and a half I was in this situation, (in a corner of a store between two writingdesks,) every instant expecting to be torn to pieces." However with the * Turner's Hist, of Phelps & Gorham's Purchase. 352 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. assistance of a few friends, he kept the mob at bay, till Berezy at length quelled the tumult. The col- onists then drove away or killed all the cattle on the premises, and held a grand carousal. The mutiny lasted several days, till the sheriff of On- tario mustered a posse of sufficient strength, and descended upon them by forced marches, and made prisoner the ringleader. Berezy, in the mean- time, had gone to the east, where he made arrange- ments for the removal of his colonists to Canada. This transfer was at last effected, greatly to the relief of the London Association and their agent, to whom the colony had been, from the beginning, nothing but a source of expense and vexation. Col. Wilhamson beUeved that this was to be a most important point in the future as the com- merce of the country developed, on account of its being located at the junction of two important water-courses, thus affording water communication through two sources to this point, and thence on to Lake Ontario. He little dreamed at that day that the future carrying business was to be done by the railroads or even by the canal to the entire abandonment of the old water channels. Col. Wil- liamson entertained great expectations in regard to the future of this place believing that it was to be the great commercial centre of Western New York. In a letter to a friend he writes : — "On the Genesee river a great many farms are laying out ; sixty-five miles from its mouth, is a town marked out by the name of Williamsburgh, and will, in all probability be a place of much trade. In the present situation of things, it is remote, when considered in a commercial point of view but should the port of Oswego be given up and the lock navigation be completed, there will not be a carry- ing place between New York and WilUamsburgh." The village of Williamsburgh contained at one time, a good hotel building, a dry-goods store, a distillery, blacksmith and grocery shops, a grain warehouse, and about forty dwellings. Services were occasionally held in a portion of the ware- house by the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, a Presbyterian minister. He was the pioneer minister in the valley south of Avon. He is the grand-father of M. H. Mills, Esq., of Mt. Morris. A more extended account of him can be found on pages 289 and 318. A post-office was established here in 1792, it being the terminus of a post-route then established ftom Whitestown to this place. In 1798 there were three frame buildings here besides several log- houses. M. H. Mills, M. D., of Mt. Morris, in an address before the Livingston County Pioneer Association, in August, 1877, states as follows: — " The first school taught in the county was at Williamsburgh, in 1793, by Samuel Murphy. The first tavern was kept at this place by Wm. Lemon, in 1797. The first grist-mill was erected on lot 58, in 1797. The first store in the county was at Williamsburgh, and kept by Alexander McDonald, a Scotchman. The first race-course for running horses was made by Col. WilUamson, in 1793, and was located on the Genesee flats at, or near, the confluence of Canaseraga creek and Genesee river, at a short distance from Williamsburgh. Here sporting men came from New York, Albany, Phil- adelphia and Baltimore for several years, but the enterprise was abandoned." The Albany Gazette of July 15, 1793, contains an advertisement of the WiUiamsburgh Fair and Genesee Races, which states that an annual fair for the sale and purchase of cattle, horses and sheep would be held at Williamsburgh, at the great forks of the Genesee, commencing on Monday, the 23d of September, 1793. These fairs were continued for some years with quite marked suc- cess. Following the tract of Mr. Williamson when he broke in from Pennsylvania and made a com- mencement at Williamsburgh, settlers soon began to drop into the valley of the Canaseraga. In Groveland, other than at Williamsburgh, John Smith was the pioneer. He was from New Jersey, a surveyor in the employ of Mr. Williamson. He purchased a mile square, upon which he resided until his death in 181 7. Benjamin Parker, a step-son of John Smith, John Harrison, William and Thomas Lemon, Wm. Kelley, and James Rosebrugh, were among the earliest. Smith in 1799 built a mill between Hor- nellsville and Arkport, and as early as 1800 took lumber from it to the Baltimore market. Michael Roup was an early pioneer upon the uplands in Groveland, with his son, Christian Roup. He died during the war of 1812. Michael Roup, of Groveland, is his son. The early minister that visited the neighborhood was the Rev. Mr. Gray. Other early settlers were : — Samuel Niblack, (Niblack's Hill,) William Martin, Samuel Stillwell, John Vance, Doty, Ewart, Wm. Magee, Wm. Mc- Nair, Samuel Magee and Darling Havens. Wm. Magee settled in 1796 where John Hart- man now lives, on the valley road, and came from Sussex county, N. J. He was one of three broth- ers who came from Ireland. William married in New Jersey, and had eight children, — four boys (Photo, by Belts, Dansville.) M.R. 8r Mrs. Charges Wendei\shott. CHARLES HENDERSHOTT. Among the pioneer families of Groveland, may be mentioned the antecedents of our subject, Chas. Hendershott. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Thomas) Hendershott, and was born in Columbia county. Pa. Oct. lo, 1805, the eleventh child of a family of twelve of whom four are still living. When four years of age he came into this county with his parents who remained in Avon over a year, and settled in Groveland in 1814, purchasing 137 acres of land at twenty shillings per acre. He lived at home assisting his father in improving that land which is now one of the finest farms in Groveland, and at his father's death, which occurred in 1847, at the advanced age of 84 years, this farm was willed to him with a codicil to the effect that he pay the other heirs a consideration. His mother, Mary Hendershott, died in 1834, aged 72 years. Charles Hendershott is second to none in his town, as a practical farmer, and not only owns the old homestead, with a hundred acres adjoining, but also a farm in Allegany county. He is now in his seventy-third year, but personally attends to his farm and its interest and does not appear more than fifty years of age. December 21, 1848, he was married to Lois P., daughter of Andrew and Wealthy D. (Hughes) Metcalf, of Cooperstown, Otsego county, N. Y., who was born in Harpersfield, Delaware county, July 29, 1820, and moved to Otsego county, with her parents when four years of age. The result of this union was four sons, of whom three are still living, viz: Chas. A., born September 11, 1850, is married to Agnes M. Creg, of Belmont, Alle- gany county, and resides near the old homestead in Groveland. Frank M., born Feb. 27, 1852, is married to Hattie E. Buckland, and resides in Buffalo. Chester A. was born Jan. 5, 1854, and resides at home. Edward E., born Feb. 3, 1859, and died Aug. 10, 1862. Mrs. Hendershott is an exemplary and con- scientious member of the Groveland Presbyterian Church, having united herself with it more than twenty years ago. In sickness or distress she has ever been ready to assist, and is always kind to the poor and needy. Her ancestors are an old family and Mrs. H. is able to trace them back as far as the landing of the Mayflower. Her grandfather and his three brothers and two cousins came from Connecticut to Cooperstown in or about the year 1795, ^'I'i settled on what is now known as " Met- calf Hill." Mrs. Hendershott says she has heard her father say he has attended school when thirty of the scholars' names were Metcalf Andrew Met- calf, the father of Mrs. H.', was a son of Roger Metcalf, one of the pioneers of Otsego county, and was the oldest of six children. He died September 2d, 1880, at the advanced age of 85 years, having out-lived all his brothers and sisters. In politics Mr. Hendershott was formerly a Whig, but is now a Repubhcan, having acted with that party since 1856. GROVELAND — EARLY SETTLERS. 353 and four girls — six of whom were born after his arrival in Groveland. His children born in Grove- land are: — Hugh, now in Conesus; Elizabeth, who married Samuel Ewart, (now dead,) of Geneseo, and who is now living in that place ; Charles, who died in Groveland, January 9, 1850; Rebecca, who died in Groveland, April 9, 1857; Julia Ann, who married Darling Havens, (both dead) ; and John, born July 18, 1812, now living on the old home- stead, which was first occupied by his father about 1806. William McNair settled at Williamsburgh in 1 7 98. DarUng Havens was an early settler, coming pre- vious to 1795, but soon after located where the Havens' now live in Sparta. The Zehner Mills, located on Canaseraga creek were built by Isaac Havens, a son of Darling Havens. Darting Havens remained but a short time when he removed to Sparta. Jacob and Mary Hendershott were early set- tlers, coming into the town in 1814. They were formerly from Columbia county, Pa., where Charles Hendershott, who now lives upon the old home- stead, was born. Jacob Hendershott died in 1847 and his wife in 1834. Michael Johnson emigrated from Ireland and came in 1804 to Geneseo, from whence in 1806, he removed to Groveland. He died in 1835 on the homestead. He had five children : Nancy, married Samuel Culbertson ; Margaret, married V. P. WhitbeckjOf Avon, (dead); John, born 1810, died 1827; Matilda, married Michael Kelly, of Groveland; and Richard, born Nov. 25, 1815, married Matilda Ebenriter, of Groveland, was Member of Assembly 1870-71. Upon the pages of the town record are the names of Daniel Ross, Levy Dunn, Hugh Mc- Nair, William Harris and William Kelly, in 1797 ; Elias Harrison, William McNair, John Rosebrugh and John Hampton, in 1798; and Thomas Bailey and David Crook, in 1S05. Among the most prominent of the settlers from i8io-'2o may be mentioned William Fitzhugh and Judge Charles Carroll. WiUiam Fitzhugh was of a family, the name and service of which are intimately blended with the history of the stirring events of the Revolution in the colony of Maryland. His father, Col. William Fitzhugh, held the commission of colonel in the British army, retired upon half pay, when the troubles between the colonies and the mother country commenced, and whose son. Col. Peregrine Fitzhugh, was first commissioned in a corps of light horse, but in a later period of the war was enrolled in the military family of Washington. William, another son, served as a colonel in a division of cavalry, and after the, war was a member of the Maryland Legislature. Previous to 1800, Col. Peregrine Fitzhugh had made the acquaintance of Mr. Williamson, and had visited the Genesee country. When Col. William Fitz- hugh first visited the country in 1800 in company with Col. Nathaniel Rochester, Major Charles Carroll, and several others, he brought a letter of introduction to Mr. Williamson from his brother, for himself and Col. Rochester ; Major Carroll as would seem from the reading of the letter, having previously known him. During this visit, in addition to a third interest in the " 100 acre tract " at the Falls of the Genesee, purchased in company with Messrs. Rochester and Carroll, he jointly, with Mr. Carroll, purchased on the Can- aseraga, in Groveland and Sparta, 12,000 acres of Mr. Williamson, pajang $2.09 per acre. Their tract embraced the old site of Williamsburgh, Mr. WiUiamson having abandoned his enterprise of forming a town there after the failure with his German colony. Leaving their property in the care of an agent, Messrs. Fitzhugh and Carroll did not emigrate with their famihes until 1816, when a division of the joint purchase was made. Col. Fitzhugh died in 1830, aged 78 years; his wife, who was the daughter of Col. Daniel Hughes, of Washington county, Md., died in 1829, aged 56 years. Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, a son of Col. William Fitzhugh, was a very prominent citizen of Grove- land. He was born in Maryland in 1794, and came to Groveland in 1816 to superintend the erection of their new home. He died April 23, 1 88 1. He was the last male representative of his father's family. He left a family of four sons and six daughters. Dr. Fitzhugh has always been prominently iden- tified with the best interests of Livingston county. He was member of Assembly in 1843; was for many years President of the Genesee Valley Na- tional Bank, of Geneseo, and was President of the Livingston County Historical Society for the first two years of its organization. He was a man of delightful social accompHsh- ments and highly appreciative of humor. He was not a greattalker ; indeed, rather the reverse. Hos- pitable in the extreme, a full house was his delight. Of close business habits, he was never deceived by the same person twice. He attended in the 354 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. minutest details to the care of his estate up to the very last day of his life. He was a true friend, a valued neighbor, and a courteous gentleman, em- phatically of the old school in habits, manners and appearance. Charles Carroll's connection with Messrs. Roch- ester and Fitzhugh, and his advent to this region with them in 1800 has been noticed. He had pre- viously, in the year 1798, with a brother, Daniel Carroll, been here upon a tour of exploration. They came via the Susquehanna route with pack mules, made a general survey of the country, were pleased with it, but made no investments until 1800. Their residence in Maryland was at Belle- vue, near Hagerstown ; the earher home of the family had been upon the site of the city Of Wash- ington. The capital of the United States now occupies a portion of the estate of their father, Charles Carroll, who was a cousin of " Charles Carroll, of CarroUton." Major Carroll died at his residence in Groveland in 1837, aged 60 years. Among his sons were Charles Carroll, who was a representative in Congress of the Livingston and Ontario dis- trict and a State Senator, and William T. Car- roll, a clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States. His daughters became the wives of Henry Fitzhugh, of Oswego ; Moses Tabbs, of Washing- to, D. C; Dr. Hardage Lane, of St. Louis. The eldest son was the private secretary of Mr. Clay at Ghent, becoming soon after the clerk of his father, who held the office of receiver at Franklin, Mis- souri. He was killed in an affray which occurred in that town. The institution of slavery at one time had a foothold in Groveland, as is witnessed by the fol- lowing extracts from the town records : — "June 6, 1817. "I hereby certify that on or about the 7th day of December, 1816, last past, I brought with me the following slaves, to-wit: Nancy, born the 20th day of May, 181 1; Barbary, born in December, i8ro, and Nelly, about twelve years of age, all of whom I have held for many years previous to my removal into the State of New York. R. A. Fitzhugh." " I, Wm. Fitzhugh, late a citizen and former resi- dent of the State of Maryland, having on the 19th day of November, in the year of our Lord 181 7, arrived in the town of Groveland, Ontario county^ State of New York, with the intention of perma- nently residing therein, do make oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that the slaves here- inafter mentioned are my property and belong to me, and that I removed them with me into the aforesaid town of Groveland on the said 19th day of November, 18 17, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief their sexes and ages are as follows, to-wit: Males — George, born July 17, 1801; James, born July 7, 181 1; Adam, born April 14, 1815; Henry, born March 25, 1816; Samuel Harrison, born December 26, 1806. Fe- males — Ann Harrison, born July 17, 1805; Agness, born December 20, i8o8." "November 13, iSii;. " I hereby certify that on or about the 15th day of June past I brought with me the following slaves, to-wit : David, about fifteen years in April, t8i6; Nany, thirteen years in June, 18 16; Milly, eleven years in March, 1816; Sarah, nine years old in February, 1816 ; Nan, seven years old in Novem- ber, 1 8 15, all of whom I held for some years pre- vious to my removal to the State of New York. Ch. Carroll, of Bellevue." Among the early physicians of the town were Dr. Warren A. Cowdery, Lockwood Lyon, Edward Lauderdale and Walter E. Lauderdale. Dr. Lyon was here as early as 1820, and was a very promi- nent man in town affairs. Walter E. Lauderdale is now located in Geneseo, where a more extended account of him may be found. At the annual election of the town of Groveland, held at the house of Wm. Doty, inn-keeper, the first Tuesday of April, 1813, the following persons were elected : — Samuel Niblack, Supervisor ; James Rosebrugh, Town Clerk; Hugh McNair, John Jones and Chris- tian Roup, Assessors ; Daniel Ross, John Slaight and Samuel Begole, Commissioners of Highways ; Abraham Harrison and Aaron Norcross, Overseers of the Poor ; Wm. Doty, Constable and Collector ; Davenport Alger, Constable; John Hampton, Samuel M. Mann and Enoch Squibb, Fence View- ers ; Wm. Doty, Nathan Ogden, John Oman, Ira Travis, David Crooks, John Vance, Wm. R. Ee- gole, Philo Mills, Ebenezer McMasters, Benj. Price, Samuel Henderson, EU Clark and Thomas Young, Overseers of Highways. At an election held at Wm. Doty's on April 2, 1 81 6, the following persons were elected and privi- leges granted: — Samuel Niblack, Supervisor ; David Coursen, Town Clerk ; James Rosebrugh, James Henderson and John Smith, Commissioners of Common Schools ; Enoch Squibb, Wait Arnold, John Jones, David Coursen, Samuel Niblack and John Vance, Inspectors of Common Schools; Wm. Doty and Daniel Ross, Overseers of the Poor ; Simeon Root, Constable; Wm. P. Begole and Elijah Holmes, Fence Viewers; Robert Burns, Thomas Philips, Elias Harrison, Stephen Bonker, Jacob Hender- shott, John Scott, Samuel Ward, David Schull, '* % '^'^' Mr. &■ Mrs. John Gilman. PHILLIP GILMAN. Previous to the war of the Bevolution, the parents of Phillip Gilman emigrated from Hanover, Germany, to Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1756. In the early part of the Kevolutionary war he enUsted in the Conti- nental army and adhered to its fortunes to the end of the struggle, participating- in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and others of that eventful period. While in the battle of Germantown he was shot in the left breast by a musket ball, the ball passing through his lungs and being extracted two days after from under the left shoul- der blade. After he was wounded he broke his musket over a stump to prevent it from being of use to the Brit- ish, who then occupied the battle ground, and concealed himself under some hay in a bam, where a party of Brit- ish dragoons fed their horses and departed before day- light, without seeing him. At sunrise, wishing a drink of water, he made his way to a well near by, and there met a woman who directed him in the way to reach the American army and avoid the British. After remaining a short time in the hospital, he, notwithstanding the urgent protest of the surgeon, again joined the army, and by a strong will and vigorous constitution, was safely carried through. In 1779 he served under General Sulli- van in his contest with the Iroquois Indians. Little is known of his individual experience in that campaign although he was so greatly pleased with the beauty of the " Canaseraga country," as he called it, that its praise was constantly on his lips until he became one of its residents. He was married to Maria Clara Haasler, daughter of a merchant then in Beading, Pa. In 1791 when Captain Williamson, on his way from Europe to tlie Genesee country, came up the Susquehanna with a company of emigrants he engaged to work for the Captain in his mills at Bath, where he remained till the spring of 1800, when he removed with his family of iive sons and five daughters to Sparta, and there cleared a home in the forest. Always retaining a hearty dishke to the British, he, during the war of 1812, encouraged his sons to take an active part in their country's service, and the four who were old enough relieved each other in guarding the lines at Buffalo. John Gilman, son of Phiflip, was born in Bath, Steuben county, in the year 1794, and removed with his father's family to Sparta, where his youthful days were spent in assisting to subdue the forest and im- prove the farm on which he spent the remainder of his life. When eighteen years of age he was drafted for three months' service in defending the lines against the British at Buffalo. In 1819 he was married to Jennie, daughter of James Scott, Esq., who had removed to Sparta from Northumberland county. Pa., in the year 180G. For fifty-two years they passed a happy married life and raised a family of three sons and three daugh- ters, of whom only one survived them. John Gilman died April 27, 1871. His wife survived him nearly six years and died April 10, 1877. GROVEL AND — TOWN OFFICERS, WAR RECORD. 355 Charles Carroll, Andrew McNair, Hector W. Hey, James Henderson, Davenport Alger, Alexandria Patterson, Thomas Young, Joseph George, Moses Gilbert, Samuel Culbertson, Michael Johnson, John Hyland, Stephen Cole, Nathan Thorp and Peter Murren, Overseers of Highways. Privileges granted : — " Win. Doty is to have the privilege of selling and retaihng spirituous hquors on days of town business, when done at his house." " Wm. Willson is to have the privilege to sell spirituous liquors on days of town business by pay- ing one dollar for the time already sold." " Also that James Henderson shall have the priv- ilege of selling spirituous Hquors on the first day of election, April i6, 1816." The following has been the succession of Su- pervisors and Town Clerks. Supervisors. J as. Rosebrugh. Samuel Niblack. 1813-14- 1815. 1816. 1817. 1818. 1819-20. 1821. 1822. 1823-26. 1827. 1828-29. Chas. Carroll. Wm. Fitzhugh. Chas. H. Carroll. David Gamble. Daniel Kelly. Town Clerks. Samuel Niblack. Christian Roup. David Coursen. David Coursen. Warren A. Cowdery. David Coursen. Wm. Learning. John Jones. Wm. Aten.- 1830-32. DanielH. Fitzhugh. Lockwood Lyon. 183 1834, 1835 1836 1838 1839 1840. 1841 1842 1844. 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850, 1851 1852-53 Daniel Fitzhugh. 37. W. E. Lauderdale. Reuben Field. Chas. H. Carroll. 43- Daniel H. Fitzhugh. Daniel Kelly. David Gamble. Wm. Ewart. Chas. H. Carroll, Wm. Ewart. John Morrow. L. C. Lyon. Chas. Goheen. ii it Josiah Fisher. Chas. Goheen. Edward P. Fuller. Edward Logan. 1854-55. Harvey Ewart. John Benway, Jr. a ii Chas. Goheen. Hugh C. Lattimore. John Aten. a ii Phineas Barber. John Benway, Jr. Hugh C. Lattimore. Augustus Palmer. John Benway. Nathaniel B. Mann. Thos. Gamble. " " John Benway. Edward P. Fuller. Chas. Goheen. " John Aten. " " Chas. Goheen. John Aten. 1856. 1857- 1858. 1859- i860. " 1861. " " 1862. " 1863. John Hartman. 1864-65. John Hartman. 1866. Orimel Bigelow. 1867-68. John Hartman. 1869-72. Geo. S. Ewart. 1873. Hugh W. McNair. John Aten. 1874. Geo. S. Ewart. '• " 1875. Hugh McNair. " " 1876. Jerome A. Lake. " " 1877. Geo. W. Kelly. 1878! Jerome A. Lake. Geo. G. Fox. 1879-80. John W. Sickly. John Aten. The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 : Supervisor, John W. Sickly ; Town Clerk, James B. Harrison ; Justice of the Peace, Frank S. Lee ; Richard J. Kelly, (vacancy ;) Highway Commis- sioner, John P. Titsworth ; Assessor, B. F. Cul- bertson ; Overseers of the Poor, H. W. Ogden, Andrew Boyd ; Collector, John Lee ; Constables, John Lee, Andrew Gray, Patrick Wall, Richard E. White; Game Constable, Richard Johnson ; Ex- cise Commissioners, William Aten, David Gray; Inspectors of Election, George S. Ewart, John K. Slack. At an election held in the town of Groveland, which commenced April 30, 1816, at the house of James Henderson, and closed May 2, at the house of William Willson, there were cast for Daniel D. Tompkins, for Governor, forty-three votes, and for Rufus King for Governor, fourteen votes. The report of the School Commissioners to the County Clerk of Ontario county, made May 20, 1816, reports that there were six full districts and one part of one, the amount of moneys received was $79.99, the number of children taught in the district were 280, and the total number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years were 366. War Record. ^ — The record of the part that Groveland took in the war of the Rebellion is very meagre. The following is all that is recorded in relation to the subject : — September 19, 1863, a resolution was passed to raise $100 that same fall "for the relief of the wives and children of the volunteers and those or- dered into the service of the United States, accord- ing to an Act passed by our State Legislature on the 17th day of May, 1863." September 23, 1864, at a town meeting held for the purpose of filling the quota of said town under the last call, it was voted by a majority of the votes cast that said town raise a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars for each, for the purpose of filling the quota of said town, and that the amount be assessed and collected from the taxable inhabitants of said town at the two next annual collections. At a special town meeting held in and for the town of Groveland at the house of Richard Mate, in said town, on the 3d day of February, 1865, for the purpose of voting upon a proposition to 3S6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. raise money upon the credit of said town for pay- ing bounties to volunteers into the military and naval service of the United States, it was voted by a majority of the electors present that the board of town auditors of said town issue the bonds of said town to the amount of $400 to each volunteer to fill the quota of said town under the last call of the President for three hundred thousand men. At a special town meeting held the 4th of March, 1865, it was voted that the sum of $300 be ex- pended by the board of town auditors in cases of actual necessity for the relief of the families in said town whose natural supporters are in the military and naval service of the United States, or who have died in said service. Groveland Corners. The principal hamlet in the town is Groveland Corners. The present business consists of a black- smith shop kept by Wm. Mate, a shoe' shop kept by S. Pease, and one general store kept by Geo. Fox. Millard Sickly formerly kept store here, succeeded by John Magee from 1878 till the fall of 1880. Abraham Harrison kept tavern at the corners about 1825 and remained till as late as 1830 in the house across from the store. The Presbyterian parsonage was built about 1840 as a hotel by John Morrow, who had then a store here. The present postmaster is L. M. Bradley, who was appointed in the latter part of 1880. His immediate prede- cessors were John C. Magee, M. F. Sickly, Geo. G. Fox, Harris Harvey and John Aten. The Presbyterian Church of Groveland was or- ganized in 1809,* by Rev. John Lindsley, and consisted of sixteen members and three elders. The early Minutes of Session being carried to the General Assembly by Rev. Mr. Lindsley were un- happily lost. In the year 181 8, the congregation obtained the services of Rev. Silas Pratt, who ministered to them each third Sabbath for one year. On Janu- ary 10, 1819, the church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario. In the Minutes from 1818 to 1824, the names of Samuel Culbertson, Thomas Ward, John Jones and Abraham Harrison appear as ruling elders ; and January i, 1824, Michael Johnson and Wm. Learning were installed as their associates in office. * This date is given on tlie authority of Rev. Mr. Lindsley, although Rev. Silas Pratt states that the church was organized in 179s, by the General Assembly through the efforts of their missionary, Rev. Mr. Thatcher. Their present house of worship was erected in 1829 — the builder being Henry Vroman; and the trustees were Messrs. G. W. Merrill, Daniel Kelly, John Harrison, A. Harrison, Michael Johnson and George Bennett. One of the articles of agree- ment between the builder and trustees read as fol- lows: — "The said party of the second part (viz: trus- tees,) agree to deliver all the material on the spot where the said building is to stand j to ask the hands and furnish the liquor for raising of the building and be at the expense of the same." The congregation had previously worshipped in a school-house that stood opposite to the Gully school-house. From the departure of Rev. Pratt, in 1828, regu- lar services were intermitted, but Rev. Mr. Mas- ter and Rev. Mr. (Dr.) Bull, of Geneseo, occasion- ally administered the sacrament. On the loth of March, 1831, Rev. Isaac Crabb was installed as the first pastor, on a salary of $300 per annum, payable in semi-annual installments, but was obliged to close his labors May 12, 1833. Rev. George E. Sill was employed as stated supply for one year from August 28, 1833, and Rev. George Freeman, of the Presbytery of (ieneva, occupied a like position for about three years. February 7, 1836, Messrs. John Vance, Samuel C. Culbertson, John J. Groesbeck and Daniel Kelly were added by ordination to the eldership. From April, 1836, to May, 1841, Rev. Orrin Brown, of Champlain Presbytery, was stated supply; and July 30, 1840, Rev. Silas Pratt again assumed charge, continuing for three years. February 27, 1842, the Session took preliminary steps toward transferring the church to the Presbytery of Caledonia, and the change was made March 20, 1842. A minority protested and organized under the Presbytery of Ontario; but this division was but temporary, and in the autumn of 1842, the church placed itself under the care of the Presbytery of Steuben. From the fall of 1843 to 1845, Rev. Lewis Cheese- man presided. He was followed by Rev. Richard Kay, who remained three years, and from February 5, 1849, to April 5, 1850, Rev. John C. VanLiew presided. In the fall of 1850, Rev. S.-Smith Stur- ges commenced his services as stated supply, con- tinuing till the summer of 1853. Rev. John J. Carroll took charge of the pulpit January i, 1854, and presided there ten years, and upon his retire- ment Rev. F. DeW. Ward, of Geneseo, filled his place, but remained only two months, and was fol- lowed, after a brief interval, by Rev. Robert L. Conant, who acted as stated supply a few Sabbaths, Ma^y Bickel Ebeni^ter. Mary Bickel Ebenriter was born in Lehigh county, Pa. , Nov. 15,1792. Her father, Henry Bickel, was a native of Switzerland, born May 24, 1748, and died April 5, 1826. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania, near Bethlehem, July 16, 1759, and died Oct. 19, 1830. Peter Ebenriter, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, June 21, 1790. His grandfather was a native of Germany, and came here and took part in the Revolutionary war with England. When Peter was four years of age, the family moved to Lehigh county, near Allentown, where, when old enough, he worked with his father till the death of the latter in 1825. As Peter continued to work the farm until 1833, his education was necessarily limi- ted to the district school of that day, but he was ' a man of good judgment and discernment, and was one of a company of volunteers who went to Philadelphia to defend the flag of his coun- try against the attack of the English in 1812. Sept. II, 1812, he was married to Mary Bickel, and they lived on his father's farm until 1833, when they moved to the town of Groveland. They had one son and seven daughters, three of whom are now living. George Ebenriter occupies the old homestead, and it is due to his liberality that his mother's portrait appears herewith, (his father never having had one taken). Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ebenriter were both members of the Groveland Presbyterian Church, having joined that organization about the year 1834, Mr. Ebenriter by a letter from the Church at his home in Pennsylvania. Both lived the life of exemplary christians, and all of the family became members of the same Church. Mr. Ebenriter died Feb. 12, 1873, and his wife Feb. 13, 1874, mourned by all who knew them. Mrs. Ebenriter had doubly endeared herself to all and was ever ready to assist a neighbor when in trouble or sickness. EAST GROVELAND — NORTH SPARTA. 357 and in April, 1863, was succeeded by Rev. Stuart Mitchell. Rev. Henry L. Doolittle then followed, and remained three years. Rev. John Jones, D. D., supplied the pulpit for a short time when Rev. Thomas Dobbin became pastor, resigning August 13. 1875. August I, 1876, the superintendent of the Sun- day-school was Orimel Bigelow, and the trustees were David Gray, William Aten and Samuel Cul- bertson. The church membership reported May I, of that year was 143. August, 1876, Rev. David Conway came and remained one year. Rev. Chester Murray served the church from January, 1878, till April, 1879, followed in May by Rev. Andrew J. Hardie, who remained till September, 1880, since which date there has been no pastor. The present acting elders are David Drake, Fort Benway and Orimel Bigelow. Present membership about 128. East Groveland. East Groveland, formerly known as Hunt's Corners, is located in the northern portion of the town and contains a post-office, store and Metho- dist Episcopal church. The present store was built in 1870 by J. DuBois. The present propri- etor is Geo. G. Fox. The post-office has been kept by Elijah Hunt, James VanAntwerp, James Ward, Hugh Kelly and J. L. Whitney. The First M. E. Church of Groveland is located at East Groveland, formerly known as Hunt's Cor- ners. The following is the certificate of its incor- poration : — " We, the subscribers, do certify that at a meet- ing held at the school house near John Hunt's, in the town of Groveland, in the county of Living- ston, it being the place where the members and friends of the M. E. Church statedly attend divine worship, on the 14th of March, 1826, of the male persons of full age being members and friends of the M. E. Church, held in pursuance of public notice given two successive Sabbaths or meeting days, and at least fifteen days before the time of meeting, for the purpose of reorganizing themselves according to the act entitled ' An act to provide for the incorporation of rehgipus societies ' passed April 5, 1813. That John Arnold and John Hill, two of the members of said society were duly chosen to preside at the said meeting and election of trustees, and we do further certify that at the said meeting Wm. Doty, Jonathan Doty, Lemuel B. Ginnings, John White and John Salmon were elected to serve as trustees of said church, and we do further certify that at the said meeting, that the said society to be reincorporated should be called and known by the name and title of the ' First Society of the M. E. Church in Groveland,' which elective resolutions and proceedings we do certify were had in our presence. Given under our hands and seals the 14th day of March, 1826. "John Arnold, "John Hill." The deed for the church lot was given March 7, 1825, by Daniel and Mary Ross to the trustees of the church, and the church was built about the year 1828. The first records attainable bear date January 18, 1834, at which date Rev. Abner Chase was presiding elder and Rev. Joseph McCrary was pas- tor. In 1835 John Parker was the pastor, and from that year to January, 1843, the minutes are missing, but in 1843 Rev. J. G. GuHck and Rev. David Ferris were preachers, and in October of the same year Rev. Robert Parker took the place of Rev. David Ferris. From that year the various ministers filled the position in the following order: — Revs. C. L. Bowne in 1845, S. W. Alden in Oct., 1846, E. B. Fuller in 1848, Alex. Farrill in Aug., 1848, Leveret Richmond in Sept., 1849, Wesley Cochran in Sept., 1850, J. Chapman in 1852, J. L. S. Granden in 1854, S. Brown in 1855, C. L. Bowne in 1857, Wm. Mattison in i860, Geo. W. Wilkin- son in 1862, Geo. VanAlstyne in 1863, B. Mande- ville in 1864, W. W. Mandeville in 1865, B. F. Hitchcock in 1866, L. D. Chase in 1867, Jas. S. Lemon in 1869, F. D. Blakeslee in 1872, J. B. Countryman in 1874, T. J. O. Woodin in 1877, J. E. Tiffany in 1879, P. R. Stover in 1880. The membership numbers 66 and the Sunday school 100, with Daniel Morris as Superintendent. Among the prominent members may be mentioned Daniel Morris, Frank Barber, Harvey Ewart, Ed- ward Parks and Elijah Hunt. John White was a member for about sixty-three years and died June 27, 1880, in the ninety-second year of his age. The parsonage was built about 1848. The circuit preacher is Thomas Carlton. North Sparta. North Sparta is a postoffice situated in the southeast portion of the town, a short distance north of McNair Station on the Dansville branch of the New York, Lake Erie and Western railroad. The postoffice was moved from Sparta in 1874^ since February of which year, Samuel Wambold has been postmaster. Wm. Johnson kept a store at this place since about 1847, and continued the same till his death 358 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. in September, 1872; during the latter portion of his life carrying on business in a store located across the road from the present one. C. E. Warnbold is the present merchant, and has been in business since 1878. Zehner's mills (grist) located here, were built in 1826 by Isaac Havens, a son of Darling Havens, of Sparta, and were purchased by Abram Zehner, who run them till 1865, when Stephen Wambold took charge and has since continued. A saw mill was added about 1842. There are about seven feet fall at this place. The mill contains two runs of stones and one upright saw. SONYEA. The Society of Christian Believers. — In the year 182 1 there began a religious awakening in Wayne county, N. Y., which continued with an increase for several years. The people of that section having learned something of the doctrines of Be- lievers, applied to the society at Mt. Lebanon for aid in establishing a society in Western New York. Brethren from Mt. Lebanon visited the people in the year 1826. Finding them to be thoroughly in earnest, a site was selected and purchased for the location of their society. The tract of land decided upon contained about 1,296 acres; situ- ated partly in the town of Sodus and partly in the town of Huron. It was purchased of Robert C. Nicholas, Feb. 23d, 1826, and the Believers took formal possession of their property March ist of the same year. In the month of May following, there were sent from the churches at Mt. Lebanon and Niskayuna, four missionaries, viz. : Elders Jeremiah Talcott and John Lockwood, and El- dresses Esther Bennet and Lucy Brown. These were to be the leaders of the newly-formed society at Sodus. Under their ministration the society continued to increase in numbers and prosperity at that place for several years. They erected some buildings and lived very comfortably. In the year 1836, when the Sodus Canal Com- pany was formed, with the intention of building a ship canal from Clyde to Great Sodus Bay, the projected course of the canal lay through the land which the Believers had purchased. The Canal Company offered to buy the property, and the people, not wishing to be subjected to the incon- convenience and associations which a canal would bring, accepted the terms of the company, and the sale was effected on the 21st day of November, 1836. Having thus disposed of their home, it now became necessary for the Society to secure a future abiding place. After much inquiry and due deliberation, they finally purchased the property where they are now located, consisting of 1,670 acres of land in the town of Groveland, Livingston county, N. Y. This was bought of Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh in January, 1837 ; and afterward additional land was pur- chased, making in all about 1,800 acres. The Society at that time numbered 145 members or thereabouts ; who, soon after the bargain was con- cluded, commenced moving to their new home in Groveland. This move was accomplished during the years 1837-38, and in the month of April, 1838, the Sodus property passed into the hands of the Canal Company. There was necessarily much privation suffered by the people in beginning anew to establish a home; but they immediately set about cultivating the soil, erecting buildings, and striving to provide themselves with accommodations and comforts as fast as possible. In the year 1839, the office was built, and soon afterward the church, then the mills, a flouring mill, (since destroyed by fire) and a saw mill. The foundation for the present dweUing was laid in 1858. Previous to that time and during the time of building, a part of the Society occupied the house formerly used as a dwelling by Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh and his family. The remainder of the people lived in other smaller buildings which were on the place when they bought it, until better accommodations could be provided. This Society has met with many losses ; some by several fires which have occurred here, and others by the dishonesty and unfaithfulness of trustees, who, betraying the confidence reposed in them, have left the Society, taking with them much of the property which had been consecrated for the benefit of all the members. In spite of all obstacles, however, those who have remained true to their faith have continued making improvements, erecting commodious build- ings, and by constant toil have steadily risen from a state in which they were barely supplied with the necessaries of life, to a condition of com- parative comfort, though not of ease, for it is one of the principles of their faith that all should engage in manual labor to provide for the susten- ance of the body. It is now more than forty years since the removal of the Believers from Sodus, and more improvements have been made in their property and belongings since the year 1861 than in all the previous years. The ministers or leaders I OFFICE 2 HORSE BARN 3 MEETINGHOUSE 4 DWELLING HOUSE 5 SEWING HOUSE 6 DINING ROOM 8^ DAIRY The Home of the Soo YTTT r^APTV O ATTTi^n RuAKg Wi Christian Believers 7 FRUIT HOUSE 8; LAUNDRY a STOCK BARN 9 WOOD a( CARRIAGE HOUSE 10 BOILER HOUSE 11 JOINER SHOP \Z BROOM SHOP 13 SCHOOL HOUSE 'T^y??^ WILLIAM K. MANN. 359 who first came to Sodus, have long since died; but their places have been filled by worthy successors, who have striven to maintain the doc- trines that were established in the first days of their church. There have been many seceders from the faith causing a declension in numbers, but the fundamental principles, as taught and practiced by the founders of the Church, have ever been preserved in their purity by the faithful, and to-day the Believers claim to have a faith, which has stood the test of more than a hundred years. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. WILLIAM K. MANN. Samuel Mitchell Mann, son of .Samuel Mann and Margaret Keith Mann, grandson of John and Mary Mann, was born on the 25th day of August, 1 781, in the township of Horsham, Montgomery county, Pa., where the family still reside in the fourth and fifth generations, in the same substan- tial stone house, and on the same farm originally bought by the founder of the family from the Penns. Samuel M. Mann came to Western New York in 1805, with his brother-in-law, Samuel McNair, and located in what was then the town of Sparta, Ontario county, now Groveland, on a farm of 240 acres in the wilderness, and upon which there had not been cut a stick of timber. He returned the following year to Pennsylvania, and in September, 1806, married Susan, daughter of General John Borrows, of Northumberland county. Pa. Susan was a native of Philadelphia county. They removed to their farm in Groveland, where they died after raising a family of nine children, seven of whom are still surviving, and six of them in this county. Dr. Josiah Stockton Mann, son of Samuel and Susan Mann, has been a practicing physician in Posey county, in the State of Indiana, for more than forty years. Samuel Mann and wife lived to be four score years of age. The subject of this sketch, WiUiam Keith Mann, was born in the town of Groveland, on the 15th day of September, 181 r, and was the third son of Samuel M., and Susan B. Mann, and now resides within one-half mile of the place of his birth. He has always been a farmer, and has sometimes dealt in produce. Mr. Mann cannot boast of the ex- aggerated advantages of modern schools, but may claim to be a graduate of the district school, the school of the people, whose advantages were made use of by him to its fullest extent. He was married on the 28th of March, 1837, to Sarah D. McNair, by whom he had eight children. five of whom are living ; one in Indiana, one in Pennsylvania, one in Colot^do, and two in Grove- land. In 1863 he was married to Mrs. Fanny M. Wheelock, by whom he has one daughter. Mr. Mann well remembers when it was quite as common to see an Indian as a white man ; and when bears and deer were often seen, and rattle- snakes were killed by children singly, or hunted by men and killed by the score. Mr. Mann has always had laudable ambitions, probably induced somewhat by pride of ancestry, as he can trace the blood of the Stocktons, Hub- bards and Manns of New Jersey; and of the Keiths, Borrows, Torberts, Andersons and Mitchells of Pennsylvania, in his veins. Both of his grandfathers and one of his great-grandfathers were Revolutionary patriots and served in the war of Independence. His great-grandfather, John Borrows, enlisted in the war with five sons, and two step- sons by the name of Wood, and out of the eight in the family but three returned — the father, Nathaniel and John Jr. One perished in a prison-ship in New York harbor, one was blown up on a vessel in the same harbor, when every soul perished, and a third fell at the battle of Camden, in South Carolina. John Jr., was promoted and remembered by his government, and subsequently was appointed a General in the war of 181 2, and raised a brigade and was ready to march to the Hues when peace was proclaimed. He was State Senator and Prothonotary of the county of Lycoming several years, and otherwise honored and respected. William K.'s aspirations for learning led him to spend a few months at school in Geneva after he was 21 years of age, on his own responsibility, when his board, tuition and stationery did not cost him over fifty cents per week, and when he wrought on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays to pay for his fuel by chopping and sawing wood, cleaning and digging ditches, and other jobs that were hon- est that he could get to do. He returned to his father's in the spring and continued to work for him as if a minor till in his 23d year, when he en- gaged in teaching school for several winter terms, still working on the farm in summer. Subsequent to his marriage, for a series of years, he worked lands on shares by the halves, and at times had contracts on the public works, when he bought the farm on which he now resides and has continued to add to it until he is now in possession of 840 acres, but his misfortunes have compelled its incumbrance. Being a man of decided opinions, one whose convictions were clear and conclusive, and behev- ing that "no man has a right to say he will do as he has a mind to unless he has a mind to do right," he has always been a total stranger to poUcy, born without fear. If he thought a certain course right he was sure to say so if all the world beside him said otherwise, and if he thought it wrong it was sure to meet with his most emphatic condemna- tion. His views on temperance were adopted early, amidst persecution, and never regretted, and he can now say truthfully that he never bought, 360 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. offered, or received a glass of intoxicating liquor at any public bar or elsewhere, since his views were formed, which was when he was 13 years of age. Politically he was born an Anti-Mason about the time William Morgan was abducted and murdered. He thinks the whole society of Masons responsible for the crime by trying to prevent the punishment of the perpetrators by encouraging their witnesses to treat the case with contempt, and treating them as if they had been martyrs in some righteous cause after they had served or paid the penalty of the law. He voted with the Anti-Masonic party until they united with the Whigs. His sympathies were with the Democrats, and his first vote for President was cast for that noble Democrat, Andrew Jackson. He continued to vote with that party until it seemed to him the only principles left it were the loaves and fishes and slavery. He abandoned the party in disgust and went in with the RepubUcans, voted for John C. Fremont, twice for Abraham Lincoln, twice for Gen. Grant, for R. B. Hayes, and lastly for Jas. B. Garfield. He prides himself on being called a Republican and in belonging to the party that carried us through the war and saved the country; proud of the glori- ous company of such men as William H. Seward, A. Lincoln, D. S. Dickinson, J. A. Dix, E. Morgan, Stanton, Sherman, Grant, Sumner and hosts of others that were originally Democrats. Mr. Mann is decidedly of the notion that the Methodist minister was right when he said that "the man who sells seven feet of wood for a cord is no Christian," and he envys not the man's morals that thinks he can pay a just debt by bank- rupt or assignment laws. His earhest recollections of the pioneers of this town which dates back to the close of the last war with Great Britain, embraces the McNairs, Robertsons, Vances, Baileys, Rosebrughs, Cul- bertsons, Lattimores, Brans, Stillwells, Kellys, Barbers, Hendershotts, Roups, Hylands, Magees, Berrys, Thompsons, Harrisons, Dotys, Gambles, CarroUs, Fitzhughs, SchoUs, Mills, Ewarts ; nearly all from New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Most of them are dead, many removed, some have not even left one to transmit their names. The first clergy- man he heard in this town was Rev. Lindsley. We can find descendants of men of this town in almost every State and Territory west of this, and not a few in the South. The changes are al- most incredible in other respects from hard labor to machinery, from the Indian paths, to railroads and telegraphs, and the rise in the value of land from $2,00 per acre to $100. We might search long for a race of men more distinguished for lon- gevity than these pioneers. EDWARD LOGAN. Edward Logan was born in county Antrim, Ire- land, in July, 1813. His parents were Edward and Jennie (Boyd) Logan, natives of the sam( county, who came to this country in 1820, anc settled permanently in the town of Sparta, neai Scottsburgh, where they remained till they died the mother in 1861, and the father a few year; later. They had seven children, viz : — Jennie, Ed ward, Sarah, James, Mary, John and Andrew, al now living in this county, except Sarah, who re- sides in Tecumseh, Michigan. Edward lived al home with his parents until 1846, when he settled where he now lives in the town of Groveland. March 13, 1850, he was married to Adeline, daughter of John W., and Sarah (Magee) Latimer^ of Groveland. She was born June 18, 1824. Her father came with his parents from Pennsylvania when very young. Mrs. Logan's paternal ancestry were English. Her mother was born in the State of New Jersey, of Irish parents, of whom the father died February 22, 1865, and the mother July 27, 1834. They had six children : — William McNair, James, Hugh C, Caroline and Adeline, (twins,) and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Logan had three children, all of whom died in infancy. Mr. Logan has been flat- teringly recognized by his townsmen by election to various offices of his town. He was elected Super- visor in 1852, and again in 1853, and has been Road Commissioner. In politics he is a Republi- can, and firm in the support of his party's meas- ures and principles. He is a member of no reli- gious denomination but attends the Presbyterian church at Groveland Centre, of which his wife is a worthy member. ISAAC PRAY. Isaac Pray was born in Winfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., April 22, 181 2. His grandfather, John Pray, left his native State, Nov. i, 1794, and with his family, settled in Litchfield, where he engaged in farming. Soon discouraged in this he went to Ballston, Saratoga county. His son James, father of our subject, was born in Foster, R. I., in 1782, and was about twenty-one years of age when his father went to Ballston. July 28, 1805, he was married to Corneha Patterson, of Winfield, who died Nov. 10, 1856. Before his marriage he engaged in the manufacture of pot- ash, that being one of the leading industries of that early day, and disposed of his potash to parties in Albany. This was a good business venture and gave him a fine start in Ufe. With Mr. Sim- mons as a partner, he built a saw and grist mill on one of the head branches of the Unadilla river, near a small hamlet which is not now remembered. A few years after he disposed of his interest there and engaged in the distilling business. He soon, however, became dissatisfied with this and en- gaged in farming ever after. In May, 1832, he came to Groveland and bought the farm where Isaac now resides, and where he lived till his death, which occurred Nov. 16, 1873, ^8^^ 9^ P) Oi *^ a PI z n PI o n "iJ l2 ^-^ V < m r > z D Z (0 H O z c z JOHN WHITE— LIVONIA 361 years and 6 months. Isaac Pray resided with his parents till 19 years of age, and enjoyed only the limited advantages of the district school of those early days for an education. He afterwards went to Ohio where he engaged in farming for five or six years, and in 1837 went to visit his parents in Groveland, when his father prevailed upon him to remain at home and assist him on the farm which he bought in 1864, and which consisted of ii8| acres of land. February 6, 1836, he was married to Jane, daughter of Frederick Lewis Mills, of Mt. Morris, by whom he had two daughters, Harriet M. and Frances I., the latter of whom married William Wyant, of Groveland. In politics Mr. Pray is a Republican, at all times working in the interests of his party, but never wishing to hold any office. In rehgion Mr. Pray and his family are Baptists, ^^^^^^^ Mrs. Fray having been ^^^^^H Si' •^^^' a member of that church for more than forty years. Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo. JOHN WHITE. John White was born in the town of Piqua, Northumber- land county, Penn., December 25, 1788. In 1794, his ])arents with their family em- igrated to the town of Lima, where they lived for four years, then purchased and remov- ed to a farm, (long know as the Ram- beau farm,) one and a half miles southeast of the village of Geneseo. In these boyhood days Indians were often his com- panions in the games of wrestling and ball playing. In 1805 while yet but a youth he started out for himself and began the battle of life in earnest. In company with a brother and a friend he followed the Indian trail westward to the " Holland Pur- chase" where each purchased a farm in the unbroken forest, but all living together for a year in a rude log-cabin doing their own house-work, and furnish- ing their cabin in the style of those days. Split bass-wood logs fastened on standards of different heights serving for tables and chairs, and maple wood dishes were their only supply. He cleared a portion of his farm and built a house and on Jan. 6th, 1807, was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna Griffith of Geneseo. In 1808 he united with the M. E. Church and from that time forward his reHgious faith and principles con- trolled him in all the duties and relations of life. In 1813 he returned to this vicinity and bought the farm in Groveland, on which he resided for 62 years. Thus did he become identified with the early settlement and material prosperity of the town where so great a portion of his Hfe was spent. He held for many years the various offices within the gift of his townsmen, truly the gift for he never sohcited a vote nor even voted for himself, and in the discharge of these duties his record is of one who did his work well and honorably. In 1826, he assisted in the organization of the M. E. Church at East Groveland, was elected trustee and class-leader, which offices he held until his death. In the same year he with Lemuel B. Jennings donated a lot of five acres to be occupied as a parson- age ground, and it is .still used for that pur- pose. He was the first farmer in Grove- land to break away from the then prevail- ing custom of provid- ing ardent spirits for his laborers, while to protect the pioneer temperance lecturer in his work he has even interposed his own powerful physical frame as a barrier in the door against the enemies of the tem- perance cause. Firmness of purpose and perseverance in duty characterized him in every position he was called to oc- cupy. He died in Geneseo at his home with his only remain- ing child Joseph E. (JOHN WHITE.) White, June 27th, 1880, in the 92dyear of his age. CHAPTER XXVI. History of the Town of Livonia. I'^HE town of Livonia lies on the eastern border of the county. It v/as formed February 12, 1808, from Richmond, Ontario county, which, at that date, was known as Pittstown. A portion of its territory was taken off in 1819, and, with other territory of Ontario county, formed into the town of Conesus. The town is bounded on the north by Lima and Avon; on the south by Conesus and Canadice 362 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. (Ontario county,) on the east by Richmond, (On- tario county,) and on the west by Geneseo. It contains an area of 22,81 1 acres, the soil of which, in the low lands, is a clayey loam, and on the higher lands an admixture of sandy and gravelly loam. In the southern part the surface is somewhat hilly ; in the northern part, gently undulating. The name, Livonia, was derived from a Russian province, and was proposed by Col. George Smith at the time when the Legislature was petitioned for the formation of the town. The township contains five villages — Livonia, Livonia Center, Hemlock Lake, South Livonia, and Lakeville. GuUburgh, in the southeastern part, is a name given to a small settlement of a few scatter- ing houses ; and Hamilton Station, in the northern part, is a small station on the hne of the Erie rail- road. The only streams of importance are the outlets of Hemlock, Conesus, and Canadice lakes — the two former lying partly within the eastern and wes- tern borders of the town — and Kinney's creek, a small stream which rises in the southern part, flows northerly and southerly and empties into the mill- pond at the village of Hemlock Lake. The first settlement of Livonia was begun by Solomon Woodruff in 1789.* He came from Litchfield, Conn., and located on lot 32, just south of Livonia Centre, and a little east of the present residence of Buel D. Woodruff. Here he made a clearing, on which he built a log house, and then returned to Connecticut and brought his wife and son Austin, then three years old, together with his household effects, in an ox sled, to Livonia. On that lone winter's journey, their second born little boy sickened under exposure and hardships. When they reached Bristol, Ontario county, he died in his mother's arms, and there on the sum- mit of one of those bleak hills the father dug a rude grave by the way-side, in which they laid their little one, and then with saddened hearts pursued their journey. Arriving in Livonia, Mr. Woodruff found that the log-house which he had so patiently constructed had been burned down by the Indians during his absence, and that his wife and surviving child were homeless in this region of wilderness. He immediately began the erection of another house, and while it was in the course of construc- tion his wife and child stayed with the family of * On the tombstone over his grave the date of liis mcoming is placed at 1790 ; but that was a mistake made at tlie time of its erection. French gives the date as 1792, which is also incorrect. Gideon Pitts, the nearest neighbors, at the foot of Honeoye lake. In this log-cabin, when completed, Solomon Woodruff and his resolute wife Susannah began their pioneer life, — the initial movement toward the settlement and civilization of the town. For a number of years the nearest mill was seven miles east of Canandaigua, at a place now known as Shortsville, where Mr. Woodruff carried his grist on his back, or on an ox yoke, there being no ac- cessible wagon road through the forest. The Indians then in this locaHty were often troublesome. Soon after their arrival here, when Mr. Woodruff was absent from home one day, his son Austin was stolen by a passing band of Indians. When the father returned and discovered his loss he immediately started in pursuit, overtaking the Indians on the shore of Hemlock lake, and single handed contended with them and rescued his child. At another time while at work alone he was sur- prised by a company of Indians, his first intimation of their presence being the savage war-whoop. Looking up he found himself confronted by their levelled guns. Bareing his breast he stood erect before them, without a quiver of a muscle ; whereupon, struck by his coolness, they, lowered their weapons, saying such a brave man should not die. In 1794, February 19, a second son, Phillip Woodruff, was bom, being the first white child born in the town. He was in after years a lawyer of considerable repute in the County courts, and a noted patron of education in the common schools of the county. He was a member of Assembly two terms in 1849 and 1850. In that same year, 1794, Solomon Woodruff kept the first tavern in the town in his log-house- Beneath that humble roof the discrowned and exiled Louis Phillipe, King of France, who, with the Duke de I^iancourt, wandered in these western wilds, received a night's lodging and the hospitable care of Solomon and Susannah Woodruff. Their cabin also sheltered for a time a lad who was afterwards known' as the celebrated Presby- terian divine. Rev. Dr. Joel Parker, who in 1858, at a meeting of the general assembly in Rochester, said to a daughter of his benefactors, "Whatever under God I am or have done in my life I owe to Mrs. Susannah Woodruff." Solomon Woodruff died January 18, 181 1. Su- sannah, his wife, died in 1828. The only direct descendant now living of those 4'^ ^^ acres was sold to Jacob Clapper for $ 10, 140. In part payment of the former they took the house and lot on South street lately occupied by J. C. Merrell as a residence at $z,oco. Nov. 15, 1873, three acres of the Temple Hill Grove lot were conveyed by direction of the legislature to the Temple Hill Cem- etery Association for J800. 398 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. including the cost of 221 new books added during the year, $295.97, were $1,045.25. The Genesee Reading Rooms were established in 1866, by Mrs. William Wadsworth, who fitted up rooms in the Rorback Block, and contributes $200 annually towards their maintenance. Her son, Wm. Austin Wadsworth, contributes a Uke amount. An- nual subscriptions are also solicited for the same object. The Livingston County High School, afterwards the Geneseo Academy. — On the ist of June, 1826, several gentlemen residing in this county associated thertiselves "for the purpose of estabUshing in the village of Geneseo, upon a lot of two acres of land to be given for that purpose by Messrs. William and James Wadsworth, a Collegiate Institution on the Monitorial System," which was incorporated by the Legislature as the Livingston County High School," March 10, 1827, and by the Regents, Feb. 7, 1829. The incorporators were William and James Wadsworth, William and Daniel H. Fitzhugh, John H. Jones, Charles H. Carroll, Geo. Hosmer, James Faulkner, WilUam H. Spencer, Philo C. Fuller, John Colt, Henry P. North, Leman Gibbs, Orlando Hastings, Augustus A. Bennett, William Finley, Moses Hayden and Jeremiah Riggs, of whom Henry P. North is the only one now living. Soon after the incorporation a site was selected on " Temple Hill," and two commodious brick buildings erected by subscriptions, the walls of which remain the same, though the internal arrange- ments are different, and the buildings themselves are debased to mere tenements. The name of the school was changed to the Geneseo Academy, May 13, 1846, and early in 1849 went under the care of the Synod of Buffalo. It was conducted under the auspices of the Pres- byterians of Western -New York, until the over- shadowing influence of the State Normal School in Geneseo sapped its vitality. The academy is still the property of the Synod of Western New York, (Presbyterian.) The Geneseo Normal and Training School was estabhshed in 1867, as The Wadsworth Normal atid Training School, and its name changed by Act of the Legislature, March 15, 1871. Soon after the passage of the Act (April 9, 1866,) authorizing the establishment of five additional Normal Schools in the State, Geneseo exerted herself to secure one of them. August 13, 1866 the village trustees were requested to inform the Commissioners charged with the duty of locating them, that Geneseo would raise the necessai funds, not to exceed -$45,000, exclusive of tl site, which they would also furnish, to secure or of them. Col. Craig W. Wadsworth, Hon. Sec Lord, A. J. Abbot, Esq., and Col. John Rorbac were appointed a committee to confer with tl trustees and assist them in their correspondenc with the Commissioners. August 14, 1866 th trustees directed the Clerk to forward to the Con missioners a communication embodying the abov proposition. Sept. 10, 1866, Col. Craig W. Wad worth, was delegated to proceed to Albany an lay before Commissioners the claims of the villag in this particular. Nov. 16, 1866, that gentleraai in conjunction with Lockwood L. Doty, Horn Wm. H, Kelsey and Jacob A. Mead, and Gei James Wood, Jr., were charged with a like missio and authorized to increase the offer previous! made by $10,000 if necessary. But notwithstanc ing these vigorous exertions, the school, which j one time seemed Ukely to be estabhshed in Gei eseo was located at Brockport, owing, it is allegec to the bad faith of a certain official. This advers decision created much dissatisfaction, so that, oi of respect for the distinguished services of Gei James S. Wadsworth and the generous spir manifested by the family in aid of such a schoo in 1867, the Legislature passed a special Ac authorizing the establishment of one in Genesee to bear the family name of the Wadsworths. Joh Rorback, Lockwood L. Doty* and Craig V\ Wadsworth were appointed a commission to pn cure the ground and erect the building. Sept. 24, 1867, a special town meeting was hek and by a vote of 321 to 176, $45,000 were appn priated to aid in erecting and furnishing a norm: and training school. At a special village meetin held June 8, 1868, it was resolved by a vote of 7 to 5, to raise by assessment on the real and pei sonal property of the village, in fifteen equal ai nual installments from March i, 1868, $15,000 i aid of the same object. This action was take pursuant to an Act of authorization passed by th Legislature May 5, 1868. The site selected for the school contains 6.7 acres, for which the Commissioners paid $2,011 The building was erected in 1869 ; but tl $60,000 thus far contributed was not sufficient t complete it. In 1870, the Wadsworth heirs coi tributed $10,000 in furtherance of this object. The amount was still inadequate for the con * Mr. Doty resigned July I ;, i858, and James S. Orton was chos his successor. GENESEO VILLAGE— SCHOOLS, CHURCHES. 399 pletion of the building ; and March 7, 187 1, the electors of the town passed a resolution requesting the Senator from this District and Member of As- sembly from this County, " to procure the passage of a law by the Legislature, changing the name of 'The Wadsworth Normal and Training School' at Genesee, to that of ' The Geneseo Normal and Training School;'" and to request an appropria- tion of $20,000 for the purpose of completing the building. March 15, 187 1, the desired change in name was made, and $18,000 which had been appropriated in 1870 for the maintenance of the school, was authorized to be applied to the com- pletion of the building and grading of the grounds and putting them in the condition required by law to be accepted by the State. The school was first opened Sept. 13, 187 1, with Wm. J. Milne as Principal and Professor of Moral Philosophy and Didactics. In 1876-7 an addition, known as the As- sembly Room, was made on the north end of the original building at a cost of $25,000. CVer the cloak rooms in front of the Assembly Room is a room which is used for instruction in drawing and painting. The basement of this addition is used for instruction in calisthenics. The buildings are three stories high, besides basement and attic. They are constructed of brick, heated with steam and lighted with gas. The buildings and grounds present a very ornate appearance. They occupy a lower terrace than the main part of the village, and lie between it and the river, whose beautiful valley presents a charming landscape from their rear. The grounds and buildings are valued at $106,000 ; the furniture, at $5,500 ; the Hbrary and apparatus, at $7,750. The receipts of the school for the year ending Sept. 30, 1879 were: — State appropriation, $18,- 400.87; tuitions, $1,402.60; total, $19,803.47. The disbursements were $19,801.35. The atten- dance during the year was: — Normal Department, 312; Academic Department, 108; Intermediate Department, 156 ; Primary Department, 185 ; total, 761. The primary and intermediate departments are composed of village pupils, who receive instruc- tion from pupils practicing the principles of teach- ing. The number of graduates in 1879 was 29; the number from the organization of the school, 180. Union Free School District No. 5, of Geneseo was organized Feb. 19, 1867, and the trustees — A. J. Abbott, Wm. A. Brodie, E. N. Bacon, James S. Orton, E. F. Curtiss, John O. Vanderbelt, John Rorback and David O. Toole, met at the office of Col. John Rorback, Feb. 27, 1867, and organized as a Board of Education, by Ihe election of A. J. Abbott, President, and Wm. A. Brodie, clerk. Wm. Walker was appointed treasurer and Alanson Ran- ger, collector. J. B. Gorham was employed as Principal. The number of children of school age residing in the district Sept. 30, 1879, was 636, of whom 142 attended district school some portion of the year. The average daily attendance was 67 48-1 89. The number of volumes in the district library was about 624, the estimated value of which was $300. The school-house and site were each valued at $r,5oo. The assessed valuation of the taxable property in the districtwas $1,312,795. The num- ber of children between eight and fourteen years of age, residing in the district was 244. Churches. — The pioneer settlers of the Gene- see country, though attracted hither by material considerations, brought with them a religious cul- ture and a love of the sacred institutions of religion which had shadowed with benign influence their eastern homes. Happily those who took up their abode east of the Genesee river were early brought under an influence which fostered these conditions, and reservations of land for church and school pur- poses were often made — a practice sedulously ad- hered to in regard to the lands which came under the agency of Mr. Wadsworth when it was in his power to conform to it. Not so west of the Gene- see, on the lands of the Holland Company, for, although promises of land were made for the first regularly incorporated religious society in a town- ship, they were not, except in " a very few instan- ces," fulfilled. Joseph EUicott, the principal agent of the Holland Company, though an eminently worthy and able man, " disregarded the Sabbath, and was hostile to religious institutions. His in- fluence had an unfavorable effect upon the religious state of the Holland Purchase ; and for a period after the settlement of that part of the Genesee country commenced, it was a common observation that Sabbath-day did not extend westward beyond the Genesee river."* Exception was made how- ever to the Scotch settlement at Caledonia, where, March 4, 1805, was organized the first Presbyterian church west of the Genesee river, by Rev. Jede- diah Chapman, a missionary of the General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian church.f The first religious services in this town, it is "Hotchkin's History of Western New Yotk. 78. t Ibid, 78-9. 40O HISTORY OFjLIVINGSTON COUNTY. believed, were conducted by missionaries sent out by the Missionary Society of Connecticut, the first of whom Rev. Aaron Kinne, penetrated the wil- derness of Western New York as far as the Gene- see river in 1794, and preached to the scattered settlements in the valley. The first settlers in the eastern part of the town were persons of Scotch-Irish descent from Pennsylvania, with strong Calvinistic sentiments, and warmly attached to the Presbyte- rian form of government. Among these princi- pally, though its members were drawn from the entire town, was organized in the fall of i79S> ^y Rev. Samuel* Thatcher, a missionary in the em- ployment of the General Assembly of the Presby- terian church. The First Presbyterian Church in Geneseo, which was, with the exception of the one organized by the same agency the same year at Charlest07vti, (Lima,) the first in this county. The organization was effected at the house of John Ewart, who, in conjunction with Daniel Kelly and James Haynes, all from the same neighborhood in Pennsylvania, were the first elders. The Church first met in private houses, at Mr. Ewart's, at a house near Bosley's mills, and at what was afterwards known as the Field's Farm, on the lower road to Dansville. " To these widely sep- arated places would those settlers walk, men, women and children, through the woods and along Indian trails, for the privilege of meeting their neighbors in the worship of God."t After the "town house" was erected — in 1797 — they wor- shipped occasionally in it. The Church, says Hotchkin, " was for a number of years in a low state, and for most of the time destitute of the preaching of the gospel and living in the neglect of stated pubUc worship ; but it af- terwards revived, and its circumstances were more prosperous."t Its first pastor. Rev. John Lindsley, was installed by the Presbytery of Geneva, Jan. 29, 1 806. Soon after its organization other settlers, who were Congregationalists, mostly from New England, came in, and though they worshipped with the Presbyterians for a few years, they could not harmonize, and a separation took place in 1810. The Presbyterians then removed their place of wor- ship to the east part of the town, meeting in the school-house in winter, and frequently in summer *Eev. John Mitchell in A Centennial Discourse, containing the His- tory of the First Presbyterian church ol Geneseo during its first eighty- one years, and Rev. Geo. O. Folsom, in a Historical Discourse on the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the id Presbyterian charch of Geneseo, make this name Samuel Thatcher ; while Hotchkin and otiier authorities consulted give the name Daniel Thatcher. \ Historical Discourse t by Rev. G. P. Folsom, 13. XHiiiciikiti^s History of Western New York^ ^9-30. in Benjamin Winn's barn. In 1843, their first house of worship was erected, and the old building is still standing opposite its former site, though converted to other uses. In 1855, the present church edifice was undertaken, and for convenience of access, was located just over the town line, in the village of Lakeville. During the first thirty years the progress of the Church was slow, for in 1825 the number of communicants on the roll was only 32 ; in 1836 the number had increased to 155, and in 1846, to 180. In i864thenumber was 140. Since that time the number has somewhat de- creased through deaths and removals, yet there have been some members added to the church every year.* The Church still retains its origina' name, notwithstanding its removal to the town ol Livonia. The Presbyterian Church of Geneseo Village "f^a organized May 5, 1810, by Rev. Daniel Oliver,: missionary from Massachusetts, and was composec of twenty-one persons, who being Congregation ahsts, •severed their connection with the Firs, Presbyterian Church in Geneseo, because thej could not affiliate with them, viz : — Ehzabeth Reed, Mary Rew, David Skinner, Jerusha Skinner, Davie Kneeland, Mercy Kneeland, Cephas Beach, D0II3 R. Beach, Delight Finley, Samuel Finley, Louis( Chappell, Abigail Case, Alice Skinner, Betse; Finley, Candice Beach, Sylvia Kpeeland, Anni Alvord, Russell Lord, Nabby G. Kneeland an( Sibyl Lawrence. David Skinner was chosen Mod erator; Samuel Finley, Clerk ; and David Skinne and Cephas Beach, deacons. Without any settled pastor they enjoyed, fc several years, the services of transient minister and missionaries, among whom were Messrs. Dani( Oliver, John Lindsley, Aaron C. ColHns, Robei Hubbard, Wheelock, Pratt, Millis and Butricli and in the absence of these listened to sermor read by Deacon Beach. In 1814, they adopte the Presbyterian confession of faith and united wil the Geneva Presbytery. The town house, which had been moved 1 " Temple Hill," came under the control of tl church, and was arranged with pews and a galler the former of which were taxed for the support 1 the church. In 181 1, a novel method of providir for the support of the gospel was inaugurated, consisted of a fund — denominated the "shee fund" — to which a certain number of sheep we contributed, the increase and wool of which we * A Centennial Discourse, by Rev. John Mitchell, 1876, For a nn extended account of this Church, see History of Livonia. ^ 4^ny77yoc,r<^ Rev. Ferdinand DeWilton Ward, D. D., son of Levi (M. D.) and Mehetabel (Hand) Ward, was born in Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., July 9, 181 2. His parents moved from KilHngworth, Conn., in 1807, to the "Genesee country," where his father held many public positions of honor and responsibihty, being for sixty years agent of the State of Connecticut in the sale of their extensive land tract in Western New York. The family removed to Rochester in 181 7. Rev. Dr. Ward was graduated from Union Col- ege, New York, (Dr. Nott, President,) and the Theological Seminary at Princetown, N. Y. He spent ten years in India, as a foreign missionary, accompanied by his wife, (Miss Jane Shaw, of New York city). He was also pastor of the Pres- byterian church in Geneseo for twenty years ; Chaplain in the 104th New York Volunteers dur- ing the late war; and District Secretary of the American Bible Society for three years. He was an extensive tourist through Great Britain, the Con- tinent, Naples, and many other places,. and was the author of many volumes in English and Hindu languages. Among these are "India and the Hindus," (re-issued in London and Edinburgh) ; " Christian Gift ;" " Ecclesiastical History of Roch- ester ;" "Summer Vacation and Abroad;" and "Expositions of the Parables," (in Tamil). Dr. Ward's public life commenced at twenty years of age, and has been long, laborious, and eventful. Of his three children, Sarah resides in Philadelphia, Pa., wife of John Brinton, M. D. ; Wilham S., is Superintendent of extensive gold and silver mines in Colorado; and Ferdinand makes his home in Brooklyn, having an office of large business in mines, stocks, etc., in Broadway, New York city. A son and daughter were buried in India. Connected with Dr. Ward's family are Hon. L. A. Ward, ex-Mayor of Rochester; the late Hon. Moses Chapin, Judge of Monroe county; the late Hon. Samuel L. Selden, Judge of the Court of Appeals; Hon. Freeman Clarke, Member of Con- gress and Comptroller of the Currency ; Hon. Ed. Smith, ex-Mayor of Rochester and American Con- sul at Baden, Switzerland ; and H. A. Ward, Pro- fessor in Rochester University. GENESEO VILLAGE— CHURCHES. 401 to be applied to that object. The flock began with 48 sheep, to which the Wadsworths donated 20, W. H. Spencer, 3, Mr. Kneeland, 3, and oth- ers 2 and I each. In 1817 it had increased to 324 sheep and lambs. In 1820 the proceeds of the sheep as sold began to be invested in landed security, and in 1826 amounted to about $300, which was finally used in building the session-room first occu- pied by the Church. Sept. II, 1815, the Society connected with this church was incorporated as the Geneseo Gospel Society, and Joseph W. Lawrence, Samuel Finley, Isaac Smith, Wm. H. Spencer, Samuel Loomis and Timothy P. Kneeland were elected trustees. In 1816, the subject of erecting a meeting house was agitated. The foundation was laid early in the spring of 181 7, and the house raised in June, 181 7, but was not finished till some time after. It was dedicated Jan. i, 1818, the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Axtell, of Geneva. The site was given by William and James Wadsworth. Sept. 3, 1 834, the Church, which during the pastor- ateof Dr. Bull had followed the Congregational form of government, formally adopted the Presbyterian form of government, and elected the following Board of Elders :— Charles Colt, Cyrus Wells, Jr., Jacob B. Hall, Samuel A. Hubbard, Chauncey Parsons, Levi Goddard, Truman Hastings, Wm. H. Stanley and Owen P. Olmsted. Oct. 21, 1858, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Ward, a division occurred on the question of "old" and "new school," and a large membership separated from this church to form the Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, (O. S.) The last report made to the Presbytery before the division showed a membership of 234; after the division it had on its roll 130 resident members. April I, i88o, after a separate existence of nearly twenty-two years, the Churches reunited, and as- sumed the name of The Presbyterian Ckurck of Geneseo Village. The united membership is about 450. Immediately after the reunion a subscription was commenced to raise funds to build an addition to the house of the Central Church, the latter of which was to form the Sabbath School room and church parlors of the enlarged building. Work was commenced on the new structure in Septem- ber, 1880. It was to be built from plans furnished by the New York architect, Mr. Valk. In addition to the two churches, a session room and parsonage connected with the house of the Second Church, and two first-class organs, the Socie- ty also own a farm of 100 acres in the central part of the town, which was deeded to them as a gift by WiUiam and James Wadsworth, April 13, 1816. The Sabbath School was organized about 1820. Jacob B. Hall, Orlando Hastings, Mr. Fairchild, Miss Harriet Wadsworth and Miss Mary Law- rence were the first teachers. The present Super- intendent of the school is Col. John R. Strang. Mr. Wm. A. Brodie is Assistant Superintendent. The attendance at school is about 270. The following have been the successive pastors and stated supplies of the church : — Pastors— Rev. Abraham Foreman, installed July 12, 181 7, dismissed Nov. 17, 1819, and died at Geneseo, August 20, 1850. Rev. Norris Bull, D. D., installed June 19, 1822, dismissed July 3, 1832, and died at Lewiston, Dec. 8, 1847. Rev. John C. Lord, D. D., installed July 31, 1834, dismissed Oct. 28, 1835. Rev. John N. Lewis, D. D., in- stalled Oct. 3, 1838, dismissed April 5, 1841, died at New York, Oct. 5, 1861. Rev. Benjamin B. Stockton, installed Nov. 8, 1843, dismissed Sept. 25, 1848, died at WilHamsburg, June 10, 1861. Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., installed Sept. 25, 1850, dismissed June 22, 1857, but continued to supply the pulpit until Oct. 31, 1858, now residing in Geneseo. Rev. George P. Folsom, installed Feb. 2, 1859, dismissed October, 1868. Rev. Isaac N. Sprague, D. D., installed in February, 1869, dismissed in April, 1877. Rev. Josiah E. Kittridge, the present pastor, who was installed April 18, 1877. Stated Supphes — Rev. T. Spencer, in 1836; Rev. Elam H. Walker, in 1836 ; Rev. Mr. Snyder, in 1837-8; Rev. Charles Morgan, in 1842-3. The Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, as we have seen, was formed by the division of the Second Church, and was organized by a commis- sion from the Genesee River Presbytery at Gen- eseo, Oct. 21, 1858. Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D.D., who severed his connection as pastor with the Second Church, Oct. 31, 1858,* was called to the pastorate of this Church Nov. 7, 1858, and sus- tained that relation ten years. A large and com- modious house was at once erected on the corner of Second and Center streets, and was dedicated Jan. 3d, i860. Succeeding the cessation of Dr. Ward's labors. Rev. Henry Neil, D. D., supplied the pulpit for about three years. Rev. C. R. Durfee then assumed the pastorate and continued his labors till the reunion took place. * His resignation was tendered Sept. ii, 1858, and its withdrawal urged, but refused. 402 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. S^. MichaePs Church, Genes eo, (Episcopal,) was organized at the residence of Ebenezer Belden, in Geneseo, May 17, 1823. Col. Wm. Fitzhugh presided at the meeting, and he and David War- ner were chosen Wardens, and Samuel W. Spen- cer, C. H. Bryan, Eh Hill, David Shepard, Daniel H. Fitzhugh, David A. Miller, Chauncey Morse and Marinus Willet, Vestrymen. The congregation worshipped in the Court-house until their church was erected in 1828. It was consecrated on Thursday, Jan. 28, 1829, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, who on that occasion also confirmed fourteen persons. The services were conducted by Rev. Richard Salmon, who was chosen rector in December, 1824, and resigned in May, 1827. The parish was vacant till Sept. 8, 1827, when Rev. L. P. Bayard was chosen rector. He continued his labors till June 29, 1830, when he resigned. A vacancy existed till March 10, 1831, when Rev. Robert B. Croes was chosen rector. He entered upon his duties on Sunday, May i, 183 1, and resigned the rectorship July 12, 1833. He also extended his labors to Moscow, Dansville, Avon, and Mt. Morris, discontinuing his visits to Dans- ville when Rev. George Bridgman took charge of that parish, in October, 1831, and resuming them after Mr. Bridgman left, in the spring of 1832. On Wednesday, April 17, 1833, St. John's Church, at Mt. Morris, was organized, its constituent mem- bers comprising several of the communicants of this Church. During Mr. Croes' ministry a difficulty existed between him and the vestry which became more aggravated, until finally the services were neces- sarily suspended and the, church locked up. Bishop Onderdonk instituted a trial of Mr. Croes at the presentment of the vestry some time in the early part of 1853, and though he was found guilty of imprudence, nothing affecting his moral or rehgious character was elicited. This had a lamentable effect upon the parish, which was broken up as to any practical existence and much divided and distracted. A vacancy now followed till March, 1834, when Rev. W. P. Page was chosen rector. He resigned in April, 1838. In Decem- ber, 1838, Rev. Lloyd Windsor succeeded to the rectorship, and resigned in January, 1842. In the fall of 1847, the church edifice and grounds were thoroughly and handsomely repaired and put in order at considerable expense, under the direction of Allen Ayrault and H. P. North a committee of the vestry for that purpose. After the departure of Mr. Windsor there oc- curred a vacancy of some months, until August 1842, when Rev. Edward IngersoU took charge ol the parish. He resigned in March, 1844. His successor was Rev. Henry B. Barlow, who assumed the rectorship in September, 1844, but shortly re- linquished it on account of ill health. Rev. Wm. J. Bakewell was rector from November, 1845, to September, 1849. To him succeeded Rev. Thos. Mallaby, who resigned in November, 1852. After an interval of seven months Rev. John W. Birch- more, of Massachusetts, became the rector, con- tinuing his services till April, 1859. Mr. Birchmore was succeeded in the rectorship by Rev. Rollo O. Page, who resigned in Septem- ber, 1862. Rev. Wm. Norman Irish was called to the charge of the pari-sh July i, 1863, and resigned it Jan. I, 1868. During Mr. Irish's rectorship the present church edifice was erected in 1866, on the site of the old one, in which the last services were held Sunday, Dec. 31, 1865. The corner stone was laid in August, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, and the church was consecrated by the same prelate Sept. 7, 1867. This beautiful brick structure, with the iron fence, which has since been taken down, cost over $33,000, $25,000 or more, being the generous gift of the Wadsworth family. Rev. George S. Teller succeeded to the pas- torate in May, 1868, and left the parish April 10, 1 87 1, in December of which year. Rev. Charles DeL. Allen took charge. He resigned in the spring of 1875. Rev. W. A. Coale, the present pastor, entered upon his labors as such July 25, 1875, coming from the diocese of Maryland. The number of communicants in September, 1880, was 176; the number of families, 90; the number of individuals, 450., The church is valued at $30,000 j the rectory, at $4,000 ; and the organ at $3,000. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Geneseo was incorporated February 19, 1825, "at the brick academy in the village of Geneseo, * * * where the M. E. Church statedly attend divine worship," and adopted the name of The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Geneseo. Stephen Hoyt, Henry P. North and other members met for the purpose of elect- ing trustees. Stephen Hoyt and Medad Curtis were chosen to preside; and Medad Curtis, Stephen Hoyt and Henry P. North, " being discreet per- GENESEO VILLAGE — CHURCHES, SOCIETIES. 403 were elected to serve sons of said congregation as trustees. When the church was organized is not known, as no record of the fact has been preserved. But very early Geneseo was a preaching station of the Genesee Conference, formed in 1810. In 1807, Father Hudson came here to reside. The Church continued to worship in the " brick academy" until 1826, when their house of worship, a small brick structure, was erected. A new church seems to have been built in 1 851, in which year and in 1852, Rev. Robert Hogaboom was the preacher in charge, for in the minutes of the trus- tees' meetings it is recorded that the annual meet- ing of 1S52 was held " at the session-house of the new Methodist church," Feb. 13th of that year, and adjourned to the house of the pastor. Pre- viously the meetings were held in the "brick chapel." At the annual meeting of the trustees in February, 1867, the "St. James (M. E.) Church of Geneseo," is first mentioned. The records are very meager, and do not admit of a connscted history of the Church. It is doubt- ful if there are any records other than those kept by the trustees. The present pastor, O. S. Chamberlayne, com- menced his labors with this church in the fall of 1878. The number of members in October, 1879, was 185 ; the attendance at Sabbath-school — offi- cers and teachers 24, scholars 180 — 204. The value of the church was $7,500, and parsonage $4,500. The benevolent contributions for the year were $219.65. M. L. Perkins is Superintendent of the Sunday-school. S(. Mary's Church of Geneseo, (Catholic,) was organized in 1854, in which year also that church edifice was built. It is a wooden structure, uncome- ly in appearance, and was built through the exer- tions of Rev. Father Michael McGuire, who preached here some three years previous to and during the building of the church. Regular monthly services were held for several years previously in Concert Hall and the Court House, by non-resident priests. Various priests have officiated here, but none have resided here. The present pastor is Rev. John J. Donnelly, who also officiates at Mt. Morris and Nunda, at the former of which places he resides. The membership at first was very small, but has increased until now the congrega- tion exceeds five hundred. Several years ago the Church purchased of the heirs of James Wads- worth two acres of land for a cemetery, paying therefor $300. The ground on which the church stands was donated for the purpose by James Wadsworth. The First Baptist Church of Geneseo, was or- ganized Dec. 31, 1872, at a meeting held in the ves- try room of the Methodist church in the village of Geneseo. Rev. Walter Holt was chosen chairman and H. G. Baker, clerk. Rev. Reuben A. Water- bury, a Professor in the Geneseo Normal School, visited those in the vicinity who held to Baptist doctrines, and awakened a desire among them for the formation of such a church. At the meeting in question. Prof. Waterbury read the New Hamp- shire Confession of Faith, to which the following persons subscribed and became the constituent members of the Church :— R. A. Waterbury, H. G. Baker, Alanson Ranger, (died March 23, 1878,) N. A. Gearhart, Asahel Norton, (now dead,) Niles L. Norton, Levi Jones, Horace Kelsey, Daniel Young, Fanny Ranger, Mary VanMiddlesworth, Mary E. Norton, Philena Young, Mary Young, Phebe Dean, Clara L. Curtiss, (died March 27, 1873,) Eunice L. Jones, Amy H. Baker, Rhodilla Kelsey, Sylvia J. Berry and F. A. Waterbury. From its organization until Dec. i, 1875, the church enjoyed the ministrations of Prof. Water- bury, who still performed his professional duties in the Normal. School. He was succeeded at the lat- ter date by Rev. J. J. White, who continued his labors until April, 1877. He was succeeded by Rev. S. W. Culver, who commenced his labors the same month and year and still continues them. The Church first worshipped for a few weeks in Concert Hall. Rorback's Hall was soon after secured for that purpose, and the Church has since worshipped there, having now the exclusive con- trol of it by rental. February 2, 1878, the Church and Society per- fected a legal organization by the election of N. A. Gearhart, G. I. Dean and H. G. Baker, trustees. The Sabbath-school was organized April 6, 1873, N. A. Gearhart was chosen Superintendent, a posi- tion he has since held; Rev. R. A. Waterbury, Assistant Superintendent ; and Miss Vira Skiff, Secretary and Treasurer. The attendance at Sab- bath-school is 9 teachers and 96 scholars. Societies. — Geneseo Lodge No. 21^, F.&^ A.M., was warranted March 14, 1851- The constituent members were:— Edward R. Hammatt, Master; Jacob B. Hall, S. W. ; Walter Smith, J. W. ; James W Wood, Jr., Henry Chamberlin, Elijah H. Per- kins Daniel H. Bissell and David Wattles. The present officers are :-Wm. A. Brodie, M. ; Samuel Cully S. W.; E. Fish, J. W. ; George Mercer, 404 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Treasurer; A. R. Scott, Secretary; Josiah Curtis, S. D. ; A. L. Tournor, J. D. ; Josiah Warren and Alvin Hurlburt, M. of C. ; Samuel H. Blyth, Tiler. The present number of members is 68. The Lodge meets the ist, 3d and sth Thursdays of each month in Masonic Hall, in the Rorback Block. A lodge of masons existed here many years pre- viously, but little is now known concerning it. It was known as Comet Lodge of Geneseo, and went down during the anti-masonic times. Geneseo Lodge No. 138, ^. O. U. W., was or- ganized March 13, 1878. The first officers were : — AlHson R. Scott, P. M. W. ; Frank N. Burt, M. W., Walter T. Howard, G. F. ; Samuel H. Blyth, Over- seer; Clayton B. Potter, Recorder; Elisha B. Rebban, Financier; Henry L. Arnold, Receiver; C. H. Knowles, I. W. ; Charles A. Youngs, Guide ; George S. WiUiams, O. W. In September, 1880, the lodge numbered 33. It meets the ist and 3d Mondays of each month in Masonic Hall. BIOGRJIPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN CROSSETT. WiUiam Crossett, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the County Antrim, Ire- land, in 1763. The date of his arrival in America is not known, but after a short residence in Phila- delphia he came to Livingston county, about 1794, and settled about a mile south of where the village of Geneseo is now situated. Here he pur- chased four hundred and seventy acres of land and carried on farming until he died. His first wife was a Miss Rice of Livonia. By her he had ten children, all of whom are now dead except Lydia, now Mrs. Jasper Parish, living in Branch county, Mich. His second wife was Sally Pond, of the town of Geneseo. They were married about 1814, and the result of the union was five children, as follows : — Harriet, who married Edmund Bosley, and is now residing in the town of Mt. Morris ; William, who died in 1850 ; John, born Feb. 13, 1817, now residing on the old homestead; Ehza, living in St. Clair county, Mich., and Julia. The latter married John Hamilton, and after his death married a Mr. Wright, and is now living in Branch county, Mich. Wm. Crossett, the pioneer, at the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 29, 1829, was the owner of twelve hundred acres of land. For many years he kept a store on his farm and suppUed the Indians and white settlers with neces- saries. From the Indians in exchange for goods he obtained large quantities of valuable furs, upon which he realized large profits. When he came here and commenced his labors in clearing his land of the giant growth of timber that covered it, there was no communication with Canandaigua except by Indian trail, but in a few years the roads were much improved, and he used to run a seven horse team to Albany, carrying such articles as he had taken in payment for his supplies, and bring- ing back large loads of goods for his store. He was a man of great physical strength and endur- ance, and was able to bear the hardships and trials incident to an early, and consequently laborious life in the dense wilderness. In his intercouise with the Indians he was fortunate. He learned to speak their language and mingled freely with them, thereby securing their friendship. He fre- quently accompanied them in their hunting ex- cursions in which they would be absent in some instances three and four weeks. Mr. Crossett kept a distillery, and sometimes they were very importunate in their demands for liquor when he thought they ought not to have it, and they would threaten to take his life, wildly flourishing their hunting knives and tomahawks, with a view to frightening him into giving them the much coveted fire-water. Mr. Crossett was a man of quick apprehensions and strong convictions, frank and fearless in their expression and energetic in carrying them out. He possessed strong common sense, and uncom- mon sagacity in business, and was admirably fitted by the ])ossession of these qualities to fight the bat- tles of a pioneer Hfe. His second wife died about 1823. After the death of Mr. Crossett, his estate was managed by Middleton Crossett, a son by his first wife, for about two years. Then it was man- aged by John, our subject, and his brother Wil- ham, under the supervision of their guardian, James Crossett, a brother of their father, until they be- came of age, when it was divided, William taking one-half and John the other half, which included the old homestead where he always resided. November II, 1839, John married Jane, daughter of William and Mary (Cole) Leonard, of Sparta. She was born Sept. 30, 1817, and died March 19, 1875. By her he had three children viz : — Selenda K. born Oct. 26, 1842, died Sept. 8, 1876; Lloyd W. born Oct. 5, 1845, now living and carrying on the drug business in Geneseo ; and Emma J., born Nov. 30, 185 1, married James Fitzhugh of Ken- tucky, and died March 14, 1879. Mr. Crossett has carried on farming since he came into posses- sion of his share of his father's estate, is still operat- ing his farm of 240 acres, and has been highly successful. The appearance of his farm and premi- ses indicate that the mind that directs and controls his affairs is intelligent, and the abiHty and skill brought into action is of a high order. Mr. Crossett has never had any desire for public affairs but has performed the duties of the office oi Assessor two terms, an office forced upon him. In politics he is a life long Democrat, sustaining in a consistent and earnest manner the measures of his party. Mr. Crossett has been a member of the Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, about eleven years. ABRAHAM McCLINTOCK — DANIEL H. BISSELL, M. D. 405 ABRAHAM McCLINTOCK. Abraham McClintock, one of the pioneers of Geneseo, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., March 12, 1775, ^"'^ ^^ i^°7 came here and took up seventy-four acres in lot in. He was the son of Joseph and Margaret (McQueen) McClintock, who had six children, five sons and one daughter. JOSEPH McCLINTOCK. Abraham who was the second child, remained at home after the death of his father and assisted in the care of his mother and the younger children, until he was married, when he came to this county and settled as we have already stated. He cleared the land he had taken up and hved in a rude log- cabin on the same. April 28, 1807, he was mar- ried to Mary Clark of his native county, by whom he had five sons and one daughter that grew to maturity, as follows : Joseph, whose portrait heads this sketch, was born in 1808, and is now resid- ing in the town of Hamilton, VanBuren county, Mich., where he is carrying on farming, having settled there about 1845 ; WiUiam C, born in 18 10 and died in 1848; Robert, born in 1812 ; Margaret, born in 1816, married Thomas B. Erwin and is now living in Paw Paw, Mich.; John, born in 1818, and Charles, born in 1823. Robert, John and Charles are now living on the old homestead farm, operating the same in partnership. Abraham was universally esteemed for qualities of a high order. He was a good husband, kind father, and an ac- commodating neighbor, and in 1820 was elected a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian. Church of Geneseo, holding that office many years. His childhood of indigence, his early manhood of weari- some toil, served as the crucibles wherein sterling qualities were refined and tested preparatory for the faithful performance of responsible duties in later years. Owing to his well known integrity and honesty of purpose, coupled with an excellent ability, he was called upon many times to settle the affairs of deceased persons and in all business and social relations he was upright and honorable. He was a valuable citizen in the highest sense and con- tributed largely to the welfare and social improve- ment of his neighborhood. In politics he was at first a Democrat and then a Whig. His death oc- curred March 16, 1849. His wife who was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church at Lakeville, sur- vived him about one year. Their grandchildren are only three in number viz :— Frank, daughter of Margaret, Mary Margaret, daughter of WilHam, and Tracy son of John. Charles McClintock has been assessor of the town of Geneseo, six terms. DANIEL H. BISSELL, M. D. In attempting to trace the career of Daniel H. Bissell, honorable as it is in itself, we are reminded at the very outset of the intimate relations it sus- tained to the development of an unoccupied re- gion of country into a mighty and prosperous com- monwealth. It comprehends almost the entire period of American constitutional history, he hav- ing hved under every Presidential administration. His father, a heroic soldier of the Revolution, was sent from Connecticut by Gen. Washington to the city of New York (when that city was in the possession of the British army) as a spy and, was rewarded for his valuable services with a badge of merit by the Government. After the close of the war he was married to Theoda Hurlburd and moved to the State of Vermont, where eight chil- dren were born to them — six sons and two daugh- ters. The sons were all named Daniel. In 1809, he removed to Richmond, Ontario county, N. Y., where he died in 1823, aged seventy years. Daniel H. Bissell was born at Randolph, Vt., September 21, 1794, and removed with his parents to Ontario county, and when the war of 181 2 broke out he enhsted in the service of his country and served under Generals Brown, Scott and Porter in Captain Claudius V. Boughton's company of Por- ter's Volunteer Dragoons. He was with the army in Canada in 18 14, and was in the celebrated bat- tle of Lundy's Lane ; in the sortie on Fort Erie in August, and in the sortie of the American army upon the enemy's works around Fort Erie in Sep- tember of that year. In the month of April, 18 17, Mr. Bissell went on foot to Olean, N. Y., from thence in a skiff down the Allegany and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, O., a distance of 800 miles, a voyage as hazardous as it must have been exciting. After a tour of five months in the States of Ohio, Indiana and Ken- tucky, he returned to Lima, N. Y. His future in- terests now demanding a permanent decision on his part as to what should be his occupation in life ; his predilictions for a profession won the day ; and acring upon the belief that as a physician his field would be one in accordance with his tastes and in which he could be of the most service to his fellowmen, he adopted the medical profession 4o6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. and soon after entered the office of Dr. Justin Smith, of Lima, where he remained two years. In 1819-20 he attended the medical lectures of Yale College, graduating there with the highest honors. In 1820 he located at Moscow where he resided and practiced until 1837, when he removed to Geneseo, where he has since resided. The general estimation of his probity and wisdom is abundantly proved by the number of offices of trust and re- sponsibility bestowed upon him, both by election and appointment. He was elected President of the village of Geneseo, and has held the office of Under Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor of the town of Geneseo many terms, and Judge of the County, U. S. Loan Commissioner, Physician of Marine Hospital, Staten Island, and Deputy Health Officer of the Port of New York, was U. S. Postmaster at Geneseo under the administrations of VanBuren and Tyler. He was the Repubhcan candidate for Canal Commissioner on the first ticket put in the field by that party in 1856. In 1836, he was Presidential Elector and had the honor, as Messenger, of conveying the vote of the State of New York, which had been cast for Mr. Tyler, and placing it in the hands of the defeated candidate, Mr. VanBuren who was then Vice-President. In 1857 the Regents of the University of New York conferred upon him the honorary degree of medicine. Greatly interested in the security and preserva- tion of the records of the early history of Living- ston county, he has been most active and earnest in the organization of the Pioneer and Historical Societies, and has been President of both these or- ganizations. The duties of all. these public posi- tions have been performed with that honesty of purpose that has characterized his whole life. Dr. Bissell commencing and continuing the practice of his profession in a quiet and secluded village, has won by honest hard work and a skill- ful and honorable practice a preeminent place in his profession. Success and honor thus won are not accidents, they come of an abiding purpose, and'therefore is it that they are more valuable as examples for those who are struggling for excel- lence, not only in this profession, but in any wor- thy business calHng. His virtues, his integrity, his goodness, his usefulness and example as a citizen and a public officer should be emulated by all who desire the esteem and the welfare of the people among whom they live. The life of Dr. Bissell presents a most valuable example in these latter days, when the temptation to tread forbidden paths and to use, to say the least, doubtful expedi- ents in the headlong scramble for riches and honors, has left so many human wrecks along the pathway of the generation. Dr. Bissell was married at Lima, N. Y., in June, 1823, to Lucy Grosvenor, of Mansfield, Conn. She died at Geneseo, N. Y., September ist, 1868. Wm. H. Bissell, of Wilmington, 111., and Albert G. Bissell, of Detroit, Mich., are his sons, and Mrs. Helen M. Arnold and Laura E. Olmstead, of Gen- eseo, are his' daughters. FREDERICK W. BUTLER. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Hudson, Columbia county, Jan. 26, 1795. He is the son of Ezekiel and Lydia (Frisbie) Butler. The former was born in the town of Brantford, New Haven, Conn., about 1761. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in the service of his country, and served faithfully in the war for Independence (FREDERICK W. BUTLER.) five years. Soon after the close of the war he settled in Columbia county and followed the car- penter's trade and farming, and died there in 1831. His wife survived him about twenty-five years. They had ten children only two of whom are now hving, Frederick and William. The latter was born in 1804 and is now living in the old home- stead in Columbia county. Frederick W. lived at home working on the farm until he was twenty years of age. His early years were filled with the many hardships and privations incident to the life of a poor farmer's son. What education he gained was literally picked up in the district schools of a new and not prosperous country. He partially learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and on leaving home he went to the town of Kinderhook and followed that occupation one season. From thence he went to Albany in January, 1815, and worked at his trade by the day about two years. On the last day of March, 181 7, he started for the then, far west, and arrived in Geneseo April 10, following, having walked the entire distance. On determining to remain in Geneseo, he engaged to work for the Wadsworths, the great men of this section at that time. H-e followed his trade until 1840, having built many of the fine residences that now beautify the village of Geneseo. When the present Court House was built in Geneseo, he was employed by the building committee, consisting of Gen. Wm. Wadsworth, Col. Markham and Daniel FREDERICK W. BUTLER— EPAPHRODITUS BIGELOW. 407 H. Fitzhugh to superintend its construction. In 1823 Mr. Butler purchased ninety acres of the farm on which he now resides, and in 1824 moved into the house he is yet occupying. Since 1840 his hfe has been exclusively that of a farmer. During the war of 181 2 he was called into the ser- vice of the United States, and now draws a pension of $8.00 a month. In politics Mr. Butler was an old line Whig, but on the formation of the Repub- lican party he united with it, and has always given an intelligent and faithful support to its pohcy and measures. His townsmen honored him by elect- ing him to the office of Supervisor two terms. In religious sentiment Mr. Butler is a Presby- terian and has been a member of that church in Geneseo since March, 1833. He was made an elder the fol- lowing summer, and has held that position in the church since that time, and has been trustee of the society since 1831. Mr. Butler has been an earnest worker in the cause of religion, and has been liberal of his means in support of the Gospel and in building and repairing their pres- ent church edifice. In all that tends to the good and well-being of ' society he has been an able and powerful worker. His life has been of that character to secure the respect and confidence of all that have the good fortune to know him. In 1824, the 12th day of August, Mr. Butler was joined in marriage with Eunice, daughter of Joseph and Rosanna (Gardiner) Barton, of Columbia county, N. Y. She was born Jan. 1 2, 1803, and is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Butler have been born four children that grew to maturi- ty, viz. : — Edward, now living in the town of Gen- eseo. Mary, married to Abram Magee, and now living in Columbia county, N. Y., and Martha and Cornelia, living at home. Mrs. Butler has been a member of the Presbyterian church fifty years. (EPAPHRODITUS BIGELOW.) He was a lineal descendant of John Bigelow, who emigrated from Wrentham, county of Suffolk, England, to New England, and settled at Water- town, Mass., where he died July 14, 1703. He was the son of Daniel Bigelow by his second wife, Sarah F. Ingham, of Saybrook, Conn., he hav- ing married for his first wife, Mary Brainard, of Westchester, Conn. By each of his wives there were born unto him seven children, eight sons and six daughters, ten of whom lived to mature years. One only of this large family survives, Mrs. Bet- sey Bigelow Hempstead, who has attained to the ripe age of 97 years, and is the oldest person now living in the town of Geneseo. Mr. Bigelow, the sub- ject of this sketch was the fourth child by the second wife. His father was a farmer by occupa- tion, he, therefore, re- ceived his early train- ing at home and upon the farm in summer, and attended the com- mon schools of his na- tive town in the winter. His early advantages were liriiited, but he fully improved what he en- joyed, and when of age he became a common school teacher of quite large experience, having taught eleven winter terms in the schools of his native State, and in Geneseo after his re- moval thereto. In the month of July, 18 13, he enHsted as a soldier in the war of EPAPHRODITUS BIGELOW. Epaphroditus Bigelow was born February 4, 1 7 86, at Marlborough, Hartford county. Conn., and died April 7, 1874, at his home in Geneseo, N. Y., aged 88 years and two months. 1812. He was enrolled as a private in the "First Regiment Connecticut State Troops " under Capt. Enos H. Buel, his being the first name upon the company's roll. He served three months, the period for which he enhsted, at New London, Ct., and was honorably discharged in the month of September following. Under the Act of February 14, 187 1, grantmg pensions to the survivors of the war of 181 2, he became entitled to a pension, which he received up to the time of his decease. He was married at Marlborough, Conn., Nov. 7, 18 16, by the Rev. David B. Ripley to Sarah Phelps, eldest daughter of OUver Phelps and Mary Hills. In the spring of the year 1818, he removed with his family, consisting of his wife and a son nine months old,'to Geneseo, N. Y. This son, Orirael, is yet living and a resident of the adjoining town of Groveland. The journey was undertaken in a canvass cov- ered lumber wagon, the style in those days, drawn 4o8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. by a yoke of oxen and one horse in advance, and the distance, 330 miles, occupied a period of eighteen days. He settled upon a farm in the eastern part of the town which he had previously bought of David Haynes, a native of Pennsylvania, and purchased by him of the Messrs. Wadsworth in September, 1792, when the surrounding country was an un- broken wilderness. Here he entered zealously upon the work of his hfe, continuing to dwell upon this chosen spot to the end of his days, a period of fifty-six years. In those days before canal or railroad had pen- etrated the Genesee valley the profits of farming were not large and markets were not near. Roch- ester, distant twenty-five miles, was the principal one, and here he sold his crops of wheat at times at three shillings per bushel, and other farm products in proportion. By industry and economy he in time secured a competency and raised and educated a large family of children. During the active period of his hfe he took a lively interest in pubHc affairs, and was often honored by his fellow citizens with places of pubhc trust. Among the town offices held by him were Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Schools and Assessor. In politics he was a Whig up to the time of the dissolution of that party, and afterward acted with the Republicans. He cast his first vote for President in the fall of 1808 for James Mad- ison, and in all cast his vote seventeen times for the electors of President and Vice President of these United States. Mr. Bigelow was of Puritan ancestry, and was early taught the truth of divine revelations and made familiar with that gospel which for so many years he adorned by a godly life and conversation. On May 22, 1838, under the pastorate of Rev. Horace Galpin, he united with the First Presby- terian Church of Geneseo, and was elected and oidained as a ruling elder September 2, 1836, in which office he continued until his death. He was not a great man as some count great- ness, but rather might be called one of those standard, reliable men to be found in every town, who seek to be useful in their day and generation, filling his place creditably and honestly and accord- ing to an enlightened judgment. He was a man of stern integrity and of firm convictions. Opinions once formed were tena- ciously held. He was benevolent and generously contributed of his means for the good of his fellow men, and those enterprises organized for the pur- pose of advancing and improving the world had his support. He has acted his part upon the stage and has passed away, and the testimony is that his life's work was well done. His wife united with the church at the same time as her husband whom she survived nearly four years. She was a worthy helpmeet, exemplary and faithful in all the duties relating to her home, to the church and to her God. She was born Oct. 23, 179s, and died March 21, 1878, aged 82 years. His children were nine in number, q,ll sons Their names in the order of their ages were Orimel Revilo, Daniel, Harvey, Cyrus Phelps, Alonzo Martin Luther, Merit Harmon, and Edward. these Cyrus Phelps, Alonzo and Martin Luthe died in childhood. Merit Harmon a young mai of more than ordinary promise, died December 10 1858, aged 24 years. Each one of those who lived to reach their nia jority, received an academic education at Genesee Academy, Geneseo, N. Y. Orimel married Jane WilUams, is a farmer b] occupation, and resides at Groveland N. Y. The] have two children, a son and daughter. Revile lives at the village of Geneseo, and has marriec twice. His first wife was Sarah Ahce Wilbur b) whom he had two daughters. For his second wift he married Mrs. Nancy S. Haynes, by whom he also has two daughters. Daniel dwells upon the homestead of his late father, deceased, and married Helen A. Whitney, of Avon, N. Y. They have a son and daughter. Harvey lives at Rush, N. Y., and is a wagon and carriage maker. He married Maria VanBuskirk, and they have five children, two sons and three daughters. Edward hves at Austin, Minn., and is a mer- chant in the drug and stationery business. He served his country for three years in the late Re- bellion, and held a captain's commission, and has been the Principal of several higher institutions of learning in the West. He married Lucy A. Brown, by whom he has three children, two sons and a daughter. HON. CHARLES COLT. The subject of this notice was born January 23, 1793, in the town of Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Mass. He was the youngest son of a large family of children.. His early life was like that of New Eng- land farmer's boys of that period — plenty of work, with Umited educational advantages. At sixteen he was apprenticed to a merchant, to learn the busi- ness, where he remained till he reached his majority. Meanwhile his father died. During the summer of 1814, he made a trip on horseback to the Genesee country — the Far West of that day. His object was to find a location where he could in that new country, with his little patrimony set up business on his own account. Spending some time near Rochester where an older brother had settled, he pushed on as far as Buffalo. On his return he diverged somewhat from the main traveled route to look over a tract of land on the west side of the Genesee river, in the present town of York, inherited from the paternal estate by still another brother. Captivated by the beauty and promise of the Genesee Valley, the prospector determined to settle in this locality. This deter- mination he carried into effect the spring of the following year, 1815. In copartnership with his CHARLES COLT— CAPTAIN HORATIO JONES. 409 brother he commenced business as a merchant in Geneseo — under the firm name of Solomon and Charles Colt. This partnership was terminated by the death of the senior member in 1823. Charles continued the business till about 1830. Mercantile business of that day was principally barter, and in that way Mr. Colt naturally became a produce dealer, and eventually devoted all his time and energies to that business. For many years he was the principal buyer of farmers' pro- duce in all this region. In that connection he was interested in a line of flat-boats navigating the Genesee river be- tween Rochester and Geneseo. The opening of the Genesee Valley Canal in 1 84 1 put an end to that primitive mode of water transit. The early education and natural taste of Mr. Colt attracted him to agricultural pursuits, and from 1830 to 1837 he was interested with Campbell Harris in grazing the tract of land known as the " Brinton Flats " on the west side of the ri^er; the property now owned by Charles F. Wadsworth. With the late Gurdon Nowlen, Mr. Colt in- troduced into this county and manufac- tured what was then regarded a great im- provement — the fam- ous iron mold-board wood plow. It was a rude instrument compared with implements of the present time of the same character; but fifty years have wrought a great change. It will thus be seen that the pioneer of 1815 was an energetic, pushing, active business man, of ro- bust frame. He continued to be a leader in his line till about the year 1853, when he retired and devoted the remainder of his life to the care and management of a farm located near the village of Geneseo, where he continued to reside till his de- cease which occurred July 27, 1866. It would almost necessarily follow that such a man as we have briefly outlined would take a large interest in the public affairs and pohtics of his lo- cality. Mr. Colt was no office-seeker, but it is safe to say that he had much to do in the adminis- tration of public affairs in his county for many years. As Anti-Mason and Whig, and afterwards Re- publican he was universally regarded as a " leader." The only State office he ever held was that of " Senator," having been elected to fill a vacancy in 1848 and for a full term in 1849. He was an active member of the County War Committee during the late Rebellion — giving to it his full quota of energy and ripe judgment. In his religious life Mr. Colt was no less active and conspicuous. For more than forty years he was identified actively with the Presbyterian church of Geneseo — during all that time being both trus- tee and elder. He left behind him a name honored for integrity and business enterprise. Two children, a daughter and son survive him. (HON. CHARLES COLT.) CAPTAIN HORATIO JONES. Among the distin- guished patriots and adventurous pioneers who have left an im- press upon Western New York, none were more noble and con- spicuous than Horatio Jones. Born in Ches- ter county, Penn., on the 7 th of February, 1763, at an early age he removed with his family to Bedford county in the same State, and being fond of field sports, became an adept in the use of the rifle before he was fourteen. At the age of sixteen he entered the military service of his country as a mem- ber of the "Bedford Rangers," a rifle company which embraced thirty-two young men, the flower and chivalry of Bedford county. This com- pany had gained great renown for their valuable services in repelling the incursions of the hostile Iroquois, who "hung like the scythe of death upon the frontier settlements, inscribing their deeds with the tomahawk and scalping knife in characters of blood." In the early spring of r779 the command was most unfortunately drawn into an ambush by a large party of Seneca Indians — and fully a third of the Rangers were killed at the first fire — about a third escaped and the balance were made prisoners. Young Jones would have got away, as he was a very fleet runner, but one of the strings of his moccasins became loosened and wound around a staddle in the underbrush, which caused him to fall, and as his rifle had been discharged he had no means of defense, and with several of his comrades was taken and securely bound by the savages. 4IO HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. After scalping those who had been killed, the band and their captives were hurried away through the wilderness to the Indian country. They suf- fered great hardship in the march from fatigue and starvation, but finally reached the village at Nunda, in this county. From there they were taken to Caneadea, and forced to " run the gauntlet," — a ceremony common to captives previous to their being slain or adopted into famiHes, to supply the places of those who had died or been killed in battle. The prisoners were required to run forty or fifty rods from the starting place to the Council House. The old men, boys and squaws of the tribe being armed with tomahawks, knives, hatch- ets, clubs and sticks, were allowed to strike the captives before they reached the goal. This crdeal was for the amusement of the tribe, but the warriors scorned to engage in the pastime. Jones was the first to run and he safely dodged or jumped over those in his way and reached the goal without a sciatch, his fearlessness and activity being equal to the occasion. His companions were less for- tunate, and one was killed outright, and according to the Indian usage his head was severed and placed upon the war-post. Subsequent to this, Jones was adopted into a family and given an Indian name. On two occasions he attempted to escape, but with nearly two hundred miles of a trackless wilderness in his front, without compass or trail, the effort proved impracticable. He finally accepted the situation — learned the Indian language — entered heartily into their sports, and soon became a great favorite, as he could out-run and out-jump their most athletic young men. During the continuance of the war he was of invaluable aid in saving the lives of other prisoners as was notable in the case of Major Moses Van Campen, who on one occasion had when a prisoner, killed several Indians who were guarding him- and made good his escape. He was subsequently taken again and brought to the Indian country, but by the sagacity and address of Jones, was delivered to the British for exchange before the Indians learned who he was. In September, 1779, when Gen. Sullivan made his famous campaign against the Senecas to destroy their crops and burn their villages, Jones, with the whole tribe, except the warriors, was kept at a secure distance. At the close of the war he was appointed by Gen. Washington, Agent and Interpreter for the Six Nations— an office he held through successive administrations for a period of over forty years. He rendered the language with singular accuracy. His style was terse and graphic, and his manner pleasing and impressive. It is said that the great orator, Red Jacket, would not allow any one but Jones to interpret his speeches. His services as mterpreter at the celebrated treaty at Big Tree, (now Geneseo,) in 1797, were of the greatest pos- sible advantage to the Council. As early as 1785 Capt. Jones married a lady of Schenectady, and established a trading post at Schanyes, (now Waterioo,) in the county of Seneca, and the next year he was connected witl John Jacob Astor, in the fur trade at Geneva Here his eldest son was born — the first white chile born west of Utica. This son. Col. Wm. W Jones, died at his residence in the town of Leices ter, in this county in 1870, at the advanced age ol eighty-four. In 1789 Capt. Jones returned to the Genesee Valley and settled on the border of the river in Geneseo, being the first white settler in the now county of Livingston. He was twice married, and some of his descendants, and others con- nected with his family, are still among the most prominent and honored residents of Western New York. As has been most justly said by Rev. Dr. Gridley, in his eloquent eulogy before the Seneca County Historical Society, from which valuable contribution to our early history we are indebted for many facts and dates : " Few men have passed a more charmed and eventful hfe than Capt. Horatio Jones — made a prisoner by a savage tribe of hostile Indians while in his country's ser- vice — exposed to the caprices of his captors — now dodging the uplifted war club, and the deadly aim of the rifle and tomahawk — now sick with pes- tilence — rising from the condition of the captive to that of a son by adoption into the family and a favorite of the tribe— honored by the authorities of his country — he passed the span of more thaii an ordinary life-time in benefitting a disappointed and waning race; and by his enterprise, intelli- gence and public spirit, founding a social state of his own people, which in culture, tone, and lofti- ness of aim, has proved worthy of the physical beauty and wealth of the ' Garden of New York.' " Capt. Jones died at his residence,' known as Sweet Brier, on the banks of the Genesee river, in the town of Geneseo, in August, 1836, at the age of seventy-three years and six months, — "full of years and full of honors." CHAPTER XXVIII. History of the Town of York. THE town of York lies on the northwestern border of the county of Livingston. It has an area of 29,689 acres, and ranks among the largest towns in the county. It is bounded on the north by Caledonia and a portion of Pavillion, (Genesee county,) on the south by Leicester, on the east by Avon and Geneseo, and on the west by Pavillion and Covington, (Genesee and Wyoming counties.) The Genesee river forms the boundary line between York and Geneseo and Avon. The surface of the town is gently undulating, with a general inclination to the east. The soil in the southern and central portion of the town is of YORK — EARLY SETTLERS. 411 a clay loam ; in the northern portion, a sandy and gravelly loam. The only streams of any importance are Brown and Calder creeks which flow eastward through the central and northern part and empty into the Gen- see river. The town contains five villages, York Centre, Fowlerville, Piffard, and North and South Greigs- ville, the two former being the largest and most im- portant places. York was formed from Caledonia and Leicester March 26, 18 19. A part of Covington was an- nexed in 1823. The name of the town was derived from Hon. Joseph York, Member of Assembly from St. Lawrence county, who. as chairman of the committee, had favorably reported the bill for the formation of the town. At the time of the first settlement here the ter- ritory now known as York was embraced in the town of Caledonia, and the settlers, chiefly from Scotland, located first at " Big Springs," now the village of Caledonia, in 1799 and 1800, and from thence branched out into the section of wilder- ness then called " South Woods," and now known as the town of York. Among the hardy Scotch pioneers who thus came here about the year 1804, were John and Al- exander Fraser, John McCall, Archibald GiUis ; Donald McDonald, James Calder,* and William Mackenzie in 1806, Capt. Angus McBean, in the fall of 1804, Alexander Stewart about 1805, and William Dorris, in 1807, from Avon, where he had resided several years. He settled on land after- ward owned by Wells Fowler. These families were mostly from Inverness and Argyleshires, Scotland. Among those who constituted the pioneers of this region was ' Donald D. McKenzie who set- tled in York in 1804. Mr. McKenzie was for over fifty years a prominent farmer of the town, and one who devoted much attention to the earliest history of this and the surrounding towns. He was born in Inverness, Scotland, January 8, 1792, and died in York, Jan. 6, 1854, aged 63. His descendants in York are two sons and two daughters— Donald, William, and Margaret McKenzie, and Mrs. Mary F. Clunas. From his graphic and interesting writings con- cerning the early settlement of the Genesee coun- try, it is learned that there started for America from Inverness, about the middle of July 1803, the following named people : — 'Diedini8i6. Donald McKenzie and family of five children, three sons and two daughters, William, Donald,' John, Margaret and Helen ; Simon Fraser and his son Donald and daughter Mary; John Clunas and his young wife. Flora, also daughter to Simon Fraser ; John McKenzie* and his two sons, Don- ald and Alexander, John Fraser and three sons, Donald and John and (Capt.) Simon Fraser; John McDonald and WiUiam Fraser. "We were," says Mr. McKenzie's narrative, " one week on the road between the cities of In- verness and Glasgow, where we stayed one week, and five weeks in Greenock, waiting for an Ameri- can ship, then in port, to get ready. There were but few vessels then trading between that country and this. The British government was claiming and exercising the right to search all vessels, which was indignantly remonstrated against by the Ameri- can government, and which ended in the war of 181 2. The ship in which we sailed was the Trap- per, of New York, William Taylor, captain. On the morning of September 8th, 1803, she spread forth her wings to the breezes that wafted us on our journey to our destined home. The passage rates were very dear, ten guineas each, even for a child not more than four months old. Donald McKenzie paid about $400 for himself and familj'. " The sickness of my mother during most of the voyage made our condition more uncomfortable than it otherwise would have been, but whatever were the feelings of others for my own part I felt buoyant and cheerful. "After a voyage of about six weeks we landed in New York, and we felt how unlike the great cities we had left behind us ! The golden dreams of some began to vanish when they saw the dilapi- dated condition of many of the buildings near the wharves, and the number of deserted houses and desolated streets caused by the ravages of the yellow fever, which that season had carried off great numbers of the inhabitants, and causing all who could to flee from the plague. " Our sojourn in New York was brief, only two days. The party agreed with the owner of a sloop to carry us to Albany, for one dollar each, big and little, without any provisions or accom- modations of any kind. We were over a week on the journey, and I suffered more from hunger on that inland voyage than at any other time before or since. After much exposure and fatigue we ar- rived in Albany, where, for the first time, the different famiUes separated. The next place of *Died June iS, 1840, aged 73 years. 412 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. rendezvous was to be in Johnstown, Montgomery county, where all arrived safe in a few days. We now began to breathe the free air of a free coun- try, the smell of which was like the perfume of a field which the Lord had blessed. Although we were far from being in comfortable circumstances, there was no murmuring. The winter was very severe, different from any we had ever seen before, and we were thankful for being in a safe haven. The men were learning to chop, some threshed, and at times all explored tracts of land which were offered for sale in that section, but which did not suit the new comers. The Genesee country was talked of, but there was no one who could give us correct information concerning it. There was a current report among the people there that the Genesee country was very sickly, which was partly true. "They also gave an alarming account of the con- duct of the Indians, in whose neighborhood we should have to settle, and by whom all Western New York was thickly inhabited. The picture looked anything but encouraging. They called it the ' far west,' and so it was then, even on the confines of civilization." Notwithstanding these discouraging reports a number of the Scotch emigrants began to make preparation for moving to the Genesee country. Mr. McKenzie, the elder, bought a yoke of oxen and a sled on which his family and goods were conveyed to the place where they have ever since resided, the journey occupying two weeks. "When we arrived here there were perhaps a dozen famihes in Hartford, now Avon, as many in Caledonia, and about equal numbers in each Batavia and Buffalo. All the rest of this large territory did not contain many inhabitants, except the Indians. There were several families in Gan- son Settlement, and also a few in Leicester; all the rest west of the Genesee river was an unbroken wilderness. "When the snow had melted in the spring, ex- plorations were begun. There was a large tract of land lying west of a parallel line between Le Roy and Brockport, then newly offered for sale, called the ' Triangle Tract.' Richard Stoddard' its agent, was anxious to get a part of it settled by Scotchmen. The party spent some time in ex- ploring it, but although the agent made them liberal offers, on their return they brought rather an unfavorable report, and the idea of settlement in that locality was abandoned. " There was then on every side of them any quantity of unoccupied land, which has since proved to be exceedingly fertile, but which had then a very sterile appearance owing to its having been burned over by fire so often. " They would not take them as a gift, and be obliged to till them, some of the now best farms in this section. When the ground dried, which it did early in April of that spring, the emigrants con- cluded to make a part of the ' Forty Thousand Acre Tract ' their future home, although at that time it had not been surveyed. "In company with Donald McKenzie and Wm. Fraser, I came that spring to what was to be my future home. " We stayed two days and one night clearing away the underbrush and felling some large trees. When night came we kindled a large fire to keep us warm, and to frighten away any wild beasts that might be prowling in the wilderness, and after refreshing ourselves with food we sang for a long hime a number of the old psalm tunes which we were wont to sing of yore on the hill-sides of Scotland." The writer of the above, for the greater part of the time until his death, slept within six rods of that, to him, sacred spot, which he had enclosed in his garden. All of the party left Johnstown at about the same time, but the others having hired horse teams arrived at the " Big Springs," (Caledonia,) a few days before Mr. McKenzie and his family, and found good quarters in the house of a kind man named John McVean, who owned then the farm afterwards for a long time owned by Col. Robert McKay and sons, some two miles west from Caledonia village. They arrived there in the latter part of Febru- ary, 1804, where some of them became residents, and others, as previously stated, branched out tc settle the now town of York. In April, 1804, th£ families of Donald McKenzie, Elder John Mc- Kenzie, his brother John Clunas, Simon Frasei and Donald, his son, took up their residence in the north-east part of the town of York, where most of them made it their home until they died. This portion of the town was originally known as Inverness, so called in memory of their native city, and embraced all the territory north of Few- lerville creek, as far west as Deacon Gillis' easi Une, and north to the north hne of the first section of land in Caledonia. Among other after settlers were Archibald Ken- nedy and family, from Scotland, in the spring ol YORK — TOWN OFFICERS. 413 181 1- Duncan Grant, from Inverness, Scotland, in 1808 ; William Fraser, 1810; and Dudley New- ton, in 1817. Capt. Aaron Russ settled near Fowlerville in 1810. ■ He was a man of considerable note in the town. For nearly twenty years he was Overseer of the Poor, and was Supervisor from 185010 1853. Col. HoUoway Long came in 1 816. He was a man prominent in military matters and poHtics. His title was derived from his commandment of an artillery company celebrated in early days as the "York Artillery." During his hfetime Mr. Long filled acceptably most of the offices within the gift of the town. A son, Moses Long, for some years conducted the stove and plow making business at York Centre. Among the descendants of those early settlers are Francis McBean, son to Angus McBean, who now lives on the old homestead. Donald McDonald,* Isabel McBean, and Mar- garet McDonald, now living near Fowlerville, are children of Donald McDonald, who settled here in 1806. Moses N. Ferrin, now living in Fowler- ville, is a son to Wihiam Ferrin, who came here in 181 1. A daughter, Mrs. Louisa B. Whitcomb, also lives near the same place. Archibald Ken- nedy, a descendant of Archibald Kennedy who came here in i8ri, is a prominent citizen of the town. He held the office of Supervisor from 1869 to 1872, and again from 1874 to 1881. Among the early physicians of the town were Dr. Durelle, Dr. Long, brother to Col. Holloway Long, and Dr. Frederick' R. Stickney who, in 1841, was a successful practitioner here. Elder Josiah Goddard was an early minister here of the Baptist denomination. He was born May II, 1768, in Petersham, Mass., and came to this town as early as 1812 or 1813. He preached at what is now Fowlerville, and in other places. He died in York, February 19, 1836. The first child born in the town was a son to Donald Clunas.f The second child born here was Angus McKenzie, son to Donald McKenzie, born March 26, 1805. The first saw-mill, known as the Morely Mill, was built in 1807 by Ezekiel Morely and Joseph, his son. The first grist-mill was built by Wells Fow- ler and William Taylor, between 1815 and 1820. *Born in 1813. t French says the first child born here was Angus McKenzie. A con- siderable portion of this history of York is derived from the writmgs of Donald D. McKenzie, one of the pioneer settlers, who gave much at- tention to the early history of this region, and whose statements the his- torian has been inclined to accept in nearly all cases of disputation. Town Officers. —The first town meeting was held on the first Tuesday in April, i8 19, at the inn of Nathan Russ. This place of meeting was designated by the Special Act of Legislature for the formation of the town. The officers chosen by the people at that meet- ing were: — William Janes, Supervisor ; Peres P. Peck, Town Clerk ; John Darling, John Dodge, Henry Janes, Assessors ; Joseph R. Ramsdell, Collector ; Moses Allen, Thomas Blake, Overseers of the Poor; John Russ, William Taylor, Newcomb Mead, Commis- sioners of Highways ; Jonathan Tainter, Joseph R. Ramsdell, Constables; Wells Fowler, Philander Sexton, N. Sacket, Commissioners of Schools. From the succeeding year — 1820 — to 1881, the succession of Supervisors and Town "Clerks has been as follows : — Supervisors. Town Clerks, William Janes. P. P., Peck. Titus Goodman, Jr. Rufus Cook. do do do Holloway Long. do Titus Goodman, Jr. do 1820. 1821-22. 1823. 1824-25. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1829. 1830. 1831. 1832. do do Holloway Long. John Holloway. Asa Arnold. do do Holloway Long. 1833-36. Donald Fraser. 1837-38. Holloway Long, 1839-40. John Holloway Wm. H. Spencer. William Stewart. Edward R. Dean. do do David McDonald. Israel D. Root, do dot 1841-43 1844. 1845- 1846. 1847. 1848. 1849. 1850-52, r853- 1854. 1855. 1856-58 1859-60 P. P. Peck. Rufus Cook. Joseph Tozier.* Rufus Cook. Israel D. Root. Cyrus Hawley. Israel D. Root. do do do do do do do do do do Niel Stewart. do do Charles Stewart.f William A. Collins. Moses Long. Aaron Russ. Daniel McPherson. Charles Stewart. David H. Abell. do do Hamilton E. Smith, do do Niel Stewart. --- Allen W. Smith. ^861-62. George W. Root. 1863. do do" 1864-65. do do 1866. do do 1867-68. do do - . „ 1860-70. Archibald Kennedy. James A. Forrest 1871 do do Jas. W. McArthur. 1872-73. Benjamin F. Dow. Jas. W. McArthur. J874-80. Archibald Kennedy, do do Alexander Ried. do do John S. McKercher. James Mclntyre. J. W. McArthur. James Mclntyre. Theodore F. Baldwin. » Or Tosier. t Appomted- t Aaron Russ was chosen to fill vacancy for balance of that term. 414 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 : Supervisor, Aurora D. Newton ; Town Clerk, James W. McArthur ; Justices of the Peace, James Spittal, (long term) John Torry, (vacancy ;) As- sessor, Duncan McKenzie ; Overseers of the Poor, Robert Wallace, George Slack ; Collector, Thos. F. Kennedy ; Constables, WilHam Mann, Jr., Wil- son J. Rogers, Charles H. Whitney, Hugh Spittal, Thomas F. Kennedy ; Game Constable, John S. Gibson ; Excise Commissioner, Gerret S. Casey. Population. — In 1870 York had a population of 2,564. Of this number 1,986 were native, 578 foreign; 2,546 white, and 18 colored. In 1875 the total population was 2,475, a decrease of 89; the native population was 1,886 a decrease of 100, while the foreign population was 589, an increase of 11. The colored inhabitants in those five years had increased from 18 to 49, a gain of 31. In that year the town contained 303 ahens, a greater num- ber by 131 than in any other town in the county. At the last census of 1880 the total population was 2,479- School Statistics. — The town contains four- teen school districts, employing during the past year (1880) 15 teachers, at a total amount in wages of $3,431.07. The number of children in these districts over five and under twenty-one years of age was 791. During the year, school was taught 409 2-5 weeks, with an average attendance of 358- The number of children of school age attending school some portion of the year was 633. The district libraries are valued at $140. The total amount paid for school apparatus during the year was $684; for school-houses, sites, fences, furniture and repairs, $25,103; total incidental expenses for the year, $332.72; total valuation of school property, $16,626.01. York Centre. The village of York Centre is situated at nearly the geographical center of the town. It contains three churches, five stores, one hotel, post-office, cooper shop (Ephraim Dinsmore,) wagon shop, (Peter Anderson,) three blacksmith shops, (Wil- Uam FitzSimmons, Joseph Trimbel, John McDou- gall,) a furnace, and a population of some three hundred. Early settlers here were Nathan Russ, Timothy Rice, 1811 ; Ralph Brown, who owned the land on which the village stands, 1808; Captain John Russ, 1808 ; John Darling, in the fall of 1809. Nathan Russ, brother to Capt. John Russ, built the first frame house in York Centre, in which for a ni ber of years he kept tavern. Timothy Rice, soon after his arrival in 18 built a frame house and also kept it as an inn. 1 first merchant in the town was Peres P. Peck, w traded for a time on a small scale on land owr by Alanson Gilmore, and afterwards in York Ci tre. David McDonald was a merchant here in 18: beginning business at that time, and continuinj number of years. He was born in Sutherlar shire, Scotland, about 1790, and came to Ameri in 1819. The present post-master here is Chester S< mour, who has held that position some twel years. The hotel is kept by the widow of Ray Hitt, w had been its proprietor for some thirty-five yea and who died January 26, 1881. The present merchants are : — McKean and Forrest, (Alexander F. McKea James A. Forrest,) general merchants. In busine as a firm some fourteen years, beginning in 186 Mr. McKean was born in 1833, in county Aimag Ireland, and came to America in 185 1, and direct to York in that year. Mr. Forrest was born Scotland, May 16, 1837. Came to America 1841, and to York in 1847. Caldwell and Stewart (Edward E. Caldwe Charles N. Stewart,) general merchandise. ] business as a firm since July, 1876. Mr. Caldwt was born in New Market, Canada, in 1838. I: came to York in June, 1876. Mr. Stewart w born in York in 1855. James W. McArthur, general merchandise. ] business ten years. He was born in York in 183 Mrs. E. M. Ried, millinery and ladies' furnis ing goods. In business since 1847, coming fro Fowlerville to York Centre in that year. Fred. C. Rautz, hardware and tin shop. ] business two years. William J. Ryan & Co., (WilHam C. Luc£ harnesses and horse -furnishing goods. In bui ness as a firm one year. The business had be{ conducted previously by Mr. Ryan some twent five years. He was born in Dansville, N. Y., 1824, and came to York as a resident in 1840. About the year 1826 a young man named Dav Stewart came to this place and began with a smi capital the manufacture of plows, on which he ma some important improvements. About 1842 or ^ he built here a large furnace and suitable sho] where for a number of years he carried on exte YORK CENTRE — CHURCHES;- 415 sively the manufacture of plows and other agricul- tural implements. In 1853 he sold to Hugh Spit- tal, who in 1869 was succeeded by Duncan Hag- gart, the present proprietor, who now conducts the business. Mr. Haggart was born in Canada, June 19, 1823, and came to York in 1844. The physicians here are Dr. Ishmael G. Filkins and Dr. Isaac A. M. Dike. Dr. Filkins, a graduate in 1861 of the Medical Department, University of New York city, was born in the town of Grawville, Washington coun- ty, N. Y., in 1833, and came to York in 1872. Dr. Dike was born in Belmont, Allegany coun- ty, N. Y., in 1852. He graduated from the Buf- falo Medical University in 1876, and came to York Centre in April of that year. / Churches. — In the spring of 181 1, seven fam- ilies of Scottish descent came from Johnstown, Montgomery (now Fulton) county, N. Y., hoping to secure for themselves a more advantageous location in the valley of the Genesee. These, together with four families recently from Scodand, and two from Ireland, settled in the south part of Caledonia, then in Genesee county, in the neighborhood called " Coille Mohr,"* or " Big Woods," known to-day as York. As there was already established an Associate Reformed Church in the north part of the town, now the town of Caledonia, these people attended the meetings there whenever there was preaching. At this time that church was preparing to call Mr. John Campbell, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Saratoga, which then embraced within its limits all the territory now occupied by the Presbytery of Caledonia. Those in the " Big Woods " being desirous of uniting with them in this important movement, met and chose John McKercher, Jr. and James P. Stewart their commissioners to treat with the Society in Caledonia for a portion of Mr. Camp- bell's services. This movement was unanimous, and although but a minority of them had been previously con- nected with the Associate Reformed Church, all heartily concurred in the petition. The brethren of Caledonia generously granted the petitioners one-fourth of Mr. Campbell's time for two years, while it was required of them to furnish only $100 of the $500 promised as salary. Mr. Campbell assented to this division of his labors, and although of delicate constitution, was abundant in minister- •Or "CoUIe Mor," from the Gaelic, meaning "Big Woods;" or " CoUIe an airde deas," meaning " South Woods." ial labors. During the year 1813, Donald Fraser, Daniel McNab, and Robert McGlashan, were chosen trustees. The only place of meeting yet was a small log-house, or in a barn, which was preferred when the weather permitted. In 1814 the first meeting-house was erected. The ground on which it stood was granted by John McDonald, one of the 'members of the Society. The dimensions of this pioneer church were 28 by 32 feet, built of logs. The seats were slabs split from logs of basswood. During this year Alexander Harvey was chosen ruling elder, to act for this part of Mr. Campbell's charge with the session of Caledonia. In the early part of 1817, Rev. John Campbell died, greatly lamented; and in the same spring Elder Harvey removed to Caneadea. In the autumn of this year, Rev. George Mairs, of Argyle, Wash- ington county, N. Y., was sent to look after the church in this section. In the summer of 1818, the elders chosen the fall previous were ordained and installed. The names of those who constituted the first session of this church were: — Donald G. Fraser, James McKerhe and Hugh Innis. The Rev. Robert Proudfit, D. D., presided at their ordination. Thus, although there was a society and a church before this, the regular organization was not effect- ed until 1818. During the month of February of this year. Rev. John White, of Seneca, as first supply, preached in York. In the fall of 182 1, Rev. Joseph Pinney preached here, and his person and preaching so pleased the congregation and community that a call was ex- tended to him for his continued services, but which he declined. In the fall of 1822 the church was supphed by Henry S. Wilkin, a licentiate of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York, who, some three months later, was ordained, and in March, 1823, was installed as pastor of the Society. In 1822 the church was incorporated as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of York. In 1825 a more commodious house of worship was erected and enclosed at a cost of about $ 1,000. Up to this time the most perfect harmony had prevailed in the Society, but in November of this year the Session passed a resolution making the observance of the Fast Day previous to the Communion, a term of communion or church fellowship. This action caused dissension in the Society and resulted in the resignation of all the 4i6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. elders, except Donald G. Fraser, and the with- drawal of ten families who placed themselves un- der the care of the Associate Presbytery of Albany, and were organized as the Associate Presbyterian Church of York and Covington. This defection crippled the Society for a time, but a subsequent increase in membership again placed the church on a stable basis. In 1 83 1 the church edifice was completed at an additional expense of $1,000. On the i8th of January, 1834, Rev. S. Wilkin resigned his pastorate, and the church was without a settled pastor until the installation of Rev. Alexander Blakie, February ist, 1836. During the next year, 1837, it was resolved to add twelve feet to the length of the meeting- house, together with a steeple, which was done at a cost of about $1,240. In 1844 Rev. Mr. Blakie resigned his charge, and the Society was again without a settled pastor until the coming of Rev. J. M. Heron in the early part of 1848. He was installed as pastor May 17, 1848. In 1844 eight families withdrew from the Society and, with others, formed the Associate Reformed Congregation of Cuylerville. In December of 1852, Rev. Mr. Heron resigned, and in September, 1853, his successor. Rev. J. Van Eaton, began his labors with the Society, which he continued to September, 1879. He died in York Centre, March 5, 1880. Some time in 1852, the property occupied as a parsonage was purchased at a cost of $600. In the summer of 1854, the main part of the parsonage was rebuilt at an expense of about $1,500. In 1866 the church edifice was repaired at an expense of some $1,600. This, together with the parsonage and previous alterations and repairs, sums up a total of some $12,000 expended on the church property in a little more than fifty years. The Society is strong in membership and faith, but is at present— March, 1 881— without a pastor, owing to the recent death of Rev. Mr. Van Eaton. First Reformed Presbyterian Church. — This Church was organized in 1832. The first Elders were James Milroy, James CuUings, James Guthrie, Jr. Trustees— Robert J. Guthrie, David McMillan, James Kennedy. Members — John Donnan, David Morrow, John Morrow, Andrew Morrow, Daniel Christie, Andrew Donnan, Angus McLeod, Mrs. Mihoy, Mrs. Cul- lings, Mrs. James Guthrie, Mrs. Robert J. Guth- rie, Mrs. David Morrow, Mrs. Christie, Mrs. An- gus McLeod, Mrs. John Donnan, Mrs. Andrew Donnan, Mrs. Daniel McMillan, Mrs. Castly, Miss Jane Guthrie. The only surviving ones of the first members are Mrs. James Cullings, Mrs. D. McMillan, An- drew Donnan,* Daniel McMillan and Mrs. James Guthrie. The first pastor was Rev. John Fisher, whose pastorate lasted some fifteen years. The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Bowden, who was installed in 1847, and who continued with the Society until his resignation in October, 1876. The first church was built in 1833 or 1835, and was abandoned in 1871 for a more com- modious edifice erected in that year. The old church building is now occupied as a dwelling by John Patterson. The church has a membership of about 160, and is at present (March, 1881,) without a pastor. The church property is valued at $10,000. Baptist Church of York.^ — The present Baptist Church of York was formed in 1832 by the union of two churches called the First and Second Bap- tist Churches of York. There exists no definite information of the First Church previous to 1819, only that it was known as the Church of Caledonia and Leicester; its members being scattered over a large area of ter- ritory, and holding their meetings in different' localities. At this time the town of York was formed from the towns of Caledonia and Leicester. The church was then called the First Baptist Church of York, numbering fifty members. The two follow- ing years were of marked interest in the history of this church, and are known as the great revival period. Many additions to the Society were made through the labors of Rev. John Blain and others. The church belonged to the Genesee Baptist As- sociation, which met for the first time with the church in York in 1827, holding its meetings in the barn of Allen Smith, now owned by his son, A. W. Smith. The names of the ministers who, in the following order, preached from 18 19 to 1832, were Revs. Josiah Butler, John Blain, Jesse Bramin, — Miner, Solomon Dimock, and O. H. Reed. Among the earliest members were Jotham Forbes and wife, James Rice, Olive Rice, Amos Baker, Gershom Waite, Allen Smith, Patience * Now in Campbell, Michigan. t For tins brief yet comprehensive history we are indebted to the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Ira G. Lyon, of York. Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo. ^^ ^<-<^^ FOWLERVILLE. 417 Smith, Timothy Tryon, Harrison Church, Marens Carter and wife, Enoch Waller, Rhoda Weller, W. D. Powers, Elizabeth Powers, Abigail Powers, Cyrus Lyon, Polly Lyon, Nathan and Eunice Clapp. The Second Baptist Church of York was organ- ized in 1822 at York Centre, numbering twenty members, and holding their first meetings in the hall of a public building, and afterwards in the school-house. This Church also belonged to the Genesee Bap- tist Association, and was presided over by Rev. Josiah Goddard until the two churches were united. Among the earliest members of this church were : Spencer and Cynthia Pomeroy, Nathaniel and Amos Goddard, Elisha Goddard, Sarah Goddard, Jesse Skinner, Joseph Gould, G. T. Roberts, Anna Roberts, Augustus Weller, Rhoda Weller, Ira Grant, Maria Grant, B. W. Willard and Clarissa Ferrin. These two churches united in 1832, forming the present Baptist Church of York. The number of members at that time was fifty-nine. The first pastor was Rev. Eliada Blakeslee. The early records show this to have been a period of con- tinued prosperity, both temporal and spiritual. The present church building was erected and dedicated in 1833. The present number of mem- bers is 126. The following have been the pastors from 1 83 2 to 1881, with the date of their coming : — Revs. Eliada Blakeslee, 1832; Ira Bennett, Dec, 1834; William Arthur,* Dec. 2, 1837; Eleazer Savage, June 6, 1840; David Taylor, Dec. 3, 1842 ; S. A. Estee, Jan. 4, 1 845 ; S. M. Bainbridge, June 2 5, 1 848 ; B. R. Swick, Nov. 30, 185 1 ; John Nisbet, Nov. 30, X856 ; A. L. Farr, Oct. 15, 1859; E. Packwood, Oct, 24, 1861 ; C. Monjeau, Nov. 7, 1867 ; Walter Holt, June I, 1869; A. V. Eddy, the present pastor. May I, 1876. FOWLERVILLE. The village of Fowlerville lies in the north-eastern part of the town. It contains two churches, two stores, post-office, one hotel, a harness, blacksmith and wagon shop, agricultural works, and a popula- tion of 375 of 400, including transient boarders, j Fowlerville was first permanently settled by Wells Fowler and William Taylor, in 1816, and William and Henry Janes, Ira Torrey, and Eliakim Weller at or about the same time, all of whom came from and near Pittsfield, Mass. • Father of the present Vice-President of the United States, t The employees in the agricultural works. The village derived its name from Wells Fowler, and was chosen by the unanimous resolution of the inhabitants who resided there. Wells Fowler was one of the most prominent men of the town, and contributed very essentially toward the upbuilding of this active little village. He was also influential in making roads, bridges, and other beneficial improvements, in establishing schools, and in sustaining the educational and re- ligious interests of the village and town. When the post-office was established here, about 1827, at which time the place was named for him,* he was appointed postmaster, the duties of which office he continued to discharge through all the pohtical changes that occurred for fourteen years, or until the defection of President Tyler in 184 1. In the early part of 181 7 Mr. Fowler and Pliny Weller built a saw-mill on the stream near the vil- lage, which was of much benefit, not only to the people there but to all the inhabitants for miles around. The first merchant here was Clark S. Capron, who began business in 1823. He was afterward in company with Nathaniel Goodman, and still later, with Joseph Ramsdell. Alonzo Fowler, eld- est son of Wells Fowler, was also for a long time a successful merchant here. Walter Whitcombf was another early merchant, and for two years was in company with Alonzo Fowler. Torrey & Weller for a number of years carried on successfully together the business of tanning and shoe making, Mr. Weller being a shoe-maker there over forty years. The present postmaster is Benjamin F. Dow, who was appointed in the spring of 1869. The Howell House, the only hotel here, is kept by WilHam Howell who has been the proprietor three years. The hotel had formerly been kept by Alexander McHardy, some thirteen years, and previously by Caleb White, who assumed the pro- prietorship in 1843. The merchants are: — Benjamin F. Dow & Co., (L. F. Dow, John W. Howe,) who have been en- gaged in business as a firm twelve years. The firm was previously Dow & Fowler. William Fraser,^ dry goods and groceries, in business here since 1839. Mr. Eraser was born in Johnstown, N. Y., June 11, 1808, and came here with his father, William Eraser, in 18 10. * The village for a number of years was known as Inverness post-office. t Now a merchant in Nimda. t See Biography and Portrait, on another page. . 4i8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Aaron Mount, harnesses, and horse-furnishing goods. In i^ business here seventeen years. He was born in Stark, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1828, and came to York in 1863. The only physician here is Dr. George H. Jones. Mr. Jones was born in Manchester, N. Y., in 1853. He graduated from Michigan University in 1877, and came to Fowlerville in that year. Robert Wallace, blacksmith and machinist, lo- cated at York Centre in 185 1. Isaac McPherson, wagon maker, began business in August, 1878, in Scottsville, N. Y., and came to Fowlervilld in 1880. The Livingston Agricultural Works was estab- lished here by Hamilton E. Smith, who came to Fowlerville about 1835 and with a small capital, began the manufacture of agricultural implements. He did an extensive business here until November 16, 1854, when Dow & Fowler succeeded him in the enterprise. The firm of B. F. Dow & Co., succeeded Dow & Fowler in 1868. On the 12th of May, 1879, the manufactory was burned down, with a total loss of tools and machinery, and was rebuilt in the same year. From that time until 1881 the firm did a large business in the manufac- ture of portable steam engines, threshers, separa- tors, and other farming machinery, and employed, on the average, seventy-five men in the different departments of the works. In April, 1881, the firm abandoned this manu- factory here, and removed to Peru, Indiana, the people of Peru giving them, as an inducement to locate there, a cash endowment of $10,000. Churches. — Methodist Episcopal.— Qi the two Churches here, the Methodist Episcopal began its organization by the formation of the first class in the spring of 1844, of which Dudley Newton was leader. For some ten years the meetings of the Society were held in private families and school houses. The church edifice was erected in 1854 at a cost of $2,200. The following have been pastors since the or- ganization of the church : — Revs. C. D, Burlingame, G. Benedict, Hiram May, J. J. Gridley, Father Kent, W. P. Buck, S. G. Miller, G. Nickle, Alonzo Newton, A. W. Abell, R. E. Thomas, C. E. Van Sickle, P. King, S. H. Rogers, John C. Whiteside, W. Vaughn, W. W. Manderville, P. E. Hermans, R. F. Kay' William B. Cliff, B. F. Hitchcock. The present pastor is Rev. Isaac Harris. Under the pastorate of Mr. Hermans a fine parsonage was built at an expense of some $1,600. Mr. Harris has succeeded in paying off the deb( of $400 on this parsonage, and the Church is novi in a prosperous condition, clear of debt, and with good prospects for the future. Presbyteria7i Church of Fowlerville. — In the autumn of 1826, at their own request, the follow- ing persons were set off" from the Presbyterian Church of York : — Amos Skinner, Olive Skinner, Ezekiel Morely, Sally Fowler, Joseph Tosier, Nancy Weller, Alfred Collins, Elizabeth McKnight, Clarissa Janes, Mary Eastman, Lavinia Roberts, Mary S. Eastman. The organization of a Society was efl^'ected by these people November 16, 1826. Rev. John Eastman acted as moderator, and became the first pastor. The church was under the charge of the Presbytery according to the "accommodation plan." Mr. Alfred Collins, one of the original members, is still living in Fowlerville. The following were ministers while the church was in the Congregational form : — Revs. John Eastman, Walker, John Hub- bard, Powell, Burbank, Lyman, Slie, Chapin, Bridgeman, Laird, Snyder, Darling, Wadsworth, Moses, Powell, Yeomans and Modesit. During Mr. Wadsworth's ministry the church withdrew from the care of the Presbytery, becom- ing purely a Congregational Church. About this time large numbers began to move away, and the membership greatly diminished until the present organization. In the spring of 1878, steps were taken to change the organization of the Church from Con- gregational to Presbyterian. This was accom- plished in due form April 22, 1878. Rev. S. M. Campbell, D. D., of Rochester, N. Y., acted as Advisor before the consummation, and as Modera- tor of the Commission of Rochester Presbytery which constituted the new Church. Rev. E. G. Cheeseman became at once the pastor of the new church, and continued in that relation about a year when he resigned on ac- count of ill health, and was speedily succeeded by Rev. Frederick D. Seward,* the present pastor. The membership of this church has increased from fifty-two at its organization April 22, 1878, to one hundred and fourteen at the date of this writing, March, 1881. • To this gentlemanly pastor we are indebted for this history, which appears in nearly its original form as written by him. GREIGSVILLE — PIFFARD. 419 The Elders in the Church are WilUam Fraser, L. F. Dow, and G. S. Casey. The church property is valued at $1,000. Greigsville. The two places of this name. North and South Greigsville, about a mile apart, are situated in the southern part of the town. These are small ham- lets and together contain two churches, the Methodist Episcopal and Free Methodist, post- office, one store, two blacksmith shops, (William Mann, Jr., Ranold Grant,) and a saw-mill owned by Doremus & Hodgson. Elisha Williams, the only merchant here, began business in October, 1880. The present postmaster is Francis Rice, who has held the office over twenty years. A hotel was kept here by Samuel Dorris about 1857- Of the two churches, the class of the Methodist Episcopal \)Zs,io\Ta^A'v\ 1817. Among the early members were Urania Tuttle, Elmira Orvis, Dian- tha Orvis, Saloma Orvis, and E. Slocum and wife. The church edifice was built in 1833. The mem- bership is small, and is presided over by Rev. Isaac Harris, pastor of the M. E. Church of Fow- lerville ; the pastors of the latter church having for years supplied the pulpit at Greigsville. The Free Methodist Church was organized about nineteen years ago. Among the earliest members were George Slack and wife, James Jones, Sylvia Tuttle, Sally Lynn, Mrs. Delana Slocum, WiUiam McBurney and wife. The church edifice was erected in 1873, under the pastorate of Rev. An- thony More. The first pastors were Revs. Asa Abell, Arnold Green and Thomas Cotton, who preached alternately. The present membership is twenty, presided over by Rev. George Coleman, who has preached here two years. The following have been pastors of this church : Revs. John A. Wilson, George Coleman, John Reddy, (dead,) Melvin Burritt, Wm. Cusick, O. O. Bacon, John Robinson, Anthony More, Nathaniel Brown, A. A. Burgess, I. C. White, John Robin- son, George Coleman, (1879-81). PiFFARD. The hamlet of Piffard* lies in the southeastern part of the town of York. It contains one church, * This place is often called Piflardinia, an unwarranted corruption of its proper name. one store, postoflSce, one hotel, blacksmith and wagon shop, (Reuben Mann,) a saw-mill, stave and barrel factory combined, and a population of about one hundred and fifty. The hamlet derives its name from David Pif- fard, who located here in 1824. The first house here was built about 1820 by Campbell Harris, who was then agent for John Brinton of Philadelphia, an extensive land owner in this vicinity. David Piffard,* who was born August 9, 1794, in the village of Pentonville, parish of Clerkenwell without, Middlesex county, England, came to America in December, 1822; remained a short time in New York city, and in 1824 came to this part of the Genesee Valley and purchased of John Brinton a tract of land of about six hundred acres, a portion of which is now the site of the hamlet bearing his name. The remaining portion of the Brinton estate was purchased by William H. Spencer, and was by him converted into one of the largest and best farms in the town of York. He died in 1850. The growth of this hamlet was due to the open- ing of the Genesee Valley canal, and to the public spirit of Mr. Piffard, who, in his eighty- seventh year, still resides here. The poEtoffice was established here some thirty- one or two years ago. The first postmaster was McPherson. Thepresentpostmaster is John R. Bangs, who was appointed in August, 1880. William H. VanValkenburg, the only merchant in this place, began business here in 1880. He was born in Geneseo, in February, 1836. The saw-mill, stave and barrel factory, is con- ducted by Kendall & Shattuck. The saw-mill was established here in i860, and the additional business of stave and barrel making was begun some six years ago. The erection of the hotel was commenced in 1835, and was completed in 1840 by D. Thomp- son, by whom it was kept as a tavern for a num- ber of years. It was afterwards kept by his sons, ElHs and Edward, then by Ray Russ in 1865, by Raymond and Rich in 1866, and then by Butler Brothers five years. The present proprietor is Harvey Butler, who eight years ago succeeded But- ler Brothers, and whose name the. hotel bears. The church edifice here was built in the year 1845. The Church was then under the care of the Al- bany Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church. The * See Biography and Portrait on another page. 420 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. first pastor was the Rev. John VanLiew, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Compton. About the year 1853, the church was removed from the care of the Albany Synod, and placed un- der the care of the Board of Missions of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wes- tern New York, and the Rev. Charles Ray was ap- pointed missionary in charge, remaining three years. From the time of Mr. Ray's resignation until May, 1881, the Rev. Mr. Ward, of Geneseo, has had the care of the parish, holding service every alternate week (with the exception of the time that he served as chaplain to the 104th Regi- ment during the RebelHon,) and he is held in great esteem by the people here for his faithful, constant, and earnest devotion to his missionary work in this place. Soldiers of the Rebellion. — The town of York furnished during the war of the Rebellion a large number of soldiers, but, like many other towns in the county, the war record required by the law of 1865 was never kept, and for the ap- pended list of those who fought in that war the historian has been compelled to depend on the memory of the citizens, and the surviving soldiers who enhsted from this town. The record, there- fore, is necessarily meagre. It is better to have recorded on the pages of history the few accessible names of those gallant defenders, than to permit all of them to pass into oblivion ; and so we give the following few but patriotic names, leaving it for the future to add others to this list of the heroes of Gettysburg, of the Wilderness, of Vicksburg and Bell Plain. ith N. V. Cava/ry.— Harry Robinson, enhsted in 1 86 1 in Company B. Reenhsted on the field in 1863 in same company and regiment, and served until close of the war. Now in Fowlerville. Henry Averill, Company B. ; died at Arlington Heights in August, 1861, and was buried there. Myron Averill, Company B, was discharged for inability in the spring of 1862. Now in Geneseo, N. Y. Thomas J. Robinson, Company B, reenlisted in 1863, was wounded at Black and White Station in 1864, and sent to headquarters in Washington where he remained until the close of the war. Now in Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, Mich. George Brown, Company M, served three years. Now in town of York. Hugh O'Hara, Company M, discharged for ina- bility at Bell Plain Landing in 1864. Now in York. Joseph McPherson,* Company M, killed at bat- tle of Raccoon Ford, Va., in 1863. Body brought home for interment. George Scott, Company M, was wounded at the battle of Beverly Ford, June 9, 1863 ; died of lock jaw soon after. Is buried in York. Daniel Calder, Company M, died at Bell Plain Landing in 1863. Is buried in York. William Patterson, Company M, served his period of enlistment. Now in Rochester, N. Y. Duane Powell, Company M, died at Bell Plain Landing in 1863. Is burieej in York. Clark White, Company F, was captured by the rebels and imprisoned in Andersonville. Was pa- roled and died on his way home in 1864, at Fort- ress Monroe, where he was buried. Robert Orr, Company M, killed near Fairfax Court House in 1863, and was buried on the field. John Hardin, Company M, enlisted in 1862, and served three years. Now in lona, Mich. Jonathan Macomber, Company M, killed on skirmish line in Western Virginia, in 1863. Andrew Scott, Company M. Now in Michigan. Phillip Wood, Company F. Served until close of the war. Now in Fowlerville. Roswell Root, Company M. Now in York. Other Regiments. — John E. Roberts, Sergeant, enlisted in 1861, in Company G, 104th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers. Was wounded at Gettysburg July 2. 1863, died twelve days thereafter, and lies buried in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. Captain James Gault, Company G, 104th Regi- ment, N. Y. Volunteers, enlisted in 1861, served through the war, and was afterwards provost-mar- shal in Buffalo. Wilham Francis Gibbons, corporal, enlisted in 1865, in Company D, 169th N. Y. State Volun- teers, and was discharged with regiment at the close of the war. Now in Fowlerville. Frank Hawley, corporal of the colors. Company E, 169th N. Y. State Volunteers. Now in Greigs- ville. Amos Hill, Company D, 169th N. Y State Vol- unteers, was discharged for inability in 1865. Dead. John Foster, drummer 104th Regiment. Died in Fowlerville three years ago. O. M. Bush, entered the naval service in 1862, aboard the gunboat ChiUicothe. Was in the Red River Expedition in 1863. Died in 1874, and is buried in the town of York. James Rockie, entered U. S. Navy in 1862, and served his time of enlistment. Now in the West. * Brother to Senator McPherson, of New Jersey. COLONEL ORANGE SACKETT— DAVID PIFFARD. 421 BlOGRAPHlCjlL SKETCHES. COLONEL ORANGE SACKETT. Homer Sackett, father of Orange, was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Conn., Aug. 6, 1765. In 1787 he was married to Sarah Carter, by whom he had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity. Col. Orange Sackett, who was the sixth child of this family, was born in Warren, Conn., April 21, 1796. Before reaching his majority, he went to Orange county, N. Y., where he taught school. From thence in 1816 he went to Canandaigua, Ontario county, continuing his labors as teacher, and there Dec. 5, 1822, married Amanda Minerva Sheldon, who still survives him. Soon after this they removed to Mendon, Monroe county, where Mr. Sackett embarked in the mercantile trade, and where their first child was born. They re- mained there but a short time, removing to Riga, in the same county, where he continued his busi- ness as a merchant for eight or nine years, and from thence in the year 1835, he removed his family to the farm purchased two years previously, and which they have occupied since, in the town of York, Livingston county. After an illness of only three weeks, Col. Sackett died at his residence March 10, 1877. He was full of energy and activity up to the date of his last sickness, overseeing and managing the affairs of his large farm of eight hundred acres. He was in many respects a remarkable man, and his success was as marked and signal as have been the triumphs of other noted men in wider fields of industry. Justly entitled to be classed with the pioneers of Western New York, he partook largely of the energy and industry characteristic of those early settlers, but to these were joined higher and nobler traits than are commonly found upon the border. He was the same warm-hearted, be- nevolent, urbane, christian gentleman, whether in the fields pursuing his daily vocations, or in the social circle. He never sought political honors. He was an active, influential and devout member of the First Congregational Church at Fowlerville, and leaves a bright and stainless record behind him. Although nearly eighty-one years of age it cannot be said that he had outlived his usefulness, for up to the time of his last sickness, there seemed to be little or no diminution either in his physical or mental activity and energy. Mr. Sackett left eight children ; there are also seventeen grand-children, and four great grand- children, and this four-fold family relationship was broken for the first time by the removal of its honored and venerable head. Mrs. Orange Sackett died October 17, 1880, after an illness of three weeks. DAVID PIFFARD. David Piffard was born Aug. 9, 1794, in the vil- lage of Pentonville, parish of Clerkenwell without, Middlesex Co., England, and was the son of David Piffard, who was the son of an old French Hugue- not family ; the elder David Piffard was born in 1768, and died in 1823. He was a wealthy banker on the Royal Exchange, and of him Rothschild said, " that Piffard was the greatest man on change." The mother of David Piffard, Jr., was Sarah Eyre, a lineal descendant of Joseph Eyre, an oflScer in the army of William the Conqueror at the time of the conquest. She was born in 1778 and died in 1815. David was the eldest son and second child of seven children, named as fol- lows: — Sarah, David, Anrre, Charles, Louisa, EHzabeth, and Guferard. In 1802, he went to France where he resided until 1813, when he returned to London with his parents. He received his education at Versailles and Paris, studying in connection with the usual course of study, the profession of architecture, and afterwards in Lon- don perfected himself in that profession. In December, 1822, he came to America with letters of introduction to LeRoy, Bayard & Co., with whom he remained one summer. In 1824 he came to the Genesee valley and there bought of John Brinton, of Philadelphia, a tract of land con- sisting of about six hundred acres, and part of which is now the site of the village bearing his name. In 1825 he married Ann Matilda, daughter of David L. Haight, of New York. Five children were the result of this union, all of whom are now living as follows: — David Haight, Sarah Eyre, Ann Matilda, Chas. Carroll, and Henry G. David Haight was married to Constance Theall, by whom he had four children, David Halsey, ' Nina Haight, Charlotte Ogilvie, and Emma Matilda. Henry G. now a noted physician of New York city, married Helen Hart, daughter of Gen. Wm. K. Strong, of that city. They also had four children, as follows: — Henry Haight, Helen Strong, Charles Halsey Haight, and Susan Far- nam. Since his settlement, Mr. Piffard has chiefly devoted himself to the care of his home farm and five thousand acres near Fhnt, Genesee county, Mich. In politics he was an old line Whig, and joined the Republican party at its formation in 1856, since when he has been a vigorous sup- porter of his party's measures, but has never looked for an office or allowed his name to be used in connection with one. He was a member of the first vestry of St. Michael's Parish, Gen- eseo, and was on the building committee for the first edifice of that parish. He was a man of rare intellectual attainments, and was thoroughly con- versant on almost any known subject. As a scholar and a scientist his knowledge of arts and the sciences was deep and far-reaching. He was among the first to accept the vibratory theory of sound and light. When it was advanced many years the men were born who were to accept it, 422 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. and which every school boy learns. Horticulture was a passion with him, and his garden was one of the finest in the county, and was always a source of great pride and pleasure with him. His probity of character was a proverb, and it was always said of him, in more honorable words than those of knighthood, that his word was always as good as his bond. His well-known hospitality was a distinguishing trait and every year found his house filled to overflowing with welcome guests. His wife was a woman of superior intelligence and culture, and one has truthfully said of her " that in those elements which con- stitute noble womanhood, she had no superior." Refined taste. Christian devotion, purity of pur- pose, and fidelity to Ufe's duties were marked and characteristic traits. ■ She ever regarded the poor, by whom she was surrounded, as having a claim upon her as, "the poor whom ye have always with you." During the late civil war her heart beat in sympathy with the volunteers in the North- ern army. Many a wounded and sick soldier, in camp or hospital, enjoyed those comforts pre- pared by her hands or purchased by her ever open purse, who never knew that he was indebted to a noble-hearted lady for this kindness. She died Oct. 14, 1878, leaving to her friends a history fragrant with precious memories. Mr. Piffard's memory is faithful to the many and varied ex- periences of his earlier life, and he delights in re- ferring to those younger histories which would fill volumes, of how he was in Paris during the siege of Montmartre, when the allies entered, and much more. He has been in France during three governments — the Consulate, the Empire, and Louis XVIII., and in England during the reigns of George III., and the Regency of the Prince of Wales, and afterdwards the reign of George IV., and in America under twelve elected Presidents, three of them holding two terms — and three Vice- Presidents who took the chair to complete the term of deceased Presidents. NIEL STEWART. Alexander Stewart, father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the Highlands of Scotland in the year 1778. When about thirty years of age he was married to Margaret McDougal of the same neighborhood in Scotland. About two years sub- sequently they emigrated to the United States, and m the year 18 10 settled in the town of York (then Caledonia). There he commenced Hfe anew, and by perseverance and manual labor made for 'him- self and family a home from the lands which at the time of his purchase was covered with a forest. He raised to maturity a family of six children— four sons and two daughters, all of whom, excepting the oldest son, are now living. Mr. Stewart died in February, 1845, and his wife survived him about sixteen years. Niel Stewart, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of York, July 12, 181 1. He was brought up on a farm and early learned those prin- ciples which constitute success — economy and in- dustry — and which are always to be found in every successful person's life. During the early part of his life Mr. Stewart lived at home, assisting on the farm, and attending the common school where he received a moderately good education, and after- wards attending for a time a select school at Cale- donia, preparatory to teaching school, which he af- terward did with great satisfaction to the district and credit to himself. When about twenty- three years of age he engaged with J. H. and E. S. Beach, millers at Rochester and Auburn, and such were his business qualifica- tions, that he was given full charge of their large warehouse and boats at York landing, on the Gene- see river, and continued as manager for six years, receiving five hundred dollars as salary the last year. He then located at the village of York and during three years following bought grain and wool on commission. He also engaged in the dry goods business with James McPherson. Severing that connection he afterwards engaged in a similar enterprise with E. Brown and Charles Stewart, he himself being postmaster at that time. Mr. Stew- art then commenced buying grain and wool on his own account, investing from time to time in real estate. Soon after this he severed all connection with the mercantile business, giving his full atten- tion to his grain and wool dealings, and looking af- ter his large farms containing some twelve hundred acres in the town of York. His business is not all confined to that town, for at Livonia Station he is sole owner of the Bank of Livonia, the bank building, a large wool warehouse, a large grain warehouse, and lumber yard, all under the man- agement of his son, Alexander N. Stewart. Mr. Stewart is without doubt the largest wool and grain dealer in the county. He has in his extensive business career met with several severe losses, hav- ing at one time lost over thirty thousand dollars, but no man ever lost a dollar through Niel Stewart. In politics Mr. Stewart was formerly a Whig but upon the organization of the Republican party joined it and has ever since adhered to its princi- ples with unswerving fidelity. He has held all the important offices of his town, having been town clerk, assessor, justice of the peace, and supervisor of his town three terms. March 12, 1840, Mr. Stewart was married to Jane, daughter of William and Jane Nichol, of York, by whom he had ten children, all of whom are now living as follows : — Maggie, married to Ho- mer McVean, of York ; Jennie, married to Geo. K. Whitney, of York; Eliza, married to John Sinclair, of Caledonia ; Ella, married to Edward C. Caldwell, of York ; Aggie H. wife of Geo. D. Smith, now of Rochester; Mary K. living at home ; Alexander N. living at Livonia Station ; Chas. N. merchant at York ; William N. living at home assisting on the farm, and Niel N. now attending the Normal school at Geneseo. r^^i'°IIMBIiBl SAflP. (S^©R©2g W, NIEL STEWART— WILLIAM ERASER— CAPT. GEORGE W. ROOT. 423 Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are members of the United Presbyterian church of York. Providence has granted Mr. Stewart the prayer of Agur in the Book of Proverbs, that he should have " neither great poverty or riches." He has had given to him a competence, a pleasant home, a faithful wife possessed of fine literary talents, duti- ful children, " troops of friends," and a contented spirit. His story illustrates the truth that God's blessing attends the path of uprightness, prudence and industry. His leading characteristics are great activity, strict integrity and a desire to be useful. He is of the better class of self-made men. Such men are pillars of society, and salt against the world's corruption. We may well desire long to keep them with us, and cannot easily over-esti- mate their worth. It is better to show them regard and reverence now, then to wait till they have been taken from our midst, and we have only their memories to honor. The supreme words to be written over this man's life, through all its social, rehgious and business relations are sterling fidelity. WILLIAM ERASER. WiUiam Eraser, the father of our subject, emi- grated from Badenach, Invernesshire, Scotland, in the fall of 1807. He went directly to Johns- town, Montgomery county, (now Eulton county,) about fifty miles west of Albany, where he re- mained three years, then came to the Genesee country, and in the year 18 10, settled in the town of York (then Caledonia,.) where he bought a farm, which he cleared and upon which he Uved till his death, in February, 1828. WiUiam Eraser, Jr., was born in Johnstown, Fulton county, June 11, 1808, and when about two years old moved with his parents to York where, when old enough, he assisted his father in clearing his land. He attended the schools of that early day until at the age of nineteen years, having a taste for other pursuits in life, he in 1827 entered the general merchandise store of David McDonald, of York. During these years, by strict economy, he was enabled to become a partner in the business with Mr. McDonald, the partnership continuing for two years when it was dissolved by mutual consent. In 1839, Mr. Eraser found an opening for a general merchandise store in the village of Fowlerville, and in the spring of the same year opened with a stock of dry goods. He has occupied the same store continuously since that time, having been the leading merchant of that village, and is now, without doubt, the oldest living merchant in the county, as he has conducted the mercantile business for more than half a cen- tury. He began his business career in a modest way, determined to succeed if energy, indomitable per- severance, and true business habits would win suc- cess. He now owns a most desirable farm about one mile from the village, and the fine building fronting on the two principal streets of the village, erected for his residence in 1849, and rebuilt, as it now appears in 1874, is one of the finest in the town. Mr. Eraser is a plain, unassuming man, having the full confidence of his fellow men, and now at the age of seventy-three years, retains an active mind and business ability apparently unim- paired. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and was a member of the church of Caledonia for over twenty-seven years. He joined the First Presby- terian Church of Eowlerville at its organization in 1878, and soon after was elected Elder of the same. In politics Mr. Eraser has always been a Demo- crat, his first vote for President being cast in 1828, for that ever memorable and great captain of in- dependence, Andrew Jackson. He was Post- master at Eowlerville for sixteen years, and in 1835 was appointed census taker. In December, 1839, Mr. Eraser married for his first wife, Isabelle, daughter of Donald G. and Margaret (Ferguson) Eraser, of York, by whom he had three children : — Helen Mar, Donald A., and Wm. Wallace. Mrs. Eraser died February 21, 1846. For his second wife Mr. Eraser was married to Ann, daughter of Elder Donald and Mary (Christie) Eraser, of Inverness, May 18, 1848. They had two children, viz. : — Simon W. and Mary Belle, the wife of Dr. G. H. Jones, of Medina, Orleans county, N. Y. The death of Mrs. Eraser occurred September i, 1873. CAPTAIN GEORGE W. ROOT. George W. Root was a son of Roswell and Pa- melia (Dickinson) Root, the former of whom was born in Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Mass., Nov. 29, 1759, and the latter Aug. 7, 1766. They were married April 21, 1785, and in the year 1822, Mr. Root with his family emigrated from his native State to the town of York, Livingston county, where he purchased a farm and located about a mile south of the village of York, and remained there till his death which occurred Jan. 27, 1827, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife survived him ten years and died March 22, 1837, aged seventy years. George W. Root was the youngest of a family of seven sons and two daughters, and was born in Pittsfield, Mass., June 8, 1808. He always lived at home with his parents, and with three of his bachelor brothers worked the farm, till at the death of one of the four, that one's share was divided between the remaining three, and so on till George W. being the last of the four brothers, paid off the other heirs and retained the land originally pur- chased by his father. To this he has added from time to time till at his death he was the possessor of about seven hundred acres. March 21, 1833, he married Eugenia Hurlburt, 424 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. daughter of Dr. Ulysses and Lucina Hurlburt, of York, formerly of Stockbridge, Mass. They had five children : — Mary D., who died when eleven years of age ; Daniel W., living at home ; Martha, at home ; Mary E., wife of Clarence Hodgman, of Lyons, Ionia county, Mich. ; and Julia A., wife of Moses Cowan, of York, Livingston county, N. Y. Although he was a far-seeing man, Mr. Root's investments did not at all times meet his ex- pectations. He had always been a public-spirited man, entering into public improvements for the supposed good of his town or county, and often with pecuniary losses to himself. He was a man of strong common sense, sanguine in his tempera- ment and hopeful that many of his early projects woLild yet succeed. He was president of the agri- cultural society of the county one year, and direc- tor since its organization. In politics Mr. Root was originally a Whig, but at the organization of the RepubUcan party he be- came one of its members and ardent supporters. He was elected Supervisor by his party eight con- secutive terms, and chairman six of those terms, and often the votes of the opposing party were cast in his favor. March 28, 1881, while attending to his duties at home he received a paralytic shock, and it was soon apparent to those who gathered at his bedside that his lamp of life was flickering, and as colors melt away into shades and tints and finally disappear, so his life passed away at the age of nearly seventy- three years. He was a kind husband, an indulgent father, a good neighbor and a warm friend. His life was one of unusual activity, and thoroughly identified with the history and business interests of his town and county. SAMUEL WARREN. Samuel Warren, was born in Litchfield, Herki- mer county, N. Y. Oct. 28, 1797. His father died when Samuel was but ten years old and he remained at home with his mother until he was nineteen years of age, when he concluded to try and better his condition in life by entering a new country. To this end he came to the Genesee Valley in 1816, and there engaged for one year in working on the farm for Mr. Asa Davis. The following winter he brought his mother there to live with him in the log- house he had erected on his farm of thirty-three acres purchased from his employer. He continued in the employ of Mr. Davis, grafting fruit trees in the surrounding county, and on his own land planted a vineyard from which he sold vines to different piarties and within a few years raised large quanti- ties of grapes from which he manufactured pure native wine. He made the first of that kind ever made in the county in 1832, in that year manu- facturing about twenty gallons, and in the year 1853 made over fifty-eight casks full. Previous to this in 1822, Mr. Warren built a saw mill, the first in the town, near where the feed an flour mill, known as Warren's mills, is now operate' by his son H. P. Warren. Nov. 30, 1826, he was married to Sarah, daugh ter of Eleazer and Elizabeth Flagg of Conwaj Franklin county, Massachusetts. Five childrei were born to them, three sons, and two daughters of whom three are still living, viz:— Josiah, no\ residing in Geneseo; H. P. occupying the ol( homestead in York ; and Mary Jane, now Mrs Alfred Burt, of Campbell, Ionia county, Mich Fidelia, who died Feb. 5, 185 1, had reached he twenty-fourth year, and was a young lady of ver] brilliant mind and highly educated. She ha( studied medicine in Syracuse and Rochester in th( Eclectic Medical College. After eleven years of intense suffering Mr. War ren died Sept. 14, 1862, in the sixty-fifth year 0: his age. He had long been deacon in the Con- gregational church at York, and a most exem- plary man, and efficient laborer in the Sundaj School, in which he was particularly interested. Being a true christian, during the long period oi his ill health, his friends or family never heard one repining word. In politics he was a Republican. A man of good taste, nice discrimination, sound judgment and extensive reading, he became deeply interested in the questions of the day and earnestly hoped that ours might become a free nation. He became so engaged in that noble desire that he willingly bade his son whom he loved, go fight for his coun- try, and the few days that he lived after the de- parture of his son, perfect resignation was manifest upon his brow. Just before he breathed his last, when asked by his eldest son if he had any fear, he replied, " 0, no ; my trust is in Jesus." Thus fearlessly and peacefully, on a quiet Sabbath afternoon, sur- rounded by all of his family, save one, the aged christian passed away from toil to triumph. Mrs. Warren who still survives her husband, is now in her eightieth year, and retains her mental powers to a remarkable degree. It is through the liberality of the sons, Josiah and H. P. Warren, that this portrait and sketch of their father are inserted in the pages of this work, a tribute to his memory. DAVID DONNAN. David Donnan, one of the representative farmers of Livingston county during more than half a century, was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1809. His father, Alexan- der Donnan, was a native of Galowayshire, Scot- land, and came to America the year after the in- dependence of our nation was declared. He set- tled in Amsterdam and there bought the farm on which the remainder of his days were spent. David remained at home with his parents until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father in the SAMPSia, WAmRSM. Photo, by Merrell, Genesee. Photo by Merrell, Geneseo. ©A'S'SiD bomma: DAVID DONN AN — SENATOR BLAKESLEE. 425 arduous duties of farming and acquiring such an education as he could obtain from the district schools of that day. Wishing to engage in business for himself, and having what seemed to him great wealth, he determined to visit the then famous Genesee country. Being pleased with the prospect which there presented itself, he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and twelve acres, and settled in the town of Leicester. Here he began to build for himself that high reputation as a farmer which he now holds, and from that time onward, has ever shown him- self competent to secure the end he had in view, and worthy the praise accorded him. He has added to his first purchase from time to time until now he is the owner of six hundred acres of the finest farming land in Leicester or York, which lies in part of both towns and is all in one body. Mr. Donnan was married to Jane Milroy, daugh- ter of James and Mary Milroy, who were natives "of Galowayshire, Scotland, and who settled in York at an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Donnan have been born two children: — John A., who married Agnes Shannon, of York, now. living at home; and Mary E., wife of Alexander McPher- son, of LeRoy, Genesee county, N. Y. Mr. Don- nan and his family are all conscientious adherents to the Presbyterian faith. In politics Mr. Donnan is a Republican, having joined that party at its formation, and he has always been an ardent supporter of that party's prin- ciples, but has never allowed his name to be used in connection with any office, preferring to let his large farming interests occupy his time. Mrs. Donnan was, like her husband, an ardent and consistent Christian, and was beloved by all who knew her for her true Christian virtues and kindness of heart. She died June 13, 1857. The husband who was thus deprived of his faithful as- sistant, is still living, in the seventy-second year of his age, and is able to conduct his business affairs with great promptness for one that has passed the alloted time, and he can say, what very few can, that in all of his business transactions through life he has never found it necessary or expedient to sue any person. SENATOR BLAKESLEE. Senator Blakeslee was born in Wallingford, New Haven county, Conn., March 25, 1 799. His father, Joseph Blakeslee, was a native of Connecticut. He could trace his lineage back to two brothers of English origin, who came to this country in that old " nest-egg of freedom," the Mayflower. His wife, Mary Andrews, was also a native of Connecti- cut. They had six children of whom Senator, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and he received more of an education than the average farmer's sons of those days, having attended a select school and an academy. When about twenty- one years of age he taught the school in his native town and district for two terms, receiving a remu- neration of ten dollars per month, and the last term the school consisted of one hundred scholars of whom he had the entire charge, there being no assistant. For six years he was a member of the Wallingford horse artillery of New Haven county, serving as a commissioned officer. Mr. Blakeslee remained at home, saving from his earnings about one hundred dollars each year, till twenty-six years of age, when he purchased a farm in Litchfield, Conn., and then married Sally Morse of Litchfield. They had six children, four of whoin are now hving : — Merancy, Lyman, and Joseph, are residing in Kalamazoo, Mich., and Sarah, now Mrs. Dodge of Oswego county, N. Y. Mrs. Blakeslee died after being married about fifteen years. Mr. Blakeslee continued to work his farm for eleven years, when he sold out and following in the footsteps of many before him, sought a farm in the West, but after spending quite a length of time in looking around he became somewhat discouraged, and decided to return east. He stopped at Chicago, which was then a mere hamlet, five days waiting for a boat and during that time was privileged in hearing the great orator, Daniel Webster, in one of the forts near there. This was in 1837, and on his way to Connecti- cut he called on some of his acquaintances who used every available means to persuade him to locate in Livingston county, but all in vain. He returned to WaUingford and in the fall of the same year carne to York where he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and commenced busi- ness on the principle, that a good farm like good stock must be well fed in order to meet the expec- tation of the owner. In a few years he added twenty-five acres to his first purchase, and then five more, making a total of one hundred and eighty acres, all in one body. In 1840, he was married to Lucy Hull, of Wal- lingford, Conn., by whom he had four children, three of whom are now living, viz : — Lucy, now Mrs. J. L. Dodge of Moscow ; Marietta, now Mrs. Geo. Green of Alder creek, Oneida county, and Henry K. married to Minnie Kellogg, of New Hartford, Oneida county, and residing on the homestead farm, and occupying the same house in which he was born. Mrs. Blakeslee died m 1865, and March nth, 1866, Mr. Blakeslee was again married to Lucy Kendall his present wife. Mr. Blakeslee built a beautiful residence with all the modern improvements, opposite the one he occupied so many years. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church, Mr. Blakes- lee having united with the same over sixty years ^^He has been director of the Genesee River bank, the Mt. Morris bank, and is now one of the direc- tors of the Genesee Valley National bank. He is also a Ufe member of the Livingston County Agn- 426 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. cultural Society, having united with that body at its organization. Mr. Blakeslee, now at the advanced age of eighty- two years is a genial, kind-hearted man, with many friends and respected by all who know him. WILLIAM CRAIG. William Craig was born in Dumfriesshire, parish of Hollywood, Scotland, in 1797. His parents were James and Agnes (Reed) Craig. They had eight children, of whom WiUiam was the second son. When nine years of age he began working dur- ing the summer months for the farmers of his native heath, and remaining at home winters and attend- ing the district school. His parents took his earnings till he was nineteen years of age, when he emigrated to this country where he had an uncle in Amsterdam, Montgomery county, N. Y. Having a great taste for mechanical work he concluded to become a carpenter and joiner, and engaged his services as an apprentice to Ezra Loomis. In 182 1, about the time that he finished his trade, a brother of Mr. Loomis' residing in Roch- ester, engaged him to come there and assist him in erecting the Monroe county jail and a house for the sheriff. Feb. 14, 1822, Mr. Craig was united in marriage with Jape Stewart, of Amsterdam, and in 1823 came to the town of York and bought the fifty acres of land where he now lives. Here he re- sumed work at his trade, and such was his repu- tation as a builder that he sometimes had fourteen carpenters working at one time under his direc- tions. He continued this business until 1838, and adding to his fifty acres, till now he is the owner of three hundred and six acres of as good land as the county contains. He has four children, as follows: — James W., born Nov. 8, 1825, married Sarah J. Butterfield, is now a physician in Churchville, Monroe county, N. Y.; Elizabeth, born Sept. 9, 1827, married William Wilson, of York, and died July 24, 1868 ; Agnes Reid, born in July, 1829, is the wife of John McMartin, of York; and Duncan Stewart, born June 14, 1831, married Elizabeth Walker, of York. Mr. Craig is a member of the United Presby- terian church of York. In politics he is a Republican, having joined that party at its formation, and has been Assessor for his town and Highway Commissioner several years. He is now about eighty-four years of age, and can look back upon a life of toil and pleasure intermingled, and feel that though many years have passed he does not regret them, but placing entire confidence in the Ruler of the Universe, looks cheerfully forward to the future. It is the wish of his many friends and acquaintances that he may yet be spared to them many years to come. CHAPTER XXIX. History of the Town of Avon. AVON the central town upon the north borde of the county is bounded upon the north b the town of Rush (Monroe county,) upon the eas by Lima, upon the south by Livonia and Genesee and upon the west by York and Caledonia. It ha an area of 24,891 acres, and contained a popula tionin 1875 of 3,325. The surface of the town consists mostly of rollin] uplands while a small portion lies on the flats the Genesee. The soil of the uplands consist mostly of a gravelly loam intermixed in places witl clay making valuable wheat land. The assesse( value of farm lands in this town is the highest any in the county, thus sufficiently attesting no only the fertility of the soil but the high state cultivation that it has been brought under. The principal streams of the town are the Gene see river which forms its western boundary an( the Conesus outlet which flows through the south western portions of the town furnishing valuabl water power at several places in its course befon it loses itself in the Genesee. Avon was organized under an Act dated Jan 27, 1789, by the name of Hartford, which wai changed to Avon, in 1808. The name of Hartfon was derived from that of Hartford, Conn., and th( present one was taken from that of a town in Hart ford county. Conn. It originally comprised thi town of Rush, Monroe county, but the latter towi was set off in 18 18. Gilbert R. Berry was the first permanent settler coming in the spring of 1789. Dr. Timothy Hos mer and Isaiah Thompson were the next settlers and came in 1790, and were followed very soon b; John Ganson, Benjamin, John, Jesse, Joseph an( David Pierson, brothers, Josiah Waters, Johi Beach, Stephen Rogers, Gad. Wadsworth, Pantry J Moore, Joseph Rathbone and Gideon Dunham and later by the Wiards, Bensons, Johnsons, Chap pells. Chapels, Bonds, Riggs, Hendees, Millers Demings, Littles, Todds, Pecks, Beckwiths am others mostly from Connecticut.* The first permanent settler in the town wa Gilbert R. Berry, who came in the spring of 1789 He was a prominent character in the town up ti the time of his death which occurred in 1797. H was from Albany, and married the daughter of th early Indian trader, Wemple. * From Address of Hon. A. A. Hendee, of Avon, before the Livingstc County Pioneer Association Aug. 15, 1878. Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo. •Jt2al,aAM C®.ii.lS» AVON — EARLY SETTLERS. 427 William Rice was at Avon in the same year, and must have settled there soon after Mr. Berry. Morgan and William Desha were upon the "Desha Flats," as early as 1789, claiming under an Indian grant ; but the title failing, they re- moved to Canada. There were there in that year, besides, several heads of famiHes, who are supposed not to have been permanent settlers. The son of the Wm. Rice named above, was the first born upon the Phelps and Gcrham Pur- chase. He was named " Oliver Phelps Rice.'' Judge Phelps gave him an 100 acres of land in Livonia, which he occupied when he became of age. Gilbert R. Berry being engaged in the Indian trade, located first at Geneva, and in 1789, re- moved to the Genesee river, erected a log-house on the west side of the river, near the present bridge, opened a trade with the Indian village of Canawangus, established a ferry, and entertained the few travelers that passed through on the old Niagara trail. He died in 1796 or 1797, and was succeeded by his widow. The Holland Purchase being opened for settlement soon afterwards, the " Widow Berry's " tavern was widely known in all early years west of the river ; and beside furnish- ing a comfortable resting place for early pioneers in her primitive tavern, some of the best wives and mothers of the Genesee country were reared and fitted for the duties of life. Her daughters be- came the wives of George Hosmer, Esq., of Avon, E. Clark Hickox, the early merchant of Batavia and Buffalo, John Mastick, Esq., the pioneer lawyer of Rochester, and George A. Tiffany, whose father was one of the early printers of Can- andaigua. In 1795 the Duke de Liancourt, a French noble- man who visited this county in that year says : " At Canawangus, though there were but few in- habitants, I found one of the best inns I have seen for some time past. It was kept by a good civil man named Gilbert R. Berry. Capt. John Ganson was the pioneer settler fol- lowing Mr. Berry. Holding a commission in the Revolutionary war, he had accompanied the ex- pedition of Gen. Sullivan. Before the treaty was concluded in 1788, he revisited the country, and selected a fine tract of land on the river, about two miles below Avon. His sons, John and James, passed the winter of 1788-89 in a cabin upon the premises ; and the father and family came on in the fall of 1789. During the following winter they erected a rude "tub-mill" on the small stream I that runs into the river on the Markham farm. It was a small log building ; no boards could be had ; the curb was made of hewed plank ; the spindle was made by straightening out a section of a cart tire ; the stones were roughly carved out of native rock. There was no bolt, the substitute being hand sieves, made of splints. It was a rude, primitive concern ; but it would mash the corn a little better than a wooden mortar and pestle, and was quite an acquisition to the country. It pre- ceded the Allen mill a few months, and if we shall call it a mill, it was the first in the Genesee Valley. Capt. Ganson had claimed title either under the Indian grant, or under the lessees, which failed, and Col. Wm. Markham became his successor. He resided for several years afterwards four miles east of Avon, on the main road. As early as 1788, about the period of the commencement of surveys upon the Holland Purchase, Capt. Ganson had pushed on to the west side of the river, and purchased the pioneer tavern stand of Charles Wilbur, on the then verge of civilization, one mile east of the present village of LeRoy. In this location he was widely known in early years. His house was the home of early land agents, surveyors, explorers and pioneer settlers. He was both loved and feared by the Indians; they came to him for counsel and advice ; when they became turbulent in their drunken frolics and threatened outrage, he would quell them by his determined will, or with his strong arm. Township 10, Range 7, (Avon,) was sold by Mr. Phelps to Wadsworth, Lewis & Co. Those inter- ested in the purchase were : — WilUam Wadsworth, of Farmington, Conn., (a cousin of James and William,) Wells, of Hartford, Isaiah Thomp- son, Timothy Hosmer, and Lewis. The price paid was is 6d., New England currency per acre ; a high price at the period, in consequence of the large amount of open flats. Dr. Hosmer and Thompson were the only ones of the proprie- tors who became residents. Major Thompson, who had not brought his family, died the first sea- son, of bihous fever. His son Charles afterwards became a resident, and died in Avon many years since. Dr. Timothy Hosmer was a native of West Hartford, Conn. With a little more than an ordi- nary academical education, he became a student of medicine with Dr. Dickinson, of Middleton. But recently settled in practice in Farmington, at the breaking out of the Revolution, he entered the service of the colonies as a surgeon, in the Con- 428 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. necticut line. Serving in that capacity through the eventful crisis, he retired happy in the recollection of its glorious result, but like most of those who had helped to achieve it, he was poor and penni- less, with a growing family dependent on his pro- fessional services for support. In the army he had acquired a high reputation in his profession, es- pecially for his successful treatment of the small- pox at Danbury, where an army hospital had been established for patients. The discovery of Jenner, having been but recently promulgated in Europe, its efficacy was a mooted question ; with a profes- sional boldness which was characteristic of the man, he espoused the new discovery, and used it with great success. Personally acquainted with Mr. Phelps, and hearing of his purchase in the Genesee country, partly from a love of adventure and new enterprise, and partly to escape from a large practice, that was requiring too much of constant toil, in 1790, he visited this region in company with Maj. Thomp- son, with whom, for themselves and associates, he made the purchase of a township, spending the summer of 1790 in Avon and erecting a log house, (the first dwelling on the present site of Avon,) where Mr. Merrill's house afterwards stood. His whole family joined him in 1792. Coming into the wilderness, with other objects in view, he was forced by necessity^ — ^by the absence of others of his profession, to engage in practice, which he con- tinued until relieved by others. The Indians early learned to appreciate his pro- fessional skill and personal good offices. They named him " At-ta-gus," the healer of disease. In a period of doubt as to their relations with the new settlers, he helped to reconcile them and avert a threatened danger. When Ontario was organized he became one of its judges, and succeeded Mr. Phelps as First Judge, which office he held until he was sixty years of age, the constitutional limitation. He possessed nat- urally a fine literary taste; and his well selected library was an anomaly in the backwoods. In his correspondence with Messrs. Wadsworth and Wil- liamson, there are indications of the scholar the poet, and always of ardent, enhghtened patriotism. He died in November, 1 815,. aged 70 years. Among his sons, most of whom came to the country as junior pioneers, may be mentioned William T., and George, of Avon, who in early years occupied a conspicuous position at the bar of Western New York, and who was the father of Wm. H. C. Hos- mer, the author of "Yonnondio," "Themes of Song," and other poems; who is justly entitled t( the position that has been awarded him in the fron rank of American scholars and poets. Geo. Hosmer pursued his early studies unde the tuition of the Rev. Ebenezer Johnson, of Lima in 1799 entered the law office of Hon. Nathanie W. Howell, as a student; and in 1S02 was admit ted to practice, opening his office in Avon, thet the only lawyer west of Canandaigua. In the wa of 181 2 he was upon the frontier as the aid of Gen Hall. He died in Chicago in March, 1861. Timothy, the early and widely known landlorc at Avon, afterward resided at the Four Mile creek near Fort Niagara; Sylvester, in Caledonia; Alben in Hartland, Niagara county. Frederick Hosmer, deceased, was a son of Judge Hosmer. He was the first merchant at Avon. Colonel William Markham, who had first settled at Bloomfield, moved to Avon in 1 790. In Bloom- field he had purchased a hundred acres of land, and paid for it with the proceeds of one acre ol potatoes. With the proceeds of that land, he pur- chased and paid for the fine farm on the river, af terwards owned by his son, Guy Markham, which has rented for $1,000 per year. He died in 1827 or 1828. Gad Wadsworth was a distant connection of James and WiUiam, and came in with them in their primitive advent in 1790, in care, personally, of the stock. James and William having become, by purchase from first hands, land proprietors in Avon, he settled there in 1792, his farm being what was afterward the farms of his son, Henry Wads- worth, and Asa Nowlen, upon which are the Avon springs. He died soon after 1820, aged nearly 80 years. Another son of his, Richard, inhabited that part of the farm upon which the springs are situated, and sold to Mr. Nowlen. He emigrated to Sandusky. Major Isaac Smith was the early and widely known landlord, four miles west of the river, com- mencing there as early as 1800. Under his roof, a large proportion of the pioneers west of the river, have found rest and refreshment. The next landlord at Avon, after Gilbert R. Berry, was Nathan Perry. He built a framed house, north side of the square, on the site occu- pied by the dwelling of Mr. Curtiss Hawley. Perry emigrated to the Connecticut Reserve, and was succeeded by Sidney Hosmer, who made additions to the house. In 1806 James Wadsworth built the hotel on the corner, and soon after sold it to Sid- ney and W. T. Hosmer, after which it was long j^ESIDENCE AND StoCK jpAE^^M OF F^ || ^ \ VSON, fivoN, Livingston Pounty, N. Y, AVON— EARLY SETTLERS. 429 known as the Hosmer Stand. During the war of 181 2, and for many years after, it was kept by Timothy Hosmer. The first school-house was a log one, erected a little north of the Episcopal church. Judge Hos- mer and the Wadsworths built saw mills on the Conesus as early as 1796. The first meetings were held in the log school-house, — Judge Hosmer usu- ally reading the Episcopal service. Mr. Crane, an Episcopal clergyman, and Rev. Samuel J. Mills, were early itinerant ministers. Jehiel Kelsey was another of the early pioneers of Avon. In 1 798 he brought the first cargo of salt that came from Onondaga by water, and around the portage at Genesee Falls. He paid for each bushel of salt a pound of pork, and sold his salt at $10 per barrel. In 1805, a library was established at Avon. The trustees were : — A. Sidney Hosmer, Job Pierce, Joshua Lovejoy, Jehiel Kelsey, Elkanah Whitney, James Lawrence, William Markham, George Hos- mer, Stephen Rodgers. In 1810 "a number of persons being stated hearers of Rev. John F. Bliss, of Avon," met and organized the "Avon Religious Society." Samuel Bliss and Asa Clark presided. Trustees :— John Pierson, George Hosmer, Nathaniel Bancroft, John Brown, Ezekiel Mosely, William Markham. James Hosmer was a prominent citizen of Avon. He was born in Montville, now New London, Conn., Sept. 13, 1799, and came to Avon with his parents, Graves and Amy Hosmer, in 1801. He resided in the tov/n of Avon continuously from that time until his death, which took place May 11, 1880. His father, Graves Hosmer, enlisted on board of the Continental frigate Trumbull as midshipman, in 1779, when it was lying in the port of New Lon- don. In the spring of 1780, the frigate sailed, and in the month of June fell in with the British ship Wasp. In the conflict that ensued, Mr. Hosmer was in command of eight men in the main-top all of whom were either killed or wounded, with the exception of himself. He only served one year. He was a native of Middletown, Conn. Charles Kellogg came from Colchester, Conn., in 1810 and settled in the town of Geneseo. His family consisted of nine children, all born in Con- necticut. His daughter Mary was born in Octo- ber, 1800, and in 181 8 she moved to the farm just^ north of the cemetery at South Avon, where she still resides. Benjamin Deming was an important addition to the early pioneers. He located in the neighbor- hood of South Avon about 1806. Major Scott was another early settler in this section of the town and bought a large farm. None of his descend- ants are now here. Hermann Ladd settled a short distance west of East Avon, as early as 1 806, and died there. War- ren Ladd is a son of his. Pantry J. Moore settled upon the hill just east of Avon, previous to 1802. Chandler Pearson was one of the first settlers at East Avon, and was an early merchant there. Job Pierce came to Avon village as early as 1801. Josiah Waters lived about one mile south of Avon, and settled there as early as 1805. He had located previous to this on a lot three- fourths of a mile east of East Avon, but not liking the land moved in 1805. Mrs. John Hall is a daughter of his. Among his children were Truman and Ed- ward, both dead. Edward Waters his brother, set- tled about one and three-fourths miles east of East Avon, as early as 1805, and died upon the same place. He had a large family all of whom are gone. John P. Whaley is another of the early pioneers whose name has been made historical through its connection with the records of the past. One of the progenitors of this family, Edward Whalley, was born in 1615, in Northamptonshire, England. When the contest between Charles II. and his Parliament arose he sided with the latter, and was one of the fifty-nine who signed the King's death warrant. At the Restoration he was obliged to flee for the safety of his life, and came to New England, where he arrived July 27, 1660. Edward A. was a son of John P. Whaley, and was born Jan. 17, 1786, in Berkshire county, Mass. Charles E. who now resides in Avon, is a son of Edward and was born in this town Nov. 14, 1825. John P. settled in Avon in 1805. A Mr. Barrows settled about three-fourths of a mile north-east of Avon, about 1800. Captain James Austin married one of his daughters. Ephraim Hen dee moved to the town of Avon, in October, 1810. His children were Hannah P., af- terwards Mrs. Jonas Howe ; Amy Lovisa, who mar- ried Hiram Pierson ; Worthy L., who moved to Michigan; Ruby OrviUa, who married a Mr. Ran- som, (now dead;) Churchill, born Jan. 15, 1812, in Michigan, and the Honorable A. A., now dead. John Barnard located near the old ferry on the old State road as early as 1806. The Pierson— or Pearson as some of the mem- bers spell it-family consisting of Benjamin, John, Jesse Joseph and David, brothers, settled a little 43° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. east of East Avon, on the State road as early as 1797. Hiram Pearson is a son of Jesse Pearson, and was born September 21, 1805. His father set- tled upon lot 68. Ira Pearson was born in 1793, and was brought to this town with his parents who settled upon lot 113. He died in Feb. 9, 1850. S. B. Pearson is a son of Ira's, and was born Octo- ber 22, 18 15. Joseph Pierson was born in Ellington, Conn., April 15, 1767. At the age of twenty-one he emigrated to Schenectady county, where he was married to Sarah Watrous. July, 1 797, he re- moved with his family to Avon. Of his nine children only four are living :— Catherine, Wealthy, Frederick B. and Bradley M. Mr. Pierson died Dec. 10, 1843, and his wife, Sept. 17, t8io. Frederick B. has acquired no little notoriety for the excellence of his stock farm and for his efforts to improve the quality of the live stock of the county. Horses reared upon his farm have not been regarded unfit gifts for two Presidents of the United States. There came to the Genesee country with Messrs. Fitzhugh, Rochester and Carroll, or at about the same time, Col. Jonas Hogmire, of Washington county, Md., and William Beal and John Wilson, of Frederick county, Md. Col. Hogmire purchased of Mr. Wadsworth, on the river, in Avon, 1,500 acres of land, upon which his sons, Conrad and Samuel Hogmire, afterwards re- sided. The father never emigrated. Austin Hog- mire, who resides near South Avon, is a son of Conrad's, and was born in Avon, April 11, 1820. Thomas Wiard came in 1802 from Waterbury, Conn., and settled in Geneseo. He had purchased his farm of the Wadsworths before coming, and was to have the privilege of selecting his land from among any of their vast possessions in the Genesee country, which at that time comprised nearly all of this section. Owing to a subsequent difficulty arising from political discussions, he experienced considerable trouble in locating his land, but finally located in 1805 upon the tract occupied the year before by Josiah Waters, and upon which the latter had built a log-house. Four of his children: — WilHam, Seth, Margaretany, and Rachel E., were born in Connecticut, and came in with him. Henry, George, Thomas, Matthew, Caroline and Mary Ann, were born after his settlement here. Upon his removal to Avon he carried on farming, backsmithing, and the manufacture of plows. He was the first Supervisor of the town of Avon, holding that office in 1821, 1822, 1829, 1830 and 1835. He died 1837. Of his children : — Seth, Thomas, Mattli and Henry in East Avon, and Mary Ann, Michigan, are the only ones living. Seth marr Acsah Dayton ; Thomas married Almira E. Aid man; Matthew is unmarried and Henry marr Caroline Palmer. Matthew was born Sept. 1813. From 1852 till 1870, he was largely engaj in the manufacture of the Wiard Plow. He v Supervisor in 1858, 1859, i860, and 1876, a was Member of Assembly in i86i and 1862. Deacon Hinds Chamberlain came to Avon 1790. He afterward moved to LeRoy, Genes county. Col. Abner Morgan, athough not one of the fi settlers, on account of his prominence, is worthy mention. His collegiate education was obtain at Harvard College, from where he was graduat in 1763. He left his home in Brimfield, Mas where he was engaged in the practice of law, T775, and accepted, at Cambridgeport, Mass., t commission of Major and Adjutant in the fii regiment of Continental troops raised in the war the Revolution. Nehemiah Porter was the colom This regiment formed part of the force with whii General Arnold joined Montgomery before Qu bee. When Montgomery was killed, Arnold tO( his place, and upon his being disabled, Maji Morgan assumed command of the " forlorn hop* and led the last and final attack the morning Jan. I St, 1776, which was repulsed by overwhelr ing numbers.* Colonel Morgan came to Avon in 1828, anddii there in December, 1837, at the extraordinary a| of 100. Mrs. Salisbury, the widow of Dr. Samu Salisbury, of Avon, now residing in Rochester, is daughter of his. At a census of Avon, taken by General Am Hall, in 1790, the town contained a population ten famiUes, sixty-six persons. The first bridge was built across the Genesee Avon, in 1803 or 1804. The earliest records attainable bear date of Ap 7, 1797, at which time Ebenezer Merry wasSupi visor, Wm. Hosmer, Town Clerk, and Timot Hosmer and Gad Wadsworth Commissioners Highways. In 1798 the following names appe upon the records : Ebenezer Merry, Supervise Wm. Hosmer, Town Clerk; John Beach, Jo Hinman, John Pearson, Assessors; Stephen Re ers, Josiah Wadsworth, John Markham, Comm * Irving's "Washington" vol. xxiv page 148 inadvertently confou Major Morgan with Captain afterwards General Daniel Morgan. 0U c!^^^S^Ct^a\ /h,cuo^ Matthew Wiard, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Avon, Livingston county, Sept. 8, 1813. He is the fourth son of Thomas Wiard, who came from Waterbury, Conn., about the year 1802,;and located at Geneseo, where he commenced farming and afterwards carried on blacksmithing in the village. After remaining there two years he purchased a farm in the town of Avon, to which he removed, and carried on farming, black- smithing and the manufacture of plows. He was the first Supervisor of the town of Avon, performing the duties of that office in the years 1821, '22, '29, '30 and '35, and was also Justice of the Peace for many years. His first wife was Susan Hall, a native of Waterbury, Conn., by whom he had ten children, as follows: Wil- liam, (deceased,) Margaretany, (deceased,; Seth,KachelE., (deceased,) Thomas, Mary Ann, Caroline, (deceased,) Matthew, Henry and George, (deceased.) His second wife was Nancy Gansen, of Genesee county, by whom he had three children, viz.: Nancy J., Louisa, (deceased,) and Elizabeth. He died in 1837, at the age of 67 years. Matthew lived at home, working on the farm and at- tending the district school — the only advantage for an education he ever enjoyed — until about twenty-two years of age, when he and his elder brother, Thomas, took the hotel at East Avon, which had been kept for many years previously by William T. Hosmer, one of the early set- tlers in the town. He continued there until about the yearl8.')2, when he sold the house— having purchased it after his father's death — and engaged in the manufacture of plows, then and now known as the "Wiard Plow,"and which obtained n world-wide fame for its superior excel- lence. The plow now manufactured in Syracuse, and known as the "Syracuse Chilled Plow," is an outgrowth of the Wiard Plow, and was first made from a set of pat- terns sold by Matthew Wiard to John S. Robinson, of Canandaigua. Mr. Wiard sold out his interest in 1870, and about 1876 the manufactory was removed to Batavia, N. Y. Mr. Wiard has since followed farming in a small way and speculating in real estate, but considers himself as retired from active business. He has been elected to many of the offices in the gift of the people of his town and county. He was Supervisor in 18i58, T)!), '60 aud '76. In 1861 and '62 he represented his county in the State Legislature, has been Justice of the Peace nearly twenty years, holding that office at the present time, and has been Notary PubUc about ten years. In politics Mr. Wiard was an old line Whig until the Eepubliean party was formed, with which he united and has given an in- telligent and firm support to its principles and measures. During the late war he was one of the first enrolling officers appointed for the town of Avon by the Governor. He is a staunch and true friend to those who prove them- selves worthy. By a lifeof industry and honest dealing he has secured a competence, and it is agreed by all who know him that in their social and business relations with him they have ever found him a man of sterling fidelity. AVON— TOWN OFFICERS. 431 sioners of Highways ; John Pearson, Wm. Mark- ham, Overseers of P9or, and John Mack, Constable. At the "Anniversary" election held April 30, 1801, Stephen Van Rensselaer received forty-one votes for Governor, and James Watson fifty-six votes for Lieut.-Governor ; Ebenezer Merry, Job Pierce, John Hinman, John Beach and Ransom Smith were Inspectors of Election. The following persons have held the office of Supervisor and Town Clerk since 1802 :— Supervisors. Town 'Clerks. 1802. Ebenezer Merry. Wm. Hosmer. 1803-7 do do Chas. Little. 1808-9.* Wm. Markham. do do 1810. Chas. Little. Bradley Martin. iSii. Thomas Wiard. Matthew Hanna. 1812. Wm. Markham. Bradley Martin. 1813. Asa Nowlen. do do 1814. Wm. Markham. Asa Nowlen. 18 1 5. Thomas Wiard. do do i8i6-i7.tWm. Markham. do do 1818. Asa Bishop. do do 1819-20. do do Augustus A. Bennett. 1821. Thomas Wiard. Asa Nowlen. 1822. do do A. A. Bennett. 1823. Asa Nowlen. Hervey Brown. 1824. do do Emanuel Case. 1825-26. do do David Firman. 1827-28. Wm. J. Hosmer. do do 1829. Thomas Wiard. do do 1830. do do Matthew P. Thomas. 1 83 1. David Firman. do do 1832. Tabor Ward. C. D. W. Gibson. 1833. do do M. P. Thomas. 1834. Wm. T. Hosmer. do do 1835. Thomas Wiard. do do 1836-37. Curtiss Hawley. L. W. Beecher. 1838-40. M. P. Thomas. do do 1841. Richard Torrence. do do 1842. Thomas Wiard. Peyton R. Morgan. 1843. Lewis Chandler. Clark K. Estes. 1844. do do M. P. Thomas. 1845. Thomas Wiard. Isaac Wells. 1846. Aaron Barber. Hugh Cameron. 1847. Amos Dann. Wm. A. Firman. 1848. Wm. C. Hawley. do do 1649. Norman Chappell. H. S. Firman. 1850. do do V. P. Whitbeck. 1851. Curtiss Hawley. Chas. A. Simonds. 1852. Chas. L. Shepard. Volkert P. Whitbeck. 1853-54. N. Chappell. Calvin Knowles. 1855. do do Stephen Hosmer. 1856. W. C. Hawley. do do 1857. C. L. Shepard. John Watkins. 1858. Matthew Wiard. do do 1859-60. do do Wilson D. Palmer. 1861. Hiram B. Smith. do do 1862. do do John Sabin. 1863. Russell Beckwith. Solon Watkins. 1864. do do Francis J. Hedenberg * Avon erected from Hartford, t Rush set off in April 1817. H. H. Isham. Samuel Churchill. Elias H. Davis, do do H. E. VanZandt. do do do do do do do do 1865. James Hosmer. 1866-68. Geo. W. Swan. 1869-70. C. H. Marsh. 187 1. Homer Sackett. 1872-74. Geo. D. Dooer. 1875. do do 1876. Matthew Wiard. 1877. Geo. D. Dooer. 1878. Aaron Barber. i879*-8o.W. S. Newman. The following is the present list of officers : — Supervisor, Joseph A. Dana ; Town Clerk, Henry E. VanZandt; Justiceof the Peace, Calvin Knowles, full term ; Justice of the Peace, Samuel L. Harned, vacancy ; Highway Commissioner, E. H. Clark ; Assessors, Charles E. Whaley, W. P. Low, C. Lan- don ■ Overseer of the Poor, William B. Calvert ; Collector, H. McKinney; Constables, Edward B. Reed, Jason B. Benedict, A. O'Neill, Benjamin G. Nixon, William Pierce ; Game Constable, Milton C. Smedley ; Excise Commissioners, J. E. Jenks, Wm. Clendening, John Klett ; Inspectors of Elec- tion, Dist. No. I, Underbill D. Torrance, Henry Wiard ; Dist. No. 2, Charles P. Quick, W. W. Hodgmire. The following miscellaneous items are taken from the town records : — In 1802 Zephania Beach, Josiah Rathbone, Gid- eon Dunham and Wm. Poor were Pathmasters. The town expenses for the year 1802 were $8.00. In 1814 the first appropriation was made for a common school fund. In 1 8 2 o there were fourteen school districts and six hundred and fifty-four scholars. The amount of pubHc school moneys distributed was $269.22. In 1833 12^ cents bounty was paid for each crow killed in the town, which bounty was increased to 25 cents in 1835. The total number of votes cast November 2, 3 and 4. 1840, was for the Whig candidate 394, and for the Van Buren candidate 199. In 1841, Robert McLaughlin and Stephen S. Briggs were the only persons voting the Abolition ticket. Certificate of Freedom:— This may certify that it hath been made to appear to my satisfac- tion that OHver Payne, a black man, is free ac- cording to the laws of the State of New York; that said Oliver is of the age of forty-one years ; that the place of his birth is the town of Grafton, State of Massachusetts ; that he became free by virtue of an Act of the Legislature of said State for abohsh- ing slavery in said State, passed more than twenty years ago; and that said Oliver is about six feet in height, slender built. Witness my hand this 27th day of April, 1815. ■^ Mathew Warner. One of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Ontario County. » Elected for two years. 432 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Slave Certificate: — I hereby certify that Dion, a black woman, is aged about 33 years, her son Henry was born Oct., 1815, her son Robert was born July 28, 1817. All of the above names are slaves of mine till their times shall severally ex- pire agreeable to the laws of this State. Avon, 8 Nov., 18 17. Jeremiah Riggs. War Record : — The part that Avon took in the great interneciary struggle that was precipitated upon the country in 1861, will in all probability never be fully told, as no records were ever kept to portray in living colors the noble services of her sons upon the field, or their sufferings within the prison-pens of the enemy. The following. is all that appears in the records of the town, and is but a brief epitome of the support given by those at home to their brave townsmen who had gone or who were to go to the defense of their country. The first resolution appearing in the town records relative to the war bears date of Aug. 18, 1863, and is as follows : — " Resolved, That the sum of Two Dollars per week be appropriated to the indigent wife of any volunteer or drafted man, who is now or may be hereafter called into the service of the United States from this town with the additional sum of fifty cents per week, for each child of such family who has not arrived to an age sufficient for its own support." Three hundred dollars were voted to be raised for this, and Nov. 5, 1863, it was resolved that one thousand dollars be raised for the same purpose. April 5, 1864, it was "Resolved, That $r,22i be assessed upon the taxable property of the town of Avon for the pur- pose of paying the extra bounty pledged to volun- teers, and other expenses pertaining thereto." At a special town meeting held at the house of I. R. Newman, East Avon, Aug. 20, 1864, of which John L. Burleigh, was chairman, the fol- lowing resolution drawn by Matthew Wiard, Rus- sell Beckwith, Wm. E. Hall, James Hosmer and Josiah Brooks, was adopted: — "Resolved, That the clerk of this town be authorized to issue the bonds of this town, bearing annual interest of seven per cent., borrowing money thereon to pay each volunteer who shall be mustered into the U. S. service for three years and credited to this town, four hundred dollars in ad- dition to all other bounties, and two hundred dol- lars for one year, ****** said bonds to be payable in five years, in five annual instal- ments." Sept. 8, 1864, the following resolution was adopted unanimously : — "Resolved, That the Supervisor of the town of Avon is hereby authorized to pay in cash or bon< of Livingston county, one thousand dollars to eac recruit or person who has furnished and caused 1 be mustered into the military service of the Unite States, a substitute under the last call of tl President for five hundred thousand men, provide that such recruits or substitutes are credited upc the quota of Avon." February 14, 1865, the following resolution wi adopted : — "Resolved, That there be assessed and coUecte upon the taxable property of the town of Avon, sum of money sufficient to pay to each and evei volunteer, who shall enhst on the quota of th town, for one year's men, three hundred dollars two years' men, four hundred dollars ; three year men,- six hundred dollars, * * *." " Resolved, That the sum of two hundred an fifty dollars be paid to each man who may b drafted from the town of Avon and mustered i the service of the United States." March 2, 1875, it was resolved that onethoi sand two hundred and eighty-four dollars be raise to build a soldiers' monument. E. H. Davis, ' A. Dana, Orange Sackett, Jr., Matthew Wiar and Hugh Tighe were appointed a committee t purchase and superintend the erection of the samf March 7, 1876, it was resolved to raise thre thousand dollars for a soldiers' monument. Feb. 17, 1877, it was resolved that the soldien monument be accepted, and it now stands a beau tiful graiiite structure, forty-five feet high. On the south side of the monument are ir scribed the following names : — George Blackall, 11 6th Regiment, N. Y. S. V Denis Bulkley, " Charles Barnard, " Houghton Gerry, " J. T. Morrison, " D. E. Sunderlin, " David Rich, "^. Edwin Winans, " F. E. Whaley, Wm. Hover, " Samuel Whitmore, " Patrick Brennigan, 104th " Edward Roberts, 104th " Patrick Conner, T4oth " Simon Deal, io8th " On the east side those of: — Edgar Nobles, G. E. Slater, A. B. Milliman, A. K. Damon, Wm. Hall, Wilbur Waterous, Peter Zimmer. H. N. Stowell, 14th H. Artillery. Engineer. AVON VILLAGE. 433 On the north side those of : — Wm. Fisher, 13th Regiment, N. Y. S. V. Joseph Shadlow, 33d " " Gilbert Fuller, 27th " " Chas. Hosmer, 27 th " " H. C. Cutler, B. Cav. " John Canfield, James Halligan, " " George Hosmer, Jr. " " John McGraw, « " J. J. Peck, 2 2d " « J. K. Snyder, ist " James Chase, 26th Battery, " Jeremiah VonKleeck, " " Homer Hilburn, 8th H. Art. " Milo Moran, " " On the west side is inscribed : — Erected by the Town of Avon, IN memory TO her deceased AND FALLEN Soldiers whose names are inscribed hereon. At the bottom is inscribed — " Rest Here for the Night." Around the shaft are the names — Fredericksburgh, Gettysburgh, Wilderness, Atlanta. The monument is surmounted by a fine marble statute of an infantry soldier and stands in the center of the park at the top of the hill on the street leading from the depot. It is an ornament to the town and an honor to the townsmen of these fallen heroes, that they should thus perpetuate their memory upon the enduring stone. Avon Village. The village of Avon or West Avon as it was formerly called, lies in the northwest portion of the town upon the line of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, it being the junction of the branch from Corning to Buffalo, with the one run- ning from Rochester to Dansville. It is a thriving village containing in 1880, 1,620 inhabitants and derives considerable notoriety from the sulphur springs that are located here and which have been found decidedly efficacious in curing many diseases. Even among the Indians the water from these springs was regarded as a good reme- dial agent. The village is charmingly situated upon the edge of the highlands bordering the Genesee flats, thus giving a magnificent view across the intervening lowlands to the highlands upon the other side of the valley. The springs are the principal point of attraction for summer tourists, yet the inducements for pleas- ure seekers will be greatly enhanced this summer by a line of stages which is to be run to Conesus Lake, thus making that beautiful place easy of access. The village contains two newspaper offices, the Livmgston County Herald, E. H. Davis, editor and proprietor, and the Avonian, which is printed in Warsaw. Tirtiothy Hosmer was one of the first settlers in the present village, occupying a log house on the hill. This log house was used as the first hotel here, and during the war of 1812 was made very lively with the companies of soldiers that often camped here, this being on the principal route to the Niagara frontier. Captain Asa Nowlen came from Connecticut in 1812, and bought a farm between Avon and East \ Avon, known as the John Hillman farm. He was a prominent character of his day. After locating on this farm he came to the village and on the south- west corner of Main and Genesee streets, erected what with alterations was afterwards known as " Comstock's" and still later, was known under the more pretentious title of United States Hotel. The incorporation of the village took place May 17, 1853. At an election held at the hotel of Samuel Davis, June 11, 1853, relative to ac- cepting the charter, fifty-three votes were cast, forty-nine of which were in the affirmative. George Hosmer, Orville Comstock and David Brooks were the inspectors of this election. On the 5th of July, 1853, the first election was held, at which the following officers were elected : George Hosmer, Orville Comstock, James Hosmer, David Brooks and Benjamin P. Ward, Trustees ; Joseph F. Miller, Orin H. Coe, and Curtiss Haw- ley, Assessors \ Thomas C. Chase, Collector ; John Sabin, Treasurer; Charles A. Hosmer, Clerk; Ed- win M. Price, Darius M. Gilbert, and Wm. W. Jones, Fire Wardens, and Wm. E. Pattee, Pound Master. The following persons have held the office of President and Clerk at the date designated:— President. 1854. Curtiss Hawley. C. 1855. James Hosmer. 1856. Jesse H. Loomis. 1857. O. Comstock. 1858. ' No election. 434 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 1859. Charles L. Shepard i860. J. H. Bennett. I86I. James Hosmer. 1862. T. E. Winans. 1863. James Hosmer. 1864. Hiram B. Smith. 1865. T. E. Winans. 1866. W. E. Hall. 1867. Geo. W. Swan. 1868. James Hosmer. 1869. Sylvester G. Fay. 1870. J. R. Marsh. I87I. G. W. Swan. 1872. Stephen Hosmer. 1873- H. H. Haile. 1874. do 1875- Geo. W. Sherman 1876. T. E. Winans. 1877. W. S. Newman. 1878. J. C. Davenport. 1879. E. J. Whiting. 1880. do C. A. Hosmer. Wilson D. Palmer. Elias H. Davis. do T. E. Winans. G. H. Nowlen. do Daniel Lacy. do S. G. Fay. S. Hosmer. do Daniel Lacy. M. H. Bronson. F. N. Isham. Geo. W. Swan. , M. U. Bronson. W. S. Newman. J. R. Fryer. Patrick Gleason. do W. B. Bassett. The present (1881) officers of Avon Village are :— Trustees, E. J. Whiting, George D. Dooer, John S. Peters, J. L. Falkner, W. B. Bassett ; As- sessors, Samuel Armstrong, Michael Dowdall ; Police Justice, Wm. Carter; Treasurer, C. F. Whiting ; President, E. J. Whiting ; Clerk, W. B. Bassett. Avon Springs. — Through the kindness of Mrs. Samuel Salisbury, we are able to give the follow- ing valuable extracts in relation to these celebrated springs from a pamphlet published by her husband, the late Dr. Samuel Salisbury, in 1838, entitled " Avon Mineral Waters, etc." "The Avon Mineral Springs were long known to the Indians who resorted to them for the cure of diseases of the skin. A portion of the Seneca tribe inhabited a village on the opposite branch of the river which they called Canawangus. Captain Parish informed me that the name signified lively water, and was applied to this settlement in conse- quence of the great nember of clear and limpid fount9,ins of water in the vicinity. The far-famed chief Red Jacket as Dr. Francis informs us in the U. S. Medical & Surgical Journal enumerated them among his remedial measures for the cure of diseases of the skin ; and wasting disorders, as they were termed, were supposed capable of being removed by their use even when applied ex- ternally." " Great numbers of deer were in the habit of re- sorting to these springs, thus making the vicinity a desirable hunting ground for the aborigines. The outlet of the Conesus, a creek which empties into the Genesee river near the lower spring is a spot distinguished for the abundance of excellent fi which are caught there ; and even to this day, \ occasionally find some of these sons of the fore encamped along the bank of the river and busi engaged in taking fish for which they find ready sale to the inhabitants of the neighborii village." In the year 1792 one of the inhabitants used tl waters with perfect success in the cure of a disea of the skin consequent upon intermittent fever. ] 1795 a case of rheumatism of long standing whii had resisted the treatment of a number of intel gent physicians, was speedily and entirely cured 1 their use. The first improvement was made at tl springs by the proprietor, Mr. Richard Wadswort in 1 82 1, when a small building was erected at tl lower spring that contained a showering bo This building was enlarged and a bathing houi erected in 1823, and some effort was made to su ply visitors with accommedations necessary for tl external use of the waters. In 1828 there w; erected a large building at the upper spring. ] 1828-29, three houses were erected in their imra diate vicinity, one by Nehemiah Houghton, one 1 D. Knickerbacker, and one by a Mr. Cartrigh About a mile southwest of the lower spring upc what is called the Black creek, there is a spring which Paul Knowles, its proprietor, in 1834 erect( a very large house for boarding with accommod tions for bathing. In 1836, A. Nowlen purchased of Richai Wadsworth one hundred acres of land which en braced the two springs most highly prized. " The Lower Spring in its original state form* a large pool of perhaps fifty feet in diameter, ar was the one first made use of. It rises from fissure in the rock, thirty-six feet below the surfa^ of the ground, about one hundred rods from tl Genesee river and about thirty rods from Cones creek. The volume of water discharged from tl spring is the same at all seasons of the year, ai does not appear to depend in the least up atmospheric influence. As near as can be asce tained, the discharge per minute amounts to fifl four gallons. The temperature of the water from 41; to 47 degrees Fahr., and the speci gravity is 10.018. Its taste resembles tli of a solution of hydro-sulphuric acid, but it more bitter and saline ; it has the strong odor this acid. As it issues from the fountain it limpid, transparent and somewhat sparkUng." The following is an analysis of Lower Spri by the late Dr. Samuel Salisbury : — AVON VILLAGE — THE SPRINGS. 435 In a wine gallon, gaseous contents. Sulphuretted Hydrogen 10.02 cubic inches. Nitrogen 5-42 " Carbonic Acid 3.92 " |' Oxygen 5^ Solid contents. Carbonate of Lime 29.33 grains. Chloride of Calcium 8.41 " Sulphate of Lime 57.42 Sulphate of Magnesia 49.61 " Sulphate of Soda i3-73 " Total 158.52 The UpJ>er Spring has h&tn in use since 1827. It has been proved by the cures which have been effected by its use to possess similar medicinal properties to the Lower Spring, and is by some even more highly prized. In sensible properties it bears a close resemblance to it, but there is a peculiar sweetness of taste which distinguishes it. The deposit around it is mostly of a dark blue color, while that around the Lower Spring is white. This spring rises about sixty rods east of the other, and is at an elevation considerably above it. The bed of sand through which this water oozes is about twenty feet, and the rock about thirty feet below the surface of the ground. Analysis of the Upper Spring by Professor Had- ley: — In a wine gallon, gaseous contents. 'Sulphuretted Hydrogen 12. cubic inches. Carbonic Acid 5.6 " " Solid contents. Sulphate of Magnesia 10. grains. Sulphate of Lime 84. " Sulphate of Soda 16. " Carbonate of Lime 8. " Muriate of Soda 18.4 " Total 136.4 " The Well or New Bath Spring was first discov- ered by its proprietor, R. K. Hickox, in 1835, while digging for pure water. The soil through which the excavation was made is hard blue clay, having a strong sulphurous odor. The tempera- ture of this water is 46 degrees Fahr. The follow- ing analysis is by Dr. L. C. Beck : — In a wine gallon, gaseous contents. Sulphuretted Hydrogen, 31.28 cubic inches. Solid contents. Sulphate of Magnesia 8.08 grains. Sulphate of Lime 3.52 " Sulphate of Soda 38.72 " Chloride of Sodium 5.68 " Carbonate of Lime 26.96 " Total 82.96 " "Lon^s Spring, which has been in use since 1833, is the property of Paul Knowles. It rises from the surface of an alluvial deposit through the cen- tre of which passes what is termed Black creek, a small stream having its rise some miles to the south. It is about a mile southwesterly from the upper spring. The following analysis is by Dr. J. R. Chilton:"— In a wine gallon, gaseous contents. Sulphuretted Hydrogen 43.584 cubic inches. Carbonic Acid 5.871 " SoUd contents. Sulphate of Lime 109-05 grains. Sulphate of Magnesia 13-10 " Sulphate of Soda 3.27 " Chloride of Calcium 19.31 " Chloride of Sodium 57-89 " Chloride of Magnesium 27.09 " Iodide of Sodium a trace Hydrosulphuret of Sodium 2.45 " Organic Matter 81 " Total 228.97 " The following is taken from a pamphlet pub- lished by Dr. O. D. Phelps, proprietor of Congress Hall, a few years since : — Congress and Magnesia Springs, though not so generally used as the others, have their especial merits, which entitle them to the consideration of invalids. Congress Spring is in close proximity to Congress Hall ; the water flows up in a fountain in front of Congress Bath House, in which it is used for bathing purposes in connection with the water of the Upper Spring. The spring is the most re- cently developed one. In taste the water of the spring is similar to the Upper Spring, but consid- erably stronger, consequently less can be drank of it. The water was analyzed by Prof. H. M. Baker with the following result : — Solid contents in one gallon of 231 cubic inches. Sulphate of Magnesia 19.07 grains. Sulphate of Lime 27.61 " Sulphate of Soda 21.02 " Chloride of Sodium 29. 1 1 " Carbonate of Lime 9.25 " Sulphurets of Magnesium, ^ " " Sodium. Y 99.5s " " " Calcium, ) Total 205.61 Gaseous contents in one gallon of 231 cubic inches. Free Sulphuretted Hydrogen. .27.63 cubic inches. Free Carbonic Acid 22.04 " " Nitrogen 3-88 Oxygen 97 Cubic inches per gallon 54.52 436 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The Magnesia spring is located on the bank of Conesus Creek, about 80 rods west of the Lower Spring. It bubbles up through the sand, clear, cold, and sparkling. In taste, this water is far more pleasant and palatable than the other water. Of late years the water has attained a remarkable popularity, owing no doubt, in a great measure to the highly beneficent results obtained by its use in dyspepsia, a disease which has yielded to this water, after other springs and medicines have failed to produce any favorable effects. The chemical con- stituents of the water are supposed to be similar to those of the Lower Spring, with a greater propor- tion of the Sulphate of Magnesia. In the " Mineral Springs of United States and Canada,'' the following article appears in regard to the Avon Springs : — "Analysis of the Lower Springs. One pint con- tains — Carbonate of Lime 3.666 grains. Chloride of Sodium i-iS7 " Chloride of Calcium 1.05 1 " Sulphate of Soda 1.716 " Sulphate of Magnesia 6.201 " Sulphate of Lime 7.180 " Iodide of Sodium ' trace. 20.971 Carbonic Acid Gas 1.49 Sulphuretted Hydrogen ... 2. 25 "It will be seen by analysis that these are valuable sulphur waters, resembling in many respects the celebrated Spa of Neudorf, in Hesse, Germany. The flow is larger from the Lower Spring, being 54 gallons per minute. * * * The location of these springs in one of the most beautiful loca- tions of Western New York, together with the efficacy of the waters, conspire to make this a most attractive resort." The benefits to be derived by invalids from a proper use of the mineral waters of these springs, combined with the natural- attractiveness of the village and the surrounding scenery have long conspired to make this a popular summer resort, yet this like all other watering places has seen its seasons of prosperity and depression. Hotels. — It was at this point that the old State road crossed the Genesee Flats, and as was often the case when the river overflowed its banks travel was almost en- tirely stopped until it resumed its natural courses. Captain Asa Nowlen, an early settler ifrom Connecticut, had charge of the transfer of the mails across the flats at this point, and , in compHance with the demand for better hotel accommodations, from the traveling public, erec on the southwest corner of Main and Gene streets, the building which was afterwards w alterations, known as "Comstock's," and still latei the "United States" hotel. At this time this he was a most fashionable resort and was throns the entire season. In the winter of 1873-4 1 building was consumed by fire. Captain Now! disposed of his property interest by degrees Orville Comstock, who owned it several years, afterwards passed through several hands, and the time of burning was owned by Simonds' Bn The Livingston House, Dr. William Nisb proprietor, was completed in its present shape 1879, but was first thrown open to the public 1878. It is only open through the summer montl The Newman House was built as the St Geoi Hotel by C. H. Armstead and was kept by h until December 25, 1875, when it was burne It was rebuilt by Mr. Armstead, and finished June, 1876, when it was leased to Smith Newm; under its present name. In 1880, Mr. Amiste assumed control. The Sanitarium (Cyrus Allen, M. D., and Jan: D. Carson, lessees and managers,) is conducted a health resort for invalids, and is open the ent; year. It has been under its present manageme since 1871. The property upon which the Sanil rium is located was purchased by Charles E. Wl ley in 1866 and the present large and commodio building erected. Mr. Whaley conducted it si cessfully until 1871 under the name of the "Av Cure." The grounds comprise about twelve acn The building is a four story frame structure pleasing appearance capable of accommodating hundred guests. There are two sulphur sprij upon the grounds that supply the bath rooms the institution. Messrs. Allen & Carson are also the proprietc of a private bank that was established in 18 shortly after the failure of the Bank of Avon. The Pattee House, Wm . E. Pattee, propriet was built in 1876 on the site of the hotel burned Dec, 1875. The building that was destroyed w also called the Pattee House. It was built 1873 ^"^d was similar in general style and chari ter to the present building. Mr. Pattee settled Lima, May 1, 1840, and moved to Avon in 18; Knickerbocker Hall, L. G. Smedley, M. 1 proprietor, is a resort for the invahds who visit t springs and is open the entire year. Dr. Smed purchased the property of Orange Sackett, in i8( The hotel will accommodate eighty guests. J k Photo, by Merrell. Genesee. Charles Edward Whaley is a son of Edward A Whaley, and grandson of John P. Whaley, who in 1805, with his family, consisting of his wife, eight children, and an aged mother, emigrated from Massachusetts, and settled on a farm in the eastern part of the town of Avon. This farm has always been retained in the family name, and apple trees are still standing which he raised from the seed. John P. Whaley was a ship carpenter by trade, and many of the frames of old buildings now standing were shaped by his mallet and chisel. Of the eight children, four were sons, all of whom married and raised families. Robert settled in Castile, Wyoming county. John studied medicine and practiced that profession through life, while the younger brothers set- tled on farms in Avon, which they cleared, and both were identified with the war of 1812. Ed- ward A. was drafted but furnished a substitute. Caleb J. enlisted and served his time, receiving a wound from which he suffered for fifteen years, and which finally caused his death. Of the ancestors of the Whaley family, Ed- ward Whaley * was born in Northampton- shire, England, in the year 1615. Arriving at maturity he was married to Elizabeth Middle- ton, and when the war broke out between King Charles and Parliament, he espoused the Parliamentary cause, and served under his cousin, Oliver Cromwell, until, 1649.! By Cromwell, he was advanced to the rank of Major-General, and was entrusted with the government of five counties. He was after- ward appointed Commissary-General for Scot- land, and was called into the upper house, where he sat as " Edward, Lord Whalley." * In history this name is spelled Whalley. t He was one of the fifty-nine who signed the warrant for the execu- tion of King Charles, and was present at the beheading of that unhappy monarch. yVLf^s. C. E. Whaley. After the death of Cromwell, Whaley was the main-stay of that dynasty until the Restora- tion was accomplished. When England was no longer a place of safety for those immedi- ately concerned in the execution of King Charles, Whaley, together with his son-in- law, Goffe, who had played an important part in the same cause, embarked in a swift sailing vessel to America, arriving in New England July 27, 1660. They remained in various places of concealment, and in 1664, removed to Hadley, Mass., where Mr. Russell, the min- ister of the place, had previously consented to receive them.* Edward A., father to Chas. E. was born Jan. 17, t786, in Berkshire county, Mass. April 30, 1809, he was married to Isabella, daughter of Gardner Scott of Conn. They had eight children, the youngest of whom, Chas. E.,was born in Avon, Nov. 14, 1825. In July, 1867, he was married to Ella P., daugh- ter of Thomas St. John, of London, England. He has devoted his life to agricultural pur- suits. In 1866 he purchased the property in Avon, now owned by him, and erected the commodious building known as the "Sanita- rium." Upon this property he also developed and made available, two sulphur springs. The place is largely patronized by patients from all sections of the country. In politics Mr. Wha- ley is a Republican, and was drafted to serve in the war of the Rebellion, but furnished a substitute whom he trusts, rendered as effectual service as he himself could have done. In religious belief he is a Spiritualist. * This minister had caused his house to be fitted up with secret pas- sages for their concealment, and here they remained for fifteen years in voluntary seclusion. About the year 1681 Whaley went to Maryland, where he purchased a tract of land containing twenty-two hundred acres, under the assumed name of Edward Middleton. After the Revolution in England in 1688 he had this land patented in his rightful name. He died in 1718 at the advanced age of one hundred and three years. I > r m T- z I/I -1 z c z H •< I I -< S > 2 c AVON VILLAGE — MERCHANTS, MANUFACTURERS, PHYSICIANS 437 Congress Hall, O. D. Phelps, M. D., proprietor, is only open during the summer months. Dr. Phelps purchased the property in 1876 of Charles M. Titus of Ithaca, who had bought it the year before of Geo. H. Nowlen, Esq. Merchants.— The following are the present merchants of Avon: -Dr. C. A. Briggs, druggist and dealer in books and stationery, bought out Dr. G. P. Moreyin 1879, who had been in business three or four years; Dr. Wm. Nisbet, druggist, has been in business since about i860; Mrs. E. M. Price, miUinery and fancy goods, business es- tablished in 1856; O. C. Jones, jeweler, com- menced business in 1851, and still continues; Henry E. Van Zandt, general store, commenced business in 1874, having bought out the business of Andrew Dunakin, who had carried on the busi- ness for some twenty years previously, and until his death in 1873; Mrs. D. W. McLaughlin, millinery and fancy goods, established in 1872 ; P. C. Gleason, groceries, flour and feed, has been in business since Jan. i, 1878, business was estab- lished in 1870 as McLaughlin & Gleason; F. Col- vin, groceries, estaWished in 1873; W. P. Haskins, flour, feed and groceries; E. M. Price, furniture dealer, business was established in 1850; Mary Dockery, meat market, established in May, 1879; W. W. Barnhart, dry goods and groceries, business estabhshed in 1878 ; J. G. Calvert, fruits, confectionery and bakery, business established in 1872; C. T. Hedenberg, dealer in news, station- ery, cigars and confectionery, established in 1878 ; C. A. Bowman, dealer in. hardware, successor in 1878 to C. M. Church, who had previously done business a few months ; H. H. Hilborn, harness maker, established in 1880, bought out C. H. Armstead; Wallace & Clark, (J. C. Wallace and E. H. Clark,) dealers in hardware, Oct. i, 1880, bought the business of E. D. Rowley, who had previoasly continued the business for several years ; Reed Bros., (E. B. and W. J.,) general merchan- dise, established in 1877; James Hill, meat mar- ket, established in 1874; G. D. Dooer, meat mar- ket, established in 1867 ; J. E. Hall, flour and feed store, established in 1873; Joseph Brown, boot and shoe store, established in January, 1879; John Loftus, tailor, came in April, 1880; F. E. Welch, baker and confectioner, established in 1876; F. G. Bixby, jeweler, established in April, 1880; C. F. Whiting & Co., (C. J. Whiting,) boot and shoe store, estabUshed in 1879 ; C. S. Gilbert, general store, established in 1874; J. C. Peuss, merchant tailor and clothing, estabhshed in 1879, and Michael Dowdall, harness maker, established in 1872. Manufacturers. — The manufacturing interests of Avon are not extensive, the only water power available being that obtained from the Conesus. The following are all that are at present located in or adjacent to the village ; E. L. Armstrong & Co. operate a planing mill in which they employ four men; established in 1877. Long & Watkins are contractors and builders and have been in busi- ness here since 1876. R. G. Waldo, carriage manufacturer and blacksmith, succeeded his father, Reuben Waldo, in business in 1861. His father came from New Hampshire in 1815, and that year commenced blacksmithing here. He died in 1861. The Avon mills are located on the Conesus outlet, about one and one-fourth miles from Avon. W. P. Haskins is the present proprietor. He purchased them in 1869 of Arch. Christie, who had previously operated them some eight or ten years. The mills contain three runs of stones and are run by water power derived from the Conesus, which has here a fall of twenty feet. The saw and cider mill situated on the same stream just above the railroad bridge has been owned by Mr. Haskins since 1871. It was previously owned by the Wadsworths, of Gen- eseo. The malt house and elevator at Avon, is owned by Stephen Hosmer & Co. (John Klett.) The building was erected in the fall of 1880. Its malting capacity is 50,000 bushels per season and the capacity of the elevator is 25,000 bushels. The malt-house near the depot is owned by Andrew Y. Marsh of Buff'alo ; capacity about 30,000 bushels. The Avon Brick and Tile manufactory was estab- hshed in 1862 as a joint stock company with Fran- cis Lyth as manager. It is at present owned by John Lyth. The machine used in manufacturmg is operated by horse power and was invented by Francis Lyth. Physicians.— The first physician here was Col. Timothy Hosmer, elsewhere spoken of. Dr. Samuel Salisbury was undoubtedly one of the best of the early practitioners here. He pos- sessed a fine literary taste and was a deep scholar. He was the author of a work upon the Sprmgs of Avon and their medical properties, a work which is quoted extensively. His brilUant career was cut short by his untimely death. He was born m Boston in 1806, and was educated at Harvard College, Cambridge, whence he was graduated, and afterwards was graduated in medicme at Boston. After remaining there some Uttle time, he came to Rochester in 1832, and in the summer of that 438 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. year went to Avon, where he became interested in the curative qualities of the water of that place to such an extent that he took some of the water to Roxbury, for analysis. He returned to Avoh in 1833, and September 12th of that year, was united in marriage with Marie A., daughter of Major Ab- ner Morgan, of Avon. It was during the winter of 1833-34 that Dr. Salisbury wrote his work on the springs to which reference is made in another portion of this work. He died in Avon, April ig, 1850, much regretted by all. He was fitted for college at the age of thirteen, and entered as soon thereafter as his age made it admissible. He was thoroughly con- versant with the French, Spanish and German languages. In 1849 among the physicians m the town were Drs. Ensworth, John Whitbeck, Wm. Butler and Hutchinson, at East Avon ; Drs. Van Kleek, who died in the army while in New Orleans, and South- worth, at the springs ; and Dr. Parsons at Little- ville. Dr. Andrew Sill, an early physician of this town, was born in the village of Geneseo, December ist, 1804. His father. Dr. Jonathan P. Sill, was the pioneer physician of this section, locating first at Williamsburg in 1797, and subsequently removing to Geneseo village, where he died in September, 1806. Dr. Andrew Sill received an academic education at Cambridge Academy, Washington county, N. Y. After studying medicine with Dr. Townsend, of Caledonia, he attended courses of lectures at both Fairfield and Pittsfield Medical Colleges, graduat- ing from the latter institution in 1825. He first opened an office in the village of West Avon, where he remained until 1829, when he located at Livonia Centre, where he remained for fifty years. He died October ist, 1879. Charles Bingham was born in Bozrah, Conn., and studied medicine in that State. He was licensed by the State Medical Society of Connecti- cut in 1808, and in that year moved to Avon, where he practiced his profession until 1820. In that year he removed to Mt. Morris, where he pur- sued an extensive and successful practice until fail- ing health compelled him to abandon it. He died at Mt. Morris, December 3, 1842, aged 58. Messrs. Lucius C. and Charles L. Bingham, two of Mt. Morris' most prominent business men and influ- ential and respected citizens, are sons of Dr. Bingham, and are all that are left of the family. The present physicians are Drs. William Nisbet, C. A. Briggs, Cyrus Allen, John W. Gray, and ] C. Hulbert. WiUiam Nisbet, M. D., settled here in 1849, ani is a native of Scotland. He studied three year in Edinburgh, and was graduated from Wiirtzber University, Bavaria. He came to America in 184c C. A. Briggs, M. D., was born in Williamstowr Orange county, Vermont, and received his educa tion at the Montpelier Conference Seminary. H entered Ann Arbor Medical College in 1874, am completed his medical studies at Long Island Co lege Hospital, where he was graduated in !&•;( since which date he has been in practice in Avor Cyrus Allen, M. D., was born in Ontario cour ty, N. Y., and received his college education at th University of Michigan, located at Ann Arboi He was graduated from the Homeopathic Colleg of the State of New York, New York city, in i86i and from the Berkshire Medical College of Massa chusetts in November, 1864. He commence practice in Palmyra, Wayne county, from thenc to Chfton, and removed to Avon in May, 1871 taking charge of the Sanitarium. John W. Gray, M. D., was born in 1833. H read medicine with James R. Wood, M. D., c New York city, and afterwards with A. C. Caraf bell of this county. He attended lectures and wa graduated from the University of New York. H came to Avon in 1856. Joel C. Hulbert, M. D., was born in Fort Ant Washington county, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1815. H studied medicine at the Pennsylvania Universiti where he was graduated in 1866. He settled i Livonia in 1849, and in Avon in 1877. Lawyers. — George Hosmer was one of th earliest if not the first practicing lawyer i the village. He came here with his fathe Dr. Timothy Hosmer, when twelve years 1 age, having been bom in Farmington, Conr His early studies were pursued under the ti ition of Rev. Ebenezer Johnson, of Lima. 1 1799 he entered upon the study of his chosen pr fession, the law, in the office of Hon. Nathani W. Howell. He was admitted to the bar in 180 and opened an office in Avon. In the war of 181 he was appointed aide-de-camp upon the staff' General Amos Hall, and served upon the Niaga frontier. His associate upon the General's st; and intimate friend was William Howe Cuyk who was killed at Black Rock by a ball from tl British guns at Fort Erie. His son Wm. H. ' Hosmer, was named from him. George Hosmer was a large holder of real esta AVON VILLAGE — LAWYERS. 439 and a lawyer of prominence. He was appointed District Attorney upon the organization of the county, which office he continued to hold till 1824. He was elected a Member of Assembly in 1824. He died in Chicago in March, t86i, in the eight- ieth year of his age. William Henry Cuyler Hosmer was born in Avon, May 25, 1814. His earlier education was obtained at Temple Hill Academy, Geneseo, and at the Academy in Geneva, N. Y. He was gradu- ated from the University of Vermont in 1841. After his graduation he followed in the footsteps of his father, and, step by step, climbed the ladder to fame in the legal profession, where he stood for many years without a peer. To his genius and ability the science of law is much indebted, many decisions being rendered in accordance with his eloquent pleadings at the bar. He practiced law till 1854, when he received a government position in the Custom House at New York. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he entered the army. His son also enlisted and was killed at the battle of Chancellorsville. After his return from the war he devoted the re- mainder of his life to literature and lecturing, and, notwithstanding his success at the bar, his fame rests chiefly on his literary work. Such was the reputation which he had acquired by his juvenile poems that he received the honor- ary degree of A. M., both from Hamilton College and the University of Vermont before he obtained it from his own. He was a poet born, not made. His principal works are " Yonnondio,"* " The Fall of Tecum- seh : a Drama," " Warriors of the Genesee." " Indian Traditions and Songs," " The Months," "Bird Notes," and "Legends of the Senecas." In his younger days he .learned much from the Indians who lived in this community, becoming familiar with their language, and receiving an in- spiration from their romances and traditions. Much of his writing remains in manuscript form, which, if pubhshed, would be an acquisition to literature. He merited the title of " The Bard of Avon," and has received the congratulations of eminent writers for being "The first English writer who sunk a shaft into Indian Tradition." He died in Avon, May 23, 1877. Among the other early lawyers here were the following :— A. A. Bennett studied law with Geo. Hosmer, and commenced practice about 1820. * Based on the Indian traditions of the Genesee Valley. T. R. Morgan, son of Col. Abner Morgan, prac- ticed law here from about 1835 till 1850. Hugh Cameron, from Caledonia, practiced here about 1845. He afterwards moved to LaCrosse, Wis. Amos Dann studied law with Geo. Hosmer, and was in practice here as early as 1828. With the exception of three years spent in New York city, he remained in practice in Avon all of his life up to the time he became insane. He died in the Utica Insane Asylum in 1866. Geo. B. Benedict was practicing law in Avon in 1861. Hon. Amos Alonzo Hendee* was a prominent member of the Livingston county bar. He was born in Avon, June 15, 1815. He was the young- est of a family of six children, all of whom were reared upon the farm which their own industry and that of their parents reclaimed from a com- parative wilderness. His primary education was attained in the common schools of his native town and in the Academy at Avon. From this latter institution he went to the Seminary at Lima, where he completed his education. Returning to the homestead he soon became convinced that the life of a farmer was unsuited to his tastes, and he resolved to enter upon the more congenial profession of the law. Accordingly before he had attained his majority he entered as a student the law office of John Young, in Gen- eseo, and on the 26th of September, 1837, was admitted to the bar. Soon after his admission he removed to Perry, Wyoming county, where he resided for a time, and then returned to Geneseo, where he formed a law partnership with Elias Clark, afterwards with H. H. Guiteau, and finally with James B. Adams, with whom he remained from 1857 to 1863. In June, 1847, at the first election held under the new constitution, he was elected District At- torney. In 1852 he was elected Member of Assembly from the First Assembly district of Livingston county, and in the succeeding year again ran for that office but was defeated~by Judge Gibbs. In 1856 he was again elected to the office of District Attorney, during which term occurred the cele- brated Wood trial, in the management of which Mr. Hendee evinced superior skill as a prosecuting officer, conducting the case successfully on the part of the people. In 1865 and'66, he was a member of the Board of Supervisors from Geneseo, and in 1867 was presi- •For the ahove sketch we are indebted to the able tribnt= of MrE H Davis to h.s memoiy, delivered before the Livingston County Historical Society, at their fifth annual meeting. 44° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. dent of that village. In 1868, he retired from Geneseo to the old homestead, and the remainder of his life was passed in the improvement of his farm and among the books in his ample library. The last pubHc act in his hfe was the delivery in 1878 of the annual address before the Livingston County Pioneer Society, of which he was an inter- ested and efficient member. For three or fouryears prior to his death he passed his winters in the vil- lage of Avon, where, at the house of Wm. E. Pattee, he suddenly died on the morning of February 13, 1880. The present attorneys of Avon are Judge E. A. Nash, Wm. Carter, Calvin Knowles and W. S. Newman. E. A. Nash was educated at the Genesee Wes- leyan Seminary and was admitted to the bar in i860. He was located at Lima until 1878, since which time he has resided in Avon. He has been District Attorney two terms and was elected to the office of County Judge in 1878, an office he still holds. Wm. Carter was educated in Lima at the Gene- see Wesleyan Seminary, and was admitted to the bar at Utica in January, 1879, since when he has been located at Avon. Calvin Knowles was born at Littleville, and received his education at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, Lima. He commenced his legal studies with Amos Dann, of Avon, and afterward with Chamberlain & Wood, of Geneseo. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1856 and has since been en- gaged in practice in Avon the greater portion of his time. He was in the army from 1861 to 1863, in the 13th Regiment, New York State Volunteers. Winfield S. Newman, was born in Lima, N. Y., on the 22d day of December, 1847. Ifi 1851 he removed with his parents to the town of Avon, where his father, Isaac R. Newman, is still living. His mother died in August, 1873. He received his education at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, located at Lima, N. Y., and upon leaving that in- stitution entered upon the study of the law in the office of H. J. Ward of that, place, a lawyer of large experience and talents of a high order. In this office Mr. Newman remained until his admis- sion to the bar June 10, i86g. After his admission he immediately formed a co- partnership with H. Decker, and remained in Lima practicing his profession till the fall of 1873, when he removed to Avon, where he has since resided and practiced. In the spring of 1879 he was elected Supervisor for the town of Avon, which position he has for two years. Upon the organization of Board he was chosen chairman. In August, 1 he was elected President of the Firemen's i ciation of the State of New York. Churches — Central Presbyterian Churc, Avon was organized May 9, 1876, with forty-l members. Edwin I. Stevens and Benjamin 1 were elected elders. Rev. H. P. V. Bogue ao ed the pastorate in June, 1876, and still ren with them. The church and society have at j ent ninety-eight members. The first meetings were held in Nisbet Hall, afterwards in Opera Hall. The church edifice erected in 1877, and dedicated October i, 1 Rev. J. B. Shaw, D. D., preaching the dedica sermon. The church, which cost between thir and fourteen thousand dollars, is a very hands structure, and is an honor to the society and ornament to the village. The society also c the parsonage adjoining. The Sunday school sists at present of one hundred and fifty meml and G. G. Westfall is its Superintendent. The First M. E. Church of Avon was organ in 1835, with the following persons among original members : Mrs. Laura Fuller, ] Wright, Mrs. Dunakin, Smith Bryan and wife, Gleason, and Wm. Maguire and wife. Of tl only Wm. Maguire, Mrs. Laura Fuller, ] Wright, and Mrs. Dunakin are living. Owing to the absence of all records we are able to give a more extended account of the his of this church. The society was visited by cir preachers until 1839, when Calvin Coates bee its pastor. In 1840 Eleazer Thomas officii as pastor, and in 1843 James M. Fuller, who in 1844. In 1866 Luther North way assumed the cha and was succeeded in 1868 by David Nutton, was followed in 187 1 by Wm. Wolgemuth. 1872, George Coe was pastor of the church; li Stephen Brown; 1875, J. D. Requa ; 1876-79 D. Chase; and in 1879, John Copeland, who is present pastor, assumed the charge. The old church edifice was finished in 1839 cost of about $2,000. The present church commenced in August, 1879, ^"d dedicated ^ II, 1 880, D. W. C. Huntington preaching the mon. The church cost $9,000. The pre membership is one hundred. The Sunday scl consists of one hundred and fifty members, Alva Carpenter is its Superintendent. Zion's Church at -Avon. — The first steps AVON VILLAGE — CHURCHES. 44 1 the organization of this church and society were taken by the inhabitants of the village of West Avon in a school house in that place on Monday, Oct. 8, 1827. At this meeting a building commit- tee was appointed to attend to the erection of a church edifice "at or near the Public Square." This committee consisted of the following members : Edward A. Le Roy, Curtiss Hawley, and Asa Nowlen. The committee next met according to adjourn- ment at the house of Timothy Hosmer, Friday eve- ning, October 12, 1827. At this meeting two more were added to the building committee, namely, Jehiel Kelsey and Woodruff Matthews. The so- ciety was legally incorporated October 24, 1828, and the following officers chosen : Wardens, Eli- jah Woolage, John Newberry ; Vestrymen, George Hosmer, Reuben K. Hickox, Nehemiah Hough- ton, Woodruff Matthews, Elkanah Whitney, Ed- ward A. Le Roy, Curtiss Hawley and Lewis W. Beecher. At a trustees' meeting held December 13, 1828, Curtiss Hawley was chosen treasurer of the society. The church building was completed in this same year, and was consecrated as Zion's Church by the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of New York. The first regularly installed rector was Rev. E. G. Gear.* Among the pioneer members of this church were Andrew Sill, George A. Tiffany, James Austin, Amos Dann, John E. Tompkins, Moses L. George, Orville Comstock, William Scott, William Morris- on, R. S. Williams, S. S. Briggs, Samuel Salisbury, Henry Wadsworth, Merritt W^ Riggs. In 1830 a bell was donated to the church by James Wadsworth. In 1836 the parsonage was built. The second rector was Rev. R. Kearney, whose pastorate ended in November, 1836. Some two years then elapsed without any settled rector until 1839, when Rev. Beardsley Northrop was engaged for three months. In July, 1839, he was succeeded by Rev. Thaddeus M. Leavingworth, who was engaged for one year ending in July, 1840. In that same month a call was extended to Rev. Mr. Bailey, who accepted and remained six months. In December of that year he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel G. Appleton whose ministerial services extended to August, 1844. fir ''^^'""J?'^^""'™ of the church records having been destroyed by s, the precise dates of the incoming and departure of the rectors can not be obtained. The Rev. P. P. Kidder came next in 1845 for six months, and at the expiraton of that term was reengaged for one year. The next rector was Dr. Bethel Judd, who remained some two years, fol- lowed by Rev. George B. Eastman. In 1850 and '51 the pulpit was vacant as to a regular sup- ply, and in October of 185 1, Rev. Fortune C. Brown assumed the pastoral relations which he retained until October, 1870. After him came Rev. Henry M. Brown, remaining one year. Then Rev. Francis Gilliat, who remained until 1878. The succeeding pastor was Rev. James A. Brown who remained till March ist, 1881. The present membership is, families, 60 ; individuals, not thus included, 40. Total of individuals, 260. The church property is valued at $5,000 ; the rectory at $3,000. Sf. Agnes Church (Roman Catholic,) of Avon. — About thirty years ago the Catholic population of the village desiring some permanent dwellings to worship in, purchased the old Baptist church through the instrumentality of Father Maguire. This chuFch, in order to meet the needs of the growing denomination, was .afterwards enlarged to nearly twice its original size. Until 1853 they had no resident pastor, but in that year Father Maguire came, followed in 1856 by Father O'Brien, in 1857 , by Father Quigley, in 1863 by Father Bradley, and in 1869 by Father O'Keefe. The present edifice, a very fine brick structure, was built in 1869 under Father O'Keefe's pastor- ate, at a cost of about thirty-five thousand dollars. Father O'Keefe was followed by Father M. J. Hen- dricks, June 2oth, 1874. The present membership of the church is about two hundred and fifty. St. Agnes school was founded in 1876 and is under the charge of this church. There are four teachers — Sisters of St. Joseph's order. The school occupies the old church building, and has an aver- age attendance of two hundred pupils. Avon Free School. — A call was made Sept. jo, 1867, for a meeting to be held October 8, 1867, to determine whether a Union Free school should be established in the district. Of this meeting James Hosmer was chosen chairman and O. C. Jones, clerk. The meeting was adjourned till October 17, when by a vote of 78 to 27, it was resolved to re- organize with the following Trustees: — John Z. Reed and Martin Kelly, for one year; William E. Hall, and Henry Albert, for two years ; and Daniel Lacy and Roger Carroll for three years. The school building was erected as early as 1836, 442 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. as the Avon Academy, and W. H. Curtis was one of the early teachers. This building was used by the Union Free School district, and with repairs and the addition added thereto in 1873, cost them about $5,000.00. The report of receipts and disbursements of this district for the year ending September 30, 1880, is as follows : — Receipts. Balance on hand October i, 1879 $ 275 10 Amount of pubhc school moneys both for teachers' wages and library, appor- tioned to the district from State funds 815 49 Amount raised by tax on property for all school purposes within school year . . . 1,116 27 Amount received from all other sources . 53 75 $2,260 61 Disbursements. For teachers' wages $1,617 9° For repairing and insuring school houses 93 47 For fuel 120 66 For janitor 165 00 For other expenses 115° Amount on hand 252 08 $2,260 61 The number of teachers employed in teaching at the same time for twenty-eight weeks or more dur- ing the school year was four. Number of children residing in the district over five and under twenty- one years of age was 629. The number of chil- dren who attended school some portion of the school year was 228. The average daily attend- ance was 143.294, and the whole number of days' attendance, 27,941. The assessed valuation of all taxable property in the district was $826,576.00. The site is valued at $1,000.00 and the building $4,000. Postmasters. — The postal facilities of the region round about Avon were very meager for many years after the first settlements were made. Mail facilities of an unsatisfactory character were estab- lished by private enterprise as early as 1792 on the old Genesee road by which Avon, (then Hartford) was accommodated. In 1805 Timothy Hosmer was the postmaster at Hartford. E. H. Davis is the present postmaster succeed- ing in Jan., 1872, T. E. Winans. Wm. Maguire was postmaster from 1861 to 1870, succeeding Geo. Hosmer. Fire Department. — Avon in years past has suffered quite largely from the ravages of fire, owing in a measure to the inefficiency of the means pro- vided for extinguishing the same. At present there is not a village of its size in the State better provided with facilities for quelling the flames nor a more thoroughly organized department. The water supply is furnished by gravity pressure and with sufficient force to reach the tops of the high- est buildings. The department as at present organized consists of one Babcock Chemical engine, of 80 gallons capacity, one hand engine, one hook and ladder truck, one hose cart, four hundred feet of rubber hose and two hundred feet of linen hose. There are seven hydrants and two cisterns from which water is obtained. The companies comprise one hun- dred volunteers. E. H. Davis was the first chief and was succeeded Jan. ist, 1878, by W. B. Bas- sett, who still holds that office. The first company of the present department to be organized was the Hook and Ladder com- pany, Feb. 8, 1876. W. S. Newman is the presi- dent of the company, and Orange Sackett, Jr., foreman. Within a short time after this a chemi- cal engine company and a fire engine company were organized. J. B. Benedict has been foreman, and Alva Carpenter, president of the fire engine company since its organization. The present fore- man of the chemical company is Patrick Tighe-and president, D. W. C. Pruner. These companies have a very fine brick engine house erected in 1877 at a cost of about $3,000. The lower floor is used for the storage of the ap- paratus while the upper floor is divided off into as- sembly rooms, that are very finely furnished. The building is both an ornament and honor to the en- terprise of the village. The Avon Water Co. was organized in 1857, and the upper reservoir finished in 1858. It is fed entirely by springs. In 1870 the lower or receiv- ing reservoir was built. The capital stock of the company is $15,000. The present officers are Wm. Nisbet, President ; Theo. F. Olmsted, T. J. Thorpe and Stephen Hosmer, Directors. Societies. — Equitable Aid Union Diamond Lodge, No. 157, was organized in October, 1880, and has about twenty-five members. R. J. Wal- lace is President. Avon Springs Lodge No. 570, A. F. &= A. M.., was organized by dispensation, Jan. 26, 1865, with the following members: — S. E. W. Johnson, W. M. ; R. S. Taintor, S. W. ; A. E. Moore, J. W. ; H. H. Haile, S. D. ; J. L. Hayden, J. p. ; J. L. Burleigh, Sec'y ; S. Taintor, Tiler; Wm. Van Zandt, H. S. Hale, J. Miller, J. H. Perkins, Wm. G. Markham, R. G. Wilbur, Jasper Barber, Ben B. Wilcox and A. E. Moore. Mr. &■ Mrs. Phai\les S. Gilberj. CHARLES SEWELL GILBERT. Charles Sewell Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, was born at Mutford Hall, Suffolk county, England, January 5, 1817. He is the son of Charles and Hannah (Borrett) Gilbert. The former was a farmer by occupation, and died at his home in London, December 12, IS.")/, aged sixty-four years. His wife also died there March 4, 1875, aged eighty-five years. They had eleven children, eight of whom are now living and all residing in England, with the exception of Charles S. , who came to America in the spring of 1837. While at home he enjoyed moderate ad- vantages for an education, and at the age of fifteen y ears was apprenticed to a miller and remained with him four years. After landing at New York he proceeded to Kochester and stopped during one month with Mr. Be^rs, of Pitts- ford, receiving ten dollars for his services. He then commenced working for Mr. John Agate, a son-in-law of Mr. Beers, who promised him ten dollars per month, but was so well pleased with him that he increased his wages to one dollar per day. With Mr. Agate he lived one month. He next engaged himself as second miller in the mill belonging to Andrew Lincoln, of Penfield, with whom he remained eighteen years. After being with him about a year and a half, Mr. Lincoln placed him in full charge of the mill, where he served as master miller to the satisfaction of aU concerned, until he severed his connection with Mr. Lincoln. He often speaks of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln as his "American parents," who ever took a parental interest in his welfare, such kindly inter- est and friendship being one of the pleasant memories and green spots of his life. January 30, 1889, he was married to Mary, daughter of John and Hannah (Goodrich) Clark, of Suffolk county, England. She was bom January 29, 1817, and in com- pany with her brother and one sister, came to America in 1837, on the same ship with the voyager who proved to be her future husband. They were married at Pen- field, while Mr. Gilbert was in the service of Mr. Lincoln, and during their residence with him revisited England. In 1855, they settled in the town of Avon, where they now reside. He purchased a mill property which he has improved by adding steam power, so it can now be run at all seasons. When on his way to occupy his present home he was informed by curious and inquisitive persons whom he met, that he surely would starve if he relied upon getting a living there ; but such a fate was not in store for him, and he is now one of the prominent business men of the town, and has run the mills successfully for nearly twenty-five years. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert eight children, two of whom died in infancy.- Those living are named as follows: — John W., born January 5, 1810; Harriet E., born March 11, 1845; Martha A., bom March 28, 1851; Charles Borrett, born December 1, 1853; Ar- thur Sewell, born July 20, 185(i, and Alfred Clark, bom January 10, 1858. The two eldest sons are in company engaged in the mercantile business at West Avon, or ' 'Avon Springs . " In religious sentiment Mr. Gilbert and his wife are Episcopalians, but in politics Mr. Gilbert takes no interest, having never voted during his residence in America.* * Mr. Gilbert speaks with afifectionate and loving pride of the unremit- ting and valuable assistance he has always received from his faithful com- panion of forty-two years. In his hours of discouragement and doubt, it was her love, her wise counsel and advice that bore him up, and enabled him to meet bravely the ban-iers common to all who are struggling with rough fortune. To his children, whose love for her and for him is per- fect, she has been a kind and noble mother ; and now as they are declin- ing into the vale of years, they are comforted by a consciousness of having performed their duties to their family and society faithfully and well. EAST AVON. 443 Meetings were first held in rooms over Johnson & Hayden's store. They now occupy rooms in the Carpenter block, on Genesee street, their former rooms having been destroyed by fire. The present officers are : — A. W. Dewitt, W. M. ; Orange Sackett, S. W. ; Bert Van Tuyl, J. W. ; Frank Weisert, S. D. ; Frank H. Wiggins, J. D. ; Cyrus Allen, Treas. ; Wm. Carter, Sec'y ; and John H. Chase, Tiler. The present member- ship is seventy-three. Avon Lodge, No. 455, / O. of O. F., was pr- ganized Jan. 4, 1877, with H. L. Strough, N. G. ; H. H. Sunderlin, V. G. ; Geo. W. Bennett, Rec. Sec'y; J. M. Fletcher, Treas. ; John Son, Warden; H. H. Butcher. O. G. ; and M. D. Davis, I. G. The present membership is thirty, with the fol- lowing officers : — A. H. Owens, N. G. ; J. M. Fletcher, V. G. ; H. J. Clark, Rec. Sec. ; John Son, Treas. ; Geo. W. Bennett, Per. Sec'y ; Geo. W. Strouse, Warden ; J. W. Boorman, O. G. ; H. H. Dutcher, I. G. ; and Walter S. Buck, P. G. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening on the third floor of Isham & Whiting's block. A. O. U. W. Valley Lodge, No. 26, was organ- ized May 31, 1876. The first officers were, W. B. Bassett, P. M. W. ; A. W. Dewitt, M. W. ; F. R. Torrance, G. F. ; J. E. Hall, O. ; H. McKinney, Rec. ; Wra. E. Hall, Jr., Fin. ; M. G. Swan, Re- ceiver ; I. B. Potter, Guide ; Charles Sackett, I. W. ; and M. V. Swan, O. W. The number of members has increased from nineteen at its organization to fifty-three at the present time, with the following persons officers : — Geo. A. Graves, M. W. ; E. L. Armstrong, G. F. ; E. Hawley, O. ; Wm. Carter, Recorder; C. F. Whiting, Financier; H. McKinney, Receiver; J. D. Carson, F. F. Woodruff and Benjamin Long, Trustees; Geo. W. Bennett, G. ; Charles H. Sack- ett, I. W. ; and Nelson Brown, O. W. * East Avon. East Avon is a small village of about three hun- dred inhabitants, situated one and one-half miles east of Avon, on the old State road. It dates its main growth from about 181 2 although there was a small settlement there a few years previously. The present business consists of a general store, pump manufactory, file cutting works, one hotel, harness shop, one carriage shop and two blacksmith shops. G. T. Palmer is the merchant here. The store in which he is located was erected as early as 1840. Among the merchants who have done business in the past were David Firman, Jeremiah Whitbeck, Peleg White, Truman Waters and Chandler Pierson. D. M. Pelton commenced the manufacture of wooden pumps here in October, 1879. The busi- ness gives employment to six men. Mr. Pelton occupies the old Wiard plow works. Perry & Co. commenced the manufacture of files here in November, 1 880. They give employ- ment to about eight men. The Newman House, I. R. Newman, pro- prietor, was built about 181 5 by John Pierson, and was first kept by a daughter of his. Mr. Newman has had control since 1854. He was born in Lima, June 24, 1816, and was a son of Joel and Jerusha Newman, who were early pioneers. Solomon Taintor, M. D., came to East Avon in 1857, and commenced the practice of medicine in 1859. He only continued in practice about two years when he devoted his attention to other business. He received his diploma from the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. James E. Jenks, M. D., now practicing here, was born in East Avon, August 11, 1832. He received his diploma from the University of the State of New York, from the New York Opthal- mic School, and from the New York Medical In- stitute in 1856, since which date he has practiced at East Avon. The Gilbert flouring mills, Charles S. Gilbert, proprietor, are located about two and one half miles north-east, of East Avon, and are operated by both water and steam power. The mills were built as early as 1808, and were operated for a long time by Thomas Hanna. Mr. Gilbert was born at Mutford Hall, Suffolk county, England, Jan. s, 1817, and emigrated to this country in 1837. He has resided at his present home since 1855- Charles B. Dusinberre is the proprietor of the steam saw and cider mills located about one and one-half miles east of East Avon. Mr. Dusinberre was born in Ulster county in 1828. The most prominent industry of East Avon in times past was the Wiard Plow Works, which were " established by Thomas Wiard, Sr., about 1830, for the manufacture of cast iron plows from patterns made and invented by Thomas Wiard, Jr. These works were in operation here until 1877 under dif- ferent proprietors, when the business was removed to Batavia. At the time of removal there were about twenty-five men employed. 444 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. A. A. Bennett was a prominent lawyer here in 1823. John Young, who held the position of Governor of this State in 1846, first commenced the study of law with him. Churches. — The First Baptist Church of Avon is located at East Avon. In the latter part of 1806, a few of the inhabitants of the then town of Hartford, united themselves in " covenant," forming the Second Baptist Church of Hartford, and called Elder William Firman to be their pastor. In the fall of 1807 they were admitted to the Ontario Association, hav- ing a membership of twenty-three. In 1808 the name of the church was changed to the Baptist Church of Avon, on account of the change in the name of the town, and their place of meet- ing from this time to 1830, was about one mile east of East Avon. Just when Elder Firman ceased his labors, can- not be ascertained but he was followed by John R. Seaver as early as 18 16. He was succeeded by Reuben Winchell in 1823 ; Rev. David Tenant in 1825; Philander Kelsey in 1827; S. Goodall in 1832; Elder J. G. Stearns, in 1834; Elder E. Stone, in 1838, who remained, however, only six months; Rev. J. W. McDonald, in 1838; Elder A. H. Stowell, in 1841 ; Elder E. Stone, in 1843 > Elder S. M. Bainbridge, March i, 1844; Elder Wra. Curtis, in 1848; S. F. Campbell, Nov. 9, 1852. From 1852 till May 1856, the church was supplied by students from the Rochester Theologi- cal Seminary. May 31, 185s, E. Nisbet commenced a pastor- ate that lasted three years. During 1859, Thomas Rodgers supplied the pulpit and was followed in i860 by H. G. Nott, who left in August, 1864. Oct. 9, 1864, S. J. Lusk, accepted a call and was ordained in March, 1865, but remained only one year. Rev. B. F. Mace began Feb. 4, 1866, but remained only eight months. The pulpit since then has been supplied with students from the Rochester Theo- logical Seminary. One hundred and seventeen persons have been baptized within the last thirty years. July 18, 1827, the name was again changed to the First Baptist Church of Avon. In 1828 ar- rangements were made to build a new church at East Avon. The church was not dedicated till 1830. In 1832 the Livingston County Baptist As- sociation was formed and held their first meetings in this church.* • The above is compiled from the Livingston County Herald of Oct. 7, J 880, East Avon Presbyterian Church. — The follow- ing is an extract from the discourse dehvered by Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., of Geneseo, in the East Avon Presbyterian church, Thursday, Sept. 16, 1880, upon the occasion of the dedication of a new chapel connected with the church. It will be found interesting as giving the history of one of the oldest churches in Avon. We are able to give it by courtesy of the Livingston Republican. From 1790 to 1810 (a period of 20 years) no worship under a congregational minister of the Gospel, was held in the town of Avon. On the 9th of Nov., 1810, there was a gathering at the brick school-house in South Avon, of a few religious people, having for its object the organization of a Christian church. There were present Rev. Mr. Parmelee, of Bloomfield, Rev. E. J. Chapman, of Lima, Rev. A. Hollister, of Riga, and J. F. Bliss. A series of Articles of Faith were drawn up, which, with an appended Covenant, were signed by the following twenty persons :— Samuel Federal, Phebe Blakeslee, Asa and Jemima Clark, Herman and Mary Ladd, George Crouse, Martha and Lucy C. Tilden, Elizabeth Strunck, Maria and Catherine Berry, Thankful Bancroft, Lucinda Burfee, Chris- tiana Bishop, Rebecca Scott, Mary Brown and Catherine Miller. Thus was constituted the first congregational organization in the town of Avon. The first deacons were Samuel Blakeslee and Asa C. Clark. John F. Bliss, a Licentiate, was after ordination installed as the first pastor. After a faithful and fruitful ministry of seven years and a half (1812 to 1819) he resigned. Then followed, as stated sup- plies, Rev. Chauncey Cook, Rev. Mr. Hyde, Rev. Mr. Knapan, Rev. Mr. Robins and Rev. Mr. Bird. On the 15th of January, 1822, the Avon church, thus far Congregational, by their own request, be- came a constituent part of the Presbytery of On- tario. Rev. John Whittlesey was installed as pas- tor, June 16, 1822. Rev. Jacob Hart was stated supply from May i, 183 1, to May i, 1834. Rev. William C. Wisner, D. D., of the Third Presby- terian church in Rochester, was next in charge for the period of 1 8 months. Rev. Alfred White took charge of the parish on or about October 27, 1838, and remained one year. Rev. Edward Marsh between March, 1839, and July, 1840. — Rev. J. Hubbard during one year. Rev. P. C. Hastings about as long. Rev. E. W. Kellogg the same. Rev. Samuel Miles Hopkins, D. D., came in September, 1844, and left in the spring of 1846. Rev. Edward B. Wads worth, D. D., was pastor F®,3SBS®.ICM. B» l>a2Sm^(i LITTLEVILLE — SOUTH AVON — FREDERICK B. PIERSON. 445 from 1846 to 1852. Rev. Charles W. Higgins succeeded Dr. Wadsworth in the spring of 1853 and left in 1855. Rev. J. W. Ray began his min- istry in August, 1855, and closed March i, 1857. Rev. Nathaniel Elmer, now at Middletown, Conn., was in charge from the spring of 1858 to the spring of 1862. Rev. Archibald M. Shaw, now at Clifton, N.'Y., was in charge for one year from January, 1864. Rev. Edwin R. Davis, now at Chicago, 111., came and remained until the end of 1865. Rev. Joseph R. Page, D. D., for many years pastor of the Presbyterian church of Perry, N. Y., commenced his ministry at the East Avon church May 1, 1868, and removed to Rochester in Novem- ber, 1872. Dr. Page was stated supply for four months in 1873 and four months in 1874. Rev. H. P. V. Bogue took charge of the parish August 16, 1874, holding the same till the first Sabbath in June, 1876, when here- signed. Rev. W. L. Parsons, D. D., since de- ceased, member of the Ingham Institute, LeRoy, supplied the pulpit during a summer. Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., an ex-foreign missionary, and for many years pastor at Geneseo, took charge as stated supply October, 1876, and continued till February 8, 1880. Following Dr. Ward was Rev. James F. Calkins. We find that between 1812 and 1880 the East Avon church has been in charge of 2 1 ministers, with interims of assistance rendered by at least ten neighboring pastors. With a church edifice central to the parish, ample in size and commodious in all its arrange- ments; with a chapel just completed, and all that is required in such a room ; with a Sabbath school containing youth from all the families in the con- gregation, and teachers from among the best qualified for this post in the parish, and an ever renewed library of instructing and interesting books ; with an eldership of hearty devotion to the cause of Christ and souls, there is no reason why this church should not take its place in the fore- most ranks of religion. LiTTLEVILLE. Littleville is a small hamlet situated upon the Conesus outlet a short distance south of Avon. At an early day it was quite prominent, its business interests rivaling those of Avon. It derives its name from Norman Little, a son of Dr. Little of East Avon, who settled here as early as 1830. The place contains a flouring-mill, a blacksmith shop, a saw mill and a population of about two hundred. The present flouring mill (custom,) was built in the fall of 1879 upon the site of one burned in 1878. E. Light is the proprietor. It contains two runs of stones. A former mill on this site was erected about 18 10. The saw mill is owned by W. P. Haskins. The stone bridge across the outlet was built in 1850. Paul Knowles, a clothier by trade, came from Berkshire county, Mass., and settled in Lima in 1808, and in 1810 removed to Littleville, where he erected a carding and fulling mill on Conesus out- let between the flouring mill and the bridge. He continued to operate this mill till 1834. He died in 1845. He had a family of eight children viz : — William, Ann Eliza, Caroline, Betsey, Paul) Calvin. George and James, all of whom are living except Paul and Betsey. At this point on the Conesus, there was erected by Jeremiah Riggs previous to 1810, a distillery which was in operation for several years. The last proprietor was Norman Little. South Avon. South Avon is a postoffice situated three miles south of Avon. H. W. Chadwick is the post- master, which position he has held for six years. Josiah Chadwick was postmaster previous to him, and held the office a great many years. He also kept the hotel here as early as 1830. There used to be a store at this place, but both store and ho- tel are closed. A blacksmith shop is located here. Near South Avon, on the Conesus, is located a strawboard mill, owned by Josiah Curtis of Gen- eseo, and leased by S. L. Harned, who has opera- ted it since May, 1879. The capacity of the mill is four hundred tons per annum. It gives employ- ment to eight men. The building was built about fifteen years ago by Josiah Curtis, on the site of the Wadsworth flouring mills, which were totally destroyed by fire, Saturday night, Oct. i, 1864. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, FREDERICK BUSHNELL PIERSON. F. B. Pierson is the second son of Joseph Pier- son, who was born in Ellington, Conn., April 15, 1767, and who, when about twenty-one years of age emigrated to Schenectady county, where he 446 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. married Sarah Watrous. July, 1797, he removed with his family to Avon (then Hartford.) They had nine children, only four of whom are now living, as follows: — Catherine, Wealthy, Frederick B., and Bradley M. The names of those who died were Clarenda. Mary, Nancy, Maria, and George. On settling in Avon, Mr. Pierson purchased lands and became extensively engaged in agriculture, and also kept a hotel at East Avon for ten or twelve years. He died December 10, 1843, and his wife September 17, 18 10. Frederick Bushnell Pierson was born on the old homestead in Avon, November 22, 1806, and was brought up on the farm, receiving his education at the district school and at the academy at East Henrietta. He has continued to follow the avoca- tion of farming, and his farm is considered one of the model farms of Livingston county. On May 8, 1828, he was married to Frances Jariette, the daughter of Kasson and Sabrina (Redington) Gib- son, of East Avon, who was born on the 9th of July, 1 8 10, in Cobleskill. They have had four children, viz: — Sarah A., married to Rev. Dr. E. B. Walsworth, and residing at Albion, Orleans county, Joseph Kasson (deceased), Frances Janette, married to Jacob H. Brumagira, and residing on Staten Island, and Sabrina Eliza (deceased). Mr. Pierson has formerly taken a great interest in mili- tary affairs, and was Captain of the Independent Rifle Company of Avon. He is a strong Demo- crat, and has been several times elected Assessor of his town. In religious sentiment he is a Pres- byterian, and is a plain, unassuming man of ster- ling integrity. He justly deserves the esteem and respect in which he is held by all who know him. To him largely the county is indebted for the in- troduction of the best blooded stock of various kinds into the Livingston County Agricultural So- ciety's Fairs. He was one of the first to introduce the Spanish Merino sheep into Western New York, about the year 1835, and sheep from his flocks have been sought for and are found in many parts of the Union. Horses reared upon his farm have not been regarded unfit gifts for two Presidents of the United States. He has taken premiums on his farm, cattle, horses and sheep several times. It seems not too much to say that as a farmer he is justly entitled to credit for having done his share in elevating the standard of agriculture in Livings- ton coimty. He has been a man of deeds, not words, and has been, hke the man of whom one of the world's greatest living historians speaks, — " Too busy to write history, but himself busied in mak- ing it." DONALD Mcpherson. The subject of this sketch is the son of James and Margaret (Kennedy) McPherson, who came from Culloden, Scotland, in 1801, and first settled near Delhi, Delaware county, N. Y., where in 1803, Donald was born. In July, 1816, the family, com- prising his father and mother, brother James, now at Lyons, Iowa, and Henrietta, who afterwards was married to Duncan Stuart, of York, moved up to the Genesee Valley. This was on the 3d of July, 1816, and they encountered a furious snow storm while crossing the Chenango river. The family settled upon the homestead about three miles southwest of Canawaugus, and the Indians living at that place were constant visitors at the house and Donald spent many days in their company hunting, and often remaining nights with them at their village of Canawaugus. His educational advantages were only those of the common district schools. In 1828 he was married to Jean Calder, by whom he has had five children, as follows : James, John, Daniel, Joseph and Jennie. Mr. McPherson has always followed the occupation of farming, has served his tow^n acceptably many terms as Supervisor, and eight years as a com- missioned officer in the State Militia. He was formerly a Whig, but of late years has affiliated with the Democratic party. In religious beUef he is a Presbyterian. Nearly five years ago he moved to Avon Springs, where with his wife and son, Col. James A. McPherson, he now resides. His father and mother died in 1828, the former aged 62 years and the latter 60 years. Mrs. Jean (Calder) McPherson is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Calder, of Sterlingshire, Scotland, and was born at Greenfield, Conn., in 1806. Her parents came from Scotland about the year 1800, and after a residence of a few years in Massachusetts and Connecticut moved to the " Genesee country," where, in i8o8 they settled on what is known as the Casey farm, near Fowlerville. The creek passing through the place is known as " Calder Creek," from the family name. All this part of the town was then Cale- donia, and when the Calder's moved here there was only one white settler — Ralph Brown — between their home and the Indian settlement at " Genesee Castle " or " Big Tree." Mrs. McPherson is, we think, the oldest Kving pioneer of this section, and she remembers well when the first tree was cut and the first house erected in the place now known as Fowlerville. The Indians were not at all backward in making known their wants. One time several squaws came to the house and demanded "quisquis" (pork). On being told there was " none to spare," one of them went to the pork barrel and taking out a piece held it up exclaiming " Bad Yankee! " Mrs. McPherson is the only survivor of a large family. Her father died in 1817, aged 55 years, and her mother in 182 1, aged 56 years. Col. James A. McPherson, the eldest son of Donald, was born in 1830, and spent much of his early Hfe in manufacturing interests in the South, until the breaking out of the Civil war in which he early enhsted. He was Second and First Lieutenant in the 26th New York Independent Battery, and accompanied it to New Orleans, taking part in the occupation of the city, acting .as Assistant Quartermaster in the " Departri^^nt of the '^,c?-n.aA/^^Af !^eUon- r.mi- by B:S.11iii1 .i.Sin&n InrOM/ St MY Photo, by Merrill, Geneseo. Leicester J EicESTER Johnson. Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo. Julia A. M. Johnson, Photo, by Merrell, Geneseo. Seymour Johnson. DONALD Mcpherson— LEICESTER JOHNSON— CALEDONIA. 447 Gulf" until after the occupation of Port Hudson by the United States forces. Desiring a more active service he left New Orleans, and entering the 1 6th New York Cavalry, shared in the brilliant aehievement of that arm of the service in the valley of Virginia, during the closing scenes of the war. He now resides at Avon Springs with his aged parents. He is by profession a mechanical engineer, and in politics is a Democrat. Hon. John R. McPherson the second son of Donald was born on the old homestead in the town of York, in May, 1832. He was graduated at Temple Hill academy in Gceneseo, and on leaving school gave his attention to farming and stock raising until 1859, when he moved to Hudson city, N. J., where he engaged in dealing in live stock. He was the projector, architect, and superinten- dent of the construction of the stock-yard and abattoir in Jersey city, and is now j)resident of the Central Stock-yard and Transit Co., and lessee of the National stock-yards on the Erie R. R. at Buf- falo, Deposit, Oak Cliff and New York. He is also one of the principal proprietors at West Phila- delphia, of the abattoir and stock yard. He was one of the originators, and the first president of the People's Gas-light company of Hudson city, and for six consecutive years was a member of the Board of Aldermen, three years acting as president of that body. In 1871 he was elected State Sena- tor and served one term. He took a decided stand against the Camden and Amboy R. R. monopolies and it was mainly owing to his efforts that the present liberal railway law was passed and placed among the statutes of N. J. On the 24th of January, 1877, he was elected United States Senator for the long term to succeed Mr. Freling- huysen. He is a model business man, prompt, energetic and trustworthy. In 1868 he was mar- ried to Edla J. Gregory of Buffalo, by whom he has two children, Gregory and Edla. Daniel McPherson, the third son of Donald, was born in 1834, and until after the close of the late war had never left home, except when attend- ing school. He was graduated at Fairfield acade- my, Herkimer county, and in 1865 took up his resi- dence in the State of New Jersey, where in 1870, he married Miss Wood, of Woodville. They have one child — Anna Wood, and their present residence is in New York city. In politics Mr. McPherson IS a RepubHcan, and though a fine business man, he prefers to be known simply, as a plain unassuming farmer. Joseph H. McPherson, was born on the home- stead in 1839. Early in the civil war he joined the 8th N. Y. Cavalry, Company H, shared in all its hard fought battles, and was in sixteen engage- ments. On the 12th of October, while his regi- ment was engaged with the enemy at Stevensburgh, Va., he was severely wounded, and was removed to the hospital in Washington, where he survived but a few hours. A fine monument marks his grave in the cemetery at Avon, and that of his twin sister Jennie beside him, who died in Avon, October 3, 1877. LEICESTER JOHNSON. Leicester Johnson was the second son of David Johnson, who came from Hartford, Conn., some- where about the year 1808, and purchased a small tract of land in the town of Avon, then Hartford, where he followed the occupation of farming, which was attended with more or less trials and hardships incident to pioneer life in the Genesee Valley. During the year known as the "cold season" he would walk seven miles and put in a full day's work for a peck of corn, which he would carry home up- on his back at night for the use of his family. He was the youngest of seven sons. The other six all served their country in the Revolutionary war. One of the brothers, Ebenezer, was about the first Mayor of the city of Buffalo. David Johnson married Rachel Chappel, of Con- necticut, by whom he had nine children, four sons and five daughters. By his honesty and persever- ing industry and economy he acquired a competen- cy. He died in 1814. Leicester Johnson, whose name heads this brief memoir, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1805, and came with his father to Livingston county, then Ontario. He was brought up on his father's farm, receiving such an education as could be acquired at the common district schools. After attaining to the age of 18 years, he taught school winters and worked upon the farm during the summer. In 1 83 1 he married Julia A. M., daughter of Calvin Bicknell, Esq., of Geneseo, who bore him six chil- dren, four of whom are now hving, namely: Sey- mour, Leicester, Julia A. M., and Julius. The latter is living in Geneseo. The others died in in- fancy. Mr. Johnson was an "old-hne Whig," but became identified with the Republican party. In his younger days he took an active interest in the political affairs of the country, though never seek- ing office. He was for many years Town Superin- tendent of Schools, and filled many other local of- fices at different times. Upon his beautiful farm, where at an earlier period he had seen the wild deer and the bear roam in apparent security, he has for years heard the shrill whistle of the locomotive and seen the trains of heavily freighted cars passing and re-passing at almost all hours. He died in 1875, honored and lamented by all who knew him. Seymour is the eldest of the family, and is living upon the old homestead of his father, now con- sisting of 350 acres of as good land as there is in the Genesee Valley, a finely improved farm 3J miles south of the village of Avon. CHAPTER XXX. History of the Town of Caledonia. THE town of Caledonia lies on the extreme north-western border of the county. It con- tains an area of 26,199 ^cres, and is bounded on the north by Wheatland, (Monroe county); on 448 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. the south by York and Avon; on the east by Rush (Monroe county,) and Avonj and on the west by LeRoy and Pavillion, (Genesee county). The Genesee river forms the eastern boundary between Rush and Avon. The Erie railroad passes through the town from north-west to south-east, and the Canan- daigua and Niagara railroad crosses from east to west through the northern part. The only im- portant streams are White creek, which rises in the northern part and flows south-easterly into the Genesee river, and the Caledonia Springs, in the northern part, which cover an area of some six acres, the outlet of which forms an excellent water power for milling and manufacturing purposes. The soil is a clay loam with a sub-stratum of lime- stone. The town has been, and is now to some extent, noted for its extensive and valuable quarries of building stone and gypsum. Great quantities of hme were manufactured in the western part of the town, and " Caledonia plaster" for years bore an excellent reputation. Caledonia and Canawaugus are the only settle- ments in the town. The former, a quite populous and enterprising village, lies in the northwestern part. Canawaugus, a small hamlet, lies in the south-eastern part of the town, on the line of the Erie railroad. This, at an early day, was an In- dian village of some prominence, and is supposed to have been the birthplace of the famous chief. Red Jacket. It was here that he and such other chieftains as Capt. Hot Bread, Capt. Jack, Henry O'Beal and Blue Sky, ruled supreme. When the persons who were the original owners of Avon came to settle and to make improvements, among the preliminary steps taken for the purpose of getting the good will of the Indians they made a feast and invited the Indians to partake. This feast was held at Canawaugus. In the days of the Genesee Valley Canal a con- siderable shipping business was done here, and large lumber yards were owned by Mr. Hamilton and others. A grocery store was kept here by a Mr. Penigree for the custom afforded by the canal. The place contains now but a few scattering houses, and one store kept by John Hollenbeck, who has also been postmaster there about seven years. In 1797 all the territory west of the Genesee river, included in the State of New York, was con- stituted a town of Ontario county and named Northampton. By the pioneers it was familiarly called " The Town of Two Rivers," from the fac of its being bounded on the east by the Genesee and on the west by Niagara river. Its northen boundary was Lake Ontario, and its southern, thi Pennsylvania line. The first town meeting of thi extensive territory was held at the " Big Springs,' now Caledonia, and was presided over by Ga( Wadsworth, Esq., of Avon. ' In 1802 the county of Genesee was set oflffron Ontario county, and comprised within its limits al of the Sate of New York west of Genesee river. On the 30th of March of that year the towns o Leicester, Batavia and Southampton were erectec from Northampton. Caledonia, which then com prised the towns of Wheatland, LeRoy, and aportior of York was included in the town of Southampton which name it bore until changed to Caledonia April 4th, 1806. In 1812 a new town was erectec from Caledonia and named Bellona, and in the following year took its present name of LeRoy, In 1819 that portion of York, then known as Medford, belonging to Caledonia, was set off, and with some of the territory of Leicester, was elected into a separate township, and in 1821 Wheatland, then known as Inverness, was set off into the new county of Monroe. In 1795 there was built at the "Big Springs,' now Caledonia, a house " by two EngUshmen ol the name of Kane and MofiFatt."* This was the first house built here, and those squatters were probably the first to locate within the present limits of the town. In this house Kane and Moflfatt kept tavern for some time, but being suspected ol robbery and murder they were driven away by the settlers at Avon. They were succeeded by twc men named L. Peterson! and David Fuller, about 1798, who in this house, aftd in log-houses built b) themselves, entertained travelers, and afforded a temporary shelter to the Scotch emigrants whc soon after came as the pioneer settlers of the town In the year 1798,^ a number of families anc young persons emigrated from Broadalbin, Perth shire, Scotland, to America, to seek a home where they could be free from the exactions of lane * For much of the early history of this town we are indebted to thf writings of Donald McKenzie, of Caledonia and Donald D. McKenzie of York, who have devoted much time in collecting data relating to th< early years of this section of country. The facts relating to Kane anc Moffatt appeared in the LeRoy Gazette of June 9, 1858, and, with othei matter, were gleaned from the notes of Donald McKenzie, of Cale donia. t Peterson's successor was a man of the name of Brooks: he was sue ceeded by Job Pierce, who sold to John Cameron and moved to Avon ii 1806, where for many years he was a successful merchant. t From notes of Donald D. McKenzie, changed only somewhat ii language. CALEDONIA — EARLY SETTLERS. 449 owners and the danger of impressment in the army of the British government, then waging war against France. In the beginning of March, they took shipping at Greenock, and arrived in New York before the first of May, and from tlience proceeded without delay to Johnstown, Montgomery (now Fulton) county, N. Y., where a number of their friends and acquaintances had been settled for many years. Here they remained for nearly a year, undeter- mined as- to their future location. Vague reports came to them of lands open for settlement in the Genesee country, but no one could give them au- thentic information concerning that then far away region. Col. WiUiamson, agent for the Pultney estate, hearing of their arrival in Johnstown, and being de- sirous of securing Scottish emigration to this portion of the Genesee country, journeyed there to see them, and held out tempting inducements for them to settle on his company's land near the "Big Springs." He offered them land at three dollars per acre, payable in wheat at six shillings per bushel, and agreed to provide them with necessary pro- visions until they were able to provide for them- selves. As they had expended all their money for the passage to America, and were consequently too poor to purchase land in Johnstown, Col. William- son's alluring offers were deemed worthy of accept- ance. But with the habitual shrewdness of their race, before they gave him a decided answer they resolved to send five of their number to explore the Genesee country and report the result of their investigations. The names of the persons selected to visit that then distant region were Donald McPherson, Malcolm McLaren, Hugh McDermid, James McLaren, and John D. Mc- Vean. These young men traveled on foot the distance of two hundred miles, and arrived at a place called the " Big Springs," so named " on account of large springs of water that rise from the ground there."* The investigation was quite satisfactory to the ex- plorers, and they started on their return journey to Johnstown to entreat their companions to prepare immediately for settlement in this new and prom- ising country. On the return journey they met Col. WiUiamson on the road between Geneva and Canandaigua, and there on the highway the writings were drawn and the bargain closed that secured to them the occu- • pancy of this fertile region. " On our return to * These springs are now in the village of Caledonia. Geneva,* Col. Williamson treated us to peaches and other new fruit of the Genesee country. He showed us his English stock cattle which we all admired, but much more so the man, Col. Wil- liamson. After we arrived in Caledonia again, with our families, we must all acknowledge that we found Col. Williamson more noble and generous than he agreed or promised." Upon receiving the report of the five explorers, emigrants in Johnstown made immediate prepara- tion for their journey to the Genesee country. The number of men, women, and children did not exceed twenty persons — as some of the company remained in Johnstown until the next spring — and included Peter Campbell and wife, Malcolm Mc- Laren and wife, John McNaughton and wife, Don- ald McVean, Hugh McDermid, John McPherson, and, in the succeeding fall, Donald McPherson, Donald Anderson," and Alexander Thompson. These are the settlers who found temporary relief and shelter beneath the thatched roofs of Peterson and Fuller, and who constituted the pioneer set- tlers of the town of Caledonia. Arriving here in March of the year 1799, and being satisfied with the appearance of the soil, they agreed to purchase three thousand acres on the previously arranged plan of three dollars per acre, to be paid in wheat at six shillings per bushel. On account of so extensive a purchase Charles Williamson agreed to grant to them two hundred acres as a donation for the support of a minister, together with two acres on the State road on which to build a church and school house, t The pioneers then began in earnest to build houses and to cultivate the ground. Accessions were made yearly to this small colony by their countrymen from Scotland and Johnstown. Those who came soon after were John and Daniel Anderson, John Christie and family, John McLaren, Major Isaac Smith, Finley McKercher and his sons, Peter and John, who came in September, 1800 ; John McKay, his mother and sister, Jeannette, Alexander McDonald and his wife and son Donald and two daughters, Jeannette and Catharine, Robert Whaley, Wil- liam Armstrong, all of whom came previous to 1804 ; and Angus Cameron and three sons — Dun- can A., Donald and John, who came about the year 1804. These settlers were reduced to nearly * From notes of Donald McPherson included in the writings of Donald McKenzie. tin i8oz at the formation of the "Caledonia Presbyterian Keligious Society,'' William Pultney, through his agent, Charies Williamson, made over a deed of I So acres of land for church lands, 2 acres on which to build a manse, and Jo acres for school purposes, which was duly re- corded in the County Clerk's office of Ontario in i8oi. 45° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. the conditions and surroundings of the most primi- tive age. To those who had been born and bred in Scotland, and whose ancestors had for genera- tions inhabited the highlands and lowlands of that staid and long settled country, everything in this region was both new and strange. They found themselves at once introduced to a new world and a new government, to new scenes, new manners and customs. The system of government even, at that early period, was yet both new and problem- atical. The sudden transition from a monarchial to a republican government was attended by no Uttle mental embarrassment, but they soon became im- bued with the spirit of republican principles, and clung with the true Scottish love to the land of their adoption. Coming here poor and with scarcely the means for subsistence. Col. WiUiamson furnished them with provisions and the necessary faciHties for the cultivation of the soil. Wheat was obtained at Dansville, and for some time was ground at the Wadsworth mills in Conesus. In the summer of 1 80 1 Mr. Williamson began the erection of the first grist mill on the outlet of the Springs,* which was completed in 1802. The work was superin- tended by Jonathan Baker. Finley McPherson was employed by Mr. Baker to dig for the foundation at six shiUings per day and board himself, and was obliged to go for his pay to the Pultney Company's store in Hermit- age,! some twenty miles distant. This was a small mill, having but one run of stones, and was the first mill, except Allen's, west of the Genesee river. In 1803, this mill and two hundred acres of land, which included the Springs, the outlet, and the site of Mumford, were purchased for two thousand dollars by an enterprising pioneer, John McKay. Mr. McKay came to the Genesee coun- try in 1793, when but sixteen years of age, and worked for several years as carpenter and joiner, coming to Caledonia in 1803. In 1804 he erected there a saw mill, in the construction of which he was assisted by WilUam J Whaley, who soon after- wards married his sister Jeannette. John McKay died in 1850, aged seventy-three years. The next grist mill erected in Caledonia was built in 1814 by Moses Gibson and Col. Robert McKay,§ on a * Turner says this mill was begun in 1799, but the notes of Donald McKenzie and others of the first settlers place the date at 1801. t Williamsburgh. , Alexander McDonald was the company's sub- agent and clerk at that place. t In another place this name is given as Robert Whaley. § Brother to John McKay, and an early school-teacher in the Genesee country. Stream near the line of York. With the erection of these convenient mills the progress in farming and building was more rapid, and the settlers were soon making considerable headway, though still in straitened circumstances and struggling against the numerous adversities and privations of pioneer life. In the fall and winter of 1803 and 1804, a large number of Scotch people came in from Inverness- shire and Argyleshire, and other places in Scot- land, and at that time came also some of those who had remained in Johnstown since 1798. Among these settlers may be mentioned the names of Duncan McColl and his son, Donald, Lachlan, Daniel, James and Niel McLean, brothers, Archibald Gillis, Archibald McLachlin, William Orr, Angus Haggart, and Niel, his brother, CoUin Gillis and John McKenzie, the most of whom brought families with them. Among the many intelligent and prominent early settlers was Donald McKenzie,"* who came to America in 1805. He arrived in New York in July, where he remained two months working as a clerk in a store. From there he went to Con- necticut, where he stayed until fall, when he came to Caledonia. He worked for a short time in a cloth dressing and carding shop on Honeoye creek in Lima, and in the fall of 1806 he built on the present site of Mumford a small log building, in which he began the business of cloth dressing, becoming in that business the pioneer in all the Genesee country west of the river. He had for his early customers all the people of a territory now included in the ten counties. In 1809 he added to his business a carding machine, which was the second in all the territory west of the Genesee river, the first having been erected by William H. Bush, near Batavia. Not long after this small beginning he built a large framed shop, in which for some time he did a profitable business until it was destroyed by fire. During this time he had purchased of the EngUsh Company in Geneva some three or four hundred acres of land, on a part of v/hich he soon built a large stone factory and commenced again not only the former business, but the additional branches of spinning and manufacturing of all kinds of cloth. He also built a large grist-mill on Allen's creek, a short distance east of Mumford, from which for some years he derived considerable profit, but which he lost through some business misfortune. He * To whose writings, as before mentioned, we are indebted for many of these facts. Mr. &• Mrs. John Cameb\on. JOHN CAMERON. John Cameron was a native of Inverness, Scot- land. His father, Angus Cameron, was also a na- .tive of the same place. In 1804, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Alexander Cameron, of Argyleshire, Scotland, and soon after, in com- pany with his wife, came to America, landing in the city of New York, and proceeded from there to Geneva, where he engaged in the mercantile business in company with Colonel Grieves. After remaining there nearly a year he sold out his interest to his partner, and through the solici- tations of the Scotch settlers in Caledonia, or "Big Springs," as it was then called, came here in 1805 and opened a store containing general merchandise. He was the first merchant who engaged in busi- ness in this town, and continued in it till about 18 15 or '16, soon after the close of the war of 1812. He died August 7th, 1820, and his wife June 8, 1849. They left eight children as fol- lows : — Angus, born July 10, 1805 ; Margaret, born March 4, 1808; Mary Ann, born March 21, 1810; Alexander, born December 10, 1811; John Greig, born July 31, 1813; Caroline, born May 13, 1815; Jean, born March 25, 1817; and Charles, born August s, 1820. Only three of the family are now living, viz :^Margaret, Mary Ann, who married Peter Forbes and resides in Burlington, Racine county, Michigan, and Jean, who married Robert Brown, of Mumford, Monroe county, N. Y. CALEDONIA— EARLY SETTLERS. 451 also lost a large section of his land, and the stone factory had not been many years in operation when that, too, was burned down, incurring a loss of many thousand dollars in buildings and ma- chinery. He then built on the Spring creek, near his house, a large saw-mill, in which for a number of years he did a paying business. He married in T809 a daughter of William Hencher, the " prince of pioneers," who settled near the mouth of the Genesee river in 1792. She had been inured to the hardships and discomforts incident to pioneer life, and it is not known that in all the reverses of fortune which came upon the family that she ever gave utterance to one perverse murmur. She died Sept. 14, 1877, aged 92. Donald McKenzie died Sept. 13, 1861, aged 77. His children were Janet McNaughton, of Mum- ford, N. Y.; William W. McKenzie, of Oakland, Cal.; Daniel R. McKenzie, of Liberty, Ind. ; Mary McLean, of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Elizabeth, now on the homestead, — all living ; and Mehitable Lusk died July 15, 1843; Sarah died in 1832; Joseph died in Kansas, September 25, 1857 ; John J. died July 3, 1878; and Simon D. died June 10, 1879. Alexander McDonald, Col. Williamson's clerk and sub-agent, was another prominent early settler. He sailed from Scotland in July, 1775, in the ship "Glasgow," Captain Townsend, with five hun- dred passengers. On arriving in New York they were all taken as prisoners by the British ship of war, Asia, and sent to Boston, and then to Hali- fax. Alexander was then enlisted in the 84th Regiment, in which he served five years. He af- terward owned half of the schooner "Mary," 105 tons burden, which was lost on the first voyage to Maderia. He then went to the Bahama Islands, arriving at Nassau in 1790, and was there over- seer of Lord Dunmore's estates. On his return from there to New York he engaged with Charles Williamson, agent for the Pultney Estate, and sailed from New York, April 9, 1793, arriving at Williamsburgh about the beginning of June. Here he remained in the employ of Colonel WilHamson until the latter left the agency, when he removed to Caledonia about the year 1802. He was the first postmaster here, the first captain of militia,* and for a number of years kept tavern in a build- ing which stood just beyond the Presbyterian First Church. He died in February, 1826. John Cameron came to Caledonia in 1806, lo- • Of him it is related that in drilling an " awkward squad " who did understand the meaning of the order about face, he cried out, ' ' Turn your face to the captain's hoose, an' your bocks to John McKay's mull I" eating at what is now Caledonia village. He pur- chased the old log cabin tavern stand and a large farm adjoining, on which he built a commodious framed house and a store. He was the first mer- chant in Caledonia. He had married the daugh- ter of a wealthy lease-holder in Scotland — a wo- man of great beauty. The union was opposed by her father, and America became their "Gretna Green," and the Genesee country their final desti- nation. He engaged at first in the mercantile business with Walter Grieves in Geneva, but as early as 1806 removed to Caledonia. During the years embracing the war of 1812 he relinquished the management of the tavern, but his hospitable private house was often the stopping place of Gen- erals Gains, Brown, Ripley and Scott, and other leaders, when public houses had not the capacity to accommodate all who were on their way to and from the frontier. Mr. Cameron died in 1820. leaving his wife with eight children, and with his business affairs much embarrassed. She assumed, with her son Angus, the management of the tavern, store, and farm. They retrieved the estate, main- tained and educated the family, and accumulated for them a considerable inheritance of property, and a far richer one — the noble example of a pio- neer mother. She died in 1849. Finley McLaren was the first to die in this town, and he was buried where the Presbyterian First Church now stands. He died about the year 1800. The first marriage was that of Hinds Chamberlin and the Widow McLaren. The first school was built in about 1802, and Jeannette McDonald was the first school teacher. The first settled preacher was Rev. Alexander Denoon. Another early minister was Rev. Donald Mann, of the Baptist denomination, who came to Cale- donia in 1809, from Invernesshire, Scotland. The first church was built in about 1806, and was located on the ground now occupied by the house of Charles Blackman. In 1807 occurred here a horrible murder which was the first startling crime ever committed in this region. In the laying out of a road near the land of Duncan McColl, James McLean and WiUiam Orr engaged in some ill-tempered dispute, and McLean, who was quite violent when enraged, struck Orr on the head with an ax, killing him instantly. Being reproached by Archibald Mc- Laughlin, one of the working party, who came up at that moment and bent over the murdered man, McLean at once struck him a heavy blow with the ax, cutting to his heart, and kiOing him as sud- 452 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. denly as he had killed Orr. McLean then made his escape and fled to Canandaigua, where he was discovered and arrested and taken to Batavia, where he was afterward convicted and executed. James McLean had three brothers, Lachlin, Donald, and Niel. The first brother has three sons now living — Hector, in Rochester, Lachlin, in Wisconsin, and Alexander McLean, the chief of police in Rochester, N. Y. Peter and John, sons to Donald McLean, live in Michigan, the latter being a doctor in the city of Jackson. A daughter, Mary, lives in Rochester. The children of Niel McLean are Alexander, Betsey, (Mrs. WiUiam McPherson,) and Mrs. Duncan Shepard, all of whom live in Michigan. Among the descendants of other settlers are Peter Campbell, who lives on the farm on which his father, Peter Campbell, settled in 1799. John Campbell, another son, lives in Fowlerville, York. Angus Cameron, who came here in 1804, has none but grandchildren living : — Hugh Cameron, a law- yer, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Mary, Catherine, Duncan, now in Wisconsin, Mrs. Margaret Wil- son, and U. S. Senator Angus Cameron, of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Other grandchildren were Daniel, Dugald, and Alexander. Daniel died in June, 1856 ; Dugald died in LaCrosse, Wis., in 1867 ; and Alexander died in April of 1864, from disease contracted in the late war. All of these were children of Duncan A. Cameron, son to Angus. Rev. Alexander Denoon has two sons now living in Caledonia, James and Alexander; Simon, an- other son, died in California some three or four years ago, and two daughters died in 1813 or 1814. Among these noble pioneer men and women there existed a moral principle that was above suspicion, and a strict regard for their pledged word was manifest in all their dealings. They have passed to their final rest, and with thiem the peerless Scotch pioneer mothers, who forsook paternal roofs and youthful associations and fol- lowed the husbands of their choice over a wide ocean, and with them entered the forests of the Genesee country, willing helpers in all that had to be done and endured. The pioneers of Caledonia brought with them Scotland's vigor, Scotland's customs, and Scot- land's names. This region in early days was called New Inverness, for the Inverness left behind in fatherland, and when that name became obsolete the more national name of Caledonia clung to it like the mists which cling to the highland crags. Those hardy sons of Scotia plied the ax, and, as if caused by the whistle of Roderic Dhu, from matted forests sprang forth fields of grain, and the wilder- ness gave place to the broad and cultivated farms that grace that town to-day. And the Scottish vigor has not been purely physical. There has been a wealth of mental vigor. From this town have gone forth artists, poets, and statesmen. " Happy as a Queen," which at the Centennial Exposition received honorable mention as an artistic production, was painted by Kate E. Cam- eron,* of this town. She went to Paris, France, in 1867, to perfect her studies, and died there June 22, 1878. The celebrated Chester Harding, one of the. best portrait painters America ever produced, lived in Caledonia village in 18 14 and '15. Few men in any country have risen from obscurity to fame so well deserved, and few have crowned their honors by the grace of so noble a life. He was born in the town of Conway, Mass., September 1st, 1792 and came to Caledonia about the close of the war of 18 1 2. Here he engaged in cabinet making in company with a man named Osgood, the latter doing the wood work and Harding the painting. A house which he built is now standing, the prop- erty of Miss Mallock. Money being scarce, he took from customers their notes for furniture, and having difficulty in negotiating them he became involved in debt to the extent of some five hundred dollars. The law im- prisoning for debt was then in force, with whose dire vengeance Harding was threatened. Judge Willard H. Smith, afterwards one of the ablest of the Judiciary of Livingston county, espoused his cause, and secreted him in a building now occupied by Miller & Son as a plow manufactory. In the cellar of this building he remained hidden from Friday until Sunday, Judge Smith conveying to him food and drink. As he could not on the Sabbath day be arrested on a civil process, the Judge opened the door of his temporary prison and, pointing to the woods beyond the village, said — "There are the woods; now make for them!" And he did. From there he went to Le Roy, and from there to Batavia, losing no time in getting outside the jurisdiction of his former county. In the vicinity of Batavia he remained a short time, and then worked his way to Pittsburg, where he engaged in house and sign painting. Afterwards becoming acquainted w ith a sign and portrait * Sister to Dugald E. Cameron, merchant in Caledonia. £'-'fra,.e^ by E Sarivr ■ ^'^' n I'^.f^nuL CALEDONIA— EARLY SETTLERS. 453 painter named Nelson, he became convinced that he, too, could paint portraits, and he at once en- tered upon the career which made him famous both in this country and in Europe. He died in Boston in April, 1866. John H. McNaughton, the popular song writer and poet, lives three miles southeast from the vil- lage of Caledonia. His residence is a comfortable farm house whose interior bears evidence of the jjoetical nature of the man. Mr. McNaughton was born in Caledonia in 1829. He received his education in the common schools of that town, and early evinced a decided aptitude for music and musical studies, which later developed into the phase of song writing that has made him so popu- lar both in this country and in Europe. His songs have a peculiar sweetness and an individual charm, due, undoubtedly, to the inspiration which prompts both the words and the music. He has written the words and the music of over one hun- dred songs which were issued simultaneously in New York and London._ Among those melodies are the exceptionally popular ones of "Bell Ma- hone," "Jamie True," "Mary Aileen," "As we went a-Haying," "Sweet Night, be Calm," " Faded coat of Blue," the latter being a popular song dur- ing the war of the Rebellion. Mr. McNaughton is also the author of a volume of poems entitled " Babble Brook Songs," and a theoretical work on Bands and Orchestras, besides being a prolific con- tributor to various musical journals and reviews on Harmony, Acoustics, and other technics relating to the science of music. Caledonia was also the home of that eminent jurist. Judge Willard H. Smith,* who came to this town in 1813. He was a native of Chesterfield, Mass., where he was born in 1785.! He gradua- ted from Williams College in that State, September 10, 1 8 10, and soon after studied law with Bleeker & Sedgwick in Albany, N. Y., and afterwards with Samuel Huntington, of Waterford. In Octo- ber, 1813, he was admitted to practice in the Su- preme Courts of this State. He was appointed First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Liv- ingston county March 24, 1832, the duties of which office he continued to discharge for sixteen years — or until that office became an elective one.f His dignified and impartial manner in dispensing justice, his extens ive learning and eminent talent * See Biography and Portrait upon another page. t The notes of Donald McKenzie give his place of birth as Cheshire county, New Hampshire, September 30, 1785, and also state that in 1791 he removed with his father to Hampshire county, Mass., where he re- mained till he completed his education. t In 1847. as a counsellor and jurist, qualified him, above many of his contemporaries, for the duties of this important and arduous office. Willard H. Smith was the first, and for a long time the only, lawyer in a large section of country west of the Genesee river. It was in rather an unpropitious period that the then young lawyer chose as his residence and the theatre of his professional career, a village west of that river. It was in the darkest days of the war of 181 2, — atime of alarm, dismay, and flight. Judge Smith arrived at his new home in the evening of the day on which Buffalo was burned, and here for over fifty years he lived an honorable and useful life, highly esteemed by the legal fraternity, and respected by all with whom he came in contact. He died December 25, 1865. His only living de- scendants are Mrs. Frances C, widow of Hon. Harlow W. Wells, who now resides in the village of Caledonia, and Mrs. Thomas Frothingham, Mrs. Hon. William N. Emerson, and Loyd K. Smith, who reside in Rochester, N. Y. Among the citizens of this town who have graced the legislative halls of this State and nation, we may mention the names of Hon. Angus Cameron, now Senator from Wisconsin, Hon. Norman Mel- drum, who was born here, and who is now Secre- tary of the State of Colorado, of which State he has also been a Senator, and Hon. Harlow W. Wells, M. D., above mentioned in connection with the family of Judge Willard H. Smith, and whose biog- raphy and portrait appear in another part of this work. Mr. Wells was born in Leyden, Franklin county, Mass., in 1809. He graduated from Fair- field Medical College in January, 1834, and in April of that year came to Caledonia to begin the prac- tice of his profession. He had for forty years an extensive practice, and for nearly twenty-five years was, with the exception of brief periods, the sole physician of this town. In 1837 he was married to Frances C, eldest daughter of Judge Willard H. Smith. He was Supervisor of the town from 185 1 to 1853. In 1845 he was elected Member of As- sembly, and in 1865 and '66 was again honored with a seat in the Legislature. Mr. Wells died October 13, 1877, aged 68 years. Town Officers. — The first town meeting, when the town was in Genesee county, and was known as Southampton, was held in the house of Jotham Curtis, on Tuesday, March i, 1803. "Present, Ezra Piatt, Richard M. Stoddard, and Phineas Bates, Justices of Peace." The officers elected were :— Christopher Laybourn, Supervisor; Job 454 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Pierce, Town Clerk ; Peter Shaffer, Ebenezer Green, Peter Anderson, Assessors ; James Ganson, Collector; Hinds Chamberlain, Peter Shafifer, Over- seers of Poor; Thomas Irvine, Andrew Wortman, Asher Bates, Commissioners of Highways ; James Ganson, Cyrus Douglass, Daniel Buell, Constables; John Ganson, Jr, Isaac Smith, John Christie. Peter Shaffer, James Wood, Andrew Wortman, Henry Mulkin, Fence Viewers and Overseers of Highways; James McLaren, John Ganson, Jr., Charles Duggan, Pound Keepers. In 1804 the town meeting was held at the house of Austin Brooks, on the 7th day of March, and Christopher Laybourn and Hugh McDertnid were chosen respectively Supervisor and Town Clerk, which offices they held until the name of the town was changed April 4, 1806. The first town meeting when the town assumed the name of Caledonia was held at "the late house of Shepperd Pierce, (now John Cameron,)" April i, 1807, at which meeting Christopher Layboum was elected Supervisor, and Asher Bates, Town Clerk. In 1808, James Ganson was elected Supervisor and Alexander McDonald, Town Clerk, and they held those offices until the close of the year 181 1. From 181 2 to 1881 the Supervisors and Town Clerks of Caledonia, have been as follows : — Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1 81 2. John Finch. Thomas Tufts. 1813. Robert McKay. John Garbutt. 18 1 4. Powel Carpenter. do do 1815. Robert W. McKay. Donald McDonald. 18 1 6. do do Willard H. Smith. 181 7-19. do do Donald McDonald. 1820. John Garbutt. do do 182 1.* Robert McKay. Federal Blakeslee. 1822-23. do do Duncan Campbell. 1824. do do John Butterfield. 1825-26. do do Federal Blakeslee. 1827-28. Federal Blakeslee. Gad Blakeslee. 1829. Robert McKay. Angus Cameron. 1830-31. Federal Blakeslee. James Hill. 1832. Robert McKay. Angus Cameron. 1833-37- Donald McDonald. James Hill. 1838-41. Alex. Simpson.f do do 1842-43. William Barron. do do 1844-50. do do Gad Blakeslee. 1851-52. Harlow W. Wells, do do 1853-55- Archibald Renwick. do do 1856-59. Henry G.JRochester.do co i860. Hugh D. McCoU. John M. Dean. 1861-62 do do Stephen Loucks. 1863-64. David Walker. do do * In this year Inverness— Wheatland— was set off into the new county of Monroe. t Mr. Simpson came to Caledonia in 1816, and followed the business of brewing beer and farming. He died in 1852. t Or Henry E. ? 1865. William S. Curtis ) do do and >-* Wm. Hamilton. ) do do 1866-67. Alex. Ferguson. do do 1868-70. do do John McNaughton. 1871. do do Charles U. Ferrin. 1872. Hugh D. McCoU. William H. Walker. 1873. Alex. Furguson. Robert Wilson. 1874. do do James Beattie. 1875-80. William Hamilton. William H. Walker. The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 : — Supervisor, James Fraser; Town Clerk, William H. Walker; Justices of Peace, William S. McKenzie, (long term,) James J. Guthrie, (short term;) Highway Commissioners, Donald McKenzie, James A. Maxwell ; Assessor, Peter W. McNaugh- ton ; Overseer of Poor, Peter P. Campbell ; Col- lector, James Beattie ; Constables, Thomas H. Bundy, Peter P. Campbell, Jr., William H. Ryan, Nathaniel Mosier ; Game Constable, George Mc- Kay; Excise Commissioners, Charles W. Black- man, James R. Espie; Inspectors of Election, Duncan D. McCoU, Arch. K. F'owler. Population.— In 1870 the population of Cale- donia was 1,813, of which number 1,294 were na- tive, and 519 foreign, 1,811 white, and 2 colored. In 1875 the total population of the town was 1,975; native, 1,483, foreign, 492; white, 1,959, colored, 16; an increase of 189 in the native, and a decrease of 27 in the foreign population. At the last census returns of 1880 the total pop- ulation was 2,068, an increase in the ten years of 255 in the total population. School Statistics. — The town contains ten school districts, in which, during the past year, (1880) school was taught 241 3-5 weeks, employ- ing nine teachers at a total amount in wages of $2,781.77, and with an average attendance of 205 pupils. The number of children in these districts over five and under twenty-one years of age is 617. The number attending school some portion of the past year was 425. The district libraries arevalued at $95, on which was expended during the year the sum of $10.37. The amount paid out for school houses, sites, fences, furniture and repairs was $492.51. Total incidental expenses for the year, $304.51. Total valuation of school houses and sites, $142.25. Total valuation of districts, $1,749,919- Caledonia. The village of Caledonia is beautifully situated in the north-weste rn part of the town, on the lines *This was a tie vote, and the Justices appointed Alexander Ferguson Supervisor for that year. CALEDONIA — EARLY SETTLERS. 45S of the Erie and Canandaigua & Niagara railroads. This is the village known in early days as " Big Springs," on the old State road from Albany to Buffalo. The Springs from which this place derived its primitive name are now devoted to the breeding of fish, the waters of these ponds being the finest in America for the propagation of trout. Here are located the " State Hatching Grounds," under the supervision of the eminent pisciculturist, Seth Green, who established the hatchery here as a private enterprise in June, 1864. Mr. Green con- ducted the business four ■ years, and then sold to Alfred S. Collins for the sum of $14,000, under whose management it remained seven years, when he, for a similar consideration, sold it to the State of New York in 1875. Seth Green was chosen as Superintendent of the Hatchery; and an appro- priation of $r,ooo was made in the interest of the enterprise, which in 1880 was increased to $15,000. The trout propagated here are sent to stock the pubhc waters of the State, over a miUion of eggs being annually shipped from these grounds. An extensive business in fish culture is also being carried on here by James Annin, Jr., pro- prietor of the Caledonia Trout Ponds, whose waters adjoin those of the State Hatchery. Mr. Annin engaged in this business in 1872, succeed- ing Annin & Campbell, and J. Annin & Co. A specialty is made of Brook Trout, although other species are propagated, and from these ponds yearly are sent to different parts of this country and to Europe extensive shipments of eggs, frys, and yearlings. Mr. Annin also engages to some considerable extent in the manufacture and sale of fishing tackle, supplying to the disciples of Izaak Walton rods, leaders, flys, spoons, and other accoutrements of the piscatory science. The scenery about these ponds is remarkably fine and picturesque. Con- nected with the grounds is a beautiful grove, a quite celebrated resort in summer for pleasure parties from various parts of the State. The present postmaster in Caledonia is James Beattie, who was appointed in 1873. Previously for some years, the officials had been Robert Wil- son, and then Miss E. A. Blakeslee, whom Mr. Beattie succeeded. The village has but one newspaper, the Cale- donia Advertiser, a weekly, which was established in May, 1878, by James Beatde and Alfred H. Collins. The present editor and proprietor is Alfred H. Collins, who purchased Mr. Beattie's in- terest in 1880. Among the early inn-keepers here was Major Isaac Smith, a widely known landlord west of the river, who began here in that capacity as early as 1800. Others who kept tavern here at different times were John Cameron in 1808, Alexander Mc- Donald in and before 1809, Orange Dean, who came here in 181 1, and occupied for some years the McDonald stand, and Peter Bowen, who was the first proprietor of the hotel now known as the Moss House. This hotel was built in 181 6 by Robert McKay. Other proprietors after Peter Bowen were Augustus Hotchkiss, who kept it a number. of years, P. P. Foote, the present pro- prietor of the Caledonia House, who was landlord of the Moss House some eight years, and J. W. Moss, of whom the present proprietor, P. Coffee, purchased five years ago. The erection of the Caledonia House was begun in 1 83 1, by James Shaw, and was by him com- pleted in 1833. The first proprietor was Mar- cenus Haxton, who kept it a year or two, and afterward went to Ohio, where he died. James Shaw was the next proprietor, and was succeeded by his son, John Shaw. Wells Hosmer was the landlord in 1844. Other landlords were J. W. Moss, from 1866 to 1867 ; Algeroy Smith, one year ; and Theodore F. Wilkinson one year. The present proprietor, P. P. Foote, purchased the property in 1873. The village contains an excellent public library, which is under the management of the Caledonia Library Association. This Association was or- ganized March 11, 1873, through the influence and exertions of the following ladies : — Mrs. G. P. Grant, Mrs. John McNab, Mrs. D. F. Bonner, Mrs. John H. McNaughton, Mrs. Daniel Mc- Naughton, Mrs. Donald McPherson, Mrs. Thomas Brodie, Mrs. Dugald E. Cameron, Mrs. William Hamilton, Mrs. W. Walker, Mrs. David Menzie, Mrs. R. J. Menzie, Misses Helen Hosmer, Libbie McKenzie, Kittie Walker, Ella McVean, Christine Cameron, and Mrs. E. Burgess. Each of these ladies contributed the sum of five dollars, and pledged her interest and labor for the estabUshment and maintenance of a public library. The officers appointed at this meeting were :— Mrs. Thomas Brodie, President; Miss Helen Hos- mer, Vice-President; Mrs. Elwood Burgess, Treasurer; Mrs. R. J. Menzie, Secretary; and Miss Christine Cameron, Librarian. The Library was opened to the public May 17, 4S6 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 1873. The first year closed with 163 volumes purchased by the Association. December 31, 1877, the library contained 471 volumes. In that year the Society procured a charter, which placed it on a legal and business foundation. In 1880 the library contained 655 volumes. The books, for the most part, are the productions of standard authors, comprising the works of Herbert Spencer, Taine, James Anthony Froude, and others as noted philosophical and historical writers. In February, 1881, the Association had in the bank $180.00, and about $ioo.oo in the hands of the treasurer. The present officers are :— Mrs. Daniel McPherson, President; W. H. Walker, Vice-President ; Mrs. Dr. Borden, Secretary ; Miss Mary McCall Simpson, Treasurer ; James Beattie, Librarian ; Mrs. Dr. Wells, Mrs. John McNab and Mrs. Sarah Clark, Trustees. The A. O. U. tV., the only secret society here, was organized May 27, 1880. The officers then elected, and who are now the piesiding officers in the Order, were David Menzie, P. W.;A. K. Fowler, M. W.; D. W. Chamberlain, G. F.; F. P. Brownell, O.; Daniel F. Burgess, Recorder ; R. J. Menzie, F. S.; George Outterson, R. S.; George McKay, Guide; George Barron, J. W.; Jno. Monroe, O.W. Merchants. — The first merchant here was John Cameron, who came to Caledonia in the fall of 1805. The next was Robert McKay, who came to the Genesee country in 1797, locating at Wil- liamsburgh, where, and in the surrounding section, he taught school for a number of years. In 1803 he entered the employment of Miner & Hall, early merchants in (Geneseo,) and on the death of both members of the firm he closed up their busi- ness affairs and in 1808 moved to Caledonia where he began the mercantile business. Other early merchants were Alexander McDonald, Sylvester Brown,* 1813, John McKenley, about 1817, and Thomas and Robert Brown, who came here in 1827, purchased McKenley's store and carried on business together until about 1851, when they sold to Elwood Burgess, who still continues in the busi- ness here. Mr. Burgess was born near Philadel- phia, Pa., in 1824, and came to Caledonia in 1847. The other merchants here are: — William H. Walker, who came to Caledonia in 1848. — After receiving his education he taught school a number of years, and engaged in his present business as general merchant ten years ago. He was born in Naperville, DuPage county. 111., in 1839; — Robert * County Clerk of Livingston county in 1823, and tlie second to fill that office. M. Place, dealer in drugs and fancy goods, who came to Caledonia in 1837, and began his present business nine years ago ; Alexander Watson, mer- chant tailor, who began business here eight years ago; Cameron & Fraser (Dugald E. Cameron, Andrew Fraser,) hardware merchants, who have been in business as a firm nearly two years, suc- ceeding Cameron & Menzie — Mr. Cameron was born in Caledonia, March 19, 1831 ; — Mr. Fraser, in the town of York, in 1850 ; — Archibald K. Fow- ler, druggist, who has been in that business here four years, and who was born in York in 1852 ; Robert Wilson, general merchant, who came from Scotland in 1835, where he was born May 30, 1817, and who began his present business in May, 1879 ; Peter Gallagher, grocer, who has been in business one year ; James Callan, a native of Mumford, gen- eral merchant, who has been in business four years; James Smith, grocer, in business four years; Wil- liam Hamilton, produce merchant, who was born in LeRoy, in 1852, and who came to Caledonia in January, 1859. Mr. Hamilton is one of the most prominent citizens of the town. Besides dealing in grain and produce he is also a large owner of farming lands, and is extensively engaged in malt- ing,*which business he began here in 1867. He has held the office of Supervisor six years, from 1875 to 1880.* Physicians. — The first physicians to locate in Caledonia, were Drs. Peter McPherson and Wil- Ham H. Terry, who were here as early as 1812. They were succeeded by Dr. Stockton in about 181 2, and Dr. William A. Townsend, from Con- necticut, in about 1815, who built a house where the residence of Mrs. Dr. Wells now stands. Dr. Campbell was a physician here about 1853. Dr. Harlow Wells, of whom previous mention has been made, was a successful physician here for forty years.! The present physicians are: — Dr. Robert J. Menzie, who was born in Riga, May 21, 1833, graduated at Buffalo MedicalUniversity in 1866, and practiced a short time in Bergen, Genesee Co., then came to Caledonia in the fall of 1866, where he has since resided. Dr. George T. Borden, was born in Mattapoiset, Mass., October ist, 1833. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1876, and at once came to Caledonia, to begin his prac- tice. Lawyers. — The sole lavyyer of the town is Wil- * See Biography on another page, t See close of chapter. CALEDONIA VILLAGE— MANUFACTURERS, CHURCHES. 457 liam Jesse Byam, son of Rev. George T. Byatn, of Melville, Ont., Canada, in which place he was born Jan. 21, 1847. At the age of fifteen he was em- ployed as assistant Master of Mathematics in the Pictou High School, of which institution he became the Principal at the age of nineteen, having in the meantime taken a two years' course of instruction at Upper Canada College. At the age of twenty- one he graduated from the University of Toronto, receiving first class honors in Mathematics, and at the age of twenty-three graduated from the Cana- dian Military Academy at Toronto, taking a first place in the Artillery and Cavalry Departments, and a second place in the Department of Infantry. In 1872 he began the study of law with Charles Francis of Trenton, Ont., with whom he remained some four months, and then entered the office of Hon. John Hilliard Cameron, of Toronto, where he studied a little more than a year. In June, 1874, he entered the office of William F. Cogs- well, in Rochester, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in October, 1877. He came to Caledonia in 1878, where he has since practiced law with much success. Manufacturers. — The parties engaged in manu- facturing in Caledonia are : — Miller & Son, (Alex- ander and Fred,) manufacturers of agricultural im- plements, who have been in business a year, suc- ceeding A. D. & D. H. McCoU, who had con- ducted the business some twelve years. Charles W. Blackman, manufacturer of grain cradles, has been engaged in that business here since 1867, in which year he became the partner of Henry G. Hatch, who for thirty years had con- ducted the business. In 1876 Mr. Blackman suc- ceeded Mr. Hatch, and has since been the sole proprietor of the manufactory. The Caledonia Manufacturing Company (W. S., Nelson C. and C. H. Redfield,) manufacturers of hand rakes, broom and hoe-handles, barrel-head- ing, etc. In business here two years. Charles F. Curtiss, manufacturer of the " Wild- er" plow, began that business here in 1881. Archibald McLaughlin, a native of Caledonia, manufacturer of grass seed sowers, began here in 1855 the manufacture of agricultural implements. George W. McKay, proprietor of a saw and grist mill, was born in Caledonia in 1859. He is grand- son to John McKay, who purchased near the site of these mills in 1803 the old grist mill built by Colonel Williamson for the Pultney Land Com- pany. Churchks.— The early settlers of Caledonia were Christian people, and among the first objects of their care was the provision for religious services. In consequence of their poverty they were unable at first to secure the labors of an ordained minister, but religious observances were not neglected. So- cial religious worship was held every Sabbath, but accustomed as they had been to regular adminis- tration of the Word and ordinances, they were not satisfied with this. Accordingly a meeting was held at the house of Peter Campbell, November 10, 1802, for the purpose of organizing a religious so- ciety, to be incorporated under the laws of the State. At this meeting they selected for their name "The Presbyterian Religious Society of Caledonia." They chose as trustees Thomas Irv- ine, Duncan McPherson, Peter Campbell, John Christie, and Peter Anderson. The next year a log school house was erected on the creek road, about a quarter of a mile west of what is now known as Mission Corners, in Wheatland. Here, every Sabbath, the pioneers met for religious wor- ship, and in the absence of ministers the services were conducted by themselves. This state of things continued until 1805. Having had up to this time but a civil religious organization, and being now strengthened by accessions of settlers from Invernesshire, Scotland, who had come in 1804, they determined to form an ecclesiastical organization. Accordingly at a meeting held in the school house, March 3/ 1805/ an organization was effected by Rev. JedetiTah Chapman, of the Presbytery of Geneva. Donald McKenzie, Dun- can McPherson, and Donald Anderson were elect- ed Elders. Soon after a log church, 30 by 40 feet in size, was erected in the western part of the pres- ent village of Caledonia, on the two acres granted by Col. Williamson. This church stood on the site now occupied by the residence of Peter McNaughton. In February, 1806, there came into the colony from Scotland a young man of the name of Alex- ander Denoon, who had been in the old country a tutor to gentlemen's sons. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Geneva, June 26, 1806, and was appointed as the supply of this congrega- tion, in which capacity he continued to act until August 17, 1808, when he was ordained and form- ally installed pastor of the church. To this step there was very considerable opposition, on the part chiefly of the first settlers, which led soon to the disruption of the congregation, and to a final sep- aration. Both congregations reorganized, that of Mr. Denoon's in September, 1808, and the Asso- 45 8 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. ciate Reformed Church in November, 1810. The church edifice was the joint property of both par- ties and was used by both, but in a few years after the church property was equally divided between them. On the organization of the Presbytery of Ontario Mr. Denoon's church, known as the' First Presbyterian Church of Caledonia, was assigned to that body, and from that transferred to the Presbytery of Genesee when that was instituted. After the exscinding act of 1837, and the divis- ion of the Presbyterian Church, this society and its pastor connected themselves with the Presbytery of Susquehanna, of which they gave notice to the Presbytery of Genesee, and the connection was severed February 15, 1838. The church was af- terward received under the care of the Presbytery of Wyoming. The first edifice erected by this church was built in the year 1814, on land owned by Deacon Archibald Gillis. It was abandoned in a few years and was pulled down in 1850. In 1827 a stone church was erected at a cost of over $2,000, and was built on an acre of land which Alexander McDonald donated to the society for that purpose. This gave way in 1855 to the present fine edifice. Among the early members were : — Duncan McPher- son, Donald McKenzie, Simon Fraser, Archibald Gillis, Catherine GiUis, Peter and Catherine Camp- bell, John McPherson, Kitty (McBean) McKenzie, John Campbell, Margaret Campbell, Mary (Mc- Laughlin) Orr, Donald Anderson, John McKenzie, and Mary (McArthur) McKenzie. Rev. Alex- ander Denoon continued as pastor of this church until his death June 16, 1850— a pastorate of over forty-four years. He was a man of eminent piety, exerted a marked influence for good in the town, and is spoken of reverently by the descendants of his parishoners. The succeeding pastors have been : — Rev. John W. Major, 1854, dismissed 1856 Rev. Wm. Evan Jones, 1857, " 1859 Rev. MalcolmN. McLaren, 1859, " 187 1 Rev. John Kennedy Fowler, 1874, " 1877 Rev. Thomas Stephenson, 1878, who is the pres- ent pastor. The membership is 200. The church property is valued at $6,000, and the parsonage at $3,000. Those who withdrew from this church were chiefly people from Perthshire, Scotland, re- solved to look to the Associate Reformed Presbyterians for preaching. They according- ly applied to the Presbytery of Saratoga, and, after various delays, were by it organized into a congregation, Nov. 3, 18 10, John McVean, Wm. Armstrong, and Peter Farquherson being elected elders. The number of members was about 25. They were variously supplied until the fall of 181 2, when they extended a call to Rev. John Campbell. In this call they were joined by a number of per- sons living on the Forty Thousand Acre Tract, now York, who had there a log church in what is now York Centre. Mr. Campbell was to receive a salary of $500 per annum, of which the people in York were to pay one-fifth, and receive one-fourth of the pas- tor's time. In November, 1813, Mr. Campbell entered upon his labors, which he continued successfully until his death, .May i, 1817. During his ministry 109 persons were added to the church. With his death the connection with York was severed, and that people were organized into a separate congre- gation in 1818. His successor was the Rev. Wm. Boyce. Concerning this pastor there are very meager records. He was called in 1820 and was released at the request of the congregation, about 1824. In the interval between these pastorates the congregation erected a house of worship at a cost of $6,000. It was finished in the spring of 1 8 19. The next pastor was Rev. Donald C. Mc- Laren, at the time pastor of the Associate Re- formed Church of Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y. The congregation had now become quite strong. It embraced 117 famihes. In these there were 142 children over, and 310 under sixteen years of age. The number of communicants was 174. The relations between the two congregations were also more amicable than they had ever been since the disruption. Besides the opposition to the settle- ment of Mr. Denoon, differences had arisen between the two parties respecting the property donated by Col. WilUamson, and which, ever since the disruption in 1808, had continued to be a bone of contention. In 1823, however, the matter was settled by the equitable division of the property. The Associate Reformed congregation received the east half of each tract, and the Presbyterians the west half of each, together with the log church on the village lot. In December, 1824, the con- gregation made a settlement of the business of their church building, when it was found that they were indebted to Robert McKay in the sum of $2,227.69. In order to indemnify him for this sum, which he had advanced to complete the church, the Society agreed to lease to him all the land falling to its share, on the condition that the lease was to be of a durable nature, and that the CALEDONIA— WAR RECORD. 459 lease-holder was to pay a rental of one barley corn yearly on the call of the trustees. The lease thus ordered was duly executed Feb. 23, 1826, and the lands virtually passed out of the hands of the Society. The pastorate of Mr. McLaren was a very successful one, lasting until July 14, 1852. On the evening of Sunday, Feb. 24, 1833, the church building was destroyed by fire. The con- gregation immediately began the erection of an- other, which was completed on the 30th of the following November, and is the fine stone church which now stands in the village. Its cost was about $4,000. At the sale of seats on the third of December, this amount was more than realized, and the congregation entered the new house free from debt. Near the close of Mr. McLaren's pastorate a new organization was formed in the northwest part of the congregation. Into this society 27 persons were received. The organization was effected Feb. 24, 1852; and the circumstances attending it being so favorable — ^the society start- ing with a good building free from debt — it was christened Beulah. After a brief vacancy the con- gregation called the Rev. William S. McLaren, the eldest son of the former pastor. He began his labors Dec. 19, 1852, and was installed April 19, 1853. He resigned on account of ill health and was released Sept. 8, 1869, and removed to Santa Barbara, Cal., where he died July 12, 1874. During his pastorate a parsonage was erected at a cost of about $3,300. A change also occurred in the congregation's ecclesiastical relationship in 1858. In that year a union was effected between the Associate and As- sociate Reformed Presbyterian churches in this country, resulting in the formation of what is now known as the United Presbyterian Church of North America, into which union this congregation entered.* On the the 13th of May, 1869, a new congregation was formed in the village of Mum- ford, about one mile north of Caledonia, and into that organization went from this church 27 mem- bers. In December, 1870, the congregation in Caledonia called the present pastor, Rev. D. F. Bonner, t He began his labors the first Sabbath in January, 187 1, and was formally installed Feb. 28, 187 1. Various changes have taken place during his pastorate, among which was the re- modeling of the church building in 1875. This * The title of the church is now the United Presbyterian Church of Caledonia. t To this kind pastor we are indebted for the most of this church his- tory, having drawn for some facts on the writings of Donald McKenzie. was effected at an expense, including furnishing, of $5,225. The congregation is in a flourishing condition and numbers to-day 160 communicants. War Record of i 8 i 2 and of the Rebellion. — When the war of 181 2 broke out, the Scotch set- tlers in Caledonia had for the first time an oppor- tunity to show how strong was their love for the land of their adoption. Malicious reports were in circulation soon after the beginning of the war to the effect that the Scotch residents would prove treacherous, and lend their assistance to the British invaders. Little did the calumniators know of Scottish character who could thus charge them with treachery. Treason finds no lodgment in the head or heart of a Scotchman. Such of those resi- dents as had not yet become naturalized, on hear- ing this report, at once made application for citi- zenship, and so gave ample proof of their loyalty and honesty of purpose. They did more. A com- pany was formed among them, with Robert McKay as Captain, and Thomas Duer as Lieutenant. These Scotch Highlanders marched at once to Lewiston, where they remained until reUeved by the regular troops. Capt. McKay was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 18 13, and in 1 814 he and others of this company marched to defend Buffalo from the British who had crossed the Niagara, had taken the fort of that name, and burned Youngstown and Lewiston. On arriving in Buffalo they were en- rolled under the command of Major General Amos Hall and Col. Blakeslee, and at the battle of Black Rock, Col. McKay and several others were taken prisoners and carried to Montreal where they were confined until regularly exchanged the next year. In the war of the RebeUion, Caledonia sent to the defense of the Union two hundred and seven men,* besides contributing liberally in other ways to the Federal cause. The town furnished in August, 1862, 62 men, with a bounty of $100 each; in July, 1863, 22 commuted; in October, 1863, 28 men, with a bounty of $423 each; in February, 1864, 9 men, three at $300 each, and six at $320 each ; in July, 1864, 33 men at about $900 each; in December, 1864, 25 men at $600 each, and $ 100 hand money ; also 28 men who enlisted at various times from this town, without bounty and with bounty to the credit of other towns. The War record of the town was quite carefully kept, and from it is given here the names of those who enlisted from the town of Caledonia. * This number includes those who enlisted from other places to fill the quota of Caledonia. 460 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. %th N. Y. Cavalry. Enlistments of 1862. — William W. McNaughton, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 27 ; born in Caledonia, Sept. 4, 1836. Served on picket duty only, was taken sick about April 20, 1863, and died at Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C, May 2, 1863. His body was broughthome to Caledonia for interment. John William McNaughton, Sergeant, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 14; born in Caledonia, March 23, 1840. Was in engagements at Beverly Ford, Mid- dleburgh, and Gettysburg, and was stationed at Alexandria, Va., at the date of the surrender of General Lee, was discharged about June 16, 1865. Now living in Caledonia, N. Y. Enos Sullivan, Corporal, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 21, was slightly wounded at the battle of Gettys- burg. Now in Flint, Mich. Thomas Bradburn, Co. B, enlisted in August, was killed in a skirmish at Shepardstown, August 25, 1864. William Tygart, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 19. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. John Bradburn, Co. H, enlisted Aug. 28. Pro- moted to Corporal in May, 1865, was captured by the Rebels at Lacy Springs in Jan., 1865, but escaped in a few hours. Was wounded on the shoulder by a sabre cut from which he recovered. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Thomas Tygart, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 28, was wounded in the right knee, at Gettysburg. Now in the west. David R. Stewart, Co. M, enlisted Aug. 18. Promoted to Corporal Jan. i, 1865. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Jeremiah Casey, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 21. Pro- moted to Corporal in Jan., 1864; was taken pris- oner about June, 1864, and confined the most of the time in Andersonville prison, where he died Nov. 26, 1864. Almond Duane Robinson, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 18, was disabled by the fall of his horse at the bat- tle of the Wilderness, and discharged May 18, 1865. Died in 1880. Daniel Donohue, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 20. Pro- moted to rank of Sergeant, Jan. 6, 1864. Was in sixty-two engagements up to June 24, 1864, at which time he was taken prisoner and was confined the most of the time in Andersonville prison ; died at Florana, S. C, Nov. i, 1864. William Ball, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 19 ; was taken prisoner March 4, 1863, and confined for sixteen days in Libby prison, was then exchanged, rejoined his regiment, and was at the surrender of General Lee. He returned in Co. F, of the same regi- ment. Now living in Caledonia, N. Y. William A. Lynn, Corporal, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 20, was wounded in the head at Gettysburg, nearly recovered, and was taken prisoner March 9, 1863, and confined in Libby prison twenty-three days. James K. Polk Walker, Co. K, enlisted in Aug.; born in Caledonia, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1845, was in the several battles of the regiment, and was taken pris- oner at the battle of the Wilderness and confined the most of the time in Andersonville prison, where he died Oct 3, 1864. Wilson Caruthers, Co. M, enlisted in August ; wounded at Beverly Ford, June 9, 1863, and was discharged Jan. 21, 1864. Now in Caledonia, N.Y. Robert Robertson Orr, Co. K, enlisted August 14; born in Caledonia, March 10, 1841. Pro- moted to Q. M. Sergeant Jan. i, 1875. Was in thirty-five engagements, including the battles of Upperville, Gettysburg, Boonsboro, Brandy Plains, and Stephensburg, at which place he was wounded in the right side, and confined to the hospital some three months. Was taken prisoner March 5, 1863. Exchanged in June, 1863, rejoined his regiment, and was discharged in June, 1865. Now in Indiana. Robert M. Place, was discharged before expira- tion of his time. Now a druggist in Caledonia, N. Y. William Bradbury, Jr., Co. K, supposed to have deserted some time in September, 1862, from the encampment in Rochester, N. Y. Alexander M. Caruthers, Corporal, Co. M, en- listed August 25. Died in rebel prison. Samuel Burgett, Co. K, enlisted in August, sup- posed to have deserted in September, from the en- campment in Rochester, N. Y. George A. Hickey, enhsted in this regiment and was afterwards transferred to the Second Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps ; was discharged about June, 1865. Now somewhere in Southern New York. Daniel J. McVean, died in the service. Andrew McKenzie, Co. K, enlisted in August. Shot dead on picket duty near Dumfries, Va., March 5, 1863. Body brought home and buried in Caledonia, N. Y. John Caragher, Co. L, enlisted Aug. 30. Taken prisoner May 5, 1864, and died in Andersonville prison in October, 1864. Andrew Kennedy, enlisted in August. Killed in the service. CALEDONIA — WAR RECORD. 461 Daniel Calder, died in the service. Body brought home for burial. Daniel McMartin, Jr., Co. I. Discharged in June, 1865. William Brown, Co. K, enlisted Aug. 14, was in service until June, 1865. Now in Scottsville, N. Y. Lewis Yorks, enlisted in August. Deserted from encampment in Rochester, N. Y. C. C. Rockafellow, Co. K, enlisted in August. Died in rebel prison. Lewis J. Cox, enlisted in August. Died in rebel prison. William Solomon, Co. K, enlisted in August. Died in Union Hospital. Harvey Murell, enlisted in August. Deserted from Camp in Rochester, N. Y., in Sept. 1862. Jacob Hemluk, enlisted in August. Deserted from camp in Rochester, N. Y., in Sept. 1862. Frederick Simmimur, Peter Farley, Jeremiah Kelley, Benjamin Aldridge, Co. K, Jacob Guen- ter, Co. M, George W. Moore. Enlistments in other Companies mid Regiments. — John D. Campbell, enlisted August 29, 1862, in a company of sharp-shooters. At the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded in the thigh. Died since close of the war. Peter WiUiam McNaughton, N. Y. Sharp-shoot- ers, enlisted August 27, 1862. Born in Caledo- nia, N. Y., October 14, 1834. Promoted to Cor- poral March 4, 1864. Was in the siege of Suffolk, Baltimore Cross Roads, Rappahannock Station, and Weldon R. R. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Duncan D. Cameron, Co. K, 9th U. S. Colored Troops. Enlisted August 26, 1862. Born in Cale- donia, N. Y., January 18, 1839. Promoted to Lieutenant, November 29, 1863. Was in the siege of Suffolk, Deep Bottom, at John's Island, S. C, and in front of Petersburgh. After being in ser- vice thirty-one months he resigned March 9, 1865, and his resignation was accepted. Now in Cale- donia, N. Y. Andrew Beattie, Corporal, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. Enlisted August 5, 1862. Promoted to Corporal August 25, 1864. Now in LeRoy, N. Y. Archibald Walker, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. Enlisted as private, October i, 1862. Born in Broadalbin, N. Y., May 31, 1833. Was pro- moted October i, 1863, to Captain of Co. I, 7th U. S. Colored Troops. Killed before Petersburg, September 6th, 1864. Body was brought home and buried in Caledonia, N. Y. Newton Thompson, Co. E, 27th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted in April, 1861. Promoted to Sergeant in June, 1862. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Sylvester Clark, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. Enlisted August 5, 1862. Was taken prisoner August 25, 1864, at Ream's Station and sent to Libby Prison, then to Belle Isle, and from there to Salisbury, N. C, where he was exchanged in Feb- ruary, 1865. Now in La Crosse, Wis. Gaylord Henry Hatch, 6th Ind. Co. N. Y. S. Sharp-shooters. Enlisted September 30, 1862. Promoted to Corporal in February, 1863. Was wounded in the left side at Gravel Run, March 30, 1865. Now living in Rochester, N. Y. Alexander Robert Fraser, Co. B, 1st District of Columbia Cavalry. Born in York, Livingston county, January 5, 1842. Enlisted July 27, 1863. Promoted in May or June, 1864, to Corporal. Was company clerk from time of enlistment to the time of his death. Was wounded at Ream's Sta- tion on the Weldon R. R., August 23, 1864, and died from the effects of his wounds in the field hos- pital, August 24, 1864, and was buried on the Je- rusalem Plank Road about four miles north of Petersburg. John EUiboat, Co. B, 15th N. Y. Cavalry. Promoted to Corporal July ist, 1865. Now in Rochester, N. Y. Edward McEnrae, Co. G, 136th N. Y. Infant- ry. Went from Caledonia to the credit of the town of Leicester. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Alexander W. Carmichael, 6th Ind. Co. N. Y. S. Sharp-shooters. Was discharged about June i, 1865. Now in the West. John Campbell, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. Enlisted August 5, 1862. Was wounded in right arm. Discharged in June, 1865. Now in the West. . Albert Crawford, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. Enlisted August 5, 1862. Promoted to Sergeant July, 1864. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in April, 1865, and was promoted to First Lieuten- ant in May of that year. Died in 1866. James Walker, First Lieut. Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Art. Born in York, Livingston county, July 18, 1835. Enlisted November 15, 1861. Was shot dead at the Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. His body was left on the field and was probably buried with the army's dead. Hugh Brady, Co. C, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Enlisted Aug. 4, 1862. Was discharged from the service in January, 1863. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Alexander William Ross, 6th Ind. Co., N. Y. S, 462 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Sharp-shooters. Enlisted in September, 1862. Was in the service three or four months and was discharged, on account of disability. Now in Dansville, N. Y. James E. Cameron, enlisted in 1862 in 26th N. Y. Battery. Was discharged about August, 1865. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. William Moreland, enlisted in August, 1862, in 6th Ind. Co., N. Y. S. Sharp-shooters. Present whereabouts unknown. James Ryan, enlisted in August, 1862, in First N. Y. Light Artillery ; whereabouts unknown. Samuel Whitmore, enlisted in August, 1862, in 146th N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Present location un- known. William G. Coon, enlisted in August, 1862, in 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Dead. Sylvester Coon, enlisted in August, 1862, in 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Present location not known. John Whitmore, enlisted in August, 1862, in 146th N. Y. Vol. Infantry. Whereabouts un- known. Oscar Smith, enlisted in 1864, in 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. V/hereabouts unknown. Francis Loving, enlisted in January, 1864, in 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Was taken prisoner June I, 1864, and died in Andersonville prison Nov. 2, 1864. John Buncombe, enlisted January 4, 1864, in Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vol. Artillery. Whereabouts not known. Lemen B. Granger, enlisted Jan. 4, 1864, in Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vol. Artillery. Whereabouts unknown. William Henry Gibbs, Co. L, First N. Y. Light Artillery. Enlisted Sept. 27, 1861. Amos Gibbs, Co. L, First N. Y. Light Artillery. Enhsted Sept. 27, 1861. Was wounded in the wrist at Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863, and in the shoulder at Gettysburg, July i, 1863 ; was in the hospital about six months ; was discharged at expiration term of service, Oct. 24, 1864. John McPhail, Co. B, 100th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted Sept. 20, 1861. Was discharged from the service Jan. 30, 1865. Now in Riga, N. Y. John M. Campbell, enlisted in 1861, in looth N. Y. Infantry. Dead. Lyman Taylor, enlisted in 1861, in looth N. Y. Infantry. Dead. John Davis, enlisted in 1861, in looth N. Y. Infantry. Whereabouts unknown. Donald Mclntyre, Co. B, loothN. Y. Infantry. William Reed, Sergeant, Co. G, 6th U. S. Reg. Enlisted Aug. 10, 1861. Was six months in prison on Belle Isle. Was exchanged and re- joined his regiment about August i, 1864, and was discharged Aug. 10, 1864. Now in Texas. Alfred Melancton Hotchkin, enlisted in i86i, in 13 th N. Y. Infantry. Now in Meadville, Pa. John J. McColl, enlisted in 1861, in looth N. Y. Infantry. Dead. Albert Augustus Hotchkin, enlisted in 1861, in r3th N. Y. Infantry. Now in Rochester, N. Y. Joseph E. Stewart, Co. L, 4th Michigan Caval- ry. Enlisted Aug. 8, 1862. Now in Caledonia, N. Y. Norman Meldrum, enHsted in 1861, in looth N. Y. Volunteer Infantry. Now Secretary of the State of Colorado, of which State he was also a Senator since the war. Charles Englart, Co. B, iiith N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted Aug. 15, 1864. Was discharged in June, 1865. W. S. Bogart, Lieutenant in looth N. Y. In- fantry. Enlisted in 1861. John Adams, Co. D, First N. Y. Veteran Cav- alry. Enlisted Aug. 20, 1862. Was taken prisoner at Newmarket, Va., June 15, 1864, ex- changed Feb. 18, 1865, and was discharged Aug. 20, 1865. David F. Sinclair, Co. G, 136th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted Sept. 7, 1864. Born in Caledonia, N. Y., May 24, 1839. Was discharged June 22, 1865. Now in Wisconsin. John Connell, X36th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted Sept. 7, 1864, to the credit of Leicester, N. Y. James Sullivan, ri6th N. Y. Infantry. Enlisted April 13, 1864. Was in 12th U. S. Regulars three months ; was also in Co, F, 26th N. Y. Infantry. Was shot dead before Petersburg, July i, 1864. George Wright, enlisted in 6th U. S. Regiment. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. WILLIAM HAMILTON. WilUam Hamilton is the eldest son of James Hamilton, who was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, June, 1 808, and who was son of William Hamil- ton, a farmer of the same place. James remained upon the homestead with his parents till twenty- three years of age, when, in March, 1832, he mar- ried Grace Naron, and soon after immigrated to America. In 1833 he settled in Livingston coun- Sfiff raved, bif Soj-taf^t ^^■^ Lyt/t^J>-T^^L^ WILLIAM HAMILTON— ANGUS CAMERON. 463 ty, where he followed the occupation of farming, and died in February, 1878. His wife died in De- cember, 1873. They had eight children, as fol- lows : William, James who died in infancy, James 2d, now residing in Ohio, Jeannette, Alexander, who died in Nevada from injuries received in the mines, John B., Grace Ann, and Margaret. William Hamilton was born in LeRoy, Genesee county, December 25, 1832. His early life was spent on a farm, and his education was such as the common schools afforded. In 1853 he taught school in Michigan, and in 1856 went to Minne- sota, returning in 1857. In 1859 he was mar- ried to Jane, daughter of Robert Vallance, Esq., of York, and settled in Caledonia, where he now resides, and is one of the lead- ing business men of the place. It is to his invincible energy and active business ability thai Caledonia is in- debted for many im- provements. Mr. Ham- ilton is a farmer, grain dealer and maltster. In politics he is a Demo- crat, and although al- ways taking a lively in- terest in important pub- lic questions, has never aspired to political posi- tion. He has been Highway Commissioner for nine years, and town Supervisor six years, holding the latter office at the present time. In religious sentiment he is a Presbyterian, and is now acting as Secretary and Treasurer of the First Presbyterian church of Caledonia. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have had five children, four of whom are now living, viz. : William Val- lance, who is now at Cornell University, Nellie Jane, Mary Elizabeth, and James Alexander. Mr. Hamilton has ever been ready, not only to lend a helping hand and render assistance to all feasible movements towards furthering the indus- trial interests, growth and public improvements of his town, but has always taken a great interest in the agricultural pursuits of the county, and has given the most hearty support to all efforts and measures tending to the advancement of the agri- cultural interests of Western New York. Mr. Hamilton is a man of unusual enterprise and ac- tivity. He early learned to rely upon self-efforts for advancement in the world, and by business habits, persevering industry, integrity of purpose, and honorable dealing, has won a deserved success. He is eminently a self-made man and one of the representative business men of Livingston county. (ANGUS CAMERON, ANGUS CAMERON. Angus Cameron was of Scotch descent, his parents John and Catharine Cameron, having emi- grated to this country in 1804, the former from Inverness, and the latter from Argyleshire, Scotland. He was born at Geneva, N. Y., July 10, 1805, and the following Oc- tober removed with his father to Caledonia, where, after attaining a suitable age, he attend- ed the district school of the town, and the select school at LeRoy, N. Y. When about twenty- one years old he en- gaged himself as a clerk in the general store of Mr. Butterfield, of Cal- edonia, and after re- maining there several years he accepted a similar position with Donald McDonald of the same village. He was also, for a short time, salesman in a store in Canandaigua, whence he removed to Caledonia and opened a general store for him- self. This he conducted for five or six months only, when he sold out to Mr. Collen Mc- Vean. He then purchased several farms, in the town of Caledonia, which he rented, and the residue of his life spent the most of his time in speculating in real estate, collecting his rents, and loaning money. He was a man possessing unusual shrewdness, business tact and ability, having in an eminent degree those sterling Scottish characteristics, thrift and industry. In pohtics he was a strong and true Democrat, and his first ballot cast was for General Andrew Jackson. He died at Caledonia on the 20th of October, t866, at the age of sixty-one years, and though never having married, he was a man, who through his geniality and kindness to others made many and lasting friends and at his death it was felt by all that though absent he would not be for- gotten. Having left no will, the large fortune which he had amassed was inherited by his brothers and sisters. 464 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. GILES PHELPS GRANT. Giles Phelps Grant, the subject of this memoir, was born in Norfolk, Litchfield county. Conn., May 26, 1801. His father was a farmer and until Giles became of age his history was similar to that of other New England farmer's sons— working on the farm and attending the district schools. This occupation not suiting the inclinations and temperament of young Grant, he decided to strike out for himself, and in 1822, at the age of twenty- one, he left home and went to Hartford, where he leased a store and immediately entered into the mercantile business. Having but Httle money, his beginning was necessarily small, though in self- reliance, enterprise, and energy he possessed an ample fortune, and his sagacious business tact soon developed a large and rapidly increasing trade. In 1825 he was married to Laura Crittenden, of Hartford, where he remained till about 1835, and then removed to the " Empire State," locating at Rochester, where he at first opened a retail boot and shoe store on the corner of Main and St. Paul streets. This proved to be the most successful establishment of the kind in Rochester, and gradu- ally developed into a wholesale trade. His first wife having died, Mr. Grant was again married, Sept. 8, 1863, to Margaret, daughter of Hector McLean, Esq., of Caledonia. In 1865 he opened an exclusively wholesale busi- ness on Exchange street, which he conducted till about 1874, when he retired from active business, having amassed a large fortune. His trade had increased from $1,000 the first year, to $500,000, the last year. He was the founder of the house now known as L. P. Ross' — the largest in Roches- ter. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle of Jan. 22, 1877, says of Mr. Grant: — "The death of such a man as G. P. Grant deserves more than a passing notice in our columns, as he was in many respects a remarkable man. " Through his long course of over fifty years as a merchant inactive business, he maintained an un- blemished reputation and credit, conducting his business through the two greatest commercial panics ever known in this country— in 1837 and 1857 — always paying every debt in full that he contracted, and never even asking an extension. « * « Mr. Grant was the first person in Rochester to in- troduce the practice of selhng goods on the road by samples, which is now so generally adopted by all kinds of trade. " He was a man of remarkable memory, retain- ing his recollection of events which transpired dur- ing his business life with remarkable accuracy. "His genial and pleasant manner of relating his reminiscences, made him a very agreeable and en- tertaining companion. He leaves many friends who will sincerely mourn his loss, and wish the country had more such upright, active business men as was G. P. Grant." Mr. Grant was eminently a self-made man, the sole architect of his own fortune. He was method- ic, prompt and rehable in all his transactions. As an example of his promptness, the following is stated : — " During the last fourteen years of his life he resided in Caledonia, going by rail to his business in Rochester every morning, and returning to his home in the evening, and during the whole of which time he was never known to miss his train." He was a liberal, benevolent, and unostenta- tious man, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those who iri his opinion, were deserving of his as- sistance. In politics he was a strong Republican, and though seeking no political preferment, he quietly wielded a very strong influence. During the life of Mr. Grant's first wife, they adopted a datigbter, Mary A. Grant, whom they loved as dearly as though she were their own. She was married to Charles, son of Nathan Wild, Esq., of Valatie, Columbia county, N. Y., where they now reside. They have six children, of whom the sons, in connection with their father, are extensive- ly engaged in the manufacture of cotton. Mr. Grant died at Caledonia, Jan. 18, 1877, at the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Grant is left with an ample competence and still resides in Caledonia, the pleasant village of her nativity, with her sister, Miss Catherine McLean. Col. A. H. McLean, Mrs. Grant's brother, and their much loved aunt, Mrs. John McLean, comprise at present (1881) the entire family. In 1838 she became a member of the United Presbyterian church of Caledonia, and has ever remained an ac- tive and devoted member of that congregation. COL. ARCHIBALD HECTOR McLEAN. Col. Archibald Hector McLean is the only son of Hector McLean, and was born in Caledonia, July 20, 1820. He was brought up on a farm, and received his education at the district schools, with the exception of two terms — in 1 839 and '40 — spent at the " Wesleyan Genesee" academy at Lima. In 1843 he engaged in wool trading, at the same time carrying on business on his father's farm in Caledonia. About 1853 he purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty acres adjoining that of his father's, comprising with the first about six hun- dred acres, which he continued to manage, in con- nection with his wool business, till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he expe- rienced a reverse of fortune, having on hand at the time a large quantity of wool, which suddenly de- clined in value and had to be disposed of at a sac- rifice. Having previously invested in real estate in De- troit, he removed there in 186 1 and became a real estate agent. Desiring a larger field of operation he removed to Chicago, immediately after the large fire there, and opened a real estate office, in which he continued till the great crash or panic of 1873. All movement in real estate being then blocked, he ■ ^c/iA.'C^a'ic €lyn^ Xnjf-tyS'ESiai&Sms J2 BafeTay StJfT COL. A. H. McLEAN — DUNCAN A. CAMERON— WILLARD H. SMITH. 465 commenced operating in grain, still attending to whatever business was oflfered in the office. He remained in Chicago till 1877, when he was called to Caledonia to assist his sister, Mrs. Grant, in the settlement of her deceased husband's estate. Colonel McLean has ever taken a great interest in military affairs. When only fifteen years of age, he accepted a position on Col. Gordon's staff, and passed through the different gradations, from Lieu- tenant to Colonel, in the 77th Regiment of the N. Y. State militia, of which he had command for six years. On the breaking out of the war of the Re- bellion, Jas. S. Wads- worth offered him any position on his staff he might choose, but the Colonel's financial mat- ters were such as to re- quire his personal at- tention, and he could not accept. In 1848 Colonel Mc- Lean was elected to the New York State Assembly of 1848 and '49, and being reelect- ed served in the ses- sions of 1849 and '50. In the latter year he ha^l charge of the bill for the establishment of the Genesee college in connection with the seminary at Lima, which is conducted under the patronage of the Methodists. The Colonel who, ten years previously was a stu- dent at the old sem- inary, took a deep in- terest in its success, and it was doubtless mainly due to his in- fluence, that the bill was passed. In 1852 the Colonel assisted in organizing and constructing the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Rail Road and was for six years an active director in that company. In politics Colonel McLean is a RepubUcan, and has always taken an active part in the interests of that party. In rehgious sentiment he is a United Presby- terian, and is a genial and social gentleman. DUNCAN A. CAMERON. Duncan A. Cameron was born in Invernesshire, Scotland, on Christmas day, 1783. He was the third son of Angus and Catherine (McPherson) Cameron. They first located at Johnstown, Mont- gomery county, N. Y., and after remaining there about a year, removed to Caledonia, where, in 1805, Mr. Cameron purchased a tract of land which he cleared and afterward cultivated till near the time of his death, which occurred in 1823. His widow survived him till 1839. Duncan A. spent the early years of his life on his father's farm, and on the 23d of March, 1813, he was married to Sarah McColl, of Argyleshire, Scot- land, by whom he had eleven children, as follows : Angus (died in infancy) ; Hugh, an attorney, in LaCrosse, Wis.; Dun- can, a farmer, residing in Wisconsin ; Mary and Catherine, resid- ing on the old home- stead ; Margaret E. Wilson, residing in Cal- edonia ; Daniel (dead); Angus, U. S. Senator from Wisconsin, resid- ing at LaCrosse ; Du- gald (dead) ; Charles, a farmer, now living in York ; and Alexander (dead). In politics Mr. Cam- eron was a Whig till the organization of the Republican party, when he joined that party, and took an active in- terest in all political matters. In religion he was a strict Presbyteri- an, and rigidly opposed to any innovations of the tenets of that sect. The happiness of Mr. Cameron's married life was suddenly changed to sadness, when Jan. 14, 1863, the loving wife who had passed with him through many years of trials, was called away from his side and the society of many dear friends. He was not, however, left many years to walk the paths of hfe alone, but Dec. 3, 1868, quietly passed away to the other world. He was one of the leading repre- sentative farmers of the county, and at the time of his death, his farm, which is situated about three and a half mileS southwest of the village of Cale- donia, fully illustrated that labor and perseverance will accomplish much if only properly applied. WILLARD HUNTINGTON SMITH. Willard Huntington Smith was born in Chester- field, Mass., Sept. 30, 1785, and died Dec. 25, 1856. He was the fourth son of Joseph and Ann (Stuart) Smith. At the age of six years his parents 466 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. removed to Bernardston, Mass., where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until eighteen years of age when, feeling that this mode of life was entirely unsuited to his tastes or inclinations, he resolved to adopt a different one. Having a good common school education, and unaided by his father who had a large family of children, he left home and entered the academy at Salem, Mass. Upon leaving that institution, he placed himself under the tutorship of Rev. Orville Dewey. By teaching at intervals he earned sufficient to enable him to finish his preparatory course, and entered the junior class of 1808 in Williams College, from which he was graduated in the class of 18 10. From thence he went to Albany, where he com- menced the study of law in the office of Bleeker & Sedgwick. He read during the day, and devoted his evenings to the instruction of a class of young gentlemen who were fitting themselves for college, and was thus enabled to pay his board and other expenses. He remained in Albany till after his marriage on Nov. 24th, 181 1, to Mary, youngest daughter of Col. Caleb Johnson, of Hampstead, N. H. In August, 181 2, he went to Waterford, N. Y., and entered the office of Samuel M. Huntington, where he completed his law studies. October 1 7, 1813, he was admitted to the bar by Hon. James Kent, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and in December of the same year came to Caledonia (then Genesee county). It being impossible for him to obtain a boarding place for himself and wife, he rented the rear part of the "red store" owned by Col. Robert McKay, at the west end of the village, where they com- menced housekeeping and remained two years. In the meantime he had purchased a village lot, consisting of half an acre of land, of McKay L. Mumford — that being all any one individual could, at that time, obtain for building purposes — and succeeded in procuring from another party a deed of a half-acre lot adjoining his, upon which he built the house in which he resided till his death. For about two years he used a portion of this house for an office, and then built one upon the same lot near his home. March 2, 181 4, he received the appointment of Master in Chancery, under Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor, " to have and to hold said office during our good pleasure." In 1823 he was reappointed to the same office under Gov. Joseph C. Yates, and was again appointed under Gov. Wm. L. Mar- cy, holding that office till the Court of Chancery was abolished. March 17, 1826, he was appointed County Judge, under Governor DeWitt Clinton, and. March 4, 183 1, was reappointed to the same office. March 24, 1832, he received the appointment of First Judge of Livingston county, under Gov. Enos T. Throop, which office he continued to hold till June, 1847. His wife died March 26, 1844, aged fifty-nine years, and on May i, 1845, he married for his second wife Charlotte, widow of Colonel Thomas Johnson of Syracuse, N. Y., youngest daughter of Moses Johnson, a former merchant of Canandaigua. She survived him three years, and is buried by the side of his first wife in the cemetery at Mumford, where also his mortal remains repose. He had seven children, four of whom are now living as follows : — Lloyd K. in Rochester; Fran- ces Connor, widow of the late Dr. Harlow W. Wells, now residing in Caledonia ; Mary Ann Stew- art, wife of Thomas Frothingham of Rochester, N. Y. ; and Sarah Lovejoy, wife of Hon. Wm. N. Em- erson, also of Rochester. The legal attainments of Judge Smith, were of a high order. He was a man of sterling integrity, irreproachable moral character, and ever a genial and instructive companion. These characteristics combined with fine literary tastes, and a highly cultivated intellect, endeared him to a large circle of friends. When upon the Bench, his clear and comprehensive mind enabled him to dispatch busi- ness with great rapidity. His is a fragrant memory and no eulogium can add to it one jot or iota in the estimation of those who remember him. His was a progressive mind, and to the latest moment of his life, his intellect remained perfectly clear, and his last hours were peaceful and serene. Perfectly resigned to the will of his Father, and with an unfaltering trust in his Redeemer, he passed away, cheered by the hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave. DR. HARLOW WILLARD WELLS. Dr. Harlow Willard Wells was born in Leyden, Mass., April 15, 1809, and died Oct. 13, 1877, aged fifty-eight years. He was the fifth in descent from Thomas Wells, who in company with his two brothers, emigrated from Colchester, England, in 1636, to Hartford, Conn., and from there to Hadley, Mass., in 1639. Simeon Wells, father of Dr. H. W., removed from Leyden to New Haven, Oswego county, N. Y., in 1816. In 1826, at the opening of the Van Rensselaer Academy in the adjoining town of Mexico, Dr. Wells was enrolled as a student of that institution. After completing his course of studies there, he entered the office of Dr. Patrick G. Hard, as a student of medicine, and after taking three courses of lectures in the " Fairfield Medical College," of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., was in 1834 graduated as doctor of medi- cine. Among his classmates were Drs. Jewett and Simmons, of Canandaigua; Dr. McCollum, of Lockport ; Prof. James P. White, of Buffalo ; and- the late Dr. John B. Witbeck, of Rochester, N. Y. In April, 1834, he came to Caledonia, and at the age of twenty-five commenced the practice of his profession, in which he continued to labor suc- cessfully during forty-three years. In the fall of 1845, he was chosen to represent his county in the State Legislature, as Assembly- j-tyy-. fj-t^^^ HARLOW W. WELLS, M. D.— DANIEL McPHERSON— HECTOR McLEAN. 467 man, but served only one term. His colleague was the late Gov. John Young. In 1852 he was elected Supervisor and held that office two years. During the last forty years of his life he was part of the time engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a man of strict integrity, and untiring energy, and was eminently kind and generous to those around him. He was emphatically the poor man's friend, and in his professional capacity the needy and suffering ever found in him a kind and ready helper. The noble quaHties of heart which he possessed endeared him to a large circle of friends, and commanded the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he had spent the greater portion of his Hfe. He was married June 26th, 1837, to Frances Connor, eld- est daughter of Hon. Willard H. Smith, of Caledonia, N. Y. Mrs. Wells has been left m possession of an am- ple competence, and is a lady of refinement and culture, possess ing much force of character. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, taking great interest in all benev- olent movements tend- ing toward the ameli- oration of society and advancing the cause of religion. land, April 9, 1828. He was brought up on his father's farm and received his education at the dis- trict school and the academy at Riga, Monroe county. At the age of twenty-one he purchased a farm in Wheatland, which he disposed of, after working it a few years, and in 1854 bought his present home in Caledonia. Jan. 14, 1857, he was united in marriage with Hattie M., daughter of Geo. B. Chace, Esq., of Cas- tile, Wyoming county, N. Y. They have one son, Frank Chace, who is living with them on the home- stead, and who married Miss Franc, daughter of Rev. B. R. Swick, of Lima. Mr. McPherson has followed the vocation of a farmer combined with that of the in- ventor, until within the last ten years, during which time he has leased his farm and devoted his whole time to invention. He has now seven differ- ent patents on grain- binders, and Cyrus H. McCormick, of Chi- cago is manufacturing them. At first Mr. Mc- Pherson met with dif- ficulties and reverses, but such has been the history of many of our prin cipal inventors, and he is now begin- ning to reap the re- ward of his labor. (DANIEL McPHERSON.) DANIEL McPHERSON. Duncan W. McPherson, the father of Daniel, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1793, and came with his family to this country in 1798. He first settled in Johnstown, Montgomery county, where he remained till 1801 and then removed to the Genesee country, and there purchased and cleared a tract of land upon which the residue of his life was spent. In 1807 he was married to Catharine McArthur, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1798, and emigrated to America in 1 80 1. They had ten children, five of whom are now living. In religious sentiment Mr. McPher- son was a Presbyterian. He died in 1868, and his wife who still survives him is a lady of superior in- tellect and resides in Wheatland, Monroe county N. Y. Daniel was the fourth child and second son of Duncan W. McPherson, and was born in Wheat- HECTOR McLEAN. The subject of this sketch was born in Argyle- shire, Scotland, in 1776. He was the oldest of seven children, and emigrated to New York city in 1805. Small events sometimes decide the fate of nations, as well as individuals and families, and the destiny of the McLean family was probably de- cided by a difficulty that occurred between the father of Hector, and the factor of the landlord on whose estate the family resided. They had an altercation at the public house in the little town where they lived, and the factor received a severe drubbing. During the absence of the landlord for several years on the Continent, the aggrieved fac- tor taking advantage of his master's absence, re- fused to renew the lease of the farm. Hector had contemplated coming to America, but received strong opposition from his parents and other members of his family. When his father lost the farm which had been under the control of 468 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. his ancestry from time immemorial, he was so sorely grieved that he decided at once to ac- company his son to America, binding him under the solemn obligation, that whatever their destiny might be in the " New World " while living, in death their bones should repose in adjacent graves. By occupation, Hector was a seafaring man, carrying on commercial transactions between Greenock, Glasgow, and the numerous Islands off the coast of the West Highlands, and his father was a well-to-do farmer. They disposed of their interests in Scotland, and with all their worldly effects embarked from Greenock for the New World in October, 1805. After a tempestuous passage of over nine weeks, a distant view of land was obtained off Sandy Hook. Just then a British man-of-war hove in sight and fired a shot across their bow, as a signal for them to stop. A "press- gang" came on board and claimed Hector and his two brothers as "lawful subjects of His Majesty," who were endeavoring to escape from the kingdom of Great Britain. Resistance was worse than useless, for the " French war " was then raging, and the King wanted soldiers and sailors. The poor captives showed their clearance from the port of Greenock for America, but all in vain. No time was allowed for parleying, and the peremptory order "get ready and go aboard the boat," sent a thrill of horror to the hearts of the stricken captives. The tears of their aged parents were unavailing, but finally money, offered as a ransom, softened the obdurate heart of the British officer, and he consented to their release on the Conditions that three of the vessel's crew should be substituted, and that they should hand over to him all their money and valuables. Through the efforts of McLean and his brothers working before the mast, the vessel was brought to port, but when the family landed in New York they had not the means to purchase a night's lodging, and only their sturdy hands and resolute hearts, to brave the terrors of a rigorous winter. A temporary lodging was procured, and the follow- ing morning Hector and his brother Charles found work as stevedores on the dock, and soon earned a sufficiency to make their parents and family comfortable. Hector subsequently obtained work in the Brook- lyn navy yard, where he earned the money to pur- chase a farm in the Genesee valley. In the meantime the family removed to Stamford, Delaware county, N. Y., where Hector soon found his wife, in the per- son of Annie Mclntyre, of Harpersfield. In the winter of 18 13, Hector and his wife started in a temporary sleigh drawn by one horse, for their new home in the west, and on the route received the news from an escaped soldier, of the burning of Buffalo, and the ravages of the Indians on the white settlements. Hector was half inclined to turn back, but his wife, who was a woman of great courage, combin- ing substantial good sense, insisted on their pro- ceeding on their journey, as a runaway from camp never brought good news. They arrived at their new home in mid-winter, and commenced clearing the forest, preparatory to making a home for themselves and family. They received a " High- land Welcome " from the Scottish settlers at Cale- donia, and great kindness and encouragement from all their neighbors. When Commodore Yoe came with his fleet to the mouth of the Genesee river, and threatened to destroy the village of Carthage, McLean and his neighbors volunteered and marched for the protec- tion of the town. After the close of the War of 181 2, the early settlers experienced great difficulty in obtaining a market for their products, but after the construction of the Erie canal, remunerative prices were obtained, land advanced in value, and general prosperity prevailed. Although experiencing many hardships, Mr. McLean found himself, after a few years of indus- try and frugality, the possessor of a comfortable home. He attributed his success in life, in no small degree, to the sound judgment and wise counsel of his wife who possessed fine literary tastes and a seemingly intuitive knowledge of the world which was truly remarkable. Long before leaving Scotland, Mr. McLean united with the Scottish Presbyterian Church, and finding a similar organization in Caledonia he and his wife united themselves with, and remained active and consistent members of the United Pres- byterian Church of that place. In politics, he was a Whig and Republican and held many important trusts in Church and State. His sound judgment and kind heart made him the trusted counselor, the valued friend, and the frequent peace-maker. He was generous to a fault, and his benign sympathy for humanity might have led him to give to the undeserving. He was in- tolerant to all that was base or false, asking noth- ing he considered unjust, and subrnitting to noth- ing he considered to be wrong. He died at Caledonia, surrounded by his family and numerous friends, in 1869, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, surviving his wife, who died in 1853. He was buried by the side of his father in the cemetery at Caledonia, thus fulfilling the solemn promise made to him before leaving the land of his birth. Mr. McLean was a strong, muscularly built man, capable of enduring great mental and physical labor. His children who survive him are : — Mrs. G. P. Grant, Miss Catherine McLean, and Col. A. H. McLean, all of whom now (1881) reside in Caledonia. DAVID WALKER. David Walker is the eldest son of William Walker, who was bom in Broadalbin, Montgomery county, (now Fulton county,) in the year 1779. He (David) was born at Johnstown, Montgomery county. May 21, 1806, was brought up on the homestead at Broadalbin, and educated at the dis- trict school of the town. In 1829, at the age of C'Ct^'i^ — .En^i-liy 'ffJJBuR .iSinnlSSaraaii StXT DAVID WALKER — LIMA. 469 twenty-three years, he left the old home and took up his residence in Caledonia. He followed the occupation of farming till within the last twenty years, during which time he has retired from active business life. On the iSth of March, 1835, he was married to Isabelle Robertson of Broadalbin, N. Y. She was born July S, 1806. Mr. Walker is a member of the United Presby- terian church, and has officiated as deacon of a church for nearly forty years. In politics he is a Republican, and, though never having sought of- fice, has been elected several times in his town. He was town Supervisor in 1864 and 1865, and has been Justice of the Peace for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have passed the "three score years and ten " of their lives and still appear ex- ceptionally well preserved. By an upright life of industry and integrity they have secured a compe- tency for a comfortable support during their de- clining years, and have justly gained the respect in which they are held by all who know them. CHAPTER XXXI. History of the Town of Lima. THE town of Lima lies on the extreme north- eastern border of the county. It is bounded on the north by Mendon, (Monroe county) ; on the south by Livonia and Richmond, (Ontario county) ; on the east by West Bloomfield, (On- tario county) ; and on the west by Avon. The only stream of importance is Stony brook, which rises in Livonia and flows north through the center of the town. Honeoye creek, on the east- ern border, divides the town from West Bloomfield in Ontario county. The town has but three vil- lages, Lima, the principal point, near the center of the town, North Bloomfield, in the extreme north- eastern part, and Hamilton Station, or South Lima, in the extreme south-western part. The town of Lima was originally known as " Mighle's Gore." The name was derived from a man who owned here a considerable tract of land so cut up by the division of towns on the north, east and west as to present the shape of a "gore." Lima was formed as Charleston, then in Ontario county. Jan. 27, 1789. Its name was changed April 6, 1808. Its surface is undulating and hilly. The soil is a clay and clay loam, and in the north- west sandy and gravelly loam. The first settlement of the town is accredited to Paul Davidson and Jonathan Gould, who it is be- lieved came from Pennsylvania, and who located here in 1788. These pioneers are beheved to be the first permanent settlers west of the Adams' Settlement in Bloomfield.* Soon after these pathmakers cameAbner Miles, from Massachusetts, in 1789; John Mmer and Asahel Burchard, in the following year, and Steven Tinker and Solomon Hovey, from Massachusetts, in 1 79 1. In this year came also Zebulon Moses, with his wife and son, Luther, settling near the present site of Lima village. Here he lived two years, and then removed about four miles south- east to what was then an unbroken wilderness, where he purchased a tract of land. Luther Moses, the son, was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1787. He died in 1876, having been a resident of Lima eighty-four years. Miles Bristol came to the town of Lima about 1785, locating a farm near what is now Lima village. His son, William Bristol, now retains the homestead. On this farm have been found many interesting relics of the savage race who had been the primitive occupants, comprising rude axes, arrows of flint, pipes, tomahawks, kettles of clay, and skeletons of those early aborigines. In 1877, Mr. Bristol discovered the perfect remains of a human being, whose fleshless arms were decorated with iron armlets strung with varied colored beads. Among other early settlers who came here previous to 1795, were Reuben and Gideon Thayer, Col. Thomas Lee, Col. David Morgan, Willard and Amasa Humphrey, and Asahel, William and Daniel H. Warner. The family of > Turner's Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. 47° HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Warner were among the most prominent and in^ fluential of the pioneers in lima.* In 1797, the greater part of what is now the village of Lima, was owned by Matthew Warner and his brother. The ancestor of this family, William Warner, came from England in 1637 and settled at Ips- wich, Mass. He had two sons, Daniel and John, who in 1672 settled in New Canaan, in this State. One of these brothers had a son named William, who married there and had a family of thirteen children. William Warner was the oldest of this family. He was born in 17 17. In 1740 he was married to a Miss Hawley, of English descent, by whom he had seven children, Asahel, Matthew, William, Daniel, Elizabeth, Hannah and Sally. His wife dying in 1775 or 1776, he was again married to Ehzabeth Norton, by whom he also had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The sons were John N., Linus and Samuel. William Warner participated in the war of the Revolution, in which he ruined his health, and as his property was in continental money it became worthless, and at the close of the war he was imprisoned for debt in Albany jail, where, in poor health and despondent spirits, he remained some time. In 1794 two of his sons, Asahel and William, came to Lima, where they remained dur- ing one summer. Here Asahel purchased a tract of land on which was a log house, and then the brothers returned to their former home, where in the following winter they were married. The next year, 1795, they again started for Lima, arriving there on the 22d of March, after a journey of twenty-two days. They found the country here almost an unbroken wilderness, with bears, wolves, and deer in large numbers, and nearly the sole ownership of the land vested in the red men. WiUiam Warner, who at this time came with his sons, died in the following August, and was buried in Bloomfield. Asahel Warner was a man of great energy and perseverance, and was grea'tly instrumental in de- veloping the business interests of Lima. In 181 2- '13, he was elected member of Assembly. He died in 1847, aged 83 years. Matthew Warner was also quite a prominent man in the early history of this town. He came to Limt in 1797, where he soon after built a log house t in which he lived until his death July 9, 1841. He was at one time Justice of the Peace, * It might also be said the most numerous. It is related that in those early days strangers were told, *' If you see a man in the street and don't know his name call him Warner. You are certain to hit it every time." t Near the brick house in which Mr. Thayer has since lived. and one of the Judges of the County court of On- tario, and in 1818-19 served his district in the As- sembly. William Warner, who came herewith his brother Asahel in 1795, died February 16, 1850, aged 78 years. Among other early settlers were Col. George Smith, who came in March, 1798, and James Ster- ling, Nathaniel Munger, Samuel Carr, Jedediah Commins, Joel Roberts, Phineas Burchard, Chris- topher Lee, Jonah Moses, and John and David B. Morgan, all of whom came previous to the arrival of Col. Smith. In 1799 Adolphus Watkins came to this town from Ashford, Winford county. Conn. When he came, where Lima now stands were a few scatter- ing log houses, and what is now known as Roches- ter street, was a muddy thoroughfare, over which the pioneers traveled with their grist to a mill in Honeoye. This is now one of the finest streets in the town, the principal street in the village, and the log cabins have given place to fine residences and costly churches. The town was then known as Charleston, rough and unbroken, with the land heavily timbered with black walnut, white and black oak, elm, cherry, and basswood. The first marriage in this new country was that of Simeon Gray and Patty Alger, in 1793. The first death that of Mrs. Abbot, mother to Mrs. Paul Davidson, in 1791.* This was the first death in the Genesee country. The first child born was a daughter to Mrs. Paul Davidson. The first school was taught in 1792-3, by John Sabin. Reuben Thayer kept the first tavern in 1793, and in the year following Tryon & Adams opened the first store. Reuben Thayer built the first saw mill in 1796, and Zebulon Norton the first grist mill in 1794. The growth of the town, and the development of its business interests, was gradual and attended by many hardships. As late as 1820, some of the best land between here and Avon lay to commons, and was offered for sale at ten dollars per acre. Lima then comprised all the territory west of Honeoye creek, — including what was then known as Abram's Plains — to the town Hne of Rush, nearly to Hallock's Corners, on the East Rush road. There was then no building north of the Pres- byterian Church in Lima Village for nearly a mile. At that time the village had but a few stores, the principal one being that of Atwell & Grout. * Doty says 1790. David Cuf^tis Pai^ker, David Curtis Parker was a son of William and Sarah (Curtis) Parker, the latter of whose father, Mr. Curtis, of Connecticut, was a surveyor and one of a company sent by the government to survey the lands of the Holland Purchase. William Parker was born in Connecticut in 1767. He moved to Lima at a very early day and settled on the farm now occupied by his son Charles L. He died in 1842, his wife in 1853. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker were bom the following children : — Khoda, born in 1800 ; Bet- sy, in ISO.J ; William B., about 1807 ; David Curtis, May 2, 1810, died May 14, 1879; Edmund J., born in 1812; Sarah Ann, in 1817 ; and Charles L., in 1819; of whom Charles L., and William B. are the only ones living, and both reside in Lima. David C. remained at home till twenty-three years of age, being most of the time engaged in working the home farm, and assisting his father whenever an occasion offered itself. His education was necessarily limited as he could only attend the common school of the town in which he resided. February l/i, 1833, he was married to Ehza, daughter of George and Eliza Wiggins. She was born in New Jer- sey December 1, 1810, and moved with her parents to West Bloomfield, where her mother died in 1816, leaving four children. Her father married for his second wife Polly Fay, a sister of his deceased wife. By her he had ten children. Those left him by his first wife were : — Jonathan, bom in New Jersey in 1808, (deceased); Eliza, as already mentioned ; David Sargeant, bom in 1812, died in 1867; and James Baldwin, now living at West Avon. After his marriage, David C. hved one year with his parents and then purchased the firm on which he resided till his death. Here the best years of his life and most noble efforts were devoted to improving and developing his property, and he ranked among the best and most scientific agriculturists in the county. He was never an office-seeker, but was a plain unpre- tentious man, whose reputation was without a stain. His character was never questioned and he was highly respected for that fact. In poHties he was a Republican, and took a lively interest in the success of his party, al- ways sustaining its measures consistently. He attended the Universalist church at North Bloomfield, but was never a member of any congregation. Having no children of his own, he adopted hie wife's nephew, Curtis P. Wiggins, when he was eight years old, and lavished upon him the tenderest care of a kind parent, which the young man fully appreciated, and he inserts this portrait and sketch from pure affection and in rever- ence- for his memory. Curtis Parker Wiggins was born August 26, 1838, and was married to Phebe A., daughter of Robert and Fanny Huntington, of West Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y. She was born August 24, 1839. Two children have been bom to them ; Fannie E., and Ida M. Mr. Wiggins lives on the farm left him by his adopted father, which is beautifully located about three miles northeast of Lima. The place is kept in the highest state of cultivation and Mr. Wiggins is surrounded with all the comforts of a happy home and fireside. LIMA — EARLY SETTLERS. 471 Wheat sold then for 37^ cts. per bushel. Goods were paid for in wheat, which was ground into flour, drawn to the mouth of the Genesee river, and from there was taken by sloops to Ogdensburgh and down the St. Lawrence on rafts to Montreal. Be- tween the Honeoye creek and the Avon line there were then seven taverns, which, nearly every night, were full of teamsters and travelers. One of these taverns, a little west of the village of Lima, was kept by John Morgan. The order of things has been somewhat reversed since that time. Then there were seven taverns and one church; now over that same line are five churches and but one tavern. Of those pioneers who laid the foundations for the future growth and prosperity of Lima, none are living, and but few have descendants in the town. Asahel Warner has none in Lima. Judge Mat- thew Warner has one son, Andrew J. Warner, now living near Lima village, a farmer, and a music teacher of some celebrity. Mrs. C. J. IngersoU, also Uving near the village, is a daughter of Mat- thew Warner. A son, Spencer, lives in Michigan, and another daughter, Huldah, (Mrs. Clement Turner,) lives in Iowa. William Warner has no immediate descendants. A grandson, Charles H. Warner, a farmer, whose father was Henry Warner, now lives here. Daniel Warner has one son, Edwin Warner, a farmer, living here. Asahel Burchard, who died in 1853, aged 91, has no descendants in the town. Stephen Arthur, has none in the town. His children married and settled in the West. Thomas Peck, has one son, Richard, a farmer, now living here. He was Supervisor a number of years, and is quite a prominent man. A daughter, Mrs. Dann, also resides in the town. Another family quite prominent in the history of this town was that of the Leech brothers, Man- asseh, who came here in 1797, and died in March, 1828, and Clement, Ebenezer and Paine, who probably came here at about the same time. Josiah G. Leech, a son to Manasseh, was born April 22, 1803, and in his day was one of the lead- ing men of Lima. He held town offices seventeen consecutive years, ending in 1847 with three suc- cessive terms as Supervisor. He died in 1872. A daughter to Manasseh Leech, Mrs. Nelson Lloyd, who lives in Lima village, is the only direct descendant in the town now living. A grandson, Manasseh Cummings, lives here. Clement Leech has no descendants here. A son, Robert T., lives in West Bloomfield, and a daughter, Mrs. Parmilee, also in West Bloomfield. A son, Clement, moved to the West and died. Ebenezer Leech has no descendants here. All are dead. Solomon Hovey has one son, Guernsey, now in the town. Adolphus Watkins, who died in 1876, has one daughter, Mrs. Roxie Gordon, living here, and a son, Solon Watkins, who was President of Lima village in 1877-78. Town Officers. — From some stray records, of whose authenticity nothing is positively known, it is learned that the first town meeting was held in 1793, when what is now Lima was known as "Mighle's Gore,"* and that at this meeting Amos Hall was chosen Supervisor, and that during this year most of the roads were laid out. The only records known to be authentic, place the first meeting on April 4th, 1797. This was held at the Inn of Reuben Thayer, and the officers then elected were as follows : — Supervisor, Solomon Hovey; Town Clerk, James Davis; Assessors, Joseph Arthur, Willard Humphrey, Justus Miner ; Commissioners of Highways, Elijah Morgan, Na- thaniel Munger, Jonathan Gould ; Poormasters, Joseph Arthur, William Williams ; Constable and Collector, John Miner; School Commissioners, Joel Roberts, William Williams, Col. David Mor- gan ; Path-Masters, Jonathan Gould, PhiUip Sparl- ing, Joseph Arthur, Willard Humphrey ; Fence Viewers, William Webber, William Williams, James Davis ; Pound Keeper, Reuben Thayer. The town was then known as Charleston, and that name was changed to Lima in 1808 or 1809.! The first town meeting held in the town of Lima, so named, was in the "Brick School House'' in what is now Lima village, on the 4th day of April, 1809. The town was still in Ontario county. At this meeting the following officers were elected : — Supervisor, Abel Bristol ; Town Clerk, Manas- seh Leech; Assessors, Justin Smith, William Bacon, William Williams ; Constable and Collector, John Morgan; Commissioners of Highways, Jacob Stevens, Gurdon W. Cook; Overseers of the Poor, Ezra Norton, Jedediah Commins; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Gurdon W. •This name is variously spelled Mighle's, Mile's, Migell's : the former is said by Franklin Carter, Esq., to be the correct form. t Both French and Doty state that the name was changed in 1808, the former placing the date at April 6, but the town meeting which was held in April of that year is dated Charleston, and no records show that the change was made at that date. The name of Lima first appears on the records January Ji, 1809. 472 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Cook; Fence Viewers, Asa Porter, Clement Leech, Enos Frost; Pound-keeper, Asa Porter. A sum of $25 was voted to build the pound, which was to be located on the northwest corner of the Porter farm. From that date the Supervisors and Town Clerks have been as here appended : — Supervisors. Town Clerks. 1810 Asahel Warner. Matthew Warner. 181 1 William Williams. " " 181 2 Matthew Warner. James K. Guernsey. 1813-14 Jacob Stevens. " " 1815 " " Matthew Warner. 18 16 Matthew Warner. Manasseh Leech. 18 1 7 Asahel Warner. " " 1818-19 Manasseh Leech. Matthew Warner. 1820-22 " " George W. Atwell. 1823 Asahel Warner. Edmund Root. 1824 Levi Hovey. M.W.Brown. 1825 Manasseh Leech. " " 1826-27 " " George W. Little. 1828-31 Smith Parmelee. 1832 H. Hutchinson. " " 1833 John Cutler. Erastus Clark. 1834-35 '' " Charles IngersoU. 1836 Alexander Martin. " " 1837 " " J. Franklin Peck. 1838 John Cutler. 1839-41 " " Franklin Carter. 1842 Jarvis Raymond. " " 1843 Alexander Martin. " " 1844 Israel Nicklesson. " " 1845-46 Josiah G. Leech. " " 1847 " " J. Franklin Peck. 1848 Alexander Martin. Franklin Carter. 1849 Alvin Chamberlin. Jarvis Raymond. 1850 " " Albert L. Stevens. 1 85 1 " " Henry M. Barnard. 1852 Daniel Day. " " 1853 Ezekiel Hyde. 1854 Henry Warner. " " 1855 Samuel T. Vary. Edward Salmon. 1856 Lyman Hawes. " " 1857-58 Daniel Day. " 1859-60 David H. Alberston. " 1861-66 Shepard P. Morgan. " " 1867-69 Richard Peck. 1870-72 Wm. R. McNair. " " 1873-77 Anson L. Angle. Patrick Guinan. 1878 Albert Heath. " " 1879-80 James T. Gordon. " The following officers were elected April 5, 1881 : — Supervisor, James T. Gordon; Town Clerk, Patrick Guinan ; Justice of Peace, Egerton Watts; Highway Commissioner, David B. Mor- gan; Assessor, Lewis Moses; Overseer of Poor, David H. King ; Collector, James E. Lockington ; Constables, James E. Lockington, James Van Val- kenbergh, Henry F. Stevens, James Egan, George Ford ; Game Constable, Charles D. Goodrich. Population. — In 1870, the town of Lima had a population of 2,912, of whom 2,355 were native, 557 foreign; 2,896 white, 16 colored. In 1845 the total population was 2,915, of which number 2,346 were native, 569 foreign ; 2,895 white, 20 colored. At the census of 1880, the total population was 2,700, a decrease of 212 in the ten years. School Statistics. — The town of Lima has nine school districts, in which, during the past year (1880,) school was taught 303 weeks, employing 13 teachers, and with a total amount in wages of $3,238.75. Number of children in districts over five and under twenty-one years of age, 895 ; average attendance during the year, 3 1 2 ; the number attend- ing some portion of the year, 614. Total value of district libraries, $190.00, the amount expended on libraries during the year, $12.14. Total value of school houses and sites, $8,200. Total amount expended for school houses, sites, fences, furniture and repairs during the year, $3,- 700.20; for school apparatus, $21.44; total inciden- tal expenses for the year, $339-85. Lima. The village of Lima is situated near the center of the town, and is one of the oldest and most beautiful villages in the county. In its early days this place was known as the " Brick School house Corner." It was situated on the State road, which now forms its main street, over which flowed the pioneer traffic and emigra- tion, and was looked upon as likely to become the most populous village in the Genesee country. But the development and growth of railroad inter- ests in other directions put an end to such antici- pations, and Lima was left an inland village, charm- ing even in its isolation; and, as if in remunera- tion for its loss of railroad facilities, Lima became noted as the seat of learning for Livingston county. The village contains four fine churches, one hotel, post-office, twelve or thirteen stores, the noble buildings of the Seminary and College, and a population of 1,125.* Lima was incorporated by legislative enactment April 25, 1867. The first election for village officers was held in the stage office of Joel Dailey on the second Tuesday in May, 1867. The officers elected at that meeting were: — President, Joel Dailey; Trustees, First Class, Alexander McCune, Daniel Stanley, Timo- thy Holden ; Trustees, Second Class, John R. French, Alfred Kendall, Samuel G. Ellis ; Asses- *Lima had in 1870 a population of 1,257, which shows a decrease of 131 in those 10 years. I^ESIDENCE OF ft., ji _ yW.AI\TIN, J^IMA, ^IVINGSTON PoUNTY, N. y. JIesiDENCE op ;4. p. yVlAt^TIM, J-IMA, PlVINGSTON poONTY, J*f. y. LIMA VILLAGE, OFFICERS— GENESEE WESLEYAN SEMINARY. 473 sor, James W. Chappell; Treasurer, William D. Mitchell On the i6th of May, 1867, pursuant to a call issued by the president of the village, the officers elect met at the office of Henry Decker, Jr., where the act of incorporation was read by Prof. French, and the oath of office was administered to them by William Arnold, Justice of the Peace. On the 17th of May, the board met and elected James W. Chappell as Clerk of the village, and William Whittlesey as Street Commissioner. On the 1 8th of May, the board elected William Excell, as Police Constable. The village ordinances were adopted May 24, 1867. taking effect twenty days thereafter. The following has been the succession of presidents and clerks of the village from 1868 to 1881 : — Presidents. Clerks. 1868. Joseph Chambers. Jas. W. Chappell. 1869. Alfred Kendall. Franklin Carter. 1870. Samuel G. Ellis. Elmer Houser. 187 1. William Vary. do do 1872. William Arnold. John Dennis, Jr. 1873-74. Hiram Gilbert. Wm. A. Sutherland. 1875. Joel Dailey. do do* 1876. John Watkins. Charles A. Goheen. 1877. Solon Watkins. do do 1878. do do H. H. Thompson. 1879. Samuel G. Ellis. do do 1880. James T. Gordon. do do The present officers of Lima are: — President, Levi P. Grover ; Trustees, Benjamin Ollerenshaw, John Hogan, William Excell, James T. Gordon, A. Tiffany Norton, James E. Lockington ; Assessor, Jacob S. Galentine ; Treasurer, Patrick Guinan ; Collector, E. J. Hewitt; Street Commissioner, Ambrose Hyde ; Clerk, Hosmer H. Thompson. Gknesee Wesleyan Seminary.!— In 1823, the Genesee Conference of the M. E. Church estab- lished the first literary institution ever under its patronage and control, at Cazenovia, N. Y. In July, 1828, at its session in Ithaca, it divided its territory on a line running from north to south across the State, on the same parallel with Cayuga Lake. Out of the portion thus separated, and lying east of this line, it constituted what was known for many years as the Oneida Conference. By this act it surrendered, geographically, this in- stitution, known as the Seminary of the Genesee Conference, to this new Conference, and the Legislature was memorialized to change its name to the Seminary of the Genesee and Oneida Con- ferences. The first session of the Genesee Con- * To Jan. 3, 1876, when he was succeeded by George W. Atwell. t The facts relating to this Seminary are gathered, in part, from the proceedings of the Semi-Centennlal Anniversary of June, 1880. ference after this division, was held in Perry, N.Y., in July, 1829. At that conference, Glezen Fillmore and Loring Grant moved a resolution that a committee be appointed to obtain information and report to the conference at its next session, preparatory measures for the erection of a Seminary within the bounds and under the direction of this confer- ence. The proposition was adopted, and a com- mittee of five, consisting of Glezen Fillmore, Abner Chase, Loring Grant, Asa Abel and John Copeland were elected for this important work. The committee at once canvassed the entire ter- ritory, and received propositions from towns and villages solicitous of securing the local advantages of such an institution. At the next conference, held in Rochester in the summer of 1830, the committee made its report, and presented the names of the several places competing for the possession of the proposed institution. These were five in number, and they severally presented the following inducements : — Perry offered a sub- scription list of 380 names, aggregating in amount $10,463, besides giving an eligible site of 25 acres of land ; Henrietta, a bond to deliver the Monroe Academy, with all its appurtenances, the same that remains standing in that village to-day, and $3,600; Le Roy, a subscription of $8,500; Brockport, the sum of $16,820, also stone at the quarry for the construction of buildings ; and Lima, a subscription list of 170 names, the sub- scriptions amounting to $10,808, with the privilege of buying the present site, including ten acres, at $50 per acre, and the whole farm at $30 per acre. The ballot showed a vote of 4 for Henrietta, 4 for Le Roy, 15 for Perry, and 26 for Lima. Lima having received a majority of the votes was declared to be the choice of the conference. Revs. Abner Chase, Glezen Fillmore, Richard Wright, Loring Grant, Micah Seager, Francis Smith, and Messrs. Augustus A. Bennett, Erastus Clark and Ruel Blake, were elected the first board of trustees ; and thus, by these successive acts and appointments, was founded, in the summer of 1830, " The Genesee Wesleyan Seminary." The first building was erected in 1832, at a cost of about $17,000. No record remains of the lay- ing of the comer stone or the completion of this building. It was opened for pupils the first Wednesday in May, 1832. The first faculty of the institution was:— Rev. Samuel Luckey, Prin- cipal; Thomas J. Rugar, A. B., Professor of Mathematics ; John Hutton, A. B., Professor of 474 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Languages ; D. B. Wakefield, English Teacher ; Lord Sterling, Assistant Enghsh Teacher; Miss Eliza Rogers, Teacher in Female Dei)artment. The salaries of these teachers ranged from $120 to $700. The attendance the first year was 341 — 230 gentlemen and in ladies. This first building was destroyed by fire May 26, 1842. The teachers and students escaped un- harmed, and some of the furnishing of the building and nearly all of the apparatus and library was saved. The loss was estimated at $25,000, on which there was an insurance of $12,000. The Town Hall was at orice secured for recitations, the boarders in the institution transferred their quarters to the homes of the citizens, and the school continued without interruption. In sixty days from the conflagration, the corner stone of the new building was laid. To the erection of this building the citizens of Lima subscribed $S,ooo. January 12th, 1843, the new building was opened, the school was transferred from its temporary surroundings and accommodations to these new and permanent ones, where it has since dwelt in prosperity and safety. The building is of brick, four stories in height, with a front of 136 feet to the south, with wings east and west, giving a frontage of 96 feet. The cost of erection was $24,000. In 1849 Genesee College was founded, and the large building of College Hall was built. This for some years was a flourishing college, but after a time was abandoned, and the Syracuse University was founded. An effort was at that time made to remove the Genesee College, but an injunction was granted by Judge Johnson, of the Supreme Court, restraining such removal; that injunction was never dissolved. The college lapsedj its func- tions ceased, and the Legislature enacted a law - by which all the material possessions of that cor- poration were conveyed to the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, that institution assuming the obligations and responsibihties of Genesee College. The college property, consisting of buildings, a farm of nearly seventy acres, a cash endowment of $54,000, together with the libraries and philo- sophical apparatus, was thus transferred to the Seminary, placing it on a sound financial basis. From this Seminary, founded in days of com- parative poverty, when the inhabitants of the town had not yet fully emerged from the stern realities of the settler's life, have gone forth more than twenty thousand students to impress their influence and power upon the civilization of the nineteenth cen- tury. They have filled prominent positions in every profession and honorable avocation in life, — in the ministry, in the professions of law, of medi- cine, in journalism, in State legislatures, in the Executive chair, in Congress, and in the Senate of the United States. Through their reputation and influence, the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary is known and honored in every land of Christian civihzation. The buildings, with all their furnishings, are val- ued at seventy thousand dollars, and are in excel- lent condition. The farm has sixty-seven acres, and for state of cultivation and productiveness it is not excelled by any other in this section of the country. The present number of students is 225. The Department of Instruction is provided with every facihty for thorough and successful work. It is organized with the following able and experienced officers and teachers : — Rev. George H. Bridg- man, A. M., D. D., Principal. Anna E. Rice, Pre- ceptress ; Adam C. Works, A. M., Natural Scien- ces and Mathematics ; William E. Thompson, A. M., Ancient Languages and French; Emma C. Terry, Higher English; Abby Barry, Principal of Grammar School; Samuel C. Moore, Director of Musical Institute ; Ida Yorks, Piano and Organ ; Maria C. Wales, Drawing and Painting; Albert C. Aldridge, Principal of Business College ; Adam C. Works, A. M., Librarian ; Rev. J. O. Wilsea, Steward. Among the prominent men who received instruc- tion in this Seminary was Henry J. Raymond, the founder of the New York Times, who was born in Lima about 1820. He went from here to Middle- bury College, Vt., where he graduated in 1840, re- turning to his father's (Jarvis Raymond) home in Lima that-same year. He began immediately to t^e a prominent part in politics, and in the winter of 1840-41, having attracted the attention of Hor- ace Greeley, became attached to the Tribune sta.f(, afterward estabUshing the Times. He was Lieut.- Governor of New York State, with Governor Myron H. Clark, in 1855. Postmasters. — The present postmaster at Lima is O. S. Gilbert, who was appointed under Presi- dent Grant in 1874. Banks. — The Bank of Lima was established in 1876, under the control of George and George W. Thayer, who succeeded the banking firm of Cham- bers & Watkins. Hotels. — Lima has but one hotel, the Ameri- can Hotel, which was built in 186 1-2 by John LIMA VILLAGE — SOCIETIES, MERCHANTS. 475 Mosher. This occupies the site of the old Ameri- can Hotel, which was burned in 1855. S. Farns- worth was proprietor here a number of years, when he was succeeded by his son, L. J. Farnsworth, who has conducted it some six years. The first hotel on this site was in a wooden building, built by Jedediah Commins about sixty-five years ago, and which was burned about a year previous to the erection of the old American Hotel. Pre- vious to that the site was occupied by a black- smith shop, the proprietor of which, at one time, was a man named Abel Parkhurst.' Societies. — The Union Lodge, F. and A. M., was organized as No. 261 in December, 1816, Governor DeWitt Clinton, signing the charter as Grand Master. The present number of the lodge is 45, which was changed in 1848, during the Mor- gan anti-mason excitement.* The present officers are:— J. T. Gordon, W. M.; W. D. Heath, S. W.; Benjamin Ollerenshaw, J. W.; James Heath, S. D.; E. R. Bronson, J. D.; J. S. Galentine, Sec; Am- brose Hyde, Treas.; G. S. Bauter, S. M. C.j E. A. Boehme, J. M. C; Samuel Mitchell, Tiler. A. O. U. W. — This lodge was organized in March, 1879, under the ministrations of U. L. Up- son, of Buffalo, D. D. G. M. W. The charter offi- cers were : — A. T. Norton, M. W.; George W. Syl- vester, P. M. W.; E. R. Bronson, G. F.; William A. Ferris, Overseer ; C. J. Mills, Recorder ; Geo. H. Bennett, Financier; Stanley Coventry, Re- ceiver ; C. B. Bristol, Guide ; Charles L. Sterling, I. W.; W. H. Beale, O. W.; Medical Examiner, George H. Bennett, M. D. The present officers are : — George W. Sylvester, P. M. W.; A. Tiffany Norton, M. W.; H. A. Met- calf, G. F.; J. T. Gordon, Overseer ; Frank W. Scott, Financier; Stanley Coventry, Receiver; Edgar Bronson, Recorder ; L. B. Holmes, Guide ; Henry Beale, I. W.; L. J. Farnsworth, O. W.; Medical Examiner, G. H. Bennett, M. D. Fire Department. — The first meeting to or- ganize the Lima Fire Department was held on Sat- urday, January 29, 1876. At that meeting it was resolved to raise for such purpose from the taxable property of the village the sum of $2,000, which was finally placed at $1,600. The organization was named The Centennial Fire Company. The constituent officers and members were: — J. S. Galentine, President ; A. T. Norton, V. P.; G. V. Hanna, Sec'y and Treas.; J. T. Gordon, Chief * Two miles east from the village is situated the house — where now resides Richard Peck— in which was written by William Morgan the famous ^*' Expose^* of Masonry. Engineer ; Charles Goheen, Foreman H. and L.; Henry Markham, Assistant ; William Excell, Fore- man Babcock Extinguisher; Thomas Martin, Assis- tant; John Harvey, Foreman Village Engine; Lloyd Crandall, Assistant ; L. B. Tinkham, U. A. Yorks, George W. Challis, Henry Beale, A. E. Beale, R. P. Dartt, Frank Olmsted,* B. C. Yorks, Patrick Guinan,, Edgar Bronson, J. E. Lockington, L. J. Farnsworth, C. B. Bristol, H. H. Thompson, Frank Carter. The house now occupied by the de- partment was purchased of E. A. Boehme two years ago, and remodeled into a large and commo- dious building. The Babcock Extinguisher cost $800. The truck, made by J. T. Gordon, of Lima, cost $2,250. The officers for 1880 are:— President, J. S. Gal- entine; Vice-President, J. T. Gordon; Sec, L. P. Grover ; Treas., Patrick Guinan ; Chaplain, Rev. James Robertson ; Janitor, Albert Parker ; Fore- man Babcock Ex., H. G. Gilbert; Assistant, Wil- liam Excell ; Foreman of Engine, C. J. Mills ; As- sistant, R. P. Dartt. Fire Police, James VanVal- kenbergh, H. F. Stevens, Henry Markham, J. T. Gordon, A. T. Norton. Merchants. — One of the earliest merchants in Lima was James Guernsey, who kept in 1808, a large general store. In 181 7 or 181 8, the firm was known as Guernsey & Clark. Waite Martin was an early merchant here in 1809-ro. Guernsey & Clark carried on business here until about 1823, when Guernsey removed to Pittsford, N. Y. Erastus Clark then associated with him his brother- in-law, William Dean, which connection existed until Clark retired from the business in 1830. In 1836 Mr. Dean sold to Godfrey and Cargill who con- tinued the business until Cargill removed to the west in about 1850. The business was then con- ducted by Godfrey until about i860 when he failed. From 1861 to 1874 he was postmaster here, with the exception of one year during John- son's administration. He died about 1878. Atwell & Root began business here as general merchants in 1817, being succeeded in 1818 by Atwell & Grout.f This firm continued in busi- ness until 1827, when Atwell retired to a farm, and Grout took as partner his brother-in-law, E. A. Sumner. This partnership existed until 1834, when Sumner retired from the firm and Grout conducted the business alone until 1836. In that year he associated with him in the business his •Dead. t George W. Atwell and Henry Grout. 476 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. former clerk, Franklin Carter, who had come to Lima in 1820. In the spring of 1847, Franklin Carter and N. C. Parmelee purchased the store and continued in partnership until 1853 when Par- melee retired to his farm and Carter con- tinued the business until the spring of 1868, when he sold to George V. Hanna. Mr. Carter was born in November, 1795, in Peter- borough, N. H. He served Lima as town clerk a number of years ; was postmaster here four years under Taylor's administration, and one year under that of Andrew Johnson. In 1820 he was chosen secretary in Union Lodge, No. 45, F. and A. M., which office he held forty years. He is still living in Lima, in his 86th year. Henry Grout, his former partner, died in 1849. George W. Atwell died in 1852. N. C. Parmelee died in 1856. Another merchant here was J. Franklin Peck, who began business about 1833. He was burned out in 1835, rebuilt and continued his business until about 1840, when he sold to H. D. Clark and John Draper, and in a few years moved to Springfield, Mass., where he is now engaged in banking. Clark and Draper continued as partners a number of years, when Clark bought Draper's interest and conducted the business until his death in i860. The merchants now in business are : — S. H. Olmsted, who began business here as clothier in 1856; Hendrick & Guinan, general merchants, who have been engaged in that business here ten years; A. L. Stevens, grocer, in business here since 1845 ; J. P. Thompson, flour and feed, who came from West Bloomfield in 1 87 2, and began business in 1874; James R. Wilson, hardware, in business since November, 1880, succeeding G. S. Bauter who had conducted the business some six years ; Walter W. Scott, general merchant, in business two years, succeeding W. D. Mitchell; N. A. Soggs, jeweller, who began that business here Nov. 20, 1880; Beadle Brothers, (Thomas T., William W., and George B.,) dry and fancy goods, who be- gan business in 1879; Edward Salmon, drugs and medicines, who came here in 1851 from Livonia, and engaged with Dr. D. D. Dayton in the drug business. Three years later he bought out Dayton and has since conducted the business alone; W.B. Baker, jeweler, in business eight years, succeeding S. Coventry ; Joanna Dalton, millinery and fancy goods, in business two years, succeeding Miss Ella Egan, who had conducted the business some ten years ; Stanley Coventry, drugs and groceries, in business four years, succeeding John G. Scott, and Henry Livingston, harnesses and horse fur- nishing goods, who began business in Watts' block in 1877. Manufacturers. — Andrew Hart, manufacturer- of monuments and head-stones, established that business here twenty-five years ago, commencing on the corner of Main and Rochester streets,, where the Presbyterian church now stands. L. D. Clark, furniture and manufacturing un- dertaker, began business in June, 1865. Benjamin Ollerenshaw, monuments and head-, stones, began business in 1871, succeeding Hart & Ollerenshaw. He is a native of England, com- ing to America in May, 1858. Hugh Regan, also manufacturer of monuments and tomb-stones, has been in that business here three years. John Murphy, furniture and undertaking, came from Ireland in 1849, and in 1877 engaged for himself in the above named business. Physicians. — Dr. Justin Smith was one of the earliest physicians in Lima. He came here from Vermont previous to 1805, and practiced until he became insane and died in about 1838. Another early physician was Dr. Stevens. The physicians practicing here now are: — Dr. S. G. Ellis, who came to Lima in 1856, having previously graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was born in Fairfield, Her- kimer county, N. Y. Dr. George Hosmer Bennett graduated from the Buffalo Medical College in 1848, and came at once to the town of Lima, where he has since had an extensive practice. Dr. H. K. Brasted, a graduate in 1880, of the University of Michigan, came here in that year from Canisteo, N. Y., and began the practice of his profession. Lawyers — The present lawyers here are Hosmer H. Thompson, John Horr, Geo. Atwell and Nelson W. Clark. Churches. — The Presbyterian Church of Lima was organized by Rev. Daniel Thatcher, October ist, 1795. Among the early members were Wil- liam Williams and wife, Miles Bristol and wife, Joseph M. Gilbert and wife, Huldah, wife of Judge Warner, Mary, wife of Abel Bristol, Elijah Gifford and wife, Charles Rice, Mrs. Daniel Warner, Mrs. Clark Brockway and Guernsey W. Cook and wife. The organization of the society is of later date than that of the church. The meeting for organization was held at the house of Asahel Warner, Jan. 5, 1802. The Society in November LIMA VILLAGE— CHURCHES. 477 of that year, elected as trustees, Abel Bristol, Asahel Warner, William Williams, Willard Humph- rey, Manasseh Leech, and David Morgan. At a meeting of the society held March 29, 1803, Asahel Warner and Willard Humphrey were appointed trustees to build a school-house. The site selected was that on which the school-house now stands, but the old building was nearer Main street. At a meeting of the society held in the brick school- house the first Monday in November, 1804, it was voted to engage the Rev. Ezekiel I. Chapman for six months. The society agreed to pay to Mr. Chapman a salary of two hundred and sixty dollars, one hundred dollars in cash, and the remainder in produce. The salary was raised by tax based upon the grand list. In 1806, Mr. Chapman having left, the salary was fixed at $200 ; one-half in cash, and the other half in wheat, rye, or pork. During this year the Rev. Mr. Leavenworth was engaged for six months, receiving for his services five dollars a Sabbath. The society again engaged the services of Rev. Ezekiel Chapman, and he was installed the first pastor of this church, and continued in that rela- tion until 1814. He was succeeded in that year by Rev. John Brown who remained a short time, and in the following year Rev. Mr. Cook was in- vited to preach. The contract for the erection of the first church was made in 181 5, and the build- ing was completed in i8i6, at a cost of $7,000. On December 28, 1818, the society extended a call to Rev. John Barnard to become their pastor, at a salary of $700 a year. Mr. Barnard accepted this call, and was installed pastor Feb. 3, 1819, sustaining that relation to July, 1856. The name of the church was changed in 1851 from " The Charleston Congregational" to "The Lima Presbyterian Society." In 1853 the church edifice was enlarged at a cost of about $2,000. Feb. 24, 1857, the society called the Rev. Robert R. Kellogg to be their pastor. He was installed by the Presbytery of Ontario, June 22, 1857. In two years this relation was dissolved. In i860. Rev. A. L. Benton accepted a call to the pastorate of this church, and was installed by the Presbyteryof Ontario, March 6, 1861. During his pastorate the church edifice was re-roofed and remodeled. In September, 1870, Mr. Benton retired from the pastorate, and in October of that year the society called Rev. A. H. Corliss from the Presbytery of Utica, which call he accepted, and was installed as pastor Dec. 27, 1879. During his pastorate occurred the erection of the present beau- | tiful church edifice, the corner stone of which was laid with impressive ceremonies, Tuesday, Aug. 12. 1873. Rev. Albert H. Corliss continued as pastor until 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry Payne, who remained till 1878. He was followed by the present pastor. Rev. James Robertson. The present membership in this church is 213. Mehodist Episcopal Church of Lima.'* — Method- ism was introduced into this town about eighty years ago. In the year 1800 a member of the M. E. Church, Jonah Davis, came from Delaware and settled on a farm three miles south of the present site of Lima village. He was a licensed exhorter, and began at once to hold religious meetings as opportunity offered. His house soon became the home and preaching place of the pioneer itinerants who first preached the gospel and proclaimed the peculiar doctrines of Method- ism in this then wilderness. Davis was a man of marked character, a representative of the moral heroism of early Methodism. He filled the office of exhorter and class-leader for many years. Preaching was continued in his house and in a school-house near by, for more than twenty-five years. Many of the prominent pioneers of Method- ism preached here, among whom was Father Howe, who was an earnest and devoted itinerant for more than half a century. He preached in Davis' house as early as 1801. George Densmore, Gideon Draper, and other worthy compeers, officiated in the same place in the early days. During the year 1827, Rev. Micah Seager, then preacher in charge on the Bloomfield circuit, preached here occasionally, for at that time Methodism had not assumed organized form in this locality. In the autumn of 1827, Rev. John Parker, then stationed at Norton's Mills, (now Honeoye Falls,) was invited to hold regular services on Sunday evenings in the Town Hall at Lima. Under his ministry a powerful revival was enjoyed, the influence of which thoroughly per- meated the community and. resulted in the organ- ization of the Methodist church at " Lima Corners." The society was organized by Rev. John Parker in March, 1828, and the class south of the village was transferred to the new organiza- tion. Among the original members of the society were : — Jonah and Phebe Davis, WiUiam Corey, Jane Corey, Joel Ross, Frederick House, Betsey Fowler, Mary Gager, Jane Porter, Eunice Humph- rey, and others. The membership rapidly in- * Gathered from the Church's History. 478 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. creased, the town-house soon became too small to accommodate the congregation, and the erection of a church edifice was soon begun and completed in a few months. This humble edifice was long the crowning glory of the hill-side, on the street leading west toward Avon. At the session of the Genesee Conference in the summer of 1828, the society in Lima was included in the Bloomfield circuit, and Revs. Goodwin Stoddard and Samuel Parker were appointed to that charge, remaining but one year. In June, 1829, Revs. Benajah Williams and Asahel Hayward were appointed, and in 1830 were succeeded by Revs. Gideon Lanning, Wilbur Hoag and Philo E. Brown. In 1 83 1 Lima was detached from the Bloomfield circuit and constituted an independent station, and Rev. Richard Wright was appointed to the pas- toral charge. This arrangement proved unsatis- factory, and at the conference session of 1832 an- other change was made in the organic form of this charge, and Lima was connected with Livonia, and Revs. Jonathan Benson and Jacob Scott were appointed to the united charge. One remarkable feature in the early history of Methodism in Lima was the frequent changes which occurred in the form of the charge. In 1833 Lima was detached from Livonia, and or- ganized into a separate and independent charge, and Rev. Seth Matthison, then one of the strongest men of the old Genesee Conference, was appointed to the pastoral charge. He remained but one year, and in 1834 was succeeded by Rev. John Copeland. Soon after, the large M. E. church in Rochester was burned, and Mr. Copeland was re- moved from this pastorate to the work of collect- ing funds with which to rebuild it. In the middle of the year. Dr. Bartlett, formerly from Nan- tucket, Mass., was appointed to the vacant pas- torate. This temporary supply was acceptable to the society, and was peculiarly fortunate in its ultimate results, in that it secured the permanent membership of Dr. Bartlett and his devoted wife with the society in Lima until their death many, years after. In 1835 Lima was united with West Mendon, Rush, Livonia and Geneseo, and Revs. Micah Seager, Levi B. Castile, and Samuel Parker were appointed to the charge. At the end of one year this union was dissolved, and Lima was again con- signed to its "lone star" destiny. Rev. Allen Steele, one of the most eloquent men of his time, was appointed pastor over the charge. He remained but one year, and was succeeded in 1837 by Rev. Benj. Shipman, who, in turn, at the end of his first year, gave place to Rev. Gideon D. Perry. In 1839 Rev. Philo Woodworth was ap- pointed to the pastoral charge of Lima, and was re- appointed in 1840, the first instance in the history of the church in Lima of the appointment of any minis- ter to the pastoral charge for two consecutive years. In 1843, under the supervision of Rev. Thomas Carlton, the old church edifice was removed from its former site and reconstructed upon the lot now occupied by the present house of worship. At the session of the Conference in Geneva in 1847, a resolution was passed requesting the General Con- ference to divide the former body. This request was complied with, and the division was consum- mated at the session of the General Conference held in Pittsburgh in 1848. An arrangement was mutually entered into before the division that the Lima charge should alternate between the two con- ferences, four years in the one, and four years in the other in succession. This arrangement was never satisfactory to the church or citizens of Lima, and was extremely difficult to adjust, and was ultimately abandoned by mutual consent of the Conference. The charge then remained per- manently in the East Genesee Conference. The enterprise which resulted in the erection of the present church edifice was inaugurated in 1855, and was designed to accommodate the College and Seminary as well as the village congregation. Consequently provision was made to appropriate a sufficient number of pews for the free occupancy of the students of these institutions, and, as a con- sideration for such privilege, the Conference pro- posed to raise $300 to aid in building the church. The building committee was composed of the fol- lowing persons : — Rev. Joseph Cummings, D. D., Rev. Woodruff Post, James L. Alverson, LL.D., Ira Godfrey, Esq., and William L. Gaylord. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid with in- teresting ceremonies in the autumn of 1855. The building was completed early in the following sum- mer, and was dedicated June 22, 1856. The dedi- catory sermon was preached by Rev. Allen Steele. The entire cost of this building, including the fur- nishing, was less than $16,000. In i860 the Lima charge again passed into the Genesee Conference, and in 1864 was again transferred to the East Gen- esee Conference, from which it was never again re- moved until the annihilation of that body by the General Conference in 1872. The following has been the further succession of pastors in this church since 1842. LIMA VILLAGE — NORTH BLOOMFIELD. 479 Revs. Thomas Carlton, from 1842 to 1844; F. G. Hibbard, from 1844 to 1845 ; Moses Crow, from 1845101846; D. D. Bush, from 1846101847; F. G. Hibbard, from 1847 to 1 848 ; Wesley Cochrane, from 1848 to 1849; John Copeland, from 1849 to 1850; John Raines, from 1850 to 185 2 ; William C. Fuller,* from 1852 to 1853; R. L. Waite, in 1853; Charles Adams, from 1853 to 1854; Philo Wood- worth, from 1854 to 1856; Jonas Dodge,t from 185610 1857 ; John Dennis, from 1858 to i860; Joseph H. Knowles, from i860 to 1862 ; King David Nettleton, from 1862 to 1864 ; Israel H. Kel- logg, from 1864 to 1865 ; A. Sutherland, from 1865 to 1867 ; William Benham,from 1867 to 1870; I. T. Brownell, from 1870 to 1871; John Dennis, from 1871 to 1874 ; G. W. Paddock, from 1874 to 1875; L. F. Congdon, from 1875 to 1878; O. L. Gib- son, from 1878 to 1881. During the pastorate of Rev. John Dennis — 1871-1874 — the church edifice was thoroughly re- paired and remodeled, and the entire indebtedness, amounting in all, including repairs, to the sum of $4,000, was provided for and paid. The church has now a large membership, and is in a most flourishing condition. The Lima Baptist Church, located on Main street, was organized August 26th, 1854, at the residence of J. H. Miller. The number of original members was fifteen, among whom were G. W. Glass, Eunice Glass, J. P. Briggs, M. J. Briggs, E. W. Briggs, I. Briggs. The church edifice was builtin 1855-56, and dedicated May i, 1856. The cost of building, including the lot, was $10,000. The first pastor was Rev. B. R. Swick, whose pastorate lasted nearly seven years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. T. Seeley, who remained nearly eight years. His successor was the Rev. S. S. Bidwell, who remained three years, and was fol- lowed by Rev. W. H. Shields, who also officiated three years. The present pastor, A. H. Emmons, c'bmmenced his labors September 4, 1875. The present membership is 139. St. Rosds Church (Catholic.)— The first Catho- lic who settled in Lima was Thomas Martin, who came in the fall of 1834. Three years later came James Egan, and they were joined in 1839 by Michael Corneen and John Brennan. These four formed the nucleus of the present congre- gation of St. Rose's. These were sturdy specimens of the faith that dwells in the hearts of Irishmen. • Died Feb. Ji, i8sj, and Kev. R. L. Waite filled the vacancy until the close of the Conference year. t Reappointed in >8S7, but was transferred to the Kansas Conference before the close of the Conference year, the vacancy being supplied by Rev.' Allen Steele until the end of the year. For some years they were obhged to go to Roch- ester to hear mass, or to baptize the children that were born to them, walking there, and then patient- ly trudging home after the services. The first mass ever celebrated in Lima was in 1842, in the house of John Brennan. The priest was Father Murphy. The second mass was said by Father Tierney. After them Father French and Father Carroll came occasionally to celebrate mass, and to give encouragement to the Catholics here. The first attempt at a church was made by Father O'Cdnnor. A portion of the present school house attests the small beginning of the present large and prosperous parish. Other priests here were : — Fathers Kenny, Quigley, Walsh, McGuire, O'Brien, and Gregg. The first church edifice was erected in 1849, when there were but eight or nine Catho- lic famihes in the town. The burial ground was bought in 1857. Michael Corneen was one of the first buried in this cemetery. The present fine church edifice was begun in 1870, on land given by Tone Yorks, for the nominal sum of $35. The present number of famihes in the parish is about 175, presided over by Rev. Father Edward Mc- Cartney. North Bloomfield. North Bloomfield is a small hamlet in the ex- treme north-eastern part of the town, bordering on the counties of Monroe and Ontario, a portion of the place lying in the latter county. It contains a grist-mill, (Lewis Johnson,) saw-mill, (James Still- man,) one church, and eighteen or twenty houses. The UniversaUst church was organized March 12, 1825, under the title of "The First Univer- salist Society of Lima." Among the original members were : Ezra Davis, David Baxter, Daniel Buzzell, EUphalet Huntington, John Case, Elias D. Wight, Daniel Day, Jr., Derick Knickerbocker, Seth Potter, Zebulon Townsend, Thomas Leland, Ezra Davis, Jr., John Seins, Benjamin Northrop, Benjamin Case, Jeremiah Townsend, Stewart Porter, Solomon Arthur. The earliest ministers here were Revs. John S. Thompson and Liscorab Knapp, who preached some time before the organ- ization of the Society. The first settled pastor was Rev. Henry Roberts,* who came in 1825 and remained one year. The erection of a church was begun in 1827, and was dedicated June 17, 1829. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Stephen R. Smith, of CUnton, Oneida county, N. Y. * Died in 1848. 48o HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. The present church edifice was erected in 1872 at a cost of $5,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Asa Saxe, of Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 13, 1872. The present membership is 87, presided over by Rev. W. W. Hand. The following, as correctly as can be ascertained, has been the succession of pastors in this church from its organization : — Revs. Henry Roberts, from 1825 to 1826; Wil- liam I. Reese, from 1826 to 1830; Savillian Ful- ler,* from 1830 to 1831 ; WiUiam I. Reese,t from 1831 to 1834; William Andrews, in 1834; Elijah SmithJ, in 1835; Jacob Chase, from 1836 to 1839; Thomas J. Smith,? from 1840 to 1844; S. W. Remington, half the time for two years ; Mr. Spaulding, half the time for one year; Charles Herman Button, || from 1847 to 1849 j Orrin Roberts; O. F. Brayton, died in 1876; U. M. Fisk ; G. W. Gage, from 1853 to 1855 ; James W. Bailey, from 1857 to 1862; J. R. Sage, 1864 and 1866 ; W. W. Dean ; Murray Bailey; W. B. Randolph; J. Arthur Dobson; Lewis C. Browne, from 1871 to 1872 ; Hamilton Squires, from 1872 to 1878 ; W. W. Hand, from 1879 to 1881. War Record. — At the breaking out of the Rebellion the town of Lima patriotically responded with money and volunteers, sending forth many brave men to contend for the perpetuity of the Union on the bloody battle-fields of the South. In 1 86 1 the following men enlisted, receiving little or no bounty : — 2']th Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, Co. G. — Gar- diner William Agard enUsted May 21. Now living in Naples, N. Y. Jonathan B. Atchinson enhsted May 21, as musician ; was afterward mustered in as private by Col. J. J. Bartlett. Now in town of Alabama, Genesee county, N. Y. WiUiam Newton Baker enlisted May 5 ; re- enUsted in August of 1863, in First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry. Now in Trenton, N. J. Robert Brabow was with his regiment all through its service, and was honorably discharged. ReenUsted in isth N. Y. Engineers under the call in 1864. His whereabouts not known. Alexander Boyd enlisted June 28 ; was dis- charged with his company, and has not been heard from since. John R. Briggs enlisted May i ; was Second Lieutenant. Now in Naples, N. Y. • Died in 1840. t Died in Buffalo, Sept. 6, 1834, during the cliolera plague. t Died in 1836. § Died in 18S6. II Died in 1879. Elwood H. Brady, born in Ireland in 1841, enlisted in May; was Second Lieutenant. Now in West Bloomfield, N. Y. Tyler J. Briggs enlisted in May ; was Corporal. Now in Naples, N. Y. Joseph B. Butler enlisted in June ; was dis- charged Nov. 8, 1861, on account of wounds re- ceived at Bull Run on July 21, 1861. In 1865-6, was living in East Bloomfield, N. Y. Charles E. Bartlett enlisted December 1 7 ; discharged Feb. 4, 1863, on Surgeon's certificate for disabihty. In 1865 was in West Bloomfield, N. Y. Charles W. Burr enhsted May 7; was dis- charged Sept. II, 1862, for wounds received at Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. In 1865 was in Government employ at Norfolk, Va. Edwin E. Bond, born in Farmersville, Cattar- augus county, N. Y., July 15, 1837 ; enlisted May 7 ; was discharged July 16, 1862, for wounds received at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. Now living near North Bloomfield, N.Y. George Henry Chappell, born in Avon in 1838 ; enhsted May 7. Served faithfully all through the time his regiment was in service, and was dis- charged with his company; returned to Avon and died there in 1866 or 1867. William Halsey Clark, born in Morristown, N. J., August 18, 1841 ; enhsted September 21. Present location unknown. John Alden Copeland enlisted May 7, 1861 ; promoted to Corporal September ist, 1862. Michael Cavanaugh enhsted May 7, 1861; promoted to Corporal February 18, 1863. Jerome H. BurUson, Corporal, enhsted May 7, 1861 ; was killed at Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862. WiUiam Henry Buxton enhsted July 8, 1861 ; was killed at Gaines' Mills June 27, 1862. Frederick Bender, Corporal, enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was transferred to non-commissioned staff May 29, 1 86 1. Present whereabouts unknown. John Hudson Carter enlisted May 7, 1861 ; discharged for disabihty January 20, 1862. Died in 1867. WiUiam Henry Coe enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was discharged on surgeon's certificate of disabili- ty November 22, 1862; again entered the army and was promoted to Assistant Surgeon. Now in Auburn, N. Y. George Cook, Musician, enhsted May 7, 1862; was transferred to non-commissioned staff May 29, 1861. LIMA— WAR RECORD. 481 Benjamin Shepard Coffin, Corporal, enlisted May 7, 1861 ; promoted to non-commissioned staff as Q. M. Sergeant May ist, 1862. Now in Nunda, N. Y. Thomas Challis enlisted August 3E, 1862; deserted from camp near White Oak Church, Va., January r, 1863 ; returned to England. RoUin Page Dartt enlisted May 7, 186 1; was wounded at the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862, and on that account was discharged August 12, 1862. Now in Lima, N. Y. Amenzo E. Davis enlisted July 5, 1861 ; was discharged July 31, 1861, on account of heart dis- ease. Now in Geneva, N. Y. Hiram Davis enlisted July 8, 1861; was killed at battle of Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861, and was buried on the field. James A. Dunn enlisted December 17, i86i ; died in hospital at Hagarstown, Md., December 29, 1862, and was buried in hospital cemetery. John N. Dunn enlisted December 17, 1861 ; died in hospital at Craney Island, August 27, 1862, and was buried in hospital burying ground. Andrew Jackson Darron enlisted May 7, 1861 ; died of epilepsy in Brigade hospital, near Alexan- dria, Va., December 20, 1861 j lies buried in hos- pital cemetery. John Dutcher enlisted May 7, 1861; deserted near Sharpsburgh, Md., September 17, 1862. Charles Dutcher enlisted May 7, 1861, and de- serted at same time and place. Seymour Emmons enlisted September i, 1861 ; was taken prisoner at Savage Station ; dropped in accordance with General Order No. 162; was af- terward sick for some time in hospital. Now in Naples, N. Y. Robert S. Frazee enlisted May 7, 1861. Now in Washington, D. C. Charles W. Frazee enlisted May 7, 1861. Now in Washington, D. C. Benson Simon Fleming enlisted August 29, 1862. George Fladding enlisted August 29, 1862; whereabouts not known. William George enUsted May 21, 1861 ; died of epilepsy in Brigade hospital, near Alexandria, Va., December 20, 1861. Henry M. Gould enlisted May 21, r86i ; killed at battle of Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862, and was buried on the field. H. Seymour Hall enlisted May 21, 1861 ; mus- tered as Second Lieutenant; was promoted to Captain April 24, r862 ; lost right arm before Petersburgh ; was afterward Lieutenant-Colonel of colored regiment. Arthur Hanson Hunt enlisted May 2r, 1861 ; was discharged June 4, 1862, on surgeon's certifi- cate of disability. Mills Davis Hamilton enlisted May 21, 1861 ; was discharged on account of disability February II, 1862. WiUiam Hall enlisted May 21, 1861 ; was dis- charged for disability, by order of General Wads- worth, May II, 1862. Oscar Headley enlisted December ist, 1862 ; died of typhoid fever in Mansion House hospital, Alexandria, Va., April 15, 1862, and v/as buried in hospital grounds. William Frederick Lindsley, born in Lima April 14, 1840, enlisted May 7, 1861 ; died of typhoid fever in camp at Harrison's Landing, Va., August 2, 1862 ; lies buried in Lima, N. Y. Henry Markham enlisted May 7, 1861 j was Orderly to General Bartlett. Now in Lima, N. Y. WiUiam Marra enlisted May 7, 1861; served with the regiment- during its term of service, and was discharged with his company; reenlisted in 1863 in First Veteran Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Now in New York city. William Mileham enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was wounded in leg at first battle of Bull Run ; was taken prisoner and afterward exchanged ; returned to his regiment, served the remainder of his term, and was discharged with the company. Alexander Miles enlisted May 7, i86i; was killed at battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862. Stephen Peak enlisted May 7, 1861; was de- tailed as butcher for the company, and was dis- charged at the expiration of his term of service ; supposed to be dead. James Perkins, Captain, enlisted May 2, 1861 ; was at first battle of Bull Run ; resigned Novem- ber 7, 1 86 1, in consequence of failing health; died October 29, 1879. Joseph Herbert Perkins, Sergeant, enlisted Sep- tember 21, 1 86 1. Now in Michigan. Seymour Pierce enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was en- rolled as First Sergeant at that date, and was pro- moted to First Lieutenant November 7, 1861; transferred by promotion to Co. K, as Captain, June 9,1862; was on detached service in signal corps, from November 7, 1861. Now in Honeoye Falls, N. Y. Van Rensselaer Pratt enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was promoted to Corporal, December i, 1861; pro- moted to Sergeant November i, 1862 ; reenlisted July 27, 1863 in First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry ; was wounded at the battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, 482 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. and returned to his regiment in one month. Now in Lima, N. Y. John M. Roberts enlisted May 7, 1861 ; died at Point Lookout, Md., October 13, 1862, and was buried there. Eugene Peppel enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was killed at the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, 1862, and was buried on the field. Silas Atwell Sylvester enlisted May 7, 1861 ; was promoted to Corporal November 7, 1861; pro- moted to Sergeant February i8, 1863 ; reenlisted April I St, 1864, in First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry; was killed in a skirmish at Martinsburgh, Va., and was buried in a grove near the town. Francis M. Stone enlisted May 7, 1861 ; served two years in this regiment, and reenHsted March 26, 1863; was in First New York Veteran Cav- alry. Now in Chicago. Henry Horace Stone enlisted May 7, 1861 ; reenlisted July 27, 1863, in First New York Vet- eran Cavalry ; was taken prisoner July 2, 1864, at Berryville, W. Va., and was exchanged April 6, 1865. Now in Conesus, N. Y. John Barnard Smith enhsted September" 8, 1862 ; was transferred to the i2ist New York Infantry, Company E, May 12, 1863, and was detailed as clerk in the quartermaster's department. Now in Maine. James E. Sewell enlisted May 7, 1861 j was dis- charged October 29, 1862, on account of wounds received at the battle of Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862. Theodore Stone eijHsted May 7, 1861; was discharged December 2, 1862, on surgeon's cer- tificate of disabihty. Henry Grout Wells enlisted May 7, 1861 ; reen- listed August 10, 1864, in First New York Veteran Cavalry. Nicholas R. Wood enlisted December 14, i86i ; died in regiment hospital near Alexandria, Va., February 18, 1862. Frederick Thurber Wright enlisted September 21, 1861 ; died in brigade hospital, near Alexan- dria, Va., December 27, 1861, and brought to Lima for burial. Charles Franklin Wells enhsted April 23, 1861 ; was promoted to Corporal November i, 1862. Myron Cassina Watkins enhsted May 7, 1861; was enrolled as Corporal and promoted to Ser- geant April 24, 1862. Now in Avon, N. Y. Philo B. Woodward enhsted August 31, 1862; whereabouts not known. Perry Gardner, Charles A. Grover, Ovid G. Harrington, Henry Hibbard and Artemas Jenkins enlisted May 21, 1861; present whereabouts un- known. Frank Young enhsted August 31, 1862; present location not known. Enlistments at Other Times and in Other Regi- ments. — John Henry Buxton, 136th Infantry, en- hsted September 8, 1862. Is stiU living in Lima, but is blind from the effects of the war ; receives a government pension of $900 per year. Harvey Johnson Benson, 8th Heavy Artillery ; was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor June 3, 1864, and was buried on the field. Martin Guinan, Second D. C. Infantry ; died in hospital from wounds received in the campaign of 1864. Samuel G. Hamilton, io8th Infantry, born in Lima October 17, 1841; was wounded in hand at battle of Antietam, and was afterward discharged. Died since the war. Galen Sheldon Hicks enlisted in Company M, 8th Heavy Artillery, January 4, 1864; was pro- moted to Corporal June 10, 1864, and to Sergeant November 25, 1864; was one of the five who res- cued the body of Col. Peter A. Porter from under the guns of the enemy at Cold Harbor, for which act he received a gold medal from Col. Porter's family. George Washington Tabor, First New York Dragoons; promoted to Corporal April 17, 1863; was at the siege of Suffolk and in the battles of Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania. William Hooker Day, born in Lima, January 17, 1845, enhsted January 19, 1864, in Company M, 8th Heavy Artillery ; was severely wounded in the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and was dis- charged from the service November 29, 1864. Now in Lima. Henry Francis Clark, Company K, 15th Engi- neers, enhsted September 5, 1864; served faith- fully with his regiment until close of the war, and was discharged with the company. Now in Lima. Nathaniel Joel Clark, Company E, 13th Infantry, enhsted July 31, 1862; served in the "Old 13th" until the expiration of its term of service, and was then transferred to the 140th New York Zouaves. Now in Michigan. Wilham Parker Wiggins, born in Lima, Novem- ber 4, 1842; enlisted August 12, 1862, in Com- pany G, First New York Dragoons ; died of typhoid fever in hospital at City Point, Va., August 30, 1864, and his body was brought home and buried in North Bloomfield. LIMA— WAR RECORD. 483 Daniel Henry Waller, Company M, 8th Heavy Artillery, enlisted January i, 1864 ; was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, Junes, 1864, and was subsequently buried on the battle-field. His widow and daughter reside in Lima. Phillip Jarvis Stevens, born in Lima, June 20, 1829, enlisted in August, 1863, in Company C, 145 th Infantry; was killed on skirmish line in front of Petersburgh, Va., June 20, 1864. Charles Henry Johnson enlisted August 3, 1863, in Co. D, 14th Heavy Artilery; was Quarter- master's Sergeant. Is now in the regular service. Daniel WiUiam Shay, enhsted September 7, 1864, in Co. C, First New York Veteran Cavalry ; served as blacksmith to the regiment while in the service. Died in 1867. Michael O'Niel, Co. K, Second N. Y. Cavalry, enlisted September 4, 1864. Present Location not known. Lawrence Warren Pender, Co. G, First N. Y. Dragoons, enhsted in August, 1862 ; was wounded in the leg at battle of Trevilian Station, Va., June 11,1863. Now in Lima. Jefferson Griffin Wiggins, Co. D, io8th Infantry, enlisted July 28, 1862 ; was severely wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville, and in consequence of his wounds was discharged January 15, 1864. Now in Auburn, N. Y. Harry Day Holmes, Co. K, 148th Infantry, en- hsted in August, 1862 ; was severely wounded in arm at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and was discharged by general order. Now in Honeoye Falls, N. Y. Lucius Benjamin Holmes enlisted August 31, 1862, in Co. K, 148th Infantry; served until the close of the war. Now in Lima. Theodore Lorenzo Holmes enhsted September 3, 1864, in Co. B, First N. Y. Dragoons. Now in the west. John Lockington enlisted August 16, 1863, in Co. L, First N. Y. Veteran Cavalry. Now in Lima. Samuel Tracy Smedley, Corporal Co. C, First N. Y. Sharp-shooters, enlisted September 16, 1862. Present location not known. Samuel Mitchell, Co. I, 15th Engineers, enlisted September 3, 1864. Now in Lima. John Emberry Copeland, Co. C, io8th Infantry, enlisted in June, 1862 ; was badly wounded at battle of Chancellorsville ; was afterward dis- charged in consequence; reenlistedin the Veteran Reserve Corps ; came home on furlough and died of typhoid fever, September 16, 1864. Michael O'Daly, Co. E, First Veteran Cavalry, enlisted July 31, 1863. Died about 1875. Martin Pierce, Lieutenant, enlisted in August, 1862, in 126th Infantry; was wounded at the battle of Bristoe Station, Va., in October, 1863. Now in Corry, Pa. Francis Marion Pierce, Sergeant, i88th In- fantry; enlisted in September, 1864. Served until the close of the war as Quartermaster-Ser- geant. Now in Honeoye Falls, N. Y. George Ransom Hutchinson enhsted Nov. 4, 1864, in Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery. Was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania C. H., Va., May 20, 1864; transferred to 2d Battahon Invahd Corps, Feb. 22, 1865. Marcus H. Warner enhsted Aug. 11, 1862, in Co. G, 130th Infantry. Was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, Aug. 3, 1863. Arthur Barnes Warner enhsted July 19, 1862, in Co. G, 130th Infantry. Died of typhoid fever in camp at Suffolk, Va., Nov. 22, 1862. Remains sent home for burial. WilUam Ayling, Co. E, 136th Infantry; en- listed Sept. 3, 1862. Now in Lima. Thomas Martin enhsted in September, 1864. Now in Lima. Israel Parsons Marvin enhsted Jan. 5, 1864, in Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery. Now in Lima. James Polk Short, Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery; enlisted Jan. 4, 1 864. Was severely wounded in the hand at the battle of Deep Bottom, Aug. 14, 1864. Now in Kansas. Frederick Parker, Corporal, Co. A, io8th In- fantry, enhsted July 16, 1862, was taken prisoner at one of the battles of the Wilderness, and was starved to death at Andersonville prison. Thomas Paine Wright; born in Lima, October 2, 1838; enlisted July 31, 1863, in Co. H, 147th Infantry. Was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864; died in the hospital at Florence, S. C, Sept. 23, 1864, and was buried in that place. Charles Willard Rice, Co. G, First New York Dragoons, enhsted August 13, 1862. Present location not known. James William Fowler, 26th Battery, enhsted December 18, 1863. Present location unknown. James Quigley, Co. L, isth Engineers, enlisted September 3, 1864. Now in Rochester, N. Y. Edwin Warner went out with the 130th In- fantry in September, 1862 ; was transferred to the First N. Y. Dragoons in September, 1863. Now in Lima. 484 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Edward Logan Bonner; born in Sparta, N. Y., October 28, 1840. Enlisted August 12, 1862, in Co. G, First N. Y. Dragoons. Was killed at the battle of Trevilian Station, Va., June 12, 1864, and his body was buried about two miles from the field. William Henry Harrison Pratt, Sergeant, Co. E, First Veteran Cavalry ; enlisted March 26, 1863. Was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign during his term of service. Dead, date not known. Benjamin Ollerenshaw Beale; born in Man- chester, England, September 16, 1842. Enlisted January 4, 1864, in Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery. Killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864, and was buried on the field. William Augustus Ferris enlisted July 19, 1862, in Co. G, First N. Y. Dragoons. Now living in Lima. Thomas Theodore Beadle, Co. B, First N. Y. Dragoons, enlisted September 13, 1864. Now in Lima. Francis Dighton Kent enHsted July 19, 1861. Was promoted to Captain in Co. F, Second Colored Cavalry, in December, 1863, being the first man in the United States to enhst a full colored company for the war. Present location not known. Lloyd Starkey Crandall, Co. K, First N. Y. Dragoons, enlisted Sept. 3, 1864. Now in Lima. John Todd McMahon, Sergeant, Co. E, 136th Infantry, enlisted August 11, 1862. Present loca- tion unknown. William H. McMahon, Co. K, 27th Infantry, enlisted April 7, 1861. Was promoted to Second Lieutenant Sept. 11, 1862. In 1865 was in the Custom-house in New York. David B. Page enlisted September 5, 1864, in Co. K, 15th Engineers. Present location unknown. WilUam Whisker, Co. K, 15th Engineers, en- listed September 5, 1864. Died of typhoid fever in the hospital at City Point, Va., Nov. 7, 1864. George Hosmer Bennett, Surgeon, enHsted Oct. I, 1862, in 70th Infantry. Was at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13th and 14th; was discharged March 4, 1863. Now in Lima. John LesUe Chapman enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. E, 136th Infantry. Died of typhoid fever at Fairfax Court House, Va., Dec. 14, 1862, and remains buried there. John Welda, Co. G, 130th Infantry, enlisted July 29, 1862 ; was transferred to First New York Dragoons, August 14, 1863 ; dead, date unknown. Henry Chase, 91st Infantry, enlisted August 8, 1862; was transferred to this regiment in July, 1865. Now in Avon, N. Y. Bishop Hamlin True, Lieutenant, enlisted Aug. II, 1862, in Co. E, 136th Infantry. Promoted to Sergeant, Sept. 20, 1862 ; promoted to Lieutenant March ist, 1863; dead, date not known. Jacob Stull Galentine, enlisted August 22, 1862, in 136th Infantry. Was Quartermaster of the regiment. Now living in Lima. Thomas Mooney, Co. C, 136th Infantry, en- listed Aug. II, 1862. Now in Lima. Marvin Peck, Co. B, First N. Y. Dragoons, enlisted March 16, 1865. Now in Lima. Jerome Brown enlisted in 1862 in Company C, New York State Sharp-shooters ; was mortally wounded at the battle of the Wilderness May 5, 1864, and died May 25, and was buried in Locust Grove, some three miles from the field. James Lavery, Company E, 136th Infantry enlisted in July, 1862 ; was wounded at Gettysburg, losing the sight of his right eye ; was transferred to Invalid Corps March 18, 1863; died about 1874. Ledian Brown, 26th Battery, enlisted December 18,1863; died at Mellican's Bend, on the Mississippi river, August 15, 1864; remains buried there. Richard McMahon, Company E, 136th Infantry, enlisted September 20, 1862 ; died of typhoid fever at Fairfax Court House, Va., November 26, 1862, and Hes buried there. Amos F. Blair, Corporal, Company E, 136th Infantry; served until the close of the war. Now in Townsend, Ohio. Thomas O'Hara, Company F, 140th Infantry, enlisted in 1863. Present location unknown. Lucien Gibbs, Company C, 147th Infantry, en- listed July 30, 1862 ; came home on furlough Jan- uary 1 1, 1863, and died on the 2d of the following month. Albiron More, Company E, 136th Infantry, en- listed July 20, 1862. Now in North Plains, Mich. Solomon Wood, Sergeant, enlisted in 1861 in the 2 7th Infantry and served two years; was wounded and taken prisoner at the first battle of Bull Run ; was exchanged January 3, 1862, and returned to the regiment; reenlisted September 5, 1864, in Company K, 15th Engineers. Dead, date not known. Harvey James Wood, Company K, isth Engi- neers, enlisted September 5, 1864. Present loca- tion unknown. Edward Timmons, Company E, 136th Infantry, enlisted August 15, 1862. Now in Lima. LIMA — WAR RECORD. 485 Patrick Welch, Company M, 8th Heavy Artil- lery, enlisted January 5, 1864; was transferred to the loth New York Infantry in June, 1865 ; was wounded at the battle of Deep Bottom, August 15, 1864. Now in Lima. Winslow Salter, 13th Infantry, enlisted in Aug- ust, 1862 j was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run in 1862; taken prisoner and paroled, and was afterward discharged on account of dis- ability. Now in Battle Creek, Mich. Robert Sweatoh Whisker enlisted July 27, t86i, in the i02d Infantry ; was badly wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, and was in the hospital eight months; returned to his regiment and was with it during its terra of service ; reenlisted March r6, 1865, in First New York Dragoons. Now in Lima. John O'Day, Corporal, Company E, 140th In- fantry, enlisted August 23, 1862 ; was slightly wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Decem- ber 13, 1862 ; remained with the regiment during its term of service. Now in Lima. Isaac White, Company A, 146th Infantry, en- listed July 30, 1863 ; was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, absent from regiment some four months, returned and was taken prisoner before Petersburg, held three days with nothing to eat, and was then paroled. Now in Michigan. John Jefferson Hanna, Company K, 148th In- fantry, enUsted August 25, 1862 ; was taken sick shortly after entering the service and was in hos- pital nearly a year ; returned to the regiment and was discharged at the close of the war. Now in West Bloomfield, N. Y. Edgar Gardiner PHmpton, Company G, ro4th Infantry, enlisted February 23, 1862 ; was taken prisoner on the Weldon railroad, confined at Salis- bury, N. C, seven months; was paroled and re- turned to Elmira, N. Y., where he died of typhoid fever April 2, 1864. Remains buried there. James Murray Bailey, Company M, 8th Heavy Artillery, enhsted January 3, 1864; was severely wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and was afterward discharged on account of disability. Is now a prominent UniversaHst minis- ter in Pennsylvania. Henry Franklin Bushnell, Company G, First New York Dragoons, date of enlistment not known ; died in hospital at Chappel Point, Va., May 23, 1865, and was buried there. Seth Parker Buell was mustered September 5, 1862, as Second Lieutenant in 136th Infantry; was promoted to Captain shortly after entering the service; health failed and he was obliged to resign. Now in Pittsburg, Pa. David O. Bushnell, Company G, First New York Dragoons, enHsted August 13, 1862; was mortally wounded at the battle of Newton, Va., September i, 1864, and was buried at Winchester, Va. Isaac Beebe, Corporal, Co. G, First N. Y. Dra- goons, enlisted July 28, 1862. Present location unknown. Florintine Brown, Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery, enlisted January 19, 1864. Now in Lima. James Tubbs, Co. M, 8th Heavy Artillery, en- listed Jan. 19, 1864. Present location unknown. George Overt, Corporal Co. E, 136th Infantry, enlisted April 20, 1862. Present location not known. Caleb Clow, Co. K, i88th Infantry, enlisted October 6, 1864. Now in Lima. Charles Edwin Hyde, Co. D, First N. Y. Dra- goons, enlisted July 19, 1862. Samuel A. Salter, Co. K, 15th Engineers, en- listed Sept. 4, 1864, and served until the close of the war. FrankUn Levi Fifield, Co. K, 15th Engineers, enlisted Sept. 4, 1864. Was with his regiment un- til the close of the war. Now in Honeoye Falls, N.Y. . WilUam Henry Salter, Co. K, 13th Infantry, en- listed in August, 1862. Henry Walter White, Co. B, 76th Infantry, en- listed July 31, 1863. Was discharged for dis- ability January ist, 1864. Now in Michigan. Hiram Harrison Reynolds, Co. K, 148th In- fantry, enlisted Aug. i8th, 1862. Was detailed in October, 1863, as hospital steward. Horace Chambers, Co. K, 15th Engineers, en- listed Sept. 3, 1864, and served with his regiment until the close of the war ; dead, date unknown. Horatio E. Chapin, Sergeant Co. K, isth En- gineers, enlisted Sept. 3, 1864. Served with regi- ment until end of Rebellion. Henry Merritt Talman, Corporal Co. M, 22d Cavalry, enlisted March 25, 1865. Now in St. Louis, Mo. Owen Carragher, First N. Y. Dragoons, en- hsted in August, 1862. Served faithfully during the war and was honorably discharged with the regiment. Martin Quigley, Corporal; date of enlistment unknown ; was a veteran of the Crimean war ; killed near Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1863, by falling from the cars as his regiment was being 486 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. transferred from the army of the Potomac to the army of the Cumberland. James A. Hamilton, Quartermaster, 27th Regi- ment, died in Geneseo in 1877. Samuel Hamilton, iijth Regiment, died about 1876. J. T. Baccus, died in Lima in 1879. Barney Kusick, died about 1874. Patrick Noonan, died since close of war. Michael Boyle, First Veteran Cavalry; dead, buried in Lima. James O'Brian, 136th N. Y. Volunteers ; dead, buried in Lima. Marion Campbell ; dead, buried in Lima. Lizzie Campbell, an heroic hospital stewardess, died in Lima, date unknown. Alexander Mias, Andrew J. Darrow, left dead on battle field. BlOGRjiPHICAL SKETCHES. ALEXANDER MARTIN. Alexander Martin was born January 10, i8oo, and was a son of Stephen and Bethiah Martin. Stephen Martin was born January 26, 1761 and died December 19, 1834. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and at the time of his death was drawing a pension from the government for services rendered his country in her struggle for independence. His wife, Bethiah (Barrows) Mar- tin, was born May 4, 1764, and died March 13, 1841. They had eleven children, of whom Alex- ander was the ninth, and all are now dead. Alexander came to North Bloomfield over sixty years ago, where his father had a small foundry, and when he became of age, he assumed the busi- ness. Alexander took the care of his father and mother until their death, and continued the business for a number of years. At that time there was no competition in that line anywhere near, and his customers came from a long distance, exchanging grain and barter of all kinds for his goods. By that means he acquired an extensive acquaintance and a reputation for fair dealing and honesty throughout the country. March 26, 1823, he was married to Ruth, daugh- ter of Simon and Ruth (Hall) Harwood. Her father was born August 23, 1766, and died March 3, 1816, and her mother died October 18, 1838. In 1826 Mr. Martin purchased and moved into the house in which he lived till his death. He and his loving wife spent over fifty years together amid the comforts of a pleasant home, and surrounded with a large family of children and grand-children. Their golden wedding was celebrated in 1873, when five of the ten children that had been born to them were present. In July, 1875, his wife died and in the same year his son, B. Franklin, also died. His surviving children are Amasa H. and A. Dwight, of Lima, Mrs. T. H. Holden, of Honeoye Falls, and Mrs. J. W. Davis, of Livonia Station. In October, 1876, Mr. Martin married the widow of Amos Hitchcock, and daughter of Eleazer Har- wood. She was a cousin of his first wife, was born January 29, 1814, and is still living. In 1822, Mr. Martin united with the Masons at Allen's Hill, and was one of the last two surviving mem- bers of Union Lodge, No. 50, of Lima, who re- mained true to the trusts of Free Masonry through the Morgan excitement. He was Master of Union Lodge at one time, and also was a member of Morning Star Chapter of Lima. In poUtics he was a Democrat until 1848, when he entered into the Free Soil movement and upon the formation of the Republican party became one of its members, ever supporting its measures and policy with earnestness and consistency. He rep- resented the town of Lima in the Board of Super- visors several terms, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquain- tances in his own and neighboring counties. He had not been in active business for several years preceding his death. His was one of the few examples we have in these days of one who had accumulated a competency by close applica- tion to business in early life, industry and frugality, without deception or fraud of any kind ; one of whom no one could say that he had wronged them, and in whom the poor and needy ever found a friend and benefactor. He died August 8, 1877, from neuralgia of the heart and without a mo- ment's warning. His funeral services were attend- ed on the Friday following, from the Universalist church of North Bloomfield, where he had been a constant attendant and one of its chief and earnest supporters for many years. JAMES LAWRENCE ALVERSON, LL. D. James Lawrence Alverson LL. D., was born in the town of Seneca, Ontario county, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1 815. His father, Stephen Alverson, was the son of Uriah Alverson, whodiedin Cazenovia, N.Y., at the age of one hundred and two years, having lived an honored and useful life. Stephen Alverson married Amy Smith, the daugh- ter of David Smith, and to them were born ten children. After their marriage, they lived awhile in Utica, N. Y., where their eldest child, Richard, was born. They then removed to the residence of Mr. Smith in Seneca Falls, near Geneva, where their other children were born. In 18 18, Stephen Alverson removed to Perry, N. Y., which was then in the midst of a dense forest, and connected with neighboring places only by an Indian trail. Mr. Alverson was a pioneer, both at Seneca Falls and Perry. He and his family were j>fiL^^u^t£/£oy Ky4is(^y^^ JAMES LAWRENCE ALVERSON, LL. D. 487 hardy and knew how to endure privation and toil. He and his wife were consistent Christians. She was distinguished for superior natural abilities, great discernment and practical wisdom. Dr. Alverson was fortunate in having such par- ents, from whom he inherited a fine constitution, and under their training and example he was pre- pared for the noble and successful career he pur- sued. He remained with his parents on the farm in Perry till his eighteenth year when he became a student in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. From his early childhood he manifested great love for study, and devoted all the time he could command, to reading. He was thoughtful and earnest in his inquiries, and his conduct was in every way be- coming and exemplary. At the early age of eleven he became a member of the church. This course was then much more unusual than now. His mother regarded him as a Christian from the age of five years. After completing his preparatory studies in the Seminary, he entered the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., from which he graduated with honor in 1838. On the sixth of the following September he mar- ried Emily Bennett, the daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Bennett. She was descended from a hardy, pioneer family. Her grandfather, James Bennett, emigrated from Vermont to Genesee county when it was a wilderness, driving nine horses and a yoke of oxen the entire distance, over roads almost im- passable. He was a good and influential man, and though a layman he estabUshed and conducted religious services in the community where he re- sided till the services of a clergyman could be obtained willing to share their hardships. Her parents were worthy people, highly respected and esteemed. Her father lived a Ufe of strict integ- rity and usefulness, and her mother gave a noble example of cheerfulness, equanimity and self-denial. After his graduation, Dr. Alverson became the principal of an academy in Elmira, N. Y., and in 1841 a teacher in the Oneida Conference Seminary, now the Central New York Conference Seminary, located in Cazenovia, N. Y. In 1844 he became a teacher in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, of which he became principal in 1847. From 1849, till his death, he was the Professor of Mathematics in Genesee College. In i860 he received from his Alma Mater, Wesleyan University, the degree of LL. D., and at different times, from other sources, testimonials of the high respect in which he was held. He labored faithfully and earnestly in the discharge of his duties, and with increasing influence and fame. He held a high rank among the scholars and educators of the country. Having naturally a good constitution, his habits being regular, tem- perate and in every respect exemplary, he gave promise of a long life. Unfortunately he was led to make unusual exertions under unfavorable cir- cumstances, and as a consequence he was violently seized by disease, and after a brief but very painful illness, he died, Sept. 12, 1864. His premature death caused a profound sensation, and cast a dark shadow of gloom over the literary institutions of Lima and the whole community. A large con- course of people, many coming from a distance, gathered at his funeral to show for him their respect and esteem. The sermon was preached by his intimate friend, Rev. Joseph Cummings, D. D., LL. D., President of the Wesleyan Univer- sity, who as a former President of Genesee College, had been associated with him in his work in that institution and also in other diflicult and very im- portant works. He died with a full and joyful assurance of the favor of the Redeemer, to whose service he had consecrated his life. His Christian death was a fitting close to an honorable, useful, devoted life. Of him we may well say " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from henceforth : Yea ! saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them." Dr. Alverson was a man of marked and varied abihties. His personal appearance was fine and indicative of true dignity and esthetic tastes. His habits and demeanor, even in minute things, were faultless. Whoever met him recognized him as a gentleman of refinement and culture. He had a lofty scorn of all that is low, mean and degrading. He was usually calm and had great self-control. Like all men of deUcate feehngs, he was retiring and reserved to all but intimate friends, hence he was often misunderstood, and termed cold and unfeeling ; but when he was aroused by real distress and calamity to others, his flowing tears and strong emotions indicated a warm and noble heart. For years, with more than a woman's tenderness and care, he cherished one bound to him by closest ties, who as an invalid was often helpless and en- dured much suffering, striving by personal atten- tion to lessen her pain, disappointment and sor- row. He did not repine or become discouraged in adversity, but with cheerfulness used the good in the present and hoped for better fortune in the future. He was cautious in forming his opinions but tenacious in retaining and firm in upholding them. He had great power over others, and great skill and tact in retaining his influence. As a citizen he favored all measures that were calculated to promote good order and improve the best interests of society. His personal efforts were untiring to secure these objects. His life work was given to his profession as a teacher. For this he was well qualified by natural endowments and acquirements; and considering his methods and the results of his work he had few superiors. His mental powers were harmoniously developed and their action was controlled by a sound judg- ment and the dictates of conscience. His life, passed in the quiet of scholarly and professional pursuits, presents no wonderful or startling inci- dents. Most well ordered and useful lives are of this character. They may not exhibit the brillian- cy that attracts, but they are free from the errors 488 HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. and indiscretions too often associated with genius. If there are no striking deeds that excite the ad- miration of friends, there are none that cause to them humiliation and shame while they give glad- ness and triumph to foes. Dr. Alverson was not one of the multitude swayed by the will of the ambitious and selfish. He was an independent thinker and naturally a leader, exerting a powerful influence over others. His work is not ended ; his life is renewed in its transforming power over the lives of others. Though dead, he still speaks, and when his name shall no more be mentioned on earth it shall be re- membered in Heaven. WILLIAM VARY. William Vary was born in the town of Berlin, Rensselaer county, N. Y., July 2, 1807. He was the son of Samuel and Esther (Thomas) Vary, the former of whom was born in Duchess county Sep- tember 24, 1764, and died in Columbia county, having settled there from Rensselaer county Octo- ber 9, 1833. The mother was born in Providence, R. I., April 29, 1769. They were the parents of ten children, four boys and six girls, only three of whom are now living, namely : — Mehitable, Abial T., now living in Marshall, Mich., and Deborah, the widow of the late Daniel Smith, of Wayne county, N. Y. Mr. Vary was a mill-wright by trade, but also carried on a small farm, and reared his boys in the latter occupation. They received their education at the district schools of the town in which they lived. In 1836 the widow of Samuel Vary moved with her five children, one of the number being WiUiam, to Lima, where she resided till she was eighty-three years of age, when she made her home with her daughter in Wayne coun- ty, where she died July 12, i860. Her remains lie buried in Oak Ridge cemetery in Lima. Calvin, WilUam and Abial carried on the farm they had previously purchased, and which is now occupied by Burton A. Vary. They all lived together four years, and then Calvin, Hannah, Me- hitable and the mother moved on to the farm now occupied by William L. Vary. After the division of the family, Calvin, WilUam and Abial carried on farming together several years, till the latter bought a farm in Caledonia and moved there. In the spring of 1861 he moved to Michigan, where he now resides. William contin- ued to work his farm until December 12, 1865, when he moved to the village of Lima. October 12, 1833, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Peleg and Freelove (Arnold) Thomas, of Greenbush, N. Y. She was born December 2 r, 1810. They had two children, viz : — Mary Jane, born December 26, 1838, and died April 11, 1867, and Burton A., born November 3, 1841, now re- siding on the old homestead. Mrs. Vary died January 26, 1849. December 20, 1849, Mr. Vary married for his second wife, Mary E. Thomas, a sister of his first wife, and she died November 28, 1854. November 5, 1857, Mr. Vary married Sarah A. Kinear, of Lima, by whom he had one son — Wil- ham L., born May 12, i860. Mr. Vary was the architect of his own fortune. Without the aid of inherited wealth or social prestige, he made his way from poverty to affluence, and to a high position as one of the prominent agriculturists of his town. His greatest pride and enjoyment was in his well-ordered farm and the associations and comforts of his delightful home and the society of his many friends. He died September 14, 1873. GEORGE HOSMER BENNETT. George H. Bennett was born in Avon, June 9, 1820. He is the son of Augustus A. and Maria (Pierson) Bennett. The father was born in Con- necticut, July 27, 1789, and the mother was born May 30, 1 799. Augustus A. was the fifth of a fami- ly of sixteen children. His father was a mason by trade, and was also a local Methodist preacher, who, not being blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, was unable to give his children anything but a limited education. Augustus attended school only about six months. He learned the mason's trade and worked with his father at that business till he was twenty-one years af age, his parents, in the meantime, having moved from Vermont, where they had lived since he was an infant. When Augustus became of age, he located at Livonia, N. Y., where he worked at his trade, em- ploying his leisure hours in the study of Blackstone, and was afterward engaged in teaching school, during which employment he spent every spare moment in perfecting himself for the pursuit of his chosen pro- fession — law. He studied with Judge Timothy Hosmer, then First Judge of Ontario county, and was admitted to the bar in 1816, after which time he formed a co-partnership with George Hosmer, son of the Judge already spoken of. March 10, 1818, he was married, and followed the practice of his profession in Avon the sixteen years following, during twelve of which he was alone, having, after four years' practice, dissolved with his partner. In 1833, he located in Lima, where he remained until 1839, when he mysteriously disappeared and has never been heard of since. He was a man of magnificent presence, of large legal attainments, and ranked among the foremost lawyers of Western New York. His wife died May 4, 1879. Six chil- dren were born to them, viz : — Sarah A. wife of Jeremiah Whitbeck, of Rochester ; George H. ; Mary W. wife of Leander Mix, of Batavia, now of WheeUng, West Virginia; Charles J. a resident of Australia, for the past thirty years ; Jane E. wife James L. Page, of Rochester ; and James A. who married Rowena Warfield, of Ontario county, and /^ML^a^^ny //aybvx .&t^ ^ hi/ ^i hiiMS'-Mll & SmsM \Bca-i;laij ^: l^'T. Photo, by Merrell, Genesee ^^oM^-uTZl GEORGE HOSMER BENNETT — FRANKLIN B. FRANCIS. 489 is now residing in Prattsburgh, Steuben county, N. Y. George H. lived at home till he became seven- teen years of age, and attended the Genesee Wes- leyan Seminary at Lima. He then went west to Lima, Ind., where he remained one year, then returned to Lima, N. Y., where he worked on a farm during the following year. He again went west and located at Austinburg, O., where he spent two years attending the acad- emy, and then again returned to New York State and located in Avon, where he immediately com- menced preparing him- self for a physician. In 1844, he was enrolled as a student with Dr. John F. Whitbeck, then of Lima, with whom h e remained four years. He then attended one course of lectures at the Geneva Medical College, and one course of lectures in the medical depart- ment of the University at Buffalo, whence he was graduated in 1 848. Immediately following this he settled in Lima, where he has since fol- lowed his profession with great diligence Oct. 25, 1848, Mr Bennett was united m marriage with Eliza C, daughter of Ernest A. and Mary (Johnson) Dunlap, of Ovid, Sen- eca county, N. Y. She was born August sth, 1821;. Her father died in 1827, aged about thirty-seven years. He was a farmer and surveyor, and was clerk and sur- rogate of Seneca county two terms, and died while still in office. Her mother died in 1848 aged forty-eight years. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap, viz : — Mary Jane, who died at the age of twenty ; Eliza C, and Ernest Augustus, who died in infancy. To Dr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born eleven children, as follows: — Mary Jay, wife of W. W. Pierce, of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles A., who died at the age of twenty-six ; Sarah M., who died in infancy; Emma M., wife of Sidney T. Palmer, of Wayne county, N. Y. ; George D., now a prac- ticing physician at Honeoye Falls, N. Y. ; John W., a medical student in the University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia; EUza P., Helen E., Jason J., Ernest W., and Amanda J. The doctor united with the Presbyterian church twelve years ago, and his wife has been a member of the same for twenty-five years. In poUtics Dr. Bennett is a Democrat. Person- ally he has never indulged in any desire for pohti- cal preferment, though at all times deeply inter- ested in the general welfare of his party. He has kept pace with the advancements of the age, pos- sessing strong powers of appHcation and a well balanced mind. He is best known in the com- munity as a physician, though always looked up to as a man of ideas. His cheerful countenance and disposition make his presence in the sick room, in no ordinary way a source of consolation to his patients, and the high regard in which he is held by all classes, clearly shows that he not only enjoys but is eminently entitled to the name of friend. FRANKLIN B. F.RANCIS. Franklin B. Francis was born in Spring- port, Cayuga county, Dec. 4, 1826. He is a son of Sylvester and Love (West) Francis, of Cayuga county. His father was born July 9, 1804, and his mother March 24, 1804. The former was a native of Wallingford, Ct, and son of Elihu and Lydia Francis, also natives of Connecticut. The mother of our subject. Love West, was a native of Vermont and a daughter of John and Phebe West. Sylvester Francis moved with his family to Livonia in 1831, from his former home in Cayuga county. He settled about two miles south of Livonia Centre, where he lived until he became incapacitated by being thrown from a mowing machine. About 1867 he removed to Livonia Station, where he still resides. Mrs. Love Francis, died May 7, 1837, leaving the following five children -.—Franklin B. ; Andrew J., born June 26, 1828, now residing at Austin, Nevada; Charles L., born May 10, 1831, died in Calfornia in i860; John W., born Aug. 12, 1833, died in Minnesota in 1864; and Jay, born Nov. 20, 1836, now residing in Portland, Oregon. Sylvester Francis married for his second wife, Eliza Coe, by whom he has had two children, viz. : — Lydia, now the wife of George B. Dunlap, of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; and Emma, who died in 1862, aged twenty-two years. FrankUn B. was brought up on his father's farm, ^/^rx^?>i^ acres, born Co- nesus June 1, 1837, is one of the present assessors; wife Frances Marion Nash, born Livonia May 25, 1818, married May 1, 1870; children seven, Gabriella May, Lawrence Gifford, Bnrt Edgar, Shelby Baker, Cora Victoria, Alfred Marion, John Samuel. Thomas I. H., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 120 acres, born Sparta October 8, 1822; wife Salinda G. Guldner, born Livonia October 17, 1834, married February 17, 1857; children three. Will, born June 14, 1858, Frank, born July 9, 1859, S. Belle, born December 18, 1871. Whiteman W. P., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 70 acres, born Leicester, Livingston county, January 13,. 18.8, has been highway commissioner; wife Nancy Mills, born January 29, 1836, married March 6, 1857; adopted son Henry M., born August 17, 1862. Wilbelm John, p o Webster's Crossing, farmer 390 acres, born Milo, Yates couniy, September |4, 1818, settled 1829, has been assessor and highway commissioner, and present excise commissioner; wife Lora Humphrey, born Cbenango county June 2, 1815. married April 23, 1843; children six. Emily, Sidney, Elsie. Solon H., Eu- gene B.. Martha V. Wilhelm William B., p o Conesus Centre, farmer, 63 acres, born Milo, Yates county, October 15, 1825, settled 1829; Ist wife Pharazina Allen, born Conesus January 13. 1831, married 1819, died February 15, 1870; children Rhoda A., born January 5, 1850, Sarah U.. born August 31, 1851, died June 22, 1856, Ella C, born October 2.% 1853, Mary A., born February 17, 1856, died April 17, 1857, George W., born January 30, 1858, died April 8, 1865; 2d wife Mary N. Thompson, born Groveland August 17, 1831. married April 6, 1875. Webster L. J., p o Conesus Centre, CALEDONIA. Ayres Mrs. Cornelia, p o Caledonia. Blackman C. W., po Caledonia, manufacturer of grain cradles. Borden G. T., p o Caledonia, physician and surgeon, Brownell F. P., p o Caledonia, farmer. Byan W. J., p o Caledonia, attorney and counselor. Cameron D. E., p o Caledonia, hardware dealer. Cameron Margaret, p o Caledonia. Cameron Margaret J., p o Caledonia. Campbell M. M., p o Caledonia, farmer. Campbell Peter P., p o Caledonia, farmer. Clunas John, p o Fowlerville, farmer. Collins A. H., p o Caledonia, publisher. Cox Darius, p o Caledonia, farmer. Espie J. R., p o Caledonia, farmer. Espie Robert B., p o Caledonia, farmer. Fellows John, p o Canawangus, farmer and justice of peace. Foote P. P., p o Caledonia, prop., Caledonia House. Fraser James, p o Caledonia, justice of peace and farmer. Gordon A, T., p o Caledonia, farmer. Hamilton William, p o Caledonia, farmer, produce dealer and supervisor. Hollenbeck A., p o Avon, farmer. Hosmer John E., p o Caledonia, farmer. McLean A. H.. p o Caledonia, grain and real estate dealer. McCoU D. D., p Caledonia, produce dealer. McKay George, p o Caledonia, miller. McEensie Miss Elizabeth, p o Caledonia. McNaughton John, p o Caledonia, retired. McNaughton Peter W., p o Caledonia, builder and assessor. McBae Duncan, p o Caledonia, farmer and butcher. Mallocb James C, p o Caledonia, farmer. Maxwell J. A., p o Scottsville, farmer. Maxwell William, p o Canawangus, farmer. Menzie R. J., p o Caledonia, physician and surgeon. McNab John, p o Caledonia, farmer. Menzie David, p o Caledonia, auctioneer. McVean W. J., p o Caledonia, farmer. Miller Alex. & Son, p o Caledonia, agricultural works. Mastorton William £., p o Cjiledonia, retired. McLachlen D,, p o Caledonia, farmer. Orr Collin, p o Caledonia, retired. Place R. M., p o Caledonia, druggist. Redfield N. C , p o Caledonia, manufacturer of rakes. Renwick A., p o Caledonia, farmer. Rutherford Walter, p o Scottsville, farmer. Shaw Peter, p o Caledonia, farmer, justice of the peace and assessor. Sinclair Peter J., p o Caledonia, farmer and assessor. Swan C. H., p o Caledonia, maltster. Thompson D., p o Caledonia, farmer. Walker W. H., p o Caledonia, dealer in general merchandise. Walker J. W., p o Caledonia, retired and ex-judge. Walker David, p o Caledonia, farmer. Walker Foster W., p o Caledonia, school commissioner. Weeks I^aac, p o Caledonia, farmer. Weeks James A., p o Caledonia, farmer. Wells Mrs. Frances C, p o Caledonia. DANSVILLE, Andrews B. P., p o Dansville, physician and surgeon, born Che- nango county 1856, settled 1877, is a member of county medical society. Allen S. C, p o Dansville. one of proprietors of Allen House. Brown Merrit H. merchant and paper manufacturer, born Ver- mont 180i, settled 1818, has been postmaster, died 1864; wife Arvilla Danfoith, born Saratoga, married 1829; children six. Burkhart A. Perclval, p o Dansville, dentist, born Cleveland, C, May 17, 1852, settled 1878; wife Kate S. Quigley, born Rushford, N. Y., married October 1, 1874; chil- dren one. Burns Brothers, D. W., M. J., and J. E,, p o Dansville, carriage making and trimming, all born New York, business established two years ago corner of Main and Frank- lin streets. Brown Charles W., p o Dansville, physician and surgeon, born Steuben county September 5. 1848, settled 1877, was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, 111., 1873. is member of Livingston county home medi- cal society; wife Sara S. Butler, b:rn Tioga county. Pa., married December 31, 1873. Bradley I. W., p o Dansville, carriage manufactory, born Skan- eateles. N. Y., 1828, settled 1&36; wife Frances Wool- ever, daughter of William Woolever, born Dansville, married 1872; children three. Bunnell A. O., p o Dansville, editor of the "Dansville Express." Betts E. J., p o Dansville, photographer. Bailey, J. J., p o Dansville, hardware dealer. Cogswell William, p o Dansville, lumber merchant, born Dans- ville 1850; father David Cogswell; wife Mehitable Owen, born Schuyler county. Grisiield J. E.. p o Dansville, physician and surgeon. Clark David W., p o Ossian, grocer. Dorr Robert G., p o Dansville, attorney and counselor, born 1856; father Robert Dorr. Dyer Daniel E., p o Dansville, retired, born Vermont 1817, set- tled 1834; wife Cordelia H. Day, born Sullivan county. Davis M. L., p o Dansville, real estate dealer. Endress Christian, clergyman, born Philadelphia 1775, settled 1814, died 1827. Edwards Alex., p o Dansville, farmer, born Bath October 13, 1823, settled September 1, 1847; wife Elizabeth Mo- Curdy, born Dansville. Earls Thomas, p o Dansville, grocer. Endress Sarah A., p o Dansville. Foley Dennis, p o Dansville, grocery 179 Main street, born Roch- ester 1838, settled 1840, has been village trustee, is a member of Catholic church; wife Celia Farney, born Livingston county, married 1862. Faulkner Dr. James, p o Dansville, physician and surgeon, born Washington county 1790, settled 1797, studied in Bath and was graduated from College of Physicians and Surgeons 1810, is President of First National Bank of Dansville No. 75, organized 1863. Fielder Alfred W., p o Dansville, carriasfe manufacturer, bom Brighton, England, 18.37, emigrated 1847, settled 1868; wife Mary H. West, born New York. Faulkner R. S., p o Dansville, produce dealer, born Bath, Steu- ben county 1809, settled 1842; father is First Judge of Steuben county; wife E. S. Todd, born Schoharie county, married 1838. Fitzsimons S., p o Dansville. clergyman. Gallagher Thomas E., p o Dansville, groceries and crockery, born Dansville July 31, 1848, has been town clerk and village trustee; wife Sarah A. McCurdy, born April 8 1874; children two. PERSONAL STATISTICS. Oilman E B., p o DansviUe, foundry and machine shop, born Oneida county 1827, settled 1830. Oilman A J , p o Dansville, n.achine shop and foundry, born 1850; wife Ann Purdy, born Steuben county. Hartman Henry, p o Dansville, farmer, lliO acres born Dans- ville 1817, has been justice of the peace and town superintendent; father John Hartman; wife Eliza House of Otsego couuiy, N. Y., married 1844; children three. Hartman Wm., p o Dansville, farmer, .330 acres, born Dansville 1820; father John Hartman; wife Catharine Driesbach; children three. Hanne Daniel, p o Dansville, retired farmer, 60 acres, born Pennsylvania 18-iO, settled 1863; father Christian Hanne; wife Mai;garet Smith, born New Jersey. HoUlngsworth Henry, p o Dansville, California paper mills, born Engbnd 1828, settled 1877. manufactures Nos 1 and S manilla paper, first settled in Patterson 1852, was formerly in Livingston mills for some time; wife Eliza- beth Best, bom Connecticut, married 18b7: children five. Hyland John, p o Dansville, postmaster. fJedRef Seth N.. p o Dansville, attorney and counselor at law. Hubbell & Goodyear, p o Dansville. Dansville Seminary. Hodgmire James L., p o Dansville, druggist and telegraph oper- ator. Hartman John, p o Groveland. farmer. Johnson Samuel, B., p o Dansville, retail and jobbing trade, 381 acres, settled 1846, is asrent for National steamship line company, is a member of Presbyterian church; wife Elizabeth A. Dake, born Allegany county, mar- ried February 14. 1859; childreu five. Johnson Oliver B., p o Dansville, woolen mills, established thir- ty years, born Richmond, Ontario coonty, N. Y:, 1813, settled 1836, has been constable, collector and asses- sor; wife Lodema Jennings, daughter of Joseph Jen- nings, married Oi'tober 18, 1838. Jackson James H , p o Dansville. proprietor of water cure. Kern Charles R., p o Dansville, justice of the peace, has been postmaster in Pennsylvania, born Pennsylvania 1805, settled 1839; first wife born Pennsylvania; second wife Maria McCartney, born Dansville. Enappenberaer J., p o DansviUe, retired. Kennedy John J., p o Dansville. Lockling Louis N., p o Dansville, agricultural works and foundry. LaBoyteaux A. L., p o Dansville. dentist. McCurdy C. B., p o Dansville, grain detiler, born Dansville May 4, 185-2; father James M. McCurdy; wife Maria L. Ijent- ley; children two. Morey Hon. Jonathan B., p o Dansville, farmer and nursery- man, 335 acres, born Dansville IH^ifi, has been membi-r of assembly four terms and president and trustee of village; wife Laura J. Smelt, born Battle Creek, Mich., married 1861; children four. McCurdy Hugh F., p o Dansville, farmer, 500 acres, born 1823, has been assessor three terms; wife Elizabeth A. Fen- stermacher, born Dansville, married 1854; children three. McNalr David D., p o Dansville, paper manufacturer, born Sparta 1814, has been supervisor and town clerk. McNair John M., p o DansviUe, attorney and counselor at law. McCartney Hugh, p o DansviUe, sheriff of county. McCartney H. §., p o Dansville, grain dealer. Newman S. H., p o Dansville. Pratt Edward H., p o Dansville, nurseryman, 200 acres, born Auburn, Mass., 18.3", settled 1859, was captain 136th New York Volunteers; wife Sarah L. VanDerlip, mar- ried 1878. Proctor L. B.. p o Dansville, attorney and author. Perrine, F. M., p o Dansville, physician and surgeon. Readshaw B. F., p o Dansville, proprietor of Forest mills, mer- chant miller, born Dansville 1846. Ranch N. & Sons, p o DansviUe. tanners and dealers in leather. Stout M. T., p o Dansville, carriage trimming, etc , born Ovid, Seneca county, N Y., 181.5, settled 18.36; wife Clara C. Conkling, born New York, married 1839; children four, one sonlciUed in 136th regiment. Sturgeon Samnel, p o DansviUe, farmer, born Livingston coun- ty 1809, has been assessor; wife Mary Ann McCurdy, born Dansville, married 1836; ohUdrenflve. Sweet George A., p o Dansville, nurseryman, born Dansville 1844, has been supervisor; wife C ara Maxwell Sweet, born Dansville, married 1867; children two. Stone B. S., p o Dansville, wagon manufacturer, 80 acres, com- menced business 1848, born Dansville 1825; wife Nancy Driesbach, daughter of Michael Driesbach, married 1871; children four. Stevens Archelaus, pubUsher of Cobb's spelhng book, born En- field, N. h:, 1790, settled 1836, died 1867; wife Sally Gage, born Enfield. N. H., died 1877; children three. Stevens Anna M., p o Dansville. Smith Mary B., p o Dansville. Steinbardt H.. p o Dansville. . . „ ■„ Tompkinson Capt. S. D., p o DansviUe, proprie'or Grove mills, 13 acres, born Liverpool, England, February 11, 181H, settled January 15, 1860; wile Sarah M. Aldridge, born Wayne counry, married 18.'5. Mr. T., was on the sea forty years and thirty-five years a commander, was twenty-five years on the lakes, Thomas M H., p o Dansville, livery and sale stables. VanNuys Peter, farmer, born New Jersey 1808, settled 1838. has been magistrate, supervisor, etc. ; wife Harriet Kern, born New York City 1809, married 1830; children five. VanDerlip M. H., p o Dansville, attorney. Voorhees D. B., p o Dansville, proprietor Allen House. Ward Georgo K., p o Dansville, pastor Presbyterian church. Welch C. F., p Dansville, Station Agent in Erie railroad depot. Welch J. J., p o Dansville. assessor. Whiteman Franklin M., farmer, born DansviUe 1810, has been supervisor, superintendent po(jr and assessor, was in Assembly 1854; wife Mary Stewart, married 1836; chil- dren two. Whiteman Reuben, p o DansviUe, lumber dealer, born Pennsyl- vania J817, settled 1833. Woodruff B. W., p o Dansville. retired printer, born Livonia May 26, 1806; wife Sally A. Rose, married July 9. 1834; children nine. Williams S. P., p o Dansville, nurseryman, born Auburn, N. Y., 1818, settled 1844; wife Sophia J. Smith, born Dans- viUe, married September 38, 1848; children two. Williams J C. & Son, p o Dansville, milling. Whitehead Joseph C, p o Dansville, boots, shoes, furnishings, leather, etc., born New Jersey 1817, settled 1843, hMS been postmaster and excise commissioner; first wife Elizabeth Putnam, born Barrington, N Y.; second wife Harriette Cutting; two sons, one in National bank Dansville, and one special agent U. S. treasury. Wood Anthony T.. p o Dansville, coal dealer, born Geneva, N. Y.. 1820, settled 1827, has been supervisor and mem- ber of Assembly, was clerk of Court of Appeals from 1854 tol8b0. has been in mercantile trade, was admit- ted to the bar in 1S66. Zerfass George, p o Dansville, farmer, 195 acres, born Pennsyl- vania July 35, 1805, settled 1838, has been assessor and highway commissioner: father Abraham Zerfass; wife Polly Kanauso, born New York, married 1838, died 1872. GENESEO. Allen Samuel P., p o Geneseo. editor and publisher, born Smyr- na, Chenango connty, settled 1830, was county clerk from 1841 to 1843, clerk of senate 1856 to 1860, collector of internal revenue 38th district 1863 to 1869, assistant clerk of the assembly 1873 to 1875 and 1876 to 1879. Ayrault Allen, p o Geneseo, banker and merchant, born Mas- sachusetts 1703, settled 1814. died 1861. was president of Livingston county bank from 18.30 to 18.55; wife Be- thiah Lyman, born East Haddam, Conn. .1791, married 1823. Austin Charles E., p o Geneseo. farmer, ISii acres, born Liv- ingston county 1844; wife Frances M. Vicar, born Wis- consin 1847, married 1867; children one, J. R. Jr., born 1878. Father J. R. Austin, settled 18 6, died 1880, wife Agnes EUzabeth Wilbaskey, born Russia, married 1839. Abbott A. J., p o Geneseo, attorney and counsellor, born Mos- cow, Livingston county, October 28, 1819; wile Mary Jane Beach, born I'ompey Hill, married SeptemberSO, 1848: chUdren one. , Ayres A. H., p o Geneseo. Blaisdell & Jones, p o Geneseo, marble and granite works. Beach Charles O., p o Geneseo, general merchandise, born South DansviUe 1823. settled and commenced business 1850, wife Cornelia E. Beach, born Livingston county 1834, married 1853; children three, Mary Ella, Nealie and Lulu. Bigelow Daniel, p o Lakevilla, farmer, merchant and teacher, 132 acres, born Livingston county, 1832, has been town commissioner, superintendent, supervisor and assess- or; vile Helen A. Whitney, born Livingston county 1828, married 1856; children two, Hattie A. and Edward E Father Epaphroditus Bigelow, born Hartford, Conn., 1786, settled 1818, died 1874, wife Sarah Phelps, born Connecticut 1795, married 1816, died 1878; chil- dren nine. Bosley B B., p o Lakeville, farmer, IBO acres, born Livingston county 1834; wife Jennie Douglas, born Livingston connty 1841, married 1868; children three, Edward R., Louis D., Kittle M. Bosley Daniel, p o Lakeville, general merchant, born Livingston county 1805; wife Lucia R. Richmond, born 1811, mar- ried 1832; children six, Daniel B., William E., Lucia M., May, Ella, George H. Bosley John, born Maryland, settled 1702, died 1795, was farmer and miller, built first grist mill in town. Bosley Edmund, born Maryland, settled 1793. Bixby Emery P., p o Geneseo, farmer, carpenter and joiner. 88>!i acres, born on homentead in Livingston county 1853. Bixby Ezra, born Pennsy.vania 1803. farmer, died 1872. Butterway A. W., p o Geneseo, general furniture dealerand up- holsterer, born Pennsylvania 1835, settled 184'; wife May E. Johnson, born 1832. married 1850; children three, Edivard L., Cora E., Hattie M. Bishop J. F., p o Geneseo. t ■ ■ * Crossett John, p o Geneseo, farmer, 240 acres, born Livingston couniy 1817; wife Jane Leonard, born Spartal817, mar- ried 18.39. died 1875; children one, Loyd W., born 1846. Father William Crossett, born Ireland 1853, was gen- eral farmer and merchant, trading largely with the Indians, died 1839. VI HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Cox A. A., (Ayrault& Cox,) p o Genesee, general produce dealer, lOa acres, born England 1827, settled 1870; wife Esther Shaw, born Perry, Wyoming county 1836, married 1854. children one, Stella. Mr. Cox commenced his present business in 1870, has a building in course o£ erection 26 (eet high and 26x50 feet, wings 20x36 feet, also an- other building 16x26 leet, two stories high, with ofHce and storage room, one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain are handled yearly, beside plaster, grass and clover seed. Dieffenbacher John, p o Lakeville, farmer, 225 acres, born Liv- ingston county 1812 ; was town commissioner ; wile Martha C. Knight, born Livingston county 1821, mar- ried 184S ; children five. May E,, Martha C J. Prank, OlieA., Edward L Father, Abraham Dieffenbacher, born Pennsylvania 1770, was a mill wright, died 1840. Dieffenbacher Leonard, p o Qeneseo, farmer, 45 acres, born Liv- ingston county 1816 ; wife Maria Darling, bora Living- ston county 1816, married 1841 ; children four, Florus F., Ploretta F., (twins) born January 16, 1843, Amos D., born 1844, Alfred D., born 1819. Ewart Samuel, p o Geneseo, farmer, 400 acres, born Northum- berland county. Pa., 1773, settled 1796, died 1818, was in war of 1812; wife Elizabeth Magee, born New Jer- sey 1796, married 1817 ; children three. May A., who married Edward Patohin, Hannah, Elizabeth. Foster M. N,, p o Geneseo. Fridd William, p o Qeneseo, farmer, 290 acres, born England 18:i0, settled 1841. has been assessor three years ; wife Sarah Bridgland, born England 1830, married 1848 : children five, Alfred W., born 1860, Celina, born 18521 WaryA., born 1854 Sarah A., born 1858, Isabel, born 1869. Gray Thomas, p o Lakeville, farmer. 95 acres, born Pennsylva- nia 1798, settled 1806; wi'e May Wynn, born Livingston county 1805, married 18i5; children six, Daniel H., bora 18-9, Lydia M., born 1834, Josepha, born 1836, Le- nora E., born 1846, Edgar L., born 1S49, Catharine, born 1826, died 1866. Father, Duncan Gray, born Ireland, settled 1806, died in an engagement in war of 1818, un- der General Scott. Goode George, p o Geneseo, merchant tailor. Haynes J. C. G., p o Geneseo, grocer, 60 acres, born Geneseo 1856. Haynes Henry S., p o Geneseo, farmer, 153 acres, born Living- ston county 1851; wife Ella Boyd, born 1854, married 1878. Haynes J. H., p o Geneseo, farmer, sheep and stock grower, 150 acres, born Geneseo 1809. has been assessor and road commissioner; )st wife Mary Price, born 1812, married 1834, died 1E66; children three; 2d wife Margaret Phin- ny, born Northumberland county. Pa., 1831, married January 20, 1870. Haynes John, born Pennsylvania 1787, settled 1793, died 1873; wife Elizabeth Haynes, married 1809, died September, 1868 Hawley James, p o Geneseo, farmer, born Delaware county 1806, settled 1818, has been road commissioner and as- sessor: 1st wife Mary Buthven, born Scotland 1812, married 1834, died 1851; cliildren nine; 2d wife Maria Ellis, born 1826, married 1854; children one, Willard D., born 1858. Hawley Edward, p o Geneseo, farmer and justice of the peace, elected 1878, born Livingston county 1?40; wife Sara Mathier, burn Livingston county 1840, married 1869; children one, Edward C, born 1871. Hersey & Co., p o Geneseo, drugs, paints, oils and stationery, W. H. Hersey born Canada 1846, settled 1878; wife Julia Moore, married 1867; children three, Willie A., Mary C, Louise. Jones R, H., p o Geneseo, general marble and granite works, born Vermont 1845, settled 1875; wife Amelia A, Cor- bett, born 1863, married 1874; children two. Winnie and Nellie. Jones Richard M., p o Geneseo, farmer, 550 acres, born Sparta 1836, enlisted July 13, 1361, in company A, 3d New York cavalry; wife Amanda Jenney, born Livingston coun- ty 1838, married 1865; children two, Emily C, born 1867, Richard M., born 1869. Jones Charles, p o Geneseo. Knight Samuel N., p o Lakeville, farmer, 84 acres, born Wyom- ing county 1824, settled 1831 ; wife Mary B. Bushnell, born Livingston county 1823, married 1858: children three, Chailes B., born 1859, George N., bornl864, EfFa E , born 1866; father Norman Bushnell, settled 18iB, died 1847, was a very prominent man in the Presby- terian church; Jonathan Hill settled 1817, died 1849, aged 80 years, was a farmer. Knight James C, p o Lakeville, jeweler and assessor, 69 acres, born Geneseo 1838; wife Almira E. Bryant, born 1840, married January 11, 1871; children one, Willie B., born 1871. Linsley Martin F., p o Geneseo, farmer and sheriff, 230 acres, born Livingston county 1840; wife Fannie Perrigo, born Cayuga county 1839, married 1866; children three. May, Claude, Xradell. Lewis Joseph D., p o Geneseo, farmer, auctioneer and commis- sion business, born Livingston county 1833; wife Mar- garet Donnan, born York, Livingston county, 1833, married 1864. McOlintock Charles, p o Lakeville, farmer and assessor, 179 acres, born Livingston county 1823. McClintock, Abraham, born Pennsylvania 1776, settled 1807, farmer, 118 acres; children eight; died 1849. Milliman Norman M., p o Lakeville, farmer, 50 acres, born Liv- ingston county 1834; wife Lizzie Harlow, born Cayuga county 1846, married 1868; children two, Jennie May, Roy Harlow. Milliman Bryant, born I;ivingston county 1808, farmer, 80 acres; wife Lorena Curtis, born Cortland county 1808, mar- ried 1828, died July 12, 1879. Milliman John, born Rhode Island 1776, settled 1802, died 1818. Mather John C., p o Geneseo, farmer, 120 acres, born Saratoga county April 9, 1807, died December 1, 1877; wife Eliza- beth L^ellogg. born 1811, married 1831; children seven, Mary A., Eliza A., and Julia A., twins, Amos R., Nor- man W., Sarah A., Fannie J. Milne Wm. J., p o Geneseo, principal Normal School. Morris Garry, p o Geneseo, born Hampton, Washington county ItOa, farmer, 60 acres, settled 1817; wife Deborah Huff- man, born Pennsylvania, 1801, married 1825; children three, T. Carlton, born 1829, William, born 1830, J. R., born 838. Morris William, p o Geneseo, farmer, 150 acres, bom 1830, wife Cornelia Perkins, born 1853, married 1879. Morris T. C, p o Geneseo; wife Margaret Remington, married 1852. Morris R. J., p o Geneseo; wife Rebecca Hardy, born England, married 1863. Mate Fred W., p o Geneseo, general blacksmithingand carriage repairing, born England 1841, settled 1843, enlisted in 8th New York cavalry 1862 for three years: wife Celina Fridd. born Livingston county, married 1869; children two, Hattie W., Batie W. Merrell J. C, p o Geneseo. photographer. Neff Abram, p o Geneseo, farmer. 93 acres, born Pennsylva- nia 1805, settled 1831 ; wife Magdaline Martin, born Mon- roe county 1809, married 1836; children six, Theodore C. born 1840, Angeline M., born 1842, Newton W., born 1813, Cathaiine E., born 1845, Julia E., born 1847, Chas. D.. born 1849. Neff Christopher, p o Geneseo, farmer and carpenter, born Pennsylvania 1809, settled 1810, 30 acres, was commis- sioned captain 1845-49; wife Almira Woodruff, born Livingston county 1812, married 1837; children seven, John W., Sarah E., Fannie J.. Henry H., Lucy A., Jacob, Ella, Henry enlisted in the 136th New York Volunteers, was taken prisoner and. died 1864, his wife died 1869 aged twenty-four years. Orton James S , p o Geneseo, banker, born Woodbury, Conn., November 26, 1816, settled December 1844, has been county clerk and cashier of National bank of Genesee Valley; wife Emilv Stanley, born Mt. Morris, N. Y., married May 23, 1843. Patterson J. B., p o Geneseo, merchant, has beeen county clerk. Riley Richard A., p o Geneseo, farmer, 133 acres, born Living- ston county 1848. was elected justice of the peace 1878; wife Lizzie King, born .Seneca county 1847, mar- ried 1869; children two, MaudE., Theo. A. Riley Richard A., born New York City, settled 1836, died 1874; wife Anna Haynes, born Livingston county 1811, mar- ried 1844, died February 23, ]8t:3; children two. Rose R. A., p o Geneseo, general tin, hara and shelf ware and stoves, born Avon, Livingston county, 1840. Rose Conklin, born Green county 1797, settled 18:j3, died 1867; wife B. A Hyde, born 1802, married 1832, died 1869; children five StrattoD I. J., p o Geneseo, proprietor Globs Hotel, born Che- nango county 1833, settled 1872, enlisted 1862 company K, 10th New York cavalry, was mustered out at close of war; wife Margaret Stratton, born Chenango coun- ty 1837, married 1853. Stevens William A., p o Geneseo, hardware, stoves and general house furnishing goods, born Livingston county 1844; wife Helen A. Doty, born Livingston county 1853, mar- ried 1870; children three, Sophia, Florence Helen, Allen Cornelia. Scott John L., p o Geneseo, (Gilmore & Scott,) general milling business, commenced business 1865, the buildings are 40x70 and 40x60 feet, containing four runs of stones and has an unlimited water power. Sleggs William J., p o Lakeville, 153 acres, born England 1817, settled 1851, died 1872; wife Elizabeth Wright, born England 1830, married 1848; children seven, Eliza, Mary J., John W., George T., Elizabeth H., Charles A., Winneford A. Southall Edward W., p o Geneseo, physician, born Staffordshire, England, March 5. 1851, settled June 15, 1879; wife Su- sannah Southall. born England, married May 7, 187:3; children two. West James A., p o Geneseo, physician and surgeon, bornUtica April 20, 1835, settled 1862; wife Fanny B. West, born Ohio, married 1863 at Rochester, N. Y. ; children three, Jennie A., Mary L., Nannie. Wicker J. C, p o Geneeeo, county superintendent alms house, insane asylum, and farmer, 225 acres, born Rutland county, Vt., 1823, settled 1841; wife Josephine Candee, born Oxford, Conn., 1840, married 1869. Wicker Jona, born Massachusetts, settled 1873, died 1874, aged ninety-four years. White John, p o Geneseo, farmer, 195>^ acres, born Pennsylva- nia 1788, settled 1794, was elected justice of the peace 1820 and served twelve years, was assessor several yeari and held other important offices; wife Anna Grifath, born Delaware 1786, married 1807, died Sep- tember 10. 1849; children eleven. PERSONAL STATISTICS. VII White Joseph E., born Livingston county 1826; wife Jah'a H. Magee, born Groveland 1838, married 1861; children two, Hester Paret, born 1S61, John Magee, born I8(i9. Warner Lucius, p o Groveland, farmt r, 270 acres, born Geneseo ISIO, has been assessor and commissioner; wife Nancy White, bom Wyoming county 1816, married 1839, died August 4, 1858; second wife Charlotte P. White, born 1821, married February 10, 18b0, died December 20, 1878; children two, Lucius W., Anna W. Warner David, born Connecticut August 17, 1774, settled 18C4, died August 10, 1818; children seven, living five. Warner David, p o East Groveland, farmer, 130 acres, born Liv- ingstoti county March 28, 1816, died December 27. 1879; wife Pbylancy H. Snethen. born 1H::M, . married 1844; children five, Wm. W.. Mary E., Jrlarriet E., James H., David S.; adopted Katy A. Hall, born 1865. Weller A J., p o Geneseo, 25 acres, born Mt. Morris 1829; wife May J. McComb, born Ireland 1H39, married 1861; chil- dren three, Peter Rush, born 1862,' Edward, born 1866 Weller Peter Rush, born New Jersey 1785, settled 1820, died. May 18, 1866, was a farmer, tanner and currier. Wiliard A. J , p o Geneseo, farmer and stocH grower, 135 acres, born Wyoming county 1623, settled 1842, was elected supervisor 1^79, has a hired farm of 3,300 acres; wife Opbelia Bush, born Albion 833, married 1857; children three, Willie, Clara, Frederick. Warren J., p o Geneseo, merchant tailor. Wattles Mason, p o Geneseo. Wartswnrth W. A., p o Geneseo. Wadsworth J. W.. p o Geneseo. Waterbury R. A., p o Geneseo. Youngs Clarence S., p o Geneseo. GROVELAND. Atea Wm., p o Groveland, farmer, 85 acres, born Groveland August 5th, 1H33; has been constable and excise com- missioner; wife Elizabeth Head, born Steuben county May 3, 1834, married March 9, l856; children two, El- mer, born July 28, 1861, Libbie, born Feb. 7, 1869. Amer Enos, p o Groveland, farmer, 290 acres, born Northamp- ton county. Pa., July 14, 1810, settled 18M, has been ex- cise commissioner; wife AmandaM. Hendershott. born Nov. 14, 1819, married March 4, 1841; children three, Charles F , born May 88, 1844, Alonzo B.. born Marcli 3, 1848, Mary L., born Nov. 18. 1R.J3. died June 10, 18V5. Aitlten Thomas, p o Norih iSparta, minister. Barber Frank, p o East Groveland, farmer, ISO acres, born Groveland Jan. 8, 1838; wile Elizabeth E. Heath, born Liv. county J^ acres, born Newark August 19, 1838, settled in county 1870; wife Sue A. Smith, born Mt.Morris, married May 5, 1869; one child ; Susie F., born August 11, 1871. Mrs. P.'s father settled here in 1823. Pdtrie Peter, p o Tuscarora, farmer. 215 acreB. born in Scipio August 6, 1819, settled in county 1823, has been school trustee, highway commissioner three years, poor mas- ter five years and excise commissioner; first wife Har- riet Ammerman, born Niles, married September 15, 1842; seven children; second wife Louisa J. Elwood, born Aurelius, N. T., married February 37, lb79. Jacob P., father of Peter, born in Little Palls, moved to this county in 1823: had five children, William, Peter, Jo- seph. Jacob, and Abigail who died in Ilion in 1878. Ja- cob Petrie died in 1865. Perrine W. H., p oTuscarora, farmer, 313 acres, born'February 19, 1835; wife Josephine MillhoUen. born West Sparta, married January :a2, 1861; eight children. Parsons Levi, p o Mt Morris, clergyman. Poval Henry, p o Mt. Morris, eclectic physiciap and surgeon. Phelps Georgu A., p o Mt. Morris, resident. Price James, p o Nunda, farmer, 12;3 acres, born County of Sligo, Ireland, August 36, 1827, settled in this county 1840, has been justice of peace foui years; wife Hannah N. Phillips,born county Leitrim, Ireland, married August 26, 18li; one child living, John H. Price, born June 6, 1851. Sedam Daniel P., p o Tuscarora, farmer, 163 acres, born Somer- set county, N. J., August 2i, 1798, settled in county May 12, 1833; wife Cynthia Bergen, born Middlesex county, N. J., married in 1822; six children, Sallie, Jane, who died May 5, 1876, Mary, Andrew, Jacob B. and Amanda. One of the oldest inhabitants of the town. Sheldon Pomeroy. p o Mt. Morris, farmer. 45 acres, born Perry, Wyoming county, April 10, 1821, settled in county April, 1840; first wife Sarah S. Sheldon, born in Massa- chusetts, died May 19. 1858, married October.1846; four children. Oren Sheldon, father of Pomeroy, born in New Marlboro, Mass., 1788, moved to Wyoming county in 1811 had nine children, moved to Mc, Morris in 1840. Second wife Mrs. Mary P. Robie, born April 3, 1827; children. Cora E., born December 6, 1849, Oren T., born December 35, 1851, Sarah A., burn J une 11, 1855, Joseph P., born December 3^, 1857, died April 11, 1863. Scoville H. H., p o Mt. Morris, proprietor of Scoville House. ShuU George M., p o Mt. Morris, editor and publisher of paper. Sech Adam, p o Mt. Morris, proprietor of saloon. Shank John, p o Kidge, farmer, born February 9, 1808, owns 60 acres, settled in county April, IS^W; first wife Mary J- Sharp, married December 24. 1829; second wife Free- love Thorpe, married September 19, 1866; four chil- dren by first wife, Ephralm, Henry S., Franklin and Laban who died at Andersonville, Tallman Jacob, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, born Skaneateles, April 13, 1818, came in county with his fatherwho had seven children in 1839, has been assessor five years. Thorp Edward, p o Mt. Morris, farmer, born Mt. Morris August 8, 1856; wife Ada Case, born Seneca county, N. T., married November 5, 1873; one child, Mabel, bom Jan- uary 39, 1879. Weeks Robert E., p o Mt. Morris, farmer, 80 acres, born Gene- seo November 9, 1816; wife Ruth G. Allen, born Che- nango county, married January 26. 1842; two children, Willard A., born September 23, 1847, Prank G., born March 18, 1857. Winters John C, p o Mt. Morris, proprietor of canning fac- tory Wigg Henry S.. p o Mt. Morris, lumber dealer. Woolever P. W., p o Mt. Morris, undertaker and dealer in fur- niture. Wagner Henry, p o Mt. Morris, grocer and dealer in wines NUNDA, Ayrault Lyman, p o Nunda Station, general merchant, has'four different warehouses, torn Allegany county 1829, set- tled 1654; wife Miss Baldwin, born Allegany county 1827, married 1848, died 1851; children two, Allen, born 1849, Nellie, born 1851; second wife, Mehetabel A. San- born, born Allegany county 1837, married 1853: chil- dren four. Belle B., Fannie A., May E., Charles L. Atkins D. S , p o Nunda, stock dealer and butcher, born Onon- daga county, wife A. E. Brooks', born Allegany county; children two, Eatie B., Gertrude. Barton Francis, p o Nunda, general custom flouring mill and shipping to the trade, he purchased interest in mill October 30, 1879, it has three runs of stone and is ted from creek in north part of town, born Owego, Tioga county, 1843, sgttled 1875; wife Maiy Whitehead, born Livingston county 1868, married April, 1877. Bennett Liberty, p o Nunda, retirod farmer, 30 acres, born Ver- mont 1813, settled 1835; wife Ann Bennett, born Alle- gany county 1827, married 1863; children two, Emily C, JohnL. ' Barker Seth S , p o Nunda, farmer, 106 acres, born Oneida county 1801, settled 1821, has been assessor 12 years and highway commissioner three years; wife Sarah Durfee, born Rhode Island 1802, married 1821; chil- dren three, Munson O., born 1822, Orlando W., born 1826. Justus L , born 1834, Barker Justus, born Livings'on county 18-34. has been assessor nine years; wife Olive L. Bowen, born Livingston county 1837, married 1867; children three, Mertie E., Fred L., Earnest D. Barker Amos., p o Nunda, farmer, carpenter and joiner, 100 acres, born Augusta, Oneida county, August, 1800, set- tled 1827, was assessor 1835: wife Sophia Tracy, born Connecticut February 7, 1796, married 1827, died 1875; children seven, Gnstavua, born 1828, Edwin W., born 1829, John F., born 1831, James S., born ia33, Mary C, born 1835, Joseph M , born 18:37, Julia S., born 18% A. H. Tyler, born 1&35, settled 1837; wife Mary C. Barker, married 18;-3. ' ' PERSONAL STATISTICS. XV Baker Alonzo D., p o Nunda Station, farmer, drover and stock- dealer, 235 acres, born Livingston county 1839; wife Mary E. Ward, born Allegany county 1840, married 1K57; children three, Dorr A., born 1859, L. Earnest, boru in 1801, Plyn W., born 1875. Brace L. H., p o Nunda, general carriage and blacksmitbing: business, born Canada 1841, settled 1860; wife Mary Wa- ger, born Nunda 1815, married 1865; children three, Louie Z., Leo D. , Eva Bott. Barker O. W., p o Nunda, farmer and bee dealer, 68 acres, born Livingston county 1826; wife Mary E Swan, born Liv- ingston county 1835, married 185T; children three, Sarah I., born 1860, Ethel May, born 1866, S. C, born 1878, Willie, adopted. Barker Munson O., p o Nunda. farmer and surveyor, 90 acres, born Livingston county 183i; wife Adaline B. Rawson, born Nunda 1838, married 1851; children four. Flora J., born 1855, Lillie A., born 1858, Herbert S., born 1863, Lavillo S., born 1853, died 1854. James H. Rawson was born in Springfield, Otsego county, 1796, settled 1819, was a farmer and carpenter, has been justice of peace and supervisor, died 1879; wife Marian Lowell, born Madison county 1800, married 1819, died 1879. Brewer C. R., p o Nunda. boot and shoe dealer, born Wyoming county 1859. H. W. Brewer, born 1825; wife Maria B. GifCord, born Saratoga county 1836, married 1850; chil- dren ono, C. R. Barrett George W., p o Nunda, farmer 205 acres, born Franklin county, Vt., 1815, settled 1851; first wife Sabrah Riker, born Elford, Maine, 1811, married 1845, died 1866; chil- dren three. Harriet A. Willett, Sabrah J., Georgianna, born Quiney, Mass , September 3, 1850; second wife Huldiih Prime, born Mt. Moiris 1830, married Febru- ary 1.5, 1880. EzekielP. Greenleaf, bom Boston, Mass., May 14, 1790, settled 186:? Batty R. J., p o Nunda. banker and farmer, 50 acres, born Avon September 1, 1814. Banker John W., p o Nunda, farmer and blacksmith, 60 acres, born Cayuga county January 27, 1826, settled 1862, is the present assessor; wife Elizabeth Horton, born Or- ange county 1831, married 1851. Benson William, p o Nunda, 50 acres, born York, Livingston county, 1815; wife Susau Squires, born Livingston county 1S18, married 1838; children two, William M., born 1839, Henry F., born 1843. Stephen Benson was born Vermont 1767, settled 1790, died 1843, married Lucia Mathews, born 1789, married 1800, died 1864. Bailey Volney, p o Nunda, farmer, 100 acres, born Livingston county 1850; wife Alida Newville, born Allegany county 1853, married 1876; children one, M. Belle. Beach Lauren R., p o Nunda, farmer and school teacher, 110 acres, born Livingston county June 13, 1832; wife Bridget , born County Connaught, Irelanrl, 1832, married May 10, 1852; children three, Eva Maria, Ida May, Jessie C. Allen Beach was born in Massa- chusettR 1800, settled 1828, died 1851. Allen J. Beach, born 1829. Bagley Henry, p o Nunda, retired 1873, born Greene county 1794, settled 1823 and was one of the early settlers of the town, commenced the lumber business in 1823 and con- tinued it five years, then commenced to do building and jobbing, and has taken an active part in the build- ing up of the town; first wife Lucy Hoadlcy, born Bradford, Conn., 1792, married 1817, died 1832; children four, living one, Mary, born 1828; second wife, Eliza A. Brown, born Heath, Mass., 1806, married 1834; children one, GifEord H., born 1844 Bailey William, p o Nunda, farmer, 140 acres, born Allegany county 1821, settled 1850; wife Susan Amelia Teeple, born Livingston county 1834, married 1846; children two, Volney T., Wesley, born 1862. Alexander Bailey was born in Vermont Chambers James, p o Nunda, farmer and hop grower, 52>^ acres, born St. Lawrence county 1829. settled 1840; wife Amanda L. Batterson, born Livingston county 1835, married 1860; children seven. Chidsey George, p o Nunda, was retired merchant and farmer, 71 acres, born Avon, Conn,, 1810, settled 18.39, died Feb- rnary 24, 1880, was post-master at Mt. Morris six years; wife Mary M. Woodford, born Avon, Conn., 1816, mar- ried 1838; children four, Lucia M , born 1&39, Martha, born 1840, Alice M., born 1841, George S., born 1842, wife M. J. Brewer, born Allegany county lt48, married 1869, children two, Allie M., born 1870, Charles, born 1818. Craig John J., p o Nunda, farmer, 80 acres born Livingston county 1843. Father. James Craig, born Ireland 1816, settled 1830, died 1859; mother Elizabeth Carney, born Livingston county 1820, married 1837; children twelve, William, James, Mary, John J., Robert, Elizabeth A., Sarah, Albert, Edward, Alfred J., Victor T., Sam- uel J. Colton W. H., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 60 acres, born Erie county. Pa., 1839, settled 1855; wife Rosina Passage, born Livingston county 1814. married 1868; children two, Walter, born 1874, Hattie Belle, born 1878. Chandler J. W., p o Nunda. farmer, 225 acres, born Wyoming county 1839, settled 1861; wife Abbie A. Prescott, born Nunda 1813, married 1860; children six, Walter H., born 1860, Blanche E., born 1862, Grace M., born 1869, Ruth A., born 1873, Susan J , born 1875, Arthur W., born April 28, 1817. Albert H, Prescott was born New Hampshire 1801. settled 1835, died 1812; wife Eliza Brown, born in New Hampshire 1808, married 1836. Close William, p o Nunda, farmer, 63 acres, born Livingston county 1833, enlisted in Company I, 136th N. Y. Regi- ment, in 1862, served through war until 1865, in 1863 was wounded in an engagement in Georgia under Gen. Sherman: wife Catharine Boyd, born Cayuga county 1836, married 1857; children three, Harriet A., David L., born 1867, Katie R., born 1873. Close John, p o Nunda, farmer and shoemaker, 86 acres, born Pennsylvania 1804, settled ]831;flrst wife Rebecca Van Dyke, born Eagle, Wyoming county, 1808, married 1837, died September 28, 1863; children nine, Sarah A., Mary E , William, Eleanor, Lewis, David, who was killed in battle May 16, 1864, Rebecca L., Harriet, who died May 6, 1863, Ruby; second wife A, Uynes, born Livingston county 1812, married 1869. Closer Michael H.,p o Nunda Station, born Allegany county 1828, settled 1874; wife Sophia Campbell, born Hanover, Germany 1826, married July II, 1853; children five, Adella, born 1855, Celestia M., born 1857, Lydia A., born 1859, John L., born 1861, Lizzie, born 1864. Cole James M , p o Nunda, farmer. 111 acres, Ijorn Livingston county 1823; wife Julia M. DeWitt, born Wyoming county April 25, 1828, married 1854; children two, Frank M., born 1856, Mary F , boru 1858; Joseph Cole, born Saratoga county 1796, settled 1818, died October 15,1871; wire Rhoda GifEord Cole, born Washington county 1800, settled 1818, married 1838. Cooper Samuel, p o Nunda, farmer, 140 acres, boru Massachu- setts 1808, settled 1840; wife Hannah Coates, born Mas- sachusetts 1815, married March 18, 1840; children two, John M., born 1842, Nancy E., born 1845. Cooper John M., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 112 acres, born Liv- ingston county 1842; wife Octavia Cooper, born Massa- chusetts 1842, married 1866; children two, Clayton, born 1867, Helen, born 1873. Duryee William R., p o Nunda, farmer, 160 acres, born Schenec- tady 1796, setlled 1830; first wife L. Oonklin, born Cay- uga county 1800, married 1820, died 184.3; children twelve, living Helen M., Jane A., Gertrudes., Delia O., George Monroe. 0. Caroline, J. Conklin, Frances N., Harriet N., second wife Melinda Rathborn, born Sara- toga county 1802, married 1845, children one, James Harvey Shears, born 1821. DeGraff Abraham, p o Nunda, farmer, 280 acres, born Cayuga Co. 1810, settled 1830; first wife Sarah Duryee, born Cayuga county 1818, married 1838, died 1838; children three; second wife Sarah Perry, born Schoharie county 1813, married 1839, died 1879; children. EUza A., born 1835, Margaret A., born 1843, Willie, Myron P., born 1845, Ennis J., born 1848, Herbert L., born 1850, Marion W., born 1853. Dickinson B. 0., p o Nunda, farmer and stock dealer, 236 acres, born Oneida county 1818, settled 1850, has been super- visor four years from 1861; wile Alida Starkweather, born Cayuga county 1829, married 1849; children four, Nellie, Allie J., Mattie B., Neva. Donahue Martin, p o Nunda, farmer and blacksmith, 118 acres, born Ireland 1835, wife Mrs. Martha Westcott, born Ireland 1831, married July 10, 1873. John L. Westcott was born Oneida county, settled Livingston county, died December 18, 1869; wife Martha Miller, born 1831, married November 11, 1862; children DeWitt Clinton, born 1863. Nora, born 1867, Lillie, born November 30, 1869. Drew Libey, p o Nunda, farmer, 57 acres, born Vermont 1808, settled 1847, wife Susan Rowell, born New Hampshire 1810, married 1883; children one, Mary L.. born 1837. Dayton R. B., p o Nunda, general job shop and pump manufac- turer, born Michigan 1831, settled 1849; wife Laura J. Gear, born Monroe county 1832, married 1857. Depuy Peter, p o Nunda, cashier First National Bank. Eidridge Milo J., p o Nunda Station, general merchant, grocer- ies, dry goods, drugs, medicines, paints and oils, dat- ing back as the oldest business mercantile house at the Station in the drug trade, born Ontario county April 14 1833, settled 1856; first wife Eliza Remington, born 1837, married 1858, died 1862; children two. Myrtle M., born 1857, Elsie B., born 1861; second wife S. Raw- son, born Livingston county December 31, 1837, mar- ried 1864; children one, Warren S., born Oct. 18, 1866. Fuller William C, p o Nunda, farmer, 54 acres, born Massachu- setts 1819, has been post master nine years and col- lector 1879, settled 1833, was deputy sheriff from 1861 to 1870; wife Louisa C, Guy, born Cayuga county 1838, married 1848; children seven; Arthur W., born 1850, May L.. born 1853, George C. born 1855, Martha E., born 1857, Charles O., born 1859, Fred A , born 1863, Allie J born 1865. Joshua Fuller was born Massachu- setts 1779, settled 18:13, died 1870; first wife Polly Brewer, born Massachusetts 1778, married li99, died ]80I ■ second wife Mary Pease, born Massachusetts 1782,' married 1801, died 1869; children four. Grimes John D., p o Nunda, farmer and school teacher, 400 acres, born Livingston county 1839; wife Sarah A. Hovey. born Broome county 1835, married 1852, chil- dren five, Frank H., Scott F.,John D., Mills S.,Blanche L R. P. Grimes was born Greene 1804, settled 1833, died 1872, wife Elizabeth Donaldson, born Wayne county 1808, married 1826, died 1877. Herrick C W.. p o Nunda, dealer in watches, jewelry, silver and plated ware, born Cayuga county 1829, settled 1S48; wife Augusta S. Bennett, born Livingston county 1830, married 1853. XVI HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Hamaher John M., p o Nunda, farmer, 8i acres, boru Livingston county 1842; wife Ellen Egau, born Livingston county 1846, married 1868; children one, Prank M„ born 1871. John Hamsher was born in Pennsylvania 18U5, settled 1806 died 1872; wife Sophia C. Hamsher, born Pennsyl- 1803, died 1813. Jones J. C, p o Nunda, farmer, 115 acres, born Allegany county 1833, settled 1849, died April 8, 1875; wife Prances Hug- fins, born Livingston county 183B, married 1851 ; ohil- ren seven, Lorette, born 1856, Harley, born 1857, Jas. W . born 1860, George B., born 1865, Alice L.,born 1867, Mattie L., born 1871, Henry H., born 1874. Klmer E. Batterson, born Chenango county ]852, settled 1853; wife Lorette Jones, born 1876; children two. Eiehle C. M., p o Nunda, farmer, 164 acres, born Livingston county 1847. Pather, Ruben Kiehle, born Pennsylvania 1808, settled 18.35, farmer; wife Maria Hamsher, born Pennsylvania 1814, married 1835, children eight, Eliza- beth, Edward, Reuben, Hannah, Franklin, Gbarles M., Sarah, Daniel O. Lake P. D., p o Nunda, dealer in hardware, nails, iron, tinware, stoves, paints, oils, rope, sash, glass, doors, blinds, etc , commenced business 1866, 135 acres, born Mt. Morris, Livingston county, April 3, 1822; wire Emily A. Fitch, born Wayne county, married January 4, 1855. Lemen, James, p o Nunda, retired farmer and merchant, born Livingston county 18i5, was captain in Company I, 1st N. Y. Dragoons in 1863 and served to the close of the war, was wounded in right hand, has been post-master two years; first wife Janette Wood, born Ontario county 1816, married 1835, died 1848; second wife Mary A. DonelsoQ, born 1816. married 185'.i, died 1857, third wifeE. H. Olney, married 1863, died 1869, fourth wife, Laura Lovejoy. born Livingston county 1844, married 1875; children, Catharine Jane, Margaret A., Virginia T., Prank J. Miller Jonathan, p o Nunda, farmer, 59 acres, born Livingston county 1829; wife Phcebe R. Miller, born Nunda, mar- ried 1853; children three. Estella E., Mary L., Myta P. Mc Nair James M., p o Nunda, farmer, 50 acres, born Livingston county 1836, enlisted 1861, was captain of company P, 33d regiment, served two years, was quartermast^ r at Washington six years; wife Emily Qilmore, born Alle- gany county 1841, married 1865; children four, Emma L., born 1869, Charles Frank, born 1871, May A., born 1875, Emily, born 1678. John C. McNair was born Penn- sylvania 1794, settled 1796, died 1869. Hugh McNair was born Pennsylvania 1765, settled 1796, died Decem- ber 27, 1845, he was a judge for many yearsin the court of common pleas, and member of legislature, was also county clerk. Myers Peter, p o Nunda, farmer, 75 acres, born Livingston coun- ty 1849. Father Peter Myers, born New Jersey 1790, settled 1825, died 1874; mother Betsey S. Myers, born Seneca county 1815, married 1840. McCuUough L.K ,p o Nunda, tailor and cutter, bornMiddletown, Conn., 1818, settled 18:^9; wife Mandana Dayton, born in Canada 1833, married 1854; children four, Delia A., Viola J., Eva L., Minnie, Myers Monroe. t> o Nunda, planing mill and general job work, born Livingston county 1833; wife Eliza Tripp, born 1835, married 1866; children two, Melvin M., born 1869, Fred J., born 1878. Murray Patrick, p o Nunda, farmer, 85 acres, born Ireland 1823, settled 1853; wife Catharine Boylbone, born Ireland 1832, married 1852; children seven, Mary A., Rosa B., John, Daniel, Catharine, Margaret, Bridget. Merrick D. S., p o Nunda, farmer, lumber dealer and black- smith. 51Ji acres, born Herkimer county 1817, settled 1818; wife AlmiraChase, born Maine 1819, married 1843; children .3, Julia, Clarissa, Mary. George W. Merrick was born Connecticut 1793, settled 1818, died 1880, was a prominent man and held the offices of justice of the peace and supervisor; wife Sophia Paine, born Herki- mer county 1796, married 1816, died March 6, 1861; chil- dren two. Norris James W., p o Nunda, farmer, 8.3X acres, born Phelps, Ontario county 1804, settled 1819; first wife L. Marlett, born Monroe county 1810, married 1839, died 1846; sec- ond wife Mrs. Adeline Fierce Brcwnson, born Cayuga Co. married 1847,died May 28, IWo; third wife Mrs. Clar- inda Batterson Hay ward, born Livingston county 18z5, married October 1, 1876; children seven, living five. Parker M. Sanf ord, hotel, livery and farming, the Parker House was erected at the station 187.3, and is the only hotel in the place, born Cayuga county 1830, settled 1835; wife Elizabeth Wood, born Schoharie county 1833, married 1853; children two Mary Ette, Charles W. Page H. D.. p o Nunda, farmer, 376 acres, born Livingston county 1829, has been supervisor six years from 1863 to 1869; first wife born 1829, married 1854, died 1857; children one, Carrie, born 1856; second wife Mary Oc- tavia Warner, born Livingston county 1838, married 1868; children three, George, Ray A., H. Albert, born 1878. Albert Page was born Oneida county 1800, set- tled 1833, died 1876, farmer. Paine William H., p o Nunda, farmer, 150 acres, born lf50. Father William D. Paine, born Herkimer county 1809, was a mill-wright, settled 1830; wife Semantha Rice, born Massachusetts 1815, married 1835; children two, Laura L., born 1848, William H. Elijah Rice, born Massachusetts 1776,settled 1837, died 1846; wife Annie Rice, born Long Island 1791, died 1879. Paine Earl J., p o Nunda, farmer, 130 acres, born Herkimer county 1807, settled 181T; wife Catharine Grimes, born Greene county November 10, 1803, married March 38, 1827; children two, Ann M., born June 30, 1H2S, Wells, born April 15, 1830, first wife Emily B. Phillips, born Wyomingcounty 1832, married 1851, died 187u; children two; second wife Celia M. Doolittle, born Otsego county 1844, married 1871; children two, Earl D,, Fred E., Carrie A,, Mary C. Petteys E. S., p o Nunda, farmer, 91 acres, born Cayuga county 1836, settled 1858; wife May N. Day, born Allegany county 1838, married 1858; children two, Cora A., born 1850, William E , born 1862. Jacob Petteys, was born Cayuga county lt-03, settled 1838, deceased; wife Hep- sibah Satterlee, born 181,5, married 1821. Passage George E., p o Nunda Station, carpenter and joiner and builder, seven acres, born Livingston county 1843, was elected assessor 1879; wife Charlotte Lyon, born Con- necticut 1841, manied 1870; children three, Louis, born 1873, Plyn L , born 1877. Neil L., born October, 1879. Peter Passage, p o Nunda Station, farmer, born Her- kimer county 1813, settled 1841 ; wife Harriet Ward, born Herkimer county 1817, married 1842. Paine Carlos Grant, p o Nunda, farmer and lumberman, 109 63 acres, born Herkimer county February 20, 1811, settled 1S32; first wife Jerusha Switt, boru 1811, married 1835, died 1853; children four, Delos S., born 1840, Fannie A., born 18-38, Harriet U., born 1336, Nathan A., born IHUl; second wife Nancy Sweet Burdick, born Delaware Co. 1817, married 1854. Ezra Burdiek, born 1845. Mary Jane Burdick, born 1841, settled 1851. Abraham Burdick was born 1801 and died 1850; wife Nancy Sweet, mar- ried 1836. Passage Daniel, p o Nunda, farmer and mineral springs, 150 acres, born Herkimer county 1817, settled 1866. has been com- missioner of highways four years; wife Nancy White, born Allegany county 1820, married 1840; children five, Charlotte, born 1843, Martha D., born 1843, Frank W., born 1854, Walter S., born 1858, Luella, born 1863. Hi- ram A., boin 1845, was in the late war, was taken pris- oner and died in Andersonville prison 1864. Robinson William Y., p o Nunda, druggist, born West Sparta 1843, has oeen supervisor, wife Charity Smith, born Nunda, married 1865; children two. Richmond B. P., p o Nunda, retired merchant and farmer, 318 acres, born Massachusetts 1812, settled 1836; children, Georgia W., born 1840, Anna B , born 1842, Charles D,, born 1856. Sanders C. K., p o Nunda, editor and publisher of Nunda News, paper established 1859, was appointed postmaster 186 1 by President Lincoln, and again in 1879 by Hayes; wife Harriet E. Tousey, born Dansville, married -March, 1861 ; children one. Seager Jacob, p o Nunda, farmer and preacher, 88 acres, born Ulster county 1804, settled 1850; wife Asenath Tobias; children six, Henrietta, Sally, Catherine, Asenath, Susan, Ellis P. Swain Samuel, p o Nunda, retired merchant, farmer and rail- road director, 110 acres, born Northwood, N. H., 1809, settled 1818; first wife Cynthia Jeffries, born Cayuga county 1810, married 1834, died 1850; second wife Clara J. Jeffries, born 1822, married 1854; children five, Sam- uel J., Charles J , Julius C, Emma, Katie. Towne Arba, p o Nunda Station retired farmer, 100 acres, he bought his land of Mr. Norton of tbe land company, and through fraud was compelled i o pay for it the sec- ond time, he was born iu Massachusetts 18U4, settled 1818; wife Mary Ecker, born Herkimer county 1791, married 1835, died 1873 W. H. Pierce was born Liv- ingston county 1843, and married Irena Towne, who was born 1841, married October 29, 1&67: children two. Bertha, born 1873, Matilda, born 1880. Thompson Luther, p o Nunda Staiion, farmer, carpenter and joiner, 91 acres, born Massachusetts 1809, settled 1837, has been pathmaster; wife Martha Holland, born Mas- sachusetts 1810, married 1837; children four, Joseph A., Henry A., Jonathan T., Direxa V. J. Lurher Thomp- son was born Livingston county 1S38, enlisted in 1861 in Company A, 104th Regiment, under Col. Rorback, was taken prisoner, sent to Belle Island prison, died by starvation February 16, 1864. Cordino S. Thomp- son, born Li v'ingston county 1841, enlisted in Company A, 104th Regiment, was wounded in first battle of Fredericksburg 1862, taken prisoner and never after heard of. Townsend John H., p o Nunda, farmer 380' acres, born Hunter, Greene county 1793. settled 1823, was in war of 1813, is a pensioner; wife Mary Vanieventer, born New Jer- sey 1795, married 1824; children five, living three, John B., Peter, Gideon. Tracy John, p o Nunda, larmer, 310 acres, born Ireland 1838, settled 1852; wife Bridget Creed, born 1833, married 1853; children eight, Margaret, Thomas, Michael, Mary, Catharine, James, William, Patrick- Margaret Donahue, born Ireland 1804, married Michael Tracy 1824, settled 1857. Van Bnskirk John, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 93 acres, born in Greene county 1821, settled 1851; wife Eliza G. Willis, born Steuben county 1833, married 1831; children, Charles Henry, born June 25, 1855, Lydia Jane, born October 30, 1857, James Andie, born June 26, 1870, died July 9, 1871, Charlotte A., born 1874. PERSONAL STATISTICS. xvu Warren Noah, p o Nunda, retired favraer, born New Hampshire 1793, settled 1S18; wife Ursula Cole, born Otsego coun- ty 1791, married 1816, died 1870; children six, living four. Porter, born 1818, Esther, born 1885, Gorham N., born 1832, Lyman, born 1835; wife Sarah Greenwood, born England 1836, married 1860; children five, Emma and Eva, twins, born 1862. Jessie, born 1863, Harry L., born 1867, Frank, born 1815. Willey Joseph D., p o Nunda, farmer, 9 acres and homestead, born Canada 1817, settled 1839, died 1862; wife Catha- rine Smith, born Saratoga county 1818, married 1840; children six, Paul E., born 1841, Emma, born 1843,Celia, born 1851, Florence, born 1853, Louis P., born 1865, Wilford B., born 185T. Wakeman Miles H., p o Nunda Station, born Fairiield, Conn., 1825, settled 1850, las been ju?tice ol the peace; wife Electa Newton, born Portage 1824, married 1852; chil- dren four, Willie N., Prank E., Miles E , Nellie S. Woodworth J. R., p o Nunda. foundry and blacksmithing, born Madison county 1835, settled 1846; wife Aurelia Hay, born Livingston county 1827, married 1848; children two, Mary E. Nellie I. Commenced the foundry busi- ness 1878, buildings, 36x60 and 42x22, employing five men; wagon makinfj, repairing, and the manufacture of the combination (steel) field, garden and potatoe hoe and hook specialties. Willard H., p o Nunda, born Livingston county 1855, general furniture dealer and undertaker; his factory was built in 1850 by Mr. Tuttle, later owned by Mr. Barkley and bought by present proprietor January, 1880, he em- ploys from seven to ten men and keeps constantly on hand a general assortment of the best quality of fur- niture and carpets. Whitenact Cornelius p o Nunda, farmer, 115 acres, born Cayuga county 1811, settled 18:^6; wife Lueinda Duryee, born Cayuga county 1813, married 1835; children four. Bell, Arminda, Elizabeth, Charles. Whipple Jacob, p o Nunda, farmer, 100 acres, born Livingston county 1830; wife Joanna Faulkner, born Bath, Steu- ben county 1843, married 1862; children three, Carrie born 1866, Kate F., born 1869, Freddie E., born 1871. Elisha Whipple was born 1801, settled 18j5, died May 39, 1863; wife Maria Post, born Cayuga county 1803, died 1819; children nine. George Whipple, born Liv- ingston county 1829, farmer, 95 acres, wife Helen M. Herriek, born Castile 1834, married 1863; children two, William, born 1866, Charles Seldon, born 1872. Whipple Henry, p o Nunda, farmer. 18 acres, born Livingston couniy 1833; wife Elizabeth Smith, born Livingston county 1858, married 1876. OSSIAN. Ackley W. J., proprietor St. James Hotel. Bonner Samuel C, p o Ossian. farmer. 802 acres, born Ossian June 20, 1835; wife Mary M. Scott, born Ossian, mar- ried 1857; children two, Fred C, Nellie. Benson Edward, p o Dansville, farnaer, 50 acres, born June 4, 1808, settled 1864; wife W. Finn, married 1863; children Mary, Thomas, Jane, Ellen. Bush Henry, p o Ossian. farmer, 100 acres, born 1836. Box James L., p o Ossian. Clendenin Jacob, p o Ossian, farmer, 53 acres, born Ossian 1818, has been justice of the peace; wife Mary Ann Kemp, born Cayuga county, married OctoberSO, 184 '; children John, A. B., Jacob, Catharine, Joel, Charles, Rhoda Canfleld Charles, p o Dansville, farmer, 880 acres, born Monroe county 1818, settled 1837; has been assessor; wife A. M. Smith, born Onondaga county, married 1837; chil- dren five. Covert F. P., p o Dansville. Geiger E. H., p o Dansville. Holdridge George G., p o Canaseraga, farmer, 3i0 ceres, born Wayne county December 29, 1803, settled 1837, has been school commissioner, captain and assessor's clerk; childr n seven, Ella, Emma, George, Nannie, Miner, Blanche, John. Heath William, p o Ossian, farmer, 118 acres, born Monroe county April 28. 1810, settled 18411; wife Rhoda Scott, mairiedlBoO; children, John W., Ella A., Matilda J. Hyde Corydon, p o Dansville. farmer, 571 acres, born Livonia, August 86. 1814, has been town clerk and town super- intendent; wife Ann Lemen. married October 11, 1848; children four, Henry C, William L., Charles E., Jen- nie L. , , r . ■ i Hagadorn James, p o Ossian, carriage maker, born Livingston county 1884; wife Esther Crumb, married 1843; chil- dren four. Hampton Isaac, p o Ossian. „ . o Lemen L C, p o Dansville, farmer, 116 acres, born Ossian Sep- tember 3, 18-33, has been supervisor and justice; wife Catharine B. Boyes, born Ossian, married November 16, 1869; children one, Virginia M. „ , , Linzy Daniel, p o Dansville, farmer, 60 acres, born Bnglapd April 6 1806, settled 1849, has been poormaster; wife Edith Wells, married 1873; children nine. John Catha- rine Elizabeth, William, Julia, James, Alice, Matilda, R. C. MoCurdy A., p o Dansville, farmer, 270 acres, born Livingston county January 31, 1826, has been supervisor and as- sessor; wife Janet Scott, married June 31, 1865; chil- dren five, Ellis, Fred E., M. J., Jonas E., Alice Mav. McViuch William, p o Dansville, farmer and teacher, 160 acres, has been poormaster, laorn Livingston county October 7, 1812; wife Caroline E. Gould, born Livingston coun- ty, married October 4, 1841 ; children four. McCurdy David, p o Dansville, farmer, 305 acres, born Sparta 1816, has been justice and poormaster, married 1843; children eleven. Price Israel, p o Ossian, farmer and lumberman, 6 acres, born Pike county. Pa., 1809, seltled 1823, has been commis- sioner of highways; wife Jane Covert, born Ossian, married October 4. 1848; children, Mary Ann, James C, Martha Jane, Israel jr , Harriet J., George, Fred D. Price Lemuel, p o Ossian, farmer, 60 acres, born Ossian Novem- ber 8, 1829, has been constable, collector and excise commissioner; wife Rebecca Thompson, born Orleans county, married March 8, 1859; children four, Emory H., G. M., Earnest N., Anna Blanche. Roberts Daniel, p o Ossian, farmer and mechanic, born Penn- sylvania September 15, 1800, settled 1849; wife Martha Roberts, married 1819; children six, Ehoda, Ellen, Dan- iel, Mary Ann, Moses, Andrew. Robinson M., p o Dansville, lumberman and farmer, 90 acres, born 1818, settled 1846, has been commissioner of high- ways and overseer of poor; wife -Harriet P. Knapp, born Ossian, married May 29, 1852: children two, Vir- ginia Alice, Samuel Albert. Scott Samuel, p o Scottsburgh. White S. D., p o Dansville, farmer, born New Hampshire Oct. 1, 1810, settled 1814, has been constable; wife Lydia Russ, born Petersburgh, N. Y,, married 18.30; children six, Martin. Solomon, Everet, Mary, Hattie, Louise. White Wm. M., p o Canaseraga, farmer. Weidman, G. G,, p o Dansville. PORTAGE. THE followiiig article, furnished by tbe kindness of Mr. C. D. Bennett, was received too late for insertion in Chapter XXI; but as it is worthy of preservation, we insert it in this connection:— Portage was in Albany county from its organization, Novem- ber 1, 1683, soon after the colony of New Yoik was taken by the English from the Dutch, It was in Tryon county frum March 12, 1772, till that name was changed to Montgomery. April 2, 1784. It became a part of Ontario county January 27, 1788, and was embraced in the town of Northampton, which included the Morris reserve, in 1797. March yo, 1803, it became a part of Lei- cester, Genesee county, and was included in the town of An- gelica, February 25, 1805. It went to Allegany rounty at its formation, April?, iSOfi, and was included in Nunda at its or- ganization, March 11, 1808. It was erected as a town and named Portage, from the carrying place round the Genesee Falls, March 8, l827. April 1, 1846, it was annexed to Livingston coun- ty, about one-fourth its area, lyinj; west of the river, being with a part of Pike constituted the town of Genesee Falls, and set to ■Wyoming county at the same time. It was a part of the Morris reserve, and is wholly within the 50,000 acre tract sold in 1791 by Robert Morris to Gerritt Cottringer, and which lies between the Transit and the Picket lines, extending from near Silver Lake to Granger Centre. It was soon afterwards bought by John Hornby, of Scotland, ■who made John Greig, of Canandaigua, his agent for its sale and settlement. He employed Elisha Johnson to survey and sub-divide it in 1807. The lots are oblong, about three-fourths of a mile long and lOB rods wide, containing about 160 acres and number from 1 to 279. The numbers from 135 to 235 constitute the town of Port- age, 16,564 acres On every lot Mr. Johnson noted the quality of the soil, and the kind and qualityof tbe timber, with special reference to the amount of pine. On every pine lot he estimated the amount of pine timber as equivalent to a certain number of acres thickly set with good pines. Nearly one-fourth of the town in the northern part was main- ly timbered with oak, chestnut, hickory, etc., with too little pine for mention. On the rest it was estimated at from 2 acres to 140 aeres on a lot. Lots 178, 186, 196, 203, 235, 226, 233 and 234 averaged 100 acres of pine each, while the total of the pine lands in the town was very near 2,000 acres. xvm HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Probably no measurement was ever made of the quantity of lumber cut from a given acre of land ; but on some acres it was estimated as high as 75,000 feet of pine. Some trees were of gigantic size, measuring over 200 feet in height, and some over 7 feet in diameter; a log 12 feet long making 2,000 feet of lumber one inch thick. There was a large quantity of splendid oak, some that would saw 5,000 feet of lumber to the tree. Along the streams stood a large growth of maple, cucumber, etc. The timber as it stood would bo worjh more at present prices than the real estate and personal property now in town. The soil is mostly a sandy and gravely loam, dry and warm, suitable for the growth of corn and winter wheat. Though at about the same altitude with the towns west of the river, the snow fall is much less than there and compara- tively free from drifts, while the spring comes on a week or more earlier. Though her acreage is less than half the average of the other towns io the county, the number of her freeholders is i30, while their average is little over SCO. The upper valley of the Genesee river is 1,100 feet above tide water, and more than 500 feet higher than the lower valley at Mt. Morris. The intervening distance the river runs through deep gorges or caiions, in a direct course about 12 miles. The Erie railroad is about 250 feet higher than the river val- ley, while the surface of the south part of the town rises as much higher, or 1,600 feet above tide water. Through Portage lay the shortest and easiest route between the Squakie Hill and Caneadea reservations, and here the trail of Ihe Indian had been traveled tor centuries. Here was con- structed the Genesee Valley canal. The easiest grade across the river, till far north, is through this town, and here the Erie railroad was laid The ever-increasing stream of migration westward that set in after the Revolution and the destruction of the Indians' power, seemed to stop with the century, at the Genesee river. It followed two principal channels: one up the Susquehannah and iis branches into Allegany; the other over the levelland north of the lake country. The new century gave vigor and volume to the west-bound rush. The Holland Company was laying roads to lure it on. Connecticut was leading it to her reserve in Ohio, Southern Livingston was between the streams. The various tracts it comprised were not in the market. It was thickly set- tled by squatters of that rough and restless class who like to live on the verge of civilization and prefer the liberty that is not limited by law. lu 1816, George Williams, sent by Mr. Greig to act as resident agent, opened a land office on Oak Hill, near the deep cut. Set- tlers came in rapidly, so that in a few years nearly every lot was sold at from $3.50 to $4.50 per acre. Though strong induce- ments wera offered to incline some of the scores of squattei's to buy and remain, Ephraira Kingsley, a noted hunter from "Ver- mont, was, perhaps, the only one who bought and settled. They sold their "betterments" for what they could get and went west. Where the old Allegany road crosses the East Coy and West, Coy creeks, settlers began to stop in 18C5-6. March 11, 1808, they procured the erection of the town of Nunda, 12 miles by 24 , now constituting the towns of Centerville, Eagle, Genesee Falls, Granger, Grove, Hume, Nunda, Pike and Portage. For several years Mr. Kingsley, who lived a mile below Nunda village, was the only town officer ejected east of the river; but with the rapid settlement of the Cottringer tract, it was evi- dent that the center of population would soon fall east of the Transit line. The founders of Nunda, at their own request, were consti- tuted a new town named Pike, after General Albert Pike,iand Oak Hill became the business centbr of Nu^da, then twelve miles square. March 6th, 1818. The Tuscarjra tract and other lands comprised in the present town of Nunda soon after were, offered for sale and settlement. The town was inconveniently large and several plans for its division were proposed at* suc- cessive town meetings till March 8th, 1827. Portage was seiofl! six miles square, containing most of the population ^^ait^l^jkcnfii-ft stituted Nunda. On the erection of a new town it generallytakes the new name, as when Angelica was formed from Leicester and Nunda from Angelica. But Smith's Mills (now Portage- viile) was ambitious to become a town center, and effected a division of the town, by consequence taking the new name, while Nunda was again moved eastward into the recent wilder- ness, retaining the books and files of papers made by the Doles, the Grangers, Griffiths, Newcombs, Skiffs and Mills, common names in Pike, but foreign to modern Nunda. The business relations of Portage and Nunda were mostly with the dealers in Livingston county, and a large majority of the people preferred that their political connections should go with them. At the town meeting held in Portageville in 1846 the voters present from the east side of the river almost unan- imously voted to be set from Allegany county into Livingston, while those from the west side voted in favor of being set into Wyoming county. Probably no other town was settled with a population so uni- formly of Yankee origin. The north part, called North Oak Hill, was settled by the Dakes, Millers, Moshers, Giffords, and many others originally from New England. A~ few years later it was said that there were seventy-five blood relations in their school district. Messenger's Hollow, now called Oakland, was settled by the Fitches, Hills, McNairs, Messengers, Swains and others, mos'ly related. On Oak Hill came the Adamses, Frenches, Markses, Robin- sons, Smiths, Spencers, Strangs, etc., relatives from Pawlet, Vt. East of them settled the Newtons, Pattersons, Thompsons, relatives, from Ooleraine, Mass. Around Hunt's Hollow were the Aliens, Bennetts, Clarks, Cobbs, Hunts, Devoes, Nashes, Parmelees, Slaters, Roots, Wil- liamses, etc., mainly from Connecticut. Pennycook (so named by Mr. Rosebrook at his raising of the first log house there) was settled later by people from various places. The town was long distinguished for the excellence of its common schools and for the number of teachers it sent forth. It has always been a temperance town, perhaps because'lt has but little village population. In the Morgan excitement it was strongly Anti-Masonic. It became as decidedly Whig, and is now as much so Republican. Of the more than twenty saw-mills built on the banks of the river and Cashaqua creek the last one failed nearly twenty years ago. The vast quantity of pine lumber cut by them was run in rafts to Rochester, there assorted by the buyers into three qualities and sold at an average of $5, S", and $10 per M, the poorer quality outmeasuring both; the others. The risks and labor of rafting ceased when the Genesee Val- ley Canal was completed to Mt. Morris in 1840, for it was better to haul lumber Ihe sixteen miles than to raft it, but Portage had sold most of her lumber before that time, or. rather, she had given the lumber, and got small pay for t'. e cost and labor of handling it. One saw-Diill of 2,000 feet per day capacity succeeds the score of former years, lumber and shingles come to us from Michigan and Canada, and even climb the hills to Allegany. Nor are the families of the pioneers more permanent than their works, for the descendants of only seven of them, viz: of David Bennett, George Gearhart, John McFarlane, Nath. Olney, Robert W. Thompson, George Williams and Solomon Williams now hold any part of the premises originally taken by them from the land office. Thomas Tousey Bennett was one of the seven brothers who assisted in clearing the wilderness and developing the water power at Hunt's Hollow. His mill for fulling, coloring and dressing the home made cloth of the early settlers was erected about 18-21 or 1822, and was for a long time a prominent feature in the business of the place. Of the twelve saw-mills on the Cashaqua creek in the town of Portage the one built by him and Deacon Samuel Swain was one of the best. He died in 1849, leaving four boys and three girl.i, all of whom settled in western states, except Sarah, the youngest daughter. She married William} Tousey in_ 184.5, and^ soon" occupied the Tousey homestead. They have there reared a family of four children, viz: Lucy Cornelia, Emma Jane. Carrie A, and Lucius C. Tousey. PERSONAL STATISTICS. XIX Bennett Joel C, p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Sciplo, Cay- uga county, May 16, 1815, settled May 16, 1821, was supervisor 186^6;^; wiie Cornelia Botslord, born Sen- nett, Cayuga county, married November 10, 1850; chil- dren four, Ada E. born December 18, 1851, Nora M., born Adgust 30, 1857, Carl D., bora January 26, 1860, E. Warner, born April 26, 1866. Bennett Charles D., p o Hunts, farmer and surveyor, 250 acres, born Cayug.i county February 15, 1819, settled 1821, has been supervisor and highway commissioner; wite Huldah Oluey, born Cayuga county August 28, 1819, married December 15, ]8")3; children three, Carrie M., born Texas June 15, 1855 Ellura, born Texas. Decem- ber 22, 1856, Charles B., born Portage May 5, 1860. Beardsley George B., p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Cay- uga county April 21, 1888, setftled 1851; wife Catharine Sutherland, born Portage January 5, 1841, married October 17, 18H1; children two, Hattie M., born Octo- ber 31, 186-^, Willie G., born December 7, 1867. Beardsley Jared, p o Hunts, farmer and stock dealer, 162 acres, born Oakland couniy, Mich., May 20, 1836, settled 1851, has been assessor; wife Mary T. Branch, born Cayuga county, married April 2, 1868; children four, Alice C., born July 9, 1870, Mary T., born December 15, 1871, Lotta S., born July 5. 1874, J. Ray, born June 25, 1876. Bailey James H., p o Hunts, farmer, 87 acres, born Steuben county February 19,1830, settled 1832, has been school trustee; wife Mary Hanford, born Saratoga county, married October 8, 1854; children four. Bennett Nathaniel H., p o Oakland, farmer, 110 acres, born Port- age 18-27, has been assessor a-id school trustee; wife Elizabeth Wright, born Saratoga county; children four. Bennett J. Yates, p o Hunts, lumbering, 30 acres, born Portage November 30, 1823, has been notary public, has a saw- mill on Spring brook— the only one in Portage; first wife Mariette Galusha, married 1862; second wife Elizabeth Branch, married 1872; children one, Arthur Yates Bennett, born 1873. Bennett C. F,, p o Portageville. Brogan. P. M., p o Portageville. Brooks Laura A., p o Brooks Grove. Carrick Robert, p o Oakland, farmer, 650 acres, born Perthshire, Scotland. July 12, 1798. settled 1834, has been commis- sioner of highways sixteen years; wife Margaret Ann McKill, born Glasgow, Scotland, October 1, 1818, set- tled 1827, married December 3, 1838; children eight, Mary Jane, born March 4. 1841, Clarissa C, born Janu- ary 26, 1843, Robert B., born April 6, 1846, John W., born July 31, 1850, William W., born May 25, 1852, Flor- ence E., born January 8, 1855, Charles I., born March 7, 1859, Margaret Ann, born September 6, 1849. Coffin Latham, p o Nunda, farmer, 194 acres, born Mt. Morris October SI, 1825, has been assessor six years and jus- tice of the peace twelve years; wife Jennett E. Burr, born Haddam, Conn , married 1863; children four, Peleg Coffin was one of the first settlers in Mt, Mor- ris. Clarke I. B., p o Nunda. farmer, 50 acres, born Livingston coun- ty Novembers, 1826; wife Elizabeth Lake, born Liv- ingston county December 33, 1827, married April 7, 1853; children two, Ada E., born Conesus August 28, 1855. George B., born Conesus February 28, 185S. Clark Amos R., p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Allegany county February 20. 1831, settled in county 1867; wite Mary Olcott, born Portage ls35, married August 19, 1856; three children, Henry W.. Rosa E., Wilber T., born Fi'bruary 8, 186i; all born in Allegany county. Dickens Charles H., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 25 acres, born Tompkins county December v8,1817, settled 1854; wife Sarah Ann Thompson, born Portage October 24, 1822, married May 29, 1844; children four, David Edgar, born April 9. 1846, Robert Emmet, born October 8, 1848, Frank Oliver, born November 13, 1851, MahlonC, born March 20, 1856. Gearbart John, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 160 acres, born Cay- uga county January 3, 1804, settled 1816; wife Eliza- beth C. Guthrie, born New Jersey August 13, 1808, mar- ried June 28, 1828; children ten. living seven, Charles H , born May 2, 18*9, Hannah C, born December 29, 1830, John, born November 14, 1832, Sarah A., born February 2, 1834, Mary E., born May 16, 1836, Martha A., born February 14, 1839, William C, born February 25, 1841, Nathaniel A., born September 25, 1843, George A., born September 15, 1845. Gearhart George, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 140 acres, born Cayuga county November 11, 1816, settled 1817, has been higtiway commissioner and assessor; wife Sarah Baldwin, born Tompkins county July 3, 1817; married I July 4. 1837; children nine, George M., born June 4, 1838, died October 19, 1864, F. F., boru October 33, 1839, Armelia, born July 11, 1841, Edwin D., born January 27', 1843, died May 6, 1843, Esther A., born July 3, 1847, Meriitfc H., born August 24, 1848, Mary P., born July 35, 1851, Frank A., born September 20, 1853, Bertha L., born September 16, 1857, died August 29, 1864. Gilpatrick Charles C, p o Nunda Stntion, farmer, 112^ acres, born Ycrk county, Maine, January 6, 1817. settled 185u; wife Hester A. Scott, born EUsburgh. Jt»fEerson coun- ty N Y., March 23. 1838. married July 31, lb77, Han- nah Gilpatrick. born January 21, 1787. died February 22 1862. Children Delia V. Dean, bornBurns, Allegany county, ilpril2, 1867. Griffith John M., p o Oakland, miller and banker, 8 acres born Steuben county 1834, settled 1844, has been supervisor oneterm; wife Caroline M. VanScoter, born Sparta, married 1&49; children two, living one Hewitt Peleg W.,po Hunts, farmer, 145 acres, born Ontario ?oo"i°t^' ? ^-^ February 23, 1822. settled February 23 18.^7, has been poormaster, highway comissioner and excise commissioner; wife Nancy Thompson born Frankbn county. Mass,, July 15, 18l8, married Decem- ber 18, 1845; children five, Wilson S , born Portaee October 21, 1816, Cornelia, uorn February 14 184ri Alice F., born March 17, 1850. Edwin C, born Julv 28* 1854, Mary J., bora August 21, 1861. * HinkleyOwen E..po Hunts, farmer, 97 acres, born Vermont May 2Ist. 1836, settled 1838, was in the 14th New York Heavy artillery twenty-five months, was discharged by order of war department as a paroled prisoner- wife Cornelia A. Hinman, born Greene county ^ Y ' married September 34, i857; children three. ' '' Kneeland B. F , p o Nunda ^tation. physician and surgeon born Onondaga county June 3, 1825, settled ]85l7 has been supervisor two terms; wife Harriet Niles, boru June 14, 1852. ' Lockwood Thomas G., p o Hunts, farmer, 63 acres, born Con- necticut January 17, 1810, settled 1839. has been over- seer of the poor thirteen years; wile Lucy C. Smith,- born Onondaga county; children four, George m! Lockwood was in the 33d New York Volunteers during the late war; was chief clerk of the interior under Schurz. Lryon J. S., p o Nunda Station, farmer. Morse Chauncey, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 91 acres, born Port- age May 10, 1837; wife Jane E. Gilpatrick, born Allega- ny county, N. Y., May 7. 1841, married December 10, 1862; children one, Fred K., born December 22, 1868. Morse Marvin, settled i836, died June 6, 187H. Morse George, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 98 acres, born Rens- sela-'r county, N. Y., December 26, 1832, settled Octo- ber 18S5; wife Orpha L. Smith, boru Allegany county May 4, 1838, married April 7, 1861; children three, Charles Raymond, born April 7, 1868, Prank Edwin, born January 2, 1873, Orpha Belle, born Januarv 12 1878. Merithew Hiram, p o Nunda Station, farmer, 56 acres, born Washington couoty, N. Y., March 19, 1798, stttled 1867; wife Laura Bailey, born Allegany county December 25, 1819, married May 8. 18.)8; children two, Seneca S., born Nunda March 31, 1854, Willis A., born September 1, 1855. McFarline Alexander, p o Nunda,farmer, 92 acres, born Portage, has been assessor and highway commissioner; wife Cynthia Spencer, born Portage, married 1850; chil- dren one; father John McFarline, settled 1820, and cleared the present homestead. Nash Enos A., p o Hunts, farmer, 70 acres, born Wilton, Conn., February 13, 1817, settled 1825, has been assessor and town clerk; wife Elenora B. Stockwell. bom Vermont, married October 26, 1811; children three, living two, Adelbert who was in the 4th New YorkHeavv artillery was wounded in the hand and was also in Libby Pri- son. Parmelee C. L., p o Hunts, station agent. Robinson E. F , p o Hunts, farmer and lumberman, 80 acres, born Portage January 19, 1819. Robinson Charlotte, born Fufton county, N. Y., January 18, 1795, settled 1818, married November 33, 1817; chifdren eight; she is the oldest settler now living in the town. Randall Charles H., p o Oakland, farmer, born Whitehall, Wash- ington county, N. Y., 1817, settled 1831, has been super- visor and justice of the peace twelve years, and ses- sion justice three terms; wife Catharine A. Lockwood, born Whitehall, N. Y., married July 17, 1842; children eight, living four, James B., was in 169th regiment, and was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor June 4th, 1864, David L., was a volunteer in the 130th New York Dra- goons. Saxton Nelson, p o Hunts, farmer and stock dealer, 160 acres, born Ulster county, N. Y., October 16, 1827, settled 1857, has been school trustee and collector; wife Han- nah Lane, born Wyoming county, N. Y.. November 14, 1827, married January 20, 1858; children four, Charles C, born July 13, 1859, George U., born January 13, 1861, Nelson Jr., born April 33, 1863, Hattie L., bora Sep- tember 4, 1866. Smith Lyman born Danbury, Fairfield county, Conn., January 22, 1808, settled 1832, died June 6, 1870, came here with Ammon Smith, wife Mary Sheppard, born Newtown, Fairfield county, Conn., November 18, 1809, married November 25, 1830: children three. Smith Ammon, p o Hunts, farmer, 250 acres, born Danbury, Fairfield county. Conn., March 20, 1810, settled 1832, has been supervisor five years and assessor nine years; wife Julia R. Nash, born Newtown, Conn., married 1831 ; children one. Slater Vandalia, p o Hunts, farmer, 300 acres, born Portage May 30, 1829; wife Betsey Murry. Smith Hiram, p o Hunts, farmer, 80 acres, born Westchester county January 7, 1819, settled 1850, has been justice of the peace sixteen years superintendent of schools and assessor seven years; wife Eliza I. Janford, born Connecticut, married May 18, 1846; children six, living four. XX HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Towsey William, p o Hunts, farmer, 100 acres, born Genesee county, N. Y., July 16, 1818; wife Sarah Bennett, born Portage October 29, 1830. married October 30, 1846, children six, L. Cornelia, born Octobers, 1847, Emma J., born August 30, 1849, Carrie A., born February 17, 1851, Charles B., born June 25, 1853, died November 27, 1857, "William C„ born July 22, 1856, died November 1, 1857, Lucius C , born July 16, i860. Trailer Robert P.. p o Portageville. farmer, 80 acres, bora Liv- ings*"0u county June 8, 1831; wife Delia Allen, born Saratoga county, married December 23, 1873; children one. William Allen, born Saratoga county July 13, 1800; Clara Deuel, born in Saratoga county, July 13, 1795. Thompson Robert W., p o Oakland, farmer, 172 acres, born Colerain, Mass., July 26, 1823, settled 1823, has been highway commissioner and assessor; first wife Sarah E. vadSIyke, born Wyoming county June 20, 1823, died June 25, 1858; children two. EUetta B., born June 27, 1849, Annette E., born July 20, 1853; second wife Cyn- thia Andrus, born Hartford county, Conn , September 25, 1829, mairiedMay 23, 18 9; children five, Chester W.. born June 33. 1862, Sarah E., born November 22, 1863, Lincoln A., born October 31,- 1866, Luther R., born August 31, 1869, May, born May 1, 1872, died August 6, 1872. Tabor Clark W., p o Nunda Station, farmer, 130 acres, born Port- age August 8, 1834, has been town clerk; wife Sarah A. Lake, born Allegany county November^, 1839, married April 10, 1862; children four, Cora L., born April 22, 1863, Albert O., born September 7, 1865, May L., born April 25, 1868, Harry C, born December 15, 1869, Townsend William, p o Hunts, farmer, carpenter and joiner, 50 aeres. born Allegany county April 30, 1832, settled 1867, has been commissioner of highways; wife Laura White, born Allegany county June 18, 1836, married February I, 1857; children three, Julia, born Nunda March 26, lt'59, Grace B., born Allegany county Sep- tember 12, 1867, Willie R., born Portage July 23, 1869. Wilder Nathaniel", p o Hunts, farmer, 113^^ acres, born Buck- land, Franklin county, Mass., December 3, 1813, set- tled 1826; wife Cecelia Paine, born Livingston county May 39, 1821, married November 30, 1&4S; children four; father Allen Paine, settled 1818, came from Leicester with two yoke of oxen when this country was a wilder- ness. Wilner Marcus W., p o Portageville, farmer, 195 acres, born Portage January 4, 1825, has been supervisor two terms and assessor two terms; wife Susan A. Adams, born Ohio, married 1850; children four. Wilner Merriman J., p o Portageville, farmer, 114 acres, born Portage December 12, 1828, has been supervisor two terms and highway commissioner; wife Sarah M. San- ford, born Connecticut, married December 1856; chil- dren two; George Wilner was in war of 1812, settled soon after. Williams George, p o Portageville, farmer, 2,000 acres, born Massachusetts May 26, 1793, settled 1813, was member of Legislature about 1826, agent for Cottinger's tract, and first postmaster: wife Alma Devoe, born Cayuga county, married August 13, 1845; children six, living three. Williams J. J., p o Hunts, merchant. SPARTA. Buskirk Samuel, p o Scottsburgh, retired farmer, 131. acres, born December 12, 1806; wife E. Allen, born Washington county, married 18S1. Blakely Rev. D. C, p o Scottsburgh, clergyman. Baisel J. E., p o Scottsburgh. Calbertson John A., p o Dansville, farmer 85 acres, born Sparta June 8, 1843, settled 1843, has been assessor eight years, was in late war in 54th N. Y. N. G., company E, father was a pioneer in town; wife Lillie D. Galbraith, born Groveland November 13, 1857, married Judc 9tb, 1877; children one, Johnie G. Driesbaoh Elias, p o Dansville, farmer, 480 acres, born Sparta February 17, 182JJ; wife Susannah Eidd, born Mauch Chunk, Pa., December 13, 1823, married January 16, 1845; children six, Susan C, born November a, 1845, Lydia A., born September 23, 1848, Mary Olivia, born October 7, 1851, Rosa Joan, born August 7, 1857, Joseph Henry, born June 3, 1859, Emma Alice, born May 19, 1864. Driesbach Henry, born Mauch Chunk, Pa., April 3, 1790, settled 1808, farmer and left 700 acres to be divided between three heirs, died March 1, 1872; wife Lydia Hartman, born Mauch Chunk 1799, settled 18 j9, married 1821; children six, living three. Foster Samuel, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 73 acres, born Pennsyl- vania September 17, 1840, settled 1865, has been high- way commissioner; wife, Arville P. Brown, born Erie, Pa., married March 19 1861; children six, Elliot M., Lucy K., G. B., David, Henry L., Blanche E. Flory John, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 27ti acres, born Franklin county, Pa., April 12, 18l)9, settled 1813, has been asses- sor; wife Clarinda G. Scott, born Sparta, married No- vember 18, 1835; children five, living one, John, born July 14, 18-17. GiUman Mrs. H., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 150 acres, born Grove- land March 25, 1833, married October 31, 1854; children three, one living, Jennie Scott, born Sept. 3, 1862. Galbraith Mrs. Lydia, p o Dansville, farmer, 306 acres, born Sparta 1833, married February 9, 1854; cliildren six, Mary E., Lydia D., Henry D., John, Jennie M.. Anna. Hamsher Mrs. RebeccH, p o Dansville, farmer, 100 acres, born Northumberland October 3, 1803, settled 1812. married January 8, 1844; children four, Caroline E., Susan B.. Martin S., Jonas S., who married Cornelia Woodruff and has two children, Bennard W., Sophia C. Hammond L. B., p o Dansville, farmer, .348 acres, born Sparta October 10, 1832; father Morgan Hammond, born Dans- ville 1794, settled 1816, died 1847, was a pioneer and prosperous farmer, owning several farins; wife Cath- erine E. Driesbach, born Sparta, married October, 1869; children two, Kittie, William. Havens Willard C, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 110 acres, born Groveland July 11, 1836; wife Sarah Polen, born Grove- land 1815, married January 37, 1870; children two, Lil- lie M., Freddie G. Hamsher Henry, p o Dansville, farmer, 82 acres, born North- ampton counts', fa , February 19, 1812, settled 1823, has been commissioner of highways; wife Rebecca -Artman, born Pennsylvania, married February 8, 18.36; children six, Sarah, William, Clara, John Wesley, Emma, Theo. Hughes Martin, p o Dansville, farmer, 90 acres, born Sparta January 27, 1857; wile Rosa Joan Driesbach, married January 27. 1880. Hammond John S., p o Dansville, farmer. Jennings .John, p o Scottsburgh, merchant and farmer; 55 acres, born Ontario county 1812, settled 1833, has been over- seer of the poor; wife Mary Frost, born Washington county, married 1836; children four, Amanda, Mary M., Emma E., Charles. Johns G. H., p o Dansville, farmer, 250 acres, born in Columbia county. Pa., May 23, 1818, settled 1844, has been asses- sor and justice of the peace; wife Susannah Ran, born Pennsylvania, married May 2:1, 1843; children four, Sa- loma A., Sabina A., Mary A , Heman H. Euhn Geo., p o Dansville, farmer, 62 acres, born Sparta Nov. 26, 1839; wife Clementine Artman, born Dansville, mar- ried December 24, 1867; children two, Blanche May, born October 6, 1873, Julia Bertha, born June 20, 1878. Eiehle Benjamin, p o Dansville, farmer, l63 acres, born Lehigh county. Pa., February 23, 1816, settled 1817, has been assessor; children three, William H., George M., Hul- dah v. ; wife Vienna Zerfass, born Sparta, married No- vember, 1873. Lee E. W., p o Scottsburgh, 6 acres, born Ontario county No- vember 13, 1817, tettled 1848; wife Lucy Johnson, born Groveland, married 1856 ; children Hve, Charles W., Frank H., Ira J., C. Elmer, Mattie M. Logan John, p o Scottsburijh, farmer, 105 acres, born Sparta May 25, 1823, has been supervisor, collector and inspec- tor of election; wife Jane McFetridge, bora Sparta, married 1863: children seven, Archie F., J. C, Jesse C, Edward M., Mary A., Edith B., Bessie E. McBurney James, p o Dani^ville, farmer, 150 acres, born Osh- kosh. Wis., settled April 1, 1879; wife Mary Sorton, born Corning, N. Y., married January 15, 1879; children two, Grace, Thomas. McFetridge Edward L., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 246 acres, born Livingston county October, 1840, has been supervisor; wife Mary M. Eiehle, born Sparta, married November 37, 1872; children two, A. C, born November 10, 187:3, Nellie May, born May 16, 1877. Moose Seymour E., p o Dansville, farmer, minister and advent- ist, 120 acres, born Sparta August 29, 1850; wife Mary- ett Merritte, born Pratfsburgh, Sieuben county, mar- ried September 9, 1874; children two, Sarah Helena, born September 1, 1876, Charles Seymour, born June W, 1878. Magee Mrs, Emma, p o Scottsburgh. Oberdorf Lester, p o Scottsburgh, farmer and stock raiser, 114 acres, born Sparta Sept, 11, 1836; wife MandanaS, Need- ham, born Sparta, married February 29, 1860; children four, Jennie N., Claude, C. Mabel, Caroline. Parker Augustus L., p o Dansville, farmer, 180 acres, born in Sparta April 9, 1836; wife Elizabeth McCartney, born Sparta 1833, married May 29, 1855; children seven, Susie M., born March 27, 1866, Annie M., born Febru- ary 6, 1858, Elizabeth, born April 18, 1862, Alice M., born May 33, It- 63, Fran cis M., born June 2, 1864, Sarah C, born June 25. 1867, Nellie, born March 5, 1869. Rau Erhard, p o Dansville, farmer, 200 acres, born Northampton county. Pa., September 3, 1787, settled 1830, has been assessor; wife Susannah Eidd. born Northampton county. Pa,, June 27, 1793, married 1810" died March 31, 1871; children sixteen, living thirteen. Roberts Jesse, p o Scottsburgh, farmer, IH'Z acres, born Sparta June 23, 1834, school trustee and assessor, wife Mary M. Wilber, born Sparta 184i, married January 6, 1863; children one, William Welton, born July 16, 1864. Roberts Benjamin F., p o Scottsburgh, farmer, 153 acres, born SpartaFebruary 30, 1831; wife Sarah J. Wilber, born Sparta February 6, 1844, married March 27, 1869; chil- dren two, John M., born May 7, 1870, Benj. F., born August 9, 1874. Roberts S., p o Scottsburgh, mechanic and farmer, seven acres, born Livingston county. PERSONAL STATISTICS. XXI Ross Robert H., p Dansville, farmer and stock raiser, 380 acres, born Sparta January 8, 1846, has been town clerk and town Kiaeting inspector; wife Mary E. Art- man, born January 23, 1848, married December 31, 1874; children one, Edward J., born October 29, 1876. Slaigbt Jacob, p o Scottsburgh. farmer, 115 acres, born Livings- ton county March 8, 1820. Shepard John, p o Scottsburgh, merchant, born Allegany coun- ty October 8, 1821, settled October 10, 1835, has been town clerk, supervisor and county treasurer; wife Mi- nerva F. Shepard, born Sparta, married October 20, 1859; children two, M. M., born October 31, i860, John H., born October 27, 1870. Phutt William J., p o Dansville, farmer. 126 acres, born Sparta March 10, 1832, has been collector two terms, assessor two terras and justice of the peace; wife Maggie Mc- Fetridgp, born Canada, married April 3, 1862; children five, living one, Freddie E., born July 3i. 1870. Smith Jesse, p o Dansville, farmer and blacksmith, 91 acres, born Northumberland county. Pa., December 16, 1832, settled April, 18-25, has been town clerk, is justice of the peace and justice of sessions; wife Catharine Eiehle, born Sparta April IS, 1824, married October 2, 1856; children three, Myron, boi-n July 22, 1857,, Willie B., born August 23, 186U, Lizzie M., born September 15, 1861. Sutton Mrs. Sarah, p o Dansville, farmer, 50 acres, born Penn- sylvania February 25. 1816, settled 1825, husband John Sutton, married 1836, died March 22, 1879; children three. Mary C, Anna L., Francis E. Shafer John, p o Dansville, farmer, 258 acres, has been asses- sor; wife Hannah Hamsher, born Sparta, married January 24, 1850; children three, James Alfred, Martha S., Franklin Munroe. Shafer Andrew, p o Dansville, farmer, 73 acres, has been inspec- tor of election; wife Elizabeth J. Kuhn, born Sparta, married December 25, 1856; children five. Emma R., DoUie E., Hattie M., George E., Baby. Sterner Samuel F., p o Dansville, farmer 81 acres, born Dans- ville April 13, 1851; wife Mary E. Caton, born Septem- tember 9, 1861, married May 29, 1879. Shafer James A., p o Dansville, farmer, 1C8 acres, born Sparta December 21, 1850; wife Rosa E. Carney, born Febru- ary 11, 1856, married October 22, 1874. Tenney Silas W., p o Dansville, farmer and stock raiser, 218 acres, born New Hampshire 1839,settled 1874; wife Net- tie C. Smith, born Erie county, Pa., 1849, married June 1, 1876; children three. Emma, Elizabeth, Baby. Von Waldegg Augustus H., p o Scottsburgh, physician and sur- geon, born Germany, settled 1818; wife Armeda Rob- erts, born Conesus, married September 23, 1869. WEST SPARTA. Berger Samuel, p o Tuscarora, farmer 160 acres, born Mt. Mor- ris May 10, 1830; first wife Harriet J. Robinson, born West Sparta October 2J, 1888, married December 31, 1851, died June 5. 1861; children three, Cora E., born November 9, 1853, Julia D., born April 20, 1854, died March 31. 1874, John E., born August 6, 1858; second wife Marietta Bnsley. born Genesee county August 28, 18!i8, married February 20, )8ti2; children two, Lucia H., born December 15, 1866, Minnie M., born May 28, 1869. Chasey John S., p o Byersville, farmer, 300 aorss, born in Mon- mouth county, N. J., September 15, 1823, settled 1843; ■wife Eliza A. Bush, born Tomplcins county December 24, 1828, married March 28, 1849; children eight, Chas. W., born Mlarch 3, 1850, LaMartine W., born December 8, 1851, Andrew R., born October 5, 1853, Ida M., born July 25, 1857, George A„ born July 6, 1859, Willie A., born September 21, 1863, Mary F., born June 26, 1864, Floyd, born July 13, 1876. Creveling John, p o Tuscarora, farmer, 363 acres, born Warren county, N. J., September 15, 1825, settled 1834. has been justice of peace two terms; wife Elizabeth Rit- tenhouse, born Uayuga county April 3, 18i7, married November 17, 1851'; children four, Edward R., born September 9, 1851, Wilson M., born December 19, IH.oS, John E., born June 25, 1862, Mary A., born May 9, 1864. Denison Robert, p o Byersville. farmer, 130 acres, born North- ampton, N. r., January 1, 1798, settled 1818; wife Mar- garei Crafford, born West Sparta May 10, 1805, married February 16, ]8-.i6; children nine, Sophia A., born Oc- tober 22, 1836, Minerva C, born December 36, 1828, died October 16, 1874, Eliza M., born July 2, 1831, Louise C, born October 16, 1833, Joanna, born October 23, 18-16, died December 20, 1836, Annis M., born September 3, 1839, John M., born December 9, 1843, died November 2, 1864, Nicholas K., born September 7, 1846, M. Emma, born August 30. 1849. . Fenstermacher John, p o Dansville, farmer, 163 acres, born in Dansville August 8, 1813, died July 19, 1868, has been constable; wife Beersheba Dart, born Genesee county May 8, 182:1, married July 19, 1843; children 4, John H., born February 19, 1845, died September 20, 1850, Clar- ence W. born May 20, 1847, Mary E., born December 10 1849. died February 88, 1851, George Franklin, born November 30, 1852. Field L. B., p o Dansville, farmer. Frazer James B^ p o Dansville. farmer, 180 acres, born Spring- water February 26, 1849. has been supervisor and col- lector; wife Sarah M. Van Middlesworth. born West Sparta Augnst 17, 1818, married August 20, 1874; chil- dren three, Nellie, born November 28, 1875, Mary E., born December 15, 1876, Julia, born January 18, 1879. Green Abram S., p o Byersville, farmer, 153 acres. Born Albany county November 8, 1811. settled 1868; wife Mary P. Smith, born Greene county March .30, 1813, married October 19, 1834; children six, Ambrose P.. born No- vember 16, 1835, died June 11, 1864, Catharine E.. born May 26, 18.'i8, died May 31, 1841, Emily L., born January 27, 1846, Theo. S.. born August 5, 1848, Alexander C, born September 25, 1853, Egbert K., born September 31, 1855. Green William A,, p o Byersville, farmer. 100 acres, born West Sparta October 26, 18;i7; wife Mary J. Vandoren, born Nunda July 29, 1843, married October 26, 1861; children three, William B., born August 2, 1863, Cora May, born May 22 1865, Don V., born Sovember 13, 1869. Green Philetus W., p o Byersville, farmer and thrasher, 60 acres, born West Sparta January 31, 1842; wife Kitty Rose, born Penfleld, N. T., May 1, 1846, married November 21, 1866; children four, Mary A., born January 16, 1868, Eittie Rose, born July 15, 1870, Charles C, born Sep- tember 36, 1872, Clifford J , born May 27, 1875. Green Calvin, p o Tuscarora. farmer, 346 acres, born Montgom- ery Qounty March 4, 1813, settled la35, has been asses- sor one term; wife Lydia M. Roberts, born Sparta February 18, 1818; children six, Wilber W., born March 16, 1837, Phoebe Emaline, born December 3, 1879, Phi- letus W., born January 31, 1842, Versilla M., born Sep- tember 28, 1844, Lester B., born April 23, 1848, Char- lotte Ella, born November 1.3, 18S6. Hungertord Chark's A.,p o Dan-ville, farmer, TO acres, born West Sparta Sept. 15, 183-3, has been assessor, wife Maggie Pot- ter, born Livingston Co. April 17, 1843 ; children eight, Edna A., born December 18, 1856, Charles E., born Jan- uary 26, 1859, Lula, born April 4, 1866, Seba, born June 11, 1868, Percie, born September 1, 1870, Hattie, born July 31, 1873, Allie, born April 1, 1876, Jessie, born Oc- tober 2, 1879. Hungerford Eleazer M., p o Byersville, farmer, 180 acres, born West Sparta August 31, 1816, has been commissioner of highways and assessor; wife Cassandra Kemp, born West Sparta February 4, 1821, married Novem- ber 23, 1843; children three, Marshall, born October 23, 1844, died March 28, 1864. Victor R,, born August 31, 1846, Edwin, born February 28, 1849. Hartman Hiram, p o Dansville. farmer, 140 acres, born West Sparta April 14, 1814; wife Lucinda Kendall, born in Nunda July 25, 1825, married November 14. 1844, chil- dren two. Abbey Jane, born October 10, 184.5, Belvia Lucinda, born July 21, 1852. Johnson William S, p o Dansville, farmer, carpenter and joiner, 80 acres, born Tompkins county January 4, 1822, set- tled November 13, 18i7, has been assessor one term; wife Maria Johnson, born Cayuga county June 28, 1821, married October 17, 1843; children seven, Lewis P-, born April 26, 184.5, died September 28, 1846, Thomas, born June 26, 1847, died September 13, lf51, John H., born December 29, 1849, died September 17, 1851, Charles F., born June 28, 1853, Edwin A., born August 14, 1854, Leander L., born August 23, 1856. Nelly A., born September 17, 1864. Kenney Jeremiah, p o Byersville, farmer, born West Sparta April 18, 1843; wife Melissa Walker, born Nunda Octo- ber 8, 1840, married April 36, 1868; children four, Nelly, born June 23. 1869, Clarence, born November 3, 1872, Clifton, born Nov. 3, 1872, Adda, born Aug. 15, 1877. Kemp Stephen A., p o Dansville, farmer, 150 acres, born West Sparta December 5, 1831, has been justice of peace; wife Catharine L. Weston, married August 4, 1864; chil- dren Stephen A., born March 22, 1865, Herbert W., born March 35, 1866, Clarence E., born October 14, 1868, 'Charles, born September 34, 1870, Victor, born August 19, 1873. Henrietta, born August 39, 1878, Baby, born November 38, 1879. Kennedy Thomas, p o Byersville, farmer, 217 acres, born West Sparta May 12, 1826; wife Minerva Frazer, born Feb- ruary 15, ll!30, married October 8, 1856; children four, Gordon Delwin, born December 26, 1857, died March 7, 1860, Grace A., born December 5, 1861. Charles S., born November 22, 1865, Willie L., born December 11, 1870. Kysor Bcnj. F., p o Tuscarora, farmer, .230 acres, born West Sparta April 17, 1822, died August 8, 1878; wife J ulia A. Chamberlin, born West Sparta December 5, 1823, mar- ried October 28, 1846; children twelve, Harrison F., born August 3, 1848. Oscar C, born October 16, 1851, Hattie A., born June 10, 18.53, Helen C, born October 23, 1854, Horace G., born September 27, 1856, Effa A., born November 39, 1858, Herbert S., born January 7, 186 i, Albert H., born January 7, 1863. Octavius, bom June 21, 1863, Julia E., born October 30, 1867, Franklin A., born October 30, 1867, Dayton A., born April 20, 1870. , , , Kennedy Joseph S., p o Dansville, farmer, 40 acres, born Jack- son county, Mich., Augnst 16, 1839, settled 1843; wife Mary E. Rowe, born Springwater October 31, 1856, mar- ried April 13, 1865; children four, Nora Leona, born November 34, 1867, Myron J., born February 8, 1874, Sarah L., born May 6, 1875, Josephine E., born Febru- ary 15, 1878. xxu HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Knappenberger Henry, p o Tuscarora, farmer, 369^ acres, born Lehigh county, Pa., March 19, 181)3, settled 1810, has been School trustee; wife Elizabeth M. Slaigbt, born Groveland March 26, 1818, married June 11, 1S33, died August 3, 1873 ; children nina. Mary C, born March 31, 1836, died October 21, 1864, Elizabeth, born March 2:i, 1837, Sarah J., born September 12, 1«38, William S., born October 10. 1840, served in late war, Jacob, born March S'i, 1843, Frances G., born June 1, 1845, died August 9, 1845, John H , born August 23, 1847, Harriet born January 17, 1852, died November 18, 1862. McNair Hugh T., p o Daosville, farmer, 500 acres, born West Sparta November 4, 1822, has been assessor several tt-rms; wife P. J. Hatmaker, born Yates county Oc- tober 12, lHiI4, married Noveinber 19, 1845; children ten, living five. Perripe James B . p o Tuscarora, farmer, 2 acres, born Ca- yuga county January 29, I8J6, has been town audifor; wife Elizabeth Chapman, born West Sparta November 2.5, 1826, married January 12, 1853; children seven, Cora E , born April 28, 1854, Charles H., born Septem- ber iO, 1855, Mary A., born August 5, 1857, Nettie L , born Octobfr 13. 0:6% Jessie F., b >rn May 3, 1862, Min- ni? H., born September 20, 1865, Hattie S., born De- cember 15, 1869. Perrlne John, p o Tuscarora .farmer, 150 acres, born Cayuga county July 14, IS'^O, settled 1826, has been assessor, justice of peace and poor-master; wife Harriet E, - citone, born Allegany county June 27, 1819, married March 10, 1842; children four, Frances Augusta, born October 25, 1845, Elmpr Stone, born February 28. 1848, Mary Evelyn, born January 25, 1853, Edson B., born December 25. 1858. Slaight William J .p o Tuscarora,dealer in stock, 500 acres, born Groveland May 5, 18:i2, pettled 1853. has been super- visor, assessor, revenue collector, etc ; father John Slaight, a pioneer settler who had a brother in the Mexican war; wife Mary Logan, born Sparta March 2, 1821, married May 3, )853; children three, Albert J., born January 13, 1854, John W., born March 25, 185?, Edward L., born October 28, 1858. Tunison Abram B., p o Byersville, farmer, 130 acres, born West Sparta May 9, 1832; wife Jane Green, born Nunda Feb- ruary 8, 1834; children seven, Leona "S.. born July 31, 18.")y. Robert E., born April 6, 1862, died June 10, 1877, Katie L, born August 11, 18H4, Richard L., born August 19, I88r,, Jennie E., born March 8, 1871, Elmer, born De- cember 25, 1875, Alice, born March 23, 1878. VanMiddlesworLb, p o Byersville, farmer, 240 acres, born Ca- yuga county November 9, 1811, settled 1823; wife Julia Ann Shaw, born West Sparta May 11, 1821, married February 5, 1846; children three, Andrew, born No- vember 9, 1847, died September 13, 1818. garah M , born August 17, 1848, Hartison C, born September 3, 185.5. VanDoren, William, p o Byersville, farmer, 365 acres, born On- ondaga county May 1. 1817. setded 1831, has been assessor six years; wife Jane E. Walker, born Mt. Mor- ris December 9, 1817, married February 11, 1841; chil- dren two. Mary J., born July 29, 1842, Jennie M., born January 22, 1850. VanNuys Peter, p o Byersville, farmer. 500 acres, born Millstone, N- J., February 7, 1808, settled 1823, died January 2, 1875, has been supervisor and justice of peace; wife Harriet Kerr, born Cayuga county April 13, 1809, mar- ried Ndvember 19. 1829; children seven Caroline M., born June 4. 1833, Isaac N., born November 20, 1836, A. Vinton, born June 8, 1840, Ella L., born November 23, 1812, di.,d July 22, 1843, Harriet E., born January 9, 1814, died August 9, lh71, Webster B., born February 8, 1847, Herbert K., born April 22, 1852. Watkins A. V., p o Byersville, physician, 6^ acres, born Allegany county July 8, 1844, settled May 3, 1871; wife Fredonia Elenora Dake, born Allegany county April 7, 1847, mar- ried August 21, 1871. Woodworth P. F.. p o Dansville, farmer and lumberman, 92 acres, born Madison county February 13, 1819, settled 1821, has been poor master and constable; wife Phila Hungerford, born West Sparta October 26, 1827, mar- ried September 6, 1845; children eight, Orinthia E., born May 10, 1847, Evorett M., born June 14, 1848. Frank, born February 4, 1853, died April". 1850, Agnes E , born March 12. 1851, Carrie A., born June 28, 1855, Grace A., born August 27, 1857, Burt F., born November 16, 1865, Walter W., born November 12, 1868. SPRINGWATER, Curtice Ezra N.. p o Springwater, school teacher and farmer, 80 acres, born Webster, Monroe county April 2. 1833. set- tled 1836. is school commissioner from 1875 to 1881; father Jacob Curtice, born Berkshire, N. H.. October 11, 1804; wife Mary James, born Potter, Yates county, married June 20th, 1855; children three, Mina G., Kit- tie F., Leonard E. Capron Wesley H., p o Springwater, farmer, 110 acres, born Springwater November 5, 1847; father Sylvester Cap- ron ; wife Mary E.Lewis, bom North Cohocton, Steuben county April 19, 1851, married July 7, 1869; children three. Willie L., born March 22, 1870, Rosa M., born February 7, 1873, Nellie D., born January 1, 1876, Clapp Henry, p o Wayland, farmer and stock grower, 200 acres, bora Wethersfield, Conn., November I8th, 1817, settled 1840; father Norman Clapp. served in war of 1812; grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers; wifo Han- nah J. Herrick, born Springwater August 11, 1H24, mar- ried December 24. 1873; children one, Edwin A,, step- son Scott A. Farley, Father David Herrick, settled 1814 with his father and three brothers. Carpenter William, p o WaylaLd. farmer, carpenter and joiner, 105 acres, born Bristol, Ontario county, April. 1821, settled 1812; wife Martha Jones, born Auburn, N. Y., October 12, 1817. married November 23, 1841; children six, Edward, born August 28. 1842, died in infancy, Mary, born November 14, 1844, died November 26, 1844, Phila A., born 1846. Robert, born 1850, died ia51, Wil- liam A., born 1853, Phcebe, born 1858. Father Joshua Jones, with wife and nine children settled 1842. Dietzel Charles, farmer, 109 acres, born Germany February 6, 1819, settled 1865, died Nuvember 8, 1874, had been highway commissioner and school trustee, came to America 1846, settled first in Rochester, next South Wayland. next Wayland and last in Springwater; wife Caroline Miller, born Germany 1821, married 1847; chil- dren four, GenrgH, Jacob, Carrie, Willie. Erwin William J., p o Springwater, farmer and sheep grower, 130 acres, born Springwater 1845; wife Rebecca Wood, born Penfield, Monron county, married February 22, 1866: children four, Eloise b.,, Willie G., Bruce Roe, Helen O. Father Jared Erwin, settled Mt. Morris 1837, is a clothier and cloth dresser, removed to Spring- water 1842. Mother Laura Arnold, born Connecticut. Engel Peter, p o Wayland. farmer and stock grower, 145 acres, born Sandwendel, Germany January 7. 1819. settled April 1, 1868, has been school trustee and 3ollector, served three years in German army, came to America 1810, worked first near Philadelphia, moved thence to Steuben county 1848; wife Barbara Mark, born Sand- wendel, Germany, May 4, 1824, married January 2, l85i; children eight, Catharine, Mary, John P., Frank and Elizabeth, twins, Alexander, Barbara. Jacob. Ford Christopher, p o Springwater, farmer, 105 acres, born Eas- ton. Washington county, October 31, 1794. settled 1822, has been poor-master, kept a store for the soldiers of 1812, attended the first museum in Albany and trav- eled three years with an exhibition from there; wife Laura Willis, born Northumberland county, married I8l6, died March 1S19, aged 85; children seven, living six, Avery. Lucinda, Salina. Phoebe A,, Eunice, John. Fuller Richard, p o Wayland, farmer. 138 acres, born near Bath. Steuben county, January 29, 1836, settled 1865, served in Rebellion, was in 107th N. Y. Infantry, Company I, was discharged at close of war; wife Minerva J. Ware- in;r, born Coh-icton, Steuben county, November 28, 1835, married October 14, 1854; children two, Sylvester, born November 24th, 1855, married Cora A. Glover June, 1879, Minnie E., born January 16, 1870. Hudson Joel, p o Springwater, farmer, 168 acres, born Chatham, Columbia county, October 10, 1794, settled 1820, has been justice of the peace 42 years, school commis- sioner a-'d town clerk, served in war of 1812 and is now a pensioner, has been prominently identified with the Christian church of Springwater 40 years; wife Sarah Hover, born Washington county, married No- vember 16, 1817; children three, Mrs. Lydia A. Bryant, Luther B , James M. Hunter William, p o Springwater, pastor of Presbyterian church, 3 acres, born County Antrim, Ireland, Febru- ary 2, 1813, settled 1841, from which time he has been pastor of said church, has been school superintendent three years and town collector one year; wife Mary E. Morris, born Auburn. N. Y., married May 18. 1842; children four, Charles R., Frank W., Samuel M.-, Hat- tie M. Howe Samuel A., p o Springwater, farmer, 140 acres, born Bos- ton, Mass., July 1, 1807, settled 1839; lather, Samuel Howe, served in war of 1812; wife Emalino C. Nichols born Middlebury, Vt., April dO, 1816. married January 26, 1836; children six, living thr?e, Mrs. Harriet E, Purdy, born March 26, 1837, Jonathan, born December 4, 1845, Mrs. Martha L. Knowles, born Nov 9, 1852. Lawrence Loren, p o Wayland, farmer, 105 acres, born Sparta October 30, 1822, hns been school trustee; lather John Lawrence; wife Rhcdina Kuhn, hcxn Sparta, married 1862; children three, Nellie, Grant, Willie; father ^ Jacob Kuhn, one of the pioneers of Sparta. Lawrence Ira, p o Wayland, farmer, 150 acres, born Sparta 1827; father John Lawrence; wife Julia A. Lewis, born Springwater, married 1863: children six. Ida, Clara, Lewis, Edward, Katie, Franklin I. Father Jacob Lewis. Lament William, p o Bloods Station, farmer and dealer in stock, 75 acres, has bsen constable one year, parents Smith and Mary Lamout; grandfather Ashbel Lament settled from Vermont 1815, on farm now owned by H. Lament; had brother in 104th Regiment N. Y. Infantry; was killed in second Bull Hun; wife Sarah A. Doty, born Springwater January 9, 1S41, married October 2, 1867; children one, Alta, born January 31, 1869. Leach Alfred, p o Springwater, farmer, 530 acres, born Cortland Co. Jiily 11, 1835, settled 1837; father Alexander Leach settled 1837 and had two sons in Rebellion, Silas, who was killed In battle, and Lark, who died in prison ; wife Henriette E Westfall, born 1841, married March 17, 1369; children one, Myr^n J., born August 22, 1871 PERSONAL STATISTICS. XXlll Marvin FraDklin D., p o Springwater, farmer, 100 acres, born Springwater October 20, 1836; father Curtis Warner MarviQ who settled in 1818 and had one son, Harvey, in the Rebellion, died August 26, 1810; wife Angelina Croswell, born SpringwaterNovember 4, 1840. married May --J, 1857; children four, Emma, born April 11, 1859, Edgar G., born March 29, l8ti4, Curtis, born June 12, I8fi9, died April 4, 1873, Frank, born September 19, 1871 : father Harmon Croswell, who settled at an early- day, and died November 9, 1869. Mead Daniel, p o Springwater. farmer, 155 acres, born Limer- ick county, Ireland, 1818, settled 1846, came to Amer- ica in 1839, bad one English shilling on landing, and is now owner oC 155 acres by hard labor, has been school trustee; wife Catharine Horrigan, born Clare county, Ireland, married 1850; children four, Micbael, John, Ellen, Mary. Michael and Ellen are school teachers. Stepson Bartholomew Caton, served in Rebellion. Jlorris J. G., p o Springwater. Niles James L., p o Springwater, farmer and sheep grower, 200 acres, born Springwater November 22, 1826; fa'her Henry J. Nllea, settled 1817; wife Emaline Marvin, born Springwater, married March 10, 1852; children three, Harry J., Jennie E., Edward. Northrup William M., p o Wayland, farmer, 169 acres, born Charlton, Saratoga county, January 11, 1800. settled .1845; father Jabez Northrup, settled in Ontario county and with the help of his family cleared 400 acres, grandfather Daniel Northrup was a Revolutionary soldier: wife Sabrina Tucker, born Livonia June 23, I8ii0, married June 26, 18M; children six, living two, William, Wealthy A. Norton Wm. H. H., p o Springwater, farmer, grain speculator and breeder of line sheep, 220 acres, born Springwater August 15, 1840; father John B. Norton, settled 1821; wife Alice Woodin, born Fishkill, Duchess county, married August 24, 1870; children two, Millie M., Oak- ley W. Ostrander Evert, p o Naples, Ontario county, farmer, 176 acres, bnra Columbia county October 17, 1834, settled ]861; wife Eliza Johnson, born Naples September 26, 1840, married September 25, 1858; children tdree, Wm. S., born April 24, 1861, died October 2, 1866, Helen, born July 2, 1865, Wm. E., born May 7, 1871. Pursel William, farmer and manufacturer, 100 acres, born Plemington, N. J., 1807, settled 1838, has been highway commissioner; wife Jane Crossen, born Richmond, On- tario county, married 18^2; children five; had three sons in the Rebellion, all in First N. Y. Dragoons, De Witt, who married Charlotte Atwood, James M., who married Eunice Grover, Benjamin F., who married Caroline E. Pemberton. Peabody Alvah, p o Springwater, farmer. 108 acres, born Man- lius, Onondaga coumy, I'ebiuary 18, 1810, settled 1814, has been inspector of election; wife H. Jane Quick, born near West Point September 20, 1813, married Sep- tember 15, 1834; children nine. Nelson, born 1835, who served in the Bebelliou in the Wadsworth Guards and died in prison, Albert H., born 1838 and served in Re- bellion in Wadsworth Guards, Helen, born 1840, Lu- cinda, born 1842, Manson, born 1844, Maggie, born 1849, Alfred, born 1851, Frank, born 1356, George, born 1858. Robinson Edmond A., p o Springwater, farmer, 385 acres, born Springwater June 21, 1831, has been supervisor one term, was elected by 176 majority on Democratic ticket; wife Mary E. Monk, born Springwater, mar- ried January 15, 1852; children five, Frank, deceased, Carrie E., Estella, James M., Minnie. Father Joseph Robinson, born April 10, 1803, settled 1822, died 1846; mother Katharine Spangler. married 1825, died 1856; children, twelve sons and two daughters Rix Sylvester, p o Springwater, farmer, 137 acres, born Verona, Oneida county. February 28, 1812, settled 1816; father Rufus Rix, who served in the Revolutionary war, set- tled 1816 with wife and seven children on land now owned by Hiram Becker; had three sons, Edmond, who was a captain, Samuel and James, in war of 1812. Rau Benjamin, p o Dansville, carpenter and joiner and farmer, 87 acres, born Lehigh, Pa., February 27, 1811, settled 1820; father Erbard Rau, a pioneerof Sparta; wife Mar- garet Cranmer,born Sparta 1815,married 1834; children fifteen, living ten, John W., Mariette, Erhard S., who served through the late war, Harriet N , Martha, Cor- delia, David J. and Elizabeth, twins, Sidney S., Carrie A,, Benj. F., killed in battle before Richmond. David Cranmer was one of the pioneers of Sparta and served in war of 1812. Root James M., p o Springwater, farmer, 125 acres, born Spring- water May 2, 1828; father Amos Root, settled 1825; wife Adelaide J. Hopkins, born Springwater August 10, 1834, married December 25, 1870; cnildren three, Charles M., born February 25, 1872, Norman H., born December 14, 1873, Zella, bom May 6, 1875. Richards Moses, p o Wayland, farmer and blacksmith, 444 acres, born Sussex county, N. J., April 12, 1805, settled 1837 with wife and three children, mare and colt, cow and heifet, hog, a dozen hens and $180 in money; wife Ev- aline Howell, born Sussex county, N. J., July 5, 1809; married January 28, 1830, children three, Dunning, Julia A., Caroline, Shaver Stephen, p o Wayland, farmer, blacksmith and cider manufacturer, 150 acres, born Wayland April 20, 1877, settled Januar 30, 1869; wife Juhana Shutes, born Way- land December 10, 1827, married March 10, 1849; chil- dren ten, Lorenzo, Wm. H , Enoch P.,Hosea, deceased, Martha, Electa, Freeman, Jonah, George, Deborah. Smith David G , p o Springwater, farmer, 72 acres, born Grove- land, Pa., August 30, 1818, settled 1834, was constable three years from 1851 to 1854; father Jacob Smith, set- tled in Groveland, Pa., at an early day; wife Eliza M. Berber, bora. Springwater August 4, 1821, married March 5, 1844; father Erastus Barber, born Connecti- cut, settled 1814, and had one son, Wm. U,, in war of Rebellion, Snyder Nelson F., p o Springwater, mehanic and farmer, 81 acres, born Scipio, Cayuga county. September 8. 1816, settled 1817; first wife Polly C Inglesbee, born Wash- ington county March 12, 1821, married January 1, 1810, died March 30, 1856; second wife Fanny M. Root, born Townsend. Ohio, November 24, 1823, married De- cember 31st, 1857; children eight, James F. was killed in second battle of Bull Run August 30, 1862, Aubery A. was in war of Rebellion, Eugene B. was in war of Rebellion, Charlie H., deceased, Charlie H,, AlmaR. Father Benjamin Snyder. Snyder Alonzo, p o Springwater, carpenter and joiner, hotel proprietor and farmer, 60 acres, born Solon, Cortland county, November 24. 1814, settled March 20, 1817, has been deputy sheriff eighteen years, collector and con- stable; first wife Mary J. Stratton, married September 7, lti37; second wife Minerva G. Putnam, married Jan, uary aO, 1849; children ten, Susan B., died January- 1868, George L. enlisted as private in 1861, was pris- oner in Libby, Andersonville and Danville twenty-two months, was promoted to captain and died June, 1868, from disease contracted in prison, Isabel E.. Jane A., Frank A., Manly S , Mary J., Magill G., Judson P., Helen A. Father Benj. Snyder. Sharpsteen Doctor, p o Wayland, farmer and stock buyer, 75 acres, bom Richmond, Ontario county, April 7, 1824, settled April. 1867, has been constable and overseer of the poor in Richmond; first wife Abigail liawrence, born October 31, 1832, married February 25, 1851 ; sec- ond wife Maggie Smith, born August 21, 1841, married November 26, J862; children, Albert, born February i, 1852, Gilbert, born August, 1853, Sarah L., born Sep- tember 17, 1859, Bertha V., born November 3, 1860, Charles J , born January b, 1867, Lena B., born July 7, 1868, Jennie B., born June 2, 1870, George W., born June 20, 1874. Skeels Isaac, farmer, 100 acres, born Saudgate, Vt , April 6, 1793, settled 1828, has been highway commissioner and justice of the peace, was in war of 1812, died October 9, 1877; wife Anne Eggleston, born Skaneateles July 2i, 1794, married October 28, 1812; children eight, Spencer S., Thaddeus H., Ruth, Mary A., James, Harriet E , Dwight and Dorr, who was in the Rebellion. Schwab Charles, p o Wayland, farmer, 133 acres, born West Bloomfield April 11, 1839, settled 1840; wife Ella Fitz Water, born Canton, Pa., married June 28, 1868; chil- dren three, Gracie, born July 6, 1871, Fannie, born April 26, 1877, Charles Jr., born December yl, 1878. Father George Schwab, born Bavaria, Germany, and came to America 1829, fir.-t settled in Pennsylvania, thence to Monroe county, thence to Ontario county, thence to Springwater, died Litchfield. Mich., 1876. Snyder DeWitt C, p o Springwater, farmer and speculator in wool and stock, 169 acres, born July 25, IH^ZO, has been supervisor three terms; first wife Mary A. Smith, born Livonia, married June 19, 1847, died May 12; 1857, sec- ond wife Calista Croswell, born Springwater, married June 5, 1859; children six, living three, Scott W., who was a soldier in the Rebellion, George H.. Louise. Father Benj. Snyder, settled March 20, 1817; mother Darnida Cole, daughter of Gen, Cole, of Revolutionary fame. Swarts Levi, p o Dansville, farmer, 179 acres, born Sparta June 30, 1828, set led April 12, 1858; wife Susan A. Snyder, born Sparta 1825, married February 26, 1857; children two, Jacob O., born January 31, 1860, Mary E., born December 1, 18H3. Father Jacob Swarts, who settled in Sparta at an early date. Smith Ebeoezer, p o Springwater. carpenter, farmer and saw- filer, 10 acres, born Freetown, Bristol county, Mass., September 27, 1808, settled March 24, 1816. has been captain of State militia; father Abner Smith, ship car- penter, settled 1816; wife Eliza A. Morley, born Bru- tus, Cayuga county, September2, 1818, married August 10, 1834; children one, George E., born May 15, 1835; father Harvey Morley, settled 1829 with wife and six children. Wiley John, p o Springwater, farmer and Methodist minister, 7U0 acres, born Dalton. Muss , December 24, 1794. set- tled lal3, served in war of 1812, has been member of Assen bly. Republican; first wife Betsey Southworth, born Massachusetts, married September 1819; second wife Julia B. Hyde, born Virginia, married January 24, 1828; children nme, Sarah, Eliza, John-S., Robert H., who has been supervisor, assessor and justice of peace, Charles W., Henry A., who was Lieut-Colonel of I04th regiment New York Infantry, served during rebellion in army of Potomac, and mustered out Mar, 9, 1865. xxiv HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY. Willis Caleb W., p o Springwater, farmer, 120 acres, born Galen, Cayuga county August 7, 1815, settled 1816, has been collector two years, constable eight years and high- way commissioner two terms; father Archibald Willis who settled 1816; wife Malinda Robinson, born Wol- cott, Wayne county, March 21, 1818, married June 30, 1839; children seven. Mephen A., died November 11, 1873, Alvira, died July 527, 1844, Fayette H,, Frank, Malinda, died September 6, 1855, Ada, Morey. Walker Ezra, farmer, 150 acres, born Savoy, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. February 2, 1799, settled 1820, died January 27, 1850; wife Harriet Stewart, born Brattle- ■ boro, Vt., December 11, 1799, married February 1820; children nine, William P., deceased, Mary H., Lucy N., Nancy J., Charles H., John L., Harriet S., Luclnda C, Ellen A., deceased ; father John Stewart, served in war of Revolution. Wiley John Southworth, p o Springwater, farmer, 75 acres, born Springwater April 1st, 1835, has been collector, constable, supervisor and inspector of election; father John Wiley: wife N. J. Capron, born Springwater February 23, 1833, married June 3, 1856; children three, Frank S., born December 24, 1858, Charles C, born September 20, 1854, Minnie E., born September 22, 1871. Wetmore Ira L., p o Wayland, farmer and stock dealer. £00 acres, born Springwater February 28, 1842; father Elijah Wetmore, settled 1827; wife Lucy H. Parsball, born Springwater June 10, 1838, married September 2:3,1866; children four, Z. P.. born December :?, 1869, Emma B., born July 14, 1872, Wirt E , born August 23, 1874, Arch G., born December 25, 1877. Wbitlock Ira, p o Springwater. farmer and surveyor, 30 acres, born Granville, Washington county, 1804, settled 1837, has been assessor twenty years, justice of the peace i^/- - twelve years and highway commissioner; wife Amelia Shuartz, born Mendon 1818, married 1837; children one, Samuel L. Weidman John, p o Springwater, farmer and stock grower. 315 acres, born Sparta November 16, 1827. settled 1852, has been inspector of election; father Jacob Weidman, who was in the war of 181?, and grandfathers served in the Revolutionary war; wife Mary A. Hartman, boro Sparta February 5, 1837, married 1850; children six, Andrew R., Joel H., Mary V,, John A., Jay K., Mark H. - Father Henry Hartman settled at an early day. YORK. Elakeslee Senator, p o Greigsville, farmer, born in Wallingford, Conn., March 25, 1799, settled in county in Nov., 1837: wife Lucy Hobson, born in Washington county, N. Y., married in March. 1866; seven children living, Lucy and Henry K. living in county. Bowden S., p o York, retired. Bow Lysander, p o York, farmer. Boyd M. H., p o York, farmer. Clunas Mary F., p o Fowlerville, farmer. Craig William, p o York, farmer, 112 acres, born in Scotland Feb. 8, 1797, settled in county in 1823, has been high- way commissioner and assessor; wife Jane Stewart, born Amsterdam; four children. Craig Duncan S., p o York, farmer, 86 acres, born York June 14, 1831; wife Elizabeth Walker, born in Canada, married March 17, 1857. Cooley Orson, p o York, farmer, 130 acres, born York May 13, 1820; first wife Harriet Russ, born in York, married Dec. 26, 1844; second wife born in Paris, N. Y., mar- ried June 7, 1877; one child living, Hattie A. F., p o FOT Dike I. A. M., p o York, physician. Eraser Wrn., p o Fowlerville, merchant. Fierren M. N-. p o Fowlerville, hardware dealer. Eraser J. A., p o Fowlerville, farmer. Gilmore Thomas, p o York, farmer. Gilmore G. E., p o Fowlerville. Gray F. S., p o York, farmer. Gray James M., p o Greigsville, farmer, 15 acres, bom in Her- kimer county April 3. 1809, setfled in county Nov. 26, 1853, has been justice of peace three terms and notary public, third term, and loan commissioner five years: wife D. C. L. Fox, born in Hartford, Conn., married Jan. 18, 1835; two children, James M., Jr., and Lou- isa A. Howe John W., p o Fowlerville, merchant. Howell William, p o Fowlerville, proprietor of hotel. Innis Duncan, p o York, born in Delaware county Jan. 25, 1812, owns 150 acres of land, moved here with his father by an ox team when obliged to cut their own road. Kennedy Arch, p o York, farmer. Long Mrs. A. T., po York, resident. Mount Aaron, p o Fowlerville, harness maker. McMillin Daniel, p o York, retired. McDonald Mrs. David p o York, retired. McKean A. F. p o York, merchant. McVean IHomer, p o Avon, farmer, McKenzie Miss M. A., p o Fowlerville, farmer. McDonald D , p o York, farmer. Reid Alex, p o York, farmer. Russ Delos, p o York, justice of the peace. Russ K W . , p o York, farmer. Rose George B.', p o Fowlerville, farmer. Root G. wT, p o York, farmer. Rice Francis, p o Greigsville, farmer. Rice Sylvanu'^, p o Greigsville, farmer, 255 acres, born in Wal- lingford, Conn., Feb. 10, 1818, settled in county in 1819; wife Janette Smith, born York, married June 19, 1845; four children, Belle O., Frank J., Harriet L. and Wm. S. Father Jas. Rice, died Nov. 9, 1875. Randall George W., p o York, farmer, 106 acres, born in Lenox, Madison county Nov. 24, 1816, settled in county in spring of 1849, has been school trustee twenty years; wife Philindia M Palmer, born in Orangeville, N. Y., married in 1840; two children living, Ada M. and El- gin G. Smith H. E., p o Fowlerville, manufacturer. Stewart Niel, p o York, farmer. Sackett Orange, p o Avon, farmer. Sackett Samuel, p o Avon, farmer. Stickney W. B., p o Fowlerville, farmer. Stewart Wm and A. W., p o York, farmers. Smith A. W., p o Greigsville, farmer, 184 acres, born in York Dec. 19, 1821, has been supervisor and highway com- Uiissioner; wife Hannah M. Homer, born iu Norwich, Vt., married Apr. 10, 1861; one child, Hattie L., born Aug. 13, 1862, living at home. Sisson Charles, p o Greigsville, farmer, horn in Greigsville June 2. 1859. Torrey John, p o York, farmer. Whitney George K., p o York, farmer. Wadsworth Charles F , p o York, farmer. Warren Harlan Page, p o York, farmer and dealer in musical instruments, 32 acres, born in York Oct. 18, 1841, has been justice of peace two terms; wife Hattie C. Wil- liams, born in Livonia, married May 13, 1869, two chil- dren, Roy T. and Lena E. Warren Samuel, born in Herkimer county Oct. 28, 1797, settled in county in 1816; wife Sarah Flagg, born in Conway, Mass., July 27, 1801. married Nov. 30, 1836; five chil- dren, three now living, Josiah, Mary Jane, Harlan Page. Samuel Warren died Sept. 14, 1863; made first wine in coudty inl832; Harlan now carries on the busi- ness.