m

Yale Universily Library

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

PIONEER LIISTORY

OE,

CORTLAND COUNTY

BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. -

Jrom tlje (Bnxlh$t ^mob lo i\t '^xtBmi f imt.

BY H. C. GOODWIN",
AtTTHOR OF THE LIFE OF " JOHN JACOB ASTOE," " LEGENDS OF POLAND," *' THE H08M
OP PEOVINCE," ITHACA AS IT WAS, AND ITHACA AS IT 18," " EDQAIl WKNT-
WORTH ; A PRIZE STORY OF THE SECOND AMERICAN KETOLU-
TION," " CORRESPONDING MEM. OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL
SOCIETY OF HAVANA, DE LA CUBA," " HON. MEM.
OF MASSACnrSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY,"
'* CORRESPONDING MEM. STATE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF
¦WISCONSIN."

NEW YORK:
A. B. BURDICK, PUBLISHER,
No. 8 SPEUCE STEEET.
G 1859. ^^^.,.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by
DIXON & CASE,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Northern District of New York.

EDWAED O, JENKINS,
^frintur & ,St£rtotBpEr,
No. 26 FnANitroaT Steeet.

DEDICATION.

TO THE
STJRVIYING PIONEERS
AND THE
DESCENDANTS OF PIONpEKS OF CORTLAND COUNTY ;
AND BSPBCIALLT TO THE
VENERABLE DR. JOHN MILLER,
AKD
MAJOR -GEN'L SAMUEL G. HATHBWAT,
Stijis Wttrae is ILtspcctfullg J^bitattb.

That their future days may be happy and pleasurable as those of the past have
been arduous, honorable, and useful ; and thai the evening of their lives may
draw on, gently as fades the light of day, is the sincere and devoted wish of
their friend, THE AUTHOR.

COEEESPONDENCE.
The following letter, addressed by Hon. Joseph Rey
nolds, Prof Hyde and others to the author of this vol
ume, precludes the necessity of any additional prefatory
remarks : CoETLAND, May 22d, 1858.
H. C. Goodwin, Esq. — Dear Sir, — The undersigned
are informed that you aro now engaged in writing the
history of "Central New York," a work which will,
doubtless, be highly valued, and read with pleasure bj'
those familiar with the efforts you put forth to obtain
. facts relative to the early history of localities, and the
graphic manner in which you record important events.
A notice of the fact that you are still eraployed in
writing upon subjects which interest the public gene
rally, induces us to hope that you will revise and pub
lish in book form the history of "Cortland County atid
the Border Wars of JVew York," in order that our citi-

VI COEKBSPONDENCB.
zens may be able to preserve the matter which you pre
sented to them in one of our county papers two years
since, and which proved to be highly interesting and
instructive. We are of opinion that the work would meet with a
ready sale, and that you could not fail to secure a
worthy compensation for your labor. It is with the
hope that you may be induced to publish the history in
a more desirable form that we address you, believing
that by so doing you will perform a service ever to be
remembered by the citizens of our county.
We are, sir, yours respectfully, JosjBiPH Reynolds,
Horatio Ballard,
Frederick Hyde,
Hiram Grand all,
Edwin F. Gould.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Page.
Aboriginal, French, and English History, 9
CHAPTEE IL
Llndesay's Patent — Cherry Valley — ^British Oppression, 24
CHAPTER in.
Border Wars — British Influence — Battle of Oriskany — Siege of
Fort Schuyler, - - - 36
CHAPTER lY.
Flight of St. Leger — Brant gathering his Forces — The Massacre, 44
CHAPTER V.
Sullivan's Campaign — Interesting Incidents, - 51
CHAPTER VI.
Pioneer Movements — Indian Reflections — Revenge — Destruc-.
tion of the Mohawk Valley — Incidents, - - 72
CHAPTEE VII.
The Revolution — Its Effects Upon Emigration — Settlements —
Incidents — The Three Points from which Emigrants pene
trated Central New York, 87

VIU CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII. Page.
Organization of Cortland County, " 84
CHAPTEE IX.
Military Tract, - 103
CHAPTEE X.
Geology, Mineralogy and Meteorology, - 112
CHAPTER XI.
Legend of Tioughnioga Valley, - - - 122
CHAPTER XII.
Early Settlements and Organization of Towns, - 132
CHAPTER XIII.
General Remarks on Early History — Past and Present com
pared, - 273
CHAPTER XIV.
Hunting Incidents, - 307
CHAPTER XV.
Literary and Benevolent Institutions, - . gig
CHAPTER XVI.
Biographical Sketches, . 333
Brief Notices, ^29
Conclusion, - - ^ ^g.

CHAPTER I.
ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTORY.
" First in the race, that won their country's fame."
The historian is sometimes obliged to record events,
over which, if truth could be as well accommodated,
he would gladly cast the veil of forgetfulness, nor tor
ture public sympathy with the narration of scenes that
pain even while they instruct. We pity even the ban
ditti of Judea whom Herod's soldiers subdued ; for
lawless as they were, their women, children, and all
their hopes sank into the same ruin. But the aborigi
nals of America come up in the annals of the past,
demanding our strongest sympathy, because their crime
was simply the accident of birth ; they were the pos
sessors of this continent ; its untold treasure of wealth
invited the cupidity of strangers from the eastern climes,
and in their presence the proud sons of the forest of
America have withered away. When we contemplate
our country as it is, filled with wealth and the most
wonderful improvements ; when we consider the almost
exhaustless resources, agricultural and mineral, of our
land ; and when we look upon our educated, active, and
indomitable people, with the Bible for their code, ready
to use every availably and righteous means to strengthen
2

10 ABOEIGINAX, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOKY.
and perpetuate the Republic, and increase its moral,
social, intellectual, and political light and liberty, we
feel that in the inscrutable providence of God, the red
man's period in time has about elapsed, and soon all
that will remain to tell that he ever existed will' be the
imperfect record left by us, his exterminators.
To us, who, from this time, look back upon the events
of the past, it does not look strange that the natives
should have retired before the more powerful whites,
and that they should have made some attempts to expel
their invaders. Nor does it appear strange, that, after
having seen the graves of their dead desecrated, their
homes made desolate, and their ancient forests laid
waste— after the apprehension had at last reached their
darkened minds that they were to be eventually exter
minated, they should have turned on their persecutors,
nerved with destruction, and armed with the desire for
" liberty or death." Sympathy for our countrymen who
suffered from the chafed, desperate people whose homes
we have wrested from them, and whose country we
have appropriated to our use, should never mislead us
into the supposition that the Indian of America pos
sesses a more vindictive nature than ourselves. Could
a people as much more highly cultivated than ourselves,
as the early settlers were better informed than Indians,
approach our shores, and by friendship at first, and
then by fraud, theft, the deceitful use of powerful exhil
arating drinks, and finally by force of arms, get pos
session of all our eastern cities and seaboard, would we
quietly relinquish all of our homes, and tamely bend
our necks to the conqueror's yoke ? If not, then learn
to appreciate the parallel case of the Indians.

ABOEIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY. 11
In attempting to narrate any event of Indian warfare,
we find the most insurmountable difficulties arising,
unless we bring in the combined events that prompted
the outrage or action. The truth is, the aborigines
have no historians to record and publish to the world
the virtues, the sufferings, or the heroism of their race,
and from this fact has arisen the difiiculty of presenting
the red man as he really is. As the night retires leav
ing no trace behind, so the Indian has retired from his
country. As the day drives the night away, and then
paints a variegated dress for the landscape, so the
white man has driven away his feebler neighbor, and
left his own history.
The early settlers along the Atlantic coast had many
things to retard their progress. The woodland abounded
with game, and the rivers and creeks with fish, but the
strong desire of most of the early emigrants to become
speedily rich, prompted them to search for gold and
silver ; and when they failed in this, they commenced a
course of fraud, — capturing a native, in some instances,
and then demanding a ransom of corn, land, and skins.
As might have been expected, the settlements follow
ing such a course were very soon reduced to abject
want. The disaffection thus generated among the In
dians at one settlement, soon spread through nearly the
whole, and at a very early date after the settlement of
our country commenced by the whites, the Indians be
came their deadly foes. After many lives, together
with much time and money, had been needlessly
expended, the New World assumed an aspect wholly
changed ; people of industry, enterprise, and morality
flocked to our shores, anxious to obtain the neces-

12 ABOEIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY.
saries of life by hardy toil. The woodman's axe was
heard, and soon the busy hum of mills and machinery
mingled with the clatter of wagons, the ploughman's
song, and the lowing of herds.
The English claimed the earliest possession of this
territory, but the French, no less willing to extend their
possessions and increase their power, began a settle
ment in the north. This led to much unpleasant feel
ing, and at length to open collision between the settle
ments and nations. These diflBculties were all appa
rently settled by the treaty of Utrecht, in April, 1113.
The apparent peace would have continued a permanent
adjustment undoubtedly, but for the ever restless
Jesuits. These zealots imagined that the Indians
would gladly embrace their religious dogmas, and that
the introduction of missionaries among them would
eventuate in fixing Jesuitism on a firmer and more hon
orable basis. Prompted by such motives, this privileged
sect of the Roman See commenced their missionary
eflforts among the Indians with a zeal peculiar to pro
pagandists. The French, and especially the French
colonists, lent aid to these missionaries and their abet
tors, who, in turn, explored the wilds, and greatly pro
moted the interests of the French in America, and by
their glowing descriptions stimulated the desire of the
French colonists to become masters of the trade, and if
possible of the continent itself.
The fur trade presented inducements to both parties ;
and to reap a rich return from it, it became necessary
to win and retain the friendship of the Indians. The
French, prompted by their subtlety, won many Indians
in the west to their cause, and then commenced a series

ABOElGINAi, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY. 13
of encroachments upon Nova Scotia in the east ; Crown
Point in the north and west ; attempted to establish a
line of fortifications, extending from the head of the St.
Lawrence to the Mississippi, and were encroaching far
upon Virginia, while the English colonists had the un
pleasant prospect before them of being surrounded by
a belt of hostile French and Indians, closing rapidly
upon them. With this prospect clearly in view, they
commenced the most active measures to counteract the
ruin that seemed about to hurry them swiftly along the
way of the banished aborigines. Indian agents were
appointed, whose duty it was to treat with them ; to
make them valuable presents ; to redress their griev
ances, and to act at all times as the friend of the red
man. These efforts of the English to establish amicable
relations with the Indians, were crowned with happy
results ; many individual Indians became firm friends
of the English, and eventually a majority of the tribes
were found warmly attached to the ever-conquering
English side.
Among the Indian agents. Sir William Johnson's
name stands first among those with whom we need
trace any definite connection with the incidental Indian
history of which we shall treat in future chapters.
This gentleman was for manyyears the Superintendent-
General of the Indians, and by his friendship and wis
dom attached the Five Nations so closely to him, that
he exercised an almost unlimited control over them.
After the death of his amiable wife, he received to his
home "Mary Brant," sister of "Joseph Brant,*" the
c Thayendanegea.

14 ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY.
celebrated captain and governor of the Six Nations,
and lived with her in the full enjoyment of that affec
tion and fidelity consequent upon a union of minds con
genial, and love devoutly pure. This union, so far from
being an insult to the Indians, was doubtless looked
upon as a mark of real esteem. When an Indian be
comes a warm friend of a white man, it is no uncommon
thing for him to- bring his wife, as a present, thinking,
unquestionably, that as she is most valuable to him, so
she will be most acceptable to his friend. Whether this
relationship had any tendency to tighten the cords of
confidence between him and tho red men or not, we
leave the reader to judge, barely remarking, that the
influence he exerted over them was so powerful, that it
gave the controlling motion to allthe subsequent events
of Indian history in this region of country.
Sir William Johnson was born in Ireland, in the year
1114. In 1134 he came to this country to superintend
the estate of his uncle. Sir Peter Warren. His resi
dence was located on the banks of the Mohawk river.
He soon ingratiated himself into the esteem and confi
dence of the Six Nations. He studied the Indian char
acter, became master of their language, and at particu
lar seasons assumed their dress, invited them to his
house, and labored on all suitable occasions to extend
to them that attention and courtesy so well calculated
to impress them with peculiar reverence. He was stern
and unyielding in his disposition, yet possessed the
superior faculty of controlling his passions, and when
occasion required was conciliatory and courteous to the
unlettered aborigines of the forest.
During the French war, which broke out in 1154, he

ABOEIGINAX, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY. 15
rendered very great assistance to the provincial army.
At Lake George, where he held the post of Commander-
in-Chief, he gained a most brilliant victory over the
French and Indian forces of Baron Dieskau. In honor
of this achievement, the House of Commons voted him
a bequest of £5,000 sterling. The king most graciously
favored him with the title of " Baronet, and Superin
tendent of Indian Affairs." Brigadier. Gen. Prideaux
fell at the siege of Fort Niagara, when Sir William
assumed the ofBce of Commander-in-Chief of the com
bined English forces. He conducted the siege with
gallantry, compelled the Fort to surrender, and took the
garrison prisoners. Under his command were 1000
Iroquois. With these well-trained warriors, he united
with the forces of Gen. Amherst, at Oswego, in 1160,
preparatory to his expedition into Canada, closing his
distinguished military career at Montreal.
In his retirement from the bloody field of " glorious
war," he lived like an eastern lord, supporting much of
the dignity of a nobleman.
He died in the sixtieth year of his age, and was in
terred under the "old stone church" at Johnstown. In
1806, his remains were "taken up and re-deposited."
He had been rather seriously wounded at Lake George,
and the ball, not having been extracted, was found in
the mingled dust of the brave old man.
We have deemed it necessary to take this brief
review of the early history of our country, that we might
be enabled to understand why the Indians of the con
federacy, and many other tribes, adopted the cause of
the mother country during the Revolutionary struggle,
and that we may be better prepared to present a gene-

16 ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTORY.
ral sketch of the border wars of New York, waged for
the supremacy of soil, for power and plunder.
The most prominent language spoken by the aborigi
nes was the Algonquin.
They believed in one Supreme God — the Great and
Good Spirit — the Maker of Heaven and Earth — the
Father and Master of life — the Creator of every animate
being. They adored him, worshiped him, and regarded
him as the author of all good. Different tribes knew
him by different names, such as Kiethan, Wbonand,
Cautanwoit and Mingo Ishto. He lived far away to
the warm south-west, amid perennial flowers, golden
fruit, and sweet-scented zephyrs. They saw him in the
glassy water, foaming surge, sparkling fire, in the daz
zling sun, silvery moon, and radiant stars.
Among them were many gifted and eloquent orators.
Tall and majestic in appearance, with graceful attitude
and noble bearing, they united in extreme harmony
and degree both action and sentiment. Full of electri
fying emotion, thrilling ideas, and pulsating, leaping
words, every sentence was instinct with exuberant, all-
motioned, panting life. They would fill the ear with
music, the mind with fire. Their speeches were like
streams of swift-running intellect, charmed and poetized
by^the sweetest flowers and fairest thoughts.
At a very remote period in the annals of the past, the
aborigines had penetrated into different parts of the
territory, now erabraced within the State ; and as early
as 1535 had erected the seat of their empire at Ganen-
tuha, or Onondaga.
In 1600, the Five Confederative Nations, — the Mo
hawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, —

ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY. 11
had become very numerous and warlike. They had
gradually spread over the territory extending from the
borders of Vermont and central western New York,
from the great northern chain of lakes to the head
waters of the Ohio, the Susquehanna, and the Delaware.
The French called them the Iroquois, and the English
the Five Nations. Their war-paths extended beyond the
Connecticut, the Mississippi, and the Gulf of Mexico.
The French made their first permanent settlement in
Canada during the year 1608. Governor Champlain was
the guiding spirit, and under his direction and eflScient
action, Quebec was founded.
From 1609 to 1159, central and western New York
formed a portion of French Canada, or New France.
The St. Lawrence river and its shores had been ex
plored by Cartier and portions of his crew, as early as
August, 1535 ; but no permanent settlement was made
previous to 1608.
The French looked upon the aborigines as a kind of
groveling beings, having few wants, desires, or thoughts
above the instinct of the brute creation, and labored to
locate them in villages, the first of which was founded
near the settlements of Montreal and Quebec. But the
general habits, customs and sentiments of the whites
were so dissimilar to those of the Indians, that the at
tempt proved a failure. The presence of the " pale
face" tended rather to corrupt than improve the natives.
The plan was therefore abandoned, and another mode
adopted to induce them to favor the French, while they
should exhibit their hostility to the English.
In 1608, the Iroquois, or Five Nations, were engaged
in a bloody and exterminating war with the Adiron-
2*

18 ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY.
dacks, a confederacy of the Algonquins. They had
been driven from their possessions and hunting grounds
around Montreal, and compelled to fly for safety to the
southern coast of Lake Ontario, but in turn they fell
upon their invaders with the ferocity of tigers, and
forced them to abandon their lands, situated above the
Three Rivers, and seek a rampart behind the straits of
Quebec. Governor Champlain, unhappily for the colonists, and
unwisely for himself, entered into an alliance with the
Adirondacks, furnishing them with men and munitions
of war, which tended strongly to turn the current of
success. Their pomp, parade, and haughty movements,
their glittering armor and polished steel, waving plumes
and richly decorated banners, the blaze of musketry and
the roar of the deep-mouthed bellowing cannon that
flashed lightning and spouted thunder, bewildered their
untutored minds, and sent horror and consternation
among the combined forces of the Iroquois, and they
were as a consequence defeated in several battles, and
finally driven from Canada. Undismayed, however, by
their reverses, they turned their arms against the Sata-
naus or Shawnees, defeated them, and set about a
renewal of the contest with their rival foes.
A Dutch ship had entered the Hudson river, having
on board the colonists who made a location where we
now see the city of Albany. It was an easy task to
obtain of thera weapons similar to those which had been
so successfully used in their defeat and dishonor. Be
ing now fully prepared for a raore severe contest for
power, they resumed the fight with their old enemies.
Their efi"orts were attended with the fullest success and

ABOEIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTORY. 19
the Adirondacks were completely annihilated. Gov.
Champlain, too late to retrieve his mistake, learned
that he and his friends had united their fortunes with
the conquered instead of the conquerors. This action
on the part of the French originated that bitter enmity
and undying hatred which for a long period existed
between them and the Five Confederated Nations.
From this time the confederacy rapidly rose to the
first power _east of the Mississippi. Their war parties
ranged from Hudson's Bay on the north to the moun
tains of Tennessee on the south, from the Connecticut
on the east to the Mississippi on the west ; and every
nation within these vast boundaries trembled at the
name of the Akonoshioni, or united people.
During the reign of the Dutch governor, Peter Stuy-
vesant, the province of New York, in 1644, was sur
rendered to the English, who exerted themselves to
preserve the friendly feelings which were created be
tween the Five Nations and the Dutch, through the
agency of the latter, who were so opportune in lending
that species of arms which enabled the former to con
quer the Adirondacks, and regain their former honor,
their homes and hunting grounds. This timely aid on
the part of the Dutch, enabled the hardy German to
penetrate with safety into the Indian settlements, and
traffic with the natives. The English were successful.
They called conventions at Albany, were liberal, and
even extravagant in distributing among the Indians
munitions of war, merchandize, and various gaudy tin
selled trappings of fancy. The French, unwilling to
see the English reap all the fame and glory derived
from Indian friendship, redpubled their exertions to win

20 ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTORY.
their favor and weaken their alliance with the English.
If the confederacy could be dismembered, they presumed
it an easy matter to conquer the English.
In 1665, Oourcelles, Governor of Canada, dispatched
a party of the French to attack the Five Nations ; but
being unaccustomed to long and secret expeditions,
they lost their way amid the wastes of snow which
retarded their progress, benumbed their faculties, and
reduced them to a state bordering on starvation, and
finally, without knowing where they were, made a stand
at Schenectady, then but recently founded. Reduced
by cold, starvation, and the consequent results of a
rapid march, they resembled an army of beggars over
which the buzzard and vulture had hovered, and were
ready to descend and devour. The appetite of a hyena
would hardly have been satisfied with a meal from their
wasted forms. Many Indians were then in the village,
and could have easily destroyed them, and perhaps
would, had not the friendly aid of a Dutchman interfered,
by way of advice and artifice, to spare them, that they
might be the more fully prepared to meet and contend
with a stronger foe, which he contrived to make them
believe was advancing.
The French were not so anxious to instill morality
and the more noble lessons of virtue into the minds of
the savages, as they were to make allies for Prance.
That they partially succeeded is evident from the fact
that they induced the Caughnawagas, in 1611, to leave
the banks of the Mohawk and locate in Canada. French
vanity, and their advantages of polite bearing, were
better calculated to infiuence the native, than the stiif,
overbearing pricje and self-conceit of the English ; aud

ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY. 21
although they could not for any great length of time
retain the good graces of the Indians, yet it is recorded
that one of the French Jesuits so far won their favor
as to be adopted into one of the tribes, and was after
wards chosen a sachem.
The Dinodadies, a tribe who were in alliance with
France, were at war with the Five Nations in 1688, and
by treachery and falsehood contrived to intercept their
ambassadors while on their way to hold a conference in
Canada, and with a cowardly meanness and savage
barbarity peculiar to themselves, killed several of them,
pretending to be influenced by the French Governor,
thus violating their faith and making their enmity still
stronger, and the breach wider. Resolved upon having
vengeance, they soon landed 1,200 Iroquois warriors at
Montreal, slew 1,000 French, " and carried awaj' twen
ty-six prisoners. " These, after being subjected to their
scoffs and jeers, were burned alive. The French, no
less willing to submit, made stealthy incursions into
their country, and during the dark hours of night ap
plied the incendiary torch to the Indians' home,, thus
reducing several of their villages to ashes.
In 1690 Schenectady was secretly attacked by a band
of French and Caughnawaga Indians. The hour chosen
was the dead of night. The village was completely
surrounded, and before the inhabitants were aware of
it the torch had been applied, and every dwelling was
being devoured by the devastating element. Then com
menced the sacrifice, — cruel, unrelenting. Murder and
rapine went hand in hand. Infants had their brains
dashed out, or with fathers, mothers, brothers and sis
ters, were cast into the burning dwellings, while the

22' ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY.
red-hot flames, like ten thousand fiery serpents, wreathed
their consuming folds around them. Sixty persons thus
perished to appease their unhallowed wrath, while thir
ty were taken captive. The few that escaped the awful
massacre fled naked through the drifting snow in the
direction of Albany. Many perished on the way, and
twenty-five of the unhappy fugitives lost their limbs.
To avenge the wrong, a party of young Albanians
united with a tribe of the Five Nations, and pursued the
invaders, overtook them, and killed and captured about
thirty. Previous to this inhuman massacre, the colony of
New York had not been regarded as being in any im
mediate danger of an attack from the French. The
colonists felt more especially secure, from the fact that
the negociations which were then pending in Europe
were likely to bring about an amicable adjustment of
the diflBculties originating from the conflicting claims
of the two rival powers in the New World.
The red leaguers still remained firm to the English
cause, and exhibited considerable tact and ingenuity in
harrassing their enemies.
In 1101 a general peace was concluded between
the French and the Five Nations.
In the year 1112 the Corees and Monecons, or Tusca
roras, were waging a cruel and bloody war against the
Carolinas. They were defeated with great loss, and
driven from their country. Thus vanquished in their
endeavors to subjugate the inhabitants of those colonies,
the Tuscaroras left the seat of their ancient renown
and journeyed northward, and finally united their desti
nies with the confederacy of the Five Nations, receiving

ABORIGINAL, FRENCH, AND ENGLISH HISTOEY. '23
a tract of land to dwell on; after which the allied pow
ers were known by the name of the Six Nations.
From the commencement of the eighteenth century
down to 1150, the Jesuit missionaries were very success
ful in influencing the Six Nations to favor their cause.
They dazzled their uncultivated minds with the tinselled
glare of Romish ceremonies, accommodated themselves
to the tastes of savages, and held out to view the rich
resources, the magnificent splendor of their king's
golden throne, and thus ingratiated themselves so far
into their good graces as to succeed in obtaining per
mission to build forts in their territory : and when the
last French war broke out in 1154, four of the tribes were
found raising the tomahawk against their former
friends, the British colonists; and yet, singular as it
may appear, before the last decisive blow was struck
which defeated the French and gave power and domin
ion to the English, the red men had abandoned the
French and the " magnificence of le grand monarque,"
and were once more allied with the English.

CHAPTEE II.
LINDBSAY's patent. — CHERRY VALLEY. — BRITISH
OPPRESSION.
'* There was heard the sound of a coming foe.
There was sent through Tryon a bended bow.
And a voiee "was heard on the free winds far,
As the strong rose up at the sign of war."
Gillies, the celebrated historian, presumes that men
" in the infancy of society'' were "occupied with the
business of the present hour, forgetful of the past, and
regardless of the future." There may have been in
stances where the truth of this declaration has appeared
evident. We however doubt its general application.
Not so with our Pilgrim Fathers, who two hundred
years ago braved the dangers of the stormy ocean,
when the May Flower came to this western continent
laden with the destinies of this great nation. They left
the land of persecution, where religious fanaticism and
political tyranny were at their work of oppression, that
they and their children might enjoy the rights and priv
ileges of freemen in the new world of promise. Not
so with our patriot fathers, who, rather than endure the
injustice of British tyranny, or British insolence, made
bare their bosoms to the shafts of battle, and shrunk not
from the bloody horrors of a seven years' war. Not so

lindesay's patent. 25
with the dauntless champions, who, from the day of pe
ril when they wrestled with the savage for his birth
right, to the day of glory when they proclaimed a new
charter to man, were giving -a new nation to the world.
Not so with the annointed few who came to sow the
good seed, to grapple with infidelity as they rallied
around the banner of the cross and descried on'the far-
off shore of the heavenly Canaan that celestial diadem
that was bought with the hues of Calvary. Not so
with the early pioneers of our country, who abandoned
the soft endearments of home, social ties, and struggled
to form new settlements in the wilderness, where before
the hand of civilization had not contributed its strength
to rear the domestic domicil. They toiled, not alone for
themselves, but for their children — for posterity. We
glory in the achievements of such men. We take pride
in witnessing their success. They are the great bene
factors of mankind — nature's true noblemen. And it
will be our humble effort " to rescue from oblivion the
names " of those who first warred with the mountain
oak, or enriched our valleys by hardy toil; and it will
be, too, our province and pleasure to record the deeds of
those stern actors, over whose labors the rust of time
has gathered, and over whose hallowed dust the green
turf has grown, and wild flowers have sprung up in
beautiful luxuriance. Nor shall we pass unmindful by
those whose whitened locks and trembling limbs point
like sentinels to the tomb. We should cherish their
worth, emulate their virtues, — for they toiled that we
might enjoy the rich fruits of their labor.
Albany county, in 1711, embraced all the northern
and western part of the province of New York, extend-

26 LINDESAY'S PATENT.
ing from the Hudson river to the Niagara. Tryon
county was organized in 1112. It was named in honor
of Su: William Tryon, the provincial governor. It em
braced in its boundaries a very large territory of coun
try, containing all that part of the State lying west of
a north and south line running nearly through the
centre of the present county of Schoharie. The county
seat was at Johnstown, the residence of Sir Wm. Johnson.
By examining our State map, it will be seen that
Tryon was made up in part of Franklin, Hamilton, Ful
ton, Montgomery, Delaware, Ulster, Sullivan, and
Orange, and the whole of St. Lawrence, Lewis, Herki
mer, Otsego, Broome, Chenango, Madison, Cortland, On
ondaga, Oneida, Oswego, Cayuga, Wayne, Seneca,
Tompkins, Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, Steuben, Yates,
Ontario, Monroe, Livingston, Alleghany, Cattaraugus,
Genesee,.Orleans, Niagara, Erie, and Chautauque coun
ties. It was changed to Montgomery in 1184.
The boundary between the British and Indian terri
tory, as agreed upon in the treaty of 1168, run from
Fort Stanwix, near Oneida creek, southward to the
Susquehanna and Delaware.
Various portions of country embraced within the
boundary lines of Tryon county have been hallowed and
consecrated by the toils, the sacrifices and blood of
those who fought and fell in freedom's holy cause. The
blood chills as we look back to those days of rapine and
carnage, and the pulse throbs with wild emotion as we
recur to the stealthy march and midnight massacre —
scenes which have made our country classic to those
who delight in the recital of tales which send the blood
curdling to the heart.

LINDBSAY's PATENT. 21
We see the long defile of painted savages as they
wind along the Indian trail, — now issuing from the dark
forest upon some defenceless settlement; now robbing
some happy home of its brightest jewels, or applying
the midnight torch to the pioneer's domicil, while sav
age yells rend the heavens and mingle in horrid discord
with the groans of the dying who have fallen by the
intruder's hand.
The Revolutionary struggle has lent an additional
charm to those battle fields where freedom and tyranny
met and struggled for the mastery ; fields hallowed by
time, and made consecrate by the uncoffined bones of
many a brave warrior. No country presents such
scenes of grandeur and glory. In no country has pas
sion stamped its vitality, energy, and sublimity more
indelibly in popular traditions and in historic reminis
cences. In. the early part of the 18th century, about 3000
German Palitinates, under the protection of Queen
Anne, emigrated to this country. A large number of
them made locations in Pennsylvania, while a few
passed from Albany, by way ofthe Helderberg, in 1113,
to the rich flats which berder Scoharie creek. Here,
wearied and wayworn, they paused for rest. Explora
tions were made, and finally a settlement agreed upon.
In 1122, the country bordering the Mohawk had become
dotted with small settlements, and the footprints of
civilization had reached the German Flats.
In 1138 a patent was granted by the Lieutenant
Governor of the province of New York to John Linde-
say, Joseph Roseboom, Lendert Gansevoort, and Sabrant
Van Schaick. This patent contained 8,000 acres of

28 CHEEEY VALLEY.
land, situated in the northern part of the [now] county
of Otsego, and embraced a part of the town and village
of Cherry Valley.
In 1139 Cherry Valley was founded, by John Linde-
say, a Scotch emigrant. In a few years improvements
were so far made as to render the little band of pioneers
comparatively comfortable, though they had endured
the horrors of an almost living, lingering death by star
vation. In 1140 the snow fell, during the middle winter
month, to the depth of several feet, precluding all in
tercourse or communication between the settlers of
Cherry Valley and those bordering the Mohawk. Mr.
Lindesay and family were placed in a most critical and
truly alarming condition. L^nprepared for the close quar
ters to which the severity of the weather had reduced
them, — without food, with scanty raiment, and none of
the conveniences which were calculated to encourage
or improve their unhappy condition, — they looked on all
around as one wide waste of dreary, blank desolation.
He looked upon his wife, the partner of his early lovei
and as he saw the pearly tear start from her once
sparkling eye, and steal its way down her pallid cheek,
where he was wont to see the blush of vestal modesty
start, he inwardly prayed that a good Providence might
protect, and that the angel of mercy might rend aside
the curtain that hid the present from the unknown
future. And his children — who will protect and answer
to their appeals for food ? The cold, bleak blast,
as it comes on its storm-beaten pinions, sweeping
over the great lakes and wide-spread prairies, moans
and howls among the tops of the forest trees, and

CHEERY VALLEY. 29
sends a colder chill to the sinking heart of the stricken
parent. 'Tis night 1 The sky is filled with snow, the wind
sings its sad requiem. Without, all is cold and cheer
less. Within the frugal home of our ill-protected
pioneer sits an aged Indian of the Iroquois tribe. He
is listening to the sad tale of the starving family.
Touched with pity, the tear of sympathy steals down
his furrowed cheek. His majestic form rises from the
oaken chair. He is resolved to alleviate their suffer
ings. He pauses but a moment to light his pipe, or
calumet of peace, as an indication of friendship with
the pale face, then stroking the flaxen hair of the little
infant that sat upon its mother's knee, and waving a
good-bye with his brawny hand, he left the confines of
the pioneer's little empire with slow and measured
pace. His course is in the direction of the magnificent
Mohawk. And now, amid the darkness and solitude of a bleak
winter's night, the native red man, dressed in the simple
Indian garb, wearing heavy snow-shoes, is wending his
lonely way to his rustic home, embosomed amid an am
phitheatre of hills just back of that majestic river.
Could we have fathomed the thoughts of that " aged
hemlock," we should have learned that his mind was
deeply impressed with the forlorn situation of his white
friends, whose relief was the immediate object of his
night march through the drifting snow. His sentiments
and grateful emotions were akin to those which ac
tuated the simple aboriginals long before their minds
were polluted with the inhumanity of the transatlantic
lords, whose object was the subjugation and annihila-

30 CHEEEY VALLEY.
tion of the red men of the wilderness. In due time the
old scarred warrior returned laden with provisions,
which he freely presented to Mr. Lindesay and family.
With what grateful emotions they were received can
be better imagined than told.
Mr. Lindesay was deserving of the Indian's friend
ship, for it had been his endeavor to cultivate the good
will of his tawny brethren.
The old Indian made him frequent visits during that
long and unpropitious winter, and continued to relieve
the wants of himself and family — an act worthy of
being written in letters of living light on the tablets of
immortality. The enterprising and spirit-stirring Harpers settled
at Harpersfield in 1168. They had received a patent
for twenty-two thousand acres of land, located in the
present county of Delaware.
At about the same time settlements were made near
Unadilla, and scattered families were found locating in
various parts of the " plains," — at Springfield, Middle-
field,* Laurens, and Otego.f The population of Cherry
Valley fell a little short of 300, and the whole of Tryon
county did not exceed 10,000 when the British lion
began to thunder defiance on the continent of America.
As yet the citizens of Tryon county had made no
open resistance to the measures of the crown of Great
Britain, political or ecclesiastical. They did, however,
believe in the true and real freedom of all mankind —
the right of speech, and the freedom of the press—
those inherent rights which are God-given and inalien-
* Early called Freetown Martin. f Old England District.

BEITISH OPPRESSION. 31
able. They justly complained of the course which had
been taken by the British authorities to incite, with
foreign gold and foreign rum, the ruthless savage
against the infant, and defenceless matron. They had
time and again heard the Indian war-whoop, and had
vainly sought the protection of the dear ones at home,
for in that horrid yell they heard the doom of their
wives and children.
Enjoying the name of freemen, they felt that they
were becoming mere vassals to an arbitrary power.
They knew that the hand that should aid and assist
them was wielding an influence to crush and destroy
them. They were sensible that the parent government
had stretched a rod over them, and had threatened
them with a despot's revenge ; and long before the
Revolutionary curtain rose on the memorable plains of
Lexington, the Tryon county freemen were found en
gaged in holding meetings, and denouncing the arbi
trary measures of the king and his governors, and freely
took part with their brethren in other colonies in utter
ing their opposition to the Stamp act, and various other
anti-republican measures which had emanated from the
British Parliament. And they resolved to give their
adhesion to those measures which finally resulted in
the calling of a Congress, which convened in the city
of New York in 1665.
After the death of Sir William Johnson, which oc
curred in the midst of an Indian council," held at Johns
town, July 11th, 1114, the difficulties increased, and
rapine and massacre were of more frequent occurrence.
He had possessed a powerful and commanding influence
over the Indians, and displayed an administrative gen-

32 BEITISH OPPEESSION.
ius superior to any who had before been at the service
of the British government in America.
Convened at this war council were a large number of
the most active and rebellious spirits of the Six Nations,
besides numerous high civil dignitaries of the provinces
of New York and .New Jersey.
Sir William had held the office of Superintendent of
Indian affairs for the northern provinces for upwards
of twenty years ; and, at the time of his decease, his
department included 130,000 Indians, more than one
fifth of whom were "fighting men." The Six Nations
numbered about 10,000, and could bring into action
over 2,000 bold and skillful warriors.
Col. Guy Johnson, son-in-law of Sir William, was his
successor in office. But he was a man of an entirely
different temperament, possessing but a small share of
his talent and judgment, was illiberal, crafty, full of
vain-glory, and delighted in playing the tyrant.
The political elements which, for a long time, had
been gathering in the eastern provinces, broke forth in
a spirit of angry defiance, which was hailed by the
Tryon county friends of freedom with a spirit bordering
on enthusiasm. They exhibited a devoted love of
country worthy of freemen. To animate their New
England friends, and cheer them on in the good work
of reform, they forthwith met and organized an associ
ation, the avowed object of which was to difi'use a spirit
of opposition to the kingly sway and menacing power
of British tyranny in the provinces of the New World.
They were resolved to enjoy the freedom of their own
views, and assist in propagating the principles of equal
and exact justice to all men. And yet they knew not

BEITISH OPPRESSION. 38
but that they would be hunted down with savage ven
geance, and that infamy would cling unrelentingly to
their names. But what had this to do with freemen?
They were opposed to taxation without their consent,
and were resolved to cherish the sentiment while a
single " arm could beat the laruni to rebellion."
Guy Johnson became the leader of the loyalists.
Discussions sharp and spirited took place between
them, until finally the Colonel discovered the deter
mined will of the revolutionists, and becoming satis
fied of his waning influence, abandoned his royal palace
at Guy Park, and with a formidable band of tory and
Indian adherents, such as Col. Glaus, Brant, and the
Butlers, made his head-quarters at Fort Stanwix, sub
sequently at Oswego, and finally at Montreal. Here
Sir John Johnson followed with a body of three hundred
loyalists, chiefly Scotch.
England, excited to madness by the daring effijrt,
covered our country not only with her own legions, but
the insurrectionary negro, the Hessian, the savage,
and tho dastardly parricidal American tory, all ani
mated by a reckless spirit of revenge, blighting our
fair fields and waging a cruel war against the helpless
woman and innocent child. But our immense forests,
interminable plains, extensive rivers, with the exalted
spirit which prompted to emigration, had imparted to
the naturalized American a principle of noble indepen
dence, invincible firmness, and a daring intrepidity,
which exhibited to astonished Europe a picture of the
moral sublime.
The provincial supporters of the royal throne united
with the home government in the detevmination, black-
3

34 BRITISH OPPEESSION.
hearted and infamous, cruel and cowardly as it was, of
setting ten thousand reckless, pampered, paid savages
upon the scattered frontier settlements of the United
Colonies, to glut their unhallowed desire for blood, to
rob, plunder, and massacre the defenceless citizen, to
strike terror into the peaceful and unguarded commu
nity of republican pioneers, to destroy their property,
fire their dwellings, tomahawk and scalp the weak, the
innocent and decrepit, to torture their prisoners in the
most barbarous and unrelenting manner, to dig out their
eyes, cut off their tongues, or roast them alive in the
devouring element that was consuming their otherwise
peaceful homes ; and as the red-hot flames lit up the
heavens with a lurid glare, to yell and shout like incar
nate devils over their work of devastation and death.
The Johnsons were in possession of great wealth, and
had long lived in princely grandeur. Allied by mar
riage to families of foreign birth and royal blood, and
holding important posts by British appointment, shrewd,
sagacious and artful, they were found, when united with
the Butlers, fit dispensers of massacre to the northern
frontiers. Little thought the British king as he sat upon his
throne of regal grandeur, fattening on the blood and
bones of murdered and oppressed humanity, that in
prosecuting and urging forward the bloody frontier wars
of New York and Pennsylvania he was digging his
grave of moral infamy, or that the haughty foe, after
waging for years a cruel and unrelenting warfare, was
to be driven from our shore in sullen gloom and disap
pointment, having lost the brightest jewels that glit
tered in his crown of royalty. He did not for a moment

BEITISH OPPEESSION. 35
presume that the heroic actors against whom he warred
were destined to gain an immortality of fame and glory,
in consequence of the noble and exalted stand they had
taken in defense of home, kindred, and country — that
their names were to be honored through successive
generations, — the penman's theme and the poet's inspira
tion, — or that when the historian should write his coun
try's annals, he would erect to them a monument, at
whose base the falsehoods and prejudices of their ene
mies should wither, and around whose summit the light
nings of immortality would play.

CHAPTER III,
BORDER WARS — BRITISH INFLUENCE — BATTLE OP ORIS
KANY  SIEGE OP PORT SCHUYLER.
*' Heard ye not the battle horn ?
Reaper, leave thy golden corn.
Leave it for the birds of heaven,
Swords must iiash, and shields be riven (
Leave it for the winds to shed —
Arm I ere Tryon's turf grows red I
" Mother 1 stay thou not thy boy I
He must learn the battle's joy.
Sister I bring the sword and spear.
Give thy brother word of cheer 1
Maiden I bid lliy lover part,
Tryon calls the strong in heart."
Border warfare, in all ages and in all countries, has
presented an unrestrained exhibition of human passion;
and the frontier wars of New York exhibit to the mor
alist one of the darkest pages that has yet seen the
light, embodying a mass of depravity and misery, which
the mind of man contemplates with mingled emotions
of amazement, horror and disgust ; and presenting a
picture of weakness and wickedness, of turpitude and
guilt, which has few parallels in any work of fiction.
Humanity mourned over these devastations upon the
beauty and brightness of her primeval empire, and lifted
aloud her voice for their abatement.

BOEDER WARFARE. 31
The British possessed a very decided advantage over
the colonists. They had agents who were appointed
and paid by the king, to traffic and cooperate with the
Indians in every possible way. The Indians were
taught to believe that the king was their natural ruler
and protector ; that it was the object and intention of
the colonists to defeat, if possible, the English, and
then wage an exterminating war against the red men;
that, unless they united with the king's people, and
assisted in conquering the revolutionists, their hunting
grounds would be taken from them, their villages burnt,
their homes pillaged, and themselves tortured, massa
cred, or made menial slaves to wear the white man's
chains and the tyrant's fetters. Presents in great pro
fusion were frequently made in the name of their royal
father, to these unlettered aborigines ; and we are not
surprised that a favorable impression should have been
made, or that the savages were preengaged in favor of
English tyranny, nor do we regard them as having been
alone to blame. Far from it. The cupidity and base
mendacity of the royal leaders were continually urging
forward marauding parties, and instigating them to
massacre and blood ! And bitter were the fruits of these
unhallowed attempts in Tryon county.
Though the stealthy incursions of the Indians had
been severely felt by the inhabitants, previous to the
campaign of 1111, they were afterwards attended with
a more deadly vengeance.
In July of that year. General Herkimer marched to
Unadilla at the head of 380 men of the Tryon county
militia, and was there met by Brant, having with him
130 men. A conference was had between Gen. Herki-

38 BORDER WARFARE.
mer and Capt. Brant, which finally terminated without
tending to the furtherance of the American or Repub
lican cause, leaving no doubt, in the minds of those
present, of tbe determination of Brant and his followers
to unite their destinies with the tories.
On the 11th of July, Gen. Herkimer issued his cele
brated proclamation. It breathed the true spirit of the
patriot, and was worthy of having emanated from the
"head and heart of the gallant hero who penned it ; and
it was very generally well received, notwithstanding
the tory spirit which had been infused into the minds of
a number of influential citizens, through the agency of
the Johnsons, Col. Glaus, and Walter Butler, son of Col.
John Butler, of Wyoming notoriety.
When Burgoyne, with his well-disciplined army of over
7,500 regulars, besides Canadian and Indian auxiliaries,
was rapidly advancing upon Crown Point, he detached
Col. St. Leger with a body of light troops, Canadians,
Indians, and tories, iu all amounting to about 2,000, by
the way of Oswego and the Mohawk river, with orders
to take Fort Schuyler, and join him as he advanced to
the Hudson, on his way to New York.
Eearly in August, Gen. St. Leger and his forces ap
proached Fort Schuyler in all the "pomp and parade'?
of victorious troops fresh from the tented field of blood.
The fortification was a rude structure formed of logs,
and located on a well-selected elevation near the source
of the Mohawk river. It was garrisoned by about six
hundred continentals under the order and control of
Col. Gansevoort. It undoubtedly appeared to St. Leger
as an undertaking of no very great effort to reduce the
fort and hang the rebels. The garlands of immortal

BOEDER WARFARE. 39
fame were to cluster around his brow, and his name to
be recorded upon the fairest page of English history I
Nodding plumes were to droop and wither at his ap
proach, and the revolutionists to seek mercy at the feet
of the king's appointed dignitary ! But how sadly was
he disappointed. On the 3d he invested the place with
about two-thirds of his army, and demanded a surrender
of the fort. The reply of Gen. Gansevoort was, that he
would defend it to the last extremity.
Gen. Herkimer, with 800 troops, had marched to rein
force the garrison. During the forenoon of the sixth
day he sent forward a messenger, who informed the
defenders of the fort that he was within eight miles of
them, and expected to be able enuring the day to force a
passage and enter the garrison.
Of this fact Gen. St. Leger had been by some means
apprised, and forthwith detached a strong body of regu
lars and Indians, under the command of Brant and
Butler, with orders to ambuscade, and if possible, inter
cept and cut off the forces of Gen. Herkimer. The plan
was adopted, and told with awful and heart-rending
efiect upon the approaching army. The spot was admi
rably chosen, being along a ravine which swept through
a deep-cut gorge thickly studded with the " dark forest
trees" of Oriskany.
There is a sublime and imposing appearance in a well-
equipped and well-drilled army. You see generals and
their aids clad in rich and tasteful uniform, with glitter
ing shields and nodding plumes, mounted on richly
caparisoned steeds, giving thei? hurried orders as the
battalions wheel into columns and prepare for the deadly
conflict. To see the two opposing forces rapidly closing

40 BORDER WARFARE.
in upon each other, and suddenly swayed back like the
surging waves of the ocean, as their ranks are opened.
by shot or chain belched from the mouths of brazen
cannons, is indeed an awful scene. The earth trembles
as if convulsed by some mighty volcanic eruption, and
the red-hot balls and bursting shells resemble so many
fiery orbs gemming the earth. Not so, however, in the
battle scene we are about to record.
The tory and savage forces were crouched, tiger-like,
along the banks of the ravine, entirely secluded from
the sight of General Herkimer and his little gallant
army of well-tried soldiers, yet ready to pounce upon
them with the ferocity of hungry hyenas. The heroic
forces of Herkimer, unapprised of danger, were moving
along the winding gorge, but were suddenly startled
by a heavy discharge of musketry, followed by the
war-whoop of the painted savages and royal allies,
who came rushing down the banks, screeching and
yelling like ten thousand demons fresh from the portals
of the infernal pit. This precipitate movement on the
part of the enemy, so unexpected, so sudden, and so
furious, threw the army of Herkimer into considerable
disorder. Indeed, the greatest consternation spread .
throughout the ranks. The rear division of the column
broke and fell back ou the first attack, arud fled. The
forward division had no alternative left but to fight,
and gallantly they defended themselves in the unequal
contest. The royal troops and the militia became so
closely pressed together as to be unable to use their
fire-arms, and one of'the most deadly hand to hand
conflicts ensued that is recorded in either ancient or

BORDER AVAEFAEE. 41
modern history. Confusion and carnage reigned su
preme, and hundreds fell, pierced to the heart with the
deadly steel. The earth was red with the blood of the
dead and dying, and the purple current was seen min
gling with the crystal element as it swept along in its
hurrying course. Those who fled at the first onset,
sought for safety behind trees, from which they poured
the most raking and disastrous shots into the enemy's
ranks. But the wily savages, not willing to be out-
managed, especially in their own mode of fighting,
watched for the smoke of each discharged gun, then
suddenly sallied forth, tomahawked and scalped the
unerring marksman before he had time to reload. This
way of taking scalps was, however, soon checked.
Two men were directed to take a position behind the
forest rampart, and while the one should bring down
his foe, the other to reserve his charge for the seeker of
scalps. In this way sad havoc was made with the
savage foe.
In this severe struggle. General Herkimer's loss was
computed to amount to four hundred men ; the gallant
leader himself was found among the slain. Many of
the most active political characters of that unfortunate
portion of country were either made prisoners, wounded,
or fell — gloriously fell — in the defense of that principle
which has established republics, demolished thrones,
wrecked kingdoms, and divided empires. Nor was the
loss less severely felt by the allied party. The dusky
chieftain mourned the fate of his brave warriors, who
lay thick as autumn leaves around him. His grief was
almost bordering on despair. He wept as the red man
was unused to weep, for he plainly saw the wide-spread
3*

42 BOEDER WARFARE.
desolation that was at almost every point staring him
in the face. And while the few remaining sons of the
forest bewailed the loss of their friends, and exhibited
the deepest sorrow and distress of mind, as they saw
the result of their inhumanity in the mangled forms, in
the blasted hopes, in the unutterable agony of the fallen
braves, and, while their doleful yells rent the air, the old
scarred chieftain stood still and motionless as the sleep
ing marble. His countenance, however, soon changed
to that of a demon, for the spirit of vengeance was at
work in his breast, and his dark eye flashed a falcon
glance at the heroic warriors who passed hurriedly by
with their dead and dying, who, but a little while be
fore, were flushed with manly pride and noble bearing.
That glance was indicative of his deep and undying
hatred towards the Americans, and was ominous of
future devastation, of massacre, and blood.
During this severe contest Col. Willett made a suc
cessful sally, killed a number of the enemy, destroyed
their provisions, carried off their spoils and plunder, and
returned to the fort without losing a man.
In the meantime Arnold had been dispa;tched with a
respectable force of Continentals for the purpose of
preventing a junction of St. Leger with General Bur
goyne. St. Leger had become aware of the expected
arrival of Arnold, aud after again demanding, in the
most haughty manner, the surrender of the fort, and
meeting with the sarae patriotic and prompt refusal,
began to make arrangements for its destruction. But
just at this important crisis of affairs, Arnold appre
hended an American of wealth and influence, whom he
strongly suspected of being a traitor. He agreed.

BOEDEE WAEFARE. 43
however, to spare his life and fortune, on the condition
that he would go forthwith to the British camp before
Fort Schuyler, and circulate a report to the effect that
an overwhelming force was rapidly approaching. The
prisoner consented ; and, true to his word, entered the
camp, and very greatly magnified the force that was
marching against it. As was anticipated, this report
spread consternation and alarm throughout the forces
of St. Leger. The Indians had no notion of remaining
there to be overpowered by Arnold. They had rather
take scalps than to be marks for the keen-eyed revolu
tionists. St. Leger was fully satisfied as regarded his
strength and ability to defend the position he had
-taken, as also, of the weakness of the fort, and reluc
tantly listened to his Indian allies, who were open in
avowing their disappointment. They had presumed it
an easy matter to triumph over the Americans, and
were to share equally with the British in the division
of the spoils of conquest. Thus defeated and deceived,
they resolved to fly for safety, and seek trophies in
another quarter. And all the art and genius of Leger
failed to detain them. Many left, and the remainder
declared they would if the siege was persevered in.
Thus he was compelled to abandon the siege, and, on
the 22d of August, retired in great confusion ; the
tents were left standing, the artillery abandoned, and
the greater part of the baggage, amniunition, and pro
visions fell into the hands of the garrison, a detachment
from which pursued the retreating enemy as he bent
his course in tbe direction of Montreal.

CHAPTEE IV.
FLIGHT OF ST. LEGER. — BRANT GATHERING HIS FORCES.
— THE MASSACRE.
" Hark I hark ! methinks I hear some melancholy moan.
Stealing upon my listening ear.
As tho' some departing spirit ^vas about
To soar, amid the horrors of a massacre !
Yes I the savage fiend, with glittering knife,
And tomahawk, reeking with infant blood,
Stands in awful prospect before my vision. "
The circumstances under which St. Leger made his
hurried flight from Port Schuyler, were by no means
flattering to his vain-glorious disposition. He had the
command of an army which boasted of being in the en
joyment of the full powers of health, discipline and
valor, and into whose minds he had labored to infuse a
spirit of opposition to republican liberty, as well as to
prejudice them in favor of the crown of Great Britain.
He had endeavored to prove that the government of the
mother country, with all her fading splendors of an
archy, was in every respect superior to the one designed
to be established in the colonies. He was peculiarly
lavish with his promises to all who would assist in
redeeming the cause of the king from the usurpers, and
continue submissive to his arrogant behests, and tyran
nic acts of his minion serfs in Parliament. The children
of the colonists were to receive their full measure of

FLIGHT OP ST. LEGEK. 45
vengeance and wrath from the ministers of justice, who
were to visit with devastation, famine, and the long
train of unmitigated horrors of a scourging war, all
who refused to acknowledge the " Divine Right of
Kings." Yet after having exhausted his powers in rhe
torical flourishes, begging, promising and threatening
those under his command, he suddenly abandons the
siege, and retires from the "field" in the utmost confusion.
The Indians continued their depredations, for mas
sacre and murder had become the cherished objects of
their lives.
In the summer of 1118 Brant made his head quarters
at Oquago,* and Unadilla, and gathered around him
several hundred Indians and tories, ready for any emer
gency, — to pillage and devastate the country.
A fort was erected at Cherry Valley by order of Gen
eral Lafaj'ette, and became a retreat when the incursions
of the Indians gave alarm to the surrounding inhabi
tants. Brant resolved upon its destruction, was pre- ,
pared for an attack, and was only prevented by being
frightened by a band of boys who, in honor of their pa
triotic fathers, were marching out in the direction of
Brant's hiding place, where they were to engage in a
sham battle. Brant, presuming it to be an approaching
army, discharged a few scattering shots, killing Lieut.
Wormwood, and Capt. Peter Sitz, and decamped, leav
ing the boys *' To beat the sheepskin, blow the fife.
And march in trainin' order."
In July, Wyoming, a new and flourishing settlement on
* Now Windsor.

46 BRANT GATHERING HIS FORCES.
the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, was devastated
and laid waste, many of the inhabitants were ruthless
ly murdered, others burned at the stake, or tortured in
the most barbarous and unrelenting manner.
In the following November, Brant, at the head of 100
warriors, 500 of whom were his own men, accompanied
by Capt. Walter Butler, son of Col. John Butler, the
devastator of Wyoming, who had obtained 200 Butler
Rangers of his father, marched upon Cherry Valley,
where was perpetrated one of the most inhuman mas
sacres recorded in history, and which proves to an ab
solute certainty the tory commander to be a most im
placable enemy to freemen, a reckless tyrant, a bar
barian well suited to the capacity of his calling, a mid
night marauder, and wanton ravager of the inno
cent. Col. Ichabod Alden was in command of the fort, and
through his inexcusable neglect the surrounding inhab
itants did not take shelter in the fort, as he had pro
mised to keep scouts out, who, in case of danger, would
sound the alarm. His scouts built a large fire, around
which they were -enjoying a comfortable nap. Brant and
his allies fell upon them just before daylight had dawn
ed on the ill-fated settlement, capturing them, and mak
ing the surprise most complete. Back settlers were
surprised in their dwellings, and murdered with every
circumstance of fiendish barbarity. The village was
invested in all parts at the same moment, and then
ensued a scene at which humanity would shudder and
angels might weep. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters
and friends, were inhumanly tomahawked and scalped,
to appease the Indian and tory spirit of revenge. Even

THE MASSACRE. 47
lisping infancy was made to share the like fate, cruel
and barbarous as it was.
The commander of the rude fortification, refusing to
yield to the usurper's call to surrender, fell by the tom
ahawk. Brant and his Mohawks nerved themselves
for the scene of blood and woe that was to follow, but
were less furious, less depraved, and still less cruel,
torturing and fiendlike, than were the Senecas ; for they,
as if in spired by the arch demon of Hades, sprung upon
the innocent, the helpless and unoffending, and murder
ed them without exhibiting one touch of remorse, or
emotion of sympathy. So, too, with the tory, or rene
gade allies, — they were ripe for massa ere and blood.
The troops in the fort made a gallant and noble
defence ; but they were not sufficiently strong to make
a successful sally from their entrenchments.
When darkness had again curtained the earth, the
invaders, with about forty prisoners, were hurrying from
the scenes of devastation and death.
The next day a "detachment of militia arrived from
the Mohawk, just in time to see the last of the prowling
foe disappear from the settlement. To them the cruel
ties and disastrous effects were exhibited in all their
hateful and sickening deformities. The inhabitants who
escaped the tomahawk and scalping knife, fled from
their homes, seeking the protection of others whose
hearts and desires were with the advocates and sup
porters of republican freedom and entire indepen
dence. A volume might be filled with incidents, cold-blooded
and heart-chilling, detailing the horrid massacres
where whole families were indiscriminately murdered.

48 THE MASSACRE.
Robert Wells, his mother, wife, four children, his
brother and sister, with three domestics, — twelve in all,
— were cruelly slaughtered by the Indians, leaving only
one of this large and interesting family to tell the fate of
the others. The blood runs cold as we contemplate the
inhumanity exhibited towards Miss Jane Wells, the
sister, an amiable and worthy young lady, who, on seeing
her brother cut down while bowed in prayer, fled from
the house and secreted herself behind some wood. Pale
and trembling with fear, she was discovered by a Seneca
Indian, who, as he approached her, very coolly wiped the
blood from the glittering steel onhis leggins, and sheathed
jt by his side; then seized her by the arm and dragged her
from her covert. Looking up imploringly in his face, and
in Indian accents, she begged him to spare her life.
Vain supplication 1 Raising his tomahawk, yet red
with the blood of her kindred, he buried it in her
brains. The wife of the Rev. Samuel Dunlap was cloven down
before his eyes, and he barely escaped, through the in
terposition of a young chief of the Oquago branch of
the Mohawks.
In the absence of William Mitchell, his wife and four
children were ruthlessly murdered by the cowardly
assassins ; the bouse plundered and set on fire. The
husband and father returned just in time to put out the
fire, and discover the faint glimmerings of life remaining
in one of his children. He had conveyed it to the door,
and was in the act of stopping the flowing blood, when
he saw to his horror another band approaching ; he hast
ily secluded himself from sight, and there beheld a
blood-thirsty tory extinguish with a blow of his hatchet

THE MASSACRE. 49
the last spark of life that remained in the breast of his
child. What a scene to meet a parent's eye 1
The day following was one of sorrow and sadness to
him. Without the assistance of a single friendly arm,
he conveyed the remains of his dear ones to the Fort,
where they were entombed in the " cold earth." Who
can refrain from weeping at his loss I What eye can
remain dry, or what heart untouched !
A Mrs. Campbell and her four children were taken
prisoners and carried away into captivity. Long, long
years of suffering, worse than death, passed away, be
fore the husband and father learned the fate of his
wretched family.
Many escaped to the mountains, and lo6king down
into the valley saw their houses wrapped in flames, and
heard the yells of the savages as they triumphed in
their work of death.
Girls in their teens, mothers with infants at the breast,
fled to the woods without clothing, and for twelve or
fifteen hours endured the most excruciating agony. A
cold November wind whistled through the tree-tops,
and moaned over the mountain gorges. The earth was
covered with snow, and a drizzling rain added to the
sufferings of the fugitives.
Retributive justice will, however, sooner or later,
overtake the vile oppressor. Capt. Walter Butler, the
acknowledged instigator of all this havoc, was captured
at Johnstown in 1181. He had been defeated, and fled.
Swimming his horse across the river, the moment he
gained the shore he turned and defied those in pursuit ;
a ball from one of the Yankee rifles brought him to the
ground. An Indian of the Oneida tribe, who favored

50 THE MASSACRE.
the American cause, sprang into the stream and swam
across, when Butler immediately cried for quarter.
But the old chieftain shouted in his ear, " Sherry Val
ley 1 Remember Sherry Valley 1" and instantly clove
his skull with a tomahawk. Hastily pulling off his
scalp, he held it up to the gaze of his followers while
bis ypt bleeding victim was gasping out his death
groans.

CHAPTER V.
SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN — INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
" Go, seek the covert of the savage foe,
Disperse them at thy weal or woe."
During the year 1119, General Sullivan made a suc
cessful expedition into the Indian territory, destroyed
forty of their towns, and put the enemy to flight.
Influenced by the numerous presents and promises
made by the British agents and tory adherents, and
with the desire to plunder, five of the confederated In
dian tribes invaded the north-western frontiers, spread
ing devastation and death 'wherever they went.* Their
object was to ravage, burn, and kill. To check the
career of these lawless intruders, and to mete out to
them a due amount of retributive justice. Congress
placed three thousand continental troops under the
command of General Sullivan.
When the savage allies received the first news rela
tive to the projected expedition against them, they im
mediately began to fortify their strongholds and prepare
themselves for a determined resistance. They well
knew that the horrid murders and midnight massacres,
in addition to the rapine and plunder which they had
o The Oneidas alone remained favorahle to the American cause.

52 SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN.
committed, were laid up against them, and that if unable
to withstand the force which was marching through the
wilderness, they would be indiscriminately cut down
and despoiled of their country.
General Sullivan marched from Easton, Pennsylvania,
and arrived with his army at Wyoming on the 24th day
of June. The enemy having fled before him, and learn
ing that they were committing outrages of the grossest
character, he determined to pursue, and if possible drive
them from the country.
On the 31st of July he left, with his forces, for the
Indian settlements farther up the Susquehanna and its
tributaries. His stores and artillery were conveyed up
the river in one hundredand fifty boats, and presented
a grand and imposing appearance. The lurking sav
ages, who still hovered about the country for the sake
of plunder, were not only surprised but greatly fright
ened, as they viewed them from the long range of
mountains which bordered the majestic Susquehanna.
The horses, as they moved along in single file, formed a
continuous line of six miles in length. They numbered
about two thousand.
The forces arrived at Tioga Point on the 11th of
August, and were joined by Gen. Clinton on the 22d,
he haying marched from the Mohawk with a detachment
of one thousand troops, thus swelling the command of
General Sullivan to four thousand. The Indians had
taken a position near Newtown, where they had strongly
entrenched themselves, determined to resist the advance
of Gen. Sullivan. Their combined forces numbered eight
hundred Indians and two hundred tories, and were
commanded by Brant and Butler. On the 29th the

SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN. 53
Americans were drawn up before their breastworks,
and commenced a most deadly attack. The Indians
withstood the fierce shocks of a terrible cannonade for
upwards of two hours, making the most determined
efforts at resistance recorded in our country's history.
They fought with desperation, while the shot and chain
from the well-drilled forces of Sullivan were making
terrible havoc in their ranks. But though they warred
for country and home, and sought for victory as a last
forlorn hope to their sinking cause, it was vain, for it
was impossible to withstand the perfect shower of balls
that were poured in among them, answered by the cries
and groans of the wounded and dying. The tories
faltered ; the Indians broke and made a precipitate re
treat. The victory was achieved.
The contest was one which has but few parallels.
The enemy yielded, inch by inch, and when finally
forced at the point of the bayonet to leave their
entrenchments and flee, terror-stricken, to the mountain
gorges or almost impassable lagoons, the ground they
had occupied was found literally drenched with the
blood of the fallen victims. Eleven of the dead re
mained upon the field, and fourteen were found but
partially covered with leaves. Two canoes were very
much stained with blood, and their trail, even in the
mind of Col. Stone, author of the life of Brant, exhibited
" the most indubitable proof that a portion of their dead
and wounded had been carried oflf." The Americans
lost, according to the highest account which we have
found on record, " only six men," and from forty to fifty
were wounded. Among these were Major Titcomb,
Captain Clayes, and Lieut. M'Colley.

54 SULLIVAN'S CAMPAIGN.
The Indians who had escaped the terrible fire of Sulli
van's artillery, saw with horror the destruction of their
orchards, cornfields and cabins. It was to them a scene
of utter desolation. They had,- it is true, made some
preparation to intercept and cut off' the progress of
Sullivan, but had no idea that such a formidable force
could successfully penetrate through an almost un
broken forest, convey their heavy baggage, and drive
them from their strongholds.
Like a tornado sweeping over the country, destroying
everything in its onward march, passed the army of
Generals Sullivan and Clinton, spreading the most utter
desolation on every side.
At Knawaholee, twenty cabins with their contents
were consumed. The corn, which looked very promising,
was also destroyed.
At Catharine Town, — the home of Catharine Montour,
the wife of the stern Canadesaga chief, — the wigwams,
orchards and cornfields were entirely destroyed, the
inhabitants having, previous to the approach of the
army, deserted their homes.
Their cluster of houses on the east side of Seneca
lake, and near the old Indian Pf ach Orchard,- in the
[now] town of Hector, shared a like fate.
The army, like so many vultures, hovered for an hour
about Apple Tree Town, leaving nothing but desolation
to mark the destroyer's course.
Arriving at Kandaia, an old town of twenty houses,
which exhibited considerable taste, the warriors paused
for a short time, making a few general flourishes in true
knight-errant style. The houses, as -represented by
one who shared the honors and privations attending

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 55
the campaign, were large and elegant, some beautifully
painted ; their tombs likewise, especially of their chief
warriors. Still the armj' strode forward, hoping to come up with
the retreating foe. But they were not to be so easily
caught. At the capital of the Senecas, Kanadesaga, at least
something like a flourish at resistance was expected ;
but when the emboldened army drew up before their
entrenchments, eager, anxious, thirsting for the blood
of the poor unlettered red men, lo 1 they, too, had fled.
But in their sudden flight they left behind them, asleep,
a white boy of seven or eight years.
Kanadesaga was located about one and a half miles
north of the present flourishing village of Geneva, and
contained about sixty houses. It was the last strong
hold of the Senecas, though destined to fall into the
spoilers' hands. In after time, however, a few of the
surviving remnants of that once powerful and far-famed
tribe, returned, and once more reared their rude homes
over the ashes of their former wigwams. When their
lands were ceded to the State, it was explicitly agreed
that this, the home of their ancient grandeur, should
never be cultivated by the white man's hand. " Here,"
said the red man, " sleep our fathers, and they cannot
rest well if they hear the plow of the white man above
them." The rude traces of their olden fortress are still
distinctly visible.
Near the shores of the Canandaigua lake, another
flourishing settlement was approached and fired, with
many of the products of Indian toil. There were
twenty-three houses, many of them framed, and very
elegantly painted.

56 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
From this place the army moved forward to Honcoye,
a small town of about ten houses, situated near Cone-
sus lake. The houses were fired and consumed. Here
General Sullivan left a portion of the heavy stores and
one field-piece, under the charge of a competent garri
son. He had no doubt but that the Indians would show
some resistance at the Genesee Castle, and he desired
to be unencumbered with every unnecessary article.
The next day he left for the capital. The enemy had
held a council of war, and were almost unanimously
in favor of making at least one more bold stand in the
defence of their homes and their hunting-grounds.
Their women and children were therefore directed to
secrete themselves some miles ahead, in the direction
of Fort Niagara. The preliminaries having been thus
arranged, the warriors prepared for the contest. They
took a favorable position between Honeoye creek and
the head of Conesus lake, near what is now called
Henderson's Plats. They had carefully ambushed,
and awaited the arrival of the American forces. As
soon as Sullivan's advance guard reached their posi
tion, the Indians appeared and commenced the attack.
It was in the main a rather bloodless effort, and termi
nated in the enemy taking two Oneida Indians prison
ers, — one a guide to Sullivan's army. He had on several
occasions been of important service to the American
force, — a fact fully apparent to his captors, — and hence
he was a prisoner of consequence. He had a brother in
Butler's corps, who in the early progress of the war
had endeavored to persuade him to unite his destiny
with his British brethren. But to no purpose. Soon
after the prisoners were conducted into the enemy's

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 57
camp, the brothers met — not, however, as friends who
had been long separated. The eldest of the two, deem
ing it a proper time to vent upon his weaker brother
the envenomed shafts of his deep and undying malice,
approached, and thus addressed him: —
"Brother ! You have merited death ! The hatchet
or the war-club shall finish your career ! When I beg
ged of you to follow me in the fortunes of war, you were
deaf to my cries : you spurned my entreaties !
" Brother ! You have merited death, and shall have
your deserts I When the rebels raised their hatchets
to flght their good, master, you sharpened your knife,
you brightened your rifle, and led on our foe to the fields
of our fathers !
"Brother ! You have merited death, and shall die by
our hands ! When those rebels had driven us from the
fields of our fathers to seek out new homes, it was you
who could dare to step forth as their pilot, and conduct
them even to the doors of our wigwams, to butcher our
children and put us to death ! No crime cau be greater!
But though you have merited death, and shall die on
this spot, my hands shall not be stained with the blood
of a brother 1 Who will strike ?"
There was a pause of one moment — a moment of aw
ful suspense — and the next, the bright hatchet of Little
Beard cleft his skull, and his spirit passed to the brighter
land of promise.
While at Honeoye, General Sullivan detached Lieut.
William Boyd, of the Rifle corps, with a select party
of twenty-six men to reconnoitre Little Beard's Town,
(now known as Leicester.) On arriving at the settle
ment, the party discovered that the Indians were absent,
4

58 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
though certain indications led them to presume that in
all probability they would, soon return, and they there
fore concluded to remain sleeping upon their arms.
Just after Aurora had begun to ascend the eastern
sky, two Indians were discovered lurking about the
place, and unfortunately for the party, were instantly
shot and hastily scalped. Considering the unsafe posi
tion in which this act of indiscretion had placed them,
they determined to hasten their return back to the main
army. But when within one and a half miles of Gen.
Sullivan's force, their progress was intercepted by the
sudden appearance of five hundred. Indians, and nearly
an equal number of tory Rangers ; the former under
command of Capt. Brant, and the latter under Col. But
ler, of infamous memory. We have been told by one
who served in the campaign, that these border pirates
had not for a single day lost sight of Sullivan's army
after their defeat at Newtown. Boyd and his party
made a number of attempts to cut their way through
the strong lines of the enemy, but were unsuccessful.
All fell save Boyd and an Oneida Indian, who served as
pilot, and who had distinguished himself in the battle
of Oriskany.* Boyd and Hanyerry surrendered and
were made prisoners. Under the direction of Butler they
were conducted to Little Beard's castle. Boyd had an
interview with Brant, who promised that his life should
be spared. But he was unexpectedly called away. In
his absence, Butler delivered them over to the tender
mercies of a chosen number of barbarians that would
disgrace any army and blacken the character of any «
» They were buried at what is now called Groveland.

INTEEESTING INCIDENTS. 59
commander. The Indian was literally hewn to pieces.
But the fate of Lieut. Boyd, — the high-souled, gallant
Boyd, — was of a more terrible and disgusting character.
The heart sickens as we record the inhumanity of his
captors. We read of no parallel in the records of an
cient wars, when bigotry blotted its pathway with blood,
or when tyrants, clad in iron mail, waged long and un
relenting wars, severed' kingdoms and divided empires,
in order that their names might be enrolled on the scroll
of immortal fame.
He was disrobed of his clothing, his hands pin
ioned behind him, and his person tied with a hempen
cord to a small tree. Then commenced the work of
torture. Little Beard leading the way. He was one of
those reckless wretches whose barbarity did much to
wards injuring the English cause, as well as in tarnish
ing the Indian character. Their tomahawks were
whirled over his head with great fury, accompanied
with horrid yells, until the tree was completely hewed
and shivered to pieces. Then, like so many infuriated
demons, they approached him, brandishing their scalp
ing knives, frantic with rage, and thirsting for his blood.
" His nails were pulled out, his nose cut off", one of his
eyes plucked out, and his topgue cut off'."* An incision
was made in his side, from which protruded an intes
tine. This was immediately attached to the branch of
a small tree ; the henapen cord loosened from his pin
ioned arms ; and now goaded and scourged by means
the most heartless, he was compelled to march round
and round until his intestines disappeared from his body,
^ Stone's Life of Brant.

60 INTEEESTING INCIDENTS.
and he fell like a lump of clay to the earth. Then louder,
louder were the yells of the demoniac devils — wilder,
wilder were their frantic gesticulations, for on his brow
they saw the large drops of sweat — his lips quivered,
his eyes rolled in agony, and all was over, — for Heaven
in mercy had thrown the sleep of death over the gallant
Boyd, who was thus horribly scourged in his passage to
the tomb.
Not yet satisfied, they added still another act of fiend
ish ferocity to the already unparalleled outrage. His
head was severed from his body and attached to the
end of a pole, with the expanded jaws of a dog just
above it. And thus it was exhibited amidst the laughter
and jeers of the more than half intoxicated tory and
Indian faction.
When Gen. Sullivan learned the fate of Lieut. Boyd
and Hanyerry, he made every possible effort to ferret
out the dastard foe, hoping to avenge the barbarous
act. These unfortunate men, as reported by the journalist
of Sullivan's campaign, were found in Little Beard's
castle, bearing the marks of the most inhuman torture.
Gen. Sullivan saw them respectably buried on the banks
of Beard's Creek, in the midst of a number of Indian
plum trees. In 1849 we visited the place, and looked
upon the humble grave made consecrate by the remains
of these brave and heroic men.
The Genesee castle as well as their town, which in
cluded one hundred and twenty-eight houses, fell into
the conqueror's hands, but the artful foe had disappeared.
Great efforts were made to ferret out their hiding-place,
but in vain ; they were beyond the devastator's power.

INTEEESTING INCIDENTS. 61
Vast quantities of corn, beans and potatoes were col
lected and placed in the houses, to which fire was ap
plied, and they were consumed. One of their numerous
orchards contained fifteen hundred trees. But they, too,
were devastated of their beauty.
The author of the Journal from which we have gath
ered our materials for this chapter, lived to tell us in
his own glowing language how beautiful and Eden-like
the Genesee valley, with its rich and waving products
— ^the result of Indian toil — appeared previous to its
being devastated by the victorious army.
The work of desolation was now complete. Forty of
the Indian towns were laid in ruins. Not a house was
left ; and the poor Indians felt that the ravagers' hands
were upon them, for they had not left even food enough
to sustain an infant's life for twenty-four hours.
When Gen. Sullivan arrived on his return march at
the' outlet of Seneca lake, he detached Col. Zebulon
Butler, with the Rifle corps and five hundred men, to
the east side of Cayuga lake, to lay waste the Indian
settlements. The next day, and while encamped near
Kandaia, Lieut. Col. Dearborn was detached with two
hundred men for the purpose of destroying the settle
ment south of the lake, and but a little distant from the
present prospective city of Ithaca.
Col. Butler pushed forward with his forces, and faith
fully performed the task assigned him. At that time
the natives had large fields of corn, which presented a
most luxuriant growth, and of which the Cayugas were
intending to garner up for their winter's use. Patches
of beans and potatoes exhibited the like promising ap
pearance. Nor was the fruit of their fine apple orchards

62 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
less inviting to the soldier's eye, or gratifying to the
Colonel's taste. Yet these trees of two hundred years'
growth were felled to the ground. The products ofthe
field — of hardy toil — were gathered into the Indian's
rude dwellings and with them consumed by fire.
Three villages, to them of considerable importance,
one of which was the capital of the Cayugas, were lo
cated near the shore of that magnificent sheet of water.
Smaller settlements were scattered along the banks at
various distances apart. But all, all were destroyed.
Their cabins and castles were swept awaj', for the fatal
element from the " white man's torch" was communicated
to them, and soon all that remained to tell the wander
ing pioneer, as his eye caught sight of the flames as
they gleamed heavenward, was a mass of smouldering
ruins. Here the brave but unlettered red men had
lived in unadorned peace ; and their council fire had
burned for upwards of three centuries, serving as a
beacon light to the returning warriors.
The mission of Col. Dearborn was alike successfully
performed. Their wigwams were consumed, their
maize burned up, and the home of their ancient gran
deur made desolate. Truly they were a wandering and
stricken people. If the Indians in their stealthy marches
had been cruel, the white man had been equally so.
The one had oppressed for the sake of gain, while the
other sought revenge as a just retaliation for the con
duct of his unmanly oppressor.
A little west of the residence of Dr. J. F. Burdick,
and where he now has a flourishing peach orchard,
were some eighteen or twenty cabins. Here lived a
tall, swarthy Indian chief, generally known araong the

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 63
warriors of the Six Nations, as Long Jim, with whom
he was a great favorite. He was of the Mohawk and
Oneida extraction, and possessed manj' of the more
prominent characteristics for which the two tribes have
been so justly celebrated. He was usually kind, benev
olent and just, but if insulted without proper cause,
would assume the ferocity of a tiger, and act the part
of a demoniac monster. He was an orator and a war
rior, and possessed the art of swaying the multitude
at his will. He believed in witches, hobgoblins and
wizards, and often pretended to be influenced by a tute
lary goddess, or guardian spirit. Shrewd aud artful,
dignified and generous, yet at times deceptive and
malevolent, he studied to acquire influence and power,
and in most of his marauding depredations, was success
ful in keeping the arcana of his heart as in a "sealed
fountain." His unwritten history represents him as
acting a conspicuous part in numerous tragical events
which were perpetrated by detached parties from Bur-
goyne's army. A venerable chief, who resides on tho
New York Indian Reservation, informed us that, accord
ing to the tradition of his tribe. Long Jim was the main
cause, instigator, and perpetrator of the bloody massa
cre which we are about to record.
A gentleman of character and fortune, and holding
an honorable commission in the British army, had suc
ceeded in winning the affections of Miss Jane M'Crea,
a young, intelligent and lovely girl, over whose head
had passed scarce seventeen summers. Her father
resided near Fort Edward, and was a prominent actor
in the royal cause. Circumstances having required the
services and personal attention of Mr. Jones, the

64 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
plighted lover of Miss M'Crea, he was stationed at some
distance from the paternal roof of her father, and
becoming exceedingly anxious for her safety, offered
various rewards as inducements to the Indians who
would convey her in safety to his camp. At length the
bold and hazardous enterprise was undertaken. A band
of Winnebagoes set out for the home of the expectant
bride, bearing a letter from the intended husband, in
which he had made a faithful record of his unabated love
for the cherished object of his heart. On their approach
the family were much alarmed, and were about flying in
terror from the house, that safety, if possible, might he
found, if not nearer, at least in the fort. But just at
this moment, the young and gallant chief of the band
bade his followers to retire a little ; then beckoning to
the frightened family, he held up the affectionate epistle,
which unfortunately caught the attention of the mother,
who readily conjectured the object of their mission. A
token of friendship and welcome was returned, and the
Indians, much pleased with the success of their chief,
laughed heartily as they approached the worthy matron,
each of whom she shook by the hand.
The seal of the little message was broken — the con
tents read and hastily considered — when Miss M'Crea
prepared herself to accompany them to the British
camp. Thus far the expedition had been attended with the
most perfect success, and they set out on their return
with high hopes and lofty aspirations, for a keg of Eng
lish rum was the price to be paid for her safe escort to
the fortress of her lover 1
But when about half way back, they were met by a

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 65
second party who had left for the achievement of the
same purpose. Long Jim was the controlling spirit of
his party, and was desirous of obtaining the prize. An
altercation ensued, which finally rose to a warm dispute.
Long Jim, unwilling to see the Winnebago chieftain
proceed with the spotless object of the expedition, and
presuming his party too weak to take her by force,
suddenly seized her by the hair of the head, pulled
her from the back of the noble steed, and with one
demoniac stroke from the fatal tomahawk, cleft the
scalp from the head of the fair young girl, and he bore
it as a trophy to the astonished and heart-stricken
lover. This reckless and cold-blooded murder called forth a
stern and feeling rebuke from Burgoyue ; and well it
might, for it had a strong tendency to weaken the royal
cause. On the opposite side of the lake, where the Taughanic
creek empties into the Tiohero, or Cayuga lake, the
Indians had built a small town, and were growing corn,
beans and potatoes on the rich flats. They had, also,
apple trees of two and a half centuries' growth. This
little town, called by the natives after the stream on
which it was located, escaped the notice of Col. Butler,
in consequence of his having passed up from East Cay
uga, by way of Aurora and Lavana, to the head of the
Cayuga settlements.
There was another settlement about six miles south
west of Taughanic, near the present village of Water-
burg, which, from its back location, was not discovered
by either of the detached forces which General Sullivan
had sent out to make havoc with the Indians' property.
4*

66 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
The traces of a remarkable trench enclosure were
distinctly to be seen in 1840, when the author last vis
ited the spot made consecrate by the uncoffined bones
of a " once peculiar people." Near by was the burial
place of their dead. At an earlier period many of the
mounds were dug open, from which were collected nume
rous antiquated articles of Indian warfare, and which
very closely resembled those used in a former age hy
Europeans. A few miles distant, William Carman found
on his farm a number of human bones, while he was
extracting some stumps of trees of over two hundred
years' growth. These olden relics were presumed by
many to be of a larger race of people than the Indians.
The presumption is possible, as there is much evidence
in support of that opinion. We have seen several orna
ments, the texture and workmanship of whicli undoubt
edly belong to a different race, and probably date back
to a remote period of our country, on which neither tra
dition or history can throw any light.
But to return. General Sullivan, after having sent
sufficient forces to cut oif the Indians and lay waste their
settlements bordering the Cayuga lake, marched to
" Catharine Town," ahd thence up the Chemung val
ley. Wearied with over-exertion, he paused with his
gallant troops for the night on the rich flats about six
miles north of Newtown, (now Elmira,) and while here
encamped, they concluded to abandon or dispose of
about four hundred of their horses, in consequence of
their worn-out and galled condition ; and to prevent
their falling into the hands of the enemy, though not a
Red Roman appeared in sight, they were led out in In
dian file and shot down ; and hence originated the name

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 67
of Horse Heads — a name familiar to the general reader
of American history.
Arriving at Newtown, they received a heart-cheering
salute of thirteen guns from the Fort -which had been
thrown up by Captain Reid and his force of two hundred
men, who had been left in charge of some stores which
were forwarded from Tioga Point for the support of Sul
livan's army. While here, the news of Spain having
declared war against Great Britain was received with
unbounded joy. The event was celebrated in a man
ner which was well calculated to animate the drooping
spirits of those who had periled health, happiness, and
fortune in the support of American liberty. Five largo
oxen, one for each brigade, were killed and roasted,
which, with the added trimmings and double rations,
were dispatched in a way at once interesting and agree
able. During the festive proceedings, cannons were
fired at intervals, which added much td the joy of the
already excited heroes. Here Colonels Butler and Dear
born united with the main army.
Leaving Newtown, they returned by way of Tioga
Point to Wyoming, where they arrived on the 1th of
October, and in a few days after bent their course for
Easton, and from thence to Morristown, New Jersey,
where they took up their winter quarters.
There are very few expeditions on record, which
proved so entirely successful in their general results,
and which so fully met the hopes and expectations of
the people and of Congress, as the one of which we have
just given a hasty sketch.
The burning of Moscow was a terrible blow to Napo
leon and his unrivaled army, and which forever clouded

68 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
the hopes of the imperial hero. It involved the sump
tuous palaces, monuments, and miracles of art, in one
common flame. The devastation of the Indian country
was as severe a chastisement inflicted upon the red men,
and from the effects of which they never wholly recov
ered. Deprived of their homes and provisions, they
were of necessity dependent upon the English for the
necessaries of life. Provisions were extremely scarce
and high. The winter was unusually severe, and hun
dreds " took the scurvy and died."
But though the Indians were greatlj' crippled, they
were not subdued ; though defeated, they -were not van
quished. They still made stealthy incursions into peace
able settlements, the history of whose attacks might be
summed up in the fearful, sad, bloody, but brief record —
surprise — massacre — conflagration — retreat.
As in the past so in the future. Brant was the rul
ing spirit. He could not brook the thought of being
subdued. Disaster and defeat tended to make him the
more daring and reckless. Yet Brant possessed many
valuable traits of character— was often humane and
benevolent. But we do not propose at this time to pen
a sketch of his life — that is reserved for a future work,
" The Indian Chiefs of America." As often as he was
baffled in his endeavors to retrieve his loss upon the
embattled field of glory, or failed in restoring to his
nation the homes and hunting-grounds of their fathers,
so often did the old chieftain gather his long-abused
and often-betrayed followers around him, and with the
envenomed rage of the famished tiger, when brought
to bay by the hunters, make another and still another
effort to regain the Indians' dominion — the Indians'

INTEEESTING INCIDENTS. 69
ancient residence. If it was his custom to crouch and
hide like the baited lion, it was but to leap with the
greater vengeance — to dash with the greater force upon
his antagonist — to make the victory more easj' — the
tragedy more terrible.
Soon after the close of Gen. Sullivan's campaign, a
party consisting of between forty aud fifty Indians and
tories were found ranging about the wild mountain
gorges of Wyomiing, from whose dark retreats they
stealthily made incursions, committing many and seri
ous depredations. They were -fit subjects for plunder,
rapine, and murder. They were ripe for any outrage,
however dark, bloody, and heart-rending it might be,
and it is doubtful whether a more cruel and unrelenting-
band of heartless desperadoes cursed our land at any
time during the long and painful period of our country's
revolution. They delighted in having an opportunity
to wreak vengeance upon an American. To torture by
acts the most barbarous, seemed to be the highest ob
ject of their ambition.
Capt. Bedlock, who was taken prisoner at the fiendish
massacre, afterwards fell into the hands of these heart
less wretches. He was stripped of his clothing, had his
body stuck full of pine splinters, his arms closely pin
ioned behind him, and his person attached by cords to
a small tree. Around the wretched captive was then
placed a mass of combustible matter, with a quantity
of pine knots. Now commences the awful sacrifice.
The fire is kindled around him, and when the terrific
flames began to wreathe their death folds around his
person, his two companions. Ransom and Durkee, were
thrown into the middle of the crackling flames, where

70 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
they all perished, martyrs to freedom's holy cause. An
Indian, who figured conspicuously in the horrid scene,
told us in 1849 that whenever any of the victims at
tempted to rise from the faggot and flame, they were
instantly felled to the earth, and held down by means of
poles and rails.
One of these tories, whose mother had married a sec
ond husband, butchered with his own hands both her,
his father-in-law, his sister, and their infant child
ren. Another tory, of the same class, exterminated his
whole family, — mother, brothers, and sisters, — and then
mingled their blood in one common carnage with that
of the aged father and husband.
It was, too, this same class of desperadoes who, not
satisfied with eflfecting these heart-chilling scenes of
massacre and blood, fired the houses, shot and destroyed
their cattle, or .cut out their tongues, leaving them still
alive to roam the fields in agony.
To protect the settlement from the attacks of these
piratical mountaineers, several companies were called
out, with orders to hold themselves in readiness to
avenge any wrong that might be inflicted upon the
peaceable inhabitants of the valley. One of the com
panies had marched from Northampton county, and en
camped on the banks of one of the tributary streams of
the Nescopeck creek, and while partaking of their fru
gal repast, were surprised by these barbarians, who
inhumanly slew eleven of the company and severely
wounded two others. Recovering from the terrible
shock, from the tempest of balls, bludgeons, and toma
hawks, the Northampton boys returned them a compli-

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 71
mentary salute from tlieir Yankee rifles, causing an
equal number to give death a horrid grin.
Wyoming will ever be memorable in history, for there
occurred some of the most tragical scenes in our na
tional annals. The green turf has been made classic
and consecrate, and will ever be hallowed in the imagi
nation of the heroic bard, for there are entombed the
mouldering bones of many a brave warrior.
The ladies of Wilkesbarre, influenced by the true
spirit of chivalry, have erected a monument over their
sleeping dust. The pyramidal shaft of granite stands
a memento of the white man's suflferings and a witness
to the red man's cruelty.

CHAPTER VI,
PIONEER MOVEMENTS — INDIAN REFLECTIONS — REVENGE
— DESTRUCTION OP THE MOHAWK VALLEY — INCIDENTS.
" But go, rouse your warriors."
The red men saw, as with prophetic eye, that their
hunting-grounds were soon to pass into the control of
the white invaders. They saw villages spring up, as if
by magic, in various parts of their dominion, and traders
were besieging them aloug every important trail, or
offering rich inducements wherever the council fires
blazed as beacon lights to returning warriors. Mill
sites had been marked wherever the aristocratic adven
turer had heard a cataract's roar, or seen a leaping
cascade. The merchant and commissioner were seduc
ing and bribing them of their most magfiificent forests.
And contrary to stipulation and expostulation, emi
grants, like the frogs of Egypt, were coming in from
every quarter, and laying the corner stones for royal
palaces and cottage homes. British lords and French
Sebastians saw thousands of castle builders ready for
the work of progress, and imagined that to their dream
ing vision appeared fields of rich fertility. Towns and
counties were being carved out of their inheritance.
The sharp crack of Yankee rifles was heard on the

INDIAN REFLECTIONS. 73
mountain tops, while New England axes were ringing
in the valleys of Cauisteo, Chemung, Susquehanna,
Wyoming, Chenango, Otsego, Onondaga and Genesee.
Ramparts were reared, behind which the invaders might
gather and concoct plans for the annihilation of the na
tives. They had heard the roar of cannon and the rattle
of grape shot under the bluffs of Ticonderoga. The
music from Montcalm bugles, and Bradstreet drums, was
still ringing in their ears. They saw provincial rangers,
bloody Britons, and French chevaliers, and knew that
fire and grape had done their work of carnage and deso
lation at Niagara, Oswego, and Frontenac. They had
seen the army of General Sullivan sweeping over their
country from the Delaware to the Great Council, or
Big Tree in Genesee Valley, laying waste their corn
fields, orchards and gardens. Forty of their towns were
smouldering ruins. Or, if they turned their eyes to
their rich locations bordering the Cayuga lake, nought
but desolation greeted their vision, for Colonels Butler
and Dearborn had despoiled them of their fondest
hopes. Colonel Gansevoort had checked their ravages
about Fort Schuyler, and Col. Van Schaick carried dis
aster among the Onondagas.
These expeditions, though attended with the fullest
success, did not subdue the war spirit of the restless
savages. They felt that they had been greatly wronged
and abused by the " pale faces," who had thus uncere
moniously deprived them of their birthright. They
determined on revenge, for they were unwilling to brook
the indignant insult. Their council fire had been put
out, and tlieir country laid waste. Desolation sat in
gloomy silence, while the hooting owl flapped his wings

74 REVENGE.
over their deserted homes, marked only by the charred
logs of their demolished cabins. All was dreary and
desolate. But these wrongs were to be avenged. Hate,
— bitter, unrelenting hate, — was raost assiduously culti
vated in the bosom of the native lords of the forest. ^
Though defeated and driven from their castles and
strongholds, they were not subdued The spirit, though
" crushed, would rise again" with renewed vigor, and
the haughty and stealthy foe was determined to
crush and gloat over those who would thus wantonly
deprive them of their rights — rights marked out and
defined by the very finger of the Creator — guaranteed
to them by patent or deed, by the Great Jehovah.
Nor did they long feel thus indignant, before an oppor
tunity was offered to wreak vengeance on their white
oppressors. They made a stealthy march into the Mohawk valley,
with a fixed purpose to ravage, burn and kill.
The inhabitants of that ill-fated region were regarded
by the Indians and tories as enemies, and sad and
heart-rending were the results of such a conclusion.
Hordes of savages and loyalists incessantly emerged
from the forests and mountain gorges; murdering and
scalping all whom they met. Even innocent women
and lisping infancy were cruelly butchered by the
marauding assailants.
The whole valley was rendered most desolate. If
a single dwelling remained to be seen, it was like a
flowery oasis looming up in the wide waste of ruin.
What a sight to meet the eye of the hardy, industrious,
yet gloomy and despondent pioneer 1 There were the
smouldering ruins, the charred bones, the mangled

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 75
bodies of domestic animals, and the blood-stained marks
of ruthless violence.
There were many brave patriot pioneers who fell by
the tomahawk or the Indian's arrow, and were left to
moulder and wither in the desert air. But their names,
their virtues and heroic acts, have been embalmed and
consecrated in the hearts and affections of a grateful
people. The orator has spoken their praise ; the poet
has strung anew his lyre, and breathed forth most feel
ing and tender sympathies.
" Ah ! where are the soldiers that fonght there of yore ?
The sod is upon them, they'll struggle no more ;
The hatchet is fallen, the red man is low :
But near him reposes the arm of his foe.
" The bugle is silent, the war-whoop is dead ;
There's a murmur of waters and woods in tlieir stead.
And the raven and owl chant a symphony drear.
From the dark waving pines o'er the combatants' bier.
" The light of the sun has just sunk in the wave.
And a long time ago set the sun of the brave.
The waters complain, as they roll o'er the stones.
And the rank grass encircles a few scattered bones.
"The names ofthe fallen the traveler leaves
Cut out with his knife in the bark of the trees ;
But little avail his affectionate arts.
For the names of the fallen are graved in our hearts.
" The voice of the hunter is loud on the breeze ;
There's a dashing of waters, a rustling of trees ;
And the jangling of armor hath all passed away, —
No gushing of life-blood is seen there to-day.
"The eye that was sparkling, no longer is bright ;
The arm of the mighty — death conquered its might ;

76 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
The bosoms that once for their country beat high.
To those bosoms the sods of the valley are nigh.
" Sleep, soldiers of merit ! sleep, gallants of yore !
The hatchet is fallen, the struggle is o'er.
'While the fir-tree is green and the wind rolls a wave.
The tear-drop shall brighten the turf of the brave."
In many parts of the Mohawk valley, the inhabitants
were reduced to a state of suffering which will hardly
admit of comparison. Every thing in the line of prop
erty was destroj'ed. The tories, as in many , other
instances, were more cruel and barbarous than the
savages. It was their object and desire to make the
ravages most complete. They were not satisfied with
burning, plundering, driving oflf and killing hundreds
of cattle and horses, but were determined on drenching
the green earth with the blood of the oppressed. Many
were tortured in the most cruel and barbarous manner.
Some were burned at the stake, while others were
merely scalped and left to endure the pains and horrors
of a living, lingering death.
Col. Fisher, who lived near Caughnawaga, when it
was burned by the Indians, made a most noble effort at
self-defence in his own house. His two brothers had
fallen by his side,' and himself being closely pressed to
the wall by a band of savages and painted tories,
whooping and yelling like incarnate demons, — nerved
with desperation, he resolved to make one more hold
stroke for liberty. At a single discharge of his rifle,
two of the enemy fell locked in the embrace of death.
Two more were felled to the floor by well-directed blows
from the breech of his gun, while a fifth was made crazy
in consequence of having come in contact with a bunch

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 77
of bones which was attached to the extreme end of his
arm. In this way he escaped from his castle, was pur
sued by the infuriated foe, captured, scalped, and left
writhing in his terrible agonies. The day after, he was
discovered by a friend who had fled to the mountains,
and was conveyed to his house, where he received every
attention which circumstances would permit ; and al
though the wound was of the most frightful and dan
gerous character, he survived its dreadful pains, recov
ered, and lived many years after peace had been restored
to his country, an honorable member of society, as well
as an ornament to the republic, the freedom of which
he so dearly loved.
Lucretia Mott was one of the flfty prisoners taken
after the burning of Schoharie. She fell into the hands
of six tories, who were as heartless and inhuman, as
reckless and perfidious, as the mind could well imagine.
After being compelled to minister to their menial appe
tites, she had her right ear cropped, two of her fingers
amputated, besides other barbarities of a similar char
acter. She was then compelled to disrobe herself of
her clothing, which was buried in her presence, after
which she was left in the wilderness, many miles from
any settlement, witli no companion save the hooting
owl, howling wolf and screeching panther, to protect
her as she sought out, as best she could, her way to the
desolate valley.
Mr. Sawyer was taken prisoner by a band of maraud
ing Indians, who, after having proceeded with him sev
eral miles, stopped for the night in the gloomy recess of
a mountain gorge. After being, as they presumed, se
curely bound, they directed him to lie down and sleep

78 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
with them. As he had been a terror to the Indians, he
expected little else than cruel, unrelenting torture at
their hands. The night was one of intense darkness.
The moon had descended beyond the western hills and
" gone to rest." The stars put on their weeds of mourn
ing, and refused to give their light, while thunders
rolled and lightnings flashed athwart the darkened sky.
The vivid flashes of lightning gave the prisoner an op
portunity to view his situation. To his surprise he
found means to loosen his hands. This was effected by
carefully reaching his pinioned hands to the nearest In
dian, and cautiously taking from his belt his scalping
knife. His next object was to free his feet, which was
soon done. He then with great care looked into the
face of each of the seven savages by whom he was
surrounded, and found them in a sound sleep. Just at
this auspicious moment, the clouds dispersed, and the
stars looked out from their hiding-places, which fully
revealed the position of his oppressors. Carefully taking
from the belt of the leader of the band, his tomahawk,
he soon dispatched six of them, and mortally wounded
the se-venth. Thus having effected his release, he bent
his course for a distant settlement, which he hoped the
Indians had not visited, and which he reached during
the afternoon of the next day.
The heart sickens as we contemplate some of the
bloody tragedies and inhuman acts which were perpe
trated by these marauding parties. We have read many
a tale of horror, where revenge had instigated the, fiend
to seek out his victim during the dark hour of night,
and when no eye could witness the awful deed, save the
all-seeing eye of Omnipotence, plunge the dagger to

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 79
the heart of her whose affections he was unworthy of
possessing, and send her disembodied spirit uncalled for
into the presence of the great Eternal. But we can re
call no act so chilling to the heart, so dishonorable to
humanity, as the one which we are about to sketch.
A family, consisting of father, mother and eight chil
dren, residing in one of the settlements adjoining Scho
harie, and which had been laid in smoking ruins, was
massacred with every attending circumstance of heart
less cruelty. Near by where the mother lay weltering
in her heart's blood, was a cradle containing a little
babe. An old Sachem of the Iroquoy tribe, on discov
ering it, approached the cradle with his hatchet raised,
with intent to dispatch it with a blow. A cherub sraile
played over its innocent face, which seemed to touch
his heart, for his strong arm was at once nerveless, the
hatchet fell from his hand, and he bent his weather-
beaten, scarred frame, for the purpose of taking the
little innocent in his arms, and pressing its tender form
to his breast. But before he had time to eflfect his pur
pose, a painted tory, who had a far less feeling heart
than his savage ally, plunged his bayonet in its bosom,
and raising it up to the wall, cried out in tones which
none but the incarnate could utter — " This, too, is a
rebel." Maria Marshall was taken captive near Oswego, by
a party of savages who were returning from one of their
predatory incursions into the Mohawk Valley, where
they massacred several families, aud burned a number
of houses.
Arriving within a few miles of Oswego, the party
divided in hopes of securing more convenient quarters

80 ' INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
for the night with some of the scattered settlers who
were occupying comfortable dwellings along the line of
their ancient war-path.
Five of the party were kindly entertained at the house
of Mr. Marshall. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs.
Marshall, and three children, the youngest of whom was
but nineteen days old. After being freely treated with
the best provisions of the house, they retired to rest.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, presuraing upon the- good will
of the Indians in return for their generosity, felt secure,
and after retiring to bed, were soon wrapped in sound
sleep. But they had mistaken the character of their
visitors. They were less humane, less faithful than
their charitable fidelity had supposed. The hellish plot
of massacre had been conceived, the first intimation of
which, that reached the ears of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall,
was the crackling of the burning timbers. The faith
less foe had secretly plundered and fired the house, and
were now ready to take the lives of those whose bounty
they had so liberally shared.
The cowardly assassins had taken positions on the
outside of the house, where they stood with uplifted
hatchets, ready to strike down whoever might attempt
to escape from within. Suddenly their attention was
arrested by Mr. Marshall, who was hurrying through
the huge columns of smoke and flame, holding in his
arms his two eldest children. Presently he sprang from
the door, and was cloven down with the tomahawk,
wielded by the strong arm of an athletic savage. In a
moment the father and his precious burthens were wel
tering in their blood, and writhing in the agonies of
death. Mrs. Marshall, with feeble step, and nearly suf-

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 81
focated with smoke, reached the door just as the roof
fell in -with a terrible crash. Closely folded to her bo
som was her little babe. She was soon surrounded by
her inhuman assailants who demanded of her the child,
and on being refused, it was seized by one of the Indi
ans, who immediately dashed out its brains on the door
step. This most detestable and horrible requital of
evil for good was executed with a shameless barbarity
alike frightful and revolting to the finest feelings of
humanity. Mrs. Marshall was made prisoner, and securely guard
ed by two of the Indians while the others secured the
plunder. Thus having completed the work of desolation, the
marauders took up their march for Canada. When they
reached Oswego, their niimber was increased to twenty-
seven, two of whom were female captives. On the fifth
day, one of them, the mother of the other, an infirm old
lady, gave out ; she could go no further., She begged
for her life, but it was denied her, for at that moment a
tomahawk went whirling through the air on its mission
of death, and sunk deep into the brains and gore of the
fallen captive.
The destination of the Indians was a settlement con
tiguous to the Three Rivers, near where the Adiron
dacks, early in the seventeenth century, were defeated
in a bloody and exterminating war waged against them
by the Five Confederative Nations.
Notwithstanding the poor health of Mrs. Marshall,
occasioned by her recent confinement, she was forced
to travel from ten to fifteen miles per day, which occa
sioned still greater debility of bodily powers, as well as
5

82 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
tending to enervate the more noble powers of her ex
alted mind.
The day previous to the expected time of reaching
the Three Rivers, the party divided, leaving Mrs. Mar
shall still in the hands of her original captors. Early
in the evening they encamped for the night on an ele
vated spot of ground, kindled a fire, stacked their arms,
partook of a scanty repast, and sought rest in the em
brace of sleep. The savages had intimated to their
captive the fact, that on their arrival at the end of their
destination, she was to be delivered to one of the grand
sachems, who would in turn give her in marriage to a
young and distinguished brave of the Iroquoy nation.
Shocked at the idea of becoming the wife of an Indian,
shecould hardly refrain from shedding tears, and other
wise bewailing her sad fate. Bereft of the pi'otecting
arm of a kind husband, mourning the loss of her dear
children, all of whom had fallen by the hands of the
inhuman monsters who were preparing to fetter her
with the polluter's chain, far away from country and
friends, and in the midst of a dense forest swarming
with ravenous beasts and barbarous savages, and in
the immediate power of five inhuman Indians who had
wrecked her happiness and blighted her fairest hopes
of life, she resolved upon death, or deliverance from a
bondage more to be deprecated than the assassin's
knife. She cautiously rose from the cold, damp earth, on
which she had vainly endeavored to repose her weary
limbs, and noiselessly prepared for the work of mas
sacre. The moon was careering high in the vaulted dome.

INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 83
The stars looked out in beauty from the radiant sky.
The wind had died away. Not even a floating zephyr
was heard among the tall trees. All was silent as the
grave. The weapons of the Indians were hastily removed out
of their reach. She now examined the guns for the
purpose of selecting two to assist her in carrying out
the bold enterprise in which she had so determinedly
engaged. They appeared in excellent order. There
was one which particularly struck her fancy, as it had
two barrels and was therefore better suited to her pur
pose than two of the ordinary kind. This, and a keen-
edged hatchet, she deemed sufficient for her purpose.
The gun was placed behind a tree near by the sleeping
and unconscious foe. The hammers were drawn back,
that each load might the more readily be discharged.
The savages were arranged in a row — their usual habit
of reposing. Nerved with desperation, she seized the
tomahawk, and in less than a moment had buried it in
the brains and gore of three of the depraved wretches.
She then flew with great celerity to the tree, seized her
gun and shot the fourth monster as he approached ; he
gave one terrific yell, and all with him was over. The
fifth and last of her captors, unable to find the secreted
weapons, now rushed upon her with his scalping knife ;
her gun having missed fire, was quickly reversed in
her hands, and with a well-directed blow from the
breech, she felled him to the earth, and with her hatchet
gave him the finishing stroke, for he too was quivering
in the last agonies of expiring nature.
Having thus exterminated her enemies, she lost no
time in retreating from the scene of horror, with the

84 INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
hope of securing some friendly aid that might enable
her once more to return to her friends if still alive, and
to her home made desolate by savage violence and in
human barbarity. For seven long days she wandered
in the gloomy forest before meeting with any human
being. As the sun was about retiring beyond the west
ern horizon, faint from want of food, having subsisted
on roots and plants, she was about to lay herself down
for another night's rest, when she was suddenly started
by the wild Indian whoop, and looking around, saw, to
her consternation, a number of savages approaching
the little mound upon which she reclined. They were
of the Oneida tribe, and were on terms of friendship
with the colonists. " Pear not, pale face," said a young
brave, who saw the agitation and forlorn condition of
Mrs. Marshall. He in a few words gave her to under
stand that his party was humane and benevolent, and
would not in the least do her harm. She related to
him how her husband and children had been sacrificed
by a band of piratical invaders of the domestic hearth.
He replied that he was going to pass within a few miles
of her once peaceful abode, and that if she would place
herself under his care, he would conduct her with safety
to her home.
Thanking him for his generosity, she felt most happy
in being thus protected. In a few days after she was
in the midst of former friends. But how changed I Her
home presented a mere mass of charred ruins. The
hand of friendship had entombed the dear ones of her
bosom, for whom she had mourned and wept while held
in cruel and unrelenting captivity.
There are many recorded incidents establishing the

INTEEESTING INCIDENTS. 85
the patriotic character of the early pioneers, one of
which relates particularly to Col. Harper, of Harpers-
field. When McDonald, a tory who had acquired con
siderable celebrity, for his daring deeds of cruelty, was
ravaging the Dutch settlements of Schoharie, with his
three hundred tories and Indian allies. Col. Harper,
alarmed at the sacrifice of life and property, approached
Col. Vrooman, who was in command of the Fort, and
very feelingly said, " What shall be done ?" To which
the Dutch colonel replied, " 0, nothing at all ; we be so
weak we cannot do anything." But Col. Harper was
not the man to sit down in quietness, and calmly fold
his arms while the country around him was being rav
aged and made desolate. He called for his horse, and
passed with an undaunted spirit and firm resolve
through the scattered forces of the enemy, and bent his
course for Albany, where he hoped to secure assistance
to free his country of the rude despoilers. Reaching
Fox's Creek, he stopped for the night at a tory tavern.
After partaking of a hasty meal, he called for a room
and retired to rest. Soon after, the Colonel was aroused
by a loud rap at the door. " What is wanted ?" said
Harper, as he rose from his bed. " We wish to see Col.
Harper," was the quick reply. The Colonel very coolly
unlocked the door, and then seated himself on his bed,
with pistols and sword by his side. Presently four
men entered and closed the door. " Step one inch over
that mark," said the Colonel, " and you are dead men."
They stopped and showed evident signs of uneasiness.
Not finding him, as -they presumed, ready to bend the
obsequious knee, and tremble like Belshazzar of old,
they left his room. Again he closed and bolted the

86 INTEEESTING INCIDENTS.
door, and seating himself on the bed, quietly awaited
the approach of day.
Just as the sunbeams began to illuminate the orient
sky, he ordered his horse, though the house was sur
rounded with savages, and was soon on his way for
Albany. A swarthy old Indian pursued him to the very
outskirts of the place. As often as the red skin pressed
too closely upon Col. Harper, his speed was immediately
checked by the appearance of an ill-looking pistol, which
was aimed at his breast.
Arriving at Albany, he held a conference with Col.
Gansevoort, which resulted in accordance with his
wishes. A squadron of horse was placed under his
direction. . They immediately set out for Schoharie,
reaching there quite early in the morning. The citizens
were not aware of Col. Harper's movements, and were
greatly surprised, on" hearing the yells and shrieks of
the enemy, to behold him with his troops making terri
ble havoc in their ranks. A very patriotic and success
ful sally was made from the fort, and the consequences
were so alarmingly disastrous to the enemy, that they
made a hasty retreat from the country.

CHAPTER VII.
THE REVOLUTION — ITS EFFECTS UPON EMIGRATION —
SETTLEMENTS — INCIDENTS — THE THREE POINTS FROM
'WHICH EMIGRANTS PENETRATED CENTRAL NEW YORK.
"I'll note 'em in my book of memory."
The Revolutionary curtain first rose upon the memo
rable soil of Lexington, and fell, in the closing scene of
that eventful struggle for freedom in which the infant
colonies were engaged, on the blood-drenched plains of
Yorktown. Great Britain, in her endeavors to maintain
and extend her supremacy over the primitive soil of the
New World, was waging a war of oppression against
the freemen of Ariierica, who were kindling fires that
were to light them as they hewed their way through
the embattled forces of his royal highness King George
III. The Revolutionary war was emphatically a strug
gle between liberty and oppression. On the east side
of the broad waters that separated the two continents,
sat the crowned monarch, arrayed in royal splendor,
devising plans for the subjugation or annihilation of
the chivalrous spirits who were endeavoring to shake
off the chains and manacles of the oppressor. The col-

88 SETTLEMENTS.
onists warred for their liberties, their rights, and free
institutions ; and while the hostile banners of victorious
generals were approaching the surf-beaten shore of "this
land of the oppressed," and foreign armies were seen
marching upon Columbia's soil, they were rallying to
the field of slaughter with gleaming swords and glis
tening bayonets, ready to strike for liberty in freedom's
holy cause. During this struggle, a period extending
from 1715 to 1183, the spirit of emigration was greatly
impeded. But after the stormy cloud of war had passed
away, and the tempest of revolution had ceased to give
alarm or threaten with danger, and when the contending
elements were no longer agitated, and the incendiary's
torch, which not unfrequently was applied by marauding
parties to the cottagers' homes, had been extinguished,
the sturdy and industrious pioneers again began to
penetrate beyond the confines civilization.
John Doolittle, originally from Connecticut, was the
first explorer of the Oquago valley, having made a per
manent settlement near the present valley of Windsor,
early in 1185. At this time the Indians were living
near the spot where he erected his cabin.
During the same year James M'Master, made a loca
tion on the rich flats which border the classic Susque
hanna, and the little hamlet which soon after sprung up
as if by magic influence, has finally become the beautiful
and enterprising village of Owego.
Capt. Joseph Leonard was the pioneer of Broome
valley, having located in the vicinity of Binghamton in
1181. In 1189, Peter Hinepaw, Jacob Yaple, and Isaac Du-
mond located on the Ithaca Flats. They were employed

SETTLEMENTS. 89
nineteen days in transporting their goods from Owego,
a distance of twenty-nine miles.
Col. John Hendy was the pioneer at Elmira. He
erected the first log cabin in 1188, having previously
made a location at Tioga Point. His daughter, Rebecca,
who subsequently became the wife of Mr. Gulp, was the
first white child that ever sat on the banks of the Che
mung river. A few years since we shook the withered
and fleshless hand of the old lady, then trembling on
the verge of four score years. She was a woman of
remarkable mind and memory. But she has passed the
portals of death, and her sainted spirit is at rest. Col.
Hendy was a veteran soldier of the Revolution, and
became acquainted with the soil upon which he located
while serving under Gen. Sullivan in his successful
campaign against the Indians. He possessed great
moral courage as well as physical strength. In his
conflicts with the Indians, he proved a more than equal
opponent, not only in originating schemes of artifice,
but in carrying his plans into successful operation.
And here permit us to relate a single incident.
An Indian who had ofi'ered an unpardonable insult to
Mrs. Hendy, had been turned from the Colonel's house,
with orders never to cross his path under the most
severe penalties. A few weeks after, however, the old
offender, thirsting for revenge upon his more worthy
rival in all the general characteristics that constitute
the man of moral and intellectual worth, had taken a
secret position by the side of an Indian trail which ran
nearly parallel with one of the little tributaries of the
Chemung, and along which he expected Mr. Hendy
would pass at a certain hour of the day. Reaching the
5*

90 SETTLEMENTS.
secluded spot where his foe was crouched by the side
of a huge old oak, he was suddenly surprised by the
swarthy savage, who was making rapid strides towards
him, brandishing his tomahawk and scalping knife, and
uttering the most hideous yells. Col. Hendy was un
armed, having nothing with which to defend himself
save a walking cane, which was immediately hurled
with great force at the Indian, and which, quite unex
pectedly to his copper-colored highness, made a most
lasting impression on a very prominent organ of his
face, from which the blood spirted as he measured his
length upou the ground. In an instant Col. Hendy was
by the side of his, for the moment, powerless assailant,
and having seized his weapons, bade him in the most au
thoritative tone to lie still. But the savage determined
on one more effort to disarm and subdue his rival con
queror. Quick* as thought he sprang to his feet and
grappled the Colonel, but was again brought in contact
with the ground, and securely bound, certainly to his
great displeasure. With his hands pinioned behind him,
he was marched oflf to an Indian settlement and deliv
ered to the Sachem of the tribe to which he belonged,
and from which, after being appropriately dealt with,
he was banished from the country. But to return.
Hon. Hugh White made the first location at Whites-
town, within four miles of Utica, in 1184. Mr. White
was one of the joint proprietors of the Sadquada Patent.
The surrounding country was then a perfect wilderness,
he having been the first pioneer who had ventured to
trespass in that quarter beyond the footprints of civil
ization. Ephraim Webster, a native of New Hampshire, was

SETTLEMENTS. 91
the first white settler in Onondaga county. He located
in 1186, and soon after was married to an Indian lady.
In 1193, Col. John L. Hardenburgh erected a log
cabin on the present site of the city of Auburn, and up
to 1800 the place was known by the name of Harden-
burgh's Corners.
In 1189, a ferry across Cayuga lake was established
by James Bennet and John Harris.
The Phelps and Gorham purchase of 2,600,000 acres
of land for the sum of $100,000 was made in 1181. The
next year, Mr. Phelps left his home in Massachusetts
for the purpose of exploring this hitherto unexplored
region.* On taking leave of his family and friends,
they were found unable to suppress their sobs and tears,
for they had but little expectation of meeting him
again. The vast wilderness comprised J.n this Patent
was infested with various Indian tribes, whose war tri
umphs had signalized them for. deeds of cruelty and
blood. At or near the present village of Canandaigua,
he convened the Sachems of the Six Nations, and for a
nominal sum. extinguished their title to his land. The
territory embraced in this purchase comprised the coun
ties of Ontario, Yates, Steuben, Genesee, Alleghany, Ni
agara, Chatauque, Monroe, Livingston, Erie, the western
half of Wayne, and a portion of Orleans.
In 1189 Canandaigua received its first white inhabi
tant, Mr. Phelps having erected a small log building, in
which he opened a land office, — the first of the kind in
America. "Mr. Phelps may be considered the Oecrops of the
'' General Sullivan and his army had passed through a portion of
this tract in 1779, and gave glowing accounts of ita fertility.

92 SETTLEMENTS.
Genesee country. Its inhabitants owe a mausoleum
to his memory, in gratitude for his having pioneered for
them tbe wilderness of this Canaan of the West."
Kanadesaga (now Geneva) was first settled in 1181.
In 1198 the State Road, leading from Utica by way of
Cayuga Ferry and Canandaigua to the Genesee River
at Avon, was completed. The first stage coach passed
over this road-in 1119, reaching Avon on the afternoon
of the third day. After the completion of this road,
Geneva improved more rapidly. Still another great im
pulse favoring western emigration, is attributable to the
construction of the Ithaca and Owego, and Ithaca and
Geneva turnpikes, the former of which was completed
in 1808, and the latter in 1811.
In 1199 and 1800, the Cayuga Bridge was built by
the Manhattan, company, at an expense of $150,000.
Five years previous to the undertaking of this laudable
enterprise, the surrounding country was a gloomy for
est, inhabited only by Indians. The present bridge
was constructed at an outlay of about $15,000.
In 1791 Albany was made the Capital of the State,
and in 1809-10 the public buildings were erected ; the
State House was first used by the legislature in 1811.
In 1192 Capt. Williamson, the great land Mogul of
his day, settled at Bath. In 1194 he accepted the
agency of the Pultney estate, and soon after erected
the Geneva Hotel.
Rochester received its first white inhabitant in 1808.
The Wadsworths located at Big Tree in 1190. This fa
mous council tree is still standing near Geneseo.
The Holland Land Company purchased their immense
tract of Land west of the Genesee in 1192.

SETTLEMENTS. 93
Thomas Gallop was the first permanent settler at
Chenango Forks. He located in 1186.
Lisle was settled in 1190. Soon after, Mr. Lampeer
located seven miles up the Tioughnioga River.
The previous year (1191) Amog Todd and Joseph
Beebe planted the standard of civilization within the
rugged confines of Cortland county.
Thus having hastily glanced at the various early set
tlements, we are fully prepared to reassert the fact
previously referred to, that after the bloody tide of rev
olution had rolled away, and the national elements of
the opposing forces had subsided, giving peace to the
hitherto oppressed colonies, emigration increased more
rapidly, and settlements became more permanent. It
will also be most readily perceived, that the pioneers
penetrated central and western New. York from three
quarters. " Pennsylvanians, and particularly inhabi
tants of the region of Wyoming, pushed up the Susque
hanna to Tioga point, whence diverging, some made set
tlements along the Chemung and Canisteo, while others
established themselves on the east branch of the Sus
quehanna and its tributaries. Adventurers from the
east, crossing from New England or the Hudson River
counties to Unadilla, dropped down the river in canoes
and settled along the Susquehanna or Chemung, or trav
eled into the upper G-enesee. Yet another band took
the ancient road through the Mohawk valley to Oneida
lake, then on to Canadesaga," and gradually dispersed
over the Genesee country. No settlement was, however,
made at Buffalo until 1800.

CHAPTER VIII.
ORGANIZATION OF CORTLAND COUNTY.
" Tiie eye explores the feats of other days."
It is a duty which we of the present generation owe
to the memory of the pioneers of civilization in the
region of country where we dwell, to gather up with
care whatever records of the times there are left, and,
studying them well, transmit them in the most enduring
form to succeeding ages.
In taking a retrospective view of the past history of
our country, we observe the mighty changes which
have taken place since the territory of the United States
was an unbroken forest, inhabited only by the rude
aboriginals, who have slowly but surely yielded to the
progressive march of the Europeans, whose advent into
this western world " was their misfortune."
The native lords of the wilderness have disappeared.
Their generations sleep in our cultivated fields ; our
harvests wave upon their hills, and nod like ancient
plumes in their luxuriant valleys ; we have robbed them
of their homes and their hunting-grounds, and despoiled
them of their ancient greatness — their former glory.
Nor have we stopped here ; in numerous instapces,
the venerated names of antiquity have been chosen to

ORGANIZATION OP CORTLAND COUNTY. 95
take the place of the more expressive titles by which
they knew hill and valley, lake and stream ; and which,
in most respects, are certainly less euphonious, and
wanting in agreeable taste. How illy do the appella
tions of Spring Mills, Harloe's Corners, Middletown,
Port Royal, Geneva, Rochester, Detroit, and Sleepy
Hollow, compare with the sweet, musical, and ever-
classic names of Unadilla, Wyalusing, Susquehanna,
Cayuga, Tuscarora, or Canisteo ? We are far from
favoring the custom which has so eagerly sought out
and applied to our cities and smaller towns the names
of heroes, novelists, and poets. What knew Homer,
Virgil, Scott, or Solon, about the trials, sufferings, and
toilsome pursuits of the progressive spirits of go-ahead
pioneers ? It may be questionable as to their ever
having seen a stump, raft, or side-hill plow 1 They
dreamed mostly of castles of ivory and columns of glass.
Hector, Hannibal, and the Grecian conqueror, thought
but of crowns, sceptres, helmets, and glittering plumes.
The idea of borrowing names from the ancient republics,
merely on account of their bearing a classical charac
ter, is a most perfect absurdity. If republican freemen
cherish the habits and customs of former ages, why not
reverence with peculiar devotion the ancient Indian
custom of arraying themselves in fantastic costumes,
and dancing a grand war-dance around a stump, in a
manner at once ludicrous, and which would naturally
lead the uninitiated spectator to doubt the sanity of the
grandiloquent centre of attraction 1 True, we would
not desire to see the American people achieving laurels
by the tomahawk, scalping knife, or deadly arrow. We
certainly may with perfect safety banish from among us

96 ORGANIZATION OP CORTLAND COUNTY.
their ancient relics ; yet, regarding them as the origi
nal proprietors of this western continent, we think it
highly proper to preserve the more elegant appellations
of the Indians, and would certainly " approve the taste
that would restore the aboriginal names of places," in
all cases consistent with association, and which would
favorably characterize the ancestry of the red men of
America. Scarce seventy years have passed away since the
territory embraced within the boundary of Cortland
county was only traversed by the rude Indian hunters —
warriors of proud and lofty bearing — chieftains who
were quietly borne upon the bosom of the limpid waters
of the Tioughnioga, and with far more pleasurable
emotions than were the Goths or Vandals, in their mem
orable passage down the Hellespont. Nearly seventy
years have passed away since the aboriginal lords of
the wilderness — the Romans of the West — here pursued
with stealthy step and faithful quiver, the panther, the
wolf, and the bear, as they ranged o'er
" Kocky dens and wooded glens.''
Then they cautiously trapped the moose, the otter, the
fox, the catamount, and the lynx ; and the rapacious
French and English traders received their pelts and
furs in exchange for powder, lead, tomahkwks, scalp
ing knives and blankets, with an occasional supply of
very poor rum. Nearly seventy years have rolled away
since the first echo of the axe of civilization was heard
in Cortland valley, or the Yankee rifle laid open the
skull of old Grizzler, as he sat crouched behind his rocky
rampart in the gloomy mountain gorge, grinning a

ORGANIZATION OF COETLAND COUNTY. 97
look of defiance at his unwelcome intruder. Nearly
seventy years have passed away since the footprints of
civilization first appeared in the Tioughnioga valley.
Nearly seventy years have winged their rapid flight
since, in this wild of forest trees,
"Art built her dome in Nature's silent bowers.
And peace and gladness crowned the pilgrim's hours."
The long, deep silence which had for ages pervaded
these luxuriant valleys and rugged hills was at length
broken, for the " woodman's axe" was making war with
the stern old monarchs o'er whom for centuries the
thunders had rolled and the lightnings wheeled in awful
grandeur. For ages back, the wild men had wandered
o'er them in the pursuit of forest game, or as they de
filed along upon the war path. Battles waged for power
and conquest within the borders of our county, are
neither recorded upon the historic page, nor treasured
up in our county archives. There are, however, some
interesting traditionary relics preserved among the
aged chieftains of the Leni-Lenape tribe, which, though
not conclusive evidence of fact, yet they measurably
establish the probability of there having been, during
the Sixteenth century, wars of the most cruel and unre
lenting character waged in our valley. We have seen
many curioiisly-wrought implements of Indian warfare,
now in pre'servation, which have from time to time been
turned up by the plough of the progressive agricultur
ist. We have seen spear heads, chisels, pestles, ar
row points, and pipes of great antiquity — leaden crosses
of Maltese shape, referring to the missions of the Jes
uits — beads, necklaces, and rings, of very ancient origin

98 ORGANIZATION OP COETLAND COUNTY.
— the section of a circle, perforated near the rim, with
very small holes,— and last, though not least, of ingen
ious construction, is a bone charger, in perfect preserv
ation, and the same as was used by the Senecas at the
tragical conflict in 1681, with Marquis De Nonville, in
the Genesee valley.
As we can neither give record to the bloody acts of
crowned heads begirt with royal gems, or describe in
glowing colors enormous battlements from which
emerged warriors clad in iron mail, with bristling bay
onets and brazen armor, as they met some formidable
foe ready to contest the right of soil on which they
walked, we shall have to content ourselves with record
ing events of an entirely dissimilar character. True,
the swarthy savages were occasionally seen ascending
the Tioughnioga, or trailing along the war-path, with a
frightful-looking lot of scalps, fresh from the brows of
the " pale faces," dangling at their belts.
The history of Cortland county is therefore of a
pacific character. It was the remark of a celebrated
author, that " that country is the happiest, which fur
nishes the fewest materials for history." Assuming the
truth of this position, we shall be led to believe that a
cultivation of the arts of peace are certainly more con
ducive to happiness, than a recurrence to the arbitrary
acts and influences of war.
Tryon county, as we have already remarked, was or
ganized in 1112.
In 1184, Tryon was changed to Montgoraery, in order
to gratify the many patriotic citizens who were thor
oughly opposed to longer retaining the name of a tory
governor.

ORGANIZATION OF CORTLAND COUNTY. 99
The territory at this time embraced within its boun
daries the five districts known by the names of Mohawk,
Canajoharie, Palatine, German Flats, and Kingsland.
Herkimer county was organised frora territory taken
from Montgomery, in 1791.
Onondaga county was organized in 1194. It was taken
from the western part of Herkimer, and embraced within
its limits that portion of the Military Tract, which at
present comprises the counties of Seneca, Cayuga, Cort
land, and Onondaga, with portions of Tompkins and
Oswego. Cayuga was organized from Onondaga in 1799.

Seneca "

Cayuga in 1804.

Cortland "

" Onondaga in 1808.

Oswego "

" Oneida and Onondaga in 1816

Tompkins "

" Cayuga and Seneca in 1817.

"Wayne "

" Ontario and Seneca in 1823.

The principal causes which led to the organization of
Cortland county, will be found in the following inter
esting document, — the original petition for its erection,
— and which we procured through the politeness of Hon.
G. W. Bradford, from the archives of our State.
The petition was originally written in an easy and
graceful hand, and in almost every instance the signa
tures were the autographs of the signers.
To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York in Senate
and Assembly convened : The Petition of the subscribers, inhabi
tants of the towns of Fabius, TuUy, Solon, Homer, Virgil, and
Cincinnatus, humbly sheweth : —
That the county of Onondaga is ninety-six miles in
length, and at an average breadth about twenty-five

100 ORGANIZATION OP COETLAND COUNTY.
miles ; that from the extreme of the southern boundary
of the said county to the court-house is sixty miles, —
which operates greatly to the inconvenience of many of
your petitioners ¦ in giving their attendance at court.
That the population of said county is now very great,
and is daily increasing, which renders it impossible for
our Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the
Peace to transact with due expediency the legal busi
ness of said county; whereby the suitors of the said
courts experience great delay of justice, which, in the
opinion of your petitioners, is equivalent to a denial of
justice. That your petitioners humbly conceive that a
division ofthe said county will be of signal advantage to
the inhabitants of the said towns of Solon, Fabius, Tully,
Homer, Virgil, and Cincinnatus, and also to the inhab
itants of the northern part of the said county.
Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that the he-
fore-mentioned towns be erected into a new county by
the name of Courtlandt, and that there be three Courts
of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace
held in the said county as follows, viz : on the second
Tuesday of April, and the first Tuesday of September
and December, in every year, after, the due organization
of the said county.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
Appended to the petition were the names of seven
hundred and forty-seven of the most prominent citizens
of the [then] southern portion of Onondaga county, who
were desirous of securing a division of the same.
The petition was, on the 4th day of February follow
ing, introduced into the Senate by Hon. John Ballard, a

ORGANIZATION OF CORTLAND COUNTY. 101
member from the western district, then a resident of the
town of Homer, and was referred to a committee con
sisting of Mr. Ballard, Mr. Buel, and Mr. Yates.
The next day, (Feb. 5th,) Mr. Ballard reported in fa
vor of the petitioners, and presented a bill to that eflfect,
which was read the first and second time, and referred
to a Committee of the Whole.
It was again called up in Committee of the Whole on
the 8th, and ordered to be engrossed.
On the 10th it was read the third time, and passed ;
and on the same day was sent to the Assembly and
read the first time, and referred to the Committee of
the Whole.
Several of the northern towns of Onondaga remon
strated against the measure. The spirit of opposition
was cherished and cultivated with the most assiduous
care. Disunion was a monster of hideous form. He
was a creator of discord, and aimed at dividing mem
bers of the social compact. He was a political tyrant, —
an admirer of crowns, sceptres and chains.
But remonstrances, in all their multifarious forms,
could not save the county from being divided. Even
the eloquence and profound logic of the gifted member,
the Hon. Joshua Forman, failed to prevent its dismem
berment. The bill finally passed the Assembly, and be
came a law on the 8th day of April, 1808.
We select such portions of the act as will be of in
terest to the general reader : —

102 ORGANIZATION OF CORTLAND COUNTY.
An Act to Divide the County of Onondaga, passed
April 8, 1808.
1. -Be it enacted hy the people of the State of New
Yorh, represented' in Senate and Assembly, That all that
part of the county of Onondaga, to wit : Beginning at
the south corner of the town of Cincinnatus, and thence
running north along the east line of the towns of Cin
cinnatus, Solon and Fabius, to the north-east corner of
lot No. 60, in said town of Fabius, thence running west
along the north line of that tier of Ipts through the
towns of Fabius and Tully, to the north-west corner of
lot No. 51 in said town of Tully ; thence south along
the east line of the county of Cayuga, to the south-east
corner of the towns of Virgil and Cincinnatus to the
place of beginning, shall be one separate and distinct
county, and shall be called and known by the name of
Cortland. 2. And be it further enacted. That the Courts in and
for the said county, shall be held at the school-house
on lot No. 45, in the town of Homer.
3. And be it further enacted. That all that part of
the town of Fabius, situated in the county of Cortland,
shall be called Truxton ; and all that part of the town
of Tully, in said county of Cortland, shall' be called
Preble. Additional sections provide that Cortland shall have
one member of Assembly, and that it shall form part of
the Western Senatorial District, and part of the Thir
teenth Congressional District.

CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY TRACT.
" It was a gloomy wild ^vhere Indian warriors trod,
Where savage minds in solitude loolced up to Nature's God."
Cortland county was named in honor of General
Peter Van Cortlandt, a gentleman who was extensively
engaged in the purchase and sale of land. It is bounded
on the north by Onondaga county ; east by Madison
and Chenango ; south by Broome and Tioga ; and
west by Tompkins and Cayuga.
Its area is a fraction over 500 square miles, and con
tains about 320,000 acres, forming a portion ofthe high
" central section of the State." Its northern boundary
lies on the dividing ridge which separates the waters
flowing into Lake Ontario and the tributaries of the
Susquehanna river. The surface of this county is much
diversified, and may be appropriately divided into rich
valleys and fertile hills.
The territory comprised within the boundaries of
Cortland county, is composed of four whole and two
half townships of the Military Tract, or lands granted
by the State of New York to the soldiers of the revo
lution. The bloody enormities and cruel massacres perpe-

104 MILITARY TRACT.
trated along the frontier of New York, by the tories
and Indian allies, during the stormy period of our coun
try's history, and more particularly, of the years 1119
and 1180, and the neglect of several other States to fur
nish their proportion of troops for the protection of the
lives and property of the people, caused the legislature
of 1181 to enact a law requiring the enlistment of " two
regiments for the defence of the frontier of New York."
All necessary expenses incurred were to be canceled
by the United States, and the troops were to be em
ployed in the actual service of the country for the "term
of three years, unless sooner discharged." The faith of
the State was held in pledge for the positive payment
for such services. " The council of appointment^of the
State of New York was to commission the field-oflScers,
and the Governor of the State, the captains and sub
alterns." The non-commissioned oflScers and privates were each
to receive in land, as soon as surveyed by the Surveyor
General, 500 acres,
Major General, 5,500 "
Brigadier General, 4,500 "
Colonel, 2,500 "
Lieut. Colonel, 2,000 "
Major, 2,000 "
Captain, 1,500 "
Regimental Surgeon, 1,500 "
Chaplain, 2,000 "
Subaltern, 1,000 "
Surgeon's Mate, 1.000 "
The act above referred to contained a clause making

MILITARY TRACT. 105
an absolute settlement " on these lands" within three
years from the close of the war necessary, otherwise
they were forfeited, and reverted back to the State.
The United States Congress also granted one hun
dred acres of land to each of these soldiers as an addi
tional compensation for their valuable services in their
country's defence. OflBcers of the difi'erent grades re
ceived larger amounts, according to their commission or
rank. Major General, 1,000 acres
Brigadier General, 900 "
Colonel, 500 "
Lieut. Colonel, 450 "
Major, 400 "
Captain, 300 "
Lieutenant, "200 "
Ensign, 150 "
The land granted, or set apart, for the payment of
revolutionary claims in accordance with the act of
Congress, was located in the State of Ohio. Arrange
ments were however made which enabled the soldier to
draw his whole quota of 600 acres in one body in New
York, on condition of his having first legally relin
quished his claim to the lOO acres in Ohio ; but if he
neglected, or otherwise felt inclined, the sixth part,
which his patent called for, reverted to the State of
New York, and hence originated the term of " State's
Hundred." If notice was given, $8 was taxed the pa
tentee as a fee for surveying, and in case of failure in
paying that amount, fifty acres reverted to the State,
and hence again arose the term of " Survey Fifty."
Commissioners were appointed in 1184 to grant bounty
6

106

MILITARY TRACT.

land, " and settle individual claims." They consisted of
the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of As
sembly, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer
and Auditor.
The Military Tract was especially 'set apart by the
legislature of 1182, as bounty lands to be given to the
soldiers of the revolution. The tract contained 1,680-
000 acres, and embraced within its boundaries the coun
ties of Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Tompkins and
Seneca, with parts of Oswego and Wayne.
The Indian title was extinguished by Treaty of Port
Stanwix, Sept. 12th, 1188.
The tract was surveyed by act of Legislature of 1189
into twenty-six townships of one square mile, and each
to contain one hundred lots of 600 acres. Geueral
Simeon Dewitt, assisted by Moses Dewitt and Abram
Hardenburgh, ''laid out the whole tract," the forraer
" plotting, and mapping the boundaries, and calculating
its area."
We annex a table of the townships as originally
named, though previously known only by the number.

No.

1. Lysander.
2. Hannibal.
3. Cato.
4. Brutus.
5. Camillus.
6. Cicero.
7. Manlius.
8. Aurelius.
9. Marcellus.

TOWNSHIPS.
No. 10. Pompey.
" 11. Eomulus.
" 12. Scipio.
" 13. Sempronius.
" 14. Tully.
" 15. Fabius.
" 16. Ovid.
" 17. Milton.
" 18. Locke.

No. 19. Homer.
" 20. Solon.
" 21. Hector.
" 22. Ulysses.
" 23. Dryden.
" 24. Virgil.
" 25. Cincinnatus.
" 26. Junius.

In 1191, the commissioners decided by ballot who

MILITARY TRACT. 107
were the claimants to these bounty lands. " Ninety-
four persons drew lots in each township." One lot was
especially set apart for the promotion of literature, and
another for the support of the Gospel and common
schools. There still remained four lots in each town
ship to be disposed of. These were appropriated to the
benefit of certain oflScers, and to such as had drawn
lots which were measurably covered with water.
In 1192 township number twenty-seven was surveyed
and known by the name of Galen. This grant was
made, in accordance with law, to the Hospital depart
ment. In 1196 it was found that there were yet many un
satisfied claims for bounty lands, and consequently
another township was laid out, and numbered " twenty-
eight," which satisfied all legal claimants. To this was
appropriated the name of Sterling.
The act relative to a positive settlement in three
years was annulled, and the time extended from 1192
to 1199.
The State, in disposing of its bounty lands, conveyed
them by an instrument called a Patent, to which was
attached a large waxen disc, with paper on each side,
bearing the arras of the State on the face, and an im
pression on the back, called the " reverse."
It is, perhaps, well known to the general reader, that
a town frequently embraced a number of townships.
Ulysses originally included the townships of Ulysses,
Ithaca, Enfield aud Dryden. Pompey contained the
townships of Pompey, Fabius and Tully. Homer em
braced that of Homer and Cortland. Virgil embraced
Virgil, Harford and Lapeer. Cincinnatus contained

108 MILITARY TRACT.
Cincinnatus, Marathon, Freetown and Willet. Solon
embraced Solon and Taylor. Preble contained Preble
and Scott.
A township embraced one hundred lots, though, for
lack of a proper understanding, many have confounded
the terms of town and township ; and we notice in
stances where authors have substituted the one for the
other. Previous to 1192, the revolutionary claimants suf
fered materially on account of the many frauds com
mitted by a lawless band of land pirates, who, in order
to rob the hero and patriot of his inheritance, hesitated
not to comrait the most open and glaring forgeries.
Nuraerous fraudulent conveyances bore anterior dates,
and consequently gave rise to many unpleasant con
tests, as well as bitter recriminations. In some in
stances, four and even five forged conveyances were
held by as many different individuals for the same lot
of land.
In some cases the legal claimants were deprived of
their rights. But these land-sharks were not always
aware of the material with which they had to contend,
and occasionally met with a rebuke and discomfiture
from which they did not soon recover. Among those
gallant spirits who braved the danger of revolution,
and who were unappalled by the roar of British cannon,
and the menace of hostile armies, were men who were
not easily forced or ejected frora their possessions. In
the eastern part of Cortland lived one who was an asso
ciate with the chivalrous sons who marched to Quebec
when winter's awful terapest opposed their progress,
and who crossed the ice-choked Delaware, regardless

MILITARY TEACr. 109
of chilling winds and angry waves — again, defying the
rage of battle beneath the burning sun at Monmouth —
kindred spirits to those who fought at Lexington, Con
cord and Bunker Hill. He had made bare his bosom
to the shafts of battle, and shrunk not from the horrors
of a seven years' war. After locating on his lot, and at
a time when hope painted to his eager vision long years
of future happiness, he was called upon by one of these
gentlemen Shylocks, who informed him that he held a
conveyance of his lot, and that he was the only legal
owner, and gave him a very polite invitation to evacu
ate his possessions. But the stern old patriot — the
hero of many battles, and who carried on his person
the certificates of his valor — was not thus hastily to be
ejected from his revolutionary inheritance. The fire
that ouce glowed so brightly in the old man's eyes on
the field of battle was rekindled, and he would sooner
have fallen a martyr to justice and right than have
obsequiously acquiesced in the mandate of his ungal-
lant oppressor. The conveyance was at length laid
open and examined, and was found to bear a date prior
to that of his own. In short, it was a forgery.
When the defrauder found that the stern, heroic war
rior would not yield to his demand, he threatened him
with the terrors of law, and the cost of an ejectment
suit. This, however, only caused a smile to play over
the face of the worthy pioneer of civilization. He
knew that he had fought and bled upon the gory plain ;
that he had sacrificed the soft endearments of horae,
discarded honors, and rushed to the " tented field," to
strike for liberty and universal freedom ; that his pos
sessions were legally bequeathed him, as a compara-

110 MILITARY TRACT.
tively small gift for the sacrifices he had made in the
cause of human emancipation; and to be thus deprived
of a home which he had purchased with sacrifices and
blood, would not comport with the principle for which he
had contended, and he spurned the intruder from his
presence. Instances of a like character were of frequent occur
rence. Some yielded without making scarcely an effort
at resistance.
But the soldiers suffered from other circumstances,
and from causes over which they had no control. The
long interim of time which intervened between the day
of promise and the time of legal assignment of bounty
lands, and the coldness with which their appeals were
received by the State government, caused many to
doubt the propriety of urging their claims, and in num
erous instances parted with their patents for a mere
nominal sum, and in some cases for an amount varying
from three to eight dollars.
The act of '94 was intended to prevent future frauds,
and unquestionably had the desired effect. "All deeds ,
.and conveyances executed before that time, or pretend
ing to be so, were to be deposited with the clerk of the
county of Albany, for the time being, and all such as
were not so deposited should be considered fraudulent."
This put a stop to further forgeries ; yet the courts
were pressed with suits in regard to contesting claim
ants. Very few lots were quietly settled upon, there
being two or more pretended owners. Squatters had
to be ejected, and often exorbitant sums paid for the
mere shadow of an improvement. The disputes became
so frequent, so unpleasant, and withal so injurious to

MILITARY TRACT.

Ill

the peace and comfort of the Militarj' Tract, that, in
1191, they united in a general and urgent petition for
the passage of an act whereby all diflBculties might be
settled, and the controversial war ended. The petition
was heard and answered. Commissioners were appoint
ed, "with full powers to hear, examine, award, and
determine all disputes respecting the titles of any and
all the military bounty lands." Wrongs of long stand
ing were redressed, and justice equitably distributed.
The termination of these vexed questions of right
gave rise to a more liberal and happy feeling among
the pioneers, and resulted in a more speedy settlement
of the territory, and consequently in a rapid increase of
population. Cortland county is at present divided into fifteen
towns, which were organized as follows :

Homer,

1194

Marathon, .

1818

Solon,

. 1198

Willet, .

. 1818

Virgil,

1804

Cortlandville,

1829

Cincinnatus, .

. 1804

Harford,

. 1845

Preble,

1808

Lapeer,

1845

Truxton,

. 1808

Taylor, .

. 1849

Scott, .

1815

Cuyler, . .

1858

Freetown,

. 1818

CHAPTER X.
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY AND METEOROLOGY.

"Nor gold nor jeweled gems were there.
Yet 'neath the turf were mines of richest store."

To THOSE who read the book of Nature with due
attention, and who are conversant with the laws of
cause and effect, the study of Geology,. Mineralogy and
Meteorology will prove not only interesting, but instruct
ive, and they will necessarily be led to inquire into those
causes and influences which may have operated at a very
remote period of time in giving an alraost entire change
to the general appearance of the earth's surface. In
our mind there is no question as to the fact of the
ancient ocean having, far back in the dim distance of
the past, overspread our hills and valleys, ebbing and
flowing in obedience to physical laws, and, as now,
sending- her storm-beaten surf against the huge rocks
that line the mountain gorge. Then, as now, it was
dotted with isles and sand-bars. Then, as now, there
were calms, when the sun, the moon, the stars, looked
down in beauty upon its glassy surface. Then, as now,
the rainbow clasped the wide expanse, while its ever-
varied hues were reflected far beneath the gentle wave-

GEOLOGY. 1 18
lets. Then, as now, the zephyrs played o'er its un-
fathomed waters, sending its undulating swells to rip
ple along the beachen shore, "recording its history in
the sands beneath."
The Tioughnioga river has its source near the south
ern line of Onondaga, and flo-ws southward, with its
tributaries watering nearly the whole of Cortland
county. The Otselic is its main branch.
Geologically, Cortland does not present as great a
variety of specimens as some of the other counties in
the district.*
Slate is the basis-rock of the county. The Hamilton
group, extending from Onondaga, enters the northern
part of the town of Truxton, and terminates some
distance east of Tinker's Falls.
In Preble, Truxton, and parts of Homer, are found
quantities of Genesee slate. These generally project
from the hills which form the barriers of the valley.
The Portage and Ithaca groups extend over the towns
of Cortland and Solon, the larger portion of Homer and
Scott, " and the terrace between Truxton and Solon."
They are found on either side of the Tioughnioga, but
become more narrow as they " increase in thickness
going south.'' Some fine specimens are also found
along the borders of the Otselic in Willet and Cincin
natus. These groups form a number of valuable quarries,
and from which have been taken large quantities of stone
= This (the third) Geological district is composed of the counties
of Montgomery, Fulton, Otsego, Herkimer, Oneida, Lewis, Oswego,
Madison, Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Chenango, Broome, Tioga,
and the eastern half of Tompkins.
6*

114 GEOLOGY.
for building and flagging purposes. A short distance
above Port Watson are the quarries of Messrs. Miller &
Derby. To the south are those of Messrs. Stephens,
Rose and Betts. Between Homer and Cortland are
Pierce and Rood's quarries . These are of great value,
" and furnish nearly all the flag-stones used in Homer."
The lower part of the quarries consists of flags from one
to six inches in thickness ; not so smooth or straight as
those of Sherburne, but waved like the slight move
ments which water produces upon a sandy bottom.
The flags contain fucoids, large and small, some of
which anastomose and are smooth. Above these layers
there is a line of concretion, about a foot or more in
diameter, with shale. On the top of these are slaty,
broken up, and decomposed layers of shale and sand
stone, forming the refuse of the quarry. Some of
the lower layers of sandstone contain vegetable
impressions, and show sraall accumulations of coal,
owing to the alteration which the material of the
plants has undergone."* This quarry is a most val
uable acquisition to the mineral wealth of Homer.
Those citizens of Homer who are observant of objects
about them, will find many interesting confirmations in
the flag-stones upon which they walk, of the truth of
the above observations. The beautiful ripple marks,
everywhere seen, carry us back to the time when these
samel rocks formed the soft floors of shallow Silurian
seas. ^
North and west of Horaer, are other valuable quar
ries, in one of which a variety of vegetable irapressions
» See State Geological Report, 1842, to which we are indebted
for many interesting facts.

GEOLOGY. 115
are discernible — none, however, which resemble those
noticed by us in the quarry above referred to.
The Chemung group covers the southwest part of
Virgil. This is the highest elevation in the county.
The same group is perceptible on the lines of Freetown,
Cincinnatus, Willet and Marathon.
There are three marl lakes or ponds a few miles
south west of Cortland village. The larger one covers
an area of fifteen acres, the second in size, six, and the
third, four. When freed from the particles of vegetable
matter, it presents a very light appearance, and is
without doubt a fair species of carbonate of lime.
Large quantities of lime are annually burnt and dis
posed of at the kilns.
Marl is also found in smaller deposits in Tully, Pre
ble, and the northern part of Homer. It will at some
future time prove to be of great importance to the
county, especially as a manure.
Bog ore, it is believed, does not exist in this county
to any great extent, though small specimens have been
found in some of the swamps.
Albite, or white feld-spar, exists in small quantities
in Scott, Fabius and Solon.
We have two or three specimens of amphibole, or
basaltic hornblende, gathered from the northern part of
the county. The crystals are well-formed, but so firmly
imbedded in the rock as to render it diflScult to detach
them without marring their beauty. ,
Calcareous tufa is common in some of the eastern
localities of the county.
On the west branch of the Otselic river is a small

116 TORNADOES.
calcareo-sulphurous spring, the water of which is
strongly impregnated with the mixed ingredients of sul
phur and lime.
In the county are several sulphur springs, some emit
ting very pure particles of sulphur. Little York, or
Sulphur lake, a few miles north of Homer, is slightly
tinctured with sulphur.
Tornadoes are classed among the more prominent
meteorological phenomena. Their course is invariably
in an eastward direction, and, unlike that of a whirl
wind, moving " in a circuit round its axis," their whirl
is always to the left. They frequently travel at the
rate of a hundred miles per hour, leaving the marks
of devastation behind.
On the 13th day of August, 1804, a tornado swept
over the northern part of this county, and in its mad
dened course tore up trees, demolished buildings, and
blasted the pioneer's hopes of a plentiful crop.
Just a half century after, Cortland county was again
visited by a tornado. Its path was narrow, yet
alarmingly destructive. Its course was east south-east,
and its ravages were traceable for a distance exceeding
250 miles. A little previous to its appearance, cloud
after cloud of awful blackness rolled up in the west,
and gradually spread over the sky, until finally the
whole firmament became enveloped in almost tartarea/n
darkness. Forked lightnings flashed athwart the sky,
or, zig-zag, le^ed from apparent spiral columns of red-
hot wreathing flames. The rain poured down in tor
rents. It was not like one of those ever-drizzling rains
so common among the tropics, but more like a perfect

TORNADOES. 117
avalanche. The rain was succeeded by a violent hail
storm, which tended greatly to cool the overheated
atmosphere, the mercury having ascended to a point
unusual for this latitude.
The tornado entered this county from Locke, and
passed, in its desolating and destructive course, within
two miles of Homer. Having gathered fresh strength
in crossing the valley, it rose the eastern hills — those
ancient battlements where the shadows of ages have
fallen and which fearful convulsions have shaken — with
a spirit unawed and unbroken, and then waged war with
the hitherto unconquered monarchs of 400 years' stand
ing, tearing them up by the roots, or twisting them into
splinters as Sampson did a green twig, and whirling
their shattered fragments in almost every conceivable
direction. Indeed, sad havoc was made with the forest
trees. But the ancient dwellers offered no opposition,
for the storm-god did not eVen presume upon a contest
for the right of way. His course was onward, and woe
to the giant oak that came within the whirling folds of
the destroyer.
A gentleman, crossing Cayuga lake in a small boat
at the time of this occurrence, describes the scene as
one of terrific grandeur. As it approached the water,
it leveled every impeding obstacle. The roaring of the
tornado, the sharp, vivid flashes of lightning, and the
deafening thunder, were to hira really alarraing. The
water, for the space of several rods, exteij,ding across
the lake, suddenly became elevated a number of feet,
very much in the forra of a pier, and for an hour or more
ebbed and flowed with the same regularity as is ob
served in the ocean's tide. On, on sped the storm-god.

118 TORNADOES.
raving and howling as if forced forward on the very
wings of despair.
There were several remarkable yicidents connected
with this singularly strange and destructive visitor.
In the town of Locke, Cayuga county, a brass kettle
was caught up in its terrible folds, and lodged, some
forty rods distant, in the top of a graceful poplar. A
wagon-seat was carried across the Tioughnioga river,
and dashed to atoms. A barn roof was divided, and
one-third carried away without materially injuring the
remaining two-thirds. In Chenango, a little boy, five
or six years old, was caught up and carried upwards of
thirty rods, and safely deposited by the side of a hay
stack, having escaped with only a rude shaking. An
aged matron, stepping to the door to, shake the crumbs
from her table-cloth, had it rather unceremoniously
taken from her, and the last she saw of her favorite
linen, it was at a great distance, cutting fantastic
capers in "mid air," being under the immediate con
trol of the storm-spirit.
On the 30th day of September, 1868, another tornado
visited our county. Its course, from Lake Erie to the
Atlantic, was wide and fearfully marked with its deso-
.lating efiects. In varipus places its strength was
divided, and it traveled in different lines for miles, and
¦when again united, raved and roared with redoubled fury.
The sky was shrouded with thick and sulphury clouds >
increasing to almost pitchy blackness. Forked light
nings flashed athwart the sky, and deafening thunders
rolled and reverberated amid the contending elements.
The damage to property was immense. Orchards and
forest trees were alike prostrated; fences were blown

METEOEOLOGY. 119
down, houses and barns unroofed, and in some instances
entirely destroyed. We visited one sugar-orchard of
two thousand trees, all of which, save forty-nine, were
leveled to the ground. On another lot we saw sixty
acres of forest trees lying in every conceivable direc
tion. But the damage was so great, and so generally
felt, that we deem an extended notice unnecessary. In
the evening the sky was almost constantly lit up with
spiral streaks of lightning, accompanied with deafening
thunder, inconceivably grand and awe-inspiring.
The data we possess relative to our climate is limit
ed to the results of a few observations. We have been
favored with the reading of a valuable and interesting
Report on Vital Statistics, made to the Medical Asso
ciation of Southern Central New York, by Doctor C.
Green, from which we make the following brief outline
of interesting facts:
The climate of Cortland county is characterized, in
common with that of southern central New York, by
great variability. The region of the State, south and
south-west of the Mohawk valley, including Onondaga
and Cortland counties, shows, according to the report
of Dr. Emmons, a lower reduction of temperature by
four degrees to eleven degrees than the average of the
State, and autumnal frosts occur earlier by four to thir
teen days. The physical features of the county would
indicate that our climate would at least be colder than
the western portion of the State in the same latitude.
The geological features of our county are interesting in
relation to the succession of hill and dale, their relative
elevation, and the elevation above tide water. These
valleys are cut through the Portage and Chemung group
of rocks. The hills bounding these valleys are generally

120 METEOROLOGY.
of such shape that they can be cultivated to their sum
mits, and vary in height above the valleys from two
hundred to six hundred feet. The valleys, geologically
speaking, are those of denudation, being scooped out of
the rocks above mentioned. The bottoms are filled to
an unknown depth with drift made up of the detritus
and boulders of the norther'n rocks, as well as of the
rocks in which they are situated. These valleys are of
moderate width, and have no inconsiderable elevation
above the ocean. The valley in which Homer is situ
ated is at that place 1096 feet above tide water. This
elevation will account in a measure for the difference
in the climate between this and the western portion of
the State, especially from Cayuga lake westward.
While Homer has the elevation just noticed, Ithaca is
situated only four hundred and seventeen feet above
tide — a difference in altitude of six hundred and seventy-
nine feet. The mean temperature of Homer is forty-
four degrees seventeen minutes, while that of Ithaca,
with a difference in latitude of only eleven minutes of a
degree, is forty-seven degrees eighty-eight minutes,
thereby giving a difference in mean temperature of
three degrees seventy-one minutes. The annual range
of the thermometer in Homer, for 1845, was one hundred
and four degrees, while that of Ithaca was ninety-two.
The daily range of temperature is one of the most
marked characteristics of our climate, and this is espe
cially true of the late summer and early autumnal
months. The vicissitudes of weather are very sudden
and extreme, but the change in the daily temperature
which exerts the most striking influence on the health
of community, in our sumraer and autumnal mouths, is,
the rapid depression of the mercury on the approach of

METEOROLOGY. 121
night-fall. There is often, in August and September, a
change, from two o'clock to ten o'clock P. M., of from
twenty to thirty-five degrees. It will be readily seen
that if the body is not prepared to resist the influence
of these changes, disease must result. The following
table, prepared from observations taken in Homer in
1851, shows the monthly mean ofthe daily range ofthe
thermometer :
Jan. Feb. March. April. May. June.
13.35 11.42 15.06 13.43 17.77 16.40
July. August. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
17.12 20.33 20.23 15.09 8.53 10.ti3
In order to maintain an equable condition of the sys
tem, it becomes necessary to change clothing as often
as the weather changes, or at least wear next to the
surface of the body those materials which do not con
duct heat rapidly.
The following table will give some idea of the climate
of our county. The table was compiled from the records
made by E. C. Reed, Esq., the Meteorological observer
of the Smithsonian institute, of Homer :

No.inches High-

Low-

Highest

Lowest

rain and
melted
estpM
1 est p't
Range.
point of
barom
point of
barom
Range.
Direcl'nC wind, i:
3!ou'nesE
1853
ano-w.
ther.
ther.
eter.
eter.
May,
4.69
80
33
47
29.132
28.408
.724
N. W.
5
June,
4.00
88
47
41
29.121
28.517
.604
N. W.
4
July,
2.28
83
47
36
29.046
28.555
.491
s.
4
Aug.,
3.59
89
43
46
29.007
28.405
.602
s.
4
Sept.,
4.72
83
32
51
29.085
28.278
.807
s.
4
Oct.,
456
68
24
44
29.191
28.336
.855
s.
4
Nov.,
3.15
63
6
57
29.333
28.347
.986
s.
7
Dec,
1.76
44
-2
46
29.042
27.974
1.068
s.
7
1854.
Jan.,
2.60
54
-5
59
29.268
28.039
1.229
s.
7
Feb.,
4.46
48
-2
50
29.276
28.202
1.073
s. s.
6
Marci
1,3.34
60
3
57
29.094
27.997
1.097
N. W.
7
April,
5.84
69
16
53
29.312
28.271
1.041
N. W.
6
CHAPTER XI.
LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
*' Can you tell me a tale or some legend old,
Of the forest wild or the streamlet cold.
Where the Indian, hound, or the arrow flew,
Or the true hearts pledged their love anew?"
There are many interesting and instructive legendary
reminiscences treasured in the memory of the young
braves and chieftains of the scattered remnants of the
Delaware tribe. They are particularly fond of rehears
ing the unwritten incidents which form the only perfect
memorial of the ancient 'history of their nation. The
one which we are about to narrate was gathered from
a source which entitles it to a place in our history, and
the various corroborating facts derived from the tradi
tions of the early Indian occupants of the Wyoming
valley, clothe it with a garb of undoubted reality.
At a period far back in the annals of the heroic past,
there were numerous Indian settlements clustered along
the banks of the classic Wyoming, the majestic Susque
hanna, the serpentine Chenango, and the ever to he ad
mired Tioughnioga. Near the mouth of Cold Brook, a
small tributary of the Tioughnioga, the Indians had
established a small settlement. The wigwams were
rudely constructed, yet suflSciently comfortable to answer

LEGEND or TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY. 123
the requirements of these red dwellers of the forest.
They belpnged to the Leni-Lenape or Delaware tribe,
which originally came from the eastern shores of the
North American continent. They were a warlike people,
proud and ambitious, bold and resolute. Early in the
sixteenth century, they separated by common consent
from a branch of the parent tribe, which had previously
settled in the Wyoming valley. Here they came seeking
repose by the side of the beautiful stream that flowed
through the picturesque Tioughnioga. They were supe
rior hunters, and lived chiefly by fishing or upon the
success of the chase. As their numbers increased and
their hopes brightened, the Mingoes, who were scattered
along the shores of the great northern chain of lakes,
became more or less jealous of the surrounding tribes,
whom they endeavored to bring under their subjection,
while they extended their jurisdiction over the hunting-
grounds of their more feeble neighbors.
The impulses of the Lenapes were warm and ardent
— their enthusiasm extravagant, usually leading to laud
able ends. They frequently suffered from the incursions
of predatory parties of Mingoes, who sought by stealth
to lessen their means of enjoyment, or, if possible,
arouse in them a spirit of revenge, that they might find
in it a pretext for making war against them, and thereby
exterminate or make them yield to their dictatorial no
tions of right. The aggressions of the Mingoes were
carried on to the last point of forbearance, adding insult
to insult, until finally the cry for revenge was only to
be appeased by blood. The old chief was disabled by
various infirmities from directing or taking part in the
inevitable struggle for which the Lenapes were prepar-

124 LEGEND OE TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
ing. He had fought in many a severe battle, and had
particularly distinguished himself in the fierce and
bloody wars waged against the Alligewi on the Missis
sippi, as well as in the devastating incursions against
the Mengwes. The scars upon his person were so many
certificates of his valor ; and when he saw the storm
rising and heard the elements muttering, his soul went
up to the abode of the Great Spirit, invoking the as
sistance of the strong arm of Right in behalf of the
oppressed. He called to his presence Ke-no-tah, a
young and aspiring brave, and thus addressed him :
" I am an old warrior, but can no more go out to bat
tle. When the moon went down, crimsoned with the
blood of my people who fell on the shores of the Great
Waters, I was borne from the victorious battle-ground
covered with my blood. My father and brothers were
among the slain, and I wept that my pierced limbs
would no longer sustain this now withered and decay
ing body, for my heart thirsted for blood. I was then
young and strong, and could strike for the hearth-stone
of my cabin. A few moons more, and this branchless
tree will have fallen to the ground. The night is dark
aud the wind rages — a storm is gathering about the
Great Lakes. Our enemies will soon be upon us, and
Ke-no-tah must nerve his right arm to crush the de
stroyer." The dark eyes of the young brave flashed a falcon
glance upon the venerable chieftain, as his tall aud
manly form assuraed a still more noble and dignified
appearance. "Give me," said he, "command of the
braves, and we will go out to battle — we will consume

LEGEND OP TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY. 125
our enemies — we will drink their blood and devastate
their homes."
A council of warriors was convened, before whom the
powerful eloquence of Ke-no-tah was poured out like
a wild gushing torrent, and he was at once chosen chief
to lead the young and impetuous braves to battle. He
had on several occasions evinced the true, native war
spirit, having never faltered, not even when surrounded
with darkness and danger, and, if the safety of his
people required it, his blood should be poured out upon
the red altar which the Mingoes had erected.
The sun had appeared in the orient sky, and his
chariot wheels were fast approaching the zenith of the
heavens. The dark green foliage clothed the ancient
forest trees, the sweetest incense rose from the dewy
flowers and was borne upon the balmy zephyrs, hill and
dale were made vocal with the native songsters of the
woods, the water of the beautiful river lay calm and
smooth, and pure as a transparent sheet of glass, the
antlered deer bounded over the hills, while at various
intervals tbe scream of the wild bird was heard in the
distance. All was peace and quietness in the little set
tlement. Suddenly, however, " the scene was changed."
Three painted savages from the northern lakes ap
peared at the wigwam of the aged Sachem Conduca, '
demanding a surrender of their cabins, their arms of
defence, and their hunting-grounds. Altahalah, the
youngest daughter of Conduca, unnoticed by the in
vaders of her quiet home, silently withdrew from their
presence, and hastily throwing her blanket over her
shoulders, she bounded with the speed of a youg nfawn
to the home of Ke-no-tah, to whom she had been prom
ised in marriage.

126 LEGEND OF TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
"Brother ! brother ! they have come ! — Fly ! fly to
the home of Conduca I" It was enough ; the young
brave, snatching his tomahawk and war-club, hastened
to the relief of the worthy aud much-loved chieftain.
When he entered the cabin he found the Mingoes mak
ing loud threats against the peaceful settlement, and
intimating that unless a general surrender was made
blood would be spilt. This brought Ke-no-tah to
his feet. The muscles of his face became suddenly
swollen with passion, and his eyes flashed defiance as
he thus addressed himself to the foremost speaker :
" Talk not to me of blood ; it is my delight. It is the
element upon which I live. I was not born like other
warriors. I was never dandled upon the lap of a moth
er. A dark cloud came over the high hills, and from
that cloud a thunderbolt was hurled against a large
pine tree, shivering it to the stump, and from that stump
I sprung up completely equipped for war. Blood is my
delight 1 Vengeance is mine !" Such was the effect of
his eloquence and manner that the Mingoes absolutely
quailed before him. Thus finding all attempts at bring
ing the Lenapes to their desired terms, they left mutter
ing curses upon the heads of Conduca and Ke-no-tah.
The day declined. The sable shades of night had
curtained the earth, and the hollow murmurs of the
storm-beaten tempest were heard advancing ; anon the
muttering thunder told the name of G-od, and the light
ning's flaming wing pointed to his dwelling-place. But
hark ! what wild scream was borne upon the midnight
air ? It was the Indian war-whoop, and it fell like a
death knell upon the ear of Altahalah. The Mingoes
had suddenly fallen upon the little settlement, and

LEGEND OP TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY. 127
though but partially prepared to make a resolute re
sistance, were not to be defeated without one gallant
effort forcountry and horae, — aye, for their lives. The
far-seeing eye of Ke-no-tah had watched their approach,
and he had already gathered the young braves, as well
as many of th e old scarred warriors, around,him. At the
first shrill whoop of the invaders, Ke-no-tah and his
brave warriors rushed like fierce blood-hounds from
their retreat, and fe}l like a thundering avalanche upon
the MingoeSj— whose spring was like the hungry pan
ther as he leaps upon his prey, and whose deafening
war-whoop was death ! The contest was short but ter
rible. The two forces fought with the fierceness of ti
gers, and when the battle-cry had ceased, and all was
still save the low wailing of the wounded and dying,
it was found that the Mingoes had fled, leaving the
greater number of their well-trained warriors locked in
the icy hue of death. The Lenapes had suffered se
verely, as but few remained to tell the tale of the
horrid butchery. The banner of Ke-no-tah had tri
umphed. The full-orbed moon rent her mantle of darkness and
looked down upon the work of carnage, where mauy a
brave and ardent defender of his rights had fallen. At
this moment x^ltahalah was discovered, clasping in her
arms the lifeless form of Conduca, and silently wiping
the congealed blood frora his wounds. Her face was
deadly pale, and a cold tremor ran over her whole
frame. Relaxing her hold on Conduca, and looking down
upon his livid features, she exclaimed, " Oh ! my father,
my father, has the Great Spirit called thee hence to his

128 LEGEND or TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
fairer hunting-ground in the brighter land of promise 1
or, hast thou fallen by the hand of the usurper, whose
pointed arrow cleft thy warm heart ?"
"\Calm thyself," said Ke-no-tah; "the great Spirit has
smiled upon the soul of the brave Conduca, and the
strong arm of thy friend will protect thee."
A shriek burst from Altahalah, for at that moment a
powerful, athletic savage, who had secretly stolen to her
side, had seized her and was fast disappearing in the
deep, dark wilds. Pursuit was immediately made, but
the almost impenetrable thicket into which he had
darted with the seeming celerity of a winged spirit,
very greatly impeded their progress, and it was only
occasionally that they were revealed to their pursuers
by the sudden flashes of lightning that glared through
the trees. The pursuit was continued until nearly
morning, when all signs and traces of their flight were
entirely lost. Returning to the place of massacre, what
a heart-rending scene met their sight 1 Many of the
dead and dying were still lying where they fell, pierced
by the fatal arrow, or the hunting-knife, or still more
murderous tomahawk. "The gaunt wolf.
Scenting the place of slaughter, with his long
And most offensive howl did ask for blood,"
for they had come howling like so many demons to feast
and surfeit upon the remains of the slain. It was with
difficulty that they were driven back to the hills, or
destroyed, that the wounded might be protected and
the dead removed for sepulchre.
The last mournful rites having been paid to the dead,

LEGEND OP TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY. 129
and such protection prepared for the few remaining
disabled aud infirm warriors, with their wives and chil
dren, as the limited means allowed, Ke-no-tah gathered
his bold and intrepid warriors who had escaped in the
sanguinary conflict, and, putting himself at their head,
again sallied forth into the unbroken wilderness to seek
and recover the fair captive. Days, weeks and months
were spent, but without avail. Once, however, Ke-no-
tah supposed that Altahalah was almost within his out
stretched arms. Descending a deep ravine, just as
night had curtained the earth, a sudden flash of light
ning gleamed across the dark mountain pass, and ex
hibited to view the reclining fugitives. Slowly, but
silently, they pursued their way until they had
approached within a few yards of the hated foes. Pres
ently another flash of lightning glared fully upon
them. There they were, sleeping upon the green ver
dure of the hill-side; but Altahalah was not there. Was
she dead, or had she flown as the young dove wings
its way from the talons of the eagle ? These were
questions which their unlettered minds could not solve.
But they resolved that the score of usurpers should die
at their hands, and they were true to their determina
tion, — for when the next flash of lightning sent its livid
glare over their dark features, they were cold, ghastly,
dead! Ke-no-tah called Altahalah, but he heard no responsive
answer; and the horrid thought that she might be dead,
or dying by starvation in the wild wilderness, came
rushing upon his bewildered and maddened brain, and
in his frenzied moments he smote his forehead in agony.
The Tioughnioga valley was deserted, for tiie red
7

130 LEGEND OP TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY.
men had abandoned their homes made desolate by the
ruthless barbarity of the unfriendly Mingoes, and had
joined the Monceys whose council-fires burned at Mini-
sink on the Makerisk-kiskon, or Delaware river.
The evening shades were gathering their misty folds
over the earth. The orient moonbeams sent a golden
hue through the tall tree-tops, and the dark shadows of
the gnarled oaks looked like huge monsters, as they
loomed over the calm, still water. A dusky maiden
reclined by the side of her native river, which lay as a
polished mirror upon the wild bosom of nature. Her
sweet voice, like an seolian harp, chanted the favorite air
of her noble brave. She heard the tramp of the fleet-
bounding deer, the hoot of the old gray owl, and the
sharp, terrific scream of the panther. She saw their
eyes glaring like fiery meteors in the thick underbrush
near where she had selected for the night her moss-
covered couch. Her hair hung in long dark braids over
her uncovered shoulders; her eyes were black as the
raven's plumage ; her complexion of the purest olive,
and her whole form of the most perfect beauty and sym
metry. Now she gazes upon a little cloud that is peering o'er
yonder misty peak. A gentle breeze ripples the glassy
waters ; the cloud increases with terrific blackness ;
the wind sweeps by with tempestuous force ; the moon
is veiled from sight ; one-half of the blue expanse is
palled in the tapestry of gloom, and the other half ex
hibits clouds of every shape, now piled like Alps on
Alps in snow-white purity, now bathed in purple, pink
and gold ; afar, the rumbling thunder is heard, and
sharp flashes of lightning leap like tongues of fire

LEGEND OP TIOUGHNIOGA VALLEY. 131
athwart the darkened sky : the rain pours down in tor
rents. But 'tis passed ; delightful coolness fills the air,
and all nature is refreshed. She gazed down the river,
and her quick ear caught the sound of oars, for at that
moment a canoe was gliding through the gentle wave
lets. Her eagle eye discerned at a glance the richly
ornamented crest and white plume of her favorite chief.
Nearer and nearer it approached the shore — a stroke
more — the young and devoted sachem leaped upon the
shore, and Altahalah was in the arms of Ke-no-tah, her
lover.

CHAPTER XII.
BAELT SETTLEMENTS AND OKGANIZATION OP TOWNS.
" Their fortress was the good greenwood.
Their tent the cypress tree ;
They knew the forest 'round them.
As seamen know the sea."
It is a characteristic principle of the correct histo
rian, to describe with the most perfect minuteness, the
origin, or first feeble beginnings of a new settlement.
These are usually read with raore than ordinary interest,
and especially if the pioneers suffered many and great
inconveniences. In most instances, those progressive
spirits possessed many of the self-sacrificing traits of
character, kindred to those which contributed most es
sentially in providing the blessings of freedom which
we now enjoy. They labored not alone for themselves,
but for their children, friends, and country. It was no
easy task to abandon the hearth-stone of their boyish
days, the endearments of social ties, cultivated associ
ations 'and the many luxuries common to settlements
that have long prospered under the progressive- spirit
of civilization. It required something more than mere
passive beings to convert these valleys into fruitful
fields, or cause these rugged hills to yield forth the rich
products of a virgin soil.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 133
The early pioneers possessed something more than
mere negative characters. They were bold, enterpris
ing men, well suited to the task of preparing a lodgment
in the wilderness. Nay, they were stern realities. The
law of progress was most legibly stamped upon their
characters. They exerted all their energies to the fur
therance of the general improvements of the age in
which they lived — whose forward movements were
steady and firm as
" The eternal step of progress heats
To the great anthem, calm and slow,
Which God repeats."
We love to study and contemplate the attributes of
character which so peculiarly distinguished these brave
and devoted pioneers, for great achievements succeeded
their bold eflforts for the extension of civilization. We
delight in recurring to their history, for their good deeds
and noble enterprises should forever live fresh and green
in our memories, and stimulate us to deeds of patriot
ism, philanthropy, and a.devotional fellow feeling worthy
the descendants of those who warred with the mountain
oak, when they struck their tents in the wilderness and
grappled with stern adversity for the mastery. Their
triumphs were of the noblest character, achieved by
men whose native dignity and determined will made
them what they really were — Nature's true noblemen.
They were kind and courteous, possessing none of that
apish pride so coramon among those of more refined
regions. Their law of courtesy consisted of justice and
equal rights. They loved truth, took pleasure in assist
ing each other, laboring to increase- the happiness of

134 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
those around them. They lived not merely for the sake
of living, but that good might result from their labors
in the field of enterprise. To slumber on in undisturbed
repose, or waste their time forgetful of the object of
their creation, or the duties of active men — to live,
breathe and move as though the world's prosperity and
adversity to them were alike — to stand as marble stat
ues in the great waste of time, or voluptuous monu
ments of ease and indifference, they regarded with the
most utter abhorrence. Such men have been the forlorn
hope of marching armies and tottering empires. Such
were the ever-conquering spirits whom Napoleon held
in reserve to strike the blow that should send conster
nation and death through, the ranks of his iron-clad
opponents. Such were the resistless and stern actors
who, in the bloody conflict which gave an immortality
to Wellington for his heroism upon the field of Water
loo, hewed their way to victory or death. Such were
the champions of heroic valor, who left the sunny
plains of Italy, camped along the banks of the noble
Tiber, and finally put forth an impulse that gave a
historic immortality to the seven-hilled city, over which
was reared the standard of ancient Rome. Such were
the daring men of our country's Revolution, who, amid
death and desolation, strove to erect the temple of
Liberty and Independence. Such were the men who
converted our hills and valleys into green pastures and
fruitful fields.
The hardy adventurers who first struck their tents
along the banks of the Tioughnioga, or reared their
rustic cabins on our hill-sides, were subject to incidents
common to all pioneers, and which, to them, were full of

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 13.5
point and interest. Many of them suffered severely
during their long and weary journey to their forest
home. Looking back through the dim distance of the
past, we behold a little company of bold spirits slowly
winding along the banks of the majestic Hudson.
Day after day they toil onward : night after night
they sleep in a Connecticut covered wagon, or retire to
rest beneath the branches of some huge umbrageous
tree, or near by some sparkling fount or limpid rill.
They ha-ve left home and friends behind, and, like the
pilgrims who braved the dangers of the stormy ocean,
have resolved to seek a home in the new land of promise.
Some of the number, having never seen an Indian, and
being unacquainted with their pacific character, were
constantly tortured with the idea of being massacred,
or perhaps carried away into hopeless captivity. They
had read the murderous tales drawn from the bloody
scenes of the border wars of New York and Pennsyl
vania, and had listened to the startling incidents con
nected with the heroic struggles of King Philip — scenes
of devastation and blood, the bare recital of which
sends the blood curdling to the heart. As they approach
ed the Mohawk valley, they were met by half a dozen
Oneidas, who, in a most decorous and courteous manner,
inquired with regard to their health and destination.
Their manner, at once so agreeable, struck the ladies
with astonishment. The warm shake of the red man's
hand became in after time associated wath some of the
most interesting incidents connected with their adven
turous wanderings.
'Tis night. They have paused for repose in a dense
wilderness, and their carap fire is already blazing by the

136 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
side of a majestic old oak. The last quart of Indian
meal is hastily converted into journey cake, the time-
worn tea-pot is replenished with a few leaves of old hy
son, and the only reraaining venison shank assists in
the preparation of a plain, but wholesome dish of soup.
The end board of a wagon serves for a table, being ele
vated on a little hillock, around which the company
gather to partake of the simple repast. The hoot of the
old gray owl is heard in the distance, while the howl
of the wolf and the scream of the panther mingle their
discordant notes in the mountain gorge. Vapory clouds
had o'erspread the face of heaven and shut out from
view night's diadem. Far to the northward -was heard
the rumbling thunder, and anon the forked lightnings
dashed athwart the aerial sky. But look ! the electric
fluid has descended and shattered a sycamore of three
centuries' growth into a thousand fragments ; suddenly
the little band grouped about the table are startled by
the well-known bark of the old house-dog. At a few
rods distant are seen two globes, of fire-like brilliancy.
The unerring gun is seized, and quick is heard the sharp
report of the Yankee rifle, succeeded by death-like
screeches, as some unknown form bounded away in the
thicket. But hark 1 the death-struggles of the huge
monster are heard. A torch is snatched from the camp
fire. The Yankee rifle is reloaded with a double charge,
and three of the adventurers go in pursuit of the wouud
ed animal. They had not proceeded over ten or fifteen
rods, before they came upon an enormous panther wel
tering in his blood. The shot had taken fatal effect.
Another report of the rifle was heard, and all was still.
A quarter of an hour after, the animal lay stretched out

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 137
before the camp fire, and was foun(J by measurement to
exceed nine feet in length.
An hour after, the clouds had disappeared, and the
stars "That point with radiant fingers
Thro' each dark greenwood bough,''
looked out in beauty from the vaulted sky,
" Girt with Omnipotence, with radiance crowned
Of majesty Divine.''
Before the sun had flung forth his flaming bearas along
the orient sky, the little band of brave pioneers were
toiling onward, having disrobed the panther, and left
his skinless form to the protecting care of the hungry
hyena and rapacious vulture. They passed with entire
safety through Indian settlements, receiving the frank
expressions of friendship whenever met by any of the
roving natives, who, although unwilling to give up
their hunting-grounds without a satisfactory equivalent,
would not condescend to offer insult, or treat with con
tempt or indifference their more powerful rivals. They
subsisted for several days almost entirely on the wild
game of the woods. An old lady, relating to us the
hardships through which they passed, remarked, that
" had it not been for the deer that roaraed at large, they
should have suffered still raore severely, and perhaps
even unto death, as roots and venison were their only
food for raany a long and gloomy day." And the tears
came in the eyes of this sainted mother of Israel, as she
told her tale of privation, suffering and sorrow.
There were several families that came in during the

138 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
winter season, and were consequently subjected to un
usual hardships. The great depth of snow that fre
quently fell impeded their progress. The Indian trails
were often entirely hidden from sight. Then again,
another great diflBculty interposed almost insurmount
able barriers. Many miles had to be traversed, without
roads, and iu a dense unbroken wilderness. Much of
the country through which the pioneers passed presented
a very level surface, which, when covered with forest
trees, Was wet and swampy, and from which arose the
foul miasma which not unfrequently generated disease, —
if not fevers of a malignant cast, at least those horrid
ague chills, which often underraine the strongest consti
tution, and lead the unhappy victim to prostrate the
system still lower with the thousand nostrums and
humbug panaceas of the day. There were numerous
instances where their progress was obstructed by vari
ous obstacles, and to an extent to preclude their making
over five or six miles per day; and we have been informed
of an instance, where the company, for several successive
days, did not exceed three. To us, in these days of
progress and steam, it seems like making slow headway
if we do not exceed twenty-five miles per hour.
But the idea of being ip a dense forest, with little
suflfering children pleading for food, without having the
power to satisfy those wants, is most horrible. And yet
such occurrences were experienced by some of the first
settlers of this county. What mighty changes have
been wrought by the finger of tirae ! What stupendous
obstacles have been overcome. The heavy forest trees,
over which for centuries the lurid lightning wheeled in
awful grandeur, and through which the untamed whirl-

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 139
wind swept — those mighty forest oaks which defied the
the blast and the starm, have been removed. The rock-
ribbed ridges have been converted into productive pas
tures, and the pestiferous marshes of the Mohawk now
form one of the finest and most valuable agricultural
districts in that region of country. The Indian trails
have disappeared, and in their places have been substi
tuted excellent roads. The terrific howl of the wolf
has given place to the sharp, shrill scream of the locomo
tive whistle. An enterprising population is located in
the valleys and scattered over the hills. Wealth has
sprung 'up in almost every department of business, and
Mammon stands, with brazen front, contending for power
and place.
A New Englander, on his way to this land of promise,
who had passed in safety through the northern wilder
ness, undismayed at the growl of the bear, the howl of
the wolf, or the frightful scream of the great northern
panther, had arrived within a few miles of Manlius, when
suddenly his dream was changed to positive reality.
A man of surly, dark features, tall, erect and command
ing figure, presented himself before the astonished New
Englander, and very politely demanded his money. To
this unexpected appeal the Yankee demurred. He did
not discover the means by which he was to receive any
benefit from such a kind of procedure, and frankly told
the supposed wild raan of the woods that he had no
money for him, and threatened him with a severe caning
if he did not depart and leave him to proceed on his
journey. But the French trader (for such he undoubt
edly was) was not so easily to be put oflf. Summoning
all his commanding powers, he, in a tone the most au-

140 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
thoritative, again demanded the granite rocks. But
the reply was equally authoritative, that he could have
none. Then said the highwayman, " give me the hand
of your beautiful daughter— amor vincit omnia."* But
the stern old man thundered in his ear in tones the most
indignant, " avaunt 1 scoundrel, avaunt 1" Still the
higwayman persisted in his unjust demands, brandish
ing a large hunting-knife over the head of the unarmed
pioneer. Suddenly, however, the scene changed, for
the invincible New Englander siezed a bludgeon of
wood, and in an attitude at once threatening and alarm
ing, made for the wretch who hoped to wrest from the
worthy man, not only his treasure of gold, but the idol
of his heart ; but his shadow was fast disappearing in
the thicket before him, from which he did not again
venture for the purpose of molesting the stern old man
of the granite hills of New England.
The timber was generallyof heavy growth, a fact going
far to sustain the generally conceived opinion, that the
Indians had not for at least two centuries made any
very successful attempt at cultivating any portion of
the Horaer flats. True, we have the opinion of an aged
Oneida sachem, and also some traditionary evidence,
which go far towards establishing the fact of there hav
ing been, anterior to the sixteenth century, a race of red
men located along the western shore of the Tioughnioga
river, and that by intestine broils and internal commo
tions they were entirely destroyed. There have been
instances in which arrow points have been found imbed
ded in the hearts of trees of great age, — at least the
* Love constraineth all things.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 141
concentric circles would indicate that they were of more
than four hundred years' growth.
During the spring of 1855, while engaged in excavat
ing a mound of earth, we were surprised on finding that
it contained specimens of charcoal, in a perfectly sound
state. There were also fragments of mouldering bones,
and singularly wrought impressions on the surface of
dark, slatish-colored stones. How, when, or by whom
these deposits were made, are questions which we leave
for geologists to solve.
The heavy growth of forest trees was a great draw
back to the more rapid improvement of this section of
country. At the time the first permanent settler located in
the county of Cortland, the Phelps and Ghoram tract was
being rapidly settled. The Indian title to the Genesee
country had been extinguished prior to that of the Mili
tary Tract. And the inducements to settle on the for
mer were much greater than those held out in behalf of
the latter. Individuals, natives of Massachusetts and
Connecticut, were personally interested in the Phelps
and Ghoram purchase, and consequently possessed con
siderable infiuence over the greater proportion of those
who migrated from the New England States ; and in
1190 about fifty townships had been sold. A monster,
hideous to the sight of the Six Nations, sat in his den
of unhewn logs at Canandaigua, cutting up the rich
hunting-grounds of the Senecas into gores and town
ships, and disposing of them at a mere nominal price,
which of course had a strong tendency to facilitate
the more rapid settlement of the Genesee country.
Many of the original claimants to military lands were
dead ; others had disposed of their right, which, perhaps

142 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
in turn, had been transferred to a third, fourth, or fifth
purchaser, which in the end gave rise to many litigated
contests before the titles were permanently settled.
Aside frora the many privations and hardships endured
by the early adventurers in reaching their various points
of destination, they were subjected to many and great
inconveniences after they had arrived at their new
homes, — ^having no floors to their dwellings, save such
as were constructed from split logs ; using blocks for
chairs, poles tied at the ends with bark for bedsteads,
and bark for bedcords ; chips for plates, paper for win
dows, sap troughs for cradles, and so on to the end of
the chapter.
The first crop of grain grown by the primitive settlers
was a half acre of corn, one third of which was eaten
while green. The small amount of meal brought with
them at the time of moving had already been consumed,
and of necessity they had to resort to various expedi
ents to sustain life and drive away hunger, and as a
substitute for the more favorite and substantial food,
they dug ground nuts, and many nutritious roots, and
after boiling them for a length of time, ate them with a
relish quite unknown to that class of " upper tens" of
the present day who are living in castles of ivory, or
mararaoth structures which have been reared by the
productive labor of others. In the settlement of wes
tern, or central southern New York, we have heard of
but a single instance in which this mode of living was
surpassed, and that was by Oliver Crocker, who in an
early day came into Broome county with a pack on his
back, and, while engaged in "clearing his land, lived for
some time on roots and beech leaves." He was at this

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 143
time only eighteen years of age — had been for two years
in the employment of Elder Joshua Whitney, when he
found himself able to purchase four hundred acres of
land. He became a very enterprising and wealthy man,
yet held a most perfect abhorrence of that species of
popularity which is purchased at the shrine of gold.
His property did not lift him above the common level
of humanity.
As soon as the corn had become partially ripe, a
quantity was gathered, and after drying, was, by means
of a stump hollowed out for a mortar, and a pestle hung
to a well-sweep, pounded into coarse meal, which by
boiling was coverted into samp or hominy — a most
excellent and healthy dish.
The family of Mr. Morse, the pioneer of Cuyler, lived
the greater part of one summer, on greens, and yet did
not repine, but looked forward for better days.
There were resolute, determined actors, with strong
arms, at war with the ancient forest trees. The wilder
ness was doomed to disappear. Migrators were launch
ing their frail crafts upon the Hudson, forcing their
canoes along the Mohawk, Unadilla, and Susquehanna,
eagerly pushing forward, with a longing wish for a
glimpse of the Onondaga, Chenango, and Tioughnioga.
The panther, the wolf, the bear, the deer, and the thou
sand homogeneous tribes of fur and bristles, were re
treating to the swamps and miniature raountain passes
with a present prospect of safety frora the leaden mis
siles of New England rifles. The proud old Romans,
the native dwellers of the woods, began to exhibit
strong symptoms of jealousy towards the " pale faces,"
who were thus encroaching on their rights ; and even

144 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
" barbarism drew its fantastic blanket over its shoul
ders, and, clutching its curiously-wrought tomahawk,''
was seen " withdrawing to other solitudes, jingling its
brazen ornaments and whooping as it went." Improve
ments rapidly increased, and settlements multiplied.
The soil being rich and productive, other crops came in,
were harvested, and converted into wholesome food. At
this time there were no roads, save such as were made
by following the Indian trails, removing the larger logs,
cutting away saplings and under-brush barely suflScient
to admit of the passage of a team. Eight to ten days
were required to efi"ect a commercial intercourse with
Chenango Forks, forty miles south ; six to eight with
Ludlowville, twenty-five miles west ; and about an equal
number with Manlius square, thirty miles north, at
which place they procured salt and grinding. At
the former and latter, they purchased tobacco, and lin
sey-woolsey, while for axes they went to Cazenovia.
Tea was an unbearable extravagance. True, a few of
the more thoughtful had laid in a small quantity, before
leaving the " land of steady habits," and this was re
sorted to only on extra occasions. An elderly lady told
us of a long expedition made by her husband to Ithaca,
and how her heart was gladdened on his return, on
learning that he had purchased a wjiole half pound of
JBohea. It was indeed a luxury.
But now that the delicious article was obtained, its
stimulating and soul-cheering effects must be enjoyed.
The whole neighborhood received an invitation to come
in and spend the afternoon in a social chat, and testify
to its merits. The afternoon came, and with it the com
pany. The daughter, a flaxen-haired girl of sixteen

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 145
summers, not forgetful of the generous sympathies that
prevailed among the primitive settlers, had, in the mean
time, contrived to despatch a special messenger, bearing
an affectionate billet-doux, to her dear devoted friend
John, — a very worthy young man of another settlement,
— requesting his presence, inasmuch as they were in
tending to have a kind of glorification over the choice
beverage. She was entirely free from deceit, dishon
esty, haughty pride and fashionable idleness, and
frankly told her friend that her mother was in want of
a tea-pot, and hoped, inasmuch as his mother had one of
revolutionary memory, and which had been used by his
grandfather in the camp, that he would do her the
favor to bring the article with him. John came, and,
true to the desired courtesy, brought along the old war
relic, and placing it on the slab table, very coolly re
marked that he was somewhat given to dreaming, and
that in one of his favorite reveries he had dreamed that
a party of friends were to be convened at the double log
house ; and presuming that the olden trophy of a passing
age might be serviceable, had, at the risk of being
laughed at, obeyed the dii-ection given him in his "noc
turnal visitation.
The explanation of John was received with a hearty
laugh, and a grateful expression of remembrance on the
part of the mother. Not one of the company ventured
to whisper a suspicious thought. They could not be so
unkind. The visit was really enjoyed, and the Bohea
proved a most valuable auxiliary in giving life and
spirit to the frequent interchange of sentiments.
We were told by Mr. Lilly, that at a later day, him
self and brother went on foot to Genoa and Scipio, to

146 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
reap wheat. They labored five and a half days each,
and earned eleven bushels ; threshed and carried it to
mill, one mile east of Moravia.
We have been told of numerous instances of a like
persevering industry and kindly attention to the wants
of the dear devoted ones at home — of the father or eld
est son setting out with a sack of grain on his shoulderi
for a journey of twenty-five, and ev-en forty miles, to a
mill, in order to secure the wherewith to supply the
place of the fast disappearing loaf. It was, however, a
prevailing custom, when necessity did not demand more
immediate attention, for one who was blessed with a
team to take the grists for a whole neighborhood — an
act evincing a generosity of sympathy peculiar to new
settlements. A grist-mill at a distance of twenty-five miles was of
valuable consideration, when compared with a mortar
and pestle.
Linsey-woolsey was a great achievement when al
lowed to take the place of buckskin pants and jacket
coats. Glass windows were regarded as a very great
improvement over those fasliioued from paper. A ser
vice of earthen ware, when allowed to supplant the place
of chips and wooden trenchers, was a luxury most ar
dently desired ; and when a cherry table graced the
kitchen, it was looked upon as a mark of increasing
prosperity. A wagon with wooden springs attached
to the seat, was procured at a most exorbitaht price,
and was regarded as a luxury to be enjoyed only by the
few. A horse was almost deified. They had but few
barns, and these were rude huts, their grain being
stacked out door, winnowed by the breeze of heaven.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 147
placed into sacks and swung across the beams of the
kitchen. ' Stairs were not yet thought of, and a garret
floor was shrouded in their undreamed of philosophy.
If they were not the days of gentilitj' and refinement,
they were at least the days of lustihood, generosity, and
good fellowship. Respectability did not then consist
in wealth alone, and a mean and beastly selfishness
would have been despised, even though clothed in "silk
and faring sumptuously." Indeed, greatness of charac
ter did not consist in fine houses and broad acres.
Forced smiles and hypocritical pretensions, were re
served for older, and perchance, more refined regions.
Land sharks, money shavers, and political gamblers,
were not of their order. They possessed not only mus
cles, sinews and bones, but a fleshy form, containing a
human soul. They were not autoraatons — they could
appreciate a good act, and return a favor without ac
companying it with a grudge.
Previous to 1791, the territory now comprised within
the county of Cortland was known to the whites only
by charts and maps, and though forming a constituent
portion of the State of Ne-w York, was regarded, on ac
count of its location, of but minor importance.
Homer. — In 1*789, Amos Todd and Joseph Beebe mi
grated from New Haven, Conn., and located at Wind
sor, Broome co., N. Y. In 1T91 they removed from Wind
sor, and were the first of the noble pioneers who planted
the standard of civilization in the Tioughnioga Valley.
These enterprising spirits were accompanied by only
one lady, — the sister of Mr. Todd, and wife of Mr. Beebe.
We shall not stop here to recount the various degrees

148 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
of unremitting toil, privation and effort through which
they passed in their journey to their new and uninviting
home. Mr. Beebe erected his house north of Homer village»
near the upper bridge, on ground now occupied by
the residence of Joseph Burt. In our mind there is no
doubt existing with reference to the locality of Mr.
Beebe's house. His son Spencer, who, in 1852, died in
a prayer meeting at Harrison Valley, Pa., has left some
early reminiscences and data, 'together with a map,
which accurately describes the Tioughnioga, and marks
the location of the first four dwellings erected west of
the river. These are now in the hands of the writer.
The edifice would illy compare with those now occupy
ing the adjacent grounds. It was in the main composed
of poles, twelve by fifteen feet. Before this temporary
abode had been completed, their team strayed away in
the woods. Leaving Mrs. Beebe alone, they set out in
its pursuit. She had no protection except the four walls
of poles, without floor or roof, and simply a blanket
stuck up with forks to cover the space intended for a
door. The husband and brother were absent three days
and nights, and during the long and lonely hours, Mrs.
Beebe maintained a tranquil mind and received no an
noyance, save such as was caused by the howling
wolf and screaming panther, of whose rapacity for
blood she had often heard, and whose terrible yells made
night hideous and tenfold more alarming to the tender
feelings of a sensitive female. She received but one
call, and that was from a wolf, who, being rather timid,
only displaced the .blanket suflScient to introduce his
phiz and take a look at her ladyship.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 149
During the following winter, Messrs. Beebe and Todd
returned to Windsor for their effects, and were snow
bound for six weeks. Mrs. Beebe remained at home,
the sole occupant of her palace of poles. She must
have been blessed with more than ordinary courage
and fortitude. Probably but few women in these days
of modern reflnement, similarly situated, would exhibit
an equal amount of patience and force of character.
Let us not be understood as wishing to speak dispara
gingly of the females of the present day : far from it.
Circumstances give an entire change to human charac
ter. The elements of which it is composed, are vari
ously operated upon. Other circumstances might have
made Lord Bjr6n a Washington, or Washington a By
ron. Education, properly considered, is everything.
It was a cold day in the middle of winter. Their
goods were closely stowed away in their little craft, and
as they " pulled away from the shore," and bent their
course homeward, a farewell shout echoed from shore to
shore. Arriving at Binghamton, they were joined by John
Miller, Esq., father of deacon Daniel Miller, whose com
pany was very acceptable to these half land, half water
craftsmen.* The men took turns in directing the course
of the boat, while the others followed on foot along the
shore of the river, removing obstructions, and driving
the cattle. When the stream was too shallow, the boat
was drawn across the rifts with their oxen, and then
• Mr. Miller was a native of New Jersey. He lies entombed a
short distance south-east of the County House, where four genera
tions ofthe Millers " sleep."

150 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
again set afloat upon the watery element. Then the
facilities for moving goods were in wide contrast with
those of the present day. Then they were not even fa
vored with a common highway over which to transport
their property, but were gratified in having the power
to lend a strong arm in propelling a comraon Indian ca
noe. Now, in addition to the various other facilities,
we have the powerful aid of the Iron horse, whose limbs
are steel and whose lungs are fire, and by whose gen
erous assistance the rich treasures of the East and the
valuable products of the West are unladen in the very
lap of the fertile valley through which he passes, belch
ing fire and smoke.
The brave and hardy pioneers are approaching their
new home. There stands the humble cabin, containing
the soul and centre of Mr. Beebe's felicity. In the door
appears the young and cherished wife of fond affection,
ready to greet her more than " noble lord" — her gen
erous hearted husband. She is a high-souled, noble-
hearted woman, worth more than gaudy gems or golden
crowns. For six long weeks shehas been a lonely in
habitant of the valley, and during the stormy days and
darksome nights, she was truly "monarch of all" she
" surveyed." And now she rushes from her forest pal
ace, with heart all kind, and eyes all bright, with form
and mien glowing in the sunlight of pure affection, ra
diant with hope and beauty, as though just baptized in
the sparkling fountain of ever blooming youth.
The sable shades of night have curtained the earth.
The moon rolls high in the vaulted dome — the stars look
out in beauty from the radiant sky ; and joy reigns in
the cottager's home,— for peace and glad,ness dwell in

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 151
the breasts of all as they gather around the social
board to partake of the frugal repast prepared by the
hand of her who had left the home of cherished friends
to become the copartner of him who had reared the seat
of his chosen empire amidst the stillness of the prime
val forest.
Mr. Miller made some explorations of the country
bordering East and West River, and then returned to
his home near the noble Susquehanna. In the spring
('92) Mr. Miller, John House, James Matthews, James
Moore, Silas and Daniel Miller, carae in from Bingham
ton. Camping at the forks of East and West River,
they built a fire against a large oak tree, a portion of
which is still remaining. Here the women remained,
while their husbands went forward and erected cabins
for their temporary residence.
Squire Miller, located on lot 56, erected a house near
the willow trees ; — almost every person has been made
acquainted with their history— how the original sprout
was purloined from its parent tree by Dea. Miller, when
returning on horseback from a visit to his friends in
New Jersey, giving great offence to its owner, and how
it served its new possessor in the capacity of a riding
whip — was afterwards stuck in the ground, where it
took root, sent out numerous branches, some of which
have grown to fine trees, — ornaments to the ground on
which they stand. Mr. Matthews built on the upper
end ofthe same lot. Mr. House about eight rods north
west of the residence of Ebenezer Cole. Mr. Moore
near the bridge south of the Cotton Factory.
Darius Kinney came from Brimfield, Massachusetts, in
1793, and located on East River. About this time, Mr.

152 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Beebe abandoned his place of poles, and settled on the
premises of his brother-in-law, Mr. Todd, on lot 42, west
of the village.
Roderick Owen came from Lebanon, N. Y., and locat
ed about one hundred rods south-east of the residence
of Dr. Jones.
The Ballards were from Holland, Mass. John first
located on the east side of the Tioughnioga ; three years
after, settled on the farm at present owned by Paris
Barber. It was owned at this time by Capt. David Rus-
sel, who had but recently located, and erected a double
log house near the north-west corner of Mr. Barber's
orchard. Another company came in by way of Cazenovia
through Truxton, in 1194, pioneered by Jonathan Hub
bard, and Col. Moses Hopkins. The former of these
settled on ground now covered by Cortland village, and
the latter one mile west, on lot 64.
During the year 1195, several companies came in by
way of Manlius and Truxton. Thornas L. and Jacob
Bishop came in from Brimfield, and located on lands
now owned and occupied by Noah Hitchcock. In an
early day it was known by the name of the Vanderlyn
farm. Lot 25.
Thomas Wilcox carae from Whitestown, N. Y., and
located on Lot 64, where Joshua Ballard now lives.
Zebulon Keene located on the farm now owned by
Mr. Sheffield. John Stone, origiually from Brimfield,
settled on the Albert Barker farm, lot 25. Joshua At-
water, father of Ezra and Joseph, located on lot 13.
Libeus Andrews came from Hartford, Conn., purchased
and settled on land south of Mr. Kingsbury, lot 56.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 153
John Keep, Soloraon and John Hubbard came in from
Massachusetts, and selected various locations. Mr.
Keep made a permanent settlement on lot 56, and built
the original part of the County House. Solomon settled
on lot 25, and John on lot 26, where his son Lyman
now resides. His house, when originally erected, was
regarded as being by far the most expensive dwelling
in the county, and was denominated a " mammoth."
The influence and enterprising efforts of these gentle
men, in after years, proved of valuable importance.
On rolls the tide of progress. The spirit of enter
prise is awakened, and the brave pioneers come pouring
in with warm hearts and strong hands, resolved to make
war with the forest oak, or grapple with stern adversity
in the dark hour 'of peril.
Thomas G. Ebenezer and Charles Alvord came in from
Farmington, Conn., and settled in the north-west part
of the town, on lot 13. The former drew lot 56. When
he reached Manlius, he was met by a couple of land-
sharks, who, on learning the lot upon which the old hero
was intending to settle, very coolly informed him that
they had been to Homer, and that they were well ac
quainted with the position of his land, and could assure
him that it was an exceedingly poor, wet lot, the greater
part of it being covered with water. In short, he was,
by means the most deceptive, induced to part with six
hundred acres of most valuable land for the trifling sum
of a few dollars. Jacob B. Alvord resides on lot 13 —
his farm is on lot 12.
In 1191 Joshua Ballard came in from Holland, Mas
sachusetts, and selected a location on lot 45. We shall
refer to him in a subsequent chapter.

154 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
John Albright, the pioneer of East Homer, located on
the lot he drew for Revolutionary services.
Asa White and Caleb Keep migrated from Monson,
Mass. The former located on lot 45 ; erected his house
on ground now covered by the residence of Jedediah
Barber. He purchased and completed the first grist-mill
in the county, in 1198. The latter bought and settled on
the farm now owned and occupied by Noah Hitchcock,
a grandson of Mr. Keep.
During the year 1798, a very considerable accession
was made by persons settling in various parts of the
town, and more especially along the borders of Bast
and West rivers.
Stephen Knapp came in with his brother-in-law from
Goshen, Orange co., N. Y., to explore the country. His
father having been killed during the Revolutionary
struggle by the Indians on the Delaware river, near the
mouth of the Lackawaxen, left him to carve out his own
fortune ; and he sought this wild region of country for
that laudable purpose. His mother, having some little
means, which was placed in his care, a purchase was
made through Judge Thompson, of lots 55 and 84.
Returning to Goshen, he early made preparations for
moving to Homer ; but circumstances oyer which he had
no control, delayed his departure until 1198. He came
by the way of Poughkeepsie, Shonkunk, Kingston, head
waters of Schoharie ; followed down the river to Pratts-
ville ; thence to Harpersfield ; crossed Wattles Perry ;
thence to Oxford ; thence, to Solon, afterwards called
Hatheway's Corners. Here he followed the Salt Road
about two miles to Squire Bingham's ; thence over the
hills to Judge John Keep's ; thence to Mr. Matthews'

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 155
on lot 56 ; and thence to Hon. John Ballard's. Here
Mr. Knapp and his friends remained for some time, dur
ing which period his brother Daniel purchased the farm
of Capt. Russell.
Soon after this sale, Mr. Ballard located in the village.
Mr. Russell died with the small pox.
Mr. Knapp is still living, a venerable relic of a for
mer age. Neither marble nor fulsome epitaph will be
necessary to perpetuate his memory.
The Hobarts were from Monson, Mass. Daniel, father
of Alpheus, located on lot 43 ; Samuel on 15 and 16.
Gideon settled with his father, and remained on the
same farm until his death, April 30th, 1851. The farm
is now owned and occupied by Manly Hobart.
Titus Stebbins, from the same town, settled on lot 43.
Samuel Hotchkiss, from New Haven, Conn., located
on lot 44.
Dr. Lewis S. Owen came from Albany, and after a
general survey of the country, located on lot 66. Here
he remained three years, when he moved to Homer vil
lage and erected a house on the ground now occupied
by his son, Dr. Robert Owen, lot 45.
Deacon Noah Hitchcock came in from Brimfield, and
located on lot 25. He was a kind, generous-hearted
man, and in brief, a prorainent and useful citizen.
The venerable Zenas Lilly came from Brimfield, and
located on lot 33, where he lived about twelve years,
when he sold to Messrs. Tubbs and Keep, and settled
on Factory Hill. Some years after, he disposed of his
property and settled in Lenox, but subsequently returned
to Homer and located on lots 34-5. His history is
closely identified with the history of Cortland county.

156 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Timothy Treat, Enos Stimson, William Lucas, and
Asahel Miner were from different parts, and selected
various locations. Mr. Treat was from Berkshire, Mass.;
he settled about eighty rods north of the former resi
dence of John Barker, now owned by Mr. Bowen. Fam
ily consisted of parents and eight children. The third,
a daughter, married Stephen Knapp. Mr. Stimson was
from Monson ; he settled on the ground now occupied
by the elegant residence of Jacob Schermerhorn. He
reared a small house and hung out a landlord's sign.
The next spring the people were greatly alarmed on
account of the small pox, which had made its appearance
in the valley. Several took it, and died. His wife and
children went to Aaron Knapp's, in Cortlandville, and
were vaccinated, which, as we are told, caused clear
cases of small pox, but soon recovered, and were able
to return home.
An incident occurred during the absence of Mrs. Stim
son, showing most distinctly the infiuence of ardent spir
its upon the Indian character. Twelve Onondaga In
dians called one evening at Mr. Stim-son's, drank freely,
got highly exhilarated, called for more liquor in their
own familiar way — " Tegoye ezeethgath" and "Ne-
gauqh,"* — were repeatedly refused, and told that more
would do them injury. But no, they had got a taste,
were ardently inspired, would not listen to reason.
They became uncivil, deranged, and threatened Mr.
Stimson with violence. Retreating as they approached
him in a menacing attitude, he sought safety up stairs,
cautiously pulling the stair-ladder after him. The sav-
* Have you rum and wine, or firewater ?

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 157
ages were noisy and quarelsome, as might be expected,
having made themselves perfectly free with the aqua
morbi et m,ortis* of the bar, even draining the bottles to
the very dregs. But the midnight revel, the baccha
nalian orgies not yet ended, for their brains had been
fired until the poor degraded beings reeled with delir
ium. . They were bound to the car of Bacchus, which
for centuries back has creaked and groaned beneath its
burddn of blasted hopes, crushed affections, and de
praved humanity ; aye, with the blood of hundreds aud
thousands of wasted wrecks and ghastly skeletons. Not
content with emptying the rum, gin, and whiskey de
canters, an old sachem seized a bottle containing ^jcra,
swallowed a portion of its contents, and hastily passed
it to a young brave who drank its very dregs. This
had a powerful and most alarming effect, for they came
very near dying.
Just at this, and to them inauspicious moment, and
while some were guarding the garret port-hole through
which the landlord had made a hurried retreat, and
others were bending over the victims of supposed poi
son, an aged Indian, at least half " sea over," stepped
hurriedly from the door, and mistaking a well-curb for
a fence, leaped over and brought suddenly up in the
bottom of Mr. Stimson's well. This was rather a severe
shock to his spiritual feelings, and though famed as a
conjuror, he was too drunk to conjure up a plan by
which to escape from his unpleasant quarters. His po
sition was truly an uninteresting one. The element
which surrounded him was of an entirely different char-
« Poison water of death.

158 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
acter from the one that was influencing within. And
now, while whooping, yelling, cursing and swearing
was going on- in the house, the old Roman was alike
interestingly employed in the well. At length, assist
ance came to his relief, and by the aid of a blanket,
which was let down to the periled one, he was drawn
up from the watery depths below. .
The next morning, Maj. Stimson, under certain prom
ises, was permitted to come down and take posse'ssion
of his house. The Indians were not so spiritually in
fluenced. The medium operating between them and the
bottle had become inoperative. Spooks, hobgoblins,
witches, wizards, and the whole infernal train of delir
ium devils had disappeared from among them. A few
made attempts at cheerfulness, while others exhibited
only symptoras of sullenness. The old chieftain felt
mortified at his conduct, while the professed juggler
had not courage enough left to enable him to attempt
any more of his tricks at legerdemain.
William Lucas and Asahel Miner were from Wood
bury, Conn. The former located on lot 35 ; the farm is
now owned by Samuel Babcock. He erected a portion
of Mr. Babcock's present residence. He was an ex
ceedingly active, useful and prorninent citizen — what a
living witness has defined as one of the very best of
men. His four surviving children reside in Ohio. The
latter settled on the Lucas Welch farm. He was the
first sheriff of Cortland county, having been appointed
April 8, 1808. Martin Miner, his son, resides in the vil
lage. Col. Benajah Tubbs came in from Washington county,
and located on the ground now occupied by the Geo.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 159
Phillips store. He early engaged in the mercantile trade,
and continued the business for many years.
John and Richard Bishop were from Brimfield. The
former settled south of the Vanderlyn farm, while the
latter located immediately opposite Mr. Hammel Thomp
son. He afterwards built a one-story house, where Mr.
Thompson now lives. Asaph H. Carpenter, some time
after, added another story. Under the care of Mr.
Thompson it has been made a very pleasant resi
dence. After 1800, the town began to settle more rapidly.
Those who had previously located had passed the Rubi
con, and with a determined will, quite superior to that
which prompted Csesar to cross the threshold of his own
province for the express purpose of reducing Italy to
his power, had labored noblj' in the cause of human im
provement, and were already in the partial enjoyment
of its blessings. We regret that our limits will not
allow of our recording the name and place of settlement
of every pioneer. From 1800, we can only locate a few
in the various sections of the town.
Ephraim P. Sumner came in from Connecticut in 1800,
and located on lot 41, where his son E. P. Sumner now
lives. He purchased two hundred acres ; died 1843 ;
Mrs. Sumner, 1840 ; reared ten children — eight now
living. Noah Carpenter came in from Pomfret, Windham co.,
Conn., and located on lot 16. His son, Asaph H. Car
penter, who uow resides on the original premises, had
the honor of being first arrayed in bib and tucker while
his parents were journeying to this land of promise.
He was, however, more fortunate than the Saviour, for

160 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
He, being " cradled in a manger," had " not whereon to
lay his head."
Peter Vanderlyn, father of Jacob, came from Ulster
county, N. Y., and purchased one hundred acres. He
drove in fifty head of sheep, the first in the town ; also
several head of cattle, and the first lumber wagon. He
built the first fanning mill that was used in the
county; the wings were made of cloth, and it proved
a valuable acquisition in the department of saving
labor. Thomas, Nathan, and Sarauel Stone were from Brim
field. They located on lot 46.
Waterman and Levi Phillips were from Connecticut.
The former located on lot 69, near where Trout creek
empties into the Tioughnioga. He purchased one hun
dred and seven acres. He now resides in the village ;
is eighty-one years old. His sons are Jefferson, Abel
K., and George. The latter located on lot 16. He came
in with an ox team and one horse ; purchased fifty acres,
and subsequently ninety-seven more. His surviving
sons are Levi, on lot 28 ; Charles, at Nanticoke ; Oren,
on the homestead ; and Erastus, in the village. Mr.
Phillips died in 1845, aged seventy-eight years ; and his
widow in 1850, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Several additional settlements were opened during
1801. Seth Keep, originally from Massachusetts, mi
grated to Homer frora Vermont, and located on the
north-east corner of lot 33.
Gad Hitchcock came from Monson, Mass., and settled
on the farm now owned by Albert Barker. His son,
Horace Hitchcock, is an active and worthy citizen, re
siding in the village.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 161
John Coats located within a few rods of the Congre
gational church, in 1802.
During the sarae year, Dea. Thomas Chollar came in
from Windham, Conn.; remained some three years, dur
ing which tirae he made various explorations of the
country, in order that he might judge correctly with
reference to the soil, as well as the general advantages
which were likely to be realized by those who thus
early plunged into the wilderness, enduring privation,
and struggling against forest and flood, disease and
death. In the latter part of 1804 he selected a location
on lot 11, and settled on it in 1809.
Asa Kendall, father.of Abner N. Kendall, was a native
of Massachusetts, but removed to Homer from Pompey,
and located on the farra now owned by Dea. Conger.
He purchased flfty acres.
In 1803, Jacob Sanders, Moses Butterfield, Levi Bowen,
and Elijah Pierce, father of Justin M. Pierce, came in
and located. Sanders removed from Swansey, Mass.,
and settled on lot 56. He reared an intelligent family
of ten children, all of whom are now living, and in
good circumstances. Butterfield wag from Canterbury,
Conn. ; he located on lot 41, where Charles Kingsbury
now resides. The farm at present embraces one hun
dred and twenty-five -acres. Mr. Butterfield died in 1820.
Bowen settled on lot 1, where E. P. Stickney now re
sides ; he was from Woodstock, Conn. He purchased
ninety-six acres ; died in 1832, leaving eight children —
five now living. Pierce came from Brimfield.
Elie Sherman came from Brimfield in 1803, and settled
on lot 41. He is now enjoying good health, and is in
the full possession of his faculties — age, seventy-seven.
8*

162 SETTLEMENT AND OKGANIZATION.
Abel Kinney, from Brimfield, settled in 1804 on lot 6.
Capt. Daniel Crandall, from Massachusetts, located in
1805 on lot 38. He died in 1851.
Capt. Zephaniah Hicks, originally of Rhode Island,
migrated from Connecticut in 1805, and located on the
south-east corner of State's Hundred, lot 11. His house
stood on the ground now occupied by the dwelling of
Norman Southworth. Capt. Hicks was an active, ener
getic, high-minded man; generous, humane, obliging, and
courteous. His hale, prompt, manly greeting gained for
him the good will of his neighbors, and gave him much
influence in the occasional pioneer gatherings. The influ
ence of Dea. Chollar was much the same. It is related of
these men, that when a question of right was to be de-.
cided the appeal was usually made to them ; the deacon
having given an affirmative decision, the almost uni
versal response would be, " That 's right. Deacon Chol
lar ; ain't it so, Capt. Hicks V
The Captain reraoved in 1835 to Ingham, Michigan,
where he still resides, a venerable relic of the " olden
time." Jacob Hicks, his son, who at the time of his migra
tion to Homer was but two years old, is settled on lot
21. His advent on to the Hill dates farther back than
that of any remaining settler. His eldest daughter,
Nancy, is the wife of Silas Elbridge Mann, a prominent
citizen and hardware merchant of Jordan.
In 1806, Col. David Coye, from Royalton, Vermont,
and Lemuel Bates, from Cincinnati, came in and located.
The former settled on lot 45, where he now resides. He
purchased the first acre sold for a village lot. He fol
lowed his trade, that of joiner. In 1815, he purchased one
hundred acres on lot 44. The rear of his dwelling was

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 163
erected in 1808; the front in 1826. His shop, one story
and a-half, twenty by thirty-five, stood on the ground
occupied by Newton's store. He has filled several
prorainent oflBces ; among others, that of sheriff. He
has reared a faraily of eleven children — seven now liv
ing. Two reside in Missouri ; one in Buffalo ; one in
San Francisco ; one married Caleb Sherman, and another
Francis De Long, of Lockport ; Mary, the youngest, is
still at home.' The latter settled on lot 26. His sons
are Joseph and Ransford. The former lives in Little
York ; tbe latter on the forks of the road above Homer
village. William Shearer came from Washington county in
1801, and located on lot 36. His son Reuben lives on
the original, premises. Mrs. Shearer was an early
schoolmate of Hon. Samuel Nelson, and remembers him
as a youth of warm and generous impulses.
Stephen and Joel R. Briggs, Ariel Tickner and Eras
tus Hayes were originally from Otsego county. They
located in 1801 on lot 50. The former died in 1844.
His widow survives him at the age of seventy-six. She
resides with her son, Jabez Briggs. Mr. Tickner died
some years previous. Joel R. Briggs lives on lot 38,
in Homer, and Mr. Hayes resides in Spafford.
Deacon Ira Brown came in from Brimfield, in 1808,
and located on lot 24. He now resides in Cortlandville.
He has reared a respectable family, and accumulated a
good property.
Joseph Bean, father of Jeremiah, of Cincinnatus,
and Samuel, of Homer, located in 1809. He purchased
one hundred acres. During the same year, Noah R.
Smith and Matthias Cook came in and located. The
former came in from Middletown, and settled on lot 45.

164 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
He has been a prompt, active, and influential citizen ;
has filled several important ofBces by appointment and
election ; was appointed sheriff in 1819. The latter
came from Albany, and entered into the hatting busi
ness, which he continued successfully for many years.
He was at one time a copartner in trade with Col.
Benajah Tubbs. He was appointed county clerk in
1821, elected a member of the legislature in 1824, and
was chosen Justice of the Peace at the first election of
such ofBce by the people.
Deacon Jesse Ives and Andrew Burr camQ in diiring
the year 1810. Mr. Ives was from Litchfield, Conn. He
located on lot 16, and purchased originally ninety acres
of land. He was emphatically a man of progress — an
industrious and enterprising farmer, and his genial and
excellent qualities made him universally respected and
beloved. He died Nov. 21, 1851, aged 81 years.
Mr. Burr was from Sharon, Conn. He originally lo
cated on the ground now occupied and owned by Wil
liam Kingsbury. He early engaged in the manufacture
of leather, but subsequently sold his tannery to Willam
Kingsbury, who located in 1816, and went into the sad
dlery and harness business, which he carried on for
thirty years. He has erected several dwellings, and
otherwise labored to improve and advance the interests
of the village. The rear portion of his dwelling is
coraposed of the original or first church which was
erected in Horaer. The front part was erected in 1812
for a house of public entertainment, and was called the
''Mansion House.''
Richard Graham and Henry Corl came in and located
in 1811. The former was from- Herkimer county, and
settled on lot 28. The latter was originally from Sche-

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 165
nectady, but came in from Locke, Cayuga co., and set
tled on lot 8, where he remained one year, and then
removed to the Abel Owen farm, now owned by Dr.
Jones. Here he remained two years, and then settled
on the Hill, which now bears his name. He purchased
120 acres. He is now 18 years old — has raised a fam
ily of nine children, all now living.
During the war of 1812-15, the progress of settlement
was greatly interrupted. The settlements were, how
ever, frequently visited by a kind of floating population,
having no fixed purposes, but would come and go like
the waves of the ocean.
George W. Samson, from Plympton, Mass., located in
1812 on lot 28 ; remained four years, and then settled on
lot 19, being the first settler on the lot. He erected the
Mt. Etam Stand in 1824, and went into it the next year ;
commenced keeping a house of entertainment in 1821 —
in Homer village in 1839. He possesses congiderable
native talent, great vivacity, blended with wit and gen
erous sympathy.
James Hull came from Norfolk, Conn., about 1815,
and settled on the farm now owned by Willis Alvord.
He now resides in the village. His industrious habits,
and moral and social sentiments, entitle him to a just and
honorfible mention in the pioneer annals of Homer.
Erastus Goodell, father of C. B. and Erastus, Jr., came
in from Sturbridge, Mass., in 1816, and located on State's
Hundred, lot 1. He originally purchased 50 acres ; has
now, with an additional purchase, owned by his son Eras
tus, 130 acres. His land was entirely covered with a
heavy growth of timber, when he came upon it. He first
erected a small house in the hollow east of his barn,
but soon after put up a log house on the ground now

166 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
covered by his preseut residence. The latter was
erected in 1834. His son, C. B. Goodell, owns the Jo
seph Bates farm.
William Andrews camO' from Fabius, Onondaga co.,
in 1811. From 1820 to 1843 he served in the capacity
of constable and under sheriff, and in 1831 was elected
sheriff, on a union ticket between the liberal portion of
the Jackson and Cliritonian raen. The opposing candi
date was Martin Keep. Mr. Andrews is a prominent
and influential citizen.
Daniel Josling, from Windham, Conn., located in 1818
on lot 11. Kenneth A. Scudder, frora Monmouth, N. J.,
settled in 1813 in Herkiraer county, and subsequently
reraoved to Homer and located on lot 18. He reared a
faraily of eight .children, all of whom are living. He
died in 1843, aged IT. His widow survives him at the
age of 16.
Having thus presented a general outline view of the
early settlement of Homer, dating from 1191 to 1818,
we shall proceed to exhibit some important dates and
facts connected with its history, interspersed with inter
esting incidents bearing upon the political, moral, so
cial and religious character of the noble spirits of other
daj's. The town of Homer was organized March 5th, 1194,
and, as we have previously stated, originally embraced
the townships of Homer and Cortland. The town ofS-
cers were not, however, limited to the town limits, but
Virgil and Solon were permitted to share in their selec
tion, and as such we give tlieir names as though they
had really belonged to Homer. The territory has a
broken and diversified surface — presenting to the ob
server the rugged hill and fertile valley. The soil ia

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 167
generally good, — consisting of clay, sandy and gravelly
loam, while flats of rich alluvion border East and West
River. The political temperature of the early pioneers at the
time of the erection of the town, stood at about zero,
as will appear evident frora the perusal ofthe following
document, which is copied from the town records.
State of New York : |
Onondaga County. J ' '
Whereas the town of Homer, in said county, on the
5th day of April did neglect to appoint the necessary
town officers for the year one thousand seven hundred
and ninety-five :
And whereas, by a law passed on the 1th day of
March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight,
directing three justices of the peace of said county,
to nominate, and under their hand and seals appoint
such officers as under said act is necessary, therefore,
we, Asa Danforth, Hezekiah Scott and Daniel Keeler,
three of the justices of the peace, appointed in and
for said county, nominate and by these presents do ap
point,* For Supervisor, — John Miller.
Town Clerk, — Peter Ingersoll.
Assessors, — Thomas L. Bishop, Moses Hopkins, Joseph
Beebe, Daniel Miner, Roderick Beebe.
Commissioners of Highways, — Samuel Benedict, Da
vid Russel, Moses Hopkins.
•' At this time Justices were appointed at Albany, hy the Council
of appointment.

168 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Overseers of the Boor, — Joseph Beebe, Christopher
Whitney. Constable and Collector, — John House.
Signed, Asa Danforth,
Hezekiah Scott.
Daniel Keeler.
The meeting at which these appointments were made
was held at Squire Miller's on the 9th ofApril, 1195.
The first annual town meeting for the election of offi
cers, was held at Mr. Miller's house on the 8th of April,
1196. The following were the successful candidates.
Supervisor, — John Miller.
Town Clerk, — Peter Ingersoll.
Assessors, — Ezra Rockwell, Billy Trowbridge, Daniel
Miner, Francis Strong, David Russel, Jacob Bishop.
Collectors, — ^Roderick Beebe, Barzilla Russel.
Overseers of the Boor, — Zera Beebe, Ozfas Strong.
Com. BRgliways, — Zera Beebe, Thomas L. Bishop,
Oliver Tuthill.
Constables, — Barzilla Russel, Roderick Beebe.
Overseers of Highways, — William Tuthill, Ebenezer
Jones, Zera Beebe, Samuel C. Benedict, Joseph Beebe,
Solomon Hubbard, John Morse.
Fence Viewers, — Elnathan Baker, George Strow-
bridge, Johnson Bingham, David Jackson, John House,
Moses Hopkins.
If the oflBcers of those days were not selected with
the regularity that attends our elections at the present
time, they were at least chosen with less of bitterness
engendered by political knaves and unprincipled dema
gogues. The contests for political preferences contin-

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 169
ued to be mild and conciliatory for many years. In 1800,
however, the political elements throughout the State
were greatly agitated, and in that severe struggle for
power, the pioneers exhibited some symptoms of excite
ment, and shared, to a degree, in the general fever that
pervaded the country.
In 1196, it was agreed by vote, " that every man make
his own pound. That hogs run at large without yokes
or rings.
That fences be made four feet and one half high, and
not to exceed four inches between logs or poles."
In 1191, it was agreed by a unanimous vote, "that
every man in the town raay provide his own pound for
every creature that does him damage, and yet be enti
tled to damage the same as at the town pound. That
hogs be free commoners.
That three feat of sound fence shall not be more than
five inches between earth, logs or grass.''
In 1198, it was voted, "that one inch more of space
be allowed between earth and wood."
A citizen of the town was not allowed to bring in or
receive cattle frora another town to keep for any period
of tirae, under penalty of one dollar.
If some of these requirements were enacted and
strictly adhered to, at this time we do not question their
beneficial results. At least there would be less wrang
ling and bitter neighborhood recriminations in conse
quence of poor fences and disorderly cattle.
In 1191 the town of Homer was divided into high
way districts. Amos Todd and Johnson Bingham were
Commissioners of highways.
1798. A wolf scalp commanded a premium of from

170 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
five to ten dollars, according to size ; bear, five dollars ;
panther, ten dollars ; and foxes, fifty cents.
In 1797 Homer contained ninety- two inhabitants.
Valuation of property reduced to dollars, |,6,610.
On Wednesday, the 27th of May, 1194, the first meet
ing of the Board of Supervisors of Onondaga county,
was held at the house of Hon. Asa Danforth, in the town
of Manlius. Homer had not at that time been organ
ized, and consequently was not represented. The Board,
however, made an estimate at random of the valuation
of "'property and proportion of tax for the towns of Pom
pey, Ulysses, Lysander and Homer. The latter was
estimated at £500, and the proportion of tax at £6, 5s.
The pioneers of Homer were a people who revered
tbe Bible, and valued its ordinances. They brought
with them corresponding habits. When six families
had arrived in town, (1193,) they all convened upon the
Sabbath day and commenced public religious worship.
From that day to the present time, (1859,) this divine
reverence has been continued on the Sabbath, and we
are assured from the most positive authority that
there has occurred but one omission. This is a fact of
marked significance, bearing upon the character of the
people and the prosperity of the settlement. It was a
comraon saying, as eraigrant families came from New
England on to the Military Tract, if you wish to settle
araong " religionists," go to Homer. The first sermon
in the town was pronounced by a missionary, who m a
later period was Rev. Dr. Hilliard, of New Jersey. • This
discourse was delivered in the open air under a large
tree upon the Hill, about one hundred rods north-east
from the present dwelling of Eleazar Kingsbury. The

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 171
people were collected for the purpose of raising a build
ing, and before the work had proceeded far, it was cur
rently reported among the company that a missionary
was lending a willing hand in the work of progress,
and soon a voice was heard calling out " a sermon, a
sermon." Upon which a very polite invitation was ex
tended to the Rev. Doctor of Divinity to favor them with
a discourse, and iu answer to which he preached a most
thrilling and heart-feeling discourse. The next sermon
was preached by Elder Peter P. Roots, of the Baptist
denomination, in Mr. Baker's barn, from the text, " Faith,
Hope and Charity."
The present generation in Homer will do well to pause
and look in upon these six families, on this memorable
day of their first worship, and intelligently meditate
upon the results of this movement, and gratefully em
balm their names as the benefactors of the township.
The standard then erected has not yet been taken down.
The banner then unfurled still waves, bearing on its
ample folds, Grace and Glory. The incense of prayer
from this little band was an offering accepted of God.
The comraunication then and thus opened between Him
and the people has not since been closed. Our God
will keep his covenant forever.
Tbe varying views of these pioneers, touching relig
ious doctrine and practice, delayed for several years the
formation of a Church. But their frequent consultations
and protracted discussions were in good feeling, and
they could all happily meet for worship on common
ground. But a church organization was a necessity
that would not stand in waiting without jeopardy to
the spiritual welfare of the community. At length relief

172 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
came through the sagacity of a woman. The wife of
Lieutenant Hobart, and the mother of Deacon Jacob
Hobart, of undying memory in the annals of Homer,
with deep feeling intelligently weighed her responsi
bility in this matter. But as the custom then was, and
still is, that females must be silent partners in business
matters, she earnestly pressed upon her husband that
delay should terminate, and procured from him a pledge
that a meeting for consultation should be called, and
that he should move that those who were so far agreed
that they could walk together in church order, should
at once unite in the organization of a Church. It is not
known whom she prevailed upon to second the move
ment. This done, she waited before God for the result.
This movement was sustained, and on the 12th day
of October, 1801, the Congregational church of Plomer
wag organized by the Rev. Hugh Wallace, of Solon,
and the members resolved to maintain a Monthly Church
Conference. Thus early, on the banks of the Tioughni
oga, and in the centre of Homer, was kindled a beacon
light, to reveal to the teeming population in a wide cir
cuit, danger and duty in reference to their religious,
intellectual and social interests.
In February, 1803, Rev. Nathan B. Darrow became
the pastor of this church, and this connection closed in
October, 1808. In October, 1809, Rev. Elnathan Walker
became the pastor. He was removed by death in June,
1820. His remains were entombed in the public ceme
tery, and the hallowed spot was subsequently marked
by an appropriate marble monument, bearing the follow
ing inscription :

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 173
9n^is Mannmtvit
IS erected by an affectionate people, as
the last
testimony of respect to their
BELOVED PASTOR.
His daughter, Tryphena, married the Rev. CH. Reed,
of Richraond, Virginia, one of the most able and elo
quent men of the age. Mr. Reed is not only a sound
and really able speaker, but he is most emphatically an
independent and accomplished orator. His address at
the Atlantic Cable Jubilee in Homer was full of bold,
pointed Southern sentiments ^ and yet, proclairaed as
they were before a Northern audience holding in the
main opposite views, were listened to with marked at
tention, and elicited, at the conclusion, spontaneous ap
plause. But to return from the digression. In June, 1821,
Rev. John Keep was called to perform pastoral labors
for this church, and, like a pious herald of the cross,
continued ministering to the spiritual wants of the peo
ple until 1833, -when he removed to the city of Cleveland,
Ohio. The harmony and enterprise of the Congregational
Church and Society happily resulted in the dedication
of a spacious and commodious house for public religious
worship by the Middle Association of Ministers. Ser
mon by Rev. Mr. Darrow, June, 1801. During 1824,
this " Meeting House" received the addition of an orna
mental front, a convenient vestibule, and extensive
interior improvements. Its completion was commemo
rated by public religious exercises on the 23d day of

174 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
December. Sermon by the pastor. Rev. John Keep, from
the text, " Rejoice with trembling." This was one of
his most happy and brilliant efforts. Strong, argumen
tative, yet touchingly eloquent. When the reasons
given for rejoicing had nearly reached their culmina
tion, the large, well-trained choir, accorapanied by a
full-toned organ, interrupted the speaker by the anthem
chorus — " Oh, be joyful in God, all ye lands."
The early pioneers brought with them the religious
sentiments of the New England people, and early en
gaged in public religioys worship. Their meetings
were without " denominational distinction," being at
tended by the religionists without regard to order or
sect. Those holding to the Congregational sentiments
were most nuraerous, and put forth the first active
efforts for the formation of a church, and although they
succeeded in forming the first " Religious Society in the
town of LTomer, in 1199," they were nine days later in
the organization of the Congregational Church, than the
Baptists were in the organization of their church, which
was formed October 3d, 1801. For a nuraber of years
the Baptists were not favored with regular or stated
preaching. There were, however, occasional sermons
pronounced by Rev. Joseph Cornell, James Bacon, Peter
P. Roots, and Rufus Freeman. Rev. Alfred Bennett,
became the first perraanent pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in
1833. Nelson Rounds was the first preacher. The Cal
vary Church in 1831.
The Universalist Church was formed in 1839.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 175
The Advent Church was organized December, 1848.
John Sraith and Joseph L. Clapp, deacons.
The officiating clergyraen are Albert Bigelow, of the
Congregational ; C. A. Clark, of the Baptist ; and Hiram
Gee, of the Methodist.
In 1810 the population of Homer was 2,915
1814 " " 4,046
1820 " " 5,504
1825 " " 6,128
1830 " " 3,301
1835 " " 3,584
1840 " " 3,512
1845 " . - " 3,602
1850 " " 3,836
1855 " " 3,185
The early tradition of Homer, in many instances, is
very obscure. In all cases we have adopted such evi
dence and facts as we have believed to be the most
authentic, to the exclusion of every item of doubtful
character. The first house was erected on the bank of
the Tioughnioga, in 1191, by Joseph Bebee. The first
improvements were made the same year by Amos Todd,
west of Homer village. The first frame house was built
for Dr. Lewis S. Owen. In 1199, the first frame barn
was built for Col. Moses Hopkins, on lot 64, and is still
standing. The first school-house was built in 1198,
about twelve rods beyond where the railroad crosses
the road leading to little York, and the second one on
the north-east corner of the Green. The first grist
mill was erected by Asa White, John Hubbard, and
John Keep, in 1198. Plooker Ballard was the first tailor ;

176 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Matthias Cook, the first hatter ; Aaron Knapp, the first
carpenter ; Joshua Ballard, the first school-teacher ;
John Osborn, the first permanent silversmith. Eleazar
Bishop, the first blacksmith ; Rev. Nathan B. Darrow,
the first stated preacher ; Townsend Ross, the first
attorney and post-master ; Luther Rice, the first physi
cian ; Maj. Stimson, the first inn-keeper ; John Coates,
the first merchant ; Prof. W. P. Beck, the first Daguer-
reian artist. He built the first Daguerreian carriagein
the State ; and is an accomplished artist.
The first death was that of Mrs. Thomas Gould Al
vord. She died in 1195. The first male child born in
town was. Horaer Moore^ The first female child was
Betsey House. The first marriage was that of Zadock
Strong and widow Russel. The parties intended to have
been married by Squire Stoyell, of Moravia Flats, but be
ing disappointed, they went to Ludlowville on horseback,
and were united in the sacred bands by Squire Ludlow.
In 1198, forty dollars and seventy-eight cents were
appropriated for the use of coraraon schools in the town
of Homer.
The first "burying grouud" was on a little knoll,
about thirty rods west of the factory.
The are but four of the old veteran pioneers now liv
ing, who carae into Homer previous to 1800, viz.; widow
Moses Hopkins, age seventy-nine ; Stephen Knapp, age
eighty-one ; Zenas Lilly, age ninety ; Alpheus Hobart,
eighty-four. The two first are in the enjoyraent of their
usual good health, and in the full possession of their
intellectual faculties. Mr. Lilly and Mr. Hobart are
slowly but surely wearing away with the infirmities of
age ; and yet they are calmly and serenely awaiting

6ETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 177
the hour to depart. Maj- they go down to the silent
tomb alike honored and respected.
The venerable pioneers are fast passing away, and soon
it may be said of them," they have been, but are not."
Solon. — This town originally comprised the military
township No. 20, and was organized March 9, 1198.
It was subsequently reduced by attaching 'the four
northern tiers of lots to Truxton, and in 1849, by the
erection of the town of Taylor.
The surface of the town is considerably broken and
diversified. The hills are generally arable, and the
valleys rich and productive. Some of the long ridges,
or druidical elevations, covered with the deep, thick foli
age of the olden forest trees, present a wild, picturesque
and pleasing aspect. In brief, the town is well adapted
to grazing. The staple products are butter and cheese.
The first permanent settlement was made in Solon
in 1194, by Roderick Beebe and Johnson Bingham. The
former located, on lot 15, on that portion which is usu
ally called Mount Roderick. He was originally from
Massachusetts. The latter was a native of Connecticut,
but came in frora Vermont, and located on lot 62. He
purchased 550 acres, reared eight children, seven of
whom are living. He was Justice of the Peace for about
twenty years, and associate Judge for a long time.
Died 1842, aged 79 ; his widow survives him at the age
of 95, in the enjoyment of good health.
William Galpin, from New Jersey, located iu 1191,
on lot 41. His stay was brief, owing to the fact of his
having purchased and accepted a forged title. He sub
sequently settled in Pompey.
9

178 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
It may be well to remark here, that the early settle
ments were mainly made in the northern and eastern
portions of the town ; these are noticed in the history
of Truxton and Taylor.
In 1199, John Welch came from Wyoming, and locat
ed a little to the south of Roderick Beebe. He re
mained a few years, and removed to Cleveland, Ohio.
Col. Elijah Wheeler, came in from New Haven, Conn.,
in 1801, and located on lot 100. He originally pur
chased 100 acres.
The venerable Capt. Stephen N. Peck, from Stanford,
Dutchess CO., N. Y., located in Solop, lot 62, in March,
1804. He purchased 92 acres, and subsequently, con
siderably increased the area of his land. He survives
at the age of 80 years, more than usually exempt from
the infirmities of age.
Garret Pritchard came from Litchfield county. Conn.,
in 1801, and located on lot 14. He came in with a pack
on his back, having but $16,50 in money. He went to
work with a determination to carve out a fortune, and
he has most fully succeeded. His father, having come
in the previous year under greatly embarrassed circum
stances, found it very difficult to pay back arrearages,
and yet succeed in a new country. His son, however,
had the nerve and muscle to accomplish both. He
earned and paid $500 for his father ; after which he
located where he now lives, on lot 15. He owns up
wards of 500 acres of land, and is pleasantly and fa
vorably situated.
During the same year, Richard Maybury, from Lu
zerne, Pa., came in and located on State's Huudred, lot
53. Purchased 100 acres. He was an industrious and

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 179
worthy man, and has left several intelligent and valua
ble representatives. His children are Lewis, John, Jo
siah J., Elizabeth, Nancy, and Deacon Samuel.
Henry L. Randall, from Sharon, Conn., located in 1808,
on lot 14. He moved in with a two horse team, bring
ing with him a few of the necessary articles for immedi
ate use in his new home. He is now 81 years of age,
enjoying in a remarkable degree his physical and intel
lectual faculties. He has remained for a full half cen
tury where he first settled ; has reared a family of five
children — Henry, David, William, Linus and Orrin —
the three former accompanied him from his New Eng
land home.
Jonathan Rundall, from Sharon, Conn., located on lot
14. Ebenezer Blake, from Stoddard, New Hampshire,
settled on lot 84. He was a soldier in the American
revolution, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill ; drew
his land in Ohio.
In 1810, the taxable property of Solon, as returned,
was $99,612, and there were 110 Senatorial electors.
In 1800 the population of Solon was 310
1810 " " 1,263
1814 " " 111
1820 " " 1,262
1825 " " 1,181
1830 " " 2,033
1835 " ¦ " 2,103
1840 " " 2,311
1845 " " 2,426

18501855

1,150
1.051

180 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Virgil. — The town of Virgil, named in honor of the
distinguished Roman Poet, Virgil, and to whom many
classical allusions are made, was organized April Sth,
1804. It was No. 24 of the Military townships, surveyed
in 1190. The town presents a broken and diversified as
pect, and to the general observer, exhibits a great vari
ety of picturesque scenery. Much attention is being
paid to the dairy business — the soil being better adapt
ed to grass than to the growing of grain.
The citizens generally are prosperous and happy.
The town, politically, morally and socially, holds an im
portant aud commanding influence in the county, and
compares well with that description given in the ancient
Chinese aphorism : —
"Where spades grow bright, and idle swords grow dull,
Where jails are empty, and where barns are full.
Where church paths are by frequent feet outworn.
Law court- yards weedy, silent and forlorn.
Where doctors foot it, and where farmers ride.
Where age abounds, and youth is multiplied.
Where these signs are, they truly indicate
A happy people, and well governed State."
After the tide of revolution had rolled away, and the
people were becoraing comparatively happy, conflicting
claims and unpleasant controversies were renewed,
having a strong tendency to create bitter recriminations
between inhabitants of adjoining States, and especially
those of New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts
and New York. " :\j\
The controversy pending the conflicting claims of tbe
two latter States, grew out of an antiquated and pre
tended or supposed right on the part of Massachusetts

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 181
to a certain portion of land lying within the boundaries
of New York.
In 1186, the question at issue was finally settled by
an amicable adjustment of the differences of opinion,
through the united exertions of Commissioners duly ap
pointed, and clothed with the Confederative power to
arrange the matter in controversy, and thus silence the
clamor which had for a long time tended to create un
pleasant remarks, as well as to weaken the bonds of
fraternal fellowship. The Commissioners granted to
Massachusetts 6,144,000 acres of land, Tsnown as the
Genesee country. This tract comprised all the land of
the State west of •a line beginning at the mouth of the
Great Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario, and running due
south, through the middle of Seneca lake, to the north
line of the State of Pennsylvania, excepting one mile in
width, the whole length of Niagara river, which was
ceded to New York. Another tract, afterwards known
as the Massachusetts Ten Townships, embracing 230,400
acres of land, lying between the Owego and Che
nango rivers, was also ceded, without the least equiva
lent, to Massachusetts, reserving to New Ti^ork barely
the right of sovereignty. The former, as we have pre
viously stated, was sold by Massachusetts to Oliver
Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, for the sum of $1,000,000.
The latter was purchased by John Brown & Co., for a
fraction over $3,300.
It will be observed that we have heretofore spoken
of Virgil as township No. 24 of military lands, granted
to the soldiers of the Revolution. It should, however,
be noted in this place, that the whole of the town of
Virgil did not originally belong to the military grant.

182 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
A strip of about 1^ miles in width from east to west,
across its southern side,' was taken from the Ten Town
ship grant to Massachusetts.
Joseph Chaplin, the first permanent settler, (whose
name has occurred in previous chapters,) located on lot
No. 50, in 1192, but did not move on his family until two
years later. His rude log house was» erected during
the time he was engaged in exploring and surveying
the route for the Oxford and. Cayuga lake road, prepar
atory to his engaging in the enterprise of constructing
the work with which he had been entrusted.*
John M. Frank settled with his family on lot 43,
which had been granted him for services in the Ameri
can Revolution, in November, 1195.
In 1196, John Gee, from Wyoming, Pa., moved on to
lot 21, having the previous year erected his dwelling,
and made some other preparations for the more conven
ient reception of his family. He was a soldier of the
Revolution, and was well worthy of the heroic title. His
house was composed of logs 12 by 16. His family con
sisted of himself, wife, father, mother, and six children.
Some of Mr. Gee's descendants still occupy the original
premises. Johe E. Roe moved in from Ulster county during the
winter of 1191-8. The ground was covered with a
heavy body of snow, just then dissolving beneath the
warm rays of the sun. The journey from the old hearth
stone was made in a sleigh, which contained a few of
the more costly effects for the new house. Among these
were a few fancy, or flag-bottomed chairs, which, unfor-
* This road was sixty miles in length.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 183
tunately, were greatly lessened in value as well as for
service, on account of the bottoms holding out a strong
temptation to the horses, which were tied to the sleigh,
without food, while the family were resting for the
night at Mr. Chaplin's, then within a few miles of their
destined place of abode. The temptation was too
strong, and congequently the chairs were freed of their
flags, though a rather poor substitute for hay.
A bridge had not yet been erected, consequently the
few that crossed the river were in the habit of using a
small canoe belonging to Mr. Chaplin. The high water,
which had suddenly risen from the effects of the dis
solving snow, to their great surprise had carried away
their little water craft. The horses could swim the
stream, but as for Mrs. Roe, her case was one of doubi>
ful result. But the pioneers were full of expedients.
They were men of enterprise ; and when they formed a
plan, or resolved upon a measure, they usually had the
will and the power to carry those plans into practical
operation. The residence of Mr. Chaplia was on the
opposite side of the river, and they must either secure
shelter as best they could, where they were, for it was
near sunset, or manage some way to get over the swol
len stream. As a flnal resort, a hog-trough belonging
to Mr. Chaplin was floated over, and Mrs. Roe, with the
courage of an experienced tar — a true son of the ocean,
— seated herself in the frail craft, and passed over with
entire safety. Mr. Roe and his team next made an
effort at crossing, and though it was hard swimming,
the horses succeeded in reaching the opposite shore
without injury. A three year old heifer, the only cow
they possessed, and which had followed the sleigh from

184 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Ulster, was still behind. But she had no notion of being
left, and after making a few flourishes with her head,
leaped into tho water, and after a powerful effort, stood
on terra firma, on the other side of the river.
The next morning they set out for their intended
home ; the weather was unpleasant, and the snow still
quite deep ; and besides this, there was«no track to fol
low, and in truth, we might as well say, no road. It
was a long and tedious day, £or the sun was just disap
pearing behind the ancient hills as they drew near their
uninviting house, the body of which had been put up by
Mr. Roe the previous spring. He had hewed and put
down a plank floor, and prepared bark for the roof,
which, according to an arrangement, was to have been
put on by an individual who resided in Homer. But,
contrary to his expectation, Mr. Roe found his house in
the precise state of completion in which he had left it.
He had triumphed over every other obstacle, and was
not now to be disheartened, though greatly disappoint
ed. The snow was full two feet deep in the house;
this, however, was soon shoveled out, or at least a por
tion of it. A fire was built against the logs, and thus
commenced their first unpropitious attempts at house
keeping in their long looked for, and at length inauspi
cious achievement, in their forest home.
The next year, (1198,) there were a number of addi
tional families who came in and settled in different parts
of the town. Among these were James Bright, James
Knapp, Bailey, John and James Glcnny, and Wait Ball.
In 1199, Enos Bouton, Dana Miles, John Lucas, Henry
Wells, Jared Thorn, and Primus Gault came in and se
lected locations.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 185
During the year 1800, James Wright, John Calvert,
James Sherwood, Peter Jones, Seth Larabee, John Ellis,
Oren Jones, Moses Rice, Abial Brown, Jason Crawford
and Moses Stevens were added to the new settlements.
In 1801, Daniel Edwards, Nathaniel Bout'm, Prince
Freeman and James Clark came in and settled in vari
ous parts of the town.
In 1802 the settlement was increased by Jonathan
Edwards, Samuel Carson, Alexander Hunter, George
Wright, Abner and Ezra Bruce, William Lincoln, and
Peter Gray ; and in 1803, Moses Olmstead, Peter Pow
ers, John I. Gee, Andrew Van Buskirk and Dorastus
DeWolf. In 1804, Silas Lincoln, Alexander M'Nist, Obadiah
Gilbert, Lemuel Barnes, Peter Tanner and Jeremiah
Shevalier came in, selecting locations in different parts
of the town.
In 1805, Isaac Barton, Jotham Glazier, Simeon Luce,
Zophar Moore, Oliver Ball and Isaac Elwell became
resident settlers ; and the next year John* Hill, John
Green, Zachariah Squires and others came in and lo
cated. Prom this time the settlements increased more rapidl3^
The soil, though not of the very best quality, was not
of the most inferior kind. Perseverance and a strictly
economical mode of living produced wonderful results.
It required active and laborious exertions to subdue the
wild forest and convert the wilderness into fruitful and
productive fields. Had the virgin soil yielded various
valuable productions like many portions of the sunny
South, without any effort on the part of the proprietors
of the soil, and where indolence is most proverbial
9*

186 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
among the people, the inhabitants of the new settle
ments would undoubtedly have exhibited less energy,
less enterprise, and would, as a natural result, have
been indolent and imbecile. The case was, however,
quite the contrary. The pioneers of that early period,
and those who warred with the old forest monarchs who
had reigned from three to five and even six hundred
years on the Virgil hills and valleys, were coraposed of
materials that could brook misfortune, discouragement,
and the numerous trials and hardships, the natural re
sults of the first attempts of planting new settlements
in a wild and almost unbroken wilderness, swarming
with voracious animals, eager, anxious to lap their
tongues in the warm blood of some unfortunate victim.
The word "discouragement" did not belong to their
vocabulary. What know we of the present day of the
toils, privations, and sufferings, through which our
fathers and mothers passed, when they thus early struck
their tents in the forest, deprived of the many luxuries
and conveniences which we so freely and fully enjoy I
They did not repine, though they of necessity were com
pelled to erect their houses of logs, cover them with
bark, split logs for their rude floors, using paper win
dows, wooden trenchers, pine slab tables, crack their
grain in a mortar, or journey forty or fifty miles to a
grist-mill ; and then, perhaps, if not fortunate enough
to have a span of horses, which few did, trail along with
a yoke of oxen, attached to a dray, loaded with a small
quantity of corn or wheat, winding by way of an Indian
footpath around the sedgy marsh, fording streams, as
cending the hill-side, and again descending into the
valley, camping out night after night ; or, peradventure,

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 187
if still less fortunate, impelled by the wants of the dear
ones at home, with three pecks of corn thrown over his
shoulder, and a cold lunch in his pocket, he starts off
on a wandering tour to a mill at Chenango Point, Lud
lowville, or Manlius Square.
When Mr. Agar came into the town and located near
the little streamlet that runs gurgling through the
rocky ledge, leaping the cascade, and dancing in the
sunlight as it enters the Tioughnioga, he had but a cow,
an axe and an auger to help himself with. Mrs. Agar
was, if possible, quite as poorly provided with articles
for housekeeping. Instead of marble tables, foreign
sofas, rosewood chairs, Brussels carpets, etc., Mrs. Agar's
furniture consisted of a hewed slab elevated on four legs
for a table, square blocks for chairs, and a corn husk
rug in lieu of an elegant carpet. Chips served the pur
pose of plates, and a bake kettle'for an oven, dish ket
tle, -water and milk-pail, as weH as for soup-dish, a fry
ing-pan and a coffee-pot. And yet we are told that they
enjoyed life and finally became wealthy. While reflect
ing on the inventive power of this self-sacrificing wo
man, we cannot help comparing her genius with that
of Joseph Chamberlain, who emigrated from Herkimer
county in 1806, and located in Steuben. He was the
owner of a dog, a cow, and an axe. He did not possess
a single article generally used about the kitchen, or
upon the most coramon table. But he had both tact and
genius ; and these were speedily brought into requisi
tion. His cow must be milked, but into what kind of a
vessel was a problem which he alone seemed prepared
to solve. Near his cabin might have been seen the trunk
of a common-sized tree. Into this he had cut a small

188 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
notch, or basin. Morning and night he would drive his
cow astride of this log and milk her intck this rudely
constructed vessel. Standing at a little distance, the
observer might see him crumb his roasted bread into the
milk, which he ate with a wooden spoon.
There are many touching incidents connected with
the early history of Virgil, which might be both inter
esting and instructive, as they exhibit raost fully the
noble independence and moral greatness of the early
pioneers, and evince most evidently the necessity for
decisive action in all great enterprises, whether moral,
social, or political. We regret that our limits will not
allow of extended comments.'
The first town meeting after Virgil was organized
(1804), was held at the house of James Knapp, on the
2d of April, 1805, when the following officers were duly
elected :
Supervisor, — Moses Rice.
Town Clerk, — Gideon Messenger.
Assessors, — Abner Bruce, John Gee, Joseph Chap
lin. Commissioners of Highways — John Glenny, George
Wigant, John 1. Gee.
Boor Masters, — Jonathan Edwards, Peter Powers.
Constable and Collector, — Shu bel S. Marsh.
Fence Viewers, — Moses Olmstead, Abial Brown.
The first Justice ofthe Beace was James Glenny. He
was appointed in 1802 by the Commissioners of appoint
ment at Albany.
The first post-office was established in 1808, and
Zophar Moore appointed post-master.
The first school-house was erected in 1199, near the

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 189
present residence of J. C. Hutchings. Charles Joyce
was the first teacher.
The first merchant was Daniel Shelden. When the
news of the arrival of his goods spread through the set
tlement, it was received with great interest, and consid
ered as an iraportant event in the annals of Virgil.
The first saw-mill was built by Daniel Edwards, in
1801. The first grist-mill was erected in 1806, by Peter
Vanderlyn and Nathaniel Knapp. The erection of this
mill was regarded as a work of valuable importance.
The inhabitants had previously been compelled to pro
cure the grinding of theit grain at Chenango Point,
(now Binghamton,) or Ludlowville, near the east shore
of the Cayuga lake. We have heard of numerous in
stances of individuals carrying the grain upon their
backs to the latter place, a distance of twenty-four
Iniles. The first carding machine was put in operation by a
Mr. Baker, in the latter part of the year 1814.
The first public burying ground was deeded to the
town in 1806, by George Wigant. The first tombstone
was erected in 1823, to the memory of an esteemed and
worthy citizen, James Roe.
The first cider was made by Enos Bouton in 1819. It
commanded four dollars per barrel. The apples were
bruised by a pestle hung to a " spring sweep ;" and the
juice was extracted by means of a very simple lever
press. The inhabitants seem to have taken considerable in
terest in elevating the standard of education. There
were gentlemen with warm hearts and active minds

190 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
laboring to advance the interests of the school-room.
A grammar school was first taught in 1819, by Henry
J. Hall. ¦
In 1831 the " Literary Institute" was organized. It
continued until 1845, having been successfully taught
by N. Bouton and William E. Gee. Various other schools
flourished from time to time.
The " Virgil Library" was established in 1801, and
another, with a capital of two hundred dollars, was or
ganized under the name of the " Virgil Union Library,"
in 1814.
The first Sabbath school was organized in 1822.
The first religious meeting was held in 1802.
The Congregational organization was completed Feb.
28, 1805. There were then eight members. Rev. Seth
Williston presided.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1801.
The Free or Open Communion Baptist in the south
east part of the town, was constituted in 1820 ; and that
of the Free Baptist Church in the west part, was or
ganized in 1822.
The Methodist organization took place in 1826 or
1821. Their church was built in 1831.
The Universalists organized into an Association in
1831. The Christian Church was formed in 1828.
The first physician was Elijah Hartson.
The first child born in town was a son of Mr. Chaplin.
The first death was that of a stranger, Charles Huff
man, who died in April, 1198, in the woods, while at
tempting to travel from Ebenezer Brown's, in Lansing,
(then Milton,) to Mr. Chaplin's.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 191
The first death of a resident settler was that of Mrs.
Derosel Gee, in March, 1802. She was the wife of one of
the heroic soldiers ofthe French Revolution-of 1154-63.
He was a man of iron frame and active mind, and could
repeat tales of the tented field, of blood and carnage,
that would never fail to send the blood curdling to the
heart. The first marriage occurred in 1800. The parties
were Ruluff Whitney, of Dryden, and Susan Glenny, of
Virgil. The event was regarded with more than usual
interest, and formed an era, or starting point, from
which future events were to be dated. And it is
worthy of remark, that when we were collecting our
historical materials, we frequently met with individuals,
who, when interrogated with reference to certain points,
would immediately refer to the marriage of Miss Glenny
in 1800, and then figure backward or forward, as the
case might be, and thus arrive at what they concluded
to be positive periods of tirae, or certain points of fact.
In the autumn of 1853 a Town Agricultural Society
was organized, and held its first annual Fair in 1854.
The result was commensurate with its importance. In
1851 it was reorganized, according to the act of 1855,
passed to facilitate and encourage the formation of
Agricultural Societies. During that year a beautiful
piece of ground was obtained on a lease, and a fence,
enclosing upwards of four acres in a square form, was
erected ; as also, a building for the exhibition of dairy
products, home manufactures, and needle-work. The
building has siiice been enlarged and iraproved. A
spirit of enterprise has been awakened in the town, and
its example has been followed by some surrounding

192 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
towns and localities, in the formation of similar
societies. In 1846 Virgil was divided into three towns ; the
north half constituted one, and retained the original
name. The south half was formed into two ; the west
received the name of Harford, and the east that of
Lapeer. Since that time a part of Virgil has been set
to Cortlandville, and another part, consisting of lot No.
20, has been attached to Freetown.'''
In 1810, six years after its organization, the popula
tion numbered 913. There were seventy-seven Senato
rial electors, and the whole amount of taxable property
was $84,351.
In 1198 the population of Vigil was 30
1810 " " 906
1814 " " 1,431
1820 " " 2,411
1825 " " 3,311
1830 " " , 3,912
1835 " " 4,291
1840 " " 4,502
1845 " " 4,541
1850 " " 2,410
1855 " " 2,231
Cincinnatus was one of the original townships (No.
25,) of the Military Tract ; located by act of Legisla
ture of New York, in 1186, to which reference was
made in a /previous chapter. It originally contained
100 lots, or 64,000 acres of land. It was organized April
* See Festive Gathering of Early Settlers, by Hon. Nathan Bouton,
the able and popular pioneer annalist of Virgil — page 31.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 193
8th, 1804, and retained its original limits until April
21st, 1818, when it was reduced by the erection of Free
town, Willet and Marathon. Freetown was t^ken from
the north-west quarter, Willet from the south-east, and
Marathon from the western portion of the township.
The settlement of Cincinnatus commenced in 1195.
The inducements were not of that flattering character
which were calculated to attract the earlier attention
of intelligent and enterprising pioneers. The lands
were not regarded as being of the most productive
character. In this respect, however, great changes
have resulted from the labors of industrious agricultur
ists. And although the general quality ofthe soil does
not equal the rich flats washed by the glassy waters of
the Tioughnioga, or surpass the more elevated lands of
Homer, Preble, or Scott ; yet it is quite certain that great
improvements have been made, and that farmers are
reaping the rich rewards that spring from the indus
trious pursuits of life. Much of the surface of this
town is hilly, though by no means mountainous. The
soil is of various qualities, generally better adapted to
grass than grain, a fact which appears to be -well un
derstood by the dairymen, for we have the most positive
authority for asserting that some of the very best speci
mens of butter, which find their way into Washington
Market, New- York, are made in Cincinnatus.
Previous to 1198, when a grist-mill was erected at
Homer, the citizens of Cincinnatus were in the habit of
going to Chenango Forks, Ludlowville, or Manlius
Square, with drays loaded with wheat and corn, drawn
by oxen, to get their grinding done. If the reader
desires to understand how these drays were con-

194 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
structed, it will only be necessary for us to state that
they were made from the crotches of trees, having a
few boards or cross pieces attached to them by means
of pins. They were usually from six to eight feet in
length, and, as we are informed, from eight to ten
bushels made a very respectable load. In more modern
times, the drags, and even stone-boats, were similarly
constructed. The settlement of Cincinnatus commenced in 1195,
under the auspices of John Kingman, Thadeus Rock
well, Zurial Raymond, Dr. John McWhorter, Ezra Rock
well, and Samuel Vining. Mr. Kingman was a native
of Massachusetts, born in Wethersfield, October 5, 1110.
With an ordinary education, he left home at the age of
sixteen, and learned the shoeraaker's trade with Mr.
McGee, an Irishman, who carried on the business in
Sheffield. At the age of twenty-five he came to Cincin
natus, and located where he now lives, on lot 19. He
had never worked at farming, and consequently pur
chased originally ouly fifteen acres. He possessed a
strong physical frame, and was an active and energetic
man. He busied himself in clearing his land in the day
time, and in raaking shoes and boots during the early
portion of the night ; in this way he paid for much
of his hired help. He subsequently made different pur
chases, until he had secured 150 acres — which is now
owned by his sons Charles, George, and John. In a
military capacity, he rose from 2nd Corporal in a compa
ny of infantry to Colouel. He was supervisor of Cincin
natus for eleven successive years ; and held numerous
other town offices. He has reared a very intelligent
family of children : Leroy W. resides in Owego, Tioga

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. • 195
county ; Lyman, in Groton, Tompkins county ; and
Oliver, Charles, and George I., at Cincinnatus. All
have been merchants ; and it is worthy of remark, that
neither of them ever failed in business, and are there
fore enjoying the well-earned fruits of their own indus
try. Oliver, John and George have been members ofthe
Legislature ; the former was an associate Judge from
1828 to 1846. Leroy, at the time of writing, is the popu
lar county clerk of Tioga county. The Rockwells were
from Lenox, Massachusetts. Ezra first located in Solon,
now Taylor, in 1193, but in '95 removed to Cincinnatus
and settled on lot 19 — purchased 100 acres. Thadeus
settl.ed on lot 9. Mr. Raymond was from Williamstown,
Massachusetts. He located on lot 29, on a revolution
ary claim, which he had the fortune to secure through
his wife. Widow Young. Dr. McWhorter came in from
Oxford, Chenango county. He married the step-daugh
ter of Mr. Raymond, a very interesting and accom
plished lady. This was the first wedding that occurred
in Cincinnatus. Thoraas Rockwell told us that at the
time referred to, there was no person there authorized
to marry, and consequently a clergyman was employed
to come from Oxford and officiate. This done, another
difficulty arose, but was easily overcorae. The clergy.
man had no authority to marry out of the county of Che
nango ; and hence the corapany, pioneered by Thos.
Rockwell, marched out and as they supposed crossed
over the border line into Chenango, but, in reality, had
not reached the then limits of Onondaga. They had,
however, approached a romantic spot, such as the mar
vellous would presume to be the retreat of sylphs and
nymphs ; and there, beneath the pavilioned sky, in the

196 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
midst of the unbroken forest, on a beautiful moss-cov
ered heath, the happy couple were duly and appropri
ately married. Dr. McWhorter was a man of more than
ordinary ability ; was an active and prominent politi
cian, and was at different periods elevated to responsible
positions. From 1804 to November 8, 1808, he was
a member of the New York Assembly. He also held, hy
appointment, the office of surrogate. He reared a large
family of children ; three are now living. One is the
wife of Burton Wakeman, son of Judge Wakeman, of
Pitcher, — a gentleman of respectability and fortune.
Another daughter resides on the Genesee Flats, and
a son, Zurial McWhorter, near Buffalo.
Phineas Sergeant, from Oxford, in 1196 came to Cin
cinnatus, and was employed as a kind of general job
ber. Charles De Belle was from Berkshire, Massachusetts.
He located in 1191, on lot 9. He died in 1854. Mrs.
De Belle is still living, -and is remarkably active and
healthy. She is eighty-three years old, yet frequently
walks upwards of a mile — not of necessity, but from
preference — to visit her brother, Thomas Rockwell, of
Taylor. Mr. De Belle left five fchildren, all in good cir
cumstances. Their names are Truman, Polly, Sopliro-
nia, Francis, and John.
Jesse Locke, from Oxford, settled about 1800, on lot
19. Of his family or fortune iu life, we have uo partic
ulars. The Wyoming Indians occasionally visited the valley,
(Otselic,) during the few first years after the settlement
commenced. The Onondagas and Oneidas, also, made
periodical visits. In 1196, forty ofthe Oneidas camped

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 197
on the ground occupied by the Brick store ; and during
the fall and winter they killed forty-two bears. The
oil they preserved in some of the larger intestines, and
used it in cooking their meats. Soon after Col. King
man began to improve his land they erected their cab
ins farther down the river. He informed us that they
were very peaceable, and well disposed towards their
white neighbors.
The inhabitants exhibited considerable public spirit
in their efforts to establish and render beneficial the
common schools, which claimed their early attention.
Public religious worship did not commence at as early
a period as in many of the sister towns. This, however,
was not owing to any lack of moral culture or religious
belief on the part of the people, but should be ascribed
.to circumstances beyond their control.
The Union Congregational Society of Cincinnatus and
Solon was -organized November 18th, 1822. The trus
tees were John L. Boyd, Barak Niles, John Covert.
Clerk, Barak Niles. Presiding officers, Oliver Kingman,
Barak Niles.
The first serraon ever preached within the original
limits of Cincinnatus, was pronounced by Dr. Williston,
of the Congregational order. It was delivered in a log
barn, from the text, " Hear ye."
James Tanner was the first merchant. The first mil
ler, Benjamin Wilson. The first store was erected by
Col. John Kingman, on ground now covered by the
Brick store. The first school-house was built by Mr.
Kingman, and stood a short distance south of his house.
The first frame house was erected for Dr. John M'Whor-
ter, about 1802. The first school was taught by Miss
Hepsy Beebe.

198 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
In 1810 the population of Cincinnatus was 1,525
1814 " " 1,614
1820 " " 885
1825 , " " 1,057
1830 " " 1,308
1835 " " 1,018
1840 " " 1,301
1845 " " 1,195
1850 " " 1,206
1855 " " 1,119
Much of the matter rightfully belonging to Cincinna
tus, will be found in our sketches of Freetown, Willet,
and Marathon.
Preble was organized April 8, 1808, from the original
south half of the old military township of Tully. In
1815 it was reduced to its present limits by the erection
of the town of Scott. ,,,
The standard of civilization was first erected in the
town of Preble, in 1196, by James Cravat and John
Gill. The former was a nati-ve of Connecticut, but mi
grated from Pompey Hill, and located on lot 68. The
latter located on lot 16. Samuel and Robert Cravath
came from Norfolk, Conn, in 1197, and settled on lot 68.
Harry Hill and Elijah Mason came in during the year
1198. The forraer was from Montgomery co., N. Y.,
and located on lot 81, which he drew for Revolutionary
services. The latter settled on lot 18. Seth Trow
bridge, from Montgomery county, located in the early
part of 1199 on lot 59 ; and duriug the next year, Sam
uel Trowbridge, Minnah Hyatt, and Samuel Orvis settled
on the same lot. Trowbridge served in the Revolution

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 199
and drew the lot. Widow Trowbridge, of Homer, mother
of Mrs. Oliver Glover, was a daughter of Mr. Hyatt.
Mr. Orvis was frora Norfolk, Conn. He subsequently
removed to Prattsburg, Steuben county, where he died in
1851, at the advanced age of ninety-eight years. His
surviving children are Reuben S., now living in Hast
ings; Oswego county. Phebe, (Lee,) Clarissa and Eliza
reside at Prattsburg.
In 1801, Augustus Thorp located on lot 18. In 1802
Jabez B. Phelps, John Osgood, Silas Topping, and Sam
uel C. Buckelow came in and selected various locations.
Judge Phelps was originally from Hebron, Conn., but
came to Preble from Cazenovia. He located on lot
88. For the first few years he practised medicine, and
was honored with the title of Doctor, but he subse
quently turned his attention to politics, and was at dif
ferent periods elevated to important positions, and
creditably fillec^the office of Associate Judge, Surrogate,
and member of Assembly. He died December 20th,
1850, aged seventy-four years. His widow is seventy-
eight years of age, and is in the enjoyment of excellent
health. Mr. Phelps reared ten children, seven of whom
are now living — three in Ohio. Sophronia is the -wife
of Charles Clark of Groton ; Laura Jane is Mrs. Dr.
Burdick ; Augusta is Mrs. Harry Hobart, of Truxton ;
Lydia married Dr. Alfred Hall, of Navarino, Onondaga
county ; Amanda is the wife of Hon. Ezekiel Chew, of
Richland, Ohio ; Abram J., of Newark, in the same
State ; Lydia, wife of Dr. Hall, of Onondaga ; and
Calvin B., of Chrysoline, Ohio.
Osgood settled on lot 11, Buckelow on 61, and Top
ping on 96. In 1802, Lytle Ferguson, from Montgomery

200 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
county, located on lot 65. He purchased one hundred
and nineteen acres; reared seven children — six of whom
survive him. His sons are Michael, William, Thomas,
Elias, and Lytle..
In 1803, Amos Skeel and Jason Comstock came in
from Schenectady county, and selected locations. The
former settled on lot 59. He. was an industrious and
valuable citizen. He died in 1842, at the age of seventy-
five years. His widow survived him eleven years, and
died at the advanced age of eighty-eight. He was the
father of Hon. Ira Skeel, as also of William W. The
former lives in Preble ; the latter has but recently re
moved to Homer. His son William is at present a prom
inent citizen and public officer of Jefferson county, Mis
souri. Mr. Cumstock located on lot 58. His daughter
Saloma is the wife of D. G. Duncan. In. 1804, John
Callyer, Dr. Robert D. Taggart, and Edward Cummings,
selected locations. Callyer, father of Gasper Callyer,
came from Greene county, and settled on lot 58. Tag
gart came from Colerain, and located on lot 59. He was
an exceedingly active and prominent man. Cummings,
came in from Peterboro, N. H., and settled on lot 59.
He purchased one hundred acres, and reared a respect-
able faraily of thirteen children — eleven of which are
now living — seven of whom are sons residing in Preble.
In 1806 several additional settlements were made.
Garret Van Hoesen and his sons — Garret, Francis and
Albert — came in from Greene county and located on
lot 68. He purchased of James Cravat, the original
settler of the lot, three hundred and fifty acres at twelve
dollars and fifty cents per acre. Garret and Francis are
still living on the lot ; the forraer at the advanced age

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 201
of ninety, and the latter at eighty-two years. William
Vandenburgh, from the same county, located on lot 11-
He was the father of Ijambert and Richard : the latter
lives on lot 85 in Scott. John C. HoUenbeck and Rich
ard Egbertson, also from Greene county, located about
the sarae time on lot 58. Mr. HoUenbeck left two sons,
— Abram and John, — and one daughter. John occupies
the homestead. The daughter, Mary, is now widow Bee-
man, of Tully. A daughter of Mr. Egbertson is the wife
of David Beeman. Tunis Van Camp, from Schoharie
county, located on lot 69. The farm is now owned by
Frederick Poor. His son John lives in Tully.
In 1801, Rier Van Patten, from Schenectady, located
on lot 56. His children are Mrs. Martin Vanderwarker,
Mrs. Mary Ann Hobart, Asenath, now widow Egbert-
son, John K. and James S. The latter lives in St.
Charles, Illinois.
The town of Preble presents a broken and diversified
aspect. The western portion exhibits several abrupt
and high elevations, the highest point of which is Mount
Topping. There are numerous legendary reminiscences
treasured up in the minds of some of the old sachems
of the Iroquois tribe, which give a somewhat prominent
feature to this rugged miniature mountain. Here the
bear, the wolf, and the panther were driven from their
strongholds, or made to pay a forfeiture of their lives
for their unbecoming temerity. An old scarred warrior,
of the seventeenth century, having pitched his hunting
camp at the eastern base of this high point of land, was'
suddenly aroused from a sound sleep, about the middle
of a cold December night, by the scream of an enormous
panther, which had been attacked by a drrwe of hungry
10

202 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
wolves. Springing from his pallet of dried skins, and
seizing his French rifle, which had beeu given him by a
young Adirondack chieftain, and which had often before
done him good service, and creeping stealthily to the
door, which he opened with the utmost care, to his sur
prise he beheld the fiery orbs of three ferocious animals.
Levelling Long Tom, a leaden missile made a death
lodgment in the brain of the panther. The wolves re
treated a few rods, and as hastily returned, for they had
already got a scent of the fresh blood that freely flowed
from the dead animal, now secured within the unadorned
walls of the hunter's tent. The purple current was
soon lapped up, and then the midnight air resounded
with the discordant howls of the more than half enraged
wolves. But hark I the terrific howl is answered from Mount
Topping, and reechoed in mournful expression as it dies
away on the other side of the Tioughnioga. And now,
while the hungry pack are hurrying down the mountain
glade, the unterrified red man sits smoking his pipe,
with all the coolness of a Roman knight. A few mo
ments elapse, and they have snuffed the scent of blood,
and are yelling around the pent-up confines of the stern
old man. The muzzle of Long Tom presently appears
emerging from the port hole, belching fire and lead; and
though he spoke in an authoritative tone, and silenced
forever the voice of ©ne, he did not frighten away the
voracious clan. But Long Tom continued to emerge at
various intervals from the unnoticed embrasures, until
seven wolves were weltering in their blood. A few
escaped with broken limbs to the mountain gorge.
The first school which had any important bearing on

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 208
the moral habits and intellectual training of the chil
dren, was taught by Miss Ruth Thorp, in 1801. Under
the old organization, when Preble was a part of Tully,
Moses Nash furnished the settlers with goods from his
little store, established at Tully Village in 1803. Two
years after, he was succeeded by John Meeker, who
greatly extended the limits of commercial intercourse
with the hardy pioneers of the country. A public house
was opened in 1802. In 1803, when Tully was orga
ized, several of the early settlers of that portion of the
town of Tully, afterwards comprised in the town of
Preble, were elected to responsible town offices. Among
these were the Cravaths. Mr. Nash, after disposing of
his mercantile interest, located in Indiana, and at a
later period came within one vote of an election to the
gubernatorial chair of that State.
Previous to the establishment of a post-office at Preble
Corners, about 1812, the then central point of Tully, the
settlers received their letters, papers, &c., from Pompey
Hill. The first dwelling-house was erected by Jaraes
Cravath, in 1198.
In 1804, public religious worship was commenced by
the organization of the Congregational church in Tully,
and consisted of eleven members. It was organized
through the active and zealous efforts of the Reverends
Theodore Hinsdale and Joel Hale, who were missiona
ries from Connecticut. This association, at a subsequent
period, assumed the name of the First Presbyterian
Church of Preble. In its infancy it was connected with
the Middle Association ; but, on the dissolution of that
organization, it was assigned to the Presbytery of On
ondaga, and at a still later period, to that of Cortland.

204 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Rev. Matthew Harrison, its first pastor, entered upon
his labors in 1812. Reverends Enoch Bouton, L. Weld,
A. P. Clark, G. K. Clark, W. Jones, B. F. Foltse, B. H. Pay-
son, and W. W. Collins, severally ministered to the spirit
ual wants of the people up to 1825, when there were
seventy-seven members. Three years after, the number
had increased to one hundred and nineteen. Twelve
years later, there were two hundred and ten members.
The next year (1841) eighty of its members withdrew
and finally organized themselves under the appellation
pf the " First Free Church" in Preble, and might prop
erly be termed Unionists.
The Baptist Association, organized at an early period
with but fourteen members, owes its origin to Elder
Abbott, the first spiritual teacher of that order, who
labored ardently in his efforts to impart public religious
instruction. The church is now under the charge of
Elder Capron.
The Methodist organization dates back to 1821, and
was formed by Calvin Winslow. Elder Sayers was the
first stated preacher. He was followed by the ever to
be remembered Elder Puffer, who was appropriately
termed " Old Chapter and Verse." It was a custom of
his to omit naming any chapter or verse upon which
his public discourses were based. We recollect of his
telling us, in our earlier days, that, if the Bible, through
some unexpected revoliition, should be destroyed, he
could re-write every chapter, verse, and even word,
in their appropriate order and place.
The dairy business is being regarded with much
more attention than in former years ; and consequently,
the high lands are greatly improved, not only in value,

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 205
but in their general appearance. The rich Preble Plats
are hardly surpassed, for fertility and beauty, by any in
the county.
From the highest elevation of Mount Topping, portions
of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Tompkins may be seen,
with their varying scenery, blending the beauties of
rich productive fields with the more rugged features of
nature. Standing on that lofty point, the observer may
have a fine view of Homer, Preble, and Tully Flats —
lauds that will compare favorably with any in the State-
And there, too, he may view with admiration and won
der the work of Deity, as exhibited in the numerous
ridges and long sloping valleys, the rounded knolls and
picturesque dales, all richly diversified, and producing
in abundance the various crops common to the country.
Indeed, there are many magnificent views to be taken
from this rugged point, as it looms up in all its ancient
grandeur. We were most agreeably surprised with our
visit to this olden spot of Indian warfare, where the red
man contested the right of inheritance with the wild
beasts of the mountain glen, or forest glade. Had we,
in our childhood, given a willing ear to the marvellous,
when one of our far-famed orators endeavored to instil
into our mind the fanciful stories of fairy lore, we
should, we opine, not hesitate to imagine that the re
treat of sylphs and nymphs was somewhere about this
romantic mount.
Amos Skeel was the first supervisor and justice of the
peace ; Garret Van Hoesen, the first town clerk ; Sam
uel Taggart, the first constable.
The first marriage was that of Amos Bull to Sally
Mason, in 1199. The first birth, Nancy Gill, October

206 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
25, 1196. The first death was that of John Patterson,
1198. The first permanent merchant was Noah Parsons,
at Preble Centre, 1811. The first grist-mill was erected
in 1806, by Samuel C. Woolston, a native of Montgom
ery county. In 1821 the building was taken down, and
the main part of the present mill erected on the original
site. In 1853, the mill property and farm, comprising
two hundred acres of valuable land, were purchased hy
W. E. Tallman, formerly an enterprising citizen of Tully.
The mill was thoroughly renovated and improved by
the replacing of new bolts and an additional run of
stone. He has extended a line of shafting to his barn, a
distance of three hundred and sixty feet, where the
power is used for threshing, separating grain, elevating
straw, shelling corn, and sawing wood, requiring less
than half the usual number of hands to do the same
amount of work. What a vast amount of bard labor is
thus saved ! What an improvement is thus suggested
to other mill proprietors ! Mr. Tallman has also re
cently purchased a water-power about thirty-eight rods
below the mill ; and he is new engaged in running
a shaft back to his mill (six hundred and twenty-seven
feet), where it will be connected with an extra run of
stone, thus enabling him to use a portion of the water a
second time, — another important suggestion to mill-
owners ; and it is with this view that we have thus
freely spoken with reference to this valuable mill prop
erty, as well as to the enterprising efforts of Mr.
Tallman.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 207
In 1810 the population of Preble was 1,119
1814 " " 1,311
1820 " " 1,251
1825 " " 1,321
1830 " " 1,435
1835 " " 1,408
1840 " " 1,241
1845 " " 1,325
1850 " " 1,312
1855 " " 1,219
In 1810 there were in Preble ninety-four Senatorial
electors ; the taxable property $54,110.
Truxton. — The town of Truxton was organized from
the south half of the military town of Fabius, April 8,
1808. It also embraces four tiers of lots taken from the
north part of Solon.
As we look back over the dim vestiges of the past,
and behold the hardy pioneer of civilization penetrating
the boundary line which now marks the northern limits
of Cortland county, we feel that his was a hazardous
effort, and that a great amount of energy must have
been embraced in his enterprising and wild, romantic
character. Doubts and fears had little or no influence
upon his mind, for he was one of those energetic char
acters of quick and discerning mind, — and bold, resolute
actors who, when having resolved upon a purpose,
allow no mere probable contingency to deter them
from the accomplishment of the enterprise. The foot
prints of civilization had not then penetrated into this
then dense wilderness. True, the French traders had
visited the Indians in their rude cabins, and even estab-

208 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
lished trading-posts ; but these had disappeared with
time and change, and the confines of the now county of
Cortland were invaded only by the red man in his hunt
ing garb, or as he went forth upon some stealthy march.
The panther, the wolf, the bear, and the deer, roamed
free as the mountain bird, without dreaming of the hor
rid crusade that was about to be waged against them.
Yet through the deep, thick forest of hemlock, maple,
elm, and basswood, wandered the bold, resolute pioneer,
Samuel C. Benedict, who, in the fall of 1193, located on
lot 12. He erected a log-citadel, and christened it —
« Home." In 1194 Nathaniel Potter, Jonah Stiles, Christopher
Whitney, David Morse and Benjamin Brown came in
and selected various locations. Potter was from Sara
toga county, New York. He purchased lots *11, 86, and
96. He erected a small house on lot 96, near the State
bridge. In July, 1198, he was suddenly killed by the
fall of a tree. Stiles came from Ruport, Vermont, and
located on lot 4. He purchased one hundred acres, now
owned and occupied by Samuel Freeman. He -died in
1840. His daughter Julia married John Wicks ; Sophia,
Alexander Forbes, of Litchfield, Ohio ; Jonah lives at
Seville, in the sarae State ; Sarauel, at Franklin, in Dela
ware county, New York ; and Otis, near Almiron W.
Grain's Wool Exchange, at Stilesville. Whitney mi
grated frora the east, and located on lot 3. One of his
daughters is widow Moses Hopkins. Morse came
from New Jersey, and settled on lot 81. He served his
country in the revolution, and drew the lot where he
settled, now in part covered by the village of Cuyler,
where his two surviving sons, David and Joseph, now

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 209
reside. Brown was from Connecticut. He located on
lot 51. His surviving children are Abner, Alvin, and
Wesley. John Shedd located early in 1191 on lot 63. During
the same year Nathaniel E. James and Charles Stewart,
came in. The former located on lot 63 ; and the latter,
from Colerain, Massachusetts, drew and settled on
State's Hundred, lot 93.
In 1198 a number of additional settlers came in and
located. Robert McNight and John Jeffrey were from
Monmouth, New Jersey, and settled on lot 2 ; Charles
McNight, a son, lives on the homestead. Billy Trow
bridge, from Westchester county. New York, settled on
lot 5. He filled several respectable county offices ; was
twice elected to the State Assembly, and for one term
held the office of sheriff. His sons John, Levi, and Hub
bard, reside at Detroit, and Smith, in Syracuse. Ste
phen Hedges, from Troy, located on lot 93. Increase M.
Hooker was a native of Bennington, Vermont. He was
with Ethan Allen during a portion of the Revolution,
and witnessed the terrible conflict at Bennington, Au
gust 16, 1111. He married in Litchfield, Conn., and
some years after moved to Greene county, N. Y. In
1791, removed to Solon, on lot 88 ; and the next year
came to Truxton, and settled on lot 94. Soon after, he
purchased a grist-mill of Joseph Sweetland. It was
covered with elm bark, and contained one run of stone.
It was rebuilt in 1816 by his sons. In 1842 he removed
to New Jersey. In 1848 he visited his son in Illinois,
and on his return died at Onondaga Hollow. He reared
five children : two now living, John H., and Harley ;
the former lives in Newbrunswick, N. J., and the latter
10*

210 SETTLEMENT AlfD ORGANIZATION.
in Rockton, III. John H. Hooker recently told us that
he visited Onondaga county when there was but one
house at Manlius, one at Pompey, and one at Onondaga
Hollow. John Miller, from Amenia, Dutchess county, located in
1801 on lot 93.
Hugh and William Stewart, from Colerain, Mass.,
settled in 1803 on lot 4.
Le-wis Wicks came from Saratoga county, in 1804,
and located on lot 13.
The Pierces were from Colerain. Zebulon migrated
in 1805, and located on lot 34. He reared a family of
eleven children — four now living.
Judah settled in 1806 on lot 12. He left eight chil
dren — three reside at the West. Ethan lives on the
homestead. Mr. Pierce accumulated a large property ;
was an influential citizen. He died at the age of
seventy. Dea. James Bell was from Ruport, Vt. He migrated
to Truxton in the winter of 1812, and located on lot 95.
In 1821 he removed to Medina county, Ohio. He was a
most excellent citizen, and reared an interesting family.
His sons, James and Jacob, are active and prominent
politicians ; the former has occupied a seat in the Ohio
Legislature. In 1814 Asa Babcock, originally from Rhode Island,
came in from Madison county, N. Y., and went into the
mercantile trade, which he continued for a period of
forty-three years. With the sands of life running low,
he calmly awaits his summons to depart.
Asa Campbell was a native of Hampden county,
Mass. He came in and settled (1816) on the farm now

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 211
owned by Jenniiigs Bennett. The widow and daughter
reside in the village.
Stephen Ambler came in from New Berlin in 1818,
and located on lot 83. He purchased one hundred and
twelve acres ; reared nine children — four now living ;
two sons in Cuba.
The settlement was visited quite early by itinerant
missionaries, and public religious worship was insti
tuted in 1801, through the laudable exertions of Rev.
Hugh Wallis.
The first post-office was established in 1199, and Ste
phen Hedges appointed post-master ; he viws also the
first merchant. John Miller, the first physician. The
first miller was Joseph Sweetland. The first child born
was Stephen Potter, in 1194. The first death was that
of the father, Nathaniel Potter, already referred to.
In the earlier town organization, this town belonged
to Pompey, which was organized in 1194, and included
the townships of Pompey, Fabius, and Tully ; and also,
"part of the Onondaga Reservation, lying south of the
great Genesee Road, and east of Onondaga Creek."
Fabius was erected from Pompey in 1198, and at that
time included two military townships, — Fabius and
Tully, — and comprised the present towns of Fabius,
Tully, Truxton, Preble and Scott, with portions of Spaf
ford and Otisco.
The pioneers of the town of Truxton labored early
and late to procure a support for themselves and fami
lies. The luxuries they enjoyed were the real necessa
ries of subsistence. They dealt only with the stern re
alities of life. The follies and fooleries of our tiraes
were unknown to the primitive settlers. They studied
nature as she really was, rather than in what they

212

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.

would have ber to be. When success had so far
crowned their laborious efforts as to enable them to
spare a portion of their products, they did not deem it a
hard task to place the scanty surplus on an ox sled,
and, taking an Indian trail, or such road as had been
cut through the wilderness by wandering emigrants,
thus trudge on from day to day, until they reached
Utica, Whitestown or Herkimer, where they exchanged
them for the substantials of the farm and the kitchen.
The exchange did not then, as in these days of refine
ment, consist of satins, silks and lawns for their
daughters, tint in a few yards of linsey-woolsey ; an
axe, bush-hook, grub-hoe, and last, though perhaps not
least thought of, a half-pound of old Bohea, which was
always received by the happy matron with a smile as
sweet as the lively lay she sang.
The surface of the town of Truxton presents a broken
and diversified aspect. The Truxton Flats are, however,
very beautiful, rich, and abundant in agricultural ele
ments ; yet they are unquestionably better adapted to
the growing of the coarser grains, though wheat is pro
duced to a limited extent.

In 1810 the population of Truxton was 1,031

1814

1,168

1820

2,956

1825

3,325

1830

3,885

1835

3,112

1840

" 3,658

1845

3,581

1850

3,623

1855

3,444

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 213
In 1810 there were one hundred and twenty-nine Sen
atorial electors ; and the taxable property was assessed
at $41,613. The village contained twenty houses. The
town is well watered, and especially by branches of the
Tioughnioga, which have their origin in the town.
The streams of Truxton afford many excellent mill-
seats, which in most instances are used to good advan
tage, placing her in the front rank of manufacturing
towns in the county. There are five grist-mills, several
saw-mills, a large sash and blind factory, a firkin and
tub factory, and a Wool Exchange. The latter we pro
pose to briefly notice. In 1809 Jonah Stiles and Alvin
Pease erected a grist-mill, the second one in the town.
In 1810 they erected a carding machine. These sub
sequently passed into the hands of Otis and Jonas
Stiles ; the latter, however, soon sold out to Samuel
Stiles ; and finally, the latter interest was purchased by
Otis, who, in 1814, added to his business another branch,
— that of cloth dressing. A few years previous, Jacob
Otis commenced cloth dressing, but he discontinued it
in 1820. In 1826, Mr. Stiles rebuilt, and engaged more
largely in the manufacture of cloth. In 1831, he added
the improved machinery. In 1838, Almiron W. Grain be
came an active partner, and in 1848 sole proprietor.
In 1854 Perry P. Grain became a partner. In 1826
the business of exchanging cloth for wool was com
menced, and has been gradually increasing until the
present time. The sum total of exchange during the
year 1858, amounted to 25,000 pounds of wool. We re-
NoTE. — Since the main portion of our history was placed in the
hands of the publisher, the recently organized town of Cuyler has
been formed from the east half of Truxton.

214 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
gard the wool exchange business as one of great prac
tical importance to the wool-growers of Cortland county,
for while they get their cloth at a reduced price, they
receive an advance profit on their wool, making the ex
change a profitable investment.
Scott. — The town of Scott was erected from the west
part of Preble, April 14, 1815.
The first permanent settlement was made in this town
in 1199. There had, however, been a rude hunter within
its boundaries as early as 1195. He erected a bark
shanty, and lived by hunting, — a kind of employment for
which he seemed peculiarly fitted, and to which he was
greatly attached. He spent about one year and a half
in the deep solitude of that unbroken wilderness, when
he was joined by a half-breed Indian, originally from
Thiee River Point, Canada ; and in a few months after,
they gathered up their peltry and furs, and made their
way to a French trading post, then established near
Whitestown, where they made a profitable disposition
of their effects, and then sought, if possible, a still more
gloomy retreat in the wilds of the far West. He was
an eccentric and original genius, constitutionally fitted
for the rude life he lived. His birth-place is not known,
though it is evident from certain excentricities of
character that he was of French extraction. An In
dian of the Leni tribe, from whom we gather these
facts, and who occasionally visits the Oneidas, relates
many characteristic anecdotes touching this singularly
strange, yet interesting original. Years after, he was
seen standing upon the bank of the great Father of
Waters, — the majestic Mississippi. There was heard a

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 215
shriek, a plunge,— the waves closed over the lone hunter,
and all that was mortal had disappeared forever. And
when the horror-stricken Indian, who had watched his
movements, called for the white man of the woods, the
evil genius that had wrecked his hopes in early life and
made him a wanderer, answered : —
" Wheffe the dark tide runs strongest.
The cliff rises steep ;
Where the wild waters eddy,
I have rocked him to^leep.
" His sleep is so strong.
That the rush of the stream.
When the wild winds are abroad.
Cannot waken his dream.' '
During the year 1199, several settlements were made.
Peleg Babcock, accompanied by his brothers Solomon
and Asa Howard, came in from Leyden, Massachusetts,
and selected locations. Peleg settled on the south part
of lot 82. Solomon located on the north-west part of
the same lot, while Howard stuck his post a little to
the east of Solomon. About the same time George
Dennison, from Vermont, pitched his tent on the west
part of the lot, making the fourth settler on No. 82.
Cornish Messenger and Daniel Jakeway came in from
De Ruyter in 1800, and settled on lot 92. In 1801
Maxon Babcock came in from Leyden, and located on
the north-east corner of lot 82. Ghershon Richardson,
and his two sons-in-law by the name of Clark, came
from Pompey, Onondaga co., and located on lot 11. In
1802, Henry Burdick, a native of Rhode Island, mi
grated from Colerain, Massachusetts, and located on
lot 12. He purchased originally, in company with John
Babcock, 109 acres. He was an active and prominent

216 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
pioneer in his locality, and now, at the venerable age of
18 yqars, lives retired from the toil and bustle of life.
His youngest son, A. B. Burdick, of New York, is the
enterprising publisher of this work.
Jared Babcock came in during the year 1804, and
spent some three or four years. In 1809 he was enlisted
in the mercantile trade in Spafford, being the first mer
chant in that place. He subsequently moved to Ho
mer, where he still resides.
John Gillet, from Norfolk, Connecticut, located during
the saine~year (1805), but did not purchase until 1801
or '8, when he selected 100 acres on lot 84. The farm
has been increased at different periods, and at the pres
ent time embraces nearly 300 acres. He has already
passed through a long, busy and prosperous life — a life
of activity, of public employment, and of private enter
prise. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for
a period of twenty years ; that of supervisor and other
town offices, at various times ; was associate judge of
the county court for fifteen successive years, and also
member of the legislature, and presidential elector.
Jacob Smith, from Delphi, located-in 1806, on lot 84.
His original purchase was 50 acres : he, however, made
subsequent additions until he had secured 105 acres,
which he has but recently disposed of with a view of
locating at Little York.
In 1806 Daniel Doubleday migrated from Lebanon,
Connecticut, and located in the town of Homer. In
1809 he removed to Scott, and settled on lot 85. He
has reared a respectable family, accumulated a good
property, and now, at the advanced age of seventy-two,
rejoices in having spent a long life in an honored
and productive employment. Mr. Doubleday is in the

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION, 217
enjoyment of remarkable health, and in the full posses
sion of his mental and physical faculties.
During 1805, Elisha Sabins and John Babcock cut and
cleared a road from Scott Corners (then called Bab
cock's Corners,) to Spafford Corners. They transported
their goods to their new home on sleds, and found it a
rather difficult task. The next year, Isaac Hall, of the
latter place, passed over the road with a wagon, and
after purchasing a load of lumber at Babcock's settle
ment, placed it on his wagon and conveyed it to his
home in Spafford.
In the summer of '99, Solomon Babcock tells us that he
was in the habit of making frequent visits to his brother's
cornfield, accorapanied by a small dog, for the purpose
of frightening away the bears, they being very trouble
some and destructive to the corn crop. It was a com
mon occurrence to find a half dozen in at a time, and to
him it was rather amusing to see how they would
hurry away at the mere sight or bark of the little
fellow. Early in the month of March, he went into the woods
for the purpose of obtaining a birch broom-stick. The
snow was some three feet deep, and the crust suffi
ciently strong to bear up a man. A strong, active,
fierce and well-trained dog, belonging to his brother
Peleg, bore him company, and before the trunk of the
little sapling was secured he had actually killed seven
deer. The first ordained preacher was Elder Town. The
first persons baptized were Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Bab
cock — the former in Homer, and the latter in Scott. The
first merchant was Nathan Babcock. The first inn-

218

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.

keeper was James Babcock. The first post-master, John
G-illett. The first marriage, Solomon Babcock to Amy
Morgan. This occurred in the Fall of 1802. There
being no authorized person at hand to marry, the parties
came to Homer on horseback, and after attending church,
went to Squire Bishop's on East Hill, where they were
appropriately married. The first child born in town
was Harriet Babcock. The first death was an infant
daughter of Peleg Babcock.
Public religious worship commenced about the year
1806 or '1.
The Close Communion Baptists, the Seventh Day Bap
tists, the Presbyterians, and the Methodists, have each
a convenient house for religious worship.
The first post-master of East Scott was Alvin Kellogg.
It was with this gentleman that Ex-President Fillmore
learned his trade, — that of clothier.
The town of Scott, though containing much broken
land, is favored with many most excellent farms. It is
not, however, a grain growing town. The land being
generally better adapted to grazing, the agriculturists
are found adopting the more reasonable and productive
pursuit of increasing their means in the dairy business.
In 1820 the population of Scott was 115
18251830183518401845
1850 1855

1,006

1,452

ll * t

1,504

1,332

1,368
1,290
1,293
SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 219
Freetown was organized April 21st, 1818. It com
prises the north-western quarter of the old military
township of Cincinnatus, and lot No. 20 from the eastern
part of Virgil. The soil is a clay loam, better adapted
to grazing than grain growing ; but more recently has
produced good crops of corn, oats, barley, flax, and po
tatoes ; wheat not being grown here to any consider
able extent. Freetown is situated on a ridge between
the Tioughnioga and Otselic rivers, and was settled prin
cipally by emigrants from the north and eastern por
tions of the State. The inhabitants are an honest, in
dustrious, hardy race of men. The early settlement of
this town was attended with deprivations, hardships
and discouragements that required the energies and
fortitude of a class which none but pioneers in a new
country are capable of exercising and enduring.
The early pioneers, in preference to going to Ludlow-
vflle or Chenango Forks, to mill, usually went to Onon
daga Hollow, or Manlius Square, a distance of forty
miles, fording creeks and rivers, exposing themselves
to cold and storms by night and day, being obliged to
camp out two or three nights during their journey to
and from the mill, through an almost entire wilderness,
filled with wolves, panthers, and other ravenous beasts
of prey. As there were theu no roads, they traveled
by marked trees, whiling away the dull hours of time
by whistling or singing some merry tune, or in telling
some legendary tale which may have been preserved
for centuries by Indian tradition. At night, tired and
hungry, the jaded horses were tied to a tree, and, by the
roots of some enormous oak or hemlock, the pioneers
would find a resting-place, with the bags for pillows

220 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
and an Indian blanket for a covering ; and there, in the
deep forest, surrounded with gaunt, howling wolves,
and poisonous reptiles, with the " deep blue sky above,"
all radiant with night's diadems, or perchance o'erspread
with tartarean blackness, while the harsh, hoarse thun
ders rolled and reverberated through the wide expanse ;
now startled by a vivid flash of forked lightning as it
leaps athwart the darkened sky, or shatters a proud old
relic of the ancient wilderness into a thousand pieces,
would await the return of day to resume their journey.
And thus they endured these attendant privations until
1198, when a mill was erected at Homer, — or a year
later, when Mr. Hubbard, of Cortlandville, built the old
Red Mill, now owned by Mr. Mudge.
Robert Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, was the fijst
settler. He drew lot No. 2, and moved on to it with his
family in 1800, having only previously prepared a mere
cabin of logs for their reception. He was originally
from one of the New England States. He made a small
improvement on his lot, and after struggling through
many severe hardships, and enduring the privations
incident to most new settlements, sold to Samuel G.
Hatheway. Some of Mr. Smith's descendants are now
living in Marathon. i
Soon after Mr. Smith located on his lot, Caleb Sheop-
ard and David H. Monrose moved from the eastern part
of the State, and settled with their families on lot 22.
Mr. Sheopard, several years since, removed to Michigan.
Mr. Monrose remained on his farm until his death, which
occurred in 1831. His son Daniel occupies the old
homestead. William Smith, a native of Vermont, migrated from

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 221
Great Bend, Pa., to Freetown in 1802, and located on
lot 25. He made various small purchases of land until
his farm numbered some one hundred and sixty-five
acres. In 1835 he disposed of his property and settled
in the town of Cortlandville, where he now resides.
His step-mother, Eunice Smith, lives with him, at the
advanced age of 95. Mr. Smith has held most of the
town offices, besides several military positions. Of his
nine children eight are living.
In 1804 Gideon Chapin located on lot 42, and erected
soon after the first saw-mill in the town. There is at
present one of a larger size covering the same ground.
In 1805 Gen. Samuel G. Hatheway, originally from
Freetown, Mass., removed frora Chenango county and
located on lot 2, having purchased the Robert Sraith
farm, which consisted of about three hundred acres.
The General was a man - of energy and enterprise, as
was evidenced in the rapid improvement of his farm.
He can now relate many interesting anecdotes touching
his early life. Soon after he came into Freetown, he
desired to make some addition to his stock of cattle,
and hearing that Caleb Sheopard, near the Salt Road,
about five miles distant, had a Calf to sell, made ar
rangeraents to procure it. He started from home near
evening, having previously completed his day's work,
for Mr. Sheopard's, with a rope halter in his hand with
which he intended to lead his calf, if successful in a
purchase ; and thus equipped, without coat or stock
ings, he plodded his course through the woods, by way
of marked trees, there being no road. He succeeded in
obtaining the calf, and started for home ; but night
coming on, and it being much darker than he antici-

222 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
pated, and carelessly hurrying along with his treasure
by his side, he soon found himself unable to distinguish
the glazed trees, but still persevered, hoping to come
out right. It was not long, however, before he found
he was out of the right course, and concluding that for
the present he was lost, very calmly set about camping
out for the night. He fastened the calf to a tree, and,
reposing by its side, was delighted through the long
and darksome night by the hooting of owls, howling of
wolves, screaming of panthers, and other music of a like
interesting character. At length morning dawned, and,
as Aurora flung her gorgeous rays over the dense forest,
revealed to his eager gaze his position on the Pine
Ridge, one or two miles out of his way. His calf was
hastily detached from the tree, and he again set out for
home, which he reached at an early hour, having a
sharp appetite for his breakfast, and much to the grati
fication of his anxiously awaiting mother.
Eleazer Puller came from Northampton, Mass., in 1806,
and settled on lot 12. He purchased one hundred acres.
He reared a family of four children ; a daughter, with
whom he lives, is the wife of William Mantanye. His
son, Austin Fuller, i6 Auditor of Indiana, residing at
Springfield. Mr. Fuller is seventy-^ve years old,- and
is, at the time of writing, greatly afflicted with a can
cerous ulcer, which must eventually terminate his life.
In 1808, Rockwell Wildman and Isaac Robertson
came in and selected locations. The former migrated
from the north, and settled on lot 15. He died in 1855.
His children occupy the original premises. The latter
came from Connecticut, but was not permitted to enjoy
for more than a few brief seasons the fruits of his labor ;

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 223
he died in 1811 ; his wife in 1815. He left eleven chil
dren — three are now living.
In 1809, John Aker, father of Abram, came from Al
bany county and selected a location.
Henry Gardner, from Plainfield, N. Y., came in dur
ing the same year and settled on lot 32. He purchased
one hundred acres ; died in Illinois in 1858 ; age eighty
years ; left seven children — all now living. Mrs. Gard
ner died in 1852.
At about this time, or perhaps a little subsequent,
Charles and Curtiss Richardson, William Tuthill, Jacob
Hicks, Isaac Dotj', John Backus aud Aruna Baton came
in and selected various locations. Curtiss Richardson
lives with his son William, in Canandaigua.
John Conger migrated from Granville, Washington
county, in 1812, and located on lot 12. He purchased
one hundred and five acres. Fifty acres have been
added to the farm, which is now owned by Hugh M'Kevitt.
Mr. Conger was an enterprising, public-spirited man,
and creditably discharged the duties of several town
offices. He died in 1836, aged 55. Mrs. Conger, at the
advanced age of seventy-five, is remarkably healthy and
active. Mr. Conger was the father of five sons and four
daughters — Joseph,»Samuel, Harmon S., Bemon S., and
Damon. Malina married David Gardner, of Harvors,
Illinois ; Mary is now widow Crosby ; Esther is the
wife of Ransford Palmer, of Cortland ; and Rhoda is
Mrs. J. M. Barclay, ©f La Cross, Minesota.
In 1813, Austin Waters removed from Saybrook,
Conn., and located on the same lot. He purchased one
hundred and five acres, which was entirely covered
with a heavy growth of timber. Having but limited

224 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
means, and indeed nothing but his ambitious desire to
achieve something in the way of human progress, he
perserved in his toilsome efforts, and kept from yield
ing to the numerous discouragements with which he
was surrounded. He resolved to succeed, and he tri
umphed over all difficulties ; and he lives; at the vener
able age of eighty years, to see Freetown one of the
most productive dairy towns in the county.
Walton Swetland, a native of Conn., migrated from
Granville in 1814, and settled on the Trip farm, on lot
22. He made several purchases, until he had secured
a farm of one hundred and thirty acres. He attended
to the clearing and cultivating his land until 1838, when
he disposed of it with a view of entering into another
branch of business. In 1846 he engaged in the mercan
tile trade, and up to the present time has continued the
business with general success. He has filled various
town offices, among which are those of School Inspec
tor, Superintendent, and Justice of the Peace. The
latter office he has held for twenty-eight years, and still
continues to officiate in that position. He was appointed
an Associate Judge in 1844, and held the office for a
number of years. From a corporal in a company of
infantry, he rose to the rank of major.
Judge Swetland resides at Freetown Comers ; is
about sixty-five years old ; and is still an active, useful
and prominent citizen.
Geo. I. Wavle, from Montgomery county, N. Y., located
in 1814 on lot 4, where his son James now resides. He
purchased four hundred and fifty acres. He was an
industrious and honorable citizen. He died in 1825,
leaving a respectable family of children.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 225
During the early period of settlement, Freetown was
regarded as being rather cold and sterile, and frequently
the prospects of the settler were blasted by early frosts,
which cut down the crops before they came to maturity ;
but more recently, frosts have not been as frequent, and
for several years past, as good crops of corn have been
raised as in most other towns of the county. But the
attention of agriculturists is being more generally
turned to dairying, in which they succeed much better
than in their laborious efforts to grow grain, the soil
being better adapted to this department of productive
employment than to any other branch of industry.
The first clergyman who statedly preached in Free
town, was Elder Sheopard ; he was of the Baptist order,
and resided in the town of Lisle, Broome county. Elder
Benjamin. W. Capron was the first preacher who made a
permanent residence in this town. Don A. Robertson
was the first school teacher ; his father came into town
soon after General Hatheway, and reared a large family
of sons. Peter McVean was the first merchant. He
located at what is now called Freetown Corners, con
tinued in the business a short time, and was succeeded
by John M. and Sylvester M. Roe from the town of
Virgil. •
In 1820 the population of Freetown was 663
1825 " " 811
1830 " " 1,051
1835 " " 962
1840 " " 950
1845 " " 925
1850 " " 1,035
1855 " " 955
11

226 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Perhaps no town in the county was settled under
more discouraging circumstances than Freetown. It
was decidedly " a hard town," the citizens were gene
rally poor, and were necessarily subjected to more-hard
ships and privations than under other circumstances
would have been endured. Settlers came in slowly,
and at no time made very rapid progress ; even as late
as 1828, when Reuben Northrop came in from Washing
ton county and located on lot 30, what now constitutes
his valuable farm was an entire wilderness. But the
industrious and persevering habits of the citizens have
wrought a most favorable change ; and Freetown has
become prosperous and influential. The inhabitants are
intelligent, affabley»and courteous.
Marathon. — The" territory embraced within the bound
aries of Marathon,* was set off from the south-west
quarter of Cincinnatus, April 21, 1818, and organized
into a town under the name of Harrison, in honor of
Gen. Harrison, of the late war, but was subsequently
changed to Marathon, on account of there being another
town of the same name in the State. The first actual
settlers of this town were Dr". Japheth Hunt and -wife,
both aged people, two sons, James and William, and
three daughters, Betsey, Nancy, and Hannah. The ad
vanced age of the parents disqualified them as pioneers
of a new country, and unfitted them to encounter the
hardships and privations incident to such an enterprise.
Their children, however, were of mature age, of robust
constitutions, and possessed energy of character, which
• Communicated by Dr. S. M. Hunt.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 227
enabled them to accomplish the laborious duties which
now devolved upon them. They entered the valley
of the Tioughnioga from the south, in canoes, in the
year 1194, and located on a piece of land on the east
side of the river, about a mile south of the present vil
lage of Marathon, since known as the Comstock farm
and now owned by Edward Moore. Their log house
was erected a few miles north of Mr. Moore's barn, on a
knoll, or rolling piece of ground, immediately west, and
near the present highway. Upon this rising ground
were discovered a great number of excavations or de
pressions, of a circular form, in close proximity, render
ing the surface of the ground uneven. Each of these
depressions, upon examination, wasj, found to contain
human bones, which had, apparently, been deposited
there for several preceding centuries. Upon removing
the road a few years since, from the top to the base of
this hill, some of these depressions were opened by the
plough, and were found to contain not only huraan
bones, but several curiously carved vessels or pots, of a
substance resembling clay, probably wrought by the
Indians to contain succotash, or boiled corn and beans, —
deposited in the grave, as is their custom, to supply
their departed friends in their journey to the world of
spirits. About the time that Dr. Hunt's family settled here, a
road was surveyed and partially cut through the wilder
ness from the south, near the river, until passing their
land, when diverging from the stream, it crossed the
south line of lot number 12, about three-fourths of a
mile east of the village of Marathon, and continuing in
a northerly direction, intersected the State road at the

228 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
farm recently owned by Mr. Charles Richardson, of
Freetown, and extending north to its te.rminus at the
salt works, which gave it the name of the Salt Road.
Another road, about this period, was surveyed and
partially opened as a State road, by the way of Oxford
westerly through the centre of the town subsequently
organized as Cincinnatus, and consequently on thS north
line of the present town of Marathon, and crossing the
river at Chaplin's ford, now known as State Bridge,
and thence westerly through the county by Virgil
Corners. Dr. Hunt was an emigrant from one of the New Eng
land States, and had served his country in the Revolu
tionary war, in J;he capacity of surgeon. He died
March 1th, 1808, at the advanced age of §1, and was
the first person buried in the east burying ground of
Marathon. His son William married Anna, daughter of
Matthew Cole, an early settler on a farm south, adjoin
ing the county line, being the present residence of Col.
Lucian E. Grain. His son James was never married,
and died at Genoa, Cayuga county. His daughter,
Nancy, married Abram Smith, and died about forty-five
years since, leaving three children, who are yet Jiving
in the town of Virgil. Betsey Hunt married Oliver
Mack, of Genoa, and Hannah, the youngest daughter,
married Nathan Thorp, of the same place. Wm. Hunt,
some time after the death of his father, sold the farm
and located again two miles north of Marathon village,
where Stephen Johnson now resides, but finally emi
grated with his sisters from Genoa to the " Par West,"
to some part of Indiana. In the latter part of the win
ter of 1196, John, the eldest son of Dr. Hunt, who had

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 229
married Lydia, the daughter of Major Samuel Mallory,
of Hillsdale, Columbia county, N. Y., was induced to
move from that place into the new country in the vicin
ity of his father's residence. A man with horses and
sleigh was employed to bring his effects, and family,
which then comprised himself and wife, one daughter
three years of age, and a son of six months. After sejv-
eral days' travel over the rough roads, they arrived at
Oxford, a new settlement on the Chenango river, where
their teamster left them and turned back in consequence
of poor sleighing produced by a thaw. Mr. Hunt hav
ing one horse of his own, harnessed him to a hastily
constructed sled, and placing a bed and a few necessary
articles of furniture and provisions^ with his wife and
children tljereon, started westwardly by the way of the
State road for the place of his destination. The first
day they proceeded about seventeen miles into the wil
derness on this rough road, passing over several of the
smaller logs which had not yet been removed from the
path, when night overtook them in a dense forest, which
soon became vocal with the sounds of wild animals.
Fortunately, they soon came to a log cabin, recently
erected, covered with bark, and having a fioor of slats
split from logs, with a place for an entrance, but desti
tute of a door to exclude the air. By means of his gun
and tinder, he kindled a' fire ; and, placing his horse close
to the opening, with his provender in the sled, which
served for a manger, and having hung up a blanket at
the entrance, and placed their bed on the floor, being
very weary, he retired to rest, and slept comfortably
through the night. But his wife, unaccustomed to such
privations, was less inclined to sleep. The howling of

230 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION..
the wolves also annoyed her, and she wondered how her
husband could sleep so composedly in such a dismal
place. The next morning they resumed their journey,
and before noon came to the Otselic river, and were
cheered with the sight of a house on the opposite side
of the stream. This proved to be the residence of Wm.
Tuthill, who kindly assisted them in crossing the river,
and hospitably entertained them till the next day. This
was at a farm subsequently owned by Ebenezer Critten
den. From this place they traveled west, till they came
to the intersection of the Salt road, when turning south
along the latter path at a distance of four miles, they
found the new home of his parents and family. His
goods were subsequently brought in canoes from Ox
ford, down the Chenango river to fke Forks, and then
up this branch, then generally called the Onondaga, to
their new location.
John Hunt purchased one hundred acres out of the
south-west corner of lot No. 12, and moved his family
there, being on the east side of the river, upon which
land a large portion of Marathon village is located. Here
his second son, Samuel M. Hunt, was born, October 30th,
1198, being the first child born in this town. When a
young raan, he chose the profession of medicine, and
pursued that study with Dr. P. B. Brooks, now of Bing
hamton. He has practised medicine for thirty years,
principally in Broome county ; but for three years past,
he has been located in Marathon village, on the same
premises formerly the residence of his parents. As
early as the beginning of the present century, John
Hunt was appointed by the Governor and Council a
justice of the peace ; which office he held by successive

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 231
appointments to the period of his death, which occurred
August 8, 1815, at the age of fifty years. His widow is
still living, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Their
eldest daughter married Mr. Charles Richardson, of
Freetown, and is now residing in the village of Mara
thon. Two other daughters are yet living. Four oth
ers of their children lived to be married and settled iu
this section of country, but are now deceased. Abram
Brink with his family moved into the present bounds of
this village in the spring of 1800, and located a few
rods south of Mr. Hunt's, on the north part of lot No.
82, then State land. He came from the present town of
Union, below Binghamton, on the Susquehanna river,
bringing his family and furniture in a canoe. He was
a son of Qaptain William Brink, a patriot of the Revo
lution, who had suffered much by the depredations of
tories in the war at Wyoming,, and subsequently lost a
great amount of property by the great ice-flood in that
valley. Abram Brink was a robust and industrious cit.
izen, and a valuable pioneer in clearing up the rugged
wilderness, and preparing it for the residence of poster
ity. He kept the first tavern ever licensed in this town,
from the commencement of the present century up to
the time of his decease in 1824. Intoxicating liquors,
as a beverage, were at that time considered as neces
sary as food in a tavern for the refreshment of guests.
And although their deleterious effects were visible, not
only in occasional carousals, but in the physical, moral
and mental prostration of all who indulged in the pota
tion, yet the traffic was for a long period sustained by
public sentiment and by the laws of the State. Mr.
Brink was succeeded in the tavern by his only surviv-

232 SETTLEMENT AOT) ORGANIZATION.
ing son, Chester, for a few years, when, influenced by
a strong aversion to dealing in intoxicating liquors, he
relinquished the business and employed himself in culti
vating and- improving the same farm, and some other
adjoining lands, which he had acquired by purchase.
A few years previous to the arrival of Mr. Brink here, a
family by the name of Alford had settled about three-
fourths of a mile south, on the State's lot, and some
years after sold out to Daniel Huntly, a . son of Deacon
William Huntly, who resided for several years on the
next farm south, now owned by Patrick Mallory, jr. A
man by the name of Lee also lived a few years on the
premises of Mr. Alford, having married his daughter.
At the close of the last century, a traveler from the
north, in passing down this valley, after leaving the
ford-way at Chaplin's, would find the following residents
on the east side of the river : — First, the family of Mr.
Hunt ; 2d, Mr. Brink ; 3d, Mr. Alford and Mr. Lee ;
next Dr. Hunt ; and lastly, Mr. Cole, in this county.
South and near the county line on the east side of the
river, was the residence of Gen. Samuel Coe, and
directly opposite, on the west bank, was the house of
Jonathan Cowdrey.
Soon after this period John S. Squires located on a
farm south of Mr. Alford, but shortly after purchased a
farm in the present town of Lapeer, and removed his
family there into the forest at quite a distance from
neighbors ; it being the same farm where his son, Dan
C. Squires, now resides. About the year 1800, Ebene
zer Carley moved into this town from Unadilla, and
located on the west side of the river where his son Alan-
son uow resides. He was commissioned Captain of

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 238
Militia company No. 1, organized in this section of the
country. He had a large family of children. Ezekiel
C. became a Captain of the militia, and also held the
office of justice of the peace. Of this large family none
are now living except two brothers, Alanson and Grin.
Alanson Carley, Esq., has held the office of justice of
the peace of this town for several years, has been a
member of the Legislature, and has served as sheriff of
this county for three years. Orin Carley is now resid
ing in Broonle county. It would be a difficult task,
at this remote period, to ascertain the precise date of
the arrival of each family of the first settlers here, as
far back as the close of the last century, or the regular
order as to the priority of time, in every case, when
they entered this valley. In February of the year 1805,
Patrick Mallory, (who some years after became a Cap
tain of militia) a brother of Esq. Hunt's wife, arrived
here with his wife and one child, and settled on a farm
one mile north of Marathon village, now the residence
of G. Pennoyer. He resided a few weeks with his sis
ter's family, while erecting a log house for the recep
tion of his own. This was early in the spring, when
each family was actively employed in manufacturing ma
ple sugar. To secure a supply of such an important arti
cle for domestic use, it becarae necessary for him to tap
his trees prior to finishing his house. The farm was
'situated mostly on the west side of the river, and hia
maple trees were on the flat, directly across the stream.
Being busily engaged one day, assisted by his wife, in
gathering and boiling sap, they were detained till ap
proaching darkness reminded them that it was time to
start for home. They then entered their canoe, and had
11*

234 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
just reached the eastern shore and found the narrow
path that led down the stream to Mr. Hunt's, when, to
their surprise and consternation, their ears were saluted
with the most clamorous, violent and discordant sounds,
directly across the river, they had ever heard. The
woods were apparently full of monsters in pursuit of
them, as their intended victims, and engaged in fiendish
strife respecting the several shares of the spoils. How
to escape from these monstrous cannibals was the sub
ject of anxious thought and hasty delibferation. Mrs.
Mallory advised a rapid retreat ; but her husband,
being a very stout man, and wishing to retain his
reputation for bravery, had a great aversion to " an
attack in the rear." He therefore firmly grasped his
axe, which he carried in his hand as an instrument
of defence, and cautious-ly followed his wife, who alter
nately ran forward a few rods with speed, and then fell
back again, urging him to make a more rapid progress.
Notwithstanding the Captain's resolute intention, it is
probable that the march was not very slow ; and
they soon reached the house of their friends without suf
fering an attack, and gave the alarm of the approach
ing enemy. But thej' were soon relieved of their fears,
though soraewhat mortified to learn that these savage
monsters were nothing more than a class of nocturnal
birds called owls, incapable of injuring either man or
beast.

hon was 801

813

895

986

1,063

1,080

1,149

1,341

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 235
In 1820 the population of Marathon was
18251830
1835184018451850 1855
Thus it will be seen from the above table of census
reports, that the town of Marathon has been steadily
increasing in population, unlike the fluctuating or peri
odical changes referred to in some other towns of
this county. The soil is geuerally productive, and when
considered in connection with other facilities, natural
and internal, we do not wonder at its progress.
We cheerfully give place to the following exceed
ingly interesting letter from Hon. Thurlow Weed. Mr.
Weed resided in the western part of Cincinnatus — now
Marathon : " Albany, May 16th, 1858.
"H. C. Goodwin, Esq.:
" Mt Dear Sir, — ^Your letter of 30th of April has re
mained quite too long unanswered, partly on account
of severe illness in my family, but mainly because your
kind and not unusual request embarasses me. Several
applications similar in character, from book-makers, I
have simply declined, because, first, there is nothing in
my life entitled to historic attention ; and second, if
any of its events were worthy such attention, it is
neither proper or becoming in me to furnish the materi
als. So strong are my convictions of propriety in this

236 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
regard, that many years ago, after declining to furnish
information relating to myself, asked for by the late
Jabez D. Hammond, I declined also to read in manu
script what he had prepared. The consequence of that
refusal is, that I go down to posterity — if Hammond's
Political History outlives the present generation — as a
' drummer in the war of 1812.' Now I am entitled to
no such distinction ; for I never learned and never
could learn a note or stave of music. I remeraber to
have gone, when a boy, once or twice to an evening
singing-school, but after unavailing attempts at. qua
vers and semi-quavers, the teacher snatched the gamut
from my hand and turned me out of the class. I will,
however, in this instance, depart so far from my usual
practice as will allow me to furnisli you the dates you
desire — though in doing so, I feel as I suppose one
should feel in robbing a henroost. I will now give you
some ' reminiscences' connected with my early residence
in Cortland county.
"In the winter of 1808, my father, — an honest, hard
working man, — whose industry, subject to the various
draw-backs of sickness and ill-luck, which the poor only
can understand, ejiabled him to furnish but a scanty
support for his family, in the hope of ' bettering his condi
tion,' removed to Cincinnatus, in Cortland county, where
Nathan Weed, his youngest brother, resided. We were
settled in a log house, upon a small clearing, about a
mile from the Onondaga river — or for the purpose of
fixing our locality — I had better say about that distance
from ' Brink's tavern.' Cincinnatus then, whatever may
be it present condition, was in its almost wilderness state.
I have not been there in half a centwry, and am told that

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 237
there are no forests, or land-marks, or monuments, by
which I could recall or identify the localities of which my
mind retains familiar and distinct impressions. Inhab
itants were then ' few and far between.' Our nearest
neighbor was Mr. Gridley, a farmer, rather 'well-to-do
in the world,' who would work hard through ' planting,'
or ' hoeing,' or ' harvesting,' and then seek indemnity in
a week or ten days' ' spree' on new, raw whiskey. The
most fore-handed family in the neighborhood was that
of Captain Carley, (one member of which, Alanson, then
a boy of my own age, was, some years since, a respected
member of the Legislature,) among whose luxuries, as I
remember, was a young apple orchard, and the only
' bearing' orchard within a circuit of several miles.
"My first employment was in attendance upon an
ashery. The process of extracting lye from ashes, and
of boiling the lye into black salts, was common-place
enough ; but when the melting down into potash
came, all was bustle and excitement. This labor was
succeeded, when the spring had advanced far enough,
by the duties of the ' sap-bush.' This is a seascfti to
which the farmers' sons and daughters look forward with
agreeable anticipations. In that employment, toil is
more than literally sweetened. The occupation and its
associations are healthful and beneficial. When your
troughs are dug out (of bass-wood, for there were no
buckets in those days) your trees tapped, your sap
gathered, your wood cut, and your fires fed, — there
is leisure either for reading or ' sparking.' And what
youthful denizens of the sap-bush will ever forget, while
' sugaring-off,' their share in the transparent and de
licious streaks of candy congealed and cooled in snow I

238 SBTILEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
" Many a farmer's son has found his best opportuni
ties for mental improvement in his intervals of leisure
while 'tending sap-bush.' Such, at any rate, was my
own experience. At night you had only to feed the
kettles and keep up your fires — the sap having been
gathered and the wood cut ' before dark.' During the
day we would also lay in a good stock of ' fat pine,
by the light of which, blazing brightly in front of the
sugar-house, in the posture the serpent was condemned
to assume as a penalty for tempting our great first
grandmother, I have passed many and many a delight
ful night in reading. I remember in this way to have
read a history of the French Revolution, and to have
obtained from it a better and more enduring knowledge
of its events and horrors, and of the actors in that great
national tragedy, than I have received from all subse
quent readings. I remember also how happy I was in
being able to borrow the book of a Mr. Keyes, after a
two mile tramp through the snow, shoeless, my feet
swaddled in remnants of a rag-carpet.
"Though but a boy, I was large, healthy, strong, not
lazy, and therefore ambitious ' to keep up my row' in
planting, hilling, and hoeing potatoes and corn. The
principal employment of the farmers of Cincinnatus,
fifty years ago, was in clearing their land. Cattle, dur
ing the winter, for the want of 'fodder,' were turned
out to ' browse' in the 'slashings.' As the work of clear
ing the land was too heavy for men single-handed, chop
ping and logging 'bees' were modes resorted to for
aggregating labor. These seasons of hard work were
rendered exciting and festive by the indispensable gal
lon bottle of whiskey. There were ' bees' also for log

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 239
house raisings. After the loggings, and as the spring
opened, came the burning of the log and brush-heaps,
and the gathering of the ashes.
" But little wheat was grown there then, and that
little was harvested with the sickle, the ground being
too rough and stumpy for cradling.
"Our first acquisition in the way of 'live stock' was
a rooster and four hens ; and I remeraber with what a
gush of gladness I was awakened at break of day the
next morning by the loud, defiant voice of Chanticleer ;
and when, several days afterwards, I found a real hen's
nest in a brush-heap, with eggs in it, I C9,ckled almost
as boisterously as the feathered mother whom I had sur
prised in the feat of parturition.
"The settlers employed in clearing and ' bettering '
their land, raised just enough to live on ' from hand to
mouth.' Their principal, and indeed only reliance for
the purchase of necessaries from ' the store,' was upon
their 'black salts.' For these the merchants always
paid ' the highest price in cash or goods.'
" I remember the stir which a ' new store,' established
in Lisle, (some seven or eight miles down the river,)
by the Rathbone* from Oxford, created in our neighbor
hood. It was ' all the talk' for several weeks, and until
a party of house-wives, by clubbing with their products,
fitted out an expedition. Vehicles and hor«es were
scarce, but it was finally arranged ; A, furnishing a
wagon, B, a horse, C, a mare, and D, a boy to drive.
Six matrons, with a commodity of black salts, tow cloth,
flax, and maple sugar, went their way rejoicing, and
returned triumphantly at sun-set with fragrant Bohea
for themselves, plug tobacco for their husbands, flashy

240 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
calico for the children, gay ribbons for the girls, jack-
knives for the boys, crockery for the cupboard, and
snuff for ' Grannie.' This expedition was a theme for
much gossip. The wonders of the ' new store' were de
scribed to staring eyes and open mouths. The merchant
and his clerk were criticised in their deportment, man
ners, and dress. The former, wore, shiny boots -with
tassels, — the latter, a ruffle shirt, — and both smelt of
pomatum 1 I do not believe that the wrord ' dandy' had
then been invented, or it would have certainly come in
play on that occasion. Thirty years afterwards I
laughed over. all this with my old friend. Gen. Ransom
Rathbun, the veritable proprietor of that ' new store,'
" The grinding for our neighborhood was done at
' Hunt's mill,' which on one occasion was disabled by
some defect in the flume or dam, and then we were
compelled to go with our grists either to Homer or to
' Chenango Forks.'
" I recollect, on more than one occasion, to have seen
boys riding with a bushel of corn, (bare-back, with a
tow halter,) to the distillery, and returning with the
gallon bottle of whiskey, balanced by a stone in the
other end of the bag. •
" In the autumn following our removal to Cincinnatus,
I had ' worked out' a,nd earned leather (sole and upper)
enough for a pair of shoes, which were to be made by a
son of Crispin, (deacon Badger, if I remember rightly,)
who lived on the river a mile and a half away. The
Deacon, I doubt not, has gone to his rest, and I forgive
him the fibs he told, and the dozen journeys I made
barefooted over the frozen and ' hubby' road in Decem
ber before the shoes were done.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 241
" I attended one regimental review, or ' general train
ing,' as it was called. It was an eminently primitive
one. . Among the officers were two chapeaux, to which
Capt. Carley, one of the two, added a sword and sash ;
four feathers standing erect upon felt hats ; fifteen or
twenty muskets ; half-a-dozen rifles ; two hoarse drums,
and as many ' spirit-stirring fifes.' Of rank and file there
were about two hundred and fifty. In the way of re
freshments there was gingerbread, blackberry pies, and
whiskey. But there were neither ' sweat-leather,' ' little
jokers,' or other institutions of that character, upon the
ground. Having, before leaving Catskill, seen with my
own eyes a live Governor (Morgan Lewis) review a
whole brigade, I regarded that training as a decided
failure. "There were no events at all startling, during my
residence, at Cincinnatus ; — no murders, no suicides,
no drownings, no robberies, no elopements, no ' babes
lost in the woods,' occurred to astonish the natives.
A recruiting sergeant came along (it was in embargo
times), and three or four idle fellows (Herrings and
Wilders by name, I think,) "listed' and marched off.
"There were neither churches nor 'stated preaching'
in town. A Methodist minister came occasionally and
held meetings in private houses, or at the school-house.
In the winter there was a school on the river ; and the
master, who ' boarded round,' must have ' had a good
time of it' on Johnny-cake for breakfast, lean salt pork
for dinner, and samp and milk for supper.
" There were but few amusements in those days, and
but little of leisure or disposition to indulge in them.
Those that I remember as most pleasant and exciting,

242 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
were ' huskings ' and ' coon-hunts.' There was fun, too,
in smoking 'woodchucks' out of their holes.
" During my residence there, Mr. Wattles moved into
the neighborhood. He came, I think, from what was
then called ' The Triangle,' somewhere in Chenango co.,
and was a sub Land-agent. They were, for that region,
rather 'stylish' people, and became obnoxious to a good
deal of remark. One thing that excited especial indig
nation was, that persons going to the house were asked
to clean their shoes at the door, a scraper having been
placed there for that purpose. A maiden lady (Miss
Theodosia Wattles) rendered herself especially ob
noxious to the spinster neighbors, by 'dressing up'
week-day afternoons. They all agreed in saying she
was a 'proud, stuck-up thing.' In those days, 'go-to-
meeting clothes' were reserved for Sundays.
" ' Leeks ' were the bane of my life, in Cincinnatus.
They tainted jeverything, but especially the milk and
butter. Such was my aversion to ' leeky milk,' that to
this day I cannot endure milk in any form.
" In the fall and winter, corn-shelling furnished even
ing occupation. The ears were shelled either with a
cob, or the handle of a frying-pan. There have been
improvements, since, in that as in other departments of
agriculture I
" Such are, in a crude form, some of my recollections
of life in Cincinnatus, half a century ago. That town,
then very large, has since been sub-divided into three
or four towns. Upon the farm of my old friends, the
Carleys, the large and flourishing village of Marathon
has grown up. And then, too, a substantial bridge has
taken the place of the ' dug out' in which we used to

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 243
cross the river. Of the sprinkling of inhabitants who
had then just commenced subduing the forests, and in
sinuating scanty deposits of seed between the stumps
and roots, but few, of course, survive. The settlers
were industrious, honest, law-abiding, and, with few
exceptions, temperate citizens. The friendly neighbor
hood relations, so necessary in a new country, existed
there. All tried not only to take care of themselves, but
to help their neighbors. Farming implements and
household articles were pretty much enjoyed in common.
Everybody 'lent' what they possessed, and 'borrowed'
whatever they wanted.
" You must judge whether these hastily written recol
lections of Cincinnatus would at all interest the few old
inhabitants remaining there ; and having so judged,
you are at liberty to put them into your book, or into
the fire. " Very truly yours, " Thurlow Weed."
Willet. — The town of Willet •was organized from
the south-east quarter of Cincinnatus, April 21, 1818.
The general surface of the town is broken and hilly, yet
by no means mountainous. The soil is generally better
adapted to grazing than the culture of grain. Its agri
culture, however, is respectable. The town is watered
by the Otselic, or main branch of the Tioughnioga river.
It was named in honor of Col. Marinus Willett, who ac
quired an honorable fame while second in command at
Fort Stanwix, in 1111, and who made a most gallant
sally upon the forces of Sir John Johnson, capturing
their stores, ba,ggage, and ammunition. He drew lot

244 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
No. 88 of the old allotments of the town of Cincinnatus.
It was located in the south-east quarter of the township,
and when the original tract was carved into four towns,
the hero was honored by the conferring of his name
upon that portion which contained the land granted him
as a partial reward for bis valuable and heroic services.
We cannot but respect those stern actors, who, in the
early settlement of Willet, evinced a determination,
worthy of being recorded in the enduring annals of our
country. They warred not for fame and glory, but for
the improvement of the moral and social condition of
those around them. They struck their cabins in the
unbroken forest, and endured privation and toil, with
the hope of securing for themselves and families a home
upon which they might erect their little citadels, dedi
cated to happiness and social enjoyment. They did not
expect the huge " hemlock to snap off like icicles," or
the ancient hills to become at once pleasure-gardens or
fruitful fields. They did not anticipate that ease and
affluence were to be achieved without effort, toil, and
privation. No ! no ! "they were men of an entirely dif
ferent character ; and when they determined upon a
plan, or resolved to perform a duty, their wills became
fixed facts.
Ebenezer Crittenden settled in Willet in 1797. He ^
had married at Binghamton, and in order to get to
Willet, himself, wife and one child shipped on hoard
his little craft, and by the help of the paddle and setting-
pole, at length arrived at his intended home, without
shelter — the trees and elements excepted. Then with
his axe he cut some crotches, and with some poles
formed his tent, covering it with bed-clothes. This was

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 245
his dwelling until he could build a log house, which he
did in the following manner : — he cut such logs as he
could handle, and enough for sides and gable ends, as
he had no boards ; he then laid them up, then raised
two pairs of rafters, one at each end ; then let in girts or
ribs from one pair to the other, in order to hold the
shingles, which he made by splitting them out with his
axe and putting them on with pegs. As there was no
grist-mill, he built him a little one by digging a hole in
a big stump and erecting a spring pole, in order to
assist his wife in making short-cakes ; while his gun
was his meat-barrel, and the Otselic his drink.
Benjamin Wilson was originally from Westchester, N.
Y., and from Oxford ; an emigrant and pioneer to Willet,
in 1806 or '1. John Fisher, from England, Jonathan Gaz-
lay, from Dutchess co., Thomas Leach, from Madison co.,
all date their immigration the same year as Benjamin
Wilson. Jabez Johnson, from Vermont, and Phineas Sargent,
origin unknown, both located in 1807.
Ebenezer Andrews, from Mass%chusetts, in 1808. ^
Joseph Merritt, from Westchester, N. Y., Solomon
Smith, origin unknown, Daniel Roberts, from Madison
CO., John Covert, from Windham, G-reene co., William
Greene, frora Kent co., R. I., Ira Burlingame, from Oxford,
Chenango co., N.' Y., Altitius Burlingame, from Kent co.,
R. I., and Edward Nickerson, from Cape Cod, Mass., all
located in the year 1809. Arnold Thomas, from North
Kingston, Washington co., R. I., in 1810.
Soloraon Dodge, from Vermont, after resting at Oxford
for a space, entered the town as a resident in 1811. In
the year 1816, Samuel Dyer, from North Kingstown, R. L

246 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
John and his brother Peter Eaton, from Cherry Valley,
N. Y., Samuel and Abraham Canfield, from Orange co.,
N. Y., entered and located as pioneers, to battle with the
dense forest and privations of the wilderness.
In the language of one whose memory is true to the
events of an eventful age, " Death erected his monument
of claims to all of mortality, in the newly begun settle
ment, in the year 1812, by taking the wife of Solomon
Smith." The first birth, in the town of Willet, was a child of
Ebenezer Crittenden. The first marriage was that of
Solomon Smith. This occurred in 1813.
In 1801 or '8, Benjamin Wilson built a grist-mill, and
also a saw-mill.
John Fisher built a saw-mill in 1808, and about the
same time Jabez Johnson built another. Wilson built
his mills on the waters of the Otselic, in the north part
ofthe town, as may well be proved by most of the learned
judges, lawyers, and wearied jurors of the county ; and
of such importance has the building of those mills been
in the legal movements of the human mind, that could
they all be written as were the Acts of the Apostles,
they might well be entitled the books of experiment in
uncertainty. Fisher's mill was also built on the waters
of the Otselic, in the south-west part of the town. And
Johnson's mill, on the outlet of the Bloody-pond, so "
called, in the north-west part ofthe town.
Benjamin Wilson erected a clothing-mill near his
grist-mill, in 1801, and Isaac Smith attended as the
workman. He erected a blacksmith's shop in 1810 or
'11. In 1808 he kept a public house.
The first school-house was erected in 1814. Thus,

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 247
from the workings of mind around the nucleus of labor,
progression pushed forward, expanded, absorbed, as
similated, and increased the embryonic town of Willet,
until, in 1818, legislatively speaking, it was fully born,
baptised, and named, although a feeble infant town, as
being regarded in the legal freehold power.
John S. Dyer, son of Samuel Dyer, built a store in 1834,
a second in 1831, and a third one in 1848 ; also a public
house, or inn, which has since been enlarged. Samuel
Dyer was appointed the first post-master, in 1823. The
Methodists formed a class, and appointed a class-leader,
in 1815 or '16. The Baptists organized in 1821 ; the
Congregationalists in 1852.
The first Town Meeting was held at the house of Ben
jamin Wilson, 1819. Altitius Burlingame officiated as
Moderator ; William Throop, as Justice of the Peace.
And the following persons were elected as official ser
vants of the town for the term of one year :
Supervisor, — William Throop.
Town Clerk, — Samuel Dyer.
Assessors, — W. Throop, John Eaton, Benjamin Green.
Collector, — Joseph Nickerson.
Overseers of the Boor, — Altitius Burlingame, and
Henry Sawdy.
Commissioners of Highways, — Benjamin T. Green,
John Briggs, John Eaton.
Commissioners of Schools, — John Briggs, Benjamin T.
Green, Abner Wilbur.
Constables, — Joseph Nickerson, John Campbell.
Commissioners of Bands, — Benjamin T. Green, Altitius
Burlingame, Peter Eaton.
Inspectors of Common Schools, — W. Throop, Orlando

248 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Salisbury, John Corbett, Anson T. Burt, Bicknell Free
man, Samuel Dyer.
Sealer of Weights and Measures, — Altitius Burlin
game.* In 1818, Arnold Thomas and his- much-esteemed wife
were drowned in the Otselic river, at or near the termi
nation of the Ox-bow. Mrs. Thomas was a sister of
Altitius Burlingame. They were endeavoring to cross
the river, on an illy-constructed raft, with a design to
attend a prayer-meeting. Miss Hannah Corpse, Nelly
Miller, and Mr. Burlingame, were in company with the
unfortunate couple. Mr. Burlingame, being an excellent
swimmer, succeeded in saving himself and the two
young ladies. The bodies were recovered from the
watery element, and now repose in one grave, sacred
to their memory, in Mr. Burlingame's orchard.
We have previously referred to the spirit of enterprise
as exhibited by the agriculturists of Willet. A laud
able attention to the improvement of stock, to agricul
ture and domestic manufacture, marks the efforts of the
more active producers of wealth.
The increase of population, with a single exception,
has been slow, yet certain.
In 1820 the population of Willet was 431
1825

18801835 1840
1845 1850
1855

508 804 123
812 921923925

* Communicated by Altitius Burlingame.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 249
Cortlandville was organized frora the southern part
of the town of Homer, April 11th, 1829.
The surface of the territory is, in some parts, hilly, in
others quite level, or but gently undulating. Flats of
rich alluvion border the Tioughnioga river in its course
through the valley. The more elevated lands are inter
spersed with gravelly and argillaceous loam.
Much of the early history of Cortlandville rightfully
belongs to the original military town of Homer, and is,
therefore, comprehended in that portion of our history.
The timber of Cortlandville was unusually heavy, and
embraced the various kinds which are yet to be seen
dotting the surface of hill and valley. Beech, maple,
elm and heralock were, however, the most abundant.
The beautiful and tasteful grounds of the Messrs. Ran
dall and Reynolds, were covered with a most luxuriant
forest of lofty elms. Indeed, nothing in the forest line
could be more euchantingly alluring. Stretching far to
the south-west, these olden elms, that had for centuries
towered in lofty grandeur, defying the whirlwind and
the storm, are described by the western warriors as
greatly rivalling in forest grandeur anything they ever
saw in the wide-spread territory once claimed and ac-
kowledged as originally belonging to the Six Nations.
The early pioneers located in the dense forests, erected
their rude aud unadorned cabins, hoping for the sure
rewards of industry, perseverance and economy. But
they were often subjected to great inconvenience and
suffering, for the want of the necessary articles of hus
bandry, and also, those of subsistence. We have been
told of instances of whole families living for successive
weeks upon turnips and salt ; of others who boiled
12

250 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
roots gathered in the forest, and ate them with a relish
which is unknown to the epicurean lords of the present
day. To them a mess of parsley presented by a neigh
boring hand was regarded as an act of marked and
generous attention to their wants.
Grain and potatoes were not to be had in the country.
David Merrick sent his team through the woods to
Geneva by a neighbor, to whom he gave five dollars,
just enough to purchase two bushels of wheat. It was
procured and ground ; but on the return, one of the
bags was torn open by coming in contact with a tree,
and the flour of one bushel was lost; the remainder was
emptied on its arrival by Mrs. Merrick into a four quart
pan. Union and a sympathy of feeling prevailed among
the settlers, which tended greatly to encourage and
brace them for the coming conflicts arising from misfor
tune and the comraon ills peculiar to pioneer life. The
settlers were mostly from the New England States, and
brought with them their high regard for religion, moral
ity, and comraon honesty of purpose. In these days of
cupidity and heartless knavery, too much respect is
paid to land pirates and vampyre shylocks. Not so in
the early times of the pioneers. A mean act, coming
from whatever source, was treated with contempt ; the
general desire of the people being to extend favors, and,
if possible, to lighten the afflicting providences of all
to whom they could possibly extend a helping hand.
True, there was an occasional exception ; and these
were always marked by the upright and deserving.
The pioneer settler of Cortlandville was John Miller,
a native of New Jersey. He moved in from Bingham
ton in 1192, and located on lot 56. Mr. Miller was a

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. ; 251
man of character and influence, and held several impor
tant town offices.
In 1194, Jonathan Hubbard and Col. Moses Hopkins
came in and located.
The former selected a location amid the stately elms
that stood on the ground now covered by Cortland Vil
lage, while the latter erected his palace of poles one
mile west, on lot 64, which is at present occupied by
his venerable widow, and her son Hiram Hopkins and
family. They came in by way of Cazenovia and Trux
ton. Thomas. Wilcox, from Whitesto-wn, located early in
1195 on lot 64. Re]jhen Doud, on lot 15. He was origi
nally from New Haven, Conn. James Scott, John Morse,
and Levi Lee located on the same lot. Dr. Lewis S.
Owen, from Albany, on lot 66. He built the first frame
house in Cortland county. It is at present occupied by
widow William Mallery. It is situated a few rods west
of the residence of Russel Hubbard.
During the years 1196-1, several accessions were
made — located in various parts of the town. Aaron
Knapp settled ou the Roger farm, lot 55. Enoch Hotch
kiss, on 16. The venerable Samuel Crittenden and
Eber Stone, from Connecticut, located on lot 66. They
purchased one hundred and sixty acres. The boundary
line between them run in a direct line with Main street,
Cortland Village. Mr. Crittenden was located on the
east side, and erected a house on ground a little east of
the post-office. He came in with an ox team, and was
twenty-five days on the road. He has lived to see the
surrounding country endowed with religious and literary
institutions, and blessed with all the evidences of sub-

252 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
stantial wealth, intelligence and enterprise. He is now
an honored citizen of Groton, Tompkins county.
In 1198, Samuel Ingles and his son Samuel, Jr., came
from Columbia county, N. Y., and located on lot 15.
During the year 1800, Wilmot Sperry came from Wood-
bridge, Conn., and located on lot 13. William Mallery,
from Columbia county, settled" in 1802. He was a man
of substantial worth, and filled various offices in the gift
of his friends. He died in 1831. John A. Freer, father of
Anthony and Stephen D. Freer, came frora Dutchess co.,
N. Y., and located on lot 14. James T. Hotchkiss, from
Woodbridge, settled in 1803 on lot 54. He was an ac
tive participant in the war of 1812-15. He was one of
Gen. Dearborn's Life Guards, and fell at the battle of
Queenstown in 1813. Of his eight children, seven are
now living — six in Cortlandville. His daughter Fanny
married Daniel Hamlin, of Summer Hill.
Nathan Blodget, from Massachusetts, located in 1805 ;
purchased on lots 65 and 66 ; died in 1845 ; left five
children — Loren, Lewis, Franklin, Lydia and Elizabeth,
In 1808, John Ingles located on lot 14. Lemuel and
Jacob Cady were from Massachusetts, and located on lot
13. John Wicks on 12. Edmund Mallery on 14. The
latter came frora Dutchess county. , William and Ros
well Randall were natives of Connecticut, but came to
Cortland frora Madison county about 1812.
Samuel M'Graw, frora whom M'Grawville derived its
narae, migrated from New Haven, Conn., to Cortlandville
in 1803, and located on lot 87. He purchased 100 acres.
In 180J he removed to M'Grawville, and purchased
about two hundred acres. There were at this time but
three families settled within the vicinity of the present

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 253
village. He reared a large and interesting family, —
eight sons and four daughters, — eight of whom are now
living. He died iu February, 1836. His widow, at the
age of eighty-four years, survives hira, and is still liv
ing on the homestead, enjoying remarkably good health.
His son Harry, father of Hon. P. H. M'Graw, was for
many years a merchant in the village. He died in
1849. Capt. Rufus Boies came in from Blandfort, Mass., iu
1812, and located on lot 54, where Linus Stillman now
lives. His original purchase was but fifty acres ; he,
however, increased the farm to one hundred and fifteen
acres. He is now, tit the advanced age of eighty-one,
living in the village with his son Israel Boies. In his
subsequent life, he has shown himself a man of the ut
most integrity of character, kind-hearted and intelli
gent ; and his worth as a man has been fully appreci
ated. Others settled at early periods on various lots : the
dates of location being doubtful, we therefore do not
name them. Sylvanus Hopkins and Capt. Strong set
tled on lot 82. Nathan and James Knapp on 84. Elea
nor Richmond, with her step-son, on the west part of the
sarae lot. Gilbert Budd and Jereraiah Chase, on 14.
John Calvert, from Washington county, on lot 82. John
McFarlan, John M'Nish^ and Archibald Turner are be
lieved to have moved from the sarae county. John Still-
man, Elisha Crosby and Lemuel Ingles settled on lot 65.
David Merrick came from Massachusetts in 1800, and
located on lot 44. In the year 1191, he came to Whites-
town to purchase a tavern stand and one hundred acres
of land, then valued at three hundred dollars. His

254 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
means being limited, he finally concluded not to pur
chase, and returned home. The next year he visited
Whitestown again, for the express purpose of closing a
bargain, but the property was then valued at ten thou
sand dollars, and consequently he did not secure it,
and came on to Homer ; a few years after, having been
ejected from his premises three times, and being threat
ened with a fourth, he coijcluded to leave, and moved to
Little York. In 1810, he located in Cortlandville, on
lot 65.
Danforth Merrick, son of David, informed us that he
drew saw logs to Homer during the winter of 1800.
There was then no road — at least only such as had been
made by merely underbrushing through. The mud and
snow was two feet deep, and as they had to ring the
top end, around which they fastened the log chain,
" noosing the logs" as they called it, he could draw but
two per day.
In the dwelling where he now resides, he kept tavern
for twenty years.
At this period, (1800,) a road had been cut through
to Virgil Corners to intersect the State road. Another
had been cut through to Locke— now Groton ; a third
to M'Grawville ; a fourth to Truxton, and, as above
noted, a fifth to Homer.
The first barrel of cider drank in town was brought
in by Mr. Lyon, who some years after was murdered
in Palmer, Mass.
The first public house was kept by Samuel Ingles, in
1810, on ground now covered by the Barnard Block.
The first school-house stood on ground now covered
by the Eagle hotel.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 255
The first grist-mill was erected by Jonathan Hubbard,
in 1119.
The first merchant was Lemuel Ingles ; he sold goods
in a sraall house near the present residence of H. P.
Goodrich. We have in another portion of our history referred to
the early religious efforts of the pioneers of Cortland
ville. The first church organization occurred in 1801.
This may be said to have been a union effort, for the
meetings were held in Homer, Cortland, Port Watson,
and on the East river, near the County House. The
Baptist Church was erected in 1811, and dedicated in
June, 1812. It was located within the present limits of
Cortlandville, about one " half mile north of the old Court
House." In the autumn of 1825, efforts were raade by
the association to secure a more advantageous change
in the location of church organizations, which happily
resulted in the formation of a church in Horaer and
M'Grawville, " leaving the Mother Church in the centre."*
Soon after, three new churches were erected, one in each
ofthe villages referred to.
During the same year, a Presbyterian Church was
organized in Cortlandville, which rapidly increased in
numbers and in influence.
The flrst Methodist meeting occurred in 1804, at the
house of Jonathan Hubbard, the former residence of
Samuel Crittenden. A discourse was pronounced by
Rev. Sarauel Hill, of the Philadelphia Circuit, and sub
sequently a class was forraed. It was undoubtedly
small as to numbers, for at the time of which we now
* See Discourse by Eev. Alfred Bennet, 1844.

256 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
write, there were but four houses within the present
limits of Cortland Village. The Universalists, or Free
Thinkers, and Catholic organizations are of more
recent date. The former have a large and elegant
church. In 1830 the population of Cortlandville was 3,613
1835 " " 3,115
1840 " " 3,199
1845 " " 4,111
1850 " " 4,113
1855 " " 4,423
Lapeer was organized from the east part of Virgil,
May 2, 1845.
The first settler in this town was Primus Grant, a
colored raan ; he purchased ou lot 594, and settled on
it in 1199. He was a native of Guinea, and the farm
has always been called Guinea. He lived a number of
years on his lot, and when he died was buried ou one of
the high bluffs that overlook the stream known as the
Big Brook.
Peter Gray, a native of Fishkill, Dutchess county, was
the first white settler ; he came from Ulster (now Sulli
van CO.) in July, 1802, and located on lot 10. His widow
still survives, and is believed to be the oldest person
now living in the town, — age 84 years. His son, Ogden
Gray, resides on the original premises. He left a re
spectable family of children, the youngest of whom is
the wife of Dan C. Squires.
Seth Jennings, from Connecticut, settled, in 1803, on
lot 591, where he lived until his death. Harry Jennings,
his son, who now resides in Harford, owns the farm.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 257
Mr. Jennings left several children, sorae of whom are
still living in the town.
Timothy Robertson, from the same State, came in
about the same time, and lived for a brief period with
Mr. Jennings. Ho was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war ; was with Montgomery at the storming of Quebec,
in 1115. He fought valiantly while the brave and
heroic sons, martyrs to American liberty, were falling
around him. His son, Eliphalet, the only reraaining
descendant, is now living in Lapeer.
Thomas Kingsbury and Robert H. Wheeler settled
in the south-east part of the town, in 1804. The former
was a Revolutionary soldier, and drew a pension. One
of his daughters married Marvin Balch, who resides on'
the homestead. The latter has no living representative
in the town. They were natives of Connecticut.
Simeon Luce, father of Martin Luce, of Virgil, located
on lot 51, in 1805 ; and is believed to have kept the
first tavern in the town. He was an ingenious mechanic,
and an industrious and valuable citizen. He died at an
extrerae old age, leaving a nuraerous posterity.
Zachariah Squires and Robert Smith settled, in 1806,
on lot 10. The former was the father of Col. William
Squires, now residing in the town of Marathon. The
latter was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and held
a commission from the Commander-in-Chief, General
George Washington. He drew a pension a nuraber of
years. His children still reside in Lapeer.
John S. Squires and James Richards located in 1801.
The former was a native of Connecticut, but removed
from Lisle, Broome co., and settled on lot 68. The farm
is now occupied by his son, Dan C. Squires. He left
12*

258 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
a numerous faraily, of which James S. Squires, of Cort
land, is the youngest. Mr. Richards settled on lot 79,
on the farm now owned by Erastus Johnson.
There were sixteen soldiers of the Revolutionary war
who settled in Lapeer, and all but one died there.
A nuraber of the soldiers of the last war with Great
Britain, resided in Lapeer, and drew land-warrants, or
pensions, or both. In 1813, a volunteer company was
organized, of which Simeon West was captain, John S.
Squires lieutenant, and William Powers ensign. The
service of this company was tendered the Government,
and those composing it were to be regarded as minute-
men, to be mustered into active service on a day's notice ;
Tjut happily their service was not needed.
Among the earliest clergymen who preached in La
peer, were the Rev. Mr. Harrison, and Dr. Williston, of
the Presbyterian ; Mr. Sheopard, of the Baptist, and Mr.
Densmore, of the Methodist. All of them were mission
aries, or traveling preachers. The latter organized a
class. Other religious associations were subsequently
formed, — that of the Baptist, in 1820 ; the Presbyterian,
in 1826 or '1 ; and the Christians during the latter year.
The first child born in Lapeer was John Gray, son of
Peter Gray, in 1803. He died in Minesota, about two
years since. .The first death was that of Robert C.
Squires, 9th of May, 1809, aged about two years. He was
a son of John S. Squires. The first marriage is believed
to have been that of James Parker to Miss Lucy Wood.
Simeon Luce erected the first grist-mill, in 1821. The
first saw-mill was erected by Samuel and John Gee, in
1825. Messrs. Nickels and Turpening were the first
merchants, and commenced trading about 1834 or '5.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 259
The first post-raaster was Royal Johnson. He was ap
pointed in 1849, and still continues to hold the office.
A few rods to the south of the residence of Mr. H.
Genung, was, at a former period, an Indian camping-
ground. This was on a bluff overlooking and close to
the Big Brook. From the banks of this stream flowed
beautiful rivulets of cool transparent water. Here, too,
were immense forests of elms, basswood, maple, and
other timber, the favorite resort of the black bear, once
so plenty in Cortland county. Deers, too, roamed the
hills and valleys. The wolf and panther made night
hideous with their discordant notes of revelry. From
the camping-ground the Indians daily radiated in quest
of game and flsh, and at night returned to their cabins
loaded with peltry — the products of the chase.
In 1850 the population of Lapeer was 822.
1855 " " " 150.
Harford was organized from the west part of Virgil,
May 2, 1845. The first settlement in this town was
made in 1803. Dorastus De Wolf, Thomas Nichols, John
Green, and Cornelius Worden, were the pioneers who
first selected locations and became permanent settlers
of the town of Harford. De Wolf settled in the south
part of the town, then a perfect wilderness. Wolves
were very plentiful, and, as a consequence, he had to
protect his sheep at night for about twelve or thirteen
years. Bears, also, were in abundance. Deer were
frequently seen in droves. Occasionally an elk was
seen in the valleys. Foxes and martins, wild-cats and
opossums, were numerous, but a beaver was seldom
seen.

26Q SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
Rev. Seth Williston was the first preacher who
directed public religious worship. The first meeting
occurred in 1804.
The first physician was Dr. Fox.
The first school was taught in 1801, by Miss Betsey
Curran. The first post-office was established in 1825, and at
that time called Worthington, but was subsequently
changed to Harford.
The first merchant was Theodore E. Hart. He com
menced business in 1824.
In 1845 the population of Harford was 921
1850 " " 949
1855 " " 926
Taylor was erected from Solon, December 5, 1849.
The surface, soil, timber, and agricultural advantages
are so similar to the adjoining towns, that we do not
regard it as necessary to preseut any separate detail.
It is watered in the south-east corner by the Otselic
creek, but is in the main deficient of water power. The
timber is generally maple, beach, elm, butternut, bass-
wood and hemlock. The arable land is at least in the
usual proportion of other towns ; the town is however
better adapted* for grazing and the dairy branch of pro
ductive industry, than for the producing of grain crops.
The first permanent pioneers of the town of Taylor
were Ezra Rockwell, and his sons Thomas, and Ezra, Jr.
They were from Lenox, Mass. The father had served
in the Revolution, and drew lot 18, on which they
located in 1193.
In 1195 Thomas Rockwell went to Cincinnatus and

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 261
purchased one hundred acres on lots 9 and 19. He set
tled on the former, where he remained for thirty-two
years, and then removed to Taylor and located on lot
100. He purchased six acres on which the village of
Taylor, familiarly known as Bangall, now stands. He
also purchased one hundred and seven acres on lot 99.
His house originally stood on the ground now covered
by the public house kept by E. W. Fish. He has
cleared four farms, erected several dwellings, and, with
Leonard Holmes, built the tavern, about 1818. Mr.
Holmes kept the house a number of years. He now
resides on lot 86. Mr. Rockwell is now eighty-one
years old, straight and active as a man of thirty.
The Beebes were originally from Connecticut. Rod-
eric located on Mt. Roderic, lot 15, in the spring of 1194.
He is described as being an active, hardy and indus
trious man, capable of enduring groat privation and
fatigue. The venerable Orellana Beebe migrated from
New Haven in 1196, and settled on lot 1 in Solon, now
Truxton. He remained there two years, and then re
moved to Taylor, and located on lot 100. He survives
at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, remarkably
active and healthy. Mrs. Beebe is eighty-four, blind,
and very infirm. Ira Rockwell married his youngest
daughter. Increase M. Hooker, a native of Vermont, located on
lot 88, in 1191. He removed the next year to Truxton.
Lewis Hawley, from Huntington, Conn., located on
the Howe farm in Pitcher, in 1805. He remained but a
brief period, and then carae to Taylor and settled on the
farm now owned by Ebenezer C. Wicks. One or two
years after he settled on the Orrin Randall farm, where

262 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
he remained two years, when he was attacked with the
Ohio fever, and started for the then Great West. But
the snow having suddenly disappeared, he was unable
to proceed farther than Bath. The next fall he removed
to Lisle, and the spring following returned to Taylor,
and settled on lot 18. He subsequently purchased one
hundred acres on Ipt 11, where he died January 15,
1858. He was an industrious, active, and valuable citi
zen. He reared a family of seven children — all living.
Lewis T., resides in Syracuse ; James T. on lot 81.
Sarah Ann is the wife of John Biger ; Francis, on the
homestead ; Hiram L., at Liverpool, Onondaga county ;
Cyrus M. is an active, practising attorney in Chicago ;
John H., in Kansas.
John L. Boyd and John Phelps migrated from Sar
atoga county. The former located on lot 98, in 1811,
and purchased one hundred and nineteen acres. He
subsequently made an additional purchase of two hun
dred and fifty-one acres. The latter settled on lot 86,
and purchased eighty-six acres. He now has two hun
dred and twelve. When Mr. Phelps located on his land,
the country around him was entirely covered with tim
ber ; or to use his own language, "it was a dense will
derness." By economy and persevering industry, he
has accumulated a respectable competence.
In 1814, David Wire, originally of Connecticut, lo
cated on lot 100. He has reared a family of eleven
children — five living. His father, Thomas Wire, was a
native of England ; was kidnapped in London when
but seven years old, and sold in Boston, where he re
mained until the commencement of the French and
English war. He was theu irapressed in the English

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION. 263
service for a period of six years. He subsequently set
tled in Connecticut. When the American Revolution
broke out, he entered the army by eulistraent, and served
throughout the war.
The early pioneers were not unfrequently subjected
to hardships and privation. Provisions, — the real sub
stantials of life, — were scarce, and the prospect of pro
curing thera from a distance was often precarious and
uncertain. Orellana Beebe told us that during one of
those periods of scarcity, he and his son, Koakland, went
to Genoa, Cayuga county, to purchase wheat, which he
obtained, and had ground at Squire Bradley's mill.
The next spring he was equally as ranch in want, and
being very anxious to get in a sraall crop of corn, said
to his son, then only ten years old, " Koakland, can you
take the horse to-morrow and go to Genoa and get some
grain or flour ?" The boy's answer was, " I can try."
The necessary preparations were made, and at early
dawn he was on his way. He took with him three bags,
each one containing eight pounds of maple sugar, with
which to pay for his wheat, at the rate of one dollar, or
eight pounds to the bushel. Almost the entire distance
(forty miles) was traversed by marked trees. He
reached his destination just at evening, and immediately
inquired of Mr. Bradley if he could accomraodate him
with the grain. A negative answer brought tears into
the lad's eyes, for he felt most keenly the disappoint
ment. Mr. Bradley, however, quieted his feelings by
generously offering to take care of him and his horse
until morning free of charge, when he would open a
barrel and let him have the value of the sugar in flour —
one hundred and twenty pounds. Morning dawned, and

264 SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION.
the boy was duly prepared to start on his return for
home. He reached Judge Bingham's, at the Salt road,
just at the close of day, and, though contrary to his will,
was prevailed upon to remain until raorning, the Judge
telling him that it would not be possible for him to
continue his way by glazed trees. At about ten o'clock.
in the forenoon of the next day he reached home in
safety, much gratified with his trip. That boy had the
nerve and the muscle of a man.
William Blackman was the first blacksmith ; Hiram
Rockwell, the first merchant ; Ezra Rockwell, the first
post-master. The office was established in 1834. Mr.
Rockwell continued in the office for fifteen successive
years, and is at present the recipient of its perquisites,
having recently been re'appointed. Barak Niles, the first
school teacher. The first saw-mill was erected in 1812,
by Thomas Rockwell. A portion of the old mill forms
a part of the one now owned by Hiel Tanner. The first
grist-mill, by Messrs. Wells & Lord. The first mission
ary was Dr. Williston. The first settled minister, Ruben
Hurd. The first birth was that of Polly H. Beebe, now
widow Rockwell, of Wisconsin.
In 1850 the population of Taylor was 1,232
1855 " " 1,201
There are but few who fully appreciate the beauty
and loveliness of the Tioughnioga Valley. The strife
for rivalry and gain hangs like a fated incubus upon
the minds of the people, preventing them from viewing
with adrairation, hill, dale, and valley, which appear
spread out like a splendid panorama. Indeed, we have
often wondered how little the citizens were impressed

VILLAGES. 265
with the natural beauties and advantages with which
they are surrounded. Descending from an elevated
point into the valley, we have beheld a luxuriance
of unrivaled richness. Here was the green herbage —
yonder the golden tinge. An occasional old monarch —
a proud relic of three centuries, towered aloft in his
glorious majesty, while to the westward of the glassy
waters of the Tioughnioga river,* our eyes rested upon
the fertile uplands, dotted with the neat white cottage
residences of thriving agriculturists. The quiet rural
village of Homer,f nestled iu the lap of the luxuriant
valley; the numerous glittering spires rearing their
points towards the azure zenith, and the ever-varied
beauties of the surrounding landscape, complete a view
rivaled only in the more rugged and picturesque scenes
of nature.
Homer is beautifully located on the west side of the
Tioughnioga river, and is regarded as being one of the
handsomest villages in the State.
In 1800 there were six houses within the limits of
the corporation.
Whole number of its inhabitants, June 1st, 1855 —
1625. Increase since 1848—225.
The various branches of business indicate a healthful
progression. The present aggregate of business transacted in the
village, we have not endeavored to arrive at. It is
perhaps sufficient to say that the merchants, grocers
' The Tioughnioga river, as called by the Indians 0-nan-no-gi-is-
ka, signified Shagbark Hickory.
t Homer, as called Te-wis-ta-no-ont-sa-ne-ha, signified the place
of the silversmith.

266 VILLAGES .
and mechanics are doing a larger business than at any
previous time.
The first merchant in Homer was John Coats. His
store stood on ground near Harrop's sign-post.
The first permanent merchant was Jede'diah Barber.
He came into Homer in 1811, but did not engage in the
mercantile trade until 1813. The original part of the
Great Western store, twenty-two by thirty feet, was
erected at about that period. He entered into business
with exceedingly limited means, but by industry, perse
verance and economy, he was eminently successful, and
finally became the heaviest dealer in the Tioughnioga
valley, carved his way to fortune, and established a
financial reputation unrivaled in the county. He has
done more to improve and beautify the village of Homer
than any other raan. The monuments of his memory
are scattered all around the village in the numerous
buildings of various classes he has caused to be erected,
or contributed to rear, and they will long remain more
honorable and enduring memorials than any marble
column which might be erected over his final resting-
place. His name is identified with the history of the
Tioughnioga valley, and will only cease to be remem
bered when the spirit of enterprise no longer exists.
William Sherman, the second pioneer merchaM, came
into Homer during the sumraer of 1815. He located near
the cooper shop. Soon after, he erected a machine shop
for the manufacture of nails, — the first of the kind in the
State of New York, — the machinery being so arranged
as to feed, cut, head and starap without assistance. On
the head of each nail was stamped the letter S. Pour-
penny nails were then worth twenty-five cents per

VILLAGES. 267
pound. Iron was exceedingly high. The manufactur
ing of oil was another branch of productive employ
ment in which Mr. Sherman engaged. In 1821 he erected
the " Homer Exchange" store, in which for a period of
nearly thirty years he conducted a heavy mercantile
trade. John Sherman, and also his son William, now
deceased, were at different periods his active partners
in business.
The original part of the store occupied by Geo. W.
Phillips, was erected in 1819 by Benajah Tubbs. It has
been successively owned by Thadeus Archer, Horace
White, Marsena Ballard, Amos Graves, and at present
by Giles Chittenden, Esq. The brick part is thirty-six
by forty-six. Mr. White added improvements to an
amount of |1,200 ; Mr. Chittenden, by an increase of
land, other buildings, and improvements to the store, to
an amount exceeding $1,300. The brick part cost
about $4,000.
The store occupied by C. 0. Newton, was erected at a
later period.
The first furnace was built in 1826 ; it was of a very
limited structure, the blowing done by a horse attached
to a plunge bellows. It stood on the opposite side
of the street, and a little to the north of the foundry of
Messrs. J. W. & A. Stone, sons of Deacon Nathan Stone,
of pioneer memory. It ceased to be operated in 1838.
During this year Jacob Saunders erected a foundry on
the west side of the street ; it was destroyed by fire
during the fall of 1844. Damage, $2,000. Insurance,
$1,000. It was immediately rebuilt, so that in six
weeks from the day of its destruction, a blast was
made.

268 VILLAGES.
The first engine was of six-horse power. The one at
present in use rates somewhat higher.
The foundry was purchased by the -Messrs. Stone,
March 1, 1853.
The buildings cover one acre of ground. The furnace
is forty by forty feet. The machine shop is twenty-six
by thirty-six.
Their business is one of increasing importance. They
melt upwards of one. hundred tons of iron per year.
The grist-mill of Messrs. Cogswell & Wilcox, was put
up in 1834. This is located on the ground occupied
by the first mill erected in the county in 1198, by John
Hubbard, Asa White, and John Keep.
The Homer Cotton Mills of J. 0. Pearce & Co. were
erected in 1834, and put in operation in 1835. The
main building is fifty by one hundred feet. The ma
chinery is propelled by steam and water. The engine
is of thirty horse power, and was manufactured in
Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., by A. N. Wood & Co.
Number of spindles, 2,400 ; looms, 50.
In 1836 the amount manufactured in dollars, $1,000.
In 1855, $30,000.
The planing mill and carpenter shop of Mr. George
W. Almy was erected in 1853. The building is thirty
by sixty feet, and two stories high. The machinery is
propelled by a steam engine of fifteen and a half horse
power. During the past j'ear (1855) Mr. Almy has
planed two hundred thousand feet of lumber. The
planing and matching is done with a correctness and
smoothness which makes it a most valuable auxiliary in
the department of saving labor.
In 1855, the population of Homer was 1,625.

VILLAGES. 269
Cortland. — The valley of Tioughnioga is unrivaled in
beauty — in wild, picturesque scenery. The quiet vales
of central New York present few, if any, raore attractive
scenes than are to be found in our own broad valley.
These exhibit all the grand requisites for the most
varied and sublirae spectacles. The forest-fringed hills
with their impenetrable depths, present the varied
shades of green and yellow, with an occasional tinge of
orange and vermillion ; while the young and tender
leaves glisten in the morning frost, or sparkle amid
the fresh dewdrops kissed by the soft rays of the
orient sun.
" Here, in this lovely valley, the quiet village of Cort
land is situated, about three miles from its twin sister,
Horaer ; and through it a beautiful stream passes with
murmuring music on its journey to the Susquehanna,
which adds a new charm to the roraantic and seques
tered spot. This beautiful village exhibits ranch enter
prise, united with social corafort ; for the undisturbed
retireraent of the location invites hither, during the
suraraer, raany of that class of citizens who prefer seclu
sion to the bustle of city life."
Cortland Village was incorporated November 5, 1853,
under the act passed in 1841, providing for the procure
ment of village incorporations by an order from the Court
of Sessions and a. vote of the citizens.
Cortland contains many attractive and costly private
residences, among which are those of W. R. Randall,
Roswell Randall, Joseph Reynolds, W. 0. Barnard and
G. N. Woodward. The first mentioned was built by
Williara Randall, now deceased, father of the present
occupant of the estate. The premises upon which the

270 VILLAGES.
building stands, comprises about six acres of land. The
portion fronting Main street is beautifully laid out in
flower plots, dotted here and there with evergreens and
stately shade trees. There are winding graveled walks,
on either side of which are beds of flowers, selected
and cultivated with great care. In the rear of the ele-
-gant mansion is an extensive greenhouse filled with a
superb collection of cactus-roses, and flowers of almost
every variety and hue, besides orange and leraon trees.
In spring time the various buds and blossoms that ap
pear are most grateful fo the eye, and impart a most
healthful and cheering influence. Poetically, '' myriads"
of happy songsters flll the air with their melodious
strains, making the delightful grounds appear like a
Paradise" of delight. There are very few more attrac
tive residences in the State.
The village contains four churches, one academy, a
nuraber of first class hotels, stores, groceries, manufac
turing establishraents, and warehouses.
The " Randall Bank" commenced doing business De
cember 3, 1853.
Capital, $50,000; deposits March 8, 1856, $80,118;
amount of business transacted during the year 1855,
$4,810,685 25. William R. Randall, President; Jonathan
Hubbard, Cashier.
The large and extensive hardware, agricultural and
seed store of Mr. S. D. Freer, is situated on Port Wat
son street. The building is appropriately divided into
necessary apartments, among which are the foundry,
machine, blacksmith, wood, and tin shops. It is thirty-
six by one hundred and forty feet. The original portion
was erected in 1836— rebuilt in 1848.

VILLAGES. 271
The grist-mill— the second one in the county— was
erected in 1199, by Jonathan Hubbard; is at present
owned by Ebenezer Mudge. Originally it contained
only two runs of stone ; but during the impfovements
which were made a few years since, two raore were ad
ded, making it one of the largest and best mills in the
county. -The greater portioQ of the wheat that is
ground at this rail! is purchased in the northern and ~
southern portions of the State, as also from the southern
part of Canada. During the past year there were
ground at this mill about twenty-eight thousand bushels
of wheat.
There were shipped from the Cortland Railroad sta
tion, from April 1, 1855, to March 24, 1856, to the differ
ent stations on the Syracuse, Binghamton and N.
Y. Railroad, five millions eight hundred and eighty-
three thousand one hundred pounds of freight.
We have elsewhere remarked with reference to the
productive results of the dairy business — a prominent
branch of agriculture, which has already superseded
the others in practical importance. The amount of but
ter purchased and shipped by gentlemen in Cortland,
reaches an aggregate amount which is certainly exces
sively large. The amount paid out in 1855 by James
Van Valen, J. D. Schermerhorn, James S. Squires, and
J. A. Graham, exceeded $249,000.
Cortland is a pleasant and prosperous village, with a
population (as per census of 1855) of 1,516 persons.
There are few villages in central New York, more
favorably located, or in which may be found a more
active and energetic class of enlightened citizens. In

272 VILLAGES.
1813 Port Watson numbered twenty-five inhabitants,
and Cortland, twelve.
Marathon is remarkable for its health and beauty, is
pleasantly situated on the Tioughnioga river, and is
surrounded by a densely peopled, rich, and highly culti
vated country. It has a ready and cheap communi
cation, not only with middle and western New York ;
but with Pennsylvania, Ohio, the Canadas, and indeed
with the ever prosperous and growing West, by rail
road, canal, and the great chain of northern lakes. The
mass of its inhabitants are characterized for morality
and intelligence, sobriety, industry, and enterprise.
The positive proof of her prosperity may be seen in
the result of the numerous transforraing influences
which for the last few years have attended her healthful
growth and permanent strength — in the newly erected
public, and private residences, as well as the commodi
ous and truly valuable mercantile and mechanical
establishments. That Marathon is exceedingly " fa
vorably located, both in regard to the value of the
country by which it is surrounded, and the area likely
to be. tributary to its business interests," is no longer a
question admitting of a doubt.
Of the village of M'Grawville, we have remarked in
another place. Cincinnatus, Truxton, East Homer,
Preble Centre, and Scott Corners, are pleasant and
prosperous villages.

CHAPTER XIII.
GENERAL EEMARKS ON BARLY HISTORY — PAST AND
PRESENT COMPARED.
Times chang:e — one age succeeds another.
And pining want and grim despair
Are left behind, and fairer, brighter
Scenes Ihe pioneers do view.
The history of Cortland county from the day when
Amos Todd first planted the standard of civilization in
this then " western wilderness," is but a record of such
incidents as the faithful annalist is usually called to
record of the rural or gradually improving agricultural
districts of a naturally rich and fertile country. The
earlypioneers were mostly from the New England States,
and were imbued with the Puritan habits of their fathers.
In 1800, this inland, obscure, and almost inaccessible
region had become dotted with log cabins and small
clearings. Tlie burning of huge log-heaps served as land
marks to guide the weary wanderer or returning hunter,
as he neared the rustic home of the pilgrim pioneers.
Clouds of smoke ascended from hill and valley as the
old forest monarchs bowed before the invincible axmen.
The wilderness vanished before the hand of civilization.
It was scathed with fire, and ruthlessly torn with iron
.13

274 GENERAL REMARKS.
harrows. While the lowlands were being brought into
suitable culture for corn, wheat, and potatoes, the cru
saders ascended the hillsides and even made war with
the hemlock highlands. This was the heroic age — an
age of iron fortitude and persevering industry. The
pioneers went forth armed with the conquering axe, im
pressed with a determined will, and inspired with a
devotional feeliiig for home and country. Years of toil
and privation succeeded, and occasionally penury and
want communed together. Instances of this character,
however, were not often allowed to be repeated, without
an effort at prevention ; for the liberal hand of the more
fortunate brother did not withhold the alleviating chari
ties, especially if the means were in his power. Unlike
their modern rivals in wealth — the golden barons of the
present day, who are hoarding up means to procure
Grecian, Gothic, and Italian finery — they were most
happy in relieving the wants of their industrious neigh
bor. Unlike the present day, the means of subsistence
were scant, and not easily obtained from a distance,
and consequently want was not a stranger, even in the
Tioughnioga valley. As settlements increased, and
improvements spread, hope and joy began to realize the
anticipated benefits which they saw in their day dreams
and nightly visions. The products of a generous soil
were garnered in their various depositories, and peace
and gladness reigned in the pioneer's home.
What a change has been wrought in fifty years ?
Then the majority of the inhabitants were found located
in our valleys. How changed the scene ! Now the
majority are found upon the more elevated lands. The
huge log-heaps, sending forth their red-hot flames, like

GENERAL EEMARKS. 275
fiery serpents coiling around some proud old monarch,
eating out its very vitals, the charred stumps, and rough
brush fences, are no more seen as in days past. The
change is hardly to be realized. Then a thousand un
sightly scenes met the laborer's eye — the timber was
felled in every conceivable form, or as best suited the
purpose for the more ready application of the crusader's
torch. Here and there were seen half-haggled outlines,
and blackened trunks of stately trees, while the sun,
half hid from sight, only occasionally glimmered through
the thick hemlock boughs, as the rosy-cheeked maiden
wandered in pursuit of the favorite cow, listening to
catch the well-known sound of the tinkling bell, so fre
quently heard hy the brave old pioneer. Now beautiful
and well-cultivated farms, bedecked with the tranquil
abode of the husbandman, mark the rapidly-improving
aspect of the once hated and shunned highlands. Val
uable horses and fine fleshy cattle graze upon the pro
ductive meadows. A thousand lights are seen at night
from the windows of tasteful and elegant mansions.
Carriage wheels rapidly roll upon the roads where once
were seen only the Indian trails. The cheering light
of science has ascended the hillside, and education
erected her standard on the higher sumrait. A hundred
school-houses, within whose walls literature and learn
ing love to linger, as in sorae royal academic edifice,
send forth au intellectual influence of far more service
than the entrenched embattleraents of a thousand war
riors. An intelligent and enterprising population of twenty-
four thousand souls are now living within the bounda
ries of Cortland county. Mills and raachinery are add-

276 GENERAL REMARKS.
ing wealth and elegance, while the agriculturists are
turning up the golden sands of an almost unrivaled soil,
and the dairymen are shipping to eastern markets heavy
consignments of butter and cheese. The heavy goods
of our merchants are not now, as once, "dragged in
logy wagons" frora Albany and Utica, but the huge
monster, clothed iu iron mail and steel clad armor, belch
ing fire and sraoke, rushes with wild discordant shriek
over the iron rails which are laid down through our
valley, forcing, as with superhuman speed, heavy trains
laden with every variety of merchandize for the retail
trade — the sugars from the islands of the ocean, the
teas of China, the silks of Calcutta, and the thousands
of valuable products from oriental looms and spindles.
The Republican, Gazette and Banner enter weekly almost
every dwelling, even in the rural districts.
There has been a uniform indifference, and an almost
entire absence of correct information, through the west
ern divisions of our State in regard to a correct knowl
edge of this county, as well as with respect to the
intelligence aud rapidly increasing wealth of the inhab
itants ; and we are very sure that no other portion has
been so generally misunderstood and decidedly misrep
resented. Indeed, Cortland county has been singularly
unfortunate in this particular. And yet, through the
active and enterprising exertions of her citizens, she is
quietly and rapidly growing to be second to none in the
State in all the elements of wealth and prosperity. Her
agricultural resources and lumber trade are of consider
able importance. The dairy business has increased to
an almost unparalleled extent. Beside the home con
sumption, we have, for several years, sont to eastern

GENERAL REMARKS. 277
markets large quantities of butter and cheese — of the
former, upwards of $400,000 worth. There were shipped
frora the three stations — Homer, Cortland and Mara
thon — during the past year, 1,500,000 pounds of butter.
There is still another item of increasing magnitude.
We refer to the sale of cattle. There cannot be less
than $220,000 worth of cattle driven out of the county
annually. Our grain fields, though not in all re
spects equal to Torapkins, Yates, Ontario and Monroe,
yet are generally very productive, whila the grass
lands are matters of astonishment to every oue. We
frequently cut from two to three tons of hay per acre.
We refer now more particularly to the back and hill
lands, which in times past have been regarded, by cer
tain descriptive geographers of our State, as being only
suited to the growth of " wild Yankees and tall hem
locks." But "we were not aware until recently that the
waters of the Tioughnioga had ever been the highway of
so much commerce as to render it a part ofthe journalist's
duty to publish a " marine report." We knew that great
quantities of whiskey, grain, potatoes and other pro
ducts of this wild region, were "sent down the river"
to Harrisburgh and Baltimore ; but we did not suppose
the comraerce was of so much importance as the follow
ing would indicate. We copy literally :*
inland navigation.
Poet Watson.
EighwaUr — Mmday, 6th inst.
Cleaked.
Bark Exporter, 6. Eice, master, for Harrisburgh, laden with cheese
and gypsum. « See "Cortland Democrat," of August 2, 1855.

278 GENERAL REMARKS.
Bark Crasij Jane, L. Eice, gypsum, for Harrisburgh.
" Dutch rrarfer,Shapley, gypsum, "
" Navigator, Parsons, gypsum, Columbia.
" Brother Jonathan, Taylor, gypsum, Columbia.
" Gold Hunter, SherviooA, "
" Indian Chief, Billings, " "
" Resolution, May, gypsum, Marietta.
" Perseverance, Wakefield, gypsum. Marietta.
' ' Phoenix,
' ' Enterprise,
" Lazy Tom,
' ' Sour Kraut,
' ' Yankee Rogue,
We doubt not the memory of our venerable friend.
Major Shaplev, whose recollection is not altogether
dimmed by age, of " hair-breadth 'scapes" from ship
wreck, of the dangers of " taking in" too much freight —
of passages over dams, and other adventures incident
to the life of the Susquehanna raftsmen — will be
greatly refreshed by the foregoing list. But the glory
of the Tioughnioga has departed — the "ship yard" of
Port Watson has gone to decay — the earth whereon
those jolly barks were built, is now made to yield to the
labors of the gardener and husbandman — the contest
between nature and art has resulted adversely to the
former, and the raftsraan's song has given place to the
shrill scream of the steam whistle, and the products of
our county are whirled to other markets, at a speed
somewhat greater than two or three miles per hour.
Many an "old craft" has smoked his last pipe and
uttered his last oath ; and those who are left behind
cling closer to the chimney corner as the frosts of age
gather around them, while they recount to incredulous

GENERAL REMARKS. 279
youth the deeds which wrought the hut into the man
sion — the forest into the hamlet — and extended to their
descendants the benefits of schools, religion, and the
comforts and refinements which prosperity and wealth
produce. The few remaining relics of the " olden time" are
now trembling on the verge of an hundred years, and
treading, as it were, the confines of another world. As
they look back upon the mighty changes which time
and industry have wrought, they seem overwhelmed
and bewildered. But, after resting a moment to collect
their scattered thoughts, they enter into a warm and
interesting disquisition on the moral and industrial hab
its of the present generation, as corapared with the
more active and laborious life of their fathers. They
feel conscious that a very great change has taken place
in the moral and social habits of the people, and that
although the age in which we live is marked by the
hand of progress, and an enlightened civilization, they
do not perceive the same union of sentiraent pervading
the various associations, or cementing the more endear
ing ties of fraternal friendship. When they first landed
from their canoes upon the banks of the Tioughnioga,
they regarded themselves as being beyond the bounda
ries of civilization, and as having cast their destiny
in the far distant West. They can hardly comprehend
the means hj which new territories aro settled and ad
mitted into the union of confederated States, with an
energetic population of two years' growth, christened
with the name of " State."
The inhabitants of this county are, in raany respects,
quite dissimilar to those of some of the sister counties

280 GENERAL REMARKS.
of the State, being principally made up of Connecticut
and Massachusetts people, or their descendants, though
there is an occasional sprinkling of the Dutch ; yet the
peculiar characteristics of the universal Yankee are
predominant. The agriculturists are proverbial for
their frugality and propensity to hoard money, yet
with extremely few exceptions, are affable, courteous,
and dignified in their deportment.
Our raerchants, too, as a class, are a very worthy por
tion of comraunity — intelligent, high-minded and honor
able, and such as would be creditable to any country.
Many of them are in the enjoyment of considerable
wealth, honorably acquired.
And last though not least, the clergy deserve a pass
ing notice : — distinguished alike for liberality of senti
raent, generosity of purpose, and commanding powers
of mind. The religious sentiments, greatly liberalized
by the descendants of the pilgrims, and cultivated by
the early pioneers of Cortland, are properly appreciated
by the enlightened clergyraen who conduct public re
ligious worship in our various teraples of Christianity.
Of the legal fraternity we have remarked in another
place. The first military organization, embracing portions of
the territory of this county, dates b'ack to 1196. In
March, 1194, after the erection of Onondaga county from
Herkimer, various appointments wore made for the new
county ; and especially for tho battalions, of Majors
John L. Hardenburgh, Moses De Witt and Asa Dan
forth. The latter battalion, in 1196, was made a regi
ment, and comprised the townships of Hannibal, Lysan
der, Cicero, Manlius, Pompey, Fabius, Solon, Cincinna-

GENEEAL EEMARKS. 281
tus, Tully, Virgil, Camillus, Sempronius, Locke, Dryden,
and the " Onondaga Reservation." Asa Danforth was
made Lieiitenant Colonel Comraandant.
The act of April 8, 1808, authorizing the erection of
Cortland county, provided for the holding of three
courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the
Peace, which were to be held on the second Tuesday of
April, and the first Tuesdays of September and Decem
ber, in every year after the due organization of the
county. These Courts were to have the same jurisdic
tion, powers, and authorities as the Courts of Common
Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace in the other
counties of the State have in their respective counties.
Suits previously commenced, however, were not to be
affected so as to work a wrong or prejudice to any of
the parties ; nor were any criminal or other proceed
ings on the part of the State to be in the least affected ;
but on the contrary, all such civil aud criminal proceed
ings were to be prosecuted to trial, judgraent, and exe
cution. The act also provided that the Courts ''should
be held at the school-house on lot No. 45, in the town
of Homer." John Keep received thg appointment of
first Judge, April 3d, 1810.
Cortland county was made to form a part oT the
Western Senatorial District, aud part of the Thirteenth
Congressional District, and was entitled to one member
of Assembly, and so continued to be up to 1823, when
Daniel Sherwood and John Gillett were elected. By a
change of Representation, in 1846, Cortland was re
duced to one member, and in 1841 Timothy Green was
elected to a seat in the Assembly. Ephraim Fish, the
13*

282 GENERAL REMARKS.
first meraber, was elected in 1810, and took his seat at the
opening of the 33d Session.
The first court-house was erected on a commanding
eminence west of Cortland Village. Various sites were
examined by the locating commissioners, there being-
numerous interests operating upon the minds of the
people in the different localities. Homer, Cortland,
Port Watson and M'Grawville, were equally interested
in securing the location of the public buildings, and the
good citizens were, apparently, equally certain of suc
cess. The commissioners, however, after examining
the different locations, and listening to the fervent
and eloquent appeals of interested individuals, finally
stuck the stake at the south-wtst corner of where the
venerable old relic of a passing age now stands, " soli
tary and alone," a monument of other days and of the
yet remembered differences of an excited people. The
decision, as was naturally expected, did not meet with
the general approbation of the community. A ludicrous
representation of the comraanding structure, and of
some of the opposing interests, was prepared by a
wag, which was tendered, from existing circumstances,
soraewhat amusing. The " was to be" elegant and
dignified edifice appeared quite accurately drawn on
old-fashioned foolscap, rearing aloft its bold outlines of
pine and heralock, and looking down with defiant scorn
on the outraged citizens of Homer and Port Watson.
Two lines of heavy cordage were attached to it ; one
leading to Homer, the other to Port Watson ; and to
each of these ropes were clinched the firm hands, as
with a tiger's grasp, of several of the prominent and

GENERAL REMARKS. 283
most influential leaders of the aggrieved parties. There
they stood, pulling as if for life, resolved upon at least
bringing the stupendous fabric to their notions of right,
inasrauch as they had failed in securing the good will
and approbating judgraent of the self-willed corarais
sioners. If they could not bring thera to correct judg
raent, they could, at least, pull the raagnificent structure
down. But look again. On the other side of the legal
pile, stands William Mallory, grasping a still heavier
piece of cordage, determined on contesting the skill
and strength of the opposing forces. There he stands,
a proud representative of the immortal Wallace, of
enormous form and determined will. His heels are im
bedded in the earth, as he braces himself to the work
of preservation.
But the scene was suddenly changed on turning the
paper over, though the ludicrous picture was measura
bly the sarae. There it stood, an unyielding mass of
timber, — of tenons and mortises. There stood the vener
able Mallory, holding on to his undissevered rope,
while a smile, peculiar to him alone, played over his
flushed countenance. But where wQj-e his hitherto un
yielding opponents ? Their cords had parted, and forced
them into the unpleasant attitude of turning double
semi-circles down the declivated pathway.
The venerable pile that in forraer days
" O'erlooked the town and drew the sight,"
long since failed to attract attention or gratify the
pride of an enlightened and prosperous people. And iu
order to properly secure, the ends of justice, the old
structure was condemned and pronounced "unsafe,"

284 GENERAL REMARKS.
and measures were taken, which in due time resulted in
the erection of the present court-house, which was
completed in 1836.
The clerk's ofiice was erected in 1819. The first
county clerk was John Ballard, who was appointed
^pril 8, 1808.
The county house, with one hundred and eighty-eight
acres of land, was purchased in 1836, for $5,000. The
house was originally erected by John Keep, at a very
early day. It has been enlarged and variously im
proved at different periods.
At the time of our visit to the county-house, there
were in all fifty-one paupers. The average number for
several years past, as shown by the keeper's book, is a
fraction over fifty-eight.
The ages of those bending under the weight of years,
were variously classed as follows : two, fifty-five — one,
sixty-six — two, sixty-nine — two, seventy-nine — three,
eighty-five — four, eighty-nine — andone,ninety-twoyears.
Randall Bank, organized Deceraber 3, 1853. Capital
$50,000. William R. Randall, Banker. Jonathan Hub
bard, Cashier.
The Cortland County Medical Society was organized
in 1808. The officers and merabers were as follows :
Lewis S. Owen, Homer, President.
John Miller, Truxton, V. President.
Jesse Searl, Homer, Secretary.
Robert D. Taggart, Preble, Treasurer.
Luther Rice, Homer.
Allen Barney, Homer.
Ezra Pannell, Truxton.
Elijah G. Wheeler.

GENERAL REMARKS. 285
Dr. John Miller, of Truxton, is the only living member
of its original organization. The Association, with oc
casional amendraents of by-laws, has been continued
to the present day.
The Cortland County Agricultural Society was organ
ized October 1, 1838. William Berry, President ; Jesse
Ives and C. Comstock, Vice Presidents ; C.P. Jacobs,
Recording Secretary ; H. S. Randall, Corresponding
Secretary ; Rufus Boies, Treasurer ; Paris Barber, C.
McKuight, Israel Boies, Morris Miller, and C. H. Harris,
Executive Committee.
The Union Agricultural Society of Truxton, Willet,
Marathon, and Lapeer, was organized in the winter of
1856. The post-oflSces organized at various periods, are as
follows :
Blodget Mills, Willet,
Cincinnatus, Cortland Village,
Cuyler, East Freetown,
East Homer, East Scott,
East Virgil, Freetown Corners,
Galatia Valley, Harford,
Homer, Kinney's Settlement,
Lapeer, Little York,
M'Grawville, Marathon,
Messengerville, Preble,
Scott, Solon,
South Cortland, • Taylor,
Texas Valley, Truxton,
Union Valley, Virgil.

286

GENERAL RBSIARKS.

County Judges.

John Keep, appointed

April

3,

1810.

Fed.

William Mallory^ "

Jan.

31,

1823.

Buch.

Joseph Reynolds, "

March

9,

1833.

Jack.

Henry Stephens,

May

n.

1838.

Dem.

Daniel Hawkes, elected

June,

1841.
Whig.
Lewis Kingsley, "
Nov.
7,
1851.
Whig.
R. Holland Duell, "
Nov.
6,
1855.
Rep.
County Clerks
John Ballard, appointed April
8,
1808.
Dem.
Reuben Washburn, "
«
3,
1810.
Fed.
John Ballard,
March
4,
1811.
Dem.
Mead Merrill, '¦
April
2,
1813.
Fed.
William Mallery, "
March
2,
1815.
Dem.
Joshua Ballard, "
July
^,
1819.
Clin.
Matthias Cook,
Feb.
14,
1821.
Clin.
Sam'l Hotchkiss, jr., elected
1822.
B.
Orin Stimson, "
1834.
Whig
Gideon C. Babcock, "
1840.
Whig.
Sam'l Hotchkiss, jr., "
1843.
Dem.
Rufus A. Reed,
1849.
Whig.
Rufus A. Reed,
1852.
Whig,
Rufus A. Reed,
1855.
Rep.
Allis W. Ogden,
1858.
Rep.
District Attorneys.
Augustus A. Donnelly,
1819.
Clin.
Edward C. Reed,
1821.
Dem.
William H. Shankland,
1836.
Jack.
Horatio Ballard,
1844.
Dem.
Augustus S. Ballard,
1841.
Whig,
GENERAL EEMARKS.

287

R. Holland Duell, 1850.
Edward C. Reed, appointed 1856.
Abram P. Sraith, elected 1856.
County Treasurers.
Justin M. Pierce, Nov. 1848.
Edwin F. Gould, " 1851.
Isaac M. Seaman, " 1854.
Horace L. Green, " 1851.
School Commissioners.
Noah C. Dady, appointed June 10, 1856.
Dan 0. Squires, " June 10, 1856.
Noah C. Dady, elected 1851.
Daniel E. Whitmore, 1851.

Sheriffs.
Asahel Minor, April
Wm. Mallery, appointed June

Joshua Ballard, "
Billy Trowbridge, "
William Stewart,
Noah R. Smith,
Moses Hopkins, "
Moses Hopkins, elected
David Coye, "
Adin Webb,
William Andrews, "
Gilmore Kinney, "
E. W. Edgcorab,
Alanson Carley, "
Christian Etz,
George Ross, "

April Mar. Feb.

8, 1808.
9, 1808.
3, 1810.
25, 1814.
2, 1815.
13, 1819.
12, 1821. 1822.
1825. 1828.
1831. 1834.1831. 1840. 1843.
1846.

Whig.
Dera. Rep.

Whig. Whig.Whig. Rep.

Amer.
Dem.
Amer. Rep.Dem.Dem.
Dem.
Dem.
Dem. Clin.
Buck. Buck.
Buck. Antima.
Union. Whig. Whig.Whig. Dem.Dem.

288

GENERAL REMARKS.

J. C. Pomeroj', e

ected

1849.

Whig

Frederick Ives,

((

1852.
Whig
John S. Samson,
ll
1855.
Rep.
Silas Baldwin,
It
1858.
Rep.
Surrogates.*
John McWhorter,
app'd
April
8
1808.
Dera.
Mead Merrill,
((
tl
3,
1810.
Fed.
Luther P. Stevens,
ft
March
4,
1811.
Dem.
Adin Webb,
ll
It
9,
1816.
Fed.
Jabez B. Phelps,
It
It
21
1823.
B.
Charles W. Lynde,
It
April
15,
1828.
Dem.
Townsend Ross,
ll
March
9,
1832.
Jack.
Anthony Freer,
it
May
4,
1836.
J.
Adin Webb,
tl
ll
4,
1840.
Whig.
Anthony Freer,
it
It
4,
1844.
Dem.
Memb
ERS 01
Assembly.
Ephraim Fish, elected
1810.
Dera.
Billy Trowbridge,
[(
1811.
Dera.
,1 it
It
1812.
Dem.
ll ll
tl
1813.
Dem.
William Mallery,
tt
1814.
Dem.
S. G. Hatheway,
It
1815.
Dem.
Joseph Reynolds,
ll
1816.
Dem.
John Miller,
It
1811.
Dem.
S. G. Hatheway,
tl
1818.
Dem.
Joseph Reynolds,
It
1819.
Dem.
John Miller,
tt
1820.
C.
John Osborn,
ll
1821.
B.
* Since the adoption of the Constitution of 1846, this office
been merged in that of the County Judge.
GENERAL REMARKS.

289

Daniel Shcr-wood, elected
ll ll It
John Gillett,
Matthias Cook, "
William Barto, jr., "
Josiah Hart, "
J. Chatterton,
John Lynde, "
Augustus A.Donnelly,"
Nathan Dayton, "
Cephas Comstock, "
Nathan Dayton, "
John L. Boyd,
Gideon Curtis, "
Alanson Carley, ''
Henry Stephens, "
Chauncey Keep, "
Fredus Howard, "
Charles Richardson, "
Andrew Dickson, "
J. L. Woods,
David Mathews, "
Enos S. Halbert, "
Oliver Kingman, "
S. Bogardus, "
> Barak Niles,
Aaron Brown, "
Chauncey Keep, "
Cephas Comstock, "
Josiah Hine, "
John Thomas, "
John Osgood, "

1822.

B.

1823.

B.

1823.

B.

1824.

C.

1824.

-c.

1825.

B.

1825.

C.

1826.

B.

1826.

C.

1821.

B.

1821.

C.

1828.

D.

1828.

D.

1829.

Antima

A.

1830.

W.

w.

1831.

Jack.

J.

1832.

J.

J.
1833.
w.
w.
1834.
J.
J.
1835.
w.
w.
1836.
w.
w.
1831.
w.
w.
1838.
w.
290 GENERAL REMARKS.

David Mathews, elected

1838.

W.

G. S. Green,

tl

1839.

W.

George Issacs,

ll

w.

Jabez B. Phelps,

It

1840.

w.

William Barnes,

It

w.

Nathan Heaton,

tl

1841.

w.

Lovel G. Mickels,

u

w.

Oren Stimson,

tt

1842.

w.

Jesse Ives,

tl

w.
H. M'Graw,
ll
1843.
w.
George N. Niles,
tt
D.
J. Kingman, jr..
tl
1844.
D.
Piatt F. Grow,
I.
D.
John Pierce 2nd,
ll
1845.
D.
Geo. J. J. Barber,
li
W.
Amos Graves,
ll
1846.
D.
John Miller,
li
W.
Timothy Green,
ll
1841.
W.
James Comstock,
li
1848.
w.
Ira Skeel,
ll
1849.
w.
Lewis Kingsley,
ll
1850.
w.
Alvan Kellog,
tt
1851.
w.
Geo. W. Bradford,
tl
1852.
w.
Ashbel Patterson,
It
1853.
D.
John H. Knapp,
tl
1854.
W.
Geo. J. Kingman,
((
1855.
R.
Joseph Atwater,
tl
1856.
R.
Nathan Bouton,
(i
1851.
R.
Arthur Holmes,
It
1858.
R.
The interest manifested by numerous prominent po
litical actors, with reference to our full and complete
GENERAL REMARKS. 291
table of county officers, from its organization in 1808 to
the present time, with the names of the various parties
to which they were attached, has induced us to add a
comprehensive list of State, Congressional, and Sena
torial members which have been chosen from this
county. Secretary of Statu.
Henry S. Randall, Cortland, elected 1851. Dem.
Representatives in Congress. Elected. Session.
John Miller, Truxton, 1824 19. C.
Edward C. Reed, Homer, 1830 22. D.
Sam'l G. Hatheway, Solon, 1832 23. J.
Joseph Reynolds, Virgil, 1834 24. J.
Lewis Riggs, Homer, 1840 21. D.
Harmon S. Conger, Cortland, 1846 30. "VV.
Harmon S. Conger, " 1848 31. W.
R. Holland Duell, 1858 36. R.
Members of the New York Senate.
Elected. Session.
Williara Mallery, Cortland, 1818 40. D.
Sarauel G. Hatheway, Solon, 1822 46. B.
Chas. W. Lynde, Homer, 1830 54. W.
Wm. Bartlit, Cortland, 1841 65. D.
Geo. W. Bradford, Homer, 1853 17. W.
Geo. W. Bradford, " 1855 18. W.
In 1855 there were in the county 3,388 farraers and
agriculturists, 95 merchants, 56 clergyraen, 20 lawyers,
49 doctors, 32 inns, 184 school-houses, 6,426 names of
pupils on teachers' lists — average attendance, 4,151.

292 GENERAL REMARKS.
No. of churches, 51 — valued at $99,900. Real estate on
which they are located, valued $18,100. Salaries of
clergymen, $11,164. Argricultural products, 1,212,014
bushels. Value of orchard products, $24,613. Value
of market gardens, $508. Gallons wine, 81. Dairy
products, 3,081,936 lbs. Tons of hay, 56,169. Clover
seed, 866 bushels. Other grass seeds, 1,585 bushels.
Hops, 10,321 lbs. Flax seed, 1,918 bushels. Wool,
120,193 lbs. Maple sugar, 521,052 lbs. Maple molasses,
2,169 gallons. Beeswax and honey, 24,360 lbs. Cloth,
21,800 yds. Common school libraries, 184. Number of
volumes in Dist. School libraries, 19,669. Aggregate
population, 24,951. There were 245 persons who could
neither read nor write ; there were 95 who could read,
but not write. Number of colored persons, 30. Owners
of land, 4,212. The oldest person residing in the county
(1855) was Margaret Berry, of Taylor, age 106 years.
In 1840 there were seventy-nine persons entitled to
pensions for Revolutionary or military services. Of
these, twelve resided in Truxton, fifteen in Cortland,
eleven in Homer, eight in Preble, two in Scott, fifteen
in Virgil, two in Solon, six in Cincinnatus, two in Mara
thon, three in Freetown, and four in Willet. In 1855
there were none reported.
Assessed Valuation of Real Estate for 1855,
$5,352,153 00
Assessed valuation of personal prop
erty, 530,691 00
Aggregate taxation, 1855, 29,909 49
Military tax, do. 543 00

general remarks. 293
Incorporated Companies Liable to Taxation.
Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad, and
Randall Bank.
Assessed valuation of Syracuse, Bingharaton and New
York Railroad, in the towns through which it passes, is
as follows :
Cortlandville, $30,000
Horaer, 30,000
Lapeer, 1^000
Marathon, 18,000
Preble, 30,000
Virgil, 5,000
Assessed valuation of Randall Bank, 50,000
It is a raatter of no little astonishment to the enter
prising and progressive tourist, as he visits our county,
— with 194,136 acres of improved land, her beautiful
farms, green pastures, watered by lovely strearas, and
her quiet picturesque villages .located in her rich val
leys, like geras in a golden casket, — that so little atten
tion should be given to the growing of fruit. In 1855,
the Marshals reported the nuraber of bushels of apples
grown in Torapkins county at 417,157 ; in Cayuga,
522,151 ; in Chenango, 553,554 ; in Onondaga, 624,545 ;
and in Cortland, 351,915. The reader will readily per
ceive that Cortland county falls far behind either of the
sister counties above quoted. Our soil and climate is
not as well adapted to the growth of the peach and
quince ; but we believe that all the prorainent fruits
may be equally well grown here.
The wealth of our county does not lie in jewelled

294 GENERAL REMARKS.
skulls and golden shrines, but in a commerce which
enriches our agricultural producers.
The neglect in the culture of the apple is attributable
to several causes, but mainly to the want of good,
healthy nurseries. Until within a few years, no perma
nent nursery had been provided from which to secure
the various trees for transplanting into orchards. A
second, and most excellent reason is, that the people
have been sadly iraposed upon by men of little or no
experience in the science of grafting. The permanent
nursery of Messrs. D. C. Hobart and E, H. Knapp, in
the town of Homer, comprising about thirty thousand
grafted trees, of the most choice varieties, must event
ually add greatly to the wealth of the county, as well
as to the convenience and comfort of those who pur
chase and propagate the more desirable qualities of
fruit. The first and only death-penalty inflicted in Cortland
county, occurred September 2d, 1853, upon the person of
Patrick O'Donohue, for^the murder of Mrs. Jane Ann
Kinney, of Truxton, September 3d, 1852. The particu
lars attending the bloody tragedy are briefly as follows:
His daughter Elizabeth, a girl of ten years, had been
forbidden to visit the house of Mrs. Kinney. But con
trary to the expressed wish of the father, the little girl
had disobeyed ; and to escape the vengeance of his
fiend-like teraper, her two elder sisters secreted her in
a ledge of ragged rocks, and then informed their father
that she had been stolen away. O'Donohue hastened
from his work in the woods, accompanied by his wife
and two or three other children, all in a high state of
excitement. He was falsely made to believe that the

GENERAL REMARKS. 295
abductor was no other than the husband of Mrs. Kinney,
whora he presumed to be his enemy.
Little did the daughters think of the sad and mourn
ful tragedy that was soon to follow their iraproper de
ception. Little did they presurae that their indiscretion
was so soon to lead the father to irabue his hands in
the heart's blood of an unwarned and unprotected mother
and child ; that murder — black-hearted and fiend-like
raurder — was to be the result of their inconsiderate
conduct, and in a few short hours to send the life cur
rent curdling to the heart of a whole eoraraunity. What
a reflection to be forced upon the mind of the erring
girls— sad, mournful, and truly tragical ! — a lesson to
the young written in the warm blood of the innocent.
A search for the little girl was instituted, between the
father aud son, the former carrying a loaded gun. The
search was not a prolonged one, as it was given up
about the middle of the forenoon. At about this time
Mrs. Kinney, and her daughter, Amanda Jane, were on
their way to the residence of a neighboring family, and
of necessity had to pass the house of O'Donohue. Just
as they drew near the gate leading to the barn, they
were met by the murderer, who angrily asked Mrs.
Kinney if she had seen Elizabeth. Receiving a nega
tive answer, he flew into a terrible passion, leveled his
gun and flred at Mrs. Kinney; the contents of the deadly
weapon, however, merely glazed her side, causing her
to reel or stagger. His uncontroUedtemper now raged
with greater fury in his unrelenting and fiendish breast.
Hastily reversing the position of his gun, he struck her
several blows with the butt end, the second of which
dislocated her ueek, causing imraediate death. Not yet

296 GENERAL EEMARKS.
satisfied, but like a demon hot from the infernal pit, he
flew at the daughter, who in the mean time had fallen
from fright, and plunged a bayonet into her body, frora
which spirted the vital current of .life. And although
the fatal instruraent was seized by the wounded and
dying girl, it was quickly wrested from her grasp, and
with a desperation scarcely equaled in the bloody
records of crirae, was again and again plunged into her
body. And while the younger victim of O'Douohue's
cruelty was yet weltering in her warm heart's blood,
Charles McKnight, who had left his house at or about
10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of superintending some
work, was attracted by certain suspicious actions of
the raurderer's son to the place where the horrid deed
was comraitted. A most revolting and heart-sickening
scene at once met his sight. There lay the wife, the
mother, — bleeding, ghastly, dead 1 A few feet distant
lay the mangled form of the daughter, struggling in the
terrible agonies of expiring nature. He heard her death
groans, and saw her raise her hand, wet with her own
blood, to wipe the death damps frora her marble brow.
When Mr. McKnight first approached the spot where
the fatal tragedy was enacted, his life was threatened
by O'Donohue ; yet he raanaged to get a fair view of
the raurdered victims. The heartless wretch still thirsted
for more blood, and called to his wife to bring him some
caps that he might assassinate another of his presup
posed enemies, and add still another blot to his soul
already crimsoned with the darkest hues of crime.
Before leaving him, Mr. McKnight advised him to go
to the village and give himself up to the proper author
ities, presuming him to be crazy ; and as men laboring

GENEEAL EEMARKS. 297
under the horrible malady of a diseased mind were
not always responsible for their acts, perhaps he might
not be hung. The advice, it would seem, was finally
accepted, for O'Donohue, with his wife and son, did
pass over the hills to the village, where he was finally
arrested. But before leaving, under a fresh impulse of
Satan, and as if to make his work of assassination more
doubly certain, he returned to the bleeding, ghastly,
and death -struggling victim, and again plunged the
crimsoned steel into her breast.
Grim scowls pass'd o'er his dusky face
Like shadows in the midnight sky ;
Each fiend-like passion mark'd its trace
By muttered oath or deep-di-awn sigh ;
With rolling eye.
And stifled breath.
He thought of blood, revenge, and death.
He was indicted at the October term of the County
Court, 1852, and tried at the following July Court of
Oyer and Terminer, — Hon. Schuyler Crippin, one of the
justices of the Suprdme Court, presiding, with asso
ciates John S. Dyer and Noah H. Osborne. R. H. Duell,
District Attorney, and Gen. Nye, appeared on behalf of
the people. Horatio Ballard and Daniel Gott, counsel.
The charge of the Judge was able, forcible and point
ed. The Jury, after an absence of forty minutes, re
turned into Court with a verdict of " Guilty of Murder."
The records of the Court contain entry of his sen
tence, [Aug. 3d, 1853.]
The sentence was duly executed, and the spirit of
O'Donohue was ushered uncalled for into the presence
of his Maker, wreaking with the blood of the innocent.
14

298 GENERAL REMARKS.
After the last and final struggle between the Araeri
can Republic and the Kingdom of Great Britain, the
pioneers of the Tioughnioga valley, and indeed of the
yet infant county of Cortland, began to look forward to
the successful achievement of such measures as the
wisdom of our State legislature might devise for the
better development of science and the progress of
ait. It was most evident that the Tioughnioga river, as a
commercial highway, could never be available to any
great extent, and that other channels of communication
must be provided in order to encourage enterprise and
reward adventure. State roads had been laid out and
were measurably iraproved ; and the county had been
cut up into gores or townships, while each of these was
made to resemble an imperfect checker board, being
variously marked out by " bridle paths," or to say the
least, very undesirable roads. Yet poor as they were,
the brave pioneers regarded them as acquisitions of
great iraportance. Post horses and post coaches once,
and finally twice a week, gladdened the sight of the
toil-worn laborer. The Brie Canal, commenced in 1811
and corapleted in 1825, established a more direct line
of communication with the eastern cities. Previous to
this, the heavy goods of our merchants were brought
up to Albany by way of the North river ; were then
conveyed by land to Schenectady ; then through the
canal at Little Falls ; then through Wood creek, Oneida
lake, Onondaga river and the Tioughnioga, or were
transported by land-carriage from Albany or Utica.
Cattle were usually driven to the Philadelphia market;
potash was sent to New York or Montreal ; wheat was

GENERAL REMARKS. 299
shipped on rafts and arks down the Tioughnioga and
Susquehanna to Baltimore.
In 1826 there was a charter granted by the New
York legislature for the construction of a railroad from
Syracuse to Binghamton. This was the first charter
ever granted by the legislature of this State. Inter
nally shut out frora the natural advantages or the raore
remote benefits of artificial communication with which
other sections of country were blessed, the citizens
located on the rich fiats of Cortland, Homer and Preble,
were made thrice joyful in their exultations of success.
The toils, the sacrifices, and the cost of building a rail
road had not, however, been fully considered or counted,
and hence the active projectors were doomed, like the
inexperienced alchemist, to see their golden drearas
fade away.
As the country increased in population and produc
tive resources, renewed efforts were raade to revive or
obtain a new charter. But up to 1848-9 nothing of im
portance took place.
In the mean time the growing West had become popu
lous, while her commercial products were of an almost-
unlimited magnitude. Trade east and west had mate
rially increased, as the various avenues of communica
tion fully evinced. The store-houses contiguous to the
great northern lakes were filled to their utmost capacity
with the valuable products of the fertile fields of a rich
and vigorous soil. The Erie canal, then the most pow
erful artery of trade in the Union, and though practi
cally of very great iraportance, was found to be insuf
ficient for the demands. The New York and Erie Rail
road was projected and was rapidly hurrying to com-

300 GENERAL REMARKS.
pletion, while connecting links were put under contract,
or corapleted, with, in many instances, " only a remote
possibility of appropriating" a very small portion of
that constantly increasing trade. The coal fields of the
Lackawanna valley were laid open, and the black dia
monds, which were really of more importance than the
bloated mines of the Pacific coast, were exhumed, and
a railroad was projected and completed, which united
them with the Erie road at Great Bend, fifteen miles
from Binghamton. The city of Oswego sat like a golden
gem upon the shore of the lake, bearing the proud ap
pellation of " Ontario's maritime port." Syracuse, the
central city, was admirably spread out like a great
heart in the centre of the State, with her salt springs to
" preserve and enrich the empire." And the village of
Binghamton, with her ten thousand enterprising inhab
itants, sat queenlike upon the classic shores of the
beautiful Susquehanna and Chenango, " receiving trib
ute and homage from both." These important locations
were regarded with very great favor, and especially,
when glancing at the map of the United States, it ap-
' peared positively evident that they were located within.
the most eligible and certainly the best commercial
route from the seaboard to the great lakes of the west.
The result thus far most amply verifies the conclusion.
A few of the original charter petitioners went to work
with renewed energies. The legislature was again pe
titioned, and a second charter granted. Meetings were
called in various sections, and the people were ably and
eloquently addressed with reference to the propriety of
immediate action in behalf of the laudable enterprise.
Books were opened for subscription, and early in 1850

GENERAL REMARKS. 301
the footings seemed to warrant the necessary survey
to be made. Thus encouraged, the enterprising actors,
most of whom resided in the growing villages of Horaer
and Cortland, redoubled their exertions, and with their
shoulders at the wheel, deterrained to push on the car of
progress. W. B. Gilbert, Esq., an accomplished, and
indeed one of the most competent and energetic engi
neers in the State, was employed to make the necessary
survey. It is not our province to refer to all the opposing
influences that were brought to bear against the speedy
organization of the Company, or the immediate construc
tion of the road — of the diflficulties and delays attending
the former — the almost unexampled stringent monetary
pressure threatening to arrest the latter. These are
already matters of history. They have been set forth
in the more than thrilling eloquence of a Baldwin, or
the persuasive and touching language of a Lawrence.
The shock, though it swept over our country like the
destroying host of Attila over the plains of Italy, ar
resting the progressive labors " of most other corapa
nies that were struggling into being," happily had be-.
come too much weakened to produce a suspension, and
the work went steadily on " from its commencement in
1852 to its completion in 1854." Great credit is awarded
to the various efficient actors in Cortland county, for to
them belongs the honor of having revived or called up
from the tomb of the Capulets the old exploded sympa
thies which finally terminated in securing for the project
enough of popular sentiment to place the completion of
the road beyond a reasonable doubt. Nor were the
active efforts of prominent citizens of Binghamton, Syr-

302 GENERAL REMARKS.
acuse and Oswego unimportant or unappreciated. Their
highly valued influence was productive of the most
favorable results, and when their purse strings were
unloosed, or their bank deposits called forth, the
cheering word of " liberality" was echoed and re
echoed from one end of the Tioughnioga valley to the
other. The road having been completed, a formal opening to
the public took place on the 18th and 19th of October,
1854. Returning from an eastern tour, with our family,
we joined the excursion party at Binghamton. The
train consisted of twenty-seven passenger cars, which
were crowded to such an extent that it was impossible
for only a portion to be seated. It was reported by the
editor of the Railroad Journal as a " perfect jam, the
people numbering twenty thousand." Our estimate fell
somewhat short of this round number. The display at
the various stations presented a somewhat truthful con
ception of the joy of the citizens. From every church
that had a bell went forth a joyous welcome ; cannons
were fired ; and bonfires and illuminations signalized
the auspicious event.
The road passes through one of the most delightful
and productive valleys in the State. The scenery on
either side is picturesque and beautiful.
The stockholders number about two thousand.
The total cost of the road up to November 5th, 1855,
is reported by Mr. Gilbert to be $2,214,394 33. Its
length is eighty miles.
Aggregate railes run by all engines during the year,
212,111. Number of passengers carried in the cars,
234,560. Amount of earnings for the same number of

GENERAL REMARKS. 303
months is reported at $159,489 91. Expense of oper
ating the road, $136,981 62.
It will be readily seen that the earnings fall consid
erably short of the original estimates. This seeming
failure is satisfactorily accounted for by the Superin
tendent. In our mind there is no depreciation of real
value. We never supposed that the estimates would
be reached uuder the existing circumstances.
The Lake trade has been realized only to a limited
extent. " When this work was projected, the invariable and
strong argument u.sed for its construction, in reference
to profitable results, was a continuous line to Lake On
tario, by which alone it could derive the benefits of that
trade. " The Directors having been unable to attain this,
through the existing road from Syracuse to the lake,
another Company was organized under the General Act,
for the purpose of constructing a broad guage road on
the east side of Onondaga lake and the Oswego river.
But the necessity of an arrangement with the holders
of Mortgage Bonds of the Company, whereby they could
agree to withold action under the existing mortgages
during the construction of the new road, suspended
operations. " Up to 1855 no agreeraent had been effected, which
the Directors regretted, as the delay increased the
financial embarrassment under which the Company
labored." In 1856 the stockholders were unable to complete
the road to Oswego, as contemplated, or even to the
Erie Canal, for the delivery of coal and other freight, or

304 GENERAL REMARKS.
to meet their bonded and other debts, and consequentiy
the bondholders were obliged to foreclose and sell the
road in October of the same year. The Company was
subsequently reorganized, the road finished, and ex
tended to the Erie Canal, and the track and machinery
put in perfect repair. There was also an arrangement
made at Binghamton with the New York and Erie Rail
road Companj', to accommodate the cars of the Dela
ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, for
the transportation of their coal and other freight, mak
ing the Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad
the proper channel for the transportation of their coal
to the Erie Canal at Syracuse, and to Lake Ontario at
Oswego, the Canadas and the great west.
Since the road has been thus reorganized, it has al
ready proven profitable as an investment to the holders
thereof, having, as we understand, paid the interest on
its cost, and will be, as it is designed, extended to
Lake Ontario, at Oswego, forming a continuous line of
broad guage road to New York and Philadelphia, and
in the event prove one of the best routes for travel and
freight, and will realize all that was predicted or ex
pected by its early friends as a richly remunerating
investment. The Syracuse, Bingharaton, and New York Railroad
may, with propriety, be regarded as an invaluable link
in tho chain of communication between Lake Ontario
and the Atlantic cities.
The lake trade is immense, and must continue to be
for all future time. The inexhaustible resources of the
great west, with her fertile fields, her agricultural and
mineral productions, and the vast amount of eastern

GENERAL REMARKS. 305
merchandise that is necessary to meet her unprecedented
increase of population — the greater portion of which
must pass east or west through the State of New York.
" The value of foreign imports frora Canada at tbe
port of Oswego was in 1845 $41,313, and in 1855 it was
over $6,000,000. The whole value of import and export
trade with Canada in 1845 was $2,350,409, and in 1855,
over $12,000,000.
" Under the operation of the Reciprocity treaty, the
trade both ways with Canada has more than doubled in
1855 over the preceding year, 1854. In 1845 the whole
foreign and domestic trade of Oswego, imports and
exports, did not exceed #8,000,000, and in 1855 it
amounted to over $40,000,000. The tonnage of vessels
enrolled and licensed at this port shows a corresponding
increase."* The free-trade principle of Canada gives to the port
of Oswego a powerful increase of business.
" For six mouths ending September 30th last, the
duties chargeable on imports arriving at Oswego, and
going east in bond, were $186,009 81, in addition, the
value of these bonded imports being $930,101 49."f
The flour of Oswego, the salt, gypsura, water and
quick lime, and marble of Onondaga — the vast agricul
tural products of a wide and fertile surrounding country,
with the iron and coal of the Lackawanna and Wyoming
valleys, will give to the Syracuse, Binghamton and New
York Railroad an amount of local tonnage which will
surpass that of any other road of the same length in
the Union. * J. M. Schermerhorn' s Eeport, 1855.
t W. B. Gilbert's Eeport, 1855.
14*

306 GENERAL REMARKS.
The coal trade is to be one of great importance. If
in the single city of Syracuse 2,000 cords of wood are
used per day for the manufacture of salt, and otherwise,
at five dollars per cord, what are we to presurae will be
the sura total of the coal that will be conveyed over the
road when properly connected with Oswego ?
The road is regarded as being one of the best built
and equipped in the State.
The agents have uniformly been enterprising and ac
tive business men ; the conductors attentive, obliging,
and gentlemanly.
The retirement of the able and courteous president,
Hon. Henry Stephens, was widely regretted, yet his
post has been admirably filled in the person of Jacob
M. Schermerhorn, Esq., to whose unreraitting and labo
rious exertions the Corapany are mainly indebted for
the final completion, and the present prosperity of the
road. No man ever labored harder. No man ever suc
ceeded under more, if under equally, discouraging cir
cumstances. He should have his reward.

CHAPTER XIV..
HUNTING INCIDENTS.
Hound-like they scent the track.
In previous chapters we have incidentally referred to
the various species of animals that inhabited the wil
derness, and against whom the pioneers waged a
crusade, even with musket ball and rapier knife. The
repose of the settlers was frequently disturbed by the
terrific howl of the wolf, the piercing scream of the
great northern panther, and the unfriendly growl of the
old shaggy black bear of the hemlock forest. The
flocks and herds were often preyed upon to an alarming
' extent, and the bold pioneers were not unfrequently
placed in imminent peril. They had left the happy
hearth- stones of their native land, and had pitched their
tents in the valleys and on the hill-sides of this then
western boundary of civilization ; and, unpleasant as it
was, were of necessity compelled to wage an exter
minating war against these more than savage beasts of
prey. The heart chills at the recital of the often nar
row escapes from the jaws of the gaunt, hungry
wolf, the more prowling, rapacious panther, or the
unsociable hug of the unterrified, snarling old bear.

308 hunting incidents.
The tender-hearted might shrink back at the howl of a
single wolf, even in the day time ; but it took a whole
clan, headed by a huge grizzly chorister, whose dis
cordant howls, snaps, and snarls made night — dark,
tartarean night — tenfold more hideous, to make the
veteran forest hunter quail, or feel for the particular
location of his heart. The women, too, — the bold repub
lican women, — were occasionally called upon to exercise
all the energies of a bold and noble spirit. We are
told of one who was pursued for a distance through
a winding and unfrequented glen, by a panther, whose
long, greedy proportions told too truly of his powerful
strength. If she hastened her step, the animal did the
same. If she stopped short, he instinctively squatted as
if preparing to leap upon his unarmed victim. She saw
ber peril, and resolved to make one bold effort at deliv
erance. Seizing a bludgeon of wood, she flew at him
in a menacing attitude, uttering several successive
screams as she dealt him a severe blow on that point
of the proboscis which brought forth a hasty snuft' and
a sneeze, and turning upon his well-practised and flip
pant heels, he made a number of enormous leaps, and
then seated himself in the branches of a partially de^
cayed hemlock. Remembering that she was near the
cabin of a successful and fearless hunter, she screamed
with all her might for the bow-legged marksman. The
animal not particularly relishing his treatment from the
hand of the fair patroness, began to exhibit the most
unmistakable evidence of a preparation to leap upon
the bold defender of her forest rights. A moment more,
and he hoped to gorge his ferocious rapacity with her
warm heart's blood. But the sharp crack of a rifle was

HUNTING INCIDENTS. 309
heard sorae twenty rods distant, just as he drew hiraself
back to leap, and the next moment the long proportions
of the mountain veteran were stretched dead at her feet.
In the trunk of the decaying ancient relic, a couple of
nursling "painters" were found. But in the very in
stant of leaving with them, the father, an old crippled
martyr, who had snuffed' upon the breeze the fresh scent
of blood, was rapidly approaching. Another leaden
missile, hurled from the old blue barrel, brought him to
the ground. But he was not yet prepared to yield, for
the victory was not yet achieved. The hunter suc
ceeded in only partially reloading his gun before the
maddened animal had sprung to his feet, and was ready
for a contest or measurement of strength. The youth
ful matron stood by the side of her deliverer, resolving
to share in the glory of victory, or die with him in a
noble effort at resistance. On he came, ten times more
ferocious, but was defiantly met with such a succession
of blows as to induce him to retreat and take a posi
tion in a small tree, where he might look contempt upon
his assailants. The old blue barrel was again leveled
with unerring aim, and in an instant the panther's
brains were lying at the base of the tree.
At an early day, and at a period when Marathon was
yet a wilderness, and when but a few families were
located within her rugged confines, the bears, wolves
aud panthers made terrible havoc with the stock and
poultry of the but partially protected and often unarmed
pioneers. During the latter part of November, 1199, an
old hunter, and native of Long Island, was passing
through the country lying between the Tioughnioga
river and what is now known as Freetown Centre.

310 HUNTING INCIDENTS.
Ascending the rugged elevation, he struck an Indian
trail leading in a direct line for the " pine woods." He
had, however, proceeded but a short distance before he
heard a sharp, piercing scream, as if coraing from a
female in distress. In a moment it was repeated again
and again. Hurrying forward he soon heard it much
plainer, and at intervals could distinctly hear moaning,
as if coming from some object in nature that was suf
fering from the infliction of some horrible treatment.
His anxiety was soon relieved, for just as he reached
the summit of a little elevation, perhaps three-fourths of
a mile west of the "panther forest," he saw to his
astonishment an enormous panther spring upon a deer
that was floundering upon the ground, and almost cov
ered with blood. The old and unarmed hunter paused
for a moment, that he might observe the movements of
the half-enraged animal, and the better concentrate his
scattered thoughts ; and was pained to hear the moans of
the wounded and dying deer, as the panther screamed
and then suddenly sprang upon his prey, burying his
claws in the sides of the deer, and his tusks in the neck,
tearing the flesh from the body. He knew it would be
very unsafe for him to attack the panther, as he was
but partially gorged with blood, and he therefore chose
the better part of valor and hurried on his way ; but he
was suddenly startled by a noise behind him which ap
peared like the sudden springs of a panther. Remember
ing that he had a few pounds of fresh venison which he
was carrying to a sick friend, and knowing the danger
of an encounter with such an animal, he picked up a
heavy bludgeon of wood and quickened his steps until
he came to the " mammoth log ;'' then hastily cutting

HUNTING INCIDENTS. 311
his venison into three parts, he threw one piece just
into the mouth of the log, and the balance at a short
distance from each side of it. He had hardly taken
a position to await his approach, before he saw the
bloody panther within a few feet of him. It was now
night, but luckily the moon rolled forth from behind a
dark cloud as he saw the animal nearing the huge
opening which he endeavored to enter, for he had
scented the fresh meat. The old man suddenly sprang
to his feet and dealt the animal a heavy blow on the
back, which rendered him partially powerless. The
panther drew back, uttering a horrible groan, which
was followed by several screams ; these were, however,
soon silenced by a few more well-directed blows.
His hide was hurriedly stripped from his body, and
the dauntless pioneer retraced his steps, arriving home
near midnight.
The next day a grand hunt was proposed and entered
into, which resulted in the death of three panthers, five
wolves, and six bears. Three of the wolves, however,
were not taken until the morning ofthe second day, when
they were holed near Chenango Porks, and hastily
despatched. Three persons started out in March of 1199 in pursuit
of bears, which had committed unwarrantable depreda
tions in the town of Scott. One of them soon gave out
and returned, but the other two continued the pursuit,
the trail leading in the direction of Skaneateles lake ;
but the snow being very deep, they, too, finally gave
up, and concluded to return home by a circuitous route,
in the hope of meeting with an old bear which had
wintered within a mile or so of their home. As they

312 HUNTING INCIDENTS.
approached the place of concealment he was discovered.
Both hunters immediately discharged their guns, but
only wounded the bear. He hastily left for other quar
ters, followed by his pursuers, who after camping out
near Skaneateles lake for the night, drove him into a
clearing sorae eight miles from home, in Sempronius,
where they took off his hide, out of which they made
each of them a cap, as they had lost theirs the day be
fore, and were therefore hatless.
There are numerous instances showing the firmness
and forethought of many a matron lady. A single ex
ample will suffice t'l exhibit them in their proper light :
David Scofield, of Virgil, informed us that when he was
but a lad, and while playing upon a brush fence, he
accidentally fell off into the brush. He was immedi
ately seized by a bear about two-thirds grown, who
hastened away with him. It being near the house
of his father, his aged grandmother observed them, and
hastily snatching up a hot loaf of bread hurried to his
relief; and just as he was entering his den she threw
hira the bread, at which he dropped the child and
secured the warm loaf, of which he made a hearty meal.
Wolves frequently followed the hunter's trail in
droves, making the night hideous with frightful, fiend
ish howling. There is, perhaps, no other animal which
exhibits so much of the real demon, as the half-starved,
lean, lank wolf, as he pursues his intended prey, eager
and anxious to surfeit on the warm, gurgling blood,
of which he is particularly fond. We repeat, upon the
authority of one who frequently engaged in the chase, —
not merely for the sake of stilling their " eternal snap
ping and snarling," but because he liked the sport,—

HUNTING INCIDENTS. 313
a case in point, which, though it did not tend to iramor-
talize his name, gave him great credit for the courage
which prompted the encounter. He had been out on
the border line of Cortland and Chenango ; and while
returning upon his almost indistinct trail through the
snow, he was followed by a hungry gang of wolves.
He was met by a huge panther, who appeared deter
mined to contest the right of soil on which they had
thus unexpectedly met. With the wolves snapping at
his heels in the rear, while the unterrified panther had
blockaded his advance progress, he paused but a mo
ment's time for reflection. The raoon, peering out frora
behind a dark cloud, enabled him to draw a close sight
upon the barrel of his unerring rifle, when suddenly
a leaden missile went whizzing through the panther's
brain. A moment more, and the whole pack of wolves
had seized upon the dead animal and were lapping up
the blood and brains that were scattered around him.
Taking advantage of this propitious moment, he hastily
took refuge some thirty feet high in the branches of a
bushy hemlock. Here he resolved to remain until
raorning, or conquer iu the unequal contest. Hastily
loading his gun, he again brought it to such a level as
would enable hira to see with exactness the forward
sight, when the rifle cracked again, and the bloody
ghosts of two of the ferocious wolves had departed ;
and thus he continued until he had impartially extended
the sarae treatraent to three more of the gang. The
others becoming alarmed at the frequent reports of the
death-dealing weapon, made a hasty retreat for the
unexplored lagoon.
During the early part of the present century, the

314 HUNTING INCIDENTS.
antlered deer bounded through the forest, not doubting
their right to the supremacy of the territory through
which they thus proudly ranged. They were almost as
numerous as the dairymen's cattle are at the present
day. Authority of the most positive character might
be referred to in support of the truthfulness of our
assertion. Twenty, and even thirty, noble bucks have
been counted in a drove, as they swept through the
woods pursued by the hunter's well-trained'-dogs. One
old hunter, a Frenchman, whose home was araong the
Wyoraing hills, came to this county to spend the winter
with a brother, and during his stay killed upwards of
two hundred deer. We have been told by the grey-
haired veterans of those stern days of toil and trial, of
nuraerous instances of a hunter sallying out at day
break, and before the hour of nine in the forenoon re
turning for lunch, having slain five, seven, and even as
high as ten deer.
Notwithstanding the horrid crusade that has been
waged for upwards of half a century against the grace
ful, sprightly, bounding deer, his progeny has not been
fully exterminated, for even to this day, (1855,) an occa
sional buck, bearing aloft his noble antlers, may be
seen bounding through the southern limits of this
county. During the past autumn and early part of the
winter, several were killed on and about Michigan Hill,
in the town of Harford.
We remeraber how in our boyhood's days our young
and ardent, mind was inspired by the marvelous tales
told by the hunters of our native county ; and we
have always had a strong desire to bring down a noble
buck. But of the numerous droves that we have seen

HUNTING INCIDENTS. 315
shaking their horns in the wild gorges of the North
American forest, or as they tossed thera aloft while
they swept over the flowery glades of the sunny South,
it has failed to be our luck to bring a rifle to bear
directly upon them. The various interesting incidents
told us by the stern veteran pioneers, would more than
fill a volume of the size it is our province to write.
And however interested they may have been in repeat
ing them, w* have seldom heard une told with more
felicitous feeling than one which is related by Charles
Hotchkiss, of Virgil.
A gentleman by the name of Turpening carae up
from Newburg, and felt very desirous to take a hunt.
Mr. Hotchkiss told him that it would be very unsafe for
him to proceed alone, for if he should happen to kill a
deer it would bleat, and that would arouse every deer
in hearing distance, and that they would assuredly kill
him. His brothers, however, persuaded him to go.
Having equipped hiraself in hunting order, he sallied
forth for glorious war. Approaching the deer-lick south
of Virgil Corners, he espied a young fawn just upon its
outskirts. Keeping one eye on the gun and the other
on the deer, he waited for the appearance of more, but
not being gratified with their approach, he blazed away.
As the gun cracked the fawn leaped several feet from
the ground, gave a bleat, as is usual, and fell dead.
Presuming the story of Mr. Hotchkiss to be true, and
expecting a whole clan of mad, frightened deer to be
upon him with their bloody antlers poised to gore him
to the heart, he hurriedly made tracks for home, strip
ping off bat, coat, vest and boots, and hurling thera to
the ground ; puffing and blowing for the want of breath.

316 HUNTING INCIDENTS.
and with impeded powers of locomotion, he entered
the pioneer's home declaring that every deer in the
lick was at his heels, frothing and foaming ; and that
they had gored him almost to death.
John H. Hooker, son of Increase M. Hooker, an early
pioneer of Truxton, now residing in New Brunswick,
N. J., recently related to us some interestiiig incidents
with reference to trapping the various animals of the
wilderness. One plan was to dig a pit about six feet
wide by twelve deep. Around this a pen, or kind of
curb, would be raised from two to three feet high. Over
the pit a pan would be placed, balanced properly, so
that when an animal should spring upon it for the pur
pose of obtaining the bait, which was appropriately
hung above it, the pan would turn and precipitate the
monster into the pit. In this way Mr. Hooker and two
other gentlemen caught in one night the very respect
able number of five wolves. They were lassoed in
the morning and led round and exhibited to the neigh
bors, after which they were dispatched.
In 1803, Mr. Hooker was watching at a deer-lick, and
in consequence of the almost impenetrable darkness,
was compelled to remain all night in the woods, a dis
tance of five miles from his father's log cabin. During
the night he heard the approach of an animal, and pres
ently discovered, a few feet from him, two balls re
sembling liquid fire. The animal undoubtedly antici
pated a -warm meal. Mr. Hooker, not a little excited,
raised his unerring rifle, looked quickly over the barrel,
and fired. The raonster gave a piercing scream and
bounded away in the darkness. He was found at a
little distance with his under jaw broken, and dead,

HUNTING INCIDENTS. 317
Mr. Hooker was much surprised on finding that he had
killed a panther nine and a half feet in length. It was
not an uncommon circumstance for him to be followed
by panthers and wolves when in pursuit of his father's
cattle. On one occasion he made a rather hasty flight
frora the sugar bush. A panther had raade hira a visit
and desired to contest the right of soil ; Mr. Hooker,
however, preferred to defer the matter, and, as he in
formed us, if ever he made tracks he raade them then,
and he presumed them to be few and far between, for
he could distinctly hear every jump of the huge mon
ster behind him, and he was only relieved when within
a few rods of the house by the -watchful and ever trusty
old dog.

CHAPTER XV.
LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
"I'll note 'em in my book of meftiory."
There are but few, if any, counties in the State at
present in the enjoyment of greater educational facili
ties than Cortland county. The Cortland and Cortland
ville Academies^the former located at Homer and the
latter at Cortland Village — are enjoying a good degree
of prosperity. The New York Central College, located
at M'Grawville," has had a somewhat chequered exist
ence, and the Cincinnatus Academy, located in Cincinna
tus, is in a fiourishing condition.
The light of the sun was scarcely let in through the
dense forests of Homer, upon its extended and fertile
plains, ere the light of science sent its genial rays
among her people.
The first settlers, being chiefly from Connecticut,
brought with their books and their love of books, their
school-master and their high regard for literary institu
tions. Among the earlier school-teachers of Homer was Maj.
Adin Webb. The active business men and the efficient
housewives now living in Homer look upon that venerable

LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 319
priest of Minerva — still bearing high alike his whitened
locks and his golden honors — with raingled feelings of
gratitude and reverence.
From the common school, which he so long and so
successfully taught on tho spacious coramon in the cen
tre of the village, grew the Cortland Academy, which
has been, for forty years, nestled among the churches
which adorn the same Common, and whose graceful
spires so significantly point to the same great Source of
Light and Love, as does the less pretending spire of the
academic edifice. •
Cortland Academy was incorporated by the Regents
of the University of the State of New York on the 2d
day of February, 1819. The first trustees were Dr.
Lewis S. Owen, Hon. John Miller, John Osborn, David
Coye, Chauncey Keep, Hon. Townsend Ross, Rufus
Boies, N. R. Sraith, Elnathan Walker, Andrew Dickson,
Matthias Cook, Reuben Washburn, Jesse Searl, Martin
Keep, Benasjah Tubbs, David Jones, and George Rice.
Of the original trustees, David Coye, Rufus Boies and
Noah R. Sraith have continued to serve as trustees — the
places of the others having been made vacant by death
or by resignation.
The present members of the Board of Trustees are
Jedediah Barber, President ; Hon. E. C. Reed, Secretary ;
Noah R. Sraith, Treasurer ; David Coye, Rufus Boies,
Hon. Geo. W. Bradford, Haramond Short, John Sherman,
Prof. S. B. Woolworth, Hon. Geo. J. J. Barber, Wm. An
drews, Ira Bowen, Caleb Cook, Geo. Cook, C. H. Whea-
don. Rev. C. A. Clark, Noah Hitchcock, Thomas D.
Chollar, J. M. Schermerhorn, Giles Chittenden, Esq.,
Wm. T, Hicok, Manly Hobart, and Rev. Albert Bigelow.

320 LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The late Rev. Alfred Bennett, Joshua Ballard, Charles
W. Lynde, C. Chamberlain, A. Donnelly, Tilly Lynde,
and Horace White, also served as Trustees.
The first Principal, under the charter, was Oren Catlin.
He was, also, the sole teacher. To him succeeded suc
cessively Mr. Ranny, Noble D. Strong, Charles Avery,
A. M., Franklin Sherrill, Oliver S. Taylor, M. D., Samuel
B. Woolworth, A. M., (now LL. D.), and S. W. Clark,
A.M. Since 1821 there has been a Female Department con
nected with the Academy, under the supervision, suc
cessively, of Flavilla Ballard, Caroline R. Hale, Melona
D. Moulton, Elizabeth Steele, Harriette A. Dellay, Cath
arine A. Colemau, Mary Bascom, Mary S. Patterson,
Helen H. Palmer, Esther L. Brown, Anna J. Hawley,
and Harriet S. Gunn.
Since 1830 the Musical Department has been con
tinued uuder the supervision and instruction of Frances
Rollo, Harriet Foot, Julia A. Gillingham, Abigail P.
Moulton, Maria L. Reston, Mary Fessenden, Sarah E.
Reed, J. M. Palmer, and Isabella Livingston Brunsch-
weiler. Of the Assistant Teachers there have served in the
Department of Ancient Languages, Abel F. Kinney,
A. M., Charles E. Washburn, A. M., (now, also, M.D.,)
Henry A. Nelson, A. M., Ezra S. Gallup, A. M., J. M.
Woolworth, A. M., and Heman H. Sanford, A. M.
In the Department of Mathematics, A. F. Ranney,
A. M., Geo. R. Huntington, L. S. Pomeroy, A. M., Alvin
Lathorp, A. M., W. H. Lacey, E. M. Rollo, A. M., A. J.
Kneeland, Louis A. Miller, Charles S. Lawrence, and
Joseph R. Dixon, A. M.

LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 321
In the Department of Modern Languages, Augustus
Maasberg, and Oscar M. Faulhaber.
In the English Department, there have been eighteen
different teachers.
At the present term, (1859), the various departments
are filled by the following :
Teachers.
Stephen W. Clark, A. M., Principal ; Miss Harriet S.
Gunn, Preceptress ; Heman H. Sandford, A. M., Lan
guages ; Frederick B. Downes, A. M., Mathematics ;
Miss Harriet Taylor, Modern Languages ; James S.
Foster, Natural Sciences ; Miss Lucy B. Gunn, Eng
lish Department ; Mrs. Mary Lund and Miss Harriet
D. Gaylord, Instrumental and Vocal Music ; Almon H.
Benedict, Penmanship.
Of the sixty-six teachers who have been connected
with the Academy, two only have died while at service.
The first was Abel F. Kinney, " a man who will not
cease to be loved and venerated so long as any live who
felt the power of his soul, and observed the strong fel
lowship which existed between his principles and his
life. It was his rare privilege to say, on his death-bed,
that he never received the slightest itisult from any pupil
— a fact which those whom he taught may reraember
with gratitude, and which his biographer may record as
eloquent praise on his character as an instructor. Mr.
Kinney commenced teaching before he was twenty years
of age, and died before he was thirty-five. Most of his
life as a teacher was spent in Cortland Academy, and
few persons have done more to raake it what it is.
Within our village burial ground his pupils have placed
15

322 LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTHTTTIONS.
a marble monnraent to his memory. But still richer
meraorials of him are to be found in the personal
re-collections of those who knew him, and in the
Wednesday evening meetings for prayer which he es
tablished. The other was Louis A. Miller, a mathematician of
rare promise, and a teacher of remarkable tact and
energy. Beautiful and appropriate monuments, the
offerings of grateful pupils, mark the resting-places of
their dust in the village cemetery of Homer.
Since the organization of the Academy more than
eight thousand different students have been instructed
in it. Of these many are numbered among the most
distinguished men in the State, in the Church, and in
tbe various professions of science and art. " Many are
now occupying places of usefulness and honor in their
own country ; others have gone to sbow the benighted
millions of heathen lands the way of life, and others
have gone to the land of rest and seraphic bliss, which
knows no change, and where dwell the good, the pure,
and the great."
Among the various Academies of tbe State, the Cort
land Academy has been uniformly distinguished for its
giving decided prominence to its Classical Department.
During the last three years the average number of
pupils in the department of Ancient Languages has been
eighty, while the average number in attendance in all
the departments has been 240.
The number of students annually reported to the Re
gents of the University, '' as having pursued, for four
raonths or upwards, classical studies or the higher bran
ches of English education," has increased in each sue-

LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 323
cessive year to- the present time — the report of 1858
showing 642 students thus reported :
The growth of the Academy has been gradual and
healthful. The assets of the corporation are.

ilui

B of land and building, .

$5,100

ll

" library.

995

li

" apparatus, .

1,243

ll

" other property,

. 6,315

Total, . . . $13,113
Its annual income for 1858 from tuition bills, litera
ture fund, and interest, was . . . $4,449 58
Annual expenditure, .... 4,208 18
The Cortland Academy is pleasantly situated on the
public square. It embraces various apartments for
study and recitations, a well-selected library, philosophi
cal apparatus, and every facility needed to irapart a
good, thorough, and practical education. Indeed, it is
with much pleasure that we refer to Prof S. W. Clark,
the gentlemanly and accoijiplished Principal, and his
able and competent assistants, under whose faithful dis
charge of duties the Academy is made an ornament to
the place, as well as one of the best educational Aca
demic Institutions in our State.
The Cortlandville Academy was incorporated by the
Regents of the University in the year 1842, and com
menced in August of that year.
The original officers were Joseph Reynolds, President ;
Henry S. Randall, Secretary ; Joel B. Hibbard, Treasurer.
The Trustees were J. Reynolds, Wm. Elder, H. S. Ran-

324 LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
dall, Wm. Bartlit, James S. Leach, John J. Adams, Jno.
Thoraas, W. R. Randall, Asahel P. Lyman, Frederick
Hyde, J. B. Hibbard, Horatio Ballard, Henry Stephens,
Abram Mudge, James C. Pomeroy, Clark Pendleton, An
son Fairchild, Parker Crosby, L. S. Pomeroy, and Otis
Stimson. Among the first instructors were Joseph R. Dixon,
A. M., Principal; Henry E. Ranney, Assistant ; Miss C.
Ann Hamlin, Preceptress ; Miss Fanny M. Nelson, As
sistant ; Miss Sarah M. Parker, Assistant during third
term ; Miss Mary E. Mills, Teacher of Music.
The number of pupils reported August 1, 1848, was
216. The Trustees made a very fiattering report, and an
ticipated increasing prosperity. They congratulated
themselves upon their good fortune in being able to re
tain their very able and popular Principal, Joseph R.
Dixon. Mr. D. continued Principal for four successive
years. The present members of the Board of Trustees are
Frederick Hyde, President ; J. A. Schermerhorn, Secre
tary ; Morgan L. Webb, Treasurer ; Joseph Reynolds,
Henry S. Randall, John J. Adams, Horatio Ballard,
Henry Stephens, James 0. Pomeroy, D. R. Hubbard,
Henry Brewer, Ebenezer Mudge, Horace Dibble, Hamil
ton Putnam, Henry Bowen, W. O. Barnard, Madison
Woodruff, Martin Sanders, Rufus A. Reed, James S.
Squires, W. P. Randall, Thomas Keator, R. H. Duell,
and George Bridge.

literary and benevolent institutions. 325
Teachers.
Henry Carver, A. M., Principal ; Miss Maria S. Welch,
Preceptress ; Ridgway Rowley, Languages ; Miss Mary
M. Bartlit, Primary Department ; Frederick Hyde, M. D.,
Lecturer ; Mrs. F. R. Mudge, Instrumental and Vocal
Music ; Mrs. A. R. Bowen, Drawing and Painting.
The Academy is large and conveniently arranged, and
is located in a healthy and pleasant part of Cortland
Village, and the students in attendance nuraber about
150. The Institution is furnished with a new Philosophical
and Chemical Apparatus, an extensive Library, and all
the necessary means to impart a healthful and practical
education. The prospects were, perhaps, at no time
more flattering than at the present.
Prof. Carver, the accomplished Principal and instructor
in Natural and Moral Science and the Higher Mathe
matics, is deservedly worthy of his well-earned reputa
tion. His zealous and active efforts to promote and
advance the interests of the Academy are justly and
fully appreciated.
The well-arranged lectures of Prof. Hyde on Anatomy
and Physiology, are like the sands which descend with
La Plata's rushing torrent, rich with golden ore. They
are, indeed, of marked importance to the Institution.
And it is but just to add that the Assistant Corps of
Instructors are admirably fitted for their various posi
tions ; hence the Academy will flourish, and continue to
rank araong the best educational institutions in the
State. JVew Tork Central College.— In 1846 the attention of

826 LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
gentlemen of enlarged views and liberal sentiments,
residing in this and other States, was turned to the ne
cessity of establishing a Collegiate Institution which
should be entirely free from sectarianism, while the ten
dency of its teachings should be favorable toward a
true hearty Christianity. They felt that the opportunity
to gain a liberal education should be extended to all as
impartially as are the light and air, and that the minds
of students should rather be made free and independent,
than moulded according to creeds or the dicta of fashion.
They reflected long and earnestly upon the subject, and
finally resolved to found an Institution of Learning, in
which character, not circumstances, color, or sex, should
be the basis of respect ; in which the course of study
should be full and useful to those who looked forward
to a life in one of the learned professions, as well as to
those who expected to devote their lives to honorable
toil ; in which labor should be regarded as eminently
honorable, and facilities for engaging in it should be
furnished as fully as practicable ; in which the minds of
students should be untrammeled by the restriction of
the freedom of speech, and undarkened by the shadow
of some great name ; in which the most noble life of
usefulness, and practical, impartial Christianity, and
every incitement to such a life should be placed before
the student. Calling upon those who sympathised with
thera in their effort for assistance, they.raised an amount
of money sufficient to found an Institution, and on the
12th day of April, 1848, a charter was granted by the
Legislature to New York Central College, located at
M'Grawville, and on the 5th of September following it
was opened to students. The buildings were large and

LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 327
commodious, and to which was connected a farm of
161 acres, upon which students could labor for a fixed
compensation, or, if preferred, might rent pieces of land
to cultivate for themselves.
The number of students at first was small, and has
not at any time been large. Everything that an able
faculty could do to advance the interests of the Institu
tion has been done, and yet the College has not pros
pered. Its friends are discouraged, and the Board of
Directors disheartened. Present appearances indicate
that the College will either pass into the hands of its col
ored friends, or be purchased by the citizens of M'Graw
ville, and be renovated and reorganised into a seminary
or academic institution, or finally cease to exist as a
College. Prof. Leonard G-. Calkins, the hitherto active and
efficient Principal, has resigned his position, and entered
an eminent law school in Albany, with a design to fit
hiraself for the bar. He is a finished scholar, an accom
plished orator, and a true gentleman ; a deep thinker,
of active temperament, and is in all respects admirably
qualified to fill the position to which he now aspires,
and we doubt not he will prove an ornament to the leg-al
profession. Cincinnatus Acadeicy owes its origin to the spir
ited efforts of a few of the citizens of Cincinnatus,
through whose exertions a meeting was held in Decem
ber, 1855, when a committee was appointed to solicit
subscription for the purpose of erecting a suitable build
ing for an academic school. A sufficient sum having
been obtained, and plans and stipulations adopted, a
building was erected by George L. Cole. It is delight-

328 LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
fully situated in a retired part of the village of Cincin
natus, in the Otselic valley, and commands a beautiful
view of the surrounding country.. It is by far the raost
tasty educational edifice in the county. The rooms are
spacious and airy, and are arranged with a due regard
to comfort and convenience. In short, the building is
in all respects an ornament to the town, and especially
to the village in which it is located. And while it is
honorable to the taste and enterprise of its founders, it
reflects great credit on the architect.
On the 19th day of December, 1856, the Academy
was first occupied as a school-room. Prof. Hatch, Prin
cipal, was a graduate of Madison University. Miss
Mary T. Gleason, Preceptress, and Miss Mary Winters,
Assistant. The school opened with the most flattering
auspices, but for a variety of reasons, at the close of
the first terra Mr. Hatch resigned his position, and was
succeeded by A. P. Kelsey, A. B.
In April, 1857, the Academy was incorporated by the
Regents of the University of the State of New York.
Miss Gleason continued in ber position as Preceptress
until the 11th of March, 1858, when in consequence of
the illness of ber friends she resigned, and was suc
ceeded by Miss A. A. Field, a graduate of Oneida Con
ference Seminary.
The institution is indebted to the liberality of the
citizens of the village for a select library, consisting of
160 volumes, valued at $180 ; as also for a philosophical
and cheraical apparatus. The entire property owned by
the corporation is $3,654 08. The entire incorae for the
past acaderaic year, ending Septeraber 1th, 1858, was
$1,232 26. The number of different pupils in attend-

LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 329
ance during the year was 151 ; tuition bills made out
for the same time, 241.
The present members of the Board of Trustees are —
Jeremiah Bean, President ; Benjamin F. Tillinghast,
Secretary; John Kingman, Jr., Treasurer ; Peleg Holmes,
Matthew G. Lee, Waite Wells, Israel Gee, R. R. Moore,
Oliver Kingman, John Potter, Adna Warner, Dayton
Kingman, Jacob A. Ressegieu ; A. P. Kelsey, Register.
Teachers.
Ambrose P. Kelsey, A. B., Principal ; Miss A. A. Field,
Preceptress ; Miss Cornelia J. Button, Assistant ; Frank
Place, Mathematics ; Miss Cornelia Kingman, Music ;
Almon H. Benedict, Penmanship.
The first apportionment ofthe Regents was $115 35 ;
that of the present year is $184 34. There has been
also apportioned the sum of $60 for the purchase of
apparatus. In November last this institution was selected by the
Regents of the University to instruct a class in common
school teaching, and the class is now in process of
instruction. At the time of our visit to the Academy, there were
eighty students in attendance, and the various exer
cises were conducted with marked success. At the date
of writing the number in attendance is much larger.
The career of tlte institution thus far has been of unex
ampled prosperity. Not an instance of discipline has
yet occurred. And from the character of the Board of
Trustees, we cannot doubt but that it will continue to
increase in popularity. They will use every laudable
effort to promote its prosperity, and furnish every facility
15*

330 LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
which the ability and talents of competent teachers can
impart. Prof. Kelsey graduated with high honors in 1856.
He is a self-made man, having been deprived by death
of his father when but five years old ; he early learned
to depend upon his own energies for success in life, and
bracing himself for a career of emulation, he has grad
ually carved his way to his present honored position.
With the faithful and accomplished principal at its head,
the Cincinnatus Academy will soon rank among the
best educational institutions in the State. Indeed, we
believe that with the experienced and highly competent
teachers, and the valuable philosophical and chemical
apparatus, the academy offers every facility needed to
impart a good, thorough, and practical education.
The Academy is entirely free from that baneful spe
cies of aristocracy so comraon in older institutions, and
hence should be vigilantly guarded, that the pernicious
influence so seriously felt in other localities may not be
perraitted to enter its honored halls.
Odd Fellows.
Thia Order was founded in Cortlandville, February
16th, 1841, by the institution of a Lodge ; and again at
Homer, March 30th, 1841, and now numbers six lodges,
as will be seen by the following statistics ;

Lodges.

No.

P. G'3.

Memb's.

Receipts.

N. G's.

Tioughnioga,

50

8

37

102 26

Frank Goodyear.

Homer,

280

20

67

136 50

0. Porter.

Preble,

409

8

19

65 00

H. M. Van Bustirk.

Marathon,

415

4

24

171 00

John H. Preston.

M'Grawville,

459

8

28

75 92

Leander B. Palmer.

Virgil,

465

7

15

81 88

Henry Luce.

s:.rr3aiiARY and benevolent institutions. 331

AsTROESSA Encampment, No. 19.
The Encampment is a higher branch of the Order,
having a separate organization, but receiving its char
acter frora the Grand Encampment, and is otherwise
responsible to the Grand Lodge of the United States,
Its charter was granted January, 1848, and was insti
tuted February 12th, 1848.
D. Hawkes, R. 0. Reynolds, Seth Haight, J, S. Leach,
J. D. Clark, E, M. Leal, L. Reynolds, charter members.
J. S. Leach, D. Hawkes, E. M. Leal, L. Reynolds, R. 0,
Eeynolds, A. G. Bennett, G. K, Stiles, J. Freeman, I. M,
Seaman, J. B. Fairchild, Z. C. Allis, S. R. Hunter, H,
P. Goodrich, J. Price, W. 0. Barnard, W. S. Copeland,
P. G. P's.
This branch of the Order is in a very flourishing con-
-dition. " The door of the Patriarch's tent is never closed
to the needy or distressed."
Cherishing the principles of love, purity and fidelity,
temperance, benevolence and mutual aid, a galaxy of
unrivaled briliants, the members of the various lodges
have extended to the needy and distressed the more
substantial means of comfort and social union.
In September, 18S4, a Masonic Lodge was instituted
in Homer by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the
State of New York, and the Hon. Ashbel Patterson was
appointed W. M., Cornelius B. Gould, S. W., and Lyman
Reynolds, J. W.
This lodge, under the most favorable auspices, is
increasing in numbers and in means of usefulness, and
we have no reason to doubt that a long course -of pros
perity is open before it.

CHAPTER XVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
" Lives of great men all remind us.
We cau make our lives sublime j
And, departing, leave behind us.
Footprints on the sands of time.*''
It is one of the pleasurable duties of the annalist to
record the naraes and services of the most active and
energetic characters who have taken part in forming
new settlements, originating and reducing to system
atized order such plans and measures as appeared best
calculated to secure union and harmony among the va
rious discordant elements of which society is composed,
to extend civilization and dignify virtuous character.
A due appreciation of the blessings of civil and relig
ious liberty that surround us, urges us to laudable
efforts to perpetuate those privileges, and contemplate
the circumstances that tended most largely to make us
thus happy and prosperous. The noble spirits of other
days who devoted their best energies to the achieve
ment of the means of happiness with which we are sur
rounded, are deserving of our warmest gratitude. We
honor them for what they were while living, and now
that they are dead, regret that we can only pay them
just homage by recording their worthy efforts in the

SlOGRAMlCAL. 333
furtherance of the progressive improvenients of the
times in which they labored, and in emulating their
cherished virtues. And to those who still survive the
stern strife of the enterprising and brave pioneer, we
extend our warmest and heartfelt congratulations. It
is not our province to record their liames or virtues in
marble or in brass, in poetry or in eloquence ; but we
will hope to make a plain yet faithful record of a few
of the more prominent characteristics which marked
their course through life. True history is but a simple
and unvarnished record of men's actions. The few
usually orig'inate measures of public policy which are
adopted by the many, and when the projectors of those
measures devotedly cherish a sympathy of feeling for
those whom they are calculated mostly to affect, do their
acts reflect credit upon themselves, and inspire us with
a regard for their worthy efforts. The few naraes we
have selected are such as best presented us with posi
tive data regarding their lives. True, it has been diffl-
cult for us to discriminate between the many who ap
peared equally worthy of a brief notice from us, aud of
whom we should have been pleased to have recorded
their generous efforts in the popular enterprises of the
day, did not circumstances and the limits of our -work
preclude the possibility of extending to any great length
our biographical sketches. We shall, therefore, be par
doned for selecting a few names only from among those
who have labored equally, ardently and devotedly for
the advancement of our happiness and prosperity.
ToM Antone, was born at Oquaga, (now Windsor,)
in July, 1110. This place has been made famous in
history on account of its having been the ancient

S34 WOGRAI-HICAL.
dwelling-place of a respectable tribe of Indians— 'the
proud old Romans of the wilderness. Being located
Upon the Susquehanna river, and but a little distant
frora " the north-east angle of the Great Bend," it natu
rally became a half-way resting-place for the Six Na
tions^ as they passed aud repassed upon the -frar-path,
or as they more frequently propelled their canoes be
tween the Mohawk and Wyoraing Valleys.
The father of young Antone was a chief of great and
commanding influence ; and he reared his son in ac
cordance with the strictest precepts of right. He was
undoubtedly of French extraction, as many of his natu'
ral eccentricities were peculiarly French. He bore
upon his person the certifieates of his valor, for he had
distinguished himself in many a hard-fought battle.
His flesh had been cleft with arrows, and his bones had
been shattered with leaden missiles. In 1194, though
his hair had become whitened by the frosts of time,
and his form bent with age, he bade adieu to the valley
of Ohnaquaga, and united with his brethren in arms in
Ohio, who were preparing to make a bold defence
against the invading force of General Wayne.
At about this time, Tom came into the Tioughnioga
valley, and erected his rude wigwatn a little to the
east, yet within sight of the present village of Cort>
land. His disposition was antagonistic to that of his
father, who, when around the camp fire, took pride in
telling his shrewd and often comic yarns, or practical
jokes. On the contrary, Tom was strictly taciturn— a
stern, cold Roman hunter. His path had been crossed
by a northern trapper, whose polished steel pierced the
heart of his young and cherished princess> and she fell

BIOGRAPHICAL. 835
a bloody sacrifice to his heartless inhumanity. Re
venge, hatred deep and undying, settled upon his hith
erto generous mind, and he resolved to avenge the
wrong by pouring out the blood of his fiendish foe.
Numerous instances are related of his cruelties inflicted
Upon wild beasts, in imitation of the horrible tortures
which were to be visited upon the person of the mur"
derous trapper.
And yet, Antone possessed many fine traits of char
acter, among which stood preeminent an idolatrous
affection for her whom he called " wife.'' His love, like
the generous sympathies of the heart, was warm and
ardent. Indeed, we might describe it as being purely
reverential. He hoped entirely to exclude himself from
the association of "the pale face," unless he could
destroy the foe who had wrecked his happiness. As
the refining hand of civilization appeared in front of
his cabin, he drew his blanket more closely about his
person, and was seen retreating back into the wilder
ness. The New Englanders, with their rifles, strode
manfully through the Tioughnioga valley, or ascended
the hillside in pursuit of game, without receiving the
slightest insult from their savage brethren. Antone
would have regarded their conduct with the greatest
displeasure, had they conducted otherwise than in ac
cordance with his expressed wishes. He loved fame —
he loved glory ; but he would purchase neither on any
other terras but such as justice dictated, or honor re
quired. His hate, really, was directed or cherished
against only one person, and that was the murderer of
her who had strewed his youthful path with the fairest
of flowers.

336 SIOGEAPHICAI.
Leaving Tioughnioga valley, he struck forward in
the wilderness in a direct line for the highest elevation
bordering the majestic Mohawk. Here by mere acci
dent he caught sight of his mortal enemy. The war-
whoop was instantly echoed from hill to hill, and An
tone leaped from the threshold of his cabin and darted
forward in hot pursuit of the fast disappearing and
hated destroyer of his happiness. The pursuit was
continued to the shores of Ontario, beyond the thunder
ing NiS.gara, around the southern coast of Lake Brie,
to the banks of the Great Father of waters, where he
left the coward's heart upon the sandy beach, a foul and
fetid thing.
He fought under the brave Tah-wan-nyes''' at the ter
rible massacre of Wyoming. He was at the Genesee
Castle on the approach of General Sullivan, and fled
just in tirae to escape the vengeance of the troops.
Standing at a little distance, his eyes beheld its utter
annihilation. But his proud and noble spirit did not
break. His raind went back to the achievements and
wide desolation which marked the course of his breth
ren when they swept along the majestic Mohawk, bear
ing the torch of conflagration ; and his dark eye saw
the ghastly spirit of massacre, charred and blackened,
while the voice of lamentation was heard throughout
the settlement of Cherry Valley. He clenched his toma
hawk with a firm grasp, and with his long knife sheathed
at his side, went -forth fo battle for glory and conquest
in the fairer fields of the "sunny South."
And still Antone lives ; and he who visits the West-
* Gov. Black Snake.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 337
ern Reservation may look upon his stooping form, and
behold his unblenching eyes as they glare upon the-
objects around him.
He was never cowardly — never unmerciful, unless
driven to the adoption of measures which, under other
circumstances than such as those tending to utter exter
mination, he would have despised and detested.
Joshua Ballard was born in the town of Holland,
Massachusetts, July 21, 1114. His early literary ad
vantages were respectable, and by a close application
to study he became an excellent scholar. The various
refining influences under which he was reared were
well calculated to fix their impress upon his naturally
generous and impulsive heart. At the age of twenty-
one, (1191,) he left his native town and selected a loca
tion in the town of Homer. The next year he returned
and moved in his young and interesting wife, who hav
ing enjoyed similar advantages in obtaining an English
education, and in cultivating tbe moral and social vir
tues, was rendered an agreeable and cherished com
panion. They came in by way of Cazenovia. Their
entry into the town of Homer, then a raere " dot in the
wilderness," on horseback, and by a scarcely discernible
" bridle-path," was hailed by the firra-anchored forester
with sensations of heart-felt joy. He originally pur
chased about one hundred acres of land, but subse
quently made several valuable additions. He was affa
ble and courteous in his deportment. In intellect he
afforded a rare combination of excellence. His judg
ment was sound and active. He read much — thought
much, and as a natural consequence, usually arrived at
correct conclusions. He became an active participant

338 BIOGRAPHICAL.
in the political strifes of the day, and few, if any, in
.our county, have acquired a greater or a more correct
reputation as a practical thinking man. And few, per
haps, if any, for upwards of half a century have been
more intimately connected with public affairs, — political
or progressive, — than Mr. Ballard ; and the numerous
ofBces of trust and emolument to which he was at
various periods elevated, furnish the most positive evi
dence of the confidence reposed in him as a just and
worthy citizen.
He taught the first school in the old town of Homer,
was one of the " projectors and directors of the Fifth
Great Western Turnpike Company, whose road was
built at an early day through this county. The Cort
land Academy owes much of its present as well as past
high reputation to the early exertions of Mr. Ballard,
who was one of its founders and most permanent sup
porters. He was also a firm pillar in the Congrega
tional church of Homer, of which he became a raember
iu 1813. He was appointed Sheriff, April 30, 1810.
He was an active member of the Legislature of 1816.
He was appointed County Clerk, July 7, 1819, soon
after which he located in Cortlandville. He also held
most of the important town offices in Homer and Cort
land. x\t one period of his life he took quite an interest
in military affairs. He raised the first company of
cavalry in the county, and was appointed its captain ;
and afterwards held the ofiice of Brigadier Major and
Inspector. The greater portion of his life, however, was spent in
agricultural and mercantile pursuits. The impulses of
his heart were warm and ardent. His philanthropy gave

BIOGRAPHICAL. 339
ample evidence of a fellow feeling and sympathetic
nature. Place and station never swayed nor influenced
him from the path of duty. Kind and generous, his
social and beneficent sympathies were always favor
able to the unfortunate or oppressed. Frank and open,
having no concealments, he was never charged with
being time-serving. He never trimmed his sail to
catch the popular breeze, but rather sought honest
defeat than corrupt success.
He died January 10, 1855, having reached fourscore
years. His illness was short but severe, yet his dying
moments were like those of a child sinking into a calm
and pleasant sleep, and his approach to the tomb was
like that of one
' ' Who wraps the drapery of his couch.
Around him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."
The hand that once aided in subduing the hoary
growth of forest trees, and in planting and rearing the
early germs of civilization, is cold and nerveless. The
tongue that often spoke fervently and eloquently, is
mute and dumb in the cold chamber of the grave. The
reflection, pleasing and grateful, is forced upon the
mind, and we justly exclaim —
' ' He was the noblest Koman of them all ;
His life was gentle ; and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, this was a man."
John Albright, the pioneer of East Homer, was the
son of a plain republican, who was originally frora the
land of the liberty-loving Tell. Of his ancestors we
know but little— of his birth-place, nothing. Nor have

840 BIOGRAPHICAL.
we any definite information regarding his early advan
tages ; but, from his limited knowledge of letters, we
are left to conclude that they were not of the most flat
tering character. His father died a little previous to
the Revolution. He had, however, some time before
been apprenticed to the tailoring business, to a gentle
man whose only son was drafted at the commencement
of hostilities into the American service. The young
man not appreciating this favor, and his father not rel
ishing the idea of his son being made a mark for Brit
ish fusileers, consented, after due reflection, that young
Albright, who had offered to volunteer, might go in his
son's place. The matter being thus settled, John
Albright, then only in his sixteenth year, with a heart
full of patriotism which neither difficulty nor danger
could chill, entered into the service of his country, and
went forth to win laurels upon the ensanguined fleld of
railitary glory. We have not the records at hand from
which to glean the name of the commanding officer of
the detachment to which he was at first connected.
Nuraerous commissions were tendered him, but de
clined. In the ofiice of Quarter Master he officiated for
some time. He remained in active service until the
fall of Montgomery, when he was taken prisoner by the
British and carried to New York. He remained there
eleven months, suffering all the hardships to which
prisoners in the hands of the enemy were exposed ; but
his uniform good behavior and honorable deportment
won for him many friends. At the time he fell into the
hands of the enemy he had an excellent dog, to which
he was much attached. After repeated efforts the dog
was separated from his master, and taken possession of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 341
by a British officer. He was occasionally permitted to
visit his sister Elizabeth, who was living in the family
of an English surgeon. Just before he was exchanged
he was on his way thither, and was very much startled
by something springing suddenly upon his back ; turn
ing quickly around he was greatly surprised at behold
ing his own dog, the officer then being at head-quarters.
At the time the animal was taken in custody the officer
requested Mr. Albright to tell his name, which, for cer
tain reasons, he refused. But finally, being assured
that n© harm should occur to him in consequence, he
told him that his name was Liberty — a name that was
dear to the oppressed, though hateful to tyrants.
After being exchanged he again entered into the
service of his country, and continued an efficient actor
until after the taking of Port Stanwix. Soon after this
event, he and a few other soldiers, being engaged at a
short distance from the main array in picking berries,
were surprised and taken prisoners by a corapany of
tories and Indians, and were conducted to Canada. We
regret that we are able to give but a few of the inter
esting incidents connected with his second captivity.
During his toilsorae march to Canada he was compelled
to carry a heavy pack ; his shoes having become worth
less, were left on the way ; and his feet, already blis
tered and torn, became so very sore that he could be
tracked by his own blood. There were in the company
an old Indian and an aged squaw, whom he had previ
ously known, — the former he had befriended ; the latter
called him " son," while he courteously called her
"mother." They were consequently his friends. The
young Indians appeared to take pride in vexing and tor-

342 BIOGRAPHICAL.
turing the prisoners. One of them sought every oppor
tunity to follow close behind Mr. Albright, and tread upon
his lacerated, bleeding heels. He feared to make any re
sistance, lest it should offend the chief and other influ
ential Indians. But the repeated cruelties inflicted upon
him at length exhausted his patience and forbearance ;
he turned suddenly upon his persecutor, and with one
powerful and well-directed blow of his fist laid him at
full length upon the ground. As was natural, he ex
pected to meet the indignant frowns of the Indians,
but to his surprise they clapped their hands and
laughed most heartily ; then, approaching him, they
slapped him on the shoulder and exclaimed, " brave
man 1 brave man 1"
At another time the march had been so rapid and
protracted, and his pack so heavy, that he thought he
must sink and die under it. He at length thre^v it
down, declaring that he would carry it no farther.
Again he expected to meet the angry displeasure of his
enemies, and perhaps be tomahawked on the spot ;
but, after they had uttered sorae angry words and ex
hibited many fearful gesticulations, an Indian was
ordered to take up his burden, and he was permitted to
proceed unmolested. When they encamped for the
night he was tied to a tree, and during the absence of
his protector, an Indian, whose hate seemed unrelenting,
threw his tomahawk at him, which fortunately missed
him and spent its force in a tree not more than three
inches from his head. He was finally obliged to run
the gauntlet. Then his face was painted jet black,
indicating that his death had been determined on. But
the squaw whom he called " mother" obtained access

BIOGRAPHICAL. 343
to him, and reraoved the filthy composition from his face ;
and, through her influence, he escaped with only a few
lacerating blows upon his back. Reaching the point of
destination, he was thrown into the prison, the damp
ness of which soon brought on a fever. He was
attended by a British physician, who gave him such
large doses of calomel that the most fearful result
was anticipated. His tongue became excessively
swollen, and protruded from his mouth ; but by the kind
interposition and skill of a French physician he was
saved. After suffering every species of cruelty and
hardship for nearly a year, he was again exchanged
and returned to active service, in which he continued
until the announcement of peace.
He was certainly a brave and heroic raan, displaying
the true characteristics of the reflecting and devoted
soldier ; not the least of which were exhibited while
accora|)anying General Sullivan during most of his skir
mishes with the Indians and tories.
He married a young lady by the name of Catharine
Sraith. They spent several years in the city, but at length
concluded to exchange the pleasures of city life for
those of a more rural character ; and with his cherished
wife, four daughters, and aged mother-in-law, he left
with the determina,tion to locate on the land which had
beeri assigned by his country for services in her cause.
He stopped and remained a year and a half at Charles-
town, a little west of Schenectady. During this time,
accompanied by his wife, on horseback, he carae on and
explored his '' military" lot ; after determining to oc
cupy it, they returned to Charlestown and remained
until the spring of 1191. On the 12th of March, they

344 • BIOGRAPHICAL.
reached Mr. Benedict's house in Truxton, where they
reraained until Mr. Albright could erect a small house
on his lot. It was of the most priraitive character,
being composed of logs covered with bark.
His nearest neighbors were Mr. Benedict^ on the east,
near where Judah Pierce now lives ; and John Miller,
on the west, where the willow trees have since grown.
Toil and privation discouraged him not ; he had already
passed through the trying scenes of life. Necessity com
pelled him to go to mill a distance of forty miles ; there
being no road, he had to pick his way by marked trees.
He was unaccustomed to agricultural pursuits, having
no knowledge of farming, or the best mode to adopt in
order to clear the heavy growth of forest trees prepara
tory to fitting the soil for the more common crops. Help
was difficult to obtain, — his children all being girls,
who from the nature of things could be of but little
service to him, — and consequently he had to rely on his
own strong arms and resolute will to sustain and ac
complish what in the future crowned his persevering
efforts. As his daughters grew up, they learned to do
most kinds of out-door work ; and we are told, upon ex
cellent authority, that his mother-in-law, then sixty-five
years of age, and who had previously known nothing of
country life, soon learned to chop, and would fell from
six to eight old foresters in a day. Wolves and bears
were plenty. But he paid little attention to hunting,
save when rambling through the woods in pursuit of
his cattle ; then his gun was his constant companion
and trusty friend. At one time he discovered five bears
in a tree gathering nuts, two of which he managed to
bring down, and which served as a very good substi
tute for beef.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 345
As a neighbor and friend he was universally es
teemed. His benevolence was proverbial. Previous to
his locating in East Homer, he was a member of the
Reforraed Dutch Church. In 1808 his house was
opened for religious meetings. Subsequently hiraself
aud wife united with the Methodist order, and for sev
eral years meetings were held beneath the roof that
sheltered the pioneer family from the storm-beaten blast.
Favoring circumstances led others to locate near him,
among the first of whom were Jaraes White, Samuel
Greggs, David Lindley, and Samuel Crandall.
Mr. Albright lived on the most intiraate terms with
his neighbors, and to many he extended the hand of a
father's friendship. If at any time they were in pecuni
ary difficulty, they hesitated not in appealing to him
with an almost positive certainty of obtaining relief.
He pursued an elevated course of action, entering into
none of the speculations so common to new settlements ;
and although he did not amass any great wealth, yet
he secured a reasonable competence, from which he
could draw.
f Asa White was born in Monson, Mass., in the year
1114. His educational advantages were such as the
comraon schools of his native State afforded. He early
exhibited those traits of character which peculiarly dis
tinguish the business man. Inheriting the energy and
active habits of his father, he soon learned to rely upon
his own efforts for self-advancement in the world, and
thus by persevering industry, economy, and a just ap
preciation of an emulous reputation, he became the ar
tificer of his own fortune and the moulder of his own
character. In 1198, at the age of twenty-four, he emi-
16

346 BIOGRAPHICAL.
grated to Homer and located on lot 45. He erected a
house on the site now covered by the residence of Jed
ediah Barber. The farm is the sarae as now occupied
by him, except that Barber has added to it on the north
two small pieces of land which were known in an early
day as Maj. Stimson's orchard, and Judge Ross' pasture.
There has been sold from it the plot of ground lying
between Main street and the creek, bounded on the
north by the Stimson tavern property, and on the south
by what was known as Dr. Owen's orchard.
He was married in' 1800 to Miss ClarisyKeep, daugh
ter of Caleb Keep, who purchased and settled in 1198
on the farm now occupied by Noah Hitchcock.
At the date of Mr. White's advent into Homer, a grist
mill frame had been raised and was partially enclosed.
The proprietors were Solomon Hubbard and John Keep.
The interest of the latter was purchased by Mr. White,
and the enterprise speedily pushed to a final comple
tion. The bur-stones, or rather rock-stones, were pro
cured from the bank east of the residence of Lyman
Hubbard, and were drawn by thirteen yoke of cattle to
their place of productive labor. The bolts were pur
chased by Mr. White, of Utica. The mill, though fin
ished as originally designed, produced only a very ordi
nary specimen of flour. But as there was no other mill in
the county, the people, sensitive of their wants, were not
disposed to find fault. The interest of Mr. Hubbard was
subsequently purchased by Mr. White, and the mill was
thoroughlj' renovated and improved. When it was fully
completed, the people believed that they had reached a
great attainment. In it they held their public meetings,
their Sabbath worship, and social gatherings. Here tbe

BIOGRAPHICAL. 347
young folks held their balls. We have in our possession
a record dating back to that period. Mr. White was a
manager of one of these entertainments. The managers
were placed in a rather unpleasant predicament. Nei
ther rum nor molasses was to be had in town. And as
a failure to procure such a desideratum would be an
unpardonable lack of gallantry in gentlemen, a special
messenger was sent post-haste thirty-three railes to
Manlius Square for a gallon of rum and a half gallon of
molasses, from which they made blackstrap for the
company. The Maine Law had not then passed. The
grist-mill, now owned by Messrs. Cogswell and Wilcox,
covers the site of the original or first mill erected in the
county. The various kinds of grain ground at this mill
exceeds thirty-one thousand bushels per year. It is a
fitting landmark or memorial to be situated on the
original site of the first mill erected in the Tioughnioga
valley, whereby the people may be the better enabled
to point out the spot where the olden relic stood. If
the primitive settlers " rejoiced over the final comple
tion of White's mill," with its single run of stone, how
much more should their descendants rejoice at having a
first-class mill, with its four runs of stones in constant
operation, producing the very best quality of flour ?
/ Mr. White was the owner of three-fourths of the first
cotton factory erected west of Utica. It stood on the
ground opposite the present building. It was built in
1813-14, and destroyed by fire on the 25th of Decem
ber, 1815.
Mr. White possessed many valuable traits of charac
ter, and was especially serviceable in giving the em
bryo village an auspicious commencement. He pos-

348 BIOGRAPHICAL.
sessed a clear, vigorous intellect, strong physical en
ergy, and eminent business talents. His manners were
modest, his habits social, and his temper genial and for
giving. He died December 22d, 1843, aged 69 years.
" As weary, worn-out winds expire.
Or night-dews fall gently to the ground.
So calm his exit."
Mrs. White deceased February 23d, 1849, aged 15
years. ' ' A light has gone from out the sky,
A star has left its sphere.''
They lie entombed in the new cemetery at Cortland
Village, where an appropriate monument, reared by the
hand of fond affection, raarks the place of their sepul
chre. Horace and Harailton White, two of the most wealthy
and enterprising citizens of the Central City, are his
sons. They have passed through a career of active life,
public eraployment and private enterprise, having but
few parallels ; and they are everywhere regarded with
marked consideration and respect. Their educational
privileges ended before they had reached the age of
sixteen years, and yet they are gentleraen of education,
— self-made men, — erainent in all the varied business
relations of life. Their generous sympathies for the
poor and friendless, their liberal bestowments in behalf
of literary, benevolent, and religious associations, and
their kind proffers of pecuniary aid to the really worthy,
who were just entering upon the active duties of life,
starap them as men of erainently appreciative character,
and it would be well for the young and enterprising to

BIOGRAPHICAL. 349
study their history, and like them learn to depend upon
their own reliant powers for success in life. Horace
went from home at the age of twelve years, and en
gaged for a liraited period in the capacity of a clerk,
with Horace Hill, of Auburn. In 1816 he was engaged
in a store in which his father had an interest, in the
cit}' of Albany. He was subsequently eraployed by
Jedediah Barber, of Homer, in whose store he remained
about ten years. Here he acquired a business reputa
tion unusual for young men at his age. His health
finally failed, in consequence of which he retired to a
small farm, a portion of which is now occupied by Mr.
Schermerhorn. Here he was emploj'cd for several years
in cultivating the soil and in regaining his health. In
1838 he removed to Syracuse, where, in connection with
others, he assisted in establishing the Bank of Syracuse,
of which he was cashier until his health made it neces
sary for him to resign the active duties. He is now
vice-president of the institution.
The first great feat in the career of Hamilton White
occurred at the age of sixteen, in successfully teaching
a District school; in what was then known as the new
district, in the west part of the now town of Cortland
ville, at the enormous price of nine dollars per month,
with the pleasure of boarding round. In the spring he
eraerged from the log school-house without mar or
blemish, and withal greatly encouraged with his achieve
ment. His success encouraged him, and hence he con
tinued in that employment, teaching two more winters
and one summer. At the age of twenty he went from
horae and engaged as a clerk in the store of William
Randall & Co., in Cortland Village, with whom he re-

350 BIOGRAPHICAL.
mained two years — the first year receiving six dollars
per raonth. He subsequently spent four or five years
in the employment of Messrs. Webb and Edgcomb. In
the spring of 1836 he went to Lockport, where he re
mained until August, 1839, when he removed to Syra
cuse to assume the duties of cashier of the Onondaga
County Bank. His success in the District school, behind
the counter and in the counting-room, prepared him for
a career of extraordinary usefulness and enterprise.
Mr. White is now engaged in business as a private
banker on his own account.
Nathaniel Bouton, one of the early settlers of Virgil,
was born 'in Pound Ridge, Westchester county, New
York, October 4th, 1118. The family were suffering
frora the war of the Revolution ; and at its close, found
themselves in deep poverty. The schools for children
and youth of that time were inferior, and furnished but
scanty means of instruction ; and many grew up and en
tered the scenes of active life and assumed its respon
sibilities, with a very limited education. The subject
of this narrative experienced the inconveniences inci
dent to the tiraes ; yet, by the assiduous iraproveraent
of his opportunities, he acquired what was then called
a "good comraon school education." In the spring of
1199, in the twenty-first year of his age, he set out on
foot for the western country, intending to remain during
the season, engaging in some employment that should
offer, and view the country. He came to Solon, and
remained a short time with Mr. Samuel Benedict. He
afterwards came to Homer, and labored with a Mr. Lee,
and aided him in clearing a part of the ground now
occupied by Cortland Village. His next stay was with

BIOGRAPHICAL. 351
Mr. Ebenezer Brown, in Milton_(now Lansing), where
he was engaged in chopping by the job. Atthe close
of the season he passed through Virgil, where a
brother of his had settled the sarae year, and returned
to the place of his nativity. On the 22nd of March,
1801, he was married to Miss Rachel Stevens, of New
Canaan, Fairfield county, Connecticut. Soon after, he
came to Virgil and purchased a farm of one hundred
acres joining that of his brother Enos, to whora allusion
has been made. He commenced iraraediately to fell the
trees on a spot next the " Bridle road," so called, which
passed through it. Near the close of summer he put
up the body of a log cabin, and returned to Connecticut.
Preparations were then made, and he and his wife, ac
companied by his younger brother — who came to take
back the team — commenced their journey through al
most impassable roads, to their new home in the wilder
ness, at which they arrived late in October. Mr. Bouton
and his family participated in the various hardships, priva
tions, exposures and struggles incident to the settlement
of this region and common to the early pioneers, which
have been sufficiently set forth in the biographies
already given. They began to enjoy the comforts of
life aud to entertain hopes of future prosperity, when,
on the 25th of February, 1805, Mrs. Bouton was sud
denly taken away by death, leaving to her surviving
companion the cares, maintenance and instruction of
four children. The dispensation was afflictive ; but he
was sustained under it, and was enabled to keep his
interesting charge together, and provide for their care
and support. He was subsequently married to Miss
Lydia Stevens, sister of his deceased wife. Mr. Bouton

352 BIOGRAPHICAL.
was much engaged in agriculture, and especially in the
department of fruit, Ijeing the first in town to put out a
nursery of grafted fruit trees, which was as early as 1808
or '9. He was also ardently engaged in the subject of in
ternal improvements, which led him to suggest plans that
by many were deemed visionary. In 1821 the idea
occurred to hira that a railroad might be constructed
from the city of New York to Lake Erie. Whenever he
proposed this plan, he was met with objections that
would have disheartened one less decided, or less
assured of its feasibility. He made a journey through
most of the length of the route, and was confirmed in
his opinion. He procured a piece to be written setting
forth the plan, sketching the proposed route, with argu
ments to establish its practicability, and the advantage
it would be to the people of the State, and especially to
the city of New York and the southern tier of counties.
This coraraunication was published in the Cortland Ob
server, in February, 1828. It was copied by a few
other papers ; and soon the project gained so much
public attention that conventions were called to con
sider it. After many long and arduous struggles, its
friends succeeded in completing the New York and
Erie Rail Road, which has opened the way for the con
struction of numerous railroads that now checker the
State and furnish facilities to nearly all parts, for the
accommodation of passengers and the ready transmis
sion of freight. Mr. Bouton was a firm friend of educa
tion and did what he could for its promotion, and se
cured to his family all the opportunities within his
means of supply. He encouraged the establishment of
meetings for religious Worship, in 1802 — when they were

BIOGRAPHICAL. 353
first instituted, — and was ever after a constant attendant
and a firm and generous supportef of all the institutions
of religion. He did not, however, see his way clear to
make a public profession of religion till 1831 ; when,
in a season of religious interest, he and his corapanion
came forward and united with the Congregational church,
of which they remained consistent merabers until their
death. He was ready for every reform as it presented
itself, and was especially an early and earnest advo
cate of the Temperance and Anti-slavery causes. His
unwearied advocacy of these reforms sometimes pro
voked hostility, and caused it to be said by some that
he had many enemies, — which might be comparatively
true, as few who Jiave been faithfiil and constant in
support of these reforras have escaped censure. Early
in December, 1846, he took a violent cold, which brought
on a fever which terminated his life. When he saw that
he should not probably recover, he set himself to adjust
his temporal affairs, which he did to the satisfaction of his
family, and waited with great composure the sumraons
that should call hira away. His peaceful death occurred
on the fourth of January, 1841, in the sixty-ninth year
of his age.
Mr. Bouton reared an intelligent family of children,
among -vvhom we take pleasure in referring to Deacon
Nathan Bouton, an enterprising and highly valued citi
zen of Virgil.
John Miller descended from the English stock of
Millers, some of whom figured largely in the political
annals of England two centuries since ; and others, at
a later period, were the ardent supporters of the Araeri
can Revolution. With the latter class Mr. Miller was
16*

354 BIOGRAPHICAL.
more immediately connected. He was born in Amenia,
Dutchess county, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1114.
Of his early years we know but little. His attend
ance at the district school did not exceed one year ; he
however continued to pursue his studies, relying upon
his own exertions for success in the worthy effort. His
classical advantages were also limited, he having been
enabled to spend but a like period in a private classical
school in Kent, Conn., under the charge of Barzilla Slos-
son, a most excellent classical scholar, and a thorough
disciplinarian. He commenced his medical studies in Dutchess
county, in 1193, and completed them in Washington
county, in 1195. He attended one course of lectures in
the University of Pennsylvania, where he listened to
the valuable instructions of the celebrated Dr. Benja
min Rush.
Dr. Miller was originally blest with a remarkable
mind and memory ; and many of the most valuable im
pressions which he acquired while listening to this pro
found and unrivaled lecturer, have remained with him
through his long and useful life.
Iraraediately after his return from the university he
became a partner of his friend and preceptor, Jonathan
Mosher, in Easton, Washington county, with whom he
remained till 1801. It was his original intention to
settle in Geneva, where he had made an arrangement to
become a partner in the practice of medicine with a dis
tinguished practitioner who had preceded him there,
and who had already secured a very lucrative practice.
Circumstances, however, over which he had no control,
precluded the final consummation ofthe arrangement.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 355
The connection was therefore dissolved, and Dr. Miller
made an immediate and permanent location in Truxton.*
He soon acquired a very extensive ride, extending into
Homer, Solon, De Ruyter, Pompey, Tulley, and Onon
daga Hollow, attending in the families of Joshua For
man, Thadeus Wood, Asa Danforth, and Jasper Hop
per. Previous to his engaging in the study of medicine
his health had been exceedingly good, and so continued
for two years after, when an accident occurred which
deprived him of that important blessing. He became
ghastly pale and emaciated ; his friends regarded him
as a more complete subject for the anatomical knife,
than for the performance of even the slightest labor.
And yet, enfeebled, disorganized as he was, he had
determined to accept a commission of Second Sur
geon in the American Navy, and risk his hopes of life,
fame and fortune in the Tripolian war. And he may
well thank his friend and protector. Dr. Rush, for with
holding his consent from the precarious enterprise, oth
erwise his bones might have been bleaching upon the
shores ofthe Mediterranean, or whitening on the plains
of Tripoli. The advice of Dr. Rush was given in can
dor and kindness, and had a most favorable impression
on the mind of Mr. Miller. He was invited to the Doc
tor's home, where he was received by Mrs. Rush with
appreciative attention. Here he had access to a very
large medical library, in which he spent the greater
portion of his time. He, however, occasionally accom
panied Dr. Rush into the country on his professional
visits — a distance, soraetiraes, exceeding fifty miles.
o Then Fabius.

356 BIOGRAPHICAL.
His hitherto clouded mind gradually gave way to glee
and gladness ; and, to use his own expressive language,
in six weeks he was a new man.
Ardently attached to his profession, prompt and at
tentive to his patients, he soon acquired the most ex
tensive practice ever secured by any practitioner in the
county. When the Cortland County Medical Association was
organized in 1808, Dr. Miller was chosen Vice-president,
and subsequently succeeded Dr. Lewis S. Owen to the
office of President. He is the only living member of
the original organization. In February of that year he
was elected an honorary member of the State Medical
Society. He was married in 1805 to Miss Phebe Adriance, of
Troy, a lady of rare accomplishments, and of great moral
worth. In 1805 he was appointed post-master, and retained
the office for twenty consecutive years.
He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1812, and
continued in the administration of its duties until 1821.
He served with eminent abilitj' in the New York
Assembly during the years 1811-20 and '45.
In 1824 he was chosen a Representative in the United
States Congress.
In 1846 he was elected a delegate to the State Con
stitutional Convention, and during the entire session
exerted a commanding influence over that deliberative
body. Dr. Miller moulded his own character, and has been
the architect of his own fortune. He has ever possessed
a strong and vigorous mind, a clear and retentive mem-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 357
ory; an unusual degree of energy and vivacity, blended
with wit and generous sympathy.
He loved his friends, his profession, and his country;
and ardently labored for the improveraent of each. He
was free and frank in manner ; generous and friendly
in disposition, engaging in address, of active tempera
ment, and indeed possessed all the social qualities of
the gentleman, and the stirring energies of the man of
business. Dr. Miller located on lot 93 ; he did not, however,
purchase until 1806, -jvhen he selected 450 acres at six
dollars per acre. He still retains 150 acres of the orig
inal purchase. He also owns two hundred acres of a
later purchase, on lot 64. He continued in the practice
of his profession up to 1830 when he turned his atten
tion to agriculture.
His great energy, deterrained will, and prompt action
in every emergency of life, staraps him as a man of no
ordinary character. His great power of endurance en
abled him to undergo incredible fatigue in his laborious
practice. When the roads were almost impassable, and
the nights fearfully dark, he has been known to travel
by torchlight through the wilderness, a distance of sev
eral miles, even though he had no hope of reward for
his professional visit. At a later period, when his ride
extended over a large portion of Cortland and Onondaga
counties, he rode in one day upwards of fifty-five miles,
making thirty-three calls upon the sick.
But the energetic perseverance of Dr. Miller was not
alone confined to his professional duties ; it was exhib
ited in the more extended sphere of business, and in the
social relations of life.

358 BIOGRAPHICAL.
The venerable patriarch, now at the advanced age of
eighty-four years, is enjoying in a remarkable degree
his physical and mental powers ; is still a man of unu
sual vigor.
Of the Doctor's surviving children, one daughter, the
wife of Alfred Purdy, resides in Truxton ; another is the
wife of Rev. Henry Riley, residing at Montrose, Pa. ;
and Morris, his son, is located at Moraentz, Illinois.
Deacon Thomas Chollar was born at Pomfret, Wind
ham CO., Conn., October 24, 1118. In his youth he re
ceived such advantges as his native town afforded.
The Puritan habits of the people were well calculated
to prove serviceable to a young man possessing the
many benevolent and social traits of character that
were assiduously cultivated by Mr. Chollar. It was his
pride and pleasure to emulate the virtues of the great
and good.
Mr. Chollar came to Cortland county in February,
1802, having but partially considered the privations of
pioneer life — of the toils of the industrious settler while
contending with the rugged wilderness of nature ; the
almost insurmountable difficulties to be overcome ; the
ills, the suffering and perils that often occur to those
who venture beyond the boundary of civilization there
to rear a domicil and a home. After viewing various
portions of the unclaimed wilderness he selected a lot
which is at present known as the Northrop farm, in the
south-east part of the town. He was not, however, fully
pleased with the location, and soon after disposed of it.
At different intervals of time he extended his examina
tions, but did not make a positive and permanent selec
tion until the latter part of 1804, when he made choice

BIOGRAPHICAL. 359
of seventy acres, being a part of lot No. 11. Soon after,
he returned to his native home in Connecticut, where
he remained for nearly five years. He was married
March 5th, 1805, to Miss Sally B. Dresser, a young lady
who in after life adorned and dignified the name of wife
and mother.
He returned with his family to Homer in 1809, and
lived one year near the County House, after which he
moved on to his place and coraraenced its improveraent.
Abram Franklin drew the lot, for services rendered in
the Revolutionary struggle. He sold it to Henry Frank
lin by whom it was subsequently transferred to a Mr.
Cushman. The purchase price paid by Mr. Chollar was
$3 25 per acre. His disposition was not of that unset
tled kind which continually seeks for change, as is suf
ficiently evidenced in the fact of his having spent nearly
a half century on the very spot where he first perma
nently located, living an honored life, and exhibiting
the various virtues which fully adorn and dignify the
Christian character. His conversion occurred while in
Connecticut. He united with the Baptist Church, in
May, 1810 ; was chosen deacon in 1812, and discharged
its duties with eminent ability and usefulness until
1841, when a decline of health precluded the further
performance of the required services.
In the truthful, eloquent and admirable funeral dis
course of Deacon Chollar, pronounced by Elder Harvey,
occurred the following tributary remark :
" He was a man of strict integrity in the business
relations of life. The apostolic injunction, ' owe no man
anything,' perhaps has seldom been more strictly ob
served. No man ever had occasion to complain of mis-

360 BIOGRAPHICAL.
representation or overreaching. Though providences
beyond his control sorely tried him in earlier life, he
never had those perplexities and embarrassments that
many Christians bring upon themselves by attempting
a style of living beyond their actual means, or by care
less, reckless speculations in order to increase their
property. He rose early, worked hard, and trusted God
to reward his diligent labor. The result was, his farm
was always well cultivated ; and Providence gave him a
competence to the day of his death. ' Diligent in busi
ness, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord' was a text fitly
illustrated in his course of life."
Those who knew Deacon Chollar best will fully sub
scribe to the sentiments we have quoted. To have said
less would have been excusable in Mr. Harvey, only on
the ground of a misconception.
There is not a more sublime and interesting contem
plation than the death of an aged, consistent believer.
We behold the glorious setting of a sun which had
grown brighter through its long-continued day, till,
without a cloud to intercept its splendor it sinks into
an ocean of light.
The radiant beams of Christian experience and char
acter thus reflected by the venerable saint at the close
of life's career, seem to throw back a hallowed lustre
on all around. As we gaze on the prospect every faculty
and affection of the mind is absorbed — we breathe the
atmosphere of eternity — the concerns of the world are
forgotten — its mightiest events are reduced to their
absolute insignificance ; and the powers of the world
to come fill the soul with the most impressive interest.
We feel ourselves to be " quite on the verge of heaven."

BIOGRAPHICAL. 361
We say to our companion, " Mark the perfect man, and
behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace ;"
or pour forth the fervent prayer, "Let me die the
death of the righteous, and let my last end be like
his." To the nuraber of those whose departure has inspired
such reflections, and who have lived for full half a cen
tury on the promises of the gospel, we add the name of
Deacon Thomas Chollar, who, on the 6th of August,
1855, united his testimony to that of millions who have
gone before hira, " that the just receive their reward in
a brighter and better world." His illness was long and
severe ; the disease having assumed the worst form of
spasmodic asthma, terminated in death sooner than his
friends had anticipated, and though not marked with
ecstacies his end was peaceful and happy.
Fervent in his sympathies, gentle in his communion,
consistent in his affections, the records of his Christian
excellence live in the hearts of all to whom he was
known, by whom he could but be belovedi Though
declining years had much confined him to his dwelling,
yet " Faith and Hope" were with him, and his " Charity
never failed." Misery plead not in vain. He passed
not by on " the other side" when want and sickness, cast
forth on the highway of a pitiless world, turned toward
him an imploring eye. The widow and fatherless did
not breathe to a listless ear their tale of sorrow, when
they appealed to his compassion. But he was especially
distinguished, like the excellent Lydia, whose heart the
Lord had opened to receive the faith and to show hos
pitality and kindness to those that preach the gospel.
He spent not the " precious ointment" on himself ; but

362 BIOGRAPHICAL.
broke it at his Saviour's feet, and the incense of his
heart went up with it.
When bowed with age and sickness, still he " gloried
in his infirmity," that the power of " Christ might rest
upon him," and although he felt with the Apostle " that
to depart and be with Christ is far better," yet he hum
bly resolved with patient Job, "All the days of my ap
pointed time will I wait until my change come." In
his house the weary herald of the cross has often fonnd
refreshment, and his heart has ever been opened to the
destitute ; so that while we mourn his loss, which is
severely felt by his relatives and friends and the church
of Christ, we joy upon the reflection that our loss is
inflnitely his gain. " Blessed are the dead that die in
the Lord — they rest from their labors."
The fond wish of this aged disciple has been realized —
the pilgrim has safely passed through the waves of Jor
dan, and has reached the promised land of life and
peace eternal.
And while we contemplate the bright example he has
left behind him — his faithful profession of the Christian
verity — his conscientious discharge of relative duties —
his ardent desire for the salvation of souls, and the glory
of God : in a word, his life of unspotted holiness, and
his death of sainted serenity, and then turn to his glo
rious resting-place in the presence of his Saviour and
his God — we pause, and seem to say :
He uow holds converse with the Patriarchs
Of old— with Prophets, who foretold of all
That since has shaken empires, and made way
For the dominion of the Prince of Peace.
His voice unites with David's in the song

BIOGRAPHICAL. 363
Of " Praise the Lord " — with David's harp, his harp
In concert joins the chorus of the skies.
He sits with the Apostles, and recounts
The eternal wonders of redeeming love.
Deacon Chollar was one of those who are justly
termed " the Light of the World." And that sarae light
which he had so steadily emitted during his Christian
life for the illumination of others, shone not less brightly
at the hour of death.
He reared a numerous family of children, among
whom is Dea. Thomas D. Chollar, of Horaer.
Mrs. Chollar, the aged sainted mother of Israel, still
lives, her " lamp trimraed and burning," like a beacon
light to the world of happiness, aged 80 years.
Deacon Asa Bennett was born in Mansfield, Ct., July
10, 1118. His education was strictly moral. He was
early taught to fear God and to attend to the external
forras of religion, and the parental instruction and
prayer bestowed upon his youthful mind exerted a sal
utary influence upon. his subsequent life.
At about the age of sixteen he embraced the Christian
religion, and in 1800 evinced his catholicity of spirit by
uniting with the Baptist church, in Harapton, Ct. He
removed to Homer in 1803, and united in 1806 with the
church of the same faith, of which he became an active
and influential member. Early in 1801 he was chosen
Deacon, though not ordained until 1815. His Christian
character was well calculated to command respect and
veneration, and most eminently fitted him for the high
duties of Deacon, which relation he sustained to the
church until the insatiate archer. Death, sped his shaft,
and the venerable pillar was called to his eternal home.

364 BIOGRAPHICAL.
His house was a home for the preachers, and a place
for the people of God to meet. He gathered in and
" built up souls," who will no doubt mingle their joys
with his in Heaven.
He was affable and courteous, and in all the benevo
lent associations of the day he exhibited a zealous and
enterprising spirit. His chief study seemed to be the
eternal welfare of his brethren. And while his hand
was engaged in dispensing blessings, his prayers were
ascending to the Throne of Grace for the redemption of
his fellow beings.
He was a subject of long and severe affliction. But
up to the hour of dissolution he evinced all the powers
of patience and resignation to the will of his Divine
Preserver. Eld. Alfred Bennett was . born Sept. 26, 1180, in
Mansfield, Windhara co., Ct. He received an early re
ligious education, and for which he always felt deeply
indebted to his pious parents. The buds of a bright in
telligence were early put forth, hopefully indicating a
rich developraent of mind ; the spring of youthful piety
had begun to flow along the opening channels of the
tender heart with much assurance of high excellence of
Christian character and deep devotion to his Maker. A
mild and ardent temperament, warm social virtues,
buoyant spirit, and winning address, tempered and re
fined through the chastening 'influence of his early edu
cation, raade him a great favorite, and entwined him
closely about the hearts of his devoted parents and
friends, and prepared him for the higher duties of moral
excellence just as he was entering the stage of rational
life.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 365
In 1800 he united with the Baptist church in Hampton,
some fifteen railes distant frora his home. Here he mar
ried, in 1802, Miss Rhoda Grow.
In 1803 he located in the town of Homer. His dwell
ing was a rude structure composed of logs ; the external
and internal appearances were not of the most inviting
character. Yet to the early pioneers these unhewed
tenements were of valuable importance, and contained
within their limited enclosures as much moral virtue
and social benevolence as ever flourished within the
gorgeous citadels of crowned monarchs. The valley
was yet a comparative wilderness, the hills a dense forest,
visited only by the fearless hunter and wandering sav
age. Here Mr. Bennett, with a strong arm and a reso
lute will, engaged in felling the forest. In April, 1805,
he became deeply exercised upon the subject of the
Christian ministry, and finally gave hiraself up to God
and the church, and coraraenced his labors as an itinerant
preacher. He was ordained- Feb., 1801. His subse
quent labors were arduous, but he appeared to be hap
pily adapted for the proraotion of the cause in which he
embarked ; he labored with remarkable ability and
eminent success. As a preacher his talents were respect
able, but in the gift of exhortation few persons excelled
him ; his appeals were made to the hearts of his hearers
with remarkable effect.
He died May 10, 1851.
The demise of this good man was a loss never to be
repaired ; and although it fell with peculiar weight upon
his family and near friends, yet the Baptist church of
Horaer, over which he long presided, and the poor,
shared very largely in the bereavement, for in him they
always found a constant and untiring friend.

366 BIOGRAPHICAL.
The closing period of his life was calm as a peaceful
river. His inspiring hope of immortality found expres
sion in the triumphant language of " Glory I Glory ! "
Malachi Church, was born in Brattleborough, Ver
mont, May 15th, 1169. He enjoyed very liraited advan
tages for literary pursuits ; yet, by diligent application,
he acquired a knowledge of the elementary branches
which qualified him for the practical duties or business
transactions of public life. A portion of his time, when
a young man, was occupied in cultivating the soil, and
in acquiring a knowledge of the blacksmith's trade.
At the age of twenty-two years he married Lucy
Blakeslee, and reared a large family of children — four
sons and six daughters. In the winter of 1804-5, he
emigrated to the present town of Bainbridge, Chenango
county, N. Y., and in September of 1805 he removed to
that part of the Tioughnioga valley now included in the
town of Marathon, a distance of about forty miles.
This journey was accomplished in three days with hard
toil. Here he found but a few scattering residents,
and no reasonable encourageraent was presented to the
patronage of a mechanic. Hence it becarae necessary,
as the means of supporting his family, to engage in ag
ricultural pursuits, in clearing and cultivating the soil.
The lands lying in the valley being more feasible of
tillage, were first cleared and improved ; but gradu
ally, as other settlers arrived, the contiguous hill lands
were taken up ; but the process of cutting and burning
up the heavy tiraber and fitting the land for growing
crops was a work of severe toil and of slow progress.
Mills for sawing luraber for building, and for grinding
grain, were greatly needed, but for the want of adequate

BIOGRAPHICAL. 367
means none were erected till the year 1810. These
structures called into requisition the aid of mechanics.
The first framed edifices were erected on the land where
Marathon village is now located. Mr. Church, some ten
or twelve years after his arrival here, built a frame
house and shop on the west side of the river, a few rods
frora the present railroad depot ; where, assisted by his
sons, he successfully carried on the blacksmithing busi
ness for several years. About the year 1815 Mr.
Church was solicited to become a candidate for the
office of Justice of the Peace ; and although a large
majority of the inhabitants were opposed to his political
opinions, yet entertaining a high regard for impartial
ity, integrity, and capacity, his narae was presented as
the unaniraous choice of the people. It will be recol
lected that all judicial officers at that tirae were ap
pointed by the governor ; and when a petition was pre
sented for the appointment of an individual by constit
uents known to be favorable to the State administra
tion, there could be no hesitancj'- in complying with the
wishes of the petitioners. Mr. Church was accordingly
duly appointed, and held the office for quite a number
of years, discharging the duties thereof with ability
equal to the confidence which the public had reposed in
him. In the year 1823 Mr. Church made a public pro
fession of religion and became a raember of the Baptist
church, and for his zeal in the cause, his talents and
christian character, he was soon after appointed a dea
con of the church, — an office which he filled with honor
to the cause by an exemplary life to the tirae of his
decease, which occurred November 20th, 1846, at the
age of seventy-seven years. His widow survived him

368 BIOGRAPHICAL.
a few years. At his death, he left four sons and three
daughters. His sons were all distinguished for military
talent, and each of -whom received a Colonel's commis
sion ; three of them also served as Justices of the Peace.
His daughters were, by marriage, connected with re
spectable families.
Major Adin Webb was a native of Scotland, Wind
ham county. Conn. His father, Christopher Webb, was
an industrious and enterprising agriculturist. At an
early period of the American Revolution he embarked
in the arduous struggle, and devoted his best energies
to the acquisition of liberty and an equality of rights.
He held the office of Sergeant, and discharged with
marked ability its responsible duties. He was with his
brethren in arras during the cold and stormy winter so
memorable in history, when they were encamped on the
hills back of Morristown, suffering the most severe pri
vations ; half fed, half clothed, and much less than half
paid. His bravery and heroic devotion to his country
was exhibited on various occasions, and especially in
the bloody conflict at Bennington, and in the capture
of Burgoyne, near Stillwater. He died a professor
of religion, March 1, 1831.
Adin Webb, the subject of this notice, was born
March 31, 1180. While still a mere child, his father
concluded to change his place of residence, and located
at Canterbury, -where he remained until June 4, 1804.
His early literary advantages were respectable, hav
ing received a good acaderaic education. He was reared
to the busin'ess of agriculture, though he frequently
engaged in teaching school. He taught eight winters
in Connecticut — the first at the age of sixteen.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 369
Modest and unpretending in his manners — strictly
correct in gentlemanly deportment — diligent in the pur
suit of his various duties, he secured the esteem of his
pupils, and enjoyed a large share of the best affections
of his near friends.
He was married October 15, 1800, to Miss Deborah
Carter, in whose person were united in the extreraest
sense the various accomplishments of an intellectual
lady. She too, was devoted to the profession of teaching.
He removed with his parents in 1804 to Cazenovia, N.
Y. He came in with an ox team, by way of Hartford,
Albany, Utica, Whitestown, Westmoreland, and Lenox.
Approaching near Manlius, he turned to the left and
bore to the head of Cazenovia lake, where his father
purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land.
He spent one year and a half with his father, and
then, through the urgent solicitations of a friend, was
induced to come to Homer and take a school for a term
of four months, as also a singing-school. Gratified with
his success, and pleased with the attractive beauties of
the county, he concluded to locate. And it is certainly
complimentary of him to remark, that with one excep
tion he taught seventeen successive years.
In 1808 he erected a dwelling-house on ground now
occupied by Mr. Barber's new block. A few years
after he disposed of it and purchased a lot of Captain
Hezekiah Roberts, and erected a dwelling on ground at
present covered by the Baptist church. Subsequently
he sold this to Chauncey Keep, and spent two years in
the vicinity of Mr. Kingsbury's. He next purchased a
situation of Mr, As9, Kendall, where t? lived until 1823,
when he removed to Cortland,
17

370 BIOGRAPHICAL.
In 1826 he purchased a lot on which now stands the
jewelry store of Mr. Stiles.
At this time he entered into copartnership with Mr.
Eleazar W. Edgcomb, in the mercantile business. The
copartnership continued about ten years, when the lat
ter disposed of his interest to Mr. Calvin Bishop. These
gentlemen were sons-in-law of Mr. Webb. He con
tinued for about fifteen years in the prosecution of the
mercantile trade.
In 1809 he was elected Town Clerk of the old town of
Homer, and continued in the discharge of its duties for
twenty years.
He was appointed Surrogate in 1816, and held the
office till 1823.
In -1821 he was elected Justice of the Peace ; and in
1828 elevated to the responsible office of Sheriff.
In 1840 he was elected Surrogate, and served the
people for four years.
In 1845 he was elected Town Clerk of Cortlandville,
and continued to discharge its duties till 1856.
His inclinations partook but little of a military cast ;
yet in 1809 he was elected a Lieutenant. The next
spring he was chosen Captain, in place of Benjamin An
drews. He served four years, and was then elected
2nd Major.
He joined the Congregational church iu Homer in
1813, and led th'e choir for fifteen successive years.
In 1823 he united by letter with a church ofthe same
order in Cortland.
In private life he has ever exhibited the true charac
teristics of a gentleman. In his public career he has
adorned and dignified his position, alike creditable to

BIOGRAPHICAL. 371
himself and his country. A true pattern of integrity
and worth, he is revered, not as a laurel-crowned hero,
but as a noble specimen of the Great Architect. If
" 'Tis infamy to die and not be missed,"
Major Webb will go down to the tomb an honored relic
of an iron age, leaving behind him an unblemished rep
utation, which, like the cruse of oil, will gladden manj'
a cherished heart.
The habits of Major Webb have been most remarka
bly correct. The nuraerous exhilirating beverages,
alike destructive to the physical and the mental facul
ties, have had little or no infiuence over him. He has
usually risen early, and always been active and ener
getic ; and to those influences he attributes much of his
usually excellent health.
We doubt whether there is another individual in
the county who has more warm personal friends, or
whose sympathies and virtues have taken a more last
ing hold upon the affections of the people.
And now, at the advanced age of seventy-eight, he
exhibits the activity and sprightliness of the man of
sixty. Mrs. Webb died February 21, 1850.
Samuel Gilbert Hatheway was born in Freetown,
Bristol county, Mass., July 18, 1180. He is descended
from those Gilberts of whora Sir Humphrey was one,
and from the Puritans, Bradford and Alden. He was
the youngest son of Shadrach and Hannah (Chase)
Hatheway. His only brother was lost at sea with the
vessel he commanded. His sister married and died in
New England. The father deceased while the son was

372 biographical.
yet in infancy, and soon after he was placed under the
care of his paternal grandfather, with whom he re
mained for a period of nine years. His early education
was derived principally from the primary schools of his
native State. He possessed great energy of character,
a clear, active mind, and was resolved to succeed in
life, and hence he achieved a triumph over every dif
ficulty. His early habits of industry were in after time
exhibited in the unbending perseverance of the young
New England farmer. His self-reliant powers were re
garded with almost idolatrous respect. His energy was
his capital, and he invested it with pleasure in approved
pursuits. The limited amount of learning which he ac
quired in the common schools was subsequently greatly
enlarged by private study and extensive reading.
Thrown upon his own resources, he first presumed that
the mariner's life would be congenial with his feelings,
but, after making a voyage to the West Indies, he
readily concluded that it would neither promote his in
terest nor be propitious to his feelings.
In 1803 Mr. Hatheway migrated to Chenango county,
designing to make a permanent residence ; he was not,
however, well pleased with the country, and after spend
ing two years in the settlement, reraoved to Cincinnatus,
(now Freetown), and located on lot No. 2. Soon after,
his mother, a woman of great mental and physical
energy, joined him, and remained with him' until her
death, which occurred Aug. 14, 1826. He purchased
300 acres of Robert Smith, a Revolutionary soldier.
Mr. Sraith drew the lot and had located on it some ten
years previous. At this time Mr. Hatheway was eight
miles distant from his nearest neighbor on the south.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 373
four to the north, and about a like number to the east
and west.
In 1819 he removed to Solon, and settled on the
eastern part of lot 11. Here he remained until 1842,
when his buildings were 'devastated by fire, and he
changed his residence to his present location on lot 13.
In 1810 he was appointed by the Council of Appoint
ment, Justice of the Peace, which office he has held
forty-eight successive years. He has also been honored
with every office from Supervisor down to Commissioner
of Highways.
In 1814, and again in 1818, he was elected to the
New York Assembly. These were periods of marked
importance in the political annals of our State, and Mr.
Hatheway fully sustained the confidence reposed in him
by his party and friends.
In 1822 he was elected to the State Senate, and in
1832 chosen a Representative from the 22d District to
the United States Congress.
His early tastes led him into political life, and he
soon acquired great influence in the Democratic party.
A deep thinker and of active temperament, he was well
calculated to plan and execute whatever business of a
political and social nature he might undertake. Few
citizens, if any, in the county, have acquired an equal
influence in the control of party movements, or who
could with so much exactness predict its majorities. It
is believed that he has in no instance swayed from his
political predilections, and has never compromised a
right for the achievement of a temporary success.
In 1852 he was elected a Presidential elector. In
1804 he voted for Thomas Jefferson at his second elec-

374 BIOGRAPHICAL.
tion to the Presidency, and has voted for every Demo
cratic candidate since.
He was a delegate to the National Democratic Con
vention at Cincinnati, in June, 1856, when James Bu
chanan was chosen as the national standard-bearer of
the party he represented.
In 1808 he received a captain's commission in a bat-
tallion of infantry, under the command of Major John
Kingman. He was appointed Major in 1814, and Lieut.
Colonel by Gov. Tompkins in 1816 ; Colonel in 1819 ;
Brigadier General in 1820, by Gov. Clinton ; Major
General in 1823, by Gov. Yates. The last appointment
he still holds.
On the 13th of May, 1846, an Act was passed by the
Legislature of New York, for the encouragement of the
formation of uniform companies, and to provide for the
enrollraent of the militia. In accordance with this Act,
Gov. Wright, on the 21st of October of that year,
directed Major General Hatheway to divide the Sixth
Military Division into two brigade districts, accord
ing to representative population as ascertained by the
State census of 1845, and as required by section 3d of
that law.
The duty was promptly attended to. He divided the
division into two brigade districts, as follows : the first
he composed of the counties of Oneida and Oswego,
and the towns of Sterling, Victory, Ira, Cato, and Con
quest, in the county of Cayuga, and the towns of Ly
sander, Van Buren, Clay, and Cicero, in the county of
Onondaga ; and the second, of the counties of Cortland,
Tompkins, and the remaining towns of the counties of
Cayuga and Onondaga.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 375
The Report was fully approved by the Commander-in-
Chief, and was regarded as an improvement on the
original suggestion of the Adjutant-General, R. E.
Temple. Under the direction of Gov. Young, General Hathe
way divided the Sixth Division into four Brigade Dis
tricts, according to representative population.
Previous to the passage of the Act referred to, the
State was composed of thirty-two divisions — two brig
ades in each. The new law reduced them to eight.
The Sixth Division was composed of the counties of
Oneida, Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, and
Tompkins. General Hatheway, being the oldest Major General
in the Sixth Division, was retained ; thus extending to
hira a compliment, not only for his venerated worth as
a man, but for his zealous efforts as an officer.
During the entire period of a half century. General
Hatheway has witnessed the gradual increase of the
country from a wilderness to a populous and prosperous
district ; and he has during the same period been inti
mately concerned with its business and its interests.
In the various civil and military capacities, he has
been equally useful. His persevering energy rendered
hira valuable as a public officer, and prosperous in his
private affairs. He has accumulated a very large prop
erty. His land consists of upwards of 3000 acres.
The Home Farm between eleven and twelve hundred.
His elegant residence was erected in 1844-5.
General Hatheway was married October, 1808, to
Miss Sally Eraerson, of Solon. She died April 28, 1832.
Mrs. Hatheway was a lady of education and refinement

376 BIOGRAPHICAL.
and possessed many erainent qualities. The inhabi
tants of the town where she passed her married life
still speak of her many virtues, her genial kindness,
and her untiring energy.
In November, 1848, Mr. Hatheway was again united
in marriage to an educated and refined lady, in the
person of Miss Catherine Saxton, of Groton.
General Hatheway is the father of eleven children —
of the six sons, two only survive. Colonel S. G. Hathe
way, Jr., is a prominent attorney and politician, resid
ing at Elmira. Colonel C. L. Hatheway, his fourth son,
is the active man of business at home. The accom
plished and so much lamented Major John S. Hatheway,
of the United States Army, was the second son. George
R., the third son, was just admitted to the bar, when
his career of promise ended. Charles R., the fifth son,
was still a student. The sixth son died in childhood.
Of his five daughters, three are living.
And now General Hatheway, at the venerated age of
seventy-eight years, exhibits a remarkable degree of
health, energy and vivacity ;
" His age like a lusty winter, frosty, but kindly."
Thurlow Weed was born in Cairo, Green co., N. Y.,
Nov. 15, 1191, and at the age of eleven years removed
with his parents to Cincinnatus. In his youth he failed
to enjoy the advantages of a good education. The
limited means of his father required the most laborious
exertions to support his faraily with even a moderate
degree of respectability. His educational privileges
were therefore as ample as the circurastances of his
parents would permit. He attended school "one quar-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 377
ter" in Catskill, "part of a winter term" in Cincin
natus, and " three months " in Onondaga Hollow, pay
ing for board and schooling, in the latter place, by
working in the garden, chopping wood, and doing
chores, morning and evening, for Jasper Hopper. He
possessed a healthy, vigorous physical constitution, and
an infiexible, abiding determination to excel. Though
he was for the brief period of his minority doomed to
constant physical toil ; and though he might for a time
be tossed about by the fickle breezes of external cir
cumstances, he would at least make efforts to take that
elevated rank to which it was his right and his duty to
aspire. He felt the pressure of poverty ; he kuew the
extent of his father's purse ; he possessed talents,
genius, and self-confidence, and he resolved to accom
plish his purpose. He was never reckless, never an
idler, and al-ways conscious of his ability or self-reliant
powers to advance. If he relinquished one enterprise,
it was but to achieve another.
In the summer of 1806 he was employed in the capac
ity of cook and cabin boy on board the sloop Banger,
Captain Gager, of Catskill, and on board the sloop
Jefferson, Captain Bogardus, in 1801. In the winter of
1808 his father removed to Cincinnatus, and our young
aspirant found himself quartered in an ashery, where
he learned the mystery of converting lye into black
salts. During the winter of 1801 he first worked in the
printing office of Macky Croswell, at Catskill, and was
honored with the title of " Brinter's Devil." In 1811
he was employed in the " Lynx " office, at Onondaga
Hollow. The next year he was engaged as a half-way
iourneyman in the office of Thomas Walker, of Utica,
17*

378 BIOGRAPHICAL.
and worked on the " Columbian Gazette ;" and in 1813,
for Colonel William L. Stone, on the " Herkiraer Araeri
can." From this time until 1815, he was employed for
short periods, at full pay, in offices at Auburn, Spring
Mills, Sangersfield, Cazenovia, and Cooperstown ; and
for longer terras in Utica and Herkimer, when he went
to Albany, and New York, working as a journeyman
until 1819. He then went to Norwich, Chenango co.,
and established a weekly newspaper entitled "The
Agriculturist." In 1821 he removed to Manlius, Onon
daga co., and established the " Onondaga County Repub-
ican." In 1822 he removed to Rochester, and was em
ployed in the office of Everard Peck, for whom he worked
two years, when he purchased his paper, the " Roches
ter Telegraph." Mr. Weed took strong ground in favor
of De Witt Clinton, who was elected Governor in the
November election of 1824, and again in 1826. After
the abduction of William Morgan, in 1821, he discon
tinued the " Telegraph," and commenced the publica
tion of the " Anti-Masonic Enquirer," which soon became
the leading anti-masonic paper of the State. The " Tele
graph," under the supervision of Mr. Weed, had exerted
a coraraanding and wide-spread influence. The control
ling power of the " Enquirer" was far greater. Over
the party of which it was the great head, its influence
was almost unliraited. In 1830 he removed to Albany,
and established the " Evening Journal," which for up
wards of a quarter of a century he has conducted with
signal ability and success.
During the last clash at arms between Great Britain
and the United States, Mr. Weed exhibited an inclina
tion for a more intimate association with the valorous

BIOGRAPHICAL. 379
spirits who warred for fame, glory and independence.
In the winter of 1813 he volunteered, and served six
weeks as a private in Capt. Ashbel Seward's company,
then stationed at Adams, Jefferson county. Nothing of
particular importance occurred, and he was discharged
when the apprehensions of an attack from the British, a
body of which were supposed to be preparing to cross
on the ice, had subsided. He was a private three months
in Lieut. Ellis' company of Artillery from Utica, and
stationed at Brownville, in the same county. The regi
ment was comraanded by Col. Metcalf, of Cooperstown.
Mr. Weed also served at Sackett's Harbor as Quarter
Master Sergeant in Col. Myer's regiment, of Herkimer,
from August till October.
In 1824, and again in 1829, he was elected to the As
sembly from the County of Monroe. He made an active
and influential member.
He was married to Miss Catharine Ostrander, of
Cooperstown, in April, 1818.
In 1843 Mr. Weed took a tour to Europe, visiting
England, Scotland, -Ireland, Wales, France and Belgium.
In 1852 he took a second tour, and extended his visit to
Switzerland, Germany, Saxony, Austria, Sardinia and
Italy. During his travels he furnished for the columns
of the Flvening Journal a series of exceedingly interest
ing and valuable letters, which were extensively copied
throughout the State, and indeed throughout the Union.
They exhibited a complete daguerreotype of the habits,
customs and national characteristics of the people of
those countries.
Mr. Weed possesses a strong, clear and well-balanced
mind. His career thus far has been an eventful one.

380 BIOGRAPHICAL.
From the cook and cabin boy on board the sloops Ranger
and Jefferson, he worked his way to a position thfe most
worthy, dignified and appreciable. From the black salt
manufacturer of Cincinnatus, or the young salt boiler
of Salina, we see him gradually progressing in the scale
of the ascending series, until he has reached the highest
round in the ladder of political sagacity and editorial
preferment. The chore-boy of Jasper Hopper becomes
repeatedly a meraber of the Legislature, State printer,
and unrivaled political editor of the Empire State.
The youthful volunteer in the second struggle for free
dom escapes the maelstrom of voluptuous dissipation,
and becomes a self-made great man ; great in intellect,
and great in the achievement of an enviable reputation.
Had he vacillated and yielded to the nuraerous dlscour-
ageraents with which he was surrounded, he would never
have taken his station in bright conspicuity in the an
nals of the world. His resolution and firraness of char
acter saved him. He not only astonished his friends
with the extent and variety of his attainments, but he
astonished even himself. He did not look for superior
mental manifestations without effort or active exertion,
any more than he did for manifestations of physical
power without constant exercise of the physical system.
The skill of the mariner is unknown to the world, and
even to himself, until he finds occasion to spread his can
vas to the fury of the terapest — until his vessel plunges
amidst the foaming, boisterous billows — until he comes
in fearful contact with the angry elements of the mighty
deep. The same is true of all the numerous conflicts of
the huraan mind ; and resolution and decision are the
only sure guaranty of success and ultimate triumph.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 381
The illustrious intellects from Homer down — the giant
minds "who rise above their fellow-men, and stretch out
their hands to each other across the interval of ages,
transmitting to succeeding generations the torch of sci
ence, poetry and art, have achieved their greatness of
character through the active propelling agency of these
progressive elements-r They have distributed the ener
gies of the soul through every fibre, shred and muscle
of the human brain ; have given god-like energy to the
human character ; filled the fair temples of farae, leveled
forests, and converted the nations of the earth from
savagism and barbarity to a higher state of raoral and
intellectual greatness. Resolution and decision are
traits of character which we admire, and which we love
to contemplate. We pay them homage in Xerxes and
Alexander — in Hannibal, Scipio and Napoleon — in Nero
and Caligula. Indeed, we can scarcely contemplate
them even in a demon without doing it involuntary
reverence. It is inconsistent with the nature of mind
that it should rise to greatness and distinction without
unceasing effort. Hannibal's name is immortal, because
the towering Alps, whose lofty peaks penetrated the
clouds of heaven, could not successfully resist the en
ergies of his mind. He fearlessly marched with his
invincible host over those rugged and dangerous steeps,
where mortal foot had never trod before. Thurlow
Weed, through a like unceasing effort, has braved the
ills of poverty, voluptuous excitement, a thousand
threatening disasters, and slowly carved his way to
wealth and greatness.
JohR L. Boyd was born in Charlton, Saratoga county,
N. Y., October 16th, 1183. His educational advantages

382 BIOGRAPHICAL.
were limited to the comraon schools, where he acquired
the rudiments of his education, and such scholarship as
the transient opportunities of the country afforded. He
had, however, early laid a good foundation for a prac
tical education, which in due time was honorably com
pleted. At the age of thirteen he left the parental roof and
the common pursuits of the youth of that time, and was
for the succeeding four years in the employ of William
S. Packer, an established hatter in Galway. Having
closed his apprenticeship, he entered into the hatting
business on his own account, but discontinued the en
terprise at the end of one year and a half. Soon after,
he was employed by James Hamilton, and continued in
his service in the capacity of bar-keeper for about two
years, when he removed with his father to Irondequoit,
Monroe county. Here he had hoped to secure perma
nent employment, but failing in the effort, he engaged
with a Mr. Seymour, and spent two months in surveying
the large tract of land lying between Rochester and
Lake Ontario. He was subsequently employed in the
store of Messrs. Tryon and Adams, where he reraained
two years, and then returned to Saratoga county, and
was for a like period engaged in agricultural pursuits.
We next find Mr. Boyd in Albany, employed in the for
warding house of Hugh and Hamilton Boyd. At this
period (1808,) the embargo made a serious change in
commercial affairs, and darkened for a time our politcal
horizon. The restraining infiuence extended beyond the
shipping interest, and, indeed, paralized alraost every
branch of industry. The forwarding business was in
the main closed, or very greatly limited, and in conse-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 383
quence Mr. Boyd again returned to his agricultural
labors — an avocation in which he has since continued.
Mr. Boyd was married in 1809 to Miss Electa Bacon,
of Williamstown, Mass., an early class-mate of Mrs.
Col. Canfield in the Litchfield Academy. He removed
to Solon in 1811; purchased 119 acres on lot 98. He
subsequently added 251 acres to his farm, and at pres
ent retains 225.
In 1812 he was elected Lieutenant in a company of
Infantry, commanded by Capt. Hedges, of Truxton. He
afterwards rose to the rank of Colonel.
Previous to 1821 he received two commissions of ap
pointment to the office of Justice of the Peace, but de
clined the honors. After the revision of the State Con
stitution, he was repeatedly elected to the same office,
as also various other responsible positions in the gift
of the people.
In 1821 Col. Boyd was elected to the New York Leg
islature, and made an active and efficient member. His
first vote was cast for Thomas Jefferson at his second
election in 1804.
In 1823 he united with the Union Congregational
Society of Cincinnatus and Solon, and has since filled
numerous prominent positions in the church, serving for
many years in the capacity of deacon. He was a zeal
ous pioneer iu the early temperance reformation, and,
indeed, an active participant in most of the social re
forms of the day ; and has successfully discharged the
duties of Sabbath school superintendent for upwards of
twenty-eight years.
He has reared an intelligent family of nine children.
Louise M. is the wife of James Thompson, Esq., Cashier

384 BIOGRAPHICAL.
of the Camden, White Creek Valley Bank. John W.
is an honored member of the Wisconsin State Senate —
now serving a second term.
Colonel Boyd is emphatically a self-made man. Stout
hearted and sanguiue, he felt that if blessed with health
and the ordinary advantages comraon to the pioneer
period in which he was reared, he could succeed in life
and ultimately carve out for himself a respectable com
petency. His early reverses and embarrassments, in
stead of impairing his youthful energy, served but to
stiraulate him to greater activity. And when he had
accumulated by honest industry and untiring energy a
small fund, with his young and interesting wife he
sought this wild region of country, and became an occu
pant of a log cabin. Here they spent many years of
primitive happiness — though, strictly speaking, they
were years of unremitting toil and privation. Sur
rounded by the deep, dark forests ; undismayed by the
howl of the wolf, or the panther's scream, he grasped'
' ' The axe, that wondrous instrument
That, like the talisman, transforms
Deserts to fields and cities,"
and with a strong arm and a resolute will he went
forth to war with the stern old monarchs of the forest.
His Utopian dream has been realized ; his enterprise
fully rewarded ; and now, at the age of seventy-five,
we find him surrounded with broad and productive
fields, in the fiill enjoyment of all the conveniences and
comforts of life, an honored pioneer of an iron age ; still
living upon the ground where his primitive cabin was
reared, and still cultivating the .soil over which, previ-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 385
OUS to his early adventure the footprints of civilization
had scarce traversed the trail of the red man ;
" Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey,
Or men as wild and fierce as they.''
Joseph Reynolds was born in Easton, Washington
CO., N. Y., September 14, 1185. Some years after, his
father removed to Galway, Saratoga co., from which
place Mr. Reynolds migrated to Virgil, in 1809. He was
eight days on the road. With his wallet of bread and
cheese on his shoulder, he left his horae for the promised
land ofthe Tioughnioga valley. He drove in two cows;
and, as yet having no land, or provision made for their
keeping, he gave the milk of one for the keeping of
both. Having made the necessary arrangements for
his young family, he engaged himself in clearing land
for his neighbors, at the rate of seventy-five cents per
day. In the spring of 1810 Mr. Reynolds purchased a small
farra, mostly on credit ; and, with a deterraination to
prosper through the raeans of honest labor, commenced
felling the forest trees, that the virgin soil might yield
to the hand of productive toil. Success followed his
industrious and economical pursuits.
In 1814 he was elected to the office of constable.
Soon after, a company of rifleraen was organized, and he
was made Captain. The company proposed entering into
the service of the country in opposition to the encroach
ments of Great Britain. Having been reported to the
proper quarter as being fully equipped and ready to
march, they were in turn directed to remain as "minute
men," lest a sally might be made on Salt Point by way

386 BIOGRAPHICAL.
of Oswego. Peace was however declared before the
fierce war-spirits were crowned with laurels. The organ
ization was discontinued. In 1811 he was appointed
Major ; in 1818, Colonel ; and in 1823 he was chosen
Brigadier General. This post he held with much credit
for seven years.
In 1815 he was appointed Justice of the Peace in the
town of Virgil, by the Old Council of Appointment, and
held the office for about twenty-three years. After the
Council of Appointment was abolished, he was elected
by the Democratic party, to which he has ever been
attached. In 1818 he was elected to the Assembly without op
position : such an election has not happened in the
county since. He was present when the division of
parties took place ; a portion of the Democrats or Re
publicans went over to the Clintonian party. The
parties stood divided — fifty-one Clintonians, headed by
Obadiah Germain ; forty-four Bucktails, headed by Wm.
Thompson ; and twenty-eight Federalists, headed by
Wm. A. Duer. After two days balloting the Clintoni
ans and Federals fused, and elected Mr. Germain,
Speaker. In 1821 he was appointed Judge of Cortland county,
which office he filled for nearly eighteen years — five of
which he occupied the honorable position of first
Judge. In 1825 he was elected Supervisor, and continued to
discharge its duties until 1835.
In 1832 he was elected a Presidential Elector, and
cast his vote for the Democratic candidate.
In 1834 he was elected to the 24th Congress of the

BIOGRAPHICAL. 387
United States, from the counties of Tioga, Tompkins
and Cortland.
In 1839 he came to Cortland Village, and erected the
splendid residence which he now occupies.
Judge Reynolds is emphatically a self-made man — a
man of character and influence. There are but few who
have made greater exertions in early life — who have
labored harder, or who, through .self-exertion, have
carved their way to fortune, honor, and just respectr
ability. William Randall was born in the year 1182. His
brother. General Roswell Randall, was born in 1186.
Their father, Robert Randall, was a native of Stonington,
Connecticut. William was reared to farming pursuits.
Roswell obtained a superior education, and studied law
with Stephen 0. Ranegan, of Oxford. He was admitted
to the bar, but never practised. The brothers engaged
in merchandise together in Madison county, but re
moved to Cortland Village about the year 1812, where
they continued the business. Their store was on the site
now occupied by that of James S. Squires. They were
highly successful in trade, which continued for a num
ber of years. They at length dissolved their partner
ship, and William erected a store, which is now the
Randall Bank. Roswell built the Eagle Store, now un
occupied. When they finally discontinued the mercan
tile trade, the former engaged in banking and farming,
and the latter in cultivating his farra. Williara Randall
was emphatically a man of mark in his day. He pos
sessed a clear, strong, and vigorous intellect, a firm and
resolute mind, a warm and generous heart, and was, in
short, a valued citizen. He died December 23, 1850.

388 BIOGRAPHICAL.
Roswell Randall was an early Post-master of Cort
land Village, and has honorably filled various other
positions. His military rank of Brigadier-General was
attained through the several gradations, commencing
with fourth Corporal. He was much admired as a mili
tary officer. And now, at the age of seventy-two, with
his physical and mental constitution unimpaired, has but
partially retired from the active duties of life.
Williara and Roswell Randall were energetic business
men. The monuments of their memory may be seen in
the elegant residences, erected at their expense, which
adorn and beautify the village.
George W. Bradford was born in Cooperstown, Otsego
county, N. Y., May 9, 1196. He is of English descent,
and of the sixth generation from Governor William
Bradford, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who, in 1620, on
board of the May Flower, braved the waves of the
stormy ocean, preferring to seek an asylum in the rude
wilds of America rather than endure the persecution of
religious fanatics and political tyrants in the land of
his birth, and who for twenty years was the great head
or ruling spirit of the Plymouth Colony. The ancestors
of Dr. Bradford were of families of distinction in the
early annals of Massachusetts.
His father was an agriculturist and manufacturer,
and gave his son the advantages of a common school
education. He early irapressed upon his mind the
actual necessity of self-reliance ; and this has ever been
an element in his character.
In 1812, at the age of sixteen years, he was sent to the
academy of Woodstock, Ct, and placed under the charge
of the principal, the venerable Rinaldo Burleigh, father

BIOGRAPHICAL. 389
of Wm. H. and C. C. Burleigh, whose literary achieve
ments have made them ornaments to the age in which
they live.
In 1814 he entered a classical school at Clinton, N.
Y., and becarae a classmate of the Hon. Gerrit Smith.
He pursued his classical studies until failing health
required a relaxation from his studies. He abandoned
for a time the study of Csesar, Virgil, Livy, Sallust and
Cicero, and made a general tour through the States and
the Canadas, occupying about one year of tirae. Hav
ing regained his health, in 1816 he coraraenced the study
of medicine with Dr. Thomas Fuller, of Cooperstown,
and completed his professional studies in 1820. In the
same year he was licensed to practice medicine by the
Medical Association of Otsego county, and soon after
located in Homer, where he united with the Cortland
Medical Association, and coraraenced the practice of his
profession. He soon acquired a varied and extensive
practice, and devoted all his energies exclusively to it.
In 1846 he was elected a permanent member of the
State Medical Society, and received the degree of M. D.
in the same year. In 1841 he was made a member of
the American Medical Association. In 1856 he was
elected an honorary member of the Wisconsin State
Historical Society, and of the Araerican Association for
the Advanceraent of Science in 1856.
In 1858 the Faculty of Genesee College conferred on
hira the honorary degree of A. M.
Dr. Bradford held a coramission in the Medical Staff
of the Militia of this State, under Major General Hathe
way, from 1821 to 1832, occupying the different grades
from Surgeon's Mate of the Regiment to Hospital Sur-

390 BIOGRAPHICAL.
geon of the Division. In the fall of 1851 he was elected
to the Assembly of this State, and in 1853 he was
elevated to a seat in the State Senate, and in 1855 he
was reelected by a very large and increased majority.
He served the three terms with great credit to himself
and his constituents. He was Chairman of one of the
important Committees of the House, and of two Stand
ing and one Select Committee of the Senate.
" The interests of education, and the benevolent insti
tutions of the State, found in Senator Bradford a warm
supporter."* He made an active and industrious member, having
been absent only on one occasion — an evening session —
during the whole five years of his legislative labors ;
and his absence at that time was caused by a detention
of the cars. He framed and introduced several very
iraportant bills, among which we may mention the one
for the appointment of Commissioners of Common
Schools. Pew Senators were more generally respected
or possessed more influence among the members.
In the Congregational church (of which he became a
member in 1832), in the Temperance Reform, and as a
member of the County Bible Society, he was especially
active. For the last thirty-four years he has ser-ved
in the capacity of Secretary of the Medical Associa
tion. The Cortland Academy owes its prosperity in no
sraall degree to the efforts of Dr. Bradford, whose ambi
tion has been to make it what it really is, a " model
institution." For the last thirty years he has discharged
<^ Senator Kelley's letter.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 391
the duties of Trustee. In the sick room he has ever ex
hibited a kind and generous sympathy ; to the poor and
friendless he has been liberal and just.
His reading is varied and extensive. In the science
of Botany, Geology, Mineralogy, and Zoology, he be
came a proficient.
He was married in 1818 to Miss Mary Ann Walker, of
Middlefield. Of their three children— daughters— only
one is now living, — the wife of William W. Northrop, of
New York. Mrs. Northrop is a lady of extensive read
ing and of liberal education. She reads fluently in
seven different languages.
Dr. Bradford is at present engaged in the practice of
his profession, in which capacity he has been abun
dantly successful.
SAMnBL_NELS0N was born in Hebron, Washington co..
New York, TnTov. 10, 1192. His parents were' John
Rogers Nelson and Jane M'Carter ; both of Irish
descent. Their ancestors emigrated from the north of
Ireland to_ Salem, New York, about the year 1160.
They came over irTcmnpany with their clergyman, the
Rev. Dr. Clark, a protestant of the strictest Presbyte
rian faith.
John Rogers Nelson married Miss Jane M'Carter at
the close of the Revolution, and settled in Hebron.
They were among the early pioneers in the settlement
of that town, — its organization having occurred in
March, 1188. Their eldest son, John Jay Nelson, only
brother of the subject of this sketch, resides on the
original premises.
Samuel Nelson was at an early age sent to the dis
trict school, where he made the usual progress in the

392 BIOGRAPHICAL.
primary branches. He fitted for college at a classical
school in Salem, taught by the Rev. Mr. Gross ; and at
the Granville Academy, having for its principal the
distinguished Sal€m Town. He entered Middleberry
College, the Rev. Dr. Davis, principal, in the spring of
1811, and graduated in August, 1813, at the age of
twenty-one. Adopting the legal profession, he studied
law in Salem, under two eminent lawyers, — Messrs.
Savage and Woods, — with whom he remained upwards
of two years ; — the senior partner being the late dis
tinguished Chief Justice of New York.
In 1816, Judge Woods, the junior partner, removed
to Madison county, where he settled in his profession.
He was accompanied by Mr. Nelson, who, at the Janu
ary term of the Supreme Court, 1811, was admitted to
the bar. Soon after, he came to this county and located
in Cortland Village, where he entered into the practice
of law.
Cortland, though a small village, had become the
coiAity seat. The leading members of the bar were
Oliver Wisewell, Henry Stephens, Samuel S. Baldwin,
Townsend Ross, Edward C. Reed, and Augustus Don
nelly. They commenced their profession unaided by
fortune or legal reputation. They, however, belonged
to a class of progressionists which seldom fail of ulti
mate success. Their intercourse was of the most
friendly character. The principle of exclusiveness was
not in those days cultivated, for selfishness was de
tested and discarded. In the southern portion of the
county Messrs. Nelson and Stephens held the exclu
sive sway in the practice under what was then terraed
the Ten Pound Act, which was limited to the jurisdic-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 393
tion of Justices Courts. And here was laid the founda
tion of their professional ability and legal fame. Mr.
Stephens had already acquired sorae notoriety as an
able and successful lawyer. He defended the first suit
brought by Mr. Nelson in the Common Pleas. It was
on a stock note. The declaration contained a special
count, and the common counts for goods sold and de
livered. Stephens demurred to the special count, and
put in the general issue to the comraon counts. Hon.
John Keep occupied the bench. The demurrer was first
argued, and a decision rendered against Mr. Nelson,
followed by an execution for costs, — which very much
astonished and chagrined hira. At least, he felt that it
was a most unfavorable beginning. However, in his
despair he sought relief in his library, and soon dis
covered that it was erroneous pcactice to enter up
judgraent and issue execution for costs on the deraurrer
until the trial of the issue of fact, and the whole case
is disposed of. Hence Mr. Nelson obtained an order
to stay proceedings on the execution, and at the next
terra of court moved to set aside the execution for
irregularity, which, with costs, was granted. He also
tried the issue of fact, and recovered his suit ; collected
the note and costs, without having to pay any. This
Judge Nelson remembers as having been regarded at
the time as quite an achievement ; and he has not since
forgotten the practice.
The above incident fully illustrates how law may be
learned even before courts not initiated into its myste
ries. The triumph of Mr. Nelson was of marked signifi
cance. It measurably established his reputation ; gave
18

394 BIOGRAPHICAL.
hira a higher position araong his legal compeers, and
opened for him a future bright and promising. If he
was not actually "born a lawyer" — if he did not be
come a Hercules at a single stride, he at least rose
rapidly in his profession, gathered fresh laurels, luxu
riant in their growth, and which have neither been
dimmed by the frosts of time, nor soiled by the touch
of an eneray. His open-hearted frankness, liberal views
and irapassioned eloquence ; his well-balanced mind
and generous impulses, — eminently fitted him for the
position he so creditably occupied, and combined to
make him an ornament to the profession and a blessing
to his country. Indeed, few young raen of that day
ranked higher, or received a more liberal share of busi
ness. The talents, a.bility, and stern integrity which
he displayed on all occasions, made him a favorite with
the people, from whom he afterwards received nume
rous political and social honors.
In the winter pf 1820-1, he was appointed by the
Legislature §, presidential elector, and he voted at the
Electoral College at Albany, for James Monroe, when
chosen for the second term.
During the latter year he received the appointment
of Post-master at Cortland Village. The peculiar cir
cumstances attending the appointment are worthy of at
least a passing notice. At that time Major Roswell
Randall was the incumbent. Young Nelson was, through
the kindness of the Major, boarding in his family, — and
the appointment, being entirely unexpected by either,
greatly perplexed Mr. Nelson, inasmuch as it left the
implication that he had been undermining his friend
while enjoying his hospitality. He, however, kpew

BIOGRAPHICAL. 395
nothing about the appointment until he received the
coramission through the post-office. Hon. Elisha Litch
field, of Onondaga county, was then a member of Con
gress, and had, without consulting Mr. Nelson, procured
the appointraent.
• He was a delegate in the Convention of 1821 for the
revision of the State Constitution, and took an active
part in the deliberations of that intelligent body. He
advocated the abolition of the property qualification,
which was upheld and defended by Chancellor Kent
and Chief Justice Spencer. Unlike them, he could not
see why men, because they might not possess a dollar's
worth of real estate, were the less competent to exer
cise or enjoy the inalienable rights of citizens.
In April, 1823, he was appointed by Governor Yates
one of the Circuit Judges under the new Constitution,
which had the previous year been ratified by a majority
of 33,330 votes. The court was composed of the coun
ties of Otsego, Delaware, Chenango, Broome, Cortland,
Tompkins, Tioga, and Steuben.
Having sustained himself throughout his eight years'
service upon the bench, with ability and honor, he was
on the first day of February, 1831, appointed by Govern
or Throop the successor of Hon. William L. Marcy on
the bench of the Supreme Court of the State of New
York, — Judge Marcy having been elected to the Uuited
States Senate.
On the 31st day of August, 1831, he was appointed
by Governor Marcy and the Senate, Chief Justice of
the State of New York, — Judge Savage having resigned
that honorable position. Judge Nelson remained in
that office until 1845, when he was appointed by Presi-

396 BIOGRAPHICAL.
dent Tyler and the Senate, the successor of Judge
Thompson, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of
the United States. Judge Thompson had adorned and
dignified the office for a period exceeding thirty-eight
years — " one of the longest and most honorable judicial
careers on record."* And yet, Judge Nelson has thus
far filled the seat made vacant by the death of Judge
Thompson, in a degree so clearly eminent as to place
him in the front rank of legal ability and judicial fame.
During his absence from Otsego county, in 1846, he
was appointed a delegate to the State Convention,
which convened at Albany on the first day of June of
that year, for the purpose of revising the Constitution ;
but the duties of his office as Associate Justice of the
Suprerae Court of the United States, and irapaired
health, precluded his attending the Convention only for
a brief portion of the time it was in session.
Judge Nelson received the degree of LL. D. from
Columbia College, New York city ; from Middlebury
College, Vermont, his alma mater, as well as from
Geneva College.
Mr. Nelson has been twice married. In the fall of
1819, M married Miss Pamela Woods, eldest daughter
bf Judge Woods, of Madison co. The union proved a
very happy and agreeable one. The tie that bound
them was not, however, permitted to remain unbroken.
Death, the dread foe, envious of mortal bliss, " marked
her for his own." She died in the summer of 1822.
Her disease was consumption ; and she bore her pro
tracted suffering with resignation, and looked forward
* Van Santvord's Life of Judge Thompson.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 397
to an exchange of worlds with Christian peace and
hope. In April, 1825, Mr. Nelson was again united in mar
riage to a lady of superior mind, genial temper and
social worth, in the person of Miss Catharine A. Rus
sell, only daughter of Judge Russell, of Cooperstown,
where they now reside.
In the character of Judge Nelson we find much to
adraire ; a combination of valuable characteristics which
are seldom found united in one person. Originally en
dowed with genius and moral sensibility; with a grasp
of intellect which seized as by intuition those stores of
knowledge which others could acquire only by painful
application, and with a full, rich flow of social feeling
which early rendered hira the fascinating centre of an
extended circle of friendship, he braced himself for a
career of emulation, and at once becarae au exaraple
and an ornament to the legal profession.
In all the positions in which he has been called to act,
he has distinguished himself with marked ability.
His career upon the bench has been characterized by
honesty, firmness, discretion, and liberal equity. His
disposition of questions, even of the most embarrassing
character, and involving the greatest responsibility,
meets the general approbation of the bar and the bench.
His opinions are clear, comprehensive and manly, and
are pronounced with the scrupulous fidelity, the discre
tion and candor of a conscientious jurist. His great
learning, eloquence and genius have secured him a pre
eminence in the profession and practice of law ; and by
his persevering attention to the duties of his office he
has amassed a princely fortune.

398 BIOGRAPHICAL.
Ira Harris was born in Charleston, Montgomery co.,
N. Y., May 31st, 1802. His parents removed to Cort
land county, in 1808, and located upont he Preble flats.
He remained with his father until he was seventeen
years of age, alternately working upon the farm and
attending the district school. He advanced rapidly in
his studies, and devoured in the intervals of farm labor
every work of interest that he could conveniently pro
cure. In 1815 he entered the Academy in Horaer,
where he pursued his preparatory collegiate studies.
In September, 1822, he entered the Junior class in Union
College, and graduated with the first honors, in 1824.
Having determined to pursue the legal profession, he
made the necessary arrangements, and at once entered
the office of Augustus Donnelly, in Cortland Village,
with whom he remained one year. His affable deport
ment, social habits, well-disciplined mind, and unremit
ting attention to his studies, secured hira many friends,
and most especially the good will of Donnelly. He left
Cortland with a view of obtaining better advantages
for the prosecution of his studies. His destination was
Albany. Thither he went, an entire stranger, carrying
with hira a voluntary letter of introduction from his
friend Donnelly to the late Chief Justice Spencer, whose
office he entered ; and during the two succeeding years,
completed his professional studies. Thus, in three years
after graduating, he was admitted to the bar, and com
menced the practice of his chosen profession in the city.
He had been a diligent and laborious student, and
had fully qualified hiraself for his new position in life.
He was ambitious and persevering, and soon laid the
foundation for his future eminence.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 399
" On Fame's high hill he saw
The laurel spread its everlasting green,
And wished to climb."
The splendor of his genius, and the many noble and
dignified traits of character for which he soon became
distinguished, served in an eminent degree to enlarge
his sphere of acquaintance, and urge him forward in
his onward and upward career to fame and fortune.
His careful preparation of authorities, his honesty of
purpose, his chasteness of language, and his oratorical
powers, were well calculated to make him successful.
Business accumulated on his hands, and his reputation
increased with each succeeding year, until at length he
occupied a proud and even an enviable position among
the most distinguished veterans of the Albany bar.
He was " The forest- born Demosthenes
Whose thunders shook the Philip of the seas."
He continued to practice in the city for twenty years,
gathering fresh laurels and achieving new victories,
until called by the voice of his friends to occupy a
higher and a more responsible position.
On the first of July, 1841, he took his seat upon the
bench of the Supreme Court, having, in the organization
of the Judiciary of the Constitution of 1846, been elected
and drawn for the term of four years. His arguments
were clear, strong and logical, and tended greatly to
enhance his reputation. In 1851 he was reiilected for
the term of eight years.
At the general elections in the years 1844 and 1845
he was elected to the Assembly. He at once became a

400 BIOGRAPHICAL.
leading meraber of the hquse, and took an active part
in its debates. His arguments were lucid and logical,
and frequently exhibited the marks of the gifted orator,
not surpassed " by the brilliant efforts of Ames, or the
irapassioned appeals of Hamilton."
In the spring of 1846 he- was elected to the Constitu
tional Convention, which convened in Albany on the first
day of June for the purpose of revising our State Con
stitution. He was the only meraber frora the city, and
took an active part in its deliberations. His mind ap
pears to have been adrairably adapted to the details of
the business which of necessity came before the con
vention. In the auturan of the sarae year he was elected to
the State Senate, but resigned his seat in 1841, when
elevated to the Supreme Bench.
Judge Harris has ever taken a deep interest in all
matters connected with education. He has been a trus
tee in most of the literary institutions in the city,- — in
Union College, as also in the University at Rochester,
in the founding of which he was actively engaged.
His philanthropy is far-reaching. All the impulses of
his heart are drawn out in sympathy for the oppressed
and the friendless. He possesses a large share of legal
experience, and hence the general correctness of his
conclusions. Upon legal points, involving questions
of right and wrong, his opinions have seldom been at
fault ; and his suggestions have invariably been just
and valuable. Indeed, he has discharged the duties of
Justice of the Supreme Court with signal satisfaction
both to the bar and to the public. His decisions com
mand great respect, and are regarded as the end of the
law.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 401
In intellect, Judge Harris affords a rare combination
of excellence. Traversing, as by enchantment, the path
of public confidence and renown, he has gained those
honored halls, where his graceful manner, impressive
diction, and logical acumen have given him a position
among the most attractive and eloquent raen of the age.
Nor is his history yet fully written ; the future annal
ist will erect to his memory a more enduring memorial.
William H. Shankland, late Judge of the Court of
Appeals, was born in Montgoraery county, N. Y., in the
year 1804, and is of Scottish descent. His parents
reraoved to Pompey, Onondaga county, in 1808. He
received his English education in the primary or com
mon schools of Onondaga, and his classical in the Acad
emy at Porapey Hill. The late Joshua Spencer, of Utica,
was his teacher for three successive years. He was ad
mitted to the.bar of the Supreme Court, in May, 1821, and
during the same year commenced the practice of law
in Cortland Village. Mr. Shankland was married, in
February, 1828, to Miss Lucia Eraeline Clark, of Onon
daga county, N. Y. Soon after, Mr. Shankland was
elected a Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he
served four years. In 1836 he was appointed District
Attorney, and discharged the duties of the office for
eight successive years with raarked ability and success,
when he resigned, and was succeeded by Horatio Bal
lard. In 1841 he was elected one of the Justices of the
Suprerae Court under the new Constitution ; and in
1849 he was reelected to the sarae office for the terra of
eight years. His faithfulness in the discharge of his
duties was proverbial ; and the urbanity of his manners
added to his constant patience aud good humor, all
18=*

402 BIOGRAPHICAL.
regulated by a well-trained mind, a quick perception
and sound judgment, enabled him to dignify the bench.
His clear, logical and nicely discriminating powers of
mind are prominently exhibited in all of his important
decisions. He is now residing in the city of Syracuse,
where he is devoting himself to his profession with all
the ardor, enthusiam and vigor of youth.
Judge Shankland has ever been regarded as an able
lawyer in both branches of the profession, — as a coun
sellor and as an advocate. He is remarkably industri
ous and persevering; possesses a high order of business
talents, a thorough education, a clear, vigorous intellect,
and he is in brief fitted to adorn and dignify any posi
tion to which he may aspire. He is a man of highly
courteous and pleasing manners — of fine personal ap
pearance ; and no Judge ever presided on the bench
with a greater union of amenity and dignity.
But what adds the greatest lustre to his fame may
be recorded in a single line. He is a self-made man.
His talents, integrity and personal merit have given
him a position araong his brethren of the bench and the
bar, above which arabition itself cannot wish to rise.
Hiram Gray was born in Salem, Washington county,
N. Y., April 20, 1802. He early exhibited great activ
ity of mind and energy of character. His preparatory
collegiate studies were pursued at the Washington
Academy ,"in Salem. In 1818 he entered the Sophomore
class in Union College, and graduated with the usual
honors, in July, 1821. In the early part of his senior
year he entered the law office of the late Chief Justice
Savage, and studied during the-vacations.
On the 12th of February, 1821, Judge Savage re-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 403
ceived the appointment of Coraptroller, and at about the
tirae he entered upon his duties Mr. Graj'came to Cort
land, and entered the office of Messrs. Nelson and Day
ton. On the 21st of April, 1823, Mr. Nelson was ap
pointed Circuit Judge of the Sixth District. Soon after
the appointment of Nelson, Dayton and Woods formed a
copartnership, and Mr. Gray continued his studies in
their office until the October Term, 1823, when he was
admitted to practice. In the following December he
went to Dryden and opened an office, where he reraained
until April, 1824, when he returned to Cortland county,
and became a partner of Judge Ross, in Homer. He
subsequently went to Elmira and commenced the prac
tice of his profession. He made an active and energetic
lawyer, and rose rapidly in professional eminence. He
possessed a heart full of tender sensibilities and gene
rous impulses ; was never repulsive, and hence was
easily approached. His political affinities were always
Democratic, and to that party he early became attached,
and was soon regarded as an active and prominent poli
tician. In 1836 he was elected to the United States
Congress. He made a ready and able debater — a prom
inent and efficient member of that distinguished body.
On the 13th day of January, 1846, Mr. Gray was ap
pointed by Governor Wright, Circuit Judge of the Sixth
Judicial District, and served under the Constitution of
1846 until the election in June, 1847, when he was
elected one of the Justices of the Supreme Court — and
he drew for four years. He was reelected November
4, 1851. His term will expire June 1, 1860 ; after which
he will retire with an honorable and a well-earned fame,
to private occupation.

404 BIOGRAPHICAL.
In person, Judge Gray is prepossessing ; in stature,
noble and commanding, with a frame robust, vigorous
and athletic. Social in his manners, chaste and happy
in his colloquial and conversational powers, with a
strong, vigorous and well-balanced mind, he exhibits
a combination of characteristics seldom found united in
one man.
His range of reading has been varied and extensive.
As a lawyer, he has ever exhibited a devoted attach
ment to his profession. His intellect has adorned it ;
and his scrupulous integrity given it honor and respect.
As a Judge, he has proven himself eminently qualified
to wear the ermine ;— is distinguished for the correct
ness of his opinions, and the firmness with which his
decisions are made. In brief, he is regarded by his
brethren in the profession, and the public, as an eloquent
advocate and a profound Jurist.
Lewis Kingsley was born at the upper village in
Cincinnatus, December 16, 1823. In 1821 his father
removed to the lower village, where he remained until
his death, in January, 1851, having been a resident of
the county about thirty-six years — twenty-five of which
he was actively engaged in the mercantile business.
The first rudiments of the education of his son Lewis,
the subject of this sketch, were acquired at th? com
mon school. He afterwards attended select schools,
taught by A. H. Benedict and R. K. Bourne, and subse
quently he attended one terra in the Sherburne Acade
my, where his schooling ended. He had, however, laid
the foundation of a good classical education, which he
afterwards continued to improve. In June, 1843, he
commenced the study of law with Barak Niles, in

BIOGRAPHICAL. 405
Cincinnatus, with whom he remained until October,
1844. Hoping to obtain better advantages for study, he left
Cincinnatus and entered the law office of Benjamin F.
Rexford, of Norwich, Chenango county, N. Y., with
whom he remained until July, 1846, when he was ad
mitted to the bar by the old Supreme Court, then being
held in Utica. In the autumn of that year Mr. Kingsley
entered into partnership with Judge Niles, in Cincinna
tus, with whora he rem ained until the spring of 1 848, when
the Judge went to Pennsylvania to reside. Mr. Kingsley
continued the practice alone for upwards of a year,
when he became a partner of Samuel C. Graves, and re
mained with him until 1851, when his official position
made it necessary for him to change his residence for
that of Cortland Village.
In the spring of 1848 he was elected Supervisor of
Cincinnatus. In 1849 he declined a re-nomination ; but
contrary to his wishes he was elected to the office of
Town Clerk. At the Noveraber election of the same
year, he was elected to the New York Assembly ; and
in 1851 he was chosen County Judge and Surrogate.
In January, 1856, he removed to Norwich, Chenango co.,
and formed a partnership with Benjamin P. Rexford,
with whom he still remains.
Judge Kingsley possesses a sound judgment, dis
criminating mind, frank and manly urbanity, a warm
heart, and a generous and self-sacrificing spirit. His
habits of life have ever been active and enterprising.
As a citizen, he has been held in high respect. As a
politician, his opinions have always been the result of
his own judgment and reflections ; and when once

406 BIOGRAPHICAL.
forraed, he has been open and free in their expression, —
never swerving for expediency or party considerations.
As a lawyer, he has ever exhibited a high opinion of
the dignity of the profession, possessing the true esprit
du corps: — invariably accurate in his preparation of
causes, and energetic and persevering in their prosecu
tion. As Judge and Surrogate, he discharged the duties
with fidelity, ability, and to general acceptance.
And in all the varied relations of life. Judge Kings-
ley has adorned and dignified his position.
Rev. E. G. Holland, a gentleman of enlarged, liberal
views, and of great intelligence, was born in the town
of Solon, Cortland co., N. Y., April 14, 1811. His edu
cational advantages, up to fourteen years of age, were
such as the public schools of his native town afforded.
His father, however, was a man of enlarged reading and
of excellent education. He had also given much atten
tion to the subject of teaching ; and was therefore pre
pared to impart to his son the advantages of home tui
tion. He was early instrticted in the various branches
of good husbandry. His inclinations, however, induced
him to turn his attention from that of the republican
farmer to the more agreeable literary pursuit ; hence
he adopted the sentiment of the immortal bard, and
resolved to " Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring."
Modest and unpretending in his manners, with the
purest rectitude of principle, prompt and energetic, with
warm social habits and gentlemanly deraeanor, he was
alike respected and cherished in the circle in which

^2^^

biograjPhical. 407
he moved. He early exhibited a strong attachment to
his books, and the scintillations emitted from his well-
developed brain attracted to big side the intelligent and
refined, by whom he was regarded -srith peculiar interest-;
for they saw in him the embodiment "of a young immortal
genius just bursting into the full fruition of glorious
manhood. His progress in study "surprised even his most inti
mate friends. No question was so - abstruse but he
mastered it. No lesson too difficult for him to accoln-
plish. His aspirations led frora the dull, proSaic paths
of life, and he sought -for pleasure amid the flowery
dalesand classic fields through which the pure bright
streams of knowledge flowed. ' -'; ' ' .
Atthe age of fourteen Jhe entered the academy, in Ho
mer, -where he studied the. classics, Natui'al^ Philosophy,
Chemistry, , and Mathematics. The Gramiriuf of the
EnglisTi language had been his favorite study, from the
age of ten years ; .and when he commenced the classics,
five different systems of the English gra,-riirnar were
fariiili^irfto-him. At the. age of twenty he was fully
prepared fox coU'ege.; but was di'ssriSded frtto-ta;king the
college' routine, partly from the conviction thatut often
sacrifi-^e.s individuality,. and .partly from the opportunity
offered Id'piirsue his stiidres' in priv'ate. TKeirefore the
college course, which offers so many real honors to
others, presents none to him. It has been a fundamen
tal idea of his life, that man's education is never com
pleted ; that Nature, Experience, Consciousness, and
the Great Masters, are the. Four Faculties in the Uni
versity which is world-wide, "and wiser than- alrProfes-
sienal Chairs. In this he lias sought to study ; entered
years since, but has not as yet graduated.

408 ' biographical.
The profession of the Rev. Mr. Holland is Literature
and the Christian Ministry. Holding the religious sen
timent to be univers9.1 in humanity, and believing that
in Christianity it has found its highest and noblest ex
pression, it has not been the sectarian form of faith to
which he has been attached. It is Christianity radiating
from its Divine Centre, the Christ, — as agreeing with the
laws of the human spirit, its wants, weaknesses, and
aspirations, — as harmonizing with all the truths of the
external universe. It is in this form that he has repre
sented the faith of Christianity. Sects he has regarded
as being valuable, as fragments of Truth, — the catho
licity so much desired being an attainment ofthe Future,
not of the Present. We do not therefore regard him as
being represented by any particular sect. He confides
in the Church of the Future, in which all sectarian paths
shall finally end.
Mr. Holland has contributed several exceedingly val
uable volumes to American literature,— one, the leading
subjects of which are the Life and Teachings of Confu
cius, the Chinese moral philosopher ; the Moral Genius
and Literature of William Ellery Channing ; a Review of
William Kinkade on Natural Theology, with essays on
the Nature and Characteristics of Genius ; the Elements
and Laws of Beauty ; the Infinite Harmony which per
vades Nature and reveals in the Ages of History; the
Imraortal Life, as evinced by Analogies of Nature and
the Facts of Consciousness ; and Human Rights as
based in Human Nature. The essay on Channing was
in 1856 translated into the German language, and was
published by Bernard Shultze, a publisher at Leipsic.
It was favorably received by the German press ; and, in

biographical. 409
connection with Channing's works, and separately, was
sent over the States of Germany.
In 1855 Mr. Holland visited Europe ; he sailed from
New York, June 10th, in the Germania, destined for
Hamburg, one of the wealthy free towns of Germany,
pleasantly situated on both sides of the Elbe. While
here he visited the tomb of the German poet, Klopstock,
at Ottensen ; his house and studio in Hamburg — remi
niscences of the harbinger of the modern German poetic
literature. His stay here was brief ; he did not, how
ever, leave without seeing German civilization in its
most attractive phases. He spent two months in Berlin
studying German literature, and German manners and
life as reflected in that metropolis ; studying the works
of art there so numerously accumulated ; making the
acquaintance of Alexander Von Humboldt ; Prof. Ranch,
the famed sculptor ; Dr. Karl Ritter, and other German
celebrities, bj'- whom he was most generously treated.
In September he visited Dresden, its picture galleries,
its varied objects of interest, as also its neighboring
scenery. From Dresden he went to Leipsic, the chief book mart
of the nation ; Weimar, famed as the residence of
Goethe, Schiller, Wieland and Herder. He was greatly
interested with the reminiscences of the old "German
Athens ;" went to Frankfort-on-the-Main ; Heidelberg,
one of the old University towns of Baden, renowned for
its sufferings in past wars, for its grand old ruins whose
interest is never exhausted, for its University, and it
may be added, for the exceeding beauty of the region
about it. Here he remained one year, and during his
studies in German literature he -gave two courses of

410 biographical.
lectures on American literature to the citizens of Hei
delberg — -the first consisting of five, and the second of
seven lectures, in which the romance writers, the poets,
historians, orators and eminent thinkers of the country
were represented. The most eminent men of the city
were conspicuous in securing these valuable lectures.
In Bonn he gave a course of nine lectures on Araerican
literature, landscape and institutions. The press, with
out distinction, referred to his lectures in the most fa
vorable terms. The Badishe Landeszeitung, of April
3d, 1856, said : " We have been much pleased with the
lectures of Mr. Holland, frora America, which he gave
here on American literature. These lectures prove how
much the Americans have advanced in the poetic art,
and in philosophy, and that the saying of an iraportant
author is true, viz.: that the American literature, though
a youth in years, is a giant in forra and vigor." The
Bonner Zeitung, of Septeraber, 1856, said, "The writings
of Mr. Holland are highly important and instructive.
In style it is not too much to say that they may be
compared favorably to those of Von Humboldt. His
present course of lectures furnishes a rare opportu
nity to those who can appreciate a discourse in Eng
lish." He also visited Cologne, Belgium and France, remain
ing some raonths in Paris ; the Isle of Wight ; England,
in her chief towns ; spent one year and a half in Lon
don, a part of the time being engaged in study at the
British Museum, and in giving lectures on American
themes. Passing to Scotland, he visited Glasgow, Ayr
shire, the Highlands, and the scenery of the Clyde ; as
also Edinboro' and its attractive scenes ; and finally

biographical. 411
completed his journey with making a tour through Erin-
gobragh. His lectures in London were highly lauded by the
English press. The London Chronicle, the Morning
Advertiser, The Illustrated News, The Star, and the
Journal of Arts and Sciences, were prominent araong
the papers which thus favorably noticed him.
While in Great Britain he made the acquaintance of
Thomas Carlyle, by whom he was kindly received ; of
poet Mackay, Geo. Combe, as also various personages
of the English nobility.
In July, 1858, Mr. Holland returned to New York in
the steamer Indian Empire, after a three years' resi
dence in Europe.
He remerabers with reverential pride his native State,
native county, and especially his native town. He pos
sesses a richly-endowed mind, is a bold, vigorous and
original writer, and always takes pleasure in dealing
with practical theraes. Indeed, he is regarded as one
of the most remarkable men of the age, — " one of the
few that were not born to die."
Mr. Holland is at present settled at Irvington, New
Jersey, though his address is 151 Tenth street. New
York. Stephen W. Clark, A. M., the present Principal of
Cortland Academy, third son of Joseph and Mary Clark,
and younger brother of Myron H. Clark, ex-governor of
New York, was born in Naples, N. Y., April 24th, 1810.
After haviug spent his earlier years in agricultural pur
suits in his native town, and in the capacity of a mer
cantile clerk in Canandaigua, he completed his prepara
tory studies in Franklin Academy, Prattsburgh, N. Y.,

412 biographical.
and entered Amherst College in 1833. Here, under the
care and instruction of the celebrated Dr. Hitchcock, he
becarae specially devoted to the study of the Natural
Sciences. Having graduated with the usual honors in 1831, he
iraraediately entered upon the duties of his chosen pro
fession, which he has pursued without interraission to
the present time, as Principal successively of Groton
Academy, Monroe Collegiate Institute, East Bloomfield
Academy, and Cortland Academy — a period of twenty-
two years. He has been from his youth a member of
the Congregational Church.
In addition to Prof. Clark's labors as instructor, he
has written several popular and exceedingly valuable
school books, among which are "Analysis ofthe English
Language," "Etymological Chart" and "A Practical
Grammar, in which words, phrases and sentences are
classified according to their offices, and their various
relations to one another ; illustrated by a coraplete sys
tem of Diagrams."
These works, published by one of the most enterpris
ing and successful houses in New York, have already
reached a wide circulation, and have become deservedly
popular throughout the Union.
'His " English Grammar" has already reached a cir
culation of 30,000 per annura. In accordance with the
reeorameudations of Superintendents of Public Instruc
tion of various States, it has been adopted as the text
book on Grammar, and it is rapidly finding its way into
every State in the American Republic. " This original
production will doubtless become an indispensable aux
iliary to restore the English Language to its appropri-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 413
ate rank in our system of education. Indeed, we are
tempted to assert that it foretells the dawn of a brighter
age to our mother tongue.''*
Successful as Professor Clark has been as an author,
still he regards his chosen profession as a Teacher as
his greatest business in life. To this he devotes his un
divided attention and untiring energies ; and the suc
cess which attends his efforts gives evidence of his
efficiency as a faithful Principal, and of his talents as
an instructor. Cortland Academy stands second to no
other sub-collegiate institution in the State of New
York. Professor Clark possesses a sound judgment, discrim
inating mind, frank and manly urbanity of deportraent,
high raoral and social virtues, and a large-hearted gen
erosity which endears him to the students, creating
emotions which are always favorable to a healthful prog
ress in study. His mode of government is calm and
conciliatory, and may with propriety be embodied in a
single word, that of kindness, which in infiuencing, con
trolling or directing the young aspiring mind is of more
valuable importance than all the tyrant exactions of
pseudo pedagogues, and may prove of a more lasting
benefit to the country than all the golden sands of the
Pacific coast. Happily would it be for our country were
the various academic and collegiate institutes favored
with as justly popular and courteous a principal as Pro
fessor Clark.
De Witt Clinton Glover, the eldest son of Daniel and
Rhoda Gage Glover, was born in De Ruyter, Madison
county, N. Y., in the year 1817.t
* Southern Literary Gazette. f Communicated by a lady.

414 BIOGRAPHICAL.
His early advantages were such as the common
schools of his native place afforded ; but while he loved
the pursuits of literature, as tending to ennoble and
purify the mind, he was not, strictly speaking, a student.
Other aims possessed his soul ; hopes, visions, and as
pirations, such as haunt the pillow of Genius alone,
were his daily visitants. A quiet, sensitive and shrink
ing boy, he shunned the boisterous sports and the noisy
haunts of his comrades, and walked alone, and adored
as one who has ' ' Longings, yearnings, strivings
For the good he comprehends not."
A love of the beautiful in all its forms was a
raarked eleraent of his nature, and soraetiraes the bright
visions that thronged his brain, took forra and sem
blance upon paper. Well do I reraember, when a child,
he took me to his studio, and (himself but little else
than a child) showed to me, in his boyish confidence,
sorae of the sketches he had made. He had a room in
his father's house where he sat hour by hour (when the
green fields and sunshine tempted other boys abroad)
at work upon some cherished task. Reared amid the
seclusion and comparative isolation of a country village,
(for it will be remembered that the march of improve
ments did not then keep pace with steam,) he was denied
those outward helps which are now offered to the stu
dent in every career in our republic ; and by the force
of his own genius alone he leaped over obstacles and
accomplished results which many have vainly striven to
attain, though surrounded by abundant aid and powerful
patronage. He not only showed himself an artist in his

BIOGRAPHICAL. 415
delineations Upon paper, but even in boyhood, alone and
unassisted, he commenced engraving upon wood and
steel. Engraving for a pastime finally becarae a pas
sion, and by the advice of sorae judges who pronounced
upon his work, he adopted it as a profession. He exe
cuted orders for a tirae at home, but feeling hiraself in
too contracted a sphere, he went to New York and en
tered the studio of J. W. Casilear, the eminent designer
and engraver, where he made rapid progress.
That he excelled in the department of art he chose
for himself, the works he left behind him, as well as the
unqualified praise of his eraployers, abundantly testify.
In the midst of this career of hope and promise his
health failed hira, and he was forced to return to his
native vallej', in the hope that rest raight restore his
shattered frarae to its early vigor ; but alas ! neither
yearning love, fervent prayers, nor gentle ministrations
could stay the footsteps of the Destroying Angel, and on
the 3d of January, 1836, he sank beneath his fatal and
insidious malady, trusting, as he said, "that he had
made his peace with God." Let us hope that the noble
talents which were here but expanding into fiower, hav
ing been transplanted to the celestial gardens, may
have ripened, and borne rich fruit to the glory of the
Great Husbandman.
Francis B. Carpenter was born in Horaer, Cortland
county. New York, August 6th, 1830. His father, Asaph
H. Carpenter, raade his advent into Horaer in 1800.
His general characteristics are strictly Puritan, and
they exhibit in a striking raanner the self-reliant energy
of the pilgrim spirit.
The educational advantages of Francis were limited

416 biographical.
to the coramon school, and one terra at the acaderay.
He early manifested a desire to become an artist, and
hence exhibited an aversion to farra labor, — not that
he regarded it as a disreputable employment, but be
cause he wished to become master of the liraner's art.
His father objected to his pursuing it as a profession,
presuraing that the success of his son in life would be
better promoted by felling trees and in cultivating the
soil. But the genius which shone in young Carpenter's
face pictured a brighter future than this. He regarded
agriculture as Tallyrand did the princess of Courlande,
and would have made the sarae remark, 'You have
but oue fault, you are perfectly unendurable." He pre
ferred to delineate character with the pencil and brush,
or chalk ideal landscapes upon the fences and farra build
ings. William Tell, in the act of shooting the apple
from his son's head, and the capture of Major Andre,
were among the first subjects which our young artist
delineated in the vivid colors of chalk, brick dust, white
lead and lampblack. The father little thought that in
opposing the natural desire of his son he was for a
time smothering that genius which has since raade him
faraous, and crowned his aspirations with a victory of
more value than the achievements of the laureled war
rior. And the triumph is the more gratifying because
achieved while unaided by fortune or family distinction.
Indeed, it is doubtful whether there is another artist in
America who, through his self-reliant energy, has so
successfully conquered parental opposition, overleaped
the barriers of poverty and prejudice, and in so brief a
period carved his way to Fame's temple.
His mother, "ever sympathizing and appreciative,"'

biographical. 417
sat for his first bold effort at portrait painting. And it
is worthy of remark, that the likeness, though wanting
the artistic finish of the experienced limner, was yet so
striking, that the father was reluctantly compelled to
acknowledge its truthfulness ; he was never afterward
heard to utter his oft-repeated expression concerning
" the boy's nonsense," and was himself the next sitter
for a picture.
Soon after the completion of the portrait of his father,
he entered the studio of Sandford Thayer, of Syracuse,
with whora he reraained about five months, making
rapid progress, and acquiring a still more exalted opin
ion of the profession.
During Mr. Carpenter's stay in Syracuse, Mr. Elliott,
the distinguished artist, made a professional visit there.
He perceived the genius of the beardless boy, and
kindly imparted to him all the knowledge within his
power ; especially with reference to his mode of col
oring. In 1846, Mr. Carpenter, having returned to Homer,
before he reached his sixteenth birthday opened a
studio in the village. Relying upon his own exertions,
independent of parental aid, he bravely launched his
little bark upon the great sea of life. The citizens were
suspicious of his ability, and hence gave him but slight
employment ; and it was long before lie could see a clear
sky in the ideal world he had fancif^lly created. The
current of prejudice, howeyer, ^oon turned in his favor.
The first ten dollars which li,e received from any one
source, was presented to him by Hon. Henry S. Ran
dall, as a partial remuneration for preparing some
drawings, with which he designed to "illustrate his
19

418 biographical.
valuable work on sheep husbandry." Mr. Randall sub
sequently sat for his portrait.
From this time forward, he rose rapidly in his profes
sion, and previous to his locating in the city of New
York, in the autumn of 1850, he painted, among other
portraits, those of the nine surviving original trustees
of the Cortland Academy. They were remarkably cor
rect, and were consequently regarded with much favor.
He subsequently executed and sent to the Araerican
Art Union several ideal pictures, all of which were
purchased at appreciative prices. The first of these
was one of twelve which were selected from four hun
dred pictures, and purchased by the managers of the
Association. Mr. Carpenter's success in the city has been com
mensurate with his talents and genius. He has been at
various times commissioned to paint the portraits of
some of our most distinguished uien ; among these we
raay raention those of Ex-Presidents Tyler, Fillraore,
and Franklin Pierce ; William L. Marcy, Lewis Cass,
William H. Seward, Sam. Houston, Salmon P. Chase,
and Caleb Gushing. The press of the country have
given these pictures a wide notoriety. His crowning
effort, however, is the recent admirable portrait of
Henry Ward Beecher.
" The portraits by this artist are remarkable chiefly for
their subtle mentality; for their faithful rendering- of the
inward life aud disposition. His studio is hung around
with stii-tesmen and men of power, whose characters
can be read as if the men themselves, in their most
expressive moods, stood before you ; and araong .them
all this face of Beecher shines like an opal araong

biographical. 419
dull and hueless stones ; like a passion-flower among
bloomless shrubs."*
Mr. Carpenter enjoys in an erainent degree the confi
dence and esteem of his early friends, and of all who
know hira. He is a man of delicate sensibility, of a
lively and poetic fancy, and of unsullied purity of char
acter. He possesses a noble, impulsive, and generous
heart, which is ever alive to the good of those with
whom he is associated. Lloyd Glover, of whom men
tion is raade in this work, was one of his earliest and
most sympathizing friends. Their acquaintance began.
about the time young Carpenter coraraenced painting,
and very soon ripened into the warraest friendship. Mr.
Glover's generous sympathy and proffers of pecuniary
aid, though his own means were limited, were especially
grateful at this period, to the young artist. He found
also in Elliot Reed, another engraver, a kindred spirit ;
and the intimacy between the trio was remarkable.
They were felicitously termed the "Three Graces" —
Poetry, Painting, and Sculpture.
Mr. Carpenter was married, in August, 1851, to Miss
Augusta H. Prentiss, only daughter of Mrs. Frances
Rollo Prentiss, formerly of Cortlandville.
Lloyd Glover. — Among those who have gone out
from Homer, and who do honor to their native place, no
one is more cheerfully mentioned than the subject of
this notice. He was born in the village of Re Ruyter,
in July, 1826. His father, Mr. Daniel Glover, appreciat
ing the educational advantages of Homer, removed there
the year following, and has sines been numbered
among its worthy and respected citizens. He pursued
* N. Y. Evening Post.

420 biographical.
for several years the occupation of an amateur agricult
uralist ; his sons devoting their time to study. Lloyd,
the youngest, was christened De Lloyd Gage Glover, but
after he became an engraver, the similarity of the ini
tials with that of an elder brother, who was also an en
graver, induced him to obtain — while yet a minor — his
father's consent to change his name to its present form.
His academic course extended through several years, and
he left the venerated halls of that valued institution, an
able scholar, with the highest written encomiums of
Prof. Woolworth, who, in public as well as private
circles, has ever delighted to mention his pupil with honor
As a youth, he was ingenuous and generous — the friend
and defender of the weak — quick to resent and punish
an affront, yet magnanimous and upright. He was full of
hilarity and boyish exuberance of feeling, and evinced
much shrewdness in planning roguery for his mates ;
which, however, was harmlessly humorous. Like his
father, he possessed remarkable physical strength and
courage ; and his excessive vitality prompted him to
give frequent demonstrations of the same ; but the nat
ural goodness of his disposition restrained him from
anything like quarrelsomeness. His strength was fre
quently displayed in the novel method of friendly bat
tles, at the odds of the best two against himself ; and
he often challenged the school en masse, to " throw"
him by united effort ; and in such contests his back was
never known to touch the sod. His pranks with his
most intimate friend and companion, Elliot, son of
Judge Reed, who was ever ready to join him in any
undertaking, however hazardous, will not be soon for
gotten. On horseback they would roam fields, leap

biographical. 421
fences, scale aclivities, explore ravines, and swim
streams ; and it is on record, that on one of these expe
ditions both horses and riders carae near being drowned.
" The boy was father to the man." He exhibited at an
early age much natural taste for engraving, and at
eighteen went to Boston for the purpose of prosecuting
his studies in that art. He made rapid progress ; and
has attained consummate skill in his vocation, second
perhaps to no one in the profession. Successful in his
business, which required but little capital, he embarked
to some extent in commercial enterprise ; and has se
cured the important position of commercial agent for
the American Guano Company for the New England
States. He has since served as a Director in the Board
of Trustees of the same Association.
He was for several years engaged in the business of
Bank Note engraving, as the head of the New England
branch of the eminent house of Danforth, Wright
&Co.
Aside from his skill as an artist, and his staid probity
as a business man, he is esteemed for all those qualities
which distinguish the true gentleman, — hospitable,
courteous, liberal and generous to a fault, the life of
the social circle, and fond of all manly sports and pas
times, particularly of yachting. At his residence at Lynn
Beach, by the " ocean and its sounding shore," — the
beauties of which he has so well described, — his poeti
cal taste greatly developed, and there his best pieces
were composed. He loves the Poets, and revels with
them, especially when genial friends are his guests.
He remembers Homer and its associations with the
most affectionate regard. In one of his poems he pays,

422 biographical.
in the following stanzas, a beautiful tribute to the wind
ing stream which is the pride of the valley.
" Tioughnioga ! on thy buoyant breast,
In boyhood's time, how often have I lain ;
Calm, as a mother with her babe at rest.
Thou bore me by thy banks sweet-scented train.
Tioughnioga ! Mistress of the plain !
Thy cherished name is melody to me !
E'en though thy waters evermore complain.
Like spirit tones, of times no more to be.
Oft let me greet thee still with manhood'stindling 'ee.''
Mr. Glover married Vaeilette Emogene, daughter of
Benjamin Hitchcock, Esq., of Strong, Maine. He won,
in her, a lady highly esteemed for the graces of her
mind and person, and for her true womanly character.*
The various poems which he has delivered befpre
literary associations, stamp him as a man of superior
powers of mind. His " Jubilee Poem," a youthful effort,
pronounced at the Academy, July 8, 1846, is intiraately
associated with the history of the Tioughnioga Valley.
For elevation of style, nervous energy, strong imgina-
tion without the too common fault of excessive and far
fetched metaphor, together with an eagy, natural and
unlabored pathos, it may challenge comparison with any
effort of a similar character. It will be read with pleas
ure by Mr. Glover's numerous friends, and, indeed, by
all who can properly appreciate true poetic excellence.
The circumstances which led to its production are
worthy of a brief narration. Prof. Otis, of Indiana, had
been appointed Poet of the "Jubilee." He was pre
vented, however, from fulfilling the engagement, and Prof.
«* Mrs. Glover died January 6th, 1859.

biographical. 423
Woolworth was made a-ware ofthe fact only a day or two
previous to the arrival of the auspicious occasion. Our
young friend, then an apprentice in Boston, had returned
to Horaer to participate in the festivities, and learned
the evening previous to the opening exercises that Mr.
Otis would not be present, and he secretly resolved to
supply his place. During the night he produced the
poem. Determining to let its fate be decided by its
merits, he sent it anonj^mously to Principal Woolworth,
who was struck with its beauties and its appropriate
ness to the occasion, and requested the bearer to narae
its author, which was properly declined. Mr. Wool-
worth returned a befitting expression of his sentiraents,
informing him that the poem was accepted, and would
be read at the Jubilee, and desired an interview with tho
author. The young poet acknowledged himself the au
thor of the production, warraly thanking hi§ honored
teacher for forraer encouragement, attributing whatever
merit he possessed to his influence and approbation.
Mr. Woolworth, by this heartfelt tribute, was quite over
come, and evinced deep emotion. In his speech at the
Pavilion he made honorable raention of the poet, and the
circurastances which called forth the poem. Mr. Glov
er's modest appreciation of his effort induced him to
withhold his assent to its publication in the Jubilee
pamphlet ; but, having at length overcome his objec
tions, we now have the pleasure, for the first tirae, of
presenting it to the public.
We have dwelt at sorae length upon the peculiarities
of Mr. Glover, believing that our beautiful region will
yet be hallowed by his muse, and cherished by kindred
minds for bis sake.

424 jubilee poem.

JUBILEE POEM.
Read at the Jubilee at Cortland Academy, July 6th, 1846.
Friends of our common country ! here ye stand
Once more among the scenes your childhood knew.
In the fair bosom of a happy land.
Beneath your native skies of gold and blue !
Like joyful pilgrims when the shrine is won.
When bosoms swell and tears impulsive start,
Ye come with love warm as this summer sun.
To this loved spot, this Mecca of the heart !
Ye may have roved your long and weary way
O'er the broad prairies of the distant west.
Where varied scenes cheer not the long, long day
Of death-like silence and oppressive rest.
Where evil spirits hold their hideous courts.
And range with furies on the midnight air.
Breathing fierce lightnings at their hellish sports,*
And leave their smouldering tracks of blackness there.
Ye may have roved afar 'neath other skies, —
Where the dark ocean beats a frowning shore ;
Where Nature's noblest works in grandeur rise ;
In Art's fair temples or in courts of lore :
But here, upon your own prolific soil.
How fair the landscapes to your sight unfold,
Teeming with increase for the sons of toil
In many a bounteous field of green and gold.
» An Indian superstition regarding the piairie firea.

jubilee poem. 425
like loving halos ling'ring round the spot.
Here dwell the memories of the cherished past.
Of scenes and joys which ne'er can be forgot.
Too dear to die, too beautiful to last.
No dread simoon upou the breeze's breath
Is blasting through Tioughnioga's vale, —
No fell disease, the herald stern of death.
Doth seek its prey iu this delicious dale.
Again ye view each well-remembered place.
Dear in the morning of your youthful years.
Again behold each loved familiar face.
And well-known voices greet your gladdened ears.
Yet all is changed unto our stranger view, —
Time hath not spared. Dame Nature wends her way.
And many a form hath passed away, like dew
Before the glory of the king of day.
Where is the good man Chamberlain ? and where
Our friend from thy cool shades, O willow tree !
Where are the bands that knew our mother's care.
This faithful mother of the good and free.
In death's embrace lamented Lacy sleeps.
And Kinney lives but in each bleeding breast.
Affection mourns, and pity, drooping, weeps
Where Curtis* lies beside the " Dove at rest."
In their last mansion sleep the brothers Lynde,f
Lulled by the murmurs of Lake Erie's wave ;

* Over the remains of this lamented young man and his sister is reared a monu
ment ou which is inscribed, at the base,
"A LAW STUDENT "WHO UVED BY THE LAW OF LOVE."
And opposite, "a dove at rest."
Sweetly indicative of the character of the girl to whom reference is here made.
t The brothers Lynde, with all that talents, education and wealth could bestow,
perished at the burning of the steamer Erie, on Lake Erie.
19*

426 jubilee poem.
Quenched were the beamings of young Bennet's mind ;
De Witt,* the child of Genius, found a grave.
Peace to the sleepers ! loved, regretted throng !
Green be their memory to our latest years !
To them our freshest flowers, our saddest song,
Like pilgrims at the shrine, our copious tears.
O, from the mind such memory never fades,
Ne' er from the heart the love for such as these ;
With us they live within these classic shades.
Again their voices float on every breeze !
Where, where is Woolworth ? Heaven's own bounteous hand
Hath still upheld him in his works of good ;
Crowned with rich honors, long may yet he stand
Amid the places where he long hath stood.
Ee sowed the seed of wisdom in the mind.
And richly doth the harvest yield, and well.
For every tare he scattered to the wind,
Aud marked the ground wheron the seedlings fell.
And downward through the maze of future thought.
Wide and still wider as it flows along.
Its genial influence with his genius fraught.
Will lire in wisdom, eloquence and song !
And here are aged men, whose locks of eld
Float lightly in the valley's vernal breeze.
Who, on this spot, when pioneers, beheld
The noon-day sun o'ertop the forest trees.
And here they felled the brave and sturdy oak
Which ne'er before had known a white man's gaze.
And viewed the startled deer as forth he broke
His covert wild in terror and amaze.

* De Witt Glover, whose undoubted genius gave promise of the most brilliant
success. He was the friend and pupil of the eminent artist, Casilear, of New York
city, and his early loss, at the age of nineteen, was deeply deplored.

jubilee poem. 427
With antlers high, and nostril widely spread.
And quivering nerve, that form of beauty stood.
And snuffed the breeze from o'er the stranger's head.
Then plunged, like lightning, through the pathless wood !
And where above is reared the gilded vane
O'er the fair verdure of the velvet green
And the wide spreading populated plain,
The wigwam of the Indian brave was seen.
Yet, when upon this new-born, sacred spot
The men of wisdom and and of goodness trod.
Their own grgait cares and hardships they forgot,
Aud built a house wherein to worship God !
Thanks, thanks, brave Sires ! your children sing your praise
Amid the shades of your own fragrant bowers.
And long they'll chant the soul-inspiring lays.
And strew your pathway with life's sweetest flowers !
Here, too, the women who hath cheered them on
Through dread and darkness, and through sorrow's night.
With pictured scenes of bliss, and laurels won,
And dawning glories of a future light :
Still then for us, amid unnumbered woes,
When hope seemed oft the shadow of despair.
They bravely wrought, until in beauty rose
(To truth and learning reared) this temple fair !
0 noble, noble Woman ! thine the power
To sculpture on the immortal, towering mind ;
Man rules with wisdom the tumultuous hour ;
Thine is his wisdom and thy love combined.
Thanks, thanks, ye noble Mothers ! grateful tears
Still thank and bless ye o'er and o'er again :
Full be the measure of your blissful years.
Unknown by sorrow, free from every pain !
There is a charm which binds the wandering one
As by ten thousand ba,nds of meikle might,  ,

428 JUBILEE POEM.
Tho' he doth wander 'neath the tropic sun.
Or in the dismal gloom of polar night ;
Tho' he doth bask amid ambrosial groves
Where fields like magic and enchantment bloom.
Or drink his full of oriental loves.
Or lave his breast in India's rich perfume.
Or when the Syren lures with winsome smiles,
And artful glances and bewitching grace.
And with her honeyed tongue each sense beguiles.
To prove each beauty of her borrowed face ;
Or when Ambition twines the laurel wreath.
And Wealth and Fortune deck his form with gold,
Or when a captive, bound with chains beneath
The gloomy walls of dungeons stern and old, —
'Tis the charm of his childhood, the light of his home
That binds him aud keeps bim where'er he may roam,
This the voice of its spirit, so calm and so still.
That teaches him honor and shields him from ill :
Then we'll love our dear home, tho' Time's flowing wave
Is evermore bearing us ou to the grave ;
Its loves and its joys like green islands shall be,
Mid the surging of life's tempestuous sea.
And when from on high the dread summons shall come.
Our watchword from earth shall be " Heaven and Home !''

BEIEP NOTICES. 429

BRIEF NOTICES.
Among the first lawyers who located in the county,
were Townsend Eoss, Luther F. Stephens, Oliver Wise-
well, and Samuel S. Baldwin. Eoss and Stephens set
tled in Homer, and Wisewell and Baldwin in Cortland.
Eoss was an uneducated man ; but what he lacked in
this point was amply made up in tact and genius. He
had a clear head, was shrewd, witty and sarcastic, and
in short, he was an able and successful lawyer. Ste
phens was cool and calculating. He died at Seneca
Falls. Wisewell was educated for a clergyman, and
followed for a time that honored profession. He had
his faults to a liberal degree, and yet he possessed
many good and liberal traits of character. Baldwin
was prompt and energetic ; but his habits of inebria
tion rendered him less valuable to society and to him
self than he otherwise would have been. The profligate
habits of his wife, though a beautiful and otherwise an
accomplished woman, tended to the perversion of the
more noble faculties of the mind.
Henry Stephens, from Wareham, Mass., located in
Cortland Village, in 1814, and immediately engaged in
the practice of his profession. He possessed energy
and integrity of purpose, a fearless self-reliance, a well-
regulated ambition, and a just and definite end in view.
He was appointed Judge in May, 1838, and honorably
filled the position until June, 1841, when he was sue-

430 BRIEF NOTICES.
ceeded by Daniel Hawkes. Judge Stephens has filled
various other public positions ; and has devoted his
best energies to the furtherance of the numerous public
improvements of the county. He filled with eminent
ability the first presidency of the Syracuse, Bingham
ton and New York Eailroad.
Edward C. Eeed came in from Fitzwilliam, N. H., in
April, 1816. He entered into partnership with Eoss, in
Homer, where he still remains. He made an excellent
office lawyer, and a valuable citizen. Mr. Eeed has
creditably filled various influential positions, among
which are those of District Attorney, County Judge,
and Member of Congress.
Samuel Nelson came in from Madison county, and
settled in Cortland Village in 181'7. He had been an
industrious and energetic student, and hence he early
acquired a successful and lucrative practice. . His im.
passioned eloquence and finely rounded periods were
regarded as a fair oflset to the tact, genius, and scath
ing sarcasm of Stephens.
Not long after Nelson's arrival came Augustus Don
nelly and Eufus H. Beach, who became joint partners
in the profession. Donnelly was a large, portly man,
of commanding presence and elegant manners. He
died in Homer.
Next came Nathan Dayton, Jonathan L. Woods,
Dianiel J. Betts, John Thomas, and Hiram Gray. Day
ton was born in Granville, Washington co., N. Y., in
August, 1194. He had been well-educated and well-
trained. He studied with Messrs. .gheperd and Barber,
in his native village, until October, 1819, when he was
admitted to the bar, and soon after settled in Truxton,

BEIEP NOTICES. 431
but subsequently located in Cortland, where, after a
year's residence and an ordinary practice, he became a
partner of Samuel Nelson, and immediately found the
area of his practice greatly enlarged. He was after
wards a Justice of the Peace, District Attorney, and
Member of Assembly. In 1831 he removed to Lock-
port. Here he rose rapidly in the profession, and has
at different periods held the ofiice of first Judge of
Niagara county. Circuit Judge of the Eighth Circuit
District, and County Clerk ; the latter office he still
holds. Judge Dayton has ever been an active and en
terprising man, universally respected in and out of the
profession. Woods became his law partner in Cortland,
where he gained an honorable reputation as a legal
adviser. His personal appearance, genial temper and
courteous demeanor weighed strongly in his favor, and
certainly made him many warm friends. In 1831 he
was elected to the Assembly, a position which he hon
ored. He too went to Lockport, where he became de
servedly popular. He also rose to the ofiice of Judge. —
Betts was well-educated, and possessed many attractive
qualities, and was, in short, a general favorite. His
brilliant career was, however, soon cut short. He died
in the midst of his usefulness. — Thomas migrated from
Connecticut. He soon established a just and apprecia
tive reputation. He now resides in Syracuse. — Gray
came from Washington county, and completed his stud
ies with Nelson, Dayton and Woods. He is now one of
the Judges of the Supreme Court of this State.
William H. Shankland, originally from Montgomery
CO., located in Cortland in 1827, where he soon acquired
an excellent practice. He made an able legal adviser
and an eloquent advocate.

432 BRIEF NOTICES.
Horatio Ballard commenced reading law in the office
of Henry Stephens, in 1822, and completed his studies
with Judge Jewett, at Skaneateles. He was admitted
as an Attorney to the Supreme Court, in August, 1828 ;
as Counsellor, in May, 1831 ; and soon afterwards ad
mitted as Solicitor and Counsellor in Chancery. He
became a partner of Stephens, and on the elevation of
the latter to the bench, he succeeded him to the leader
ship at the bar. He is a gentleman of great purity of
character, and is undoubtedly one of the most indus
trious, energetic, and thorough-read lawyers in the
county. Samuel N. Perkins, also, studied with Stephens, but
at what particular period the author is not informed.
He made a fair, average lawyer. He lies entombed in
the Cortland Cemetery.
Next came Joseph D. P. Freer, Daniel Hawkes, and
James S. L^ch. Freer studied with Dayton and Woods.
He was well read in the profession. He, too, died early.
— Hawkes studied with Stephens and Ballard. He had
been well-educated, and was a thorough student. He
succeeded Stephens to the bench. Disease fixed its
fatal grasp upon him, and he found an early grave. —
, Leach was born in Sangerfield, Oneida co., August,
1812. He was educated on a farm until sixteen years
old. Spent two years at Union Academy, and a like
number at a mathematical school at Clinton. He stud
ied with Shankland, in Cortland, and was admitted to
the bar in 1835.- He entered into the practice of his
profession in Cortland, where he remained until 1850,
when he removed to Syracuse. He has tact, energy
and genius, yet he takes the world easy, and neither

BEIEP NOTICES. 433
mourns over his past or present achievements, but is
looking steadily forward to what he terms the glorious
future. He is now a prominent practising lawyer in
the central city, and is highly respected in and out of
the profession.
Henry S. Eandall was born in Madison co., in 1811.
Eeceived his academic education in Cortland Academy,
under Prof. Avery and Dr. Taylor. Graduated at
Union College in 1830. Studied with Stephens and Betts,
and was admitted as an Attorney in 1834; as Coun
sellor and Solicitor in 1844. Mr. Eandall has not,
however, practiced his profession. He served for seve
ral years as Corresponding Secretary of the State Agri
cultural Society, and first moved in the Executive Board
to hold a State Fair. At one period he devoted con
siderable attention to farming, and at another, filled
with credit and ability the editorial chair.
In 1839 he was appointed by the Secretary of State
a visitor of Common Schools, and although he received
no compensation for the arduous labor, he entered at
once upon the duties of the office, and visited and re
ported to the Secretary the condition of all the schools
in the county. He is the author of several valuable
agricultural works ; of one of these 37,000 copies had
been sold several years since.
In 1843-4 he held the office of Superintendent of
Common Schools, and his admirable reports were of
great value.
In 1851 he was elected Secretary of State, and en
tered upon the duties of the office Jan. 1, 1852. He
filled the office with acknowledged ability and success.
He was subsequently employed for several years in

434 BRIEF NOTICES.
gathering the materials and writing the life of Thomas
Jefferson, which has been but recently issued, in three
elegant octavo volumes. It is unquestionably the most
perfect liiography ever written of this truly great man ;
is an honor to our national literature, and will, as it
deservedly should, remain a standard work for all future
time. Isaac A. Gates is a native of the town of Scott. He
was admitted to the Supreme Court, in 1841, and is now
a prominent practicing lawyer in Homer.
Lewis Kingsley is a native of Cincinnatus. He stud
ied with Barak Niles and Benjamin P. Eexford, and
was admitted to practice, in 1846. He now resides in
Norwich. Hiram Crandall came from Plymouth, Chenango co.
He was educated at Homer ; studied law with William
H. Shankland, and was admitted to the Supreme Court,
and Court of Chancery, in January, 1846. He entered
into practice with Shankland, with whom he remained
until the latter was elevated to the. Supreme Bench,
when he became a partner of Robert 0. Eeynolds, and
continued with him until his decease, in Sept., 1855.
Mr. Crandall possesses good legal abilities, is prudent
and cautious — two excellent qualities in an honorable
attorney. In a military capacity he has risen from
third Sergeant to Lieut. Colonel. He is now the popular
and courteous Post-master in Cortland Village.
Samuel C. Graves commenced reading law in the
office of Judge Eeed, in 1844 ; was admitted to prac
tice, in 1848, and soon after formed a law partnership
with Lewis Kingsley, with whom he remained until
1851, when the firm was dissolved, preparatory to Mr.

BEIEP NOTICES. 435
Kingsley's removal to Cortland to assume the duties of
County Judge. Mr. Graves is fitted to adorn either
branch of the profession.
E. Holland Duell was born in the town of Warren,
Herkimer co., N. Y., Dec. 20, 1823. His education was
derived from the common school, with the exception of
one or two years' attendance at the Syracuse Academy.
He entered the law office of Charles B. Sedgwick, of
Syracuse, in March, 1842, and remained with him until
his admission' to the bar in July, 1845. Commenced
practice at Fabius, Onondaga co., during the same
month, and remained there until July, 1847, when he
came to Cortland Village, and formed a law partner
ship with Judge Stephens. In Nov., 1850, he was
elected District Attorney of Cortland coanty, and in
Nov., 1853, was reelected to the same office. In Nov.,
1855, was elected County Judge and Surrogate, and in
1858 was chosen a member of the 36th Congress, from
the 21st district, to succeed Henry Bennett.
Judge Duell is possessed of finely developed talents,
remarkable shrewdness, tact, and address, and in short,
exhibits all the elements of an accomplished legislator.
James A. Schermerhorn is a native of Schenectady.
He was educated in Cortland Academy and Geneva
College. He read law with Daniel Hawkes, in Cortland
Village, and was admitted an Attorney at Law and So
licitor in Chancery, at the quarterly term of the Supremo
Court, 1847. Mr. Schermerhorn is a well-read lawyer ;
he however excels chiefly in the first branch of the pro
fession, — as a legal adviser, — not caring to shine in the
capacity of an advocate. ^
Edwin F. Gould was reared in Cherry Valley. He

436 BRIEF NOTICES.
received an academic education ; studied law with
Shankland & Leach ; was admitted to the bar at the
General Term of the Supreme Court, held at Ithaca,
July 4, 1848, and commenced practice in Cortland Vil
lage. Mr. Gould is an accomplished writer and an elo
quent speaker. As editor of the Central New Yorker,
published at De Euyter ; Madison County Journal, at
Hamilton ; Cortland County Whig, at Homer, and the
Cortland American, at Cortland Village, he exhibited
a clear, vigorous intellect.
George A. White is a native of Cortland, where he
was reared and educated. He studied law with J. D.
P. Freer, and was admitted to practice, in January,
1848. He commenced practice in Homer, but sub
sequently returned to Cortland, where he has since
remained. Mr. White has secured a very lucrative
practice, and it is not saying too much, an enviable
reputation as a lawyer. With care and application to
his profession he may rank with the first class lawyers
in the State.
Horace L. Green is a native of Virgil. He was edu
cated at Cortland — studied law with Stephens & Du
ell — was admitted to the bar in 1852, and commenced
practice in Marathon — was elected Justice of the Peace
in 1854 — removed to Cortland in 1856, where he has
since continued to practice. In 1857 he was elected
County Treasurer — an office which he has thus far filled
to the general satisfaction of all parties. He is a gen
tleman of good habits, fair legal acquirements, and is
deserving of great credit for his early politicall achieve
ment. A. P. Smith is also a native of Virgil. He was born

BRIEF NOTICES. 437
in the year 1831 ; received his academic education in
Cortland ; graduated at the State Normal School, in
1853 ; commenced the study of law with H. L. Green,
at Marathon, and completed his studies with Horatio
Ballard ; was admitted to practice, at the January term
of Supreme Court, 1856, and at the November election
of the same year, was elected District Attorney of Cort
land county. Mr. Smith was an industrious and energetic
student. His career in the past has been eminently
successful— the future is bright and promising.
Charles Foster is a native of Lansingburgh, Eensa-
laer co., N. Y. He fitted for college at the Pompey
Academy, and graduated at Yale College in 1844. He
read law in the office of Victory Birdseye, at Pompey,
one year ; six months in the law school at New Haven ;
one year in the office of B. D. and G. Noxon, Syracuse,
and finally completed his studies in the office of Wood
& Birdseye, at Albany. He was admitted to practice as
Attorney, Solicitor and Counsellor at Catskill, in the fall
of 1847. He commenced practicing in Pompey, in the
office of Daniel Gott. In Jan., 1853, he located in Cort
land Village, where he continues in practice. Mr. Fos
ter possesses fine talents, tact and energy, with a fair
prospect of professional success and eminence.
M. M. Waters is a native of Truxton. He was edu
cated in the common school, with a brief attendance at
the De Euyter Academy. He studied his profession
with Eeynolds & Crandall ; was admitted to practice,
in January, 1856. His business habits, unyielding
energy and close application to study, are sure precur
sors of eminence in the future.— Alvah D. Waters was
educated at Cazenovia ; read law in his brother's office,
and was admitted to the bar, in November, 1858.

438 BRIEF NOTICES.
John S. Barber, from Broome county, was educated
at Ithaca ; read law in the office of M. M. Waters ; was
admitted to practice, in January, 1858, at Binghamton,
and soon after opened an office in Cortland Village.
Tbe health of Mr. Barber incapacitates him for close ap
plication to his profession.
William Henry Warren studied with Ballard, and
was admitted to practice, in November, 1858. He is
industrious, possessed of a good mind, and has a
laudable ambition to succeed in the practice.
Oliver Porter read law and was admitted to prac
tice, in Delaware county. He opened an office in
Homer, in 1855, and is now doing a successful and
prosperous business.
Alanson Coats was the first permanent lawyer in
Truxton ; Palmer & Williams succeeded. Coats, though
not decidedly brilliant, is uevertheless a good legal
adviser. He went early to Syracuse, but subsequently
returned to Truxton, where he still resides. Damon
Coats, a practicing attorney in Syracuse, is his son. —
Palmer & Williams were not very successful — went
west, where the latter soon after died.
Amos L. Kinney received his academic education at
Homer ; collegiate, at Hamilton ; graduated in 1843. '
He studied with Alanson Coats, and was admitted to
practice, in 1848. He is pleasantly situated at Truxton
Village. Barak Niles located in Cincinnatus, previous to 1820.
He possessed a good legal mind, and was a fair, aver
age advocate. He was for several years an Associate
Judge, and was much respected. He removed in 1848
to Pennsylvania.

BEIEF NOTICES. 439
Eoswell K. Bourne is a native of Otselic, Chenango
county. He was educated at Cazenovia ; studied with
Judge Niles ; was admitted at the General Term of
Supreme Court held at Utica, July, 1844. He com
menced practice at Pitcher, but subsequently located at
Cincinnatus, where he still continues in the practice of
law. Mr. Bourne is a man of indomitable energy and
force of character, and is eve ry way fitted to dignify
and adorn the profession.
Ira L. Little was born in Wallkill, Orange co., N-
Y., July 26, 1830. He graduated at Harvard Uni
versity ; studied with Benjamin S. Bentley, of Montrose,
Pennsylvania, and was admitted to practice in that
State, in 1852. In 1854 he located iu Binghamton,
and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of
this State, at the general term of 1855, and soon after
removed to Marathon, where he has since practiced
with a good degree of success. Mr. Little is possessed
of a superior education, fine literary attainments ; is a
well-read lawyer, and a worthy citizen. As a maga
zine writer he has won an appreciable reputation.
Many of his poetical contributions have been regarded
as gems of superior beauty.
George B. Jones is a native of Columbia county, N.
Y. He was educated at Cazenovia and Homer ; stud
ied his profession with Horatio Ballard, of Cortland, and
with Southerland & MeLellan, in Hudson, and was ad
mitted to the bar. May 9, 1848. In April, 1849, he opened
an office in M'Grawville, but has recently located in
Cortland Village. He possesses great energy of char
acter, and hence applies himself with untiring perse
verance to" the duties of his vocation.

440 BEIEF NOTICES.
John S. Van Hoesen was born in Preble, May 11,
1833 ; was educated at Homer ; studied with Judge
Kingsley and Major Crandall ; was admitted to prac
tice on the 13th day of May, 1856, and commenced
practice at Preble Corners. In October he removed to
Minesota, landing at Hastings, a flourishing city on
the Mississippi. Here he was favored with only a lim
ited practice. Hence he turned his attention in the
main to another branch of business, — speculating in
land ; and in the brief space of seven months he ac
cumulated a "respectable little fortune." After visiting
St. Paul, Mineapolis, and several other places of im
portance, he reembarked for his native land, on the 14th
of May, 1857, and arrived at Preble on the 17th of the
same month, where he is now doing a good business in
his profession.
Luther W. Griswold, Darius Allen, Orson A. and
Gavett Z. House, also studied with Reynolds & Cran
dall. Griswold is the able and popular Judge of Min-
neshick co., Iowa. Allen is engaged in a flourishing
practice in Penn Yan, Yates co., N. Y. Orson A. House
is now doing a prosperous business in New York, as a
member of the firm of Bergen & House. Gavett Z.
House, former editor of the Bryden News, is now prac
ticing his profession in Buffalo.
Samuel G. Hatheway, Jr., studied with Dayton &
Woods. He possessed a calm, discriminating, well-
balanced, intellect, and rose rapidly in both branches of
the profession. He became an early partner of Judge
Gray, in Elmira, where he still remains, and is unques
tionably one of the ablest lawyers in the State. Chief
Justice Joseph S. Bosworth, of the city of New York,

BEIEF NOTICES. 441
the able and distinguished lawyer— the profound jurist
and enlightened citizen — the man who has risen meteor
like, resplendent in genius, reflecting honor upon his na
tive county of Cortland; the late Eobert 0. Eeynolds, the
brilliant orator and gifted advocate ; Gardner Knapp,
the polished student and acute observer— studied
with Stephens & Ballard. H. S. Fuller, Charles G.
King, Hon. H. S. Conger, Jerome Eowe, William Marsh,
Augustus L. Ballard, and Ira D. Warren, studied with
Horatio Ballard. Mr. Mallard retired a few years since
from the profession he honored, and is now settled at
Lakeland, Minesota. Mr. Warren is now in a lucra
tive practice in the city of New York, and is one of the
firm of Cutler, Pennington & Warren. He is a gentle
man of rare abilities, well read in his profession, which
he pursues with great zeal, industry and success, and
will undoubtedly become very eminent as an advocate
Eobert Stewart, now Governor of Missouri, Hon. H. L.
Dunham of Indiana, Hon. A. P. Lanning of Buffalo, and
W. H. Mallory, studied with Wm. H. Shankland. Hon.
Levi F. Bowen, a native of Homer, studied with Joseph
P. Morse, a distinguished lawyer of Lockport. Mr.
Bowen has been elevated to various honored positions,
having creditably filled the offices of Judge and Surro
gate of Niagara county, and Justice of the Supreme
Court of the Eighth Judicial District. Morse studied
in Cortland with Dayton & Woods. He was a man of
ability. Judge Ira Harris studied with Augustus Don
nelly. Perhaps no individual has done more for the welfare
of the children and youth of this country, than Profes
sor Chas. W. Saunders, the well-known author of the
20

442 BRIEF NOTICES.
popular series of school-books that bear his name. He
resided in the town of Cortlandville for almost thirty
years, and spent much time in teaching. He is the
author of twenty-five different works, all of which have
been stereotyped from the manuscript. His text books
have given him a just and an enviable reputation.
Among those who were born and educated in Cort
land county, and who have not already been mentioned,
and who by their talents and industry have risen to
high positions, we may briefly notice John M. Keep, son
of General Martin Keep, late of Homer, who is now a dis
tinguished Judge of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
William Keep, son of Hon. Chauncey Keep, is a promi
nent banker at Buffalo, residing at Lockport. Austin
Fuller, of Freetown, is the popular State Auditor of In
diana. A. L. Pritchard, son of Garret Pritchard, of
Solon, formerly a practicing lawyer in New Berlin,
Chenango co., N. Y., is at present extensively engaged
in the banking business in Wisconsin, residing at Wa-
tertown. He is a zealous and prominent citizen, highly
respected for his active efforts in improving the place,
having done more than any other person towards beau
tifying the town. Eev. William C. Boyce, sou of Colo
nel Obadiah Boyce, is the efficient Principal of the
Aurora Academy. Augustus A. Boyce (another son)
is Clerk ofthe District Court of the Northern District of
New York, residing in Utica. Charles H.' Hunt, son of
Dr. S. M. Hunt, of Marathon, is District Attorney of the
United States for the Southern District of New York.
John W. Hunt (another son) graduated as a physician,
and moved to Wisconsin in 1849, and has for the greater
portion of the time been Assistant Secretary of State,

BRIEF NOTICES. 443
residing at Madison. Dr. Eay Hunt (also a son of Dr.
Hunt) is residing at Madison, and is the Chief Clerk in
the same office.
Charles H. Salisbury, son of Nathan Salisbury, of
Scott, studied medicine, and graduated at the Albany
Medical College. He was for several years employed
as an assistant tp Dr. Emmons, of Albany, in a chemical
analysis of the soil and vegetable productions in differ
ent parts of the State, and the results are published in
the agricultural parts of the Natural History of the
State. He was regarded as one of the best analytical
chemists of the State. He now resides in Ohio. His
brother, Charles Salisbury, has acquired an enviable
reputation as a portrait painter. He lived several years
in the city of Albany, pursuing his profession with em
inent success.
DeLay Glover, son of Daniel Glover, of Homer, has
acquired a well-earned fame as a historical engraver.
He resides in Syracuse.
Hon. Arthur Holmes and Alis W. Ogden : the former
a resident of Cortlandville, is at present an active mem
ber of the New York Assembly ; the latter was born and
reared in Homer, and is the successor of the Hon. Eufus
A. Eeed, to the office of Countj' Clerk.
There were seven delegates — emigrants from Cort
land county — honored with seats in the Constitutional
Convention ^f Wisconsin. One of them was Michael
Frank, formerly of Virgil.
Of the physicians and surgeons who have at various
times commenced the practice of their profession in the
county, we can only notice a few, many of them having
remained scarce long enough to acquire a residence.

444 BEIEF NOTICES.
John McWhorter, the pioneer physician, was a native
of Washington county, in this State, and located in
Cincinnatus in 1795. He was an excellent physician,
but did not confine himself entirely to the practice. He
entered into the political arena, and was honored with
numerous official positions.
Lewis S. Owen was a native of New Lebanon, Colum
bia CO., N. Y. He studied medicine with Drs. Stringer
and McClellan of Albany ; removed to Homer in 1799,
and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was
eminently qualified for the position he occupied. John
Miller, from Amenia, Dutchess county, settled in Trux
ton, in 1801. His medical studies were pursued in
Dutchess and Washington counties, under the direction
of eminent practitioners. He attended lectures in the
University of Pennsylvania, then under the direction of
Drs. Eush and Shipper. Eobert D. Taggart was a na
tive of Colerain, and studied his profession with Dr.
Eoss, in his native town. He located in Preble in 1804.
He remained engaged in the practice of medicine for
about twenty-seven years, when he removed to Port
Byron. He possessed a clear judgment ; was regarded
as a man of great moral worth, and eminent in his pro
fession. Elijah J. Wheeler was a native of New Jersey,
where he acquired his medical knowledge. He pos
sessed a strong, vigorous intellect ; was well educated,
and eminently qualified to honor the m'edic»l profession.
He located in Solon in 1805. His early habits of ine
briation retarded his usefulness, and greatly afflicted
his young and intelligent family of children, and with
ered and blasted the once brilliant prospects of his wife.
Jesse Searl was from Southampton, Mass. His medical
studies were pursued in the office of Dr. Woodbridge,

BRIEF NOTICES. 445
ofthe same town. He settled in Homer in 1804, and
went into practice, but subsequently turned his atten^
tion to politics, and engaged in conducting the Cort.
land Repository. His medical knowledge was good,
his literary acquirements superior ; and, in brief, he
was an excellent citizen and an influential man. Miles
Goodyear was born in Hampden, New Haven co., Conn. ;
graduated at Yale College ; studied medicine with Pro
fessor Eli Ives, of New Haven ; came to Cortland
in the latter part of 1816, and was soon engaged
in an extensive practice. His education was supe
rior ; his medicinal knowledge extensive ; his habits
social ; his temper genial and forgiving ; and hence he
acquired warm friends in and out of the profession. Dr.
Goodyear has beeu engaged in continuous practice for
a period exceeding forty-two years — years of usefulness
and of eminence — rendering service alike to the poor
and the rich, — a noble and dignified trait in the charac
ter of the worthy practitioner. He is still devotedly
attached to the profession, and ardently labors to alle
viate the sufferings of the sick.
Lewis Eiggs is a native of Norfolk, Conn. His medi
cal instructor was Dr. Samuel B. Woodward, of Litch
field. He received his license from the State Medical
Society, in 1812. He emigrated to Homer in 1818. As
a practitioner, he has been prudent, skilful and success
ful. In addition to his local offices, he has been elected
to and served in the United States Congress. He
erected the Superior Mills in 1838. His history is
closely identified with the history of the county ; and
he has in all respects maintained an upright and valu
able reputation. 20*

446 BRIEF NOTICES.
Eobert C. Owen was born in Homer in 1802, educated
at Cortland Academy, studied his profession with his
father. Dr. Lewis S. Owen, and Piatt Williams, of
Albany, and graduated at the Harvard University, Bos
ton, in 1820. He was for thirty-eight years a prominent
practitioner in Homer, but for the last eight years has
been, in the main, retired from the active duties of the
profession. George W. Bradford is a native of Otsego county.
He received an academic education ; studied medicine
with Dr. Thomas Fuller, of Cooperstown ; was licensed
in 1820 by the Otsego County Medical Association, and
soon after commenced practice in Homer, where he still
remains in the active duties of his profession.
Horace Bronson was born in Catskill, Greene co., N.
Y. His classical studies were pursued under the charge
of Eev. C. Bushnell, and his medical ih the office of Dr.
Lewis Eiggs. He attended medical lectures at the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western
District, where he received the degree of M. D. He
subsequently spent one season with Prof. Noyes, of
Hamilton College, and another with Dr. Seth Hastings,
of Clinton, Oneida co. He came to Virgil in 1821,
where he has, with the exception of a brief period,
remained in practice. Dr. Bronson has been eminently
successful in the profession, discharging all its onerous
duties, and devoting his best energies to the advance
ment of ipedical science, and to the perpetuity of a just
appreciation of the high duties of the worthy physician.
Hence he has gained the kind respect and affectionate
regard of a long list of devoted friends.
Azariah Blanchard came in soon after Dr. Bronson

BEIEF NOTICES. 447
and settled in Truxton, where he remained many years,
and " enjoyed to an eminent degree the confidence of a
large part of the population of that town, and who,
deservedly, was considered one of our most intelligent
physicians.'' * Dr. Blanchard is now a respectable and
influential citizen of Wisconsin.
Phineas H. Bu'rdick received an academic education.
Commenced the study of medicine in 1823, with Dr.
Hubbard Smith, of De Euyter, and conipleted them in
the office of Dr. Jehial Sterns, of Pompey ; attended
lectures at Castleton, Vermont, in 1826, and was licensed
by the Medical Societ}' of Onondaga county in 1827.
He commenced practice in Scott, May, 1827, and
removed to Preble, January, 1823. He received the
honorary degree of M. D. from the State Medical
Society in 1851, and became a permanent member of
the association in 1853. He has ever been regarded as
an excellent physician, and maintained a prominent
position among his medical brethren. He has an exten
sive practice, in which he appears eminentlj' successful.
Samuel M. Hunt was born in Marathon, Oct. 30, 1798,
being the first child born in that town. His first recol
lection of attending school was in a long barn, and sub
sequently at a log school-house, with windows of oiled
paper as a substitute for glass. His classical studies
were pursued at the Cortland Academy, commencing in
1819 ; studied medicine with Dr. P. B. Brpoks, of Bing
hamton, was licensed by the Medical Society of Che
nango county in 1823, of which Dr. Henry Mitchel was
then President. He commenced the practice of medi
cine at Sharp's Corners, on the Otselic Eiver, now Tri-
* Hon. George W. Bradford's Semi-Centennial Address.

448 BEIEF NOTICES.
angle, Broome county ; has practiced mostly in Lisle,
Union and Maine of that county. He served in the
capacity of Justice of the Peace in Maine for about ten
years, and for five years as Justice of Sessions for
Broome county. Dr. Hunt has acquired considerable .
eminence in the profession ; has been active in favor
ing the various benevolent reforms, as, also, in forward
ing the educational interests of the county. His chil
dren have ewjoyed the benefits derived from our
academic institutes, some of whom have emigrated to
other parts, and are now elevated to high public posi
tions. Ge.orge W. Maxon studied his profession with Drs.
Palmer and Haven of Oneida county, and E. S. Bailey
of Madison, and corapleted his studies with Samuel E.
Clark, with whom he practiced one year. He removed
to Scott in May, 1832, where he remains in a lucrative
practice. Frederick Hyde was born in Lisle, Broome county ;
received a common school education ; studied medicine
in the office of Dr. Hiram Moe, Lansing, Tompkins co.,
and Dr. Horace Bronson, of Virgil. He attended three
years in Fairfield Medical College, and graduated in
1836. The Faculty embraced an amount of learning
and talent perhaps unequalled in the State, and we
therefore record with pleasure the names of Drs. Wes
tel Willoughby, James McNaughton, James Hadley,
Theodoric Eomeyn Beck, and John De Lamater. He
commenced practice in Cortland, February, 1836. In
1854 he received a professorship in Geneva Medical
College, which he still holds. Dr. Hyde possesses a
clear, strong, vigorous mind, and is a ready, cool and

BRIEF NOTICES, 449
skilful surgical operator. Hence it is with pleasure
that we speak of him as having acquired oonsiderable
eminence in the several branches of medical and surgi
cal science.
John H. Knapp was born in the town of New Fair
field, Conn. His academical education was received in
the Sherburne Academy ; studied his profession with
Drs. Devillo White and Elijah S. Lyman ; was licensed
by the Chenango Medical Society on tke 22d day of
April, 1843, and located in Marathon. In 1845 he
removed to Etna, Tompkins county, where he practiced
until 1849, when he removed to Harford, where he now
resides, and is engaged in the active duties of his pro
fession. Dr. Knapp has held various local offices, and
was in 1854 elected to a seat in the New York Assem
bly. He has by his own exertions carved his way to hia
present honored position, enjoying the respect and con
fidence of a very large circle of friends. If be has
enjoyed much of the sunshine of this fieeting life, he
has also passed through the fiery ordeal of affliction,
having but recently buried bis fourth and last child.
Homer 0. Jewett was born in Madison county, in 1819 ;
studied his profession with Dr. Shipman ; graduated at
the Medical University in New York, in 1843 ; com
menced practice at Summerhill ; came to Cortland in
1849, where he has since remained in the practice of his
profession. He is eminently qualified for his position,
and is regarded as an able and successful practitioner,
enjoying a large medical practice.
Caleb Green was born at La Fayette, Onondago co.,
N. Y., in 1819 ; his medical pupilage was spent under
the tutorship of Prof Frank H. Hamilton, of Eochester,

450 BEIEP NOTICES.
N. Y. He graduated at Geneva Medical College, in
January, \844 ; commenced the practice of medicine
in Homer, in March of the same year. He was elected
Professor of Materia Medica and General Pathology in
Geneva Medical College in 1855, and resigned his pro
fessorship iu 1858. He is now engaged in a lucrative
practice in Homer. Possessed of an active, well-bal
anced mind, a thorough knowledge of disease in all its
various types and phases, of medicines, their virtue,
power, and use, he is ever prepared to act wisely, cau-
tiouslj', and successfully, having a fixed purpose in
view — the restoration of the sick. His surgical skill
has rendered him justly eminent.
Eleazer H. Barnes is a native of Broome county, N.
Y.; studied medicine with Dr. E. Barnes, late of Gen
eva ; attended lectures at Geneva Medical College in
1837-8, and in the spring of the latter year commenced
practicing as a partner with Dr. E. Lyman, at Great
Bend, Pa. In 1839 he removed to Marathon, where he
has since been an active practitioner,
Theo. C. Pomeroy was reared in Otisco, N. Y.; edu
cated at Hamilton College ; studied with Drs. Goodyear
and Hyde, and graduated at Geneva Medical College
in 1844, and is now practicing his profession in Cortland
with a good degree of success.
William W. Bradford is a native of Pitcher, N. Y.;
acquired his education at the common school and the
Fayetteville Academy ; attended lectures at Laporte,
Indiana, with Dr. A. B. Shipman, formerly of this county,
holding the Professorship of Surgery in the Indiana
Medical College, from whom he derived much valuable
knowledge ; also, attended two course of lectures at

BEIEF NOTICES. 451
Castleton, Vermont, and graduated 18th of June, 1851 ;
practiced successfully six years in Lysander ; came to
Marathon in the fall of 1851, where he is now perma
nently located in the practice of medicine and surgery.
A. D. Eeed was reared in Delaware county, educated
at Roxbury ; studied with Sherman Street ; attended
lectures, and was licensed at Castleton, Vermont, in
1848, and is now engaged in successful practice in
Cincinnatus. Scepter Smith is a native of Marathon ; was educated
at the Cortland Academy ; studied medicine with Dr.
Taylor in Alleghany, aud was licensed in 1848 by the
Alleghany Medical Society. In 1851 he partially retired
from the practice of medicine and turned his attention
to the profession of dentistry, in which he has become
eminently skilful. He removed to Scott Centre in 1851,
where he is now doing an excellent business.
J. C. Nelson was educated in Owego ; attended three
courses of lectures in Geneva Medical College, and
graduated in 1848. He spent three years under the
tutorship of that most eminent physician. Dr. Thomas
Spencer ; settled in Truxton in March, 1848. Dr. Nel
son is an active, energetic man, engaged in an exten
sive and eminently successful practice.
Charles M. Kingman is a native of Cincinnatus. He
received an academic education ; studied with Dr. F.
F. Maybury, formerly of Solon, now a prominent and
skilful physician in Morrisville, Madison co., N. Y. Dr.
Kingman graduated at Geneva Medical College in 1846,
and commenced practice in M'Grawville, where he is
much respected as a physician.
Charles S. Richardson is a native of Cayuga county ;

452 BEIEF NOTICES.
studied with Dr. George W. Bradford, and graduated at
the Medical Department of the Albany University in
1856 ; commenced practice in Homer in 1857. Dr. Rich
ardson is a young man of excellent habits, is persevering,
and, in brief, is well qualified to excel in the profession.
William E. Brown settled in Homer in 1845, having
removed from Oneida county. He graduated at Fair
field College, and subsequently engaged in the homoeo
pathic art of curing disease. He is a gentleman of
good abilities, and is engaged in a good business prac
tice. Jay Ball attended lectures in Geneva Medical Col
lege, and graduated in the Medical University of New
York City in 1848. He was at this time under twenty-
one years of age. In 1853 he commenced in Homer
the homoeopathic practice of medicine, where he still
remains. H. C. Gazlay graduated at the Eclectic College in
Syracuse, and commenced practice in Truxton in 1841.
He subsequently removed to Fabius, where he practiced
until 1847, when he returned to Truxton. In 1857 he
came to Homer, and engaged in the practice of his pro
fession. He is now a partner in practice with Dr. Ezra
Loomis. He possesses an active intellect, is energetic
and skilful, and has the necessary elements of success.
Henry A. Bolles is a native of Litchfield, Conn. He
studied his profession with Drs. Loomis and Hobart ;
was licensed at the Eclectic Medical College in Syracuse,
and commenced practice in McLean, Tompkins county,
in 1852. He subsequently removed to Cortland, and is
at present engaged in a lucrative practice.
There are a number of other prominent physicians

BEIEF NOTICES. 453
residing in the county : among these we may mention
Dr. Lyman Eldrege, of Cincinnatus ; Henry C. Hen-
drick, of M'Grawville; Squire Jones, of Homer; Frank
lin Goodyear, of Cortland; Williain Fitch, of Virgil; and
Dr. Hubbard, of Scott.

CONCLUSION.
Our history now draws to a close, and is given to
the reader in as perfect a form as the circumstances of
the times will permit.
We have in no instance given publicity to statements
of suspicious or doubtful character ; and we have in all
cases aimed to be impartial. Of the moral, social,
political, educational, and religious associations, we
have spoken frankly and feelingly. Of the local inter
ests and natural advantages we have remarked as
became our position, and in so doing we have hoped to
do ample justice to the resources of the county. Tra
ditions extending back for three centuries have been
favorably regarded only when they were supported by
the most warrantable chain of circumstances.
In the prosecution of our enterprise we have been
materially favored by the voluntary assistance of gen
tlemen of acknowledged worth and ability ; by the
reading of written memoranda and valuable data, and
by a free access to their extensive and well-selected
libraries. To Hon. Henry S. Randall, for the liberal
gift of voluminous publications, and other promoting
circumstances ; Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, author of the
" Documentary History of New York," Hon. Elias W,
Leavenworth, for valuable publications, Hon. William

CONCLUSION. 455
H. Seward, of the United States Senate, Hon . Charles
P. Avery, late of Owego, now of Michigan, and Hon.
Gideon J. Tucker, Secretary of State, for an exceedingly
valuable work, we return our acknowledgments.
To enumerate the names of the numerous gentlemen
who have given us verbal statements and interesting
incidents, would be hardly possible. We are, however,
none the less thankful for their favors and solicitous
expressions, tending to enhance the value, correctness
and truthfulness of our labors. To the Hon. George
W. Bradford, for various State documents, Eufus A.
Eeed, Esq., for access to the county archives, Hon.
Joseph Eeynolds, Dr. H. S. Hunt, Hon. Walter Sweet
land, Eev. John Keep, and Hon. Harvey Baldwin, are
we especially indebted.
It is also our pleasurable duty to tender our recipro
cal acknowledgments to Dr. Franklin B. Hough, author
of the " History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Coun
ties," Hon. Joshua V. H. Clark, author of an admirably
well written history of Onondaga county. Deacon Na
than Boughton, the practical annalist of the town of
Virgil, Hon. Dan C. S4uires, of Lapeer, for valuable
notes on that town, Messrs. Edwin F. and Cornelius B.
Gould, late editors and proprietors of the Cortland
County Whig, Mr. Joseph E. Dixon, of the Cortland
County Republican, Myron S. Barnes and Anson Spencer,
the former of the Mt. Moms^^iSepmc?m< Watchman, and
the latter of the American Citizen, Ithaca ; Messrs. A.
G. Chester and C. P. Cole,— the former of the Syracuse
Journal, and the latter, of the Cortland Gazette. To
Hon. Henry Stephens, late President, and Superintend
ent, William B. Gilbert, Esq., of the Syracuse, Bingham-

456 CONCLUSION.
ton, and New York Eailroad, are we sensibly indebted,
for the favorable facilities and kind courtesies which
they have freely extended to us.
In brief, we return our grateful acknowledgments
to all friends, and for the present, bid them an affection
ate Adieu.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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