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Military History

-OF-

W7F C°JFy> N- Y-

iQl:l7® Civil Wap.

BY LEWIS H. CLRRK.

PUBLISHERS ;

LEWIS H. CLARK, RTJLETT & G-AYLCRE,

SDDUS, INI'., Y.

X I

pi 7

TRUAIR, SMITH & BRUCE, Printers and Binders, Syracuse, N. Y.

1BB3.

THE Library

BRIGHAM Young univfr^itt

?ROVO, UTAH " "

DEDICATION.

THIS

VOLUME IS

RESPECTFULLY DEDI- . GATED TO THE SURVIVING SOLDIERS OF THE COUNTY OF WAYNE,

AND TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO PER- ISHED IN WAR, OR WHO HAVE GONE DOWN TO HONOR- ED GRAVES IN THE SUCCEEDING YEARS OF PEACE. THEIR HEROIC SACRIFICES CONSTITUTE THE PRICELESS INHERITANCE OF THEIR CHILDREN, AND THE RECORD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS WILL FORM ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST PAGES IN THE ANNALS OF THE

COUNTY THROUGH

ALL COMING

TIME.

Pl^E F/\CE

In the month of December, 1880, the author of the pres- ent work was at Newburgh hnishing the history of Orange county, upon which he had been engaged for several months, in company with Mr. E. M. Ruttenber, a gentleman of emi- nent qualifications. Urging him to Avrite a chapter upon the part which the county had taken in the civil war, he replied: “A chapter ! ! Impossible ! If the publishers will issue a volume, entitled ‘ Orange County in the Civil War,’ I shall be glad to Avrite it.”

The suggestiAm remark led to the preparation of the Avork noAv submitted to the people of this county. To Avrite Wa3me county in the ci\dl AA^ar Avas the original thought. The thought greAv as it Avas studied. It seemed proper to giA^e to such a Avork an introduction Avhich should allude to preAuous military eA^ents in the history of the county.

As soon as the materials Avere examined they proved to be of too much importance to be compressed Avithin the limits of a simple introduction ; and hence Avhat Avas intended to be an introductory chapter became an introductory part of nine chapters. This enlargement of the plan rendered the title as originally designed slightly inapplicable, the Avork having expanded to a general military history of the county.

It Avas eAudent, too, that any such historical Avork Avould be increased in A^alue by including a notice of the ciAul organization of the county, Avith a list of officers, from the beginning to the present time. Hence the first chapter of the first part took its present form. It is belieA^ed that it

6

PREFACE.

now comprises within a few pages, easy of reference, clearer and more complete information upon the organization of the county and of the several towns than is found in any book heretofore published.

In chapters two, three, four and six of part hrst, several matters are treated of which are not exclusively military, but they are either closely connected with military matters or a discussion of them seemed necessary to explain actual military affairs.

The preparation of this volume has required extensive research and careful investigation. An examination of its contents will show the magnitude of the undertaking. In attempting to publish a book which contains names by the thousand, and so large a number of dates, it is too much to hope that perfect accuracy has been secured. It is scarcely possible that every name will be found correctly written or every date correctly given. It has been the steady aim of the author, however, to reduce the ordinary errors found in names and dates to the smallest possible percentage.

Neither labor nor expense has been spared to accomplish this end. To perfect the soldiers’ lists by towns several sources of information have been sought.

1st. All the names found in the imperfect lists of the Wayne County History of 1876 were taken.

2d. The eight large volumes containing the muster-in rolls of the State were searched for additional names.

3d. The marshals’ reports of 1865, prepared in taking the census (bound up and deposited in the County Clerk’s office), were carefully read.

4th. The muster-out rolls, on file in the Adjutant-Gen- eral’s office at Albany, were thoroughly studied.

5th. Newspaper lists of enlisted men, or of the killed and wounded, were used to perfect the records.

PREFACE.

7

6th. General inquiry has been made from every available source.

7th. Subscribers to the book have been afforded an opportunity of writing out their own records upon blanks furnished to them, and these blanks have been freely dis- tributed, whether soldiers subscribed or not.

Equal care has been given to all other portions of the book.

The author is very sure that he has had in the preparation of this volume a deep, personal interest, amounting almost to actual enthusiasm, as he has studied the patriotic services of the soldiers of Wayne. He is equally conscious that he has devoted to the work a great amount of steady and per- sistent labor, with the sincere design of making the best pos- sible book upon the subject. He therefore confidently sub- mits the finished work to the charitable, reasonable judgment of the public.

Acknowledgments are due to the editors of all the news- papers published in the county for the hearty words of encouragement they have at all times given to the work, and for the courtesy and liberality which they have shown in publishing numerous and repeated requests for information upon various points as well as articles of greater length, explanatory of the designs.

Books consulted have been Turner’s History of Phelps’ and Gorham’s Purchase, Charlevoix Works, Champlain’s Journals, Adjutant-Generals’ reports, ColoneP Kreutzer’s valuable history of the Ninety-Eighth, Hall’s “Cayuga in the Eield,” McIntosh’s Wayne County History, Judd’s His- tory of the Thirty-Third, French’s State Gazetteer, Super- visors’ proceedings. Military Register of 1823, Lossing’s Field Book of 1812, History of the War of 1812 — published in 1816, and others “too numerous to mention.”

Thanks are hereby returned to Rev. Dr. Hawley and Col. John S. Clark, of Auburn; to George Conover, of Geneva,

8

PREFACE.

and to Hon. Diedrich Willers, of Seneca county, for assist- ance rendered, suggestions made and material furnished.

Within the county various correspondents are entitled to thanks for prompt response to letters of inquiry and for val- uable data furnished. To all who have afforded any aid whatever our acknowledgments are hereby tendered.

The courtesy of various public officers in furnishing access to records, and of publishers in allowing free use of their files is worthy pf thanks.

Special credit for material furnished will appear in the various chapters.

L. H. C.

P/\RT Pl^SJ.

CHAPTER 1.

INTRODUCTORY — FORMATION OF THE COUNTY — COUNTY OFFICERS AND THE BAR OF WAYNE COUNTY, 1823 — OFFICERS TO THE PRESENT TIME — TOWNS — FIRST MEETINGS — SUPERVISORS DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME.

The earliest county organization extended over Western New York was that of Albany. This was one of the original twelve counties into which the province of New York was divided by an act of the Colonial Legislature, passed November i, 1683.

Albanj" was then described as comprising the manor of Rensselaerwyck, Schenectady, and all the villages, neigh- '‘borhoods and Christian plantations on the east side of “ Hudson’s river, from Roeloffe Jansen’s creek, and on the ‘‘ west side from Sawyer’s creek to the outermost end of ‘‘ Saraghtoga.”

This description can scarce!}^ be said to include the terri- tory of Western New York, which was then an unknown land. It limited Albany county north and south, but left its western boundary indefinite. Subsequent statutes, how- ever, made Albany county to include the whole territory of the province westward ; but no exercise of county authority under the name of Albany could have taken place upon the soil of Wayne. The next county organization in order was that of Montgomery (first called Tryon), which Avas formed from Albany, March 12, 1772, just before the opening of the Revolutionary war.

All of Western New York was virtually included in Mont- gomery county for seventeen years.

At the close of that period it had become necessary that actual civil authority should be exercised over this section

of countrv.

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lO

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

The purchase by Phelps Gorham in 1787 led to imme- diate settlement, and Ontario county was formed from Montgomery, January 27, 1789.

Canandaigua became the county seat. A part of the terri- tory now included in Wayne county was included in Ontario for thirty-four years, and the early settlement of western Wayne took place under that organization. The eastern part of Wayne county must be traced through a different line. Ontario county had been taken from Montgomery in 1789, bounded east by the “old pre-emption line.” Herki- mer county was next formed from Montgomery, February 16, 1791, extending westward to the same pre-emption line. From Herkimer, Onondaga county was formed, March 5, 1 794. Cayuga county was formed from Onondaga, March 8, 1799, and finally Seneca was organized out of the territory of Cayuga, March 29, 1804. This brings the record down to the formation of Wayne county, which took place April II, 1823. The present territory of Wayne lying east of the “new pre-emption line ” was taken from Seneca, comprising Huron, Wolcott,'^' Rose, Butler, Galen and Savannah.

The territory lying west of that line was taken from Ontario County, Sodus, Williamson, Ontario, Marion, Wal- worth, Lyons, Arcadia and Macedon.

ABSTRACT OF THE ACT ERECTING THE COUNTY.

AN ACT to erect a new county from parts of the counties of Ontario and Seneca, by the name of Wayne, and for other purposes. Passed April 1 1, 1823:

Section i. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly, that all that part of the counties of Ontario and Seneca hereinafter men- tioned ; that is to say, the towns of Wolcott and Galen, in

*It appears that Wolcott was for a time a part of the County of Cayuga. Cliapter 94, Laws of 1812, is as follows :

“AN ACT to annex the Town of Wolcott, in the County of Seneca, to the “ County of Cayuga.

Passed June 6, 1812.

“Be it enacted by the People of the State of New Y"ork, represented in “ Senate and Assembly ;

“That all that tract of land included within the boundaries of the Town of “ AVolcott, in the County of Seneca, be annexed to, and from and after the “l)assage of this act shall form a part of the ('ounty of Cayuga.”

By Chapter 189, Laws of 1817, the town was again made a part of Seneca County.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 1 1

the county of Seneca, and the towns of Lyons, Sodus, Will- iamson, Ontario, Palmyra and Macedon, and all that part of the town of Phelps which lies north of an east and west line to be run from the southwest corner of the town of Galen, in the county of Seneca, to the east line of the town of Man- chester, in the county of Ontario, together with such part of the territory of said counties as is included between the southern shore of Lake Ontario and the boundary between the United States and Upper Canada on the north, the east- erly line of the town of Wolcott continued to the said boundary line on the east, and the westerly line of the town of Ontario continued to the said boundary line on the west, shall constitute a distinct county, to be known by the name of Wayne.

By section second Wm. D. Ford, of Jefferson county, Samuel Strong, of Tioga county, and Oliver P. Ashley, of Greene county, were appointed a commission to determine the proper site of the court house and jail.

By section three, courts were provided for.

By section four the first term of the Court of Common Pleas for the new county was required to be holden in the Presbyterian church at Lyons.

By section five, authority was given Wayne county to confine prisoners in the jail of Ontario county.

By section six the county was declared to be entitled to two members of Assembly.

■Jf vs- -X- -X- -Jf ^

By section nine, Nathaniel Kellogg, William Patrick and Simeon Griswold were appointed commissioners to erect jail and court house.

By section ten the first meeting of the supervisors was directed to be held at the house of Henry L. Woolsey, in Lyons, first Tuesday of October, 1823.

The election for count}^ officers was held May 6, 1823. The Board of Canvassers, which received the returns and made the determination of the result, consisted of Enoch Morse, of Sodus ; Russell Whipple, of Williamson ; Ezekiel Price, of Lyons; Elisha Benjamin, of Wolcott; Frederick Smith, of Palmyra ; Harry S. Moore, of Ontario ; William P. Capron, of Macedon, and John Lewis, of Galen.

Thomas Armstrong was elected Sheriff; Israel J. Rich- ardson, Clerk, and Russell Whipple, Coroner. They took the oath of office May 13, 1823. John S. Tallmadge also qualified as Surrogate on the same day, and that may be considered the day of organization.

12

MILITARY HISTORY OP^ WAYNE COUNTY.

The first court was held on the fourth Tuesday of May, 1823. Judge John S. Tallmadge presided, assisted by Enoch Morse and William Sisson. William H. Adams was District Attorney, and the lawyers practicing here were the follow- ing gentlemen, as shown by their signatures to the anti- dueling oath (a curiosity, by the way, still on file in the office of the county clerk) : William H. Adams, Frederick Smith, Orville L. Holley, Wm.J. Hough, John Fleming, Jr., Graham H. Chapin, Hugh Jameson, William Wells, E. M. Coe, Charles F. Smith, T. P. Baldwin, L. B. Mizner, Nathan Parke, David Hudson, Jesse Clark, Jarred Willson, L. W. Ruggles, Mark H. Sibley, Alexander R. Tiffany, John Ben- ton, Hiram K. Jerome, Rodney Church, George W. Scott, Joseph Skinner, Samuel Dickinson. All of these, except the last hve, qualihed on the opening of the court. May 23, 1823 — the five a few months later.

Judge John S. Tallmadge had been sworn in as Judge, May 7th, before Judge Luther F. Stevens, of Seneca county, and was therefore qualified to administer the oath of office to the County Clerk elect.*

The records at Albany show the following appointments for the new county of Wayne. We add, also, a few of the more important officers through subsequent years down to the Constitution of 1846:

April 18, 1823, Governor and Senate appointed:

William Sisson, David Arne, Jonathan Boyington, Judges of the County Courts of the county of Wayne.

Ambrose Hall, also nominated by the Governor for Judge, was not confirmed.

Subsequently, John S. Tallmadge was nominated in the place of Hall and confirmed.

April 18, 1823, John S. Tallmadge was confirmed as Sur- rogate.

April 19, 1825, Jacob W. Hallett was confirmed as first Judge of the county of Wayne.

*Hugli .Jameson was ai)pointe(l Deputy County Clerk, 3Iay 30, 1823, and was active in organizing the business of the office. He was deputy for many years, and his work appears in all the earlier hooks.

Reuben II. F'oster was appointed Deputy Sheriff .June 21, 1823, and Sanford Sisson, August 4, 1823.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

13

January ii, 1826, the Senate confirmed Frederick Smith to be Surrogate of Wayne county, vice Tallmadge, deceased.

March 10, 1826, the Senate confirmed Graham H. Chapin to be Surrogate of Wayne county.

March 23, 1825, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Truman Heminway and Henry Yersington to be auction- eers of the county of Wayne.

.April 9, 1824, the Senate confirmed the appointment of George Culver to be Inspector of beef and pork for the county of Wayne.

February 21, 1824, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Martin W. Wilcox to be Inspector of distilled spirits for the county of Wayne.

March 23, 1827, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Alexander R. Tiffany to be First Judge of the Courts of Wayne county. •

January 29, 1830, the appointment of William Sisson First Judge was confirmed by the Senate.

February 5, 1830, Thomas P. Baldwin, of Palmyra, and Daniel Eddy, of Marion, were appointed Judges.

April 20, 1832, Russell Whipple was appointed Judge.

April 26, 1833, David Arne, Jr., of Wolbott, was appointed Judge.

January 12, 1830, Graham H. Chapin was appointed Sur- rogate.

April 16, 1827, Hiram K. Jerome was appointed Master in Chancery.

February ii, 1834, Lyman Sherwood was confirmed by the Senate as Surrogate.

February 3, 1835, William Sisson was appointed First Judge.

March 13, 1835, Theodore Partridge was appointed Judge.

January 7, 1837, Daniel Poppino and Marvin Rich were appointed Judges vice Whipple and Barber.

March 18, 1838, Lyman Sherwood appointed Judge.

March 18, 1838, David Arne, Jr., Judge.

January 29, 1840, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Hiram K. Jerome, of Palmyra, as First Judge, in place of William Sisson, whose term was to expire February 6, 1840.

14 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

James C. Smith was confirmed as Surrogate April lo, 1843, in place of Lyman Sherwood.

April 12, 1843, Oliver H. Palmer was confirmed as First Judge, in place of Jerome, resigned.

May 12, 1846, William H. Adams, of Galen, was appointed First Judge, vice Palmer, resigned.

The County Judges elected by the people under the Con- stitution of 1846 have been as follows: George H. Middle- ton, elected fall of 1847; Leander S. Ketehum, 1851 ; Lyman Sherwood, 1859; George W. Cowles, 1863; Luther M. Nor- ton, 1869; George W. Cowles, 1873; Thaddeus W. Collins, 1879, office.

CIVIL LIST.

SHERIFFS.

May 6, 1823 — Thomas Armstrong. Nov. 1825 — Reuben H. Foster.

1828 — Cullen Foster.

1831 — Calvin D. Palmeter. 1834 — Truman Heminway, 1837 — Hiram Mann.

1840 — Simon V. W. Stout.

1843 — J<^hn Borradaile.

1846 — George W. Barnard. 1849 — Chester A. Ward.

1852 — George W. Paddock. 1855 — William P. Nottingham. 1858 — Adrastus Snedaker.

1861 — John P. Beamett.

1864 — Bartlett R. Rogers.

1867 — John P. Bennett.

1870 — John N. Brownell.

1873 — Richard P. Groat.

1876 — Thomas M. Clark.

1879 — William J. Glen.

1882 — Vernon R. Howell.

COUNTY CLERKS.

May 6, 1823 — Israel J. Richardson. Nov. 1825 — John Barber, Jr.

1828 — John Barber, Jr.

/

/

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. I 5

Nov. 1831 — John L. Cuvier. (Resigned*after serving two, years.)

1833 — Cullen Foster.

1836 — Cullen Foster.

1839 — James Hawley. •

1842 — Daniel Chapman.

1845 — Alexander B. Williams.

1848 — Alexander B. Williams.

1851 — Saxon B. Gavitt.

1854 — Saxon B. Gavitt.

1857 — Lyman Lyon. i860 — Lyman Lyon.

1863 — Clark Mason.

1866 — Thaddeus W. Collins.

1869 — Albert F. Redfield.

1872 — Alfred H. Gates.

1875 — Volney H. Sweeting.

1878 — Abel J. Bixby.

1881 — John McGonigal.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

May, 13, 1823 — William H. Adams.

Sept. 23, 1823 — William H. Adams.

Sept. 26, 1829 — Graham H. Chapin.

Sept. 29, 1830 — William H. Adams.

Feb. I, 1831 — John M. Holley.

Jan. 31, 1835 — Theron R. Strong.

Feb. 26, 1839 — Charles W. Lawton.

Oct. 5, 1842 — John M. Holly.

Sept. 26, 1845 — George H. Middleton.

May 26, 1845 — Lyman Sherwood.

June — 1847 — Coles Bashford.

Oct. 6, 1850 — George Olmsted. (In place of Bashford, resigned.)

Nov. — 1850 — Stephen K. Williams,

1853 — Joseph Welling.

1856 — Jared F. Harrison. (Served only 2 years.) 1858 — Jacob B. Decker.

1861 — William F. Aldrich.

1864 — George W. Williams, Jr.

1867 — John H. Camp.

1870 — Charles H. Roys.

1873 — Murganzy Hopkins.

1876 — Marvin J. Greenwood.

1879 — John Vandenburgh.

1882 — Jefferson W. Hoag.

i6

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

COUNTY TREASURERS.

Qct. — 1823 — Samuel Hecox was appointed by the Board of Supervisors, and served, by successive reappointments, for nineteen years, until November 13, 1841. Under that date Seth Smith Avas chosen and served one year.

Nov. 19, 1842— Joseph M. Demmon.

Nov. 18, 1845— Joseph Demmon. (After the Constitu-

tion of 1846, County Treasurers were elected by the people, as follows:)

Nov. 1848 — Bartlett R. Rogers.

1851 — Philander P. Bradish.

1857 — John Adams. i860 — John Adams.

1862 — Smith A. Dewey.

1865 — Smith A. Dewey.

1868 — Smith A. Dewey.

1871 — William R. Stults.

1874 — William R. Stults.

1877 — William R. Stults. (Resigned Jan. 2, 1879.) Jan. 3, 1879 — Elijah P. Taylor. (x\ppointed by Board of Supervisors.)

Nov. 1879 — AndreAv F. Sheldon.

1882 — Andrew F. Sheldon.

Assemblymen* prior to 1823, for the counties from which Wayne Avas formed : —

Ontario— Isaac I. Chapin, 1792-3 ; Thomas Morris, 1794, 1795, 1796; Lemuel Chipman, Charles Williamson, 1798.

Ontario Avith Steuben, 1799 — Amos Hall, Charles William- son.

Cayuga, 1800 — Silas Halsey.

Ontario Avith Steuben, 1800 — Nathaniel Norton, Charles Williamson.

Cayuga, 1802 — Solomon Buell.

Ontario Avith Steuben, 1802 — Daniel Chapin, Peter B. Porter.

Cayuga, 1803 — Salmon Buell, Silas Halsey, Thomas Hewett.

Ontario Avith Genesee, 1803 — Thaddeus Chapin, Augustus Porter, Polydore B. Wisner.

Cayuga, 1804 — Silas Halsey, Thomas HeAvitt, Amos Rath bun.

* Of course not many of tliese men resided in what is now Wayne County. All are given here for coirvenience of reference by those studying the history of this section.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 17

Ontario with Genesee, 1804 — Amos Hall, Polydore B. Wisner, Nathaniel W. Howell.

Seneca, 1805 — John Sayre.

Ontario with Genesee, 1805 — Amos Hall, Daniel W. Lewis, Alexander Rea.

Seneca, 1806 — Cornelius Humphrev.

Ontario with Genesee, 1806 — Daniel W. Lewis, Ezra Pat- terson, Alexander Rea.

Seneca, 1807 — Cornelius Humphrey.

Ontario, with Genesee and Allegany, 1807 — Alexander Rea, Philetus Swift, Asahel Warner.

Seneca, 1808 — John Sayre.

Ontario, with Genesee and Allegany — Amos Hall,* Will- iam Rumsey, Philetus Swift, Asahel Warner, Jr.

Seneca, 1809 — James McCall.

Ontario, 1809 — Micah Brooks, Samuel Lawrence, Richard Laech, Hugh McNair, William Rogers.

Seneca, 1810 — Oliver Comstock.

Ontario, 1810— Valentine Brother, Israel Chapin, Daniel Dorsey, William Markham, Gideon Pitts.

Seneca, 1811 — Robert S. Rose.

Ontario, 1811 — Septimus Evans, Reuben Hart, Hugh McNair, Stephen Phelps, Asahel Warner.

Seneca, 1812 — Oliver Comstock.

Ontario, 1812 — Nathaniel Allen, Valentine Brother, David Sutherland, Joshua Van Fleet, Ezra Waite.

Seneca, 1813 — James McCall.

Ontario, 1813 — Abraham Dox, Gilbert Howell, Hugh McNair, David Sutherland, Asahel Warner.

Seneca, 1814 — James McCall.

Ontario, 1814 — Hugh McNair, Stephen Phelps, David Sutherland, Joshua Van Fleet, Asahel Warner.

Seneca, 1815 — David Woodcock.

Ontario, 1815 — Peter Allen, John Price, James Roseburgh, Ira Selby, David Sutherland.

Seneca, 1816 — Nicholas Halsey, Jacob D. Larzelere, Will- iam Thompson.

Ontario, 1816 — Peter Allen, Israel Chapin, Jonathan Child, Henry Fellows, Myron Holley, Alexander Kelsey, Thomas Lee, Roger Sprague.

Seneca, 1817 — Archer Green, Jacob D. Larzelere, William Thompson.

Ontario, 1817 — Peter Allen, Jonathan Child, Byram Green, Caleb Hopkins, Joshua Lee, James Roseburgh, Nathan Whitney.

* Returned as elected ; resigned in favor of Rumsey. 2

i8

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Seneca, i8i8— Myndert M. Dox,* John Sutton, William

Thompson. ^ o i

Ontario, i8i8— Phineas P. Bates, Nathaniel Case, Samuel Lawrence, James Roseburgh, Ira Selb}^, John \' an\ ossen,

Seneca, 1819 — William Thompson, Annanias Wells. Ontario, 1819— William Billinghiirst, Byram Green, Eli Hill, William McCartney, Elijah Spencer, John A. Stevens, Asahel Warner.

Seneca, 1820— Thomas Armstrong, Robert S. Rose. Ontario, 1820— Valentine Brother, Byram Green, John Price, John C. Spencer, Elisha B. Strong, John VanVossen, Matthew Warner.

Seneca, 1821 — Robert S. Rose, William Thompson. Ontario, 1821 — Claudius V. Boughton, William Cornwell, Oliver Culver, Truman Hart, Myron Holley, John C. Spen- cer, William H. Spencer.

Seneca, 1822— James Dickson, John Maynard.

Ontario, 1822 — Birdseye Brooks, Byram Green, Isaac Marsh, Aaron Remer, David White.

Seneca, 1823 — Jonas Seeley, Annanias Wells.

Ontario, 1823 — Birdseye Brooks, Richard Hogarth, Jacob Leach, Aaron Remer, Ira Selby, Philetus Swift.

MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY FOR WAYNE COUNTY.

1024 — James Dickson, Russell Whipple.

’25 — Wm. H. Adams, Enoch Morse.

’26 — Ambrose Hall, John L. Kip.

’27— Thomas Armstrong, Jonathan Boynton.

’28 — Thomas Armstrong, Luther Fillmore.

’29 — Thomas Armstrong, Jonathan Boynton.

’30— Luther Chapin, Seth Eddy.

’31 — Annanias Wells, Seth Eddy.

’32 — James H umeston, Ambrose Salisbury.

’23 — James Humeston, Ambrose Salisbury.

’34 — James P. Bartle, Russell Whipple.

’35 — Elisha Benjamin, Wm. D. Wylie.

’36 — Reuben H. Foster, Robert Alsop.

’37 — David Arne,Jr., Pomeroy Tucker.

’38 — John M. Holley, Esbon Blackmar.

’39 — Thomas Armstrong, Ambrose Salisbury.

’40 — Horace Morley, Durfee Osband.

’41 — John M. Holley, Esbon Blackmar.

*I)ie(l, in BulTalo, on the 8tli of Sept., 1880, ^lyndert M. Dox, Esq., late Col- lector of the Port of IhilTalo, and during the last war a Captain in the U. S. army. He was a gallant otticer and won the esteem of his associates.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

19

1842 — James M. Wilson, Theron R. Strong.

’43 — Philip Sours, Frederick U. Sheffield.

’44 — Austin Roe, Isaac R. Sanford.

45 — John J. Dickson, Alanson M. Knapp.

’46— James T. Wisner, Elias Durfee.

’47 — Israel R. Southard, Samuel Moore.

’48 — Eliada Pettit, John Lapham.

49 — Isaac Bottum, Theron G. Yeomans.

’50 — James M. Wilson, Elihu Durfee.

’51 — Edward W. Bottum, Theron G. Yeomans. ’52 — William Dutton, Theron G. Yeomans.

’53 — Benjamin H. Streeter, Loami Whitcomb. ’54 — Willis G. Wade, John P. Bennett.

’55— James T. Wisner, John P. Bennett.

’56 — Harlow' Hyde, Thomas Barnes.

’57 — Thomas Johnson, Joseph Peacock.

’58 — Edward VY. Sentell, Charles Estes.

’59 — Henry K. Graves, John A. Laing.

’60 — James M. Servis, Abel J. Bixby.

’61 — Jabez S. L’Amoreaux, Joseph W. Corning. ’62 — Eron N. Thomas, Abram Pryne.

'63 — Thaddeus W. Collins, Lemuel Durfee.

’64 — Thaddeus W. Collins, Lemuel Durfee.

’65 — Thaddeus W. Collins, William H. Rogers. ’66 — John Vandenburgh, William H. Rogers. ’67 — John Vandenburgh, Ornon Archer.

’68 — DeWitt Parshall, Elijah M. K. Glenn.

’69 — Merritt Thornton, Amasa Hall.

’70 — Anson S. Wood, Amasa Hall.

’71 — Anson S. Wood, Henry R. Durfee.

’72 — Edward B. Wells, Lucien T. Yeomans.

’73 — Edward B. Wells, Lucien T. Yeomans.

74 — Emory W. Gurnee, Henry M. Clark.

’75 — Wm. H. Clark, Allen S. Russell.

’76 — Emory W. Gurnee, Allen S. Russell.

’77 — Jackson Valentine, Jeremiah Thistlewaite. ’78 — Jackson Valentine, James H. Miller.

’79 — John A. Munson, Jefferson Sherman.

’80 — Alfred P. Crafts, Jefferson Sherman.

’81 — Rowland Robinson, Addison Gates.

’82 — Oscar Weed, Wm. E. Greenwood.

’83 — Oscar Weed, Leman Hotchkiss.

SENATORS FROM WAYNE COUNTY.

1823, ’24 — Byram Green.

’3a ’31 — Thomas Armstrong.

’3? ’33 — Thomas Armstrong.

20

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

1834, ’35 — Thomas Armstrong.

’3^ ’37 — Thomas Armstrong.

’43, ’44 — Lyman Sherwood.

’54, ’55— William Clark.

’56’ ’57 — Samuel C. Cuyler.

’58, ’59 — Alexander B. Williams.

’60, ’61 — Alexander B. Williams.

’64, ’65 — Stephen K. Williams.

’66, ’67 — Stephen K. Williams.

’68, ’69 — Stephen K. Williams.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE SENATE.

1868, ’69 — John H. Kemper.

’76, ’77 — John W. Corning.

’80, ’81 — John W. Corning.

’82, ’83 — John W. Corning.

DOORKEEPER OF THE SENATE.

1840, ’41 — Philip M. DeZeng.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE ASSEMBLY.

1867 — John H. Kemper.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF COMMON SCHOOLS.

Under the act of April 17, 1843, this office was created. It was abolished March 13, 1847.

The appointments for Wayne county were:

Nov. II, 1841 — Philo D. Green.

Nov. 18, 1843 — Samuel Cole.

Nov. 26, 1846 — James Redheld.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.

1824 — Solomon St. John.

’28 — John Beal.

’36 — Alanson M. Knapp.

’40 — Charles Bradish.

’44 — Jonathan Boynton.

’48 — Joseph W. Gates.

’60 — William Van Marter.

’72 — John H. Camp.

’76 — George W. Knowles.

SCHOOL COMxMISSIONERS.

Appointed 1856 — M. F. Sweeting, Albert S. Todd.

* Appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

21

Elected 1857 — F. Sweeting, Albert S. Todd.

“ ’60 — Thomas Robinson, Myron W. Reed. [man.

“ ’63— Alonzo M. Winchester,* Jefferson Sher-

‘‘ ’66 — John McGonigal, Ethel M. Allen.

‘‘ ’69 — John McGonigal, Ethel M. Allen.

'' ’72 — Joseph H. L. Roe, Felix J. Griffin.

’75 — Sidney G. Cooke, Wm. T. Goodenough. ’78 — Sidney G. Gooke, Wm. T. Goodenough.

“ . ’81 — E. C. Delano, Daniel VonCruyningham.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

1801— From Cayuga county then including Eastern Wayne, Silas Halsey.

From Ontario then including Western Wayne, Moses Atwater.

1821 — From Seneca county, Robert S. Rose, Jonas Seely. From Ontario county, Micah Brooks, John Price, David Sutherland, Philetus Swift, Joshua VanFleet.

1846 — From Wayne county, Ornon Archer, Horatio N. Taft.

1867 — Ornon Archer, Leander S. Ketchum.

1872 — Constitutional Commissioner, Van Rensselaer Rich- mond.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

1839, ’40 — Theron R. Strong,

’43, ’44 — Byram Green.

’47, ’48 — John M. Holley .f

Esbon Blackmar, (vice Holley.)

’59, ’61 — Martin Butterheld.

’69, ’71 — George W. Cowles.

’77, ’83 — John H. Camp.

STATE OFFICERS.

From the territory now comprised in Wayne.

CANAL COMMISSIONER.

the county of

Myron Holley, appointed April 17, 1817.

CANAL APPRAISERS.

George W. Cuyler, appointed April i8-, 1843, declined ; Ambrose Salisbury, appointed May ii, 1843, served three years.

* Supervisors awarded certificate of election to Thomas Robinson , but the courts subsequently declared Mr. Winchester elected, f Died in Florida, March 8, 1848, at Jacksonville.

22

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT. Nov. 4, 1851 — Theron R. Strong.

STATE ENGINEER.

Nov. 3, 1857 — Van Rensselaer Richmond. Nov. ’59 — Van Rensselaer Richmond. Nov. 5, ’67 — Van Rensselaer Richmond.

Nov. ’69 — Van Rensselaer Richmond.

SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR.

February 3, 1830 — Lyman Dunning.^ February 3,

February 3,

November 30,

November 16,

November 16,

November 13,

November 13,

November 14,

November 14,

November 14,

November 1 1’,

November ii,

November ii,

November 15,

November 15,

November 15,

November 14,

November 14,

November 14,

November 13,

November 13,

November 13,

November 12,

November 12,

November 12,

November 12,

November 12,

November 12,

November 13,

November 13,

November 13,

November 19,

November 19,

November 19,

* Appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

30— Isaac Durfee.

30 — Cyrus Smith.

31 — Reuben H. Foster.

32 — Jonathan Boynton.

32 — Lyman Dunning.

33 — Lyman Dunning.

33 — Reuben H. Foster.

34 — Jonathan Boynton. 34 — Lyman Dunning.

34 — Reuben H. Foster.

35 — Calvin D. Palmeter. 35 — Jonathan Boynton.

35 — Lyman Dunning.

36 — Jonathan Boynton. 36 — James Edwards.

36 — Calvin D. Palmeter.

37 — Calvin D. Palmeter. 37 — James Edwards.

37 — Jonathan Boynton.

38 — Jonathan Boynton. 38 — Calvin D. Palmeter.

38 — James Edwards.

39 — Jonathan Boynton. 39 — James Edwards.

39 — Reuben H. Eoster.

40 — Jonathan Boynton. 4c — James Edwards.

40 — Reuben H. Foster.

41 — George Boynton.

41 — Gardner Warren.

41 — Philander Mitchell.

42 — James Edwards.

42 — Martin Lazalier.

42 — Truman Heminway.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

23

November 22, 1843 — James Edwards.

November 22, ’43 — Martin Lazalier.

November 22, 43 — ^Truman Heminway.

November 21, ’44 — James Edwards.

November 21, ’44 — Martin Lazalier.

November 21, ’44 — Truman Heminway.^

SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE POOR.

1845 — Abram Parsons.

’46— Wm. D. Wylie.

47 — John Dratt.f

’48 — Abijah Moore, Maltby Clark, James Miller, Jr.

’49 — Nelson D. Young.

’50 — Duncan Wilson.

’51 — Maltby Clark.

’52 — Wm. D. Wylie.

’53 — Israel J. Clapp.

’54 — Wm. Mockridge.

’55 — Maltby Clark.

’56 — Philander Mitchell.

’57 — William Mockridge.

’58 -Clark Phillips.

’59 — Philander Mitchell.

’60 — Isaac Z. Hodges.

’6i--John S. Roe.

’62 — Clark Phillips.

’63 — Isaac Z. Hodges.

’64 — John S. Roe.

’65 — Durfee Wilcox.

’66 — Isaac Z. Hodges.

’67 — John S. Roe.

’68 — Durfee Wilcox.

’69 — John Everett.

’70 — Morgan Cookingham.

’71 — Durfee Wilcox.

’72 — Johh G. Mead.

’73 — Morgan Cookingham.

’74 — Durfee Wilcox.

’75 — John G. Mead.

’76 — James B. Wiley.

* By Chapter 315, Laws of 1845, one Superintendent of the Poor was directed to be elected by the people at the general election, and his term of office com- menced on the third Monday of November.

fBy Chapter 498, Laws of 1847, three Superintendents of the Poor were directed to be elected at the general election of 1848, to be classified for one, two and three years, and thereafter one was to be elected annually, to hold office three years.

24 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

1877 — Dwight Flint.

’78 — John G. Mead.

’79 — James B. Wiley.

’80 — Dwight Flint.

’81 — William W. Burbank.

’82 — James B. Wiley.

CORONERS.

Elected May 6, 1823 — Russell Whipple, Sanford Sisson, Andrew G. Low, Wm. P. Capron.

November, 1825 — Russell Whipple, George Smith, Wm. Terry, Garry Burnham.

Nov^ember, 1828 — Calvin D. Palmeter, James Edwards, Ira White, James Dickson.

1831 — Joseph Williams, James Dickson, Ira White, Harlow Hyde.

1832 — Theodore Partridge, Philip Grandin, Abraham Knapp.

1833 — John Condit.

’34 — Joseph Williams.

’35— Wm. W. Willets.

’36 — John J. Dickson, Abel Wyman, James Satterlee.

’37 — Samuel C. Cuyler, Maltby Clark.

’38 — Theodore Partridge.

’39 — Thomas I. Romeyn, Joseph A. Phelps.

’40 — Maltby Clark.

41 — Theodore Partridge.

’42 — George E. Dill, Peter Thatcher.

’43 — Bruce Everson.

’44 — Daniel F. Luce.

’45 — Caleb A. Carpenter, Oren Gaylord, Edward Beach. ’47 — John N. Flarder.

48 — John F. Packard, Thomas Wickham, Duncan Wilson. ’50 — Daniel Jemison.

’51 — Samuel Miller, Jesse Owen, Daniel Grandin.

’52 — Harlow Hyde.

’53 — Wm. Culliford.

’54 — James W. Pennington, Daniel Grandin.

’55 — Nathan P. Colvin.

’56 — Daniel Conger.

’57 — Daniel Grandin, Fenner Palmer.

’58 — Henry D. Whitbeck.

’59 — Henry C. Rice.

’60 — Russell Allyn, Fenner Palmer.

’61 — Joseph F. Case.

’62 — Henry C. Rice.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

25

1863 — Russell Allyn, Henry R. Taber.

’64 — Samuel Weed.

’65 — David R. Hamilton.

’66 — Henry M. Griffin, George G. Jessup.

’67 — Samuel Weed.

’68 — David R. Hamilton.

’69 — Abraham J. Barhite, George G. Jessup. ’70 — Samuel Weed.

’71 — A. F. Gillette.

’72 — Charles H. Kelly.

’73 — Alfred P. Crafts, Alexander G. Austin. ’74 — A. F. Gillette.

’75 — Charles H. Kelly.

'76— Alfred P. Crafts, John D. Briggs.

’77 — George P. Livingston.

’78 — Charles H. Kelly.

’79 — Eben W. Newbury, John D. Briggs.

’80 — George P. Livingston.

’81 — John Pitkin.

’82 — Eben W. Newbury, John D. Briggs.

JUSTICES OF SESSIONS.

’49 — John J. Dickson, Clark Mason.

’50 — Harlow Hyde, Nathan Bostwick.

’51 — William A. Fuller, Manlius W. Gage.

’52 — Isaac E. Beecher, William A. Fuller.

’53 — Theodore Dickinson, William A. Fuller. ’54 — Chauncey B. Collins, Reuben T. Conklin. ’55 — Harvey Miller, Marvin Rich.

’56 — Harvey Miller, Ira S. Beal.

’57 — Isaac Z. Hodges, Theodore Dickinson.

’58 — Joseph F. Case, Theodore Dickinson.

’59 — Luther M. Norton. Simon V. W. Stout. ’60 — Aldice P. Warren, Merritt Purdy.

’61 — George E. Dill, Simon V. W. Stout.

’62 — Merritt Purdy, Simon V. W. Stout.

’63 — Simon V. W. Stout, George E. Dill.

’64 — Henry R. Tabor, Alonzo W. Casey.

’65 — Henry R. Tabor, Alonzo W. Casey.

’66 — Joseph F. Case, George E. Dill.

’67 — Joseph F. Case, GeoVge E. Dill.

’68 — Joseph Peacock, Reuben T. Conklin.

’69 — Canfield C. Teall, John L. Hedden.

’70 — Alonzo W. Casey, Thomas Johnson.

’71 — Richard T. Ellison, Alonzo W. Casey.

’72 — John L. Hedden, Eben W. Newbury.

26

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

1873 — John D. Bennett, Edgar VV. Kelly.

’74— John D. Bennett, Edgar W. Kelly.

’75 — John D. Bennett, Alanson Church.

’76 — John D. Bennett, Alonzo W. Casey.

’77 — Henry R. Tabor, Alonzo VV, Casey.

’78 — Jacob T. Van Buskirk, Alanson Church.

’79 — Richard T. Ellison, Alanson Church.

’80 — Ered A. Peacock, Alanson Church.

’81 — Charles O. Peterson, Samuel A. Jones.

’82 — Charles O. Peterson, Samuel A. Jones.

HOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Wayne County, was held at Henry L. Woolsey’s hotel, in the village of Lyons, on the first Tuesday of October, 1823. The Super- visors present were Eli Frisbie, of Galen; Robert W. Ash- ley, of Lyons ; Abraham Spear, of Macedon ; Luther Fill- more, of Ontario; William Rogers, Jr., of Palmyra; Arad Tallcott, of Wolcott; Russell Whipple, of Williamson.

Luther Fillmore, of Ontario, was chosen chairman, and Robert W. Ashley, clerk pro tern. Alexander R. Tiffany was afterwards chosen permanent clerk. Samuel Hecox was elected Treasurer of the county. His bond was required to be made in the sum of $20,000, and the sureties were Cyrus Hecox, Jacob Leach and Stephen M. Palmer, all of Lvons. The Board approved the bonds and sureties of the committee who had charge of the erection of the public buildings of the county. Ebenezer Smith, of Lyons, was allowed seventy-six dollars and sixty-two cents damages on account of a road laid out through his improved land, and two dollars and twenty-five cents costs. The same sum was voted to Joseph Luce, of Lyons, for a like purpose.

Peter Brinkerhoff, of Wolcott, on account of similar dam- ages, was allowed eighteen dollars, and Thomas Armstrong, two hundred and forty dollars; Peter Eddy, of Williamson, ten dollars, and David Eddy, eleven dollars; Levi Ward, of Macedon, fifteen dollars and ' eighty-three cents; Zina L. Buck, twenty-two dollars and fifty cents, and Reuben Starks, seventeen dollars and fifty cents, to be assessed on Palmyra and Macedon ; also to be assessed on the same towns, dam- ages to Darius Comstock, Otis Comstock and iVsa B. Smith, two hundred and five dollars and seven cents.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

27

Five thousand dollars were appropriated for contingent purposes, including twenty-five hundred to build court house and jail. A State tax of one mill on the dollar, was ordered to be raised.

The town of Wolcott was assessed sixty-hve dollars and sixty-eight cents, to be paid to Kitchel Bell, Peter Pratt and Hastings Curtiss, for services as a commission to lay out a road, it is presumed, or to appraise damages. It was voted that five per cent, be added to all sums required to be col- lected. In accordance with a law passed by the Legislature directing a road to be laid out in the town of Wolcott, hve mills was assessed on each dollar of the valuation of farms adjoining said road.

Bills were audited in favor of Samuel Strong, Oliver P. Ashley, William D. Ford, Henry L. Woolsey, William H. Adams, John Barber, Seth Eddv, Nell Alexander, Thomas Wickham, Daniel Grandin, John R. Taintor, Alexander B. Roys, Samuel Hecox, Samuel Soverhill, George B. Brinker- hoff, David Arne, Jr., Jacob M. Gilbert, George Smith, John M. Gillespie, Henry Parks, James Reeves, Oliver Clark, Stephen J. Hazard, John Lewis, Zadock Huggins, Andrew Cornwell, George Crane, Isaac Durfee, Nathaniel Kellogg, Simeon Griswold, William Patrick, Marvin Rich, Abraham Spear, Alexander R. Tiffany, Israel J. Richardson, John S. Tallmadge, Joel Blakeman, David Hanchett, A. Dorsey, Jonathan Boynton, Annanias Wells, Stephen Ferguson, Reuben H. Foster, James Dickson, Thomas Armstrong, Newell Taft, William Voorhies, Abner Brown, and Sanford Sisson.

The real estate of each town was stated asfollows ; Galen, $385^531; Lyons, $518,709; Macedon, $289,571; Ontario, $270,227; Palmyra, $358,654; Sodus, $261,273 ; Williamson, $297,232 ; Wolcott, $389,136.

The personal estate was given at the following hgures : Galen, $7,499; Lyons, $21,224; Macedon, $19,973 ; Ontario, $2,750; Palmyra, $49,306 ; Sodus, $3,377; Williamson, $11,- 989; Wolcott, $2,997.

At that time Lyons included what is now Arcadia. Wol- cott included Huron, Rose and Butler; Galen included

28

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Savannah; Williamson included Marion; and Ontario in- cluded Walworth.

CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERYISORS.

The presiding officers of the Board have been as follows : Luther Fillmore, i823-’24; Russell Whipple, 1825; James P. Bartle, 1826; Russell Whipple, i827-’28; Thomas Arm- strong, i829-’30-’3I ; Luther Fillmore, 1832; Thomas Arm- strong, 1833 ; Russell Whipple, 1834 ; James P. Bartle, 1835 ; Daniel Poppino, 1836; Ambrose Salisbury, 1837; James P. Bartle, 1838 ; John Adams, i839-’40 ; Joseph Patterson, 1841 ; Byram Green, 1842; Alanson M. Knapp, 1843; Thomas Armstrong, 1844; Philander Mitchell, 1845; John Dradt, 1846; John McLouth, 1847; Philander Mitchell, i848-’49; Thomas Armstrong, i850-’5i; William D. Wylie, 1852; Eron N. Thomas, 1853 ; Israel R. Southard, 1854 ; James D. Ford, 1855; Philander Mitchell, 1856; Elias Durfee, 1857; A. P. Crandall, 1858; Elias Durfee, 1859; James M. Servis, 1860-61 ; Elon St. John, 1862 ; Jackson Valentine, 1863 ; Benjamin J. Hance, i864-’65 ; A. J. Bixby, 1866; Jackson Valentine, 1867-68; William R. Stults, 1869-70; Benjamin J. Hance, i87i-’72-’73-’74 i John E. Hough, 1875-76-77; Alanson Church, 1878; Rowland Robinson, 1879; John P. Bennett, i88o-’8i-’82.

CLERKS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERYISORS.

Alexander R. Tiffany, 1823 to 1831 ; George W. Scotty 1832-73; Pomeroy Tucker, 1834-75, and resigned during session of 1836; Thomas Lakey, 1836 to 1840; George W. Scott, 1841 ; Robert W. Ashley, 1842 to 1845 ; Charles A.. Hart, 1846; Nathaniel Merrill, 1847, 1848, 1849; JohnBoylan, 1850 to 1853; C. P. Hopkins, 1854; R. K. Andrews, 1855; J. F. Harrison, 1856 ; John A. Boyd, 1857, 1858, 1859 ; E. Will- ard Sherman, i860 to 1870; Charles P. Patterson, 1871 to 1882 (twelve years), and the present incumbent of the office.

TOWN ORGANIZATION.

Before giving the record of town organizations, it is inter- esting to notice that the old town of Canandaigua included all the territory of the nine western towns of Wayne county.

29

75354

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

To show the few names from Wayne county in those earliest years, we insert the town officers of Canandaigua in full for five years, 1791 to 1795 inclusive.*

(Fro7;t Canandaigua Town Records.)

TOWN OFFICERS OE 1 79 1.

Supervisor — Israel Chapin.

Toivn Clerk — James D. Fish.

Assessors — John Call, Enos Boughton, Seth Reed, Nathan Comstock, James Austin, Arnold Potter, Nathaniel Norton.

Collectors — Phinehus Bates, John Codding.

Overseers of the Poor — Israel Chapin, Nathaniel Gorham.

Commissioners of Highzvays — Othniel Taylor, Joseph Smith, Benjamin Wells.

Constables — Nathaniel Sanborn, Jared Boughton, Phineas Pierce.

Overseers of Highways and Felice Viewers — James Latta, Joshua Whitney, John Swift, Daniel Gates, Jabez French, Gamaliel Wilder, Abner Barlow, Isaac Hathaway, Hezekiah Boughton, Eber Norton, William Gooding, John D. Rob- inson.

CANANDAIGUA, 1 792. — TOWN OFFICERS.

Supervisor — Israel Chapin.

Tozvn Clerk — James D. Fisk.

Assessors — Judah Colt, David White, Ezra Patterson, Enos Boughton, Nathaniel Norton, Levi Parrish, Elijah W^ilder.

Collectors — Phinehas Bates, Noah Porter, Solomon W arner, jonetthan Edwards, Eber Norton, Elias Gilbert, Aaron Rice.

Overseers of the Poor — Moses Atwater, Israel Chapin.

Commissiofiers of Highways — Othniel Tavlor, John Swift, Eber Norton.

Co7istables — Jarvis Rose, John Russell, Asa Ransom, Sey- mour Boughton, Benjamin Keyes, Jonathan Lee, Elizur Hills.

Overseers of Highways and Fence Viewers — Orange Brace, Luke Phelps, Hugh Jameson, Israel Chapin, Jr., Job Durfee, Bennett Gates, Nathan Aldrich, Thomas Sisson, Phineahas Stevens, Sanford Williams.

* A similar record has been sought for Eastern W ayne, through town records of Junius, or “ Washington,” but has not been secured in time for this chapter. If found, it will appear in the Appendix.

30

MILITARY HISTORY OF \YAYNE COUNTY.

Overseers of Highways — John D. Robinson, Jonathan Oakes, James Rice, Jabez Morehouse, John Ke3^es, Nathaniel Norton, William Gooding, William Watkins, Elias Gilbert, Ephraim Wilder.

Pound Master — Moses Barlow.

Inspectors of Lumber — Othniel Taylor, Jerome Loomis, Phinehas Bates, Joseph Kilburn, David Gilbert, Elam Crane, Israel Chapman, Jr.

Scaler of Weights and Measures — Samuel Gardner.

Sealer of Leather — Daniel Shaw.

CANANDAIGUA, I 793- — TOWN OFFICERS.

Supervisor — Israel Chapin.

Tow7i Clerk — Samuel Gardner.

Assessors — Moses Atwater, David White, David Suthei'- land, Enos Boughton, Nathaniel Norton, Levi Parrish, Elijah

Wilder.

Commissioners of Highzuays — Othniel Taylor, Ephraim Wilder, John i\dams.

Constables — Orange Brace, Thomas Rogers, Francis Briggs, Seymour Boughton, Benjamin Keyes, Joel Watkins, Elizur Hills.

Pound Masters — Abner Barlow, Abraham Lane, John Russell, James Gooding.

Collectors — Phinehas Bates, Noah Porter, Jared Boughton, John D. Robinson, Israel Beach, Elias Gilbert, Eliezur Hills.

Overseers of the Poor — Abner Barlow, Israel Chapin, Jr.

Overseers of the Higlnvays — Timothy Dunham, David Sutherland, Charles Adams, Isaac Watkins, Bebus McKin- ney, James Austin, John Codding, Israel Beach, William Markham, Eber Norton, Joseph Brace, Levi Ha^xock, Daniel Shaw, Rufus Case, Moses Gunn, Samuel Da}^ Sr., Nathan Aldridge, Urius Gumenstalk, William Rogers, Philetus Swift.

CANANDAIGUA, I 794. — TOWN OFFICERS.

Supervisor — Israel Chapin.

Tozvn Clerk — James D. Fish.

Assessors — Israel Chapin, Jr., William Rogers, Arnold Potter, Jared Boughton, Eber Norton, Jabez Metcalf, John Codding.

Collectors — Jonathan Barlow, Jonathan Warner, Otis Com- stock, William Burnet, Benjamin Wilson, Benjamin Tib- betts, Theophilus Allen.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

31

Overseers of the Poor — Martin Dudley, Phinehas Bates.

Coimnissioners of Highways — Othniel Taylor, William Gooding, Jared Boughton.

Constables — Gideon Dudley, Timothy Smith, Pardon Dur- fee, Reuben Parish, Seymour Boughton, Jr., Allen Sage, Faunce Codding, Elisha Granger, Benjamin Brown.

Overseers of Highways — Francis Briggs, Jabez French, James Lewis, Ephraim Cleaveland, Jr.

Overseers of Highways and Fence Viewers — Robert Wiley, David Wilder, Nathaniel Fisher, Israel Beach, Erod Hop- kins, Joel Steele, Seymour Boughton, Samuel Bunklebank, John Clark, Seth Holcomb, Nathan Waldon, Joab Gillet, Jonathan Smith, Joseph Bradish, Cyrus Parker, John CrandJill, David H. Foster, William Burnet, Robert Whit- aker, Seth Sprague, Joseph Sanders.

Pound Masters — Abner Barlow, Abram Lane, James Good- ing, William Jackways.

CANANDAIGUA, 1 795. — TOWN OFFICERS.

Supervisor — Israel Chapin.

Toivn Clerk — John Wickham.

Assessors — Phineas Bates, William Rogers, Arnold Potter, Jared Boughton, Daniel Chapin, Jabez Metcalf, John Cod- ding.

Collectors — Thaddeus Remington, Jonathan Warner, Jona- than Smith, William Adams, Levi Parrish, George Cod- ding, Jr., Pierce Granger.

Coimnissioners of Highways — Benjamin W ells, Asher Sax- ton, Daniel Brainerd.

Constables — Dirck Speer, Stephen Bates, Samuel Ballard, Reuben Parrish, Jabez Morehouse, Jr., John Keyes, James Gooding, David Herman, Robert Perry.

Pound Masters — Thaddeus Remington, Francis Briggs, James Gooding, Reuben Town, Nathan Watkins.

Poor Masters — William Clark, Martin Dudley.

Overseers of Highways — George Bates, Rouse Perry, Mi- chael Pierce, Jabez Metcalf, John Johnson, Nathan Allen, James Gooding, Gideon King, Elijah Rose, Jonathan Adams, Elisha Brace, Jonathan Barlow.

Overseers of Highways and Fence Viewers — Gideon Dud- ley, Hugh Jameson, Elijah Hamlon, Matthew Sweet, John Dillons, Abiather Powers, Bennett Bates, Jacob Gannet, John Russell, Humphrey Sherman, Pierce Granger, William Wyckoff, William Durston, Abraham Lane, Rufus Case, Elam Crane, Joel Howe, John Sutherland, Philander Saxton.

32

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

TOWNS OF WAYNE COUNTY.

SODUS was formed by an order of Court, January, 1789. It included the present territory of six other tgwns, viz.: Will- iamson, Ontario, Marion and Walworth, taken off under the name of Williamson February 20, 1802 ; Lyons and Arcadia taken off, as Lyons, March i, 1811.

The town derives its name from the Bay, and the latter was known to the early French explorers as Osoenodus ; probably changed in common usage to Sod us. The first recorded town meeting was held April 2, 1799, ‘d the house of Evert Van Wickle, a mile or more west of what is now Lyons village, on the Lyman farm, so-called.

The first town meeting after Lyons was taken off, and Sodus reduced to nearly its present dimensions, was held in 181 1, at the house of Daniel Arms, then standing in what is now an old orchard near the present residence of Edward Messenger, at Wallington.

Supervisors — Azariah Willis, elected in the spring of 1799 5^ Timothy Smith, t8oo, ’01 ; John Perrine, 1802, ’03 ; Daniel Dor- sey, 1804, ’05, ’06; Gilbert Howell, 1807, ’08, ’09, ’10; Nathan- iel Merrills, 181 1, ’12, ’13 ; Enoch Morse, 1814 to 1824, eleven years; Jonathan L. Powell, 1825, ’26; Byram Green, 1827; William Danforth, 1828 to 1832, five years; James Edwards, 1833. ’34; Robert A. Paddock, 1835, ’36, ’37; William Edwards, 1838, ’39; Byram Green, 1840; Charles W. Rees, 1841 ; Byram Green, 1842 ; Alanson M. Knapp, 1843, ’44; Alexander B. Williams, 1845; Jerry C. Rogers, 1846; Thomas Wickham, 1847; Jedediah Allen, 1848; Andrus A. Whitbeck, 1849; Alanson M. Knapp, 1850; Jerry C. Rogers, 1851, ’52; Alanson M. Knapp, 1853; Aldice P. Warren, 1854; Noadiah M. Hill, 1855; DaVid Poucher, 1856, ’57, ’58 ; Merritt Thornton, 1859, ’60, ’61 ; Levi Gurnee, 1862 ; Durfee Wilcox, 1863, ’64; George W. Tillotson, 1865;

*Tlie full list of town officers chosen at the first meeting, 1799, were : Aza- riah Willis, Supervisor ; Joseph Taylor, Town Clerk ; Norman 3[ary, Samuel Caldwell, Charles Cameron, Assessors ; Moses Gill, Evert Van Wickle, Timothy Smith, Commissioners of Highways ; David Sweezey, Joseph Wood, Constables ; David Sweezey, Collector; John Van Wickle, Sen., Fence Viewer; William White, Reuben Adams, Poormasters ; Daniel Russell, Henry LoveWell, AVill- iam White, Pathmasters.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

33

Lewis Bates, 1866, ’67 ; George W. Tillotson, 1868, ’69, 70, ’71 ; Lewis Bates, 1872, ’73, ’74; David Boucher, 1875; Charles D. Gaylord, 1876; Rowland Robinson, 1877 to 1880, four years ; Lewis H. Clark, 1881, ’82, ’83.

Palmyra was formed by an order of Court January, 1789. Macedon was taken off in 1823. Palmyra was first known as Swift-Town, and then Tolland; but neither was satisfac- tory to the people, and at a meeting held January 4, 1796, they agreed upon the name Palmyra. It is said to have been suggested b^" Daniel Sawyer, brother of Mrs. John Swift, who was reading ancient history and had become interested in Palmyra of old. The fii;st town meeting recorded was held the first Tuesday in April, 1796, “at the house of Gideon Durfee.” This was on the place now owned by the heirs of Captain Ira Lakey, deceased, about half a mile east of the railroad station at Palmyra.

S?cpervzsors—]ohn Swift, elected in 1796;* Jonah Howell, 1797, 98; John Swift, 1799, 1800, ’01, ’02; Nathan Comstock, 1803; John Swift, 1804, ’05, ’06; William Rogers, 1807, ’08; Pardon Durfee, 1809 to 1814, six years; David White, 1815 to 1820, six years ; James White, 1821, ’22 ; William Rogers, 1823; Stephen Sherman, 1824; Frederick Smith, 1825; Stephen Sherman, 1826; Frederick Smith, 1827, ’28; Am- brose Salisbury, 1829, ’30, ’31; Frederick Smith, 1832, ’33, ’34; Ambrose Salisbury, 1835, ’36, ’37; George W. Cuyler, 1838, ’39; James Hubbell, 1840, 41; Ambrose Salisbury, 1842; Samuel Cole, 1843; Samuel E. Hudson, 1844; Pome- roy Tucker, 1845; William Beals, 1846; Augustus Elmen- dorf, 1847, ’48; Thomas W. Gurney, 1849; Augustus Elmen- dorf, 1850: Pomeroy Tucker, 1851, 52; Abraham I. Carl, 1853 ; Philip Palmer, 1854; Charles E. Thurber, 1855 ; A. P.

*The full list of town officers chosen in Palmyra at the first meeting, 1796, were: John Swift, Supervisor; Jonathan Edwards, Town Clerk ; Jonathan Warner, Festus Goldsmith, Humphrey Sherman, Assessors ; William Porter, Collector ; Noah Porter, Thomas Goldsmith, Overseers of the Poor ; Jared Com- stock, Reuben Town, William Rogers, Commissioners of Highways ; Joseph Bradish, James Reeves, Constables ; James Reeves, John Hurlburt, Joel Foster, Festus Goldsmith, Edward Durfee, Luther Sanford, David Warner, Benjamin Wood, Abner Hill, Cyrus Parker, Henry Wilbur, Thomas Hamilton, Henry Lovewell, Norman Mary, Nathan Harris, Jacob Gannett, Pathmasters.

3

34

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Crandall, 1 856, *57, ’58 ; William H. Bowman, 1859; William B. Crandall, i860 ; Henry S. Flower, 1861 to 1865, five years ; Charles J. Ferrin, 1866; Charles D. Johnson, 1867, ’68, ’69, ’70; William Foster, 1871; Henry P. Knowles, 1872, ’73; Robert Johnson, 1874; George Harrison, 1875 to 1879, ^^ve years; Henry M. Clark, 1880, ’81 ; Nelson Reeves, 1882, 83.

Williamson was formed from Sodus, February 20, 1802, and named for Charles Williamson, the first land agent of the Pultney estate. Ontario, including Walworth, was taken off in 1807, and Marion, in 1825.

The first town meeting of Williamson, was held in March, 1803, at the house of Timothy Smith, at Marion Corners. The site is not certainly determined. It is believed to have been at what is known at the “ Upper Corners.” The pres- ent place of Frank W. Langley, was a tavern, sixt}^ or seventy years ago, and may have been the place of the town meet- ing in 1807.

Supervisors — Luke Phelps, 1803 to 1808, six years ; Jacob W. Hallett, 1809, ’10, ’ll; Stephen H. Caldwell, 1812 to 1816, five years; David Eddy, 1817, ’18, ’19, ’20; Russell Whipple, 1821 ’22; Freeman Hart, 1823 ; Russell Whipple, 1824 to 1831, eight years; Abel Brockway, 1832; Russell Whipple, 1833, ’34; Daniel Poppino, 1835, ’36; John Borradaile, 1837, ’38 ; William Johnson, i839,’40; Jedediah Allen, i84i,’42 ; William John- son, 1843, ’44 ; Daniel Grandin, 1845 5 John Cottrell, 1846, ’47, ’48; William 1. Stoutenberg, 1849; Hiram Gallup, 1850; Hayden W. Curtis, 1851 ’52; John S. Todd, 1853; Asahel Todd, 1854, Elias Cady, 1855 ; William H. Rogers, i856-,’57, ’58, ’59 ; Benjamin Hance, i860 to 1874, fifteen years ; Wash- ington H. Throop, 1875, ’76, ’77, ’78 ; John P. Bennett, 1879, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83.

Wolcott was formed from Junius, Seneca county, March 24, 1807, though the town was not organized under the law, until 1810. Butler, Rose and Huron were taken off in 1826. The Wolcott records were destroyed by fire about hfteen years ago ; but it is understood that the first town meeting was held the first Tuesday of April, 1810, in the grist-mill then owned by Jonathan Melvin. The site has been occu-

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

35

pied by a grist-mill to the present time, and is now the property of the Rumsey estate.

Supervisors — Osgood Church, i8io, ’i i, ’12, ’13;"^ Adonijah Church, 1814, ’15, ’16, ’17 ; G. L. Nicholas, 1 818, (succeeded the same )^ear byThomas Armstrong) ; Jesse Mathews, 1819 ; Geo. B. Brinkerhoff, 1820; Norman Sheldon, 1821, ’22; Arad Tall- cott, 1823; Norman Sheldon, 1824, ’25 ; David Arne, Jr., 1826, ’27, ’28; Daniel Roe, Jr., 1829 to ’34, six years; Abel Lyon, 1835; David Arne, Jr., 1836; Abel Lyon, 1837,^38, ’39; James M. Wilson, 1840, ’41 ; William O. Wood, 1842, ’43, ’44; Aaron H. Boylan, 1845; James M. Wilson, 1846; William O.Wood, 1847, ’48-’49; James M. Wilson,* 1850; E. L. Leavenworth, 1851; James M. Wilson, 1852, ’53; E. L. Leavenworth, 1854 ; W. J. Preston, 1855 ; John Boylan, 1856 ; Andrews Preston, 1857 ; James M. Wilson, 1858, ’59; Thad- deus W. Collins, i860; Amos Nash, 1861; William O. Wood, 1862, ’63, ’64, ’65 ; Edwin H. Draper, 1866 to 1870, five years ; James W. Snyder, 1871 ; Edwin H. Draper, 1872 to 1877, six years; Marion Conklin, 1878, ’79^ ’80, ’81 ; Myron Wood, 1882, ’83.

Ontario was formed from Williamson under the name of '‘Freetown” March 27, 1807; afterwards taking the name of the Lake which bounds it on the North. Walworth was taken off in 1829. The town records were destroyed some years ago and the place where the first town meeting was held is not easily ascertained.

* Osgood Cliiii’ch Avas a local agent for the sale of lands on the W illiamson Patent. This patent Avas granted in compensation for the loss of lands in the Gore. His accoimt-hook of contracts is still extant, and in possession of Hiram Chnrch, of Wolcott. It is a very important record, opening Avith the account of Abraham Bimce, nnder date of June 16, 1808, and sIioavs the names of one hundred and seventeen early settlers, in the present tOAvnsof Wolcott, Butler, Rose and Huron. Osgood Church settled in Wolcott, in the spring of 1808. He Avas from NeAv Marlboro, Mass. Mr. Church executed this sale of lands under the general agency of Frederick Wolcott, on behalf of Charles William- son, and his successor, Robert Troup. It is the opinion of Hiram Church, that his father suggested the name of Wolcott for this toAvn, in honor of his prin- cipal.

The five 5’^ears, 1812 to 1816, are someAvhat conjectural. Hiram Church is of the opinion that his father served four years, and that Adonijah Church suc- ceeded next.

36 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Supervisors — The names of the Supervisors prior to 1823 have not been secured for the same reason and because the records of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors are also missing for the early years.

Luther Fillmore, 1823 to 1828, six years ; Joseph Patterson, 1829; Henry L. Gilbert, 1830; Joseph Patterson 1831, ’32; John Stolp, 2nd, 1833, ’34; Joseph Patterson, 1835, ’36; Joseph W. Gates, 1837, ’38, ’39; William A. Fuller, 1840; Joseph Patterson, 1841, ’42; Ira Hill, 1843 5 Billings P. Bab- cock, 1844; Joseph W. Gates, 1845, ’4^^ 47 5 Elihu Durfee, 1848; Benjamin Mack, 1849, ’5^ ; D. Whitcomb, 1851 ; Ira Hill, 1852; Joseph Patterson, 1853; Ezra Duel, 1854; Abel J. Bixby, 1855 ; Benjamin Mack, 1856; Abel J. Bixby, 1857 ; Ezra Duel, 1858 ; Stephen N. Maine, 1859; Joseph W. Gates, i860; Theophilus Williams, 1861, ’62, ’63; Abel J. Bixby, 1864, ’65, ’66; John C. Houck, 1867, ’68; Abel J. Eixby, 1869; Rensselaer Palmer, 1870; Abel J. Bixby, 1871 ; Joseph Middleton, 1872 ; Francis A. Hill, 1873, ’74 ; E.Munsell Davis, 1875; Byron W. Gates, 1876; Stephen N. Maine, 1877, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, 82 ; F. A. Hill, 1883.

Lyons was formed from Sodus, March i, 1811, taking the name of the Yillage which is said to have been given to the place by Capt. Williamson from some fancied resemblance in situation to the city of that name in France. Arcadia was taken off in 1825. The town records for the early years are missing, and the Supervisors’ records of Ontario county are lost ; therefore the early supervisors cannot be given prior to 1823.^

Supervisors — Robert W. Ashley 1823; James P. Bartle, 1824; Oliver Allen, 1825, ’26; Robert W. Ashley, 1827, ’28, ’29, ’30; Abel Lyman, 1831 ; Eli Johnson, 1832, ’33 ; John M. Holley, 1834, ’35, ’36, ’37; Nelson Peck, 1838; John iVdams, 1839, ’40; John Layton, 1841 ; Aaron Remsen, 1842; Cullen Foster, 1843; Thomson Harrington, 1844, ’45; John Layton, 1846, ’47, ’48, ’49; Cullen Foster, 1859; Aaron Remsen, 1851 ; Jas. Rogers, 1852; W. W. Sanford, 1853; Bartlett R. Rogers, 1854 ; Dewitt W. Parshall, 1855 ; Miles S. Leach, 1856; John

* The place of the first town meeting was the Cronise farm a few miles west of Lyons village.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

37

Adams, 1857; Caleb Rice, 1858; Bartlett R. Rogers, 1859, ’60, ’61 ; Miles S. Leach, 1862, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68 ; Nelson

R. Mirick, 1870, ’71/72, ’73, ’74; Wm. VanMarter, 1875, ’7^, ’77; George W. Cramer, 1878, ’79; Leman Hotchkiss, 1880, ’81, ’82; M. H. Dillenbeck, 1883.

Galen was formed from Junius, Seneca county, February 14, 1812. The town was a part of the military lands, and the towns upon those lands received classical names. Galen was so named in view of the fact that several surgeons of the Revolutionary army drew lands in that town and the name of the famous physician and surgeon of the second century was an appropriate selection from the noted men of antiquity. The place of the hrst town meetingis not ascertained, as the early records are destroyed."^

Supervisors — Jonathan Melvin, 1812; James Dickson, 1813, ’14, ’15 ; Loammi Beadle, 1816, ’17; Annanias Wells, 1818; Benjamin Langdon, 1819; Annanias Wells, 1820 ; James Dickson, 1821 ; Annanias Wells, 1822 ; Eli Frisbie, 1823, ’24; Annanias Wells, 1825 to 1830, six years; James Humiston, 1831; Annanias Wells, 1832, ’33, ’34, ’35 ; Hiram Smith, 1836 ; Annanias Weils, 1837; Hiram P. Jones, 1838, ’39; Ananias Wells, 1840; Aaron V. Waterbury, 1841, ’42 ; Israel R. South- ard, 1843, ’44, ’45, ’46 ; Aaron V. Waterbury, 1847; Samuel

S. Briggs, 1848; Isaac Miller, 1849; Wm. C. Ely, 1850; B. H. Streeter, 1851 ; Zina Hooker, 1852, ’53; Israel R. South- ard, 1854, ’55, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’59 ; Byron Ford, i860; Albert F. Redfield, 1861, ’62, ’63 ; Porter G. Denison, 1864, ’65, ’66 ; Mathew Mackie, 1867; Stephen D. Streeter, 1868, ’69; Edward B. Wells, 1870, ’71 ; Mathew Mackie, 1872 ; Emory W. Gurnee, 1873 ; E.W. Sherman, 1874, ’75 ; Thomas P. Thorn, 1876; Elijah P. Taylor, Jr., 1877, ’78; Adrastus Snedaker, 1879; Albert F. Redfield, 1880, ’81; Marvin S. Roe, 1882; George G. Roe, 1883.

Macedon was formed from Palmyra, January 29, 1823. No special reason for the name has been discovered in our

* Subsequent enquiry has shown that the first town meeting of Galen was held at the house of Jonathan Melvin, which stood on the site of the present residence of Mrs. Elizabeth Gordon.

38

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

enquiries."^ The first town meeting was held February ii, 1823, at the house of Lydia Porter. It stood about a mile and a half west of Macedon village, and was destroyed by fire in the summer of 1881. It was for many years kept as a tavern, being on the old Rochester road traveled by stage coaches.

Supervisors — Abram Spear, 1823, ’24, ’25 ; Charles Bradish, 1826; Abraham Spear, 1827, ’28 ; George Crane, 1829, ’30,^3 1 ; Abraham Spear, 1832, ’33; John Lapham, 1834; Charles Bradish, 1835; Isaac, Durfee, 1836, ’37; Charles Bradish, 1838, ’39, 40; Thomas Barnes, 1841, ’42, ’43; Alexander C. Purdy, 1844, ’45; John Lapham, 1846, ’47; Abiel D. Gage, 1848; Samuel Everett, 1849; Nathan Lapham, 1850; Evert Bogardus, 1851, ’52; A. P. Crandall, 1853, ’54; George C. Everett, 1855 ; Pui'dy M. Willets, 1856; Lemuel Durfee, 1857; Joab S. Biddlecome, 1858, ’59, ’60 ; Thomas W. Mead, 1861, ’62, ’63 ; Robert H. Jones, 1864, ’65 ; Marvin A. Eddy, 1866; Walter W. Brace, 1867; H.H. Hoag, 1868, ’69; Lyman Bickford, i87o,’7i, ’72 ; Wallace W. Mumford, 1873 ’ Lyman Bickford, 1874; Wallace W. Mumford, 1875; Jeremiah Thistlewaite, 1876; Charles B. Herendeen, 1877, ’78, ’79 ; Hiram C. Durfee, 1880, ’81 ; Daniel S. Shourds, 1882 ; Geo. W. Kirkpatrick, 1883.

Savannah was formed from Galen, November 24, 1824. The name was suggested by the swamps and low grounds which characterized the town, particularly at an early day.f The first town meeting was held at the “Crusoe House,’' April 5, 1825. The place was then owned by Elias Converse, and was a favorite stopping place in the early times. The house is still standing on the road north of the village of Savannah, though the noise and revelry of early times long since ceased in its old-fashioned rooms. It is now owned by J. B. Laird.

* Dr. Plunkett Picliardsou was active at Albany, in securing the legislation necessary to organize the town, and undoubtedly suggested the name.

f H. IT. Wheeler writes : — With a morass nearly two miles wide on the east, and one mile wide on the west, the two spanned on the north by a swamp extending up to South Butler, and including Crusoe Lake and Turtle Pond, it is not strange that the town shoidd have been called “Savannah.”

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

39

St{pervisors—R\\?>s&\\ Palmer, elected in 1825, ’26; David Cushman, i827,’28 ; Russell Palmer, 1829; Jonathan Beadle, 1830; Russell Palmer, 1831; Luther Chapin, 1832, ’33 ; Harvey Cooley, i834,’35 ; Charles A. Rose, 1836; Chauncey Ives, 1837,* ’38, ’39, ’40, ’41 ; Winans S. Winnegar, 1842; Nelson Payne, 1843, 44; Sylvanus D. Thompson, 1845 i Nel- son Payne, 1846; Chauncey T. Ives, 1847, ’48 ; Nelson Payne, 1849; Benajah Abrams, 1850; Charles D. Hadden, 1851, ’52; Ebenezer Fitch, 1853; Franklin Knapp, 1854; Benajah Abrams, 1855; James M. Servis, 1856 to 1861, six years; Richard W. Evans, 1862, ’63; William G. Soule, 1864, ’65 ; William R. Stultz, 1866 to 1871, six years; Charles Wood, 1872, ’73> ’74 ; John A. Munson, 1874 to 1878, five years ; Ammon S. Farnum, 1879, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83.

Arcadia was formed from Lyons, Feb. 15, 1825. Consid- erable enquiry has failed to ascertain what led to the choice of the name, or who suggested it. The first town meeting was held at the house of William Popple, in the village of Newark, April 5, 1825. This was on the corner now occu- pied by M. M. Kenyon, druggist, and was the second public house in Newark.

Supervisors — James P. Bartle elected in 1825, ’26, ’27 ; Geo. W. Scott, 1828; John L. Cuyler, 1829,^30; Joseph A. Miller, 1831, ’32; Edmund B. Bell, 1833; Esbon Blackmar, 1834; James P. Bartle, 1835 ; James Miller, Jr., i836,’37 ; James P. Bartle, 1838; Silas Pierson, 1839; Vincent G. Barney, 1840; Joseph A. Miller, 1841; Ezra Pratt, 1842; Abraham Fair- child, 1843; Perry G. Price, 1844; George H. Middleton, 1845, George C. Mills, 1846; George W. Scott, 1847; G-eo. Howland, 1848 ; James S. Crosby, 1849 5 Clark Mason, 1850; Ezra Pratt, 1851; Esbon Blackm.ar, 1852; James D. Ford, 1853 ; Albert F. Cressy, 1854; James D. Ford, 1855 to 1859, five years ; Elon St. John, i860, ’61, ’62 ; Artemas W. Hyde, 1863, ’64, ’65 ; Elon St. John, 1866; Henry Cronise, Jr., 1867; George H. Price, 1868; Charles C. Chadwick, 1869; Oliver Crothers, 1870; Chester W. Stewart, 1871, ’72; Jacob P. Lusk, 1873 ; E. K. Burnham, 1874 ; James H. Miller, 1875, ’76 5

*In 1837 there was a tie for Supervisor, and Chauncey Ives appears to have been appointed' by the Town Board.

40

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

George H. Price, 1877, ’78, ’79; James Jones, 1880; J. Diipha Reeves, 1881, ’82; E. K. Burnham, 1883.

MyVRION was formed from Williamson, under the name of

Winchester ” April 18, .1825. The name was changed to Marion April 15, 1826, and this was given in honor of Gen- eral Marion, of the Revolutionary army.

The hrst town meeting was held April 4, 1826, at the house of Daniel Wilcox, now the village hotel kept by George M. Sweezey.

Supervisors — Seth Eddy elected in 1826; Jesse Mason, 1827; Isaac R. Sanford, 1828; Elias Durfee, 1829 to 1833, five years; Wm. R. Sanford, 1834; Elias Durfee, 1835; Marvin Rich, 1836; Elias Durfee, 1837, ’38 5 Seth Eddy, 1839, ’40; Onion Archer, 1841 to 1845, five years ; Peter Boyce, i846,’47; Nelson D. Young, 1848,49; Oscar Howell,* 1850; Elias Durfee, 1851, Nelson D. Young, i852-’53; Isaac A. Clark, 1854; Elias Durfee, 1855 to 1859, five years ; Pardon Durfee, i86o,’6i ; Ira Lakey, 1862, ’63; Orville Lewis, 1864, ’65; Nelson D. Young, 1866, ’67, ’68, ’69 ; Dwight Smith, 1870, ’71/72; Charles Tremain, 1873; Dwight Smith, i874-’75 ; Nelson D. Young, i876,’77,’78 ; Henry R. Tabor, 1879 5 Ches- ter E. Sweezey, i88o,’8i,’82 ; Henry R. Tabor, 1883.

Rose was formed from Wolcott Eebruary 5, 1827, and named in honor of Robert L. Rose of Geneva. The first town meeting was held the first Tuesday in April, at the house of Charles Thomas, which occupied the site of the sub- sequent residence of Hon. Eron N. Thomas, now the resi- dence of E. H. Closs.

Supervisors — Peter Valentine, elected in 1826, ’27, ’28, ’29; Philander Mitchell, 1830, ’31, ’32; Dorman Munsell, 1833; Thaddeus Collins, 1834; Ira Mirick, 1835; Peter Valentine, 1836, ’37, ’38, ’39; Dorman Munsell, 1840, ’41 ; Peter Valen- tine, 1842 ; Eron N. Thomas, 1843 i Philander Mitchell, 1844, ’45; Elizur Elint, 1846; Hiram Mirick, 1847; Philander Mitchell, 1848, ’49, ’50; Eron N. Thomas, 1851; Solomon Allen, 1852 ; EronN. Thomas, 1853 ; Thaddeus Collins, 1854; Jackson Valentine, 1855 ; Philander Mitchell, 1856; Harvey

* Died in oidce.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

41

Closs, 1857, ’58 ; Jackson Valentine, 1859 to ’69, eleven years; James M. Horne, i87o,’7i ; Charles S. Wright, 1872, ’73 ; Jackson Valentine, 1874, ’75 ; J- S. Sheffield, 1876; Wm. J. Glen, 1877 ; S. Wesley Gage, 1878 ; Wm. J. Glen, 1879 i Wm. H. Griswold, i88o,’8i ; George Catchpole, 1882, ’83.

Huron was formed from Wolcott, under the name of

Port Bay,” February 25, 1826. The name was changed to Huron March 17, 1834.^

The first town meeting was held at the house of Josiah Upson, April 4, 1826, the well-known Upson residence from that time to the present, and still the place of the Huron postoffice.

Sttpervisors — Norman L. Sheldon, 1826 to 1830, five years; Elisha Benjamin, 1831, ’32 ; Jedediah Wilder, 1833 ; Harlow Hyde, 1834, ’35 ; Philip Sours, 1836 to 1840, five years ; Har- low Hyde, 1841, ’42 ; Ebenezer Jones, 1843, ’44; Jedediah Wilder, 1845, ’47 5 Edward W. Bottum, 1848 ; James T.

Wisner, 1849; F- Curtis, 1850; Ralph Sheldon, 1851 ;

Reuben Sours, 1852, ’53; James T. Wisner, 1854; Elisha Cady, 1855 ; Roswell E. Reed, 1856; John F. Curtis, 1857; Reuben Sours, 1858 ; Elisha Cady, 1859, 5 Rufus B. Sours,

1861 to 1867, seven years; Samuel Gardner, 1868; Oscar Weed, 1869; Samuel Gardner, 1870; Oscar Weed, 1871, ’72 ; Reuben Sours, 1873, ’74; Dwight B. Flint, 1875, ’76; Will- iam W. Gatchell, 1877; Alanson Church, 1878; William W. Gatchell, 1879; Elisha Cady, 1880; Robert A. Catchpole, 1881, ’82 ; Roswell Reed, 1883.

Butler was formed from Wolcott February 26, 1826. It was named in honor of Gen. Butler and was suggested by a committee consisting of Ezekiel Scott, Eli Wheeler and Will- iam Moulton.f

*Of the change of name, Harlow Hyde writes : There being a hay in Wol- cott named Port Bay, it had a tendency to mislead persons enquiring for one or the other of the places. I well remember the Rev. William Clark calling at my house, asking me to sign a petition to he presented to the Legislature to have the town named Huron. Huron was deemed a desirable name, because all the letters would stand on the line.”

f Of the name Hon. H. H. Wheeler writes : “ I remember hearing the matter discussed at the time, by my father (Eli Wheeler) with old Mr. Ezekiel Scott, and with Esq. Prentice Palmer and Maj. Wm. Moulton. Whether he or one of

42

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

The first town meeting was held April 4, 1826, at the house of Jacob S. Viele, now occupied by Lucius S. Viele.

Supervisors — 'Thomas Armstrong, 1826 to 1833, eight years; Uriah G. Beach, 1834, ’35, 36; Austin Roe, 1837; Thos. Armstrong, 1838; Austin Roe, 1839; John Dradt, Jr., 1840, ’41 ; Nathaniel W. Tompkins, 1842, ’43 ; Thomas Armstrong, 1844, ’45; John Dradt, 1846; Horatio N. Wood, 1847; Franklin Knapp, 1848 ; John Dradt, 1849 5 Thomas Arm- strong, 1850, ’51; H. K. Graves, 1852, ’53; John Dradt, 1854; Charles Mead, 1855 ; H. K. Graves, 1856; Horatio N. Wood, 1857; C. D. Hadden, 1858, Abram Gibbs, 1859; John E. Hough, i860, ’61, 62 ; Gibson S. Center, 1863; Ben- ham S. Wood, 1864 ; Henry K. Graves, 1865 ; Anson S. Wood, 1866; Andrew Spencer, 1867, ’68, ’69; Joel Laberteaux, 1870, ’71, ’72, ’73; John E. Hough, 1874, ’75, 76, ’77, ’78; William Wood, 1879, ; Eugene M. Walker, 1881, ’82;

Joseph H. L, Roe, 1883.

Walworth was formed from Ontario April 20, 1829, and named in honor of Chancellor Reuben H. Walworth.

The first town meeting was held at the house of George Smith, on the 6th day of April, 1830. This was the old “ tavern ” that stood on the site of the present beautiful Temperance House, erected by the liberality and largely sustained by the public spirit of Hon. T. G. Yeomans, and known as the “ Pacific.”

Supervisors — Luther Fillmore, 1830, ’31, ’32, ’33; William D. Wylie, 1834; Artemas Mathewson, 1835, ’36, ’37, ’38 ; John McLouth, 1839; Artemas Mathewson, 1840; John McLouth, 1841 ; William D. Wylie, 1842 ; Joseph Peacock, 1843 I Will- iam D. Wylie, 1844, 45 5 George Boynton, 1846; John Mc- Louth, 1847 5 William D. Wylie, 1848 ; Theron G. Yeomans, 1849, ’505 William D. Wylie, 1851, ’52, ’53; Joseph Peacock, 1854, ’55, 56; Eliab Yeomans, 1857, ’5^ 5 H. H. Hoag, 1859,

the others tirst suggested the name I do not remember (if I ever knew). I think Maj. Moulton had a fancy for the name, in honor of Gen. W"m. Butler, of the Revolution, who did such signal service in South Carolina, under Lee, Lin- coln and Greene, &c. At the same time Mr. AVheeler queried as to the danger possibly, of perpetuating the name of the notorious Tory and Indian leader, Col. John Butler. But this I well remember, that they all cordially agreed as to the propriety of adopting the name.”

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

43

’6o ; Elihu Durfee, i86i ; Henry W. Downing, 1862; John Everett, 1863, ’64; Erastus F. Maine, 1865; William W. Edgerton, 1866, ’67, ’68 ; Philetus Miller, 1869, ’70, ’71 ; Ormond O. Mason, 1872; William E. Greenwood, 1873; Jerome R. Peacock, 1874; Frederick W. Moore, 1875; William W. Edgerton, 1876, ’77; Jay White, 1878, ’79; Jeraain Andrew, 1880, ’81, ’82, ’83.

CHAPTER 11.

FRENCH YOYAGEURS TOUCHING AT POINTS ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER — CHAMPLAIN — HENNEPIN — DE NONYILLE’S ENCAMPMENT AT PULTNEYYILLE JULY 9th, 1687 — APPLEBOOM, THE EARLY NAME OF THAT PLACE.

Though the settlement of this county only dates back to 1789, yet its northern border, and perhaps other portions, had been included in French explorations a hundred and fifty years earlier. A few dates of general historical interest will make clear the chain of early dis- covery.

In 1535, Jaques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence River as far as the present site of Montreal, then occupied by an Indian village. There is no evidence that he penetrated farther west. He made another voyage from France a few years later, but does not appear to have penetrated farther westward than Montreal. A long period intervened before France made any further effort at exploration or coloniza- tion.

Champlain was the next enterprising voyageur who came to the St. Lawrence upon the work of discovery. He first sailed for the New World March 15, 1603. Sailing up the St. Lawrence, and passing Montreal, they anchored at the foot of the falls. This was the extent of his westward route. He returned to France, after an absence of six months and fifteen days.

On Champlain’s second voyage, he sailed from France April 7, 1604. This expedition was devoted to an explora- tion of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and the founding of a colony on the Island De Monts, in the River St. Croix. He also explored the Southern shore of Maine, named the well-known Island Mount Desert, went as far south as Martha’s Vineyard, and spent about three years before returning to France.

Champlain sailed from France a third time, April 13, 1808. He left his vessel in the harbor of Tadoussac, St. Lawrence

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

45

Bay, and having built a barque of twelve or fourteen tons burden, he sailed up the St. Lawrence again. This time he founded Quebec, and passed the succeeding winter there. June i8, 1809, he left Quebec on a tour of exploration. Arriv- ing at the mouth of the outlet of what has since been known as Lake Champlain, he ascended the river and entered the lake. July 30th, he assisted his friends, the Hurons, in a battle against the Iroquois — a battle that was fought some- where on the ground between Lake George and Lake Cham- plain, or in that vicinity.

Champlain and his men were therefore the first white men who made an entry upon the soil of the State of New York. Sir Henry Hudson sailed into New York Bay September 3d, of that year, and traced the Hudson River to Half-moon Point (six miles above Albany), reaching that place Septem- ber 22, 1609. Champlain was therefore the earliest, by about forty days ; but he made no further exploration westward at that time.

Champlain sailed from France on his fourth voyage the next year, arriving at Tadoussac April 26, 1610, and at Quebec soon after. He remained there a few months and returned to France.

His fifth voyage was especially for the purpose of assist- ing the colony at Quebec, and was made in 1611, leaving France March ist.

His sixth voyage resulted in further explorations, but northward in Canada. He left France March 6, 1613, reached Quebec May 7th, came up to Montreal soon after, explored the Ottawa River some distance into the interior, and returned to France in August.

In Champlain’s seventh voyage he sailed from France April 24, 1615, and at this time there came with him four Jesuit Missionaries. Champlain now penetrated westward through Canada as far as Lake Huron, returned to the Bay of Quinte on the north side of Lake Ontario, then across the lake and joined the Hurons in an expedition against a strong fort of the Iroquois. This fort was in the vicinity of Oneida Lake. The French and Hurons were repulsed. Champlain at this time must have landed on the south

46

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

shore of Lake Ontario, at Oswego, or some point further east. The progress of discover}^ was therefore brought very near to our own section of country at this early date, 1615, five years before the Pilgrim fathers landed at Plymouth.

Champlain came again to Quebec in 1620, and remained four 3^ears, and while no direct account has been found showing that he then explored the southern shore of Lake Ontario, yet it is very probable that either Champlain or other French voyageurs made the first discovery of Sodus Bay and other points on this side about that date.

As thus shown, the earliest expeditions turned westward from Frontenac (now Kingston), on the north side of the lake and bearing away from the lake, penetrated as far as Lake Huron. Indeed, the general account of historical writers shows that the first white men reached Niagara Falls while journeying eastward from points previously reached on Lake Huron. They were two Jesuit mission- aries, Brebeauf and Chaumonot, and the date of the visit to the Falls was November 2, 1640.

There is, however, some evidence that Recollet Father Dallion, a Catholic missionary, was in Western New York as early as 1626, and this gives quite a basis for the theory above given, that Sodus Bay was discovered before that date.*

Between Jaques Cartier’s first voyage up the St. Law- rence and the advent of La Salle in 1678, there is a period

* Shea’s History of Catholic Missions, page 170 :

“In October, 1626, Father de la Roche Dallion left the Jesuits at Toanche, and set out to explore the country of the Atti^Yandaronk, or Neutrals. This tribe lay on both sides of the Niagara River, at peace with both Ilurons and Iroquois, and like them, of the same stock and language.

‘‘He was at first well received, and being adopted by Soharissen, the chief of the whole nation took up his residence among them at Ounontisaston, near the Seneca border, hut was soon after rohl)ed and brutally beaten by a lawless ])arty. By the advice of Father Brebeauf, he then abandoned the Neutrals and returned to the Huron country, after an absence of several months.”

The mention of the “Seneca border” at this early date, and the fact that Champlain had been at Oswego or near there in 1615, renders it extremely probable that Father Dallion knew something of the south shore of Lake Onta- rio, and that in a stay of several months, he must have also known something of Western New York.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

47

of nearly one hundred and fifty years. French expeditions were frequent, certainly after 1600, and it is not probable that so magnificent a body of water as Lake Ontario remained unexplored. The operations of the Catholic mis- sionaries among the Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, must have often brought those devoted men as far west as the present territory of Wayne county. It is very probable that they sometimes reached the scene of their labors, by coming from Montreal up, or along the St. Lawrence, and then by the southern shore of Lake Ontario to Sod us Bay, and over the old Indian trail via Crusoe Lake. Oswego, Sodus Bay, Pultneyville and Irondequoit were points of fre- quent visits by French traders, and undoubtedly by French missionaries, more than two hundred years ago.

The following paragraph from Turner’s History of the Pultney estate, gives one of the many intimations of this fact that are scattered through the early annals of French explo- ration. It occurs in an account of the voyages of Count Frontenac, from whom Fort Frontenac (now Kingston) took its name :

“ With an Italian named Tonti, Father Hennepin, a num- ber of mechanics and mariners, naval stores, and goods for the Indian trade, the Count arrived at Frontenac in the fall of 1678 ; and soon after a wooden canoe of ten tons, the hrst craft of European architecture that ever entered the Niagara River, bore a part of his company to the site of Fort Niagara. La Salle, followed soon after with a sail vessel, in which he had a stock of provisions, and materials for ship building ; crossed the lake^ coasted along its southern shore, entered the mouth of the Genesee River or the Irondequoit Bay, and visited some of the villages of the Senecas to reconcile them to his enterprise ; and on his way from the Genesee 10 the Niagara River, encountered a gale and lost his vessel, saving but a part of his cargo.

“ Arrived at Niagara, he erected some rude defences, estab- lished a post, and at Lewiston erected a trading station with palisades. Late in January the business of ship building was commenced at the moutlf of Cayuga creek, six miles above the Falls of Niagara.

“ In mid-winter, the necessity occurring, the intrepid adven- turer, on foot made the journey to Frontenac, around the head of the Lake, returning on the ice along the northern shore, with a dog and sledge for the transportation of his baggage.”

48

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

For further illustration of the importance of these points in ver}^ early times, we refer to the accounts of DeNonville’s expedition against the Senecas, which terminated in a deci- sive battle at or near what is now Victor, Ontario county,

N. Y.

The force was organized on the north side of the Lake, at Kingston, (Frontenac) or some other strong hold of the French in that direction, and consisted of regular French troops and friendly Indians. At Fort Niagara and further west a similar force was gathered which moved eastward, and met DeNonville’s army, at Irondequoit Ba}^ Thence the march- was overland southward to the scene of the battle.

The accounts show that DeNonville crossed the lake from ‘‘ Cataracony ” to La Famine Bay, the latter of which is below Oswego. From there to Irondequoit Bay, the main army had coasted by slow stages^ ciicamping on shore when night over- took them. They arrived at Irondequoit Bay, July lo, 1687. The narrative says :

“ Their last and most considerable halt was upon the pres- ent site of Pultneyville, Wayne county, N. Y. From this period that became a prominent stopping place for French batteauxmen, and after them for the English lake coasters. The species of apple tree which the French introduced in this region, was growing there, and there was the remains of an old log building, when white settlement commenced. The place was known as Appleboom, before its present name was conferred.”

It probably has no connection with early French explora- tion, but we mention the fact that a few years ago Andrew Erasmusson, of Pultneyville, while hoeing corn in a field on the west side of the road, just north of Williamson Corners, found a Spanish milled silver dollar, dated 1726. It was thoroughly crusted with dirt, and needed to be washed and cleaned before it could be read. The name Appleboom owes its origin to the fact that an apple tree, supposed to have been set out, or the seed planted by early French voy- ageurs, stood upon the extreme point of the bank west of the creek, at Pultneyville. It was partially undermined, and a long limb projected from it over the water, in about the oblique position the ‘‘ boom ” on a vessel occupies. It became

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

49

a land mark, and gave name to this point. Captain Horatio Throop, and his brother Washington Throop, concur in this explanation as the one they heard in their boyhood, from old navigators, though the tree had even then disappeared.

At Pultneyville, in possession of Henry M. Griffin, is a French axe, of peculiar pattern. It was brought there by Thomas Fish, deceased. It was one of a small quantity, said to be fifteen or twenty, found about 1814, on the banks of the creek west of the present vinegar factory. They were taken from under a rotten hemlock log.

Sodus Bay was of much greater note, in early times, than would be indicated by the brief mention which we can make in a work limited to one line of historical research. It was the Bay of the Goigouens, the Bay of the Cayugas ; an Indian trail, (and probably it was the route of early traders and missionaries,) led from the bay up the stream that flows in from the south ; then by a short carrying place at some point, a stream was reached that flows into Crusoe Lake ; then through Crusoe outlet to the Seneca river, and up the Seneca to Cayuga lake. Probably also there was another route by a short carrying place from the head waters of the stream that flows into the bay, across to some creek flowing into the Clyde river.

From a biographical sketch of M. Picquet, “ King’s Mis- sionary and Prefect Apostolic to Canada,” it appears that in June, 1751, “he made a voyage around Lake Ontario, in a King’s canoe.” In returning from Niagara, along the south shore of the lake, he made close observations with reference to maintaining the future power of France along this line. The narrative says:

“ He desired greatly that Choeguen (Oswego,) were destroyed, and the English prevented re-building it ; and in order that we should be absolutely masters of the south side of Lake Ontario, he proposed erecting a fort near there, at the Bay of the Cayugas, (Sodus Bay,) which would make a very good harbor, and furnish a very fine anchorage. No place is better adapted for a fort.”

If there had previously been a Fort at Sodus Bay it might have been expected that M. Picquet in the above sugges- tion would have spoken of rebuilding or repairing instead

4

50

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

of establishing one. Still there is evidence that there had been a Fort at that place at some earlier date. In a cor- respondence between this French Governor of Canada and the English Governor of New York, the former under date of July 20, 1727, says:

“ You cannot be ignorant of the possession during a very considerable time which the King, my master, has of all the Lands of Canada, of which those ol the Lake Ontario and the adjacent lands make a part, and in which he has built forts, and made other settlements in different places, as are those of Denonville, at the entrance of the River of Niagara, that of Frontenac, another called LaFamine, that which is called the Fort-des-Sables, another at the Bay of the Cayiigas, at Oswego, &c., &c., without any opposition, they having been one and all of them possessed by the French, who alone having had a right and have had possession of carry- ing on the trade there.”

We give the following additional extracts from ancient documents containing allusions to Sodus Bay :

From Colonial History of New York, Vol. 3,//. 433, 434.

Examination of Adandidaghko, an Indian prisoner sent from Albany to New York, 1687, Sept, the first.

****““ A few da3^s after (he had disposed of his peltry), the French came and gave him and all the Indians in the Christian’s Castle, each thirty bullets and a double handful of powder, and bad them appeare att a French Gents house, neare Mont Royall ; the Christian Indians being about one hundred and twenty or thirty strong ; in the meane time the French and other Nations of Indians all appeared att Mont Royall, and the second day after that the Gov^ himselfe : the number of the French being two’ thousand and of all the Indians one thousand. The army went all by water ” — in boats and canoes, three days from Mont Royall to Kadraghkie — thence to an island — thence to Cadranganhie where “about nine the clock the next morning they saw ten Onnandages at Asan- hage the Gov^ gave orders not to meddle with them, upon which the Onnondagas gave a greate shout and went their way, and the army went a long the shore side to a passage that goes to the Cayonges : the day following they saw a brigantine att anker, &c., (kc.”

The expression “ along the shore side to a passage that goes to the Cayouges,” undoubtedly refers to Sodus Bay * Probably Gaiiiliouagu6 or Salmon river, Oswego Co.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

51

and to the ancient Indian trail, from there via Crusoe Lake and the Seneca river to the Canton of the Cayuga Indians.

The following letter was written at the Bay of the Cay- ugas,” or Sodus Bay :

Fro7n Colonial History of New York. Vol. 9,/. 838.

M. de Joncaire to M. de la Fresniere.

Copy of a letter from Sieur de Joncaire to Sieur de la Freniere, the King’s Commandant at Fort Frontenac,* dated Bay of the Cayugas, 14 June, 1709.

Sir, — Affairs are in such confusion here, that I do not con- sider my soldiers safe. I send them to you to await me at your fort, because, should things take a bad turn for us, I can escape alone more readily than if I have them with me. It is not necessary, however, to alarm Canada yet, as there is no need to despair. I shall be with you in twenty or twenty- five days at farthest, and if I exceed that time, please send my canoe to Montreal. Letters for the General will be found in my portfolio, which my wife will take care to deliver to him. If, however, you think proper to forward them sooner, St. Louis will hand them to you. But I beg of you that my soldiers may not be the bearers of them, calculating with certainty to find them with you when I arrive, unless I exceed 25 days. The Rev. Father de Lambervillef has placed us in a terrible state of embarrassment by his flight. Yesterday I was leaving for Montreal in the best possible spirits. Now I am not certain if I shall ever see you again. I am sir, and dear friend.

Your most humble and most obedient servant,

[Signed,] De Joncaire.

The memorandum next given shows that Sodus Bay was

a convenient rendezvous for all the tribes ” of the Iroquois. This opens up to the imagination a brilliant picture of council fires on the shores of the Bay, and the dusky representatives of the great Confederacy gathered around them in grave debate :

From Vol. 9 Colonial History^ p. 951.

(Letter of lOtli June, 1725.)

M. Begon, who is at Quebec, states that he has sent car- penters, blacksmiths and other mechanics, to build the two

* Now Kingston.

f The date of this letter, 1709, indicates that Rev. Father de Lamberville labored in the territory of the Cayugas, or Senecas, later than is stated in Shea’s History. The table in Shea’s appendix places the death of the younger Lam- berville as ‘‘after 1705.” The above letter implies that he \vas still laboring as a missionary, in 1709.

52

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Barks : the timber, has been cut, barked and sawed during- the winter.

That M. de Longueuil has written to him from Fort Frontenac, the ninth of May, that no trading post had as yet been established at Choueguen,* and that all the Iro- quois Chiefs when assembled at Seneca, had concluded, in their Council to forbid that establishment, and that they had sent a belt to the English, which has prevented the carrying out of that project.

He has also stated that he was about to set out for the bay of the Cayugas, where we would meet all the Iroquois; that being the most convenient rendezvous for all the tribes.’'

The following extract of three years later date shows that the French did not succeed in preventing the English from establishing a post at Choueguen [Oswego,] for the question now discussed was the propriety of establishing a French fort at Sodus Bay to checkmate the English :

From Vol. 9, Colonial History^ pages loii.

“Abstracts of Messrs, de Beauharnois and d’Aigremont’s dispatches and orders thereupon.

English establishment at Choueguen, on the shore of Lake Ontario.

ist October, 1728. Messrs, de Beauharnois and d’Aigre- mont observe that they will adopt the best measures to ren- der the post of Choueguen useless to the trade of the English, that, to effect that, orders have been issued obliging the canoes of the Erench Voyageurs on their way down from the upper country, to pass along the north shore of Lake Ontario, which orders will be strictly enforced, and such measures pursued as will tend to the same end.

They propose forming a new establishment in the bay of the Cayugas, 8x9 leagues west of the river Choueguen, by means whereof the English post would decline so that it would be abandoned. To defray this expense, they demand a grant of 38047 li.

It is to be apprehended that the English will form this establishment, and if they be not anticipated, Erance may possibly lose the south part of the Lake.

The matter was discussed by the home government and a discussion against establishing a fort seems to have been reached as shown in the following memorandum :

Decision of the Minister submitted to the King, by whom it is approved.

* Oswego.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

53

It appears proper to stay the measures which have been adopted to render the post at Choueguen useless to the English.

As for the proposed establishment at the bay of the Cayu- gas, it does not appear very necessary, for independent' of its cost, which would be greater than is proposed, it would occasion an annual expense besides ; it would even be diffi- cult to establish it on account of the opposition and jealousy of the Iroquois, which would be fomented by the English. Even were it attended with success, there is no doubt but the English would immediately set up another post along- side of it.

This decision was not satisfactory, however, to those who originally proposed the fort as appears from this subse- quent opinion :

From Vol. 9, Colonial History ^ page 1013.

Messrs, de Beauharnoisan d d’Aigremont in a special des- patch repeat their opinion of the importance of founding a post at the bay of the Cayugas, to offset the English post on the Chouguen river.

We give yet another extract, partially describing Sodus Bay, and alluding to the project of a trading post or fort :

From Vol. g, Colonial History , 1012.

This memoir (of Sieur de Chaussegros) contains reasons for its constructions (of posts) at La Galette, or at Lake Ontario; he represents that some 8 or 9 English (leagues?) west of the river Choueguen is a large bay called the Cay- ugas, situate in a beautiful country, which he visited in 1726, and found, on sounding, that large ships could anchor and be quite safe there; that the harbor is like that of Louis- burg, with this difference only, that Louisburg is oval, whilst the bay of the Cavugas is almost circular, having at its head a large river, which leads to the village or country of the Cayugas. The entrance to this bay, which is narrower than that of Louisburg, is formed by two landsplits ; they are appropriately called the Peninsulas, and inclose this bay.” The post was not approved of.

We thus have at least a glimpse of those early times, “ two hundred years ago,” showing that Sodus, Pultneyville, and probably other points along the northern border of Wayne county, were the camping grounds of armies, and the resting places of voyaguers, traders and missionaries.

54

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Amid these scenes of the long (forgotten past, there is ample room for the imagination to weave many a romance, and people once again the beautiful shores of the bay, and the fair coasts of Appleboom, with the stalwart forms of daring explorers and priests clad in the robes of the Catho- lic church.

The first Christian worship on these then wild shores was undoubtedly in accordance with the forms prescribed by the Catholic ritual ; and masses were said and vespers sung in rude chapels beside these silvery waters.

CHAPTER III.

INDIAN OCCUPATION OF WAYNE COUNTY — SUPPOSED SITE OF FORTS — INDIAN

RELICS.

T the time of the early settlement, there seem to have

been few or no Indians living with any degree of per-

T ^ manency upon the present territory of Wayne county. The traditions of the old people still living, as well as many published reminiscences, all mention the presence of Indians, but they were evidently migratory parties, hunting for a few weeks, or raising patches of corn, going and coming irregularly.

When Lemuel Spear settled a mile above Palmyra village, in February, 1790, the flats near him had been cultivated somewhat by Indians the year before. The accounts of other early families, speak of trafficking with the Indians, of bar- tering for venison, and for other products of the forest. In the winters, for a few years following the arrival of early settlers, the Indians camped upon the flats above Palmyra. They are described as having been peaceable, good neigh- bors ; engaged in hunting and trapping, occasionally getting a beaver and selling their furs to traders.

Of this same period, Stephen Durfee, as given in Turner’s History of the Pultney estate, said :

“ The Indians were hunting, trapping and camping in our neighborhood, in all the earliest years. The flats of the Ganargwa and the adjoining uplands, were favorite hunting grounds.”

Judge Daniel Dorsey, who arrived at Lyons, in 1801, engaged largely in trade. His goods were brought from Baltimore. A large proportion of his early trade was with the Indians, who used to encamp along the banks of the Outlet and at Sodus. There were often as many as thirty Indian huts along where William street, of L3^ons village, now crosses the canal.

56

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

INDIAN ATTACK.

In the winter of i788-’89, John Swift and Colonel John Jenkins purchased Township 12, R. 2, now Palmyra, and commenced the survey of it into farm lots, in March. Jenkins being a practical surveyor, built a camp on the bank of Ganargwa creek, about two miles below the present vil- lage of Palmyra.^ His assistants were his nephew, iVlpheus Harris, Solomon Earle, Daniel Ransom and Mr. Baker. One morning, about two o’clock, the party being asleep in their bunks, their fire giving light enough to show their several positions, a party of four Tuscarora Indians and a squaw stealthily approached, and the Indians, putting their guns through the open spaces in the logs, selected their victims and fired. Baker was killed. Earle was lying upon his back, with his hand upon his breast. A ball passed through his hand, scathed his breast, mutilated his nose, and lodged under the frontal sinus between his eyes.

Jenkins and Ransom escaped unhurt and made a vigorous resistance; Jenkins attacking the murderers with his sur- veyors’ staff and Ransom with an axe, they drove them off, capturing two of their rifles and a tomahawk.

In the morning they buried their dead companion f — carried Earle to John Decker Robinson’s, near Vienna, and gave the alarm. The Indians were pursued and two cap- tured on the Chemung river. They were tried by a lynch court or committee, condemned to death and executed. The execution was a barbarous affair, worthy of a new country, lacking civil government. The condemned were taken into the woods, blindfolded, and a man appointed to execute each with a tomahawk. The first man succeeded at a single blow ; the other failed. The athletic Indian parried the blow, and ran only to be pounded to death by a posse of pursuers, with stones and pine knots.;}:

*The camp was on the farm now owned by Nelson Reeves, near a spring of water, north of the railroad.

f This grave was known in the early years, hut in later times has been obliterated. It was not far from the Spring of Water.

X This account of the punishment of Baker’s murderers, is from Turner’s History. Other traditions state that after the arrest, the prisoners were being taken to Whitestown jail, but proving troublesome, and attempting to escape, were put to death on the way.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

57

The man Earle recovered from his wounds, and was for many years, a ferryman at the Seneca outlet. One of the Indians that escaped, lived in after years upon the Genesee river. He died of small-pox in 1812. He carried through life a scar upon his face, where he was struck by the sur- veyors’ staff.

This is the only story of Indian attack upon early settlers in Wayne county, which has come down to the present time. There were various alarms and many fears of what might happen, especially about the years 1793 and 1794, when Indian wars at the west created general uneasiness, and British claims to the soil and jurisdiction along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, had not yet been abandoned.

Early settlers of Sodus found wandering Indians there in the same manner as those of Palmyra and Lyons, but none claiming to occupy or possess a right to the soil.

Mrs. Richards, who settled about 1795, on what is now the William Vosburg farm, stated to the writer that Indians often staid at her house ; that they were always peaceable and • well disposed ; that she was never afraid of them.

James Sergeant, who was born in Sodus, in 1804, says that in his childhood, there were many Indians coming and going. At one time there was quite a large camp of them near where the brick meeting-house now stands.

This is doubtless a fair statement of the case, with refer- ence to the entire county. No resident Indians were here after the advent of the white men, in 1789 , but many tran- sient hunting or trading parties were coming and going, for ten or fifteen years ; all quiet and friendly.

There was, however, an occasional attempt to steal the property of the white settlers. It is related in East Palmyra, that the Indians on one occasion, seized a calf belonging to Humphrey Sherman. They carried it to a canoe in the Ganargwa, but the calf, bawling lustily, Sherman pursued, plunged into the creek, grasped the canoe, compelled the Indians to yield up their booty, and took his calf home in triumph.

About one mile east of the village of Lyons, there is a . small stream which empties its waters into the Clyde river.

58 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Along the eastern bank of this brook, the Seneca Indians had been accustomed to build their little wigwams in the fall of each year, and remain during the hunting and fishing season, which generally ended about the last of March. The low swamp lands and high hills east of Lyons, afforded fine hunting grounds for the Indians, where the bear, wolf, deer and fox were taken in large numbers, their skins affording a fine profit. Fish, particularly salmon, where found in great numbers in the river, or “ outlet ” as it was called, and afforded fine amusement for the women and children.

In the fall of 1799, there was a large encampment of the tribe stretching far up the brook ; among them a very old Indian and his squaw. The Indian was tall and straight, and when animated would seem to forget his age and move about with the elasticity of youth. On his left arm he wore a Avide brass band, which covered a fearful scar. He had the reputation of having been a great Avarrior. He had received the title, and was known by his tribe as Captain • Johnnie Jack. Rev. John Cole, (father of Samuel J. Cole,) had bought the land upon Avhich this encampment stood, and formed a friendly acquaintance with Captain Jack. Many winter eA^enings were passed in hearing Captain Jack relate his adventures. (See Wayne County History, page 97.)

The tract of country noAv included in Wayne county Avasa part of the territory of the Six Nations. In the ancient diAUsion betAveen the tribe of Cayugas and the tribe of Senecas, the boundary is said to have been “ a line running due south from the head of Sodus Bay.” This corresponds A^ery nearly to the Pre-emption Line, Avhich after Avards constituted the Eastern boundary of the Massachusetts claim, and also the Eastern boundary of Phelps & Gorham’s purchase. The meridian of Washington also passes through Sodus Bay, and is thus not far from the same ancient boundary betAveen these noted tribes of Indians. The Six Nations Avere induced by British influence to take the side of England in the War of the Revolution. It thus became a military necessity for the Continental army to punish and largely to destroy this powerful combination of Indian tribes. Sullivan’s expedition, in 1779, was sent upon this special errand, and the Avork was thoroughly exe-

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

59

cuted. Humbled, reduced in numbers and scattered, they found themselves upon the losing side at the close of the Revolution. Subsequently they disposed of their lands to the State of New York, or to the purchasers under the’ Massachusetts claims.

The territory of Wayne county east of the Pre-emption Line was a part of the inheritance of the Cayugas. West of that line it belonged to the Senecas.

It is the theory of writers who have given much study to Indian history, that the mouth of the Oswego river formed a lake port for the Onondagas ; Sodus Bay for the Cayugas, and Irondequoit Bay for the Senecas. The fact that there were but few Indians in this section of country in 1789, is easily accounted for by the scattering and destruction of the tribes in the Sullivan expedition ten years before. Their power was broken, their numbers were diminished, and many had scattered into other parts of the country remote from the incoming tide of emigration. The Cayugas ceded their lands to the State of New York by the treaty of Albany, February 25, 1789. This included Eastern Wayne.

The territory of the Seneca Indians was within the Massa- chusetts claim. It may be necessary to explain that this claim arose out of the original defective or incorrect lan- guage of the ancient charters.

The Kings of England and France were either poor geog- raphers or very careless in their grants of territory in the New World. In the year 1620, the King of Great Britain granted to the Plymouth Company a tract called New Eng- land, several degrees of latitude in width, and extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Charles I., in 1663, granted to the Duke of York and Albany, the province of New York, including the present State of New Jersey. This tract was bounded by what is now substantially the east line of the State of New York, exte7iding westward mdef- initely^ and from the Atlantic ocean northward to Canada. Of course these two descriptions overlapped each other, and were impossible of application. The conflicting questions growing out of these facts were settled by commissioners of New York and Massachusetts, who met at Hartford

6o

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

December i6, 1786. The jurisdiction or right of govern- ment over all the territory which is now the State of New York, was granted to New York. The title to the soil or the pre-emption right to purchase such title from the Indians was granted to Massachusetts, for all the territory of New York west of a meridian line drawn northward from the 82d mile stone in the north line of Pennsylvania. This line as first surveyed constitutes what is now known as the “ Old Pre-emption Line.” It strikes Lake Ontario at Preston’s Mills, in Sodus. A dispute as to the correctness of the sur- vey led to the location of a second line known as the “ New Pre-emption Line.” This terminates just east of Briscoe’s Cove, Sodus Bay, and is the present Eastern boundary of the towns of Sodus and Lyons.

This shows that the purchase from the Senecas of their lands was of necessity, made by the State of Massachusetts or its grantees, and not by the State of New York. The council for securing the cession met at Buffalo Creek, July 4, 1788. The tract finally ceded by the Indians was bounded east by the Pre-emption Line, and west by a line “beginning in the Northern line of Pennsylvania, due south of the cor- ner or point of land made by the confluence of the Genesee river with the Canaseraga creek ; thence north on said meridian line to said point ; thence northwardly along the waters of the Genesee river to a point two miles north of Canawagus village ; thence due west twelve miles ; thence running northwardly to Lake Ontario by a line twelve miles from the Genesee river.”

This tract was the Phelps & Gorham Purchase, or, as sub- sequently known, “ the Pultney Estate.” This purchase, from the Seneca Indians, included that part of Wayne county lying west of the Eastern boundary of Sodus.

The formal extinguishing of the Indian title to Wayne county is thus traced : East of the Pre-emption Line, ceded by the Cayugas February 25, 1789; west of the Pre-emption Line, ceded by the Senecas at the Council that met July 4, 1788.

Indian occupation at the commencement of settlement in Wayne county was therefore only temporary, transient as

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 6l

has already been shown. They had sold their right to the soil and were gradually disappearing from the forests of their fathers, and from the ancient hunting grounds of their race.

A more precise statement as to the boundary between the Senecas and the Cayugas is furnished in the following mem- orandum, by George Conover, of Geneva, who is a very diligent student of pioneer history, and to whom the author is indebted for many facts and suggestions upon this and similar questions.

As soon as the treaty was concluded, in September, 1788, with the Oneidas and Onondagas, the Commissioners of Indian affairs directed Rev. Samuel Kirkland to proceed to the Indian country, to induce the Cayugas to attend a coun- cil, (Hough’s Indian Treaties, p. 251.) His instructions were in writing, and the following extract is taken :

“As a small part of the lands of the Senecas is supposed to lie East of the Line of cession to Massachusetts, it is the wish of the Commissioners, that the chiefs of the tribes con- nected with the Cayugas, may be informed of the nature of our settlement with the Oneidas and Onondagas, and that a sufficient number of the chiefs of such Tribes to transact this business, should attend with the Cayuga chiefs ; but as the latter object is small, we cannot be justified in putting the State to any considerable expense to procure the attendance of the Senecas.”

The old pre-emption line had at this time been run, and went through the very center of the Old Castle, or Kana- desaga.

Reed and Ryckman procured an attendance of Cayugas, and the treaty of cession was held with them at Albany, February, 1789, and included a reservation to “ a white per- son,” (Joseph Paerdre,) “married to a daughter of a Cayuga, named Thaneswas,” of three hundred and twenty acres, at Kashong creek, seven miles south of Geneva. This Than- eswas was a Seneca, instead of a Cayuga, and was one of the speakers for the Cayugas. — (See Hough’s Treaties.)

The western bounds of the cession was the old pre-emp- tion line.

February 2, 1790, Rev. Mr. Kirkland presented the follow- ing paper to the Board — (Hough’s Treaties, page 356) :

62 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Kanadasegea, loth December, 1789. Brother Goyernor of New York Attend:

I have received your message by the mouth of our friend, the Minister. In your speech you wished to know of us Senecas, if we have any further demands upon you for the lands about Newtown,^ on the Teyasgea,t or if our nation have any ancient claim to any lands east of the line of Ces- sion, made by New York to Massachusetts, to which line Mr. Phelps lately purchased of our Nation, and on condi- tion it should be made to appear that our Nation have any just claim to any lands east of the aforesaid line, the Gov- ernor is disposed, in behalf of the People of New York, to make them a just compensation, for he would not have the Senecas, nor any Indians wronged out of one foot of their lands.

Brother Governor: —

This you desire to know. I thank you. Brother, for the just and good mind you manifest towards Indians. Brother possess your mind in peace ; our Indians are all on the hunt, only one chief left at home with me, but I can give you full satisfaction on the subject of your speech. We formerly claimed a small tract of land about Newtown, on the Teyasgea, and the Cayugas, by ancient Tradition, claimed a tract towards lake Ontario, west of the line of Mr. Phelps’s purchase. We Senecas, with the Ca};ugas, taking this matter into consideration, at our council held on Buffalo creek, last spring, mutually and unanimously agreed that Mr. Phelps’s East line should be the boundary line betwixt us. We Senecas relinquished all claims to any lands east of said line, and the Cayugas relinquished all their for- mer pretensions to any lands west of said line. Therefore, we have no demands upon the people of New York for any lands east of the line run by Mr. Phelps. We, nevertheless, expect you will make the Cayugas a reasonable compensa- tion, which in your wisdom and righteousness you will determine. We wish prosperitv to your government.

Brother Governor, this is all I have to say ; farewell.

KALONDOWDNEA, alias Big Tree. SAGOYADYASTHA.

Translated and wrote by Samuel Kirkland, Missionary, and to the justness of the transaction he can make oath, if required. In presence of Seth Reed,

Joel Prescott.

* Five miles below present Elmira, t Tioga.

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63

The foregoing makes it absolutely certain that thejwhole of Great Sodus Bay, originally belonged to the Cayugas. The Moravian Missionaries, Bishop Cammerhoff, and Rev. David Zeisbeyn, journeyed through here in 1750. At the N. E. corner of Seneca lake, they found a Cayuga village, called Nuguiaze. This shows that the east shore of Seneca lake belonged to the Cayugas. Seneca lake, itself, doubtless belonged to the Senecas, although there may be some ques- tion even, about that, but from the fact that the Senecas owned about Newtown, on the Tioga, the lake was undoubt- edly the Senecas.

If we extend the investigation of Indian occupancy back- ward into the centuries preceding the time, when lands were ceded and settlements made, we enter upon a dim uncertain era, in which there is but little that can be determ- ined. Wayne county belonged to the Senecas and Cayugas. So much is known. The five nations occupied these lands in central New York, at the time the French made their earliest discoveries along the St. Lawrence. The Indian accounts of themselves showed that at some date before the period of French discovery, the Iroquois had lived along the St. Lawrence, and had been gradually driven southward by the Indians of Canada, until they had located all along the center of what now constitutes the State of New York. When first known to the whites, they consisted, commenc- ing at the east, of the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Ononda- gas, the Cayugas, and the Senecas.

About 1690, after various wars with southern Indians, they incorporated into their league, the Tuscaroras, and became known as ‘^the six nations.”

So far as Wayne county has been critically examined for proofs of Indian villages ; for remains of Indian encamp- ments ; for Indian battle fields, or Indian burial places, ver}^ little has been discovered,

But few relics of Indian times have been found around Sodus Bay. Occasionally arrowheads, such as may be found in almost any part of the country, are picked up here. Mr. William Gatchel, of Huron, states that his father once found an Indian mortar near the Bay. It may account for

64 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

the scarcity of relics around the Bay, to notice that the Indians did not locate their principal villages along great bodies of water. Their homes were more easily defended if located farther into the country.

On the farm of Captain N. F. Strickland, Walworth, there is a place comprising two or three acres, over which many arrowheads have been found ; sufficient to indicate, perhaps, a village, or at least the site of a temporary encampment.

On the Moore farm, west of Walworth Corners, there is a mound having something of a peculiar appearance, as if out of place on the low ground. It has sometimes been sup- posed to be an Indian mound ; but perhaps the idea has little foundation. Hon. H. H. Wheeler, furnishes the fol- lowing item :

“ As late as 1815, there existed an old Indian hut, built in the style of our primitive log houses, but of small timbers, not more than six inches thick, perhaps. It stood at a place then known as the Old Indian Camp,” on the south side of the (then) “ old Block House Road,” half a mile west of Wheeler’s Corners, my present residence. When, or by whom it was built or occupied, I never learned. Probably it was a sort of a rendezvous for a band of Indians hunting in this neighborhood, at some not very remote period.”

On the farm now owned by Walter L. Cone, in the town of Ontario, many arrows have been found. They occur on a small rise of ground comprising an acre or more, situated on the north side of the Ridge road, and not far from it.

On the farm of James D. Wood, Savannah, four miles northeast of Savannah village, and a mile and a half from the Seneca river, an old well was discovered several feet below the surface; the existence of which no one knew any- thing about at or subsequent to the first settlement.

On the same farm was found, (not an Indian relic,) an ancient toad. The animal was dug out several feet below the surface, having been embedded in hard red clay. Appar- ently it had been excluded for ages from light and air. After being thrown out, it exhibited signs of life.

Just south of the line of Wayne county, considerable many relics have been gathered. In the historical rooms at Waterloo, there are several curiosities presented by Mrs.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 65

Henrietta Barnes, of Junius — a stone hammer, stone pipe, and a horn ladle.

By William G. Phillips, of Junius, a number of arrow- heads ; also similar relics by Myron Coleman.

On the farm of L. H. Clark, three and a half miles east of Pultneyville, have been picked up arrow-heads, a stone hatchet and a pestle.

Dr. Benjamin Wilson, of Wolcott, has quite a handsome collection of Indian relics, gathered from various places in Wolcott and vicinity.

De Lancy Stowe, of Clyde, is also making a collection of Indian curiosities.

C. B. Collins, now of Clyde, relates a discovery that may have some bearing on ancient matters in this section.

About forty-five years ago, he plowed up a fragment of a cannon on the old Collins farm in Rose. The place was in the present village of Rose V alley, in the field on the left of the road to Wolcott and near the curve. The piece was eighteen or twenty inches long, having a bore of some two inches in diameter. The plow caught in a basswood stump, perhaps a foot and a half in diameter, and as the stump was turned out the iron piece was rolled out from beneath it. There was no lettering or other marks upon it. It was thickly coated with rust, and had every appearance of having been there for a long series of years. Unfortunately the piece was not preserved.

Not more than a quarter of a mile northwest of the spot where the cannon was found, and on the farm of Thaddeus Collins, Jr., there was found about sixty years ago, an axe of peculiar shape, wide bit and light head, something like the so-called French axes found at Pultneyville.

There was also discovered an ancient piece of pottery not more than fifty rods west from the cannon. The pottery crumbled to pieces so much that no fragments of it could be preserved, nor could it be easily described.

Along the ridge of land just west, considerable many arrow-heads were picked up in the early years.

These remains indicate the location of an Indian village,, or perhaps a French trading post of the early times. As the

6

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Indian trail from Sodus Bay to Cayuga passed up the creek (which is now a mere rivulet running through the south part of the village of Rose), and so to Crusoe Lake, the site of this supposed trading post would be in a fertile valley only half a mile or so from the trail.

That a line of Indian posts, forts, or villages, existed in Sodus west of the village is extremely probable. There is, at this point, a range of hills rising abruptly from the Ridge Road on the north, with plateaus of considerable extent on the summits, and long, gentle slopes to the south.

The highest point is on the farm of Perry McCarty, and there the Government Coast Survey erected a temporary observatory a few years ago, the summit being determined by the officers to be 350 feet above the level of Lake Ontario.

A few rods east of this point numerous Indian relics have been picked up from a space of half an acre or more — mostly arrow-heads, but one or more stone hatchets have also been found and also a flint knife eight or ten inches long, evi, dently used for skinning animals.

On another hill, half a mile southwest, on the present farm of Lawson Arms, is also a place of one or more acres upon which arrows have been found in considerable numbers, one man stating that he has himself probably picked up two dozen or more.“

Still west of this, on the well-known Paddock farm, simi- lar relics have been found on the hill west of the barn.

To stand on these hills and note the distant views that can , be obtained from them, to glance at the hills themselves, at their relation to each other and to the surrounding country, will show even to unmilitary eyes how strong and advan- tageous would be the positions indicated above.

Even when dense forests covered all the low grounds, there would be visible from these points, and particularly from the one selected b}^ the government officers, a wide extent of the lake sweeping around almost to a semi-circle. The entrance to Sodus Bay, the “ Bay of the Cayugas,” would be distinctly visible. Southeast the view is extensive, it being said for years that in a clear day glimpses of build-

* Watson W. Wood.

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67

ings in Auburn can be obtained. South and southwest there is a rolling, picturesque country, comprising views of great beauty and extent. Upon no points in all Northern Wayne could armies or villages have been so well posted for safety, for defense or for observation as upon this chain of hills.

As one stands on these breezy heights and looks out to-day upon fields rich with ripening harvests, upon farms revealing the skillful hand of civilized industry, upon homes and villages, upon schools and churches, it requires a strong effort of the imagination to reach back into the dim ages of the past and see these hills covered with wigwams, with camps and fortifications. Up these steep heights invading armies may have pressed in desperate assault, while all along the brow of the hills behind the rude fortifications of the forest stood the defenders of camp and home. On these hills council fires doubtless burned, and around them was heard the rough eloquence of the Indian orator, or the wily appeals of the French trader. From these heights the signal blaze may have easily flashed intelligence to distant points, to the Cayugas beyond the lake, bearing their name, to the Sencas at Old Castle, at Canandaigua, Victor, and even to yet more distant points. The movements of De Nonville’s army, coasting the southern shore of the lake, might have thus been telegraphed to the Indians at Canandaigua, and the warriors brought together ready to meet the French com- mander before he could march overland from Irondequoit, the point where his army disembarked.

In short, whether we test the probability of Indian occu- pation upon these hills by the actual relics found, by the strong natural advantages for defense, by the extensive out- look to be obtained from their summits, by their convenience as signal points between the lake and distant places to the south, we shall easily decide that here dwelt the plumed and painted warriors, and here were located camps and vil- lages in the long, dim ages of the past.

FORT HILL, SAVANNAH.

This well known site of ancient Indian remains lies about a mile southeast of the village. It is a beautiful eminence,

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

and rises abruptly upon the east from the low grounds of the Seneca river. The north declivity of the hill is also quite steep, and this formation extends a short distance along the west side rendering the northern portion of the hill a distinct, bold elevation.

From the summit extending southward there is a series of gentle slopes descending to nearly the level of the low grounds on the east ; towards the southwest the descent is quite steep, but does not reach so low a point as upon the other portions of the outline ; and here it is somewhat connected to other hills lying upon the west. From the summit there is an extensive outlook, commanding the low lands of the Seneca, and the river itself for several miles above and below. Northward a distant view is obtained comprising small elevations of inconsiderable height and a wide extent of lower uplands. Directly west appears a range of hills not quite as high as Fort Hill ; and beyond this range lies the valley and adjacent marshes of the Clyde fiver.

Fort Hill is upon the tract of country known in Savannah as “The Island,” and not far from its southern boundary. The Seneca river forms what may be approximately termed the eastern boundary ; Crusoe Lake and its outlet that falls into the Seneca the northern boundary ; the Clyde river as it flowed to the Seneca before its channel was changed by the canal, the southern boundary ; while the western boundary consists of the Clyde river there flowing south- ward, and Marsh creek flowing northward into Crusoe Lake. To close the tract and make it an island there is a marsh covered with water a large portion of the time, lying between Marsh creek and the Clyde river. This marsh cannot of course differ much from the level of both the creek and the river, and must have to some extent the features of a bifurcated river, flowing in different directions at different times.

The whole “Island” was evidently a favorite resort of the Cayuga Indians ; very likely a place of residence and thickly populated. The splendid opportunities for fishing and hunting in this region of forest and streams ; its bound-

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 69

aries to some extent a natural line of defence, and its central location between Sodus Bay on the north, and the Cayuga Lake region upon the south, must have given it decided advantages, and made it a desirable place of encamp- ment or of permanent settlement.

Fort Hill was undoubtedly strongly fortihed and made capable of protracted defence. The fort occupied the highest part of the summit at the northern end. It has been cleared of the ancient forest and been subjected to the leveling process ot cultivation. The plow and the harrow have done their work of destruction upon the ancient lines, but the outline of the breastwork can still be fairly traced. The ground was about sixteen rods in its greatest length and eight rods in width, thus comprising from a half to three-quarters of an acre. The general figure is somewhat pear shaped, with the narrow end at the north. A portion of the way the breastwork is still quite distinct. Well in- formed persons who saw it only a few years ago before it was cleared and plowed, describe the breastwork, the ditch and the gateway, as quite prominent. From the south end of the fort down the slopes already mentioned, and dividing them in- to parallel ridges, is a slight ravine which might have formed a covered and protected pathway for friends to enter the fort even though it was hotly attacked, east, north and west.

Old people living at Savannah, say that the early forest was thick and heavy upon this ground and that large trees had grown from the breastworks.

It does not appear that any very great amount of relics has been gathered either from the grounds of the fort or from the vicinity. Arrowheads have been found as they are occasionally through all this country. Mrs. May, widow of the elder Dr. May, states that when she was a little girl, sixty years ago or more, she was often on Fort Hill; that there were stumps of posts along the embankment; that pieces of guns were picked up in those days and bits of pottery. There does not appear to be any collections of these relics remaining in the vicinity.

In digging gravel for the Central Railroad, there were some Indian graves opened and the bones removed, along the

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

line of the hill forty rods or more north of the track and a mile north of Fort Hill.

It does not appear that any crosses have been picked up on Fort Hill or in the vicinity. So that it is not entirely clear that Fort Hill is the site of the Jesuit mission St. Ren6 as has been supposed by recent investigations of ancient records. Judged by the distances given in a pamphlet edited by Rev. Dr. Hawley, of Auburn, and published by the Cayuga Historical Society, St. Rene^ or the village Onontare could hardly have been so far north. They should be looked for perhaps in the vicinity of Montezuma rather than Savannah.*

On the Ramsdell farm, northeast of Savannah village, near the Seneca river, and just off of the Island is an Indian bury- ing ground.

The story of the Catholic missions is one of romantic inter- est, though it cannot be given in this volume. The Jesuit fathers having established themselves at Onondaga in 1653,. deputies from the Cayugas and Senecas, even then sought to have missionaries sent to them. Two or three years elapsed however, before this was done. Shea’s histor}" says :

“ When the faith had thus acquired a footing at Onon- daga, the band of apostolic men spread themselves among the Cantons. In the latter part of August, 1656, Fathers Chaumont and Menard set out to answer the invitations of the Cayugas and Seneea. The former leaving Menard at Cayuga, proceeded to the populous villages of the Senecas.

“ After a paragraph descriptive of the work among the Senecas, the narrative goes on, meanwhile Menard was now rapidly acquiring the Cayuga dialect under the instructions of an excellent family in whose cabin he was often a guest. His mission was advancing ; his chapel was crowded with catechumens; but he baptized few adults and seldom but in case of danger. After a stay of two months he was re-called to the Onondagas.”

An outbreak of hostilities compelled a termination of these missions. The French colony at Onondaga silently departed about midnight, March 20, 1658, and succeeded in reaching Montreal.

* The fact, however, that distances anciently stated do not appear to agree with our more accurate measurements should not be considered as disproving the location of St. Ren6 at Fort Hill. Onontare is believed to have occupied several different locations, and it is very certain that Fort Hill was one.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

71

The mission at Onondaga, was re-established August 12, 1660, by the arrival of LeMoyne, at Onondaga, where he was welcomed by deputies from the Onondagas, the Cayugas and the Senecas.

Various interruptions, however occurred, in extending the work. In October, 1667, Father-de-Carheil left Onondaga for the west, arrived at the Castle of the Cayugas on the 6th of November, and found them devouring with sacrile- gious rites a Conestogue girl to propitiate their god. Yet they received the missionary kindly and at once raised a chapel which Father-de-Carheil dedicated to St. Joseph, pat- ron of the Jesuit missions and of Northern America.

The historian. Shea, is very brief in relation to this work among the Cayugas, nor is there a sufficient fullness of description to enable modern students to locate accurately the scenes of these missionary labors. Rev. Dr. Hawley, of Auburn, has supplemented these narratives by a translation of the actual Relations of the Jesuits.” The general theory is that there were three Cayuga stations. One in the vicinity of what is now Union Springs, Cayuga county ; a second near the foot of Cayuga lake, not far from the Railroad bridge, and a third farther North at Fort Hill, Savannah. There may have been other points where mission work was done to some extent.

Bishop McQuade, in an address at the laying of the corner stone of the Catholic church in Clyde, in 1869, advanced the theory that there was a Jesuit mission near Clyde, estab- lished about 1661.* Local tradition as to Indian occupancy added to the statements of the Bishop, points to the Watson farm as the site of an Indian village, and the possible Cath- olic chapel. No crucifixes have ever been picked up in the vicinity so far as is known, so that that species of evidence is wanting.

The Watson farm was, however, undoubtedly the site of

*Bisliod McQuade, as reported in the Clyde Times, only said ; “ Two hun- dred years ago, on the borders of Cayuga Lake, stood a church, another house of God, erected by missionaries for the conversion of the Indian tribes ; that was the house of God, too, although built of the bark of trees and Mentezuma reeds. It was the house of God because in it the sacrifice of Christ was offered.’’ Those who heard him on the occasion referred to, understood him to allude to the vicinity of Clyde much more than this newspaper report indicates.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

a large Indian village, whether it was visited by Catholic missionaries or not. It lies a little south of Clyde, or south- west. There was originally a forest of magnificent growth largely free of underbrush. A spring yielding an abundant supply of water added to the attractions of the place. It is but a short distance from the Clyde river, a stream so con- venient as an Indian highway through the forests, and it is just far enough from Lake Ontario to make it a place of safety ; the Indians preferring to locate their towns in the interior, rather than along large bodies of water. Near by, too, is a hill of considerable elevation, from which a watch could be kept over the surrounding country — northward toward Sodus Bay, eastward towards Seneca river and Cayuga lake, and southwest to Old Castle and Canandaigua. The indications of Indian encampment were very marked and clear over all the large, nearly level area, not far from the present barn. Relics have been found there from the first settlement of the country ; and besides, there were numerous deep, black spots of earth, evidently the remains of fire-places. And so the evidence accumulates, that here was a village or encampment of considerable size ; that it was doubtless a town permanently occupied and the home of a large body of Indians.*

In the recent excavations for the West Shore Railroad on the Andrew Mead hill, not far from Clyde, a valuable curi- osity was secured, and is nowin the possession of Mr. Morley. It is an ancient stone pipe, the bowl square, about one and a half inches long, with a stem a little longer than that. It seems to be lettered, in one word — ATIX ; though it is not very clear just what the inscription is.

* Similar evidences of an Indian eneam])inent were also very clear upon the farm formerly owned by Adrastus Snedaker, a half a mile more east of the AYatson farm.

CHAPTER IV.

CONQUEST OF WESTERN NEW YORK BY THE ENGLISH IN 1759 — ENCAMPMENT OF THE ARMY UPON THE SOIL OF WAYNE COUNTY.

ROM the advent of Jaques Cartier upon the St. Law-

rence in 1535, down to the ‘‘Old French War” of

1756-60, the chain of the Great Lakes, their shores and the adjacent country remained either nominally or actually under the dominion of France. Two and a quarter centuries had passed away. England and France, rivals in the old world and the new, had repeatedly contended for the prize of Colonial Empire. The long struggle was now to end. The white lily of France and the red cross of St. George were once more waving over hostile squadrons dis- puting the title to a country rich in its natural scener}^ rich in its treasures of lake and river, forest and field, but richer still in its future destiny as the seat of civilized nations.

The British opened the campaign of 1759, with three dis- tinct objects in view, viz. : the capture of the three strong- holds of French power — Niagara, Montreal and Quebec.

The attack upon the first of these is the only one that is intimately connected with the history of Western New York, and involves to some extent the pioneer history of Wayne county.

The force destined for Niagara rendezvoused at Schenec- tady early in May. It consisted of two British regiments, a detachment of Royal Artillery, a battalion of Royal Amer- icans, two battalions of New York Provincials, and a large force of Indian Allies under the command of Sir William Johnson. The Indians were mostly Mohawks, Oneidas and Onondagas ; the remainder being Cayngas and Senecas, with a few from such western nations as had been partly won over to the British interests. Brigadier-General Prideaux was the Commander-in-Chief ; next in rank Avas Sir William Johnson, who, previous to this, had been regu- larly commissioned in the British armjx

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

The force moved from Schenectady on the 20th of May, 1759, came up the Mohawk, and by the usual water route reached Oswego, where it remained for over five weeks, completing the preparation of Batteaux for navigating Lake Ontario.

On the first of July, the whole force were embarked, and coasting along the shore of the lake. Their destination was Fort Niagara, a strong fortress, the seat of French dominion, over a widely extended region ; the key to the primitive commerce of the western lakes; its battlements in solitary grandeur frowning defiance to any force that would be likely to reach it through difficult avenues, m its far-off location in the wilderness. Never in all the modern periods, have the waters of Ontario borne upon their bosom a more formid- ble armament. In addition to a large force, requiring abund- ant stores and camp equipage, there was the heavy artillery, and all the requisites that British military skill had deemed necessary for the reduction of a strong fortress, by regular approaches ; such as the plan of attack contemplated.

How mingled and various were the different races, and of how different habits and characters, Avere the men of this expedition ! There was the proud titled Briton, who had seen more of the refinements and luxuries of courts, than of the hardships of camps in the wilderness; there were veteran officers and Soldiers, who had fought in European wars, inured to the camp and of the field ; and there were the sons of the wealthy and influential colonists in New York, and along the Hudson river counties, who had sought commissions in the army, and were going out in their first campaign. There were provincials, men and boys, trans- ferred from the stores, the counting-houses, and the mechanic shops of New York and the rural districts of Westchester, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suffolk, Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Albany, and the lower valley of the Mohawk bound for the camp, for the drill, and for a march that seemed then further extended, and more difficult than one over the mountains to Oregon, would at the present time. Lastly there were the warriors of the Iroquois, fully imbued with their ancient war spirit, decked out with feath-

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

75

ers, chains and hoops, the spoils of the forest chase, and with new paint, broad-cloth blankets and siver ornaments, the gifts of the King.

The armament coasted along the southern shore of the lake. The first night they encamped at Sod us, invited there by the beautiful bay, in which their water-craft could be made secure from winds and waves, as their frail structure demanded.

Their other halting place for the night, were at Ironde- quoit, Braddock’s bay and Johnson’s creek. Arrived at the mouth of the Eighteen Mile Creek, (where is now the village of Olcott,) within eighteen miles of Fort Niagara, a halt was made to enable reconnoitering parties to go out and deter- mine whether the French had made a sortie from the Fort in anticipation of their arrival.

On the 7th of July, the British moved forward and the siege of Niagara commenced. The fort was bravely defended, but the French commander was compelled to sur- render on the 24th, and Western New York passed from the dominion of France to that of England.

During the remainder of that year and in the next cam- paign of 1760, the other strong-holds were captured and French supremacy was terminated all along the line of the St. Lawrence and the Lakes.

CHAPTER V.

IS'OTICES OF KEVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS IN WAYNE COUNTY — THEIR MILITARY SERVICE — SETTLEMENT — AGE — DEATH — BURIAL PLACE — MILITARY LANDS OF EASTERN WAYNE.

The only connection which Wayne county can be said to have with the War of the Revolution arises from the fact that there was among the early settlers a considerable number of soldiers who had been engaged in that struggle for Independence.

It was several years subsequent to the peace of 1783, that the first white men located within the limits of this county. The adoption of the Constitution and the inauguration of General Washington as the first President, were the national events that were really coeval with the settlement of Wayne county, as the Stansells and Featherlys made an opening at Lyons in that year.

In these days of growing respect for the memory of the soldiers of the Republic in whatever war they may have fought, it is interesting to gather into permanent form the names of these pioneers who came to establish homes upon the soil which had been secured by their valor, and to live thereafter in peace under a government founded by their efforts.

We have first the following official list of pensioners as they were recorded upon the books of the government in 1835. To these the dates of death and place of burial have been added so far as they can now be obtained. The age given refers to the year 1835 :

James Adams — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension, $30, commenced April ii, 1833; aged seventy-four; died December 8, 1833.

James Adams — Private, New Jersey Militia, annual pension, $30, commenced August 7, 1833 ; aged seventy-three. George Austin — Private, Rhode Island Continental Troops, annual pension, $26.66, commenced March 4, 1831 ; seventy-eight years of age.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

77

George Babcock, Arcadia — Private, New York Militia, annual pension, $8o, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy. It is understood in his family that he also served in the war of 1812, at Sodus Point and elsewhere.

Thaddeus Bancroft, Sodus — Private, New York Militia, * annual pension, $20, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixty-nine. Lived in the east part of the town ; was a public man of considerable prominence, and a Justice of the Peace for many years.

Joel Bishop, Rose — Private, Connecticut Continental Troops, annual pension, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-four. [See additional notes below.]

Phincas Bill, Palmyra — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension, $70, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged eighty. He was born in Groton, Connecticut, removed to Pal- myra in 1818; died January 25, 1839, was buried in Palmyra Cemetery.

Bcyijamm Billings, Macedon — Ensign, Connecticut Militia. Was with the army at Cambridge and in the battles of New York and White Plains. Annual pension, $160, commenced March 4, 1831. He was born in Preston, Connecticut, September 23, 1753, and died in Macedon, January 13, 1838 ; he was buried in Palmyra Cemetery. He was in the battle of Saratoga, and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne ; served about three years.

Samuel Black — Private, Massachusetts Militia, annual pen- sion, $30.88, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy.

Moses- Blakely , East Williamson — Private, Connecticut Con- tinental Troops, annual pension, $96, commenced April 30, 1818. Dropped from the roll under the act of May I, 1820 ; pensioned again under the act of June 7, 1832, annual pension, $60 ; aged seventy-five.

Joseph Walworth — Private, Massachusetts Continental

Troops, in service seven years, annual pension, $80, . commenced March 4, 1831 ; age not given ; died in On- tario, at the house of Isaac Carey. His grave is in the Patterson burial place, Ontario.

Wessel Cornue, Arcadia — Private New Jersey Militia, annual pension, $31,07, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixty- nine.

Isaac Curtiss, Williamson — Private, Massachusetts Con- tinental Troops, annual pension, $46.66, commenced March 4, 1831 ; died February 10, 1849, the age of ninety-four years and six months, and was buried in the Williamson cemetery.

78 MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

David Cowen — Private, Rhode Island Militia, annual pension, $63.33, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy.

David Dalrymple, Walworth — Private, Massachusetts Con- tinental Troops, annual pension, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixty-eight. He came from Coleraine, Massachusetts, resided in Walworth about ten years, but removed to Jefferson county and died there in 1859. Benjamin Billings reports him to have moved to Michi- gan, and to have previously resided in Macedon.

Beebe Denison, Sodus — Private, New York Militia, annual pension, $20, commeneed March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy- three. He died at an advanced age in East Palmyra, and was buried in the cemetery at that place. '

Benjamin Deuel, Savannah — Private, New York Militia, annual pension, $43.33, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixty-nine.

Samuel Dunn — Private, Massachusetts Militia, annual pen- sion, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged eighty.

Josiah Dunning, Sodus — Private and Sergeant, New Hamp- shire Militia, annual pension, $41.66, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-nine."^

Beeri Foot, Galen — Private, Connecticut Continental Troops, annual pension, $21.43, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-one. He died May i, 1841, at Lock Berlin, and was buried in Lyons Rural Cemetery.

David Glidden, Lyons — Private and Sergeant, New Hamp- shire Militia, annual pension, $61.33, commenced March 4, 1831; aged seventy-four.

Valentine Hahn, Williamson — Private, Pennsylvania Militia, annual pension, $70, commenced March 4, 1831; aged seventy-four.

Job Harrison, Williamson' — Private, New Jersey Militia, annual pension, $56.66, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixty-eight; died Lebruary 19, 1833, and was buried in the cemetery at Pultneyville.

Velina Hoisington — Private, Vermont Militia, annual pension, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-one.

Shevah Houghton, Arcadia — Private and Lieutenant, Con- necticut Militia, annual pension, $113.33, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-six.

Darius Howard, Huron — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension, $30, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixty- seven.

* From the AWyne “Died, in Sodus, on the 27th of February,

1842, Mr. .Josiah Dunning, a soldier of the Revolution, in the eighty-seventh

year of his age. He was formerly from Yermont.”

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

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Joseph Jackson, Walworth — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension, $8o, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-seven. He is indistinctly remembered as resid- ing in Walworth about 1835, but it is not ascertained where he died, and it is supposed he removed from the town.

Solomo7i Leonard, Marion — Private, Connecticut Continental Troops, annual pension, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-four.

Solomon Lombard — Private and Sergeant, Connecticut Militia, annual pension, $55, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged eighty-one.

Michael I.usk, Arcadia — Private, New York Continental Militia, annual pension, $30, commenced May 4, 1831 ; aged sixty-four.

Dayiiel Matthezvson, Walworth — Ensign and Lieutenant Rhode Island Militia, annual pension $63.33, commenced March 4,1831; aged eighty-three; died September 8, 1832, and is buried in the Baker cemeter3^

James McDonald — Private, New York Continental Militia — annual pension $40.26, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seven t3Mour.

Simeon Merrill, Butler — Private, New York Militia, annual pension, $30, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy- three.

John Myers — Private, New Jersey Militia — annual pension $50, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-four; died in Michigan. He was the grandfather of Jcdm W. Myers, now residing at Sodus village.

Noles Negus, Marion — Private, Rhode Island Continental Troops, annual pension $96, commenced April 13, 1818, dropped from the roll underact of May i, 1820; pen- sioned again March 4, 1831, $80 a year ; aged seventy-five. Buried in the Negus family cemetery in the orchard on the farm now owned by Wm. Yandusen.

Seba Norton, Sodus — Private, New York Militia, annual pen- sion $80, commenced March 4, 1831, aged seventy-three. [See notice under the head, Sodus.]

Roger Olmstead, Butler — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension $26.66, commenced March 4, 1831, aged sixty- nine.

Jacob Patrick, Lyons — Private, New York Militia, annual pension $56.66, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sixt}"- nine.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Noah Palmer, born in TiYcrton, Rhode Island, Aug. 25, 1759, settled in jMacedonin 1810, Private and Corporal, Rhode Island Militia, annual pension $84.90, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-four ; died March 6, 1875, and is buried in the Palmyra cemetery.*

Jonathan Pendell, Sodus — Private, New York Continental Troops, annual pension $55.09, commenced March 4, 1831;. aged eightY-four. He resided east of South Sodus, in a log-house on the right of the road before reaching the Robinson hill. He was born in 1749, and died at South Sodus in 1839, aged about ninety vears.

Christopher Pope, Galen — Private Massachusetts Militia, annual pension $80, commenced March 4, 1831, aged seventy-nine. Buried at Ferguson’s Corners.^

William Rice, Marion — Private Massachusetts Militia, annual pension $30.00; commenced March 4, 1851 ; aged sixty- eight. He was the lather of Josiah Rice, of Sodus, and is buried in the Corey cemetery, Avest part of the town of Marion.

Joseph Roby, Macedon — Captain Massachusetts Militia, annual pension $160, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged eighty. He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Feb. 22, 1753. Settled for a time in Macedon, but removed to Brock- port, where he died April 13, 1836. He was at one time a merchant in Boston, Mass., and helped throw the tea overboard in the harbor.

Elijah Root — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension $66.66; commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-six.

Israel Sabin, Wolcott — Private, Connecticut Militia, annual pension, $23.33, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged

seventy-nine.

F^zekiel Scott, Butler — Private, Connecticut Continental troops, annual pension $96, commenced May 6, 1818. Dropped from rolls under act of May i, 1820. Pensioned again commencing March 4, 1831, $80; age not given

Matthias Shear — Private, New York Militia, annual pension, $30.66, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-five.

Gabriel Smith — Private in Infantry and Cavalry Connecticut Continental Troops, annual pension, $90, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy-two.

Nathan Smith, Lyons — Sergeant, Vermont Militia, annual pension, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy- two.

* Noah Palmer served in the Revolution five years, and was a deacon in the Baptist church 40 years.

f Another informant says “ buried in Spier’s cemetery, Lyons.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

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Ebenczcr Still, Walworth — Private, Massachusetts Conti- nental Troops, annual pension, $96, commencing April 4, 1818. Dropped from the rolls under act of May i, 1820; pensioned again May 4, 1831, §80. He died Feb- ruary 8, 1848, and was buried at West Walworth; age not given.

Jonas Stevens — Private, Massachusetts State Troops, annual pension, $80, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy- eight.

Alexander Stewart, Williamson — Private and Corporal, Mas- sachusetts Continental Troops, annual pension, $49.33, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged eighty-three; died May 26, 1833.*

Charles Sweet — Private, Rhode Island Militia, annual pen- sion, $22.31, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged sevent}^- four.

Garner Wait — Father of Mrs. Rufus Sweezey, formerly of Marion, was a soldier of the Revolution. He died in Walworth, and is buried in the cemetery at that place.

Seth Watkins, Galen — Private, Massachusetts Militia, annual pension, $94.92, commenced March 4, 1831 ; aged seventy- eight.

In 1840, the Marshals taking the United States Census, made what appears to have been a careful enumeration of the pensioners then living ; and the following names appear. Twelve of them are the same as in the list of 1835. The others had either moved into the county or had established their claims subsequent to 1835. The ages refer to the summer of 1840, when the Marshals collected the data :

ARCADIA.

, Wessel Cornue, 76; Shevah Houghton, 85 ; Thomas Treat, 77 ; George Babcock, 77.

BUTLER.

Simeon Merrill, 80 ; Roger Olmsted, 76 ; Reuben Barnes, 84 ; Ezekiel Scott, 81 ; Josiah Munson, 75 ; Ebenezer Pierce, 78.

* From the Wayne Sentinel :

“ Died in Williamson on the 26th of May, 1838, Alexander Stewart, a soldier of the Revolution, aged 83 years. Mr. Stewart was born in the Parish of AYliite- horn, County of Wighton, Scotland, and emigrated to this country in the year 1774— having imbibe^l the spirit of independence which animated our country, he in the following year joined the patriot band who fought for and securdl its independence, with whom he served and sulfered at various times, until their object was attained. He sustained during a long life an unblemished character and commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him.”

6

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

GALEN.

Beeri Foot, 78 ; Benjamin McClarjT 79 ; John Selfridge, 82, died in November, 1849, is buried in the Evans Cem- etery, Savannah ; Timothy McIntosh, 80; Gilbert Hooker, 82, died May 9, 1849, buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Clyde.

HURON.

Charles Kent, 78 ; Darius Howard, 75 ; Abram Van Size, 77 : Paul Sherman, 81, probably buried in the northeast part of the town, near Port Bay ; Gad Hall, 81 ; Bulkley Johnson, 83.

LYONS.

Josiah Dunning, 86; Jacob Patrick, 76 ; Nathan Smith, 79; Elijah Whiting, 82 ; David Glidden, 81 ; Benjamin Aveiy, 82.

MARION.

Obadiah Archer, 79; Solomon Leonard, 81, reported to have died in January, 1862, and buried in Marion, but this would make him 103 years old, so there is probably a mistake some\f^here.

ONTARIO.

John Mack, 82, died June 14, 1852, buried at Wawarsink, Ulster county; John Speller, 74, died September 3, 1847; Willard Church, 82.

PALMYRA.

William Jackways, 81, died July 28, 1848, in his 90th year, buried in Palmyra ; Daniel Wood, 83 ; Durfee Hicks, 83, died February 12, 1844, and was buried on the Benjamin Cole farm in Palmyra ; James G. Smith, 86.

ROSE.

John Featherly, 80, died about the year 1843, bi the town of Galen, and was buried in the York Settlement Cemetery,* no tombstone ; Emanuel Winheld, 79.

SAVANNAH.

Moses Lent, 78, died in 1846, and was probably buried in the town of T3U*e, Seneca county; Jabez Carter, 80, (W. F. Baggerly writes that Mr. Carter probably lived in the town of Butler ;) Francis Needham, 73, died in 1843, was buried in the town of Butler, on the farm of Hiram Abrams ; Ben- jamin Deuel, 73, — he resided on Great Lot No. 39, a noted tract in the history of the town ; he removed from there and old settlers do not know what became of him.

* He, with Nicholas Stansell, made the first settlement in the county, at Lyons in 1789,

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

83

SODUS.

James Green, 82; Elizabeth Fitzhugh,'^ 74; Jonathan Clemmons, 85 ; John Norris, 86 ; Philip Demarest, 79.

WALWORTH.

Joseph Carey, 83.

WILLIAMSON.

James Calhoun, 77 ; Isaac Curtiss, 86; Marshal Barmore, 84; Valentine Hahn, 80.

WOLCOTT.

Jocob Ward, 84; Jerusha Pease, 80.

The following additional notices have been secured in which a few repetitions occur, but generally giving addi- tional facts. They are in many cases meagre and unsatis- factor}^ but they are the best which could be obtained from the relatives and descendants of the heroes of that struggle. Public invitations were repeatedly given through the press of the county asking that all items known concerning sol- diers of the Revolution who settled here, be furnished for use in this volume. Every response to those invitations has been carefully collected, and the facts inserted in their proper place. The editor has also given much additional labor to personal enquiries upon this point. The record is doubtless incomplete ; yet it affords much valuable informa- tion upon the services and burial places of these honored men. Their names are here preserved in permanent form, and the Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic will here- after have the opportunity in their annual decoration services of casting upon their graves floral tributes, emblematic of the love of a grateful people :

ARCADIA.

Peter Shirts, of Claverack, Columbia county, was in the Revo- lutionary army for several years. His wife’s maiden name was Houser. Her father Frederick Houser, gave to his children 640 acres of land, east of what is now Newark village, near the well known Price grist-mill.

' Peter Shirts settled upon the share falling to his wife about 1800. It is the tradition of the- family that he was a captain. He is entered, however, as a private in the list recorded at Albany, of those who received land. He belonged to the second company m the first regiment of the State of New York, in the service of the Conti- nental Congress for three years or during the war.

* Widow of Captain Peregrine Fitzliugli, mentioned below.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

From the Wayne Sentinel.

Died in Newark, on the 20th of February, 1842, Mr. John McCarn, a soldier of the Revolution, aged eighty years.

Died in Arcadia, on the 17th of March, 1844, Ebenezer Smith, a soldier of the Revolution, aged eighty-six years. Benjamin Lewis. — He was born in Hartford, Conn., and had four brothers also in the War of the Revolution, his young- est brother Reuben, being a drummer. He went into the service at the age of sixteen as a bearer of despatches, afterwards enlisted in a company of dragoons, served for several years. He is understood to have been in sev- eral general engagements, among them Bunker Hill, Monmouth, Brandywine and Germantown. He was wounded three times and twice taken prisoner; the last time while out in a scouting party of six. Before their captors could disarm them, Lewis shot one man from his horse, knocked another down and escaped bacW to his regiment. He received a ball in his leg which he car- ried through life. He lived a portion of his subsequent life in Dry den, Tompkins county, and came to Newark about 1832. He died December i, 1838, at the age of eighty-two, and is buried in Newark cemetery. He received a pension for some years before his death. Mrs. Lucinda Slithers and Mrs. Patterson are surviving chil- dren. The late Mrs. William Spears, of Sodus, was another daughter.

Nicholas Stajtsell suffered in the Indian wars connected with the Revolution, and is buried in Willow Avenue cem- etery.

Silas Payne, an early settler at Hydesville, was a Revolution- ary soldier.

■Benjamin Luce, born in Morris county. New Jersey, Feb- ruary 5, 1761 ; enlisted in 1777, and served until the close of the war ; was in the battles of Monmouth and Stony Point. He moved to Palmyra, in 1796; to Arcadia, in 1805, one mile north of Newark village, where he died the next year, February 12, 1806. He left ten children, one of whom, D. F. Luce, now aged eighty-one, of Marion, is still living, and furnishes these facts. The widow survived until 1839. ’ William Luce, another son, is still living at Palmyra, with his son George, ninety years of age. Robert Luce, another son, is still living at Ottawa, Kansas, ninety-hve, (May, 1883.)*

* Robert Luce was in the war of 1812. Captured September 17, 1814, and held at Halifax four months. Taken at Fort Erie. A son of Robert Luce,. Robert M., was in the war of 1861-’5, a member of a Wisconsin regiment.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 85

Amos Jenks was a Revolutionary soldier, and is buried in Willow Avenue Cemeter3\

Ger shorn Salmon was a soldier of the Revolution ; born in Reading-, Fairfield county, Connecticut, September 26, 1753. He lived for some time in this town, with his son- in-law, Joseph Crandall, but passed the closing years of his life in East Bloomheld, with his sons, where he died May II, 1843, aged seventy-eight years, seven months and sixteen days.

BUTLER.

Abner Bivins^ father of Edward Bivins, was a Revolutionar}^ soldier. He served some years as a justice of the peace. The Bivins came in 1815.

Silas VVinans lived on the C. M. Foster place. He was a Revolutionar}^ soldier ; occupied land granted to him for services.

Rosivcll Fox, grandfather of A. J. Fox, was in the Revolution- ar)" war. He was born and lived in Connecticut until about 1800, when he moved west and settled in Oneida county, where he remained until 1810, when he removed to Wayne county. He settled on what is now known as the Post farm, in the town of Butler, and died in 1812, at about the age of sixty ^^ears. His wife lived to the age of ninety-six years. There were born to them three sons and seven daughters, of which David Fox, was the youngest, born 1798. He came from Connecticut when two years old; came into Wa\me county in 1810, and has lived in this section nearly ever since. He is now nearl}" eighty-four \^ears old, and in very good health, having seen a great many changes in the seventy -two years that he has lived in this county. When he came into this section, there were but two houses in Syracuse.

Ebenezer Pierce was a Revolutionar}- soldier. He was wounded in the thigh with a bayonet. He settled in L^^ons, afterwards lived in Butler, where he died about 1850, and was buried in Lyons Cemeter3\ He received a pension during the late 3'ears of his life.

Major Daniel Fowler, Buried in Miller’s Cemeter3u was a Revolutionary soldier; no dates have been obtained with reference to him.

The following letter forms an excellent preface to several

notes furnished by its writer, which we give below :

South Butler, N. Y., February 26, 1883,

Lewis H. Clark, Esq., Sodus :

My Dear Sir — M3" recollection of the Revolutionaiy

soldiers who were earl3" settlers in this neighborhood is

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

quite distinct, but I was never possessed of the facts and dates of their muster and service, items most desirable, as I understand, for your history.

My father came into this country in 1808, and although but a lad of thirteen years at the close of the Revolution, he was intimately acquainted with many (a few 3-ears older) who saw service, the theme of which never ceased to be a matter of conversation in their subsequent social interviews. His house, a mile north of my present residence, became a sort of rendezvous for early settlers in this neighborhood, among whom were several of these old soldiers — two or three perhaps, having preceded him— in their location and settlement of their Bounty lands ; this town, as you are aware, being included in the “ Military Tract.”

Possibly, the accompan3dng sketches may be of service to you in finding the missing links which must frequently be felt in your war history.

“ Such as I have give I unto thee,” and remain, trul}^

H. H. Wheeler.

Captain ” Peter Mills, the pioneer settler in this town,, who “ drew ” his bounty land, and lived where Lucius H. Viele now lives, (near the center of the town), 1 have always understood was a Captain in the Revolu- tionary war; though I have no knowledge of the fact, nor of the man. He buried his wife, making the earliest grave in the town, prior to 1810, and left the country himself, before my time. Daniel Mills, his son, resided some time later, on the hill, now the northerly part of the farm which I occupy, and is among the earliest residents within my recollection. Captain Mills is believed to have settled here as early as the year 1803.

Paul Wellman was a soldier in the Revolution, and settled about half a mile north of my present residence, as early as 1803 or 1805. I remember him as an intimate friend and near neighbor of my father during my earlier years, and remember the time he obtained his pension and some of the circumstances attending it, as earl}> perhaps, as 1817 or 1820. But 1 never heard him say much about his military service, and don’t know the fields he may have been in, nor the commander which he served.

Silas Winans and Seth Craw, the one living a mile and the other two miles east of South Butler, in early times,. I think, were Revolutionary soldiers, but, though I remember the men, I do not remember any particulars of their service.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

87

'''Major" William Moulton who drew, and for many years lived upon, his six hundred acre lot of bounty land, since known as “ Moulton Hill,” near the center of this town, 1 think stands on the muster roll as “Captain,” though in our neighborhood he was always called “ Major.” He was one of the familiar, social callers and diners at my father’s house during my youth ; a man of courtly manners, of some ability and education, and a great Democratic politician.

Ezekiel Scott came into this town in 181 3, succeeding Seth Craw, and subsequently residing, till his death, in 1848, where his grandson, Abram C. Scott, now resides. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and served six years. He used to refer incidentally to his fatigue and services in the line, especially to the operations in and about Stillwater, which terminated in Burgoyne’s surrender. I remember his saying, at the time the old soldiers were applying for their pensions (under the general pension act), that he was well enough olf, and could live without a pension ; and yet I think in subsequent years he did apply and obtain his pension. He died September 13, 1848, and was buried in the Hubbard Cemetery.

Titus Lockwood lived about two miles west of here, where Frank Cobb now lives ; came into the woods there somewhere from 1817 to 1820. He had but one leg (besides a wooden one), but whether the loss occur- red in the service or not, I have no recollection of hearing. Of war reminiscences, he liked to talk of the “ Battle of White Plains,” in which he took an active part.

Joel Bishop, who came into this county in 1812, and lived many years where his grandson, Chauncey E. Bishop, now resides, two miles north of Rose Valley; was a Revolutionary soldier; was a prisoner, conhned in the same building (the old Stone Prison) with the renowned Ethan Allen, in the city of New York; and, I think, was detailed for special service as “ Orderly,” or servant for that renowned hero, certain distinctive privileges, according to rank, being granted to officers. He used to relate the mad pranks of Allen, putting his head out of the window (in his upper story room), jeering the red coats and telling them Burgoyne would have to surrender and they all be driven out of the city, etc.

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Lott Stezvart, of Stewart’s Corners,” and “ Captain" (John?) Harmon, half a mile east of there, just over the town line of Butler, were “ Revolutioners ; ” but they both left the country (removed to Cattaraugus county) as early, perhaps, as 1825 — certainl}^ prior to 1830 — and although I well remember the men, I have no recollec- tion of ever hearing much of their service — nothing of their enrollment or commands.

GALEN.

Spencer Clark, of Angell’s Corners, sends the following names of Revolutionar}^ soldiers in that vicinity :

AbiatJier Stephenson, fought at Bunker Hill, and at the battle of Brandywine, served through the war, and drew a pen- sion for some years before his death.

Simon Burlingame and Jacob Coffin, were also Revolutionary soldiers who settled near Angell’s Corners.

Sylvester H. Clark, of Clyde, furnishes the following names :

William Van Millier, a Revolutionary soldier, who died in Galen, April, 1851, and was buried in the “White school house cemetery,” two miles north of Clyde.

Timothy McIntosh, a Revolutionaiyv soldier, is supposed by Aclrastus Snedaker to have been buried on the old Briggs farm northeast part of Galen, in what has been called the Caywood cemetery.

In connection with Galen, it should be mentioned that there has long been a tradition that in Sullivan’s expedition, the army or a portion of it went through this town. The general route of Sullivan’s march was south of here a few miles on the line of Waterloo. Yet there is of course a pos- sibility that scouting parties were thrown out northward.

This tradition and the story of abandoned cannon are given by “ G. P. L.” in the following newspaper article :

From the Lyons Republican of April 3, 1879.

“The tradition is that General Sullivan in his invasion of the territory of the Six Nations in 1779, swept everything before him clear to the shore of Lake Ontario ; that on his return he passed through the gap near where the first toll gate formerly stood on the plank road to Rose, then west- ward around the north end of the hill on the Peter Gordon farm, striking the river at Bruin’s cove just west of Clyde,

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

89

where he sunk and abandoned the cannon in question. When Mr. Aaron Griswold first came to this town in 1813, about thirty-four years after the invasion, the story of an abandoned cannon was common talk. A man named King claimed to know the exact location; asserted that he had dived down and not only seen it but put his hand in the muzzle. No attempt was made to recover it at this time, but somewhere about the year 1840, a search was made for it. Mr. Aaron Griswold and Beriah Redfield in company with the Mr. King who claimed to know exactly where it was, went up the river and spent some time in searching for the old can- non but failed to hnd it.”

The tradition itself has thus come down to the present time through sources entirely reliable, but whether the tra- dition is ‘‘ founded on fact ” will probably never be settled ; the stream has changed its course somewhat, and search would doubtless be a failure.

Sylvester H. Clark also furnished to the Rochester Express the following notice of this interesting tradition which gives a different ownership to the supposed cannon :

FACTS IN RELATION TO THE CANNON IN THE CLYDE — 1 878.

Correspondence of the PRening Express.

Clyde, May 27. — Considerable has been written of late hereabouts in relation to a cannon — (six pounder) that was once sunk in the Clyde river — -a little west of this village, by Butler’s Rangers from Pennsylvania on their retreat before the victorious Sullivan in September, 1779. We have endeavored to discover the truth of the story and have par- tially succeeded in so doing

Butler, it appears, was a friend of the celebrated Indian warrior, Joseph Brandt, one of the six nations, the six nations being then composed of the Mohawks, Senecas, Cayugas, Oneidas, Onondagas and Tuscaroras, none of whom were on friendly terms with the white population of this section. When Butler’s Rangers found that the indomitable chieftain, Sullivan, was in hot pursuit and very close upon them, it became necessary to and they did sink a cannon beneath the swift rolling waters of the Clyde. Of this fact, we have the testimony of men who settled in this region at an early day and from whom several persons now residing here have derived information relative thereto. John King, who was a business man in Clyde many years ago and whose father was a genuine pioneer, said, ‘Ahat in his boyhood it was cur-

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rently reported among- the trappers that a cannon had been sunk a little west of Clyde by Butler’s men, and that rafts- men, in passing through the stream, had touched it with their poles.” Mac De Golger, another old settler and once a raftsman, who had been dead many years, used to say “ that he had seen Butler’s cannon.” It is therefore a historic fact that there is now a cannon buried, not necessarily beneath the waters of the Clyde River, for the stream may have changed its course since then, but very near and possibly on the shore of it. The uncertainty of its exact location, how- ever, will forever preclude any attempt to secure the prize.”

As remarked above, it is scarcely possible now to verify either the fact that such abandoned cannon are there or settle the question who abandoned them.

THE BLOCK HOUSE OF CLYDE.

This has been a subject of discussion for many years. The settlement at Clyde was known for a time as “ Block House.” Roads are described in the early town records of all this section, by their relation to, and their connection with the “ Block House road.” Many speculations have been indulged in as to the date of its erection, and the purposes for which it was built, or for which it was subsequently used.

It was not standing within the recollections of any persons now living. In 1805, Captain Luther Redfield, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Dryer, visited this locality. They ascend- ed Dickson hill, the one in the rear of the present residence of Mr. E. B. Wells, and then climbed a tree to take in the outlook. From there they were able to catch a glimpse of the waters of Lake Ontario, with a broad view of unbroken forests. Descending the hill to the river, they made a raft of floodwood, and came over to the site of the Block House. It had been burned, but there were still left the charred ends of the logs at the corners — a few remains that entirely dis- appeared not long after. This account Mr. Adrastus Sned- aker received direct from Captain Luther Redfield himself. Other information is derived from Mr. John King. The latter Avas the son of a pioneer who located, probably about 1790, at the point of the hill, a mile or more south or south- east of Lock Bertin. John King, in his boyhood, rambled up and down this valley with old trappers, and was himself

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an expert hunter. He became familiar with their stories and their descriptions of the Block House. It stood on the north bank of the Clyde river, and east of the mouth of Vanderbilt creek. The latter now a mere ditch through the village, enters the river beneath the bridge, a few rods east of the New York Central Freight Depot. The ground on which the Block House stood was a rounded elevation, sufficient to place it above the reach of high water. It was removed in the building of the railroad ; and it is yet a matter of regret at Clyde that this old historical landmark was lost by the grading at that time.

The usual tradition of past years with reference to the Block House, is expressed in the following paragraph from a newspaper article by S. H. Clark :

“ Local historians have differed as to the origin, date of erection and history of the old Block House that once decorated the locality of the present village of Clyde, but the most direct, we think, authentic account comes through Adrastus Snedaker, an old and esteemed resident of Clyde, who gained his information from John King, a pioneer long since dead, who in turn secured his knowledge of the events narrated by the trappers that in olden time passed up and down the Clyde river. These trappers place the date of the erection of the building in 1756, during the French and Indian war, and say that it was originally a fort, whei;e the inhabitants congregated for protection from the Indians. The building was two stories high, the upper projecting over the lower at the sides and ends. In the floor of the upper story — near the sides and ends — were port-holes, through which a volley might reach the enemy, should they undertake to fire the shanty. During the Revolutionary war the building was used as a depot for the storage of goods smuggled to and from Canada. We have no record of its destruction. Every vestige of it, however, had dis- appeared in 1805.”

Subsequently, the following account appeared in one of '' Macauly’s” letters to the De?nocrat atid Chronicle y

which dates the erection subsequent to the Revolution :

“ Having revived Fulton’s first business voyage up the Hudson, 1 will add as a suitable accompaniment a sketch of the first boat on Lake Ontario. In 1789, John Fellows, a Massachusetts Yankee, started from Schenectady for Canada on a trading expedition. He reached the present site of

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Clyde, where he built a small log cabin in which to store his goods, while he was engaged in ‘bushing out’ a sled road to Sodus bay. His boat, which he had brought with him, was hauled to the bay by an ox team, and in this he crossed to Canada and returned, having had good success. On his return he landed at Irondequoit. The boat was afterward bought by Judge Porter, who used it while cruising along the shore of the lake, being then surveying the Phelps and Gorham purchase. This boat, which was not honored with a name, is said on good authority, to have been the first white man’s craft ever launched upon that lake, which is now so abundant in its magnificent and useful shipping.”

Macauly’s authority was probably Ketchum’s history quoted in the following letter from James Reeves:

East Palmyra, June 23, 1883.

Lewis H. Clark, Esq.:

Dear Sir — Much has been said about the old Block House at Clyde, that was built east of the Clyde depot on the north side of the river.' William Ketchurn, in his “ History of Buffalo and the Six Nations,” makes the following state- ment, Ketchum’s Histor}^ vol. 2, page 194 and 5 :

“ He says the first American craft that I knew of as navi- gating Lake Ontario was a Schenectadv batteaux, fitted out for a trading expedition to Canada in 1789, by John Feller, of Sheffield, Massachusetts — its cargo mostly tobacco and tea. On arriving at the Oswego river, he ascertained that he would not be permitted to pass the British posts at Oswego — and he manifested no little ingenuity and enterprise in overcom- ing the difficulty. He took his boat up the outlet of Canan- daigua lake to what is now called Clyde,' where he built a small log house (long known as the Block House) to store his goods until he cleared out a sled road to Sodus Bay, where he transported boat and goods, and pursued his voyage, and with the aid of some secret friends disposed of his cargo to great advantage. He brought his boat back to Irondequoit creek and sold it to a man by the name of Lusk.”

Feller met Phelps at the Indian treaty, and he became a land speculator in Western New York. He went from Irondequoit direct to Canandaigua.

The history of that log hut as I heard it from the early settlers, varies but little from Ketchum’s, it was about 12 by 18, without chimney, with split logs for a floor; it was used for many years by trappers, hunter and boatmen, as a camp- ing place. I have heard its history from a dozen different pioneers. Peeled basswood logs in the woods would not have lasted from the French war. James Reeves.

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This takes awa}^ something of the romance from the old traditional story. This account dates the building of the Block House only back to 1789, the year the Stansells and Featherlys were making the first settlement of the county, at Lyons. If it was gone in 1805, it only stood fifteen or sixteen years. Yet, in this view even the Block House of Clyde, must remain an item of great interest in the early history. According to this account it belonged to that period subsequent to the Revolution, and prior to the Jav treaty, when as yet the British had not surrendered the forts at Oswego or Niagara, and when Indian alarms still ren- dered it a very wise precaution to have an actual fort for protection.

The tradition at Clyde, coming direct from John King, is very strong in favor of an older building than Ketchum’s History describes. Mr. Redneld, Mr. Snedaker and others are very positive in their recollections of the description given them by men who had seen it. Had it been so recent a structure (onl)^ five or six years old at the time of John King’s rambles), it could hardly have been handed down as so old a building. Without being able to settle the question, the author ventures to suggest that if John Fellows repaired and oecupied a log house already erected instead of binlding one, the several accounts would be virtually harmonized.

It is hardly possible for a historical writer to canvass a county in search of facts without hearing at least one story of money-digging ; and here it is for Wayne County, as told in a recent newspaper article :

“ A. S. Field and David Tuttle, of Clyde, two of the oldest pioneers of that village, relate a historical episode connected with the noted Block House of Revolutionary fame, that once graced that locality. It appears that in 1820, or thereabouts, a rumor was circulated in Clyde, then a small settlement, that before the destruction of the Block House, a large sum of money had been secreted either beneath or in close prox- imity to the building. Several of the then prominent citizens of Clyde, wishing to improve the state of their finances, resolved to dig for the hidden treasure, and selecting the midnight hour for such labor, they commenced operations. Night after night had thus passed, when in the midst of the enthusiastic prosecution of the enterprise, an ugly looking

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object appeared to them, dressed in white, and of a seeming unearthly origin. Then came an exemplification of bravery, as one of the part}" rushed up to the apparition with an uplifted axe, and exclaimed : ‘ Be ye man or devil. I’m after you!’ The ghost (if such he was) made one bound and sought safer quarters in some underbrush near by, after which time he was no more seen. Many people believed •that the whole party were more or less frightened, inasmuch as the money-digging mania ceased from that hour.”

HURON.

Roswell Green was a Revolutionary soldier, settled in Huron, and lived to the extraordinary age of one hundred and six years. He died May 30, 1862, and is buried in the Huron Cemetery.'^

Isaac Richardson, Sr., was a soldier of the Revolution. He died September 3, 1818, and is buried in the Huron Cemetery.

Buckley Johnson was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and resided in Huron with his son-in-law, Benjamin Parker. Buried in 'Huron Cemetery. f

Gad Hall is recorded on the books of Keeslar Post, as a Revolutionary soldier, and they annually decorate his grave in Huron Cemetery. We have no other record. Isaac Richardson, born in Connecticut in March, 1752; a sol- dier of the Revolution ; moved from Springfield, Mass., to Cherry Valley, Otsego county, after the war ; died in Huron, and buried in Huron Cemetery. He had a family of thirteen children, only one of whom now sur- vives, Mrs. Horace Demmon, of Huron, aged eighty years.

LYONS.

Daniel Dorsey, the early pioneer at Lyons in 1801, was from Maryland, and had held a Captain’s commission in the Maryland line during the war of the Revolution. We have no further information as to his military services. He died in 1823, at the age of sixty-five.

*In a letter to the Bemociatic Pre^s, muler date of Octdher 22, 1860, George W. Paddock, having visited Poswell Green, then living in Huron, at the age of one hnndred and four years and six months, wrote :

“When 1 expressed my surprise at tinding one so advanced in age, he said he was not so old as his grandmother was who lived to be one hnndred and twenty, and he feared he would have to sit here as long. He lives with his grandciiildren. I think that he is comfortahl}' provided for.”

f Levi Paddock, of Clyde, writes of him : “He used to have a place on the platform at Pourth-of-July celebrations, from 1840 to 1850. He was much respected b)^ his townsmen. I took lessons of him in military drill.”

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95

Benjamin Avery, born in 1758, in Connecticut, enlisted in Con- tinental army ; served in the Canada expedition iinder Montgomery ; defended the military stores of Danbur}^ ; was in action at Fort Mifflin ; wintered at Valley Forge; served three years under General Wayne ; was in the battles of Monmouth and Stony Point; was with the picked troops assigned to Gen. Lafayette ; first enlist- ment for two years; second enlistment “for the war,”- and served through ; paid off in Continental money, worth two and a sixpence to the pound ; settled in Lyons in 1824, and died in 1843.

Abraham Romeyn was a Revolutionary soldier, and is buried in Lyons Rural cemetery.

Eli Flecox was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and is buried in Lyons Rural cemeter3c

E,vcrt Van JVieh/e was ci soldier oi the Revolution. He was prominent in the early settlement of Lyons, and held various public offices.

Amos Gilbert was born in the town of Brookheld, Mass., in the year 1757. Fie was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, being stationed at West Point during the last three years of the war. He was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. After the war, at general trainings in Mont- gomery county, he used to be ordered out in front of the regiment to act as fugleman, ( Webster dehnes a fugle- man — “A soldier especially expert and well drilled, who takes his place in front of a military compan}- as an example or model to the others in their exercises.”) He moved to L^^ons, N. Y., in the 3’ear 1806. He had six sons, John, David, Solomon, Amos, Jacob and William. John, David and Solomon were members of Capt. Hull’s company, who went into the arm3^ in the war of 1812, and Solomon died while in the service near Buffalo, and was buried near the fort. Amos Gilbert resided in Lyons almost continuously from 1806 until 1831, when he re- moved to the town of Sodus, where he died and was buried in 1832. His widow survived him six or eight 3mars, and died in the town of Collins, Erie county, N. Y.

Elijah Whiting, a Revolutionar3^ soldier is buried at L3’ons South Cemetery — (Grandfather of Elijah Ennis, of Palmyra.) Was in General Washington’s arm3' in New York. Died about 1853, aged about ninety-eight.

THE FIRST SETTLERS OF WAYNE COUNTY.

We give the following extended notice of Nicholas Stan-

sell, whose narne appears in the Arcadia list :

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Nicholas Stansell was born September ii, 1755, in Spring- field, Massachusetts. In early childhood his father moved to the Mohawk valley, and there raised a large family among the stirring scenes that made the history of that section so full of interest. The powerful confederacy of Indians known as the six nations, had long controlled central New York.

■ While they were carrying their arms west and south successfully, the white man was slowly advancing from the east. The Indians irritated and stung to the last degree would often turn and fall upon the white settlements with swift and sudden vengeance. Few families were called to witness more of these terrible scenes than the Stansells. They were a large, muscular race of men, the dread of the Indians, who sought every opportunity to destroy them. On one occasion, they had kept safely within the enclosures of a fort for a long time. Harvest was drawing near. The old man said to his five sons, one day : “ Although it may be at the risk of our lives, we must try and secure our hay.” The sons obe,yed his orders and worked until near the close of the dav. Nicholas was taken ill and was the first to retire. Looking back he saw an Indian crouching along half bent, with a rifle in his hand. He immediately shouted the alarm, when all commenced to run. Instantly they received a shower of bullets, followed by a terrific whoop, and the chase began. Two brothers escaped and reached the fort. One was shot and fell dead while crossing the fence; one was captured and taken off, and Nicholas escaped by concealing himself among some high weeds. When the news reached the fort a posse of soldiers was sent to their relief. The prisoner was recaptured, but not until he had been badly mutilated by marking his ears.

Sullivan’s expedition of 1779, put an end to this state of things. The days of peace had come, but the Mohawk valley did not satisfy the ambition of Nicholas Stansell. He determined to go to the Genesee Country, as all Western New York was then called. In the spring of 1789, Nicholas Stansell and John Featherly built a boat on the Mohawk river, took their families on board, (twelve persons in all,) and started up stream. They took the usual route, as indeed

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97

there was no other possible ; up the Mohawk ; over the carrying- place to Wood’s creek, and down that stream ; through Oneida Lake and down its outlet to Three River Point; up the Seneca to the mouth of Clyde river; up the Clyde to Lyons. It was a long and difficult route, and they were often delayed by the necessity of cutting their way through log-rifts. They located themselves on the present Dunn farm, their log-house being erected on the site of the present residence. They were the pioneers — the FOUNDERS OF WAYNE COUNTY. There is no record of any settler who located earlier than they did. At lirst they had no neighbors nearer than Phelps — and not many there. In a year or so, they may have counted John Swift, of Pal- myra, a neighbor ; and in another year the Long Island Colony of East Palmyra.

In 1797, Mr. Stansell relinquished his claim to this land, moved further south and settled on what is now the Jeffer- son Sparks’ farm. There he built the first framed barn ever raised in Lyons. In 1812, he conveyed this land to Abram Clark, and moved six miles west into what afterwards became the town of Arcadia. He died December ii, 1819, greatly beloved and respected. He and his family were early identified with the Methodist church in Lyons, and his name appears at its first organization as one of the first trustees. He is buried in Newark Cemetery

His children were Betsey, born September 2, 1779 ; John, March 29, 1781 ; William, October 19, 1782 ; Nicholas, Sep- tember 26, 1784; Henry, May 15, 1786; Isaac, November 21, 1787; Mary, September 9, 1789; Samuel, December 28, 1795 ; George, February 13, 1800; and Margaret, June 6, 1803.

George, the youngest son, lived until the present year. He died February 10, 1883, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Crandall, and was buried on the 13th, his eighty-third birthday. The following is an extract from a memorandum written by himself in 1880:

“ I was born in the town of Lyons and lived there till 1811. Then my father moved to what is now called East Newark. Then we went to chopping and clearing up another farm. The first year we cleared ten acres and sowed it to wheat; the next year not quite so much. We 7

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

had to build two log-houses. It was all a wilderness then where the two villages now stand, except one house, called the Jay house. In 1814, we put up a mill-dam and a saw- mill on Avhat in those days was called Trout Run. In 1814, my oldest brother and a brother-in-law enlisted into the army for a year and Avent to Black Rock. My brother died before his time AA^as out ; the other man returned. On the first day of November, 1819, I Avas married, and on the nth of December, my father died and left me to paddle my oAvn canoe, and I paddled it forty-five years Avith my companion, and brought up a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters.”

Of the original family of brothers, William Avas a mill- Avright, and settled at LockAulle, and died there. John died in the army in 1814. Heniy and Isaac settled in Michigan. Nicholas, Jr., Avas killed by accident, Avhile skidding or hauling logs.

Mr. John Featherly, mentioned "as settling Avith Mr. Stan- sell, in later years moA^ed to Rose, and obtained a pension as already noticed.

MARION.

Obadiah Archei', (grandfather of Hon. Ornon x^rcher,"^) Avas born in Hebron, Conn., February 15, 1760; served tAvo or three years in the ReA^olutionary Avar ; married, in 1785, Elizabeth Fitch, of Lebanon, Conn., and settled in GranAulle, Washington county ; remoA^ed to Marion in 1835 ; died April 8, 1852, and is buried m the Marion Cemetery. The widow liA^ed to be exactly of the same age. She Avas four months his senior, and died four months earlier to a day.

* The author of this \-olume Avas a student at W alw’orth Academy in the fall of 1846, and during the folloAAung AAinter. A lyceum called into dehate the best talent of the Aullage and Aucinit}". The “Abolitionists” ju’essed the “ Whigs ” hard on the inconsistency of supporting the Mexican aauu’, and yet denouncing its origin. Rca". Mr. Fox, a sharp logician, denounced the “right- or-AAU'ong” theory, one night, AAith especial A-eheinence. In reply, Ornon x-Vrcher, among other things, said in a 1oa\" 3"et clear Amice that thrilled the audience :

“ I Awas taught to loAm my countr}- at the knees of a A'enerahle grandsire aa’Iio told me stories of the IleAmlution, in Avhich he aauis a soldier. The lessons then acquired linger Avdth me still, and AAdieneAmr the flag of inA" countiy is in danger, it shall eA'er IniAm my uiiAAmAmring support, no matter Iioaa' that danger arose.”

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Nathan Rundell, of Marion, now only forty-eight years of age, is a son of a Revolutionary soldier, Samuel Run- dell, of Fairfield, Conn., who died in Columbia in 1850, aged eighty-four. Nathan Rundell is probably the youngest man now living in the county who can claim to be the son of a Revolutionary soldier.

MACEDON.

Benjamin Smith was a Revolutionary soldier ; came from New Jersey and resided in Macedon several years. He removed to Michigan about 1835, died at the great age of one hundred and foiirteen years.

From the Wayne Sentinel.

Died in Macedon, March 24, 1837, Paul Sheffield, aged

seventy-five years, a Revolutionary soldier, formerly of

Groton, Conn.

ONTARIO.

John Mack was an early settler in Ontario, grandfather of J. B. Mack. He served in the war of the Revolution. He came to Ontario from Cayuga county. He died June 14, 1852, at the age of ninety-six years, and was buried in Ontario Cemetery. He was a native of Wawarsing, Ulster county, and removed to Cayuga county about 1790; afterwards, in 1824, to Ontario, and resided with his son, Benjamin Mack, on the farm now occupied by J. B. Mack.

William Huston was born in Sterling, Connecticut, Decem- ber 29, 1756. He joined the Continental army, Decem- ber 29, 1776, before Boston, and served nine months, for which in his old age he drew a pension of $96 a year. He also belonged to the State militia for three years. His wife was Elizabeth Campbell, of Sterling, with whom he lived nearly seventy years. In 1828, he settled in Ontario, a mile and a half south of Lake Side. He moved to Henrietta, Monroe county, in 1832, and died November ii, 1849, ^iged ninety-two. His wife died sixteen months later, aged ninety-four.

Willard Church, (already mentioned,) was about seventy years of age at the time of his death. He was buried in the Willard Davis cemetery. When captured, as elsewhere related, and required to pilot the British fleet to Pultneyville, it is related that he was very resolute and spunky. He told the British officers that we were building a gun-boat at Sackett’s Harbor, that would knock the British vessels into splinters. When set shore and ordered not to fight against the British, he told them “ he would fight as soon as he could get a gun.”

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MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

PALMYRA.

Lemuel Spear, Sr., was a Revolutionary soldier from Cum- ming-ton, Mass. With his family he reached Palmyra, in February, 1790, and settled a mile above Palmyra village, where he had bought land of Isaac Hathaway, at twenty cents an acre.

In Palmyra cemetery are the following inscriptions :

“ In miCmory of Amos Miner, died November ii, 1836, aged 84 years. He was a brave soldier of the Revolution. He was at the Battle of Bunker Hill, also at the surrender of Burgoyne. He was always at his post, and was one of those brave souls that could not be conquered.”

“William Jackwa}^ died July 28, 1848, in his 90th year.. Nancy, his wife, died July ii, 1849, ^ist year. They

participated in Revolutionary scenes and trials.”

“ In memory of Capt. John Hurlburt, born in Groton, Conn., Feb. 21, 1760, died Jan. 10, 1815. He was a patriot of 1776, and was engaged at Trenton and Princeton.”

From the Wayne Sentinel.

“ In this village yesterday morning (July 21, 1831,) died the venerable Peleg Holmes, an early settler in this vicinity aged seventy-six years. Mr. Holmes was a volunteer in the Revolutionary struggle.”

“ Died at Palmyra village Aug. i, 1832, Mr. Noadiah Hub- bard, a Revolutionary pensioner, aged eighty-two.”

In the list prepared for the annual use of Garfield Post G. A. R. in the ceremonies of decoration there are given the following additional names as those of Revolutionary soldiers: Moses Powers, John Lillie.

Lemuel was born at Tiverton, R. L, April 18, 1759.

He was the second of a family of twelve children, of whom ten settled near Palmyra. He served three years in the Revolutionary War, after which he settled in Cambridge, Washington county, from which place he removed to the vicinity of Palmyra, in 1798, and located on a farm about two miles north of Palmyra village, where he continued to reside until his death, August 8, 1829. He was buried in the family burial place on the farm now owned by his grandson Henry R. Durfee. He had a family of eleven children, of whom one. Par- don Durfee, was a captain in the War of 1812.

Jeremiah Perry, of East Palmyra was a Revolutionary soldier and is buried in the cemetery at East Palmyra.

MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

lOI

From the Palmyra Whig.

At the residence of his son in this village on Saturday, Dec. I, 1838, Deacon Samuel Handy, aged eighty-two years. He was a soldier of the Revolution, having enlisted for the war ; at the close of which and after having served his country faithfully seven years he was discharged.

From the Wayne Se^itinel.

Died at his residence in Manchester, Ontario county, on the 17th of January, 1842, Benjamin Throop, Esq., in the eighty-eighth year of his age. He was born in Lebanon, Ct., where he was married in the month of May preceding the declaration of independence, to Rachel Brown. He subse- quently took part in the Revolutionary struggle.

From the Wayne Sentinel.

Died in this town Feb. 8, 1842, Shevah Houghton, a Revo- lutionary pensioner, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.

From