Official Publication of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association April 1989 THE QUARTERLY Official Publication of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association

VOLUME XXXIV APRIL 1989 NO. 2

CONTENTS

ClemmShaw 4 Old-Time Sugaring Commentary by Albert G. Clover

Virginia Duffy 5 The Everett Farm, Lawrence, NY McLoughlin Family and Farm 1826-1890

Jean A. Young, 17 "Dear Brother": Civil War Letters of Norfolk Brothers - Part I1 editor

Garrett Cook, SLCHA Annual Report director

Cover: Matthew Wallace Sugar Bush near Langdon Corners. (Photograph courtesy of Herbert Judd)

This publication is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Co-editors: George F. McFarland ISSN 0558-1931 Marvin L. Edwards Copyright St. Lawrence County Historical Association 1989 Advertising Editor: Ruth McKean

Contributions: The Qu~rterlywelcomes contributions in the form of manuscripts, drawings. and photo- The Quarterly is published in January, April, July graphs. If documentation is necessary, we request and October each year by the St. Lawrence County that it conform to The MLA Style Manual. A summary Historical Association. of the MLA format is available from the editor; Extra copies may be obtained from the St. Law- manuscripts which do not conform to the MLA format rence County Historical Association, P.O. Box 8, may be revised. Address all editorial communications Canton, N.Y. 13617, at $3.00 each plus 754 postage to Editor, The Quarterly, St. Lawrence County and handling. Historical Association, P.O. Box 8, Canton, NY 13617. April 1989 3

Old Time Sugaring While collecting poetrg written on or about the American side of the St. Lawrence river valley, I've found several subjects that recur from generation to generation. One of these subjects is sugaring. As part of the larger story of man's confrontation with nature, sugaring offers an attractive, specific enterprise that easily captures a poet's imagination. After all, to gather sweetness from the sap of trees suggests a great deal about the relation between man and nature. That this annual harvest marks the advent of spring in a harsh climate only further amplifies the sort of connections which poets thrive upon. An instance of such a poem is "The Sugaring Time" by Rev. Clemons Shaw, a Baptist minister and poet born in Hemncm, NY in 1851. Rev. Shaw lived at Oswegatchie for fifty years and authored two books of poetry, Poetical Portraits (1903) and Our Own Northland (1905), both of which were privately printed at Hunger- ford Holbrook in Watertown and now listed in the second edition of Glyndon Cole's Historical Materials Relating to Northern New York. Many of Shaw's poems reflect his religious vocation; sm,however, sing of the land and the people who have come to tend it. These more secular poems (Shaw is never far from a tran- scendental message) are especially interesting in their historical dimension. In Sugaring Time This is a stormy time of year, Using an axe to gash the trees, And yet the skies are often clear, As long and deep as it might please, And mountains crowned with purple haze And when the sap came spurting out, Give evidence of sunny days. Conduct to trough by wooden spout. The winter's lumbering is o'er, The bus thus tapped, a pole was swung. Logs drawn to mill yard or on shore, And to butt end a kettle hung, Beside the river, where they lie A potash kettle, or, you see, Until the great drive passes by. A caldron it might sometimes be. The farmers near the wilderness Three back logs to the kettle rolled, Make preparation more or less The lighter wood and brands would hold, Between the winter and the spring And such a fire, and such a smoke For three or four weeks sugaring. Today would seem a passing joke. A dainty grove of maple trees To keep the sap in proper bound Is what the traveler often sees, A little slice of pork was found, And, if it be in sugar time, Held near the surface by a stick, The wayside fence will quickly climb, The grease from which would stop it quick. And strike a bee-line for the camp To make a storage for the sap Where steam is rising sweet and damp, They used no flimsy tub or vat, To ask the owner would he care But simply felled a giant tree If he ate some warm sugar there. As near as would convenient be. Of course the toothsome dish is free, Then dug a trough some twelve feet long. If any there may chance to be, Which proved commodious and strong, If now he doffs his hat or cap To store the sap from spring to spring, And takes a generous drink of sap. A handy if not handsome thing. Between the sugaring of today, To gather in the liquid sweet With fine equipment every way, A yoke was hewed from sapling neat, And the poor, clumsy, ancient ways And to the shoulder made to fit, In use in our grandfather's days, So that a man could carry it. There is a chasm wide and deep Two buckets each with wooden bale In which the past has gone to sleep; Attached by hooks, they took the trail, Never to stir or moan or wake And quickly passed from tree to tree Ti1 Gabriel's trump the dream shall break. Returning laden like a bee. Our fathers knew no better way Who brings from far its precious store, Of making sugar in their day Deposits, and goes back for more; Than to go in as others had, Hard work it was but none complained, Each boy to imitate his dad. Not even when it snowed or rained. The same old way from year to year, Their covering was the arching sky, No matter if it cost them dear; Their couch the boughs which grew near by, Think of the sugar maker now, Yet here they toiled the old and young, Mopping the sweat from heated brow. While merrily the kettle sung. Felling the trees the troughs to make, The chipmunks courteously drew near, Enough one's very heart to break, The sights, and sounds, to see, and hear, To think of the enormous tax And steal some crumbs from dinner pails. Of making buckets with an axe. Then scamper while their bushy tails 48 4 April 1989

Waved back defiance to the men, The kettle long since 'neath the ban, Who kindly said, please call again, There sits on arch of brick a pan, Though you may pilfer like a scamp, Maybe of large or smaller size, You're very welcome to the camp. It must be fully galvanized, At night the bright fires here and there And so constructed as to let Lit up the woods with fitful glare. The sap flow in to keep it wet; While hoot owls, frightened by the light, And while it simmers, sweet and prime, Sought safety in immediate flight, They draw the syrup any time. Uttering the while their thrilling cry No storing now in wooden trough, And, while the listeners wonder'd why, The sooner they can get it off The owls not knowing what to do, The whiter will the sugar be, Kept on enquiring who? who? who? And bring a higher price, you see. Sometimes to camp, when all were gone, The buckets are not hewn from wood, An old black bear would chance to come, But made of tin, tall, strong and good, Investigate to suit his mind, Covered to keep out storm and dirt Eat up whatever he could find; For fear it might the contents hurt. Knock over dishes here and there, The spouts are cast in iron mould, Behave himself just like a bear, Short, covered spouts, as good as gold; And, finding discipline too lax, Made with a patent turn up snout, Leave for their good a lot of tracks. They hand the bucket on the spout. But these dear days have passed away, Of course they make more sugar now, And things are not the same today; And make it better, I'll allow, 'Tis well of course they should not be, And make it easier too, but then But they were very dear to me. The old way, gone beyond our ken, And, when I think of modern ways, Is full of memories precious now, I sometimes wonder if it pays; That silver locks enwreath the brow, Those pioneers would think it strange They point us back to youth and prime, Could they come back and see the change. And childhood joys of sugaring time. There is much remarkable about this poem written in the familiar manw of the 'preside poets" (Long- fellow, Whittier, Holmes and others) who became popular during the last half of the 19th century. If at first reading it lacks the studied regularity of Shaw's Cambridge elders, with time we feel the appropriateness of the rural cadences and primitive rhymes, mannerisms belied by the British spelling of "mould" (1. 133) for instance, or the daring use of a modern word "galvanized"(1.120) when the opportunity presents itself. Even more cunning than the poem's style is the way in which Shaw makes from the apparent value of progress a moral suggestion about man's position in his new world. This moral value is measured by compar- ing the attributes of old ways with new. At line 21 we find the traveler freely given sugar on request ("of course'? by the owner; if the sugar is not at hand, the owner provides a "generous drink of sap." In contrast, the modem way of making sugar insures a "whiter," more abundant harvest, but the motive is "a higher price." While "the grandfathers" made what they needed ("To think of enormous tax / Of making buckets with an axe.'? modern men buy the new tin buckets that are "Covered to keep out stmand dirt" and even come e- quipped with "a patent turn up snout" to make life easier. Yet even with such conveniences, we see '%hesugar maker now, / Mopping the sweat from heated brow" as he works to produce more each year to meet his costs. In fact, this theme of moral decline in material prosperity is declared early in the poem when Shaw points out that "Between the sugaring of today, / With fine equipment every way, / And the poor, clumsy, ancient ways / In use in our grandfather's days / There is a chasm wide and deep. . . ." This "chasm" (which will remain until "Gatvriel's trump" announces the end of this world) separates us from our ancestors. It is not difficult, however, to feel how much the poet prefers the old ways to the new. Then men were close to the natural world, moving like bees (one of the most marvelous images in the poem) to bring the sap to the storage trough on their yoked shoulders. Wild animals visited the nighttime fires and were welcomed in various ways. For such a time was the "youth" and "prime" of the world; now we have gone forward and such innocence is gone forever. Beyond the subtlety of style and the deep meanings concealed in common language which have always characterized bucolic poetry, Shaw's "In Sugaring Time" contains a wealth of detail about making sugar in the old days. Most memorable is the pieces of pork fat skewered on a stick and placed above the kettle to keep the sap from boiling over, an occurrence altogether probable for the amateur sugar maker at any time. Equully interesting are the methods used for gathering and storing the sap, for building the fire, for "gashing"the trees and collecting their bounty with wooden spouts. The authenticity of these stanzas provides for the poem an historical dimension which insures our interest and upon which the poet can construct his troubling meaning. Not quite 'yolk art" nor "high literature," this poem of Shaw's strikes a balance between the two which I find common to the best poetry from our region. Albert Glover April 1989 5

Regis waters right below our car. The Everett Farm, Lawrence, NY From there we'd follow the narrow Macadam Road straight north 3 miles Family and Farm 1826-1890 to the Everett Farm. The white farmhouse with dark by Virginia Duffy McLoughlin green shutters and twinkling old-glass windows would always be waiting, un- changed. We'd step out onto the cool, shady grass under the sugar maples and carry our bundles across the front yard and up the sandstone steps to the piazza. We'd wait while Uncle George turned the old lock and pressed with his shoulder and knee to loosen the sticky door that was opened far too seldom. A rush of cold, damp air would come into our faces, and then, with some reverence, we would step into the house that was "just the way it's always been." With a quick glance around the big kitchen-dining room to reassure himself that all was well, Uncle George would hurry around the dining table to the south door and open it wide to let the sun shine in. My The original small rcd fn rmlzouse, home of George W. ard Ahigccil Euerett, grandmother would start for the pan- built 1829. (Photo c. 1987. Photograph courtesy of V. D. McLoughlin) try, and the business of the day would begin. She'd take the home-made The St. Lawrence County farm which and the farm became a place of cher- apron off the hood behind the pantry used to be in my family is no longer ished memories. door and ease the neckloop, made of operative, although the two houses and While I was growing up, my grand- bias-binding, over her grey hair some of the barns are still standing. mother and her two brothers, Fred and pinned back in a bun. "Where are those My interest has been to discover and George, lived in city places, but in the potatoes we bought? Let's get them preserve documentation of this Law- summertime each had a camp at Lake peeled first." There was an eagerness, rence, N.Y., farm while it was still Ozonia, and once a week there'd be a like going for a picnic, as she rum- viable and in the possession of the pilgramage to the Everett Farm, about maged around the old familiar pots Everett family, from the time the land 14 miles away. Uncle George kept a and pans. was first cleared in 1826 until the farm small vegetable garden there; it was an After building a fire in the wood was sold in 1960. Of all places on earth, anchor, he said. We'd bounce over the cook-stove, the uncles would go out to none was so loved by my grandmother gravelly road from the Lake to Hopkin- the milkhouse (which by now was a and her siblings as this farm where ton and stop at Jay Chittenden's store general storage place) and do their own they had been born, the oldest in 1854 to leave an extra order of groceries for rummaging. Uncle Fred would find and the youngest in 1875. While I was his son Clark to deliver to the lake in some paint and look around for some growing up in the 1930's, I absorbed so his made-over hearse. (Two Clark's worthy object to put it on. Uncle much of their nostalgia that my secret were equated in my mind: Clark Gable George would head for the vegetable romantic ambition was to become a St. and Clark Chittenden; both were hand- garden out by the cowbarn. Sometimes Lawrence County farmer's wife and some.) While my grandmother talked I'd help with the weeding in the rows live as near to the nineteenth century with Mr. Chittenden about food, we'd of carrots and beets; I liked doing any- as possible. In those days, to my mind, be fascinated by the other room of the thing with Uncle George. In a little the corn was always high. Apples were store, which was filled with a variety while when dinner was almost ready, always red on the trees, and steam was worthy of a city department store but my grandmother would pull the rope to always billowing from the sugarhouse. including also items not so familar to ring the bell on the roof, and we'd all The wide expanse of fields waved soft the city-dweller, like galluses and high- come in to wash up in the s~lmmer and yellow; a few tall elms stood eter- cuts and heavy lumberjack shirts, gal- kitchen with grey Lava cake-soap and nal sentry at their boundaries. And vanized-iron washtubs and Fels Naptha a basin of rain water pumped from the seen to the north from every rise in the soap. cistern. More than once I forgot that land along the country roads, ever Soon we'd hop back into the car and this was a dry sink and that the basin present in the deepening blue of the turn toward Fort Jackson. We'd roller- must be emptied into a separate drain distance stretched the silvery ribbon of coaster down the hill and across the near by. After dinner I'd go down to the big river, the great St. Lawrence. brook and up again. But as we turned the tenant-farmer's house to see Betty Of course, as McGowan and Zdunc- the corner by the cemetery, Uncle Fred Haskell; we'd go up in the haymow and zyk point out in their Quarterly article would silently remove his old fedora watch the excitement while her father introducing the Farmstead Survey, hat and hold it to his heart as we and two older brothers unloaded the farming is and probably always was a passed the graves of his parents, hay wagon. The fork with a big load of "far riskier and more disorderly busi- Martha and Luther Everett. Then, hay clamped in its jaws would come ness" than tidy nineteenth century after stopping at Fort Jackson for swinging and clanking down the track engravings - or photographs or the groceries and a pleasant chat with Roy and drop its load beside us (until her dreamer's eye - would have it.' And so Knapp at his IGA store, we'd travel father yelled at us to get back against it was with the Everett Farm. But "old across the iron bridge, poking our the side wall where it was safer). There I times" have a way of boiling down like heads out the windows to look down were always cats and kittens to play I maple sap, sweeter from stage to stage, through the metal grid to the swift St. with, and the Haskell's had a sheep dog l April 1989 to help round up the cows. rianism, the two-seater outhouse had the nephew of the Emperor of Japan, If we were staying overnight, we'd been christened by a young niece, "The was one of George Everett's students have a supper of bread and milk and Everett Conversation Parlor." at the Lawrenceville School for Boys cheese. (Do people still eat this? or On cold days the kitchen was the in Princeton, New Jersey, where should I explain. You break the bread place to be, with its large old wood George Everett taught English and into pieces in a bowl, crumble plenty stove. In the parlor an ornate wood Elocution from 1902 to 1904. When of well-aged St. Lawrence County heating-stove helped out. The pipes Christmas vacation came along, Aka- cheddar on top, and pour milk over it.) from the stoves ran up exposed through hoshi was too far away from home to After supper I'd go out sometimes and the bedrooms above, providing some return to Tokyo; so George Everett discuss the ways of the world with the heat there; but mainly, at nighttime, invited him to spend the holidays at Haskell boys, who were about my age. one depended on home-made wool or the Everett Farm. "Ak" quickly be- I envied them because they could quit down quilts and also whenever possi- came a favorite of the whole family and school after eighth grade. They said ble, within propriety, a bedmate. (One joined in all the festivities. One can the thought of school made them time in March, 1885, when Mrs. Martha only wish for his description to his "puke;" I would have wholeheartedly Everett was visiting her oldest married parents in Tokyo of how he helped chop agreed had I known the meaning of daughter in Mooers Forks, she sent in- down a hemlock, drag it over snowy that Shakespearean word. At dark I structions to the family at home con- fields, nail boards across the base of would come in and join the family in cerning the frail health of her husband its trunk to set it up between the front the den -just in time for popcorn. Some- Luther: "Be sure Father's room is windows in the den and decorate its times at this hour my grandmother, warm and [have] Fred [their young branches with glass balls, wax candles, who always claimed she had a weak son] sleep with him.") The bedroom and strings of popcorn. In Lawrence, stomach, would add to her bedtime re- floors were completely carpeted with a N.Y., 1903, Oriental people were not a past a cucumber fresh out of the rush matting, which had a figure in common sight, and at least one neigh- garden. She'd cut slices not quite color stamped alternately every 3 or 4 bor along Merchant Street was un- through, accordian style, and then feet; small wool carpets were placed shakably convinced that Akahoshi was douce it with vinegar and salt. She here and there on top of that. surely just hiding the fact that he was never suffered a bit of trouble, because In the sitting room of the farmhouse an Indian from the St. Regis Reserva- everything was all right if it was at was a "square" piano, inlaid with tion. the farm. mother-of-pearl, where my grand- The accompanying turn-of-the-cen- This was the home my grandmother's mother, Elizabeth Everett Duffy, even tury photograph of the couch was father had built in 1853 for himself at 92, played some of favorite songs, labelled "A cozy corner of the den." and his bride to start their new life such as "Juanita" or "Believe me if all With a fire in the fireplace and a bowl together. The layout of the rooms was those endearing young charms" or of warm popcorn, this was the place to pleasant and generous: a sitting room, "Must I reveal exactly as I feel, Must read poems and stories from the Pots- den, two bedrooms, a kitchen-dining I confess that I love you." Her playing dam Courier and Freeman or the eager- area, pantry, summer-kitchen, wood- was always spirited, never deadly aca- ly awaited latest issue of the Youth's shed, and indoor outhouse. There was demic. On the wall over the piano, Companion. Cornell banners and pil- also a separate outhouse. On the second between photographic portraits of her lows (many of them embroidered by floor were three bedrooms, long walk- parents, Luther and Martha Everett, is various of Fred Everett's girlsfriends) in closets under the eaves, and a large the popular 1866 engraving of "Authors adorned the den. The two boys were in storage area over the woodshed. In the of the United States," identified by a the Class of 1899. A typical evening in peak of the roof was an attic which number discreetly pasted onto each the den was described by Ella Everett could be reached only by putting a figure corresponding with a numbered Finnimore in a letter to her sister in ladder up to a framed square opening list of names below. An important aca- the 1910's: "After supper, there was a in the ceiling of one of the bedrooms. demic accomplishment in the nine- roaring fire in the fireplace, then The board which closed this opening teenth century was the ability to name music on the banjo and guitar, jokes was greatly enhanced by a painted the famous American literary and ora- and reminiscences until bed time. We scene of swallows skimming across torical figures. The game of "Authors" gave utterance to several heartfelt blue sky and white puffy clouds, prob- was a favorite at the Everett Farm. wishes that all the rest were here . . . ." ably done by my grandmother's sister But lasting fame was not in the cards; Those same heartfelt wishes grew Emma, who became a professional the set featured historians, journalists, more poignant later on, in the days artist. story-writers, biographers, humorists, that I remember. The stories told This entire farmhouse was wired for and poets popular to the nineteenth would begin, "Remember when . . ." electric lights in late 1936, but other- century, many of whom have now gone and often end with misty eyes, for after wise, even into the 1950's, life there out of vogue and are seldom heard of. 1937 my grandmother, and her two was pretty much like "the old days." On the other hand, there were no cards brothers were the only ones left of their There was never any electric stove nor for Walt Whitman and Herman Mel- childhood family, and these pleasant running water nor central heating. ville. evenings were but a taste of the busy, Vegetables and fruits were stored in a In the den the stone fireplace was teeming life of the farmhouse in the wooden, screened cabinet in the flag- built in 1903 diagonally across a corner. nineteenth century. They had been in a stoned cellar. Children walked down From indications in family letters I family of seven children, with grand- the cellar stairs warily, for right beside deduce that the fireplace was con- parents living across the street and the staircase was the huge, deep cis- structed by my Uncle George, who many cousins growing up with them tern of rainwater, from which water knew and enjoyed the craft. Displayed near by. was hand-pumped at the pantry and at across the mantel was the old rifle the summer-kitchen. A well for drink- carried by an ancestor in the Revolu- 11. ing water (no longer used by the 1930's) tion. Several of the stones in the face This Everett family came to settle on was outside the summer-kitchen door. of the fireplace were etched with the Merchant Street in the Township of Chamber sets and washstands were in initials of friends or relatives, the most Lawrence through a migration typical each bedroom. And in the days which unusual of which was a vertical column of many of the early residents of St. we tend to equate with prudish Victo- of Japanese letters. Tetsuma Akahoshi, Lawrence County. Richard and Mary April 1989

Everett sailed from England to Amer- known as the Quaker Union, the first by Cedar Swamps. These Swamps ica in 1634 and settled in Dedham, white settlement in what is now the are pretty extensive and are very Massachusetts. By mid-eighteenth town of Peru, N.Y.5 The Quaker meet- bad. The Land[s] between these century a branch of the family, Capt. inghouse, first built in 1799, served the swamps are in general Excellent Edward and Rachel Everett, with entire community, although not all of and very Level. their children, migrated northward to the families became Quakers.= As to the other parts of the Rumney, New Hampshire; and in 1786 George W. Everett, growing up in Town - it is of first Quality Land this same family crossed Vermont and the Quaker Union, might have first and may be called such without Lake Champlain to settle in the Platts- heard about the town of Lawrence, exaggeration - say 3/, of this Town burgh area, that part now known as N.Y., from first-hand accounts of other is first Quality Land and the Peru, N.Y. It is their grandson George Quakers. Historian Franklin B. Hough other fourth is Cedar Swamp. W. Everett and his wife Abigail John- reported that in 1808 "a Quaker from Some Considerable pine on the son who settled in St. Lawrence County Peru" had held meetings in Lawrence;7 North part which may be valu- after their marriage in 1827.2 and in Brasher, just north of present- able as there is plenty of mill . The early New England generations day Lawrence, a company of Quakers seats of the very Best kind on of the family, in addition to their occu- had purchased a tract of land in hopes the St. Regis and its Branches.13 pation as farmers, served their towns of founding a colony of that faith "sev- There is an Excellent meadow and their Congregational churches in eral years previous to 1824," according on the East Line of this Town various capacities, and they served to the History of St. Lawrence County which will afford many Tons of their fledgling country as soldiers. In published by L. H. Everts & Co.8 Even good Hay. King William's War (1689-97) Capt. though this project was abandoned be- Although George W. Everett and his John Everett commanded a company cause too few Quakers settled there, a wife Abigail Johnson, whom he mar- stationed in New Hampshire and Maine section of Brasher along the Deer ried in 1827, are considered early to protect inhabitants from Indians. In River is still known locally today as settlers of the township of Lawrence, the next generation John's son and the "Quaker Settlement," and in the they were actually part of a second namesake became the first deacon of township of Lawrence there remains a wave of pioneers. In 1807 the first the Second Congregational Church of "Peru Road." In addition to the travels families had started to come, mostly Dedham, when the south part of Ded- of these few Quakers, George W. from New Hampshire and Vermont; ham forced a Second Parish in 1730. In Everett of course knew of the influx of but because of fears generated by the the Revolution, 12-year-old George northern New Englanders and fellow War of 1812 the flow was suddenly Everett served as drummer-boy in a New York State residents, ever push- reversed, and the area became almost regiment of New Hampshire Rangers ing the frontier to the westward. At the deserted. Historian Franklin B. Hough commanded by his father Capt. Ed- turn of the century the only road from questioned some of the early residents ward Everett. The Captain was taken the eastern into the western area of of Lawrence and reported that all but prisoner on May 19,1776, at the Cedars, northern New York had gone from five families were said to have left, a point of land in the St. Lawrence Plattsburgh through Chateaugay only as and most of them never returned.14 River about 35 miles above Montreal. far as Malone? but in 1810 a private Following the unusually cold year of Whether his son George was impri- corporation, which consisted of the 1816,15suffered by all of Northern New soned also is unknown. Later on, principal landowners, cut a road York, the second wave of new settlers George re-enlisted for three years' through the primeval forest from began to come into the area. Hough regular military service in the war, Malone to Carthage, thus forming the singles out 1827-'28 as the date when 1777 to 1780. George's seventh child "St. Lawrence Turnpike," which ran Lawrenceville, the central village of and namesake became the St. Law- through the southern end of what is the township, really "began to grow,"l6 rence County pioneer. now Lawrence (Nicholville) and through and the Everetts were part of that While this New England back- Hopkinton.10 George W. Everett had a growth, completing the first land pur- ground was typical of the early settlers choice in 1826 between taking this chase on June 6, 1828. Everett must of St. Lawrence County, part of George road, which avoided the mountains, or have arrived at the property earlier, W. Everett's family history was un- taking a near-by shorter trail which as several twentieth-century newspa- usual; he was brought up in the Quaker was probably well worn by this time, per accounts, using facts obtained from faith. His grandparents had turned running from Port Kent through the the family, consistently imply that the from their traditional New England mountains by way of Loon Lake and property had been in the family's poss- Congregationalism shortly after Ameri- Duane and connecting with the St. ession since 1826. Probably Everett can Revolution. Perhaps this family's Lawrence Turnpike at present-day had a contractual arrangement such long exposure to war, a double expo- Nicholville. In the spring of 1827 the as described by John L. Heaton for sure while both father and son fought State formally laid out this "Hopkinton his family's farm in Canton, whereby in the Revolution, influenced them to and Port Kent Turnpike."ll the purchaser settled and made im- choose this non-violent religion. An- To help in their choice of destination, provements on the land while paying other strong factor was that many prospective settlers of Northern New for it in installments, receiving his Quakers came to settle in the same York could read the topographical re- deed only after the purchase price had location south of Plattsburgh where the marks on the early surveys which told been paid in full.17 Everett's had settled in 1786, Capt. what kind of farming land each town Everett's first land purchase was the Edward Everett being a surveyor for contained. Town No. 16 (which became plot on which his house still remains Zephaniah Platt. At that time the only Lawrence) was given an encouraging in Lawrence. At $4 an acre he bought neighbors had been "a lodge of Indians, review in a 1799/1800 "Survey of Sixty 36 and 621100 acres for a total of who were friendly,"s and Capt. Everett's Townships being part of the Tract of $146.48 on the west side of Road No. log house was the first to be built in Macombs Purchase:"l2 One, in Town No. 16, at first called the area; but within a few years other This I shall call an Excellent Chesterfield from 1805 to 1828.18 This white settlers began to arrive.4 This Town. There is no bad Land on town of nearly 30,000 acres19 was section of rolling hills with a view of any part of this Town that I have formed by an act of the New York the Adirondacks to the west and the seen except on the North part Legislature passed April 21, 1828, to Green Mountains to the east became which is represented on the Map take effect on the first Monday of the April 1989 following March. The town was taken to be cut into boards for building his back of the wing; it was entered from from land formerly in the towns of house and barns.26 By this time there the inside.29 Brasher to the north and Hopkinton to were sawvills utilizing the water In this home George W. and Abigail the south. The title to the land (which power of the Deer River at Lawrence- Everett raised their three sons, Luther had been surrendered to New York ville and of the East Branch of the (b. 1828), George (b. 1834),3O and Fred- State by the Mohawks in a treaty dated St. Regis River at Fort Jackson. erick (b. 1839). (A son born in 1832 March 29, 1795) had been part of the According to agricultural historian died in infancy.) "Road No. One" in original Alexander Macomb Purchase. Van Wagenen, the first crop grown on front of the house became known as By January 1, 1801, title was with the early upper New York State farms Merchant Street some time between Richard Harrison, Alexander Hamil- (which had inherited New England Everett's deeds of 1835 and 1841. Sev- ton's law ~artner.2~From his all unsold traditions) was largely of corn. It could eral families named Merchant were portions were bought February 17, be planted wherever there was room early neighbors. 1820, by William Lawrence, a wealthy among the stumps and roots. The vir- George W. Everett, and later his son New York City merchant who wanted gin soil was practically weed-free, and Luther who carried on the farm, in- something of interest to occupy his the accumulated leafmold and the creased the acreage of land, purchase years of retirement from international minerals in the ashes from the burned by purchase, until the original 36-acre trade.21 Mr. Lawrence lived only a few trees provided fertilizer for the first plot had expanded into a 400-acre farm years after his purchase, but he spent few years of farming.27 Everett prob- by 1881. This would have been con- part of the three years previous to his ably owned one or two oxen, a horse, sidered a large-sized farm in St. Law- death on his new property, and the a cow and some chickens. rence County. (In a sample of 125 St. town was later named for him in 1829. Everett must have built a temporary Lawrence County farms, the average After William Lawrence's death in log shanty at first, as did many of the acreage in 1894 was 251 acres.)31 Al- 1824, his son D. (Dimmick) Lynch Law- early settlers. A local newspaper ac- though Everett built one small barn rence inherited the land. Three villages count dated in the 1930's states that directly behind his house, he placed today make up the township: Nichol- George and Abigail's first child was all his other barns across the road, ville, in the southern portion (named born (November, 1828) in a house "no making this a split farmstead. Eventu- after E. S. Nichols, executor of the longer standing." However, by the ally, the Everett Farm contained a estate of William Lawrence);= Law- following spring, 1829, George and "veritable small village of buildings," renceville, in the central area; and Abigail Everett had probably started as a local newspaper described it.32 North Lawrence, in the north. to build the small frame house which These included a large hay barn, cow George W. Everett undoubtedly at- was to remain their lifelong home and barn, horse barn, hog house, barn for tended the first town meeting, which which still stands on the west side of young stock and sheep, granary, milk- was held Tuesday, March 3, 1829, at Merchant Street. Family tradition has house, chicken house, and goose house. 10:OO A.M. at the home of Carlton Mc- always maintained that it be painted Most of the barns were constructed of Ewen, who was then elected the first red, with white trim. This simple. wide vertical boards placed edge to Supervisor.23 McEwen's farm was on classic cottage ("the most common edge, but the horse barn was singled the next road east of Everett's farm house form in St. Lawrence County to out for special care, being finished off (now known as McEwen Road) and was this dayW)28is of one and a half stories, with narrow horizontal clapboards, on land where the first white man had with lean-to floorplan and gable-end similar to the home. The horse barn lived in the town; a Mr. Brewer, sub- chimneys. The exterior is finished with was painted white with dark green agent for the proprietor Richard Harri- narrow clapboards nailed horizontally trim. Near a well the two-storey milk- son, had built a shanty there in the over wide vertical flat boards. The house was of vertical board-and-batten summer of 1801 and stayed a year, front of the house has a center door, construction, supported at its four showing land to prospective settlers.24 with two windows on each side. This corners by stacked slabs of flat sand- The area where George W. Everett door opens into a kitchen-dining area, stone. In the sugarwoods, at the far made his land purchase was marked the main room of the house. To the southeastern corner of the property, "good" and "very good" on an 1820 south is a small parlor, and at the rear Everett built a sugarhouse; his son survey of the town made by Sewall of the house are two bedrooms, a George hollowed out a huge white pine Raym~nd.~~A small brook ran through pantry, and the stairway to the second log for storing the maple sap. They the southwestern corner of Everett's floor; the treads are so extremely nar- used open cedar buckets and rigged plot. A slight hill gradually rose to the row that a person of modern-day up a winch and tackle for lifting off south of his purchase, but in all other proportions has to turn his or her foot the square sugar pan. For overnight directions the land lay fairly flat. The sideways a complete 90° in order to stays at the sugarhouse, a bunk was earth was fertile, being part of the St. navigate them. Even with a right-angle equipped with large hoops over which Lawrence River valley alluvial plain. turn in the staircase, the steps had to blankets were draped; it was like a The first task of the early settlers of rise quickly so that they ended under cozy covered wagon, drawn up close to Lawrence was to clear their land of the the peak of the roof, the only space the warmth of the fire in the arch. On dense forests of pine, cedar, maple, on the second floor where one could the farm was also a beechnut woods; beech, elm, and various other trees. stand up straight and not hit the ceil- and Everett planted apple trees, prob- The most essential tool of the settlers ing. The second floor is divided into ably of the old varieties which became was the ax. If Everett followed the two rooms by a center partition run- family favorites, like Tolman Sweet, customarily preferred method of New ning east-west. In the end gables are Northern Spy, Transparent, Honey York State farmers as explained in two standard-sized windows, flanked Sweet, and the Snow apple. At the Jared Van Wagenen's The Age of Hcnne- by small square windows, each tucked eastern end of the pastureland the cows spun, he left his cut trees with the in under the sloping roof. The cellar could get water at a western branch leaves on until fall, when he burned of this house is laid with flagstones. of Allens Brook. them. He may have made potash from A wing containing a summer kitchen Details regarding animals, crops, the hardwood ashes, one of the few and a woodshed projects northward and production on the Everett Farm cash-producing farm commodities at from the northwest corner of the house. in its early years appear in statistics this time. Some oak or pine would have At first there was a separate outhouse, gathered in Lawrence for the 1845 been saved out to take to the sawyer but later an outhouse was built at the New York State Cen~us.3~This was the April 1989

earliest census to provide statistics on agricultural crops and production in the State and is the only one of these comparatively detailed New York State nineteenth century censuses which is still extant for the town of Lawrence. Fire destroyed the later ones. The year 1845 is in the middle of a decade which Van Wagenen calls "a fortunate period for the New York State farmer."Z4 Compared to the New , England and North Atlantic states, New York still had plenty of virgin farmland yet to be cultivated. Compe- The larger white farmhouse, home the Luther Everett family, built 1853. tition from the midwest was still (Photo 1903. Photograph courtesy of V; D. McLoughlin) minimal. Farm labor was plentiful, and wages were low. Prices of agricul- After 1845 the competition of cheaper and rye. tural products were relatively high. wool from the West and the mass-pro- 111. "The man who owned a hundred acres duction capabilities of the urban textile Despite the success of his farm, or of land in fee simple felt that his was centers of New England caused the perhaps because of it, George W. a goodly heritage . . . . The farmer felt decline of the woolen industry in St. Everett's health began to fail. ~i~ very sure of himself and his future."35 Lawrence At the Everett oldest ion Luther, who had attended And for the northern towns of St. Law- Farm a total of 288 pounds of wool was the Carpenter School (the town's first rence County the best was yet to come, produced in the Year of the 1845 census- schoolhouse, at the corner of the pre- as in 1850 the "Northern Railroad" (the Because there Were few fences, each sent ~~~te11C and Desmond Road),42 Ogdensburgh and Lake Champlain farmer identified his sheep with a dis- had just entered the Malone Academy Railroad) connected the region to U.S. tinguishing clip to the ear. For a fee when he was called home to assume urban markets and to the Boston and of 12%cents (derived from the value charge of the farm. Luther would be New York seaports. Land value in Law- of a shilling) he registered his mark 18 that November, 1846; his brother rence increased after the coming of the with the Town Clerk. Abigail Everett George was 11, and Frederick was 7. railroad, often 100 per cent, according may have c~dedthe wool by hand* or Their father may have had a stroke or to historian Franklin B. Hough.36 she could have taken it to a water- a nervous breakdown, because Luther George W. Everett, in addition to his powered carding machine, one of which wrote in 1852, "Father is still uneasy farming, engaged in some local land was located in nearby Hopkinton. The in his mind, although he has got rid speculation, not of vast amounts of acre- spinning and weaving were done in the of the cares of his business for six years age, but land strategically located, home. In the year of the 1845 Census, which he thought would be a great such as 24.81 acres purchased in 1857 Abigail Everett wove 20 Years of relief to him, but the effect shows that in the northeast corner of the township "flannel and other woolen cloths." (Th~s no disposition of affairs or circum- along this Northern Railroad line. measurement was taken before the full- sbnces can cure the ills of the mind." In the year of the 1845 census Law- ing process, which would have shrunk Luther loved his farm. It was not in rence township had a population of the ~ardageby as much as a third.40 his nature to wrangle that his life's 1031 males and 1024 females. The pop- For her own home use, however, Abigail ,cupation was forced early upon him. ulation had nearly doubled since 1830.37 might have used her woven ~10thjust a letter of 1852 he wrote, "Our lot The 1845 census states that the Everett as it came from the loom.)41 Abigail is not of our own but such as Farm contained 250 acres of improved Everett wove also 30 yards of "linen, it pleases Providence to assign to us. land, and the statistics indicate that cotton, or other thin cloth." The chil- Mine is as good or better than I de- this was a diversified farm, as was dren probably helped with the entire serve." And in March of that year he usual in St. Lawrence County at this process, carding, spinning, and weav- expressed the satisfaction to be found time. On the Everett Farm were 47 ing- Although evidently no flax was in the natural surroundings of a farm, "neat cattle," (cattle of the ox kind). grown on the farm at this time, the "It is a beautiful day, it looks For the year of the census report, 600 next generation did have flax and wove like spring. Already I begin to antici- pounds of butter and 300 pounds of linen cloth. pate the pleasures of that joyful season. cheese had been made. Putting the The 1845 census lists 10 horses How pleasant it is to walk through the liquid milk into these products was the owned by the family, and 5 hogs. Hams meadows & gardens, and behold the best means of storing its goodness and were home cured, and sausage was fields & the forest covered with living transporting it to market in these days seasoned with sage which had been greene. When we see the beauty & per- before refrigerated trains and speedy grown in the garden and hung to dry fection of the flowers, how forcibly are delivery to more populated markets. in the summer kitchen. Undoubtedly we reminded of the wisdom & goodness Part of the family income came also there were also chickens on the farm, of their Divine Artist. How many & from selling young stock; in a letter of but this question is not asked in the varied are the blessings bestowed upon October, 1853, Luther E ~erettwrote, census; probably it was taken for grant- us." "[In the past few weeks] have sold ed. At one time there were geese on the Luther's religious faith was deeply about 250 dolls. worth of stock." farm, according to old family letters. felt, but whether he formally belonged Of the 139 sheep on the Everett Of crops, the 1845 census shows that to a church is not known. There is no Farm, 96 were over one year old, each 207 bushels of wheat were raised, 250 record of the existence of a Quaker producing a fleece which averaged 3 bushels of oats, 10 of buckwheat, 40 meetinghouse which the Everett's could pounds. The woolen industry was vital of corn, 500 of potatoes, 200 of turnips, have attended. Luther's religion was to St. Lawrence County's economy 9 of peas, and 2 of beans. Three crops nurtured by his Quaker parents but prior to the Civil War; and in this year, common enough in New York State to also was probably much of his own 1845, the county's sheep population was be listed on the census were not grown making. He was well versed in the at its peak, about 168,000 sheep in all.38 by Everett at this time: barley, flax, Bible, and was somewhat of a pantheist April 1989 in seeing his Maker in all of nature at least by October, 1852, a year after drawers & doors in the top for $7.00. which surrounded him. One of his fa- they had met. In anticipation of their it is varnished nice and is a greater vorite poems was Whittier's "The marriage, which would take place June ornament & more convenient than a Eternal Goodness," in which the 15, 1853, Luther began to build a Bureau." He assured Martha that "if Quaker poet praises an intimate God of commodious farmhouse about 200 yards the things don't suit, you need not goodness, mercy, and love, and shuns north of his parental home and on the keep them." "Mother says you need not the "iron creeds" of formal religious other side of Merchant Street, the same get any silver spoons. she has bo't 6 dogma. side as the barns. (This is the house small & 3 larg spoons for you, they Luther was not quite 23 years old in described at the beginning of this are the handsomest ones I ever saw." October of 1851 when he first laid eyes writing.) Luther adapted the design Although Martha was to return in on Miss Martha Abram of Parishville. probably from popular plan books or three weeks, Luther was lonesome: "It The attraction was mutual. Only a from early domestic architectural looks rather dark up towards our house, month later Luther was writing to books by Asher Benjamin published in as I just opened the door & looked that Martha in the flowery language of the the 1830's and 40'~~~Built parallel to way. guess the folks retire early up nineteenth century, "[I] hope that I the road, this house of Greek Revival there. Shall not say much about my may enjoy the pleasure of strewing gar- trim combined a classic St. Lawrence present happiness and future pros- lands & flowers along the pathway of County cottage and a long perpendicu- pects this time" nor "the long & lone- your future life. I do not allow myself lar wing, an integral part of the house, some hours, silent thoughts &c. which to think to much of pleasure in the extending eastward back from the some of the folks have down this future, but the anticipations of hours center of the south gable. A piazza ran way . . . three weeks ahead looks away of joy & gladness, hours of sweet associ- along the outline of the entire front, zn the distance." In December, 1853, ation, hours of happy seclusion from all with two sets of steps up to it, one at Luther and Martha moved into their except the one dearest, are some of the the central door of the classic cottage new farmhouse. delightful contemplations of my mind." and one at the door of the wing. Luther and Martha had seven chil- Their courtship lasted almost two The new house was not finished until dren: Abigail (born in 1854); Libbie years, during which Luther's visits to early December, 1853. Luther and Margaretta (1858); Ella and Emma, Martha were usually two to four weeks Martha probably lived the first months unidentical twins (1861); Elizabeth apart; he wrote her in March, 1852, of their marriage in the small red farm- (1864); Frederick (1872); and George "If I should consult my own feelings house with Luther's parents and two (1875). All lived into adulthood except I should spend a great deal more time younger brothers. That fact might go a the second child, who died at 3 of scar- with you, but duty interferes. I never long way toward explaining why let fever; her grave, marked "Little had so many cares or so much to do as Martha made an extended visit to her Maggie," is in the Nicholville Cemetery. at present. . . ." A few months later he parental home in Parishville during When Luther's brother George mar- wrote, "I intend to see you 2 weeks the fall. The separation provides us ried Mary Abram (Martha's sister) in from to day but if I should not come with a few letters from Luther to 1857, they too came to live in the white you need not think [it] strange, we have Martha in which he reports on the farmhouse; but on April 10, 1860, both had bad luck with our horses, I have progress of their new house.47 On Octo- George and his younger brother Fred- to yield to circumstances." And one ber 22, 1853, Luther wrote, "The plas- erick (now married to Jane J. Wilsey) evening after coming in from milking, tering will probably be finished the quitclaimed their one-third interest in he expressed the typical dilemma of last of next week. expect to get the their father's estate to Luther for young lovers, "How well I could enjoy house cleaned & dry so that the joiners $4,350 each.48 According to land deeds this beautiful evening if you was here can hang the doors & paint the inside on record, George and Mary on May or I was there." week after next. they have put another 1, 1861, bought the "James Trussell Martha Abram was the eighth of coat [of white paint] on the out side. Farm" in Nicholville;49 and Frederick eleven children born to William and it makes the house look quite different. and Jane bought land south of the Margaret Haslem Abram, Espiscopa- have made a trade with Roice [or Rice] Everett Farm: on June 28, 1861, 40 lians who had come to Parishville in to buy the doors. says he shall be here acres from Francis and Phebe Clarkso 1825 from Northern Ireland by way of with the doors as soon as we get ready and on November 17, 2863, 50 acres Canada. Abram had been hired to for them, the joiners went away some from his uncle and aunt, Harley and manage David Parish's flock of Merino days ago. the family seems quite small." Mary Johnson Hedding (sometimes sheep,43 and the family lived in, and The joiners (carpenters who did inside spelled "HeadingV).51 later purchased, the large farmhouse finishing work) evidently lived at the Frederick and Jane, however, had which David Parish had commissioned Everett Farm while doing their work, but a short time together on their new of the French architect Joseph Ramee.44 as did the mason/plasterer. "Henry has farm. News of the Civil War was be- Luther Everett, after his first formal been to work here this week, has built ginning to intensify. Northern New call to meet. Martha's parents, could the chimneys and pillars under the Yorkers had provided stations on the not help comparing this rather elegant piazza, and plastered the piazza & over Underground Railroad to hide run- farmhouse to the humble cottage on half of the chambers. he plastered a away slaves escaping to Canada; but Merchant Street. He wrote back to spell this evening, has just gone home now, as the war progressed, President Martha that he rode home conversing to see his wife. I stayed in the new Lincoln began to call desperately for with his own thoughts and "soon found house a while. It was all still. nothing more men for the Army. A nephew of myself at home, and although it was disturbed my meditations. in vain I Abigail Johnson Everett,62 who was al- not so nice as yours, it looked good listened to hear the soft whispers of my ready in the Army, wrote to the family to me." best friend." on Merchant Street from Alexandria, Before her marriage Martha Abram By November 21,1853. Luther wrote Virginia, on September 15, 1862, "The attended the old St. Lawrence Acade- that he expected the house to be fin- rebals are driving us every time and at my in Potsdam for at least a term.45 ished in two weeks, and he enumerated every place and at every point. You and taught in one of the district schools some purchases of furniture he had need not beleive all you read in the in Parishville for a while. Indications made in Nicholville from Alexander papers. The General report is five of in letters from Luther to Martha sug- Peck: "a table, a dress table & stand our men killed and four hundred gest they were betrothed to each other for $8.00," a "desk to write on with wounded, and it is generaly the re- April 1989 verse. You see, I know because I see and settled in Parishville Center where and these Directors were to elect from the Battles and I see the papers and they bought the "King Brown Farm" their number a President, Vice Pres- they lie like the D---I, to keep us in on the road which is now State Route ident, and Secretary for one-year good Spirit. We have lost a great many #72. Here they remained for almost terms. The business was "successful for men and so have they but our old Army twenty years, keeping a herd of 50 a number of years,'' according to au- is prety weak." On December 18, 1863, cows on the 500-acre farm, which thor Gates Curtis.60 The Secretary's re- the Town of Lawrence held a town- William Richard Cutter described in port in February, 1870, shows sales for meeting, Mary Abram Everett ex- his Genealogical and Family History the preceding year totaled $37,000. In plained to her sister Eliza, "to raise a of Northern New York as "the finest 1875 Luther Everett was elected Pres- bounty to hire men for this cruel war. in the county at that time."56 George ident of the Board. Evidently things They voted to raise 300 d for new re- and Mary had six children, one of were not going smoothly in regard to cruits & 850 d for veteran soldiers. whom was Edward Abram Everett, the two clerks hired at the store, and Hope it will be an inducement to some; the lawyer and businessman who served resolutions passed on June 30 of that if not, they were certainly draft." Fred- as New York State Assemblyman and year minced no words: erick Everett, despite his Quaker back- in the 1920's was Town Supervisor of Where as, the business in the Store, ground, volunteered on Christmas Day, Potsdam. Because Luther and George has been very loosely, inefficient- 1863, as a private in the 6th Regiment were married to sisters, their families ly, and unsatisfactorily con- of New York Heavy Artillery Volun- kept in close touch and their children ducted, therefore teers." His military papers reveal that knew the specialness of being "double Resolved, that the Clerks shall pur- at that time, aged 24, he was "5 feet cousins." sue a mo[r]e businesslike system, 8 inches high, [of] light complexion, After the Civil War Luther and and to facilitate such a course, hazel eyes, dark hair and by profession George Everett took part in a growing they shall keep a cash book, and a Farmer." There is ironic humor in national movement among farmers to- butter book, his cousin's letter sent earlier from the ward co-operative buying and selling. Resolved, that one clerk, shall not war: "Tell Fred that it is a good place Throughout the country farmers began have any privilege that is denied for him here; he could hunt all the to realize the necessity of some organ- to the other, and that both alike, time and no one would stop him and he ized action to retain their economic and shall be familiar with the books, would find more game here than he social status in American society. Busi- papers, and business of the Store, does there. One rebal is worth two ness, banking, and railroad interests out side and in, which we consi- Deer but there is more danger in hunt- were beginning to squeeze out the der indispensable to the interest ing them than there is in hunting farmer. Farm prices fell, whereas the of the Company. Deer." Frederick was wounded June 3, cost of agricultural supplies and house- Resolved, that the clerks shall keep 1864, in the Battle of Cold Harbor, hold goods rose. In 1867 the first or- a correct account of all moneys Virginia, part of the most desperately ganized national effort to fight back expended by themselves, as per- fought campaign of the war, according came wth the founding of the Patrons sonal expenses, while doing bus- to Morison and Commager's Growth of of Husbandry, known as the Grange. iness for the company, and make the American Republic. General Grant's Although its main purpose was social an exibit of the sarne.6' and General Lee's armies were en- and educational, the Grange soon es- The clerks were not equally paid, how- trenched against each other in lines tablished co-operative stores to elimin- ever, one clerk being paid more than six or eight miles long. Frederick ate the profits of the middlemen and twice the salary of the other. By 1883 Everett was at the eastern end of the even went into the manufacturing of the store must have overextended its Union line, at White House Landing farm implements to reduce their high loaning power; in February, 1883, on the Pamunkey River. General Grant costs to the farmer. The idea of co- Luther Everett was appointed to a ordered an assault upon the entire line operative stores was not new, however, three-man committee "to confer to- of Lee's trenches. "Before going over to the farmers of Lawrence, N.Y. As gether and report at the next meeting the top the Union soldiers pinned early as 1846 the New England Pro- some course of action which in their papers on their backs, giving their tective Union store had opened in judgement would be for the best inter- names and addresses to identify their Nicholville,57 and in 1848 a union store est of the company." An inventory pre- corpses. Eight or nine thousand men had been established in Lawrence- sented July 17, 1883, showed a balance fell in a few hours . . . ."54 Medical ville.b8 After the Civil War the original against the company of $651.84, the treatment, when it came, was inade- union store in Nicholville closed out, loss probably due to the difficulty of quate. Frederick Everett was wounded but a year later on April 4, 1868. collecting on loans and goods bought in the right hand, his thumb was am- Luther and George Everett joined with with credit. Immediately "Motion was putated under primitive conditions, 11 others from Lawrence, 12 from Hop- made by Hon. Jonah Sanford that and later he was put onto a train for kinton, 4 from Parishville, and 2 from Luther Everett and H. C. Witters be home. Gangrene set into the wound, Dickinson, to found the Nicholville Co- appointed a committee with authority and by the time he reached North Law- operative Union. All members were to to sell the Stock and Store at such price rence, he was delirious. Although at- be co-partners in the "business of as they should deem best.'"2 It was tended daily by Dr. Gary Whitney of general country merchants and in the recommended that the store building Lawrence, Frederick Everett died buying and vending all sorts of goods, be painted, and it was then sold, per- June 19, 1864, three days after arrival ware and marchandise . . . ."59 Each of haps to J. A. Martindale, who had been home. (Frederick and Jane had had the 49 original members contributed Secretary of the union and a clerk/ one child, Xira, born in 1860. She $10 for the support and management manager at the store; he is listed married George Carl Lewis in 1878, of the business, and each shared equal- among the merchants of Nicholville in but died in childbirth at the age of ly in any profits or losses. In addition, 1894, according to Curtis's history.63 19. Her grave is in the Hopkinton-Fort members had the privilege of purchas- In the Gazeteer and Business Direc- Jackson Cemetery next to that of her ing items at a certain percentage below tory of St. Lawrence County for 1873- father.) the marked price. According to the '74 Luther Everett is listed as a farmer Luther's brother George, however, "Articles of Co-partnership and By and dealer in agricultural imple- lived to be 72. He and his wife Mary Laws" a Board of Directors of eleven ment~.~~Whether this dealership was sold their farm in Nicholville in 187355 members was to be elected by ballot, an enterprise separate from the union 12 April 1989 store is not known. haps at the Quaker Union of Peru the Everett were born over a span of Perhaps the dealership partially ex- Johnson and Everett families first met. twenty-one years, first all girls and plains why the Luther Everett family However, by 1815 Abigail's parents, then, after a hiatus of eight years, two moved temporarily to Nicholville some adventurous pioneers themselves, had boys, born in 1872 and 1875. The girls time in the late 1860's or in the 1870's. moved their family into the Adiron- all had important parts to play in the The reasons for this four-year inter- dacks, establishing a home on the road household taking care of the young lude in Nicholville are unclear. Per- which now runs between Gabriels and boys as well as helping with cooking, haps this was at the same time that Paul Smiths (Route #192). They were cleaning, sewing, and entertaining. George and Mary Everett and their the first permanent settlers of that There is no indication that the girls, or family lived in Nicholville, or, as is area which is now the Township of the boys either, took part in the farm more likely, Luther decided to take Brighton." Family lore claims that work itself except in peripheral ways. over George and Mary's farm when Abigail and her sisters were the first Opportunities for education were they moved to Parishville Center. white women on the St. Regis Lakes.72 increasing, and Luther and Martha Ownership of that property, which in Family letters indicate that Abigail encouraged their children to take ad- the deeds is called the "James Trussell was a feisty woman and, although she vantage of it with the hope that it Farm," transferred from George to evidently lacked any formal education, would be of practical value. (Later on, Luther Everett in the spring of 1873.@ she had what might euphemistically Martha Everett regretted, however, The property was on the north side of be called a strong business sense. One that her children had been educated the main road through Nicholville of her Johnson relatives in Wisconsin right out of the farming business. Both (now Route #11B), between present- had borrowed $100, and she deter- her sons entered professional life, and day Route #I95 and Ferris Road.66 mined, at the age of 68, that she would there was no one in the family to carry Elizabeth Everett Duffy, in a 1937 set out to get it back. She travelled on the farming.) letter, recalled the hill where the by way of the Erie Canal and the Great The Everett children first attended Nicholville cemetery was and the river Lakes to Milwaukee, a boat trip of over the district one-room school. Whereas down below: "We all played there as eight days. There she and family in their father Luther's schooldays the children when we lived in Nicholville friends with whom she stayed for two nearest school had been about a mile as our house was very near.'' In buying nights "went all over the city in the north of the Everett Farm, in 1848 a the property, Luther may have wanted streat cars munday. I cant tell you on new schoolhouse had been located right to expand his farming, or he may have paper the wonders I saw. I wish that next to the original small Everett farm- thought the property was simply a sum of your young eyes could have seen house, on the southwest corner of good investment. Those four years the wonders insted of mine. I want you Merchant Street and a small dirt road were the only time in which the Luther all to take a trip on the lakes if you (now virtually unused). Nehemiah R. Everett family lived away from the could be shure of as good a time as I Merchant was paid $5 to lease this homestead farm on Merchant Street. had." From Milwaukee to Bridgeport small corner of his property (84.5' x Presumably, hired hands carried on (near Prairie du Chien, on the western 74.25') to the "inhabitants of School the daily chores at the original farm- borner of Wisconsin) she went by rail- District No. 3."75 Thirty years later the stead. (The only reason to question the road. She wrote back to the family at site of the schoolhouse was moved fur- dates and exact location of the farm the Everett Farm, using her phonetic ther south and onto the east side of where the Luther Everett's lived dur- spelling, "I shant get any mony nor Merchant Street; for this later school ing those four years in Nicholville is never shal. I aint sory yet that I cum site Luther Everett was paid $60 in the fact that at the date of the deed nor shant be if I get safe home. I no 1878 for a half acre of his land.76 The from George to Luther Everett in 1873, now all about it. Dont blame me too trustee of the school district was to see the deed states that John Donovan much. I shall be as prudant the rest to fencing the premises and keeping "now resides'' on the property. Ten of my days as I can and that wont be same in good repair. (This one-room years later Luther sold the property but a short time. If I can one ley liv schoolhouse was destroyed by a hurri- to John Donovan.)67 to get home and find you all alive and cane in 1954.)77 The deed to the entire Everett Farm well is all I ask for in this world . . . . The next step in education for most on Merchant Street was legally granted I feel so about the mony it makes me of the Everett children beyond the to Luther by his parents a few months sick. If I ever get home to them dear district school was the co-educational previous to his father's death in 1876.68 little boys, deth will be the next sepe- Lawrenceville Academy, which opened The farm then contained about 350 ration. Dont let them forget me. Take to students in the spring of 1861.78 acres in Lawrence, plus a lot of almost good cair of your selvs and the calvs Academies such as this were burgeon- 24 acres just over the town line in and chickens." When his mother re- ing throughout the East in the mid- Stockholm, called a "sugar lot." George turned to the Everett Farm and Luther nineteenth century. and Lawrence- W. Everett had been in feeble health recognized her approaching figure in ville's history is typical. A group of for many years. Two years later his the distance, he ran across the fields to citizens in the area, desiring advanced wife Abigail Johnson Everett died, but greet her and envelop her in his arms, education for their children, formed an not before she had once more demon- incredulous and thankful of her safe association, offered stock shares of $25 strated the pioneer spirit of adventure return.73 each to raise the capital, elected trus- by travelling alone to the Midwest, The graves of Abigail Johnson Ever- tees, and appointed Mr. and Mrs. John with the purpose (which proved futile) ett and her husband George W. Ever- B. Young as principal and preceptress, of collecting on an unpaid debt. Abigail ett are in the Nicholville cemetery. respectively. A three-storey brick had been born in New Hampshire, Why the family bought a plot in this building was erected on Main Street in where her family were members of the Nicholville cemetery is not known; the Lawrenceville at a cost.of $4500.79 Tui- Quaker meeting at Quaker City, a ham- closer Hopkinton-Fort Jackson ceme- tion for the spring term of 1885 (for let of steep hills near the Vermont tery was in use "probably about 1820," which a catalog has been preserved at border, south of Claremont.69 In 1809 according to Hopkinton historian the Town Historian's office) was $5 to Abigail's parents, Samuel and Jane, Carlton E. Sanford.74 $9, depending upon the course of moved their family to New York State study.80 Most of the students at the somewhere "within the limits of Perue IV. Academy were from farm homes, and Monthly Meeting'' of Quakers.70 Per- The children of Luther and Martha those who lived too far for commuting April 1989 boarded with Lawrenceville families. spring. It takes all we can spare for Everett's generation of the family any The Academy rules applied to both Abbie . . . . I miss her so much and reference to future plans is preceded commuters and boarders alike, and expense is a great deal, 3'50 [per week] by the provisional phrase, "if I live.") attempted to govern not only their without washing, but if she improves My dear Children I hope that academic lives but their social conduct her time it will pay. She seems to like we will all begin the new year as well. Some of the by-laws read, school very much." For that cost Abbie trying to live better for we are "Every student will observe evening could have either boarded with a pri- admonished by the Death of poor study hours and remain at his home or vate family or lived at the school's Katie Shopkins [Hopkins?] how boarding place at all times after 7 Boarding Hall for women students, uncertain life is. It seems so hard p.m.;" "No student is allowed to attend where sometimes the charge was slight- for them to give her up. She was private parties without permission ly less, depending upon the frugality 20 the day she was taken sick. from the principal and in no case pub- of the boarders. A form of the "Domes- Dear girls take the bible and lic dances while connected with the tic Plan'' initiated by Mary Lyon at read it carefully and prayerfully academy."8l Elizabeth Everett, for one, Mount Holyoke in 1837 was still in asking God to give his divine would have balked at those rules, as practice at the Boarding Hall, each spirit to help you to understand it she was both very independent and student being required to do some and it will be a pleasure instead gregarious. The dates of her attendance general housekeeping duties for one of a task. Hope you remember to at the Academy are not known but hour each day.85 read every day. We have a great when she was almost 16, she wrote to Ella Everett later studied at the many very anxious hours.81 her sisters on New Year's Day, 1880, Potsdam Normal School, but first she Martha saw to it that her children with some wishful thought, if not actu- and her twin sister Emma went to the went to church every Sunday. Until al anticipation. "There is a big dance Albany area for schooling. Their cousin, 1886 she may have kept her formal to the Cheese Factory tonight." A few Almira L. Covey, had been principal of membership in a church in Parishville, months later she "had a splended time" the Amsterdam Academy, and since where she grew up, or perhaps in some attending a dramatic production of the Emma suffered from asthma in St. church in Lawrence, but the records "Hidden Hand," which was followed by Lawrence County, a change of locale of the Congregational Church of Hop- a dance downstairs in the hall. Eliza- was recommended for her health. kinton show that she and her four beth's mother was not at all happy Almira Covey's sister wrote yet an- daughters became members of that about this, but she was disturbed as other enticement, "Tell Emma and church on May 2, 1886.88 There is no much by the dramatic play as by the Ella Amsterdam is the place for rich record that Luther became a member; dancing. Martha Everett felt theater gentlemen." Emma did not mention he may have still felt closer to his was sinful and never attended a play the gentlemen, however, when she Quaker background. Church dogma until the late 1890's when her son wrote home from the Academy in was not of consequence to either Mar- George persuaded her to go to one with March, 1880. "Ella and I are taking tha or Luther, but a strong faith in him at Cornell. After the play, in Arithmetic, Nat. History. Botony, God was of utmost importance to both which she had been visibly moved to a English Literature, Music and Paint- parents. Morning family worship was tear or two, her son thought he'd won ing, so you see we have a little some- observed every day in the home, and in her over to accepting the legitimacy of thing to do. We read English History the evenings Luther Everett often read theater, but she insisted it was not the along with Literature." In the fall of aloud to the family from the Bible. play which had affected her, "It was 1881 Emma and Ella entered "Cla- Like many women in nineteenth cen- only that it reminded me of someone I verack College and Hudson River Insti- tury rural life, Martha Everett had once knew." Despite the rules of the tute," (near Hudson, N.Y.) where ample opportunity to put her religion Lawrenceville Academy, Elizabeth Emma began to concentrate her studies into practice. She not only tended her Everett had fond memories of it and in art, and Ella in music. This was a own family but answered the call from was proud to have attended. In seem- co-educational college of about 500 neighbors, friends, or relatives in sick- ing contradiction, she was also proud students. ness or misfortune. Over the years she of the fact that she never had the "bene- While Emma and Ella were away at accumulated a great deal of practical fit" of a college education. The Law- school, their mother's letters to them knowledge. Her expertise was called renceville Academy closed in 189082 chatted about everyday life at their St. upon even when she was visiting her because of "competition with more pre- Lawrence County home: " . . . Monday daughter in Nebraska in 1891: Emma tentious institutions," according to Mr. and Mrs. Wells were here to wrote, "At five in the morning Mrs. author Gates Curtis.83 [The Academy dinner . . . . Tuesday butchered. Made George Miller came after Mother as building was later used as a district about 100 Ibs. sausage . . . . Wednesday Delia was very sick [the usual way of school, but after many years of aban- Marinda Adams and Carrie Fletcher saying a woman was in childbirth donment it was torn down in 1979.184 here to dinner and tea. To day Ruthie labor] & the Dr. had not got there." All but two of Luther and Martha's came, and hope she will stay a year or (In the late 1920's it is unfortunate that children attended the Potsdam Nor- until I get my sewing done. Have made her medical skill was unavailable at mal, a State school which was a great her father a shirt & Georgie la dress, the Everett Farm when one of the boon to education in the North Country. out of the flannel like your dresses. tenant farmer's children cut his leg. The Everett's had to make some finan- [George would have been almost 5 His parents, the Calnon's, followed an cial sacrifice for the cash outlay neces- years old.] It is warm and pleasant. old folk remedy which would have been sary for the children's education. When We are well, except colds. Hope you better forgotten. Fresh cow manure their first-born, Abigail, was at Pots- will be careful of your health. Will was applied to the cut. The child later dam Normal in 1874, her tuition was send your leggings if you want. . . ."86 died.)89 free in the Normal Department of the Martha Everett was also concerned Martha Everett welcomed visitors to school, where the State's objective was about the spiritual life of her daugh- her home, whether for a meal or for to train competent teachers for its ters away at school. It was important a stay of weeks. The dinner table at public school system. However, Abbie to her that her children believe in God midday was always set with an extra had to be boarded in Potsdam. Martha and thereby remain in a state of grace, place for the unexpected guest. Visits Everett explained to her sister, "Have prepared for death in this "uncertain from friends and relatives not only not had anything new this winter or life." (Often in letters from Martha strengthened emotional bonds but were April 1989

often mentioned having to set aside his writing because it was milking time, and on September 7, 1852, he wrote, "I have been busily engaged for a week or ten days past at harvesting, . . . fin- ished yesterday. today I have been to work about two miles from home cut- ting rails." (Rail fences and stone walls both were used on the Everett farm.) Luther mentions travelling often in the 1850's to other towns on farm business: Potsdam, Norfolk, Nicholville, Parish- ville. A few decades later, in April, 1874, Martha Everett wrote to her sister, "Have had to warm milk for 20 calves, have 36 cows, expect to have 40 . . . ." On March 1, 1880, she mentioned in a letter to her daughters, "Father is going to Brasher after ice." On May 30, 1880, Luther wrote to his daughters that the hired man was away and, "We have 41 cows, it is a big job to milk. Ma milked 12 one night. . . . I wish The Luther and Martha Ezierett family c. 1882. Standing, left to right: Ella, we could all spend a few of these June Gyms. Elizabeth. Seated, left to right: Luther. George, Emma, Abigail, days up among the Adirondacks at Paul Frederick, Martha. (Photograph courtesy of V. D. McLoughlin) Smiths and thereabouts, but the old farm and its work holds us with a an important chance to exchange in- known for their whistling duets. prison grip." In December, 1880, Luther formation, whether practical or purely Luther Everett's favorite poet was wrote, "I think hay will be 20 per tun. entertaining. The younger generations, Whittier. He sometimes recited the the Berry boys [from North Lawrence] too, developed an ability to relate their poems while walking behind the plough. are shipping Cattle and sheep every experiences. The atmosphere was one His admiration for Whittier can best week they pay good prices. . . . I drew which gives birth to the raconteur. be expressed by quoting from a brief 9%cords hemlock bark to depo at $5.00 Because of a reliance on themselves letter he pencilled off to his wife in per cord. I am getting up wood and for entertainment, a few members of about 1885 from Boston, where Luther drawing logs to mill. our milk net us the younger generations developed managed to meet the great poet him- $1.05 per hundred for all summer . . . . quite another talent. The 1880's and self. After the usual sightseeing Luther I sold one of those one eyed cows for 90's could be called the Age of the determined that he would "find $29.00." Practical Joke. Stories abound about Whittier." By questioning many passers- On July 15, 1884, Martha wrote, "I their exploits. An example follows: One by he finally arrived at a mansion on mowed this forenoon. This P.M. I fried male cousin who used to visit from Mt. Vernon Street where Whittier was cakes, made ginger biscuit, wrote, hoed time to time was not a favorite among said to be. Quite to his amazement, he in the garden & went to sleep. Georgie the Everett girls. One night he was was ushered right in by a doorman. & Fred have gone to bed & are calling going from the Everett Farm to a Luther discovered that he had hap- Ma ma bring some water (as usual). . . . dance and had laid out his good clothes pened to arrive at the very time when It is not very good weather for haying. in readiness. The girls sneaked into his Whittier was being feted by a gather- I have been berrying. Got 5 Ibs." In room and stuffed limburger cheese into ing of friends and Boston dignitaries November, 1884, Luther wrote, "We the wasteband of his trousers. As the who had been co-workers in the anti- had a Steam power threshing machine poor fellow danced, the heat of his body slavery movement. Quick to realize his [presumably hired for the occasion], increased what was already in a bad good fortune, Luther simply made him- threshed 700 bushels in less than 1% smell. Any hopes of an enormous con- self one of the group. After a "nice days." Until 1904 when rural free de- quest that evening were thoroughly chat" with Lucy Stone, the famous livery started on Merchant Street, quashed.1 Great amusement was de- suffragist, "I managed to get in Whit- someone had to "go up to get the mail." rived from other frequent tricks, such tiers company, he gave me a warm Many different addresses for the Ever- as giving a little kick to the dog who hand shake. I told him my name, resi- ett Farm appear on nineteenth century lay under the dining table, knowing dence, occupation, and how when I was envelopes: Lawrence, Lawrenceville, the dog's reaction was to bite the near- tired & weary, I took my Whittier North Lawrence, Fort Jackson, and est person in front of him.90 Proof of the down and feasted, and was refreshed. Stockholm Depot. The majority of pleasure of these practical jokes is in he said in a modest way he was glad letters in the 1880's and 90's went to the glee with which they were still if he ever done anything to make one Fort Jackson. Letters were often being recounted by the perpetrators happy. at my request gave me his auto- mailed from the farm "when I see a fifty years later. graph. writ in a young legible hand." team going by." More sedate and kindly forms of Luther rejoiced in "one of the lucky The household work for Martha entertainment were derived from read- nits for which I am renowned." Everett included churning butter; mak- ing aloud, reciting poems, telling In the family correspondence during ing soap; canning, pickling, or drying stories, playing games such as the the nineteenth century little is written produce from the garden; curing hams; cardgame "Pedro," and singing to the about the farmwork itself. (The few mixing sausage; and making maple accompaniment of the piano or the references are quoted here in chrono- sugar loaves from the syrup. Part of banjo. At community entertainments logical order.) In letters to Martha be- her work routine was what we now call Elizabeth and Ella Everett were fore their marriage, Luther Everett the "crafts" of spinning and weaving April 1989 wool and flax, knitting. tying comforts, call of the Master, which after all came Quaker Union,;; op. cit, p. 4. and making lace netting for edging so suddenly and unexpectedly after an The town's name derives from the fact that table-scarves and bed canopies. Al- illness [of pneumonia] of only two French settlers of the early seventeenth century called the whole northern range the Peruvian or though hard liquor would probably days.'34 Luther Everett died January Peru Mountains in anticipation of gold and silver have been frowned upon for all but 28,1890, at the age of 61. deposits such as had been discovered in the Andes. occasional medicinal use, Martha Ever- Luther had signed his last will and Murray Heller, "Naming Names," Adirondark ett made grape wine regularly each Life. January/February. 1989. Vol. XX. No., 1. p. testament on February 27,1886, giving 30. (Heller's book Cull Me Adircmdacks is to be year, evidently with no compunctions. to his wife and two sons the farm published June 1. 1989. by Chauncy Press of Sara- A professional seamstress came in property "consisting of about four nac Lake. N.Y.) from time to time, especially to help hundred acres together with all the Burdick. "The Quaker Union." op. cit.. p. 6. with the more elaborate dresses, but stock, cows, heifers, steers, calves, Franklin Benjamin Hough, History ofst. Lato- Martha Everett sewed much of the sheep and hogs together with all the rence and Franklin Counties. New York (Albany. family's clothing. In all this work her horses and colts [with the exception of Little & Co.. 1853). p. 326. daughters shared when they became three horses named specifically to go * Samuel W. Durant and Henry B. Peirce. with old enough. to his wife Martha alone]." To his four L. H. Everts and J. M. Holcomb. editors. Hi.utorg of St. Lauwnee County. New York (Philadelphia. It was customary to hired a local daughters he bequeathed "all the rest L.H. Everts & Co.. 1878). p. 413. teen-aged girl or young single woman and residue" of his estate, with no Richard C. Ellsworth. "The Settlement of the to come and live in the home and help specifics. Dollars are not mentioned in North Country." History of the State of New York, with the household chores, but while the will. At first he had intended also Alexander C. Flick, ed.. (N.Y.. Columbia U. Press, Luther and Martha's children were that after Martha's death each of his 1934). Vol. 5, Chapter VI, p. 191. away at school, one method of economi- daughters would receive $250 to be I" Ellsworth. "The Settlement of the North zing was to try to do without this hired paid by Frederick and George out of Country." op. cit.. p. 193. domestic help. In 1874 while Abigail profits from the farm, but in Septem- l1 Gates Curtis, ed., Our County and Its People: was attending Potsdam Normal, Mar- ber, 1887, he withdrew this charge A Memorial Record of St. Lawrence County. New York (Syracuse. D. Mason & Co.. Publishers. 1894). tha wrote to her sister, "Have not had from his will.95 p. 671. a girl only 9 days this spring." And A few months after Luther's death, l2 Survey, with map, is located in Field Book in 1880 her daughters at Amsterdam Martha Everett wrote to her son #I, County Clerk's Office. County Clerk's Office. Academy admonished, "How foolish George, who was in school at Mooers, Canton. N.Y. you are to get along without a girl! Clinton County: i3 This refers to the East Branch of the St. Regis And try to crowd so much work into George, I do expect [that] you River and to the Deer River, as the map accom- one day.'Mother will kill herself if she panying the 1799/1800 Survey labels the present- study, and try to improve your day Deer River as the "East Branch of St. Regis keeps on." This warning was heeded; a time . . . . If you and Fred were R." What is called today the East Branch, going few months later Luther mentioned one half as anxious for yourselves through Fort Jackson, is labelled the "St. Regis hiring "a French girl from the depo." as I am for you, what could you River." (Winthrop was then called Stockholm not be? But with all my anxiety 'Wough, History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Depot.) This hired "girl" was probably I would much rather you would Counties. op. cit.. p. 326. Julia Lacomb, listed as "Servant" in be such men as your Dear Father l5 See excerpt from the diary of Artemus Kent the 1880 U. S. Census following the of Hopkinton, Varick Chittenden, ed., "The Year was, than to have all the educa- Without a Summer." The Quarterly, January, Everett family names.S1 She was a 30- tion, or gold, on earth, without 1983. Vol. XXVIII, No., 1, p. 10. year-old single woman, whose parents that noble, Christian manhood he 'Wough. History of St. Lauvence and Franklin had been born in Canada. There was had . . . . Never never child had a Counties. op. cit., p. 327. always a period of adjustment for all father to be more thankful for, or 1' John L. Heaton. "100 Years of an American concerned when new help was hired. prouder of than yours. Farm." Quarterly. October, 1981, Vol. XXVI, No. Martha Everett developed her own 4, p. 4. practical guide: "Let [the hired helper] l8 I am indebted to Lawrence Town Historian know the responsibility rests on her, Elizabeth Winn for dates during which the town and if she doesn't get it done, dont was known as Chesterfield. you run out & do it yourself. Make lg Sources vary on the total acreage of the town. NOTES An early survey. 1799/1800,part of "A Survey her do it, only be pleasant & digni- of Sixty Townships being part of the Tract of fied."92 There was plenty of work to I Robert H. McGowan and David Zdunczyk, Macombs Purchase." (located in the County Clerk's be done by all, and Martha prided her- "The Enduring Tradition: Notes on St. Lawrence Office. County Courthouse) states an acreage of self that she "always did every kind of County Farmsteads." The Quarterly (published by 29,482. The "Map of the Township of Lawrence. the St. Lawrence County Historical Association), Protracted by W. M. Hitchcock from the Field work" and "could do anything a woman January 1984. Vol. XXVIX. No. 1, pg. 8. Notes of a Survey made by E. L. Winslow, Esq.. 2 Genealogical information is from Edward 1844" (also at the County Courthouse) states an Martha Everett lived a long life in Franklin Everett, Descendants of Richard Everett acreage of 28.582 511100 and shows the "Harn- relatively good health. By the mid- of Dedham. Maas. (Boston. Printed privately by mond Tract" to be now a part of Lawrence, con- 1880's, however, the entire family knew T. R. Marvin & Son, 1902), with the exception of taining 1.311 acres additional. (This triangle of the name "Rachel." wife of Capt. Edward Everett. land northeast of the St. Regis River was added that Luther's years were numbered. He whom the published genealogy identifies as "Ruth to Lawrence out of Town No. 15. Hopkinton.) The had fallen and hit his head on the ice Field." In a formal paper presented in 1888. county history by Durant and Peirce (commonly one winter day in about 1881 while Bertha Bentley, an Everett descendant and resi- called the "Everts" history after its editor and helping his son Fred learn how to dent of Peru, N.Y.. quotes from a bond "still in publisher's name). 1878, and the history by Gates possession" of one of the Captain's grandchildren; Curtis, 1894. both state an acreage of 28.479. The skate. A local newspaper account read, the bond provides for the Captain and "Rachel 1988 official county Highway Map states the acre- "No inconvenience was felt at the time, Everett his wife." age as 47 square miles. which comes to 30.080 but soon alarming symptoms were no- Bertha Bentley. "The First Settler of Ausable," acres. ticed, and he began losing the use of essay read before the Clinton County Teachers' FJ Hough. History. up. cit.. p. 325; Curtis. Our his muscles. The most eminent physi- Association at Plattsburgh. May 7. 1888. as cited County, op. cit.. p. 80;Marnie Reed Crowell, North in Virginia Burdick and Neal Burdick, "The to the St. Lawrence (Canton. N.Y.. Raquette Press. cians of Boston, Albany and Montreal The Antiquarian (published by 1975). p. 37. were consulted, but all agreed no per- Quaker Union." the Clinton County Historical Association). Fall. 2' Hough. Historg ojSt. Lawrence and Franklin manent cure was possible. And so, with 1986. p. 4. See the Burdick article for a history Counties, op. cit., p. 325. For the deed to William a cheerful resignation rarely equaled, of the Quaker Union. Lawrence, Hough cites Deed Book 5. p. 596. never excelled, he calmly awaited the 4 Virginia Burdick and Neal Burdick. "The County Clerk's Office. April 1989

I have used information on "E. S. Nichols" Sholl. "Of Merinos and Homespun." Quarterly, up. For this information I am indebted to Mary which is in all three county histories (Hough. cit.. p. 9. Chase Burroughs, a great granddaughter of Everts, and Curtis). However. G. W. Everett's first See Paul Venable Turner. "David Parish's George and Abigail Johnson Everett. land deed, June 6, 1828, records a signature Country House Reconstructed," Qua?Qrly, Octo- 7" Records of the Weare, New Hampshire. "Edw'd A. Nicole." He is not listed as executor; ber. 1986. Vol. XXXI. No. 4. pp. 3-9. Monthly Meetings of Women. December 27. 1809: perhaps he was the land agent. microfilm Reel #3. p. 173. at Rhode Island His- have found no consistent listing of students torical Society Library. Providence. R.I. Copy of the Book of Records of the Town of who were at the St. Lawrence Academy in the Lawrence. History Center, St. Lawrence County 1850's. None is available at the Potsdam Museum. For this information I am indebted to my Historical Association. Canton. N.Y. Original docu- and I am indebted to Margaret N. Weitzmann. cousin Hubert Crowley, who cites the source: Fred- ment is at the Town Clerk's Office, North Law- librarian at the Crumb Library, Potsdam College. erick J. Seaver. Historical Sketches of Ftnskli~t rence. N.Y. Both the Everts and the Curtis for making a search of their holdings which re- County (Albany, J. B. Lyon Company. Printers. histories state that the first town meeting was vealed also no listing. However, Martha Abram 1918). p. 206. held Monday, March 2 ("the first Monday of Everett's attendance is noted in family letters and Hubert Crowley in a letter to the author dated March. 1829") but the Town Records state that in a newspaper obituary. August 14. 1988. told of this "family myth." as he the meeting was held Tuesday. March 3.1829, "for terms it. The story, passed down orally in his the purpose of organizing." Robert Harold McGowan, Architecture from the Adirrmdack Foothilb (N.Y., Publishing Center family, was originally told by Alvah Rice, husband " Hough. Histoty of St. Laumeand Franklin for Cultural Resources. 1977; published under the of Abigail Johnson Everett's sister Ruth. Counties. op. cit., pp. 325-326. auspices of the Franklin County Historical and 73 Memory of Luther's brother George, relayed "Maps protracted from Field Notes of a Sur- Museum Society), p. 22. to the author by his granddaughter. Mary Chase Burroughs. "There was something special in their vey and topographical sketch made by Sewall 47 Grateful acknowledgment is made to my Raymond in 1820, from a Plan of the Town of cousin Roger Brandt, who in 1987 gave me these relationship." said Mary. Chesterfield, St. Lawrence County, N. York, the original letters, plus others of the 1850's. Carlton E. Sanford. Early History ofthe Touw property of Wm. Lawrence Esqr.." (published by 'Weed Book 62C. pp. 20-21. County Clerk's of Hopkinton (Boston. The Bartlett Press. 1903). E. W. Bridges. City Surveyor. N. York, 1821). Office, Canton, N.Y. pp. 123-124. Located at County Clerk's Office, Canton. N.Y. a Deed Book 64C. p. 270 (George and Jane E. 76 Records of the Town of Lawrence. p. 214. at a Jared Van Wagenen. Jr.. The Golden Age of Bushnell to George Everett), County Clerk's Office, the Town Clerk's Office, North Lawrence, N.Y. Howpun (N.Y., Hill and Wang. 1963). copyright Canton, N.Y. " Deed Book 111C. p. 483. County Clerk's Office. 1953 by the N.Y. State Historical Association YJ Deed Book 70B, p. 285. County Clerk's Office, Canton. N.Y. (Cooperstown). First American Century Series Canton. N.Y. For this information I am indebted to Francis Edition. August. 1963. p. 30. and Laura Thomas. interview on August 18.1987. Van Wagenen. Age of Homespun, op. cit.. p. 35. Deed Book 70B. p. 283. County Clerk's Office. Canton. N.Y. 7X Curtis, ed., Our County and Ity People, op. cit., " McGowan and Zdunczyk. "The Enduring Tra- The letter is signed "You know who." All p. 674. dition," Quarterly, op. cit., p. 5. family letters are in Everett Papers in possession " Idem. " I am indebted to Mr. Joseph Clark, of Malone. of the author unless otherwise noted. and Mrs. Vera Western Butler, of St. Regis Falls. UJ Lawrenceville Academy catalog for Spring for details concerning this house. Vera Western SS Furlough papers of Frederick Everett, June Term (March 24 to June 19). 1885; at Office of Butler also helped with the floorplan of the white 13, 1864; National Archives Trust Fund Board. Town Historian Elizabeth Winn. Town Clerk's farmhouse. Washington, D.C. Office, North Lawrence. N.Y. Date of birth on gravestone (Bayside Ceme- 64 Samuel Eliot Morison and Henry Steele nl By-laws as quoted in Watson B. Berry, "Law- tery, Potsdam. N.Y.) is December 23, 1834. Both Commager, The Growth of Me American Repub- renceville Academy," Fann & Garden. May 14, the published Everett genealogy and W. R. Cutter's lic (N.Y.. Oxford U. Press. 1962). Vol. I, p. 774. 1949, p. 5: at Potsdam Museum. "Clippings on Early Settlements outside Potsdam. Canton - Genealogical and Fancily History of Northern New 5s Deed Book 97B. p. 53. County Clerk's Office. York give the date December 22.1833. Canton, N.Y. Malone, Box 1I1 A.3. * Berry, "Lawrenceville Academy." op. cit., p. 5. 31 McGowan and Zdunczyk. "The Enduring William Richard Cutter. ed., Genealogical and Tradition." Quarterly, op. cit. p. 4. Family History of Northern New York (Lewis " Curtis. Our County and Ity People, op. cit., p. Historical Publishing Co., 1910). Vol. 11, p. 635. 674. A 1914 newspaper article (no name, no speci- 51 Durant and Peirce. with Everts and Holcomb. LU For this information I am indebted to Eliza- fic date) in the scrapbook of Emma Everett Bacon. op. Betsy Brandt Nahas Collection. Chelmsford. Mass. eds., History of St. Lawrence County. cit.. p. beth Winn, Town Historian of Lawrence. 424. Circular of the State Normal and Training "State of N.Y. Census of the State for the Year sn Durant and Peirce, with Everts and Holcomb. School, Potsdam. N.Y. (1870); at Potsdam 1845. Town of Lawrence. Election District No. 1. eds.. History of St. Lawrence County, op. cit., p. Museum. County of St. Lawrence. Book No. 2nd." pp. 37-40. 422. At the Town Clerk's Office. North Lawrence, N.Y. ffi Letter, January 1.1880. from Martha A. Ever- 1 am very grateful to Town Historian Elizabeth 5g "Articles of Co-partnership and By Laws of ett to daughters Emma and Ella; Everett Papers. Winn and to my sister Alice Duffy Rinehart for the Nicholville Co-operative Union." History Idem. Center. Canton. N.Y. assistance in reading and interpreting this census. Printed list of members of the Congregational bO Curtis. Our County and Its People, op. cit., 34 Van Wagenen. Age of Homespun, op. cit.. p. 20. Church of Hopkinton, to which Martha A. Everett p. 675. Curtis. p. 675. and Everts. p. 424. state added in ink her name and those of her four "Van Wagenen. Age of Homespun. op. eit.. p. "70" persons "formed" this Union. I counted 49 daughters with the date of their becoming mem- 20-21. in the ms. records. bers; Everett Papers. (Membership list had been " Hough. History of St. Lawrme and Franklin 61 "Articles of Co-partnership." op. cit. (un- printed before the date of their entering into Counties, op. cit.. p. 326. paged). Minutes of meeting held June 30.1875. membership.) Total population of Lawrence in 1830 was 62 "Articles of Co-partnership." op. cit. (un- Letter. January 4. 1987, to the author from 1.089. Microfilm roll #36 of the 1830 U.S. Census. paged). Minutes of meeting held July 17, 1883. Roger Brandt, who remembers as a boy being sent 3d Census. Vol. 8. St. Lawrence County. At the Curtis. Our County and Its People, op. cit., p. to the fields to gather the fresh manure. History Center. Canton. N.Y. 675. Letter. January 4. 1987. to the author from a John Sholl. "Of Merinos and Homespun - a Hamilton Child. compiler. Gazeteer and Busi- Roger Brandt. Brief History of the County's Woolen Industry," " ness Directory of St. Lauwme County for 1878-4 91 1880 U. s.' Census. Microfilm Roll 36. Vol. Quarterly. October. 1981. Vol. XXVI. No. 4, p. 11. (Syracuse. 1873). 8. St. Lawrence County; History Center. Canton. Idem. " April 1, 1873, Deed Book 97B. p. 53, County N.Y. 40 I am indebted to Patrick Malone and Ruth Clerk's Office. Canton. N.Y. B2 Letter, November 10, 1895. from Martha A. Macaulay, of the Slater Mill Museum, Pawtucket, Everett to her daughter Elizabeth Everett Duffy; ffi The "G. Everett" farmstead in Nicholville is R. I., for locating this information on fulling in pinpointed on the 1865 "New Geographical Atlas Everett Papers. Chris Aspin's The Woolen Industry, Shire Album of St. Lawrence Co.. New York from actual 93 Letter. November 18. 1895, from Martha A. 81 (Aylesbury. Bucks. U. K.; Shire Publications surveys by S. N. & D. G. Beers and assistants Everett to her daughter Abigail Everett Whitney; Ltd.; 1982). p. 25. (Philadelphia. Stone & Stewart, Publishers, 1865). Everett Papers. Van Wagenen, Age of Homespun, op. cit., p. History Center. Canton, N.Y. " Newspaper obituary, unidentified, no date. 265. November 16. 1883. Deed Book ElA, p. 524, Clipping is in Hubert Crowley Collection. East 1 am indebted to Town Historian Elizabeth County Clerk's Office. Canton, N.Y. Haddem, C.T. Winn for information about the Carpenter School. a March 15, 1876, Deed Book 105A. p. 287, Wills Book 9, pp. 328-331, County Clerk's '"or information on Parish's sheep, see John County Clerk's Office. Canton, N.Y. Office. Canton. N.Y. April 1989 "Dear Brother" Civil War Letters of Norfolk Brothers Part I1

to be victorious while the rebels know Give my love to all nothing of these in this quarter. Write soon and oblige your We are within hearing of the rebel Affectionate brother guns Yes even the whiz of their bullet, W.R. Helms which very often growing weary of To Albert F. Helms seeing our embankments go up so The weather is very cool. rapidly send a buzzard of iron where R they were doing no damage only catch- P.S. I have to write this sitting in a ing a lurker, for Berduns Sharp Shoot- tent holding it on my knee. ers give a squint over their rifles at the gunner who pays the penalty of his temerity with his life, we are obliged Ship Point Major General Ambrose Everett to do all under the cover of night so May 4th. 1862 Burnside. (Reprinted from H. D. near are we to their guns. One of the Dear Brother, Northrop, Panorama of American greatest scourges of rebel bravery is Although I have not received a word History, 1893) our great preparations and these are from you in a long time yet I must going on rapidly. And a few days delay send you a few lines. We are on the Shipping Poiht will awaken them to their senses while steamer we came down on to pursue April 25th, 1862 little McClellan will open a melody of the flying rebels. Yorktown is evacu- Modern American thunder, which will Dear Brother Albert, ated and our troops in hot pursuit. display before their eyes, visions of 15000 are captives to our men and we . . . We yesterday received a line stars, & make them feel the stripes from Father and a letter to myself and are determined to secure the whole too, while the answering of theirs will "bilin" of them. We left Alexandria Henry from Lucretia but no other from cause a melody not often heard on home since at Warrenton more than American shores, I expect. God speed April 19th and embarked for the plase. two weeks since. It was a relief to get We were on the boat one week when we the right, nerve every arm which went on shore and remained till this that for around our minds began to coil strikes for it till underneath the mon- the hateful coils of anxiety, of sickness ster curse of Slavery may be felt the morning when we were ordered on the at the firesides of home. But Oh! Poor volcanic element overthrown till every boat again to go up some of the rivers faithless perverse creatures when all either to Yorktown or up the James to cannon sealed in Peace shall help to Richmond. Onward to Richmond is thy mercies me surround. How can I raise the Pean of Praise to God. And fear to trust thee still I find myself now our motto. Last night we saw a . . . liberty to the oppressed the downfall great fire in the direction of Yorktown more disposed to fear for God's pro- of tyranny, till from every altar, tection of the body than for the soul of church, & institution of our country and McClellan gave orders to go on the more value infinitely. But life is a boat to go where we don't clearly know shall ascend one ablution of thanksgiv- yet. The news of the capture of New school. And when we have all its les- ing bearing on its consecrated wing the sons learned we have but the principles Orleans was probably the moving news to quicken angels praises, the cause of their precipitate flight. I think or alphabet of a science which is best yoke is broken, the slave is free. Then exercised in the world beyond After that not many weeks will elapse before . . . we may expect peace, till then war. we will be on our way home. I think I finished my last letter to sister on But we may [be] in a desperate fight, the last I was quite smart during the may not, God knows. You may have the Government will hardly keep all forepart of the day. But in the after- some anxiety to know the result. . . I the troops now in the field after the noon I was taken quite sick, and was taking of Richmond. I want to see am glad to hear you are again engaged Richmond and then come home. All taken charge of by the surgeon who in the Sabbath school. How I would was finding the main disease a diarhea our hopes of a brush with the rebels like to be there also. But as you hold is dashed to the ground. I have no other he soon checked that . . . And in a short the place you do, try the only motto time I felt so recruited as to be a new news to write. Please answer me soon. which I adopted some time ago. Be the Tell the boys that I expect to shake man. We lay in Black Jack's bay till best one ever stood there & never leave Wednesday we were debarked on shore hands with them before the Fourth of it till everyone shall regret your adieu. July. My love to all. Goodbye. and pitched our tents while the sailors Be kind to our Parents & sister honor cleaned up the boat, whence we expect cherish and love them, more than I Ever you brother, to return every hour. And we [are] ever did. What a foolish boy I have H.M. Helms ready to sail where ordered. Which been Brother. As hours of tearful ab- some say will be York, some James sense can testify as I have pondered May 4th, 1862 River, one knowing as much as the upon their kindness & my ingratitude. other, either, nothing. Great prepara- But all is past, & God has forgiven . . . Brother Phillard, tions are going on here 1500 guns are Henry & Judson are well as usual. I take the liberty to Returning you mounted and still on Chessman's Creek Jud came to us Tuesday morning. He's my thanks for the letters I received in to the left of this Point they are mount- better but his constitution is broken, answerr to my last written while in ing cannon after cannon long, large, & I'm afraid . . . Philidelphia some four weeks agoe al- horrid. Gun boats are being made I will close this I may send one to though I have not Read it as yet you ready, parapets, embankments built, Lucretia in it or wait a day or so & let can do as you please about writing and everything shows a determination Henry write. now. It certainly must of been interest- April 1989 ing. I am again in [unreadable] of the you have time to go to Brasher Center Hospital. Now do not misunderstand Rebels good by. you will find a young man by the name me Albert. If you feel able to lift and Julius J. Helms of Nowland of Co. H who has gone on carry me from one place to another [This letter was written to Albert. furlough for 30 days from the 28th to when necessary to change, why then, There is some reason to think that whom you can entrust all you wish. He dear Brother, come. If you fear any Phillard or Fillard was Albert's middle will be to the fathers of A Kinley some difficulty on your part be sure and name]. time during his stay. I am well as ever, straiten it all before you start. I have JJ and HM [Judson and Henry] are in 5 dollars in money with me but I believe the Hospital both with bad colds, but it does not cost any thing for riding as Hospital Lexington Avenue & not very sick otherwise. They have the State pays for that. It would cost 51st St. found the folly [of] leaving men in quar- you, however, full fare both ways, un- June 4th, 1862, ters so long before removing them to less I could get you passed by the My dear Friends at home, the hospital. Medical Director as my nurse which is It is very wet here and horrid muddy. very improbable. Now I will let you Your kind and cheerful letters came Sergt. Nowland lives below the centre know when I am able to be moved. If to hand yesterday, and I need not somewhere near Hellena. He used to you fear to borrow the money [to] come attempt to describe my overflowing run a mill at Hellena. My love to all. for fear of future difficulty I will pledge thankfulness, for any attempt would be I shall send this by L. Valley. my monthly pay until it is paid. I am a failure. Since last Sunday, my wound getting very anxious to hear from the has been slowly healing and the bone Your affectionate Brother, W.R. Helms boys. Our division has had no battle knitting, and you know this is the most since West Point so I know they are painful time. But I had not calculated [This letter is dated 4 days after the safe. I wrote to Riley two weeks ago the time for a letter from Norfolk and one from Henry in the New York hos- and told him to send my money home. I back right, and I begun to watch im- pital. It appears that either one of them have not heard from him so I believe patiently and anxiously for some word mis-dated his letter, or else William he has not got it. I will write again from home. I had begun to think you Riley did not yet know that Henry had to day or tomorrow to him. Please dilatory but I now see my error and been wounded and sent to the New answer soon. My love to all, especially the injustice I did you and ask your York hospital. The following letter sug- the family. I will let you know when pardon. I feel right and much better gests that the latter may have been the I think I am able to come home, so today, thanks to a loving and long- case.] you need not start till I write. But if suffering Father. The weather is cold Ethan will come I honestly think he and rainy which gives me some more would be better with the Doctors if pain but tis not so severe as for the Ladies Home for Wounded Soldiers they should raise any objections as he past 4 days. I feel and still feel my has more experience in the world and heart going out in blessings to God for Lexington Avenue & 51st St. New York June 10th' 1862 dealing with men. But do as you think his mercy to us all . . . There has been best and I will be suited and satisfied. another battle in front of Richmond Dear Brother Albert, No more. but our division was not in it. I am Your very kind and affectionate let- sorry not to have received your letters Yours truly, ter was received and the first time I Henry but from the 12th of April till yester- have felt able to answer it is today. day I have not had a letter from home. My leg has been pretty painful for a You will want some 18 or 20 dollars I have heard from home by way of week past but is doing finely now. For to start with, and the 5 I have will do Riley's letters but none have came to some reason the wound has not cleansed the rest. H.M. Well without doubt you have but this morning I could see the clear written often we could not trust the live flesh showing itself through the Hospital June 21st, 1862 mail after we left Alex[andria] . . . at dead flesh which has covered it for 3 present I can give no promise of coming weeks past. Now Albert you spoke of My Very Dear Brother, home short of the three weeks. The coming for me if you had money e- When I read your letter the other matron, Mrs. Vanderpool, told me this nough. I think by one week from this night I did not know whether to laugh morning that I should go home just as that Riley will have sent home some or cry. You know that either or both soon as I am able to go. But early as twenty four dollars of my money as I are indication of intense emotion and you are and welcome as you would be, I have written to him to send it there. I was so wrought upon by the evidence can not advise you to come. The ex- Now if that comes you may use it for of your solicitude for my welfare that pense would be considerable and I do that purpose. If it does not come if I laughed and shed tears at the same not know as they would let me go any you can borrow it do so and my money time while reading. I can only account sooner. I am. grateful for the evidence will come to pay for it before many for it only by attributing it to my weak- of your affection for me. I can write days. I have written to Riley twice ness. But I fear you misunderstood my no more today. Accept this as to each since I left West Point but have not letter to you or at least that part re- and all. I will write to each as soon heard from him. Have you? If you have lating to coming after me. I assure you as I can sit up to write. My love to tell me what you have heard. But Dear I never had the least objection to your all. Good by. Brother if any one comes for me you coming. I only feared that you might Yours ever in love, had better get Royal or Ethan to come. not do as well as some one else who Henry Now do not take this amiss Dear Broth- was acquainted with a city and travel- [Henry received his wound at the er nor think I do not want to see you ling. But not to yourself ever did or Battle of West Point, Virginia, on May or have you with me. But I shall have could I raise a single objection, by all 7, 1862.1 to be lifted and carried from place to means Dear Brother and I will let you place and Ethan would be able to do know when I am able to come. The June 8th' 1862 it better and easier than you. Then money that Riley sent home for me is Ethan is more used to the manners and at your service. The doctor thinks that Dear Brother, customs of the world and be more like- I will be able to leave here in from If you get me a pair of boots made if ly to get my discharge from the 2 to 3 weeks and will give me ample April 1989 notice so I can send home for you to me ever to be Camp of the 16th Regt. come for me. I am grateful for your Your aff. Brother New York Vols. anxiety for my welfare and comfort. Henry Jan. 26th, 1863 Be assured it will never be forgotten Dear Brother, by me. I am gaining very fast. Last Sunday I got up for the first time, New York On the morning of January 20th we sat up 1% to 2 hours. Monday & Tues- Jan. 22nd, 1863 had the order consumated and down day I kept my bed did not attempt to Dear Sister Delia, went tents, blankets rolled, canteens, get up. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, sacks, and knapsacks were filled. And & today I have been up all day. My Like news from the spirit-world was whirr went the drum which called us strength is returning very fast, and my your letter to me. "Long, long ago" I into ranks and filing before the Gen- appetite is voracious. My foot is getting sent a letter to you and as you did not eral. We stood, listening to the address the feeling again and I can begin to reply I concluded you were indifferent of Burnside for a few silent moments. hold it down. I think in a fortnight I to whether I wrote at all. But you Right flank! Forward march! And the shall be abundantly able to travel. I seemed to think because I was a bach long files of Franklin's grand Division have no news to write. Everything is I must write to you because you were a "Dragged its slow length along". quiet here and business is middling lady? whether you ever wrote to me The hard frozen ground gave conso- ~ lively. Give my love to all. Write again or not. Ah there is where you make a nance and thunder to the military soon good bye. mistake. An old bach is an incorrigible- tramp, the rattle of army trains rever- hearted simp anyway; and he seems berating along the line. Sounded like Ever your loving Brother, not to be affected by the threats of Henry the muttering of distant but approach- the feminines any more than by their ing thunder. While the cold chilly blast Al, come by all means if you can when smiles. So all their artillery is useless of Northern Boreas made overcoats a I send for you. Don't fail. Remember, to storm the citadel of his heart. Their military necessity. And the thought of Albert, I shall expect you when I write smiles (bombs) are unheeded: their men who had been wounded of laying for any one to come. solid shot (tears) are thrown away: and upon the frozen Earth wounded and their grape and cannister (scolding) bleeding again gave a dread which glance off the iron clad surface of their never before had been seen or manifest feelings like water from a greased rag. among men of our Regt. But my own Military Hospital Their assaults and sullies and flank feelings were light, hopeful . . . Ladies' Home For Sick And movements are all foiled by the un- Our route [went] by through old Wounded Soldiers sleeping vigilance of the guard he has Armps where hundreds of chimneys Lexington Avemue, Cor. 51st St. placed over his fortress and every had been built by ingenious heads and New York, Aug. 8th, 1862 attack is sure to be repulsive. So you nimble fingers, giving picturesque and Dear Sister Dele, see it is of no use to scold me. But I novel scenery amid the deep gullies What visitation did you have or mir- was glad to hear from you and should and priamidal hills on "Old Virginia aculous revalation to set you thinking! have answered sooner had not the want Shore". In sight of rebels there were I had concluded that my youngest of money to pay the postage prevented no Manifestations of movements but sister had forgotten she had a brother me. I wrote to Lucretia for some mon- hidden we like the Adder approaching in her overwhelming joys of matri- ey. If it is not sent you need not send his prey crept unseen toward the upper mony or in the multiplicity of cares it, for we have got our pay at last. I pinton on the Extreme right 5 miles accrueing in her new estate! Whew! am coming home as soon as my wound above Fredericksburgh . . . as dark- now my eyes did stick out when I saw will heal so that I can feel safe to do ness closed her sable pall on nature's your letter. so. I received a letter from Mrs. John- yellow autumn we struck off from the Well Delia you must look no more son yesterday . . . And Lucretia & road formed divisions pitched tents. for your dear (!) brother till May for Father too would I could come at once. The clouds which had been during I am not coming home again until then. But be patient. I will come some time the day alternating between threats In 3 or 4 weeks I am going back to my or other. Tell mother I shall be along and promises (and in viewing which regt. to engage in the patriot's work in 2 or 3 weeks. Tell her not to look one Man in our Co. a notoriously pro- of shooting rebels. Much as I calcula- so hard, for if I don't come as soon as fane but sensible man in his views of ted in making visit home and on having she wishes I will come as soon as I can. honest belief remarked, 'Almighty God a good time visiting my friends I must I have not heard from Riley or Judson will have more to do with this move give it up. I must do as other poor for some time. I hear that you have. All than Burnside can counteract'.). fellows have to remain in Hospital till things are bout as they have been. Oh Now began to pour their tears in I am well enough to be shot at again Bill Stowel did not find his melon profuseness and floods upon the frozen and then I am to be posted off to Va. patch could support him out west, did earth, and talk of dismal prospects . . . Well it is all right. I am a soldier he. Probably they did not command And night continued and as the shiver- and must take a soldier's fare. Thank him so high a price as in Norfolk. The ing patriot heard their doleful moan- God it is not for long. A little over infernal coward, run away to escape ings, how much did wishes carry them 8 months service will release me from the draft. He has so small a soul that a back to home sweet home, and said I the army one way or the other: either musk melon seed would be a wide field thank God Mother does not know where by discharge or the bullet. In either to wander in. I could parade a regi- I am. case I am in the Hands of one who ment of his souls on a point of a cambric Little time was given for morning doeth all things well. He has protected, needle. It would rattle inside a skull. soon came the knell of hope. Pack up preserved, saved me thus far and I will But enough of Bill Stowel. I shall be and be ready to move at once. trust Him to the end. much pleased to hear from you again Creeping from his canvas home, a- You must excuse this scrawl. I have as soon as convenient. My love to father mid drenching sheets of drifting rain. written all I know to Albert and Lu- & Mother & Lucretia & Albert, Also The order was obeyed. My only consola- cretia. Next time I will do better. to you. tion at that hour was the passage I Write again soon. Accept my assur- Good bye could not read then, "Have faith in ance of continued affection and believe Henry God". . . Soon on the move, while rain April 1989 came down mud came up. We went but you like get a tongue which can be put tell you I got more than one bone to little ways before we saw the batteries upon the cutter and buggy. pick with you. A dozen crows would endeavoring to extricate themselves I can write but little of interest more. not be enough. Now about enlisting. from a sea of mud. And one single But tell you I had a letter from Henry What do I want to enlist for? Why, to Forge defied the efforts of 9 span of one day upon the march which made shoot rebels, of course. I tell you what, stout horses then came the expression me a good surprise. He will come here Dele, this country will not be worth now worn threadbare, "Burnside stuck soon so he said. I am glad, but rather living in if the rebels succeed. I had in the mud". But three miles were tra- muddled to know why if Delia has such rather lay my bones on the battlefield versed until necessity the mother of a large iron kettleful of letters she does than to live if this country is separated. some great blessings gave her nod, and not answer some of them. And then I have not paid the rebel for we obeyed, pitching our tents again My best respects to all who inquire. shooting me. The only path [in] life in sight of Rebels who passed many a Move love to Father Mother Sisters open for a young man to earn distinc- rude joke off upon our pickets, placing & all others who have any room for it. tion is by the army. And do you want a placard on a pole, "Burnside stuck in I am your affectionate Brother to shut me out of that. Well I will see the mud". And many playful puns. So Lt. Wm. R. Helms when I get home. I think I shall go well convinced were they how a cam- back about the 10th of April to the paign in winter would end that they Regt. I may conclude to remain here were as undisturbed as children at New York & not go at all but I think I will go. play. March 30th, 1863 Give my love to Father, Mother, Albert, No such sight ever was seen Army Lucretia and take a share for your- huggins, cannons, cassins, in Jack Dear sister Delia, self . . . everything on wheels were buried I received your letter in due time & Henry beneath the sacred soil of old Virginia should have answered it before this if . . . And McClellan's theory demonstra- I had been able. But about the time ted No way to Richmond but by the I got it I was taken sick and confined Camp of the 16th Regt. NY Vols. James River. If the Devil would now to my bed, could not write. I was March 31st, 1863 call for competition for Hells pictures attacked with the Typhoid fever & of despair I would show him Franklins quinsey sore throat & was confined to Brother Albert, Grand Division. my bed for a number of days. But There has at last closed a day of There is not a man now but what is thanks to the mercy of God I am again immense and heated excitement. And scraping mud from boots, pants, shov- able to be about. I am not well yet but evening shrouds cannot close the dra- els, guns, and such a picture was never am so much better that I feel almost matic events. But now the thunder of presented of good natured fatigue. well. Your letter was very acceptable. the terrific base drum beats the time Well here we lay until Friday we I am glad to hear that all are so well. for an extra amount of brass instru- went on picket Saturday and about a My greatest anxiety is about my ments accompanied by three clarinets. mile and stacked arms, got a rope 40 friends. I can bear sickness or pain Which fill the camp with harmonic rods long hitched to 1000 feet of dry myself very well, but the knowledge or utterances of "Three Cheers for the pinton covers 11 horses already. We fear that any of my friends are sick Red, White and Blue" and my pen hunted these until night. The horses, distresses me exceedingly. My wound dances at the inspiration of that old mules, and men were completely ex- remains unhealed, but is growing time honored piece. As the Jerseys hausted. So much fatigue, exhaustion, smaller & beautifully less. I think I serenade Brig. Genl. Bartlett. and unrest. shall be able to go to the Regt in a week This morning at 8 AM came an order Yesterday we began to move back, or ten days. I only wish to go to be for the regiment to assemble upon the waded to camp in every conceivable mustered out of the service with them parade at 1 PM at which hour Bartlett depth of mud from 1 inch to 12 feet, as it will save me a good deal of trouble. would bid farewell to the brigade. The arriving at our old camp at dark. 7 I do not expect to do any duty for I am senate having [refused] to confirm his miles in 12 hours of forced march. So not able but it will be better to be with nomination he appeared around the ended the best planned and prospective- them than to be absent. Then hurrah camp with citizen clothes and the ly successful moves of so many at- for home. Home! how the word sets my man's worshippers who are as thick as tempts. But He "who plants his foot- pulse leaping & my heart on fire. I rebels in Hell. Blurted forth their steps in the sea and rides upon the think I never knew till the past year several views . . . I really believe some storm, chained the whirlwind . . ." and how dear a place home was. Oh they of them would follow him if the Devil's "mocked mans attempt at blood and wander wide who roam afar from life forked tail and cloven foot were both war". and joy at home. But I will soon see upon his carcass. The other ground divisions of Hooker you if Providence permits then won't Soon however we got a second order and Sumner did not move but had we have a good time. I reckon so, right that his farewell was postponed and we orders to move in light marching orders smart. joined in an Excelsior game of English at 6 am the 21st. But owing to the rain Now I think you pay me a great baseball, the Officers of the 16th vs. the order was countermanded. But 8 compliment, don't you when you speak 27th. Until just at night we were called cannon being fired at 4 am the 22nd of of my letters? One would think I wrote into line the whole brigade came to- Jan. We are all safely back to Old Vir- nothing but nonsense to hear you talk. gether. When General Bartlett ap- ginia to Old Virginia Shore. I consider it defamation of character to peared, not to say farewell but to send I am well though much worn foot- insinuate that I write nonsense. A man a telegram from that the President had sore. Exposed to damp ground at night of my dignity of character & gravity of reappointed him, it was a unanimously and wet body and cold units by day . . . deportment is above any thing nonsensi- welcome thing for all like him much The entire company stood the jaunt cal I would have you know. Nonsense! as a general. And we have every reason first rate. Today the sun shines bright, Indeed. Well. Well. It is a good thing to be proud of him while we listen to so yesterday in part . . . I am good-natured. If I was not what the stirring strains of instrumental Now I want you this winter to get a jawing you would get. But you know music. It is but comiing events casting those harnesses fixed as you spoke of. how it is & so you take advantage to their shadows before I look for a grand And I will pay all the charges, and if impose upon me just as you please. I drunk up there before midnight. For April 1989

Capt. Sanford, Liet. Dodge & myself the Doctor told me this morning. But it about his matters, settle and straighten [kept] away from there where whiskey does not heal any. I don't believe it them. I have not seen Bailey to know milk drink were offered . . . to all who will be permanently healed in five whether he drew Henry's pay or not. wished to partake. 0,Ruin & ambition! years. I think I shall not try for my I found a letter from Miss Huyboom Vile essence of of death and foam of discharge till my time is out. I want to me and two to him one from Lucretia. Hell, instruments of the devil & of the to go back to Virginia once more. I She wants me to send his letters to weakminded masses, who can stop thy have no news to write. All things re- Lucretia. I will send them by some one saying wines . . . main as they were. My regards to all coming there . . . I arrived here with- Now it is ten o'clock & I will go to friends in N---. Write soon and I won't out questions today although I was bed. Hoping that these lines will find scold so much next time. Committing somewhat behind time. There has been Father, Mother Brother & sisters well you all to God and the word of His four deaths at this post since I left and happy. I shall pray for your pre- grace. among recruits. There has been some sent and eternal interest. Remaining I remain serious rows here today among some Ever Your loving Brother men of the 48th NY and now there are Your affectionate Henry a large detail of men out to quell them. Brother It rains very hard this evening 8 o'clock Wm. R. Helms PM. But the weather is warm. Lieut. To Albert F. Helms Fort Schuyler Bailey did not draw Henry's pay. But March loth, 1864 I believe I shall go to New York and 4 o'clock P.M. draw it now for the six months for New York Mr. Albert Helms which he was mustered. July 23rd, 1863 In regard to a monument, you better My Dear Brother, look at the different kinds and qualities Dear Brother Albert - I am once again within the walls of for sale and then select the most suit- Your letter of July came to hand in my adopted home, Fort Schuyler! able taking everything into considera- due time & I improve that present to Where I arrived at 11:40 A.M. Friday. tion. reply. I am so glad to hear you are After I left you I had no material de- I am well but that affection of my well & also the family . . . I had begun lay or hindrance until I arrived at throat which seems to develop itself to get anxious & indignant. I knew Albany. Where I hutted. between two more tonight than usual. Lucretia was sick so I did not expect options for a little while, then conclud- I will bid you good night for I am her to write, but I thought someone ed to remain as I should be too late too sleepy to write more. else might let me know how she & the for the government boat at her A.M. Wm. R. Helms rest were. I have a big crow to pick in New York. So I filed off to 193 Swan with Dele when I see her. Now first Street to see Henry's old friend Mrs. P.S. I have found Henry's gloves & pen, take it to yourself. Suppose you were 3 Amirch. She was saddened by the as- silver or 400 miles from home and all your tonishing news beyond description as R. friends insisted on your writing to was all the others I had the sad duty them personally and would not write to inform for every where he had gone Fort Schuyler unless you did. Just think of the he found a friend. They had his Photo- N.Y. Harbor amount of labor that would be imposed graph, his autograph and some letters April 11th' 1864 upon you. Then think this is my case. all of which was my dismal pleasure to Not one but is so jealous of the other look at. I visited Wm. Haddocks & then My Dear Brother, or so afraid of labor & something else went to the Bazaar which was an insti- I take an opportunity which now that they must each and every one be tution of the Sanitary Commission an presents itself to write a few lines for written to individually or they will not attempt at description of this immense your edification in the brief respite write to me. Look for a moment at the establishment only detracts from its from New York now aallowed by the aggregate. At home 5 persons, at Fred- magnitude. Suffice it to say they have Court Martial in Session at Broadway erick's 2, at Royal's 4; at Ethan's 2: 13. realized more than $100,000 from it. & 63 Bleeker Street. I was summoned So while each one there writes one All that art or nature ever produced to appear before that August tribunal letter I must write 13. Each letter I was there that was wonderful. After of my peers as evidence against not write costs me six cents. So it costs me this I went to see Mayor Gilmore and only Mj. Trowbridge but three or four 78 cents while it costs you 3. But I do spent the evening at Royal Sturrtonz unlucky Wights who have made them- not grumble at the cost. If every letter until 10 o'clock when I seated myself selves obnoxious to Military authority cost me a dollar I would rather pay it in a H.R.R.R. car for New York arriv- by transgressing in various ways. But than do without one from home. But I ing at 5-40 this morning. Took govern- I have been up and down the streets of wish you would learn that a letter ment boat for this place and found a New York city and visited almost every home is addressed as much to all and hearty welcome among all . . . But thing of interest from the Metropolitan each as though each one was addressed there is a good deal of lonesomeness. fair. . . to the Academy of Music and by name. When I write to Delia and Hod Raymond says he never was home- thus down through one line of institu- particularly Lucretia I mean Father, sick until I went away with Henry's tions to another until I found myself Mother, Albert, and so with all. Well body . . . After I came back the orderly upon a Steamboat drifting toward Fort you are tired of this so we will change gave me $75.00 to be used as I would Schuyler. And landing at the Dock I the subject. I got a letter from Riley to defray the expenses of his funeral stepped off and found Melvin at this last Friday (20th). He is well and in or otherwise as I choose. It cost me place with Whom I have been visiting good spirits. I am expecting Judson including my own fare through and since and he has been most of the Day here any day. He wrote to me nearly back $68.00. So there the sum covers in my room and now sits here writing two weeks ago that his discharge was all and more beside. This was raised a letter to his wife. I have given my made out & I might expect him any by the company and they are willing evidence to the prosecution and shall day after next Friday. He has not come to do anything. And they say they be called upon again on the defense by yet. As for me I am about the same. would pay all costs if it was $500.00. Mj. Trowbridge. I will have to return My wound is looking a very little better I shall as soon as I can find out all tomorrow morning to the court con- April 1989 vened per other cases in charge of some prisoners for trial. I am well as usual and far better I beleve for I am gaining in flesh and only I am worn up and about. I don't know how much, tread- ing over the pavement. We are still in the Fort and only rumor has assigned us to any other locality. We have every kind of story about orders . . . Who they are for but none appear as yet officially sending any away. All quiet along the Sound is plagued out for the Wind roars and screams like a Wildcat. And blows as if all crea- tion had turned bellows. . . I think Albert we had better [get] separate stones to place at the head of the graves as they will be most appropriate. I hope to get dismissed from the court martial tomorrow and return for duty for I am tired of New York City. I believe if I stay in the Harbor this summer I shall send for citizen clothes to wear off duty. But we have had many a place in the field before this but I do not see the field yet. While Gen. Stannard is here to command. I have seen Frank Peek and Eugene Plives. David Bartle and the rest from Norfolk this week. They are well and you ought to see their fat turned fire. I hardly knew them . . . Tell Delia that as she is the better half this letter is to be half hers and she ought to answer it and if she . . . send it second handed and send me a second hand letter. Give my love to all. And believe me Graves of the Helms brothers. to be your ever loving Brother. (Photograph courtesy of J. A. Young, Town of Norfolk Historian) Wm. R. Helms [Melvin was another brother who served in the 98th Regiment, New York Volunteers, having enlisted in Malone]. am marching along. Take good care of February 25, 1864. After his death, Mother, brothers, sisters and Delia. Albert enlisted in Battery C, 3rd N.Y. Fort Schuyler Spare what pains it will not dissuade Light Infantry. He died of yellow fever April 21st, 1864 you to make Ellen happy. And God be in Newberne, North Carolina, later that year. Judson came home and lived My Dear Brother, the Father of us all and we are obedient children honor him in all things. until April 11, 1881, when he died at I am now for the prospectively last I send you a picture that an artist the age of 49, apparently unmarried. time ever writing you from NY Harbor tried to take of me while I was Officer William Riley was mustered into the as the order is all ready issued to go of the Day. Poor specimen of a human 14th Regimant, N.Y. Heavy Artillery, to Washington. And half of the task origin. Give my love to all and tell where he attained the rank of captain. of packing up is completed although a them that Riley has gone to give his Always religious, after the war he great deal of bustle and confusion still help to our country. Hoping the hellish became a Methodist minister, serving exists around quarters in the prepara- rebellion will soon be ended . . . a number of parishes in northeastern tory fixing for departure. I have great My love to all, New York State, including Parishville, regrets at leaving and some other are Riley Colton and Massena. He married Ellen no source of grief many things will be Adams and they had two daughters, more pleasant than here. And certainly P.S. I am going to send some of Henry's both of whom died young. He later re- the distinctive [unreadable] of a solider things by Derrick and you some collars tired to Norfolk and lived until Febru- will exceed in honor the dull unambi- that are too large for me. ary 19, 1920. He, along with his wife tious routine of garrisoning NY Har- Riley and daughters, and Henry, Judson, bor. I do not know whether we shall their parents and other family mem- go into the field or fortification around bers, are buried in the High Street Wash. but as a soldier's duty is to obey POSTSCRIPT Cemetery, in Norfolk. not question I instead hoping my [ser- J.A.Y. vice] will be of [use] to my country. Tragedy befell the Helms brothers And to act unwise will ever cause the during the war. Henry never achieved Jean A. Young is Norfolk Town His- friends to blush. When Riley's name is his longed-for homecoming. He died, torian and curator of the Town of mentioned for God and my country I apparently of his unhealing wound, on Norfolk Historical Museum. April 1989 23 SLCHA ANNUAL REPORT 1988 by Garrett Cook, Director Since 1985 the Association has seen incredible growth marked by building construction, creation of a sizeable en- dowment, and staff enlargements. During these years the Association has had three directors, an acting director and an interim administrator. This- combination of rapid growth, increas- ing financial responsibility and admin- istrative instability has been hard on the staff and trustees. A core staff of Rich Rummel, Janet McFarland and Andrea Shortreed Bellinger stuck it out through this hard time and is still at work for the Association offering much needed continuity and practical expertise at the museum. Joan Barrick, a frighteningly efficient but very per- sonable administrative assistant, worked through 1988 helping to ease my period of adjustment as director. Regrettably, she had to resign at the end of 1988, but she has continued to come in regu- larly as a volunteer. Five trustees who have served the Association faithfully over many years and who offered dedicated stewardship during this difficult period retired at Llonna Behnke, Tiwsrn ithing at Cantc~n Country Fail. Day 1988. (SLCHA the end of 1988. Beverly Markkula, an files) energetic Association leader for many years and one of our most consistent and hard-working volunteers resigned museum staff. Special mention should craftsmanship. from the Board following several also go to Mary Smallman, Elwood During the summer and fall of 1988, months of recurring illness. Varick Simons, Virginia Fischer and Herb a second floor room in the Wright Chittenden, a past president of the and Mary Ruth Judd who have been House which had been used for storage Association, past editor of the Quarterly my principal guides in seeing my and exhibition preparation was plas- and an Association leader since the duties and the Association from the tered and painted by volunteers Clarke 1960's decided not to return to the point of view of the county's local his- Gage, Dick Dunne, Nick Baffaro, Bill Board in 1989, though he is and will torians and family history researchers. Robinson, Don Peckham and Ruth remain available as an advisor and In the museum business, much of McKean. It opened in December as a friend of the Association. Chris Acker, what happens in a given year is the children's room. The staff and the pro- whose authoritative presence and sage result of planning, grant writing and gram committee are working on plans legal advice made him invaluable also hard work which took place the year for children's programs and special decided not to return to the Board. before. Considering the pressures and children's exhibits. If you have children Mary Jane Watson, treasurer during difficulties faced by the trustees and or grandchildren bring them by some- the challenging days of the Endowing staff in 1987 the accomplishments of time to see the historic photos of child- Yesterday's Future campaign and 1988 are even more impressive. hood and antique toys and to let the Harold Wilder, chairman of the cam- There were some major changes in kids try on some clothes from the attic paign, also decided to give up their our operations and facilities in 1988. trunk. positions after years of able financial A new position, that of archival aid, guidance and hard work as volunteers. was created by the trustees in January Exhibits, Programs, Museum They will all be missed, and they are and ably filled by Ida Kretschmar, a Education And Publications to be commended for staying the course fine genealogist, until she was injured 1988 was a busy year. The museum's through the perilous transitional period in an auto accident in November. An- Programs Coordinator, Rich Rummel, of 1986-1988. other change at the museum in 1988 organized openings of four major ex- I was hired as director last ~pril.As was construction of a new and much hibits. The first, "Learning to be a new director unfamilar with the improved wheelchair ramp and con- Grownup", on childhood in St. Law- Association I saw my job in 1988 as crete walk, designed by Jim Monroe, rence County, was planned and de- that of trying to understand the com- and built by Canton Rotary Club and signed by Rich and Education Curator munity and the institution and of Canton Lions volunteers with lumber Andrea Shortreed Bellinger. It opened learning the technical side of my new donated by Richard Venier of Massena at the museum in March. The second, a position. I have tried to capitalize on Building Supply. The project was rented exhibit on rustic furniture my mistakes by learning from them. started in the summer and the ramp opened in May. The third, a travelling I have been helped immeasurably by a was officially opened with a ribbon exhibit on the history of the Racquette patient and supportive Board of Trus- cutting ceremony on November 19th. River funded by the New York State tees and by a congenial and gifted It is a beautiful ramp built with real Council for the Humanities, was co- April 1989 sponsored by the Historical Association interesting artifacts. The program at Nadine, who was committed to broad- and the Potsdam Public Museum, and the annual meeting of the Association, ening the base of participation in was researched by John Omohundro. It held at the Flanders Inn, Massena, on writing for the Quarterly spent many opened at Higley Flow in July and October 22 was an outgrowth of this hours visiting potential contributors at visited all the St. Lawrence County project, focusing on Alcoa and Massena sites around the county. She initially communities located along the river. during World War 11. A typical North agreed to serve as guest editor for an At the end of July a major exhibit, Country sleet and snow storm held issue, but at my request she stayed on "J. Henry Rushton and the Great Out- down attendance at the meeting but and served the Association very well doors," researched and designed by didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the as editor for an entire year. I regret- Rich, opened at the museum. It fea- hardy souls who ventured forth. A fully accepted her resignation after the tured photos and artifacts from the second year of funding was granted by October issue. museum collection and boats, paddles NYSCA to create the exhibit in 1989. and carpenters' tools lent by friends of It is scheduled to open at the museum Collections And the museum. on June 2. Collections Management Rich organized about a dozen educa- Museum educator Andrea Bellinger As in other years the museum ac- tional programs during 1988 including developed plans for revising and im- cepted hundreds of individual items a Paul Malot lecture on Adirondack proving our house tours with the aid donated to the collection. In the ab- Great Camps in May, three Sunday of a professional consultant last sum- sence of a professional registrar we afternoon programs in the Northern mer. Acting on some of the ideas gener- have been very fortunate to have been Identity Series in the fall, and a Cecil ated by this consultancy Andrea has able to retain the services for another Graham lecture on railroads in Octo- recruited a small and dedicated team year of volunteers Mickey Williams ber. Musical performances included of docents to help with school tours, and Dot Mackey who have spent many French American folk music by the and has developed an expanded tours afternoons accessioning newly arrived Ouimet brothers in January and a program. artifacts. Since we lack an acquisitions rendering of some historical songs In addition to this she has continued fund we rely on the generosity and from the Association's sheet music writing and publishing the St. Law- community spirit of county residents in collection by an inspired adhoc ensem- rence Chronicler, our fourth grade order to see our collection grow and ble in December. There were also quarterly reader on topics and issues increase in depth and coverage. It is several practical workshops offered, in local history. The Chronicler, a col- not possible to mention here all of the. one on conservation for local museums, laborative effort between the Associa- interesting objects we received, nor to one on caring for personal treasures tion and the St. Lawrence-Franklin properly thank and acknowledge in- and one on researching old houses. County BOCES won an award of merit dividual donors. Rich also supervised the on-going from the Regional Council of Historical 1988 was very unusual, however, in research for a planned exhibit on the Agencies at its annual meeting in that we actually purchased two items relationship between Alcoa and Mass- April of 1988. We were pleased to hear for the collection. In January the ena. This project which involved sever- at the end of 1988 that the Alcoa Foun- trustees were informed that a portrait al professional consultants in the areas dation had agreed to support the of Mrs. Silas Wright attributed to the of history, folklore and exhibit design, Chronicler in 1989 and 1990, picking artist Horace Bundy, and dating from was supported by a grant from the up funding which had been provided about 1830, was to be auctioned at New York State Council on the Arts. for three years by NYSCA. Sotheby's. Local support was quickly Special mention goes to Madeleine The Quarterly was edited by Nadine solicited in a dramatic atmosphere and Gray for conducting many hours of Jennings in 1988. A special issue, in a successful bid was made. The por- interviews and for locating numerous January, was devoted to Akwesasne. trait is presently being cleaned and rehabilitated at the Williamstown Regional Art Conservation Laboratory in Massachusetts under a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. In October a graceful double globe astral lamp, with original leaded crys- tal pendants, was purchased with money donated in memory of Alice Reynolds Manley and in honor of John Baule. The lamp, appropriate to the restored Wright house interior, was featured at a reception on December 15 and is on display in the dining room. We also accepted delivery in 1988 of two major donated items, a square grand piano originally made at the Badlam Piano Company in Ogdens- burg in the 1850's or 60's and donated by Frank Campbell, and a grandfather's clock donated by Halsey MacPhee. Mary Ruth Judd organized a reception on June 9 to celebrate the arrival of the piano, and many Badlam descendants attended, creating a very special atmos- phere in which all of us were made Astral larnp. Pw-chased in Ito,~orof John Baule, in memory of Alice concretely aware of the meaning of Reynolds Manley, 1988. (SLCHA Collection) time and family and of the value of April 1989 25 local museums. and magic. mortgage was paid off in 1988. We The archives were enriched im- On the evening of August 20 the completed the capital improvements on measurablv in the fall when Jim Association, with the help of Edith the Wright House, and by the end of lankm man honated the Ed Blankman Duffy, Edwards Historian, sponsored the year we owned the museum build- collection of more than 500 labelled a special living-museum entertainment, ings outright and we had a still grow- historic photos of Canton and vicinity. a Vaudeville show in the auditorium of ing endowment of over $260,000. This collection, which will remain in- the Edwards Town Hall, a beautifully It is very likely that state and federal tact as a very special unified resource preserved example of a turn-of-the- support will suffer deficit driven de- on local history, will be featured from century community theater. clines over the next few years, and it time to time in Quarterly photo- As has been true over the past few is not certain that county support can spreads. years the Association also organized be counted on at present levels as state several bus tours in 1988. The tours, and federal cuts continue to affect Special Events arranged and choreographed by intre- other county programs. We cannot rely Country Fair Day on August 27 and pid travellers Joan Barrick and Janet on the work that has been accom- Christmas Open House on December 2 McFarland, included a trip to Philadel- plished, though we can certainly build were very successful. The second annu- phia in April and one to Quebec City in on it. We must find creative ways to al Country Fair Day, held in the October. The Quebec tour was enliv- engage as yet untapped or underutil- . Canton Village Park, featured produce ened by a hotel fire. There were also ized sources of support. This poses the and baking competitions, children's two day-trips, one to Ottawa for Spring central problem to be faced by the staff lawn games, dozens of craft and local Festival and one to Brush Gallery at and Trustees during the next year or vendor demonstrations, and folk music. St. Lawrence University. two. Success in the near future will not The day was sunny and warm. Hun- be measured by growth in buildings, dreds of people strolled through the Finances And Support paid staff, or budget, but rather by an park enjoying the late summer weath- Special fundraising activities this enlarged local understanding of our er. The unusually abundant yellow year included our tours, Country Fair mission and increased community in- jackets added a note of excitement to Day, and an oriental dinner and silent volvement. We will find ways to accom- the day, especially around the food auction on October 8. We received the plish more with our existing financial tent. final installment of the $100,000 Na- resources. Christmas open house at the Wright tional Endowment for the Humanities My job in 1989 and 1990 will be to House featured Victorian Christmas challenge grant to our Endowing Yes- translate my still growing understand- trees and decorations, a fire in the terday's Future campaign and official ing of the Association and the larger fireplace, delightful and delicious re- NEH approval of our expenditures and community into a new sense of the freshments and holiday music played investments of campaign funds to date. Association's future and to find the on dulcimer and guitar by Freddi About 30% of our 1988 income in help needed to transform that sense Hogan and Lori Cook. A special holi- support of general operations was the into a coordinated institutional effort to day exhibition of early to middle 20th result of grant writing to state and perceive and to realize our fullest po- century children's blocks and other federal agencies. An additional 20% tential. I hope to become a conduit for construction toys and a display of an- was provided by St. Lawrence County the creative energies. ideas and work tique dolls were installed in the in support of the archives and County of an enlarged anddedicated communi- galleries upstairs. During the course of Historian position. The other 50% was ty committed to understanding, docu- the evening several hundred people made up of members dues, endowment menting and preserving our-history visited the house which was filled to income, fundraising event receipts, and traditions. capacity and shimmering with warmth donations and sales in that nrrler. The LOCAL HISTORIANS - 1989 Rorurle: Elwood Simons TOWN Lawrence: Elizabeth Winn AD 2. Box 454. Rossie 13646 Brasher: Geraldine Dullea Box 15. No. Lawrence 12967 Russell: Donna Fitzgerald Box 352. Brasher Falls 13613 Lisbon: Mrs. Terry Fischer Rte. 1, Russell 13684 Canton: Vacant Route 2, Lisbon 13658 Stockholm: Mildred Jenkins Clare: Claudia Giffin Louisville: Patricia Shirley Rte. 2, Potsdam 13676 Rt. 1. Box 226, Russell 13684 Star Route. Massena 13662 Waddington: Jane Layo Clifton: Jeanne Reynolds Macornb: Sandra Wyman 39 W. St. Lawrence Ave., Waddington 13694 Cranberry Lake 12927 Route 2. Hammond 13646 VILLAGE Colton: Lillian Cassell Madrid: Marian Bouchard Canton: Vacant Town Hall, Colton 13625 32 Bridge St.. Madrid 13660 Edwards: Vacant DeKalb: Virginia Fischer Massena: Theresa Sharp Gouverneur: Nelson B. Winters Box 37, School St., DeKalb Junction 13630 200 E. Owis St., Massena 13662 Box 48, Gouverneur 13642 Depeyster: Mrs. Budd Bracy Morristown: Lorraine Bogardus Hamrnond: Valera Bickelhaupt (see above) RD 2. River Rd., Ogdensburg 13669 RD 1, Heuvelton 13654 Herrnon: Mary H. Smallman (see above) Norfolk: Jean A. Young Edwards: Edith Duffy Heuvelton: Persis Y. Boyesen (see above) Town Hall. Edwards 13635 Route 1, Box 61, Norfolk 13667 Massena: Theresa Sharp (see above) Oswegatchle: Persis Y. Boyesen Fine: Mary T. Bradley Morristown: Lorraine Bogardus (see above) Box 102, Oswegatchie 13670 RFD 3, Ogdensburg 13669 Norwood: Susan Lyman (see above) Fowler: Connie Bishop Parishville: Emma Remington RD 3. Gouverneur 13642 George St., Parishville 13672 Potsdarn: Betsy Travis Potsdam Public Museum, Potsdam 13676 Gouverneur: Eugenia Huntress Plercefield: Mona McMahon 26 John St.. Gouverneur 13642 Wood Ave.. Piercefield 12973 Rensselaer Falls: Dorothy Crane Box 102. Rensselaer Falls 13680 Hammond: Valera Bickelhaupt Pierrepont: Betty Newton RFD 1. Hammond 13646 Star Route, Potsdam 13676 Richville: Helen Reed Richville 13681 Herrnon: Mary H. Smallman Pltcairn: Pamela Conlin Box 171B. RFD 1, Hermon 13652 RD 2. Box 78A, Harrisville 13648 Waddington: Jane Layo (see above) Hopkinton: Addie Miller Potsdarn: Susan Lyman CITY Route 1. Box 178. St. Regis Falls 12980 38 Prospect St., Norwood 13668 Ogdensburg: Persis Y. Boyesen (see above) 26 April 1989

Barbour's Beautiful Collection of Fine Ladies and Mens Apparel

Pendleton, Woolrich, Blackbear, New England McIntosh, Thornson, Aston, Cambridge, Robert Scott, Sero, knz, John Meyer, Hootstein, Tretorn, Sky.

1 3 HODSKIN ST. CANTON, NY 1 36 17

OPENING JUNE 2 new ell'^:::^'^^^^ at the COMPANIES St. Lawrence County Museum 3 East Main Street, Canton --'BULLDOG ALCOA IN MASSENA HOME HARDWARE @ Tracing Alcoa's growth and development and its important influences on the Mmsena area. DORFILE The exhibition is funded by the ~ew~ork State 5TORA6E & SHELVING SYSTEMS Council on the Arts.

If you have enjoyed reading The Quarterly and are not currently a member of the Historical Association, please consider joining now. Receive this award-winning local history periodical regularly . . . AND help us Eperlinqb to preserve and promote local history. OR.. . . FURNITURE STORES Perhaps you know of someone who would enjoy receiving The Quarterly and hearing about the Asso- ciation's activities. Consider giving a gift membership in the St. Lawrence County Historical Association. At home in 1989 Membership Rates &

Northern New York Patron Member $100 and UP Sustaining Member $75 Contributing Member $50 Regular Member $20 Since 1919 Senior Citizen (65 and older) and Student (Under 22) Members $15

OGDENSBURG MASSENA &4n POTSDAM WATERTOWN To become a member, simply send a check with your PLATTSBURGH name and address to: St. Lawrence County Historical Association, PO Box 8, Canton, NY 13617. April 1989 27 n CANTON FEDERAL NOW OFFERS A MONEY MARKET PASSBOOK

Features: Interest credited monthly Interest rate established monthly Interest paid day-of-deposit to day-of-withdrawal Minimum balance requirement - $1,000.00* If balance is reduced below the minimum, the rate of earnings shall be reduced to the rate paid on regular savings accounts. canton federal SAVINGS 8 LOAN ASSOCIATION

127 MAIN STREET CANTON, NEW YORK Address Correction Requested P.O. Box 8 BULK RATE Canton. N.Y. 13617 U.S. Postage

Permit No. 21 Canton. N.Y. 13617

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

NEWTON FALLS PAPER MILL, INC. *NEWTON FALLS PAPER MILL, INC.. z M CI A He I4 0z 3 "3 G WTON FALLS W *t? PC t? 4 PAPER MILL, INC cn PI m P.O. BOX 253 NEWTON FALLS, NEW YORK 13666 d 2'd 2 M C4 z z z 0 F: Manufacturers of High Quality Paper for the Publishing, t? Ws Printing and Converting Trades Since 1894 z z. . . 0. z CI Mill and General Offices at A H2 d NEWTON FALLS PAPER MILL 0 CI 2 P.O. Box 253 NEWTON FALLS, NY 13666 Z lx "3 W t?* PI . . . t? 4 rn P1 m Supporter af the St. Lawrence County Historical Association GI 'd2 i4 M 4 z Crr . . . z z 0 F: Member STORA * Group .y FW *(CELEBRATING 700 YEARS - ESTABLISHED IN 1288) 2 z 0 1 NEWTON FALLS PAPER MILL, INC. .NEWTON FALLS PAPER MILL, INC.