f

1952 Fifteenth Publication

of the Oswego County Historical Society

1952

Palladium-Times, Inc. Printers Oswego, N. Y. LIST OF OFFICERS 195 2

President Dr. W. Seward Salisbury

drove A. Gilbert Charles A. Denman Mrs. Audrey Hadley Vice-Presidents J. C. Birdleboulgh Mrs. Hugh Barclay Gordon Sturge Alfred G. Tucker __ F. Hosmer Culkin

Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Karl Kellogg

Recording Secretary _ Dr. Charles F. Wells

Miss Helen Osborne Assistant Secretaries Miss Mabel Osborne

Treasurer Luther W. Mott

Curator Anthony Slosek

Program Chairman Dr. Charles M. Snyder

Edwin M. Waterbury Mrs. Frank Elliott Board of Directors < Miss Anna Post Ralph M. Faust Dr. Thomas R. Miller

III TABLE OF CONTENTS OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS IV PROGRAM 1953 V LEST WE FORGET VI ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT VIII SOCIETY MOURNS EDWIN M. WATERBURY X BEFORE SOCIETY IN 1952: "THE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES OF GERRIT SMITH" (Paper Given Before the Oswego County Historical Society by Dr. Charles McC. Snyder, Oswego State Teachers College, January 8, 1952 1-17 "JEROME INCREASE CASE AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO MECHANIZED FARMING" (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by Mrs. Nell DeLong, Sandy Creek, on February 19, 1952) 18-23 "POLITICS AND CAMPAGINS IN THE 1840's" (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by Charles Groat, Oswego, March 18, 1952) 24-48 "THE WILLETT FAMILY AT BELGIUM, NEW YORK" (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by Rodney Johnson, Oswego State Teachers College, April 22, 1952) .49-61 "OLD HOMES OF FULTON" (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society at Presbyterian Church, Fulton, by Mrs. Frank Elliott and Grove Gilbert, May 27, 1952) 62-73 SUMMER PROGRAM INCLUDES TOUR AND PAPERS AT HEADQUARTERS HOUSE 74 "THE JERRY INCIDENT AND UNDERGROUND RAILWAY" (Paper Given Before the Oswego County Historical Society as part of Summer Program by Dr. John O'Connor, July 19, 1952) 75-80 "UNSOLVED QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE WAR OF 1812" (Paper Given Before the Oswego County Historical Society as part of the Summer Program by Major James R. Jacobs, USA Retired of Cazenovia, July 19, 1952) ...81-86 "CLARISSA PUTNAM OF TRIBES HILL" (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by John J. Vrooman, Su­ pervisor of Historic Sites, State Department of Education, October 21, 1952) 87-90 "WILLIAM DUER OF OSWEGO" (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by George Joyce, November 18, 1952 91-102 STANDING COMMITTEES 103-105 NECROLOGY 106 IV PROGRAM FOR 1953

January—"Willard Straight," Dr. Norman Whitten, Oswego State Teachers College.

February—"Sun, Sand, and Soldiers," Mrs. Stanley M. Gifford, Syracuse.

March—"The Story of American Lighting Devices," Dr. Adelbert C. Abbott, Syracuse, New York.

April—"Oneida Lake Navigation," Mr. J. Elet Milton, Brewerton.

May—"Dr. Mary Walker," Mr. Fred P. Wright, Oswego.

October—"A Combat Soldier's View of the Civil War," Dr. C. M. Snyder, Oswego State Teachers College.

November—"The Refugees at Fort Ontario," Mr. Carl Palmitesso, Oswego.

V THOMAS A. CLOUTIER "Heat Wt 1forget" == {Stomas a. Cloutier NATIVE of the State of Maine, but a New Yorker by adoption, A Thomas A. Cloutier has for more than a quarter of a century been one of Oswego County's most loyal sons. For nearly 15 years he has been one of the most enthusiastic and active members of Oswego County Historical Society to the service of which he has devoted much of his leisure time unselfishly and without thought of compen­ sation or other reward than a consciousness of having performed faithfully and well the duties of the important office of secretary of the society. When he was first elected to that office in 1941 the membership of the society was under 200 persons and the duty of mailing out post card notices of meetings to the membership eight or ten times a year was not too burdensome. When he retired from the office, declining another re-election in 1951, the number of members of the society approximated 700, and the task of mailing out meeting notices had become burdensome indeed—so much so, that the duties of the office have since been divided to relieve the secretary of the duty of sending out notices of meetings and of mailing out bills for dues to those members of the society who do not pay personally their dues on the occasion of the annual meetings held in January of each year. Besides mailing to members notices of meetings and sending out the membership bills and letters to delinquents Mr. Cloutier kept the minutes not only of all meetings of the society held during his term of office, but also of all meetings as well of its Board of Managers. In addition he made time in his busy life to serve on important commit­ tees of the society and to perform special tasks in its behalf requiring constant exercise of tact and judgment. Born at Sanford, Maine, December 16, 1904, Mr. Cloutier was graduated from Bowdoin College with the class of 1926. He spent the following summer attending Harvard University Sumimier School. In the fall he came to Oswego to accept a position in the circulation department of the Oswego Palladium-Times. He has since been identi­ fied with the newspaper successively as a circulator, reporter, manager of its Fulton office and as assistant business manager. For 13 years he served as secretary of the Fulton Rotary Club following 1936. He was a charter member of the Oswego-Fulton Torch Club in 1939 and has since served as its secretary, and more recently as its treasurer as well. He has been a director of the Security Building and Loan Association of Oswego since 1943. He is a member of the Fulton and Oswego Chambers of Commerce, a member of the Advisory Board of the Oswego branch of the Salvation Army, and a member of the Fort­ nightly Club of Oswego. "In recognition of Mr. Cloutier's sustained zeal in the interest of Oswego County Historical Society through many years of devoted duty and vigorous effort and of his many contributions to its work, the Board of Managers of the Society formally dedicates this volume to him." VII Annual Report of The President

T^ HE PROGRAM for 1952 included regular meetings each month dur­ ing the fall, winter, and spring, and a Summer Tour in July. At these meetings nine papers were given, the texts of which appear with­ in these covers. Open-House Sunday afternoons from 3 to 6 were held during the spring, summer, and fall. Hundreds of persons from all parts of the County, from New York and many other states visited Headquarters House and inspected the Museum. Special fund-raising activities included a benefit card party at the Headquarters House, and a scrap-metal drive to finance the construc­ tion of museum exhibits. Hundreds of school children brought by their teachers through special arrangement with the officers were taken on guided tours of the House and Museum. In an endeavor to widen the educational ser­ vices of the society, the officers invited Dr. William J. Tyrrell, educa­ tional specialist of the Division of Archives and History at Albany, to conduct a special meeting December 2, for the benefit of the social studies teachers of the County. The Society's Committee on Historic sites in collaboration with the Division of Archives and History, organized and administered a Trading Post service at Fort Ontario. This feature of the Fort On­ tario Historic Site proved most popular among the thousands of visi­ tors who flocked to the Fort this past year. The Barnes Estate property was sold and the proceeds deposited in the Endowment Fund, and placed at interest for the benefit of the Society. Mrs. James Riggs, widow of Dr. Riggs past president of the Oswego County Historical Society, donated several hundred historical maps of Northern New York to the society. These maps were drawn and edited by Dr. Riggs following his retirement from the presidency of Oswego State Teachers College. The maps are for sale at fifty cents each for the benefit of the general fund. The Society is unique in that the ambitious program and varied activities are carried on exclusively by the voluntary work of its members. Hundreds of man-hours went into the work of the curator and his assistants, the work of the treasurer, secretaries, and assist-

VIII ant secretaries, the entertainment activities of the Auxiliary Commit­ tee, the successful efforts of the committee to dispose of the Bames property, the reconditioning of the drapes in the Reception and Draw­ ing Rooms by the House Committee, and the money-raising project of the Ways and Means Committee. A large number of members devot­ ed a Sunday afternoon to serve as hosts at Open-House. Others served as guides and lecturers to groups of school children. The strength of the Society lies in the interest and work of so many of its members. The point has been reached, however, where the Society can no longer meet the demands placed upon it, and continue to broaden its educational and other public services on the basis of volunteer help alone. Complete realization of the full possibilities of the Museum and other activities of the Society calls for a part-time worker and executive secretary to perform the jobs that need to 'be done from day to day and week to week. A modest sum each year to prepare exhibits for the maximum display purposes would be money well spent. This fine old Victorian mansion was turned over to the Society six years ago in a splendid state of repair. The exterior should be painted within the next few years. This past year several unbudgeted and rather expensive items of repair developed. It will require several hundred dollars each year from now on to maintain the Headquarters House in the same fine state of preservation in which it was received. A substantial part of the budget on which we operate comes from dues of members at two dollars per year. Members die, move away, or otherwise become inactive. We need to replace these losses and add new ones. We can boast between five and six hundred members but there is no reason why this number should not be doubled. Two dollars is a small investment to make for anyone who feels the history of the Greater Oswego Community is interesting and worth preserving for the benefit of future generations.

* • *

IX g>ocietp fflomtvz Cbtotn JH. Materburp

HPHE community was shocked by the sudden death of Edwin M. Water- bury December 30th, 1952. Under his leadership and through his great energy and foresight the Oswego Coimty Historical Society evolved and developed to win the unique position it holds today among local historical societies. His place in our society can never be filled; his deep interest and devotion to things historical in and about Oswego has seldom been equalled. The Citation to the Oswego County Historical Society by the American Association for State and Local History, September 1949, is in reality a personal citation to Mr. Waterbury. The Citation was granted for: "Reactivating an historical society and greatly increasing its mem­ bership, for developing county-wide interest by holding meetings in var­ ious communities, by summer tours, and by a system of representation of small communities among the officers of the society; for leadership in the preservation of Fort Ontario as an historic site; for the estab­ lishment of a museum; for an extensive and successful fund-raising cam­ paign; for publication of a yearbook; and for close relations with the press, the schools, civic groups, and all local celebrations of an historical nature." Mr. Waterbury was an historian of considerable stature. Over a period of years he delivered a number of papers not only before the lo­ cal Society but also before a number of state and national groups. He made some particularly significant contributions in the field of colonial history. His leadership in this field was recognized by his election to the presidency of the Society for Colonial History. For a number of years he served as a trustee of the New York State Historical Society. The officers of the Society are sponsoring a special memorial to Mr. Waterbury. Friends are invited to contribute to the Edwin M. Water­ bury Historical Endowment Fund. The proceeds will foe devoted to some fitting recognition of his work as an historian and his efforts in behalf of our own society and the cause of local history throughout the State.

X The Business Activities of Gerrit Smith

(Pai>er Given Before the Oswego County Historical Society by Dr. Charles McC. Snyder, Oswego State Teachers College, January 8, 1952)

On a July day in 1827 two enlarge and develop his holdings. young men joined the throng For example, it provided the col­ which was assembling at the lateral to borrow $300,000 in 1837, water-front in Oswego to witness another panic year, at a time the auction of state lands on the When he was hard-pressed, and east side of the Oswego River. might otherwise have been forced One was Gerrit Smith, 30-year-old to follow numerous other business financier from Peterboro, N. Y., men into bankruptcy. the son of Peter Smith, prominent land holder and speculator. Eight Edwards A Canaler years earlier, a little more than The second young man at the a year after his graduation from above mentioned auction was Hamilton College, Gerrit Smith John Benjamin Edwards, a 25- found himself the possessor of his year-old canal worker. Edwards father's properties—properties so was born on May 23, 1802, near numerous and scattered, that it Old Tenant Church in south-cen­ required several years to complete tral New Jersey. At the age of an inventory of them. The con­ five he moved with his family to tract which Smith entered into Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., a loca­ with his father was not without tion which put him in the path­ heavy obligations: $25,000 to be way of the Erie Canal, and event­ paid in five annual installments, ually led him to follow the canal starting at once; and then $100,- to Oswego. Edwards worked 000 to be paid in 10 annual in­ briefly as a laborer on the Erie stallments, with interest payable Canal; then as a sub-contractor, annually. Added to these pay­ and finally as a superintendent at ments were annuities to be paid the age of 20. The lack of trained to Gerrit's sister, Cornelia Coch­ engineers at that time afforded rane, and his brother, Peter an opportunity to those who could Skenandoah Smith. profit from their experience, and After fifteen years the estate in 1824 Edwards came to Oswego was to be divided: Gerrit to re­ to superintend the construction of ceive one-half of the total, and the Oswego Canal Company's hy­ the remainder to go to Cornelia draulic canal built, along the east and Peter Skenandoah, for whom bank of the Oswego River. He Gerrit and his uncle, Daniel Cady, purchased a farm in the Hamilton were to act as trustees. The re­ Gore district, but continued to en­ sponsibilities thus undertaken gage in construction work on the must have staggered the young canal and docks. Hence his inter­ capitalist, a situation rendered est in the auction. even more difficult since the first When the auction bidding was year of his stewardship fell in the finished Smith had purchased the panic year of 1819. However, it property for a sum of $14,000, enabled him to conduct his busi­ and staked his future upon the ness affairs on a broad stage, and growth of Oswego. A short time to obtain credit when needed to later he purchased controlling in-

—1— terest in the Oswego Canal Co., sale, and toyed with the thought thus enlarging and diversifying of auctioning off his properties on his property holdings in Oswego. numerous other occasions, he re­ The writer has been unable to sisted these temptations to con­ determine just when Smith and vert his holdings into cash, and Edwards met for the first time. continued instead to buy new From a note of the latter written property as he sold his earlier 38 years after the auction, it purchases piece-meal. In general would appear that they were not he tended to sell lots in resi­ personally acquainted at this time. dential areas, and to retain and "I saw you there," Edwards re­ lease lots in the business sections called, "you was (sic) a brilliant and along the water-front. looking young man. You foresaw In 1830, three years after his that land on the east side of the initial purchase of Oswego lands, river was about as valuable as the Smith leased the Cove on the east west side, notwithstanding it sold river bank, a property which had at about 3 times as much on the been turned over to the village by west side as it did on the east." the state a few months earlier. (Edwards to Smith, July 21, 1865, This area, situated north of Gerrit Smith Miller manuscripts, Bridge Street at a point wher«* Library of Syracuse University. East Schuyler Street, if extended All Edwards and Smith letters westward, would reach the river, cited are in this collection unless consisted of a stagnant pool of otherwise indicated.) water which became a channel or "gut" when high water ran Promoters View Oswego through it. After selling a half in­ Smith proceeded to sub-divide terest to David S. Jones, a New his property into lots, and to lease York City financier, Smith under­ and sell them. In 1830 in con­ took extensive improvements for junction with Samuel Stocking the purpose of making it into a and Abraham Varick, he offered docking area for the transfer of much of his land at auction, re­ lake cargoes to the canal and serving, however, lots near the vice versa. Its significance to the water-front. The advertisement budding village was recorded in for this sale furnishes a descrip­ an editorial of the "Palladium and tion of Oswego as seen through Chronicle", July 7, 1830, headed: the eyes of these promoters: The Oswego River, it declared, had as "Village Improvement" much water as the Hudson at Among the many important Albany, with a descent in the last improvements which are mak­ mile of 20 feet supplying immense ing in and about our village, we hydraulic power. It was well situ­ are gratified to learn that the ated for flour milling. Two mills, lot in East Oswego, commonly it observed, were already in oper­ called the Cove Lot, which has ation, and another under con­ lately been acquired from the struction. "An elegant and sub­ state by our energetic corpora­ stantial pier" had recently been tion, is now in progress of rapid built by the United States govern­ improvement. The lot has been ment at the mouth of the river, leased by the corporation to and a spacious harbor provided Gerrit Smith, Esq., and this adequate facilities for the trans­ hitherto sink of filth and source fer of grain from Onario, and by of contagion is now becoming way of the Welland Canal, "for rapidly renovated. A channel 1,000 miles of Lakes beyond it." sufficiently large for any of the The population of the village was lake vessels is now almost com­ about 2,400, having trebled in 3 pleted through it, and instead years. (Oswego Palladium & of a pool of standing water, a Chronicle, Feb. 1, 1830.) portion of the pure water of the While Smith participated in this river will be conducted through

—2— it, on which, we understand, it original plans, which he con­ is the intention of the enter­ sidered to represent but a partial prising lessor to erect a dry improvement; and to confuse the dock, wharves, and other con­ situation further, Gerrit Smith veniences for business. disapproved of Burkle's contract. Consequently, Osborne was forced to mark time, submitting mean­ The development of the Cove while a bill of $2,000 for "the note property brought home to Smith of preparation, collecting hands, the disadvantages of absenteeism, provisions, expenses, etc." (P. S. and a realization that success or Smith to G. Smith, June 25, failure depended upon finding the 1831.) right kind of agent to handle his The bottle-neck was eased when affairs. In some respects the fol­ Burkle paid Osborne §750 to be lowing account of the building of let off from his contract and the Cove Property suggests a promptly left town, and Peter much more famous incident in the Sken. engaged Osborne to exca­ Civil War: That of Lincoln find­ vate the cove by the foot. Work ing a General! began early in July, 1831, but this arrangement was soon termi­ Constructing The Cove nated, also, and for another brief At the outset, responsibility for period Peter Sken., J. S. Glover, the project was undertaken by an Oswego attorney, and his son Peter Sken. Smith, Gerrit's headed up the operation. On brother mentioned above, who had September 3, Peter Sken. indi­ located in Oswego. Peter Sken. cated that the work was going was buying and selling Oswego well. One hundred fifty men were lots in his own right, acting as digging and carting, and they broker and agent for other specu­ were dredging and excavating lators, practicing law, and active under water with "Campbell's in local politics. In handling his Patent Excavator," obtained by brother's affairs he displayed an the resourceful "Judge" Glover at abundance of energy and enthusi­ Seneca Falls. "We are now ad­ asm, but his judgment was fre­ vancing well at every point," he quently at variance with his em­ wrote, "and we endeavor to have ployer's, and he found it difficult it all done to the best advantage. to postpone decisions while await­ We may err in judgment but I ing instructions. His letters re­ hope not in vigilance and scru­ porting upon the project serve tiny. We do all to prevent your the dual purpose of illustrating being 'wronged' that we could do these difficulties and giving the in such a body of laborers for reader a picture of the work in ourselves. The Judge is on the progress. ground every morning at day A certain Mr. Burkle arrived break, where he remains til I from New York City, who was join him there on the course of eager to buy a share in the Cove, my before breakfast ride. Young but who refused to be associated Mr. Glover keeps the accounts with D. S. Jones, Smith's partner. and makes payment, a very labor­ Peter Sken. and Burkle agreed ious operation requiring constant upon terms, and Burkle engaged attention, and also he visits thi- a contractor from Montezuma— work several times a day in com­ all without waiting for Gerrit mon with the Judge and myself, Smith's approval. (P. S. Smith to and unites with us in improve­ G. Smith, June 9, 1831.) By the ments and suggestions, etc." (P. time the contractor, Asher P. S. Smith to G. Smith, Sept. 10, Osborne, arrived with his labor 1831.) Two months later Peter force, Burkle, who seems to have Sken. reported that the job was been, as mercurial as Peter Sken., nearly finished; but his optimism was dissatisfied with Smith's proved to be unfounded, and he and the Glovers were superceded eastern or inland side was a lock, by John B. Edwards. and beyond it a drydock connect­ Edwards Takes Charge ed to the hydraulic canal of the Oswego Canal Co. This latter Peter Sken. did not withdraw feature does not appear to have without a struggle, howe\*ar. been completed. Leading out of When Edwards, hampered by the basin to the northwest was a heavy snow and severe weather second channel connecting it with which "froze the buckets," and the river. The basin was lined defeated their efforts to keep the with wharves, and beyond them excavations clear of water, halted was a street, appropriately term­ operations in December, Peter ed Basin Street. A conveyance Sken. jumped into the breech, en­ with goods designed for a ship in gaging contractors Hovey and the basin might proceed north­ Van Alstyne to finish the job for ward on East First Street to $500, without consulting brother Basin Street and the wharves. A Gerrit. It was the last straw. drawbridge connected the "is­ Gerrit denounced the arrange­ land", i. e., the section between ment, and ordered Peter Sken. the inlet and outlet channels, to not to meddle with his concerns. Basin Street. The latter admitted to yielding to his heart in jobbing the re­ Stimulation For Commerce mains of the cove bank, and The completion of the Cove promised not to interfere again. Property or Basin or Smith Cove Deeply mortified, he begged Ger­ inaugurated there a flourishing rit not to reveal his displeasure forwarding business, where gen­ to the Judge. "It would break the eration after generation of Os­ old man's heart," for he advised wego merchants exchanged pro­ the letting to those "vagabond ducts of the West for the mer­ creatures", Hovey and Van Al­ chandise of the East, and where styne. But in concluding the ships were overhauled and stored above note the irrepressible Peter during winter months when navi­ Sken. bounced back to observe gation was closed on the lakes. with unveiled sarcasm that the Older residents of the Oswego "vagabonds" were almost finished, area will recall having heard of having expended between seven such business houses as: Hamilton and eight hundred dollars, for Littlefield, James Piatt, Miller which they would receive five and Trowbridge, D. Talcott and hundred. (P. S. Smith to G. Smith, Son, Merrick and Davis, Bates Dec. 24, 1831, Jan. 4, 25, 1832.) and Smith, M. P. Hatch, Edward The writer was unable to find and Thomas Wentworth—all of a detailed description of the Cove whom leased frontage on the Cove Property as it appeared at its during the early years. completion in the spring of 1832. Returning to the two principals It was enlarged as early as 1835, of this account, Smith and Ed­ and altered substantially on sev­ wards, you will recall that the eral other occasions. There is a latter was engaged in construct­ sketch drawn by Peter Sken. ing the Cove Property during the while the work was under con­ final months. Either Edwards' struction, which must have been handling of this responsibility or quite similar to it, though pos­ his work for the Oswego Canal sibly more elaborate. The south­ Co., or both, favorably impressed western channel or inlet from the the absentee property holder. Pos­ river was about 40 feet wide and sibly Henry Fitzhugh, Oswego for­ 10 or 12 feet deep. It led the warder and miller, and brother- water into a rectangular basin, in-law of Smith, recommended which was divided into two sec­ Edwards to him. In any event, tions, one for sloops and the other Smith engaged Edwards as his for smaller craft. On the south­ Oswego agent on December 2,

4- 1831, while the latter was direct­ tedious and obstruse, lessons. ing the construction of the Cove. These letters have apparently On an anniversary of the event been lost, but Edwards' letters to years later Edwards recalled that his employer supply us with a it was just 27 years ago that eve­ yard-stick to measure his prog­ ning since he received from Mr. ress. Smith at Mr. Fitzhugh's house, His spelling, for pxample, at "your papers and your instruc­ first consisted largely of pho­ tions for my beginning in your netics, and he seldom commented business." (Edwards to Smith, on anything except business. But Dec. 2, 1858). There was appar­ as time went on his spelling im­ ently no public announcement of proved and his written vocabu­ the business association. Peter lary expanded; and as the busi­ Sken. continued to handle his ness relationship broadened and brother's property until January deepened into a close personal 31, 1832, when Gerrit ordered him friendship, he frequently referred to cease forthwith. The chagrined to family matters, and of even Peter Sken. replied that it was more general interest, to com­ his first intimation "that Edwards munity activities, including local is your land agent at Oswego! ! ! politics, church news, population ... .You never told me Edwards trends, fires, storms and epi­ was agent for your lands! ! ! I demics; in fact few major oc­ am glad to hear and know it." It currences, whether political eco­ requires little reading between nomic or social in nature, were not the lines to observe that Peter recorded. Comments on state and Sken. looked upon Edwards as a national issues, particularly those novice; Gerrit's decision to em­ in which Smith happened to be ploy him as agent must have engaged at the time, were also seemed incredible. , discussed; as were his speeches and tracts. Edwards Becomes Agent Peter Sken. was anything but an impartial judge, smarting as Edwards' Interests Broaden he was under his brother's criti­ Edwards' views, it might be cisms. Yet, Edwards was wholely noted, usually coincided with lacking in experience as a land those of Smith, and were formu­ agent, and Smith must have been lated under the latter's influence. willing to overlook this deficiency Smith stimulated Edwards' inter­ because of his value in the main­ est in abolition, the under-ground tenance of the canal and the railroad and the Liberty Party; in cove. temperance, and in non-denomi- For Edwards, it was an oppor­ nationalism in religion. He also tunity—an opportunity to grow fostered in him a skepticism for under the tutelage of one of the the major political parties and most remarkable Americans of politics generally. Some men the era. Each week he read one, would have undoubtedly resented two, or more letters from Smith Smith's tendency to preach and devoted chiefly to Oswego prop­ moralize; others would have be­ erty, but interspersed with come mere "rubber stamps" so as Smith's views on religion, aboli­ to "get along with the boss." But tion, temperance, philanthropy, Edwards' personality enabled him politics and many other current to transform causes emanating subjects. Smith also supplied him from Smith into convictions and with copies of his speeches and a way of life; and contemporaries tracts, which he ground out in respected him for his strength of seemingly inexhaustible numbers character, and not simply as a and varieties. It amounted to a mouthpiece of Smith. The latter correspondence course in many must have sometimes opened interesting, though sometimes doors for him, but it would not have sustained him through his Smith had the water power and long and active career. the mill sites to lease. He also But to return to the business had docks for the carrying trade. activities of Smith and his agent; Only on the east side of his land Edwards' duties in the early could lake vessels discharge their years included: First, the main­ cargoes of grain directly to ware­ tenance of the hydraulic canal, houses where it might be milled, the leasing and the collection of then forwarded as flour via the rentals on it, and the duties of canal. Activity along the water­ the office of secretary-treasurer front stimulated business on the of the company. Second, the east side, which was at the time maintenance of the Cove Prop­ connected to the west side of the erty, the handling of leases and village by a single toll bridge. collections, and the construction The business section moved east­ and up-keep of piers and wharves ward on Smith's land on Bridge along the east bank of the river. Street, and north and south on Third, leasing of lands and build­ East First Street, then on East ings in the business area, and the Second Street. Beyond the latter, sale of building lots; also the pur­ Smith, through Edwards, made chasing of properties, which were lots available to the most affluent frequently bid in at tax sales. and the poorest Irish immigrants. While most of Smith's land sales Edwards' correspondence contains and purchases were in the Oswego hundred of entries representing area, and particularly on the east monthly or quarterly payments of side, many were scattered across $10 and $5, and sums as small as northern New York State, re­ $1. Cause and effect are not quiring for Edwards numerous easily separated, but Oswego's trips westward to Cayuga and new commercial prominence and Wayne counties, northward to St. Smith's land and business promo­ Lawrence and Jefferson counties, tions led to a rapid expansion on and occasionally to points as dis­ the east side. Starting with a tant as Rochester, Lewiston on population of less than one-half the Niagara River, and Buffalo. that on the west side of the One trip found him in Oberlin and village, the growth of the east Cleveland, Ohio. One of Edwards' side matched that of the west, most persistent problems was the decade after decade, in this era. rental of the Fitzhugh Hotel Returning to Edwards' duties, which stood at the southeast cor­ mentioned above, the writer ner of East First and Bridge would now like to trace the high­ Streets. Ordinarily it would have lights under each heading. been just another property, but a hotel of Gerrit Smith's was a Oswego Hydraulic Canal temperance house, and proprietors When Edwards assumed his re­ of temperance hotels who could sponsibilities in 1831, a single pay rent were a rare breed. flour mill and a handful of other users made up the lessees of the Lot Sales On Easy Terms Oswego Canal Co. By 1836 a sec­ Such were Edwards' duties; a ond grist mill, a lumber mill, and word about the business climate cotton factory had been added to in which he worked. Through the the list, now numbering 19; and purchase of land and canal stock, annual collections totaled $2,786. and the building of the Cove Two tenants were paying $500 or Property just prior to or immed­ more: Henry Fitzhugh & Co., iately after 1830, Smith had flour milling, and the Daniel gotten in on the ground floor. Hugunin Saw Mill. Rentals fell off When the Oswego and Welland during the panic years after 1837, canals opened a new chapter in but equaled $5,843 by 1846. (Ed­ Oswego's commercial history, i. e., wards to Smith, June 20, 1846). the grain trade and flour milling, In 1855 Edwards appraised the property at $100,000. The canal and sometimes exasperating in was a consistent money maker, dry seasons to conserve water but had its headaches particularly along the upper portions of the when the water in the river was canal, so that there was some left too high or too low. In 1831, for for the lowest user. The attitude example, the problem was too of the lessees, particularly the much water—the strong current millers who became the largest breaking the wall in the wing consumers, may be appreciated, if dam guarding the entrance to the you will recall that the business canal. Before the canal could be was highly speculative. Grain was tapped, the flood broke through purchased during a brief period, the bank above Bridge Street, and and flour was delivered in New poured back into the stream. York City when the market was Several months were required to favorable. A miller might see his complete the repairs. Brother potential profits turn into losses Peter Sken. who was still handl­ even though the price of flour ing business matters for Gerrit was high, if his water power was reassured the latter, "I intend inadequate to turn his wheels. seeing our editors and keeping the Smith and Edwards, along with a accident out of print. It can do good many other Oswegonians, no good . " (P. S. Smith to G. looked upon the millers with a Smith, April 8, 1831). In April, certain disapprobation, referring 1836, a breech let the whole head to them as "speculators" and of the pond into the canal. Again even "monopolists." Possibly this the bank burst forcing extensive attitude stemmed in part from repairs It was the same story in the handsome profits realized by 1849, when 80 feet of the bank them in good years. In any event, was carried away. the millers were frequently tar­ gets for criticism. Squabbles Over Water In 1832 the problem was low Editorial Comments water, with Edwards seeking to When the Panic of 1837 had divert as much water as possibk- lowered the demand for flour and into the canal, and users on the depressed its price, an editorial in west side attempting to tap it on the '-Oswego Commercial Herald" that side. The ensuing quarrel observed: centered on the retention of flash "The flour speculators are in boards atop the State Dam, which a sorry pickle, and we are not controlled the flow of water. sorry. As soon as the navigation Richard L. DeZeng working with closes, all the flour in market Abraham Varick removed the is usually monopolized by a few boards on the west side, barely dealers and held at enormous escaping from going over the prices for home consumption. dam, Edwards reported. The lat­ The immense importation of ter proceeded to put them back, foreign wheat this winter will and the former to remove them. give the holders of flour a con­ Both contestants then turned to siderable sweat. The article is the law, and Varick sued Edwards down to $8 in New York and for trespassing on the State Dam. will probably go lower—the The results were inconclusive, game is up with them for this with higher water postponing the year." (Feb. 14, 1838). issue until a later day. To suggest that the above Smith and Edwards also had criticism was not an isolated one, the problem of regulating the a year later the "Oswego County usage of water by their own Whig's" editor, Richard Oliphant, lessees. Water rights were meas­ fulminated in an editorial entitled ured in runs, but since the rate "Extortion": of flow was regulated inside the The millers, it observed, had mills, the lessor found it difficult been taxing their own in-

—7— habitants $2 per barrel for flour In 1847 this situation was re­ more than New York prices, versed, with the Canal Company despite the fact that the flour going to court to prevent its was milled in Oswego and lessees, and in particular Henry shipped to New York. It de­ Matthews, from using more water clared it to be a pleasure to than their contracts specified. announce that Mr. Cheney Edwards estimated that the mill­ Ames supplied himself else­ ers were making 100-125 barrels where, and would supply other of flour per day per run—which families at a price 8 shillings more than doubled the customary below the millers' price. A few volume, "Millers and shippers," he weeks later the same paper added, were "rolling up wealth acknowledged that the millers at a wonderful rate now... The were absorbing heavy losses. commercial business increases "We do not exult in the mis­ astonishingly." (Edwards to fortune of any class of men.. Smith, May 1, 22, 1847). .. When the people were suffer­ ing for the 'staff of life' these Two Power Canals Complete men, because they could mon­ By the next year, the continued opolize the article through the low water brought the east side- unjust favoritism of the banks west side competition for water . put on a price that was to a head. To review the back­ fictitious, exorbitant and cruel. ground briefly it should be noted When the people groaned and that Abraham Varick had pur­ complained of the prices, they chased the Burt property on the were bidden to go elsewhere for west bank of the river adjacent their supplies And there are to the old State Dam, and had men in this village, who have constructed the Varick Canal be­ oppressed the poor with such tween 1833-1835, which ran par­ an iron hand, that should they allel to the river from the dam be bankrupt tomorrow, they to Utica Street. He leased the would not have one person to property including water power to mourn their misfortunes, unless the millers and other users. Upon indeed it should be their credit­ his death the canal was sold to ors." The outlook was not en­ F. T. Carrington and Myron tirely dark however; C. J. and Pardee, who operated it in 1848. E. R. Burckle, it noted, had In June the water was low and reduced their prices, and Edwards at the Canal Company's Messrs. Tallcot and Bond were expense, was putting on flash starting at the new figure; and boards and plugging holes in the there was a report that Fitz- dam. The water continued to fall, hugh and Piatt, had also adopt­ and by September he had restrict­ ed current prices. (May 21, July ed mills below the bridge on the 16, 1839). east side to but 8 runs at a time: but this was not sufficient to per­ When water was low in 1841, mit navigation on the canal. (The and C. J. Burckle spoke of suing hydraulic canal and the Osween the Canal Company, Smith re­ boat canal used the same canal torted that while the millers bed at this time). Meanwhile, Ed­ grumbled because thev had only wards reported to Smith that G enough water to do half work, mills were in operation on the they were better off than those Varick Canal—consuming twice in such dry times who could do the amount of water used on the no work. If Burckle carried out east side. The superintendent of his threat to publish their com­ the Oswego Canal, he continued, pany, "it would not be the first "has made several attempts to time he had tried to bite his own shut and keep shut part of their nose off." (G. Smith to Alvi'n gates at the head of their canal, Bronson, Sept 24. 1841). but they resist him by bringing on a larger number of men than By August all mills were operat­ he has. And Myron Pardee had ing on a part-time basis; and him arrested yesterday by our when Henry Matthews placed a recorder's court and put under temporary dam between his flume a $500 bond to keep the peace. and that of Fitzhugh's, blocking He (the superintendent) is now the water from the latter, Ed­ determined to forthwith make a wards instituted legal proceed­ dam across their canal at the ings. (Edwards to Smith, Sept. 1, head of it. The lessees on the east 1849). But justice moved slowly. side are obedient to his require­ It required another 10 months to ments." (Edwards to Smith, Sept. get the engineer's report (Wm. 4, 1848). Pierson Judson) on Matthews—a A few weeks later the millers report which indicated that he on the east side were so pressed had used approximately three for water that they allowed Ed­ times the quantity allowed by his wards, backed by the second class lease. In his final letter dealing users, to examine the spouts in with this incident Edwards was their mills where the water trying to persuade Matthews to struck the wheels. Using the show him his copy of his lease, Truman Wyman mill as a stand­ which defined his water rights, ard (17"x6%"), due to the un­ after he had failed to find it at certainty surrounding just what the county clerk's office. A. P. a "run" should measure, Edwards Grant, Matthews' lawyer was ad­ found that Doolittle & Mollison vising him to refuse Edwards' re­ and Fitzhugh & Co. were using quest, and the latter was weigh­ more than double this capacity to ing use of an injunction. By this a run, and that Penfield, Lyon & time it was June, 1850, and water Co. were using 1% times normal was again plentiful! (Edwards to capacity. Edwards planned to Smith, June 13, 1850). close these spouts to conform to Despite these rather hectic Wyman's, but the solution, he be­ lessee-lessor relations the canal lieved, lay in selling the canal to continued to pay dividends. About the millers, and allowing them to 1855 Edwards was relieved of his handle the distribution of the duties with the Oswego Canal Co., power. (Edwards to Smith, Sept. which, with the exception of the 19, 1848). This particular crisis actual maintenance, were shifted was eased by the return of F. T. to an Oswego attorney, Charles Carrington to the city, who per­ Rhodes, who assumed Edwards' suaded his partner to withdraw title, secretary-treasurer. Years his suits. (P. S.: There was a later after Smith, and Alvin flood the following winter). Bronson, who had been the com­ pany's president for many years, Water Power Uncertain had died, Edwards returned to the But the following summer company as its president, to rep­ found the contestants sparring resent there, the interests of the again. Water was low, despite the Smith heirs. winter freshet. Edwards went to Rochester to try to find a work­ The Cove Property able definition of a "run," but The building of the Cove Prop­ apparently failed to find one. erty has already been described. James Piatt, served an injunction It was scarcely finished before on W. J. Pardee for running a demands for additional wharves second class "run" when he could led the owners to enlarge it. In not operate his elevator with a 1833 Smith and his partner, D. S. first class "run," and Edwards Jones, purchased the Cove Prop­ paid the Wilbers $7 per day not erty from the Village of Oswego to operate their saw mill so as to for $5,000, a sale sponsored by conserve the supply for others. east side residents to provide (Edw. to Smith, July 3, 21, 1849). funds to improve the streets. The

—9— purchase saved the owners an an­ the demand for footage on the nual rental of $300, though taxes water-front, became "bread and soon nullified this advantage. It butter" for hungry men seeking appeared, nonetheless, to be a employment. When Edwards be­ bargain to Peter Sken. who ques­ gan the job during the boom tioned "whether as much property period, he found labor to be changed hands in the state in 20 scarce. "They have got a notion years for $5,000." (P. S. Smith to that they will not work but 10 G. Smith. June 8, 1833). He hours of the day and must have wouldn't exchange it at the mo­ $1 for that," he reported. To ment, if it were his, he affirmed, obtain a labor force after some for "all the water power above men had "turned out" he raised the bridge, east and west." wages from 6-6 (6 shillings, 6 Nevertheless, Smith in one of his pence, or about 81c) to 7- (87c), selling moods planned in 1835 to on the condition that they work sell it at auction, along with most all day. (April 18, 1836). But the of his Oswego property. Edwards following spring Edwards ob­ at Smith's bidding advertised the served that there were many sale in the Oswego papers, but poor who were anxious to procure with real estate prices advancing a means of support. Conditions rapidly, he advised his employer had changed so drastically that he not to quote minimum prices or to was undecided about the wage sell at once. (Edwards to Smith, rate. Money was scarce and pro­ Aug. 7, 17, 1835). Smith subse­ visions very dear. He began by quently changed his mind, and in­ paying 7- per day, but thought he stead of selling, purchased Jones' might advance it to 8- if money interest in the Cove. became plentiful and provisions It was a wise reversal, since remained high. property values sky-rocketed dur­ ing the fall of 1835 and the win­ Provided Work For Needy ter of 1836. Oswego and Buffalo To provide additional employ­ became centers of a speculative ment Edwards improved the orgy which swept the nation streets around the Cove. "This Rumors of a railroad to Utica, a will enable me to employ some new bank, a Niagara ship canal, more of the poor men that are spurred the boom. On March 15, begging for work—it is a great 1836 Edwards reported: "I should charity to employ and pay the judge that property has advanced poor laborers at this time." (Ed­ full fifty percent perhaps nearer wards to Smith, April 7, 11, 1837). seventy-five since you was (sic.) Edwards was employing at this here in December. This shows time about 80 men and 15 wagons that your wealth is greatly in­ on the Basin, and 25 men and 15 creased by not selling % of the teams on the street, at a cost of cove and canal Mr. Fitzhugh about $150 per day. Work was thinks the cove improvement bet­ progressing rapidly; the men were ter be made as early as it can be working hard and appeared to be done and then sell." In such a "perfectly satisfied with the situation it is not surprising that wages." (April 28, 1837). But Smith should have reappraised his dwindling collections soon brought properties. In the spirit of the the wages down to 6- per day, times he placed a price tag of and Edwards discontinued work $1,000,000 on his Oswego prop­ on the streets, employing as many erty. There were no offers. of the men as he could use on But the Cove Property's role the Basin. "One reason why I changed quickly. By the fall of discontinued this work," he ex­ 1836 the bubble had burst. Trade plained, "was that there is no slowed down; then virtually horse feed to be obtained here. stopped, and the enlargement, None of the mills here have done conceived as a means of satisfying anything this spring except Mr.

—10— Fitzhugh a little, and his mill Canal earned attractive profits. In stops." When Smith proposed a 1855 Edwards appraised it at second cut in wages, Edwards ad­ $200,000. During the balmy years, vised against it. Provisions con­ before and after the Civil War, tinued to be high, with flour at rentals reached the sum of $25,000 59 a barrel and potatoes 7- per annually, and even when the bushel. A wage cut, he believed, grain trade declined after 1861 would retard the progress of the leases to two companies of cove work. (May 16, 22, 29, 1837). wharves for (coal) trestles (Os­ The Cove similarly to other wego Midland Railroad; New York Oswego investments languished Central Railroad) continued to during the Panic of 1837, and it yield a steady income for the was not until the early 1840's Smith heirs after 1875. that a revival occurred. By 1845, however, shipping was expanding Grampus Bay Development again, and this growth was Meanwhile, the limited space sustained until the Panic of 1857. available around the Cove led In 1846 the Cove was again en­ Smith to organize the Oswego larged by widening and deepening Pier and Dock Co. or Grampus the southwest passage. Larger Bay property, with Smith holding ships could thereby be accommo­ a 13-16ths, Fitzhugh and D. C. dated and additional wharves con­ Littlejohn a 2-16ths, and Edwards structed on both sides of the pass­ a l-16ths interest. The project age. Rentals were going up; sev­ consisted of piers and slips on the eral tenants were paying annual east side of the river just north rentals of $500, and one, Bates of the Cove Property, on land and Smith, more than $800. (Ed­ owned by the state of New York, wards to Smith, Aug. 29, Dec. 16, but until this time thought to be 1846). a part of Fort Ontario. The state turned it over to the City of Os­ Cove Deepened, Widened wego, and the city in turn leased In the winter of 1868-69 an­ it to Smith and his associates. other major alteration was made The major part of the work was upon the Cove. The basin was completed in 1852-53 under Ed­ deepened to 14 feet, and the pass­ wards' direction at a cost of about age widened to 93 feet. A day's $60,000. (Edwards to Smith, Dec. wage was now 14-, reflecting the 10, 1852, May 25, 1853). inflationary trend during the When completed it consisted of Civil War. High water and bois­ 6 piers extending east-west from terous winds hampered the opera­ the shore into the river; a seventh tion to such a degree that a 3 pier, north of the others, jutted months' job stretched through the beyond them into the river, and winter and spring, and work had then turning at right angles to to be suspended in June so that the south and continuing south­ the tenants might use the ward in the stream for 900 feet, wharves. Twenty thousand dol­ shielded the other piers from the lars had been expended with little river currents and the rough to show for it. Edwards found waters of the harbor. Providing some consolation from the fact more than 3,400 feet of wharf that no man or animal had been frontage and an extensive storage hurt on the job. The following area, the property was well suited November found Edwards back at for the lumber business which work, and by February it was was replacing grain as Oswego's finally completed at a cost of an leading article of trade. additional $14,000. (Edwards to Smith, Jaii. 12, May 1, June 30, Despite gales which broke away Nov. 12, 1869; Feb. 26, 1870). considerable portions of the river pier, which served as a break­ Despite the numerous altera­ water as well as a wharf—a tions, the Cove Property like the storm in January, 1864, took

—11— away 450 feet, and another two In the earlier years Smith's in­ weeks later, an even larger sec­ come was derived chiefly from tion, Grampus Bay was soon pay­ land sales. Collectively there were ing dividends. (Edwards to Smith, hundreds of transactions, involv­ Jan. 4, 18, 1864). Edwards ap­ ing thousands of individual pay­ praised it in 1855 at $300,000. In ments. A typical transaction 1868 collections equaled $26,000: might appear as follows: The Smith & Post were paying the north one-half of lot number , largest rental, $10,800; five others in block ' for $90, to be paid were paying $2,000 or more an­ $10 down and the balance in four nually: S. Miller & Co., A. S. annual payments of $20, with Page, L. A. Card, O. M. Bond, G. "legal" interest of .07 percent. M. Johnson. (Edwards to Smith, Some payments were stretched Dec. 1, 1868). over considerably longer periods; Great Lumber Market payment in full, in cash, was ex­ ceptional. In 1870 Grampus Bay owners Smith was soon operating as a purchased the land under their land bank without the formality piers from the city for $15,000. As of an incorporation. When pay­ in the case of the Cove Property, ments lagged or when taxes went mentioned above, substituting unpaid, he frequently had a given thereby a tax for a rental It was piece of property for disposal a hardly a money saver, bearing an second or even third time. Find­ assessment in 1872 of $90,000. ing tax sales difficult to resist, he Grampus Bay was a bee-hive of occasionally bought up new prop­ activity in the 1860's and 1870's, erties as lie sold off others. He when during most years more sometimes acquired properties, than 200,000,000 board feet of also, through the extension of lumber entered Oswego harbor. credits to other speculators. Peter The peak year was 1872 when the Sken. Smith, Fitzhugh, D. C. total climbed to 292,919,283 feet. Littlejohn, and Hamilton Little- Thereafter, the Panic of 1873 and field, e. g., recipients of credit the gradual decline in lumbering from Smith, turned over sizeable in the Province of Ontario re­ holdings to him after finding it duced the volume of trade at impossible to extricate themselves Grampus Bay. The last letter of from their financial burdens. In Edwards in the Smith collection the course of time, however. reflects this situation. Written at Smith sold off the bulk of his the age of 89, in a handwriting property, and he derived his in­ extremely irregular, but quite come in greater proportion from legible, he described to Smith's the canal, Cove, Grampus Bay, grandson, Gerrit Miller, his ef­ •and other business properties. forts to have the assessors cut the valuation of the property. He In his handling of the latter, he pointed out that the company was preferred to lease the land, leav­ assessed at a "plump 1% times its ing the responsibility for building value." Then in his last poignant and improvements to the lessee. sentence he declared, "I talked a This occasionally back-fired when little about the present and pros­ he was forced to buy the build­ pective future worthlessness of ings in order to salvage unpaid the property, and the expense of rentals. In business blocks, how­ keeping up 1700 feet of pier." ever, he sometimes built store (July 16, 1891). Today irregular rooms for lease. mounds of stone extending into Borrows $800,000 From Astor the river are all that remain of One of the rather surprising the $90,000 assessment, the $26,- features of the business life of 000 in annual rentals, and what Oswego was the degree to which Edwards termed admiringly, transactions were handled on "Our great wharves." credit. We sometimes assume that

—12— installment buying was a creation quired in comparatively small of the 1920's and 1930's, but an sums from week to week and inspection of the middle years of even day to day. When he the 19th century reveals its wide­ donated the library building to spread usage then. A superficial the City of Oswego in 1854, he glance would suggest that every provided no ready cash for its one owed every one else! Smith construction. Instead, he directed at one time owed approximately Edwards to pay the bills from a half million dollars, the bulk of current Oswego collections. "So it to John Jacob Astor, who had you think you will have to depend been a partner of his father, an on me to pay the $25,000 for the obligation which placed him in library," Edwards replied. "I can difficult straits during the Panic probably do a considerable of it of 1837, leading him for a time to hut I do not now see how I can move from his mansion into a all—in addition to the about $7,- cottage, and to replace hired em­ 000 that we shall yet have to ex­ ployees in his land office with pend on the Great Property members of his family. In Os­ (Grampus Bay)." (January 7, wego, on the other hand, Smith's 1854). That Edwards was not un­ debtors were legion. Since banks duly pessimistic was revealed two were small and few in number, months later when he secured a and other credit agencies ex­ short term loan from "Luther tremely limited, Smith supplied Wright's Bank" for $5,000 to credit directly. There was little purchase the lot. choice. To have insisted on a Edwards received a respite "cash and carry" basis would when the library trustees, of have brought an early termina­ which he was one, delayed for a tion to his business in Oswego. It year in accepting a building plan, was not a question of credit, but a situation which hardly dis­ rather, how much credit? Henry tressed the donor. "So you are Fitzhugh went bankrupt in 1840 content to have a lingering in with a loss to Smith which may commencing the library," Ed­ have reached $150,000. Edwards, wards noted. (Edwards to Smith, buying and selling land with his May 16, 1855). Six months later own capital, overreached himself Edwards reported an expendi­ in the same period, and was ture to date, including the lot, of saved from a similar fate by $11,082.10. Meanwhile Smith was Smith's endorsements. If Smith pressing him for money to be ap­ prospered through the years plied to Smith's credit at Syra­ where others failed, it was due in cuse. Eight months later Ed­ considerable part to his ability to wards had spent $15,000, and was strike a balance between too trying to accumulate $5,000 for much and too little credit. It is books and $2,000 for unpaid bills. true, of course, that his extensive Six months later—this was three property enabled him to obtain years after the beginning of the loans outside of the Oswego area project—Edwards had spent a in order to offset temporary total of $23,000, and was seeking losses—a situation denied to most an additional thousand earmarked of his Oswego contemporaries. for books. Six years later Smith provided $1,000 for books, and How Library Was Built six years after that date a mort­ This shortage of cash affected gage and additional cash to equal the manner in which Smith fi­ $4,000, Smith's final gift, I be­ nanced his obligations. He rarely lieve, to that institution. (Ed­ had more than a few thousand wards to Smith, letters between dollars—cash in hand. Whether Jan. 7, 1854 and Feb. 5, 1868). the project was the digging of the Cove or building Grampus Bay, Gave To Many Causes the money was obtained as re­ Smith was a humanitarian, giv-

—13— ing thousands of dollars to many and Delos De Wolf promoted the causes, but his humanitarianism New York and Oswego Midland, would have lagged if he had not with a route which rambled con­ first made a success of his busi­ siderably from the most direct ness. It would have taken a line, or as Smith described it, fortune many times that of his went "wildly out of its way," zig­ own to have granted requests of zagging after bonds and local business associates and favor traffic, he refused to add to an seekers. Hence a healthy skeptic­ early subscription of $3,000, and ism in a period noted for its ex­ spoke out against it. (Printed let­ tremes was a necessity. His in­ ters, Smith to Edwards, Oct. 10, vestments in Oswego railroads 1867; See also Ralph V. Harlow, might be used to illustrate this Gerrit Smith, 279). In Oswego, point. Adequate rail connections meanwhile, people had become were vital to Oswego's growth, "infatuated" with the idea, and and Smith became an active pro­ the city as well as the towns on moter of the Oswego and Syra­ its path prepared to subscribe cuse line, the first to reach the bond issues to the cause. The city. He subscribed to 200 shares latter must have further solidi­ of stock amounting to $10,000, fied the opposition of Oswego's wrote to eastern financiers to en­ largest tax payer. In any event, courage stock sales, and helped to Smith offered to pay the city defray the expenses of agents, $20,000 if it rejected the Midland lobbyists, etc., as required. (Ed­ on the proposed route. In such an wards to Smith, letters through atmosphere the proposal was ex­ 1845-48). tremely unpopular. Edwards was hard-pressed to defend his em­ Railroad Investments ployer, and the latter was The road was completed in charged in the local press with 1848 and from the start was a "doing nothing for Oswego". (Ed­ financial success. However, it did wards to Smith, Oct. 5, 1867, not cross the river to the east Mar. 12, 1868; Oswego "Ad­ side; and east side residents vertiser & Times", issues in Feb­ were soon promoting a Troy-Os- ruary, 1868). wego line. Smith again cooper­ But Smith's course soon proved ated, subscribing to $50,000 in to be valid. The Midland was com­ stock, of which he appears to pleted; but saddled with debts, it have paid $5,000 when the ven­ was soon in the hands of receiv­ ture failed. He purchased $20,000 ers. Bankruptcy continued to in the stock of the Binghamton haunt it through the years. Char­ and Syracuse route, planned to acteristic of his personality, I open the anthracite coal trade to might add, he took no satisfac­ Oswego via the east side. It also tion from the Midland's troubles. got into financial difficulties aft­ Edwards paraphrased Smith's er a short struggle, and Smith sentiments when he wrote, "So escaped with a loss of about $500. you sympathize with the poor (Edwards to Smith, June 27, Aug. Midland, and Mr. Littlejohn, and 9, 1861). Next it was the Oswego Oswego City and County, and and Rome Railroad. Smith in­ Madison County, that are so vested $25,000 and the east side heavy loaded with debt for the celebrated its completion in De­ road that was so injudiciously cember, 1865. He also put $18,500 constructed ..." (Sept. 23, 1873). into the Lake Shore Railroad Smith's railroad experience thus promotion, designed to link Os­ ended happily. If he sank $50,000. wego to the west via Rochester. it was not too high a price to Having supported connections to bring railroads to Oswego and to the east, west and south, he re­ his properties. (Edwards to Smith, sisted involvement in further May 9, 1874). A few years later a schemes. When D. C. Littlejohn single railroad, the reorganized

—14— Midland, was paying his heirs thought a particular situation to $6,000 a year for a site on the be unwise, Smith extended credit Cove Property. (Edwards' Ac­ to him, permitting him to expand count of Land Payments, 1891). his operations. Edwards' invest­ ments were soon paying him more Smith And Edwards A Team than his annual wage. The business association of Smith and Edwards was in many Edwards' Reports Informal respects truly remarkable. The Edwards' annual reports were length of the connection in itself quite informal in their format, was almost unique. When Smith and sometimes difficult for him died in December, 1874, the as­ to balance. In January, 1854, he sociation had passed its forty- first reported that he seemed to third anniversary, and by 1891, have paid out almost $900 more the date of the last letter in the than he received, and asked Smith-Miller Collection, Edwards, Smith's secretary, Caleb Calkins, aged 89, had been employed by to help find the error. A week Smith and his heirs for 60 years. later he discovered the omission So far as I know he was still of a $1,000 item which Smith had carrying on for them at his death paid to him for the relief of fire —which would have brought the sufferers in the conflagration the total years of association to 64. year before at Oswego. This left During the entire period it would him with a shortage of about $100 appear that there was not a which he could not account for. single misunderstanding. In 1860, He reported this discrepancy to after 29 years Edwards wrote to his employer, suggesting that he Smith, "I will now say what I charge the deficit to Grampus have often thought and have Bay, upon which he had been ex­ sometimes said to others—that pending considerable sums. during all the long period, you Smith's total reaction was a have never spoken or written an single comment—an acquiescence unkind word to me notwithstand­ to Edwards' suggestion, and a ing all my imperfections." (Dec. clean page for the new year. (Ed­ 7, 1860). wards to Smith, Jan. 17, 23, 27, One of the most attractive Feb. 4, 1854). facets of their business relation­ ship was the respect felt by each Cuts Own Salary for the other. The following in­ Edwards' annual report two cidents are cited to illustrate this years later contained a brief mutual trust. statement which further docu­ Edwards' annual salary for ments the mutual respect of em­ many years was $500—a wage ployer and employee. "You will which would appear to have been see that for my services the past rather small considering the re­ year I charged you $250 and the sponsibilities involved, and at a Pier and Dock Co. $250 As I time when unskilled labor com­ had given a considerable attention manded about $1 per day. In to business for myself and care of 1846, however, Smith presented my family the past year I had Edwards and four other agents thoughts of reducing my wages. and secretaries with $500 each as But it occurred to me that for a gift for "faithful and valuable some of the former years my services" which had enabled him wage was rather small for my to weather the lean years after services. So I thought I would 1837. (Smith to Edwards, Aug. 1, keep them up for the past year, 1846). but some reduction in my wages From almost the very beginning for hereafter will probably be Edwards speculated in property right and proper, as your business with his own funds. Instead of here has become much diminished discouraging him, unless he by Mr. Rhodes taking charge of

—15— the Canal and by sale of the and Mohawk Streets, Smith reas­ Hotel property (Fitzhugh House) sured Edwards that they were and your houses and my own worthy of the pleasant habitation. business in real estate is getting (Edwards to Smith, May 6, 1865) to be considerable and profitable." And after this house burned, and (Feb. 12, 1856). A year later he he purchased the Hubbard prop­ voluntarily cut his salary from erty at 207 Syracuse Avenue, $500 to $400; meanwhile his in­ Smith enjoyed Mrs. Edwards' ef­ vestment that year in Grampus forts to remodel it in the face of Bay yielded better than $4,000— her reluctant husband. "We all an investment which had been had a good laugh at what you made possible by Smith's exten­ write of me and my wife in refer­ sion of credit. (Jan. 10, 29, 1858) ence to our rebuilding part of our Beneath their day by day busi­ house," Edwards reported. "We ness relationship was an under­ pulled down a pretty good one lying friendliness, and concern for and half story house—which look­ the other's welfare. "So one of ed to me to be too much waste your large ears was frozen on the for the gain obtained." "Yes the 25th (Christmas), a very severe Presbyterian Wife has beat the day that was," Edwards observed. Methodist Husband for an en­ "You ought not to have went out larged house." (June 3, 6, 1873). I did not go out. I spent the day The Edwards, meanwhile, open­ at copying my accounts. I hope ed their home to Smith's grand­ your ear was not badly frozen." sons, who lived with them over a (Dec. 27, 1849). A few years later, period of several years while they commenting upon an expression attended school and prepared to of praise from Smith, he declared launch their careers in Oswego that he too was thankful that Dudlev (E. D. Miller Jr.), Gerrit God had brought them together (Miller) and Willie (William to be of mutual benefit. "I feel Miller) made the Edwards resi­ sure that it has been of benefit dence their home in the late to me not only pecuniarily, but 1860's and early 1870's. Gerrit intellectually and religiously." was enrolled at the Oswego Com­ (June 29, 1864). And again, "I mercial College and Dudley at the laugh in thinking how enormously Normal School. None, it turned you overcredit my usefullness to out. settled permanently, though you. It is much more appropriate Dudley worked for a time with for me to say what should I do Edwards, who offered to turn without Mr. Smith." The latter over his position to him—only to was written after 40 years of em­ get a refusal from his grand­ ployment. (Feb. 6, 1871). father. Smith and his wife, Ann, Edwards found Smith's solici­ also made the Edwards home tude a source of comfort through their Oswego headquarters, par­ a succession of family tragedies. ticularly after the removal of the Edwards' wife (Lydia Hall Ed­ Henry Fitzhughs from the city. wards) and each of their children Smith's Death (William, Mary, John and Emily) died after lingering illnesses. A business relationship had thus blossomed into a friendship Friendly Personal Relations which was broken only by death. Smith showed a lively interest In December, 1874, Mr. and Mrs. in Edwards' second marriage, and Edwards made what had become entertained the bride and groom almost a yearly pilgrimage to at Peterboro. When the second New Jersey to visit relatives and Mrs. Edwards (Julia A. Imlay friends. They returned early in Edwards) prevailed upon her hus­ January and learned of Smith's band to purchase a fine stone death on December 28. A letter house for a residence at East written to Caleb Calkins dealing Seventh Street, between Oneida principally with business matters

—16— shortly thereafter provides a final still remember him—a tall, dark expression of aDpreciation for his bearded man; on Sundays clad in employer and friend. a black suit, and wearing a tall "I arrived home last evening. silk hat and carrying a cane en- I find your letter of the 12th route to the Trinity Methodist inst. (January).. .The wise and Church, where he was for many good man with whom you and years a leading layman; or they I have been so long and in­ may recall seeing him in his of­ timately associated is much fice in the Oswego Savings Bank missed by us. I am thankful to or on the wharves on the east our Heavenly Father that in his side. Death came unexpectedly Providence I have been per­ while he was enjoying his usual mitted to so much association good health on the evening of with such a man." (Jan. 14, November 4, 1895, at the age of 1875). 93. (The writer is indebted to Mr. William Imlay, of Roseland, N. J., As indicated above Edwards grandson of John B. Edwards, continued to work for the Smith who supplied a short sketch of his heirs for almost two more grandfather, based on recollec­ decades. Some Oswegonians can tions from his boyhood.)

-17- Jerome Increase Case and His Contribution to Mechanized Farming

(Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by Mrs. Nell DeLong, Sandy Creek, on February 19, 1952)

Not too long ago there was After many weeks of corres­ some discussion, by members of pondence, several calls on old resi­ the Oswego County Historical So­ dents and an afternoon with Miss ciety, of the possibility and ad­ Ida Case in Williamstown I have visability of arranging for an Os­ been able to locate a farm which wego County Hall of Fame where­ was known as a Case farm. It is by those Oswegonians who had the first farm past the Kasoag made large contributions in the school house and on the right field of education, medicine, liter­ hand side of the road as one pro­ ature, research, agriculture or ceeds towards Williamstown. The any of a score or more of other log cabin, no doubt, was replaced fields could be fittingly honored. by the house that now stands This would bring proper attention there. Carrie Speck Stearns says to their successes and give us a that it is a very old house and that chance to honor our county's out­ she can remember it was called the standing men and women. Case farm. Whether or not this was the farm where, on Dec. 11, I sincerely believe that Jerome 1819, Jerome Increase Case, Increase Case is a potential can­ fourth son of Caleb and Deborah, didate for such honor. was born is a debatable question. John Case, the progenitor of the American Cases, was born in However we do know that Aylesham, England, and came to Caleb prospered in the country America in 1633. He landed at that was still wild enough to pay Dorchester, Mass., but later $25.00 for wolf pelts and twelve settled in Windsor, Conn. What cents a bushel for wood ashes. happened to the family from 1633 It was a sunrise to sunset to 1787 does not directly concern schedule and the father and four us. On Dec. 13, 1787, Caleb Case sons toiled side by side with such was born. When he was ready to primitive tools as the cradle and establish a home he married the flail, crude, wasteful and Deborah Jackson, a member of back-breaking, but the only ones the family which gave Andrew available then. Whenever possible Jackson to the world. Caleb and the boys went to Philander Deborah came to Williamstown, Allen's school during the brief Oswego County, where he became term. The father was ambitious a pioneer wheat farmer. He came for his family and appreciated the by way of the old water route value of an education. from Rensselaer County in 1811. Buys A "Ground-Hog" At Williamstown he built a log Jerome grew up with the feel cabin which is claimed to have of blowing chaff on his face and been a plain, but in a primitive stands of golden grain in his way, a beautiful structure with vision. He read in the "Genesee its puncheon floor, fireplace, a Farmer" about a miraculous new ladder leading to the loft and a machine called "the Groundhog" cellar for storing meat. which actually threshed wheat

—18— mechanically. After watching the relative security of farming in demonstration of one of these new New York. Hearing reports of the contraptions, Caleb not only pur­ richness of land in the Northwest chased one but became the local Territory and sensing that wheat agent for their sale to his neigh­ was definitely moving westward bors as well. into the broad prairie country, he It was a slow, one or two- determined to pull up stakes and horse tread power machine, a go to Wisconsin to establish a spike-tooth cylinder in a box thresher manufacturing business. through which grain was run. That choice built an inventor, an Straw, grain and chaff all came enormous business and has helped out on the ground beneath the in a great measure to build a machine after which the straw nation. was forked away and the chaff In the spring of 1842 he shipped winnowed by the wind if possible. out of Oswego aboard the new Crude as it was it was a step screw-propeller steamer, "Van- forward and for six years Jerome, dalia", built in the Doolittle ship­ the thresherman of the family, yard at Oswego the preceding nursed and tended "the Ground­ year as the first propeller on the hog" through the harvest seasons. Great Lakes. He took a half dozen All the while he was dreaming of "Groundhog" threshers with him a machine that would do all the (which he had bought on credit at work he and his brothers had to an Oswego iron works which do. He wanted a machine that manufactured a few) and cash would separate as well as thresh enough to cover the expenses of —one that would pile the straw his .iourney. He sold five of these at one end, blow off the chaff machines on his way north from and deliver the grain separately. Chicago. The sixth he kept for This would eliminate forking and custom work and experimentation. winnowing and would truly be a He had gone to Wisconsin to sell miracle machine. In the evenings threshers but not "Groundhogs". he would sit before the fireplace His sales would be Case machines. and sketch the ideas that came At Rochester, Wisconsin, he into his mind. As Caleb noticed would tear down the last his son's interest in and talent "Groundhog" and begin the de­ for invention he encouraged him velopment of an improved thresh­ to enroll at Rensselaer-Oswego Academy at Mexicoville, half way er. The countryside was beautiful between Williamstown and Os­ with its autumn coloring, the wego, in 1841. rivers were running full and it had a prosperous look. It was al­ He worked furiously at his ready being called the heart of lessons and kept dreaming that the American wheat belt. A sense some day he might free the of deep satisfaction engulfed him farmer from the drudgery and as he enjoyed the feeling of in­ poverty of small crops harvested dependence and adventure. He in fear of bad weather and thresh­ would see his dream come true; ed laboriously and in a desperate for at least he had a clear vision hurry. of what he was going to build. Determines To Go West The First Case Thresher A man does not consciously de­ For a year and a half he work­ termine to push back a frontier ed. At last on a May morning his to "open the west" or to build a first Case thresher made its debut great nation. He merely chooses on the Cherry Hill Farm of Henry his job and does the best he can Cady. A small crowd of well- with it. It is important to our wishers and skeptics assembled to agricultural and economic history see if the wonder-machine would that Jerome did not choose the do what it was supposed to do. It

-19— did what it was designed to do— sonal calls on prospects and separated grain from straw in a staging demonstrations. manner vastly superior to any­ An insight into the physical and thing then on the market. financial difficulties which beset All that summer, Case made the farm implement manufacturer minor improvements on his in his pioneer days can be seen thresher. When harvest time came from a glance at his collection he threshed throughout the coun­ problems. The hardships and risks try side. The machine stood up would have discouraged the ma­ well under all field tests. He was jority of young men. Not so with ready to operate a factory and J. I. Case. Customers were scat­ build threshers for wheat farmers. tered, many of them beyond the Unable to get water rights in reach of railroads. The Midwest Rochester he went to Racine, roads became quagmires after twenty miles east on Lake Mich­ heavy rains, wagons became igan. This place had a natural mired but the machinery had to harbor which was an advantage. go through. Nearly all farm At the time Case rented a little machinery was bought on credit shop and started manufacturing and the manufacturer had to there, its population was 1,920. function as banker to his custom­ Today it is a thriving city of over ers, tiding them over slack 70,000. periods on a promise of payment when the crops were harvested Those early threshers could and sold. shell out the grain, blow off the chaff and carry away the straw. After he had been in Racine a The grain ran out of a spout all short time he met and married cleaned, into a box where it could Lydia Ann Bull. Some excerpts, be shoveled into sacks. The wheat from letters which he wrote to farmers had plenty of land for her while acting as his own col­ planting purposes, the market was lection agency, will tell how dif­ excellent but the ability to har­ ficult transportation and collect­ vest a crop before it ripened too ing could be. Periodically he set much and was largely wasted was out on laborious trips on foot, their big problem. They listened horseback or lake or river boat. and watched. By 1847 the demand Collection Problems for his product encouraged him to build a three-story brick shop 30 From Monroe, Wisconsin, on feet wide and 80 feet long so that October 30, 1849, he wrote: "I he could step up production. have ridden ten miles since dark, taken care of my horses, eaten There was more to merchandis­ supper and written one letter. I ing threshers than production and drove hard all day Saturday and publicity. Finances played an all only got as far as Delevan.... I important part, for money was have had middling luck collecting. short. From the beginning Case So far I have collected one horse made it easy for worthy farmers and enough money to pay ex­ to purchase his machine. His penses home providing I cozen terms of $50 down and liberal pretty well." credit on the balance were more than generous. To those who could From "nine miles east of Madi­ pay all cash, he gave a 10 per son" on November 12, 1850, he cent discount. wrote "I have ridden late and early since I left Spring Prairie, Advertising Aids Business Growth presented notes to the amount of $2,500 for payment and have re­ He was a pioneer in advertising. ceived $50. I tell you these are As early as 1850 he was placing hard old times to collect money advertisements in farm papers, but I get good promises to get it sending out mailings, making per­ in by the 25th... Since leaving

—20— you I have paid out only 35c for important changes. The first one a pocket map and 10c for a gim­ produced was sold to Chesbrough let to fasten my door at night. I and Hart who operated farms at find it will be necessary for me Emerald Grove near Janesville to be gone most of the season to about 70 miles from Racine. Al­ save my debts and to get along." though the machine had been The same story of poor collec­ tested at the factory, Case could tions and steady perseverance in not resist the impulse to see it in face of transportation hardships is operation at the farm. One morn­ repeated over and over in the let­ ing a strange rig drove to the ters to his wife throughout the field where Chesbrough and his early years of his business. crew were at work. Jerome I. Case had obeyed the impulse and Feb. 21, 1852...."I feel some driven from Racine to see his new depressed in spirits this evening thresher at work. After introduc­ as I have collected only $21 since ing himself he asked if he might I left home." feed it for a while. Enjoying the Again from Galena, Illinois, on work he remained on the job until April 12, 1853: "I have now board­ noon and then ate with the men, ed a steamer which goes up to St. sitting beside William Chesbrough Paul.... i have collected a little who was then thirteen years old. money since I left and if I am Years later William said: "There prudent I think it shall last me was not a prouder boy than I was home." that day. To me Mr. Case was as The next day he wrote from great a man as I ever hoped to Prairie LaPorte, Illinois: "I ar­ meet. There was I, cutting bands rived in this place about 8 o'clocK and Mr. Case, the builder of the on the steamer Nonimee. I have machine, feeding the bundles as been to Garrinville, a distance of fast as I could cut. He surely about ten miles. Did my business was an expert at feeding a thresh­ and returned on foot The er and kept it humming to full walking was very bad 1 did capacity all the time." not rest much last night as the boat was crowded to a jam and I He never lost the personal was obliged to sleep on the cabin touch—both in his dealings with floor. I shall retire early this eve­ his employees and with his cus­ ning for tomorrow I expect to tomers. The hum of a threshing start on foot for Dubuque, a dis­ machine in full operation was tance of 40 miles." music to him and his fingers never Thus, through faith in his cus­ lost their itch to feed the sheaves tomers and a dogged application into it or heft the sacks of prec­ to his business affairs, he helped ious grains. He always felt that the American farmer survive a his experience in the field as a most difficult beginning. working man provided a founda­ Very early in life Case realized tion upon which he could build a what machines could do for agri­ needed product. As a farmer he culture. He knew what his pro­ understood a farmer's problems; duct meant to the grain farmer. as a designer he helped to solve He sensed how machines might their problems; as a business man change the entire complexion of he merchandised the solution. the agricultural and economic By 1861 he sensed that his busi­ world. He was keenly aware that ness was too big and cumbersome what he hoped would be his liveli­ for him to carry on alone. At the hood would be a real service to same time, he was desirous of others. maintaining the personal and practical standards he had prac­ Worked His Own Machines ticed for almost twenty years. So In 1856 he had just developed he converted his business to a a new thresher which embodied partnership known as J. I. Case

—21— and Company but made certain ing device to his engine (he had the partners were men like him­ given it traction several years be­ self—specialists in business yet fore), he created one of the very devoted to service. first tractors—a snorting steam- In setting up the partnership, propelled giant capable of pulling he took in his own brother-in-law, plows and ideal for furnishing Stephen Bull, and placed him in power for other belt-driven ma­ charge of finances. Robert H. chines. With the introduction of Baker was made general agent his celebrated "Agitator" thresh­ and collector, and Massena B. er of 1880 and the continued de­ Erskine, an engineer, was put in velopment of his steam engines, charge of mechanical construction. his soon became the most famous Together, these men made up the name throughout the grain fields famous "Big Four" of the thresh­ of America and Europe. er manufacturing business in Racine. The Case Agitator principle of counterbalancing the grain pan Not only did J. I. Case make and straw rack is still basic to threshers but also the power by threshing today. The capacity of which they were operated. this rig was about a thousand Produces "The Sweepstakes" bushels of wheat per day, employ­ The first Case thresher to ing a crew of 15 to 20 men. This sweep the west was the "Sweep­ was real production compared stakes", a separator that proved with the old Ground Hog and a revelation in its day. This one shaker type which turned out was driven by a Case-built two- about 80 bushels per day. Case horse tread power. He produced felt there were better days ahead thread-powers and sweep-powers and went on to improve, perfect almost from the beginning, but and speed up production. his great early triumph in the power field came with his work on Business Mushrooms steam engines. In 1869, the same The Case Company expanded year he introduced his celebrated in mushroom fashion. As the word "Eclipse" (no apron) thresher, his spread through the broad wheat factory sent out Steam Engine fields, more and more men joined No. 1, an agricultural "iron man" the army of progressive farmers that was to set the pace in the who saved their grain with Case steam power field and usher in a machinery. From north and east, new day for farmers the world lake boats came to the Case docks over. It was the forerunner of loaded with cargoes of lumber, thousands of Case steamers. To­ iron, steel and coal. Foundries, day "Old No. 1" holds a place of machine shops, wood shops, ex­ honor in the Case Museum at perimental rooms, testing rooms Racine. It is still capable of doing and offices grew and outgrew a good job. their quarters. After the "Eclipse" and steam While we do not see Jerome In­ engine, Case scored triumph after crease Case as a military man triumph as a manufacturer. His yet he has been given credit for portable steam engine won the no little part in the victories of highest award at the Philadelphia our country. Armies are at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 and mercy of food production, travel­ he himself was honored for the ing, as Napoleon so aptly put it, outstanding contribution to agri­ "on their stomachs." Food wins culture the same year that Alex­ wars and the objective of the ander Graham Bell was given the farmer in war time is to produce gold medal for the greatest con­ food required for victory. Farm tribution to science in the tele­ machinery is as necessary as phone. weapons of warfare. Farm pro­ In 1884, when he added a steer­ duction achieved through farm 22— machinery proved vital to our deavored to construct the machine victories in both World Wars I in the most perfect manner pos­ and II. J. I. Case and other farm sible, always using the best ma­ implement manufacturers are the terials and constructing it in the men responsible for the abundant most durable way I could devise." agricultural production which Horse Fancier helped make American soldiers strong under stress while the In his private life, too, he was enemy was forced to resort to a man to be remembered. Not all short rations. his buildings were shops for he had a palace-like, world-famous Died In 1891 stable built near the race tracks When Jerome I. Case died on for his record-breakers. "Nothing Dec. 22, 1891, he had fulfilled his but the best" was his slogan for historic and economic destiny as horses as well as machinery. He the biggest builder of threshers owned the world record-holding and steam traction engines in the black gelding, Jay-eye—see, the world. first horse ever to hold the world's record for both trotting Success had given him a full and pacing (or J. I. C.) and such and satisfying life—one of service other record breakers as Phallas, to agriculture and civic improve­ Governor Sprague and Lexington ment. He had packed his leisure Wilks. hours full of living, too. Quite early in his life he became the Jerome Increase Case saw the most influential private citizen in farmer advance from the cradle to the reapers, from the flail to Racine. He was founder of the the thresher, from the horse to Wisconsin Academy of Science, the tractor. He had seen the Arts and Letters; president of the shackles of laborious hand labor Racine County Agricultural So­ broken and been in the very fore­ ciety; served as mayor of Racine front of that epic-making advance. and was also a state senator. He had made the dream of a The industrialization of Racine Williamstown boy come true and is directly traceable to the estab­ made Williamstown proud that it lishment of the Case factory. Ap­ was his birthplace. proximately one-seventh of the Many descendants of the Case city's industrial workers are today family (there were seven children employed by the J. I. Case Com­ born to Jerome and Lydia) are pany in the two Case plants prominent in Wisconsin affairs. there. One son, Jackson Case, served as Eight Plants Today mayor of Racine. Six other plants are located at Clinton Case, a cousin who was also a Williamstown boy, and who Burlington and Bettendorf, Iowa; was in the Case Company office Rockford and Rock Island, Illin­ for some time, is now living in ois; Stockton, California and An- Madison, Wisconsin. niston, Alabama. Over all the eight plants employ over 12,000 The Coat Of Arms people. The company is establish­ It might be interesting to note ed on a firm footing, with every that the Case Coat of Arms was chance of continued success. granted to the family on Dec. 21, Trained men are at the wheel and 1598. Its over-all color scheme the same rules are in force. Quot­ features silver, red and gold. The ing from Case's reply to a news dominant figurations are buckles, reporter, when asked the secret of cresents and torteaux. On both success .,. "First, I made myself sides of the family the forebears sure that the machine I proposed of Jerome I. Case reached Amer­ to make was correct in principle ica in the 17th century, settling in and was needed. Second, I en­ New York and New England.

—23— Politics and Campaigns in the 1840's (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by Charles Groat, Oswego, March 18, 1952)

Probably no other period in the pragmatic, while on the other history of the American nation they were idealistic and mystical. has as much to offer in the way In spite of their vaunted practi­ of color and genuine folk interest cality, they seemed to be virtually as the years between 1830 and hovering on the periphery of a 1850. Before this period America metaphysical twilight. At the was definitely an infant republic, same time that they were extend­ dependent upor Europe for many ing the principle and practice of of its institution and. to a large democracy and concerning them­ extent, its very livlihood. On the selves with road and canal con­ other hand, after the half way struction, they were also evidenc­ mark of the century the republic ing a real and genuine interest in became so deeply engrossed in such matters as somnambulism, sectional controversy that many Millerism, and spiritualism. other aspects of American life were lost in the melee of war that Interest Range Wide followed. This sectional con­ According to present day stand­ troversy, fired by socio-economic ards it might be difficult to forces as well as by certain ex­ justify the belief that these 19th plosive psychological elements all century small town Americans but succeeded in permanently such as the inhabitants of Oswego rending the young republic. After led a cosmopolitan, urbane life; the war many Americans doubt­ yet it would be fully as difficult less felt that the future would be to prove that they were of the a mere continuation of the opposite point of view. A cursory familiar past. However, this was examination of their newspapers not destined to be as new eco­ reveals that these people led full, nomic forces and new social active lives and that they had a cross-currents were at work wide, stimulating range of inter­ transforming society into a new ests. Certainly it is hard to say industrial pattern. that they were provincial when However, the period of 1830- foreign events occupied more 1850 was like neither the years space than local news, as it often that preceded it nor those that did. Their range of interests was followed. Here was a nation, truly amazing. Although they exuberant in its adolescence, and were far removed from the In­ already feeling quite expansive. dian danger by 1830, yet they Having hacked out a future for showed a lively interest in the themselves from the challenging problem of Indian removal in frontier, and having dealt with Georgia and Florida. State elec­ the problems of government and tions were always certain to diplomacy with varying degrees of evoke considerable interest and success, Americans were now their outcome was recorded in ready to look around at what some detail, even of the most dis­ they had created. Aggressive and tant southern states. Oswego- flamboyant, yet gullible and nians followed closely the ex­ credulous, these people continued ploits of the South American to amaze the world. They were revolutionists and the full text of on the one hand, practical and some of the speeches of Simon

—24— Bolivar appeared in the Pallad­ could be shared by all and they ium of 1830. Naturally, the threw themselves into it with proximity of Canada insured its great gusto. The warp and woof position of prominence in the of their daily lives was studded newspapers of Oswego and the by political harangues, rallies and tide of political events there was conventions, and threats, speeches, scanned as closely perhaps as the and tirades. After the election commercial and maritime notes. there followed a period of rejoic­ The latter years of the thirties ing or moaning, depending upon were destined to project Canada which party triumphed at the into American affairs even more polls. The losers would quickly sharply with the coming of the rally their forces and the struggle Patriot War and the Maine would commence all over again. Boundary dispute. Of events in Of course, there were the local Europe, revolutionary France and and state elections which were Czarist Russia shared the spot­ given much more attention than light with the British Empire. they are today. These earlier Americans were alternately thrill­ Americans played the game of ed and disgusted with the swift politics as vigorously as they did tide of events in France while everything else. disgust seemed quite universal at the Russian subjection of the Let us glance briefly at the hapless Poles. general political scene in 1830. Meanwhile, new forces were at The party in power at that time, work here at home—forces which generally refered to *as the Dem­ were to put an indelible stamp ocratic-Republican party, had been upon the American character. spawned by political and social Public attention was centering in unrest and had been muted by the temperance drive, the aboli­ astute political leadership. Organ­ tionist movement, religious revival ically, this party was an outgrowth and divergency, the spreading of of the National Republican Party culture, and the general wave of which had flourished during the humanitarianism that character­ period following the War of 1812, ized the age. a period euphemistically referred to as the "Era of Good Feeling". Politics Absorbing That this was a misnomer there That these were important is now no reason to doubt. Actu­ aspects of American culture no ally it was a period of growing one can deny. Nevertheless, it was political discontent, a period of the field of politics that seemed smoldering sectional animosities to have the most universal and and factional strife within the continuing appeal. Present day body politic. The ill feeling Americans, concerned so much aroused by the passage of the about foreign affairs and atomic Missouri Compromise of 1820 warfare, devote less time, com­ brought these pressures to the paratively speaking, to politics fore and caused thoughtful and and elections. The fire and excite­ farseeing men to shudder at the ment of a presidential election for latent force of sectional interests. instance, is usually confined to the Thomas Jefferson, a venerable four or five months preceding elder statesman in 1820, in refer­ the election. True, speculation and ence to the Missouri Compromise excitement sometimes rises to the said prophetically: "Like a fire- fever pitch but it is often over­ bell in the night, it awakened me shadowed by other events. This, and filled me with terror. I con­ of course, is in pronounced con­ sidered it at once the death knell trast to the Americans of a cen­ of the union." The aged Jefferson, tury or more earlier. Then, living beyond his generation, politics seemed to provide the found few listeners for his sage only focal point of interest that council.

—25— The Democratic - Republican Oswego. A giant celebration was Party had swept into power in in order and was presided over by 1832 with that intrepid son of T. F. Morgan, Esq., president of America's sprawling frontier, An­ the village, Alvin Bronson, Henry drew Jackson, simultaneously Fitzhugh, and Gerrit Smith, men ushering in a new era in Amer­ all vitally interested in the ma­ ican politics. His first inaugural terial progress of the city. "Great was truly "open house" at the good humor, hilarity, and temp­ White House for the American erance prevailed", reported the people, Muddy boots from the Oswego Palladium and Republican wilderness West clumped over Chronicle of August 11. Temper­ velvet carpets while the coarse ance or no temperance over laughter of tobacco-chewing fron­ twenty-five toasts were offered. tiersmen profaned the hallowed Gerrit Smith, with an eye to fu­ walls where foreign diplomats had ture business offered, "The Wel­ once been feted. Throughout the land Canal—a stream of wealth country a shudder passed through into the lap of Oswego". Alvin polite society and John Adams Bronson rose to near oratorical was reported to have cried out heights to proclaim, "The Schoon­ despairingly, "This is the end." er Erie—like the dove of the Ark, This was indeed the age of the a messenger on the winds; but "new politics"; for the masses had unlike the dove, she proclaims come into their own. During the that the waters are flowing, not past few years the various states ebbing." And Henry Fitzhugh al­ had been busy amending their most outdid himself by boasting, constitutions in a manner intend­ "Oswego—with Upper Canada, ed to broaden the franchise. Uni­ Ohio, Michigan, and the valley of versal manhood suffrage was the Genesee for her back-country, virtually achieved. With this ex­ she can never want supplies!" tended franchise came several The AntiMasonic impulse reach­ political innovations. The caucus ed its fullest flowering during this method of nominations gradually period and Oswego was in the gave ground to the more demo­ midst of it. And in 1832, the dread cratic national nominating con­ fear of cholera hung over the city ventions. This period also gave like a dark cloud. Unrest and dis­ rise to the party leader. A swayer turbances in Canada were keenly of the masses, he combined the felt in Oswego and especially did attributes of the demagogue, the the Patriot War of 1837-38 excite psychologist, and the super-sales­ Oswegonians. This same decade man. saw the village engrossed in the temperance movement, the aboli­ Welland Canal Opened tionist crusade, the Sunday School Movement, and the imprisonment But let us turn and scrutinize for debt controversy. In more the national scene from the local prosaic matters also was Oswego level. In the village of Osv/ego the forging ahead. The Oswego Pal­ decade of the thirties was one of ladium of June 2, 1830, reprinted robust growth based on an ex­ an extract from the Kingston panding economy and relative Chronicle describing the growth of prosperity. It was an exciting age Oswego: with many new facets of Amer­ ican life being experienced for the "The village is situated on first time. Oswegonians cheered the southern banks of Lake On­ at the opening of the Welland tario and at the mouth of the Canal in 1830, with its promise of Oswego River—a rapid and trade for this village. The canal powerful stream exceedingly was officially opened by the de­ well adapted to hydraulic pur­ parture of the schooner Erie and poses. An extensive and sub­ was cause for festive rejoicing in stantial pier has recently been

—26— constructed by the United 1833, while by 1835 it had States government, by which reached 4,902. means a safe and commodious But let us look more closely in­ harbor is formed. Several large to this matter of political Anti- flour mills are in constant oper­ Masonry and its impact upon Os­ ation and extensive forwarding wego. store houses are erected along AntiMasonic Movement the wharves. At the head of the AntiMasonry as a social and harbor there is a wooden bridge political force was thrust upon the 700 feet long, connecting the American scene by the abduction two parts of the village. The and presumed murder of William public buildings are most re­ Morgan of Batavia, New York. A spectable. The Episcopal Church stone mason and bricklayer by is indeed handsome and built in trade, Morgan had led a quiet and good taste. The principle tavern uneventful life in the small town is a large brick building called environment of central New York the Welland House and is well State. He had been a Mason of kept by Col. White. The popula­ good standing but by 1826 had be­ tion of Oswego hovers around come disgruntled and dissatisfied 3000—among which are twelve with the Order. Partly out of a doctors, sixteen lawyers, and a desire for revenge, he announced goodly sprinkling of colonels, his intention of publishing a book judges, and generals. The so­ exposing the secrets of the Masonic ciety is good and very attentive Order- Under a flood of protests, to strangers." Morgan proceeded to make a con­ tract with David C. Miller, editor Local Industry In 1832 of the Republican Advocate in Batavia, to print the book. Mor­ The Oswego Palladium gives a gan's subseqent dissappearance more graphic account of the caused a great furore throughout economic growth of the village. the area and gossip spread like The June 12, 1832, issue lists the wildfire that the Masons had economic activity of the village struck silently in the dead of as follows: night and had made away with Four operating flour mills: Morgan. Tremendous excitement Fitzhugh & Co.—five stories and activity prevailed. Weeks high of stone const. later, the discovery of a partially Fitzhugh & Co.—five stories decomposed body floating in the high of stone const. Niagara River served only to in­ Bronson & Morgan—four tensify the issue. Morgan's widow stories high was immediately summoned and Smith, Cole & Co.—five forthwith proclaimed it to be the stories high. body of her late departed hus­ One machine factory band. The fact that another wo­ One textile factory—the Oswe­ man from Canada also claimed go Cotton Factory the body as that of her recently Stone Cutting and Polishing— departed spouse, seemed to carry Cochran and Dunton no particular significance. Foundry and Iron Works—E. After a protracted delay, the Carringfon & Co. abductors were brought to trial Two tanneries, three sawmills, and a verdict of guilty was ar­ and numerous other small retail rived at. However, the penalty establishments. served as a mere travesty on Five Churches: Presbyterian, justice, while the uprighteous Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist, citizenry fumed and seethed with Catholic. indignation. The sentences rang­ The village boasted of a popula­ ed from two years down to one tion of 2116 in 1830, and 3212 in month. In aH probability, the ex-

—27— tremely light sentence did more while on the other hand, if they to arouse the public mind than renounced their allegience, it was had the actual disappearance of looked upon as additional proof of Morgan in the first place. Gradu­ their original subversive inten­ ally, all over the affected area tions. Be that as it may, thou­ people began to see that here was sands of Masons did renounce a great, sinister, and wholly un­ their ties to the Order and their democratic force which sat astride public statements filled the news­ not only politics but also the law papers of the day. The fact that and press. A somewhat apathetic Masonic membership in New York distrust of secret societies had ex­ State dwindled from 20,000 in 1826 isted in America since the earliest to a mere 3,000 in 1836 shows the times, but the fact that George tremendous sweep of this force. Washington and other prominent However, this was only a tem­ leaders had been Masons tended to porary eclipse for the Order after­ exclude that order from any par­ wards recouped its forces. ticular stigma. Now, all that was Pawns of Politicians to be changed. In the ensuing months several significant facts After the first flurry of pas­ impressed themselves upon the sions had cooled many of the ex- minds of the people- Evading the Masons who had gone over to the demands of its constitutents, the Anti-Mason camp began to regret state Legislature failed to pass any effective remedial legislation; their hasty renunciations and soon the Courts repeatedly failed to do thereafter the AntiMasons were proper justice in cases pertaining having their renunciation troubles to Masonry, while the newspapers, too. As early as 1830, some of largely Masonic, either failed to the converts began to realize that report the significant events, or they were being used as pawns on deliberately distorted them to the political chessboard. The July their own purposes. Denunciatory 28th, 1830 issue of the Oswego mass meetings were held in which Palladium carried a public re­ the general consensus of opinion nunciation of AntiMasonry by one seemed to follow the reasoning John Turner, who said in part: that all secret societies were "I consider the AntiMasons dangerous to freedom, but Mason­ honest men who have been de­ ry especially so, as it was charged ceived and cheated into being that some of its members had tools of aspiring demagogues. shown themselves ready to com­ I renounce it as the hotbed of mit murder in the interests of violence, discord, and unmanly their order, and therefore, no strife—as the author of im­ Mason should be supported for of­ mense and various evils, and no fice. good, as the patron of bigotry, meanness and hypocrity—as the The Masonic Order was then prompter of discord, enmities, composed, to a large extent, of jealousies, and cruel and out­ prosperous and influential men rageous slanders and abuses—as who pushed a vigorous and spirit­ the crippled hobby of bankrupt ed campaign for the order's de­ politicians and apostate moral­ fense. This situation only lent ists. I renounce the mass of greater emphasis to the claim of Anti-Masons as deluded and in­ the AntiMasons that the Order fatuated men—as men, blindly was using its strength for political and zealously persecuting their purposes and that they were try­ innocent neighbors for opinions ing to subvert the government. sake—as men ignorantly believ­ The Masons were in an uncom­ ing themselves engaged in God's fortable position, for if they de­ service, while heaping all pos­ fended their doctrines, they were sible ills upon the heads of their accused of political chicanery, unoffending brethern. I re-

—28— nounce Anti-Masonick leaders time the 1836 election rolled as time-serving politicians, un­ around, the party as such, was principled apostates, and selfish definitely waning. and calculating disorganizers. Wherever anti-masonry ap­ An Anti-Masonic Newspaper pears, discord and contention attend upon its every step; and The Oswego Palladium main­ wherever it obtains the ascend­ tained an unswerving support ency, incessant and extensive of the Jackson administration strife prevails — wherever it throughout the AntiMasonic crisis. goes, it literally sends not However, the AntiMasonic ele­ peace, but the sword. My ment was soon represented by a opinion of Masonry has not newspaper edited by Richard changed. I still believe it to be Oliphant, and entitled the Oswego a useless and unnecessary in­ Free Press. Mr. Oliphant's star stitution, a compound of folly was in the ascendency and he and wickedness, and if left to later became the editor of the itself, would sink by its own in­ Oswego County Whig. However, cumbent rotteness. However, a long and most difficult path the evils of Masonry, great and lay ahead for Mr. Oliphant and it manifold as they maye be, are was a full decade before he infinitely less than the evils of tasted the brimming cup of vic­ Anti-Masonry." tory when at last the Democratic party was defeated in 1840 and After 1830, it become readily the Whigs swept into power. apparent that the force of Anti- Throughout the Whig interlude, Masonry was dictated, in a large the Oswego Palladium continued measure, by the political situation in its role of political opposition. of the time, and it was in this To the discerning individual it field that it exercised its greatest must have been readily apparent influence. The opposition to An­ that AntiMasonry was rapidly ov­ drew Jackson's administration had erflowing the narrow confines of been in existence from his first its avowed purpose and was en­ inaugural but the sweeping ef­ tering vigorously into the political fects of the spoils system had left realm. Thus, AntiMasonry be­ the opponents of the regime in a came a two-sided issue. This fact peculiarly frustrating position. In is apt to confuse the laymen un­ the election year of 1832, political less he keeps certain facts clear Anti-Masonry reached its high in his mind. For example, the water mark. By this time, it was casual observer is all too apt to actually a third party, claiming classify, rather carelessly, all many adherents in New York, people of that time as either Pennsylvania, and New England. hostile to Masonry and hence in Guided by skilled leaders such as the AntiMasonic camp, or those Thurlow Weed and William Sew­ who were dedicated to the defeat ard of New York and Thad Stev­ of AntiMasonry and hence sup­ ens of Pennsylvania, it represent­ ported the Masonic Order. This ed a veritable complex of political of course, is a gross over-simpli­ and social discontent. They nom­ fication of the issue. As Anti­ inated William Wirt for President Masonry grew, it became more in 1832, a man who had never of­ and more a political entity. Many ficially renounced Masonry. They people flocked to its banners and joined forces with the National voted the AntiMasonic ticket as Republicans whose candidate was an expression of protest in the not only a Mason but who had political realm. Others lent the publicly objected to Anti Mason­ movement their support in the ry. Some successes were won in hopes of gaining remuneration for the state elections, but by the themselves in politics. Obviously

—29— then, many people voted Anti- up into the New England states. Masonic who were not necessarily In the county elections of 1831 opposed to that fraternal order. and the national elections of 1832, They voted this way because they Oswegonians witnessed the local were either opposed to President high water mark of political Anti­ Jackson and his political prin­ Masonry. The Oswego Palladium ciples or because of strictly local and Republican Chronicle edited issues. On the other hand, it did by Mr. John Carpenter took up not necessarily follow that all the role as spokesman for Andrew those who combatted AntiMason- Jackson and the Democratic Re­ ry were supporters of the Masonic publican Party in national and Order. Many of these people local affairs. Mr. Carpenter threw fought the extension of AntiMas- down the gauntlet for the 1831 onry because they saw it as an county elections in an editorial of instrument of bigotry and intol­ Aug. 10 in which he said, in part: erance and not because they "The approaching election in were espicially fond of the Order. Indeed, many individuals who op­ this county will be one of ab­ posed Masonry also decried the sorbing interest and already the excesses of AntiMasonry. Alvin note of preparation is sounded Bronson, leading citizen of Oswe­ by our opponents. The Anti- go, held these views. While he Masonic Party, with a zeal be­ never desired to join the Order, coming a better cause, has al­ neither could he condone the ready taken the incipient steps radical course of political Anti- for a warm and sharply contest­ Masonry. ed election, and it behooves the friends of our country—those AntiMasonry Short Lived who believe that all men are born and created equal, to be up This movement was, then, a and doing, and oppose manfully complex social and political force. the advances of the intolerant It attracted men from all walks and anti-republican principles of life and of all political faiths. upon which that party is found­ However, from 1830 on it became ed. apparent that the preponderance of membership consisted of those "The AntiMasonic party is who were ''on the outside"— now the only party which is or­ politically speaking; those who ganized in opposition to the Re­ publican Party. Its ostensible were unseated by the relentless object is the proscription of a spoils system of Andrew Jackson society of men who choose to or those who had lost, or were differ with them on a subject seeking political influence in local entirely disconnected from pol­ affairs. Actually, as a political itics; but its real object, as has force, AntiMasonry was rather been proclaimed by its leaders, shortlived. It did not get firmly is the acquisition of political established in national politics un­ power. They avow no political til 1830; by 1834 a definite decline principles, profess no attach­ was noted, and by 1836 its force ment or opposition to any of the had been largely spent. leading measures of the govern­ In Oswego, AntiMasonry caused ment, and should they succeed, considerable interest in the early the people have no assurance 1830s. Actually, the village was they will adopt any measures in the center of the infected area. except those of proscription. In AntiMasonry extended eastward such a state of affairs, where from Ohio into western New would be the safety of our York and northern Pennsylvania, boasted political institutions?— through northern New York and Where would be the political

—30— equality which the Constitution fidence of our democratic gov­ secures to every sect and de­ ernment as to hold the office of nomination of our citizens? Let Public Storekeeper at Oswego every citizen reflect upon such from an early period of the war a crisis, and let his own judge­ to its close. In this capacity he ment dictate a reply. was informed by the command­ "A desperate struggle is shap­ ing general of the district that ing up for this county, and on an expedition against Oswego the result of the approaching was fitting out at Kingston and election may depend the ex­ that the governor would rely istence of political antimasonry wholly on his exertions to re­ in this county. By defeating it move from Oswego a large de­ at this election we may expect posit of military stores to a that at the next (which is the place of safety. He placed his presidential) we may be own vessel, the Penelope, in this brought back into the healthful hazardous service and removed channels of fair political discus­ the deposits losing his ship in sion. Every citizen who values the movement. At the capture the safety of our institutions of Oswego, he was taken pris­ and wishes to put an end to the oner, but was offered his liberty the interference of this illegiti­ if he would divulge where the mate non-descript in our pol­ stores had been secreted. He itics, must feel himself loudly refused to give any information called upon to throw his weight and consequently was carried into the balance against it." off as a prisoner of war and held in captivity a number of Alvin Bronson's Attitude weeks until finally liberated. So much for Mr. Bronson's Fed­ In the AntiMasonic Free Press eralism." of Oswego, edited by Mr. Richard This reply, of course, did not Oliphant, there appeared a story actually refute the AntiMasonic casting doubts upon the politics charge that Mr. Bronson was a and patriotism of Alvin Bronson. Federalist. Undoubtedly Mr. Bron­ It was implied that he was a son was a Federalist in the per­ Mason and that he had been a iod mentioned but that did not Federalist at the time of the War mean that he was lacking in of 1812. In a vehement reply the patriotism as implied in the Oswego Palladium attempted to Oliphant paper. However, Mr. refute the charges: Oliphant had the last word when 'Alvin Bronson is not and it was discovered that Alvin Bron­ never has been a Mason. He is, son did receive payment for the in principle, opposed to the in­ loss of his ship. In 1824, a full stitution; but he will not desert ten years after the incident, he his Republican friends, to unite received 3,000 dollars in com­ with the opposition The pensation for his loss. editor of the Free Press claims that Mr. Bronson was a Federa­ Geritt Smith's Viewpoints list during the late war, re­ As the election season ap­ ferring to the War of 1812. Let proached, public expectation in Mr. Bronson's opinions as to the Oswego County mounted rapidly. policy of that war have been Just how strong was AntiMason- what they may; his conduct ry, anyway? Could their nom­ during the war is sufficient inees stand up under the close evidence of his patriotism and scrutiny of the voting citizenry? devotion to his country. At that Just what was their relationship trying period on our frontiers, to the Clay faction of the all Mr. Bronson so far had the con­ but defunct National Republican —31— Party? These and other questions That the result of the coming assailed the minds of the people. elections in this county will be Consequently, considerable inter­ such as to dissappoint those est was evidenced by Oswegon- who are industriously bringing ians when Geritt Smith's views the question of Masonry to bear on political AntiMasonry were upon it; and that it may appear, made public. The Oswego Palla­ for the honor of our country, dium of July 13, reprinted Smith's that we look on the political statement from the Madison Ob­ rights of Masons to be as sacred server and Recorder. Smith wrote as those of other men." in part: Wirt Named For President "Distrusting the virtue there Meanwhile, the public was fur­ is in words, the Anti (s) try ther enlightened by the Anti- what virtue there is in stones. Masonic National Convention They call on us to make sure which met in Baltimore on the of the immediate fall of Mas­ 26th of September. John C. onry by uniting with them to Spencer of New York was chosen strip Masons of political power. chairman and presided well over a Thus they are ready, in their rather noisy convention. After eagerness to accomplish their much haggling and hurried object, to violate the terms of private consultations, a William our political compact, and to de­ Wirt of Maryland was awarded fraud a large portion of the the presidential nomination. This citizenry of their undoubted was rather astonishing to the rights. The political power in­ rank and file as Mr. Wirt was vested in our electors is not to himself a Mason and had never be used to enforce their views publicly renounced the order. The and wishes in all matters." Palladium caustically announced: And with no little vehemence, " Wiliam Wirt of Mary­ Mr. Smith continues: land, a Mason, who had never discovered the evils of Masonry "This political crusade against or the blessings of AntiMasonry Masonry is to me Alarming! until this meeting, very sudden­ What may not follow such a ly became a convert, and was precedent? The ballot boxes nominated for the presidency." will, with as much propriety, County Nominees in 1831 be chosen to settle the contro­ In the meantime the Democrat­ versy between the Calvinist and ic-Republicans of the county met the Armenian—between the in convention at Union Square Deist and the Christian. If, in­ for the purpose of nominating stead of making the lawful at­ candidates for the various offices tempt to argue down Masonry, which were to be filled at the it is to be crushed in this way, forthcoming elections. After a where will you set bounds to "full, free and harmonious con­ this precedent, and the day will sultation", the following indi­ not be far distant when the viduals were recommended to the power of our electors will be electors of the county for the of­ degraded from its present dig­ fices designated: for member of nified exercise in matters of the Assembly, Avery Skinner of state to a contemptible inter­ Mexico; (Mr. Skinner had served ference with the affairs of the as county Treasurer and as a family or the rights of con- judge in the county courts.); for scienec and the freedom of county clerk, Joseph Turner of opinion." Scriba; and for Sheriff, William Hale, of Richland. Mr. Smith concluded his re­ Immediately the Free Press marks by saying: launched an attack against these "I do hope, therefore, Sir, newly announced candidates. By —32— innuendo and blunt implication birth, his best inheritance and they were described as being un­ redeeming quality, if indeed, re­ qualified for the offices for which demption is possible. Until last they asoired. The Republican spring and for the three or four candidate for county Clerk, Jos­ years he has been in this eph Turner, came in for particular county, he was a resident of the abuse. "A petty man," trumpet­ town of Oswego. He has been ed the Free Press, "and one who a candidate for the office of has held only petty and non­ constable twice, but a certain descript offices". "Petty man! something in his manner and petty and non-descript offices!", his intercourse with his fellow stormed the Palladium in its citizens, renders him so ex­ October 19th issue. "Just listen cessively unpopular that he to this. Mr. Turner has been could not be elected. He then president of the Oswego County was so anxious for an office Temperance Society; President of that he actually whined and the Oswego County Sunday cried about the Town Justices School Teachers Union; secretary until they finally appointed of the Lake Ontario Seaman's him." Friend Society, and a member of the Baptist Church. He has also Renunciations Feature Campaign been an assistant in the county clerk's Office. If these are petty Meanwhile, both sides were and nondescript offices, well, we'll making use of public renuncia­ let the people decide that on tions which they printed in their election day." newspapers for their propaganda value. A good, scathing renuncia­ At about the same time the tion published in the paper and AntiMasonic ticket was announc­ embellished with an editorial in­ ed, as follows: for member of the troduction was indeed a potent Assembly, Nathan Stiles of Con- weapon. However, by 1831, the stantia; for the office of the peak of Masonic renunciations had County Clerk, Donald McPherson been reached, while the renuncia­ of Scriba; and for Sheriff, Robert tions of the AntiMasons seemed Gillespie of Richland. As the Free to be increasing. Such a renuncia­ Press had derided the Republican tion of AntiMasonry was publish­ candidates so now did the Palla­ ed in the Palladium of October dium attempt to heap scorn on 19th. In glaring headlines it was these hapless individuals. All announced that Mr. Hiram Car­ their past activities, indeed, their penter of Lewis County was whole life from the cradle for­ renouncing his ties with Anti- ward was bared to the public us­ Masonry. In the words of the ually with considerable embellish­ Palladium: ment. "Gillespie is a yes man", "For one reason he was the chortled the Palladium gleefully. editor of the AntiMasonic news­ "Ask him if he is in favor of paper of Lowville and was con­ General Jackson—he answers sidered a main pillar of the yes; if he approves of the party in that county. He was course his opponents are taking an AntiMason from principle; —he answers yes; if he is op­ but having seen the base means posed to Anti-Masonry — he to which it has been perverted, answers yes; if he dislikes Mas­ and being fully convinced that ons—he answers yes; YES, its original object has been lost YES, YES, that same eternal sight of, and that it is now answer is all that escapes him." merely being used to gratify the Of Mr. McPherson, the Palla­ cupidity of political bankrupts dium had this to say: and corrupt demagogues, he has "Who is this Donald McPher­ resolved in honesty of heart to son? He is a Scotchman by come out from among them." The renunciation itself and is upset the candidacy of Donald here quoted in part: McPherson and replaced him by "... .the reason I give for de­ Ernie Poor, of Parish. This was parting from this course which excellent campaign material for I have strenuously pursued are the Republicans and the Palla­ the following: In the first place, dium pounced on it eagerly. After the period has arrived when the all, one of the main bulwarks of spirit of AntiMasonry has AntiMasonry had been that they arisen to a degree of frenzy and opposed secret conclaves and com­ given birth to a variety of the binations to thwart the will of the most absurd inconsistencies. people, and now their county And secondly, there does not leaders suddenly undid the work appear any sufficient ground to of their own convention by re­ believe that the causes, which placing their candidate for clerk gave birth to AntiMasonry, any with another man. The Palladium longer exist. I am aware that a gives us a colorful account of the few original principles are laid incident: down and insisted on, as the seeds out of which the system " .. The Free Press Commit­ vegetates; but it appears to me tee has been most assiduous in that both the seed and the sub­ their exclamations against 'dic­ ject have become exhausted ... tation' and 'Regency' of the The avowed object of Anti­ Republican Party. Now mark Masonry has been the over­ their consistency. At the Anti- throw of Masonry. This has Masonic county convention Mc­ been their professed object and Pherson was unanimously nom­ their only object. But how inated for clerk. This, it ap­ stands the question in Lewis pears, did not suit the 'Dicta­ County? The Masons in this tors' of the party and they im­ county have abandoned their mediately set to work to break lodge, given up their Masonic up the nomination, in which Charter, and disposed of the they succeeded by resorting to implements of the craft, in the most dishonorable means, order to conciliate public opin­ and called upon the delegates ion. This was all the Anti- to meet again and perform their Masons could reasonably ask or duty more to their satisfaction expect. But have they been —such glaring acts of dictation satisfied with this? NO! They never were practiced in any have since attempted to inflame party to our recollection, and it the zeal, to widen the breaches remains to be seen whether the already made in society, and independent freemen of this urge on the contest with in­ county will be juggled into the creasing rage and antipathy." support of a ticket, which must receive the sanction of George Risher, Moses Whitney, Ernie Masonic lodges Suspended Poor, Ambrose Morgan, and Edmond Hawkes, the political In the Palladium of October bosses of local AntiMasonry." 19th it was reported that there The story continues: was not a single Masonic Lodge "McPherson's nomination did operating anywhere in Oswego not sit well upon the stomachs County. of the DICTATORS, because Undoubtedly one of the most they could not prove his Fed­ colorful charges of the entire eralism. A set-to was therefore campaign was made public on made upon him by George October 26. Under the banner of Fisher, Ernie Poor and Co.; and "ANTIMASONIC DICTATION", to make peace he resigned into the Palladium revealed that the the hands of Poor what the behind the scenes activities of the PEOPLE had rightfully given AntiMasonic county bosses had

—34— him. Mr. Poor's warm friends, cans could expect to hear from the old and adhering Federal­ them again. However, this year, ists of this vicinity notified the together with the next two, delegates of a few towns, the clearly represented the high most of them friendly to Poor. water mark of political Anti- A second convention is held, and Masonry. In an election sum­ the formality of voting for Poor mary, The Albany Argus reported is gone through with Mr. that the AntiMasons had about 30 Poor is, without question, an old out of 130 members of the As­ Boston Federalist, an opposer of sembly. Their strength never the late war, and a distributor gained appreciably beyond this of coffin handbills at the last figure. presidential election; one who Peter Sken Smith Becomes Boss has grown up, come to matur­ ity, and fattened upon the Far from being discouraged, the atmosphere of the Hartford Oswego AntiMasons were already Convention. Fisher, Whitney & making plans for the presidential Co., of course know it, and campaign of 1832. Indeed, there thus their anxiety to get him was no slacking off of effort after nominated. It is to be hoped the 1831 affray. It was at this that our old Republican friends time that the leadership of the will get their eyes open and Oswego County AntiMasonic fight again for the good old Party passed from the hands of cause." Ernie Poor, George Fisher, and Amos Whitney to the mercurial Election Outcome Peter Sken Smith, brother of the more famous Gerrit Smith. Peter The election itself showed the Sken, locally referred to as "Gen­ Republicans holding a slim lead eral" Smith by reason of his in three out of four offices report­ militia office, was a well known ed. The Republican candidate, man in politics and business. He Senator Robert Lansing, polled was not a strict party man but 2232 votes, while his AntiMasonic when he embraced a cause he rival, Thomas Beekman, polled would go all out in its behalf. For 2137. Republican Avery Skinner of the next decade and more Peter Mexico led his AntiMasonic rival Sken Smith was active in Oswego Nathan Stiles by 117 votes; while politics. He was the perennial can­ William Hale, Republican, cap­ didate; the one who never quite tured the office of Sheriff, lead­ gets elected no matter how hard ing Robert Gillespie by 127 votes. he tries. Up until the summer of For the office of county clerk, the 1831 he had been a Democratic AntiMasonic forces succeeded in Republican supporting Andrew naming their man. Yes, in spite of Jackson in 1828 and opposing the all the charges of boss rule and growth of political AntiMasonry. party "dictation", Ernie Poor de­ Such an abrupt "about face" in feated Joseph Turner by a single his political views is not easily vote. Who can pretend to fathom explained but the Oswego Palla­ the mysterious workings of the dium of January 25, 1832, offers a American voters mind?" possible explanation. It was dark­ ly hinted that General Smith The official canvas of the coun­ changed his politics because of ty showed the extent of Anti­ economic reasons: Masonic strength. It indicated that 650 more votes were cast "For five long years after the than at the election of the prev­ Morgan outrage, you, Gen. ious year. Of these, the Republi­ Smith, were actively engaged in cans claimed 208, while the Anti- opposing the party which you Masons gained 442. Clearly, Anti- now are attempting to rally, Masonry was a force to be and never, until the commis­ reckoned with and the Republi­ sioners of the Oswego Bank

—35— turned you off with only thirty pale and trembling with 'a con­ shares, and until you failed in suming disease'—and her quiv­ obtaining for your brother-in- ering lip gives signs that 'all is law the appointment of cashier, lost'! For Loyal Oswego, im­ did you once think that the bued with the patriotism that outrage upon Morgan should be 'tried mens souls' and nerves brought into the arena of with the inflexible purpose, that political discussion. Until then, threw overboard the tea at you contended that Masonry Boston, will, at her visit to the and AntiMasonry should be polls bestow her free suffrage kept aloof from politics, and to annihilate the titled mum­ that it was made a hobby to get meries and guilty mysteries of office by the political trimmers, Masonic Despotism." and that they ought not to re­ The Republicans faced the elec­ ceive the countenance and sup­ tion of 1832 with high confidence, port of honest men. Did you and consequently saw little need speak honestly then, or are you to exhaust themselves in defend­ ing President Jackson. The Party sincere now?" will stand on its record seemed to The Mexico Convention be their attitude. In Oswego they confined themselves to exposing The voluble Gen. Smith was not the inconsistencies of A n t i- to be daunted by such reasoning. Masonry and to ridiculing their "A wise man changes his mind candidates. The Palladium ham­ often; a fool, never", seemed to be mered away rather effectively at his attitude, while he continued in the charge that the AntiMasonic his role as titular leader of the leaders themselves were not par­ AntiMasonic Forces. ticularly concerned with the Ma­ On April 24, he asked all Anti- sonic Order as such, but rather Masons to convene at Mexico to were selling out their followers to take stock of the current political Henry Clay and his National Re­ situation and to prepare the publicans. The fact that the Anti­ spadework that would lead them Masonic candidate for president, to victory in the coming national William Wirt, was a Mason, (and elections. What he lacked in Henry Clay a Mason too), lent political acumen, he made up for emphasis to this charge. The in optimism and bravado. His was editorial of August 29 was typical: the role of the party whip and by his exhortations and his boundless Palladium Speaks enthusiasm he planned to carry the county for the AntiMasons. At "When the AntiMasonic Free the Mexico convention he worded Press was first established in the convention's resolution which this village, its editor pledged was adopted and published as a himself to oppose Masonry challenge to the Republicans for without regard to any political the coming elections: party. But now, in the name of "Resolved, that the result of consistency, is it that he prefers our late town elections war­ to abuse and villify the Old rants the conviction that the Roman at the head of our gov­ cause of correct principles is ernment, while at the same time steadily advancing to the final he is silent or ready to applaud overthrow of secret combina­ Grand Master Clay—and pub­ tions. The veil of the HAND­ lishes the addresses of his MAID has been rent asunder, friends recommending him to and her wrath-kindled eye the support of the people? We quails beneath the withering can readily answer this ques­ glance of Insulted Justice, and tion. The editor of the Free her brazen cheek, crimsoned in Press has been using Anti- the blood of a martyr, is now Masonry for the purpose of

—36— drawing strength to hand over County, the two AntiMasonic to Grand Master Clay. If He candidates received a total of tells the truth, he is himself a 4948 votes (Peter Sken Smith and Mason of high order, (A Knight Charles P. Kirkland), while the Templar) and has never re­ two Republicans received a total nounced; and no doubt under­ of 4832 votes. This indicates a stands the so-called 'deceptive sizable show of strength for the wonder workings' of the order Oswego AntiMasons. For the of­ which he has so often described, fice of state senator, the Anti­ and is now practicing them for Masons won their only victory. the benefit of Grand Master John C. Stower totaled 2559 while Clay." the Republican Nathaniel Hall re­ This charge of conspiracy and ceived only 2380. coalition was a telling blow The Oswego Democratic-Re­ against AntiMasonry as they had publicans enthusiastically hailed based their very existence on this their victory. The Palladium spoke same charge against the Masons glowingly of the "Glorious Tri­ and the Republicans. As time umph—the coalition routed—the progressed it became more and country safe". more evident that this charge "The democracy of the Na­ against the AntiMasons was true. tion—the State, and our own By this time the candidates of county have nobly done their each side had been chosen. In the duty, and by a most triumphant national arena, President Jackson vote have rebuked in a voice of was to be opposed by the Anti- thunder one of the most corrupt Masonic William Wirt, of Mary­ political coalitions which was land. For Congress, the Republi­ ever formed in our country; and cans of the 17th District (Oswego have taught the managers of and Oneida) chose Samuel the Siamese party, that open­ Beardsley and Joel Turrill, while ness, honesty, and consistency the AntiMasons nominated Peter in politics will always meet with Sken Smith and Charles P. Kirk- the support of the people— land. In the state elections. Re­ while deception, fraud, and publican Marcy would oppose Wil­ double-dealing will always re­ liam Granger, AntiMason, for gov­ ceive their veto." ernor, and for the Assembly Re­ In its exuberance, the Pallad­ publican Avery Skinner would be ium was ready to pronounce the opposed by Joseph Houghton. AntiMasons as out of existence: "The AntiMasonic Party is no Republicans Win more—that which gave it life and moral strength is gone. The The election again showed the moral, almost religious charm, Republicans to be in the saddle, through whose agency it oper­ but it was a close election. Os­ ated, is extinguished. Hereafter wego County cast 2565 votes for the Masonic and the Anti­ Jackson and 2379 votes for Wil­ Masonic influence will be just liam Wirt. Marcy received 2556 about equal, and we may ex­ votes for governor as opposed to pect as many Masons to be 2381 for Granger. Avery Skinner made as AntiMasons." received about the same plurality To this, Mr. Oliphant of the for the Assembly. The Republicans Free Press, replied: similarly won the two seats in Congress by electing Samuel "Thus the mask is thrown off Beardsly and Joel Turrill. Actu­ and Masonry is invited to take ally Turrill received less than the field in full force. But what either of the AntiMasonic candi­ will the anti-Masons of this dates in Oswego County but he county say to this? WE answer received sufficient votes in Oneida —the fire of honest indignation to give him victory. In Oswego will kindle up and spread from

—37— cheek to cheek, consuming all ment. In this capacity, it was ful­ before it, until Masonry no filling a traditional American con­ longer exists to disgrace the cept, that of political checks and country." balances. Politically speaking, it was decidedly important, as it fur­ Paved Way For Whig Party nished the first solid basis for The AntiMasonic forces of Os­ the Whig movement of the future. wego were visibly discouraged by their failure to make significant Whigs Vs. Democrats In 1840 gains. Nevertheless, they girded Never before had the republic themselves for the struggle in been faced with such a significant 1834. This election pointed to the campaign as that which confront­ obvious decline of the party, and ed it in the presidential election by 1836 most of the AntiMasons of 1840. The administration in had drifted into the newly cre­ power had time and time again ated Whig Party. What factors confounded its critics and had can we attribute to the demise of managed to win repeatedly at the the AntiMasonic Party? It was, of polls and with comfortable major­ course, a sectional party and was ities each time. Indeed, many of dominated by leaders of a com­ the younger generation had prac­ pact geographic area. The most tically grown up under a political influential leaders were William system which boasted of one, not Seward and Thurlow Weed of two, political parties and it seem­ New York and Thaddeus Stevens ed almost impossible to elect of Pennsylvania. Another factor anyone save those sponsored by operating against the success of the administration in power. This political Antimasonry was the fact of course, did not mean that that many of its leaders and sup­ political opposition did not exist, porters were themselves unre- for it certainly did; but it was nouncing Masons. In other words scattered and disunited and tend­ its own membership belied its ed to be more personal and local avowed purpose. Its alliance with than national in character. Now. the Clay faction of the old Na­ as the nation girded itself for an­ tional Republican Party which other presidential campaign, the smacked of Federalism was also opposition had at last welded it­ important. This situation of self into an effective striking course exposed the wide diver­ force. gencies between the leaders and the rank and file of the party. Certainly there was great need Above all, political AntiMasonry for a change. To the opposition it ran directly counter to the newer was all very clear. The adminis­ political and social ideals which tration in power had grown care­ were springing from the so-called less of the public trust. Graft and Jacksonian revolution. mismanagement were everywhere. Indeed, the entire political fabric In retrospect, one could say seemed to be honeycombed with that the AntiMasonic party owed corruption and inefficiency. Men much of its strength to the con­ in high office were involved in ditions of the times and was by shady deals and lived a life of no means wholly the product of luxury while the average citizen the abduction of Morgan or of struggled with a fluctuating cur­ hatred for Masonry. The party's rency and an unstable market. chief significance lies in the fact Sordid details were uncovered by that it offered the politically dis­ probing investigators but the satisfied a medium of attack people seemed to take it all as a against those who wielded the matter of course to such a degree power. It served as a political that thoughtful individuals began party at a time when the country to comment on the changed code was close to a one party govern­ of ethics that apparently pre-

—38— vailed throughout the land. Every­ "an unprincipled opportunist, where traditional American values who happened through a set of were slipping into obscurity while accidents to head a democratic the country was unmistakably, movement". He was basically a "going to the dogs". conservative, says Abernethy, "and he and his backers had no Analogy With 1952 very strong convictions and were Does this sound like the year willing to make friends with the 1952, my friends? Yes, it must be times. It is not the greatest men acknowledged that these symp­ who go to the top in politics". He toms seem painfully close to us continues, "Not only was Jackson today; yet this is a description of not a consistent politician, he was the national scene not of today not even a real leader of democ­ but of the year 1840. At that racy .. he always believed in particular time, the party of making the public serve the ends Andrew Jackson had been in of the politicians". And again power for twelve eventful years— Abernethy in an article in the eight years under the Old Roman Dictionary of American Biography himself, and four years under his says, "He had little understanding successor, Martin Van Buren. of the democratic movement During these years broad and which bears his name and he sweeping changes had taken came to support it primarily be­ place, altering our traditional cause it supported him". How­ American society. The democriza- ever, it must be borne in mind tion of our politics and the that Abernethy's criticisms are struggle to achieve social and based primarily on Jackson's role economic equality dominated the in Tennessee state politics and era. This was the essence of the implies that because he was con­ Jacksonian Revolution. Ameri­ servative here, he naturally car­ cans have tended to look upon the ried this trait into the presidency. figure of Andrew Jackson as the benevolent father and the leading A Jackson Champion genius behind this so-called More recently Arthur M. Schle- revolution. However, careful his­ singer, Jr., of Harvard, has at­ torians point out that the tap tempted to evaluate the Jackson­ roots of the movement preceeded ian era in American politics. His Andrew Jackson as president. book is well worth reading and in Indeed, most states had already general he defends President extended and broadened the Jackson. He has probed more franchise well before Jackson was deeply into the social and eco­ first elected president. Yet, his nomic aspects of Jacksonian Revo­ inspiration and leadership did re­ lution than the earlier writers sult in a furthering of this attempted. He feels that the process. And so his role in history tradition of Jacksonian democracy continues to be a controversial was primarily a reform tradition, one. Perhaps his Severest critic is dedicated to the struggle against Professor Thomas Perkins Aber- the entrenched business interests nethy who has made exhaustive of the national community. The studies in Tennessee politics and political strength of the eastern Jackson's pre-presidential years in working man, and not the inter­ Tennessee politics. In his book mittent radicalism of the West, he "From Frontier To Plantation In feels, formed the backbone of Tennessee", he theorizes that Jacksonian power. Even more re­ Jackson, not having been a great cently, Professor Richard Hof- democratic leader in Tennessee stadter of Columbia University, politics, could not therefore have gave his sage comments on the been a genuine champion of the Jackson era in his book entitled, people, but was, says Abernethy, "The American Political Tradi-

—39— tion." He expresses the opinion The administration of Martin that Jackson's election was more Van Buren had not been a happy a result than a cause of the rise one and the Democrats must have of democracy, and the "revolution faced the election year of 1840 of 1828" was more an overturn ot with great foreboding and trepida­ personnel than of ideas or pro­ tion. Van Buren, the "old fox of grams. On the bank issue he de­ Kinderhook" had no sooner start­ fends Jackson in principle but ed his administration when a questions his methods and his financial crisis gripped the coun­ solution to the problem. Hof- try. By this time the political op­ stadter says, "He (Jackson) was position was considerable and opposed to both privilege and in­ rather articulate. This Depression flation, but in warring on one he of 1837 more than anything else had succeeded only in releasing had served to coalesce all the var­ the other. In killing the bank he ious elements of opposition to the had strangled a potential threat Democratic party. This new to our democratic government, political force, gathering strength but at an unnecessarily high cost." during the past few years was Parallels Drawn promptly labeled the Whig Party and thus supplanted the defunct There has been much said about National Republican Party of similarities between the Jackson- earlier days. The Whigs tried in ian era of the nineteenth century 1836 to wrest control from the and the New Deal era of the Jacksonites only to be met by dis­ twentieth. Indeed, Franklin D. mal failure. Without a doubt, the Roosevelt took obvious pride in Democratic victory in 1836 had drawing the comparison. Both been a blessing in disguise for the were struggles of large sections of Whigs. From their defeat they the community against a business learned much politically and also elite and its allies. As Professor avoided, to a large extent, the Hofstadter says: "There is an stigma attached to the Depression analogy between Biddle's political of 1837. It is a well known politi­ associates and the "economic cal axiom that a depression al­ royalists" of the Liberty League— ways reacts unfavorably upon the and an analogy between the two party in power. dynamic aristocrats who led the popular parties." But there is a In 1838, due to astute leader­ major difference: the New Deal ship, the Whigs placed William L. was based on the premise of an Seward in the governor's chair in exhausted economic expansion, New York State. They were learn­ necessitating governmental rem­ ing their political lessons well and edial action, while the Jackson by 1840 they were determined to movement grew out of expanding steal the thunder from the enemy opportunities and a desire to en­ and if need be, they would "out- large these by removing restric­ demagogue the demagogues". For tions and privileges. the Whigs, out of their defeat in Although Jackson was sick and 1836, had gleaned the secret of emaciated at the inception of his political success at the polls. first term, his indomitable spirit This technique, of course, lay carried him through two hectic in the identification of the party terms and the following four with the interests of the masses. years of Martin Van Buren. By After all, hadn't old Hickory and this time they had dropped the his followers barnstormed their word "Republican" from their way to victory by playing on party name and were henceforth Jackson's role as an Indian to be knewn simply as "Dem­ fighter and by stressing his pro­ ocrats". Thus had the word Dem­ letarian backgrounds? ocrat at last gained social re­ The Log Cabin Campaign spectability. Without a doubt, the campaign

—40— of 1840 was the jolliest one to highly esteemed by everyone, ever grace the American scene. were affixed to him. Unfortunate For the Whigs it was the famed it was indeed for the Democrats log cabin and hard cider cam­ when one of their own number paign. The slogan of "Tippecanoe passed the remark that if given a and Tyler too", saw them through jug of hard cider and a small to victory. General Harrison, the dowery, Old Tip would be content Whigs candidate, became known to sit in his log cabin for the rest as Tippecanoe because of his of his days. This remark was battle with the Indians at that readily seized upon by the Whigs spot. Never before had so many as good campaign material. Cer­ people participated in an election tainly, Old Tip enjoyed a glass of and never before had so many hard cider—what red blooded slogans, pet phrases and catchy American didn't ? Of course, a few tunes been employed to woo the of the blue bloods like Van Buren people. The Democratic party, al­ would drink nothing but expensive though in power, suffered serious imported wines, but not so with handicaps. President Van Buren good Old Tip. Of course, he lived did not have such magnetic appeal in a log cabin, and furthermore, to hold the masses as Andrew the latchstring was always out. Jackson had. The party, tarnished Also, the Whigs went on en­ by official laxity and the hint of thusiastically, when Old Tip takes scandal, was further weakened by over at the White House, all signs internal dissension and a notable of foppery and lush, extravagant lack of statesmanlike leadership. living will be purged, and the Although the Democrats tried simple social graces of the log valiantly to hold a line and fight cabin will be reinstituted—and the a campaign, they were over­ "latchstring will always be out." whelmed by the Whigs in their new found power. "Van, Van is a This, then, was the general na­ used up man!", they shouted ture of the campaign and of the whenever the Democrats tried to election. The Democrats, sensing defend their candidate. "But let's the popular reaction against them, look at the record", pleaded the tried desperately to stem the on­ Democrats. "Tippecanoe is hard slaught of the Whigs. However, it working and true, which puts old seemed that the Whigs could Van in a terrible stew", chanted carrv the crowds by their song- the Whigs. "But how about Van fests and noisy mass meetings Buren and the Independent Treas­ with the ever-present hard cider. ury Bill?" demanded the Demo­ It was to prove a combination crats. "Tippecanoe and Tyler too", most difficult to combat and one sang the Whigs. "Tippecanoe and which finally overwhelmed the Tyler too." Democrats. Truly, Democratic chickens were coming home to roost! Whig Candidate Popular Campaign Of Personalities The Whigs had a natural win­ ner when they picked General At first glance, then, it would William Henry Harrison as their seem that it was a campaign of standard bearer. He had been an personalities rather than issues. Indian fighter of some renown, a This, of course, was not entirely qualification which had helped true as there were issues aplenty, Andrew Jackson to win the presi­ and it was issues that prepared dency some twelve years earlier. the popular mind even before the Almost overnight Harrison was Whig Party started its barnstorm­ adorned with all the virtues of ing campaign. What were the the honest, hard working, God issues in this crucial campaign? fearing plowman. Simplicity, fru­ One of the main points centered gality, and integrity, virtues around presidential usurpation of

—M~ power. This had been a live issue charge, men who had been in­ ever since Andrew Jackson led fluential as early as 1830. It the Democrats to power back in would be impossible to say just 1828. Indeed it had been the basis when the presidential campaign of of the creation of the Whig Party, 1840 got under way in Oswego. and President Jackson had been Actually, there had been no ap­ dubbed "King Andrew" by his preciable letup in political activity critics. From the vantage point of since 1836. The fiscal policies of the historian this charge seems the Democrats, the Panic of 1837, superfluous, especially when we the Canadian insurrection of 1838, view the growth of presidential the Maine Boundary dispute, and authority under subsequent presi­ the question of Western lands, all dents, such as Lincoln, Cleveland, had kept the political pot aboil- Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow ing. Wilson, and Franklin Roosevelt. Of course, the entire fiscal policy Richard Oliphant, now editor of of the Democratic party was un­ the Oswego County Whig, was in der attack by the Whigs. The his familiar role of handling the same politicians who harassed opposition press. With the demise Jackson in his battle against the of political AntiMasonry Mr. Oli­ U. S. Bank were now belaboring phant transferred his energies and Van Buren and his Independent his loyalties to the Whig move­ Treasury Bill. The Democrats ment and he promptly took over were charged with opening the the management of their news­ floodgates of inflation and de­ paper. His wit and his pen had basing the currency which in turn been sharpened by a decade of tended to place the finances of political struggle in Oswego, but the country into the hands of he was at last to taste the cup of wildcat speculators and favored victory. More than a year prior to banking interests. the election of 1840 he was hurl­ ing his barbed shafts at the local Present day historians generally and national Democratic party. In defend the Democratic fiscal a reply to an editorial in the Os­ policies of the period in principle, wego Palladium praising Van although they feel that the ways Buren as the leader of the De­ that they were carried out were mocracy Mr. Oliphant said in the sometimes questionable. Another Oswego County Whig of October charge against the Democrats was 15, 1839: that their party had drifted far "Is it Democratic to plunder from its original tenets and had the Treasury? Is it Democratic lost touch with the people. The to stifle the people's investiga­ personality of Van Buren en­ tions of the doings of their hanced this claim. He was accused public servants? Is it Demo­ of riotous living, of wearing curly cratic to squander twelve haired wigs, of using perfume, and million dollars a year in "ordi­ filling the White House storage nary" expenses and twenty- with expensive, imported wines. eight million in "miscellanies, And the charges of corruption and incidentals, and extras" ? Is it inefficiency became more and Democratic to control popular more important. That all these elections by the interference of conditions existed in some degree, paid government officers? Is it could not be denied. The Whigs Democratic to corrupt the rep­ seized upon them and magnified resentative body by the distri­ them for their own ends. bution of sinecures and public honors? Is it Democratic to de­ The Campaign In Oswego grade Congress by the distribu­ The campaign of 1840 in Oswe­ tion of fat contracts and base go followed familiar patterns. jobs among its members? Is it Veteran party leaders were in Democratic to unite the Money Power with the Military Power campaign. The Palladium of Feb­ —to divorce State and Bank, ruary 12 described how the Whigs that the Purse may be married were attempting to overwhelm to the Sword? Is it Democratic "the sturdy democracy" with to rob one portion of the coun­ mass conventions—bands, banners, try to enrich a more favored and bottles, "well filled with and more opulent region?" •O, Be Joyful;'" a necessary article, says the Palladium, "to Mexico County Convention inspire Whig enthusiasm". "It was Despite the blustery weather of most assuredly," the paper con­ early February, Oswego County tinues, "a spirited assemblage. Whigs assembled at Mexico for a There is little popular enthusiasm general conclave. Mr. Oliphant for Harrison among the Whigs, gives us a picturesque portrayal hence all this ballyhoo". of the journey to Mexico and the Whigs Well Led assemblage there: "On Monday last, in the com­ Needless to say, the Whigs were pany of a number of our fellow undaunted by such attacks. At citizens, we started for the con­ the Mexico convention the Oswe­ vention which was to assemble go Whigs were well represented at Mexico. At a little before by such men as William Duer, ten o'clock, the pro-delegates Thomas Bond, Henry Fitzhugh, from Oswego and Scriba, pre­ and Seth Swift. The convention ceded by the Oswego Band, issued a clarion call for united ac­ moved from the village in a tion which was faithfully reprint­ spirit of enthusiasm we have ed in the Whig paper: seldom, if ever, witnessed. Al­ "Whigs of Oswego—let there though the traveling was ex­ be no faltering now—maintain tremely difficult, due to the late the same spirit you have on this thaw, the group moved on in occasion manifested. Show the the best of feeling, and even the nation and the world that the horses, in their zeal to press Whigs of '76 and the Whigs of forward, with curved necks and '40 are of the same heart, of the tossing heads, seemed to par­ same mind, and as those of the ticipate in the joy of the oc­ former period spurned the dic­ casion. tation of tyrants abroad, much "At Scriba Corners, we were more will the latter defy joined by the Hannibal delega­ coercion and oppression from tion of thirty, and all then despots at home. When you are pushed on to the place of meet­ next called together, come in ing, amid the cheers and en­ double numbers, and when you couragement of persons of all shall hear the toscin to cast ages. On arriving at Mexico we your ballot, as you value your were met with acclamation by homes, your liberties, your lives: the delegates of most of the be at your posts—rally around other towns, who were already one common standard of sound on the ground. At half past principles and good government two, a procession was formed He who falters now, when all and proceeded in regular order that is sacred and dear is to the Presbyterian Church, an jeopardized, is a coward or a edifice calculated to accommo­ knave, and will sink into an date over 800 persons, and this ignominious grave. Let those building was full." who desire such an ignominious Meanwhile, the Oswego Palla­ immortality for the sake of dium was taking a dim view of present aggrandizement, receive such "boisterous" activities. The it; but see that you are not Democrats were plainly worried numbered with them. He who by the enthusiasm of the Whig would sap the foundation of our free institutions, is a wretch— ing out to met the enemy by he who would overthrow the whom they were surprised.... constitution of these United where next do we find General States is a traitor and a villain. Harrison? I answer, he was in Come then, to the rescue—come the rear, a favorite position of like the mighty whirlwind, and his, where he has always been blast their machinations for­ found in the hour of peril ever." General Harrison is said never Meanwhile, the Democrats were to have sustained a defeat. I busy assaulting the character and would like if anyone could point fitness of General Harrison. They out the place where he accused the Whigs of claiming ever fought a battle. He never that Harrison had been appoint­ fought a battle—he had no in­ ed governor in the Northwest clination to fight—'retreat' al­ Territory by Thomas Jefferson. ways seemed to be his favorite "Tisn't so", stormed the Palla­ word. It is a matter of surprise dium. "He was a John Adams man that a man who never fought a and supported his Alien and battle should never have sus­ Sedition Acts and for reward was tained a defeat." appointed by John Adams to that Rollicking Campaign Songs post." Meanwhile, the Whig band­ Of course, one of the main wagon was rolling merrily and issues that the Democrats harped gustily onward. There seemed on was the fact that Harrison something magically contagious was simply a soldier and was ill in the songs that they concocted equipped for the office for which and the verses that were created he aspired. However, they could by their facile pens. Clearly, Gen­ not ride this too hard as their eral Harrison was to be immortal­ own here, Jackson, had also been ized: a military hero. And so the Dem­ Tho' content with his cottage and ocrats were often reduced to at­ few acres of ground tacking the military record of And despising the wealth got by General Harrison. In the March 11th issue of the Palladium there base speculation, appeared the opinions of a Gen­ His heart true to glory will ever eral Carroll, who, said the Pallad­ be found, ium, was the most distinguished He's himself like the Roman, the Indian fighter next to Jackson. gem of the nation. Give Old Tippecanoe the just "He, (Gen. Carroll) com­ fame that is due. menced with the famous battle To honesty, valor, and worth we of Tippecanoe, proving by Har­ are true, rison's own official letter to the Then inscribed on our banner'll be War Department, that he en­ Harrison's name camped upon ground selected As chief of the nation we loudly for him by the Indians, and proclaim. which Harrison himself ac­ And again we hear: knowledged to be unsuitable. What has caused this great com­ Harrison knew that the Indians motion, motion, motion were near, yet he failed to Our country through? throw up an intrenchment It is the ball a rolling on which he might at any time For Tippecanoe and Tyler too, have done. And again, he had Tippecanoe and Tyler too. no picket guard—he had not. Oswego Whigs turned this par­ even a common camp guard as ticular verse to their own local is clearly proven by his own needs and we hear: admission that some of his men Old Oswego will rally for Duer, were stricken down at the Duer, Duer, front of their tents, when com­ And Judson too

44 Oswego will go, Oswego will go Again will our Marty receive the For Tippecanoe and Tyler too! command William Duer and Edward B. And peace and good laws will Judson of Oswego were candidates again rule our land for the State Assembly in the Sailing up the Salt River, the pending election. Whigs we shall view Nor were the Whigs alone in On the bottom side up of their their mingling of poetry with tipped-up-canoe! politics. Democratic campaign One enterprising Democrat poetry seems to have been lost from Oswego aligned the Temp­ sight of by subsequent genera­ erance movement on his side. He tions. Nevertheless it did exist. argued that the temperance move­ Here is one example I found: ment was retrogressing—why?— because he says intemperance has New Song For The Whigs become the badge of a political Come all ye bold Whigs from party: Georgia to Maine, "Yes, intelligent men, men Who dwell on the mountain or who have enjoyed the benefits inhabit the plain, of Christian teachings—and who A plan we've concocted, and will live in a land of gospel light— show it to you are called upon to exhibit an How we'll ride into power on old enthusiasm in a political strife Tippecanoe. by drinking hard cider, often made harder by hard brandy, A log cabin we'll build, of pine all for the glory of General and birch mixed Harrison. Yes. at these conven­ With a roof of rough bark and a tions and committee rooms, chimney of sticks. many a young man will take Place in it a barrel of Hard Cider his first lesson in drunkenness or two which will bring him to the And drink with the loafers to old almshouse or the prison and Tippecanoe. thence to the drunkard's grave. More than 10,000 young men And the Huge Paws, you know, will be made drunkards in one who can't understand year by this 'hard cider en­ Will think the log cabin so fine thusiasm.' " and so grand That they'll be like us, without Democrats Opposed Change principles too And shout "down with the locos, The Panic of 1837 had cast the up with Tippecanoe." Democrats in an unfavorable light, and to combat this, they And when we have paddled to the repeatedly stressed the idea that summit of power actually the people in 1840 were And the riches of state around us doing all right for themselves and do shower. that there was no need for a We'll kick out che loafers and change of national administration. Big Paws too It was the familiar cry of "don't And nose around as we please change horses in mid-stream", and poor Tippecanoe. "prosperity is just around the But alas, you poor wiglings, corner." In a leading editorial of you're all in the wrong September 16, the Oswego Palla­ You might as well come to the dium maintained that: end of your song " ... the farming interest is For I shrewdly suspect that the generally doing well, and the locos will show you farmers know it. If prices are In the year Forty-One, a Tipped- not as high as they were in the over-canoe. two or three years of specula-

—45— tion, the crops are better than wego Redeemed! Federalism Pro­ they were in those years, the strated! Democracy Triumphant!" farmers have more to sell, have cried the Oswego Palladium. A less to pay for the commodities glance at the official tabulation, that they are obliged to pur­ however, shows that such enthu­ chase, and liberated from the siasm was unfounded. The struggle excitements of speculation and for each office was sharply con­ extravagance, are essentially tested, the Democrats winning better off than they have been only by the slenderest of major­ for a number of years past. ities. The tabulation is as fol­ Those who imprudently con­ lows : tracted debts on purchasing President: property at the high specula­ Democrat—Abraham Prall, 350. tive prices of 1836-37 can only Whig—Luther Wright, 319. find relief in patient industry Trustees: and economy. No administration Democrat — Leander Babcock, can relieve the land speculators, 344: George Seeley, 342; Henry caught by the economic revul­ Willis, 333; Dwight Herrick, 333. sion. Had the warning voice of Whig—Thomas Bond, 334; Gen. Jackson, delivered through James Piatt, 336; Sylvester Doo- the Specie Circular, been heed­ little, 329; Charles Phelps, 330. ed, thousands would have been Treasurer: saved from great loss and ruin Democrat—Thomas Crouch, 333. that the mercantile pursuits Whig—John Cooley, 334. and mechanical trades would, Collector- ere this, have been fully re­ Democrat—James, Crolius, 334. vived, but for the abuses of the Whig—Elizabeth Stockwell, 323. Bank of the United States, is Log Cabins Built now candidly admitted by all Meanwhile, local Whigs were men of business and capital, continuing in their campaign fot who are out of the pernicious General Harrison. Log cabin and whirl of Whig politics." hard cider talk was everywhere Democrats Carry Village and log cabins were springing up With the prevailing excitement all over the country. The first of the national elections, Oswe- log cabin in the Oswego area was gonians paid scant heed to their erected about a mile and a half own village elections held on April west of the village. This was a 6. 1840 In fact, I found onlv one gala occasion for Whiggery with passing reference to the election William Duer giving an address in the newspapers, excluding of on the history of the log cabin course, the official tabulation that movement and another address by followed. This apparent apathy Thomas Bond of the village. This seemed to characterize all village took place about the tenth of politics in Oswego. County elec­ June. It was about this same time tions were played up prominently, that Oswego Whigs were forming but not so with the village. The their "Oswego Tippecanoe Club." reader must keep in mind that in The following were among its 1840 the county population dwarf­ prominent members: ed the village population while to­ John Grant, Elisha Gillett, Don­ day the reverse of this situation is ald Herrick, Joel Pehfield, Daniel true. On the surface, this par­ Marsh, Edmund Hawkes, Mathew ticular village election seemed to McNair, Ernie Poor, Orin Munger, be a substantial victory for the William Dolloway, George Burch, Democrats in that they elected Thomas Bond, Jessy Gray. William the president, all of the four vil­ Duer. lage trustees and the collector- This organization was respon­ ship, leaving for the Whigs only sible for the raising of another the office of the treasurer. "Os­ "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" log

-^6— cabin. This one inside the village pointless to rehash such contro­ limits (possibly in West Park). It versial issues, especially when it was to serve as the official meet­ seemed to stir up dangers to the ing place for all Whig meetings Union. Of course, the local Dem­ prior to the election. All those in­ ocrats seized upon this as in­ terested in good government were dicating that Harrison didn't know invited to drop around any time his own mind, and that he was to receive the gospel light. "The in fact a prisoner of his own keep­ latch-string would always be out," ers. Pointing to Harrison, the Oswegonians were told. Whenever Palladium said scornfully, "Thou the Harrison banner was seen wear a lion's hide—doff it for floating over the cabin, that shame, and hang a calf's skin on would be notification of another that recreant frame" One Dem­ Whig meeting. ocrat attempted to portray Harri­ son's plight in verse as follows: Union Association's Activity The People's Candidate Perhaps the most spectacular- Here is another song to sing al­ aspect of the campaign locally though its rather late. was the political activity of the Union Association of Oswego. This About the man the Whiggies call agency consisted of a small num­ "the people's candidate". ber of Oswego Democrats, who, A FARMER-CLERK, I'll prove by themselves, set out to discredit him thus—though others as much as possible the fitness of keep his dockets, General Harrison. The origin of He FARMS out all the labor, this group was, presumably, quasi- while the fees of CLERK legal. This Union Association, with he pockets! Miles Hotchkiss of Mexico as its This poor old man is kept by his spokesman, addressed a letter di­ immediate advisors rectly to General Harrison at his Shut up in a log cabin under care­ headquarters in Cleveland asking ful supervisors; him three pertinent questions: And as his old ideas now are get­ ting rather hazy, 1. Are you in favor of receiving They will not let you question him and referring petitions for the im­ for fear 'twill make him mediate abolition of slavery in the crazy. District of Columbia? Some gentlemen not long ago ad­ 2. Are you in favor of a U. S. dressed a line inviting Bank or some similar institution An expose of his sentiments, on for the safekeeping of the public topics all exciting; monies and for giving a uniform His good old mouth was closed; currency throughout the United perhaps to open his heart States ? the wider 3. Would you favor the passage Said they—"He cannot answer of a general Bankrupt Law by you, but—Won't you have Congress so that its operations some cider?" might be equal in all the states Union Association Attacked of the Union? Meanwhile, local Whigs were These questions were all design­ trying to undermine the influence ed to embarrass the Whig candi­ of the Union Association. In a date no matter how he answered searing editorial, Mr. Oliphant of them. Harrison wisely turned the the Oswego County Whig casti­ matter over to his campaign man­ gated this political organization: agers, who in turn penned a reply "In the first place, as we be­ to the Oswego Union Association. lieve, this club was originally In a carefully worded letter Har­ styled the Pennyless Aristo­ rison's managers explained that cracy, and designed as a regu­ insofar as the General had already lar loafer combination and the publicized his views it would be name of Union Association has

-47— probably been assumed as more Has fled at the touch of Old appropriate for public corres­ Tippecanoe pondence. The members were The foul spot that darkened the generally loco-focos and in­ roll of our fame fidels of the worst stamp, and it The black line's recording our was a positive stipulation for annals of shame initiation that no man be ad­ A proud hearted nation no longer mitted who is not known to be shall rue a bankrupt, and several of the They've all been expunged by Old members have chuckled long Tippecanoe. and loud at the forfeiture of In 1836 Oswego County had membership by one of their given a majority of some 1,100 to company because it was proved Martin Van Buren; in 1840 they that he had told a truth in the gave the Whigs a majority of course of a twelvemonth. The 1,500. This was indeed a tremend­ record of their proceedings is a ous reversal. panorama of obscenity and pro­ fanity, alike disreputable to the What lies ahead for the Whigs? members and the village, and asked Mr. Oliphant and then he interspersed with designs of the preceeded to answer his own ques­ most beastly and disgusting tion by stating what he hoped character. To carry out the would be the Whigs course of ac­ principles of their real leader, tion: Fanny Wright, and make a 1. Overthrow the Sub-Treasury. derision of religion, mock pray­ 2. Pass a national Bankrupt ers are offered on tne opening Act. of their meetings. To add to the 3. Restore the right of petition. dignity of the affair, their 4. Work for currency reform. meetings were held in a grog- 5. Terminate the Florida War. gery attached to a ten pin 6. The income from the public alley." domain to revert to the states. 7. Pass a protective tariff to Whigs Sweep Election stimulate our economy. The election itself proved to be General Harrison's Death a smashing victory for the Whigs. In Oswego village, Martin Van This was an ambitious program Buren had a total of only eight and one which the country was votes while General Harrison had not to see under Whig manage­ 335. In Oswego County Harrison ment. Shortly after assuming of­ claimed 3,907 votes while Van fice the stalwart old soldier, Gen­ Buren had only 166. For governor, eral Harrison, died and the reins Oswego gave the Whig candidate, of government passed to John William H. Seward of Auburn, a Tyler, an aristocratic planter total of 406 while the Democrat from Virginia. He had little sym­ William Bouck received 338 votes. pathy with the major portion of In the race for the Assembly the Whig platform and conse­ seats William Duer and Edward quently the administration passed B. Judson (both Whigs) received little in the way of constructive 411 and 404 respectively, while legislation. Their inability to carry Democrats Leander Babcock and out their platform pledges to­ Alban Strong received 342 and gether with the extreme hetero­ 335 respectively. geneity of their party enabled the The Whigs were jubilant: Democrats to get back into power Brave Tippecanoe has come out of in 1844 but that is part of an­ the West other story. Thus through a study To deliver the land from a hor­ of local politics we gain a valu­ rible pest able insight and a new perspective A Plague, such as Freedom before of the mainstream of American never knew history.

^8— The Willett Family at Belgium, New York

(Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by Rodney Johnson, Oswego State Teachers College, April 22, 1952)

It was a beautiful spring morn­ crops were prospering on the rich ing in May, 1830, as we rounded bottom land along the Seneca. the bend in the Seneca River and William Willett recounted to the large frame house of Rev. me the story of how his father, William M. Willett came into Col. Marinus Willett, (who was view. I had heard marvelous tales still living, at the age of 90, in of this fine home constructed New York City) had drawn 3,000 there on the banks of the Seneca acres of land in the Military but had never before seen how Tract in consideration for his truely impressive it was. In a services in the Revolutionary War. country where one is used to see­ His lands were composed of a ing small frame houses and many township lot of 600 acres in five rude cabins it is a surprise and a different townships of the tract.1 pleasure to come upon a mansion The land I was about to visit was house, standing with a certain Lot 88 of Lysander, part of the haughty grace, looking out over Colonel's grant. When our craft an expanse of forests and newly cleared fields. Our approach by was securely tied at the wharf, river gave us a view of the house the man took my small hair trunk on a rise of ground rolling back and other bags as we walked from the water and framed it toward the house. The country through the soft, pale green was fairly bursting with new life leaves of a new spring time. The and there were any number of sun caught the fresh white paint small animals who went scamper­ of the clapboards and the dark ing off into the thicket as we green of the window shutters to made our way to the Willetts' bring the full magnificence of door. this picture to us. As we drew We were met by Elizabeth, Rev. closer to the front of the property, Willett's wife, and taken into the I saw that the young minister and large parlor to the left of the hall his wife had started gardens where I needed no urging to sit about the house and that the down and rest. It had been a long clearing of the surrounding terri­ and tedious journey from Albany tory had been planned so that a on the canal packet and then by good number of trees were left stage from Syracuse to Baldwins- standing about the place. ville. The men met me with the boat, explaining that the river, Rev. Willett was with us in the while it lengthened a three mile boat and while we were being overland trip to ten or twelve, rowed by his man, he told me of was by far more comfortable and his history in that new country and of the Methodist Episcopal Church which they had completed 1—Balloting Book of New York Military Tract, (M. S. and History there at Belgium two years ago, Section, New York State Library) in 1828. The place was growing Location of Col. Willetts lands. (Ly­ sander, Lot 88; Cincinnatus, Lot 88; rapidly and people who had been Ulysses, Lot 55; Fabius, Lot 52; Mil­ able to clear farms and market ton, Lot 4.)

—49— usually more speedy than travel there is evidence that when the over the miserable roads and time for speeches had passed through the spring mud. and the mob was rising, Willett Steaming hot tea was soon of­ would be on hand. fered and, with an abundance of As a leader of these radical other foods, refreshed me in short patriots he aided in the attack of order. Mrs. Willett urged me for the Arsenal, April 23, 1775, and news of Albany, New York and on June 6 that same year he and especially Dutchess County which his associates seized arms from had been her home. British forces which were evacu­ This imaginary account could ating the city.4 In 1775, however, very well have been written in he began to see the real military the journey of an early traveler action for which he had been and caller at the Willett house. It spoiling. Congress had given him may help to establish the setting the authority to start recruiting for the remainder of the paper. so that he was at least able to To first have some understand­ anticipate action. On June 28, ing of Col. Marinus Willett's back­ 1775, he received his commission ground, we will consider some of as Captain in the First New York the highlights of his life. He was Regiment.5 His first campaign born of an "old and respectable was with "Montgomery's ill-fated family" at Jamaica, July 31 (old expedition to Canada."6 By style) 1740.2 He attended King's November, 1775, he had received a college and also worked as a cab­ lieutenant-colonel's commission in inet maker during his earlier the Continental Army and five years. At 17 Willett began the years later, in 1782, received the military career (which was to be rank of full colonel.7 his most important business) as a As a colonel then, in February, lieutenant in the French and In­ 1783, Marinus Willett made him­ dian War. He was with Aber- self a permanent part of the early combie in his unfortunate expedi­ history of Oswego County. The tion against Ticonderoga and was military expedition which he led with John Bradstreet when he against Fort Ontario at Oswego captured Fort Frontenac. In the in that year was the first contact turbulent days which preceded which his family was to make the Revolution, he was one of the with our area. This interesting earliest and most radical of the event was exceptionally well cov­ Sons of Liberty in New York City. ered in a paper presented before Some indication may be had of our society in 1939 by Edwin M. Willett's natural inclination to­ Waterbury. The complete paper ward such a movement from may be found in the society's Bronner's comment3 which fol­ yearbook for that year. lows: It will be remembered that Col. A cursory search finds little Willett, on February 8, 1783, led evidence of his [Col. Willett] a body of Rhode Island and New making speeches, writing pam­ York State troops (numbering phlets, or even serving with about 500) from Fort Herkimer to committees appointed to meet Oswego with the purpose of with more conservative factions in the city. On the other hand, 4—Dumas Malone, Dictionary of American Biography, (New York, 1936)xx. 2—John Barber and Henry Howe, Historical Collections of the State of 5—Bronner, "Marinus "Willett." New York, (New York, 1844), 460. N. Y. S. Historical Proceedings, XXXIV. 275. 3—'Blrederick Li. Bronner, "Mar­ inus Willett," New York State His­ 6—Ibid. torical Association Proceeding's, (1936) 274. 7—Ibid.

—50— sieging the fortification here by After losing much time recon­ surprise attack. They were fol­ structing their route, it was too lowing careful plans drawn by late to make their way back to General George Washington hini- the fort to fulfill their mission. self, which warned that if the Under careful warnings from British garrison at Oswego could Washington to attack only unob­ not be taken by surprise; the served at night, Col. Willett had continental troops must not at­ little choice but to immediately tack at all. start the 180 mile march back to They followed the main water Fort Herkimer. Two men were route although the winter weather frozen to death by dropping out made it an icebound passage for of rank and lying down on the the 120 sleighs and teams of ground while numbers of them horses. Wood Creek, Oneida Lake were badly frostbitten. This Os­ and then the Oneida and Oswego wego expedition proved to be the Rivers brought the cold and last major military campaign of weary troops to Oswego Falls. the war and would not have been Horses and sleighs had been left undertaken except for the slow under guard at Fort Brewerton communication of the day. The with the soldiers continuing on provisional treaty of peace had foot. They stopped at Oswego been signed on November 30, Falls, set to work building scaling 1782, with Britain by Franklin, ladders with which to enter the Jay and Adams but word had still fort, and then proceeded down the not reached America by February Oswego River toward their goal. 8, 1783, when Marinus Willett and Five days after leaving winter his hardy band left for Oswego! quarters at Fort Herkimer, Col. So it was that Col. Marinus Willett and his men were on the Willett probably first saw the last leg of this hard march area where he was to own land through a frozen northern wild­ for nearly a quarter of a century erness. As Mr. Waterbury pointed and where his son would some out, this exceptional expedition in day live. "the depth of a northern winter Military campaigns and Sons of was almost without parallel in Liberty escapades were not the this most unusual war". To cover only form of adventure indulged the distance of 180 miles in five in by the colonel. On April 2, 1760, days meant that the army had to at Old Trinity Church he was average approximately 36 miles married to Mary Pearsee, the per day! Near Minetto the men first of his three wives. One son were forced to leave the river was born of this marriage. He when they came upon open water was named for his father and is caused by rifts. They proceeded listed as a surgeon. He died at down the eastern bank, following about the time of the Revolution. their Oneida Indian guides led by unmarried.8 a Captain John. While they had Mary died July 3, 1793, after from 11:00 o'clock at night till 33 years the colonel's wife.9 On 2:00 a. m. the following day to October 3 of the same year he make their way from Minetto to married Mrs. Susannah Vardill. Oswego, the Indian guides lost the daughter of Edward Nicoll of their way by following the Indian New York and the widow of snow shoe tracks which they be­ Joseph Janncey and Thomas lieved were headed toward the fort. When they finally found that these Indians were traveling to­ 8—Rosalie Fellows Bailey, "The Willett Family of Flushing, Long Is­ ward a point farther east on Lake land," The New York Genealogical Ontario's shore, the men were and Biographical Record, LXXX, 159. stopped in a frozen, swampy area. 9—Malone. Dictionary, XX.

—51— Vardill.10 (Weekly Museum, New He was appointed mayor of York, October 5, 1793). This mar­ New York City in 1807 by Gover­ riage proved an unhappy one and nor Lewis as a political favor. "It a divorce was obtained by Mrs. was an important position even Willett.11 then with considerable patronage Col. Willett married, for his at his disposal; he was president third wife, probably in 1799 to of the common council, chief judge 1800, Margaret Bancker, daughter of the court of common pleas, of Christopher and Mary Smith head of police and fire depart­ Bancker.12 He was sixty years old ments, chairman of the board of at that time, his military fame health and had an income of had been won, and he was busily close to $12,000."i4 engaged in making his fortune in Col. Marinus Willett died at New York City. Besides his mili­ Cedar Grove, August 22, 1830, tary career, he had been active in aged 90 years, and was burie_d in other public places. He was his family vault in Trinity vestryman of Trinity Church Churchyard with military honors. 1784-85 and high sheriff of the It has been estimated that ten city and county of New York in thousand people came to view his 1784 and again in 1791.13 Mar­ remains.15 garet, the new wife, was 25 to 26 years old when they were married The Willett Grant and the couple had a daughter This paper was prompted by the and four sons. The eldest was Dr. old Willett house which is still Marinus Willett, 1801-1840. He standing on the west side of the was the second son by that name Seneca River just above the who became a doctor; the other bridge at Belgium. Interest in the having died before this marriage. place has been more or less gen­ eral in that immediate area and Post War Activities many motorists have been attract­ In 1804 Col. Willett established ed by the marker which stands on a ferry from Corlaer's Hook to the Cold Springs Road one-half Long Island. He became a mer­ mile south of Belgium. Because chant of means and a considerable the house stands on the river, a property holder. Not only did he considerable distance from the purchase various estates confis­ highway, there are many who cated from Loyalists in the city have never seen more than and Jamaica, but he was, at one glimpses of it. There have been time or another, owner of large so many conflicting stories told tracts of land upstate either alone about its history—some of them or in association with other men more or less fabricated—that it seemed desirable to attempt to This latter activity was undoubt­ gather as much authenticated in­ edly of a speculative nature. He formation on the family and the bought a tract in DeLancey's east old house as possible. As part of farm on Corlaer's Hook in what this assignment, I followed the was then suburbs of New York transferes of titles from the first City. Here Marinus Willett built owner to the present time. I was his home, which he called Cedar able to examine an abstract of Grove and here, at number 58 title which recorded the principal Broome Street, between Cannon parties of all transferes of the and Lewis Street, Lafayette call­ ed on him in 1824. 14—Bronner, New York State His­ 10—Ibid XX. torical Association, XXXIV, 279. 11—Ibid XX, (bill filed November 15—His widow Margaret died May 11, 1799; decree filed April 10, 1805). 12, 1867, aged 93 years, at 297 Delan- 12—Ibid XX. cay Street, New York City, Kelby'e Notes, (New York Historical Society 13—Bailey, The Record. LXXX, 158. Library).

—52— property. Later I consulted the was that, after changing title original recordings of deeds for three times in five years, the Onondaga and Cayuga, in the lands were once more owned by Cayuga County Clerk's Office. Marinus Willett!« The earlier papers are often in The fact that William paid the Cayuga records due to the fully half as much for this prop­ important role this county played erty as was paid in 1795 for four in the military tract when it was times as much land (using the the center of military land trans­ rough equivalent of five dollars actions. According to these for one pound) might lead us to records, Col. Marinus Willett re­ believe that the increase in value ceived Lot No. 88 in Township was produced by the mansion One (Lysander) by Letters Patent which was built before that time. dated July 9, 1790. It reads, from While the increased prosperity in "The people of New York State" the country of the 1830's was for his services in the Revolu­ then being noticed, I doubt that it tionary War. As mentioned would have so greatly affected earlier, this was one of the five land values in 1826. lots of 600 acres each which he received on that date. Dating The House It is interesting to note that One of the most difficult Col. Willett and his wife Susan­ things I had to do in my research, nah sold the entire 600 acres in preparatory to this paper, was to Lysander, (with his lots in Fabius, try to establish a date for the Ulyses and Cincinnatus), to building of the house and deter­ Nicholas Denise of New York City mine the actual builder. on September 18, 1795, for 2,000 The site is marked by a State pounds. This was for a total of Education Department marker 2,400 acres, inasmuch as it ex­ put up in the early 1930's. It bears cluded his lot in the Township of the following legend: "Willett Milton. Willett took a mortgage House, built by William Willett, for the entire amount but a little son of Colonel Marinus Willett, over a year later, on January 11, 1796". This date has been doubted 1797, Nicholas Denise, with his by most local historians for some wife, Grace, sold this same land to time. It can now be stated that if one Benjamin T. Young for 2,500 William built the house it would pounds. Denise was, of course, have been quite impossible for him still living in New York while to have done it in 1796 inasmuch Young was from the Town of as he was not born until 1803! It Troy in the County of Rensselaer. will also be remembered that be­ It would seem that Young failed tween 1795 and 1800 the property to make good on his new venture, was not in the possession of the as did also Denise. On June 6, Willett family. Therefore it will 1799 "proceedings were had be seen, that if the house was against Nicholas Denise, an ab- built in 1796, it could not have sending debtor", under which the been built by the Willetts—either total 2,400 acres were sold to father or son. George Bement, the highest There is a strong family tradi­ bidder, for $1,500. Bement re­ tion in the LaGarry family of ceived a deed to the land on May Belgium which involves the Wil­ 1. 1800, apparently acting for lett House. When I interviewed Willett (who, it will be remember­ ed, held the $2,000 mortgage). The next day, on May 2, 1800. Col. 16—There was a great deal of liti­ gation and very complicated trans­ Willett received full title to the actions which continued well into the property, once more, from George nineteenth century as the result of many resales. Frauds were also per­ Bement and his wife Aletta for petrated by forgery antedating con­ the consideration of $100. Thus it veyances and conveying the same land to different persons.

—53— Mrs. Esther LaGarry, I was given born on January 3, 1803 18 in New the following story. York City. He must have had Mrs. LaGarry's grandfather, some college training (to have Ira Eno Jr., settled one-half mile had Hebrew, etc.) but there is no north of Belgium on the east side record of his having a degree, al­ of the river, cleared land for a though A. M. sometimes appears cabin, and after living there for with his name. As a very young about a year married Esther man, he attended the ministry of Vickery of the Phoenix area on John Summerfield, was converted January 6, 1820. Their first child to Methodism and was called to was Jane Eno, born on Novem­ preach the Gospel. Col. Marinus ber 10, 1820.17 The family tradi­ Willett was a member of Trinity tion has always been that Jane Church and as an aristocrat, we was five years old when her are told he was not at all happy father built the frame house about this son who chose to cast across the road from the cabin. ''his lot with that humble and This house is still standing and is despised people".59 William taught Mrs. LaGarry's home. The tradi­ at Wesleyan Seminary in New tion continues, however, with the York City while still in his teens. story that it was the same car­ At twenty he became a member of penters who, when they had com­ the New York Conference with pleted the Willett House, came his first charge being Suffolk down to build the modest home Circuit, which covered the greater for Ira and Esther Eno. I feel part of Long Island. He remained that internal evidence such as the on the Island for one year and fine shell carvings in the window was transferred to the Genesee paneling and the mouldings used Conference in 1826 where he was in some of the wood work and appointed to Delphi. other interior architecture of the In 1828 and 1829 he was sta­ Eno house, prove it to have been 20 built by craftsmen well above the tioned at Lysander. This un­ skill of the average "barn car­ doubtedly refers to a circuit of that name, on which Belgium was penter" who fashioned many an 21 upstate home in this period. one of several small societies. He was later a member of the The shell carving is surprisingly Oneida Conference (set off from similar to that found in the the Genesee Conference) where he matching mantles of the Willett was "located at his own request" parlors. If this family account in 1831.22 This "location" would could be entirely accepted it also seem to be at Belgium. At would date the Willett house from that appointment he was listed as about 1820 to 1825. 130 years is, a local preacher and therefore not however, a long time for a story mentioned in the published con­ such as this to remain unchanged ference journals. Due to the fact and so we are forced to accept it that he had ample means, he may only as tradition and not as historic fact. 18—James Grant Wilson and John If the place was built before Fieke, Editors. Appleton's Cyclopedia 1826, then it was standing when of American Biography, (New York, Col. Willett and his wife deeded 1889). the property to their son, William, 19—Warriner, Rev. Edwin, "Foot­ prints of our Predecessors; Father on June 16, 1826, for the "consid­ Willett—Oldest Living Circuit Rider eration of $5,000". of Long Island," City and Island, (New York, 1893-1895). A Preacher Is Born 20—Conference Journals and rec­ William Marinus Willett was ords, Methodist Historical Society, New York City, James R. Joy, Li­ brarian and Historian. 17—A]] dates for the Eno family are from the family records in a 21—Ibid. Bible owned by Mrs. LaGarry. 22—Ibid.

—54— have chosen to leave the traveling tion has always maintained that ministry and become a local the Willetts had two colored men preacher, still rating as a min­ on the place and that they re­ ister but not subject to appoint­ mained there after the family left ment to a pastorate. This would in 1833. In fact, this last was re­ have left him free for study and ported by the late William Lee writing. Appleton's Cyclopedia of Phoenix when he was inter­ gives the date of his Genesee viewed some years ago by Miss L. Conference association as 1826 to Pearl Palmer of Baldwinsville. He 1833 which is also the exact date was born at Belgium and remem­ of his ownership of the "Willett bered, as a boy there in the Place" at Belgium. 1850's, seeing the two colored men This conflicting data, while it come into Belgium with a wheel­ seems very confusing, certainly barrow loaded with vegetables for associates Rev. William M. Willett sale. with the area. Slavery was abolished by ordin­ He was married on September ance in the Town of Lysander in 12, 1827, by the Rev. Mr. West- 1821, so any colored people bock to Miss Elizabeth Carmen. would have been free during the The wedding took place at Low period of Rev. Willett's owner­ Point, Dutchess County, which ship.24 was the home of the bride.23 It In 1830, however, there was was in the following year that the (according to the best official conference minutes place Rev. record) only the one colored wo­ Willett in Lysander, so it seems man with Rev. Willett's family. likely to believe that he came Of Rev. William Marinus Wil­ here with his bride at that time. lett's life at Belgium little is The Family In 1830 actually known beyond the bare facts previously outlined. We may William is recorded as the head assume that he lived on the farm of a household in the Town of most of the seven years while he Lysander in the United States owned it. It may not have been Census for 1830. At that time his until 1827 or 1828, however, when household consisted of one male they came to Lysander, as the under 5, four males between 20 records show him appointed to and 30, one female between 10 Delphi in 1826. It is certain that and 15, one female between 20 he came by 1828 when he was and 30 and one free colored wo­ stationed at Lysander but inas­ man between the age of 55 and much as he is not mentioned a* 100. In 1830 no names were given Delphi in 1827, he probably came in the census report other than in that year. That he helped to the heads of households. We can build the Methodist Church at see, however, that this refers to Belgium is evident. The building William's wife, Elizabeth, three is still standing although it has, unknown men about his age (he for some years, been used as a was 27) a girl under 15 whom we community house. The date for cannot identify, their young son its building has been variously who was under five at that time given as 1828 or 1829. These dates and a free colored woman past coincide with Rev. Willett's com­ middle age. ing to the Lysander circuit and it The unidentified people in the would therefore be reasonable to family at this time may be kins­ believe that this young minister, men and undoubtedly also repre­ in residence in the community, sent servants or hired help. Tradi- sparked the interest which saw a substantial church erected. Henry

23—Newspaper Clippings — Notes prepared by William Kelby regarding Willett marriages (New York Histor­ 24. L. Pearl Palmer, History of Ly­ ical Society Library). sander, New York, (Baldwinsville).

—55— V. McMechan is said to have winsville to the house. (The Goit given the land on which the farm is north of Baldwinsville). church was built.25 They usually spent a period of In the category of traditions several days before returning there is a story about Mrs. Wil- home. lett while she lived in the big This same family (according to house at Belgium. This comes their tradition) entertained Col. from Mrs. Esther LaGarry of Bel­ Willett in the early days on one gium, whose ancestors, the Eno occasion when he came to visit family, were pioneers of that his holdings there. He came up region. She told me the story from New York City and haa which she has often heard from with him a small trunk with gold her mother. in it. While stopping over with Mrs. LaGarry's grandmother, the Goit family he is said to have Mrs. Ira Eno, Jr., (nee Esther tucked this tiny trunk up over a Vickery) and her daughter, De- beam in the ceiling during the lacy (Mrs. Abram LaPoint, night. Mrs. LaGarry's mother), were in­ vited to the Willetts' home for the Willetts Move Away day. It seems that the mother and On March 19, 1883, Rev. Willett her daughter were impressed by and his wife, Elizabeth, deeded the spacious house, servants, etc., the place, then reduced to 470 of the well-to-do Willett Family. acres, to John Stevens for They always remembered that afternoon after dinner when they $8,490.78. were chatting in the parlor with The family is unaccounted for Mrs. Willett. The lady of the during the following five years house wore a large white apron but by 1838 Rev. Willett became during the day. When the girls an instructor of Hebrew at Wes- who were working in the kitchen leyan University and by 1841-42 had finished washing the dishes was professor of Hebrew and and scouring the pots and pans Biblical literature. they brought the heavy iron We find him at Newbury, Ver­ spiders into the parlor for Mrs. mont with the Biblical Institute Willett's inspection. She pro­ there in 1843-1847. He is listed ceeded to wipe these spiders on by one reference as the founder her white apron. If any black of this institution but this is came off they had failed to pass doubted by Mr. James R. Joy, her acid test! Historian and Librarian for the Other house guests at the Methodist Historical Society of place included Mrs. Norman Goit New York City. A history of and her daughter, Martha. The Newbury, Vermont, refers to Goits were original settlers in the Willett as a man of "abundant town of Lysander on the present orivate means" who heard Gidding's Farm. (The Giddings Hebrew classes in his own house, family is descended from Norman as teacher in the Seminary tnere. Goit). The story has always Another authority mentions him been told that the Willets sent a as "wealthy." boat around by the river to take After 1847, when the Newbury Mrs. Goit and Martha from Bald- Institute was moved to Concord, New Hampshire, William M. Wil­ lett's activities are lost sight of i.">. Bradley Abbott, Excerpts from as to exact location and nature. his paper on early Lysander History given at the Centennial Celebration A cursory search has shown that of the Towns of Lysander and Van Buren. May 30, 1894, Fiftieth Anni­ versary Issue, The Gazette and 26. Wilson and Fiske, Editors. Ap- Farmers Journal (Baldwinsville, pleton'a Cyclopedia of American Bi­ 1S96). ography. (New York, 1889).

—56— he wrote at least six volumes,27 place once again. To see the as well as contributions to Meth­ church and the old house; to odist periodicals. The dates of possibly visit with old friends. It WSUett's publications seem to is not definitely recorded that he cover 1831-1874. even visited the house but "after William Willett was married standing about the streets for a twice, the second time to Frances few hours, he hired a man to take Fletcher.28 I do not know the him to the depot and, probably date of Elizabeth's death nor of with a feeling of sadness, returned his marriage to Frances except to his home" in Jersey City. that it definitely was after the The New Owner family left Belgium. Rev. Willett had four children. They were, John Stevens owned the Willett William Marinus, Jr., (d. 1878), place from 1833 till his death Cornelius C, Mary M., Walton sometime prior to 1862. He appar­ and George.28 ently operated the place as a William Willett's obituary, clip­ farm and must have had some ped from a contempory news­ means. It has been said that Stevens paper, tells us that "a son, seven­ 31 ty years old, by the first mar­ was a character. Upon occasion riage, survives him" and also that he is reported to have dressed his second wife survives.30 This himself up in silk stockings, knee was in 1895. The son's age was breeches and matching costume, undoubtedly less than seventy but jump on his pony and then ride at a dead gallop across the farm incorrectly reported in the paper. giving orders to his men. He must This would have been either Wal­ have fancied himself an 18th cen­ ton or George who also seems to tury master of a plantation! have been the same little boy who lived in the Belgium house in the As the possessor of a sense of humor, he goes on record with late 1820's and early 30's. 32 In his later years, Willett re­ the following story: sided in Jersey City and it was One day a man appeared in Belgium who wanted to buy soft here that he died on December 7, soap. Upon inquiry, he was re­ 1895, at the age of 93. He was ferred to Uncle John Stevens as a buried with his second wife in the man who would be likely to have P. E. Churchyard, Jamaica, Long it. He went down to the house Island. Frances, the second wife, and when he put his query to died January 25, 1898. John Stevens, he was given the Bradley Abbott tells us that in ready reply of "Yes, plenty of it." his later years, Rev. Willett ap­ Immediately Uncle John began to peared one day on the "streets of make himself agreeable. Taking New Bridge" (Belgium). He was his visitor to the barn, he showed a grey-haired old man. "He seem­ him his horses, wagons and stock ed a stranger; not more than one of all kinds. In the flower gardens or two in that whole community and about the farm they went. ever knew him." He had ap­ Everything they saw was of the parently come back to see the old finest kind and the man seemed almost bewildered by it all. Final­ ly, coming back to his original 27. Including the Narrative of Col. Willett's Military Actions which is business, he said, "Mr. Stevens, based on his father's papers and let­ now about the soft soap.. " With ters and was published the year aft­ a look of utter astonishment er Col. Willett's death in 1831. Uncle John turned upon him and 28. S- "Willett Somstock, Willett Family, Not Pub., Boston, 1928. 29. Ibid. 31. Abbott, The Gazette and Farm­ ers Journal, (1896). 30. Kejby's Notes, (New York His­ torical Society). 32. Ibid.

—57— said, "My Lordy, h'aint you got th

—58— button about the size of a dime. the roof provided for protection. This staircase goes up continuous­ The above mentioned apartment, ly for three floors with a below- which occupies 35 feet of the 69 floor-level landing at each flight. foot "el", has a rebuilt fireplace The peculiar construction of the with a simulated dutch oven for stair rail is interesting. The the kitchen. Something more of spindles in the rail are perfectly the wing's length may be judged plain turned pieces except for from the fact that there is room one on about every seventh step, at the very end for a two-car which is a bar of solid wrought garage and a tool house! The iron! This ingenious devise was tiny garrett over this part of the appropriately used for added house was sealed with rough pine strength. and was undoubtedly used for Across the hall from the double servant's quarters, as may also parlors we find another large have been the rest of the struc­ room with a Franklin grate in­ ture. stalled in the fireplace just as it There was a long porch fitted was arranged by its early owners. into the corner of the house This is the room which is said to where the wing meets the upright. have been used as an office— This pleasant place to sit on sum­ study by Luke Collins (owner mer evenings continues back 1865-1895). It probably was in­ along the entire length of the tended for the dining room in the apartment as well as completely original plans. This room measures along the west side of the main 16' x 20' and is larger than the house. It has been rebuilt in its other rooms which are sixteen original position by the Hueben- feet square. thals. Centered in the area The second room on this side which the porch borders on two of the house is smaller, (the re­ sides is an old horse chesnut tree sult of the extra four feet taken which spreads its shade over the from it for the north living room) corner and the flagstone paving with a small mantle and hearth which is being laid by the new which makes a perfect retreat owners. for the Huebenthal's small daugh­ The second floor hall has a ters. complete door front which opens The long wing which runs back onto the flat deck of the entrance to the west from the main house porch below. There are four huge is built very crudely when com­ bedrooms here in a fairly bal­ pared to the careful workman­ anced pattern and each room is ship of the principal structure. provided with its own fireplace! The first section of this wing The second floor doorway has a is Mrs. Huebenthal's large story of its own. Over its entire 'country" kitchen while the rest width is a large board fitted into of the wing has been made into the space which is filled by the an apartment. overlight in the door below. On The wing's construction is such this panel is carved, in large in­ that the roof over this kitchen is scription type letters, the follow­ of a lower level with the ridge ing data: several feet below that of the re­ William Willett, 1796; John mainder of the structure. There Stevens, 1830; Luke Collins, 1865; is certain evidence in structural Mrs. L. Collins, 1895; Lafayette details that this lower roof, sand­ Evens, 1913. wiched in between the wing prop­ The carving is all identical in er and the main house, may have style and was apparently execut­ been a more or less open passage ed during some latter occupancy, between the two buildings with either Luke Collins' or Lafayette

—59— Evens'. It has been responsible must have been saw mills set up for many people assuming chat in the area by the time it was all the dates which appear there built. All of the upright beams may be accepted as historically used in framing are sawed four accurate—a fallacy which is now inches one way so that no beams apparent. project into the finished rooms. As one goes up the third flight The corner posts are 4" x 14"— of open stairs and into the third instead of the more usual 8" x 8" floor hall, he finds that that or 12" x 12". The timber are passage is entirely sealed with mostly of pine, as is much of the vertical pine boards, of random construction and finishing. width and with a beaded edge. To It is interesting to note that the right one finds the open attic native pine was being cut out of but on the left awaits the surprise the big pine woods between Balds- of the entire house—a large, low winville and Plainville and in 1830 room entirely finished in old pine! sold for eight dollars a thousand The ceiling is only seven feet high at Baldwinsville.33 and exhibits a small beam here The rafters in the house are and there across its width. The extraordinary in that they are walls are built well in from the sawed in a tapper which makes eves, making the room roughly them graduate from 6' x 6" at 12 x 16 feet square. It is lighted the plate to 4" x 4" at the ridge. by one of the wide palladian They are half cut at the peak windows which are built into the and pinned with wooden pegs. gable ends of the house. There The roof is equipped with a hatch­ is a stove pipe opening into the way which opens near the top chimney which indicates that at and has a step-ladder type stairs some time the room was heated. from the attic floor to the roof. The magnificence of the pine This was a precautionary boards can only be appreciated measure in case of chimney fires by seeing them. Some of the which was often needed in the single boards are nearly three feet days of no fire protection and wide. They have reached that wooden shingles. soft perfection of patina which During work on the house, the only comes with age and then Huebenthals made a rather start­ best with pine. Opposite the win­ ling discovery. They lowered all dow is a row of wooden pegs of the downstairs ceilings except mounted in a board and a cup­ that in the hall. The new ceiling board which seems to have been joists are supported by brackets built for guns. This was built in­ from the original upstairs floor to the corner as part of the joists. When the openings were original construction. Its door is made in the ceiling over the west hung on a pair of small strap parlor, (one of the double parlors hinges and has a leather handle. at the south of the house) to From this evidence, it may be fasten the brackets it was found that the pine room was used as that, some time in the past, there the retreat for the man of the had been a fairly extensive fire house. It would also have been a which burned between floors. It good location for the large loom. obviously caught from the fire­ Because there were quarters over place in the upper bedroom and may have either been extinguish- the wing, it is doubtful that this was intended for servants. 33. L,. Pearl Palmer, History of The construction details of the Lysander, New York, (Baldwins­ house are most interesting. It ville). Letter written by Col. Minard is entirely framed of sawed tim­ (later an attorney) in 18S7 in which he described Baldwinsville when he ber which indicates that there first came in 1830.

—60— ed by pulling up the floor boards are field stone and slacked lime or burned itself out for lack of cement, four feet thick at the air. None of Lafayette Evens' base and two at the top. They children had heard of the fire or are faced with brick from the knew of the remaining evidence. ground up. The cellar floor was The incident stands as an example entirely of cobble stone set in of the hazard risked by these old dirt, and had only a six foot houses from open fires and is a clearance so it was replaced with reminder of the fate many of modern cement at 7 feet. them have met. The woodwork, doors, mantles The gable windows are of a and other interior finish are fine palladian style, very beautifully examples of the early excellence proportioned and rather excep­ of builders—all hand work. The tional for this area. They have doors are both single and double an arch over the center section cross design. The mantles were which is fitted with a fan of fashioned from pine and exhibit a shutters. very sophisticated face to the The house is sided with half- world. When one examines the inch clapboards, nailed onto 4" x back, however, he finds that in 4" studding on two foot centers. place of polish there is great These studs do not support the crudity. The backs of the panels, weight of the house but only the as was the usual practice in early hand split lathe and slacked lime days, are not sawed or planed but plaster. The floor is inch and a merely smoothed with a adz! half native pine, hand matched And so it is, that after over a with tounge and groove on the century and a quarter of service site so that all boards are not as a home, the old Willett House inter-changeable. This floor is takes a new lease on life and supported by 4" x 9" joists. looks forward to many more hap­ The foundations of the house py years with its new family!

-€1— Old Homes of Fulton (Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society at Presbyterian Church, Fulton, by Mrs. Frank Elliott and Grove Gilbert, May 27, 1952)

Mr. Gilbert's Paper is now First Street and the canal, at Pratt Street. This fort was Long before there was a Fulton, built by Col. Bradstreet probably two locations within its present in 1758, as in 1759 it is known boundary were well known to that 100 men were stationed here River Travellers. The two loca­ to protect the "Great Carrying tions referred to are the Upper Place," the importance of which and Lower Landing. On account may be judged by the fact that of the Falls, and the Rapids below all military stores had to pass the Falls, boatmen were com­ this point on their way to Oswego. pelled to take their boats from the river at a point about the The first Permanent Settler in foot of Hart Street, known as the the town of Volney, in the limits Upper Landing, and carry or haul of what is now the City of the boat a good mile to a place Fulton, was Daniel Masters, who near the present location of the located at the Upper Landing in Stacy Oil Co., known as the 1793. He built a house near Lower Landing. These Landings Bradstreet's fort, and plied his were also called Carrying Places, trade as blacksmith. His principal and the path or road between product was spear heads for fish­ them, the Portage. As the loaded ing. These were always in demand boats could not navigate the and sold readily for $1.00 each. Falls, and the Rapids below the As Masters sheltered wayfarers Falls, canoes and smaller boats over night, he might be said to were carried on men's shoulders have conducted the First Hotel in across the Portage. I like to think this locality. that on this carry, the men stop­ Among the earliest houses was ped for a drink at the spring, one located at the N.W. corner of which still flows out of the Brown Oneida and First streets (east Stone Rock, under our Public end of lower bridge), where the Library. Larger boats were loaded great Nelson Flouring Mill after­ on low wheeled wagons and wards stood. hauled by ox or horse team across the Portage. When traffic became Only 12 Buildings in 1812 heavy, and large quantities of When William Schenck came to salt, manufactured at Salina, were Fulton in 1812, only twelve build­ transported to Oswego for ship­ ings were standing in the now ment on the lake, this hauling corporate limits of Fulton. Mr. became a regular business and Schenck was a surveyor and made stables were established at either the maps to which reference is end of the Portage called Line made in most of the deeds of Barns. (James Lyon—Upper Land­ Fulton property. He was the ing. Falley and Crocker—Lower grandfather of William E. Landing.) Schenck, who delighted us with his "Reminiscences of Fulton," Fort Bradstreet Oct. 31st, 1950. Nearly all settlers up to 1825 In 1825, the state appropriated located at either the Upper or the $160,000 for the Oswego Canal. Lower Landing. One of the first This project attracted various permanent structures in Oswego business men to Fulton, and laid County was a fort between what the foundation for the future

—62— growth of the Village. Among the more primitive conditions of a first of these founders was Mr. young village? This is my theory Lewis Falley, who built a store —and it is only a theory: Mr. on the S.W. corner of Oneida and Loomis had been selling Salmon First streets, opposite the house and Falley's hides and leather in mentioned previously. New York, collecting a good fee After the Oswego Canal was for his services. He reasoned—I completed, a coal yard was estab­ have the customers, why don't I lished here—coal brought in by tan and dress the hides, and boat was unloaded by means of a make both the manufacturer's derrick and stored in sheds on the and the seller's profits? Some bank of the canal. In my boyhood, such plan must have worked, for I remember that this coal was he was able to build this fine sold at $4.50 per ton, delivered. brick house, which still stands, The successive dealers here, were and owned and operated a large Mr. Willis Nelson, Mr. Frank tannery on the site of the Hunter Wilson, and Mrs. Elwin Hart. Arms Plant. The Loomis House The Thayer House I have often wondered, and I The oldest brick house now presume many of you have, why standing in Fulton as far as we prosperous men in settled commu­ can learn, is the Thayer House, nities took long chances in estab­ corner of Cayuga and Third lishing themselves in entirely new Streets. From the records in the communities. I am thinking, for County Clerk's office, it would instance, of the Loomis family appear that David Chatterton who lived in the brick house at built this house in the early the corner of Third and Erie 1820's, but in the obituary of Streets. I have always wondered Mrs. Mary Falley Carrier Schenck how such a fine house came to be (Fulton Patriot, Jan. 8, 1892) it built in that location, which would appear that the house was seems now quite out of the main built by Levi Carrier for his wife, residential district. Mary Falley Carrier, sometime In the first place much of the prior to 1833, as Mr. Carrier was early settlement of Fulton, ex­ buried from this house in that cluding that which we have al­ year. ready mentioned, at the Upper Thomas Hubbard acquired the and Lower Landings, was north house in 1846, and sold it to Dr. of Oneida St. Now the case of Edward Lord and wife, Mary Mr. L. E. Loomis. Jane, in 1854. Dr. Lord was pastor Mr. Loomis was born in Win­ of the Presbyterian church from chester, Conn., March 19, 1808. 1851-65. His son, Chester S. Lord, His forbears were wool drapers in became a well known newspaper England, and came to America in man, and was managing editor of 1634. At 18, Mr. Loomis joined the New York Sun for fifty years. his brother, Abiel, in New York Don Carlos Buell, whom many of City and engaged with him in the you remember as a local attorney, hide and leather trade, soon after served as a reporter under Mr. engaging in business for himself. Lord and always spoke of him in Iri 1845, he with his wife and the highest terms. two children, moved to Fulton Dr. Lord planted the elm tree entering the firm of "Salmon and on the corner of Third and Falley" in the hides and leather Cayuga Streets, since grown into trade. After the death of' Mr. a huge and beautiful tree. In Falley, and the retirement of Mr. March 1866 Dr. Lord conveyed Salmon, he continued the busi­ this property to Marie Antoinette ness, taking into partnership his Sanford, who in May of the same brother, Alanson. Answering my year sold it to Amos J. Thayer. own question: Why did he leave The Thayer family have owned New York City to accept the this property since 1866, and the

—63— brick portion is about in its frugal women who made yeast or original form, and in excellent "emptins" of hops, potato water shape. The south portion of the and sugar. Mrs. Putterill was one original house, being inadequate, of those women, and it was my was torn off in 1905 and the job, when a small boy, with 2 present wooden portion built in cents and a shiny tin pail, kept 1905-06. Miss Ada Thayer, the solely for this purpose, to go for present owner has taken pride in the yeast. preserving this home, and I have here to show you one of the The Gilbert House gargoyles, which originally graced The Gilbert house at Third and the house, and which Miss Thayer Rochester Streets was built in plans to replace. 1834 by I. A. Hart, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church. It The Clark House was later occupied by Sands N. Kenyon, president of the Citizens Judge Lovell Johnson, who National Bank, who latei organ­ came to Fulton in 1839, lived in ized the first Savings Bank in a house on the north end of the Fulton. In 1888 my father pur­ Clark House site, in one of the chased this house from the Ken­ oldest brick dwellings, a part of yon heirs. At this time the entire which interestingly enough, was grounds were enclosed by an said to have been incorporated in ornate iron fence. Formal gardens the present Clark House. Judge with winding brick walks filled a Lovell Johnson was the father of large part of the east lawn and Hon. Willard Johnson, who was a carriage house stood in the member of Assembly from this northwest corner of the lot. All of district from 1873-75. Mr. Johnson these old fashioned embellishments was father of Mary Johnson Hall, my father promptly removed. They mother of Willard Johnson Hall, would seem quite appropriate a former mayor of Oswego and attractive today. When re­ who is known to you all. cently one of our young Fulton- ians, missed the turn at Third and The Putterill House Rochester Streets, and drove This picturesque old frame across the lawn and tore down house, simple but sturdy in design the front porch at 2 o'clock one and workmanship, boasting two morning, major repairs were re­ large chimneys which probably quired. In the course of these re­ meant four large fire places, was pairs some clapboards had to be built by Norman Hubbard some­ removed, behind which the car­ time before 1828. In my day this penter found this chisel (exhibit­ house was occupied by Charles ing an unusually long chisel with Putterill, an excellent carpenter. a 1% inch cutting edge) which My interest in the house was first apparently another carpenter had —that it stood diagonally across accidentally dropped in the parti­ the lot at Fifth and Seneca tion 118 years before. Streets, where five modern houses now stand. I finally learned from The Nelllgan House Peter Schenck's map of 1829, that On the site of the present Public the reason for the strange setting Library, a brown stone quarry was that Waterhouse Road, a was still in operation in the continuation of what is now 1880s, shipping stone by canal Whitaker Road, once ran across boats to the metropolis for the this plot, diagonally, to join Vol- famous "brown stone fronts" of ney Road (now Emery Road) at Brooklyn and New York. Stone Oneida and Holland Streets (now taken from this quarry was also Fourth Street). My second inter­ used in the construction of some est in this house was as an origi­ parts of the old State Prison m nal source of food. To make bread, Auburn. yeast was not then exclusively When the quarry was aban­ sold at the stores, but largely by doned, Joel Chubb and his three

—64— sons, Albert, John and Hiram, we have been discussing, but on who had worked in the quarry, the First Street side (No. 69 West used the left-overs and rejected First Street) Peter Schenck built stone with which to build a com­ a house in 1835. This plot is now bination store and dwelling which used for lumber storage by stood two stories above and two Henderson-Thomson Company. I stories below the ground level. knew this house well, as my The lower stories were at first sister, Lucy, was a friend of used as a canal store selling sup­ Lillian and Adelaide Schenck, plies to the canalers who tied-up granddaughter of Peter Schenck, their craft nearby. and I frequently drove my sister The same fine spring which over for a visit. furnished drinking water for the The James Whitakei House early travellers along the river, and later along the canal, still Another early house, built in flows from underneath the pres­ 1832, stood about where the ent library building. This building Cake-Box is now located at 209 was later acquired by Willis Oneida Street. In my day, it had Nelson, and occupied by the been moved to the rear of this Nelligan family. location, facing east in the alley, west of Dr. Keller's office. It was The Northrup House occupied by Bing Anderson and A location at the west end of his wife, Nettie. Bing was a well the lower bridge was chosen by known Fultonian of my day, em­ W. D. Northrup for the site of ployed by Dr. Charles M. Lee as his home. It stood between the keeper and driver of Dr. Lee's two approaches to the bridge, and aged sorrel horse. He accompanied was reached by a driveway from Dr. Lee on his professional visits. West First Street, or by climbing The City Hall up a long flight of steps from the east. This site is high above the The building now used as the river; the house, built of wood, City Hall, was built by Jonathan with its long side towards the Case, who came to Fulton in 1826. river, commands a beautiful view, It was later purchased by William north and south, and looks down, B. Gage, a prominent mill owner, I would say, into the very heart who occupied it with his family of the east side business district. up to the time of its purchase by It is still, I think you will agree, the village of Fulton. an unusually fine location. The Steens Location On the flat at the foot of the You have perhaps noticed in bluff, was where Mr. Northrup early deeds or on maps, refer­ probably built his nail factory ences to "Steen's Location." This which afterwards was converted plot included all the land at pres­ into a grist mill. ent lying between Harrison and In 1821, at his own expense, Academy Streets, and that from Mr. Northrup started to build a the river to Eighth Street. It bridge, where our lower bridge was owned jointly by Norman now stands. The State later took Hubbard and G. F. Falley. Mr. over this project, employing Mr. Hubbard eventually held title to Northrup to finish the bridge, and the section lying north of Oneida re-imbursing him for his invest­ Street, and Mr. Falley that to the ment. south of that street. Mr. Hubbard A law suit developed over the was the man, you will recall, who location of the dividing line of the built the Putterill House. He also Northrup and Schenck properties, gave the land upon which the which we are about to consider, First Methodist Church was built. and a Survey Map, which we will show you, was used in evidence The Miller House in this suit. The last house I shall mention About the middle of the plot is the Miller House which stands

—65— at the corner of Seneca and Third best to leave them for future Streets. This house was always of programs. great interest to me, as it was We have planned to keep within always so beautifully kept. The limits of time also so that you lawn always seemed to have just may have time to talk of these been mowed, the garden tended, matters but someone else with the house and fence painted, and better judgment and a more the great brass knocker on the clever pen than I can go on from wide Dutch door, just polished. where we leave off—there is ma­ The two sisters, Miss Sarah and terial available for one of more Miss Helen Miller, were most evenings. genteel and cultured women, and We are assuming that you, as Mr. Townsend Miller, a genial we, are more interested in the Fulton grocer, was far and away people who made homes of the Fulton's tallest citizen. houses, rather than in the houses (The foregoing concluded Mr. themselves. You would like to Gilbert's portion of the manu­ know why they came to the Ful­ script. There follows that part of ton area to reside, or if they were the jointly-produced paper which born here; why their parents or was composed and read by Mrs. grandparents came; from where Elliott.) and when they came; whether or not they were the builders of the Mrs. Elliott's Paper homes they occupied, and any things outstanding about their When this program was first home or about the lives of the planned, it seemed there was a families that occupied them. great lack of information about our Old Homes. But, much to our Of all of this, there is so little surprise, to mine at least, there that has been written; so much is very much available—County of what we know is only what we histories, two old Directories, have heard from others that, per­ Clark's "Onondaga," many news­ haps, it is well to get it recorded paper clippings, some scrapbooks now while the facts are still and some pictures—not very much available. about any one home but a little Mr. Gilbert and I are hopeful about many of them. that you will, here tonight, be We have only time to speak of able to add much to what we have a few, only a few. Perhaps our found recorded or what we have reasons for selecting those we are learned. Many of these people of speaking of are not good reasons; whom we speak we have known perhaps not houses you would personally and we hope you will have chosen or care about hearing find that you know and will like us describe; perhaps not the best to tell us what you know person­ located, or the best looking ally, or have heard from others. homes; perhaps not homes of the most prosperous, cultured, or Two Architects in 1860s most prominent families, but we In Child's Gazetteer & Business have tried not to spoil the ground Directory of Oswego County pub­ for future programs. lished in 1866-67, two architects There are things, institutions, were listed at Oswego Falls, none means of communication, indus­ at all at Fulton. These architects tries connected with the families at the Falls were Ramson P: of which we speak that will make Alger and Henry Broadwell. They a whole or a large part of other were really contractors and build­ programs and these we have left ers, not architects in the sense untouched or only mentioned. that we use the term today. Some of these are the roads, the The log cabins and homes of canal, the railroads, Falley Semi­ the earliest days of settlement, nary, the industries, and the his­ were only temporary, put up tories of our churches. These hastily, to be occupied only a year certainly interlock and it seems or two. The forests which were

—66— being cleared yielded very good of ventilation or in lieu of a lumber. And it was cheap. Clay captain's walk ? for bricks was here and also a Possibly the cupola would fit brown sandstone. This latter did nicely into the modern ventilating not stand weathering very well system but when these homes but it was quarried and used. were built it was ornamental. Some was sent to New York City Many of the houses with cupolas for use in the construction of the were doubtless the homes of for­ brown-stone front houses that yet warding agents and boat owners, line the side-streets of old New but probably none was used as a York. Good houses were con­ lookout station. Canalers did not structed in Fulton and in Oswego have the worries of lake or ocean Falls, many of which are in use shippers. Storms did not endanger today; many more have been torn their boats and cargoes or delay down or remodeled in the last 50 them much. Their chief worries years. centered about their teams— whether their drivers had ob­ Fulton had a few "batten served due sobriety and been able houses," you know them — they to fight their way into the locks had that familiar up-and-down before other crews? Professional look, always with scroll work courtesy along the water-front de­ hanging from the eaves. I once manded, if you were not there asked a Fulton architect about first, that you fight your way to these and he said, "Oh, battens— first place. So the boat owners Phoenix has some honeys." So I did not need to waste time pacing will say no more about ours. a captain's walk or looking out As we look over the old homes anxiously from a cupola to scan of Fulton we find nothing very the nearby waters of canal and outstanding in their style. Prob­ river. ably each was planned by the owner or his builder with more Greek Architectural Revival thought as to the size of his family and the amount to be spent There was a period of Greek than to the architectural design. architectural revival here: pillars, There was, evidently, not much wide friezes, frieze windows with thought of convenience. How iron grills. Two of the really much were the women consulted? beautiful houses of this type have How much thought was given to very recently been torn down: saving her steps, her time and Falley Seminary and the B. J. strength ? Dyer house. This latter stood on Buffalo Street between the resi­ The House of Many Steps dence of Ronald Osborne and the house built by F. E. Goodjon One house, near here, built which now belongs to the Saint about 1840 on very level land has Mary's School. this arrangement. Parlor, two We had few claims to show bedrooms, sittingroom, pantry, places or to houses or buildings stairway upstairs — all on one of great, outstanding architectural level; two steps down — dining styles but we like to think that room, another pantry, cellar stair­ the home builder copied the good way; two steps farther down— points of his neighbors' plans and kitchen, and milk room; two steps that he thought of the size and down—woodshed. Some journey needs of his family; that he put from parlor to woodshed! bay windows where they best The type of house of which lighted the room or gave a pleas­ most are now existing was that ant view; that the outside plan with the hall-in-the-middle plan. was secondary. These seemed to have been chosen Certainly Fulton had its share by the most prosperous builders. of spacious homes with a happy Many of these had cupolas. Was life for family and friends. that cupola built with the thought I wonder if what President

—67— F. D. Roosevelt meant by "gra­ looking beds made by him that cious living" was not achieved by are still in use. Of course, they Fulton in the period before and were cord beds. I have never during the "Gay Nineties"? found anything in the old letters Most of those who were wealthy and papers which I have about or moderately so, did what I Caleb but the daughter of bride would call light farming. They for whom they were made told had spacious grounds around their me the makers name and that his homes; they had barns, chickens, shop was at Hull's Corners. The horses, a cow and a garden. Usu­ woods—cherry and curley maple ally a piece of land on the out­ —used grew on her father's farm. skirts of town where they raised There is much of that period their hay and pastured their furniture still to be found in this stock. They were able to hire a area. Such good, strong wood and man who did all of this light so sturdily made this will, no farming and doubled in driving doubt, outlast much of that the family carriage. Sometimes he made today. Many of us like the even reached the standing of a looks of the old better anyway. coachman! Many of our old homes were These folk were able to employ built and furnished in the Vic­ one or two maids, perhaps extra torian period which was a long help by the day and thus had and cluttered time for furnishings time for F. D. Roosevelt's "gra­ of houses. May I remind you of cious living." some of these not often seen now-a-days? Styles have changed Evidences of Progress and time for dusting has been Our town was going strong be­ curtailed. Here they are: what­ fore public utilities brought first nots, tidies, portiers, easels, rub­ of the month bills or the need ber plants, vases, big ones with for constant expensive repairs dried bulbushes, gilded baby staggered us. Fulton was early shoes, plush throws, divans with supplied in 1858 with gas, but many satin, embroidered, covered electricity in its early days soon pillows for looks, not use; wax displaced it for lighting. I think flowers under glass domes; Fulton homes had electricity for framed hair wreaths and coffin lighting before those in Oswego. plates, the parlor table with the family album and some books of Have you thought much about poems. We were a little late in the furniture? Those who came starting the Victorian style but first, except those of wealth, prob­ as we prospered we soon caught ably brought very little furniture. up with the rest of the world. If they came by cart, they were very fortunate to be able to bring We even sometimes achieved a any. The axe, the saw, the ham­ den or still better, a Turkish nook mer in the hands of the men had with crossed spears, oriental to make it. Probably those who lamps, taborettes and so on. If came by the waterway could you didn't have them you must bring more. I have read that some have seen them or pictures of families brought men to help with them, in home interiors. their seeding, clearing land, etc., Victorian antiques are having and they could use several boats. their day and some of us whose Later when the roads were built young days were during that and became less rough, more fur­ period like to look at them and niture could come in by wagon. think of the old days of "gracious living." Early Cabinet Maker Then the cabinet makers began Forest Hall to come and establish their shops. One of the first pretentious Sometime around 1840 Caleb homes built in this vicinity was Goodell had a shop at Volney situated near the Upper Landing Center and I know of some good- on the west side of the river, be- tween what is now West First pine trees 'round about moaned Street and the river, and about and cried. All of this was sup­ what is now Cedar Street. It was ported by other mysterious sounds. a fine location for a beautiful There is another version not so heme. It stood up rather high and favorable to the Van Epps family. after the trees had been cleared According to this, the husband of off afforded a fine view of the one of Mr. Van Epp's daughters river and the lake. had an argument with the peddler A Mr. Fay who came in 1793 —after he had shown the latter to and built a log cabin, died the his quarters in the attic for the same year. The land he had night the husband had murdered owned was purchased eventually the guest. As proof of this blood by a Mr. Van Epps. He built the stains were pointed out on the beautiful home. He came, with attic floor. A later occupant of his family from New York to the house said that meat had been occupy it. He had several daugh­ hung to cure in the attic and ters. Mr. Van Epps had been a hence the stains. successful tailor in New York city In either case we had a "haunted and he had hoped to establish his house" in our town. family socially in that city. How­ For some years Spiritualists got ever, the fact that he was a permission to hold their meetings tailor could not then be over­ at Forest Hall. Of these we have looked or forgotten. The "social­ no report. What became of the ites" would not let them cross Van Epps family I cannot tell. the tracks—or what passed in Perhaps they went back to New those days for the tracks. This York and the disgrace of being a so irked Mr. Van Epps that he tailor was forgiven and they be­ left New York city to live in the came part of the social life of beautiful home he had built at that city. Oswego Falls, and named "Forest Hall." New Owner for the Hall It is too bad we have no infor­ There are recorded many things mation about the social life of about the next owner of Forest this family in Oswego Falls. We Hall—Asa Phillips. He was born do know that the young ladies in Connecticut in 1795. His par­ loved pretty clothes, and thereby ents moved to Marcellus, N. Y., hangs a tale. Once when a peddler when he was a baby. His father —his pack full of beautiful ma­ was a successful man and when terials—was showing his wares to Asa was 18 years old he died, the ladies at "the Hall," there leaving his estate to Asa. Asa came a very severe storm. The managed his affairs so well and ladies had shopped so slowly that in addition engaged in shipping night had settled down before the salt profitably that by 1824 he pleasant task had been completed. was ready to make a large invest­ There was nothing to do but for ment. He came to Fulton and the head of the house to ask him bought Forest Hall and moved to remain over night. his family there. To him is given the credit for The Haunted House inaugurating the movement for the The Van Epps' story of what creation of Oswego Falls village. happened was this: He bought a square mile of land, During the night the peddler built thereon a shingle factory, was taken ill and died. Next day several homes for his men, a he was buried under one of the school house and paid the teach­ pines in the yard of the Hall. er's salary. Later he built a hotel This reposing place was not satis­ on the present site of the Congre­ factory to the spirit of the gational Church. He also owned peddler and he, especially on dark packet boats on the river and stormy nights, walked the floor later on the canal. This growing of the attic of the Hall and the young settlement was named

—69— Phillipsville. The survey and lay­ the remodeled home of Henry ing out of lots which Asa Broadwell. In the directory of Phillips arranged was the first 1866-67 the latter was mentioned attempt at a plan for the village. as an architect. He was once About 1840 Mr. Phillips sold his called to the home of Asa Phillips business in Phillipsville and went to see about some repairs. There to New York city where he en­ he met Miss Julia Phillips, the gaged in banking and land specu­ daughter of Asa, and a short time lations and soon lost his fortune. afterwards he married her. She At the end of four years he was was his second wife. He had two back at the foot of the ladder in daughters by his first wife. Phillipsville (Oswego Falls) ready Mr. Broadwell's home was cer­ to try again. This he did success­ tainly graced by Julia Phillips. fully and when he died in 1865 he Many of us remember her as a had accumulated another fortune. very dignified lady riding through The last owner of Forest Hall town with her step-daughters. was a great nephew of Asa Probably about 1900 I remember Phillips—Robert E. Phillips. He seeing her descend from her car­ was a very well known and liked riage to visit the home of R. E. man. He had a drug store at No. 7 Phillips. She was carrying a cap South First Street. For some basket, the basket in which cap years also he was with the Water wearing ladies used to keep their Department. freshly-done caps from being In 1904 Forest Hall was de­ mussed when they were going stroyed by fire. In due time the visiting. Mrs. Julia Broadwell lots upon which it stood and wore a beautiful white cap when which had surrounded it were sold in the house. and homes were built on its The Broadwells were a family grounds. of much culture and entertained On a recent visit to Fulton. very nicely—it was a matter of Mrs. Mary Phillips Bleecker of regret when these ladies were Albany, daughter of R. E. Phillips, gone and their home no longer related the story of Forest Hall. open. Among Mary Phillips Bleecker's The J. G. Willard House stories of the Phillips-Broadwell The J. G. Willard house had a families is this: "Asa Phillips connection with Forest Hall. The sheltered a dwarf. He was helpful obituary notice of Mrs. Asa about the house and garden and Phillips reads: "Mary, daughter of rode with the driver when the Mr. Willard." This house stood on ladies were taken to ride. When First Street, between Beech and the ladies went shopping it was Oak Streets. It was torn down to his duty to carry the basket and make way for the American run back to the carriage with Woolen Company's buildings. A their purchases. Mr. Phillips was picket fense surrounded the lot very kind to this young fellow and partially concealed a very and allowed him many privileges. beautiful garden. At one time Mr. He was permitted to have a dog Willard was a wealthy man, was which he taught many tricks. The a manufacturer of bedsteds, and ladies rode forth in a very digni­ did a very thriving forwarding fied manner and they had for­ business, but he lost his money. bidden him to take the perform­ He had never kept the house up ing dog on their rides—they felt and when it was purchased by the it not in keeping with their ap­ American Woolen Company it was pearance on the streets of the in very bad shape. town. Broadwell House "One day, they left their car­ riage at the corner of First and Only a few blocks from the site Cayuga streets and as they did of Forest Hall stands St. Michael's not have many purchases to make, Polish Church. This building is the dwarf was left to watch it.

—70— Upon their return they saw a During the last days of this gathering of people on the corner mansion its grounds were used as and, to their embarrassment, ob­ a junk-yard and the house a tene­ served the dwarf passing his hat ment, evidently for several fam­ among them. He had hidden his ilies, because we remember chil­ dog in the carriage and when the dren scampering around it, like ladies left the carriage he had those around a school at recess. placed the dog on the carriage It is better that someone bought seat and had him do his tricks." the property, tore down the house No doubt there was no repeti­ and built comfortable homes there. tion of this performance but I believe Miss Julia, in spite of the The Church House hurt to her pride, saw the joke. The block bounded by Oneida, From the accounts of what Asa North Seventh, Seneca and North did when he was told of this Sixth Streets was at one time a incident he too saw the joke. real show place. A white picket fence surrounded spacious lawns, The Half-Way House a vegetable garden, a flower gar­ den, an apple and a pear orchard, While we are regretting the and, most attractive of all, a fish loss of some of these old homes, pond or rather two fish ponds. A we should mention the Half-Way spring of clear cold water flowing Home which is half way between about 75,000 gallons a day, was the bridges on the east side of located in the northeast corner. West First, just a little south of It formed a sizable brook which the foot of Phillips Street. It was flowed to the northwest. This was built by James Crombie in 1845 dammed up and made the ponds. and had a fine view of the river. Mr. Church, the owner of the Its rather low brick base­ property, stocked these with four ment supported the large house— kinds of trout. These he sold. If central-hall type with pillared one wished to choose his own porches both front and back—east dinner, he could point to the and west views. Were it standing trout he wished and it would be today, it would have, no doubt, caught for him. The price was been made a home by some pros­ fixed at $1.00 per pound—even to­ perous citizen. It could have been day the same price. made the most beautiful place in Fulton. Mr. Church also raised very fine pears. If someone in New York Beyond the name of the builder, City wanted a very special fruit there has been found this other for a banquet, those were packed fact about it. At Fair time in very carefully and sent by packet; 1859, Delave crossed the Oswego later, of course, by railroad. In river on a tight rope stretched these days of frozen foods or cars from a pole 30 feet high. The east iced for shipping the host and pole was in the yard of the hostess could have Fulton grown Citizens' Club of today. The west fruit and fish to give their guests. end was anchored on the grounds In 1870 Mr. Church began a house of the Crombie mansion. which was to face Oneida Street At one time a Mr. Kilts and his with the side on Sixth Street. The wife lived there in luxury. They back part was built and occupied were very extravagant. The story but the front was never finished. is told that their maid, Anna It is now occupied by Mr. Boylan Brown, was instructed that any and the pond has been drained, food left from a meal was to be the lots sold off and houses built thrown out. Because of their all around the block. extravagance they eventually lost their home and money and both Wolves Raid House died in the poor house. Later a Carlon Church, the builder of Mr. Corrigan owned the place and this home, was the grandson of its last owner was Dan York, the the 1813 settler-pioneer, Whitman junk man. Church, who came from Kinder-

—71— hook, and was a friend of the River Bank, which later became Van Burens who were among the the First National Bank and is earliest settlers in Oswego County. now known as the Oswego County It is recorded of Whitman Church National Bank. Mr. Gardner that he built the second frame started his banking career as building here. He kept some sheep cashier. Later he became presi­ in a corner of this building and dent, an office which he held until one night while the family slept, his death. He was active in many wolves killed his sheep. business projects, flour-mills and Carlon Church was a merchant he built two business blocks on here and a real estate owner. He Oneida Street. The Grand Central owned the block formerly known Block, a two-story block with of­ as the Salmon block at 15 and 17 fices above, on the south side of South First, now occupied by the Oneida Street and on the north Metropolitan stores. The third side a similar one were built by floor of this block was at first him. called Salmon Hall, then Church's Mr. Gardner also owned houses Hall, and for many years it was which he rented. He evidently had the largest place for public great faith in Fulton and thought gatherings in town. it a good place to make invest­ Here were held the dances, ments. concerts, lectures and theatrical He was a fine looking man, very productions. It would be of inter­ dignified and austere. He lived by est to know the list of famous a very rigid code. He took a very people who appeared in this hall. active part in the religious life I have heard of Henry Ward of our town, was a loyal member Beecher lecturing there—do you of the Presbyterian Church, and know of others ? supported its many interests. He was a member of the committee D. W. Gardner Residence which built the present church This lovely old home, now building at Third and Cayuga known as the Fulton Club, does Streets. not need to be described to you, From resolutions adopted by for it looks today with one ex­ the directors of the Citizens Bank ception as it did 70 years ago. at the time of his death I quote: Even the iron fence across its "We desire to record our appreci­ front has astonishingly few broken ations of his sterling qualities as places. A few years ago the wing a man, his wise and conservative at the south, was built for offices policy as a financier, his public for the Chamber of Commerce. spirit and progressive spirit as a The interior has been changed citizen." very little although a few parti­ They considered, although at an tions have been removed to make advanced age, his death "an ir­ larger rooms for dining space and reparable loss to his business as­ games. sociates and to the village." This This home was the residence of would of course, include his DeWitt Gardner, who was born at church and charities. Cazenovia in 1819. He had two Mr. Gardner had three wives sisters living in this village, Miss and several children but there is Amanda, a teacher, and Mrs. little information available about Frederick Seymour. He came to them. The third wife and her only live with them, when he was child, a daughter, Miss Alice May, sixteen years old. He started his many of us still remember. They business career by clerking in a were wonderful women and I am grocery store. He soon was able glad of an opportunity to pay to go in business with a partner, tribute to their memories. I sure­ and very soon afterwards was ly enjoyed their friendship and able to buy out the partner. wish I had the ability to give an In 1855, he took a major part estimate of their influence on the in the organization of the Oswego cultural and religious life of our

—72— town. They were both college to learn and their unusual sense women, had traveled extensively. of humor, Mrs. Gardner's the quite They were well informed on cur­ unexpected kind and Miss May's rent affairs, great historians and the more sparkling kind. I never students of art. They were de­ enter the doors of their old home voted to the work of the church without thinking of them and be­ and its missions. ing thankful to have known them They had the rare faculty of and wishing that their influence making you feel comfortable, through the activities of the never embarrassed by their su­ Reading Circle, the Shakespeare perior knowledge. Perhaps this Club and the church could be was because of their desire always properly evaluated.

—73— Summer Program Includes Tour and Papers At Headquarters House The Oswego County Historical their leisure and according to Society acted as host to the His­ their individual interests. A short torical Societies of Jefferson, St. talk on the history of the Con­ Lawrence, and Lewis Counties for gregational Church, organized in the annual Summer Tour and 1817, was given by the pastor. Program, July 19th. The Tour The motorcade proceeded directly rendezvoused at Selkirk Light to Fort Ontario where the mem­ House at the mouth of the Sal­ bers enjoyed a basket lunch. Dur­ mon River where E. M. Water- ing the lunch period members had bury gave a talk on the impor­ an opportunity to inspect the re­ tance of the area and the Light doubts and military facilities of House. The motorcade proceeded the Fort. Following the noon re­ to Port Ontario. Miss Josephine cess, Dr. Albert Corey, State Parkhurst described the nature Historian, talked on the State's and scope of the Selkirk Purchase plans for the ultimate develop­ at this point. ment of the Fort Ontario Historic Texas was the next stop. Miss Site. Ruth Thomas had reproduced a Ralph Faust gave a brief de­ map from Elizabeth Simpson's scription of the importance and book, "Mexico: Mother Of significance of the old houses and Towns", to illustrate her talk on other places which the motor­ Vera Cruz, the dream city of cade was to pass but would not George Scriba. She also touched stop at because of the lateness upon the historic incidents asso­ of the hour. In succession the ciated with The Great Calamity, Pardee and Sloan houses, "Car- and Spy Island. rington's Castle," St. Mary's The motorcade proceeded to Church, Christ Church, Bronson Colosse by way of the Village of House, First Presbyterian Church, Mexico. Several buildings and Gerrit Smith library, St. Paul's spots connected with the Jerry Church, McWhorter House were Affair were pointed out. At the passed before the motorcade Colosse Baptist Church, one of made its final stop at the Head­ the oldest, if not the oldest quarters House. church in the county, Mrs. A. H. The two following papers by Norton of Auburn, told of the Major Jacobs and Dr. O'Connor interesting history of the church, were given before a large aud­ and some of the amusing in­ ience. The Auxiliary Committee cidents associated with church under the chairmanship of Mrs. services when she attended as a James McCrudden and Mrs. Fran­ youth. The assembled members ces Dann served tea; the visitors of the Tour sang one of the old took the opportunity to inspect hymns from the hymnal to the the Headquarters House and the accompaniment of the old organ. Museum. The Tour was most suc­ The next stop was at the Sid­ cessful. The Tour Committee of ney Shepard Estate at New E. M. Waterbury, J. C. Birdie- Haven. The gardens, the famous bough, Dr. C. R. Baldwin, Grove library, the flag pole, and the ob­ Gilbert, chairman, were extended servatory were viewed and en­ a vote of appreciation for their joyed by the tour members at efforts and achievements.

—74— The Jerry Incident and Underground Railway

(Paper Given Before the Oswego County Historical Society As Part of Summer Program by Dr. John O'Connor, July 19, 1952)

We think we have troubles now. drifted into the towns and cities We Americans look out upon a and remained because the wages world torn by strife, separated by they received afforded them a differing ideologies, and we won­ better life than they could expect der if we shall ever again be at home. Recurrent waves of Eu­ free. We consider those earlier, ropean immigrants, leaving op­ calmer days of our youth, and in pression behind, passed through our hearts there is despair that Castle Garden to a freedom they they may never come again. The had never known before. They too future looks bleak indeed to those found employment in the mills, who think of the world as being the factories and the railroads, sharply divided between a godless whose owners were growing rich dictatorship on one side and and fat in an expanding economy. freedom-loving individualists on But the workers didn't care about the other. Fear is part of a man's that. They had become Americans. heritage, but wisdom is something They had acquired freedom: free­ that must be acquired. dom to choose their jobs, their leaders, even their religion. They Only a hundred years ago, our built their homes and their ancestors also felt this gnawing churches, and they raised their fear of a seemingly hopeless fu­ children in an atmosphere of con­ ture. In their world, too, there ex­ tentment. And because they were isted separate ideologies. A much free, they looked with pity upon smaller world, to be sure, en­ all those who still remained in compassed within the boundaries bondage. of the United States, but to them the only world that mattered very Thus the stage, was set for a much, because they had not yet conflict that could only end in learned to shatter time and geog­ total war; total victory for the raphy. They had not yet begun to one side, total destruction for the lean out across the seas to those other. There was no compromise; other peoples in other lands who no middle ground where each cry aloud for help. Yes, their might meet the other. Compro­ world too was sharply divided. In mises had been tried and they had the South, an agrarian civilization, inevitably failed. The Southern ruled by an aristocracy of land planters wanted slavery, needed holders, was in complete control. slavery. Their's was a huge invest­ Their great plantations could be ment which they were unwilling maintained profitably only through to lose. To most of them the moral the use of slave labor. In the question was not pertinent. They North, an ever-growing industrial sincerely believed that a slave civilization was building, compet­ was a chattel, to be used in any ing, expanding, was already begin­ manner the owner decided. If it ning to visualise the face of the were uneconomical to maltreat or world changed by the machines kill their slaves, the owners hold­ they were creating. There was no ing such views felt free to provide shortage of man power. The for good health and well being. On younger sons of the small farmers the other hand, there were many

-75— slave owners, who found it expedi­ whole, an agreeable and patri­ ent to drive their slaves into the archal manner of living, and who last bit of work, who estimated draw gay pictures of Negroes their value by the number of man singing at their work, and lovely hours of labor each slave was women decorating the porticos of worth. Unfortunately, for their classic plantations. But the court continuing prosperity, all the slave records, newspaper items, planta­ owners reckoned without the hu­ tion letters and tales told by ex­ man element. The slaves were not hausted and defenseless fugitives chattels, not horses nor oxen nor show that picture to be false. dumb beasts. They were rational American slavery was a reign of beings. Some of them had learned violence, emotional as well as to read, despite the laws that made physical. It was a carefully de­ it a criminal offense to teach vised and remorseless doctrine of them. They knew vaguely of a racial inferiority. It halted the world outside their own, where movement of progress for one half color was no bar to freedom. They of the country and brought the ran away. Some of them found waste and destruction of a cen­ their way into the swamps and tury, so that only today are we bayous and eked out a meager seeing the South emerge from a existence. Some of them turned soil-exhausting, artificial economy. north into the free states and Despite the fact that the laws settled down with their families. and the lawmakers, the bankers But even here they were not safe and the shippers were on the side because the laws provided that a of slavery; despite the fact that runaway slave must be returned most of our presidents and many to his owner. Over the years, of our legislators and Supreme more and more of them journeyed Court Justices were slave holders, to Canada, where they were for­ slavery was bound to fail. It had ever safe since the Canadian Gov­ within itself the seeds of its own ernment recognized no extradition destruction because it posited it­ for the offense of running away. self on the premise that one man We who live in America live could be the master of another, here by the grace of revolution. that the imposition of a will could Revolt is our heritage and the stultify the expression of another's strength of our system. The Eng­ soul and govern the action of his lish immigrants rebelled against body. It raised up as its natural religious oppression, the German consequence the forces that com­ against political oppression, the pleted its destruction, for the Irish and the Italians against Abolition movement represented economic oppression. We cannot the growth of theoretic freedom escape the deep roots which feed into fact. our branches. The Africans also came to this country, but not to Vigilance Committees Rise escape oppression. They came to be oppressed, to labor, to die and When we think about the Aboli­ to catch up their victimization tion Movement and the Under­ into a blaze of revolt that burns ground Railway, we often forget as brightly in our national con­ that both came into existence sciousness as those of the Ger­ early in the nineteenth century mans who escaped the gallows and existed for many years as and the Irish who escaped the sporadic, intellectual concepts, famines. supported mainly by freed slaves and the usual radical fringe of "do-gooders." Not until the pass­ False Picture of Slavery age of the Fugitive Slave Act of There has been a long and 1850, did the solid citizens, the honorable school of apologists for ministers, teachers, and prominent slavery who still find it a matter business men of the North recog­ of pressing concern to establish nize that no nation can exist half- the fact that slavery was, on the slave and half-free. It seems to

—76— / be an axiom in America that no difficult to piece together the unpopular law can be thoroughly whole story. Men who were to enforced. There never was a more help were unwilling to leave any unpopular law than this on the record which could be used statute book. Not even the pro­ against them. Smith, however, was hibition amendment in our own a bolder spirit than most. A man time, hard as it was to enforce, of strong opinions, he embraced a was so open to bitterness and cause only when he was sure he rancor as this law which made was right, and then nothing could every citizen an informer and persuade him to deviate from his slave-catcher. This was the law purpose. During those difficult that drove quiet men to violence, political times while the Whig and political, social and economic party was slowly disintegrating leaders to adopt counter measures and before the Republican party to defeat its purpose. had been organized, he helped or­ Vigilance Committees sprang up ganize the National Liberty Party throughout the North. Meetings and was its nominee for President were held to determine what steps in 1850. The principal plank in the should be taken within the com­ party's platform was the complete munity if attempts were made to abolition of slavery, by force if enforce the law. One of the first necessary. of these Vigilance Committees to But Smith was not alone. be formed was organized in Syra­ Throughout all of Central New cuse only eight days after the York, there had grown up a net­ passage of the Fugitive Slave work of stations, manned by men Law. Gerrit Smith of Peterboro, whose names will never be known. New York was the principal or­ Extending north from Syracuse to ganizer of the committee, which the lakefront at Oswego and to included many prominent citizens the mouth of the Salmon River from Central New York. The were stations of the Underground. committee pledged itself "to stand In Mexico and Oswego and all by its members in opposing this the points between were farms law, and to share with any of and stores and homes, whose them the pecuniary losses they owners were hosts over the years may incur under the operation of to literally thousands of runaway this law." It was a bold step, but slaves, who in the face of in­ they didn't seem to fear the con­ describable hardships had made sequences. They published articles their way to this last jumping off in the papers announcing the place of the land of their oppres­ names of the members, and in sion before entering Canada, the fact defied the Federal Govern­ land of their redemption. ment to enforce a law which they Today we have been shown believed to be unconstitutional. some of these homes where slaves were hidden. There were many Gerrit Smith's Leadership more, whose identities have been Through nearly two decades, lost in the flight of time. What Gerrit Smith was the recognized was behind this movement? Was leader in the Abolitionist move­ it political? Was there some ment in New York State. While tangible reward in sight that other leaders of his times were could inspire such men to flaunt content to protest against slavery the law of the land? None of in editorials and from the speak­ these are adequate. There must er's platform, Smith was busy or­ have been a great spiritual drive, ganizing the Underground Rail­ especially when we remember the way, and providing way stations heritage of freedom that was part from Philadelphia and New York, of their lives. Only a truly great through his own home and on to cause could inspire such great de­ Mexico and Oswego. The records votion. Only a firm belief in the of the Underground are neces­ words of the Great Document- sarily sketchy. Even now it is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of

—77— Happiness — could conquer their disguises. They were hidden for natural respect for law and order. days at a time in barns and lofts and secret closets. Some of the Oswego County Leaders stations were equipped with Who were these men of our tunnels, so that they could pass communities who entered so freely along in case of pursuit. wholeheartedly into the work of But, gradually the picture changed. the Underground? The names will Here and there, men with too mean little to us now, but in much pride to hide their activities their day they were among our came out boldly for emancipation most respectable citizens. There and boasted of the slaves they was Dr. Jackson and Asa Wing, had harbored. The Vigilance Com­ Deacon Beebe and Orson Ames, mittees that formed in most of the Isaac McWhorter and Starr Clark, Northern cities were very effec­ Solomon Peck and Sidney Clarke. tive in uniting the divergent Business men, farmers, religious groups that had previously acted men all; men who must have alone. The individual stations be­ known in their hearts that their came a network that crisscrossed small efforts at helping the indi­ the country from the Atlantic vidual slave to freedom could Seaboard to Nebraska. Both Os­ never solve the greater issue of wego and Mexico were permanent emancipation, who, nevertheless, stations on this network, and con­ continued year after year risking tinued to be prominently identified their property and their lives in with the movement until the out­ the belief that their cause was break of the Civil War. just. Humble men, these, but magnificent in the humility. Jerry's Background In any discussion of the Aboli­ One of the most important of tion Movement, it must be these incidents was the so-called thoroughly understood that the Jerry Rescue, in which the people issue was never one-sided. Many of Mexico played so prominent a political and spiritual leaders in part. William Henry, who was the North were firmly convinced popularly known as Jerry Mc- that slavery was just, and quoted Henry, was a fugitive slave from the Bible and the Constitution to Missouri. His mother was a prove its righteousness, just as mulatto and his father was his effectively as the Abolitionists mother's master. As a young man quoted the same books to prove he had been sold to a John Mc- its injustice. Daniel Webster, Reynolds of Missouri, from whom Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun he had escaped by way of the were bitterly opposed to Abolition. Underground Railway, found his In a speech in Syracuse, Webster way to Syracuse and became a promised that the full force of cabinet maker. the Federal Government would be On October 1, 1851, Syracuse turned against any community was crowded with visitors to that dared to defy the Fugitive the Onondaga County Fair. At Slave Law. Although one of the the same time, there were a greatest orators of his time, his great number of Abolitionists warning was disregarded, as we in the city in attendance at a shall see. It was necessary for all convention of the National Liberty the conductors and station agents party. Just as the delegates were (as they were called) of the rising from their noon luncheon, Underground Railway to keep the bell of the Congregational their activities secret. Even fam­ Church began to ring. The mem­ ilies were divided on the issue, bers of the Vigilance Committee and one of the reasons why more recognized the signal. A fugitive has not been written about the was in danger. The other church Underground was this vital need bells took up the message, and for secrecy. Most of the runaway soon the streets were filled with slaves moved at night. They used people converging on the office of

—78— Joseph F. Sabine, Commissioner followers close behind him suc­ of the United States Circuit Court. ceeded in preventing any of the Jerry had been arrested by Henry deputies from firing, but the W. Allen, deputy United States marshal himself had his arm Marshal, and accused of being a broken and to escape the mob, he runaway slave. jumped thirteen feet to the court­ The courthouse was quickly sur­ yard below. rounded. Free Negroes, fugitives, white men and their ladies, chil­ Jerry's Escape dren, all shouting. Dogs were They found poor Jerry still in barking, the city was in an uproar. chains on the floor of his cell. In the excitement, and before the They rushed him down the stairs charge could be put, Jerry made a only to be confronted by the dash for liberty. He was in irons, crowd gathered in the street. and the crowd was so dense that William L. Solomon of Granby, he was recaptured before he had Oswego County, stepped to the gone very far on Water Street. front and shouted: "Open the way. He was beaten, placed in a wagon Old Oswego is coming." The crowd and taken to the police station, fell back, and Jerry was placed located at that time between in one of the carriages drawn by Water Street and the Erie Canal, white horses, and away they went, now Erie Boulevard. That evening, zigzagging through the streets. as dusk came down and the street The other buggies and their white lamps were lighted, Jerry lay in horses set off in different direc­ his cell, still bleeding from his tions out of the city to confuse wounds. The Commissioner lis­ the pursuers. The silent army tened to the charges, and since a which was not needed, slipped slave had no right to a hearing, quietly away. Jerry was automatically ordered Jerry was taken that night to the to be returned to Missouri. The home of Caleb Davis on Genessee crowd had left hours before. The Street, Syracuse, where he rested excitement had died down. Per­ for four days. In the meantime haps no one noticed that there tools were procured to remove the were a number of buggies lined up chains from his hands and feet, at the curb around the Court­ and new clothing was brought to house, each drawn by a white him. Caleb Davis's brother James horse. Perhaps no one noticed the was not a member of the Vigilance quiet footsteps of hundreds of Committee or an Abolitionist, but men gathering not far away he was an active member of the at Packet's Landing. Charlie local lodge of Odd Fellows and so Wheaton's store was near the was the toll keeper at the Brewer- landing and he had promised to ton Bridge. On October fifth, provide arms to the extent of his Jason S. Hoyt, accompanied by stock of axes and iron bars. Under Jerry and the two Davis brothers the leadership of Joe Norton, they set out by carriage. The authori­ quietly took up their positions ties were certain that Jerry had across from the court house. With already slipped through their a crowbar in his hand and fol­ fingers so their vigilance had re­ lowed by ten Negroes carrying a laxed. Whatever signals were ex­ huge log twenty feet long, Joe changed between James Davis and approached the door of the court­ his lodge brother at the bridge is house and gave the signal. The not known. Neither is it known ram shattered against the door. whether it was by accident or One powerful blow was enough. design that a searching party The door sprang open and Joe and came up to the bridge shortly his followers were up the stairs. after they had gone through. It The crowbar made short work of is known though that Caleb and the door to a cell, and although a James Davis turned back at this bullet from the marshal's gun point, and Hoyt drove Jerry the grazed his head, he rushed on. His rest of the journey alone. It is

—79— also known that while Jerry and Jerry was a person, a runaway his rescuers had no difficulty in slave and to all the people who being passed over the bridge, the shared in his rescue he was very searching party which came along real. But Jerry was more than a a short time later found the toll person. Looking back upon those keeper "asleep," and they lost troublesome times, we, today see over an hour trying to arouse him. Jerry as a symbol of all his race enmeshed in the white man's Arrival in Mexico greed. He is just a half-forgotten name, but in another civilization With the aid of relays of fast he would have been a hero. To us horses, Jerry arrived in Mexico he stands for all those others who that Sunday evening. He was also prayed for freedom. The un­ taken first to the home of Mr. known first fugitive, the softly Orson Ames on Main street, a stepping men and women follow­ house still standing, but because ing their Indian guides through of Mr. Ames' known identification swamps and thickets, the woman with the Underground movement, with the brand on her forehead his other patrons in Mexico, Mr. hiding in the cornfields, the man Starr Clark and Mr. Solomon with the lashed back listening to Peck, decided Jerry would be the bay of hounds as he crouched safer in the barn of Deacon Asa by the weeds in a river, the Beebe. There he remained for hundreds of children in unmarked two weeks and under the kindly graves who died on their flight to ministrations of his host and the North, the cries, the hopes and plenty of good food provided by the end of a journey as the gap Mrs. Beebe, he regained his between capture and freedom was strength. closed. He is all that and he is In the meantime, Mr. Orson the tremendous presence of Fred- Ames communicated with his rich Douglas, the caustic pen of brother Sidney, a dealer in Boots William Lloyd Garrison, and the and Shoes in Oswego. Sidney flaming oratory of Gerrit Smith. Clark was apparently the go- He stands for all the friends of between at the Oswego end of freedom who sprang up like the Underground Railway. He had Jason's teeth from the ground to a wide acquaintance with captains do their part. of the merchant vessels trading into Oswego, and it was he who Whenever we think of Jerry and made the final arrangements. Con­ of the brief time he spent in our cealed in a loaded wagon, Jerry neighborhood, let us not forget all left the Beebee farm shortly after those others who made emancipa­ midnight on October 19th or 20th, tion possible. Let us remember the and before dawn was safely on disguises, the closed carriages, the board an English ship bound for gunshots along the border and the Kingston, Ontario. long resolute train which chugged so silently and sent up such in­ visible smoke. Let us remember Dies in Canada those unnamed heroes who decided There isn't much more in the in the darkness of a Southern records about Jerry. He didn't night where the train would stop, live long to enjoy his freedom. He and the sweet, brief songs that found shelter in Kingston in the rose in the twilight, in the dark­ home of Joseph George and he ness, in the morning to send a obtained employment in the chair message that freedom was a liv­ factory of Chester Hatch. Not ing hope; those unnamed heroes long after his arrival there he who made the journeys back from was married, but exposure and freedom to rescue those they privation had undermined his loved, and those who went from health. He died of tuberculosis in door to door, from town to town, the Kingston General Hospital on imploring, demanding the money October 8, 1853, just two years that would buy their wives, their after his daring rescue. children and their friends. —80— Unsolved Questions Concerning The War of 1812 (Paper Given Before the Oswego County Historical Society As Part of the Summer Program by Major James R. Jacobs, USA, Retired, of Cazenovia, July 19, 1952) Some of the causes for the dis­ attack, after once having been astrous outcome of the United repulsed, Col. Mitchell success­ States efforts at the invasion of fully executed his orders and pre­ Canada from several points along vented the naval supplies which the Ontario frontier in the year the British sought at Oswego 1813 during the "War of 1812" from falling into their hands. were set forth by Major James There followed, soon afterwards, Ripley Jacobs (U.S.A. Retired) the attack upon the naval convoy before the regional gathering of moving from Oswego to Sackets North Country historians which Harbor transporting the naval took place in Oswego July 19, with supplies to the latter place where Oswego County Historical Society the American fleet under con­ acting as hosts. Unpreparedness, struction was in serious need of favoritism, incompetence and in­ them. After having spent the difference played a large part in night at the mouth of the Salmon the succession of failures in that River, the convoy put out into the year, according to Major Jacobs. lake the next morning. It had Oswego county did not figure been joined there by 150 Oneida largely in the military activities Indian warriors, who stalked of that year, although Fort On­ along the shore following the tario was garrisoned with militia boats of the convoy as it moved. units drawn from Auburn, Manlius They were to take part in the and other Central New York Battle of the Big Sandy which points, and "the first advance to was soon to follow, but they fled the northward" after the outbreak after the British had fired their of the war in 1812 had been made volley into the undergrowth where from the Oswego fort, although the Indians were concealed. Their it was not of an expeditionary use in that battle marked the nature. It was a year later, in last occasion where Indians were 1814, that the Oswego County used in New York State as aids area became one of the active to fighting forces of the state. theatres of the war with the The Americans won the battle British attack upon Ft. Ontario at the great bend in the Big on May 5th and May 6th and the Sandy Creek, saving the great gallant defense of that fort by cable that was intended for use Col. George Mitchell commanding with the largest battleship upon several companies of the 3rd U. S. the Great Lakes, the "Superior," Artillery, equipped as infantry, which was then nearing comple­ which had been rushed overland tion at the Sackets Harbor Navy from Sackets Harbor to defend Yard. After the battle, it was the Oswego fort when it was borne overland on the shoulders learned that the British were of the United States militia from planning to attack it. Only six the battle area to Sackett's Har­ cannon remained in the fort at bor. The trail followed by the that time which could be fired. soldiers carrying the cable today While the British captured the is suitably marked. fort in a joint naval and land The events treated in Major

—81— Ripley's paper at Oswego shed career he often evinced great less glory upon the United States ability, but it was not of the kind military efforts in the same war that made him a distinguished a year earlier. The text of his war President. By temperament paper as read before the histor­ and training he was ill-fitted to ians follows: play the part. In seeking the causes of important occurrences DUBIOUS ANSWERS during the War of 1812, we must CONCERNING THE not only consider his administra­ tion but also the character of the WAR OF 1812 army that served it. Often in the writing of history, the causes of the events related Tiny Standing Army are those most easily ascertained When fighting began, the regu­ and frequently accepted. The par­ lar army numbered only about ticipants themselves may have 6744 officers and men. They were hidden or discounted the deter­ poorly led, trained, and equipped. mining reasons for their actions in Whimsical policies and changing an effort to save or enhance their objectives had determined its own reputation. As a consequence character. No distinctive pattern the real truth is unknown and had yet been evolved. The West the deductions that are made Point Military Academy had been from such events may be entirely in existence for only ten years; erroneous. Too often in the War its influence was only beginning. of 1812 it is this highly personal For those entering the army, it interest that sidetracks the "truth, could offer only an ill-paid and the whole truth, and nothing but dubious future. Too often its per­ the truth." sonnel was composed largely of When war began the Demo­ those who could get nothing else cratic party had been in power to do. Those in the higher grades for eleven years. It stood for the were old and usually physically interests of the farmer and the unfit for engaging in hard field common man; it held out for service. Since the days of the simplicity and economy in govern­ Revolution, their methods and ment, and endeavored to maintain means of fighting had remained peace with all the nations of the unchanged. On such a force world. In spite of such a philoso­ Madison had to depend for train­ phy, it yielded to the popular out­ ing the militia and carrying the cry against the ruthless measures heaviest burden of battle. of Great Britain on the high seas, Why John Armstrong, Madison's and reluctantly declared war on Secretary of War, made certain June 18, 1812. Although a small dispositions and assigned certain group, commonly known as "War missions to troops have aroused Hawks," were chiefly responsible various surmises. Why was for such a decision, they had little Wilkinson ever ordered to Sackets or no part in the immediate super­ Harbor to command the troops vision and direction of hostilities. in the Northeast? And when he Such a task fell upon the shoul­ arrived, why was he urged to ders of those who enjoyed an un­ attack Montreal? blemished reputation for faithfully As early as March 10th, he was serving the party or who fervently directed to leave New Orleans promised to do so. In a number and report to Major General of cases, those who occupied the Dearborn. Perhaps he might lend seats of the mighty were often vigor to Dearborn's operations, as drably mediocre and entirely too Armstrong later explained. Per­ complacent with failure, wholly haps Armstrong's old time associ­ unable to cope with the supremely ation at Saratoga during Revolu­ difficult problems of the day. tionary days may have been a Their leader was James Madison. kindling cause. Perhaps the War Few question that during his Department wanted to get him

—82— away from New Orleans, where other Council of War at Fort he had made many enemies and George. There he declared that few friends. Maybe it thought that the reduction of Kingston was the he was the best choice of the primary object of the campaign general officers available. There and discussed how it could be were only eleven of them. All of done. these factors may have entered into Armstrong's decision. Armstrong Shifted View Point On October 4, Wilkinson, sick Wilkinson Procrastinates and dilapidated, was back at Wilkinson himself was reluctant Sackets Harbor. Here he found to change station. Most of his fam­ Armstrong who agreed that ily connections were in the South­ Kingston should be the first ob­ west. There his business ventures ject of attack, if forces were ade­ had been profitable. The second quate, weather favorable, and the Mrs. Wilkinson, about half his navy would help. These conditions age, whom he had married in 1810, gave him a loophole for change, was pregnant. From Revolution­ and he was soon declaring in­ ary days he knew the hardships stead that Montreal should be of a winter campaign in the north attacked first. Wilkinson belliger­ country. He may have felt him­ ently yielded, but asked that Arm­ self unequal to such a task. Ap­ strong give him orders based "on parently hoping that something the authority of the President" to might turn up to prevent his go­ attack Montreal. This Armstrong ing, he procrastinated as much refused to do, in spite of his own as he dared. continued and strenuous insistence It was not until July 31 that that his own point of view be Wilkinson and his wife reached accepted. Washington. There on August 5th, The motives governing Arm­ Armstrong suggested that troops strong's action are not clear. He be assembled at Sacketts Harbor chronically evinced unwillingness either for attacking Kingston or to give orders unless he felt con­ Montreal. Wilkinson agreed that fident they would result in suc­ Kingston should be attacked if cess. When in doubt, he preferred his means were competent; but, to put himself in an ambiguous if not, then an offensive should be position so that he could evade started along the Niagara River responsibility in defeat or claim while Hampton was making a credit in victory. Wilkinson was "bold feint" at Montreal from the much of the same kind of a man, Chf mplain Valley. If victorious forever eager for a safe exit for aloi.g the Niagara, Wilkinson himself no matter the result. wuld then make a "lightning More specifically Armstrong r..ovement against Kingston." If may have preferred Montreal for again victorious, he would then attack because the result might join forces with Hampton and at­ not be quickly known and some tack Montreal. fortunate incident might occur in With nothing definitely decided, the meantime. For example, the Wilkinson left Washington and war might end. Except in small his wife behind, arriving at matters, he was a well-known Sackets Harbor on the afternoon procrastinator. Also, Hampton and of August 20th, or five months several thousand men might rea­ and ten days after he had been sonably be expected to help while originally ordered there. On Au­ if Kingston were the first objec­ gust 26th he convened a Council tive such aid would be highly of War, and it determined to doubtful. If Montreal fell into make a feint from Sackets Harbor American hands, British ports to against Kingston and then slip the westward like those of down the St. Lawrence and attack Prescott, Kingston, and York Montreal. (Toronto), would languish away On September 20th he held an­ because of a lack of supplies. The best part of Canada could then be He was an ex-tavern keeper of easily overrun. Bath, New York, who had waxed wealthy and influential and was Wilkinson's Defeat ranking officer of the Niagara Wilkinson may have opposed area from the autumn of 1813 the Montreal venture because he until near the end of the year. had begun to resent the officious- His problem was a hard one, for ness of Armstrong and had long most of his dependable troops detested Hampton. He may have had been withdrawn for the considered he was physically unfit Montreal operation, leaving him to carry it through. Kingston, on with only a handful to repel a the other hand, was only about 30 British offensive that was then miles distant and not strongly de­ in the making. When he and his fended. In any such attack, the men from Fort George burned fleet would be highly important, Newark, Canada, a village close and Chauncey, the commander, by, on the wintry night of Decem­ professed eagerness to cooperate. ber 10, 1813, they served no mili­ Once the movement had started, tary purpose except to arouse victory or defeat would quickly the inhabitants and their friends follow. If victory, the main line into cruel acts of bitter retali­ of British communications would ation. be severed at an important point; the Americans would be supreme What motive dominated Mc­ on Lake Erie, and Wilkinson Clure? He tried to excuse himself would have acquired a reputation by declaring that the Secretary that would assure him of con­ had given him permission to do so. sideration for a long while. However, such permission was granted only on the condition that Whatever the motives ruling the burning became necessary for Armstrong's decision to make the defense of Fort George. Mc­ Montreal the objective of the Clure's hypocrisy is therefore ap­ campaign, both he and Wilkinson parent when the fact is recalled were duty bound to support it that Fort George was in process vigorously once it had been under­ of evacuation when Newark was taken. Neither did so. Armstrong being set on fire. Perhaps Mc­ contributed little beside inter­ Clure wanted to satisfy a few ference, failing entirely to make old grudges against some of the Hampton cooperate, and soon in­ inhabitants. Perhaps he yielded directly intimating that the cam­ to the advice of his companion, paign would fail by ordering the the notorious Canadian renegade construction of enough huts in named Willcocks, who was vindic­ Canada to house 10,000 men. tive and revengeful. Perhaps he Wilkinson himself inspired little wanted to destroy Newark, be­ or no confidence. For much of the cause in peace time it was an im­ time going down the St. Lawrence portant link in the overland trans­ he was "sick unto childhood," portation of Canadian goods from sometimes volubly drunk, seldom Lake Ontario to Erie. A number or never hard driving or inspiring. of Americans sought a monopoly Defeated at Chrystler's Field by of such service, but they wanted far inferior numbers, he withdrew it on their own side of the Niag­ his army to French Mills where ara. Whatever the reason, the it did nothing but deteriorate. British used McClure's action to Armstrong had not the strength excuse themselves later for turn­ of character to summarily relieve ing the stretch of country between him. Fort Niagara and Buffalo into a McClure's Blunder howling wilderness. Another incompetent for whom A subordinate who helped the administration must be blamed deepen and widen the failure of for retaining in a position of im­ McClure was Captain Luther portance was Brigadier General Leonard of the 1st Artillery who George McClure of the militia. was in command of Fort Niagara.

—84— He was enjoined to be vigilant remained until he was retired in and ever ready for attack. Since 1861. In 1865 he died. being graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1808, October's Fiasco he had shown slight evidence of Another intriguing question con­ being trustworthy. The War De­ cerns the Van Rensselaer pro­ partment had such little confi­ spective invasion of Canada on dence in him that it had forbidden October 11, 1812. Why was it his exercising command until called off? For the purpose, after an investigation of his con­ troops were ordered to assemble duct. But neither Dearborn nor at the old ferry opposite the his successors had taken any ac­ heights of Lewiston at 3 o'clock tion, preferring to leave him in in the morning. Taking part was command at Fort Niagara and optional. "Some companies volun­ tolerate his drunkenness and gen­ teered without officers, in others eral incompetence. Like his pre­ officers without soldiers, and decessors, McClure evaded the some neither officers nor soldiers. issue, endeavoring to excuse him­ From Capt. Bristol's company, self by declaring Leonard was the about 20 marched to the edge of ranking officer among those the river at the hour appointed available. . . . for crossing." Such a motley collection of poorly trained militia, Indifference Brought Disaster organized only a few hours before, The general result of such in­ knowing little of each other and difference was disastrous. Though less of the area of attack, could warned of the imminence of at­ scarcely be expected to defeat a tack, Leonard was absent visiting well-trained enemy in strong posi­ his family several miles distant tion across the treacherous waters from Fort Niagara when it actu­ of the Niagara. ally occurred. There may have For transporting them, 13 large been a reason but it has not been boats were secretly hauled by given. Worst of all, some of his wagon under cover of darkness sentries completely neglected their from Gill Creek, about two miles duties — a condition that would above Niagara Falls, and placed have been very unlikely under a in the river near Lewiston. They vigorous and conscientious com­ were capable of accommodating mander. As a result, the British 26 men apiece with all their arms quickly took Fort Niagara on and equipment, or about 338 all December 19th with few losses. told. With its surrender went several According to the generally ac­ hundred prisoners and a great cepted story, a Lieutenant John supply of stores valued at $1,000,- Sims of Niagara County was put 000, an amount at that time equal in charge of the boats because of to the total appropriations for his reputed knowledge of them arming the militia in 1813. Worst and the river. During the night of all, no other fortress of conse­ he started off up stream in one quence remained to deter the of the boats, passed far beyond British from laying waste the the place designated for em­ Niagara frontier. barkation, drew into the shore, Why was Leonard retained in and there deserted under cover of command? He was obviously darkness and storm. By some young, inexperienced, and with a hook or crook, he seems to have highly questionable record. In taken with him most of the oars 1815, he was discharged like belonging to the other boats, many others, but he was re­ which, thus made immobile and instated one year later only to be useless, never arrived where the discharged in 1821. Out of the would-be raiders were anxiously army for twenty-five years, he waiting to be carried across. Dis­ was appointed a military store­ appointed and chagrined, they keeper in 1845. At that job he stood by until daylight, shelterless and cold, enduring as best they Solomon Van Rensselaer may have could a violent wind and chilling acquiesced because of his own autumn rain. ignorance of the river and the On Sims was commonly heaped obvious need of favorable circum­ all the blame for such a fiasco. stances if his untrained, unorgan­ ized, and undependable force was Strangely enough no record has destined to succeed. He may have been found that he or his ac­ felt that Sims wrecked his im­ complices ever were punished. If mediate plans but saved his army. he acted as he did because he was In such a case he could not well bribed by the British the fact demand punishment. would have been extremely diffi­ These and many other questions cult to permanently hide. Any relating to the War of 1812 have suspicion of the kind would have often perplexed me. Perhaps your stimulated inquiry. If he felt the answers to them are very differ­ weather was so bad that he was ent from my own. I hope that at fearful of crossing, he may have some convenient time I may have taken the easiest measures that the pleasure of learning your own he knew to quickly prevent it. point of view.

—86— Clarissa Putnam of Tribes Hill

(Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by John J. Vrooman, Supervisor of Historic Sites, State Department of Education, October 21, 1952)

I have with me some colored Superintendent of Indian Affairs slides which will help you to visu­ for the Crown, and both of them alize the locale of the story but were very real and very impor­ before showing them to you, may tant personages. I take a few moments in which When, considerably later (per­ to review briefly certain aspects haps 15 years ago) while doing of the book; particularly how I research for a book on historic came to write it? houses of the Mohawk Valley, I You are familiar with the old came across what were indispu­ saying that if one gives a suitable tably authentic records proving answer to the questions, WHY— Clarissa an actual person. Jeptha WHEN — HOW — WHERE—the R. Simms wrote THE HISTORY subject discussed will have been OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY AND satisfactorily covered. Perhaps if BORDER WARS OF NEW I now follow this rule, the sub­ YORK, which was published in ject of "Clarissa" will have been Albany in 1845. He tells us in a explained. preface that he began interview­ First then, as to WHY I wrote ing aged people as early as 1837 the story. It's historical and I on the subject of the Revolution­ think I have always been interest­ ary War. Note that this was 54 ed in history. Certainly my inter­ years following its close. est goes back to times I sat on From these interviews Simms my Grandfather's knee, ate pep­ gathered an amazing fund of in­ permint lozenges which I found formation concerning events of in his coat pockets and listened to that time which are the basis of his stories of old Schenectady. his book He has set them down With this early interest sym­ and authenticated his statements pathetically implanted, it was (as you will note when I quote natural that I should, in the him) by naming his informants. romantic teens, revel in the series In 1882 he completed an extend­ of historical novels of the Mo­ ed, two-volume version of his hawk Valley, written by Robert Schoharie history, entitled FRON­ W. Chambers. Many of his char­ TIERSMEN OF NEW YORK and acters are drawn from history in it has this to say of Sir John and many of them repeatedly Johnson and Clarissa Putman. I used throughout the series. quote him verbatim: In these stories I first met Clarissa, or "Claire" as Chambers Clara Putman called her. She was only a minor "Of the early life of Sir John character; in one instance a guest Johnson, comparatively little is at a gay dinner party in company known, but he is believed to have with Sir John Johnson. At the been indulged by his father in time, I attached no more than having his way too much, to re­ fictional value to her. However, sult in his becoming a good busi­ Sir John was, as you know, the ness man. When a young man, he son of Sir William Johnson, the courted Miss Clara Putman, a

—87— very pretty girl of a good family purchase it for her future home; at Tribes Hill, by whom he had which terms were all complied a son and a daughter named with. Someone has said that he William and Margaret. Said Mrs. also gave her an annuity during Magdalena Becker, Miss Putman the remainder of her life. She was keeping house for Sir John; died about the year 1840. "I am and before his return from New happy to record this redeeming York with a wife, she and her trait in the character of this man children were sent into the town whose military record was one of of Florida. blood, evidently waged against "Miss Putman was of good his old neighbors in a struggle to descent, her mother being a retain place and honors won by Staats and her Grandmother a his father. The particulars of this Schuyler—both of Albany. The Canadian visit were communi­ son was nicely established by his cated to the writer in 1850 by father in Canada in some kind ot Mrs. Rebecca Veeder, (a Miss business; and Margaret Johnson, Staats of Albany in her girlhood) who grew up to be a tall and and Mrs. Van Debogert and Mrs. beautiful girl was for a time quite Thompson, sisters of the late An­ a belle in the Valley. Margaret drew J. Yates of Fultonville, who had dark hair and dark eyes, was were reared in Schenectady. a brunette in complexion and was Those ladies were all acquainted graceful in her carriage. She was with Miss Putman and greatly much admired and her friendship respected her, notwithstanding sought by the elite. She married this liaison. Jacob Shew also James Van Home, by whom she stated that Sir John Johnson had one or more children. Only settled a property in Schenectady a few years afte: her marriage, on Miss Clara Putman." she was on a visit to Tribes Hill Seeks Further Information friends when she ate freely of This quotation is the most ex­ plums, became sick in conse­ tensive bit of information con­ quence and died suddenly at that cerning Clarissa to be found and place, much lamented. as I read and reread it, my cur- '•Clara Putman, who later made iousity and interest grew. I Schenectady her home was never wanted to know about her. Nat­ married and Sir John whose urally I turned to the descendants breast was moved by a spark of of the Putman family and in manhood, late in life (for he was nearly every instance the person then 67 years old) sent word to questioned professed to know her to come to Canada at a cer­ nothing of Clarissa. My keenest tain time (which was chosen in disappointment came some 12 the absence of his wife) and he years ago, when I interviewed one would give her some property. of the Putman family, a lady then She went there in the summer of in her 94th year, of sound mind 1809 and at the door inquired for and memory who had lived most Sir John; a servant announced a of her life on the Putman prop­ lady at the door. 'Go and learn erty I have described as the home her name,' said the Baronet. It of Clarissa. To support ihe fact was reported and she was at once that I was seeking historical data admitted to his presence; but to and not idle information, I made the scene which followed, of this visit in company with an mingled tears and old memories elderly Domine of the Dutch revived, we cannot admit the Church who was well known to reader. He gave her $1,200 in the lady. But his presence availed money and told her on her return me nothing. Though I still incline to send him. the dimensions and to the belief that she knew a terms of a certain house and lot great deal, she, too, professed to in Schenectady and he would never having heard of Clarissa

—88— although, as I trace it, she was rather recently published gen­ the great great grand-daughter of ealogies but I have not been able Victor Putman, who was Clar­ to support their listings. issa's brother and whose own I next turned to the real estate nickname was "Clisty." However, records of Schenectady County any information she might have and there I found a deed trans­ imparted that day she carried to ferring to Clarissa Putman a her grave a few months later. home on the north side of State These failures led me to be­ Street in Schenectady which is lieve that the few generations now best located by describing it following Clarissa had attached a as just west of Erie Boulevard stigma to her name; perhaps be­ and being the property now own­ cause of her unwedded life with ed by the Schenectady Savings Sir John, perhaps because of her and Loan Association. All this and association with him, the man considerably more that I found considered the scourge of the dove-tailed so accurately with the Valley whom they held principal­ Simms account that I became ly accountable for their sufferings convinced he had been correctly during the war. Yet, certainly, informed save the genealogy. Cer­ Simms absolves her, when he tainly, Clarissa was no figment of states that her friends "greatly the imagination and I now felt respected her." In further support sure that further search would of the belief that she was not reveal still more information. censured morally, I quote from a letter written me by Percy Clarissa Deeded Property Van Epps, the venerable Schenec­ The next disclosure brought tady County Historian to whom I Clarissa close to my own family if had turned in an effort to trace only in a minor way and served Clarissa's lineage. He writes: to still further intensify my inter­ "With all our wealth of his­ est. I found that my Grand­ toric data on the Mohawk mother's father, David Mix, a region it really seems strange tailor whose establishment was that nothing definite has yet but a few doors west of Clarissa's been disclosed about the par­ home witnessed her signature, to entage of Clara Putman. her deed when she later sold the property. David Mix was, there­ "Can it be possible that, fore, not only Clarissa's neighbor angered by her consorting but her friend as well; else why with John Johnson, her par­ would she have called upon him ents disowned her and struck for so friendly a service ? her name from the family It may be of interest to state records?" here that this David Mix was a This explanation might suffice brother of James Mix, the found­ if only family records were con­ er of the jewelry business on cerned but it cannot explain the South Pearl Street, Schenectady, lack of any mention of her name which flourished through several on baptismal records, a ceremony generations and up to recent religiously adhered to by these years. early Dutch families. Seeking Six years ago certain historic some other explanation, and on sites owned by the State were the theory that "Clarissa" might transferred to the Education De­ have been no more than a nick­ partment for future administra­ name, I searched and found a tion. I was placed in charge. Be­ "Cornelia" whose birth date cor­ cause several of them had to do responded with that of Clarissa as with the story of Clarissa, I was given on her tombstone which I now more eager than ever to con­ had found and so have told the tinue with it. Unfortunately for story on this basis. It's true, me as the story-teller, Fort John­ Clarissa is listed in certain son, the home where Sir John and

—89— Clarissa lived is not the property years from October 1767, when of the State. But Guy Park, the Sir John Johnson returns from house Sir William built for his London, a knighted Englishman daughter, Polly, who married her to that dark night in May 1780 cousin Guy Johnson, as well as when as an enemy of this country Johnson Hall occupied by Sir Wil­ he for the last time returns to liam when he died are State own­ his old home at Johnstown. ed. Then there are Washington's HOW the story should be writ­ Headquarters at Newburgh, ten was a difficult question. I Schuyler Mansion, Fort Crailo. sought advice on this and was the home of General Nicholas given several answers. One Herkimer, the Lower Landing thought it should be handled as a and the site of Fort Stanwix, the biography of Clarissa. To have last two at Rome, Fort Ontario written of Sir John would have at Oswego and lastly near Gen- taken the story out of the Mo­ eseo the Sullivan Massacre Monu­ hawk Valley and this I did not ment and the Boyd-Parker Mem­ want to do. orial, all of them the property of A factual biography of Clarissa the State and all of them some is impossible. She is far too part of my story. shadowy a figure across the pages Carries Researches To Canada of history. I did find, in addition Within the past five years I to those already mentioned, some have made two or three trips to few essential details such as a Canada in search of additional in­ newspaper notice of her death formation. In the Canadian Ar­ and her grave in Vale Cemetery, chives at Ottawa I found much Schenectady. However, many material. Perhaps the most help­ others are lacking. Her tomb­ ful were the so-called "Claus stone bears very legibly the date, Papers." Daniel Claus who figures 1833, as the time of her death yet in my story was Sir John's the Cemetery was not then in brother-in-law and his letters to existence. I suspect her remains, and about the several members perhaps with this same stone, of the family contain considerable were brought to the present site information. Also, in Montreal, I from the original burial place but met Sir Gordon Johnson, the I have not been able to learn its present holder of Sir John's title location. With such important de­ and from him learned much of in­ tails missing, a biography would terest. As you all know, Sir John, have been out of the question but always a staunch Royalist, was in for my purpose this particular in­ 1776 forced by General Schuyler's formation was not essential since troops to abandon Johnson Hall, Clarissa lived 53 years after the leaving his family behind, and story closes. escape to Canada where he con­ I could see but one way to tinued to live. Canada is, there­ present the material I had gath­ fore, a happy hunting-ground for ered: to spin the facts into yarn one interested in the later life of from which could be woven an Sir John but of course I found historic romance whose interest there, nothing of Clarissa. would resolve itself in the adven­ tures and historically recorded To answer the WHEN. incidents of its principal char­ I have already said the story acters. And so it is that CLAR­ deals with the period of the Revo­ ISSA is written; and so it is that lutionary War. It was my inten­ the story is, in the main, historic­ tion that the narrative should ally accurate. History sketched embrace in more or less detail, the outline—imagination com­ the important events of those pleted the picture.

—90— William Duer of Oswego

(Paper Given Before Oswego County Historical Society by George Joyce, Nov. 18, 1962)

Some people called him a storms and contests of fiery con­ "renegade"—yet local history troversy". These were rational scarcely contains the record of a words that fell upon deaf ears. personality more intrinsically in­ By 1860, William Duer had teresting than that of William nothing more than sound reason­ Duer of Oswego, one of the last ing to offer against the shouts of of the old Knickerbocker colonial secession emanating from both families, who achieved unheralded abolitionists and slaveholders. recognition as a jurist and One purpose of this paper is to politician in those turbulent dec­ show the background of the Duer ades preceding the Civil War. family and why William Duer Were his own life and those 01 may have acted to pursue the his ancestors otherwise quite policies he did. barren, the mere story of their share in the early development of Origin Of Duer Family this country, if properly told It appears that sometime dur­ should prove a most interesting ing or after the raging English record. Civil War, when Cromwellian At first sight, William Duer ap­ forces were deposing King pears to have been a born leader Charles I, a cavalier by the name of lost causes. Such he may seem of De Vere, made his way to the in any short view of aims and island of Antiqua, in the West issues. He looked a long way Indies, where he sought refuge. back, however, and ever further As a further precaution he pro­ forward. His embracement of ceeded to change his name to Nativism — "America for the Duer and began to develop Americans" is something which plantations, first on Antiqua, and may have been motivated from later on the neighboring island of multiple factors, more sincerely Dominica. A son by the name of embraced than many contempo­ John Duer, continued the planta­ raries are willing to concede. tion development upon these two Nevertheless, his opposition to islands, became a member of His "militant abolition", as against Majesty's Council for Antiqua, the principle of manumission, was and in time, married Frances, intelligent and tireless. He was daughter of Sir Frederick Frye, one of the most distinguished and President of the Council. Event­ forthright political victims of the ually, however, he (John) re­ mania for emancipation which moved to England, though still re­ blazed over the northern states taining his property in the West like a prairie fire, only to burn Indies, where on March 18, 1747, itself out in the anguish of Civil at his Devonshire villa, a son, War. William, later known as "the Colonel", was born1. In 1849, Duer would have agreed with Lee that the "holding 1. The facts regarding the early of slaves was an evil, but that ancestry of the Duers are drawn their emancipation would sooner chiefly from the anonymous memoirs in the Knickerbocker Magazine, (New come from the mild and melting York. August, 1952) Volume XL,, pp influence of time, than from the 95-103.

—91— Young William's life reads al­ proceeded to get out the timber most like a fairy tale, for it is a he needed. Here, too, he built a story of adventure, and phe­ mansion, and in time, added a nomenal success crowned in the grist mill, and snuff mill. When end with failure and disgrace. It it became evident that hostilities appears that he completed his between the mother country and early studies at Eton. Any fur­ the colonies might break out, ther details concerning his young Duer added a gun-powder mill, life are unavailable at this time. and promptly became an Amer­ In 1764, with the rank of ensign, ican3. he went to India, as aide-de- His activities during the Revo­ campe to Lord Clive, formerly a lution were many and varied, country neighbor of his father's. ranging from his appointment as Young Duer spent almost a year Deputy-Adjutant-General of the in India, when having been taken New York troops, with the rank down with a fever and upon of Colonel, (upon the recommen­ Clive's advice, he returned home. dation of Schuyler), to supplying Shortly after his return to Eng­ plank for bridges and masts for land, his father died leaving him ship building on the Hudson4. a moderate fortune, consisting of a share in the Dominica estate, In July 1779, Duer married and a "handsome pecuniary Catherine Alexander, daughter of legacy". Indications are that his William Alexander, whom he had inheritance prompted him to for­ met upon his first arrival in sake the army for a business America. The wedding is reputed career, and he shortly managed to to have been a brilliant affair obtain a contract for furnishing with none less than the "Com­ spars and masts for the British mander-in-chief", General Wash­ 2 ington, escorting the young ''Lady Navy . With this aim in mind, of 5 providing lumber to fulfill this Kitty" to the altar . contract and to supply the family Following the war, Colonel Wil­ estates in the West Indies, young liam Duer became a giant among Duer landed in New York in 1768. the early land speculators in He was well equipped with America. In 1789, Alexander credentials, letters of introduction Hamilton, whose wife was related and apparently a winning disposi­ to Duer through marriage, ap­ tion. pointed him his assistant under the newly formed Treasury Becomes An American Board6. At the suggestion of William Col. Duer's Financial Difficulties Alexander (self-styled Lord Stirl­ ing), a member of His Majesty's In 1792, Oliver Wolcott, comp­ Council for New York and New troller of the Treasury and second Jersey, he visited Philip Schuyler to the secretary, Alexander Ham- at Albany, and upon the advice of Schuyler, purchased a suitable S. May have included the upper tract of land at Fort Miller on northeastern region of present New York State extending from Lake the east bank of the upper Hud­ Champlain region north to Canada son, a few miles above Saratoga. and northeast to Lake Ontario: See: Here he erected saw mills and New York World, Aungust 27, 1879. 4. Davis, Essays in the Earlier History of American Corporation, 2. William's sister, Theodora, mar­ PP 115. ried George Rose, eon of the Earl of 5. Credited to Mrs. John King Marchmont, who later became a Rensselaer, New Yorkers of the XIX prominent official in the English Century (New York and London, Exchequer. Possibly their relation­ 1897) pp. 16. ship had much to do with the grant of this contract: Dictionary of Na­ 6. Davis, Essays in the Earlier tional Biography, Volume XLDC. pp History of American Corporations, 226-230. pp 174.

—92— ilton, himself, found two charged chief interest was centered in unbalanced accounts in the books Insurance Law, to be more spe­ against Col. Duer, amounting to cific, Marine Insurance, and in approximately $200,000. It seems this he excelled. Some of his court the secretary was aware of the decisions achieved international discrepancy but out of friendship recognition. He also became Vice- and Duer's procrastination, it had President of the American Life dangled without settlement. How­ Insurance and Trust Company, ever, in 1792, the stock market and the organizer of "Duer and was shaky and in consequence Babcock" law film, which prac­ Wolcott's hand was forced. He ticed in Oswego for a number of instituted a government suit years8. His marriage to Anna against Duer in an effort to col­ Bunner also strengthened the lect the amount due the govern­ Duer ties in Oswego. ment. As soon as word leaked out John Alexander and Anna to financial circles concerning the (Bunner) Duer were residing in unstable status of Duer, a minor New York City when on May 25, panic got underway which def­ 1805, Mrs. Duer gave birth to a initely established that Colonel baby boy. It is not at all sur­ Duer was insolvent. As a result, prising to find that the baby was he not too unwillingly went to christened William. It can be jail. Many who had endorsed his readily assumed that the name, notes, including Livingston, found William, was taken, not only from themselves either unwilling or un­ his maternal great grandfather, able to meet their obligations. but from his paternal grandfather The result was to place Duer in and uncle as well. While yet a even a more unfavorable position young boy, William moved with before the public, since many of his parents to Goshen, Orange his endorsers claimed that he County, New York. However, had made false representations to their residence in Goshen was of them. From prison, it must be short duration, and they returned justly stated, Col. Duer made to New York City, where William heroic efforts to redeem himself. commenced his studies. The years However, still hopelessly insol­ between this early period of his vent, a negligible figure, he died 7 life and the time when he enter­ in prison, May 7, 1799 . ed school at Columbia College are non-productive of information. Son Of A Jurist While at Columbia he appears to Colonel William Duer left his have been a better than average wife with nine children. However, student9. for brevity, we shall only make a passing reference to the two eld­ Removes To New Orleans est sons—William Alexander Duel In 1824, William Duer was and John Alexander Duer. Both graduated from Columbia and im­ became jurists of some renown mediately began to follow in the but our specific interest should be footsteps of his father and uncle focused more upon John Alex­ by taking up the study of law. ander Duer since it is his son, Within a few years, about 1827, William Duer, who is to be the he gained admittance to the bar. principal character discussed this There are some conflicting claims evening. at this point because some sources John Alexander Duer was not a indicate that he began his prac­ person to command much atten­ tice here in Oswego, New York, tion to himself, nevertheless, he was eminently successful. His 8. Oswego Palladium (Oswego, N. T.) August 11, 1840. 7. Hamilton, ed. Lodge, Volume X, 9. New York World, August 25, p. 244. See also, New York City 1879. Cf. New York Commercial Ad­ newspapers for the period 1791-92. vertiser, August 27, 1879.

—93— and also made his first attempt when commerce thrives, so also, to enter the arena of politics by does the lawyer11. running for the office of state As­ Duer's Southern Relatives semblyman. These events are reputed to have taken olace Young William Duer, we may somewhere between the years assume and for good reason, pos­ 1828-32. However, I am inclined sessed strong social connections to believe as some other sources with important families of early point out that sometime after New Orleans. His father's sister, gaining admittance to the bar Maria Theodora Duer, had mar­ young William Duer removed to ried Beverly Chew, a prominent New Orleans10. businessman who served as Col­ lector of the Port of New Or­ It is not at all surprising to leans for many years. find William Duer following the Mr. Chew was also President of example of his uncle, William the Branch Bank of the United Alexander, who had also practiced States at New Orleans. It is in­ in New Orleans years before. He teresting to note that young Wil­ was acute enough to recognize at liam Duer liked his uncle so once, not only that New Orleans much as to make him his father- offered him unusual facilities for in-law, for he married his cousin acquiring French and Spanish, 12 but that a thorough familiarity —Lucy Chew . with French and French Law, Mr. Duer, we may believe, laid particularly, would profit him im­ his legal foundations among the mensely in any career, mercantile more able attorneys of the period. or professional. It was an ideal Among these men, some of more choice in many ways. Indeed, in­ than local renown, some much dications are that New Orleans older and some the same age as was the rival of Philadelphia as William Duer, were: John Slidell, a Mecca for the legal profession. afterward senator; Pierre Soule Being located at the mouth of the of the Ostend Manifesto fame; F. Mississippi and its great tribu­ B. and C. M. Conrad, both prom­ taries, which had been applied to inent in the politics of the south; transportation and commerce, Mazureau—the "greatest of the New Orleans had already witness­ Creole lawyers"; Juda P. Ben­ ed a great period of prosperity. jamin—versatile lawyer, business­ Mississippi boats brought in vast man, politician and a host of business that was to be increased others. Lawyers abounded in the when steamships replaced the New Orleans of that by-gone sailing vessels and railways sup­ period, and from that city came some of the best the country was plemented the steamboats. It was 13 a thriving commercial city, where to know . fortunes were quickly made ana Intelligent English observers, such as James Bryce, have noted that a very large proportion of American public men are lawyers, 10. Biographical Directory of Amer­ at least in training, if not in prac­ ican Congress, 1774-1949, TJ. S. Gov­ ernment Printing Office, 1950, p. 1105. tice. This was more true in the Cf. Henry F. Landon, The North Old South, perhaps, than today. Country (Indianapolis, 1932) Volume 1; See also: John B. Churchill; Land­ Many men of that by-gone society marks of Oswego County (Syracuse, were betrayed by the title of 1895), p. 265. Landon and Churchill (Churchill having interviewed Duer) contends that Duer arrived in Oswe­ go, N. Y. in 1835, having come from New Orleans. Cf. Syracuse Univer­ 11. Pierce Burler; Judea P. Benja­ sity, Gerrit Smith Miller Collection, min (Philadelphia, 1906) p. 398. Henry Fitzhugh to Gerrit Smith, Au­ gust 14, 1835. Fitzhugh makes ref­ 12. New York World, August 25, erence to William Duer's expected 1879. arrival, having conferred with John 13. Butler, Judea P. Benjamin, p. Alexander Duer. 38.

—94— judge, while even the generals from Albany by way of the Mo­ and colonels will frequently be hawk-Wood Creek-Oneida Lake- found to be merely lawyer- Oswego River Water Route, politicians, masquerading in those which when projected gave an al­ most unexceptional and useful most continuous all-water avenue marshall titles. Most politicians, of transportation, joining New in fact, were lawyers, and it York City and the Great Lakes, might be said that most lawyers by adding the Hudson River. With were politicians14. It is not sur­ Canadian settlements increasing prising to discover that the saga­ to the north and the frontiers cious Mr. Duer, as a young man, moving westward into the upper may have been very early seduced Ohio region, a north-south and from the law into politics—at an east-west axis of trade offered least the seeds of political inter­ unlimited opportunities and en­ est, so manifest in Duer through­ hanced the value of this water out the remainder of his life, may route. Its importance was clearly have been sown in those forma­ recognized by many prominent tive years that he resided in the men of that early period. "city on the gulf". For a brief space of time the Although New Orleans may prospects for Oswego's continued have given William Duer his legal commercial development looked training, a wife, economic success bleak. This resulted from the and added social prestige, it is in completion of the Erie Canal Oswego that he should be best which until the Oswego Canal was remembered. It was here that he built years later, threatened the spent the greater number of his commerce of Oswego with New productive years and achieved York. However, with the opening some of his more notable suc­ of the Welland Canal connecting cesses. To account for this would Lakes Erie and Ontario and the be to consider multiple factors, opening of the Oswego Canal in the most significant being the 1828, the people of Oswego de­ potentialities of the village, and veloped a renewed and enthusias­ how they were integrated with tic outlook toward the future. the interests of the Duer family. Also by 1830 Oswego could boast a safe and commanding harbor Oswego Becomes Duer's Home which had been developed by the From New Orleans William United States government. Flour Duer moved to Oswego in 1835, mills soon appeared and con­ arriving here sometime in the fall tinued to increase in number un­ of the year. Oswego, like New til several were in operation, and Orleans, possessed many oppor­ along the wharves numerous for­ tunities for a young lawyer, al­ warding houses had been erected. though on a much smaller scale. Many factors were in evidence to It was located at the mouth of invite any young man with vision the Oswego River, one of the few to Oswego. But there were other rivers of the continent flowing considerations as well which at­ in a northerly direction and tracted hither young William draining inland New York. The Duer. There were not simply an potential commercial possibilities opportunity to practice law or Of the village were recognized to engage in commerce but more early by the French and English especially the need of managing who early contested for its large patrimonial holdings of land strategic location in order to which were increasing rapidly in command the commerce of the value. The prospects for further rapidly developing Great Lakes land speculations were also in­ Basin. Goods could be brought creasingly good. A large portion of the lands li. JtaM, p. 40. which William Duer came to Os-

—95— wego to manage were part of the The subscribers numbered over old Hamilton tract which follow­ 100, many of whom were very ing the death of his father, had prominent men of that time of become the principal assets of the state and nation including, the latter's estate. Governeur Morris, Richard Var- The Hamilton Lands ick, John Lawrence, Egbert Ben­ son, Hezikiah Pierpont, DeWitt Alexander Hamilton had ac­ Clinton, Thomas Buchanan, James quired land in the Oswego area Roosevelt and J. Van Rensselear. from Jacob Marks who had in Whether these people were ever 1795, purchased them from John reimbursed we do not know. Title and Nicholas Roosevelt. The to the land in the Hamilton Gore Roosevelts, in turn, had been as­ was eventually vested in Egbert sociated with George Scriba's orig­ Benson as trustee through the inal purchase in 1793 of 500,000 will of John Lawrence, and also acres, largely located in Oswego vested in Rudolph Bunner and county. The Marks holdings were William Alexander Duer as trus­ acquired by John Lawrence in tees through the will of John B. 1802. Lawrence acted for himself, Church. It appears that young John B. Church, and Alexander William Duer was to benefit Hamilton, the last two named eventually from the activity and being sons-in-law of General position enjoyed by his father, Philip Schuyler. The three men John Duer, and his uncle, Wil­ continued to hold the land jointly liam Alexander Duer. These two until June 28, 1804, when a par­ gentlemen, through inheritance tition deed was drawn up giving and purchase were able to obtain to each specific lots. Hamilton's large holdings in "the gore." Wil­ share being triangular in shape, liam Duer later continued his therefore bore the shape of purchases and enlarged the hold­ "Hamilton's Gore" as it appeared ings already obtained. The pattern upon early county maps. The of transactions seemed to have •'gore" included all land on the been to have the lands pass from east side of the Oswego River Rudolph Bunner, wife and others south of East Bridge Street to to John Duer and son William or the Oswego city line. The apex, directly to William. The bulk of extending into the present town these transactions occurred in the of Scriba. years 1834-37, but thereafter con­ In preparation for his famous tinued to appear in the records duel with Aaron Burr, Hamilton until 1849. deeded his holdings in Oswego County to John Lawrence, John Land Boom Of 1835 B. Church and Mathew Clarkson, Wild speculation in real estate to be held in trust for the pay­ had struck Oswego the year that ments of certain specified debts William Duer took up his resi­ of Hamilton. At a later date dence there (1835). Property Church, Lawrence and Clarkson, values advanced between fifty trustees under deed, and Na­ and seventy-five per cent and so thaniel Pendleton and Nicholas it may be supposed that Duer's Fish, trustees under will, issued holdings ran into a large sum of a joint trust deed to: Governeur money. Stories tell of three or Morris, Rufus King, Egbert Ben­ four acres of land selling for son, Oliver Wolcott and Charles $107,000 and property within the Wilkes. A provision of the trust course of one year being resold at deed provided for the sale of the over twenty times its original property to repay subscribers to a purchase price. Despite William shares agreement by which Duer's long residence in Oswego, Hamilton had raised money to it might be noted that no one to­ protect his estate from losses that day seems to know with certainty might arise through a forced sale. just where he resided, alhough it

—96— is suspected that he lived with his northeast favoring the National aunt and uncle in the old Bunner Bank and protective tariffs; mansion, located on Bronson Southerners of fine means favor­ Street, now occupied by Delta ing low tariffs, but hating Jack­ Kappa Fraternity of the Oswego son's new "Democracy and Spoils State Teachers College. System", westerners seeking Mr. Duer apparently succeeded greater internal developments, his father in the old law firm of pre-emption of public lands and "Duer and Babcock" whose of­ strong banks were all to be found fices were located on West First in the ranks of Whiggery. These Street, in the rear portion of a groups had little in common, ex­ building which stood on a site cept for their hatred of "King now occupied by the offices of Andrew". the "Oswego Palladium-Times." Although Anti-Masonry had Duer Enters Local Politics never developed great strength in Oswego, it had been a powerful William Duer's first activity in influence throughout New York the field of politics, which fasci­ State. With the demise of that nated him for the remainder of his spontaneous movement, new lead­ life, came, April 2, 1839, when at ers were to join the ranks of an annual meeting of the in­ Whiggery, adding to it the neces­ habitants of the village he was sary common touch so needful in elected a Trustee of the Village American politics. From the Anti- of Oswego. Another gentleman Mason forces came new leaders serving with Duer, was John B. such as Thurlow Weed and Wil­ Edwards, land agent of Gerrit liam H. Seward who were to Smith in the village. This office dominate the New York Whigs was to prove somewhat beneficial for many years. On the local level in lifting zoning restrictions an example may be noted in which would tend to depreciate Richard Oliphant, a former Anti- the value of certain properties. Masonic editor and leader, who American politics of the 1830's now transferred his energies and and 1840's were in a turbulent deadly pen to the cause of state. The fiscal policies of the Whiggery as the editor of the Democrats, the Panic of 1837, the "Oswego County Free Press". Al­ Canadian insurrection of 1838, the though no evidence exists that "Patriot War", The Main Boun­ Duer was ever an Anti-Mason, or dary dispute, coupled with the as­ even a sympathizer, it is not sur­ sociated factors of the movement prising to find him in the ranks for the abolition of slavery, immi­ of the new party. It had always gration and the disposition of been tradition among the Duers western lands all tended to keep to be Whigs, or shall we say to the political pot boiling. From the be found among the ranks of the northeast, south and west dis­ opposition party. satisfaction was to manifest it­ self in the rise of a new political The Campaign Of 1840 force, called "Whiggery". Wher­ The campaign of 1840 in Os­ ever transportation and commerce wego was to follow familiar pat­ thrived and men of fine or mod­ terns. It appears to have followed erate means gathered the new the same technique employed by party was quick to grow. Some Whigs throughout the country. have referred to it as "the party Indications are that the Whig of Clay and Webs',er", yet, it ap­ strategy was to commit their pears that it would have been party only in the matter of op­ more correctly described as a position to the Democrats. In Os­ loose confederation of opposition wego the Whigs were led by such parties and groups that consisted men as William Duer, Seth Swift, of "all body and no head". Con­ Thomas Bond and Henry Fitz- servative businessmen of the hugh with the orators being led

—97— by Duer. Their speeches were intimacy with Thurlow Weed at long, but confined to denuncia­ this time, was to become stronger. tions and laudations of William Henry Harrison. Clay's advice to "Hunkers" And "Barnburners" his fellow partisans "to get down To get the impression that New to the level of the people" were York State was controlled by a strictly adhered to because many united, well disciplined Demo­ voters still lived in log cabins and cratic party would be false. On drank hard cider. Here in Oswego, the contrary, the New York Dem­ the Tippecanoe Club was formed ocrats of the 1840's were divided and the log cabins were erected into two factions, the "Hunkers' in conspicuous places by gentle­ (conservative business Demo­ men of better than moderate crats) and the "Barnburners" means who oddly enough worked (radical rural voters). Whenever in their shirtsleeves packing logs issues between them became too with mud. William Duer and Ed­ great, the former would always ward B. Judson were the candi­ be counted to fall back upon the dates in Oswego County for the Whigs. Thus, we have a case state assembly. where the "Barnburners" appear Political meetings were held to be more numerous, but the throughout the county in the "Hunkers" seem to have exer­ newly erected log cabins, and cised a more conservative influ­ people were asked to enter in ence within their party. This to "receive the gospel light of situation was a result of their political truth". Young men were sliding technique. By gaining warned to vote Whig since all the Whig support, the "Hunkers" women were Whigs in sympathy. could chastise the more idealistic The gala gatherings consisted of Democrats, while furthering their dancing, singing and the serving own business activities at the of hard cider for refreshments. same time. The first split of the Along the canals small bottles of Democratic Party into "Hunker" hard cider, fashioned after a log and "Barnburner" elements seems cabin were distributed to the to have begun over the "banks". people. Everywhere the battle cry The election of 1846 was to see of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too" John Young, of Geneseo, a Whig, was to catch the fickle fancy of win out in the gubernatorial elec­ the country. So it went, one of tion over Silas Wright, the Dem­ the most spirited elections yet ocratic "Barnburner's" champion. recorded, sweeping Duer into the With cross currents running so State Legislature and sending the high among the Democrats in Democratic candidates down "in a New York state, the results sea of hard cider on the shoals of could not help but be favorable hard times." for the Whigs. Out of 34 repre­ During his two years in the sentatives in Congress, the Whigs state legislature, William Duer were to elect 23 and among these engaged in many verbal outbursts was to be found our William of oratory and became recognized Duer. for his deadliness in debate. Al­ ways castigating the opposition Duer Opposed Slavery with vigor and force, while with During his first term in Con­ equal vigor he defended his party gress, William Duer vehemently and principles from any such at­ attacked the pro-slavery elements tacks. Bills concerning the canal, and consistently voted in favor banks and railroad legislation of anti-slavery measures. On one seem to have been the main occasion, he accused a southern issues in the legislature with Duer representative of inconsistency appearing always to side with the and un-gentlemanlike behavior. interests of his constituency. His This altercation resulted in an ex-

—98— change of blows on the floor of used for the purpose of education the house. and that this territory would be By July 29, 1848, William Duer, organized and governed by Con­ it seems, recognizing the dangers gress. Lastly when the numbers of a sectional split in his party of free Negroes reached thou­ over slavery, appealed for unity sands, they would be vested with of Whiggery and tossed barbs at such powers of self-government the administration by trying to as are usually granted to the divert attention to the Mexican territories of the United States. War. During one of his speeches, Opponents condemned this pro­ he attacked Calhoun as one who posal in bitter tones, calling the believed that "slavery lies at the projected area, "Durea". foundation of everything that is Here was an attempt to spread excellent in government". oil upon the troubled waters or Perhaps Duer's attacks may was it designed to strike a blow have been to lay the foundation at a citadel of abolitionism and for support of Zachary Taylor as thus destroy the growing interest a candidate for the presidency. of an east-west axis of Whiggery He reprimanded the administra­ as viewed by Seward and Weed? tion for using war to serve its Already the strains upon the advantage, especially in playing Whig Party were noticeable, and politics, by disgracing generals— in Duer's constituency, meetings such as the court-martial of Scott of "Free Soil Whigs" were being and the proviso given to Taylor. held. Charges were made against Duer bluntly asked: Duer, as being a "Dough-face" al­ "Would the ideas have entered though Duer appears to have re­ the president's mind that as a mained quite consistent in at­ hero of war he might be re­ tempting to heal the feelings of elected?" Then he made reference the North and South. His em­ to Polk's order to Scott to with­ phasis seems to have been direct­ draw some of Taylor's troops, in­ ed toward maintaining the north- ferring it was done for political south axis of Whiggery. purposes by stating: " .. and in glorious retreat of inaction is use­ The Silver Grey Movement ful discipline for one running In 1850 Duer carried from about with the affections of the Washington instructions to the people; another hero he (Polk) Whig state convention meeting in feared". Syracuse as to what were to be the policies of the National Ad­ "Durea" Freedmen's Dream ministration headed by President William Duer also struck out Fillmore to the Whig Convntion. in favor of Congress regulating Duer's instructions were to take slavery in the territories. It ap­ any necessary action to assure pears that Duer had made a reso­ the nation, that New York Whigs lution which in effect called for were not in accord with the the establishment of a portion of "Higher Law Doctrine". Indica­ public lands, for the exclusive use tions were that the time had ar­ and possession of free-black per­ rived for Seward and Weed to sons above the age of twenty-one. make the break with the Fillmore Given so many acres of land to men, and so, despite efforts to be made productive for so many effect a compromise by Duer and years, they would be entitled to Francis Granger of Canandaigua, receive the same land free of all the Seward wing purposely cost or charges whatsoever. In­ created an uncompromising issue. dividuals and the government William Duer and Francis Grang­ would be barred from making er with 39 men bolted the conven­ sales in this area to any white tion. Duer wired to President person. It also provided for cer­ Fillmore: "Affairs at a crisis, tain portions to be set aside and convention split wide open.

—99— Granger and your friends gone to lief that he was still actively en­ another house". gaged in land speculation while a This faction led by Granger and resident in California. Duer has since gone down in his­ Duer's Return To Oswego tory as the Silver-Greys, the name being derived from the fact Late in the year 1859 or early that Francis Granger had long 1860 William Duer returned to grey locks of hair as had many Oswego. Soon he was in the midst of those sympathizing with him of the presidential campaign who followed him from the Con­ which preceeded the Civil War vention Hall. and was to result in the election This split was to signal the of Abraham Lincoln to the presi­ death blow to Whiggery as a pow­ dency. The utter confusion of the erful force. It also marked the political atmosphere of New York withdrawal of William Duer from in 1860 is almost beyond descrip­ the national political scene. Only tion. "Barnburners" were now twice had the Whigs been able called "Softs"; "Hunkers" became to elect a President, both men be­ known as the "Hards" while ing Generals, and twice death "Nativists" or "Know-nothings" struck, removing each man short­ and old-Whigs, plus new Repub­ ly after he had taken the oath of licans crossed and recrossed party office. lines so that it is most difficult to discern any pattern. A group Duer Removes To California of old Whigs now called them­ In 1851, William Duer was ap­ selves "Constitutional Unionists" pointed United States minister at and in their ranks Mr. Duer was Valparaiso, Chile. He served in this to be found. post until 1853 when he was re­ In Syracuse the Democrats ar­ called by President Pierce. From ranged the now famous "Syra­ Chile, he proceeded to San Fran­ cuse Juggle"—a fusion of the cisco and settled in that city, Douglas and Bell electoral tickets. practicing there his profession of The "New York Tribune" declared law. In 1856 he appears to have that the Bell electors were to been associated with the Honor­ catch the old "Know-Nothings" able Bailie Peyton, retaining law while Douglas electors, it was offices at 157 Montgomery Street. hoped, would draw the Irish and In 1857 he was elected to the of­ Germans. Some had hopes that fice of County Clerk by the the election would be thrown into 'Peoples Party." The "San Fran­ the House of Representatives so cisco Alta" had the following to that John Bell of Tennessee say pertaining to his candidacy: would be chosen president When "Judge Duer is our candidate for in October 1860 the Douglas men County Clerk, a lawyer, deeply held a ratification meeting in read in his profession and possess­ New York City, more fusion of ed of admirable practical ability, tickets took place, Breckinridge he is well qualified for the office being added. The ticket as finally for which the people have called completed represented Douglas, him. His appointees will be Bell and Breckinridge. A last gentlemen of character and minute gathering of Constitution­ ability". The campaign was ap­ al Unionists, held in Troy, en­ parently conducted on local issues dorsed the complete fusion ticket and Duer was elected by an over­ as drawn up in New York City. whelming vote. In 1858, Duer was admited to Duer Opposed Lincoln's Election practice in the Supreme Court for William Duer threw himself the State of California. It is wholeheartedly into the campaign. reputed that from 1858 to 1859 he His stump-speaking efforts tran­ earned well over $40,000. There is scended Oswego County on behalf some evidence to support the be­ of the "Fusion Candidates."

—100— "Traitor, Turn-Goat, Renegade, wards of the City of Oswego. and Political Jackie," were but a From these purchases, we may few of the condemnatory adjec­ believe, that he ultimately realiz­ tives of abuse hurled at Duer ed a handsome return. from the pages of the "Oswego Sometime in 1863 or 1864 Wil­ Commercial Times." The paper liam Duer removed to New also mocked the Democratic gath­ Brighton, Richmond County, New erings as being made up of old York, where he lived in retire­ "Know-Nothings" and "Fusion ment until his sudden death on Men" as being men of "Confus­ August 25, 1879. His funeral was ion, having had too much fusion held in Trinity Church, New with spirited waters." The "Os­ York City, and his body was wego Palladium" stormed back interred in Silver Mount Ceme­ that the opposition was made up tery, Tompkinsville, Staten Is­ of those advocating, "disunion, land, New York and seeking bloody votes." Mean­ "Renegade" or "Patriot" Wil­ while, Duer withstood the abuse liam Duer was nevertheless a and continued his speaking tours personification of the turbulent throughout the county. In his politics of a passing era. He had speaches he pleaded for harmony, mastered with such skill the dif­ warning that votes against the ficult art of judging men, that union ticket would ultimately be they often overlooked his stead­ votes for war. fast devotion to common-sense, In the village of Mexico, a large compromise, and peace. Much as parade was held with bands and he admired his own party, often floats. Mounted upon each float as he praised it wisely, he never was to be found a beautiful young thought of the union other than girl depicting each of the states. in terms of the welfare of each Those representing the Southern and every part of it. States were chained and dressed Whoever endeavors to look at in black. Such were the tactics the record will find it hard to employed by the Republicans in doubt that William Duer loved his that crucial campaign, and to country quite as well as any of them William Duer was always to the brave men from either North be remembered as the "Rene­ or South who heard the guns of gade" for having shifted his Gettysburg. It is not unlikely that original attitudes upon the slavery he loved it even better. question. Duer Supported War 15. Fitzhugh to Smith, August 14, 1835: Gerritt Smith Miller Collection, Following the election of 1860 Syracuse University. Duer appears to have withdrawn 16. See: Impressions of the Village from politics. However he was of Oswego by a Canadian Visitor, still considered as a prominent Oswego Palladium and Republican gentleman, and during the war he Chronicle, June 2, 1830. used his talents in backing its 17. "Hamilton's Will," copy to be found filed in the Oswego County prosecution in sharp contrast Clerk's Office, Book No. 382, p. 366. with the "Copperheads", Dem­ 18. See: Document 1825, defining ocrats who opposed the war and ownership of various parcels. Oswe­ Lincoln's efforts to to save the go County Clerk's Records, Oswego, New York. Also Ct. Book Nos. R, S, Union. and P. pp 418 and 319. The last appearance of William 19. Ct. Autobiography of Wm. Met­ Duer in Oswego was made some­ calfe Clark, which is in the pos­ session of the Onondaga Historical time during the winter of 1863. Society. Gives description of an auc­ At this time he bid in the sale of tion in Oswego at the height of the lands belonging to George Tall- land boom. man, and for the sum of $9,000, 20. See: Minutes of the meetings, he was able to obtain large tracts April 8 and April 15, 1839. Records of the Village of Oswego, New York: of lands in the First and Third 1828-1848, (Oswego, 1874).

—101— 21. The Oswego Free Press, Anti- 29. Oswego Daily Commercial Masonry paper edited by Richard Times, Sept. 18, 1848. Ct. Richland Oliphant, became the Oswego County Courier. September 17, 1848. Whig, in 1838—edited by Richard Oli­ phant. 30. Paper read before the Oswego Historical Society by Dr. Payback, 22. See: Oswego County Whig and concerning Wm. Duer's participation Oswego Palladium, for the summer in the "Silver Grey Movement," Os­ and fall of 1840. wego, N. T., 1949. 23. Oswego County Whig, February 31. Returns were as follows: Duer— 10, 1841. Ct. Albany Evening Journal, 6,278 votes, Hayes—3,903 votes—as February 5, 1841. Also see, Duer to reported by the San Francisco Alta, Weed, May 24, 1841 and October 8, Sept. 5, 1857. 1S41, Thurlow Weed Papers, Univer­ sity of Rochester. 32. Ibid. 33. Ct. New York Tribune, August 24. Mitchell, Stewart, Horatio Sey­ 10, 1860. Attacks Duer's actions in mour of New York, (Cambridge, California. Mass., 1938) pp 56-58. 34. Mitchell, Horatio Seymour of 25. Congressional Globe, 30th Con­ New York, p. 218. gress, 1st Session, Speech by William Duer in the House of Representa­ 35. See: Oswego Palladium and Os­ tives, February 14, 1848. wego Times for September and Octo­ ber, 1860. 26. Ibid. 36. Oswego Times, October, 1860. 27. Ibid. 37. Oswego County Clerk's Office, Bk. Nos. 94 & 96, pp. 306 and 307— 28. Congressional Globe, 30th Con­ Copies of Tallman Land Sale. gress 1st Session, Speech by Mr. Sawyer of Ohio, June 22, 1848 in the 38. Ct. The New York World, Au­ House of Representatives. gust 27, 1879.

—102— STANDING COMMITTIES 1952

Headquarters Council

Class of 1953 Class of 1954 Class of 1952 Mrs. F D. Culkin Miss Anna Post Mrs. D. A. Williams Robert L. Allison George M. Penney Harry C. Mizen Leyden H Brown Dr. C. R. Baldwin Charles W. Linsley Alfred G. Tucker Richard C. Mitchell Mrs. E. M. Anderson Homan F. Hnllock E. M. Waterbury Fred S. Johnston

Membership Grove A. Gilbert, Chairman Mrs. Audrey W. Hadley Mrs. Florence S. Babcock Fred B. Scoville Mrs. Frances Dann Dr. Eugene Anthony F. Hosmer Culkin Mrs. Charles Denman Robert L. Allison Joseph Hubert Mrs. Karl Kellogg Mrs. De Earl Goodrich Lester G. Turney Mrs. George M. Penney Dearborn V. Hardie Henry D. Morse Miss Sophie Crandell Peter D. Vercrouse John Culinan, Jr. Miss M. Louise Driscoll John T. Sullivan Clark Robson Miss Marian Mackin Willard J. Hall Dr. Howard M. Crandafl Miss Frieda Schuelke Frederick Kent Marcus Craha.n Miss Anastasia Casey Fred P. Wright Dr. Grover C. Elder Mrs. Percy Payne Dr. Emerson J. Dillon Fred S. Johnston Mrs. E. M. Anderson Warren M. Carrier Thad W. Harding Mrs. R. E. Grove Glenn J. Streeter

Accessions

Charles A. Denman, Chairman Miss Helen Osborne Mrs. Karl Kellogg Joseph T. McCaffrey Miss Frances Eggleston Mrs. Frank Elliott Col. Philip R. Ward Miss Anna Post Mrs. T. P Kingsford John C. Henry Miss Juan ita Kersey Mrs Frederick Conde J. Elet Milton Miss Ruth Hawks Mrs. Elizabeth Maltby Oscar Soule Miss Mabel O. Burt Mrs. B. T. Mason Dwight L. Murphy Miss Martha Harding Mrs. Hattie D Meade Clayton I. Miller Miss Agnes I. Farrell J. C. Birdlebough Hadwen C. Fuller Miss Florence Thompson Elliott B. Mott H. Louis Wallace Mrs. Mary J. Dodd Floyd S. Spangle William S. Hillick Mrs. Leyden Brown Moses P. Neal Francis T. Riley Mrs. Earl V. DeLong Dr. Harvey S. Albert son James H. Mackin Mrs. Grove A. Gilbert George M. Fannin Dr. Thomas R. Miller Mrs. Clark Morrison Dr. J. B Ringland E. D. Street Mrs. C. R. Baldwin Kenneth West Hon. D, P. Morehouse Mrs. Frederick Leighton Frank Crandell Louis F. Cornell

Miuseum Arrangement and Protection

Anthony Slosek, Chairman Mrs. Daniel A. Williams Miss Frieda Schuelke Mrs. Willard J. Hall Mrs. William F. Conough Miss Anna Post Mrs. C. K. Seymour Mrs. James Lally Miss Frances Eggleston Miss Elizabeth Miller Mrs. B. T. Mason Miss Elizabeth Simpson Francis T. Riley Mrs. D. V. Hardie Mrs. John S. Parsons George M. Penney Mrs. Floyd L. Spangle Mrs. J. K. McCruddan Charles Denman Miss Marion Mahar Mrs. Robert L. Allison Fred P. Wright Dr. Norman Whitten Rodney Johnson William White Miss Sue Saunders Miss Florence Distin Mrs. Fred Hillick Miss Anna Rice Mrs. Fred N. Palmer Miss Grace Lynch Miss Kathryn Reilly Mrs. Kathryn Murphy Genn Swanson Mrs. Ada Coles

—103 Program Dr. C. M. Snyder, Chairman Mrs. Arthur V. DeLong Miss Jane McGrath Dr. Harold Alford Br. Lida S. Penfield Miss Anna Post Dr John W. O'Connor Miss Elizabeth Simpson Mrs. Frank Elliott Miss Mabel Osborne Miss Ruth A. Raby Harry C. Mizen Miss Marion Mahar Dr. Charles F. Wells Dr. Charles McCoo! Snyder Miss Frieda Schuelke Rodney Johnson Dr. Donald Snygg Kermit Kuntz Dr. Harvey M. Rice Frederic Winn

Library Miss Helen Hangar, Chairman Mrs. Ethel P. Dunham Miss Elizabeth Simpson J. C. Birdlebough Miss Juanita Kersey Harry C. Mizen Miss Ruth Thomas

Ways and Means Committee Mrs. Charles F. Wells, Chairman Miss Ruth A. Raby Mrs. Thomas Miller Mrs. C. A. Baldwin Miss Virginia Dain Mrs. Luther Mott, Sr. Mrs. B. T. Mason Miss Marion Mahar Mrs. Samuel M. F. Peters Mrs. E. Elliott Mrs. Ralph Faust Grace Lynch Mrs. WiUard Hall Mrs. David M. Russell, Jr. Miss Doris Osborne Mrs. John E. Hawley Mrs. Donald Snygg Miss Florence Distin Mrs. H. F. Hallock Mrs. Alfred G. Tucker Miss J. C. Birdlebough Charles Denman Mrs. D. V. Hardie Mrs. Edwin Waterbury Mrs. Mrs. Daniel Ingram Elizabeth Simpson Miss Juanita Kersey Miss Anastasia Casey Mrs. Ruth Thomas Miss Lucille Leanor Mrs. Charles W. Linsley Miss Hugh Barclay Mrs. E. M. Anderson Miss Mrs. Grove A. Gilbert Mrs. Committee on Historic Sites Edwin M. Waterbury, Chairman Robert L. Allison, Sr. Mr. Charles E. Denman, Ralph Faust Dr. Charles R. Baldwin, Brewerton Mr. Harry C. Mizen Fulton Mr. Hadwen C. Fuller, Mr. J. Elet Milton, Mr. J. C. Birdlebough, Parish Brewerton Phoenix Mr. Grove A. Gilbert, Mr. Luther W. Mott Mr. F. Hosmer Culkin Fulton Mr. Georgre M Penney Mr. Thomas A. Cloutier Mr. Homan F. Hallock Dr. Charles F. Wells Mr. Charles W. Linsley

Care and Display of Prints, Photographs and Paintings Miss Frances Eggleston, Chairman Miss Juanita Kersey Mrs. D. A. Williams Robert L. Allison, Jr.

Genealogy Mrs. C. D. Hitchcock, Chairman Mrs. Carolyn G. Whitaker Miss Josephine Pidgeon Joseph T. McCaffrey Mrs. Frank Elliott Miss Ruth Hawks John M. Hurley Mrs. J. J. Morrill Miss Kitty M. Crandell Marcus N. Wadsworth Mrs Francis M. Johnson Miss Mabel O. Burt George F. Scriba Miss Helen Osborne Burt C. Van Buren

Auditing Alfred G. Tucker, Chairman Harold A. Hubbard Clarence T. Leighton

-104— Junior Historians Miss Margaret McDonald, Chairman Miss Virginia Dain Anthony Slosek Clarence Cole Miss Marie O'.Grady

Publications 'Mr. Ralph Faust Mrs. Ethel P. Dunham Miss Elizabeth Simpson Glenn J. Streeter Dr. Lida S. Penfield Earl Peglow Thomas A. Cloutier Dr. Thomas R. Miller

Press Relations E. M. Waterbury, Chairman Mrs. Audra Hadley Mrs. J. C. Birdlebough John M. Hurley Miss Ruth Thomas William S. Hillick Miss Mabel Osborne Joseph Ross

Necrology Miss Helen Osborne, Chairman Miss Josephine Pidgeori Thomas Cloutier Mrs. J. J. Morrill

Photographic Preservation Robert L. Allison, Jr., Chairman Raymond Carpenter Homatn F. Hallock Dr. Harold D. Alford Frank Barbeau Nelson B. Hall

Auxiliary Committee Oswego Couunty Historical Society Mrs. Robert Allison, S] Mrs. Lyman F. Hull Mrs. Joseph Ringland Mrs. Doris Allen Miss Sarah Lowrey Mrs. David Russell, Jr. Mrs. Leyden Brown Miss Margaret McDonald Mrs. Daniel A. Wiliams Mrs. Jessie Benson Miss Nora Mylchrest Miss Flora Hohman Mrs. Thomas Cloutier Mrs. Jay D. Myers Mrs. La Verne Tollerton Miss Glendolin Coe Miss Gertrude Miller Mrs. Naomi Ellis Mrs. Hosmer Culkin Miss Alice Miller Mrs. Chester Ferguson Mrs. Edward Crawford, Sr. Mrs. Alice Orzek Miss Mary Goodwin Miss Louise Driscoll Miss Marie O'Grady Mrs. Clarke Jackson Miss Frances Eggleston Mrs. John S. Parsons Mrs. Grant Linsley Mrs. Arthur Graves Mrs. George S. Penney Mrs. C. D. Partrick Miss Mary Hunt

Reception Mrs. Frank Elliott, Chairman Mrs. Harvey M. Rice Mrs. J. T. Sullivan Mrs. Charles A. Denman Mrs. Donald Snygg Mrs. Carl Seymour Mrs. Frances Dann Mrs. Charles F. Wells Mrs. George A. Marsden Mrs. Eugene Anthony Mrs. Phillip B. Ward Mrs. Joseph B. Ringland Mrs. W. A. Durfee Mrs. Joseph Hubert Mrs. Thomas R. Miller Mrs. Willson P. Smith Mrs. T. A. Cloutier Mrs. Ralph M. Faust Mrs. E. M. Waterbury

House Committee Mrs. F. D. Culkin, Chairman Miss Anna Post Mrs. Willard J. Hall Mrs. Ralph M. Faust Mrs. Grove A. Gilbert Mrs, Dan Williams Mrs. Robert J. Beattie Mr. Miss Frances J. Eggleston Charles Linsley Miss Louise Farrell

—105— TAD W. HARDING Lacona, N. Y„ May 4, 1951 MISS ELIZABETH McGRATH Oswego, N. Y., November 25, 1951 MRS. JOSEPH CAREY Syracuse, N. Y., December 13, 1951 MRS. T. P. KINGSFORD Oswego, N. Y., January 8, 1952 PARKER WRIGHT Pasadena, California, January 12, 1952 FRANK E. DRAKE Oswego, N. Y., February 16, 1952 COMMODORE J. M. GILL Oswego, N. Y., January 14, 1952 MISS CYNTHIA BEADLE Oswego, N. Y., July 17, 1952 MRS. FRANK WHITCOMB Fulton, N. Y., August 1, 1952 C. M. ALLEN Fulton, N. Y., August 8, 1952 HENRY D. MORSE Cleveland, N. Y., November 6, 1952 MRS. A. C. HALL Oswego, N. Y., November 19, 1952 DEARBORN V. HARDIE Oswego, N. Y., November 23, 1952 MRS. CHARLES BALDWIN Fulton, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1952 EDWIN M. WATERBURY Oswego, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1952

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