Palmyra and Vicinity
WRITTEN BY
THOMAS L. COOK
1930
Press of the Palmyra Courier-Journal
Palmyra, N. Y.
Note: The text of this book is in the public domain.
No US copyright is stated nor implied.
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PALMYRA AND VICINITY
At the close of the Revolutionary War there was agriculture and commerce, but no manufacturing by which to give employment;
consequently farming was the only occupation open to the young men of ambition and enterprise.
After returning from the war they began to look around for an occupation suitable to them for their life work, but as
there was nothing much to choose from but farming, they began to look around for a choice in location. Those who had been
up in the northern part of New Hampshire were very much pleased with the Connecticut Valley. A good many young men married
and settled in that part of the country. When their children grew up they heard of the good opportunities in northern
New York, around Potsdam and Parishville in St. Lawrence County. The latter township was nearly all settled by people from
Grafton County, New Hampshire. Other soldiers, after returning from the war, who had been in the western part of the country,
thought very favorably of the Genesee country which at that time included nearly all western New York, and among the very
earliest settlers of this country was General John Swift and his brother Philetus. After the close of the Revolutionary War
they removed to a disputed territory in Pennsylvania. General Swift had a commission and was at the battle of Wyoming and
was also engaged in the Pennemite War where he set fire to a Pennemite block house and received a shot in his neck. After
the massacre of Wyoming a remnant of the settlers resolved to seek another home.
John Swift and John Jenkins were appointed agents to select and purchase land for their occupation. John Jenkins had been
employed by Phelps and Gorham as a surveyor and was acquainted with the Genesee country. In 1789 they purchased the township
of land known as Wayne County in which are the towns of Macedon and Palmyra.
Swift made the first settlement, built and occupied the first trading house where now stands the village of Palmyra, then
called Swift's Landing, at the mouth of Mill Brook, now just north of the Barge Canal on Railroad Avenue. Jenkins built a
tavern under the brow of the hill on the bank of the creek about two miles below Palmyra village.
His party consisted of four men, Harris, Earl, Baker and Rawson. Near the cabin was the hunting camp of Tuscarora Indians
to whom provisions upon several occasions, had been given. Early one morning the Indians crept up to the cabin, put their
guns through between the unchinked logs, chose their mark and fired. Baker was killed, Earl was wounded and the others were
unharmed.
Jenkins and Rawson each seized an ax as they sprang from their blankets and met the Indians as they rushed from the hut
and eventually
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drove them into the woods where they were lost to sight. In the melee Jenkins and Rawson managed to wrest two rifles and
a tomahawk from their assailants.
At daylight Jenkins and Rawson, after burying the body of Baker, set out with Earl, the wounded man, to seek assistance
and spread the alarm of a possible Indian uprising. After traveling the better part of a day through the woods, the party
reached a small collection of log huts on the site of the present Geneva, where a possee was organized to search for the
troublesome Indians.
Since the close of the Revolutionary War the American government had sought to make agreeable settlements with the Western
New York Indians, who, claiming they were so bound by treaties, had mostly sided with the British in the struggle. Colonel
John Butler's Tory Rangers, an organization of British sympathizers from the Mohawk and Susquehanna settlements, that with
their Indian allies had strewn death and destruction through the backwoods settlements of New York and Pennsylvania during
the war, still made their headquarters at Fort Niagara, which was not given up by the British until 1796, following an
agreement over the New York and Upper Canada boundary line.
The Rangers were not hesitating, either, to keep the Indians stirred up over the steady westward advance of settlers from
the eastern states and the Hudson River valley settlements into the fertile wilderness of the Genesee country that returning
soldiers were so enthusiastic over.
Nevertheless it seemed it was partly hunger that led the four halfstarved Tuscaroras to attack Major Jenkins and his party
of survivors that March night, for when the men returned from Geneva with the possee bent upon searching out the Indians
responsible for Baker's death, they discovered that the Indians had been there before them and rifled the camp of the small
store of flour and pork and other provisions.
Taking up the trail of the Indians, who had recently left the hut, laden with plunder, the Geneva party followed it southward
for several days and at last came upon two Tuscaroras in the woods near the Indian trading post called Newtown, on the
Chemung river, six miles south of the present Elmira. The surveyors who had accompanied the Geneva possee, declared that
these Indians were with the party that had attacked them in the darkness at their cabin.
With Johnstown, the nearest jail, many days march to the east, and with consequent small chance of getting the prisoners
there, and with the trails still watched by patrols of Butler's Rangers, it was decided to give the Indians a trial by jury
then and there and dispose of them likewise.
The verdict of the court was "Guilty." The prisoners were sentenced to death. Horatio Jones and Jasper Parrish, two Geneva
residents employed by the United States as interpreters in dealing with Indians, were present at the trial. The prisoners
were blindfolded, led into the woods and each dispatched with a blow on the head from the tomahawk captured by Jenkins
and Rawson when the camp was attacked.
The barbarity of this act, the aceounts of the execution state, were
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excused by the exigencies of the times. Electrocution as a means of capital punishment was then unknown. There was no
rope handy that day on the wooded banks of the Chemung River. The executioners fell back upon the old English custom of
putting a man out of misery with an ax. Having no broad ax with them the men of the law substituted the primitive Indian
weapon, the "tomahawk."
All this end of the state was then called Montgomery County, which included all New York State west of a line drawn through
Schoharie, north and south.
The news of this attack resulted in the abandonrnent of the Susquehanna movement and Swift went to Massachusetts, Connecticut
and Rhode Island where he labored to induce immigration. When Swift and Jenkins bought this township, range 2, they at once
began to survey off farm lots along Mud Creek.
The second settler in Palmyra was Webb Harwood and with him came David White. His death and funeral was the first in Palmyra.
Harwood died in 1824. Lemuel Spear is given as the third settler. The land he purchased at that time he paid 20 cents an acre
for. Mr. Spear lived in his wagon until he could build a log house. He was from Massachusetts and had served in the
Revolutionary War. Mr. Spear had purchased from Isaac Hathaway, land, paying for the same 20 cents an acre and on this tract
settled a mile west of Palmyra village. He moved his family during the month of February, 1790. He came on with two yoke of
cattle, some cows and a number of sheep. He found his way by blazed trees from Vienna to his purchase and his sled ran roughly
upon little less than a track. The weather was mild and the stock fared well upon the growth of the fiats, a portion of which
had been known as Indian Village. The family, eleven in number, passed several months in a covered sleigh and rough hut until,
having cleared and planted a few acres, they had time to build a log house. They brought with them provisions sufficient for
a year and either killep. as they needed for meat or traded with the Indians for a supply of venison, and when the few acres
had been harvested they got along passibly well. Shortly after the Spears had settled, Ebenezer, a son, made a journey on
foot to Schenectady to purchase some wine for Mrs. Harwood, who was ill. He was fourteen days on the way, carried his food
in a knapsack and slept under shelter but four of the thirteen nights. The incident illustrates the true neighborly feeling
then proverbially present. He died in 1809. His last surviving children were Ebenezer, Abram and Stephen. The latter kept
the homestead.
Ebenezer speaks as follows concerning current events: Our first boards came from Granger's saw mill on Flint Creek. Several
years after we came in, Captain Porter built the first farm barn, and my father, the next one. I burned the first lime kiln
west of Seneca Lake for General Nathaniel Taylor of Canandaigua.
In 1794-5 Abraham and Jacob Smith built a mill in Farmington on the Ganargua Creek, previous to which we used to go to the
Friends' Mill in Jerusalem (now Penn Yan).
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The first corn carried to mill from Palmyra was by Noah Porter. He went to Jerusalem with an ox team in 1790, taking ten days
in going and coming. His return was hailed with great joy, for pounding corn was hard work. Our coffee was made of burnt
corn; our tea of hemlock and other bark and for chocolate, dried evans root was frequently used. Burnt corn cobs were used
for saleratus in cooking.
It was well for the pioneers that they had been brought up in the school of experience and knew how to avail themselves of
the most scanty resources. Sometimes the supply of flour would be nearly exhausted. The corn was ground in a hand mill. In
the woods was plenty of game. The streams were full of fish. The pioneers could not bring any household goods with them,
therefore they brought only things most needed, many times living in the wagon until a log house could be built with no
nails, with bark roof and stick chimney plastered on the inside with blue clay, wooden hinges with wooden latches for the
door, using a splint broom instead of one made of broomcorn. They also brought appleseeds to plant and start an orchard.
Some of the old trees can be seen today in the country; and have grown to be very large. The fruit was nearly all natural
fruit. They also brought gourd seeds to plant so as to grow their own dippers. An eavestrough was made out of elm bark that
conveyed the rain water to a trough made from a basswood log. This was their cistern for rain water.
Their farming tools were very crude, perhaps the plow would have wooden mould boards, or they might have a wrought iron plow
called the "bull plow." When the point became dull it was taken to the blacksmith's to be sharpened. A drag was made from a
tree crotch, the teeth were large and most always dull.
Too much praise cannot be given to the women who had bade farewell
to kin and kindred to venture a residence in an unbroken wilderness to make their home far from neighbors, waiting for other
settlers to come in and share with them. But with undaunted courage and visions of a brighter day they pressed on to reach
the goal.
The amber smoke that curled from the stick chimney and floated skyward told the story that the foundation had been laid for
civilization and prosperity.
Mud Creek almost from the start became a navigable stream as far west as Macedon, and was for a time the Mississippi of
this country. It has been claimed by some that Swift's Landing was at the forks of Red Creek near the Central depot, while
others say at the mouth of Mill Brook, which would be near the Barge Canal. This is where Milford Galloway told me it was.
He said his father, Thomas Galloway, who was one of the old pioneers, told him so.
This little settlement was known for miles around as Swift's Landing. Sawmills and blacksmith shops were built, and the
settlers who came later could build their log houses with brick chimneys instead of sticks and blue clay, and with shingle
roof instead of bark. Nails made by the blacksmith had to be sparingly used. A log store was put up on the site
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of the New York Central depot by Zebulon Williams who kept supplies suitable for the times, and they could sell their wheat
to Mr. Williams for 35 cents per bushel.
But the time at last came when the town was to be called Tolland instead of Swift's, Landing. But this name was not pleasing
to the citizens. In 1797 between March and June a meeting was held to fix upon one of the names that should be suggested.
Daniel Sawyer, the brother of Mrs. Swift, was then for two reasons in a literary mood. First, he was engaged to Miss Dosha
Boughton, the first school mistress. Second, he had been reading ancient history. Doubtless thinking that as ancient Palmyra
had a Zenobia, so his modern heroine should have a Palmyra. It is not strange that he should urge this name with felicity
and success. It was adopted with acclamation and the name of Swift's Landing, and Tolland, henceforth are to slumber on the
pages of history.
The trials and privations of the early pioneers were many. Sickness and death were not of rare occurrence. The forms of
disease and accident were numerous. Scarcely had the log hut in the clearing betoken occupation, ere a lonely grave bore
silent witness of human destiny. There was often lack of care on account of small quarters. The neighbors were kind and
tender to the bereaved and hastened to give all assistance in their power.
But as the country became cleared and the health of the pioneers began to improve, everything began to look brighter.
But with all these hardships there was a charm in those old log cabins that lingered in the hearts of those old pioneers,
and the story of the old log cabin days and pioneer life in after years they loved to relate.
With the women, the hum of the wheel and the beat of the loom, was music to their ear. To them it was pastime to convey the
yarn from the spindle to the reel. And the bright prospects of the future was their happy dream.
The husbands' horny hands betokened hard labor. He smiles as he watches the rank wheat nodding in the wind, or the tall
corn spreading out to shade the rich alluvial soil.
The year of 1811 finds Palmyra village with stores, shops and other enterprises to accommodate the people.
But a war cloud is rising in the East that is threatening the pioneers' home. The demands of England, our government cannot
accept, and war is declared and the old flint lock musket is once more called upon for protection.
The new settlers had hardly gotten upon their feet when they were called upon in defense of their country. Some went to
Niagara, Pultneyville and Sackets Harbor. The farms and all business had to be left to the women and a few men who stayed
at home and looked after things as best they could.
With the assistance of neighbors the families raised a good many crops, which they harvested.
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Economy was again their watchword. Care and anxiety pressed heavily upon the wives and mothers at home.
On February 16, 1814, glad tidings came to the heavy hearted. A treaty had been ratified by the Senate. Peace was declared
and the War of 1812 was at an end. The news was received with great rejoicing.
In this war General John Swift was made brevert General. Once more the hearts of the pioneers ware saddened, when in 1814
while at Queenstown Heights, led by a party to Fort George, were he captured a picket post, and some sixty men. An oversight
permitted the prisoners to retain their guns, and when one asked of them: "Who is General Swift?" he answered, "I am General
Swift," and in an instant a shot was fired, and General John Swift received a fatal wound. The late Dr. Alexander McIntyre
was standing by his side and he fell into his arms. He was taken to the nearest house and there died.
He was buried July 12, 1814. When the war was over the citizens of Palmyra exhumed his remains and they were buried in the
old cemetery on Church Street in this village. His age was fifty-two years and twenty-five days.
The New York Legislature, out of respect to his patriotism and bravery, presented a sword to his oldest son and dedicated
a full length portrait of General Swift to be hung up in the city hall, New York.
And here, too, another one of the first sacrifices to the War of 1812, was from this place. Major William Howe Cuyler was
the first lawyer that opened an office in Palmyra, a man still remembered for his public enterprise. He was the aide of
General Hall. On the night of the 8th of October, 1812, he was killed at Black Rock by a four-pound ball from the British
battery at Fort Erie. The ball that passed through his body came into the possession of his son, William Howe Cuyler of
this village.
In 1791 Swift built an ashery on the bank of the brook on the south side of East Main Street, where in 1800 a man by the
name of Wilson built a tannery on the same site of the ashery. That same year Henry Jessup came from Southampton, Long Island,
to Palmyra, and located permanently in 1806. Shortly after, he entered into partnership with Mr. Wilson in the tanning
and curing business. After a short time he purchased Mr. Wilson's interest and for a time operated the business alone.
Several years later another ashery was built on the north side of the canal of which more will be said as we advance in our
journey.
Benjamin Palmer, father of George Palmer, immigrated to Palmyra in 1796, where he died shortly after, leaving his family with
small means, to struggle with the hardships incident to life at that period in such a wilderness as was western New York. The
toils and privations of boyhood served to nurture the qualities of self-reliance, endurance and daring. The means of acquiring
scholastic education, as now understood, were not accessible to him, and the limited attainments of his life in this direction
were the fruits of unaided efforts in hours snatched from the repose which labor served to demand. He learned his trade as a
tanner of Mr. Munson
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of East Bloomfield, Ontario County, and after working for Mr. Henry Jessup at Palmyra for two years, formed a partnership
with him in 1814, which continued successfully and mutually satisfactory until 1828. In 1817, March 24, Mr. Palmer married
Miss Harriett Foster of Palmyra, and commenced housekeeping in a gambrel-roof house on Vienna Street, just east of Johnson
Street.
After being in company with Mr. Jessup for fourteen years, which had proved to be a financial success, the field at Palmyra
had become too limited for the expansive views of Mr. Palmer, and after an examination of the advantages presented by
Rochester and other promising points, he selected Buffalo as his future home. Selling out his interest to Mr. Jessup and
taking the money he had made in the tanning business in Palmyra, he moved to Buffalo in 1828.
He erected a large tannery and carried on a large business. He also became interested in various other enterprises that
proved very profitable and with his keen judgment he became wealthy. Years afterwards his name was good for thousands, when
he was conducting large operations, and controlling vast public trusts, and his name was highly respected at home and
abroad. Mr. Palmer was very much devoted to the church to which he belonged. In 1857, he built a beautiful structure on
Delaware Street, known as Calvary church, at a cost of eighty thousand dollars, and the whole was conveyed July 7, 1862, to
the society now occupying it. Mr. Palmer died September 19, 1864.
The firm of Jessup and Palmer carried on a large business in tanning, curing, buying hides, selling leather and shoemaking.
The tannery was located on the same site of the Galloway malt house. At that time they had 127 vats that were all out doors
and called by the men, "The outdoor tan yard." The double house at the west end of the malt house was the hide house. The
firm employed 16 apprentices and as many journeymen, besides farm hands and teams. As many as 35 or 40 of these men lodged
in the garret of the old vinegar factory at the west (then the shoe factory). This was called by the men "the sky parlor."
All boarded with Mr. Palmer.
Vienna Street on which Mr. Palmer lived was laid out in 1805, and at the time he lived here there were only 4 or 5 houses
between his house and the grist mill on the ea.st end of Vienna Street, which was then called Hen Peck. The west end was
called Aarondale iIi honor of Aaron Bristee, the only colored man in town with a family. In 1818 Mr. Palmer built the first
barn on the street. General Rogers being at the raising of the barn, took charge of the ceremonies, naming the building by
breaking a bottle and calling out, "The chief depository of Aarondale." At the shoe factory the firm employed a good many men
making boots and shoes. This old building was afterwards used for a steam grist mill and was run by George Jessup.
In the 70's Mr. Taylor bought the property and enlarged the building and had a vinegar factory for a good many years, then
later a malt house. Now it is owned by C. A. Sessions and has been for several years.
In 1832 the vat system at the old tannery was done away with when
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a brick structure was built and the work was all done under cover. This improvement vias made four years after Mr. Palmer
had withdrawn from the firm. After carrying on the business alone for a time, Mr. Tuttle became a partner. The firm name
became Jessup and Tuttle, which continued until 1865, when the building was burned and the tannery business came to an end.
Later the late James Galloway acquired the property, enlarged the building and converted it into a malt house. He also put
up a steam saw mill in the rear. Logs were bought in different parts of the country, floated down the canal and sawed into
lumber. In the 90's Mr. Galloway sold the entire plant to Mr. Merrick of Lyons. After a short time he started to improve
the property and after paying out a good deal of money and the malting business began to wane, he abandoned the project
and the plans were never carried out. The double house we see at the west end was remodeled and has been occupied since as
a double dwelling house. Around 1900 the late Fred W. Clemons bought the property. (The double house was once the hide house
for the tannery.) When Mr. Merrick stopped work on the building, that was the last attempt to keep the building up and it
fast went to decay. In 1928, Mrs. Melissa Knapp purchased the old wreck and tore it down. The future will reveal its fate.
Mrs. Knapp passed away in August, 1930.
Across the way from the shoe factory are the old General Swift buildings where in 1816, a sign "Drake's Wagon and Sleigh
Shop" could be seen. The cellar at the old Swift house is in the north end but not much like a modern cellar.
At the foot of Main Street stands the old George Jessup house. He was the son of Deacon Henry Jessup who died in 1854. In
the 30's this old white brick house was one of the finest in the village. Here Mr. Jessup lived and brought up his family.
He died in the 90's. His children had already married and gone away, and with no one to look after the property, this once
fine old brick house fast went to decay. The trolley company purchased the property. Now as we enter the old house and gaze
on its deserted and forsaken rooms that are open to all who care to enter, we catch a glimpse of the old winding stairs
with its hand carved railing that would do credit to anyone today to duplicate the same. In those days William Kellogg was
considered a fine workman and one of the best builders a.round. Many a fine house in town. built about that time, had a
hand carved mantel made by him, and this might have been some of his work. The old iron latches are still on the doors. The
old window sills made of solid oak being exposed to the weather all these long years, show that time has made its mark and
they are fast going to decay.
The time is not far distant when this old house will be torn down and the old Jessup house at the foot of Main Street with
its solid and uncracked walls that has stood the test for so many years, will be forgotten. When Henry Jessup, sr., came to
Palmyra he bought a good deal of the east end of Main Street, extending north, including the old electric light plant which
was at one time a dwelling house, then a shoe shop. Later Jessup and
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Foster in the 50's had a machine shop where they made grain drills and plaster sowers. Later W. H. H. Osborn had a dry house,
then came the electric light plant. After serving in this capacity for several years it was at last torn down. Mr. Jessup's
land extended east so as to take in the Dealer's factory. The east line wa.s the east line of George Jessup's lot extending
south as far as Vienna Street, west to Mill Street, thence west to the east line of Charles Johnson's lot extending south
from Main Street to the brook.
Before the Erie Canal went through, the street past the gas house on Railroad Avenue, was not opened up. The Montezuma
turnpike extended past the Dealer's factory to Jessup's corner, but when the canal went through, the state had to take care
of the little brook that runs under the canal. A culvert had to be made to carry the water under the canal, so they made it
long enough, so they could layout the street by the gas house. Later in the 50's they widened the canal and when the old
wooden bridges had become unsafe they had to have new bridges. They were made of iron and were longer. The State would not
build two bridges and the town could not afford it, so the one on Throop Street was not put up. Mr. Jessup went to the
village board and wanted to have the land come back to him, but this the trustees of the village refused to do. Therefore
it still remained a street. Now the old canal is filled in so that traffic is again opened up which adds very much to the
safety since the coming of the automobile.
At the coming of the Erie Canal a large warehouse called Jessup's warehouse, was built at the east end of the basin on Throop
Street. Here Messrs. Davenport, Barnes & Co., carrjed on a very heavy produce and commission business besides a store. This
building in the 50's was occupied by Philip Palmer and Henry Tallou, who were in the produce business for a time, when Mr.
Tallou withdrew from the firm and Mr. Palmer carried on the business alone for a time. He closed the business in 1857 and went
West where he died a few years later. The old warehouse, after standing some time unoccupied, was finally burned. At that
time it was owned by the late William Everson. In the 80's James Galloway purchased this lot of Mr. Everson with the intentions
of erecting a warehouse in which to store his malt, but he soon sold the malt house and with him the malting business was at
an end. After a few years the vacant lot was sold to W. B. Clinton who put up a little shop on the lot. Now it is owned by
the Palmyra Creamery Co. This basin was made to accommodate the warehouse where they could come up with their boats to load
them. This was called Jessup's Basin. Here was the first collector's office, conducted by Philip Granden, which was later
moved to its present location at Roger's basin at the foot of Market Street. South of the Jessup house was the home of John
Drummond, who came here in the 30's. One of his daughters married Richard Rapalee and one married Calvin Brown of Shortsville.
Later Owen Burns, the cooper, bought the place and used the old house for a storehouse. About 1915 Charles O'Conner bought
the property, made a good many repairs, when once
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more the old house became a comfortable dwelling house. It is now owned and occupied by Harvey Bump.
We will now pass the old school house and leave its history for a later date. Adjoining this on the south was the home of
the late Henry Addicott, a native of England, who came here in the 30's. Later he bought the corner lot of Mr. Jessup, built
the present house and lived here until his death which occurred in 1889. When he first came to Palmyra he worked at odd jobs
such as sawing wood and other work. Later he teamed it. At that time General Rogers owned the land where the cemetery now is,
which then was all woods. Mr. Rogers had cut the most of the timber but there was still a good deal of timber left, and he
told Mr. Addicott he might have the rest of the timber if he would clear it off. This offer Mr. Addicott accepted which
paid him well. In 1843 the village bought this land for a cemetery and Mr. Addicott was its first sexton. Later he went
into the coopering business, in which he continued until the 60's, when the Burns brothers came from Pennsylvania and bought
him out. He then bought a piece of land on the east side of Howell street and opened up a sand pit where he sold and delivered
thousands of loads of sand. After Mr. Addicott's death his son, George, came into possession of the property. George died
several years ago. His widow is still living on the place, thus keeping the old homestead in the family over 80 years. Another
son, Benjamin, now lives in the village and all those who know him could say he was an honest man. When I was a boy 6 years
old, Mr. Addicott made a lasting impression upon my mind. One day when he was sawing wood for Mr. Nettiville, who lived in
the house where Andrew Luppold now lives, and I lived in a house 10 or 12 feet east, that since has been moved on Fayette
Street and has been occupied for several years by Robert Hart, (We had just come from New Hampshire) I brought out my little
ax to split a few of the easy sticks when Mr. Addicott made a proposition to me that if I would split wood he would bring me
a big apple, when he came back from dinner. lIe could not have made an offer that would have pleased me better for in New
Hampshire fruit was scarce at that time and the thought of having a big apple was a pleasure beyond anything I can explain,
but when he came back from dinner no apple came. I asked him for the apple. All the answer I got was a grunt, but imagine
my disappointment, but the old man never heard the last of it for as long as he lived I dunned him for the apple and all I
received from him was a smile.
Now let us take a stroll down Vienna Street. Beginning at the southeast corner of Vienna and Johnson Streets we find
standing on the corner a little brick house built in the 50's by the late William Henderson, who at one time ran a livery
stable in company with his brother-in-law; Orvil Hibbard, at the foot of Market Street, back of the Ziegler shop, later
occupied by Seneca Robinson. The property was owned by Carlton Rogers and was burned in the 80's. Mr. Henderson was in
the business in the 50's and 60's. At his death the little house came into the possession of his son Richard, and at the
son's death the property was sold to Michael Carey, whose family now occupies the same. On the east, about 1907,
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Thomas Cunningham built this modern house. Mr. Cunningham, who was a section foreman on the New York Central, was retired
on a pension in 1929, dying shortly after. The place is now occupied by his son, T. J. Cunningham. Adjoining on the east
was the home of John Hibbard for nearly 50 years. He died about 1904. The place is now owned and occupied by Everett Robbins.
We now come to the old circus ground of the 40's. Later the late Albert Lampson purchased the lot and erected the present
house where he lived until his death which occurred in the 70's. For a good many years he was employed in the Bulmer lumber
yard. Mr. Lampson married the daughter of the late John Brown. At Mr. Lampson's death his son Arthur took the place, lived
here several years and then moved to New York. Then the place was taken by his brother-in-law, Edwin Tappenden, who is still
living there. Today there are but few living that remember the old circus ground. In the early 60's the late Albert Cray
bought a lot on the east. A number of years later he sold out and moved away. Now it is owned and occupied by John Callahan,
who has had several village offices and now holds a prominent position in the Dealers' Steam Packing Co., while his neighbor
on the west, Mr. Tappenden, held for over thirty years avery responsible position at the Garlock factory. In 1924, he was
put on the retired list under pay for his faithful services and today he is the good samaritan, looking after the sick. He
goes to any home, whether rich or poor, lending a helping hand to the needy, letting the people set their own price,
something which is very uncommon in these days. Recently he cared for Mr. Robert Hart, a Civil War veteran, who fell and
broke his hip some months ago. No one would be more missed than "Tap," if anything 'should incapacitate him. He has all the
paraphernalia of a physician. The citizens of Palmyra will forever owe him a debt of gratitude. Adjoining the Cray property
on the east stands a low old cottage built in the 40's by the late William Walton, a native of England. At his death his
son, William, jr., came into possession of the property, later his son, Alfred and still later his son owned this place,
thus passing on to the fourth generation. 'rhe property is now owned and occupied by Charles Robbins. On the east in the 70's
two little cottages were built, the one on the west built by Andrew Cavanaugh, while the one on the east by Daniel Hickey.
Now, 1931, one is owned and occupied by Jay Shear and the other by John Adams. We now come to a brick house built by a
Mr. Brown, who afterward sold out and moved to Shortsville. Later this place was owned by J. K. Willamson and now it is
owned and occupied by Walter Gorman. Passing on, we come to the Braman place which he purchased of a man by the name of
Harre. Mr. Braman was a tanner and currier by trade. At his death, which occurred in the 90's, the property was left to
his heirs. The daughter, Mrs. Flora Braman Moison is now living on the place. Adjoining on the east is the Carlton Lakey
home, son of Thomas Lakey, one of Palmyra's earliest settlers. Carlton died in the 80's. His widow, after living here
several years, sold the place to Harry Yerkes and moved away in 1924. The two little houses on the east are old land marks.
In 1849, William Pierce owned
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the west one, now owned by James Trotter. The one on the east is owned by Olin Van Cise. The next little brick house on
the east was built in the early 50's by Pliny Hibberd. Mr. Hibberd was a carpenter by trade. At his death which occurred
in the 80's the little house and four acres of land came to his son Thomas, who was a veteran of the Civil War. After his
death the village purchased the property, using the house for a home for the village policeman, Mr. Johnson being the
first village policeman to occupy it in 1923. After a few years the village sold the house and frontage to Paul Goodnow.
Crossing the cen1etery driveway our first house is where a Mr. Strong lived in the 60's, later sold to Colporteur Durfee
of Marion. After his death the late Augustus Jeffrey bought the place. He died in the 90's. His son Charles and daughter
Edna now live on the place. The John Parshall place comes next where his sisters lived. Now it is owned by Peter Molner,
a native of Holland. The late Patrick McGreal lived in the next house. He died about 1920 and the place went into the hands
of John R. Clifford. Now it is owned and occupied by Emil DeBuyser.
The two houses on the east were built by Guile & Jones and Lebrecht on lots bought off the Perry place. They were built
about 1912. The first is owned and occupied by LaMont Storr and the seeond by Clayton Sperry. In the 50's Anson Boyingtonl
bought the little seven-acre farm on the east. After living here a short time he died and the place was sold to Mr. Talcott,
who came here in the early 50's and was engaged in raising tobacco for several years on Maple Avenue. After being in the
business several years he sold the place on Vienna Street to a Mr. Walker and went back to Massachusetts. In the 60's the
late William Rushmore, who sold his large farm in Farmington, came to Palmyra, and purchased this place. At his death,
which occurred about 1904, the property was again sold and William Perry became the owner, a stock dealer. Now he is living
on the place.
In the late 50's Stephen Jerdon, the auctioneer, purchased the home and lot on the east. Since his death, which occurred
in the 70's, there has been several different owners. Now it is owned and occupied by Jacob Dayton. Next to the Dayton house
on the east has been built a new house owned and occupied by James Webster.
We now come to Howell Street, named after a Mr. Howell, one of the earliest settlers, who owned a farm west of here in an
early day, and laid out this street. I have been unable to get the exact bounds of this farm, only his west line was the
east line of General John Swift's 272 acres, whose west line was the west line of the Eagle Hotel. Mr. Howell, in laying
out Howell Street, kept a narrow strip on the east side of the street that could be sold off in village lots, of which
William Beck bought six acres, and built a house and barn on the corner of Vienna and Howell Streets. On the opposite corner
on the west stands a house built by the late William Foskett. Later Edwin Huxley became the owner, followed by Joseph
Gillett, then Frank Keller. Now it is owned by William Durkin.
Passing along on Howell Street our first house after leaving the corner on the west is a house built by William S. Avery.
Our next on the south is a house built by the late George Wheeler in the 50's. Mr. Wheeler was
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one of the earliest sextons at the Palmyra cemetery. He succeeded Henry Addicott. This office he held with honor until old
age compelled him to retire. He died in the 70's. Our next house was built by the late Charles Wright, who was for many
years a wagon maker with his shop on east Canal Street. Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Wright were brothers-in-law, each married a
daughter of the late John Brown. The Wheeler place, now is owned by William B. Clinton, while the Wright place is owned by
Lewis Carroll. Adjoining on the south is the home of Harriet Clinton, widow of the late Joseph Clinton. The Clinton place
is now occupied by Harlow Veeder, a son-in-law of Mrs. Clinton. Passing the Catholic cemetery we come to a small farm owned
and occupied by Daniel Vanderwege, bounded on the south by his son-in-Iaw's place, John Elias. Across the way on the east
side, is the Hornsby homestead, now occupied by Fred Hornsby and sister Millie Hornsby. Next on the south, down a lane,
is the well-kept home of James Noonan.
Just south of the Beck place on the southeast corner of Vienna and Howell Streets is a new home, built and owned by
Ernest Rush, and occupied, at present, by John DeCann, who is manager of the local A & P store.
Just east of the Beck place in early days stood an old land mark and for several years was occupied by the Porter family.
Later it was moved to the south end of Gates Street on the west side. It was owned at one time by Elmer Jones, followed
by William Parker, a native of Walworth, and a veteran of the Civil War, and it is now owned and occupied by William
Plummer. Next on the east is a new house owned and occupied by Harry Beach, followed by a new house owned and occupied by
Rev. Frank Cook, a retired minister.
The large brick house that stands back from the road was built in the 30's by Mr. Rossman, who sold the house and farm
to Samuel Horton in the 40's. Since then it has changed owners several times. Among some of the owners were Absolum Weeks,
Isaac Gifford, Merritt Sherman, and Joseph Mumby. Now it is owned and occupied by Henry Mason, whose son, Henry, has the
distinction of building the first airplane made in this town. Its first successful flight was made on August 19, 1930. All
this airplane he made himself, except the motor which is a rebuilt motorcycle engine. At one time this was a large farm.
Now, 20 acres are in the corporation.
Jesse Westfall built the house on the little 10-acre farm on the east, which he sold to Mrs. Draine, wife of Captain William
Draine, who was serving at that time in the Union Army. At his death it became by purchase, the property of the late Thomas
Cornwell, later by Mr. Klink, and now by James Fries. From the east line of this farm to the mill pond was a tract of land
extending south, containing about 30 acres, owned in the 50's by the late Ira Hadsell. We now come to the mill pond.
Let us now return to Throop Street, passing the Addicott house. As we go east our first house is the M. J. Gavin house.
Adjoining this on the east is owned by the heirs of the late Owen Burns, who came to Palmyra
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with his brother from Pennsylvania and bought the Addicott cooper shop on Throop Street. Mr. Burns was a cooper by trade.
In this shop he carried on an extensive business and employed a good many men making apple barrels and delivering them
through the country. This once thriving business has somewhat changed, the business began to wane. Mr. Burns became old,
the barrel factory was closed, the old shop was torn down and a dwelling house stands on the site and the name of Burns
Cooper Shop has passed into history.
Our next house on the east, away back in the early 50's, was the old "Black Bett" house, later the home of Frank Barks,
followed by Clark and Bert Storms.
In the 60's the late Alfred Sansbury bought the lot on the east, moved the present little house on this lot which he sold
in 1865 to Miss Amanda Bradley.
This little story she used to tell about Judge S. Nelson Sawyer, who lived neighbor to her when a boy. Back of their house
in the bed of the old Erie Canal was a pond of water, where in the winter the boys used to slide and skate. His father
had given him strict orders to keep away from the pond on the promise of giving a good whipping if found out, but one day
the temptation was too great and in an unguarded moment he went down to the pond and stepped on the ice which broke through,
getting both feet soaking wet. He went into Miss Bradley's where was always his refuge when in trouble. Here he stayed
until both stockings were dry, not forgetting to tell Miss Bradley not to reveal this act of disobedience to his father.
This old lady died in 1929, being over 94 years old and the place is now owned and occupied by Abraham Johnson, who lives
there alone.
The three houses on the east, for a good many years, were owned by the late William Foskett, who followed boating all his
life. The west house was occupied for a good many years by his brother, Augustus. The Foskett family have all passed away.
William died in the 80's. Augustus was a tailor and died about 1912. After the death of William, John Hennessey purchased
the middle house. The daughter of William Foskett now lives in the east house and James Fox owns the west one. In the 50's
the late Isaac Tabor purchased the lot, built the little brick house on the east. Mr. Tabor was a carpenter by trade and a
son of Silas Tabor. Isaac was employed a good many years at the Bulmer lumber yard. He died in the 70's. His widow continued
to occupy the place for several years. At her death the place passed into the hands of Alice Gifford. It is now owned and
occupied by William Ray.
Clinton Tyler now owns the house on the east.
In the vacant lot on the east in early days a house was built and occupied by the late Benjamin Hibberd. After many years
the old landmark was torn down. On this same site Mr. Hibberd also built a twostory house on the east, occupying the larger
one: He also built the Tyler house which is followed by a new house which is owned and occupied by Mrs. Ida Webb; also
followed by a new cottage occupied by Mrs. Daisy
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Philley. When Tyler's house was first built, his son Ezra, who was a tinsmith by. trade, occupied this house for several
years. When he moved to Phelps where he died in the 70's, his brother Charles occupied the house west of the large one.
He died in the 90's.
Elizabeth Loudell, mother-in-law of Benjamin Hibberd, owned a large tract of land extending from the line of the large
house west, taking several lots; also all the land included in the old part of the old cemetery. Mrs. Gertrude Johnson,
whose husband was a war veteran, lives on the east, while the house to the west of the large Hibberd house is occupied by
Glenn Cunningham.
We now come to the old Graham place. Mr. Graham was a native of England, coming to this country in the 40's. He was a
carpenter by trade. He had two sons, Thomas and William, both serving in the Civil 'Yare There was one daughter. After
the death of Mr. Graham, which occurred many years ago, the property remained in the hands of the heirs until about 1918,
when it was sold after being made over into a double house. It is now owned by Abram Johnson.
Our next house is the old William Sampson house. Mr. Sampson was uncle to the late Admiral William T. Sampson. It is now
owned by Mrs. Alice Walker Middleton Button.
About 1921 James Middleton built a house on this lot and on the east side. He died in 1929. His widow, who subsequently
married Stanley Button, still owns the place. Then comes Michael Gorman's house, now owned by Richard Dunn. Adjoining
on the east is the new house built on the Walker lot by William. His father, Lemuel Walker, lived on the east.
Then comes the Garrison, Leland Cramer (Edwin Lawler), and the Rifenburg houses.
On the east is the house that Hiram O. Young built about 1905. Among the different owners have been Edwin Robinson,
Trautman, Durkin and Pembroke. It is nowˇ owned and occupied by George Pfifer.
The house on the east was built by the late William Jones, who was our street commissioner for several years. He was
killed instantly by accident. The place is now owned by Daniel McGuire.
We now come to Kent Street, which was opened in the 70's, but was never accepted by the village. The house on the northwest
corner was built in the 80's by a Mr. McLane and is now owned and occupied by Peter Gilman.
Passing along we come to a typical old New England house, owned in the 60's by a Mr. Earl, a blacksmith by trade. Among
some of the later owners were Taylor, Williams, Campbell and Ida May Clement.
The next house was built by the late William Brown, a native of England, now owned by Bert Rush. Our next house on the east
was once the home of James VanNess, a professional weaver, who came from Columbia County to Palmyra about 1838 or 1840.
Mr. VanNess bought a small lot on which he built the small house (now owned by Charles Hornsby residing in Lyons.) He built
a little shop, close to the walk, in which he commenced weaving carpets, blankets and coverlets, the latter of which
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he made a specialty in. Their artistic design and skill in workmanship was the admiration of those who saw them. These
attractive worĽs of art couldˇ be found in many homes in the surrounding towns. Many mothers had one woven to give to each
daughter. Now they can be found in many states of the Union where they have been carried by the children or grandchildren
and are fondly cherished by them as one of the dearest memories of the old homestead. In 1854 he sold out and bought a
small farm in the eastern part of the town. In 1862 he sold his little farm and moved to Hudson, Mich. About 1880, while
fighting a forest fire, he became tired and sat down at the foot of a tree to rest. A burned limb fell, striking him on
the head, killing him. He is survived by one son, Charles VanNess, a veteran of the Civil War, who is still living in
Hudson, Mich., at the age of 87 years. The next house on the east was built in the late 50's by William Smith, a native
of England. Now it is owned by William Van Conant.
Adjoining on the east is a little house, which in the 30's was owned by Silas Drake, called "Uncle Drake." He also owned
a large two-story house adjoining this, in which he lived. Mr. Drake had a little shop where he did repair work, such as
putting in cradle fingers and mending furniture. He also, at one time, had a little mill in the rear where he had a turning
lathe. Mr. Drake had no children. One morning in the 20's when he arose, and went to the front door, he saw a market basket
on the door step, and on inspecting it, he found a little baby boy, wrapped in a blanket. He took it inside and showed
the prize to his wife, and, in waiting in vain for some owner to call, he and Kazia made up their minds they would take it
as their own, and tenderly care for it and named it Leonard Drake. After the child had grown to be large enough, he became
handy with tools and learned to turn out different things at the lathe in the mill. About 1850 he was employed for a time,
working at the lathe in Henry Jenner's cabinet shop. About 1849 he was married to Calista Conant. In 1852 he moved to
Michigan where he died several years later.
Mr. Drake was one of the earliest settlers on the street, coming here in the 20's. When they became old, Josiah said he
generally cut the bread, for he could carry a little steadier hand than Kezia. Mr. Drake passed away in 1881, aged 90
years, and his wife died in 1874, aged 80 years.
We now come to the Ira Hadsell place, who, in the 20's, came to Palmyra and was also an expert weaver. In 1824 or 1825
he worked on the Erie Canal. After the canal was finished, he bought a little 30-acre farm at the south end of the mill
pond. Across the road he bought a lot on which he built a little house and barn, and carried on his little farm until
the arrival of Mr. Van Ness, when he hired out to work for the latter until he sold out in 1854. Then Mr. Hadsell bought
his looms and patterns and built a shop on his own lot, and continued in the business, until the patronage began to wane,
and rugs and carpets were bought more at the stores. Then he closed his shop and turned his attention to his farm, and
sold milk in the village for a number of years. He died in 1896 at the age of 83 years.
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Thus have passed away these two accomplished weavers and the names of James VanNess and Ira Hadsell have passed into history,
but their handiwork may be seen in all the surrounding towns, bearing silent testimony to their able workmanship. After
the death of Mr. Hadsell, his second wife and son moved to California. At the time the Drake house was burned the Hadsell
house and shop was also destroyed. Now there stands on each of these lots new and modern houses. On the Drake lot lives
Willis Beach and on the Hadsell lot lives Frank McGuire. The Beach house was built by A. Vanderwege.
We now come to the old mill property. On September 17, 1793, three brothers, Isaac, Jonah and Gilbert Howell came to Palmyra,
and arrived by the northern inland route, and bought a tract of land at the east end of the village, of which some say the
western boundary line was just north of the Throop house on Main Street, while others say it was the east line of the
George Jessup property. It extended as far north as Mud Creek, and as far east as the east line of Edward Bowe's land on
Vienna Street. These brothers brought with them irons and stones for a saw and grist mill. But as the stream was small and
furnished water only Spring and Fall, for the grinding of grain, the grist mill was abandoned, but the saw mill was used
for nearly a hundred and twenty years. Of the Howells, Jonah was the one who carried on the mills. After living in a log
house for a time, he built a house east of the mill and on the north side of the road, in which he lived. Vienna Street was
not yet laid out until 1805. In the 70's Valentine Natt bought the property on the east side of the brook and built the ice
house on the south side of the road and sold ice in the village. In the 60's Ezra Chapman came from Massachusetts to Palmyra,
bought the mill and the house on the west side of the brook and ran the saw mill several years, and when the logs became
scarce and it no longer paid to run the saw mill, it was converted into a cider mill where they also ground sorghum. Mr.
Chapman died in the 80's. Robert and Ezra Sutton came to P'almyra in the 80's and bought out Valentine Natt and Mr. Chapman.
They carried on the ice business and ran the cider mill for a number of years, until they sold out to Henry R. Wissick in
1902. In 1914 Edward Bowe acquired the property and still owns it.
Long years have passed sinc.e the little grist mill ground the first bushel of grain to help feed the early pioneers. The
arm that guided the mallet and chisel to dress the stone that ground the grain is forever stilled. For more than 120 years
the old mill stones lay slumbering unconscious of the past, in the back yard on the west side of the mill, when a few years
ago the yard was filled in, covering the old mill stones and now no one knows of their habitation.
Let us once more return to Throop Street. Across from the Jessup basin still stands the old Throop tavern. Its first
occupant for a short time was a man by the name of McDonald. Then came Benjamin Throop from Maine, a native of England and
a sailor, who came to Palmyra just before the Erie Canal went through, bought out McDonald and moved into this tavern with
its brick cellar kitchen in front, now looking very much
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as it did 100 years ago. He did a thriving business while the canal was being dug. Many a time someone had to sleep on the
floor for want of beds. In front, directly opposite the door was a watering trough with a wooden pen stock. The water came
through wooden logs. This faithful old fountain slaked the thirst of many a man and beast. Many a boy and girl on their way
to and from the old stone school house, as a token of respect, would take a social draught from this old fountain. When the
New York Central went through, this watering place was moved further west to a place called the Diamond, thus giving better
accommodations to the public. These old watering places will soon be forgotten and known only in history.
The old red barn and shed that stood in the corner east of the tavern to accommodate the public has long since been torn
down and dwelling houses are occupying the site. In one corner of the old shed could be seen for many years the old cannon,
"Young Hickory," mounted on wheels, waiting the return of another Fourth of July. Then the boys would draw her up on
Prospect Hill long before daylight, load her up and touch her off, thus notifying everyone in the village that the glorious
old Eagle was again on the wing and "Young Hickory" was again to proclaim it, while in the valley below, Erastus Kellogg
played upon the fife, and his brother William beat upon the bass drum and Edwin Tyler put the extra touches on the snare drum.
At one time when "Young Hickory" was called upon to make a speech in front of the Exchange Hotel, one man who was full of
glory, wishing to introduce "Young Hickory" to the audience, touched her with a lighted cigar, but "Young Hickory" said,
"Hands off. I do my own talking." And for the next two weeks this man could be seen carrying his hand wrapped in a sling.
This old-time custom has long since passed away and no one today can tell whatever became of "Young Hickory." As to those
old musicians who were at that time in the prime of life, when the Civil War broke out, they answered their country's call
and went forth in the defense of the Stars and Stripes. Edwin Tyler died with small pox. The Kellogg family consisted of five
boys and three girls. Four of the boys went to war, but one, Milo, the youngest of the family, returned. He died in 1908.
Erastus, William and James never returned. One of the girls married Eugene Smith, the other married William Gilbert. Both of
these were in the army and returned at the close of the war, but with broken health. Of all these, not one of the Kelloggs
are living today and only known as history records them. Gilbert 'died in the 70's and Smith died in the 80's, and of these
old musicians, who never returned, friend or stranger, when in the Village Hall can read their names chiseled in the marble
tablet with the names of other comrades who laid down their lives for the Stars and Stripes.
On the east corner of Mill and Main Streets stands the old Jessup block. This building once ran to the south. A portion of
it was turned around so as to face Main Street. While the tannery was running, it was used for a boarding house and was called
the Long House. In the
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80's the late George Williams purchased this property, made a good many repairs. About 1900 William Darling bought the
property and now is still the owner. Many and many are the tenants that have moved in and out of this old building, some for
a short time while others stayed longer. The old building looks very much as it did over 80 years ago.
As we pass down Mill Street, which was laid out in 1833, resurveyed in 1852, our first house on the east came into the
possession of George Williams, whose name has been mentioned before. He was a contractor and builder. In the 70's he
remodeled this brick house and lived here until his death which occurred about 1902. In the 40's, where this brick house
stands and the one south owned by John DeVuyst, was a part of the mill yard for the old Jessup saw mill that stood on the
east side of Mill Street, while the pond was on the west side. The mill yard extended across the brook and around on the
north side of Vienna Street as far as the Garlock house, corner of Throop and Vienna Streets.
At that time there were no houses here and where all those houses now stand was a mill yard where farmers piled their logs
that were drawn in the Winter to be sawed into lumber, each taking his turn on the list. This street was only a lane, for
it was filled with logs and there was barely room to drive through with a wagon.
In the 40's Draper Allen ran the mill which was kept going during the Winter and Spring months whenever there was sufficient
water. General Swift erected this mill at a very early date, and from this old mill went lumber to build many a house and
barn for the earlier inhabitants of the village and town. The old mill has long since been torn down and no track or trace
of it can be found where once it stood. The name of Draper Allen has been forgotten. When Route 20 went through, the old
mill pond was used for a dumping ground. Little cottages now dot the old mill yard where the logs were piled up to wait
their turn to be sawed.
Speaking of the old mill yard: As late as in the 40's there were no houses from the Long House on the east side of Mill
Street and the north side of Vienna until we come to the corner of Throop and Vienna Streets. On this corner in the early
40's stood an old wood-colored house of a fair size, and was evidently the first house made of frame built on this tract,
for at the time Mr. Jessup came into possession of this property it had barely been cleared of forest trees. I have been
unable to locate Mr. Jessup's early residence. He would naturally build on his own land and at that time this would be
considered a good location. Vienna Street was laid out the year previous to his coming to Palmyra and Throop Street was
a main thoroughfare. Taking all this into consideration it would go to show that this was at one time his residence.
In the early 40's a man by the name of Bristol lived here. He was a cooper and had his shop just north of the house.
Please do not get this shop mixed with the Burns shop that was further north. In 1845 the late Augustus Soper lived in
this house. His son Adelbert was born in this house and spent all his life here in the village. Later the late Morrison
Ford bought the property, and lived here until his death which occurred
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in the 90's. Mr. Ford was street commissioner for several years in the village. After his death Olin J. Garlock purchased
the property, enlarged the house and converted it into a fine, large double house and is still the owner. Among the houses
that now occupy the old mill yard on Vienna Street: The first house west of the Garlock house is the Thomas Maley house.
The house adjoining on the west was built by the late Samuel Sawyer. Among the different owners were Spencer Stephens, a
Civil War veteran, at one time in the clothing business on Market Street; later a man by the name of Herendeen. Now, and
for several years previous, it has been owned and occupied by Judson Garlock. In the 40's the late Isaac Besley built the
little one-story cottage on the west. After his death the little place passed into the hands of John K. Williamson. Later
Charles Lebrecht became its owner. He built a small house on the east side of the lot and sold it to Charles Brownell who
is living there. The original Besley house is owned by Mrs. Mary Zonneville. The house on the west was once owned by Pliny
Sexton. Among the different owners were Albert Tremper and it is now owned by Edward Farrell. In passing I would say Mr.
Besley was once a business man in our town in the 40's. He had a grocery store on the dock; later a store in the Sanford
block. The little house on the corner west was built in the 70's by the late Richard Pritchard. Among the different owners
were Mrs. Eugene Conant, Garry West, a Civil War veteran and John Adams. Now a gas station adjoins the house which is
owned by William Orlopp.
The Jessup tract extended west of Mill Street to the east line of James Galloway's east line. Later it was owned by the
late Charles Johnson. It is now owned by the heirs of the late Lillian Garlock. It also extended from the south side of
Main Street on the north to the south side of the mill pond on the south. Mr. Jessup gave it to a daughter shortly after
her marriage to Joel Foster, who later became one of the firm of Jessup & Foster in the shoe business on Main Street. On
the west lot Mr. Foster erected a fine, large, two-story house, where he lived until his death, which occurred in the 70's.
Mr. Foster came to Palmyra in early life. After his death the property passed into the hands of James Smith. In the 80's
Delos Cummings purchased the property, enlarged the house, put on a third story and opened it up as a hotel and it was
called the Cummings House. This did not prove to be a paying investment. After a few years it was sold to Olin J. Garlock
and Mr. Cummings moved away. Mr. Garlock converted the building into an apartment house and heated it with steam coming
from the factory that was just south of the office. After keping this property several years he sold it. Since then it
has had several owners.
Our next house on the east was the Tuttle house. Mr. Tuttle was a tanner by trade and was for several years in the tanning
business in company with Henry Jessup. In the 60's the old tannery was burned and the business was closed out, and Mr. Tuttle
moved away. Later John C. Coates acquired the property and after living here several years sold the little old house to
George B. Parker, who had a shoe store in the Jarvis
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block. He named his store "The 400." The little house was moved on the west side of Cuyler Street. Now it is owned by
George McKnutt. It is located on the north side of the brook. Mr. Coates built a fine house on the site of the old one.
About 1910, he sold this place to F. E. Jackman, who had a laundry on Williams Street. About 1923, George Heath, a native
of Palmyra, who, when a young man, went to New York and after a while, wishing to retire somewhat from business, came back
to his home town, bought out Mrs. Louisa Smith, who at that time owned the property, and lived in a house adjoining on
the east, and east of this is an old land mark, but it has been greatly changed from 85 years ago, wh.en at that time
old Mrs. West lived here. She was a great friend to the children and a dear woman. Her husband was a saddler by trade and
died in the 40's.
Two of her daughters were missionaries in a foreign land for a great many years. After the death of Mrs. West the place
changed hands several times. In the 90's the late George Barnhart bought the place from George French and remodeled the
house. Mr. Barnhart was killed several years ago in an automobile accident. His widow, in 1925, married William Spier and
is still living on the same place.
Our next on the east in the 70's was owned and occupied by James Hersey, who was a mechanic of more than common ability.
In the 90's Mr. Hersey sold to George French and moved East where he died. Mr. French, for a great many years, was manager
of the gas works. Now the place is owned and occupied by Frederick Smith. This house was moved here from Catherine Street.
His neighbor on the east was Mr. Millard, a millwright by trade. In the 50's he bought the lot and built the house. After
his death the late John Brick bought the property and lived here several years. After his death, which occurred in 1911,
the place was sold to George Throop. Adjoining on the east was the home of Aschel Hildreth, who moved from Canal Street
in the 50's and built this brick house. Mr. Hildreth, as well as his neighbor on the west, was a mill wright. He had one
daughter, who married a man by the name of Howe. After his death Hattie Hildreth Howe became a teacher in the Union School.
This position she held a good many years, and no doubt she is remembered by a good many of her scholars today.
Our next house on the east was built by John Van Dyne, who was a carpenter and lived on Mill Street. At one time the late
Joseph Rogers owned the place and lived there. In 1922 William J. Eibler bought the place of Mrs. Martha Elliott and covered
the outside with stucco. It is now owned and occupied by Isaac Van Overbake.
We will pass on to the corner of Mill and Main Streets. Up to 1923 there stood here an old landmark. There are but few
living in town today
that know that next to the first school house in town stood on this corner.
This was called the
Democratic school house. After the three school
districts came into being, which was in 1835, Mr. Henry Jessup bought
the old school house, and made it into a tenant house. In the early 40's the
late Anson B. Clemons lived here, father of
F. W. Clemons. In 1850 Mr.
Banks sold his house on Main Street, (first house west of the Baptist
32
church), and bought the old school house. He put an addition on the south and lived here a good many years.
In the 70's he built on the same lot the present house, standing on the west. He moved into the new house and rented the
old one. Mr. Banks died several years ago, leaving the property to his three daughters. In 1922 they sold the old place
to Reeves Parker, who tore down the old house to erect an oil station. Thus has passed forever away one of the oldest
land marks in the village.
Mill Street, although not regularly laid out until 1833, does not mean it was not open to the public until then, for the
saw mill was built long before that, and before the saw mill was built this was a runway. In 1852 it was again surveyed.
As we pass along the west side of Mill Street the first house is that of Benjamin Dart, who built this little red house in
the 30's. He died in the early 40's, leaving a widow and two daughters. One daughter died in the early 50's. The other
daughter, Eliza and her mother died a good many years ago. The place came into the possession of a Mr. Wood, a wagon maker,
a native of Canada. At his death which occurred in the late 80's the place was left to his daughter, Alice Wood Hickock.
She is still living there. The brick house on the south was built in the 40's and has passed into many hands. The little
white house near the brook was built in the early 40's by John VanDyne, who was a carpenter, with his shop in the rear.
Now it is a dwelling house, owned and occupied by Jacob Shuler.
Since Mr. VanDyne's death there has been several owners. Fred Kelley at one time owned the property and lived there several
years. Now it is owned and occupied by Orla Lowe.
Let us pass down Catherine Street, which was regularly laid out in 1854. Previous to this it had been called Chapel Street
as far east as Throop Street. In pioneer days, a street that passed a church many times was called Chapel Street. In 1811,
when the Methodist Church was built on Johnson Street, it being so near what is now Vienna Street, it was called Chapel
Street. At that time there were no houses west of Throop Street. The survey of Catherine Street began at the northwest
corner of James Sampson's lot and the northeast corner of William Pritchard's lot, and extended west to its present location.
Then from the east end of Catherine Street east, it was called Vienna Street, and the name of Chapel Street was discontinued.
The first house on Catherine Street, going west, was built by the late George WilliamR in the 50's, when he first came to
Palmyra. After living here a while, he sold out and lived on Mill Street, as before mentioned. Now the place is owned by
Virgil Bitterman. The second little cottage is where lived the late Franklin Bogart, (colored) a war veteran, a substitute
for P. T. Sexton and was always provided for as long as he lived. The other little hous.es had many owners.
This now completes our journey over the Henry Jessup tract. Many have been the changes since 1806, when he first came to
Palmyra. The stumps of the primeval forest trees on Main Street had not yet rotted away. The streets were rough land only
fit for the clumsy ox cart. The
33
streets were lighted only by the glimmering light of the moon. The canal and railroad was only a chance dream in the midnight
slumber of the pioneer.
It is impossible for the young people of today to realize the situation of 120 years ago and can know it only through
imagination by story and in song.
On the west corner of Johnson and Vienna Streets is the house where the late Admiral William T. Sampson was born. In 1829
Abner Lakey purchased of Peleg Holmes a corner lot on which he built the house in which Admiral Sampson was born. It was
later sold to a man by the name of Crowe, who came from Marion. After Mr. Sampson's occupancy, in the early 50's, the place
came into the possession of the late Walter Stephens, who had a second-hand store a good many years on Market Street. After
his death, which occurred in the 80's, the place has had different owners. Now it is owned and occupied by Mary S. Parker,
daughter of the late James Galloway, one of the old pioneers of the town. Mrs. Parker has occupied the place several years
and still retains a good deal of the pioneer energy. One time while her house was being remodeled she thought she would
take a hand in the game by putting up the scaffold and laying 5,000 shingles.
Leaving the old Sampson home and passing on west, adjoining the Sampson lot was William Pritchard. In the 70's a Mrs. Butler
owned the place. Now it is owned by Mrs. Louise Whipple, who has been its owner for several years.
Adjoining on the west was a little red house, owned by a Mr. Dillon, who lived here in the early 40's. He had a round,
freckled-face boy by the name of Pat. Although he wore but one gallows and wore no buttons on the wristbands. to his shirt,
Pat wanted to see fair play, and if he saw a larger boy picking on a smaller one, Pat was soon in the fight. Long years have
passed since the Dillon family lived here. Others have owned the place. Around 1900, William S. Avery built the present
house on the same site. He was followed by John Garlock, who made some improvements and lived here until his death, which
occurred in 1925. "Uncle John", as he was called, was the father of Olin J. Garlock.
Adjoining on the west, in the 70's, was the home of the late Richard Pritchard. After his death, which occurred in the 80's,
the place was sold to William Wackman. He died about 1908. His widow died about 1922. The place now is owned and occupied
by William Hassler.
On the west, in the 70's, lived the French family, but for a good many years it has been owned and occupied by Charles Wardwell.
Now let us go to Canal Street, which was opened up soon after the coming of the Erie Canal, but not regularly laid out until
December 27, 1830. It was to be called Hall Street and was to be 40 feet wide. It extended as far east as Holmes Street,
being named after Peleg Holmes, who gave the land which was laid out on February 22, 1828.
Mr. Holmes lived where O. J. Garlock now lives, on the corner of Main and Clinton Streets. His land extended as far north
as Mud Creek
34
and from Division Street east to Railroad Avenue and on April 24, 1829, Canal Street was extended east to intersect what
is now called Railroad Avenue. That part of Canal Street east of Holmes Street was to be 31 feet wide. The south line of
the Exchange Hotel was the north line of said street, thus leaving the veranda in the street.
The Exchange Hotel was built in the 30's by the late Butler Newton. At the west of the hotel he built a warehouse, called
Newton's Warehouse.
While Mr. Newton was putting up these buildings he lived in the little white house just across the canal. This house is
still standing. At that time it was a nice little white house, with a nice door yard fence in front and at that time a
reasonable distance from the canal, and considered a good location on account of its nearness to the canal. But when the
canal was widened in 1849, it encroached upon its frontage and brought the canal nearer to the house. After the completion
of the hotel, Mr. Newton moved in and was the landlord for a few years. About 1837 or '38 he sold out to Gilbert Howell.
In the very early 40's a Mr. Miller became its owner and landlord and a short time after, Jonas Huxley, who had for many
years followed boating, lived in and owned the little white house which he had bought of Mr. Newton. lIe sold the same to
Isaac Besley, who moved into it. After making this sale he bought the Exchange Hotel of Mr. Miller and became its landlord
and after being in the hotel business several years, in the 50's, he traded the hotel for a large fruit farm in Williamson.
Although a very lnoderate man he knew how to drive a good bargain. He died a good many years ago on the farm.
In the 60's Thomas Cram became owner and proprietor of the hotel. Previous to Mr. Cram's occupancy it was a two-story
building. While in Mr. Cram's possession it was nearly destroyed by fire. When rebuilt, another story was added, making
it a three-story building. For several years Mr. Cram had been conductor on a work train on the New York Central. After
running the hotel several years It was again sold and has had several owners since.
On the same site of the old gas house, the Thayer brothers had an ashery as early as 1826, where they carried on the
business for several years. About 1845 the old dilapidated building was torn down.
Just east of the Exchange Hotel, in that little three-cornered plot between the hotel and Railroad Avenue, Billy Doran,
who came to Palmyra before the canal was built, had a small grocery store, where he sold wet and dry groceries. This was
a good location and Billy did a good business. Later in the early 50's, he built a new store very much larger on the corner
of Holmes Street and Canal Street, where now stands the hardware store of Harry Young, and the little store by the bridge
became a shoe shop. Later, the little shop was moved to the basin, which was a little southeast of the hotel, where it was
again used for a shoe shop and carried on by John Mills; but its stay was not long. Soon Mr. Mills bought the old stone
school house on Throop Street and moved the little shop there where Mr. Mills occupied it as a shop the rest of his life.
The little shop is still standing. Mr. Mills lived in the school house.
35
Speaking of the Newton warehouse, which was used in the Fall, where they took in apples and potatoes: The late Solomon Butts
lived in one end and had a grocery store for several years, but the building became old and dilapidated. Mr. Butts moved
away and the old building was torn down and soon forgotten, and all those that did business here have passed away.
Passing on west we come to the Jarvis Soper blacksmith shop, which was enlivened by a little bantam rooster that delighted
in flying down from his perch and alighting upon the back of some horse, then strut back and forth and crow with all
vengeance that he possessed.
Later, Charles Wright had a wagon shop just east, where now stands two small dwelling houses built by Fred Clemons.
The Soper family consisted of five boys and one girl, who kept the house, their parents having died when some of the
children were quite young. Jarvis, being the older, kept the family together. The house in which they lived was just east
of the old furnace, and when the old furnace was burned, which was about 1849, the house burned with it.
Speaking of the old furnace, which was an old wooden building erected in the early 30's: The business was carried on by
Eldridge Williams, who lived in the large house east of Throop's' Hotel on Main Street. Later, David Porter Sanford, father
of Mrs. J. K. Williamson, became a partner for a time. In this old foundry they made stoves and plows. The iron fence in
front of the village park on Main Street was made here by William Parsons, Elisha Kellog and Hiram Kelley, who worked in
the foundry.
They also at one time cast all parts of a steam engine, which was loaded on a canal boat to go to Buffalo for installation
on a Lake Erie steamboat, but the canal boat sank and the engine was an entire loss to Williams and Sanford. Shortly after
the old foundry was burned, plans were laid for a new two-story building to be made of stone. The front was of lake stone,
drawn by Mr. Sanford from Lake Ontario.
Mr. Sanford was a brother of the late Amos Sanford, a prosperous merchant on Main Street a great many years. His wife was
a daughter of Butler Newton.
After carrying on the business a number of years the business was elosed out and Mr. Williams went to Michigan and Mr. Sanford
went into the grocery business on Main Street.
In 1861 the foundry was sold to John Bulmer, who came from Pennsylvania, and went into the lumber business where he kept
one of the best equipped lumber yards outside the cities in the state.
This business was also burned in the 70's and rebuilt with but one story, as we can plainly see now. In the present
building only a few lake stones scattered here and there in the old wall is the only token that marks the spot where once
stood the old foundry.
Mr. Bulmer also purchased land adjoining on the west to enlarge his lumber yard. This business he carried on for over
40 years. He died in 1906, being nearly 90 years old. When Mr. Bulmer came to Palmyra he bought the Daniel Gates house on
West Main Street, where he built
36
the present large, fine house, now owned and occupied by Fred E. Rowley, who came from Pennsylvania a short time after
the death of Mr. Bulmer, and also bought out the lumber yard.
The two houses standing in the lumber yard are now owned and occupied by the Adams, and were built a great many years ago
by the late General Thomas Rogers, who then lived where O. J. Garlock now lives, on the corner of Clinton and Main Streets.
West of the Adams house in the 40's, Philo Robinson, who was a carpenter, had a shop on which the sign read "Hand Made Sash".
Mr. Robinson built and lived in what was the Amos Sanford house in later years. In the early 50's the shop burned and Mr.
Robinson went to Michigan where he died several years later.
When Mr. Bulmer came to Palmyra he acquired the lot to enlarge his lumber yard. At the time the shop burned a yellow house
that stood hard by on the west was also burned. On this lot Mr. Rowley built a house.
Adjoining on the west was a small two-story house painted yellow, the same color as its neighbor on the east, and was occupied
in the 40's by William Maloy. Many and many a family has found shelter and lodging beneath the roof of this little yellow
house since Mr. Maloy's time. It is now owned and occupied by Mr. Byers, who has changed its old-time appearance of
eighty-five years ago to a more modern neat, white house.
Just back of this little old one-time yellow house, stood the old yellow warehouse built when the canal was first put through,
by James Thayer and his twin brother, Levi Thayer. They also built about the same time the two yellow houses mentioned before.
About this same time, they had an ashery on the site of the gas house. This was made of rough hemlock boards. It was torn
down in 1844. These men ran a canal boat called the "Twin Brothers". On this boat they carried the potash from the ashery,
and grain from their warehouse to an eastern market.
In the 30's, H. K. Jerome came into possession of the warehouse and did a good deal of business in buying grain and pork,
and for nearly seventy years the name H. K. Jerome could be seen in large black letters on the front of the building, until
torn down about 1902. Among some of those that occupied the warehouse after Mr. Jerome, were C. E. Wilder, W. H. Southwick
and William Moore. About 1902 Joseph and Edwin Rogers bought the old building, tore it down and worked the lumber into the
large double house that we can now see standing in front. It was later owned by Mrs. Margaret Williamson, and is now owned
and occupied by John Byers.
Long years have passed since the yellow warehouse opened its doors to receive its first load of grain, to help fill the
newly made bins, or to load some empty boat that floated on the little "Clinton Ditch." But time is fast weaving its veil
over the past and these pioneer business men will
37
soon be blotted from memory, and the old yellow warehouse will be known only in history.
We now have arrived at Franklin Street, which was laid out on February 22, 1828, recorded January 30, 1829, width, two
rods and six links. This street was named after Benjamin Franklin.
Speaking of the two General Rogers houses: These two houses have been occupied by tenants for a great many years. Now they
are owned and occupied by the Adams families.
Just east of these houses in the 30's stood a cooper shop. In those days hoops were made from small round poles that were
split, thus making the hoops. These poles were mostly of second growth black ash and hickory. The latter, the cooper had
to watch closely for those young hickories made fine bows, for the boys who wanted to make a bow and arrow to imitate the
young Indian boys who came into town, with their parents to win a quarter by hitting it with their well aimed arrow.
The cooper told the boys that hoop poles were hard to get as no one but a cross-eyed man could afford to cut them, for while
he was cutting with one eye, while the pole was being cut, he could be hunting up another with the other eye.
Speaking of the Indians: They would occasionally camp in a piece of timber for a while, that was suitable for making baskets,
that they brought into town to sell to buy food and whiskey. They were great beggers, always sending the squaw into the
house to beg, while he stayed outside. '
We now return to the Exchange Hotel, where just across the way in a log hut with bark roof was once the home of General
John Swift, the founder of our village. Later he built a two-story house. The south end was used for a storehouse, the north
end for his dwelling, with a very shallow cellar that could be plainly seen before the building was torn down in 1926. In
1816 the storehouse was used for a wagon shop. The sign read "Drake's Wagon and Sleigh Shop."
BR>
Later Thomas Lakey came into possession of this property, including a blacksmith shop, erected in the 20's just east of the
wagon shop. In these two shops he carried on blacksmithing and wagon and sleigh making.
About 1850 the old blacksmith shop was torn down and a new one erected a little at the north and east of the old one. In
this shop his son, Carlton, carried on blacksmithing for several years. Since in the 70's the business has been carried on
by different ones, but the coming of the automobile ruined the business.
Speaking of the old wagon shop: After the retirement of Mr. Lakey from the wagon and sleigh business, Harry Tiller, who had
learned the trade from Mr. Lakey, purchased the entire property and carried on the business for a good many years. After Mr.
Tiller's death, Mr. Wood and Mr. Fermer rented the shop of Fertis Beal, who had acquired the property and carried on the
wagon business, and at his death Fred W. Clemons acquired the property. In 1926 the Standard Oil Company bought the
38
entire property of the heirs of F. W. Clemons, tore down the old buildings and erected the present oil station.
Thus have passed away the last vestige that marked the spot where once was the habitation of the founder of our village.
Adjoining this on the west, stands a typical New England 'One-story cottage that once stood on the south side of the lot
and facing Main Street and over eighty-five years of age. It was painted a light yellow and had a door knocker on the
front door. At that time this neat little cottage was owned and occupied by Mrs. Cynthia Lovell, whose niece, Miss Clara
Jerome slept beneath its roof many a night when a young girl. This young lady subsequently became Lady Randolph Churchill
of England.
After the death of Mrs. Lovell, Harry Tiller acquired the property. The little cottage was moved to the north side of the
lot facing Canal Street as we see it today.
After the death of Mr. Tiller it then came into the possessiQn of Fertis K. Beal. Now it is owned by others. This once
bright little yellow cottage has faded into a dirty white. The knocker has been taken from the door and carried away as
a relic of the past and its present habitation is known to but few.
We now pass on to Billy Doran's new store on the CQrner of Holmes and Canal Streets as before mentioned. After being in
the grocery business several years he sold out and bought the Eagle Hotel and became its proprietor. The stQre building
was converted into a livery stable kept by John C. Coates. Coates and Marshall pressed hay here. Later, Hiram O. Young
bought the property, erected and kept a large hardware store. Later he sold the same to his son, Harry, who still carries
on the business.
Up until into the 40's Canal Street was a residential as well as a business street. Daniel Ward was born in Wales. When
quite young he came with his parents to this country and settled in Vermont. When a young man, Daniel came to Palmyra and
lived on Johnson Street for a time. Then he moved into the little house west of the Youngs store where he spent the
remainder of his life, dying at an advanced age. Mr. Ward was a turner by trade, and worked for James Jenner in the
furniture factory as long as the factory ran. Mr. Ward was grandfather to our townsman, Ferris Palmer. After the death of
Mr. Ward, Martin Clancy bought the property. At his death it passed into the Bushnell family.
Adjoining this on the west is a little house that Major John Gilbert in the 40's lived in. Mr. Gilbert set the type for
the Mormon Bible. Later when Jarvis Soper was burned out, he moved to this house where he lived until his death. The late
Edwin Farrell lived here a good many years. Now it is owned and occupied by Katherine Nolan.
Our next on the west is of our New England type. In the early 40's the late Richard Ford, the butcher, lived here. Later
Asahel Hildreth, who was a millwright lived here for a time. Later he built the little brick house on lower Main Street,
across from the Eagle Hotel. The late
39
Catherine Scalley owned and occupied this place for several years, up to her death. William Stackus bought the property,
put on a covering of stucco, besides making other changes, thus making a good looking house of it.
Adjoining on the west about 1900, Oliver Comback (colored) built this little house. After his death Arthur McDonald bought
the place.
The two houses across the way were built by General Rogers about 1829. In 1844 William Cray, the cartman lived in the
larger house. In the 30's, a cooper shop stood nearby. Now Thomas Adams, sr., owns and occupies one of them'and Thomas
Adams, jr., owns and occupies the other house.
Crossing the street again and resuming our journey west, we come to the old William Jarvis homestead, built by him in the
30's. At that time it was considered the finest house in the village and then it was called a good location. Its color
has always been white until recently when it received a coat of red paint. Mr. Jarvis was called a very shrewd business
man and at that time one of the wealthiest men in the village. He spent the remainder of his life here where he brought
up a large family of which only one of the family, Edwin, is living in New York, being over 83 years of age. Mr. Jarvis
died April 4, 1884.
The heirs, after holding this property several years, finally sold the old homestead to William Griswold, who now occupies
the same. Its old neighbor on the west was erected about the same time by Jacob Sanford, retains the same color and general
appearance as when first built nearly a century ago.
These two old houses have stood peacefully side by side with only a fence between them, each keeping their own secrets.
The walls of these two old houses are apparently as solid as when first built. In the early 40's the late Asher Cray lived
here. At that time he held the office of constable. His first wife died here. Later, Mr. Cray, about 1848 started a brick
yard on Railroad Avenue and built the brick house which stands north and east of the mill and back of this house was his
brick yard. At one time the brick house on Canal Street was occupied as a Methodist parsonage. A good many years ago the
late William Bushnell bought the property. At his death it fell to his heirs, who still own it. His son Patsy, a veteran
of the Civil War, now an old man, is living here.
Up until about 1914, there stood adjoining this on the west a large two-story frarne house, equally as old as the two brick
houses just mentioned, and in its former days ranked with other good houses. In the early 40's G. O. Chipman, who ran the
steam flour mill where the Wayne Coal and Lumber Yard is, lived here. But as Canal Street began to lose its popularity as a
residential street, the old house became a tenant house and for want of care it went to decay. John K. Williamson was its
owner for several years and when it had passed the habitable stage, Mr. Williamson sold the property to Olin J. Garlock,
who tore down the old house, leveled off the ground and built a front fence and made a nice tidy lawn.
Passing on to the corner of Canal and Clinton Streets, we come to
40
where Dr. Durfee Chase lived in the 30's, who had a large family. He was the father of Mrs. Louise Lakey and Mrs.
George McGown. His office was on Clinton Street in what was once called the Maley house. In 1845 he had an office for a time
in the Clemons block on Main Street. In the early 50's the doctor sold the house on Canal Street and purchased the house
where now lives Dr. Herman L. Chase on Main Street. The house then stood further back from the street with a little office
in front. There he lived and practiced until he became too old to continue any longer. He sold the place and went to live
with his daughter, Mrs. George McGown on Washington Street, where he died in the late 60's at an advanced age. Dr. Chase
lived in the days of general training and was the captain of a company.
The house on Canal Street was sold to Peter Fox and for many years kept its old-time appearance. The old well at the south
door for many years had the same curb with windlass and bucket and a cover over the top to keep dry the rope that drew up
the bucket. About 1916 the property was sold out and many improvements made and the property bids fair to last another century.
On the west side of Franklin Street, on the "Dock", as it was called, was a two-story building owned and occupied by the
late John Brown. His family lived in the upper story while he kept a grocery store below. He did a thriving business in
selling groceries and baked stuff that was made by the family. But in an unguarded moment he signed a paper to accommodate
a friend and it ruined him. Isaac Gardner, who succeeded him, also had a bakery there. Mr. Brown had four daughters. One
was married to George Wheeler, who later was sexton of the village cemetery for many years. Another married Charles Wright,
wagon maker. Another married George VanDyne and another married Albert Lamson, who lived and died on Vienna Street. This
large family has all now passed away.
From the store west were groceries, saloons and meat markets. Solomon Carter and David Tubbs kept the saloons. Thomas
Austin and Schuyler Parshall kept the meat markets. Others came and went. At the west end of this row of buildings was
a large tub with fresh spring water flowing into it. This supplied the groceries, meat markets and saloons, besides the
passing boats.
The water came through wooden logs. Here was also an open space where the bus could drive up for passengers at the arrival
of the packet. Nearby was a little old and dilapidated brick building that has since been abandoned and was torn down about
1929. This was once the collector's office. The first collector's office was at the foot of Main Street at Jessup's basin.
A Mr. Granden was its collector. But this location was of but short duration, when Rogers' basin was chosen. This office
was used before it became a free canal.
The captains of all the boats had to stop and give the name of their boat and get their clearance. This was once a lucrative
office to the one whose party was in power. Among some of the collectors at Rogers' basin were: Democrats, John Gilbert,
Henry Flowers; Republicans, Luther
41
Rawson, Parsons and E. S. Averill. The first collector was Granden, at Jessup's basin. The office was open day and night,
the two collectors dividing up the time. This little building was standing up until 1929 when it was torn down. All its
neighbors have passed away, save the ones mentioned before. The land on which stood the little collector's office is now
owned by C. A. Sessions.
Long before the canal was closed an act was passed making it a free canal and henceforth no toll was to be charged and the
collector's office was abandoned.
Now let us return to Franklin Street. We look in vain to see the twostory building where John Brown had his grocery store,
nearly ninety years ago. This building was burned in the early 70's. About this time Gardner Wood, who came from the
eastern part of the state, purchased the entire property from Franklin Street west to the collector's office.
Adjoining the Brown grocery on the west were three small stores of which two of them were moved to the south and somewhat
enlarged. They are owned by C. A. Sessions and occupied as dwelling houses. The third store, a little old red building,
now stands west of Fred V. Cleveland's store. On the site of these three stores now stands a large barn, erected by Mr. Wood
to acconlmodate canal horses.
The store now owned and occupied by Mr. Cleveland was built by Mr. Wood. A few feet west of the present store, in early
days, stood a two-story building that burned in the 60's and the new store was built partly on the site of the old one.
David Tubbs lived in the upper story and had his grocery below.
In the late 70's, Henry P. Knowles became owner of this property and during part of that time John Rifenberg had a saloon here.
When quite a young man Fred V. Cleveland came from the eastern part of the state to Palmyra and for a time was in the employ
of Mr. Wood. In the 80's he purchased of Mr. Knowles this property and embarked in the grocery business, living for a time
in a house he owned on Railroad Avenue, where William Darling now lives. After selling the property to Mr. Darling, he moved
to the second story of the store where he now resides. Mr. Cleveland has been a citizen of Palmyra for more than forty years.
Almost directly across the Street from the collector's office is the site of the once famous Bunker Hill Hotel. It was
opened as a tavern in 1825 by William W. Burrell. It was originally intended for a private dwelling. Mr. Burrell was
succeeded by Gad Higbee; later by William Nottingham.
In 1838 he sold out to Butler Newton and moved to the new hotel on Main Street, but it was known for years all over the
state as Nottingham's Hotel. The Bunker Hill Hotel, under the management of Mr. Newton, retained its popularity with the
public for he was known the whole length of the canal. His courteous and obliging manner won him a host of friends.
These were glorious days of travel. The packet boat carried nothing
42
but passengers. They took their meals on the boat. The horses were driven tandem and on a trot. Just before arriving in
port, the captain would come to the bow of the boat and blow his bugle, thus warning the people that the packet was coming
and that all might be ready and make no delay.
The boat was moored at the dock, that the passengers might get off and on the boat. The horses were unhitched from the
long tow line in the quickest manner possible. The crack of the driver's whip would ring out as he rushed over the bridge
to the Bunker Hill barns where a fresh relay of horses were waiting all ready for the driver to mount, with harness all
trimmed with brass in shining splendor and with tassels dangling from their bridles in gaudy colors. He was soon back and
fastened to the tow line. The boat was unloosened from its mooring and all were again on their way.
Many times when the packet bugle was blown a good many, out of curiosity, would rush down to see the packet come in.
East of the hotel was a long row of sheds to accommodate farmers when they came to town. Adjoining this on the south, on
Clinton Street, were the large hotel barns and livery stable and office with sleeping place for the driver.
Where the sheds were, now stands a three-story building, built by Mr. Newton and F. L. Wood. Later the building was sold
to a man from Marion by the. name of Robinson, who kept a grocery here. The late Barnett Davis had a grocery here in the
60's. Afterwards he moved to Main Street. Later the McKecknies had a liquor store, and still later it was owned by Gilbert
Everson. It is now an apartment house with veranda extending over the sidewalk on Clinton Street. The site of the old barn
is now a fine double house on Clinton Street. The site of the hotel and the remainder of the lot is now owned by C. A.
Sessions.
At the time when Mr. Newton kept the hotel it was in the heights of its glory. But when the ˇNew York Central Railroad was
built, for want of patronage, the packet business was discontinued as was also the case with the slow moving freight boats
compared to the steam cars, and like the canal, the hotel business began to wane and Mr. Newton sold the property.
Among some of the landlords that followed were: Sanford Calhoon, Joseph Moore, P. W. Tinklepaugh, Davis, William Doran
and Lucian Freeman. In the late 60's while Mr. Freeman was the landlord, the hotel burned and was never rebuilt. Now there
is nothing to mark the spot where once the famous Bunker Hill Hotel stood, where thousands have gone in for food and lodging
or to wait for the arrival of the packet or s.tage coach. All the old-time landmarks have passed away and the name of
Bunker Hill Hotel has passed into history.
At the time Mr. Tinklepaugh kept the hotel, the song, "Over Jordan" was quite popular with some, and some practical wag,
for fun more than everlasting fame, added another verse as follows:
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P. W. Tinklepaugh keeps the Bunker Hill,
And takes in boarders according.
But if you want to cut a swell,
Go to 'Nottingham's Hotel.
Neither pay for your board or lodging,
And if you want to cut a dash,
Just bundle up your trash,
And go on the other side of Jordan.
So pull off your coat and roll up your sleeves,
For Jordan am a hard road to travel I believe.
Just west of the hotel lived Remus Ferrin and his son Charles and little daughter, Libbie, whose mother died and was the
first to be buried in the new cemetery. This was once a fine house as one can see by the looks of the wide corner boards
and cornice. On the front door was his name engraved in marble as was then the custom.
About 1850 Mr. Ferrin sold his house on Canal Street and bought of Mr. Banks, the property on the south side of Main Street,
where Mrs. McPherson now lives. He tore down the old house and built the present brick house. The house on Canal Street,
through neglect,' fast went to decay. About 1900 the late William Phelps bought the old house and made it into a barn.
In 1926 C. A. Sessions bought the property, making a garage below and renting the upper story to families.
Passing on west, our next is a frame building where in the very early 50's Alexander Rannie, a native of Scotland, and a
baker by trade, started a bakery. For a great many years it has been rented to families. Adjoining on the west is a brick
block running to the corner, although two separate pieces of property.
In the east end of this block, in 1845, lived Mr. Tyler, father of Edwin and Wells Tyler. The latter was a clerk in Birdsall
and Sanford's store on Main Street. When a young man he was also the postmaster at one time and undoubtedly is remembered
by a good many. The former has been mentioned before as a soldier in the Civil War.
About 1923 James Burns purchased this property, tore down the old frame part and made several changes besides a fresh coat
of paint, making the old block look better than it did eighty years ago. Mr. Burns died June 25, 1930, leaving his wife,
Anna Orlopp Burns, who still resides there.
The corner block in the 40's was owned by Isaac Gardner, who had a bakery on the lower floor and lived in the second story
which was entered by a flight of stairs on the outside on Market Street. This building has had a good many different owners,
as well as tenants. Billy Doran at one time had a saloon here. The late William Throop at one time had a harness shop here.
In the 70's the late Henry T. Knowles owned this property. Now it is owned and occupied by Robert Collins, who conducts
a successful variety store there.
Speaking of Mr. Ferrin: He was in the produce business on Canal Street. His storehouse was on the east side of the basin.
East of this was a two-story building, where J. K. Cummings in the 30's, had a grocery on the lower floor. He was succeeded
by Isaac Besley. The upper story was occupied by families. In the 60's the Ferrin warehouse and the Cummings
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grocery store were destroyed by fire. In the 70's on the site of the latter, Oliver Durfee and young Henry Southwick built
a small warehouse. In the 80's, Alemberl G. Wigglesworth came into possession of this property and also the site of the
Ferrin warehouse. He enlarged the storehouse and erected the present coal shed on the Ferrin property. After being in the
coal and produce business for several years, he sold out to C. A. Sessions and Dr. Leonard, who continued in the same
business for several years. Mr. Wigglesworth went West where he died a few years ago at an advanced age.
Later Mr. Leonard sold out and went to Syracuse where he died a few years ago. Now the firm name became Sessions & Son,
the new firm dealing in coal as a specialty. When the Barge Canal went through a storage plant was put up at the West
Shore Railroad where they now distribute coal. Mr. Sessions's son is now village Postmaster.
Before the advent of the railroad, a good many of the boats were owned by private individuals, as well as by corporations.
Sometimes there would be a break in the canal, then there would be a jam of boats, forty or fifty boats all crowded
together and to keep things balanced it would be necessary to have several fights in order to hold their rights. In such
a crowd a bully was easily found and sore heads and black eyes would be the result.
Mention might be made of the old-time cartmen, who instead of having a wagon, had a two-wheeled cart that the back end
could be tipped down so that barrels and hogsheads could be easily loaded and unloaded.
Among some of the old-time cartmen were Johnny Smith, William Cray, Darius Kyttel, John O'Niel, Henry Huxley and Yankee Clark.
The basin was a cove dug out so that boats could be floated in and be loaded out of the main channel and was called
"Roger's Basin", taking its name from General Thomas Rogers, who ovvned the land. This old basin, where millions of
bushels of grain have been loaded on boats is fast filling up and will soon pass from memory.
Across the basin to the west was the large storehouse, for a long time called "The New Storehouse," erected in the 30's.
Isaac Beecher and David Glossender, who bought grain and pork in large quantities, occupied this building for a long time.
In the Winter at that time, pork packing was a great business. At each storehouse they bought heavy pork, which was
salted and packed in barrels and when the canal opened in the Spring the barrels of salt pork were sent by boat to an
eastern market.
In those days pork raising among the farmers was a lucrative business. It was not an uncommon thing for a farmer to fatten
as many as forty heavy hogs. Upon a cold day in the Winter, farmers brought in their pork, piled upon their bob sleighs,
some farmers having two or three loads.
At that time Main Street was the pork market. It was indeed a fine display to see the buyers bidding against each other.
"I will give you so much for your pork and twenty-five cents extra if you will drive it down to my storehouse."
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