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unOFFICIAL JOSEPH SMITH HOME PAGE 
Joseph Smith's New York (Maps & Images) | Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith: (Illustrations & Photos) WAYNE COUNTY: 1900-1999
Wayne Co. pre-1900 | Ontario Co. | Chenango/Broome Co. | Seneca Co. | Index |
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164 The house on the north has been owned and occupied by several different ones. Among some of them are Charles Rice, Charles Joyce and now by Mrs. Glenna Mohlar Holtz. Adjoining on the north in the 50's stood a little red house which was the home of the late William Possee, father of Thomas Possee as before mentioned. Mr. Possee came to this country from England about 1851, arriving in Palmyra late in the Fall and wintered in the canal boat in which they came. There was a large family, five boys and two girls. The boys were William, John, Thomas, Walter and George Possee. They were not here long before they purchased this little home. When the Civil War broke out, loyal to the country of his adoption, he enlisted as did his three eldest sons, William, John and Thomas. The other two sons being too young, remained at home with the mother. After the Civil War was over and upon being permitted to live, the men of the family returned to their home in Palmyra. Mr. Possee died in the 70's and his widow died a few years later. Only a grandson is living here today and their name is almost unknown to the present generation. But the names of the father and three sons are recorded in history and on each succeeding Decoration Day, out of respect and in gratitude for what they did for their country, their graves will be decorated with flowers and Stars and Stripes that they so nobly fought for will be left by some kind hand to wave over the grassy mounds as in days gone by. The little old red house in which they lived has long since been torn away and one more modern has been erected on the site by John K. Williamson, who later acquired the property, but it has since passed to De. G. L. Watters. The George Trumbull house on the north is occupied by Frank Beal. Adjoining on the north is still another old land mark and it was once the home of the late Major John Gilbert, a printer by trade, and he had the distinction of setting the type for the first Mormon Bible. He was a musician and taught dancing school in ye olden time. The property is now owned by LeRoy Nussbaumer. Passing on, we come to the house built by E. S. Poyzer about 1910, and adjoining on the north we find another modern house built about the same time as its neighbor on the south by Marvin Tyler, the carpenter. Shortly after being completed, he sold the house to Darwin Guile, who came from the original Jackway farm south of the village. Mr. Guile died in 1925. His widow is still living on the place. These two houses, including the one on the north, are all on the Gates lot. The north house is the old Daniel Gates house and the first frame house in the village built by Silas Hart in very early day. This house was moved here from Main Street to make room for the large house on the opposite corner, as mentioned before. At one time the late Louis Olivett owned the property and he changed the outward appearance of the house so much that nobody would know that this was the same old Gates house. The property is now owned and occupied by W. H. Fitzgerald. We will now cross the street and view the little homes. As we journey 165 south the first three houses were built by John Bulmer, who owned this land in connection with the corner lot. The owners are Alice Curran, Richard Derrick and Robert Poyzer. Adjoining on the south is the Sellick place, now the Jeffery home. The little house on the south was also built by the Sellicks in the 70's. It is now owned by the widow of Clark Barron, a veteran of the Civil War. We now come to the home of the late Morris Huxley, familiarly known in his day as "Old Dad." He was the first driver of the bus to the New York Central Railroad, as before mentioned. Mr. Huxley bought the lot and then moved the house from Main Street, being a part of the old Jenner house. Charles Nussbaumer now resides here. Our next house was in the 50's the home of John Mumford, who was a native of England. It was for many years owned and occupied by the late Oscar Tiffany, who died about 1920. Mrs. Irene Tiffany Hollenbeck now lives here. On the south, in the 80's, lived a Mr. Merritt. Later F. W. Gurnee, a veteran of the Civil War, purchased the property. Here he lived until his death, which occurred about 1918. The widow is still living on the place. She is the granddaughter of the late Stephen Durfee, one of the early pioneers. The next place was the home of the late Albert Pierce in the 70's. Upon his death the place came into the possession of the late Carlton Foster, who died about 1917. His widow is still living on the place. Adjoining on the south is the little place where Mrs. McKeown lived for several years. At her death John R. Hughes acquired the property. The late William Derrick built the next house in the 70's. He died in the 80's. It was later owned by Clyde Gibson and is now owned by Katherine Morrisey. This brings us back to the corner of Gates and Jackson Streets.
North on Stafford Street
Passing along we recognize the double house as the one that stood on the corner of Gates and Main Streets, which was bought by the late George Nichols and moved to its present location in the 90's to make room for the large double house now on the site. At that time Mr. Nichols owned several vacant lots adjoining this. Later Fred Jeffery bought the house and four lots for $600. These lots ran to the north and on each one a fine cottage has been built, now owned and occupied by the following named persons from south to north: George Truax, Mrs. Jerry Briggs, Earl Noble and John H. Tucker. The two little cottages on the north were built by Mr. Nichols and are now owned by Hugh L. O'Neil and Richard De Coster. Adjoining on the north is the home of Roy Alles. We now come to an old land mark that in early day stood further north on the corner until O. H. Palmer came into possession of it and moved it to its present site. 166 In the 60's the late James Shirtliff bought the property. At his death it passed into other hands. Among some of them were Harry Bogardus and Mahaney and it is now owned by James Hurst. This house is one of the oldest in the village and was once the home of one Benjamin Cole. The house has been enlarged and bids fair to last a good many years more. Dr. McCarthy and family occupy the next house. Across the way is a little cottage now owned by Louis Foster. On the south is another cottage built at about the same time by Mr. Bogardus, now owned by Ella Mahaney and occupied by Daniel Kennedy. On the south lives Clarence Hood and family in a house built in the 50's. The large brick house on the south was built in the 50's by Robert and William Bareham. Robert Moore owned the property at one time; also Robert Hale. In the 70's the late Major Henry Hale of Halesborough, N. Y., wishing to locate in a fruit country, came to Palmyra, purchased this property, enlarged the house and planted fruit trees, thus making a fine home. At his death the property passed into other hands. Among the different owners who came into possession of this two-acre plat were Salem Amidon and Alvin LaRue, who built the fine double house on the south now owned by De Cracker and Blankenburg. The brick house is now owned by Frank Williams. The house on the south was built by George Haywood and is now owned and occupied by Fred Eggert and family. The next house on the south is owned and occupied by Mrs. Maude Pestle. This is followed by a small cottage, built, owned and occupied by Hugh Austin. South on Stafford Street, from Jackson We have now returned to the corner of Jackson and Stafford Streets. But, however, we will continue our journey on Stafford Street. Commencing at the west side of Jones' shop, all that tract of land that extended as far west as Stafford Street was at one time owned by the late John Hurlbut and in the 70's, Ambrose Lapham, a wealthy merchant and bachelor came to Palmyra and bought seventeen acres of land on the north end of the Hurlbut tract. On this farm he erected a fine large brick house and barn at a cost of $10,000. About the time the house was completed, his brother-in-law, George Smith, who was a cattle buyer and a Quaker, sold his farm on the Walker Road to the late C. C. B. Walker and came to live with Mr. Lapham and to care for and make a home for him. Mr. Lapham died a few years later. When Mr. Smith and wife had passed away, Truman Carman bought the place in 1884 for $8,000 in money, two houses in Rochester and one in Macedon Center. He lived there until his death which occurred on July 19, 1911, aged eighty years. At his death the property passed to his daughter, Mrs. Jeannette Carman Palmer, who lived at Chicago. Her husband, Byron C. Palmer, sold his property in Chicago and moved to Palmyra to occupy the homestead. He died January 25, 1927. The widow still owns and occupies the place.In 1910, two or three Yankees from New Hampshire, came to Palmyra and purchased from Mr. Carman all the land now called Claremont Park, including the lot east of the corner where two cottages now stand, Mr. 167 Carman reserving the house and nearly three acres of the land. On this land the Yankees laid out streets, measured off lots and numbered them and built sidewalks. When all this had been completed the lots were advertised to be sold at auction. This was done very elaborately. Vases and many other articles were to be distributed lavishly. The lots were sold so quickly that one had to run or lose a good chance. The thirty-six lots were sold in a little over an hour. Thinking perhaps it might be interesting at some future time to know the names of the original owners who bought lots at this sale, I include the names of the purchasers and also the lot numbers, as follows: Jones & Guile, 1 and 2; Jones, Guile & Lebrecht, 3; IIarry Chapman, 11 and 12; Mary Bogardus, 5; Jones & Guile, 6; C. F. Griswold, 7, 8 and 26; Wright R. Phillips, 9; Bessie Barron, 10; Mary Ryan, 11 and 12; Milton Russell, 13; George A. Hicks, 14; Robert F. Poyzer, 15; Philip J. Hughes, 16; Lyman E. Briggs, 17 and 18; W. J. Dean, 19; Hannah S. Chase, 20; Dr. A. Y. Earl, 21 and 32; George G. Throop, 22; Frank C. Wallace, 23; John H. Rush, 24; Elon C. Stearns, 25; William Adams, 27; J. G. Simpkins, 28; William L. Knapp, 29; Howard Forshay, 30; Harry Forshay, 31; John E. Jeffery, 33; Oliver A. Whitney, 34; Raymond Chilson, 35; C. J. Mathews, 36. Up to the present time but very few houses have been built on this tract except along Jackson and Stafford Streets. On Jackson Street the one next to the Palmer place is owned by persons residing away from Palmyra and the one on the corner of Jackson and Stafford Streets by Perry Hornsby. Turning the corner and going south on Stafford Street, on the east side we find several houses built on land belonging to the Claremont Park tract. The first house south of the Hornsby place on the corner is owned and occupied by Leo Cullen. The next place is owned by Arthur Gibbs, who is employed at Bird & Flynn's, and is occupied by others. John E. Mouten owns and occupies the next. This is followed by Earl Geer. Then come vacant lots bounded on the south by the Mrs. Alice Padgham property. Other vacant lots bring us to East Foster Street, but let us not forget that Elon Stearns, Rex Young and Howard Forshay now live in the new houses that have been built on lots on the cross streets in Claremont Park. Now let us go back to Jackson Street and continue our journey on Stafford Street. The first house on the west was built in the early 70's by the late George Haywood, who bought seven acres on the east side of the road from the Truman Carman tract. This house and land later passed to Albert Wheeler. Now S. G. Barton owns it. Other fine cottages have been put up from time to time. The first one past the Barton place is Willett C. Brethen's place; the next the Philip East home; next Arthur Poyzer; then Raymond Warner and Isaac De Gelleke. East on Foster Street, from Stafford Passing on south we come to West Foster Street, which was laid out in the late 70's and which runs east from Stafford Street. Three houses were built soon after the street was laid out. William Page built the first168 house on top of the hill on the north side. Lewis Chase came next, followed by Peter Ford. These three young men came here and built their homes in the same year. Other homes have been built since, making the present land owners on the north side of the street from west to east as follows: Paul Johnson, Mrs. Alice Frey, John VanHolder, Peter DeBrown, Raymond Clemons, Thomas O'Keefe, Mrs. Marie Van Lare, Mrs. Elizabeth Chase and Henry W. Griffith on the corner, whose home faces Canandaigua Street. On the south side of Foster Street, beginning at Stafford Street: Fred Coomber built the first house on the side hill, now owned and occupied by Morris McGuire. The next house east was built by Alvah Palmer in the 70's or early 80's, I think. The Webster estate now owns this. The next on the east was built by Miss Mary McKnutt and is now owned by Wallace Miner. This brings us to the Rumrill place which faces Canandaigua Street, thus completing our journey on West Foster Street. Crossing Canandaigua Street we come to East Foster Street, laid out in the early 70's by the late William Foster, whose father was one of Palmyra's earliest settlers, who lived on the farm that this street passes through. William Foster was a public spirited man. He built nearly all the houses on the street and set out all the beautiful maples, making it one of the tidy streets of the village and of this large family the only ones living today are the widow and descendants of the late Edwin Foster. Beginning at Canandaigua Street and going east on the north side of East Foster Street: The house ob the corner, the Frank Schulte home, was mentioned when we went along Canandaigua Street. The house is followed by a practically new home occupied by John E. Jeffery. Next comes William Reichart, followed by a remodeled house owned by Kenneth Brown of Newark, but occupied by others. Our next is a new house owned and occupied by Frederick C. Thorn and faces Hathaway place, a short street connecting Foster Street and Charlotte A venue, which we will describe later. After crossing Hathaway Place we come to a house built by the late Clark Barron, a veteran of the Civil War. Jesse B. McClain now lives here. On the east of this is the place occupied for a good many years by the late Thomas Clark, a native of Walworth. Before Mr. Clark's death the place passed to Clyde Gibson by purchase. The next on the east was built by William Foster and was occupied in the 70's by the late Isaac Warren, a mason. This place was occupied by several different ones and finally it passed to George Hibbard, who died February 6, 1930, the estate still retaining the property. The next is also one erected by William Foster and owned and occupied for several years by the late Isaac Du Rei, whose estate sold to Albert Gilman, who occupied the place for a time and then moved to Rochester, renting the home to Orie Richards, now auditor at the Crandall Packing Company. The next, which is also a William Foster house, was owned and occupied by several different ones before Adrian Porrey, the present 169 occupant, purchased it. The house to the east of the Porrey place was built by Edwin Knox soon after Foster Street was laid out. Knox retained it for a time and later it came into possession of the late Alexander Smith, son of the late Johnny Smith, the cartman, as mentioned before. Later it fell to Thomas, son of Alexander Smith, and at the death of Thomas it passed to his brother, Eugene, whose son, Roy, now owns and occupies the property. This brings us to the Fred Black house on the corner of Fayette and Foster Streets, which we have mentioned before. Passing over Fayette Street, the corner house, also facing Fayette, is the Peter Vanderwege home. Next, east of this, is a place built by LaRue & Vanderwege and sold to Andrew Kommer, the present occupant. This is followed by a comparatively new house owned and occupied by Lewis Breen, son of Dennis Breen. Passing on, we come to the Sellick property with house standing on the eastern side. This place later came into possession of Dennis Breen, whose heirs still own the house and land. Still passing on we come to two houses, both built by William Foster and his son-in-law, Lyman Hurlbut. The west one is owned and occupied by Eugene C. Guilfoos and the east one is owned by Peter Crowley and rented to others. On the side hill past the bend in the street stands a house erected a few years ago by George Burke on a four-acre tract. It was sold by him to George Cotton, who still owns and occupies it. This was a part of the old Foster farm and is the last house on the left hand side of the street as we go to the east, so let us go back to Canandaigua Street and continue our journey east on the south side of East Foster Street. Passing the Mrs. Anna L. Hurlburt 'house on the corner, our next is the Christian Luppold place, which was once a part of the Hurlburt lot. Mr. Luppold moved the present house here, remodeled it and now owns and occupies it. Our next was erected by William Foster in early day and for many years it has been owned and occupied by John W. Fraher, who was American Express agent under the late Henry P. Knowles for many years. Our next on the east was built, owned and occupied by the late Joseph Benedict, a veteran of the Civil War and later passed to his son-in-law, Eugene E. Smith, who now owns and lives on the place. Mr. Smith was a clerk in William H. Farnham's Dry Goods store for several years and was later purchasing agent for the Garlock Packing Company and was retired on a pension. At the present he is doing secretarial work for O. J. Garlock and is a Trustee of the Village of Palmyra. Adjoining the Smith place on the east is another house built by William Foster and owned and occupied by his youngest son, Edwin B., until his death, June 4, 1928. The property is still in the hands of the estate. Our next house was also erected by William Foster and was owned 170 for a time by the late James Vail and later by Jerry Burnett. After several transfers it passed to Owen H. Durkin, the present occupant. The next house which is of the same architecture, was also built by William Foster. For a time it was owned and occupied by the late Albert Pierce and then after several owners, it passed to Mrs. Maria C. Lillie. After her death there were several transactions and finally it passed to Frank Martens, who now lives there. The next also was a William Foster house. Several different ones owned it and for several years it has been owned and occupied by Carl Hibbard. Foster also erected the next on the east, and sold it to Asa Chase who lived here several years and then sold to Eber Knowles, a veteran of the Civil War, after whose death it passed to William Tilburg, who still resides here. The next also was a William Foster house. After many transactions it came into possession of David Cook, who lives here with his mother and riii brother. The next place was built by William Foster and sold to the late Andrew Sherman, who occupied it several years. After his death it came to Lydia Goldsmith Soper and Victoria J. Smith. Thru legal proceedings it passed to Christian Luppold, who has remodeled and improved the place and is now renting it. William Foster also built the next place and it is now owned and "occupied by Otto W. Kirchhoff. Foster also built the Edward Jeffery house on the east of the Kirchhoff house. Mr. Jeffery, a native of England, died January 1, 1931, at the age of eighty-four years and Mrs. Jeffery is still living there. After passing a vacant lot owned by the McLouth estate, we come to a small place, once owned by Carlton C. M. Hunt. Now a man by the name of De Chard owns it and rents it to others. After passing another piece of land, which is still in the hands of C. C. M. Hunt, we come to a house at the bend of Foster Street, which was built also by William Foster. Later it: passed to Alfred Wilbur, who sold to Abram Pembroke, who now lives here. Next to the Pembroke place (going south on Foster Street now) we come to a little house built by George Burke and for a time occupied by Mrs. Katherine Downey (widow of the late Keryan Downey). After her death the heirs sold to Claude Shove, the present occupant. This is the last house inside the corporation line. Continuing our journey south we come to a ten-acre farm which once belonged to the Foster estate. George Burke purchased this place and after moving a house here and extensively remodeling it, he sold the place to Isaac Shove, who later sold a lot on the southeast back to Mr. Burke. Here Mr. Burke built another house and soon sold it to Arthur Skeels. This completes our journey on Foster Street which intersects Johnson Street at the Peter Van Bortel place, which faces Johnson Street. Now let us go back to Hathaway Place, a street of recent date, which 171 we mentioned as we came down East Foster from the west. Leading north, it intersects Charlotte A venue, named after Mrs. Charlotte Jenner Birdsall, whose mother was a daughter of Mr. Hathaway, one of the old pioneers of the village and who was the original owner of this land as mentioned before. Lots were soon sold off on each side of Hathaway Place and houses sprang up rapidly. After passing the Thorn house on the southwest corner as mentioned before, we find, going north on the west side, the following land owners: Vernon G. Belden, Charles Merton Perry, Corwin Beal, Ray Alderman, Arthur J. Barnhart, John P. Redwood, Edmund Hampshire, Arthur D. Trautman, William E. Rush and the Cable house which faces Charlotte Avenue. On the east side, beginning at the McLain home on the southeast corner, which faces Foster Street, we find, going north, a vacant lot still owned by Mrs. Charlotte Birdsall, followed by houses owned by Miss Katherine Durkin, Leo Beck and John Duncan, a lot owned by Leon Miller, then houses by S. M. Soule, Charles A. Waters and Henry E. Mitchell. The corner house, owned by Charles Chase, faces Charlotte Avenue, which is a short street running west from the west side of the south end of Cuyler Street to the east side of Canandaigua Street. On the corner of Cuyler Street and Charlotte Avenue is the Griffith home, which we told about when we journeyed over Cuyler Street. On the west of the Griffith homestead is a small house which is used as a tenant house for their employees. Next to this on the west is the old Birdsall house, which was moved here from Cuyler Street, as before mentioned. It is still owned by Mrs. Charlotte Birdsall and rented to others. The next house was once the old Methodist parsonage and stood on Church Street. Dr. W. J. Hennessey bought it when the new parsonage was built and moved it to its present location. It is now owned and occupied by James Dibble, who purchased the place from the LeRoy Stebbins estate. As we go west, our next place was built by Sanford M. Young, who sold it to its present occupant, William A. German. The next house which is on the corner of Charlotte Avenue and Canandaigua Street, was built by Henry and Fred Wood on a lot bought from Mrs. Charlotte Birdsall and Dr. Hennessy. It was owned and occupied for a time by them. Later Charles Lawrence owned the place, followed by Miss Julia Murphy. Crossing over to the south side we will journey back east. The house on the corner was built by Oscar Trumbull and later sold to H. W. Guthrie, who sold to the present occupants, Misses Mildred and Blanche Amidon, and went to California to live. The house on the! east was built by Albert Quaife, who still lives here. George Sampson bought the next lot and began the erection of a house here, when he died. Dr. Hennessy then went on and built a double house, which is now' owned by Lucy and Sarah Wardlaw. Then comes a house built and still owned and occupied by Raymon Hartman. Our next house was built by Harry Wing and is now owned and 172 occupied by Edgar A. Hardy. This brings us to the Cable house on the corner of Charlotte Avenue and Hathaway Place. Crossing Hathaway Place and going east we find the Chase, Hill, Hinkle and Hunt houses, which we mentioned when we came up Cuyler Street. Railroad Avenue This completes our tour through the village for the present. Let us now take a stroll down Railroad Avenue and the surrounding country, returning later to note some of the enterprises that have come to our village since the days of General John Swift.Our first house on the west after crossing the old canal was the home of David Rogers in the 30's. He was a shoemaker whose shop at one time was in the old wooden house on the west side of Market Street, as mentioned before. Mr. Rogers' father was one of the early settlers of Palmyra. His farm was later known as the Budd farm, also the Hammond farm, east of the village, near the trolley. David Rogers married Mary Conant, a very intelligent and welleducated lady, a native of New Hampshire. They were very hospitable and kind-hearted people. David's father, Thomas Rogers, was a Revolutionary soldier and was buried in the old Durfee burying ground on Durfee Street. When the Erie Canal was first built this house was a neat little cottage and one could go into the house on a level, but after the widening of the canal the hill was raised and the gas plant nearly ruined his little home. He always had a fine garden. In his shop he employed three or four men. After his death the late Judge Charles McLouth bought the property and moved the house further north as we now see it. William Shuler now lives here. Our next house on the north in the early 50's was the home of the widow Hubbard. This family has all passed away and the house has changed hands many times. It is now owned and occupied by George Stark. Adjoining on the north stands the house built in the early 50's by the late William Cray and in which he lived. This place has changed hands many times also and is now owned by J'Ohn Bremus, sr., who has changed it greatly. The next house also was built in very early day and is now owned by George Stark. Other houses have since been built. Among them is the George Bavis house and the William Darling house, built in the 70's by Fred V. Cleveland. Across the way at the intersection of Throop Street is the house built in the 50's by Edwin Knox. In the 60's Mr. Knox sold out and went to Michigan to live. Ezra Conant, a native of New Hampshire, sold his farm in Green, Chenango County, N. Y., on which he lived, came to Palmyra and bought out Mr. Knox. Mr. Conant died in the 80's and the place came to his son Eugene. After his death, which occurred about 1900, the Business Men's Association of Palmyra purchased the property and gave it to Henry Drake as an inducement to come to Palmyra from Newark and erect a factory 173 for making boxes, which proved to be a success. The two houses on the north were built in the 50's by Mr. Nims. One has been moved away to make room for the enlargement of the factory. The other is now occupied by Mrs. Edward Swart. In early day the flat back of the Darling house was swampy and was covered with cattails and the road was so low that every time it rained the water from the creek would run over the road. Before the Barge Canal went through, the house south of the Barnhart house stood farther south, and was built in the 60's by the late Samuel Frost, who was for many years an engineer on the work train on the New York Central Railroad. He died in the 90's. After the death of Mr. Frost, Mrs. Lillian B. Garlock purchased the property. When the Barge Canal went through the state paid Mrs. Garlock $4,000 for the property. From the state the Williamson brothers bought the house and moved it farther north. Now the place is owned by Robert Collins. Across the way from the original Frost house was Swift's landing. We now come to an old land mark of over one hundred years. Christian Barnhart came to Palmyra August 17, 1820, procured a grant from the state to build a dam across Mud Creek that he might erect a grist mill, for at that time Mud Creek was a navigable stream as far west as Macedon and was controlled by the state. The next year the mill was completed and in running order. He built the little old house across the way on the east side near the well and lived here. Mr. Barnhart ran the mill until January 13, 1835, when he died, leaving Lydia, who was his second wife, besides two daughters and two sons, Christian and Almon P. Barnhart. With this family of young children, she could not run the mill. She therefore rented the property to Philip Palmer and moved with her family down the Creek Road to a house west of George Townsend's place, and Mr. Palmer moved into the mill house and carried on the milling business several years. Although an unhandy and hard mill to work in, it was considered one of the best custom mills in the country. They came to this mill from far and near. In those days the old burr stone was used. It was considered quite an accomplishment to know how to dress a stone, and to be a good miller this art he must know in order to make good flour. These stones were large disks, about six feet in diameter and about sixteen inches thick. The lower stone had a square hole in the center and the upper stone or "runner," had a round hole or "eye" through which the grain worked down to be ground. Some of these stones came from Ohio and some came from Pennsylvania. This old mill had double doors, one above the other, thus shutting out hogs and cattle that frequently ran in the road in those days. The lower door could be shut while the upper one could be opened if one chose. The miller had anything but an easy life in this old TIlill. The hopper where the grain went in was about four feet above the main floor which was reached by a short flight of stairs, and all the grain that went into that hopper had to be carried up those stairs, which was no easy task. Sometimes after high water, the miller would have to grind all night, for the old mill would 174 be full of grist waiting to be ground. Many times, through the Winter, the miller would have to grind evenings at the mill to keep up with his work. Mr. Palmer had the credit of having the largest horse and biggest cow of anyone in town, for at that time Percheron horses and Holstein cows were almost unheard of in this country, and the native stock were very inferior to the blooded stock of today. Mr. Palmer, after running the mill several years, and the Barnhart boys having grown to manhood and Christian Barnhart going to sea, in 1857, went West and Almon P. came into possession of the mill. But as time passed on more room was required. The old mill, after long years of service, had become somewhat dilapidated and as the process of making flour had materially changed, more modern machinery was called for and the roller process of making flour was fast taking the place of the old burr stone. Accordingly a new mill was projected. The old rope walk that was located down the Creek Road had now ended its days in that capacity and for a time was used for a cheese factory, but after a short time this enterprise was abandoned and the old building was thrown upon the market for sale. Mr. Barnhart bought the building and moved it to its present location just across the way from the old mill. The old mill was partly torn down and converted into a power house. A shaft passing under the road connected the new mill with the water power. Later electricity was combined with the water power. Almon P. Barnhart died in 1902. At his death, his son George entered the mill and successfully carried on the business until 1909, when he was killed in an automobile accident. Then his son, Arthur Barnhart, took up the business and is still conducting the mill, he being the fourth generation, all bearing the name of Barnhart. More than a hundred years have passed since the little old mill was erected on one of the banks of the winding Ganargua and the original Barnhart mill is known only in history, but the new Barnhart mill, across the way, is still a household word. The little old mill house across the way from the old mill where four generations of Barnharts were born, is still standing. G. A. Barnhart, born in 1857 A. J. Barnhart, born in 1883 L. R. Barnhart, born in 1905 As we leave the old mill and pass on to the north, our first place is a garage run by the Palmyra Chevrolet Company. The little old brick house to the north was erected by the late Ashur Cray, about 1850. A short time previous to building this house, Mr. Cray purchased a few acres of land which he thought contained a bed of clay, suitable for making brick. The 175 clay bed was opened and machinery for grinding clay and ovens for baking brick installed, and such other equipment as was necessary for the manufacture of brick, was procured. And from the first brick that was made, this little brick house was built. After making brick several years, he found the brick were rather too soft for building purposes. Then he turned his attention to making drain tile. This business he followed until he became an old man, when the business was discontinued. Mr. Cray died in the 80's. He was a native of Vermont. He came to this country in an early day with his parents. The family consisted of Asher, Daniel, John, William and a daughter, Rhoda. After Mr. Cray's death, Almon P. Barnhart bought the property, now owned by different ones. Peter De Nagle owns and occupies the brick house. In the 70's Kent Street was opened up. The state built a bridge across the canal, but on account of the heavy cost to the village it never was accepted. About 1910, the late John C. Clifford came from Fairport to Palmyra and built the large dry house standing on Kent Street, where the farmers found a market for a good many thousand bushels of apples each year. He also built a small house near the road, to the east of the DeN agle place. Mrs. Clifford now owns the property and now, 1930, runs an indoor golf course here. Several little houses have been built along Kent Street since it was first opened up and each of these has had several different owners and occupants. About 1910, the New York Central Railroad Company, wishing to do away with the large iron bridge that spanned the creek just east of the West Shore crossing, entered into an agreement with the Trustees of the Village of Palmyra, to move the bridge crossing the original Mud Creek channel that was on the road leading to the depot and north of the West Shore crossing, to its present location. The corporation line extends to the north bank of. the old channel that is now filled up and leveled off. Immediately after crossing the old channel we enter upon Jobe Durfee's three hundred acre farm, which he purchased for seventy-five cents an acre, the date being March 7, 1792. The west line began at the old creek bridge, running north through Butler's barns and formed the west line of the Ennis farm. The east line extended to the west line of the old highway leading north up over the hill coming out at the Phillips farm. His log house stood on the site of the Ennis dwelling. Jobe Durfee married Susannah Burdon and died in Palmyra in 1813. His son, Jobe Durfee, settled in the north part of the town on the Marion road, built a stone house about 1860 and died shortly afterward. Jobe Durfee, after living in the log house for a time, moved into the one of frame. In the 30's the farm came into the possession of the late Kingsley Miller, followed in the very early 40's by William P. Nottingham, who about 1852, sold the same to the late Elijah Ennis, who was a contractor 176 on the Erie Canal and built the culvert from the old gas house to the Galloway malt house. Soon after Mr. Ennis came'into possession of the property, he made a good many changes in the buildings. The interior of the house was remodeled. He also built the large veranda and rebuilt the barns. This old house, after being transformed into one more modern, being situated on an eminence gave it a commanding view of a large range of country. Mr. Ennis lived here until his death. After the death of Mr. Ennis, the farm came into the possession of his son-in-law, A. S. Pendry, who died in Florida in 1925. The farm is now in the hands of others. When Mr. Ennis first came into possession of the property, the Marion road ran on the east line of his farm, going up over the hill and coming out at the Phillips farm as before stated. But immediately after Mr. Ennis' occupancy, a new survey of the road was made. Beginning at a point near the Philips farm and coming out near the Bennett warehouse, its present location. This change was made for the purpose of building a plank road from Palmyra to Pultneyville. This new survey which was more level and direct was a great improvement over the hill route. In the 30's Creeg and Chase had a foundry just east of the New York Central crossing where they made potash kettles, etc. It burned in the early 40's. In the northwest corner of the Walker and Marion road, we can see a remnant of an old wall that once was a part of the basement of a respectable hotel. These stone were quarried stone. The hotel was built by Henry Butler, who came from Marion in the 60's. The hotel was burned in the 70's and never rebuilt. The site of the hotel is now owned by P. T. Sexton estate. David Levis bought the old barn and made it into a store house and is now engaged in the produce business. On the opposite corner, directly east are the Bennett warehouses, erected by Charles W. Bennett in the 70's. Mr. Bennett came to Palmyra from a farm about three miles north of Macedon village. Shortly after coming to Palmyra, he entered into the business of buying farm produce for several years. He also bought wool and pork. He built a large dry house where he dried large quantities of apples and berries. At that time more berries were raised in this vicinity than any other part of the state. In connection with this, he kept a coal yard. At these warehouses a good many men and women were employed. He also found employment for a good many women in the Winter, picking over beans. In the 90's Mr. Bennett sold out and went to California, where he died a few years later. P. T. Sexton came into possession of the property and for a good many years these large, fine buildings were practically unoccupied, where only a few years before, a large stroke of business was carried on. Now all was still. In 1923 Mr. Sexton sold the property to the Palmyra Packing Company, when again the wheels of industry were set in motion in these warehouses, 177 and the hum of machinery once more filled the air. But this was of but short duration when the business was closed out. Early in 1929 the Forman Company bought the entire warehouse and have made extensive repairs. They have opened up a pickling and kraut factory and are known as one of the greatest assets to our community. On a little knoll on the northeast corner of the old road east of the Ennis farm in 1845, stood a little old wood-colored school house, erected at a very early date and was one of the oldest school houses, if not the oldest, in the town of Palmyra, outside the village. The late James Galloway, in his younger days, came here to school; also Lucina Brown, who subsequently married Josiah Nottingham, oldest son of William P. Nottingham. Mrs. Nottingham was over ninety years old when she died and lived with her daughter, Mrs. John Herbert on Division Street, in sight of her old home. She was the daughter of the late George Brown, who came from Providence, R. I., at an early date and settled on what is called the Walker farm, on the Walker Road, of which more will be said as we advance in our journey. Now Thomas L. Cook is the only one living that went there to school. He went there to school in 1845. At that time the little old school house was very much dilapidated. A good many of the clapboards had been torn off, the seats and benches had been whittled and carved by many a boy who wanted to try out his jack knife. In those days, goose quills were saved, that had been gathered up from the goose pasture to be made into pens by the teacher, who had to be equipped with a pen knife and a knowledge of how to make and mend a pen. This was the last time a school was ever kept there, as it had become too cold and dilapidated for further use. What would the boys and girls of today think of going to school in the Winter in a school house where the clapboards were nearly half off, heated by a box stove that burned wood? The teacher, many times, boarded around through the district. Miss Charlotte Conant, a native of New Hampshire, was the last teacher. The little knoll on which the school house stood has been dug away and a dwelling house is standing on the same site, owned and occupied by Albert West. The little school house has passed from memory. The road has been closed and all forgotten. But the little brook back in the hollow, in which we used to wade during our noon hour is still running joyously on, singing its sweet refrain as in days gone by, and to me the memories of that little brook are the sweet and indelible remembrance of the past I love to cherish. On the site of the little old schoolhouse stands two houses, erected many years ago. James White owns and occupies the first and has done so for many years, while the one on the east is owned by Peter De Seyn, sr., and occupied by others. Next to the De Seyn house is a large house erected in recent years on the western part of the Storms farm. This house is now occupied by George Storms and family, yet it belongs to the original Storms farm. The large two-story house on the east was built by Edward Durfee, a son of Gideon Durfee, which has been repaired and improved. This house 178 was built in an early day, and was when first built, painted red and retained that color for a great many years. For a long time this has been known as Durfee Street. In the early 40's a Mr. Matherson owned and occupied this farm. Every year for a long time, Mr. Matherson had a field of broom corn across the way, which he worked up into brooms. After the death of Mr. Matherson, the place was sold and for a long time it has been in the Storms family. It is now a double house, one part being occupied by Bert Storms and the other by the son, Russell. Adjoining on the east lies a little farm with, an orchard, owned in the 60's by Dr. Pitkin. On this farm there were no buildings. After the death of Mr. Pitkin it came to his two sons, who have erected summer cottages on it. The place is still in the Pitkin family and this little settlement is known as Pitkinville. Our next house on the east is where Lydia Barnhart, wife of Christian Barnhart, who ran the Barnhart mill, came after the death of her husband, as mentioned before. The old house is still standing and bids fair to afford shelter for a long time to come. It is now owned by George Neale. We now come to the old Townsend homestead. Gideon and Edward Durfee came from Triverton, R. I., to the Genesee Country in the Summer of 1790, on foot, in search of a place of settlement. They stopped with Isaac Hathaway in Farmington, but preferred the lands in No. 12. They purchased of Swift, to whom the sale was most opportune. He was unable to meet his payment to Phelps and Gorham, but the purchase of one thousand and six hunQred acres, for which coin was given, enabled him to secure a warranty deed of the town. In the Fall, Gideon returned East, and gave so favorable a report, the entire family decided to remain. During the early part of 1791, Gideon came back, accompanied by Isaac Springer. They came with oxen and sled and consumed seventeen and a half days on the way. The Durfee tract has long been known as Durfee Street. Edward Durfee and Isaac Springer, assisted Gideon in building a double log house which he opened up for a tavern, cleared six acres and without plowing, planted it to corn. They also planted apple seeds and from them grew the old orchard of the Durfee family, the first cultivated apples in town. Later Pardon Durfee planted with garden and fruit seeds, the seeds of a pear, from which originated a seedling given by Mr. Durfee to his brother-in-law, Weaver Osban, who brought it into bearing. In this way the "Osban Pear" was grown, a variety regarded as the best of Summer pears and raised in nurseries. Another journey was made East and the final remove was made by wagon on the old Military Road to Geneva. Pardon and Jobe came on with their families and reached their new home almost without food. They were gladdened to find the corn fit for roasting and their six acres yielded three hundred bushels. Some of this was sold at Schenectady. It was the first corn from a region as far westward as Palmyra. Pardon Durfee came out on foot, driving the stock and arrived well nigh exhausted with hunger and fatigue. His first inquiry was for food. The reply was given with emotion, "We have none." Webb Harwood was 179 expected back from the mill at Jerusalem (now Penn Yan) at every hour and was received with gladness. Soon after, the rest of the family came out and all seemed prosperous, when fever attacked them, and seventeen of twenty-two were prostrated at one time. The latter arrivals were Gideon Durfee, the older and Jobe, Stephen and Ruth. Lemuel came in during 1794. Ruth Durfee married Captain William Wilcox. This was the first marriage in the town. Mrs. Wilcox died at the age of eighty-three years, on November 13, 1858. The descendants of Gideon Durfee were eleven children and ninety-six grandchildren. The latest survivors were Mrs. Wilcox and Stephen Durfee of whom more will be said as we advance in our journey. Speaking of Gideon Durfee's double house which was opened up for a tavern: Among the guests who enjoyed the hospitality of this old log tavern were Louis Philippe of France in 1796, who on his return from Niagara, stopped over night in the log tavern. Louis Philippe subsequently became king of France. In 1793 the female family were all sick and the wife of David Wilcox crossed the creek daily to render assistance. Stephen Durfee, then a small boy, went with her to carry the baby, Mary, the first female child born in the settlement and afterward the wife of Alva Handee, as before mentioned. They crossed the creek upon the trunk of a large basswood tree that had been felled with a stump so high that boats could pass beneath the log and not be obstructed. This log for many years, was the only bridge over the creek. Later Gideon Durfee built a frame house near the site of the log house. Gideon Durfee died September 12, 1814, at the age of seventy-six. His wife died October 20, 1821, at the age of eighty-three. After the death of Gideon Durfee the old homestead came into the possession of his son-in-law, Edward S. Townsend, who married his daughter, Maria Durfee. Edward S. Townsend was a son of Jesse Townsend. On November 22, 1836, Edward S. Townsend and Maria, his wife, and Ruth Durfee, sold the old Durfee homestead to Jonathan Townsend, forwhich he paid $7,706.75. At the death of Jonathan Townsend the farm came to his son, George H. Townsend, who after living in the old house a while, built the present house on the site of the old one, which was moved to the west and used as a tenant house. After serving in this capacity for over forty years, it finally burned. The late Harvey Taskett was the builder of the new house. Mr. Townsend died and the farm went to his son, George, who now owns and occupies it. Just back of the present house stands a little old building about 15x20 feet, another old landmark in which long years ago a private school was taught for the accommodation of two or three families. One of the pupils was the daughter of Edwin S. Townsend, who subsequently became Mrs. Charles C. B. Walker. There is yet one thing more that demands our respect and admiration as an old landmark at this pioneer home. It is the old well that is near 180 the road that has been surrounded by lattice work for over ninety years, with pulley wheel and bucket on the inside, by which water has been drawn. This old shelter is of the same pattern as when first built. Here at this old well, many a traveler called to slake his thirst. The water in this well had the distinction of being unsurpassed as to coldness and purity. We now resume our journey, but not, however, until we pay homage to this oasis by the wayside, by taking a draught of the sweet nectar from the old moss-covered bucket that still hangs in the well. Adjoining the Townsend farm on the east, Pardon Durfee, son of Gideon Durfee, established a rope walk on the south side of the road, running east from the little brook, where he manufactured ropes until his death, which occurred on April 28, 1828. The business was then carried on by Edward Townsend. A man by the name of Pooley was the manager, who lived in a little brick house near the factory. The house was burned several years ago. At the west end of the factory stood the large main building, which was moved away for the Barnhart mill, as mentioned before. The building in which the ropes were twisted was a low building about ten feet high and perhaps twenty feet wide, made of rough hemlock board and the roof was covered with shingles. This building was about fifteen rods long. The late Orlando Stoddard, son of Simeon Stoddard, learned the rope making trade at this factory and served seven years. At this factory a very large and long rope was made and taken to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to haul the cars on the Lehigh over the ridge. The rope was made in the Winter and had to be carried on a sleigh which had to be made on purpose for it. It took six horses to draw the load. Orlando Stoddard was delegated to deliver the rope. In the early 50's the rope business was discontinued and the late Martin Butterfield became owner of the farm. The old long building served for several years for a tobacco shed, when finally it was torn down and the name of the Durfee rope walk has passed into history. Mr. Butterfield, in the 60's, sold the farm to the late Captain Ira Lakey, who had been a sailor a good many years and had made two successful voyages around the world on a whaling vessel in the 50's. Retiring from a seafaring life, he bought a farm in the town of Marion on which he lived until the 60's, when he sold out and bought the Butterfield farm, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying about 1883. Being personally acquainted with Mr. Lakey for several years during the latter part of his life, I take great pleasure in writing the following, taken from the memoirs of Rev. Horace Eaton, D. D., written by his wife, Anna R. Eaton: "Ira Lakey, son of Abner Lakey of Palmyra, had learned the watch and clock-making business, but the way seemed obstructed. Good offers induced him to enter the whaling service at New Bedford. He first went out as a sailor, was soon promoted and took command of the bark "Harvest." I give you here what he told me himself: The owners of the ship were generous to him and he felt his responsibility to bring them a good return. 181 He sped to the southern Pacific. On the coast of Kusaic, or Strong's Island, one of the Carolinas, he was stranded on a coral reef, and a huge rent made in his vessel. Captain Lakey's hopes were dashed, but he did not give up the ship. He had no tools with which to make repairs, but such as his own ingenuity could invent. Fortunately one of the crew could speak the language of the people. The king, at that time was dangerously sick. As it was, this pagan chief gladly accepted his offer to prescribe for him. Captain Lakey watched and studied the king's case with the utmost attention. He recovered. Nothing could exceed his gratitude and that of his subjects. They brought, day by day, to the seamen, fish, pigeons, bananas, the fruit of the pandanus tree, and the cocoanut palm. Captain Lakey rigged a home-made jack, and ropes and pulleys, and with the help'of one hundred or more of the natives, whom he hired of the king, he pulled the vessel upon its side. He, himself, made the plank. The island afforded fine timber. He took the copper from the upper part of the ship, where it was not so much needed and covered the bottom. In like manner he repaired the other side of the vessel. All this took some three months. "Good King George" and Captain Lakey hrad many conversations together. A great friendship sprang up between the captain and the king's little son, a bright boy of four or five years old. "The king was most desirous to learn about the United States and the reason why the people were so much better off than in his own country. He insisted that Captai.n Lakey read and preach from the Bible to them every Sabbath day. In relating this, the Captain said, 'I couldn't do it as well as you, parson, but I did as well as I could.' The wild and unclad savages listened with the utmost attention, and when Captain Lakey left Kusaic, the king obtained a promise from him that he would do his utmost to send them missionary teachers. For this purpose he sailed two thousand miles out of his way to interview Rev. S. C. Damon, D. D., seamans' chaplain at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, with whom he was well acquainted. To him he presented their appeal. Wonderful to tell, it came at just the right time. It exactly met the awakened interest of the Sandwich Island Christians. They at once organized a Missionary Society. In 1852, their missionaries, with their wives and two Hawaiian teachers, went out to Kusaic. Finding that they needed a small ship to wait upon them as they cruised among the islands, they wrote to the rooms of the Board at Boston. A responsive thrill went through the Sabbath schools of the land and the first "Morning Star," a brigantine, costing $18,351, was launched in November, 1856. "Twenty years after Captain Lakey's shipwreck, he visited again the old landing place. But how changed. The former king was dead. The young prince, a Christian ruler, remembered him. Under his lead and that of the missionaries, the people, now neatly dressed, assembled on the shore in an orderly manner, and formally greeted their benefactor by singing sweet songs and hymns of praise to God. The new Testament and Christian books had been introduced, the Sabbath was observed, and the voice of prayer went up from their families and their churches." 182 After the death of Mr. Lakey, which occurred in the 80's, the farm was sold to the late Hiram Clark, a veteran of the Civil War, and after owning it for several years it was sold to Albert Mitchell. On this farm is the old Durfee burying ground, where over two hundred of the early settlers were buried. This was the first burying ground in town. The first burial was a child of Gideon Durfee, and a short time after, James Rogers, father of General Thomas Rogers, was the first adult. But as time passed on and kin and kindred had nearly passed away, the pioneer burying ground had been forgotten. The fence that once surrounded it had long since gone to decay and hogs had been permitted to roam at large and root up the turf that covered the graves of the buried dead. In 1925 the Town Board ordered Hiram O. Young, who was at that time Superintendent of Highways, in the town, to build a suitable fence around the lot. Adjoining the Mitchell farm on the east, in the 30's, was the home of Zebulen Reeves. In the 60's, Abel Chase owned and occupied the place; later Horace Pullman owned it and since his death, which occurred in the 90's', it has been owned by different ones. The farm adjoining on the east, in the 70's, was owned by a Mr. Butler, later by Willard Page and now by Isaac Cook. As we advance in our journey, we come to an old-fashioned, low, New England house, built by Weaver Osban, a son-in-law of Gideon Durfee, who married his second daughter, Hannah. This old farm has been divided into three farms, nearly all the same size. The late William Walton once owned the original homestead. Fellers, Warfield and others have been owners of this old farm. The famous Osban pears originated on t4is farm. East of Osban's was the William Wilcox farm and home. This was another typical old New England home. This old house stood at the foot of Wilcox hill on the south side of the road and has long since been torn down and the old barn moved across the way. The little house on the west on the south side of the road was once the home of Philo Wilcox. William Wilcox was the husband of Ruth Durfee. As we pass on up over the hill, on the corner in the 30's, lived a family of Quakers by the name of Eddy, who in the Winter when they came to town, rode in an old-fashioned, covered sleigh, a very plain affair. In the 50's, the late John Chapman, grandfather of John C. Coates, left his farm on the Walworth road to his son, Robert, and moved to this little farm where he lived until his death. Since then the little farm has had several different owners. Among some of them were Charles Grant and Isaac Cook. The house burned in 1927. As we resume our journey, our next farm was once owned by the late Samuel Beckwith, brother of Col. George Beckwith, as before mentioned. It was owned in the late 30's by an Englishman by the name of Robinson. In the early 50's, William Coates, father of John C. Coates, bought this farm. After living here a few years, he sold the same to a man by the name of Harrington. Later it came into the possession of Fred L. Reeves. Mr. Reeves and wife died several years ago, leaving the farm to their children, who are occupying it now. 183 The next house on the east was built by Samuel Post. After living here for a time the farm passed to Nelson Reeves. After his death, the farm passed to his son, Spencer, who still owns and occupies the farm. The little house across the way, in the 50's, was owned and occupied by the late Reeves Culver. Since then it has been owned by different ones. As we continue our journey, the old, low, New England house on the north side of the road was once the home of Stephen Post, while across the road, James Harrison came at an early date and built the grist mill on Mud Creek, which he operated during his life time, when it passed to his son, George Harrison. At his death, his son James came into possession of the mill. Shortly after coming into possession of the property he made very extensive improvements, which made it an up-to-date mill, thus retaining its reputation of old. Since the death of Mr. Harrison the mill had stood idle. George Harrison's son, Charles, came into possession of the farm and now occupies the same. On the old homestead George Harrison built the fine, large house that his son, Charles now occupies. Being connected with the mill makes this an old landmark. Our next house is the Fellers house which James Harrison, jr., bought soon after coming into possession of the mill. Here he lived and brought up his family. After his death his widow moved on West Main Street and the homestead is occupied by strangers. We now come to the old Dwight Foster farm. Mr. Foster died several years ago. After his death the farm was sold to Orie Tack, who built a fine new house on the site of the old one in which he is now living. We now come to Deacon Foster's house where they commenced the survey of the Montezuma Turnpike. This now completes our journey on Durfee Street. While on our trip we have visited the home of many a pioneer; through imagination we have sat by and enjoyed the old fire place, with back log shedding its radiant heat, while the amber smoke found its way up the stick chimney. We have heard the hum of the wheel and the vigilant stroke of the loom; we have eaten bread made from meal ground in a mortar; we have, through imagination, seen the King of France, enjoying the hospitality of a pioneer's cabin. But, alas, the old pioneers have long since passed away. Others are pressing the ground with their feet where once they trod, and only the glimmering light of history reveals to us the past. Let us now return to the depot. Adjoining Jobe Durfee's three hundred acre farm on the west, was Isaac Thayer's two hundred acre farm. The line between the two farms began at the old creek bridge and ran north through Crane's barn as mentioned before. This would leave the depot and freight house on the Thayer farm and extending north including the Morris D. Beadle farm and the C. C. B. Walker farm. The first building erected where the New York Central depot now stands, was a long log house where Zebulen Williams lived and had a store in one part of the house for several years. He was the first who paid cash for wheat, the price being three shillings a bushel and he was known as the pioneer merchant. Mr. Williams came to Palmyra from Seneca County, about 1805. He returned to Seneca County and the old log store was converted 184 by William Cook into a cooper shop where whiskey and pork barrels were manufactured. Later this became Sarah Grinnell's garden and orchard. Mrs. Grinnell lived in a little white house on the north side of the Walker Road. She had a son, Humphrey, who used to sell vegetables in the village. When the New York Central Railroad went through it destroyed her property, when she sold out and moved to Farmington where she died. Adjoining this on the west, a man by the name of Cooper fitted up a place and kept a hotel for awhile, which later came into the possession of A. P. Barnhart. The next two houses were fitted up in the 70's by a Mr. Mosher, who came from the East, and who later sold out and moved away and a Mr. H Barrett of New York City lived here for al while when he moved away. The next in order was the home of the late William Whipple, who built this house in the early 50's. and was the first baggage master at the New York Central Station. He held that position until he became too old to perform the duties required of him and gave up the position. He died about 1896. His wife was a daughter of the late Isaac McCumber, the carpenter. She died in Marion several years later, being nearly ninety-six years old at the time of her death. Nearly across the way the New York Central Railroad Company had: a large reservoir that supplied the engines with water at the time they burned wood. Adjoining on the north is the old Quaker Orthodox meeting house, erected by that society in an early day and used as a place of worship by that society until in the 40's when the society began to dwindle and the meetings were given up, and the old meeting house was sold and converted into a dwelling house, once owned and occupied by the Parliman family, and the name Orthodox meeting house has passed into history and the old Quakers and their families have all passed away. Our next in line and adjoining on the north is the little thirty-acre farm which in the early 20's w,as owned and occupied by a Mr. Gregg, whose daughter married the late Dr. Durfee Chase. It was this man Gregg, who carried on the old foundry east of the railroad crossing in company with Chase, as before mentioned. The old building burned several years later. In the early 50's this little farm came by purchase into the possession of the late John Calhoon, who was the first ticket and freight agent at the New York Central station. When Mr. Calhoon came into possession of this little farm he remodeled the house and barn, besides making many other substantial improvements, thus making this an attractive place. He died after living here a few years. His widow, who was a daughter of the late Anthony Breese of Macedon, who owned and occupied the brick house and farm west of Walworth Station, sold the farm to Allen Moore, who in the 60's sold the same to Morris Beadle, who followed shipping cattle, sheep and hogs for a good many years, until there was not stock enough raised in this vicinity to make it pay. He also brought stock from the West and 185 Canada. After following this business a good many years, he became old and gave up the business. He died in the 90's and the little farm passed to Pliny T. Sexton. Neglect and the ravages of time have wrought great changes in this property. Away back in the days of Isaac Thayer, across the way from the Beadle farm, stood a little house which was the home of the blacksmith, who had a shop hard by. The business was discontinued after a short duration, but the little house served as a tenant house for a good many years. In the early 40's a Mr. Wilber lived there. In the 60's, the late George Moore moved from his farm, three miles west of Walworth, now known as the Leander Baker farm, to this place. In the 80's he was killed by the cars. A few years later the house was burned and the little old house is remembered only by a few. This now brings us to the end of this little settlement. All these little places, including the Zebulon Williams store, came off the east end of the Thayer farm. At the time the log store was built and started it was the first store in town, and some thought the village would eventually be located here, but on account of the fever and ague, the present location was chosen. Resuming our journey to the north, we come to the George Brown farm. Mr. Brown came here in 1810, from Providence, R. I., and settled on this farm of one hundred eighty acres. After living in a log house for awhile, he built the brick house, now owned by Miss Drake, a Walker heir. Mr. Brown died in 1847, leaving the widow, three sons and three daughters. The oldest son, Otis, went to California in 1849, shortly after gold had been discovered in that country. He joined the ranks of thousands of others who went to that far-off country, to seek their fortune. At that time there were no railroads or steam ships and the only way to go to California was by wind and tide around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel. This monotonous journey consumed many months before reaching San Francisco, California. While upon shipboard, going around Cape Horn, he had his twenty-first birthday. In the 60's, Sidney, his younger brother, went to California, where they both died, never returning to their native land. Spencer died when a young man. Thus passed away the three sons, Otis, Sidney and Spencer. Of the three daughters, Lucina, the eldest, was born in 1830. At the age of seventeen years she married Josiah Nottingham, son of Mr. and Mrs. William P. Nottingham, the first proprietor of the Palmyra Hotel, built in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Nottingham traveled to Rochester in a carriage on their honeymoon trip. Railroads were not in existence at that time. Mr. Nottingham died several years ago. After the death of her husband, she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. John Porter Herbert, on Division Street, where she lived a good many years in plain sight of the home of her girlhood. Her last birthday was February 216, 1926, being ninety-six years old at the time of her death. She died April 22, 1926. Her entire life was spent in this vicinity. Rowena Brown married John Jarvis. She died a good many years ago. 186 Belle Brown died a good many years ago. Thus has passed away this large family. In the Summer, Mr. Brown wore what then was called an Abolition Hat. This kind of hat had a high crown and was of sea weed color. His peddling rig was a black horse and a one-horse lumber wagon. This wagon, he would fill with apples and potatoes and start for town. He was called to Sacketts Harbor for a short time during the War of 1812. There are but very few living around Palmyra today that ever knew that a man by the name of Brown ever lived here or who built the house, or of Edwin Townsend, who bought the farm after the death of Mr. Brown. Mr. Townsend made a great many changes on the house and otherwise improved the property. In the 70's, C. C. B. Walker, who had spent a portion of his younger days in Palmyra, finally went to Corning to live. While living there he was elected member of Congress. For a time he was very extensively engaged in the lumber business out of which he made a fortune. But the love for old Palmyra, in all those long years of absence, never forsook him. He finally came back and purchased from Mr. Townsend, the old George Brown farm, and made very extensive improvements on house, barn and grounds. He built the large iron fence in front, that will for a long time bear silent testimony for at least a part he had done to make this beautiful sightly place his Summer home. For many years Mr. Walker and family enjoyed this fine home, returning each Spring until his death, which occurred in the 80's. His widow died several years later. After Mrs. Walker's death a relative by the name of Drake came into possession of the property and still retains the homestead for their Summer home as in days gone by. The commanding view from the old George Brown homestead will ever be delightful to the eye, and in the summertime the depths of green in valley and on hillside will ever lend its fascinating charm, and friend or stranger who passes that way will love to linger to view this beautiful landscape that lies before him. Mr. Walker also bought two other farms north of the Brown farm. The first farm adjoining on the north that he bought, was the Kingsley Miller farm of forty-four acres, who came from the Jobe Durfee farm as mentioned before. He came here in the late 30's and also kept the Franklin tavern, also before mentioned. In the 50's Mr. Miller sold out to the late George Smith, a Quaker, and again moved into town. Mr. Smith was a speculator, who bought wool and cattle. But after a time he became an old man and wishing to retire to a more quiet life, in the 70's he sold the farm to Mr. Walker and moved into town to live with his brother-in-law, Ambrose Lapham, who was a bachelor, and built the fine brick house on the south side of West Jackson Street, as before mentioned. After Mr. Walker purchased the property he made a great many improvements. The house was made very much larger and large, fine barns were built and many other changes were made. Several years after the death of Mrs. Walker, all their fine barns were burned and now all there remains to be seen of those fine barns are the 187 crumbling foundation walls. This little farm was a part of the Nathan Harris tract and joined Isaac Thayer on the south. We will now pass on to the next farm, which also belonged to the Nathan Harris tract. In the late 40's it was owned by the late Jacob Stupplebean, who married the daughter of George Smith, the Quaker. There were two sons, George and Charles. They have long since passed away. Several years ago a man by the name of Skeels purchased the property. Passing on north on the west side and back from the road, in the long ago, stood an old, wood-colored house, where in the 50's William Jeffery, the village blacksmith, with shop on Canal Street, lived on this little five-acre farm. He died in the 70's and the little place went into other hands. Now a new house stands here, erected a few years ago. As we pass along we can see another house standing back from the road. This is a two hundred and eleven acre farm that Nathan Harris sold to a man by the name of Taft, in an early day, who was killed by lightning in 1799. A rain storm came on and he went under a tree for shelter, when a stroke of lightning tore a large limb from the tree, which falling, struck and killed him instantly. It was in the year 1810 when Aretus Lapham came from Providence, R. I, coming from the same place as his neighbor, Mr. Brown, and bought this two hundred eleven acres of land. After living in a log house for a time, he built the present stone house. During the War of 1812, he was called for a short time to Sackett's Harbor. Mr. Lapham had two sons and one daughter. The latter married Perry Parker, son of Seth Parker. His son, Nelson, was an invalid for a good many years, dying in the 50's. After the death of the father, the farm was left to his son, Norman, who in the 70's sold the farm to C. C. B. 'Walker, making him now the owner of four hundred twenty-five acres of land. Mr. Lapham moved into town and after a short time bought a house on Jackson Street, where he lived until his death, which occurred in the 80's. His wife died a few years later, leaving two daughters, Misses Emily and Helen, who are living at the same place. About 1920 the Lapham farm was sold to a man by the name of Mason. Adjoining the Lapham farm on the north, we now come to the old Peter Harris farm, which also belonged to the Nathan Harris tract. Mr. Harris came here in the 30's and bought this little thirty-acre farm. He and his wife, "Aunt Nabby," as she was called, lived a good many years. Mr. Harris was once a sailor. While on the farm he became a Quaker preacher. At his death, which occurred in the early 50's, this little thirty acre farm passed into the hands of Nelson Lapham, as before mentioned. After the death of Mr. Lapham, the farm came into the hands of William Welch. Since Mr. Welch's death, the farm has been owned by different ones. The old house is still standing, but plainly showing the ravages of time. It is one of the old landmarks. In Mr. Harris' time this was a quaint old house, standing near the road, with a little porch enclosed by lattice work with double doors, one above the other, with well and pulley wheel 188 at one end. Although but few changes have been made in this old-time house, yet the charm of long ago has gone forever and Uncle Peter and Aunt Nabby are nearly forgotten. Passing on a little farther and to the right, we come to the remnant of a once primeval forest, that belongs to the estate of Henry R. Durfee. Here in this forest on the side of the hill is the site where once stood the Hicksite Quaker meeting house, of which more will be said later. The Hicksite meeting house was on the farm of Lemuel Durfee, son of Gideon Durfee, who was one of Palmyra's earliest settlers. Lemuel took up this tract of land of two hundred fifty acres at an early date. At the northwest, a little distanee from the old meeting house, stands the old Durfee homestead, and at the northeast stands the house where Henry Rees Durfee, son of Bailey Durfee and grandson of Lemuel Durfee, was born. After the death of Lemuel Durfee, the widow lived at the homestead until her death, when her son Bailey Durfee, came into possession of the farm. Passing on east is the stone house on the corner where Gad Higbee lived in the 40's, who had two daughters and one son, Myron, who died in 1856. One daughter married Edgar Jordon; the other married his brother. After the death of Mr. Higbee, the farm was sold to George Stoddard. Later it was owned and occupied by Hiram Harrington, a native of Washington County. After his death it came into the possession of David Jeff ery, by purchase, who still owns and occupies the farm. Leaving the Jeffery farm, we will take a short stroll up the north road and call at the Seth Parker homestead, another old pioneer, who was born in Delaware County, N. Y., about 1783. He came with sleigh and horses to Palmyra in 1816, bought two hundred acres of land and erected a log house. As the family increased, the log house became too small, so a small frame house was built about 1820. About 1828 the present brick house was built. The brick came from a yard near the New York Central depot, but not the Cray brick yard. His family now consisted of three sons and three daughters. He kept buying land until he owned at one time about five hundred acres. At his death the homestead and about three hundred acres of land came into the possession of his son, Lorenzo, who in the 60's moved into the village, on West Main Street, as before mentioned. He still kept the farm. Now the farm is owned by other parties. Mr. Parker drew wood into Palmyra, receiving only fifty cents a cord for four-foot wood. The price for chopping was twenty-five cents a cord. Now other farms are between the Seth Parker place and the Higbee place, one on the east side being owned by Leon Cator, who purchased a part of the Parker farm. This is as far north as we will go on this road. Returning to the corner and looking east, we can see a large two-story white house, standing on a hill. This farm was, in an early day, owned by Joseph Parker, brother of Seth Parker. In the 40's it came into the possession of Ira Holmes. He had two sons and one daughter. The sons were Ira and Alfonzo. The daughter married Moses Jones, a native of 189 Massachusetts, and moved to Chicago. Alfonzo married a daughter of the late Robert McKnutt of Farmington. After the death of Ira Holmes, sr., Henry Whitlock bought the farm and lived here until his death, which occurred in the 80's, and the farm went to his son, Theodore. It is now owned and occupied by Alfred East, and Mr. Whitlock moved to the Marvin Hill farm, which we will have pointed out to us as we advance in our journey. Let us return to the Durfee homestead. Bailey Durfee's son, Henry, was a lawyer, and lived in the village of Palmyra, where he practiced law until his death, which occurred about 1915, leaving a wife and no children. It was his desire to leave the farm to someone bearing the name of Durfee. But as time passes on and changes come, the younger generation will know but very little of the past, and the old pioneer farm will be divided into smaller farms, and all the future generations will know of this pioneer farm is what history will reveal. West of the house where now stands an old orchard, is the little old family burying ground, encircled by an iron fence, but as no provisions were made for its care, the little iron gate is broken and. the little pioneer's resting place is neglected, and large trees have been permitted to grow above the graves, that the winter winds may sing their requiem, as they rustle through their branches. As we leave the old burying ground and continue our journey westward, we arrive at the top of the hill and pass along down its westward slope, where once occurred a fatal accident, on July 4, 1844, which saddened the hearts of the whole community. The wife of Emory Durfee, and her hired girl, had been to the village, and on returning home when they came to the top of this hill, the hired girl insisted upon getting out of the wagon, taking a young child she had in her arms. After getting out of the wagon, Mrs. Durfee started on down the hill. She had gone but a short distance when a strap in the harness broke, the horse became frightened and started to run. Mrs. Durfee undertook to jump out of the wagon. She became entangled in the reins and was dragged some distance. When they came to a little bridge, part way down the hill, the reins caught in one of the plank, which was fastened down with wooden pins, as was customary in those days, instead of being spiked down. The hair that was pulled out of her head could be plainly seen on those wooden pins. She was carried into a log house part way down the hill and lived but a short time. Her maiden name was Carr and she was said to be very handsome. Her husband was the son of the late Stephen Durfee, who was a brother of the late Lemuel Durfee, as before mentioned, and son of Gideon Durfee, one of the old pioneers, who lived at the corner just west. At the time of the accident he was living with his father. Stephen Durfee was the son of Gideon and Annie Bowman Durfee, of Triverton, R. I., where he was born, April 4, 1776. He died at the old home in Palmyra, April 14, 1854. He was married three times, and by his first wife had twelve children, but none by the second or. third wife. One of his daughters, Mary, married the late Elisha Brown, December 2, 1845, and died December 9, 1881. Mr. Brown lived on the farm and cared for Mr. Durfee as long as he lived. At his death Mr. Brown bought 190 the farm, and later moved the old house back for a barn and built a fine house. In those two houses he lived and brought up a large family. At his death the old homestead shared the fate of many another, and passed into the hands of strangers. Speaking of Mr. Durfee: After living in a log house for a time, a new frame house was projected, and the site of the present house was chosen, which was in the same dooryard as the old one. In those days, timbers were selected in the woods, and instead of being sawed as is the custom of today, they were scored and hewed, and many days would be spent to prepare it for the raising. When all was ready, a bee was made, and the whole neighborhood was invited to come and help raise the heavy timbers. After the raising, refreshments were served and liquor was passed around. The raising of a building was a sort of holiday in the neighborhood. But Mr. Durfee did not approve of this custom. The neighbors upon being invited to this raising, were notified there would be no whiskey handed around. This new custom gave Mr. Durfee the distinction of being the first one in town to raise a building without whiskey. A remnant of the old house is still standing in the rear of the new one. His son, William, about the time he was married, purchased a farm adjoining on the north, erected a house and barn, living here a good many years, and bringing up a large family, which had now grown up and left home, leaving only himself and wife to carryon the farm. This being too much of a burden, with his advancing years, he measured off twenty-five acres on the south end of the farm, erected a house and barn, moved to his new home and sold the remainder of the farm to Elias Barnes, a native of Sullivan County. Mr. Durfee died in the 70's and the little farm was sold to the late William Chapman. At his death, which occurred in the 80's, it passed by purchase, to Eber Knowles, who was a veteran of the Civil War. After a few years he sold out and moved into the village where he died on East Foster Street about 1910, being about eighty-five years old. Mr. Barnes lived on the Durfee farm several years when he sold out to the late James Galloway and moved back to Sullivan County. Mr. Galloway's son, Jerome, worked the farm a few years, when the farm was sold to William E. Spier, who still owns it. Speaking of William Durfee: On his father's farm, just south of the old homestead and at the east end of the road running west, William had a sawmill on a small stream that had water in plenty, only in the Spring of the year. This little mill was kept going day and night as long as the water lasted. Later an engine was put in. But after a time logs became scarce, the old mill had served its time, and the enterprise was abandoned. The old da.m has long since been torn away. Where logs were piled up in the Winter, to await the Spring sawing, now stands a house, and the old sawmill has passed into history. The next farm adjoining on the north was that of the late Guerdon Tracy Smith. The following account was given by the late William B. Billings to the Macedon Historical Society, and being well acquainted with both 191 gentlemen in my younger days, I take great pleasure in quoting these few lines of so worthy a man. "Guerdon Tracy Smith was born in Galway, Saratoga County, N. Y., May 3, 1806. His father, Uria Smith, moved his family to Palmyra, Ontario County, N. Y., when Guerdon was about six years old. He moved into a log house on the Marion road about one mile south of that village. His father died January 23, 1812, of spotted fever, after an illness of five days. "Lemuel Durfee, living about one mile north of the present New York Central Station in Palmyra, and grandfather of the late Henry Reese Durfee, took the little boy, Guerdon, to bring up, although there were eleven children in the Durfee family. Guerdon was taught honesty, frugality, and industry, and was literally brought up under the very shadow of the old Quaker meeting house, situated in the woods just south of the house on the premises. This meeting house has since become Hicksite from the fact that there arose theological differences in the society, sufficient to cause division, and resulted in the formation of the Hicksite branch. "This meeting house was the first built by the society. The subject of this sketch performed his duties so faithfully, and his character had been so exemplary, that Mr. Durfee gave him fifty acres of land when he was twenty-one years old. This land "ras near or on the Durfee estate, and was soon exchanged for land in Farmington. Not being satisfied with this property, he then concluded to go to Michigan, then considered the far West. There being no public thoroughfares at this early period, he was obliged to walk, except perhaps catching an occasional ride. He soon returned to New York, sold his Farmington property and bought fifty acres of land of Phoebe Durfee, which was the first purchase of the homestead property, located two miles north of Palmyra churches. "The first tree cut on this purchase was in the dooryard on February 18, 1832. It was the beginning of one hundred and five cords of firewood for that Spring. He sold it on the ground for thirty-seven and one-half cents per cord, to a Palmyra buyer. The wood was drawn to the village by Leonard Jerome with a yoke of oxen. "The latter developed a different rate of speed in his later life as the well-known turfman of New York City. A daughter of this same Leonard Jerome, subsequently married Lord Randolph Churchill, of England. "The Presbyterian Church in Palmyra bears this same date, 1832. In September, the contractor, Asa Millard, came to Mr. Smith on Saturday and asked him to get out rafters for- the church and do it in a hurry. Mr. Smith was compelled to attend company training on Monday and by Tuesday Mr. Smith had seven scorers and two hewers engaged. In four days the job was done-twenty-two sticks, forly-four feet long, size eight by ten inches. No wonder the roof stands true. "A log house was soon built in what is now the dooryard of the homestead farm. In May, 1832, Mr. Smith married Melissa Starkweather. Clearing the forest was the order of business. "At night the grindstone was brought into the log house, the axes were sharpened for the next day. The good wife, the next morning, would take 192 her broom, scrub the floor, and clean where the grindstone had stood. Only once, dinner was eaten in the house during the clearing of thirty acres of land, and that on account of a broken ax helve. "Willard Thayer, Almon Green and Lorenzo Parker helped in the clearing of this land. "The present farm house was built of stone in 1844. Mr. Smith married for his second wife, Violetta Blaker, in 1877, and moved to Macedon Center, where he resided until his death, which occurred September 17, 1888. He was buried in Palmyra cemetery. "Many amazing incidents might be related, illustrative of his character. He was a strong advocate of temperance, owing, no doubt, to a mighty vigil he kept when a lad of thirteen. He says: 'Many a jug of liquor I have carried to the field for others to drink, but never a drop passed my lips, but once, when a workman gave me some milk punch. I had taken so much that it required Mother Durfee to sustain me on one side and Phoebe Young on the other, and they kept me walking the floor all night, to prevent a state of existence, generally called dead drunk. I began to stop and go to sleep. 'No, thee must walk,' and every few minutes she would say, 'Guerdon, will thee ever drink any more?' I would reply, 'No, no, only let me sleep.' Mother Durfee always remarking, 'I guess we will walk thee a while longer so thee will not forget it.' (He never did.)" Mr. Smith was good to the poor. One little deed of kindness, that was appreciated as much, and held in remembrance as long as anything he ever did, was in the Fall of 1849. He had a man husking corn for him, who had a little girl sick with consumption. Mr. Smith inquired after her. The man told him she was getting worse, and if he only had the money he would go to Vienna (now Phelps) and see a doctor, and get some medicine that would help her. Mr. Smith inquired how much he wanted and the man told him it would cost five dollars. "Well," said Mr. Smith, "I will lend thee the money and thee can pay me when thee can." When the man came home at night, he told what Mr. Smith had done. This kind offer made such an impression on the little girl's brother, who was a little younger, to think now, some medicine could be procured to cure his sister, that he never forgot it. The next day the father went for the medicine, but it failed to do her any good. A little later in the Autumn, when the leaves were falling, she passed away. Long years after when that little boy had grown to manhood, and Mr. Smith had now become an old man, and had long ago forgotten the circumstances, while he was in the village, he met the brother of this little girl, who stepped up to Mr. Smith and related the circumstance to him and told him he wanted the privilege to thank him for the kindness he had never forgotten. But it had gone entirely out of Mr. Smith's memory. Although so highly appreciated by the boy, Mr. Smith considered it only a neighborly act. He was a man of fine physique and stentorian voice. In religious faith, he was a Hicksite Quaker, his word could be relied upon. He was honored and respected by all who knew him. Mr. Smith had four daughters by his first wife, Harriett, Lucy, Maria and Sarah. Harriett 193 married Jeremiah Lyke, who died a good many years ago. Lucy died when a young lady. Maria married John Bailey and moved to Kansas and died a few years later. Sarah married Lewis Taber, who died a few years ago. The widow is now living in Newark. Leaving the Smith homestead, and passing on down the hill to the north, and nearly at the foot of the hill we come to a road leading to the east, up over a steep hill and down into a deep hollow. At the foot of this eastern slope, we find a brick farm house, erected in the 40's by Ira Greenwood, father of Hon. Marvin T. Greenwood of Newark, N. Y. About 1856 Mr. Greenwood sold this large farm to the late Lorenzo Warner, who married Mary Durfee, daughter of the late Isaac Durfee, who was a son of Lemuel Durfee, as before mentioned, who lived on the Walworth Road, leading from Palmyra. The buying of this large farm of about two hundred acres, put Mr. Warner very heavily in debt, but by being a good farmer, and a good calculator, the old farm in Turkey Hollow (as it was sometimes called, from the fact they raised so many turkeys here) was soon paid for. After living here a good many years, he came into possession of one hundred acres of land, from the old Durfee farm, built a fine house and barn, where he lived but a few years when he and his wife passed away, leaving one son, Lorenzo Durfee Warner, who has come into the possession of this property. The homestead of four hundred acres, formerly owned by Lemuel and Isaac Durfee passed to their heirs and was sold to others about 1927 or 1928. Mr. Warner is now living on West Jackson Street, Palmyra. But let us pass on a little farther. Just east of the road, going north, stands a little house, partly on the side hill, which in the 30's was the home of the late Isaac McCumber, who was one of the best carpenters in the country, and who made a specialty of barn building, which was a good business in those days. He brought up a large family in this little house. While working at his trade, he employed several men, going away Monday morning and not returning until Saturday night. In religious faith, he was a Quaker. Long years have passed since this honest, hard working man passed away. The little farm of sixteen acres has changed owners since his death. Many a barn, throughout the towns of Palmyra and Macedon is standing today, that were built from heavy hewn timbers, and with proper care will stand for many years to come. But the name of Isaac McCumber, who built these buildings is nearly forgotten. Today the auger, chisel and mallet are seldom used. Spikes and nails are used instead of wooden pins as in days of old. But let us go back to the corner and take a stroll up the north road to the Bela Morgan farm, and look into its history, and in attempting to do this, and being acquainted vvith Mr. Morgan in my younger daYR, I take great pleasure in quoting the following of this worthy pioneer, which was given by Miss Lucy Stoddard before the Palmyra Historical Society a few years ago: "Bela Morgan was born in Groten, Conn., December 22, 1794. He was the eleventh of twelve children and as the hive of his native place became crowded, Bela Morgan had the enterprise to venture on the hardships of a 194 new country in company with Eldridge l:Iavens) who afterward became his brother-in-law, and lived on West Main Street on the site where Hays Ostrander now lives. "He came to Palmyra in 1818 and purchased a tract of woodland four miles north of Palmyra village. At that time there was no clearing beyond two miles north of this village to the Stephen Durfee farm, later owned by his son-in-law, Elisha Brown. On his new farm he built a log house with a bark roof, and I have.heard him say that in a rainstorm, when his wife was ill, he had many times been obliged to hold an open umbrella over her head to protect her from the storm, and place tin pans on the bed, in various places, to catch the water as it poured down. For a number of years he was very busy clearing his farm, cutting the heavy timbers and burning it on the spot, and his young wife assisted him in lighting the numerous fires and keeping them going. In harvest time, he for a number of years, worked for Mr. Stephen Durfee, his neighbor, two miles away. His wages were fifty cents a day or one bushel of wheat. But as time rolled on, his wheat fields began to enlarge, and the yield was good, but exchanges were made in barter that would not pay the taxes or meet payments on land. There were no railroads or canal. After several years of hard work, with no vacation, he decided to visit Connecticut. There he found help in the person of his mother, who advanced $500 (if my memory serves me right) with which he might build a good, substantial cobblestone house of eight rooms, that now stands intact. Later he added two more rooms, besides well room and wood shed. He met his friends and took on a new lease of life. He made this trip on foot, it taking him six weeks. His faithful wife remained at home, looking after the stock, which consisted of one cow, a pig and watch dog, of which the latter was her sole companion, as it was Winter and neighbors were few, and far between. It would be many days at a time that she saw no person, and but for the faithful dog, she would hardly have been able to endure the lonely waiting. "He helped to build the first Congregational Church in Marion, and with his wife, was among the early members there; also one of the trustees of the same. "They went to church on horseback and having a neighbor who had young children, on each alternate Sunday, Aunt would take care of the children, and let her ride behind Uncle Morgan to church. At this date, this was the only horse in the neighborhood, and that a colt. Mr. Morgan was a saddler by trade, and brought his saddle and pillion with him, when he moved from Connecticut. In 1876 he made a substantial gift to the church in Marion of $1,000. He cherished the associations of his youththe love of kindness, the memory and principles of his fathers. He made frequent pilgrimages to the home of his birth, although he found himself amidst a new generation. He delighted in his old age to tread the ancestral acres, to visit the paternal mansion, to muse among the chancels where he garnered the dust of many generations. "The last twenty years of his life was spent in the village of Palmyra, where he passed peacefully away, April 13, 1883, leaving no heirs." Now let us return to the site of the old saw mill: On the opposite 195 corner, nearly on the site of the new school house, stood a little house in which Oliver Davenport lived for many years. He was no brag, but very dexterious in many kinds of work. He was an expert at sheep shearing, having taken the first prize in several sheep shearing contests. We will now take a stroll up the Macedon Center road to the old Bills farm. After the death of the Bills, the little farm of fourteen acres was left to a granddaughter, by the name of Caroline Allyn, who subsequently married Charles Allyn, although the same name, but no relation. After living in the old house several years, about 1849, a new house made of brick was built on the site of the old one. The old house was moved across the way, where it has been used ever since for a tool house. When this house was built, a bee was made to draw the brick, which was done in the Winter. Back of the house a sand bed was opened that furnished the sand. Mr. Allyn added to the little farm until he had a fair-sized farm. In the early 50's he sold the farm to Myron Luddington and moved to Michigan, where he died several years later. Mr. Luddington lived on this farm several years. After his death the farm passed into the hands of Edwin Brown, son of Elisha Brown, who still owns and lives on the farm. Passing on west, our first house was built by the late Thomas Chapman, on a part of the Martin Harris farm, which we shall have more to say about as we advance on our journey. Across the way and on the north side of the road lies the farm once owned by the first wife of Martin Harris, the Mormon. In the 40's this farm was sold to Perry Parker, who had just married the daughter of Aretus Lapham (as before nentioned) and settled on this farm and set out an orchard west of the house. The orchard is now nearly all disappeared. About 1856 he sold out and moved to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he later died. Marvin Hill, who had just married Wealthy Wright, who was an adopted daughter of Lemuel Durfee, bought the farm of Mr. Parker. He made a great many improvements, set out a large orchard, enlarged the house and barn and built a tenant house, thus making a fine home. As time passed on, Mr. Hill became old and unable to carryon the farm, so he sold the same to the late William Bush, who set out another orchard, adjoining on the east. Mr. Hill, after selling out, went to Clifton Springs to live with a daughter, Mrs. Addie Hill Judd. Mr. Bush, after keeping the farm a short time, sold to Theodore Whitlock. N ow it is owned and occupied by John Coveney. The west line of this farm is now the west line of the town of Palmyra. Therefore, our next farm will be in the town of Macedon, which is the old Deacon Noah Palmer farm. Mr. Palmer was born in Triverton, R. I., August 25, 1759. He was a weaver by trade. His first wife died before he came to the Genesee Country. He married Nancy Simmons for his second wife, who was a very industrious woman. She learned the weaver's trade and became an expert at the loom. Mr. Palmer boasted that she was a natural weaver. Mr. Palmer was over 50 years old when he became animated over the tales of the wDnderful Genesee Country and resolved to follow the trail of other pioneers who had preceded him and 196 undaunted by the task before him, he started with his family in 1810, from Triverton, R. I., with no other conveyance than wagon and a yoke of oxen. He purchased his farm of Arthur Harris, who lived in a log house at that time, in the town of Palmyra, now Macedon. When Mr. Palmer came here in 1810, the two towns combined had but 2,100 inhabitants and 334 families. The products of the loom were 3,300 yards of cloth. Palmyra was bounded on the north by Penfield and Williamson; East by Lyons; South by Farlnington and West by Boles. He at once began to clear away the trees and cultivate the land, and in time built a frame house that is still standing. This new house was painted red, making it a typical New England home. Mr. Palmer had been a private and corporal in the Rhode Island Militia and had served five years in the war of the Revolution. He drew from March 4, 1831, an annual pension of eighty-four dollars. In those days it was no uncommon thing to find a person that could neither read nor write and "Aunty Palmer," as she was called, was one of those unfortunates who did not have the advantages that the young people have today. Besides being proficient in the art of weaving, she was a good housekeeper, also a fine cook. Her garden was deco'rated with old-fashioned flowers, and around them the honey bee hummed merrily, gathering sweet nectar from the fairest among them, to store away in their hives, that stood adjacent to the garden, and from these hives each year, a good supply of honey was gathered. She made the old-fashioned sage cheese, that blended so nicely with her mince pies and boiled cider apple sauce. Her spinning wheel and loom she never forsook. Vigilent industry and strict economy was her motto. Mr. Palmer had three children by his first wife. Peleg, who was a bachelor, settled on a farm one-balf mile south of the homestead. Benjamin went to Michigan. Patience, the daughter, married a man by the name of Brancroft. By his second wife, there were five sons; Noah settled on a farm that he bought of a man by the name of Medkiff, on the south road, adjoining his half-brother, Peleg on the south. Samuel learned the painter's trade and lived on Washington Street, Palmyra, as before mentioned. Philip rented the old Barnhart Mill, as before mentioned. Fredrick moved to Michigan about 1854. William after receiving a portion of the east end of the old farm, built a house and barn, and after living here a few years, sold out to his brother, Philip, and moved to Michigan, where he died. When Philip went West, his youngest brother, Adoniram, purchased the property. At Mr. Palmer's death, whieh occurred in 1838, it was customary at that time to divide up the farn1 among the children, each one taking a portion of the farm for their share, leaving the homestead and a portion of the farm for the widow. After the death of the widow, which occurred in the 60's, Adoniram bought out all the heirs and became sole owner of the old farm. At his death, which occurred in the 80's, his daughter, Blanche Palmer, acquired the property and now owns and occupies the farm, thus leaving the old farm in the Palmer family since 1810. West of the house still stands a remnant of the old orchard, it being 197 one of the oldest orchards in town. We look in vain to see the old well sweep, with its box curb. To make this primitive outfit, it required a log, 12 to 15 feet long with a crotch to it. This log was set in the ground two feet or more. This was called the weIl crotch. The sweep was another long pole, 18 or 20 feet long, of which the center of the pole rested in the crotch, held from slipping by a bolt passing through it. This was called the well sweep. Another pole called the well pole was fastened to the outer end of the sweep with the lower end hanging directly over the well on which the bucket was fastened. Here for a good many years, the "Old Oaken Bucket, the iron bound bucket, the moss covered bucket" swung at the sport of the wind. For a good many years this home-made device served to draw the water to supply the kitchen, as well as to slake the thirst of many a man and beast. Long years have paRsed since this primitive device has been discarded for something more modern. Mr. Palmer was a deacon of the Baptist Church of Palmyra and his old home church in Rhode Island for over forty years. The Palmyra church, which they attended, stood across the way from the Whitlock farm on the Walworth Road. To this church they also came from Macedon. But as time passed on, and both villages increased in population, it was thought advisable to divide the Society and did so with an agreement that was satisfactory to all the members. The Macedon people took the old church and moved it to its present site in the village of Macedon. The eastern members came to Palmyra and erected a stone church, of which more will be said later. If those old pioneers could come back to earth and walk down those carpeted aisles and sit upon the cushioned seats and listen to the thundering tones of the organ, instead of the mello tones of the flute, or look, but in vain, to see the little tin reflectors hanging on the wall in which the candle was placed to light the church! In vain he listens to hear the crackling fire in the glowing fireplace. Although a cold day, yet he feels warm. He is told a heating plant has been installed in the basement where radiant heat warms the whole church building alike. He sees a man pressing a little button on the side of the wall, when all at once a hundred lights appear, more brilliant than the lights of Belshazzer's festival. Indeed, all these would seem wonderful to them. Instead of plodding homeward with an ox team, the trolley car or an enclosed automobile soon conveys them there in time for the noonday meal. This each succeeding year since 1810, has brought its changes until today. Such changes never once flittered before their imagination. And strange to say, when Deacon Palmer and wife had passed away, their children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren followed along in the same religious belief, and this year a great grandson plays the organ in the Baptist Church of Palmyra, while great grandchildren lend their cultivated voices to the choir. Thus the Christian influence of those old Christian pioneers left an impression upon their posterity that has lasted for nearly a century and a quarter. 198 Owning the same farm and attending and belonging to the same church all these long years is a record, I believe, but few families can show. We will now say farewell to this old homestead, feeling we have made brighter the pleasant and indellible memories of long ago, and take the south road, which in early day was called "Baptist Street" from the fact that all the people that lived on that street were Baptist. As we go south, on top of the hill on our left, is the old Wigglesworth farm. The old New England house, for a good many years, was wood-colored, it being built in early day by a man by the name of Burden, who in the early 30's sold the farm to John Wigglesworth, an Englishman, and a bachelor. He was a shoemaker by trade. He did not live on the farm much of the time but went to one of the western states, where he spent the most of his life, leaving his brother, Matthew, who had a large family on the farm of which he gave him the use. Here Matthew lived the rest of his life, dying in the 70's. This family consisted of ten children, six girls and four boys. Ann, the oldest, married the late Robert Chapman, who lived just north of Walworth Station. She died very suddenly while riding in a wagon. Susan married John Walton who lived on Quaker Road farm, now owned by the widow of his son, John. Margaret died with consumption in the early 50's. Maria was a fine school teacher and married Otis Antisdale as his second wife. She died in the 80's. Mary Jane married Anson Talcott. She died in 1910. Letitia G., the youngest girl, died in 1857, when about eighteen years old. John, the oldest son, died a good many years ago. He received his education in the Palmyra Union School, under Professor Justus W. French. He was a fine penman and later taught penmanship in the same school. He took up surveying as his profession. His first experience was on a railroad near Binghamton, N. Y. Later he went West and South, when the country was new and the prospects were bright. New railroads were being built, new settlers were moving in and new enterprises constantly springing up. He made this his life work. He died a good many years ago, leaving his family a nice fortune. His next brother younger, Thomas, also followed the same profession, received his education at the Palmyra lTnion School and finished under Professor Baldwin. His life was also spent in the South and West. He died about 1910, leaving a large estate. Alembert G. Wigglesworth, the next younger of the boys, after being in business several years, sold out and went to California. He died in the state of Washington about 1920. He married Emma Palmer, daughter of the late Noah Palmer. She is still living. Albert, the youngest of the family, when the Civil War broke out, enlisted and served his country until the war closed. He then married Ella Griswold, moved to Kentucky and was engaged as conductor on a railroad. After a short time, he was stricken with a fever. and died, leaving a widow and one son, who came back to Palmyra. The son was educated at Cornell University, where he graduated with high honors. After 199 leaving the school he went to Cuba and was engaged on a sugar plantation, but this life was too slow for him. He returned to Palmyra, then went to the city of Chicago, where he engaged in the electric business, in which he was very successful and made a fortune. His mother married the late Cullen Rogers as his second wife. After the death of Mr. Rogers, she sold out to Dr. Clarence C. Nesbitt and went to Chicago to live with her son, dying about 1922. The Wigglesworth family was made up of church-going people. In those days the lumber wagon was the only conveyance they had to go to church in. It had wooden springs running the whole length on either side of the box, with boards put across for seats, as many as were necessary to accommodate the family. The older people took the middle of the wagon, thereby receiving the full benefit of the springs, but woe unto the one who was unfortunate enough to have a seat over the hind axletree. Yet those were happy days, although rough and uncouth as they may seem to the people of today. Here, neighbor met neighbor on equal terms and reviewed the past which awakened to them that dear delight they so fondly cherished. Mr. Wigglesworth was a shoemaker by trade. He bought a stock of leather in the Fall and when long evenings came, and on stormy days, the old shoe bench was brought into the kitchen and here in this portable shoe factory, by the glimmering light of a tallow candle, boots and shoes were made for the family. Mr. Wigglesworth was a small, as well as a very quiet man, and when he was snuggled down in the corner, one would hardly know he was in the room. He was very fond of music and a fine player on the violin, out of which he had a great deal of pleasure, and to hear him play some favorite tune one would not believe it was the same little old quiet man in the corner. On this farm, a good supply of their sugar was made from their maple trees. Of this large and respectHble family, not one is living, but the old New England house that sheltered them is still standing, looking younger than seventy years ago, by being decorated with a coat of white paint. But we must again say goodbye and jog along on our journey to the old Davenport homestead, lying on the west side of the road. Mr. Davenport came from New England in early day and settled upon this farm. The old wood-colored house is still standing. Here he brought up a large family. Now all have passed away. Mr. Davenport had one peculiarity, his eyes were not of the same color. One was blue and the other was black. He kept one eye partly closed. He died about 1853. At Mr. Davenport's death, the farm passed to his son, Edward, who spent all his life at the old homestead, dying in the 80's. At his death, the farm passed into the hands of strangers and the Davenport homestead will soon be forgotten. When Mr. Davenport came to this country, he brought with him a wooden clock, that was hung on a wooden post in the kitchen wall. It had no case to cover its wooden wheels, no glass to cover its face. The weights hung down in plain view, the hands faithfully making their splendid round, 200 pointing correctly to each figure on its dusty dial, while each swing of the pendulum accurately ticked the time away. Generations have come and gone since this old clock first started out on its mission. Long years have passed since the old clock rang out the hour of departed time, and passed into obscurity, trusting to history to reveal the past. But we must pass on to the home of Noah Palmer, son of Deacon Palmer, as before mentioned. Mr. Palmer married Eliza Davenport, and settled on the farm adjoining on the south of her father's farm, which was the Medkiff farm, as before stated. Here this couple spent their life, dying in the 70's. There was a large family, six girls and one boy. The son and one daughter are the surviving ones of this large family, who now live in California. After the death of Mr. Palmer, the farm passed into the hands of strangers. On the south lived his half-brother, Peleg, who in the 30's bought this farm of John Harner, who sold out and went to Ohio. Mr. Palmer was a bachelor, born and reared in Rhode Island. He did all his farming with an ox-team, keeping up the old New England custom. He never owned a horse. He died in the 50's. Since Mr. Palmer's death the farm has had several owners. As we journey south we pass where in the 40's, was a large tract of timber, of which a part was owned by the late William Chapman, on the Walworth Road, one-half mile north of the Yellow Mill. In those woods was a fine sand bed, suitable for plastering; also moulding sand was taken from these woods. Passing on we come to another little wood-colored house on the west side of the road, which has long since been torn down, and but few know that a house was ever there, except a very few of the old inhabitants. In this little house lived John Archer, who came here in the 30's. His wife was a native of New Jersey. The Archer family consisted of five girls and one son, and has fared the fate of their neighbors, for they have all passed away. Mr. Archer was a great hunter and always kept a hound dog, and when he and his dog went out in pursuit of game, they always brought something back. The little farm has been added to an adjoining farm and but few remember this home in the woods. The late Delos Pratt married Chloe Archer and bought a little fiveacre farm adjoining on the south where he erected a house and barn. Here he lived until his death which occurred in the 80's, leaving a widow and one daughter, Mary Pratt Stetson, wife of George Stetson. She died a few years ago. Mr. Pratt was a carpenter by trade and a fine workman, employed most of the time in the village. He died in the 80's, his wife dying several years later, at the age of eighty-six years at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stetson. Across the way there has been another house built and also another at the north end of the woods, at one time owned and occupied by the late Oliver Davenport. As we pass along down through the woods, we pass through the Ambrose Hall farm, whose house stood on the corner of Baptist Street 201 and Quaker Road. On this corner, at a very early date, Ambrose Hall built a low, old-fashioned New England house, which was perfectly innocent of ever having any paint spread upon it. He also built a barn. The late Israel Mcomber, at one time, in the 40's, lived here; in the early 50's Oliver Jones. Later, about 1856, Lyman Pierce purchased the property and built a mint still north of the house, and raised a good deal of mint. In the 60's, his son, Lewis, bought a part of the farm and on the north road built a house and barn. He died about 1910, being over eighty years old. In the 60's Mr. Pierce sold the remainder of the farm to the late Gilbert Budd and moved two miles south of Palmyra village on Canandaigua Road. Mr. Budd tore down the old house and barn and built new buildings. He also bought the Peleg Palmer farm, and the stone house farm on the east on Quaker Road. We have now come to the end of "Baptist Street" and while on our, journey we have looked in vain for kin or kindred of those old pioneers who lived peacefully upon those farms, and occupied those homes. They have all passed away and are nearly forgotten, and the farms have passed into the hands of strangers, and the name of Baptist Street has passed into history. Those Christian people, faithful to their sacred vow at the altar, undaunted by the chilly blasts of Winter, pressed on through the deep snow drifts that on this road came early and stayed late, arriving at the church in time to listen to the sermon. The women had a hot brick or an old-fashioned foot warmer in the bottom of the sleigh to keep their feet warm, and a nice quilted winter hood trimmed with down to protect them from the cold. With plenty of clean, bright straw in the bottom of the sleigh and wrapped in the large buffalo robe, they were quite comfortable. The men were protected by wearing thick woolen mittens upon their hands and a long woolen conlforter that would go three or four times around their neck. Before going to church the family grease dish was brought out and put over the fire to melt the tallow. A little lamp black and beeswax was added which gave the old wooden pegged cowhide boots a gloss after going in the snow, when well rubbed in. This would appear as ridiculous today, to the present generation, as bobbed hair or silk stockings eighty years ago. Being now at the Quaker Road, why not take a little stroll to the west? Our first house was built in the 60's, by the late Abram Carl, who had now become an old man, sold his farm on Maple Avenue and moved to this new house, which he built, where he spent the remainder of his days near his daughter, Mrs. Budd. Mr. Carl died in the 70's and the place was sold to the late William Parker. At his death, which occurred in the 90's the place passed to George Smith, a son-in-law, who died about 1915, and the place passed into other hands. Our next farm house on the west was built of stone in the early 40's, by a Mr. Camp, who purchased this farm of Jeremiah Bingham, a native of New Hampshire. In the 50's the late Anson Boyington bought the farm, and in the 60's sold to Edgar Jordan. At his death the farm was sold 202 to William A. Chapman. After successfully carrying on this farm for a number of years, about 1900, leaving the farm to his son, Albert, he came into the village, where he died a few years later. Later Albert sold out and moved to Washington Street, where he died. The Chapmans, were fine farmers and always had a fine flock of sheep. Now let us return to Baptist Street corner, but before going farther, let us go back to 1793, when Nathan Harris and his wife, Rhoda, left Rhode Island and on February 3, 1794, bought six hundred acres of John Swift at a half-dollar per acre. The purchase was bounded west by the present town line, south by the north line of the creek lots, east by William Slocum's purchase, and north by Gideon Durfee, later Lemuel Durfee. Returning to Baptist Street corner, our first farm on the Harris tract was owned at one time by Ambrose Hall. In the early 40's, it came into the possession of Franklin Lakey, who erected the present stone house as before mentioned. In the late 40's it came into the possession of Fay Purdy, a son-in-law of Hall. He was a Methodist exhorter and of camp meeting fame. This farm he rented to others. Among some of the tenants were John Jones, Vail, John Philips, Avery and others. In the 70's, it was sold to Gilbert Budd, who owned the Hall farm on the west. After the death of Mr. Budd, John Walton bought the farm, also the one on the west. Later he sold the west farm and retained the stone house farm. Our next farm on the east: John Russell bought of Harris two hundred acres, which extended east to Isaac Arnold's west line, which was where Division Street now is. The Walton farm came off the west end of the Russell tract, which in the 30's was owned by Barney Allen, who committed suicide in one barn after setting fire to another. The farm then came into the possession of his son-in-law, Samuel Wilber, who after a short time sold to the late Dr. Alexander McIntyre. In the 60's the late John "Talton purchased the farm and at his death his son John H. Walton took the farm. He later bought the Budd farm, as before mentioned, thus owning two farms. It is now occupied by his widow, Mrs. May Johnson Walton. Passing on east to the Isaac Arnold tract, which at an early date came into the possession of Abner Lakey, who had a cabinet shop in the Eagle Hotel building, as mentioned before: After Mr. Lakey came into possession of this property he built an old-fashioned low New England hou'se, which was painted a light yellow. Across the lane he had a cider mill where every Fall he made cider. At this old mill, when a boy, I had many a drink of sweet cider from the old pewter tumbler that was waiting on the platform over the tub. Sweet cider to me in those days was a great treat. He was also a surveyor and in early days he was called upon to do a great deal of that kind of work. Mr. Lakey also purchased that portion of the John Russell tract extending from Division Street west to John Walton's east line and north to the Carl south line. Mr. Lakey was a very prominent man and took a great interest in the general welfare of the community in which he lived. He was twice married. By his first wife 203 he had two sons and four daughters. Of the latter were Eunice, who married a minister by the name of Giles; Rowena, who married a man by the name of Knapp; Elizabeth, who married David Lillie. Caroline married David Goldsmith of Port Gibson, who owned a large farm, now owned and successfully conducted by a daughter, Kate. Mention has already been made of the sons. By his second wife there was one daughter, Mrs. Lucy Lakey Bowman, who but recently passed on, being over eighty-eight years old. After Franklin Lakey sold the stone house farm, about 1849, he bought all that part of his father's farm lying west of Division Street extending west to John Walton's east line. Almost directly across the road from his father's he built a new house, taking the frame of the old shop on the creek and using the same in the new house, his father keeping the land on the east side of the road. Here he lived the rest of his life. The farm, at his death, was sold to Absolom Weeks in 1860. The same was sold to Henry Herbert, a native of Maine, who after living here a number of years in the old house, built a new one on the same site of the old one. Here he spent the rest of his days and brought up his family. The farm is still owned by the heirs, except that part which has been sold off to the Garlock Packing Company. His son Fred, bought nine acres off the farm across the way, lying on Division Street, now covered with cottages, each occupant owning his own home. Returning to Maple Avenue now: As we pass up over the hill to the north, where neat little cottages now stand, there was in the 50's, a large tobacco field, where Anson Talcott raised tobacco. In the 50's he came from Massachusetts, rented from Franklin Lakey, a tract of land on which to raise tohacco. At that time Mr. Lakey was running a distillery just west of Maple Avenue on Quaker road, aR before mentioned and furnished all the manure he had a mind to draw, thus covering the ground all over with a thick coat. He built large, long sheds in which to hang the tobacco. In this business he made money for several years. When he moved back to Ma.ssachusetts, after the growing of tobacco had ceased, Mr. Lakey sold off lots on which to build houses, thus making Maple A venue a desirable street on which to live. Where the brick house now stands, in the 50's the late George Olivett built a small frame house. A few years later Silas Taber, who then owned a farm one and one-half miles north, sold out and bought the Olivett place, tore down the frame house and built a small brick house on the same site. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in the 70's, when the place was sold to Samuel Lawrence, another retired farmer, who enlarged the house. Mr. Lawrence died in the 80's and the place was sold to a Mr. Fox, who now owns and occupies the same. The house on the south was built in the 70's by the late William Edgerton, who, as well as his neighbor, was a retired farmer, coming from Walworth. At one time he was a supervisor of that town. After coming to Palmyra, he was elected supervisor of his adopted town, which office he filled in a 204 creditable manner. He was a man respected by those who knew him. In politics he was a staunch Republican. We are now at the north line of the Franklin Lakey farm, which was once a part of the John Russell tract, which he bought of Harris, the Fox place being the last one. As we journey north our next place is the original Nathan Harris homestead, father of Martin Harris, the converted Mormon. At the time Mr. Harris came here only a trail led to his log cabin. A few years later a road was laid out from the north side of Mud Creek to his log house. The road from Main Street north to the north side of Mud Creek and called Chapel Street to this point, was laid previous to this. Mr. Harris was a noted hunter and fisherman. At one time a single haul of a seine in 1792, across Ganargua Creek, resulted in a catch of eighteen fine salmonr When he was an old man he shot the last wolf killed in this locality. The animal had become known by his depredations, and a company was formed to take him. As Uncle Nathan rode along the road upon his horse, the wolf crossed the road before him, and at once a gallop was taken and, closing the interval between, a shot was fired under full headway and the creature was killed. In the spring time his long fowling piece brought down many a duck when flying over, and bullets known to be his, from the great weight of the ball, were lodged and chopped from the trees by the settlers. After living in the log house for some time, he built a new frame house, which is still standing, looking very much as when first built, except the north wing, which was added over eighty-five years ago. Northwest from the house on the west side of the road, was a spring in which Harris kept a pet trout. One day a friend possessed of a large red nose, called on a visit. A social glass was followed by a stroll over the farm and ultimately they came to the spring. The friend got down on all fours for a drink of water, while Harris looked on. As the red nose neared the water, out sprang toe trout and seized it, while on the instant an upward toss of the head landed the fish full ten feet to the rear. Harris returned the trout to the spring and informed his bewildered friend that the time was propitious for fishing, and a fine lot were taken that afternoon. The name "Trout Harris," given in eonsequence of this incident, became widely known. Mr. Harris and family worked diligently iri clearing up his large farm, taking the hardships of pioneer life as they came along. His death occurred while the country was yet new and the hardships of pioneer life were yet many, and it was only the small quarters of the log cabin they had by which to shelter the sick. After the death of Mr. Harris, George Carpenter, a Quaker, came from Dutchess County, in 1822, and purchased the Harris farm. He had one son, Lot Carpenter, who married a daughter of the late Henry Underhill, who lived one and one-half miles southwest of the Yellow Mills. He died in the 50's. A daughter of George Carpenter married the late William Walton, a native of England. She was fourteen years old when she came with her 205 parents from Dutchess County. She died in 1915 at the age of ninetythree. There were eleven chiidren in George Carpenter's family and all these have long since passed away and are only known by what some fragment of history may reveal. Across the way from the old I-Iarris homestead can be seen a little old country cemetery in which were buried some of our earliest and most respected citizens, of which more will be said later. At the death of Mr. Carpenter this large farm was sold to the late Abraham Carl who came from the East in the early 40's. In 1848, he built a tenant house on the south side of his farm. Nicholas Hollenbeck was its first tenant. After a good many years of successful farming, and being somewhat advanced in years he sold the north part of his farm to his son, Henry, keeping fifty acres, including the tenant house, which he enlarged, besides building a barn, thus making this fine farm with choice land. In this new home he lived several years. During this time he was growing old and pondering upon the fact, he sold the farm to the late Alonzo Langdon and moved to a new house he had built on the Quaker road, as before mentioned. Mr. Langdon who bought the farn1, was a son of Benjamin Langdon, the stage driver as before mentioned in the earlier part of this history. The son Alonzo was a malst"er and distiller by occupation and for several years he was town assessor. At one time he raised considerable tobacco. He died about 1908 and the farm passed on to his son, Hudson Langdon, who died with a cancer about 1915. After his death the farm was sold to a Mr. Martin. Let us return to the Carl homestead which now was owned by his son, Henry, who in the 50's sold the farm to the late Casper Hollenbeck who came from the original Webb Harwood farm, east of the lower iock on the o1d canal in the town of Macedon. IV1r. Carl bought the Smith farm, now the Lent farm. After a few years he sold out and moved to Michigan. In the 60's Mr. Hollenbeck sold the Carl farm to John S. Wright and moved to Michigan, where he died. During Mr. Wright's occupancy he sold forty acres to a Mr. Griswold who came from Chenango County, New York. Mr. Griswold built the present house and barn and planted the orchard north of the house. About 1912, Mr. Griswold's son, Charles, bought the remainder of the Wright farm. Previous to this purchase his father had died and Charles came into possession of the same, which later was sold. Returning to the Harris homestead Charles Griswold after living here a few years, in 1912, sold the farm to Benjamin Tyler a native of Virginiq. In 1921, again the old farm was sold and Mr. Tyler moved into the village. Many have been the changes since Nathan Harris moved into his log house in the wilderness at the end of the road. History can reveal only a brief sketch of the past. We can only say that this wilderness is now dotted with pleasant homes, fine orchards and fertile fields that lend their charm to the living. Adjoining this farm on the north is the farm of Martin Harris, son of Nathan Harris. This farm extended as far north as the Macedon Center 206 road and was a part of his father's farm. While living he joined the Mormons very much against the wishes of his wife and at one time while engaged in a heated argument with her husband she grabbed up a bundle of his manuscripts and threw them into the fire. He finally sold the farm to Thomas Lakey to raise money to print the Book of Mormons. At this transaction his wife left him and went to live on her own farm which was on the Macedon Center road known as the Marvin Hill farm, now the John Coveney farm, and Martin Harris went West where he again married. After a while he returned with wife No. 2 and after a short time he and wife No. 1 became reconciled to each other and she consented to let Martin come back and live with her and also to bring back wife No. 2 where they all lived together for a time. When Martin Harris sold his farm to Thomas Lakey to raise money to print the Book of Mormons it had to be paid for in gold. In 1831 John Graves came from England accompanied by his wife and daughter, Mrs. Christiana Graves Grainger, a widow, who brought with her four children, one of whom, Jane, married William 'Throop and became the mother of George, Mary, Emily and Belle Throop. Emily and Belle have since passed away. Mrs. Grainger also brought with her $3,000 in gold, wrapped in a belt and fastened around her waist. Mr. Graves purchased the farm from Mr. Lakey and paid the $3,000 which was passed on to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormons [sic], which was started in the Fall of 1829 and finished in the Spring of 1830, just one hundred years ago. They paid $3,000 for the work and 5,000 copies were printed. Mr. Egbert B. G. Granden, then publisher of the Wayne Sentinel, took the contract. Mr. John H. Gilbert, as printer, had the chief operative trust of the type setting and proof work of the job. When Martin Harris first came into possession of the farm, he built a frame house painted white, which was one and one-half stories high. Across the way he built his barn and sheds and covered them with rough hemlock boards. Here John Graves moved with his family. He died leaving, besides his wife, his daughter, Mrs. Christiana Graves Grainger and four children, Grover, James, Jane and Emily. Mrs. Grainger later married the late William Chapman, a native of England, who owned a large farm north of Union Hill and lived upon it while his brother John Chapman worked the Grainger farm on shares. In 1848 John bought the Frederick Sheffield farm just north of Walworth station now owned by his grandson, William Chapman. In the Spring of 1849 John moved on his new farm and his brother William was to move on the Grainger farm where John had been living. Just before John moved, the house caught fire and was burned to the ground. Everything was destroyed even to their clothing. William not being dismayed at this calamity, moved his family into the corn crib and immediately began to make preparations for a new house that was to be made of stone. The late Robert Johnson was its builder. The front wall on the outside was faced with lake stone that were drawn by oxen. His son, Thomas, who could not have -been over nine or ten years old, drew a good many of them taking three days to make the round trip. It took 207 one day to go and another to return, and one day to gather up the stones. Mr. Chapman had two sons Thomas and William who were born in the old log house. After the death of his wife, which occurred in the 70's, he married Elizabeth Watson, his son William taking the Union Hill farm and Thomas taking the Grainger farm. The father bought the twenty-five acre farm of the William Durfee heirs. rfhere he spent the remainder of his life. The boys were successful farmers. William married Adelia Pierce, daughter of Lyman Pierce, and after living in the log house for a time, built a fine farm house. He planted a large orchard and together with other good crops, became a wealthy farmer. After retiring from business he left the farm to his sons and moved to California where he died about 1915. William was fond of travel having visited every section of the United States and Canada. He also went to England and later to Palestine. He was always very much interested in the Palmyra fair, often coming from California, arriving here in time for the fair. His brother Thomas married Jane Throop. While living on the old farm he moved the old rough barns that stood beside the road across the way to their present location. The old house that was burned was a one and a half story white house. After awhile Thomas sold all that part of the farm south of the railroad to Ella wigglesworth, widow of Albert Wigglesworth, as before mentioned. He built a house on that portion north of the railroad. He sold out and went West. Later he returned and bought a little four acre farm on Maple Avenue where he built a house now owned by his heirs. He left three sons: Harry G., William and Carl, and a daughter, Mrs. Leon Cator. Carl passed away several years ago, leaving a wife and one son. Thomas was also fond of traveling. He went all over the United States and Canada, and made several trips across the continent, finally moving to California, where he died about 1910. Mr. Chapman was a very genial man and thought a good deal of his friends. Thus the old Martin Harris farm has been divided up and passed into the hands of strangers and the original owners will soon be forgotten. West Main Street Let us return to the village for another starting point and follow up West Main Street. Passing the Aldrich farm, at our left back upon the hill stands the beautiful country residence of the late Jackson Downing, who in the 70's sold the Dennis Rogers farm on the Quaker road in the town of Macedon. He came to Palmyra, bought ten acres of land off the west side of the Aidrich farm and erected this elegant house. Here he lived until his death which occurred in the 90's. When this house was built, labor and material were low, and houses of this class were in better demand, but times have changed, labor, material and fuel have advanced so in price. N eat small cottages are fast taking the place of those that are more costly. At Mr. Downing's death this fine residence was put upon the market, and for the reasons above stated no buyer came forward, and finally it was sold for the Palmyra Inn for the accommodations of the passing tourist. The price was $5000, far less than its value.Passing along we shortly come to the old Downing homestead. This 208 old landmark was in the Downing family a good many years. They came here in the 30's and bought this farm, going into debt. After a few years Mr. Downing died leaving two sons, Jackson and Dibble G., and one daughter, Jeruslia, who married the late Daniel Gates as his second wife and moved to Canandaigua, where he died. With good management the widow and two sons went on and paid up the debt. Dibble Downing kept the homestead. At his death which occurred in the 90's the farm passed to strangers. Dibble married the daughter of the late A. P. Crandall, a prominent and enterprising business man in the village of Palmyra as before mentioned. Jackson married the daughter of the late Mr. Pettitt, a retired farmer. In the 90's Mahlon Kinman owned this farm. Later Peter Briggs was its owner. All of the above names are fast passing from memory. The little white house across the way was built by the late Darius Davenport who was a blacksmith and came here in the 40's. His little shop stood near the road. As time passed on he became old and decrepit with years and gave up the business. He died in the 80's and the little shop was torn down and the country blacksmith is forgotten. It is now owned and occupied by Charles Wilkinson. Adjoining this on the west was the old Yellow Mill, built in 1793, an old landmark for many years. In pioneer days General John Swift whose residence will be pointed out as we advance in our journey, had a woolen mill on this same site where wool was made into rolls for spinning. Later it was converted into a custom flour and feed mill and operated as such for several years using the old burr stone: In the 30's it came into the possession of E. P. Goddard and for a good many years went by the name of "Goddard's Mill," and it had always been painted yellow, and as time passed on and Mr. Goddard sold out and moved away and was nearly forgotten, it gradually took the nanle of "Yellow Mill" and for more than three fourths of a century it had been known by no other name. At one time in its earlier history it did a large business as a custom flour mill. But the milling business had changed from what it was fifty years ago. The old burr stone had become obsolete and the roller process fast came into use and a good many years ago the old mill was converted into a feed mill. Otherwise but very little change had been made in the old landmark. This old mill during its life time had a good many owners. On July 18, 1929, the old mill was struck by lightning, and soon burst into flames. Soon the black smoke floating heavenward, told the story of its destruction. The passing of this old landmark seems like losing an old friend, but the old Ganargua that furnished the power to turn the stone that ground the grain in this old mill, still flows on in silent grandeur to the sea, where for ages it has been wrapped in ocean's fond embrace. In 1931 a more compact mill was erected at this corner and will be known also as Yellow Mill. Dewey Gowers is the proprietor. Now we take a lingering look at what remains of the old mill walls and pass on in our journey to the Walworth Road. Speaking of the Beers farm: As we leave this old landmark and 209 journey to the north, on the Wahvorth Road, we shortly come to the Quaker Road and going to the west, after passing the little house on the corner, we come to a large two-story house, in an early day, built, owned and occupied by Abraham Spear, who was a son of Lemuel Spear, one of the first pioneers, as before mentioned. For a short time this house was opened up for a tavern, being the second tavern in the town of Macedon. In the 30's, this large farm of two hundred acres came into the possession of Mr. Beers, who came here in the 30's. In the 40's, A. P. Crandall purchased the farm. After living here several years, he let the farm to the late Ira Clark, who was a good farmer and carried on the farm for several years. Mr. Crandall moved to the village of Palmyra, where he became a very prominent man in village affairs. In the 60's he sold the farm to the late John Rannie, a native of Scotland. In the 80's it passed to his son-in-law, Alexander Grieves, who was also a Scotchman. In the 90's, Charles Johnson purchased what was left of the original farm, for previous to this a good deal of the north end had been sold off to the late William Kent and Lorenzo Warner. Mr. J:ohnson paid $8,000 for what he bought. In 1924, Mr. Johnson sold the farm to a concrete company, as there was a good deal of gravel suitable for making concrete. For this property he received $20,000 and moved into the village of Palmyra, on Canandaigua Street, where he still resides. This company also bought the farm on the hill adjoining on the west, in the 50's known as the Knight farm, paying $18,000 for the farm; also in the 50's owned by Mr. Slocum; in the 60's by Hulburt. The old Lemuel Spear farm lies between these two farms. On the south side of the road stands the old Spear homestead. This farm had already been sold to another company. Returning to the Walworth road: As we pass on north a short distance from the corner, we come to the John Swift farm, which he owned for a time. While living here he built the carding mill as mentioned before. The house in which he lived and built, although a frame house, was a very cheap affair. Additions and lean-tos had been added and all being so near alike it was hard to tell which was the main building. But the soil was of the best quality. In the 30's, the late William Chapman bought this property. Here he lived and brought up his family. The mother and daughters were very fond of flowers, and in this large dooryard the flower beds were artistically arranged, with the choicest of flowers, while other portions of the ground were shaded by sturdy oaks and stately elms, making this old pioneer homestead a very attractive place. Mr. Chapman died in the 60's and the farm passed on to the late Absolom Weeks, who came from New York City. After living here a short time, he sold the farm to James Kent, in the 60's, and in the 70's Mr. Kent moved from his farm south of the Huddle on the Walworth Road. He tore down the old house and built the present brick house on the same site of the old one. On this farm he spent the rest of his days. He died very suddenly in the 80's while at the Palmyra Fair. He fell dead under an oak tree at the entrance of the grounds. 210 For awhile his oldest son, Hiram owned and occupied the farm. In the 80's he sold the same to the late Zachariah Van Duzer, who came from Macedon. After living here several years, he let the farm and moved into the village. In 1904 he sold the farm to Theodore Whitlock, who, after living here until 1923, sold the farm to the concrete company, retaining the house across the road and a portion of the flat. For this farm he received $23,000 and he moved on Canandaigua Street, Palmyra. Speaking of William Chapman, who once owned this farm, which extended south beyond the canal: A t the time the Erie Canal was enlarged in 1857, there stood two small frame houses, just north of the canal, and on the west side of the road, on the Beers farm. When the canal was enlarged, these houses were rented to Irish families, who worked on the canal. Across the way, on the east side of the road, Mr. Chapman had a rail fence. He noticed that the rails were fast disappearing from the old fence, and his son, Hoyt, thought he would investigate the matter. One night he came down, took a rail off the fence, carried it home, bored a small hole in the end, poured in a little powder and plugged it up. Taking the rail back, he placed it on the fence, and went home to await the results. In a day or two he heard that one of the stoves had been blown up. After that no more rails were missing. Adjoining this farm on the north was the William Kent farm. He was a son of James Kent. This farm he bought in the early 20's of David Finley, a native of Walworth, born on Finley Hill. About 1906 Mr. Kent sold the farm to the New York Central Railroad Company, which they bought for the gravel. He received for this fine farm, $30,000. This sale included the land that came off the Rannie farm, as before mentioned. Thus five of the best farms in the town of Macedon, all adjoining each other, will be ruined for agricultural purposes. Mr. Kent, after selling the farm, moved in the village on the south end of Cuyler Street. After living here a number of years, he sold out and about 1915 moved to California. He came back and di'ed about 1918. In early day that tract of land in this neighborhood was called the Oak Openings, by the New Englanders who were used to the rocky soil of the East. It was not very desirable for farming, so they passed on, some going as far north as Walworth. One of the first owners of the William Kent farm was Theodore Rawson; later owned by Ambrose Hall; still later in the 40's, by Fay Purdy and from him it passed to David Finley; then to William Kent. On this once fine farm the changes have been many. The road has changed its course. The buildings have been torn down and carried away. The fine and fertile fields have been ruined and no longer are fit for agricultural purposes. In these oak woods the Indians had their hunting ground. While digging, bones of Indians were found on this farm. But we pass. on and find our next farm is the Isaac Durfee farm." He was a son of Lemuel Durfee and grandson of Gideon Durfee, who came from Triverton, R. I., in 1794. 211 Mr. Durfee bought a part of the farm about 1820. The farm was bought at two separate times for which he paid from ten to twenty dollars an acre. He spent the remainder of his life on this farm and brought up a large family. He died in 1855, being over 70 years old. The farm was left to his two youngest sons, Isaac and Lemuel, who never married. Mr. Durfee had three wives. After his death, the "boys," as they were called, built the fine brick house, south of the homestead. Nearly all the finishing lumber that went into this house was grown on the old farm, such as oak, black walnut, maple, hickory, white wood, besides many other kinds of a cheaper grade, that was necessary to use in the building. Before the house was completed, Lemuel died. Isaac went on and completed the house, and after living here a few years, he also died, and the large magnificent house that they expected to live in and enjoy for many years, soon became a tenant house for the stranger who worked the large farm. A few years later the old homestead caught fire and burned to the ground. After the brick house was built, Lorenzo Warner, who married their sister, Mary, came into possession of one hundred acres off the south end of the old farm, rented the large farm in Turkey Hollow, as mentioned before, and moved to the Durfee farm, where he erected a fine house and barn, just north of the West Shore Railroad, where he spent the rest of his life, leaving this property to Lorenzo Durfee Warner, an only child, who, after living here several years, let the farm and moved on Jackson Street in the village of Palmyra. After the death of Isaac Durfee, jr., Burton Durfee, son of Stephen Durfee, and grandson of Isaac Durfee, sr., and L. D. Warner, who was also a grandson, bought out the heirs to this property. In 1921 the Burton Durfee heirs and L. D. Warner sold the entire Durfee estate, Mr. Warner retaining the one hundred acres of his father's estate. Thus nearly all the old farm, after being in the family for over one hundred years, has passed into the hands of strangers, and the name "Durfee Farm" will soon be forgotten. Our next neighbor on the north was William Capron, * who was also an early settler, and a native of Connecticut, coming to this country when Mud Creek was yet a navigable stream and when the pioneers had to go to Geneva to mill. He was it fine farmer. His farm once took the first prize for being the best conducted farm in the county. There were three sons and one daughter. Erastus Allyn became a military man and lived in Washington, D. C. George kept the homestead. In the 80's he sold the farm to the New York Central Railroad Company, which they bought for the gravel. For this farm, Mr. Capron received $16,000 and bought a ten-acre farm on Canandaigua Street, south of Palmyra village, where he died in the 80's. Old Mr. Capron, while stopping over night at a hotel at Seneca Falls, went out upon the porch in the evening and it being dark and there being no guard rail, he stepped off, which resulted in his death. The widow __________ * William Pitt Capron (c.1785-1846) md. Mariamne Allyn. 212 spent the remainder of her life on the farm with her son, George. The daughter married James Gallup, who was a merchant in Palmyra and the other son, Frank, died while yet young. Including the Lapham farm, adjoining on the west, this makes seven of the finest farms for agricultural purposes in the town of Macedon, that have been ruined for the gravel. Continuing our journey, we come to the iargest four-track railroad in the world. Here at this crossing, the writer of this sketch, while crossing boy, flagged the first passenger train that passed over the road, of which more will be said later. Just north of here we come to what was called in ye olden time, "Green's Corners." In 1802, Captain Ephriam Green, who had been an officer in the War of the Revolution, came from Massachusetts and took up a farm of one hundred acres at this corner. At that time there were but two houses between this farm and Lake Ontario on the north. He soon built a log house in which he lived for a time. He later built the present old homestead that is still standing near the corner and its first coat of paint was yellow. The flat across the way was a dense black ash swamp. One night a hungry bear came out of this swamp and seized a good sized pig and w'alked triumphantly away, crushing the bones of the poor pig while on his march. The daughters were Alta and Betsy Ann. The sons were James, Orson and Almon. The latter kept the homestead and made a good nlany substantial improvements on the property. The old yellow house was remodeled with new cornice and brackets and painted white. The old barns were moved across the way and put upon solid walls. The old rough hemlock siding was stripped off and matched siding put on and painted, and many conveniences were added to make this a pleasant place to live. Almon was a colonel in the militia. He was a powerful man, lean and tall, being 6 foot 2 inches in his stocking feet. Almon did not marry until quite late in life. He then married Sarah Archer, daughter of John Arche'r, who lived on Baptist Street, as before mentioned. They had two sons, Almon and Percy. Almon died several years ago. Percy is living in the village and is a bachelor. He was employed at the railroad stations for several years. The grandfather died in 1857 and was buried in the old cemetery across from the Whitlock farm on the Walworth Road. Almon, sr., died in the 70's. He was a kind man, firm in his convictions and adhered to what he thought was right. His wife died a few years later. My associations with this old farm in my younger days, while working by the month, endears me to this spot. I have slept many nights beneath its roof, and eaten many a meal at their table, both Summer and Winter, when we had salt pork three times a day which was then the substantial food for all farmers. But when I look back now to see the dilapidated condition of those once fine farm buildings, caused by neglect and the ravages of time, it saddens my heart. Those old maple trees in front of the house, I helped 213 to set out over seventy years ago, bringing some of them on my shoulder from the woods. After taking a lingering look at this old homestead, we pass on up the hill only to again recall remembrances of long ago. Our first farm is that of Paul Sheffield, who came here in early day. At his death the farm came to his son, Frederick. About 1848, John Chapman, a native of England, as before mentioned, bought this farm. He was a natural farmer and made this into a fine farm. Although a fine farmer and a man of good judgment, he could neither read nor write. When young, these advantages he did not have, but nevertheless, he was one of the substantial men of the town. He had two children, Robert and Christina. At his death the farm went to his son Robert, who had two sons, William and John, who came into the possession of the farm after the death of the father. John died several years ago, when William became sole owner of the farm. Several years ago he moved to the village of Palmyra where he now lives. He sold the farm in 1930. Adjoining this farm on the north in early day, was one owned and occupied by Ransom Steward. Later it came by way of purchase to Jacob Hagaman, a native of New Jersey. In 1848, William Coates, a native of England, who shortly after coming to this country married Christina, daughter of John Chapman, purchased the Hagaman farm and occupied the same until the Spring of 1852, when he sold out to David Bussey and moved to-the F. L. Reeves farm on the Creek Road. In 1858, Thomas Jones Bussey received from his father, forty acres off the south side of the farm and erected the present house and barn, soon after getting married. Twenty acres of the south part of this farm once belonged to the Chapman farm on the south. After living here until about 1912, he sold out and moved to a farm one and one-half miles north of Macedon. Later he moved to Macedon village where he died in 1914. After the death of David Bussey, Almon Green bought the farm. At his death his son, Almon, jr., came into the possession of the farm. Now it is owned by the heirs of Pliny T. Sexton. Across the way, at an early date, a Mr. Wood owned and occupied a farm. The house in which he lived was a small wood-colored house. In the 30's he sold to Benjamin Billings, jr., and moved away. For awhile the little house was used for a school house and later it became a tenant house. When in the 80's, Benjamin Billings, 3d., came into the possession of the farm, he tore down the old house and erected a new one on the site. Here he lived until 1924. He has now become somewhat advanced in years and wishing to retire from the hard and busy life of farming, he sold out to Charles Smith, a nephew, and moved into the village of Palmyra. The orchard on the south, between the Billings and Chapman farms, was once a part of the Billings farm, but was sold to the late Henry R. Durfee. The farm on the north was in the 30's owned and occupied by John N. Green, who built the present house. In the 40's he sold to Fay Purdy, who in 1850 sold to James Servoss. In 1852 it came into the possession of John Shephard, and in 1853 passed into the hands of Benjamin Billings, jr., who lived here until his death, which occurred on July 2'4, 1889. 214 Later it was owned and occupied by a son-in-law, Dayton Smith, and is now owned and occupied by his son, Charles, who still owns the south farm, and is a grandson of Benjamin Billings, jr. Adjoining on the north is the original Billings homestead. Benjamin Billings, sr., was born in Preston, Conn., September 13, 1753, a son of William Billings, who came from England and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War, serving all through and being present at the surrender of General Burgoyne. After the close of the war, he moved to Dutchess County, N. Y., and in 1818 came with two ox teams to the Genesee Country, bringing with them only the things most needed for the future wants of a pioneer. His wife was a very resourceful woman and does not deserve our praise and admiration less. She not only looked after that which belonged to the wardrobe and culinary departments but she looked after the monetary affairs as well that was to pay for the section they might buy. It was a quandary where to put the money. Finally she turned an iron kettle into a safety vault, where in the bottom she carefully laid the money and packed other things around it. The Bible and Prayer Book were not forgotten. Young Night's Thoughts and Shakespeare she also brought and found time to read with all her other multitudinous duties. With the glimmering light of the candle she spent long Winter evenings knitting or preparing warp for the loom. They moved irito a log house in which they lived for a time, when a low frame New England house was built in which he lived until his death. The hardships and inconveniences of pioneer life were many. Sickness and death were frequent and for want of room and accommodations many times the sick did not receive proper care. Neighbors were kind and tender-hearted and rendered all assistance possible. Yet dea th darkened many a home. The outfit of a pioneer's cabin was often mostly home made. The broom was made of a birch stick, and called the splint broom. No dustpan was required, for the dirt could be swept into the fireplace. Frequently the milk would have an onion-like taste caused by cows eating leaks when running in the woods. Gourd seed was planted to raise gourds for dippers. All writing was done with goose quills that were gathered and tied into bundles and carefully laid in a little niche near the door, called "goose hole." The door swung on wooden hinges. The latch was made of wood. A string made of leather was fastened to the latch and passed through a hole to the outside, which was called the "latch string." At night the string w.as pulled in, then the do.or was locked against intruders. The grain at first was threshed with the flail. Later when a farmer built his barn, a stationary thresher was installed. A long shed was attached to the barn and in the center of the shed was a perpendicular post, eight or ten inches through, with each end in a socket so it could turn. Near the top was a large cog wheel, about five feet across, connecting with a tumbling rod just beneath the floor that went to the scaffold over the side floor. In the scaffold floor were long slats about an inch wide, near the thresher, grain and straw coming out together. The straw was raked 215 off as it came from the nlachine. The grain dropped upon the floor below. In the perpendicular post in the shed a sweep could be put in, to which the horses were hitched to turn the mill. For a good many years the old cog wheel could be seen around those old barns. Another kind of thresher was used that could be transported from neighbor to neighbor with horsepower and sweep. The grain and straw came out together as from the other machine mentioned. After the death of Mr. Billings, his son, Benjamin, jr., came into possession of the homestead by buying of the heirs the different parcels of land that had been willed to them as was the custom in those days. He now became sole owner of two farms, owning the Wood farm as mentioned before. Mr. Billings was a scholarly man as well as a man of refinement and enterprise. He was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of Thomas Glover. For his second wife he married Susan Filmore, a daughter of Luther Filmore of Walworth. By his first wife he had three children and by his second wife, eight. Shortly after he married his second wife, he let his farm and moved to Walworth village, where he kept a genera] store. In 1852 he moved back to the homestead and carried on both farms. In 1854, he bought of John Shephard the farm adjoining on the south and moved into the Shephard house, now having a farm each side of him with dwelling in the center. At the time Mr. Billings returned to the farm, hay and grain was yet cut with cradle and scythe. He had the first grain drill in town, made in Todelo, 0., in 1846. It had nine tubes, each tube had a separate box for the grain. These boxes had no cover. The amount of grain to sow per acre was gauged by small blocks of wood being placed in the box. There were no phosphate attachments for that kind of fertilizer was yet unknown among the farmers. This drill did fairly good work. On this large farm there was still one thing more to do both indoors and out. In those days vigilant industry and strict economy was their motto. During haying and harvest it was no uncommon thing to have as many as eighteen to feed at dinner time. All this was accomplished by the women folk and hired girl, besides washing, baking and attending to the dairy. Although this may seem almost unbelievable, yet, however, such was the case. After the close of the Civil War, a son, Allen Billings, after returning from the army, married and bought the north farm of his father. After living here a few years he sold the farm to Harrison Knapp, father of Judge Clyde W. Knapp, who tore down the old house and erected a new one on the site of the old one and remodeled the barn. After living here several years, he sold out to William Bush, who kept a fine herd of registered Holstein cows. At his death the farm went to his son-in-law, Robert Coveney, who still owns and occupies the farm. After the death of Mr. Billings, the center farm was purchased by Dayton Smith, who was a son-in-law, and at his death went to his son, Charles, who owns and occupies the same now. He also bought out Benjamin 3d., as before stated. 216 The first Zion Episcopal Church in this part of the country was organized in Palmyra, June 23, 1823. The Rev. Rufus Murray was pastor. Mr. Joseph Colt and Benjamjn Billings were unanimously chosen wardens. Benjamin Billings served as 'Yarden until his death, January 13, 1838. As Benjamin Billings was one of the builders of the first church, so was Benjamin Billings, 2nd., one of the builders of the second church. He was warden for many years, the longest anyone had been in that office at the time of his death, July 24, 1889. He was one of the building committee, together with Rev. J. G. Webster, George W. Cuyler and Charles McLouth. He paid $1,000 towards the erection of the new church. After the death of Benjamin Billings, sr., the widow went to live with her son, Benjamin, where she had a pleasant and comfortable home the rest of her life. She died at an advanced age, being over ninety years old at the time of her death, which occuITed in the 70's. The Chapman and Billings families were prominent members of the Palmyra Episcopal Church and took an active part in its early history. In establishing Christian principles by their devotion to God, and of their upright and Christian influence upon the community in which they lived, they have left a rich heritage to the coming generation. We have now completed our journey on the Walworth Road and have already gone beyond our limit. While on this journey we visited the homes of many pioneers who in their younger days were brought up in the school of industry and taught to listen to the voice of economy, and by adhering to these rules, prosperity was their reward and they were soon able to move from a log house to one of frame that was more modern and convenient. At their death the homestead usually passed to one of the heirs, as was the custom in those days. But as time passed on and generations passed away, some found homes in other parts of the country, while others sought employment that was more suitable to their taste than farming, and the old homestead passed into the hands of strangers, who were unconscious of the past. Thus kin and kindred have nearly all passed away and the name and deeds of the old pioneer have passed into history. While on our journey, through imagination, we have heard the hum of the wheel and the vigilant stroke of the loom. We have sat by the fireplace in the log house and enjoyed its evening glow. We have watched the amber smoke as it curled from the stick chimney and floated skyward to be scattered by the winds. We have also, through imagination, seen the wilderness that was once the home of the wolf and bear, converted into fertile fields and pleasant homes. We have. also seen beautiful farms that were once covered with growing grain and grazing cattle, made desolate by drawing away the gravel to help build railroads and cities. Thus we have retraced our steps But evening now veils the day, so we say farewell to Walworth Road and return to the Yellow Mill. Our next journey will be up the hill on the south road, and our first farm is a part of the Lemuel Spear tract, who came here in February, 1790, 217 and bought six hundred acres at twenty cents an acre. At his death his son, Stephen, came into possession of the old homestead which is on the south side of the Quaker Road, a short distance west of Walworth Road, now in a dilapidated condition. With this homestead, he also had a part of the farm which extended south of the mill, and that portion south of the mill came into the possession of Stephen's son, Luther, about 1854, on which he built a fine brick house and also put up the large barns. After living here a number of years, he sold the same to Newman Backus, who married a daughter of Stephen Spear. After the death of Mr. Backus the farm went to his son, Rufus N. Backus. After staying on the farm several years, he sold out and moved to Syracuse. This old farm, after being in the family over one hundred years, passed on to strangers, and the name of Spear has passed into history. A little incident might be told of Mrs. Backus, when a girl. One day she and another girl went to the outside of a piece of woods to pick a few berries. They had not been there long when they saw a large bear a short distance from them. They soon scaled the fence and made a hasty retreat, leaving the bear to ponder over their flight. This was about the last bear seen in this neighborhood. Leaving the Backus farm and passing on south: Our first farm on the east side of the road with house built in early day and standing back upon the knoll, was owned in the early 40's by Judge Strong, who let the farm and lived in the village. In the 50's, Otis Jones, a native of Massachusetts, bought this farm of two hundred acres and after living here a few years, sold the same to Caleb VanDeuzer, an old-time drover, who sold his farm east of Macedon Center. When he first started to buy sheep and cattle, there was no railroad and the stock had to be driven to an eastern market. While this farm was yet in his possession, he sold off fifty acres on the south end of the farm to his son, Zachariah, who had recently married a daughter of the late Henry P. Underhill. On this fifty acres he built a house and barn. Now it is owned by John Newman. In the 60's the rest of the farm was sold to John Shephard, who came from the Huddle on the Walworth Road. He let the farm, which was worked by Charles Chapman, who had married an adopted daughter and niece of Mr. Shephard, who moved into the village of Palmyra. After his death, Mr. Chapman acquired the property, let the farm and moved into the village. In the late 90's Mr. Chapman, while crossing the railroad at Division Street, was· hit by the cars. Both horses were killed, the wagon broken in pieces and Mr. Chapman was thrown into the air and made unconscious for a long time, finally recovering enough to be around for a few years, when he began to grow worse and died about 1906. The farm was left to his daughter, who afterward sold the farm to James Lynch, and moved to California. Stafford Road Let us now wander back to the village. After passing the Aldrich farm we find Stafford Street to be the first road leading south, deriving the name from William Stafford, one of the first settlers on that road, who218 lived about three miles south. The old homestead we will have pointed out to us while on our journey. I have been unable to find any recorded survey of this road. It might have been agreed upon by the residents living on the road with the further action to have it recorded. Our first farm after leaving the south corporation line of the village is the old Jackway farm. William Jackway, being one of the earliest settlers, when he first came here, worked for General John Swift, who gave him this farm as compensation for his services. The farm extended as far north as Mud Creek. As time passed on, the farm was sold in parcels and as early as in the 40's all the land had been sold that lies north of the Fair Ground. In the 50's Franklin Lakey purchased the remainder of the farm. In the 50's a Mr. See bought a lot near the brook and built a small house. Later he sold to William Dixon, who was a shoemaker and worked in a shop in the village. In 1929 the house was burned. Mr. Lakey sold a number of acres to the late William Sherman, who at one time was a butcher. He tore down the old house, built a new' house on the site of the old Jackway homestead and built a slaughter house in the rear. In the 70's Charles and Eldridge T. H. Allyn bought out Mr. Sherman; they also purchased of Mr. Lakey his interest in the rest of the farm, except the north end which Amos Sanford and Robert Johnson bought and planted to trees. The Allyn brothers also bought the Dixon place, and after coming into possession of the different fragments of the old Jackway farm, they remodeled and enlarged the house, erected the large barn across the way and made a good many other improvements on the farm and for a while this was a dairy and small fruit farm. The father and mother lived with them while on the farm. After the death of the old people they sold the farm to Darwin Guile and moved to California, where they became wealthy. Charles died in the 90's and Eldridge died about 1914. The widow of Eldridge is still living. Charles never married. About 1913, Mr. Guile sold the farm to William Dixon and moved into the village on Gates Street, dying in 1925. The old Jackway family have all passed away and the old farm has again been sold. Adjoining on the south is the old Stephen Hyde farm. He came into the possession of this farm in the 40's. When this farm house was built it was in the midst of a sugar camp. The house was painted a very dark green. The posts on the porch were of rough cedar, the limbs not being cut off close to the body, leaving a little stub on which you could hang your hat if necessary. This was a large farm extending east as far as Canandaigua Road. In the 60's the late Absolom Weeks bought the farm. In the 70's the late John McKuen came into possession of the same by purchase, remodeled and enlarged the house and planted a large orchard that has been bearing a good many years. In the 90's Mr. McKuen moved into the village on Jackson Street, where he spent the remainder of his life, where his daughter, Mary McKuen Perkins now owns. The old farm has passed into the hands of strangers. Our next farm is the Dixon farm, originally belonging to the Hyde farm. It being a wood lot it was sold to Drake and Chapman. After the timber was cut off, Mr. Dixon, after selling his place to Allyn brothers, 219 bought this land and put up a house and barn and lived here until his death, when it went to his son, William. It is now owned by strangers. Adjoining this farm on the south is the Joseph Smith farm, where Mormonism first originated. In the Autumn of 1816, Joseph Smith, sr., came from Royalton, Vermont, to Palmyra. In this family were nine children, six boys and three girls. Soon after arriving in Palmyra he opened a "cake and beer shop." He continued in this business until 1818, when they moved to this tract of wild land to occupy it as squatters, as there was no one who seemed to be looking after it, and on the west side of the road and north of where the barn stands, he built a log cabin that contained two rooms on the ground floor, with two divisions in the garret. Later an addition was put up that was made of slabs and used for a sleeping room. In this cabin they made their home for a dozen years. Finally Mr. Smith contracted for the land from Lemuel Durfee, who owned the property and to him made a small payment on the same, paying the interest on the balance each year by letting his son, Joseph, work for Mr. Durfee, through harvest. In those days it was customary to have whiskey, especially through harvest. When the country was new, fever and ague was quite prevalent among the new settlers, and to ward off this malady, nearly every family had a preparation they called No. 6, that was made of red peppers and other things that were powerful. Early one morning, while yet in bed, Joseph contemplated the coming day was going to be hot, and was fearful they might have fish for dinner as he had always heard that fish would make a man dry. With all this flittering before his imagination, and to ward off the coming danger of a sun stroke, he got out of bed, crept softly down stairs and across the old kitchen into the pantry, but unfortunately he tapped the wrong bottle and instead of getting whiskey, he took a good big swig out of No. 6, which nearly strangled him, and upon finding out his mistake, he rushed outdoors to the well and down went the bucket for water. Mr. Durfee, hearing the rumpus, got out of bed to find out the cause of this tumult, and upon looking out of the window, saw the sainted Joseph strangling and black in the face, trying to drink water out of the old "oaken bucket that hung in the well." The Smiths occupied this tract until 1829, when the new religion was ushered into existence. Up to this time, but very little had been done to clear up the land. A short time before leaving the farm, they erected a small frame for a house on the same site of the present farm house, using the old house for a barn. The new house was never finished by the Smiths. They got their living by making baskets, birch brooms, maple sugar, maple syrup and hunting, fishing and trapping. The Smiths took their departure in 1831. More will be said about the Smiths as we advance in our journey and some of the important places connected with the Mormons will be pointed out as we advance. When the Smith family left the farm, it passed into other hands that were more progressive and prosperous. The forest was cleared away, fields were fenced off, where nature heretofore had its unmolested sway and in its season, golden grain nodded in the wind. The unfinished house 220 was soon made into a substantial farm house. A new and convenient barn was erected, an orchard was planted and the trail of the squatter was soon lost. In the early 50's the late Morgan Robinson came into possession of the farm by purchase. In the 60's the late Avery Chapman, a native of Massachusetts, bought the farm. At his death, his son, William, came into possession of the farm, and through early training he became one of the best farmers in Ontario County. While in the Civil War he contracted rheumatism from which after a time he became unable to carry on the farm any longer and sold out to W. W. Bean, a Mormon elder, who came from Salt Lake City. Mr. Chapman moved into the village where he died a few years later. Leaving the Mormon farm and passing on to the south, we come to the Dennis farm, where Mr. Dennis lived in the 40's. In the late 50's the late Arnold Powers sold his farm in Farmington and bought the Dennis farm. After his death, which occurred in the 70's, Daniel Baker bought the farm and after living here a few years, sold the same to the late Walter Newbury, a native of West Walworth. In the 80's it was sold to a Mr. Shipley and later passed into the hands of A. S. Downing, at one time a professor in the Palmyra Union School. Now it is owned and occupied by the George Hack heirs. As we pass on we see other little farms that have been taken from the old Dennis farm with buildings and orchards complete. Continuing our journey we come to a road leading off to the east of the Stafford Road. Our first farm on that road is the old Tanner farm. Mr. Tanner came here in the 40's and went into the gardening business very extensively. This farm being warm, sandy land, made a very good place for that business. This farm at that time was a model farm. At his death, which occurred in the 70's, the farm passed into the hands of his son-in-law, the late Milford Galloway. In the 80's the farm was soldto the late Byron Reynolds. At his death the farm passed to his heirs. Returning to Stafford Street: A short distance from the corner, as we go south, we cross a little stream where in early day[s] near the road, a dam was built across by the late Russell Stoddard, an early settler, for the purpose of operating a sawmill. After the mill was completed a neighbor told Mr. Stoddard that there would not be power enough to run the mill, and he would furnish the first log and give him the lumber if he would saw it. But for want of power the mill was never started. But, however, in all probability, although unconscious of the fact, at the time the pond was built, yet the Mormons might claim the building of the pond was directed by a higher power, and for a nobler cause than sawing logs, for in this little pond the first Mormon was baptized. Long years have passed since the dam was built, and the one who built it and the one who was converted to the Mormon faith and baptized in this little body of water have long since passed on. But the little stream is still gliding on, singing the same song and following its winding channel as indays gone by. Looking at our right as we pass along, we can see the old Russell 221 Stoddard homestead. Mr. Stoddard came here in the 20's and on this large farm of two hundred fifty acres lived and brought up his family. He died in the 70's, leaving this large farm to his son, Franklin Stoddard, who after living here several years, moved to the village of Palmyra. He died about 1912 in Syracuse at the home of his daughter, and the farm passed into other hands. It is now owned by James Chapman. Passing on a little further, at our left, back from the road on a little knoll, was the old William Stafford homestead, until a few years ago when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Stafford came here at an early date, and was one of the earliest settlers in the town of Manchester. He was in the War of 1812 and was taken prisoner. One dark night he made his escape by passing the guards, crawling on his hands and knees through a prickly ash bramble and before he had gotten beyond speaking distance he heard the guard call out, "One o'clock and all is well." When daylight came, he found himself covered with mud and blood he had received from the scratches of the prickly ash. He was also a neighbor of the Smiths and had a good opportunity to know something of the wonderful power Joseph possessed, and he was at one time personally interested in one of Joseph's prophetic visions. While passing, mention might be made of a little circumstance that transpired between him and Joseph. But before doing this we will go back to a time a little previous to this transaction with Joseph. In September, 1819, the older Smith and his sons, Alvin and Hiram, in digging a well (of which the location will be pointed out as we advance in our journey) threw up a stone of vitreous though opaque appearance and in form like an infant's foot. This stone was secured by Joseph and turned to account as a revelator of present and future in the role of fortune telling. Small amounts were received from the credulous, and thus the imposter was encouraged to enlarge his field by asserting a vision of gold and silver, buried in iron chests in the vicinity. The stone was finally placed in his hat to shade its marvelous brightness when its services were required. Persisting in his apparitions, there were those who in the Spring of 1820 contributed to defray the expense of digging for the buried treasure. At midnight dupe's laborers and himself, with lanterns, repaired to the hillside east of the Smith house, where following mystic ceremony, digging began in enjoined silence. Two hours elapsed when just as the money box was about to be unearthed, someone spoke and the treasure vanished. This was the explanation of the failure, and to this they all agreed. But Joseph had another vision, assuming to see where vast treasures lay entombed. Joseph asserted that a "black sheep" was necessary as an offering upon the ground before the work of digging could begin. As various stories have been told about the sacrificing of the sheep, perhaps the following might be interesting to some. I therefore quote from Wallace W. Miner, what Mr. Stafford told him, and as I have been personally and intimately acquainted with Mr. Miner for over eighty years, I believe this to be true: 222 "The location for this sacrifice was on the second hill east of the Smith house, at that time on the Chase farm. This hill was called by the neighbors, 'Old Sharp' and by divine command he was to go to the barnyard of William Stafford and take from the fold a black sheep without leave or license, and lead it to the place "There it was to be sacrificed. That night the parties met at the appointed hour, at the chosen spot with lanterns. Joseph traced a circle within which the wether was placed and his throat cut; the blood saturated the ground. Silently and solemnly, but with vigor, excavation began. "Three hours of futile labor had passed, when it was discovered that the older Smith, assisted by one of his boys, had taken the sheep quietly away, thus giving the Smith family a stock of fat mutton for family use. "The next day Joseph went to Mr. Stafford and said to him: 'I suppose you have missed your black wether. God owns all the cattle and sheep on the hills and commanded me to come and take that wether. I am willing to pay for the sheep. I have no money, but I will work for you until you are satisfied you are paid.' "Joseph could make good sap buckets and Mr. Stafford needed a few more so he told Joseph he could make him sap buckets enough to pay for the sheep, which he did to the satisfaction of Mr. Stafford. "In regard to the sheep, who knows but what there was an understanding between Joseph and his father, that he was to come for the carcass after Joseph had sacrificed the blood of the sheep, and if Joseph paid for the sheep, why was not the sheep his, and who had a better right than he and his family? This matter we will leave for philosophers to decide upon." The above was told to Mr. Miner by Mr. Stafford. The hill on which the sheep was sacrificed, being further east and lying on Canandaigua Street, will be pointed out as we advance in our journey. William Stafford had three sons. Dr. John Stafford lived in Manchester, where he practiced for several years. In the 70's he moved to Rochester, where he died several years later, being ninety-nine years and six months old at the time of his death. Barton * lived on a part of the old farm. He peddled fish a good many years. He procured his fish from Lake Ontario, making a trip once a week through the summertime. In those days the fish were caught at night. In the morning he would buy his load and start out on his journey, selling fish that were fresh instead of cold storage, as is now the custom. "Bart," as he was called, had a peculiar way of blowing his horn that no one else could imitate. This horn he delighted in blowing for everyone knew who was coming. His brother, Nelson, occupied the northern part of the farm and lived in a little house north of the brook. This house was burned in the 70's, while Frederick Shoales was living there. The late Melvin Galloway owned and occupied this little farm at one time. Later he moved to the Tanner farm as before mentioned. Many incidents relating to the old pioneers who came here in early days and by hard labor cleared up those old farms, might be mentioned. _________ 223 Neither do the women, who toiled to make a home, deserve our admiration less. The Stafford family have all passed away and the old farm has passed into th'e hands of strangers. Now, no one bearing the name of Stafford, from whence it derived its name, is living on the street, and in a few years the Stafford farm will be forgotten only by little sketches of history. Adjoining this farm on the south is the Orin Reed farm. Mr. Reed was another old pioneer in the town of Manchester. This farm he bought from the Connecticut loan. He spent the rest of his life on this farm. He died in the 80's. His only daughter came into possession of the farm after her father's death, and made her home here as long as she lived. The farm is now owned and occupied by the heirs of R. Beach Chapman. Across the way was the Walker farm, another old pioneer. Later the farm passed into the hands of Thomas Fish, another old pioneer, who sold the stone house farm on the south and bought the Walker farm. Later Mr. Fish sold to Norris Sawyer and at his death, which occurred in the 80's the farm passed to his son, Charles. In 1924 it was sold to Thomas Hall. David Payne, previous to his coming to the stone house farm that he bought of Mr. Fish, who built the house, came from a farm adjoining on the west, which later came into the possession of his son, Collins Payne, who later sold the farm, and moved to Palmyra where he died on May 23, 1931. The stone house farm is still held by the heirs of David Payne. On the road opposite the stone house, running southeast, lay the Shubil Smith farm, which was another large tract that Mr. Smith came into possession of in early days. At the time the stone house was built the road leading to the south had not yet been laid out, and a log road curved up near the stone house. But after a while a new road had been projected leading directly south. The log road was straightened and the new road opened up, very much to the displeasure of Shubil Smith, * for it took the travel off his road, but by this change it opened up a direct road to Manchester. Speaking of Shubil Smith, who lived on the cross road, and who was one of the earliest settlers: At one time he owned all the land on that street as far south as the corner. Here he lived the rest of his life and brought up his family. After living in a log house for several years, he built one of frame that is still standing. After his death the farm was divided up into several pieces. We have now come to the end of our journey on Stafford Street. We have gone a little farther than we intended to go when we first started out on our journey, but the pioneers were so linked together it was hard to break off. The typical old New England pioneers of Stafford Street have all passed away, and nearly all the farms are occupied by strangers, who know not the ways and customs of old. The hot, twisted fried cakes no longer appease our palate. The homemade sage cheese has had its day. The old cider barrel has no fountain, _________ |
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Early in 1857 the school was incorporated as Palmyra Classical Union School. On April 18, an academic department was organized from the Senior and Junior departments. The district was divided into nine sections and over each a trustee had supervision. Rhetorical exercises were required. On July 27, 1857, the principal declined to hold them and they were discontinued. After nearly forty-two years of service this once fine new building began to get out-of-date. A change had to be made and what was the best thing to do, build a new school house or remodel the old one? Several meetings were called. A good many heated arguments for and against a new building were had. It was at last decided to build a new one. Accordingly, in 1889, a new two-story edifice, much larger and more commodious than the old one was erected south of the old one, thus making the playground larger than it was before. The new building was equipped with all the modern improvements. Instead of being heated with wood that was sawed in the basement and carried to the third floor and elsewhere by hand to supply the stoves, it was heated by steam, thus making the halls as well as the rooms comfortable. It was lighted by electricity and water pipes were placed at convenient places with faucet and sanitary drinking cups. Fire hose was located at different parts of the building where it could be quickly and easily attached to the water hydrant. Fire escapes were plentifully supplied on which the children were thoroughly disciplined by practicing in fire drills at certain times, under the direction of the faculty, how to march out of the building in case of fire without being excited. On the south side of the building w:as a lawn tennis court, which was enjoyed by many of the young people of the village, while on the north side, those who wished to partake of the sport, could play base ball. From the flag staff at the top of the building the Stars and Stripes could be flung to the breeze. This emblem of our nation, the young were taught to honor and revere. The new building served the district until 1924, when we find another new building under construction which I leave for the future historian to record. THE OLD ACADEMY It was a stock organization, incorporated around 1821 by James White, Orvid Lord, Henry Jessup and others, with a capital stock of $12,000. It was erected on Church Street, a little at the northeast of the present Catholic Church. It was a two-story building made of brick with stairs on the outside. A bell, the first in town, was in the building. There were two apartments in each story. Originally, a hallway led up fron1 the center, but later it was put on the outside to make room.The school was incorporated as a high school. It absorbed the house and lot in District No.1. The old bell is now in the tower of the hose house. The hill on which it stood has been lowered ten or twelve feet. Shortly after the advent of the Union School, the old Academy was sold to William F. Aldrich. In 1848 or 49 it was sold to the Romanists to be used as a church.
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About this time, Hannah Walker, the Admiral's mother, also came from the north of Ireland, but met her husband for the first time on this side of the ocean. The ancestral stock which produced this distinguished American came on both sides from the Scotch Presbyterian race that settled here. After living here a short time, they became acquainted and were married, and commenced housekeeping on the corner of Johnson and Vienna Streets, at the foot of Mount Holmes, in a house now owned and occupied by Mrs. Mary Parker, where Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson, the eldest son, was born February 9, 1840. The couple began a life of struggle to maintain a home on the simplest basis. By rigid industry and strict economy his father had saved up enough to buy an acre of land off the northeast corner of the Cyrus Foster farm, at the south end of Prospect Hill on Johnson Street, for which he paid $80.00. ' About 1848 he built the present brick house, which is a single wall and contains 3,000 brick. These brick were made by Asher Cray, who had a small brick yard on the William Johnson farm, a few rods north of the Johnson homestead. Mr. Sampson worked for Mr. Cray in the brick yard and paid for the brick in work to build the house. Later Mr. Cray started a brick yard on Railroad Avenue which was pointed out in our journey down that avenue. Several years after Mr. Sampson built the house, he bought four acres more off the Foster farm, thus making a little five-acre farm as we see it today. Here he lived and brought up his family, dying in 1881, leaving his wife, who was an invalid, three sons, and a daughter, Hannah, who tenderly cared for her mother until her death in 1892. At her mother's death, the place came to her. She subsequently married Alonzo Chase, a native of Walworth. Now returning to the house on the corner of Johnson and Vienna Streets: From this house William 'T. Sampson, when but five years old, went to his first school in the little old stone 'school house on Throop Street, erected in 1835, and torn down in 1927. Calista Conant, a native of New Hampshire, was his first teacher. In 1848 the Union School building was erected, where young Sampson attended school, J. W. French being its first professor. The moment school was out he joined his father, sawing wood, making garden and doing other odd jobs. While in scpool he was a diligent scholar, often snatching a few moments from his hours of slumber to keep at the head of his class. Unlike other boys, he had no real boyhood, and never'knew what playtime meant. In 1857 Congressman Morgan, of Cayuga County, then representing our district in Congress, notified Palmyra through a communication 277 addressed to William H. Southwick, Esq., that a vacancy existed at the United States Naval Academy, which was at the disposal of the representative of this district and asked the Republicans to agree upon a promising young man for the place. The position was offered to two or three young men, including Fred W. Clemons, who declined the offer and recommended Will Sampson, as he was called by his boyhood friends in school. Accordingly, his school friend and Mr. Southwick interview'ed young Sampson and his parents, and, after getting their consent, Morgan was notified and presented the application. Young Sampson now bade farewell to his parents and the humble little cottage near the woods to enter the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and three years later he graduated at the head of his class. In 1861, when the Civil War broke out, he saw service on both land and sea. Sampson's first cruise was made on the frigate Potomac in 1861, and in this year he was promoted to master. The next year he was commissioned Lieutenant, and in 1864 he was detached to the ironclad Patapsco, one of the vessels blockading southern ports. As executive officer of the boat, he was ordered to enter Charleston harbor and remove or destroy all submarine mines and torpedoes with which the city was protected from invasion. This was an exceedingly difficult and dangerous task, since the Confederates had devoted several days to stocking the water with these explosives to repel any advance. After fulfilling this commission, Sampson was detailed to the Colorado, and while on that vessel, he was made a Lieutenant Commander. From 1868 to 1886 he served his government, sometimes at the Naval Academy and sometimes as commander on shipboard. From 1886 to 1890 he was superintendent of Annapolis, and the next year he was placed in command of the cruiser San Francisco. In July, 1892, he was inspector of ordnance at the Washington Navy Yard and the next year he was made chief of the Ordnance Bureau. In the navy he was regarded as an authority on torpedo work and his lectures delivered at the War College produced a great impression on the naval world. He devoted to his country unsparingly, a brilliant intellect, cultivated by learning, directed by industry and inspired by patriotism. Early in 1897, Sampson was ordered to the command of the Iowa. The destruction of the Maine and the stirring events which followed it, found Admiral Saicard in poor health and he resigned. Sampson was appointed to fill his place. When war broke out he was made acting Rear-Admiral by President McKinley. Once before in 1894, when President Cleveland found this country threatened by war clouds, he called his counsellors together, to choose a man to command our navy, should the war come. According to high authority, the President went slowly down the lists and stopping at a name he said, "There is the man. He should be commander of our battle squadron." Now, for the second time, Sampson had been selected, solely upon his record, 278 above all his fellows, to lead our naval forces. On the third of July, 1898, the country was electrified by the news of the wonderful victory at Santiago, when the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera, was utterly destroyed by the skill and valor of American seamen, acting under. the orders of Sampson, although he, himself, was not on the spot, duty having called him elsewhere. The preparedness of our ships for action, after long weeks of waiting, when no fires were neglected, and every ship was ready for the supreme moment, has always astonished foreign observers and students of history. If fires had been low, with little steam in the boilers, the Spanish ships might have shot out to sea without chase. The blockade was one of the most wonderful examples of sustained vigilance and discipline ever heard of. An officer of the Iowa stated that a shot was fired in twenty seconds after the first alarm and in two minutes every gun was loaded and ready. Undoubtedly Sampson had placed the batteries on many, if not all, the ships, had superintended their construction, written the drill books, drilled the crews and officers and now had won the battle which ended the war and liberated Cuba. It was a cruel piece of misfortune that the Admiral, who had made every arrangement for the fight, should, by a mere chance of war, have been deprived of his active share in it, but he was not deprived of his personal share in it. His plans, arrangements, disposition of ships and men and their morale, and discipline, all attest to the genius which won the victory. His part in that victory has long been recognized officially, though at the time, he was criticized and called a liar and coward for claiming an honor that did not belong to him. The strain and responsibility of these long years of naval life, began to undermine his health, and on October 26, 1899,. he came home to Palmyra for a much needed rest. Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson received the warmest welcome the town could give. His return was for a brief visit to the town and with friends who had seen him leave it as a boy, humble in circumstances, poor in everything but courage, energy, brains and character. And now he had come back after a long and brilliant career in the service of his country, with a fame that will endure for generations to come. On October 27, 1899, a reception was given him in the Presbyterian Church. Hon. PlinyT. Sexton, president of the day, gave the address of welcome, and the response was given by Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson. Other addresses were given by Hon. Charles T. Saxton, Hon. Archie E. Baxter and Hon. Thomas Carmody. The flag was presented to Rear-Admiral Sampson, with address by Hon. Pliny T. Sexton, president of the day. After returning to Washington, D. C., he gradually gre"r worse. His illness brought on by the Santiago campaign, made him a martyr to duty, and on May 6, 1902, after a long illness, the news of his passing was received by his sister, Mrs. Alonzo Chase and other relatives in this village. Here in his home town the hearts of our people were saddened. Flags at half-mast waved a sad farewell. At the funeral services in Washington, a remarkable assemblage of Naval Officers was present, also the President, Cabinet Officers, Supreme Court Justices, Congressional Delegates and foreign representatives came to pay highest honor to the dead hero. The services at Arlington were 279 simple. At their conclusion a battery of the Fourth Artillery boomed out a salute to the dead. On Sunday evening, May 11, 1902, union services in his commemoration were held in the Presbyterian Church in Palmyra, which was crowded to capacity. They were held under the auspices of the G. A. R. Post of which Sampson had been a member. The order for the meeting was signed by Fred W. Clemons, commander, and Henry P. Knowles, adjutant. Resolutions of respect and sorrow were drawn up by the James A. Garfield Post and the Palmyra Steamer and Hose Company, the latter signed by William M. Parsons, President. Contrary to the expectations of the people of Palmyra, the interment of Sampson took place at Arlington National Cemetery. That his dust should mingle with the soil of Virginia, instead of his native state, was a matter of deep regret and was also not in accord with the expressed wish of the Rear-Admiral, that he might find his last rest in the peaceful ground of our beautiful cemetery and near the little cottage, which he had left in 1857 to enter Annapolis. Rear-Admiral Sampson was twice married. In 1862 he chose for his first wife, Miss Margaret Aldrich of his native town, a daughter of David Aldrich and niece of Pliny T. Sexton. To them, five daughters were born. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Burling of Canandaigua, and in time two sons, Ralph and Harold were born into the family. At the bedside of the Admiral when he breathed his last, were his devoted wife and his two sons, aged fifteen and thirteen, and a daughter, Mrs. W. F. Clureris, wife of Lieutenant Clureris of the navy. His three other daughters, all wives of navy or army officers, at distant stations, were unable to reach Washington before the death of their beloved father. Wearied and worn, frail in body, but intense in spirit, he struggled and toiled with undaunted heroism, that from him in grateful appreciation, the nation should realize the full fruition of his high sense of duty to his country. Thus respected, admired and mourned by city and village, high and low, William T. Sampson reached the last harbor, faithful to the end. THE SAMPSON GUN Although mention has been made before of the Sampson gun, perhaps it would be interesting to some to know how it came into our possession.On September 5, 1902, Village President John K. Williamson received 280 a letter from Captain F. E. Chadwick, the commanding officer of Admiral Sampson's flagship during the Spanish War, which was as follows: "I beg to ask if you will kindly telegraph me if there is any gun or other trophy of consequence of the Spanish War, in Palmyra; if not, I should be glad to do what I can toward obtaining some memorial of the kind which, I think, should exist at Admiral Sampson's birthplace." Upon receipt of this inquiry the president consulted with the members of the board and many citizens, and while all were pleased and at once interested in the offer of Captain Chadwick, the question of a suitable location for the trophy, if accepted, was a matter which caused hesitation. At this juncture our esteemed townsman, Pliny T. Sexton, who also greatly assisted in the correspondence that followed, proposed that if no better location should be found by the Board, the street lawn in front of the bank might be used. This proposition solved the problem, and the same day the president telegraphed Captain Chadwick favorably and wrote him as follows: "To your kindly thoughtful letter, offering your services in procuring for Rear-Admiral Sampson's native place, some significant trophy of the late Spanish War, I have replied by wire that we have nothing of the kind, and would be grateful for whatever you may be able to send us. "We have long been fully aware of your conspicuous loyalty to RearAdmiral Sampson, Palmyra's most highly cherished son, and this new testimony of your regard for his memory will be deeply appreciated by his fellow townsmen." Next in continuation of the correspondence is a letter under date of September 8 from Captain Chadwick, which is as follows: "I beg to suggest that if in case Rear-Admiral Sampson's native town, Palmyra, has no trophy of the Spanish War, that one of the captured guns should be sent there as a memorial to him and to his services. It would seem eminently proper and just to his memory that Rear-Admiral Sampson's birthplace should have such a memento." Endorsement shows this letter to have been, on September 9, referred by the Secretary of the Navy to the Bureau of Ordnance for report and recommendation. On September 15, the chief ordnance officer returned it to the secretary, the same bearing this endorsenlent: "There remains at the Norfolk Navy Yard one 14-centimeter Spanish trophy gun taken from the Oquendo and assigned to the Army in 1899. As no Spanish trophy guns taken at Santiago and assigned to the Navy Department are unassigned, except some rapid fire guns of minor calibre, the bureau recommends, in view of the appropriateness of the donation herein suggested, that, provided the town of Palmyra desires the gun, the Secretary of War be requested to transfer it t9 the Navy Department for assignment to Palmyra. In order to conform to the law governing the assignment of condemned ordnance, the request should come from the municipal council of Palmyra, that town agreeing to defray the expense attending the handling and transportation of the gun." A further endorsement by the Secretary of the Navy, and forwarded t'o Captain Chadwick, made it necessary that the Palmyra authorities should 281 make formal application for the gun, which action was taken at a meeting of the Board of Trustees held September 26, the following being a transcript from the village records: "It having been made known, through the kindness of Captain Chadwick, U. S. N., that the Secretary of the Navy would, upon proper application, assign to the Village of Palmyra, in consideration of its being the birthplace of the late Rear-Admiral William T. Sampson, as a memorial to him, one of the captured guns taken from the Spanish naval vessels, which were destroyed at the battle of Santiago by the United States fleet under the command of the said Admiral, it is hereby resolved by the trustees df the village of Palmyra, that the president of the village be authorized and directed to make due application, in behalf of the village, to the honorable Secretary of the United States Navy, for the assignment to this village, of one of the Spanish guns mentioned in the foregoing preamble, to be held and cared for by the village as a fitting memorial of Palmyra's most distinguished and best beloved son, the late William T. Sampson, and that this village will most gratefully accept such a men10rial trophy and gladly defray the expense of the transportation." A copy of these resolutions was sent by the President of the Village to the Secretary of the Navy, through Captain F. E. Chadwick, with a suitable expression to him of the grateful appreciation which the authorities and people of this village have for his intermediary and thoughtful kindness in promoting the procurement for the native plaee of Rear-Admiral Sampson, of so interesting and suitable a trophy of the late Spanish War, in which both, and together, the Admiral and Captain Chadwick rendered with conspicuous faithfulness, most eminent services to their beloved country. In April, 1903, the commandment in the Norfolk Navy Yard advised of the loading and shipment of the gun taken from the Spanish vessel, Alimiranto Oquendo and the fore part of May the same arrived at the Palmyra station, spiked with a Spanish flag. President Sessions and the Board of Trustees at once took up the matter of its removal to the village and on May 15, the Board gave it official location upon the plot in front of the bank. On Memorial Day, May 30, 1903, Colonel Fred W. Clemons, in behalf of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which William T. Sampson was a comrade, gave an address in recognition of the reception of this grand memorial, and Hon. Pliny T. Sexton, a lifelong friend and admirer of Rear-Admiral Sampson, gave a brief and appropriate address. After the death of Mr. Sexton, the property changed hands and the gun was moved into the village park where it still remains. Palmyra may well be proud of her distinguished son. Born in our little village, in his school days he trod the paths of adversity, grasping the few scanty opportunities that chanced to come his way. With tenacity clinging to the line of his ambition, graduating with high honors at the head of his class at the Naval Academy, he entered the U. S. Navy in 1861, meriting every promotion, each time reaching a higher eminence. With his knowledge and sagacity, he successfully planned the destruction 282 of the Spanish fleet at Santiago, when his name and falne went all over the civilized world. Honored and revered by his own country for his valor, genius and untiring devotion to his sacred trust, today his name stands on the honor roll, with the most illustrious men of our nation. For a time the chiseled marble may portray his face, and the engraved letters on brass may proclaim his worthy deeds, but long after the chiseled marble has crumbled into dust, and the engraved letters upon the brass have been blotted out by the ravages of time, then the indelible letters will still remain on the faithful page of history, which vvill be the greatest monument to his fame, fully substantial to sustain all the laurels that adorn his name. THE VILLAGE HALL This building was erected on the same site of an old tavern called the "Franklin House." The new hall was commenced in the Fall of 1866 by the contractor, Elon St. John and was completed early in January, 1868. The design was by H. N. White of Syracuse. C. H. Rogers and A. P. Crandall were the building committee. The whole building is 100 feet long by about 58 feet wide. The first floor is divided longitudinally by a broad hall. The Post Office was formerly on the east side, while on the west side are fire engine, Police Justice and Trustees' Room, with lockup in the rear for law breakers. The east side now houses one of the fire trucks.The upper story is a beautiful room, seventy-five by fifty-five feet and twenty-four feet in height with an auditorium and stage. It will comfortably seat eight hundred persons. On the west side of the downstairs hall are marble tablets containing the names of ninety-three soldiers belonging in Palmyra, who gave up their lives, a sacrifice for the unity of the nation. For many years these tablets were located beneath the stairway on each side, a most undesirable place, when it was decided to move them to the present location. A more conspicuous place could not have been chosen. Here in plain view to friend or stranger, who came to the Post Office, the court room or the opera, they could be seen and read by the old, the middle-aged and the young. THE POST OFFICE Palmyra was a post town while yet it belonged to Ontario County. In the early pioneer days the county was sparsely settled and the Post Office business was very light. There were no periodicals or other publications and only a very few letters passed through the mail. To save postage, many times letters were sent to friends by some settler returning East or perhaps a letter might be sent by some pioneer coming to the same township in which their friends lived.The scanty mail was carried by someone following the trail on horseback, delivering the mail perhaps at some private house, store or tavern. For many years letters were written upon foolscap paper, doubled over, leaving the writing on the inside. The letter was sealed with sealing wax. 283 I have before me now two old letters, one dated 1794, the other 1796, showing they had good ink in those days for they can be very easily read. The exact date of the appointment of the first postmaster in Palmyra is enveloped in obscurity, owing to the destruction by fire of the book at Washington, but the records at the auditor's office furnishes good evidence that the office was established in September, 1806. Azel Ainsworth appears to be the first postmaster in our village. Mr. Ainsworth kept a tavern where now stands the Methodist Episcopal.Church and in all probability the post office was kept here. Following are the names of the postmasters in our village and the dates which they served; also the location of some of the post offices: Azel Ainsworth, September, 1806. Ira Selby, in an old wooden store where the Williams Block now stands, June 16, 1814. Lemuel Parkhurst, December 31, 1817. Ezra Shepardson, October 23, 1818. William A. McLane, November 17, 1819. Joseph S. Colt, in the old wood and brick store, north side of Main Street, west of Markel Street and east of driveway, and east of Brown block, May 5, 1824. Martin W. Wilcox, August 16, 1829. Pomeroy Tucker, February 17, 1839. David D. Hoyt, in his drug store, north side of Main Street, March 18, 1841. John O. Vorse, east side of Market Street, two rods north of Main Street, October 24, 1844. William H. Cuyler, where Cuyler block now stands, May 3, 1849. William L. Tucker, in a little, low building with 9-foot posts, second store east of Cuyler Street, April 1, 1853. William H. Cuyler, same place as before, April 20, 1857. William H. Southwick, in Clemons block, May 28, 1861. Charles J. Ferrin, in Clemons block, March 2, 1867. Edward S. Averill, in Clemons block. Moved to Village Hall March 13, 1871, where the Post Office was located until 1927. Wells Tyler, March 13, 1873, Henry A. Chase, March 22, 1881. Francis C. Brown, March 27, 1885. Joseph W. Corning, March 21, 1889. Louisa N. Corning, June 23, 1890. Daniel B. Harmon, August 29, 1894. Jennie A. Harmon, June 4,1896. Alex P. Milne, May 17, 1897. Frederick W. Clemons, June 23, 1897. Robert H. Bareham, June 22, 1906. Samuel H, Hunt, January 11, 1916. Ralph D. Sessions, December 6, 1921. By 1894 the business in the Post Office, while in the Village Hall, had increased so much that during the occupancy of Daniel B. Harmon the Post 284 Office was somewhat enlarged. But the ever increasing business loudly called for more room and more convenient quarters and to make further expansion in the Village Hall was out of the question. The government demanded more room. In 1925 the Olin J. Garlock Co., Inc., purchased the Sexton property on the corner of Main and Williams Streets and in 1926 O. J. Garlock signed a contract with the government, whereby he was to fit up and remodel the old bank building and make it into an' up-to-date Post Office, suitable for the needs of the public. As soon as the transaction was consummated, Mr. Garlock set himself at work to carry out the plan. J. Mills Platt of Rochester was the architect who drew up the plan that met the approval of the government and work was begun in September, under the direction of Arthur F. Burrows, a Rochester contractor. Emmett Murray had charge of the electrical work and the completion of the upper stories of the building. The Palmyra Hardware Co. furnished the heating plant and the plumbing. Thomas & Co. erected the copper basins and John Spanganberg had the contract for painting, and on Tuesday, January 11, Inspector Harry E. Nicholoy, under whose direction the building had been constructed, as a post office, pronounced everything ready for the opening 'On Sunday, January 16. Mr. Nicholoy expressed himself as much pleased with the accommodations and equipment for the comfort of postal employees and prompt mail delivery provided by the O. J. Garlock Co., Inc., owners of the building. The Sexton building in its remodeled form will be known as the Garlock Building. Postmaster Ralph D. Sessions and Olin J. Garlock of the O. J. Garlock Co., Inc., planned to have Saturday, January 15, opening day and to make this office memorable in the annals of Palmyra's mail service. Each person visiting the new Post Office was expected to register in a book provided for that purpose. Although a bitter cold day, between 2.00 o'clock and 9.00 o'clock P. M., more than 700 had affixed their names to the register, which is destined to be handed down to future generations as a historical record of the day's events. On Sunday, January 16, the entire equipment of the old Post Office was moved to the new quarters, ready to start business Monday morning, January 17, 1927. As to location, equipment and convenience and for the size of our village, Palmyra Post Office stands second to none in the state. Edward S. Averill was the last postmaster in the Clemons block and the first in the Village Hall. Ralph D. Sessions was the last in the Village Hall and the first across the way. Perhaps in the future it may be interesting to some to read the names of those employed in the Post Office and those who delivered mail in the village and country at the time they went into their new quarters: Postmaster, Ralph D. Sessions; Assistant Postmaster, Raymon Hartman; Clerks, Albert Quaife, Carlton Johnson, Glen Parker, Elton Vandeventer and George Beatty; Carriers, Earl Braman, Leo Beck and Benjamin Witherden; Rural Carriers, Hugh Stetson, Albert Powers, Edward Alderman and Fred Jones. |
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The cashier was Joseph S. Fenton. The institution finally wound up its affairs and passed out of existence in 1840. The Palmyra Savings Bank was incorporated April 12, 1842, but after a brief career, it went down. In 1844 Pliny Sexton established under the then new free banking law, the Palmyra Bank, in the Lovett block. Some time afterward, George W. Cuyler also established, under the same law, the Cuyler Bank, in the old offices of the Wayne County Bank. The business of both parties merged in April, 1853, and as partners they continued the business of banking under the organization of the Cuyler's Bank of Palmyra, Mr. Sexton giving up his office in the Lovett block and moving to the Cuyler block on the corner, with the following officers: George W. Cuyler, president; Pliny Sexton, vice-president; Stephen P. Seymour, cashier. This continued until the incorporation in January, 1864, by the same parties and their associates of the First National Bank of Palmyra, soon after which time the former State Bank was wound up. The First National Bank of Palmyra was the successor' and outgrowth of the earlier banking business, and was conducted for many years in the former office on the corner of Main and William Streets by the late George W. Cuyler and the late Pliny Sexton. The directors of the First National Bank were George W. Cuyler, president; Pliny Sexton, vice-president; Pliny T. Sexton, cashier; William H. Cuyler, Charles McLouth and David S. Aldrich. The officers remained unchanged until the death of Mr. Cuyler in July, 1870. The vacancy thus occasioned was filled on December 30 of that year by the election of Pliny T. Sexton as president of the bank. At the same time, Robert M. Smith, who 'had been its teller for several years, was made cashier of the bank and Stephen P. Seymour was chosen its second vice-president. On March 26, 1881, Pliny Sexton, the first vice-president, died, and on the thirteenth of the following month, Harriet H. Sexton succeeded him as director of the bank, and was also, on January 18, 1882, chosen as his successor as vice-president. The capital of the bank at its organization was $100,000 with the privilege of increasing the same to $1,000,000, which latter amount by three separate additions it attained in September, 1882, and was the largest bank between Albany and Buffalo. The government bonds it deposited at Washington as security for the $1,000,000 in national bank notes it circulated, were for many years a prominent exhibit at the Treasury Department and were the largest of any bank in the United States. At the death of Pliny T. Sexton, who died September 5, 1924, James H. L. Gallagher, Roscoe S. Bush and others acquired the controlling interest of the First National Bank, on Apri110, 1925. 286 After doing business in the old bank for a time, new banking quarters were established on the corner of Main and Cuyler Streets, where they erected a new bank building, and on April 10, 1926, the new bank was opened, and the progressive policies of the bank continued until its assets totaled more than $1,000,000. In 1922 a State Bank was opened on the northeast corner of Main and Williams Streets. It was incorporated on February 20, 1922, with the following named officers: John VV. Walton, president; Arthur T. Jones and W. Ray Converse, vice-presidents; Clifford G. Adams, cashier; Sanford W. Young, assistant cashier. On August 19, 1922, the bank began business with deposits of $70,000, and in seven years increased its resourceR to more than $1,700,000. They . successfully did business until October 21, 1929, when the State Bank of Palmyra and the First National Bank of Palmyra merged, and on December 31, 1929, they changed their charter to the Wayne County Trust Company, with the following named officers: George L. Abbott, chairman of the board; James H. L. Gallagher, president; Clifford G. Adams, vice-president; Sanford M. Young, secretary. Directors: George L. Abbott, president Garlock Packing Company; Clifford G. Adams, vice-president and treasurer; William II. Bowman, merchant; Roscoe S. Bush, president First National Bank, Marion, N. Y.; John J. Callahan, vice-president and treasurer, Dealers' Steam Packing Company; James H. L. Gallagher, president; Charles Lebrecht, clothier; William T. McCaffrey, president Lincoln National Bank and Trust Company, Syracuse, N. Y., director Union Trust Company, Rochester, N. Y.; Clarence C. Nesbitt, physician and surgeon; David S. Rutty, member Sage, Wolcott and Steele, Rochester, N. Y., director Garlock Packing Company; Charles A. Sessions, coal merchant: Ulysses W. Sherburne, agent Ford motor cars; Harry C. Stevenson, chairman of the board, First National Bank and Trust Company, Rochester, N. Y., president Rochester Folding Box Company; J. Foster Warner, architect, director Union Trust Company, Rochester, N. Y., director Stromberg-Carlson Manufacturing Company; 'Louis C. Ziegler. THE LIBRARY It was on October 16, 1901, that the Palmyra Library Association came into existence. The library started in a very meager way in what was then known as the Tripp block on Main Street, now owned by John Shear.The financing of the library was taken care of by the King's Daughters' Society for a number of years with the help of a few friends interested in this good work, besides having tag days. The first trustees of the association were Miss Anna Jackson, Mrs. Harriet Johnson Wardwell, Miss Jean Foster, Mrs. Jacob Crookston and Miss Myra Smith. The trustees at the present time are Miss Anna Jackson, Mrs. Charles Rumrill, Mrs. Charles Ziegler and Mrs. William Parsons. All books, magazines and papers were donated by members of the King's Daughters' Society and citizens desiring to, contribute them. In this way the shelves began to fill and with money they purchased other books. 287 f'fhe library now has on its shelves over 8,500 books. This library ranks second best in the state as to circulation, that is, with places supporting one library, there being given out about nine books to every person in Palmyra. Greene County comes first, circulating eleven or twelve books to the person. This speaks well for Palmyra library, and shows conclusively that her people appreciate the great opportunity offered them. The library has not been without its ups and downs during its twenty-five years of existence, and many a time it has looked as though the doors would be closed, but never have the trustees of the association given up and it always seemed as though Providence came to the rescue. Now, through the generous gift of Pliny T. Sexton, it will not be without funds. PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY This organization is also known as the Grange, for the promotion of agriculture by abolishing the restricted burdens upon it by railroads and other corporations, and by getting rid of the system of middlemen and agents between the producer and consumer. In 1867 was organized the first Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry.At first the progress was slow, but in 1872 the organization made a sudden start and began spreading all over the country, when in 1873 there were over ten thousand Granges and in 1872 the total membership stood at one million five hundred thousand. A number of the enterprising farmers in this vicinity became interested in this organization and on February 25, 1877, George Sprague of Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y., secretary of the New York State Grange of the "Patrons of Husbandry," came to Palmyra in response to a petition signed by a few persons desirous of obtaining information in regard to the plans or purposes of the Grange movement with view to a local organization. William Strong of Clyde, a member of the Grange of that place, was also present as an assistant to Mr. Sprague. At 2.30 o'clock, a score or more gentlemen rnet them in a private room of the Palmyra Hotel. The rise and progress of the order at large, with instructions how to make a subordinate Grange rise and progress, were clearly set forth by the above-named gentlemen. A few faint-hearted ones turned back before putting their hands to the plow, otherwise into their pockets. The following-named persons, all farmers, accustomed to handling that implement, forked over the required stamps and were enrolled as charter members: David S. Aldrich J. R. Foster N. S. Backus J. P. Gillett T. H. Chapman A. T. Goldsmith J. O. Clark W. H. Kent James Davis Norman Lapham A. S. Durfee G. W. Marshall J. R. Nottingham Handee Parshall Thaddeus Phillips Nelson Reeves M. B. Riggs C. R. Robinson E. H. Robinson 288 The following, irrespective of color or previous conditions of servitude, were elected officers: Master -- M. B. Riggs Overseer -- Handee Parshall Lecturer -- G. W. Marshall Steward -- Thaddeus Phillips Assistant -- C. H. Robinson Chaplain -- J. R. Foster Treasurer -- A. T. Goldsmith Secretary -- James O. Clark Gatekeeper -- James Gillett Ceres -- Mrs. Cordelia Chapman Pomona -- Louisa Robinson Flora -- Miss Frances Foster Lady Assistant Steward -- Mrs. A. S. Durfee Mrs. Anna M. Clark Mrs. A. S. Durfee Mrs. M. B. Riggs Mrs. Marie M. Clark Miss Frances E. Foster Mrs. Anna Robinson Mrs. Cordelia G. Chapman Mrs. Emma O. Gillett Miss Louise Robinson Mrs. Emma Reeves. After a brief lesson in the "A, B, C" of the Order, and a formal installation of the Worthy Master, M. B. Briggs, the meeting adjourned to assemble at the call of its superior and only qualified officer. Their first meeting was in Oddfellows' Hall. The rent was $2.00 for each meeting besides the janitor's fees. At a meeting held March 16, 1874, Handee Parshall, Overseer, thereby tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and A. S. Durfee was elected to fill the vacancy. All officers who were present were duly installed by Worthy Master Riggs. It was thought best to defer action on all important matters necessary to put Palmyra Grange in complete working order, until after the return of the Worthy Master from the meeting of the State Grange at Albany on March 18 and 19. Since the previous meeting, a dispensation had been received from the National Grange at Washington, setting forth that the organization was to be known and designated as No. 123 of subordinate Granges in the State of New York. At a meeting, March 28, 1874, H. G. Foster, having duly applied, was voted a member of the Order. Mrs. T. H. Chapman, Ceres-elect, resigned, and Mrs. J. O. Clark was chosen to fill the vacancy. Brothers Kent, Foster and Durfee were constituted a committee on constitution and by-laws. An interesting report of the State Grange was given by Mrs. Riggs. At this meeting all heretofore absentees were installed. The perfect discipline of No. 123, if not evinced by punctuality, 289 was evinced by the fact that ten members found their way into the room at intervals during the progress of the meeting. Anybody can be punctual, who comes in season, but getting into an open Grange when the door is closed and the proper officers guarding them, is business of which perhaps the less said and done, the better for all concerned. At this meeting the first money was received by the Secretary, it being $5.00. Regular meetings were continued. Farm topics were discussed and a great interest was manifest. Speakers from different parts of the country were invited. A fine dinner was gotten up by the ladies, while the men sat around a cheerful fireside, discussing different subjects and keeping an eye on the table and watching the progress of dinner. In 1906 it was projected that the Grange purchase a suitable site on which to erect a hall of their own. Different locations were suggested. At one of the meetings the present site was suggested, which met the approval of the Grange. An option was procured upon the property for two weeks that it might be brought before the Grange at their first meeting. An interview was held with Pliny T. Sexton, who owned the property. He at once became very much interested and made a very liberal offer which he more than fulfilled. He at once set himself drawing plans for a new hall, being assisted by Joseph Blaby, the architect, and the present building was planned. Pliny S. Aldrich and William Bush were appointed as building committee and preparations were at once begun for a new hall. Thomas Jones & Son took the contract to do the mason work and Edwin Hurlbut took the contract to do the carpenter work. Bird & Ross furnished the heating plant and a Newark firm took the lighting. Palmer & Lyon did the painting. The entire cost of the building was about $17,000. The following year the building committee was chosen trustees with John Walton added. But the new hall in which the Grangers had anticipated so much pleasure and comfort for many years to come, proved to be a burden and disappointment to them. The expense of janitor, light and fuel, besides interest, taxes and repairs, was so great that some of the members became discouraged and threatened to withdraw from the organization. Finally, about 1919, it was decided by the Grange to let it go back to Mr. Sexton, who held the mortgage, and the Grange moved across the way into the Red Men's Hall. The Grange prospered under the leadership of Miss Kate Natt, who was the Lecturer for many years. Occasional speakers are invited to come. Fine dinners are served several times during the year and everyone is happy. But when the older members of over forty years ago, that are living today, look back through the dusky past, and recall the scenes of their days, they find that all the first officers who took sllch an active part in the early existence of the Grange, have nearly all passed away, only one charter member living now, Mrs. Frances Foster West. In 1929 the Grange moved back to the new hall that the Mormons purchased of the Sexton estate, as mentioned before, where they have all the conveniences that they had when the hall was first built.
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With no railroad, no trolley, no telephone or automobile with which to communicate with one another, consequently the solicitations for this project had to be made through the town on foot, in a wagon or on horseback. But the more enterprising farmers of the town were eager to avail themselves of this opportunity, and with village and country combined and working in harmony together, plans were soon made for Palmyra's first fair, which was to be held in Hathaway's grove, a grove of maple trees on the west side and south end of Cuyler Street. As everybody was interested and there being no buildings, no charge was made for entrance to the fair, and it being an experiment, everyone had to labor under disadvantages. Pens were fenced off in fence corners for sheep and hogs. Horses and cattle were tied to trees. One man brought a yoke of steers, tied them between two maple trees that stood near each other, when up came a thunder shower and both steers were struck by lightning. The late Burton Foster, who lived in the old Foster house on Canandaigua Street, now owned by Mr. Rumrill, drove a large hog across the field, and made a little pen in a rail fence corner for it. This hog weighed 800 pounds. John Robinson, an Englishman, who lived on what is now called the F. L. Reeves farm on the Creek Road, brought from England a stallion, a draft breed of horses called "Honest Tom," which proved to be too high strung for farm use. Later came a breed called "Sampson," that proved to be more docile. A short time after the fair, Honest Tom was poisoned by some jealous person. During the fair they had a plowing match, and to fairly test the skill of the plowman and the value of his team, a field was selected on the Hyde farm on the Canandaigua Road, where all who wished, could enter the contest. I would say in passing, this field is one mile south of the village, where now stands a very thrifty orchard owned by Justin Perkins. Richard Coates, a young Englishman, uncle of the late John C. Coates, who had recently come from England to visit his brother, William, entered the contest and won the prize. The team were a pair of old bay mares that weighed about eleven hundred pounds each. Although they were twentytwo years old, they seemed to take great delight in running away whenever there was an opportunity. For the race track, that short strip of road just south of Foster Street was chosen. A few of the loose stones were kicked out of the road. Here only the fleetest were in the race. The excitement ran high and "Wash" Sherman, as he was called, and a good judge, took another "chaw of tabaker" and the race was over. But who can describe the fun. These horses were mongrels. It was a rare thing in those days to see a thoroughbred horse or cow. 291 Neither did the ladies' department delnand less praise and admiration. They selected for the display of their fine needlework and bed quilts as well as their culinary eKhibit, an old wood-colored barn, situated near the brook on the east side of Fayette Street, that belonged to Sherman and Crandall, carriage makers. This old barn, in dimensions, was about 26x30 feet. There was no floor above or below, thus leaving the entire building an open space. Tan bark was brought from an old tannery across the way and spread down to walk upon. The sides of the building were all swept and made clean on which to hang pictures. Ropes were stretched across from beam to beam where they could hang quilts. An attractive place was provided for fancy needlework. Long tables were made on which to display the choicest fruits and vegetables, and flowers of brightest hue and sweetest fragrance, made this old wood-colored barn a thing of beauty, and the ladies named it "Log Cabin." Entrance to the fair ground was given by letting down the old rail fence, and just at this entrance a man drove up with a barrel of cider which was in the rear end of an old democrat wagon. This he very cheerfully sold for two cents per glass. Hard by another man sold tinware. He said he started from Virginia one very hot day, the river w'as frozen and he skated all the way. Another man had a machine for testing the lungs. It was done by putting a tube into the mouth and giving a hard blow. He urged people to come up with an attempt to "blow your branis out." Every time a new customer came up, in order to have the 'tube. clean, he would wipe it off with his handkerchief. This same handkerchief answered for all day, if not through the fair. But of course, there were no such things as microbes in those days. These are some of the indelible remembrances of my first fair. But the pleasure, the benefits and excitement of the little fair of 1849 could not be forgotten for the inhabitants of the town and village were so elated over its success that it facilitated forming the present Palmyra Union Agricultural Society. The date of this organization was June 26, 1856. At this time the following officers were elected: President -- Martin Butterfield Vice-presidents -- Stephen Hyde, William Teller, Russell Stoddard Secretary -- Carlton H. Rogers Treasurer -- Joseph C. Lovett Directors -- Luther Sanford, Stephen K. Williams, Theron G. Yeomans, Daniel Gates, William H. Rogers, Jacob C. Pettitt. Besides these men the following were charter members: L. Robinson, A. Sansbury, Joel Foster, F. D. Rogers, A. J. Downing, G. M. Briggs, J. G. Phillips, W. R. Johnson, George W. Cuyler, W. P. Nottingham, Alanson Sherman and William F. Aldrich. The Society purchased about twenty acres of land of Daniel Gates in 1856 at a cost of $3,000 and built a floral hall that has been very much enlarged since. The first fair was held in the Fall of 1856 and has been successfully continued annually ever since. The old primitive sheds have been replaced with others more modern and convenient. 292 The grounds have been enlarged. A new dining room has been built to accommodate the ever increasing crowd of people that come from far and near to be in time for the famous dinners arrflnged by the different churches. Each church takes their respective turn each year in providing the dinners, which are a marvel, their name and fame having gone all over the country. Convenient places have been provided for all kinds of stock so they are as comfortable as at home. In the early history of the fair, very little attention was paid to poultry, but it has developed into a great industry and a good house has been provided for this large exhibit. Many a time a country boy would drive in a yoke of well-broken steers or a well-groomed colt. His heart would swell with pride and justly, too, when the judges awarded him the first premium. If a cow could make a pound of butter a day in the best of the season, she was considered a good cow. Exhibition of speed was well looked after among those who took great interest in that part of the exhibit. Among some of the leading ones who took an active part in that exhibit were Washington Sherman, Charles Bingham, Charles Ferrin, Daniel Gates. and Underhill Briggs. Charles Ferrin's horse was a four-year-old colt, a mongrel, but it won first prize in that class. Lucian Freeman, a boy of nineteen, who lived in Walworth, bought a colt for $75 anq came to Palmyra Saturday afternoons during the Summer and drove it on the track. It developed considerable speed. At the close of the fair he sold the colt for $300, very much to the amazement of the boys in the neighborhood. Uriah Milliman, who was an old-time "Hoss Doctor," and lived in the Huddle, on the Walworth Road, and later came to Palmyra, had picked up somewhere, a blind pony, came rushing in on the track and passed everything on the course. He was ruled off the track as there was no class for him. It is with great pleasure I record the name of Charles D. Johnson, who in 1878 was elected president of the Society and served in that capacity for several years, but by reason of his age and increasing infirmities he resigned. Mr. Johnson exerted his energies to his utmost extent to make the fair a success, and to him the people of the town of Palmyra owe a debt' of gratitude. To him the fair was his hobby, his recreation, and his pastime. He left no stone unturned. Mention should also be made of the worthy gentlenlen who so closely guarded the financial interest of the Society. Among those of a later date were R. M. Smith, from February 4, 1874 to February 3, 1892, when he resigned, after serving eighteen years; also David S. Aldrich, from February 3, 1892 to 1896, dying that same year, when IIarry G. Chapman accepted the office which he has continuously held ever since, now being thirty-five years. In April of the year 1905, the Society purchased about five acres of land from Charles L. Parker, administrator, adjoining on the west, for $1,000, and four years later the grand stand was moved from the east to 293 the west side of the grounds and a large sheep barn was put up in its place, and other general improvements were made at a total cost for the year of $5,300. Total receipts for the fair in 1874 were $1,111.75. Fifty years later in 1924 they were $7,146.47. Premiums paid in 1874· totaled $500.00; premiums paid in 1924, fifty years later, were $3,067.00. The total receipts of the Palmyra Fair in 192'9, amounted to $21,780.74, according to the report of the treasurer, Harry G. Chapman at the annual meeting of the Palmyra Union Agricultural Society. The receipts were $952.56 larger than the previous year, and included gate receipts of $6,093.10, as compared with a 1928 gate admission of $2,092.03. Premiums in 1929 were $6,089.62, as compared with $500.00 in 1874. A number of permanent improvements were made in 1929. Permanent booths were built for the Home Bureau exhibits. Due to the increased numbers of entries of race horses, it was necessary to build a number of additional stalls. Officers for 1931 were as follows: President -- Charles H. Johnson Vice-president -- Robert Coveney Secretary -- W. Ray Converse Treasurer -- H. G. Chapman Race Secretary -- Earl Braman Palmyra Fair now ranks one of the best equipped town fairs in the state. If the patrons and promoters of this enterprise could come back to earth in this year, 1931, and stand on the balcony at tthe south end of Floral Hall and view the crowd of 20,000 people and see all that space inside of the circular track, with, twenty years ago, only a few carriages scattered here and there, now black with automobiles, covering nearly all that space, representing thousands of dollars, a thing unheard of then, would it be any wonder if they thought they had struck the.wrong town, for it surely could not be Palmyra. The coming of the trolley and the automobile has made it possible for people living in a radius of fifty miles to take in the Fair and return home the same day with no inconvenience on account of the distance. And the old farmers of long ago, who were accustomed to bring their best stock at the fair and compare those mongrels to the thoroughbred stock of today, and mark the advancement that has been made since the first fair in 1849, would exclaim indeed, "Our labors have not been in vain." Automobiles and busses bring many to the fair and just before they enter the portals they pass under the same oak tree that stood there when the fair first started. Although but a small tree at the beginning of the fair, it has grown to its present size. "And may its shadow never grow less." To some the Palmyra Fair is reunion day. Here old men and women, young men and maidens, men and women with hoary hair, faltering step, 294 and pallid cheek joke with one another, for everyone is happy. With some, perhaps long years have passed since they left old Palmyra. They are coming back once more to visit the home of their childhood. They arrange to be here fair time for then they are sure to meet old friends. They seek some little nook where they can sit down and talk over the past. Both parties have grown old since they last met. They shake hands w hen they bid each other a final farewell and the remembrances of this day they cherish as long as they live. But the sun is fast traveling toward the western hills, faces are now turning homeward, everyone is now rushing for the exit. Soon the ground is cleared. The gates are closed, and another Palmyra Fair has passed into history. The writer of this sketch has attended every fair, including the fair of 1849, making seventy-seven fairs in all, now 1931. THE ERIE CANAL The agitation for an inland waterway through New York State goes back to 1773, when Christopher Colles lectured in New York City on "Inland Lock Navigation." In 1807, plans for the canal were under discussion and Jesse Hawley of Rochester vvrote several papers for the Genesee Messenger, under the name of "Hercules," urging the building of a canal from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. The value of this canal in the commercial development of New York City as a great part of it, would be impossible to estimate.In 1816, Governor Thompkins urged the state to build a canal and appointed DeWitt Clinton to head a committee of which Hiram Hawley of Rochester was one of the members. In 1810, the New York State Legislature appointed a commission which made a survey of a proposed route. At that time the surveying party found only a swamp on the present site of Rochester, while at Buffalo there were forty houses, some taverns and the Niagara County Court House. The beginning of the Erie Canal was at Rome, N. Y., on July 4, 1817, when DeWitt Clinton and Joshua Hathaway turned the first shovelful of dirt. Some sections of the canal were opened to navigation in 1819 and on October 29, 1822, the first boatload of Rochester flour left Hill's Basin for Little Falls. The canal traffic in flour steadily increased and in the first ten days of navigation in 1823, two years before the final completion of the waterway, 10,000 barrels of flour were shipped from Rochester to Albany. On October 24, 1825, the guard gates at Lockport were opened and water flowed into the canal so that transportation was possible over the entire length. Guns had been placed along the canal froln Buffalo to Albany and thence along the Hudson River to New York City. At the moment that Governor Clinton started from Buffalo on October 26, the first of the guns was fired, then, as the sound reached the next gun, that, too, was fired, so that the reverberation was carried eastward until the final gun at New York City sounded just one hour and twenty minutes later. Quite a record for transmission of news in 1825, when radio had not been dreamed of. "Seneca Chief" was the name of the boat that carried Governor DeWitt 295 Clinton on his triumphant journey, drawn by four grey horses. Following the "Seneca Chief" was another canal boat which was familiarly called the "Noah's Ark," since it carried a cargo of birds, anirnals and fish from the Lake Erie Country, 'which were to be released when the boat arrived at New York City. The signal cannon at Palmyra was on the hill at the north end of Liberty Street, since that time called "Cannon Hill." At this celebration they came in from the countryside from near and far. For great was the joy to all those living within ten miles north or south of the canal for this waterway was not only to open up ai market for the products of the field from Buffalo to Albany, but to afford transportation as well in bringing merchandise to supply the wants of the pioneer. Ultimately the canal was completed from Albany to Buffalo, a distance of three hundred and sixty-three miles, of much greater length than originally contemplated, but of less dimension in depth and breadth, being forty feet instead of one hundred and four feet wide and four feet deep, instead of ten, but the first intended size was the best, as proven by the fact that it was found necessary to increase the breadth of the canal to seventy feet and its depth to seven feet, to give the necessary accommodations to the constantly increasing traffic. This was done at different times, commencing in the 40's, by doing a little each Winter. That part of the canal passing through on Canal Street was begun about 1849. The late Elijah' Ennis took the contract to build the culvert under the canal, beginning on the north side of the towpath and extending south to the Jessup tannery. The aqueduct, west of the village, was built by the late Thomas Richmond in 1856. This was considered a fine piece of workmanship as it has proven to be, standing as solid as when first built. As mentioned before, the canal was' used in places before its final completion, not only by freight boats but by packets as well. "A Packet Guide for the Tourist and Traveler Along the Line of the Canals and the Interior Commerce of the State of New York," is the title of a small book written by Henry Gates Spafford, L. L. D., and printed in 1824. These packets were drawn by three horses (see early history of Canal Street) from Utica westward. Two daily lines departed at 7.00 o'clock in the morning and evening for Rochester, one hundred miles, passing twentyfive locks, arid arrived in forty-six hours; returning from Rochester in the same order and time to Utica. From Rochester westward to Brockway (or Brockport) there was a packet in July twice a day, nineteen and three-quarters miles, connecting with the lines eastward as to hours of arrival and departure; but the canal opened that Autumn to Lockport, sixty-three miles from Rochester, when a packet ran through that distance without a lock, probably between the rising and setting of the sun -- 1824. Fare, including board, lodging and every expense, was four cents a mile. Way passengers paid three cents a mile, exclusive of board, and thirty-seven 296 and one-half cents for dinner, twenty-five cents for breakfast or supper, and twelve and one-half cents for lodging. Perhaps no one thing as a benefactor to Palmyra was ever received with such open arms and cordial welcome as the "Clinton Ditch," as it was called by the opponents of this great enterprise that proved to be one of the best investments the state could have made. The residents of Palmyra saw a constant line of boats pass night and day during the open season. During the year in which the canal was completed, there went by Utica, 1,311 boats and 40,000 people. In 1830, 14,936 canal boats came into and left the harbor at Albany, an average for the open season of sixty boats a day. June 15, 1827, sixty-seven boats arrived in Albany, carrying 14,000 bushels of wheat and other grains. Thirty-five boats cleared at the same time, with merchandise. On Saturday of the following week, fifty-seven boats arrived and ninety cleared, making an average of eleven boats for every hour of daylight. When the canal was completed in 1825, they immediately began to build boats and in 1827 three hundred twenty-two boats were built; in 1828, one hundred twenty-nine boats; in 1829,. fifty-six boats; in 1830, ninety-three boats; and in 1831, two hundred eighteen boats. It may be interesting to some to read the names of some of the oldtime boat captains, who ran a boat on the original "Clinton Ditch," in the 30's; also the name of their boat, which I give below: William 1. Hart, Corinthian, April 27, 1833. Milo Galloway, Comptroller, April 28, 1835. R. R. Howell, Don, September 10, 1838. R. C. Jackson, Dutchess County, April 16, 1835. William and Harris Perkins, Florida. George R. Smith, General Rogers, April 27, 1833. James McDowell, Halifax, April 15, 1835. Averston P. Crandall, Manhattan, October 1, 1834. Silas W. Hutchins, Merchant, May 1, 1832. L. C. Russell and Theron R. Howell, Palmyra, August 23, 1830. James Field, Revenue Cutter, May 1, 1827. Hiram Church, Etna, April 24, 1837. Jabez H. Stark, Liberty, May 5, 1831. James White, Paragon, May, 1827. R. C. Jackson, President Jackson, July 28, 1832. Abraham, Norris and John Maxwell, S. C. Jones, April 12, 1838. James White and Hiram Niles, Columbian, May 8, 182'7. Merritt Thompsori, Stranger, April 25, 1831. Timothy Barnes, Vulture, August 18, 1827. George C. Moore and William Cole, Wayne Sentinel, April 18, 1831. Jonas Huxley in the 40's. Franklin Huxley in the 50's. Gilbert Oliver in the 40's. William Foskett, 40's to 70's. Augustus Soper in the 40's. 297 Daniel Gates, Packet, in the 40's. Charles Soper in the 40's. William Henderson, 40's to 50's. William Huxley was sent by Franklin Lakey up Cayuga Lake to Ithaca for a boat load of coal, making the round trip in four days, the fastest time ever made from Palmyra. Mr. Huxley is still living and is eighty-seven years old. THE BARGE CANAL A committee appointed by Governor Black in 1899, recommended that the canal should not be abandoned but enlarged. The Barge Canal Law of April, 1903, approved by the votes of the people, appropriated $100,000,000 to improve the Erie, Champlain and Oswego Canals, making the depth twelve feet, width, seventy-five feet at the bottom in land sections and two hundred feet in rivers and lakes.Work began in 1905 and in May, 1915, the east part of the Erie branch of the Barge Canal was opened for traffic. The Barge Law provided only for boats of 1,000 tons, but locks were ordered from twenty-eight to forty-five feet, permitting locking of boats of 3,400 tons. The locks are three hundred and twenty-eight feet between gates, forty-five feet wide, twelve feet deep, lifts six to forty and one-half feet. There are thirty-five standard locks on the Erie branch. There are thirty fixed dams, the more important being on the Mohawk River below Schenectady, at Creysent and Vicher's Ferry, two thousand feet long and forty feet high. The 'eight bridge dams between Schenectady and Mindenville can be moved. The siphon lock at Oswego is the only one of its kind in the United States and the largest in the world. When the Barge Canal went through the village of Palmyra, it swallowed up the Ganargua Creek at the aqueduct and its winding banks that the Indian had followed for ages for fish and game, and its waters that had afforded means of transportation to bring supplies to the pioneer have passed into history. The channel will soon be filled and leveled off and no one will be able to follow its course. The young people of today can hardly realize the difference of the depth of the canal when first built, when the boats were mere canoes floating in four feet of water, compared to the Barge Canal boats of today in twelve feet of water. THE RAILROADS Several attempts had been made to have a railroad pass through Wayne County, but failed until 1850, when a company was organized under the corporate name of Rochester and Syracuse Direct Railroad.The road was begun in 1851. The contract was let and section shanties were put up and a large gang of Irishmen were employed with wheelbarrows, picks and shovels; also one-horse carts that were used for cuts and fills, very different from the steam shovel of today. The first passenger train passed over the road May 30, 1853. At first 298 only one track was laid, and only ten or twelve trains passed over the road in twenty-four hours. The engines were small conlpared to those of today. The freight and passenger cars were small, light and short. The rails were light and only sixteen feet long. The bridges were made of wood and seemingly large at that time, but one of the modern engines would crush one of those wooden bridges as easily as it would crush a pipe stem. The freight and passenger cars of today are much longer and heavier as well as stronger than the old wooden cars. The rails are also longer and very much heavier than the old rails. A few years later a second track was laid from where Walworth Station now is, west to Rochester. At that time there was no station at Walworth. A switchman was stationed there to shift certain trains on the new track. Then later came the four tracks and the Walworth Station was created. When the road was first built, instead of a pay car being drawn by an engine and guarded by men, on pay day an unguarded handcar came along with two men in front to propel the car, while Mr. Cunningham and Mr. McCall sat on a back seat, riding backwards with money box in front of them. When they came to a gang of men, they would stop, the men would come up, sign their names and draw their pay. Who would like to take that chance today? A boy was stationed at each crossing to warn people of approaching trains. The writer of this sketch was the first crossing boy at Walworth Station and held the flag for the first train that passed over the one-track road. This being aO main thoroughfare and a stage road from Ontario to Palmyra, there was a good deal of traveL Sometimes incidents would occur that would be rather amusing. One day a man had been down to Palmyra with a load of wild blackberries that grew in great abundance on the newly cleared land north of Walworth. After selling his berries to a good advantage he felt it his duty to celebrate just a little. When he arrived at the crossing, he inquired when the next train would be along and was told it would be one-half hour. He concluded to wait for he wanted his mare to "face 'em," and after sitting there a while he began to get sleepy and when he roused up he said, "I tell you, boy, this dry vleather tries the tire, drunk or sober." At that time a good many had never seen a train of cars. Many times they would come along and wait to see the cars pass by, and bring their wife and children to see the cars for the first time in their life. At that time wood was used for making steam instead of coal. Although the engines were small, yet they were great wood-eaters. Before the railroad went through there were thousands of acres of heavy timber. At the coming of the railroad, speculators bought up the standing timber. Shanties were put up in the woods and the slaughter began, and in a short time large forests had been swallowed up in the fiery furnace, very much to the regret of the younger generation. The wood was drawn and banked at the nearest point on the railroad and from here it was carried to the different depots, where it was-sawed up. At the New York Central depot, which was then on the north side of the track, while on the 299 south side was a long woodshed, thousands of cords of wood were sawed up. The late Sidney Hickox sawed wood here the year around with the old-fashioned tread-power to run the saw. The late John Calhoon wa.s· the first ticket agent at the Palmyra station. He lived upon the hill on the Walker Road on what was later called the Beadle farm. William Whipple was the first baggage master. He lived in a little house on the hill. Mr. Whipple held this position until he became too old to do the work when he resigned. These two men died a good many years ago. Mr. Calhoon was in the employ of the company only a few years when he died. Caleb Van Deuzer, Ralph Mumford and Morris Beadle were the veteran shippers of hogs, sheep and cattle. When these old pioneers of the road died, the business of shipping stock died with them. Cattle raising, and the same thing might be said of hogs, is a thing of the past in this part of the country. It would be a hard matter to pick up a load of stock now. At that time, if you were in Albany and wished to go to Buffalo by rail, you would buy your ticket to Syracuse, then to Rochester, and then to Buffalo. Long years have passed and great have been the changes since that barefooted boy waved the first white flag for the first train that passed over the New York Central Railroad where Walworth Station now standsThen one track, light engines, light rails, wooden bridges, burned wood instead of coal, and only ten or twelve trains in twenty-four hours-Now four tracks, heavy engines and heavy rails, burn coal instead of wood, now one hundred and forty trains with one hundred cars each in twenty-four hours; also the block system and semaphores and many other improvements, thus making the New York Central Railroad the largest four-track railroad in the world. The West Shore Railroad was built and opened in 1884. About two years later it was leased to the New York Central Company and used mostly as a freight road. THE TROLLEY The time at last came when in December, 1904, the people were to have an electric railway running through Main Street. Starting from the center of the city of Syracuse, running west' to and through the center of the city of Rochester, with double track and a schedule that compared favorably and in many cases equaled the time of the New York Central trains, with seventy to ninety pound rails, concrete culverts, heavy iron bridges, rock and gravel ballast, steam turbine power plant and modern equipment; also shelters were provided at each crossing where cars were scheduled to stop, heated with electricity, with night signals, making one of the best equipped roads in the state.The Rochester & Syracuse trolley line was sold in 1931 and work of razing the road soon began. The trolley was replaced by the Greyhound Bus Line with several buses running east and west every day. 300
The story of the origin of Garlock fibrous packings is very interesting. Olin J. Garlock, in his youth, was employed by John Bulmer. The latter had a hobby of saving seemingly useless things, for some possible later use, and on passing through the boiler room of his shop one day, Bulmer came across a piece of old fire hose. He picked it up and tossed it to young Garlock with the remark, "There, Olin, save that, it might come in handy some day." Garlock laid the hose to one side for the time being. He was wondering how to stop a leak in the stuffing box of the engine in Bulmer's shop. He had packed the stuffing box so many times that he had almost become discouraged. As he sat before the old boiler, a thought came to him, "Why not use the old hose to pack the stuffing box 1" He got hold of a sharp knife and cut the hose into strips, and formed rings with the strips. These rings he tried to lubricate by soaking in oil. But as the rings took up the oil very slowly he set them in a can filled with oil on top of the boiler. This made the rings soak up the oil much faster. He then packed the lubricated rings into the leaky stuffing box, which had usually required repacking every few days, and to his great satisfaction found that the leak had been stopped. The stuffing box with its new packing stood up against the friction and strain for a long time. Mr. Garlock told some of his friends and sold some of the new invention in small quantities to fellow engineers. H'e was handicapped by lack of funds to put his disc-overy into actual working order, and to market the new packing in any great quantity. In fact, most of the sales amounted to from fifty cents to a few dollars. The first packing for public use was cooked in an old kettle. Soon he used a piece of duck and rubber belting, cutting his rings from this material. In his spare time he made and sold packing. He tried to find financial backing but this was hard to obtain. At one time he had a partnership with his cousin, T. V. Garlock, but he soon became tired of the affair and sold his share back. Later he formed a partnership with George H. Crandall and in 1884 they entered into a three-sided equal co-partnership with Eugene E. Nichols for a period of three years. Toward the end of the co-partnership agreement Garlock and Nichols decided that they could no longer remain in business with Crandall so they looked about for a new partner. Garlock suggested his cousin, Frederick W. Griffith, who after graduating from college and teaching a year, had become convinced that teaching was not what he wanted. The deal was made early in the Summer but Crandall would not sell out nor let his buyer come near the plant until the expiration of the contract which was in September of 1887. During the Summer Griffith studied bookkeeping during intervals in the work on his father's farm. When he arrived in Palmyra to enter the business, he was driven by his father in a spring-back wagon from Phelps with his tin trunk carried in 301 the back of the wagon box. Having learned something of bookkeeping he set up a new set of books for the concern, being their first set of double entry books. The first co-partnership had done business under the firm name of Garlock, Crandall & Nichols, but the new partnership adopted the firm name of The Garlock Packing Company. In the early days of business, it was carried on in one of the store buildings on Main Street. Later space was secured on the upper ft.oor of the old Jenner factory, which stood in the rear of the Garlock office, later being torn down. The business grew and developed until it occupied the entire building. In time they built an addition, three stories high, on the south and later on, as the business grew, two similar additions were constructed on the east side of the first structure. More land was purchased and a power house was built which in a few years was doubled in size. A two-story office building, which seemed quite adequate at the time, was built. It was soon found, however, that the business required larger quarters for an office. The Rushmore house and lot on Main Street was secured on which the present three-story and basement brick office building was erected. In 1896 Eugene Nichols died. His wife, Edna R. Nichols, kept his share, appointing a man to take his place. Frank Brown was the first appointee. After his death, which followed soon after his appointment, James P. Ballou was appointed. Mr. Ballou held the position for several years when he left and founded the Dealer's Steam Packing Company, for the braiding of flax and asbestos packings. Clifford Platt succeeded him. Platt lasted one year when he was succeeded by James H. L. Gallagher in 1903. Mr. Gallagher held the position for twenty years. As the factory progressed so did the office. In December of 1887 the firm hired its first stenographer, Emma J. Corson, who later for many years was the company's trusted cashier. xxx...about 1923, she was retired upon a pension and now lives with her sisters in Orange, California. A while later the office force was augmented by Lottie M. Seely, who was retired a year or two before her death. Then others came fast. The Garlock Packing Company was incorporated in 1905 with a capital stock of $1,000,000.00, half Qeing in preferred stock and half in common. Each partner took $150,000.00 of common and the same of preferred, the remainder being held in the treasury. Buying products from other concerns for finishing and sale had been rather unsatisfactory. The company had control of its braided products through the Dealer's Steam Packing Company, the majority of the stock being held in the same manner as the Garlock and by the same people. The company, however, had no control of tis rubber products. An interest was obtained in the Triumph Steam Packing, too, and the first building and boiler house were built near. the West Shore railroad station in 1907. This concern set up the manufacture of rubber slab, rubber sheets and an asbestos sheet to take the place of the Hungarian made "Tauril," which the company had been selling. In 1909 the rrriumph was merged with 302 Garlock Packing, and as the company expanded they built at the West Shore location as the shipping facilities and chance for expansion were much better there. In 1905 the Pitt Metal Packing Company of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, was leased for ten years by the Garlock Packing Company. In 1915, it was purchased outright and moved to Palmyra under the management of Frank Ballou, brother of James P. Ballou. Upon his death, Edgar N. Fox, one of the old Pitt men, took over its management. Slowly it was merged into the rest of the concern until now it is an integral part. Mr. Fox is now spending his time in metal sales promotion in connection with the regular sales force. The original Triumph plant was a single story with basement under part of it. During 1922, the entire basement was dug and added. To the west was built Plant 3 in 1909 to house the asbestos packing rolling tables and the coating tables. This "High Pressure" Depart.ment had occupied an old barn and a one-story wooden building on the east of the old No. 1 plant. Later the Metal Department moved into the one-story frame building. Plant 4 was built parallel to No.3 in 1912 with the factory office on the top floor, freight shipping on the main floor and the Mechanical Department under Judson Garlock in the basement. In 1914 two buildings were erected, No. 5 a Siamese twin of Plant 3 on the east of the earlier building and a western extension of No. 4, called No.6, to house the Express (and Parcels Post) Shipping Department on the main floor, the Flax Lubricating Department in the basement and the "Speeder" or Slab Ring Cutting and Lubricating Department in the east of the second floor with the H. P. Ring (and flax) Cutting Department in the west. Plant 5 had the 900 sheeters and the tables on the main floor with the Spiral Department and Valve Departments also using space there. The Spiral Lubricating Department was in the basement with the Valve Presses. Now the Spiral Lubricating and the 900 sheeters and tables have changed places and the Valve Department has been moved into its own building still farther to the east. The building of Plants 5 and 6 completed the moving of the manufacturing to the West Shore plant and consolidated it at one location. The company next took up the manufacture of asbestos cloth. First trials were made at Hamilton, Canada, under Miller Adams and Harold Harmon. On January 1, 1917, Plant 7 was opened with a large dance on the top floor to which practically the entire village was invited. This new building was immediately fitted up with textile equipment and the manufacture of asbestos cloth began. Later economies in space permitted the moving of the Metal Department into the east end of the first floor and the Shredded Metal Department into the east end of the basement. Raw materials were stored in basements, outbuildings or old No. 1, and a considerable amount of space was rented from the West Shore Railroad and George Bennett's warehouse for the purpose. Late in the Fall of 19213, a warehouse of concrete construction was begun to the east of Plant 4, this being of basement and single story construction with ramps for electric 303 trucks instead of elevators. It was built to hold two more stories upon the top whenever they should be demanded. In the Summer of 1924, a cafeteria for employees was opened in the west end of the warehouse. The new Valve Department building was completed in 1929 in which year a large dam was placed across Red Creek to impond water for the rebuilt power plant which had been changed the year before. Going back to the old No. 1 plant and the years of small beginnings, things were entirely different. "Uncle John" Garlock was the Superintendent and Johnny Lake was the Chief Cook. Jud Garlock did the repairs and maintenance and the few employees had much time for shenanigans between "licks." Seats became mysteriously electrified, cakes soaked in water descended from the heavens upon the unwary and Johnny Lake was forever searching for pieces of limburger cheese which materialized in his lubricating room. Horseplay in those days did no harm, but it has no place in the modern highly mechanized factory. One day "Uncle John" had a tall, skinny red haired applicant who stated that he had just got married but didn't have a job. Uncle John thought that was pretty hard luck so he told the young man to come around next week and he'd find something for him to do. As the years rolled along, Uncle John became less spry and he began to turn over to the young fellow his work until he retired and the young fellow signed his name, John L. Travers, Superintendent. For almost twenty-five years "Trav" ran the entire factory, seeing it grow up to a large wooden plant and then slowly move to the new location in brick and steel buildings. In 1924 he quietly walked out of the plant and took over the Crandall factory. He is now Vice-president and Assistant General Manager of that company. Cecil R. Hubbard came to the factory on October 1, 1923, as Production Manager. He has been in charge of the factory ever since. The company never had a bed of roses, especially as far as sales went. Many of the branch managers became imbued with the idea that the packing business was an easy one to run and so throughout the life of the company, managers or groups of managers have left the company to start in business for themselves. Some have made good, others have failed and some are going along just making a living for themselves. As they were able to expand the sales force the partners did. The first branch office was in New York City. Now there are branches in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Denver, Birmingham, Montreal and Los Angeles. Finishing factories are located in Hamilton, Ont., Birmingham and San Francisco. The company did foreign business almost from the start, although they sold Canadian rights to their patents and trade marks. These were repurc.hased in 1917. As the German boats stopped buying in New York City the company sent one of their salesmen, Jerome Grienenberger to establish a branch office and factory in Hamburg, Germany, about 1900. This continued until the outbreak of the World War. Another branch factory and sales office had been opened about 1912 in Paris, France. These were not reopened after the war. Goods are shipped throughout the entire 304 civilized world and the Garlock name and trade mark are registered and established in all of them. Catalogues are now printed in Spanish, French, Portugese and Japanese as well as English. The Garlock Trade Mark has been registered and established in all the civilized countries of the world. Ward K. Angevine took O. J. Garlock's place on the Board of Directors in 1917 at Mr. Garlock's nomination. In 1923 George L. Abbott took Mr. Gallagher's place as the Nichols representative. At practically the same time Henry N. Winner was elected General Manager of the company. Mr. Winner had been in the employ of several different packing concerns but had spent more time with The Garlock Packing Company than any other. He died in the Fall of 1926 as the result of overwork. At his death, George L. Abbott was elected General Manager. In 1928 Mr. Griffith, who was President and Treasurer, died. He was temporarily succeeded on the Board of Directors by his son, Henry. Early in the Spring of 1929, O. J. Garlock and the Edna R. Nichols Estate sold out to a group of investment houses headeq. by White, Weld & Co., of New York, who compelled the Griffith Estate to also sell. George L. Abbott is now President, Treasurer and General Manager. There is no Executive Vice-president but there are two Vice-presidents-in-charge, C. R. Hubbard, Vice-president in charge of Production, and Phillip Arnold, Vice-president in charge of Sales, Robert M. Waples is Secretary. George W. Cadwallader, who came to Palmyra with the Pitt Metal group, is Purchasing Agent. CRANDALL PACKING COMPANY The Crandall Packing Company was started in 1887 by George Crandall, who had been associated with the partners in the Garlock organization. In the early 90's Dr. W. J. Hennessy, Barnet H. Davis, A. P. Marshall, John C. Coates, Charles North and Jules Cleveland put moneY into the concern. The buildings formerly used by Cuyler & Bronson as a lumber yard on the north side of Canal Street near Church Street were used as a factory. The concern spread out over the Eastern and Southern 1 United States and Eastern Canada, but did not push westward to the Pacific Coast.George Crandall dropped from the firm early as did one or two of the others, Dr. Hennessy slowly acquiring control of the stock with John C. Coates as the next largest stockholder. The company employed a number of managers throughout the years, including Beach, Wilson, Mosher and Sam Hildreth, but in 1906 Mr. Coates resigned his position as Post Office Inspector to become manager of the firm, he already being president. Coates and Hennessy were the only two investors to become active in the management of the concern and the doctor only partially so for he kept up his medical practice as his main activity. Dr. Hennessy died in 1918 and Mr. Coates became infirm in November of the same year. J. Jenner Hennessy, son of the doctor, obtained a discharge from the navy to return home to care for his father's estate. Frank 305 Coates gave up his business in Detroit and the two sons with Albert J. Westbay, who had been with the firm for some years and had recently purchased an interest, took over the management. After a bad fire in 1911, a new fireproof factory was erected on the site of the old, Edward W. Hurlbut being the contractor. In 1917 a threestory and basement concrete office was erected on the corner of Church and Canal Streets to the west of the factory. The company was so hard hit by the post-war deflation and gelleral depression that the Hennessy interest sold out without consulting the other stockholders to Olin J. Garlock for a small sum. As a large majority of the stock was sold, the other stockholders were also compelled to sell so that Mr. Garlock obtained 1000/0 of both the common and preferred. He immediately placed Henry N. Winner in control, assisted by Robert M. Waples. In August of that year Mr. Winner left the Crandall organization to take charge of The Garlock Packing Company, thus leaving Mr. Waples in charge. The following Spring Mr. Garlock supplanted Mr. Waples with George Argetsinger of Rochester, Waples later rejoining the Garlock force. A short time later Argetsinger was replaced by James E. Hillerman with E. P. Watrous as General Sales Manager, John L. Travers being Factory Superintendent. This organization remained the same for a few years when Hillerman and Watrous left and John L. Travers took charge with the title of Assistant General Manager. Frank Granger became Purchasing Agent and later General Sales Manager. He has just retired upon' pension due to ill health. Under Mr. Travers the company has entered the Pacific Coast territory. THE DEALER'S STEAM PACKING COMPANY The Dealers' Steam Packing Company came into being through James P. Ballou leaving The Garlock Packing Company. Braiding had interested him for a considerable time so when he left the Garlock organization he went down near Philadelphia and purchased a small braiding plant backed by some of his former associates. About a year later he moved the plant to Palmyra where it was incorporated in April of 1904. The first officers were: James P. Ballou, President and Treasurer; S. Nelson Sawyer, Vice-president; George S. Tinklepaugh, Secretary. These officers continued until Mr. Ballou's death in 1926.The Dealers was formed to furnish braided and twisted flax and asbestos packings to dealers throughout the country. They have never sold to consumers. They make packings for practically all of the large packing concerns in the country, but one customer never knows what, how much or if another competitor buys. The policy of keeping customers' affairs strictly private has built up a large business throughout the United States and Canada. Early in the history of the firm, John J. Callahan became the Factory Superintendent. Toward the latter end of Mr. Ballou's life, as sickness compelled him to become more and more inactive, he" turned over the entire management to "Johnny" Callahan so that at Mr. Ballou's death, he left 306 a successor already at the helm. At the next annual meeting of the Company the following officers were elected: President, S. Nelson Sawyer; Vice-president and Treasurer, John J. Callahan, and Secretary, George S. Tinklepaugh. These officers are still in office. THE NEWSPAPERS Perhaps there is no one thing that enters our homes and is received with such open arms and cordial welcome as our local newspapers. Public journals have been founded here that gave their readers the world's news and wielded a powerful influence on the politics, morals, and general public affairs of this section of the state. The inhabitants of Wayne County, as it is now constituted, were favored with local newspapers before the organization of the county.The first newspaper published in what is now Wayne County, was the Palmyra Register, the first number of which appeared November 26, 1817. It was founded by Timothy C. Strong and continued with several changes of title to October, 1823, when the business passed to Pomeroy Tucker and E. B. Granden. They changed the name of the paper from the Western Farmer and Canal Advocate to the less cumbersome title of Wayne Sentinel. Mr. Granden soon retired from the firm and for nearly forty years thereafter the Sentinel enjoyed a prosperous career, under Mr. Tucker's direction. Mr. Tucker was a native of Palmyra and a man of exceptional qualifications as a politician and writer. A firm and consistent Democrat, he gave his Journal a reputation and prestige gained by few other country newspapers in the western part of the state. John M. Francis, who became one of the leading editors of Troy, and a foremost journalist of the state, was with Mr. Tucker twenty-eight years and learned well the details of newspaper management. Mr. Tucker was the first white male child born in the village and died in Palmyra in July, 1870. Upon the organization of the Free Soil party in 1848, the Sentinel espoused its principles and supported Van Buren. In 1852, Henry Harrington purchased the establishment and sold it to A. J. Matthewson in 1855 and in 1857 it was bought by W. N. Cole, who continued the pUblication to 1860 when it was discontinued. The next paper started in Palmyra was the Palmyra Freeman, first issued March 11, 1828, by P. D. Stephenson. Shortly afterwards it was sold to J. A. Hadley, who removed the business to Lyons. A monthly publication called the Reflector had an existence in Palmyra from 1828 to 1830. It was started by O. Dogberry. On January 9, 1830, Luther Howard and Erastus Shepard began publishing the Western Spectator and Anti-Masonic Star. It was soon afterward merged with the Anti-Masonic Inquirer at Rochester. The Palmyra Whig was begun in February, 1838, by William A. Cole and Samuel Cole, and in the F'all of the same year was removed to Lyons. The Palmyra Courier was established in 1838, by Frederick Morley, who continued it to 1852, when it was sold to J. C. Benedict. In January, 1853, B. C. Beebe bought the establishment, changed the name of the paper 307 to the Palmyra Democrat and in the Fall of the same year again changed it to the Palmyra American. In August, 1856, E. S. Averill purchased the business. The Republican party was then just organized and Mr. Averill restored the journal to its former name, Palmyra Courier, and turned its support to the new party. Up to that time little attention had been given by the local press to home news, a condition which Mr. Averill at once corrected, enlarging his paper for the purpose. He was promptly rewarded with an increased circulation, which encouraged him to make a second enlargement. In April, 1867, he purchased a new dress of type for the paper and otherwise improved it, and in the next year again enlarged its size, making it one of the largest as well as one of the ablest journals in Western New York. In 1874 another enlargement was made. It had then become a power in the RepUblican party. He successfully carried on the business and was the oldest newspaper man in service in Wayne County, at the time of his death, which occurred in 1910. Mr. Averill was born in Albany in 1835. After his death, his two sons, Ralph and I-Iarry, carried on the business until 1919. At the beginning of 1920 the A verills sold out to J. Jenner Hennessy. After conducting the paper for some time, it was sold to Allyn Gilbert of Newark, and later came into the possession of Earl D. Pearsall, also of Newark. After continuing the business for a short time, it passed into the hands of an incorporated company, consisting of O. J. Garlock, Ward K. Angevine, Mrs. Helen Herman, R. B. Engle and others. The Wayne County Journal was established in Palmyra on the first Thursday in July, 1871, by Anson B. Clemons and his son, Fred W. Clemons. This was the first printing office in Wayne County to introduce steam power. The Journal was successful from the beginning and earnestly and ably supported the Republican party. Anson B. Clemons was a writer of ability and especially well informed in political history. His death occurred on May 27, 1873, the business being thereafter conducted by his son, Fred W. Clemons. A building, a part of which was designed for the printing business, was erected on Market Street in 1875. A fire on September 17, 1876, almost wholly destroyed the printing plant and building, but both were promptly replaced. On the fourteenth of November following, the front of this structure was partially burned. During about one year the establishment was in control of Miles Davis, but Mr. Clemons practically owned it until about 1883, when an incendiary fire destroyed the property and the paper was discontinued. The Wayne County Despatch was founded in Palmyra, September 21, 1892, by Fred G. Crandall, proprietor, and A. F. DuBois, editor. The Despatch w:as Republican in politics, four pages with eight columns to the page, and was a handsome and able example of modern country journalism. On September 1, 1893, Mr. DuBois was succeeded in the editorial chair by R. N. Backus, but later the paper was edited and published by Fred G. 308 Crandall. lVlr. Crandall had conducted a job printing business in Palmyra since January, 1885. The Palmyra Democrat was Jounded in August, 1885, by Cole and Osgoodby. It was a four-page, eight-column paper and supported the Democratic party. Mr. Cole went out of the firm at the end of about two years, but soon returned and Osgoodby retired. F. W. Cole then continued the publication until April, 1894, when it was suspended, excepting brief periods, when he leased the office to other persons, while he filled the position of traveJing correspondent of the Buffalo Horse World. The Worker and Shareholder was started in Palmyra in May, 1889, by Fred G. Crandall, as a four-page monthly, in the interest of building and loan associations, and kindred organizations. It was later discontinued. A Baptist journal, named the Record, was started in Palmyra by Rev. J. R. Henderson, in October, 1891, and was discontinued September 12,1893. Purdy's Fruit Recorder and Evaporator, a quarterly, the character of which is indicated by its title, was started in Palmyra by Alexander M. Purdy, several years ago, and a new series commenced in 1890. Later it was issued monthly with eight pages of four columns each. His fruit farm was a little over three miles south of Palmyra on Canandaigua Road. The Wayne County Journal was established in Palmyra July 11, 1894, by the Journal Printing Company, consisting of Edwin K. Burnham, George W. Knowles and John E. Weier, the latter acting as editor. Colonel Fred W. Clemons was one of the chief directors of this company. He died in 1911. The company flourished until 1906 with all of the vicissitudes peculiar to newspapers, when it was taken over by the Palmyra Printing Company, a corporation formed for that purpose. This company consisted of the late Frederick W. Griffith, Olin J. Garlock, the late Charles H. Betts of Lyons, Hon. S. Nelson Sawyer and George S. Tinklepaugh. This company prospered from the very beginning. The Journal grew rapidly and expanded its field to cover the entire western part of Wayne County. Frederick W. Foster was the first editor under the new company. His tenure of office was short, being succeeded by the late William W. Kennard, who continued editor and manager until his death, which occurred very suddenly on October 27, 1919. He was succeeded by John H. Tucker, who has been employed by the company for twenty-two years, and who is still occupying the position of editor and manager. On June 1, 1929, the Palmyra Courier and The Wayne County Journal were consolidated under the title of the Palmyra Courier-Journal. The consolidation met with the approval of the business men and residents of Palmyra and surrounding country and the circulation has grown until it covers nearly every state in the' Union. The publication is now controlled by Frederick A. Griffith and Henry W. Griffith, sons of the late Frederick W. Griffith, Hon. S. Nelson Sawyer and George S. Tinklepaugh. 309
While on our journey through the country, these hills were pointed out to us as we came to them, and as they come under the heading of "The Hills," I quote very much as before that they may be more easily traced. As we pass out on Canandaigua Street, until we come to the concrete post that marks the line between Wayne and Ontario Counties, looking to the west we can see a large hill called by the neighbors, "Old Sharp." On this, Joseph Smith sacrificed the sheep, as before mentioned. It was also on this hill, after Joseph had found the golden plates on Mormon Hill, Moroni, his guardian Angel, told him to dig a cave. There he would meet him and reveal to him the hieroglyphics on the golden plates, and following the command he commenced digging on the east side of the hill. After digging about twenty feet, Moroni informed him it was not holy ground. From here he went to the next hill east on the west side of Canandaigua Road, where he again commenced digging, and after he had dug about twenty feet he was again told he was not yet on holy ground. He then repaired to the east side of Miner's Hill, at that time covered with forest, and after digging twenty feet it was made known to him that this was the accepted spot, and to dig twenty feet more, making forty feet. After the cave was dug, a door was put up at the opening and fastened, and every evening, just at twilight, for the next three months, he visited the cave, always accompanied by two or more, always entering the cave alone. For several years this cave remained practically intact. The next hill is the Mormon Hill, just four miles south of the village, which needs no comment. The long hill on the west side of Maple Avenue, in olden times, was called "Wintergreen Hill," so named on account of the fact that many years ago, while out for a walk on some pleasant Sunday afternoon!, a good many would come to this hill for wintergreen. Although the wintergreen has long ago disappeared, the little oak woods are a greater part standing, displaying their dark green varnished-like leaves in summer, until the frosts of Autumn have changed them to a brighter and final hue. Somewhere on this hill and supposed by some to be at the south end, was a block house, built as a retreat in case of hQstilities with the Indians. Of this blockhouse there is nothing to mark the spot and the same is known only in history. South of the village on Canandaigua Street, our first hill on the left is "Bear Hill." This hill once belonged to the old Cyrus Foster farm. On this hill it is claimed the last bear in town was killed. The old hill still remains, but the forest that once spread its mantle over the hill and far down in the valley that made a hiding place for this bear, like the bear, has passed forever away, while its old neighbor, Mt. Holmes (often called Prospect Hill) standing a little at the northeast, has been more fortunate. 310 The old primeval forest has been permitted to stand and thus far has escaped the woodman's axe. These old hills became near and dear to the hearts of those who, long ago, wandered away from their home town. And when after the Summer days of youth have slowly wasted away into the nightfall of ages, then at the close of some bright Summer day the mind wanders back to the home of their nativity, then those old hills will vividly appear in a brighter vision, bringing back fond and fertile remembrances of the past they would not forget. Our journey ends now. We have been on every street in our village and visited nearly all of the homes and business places, except those of recent date. We have also been on every road leading out of the village, taking a radius of about four miles. Many times our journey dated from back to the blazed trail down to the present time. I have seen a great many changes since I came from the pine-clad hills of New Hampshire to Palmyra, coming here in 1844, when six. years old, thus living in town and country over eighty-seven years. Why should I not love old Palmyra? I love her people. I love her churches, her streets, and shady walks. I love her country hillsides and valleys fair, her forest shades, and winding streams. All these have their charms for me. And now with those who went with me on that journey, I bid farewell and And if in death I meet the gloom, Then t'ake me back to old Palmyra And lay me in the silent tomb. Then beneath the weeping willow, There let me rest in calm repose. And there forever let me slumber Beneath the myrtle and the rose. [THE END] [ 311 ] And thus ends Palmyra and Vicinity, as written by Thomas L. Cook, using a quill pen. Mr. Cook read the proofs and made necessary corrections in his 93d year. |
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This text carried no copyright notice in 1938. However, out of respect to by Willard Bean's heirs, only moderate length "fair use" excerpts are reproduced. The entire book is available as an authorized reprint, here. :: :::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::: :: A. B. C. History of Palmyra and the Beginning of "Mormonism" by WILLARD BEAN Palmyra, N. Y. Published by PALMYRA COURIER CO., Onc. PALMYRA, N. Y. 1938 :: :::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::: :: |
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[ iii ]
By reason of local requests, and numerous letters received from prominent members of the "Mormon" Church in the west, which often requires considerable time and research work, to give the required information cncerning the incidents connected with the beginning of "Mormonism" in these parts, it was deemed advisable to have these brief articles printed in pamphlet form that our readers may know the atmosphere and difficulties surrounding the comimg forth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly called "Mormon Church," which is rapidly gathering strength and momentum and attractiing international attention.
WILLARD BEAN
5
In 1620 King James I, of England, granted a patent to the Massachusetts Colony covering six million acres of land, then occupied by the Iroquois, or Six Nation Indian Confederacy, which then included the Onondagas, Oneidas, Mohawks, Senecas, Cayugas and the Hurons. Early in the sixteenth century the Hurons of Canada were expelled from the confederacy. A little later the Tuscaroras came from the eastern sea-board (Carolinas) and were admitted into the confederacy. This six nation confederacy made the strongest, and most perfectly organized Indian government north of Mexico. Massachusetts did not press her claim for this six million acre land grant, until after the close of the War of Independence; and even then, was not over anxious for a settlement until after General John Sullivan's successful expedition in 1779 against the Tories and Seneca Indians of Western New York, then known as the "Genesee Country," or "Finger Lakes Region." At the beginning of our war with England for our independence, our colonial soldiers were promised by the government, as a reward for their patriotism, 100 acres of land each, for the purpose of establishing homes. After the close of the war New York State set aside a large tract of land consisting of 1,200 square miles, or seven hundred sixty-eight thousand acres, known in history as the "Old Military Tract." This joined the Massachusetts grant on the east. After the close of the war, this tract was parceled out to the New York soldiers in 600 acre tracts, thus adding 500 acres to the original 100 acres promised by Congress. But the majority of the 6 soldiers whose valor on the battle field really secured this reward, actually realized little more than a mere pittance for their land. There was much fraud and speculation on the part of both soldiers and irresponsible buyers which resulted in much litigation and difficulty in tracing titles. I quote from "History of Wayne County" "Each soldier had a patent made out for 600 acres. The patents 'were soon bought up by greedy speculators, who rarely gave above eight dollars or half a 'joe' for each patent. These are now (six years later) selling at from three to six dollars per acre. It is true the soldiers sold their patents over many times, some as many as twenty, and this gave great trouble, and occasioned the formation of a board of commissioners, which existed several years as a board ot arbitration."Likewise, when the representatives of the respective claimants for the six million acre tract in Western New York, granted by King James to the Massachusetts Colony, met at Hartford, Conn., to negotiate terms for a settlement, there were both responsible and irresponsible men on hand with various proposals. Among those who were considered men of good repute, were Messrs. Phelps, Gorham, Skinner, Chapin, Judge Sullivan, and others not here mentioned. At the suggestion of a committee appointed by Massachusetts Colony, these prospective buyers organized themselves into a stock company. As Nathaniel Gorham and Oliver Phelps had been two of the prime movers, and had already presented an attractive proposal, the new company was called the "Phelps-Gorham Purchase Company." AGREEMENT REACHED The agreement reached between the New York and Massachusetts delegates was as follows: Massachusetts was given the right to sell the pre-emption rights to the entire six million acres, after which the land was to revert to the Colony of New York. Accordingly the Phelps-Gorham Company was delegated to sell the pre-emption rights on the following terms: They were to pay to the Colony of Massachusetts, one million dollars, in three equal annual installments, payable in Massachusetts scrip, which was then depreciated in value. They were also to drive their own bargain with the Indians to secure title to the soil.Nathaniel Gorham was delegated to confer with the New York authorities relative to surveying a line between the Massachusetts 7 tract and the Military Tract allotted to the New York soldiers. Oliver Phelps was made general agent to treat with the Indians to obtain title to the land. Israel Chapin was sent to explore the country, while William Walker was made local agent of survey and sale. The dhmppointed would be buyers had to be handled by compromise, and certain fur traffickers, who had had dealings with the Indians, and claimed to have influence with them, had to be baited with the promise of a township each.Mr. Phelps lost no time in organizing and equipping an expedition to start for the pre-emption lands. He met the principal lessees at Hudson where they talked over plans. It was decided to hold a treaty with the Indian chiefs at Kanadesaga, an Indian village at the north end of Seneca Lake, where the city of Geneva is now located. Some adventurous scouts were sent to Niagara, Buffalo Creek, and other parts to notify the Indian chiefs to meet at Kanadesaga, while Phelps, with his assistants, secured camp equipment, provisions, beads, tobacco, guns, etc., for presents to the Indians. They loaded this equipment on bateaux which were sent up the Mohawk River to Fort Stanwick, where Phelps and his assistants made their way with much difficulty on horseback, and thence overland to Kanadesaga. On arriving at their destination they learned Brandt and Butler, who had gone to Buffalo Creek to persuade the Indians to meet in council, had become dissatisfied and were using their influence to discourage the chiefs from going. These differences were ironed out largely by a French Indian trader by the name of Dominique DeBartch, who was anxious to see the deal with the Indians consummated. Phelps and his party remained until the great orator, Red Jacket, at the head of a party of Seneca chiefs, arrived. The council met July 4, 1788. Rev. Samuel Kirkland, whom Massachusetts had appointed to superintend the treaty, was present with Elisha Lee, his assistant, as were also a number of interpreters. Chiefs from the Cayuga, Onondaga and Mohawk nations were there as onlookers, but as their lands were not included in the sale, they took no active part in the council. "Red Jacket and Complanter were spokesmen for the Senecas, Oneidas and Tuscaroras, whose lands were involved in the sale. Most of the chiefs were in favor of the sale, but insisted on making the Genesee River the eastern limit of the concession. Days elapsed before Red Jacket and Cornplanter conceded. It was finally agreed by a majority of the chiefs that 8 Phelps and Gorham sign an agreement to pay them five thousand dollars down, and five hundred dollars annually forever. Mr. Phelps hired Colonel Hugh Maxwell to survey the vast tract into townships six miles square, after which he returned to Massachusetts to report the progress of their work, and recommend the "Finger Lakes Region" as an ideal country for colonization.Before taking his departure for home, however, he made a farewell talk to the Indian chiefs, promising to return in two months with machinery for flour mills, saw mills, plows and farm tools, horses, oxen and extra steers for a big barbecue, to which the Indians were invited. On his arrival home he found many ready and anxious to venture into the western wilderness, as the returned soldiers from the General Sullivan expedition had already described it favorably. Phelps and his associates lost no time in equipping an expedition of pioneers to colonize the newly acquired tract on the frontiers. He needed somebody, who could assume the responsibility of getting cows, oxen and steers through. He was fortunate in finding a man named Nathaniel Sanborn, who had but recently married a buxom farmerette girl, named Ann Gould, who had a husky brother, named Sam, all of whom knew how to ride and handle stock and were used to roughing it. They were placed in charge of the stock and the mess wagon, while others were hired to haul machinery, merchandise, groceries, etc., for the commissary. It was a rough trip, full of thrilling experiences -- rainy weather, boggy roads, and part of the distance no roads at all. Their route took them over many hills, streams and swamps, which necessitated felling trees, constructing rafts, building small bridges and miles of new road. They were 26 days getting to Kanadesaga, or Seneca Lake, both man and beast being much fatigued. ARRIVE AT KANADESAGA After a few days rest and recuperation, during which time they did some reconnoitering, they finally decided to establish their headquarters at an Indian village situated on another beautiful lake 17 miles west, called Ga-nun-da-gwa, now called Canandaigua. There was a well beaten trail connecting these two lakes made originally by buffalo, moose and elk, and used extensively by the Indians; and as there was no streams to cross, it required little road building on the part of the new settlers.9 Here they found a white man named Joseph Smith, who was captured during the battle of Cherry Creek with the Seneca Indians some years before. He had gained the confidence of the Indians, married a squaw, and now became an asset to Mr. Phelps as an interpreter during the councils with the Indian chiefs. A day was set for a two-day council and barbecue, and runners were sent out to notify the chiefs of the various tribes as far west as Genesee River and Tonawanda Creek.When the day arrived for the celebration, more than two hundred Indians had assembled, including possibly a score of chiefs bedecked in their picturesque regalia. Five steers were designated for slaughter, and the few white women rounded up all the dutch ovens, frying pans and such other utensils as were available, and made bread, baked potatoes, beans, etc. It was the first time the majority of the Indians had tasted bread made from wheat. The white settlers got busy at once, after their arrival and began to erect log cabins as temporary homes; also buildings for commissary, office, blacksmith shop, etc. Settlers from the New England colonies began to arrive; also from Wyoming Valley on the Susquehanna River in northern Pennsylvania. On July 3rd and 4th, 1778, this colony was raided by about 700 Pennamite Indians, led by a few Tories, killing a majority of the 1,500 settlers, referred to in history as the "Pennamite Massacre." This surprise attack, together with the fact that the settlers were unable to obtain clear titles to their land, decided the survivors to hold a community meeting to talk over the advisability of seeking a more congenial clime. They had heard of the Phelps-Gorham venture in Western New York, and it was agreed that Captain John Swift and John Jenkins proceed at once to Canandaigua, New York, and interview the agents for the Phelps-Gorham Company. On arriving at their headquarters they learned that all the townships immediately surrounding Canandaigua had been sold, or divided among the men who had assisted the promoters. Next day in company with one or the guides, they did a little reconnoitering. Their course led them northward until they reached a sluggish stream called, by the Indians, Ganargua; but as a result of the recent rains the water was very muddy, and has ever since been known as Mud Creek. The surrounding country looked good to Swift and Jenkins and on their return to Canandaigua 10 negotiated a deal with the company for a tract of land constituting the present townships of Palmyra and Macedon, in Range 2.Swift returned to Wyoming Valley to report to the remnant, or survivors of the Pennamite massacre, while Jenkins, who was a surveyor, went to Kanadesaga (Geneva) to hire a crew to assist him in surveying the newly acquired tract. He returned in course of a week with Alpheus Harris, Solomon Earl, Daniel Ranson and a man by the name of Barker. They built a log cabin in the side of a hill just east of the present village of Palmyra. It so happened that a small party of Tuscarora Indians on a fishing and hunting trip, were camped nearby. The Indians looked upon the white settlers as intruders. They called on the surveyors and warned them to leave the neighborhood. Jenkins and his men tried to reason with them, using signs and a few Indian words they had picked up, but to no avail. The Indians left dissatisfied, mumbling incoherently, only to return during the night. It was a dark night. The Indians crept up quietly, poked their guns through the unchinked cabin and fired, killing Barker instantly and seriously wounding Earl. The survivors grabbed axes and guns and fought them away from the door and put them to flight, then quickly gathered up their dead and wounded companions and hastened to Kanadesaga to give the alarm. This experience so discouraged Jenkins and his men, some of whom had but recently survived the Wyoming Valley massacre, that none of them would return to Mud Creek. Jenkins, soon afterwards, sold his interests to his partner, Captain Swift. Swift hastened to the New England Colonies to find settlers for his township and was very fortunate in interesting many desirable families to make their homes on Mud Creek, New York. Returning to his recently acquired land in the late summer of 1789, he built a log house with a bark roof for a residence, and a similar one for a commissary or storehouse. This pioneer building stood at the junction of Canal and Main Streets when the writer of these articles came to Palmyra twenty-three years ago. It was then being used as a blacksmith shop. The country was largely in its horse and buggy days, but as automobiles and trucks gradually pushed horse drawn vehicles off the streets and highways, the blacksmith shop finally went into the discard and the old building was wrecked to give way for a modern gasoline and service station. Palmyra was first called Swift's Landing, 11 afterwards changed to Tolland, and still later (January 4, 1796) to Palmyra. The early history of our beautiful little village circulates around the name of John Swift, who purchased the township from the Phelps-Gorham Purchase Company. He built the first house, his wife was the first white woman to venture into this, the untamed wilderness; his son, Asa, was the first white baby born in Palmyra. John Swift was moderator at the first town meeting, the first supervisor, the first pound master, the first captain of militia. He gave land for the first sawmill, the first graveyard, the first school house, the first church edifice. From 1790 to 1812 the name of John Swift was connected with every enterprise, pecuniary, political or religious. When the state militia was organized, he became a commissioned officer. When the War of 1812 broke out, he received the commission of Brigadier General of the New York Volunteers. During the campaign in 1814 while reconnoitering the enemy's position at Fort George, he captured a picket guard, and while in the act of disarming the prisoners, one of them shot him through the breast. He was carried into the nearest house to receive first aid, but died July 12, 1814. Several years after the war, the citizens of Palmyra disinterred his remains, brought them to Palmyra and deposited them in the little village cemetery atop the eminence on Church Street, where they were placed in the center of the cemetery and a suitable monument erected to his memory.SETTLERS ARRIVE FROM NEW ENGLAND COLONIES The vanguard of settlers from the New England Colonies began to arrive during the fall of 1789. Webb Harwood and family of Massachusetts, has the distinction of being the first to arrive on the scene, followed soon after by David White, Noah Porter, Jonathan Warner, Bennet Bates and a few single men.In the spring of 1790, seven families arrived from Wyoming Valley Colony. These colonists fought under John Swift, then captain, during the Pennamite Indian War. During the early summer a number of colonists arrived from Rhode Island, among whom were Humphrey Sherman; Gideon, Edward, Pardon, Job, Stephen and Lemuel Durfee; Nathan Harris; Isaac Goldsmith; Weaver Osband; Isaac Hathaway and Isaac Springer. Humphrey and his brother-in-law, Gideon Durfee, bought fifteen hundred 12 acres of wild land just east of the village of Palmyra at 18 pence per acre. Nathan Harris, father of Martin Harris, bought six hundred acres just north of Palmyra at two shillings per acre and others bought smaller acreage. These Rhode Islanders all paid cash for their land, which enabled Captain Swift to make final payment for his township, which, in turn, enabled Swift to issue clear titles to the colonists for land purchased from him.The fact that Palmyra colonists were able to obtain clear titles to land proved an incentive to induce settlers to flock here which gave Palmyra the start of other villages now rapidly springing up in the Finger Lakes region. Palmyra was a thriving village twenty years before Rochester was thought of. It should be remembered that this whole drumlin hill region was an unbroken wilderness largely covered by virgin forest, except here and there limited areas cleared by the original Indian inhabitants, who were still growing an abundance of corn, beans, squash, etc. One of the first public buildings erected in Palmyra was a rather commodious block-house, to be used as a refuge or place of safety in case of trouble with the Indians. Palmyra was then the western frontier or "wild and woolly West." It was customary for the villagers to climb to the summit of "Wintergreen Hill," or some other nearby eminence, where they could watch the settlers fell trees and erect the block-house and other buildings. In 1810 three hundred and fifty-five families and a few old bachelors had located in Palmyra, making a population of 2,187, averaging more than six persons to the family. In 1820 the population had increased to 2,719, and in 1827 when the village was incorporated, the population had reached 3,100. The local paper, speaking editorially, at that time said: "The Village of Palmyra is, by its favorable location, destined to become a place of considerable importance, in point of commercial business, as the past few years have fully demonstrated. Possessing the advantage of fertile territory and an industrious population on one side, as well as immense business of the Grand Canal necessarily transacted at this point, it is easily foreseen that, with a little additional enterprise, unanimity of feeling, and reciprocity of action on the part of its citizens, the period would soon arrive where it will hold a high and respectable rank among the renown 'Villages of the West.'" 13 But the editor of the "Wayne Sentinel" proved a false prophet. There were other developments then under way that he failed to take into consideration. On July 4, 1817, the Erie Canal project got underway, and during that period between 1825-1830, while Palmyra was the western terminal, Palmyra village reached her zenith so far as population was concerned, being then about 3,100. But as the canal proceeded westward, the colonists began to venture farther into the western wilderness. About fifteen families located on the Genesee River twenty-two miles to the west, where there were plenty of falls for development of water power, which was lacking at Palmyra. This was the beginning of the city of Rochester, now with a population of approximately 340,000. Grist-mills, saw-mills and other industries soon sprang up and Rochester soon became celebrated as the "Flour City of Western New York." The Erie Canal was finished and the water turned in October 26, 1825.PALMYRA REACHES THE PEAK OF ITS POPULATION Up to this time, Palmyra was a stop-off place for colonists and a shipping point for farm produce. The canal was a highway for emigration and commerce. Two packets (boats) came and went daily. Extensive grocery and produce stores lined Canal Street. In 1828 there were eighteen places where dry-goods were sold. Three tanneries were in operation, as well as asheries, furriers, malt houses, etc. But alas! The villagers suddenly became western minded and there was a decided slump in all branches of business. So many contracted the "western fever" that property depreciated to one-third its former value. Produce stores diminished in number, the tanneries discontinued business, and all but four of the dry goods stores closed out their business. Other industries were closed and warehouses vacated. For one hundred ten years the population has remained practically stationary. The last census shows a population of something less than 2,700. This does not mean that Palmyra has not gone forward. The lack of increase in population may be accounted for, in part, from the fact that, in pioneer days, the average family consisted of six or seven human beings, whereas the average modern family consists of a man and his wife, a bowl of goldfish, a tabby cat, a sweaty nosed dog of no particular breed and a canary bird or so. But the14 surrounding terrain has been largely cleared of virgin forests and the land converted into productive farms, and has quadrupled in population. The township has a population of approximately 4.500 and the village at present has more homes and better homes, but fewer and fewer children. New business blocks and factories have been built and old ones modernized. Palmyra has reason to be proud of her beautiful, well-kept residences, modern school, paved, clean and well-lighted streets, beautiful shade trees, shrubs, flowers and well-kept lawns.But let us return to pioneer days. It is interesting to read reminiscences of Palmyra's pioneer settlers, many of whom had thrilling experiences with the Indians, predatory animals, etc. Bears would frequently carry off hogs and calves alive, and even break into smoke-houses and take hams and bacon. Wolves would raid the sheep and poultry flocks and play havoc with them. The villagers had declared war on these night prowlers and had reduced their numbers to near zero; but there was one big timber wolf that defied the villagers in their efforts to snare him. Once or twice each week he visited the village and carried away some pet goose or slayed one or more sheep. The villagers finally organized a hunting party with the determination to rid the community of this night marauder. "Uncle Nathan" Harris, as he was commonly known throughout the neighboring country, had two hobbies hunting and fishing. His prowess with rod and gun was well known by the entire neighborhood. I quote from "History of Wayne County" "When an old man, Nathan Harris shot the last timber wolf killed in this locality. The animal had become known far and wide by its depredations. A hunting party was finally formed to rid the community of this marauder. As Uncle Nathan was now well along in years, he was allowed to follow the road, while the rest of the men spread out in the timber on either side. As Nathan rode along the road on his old horse, the wolf came into the road just a few rods ahead of him. Nathan urged his horse to a gallop to close up the interval between, raised his gun and fired under full headway, and the creature was killed. * * * In the spring time his long fowling piece brought down many a duck while flying over, and bullets known to be his, from the great weight of the ball, were chopped out of trees by the settlers, even after his death. His log house stood on the north end of Wintergreen Hill. Beyond the house, on the west side of the road, 15 was a spring in which Harris kept a pet trout. One day a friend, possessed of a large red nose, called at the Harris home for a visit. A social glass was followed by a stroll over the farm, and ultimately the walk led to the spring. The friend got down on his all-fours, for a drink, while Harris looked on. As the red nose neared the water, out sprang the trout and seized it, while on the instant, a quick upward toss of the head landed the trout full ten feet to the rear. Harris returned the trout to the spring and informed the bewildered friend that the time was propitious for fishing and a fine lot was taken that afternoon. The name 'Trout Harris,' given in consequence of this incident, became widely known."Rev. Horace Eaton, a popular pioneer clergyman of Palmyra, gives the following pen picture of settlement of Palmyra "The practical strong-minded walk forth to observe the strength of the soil and to take in the lay of the land. The romantic spirits among them, admire the height and hue of the outbudding trees, and catch the spirit of the deep, glorious woods. Of the girls, one seeks the wild flowers, another watches the birds that sing among the branches. Of the boys, one is preparing to catch the salmon or the bass in the untried stream, another with bow and arrow takes a shot at a partridge drumming on a log. Some, perhaps, trace with apprehension, the remains of an old wigwam or Indian trail. They see the marks of bears' claws upon the trees, or hear the snarling of the wolves. Soon the axe gives! its clear metallic ring through these valleys. The giant monarchs of the forest creak, groan and come tumbling to the ground. Fires roar and rush through the dry fallow. In the dim night, flames gleam from either side along the creek. Smoke obscures the sun, giving the day the mystic hue of Indian summer. The sprouting wheat grows among the stumps. The reapers sing as they cradle and bind the sheaves. Rude, pleasant homes rise along the hillsides. The buzz of the wheel and the stroke of the loom tell of domestic industry. Nuptials are celebrated in homespun. Little children look out of the window and run among the trees. The town meeting is called. The school house goes up. Each has a helping hand for the newcomer, and to harvest the wheat of a sick brother. The funeral filing through the woods to the final resting place calls out a lone and sympathetic procession, and it does not cost the living the last pittance to bury their dead."
16
On March 11, 1828, the "Palmyra Freeman" made its first appearance in the then thriving village. D. O. Stephens was publisher and chief owner, but the paper was soon sold to J. A. Hadley, who moved it to Lyons, the county seat. During this same period, when Palmyra was experiencing an era of prosperity, another weekly sheet made its appearance, called "The Reflector." It was a small weekly sheet, referred to by Professor McIntosh in his "History of Wayne County," as a paper "given over to science, amusement and ironical castigation." This paper was published by Obediah Dogberry, and after a brief run of three years went into a total eclipse. Another pioneer paper made its appearance in Palmyra on January 9, 1831, called "The Western Spectator and Wayne Advertiser." This paper was published by Luther Howard and Erasmus Shepherd. They changed the name to "The Spectator and Anti-Masonic Star," but shortly afterward, merged it with the "Anti-Masonic Inquirer" at Rochester. The first school-house in Palmyra was erected in 1793, in what was then known as the "Rhode Island Settlement," now East Palmyra. It was also used as a place for worship, and for all public meetings, for fourteen years. In 1806 a mass meeting was called to discuss the propriety of building a place of worship. 17 Oliver Clark offered $100.00, if the church was built on the north side of Mud Creek, and $50.00, if on the south side. Humphrey Sherman offered $100.00, if built on the south side, nothing if on the north side. After a somewhat heated discussion, the south-siders won out. Humphrey Sherman, who was the wealthiest land owner in town, donated half the ground and his brother-inlaw, Gideon Durfee, the other half. The building was so nearly finished in 1807 that they began to use it for worship, but it was not dedicated until 1810, after which it was given Over to the Presbyterian form of government and was placed under the Geneva Presbytery, with Rev. Benjamin Bailey as pastor.Seven years later those of the Presbyterian persuasion in Palmyra complained of the inconvenience of going to East Palmyra to attend services, and it was decided to divide the congregations. Accordingly, on February 26, 1817, the Western Presbyterian Church of Palmyra was organized with fifty-six communicants. The chapel was erected adjacent to the village cemetery on Church Street, opposite the present St. Anne's Catholic Church. The First Baptist Church of Palmyra was organized in 1800. A chapel was erected by the side of the road leading to Macedon on the west, and, when the township was later divided, the chapel was on Macedon domain, but the Palmyrans continued to worship at the old chapel until 1835. Then a new organization was effected and a new chapel erected in Palmyra village. It is not definitely known just when Methodism was first preached in Palmyra, as the pioneer pastors were "Circuit Riders," who covered quite an extensive territory in their missionary work, paying much attention to rural work, preaching in groves in summer and school-houses during the winter. For a time in Palmyra, they preached in a grove on Vienna Street during the summer and in a log school-house on Durfee Street during the winter. For some reason not fully explained by our pioneer historians, they met with some opposition from the other churches. Revival, or camp-meetings were quite common with the Methodist preachers of pioneer days. They built a chapel in 1822. Zion Episcopal Parish was organized June 23, 1823. For six years they held their meetings in the academy building occupying 18 a site near where the Catholic Church now stands. Their first chapel was consecrated February 1, 1828.St. Anne's Congregation (Catholic) was organized about 1849. Rev. Edmund O'Connor, pastor of St. Mary's at Canandaigua, came over occasionally and held mass in the Williamson Hall. The Catholics were few in number then, the membership being made up largely, if not wholly, of emigrants from Ireland. But their numbers gradually increased until now they have the largest number of communicants of any church in the village, and they are not all from Ireland. At present, Palmyra, with her 2,700 population, has nine congregations or churches, viz: Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Dutch Reformed, Church of God, Christian Scientists and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly called "Mormons." This furnishes a most diversified spiritual menu for village of that size, especially when we stop to think that a very large percentage, (probably 40 or 50 per cent) of its citizens profess no active affiliation with any church. Palmyra has been the home of many prominent men. Some were outstanding in the pioneer development of the community; some were later prominent in civic, military, educational, religious and business activities. If I were to even briefly mention the outstanding accomplishments of these men, it would make these articles too lengthy for a local paper. But there is one family that has attracted more attention, and caused more publicity, not only while the family was living in the neighborhood, but after they moved to other parts, than any other family that ever lived in the village. They not only attracted publicity, but now draw more visitors, and incidentally create business and are making history at the present time. And this booklet is written mostly for the benefit of the present generation that they may possibly get a different viewpoint from that set forth by most of the pioneer writers. JOSEPH SMITH, SR., AND FAMILY ARRIVE IN PALMYRA It was in the spring of 1816 that a man, Joseph Smith, sr., by name, who had met with financial reverses in the state of Vermont, through crop failures, the treachery of a friend, etc., hearing good reports from other New Englanders, who had come to Palmyra, decided that he would make a trip hither to seek a19 suitable place for himself and family. He found the place all that it had been represented to be and the villagers friendly and neighborly. Palmyra was then a thriving village. He had no trouble in finding work, and immediately wrote his wife to prepare to bring the family at the earliest convenience. In due time, he sent a Mr. Howard back to Vermont, with a team and wagon to bring the family. After a 24 day trip replete with hardship; as a result of bad roads and at times no road at all and the treachery of the teamster, who finally left them at Utica, they arrived at Palmyra all but worn out and penniless.In the meantime, Mr. Smith had rented a small frame building on the eastern outskirts of the village near where Johnson Street takes off Vienna. The Smith family at this time consisted of the father and mother and eight children. The oldest boy, Alvin, was a husky fellow of seventeen years, while Don Carlos, the youngest was a babe in arms, scarce six months old. After settling in their little domicile on Vienna Street, they lost no time in seeking employment, having in mind to secure land to develop a farm as soon as they were able to make a payment. Alvin had no trouble finding work as a carpenter's helper, with a crew building pioneer houses. The father was an all-around handy man with tools, a cooper, could make split-wood chairs, split-wood baskets, birch brooms, and knew enough about masonry to dig wells and curb them, dig cisterns and line them; also he could build rough fireplaces and stone walls. He sometimes took wotk by contract and would use Hyrum and sometimes Joseph, jr., to assist him. Mrs. Smith was a good cook and handy at certain kinds of fancy work. The oldest daughter, Sophronia, also proved a big help, especially after they established a cake and root-beer business, which they plied on Saturdays and holidays. I quote from the "History of Wayne County" by McIntosh. -- "Mormonism had its origin with the family of Joseph Smith, sr., who came from Royalton, Vermont, in 1816 and settled in the village of Palmyra. * * * On arriving at Palmyra, the elder Smith and his wife opened a "cake and beer shop," as his sign indicated, and the profits of the shop, combined with occasional earnings by himself and oldest sons at harvesting, digging wells, and other common employments, enabled him to provide an honest living for the family." During a brief term in the winter, the children, who were of 20 school age, attended the little log school-house on Durfee Road. That the reader may get some idea as to the schools of that period I again quote from "Wayne County History" -- "The first assembly of the settlers was in 1793. During that year two school-houses were erected, one on a site given by General John Swift in Palmyra village, and one on ground given by Humphrey Sherman in East Palmyra. Both were built of logs. * * * The first day and the last were most critical for the teacher. On the first day of commencement, the teacher's government was tested, and his education decided by his ability to work out some of the hardest sums, and if all proved favorable, he was the man of influence in the community in which he 'boarded around.' * * * There was spelling, ciphering, and parsing. There was 'single and double rule of three,' 'loss and gain', 'square and cube root,' and 'single and double position,' all of which had to be surmounted in from eight to twelve weeks."As new settlers continued to arrive from the New England Colonies, and danger from Indians grew less, and predatory animals were reduced to a minimum, people began to venture farther into the wilderness and develop farms. Developing a farm in most localities meant first to remove a forest, then clearing the ground of shrubs and vines and seeding corn, wheat. potatoes, beans and other crops among the stumps for three or more years. It was customary to fell the trees one year, log them up and drag them into winrows the first year, usually with oxen, and burn them up the second year and sell the ashes to one of the asheries in the village. The wheat was broadcast among the stumps, harrowed with a wooden peg-toothed harrow, or dragged over with a large limb of a maple or oak tree. Owing to the decayed leaves and vegetation under the trees the soil was very productive and crops grew prolific. The Smith family had been doing fairly well up to this time. I quote from Mother Smith "It was now only two years since we entered Palmyra, almost destitute of money, property or acquaintances. The hand of friendship was extended on every side, and we blessed God with our whole hearts for his mercy which endureth forever." I also take the following from "History of Wayne County" -- "The shop with its confectionery, ginger-bread and root-beer, and such articles, was well patronized by the village and country youth, 21 and on holidays and public occasions did a lively business. A handcart fashioned by Joseph Smith, sr., was employed to peddle the wares through the streets. In the meantime, Mr. Smith had negotiated with a land agent at Canandaigua for one hundred acres of timbered land about two miles south of Palmyra in the town of Manchester. Anticipating a removal thither, a small log house was built. This bark-roofed house had two rooms on the ground floor, and the garret had also two divisions."Again I quote from Mother Smith's book "My husband and his sons, Alvin and Hyrum, set themselves to work to pay for one hundred acres for which Mr. Smith had contracted with a land agent. In a year, we made nearly all of the first payment, erected a log house and commenced clearing." This little log house, which nestled among the trees of the forest, was only intended as a temporary abode, and, as early as 1819 they began to make plans for a larger home. I quote from "Phelps-Gorham Purchase" by Turner "Joseph Smith, sr" father of the prophet, Joseph, jr., came from Royalton, Vt. He first settled in Palmyra but as early as 1819 was occupant of some new land in Stafford Street Road in the town of Manchester, near the Palmyra line. Here the author remembers to have first met the family, in the winter of 1819-20, in a rude log house, with but a small spot of underbrush (clearing) around it." Again from Mother Smith's book -- "The following spring (1820) we commenced to make preparations for building another house, one that would be more comfortable for persons advanced in years." A RELIGIOUS REVIVAL In the year 1819 a sort of religious awakening started in Massachusetts, gradually moving down the eastern seaboard gathering momentum as it spread until it became a veritable religious contagion. After reaching New York it spread to the rural districts upstate, reaching Palmyra and vicinity in the spring of 1820. It appears that Rev. Jesse Townsend, a young Yale graduate, but recently set apart for the ministry and assigned to the pastorship of the new Presbyterian Church of Palmyra, was the first in these parts to catch the religious fervor, and accordingly started a revival. He was soon joined by the Presbyterian22 minister of East Palmyra, closely followed by the Baptist minister and two Methodist ministers of Palmyra.The revival started the latter part of April, before the rural people could get onto their land to begin spring plowing, which gave the farmers a chance to attend the meetings. Even business and professional men neglected their work and all but shut up shop. By the first of May, the revival was well under way with scores of people confessing religion, and each new convert becoming a self appointed missionary to solicit friend and neighbor. The prevailing question among people of the neighborhood was, "What shall I do to be saved?" Beginning with the second week in May, the bright spring weather began to make the farmers anxious to get busy with their spring work, as about this time of the year, they can begin to plow on high ground and prepare the soil for seeding early crops. The revival had been even more successful than the ministers had anticipated. I quote from the "Religious Advocate" of Rochester -- "More than 200 souls have become hopeful subjects of divine grace in Palmyra, Macedon, Manchester, Lyons and Ontario since the late revival commenced. This is a powerful work. It is among young as well as old people. Many are ready to exclaim 'What hath God wrought?' It is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. The cry is yet from many, 'Come over and help us.' * * * Such intelligence must be pleasing to every child of God, who rightly estimates the value of immortal souls, and wish well to the cause of Zion." A week later -- " * * * It may be added that in Palmyra and Macedon, including Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist churches, more than 400 have already confessed that the Lord is good. The work is still progressing. In neighboring towns, the number is great and still increasing. Glory be to God on high: and on earth peace and good will to all men." During the second week in May the revival began to show signs of breaking up, and the many converts were solicited by the different preachers to join their respective churches. This caused considerable rivalry and contention among the ministers. So warm did this contention become that harsh accusations were hurled by certain of their numbers. It was during this stage that one of the Methodist ministers took his text from the first chapter of James, fifth and sixth verses, which reads as follows: "If any of you lack 23 wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not: and it shall be given unto him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering. * * * " The minister made a special appeal to those who were yet undecided, those who could not make up their minds and were procrastinating the day of their repentance. It was rather effective and found ready response with a young lad, named Joseph Smith, who was present with his parents. Four members of the Smith family had been proselyted over to the Presbyterian Church and had rather urged him to do likewise. But while the family resided in the village, Joseph had attended the Methodist meetings in the grove on Vienna Street, and joined a class of boy probationers, and naturally favored that church. Joseph's religious nature was now deeply aroused. He felt more concerned about salvation than ever before, but could not account for the contention among the ministers. Joseph Smith, at this time was 14 years of age and had never made the teachings of the respective churches of the vicinity a minute study, hence he did not know that there was any particular difference in their doctrines, but he now felt much concerned as to which church he should join. The family Bible and the "Christian Almanac" with patent medicine recipes, made up the principal reading matter of the average home during the pioneer days of Palmyra, and when he got home that evening he got the family Bible and looked up the first chapter of James and read the minister's text "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to every man liberally and upbraideth not." He read it again and again, and the more he read it, the more it impressed itself on his mind. He lacked wisdom. He was worried, and wanted to know which of the churches was right, and which he should join. He definitely made up his mind to take James, who spoke for the Lord, at his word, and carry out his instructions. It was not unlike signing a promissory note with the Lord. He could scarcely sleep during the night for thinking about it, and even made up his mind where he would go to put it to the test.He got up quite early the next morning and, without saying anything to any member of the family, started for the forest west of the house, passing through the clearing where his father and older brothers had been felling trees the day before. He passed the axes sticking in a stump where they had chopped quite a large tree down the day before, and went farther into the woods. Finally, 24 coming to a secluded spot, he looked about to make sure that there were no spectators to the scene, and then timidly knelt down to pray. At this point, I shall let Orson Pratt relate the incident as it was related to him by Joseph Smith. Parley P. Pratt, an Evangelist of no mean ability, of the Sect of Disciples Church, organized by Alexander Campbell, stepped off a canal boat at Newark, N. Y., with a view to doing evangelistic work in Wayne County. He had not proceeded far in his work when he heard of a new religious movement in the vicinity of Palmyra. He had an urge to investigate and accordingly headed for Palmyra some nine miles away. Joseph Smith, jr., was in Harmony, Pa., at this time, but he contacted Joseph's father and brother, Hyrum. Obtaining much desired information he was accompanied by Hyrum to Fayette, Seneca County, where he interviewed Oliver Cowdery who had assisted Joseph in translating the Book of Mormon. He became intensely interested and wrote to his brother, Orson, who came to Palmyra a little later.The Pratts were born in Rensselaer County, beyond the Hudson. They became scholars, writers, poets, theologians and Orson, a recognized scientist of his day. He relates the incident of Joseph Smith's first vision thus "While soul, anxiously desiring an answer from bright and glorious light in the heavens seemed to be at considerable distance, thus pouring out his God, he saw a very above, which at first He continued praying while the light appeared to be gradually descending toward him; and, as it drew nearer, it increased in brightness and magnitude, so that by the time it reached the tops of the trees, the whole wilderness was illuminated in a most brilliant and glorious manner. He expected to see the leaves and boughs of the trees consumed as the light came in contact with them, but, perceiving that it did not produce that effect, he was encouraged with the hope of being able to endure its presence. It continued descending slowly, until it rested upon the earth and he was enveloped in the midst of it. When it first came upon him, it produced a peculiar sensation throughout his whole system, and immediately his mind was caught away from the natural objects with which he was surrounded, and he was enwrapped in a heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled each other in their features or likeness. One of them spake unto him, calling him by name, and said, pointing to the other -- 'This is my beloved 25 Son, hear him!' Among other things he was informed that his sins were forgiven. He was also informed upon the subjects which had for some days previously agitated his mind namely, that all the religious organizations of the day were believing in incorrect doctrines, and consequently that none of them was acknowledged of God as his church and kingdom."And he was expressly commanded to join none of them, but received the promise that the true way, and the fullness of the gospel, should, at some future time be made known unto him. After which the vision withdrew, leaving his mind in a state of calmness and peace indescribable." The above recital of one of the most glorious of all visions recorded in history, helps us to fix the approximate date on which it took place. The revival meeting in the village, which led up to the prayer and vision in the grove, began the latter part of April, and ended in the forepart of May. Orson Pratt, who came to Palmyra in 1830, got first hand information from Joseph Smith. He speaks of the leaves and boughs overhead, and expected to see them consumed when the brilliant light came in contact with them, but on observing that they were not affected by the contact, the alarm or fear seemed to leave him and he became resigned to his fate. The vision took place early in the spring of the year 1820. Early in the spring of the year in New York State is early in May. The writer of these articles has spent 23 springs on the Joseph Smith homestead on which is the grove, made sacred by this remarkable vision which took place there, and there has never been any signs of foliage on the trees or shrubs before the fifth of May, and not enough to make any showing before the tenth or twelfth of May. The farmer tries to get his oats seeded by the fifteenth of May, which would be not far from the date of the vision. It should be kept in mind that Joseph Smith, jr., at this time was a mere lad of boy scout age, being only 14 years of age, with no breadth of experience and no education except what he could get by attending the rural school, which only ran 12 to 16 weeks per year. Therefore, he was wholly incapable of building up in his imagination, any fantastic scheme, as early pioneer writers in Palmyra pictured him, to dupe or deceive his father and mother, later the community, still later the state and nation, and at present all civilization, for it now attracts international attention. No! He had seen a marvelous vision. He returned from the grove, light of 26 heart and with an elastic tread. As he entered the log house his mother was preparing breakfast on the old fireplace, as they had no stove. His heart was full. He leaned against the mantle over the fireplace, and began to relate his experience to his mother. She listened with rapture for a moment, then checking Joseph called in other members of the family to listen to his recital of his marvelous experience. They were amazed at his story, but, for the moment, were unable to fully grasp the significance and bigness of it, and what it all meant. They knew Joseph. They knew that he would not willfully deceive them, and that he was incapable of manufacturing a story so grand and glorious. They believed his story which finished as follows: "And many other things were said unto me which I am not permitted to divulge at this time."JOSEPH CALLS ON HIS MINISTER The first opportunity Joseph had to go to the village, he called on the minister who had taken his text from the first chapter of James, which gave Joseph the incentive to put it to the test, and unhesitatingly related his experience to him. I shall here let Joseph tell in his own words, just what happened: "I was greatly surprised at his behaviour. He treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying that it was all of the devil; that there were no such things as visions and revelations from God in these days; that all such things ceased with the apostles and that there would never be any more of them. * * * But I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light, saw two personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me, falsely, for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I had actually seen a vision and who was I that I could withstand God, or why should the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision: I knew it and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it. At least, I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."Up to the time that Joseph Smith divulged the details of his vision in the grove to his minister, the reputation of the Smith family was untarnished. But from this time on, Joseph was 27 shunned by his former associates, his story ridiculed, which reflected itself on the balance of the family, who were frequently jeered by people of the neighborhood. It also became more difficult for them to earn a livelihood in the community. But being "handy with tools," and industrious, they erected a small coopersshop where they made barrels, split-wood chairs, split-wood baskets, sap-bowls, bee-gums, etc. I quote from "Wayne County History" by McIntosh "The Smiths obtained a livelihood from their land by the sale of cordwood, split-wood chairs, baskets, birch-brooms, maple syrup, and on public days, resumed their cake and beer business in the village."Also from Tucker's "Rise and Progress of Mormonism" -- ["]The chief application of the useful industry of the Smiths during their residence upon the. farm-lot, was chopping and retailing cordwood, the raising and bartering of small crops of agricultural products and garden vegetables, the manufacture and sale of black-ash baskets, birch-brooms, and the making of maple sugar and molasses in the season for that work, and continuing the business of peddling cake and beer in the village on days of public doing." Many quotations from early writers might be cited to show that the Smiths were ambitious and industrious, ever ready to accept any honorable work in order to gain a livelihood for their large family. When spring arrived, 1821, they were still in their log house which was erected in the fall of 1818 as a temporary abode, and, now that the stork was due to arrive in the not distant future with a package, it became necessary for them to add a slab addition to their log house to provide a room for the new arrival. Lucy, their ninth and last child, was born July 18, 1821. Alvin, the oldest son, got a job as a carpenter's helper in the village soon after their arrival from Vermont in 1816. The unpopularity and persecution against the Smith family that flared up as a result of Joseph's heavenly vision in the grove, had now, to a certain extent, subsided, and the villagers and rural neighbors seemed to become more friendly, and they had less trouble finding employment. They had to develop a farm by removing a forest, which meant much hard work. They also had to meet the payments on the land when due, and make a living on the side. They had also planned to erect a larger house more in keeping with the size of the family. Accordingly, in the fall of 1822, they planned 28 to get busy as soon as possible after the harvest season and erect a more comfortable home. I quote from the first edition of Mother Smith's book printed in England in 1853 -- "We were still making arrangements to build us a comfortable home, the management and control of which devolved chiefly on Alvin. And when November arrived, 1822, the frame was raised, and all the materials necessary for its speedy completion were procured. This opened to Alvin's mind the pleasing prospect of seeing his father and mother once more comfortable and happy. He would say -- "I am going to have a nice pleasant room for father and mother to sit in and everything arranged for their comfort, and they shall not work any more as they have done."Pomeroy Tucker, part owner in the "Wayne Sentinel," when the Book of Mormon was printed, was very prejudiced, as the following quotation from his book, "Origin and Progress of Mormonism," will show -- "The Smiths occupied as their dwelling-place, a small one story, smoky log-house, which they had built on their land prior to moving there. This was divided into two rooms on the ground floor, and had a low garret in two parts. A bedroom wing built of sawed slabs was afterward added. * * * But little improvement was made upon the land by the Smith family in the way of clearing, fencing or tillage. Some time before quitting the premises, they erected a small frame-house thereon, partly enclosed it but it was never finished by them. In this they lived during the remainder of their time there, putting their original log hut to use as a barn." Also from "Landmarks of Wayne County" -- "Because of the crowded condition of the Smith family in their little log-house, they were anxious to get into more commodious quarters. Alvin, the oldest son, took the initiative in erecting a new house, which they moved into in the spring of 1823, before it was finished." JOSEPH VISITED BY THE ANGEL MORONI Nearly three and a half years had now elapsed since Joseph beheld the marvelous vision in the grove on his father's farm. During this time, he was shunned by his former boy associates and seldom ventured to the village except when accompanied by some member of the family, and even then would often hear jibes and slurring crack-wise remarks about his "mid-day night mare" which greatly depressed him at times. To hear a vision so glorious29 and grand, spoken of jokingly in the spirit of ridicule, was almost more than he could stand. In returning from the village with his father one evening, feeling blue and discouraged, a social outcast so far as his former friends were concerned, he became unusually meditative and retired to his room in that mood. He felt humble and submissive. He remembered that, on the occasion of his vision in the grove, he was told by the heavenly personage who spoke to him, that the "true way would be made known unto him in due time." He seemed to fear, lest he had done something that was displeasing to the Lord, and that he had lost favor with him. So, when he prepared to retire for the night, he knelt down and in all earnestness poured out his soul in prayer, asking God to forgive him of his sins, and to reveal unto him what he could do to make amends. And while thus engaged, he noticed that his room began to get light, and continued to increase in brightness until it exceeded the sun at noon-day, when, suddenly in the midst of the light, he beheld a personage standing near his bed with his feet a little above the floor. I shall again let Orson Pratt relate the incident. "It seemed as though the house was filled with consuming fire. This sudden appearance of a light so bright, caused a shock of sensation visible to the extremities of the body. It was, however, followed by a calmness and serenity of mind, and an overwhelming rapture of joy, that surpassed understanding, and in a moment, a personage stood before him. Notwithstanding the brightness of the light, which previously illuminated the room there seemed to be an additional glory surrounding or accompanying this personage, which shone with an increased degree of brilliancy, of Which he was in the midst, and though his countenance was as lightning, yet it was of a pleasing, innocent and glorious appearance, so much so, that every fear was banished from Joseph's heart, and nothing but calmness pervaded his soul."The statue [sic -stature?] of this personage was a little above the average man in size. His garment was perfectly white and had the appearance of being without seam. This glorious being declared himself as being an angel sent forth by commandment to communicate to him that his prayers were heard and that his sins were forgiven; also to bring the joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel concerning their posterity was at hand to be fulfilled; that the great preparatory work for the 30 second coming of the Messiah was speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the gospel, in its fullness, to be preached in power unto all nations, that a people might be prepared for the millenial reign."Joseph Smith, jr., relates his experience as follows: "He called me by name, and said unto me, that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God; that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; that my name should be had for good or evil among all nations, kindreds and tongues; and that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people. He said there was a book deposited in a hill, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from which they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants; also that there were two stones in silver bows, and these stones, fastened to a breast-plate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted "seers" in ancient or former times; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book. * * * While he was conversing with me about the plates, the vision was opened to my mind and I could see the hill and the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place when I visited it next day." The messenger also quoted many prophecies from the Old and New Testaments pertaining to the past, present and future, and gave their interpretation after which Joseph quote: "I saw the light in the room gather around the person of him who had been speaking to me, he disappeared, only to return twice more during the night. On each visit he repeated the same instructions, adding that the Lord had a work to do on the earth and if I remained humble and faithful, I should be an instrument in His hands in helping to bring it forth." Father Smith went upstairs quite early next morning to call the boys so they could eat breakfast and get an early start with the farm work. At this time they were clearing trees and shrubs from a field back of the little hill east of the house, preparatory to seeding it to wheat. Whether or not Joseph's father had been unconsciously influenced by the prevailing opinion of the villagers, 31 as regards Joseph's first vision, we are not told. But it is apparent that during the three years and five months intervening between the first vision, which took place in the grove, and this present vision in his bed-room, he had overheard remarks from some member, or members, of the family suggesting doubt in the reality of the first vision. At any rate, for some reason, Joseph did not divulge to any member of the family what had taken place during the night, but proceeded to the field with his father and his brother, Alvin, to assist in the farm work. It was not until his brother, Alvin, had noticed that Joseph would stop work occasionally to meditate, and called his father's attention to it that they noticed anything unusual about his actions. Even when his father approached him to persuade him to return to the house and lie down, and have his mother make some herb tea for him he did not tell his father his experience of the night before. I quote from Joseph's own story "I started 'with the intention of going to the house, but in attempting to cross over a fence, after leaving the field, my strength failed me, and I fell helpless on the ground and for a time was quite unconscious of anything. The first thing that I can recollect was a voice speaking unto me, calling me by name. I looked up, and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, surrounded by a light as before. He then related unto me all that he had related the night before and commanded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and the commandments I had received."I obeyed. I returned to my father in the field, and rehearsed the whole matter to him. He replied to me that it was of God, and to proceed to carry out the angel's instructions. I left the field and went to the place where the angel had told me the plates were deposited, and, owing to the distinctness of the vision, which I had concerning it, I knew the place the instant I arrived there. Convenient to the village of Manchester, N. Y., stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighborhood. On the west side of the hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box." I will here quote the words of Oliver Cowdery who acted as principal scribe during the translation of the gold plates "At the bottom of this (excavation) lay a stone of considerable size, the upper surface being smooth. At each edge was placed a large quantity of cement, and into this cement, at the four edges of this 32 stone were placed erect four others, their bottom edges resting in the cement at the outer edges of the first stone. This formed a box. The corners where the edges of the four came in contact, were also cemented so firmly that the moisture from without was prevented from entering. This box was sufficiently large to admit a breastplate such as was worn by the ancient Hebrew priests. * * * After Joseph Smith arrived at the repository, it took only a little exertion in removing the soil from the edges of the top of the box, and securing a limb that had fallen from a nearby tree as a lever to pry up the stone, the contents of the box were brought to his natural vision. While viewing with admiration this sacred treasure, behold! the angel of the Lord, who had previously visited him again stood in his presence, and Joseph's soul was again enlightened as it was the evening before! and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the heavens were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about and rested upon him. While he was gazing with wonder and astonishment, the angel said, 'Look!' And as he thus spake, he beheld the Prince of Darkness, surrounded by his innumerable train of associates. All this passed before him, and the heavenly messenger said, 'All this is shown, the good and the evil, the holy and the impure, the glory of God and the power of darkness, that you may know hereafter the two powers, and never be influenced or overcome by the wicked one. * * * These plates are not deposited here for the sake of accumulating gain and wealth for the glory of the world. They were sealed by the prayer of faith, and because of the knowledge they contain. In them is contained the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was given to his people on this continent.'"Because of the malignant ridicule that was hurled at the Smiths as the result of allowing news of the first vision to become public property, being misunderstood, hence misconstrued and made light of, they decided to keep the facts of this second heavenly vision from reaching the public. They went about their daily routine of work on the farm and in the village, as if nothing unusual had happened. About two months later, a great shock came to the Smith family, when the oldest son, Alvin, became suddenly ill. They immediately secured a doctor who diagnosed his trouble as colic but seemed unable to relieve his suffering and called in another doctor for consultation, but it seems that their combined skill 33 could not check the trouble. He continued to suffer intensely for three days when his pains and suffering were relieved by death. A third doctor was called in to perform an autopsy. When they cut him open they found that gangrene had set in. It would be readily recognized in our day as a bursted appendix. Alvin's death took place on November 19, 1823, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. It was a great blow to the Smith family, as his labors as a carpenter's helper contributed much toward the support of the family. Owing to the unexpected death of Alvin, it became necessary to get a carpenter, by the name of Stoddard, in the village to come out and put in the mantles, doors and window jams, and other little finishing touches in their home, before winter set in. The family had lived in the new building in its unfinished state during the summer months.It might be well to state, at this point, that there has been different opinions as to whether the angel, Moroni, appeared in the little bark-roofed log homestead with two rooms on the ground floor and a divided garret, or in the new nine-room house. Mother Smith tells us that all members of the family were at home that night. Joseph says, "I went to MY room, while praying the angel appeared and stood by MY bed, etc." Joseph does not mention that any of his brothers occupied the room with him, and we have always taken it for granted that he was alone that night, and it would be quite impossible to have had a room alone in a little loghouse in a family of eleven. Mother Smith says they had the frame work of the new house up and all the materials on hand for a "speedy completion of the building" in November, 1822, and it doesn't look reasonable that they would leave the materials lying about until 1824 in all kinds of weather, without completing the building. Local historians say that the Smiths moved into the new building in the spring of 1823 before it was finished; and that Alvin, who took the initiative in erecting it, died in the fall of the same year. Alvin's tombstone, which is perfectly legible yet, reads as follows: "In memory of Alvin Smith, son of Joseph and Lucy Smith, died November 19, 1823, in the 25th year of his age." This checks with his birth date which was February 11, 1799. It is quite evident that the tombstone was placed at the grave authoritatively by Alvin's father as the engraver moved to Pultneyville soon after the Smith family left for Kirtland, Ohio, and another engraver took his place using altogether another style of engraving. 34 It is also apparent from the following notice that Alvin died in 1823, as his tombstone states, and not in 1824:"NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC" "Whereas reports have been industriously put in circulation, that my son, Alvin, had been removed from the place of Interment and dissected, which reports, every person possessed of human sensibility must know, are peculiarly calculated to harrow up the mind of a parent and deeply wound the feelings of relations; therefore, for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of such reports, I, with wme of my neighbors, this morning repaired. to the grave, and removing the earth, found the body which had not been disturbed.It will readily be observed from the date of this notice, which appeared in six consecutive issues of the Wayne Sentinel, that Alvin had died, an autopsy was performed, he was buried, and the country became filled with another flood of gossip; the body exhumed and examined and covered up again, two months before he was dead, according to certain records extant. The facts are that Alvin took the lead and supervised the erection of the new building during the winter of 1822-23; that they moved into the new building while it was yet in an unfinished state, and that Alvin died in the fall of the same year, November 19, 1823, before he had a chance to add the finishing touches to the new home. The first edition of "Mother Smith's History," printed In Enrland in 1853, set the date for building the new home as November, 1822, but when the "Reorganite" Church was organized, they got out an edition in 1860, at Plano, Ill., inserting, immediately following the original date of 1822, (1824?) The next edition they got out, they left out the original date and inserted 1824 without any question mark. This is where our historians were led astray. 35 Note -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly called Mormon Church, was organized April 6, 1830. For incidents connected with the Smith family prior to this time, the church historians were dependent on memories of certain people. But memory is not altogether dependable. I quote from early church history -- "The family of Joseph Smith, sr., left the state of Vermont and moved to Palmyra, New York, when Joseph, jr., was in his tenth year, or there-abouts." The family arrived during the summer of 1816, and as Joseph was born December 23, 1805, he would be ten years old, or in the eleventh year of his age. Again -- About four years after their arrival in Palmyra, they moved into Manchester." In October, 1818, the senior Joseph Smith negotiated for a 100-acre tract of forest land and built a log cabin on it; hence, history should read, "About two years," not "four." Again -- "His family consisted of eleven souls." Their youngest daughter, Lucy, was born July 18, 1821, which was five years after their arrival from Vermont, and so there were only "ten souls." Again -- "Alvin, (the oldest son) died November 19, 1824, in the 27th year of his age." Alvin was born February 11, 1799, and died November 19, 1823, in the 25th year of his age, Again -- "Some time in the second year after they moved to Manchester there was much excitement over religion, etc." If the family lived four years in Palmyra, and the religious agitation took place two years later, it would place the date of the vision in the Sacred Grove in the spring of 1822. But as the Smith family only lived in Palmyra two years and three months, it will readily be seen that our historians have two too many years jammed into the period between the arrival of the Smiths in 1816 and the date of the vision in the spring of 1820.Up to this time the Smith family had kept the secret of Moroni's visit well guarded, but during the summer of 1824 there was a small leak that soon grew larger. During the fall of 1824 Joseph Smith, sr., and his son, Hrrum, were watling a basement and digging and curbing a well for Martin Harris. Mr. Harris exhibited an unusual interest in Joseph's vision in the grove, stating that he was much interested in it at the time, and had since given it considerable thought. Mr. Smith, observing his sincerity, loosened up and told him all the particulars. Each day while they were there, Martin would find excuse to bring up the matter and would ask many questions, referring frequcntly to the Bible to prove that heavenly messengers visiting the earth, was not a new doctrine. Finally, during the course of their conversations, Mr. Smith took Martin into his confidence and told him of Joseph's wonderful experience with the angel, Moroni. Martin was thrilled beyond expression. He requested that he be kept posted on any new developments, offering to assist in any way possible, and promising not to spread the information to his neighbors. But it was too good to keep to himself. He just had to tell somebody, so he took his wife into his confidence, and after discord developed between him and his wife, she released the secret to others of the family and also to friends in the neighborhood. I shall quote again 36 from Mother Smith's book "I will here observe that no one ever heard anything from us respecting the plates, except a confidential friend, whom my husband had spoken to some two or three years previous. It appears that Satan had now stirred up those who had got a hint of the matter from our friends, to search into it, and make every possible move toward thwarting the purposes of the Almighty." As soon as it became apparent that Martin Harris had become interested in the Smith family, his wife became hostile and took a determined stand against his having anything to do with them. Martin and his wife were first cousins, and, at times, did not team well together. Local pioneer writers speak of her as a woman with strong will power and a ready tongue. She threatened to leave her husband, and demanded a division of the property. In order to pacify her Martin gave her eighty acres of land, and as there was an old Dominion Law still in effect making it unlawful for a man to deed property to his wife, it became necessary for him to deed the land to his brother, Peter, who, on the same day, deeded it to Martin's wife, thus making it legal. About this time, November 1st, 1825, a man from Chenango County, by the name of Josiah Stoal, came into the neighborhood buying up wheat and flour, which he shipped to New York.He, incidentally, heard that Joseph Smith, jr., had discovered some gold plates in a hill nearby. He called at the Smith home and stayed with them over night. After listening to the story of finding the plates in the hillside, he told them of long existing legends down in Broome County, N. Y., and Susquehanna County, Pa., of ancient silver and gold mines long since abandoned, and that he was interested in certain pits just over the line in Pennsylvania, which he was planning to prospect and develop. He made a proposition that Joseph go down and work for him. The Smiths explained to Mr. Stoal that Joseph possessed no magic power, whereby he could locate gold or hidden ore or treasure. But Mr. Stoal had taken a liking to the Smith family and was insistent that Joseph enter his employ, and, as Joseph was glad to get employment, he accepted Mr. Stoal's proposition and returned with him to Chenango County, and thence to Pennsylvania. As soon as Mr. Stoal could hire more men in the neighborhood, he started digging. During the pioneer development of that particular locality, there were enough discoveries in ancient 37 ruins to keep up a keen interest in digging for relics and treasure.I shall quote briefly from "The Archeological History of New York" -- "Many silver ornaments were found near Binghamton, Broome County, N. Y." Again "West of the river and opposite Sherburne were four or five open caches, close together and four to six feet deep and wide. In a field north were stone chisels, pestles, axes, arrowheads, stone tomahawks, copper implements, and many relics, including skeletons, having been plowed up." Again -- "In one part were about two hundred yellow and black jasper arrow-heads, and sixty more in another place. Also a silver band or ring about two inches in diameter, wide but thin and with what appeared to be the remains of a reed pipe within it. A number of stone gouges or chisels, of different shapes, and a piece of mica cut in the form of a heart, the border much decayed and the laminae separated, were also discovered." And thus we might go on and quote literally hundreds of similar finds. And let us also bear in mind that Joseph Smith and his associates were not the first to delve into the ancient ruins in these parts. Men dug as early as 1822. I quote from the "History of Susquehanna County" "R. C. Doud asserts that in 1822 he was employed with thirteen others, by Oliver Harper, to dig for gold on Joseph McKune's land. * * * He stated that George, a brother of Oliver Harper, was a member of the crew. On the old Indian road from Windsor to Chenango Point, men were digging at the same time, for silver. Mr. Doud further states that he himself had no faith at all, but hired out at so much per day, and it was of no consequence to him whether his employer gained his point or not." While under the employment of Mr. Stoal, Joseph and his companions boarded at the home of Isaac Hale. I quote from his sworn statement "Joseph Smith at that time was in the employ of a set of men who were called 'money diggers.' Joseph Smith, with several other money diggers, boarded at my house while they were employed in digging for a mine that they supposed had been opened and worked by the Spaniards many years since. * * * This took place about November 17, 1825." Yes, Joseph Smith, jr., did hire out to Josiah Stoal to work, along with a crew of men to uncover or develop, what was supposed to be an old Spanish silver mine, long since abandoned. This engagement took him to the State of Pennsylvania, about 155 miles from Palmyra. The following month an article appeared 38 in the "New [sic] Orleans Advocate" and was copied by the "Wayne Sentinel" printed in Palmyra. It was originally printed as a semi-humorous joke, but was immediately saddled onto Joseph Smith and was readily used to brand him as a money digger. The article follows:TREASURE DIGGING From this time on, Joseph Smith was dubbed as a "treasure seeker," "gold digger," "mystic fraud" and "fortune teller," etc. Many of the early writers quoted, verbatim, from the above article. Another story, that gained wide circulation in Harmony and vicinity, was concerning a peculiar stone in the possession of one Jack Belcher. R. B. Buck narrates as follows -- "Belcher bought it because it was said to be a seeing stone. I have often seen it. It was a green stone, with brown, irregular spots on it. It was a little longer than a goose's egg and about the same thickness. When he brought it home and covered it with a hat, Belcher's little boy was one of the first to look into the hat, and, as he did so, he said he saw a candle. The second time he looked in he exclaimed 39 'I've found my hatchet!' (It had been lost two years.) He immediately ran for it to the spot shown him through the stone, and it was there. The boy was soon beset by neighbors far and near to reveal to them hidden things, and he succeeded marvelously. Even the wanderings of a lost child were traced by him. The distracted parents came to him three times for directions, and in each case found signs that the child had been in the places he designated, but at last it was found starved to death. Joe Smith conceiving the idea of making a fortune through a similar process of 'seeing,' bought the stone of Belcher and then began his operations in directing where hidden treasure could be found."I shall quote briefly from local library books to show how the accusation of having a gold digging propensity, followed Joseph Smith. From "History of Ontario County" -- "Legends of hidden treasure had long designated Gold Bible Hill as the repository. Old Joe had dug there, and Young Joe had not only heard his father and mother relate the miraculous tales of buried wealth, but had accompanied his father on one or more of these expeditions." From "History of 'Wayne County" -- "The stone was finally placed in his hat to shade its marvelous brightness when its services were required. At midnight, dupes, laborers and himself, with lanterns in hand, repaired to the hillside near the Smith home where, following mystic ceremony, digging began by a signal in enjoined silence. Two hours elapsed when, just as the box was about to be unearthed, someone spoke and the treasure vanished. The deception was repeated from time to time in the interval between 1820-27, and despite the illusionary searches for money, he obtained contributions which went toward the maintenance of the family." From "Wayne County Directory" -- "Here the insidious monster, Mormonism, was nursed and cradled, which, like the serpent in Eden, has chosen for its victims the fairest of God's creatures. * * * In 1820 they began digging for money for a subsistence. The vocation was noised around among the community and not a few were credulous to believe that they were within reach of a 'chest of gold' which had repeatedly eluded their grasp, and contributed money to the Smiths to carryon their excavations 40 They kept their deluded followers in a fervor of excitement while treasure hunting."From Tucker's "Rise and Progress of Mormonism" -- "Joe had a curious stone by use of which, most glittering sights were revealed to the mortal eye of the young imposter in the manner stated. He pretended to see where there were hidden treasures of great value, including enormous deposits of gold and silver sealed in earthen pots or iron chests, and buried in the earth in the immediate vicinity of the place where he stood. These discoveries finally became too dazzling for his eyes in daylight, and he had to shade his vision by looking at them in his hat! * * * Finally, by spring, 1820, he had gathered contributions enough to defray the expense of digging for buried treasure, the precise hiding-place of which he had discovered by aid of the stone in his hat. * * * The favorite place for digging was on the forest hill near his home. All subsequent diggings were conducted SUbstantially as the first, when, just at the Moment the money box was within the seer's grasp, one of the party, being tempted of the devil, SPOKE! The enchantment was broken, and the treasure vanished. * * * With slight variation in the incantations, and always with the same result Smith almost getting hold of the money-chest, but finally losing it by the coincident breaking of the 'spell' through some unforseen satanic interposition. By this cause the money would vanish just at the instant of its coming within the necromancer's mortal grasp." They even caught the echo of these weird stories across the Atlantic in England. I quote from the "Edinburgh Review," printed in London in 1854 "For some years he (Joseph Smith) led a vagabond life, about which little is known, except that he was called 'Joe Smith, the money digger,' and that he swindled several simpletons by his pretended skill in the use of the divining-rod. In fact, he was a Yankee Dousterswivel. * * * The indignation of his neighbors was naturally roused by the successful frauds of the man whom they had despised as a cheat and a liar from his cradle." And thus it was, when the Smith family still resided in Palmyra. Any ridiculous, absurd and sensational story that may have been read in a newspaper or magazine, or heard upon the street, or at the lounging places in the village, that could be changed, distorted and misconstrued to apply to "Joe Smith," was 41 saddled onto him, and he became the butt of venomous ridicule and wise-crack jokes. Most of the neighborhood jokes and floating gossip were later assembled by Professor McIntosh and incorporated into "Wayne County History," as the history of Mormonism, and has become stock material for all the anti-Mormon writers, and for each new generation that has grown up, as authoritative Mormon history. I quote from the funeral sermon delivered by the Rev. C. N. Pettengill of the Baptist Church over the earthly remains of Pomeroy Tucker, July 3, 1870 --"Mr. Tucker's last work of a more public character was his 'History of Mormonism.' No man probably was so well qualified as himself to give a versatile account of that imposture, especially in its incipient stages. In this vicinity it had its origin. With the prime mover, Joseph Smith, jr., he was well acquainted, as also with many of the deluded disciples of the pretended prophet. From the office of the 'Wayne Sentinel' the first Mormon Bible was issued. Brought thus into intimate proximity to the fraud, he learned the facts concerning it. These he has given in his work. Had he drawn somewhat on his imagination, he might have made a book that would have been more popular, but it would have been less valuable. It is a standard on the rise and early progress of Mormonism, the most authentic one on the subject, and its value will increase as time takes us farther from the origin of the delusion. * * * Pomeroy Tucker never made public profession of religion." It is rather inconsistent for a man who did not even profess to be a Christian to write a fair, impartial and "authentic" history of a movement that is pre-eminently spiritual in its nature, being based on revelation direct from God to man. Pomeroy Tucker was editor and part-owner of the "Wayne Sentinel" that printed the first edition of the "Book of Mormon." The following from the "Troy Times" -- "In 1867, Pomeroy Tucker published a work on Mormonism, giving the most perfect history of the origin and progress of the delusion ever written." A MINISTER'S OPINION OF JOSEPH SMITH Rather a complete summary of local feelings toward the Smith family, is contained in a letter dated December 24, 1833, written42 by Rev. Jesse Townsend of the Presbyterian Church, in answer to a letter from Mr. Stiles:
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Rev. Townsend began his ministerial duties in Palmyra in 1817, and took a very active part at the revival in 1820 that gave Joseph Smith the inspiration to seek God for divine guidance. The Smiths were not in disrepute until Joseph Smith announced to the world, that the heavens had been re-opened and he had been visited by heavenly messengers. But Joseph Smith, by declaring this fact, unwittingly became Public Enemy No. 1. Again I quote from "Wayne County History" -- "Nocturnal depredations occurred among neighbors, and suspicions rested upon the Smith family, but no proof of their being implicated was ever adduced. "A shiftless set" was an appropriate designation of the Smiths, and Joseph, jr., was the worst of the lot. During his minority he is recalled as indolent and mendacious. In appearance, he was dull-eyed, tow-haired, and of shiftless manner, taciturn, unless addressed, and he was not believed when he did speak. He was given to mischief and mysterious pretense, was good natured and was never known to laugh. Having learned to read, lives of criminals engrossed his attention, till from study of the Bible he became familiar with portions of the scriptures, and especially found interest in revelation and prophecy. Revivals occurred, and Smith joined a class of probationers in the Methodist Church in Palmyra, but soon withdrew." JOSEPH SMITH GETS MARRIED Joseph Smith, jr., was now a husky young man 22 years of age, six feet tall with uniform proportions and symmetrical outline. He had been carrying on a sort of intermittent correspondence with Emma Hale since he boarded at their home in 1825, and their friendship ripened into real mutual love, and marriage was the result. Joseph divulged his intentions to his folks, some of whom had met Emma, and his plans met with their hearty45 approval, and Joseph was soon on his way with a conveyance to bring his soul-mate from Harmony, Pa. They were married January 18, 1827, at South Bainbridge, Chenango County, N. Y. Joseph assisted his father on the farm as usual, and worked for other people at times, when he could be spared.When September 22, 1827, arrived, Joseph kept his annual appointment with the angel, Moroni, at the Hill Cumorah. On this occasion, after giving Joseph minute instructions as to the manner of procedure in the translation and care of the records, they were entrusted to the custody of Joseph. It appears that someone, who had heard of Joseph's annual visits to the hill, lay in wait for him with the intention of getting possession of them. The angel intimated that enemies would seek to get possession of the sacred record, and warned him to be careful. Joseph being larger in stature, and stronger than his assailant, struck him a heavy blow that knocked him down and stunned him. Joseph then ran through the woods until he came to a large birch tree that had blown down and was quite rotten and hollow. He hurriedly took his pocket-knife and cut through the thick bark, and putting the plates and Urim and Thummim inside the tree, made note of their hiding place, covering the place with limbs and boughs, then proceeded homeward. On returning home, Joseph told his folks of his experience, and Hyrum was delegated to have a small chest made, of sufficient size to hold the plates and Urim and Thummim. The chest was dove-tailed at the four corners; and fitted with a hasp and padlock. In the meantime Joseph had pried up the hearth-stone in front of the fireplace in the north room, and made an excavation sufficiently large to admit the little chest. Josiah Stoal and Joseph Knight of Broome County, N. Y., happened to be in the neighborhood buying wheat and stayed with the Smiths again. In the meantime, Hyrum Smith had secured a suitable box to keep the gold plates in. Joseph and Emma (his wife) planned to borrow Mr. Stoal's horse and buggy and go after the plates early next morning before daylight, to avoid any chance of being spied upon. They stopped at the point in the road nearest to the place Joseph hid the plates, and while Emma held the horse, Joseph took the box and went to where he hid the plates in the birch tree, putting the plates and Urim and Thummim in the box, 46 after which they returned home. He then lifted up the hearth-stone,put the box in the excavation, then replaced the stone.As soon as it was rumored about the village that Joseph had some gold plates in his possession, his erstwhile friends lost no time in getting out to the Smith farm, expecting to see and examine them. But when Joseph informed them that they were a sacred charge, and he had received strict instructions not to make publIc property of them, they were naturally disappointed and friends soon became enemies, and began to ridicule the whole story and brand it as a hoax. But quite frequently two or more would come from the village representing themselves as a committee demanding that they be permitted to see the plates, or, at least, some proof that he had them in his possession. Joseph stretched a curtain enclosing two windows and the fireplace, and during the quiet hours of the day, he would get the plates with the Urim and Thummim out and experiment at translating. It took him some time to learn how, or develop the gift to translate. The characters were on parallel iines, and by experimenting he learned that they had to be translated from right to left. I quote from "Palmyra History" "The first depository of the sacred plates was under the heavy hearth-stone of the Smith home. Willard Chase, a carpenter and joiner, was solicited to make a chest wherein to keep the golden book in security, but no payment being anticipated the interview was fruitless. Later achest was procured, and here Smith consulted the volume upon which no other could gaze and live. William T. Hussey and Ashley [sic - Azel?] Vanduzer, intimates of Smith, resolved to see the book, and were permitted to see its shape and size under a piece of canvass. Smith refused to uncover it, and Hussey, seizing it, stripped off the cover and found a tile brick. Smith claimed to have sold his visitors by a trick and treating them with liquor, the matter was ended, amicably." The Smith family were harrassed continually. There were prowlers spying at night and it became necessary to keep a night-watchman on duty. One of these spies reported that he had seen very suspicious actions at the cooper's-shop which stood near the house, so a committee was appointed to investigate, but on arriving at the Smith homestead, the committee developed into a mob. They wrecked the shop, and not finding the plates, they went to the house and proceeded to tear up the carpets and the floor in 47 places, and did considerable damage before they could be dissuaded.Joseph kept the plates about three and a half months at the Smith home, during which time, he did little more than to master the gift and familiarize himself with the characters and their translation. The folks would assemble in their living room of an evening, and he would relate to them what he had learned concerning the ancient peoples of this continent during the day. But the opposition in the community became bold and intolerable, and realizing that he could not proceed with the translation without being molested, he wrote to his father-in-law in Harmony to see if he could arrange to go there to do the translating undisturbed. Mr. Hale wrote that they would be welcome and he would try to make it pleasant for him. He sent his son, Alva, with a team and wagon to bring them to Harmony. Just before they started for Harmony, Martin Harris showed on the scene, and slipped fifty dollars in silver to Joseph in a canvas bag. Joseph mildly remonstrated, offering to accept the money on conditions that Martin would take a note for it, and Alva Hale, Joseph's brother-in-law, who was present, offered to sign with Joseph. But, no! Martin had become interested in Joseph some years before and had even offered financial assistance; so he was very pleased to help him. Moroni told Joseph Smith that the plates contained a history of the everlasting gospel as it was taught by Jesus after his resurrection, to the people on this continent, who were descendants of Father Abraham. They were not to be used for earthly gain. They were a sacred charge and Joseph felt his responsibility, as the angel told him that efforts would be made by wicked men to get them from him. How to safely get the plates and Urim and Thummim to Harmony, Pa., was a problem. He finally decided to put the little box, or chest, with its contents, in one of their new barrels, fill the barrel with red marrow beans, and put a head in the barrel, or, to use the cooper's expression, "head the barrel up." Up to this time the angel, Moroni, had visited Joseph Smith not less than nine times, during which he had given essential instructions pertaining to the care and translation of the sacred records that had now been entrusted to him. Joseph felt that he had a friend he could lean on for instruction and assistance in time of need. |
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In February Martin arranged his affairs at home so it was possible for him to get away to investigate further the thing that was now uppermost in his mind, viz: the claims of Joseph Smith to new revelation. Martin was a man forty-five years of age, whereas Joseph Smith was little more than a youth, being then in his 23rd year. Martin's family and friends made strenuous efforts to poison his mind against Joseph Smith, but to no avail. I quote from "Palmyra History" "Martin Harris was a well-to-do farmer living a mile and a half north of the village, and proverbially an honest, peaceful man. And how to reconcile the act of Harris in signing his name as one of three witnesses to the Golden Bible, in view of the character of honesty, which had always been conceded him, could never be easily explained. His friends tried to dissuade him from the course of abetting Joe Smith, but to no avail." MARTIN HARRIS TAKES CHARACTERS TO NEW YORK Martin arrived in Harmony about the middle of February with the determination to make further investigation and learn for himself. In the meantime Joseph had transcribed some of the characters onto paper, with their translation. When Martin saw these, he asked permission to take the characters with their translations to New York and show them to some of the great educators and get their opinion as to their genuineness. He first approached Dr. Mitchell, a man of high learning and acquainted with the dead languages. But he sent Martin to Professor Charles Anthon, who was authority on ancient writings and hieroglyphics, giving him a note to Professor Anthon, requesting him to carefully examine them. Professor Anthon pronounced the characters49 Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyriac and Arabic, and that the characters were genuine, and wrote out a certificate to that effect and handed it to Martin to show the people of Palmyra. As Martin was starting for the door, Professor Anthon called him back and asked him how the young man (Joseph Smith) happened to find the record. And when Martin explained that they were delivered to him by an angel, Professor Anthon said, "Let me take that paper." And when Martin handed it to him, he tore it to pIeces saying, "There is no such thing as ministering of angels in these days."But Martin came back to Harmony and reported to Joseph Smith. In talking over plans, it was decided that Martin should go to Palmyra and arrange his affairs so he could return to Harmony and act as scribe while Joseph translated the characters by means of the "interpreters," or Urim and Thummim. I quote from [Anderson & Cannon's] "History of the Church" -- "The Urim and Thummim consisted of two precious stones set in an arch of silver which was fastened to an ancient breast-plate of pure gold, Curiously wrought. * * * Four golden bands were fastened to it, for the purpose of attaching it to the person of the wearer two of the bands being for the shoulders, the other two for the hips. When properly adjusted on the person who had the gift of translation, the stones became transparent, and when focused on the characters the translation would be revealed to the translator. The plates: also of gold, were uniform in thickness, not quite as thick as common tin, and were about eight inches m length by seven wide bound together in book form by three rings. The plates were covered on both sides with strange characters, small and beautifully engraved." Martin returned from Palmyra on the twelfth of April, 1828. They curtained off the east end of an upstair room, including a window and began the translation. Martin's heart was thrilled as he sat writing the words that fell from Joseph's lips as the latter translated "by the gift and power of God." The first plates contained the writings of Lehi, one of the minor prophets, who dwelt at Jerusalem. Lehi, being warned of God that Jerusalem was to be destroyed, led a colony into the wilderness and finally across the "great waters" to this continent, landing on the west coast of South America, possibly in northern Chile. They had now been writing, With but little interruption, for 50 about a month, during which time Martin had repeatedly remarked how nice it would be, if his folks could see what they were doing, feeling assured that their prejudices and opposition would "melt away like dew before the morning sun." And now that they had come to a stopping place, having finished the writings of the first scribe, which amounted to 116 pages of fools-cap paper, he pleaded with Joseph to inquire of the Lord through the Urim and Thummim, if it would be all right for him to take the manuscript to Palmyra and read it to his folks. Joseph made inquiry but received a negative reply. But Martin had become so enthused with the work, that he was anxious to share it with his folks, and having thought of new excuses for wanting his folks to read the manuscript, arguing that he had taken some to Professor Anthon and returned them, pleaded with Joseph to make further inquiry, but the reply was the same. So positive did Martin feel about the matter, and so insistent did he become, that, feeling obligated to Martin because of the assistance, financial and otherwise, Martin had rendered, Joseph finally was persuaded against his better judgment to let him take the manuscript and read it to five persons Martin seemed to be particularly interested in, specifically mentioned as follows: His father and mother, his wife and her sister, Mrs. Cobb, and his brother, Preserved Harris.MANUSCRIPT STOLEN Arriving at Palmyra Martin greeted his old friends, and incidentally told them about his experiences in going to New York with characters provided by Joseph Smith and of his meeting with Dr. Mitchell and Professor Anthon. He also told them that Joseph Smith was translating the gold plates and that he, Martin, had been writing it down as Joseph dictated to him. He made an appointment with the members of his family mentioned in his agreement with Joseph, but when the time arrived, there were others present, but as they were either relatives or good friends, he could see no harm in letting them hear the manuscript read. And once his pledge was broken, it became easier to break it again. His brother, Preserved Harris, and one or two others, were favorably impressed with his story and the contents of the manuscript, but others were skeptical and asked him many questions concerning the plates and Urim and Thummim, and when he told them that he had not seen them, hence could not51 describe them, they lost interest, branding the whole thing as a huge fraud, that "Joe Smith was making it up as he went along, etc." His wife became more bitter and made it very uncomfortable for Martin. Finally, one day when a very dear friend dropped in to talk with him, he went to his room to get the manuscript to read it to his friend and unlocked the drawer where he had kept it. It was gone! Martin was now in a perplexing predicament. He searched every drawer, closet and nook and corner but without results. He worked himself into a frenzy, and when his wife returned home, she professed total ignorance as to their whereabouts. What should he do, return to Harmony without them and explain everything to Joseph and ask his forgiveness, or write him a letter explaning all? But in the meantime, Joseph had forebodings that caused him not a little worry. His misgivings got to such a pitch that he started for Palmyra to see what was keeping Martin. It was a sad meeting. Martin, old enough to be Joseph's father, humbly admitted that he had broken his pledge, and that the manuscript had been stolen from him.The manuscript mysteriously disappeared and was never found. There is a local story, or tradition, which runs as follows: When Joseph arrived from Harmony, Pa., he proceeded to the Harris farm on the following day, just as they were about to sit down for the noonday meal, and Joseph was asked to dine with them. During the course of the meal, the disappearance of the manuscript was brought up, and during the conversation something was said that piqued Mrs. Harris, who got up from the table quietly, went out the kitchen door and around to the front door, went upstairs into a bed-room where she had them hidden, put them in her apron, took them downstairs, walked into the north room and dumped them into the fireplace and burned them up. But as there is nothing in authentic history to corroborate the story, and as Mother Smith, in relating the incident, in her book, says that Joseph did not go to the Harris farm, but that Martin came to the Smith farm, the above story should at least be taken with a large question mark after it. PLATES TAKEN FROM MARTIN [sic] Because of Joseph's dereliction in following counsel, and Martin's perfidy, Joseph lost the power to translate for a season, and the plates and the Drim and Thummim were taken from him52 by the angel, Moroni, and were not returned to him until he had humbled himself and thoroughly repented. The Urim and Thummim was returned to him in July, 1828, by means of which he received a revelation relative to the missing manuscript, listed in the Doctnne and Covenants as Sec. 3. The plates were returned to hIm. the latter part of August or early in September, 1828, immediately after which he received the revelation, listed as Sec. 10.It was during this year that Joseph purchased thirteen and a half acres of land from his father-in-law, Isaac Hale, and built a small house on it. He not only raised a crop on this land this year, but assisted Mr. Hale with his work. His father came down from Palmyra on a visit during the fall. It was during November of thIs year that Oliver Cowdery, a young school-master canvassed the vicinity of the Smith home in Manchester, to get up a subscription school, the same to continue for sixteen weeks. The little log school-house was nearly a mile from the Smith home on the old "plank road," where the "little red" cobble-rock Armington school now stands. It was customary for the teacher to board for short periods with the different patrons of the school. Oliver Cowdery came to board with the Smith family during the month of March, 1829. He was favorably impressed with the Smith famIly, and as he had heard much floating gossip concerning them, especially Joseph, he naturally grew inquisitive and began to draw out the particulars concerning Joseph's visions, etc. And as Joseph Smith, sr., had but recently returned from a visit to Harmony, he was in a position to tell him all the latest developments. Incidentally, he told him that Joseph was unable to proceed with the translation uritil he could find a suitable person to write for hIm. This struck Oliver very forcibly, and the thought came to him th.at he might be of service to Joseph. He not only thought about it but prayed about it. Here I quote Cowdery -- "One night after retiring to my bed, I called upon the Lord to know if these things were true, and the Lord manifested unto me that they were true, but I kept the entire circumstance a secret until after meeting Joseph in Harmony." Oliver now became exceedingly anxious and could scarcely wait until his school closed the last week in March so he could go and have a personal talk with Joseph. He started about April 2nd, 53 going via Fayette, Seneca County, staying one day with the Peter Whitmer family, with whom he had previously boarded while teaching in that neighborhood. The Whitmer family had heard exaggerated rumors concerning the Smith family, and were naturally prejudiced, but after listening to Oliver's recital of what he had learned at the Smith home, they also became interested and made a special request that Oliver Cowdery write them as to his impressions, after he contacted Joseph Smith, and keep them posted on all new developments.In the meantime Joseph had sought the Lord in fervent prayer to direct him in selecting a suitable man to assist him with the translating of the sacred record that had been entrusted to him, and when Oliver showed on the scene April 5th, 1829, he took it as an answer to his prayers. They greeted each other warmly, even as two men who might have met before. Oliver fitted into the vacant niche beautifully, and two days after his arrival, they began the translation, Joseph interpreting with the Urim and Thummim and Oliver writing the words down as they fell from Joseph's lips. Oliver was thrilled with his work, and that evening wrote enthusiastically to the Whitmers saying that he was fully convinced that it was all that it had been represented to be, and that God had again revealed Himself to the children of men. Joseph's home was about two hundred yards from the banks of the Susquehanna River, and it was customary for Joseph and Oliver, during their work of translating, to repair daily to a thicket by the river, to offer up their devotions to their Heavenly Father, asking for divine guidance in their work. While translating the second record of Nephi, they came across the following words: (Speaking of Christ) "And He commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in His name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the Kingdom of God. And if they will not repent and believe in His name, and endure to the end, they must be damned: for the Lord God hath spoken it." AARONIC PRIESTHOOD RESTORED Up to this time, Joseph Smith had conversed with heavenly messengers about a dozen times, and had received the gift to translate and received revelations by means of the Urim and54 Thummim, but had not received, neither had he assumed, the authority to officiate in any of the holy ordinances of the gospel. But this language seemed to be so positive on the essentiality of baptism, and, as Joseph and Oliver had not been baptized, they felt a strong urge to offer up a special petition to God on the subject, and accordingly walked down to their place of secret prayer on the riverbank. As they knelt down and began to pray,Joseph being mouth, they were soon surrounded by a cloud of light and in the midst of the light stood an angelic messenger announcing himself as "John, the same that is called John the Baptist," and laying his hands upon their heads said, "Upon you, my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again, an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."Quote Joseph: "He instructed us to baptize each other and ordain each other to the Aaronic Priesthood. Accordingly, we at once repaired to the river, where I baptized Oliver, and in turn he baptized me, after which, I laid my hands on Oliver's head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and in a similar manner he conferred the priesthood upon me. The angel also told us that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James and John, who would restore the keys of the higher or Melchesidek Priesthood upon us at some future time." This vision and restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood took place on May 15, 1829, on the banks of the Susquehanna River, in Harmony, Pennsylvania. This was a new experience to Oliver Cowdery, and I shall quote briefly from his rather lenghty recital of the incident: "On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace unto us, while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the gospel of repentance. What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the world was wracked and distracted, while millions were groping as the blind for the wall, and while all men were resting upon uncertainty, as a general mass, our eyes beheld our ears heard as -- in the 'blaze 55 of day yes, more above the glitter of the May sunbeam, which then shed its brilliancy over the face of nature! Then his voice, though mild, pierced to the center, and his words, 'I am thy fellow servant,' dispelled every fear. We listened, we gazed, we admired! 'Twas the voice of the angel from glory 'Twas a message from the Most High, and as we heard, we rejoiced, while His love enkindled upon our souls, and we were rapt in the vision of the Almighty."After being baptized their minds seemed to be illuminated and the scriptures were opened to their understandings as never before. Mysterious passages were made plain, and they felt it their duty to explain the gospel principles to visitors from time to time. As a result opposition sprung up in the neighborhood, but Joseph's father-in-law promised them protection as far as it was in his power to do so. About this time Joseph's brother, Samuel H. Smith, came to visit them. They let him read the translation of the plates as far as they had gone and also told him of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and their baptism. After due meditation and secret prayer out in the woods near the river, Samuel requested baptism, and Oliver baptized him. A few days later Peter Whitmer came from Fayette, N. Y., on a brief visit to get some first hand information as to what they were doing. He returned home much impressed. A few days later Joseph's brother, Hyrum, came from Palmyra on a short visit and became keenly interested in that portion of the manuscript that had thus far been written. He returned home happy. It was about this time that Joseph Knight of Colesville, who had visited the Smiths at Palmyra, paid them a visit to ascertain the nature of the work Joseph and Oliver were engaged in. Before leaving his home, he filled up his buggy with fruit and vegetables to "help a good cause," as he expressed it. A very warm friendship grew up between Joseph and the old gentleman, which led to frequent visits to the Knight home, just over the line in Broome County, N. Y. It was probably while returning from one of these visits the latter part of May, "in the wilderness between Harmony, Pa., and Colesville, N. Y., on the Susquehanna River," that the Melchesidek Priesthood, and keys of the Apostleship, was conferred upon Joseph and Oliver, by Peter, James and John. In relating the incident Oliver Cowdery 56 says, "I was also present with Joseph when the higher or Melchesidek Priesthood was conferred by the holy angels from on high."By this time, about the first of June, considerable opposition began to develop. Malicious, floating neighborhood gossip, and even persecution began to show its ugly head. Some of the accusations, made under oath, are so ridiculous and impossible, that I shall not waste space by inserting any of them. When it became unbearable, Oliver wrote to Peter Whitmer at Fayette, N. Y., and asked if they could make arrangements to go there to resume the translation. JOSEPH AND MARTIN [sic] MOVE TO FAYETTE, N. Y. A few days later, David Whitmer arrived with a team and wagon, and took Joseph and Oliver to the Peter Whitmer farm in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, N. Y. Here they met with a hearty welcome by the Whitmer family, and a few of their neighbors who had heard about Joseph Smith, and were anxious to know concerning the translation of the plates. An upper room in the northeast corner of the home was turned over to them to be used for translating, where they would be unmolested in their work.While living at Harmony, Joseph Smith received ten revelations through the Urim and Thummim, received the Aaronic and Melchesidek Priesthoods, at the hands of heavenly messengers, and was visited a number of times by the angel, Moroni, who gave him extensive instruction pertaining to the translation of the records containing the history of ancient America. Before beginning their journey to Fayette, N. Y., by special arrangement, the angel, Moroni, took possession of the small chest containing the plates and Urim and Thummim, and delivered them the morning after their arrival at the Whitmer home. Peter Whitmer is mentioned as a well-to-do Dutch farmer. Their first home was a log house, to which was added, two years later, a lean-to along the north side. In 1826, they built a new eight-room house of the colonial type. Both houses were standing when Joseph and Oliver were there. They were assigned to a light, cheerful room on the second floor, in the northeast corner of the new building, referred 57 to in history as "the upper chamber in the Peter Whitmer home." The farm consists of 100 acres of land, all tillable.During their work of translation, they found a number of references to special witnesses men, who had assisted in bringing forth the work who would be permitted to behold the plates and Urim and Thummim, that they might bear witness, along with Joseph Smith, to the divinity of the work. I here quote from the Book of Mormon, Ether, fifth chapter, verses 3 to 6 "And behold, ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist in bringing forth this work: and unto three shall they be shown by the power of God: wherefore, they shall know of a surety that these things are true. And in the mouth of three witnesses, shall these things be established. * * * of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day. And if it so be, that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God." Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer had been most active in bringing forth the work, sacrificing both time and means. Accordingly, Joseph wrote to Martin Harris, who was at Palmyra, requesting him to come to the Whitmer home in Fayette, to talk over things of importance. In a few days Martin arrived, bringing with him Joseph's father and mother. This was a very joyful occasion. That evening they talked over the responsibility that would rest upon them in bearing their testimony to the world in connection with Joseph, to the divinity of the work, and each man expressed himself as being elated over the prospect of sharing this divine knowledge and the responsibility that would naturally follow. THREE SPECIAL WITNESSES On retiring to his room, Joseph humbly knelt in earnest supplication, asking the Lord to approve of his selection of these men who had contributed so much in bringing forth the work in which he was engaged. In answer to his prayer, Moroni was sent to give instructions and arrange for the presentation of the plates before the three special witnesses. When the angel made his departure, he took with him the plates and the Urim and Thummim. Whether or not the eligibility of Martin Harris was58 questioned, we are not informed, but the next morning, after singing some hymns, reading a chapter from the Bible and offering a prayer, the four men repaired to the grove on the northeast part of the farm. On the way to the woods, Joseph addressed Martin as follows: "Martin, you will have to humble yourself before God this morning as you have never done before, that you may obtain a forgiveness of your sins. If you will do this, it is the Lord's will that you should look upon the plates and Urim and Thummim along with Oliver and David."This was evidently taken by Martin as a rebuke, and he felt piqued. After reaching a secluded spot in the woods, they knelt in a circle, and each man prayed in turn, beginning with Joseph, but there was no response. They prayed again in the same order as before, and yet there was no response. Joseph was noticeably worried. At this point Martin asked for the privilege of retiring, saying that he was out of harmony. His request was granted, after which, the three remaining men knelt as before and as the last man said "Amen!" the vision burst upon them. I here quote David Whitmer: "As the last man saiQ, 'Amen!' the angel, Moroni, stood before us surrounded by a brilliant light behind a table, and on the table were the plates, Urim and Thummim, the sword of Laban that was brought from Jerusalem, and the Liahona. The angel turned the plates as you would leaves of a book, saying: 'These plates have been revealed by the power of God, and they have been translated by the gift and power of God. The translation which you have seen is correct, and I command you to bear record of what you have seen and heard.'" Immediately after this glorious vision, Joseph went in search of Martin Harris, who had previously withdrawn from them, and found him in another part of the grove praying. When Joseph approached, Martin was weeping bitterly and pleaded with Joseph to pray with him and ask God to forgive him of his imperfections. Joseph did so and at the conclusion of his prayer, the same vision was opened up to their view. Martin rejoiced exceedingly and exclaimed, "'Tis enough! 'tis enough! Mine eyes have beheld! Mine eyes have beheld!" From this time on, all doubt was banished from Martin's mind. He never denied his testimony. The solemn testimony of these three men goes forth with every Book of Monnon that comes off the press. |
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News that Joseph Smith was at the Whitmer home translating 60 ancient records soon spread throughout the surrounding country, and many visitors called to see what it was all about. Some came to investigate and gather the facts, while others came through curiosity, all hoping that they would be permitted to examine the plates, that had been represented as being "covered all over with hieroglyphics." Needless to say that when they were disappointed in their desires, much idle gossip and ridicule followed. I quote briefly from the "History of Waterloo," a village three miles from the Whitmer farm "To outsiders, especially residents of Waterloo, where Smith was an occasional visitor, and which was but a small village, (1829) 'Mormon Joe,' as he was generally called, occasioned no end of fun and comment. He was often seen in the outskirts of the village, by people now living, who say that it was his custom to pace slowly along some favorite walk with his hat in his hand, crown downward, steadily gazing into it. This led his scoffers to say that he was communing with the spirits (maggots), that infest unclean heads."EIGHT WITNESSES VIEW THE PLATES During the brief visit of Joseph's father and mother at the Whitmer home, they observed that considerable opposition had arisen there, even as it did at Harmony, Pennsylvania. They informed Joseph and Oliver that the opposition had subsided at Palmyra, and, in case they thought it advisable to finish the translation at the old home, they would not be disturbed. We are not told whether or not they finished the translation at the Whitmer home or at the Smith home, but I am quite inclined to believe that it was finished at the Smith home. At any rate, after the translation was finished, four of the Whitmers came to the Smith home in Manchester, picking up Hiram Page en route, who was then living at Phelps. They talked over plans for the publication of the manuscript, and discussed other matters. Whether it was by request of Joseph we are not informed, suffice it to say, it was on this occasion that the four Whitmers, Hiram Page and three members of the Smith family saw and examined the plates. I quote from Mother Smith's book "Soon after they came, all the male members of the company, with my husband, Samuel and Hyrum, retired to a place in the woods where the family were in the habit of offering up their secret devotions to God. * * * Her61 it was that those eight witnesses, * * * looked upon them (the plates) and handled them." These eight men examined the volume of gold plates, and gave rather a minute description of the plates and the beautifully engraved ancient characters on them. The plates were entrusted to Joseph by their custodian, Moroni, to exhibit to the eight witnesses on this occasion.The angel, Moroni, instructed Joseph to return the plates to the Hill Cumorah. He naturally supposed that the angel would meet him there and take possession of them; but Joseph informs us that, when he "approached the hill from a bridle trail through the woods," it seemed that the hill opened up and he walked into a room in which there was a table, probably the same table that the three witnesses saw in the vision in the grove on the Whitmer farm. This room contained a vast collection of Jaredite and Nephite records. On the table were the Liahona and the sword of Laban. Joseph placed the gold plates and Urim and Thummim on the table and then returned home. Mormon says: "I hid up in the Hill Cumorah all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of the Lord, save it were these few plates which I gave unto my son, Moroni." (Mormon 6:6) And these few plates which Mormon gave unto his son, Moroni, were entrusted to Joseph Smith on September 22, 1827, and, in turn, Joseph Smith placed them with the vast accumulation of plates deposited in the Hill Cumorah about 285 years A. D., by Mormon, the great Nephite prophet-general. After the translation of the records was finished, Oliver Cowdery copied the entire manuscript so that they would have a copy for themselves in case that any portion should be lost or stolen, as was the case with the first 116 pages translated and entrusted to Martin Harris to bring to Palmyra from Harmony, to read to his family, hoping to thus allay their prejudice toward himself and Joseph Smith, but these, as I said before, were stolen from him, causing him much anxiety and grief. We do not know how long it took Oliver Cowdery to copy the manuscript, but during the month of August we find Joseph and Martin interviewing people concerning the publication of the book. They first called on E. B. Grandin of Palmyra, manager and principal owner of the Wayne Sentinel, a small paper published in Palmyra. But he hesitated, saying that he was poorly equipped to undertake a 62 binding job of that size, and suggested that they call on Thurlow Weed, publisher of the Anti-Masonic Inquirer at Rochester. Mr. Weed was approached by Joseph and Martin, and shown some of the manuscript. He looked it over briefly, and observing that it was neither capitalized nor punctuated and observing many new names he had never seen nor heard of before, he made some inquiry as to where they got it, and after listening to their story, which seemed so impossible and inconsistent, he handed the manuscript back remarking that he didn't want to get mixed up with anything so spooky and mysterious. Later in his writings in referring to this incident, he says, "And thus I lost the opportunity of having my name go down in history connected with Joe Smith and the Mormons."CONTRACT LET FOR PRINTING BOOK OF MORMON They next called on Elihu F. Marshall of Rochester, who was equipped to both print and bind books, but his prices were so prohibitive that they decided to return home. They finally called on Mr. Grandin again and prevailed on him to take the job. On August 25, 1829, a contract was signed whereby Mr. Grandin was to print and bind 5,000 copies for the sum of $3,000.00. Martin Harris went security for the amount by mortgaging his home to Mr. Grandin to guarantee the payment of the $3,000.00. The mortgage was for the duration of eighteen months.After the contract was signed for the printing of the Book of Mormon, Joseph returned to his home in Harmony, while Hyrum and Oliver took the responsibility of getting the printing done. It was written on fools-cap paper in solid block form without capitalization or punctuation. Joseph translated by means of the Urim and Thummim, Oliver writing as the words fell from Joseph's lips. Oliver did not stop to study out proper names or put in the necessary diacritical marks, which made extra work for the printer, making the work of setting the type slow and tedious. Hyrum and Oliver would take just enough manuscript in each morning to keep John H. Gilbert, who set most of the type, busy during the day, then bring it back with them of an evening. Gilbert finally prevailed on them bringing in a quire of 48 pages at a time so he could take it home evenings and do his marking at home. I quote from an interview with Mr. Gilbert by a Detroit Post 63 and Tribune reporter -- "Major John H. Gilbert, of Palmyra, N. Y., is in the city on a visit to his son, Charles T. Gilbert of Nevins and Mills. He is a printer, was formerly proprietor of the Wayne Sentinel, and is the man who set up the Mormon Bible from the original manuscript."It was the custom of the printer as the sheets were run through the press to take one of each form for preservation. Major Gilbert did this and now has with him in the city, the unbound sheets of the Mormon Bible, as he took them from the press. These he cheerfully exhibits to any person having a curiosity to look at them. The book was a quarto of 580 pages. The contents are subdivided into chapters, broken into frequent paragraphs, but the verses are not numbered, as they are in later editions. "Upon the title page appears the name of Joseph Smith, 'Author and Proprietor.' In all subsequent editions he appears simply as 'Translator.' This change was rendered necessary to carry out the theory, afterwards adopted, that Smith dug up these writings, and translated them from 'reformed Egyptian' by means of a pair of super-natural spectacles. PRINTER INTERVIEWED "A reporter from the Post-Tribune met Major Gilbert on Saturday and had a very pleasant talk with him about the early days of 'Mormonism' in Wayne County, N. Y., in which the modern religion started. He found the veteran printer seventy-five years of age."One pleasant day in the summer of 1829, Hyrum Smith came to the office to negotiate for the printing of a book. The arrangements were completed whereby 5,000 copies of the book were to be printed for $3,000.00. A well-to-do farmer named Martin Harris, living in the neighborhood agreed to become security for the payment of the money, and the work was at once put in hand. Major Gilbert set all the type of the book except some 20 or 30 pages, and did nearly all the press work. "The copy was brought to the office by Hyrum Smith and Oliver Cowdery. It was written on fools-cap paper in a good clear hand the hand writing was Oliver Cowdery's and there was not a punctuation mark in the whole manuscript. The sentences were 64 all run in without capitals or other mark to designate where one left off and another began, and it was no easy task to straighten out the stuff. * * * At first Smith used to come to the office every morning with just enough manuscript to last through the day, but it was so much bother to put in the punctuation that Gilbert said, 'Bring me around a quantity of copy at a time and I can go through it and fix it up evenings, and so get along faster with it.' Smith replied, 'This is pretty important business, young man, and I don't know that we can trust this manuscript in your possession.'"Finally his scruples were overcome, and he consented to the arrangement, and then he would bring around a quire of forty-eight pages at a time, and this would last several days, and when the matter had been set, all the copy was taken away by Smith. "It took eight months to set up the book and run it through the press. Major Gilbert was not much interested in the book, saying that it was rather prosaic, and to this day never thought it worthwhile to read it a second time. There were nine children in the Smith family. Joe was then about twenty-three years of age. He was a lazy good-for-nothing lout, chiefly noted for his capacity to hang around a corner grocery store and punish poor whiskey. * * * The dealings with the outside world, in respect to it, were manipulated by Hyrum Smith, an elder brother of Joe's. Major Gilbert's recollection of all those persons is fresh and vivid, and he has a fund of anecdotes and incidents relating to them." It soon became apparent that Hyrum Smith's apprehensions were justified, for no sooner did Mr. Gilbert begin taking a quire of the manuscript home with him, than one Obadiah Dogberry appeared on the scene with evil intent. Mr. Dogberry published a small weekly paper called "The Reflector." The following is his own introduction: "THE REFLECTOR, printed and published weekly by Obadiah Dogberry, Jun., editor and proprietor, at the Bower on Winter Green Hill,' to whom communications must be addressed through the P. O." DOGBERRY'S VENOMOUS ATTACK Professor McIntosh, in referring to this paper, later says, "The paper was given over to science, amusement and ironical castigation." Whether or not Mr. Gilbert connived with Dogberry we are not informed. At any rate, Mr. Dogberry began to vent65 some of his "ironical castigation" on the "Gold Bible," as he termed it, by slurring jibes, and stealing (copying) subject matter and publishing it in his own contemptible paper. I shall quote a few "hot shots" from the Dogberry paper. September 2, 1829 -- "The Gold Bible by Joseph Smith, Jun., author and proprietor, is now in the press and shortly will appear. Priestcraft is short lived." September [16] "The Book of Mormon is expected to be ready for delivery in course of one year Great and marvelous things will 'come to pass' about those days.["] [September 23] ["]The number of the Gold Bible Apostles is said to be complete. Joe Smith, Jun., is about to assign to each, a mission to the heathen."December 9, 1829 -- "GOLD BIBLE. A work bearing this cognomen is now in the press. As much curiosity has been excited in this section of the country on the subject, and as the work itself will not be ready for delivery for some months to come, at a solicitation of many of our readers we have concluded to commence publishing extracts from it on or before the commencement of our next series." The issue of January 2, 1830, contained a chapter from First Book of Nephi, which was the first of a series taken from First and Second Nephi, and the Book of Alma. When these articles began to appear in the Dogberry paper, Hyrum Smith and Oliver Cowdery, who had charge of the printing of the book, earnestly protested against him publishing the manuscript, but Dogberry defied them and abused them, using vile language and dared them to fight. As they had no legal authority to stop him from publishing the manuscript, it became necessary to send to Harmony, Pa., for Joseph Smith, Jr., who held the copyright, to come to Palmyra and officially injunction Dogberry from publishing it. In the meantime, Dogberry continued his articles. I quote from his paper January 2nd -- "We do not intend at this time to discuss the merits or demerits of this work, and feel astonished that some of our neighbors, who profess liberal principles, and are quite as ignorant on the subject as we are, should give themselves quite so much uneasiness about matters that so little concern them. THE BOOK, when it shall come before the public, must stand or fall, according to the whims and fancies of its readers. How it will stand the test of rigid criticism, we are not prepared to say. not having as yet examined many of its pages. We are, however, 66 prepared to state, that from a part of the first chapter now before us, and which we this day publish, we cannot discover anything treasonable, or which will have a tendency to subvert our liberties. As to its religious character, we have, as yet no means of determining, and if we had, we would be quite loath to meddle with the tender consciences of our readers."Also from the next edition "We inadvertently neglected in our remarks last week, respecting this wonderful work, to accompany them with the explanations requisite to a correct understanding of it. The appellation 'Gold Bible' is only a cant cognomen that has been given it by the unbelievers, for, be it known, the book, as well as the sacred volume (Bible) which is held so valuable by all good Christians, is not without its revilers and unbelievers, by way of derision. The true title of the work, it appears, from the copyright, is the 'Book of Mormon' comprising a great number of books, or parts, by different primary authors, all of which are divided into chapters. The first is "The First Book of Nephi,' of which we gave an extract in our last, and is continued in the present number of our paper. The whole purports to be a compilation in ancient hieroglyphics on plates of gold by one chosen of the lost tribes, whose name was MORMON." JOSEPH SMITH SERVES INJUNCTION After Joseph Smith arrived from Harmony, Pa., and officially injunctioned Dogberry from printing the Book of Mormon contents, he became more venomous in his attacks on the "Gold Bible" and the Smith family. I quote briefly from his paper, April 19, 1830 -- "Please advise Hyrum Smith, and some of his ill-bred associates, not to be quite so impertinent, when decent folks denounce the imposition of the 'Gold Bible.' The anathemas of such ignorant wretches, altho not feared, are not quite so well relished by some people. Apostles should keep cool." Again -- "Now the rest of the acts of the magician, how his mantle fell upon the prophet Joe Smith, Jun., and how he made a league with the spirit who afterwards turned out to be an angel, and how he obtained the 'Gold Bible' spectacles, and breast-plate will they not be faithfully recorded in the book Punki?"Dogberry continued with his vitriolic darts, during the brief existence of his paper, ending his tirade against Joseph Smith and 67 the Book of Mormon, with six special articles which are too lengthy to use in this series of articles. Suffice it to say that although Dogberry had a decidedly unsavory reputation in the community, yet I am inclined to believe that, as a result of his continuous attacks in practically every issue of his paper over the period of a year, the people of the community were unconsciously influenced against the Smith family and the Book of Mormon before it came off the press. At any rate, churches, civic and other village organizations, passed resolutions against buying the book or even accepting it as a gift. It was not only boycotted but condemned, tried and sentenced by the sentiment of the villagers before it was born.On March 19, 1830, the following notice appeared in the "Wayne Sentinel:" "We are requested to announce that the 'Book of Mormon" will be ready for sale in the course of next week." The following week, March 26th, under the heading, "THE BOOK OF MORMON," was published the title page of the Book of Mormon, followed by the announcement: "The above work, containing about 600 pages, large duodecimo, is now for sale, wholesale and retail, at the Palmyra Bookstore, by E. B. Grandin." MARTIN HARRIS MORTGAGES FARM Martin Harris mortgaged his two hundred forty acre farm to E. B. Grandin for $3,000.00 to guarantee payment for printing 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, expecting that the book would find ready sale, and that he would have no trouble in paying off the mortgage, which would fall due in eighteen months. But owing to the boycott placed on the book, it became necessary to sell one hundred fifty acres to meet the mortgage. I quote from "Wayne Sentinel" -- "Harris, having separated from his wife on account of his halucinations, the property, one of the best in town, was divided, by eighty acres being deeded to his wife, and Harris retaining about two hundred forty acres, and upon this portion only was the mortgage given. One hundred fifty acres of this farm was sold at private sale in 1831, to Thomas Lakey to pay off the mortgage."AGREEMENT "Articles of agreement made and concluded this first day of April, in the year 1831, between Martin Harris of the first part, and Thomas Lakey of the second part, both of Palmyra, in the68 County of Wayne, and the State of New York, in the manner and form following:"The said Martin Harris, for the consideration hereinafter mentioned, agrees to sell to the said Thomas Lakey the farm on which he now resides, containing by estimation, one hundred and fifty acres, for the sum of twenty dollars for each acre, and, forthwith to obtain a correct survey of said premises, and give a good warranty deed of same, and give immediate possession of everything. Always excepting and reserving the privilege of living in the house till the first of May next. The said Thomas Lakey is to have all the wheat on the ground except ten acres sown by Mr. Dyke, and the one-half of the said ten acres shall belong to the said Thomas Lakey after the said Dyke shall harvest the same and shock it up in the field. "In consideration whereof, the said homas Lakey agrees to pay to the said Martin Harris, one third of the purchase money on the first day of next May, and one third in he month of October next, and the remaining one third in the month of October in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-two. In consideration whereof the parties bind themselves in the penal sum of five hundred dollars, being damages assessed and agreed upon by the parties. In witness whereof, the parties have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written." MARTIN HARRIS, L. S. THOMAS LAKEY, L. S. 69 near the Whitmer farm in Fayette, N. Y., and still others in Seneca Lake about four miles from the Whitmer farm. Among the early converts from Palmyra were: Oliver Cowdery, Samuel Lawrence, Martin Harris, Preserved Harris, Peter Ingersoll, Charles Ford, George and Dolly Proper; From Macedon: Ziba Peterson and Calvin Stoddard and wife; From Brighton: Ezra Thayer; From Pultneyville: Lee Walters; From Phelps: Hiram Page; From Manchester: Orin P. Rockwell and wife Caroline, Gad Stafford and his brother, and members of the Smith family. About twenty people had been baptized, when word was quietly passed around inviting those who had been baptized, and others, who were in sympathy with the movement, to meet at the Peter Whitmer home in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, on Tuesday, April 6, 1830, for the purpose of organizing a church.In conformity with previous arrangements the Prophet Joseph, after calling the meeting to order and conducting a brief devotional service, told the members present that he had been commanded of the Lord to organize a church, which church should be called by His name, "The Church of Jesus Christ." After giving a summary of the different heavenly manifestations and the conferring of the Holy Priesthood, with the keys of Apostleship and authority to officiate in Christ's name, he called upon the members present to freely express themselves as to whether or not they were willing to accept himself and Oliver Cowdery as their spiritual teachers and be organized as a church. The proposition was unanimously accepted, whereupon Joseph laid his hands upon Oliver Cowdery and ordained him an elder in the Church of Jesus Christ, after which Oliver, in like manner, ordained Joseph Smith to the same office. It was explained that those who are called to positions of responsibility were sustained by vote, or common consent, of those over whom they preside, and should have the confidence, faith and prayers of the "body, or Church, of Christ." CHURCH ORGANIZED In order to comply with the laws of the State of New York, the church was organized with a membership of six persons. The six original members were as follows: Joseph Smith, Jr., Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Peter Whitmer, Jr., Samuel H. Smith70 and David Whitmer. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the members present, after which they were confirmed members of the church and had the Holy Ghost conferred upon them by Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery, who previously had the Melchesidek Priesthood conferred upon them, and been ordained to the office of an elder in that priesthood.The spirit of the Lord was manifest among them and there was joy and rejoicing. The spirit of missionary work seemed to take possession of the little group and each member felt it his duty to warn his neighbor. Some were ordained to different offices in the priesthood and the duties of these offices explained to them. It was also decided to meet in conference at the same place on June 1st, to hear reports from those who had been assigned to special missionary work, and to further organize for the dissemination of the gospel message. In referring to this "American Church," the poet and historian Whitney, says: "Thus was founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thus arose, as a system, what the world calls 'Mormonism,' universally regarded as the most remarkable religious movement of modern times, detested and denounced throughout Christendom as a dangerous and soul-destroying imposture, but revered and defended by its disciples as the wonderful work of the Almighty, the veritable 'marvelous work and a wonder' foretold by Isaiah and other ancient prophets and seers, which was to prepare the world, 'by preaching the restored gospel and the founding of Latter-day Zion, for Messiah's second coming and the advent of the Millenium." A meeting was held at the Peter Whitmer home April 11th, at which time Oliver Cowdery preached the first public discourse of this new gospel dispensation. Six new members were added to the church this day by baptism and confirmation. On April 18th, a similar meeting was held at which seven new members were added to the fold. During the latter part of April, Joseph and Oliver returned to Joseph's home at Harmony. They were soon visited by Joseph Knight of Colesville, N. Y., to invite them to hold cottage meetings at his house. The invitation was readily accepted and Joseph and Oliver returned with him to Colesville, where they held meetings, as well as at other points in Broome County. Here they made many new friends and baptized a score 71 or more of new converts. In fact, it was at Colesville that the first branch of the church was organized.JOSEPH SMITH ARRESTED It was necessary for Joseph and Oliver to hasten to Fayette to be present, and take charge, of the first church conference which had been set for June 1st. About thirty members were present, besides quite a number of visitors and investigators. A number of the brethren spoke on the first principles of the restored gospel, and thirteen new members were added to the church. Joseph and Oliver returned to Colesville and Harmony and were surprised to learn that Satan had been exceedingly busy during their absence and had stirred up strong opposition. The enemy had organized and Joseph was soon served with a warrant on a trumped-up charge that he had made claims to receiving "new revelation direct from God." When the charge against him in Chenango County failed on the grounds of "no cause for complaint," he was immediately served with a warrant from Broome County, which ended in like manner. Even Joseph's father-in-law, Isaac Hale, had become prejudiced and sided with the rabble. It became necessary for Joseph and his wife to go to Fayette, N. Y., and make their home with the big-hearted Dutch farmer, Peter Whitmer.When Joseph Smith was arrested in Broome County, his friends secured the services of Mr. Davidson and Mr. Reed, two local lawyers, both non-Mormons, to defend him. As an account of the trial never reached the court records, we are somewhat dependent on a public speech made by Mr. Reed thirteen years later, from which I shall quote very briefly "The prosecutors employed the best counsel they could get, and ransacked the County of Chenango for witnesses that would swear hard enough to convict the prisoner: but they entirely failed. Yes, sir, let me say that not one blemish nor spot was found against his character, and he came from that trial, notwithstanding the mighty efforts that were made to convict him of crime by his vigilant persecutors, with his character unstained by even the appearance of guilt. The trial closed at 12.00 o'clock at night. The court pronounced the words 'Not guilty.' But alas! the devil, not satisfied with his defeat, stirred up a man not unlike himself, who was more fit to 72 dwell among the fiends of hell than to belong to the human family, to go to Colesville and get another writ, and take him to Broome County for another trial. So in half an hour after he was discharged by the court, he was arrested again and on the way to Colesville for another trial. I was again called upon by his friends to defend him against his malignant persecutors, and clear him from the false charges they had preferred against him. As I had been up nearly the whole of two days and two nights I tried to beg off; and here let me say, Mr. Chairman, singular as it may seem, while Mr. Knight was pleading with me to go, a peculiar impression or thought struck my mind, that I should go and defend him, for he was the Lord's anointed. * * * The next morning the court was organized. The prisoner was to be tried by three justices of the peace, that his departure out of the county might be sure. They employed the ablest lawyer in the county, and introduced twenty or thirty witnesses before dark, but proved nothing. They then sent out runners and ransacked the hills and vales, grog shops and ditches, and gathered together a company that looked as if they had come from hell and had been whipped by the soot boy thereof. These they brought forth to testify one after another, but nothing was proven against Joseph Smith. They got through with the examination of the witnesses about two o'clock in the morning, and the case was argued about two hours. * * * Like the three Hebrews cast into the fiery furnace, he came out of that trial without the smell of smoke on his garments. * * * The court arraigned the prisoner and said, 'Mr. Smith, we have had your case under consideration, examined the testimony and find nothing to condemn you, and therefore you are discharged.' This was not unlike the Apostle Paul's hearing before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, 'We find nothing in him worthy of bonds or death.'"Mr. Reed was a man of Christian qualities, a member of the Presbyterian Church. He believed in justice and was anxious to see it meted out to his fellowmen, regardless of their religious affiliations. Whether for professional reasons or otherwise, Mr. Reed never joined the "Mormon" Church. PARLEY P. PRATT ARRIVES ON SCENE During the month of August, 1830, a young man twenty-three years of age, stepped off an Erie Canal boat at Newark, N. Y., who73 was destined to become a pillar in the then infant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This young man's name was Parley P. Pratt, born in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., moving while yet in his teens to Oswego, N. Y., and still later to Mentor, near Kirtland, Ohio. He was a disciple of Alexander Campbell, who organized the "Sect of the Disciples," later changing the name to the "Christian Church." Mr. Pratt had become an ardent Bible student, and placed rather a liberal interpretation on the scriptures. He accepted most of Mr. Campbell's teachings, but could not satisfy his mind as to where he got his authority to organize a church and officiate in the ordinances of Christ's Gospel. He reasoned that "Paul I know and Peter I know," but who is Alexander Campbell? Mr. Pratt made a close study of the Bible and felt an urge to acquaint others with the teachings of the Master. He talked the matter over with his wife and they decided to sell their home at Mentor and go to Canaan and devote all of his time to preaching. They arranged for fare over the Erie Canal, but, as they passed through Palmyra, Mr. Pratt was impressed that he should begin his labors as a preacher in this region, and, accordingly when they got to Newark, he got off the boat, bidding his wife goodbye, and she continued on her way to Canaan, N. Y.Parley P. Pratt got off the boat early in the morning and walked ten miles into the country where he took breakfast with a Mr. Wells. He introduced himself as a preacher and proposed preaching in the neighborhood that evening. Mr. Wells took kindly to the suggestion and accompanied Mr. Pratt throughout the neighborhood to notify the farmers. While going the rounds, they called on an old Baptist deacon, who after hearing of their appointment for a meeting, began to tell them of a VERY, VERY STRANGE BOOK that he had but recently purchased. He said it was purported to have originally been written on plates of gold but was translated by a young man living near Palmyra, N. Y. He invited Mr. Pratt to call on him next day and he would let him read it. Mr. Pratt called and saw, for the first time, the "BOOK OF MORMON," which tells of the antiquities of the "New World," reaching back into the distant past. He became intensely interested in the book. After reading a dozen or more chapters, he set out to interview Joseph Smith. He walked to Palmyra and was directed to the Smith farm two miles south. On arriving at 74 the Smith home, he was informed that Joseph was in Harmony, Pa., but Hyrum took him in tow and they spent most of the night reading the book and discussing all the happenings leading up to its translation and pUblication.Hyrum Smith accompanied Mr. Pratt to the Whitmer home in Seneca County, where they met with a hearty welcome by the Whitmer family and other members there. Next day Parley P. Pratt was baptized in Seneca Lake by Oliver Cowdery. That evening a meeting was held at the Whitmer home, at which time Parley P. Pratt was confirmed a member. He was also ordained to the office of an elder in the church. The following Sabbath a meeting was held at the home of a Mr. Borroughs, and Elder Pratt preached a powerful sermon to a house full of interested listeners. At the close of the meeting four men applied for baptism and were baptized the following day. Parley P. Pratt became a very active worker in the new church at once, and, taking leave from the members at Fayette, he hastened to take the glad news to his wife and folks at Canaan. Filled with enthusiasm, he related his experience to his folks. They became much interested and he converted and baptized his younger brother, Orson Pratt, then 19 years old, who afterwards became a mighty and sturdy pillar in the new church. Orson became saturated with the spirit of missionary work and wanted to go to Palmyra with his brother, Parley, but was persuaded to remain with the family for a season. Joseph Smith had returned from Harmony, Pa., to his father's home, and extended a hearty welcome to Elder Pratt. A very warm friendship grew up between them. A general call had been sent out to the scattered members to meet in conference at the Peter Whitmer home in Seneca County on September 1st, and Elder Pratt accompanied Joseph and Hyrum to this conference. A goodly number of Saints, as they were now called, were present. As the church was still in its infancy, and as the members were taken from various denominations, they were not, as yet, thoroughly seasoned in the gospel plan, as it had but recently been restored to earth. At this conference, things pertaining to doctrines and church organization were explained and the members strengthened in their faith. Opposition had become so aggressive that Joseph had to be secreted away from Chenango and Broome Counties, to escape the 75 violence of a mob numbering about 300 men, who had gathered, pledging themselves to rid the country of Joseph Smith, Jr., whom they looked upon as a disturbing element in their community. It has been the policy of the Latter-Day Saints from the beginning of the church to locate in communities. This enables them to live and help their neighbors to live, to be helpful and assist each other, to become strong as a unit through mutual interest in solving everyday problems, and working co-operatively. And at this conference held September 26, 1830, four men were called to journey westward to select a gathering place for the Latter-Day Saints. Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, Jr., and Ziba Peterson were selected for the work and were set apart as missionaries and instructed to journey leisurely and do missionary work enroute, preaching to the native Indians, as well as to white people. They began their westward journey on foot, stopping to preach to the Cattaraugus [sic - Seneca?] Indians near Buffalo, and presented them with copies of the Book of Mormon which contains a history of their forefathers. They now proceeded to Mentor, Elder Pratt's old home town, where they met Sidney Rigdon, Elder Pratt's former pastor, when he was associated with the Campbellite Church. After explaining the circumstances leading up to the discovery of new truths, they were granted the privilege of holding a meeting in Rev. Rigdon's church. A large congregation greeted them and many were favorably impressed, including Mr. Rigdon. In less than three weeks they baptized 127 souls, including many of the more prominent citizens. This number was soon increased to over 1,000 in and around Kirtland, Ohio. After ordaining a number of their brethren to the priesthood, including Sidney Rigdon, to carry on the work locally, these missionaries continued their journey to the western frontier in the State of Missouri.SIDNEY RIGDON ARRIVES A little later in the Fall of 1830, Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge of Kirtland, Ohio, journeyed to Fayette, N. Y., to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith personally. About this time also, Orson Pratt, brother of Parley P. Pratt, came from Canaan, N. Y., to see if he could be of service in assisting Joseph Smith. These three men afterwards became stalwart men in the early rise of the church. After a prayerful council with those holding the priesthood,76 it was decided that they should all migrate to Kirtland, Ohio, and make that the first gathering place for the persecuted Saints, which should be a resting place away from the intolerant turmoil, until a permanent, central place could be selected. A conference was called for January 2nd, 1831, at which time the church was strengthened, and the question of their migration to Ohio freely discussed. It was advised that the members sell their property as soon as possible. It was also advised that Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma, go with Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, to effect a more perfect organization at Kirtland and prepare for those who should follow from New York State. They arrived in Kirtland February 1, 1831, where Joseph was kindly received and entertained by the members of the church. He made his home temporarily with Newel K. Whitney. During the following May and June the Saints from New York began to arrive in Ohio and settled in and near Kirtland.We have now followed the Joseph Smith family during its somewhat chequered career from the time they arrived in Palmyra in 1816, to their departure for Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831. A few parting shots from local historians might not be out of place here. I quote briefly from the "History of Waterloo" -- "Mormon Joe came to Fayette about 1830. He made his headquarters at the farm house of Peter Whitmer, three miles southwest of the village. * * * It was there where Joe Smith disclosed the golden plates and their divinity, which, he claimed, he unearthed on a hill near Manchester, N. Y., and it was at the Whitmers' where he received and promulgated the 'revelation' for establishing the church and where he also effected its organization. "For several weeks following his arrival, he was shut up in an upper chamber of the Whitmer house for hours at a time, translating the characters engraved on the plates which he called 'reformed Egyptian.' With two bright, clean stones in his hands -- stones such as might have been picked up on any beach -- he sat intently gazing upon them and, from time to time uttering in baritone sentences, which were written down by a companion named Oliver Cowdery. * * * Smith called the two stones he used his 'divine optical instruments.' He said they had a spiritual reflection from the plates. * * * Neighbors came in from time to time but were never allowed to see the golden plates. * * * Converts 77 were taken one at a time, as each professed the faith, and were baptized in Thomas Creek, a small stream flowing nearby."From the "History of Seneca County "Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet, was at one time a resident of Fayette. Hon. D. S. Kendig, who furnished the writer the information, remembers him well. He worked as a day laborer for Colonel Jacob Chamberlain, and others, when not engaged with his mineral rods digging for gold in various places. * * * On one occasion he happened to strike the 'Golden Bible,' as he averred, near Palmyra, Wayne County. This Bible he brought to the house of an honest old Dutch farmer, named Whitmer, living in Fayette, and there translated it, and by the aid of one Oliver Cowdery, wrote the Mormon Bible, or a portion of it, which was afterwards printed. This was about the year 1829 or 1830. In 1831 he left Fayette, and numerous converts went with him, among them were the Whitmers, the Jolley family and others. The people hereabouts were not sorry to be rid of them." From the "History of Ontario County" by Charles F. Millikin. "Mormonism, which has become one of the greatest national evils, originated in the town of Manchester, and in turn has given to Manchester a national renown. Joseph Smith, the first Mormon prophet and founder of Mormonism, was born in Sharon, Vt. * * * In 1818 they squatted on a piece of land on Stafford Road, in the northwestern corner of Manchester. "Their neighbors regarded them as a shiftless and untrustworthy family. They were visionary and superstitious and were always digging for hidden treasure. * * * Their favorite place for digging came to be on 'Mormon Hill,' often called 'Gold Bible Hill.' * * * Joe possessed even less than ordinary intellect, and among the boys, was always the butt of their ridicule and jokes, which have become local history. * * * He was not only lazy and indolent, but also intemperate, and his word was not to be depended upon, and we are truly glad to dispense with their society." From "Rochester Daily Advertiser" dated April 2, 1830 --
"BLASPHEMY 'BOOK OF MORMON'
78 and credulity, shocking to Christian and moralist. The 'author and proprietor' is Joseph Smith, Jr., a fellow who, by some hokus pokus, acquired such influence over a wealthy farmer of Wayne County, that the latter mortgaged his home for $3,000.00 which he paid for printing and binding 5,000 copies of the blasphemous work. The volume consists of about 600 pages, and is divided into books of Nephi, of Jacob, of Mosiah, of Alma, of Mormon, of Ether and Helaman. Copyright secured. The style of the work may be conjectured from the 'preface' and 'testimonials' which are subjoined."From the "History of Broome County" -- "It is interesting to note that this town (Colesville) can truthfully boast (?) of being the field where the redoubtable Joe Smith, leader and promulgator of the Mormon faith in its infancy, began his ministrations to a benighted world. * * * Joe Smith came from Vermont when a boy and settled near Palmyra, N. Y. After he came here later as a saintly prophet, his particular field of labor was a little east of Ninevah, near where Joseph Knight had a carding mill, about two miles above Centre Village. Knight was among the early converts to the new religion and went away with the sanctified." From the "Salem Gazette," dated Marietta, Ohio, November 16, 1831 "You are sensible how celebrated has become Western New York and the adjacent country of Ohio, for their sects, their narratives, their fanaticism, religion, political and anti-Masonic. Their conceits are wild to the very farthest bounds of imagination, wild in invention and singularly successful in carrying into effect their solemn fooleries. You have heard of the Mormonites. The newspapers have given detailed accounts of these fanatics, but perhaps their origin is so well known. Mormonism is the fruit of religious excitement in this quarter, combined with roguery, ingenuity and ignorance, frequently operating successfully on those who ought to know better. The inventors of this species of fanaticism, are very simple personages, and were unknown until thus brought into notice. They are old and young Joe Smith, one Harris, a farmer, all of New York, and one Rigdon, a sort of preacher from Ohio, with several other infatuated, cunning hypocrites. Old Joe was once a peddler, and possessed all that cunning shrewdness and small intrigue characteristic of that description of persons." |
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79 From "Broome County Courier," December 29, 1831 "These excavations are still to be seen in many places. The diggers continued their labors until at length one of the party, tired of a laborious and unsuccessful search, spoke of a person in Ohio, near Painesville, on Lake Erie, who had a wonderful facility in finding the spot where money was to be found. 'Can we get that man here?' asked the infatuated Smiths. 'I guess as how we can by going after him, and if I had a little change for expenses, I would go myself,' The desired change was soon forthcoming and the famous money dreamer, Rigdon of Ohio, made his appearance. He had been a preacher of various religions, and a teacher of almost all kinds of morals. He was experienced in all sorts of camp meetings, anxious meetings and revivals, or four day meetings. He knew every turn of the human mind, relative to these matters. He had considerable talent and great plausibility. He partly united with the money diggers in making an excavation in what has since been called the 'Gold Bible Hill.' In such times and under such circumstances was born the Mormon religion."In this age of wonders, the cunning ex-preacher, Sidney Rigdon, from Ohio suggested to the money diggers to turn their digging concern into a religious plot. It was, therefore, given out that a vision had appeared to Joe Smith, that there was deposited in the hill I have mentioned, an iron chest containing Golden Plates on which was engraved the 'Book of Mormon.' " It will be observed by these brief quotations from a rather lengthy article that appeared in the "Broome County Courier" in 1831, that the original writers in bringing Sidney Rigdon into the Mormon movement, did not connect him with the Solomon Spaulding story, but was instrumental in changing the "treasure seeking" and "gold digging" scheme into a "religious plot," which was more in his line. The Spaulding story was a later thought. But in order that the reader may know that Sidney Rigdon had absolutely nothing to do with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and that he did not even see a copy of the book for more than six months after it came off the press, I quote from a statement during a conversation with his son -- "My son, I can swear before high heaven that what I have told you about the origin of that book is true. Your mother and sister, Mrs. Athalia Robinson, were present when that book was handed to me in Mentor, Ohio, 80 and all I ever knew about the origin was what Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith and the witnesses, who claim they saw the plates have told me, and, in all my intimacy with Joseph Smith, he never told me but one story, and that was that he found it engraved upon gold plates in a hill near Palmyra, New York, and that an angel had appeared to him and directed him where to find it. I have never, to you nor anyone else, told but the one story, and that 1 now repeat to you: Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and the world will find it out some day."I shall here quote a few of the many varying opinions of early non-Mormon writers. From the "Christian Reflector" -- "He lived for fourteen years amid vindictive enemies who never missed an opportunity to vilify, to harass, and to destroy him; and he died at last an untimely and miserable death involving in his fate a brother, to whom he was tenderly attached. If anything can tend to encourage the supposition that Joseph was a sincere enthusiast, maddened with religious frenzies, as many have been before and will be after him and that he had a strong and invincible faith in his own high pretensions and divine mission, it is the probability that, unless supported by such strong feelings, he would have renounced the unprofitable and ungrateful task, and sought refuge from persecution and misery in private life and honorable industry. But whether knave or lunatic, whether a liar or a true man, it cannot be denied that he was one of the most extraordinary persons of his time, a man of rude genius, who accomplished a much greater work than he knew, and whose name, whatever he may have been whilst living, will take its place among the notabilities of the world. * * * Joseph Smith murdered was a greater prophet than Joseph Smith alive." From the "New York Herald," [Feb. 19] 1842 -- "Joseph Smith, the president of the church, prophet, seer and revelator, is thirty-six years of age, six feet high in his pumps, weighing two hundred twelve pounds. He is a man of the highest talent and great independence of character, firm in his integrity, and devoted to his religion. * * * As a public speaker he is bold, powerful and convincing; as a leader, wise and prudent, yet fearless; as a military commander, brave and determined; as a citizen, worthy, affable,and kind, bland in his manners, and noble in bearing." From the "Salem Advertiser," Massachusetts, [May] 1843. A 81 reporter visits Nauvoo, Ill., and writes -- "I passed on into the more active parts of the city, looking into every street and lane to observe all that was passing. I found all the people engaged in some useful employment. The place was alive with business much more so than any place I had visited since the hard times commenced. I sought in vain for anything that bore the marks of immorality, but was both astonished and highly pleased with my ill success. I could see no loungers about the streets nor any drunkards about the taverns. I did not meet with those distorted features of the ruffians, or with the ill-bred and impudent. I heard not an oath in the place, I saw not a gloomy countenance. All were cheerful, polite and industrious."Again -- "Various are the opinions of men concerning this singular person, (Joseph Smith). But whatever may be the views of any in reference to his principles, objects, or moral character, all agree that he was one of the most remarkable men of the age." From the "Edinburgh Review," England -- "These converts were mostly from the Eastern states, and seem to have been, in habits and character, superior to the common run of squatters. Colonel Kane, who visited them at a later period, contrasts them favorably as 'persons of refined and cleanly habits and decent language,' with other border inhabitants of Missouri the vile scum which our society, like the great ocean, washes upon its shores." On January 19, 1829, Josiah Quincy was appointed president of Harvard University by the Board of Overseers, and in 1845-49, was mayor of Boston, Mass. I quote briefly from his work, "Figures of the Past" -- "It is by no means impossible that some future text book, for the use of generations yet unborn, will contain a question something like this: What historical American of the 19th century has exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of his countrymen? It is by no means impossible that the answer to that interrogatory may be thus written -- Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet. And the reply, absurd as it doubtless seems to most men now living, may be an obvious commonplace to their decendants. History deals in surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as this. A man who had established a religion in this age of free debate, who was, and is today, accepted by hundreds and thousands as a direct emissary from the Most High, such a human being is not to be disposed of by pelting his 82 memory by unsavory epithets. Fanatic, imposter, charlatan he may have been; but these hard names furnish no solution to the problem he presents to us. Fanatics and imposters are living and dying every day, and their memory is buried with them; but the wonderful influence this founder of religion exerted, and still exerts, throws him in relief before us, not as a rogue to be criminated, but as a phenomenon to be explained."Again from the same author "Born in the lowest ranks of poverty, without book learning, and with the homeliest of all human names, he had made of himself, at the age of thirty-eight, a power upon the earth. Of the multitudinous family of Smith, none had so won human hearts and shaped human lives as this Joseph. His influence, whether for good or evil, is potent today and the end is not yet. If the reader does not know what to make of Joseph Smith, I cannot help him out of the difficulty. I myself stand helpless before the puzzle." From "History of Susquehanna County" -- "Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet 'A madman, or a fool, hath ever set the world agog.' It is a fact, of which we are not particularly proud, that Susquehanna County harbored such a madman as Joe Smith at the period during which he was engaged in the complication, or rather the translation, of the Book of Mormon." Joseph Smith said: "I am a rough stone. The sound of the hammer and chisel were never heard on me until the Lord took me in hand. I desire the learning and wisdom of heaven alone." And thus I might continue quotations from scores of writers, but were I to continue, this series of articles would be too lengthy. I have selected a few gathered from widely scattered sources. During Joseph Smith's fourteen years ministry he had been arrested, tried and acquitted two score times. He was accused of practically every crime on the calendar, including arson, murder and treason. Joseph and some of his brethren were court-martialed and sentenced to be shot at eight o'clock the following morning, but General Doniphan, whose duty it was to carry the order into effect, protested in the name of humanity and refused to carry out the sentence. Joseph Smith was imprisoned, tarred and feathered, mobbed and suffered every ignominy that could be heaped against him. Some were beginning to think he possessed a charmed life, 83 but Joseph disabused their minds as follows: "Some have thought that 'Brother Joseph' could not die, but this is a mistake. It is true that there have been times when I have had the promise of my life to accomplish such and such things, but, having now accomplished those things, I have not at present any lease on my life, I am as liable to die as other men."Again "I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction, and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our perseeutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease; and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities, and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, but I shall not live to see it fulfilled." On another occasion he said: "I feel it to be my duty and privilege to obtain what influence and power I can lawfully in the United States, for the protection of injured innocence, and, if I lose my life in a good cause, I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue, righteousness and truth, in maintaining the laws and constitution of the United States, if need be for the general good of mankind." To those who are familiar with the New Testament, the treatment meted out to Joseph Smith and the Latter-Day Saints, will have a familiar ring. It was the first citizens of Jerusalem, the devout Pharisees and Sadduces who "accused Jesus of Nazareth of many things." They called him a "madman, a man that hath a devil, a wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and sinners, a desecrator of the Sabbath, a blasphemer, a stirrer-up of sedition, etc." The super-devout Pharisees and other devout people said, "If we let this man go, the whole world will believe on him." So they hustled him before the council (Sanhedrin) then before Annas, then before Caiaphas, then before Pilate, then before Herod Antipas, then back to Pilate. His accusers "subborned witnesses of the baser sort, to swear falsely against him." The last charge brought against Jesus was treason against the Roman government. He was crucified by Roman soldiers. Joseph Smith was accused of being "a loungeI', an idler, a fraud, a money digger, a smoke-house and hen-house purloiner, a 84 sheep thief, a teacher of false religion, a deceiver, a drunkard, a false prophet, a stirrer-up of sedition, treason, etc." The last charge against him was treason, and while incarcerated in jail at Carthage, Ill., under the pledged protection of Governor Ford, he and his brother Hyrum, were shot to death by a mob with blackened faces, assisted by members of the state militia. The last word that went out was, "If the law can't get him, powder and ball can." He was martyred June 27, 1844.The following is a letter written by Thomas Ford, governor of the State of Illinois, to the editor of the "Warsaw Signal" -- "Carthage, June 24, 1844. Dear Sir: Some misunderstanding between the constable and the persons accused in Nauvoo, as to the time of departure, caused the constable to return yesterday without the prisoners. In the evening four of the prisoners came in and surrendered themselves. The request was made for another escort for Smith, and the others accused, for tomorrow, which, upon due consideration was refused. LOOKS LIKE A FRAME-UP "Early this morning I despatched Captain Dunn with his troop, to demand the artillery and public arms in Nauvoo. On the prairie, four miles on the way to Nauvoo, Captain Dunn met Smith and the others coming out to Carthage. The order for arms was endorsed by Smith, who returned to Nauvoo to deliver the arms as requested. I am assured that the arms and artillery will be delivered, and that all persons required will return with Captain Dunn to this place.I am, most respectfully, &c Thomas Ford." A few hours later: "To the editor of the "Warsaw Signal," N. B. A large portion of the militia will be discharged this evening. I have the most satisfactory information that the Nauvoo Legion has been discharged, and that the Mormons from the country, assembled under arms in the city, have returned to their homes. Thomas Ford." Warsaw was the headquarters for the anti-Mormon agitation. And now that the governor had kept them posted as to the developments in Nauvoo, tipping it off to them that the Mormon 85 militia had been mustered out and disarmed, thus rendering them harmless, and that the people in the rurals, who had takan refuge in the city when trouble threatened, had returned to their homes, and Joseph and his companions had surrendered and were incarcerated in jail at Carthage, the stage was all set for the slaughter. While on the way to Carthage, Joseph Smlth remarked, I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as cool as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men. If they take my life, I shall die an innocent man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it shall yet be said of me 'He was murdered in cold blood.'"On June 27, 1844, mustered out militiamen of Warsaw and vicinity joined by citizens from the surrounding country, formed mob of between two and three hundred men, and marched toward Carthage, Hancock County, Ill. The mob halted in the woods about a mile from Carthage, where they built a fire to make some charcoal with which to blacken their faces as a disgUise, after which they began their trek to the jail. As they approached the jail, according to previous understanding, the small militia guard made a fake resistance, then joined "nth the mob and stormed the jail. Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were shot to death, receiving four balls each. John Taylor, one of thelr companions, was also shot four times, but survlVed to later become the third president of the church. I quote from a paper published at Springfield, Ill. -- "We have good reason to believe that Governor Ford is in possesslOn of all the facts in relation to the murder of the Smiths. He knows the names of the individuals concerned, to a great extent, and especially does he know the name of the leader. As that leader was a captain in the loco foco party, of course he was not to be arrested before the election. An immediate arrest would be a premature execution of his duty. It might have diverted votes from his party candidates whereas the scheme in operation was well designed to secure the votes of the anti-Mormons, as well as those of the Mormons. "We understand that the documents in the Governor's hands state these circumstances: that when it was learned at Warsaw that Joe and Hyrum Smith were in prison at Carthage, there was a draft among the anti-Mormon troops at Warsaw of every tenth 86 man; that -- was appointed captain; that they disguised themselves with charcoal and proceeded to the neighborhood of Carthage; that an arrangement was made by which they should ostensibly attack the guard at the jail, fire over their heads, seize them and then execute their purpose of killing the Smiths. The plan was fully carned out. The governor at this time, however is apparently too. much engaged in politics to give attention to thIS matter, and It WIll probably not be disturbed again until the near approach of another election.""The St. Louis Republican reports the scene by an eye witness -- "The murder was committed about six o'clock in the evening, by an aImed mob of about 200 men painted black and yellow who surrounded the jail, forced it, and poured a shower of bullets into the room where the men were confined. Each of the victims received four balls in the body, and John Taylor, editor of the Nauvoo Neighbor, was shot in four places, but not fatally injured. * * * Great excitement prevailed in the county of Hancock and had extended to many of the surrounding counties. A large number of the militia of several counties were under arms at Carthage, the headquarters of the commanding General Deming, and many other troops were under arms at Warsaw and at other places in the neighborhood. The governor was at headquarters m person for the purpose of seeing that the laws of the land were executed, and had pledged his own faith and the faith of the State of Illinois that the Smiths, and the other persons concerned with them, should be protected from personal violence, if they would surrender themselves to be dealt with according to law * * * Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were both arrested on the of treason against the State of Illinois. The affidavits upon which the wnts were issued were made by Henry Norton and Augustine. Spencer. * * * On Wednesday forenoon the governor, in company With one of his friends, visited the prisoners at the jail, and again assured them that they should be protected from violence and told them that if the troops mar ched the next day to Nauvoo, as His Excellency expected, they should be taken along, in order to. insure their personal safety. * * * On Thursday the 27th of June, a council of the e military officers was called by the governor, and It was decided to march to Nauvoo, with all the troops except one company Which would be selected by the governor, whose fidelity 87 could be depended on to guard the prisoners. On Thursday morning another consultation of officers took place, and the former order for marching the whole army to Nauvoo was countermanded. One company was ordered to accompany the governor to Nauvoo. The Carthage Greys, who had but two days before been under arrest for insulting the commanding general, and who had been more hostile to the prisoners than any other company, were selected to guard the prisoners *'" * xxx A guard of only eight men were stationed at the jail, while the rest of the Greys were in camp a half mile away, and while His Excellency was haranguing the peaceable citizens of Nauvoo, and asking them to give up all their arms, the assassins were murdering the prisoners in jail, whom the governor had pledged himself, and the faith of the state, to protect."GOVERNOR FORD MAKES ALIBI Conscience smitten because of his weak-kneed and questionable attempt in carrying out his pledge to protect the prisoners, Governor Ford issues the following statement "I desire to make a brief but true statement of the disgraceful affair at Carthage, in regard to the Smiths, so far as circumstances have come to my knowl edge. The Smiths, Joseph and Hyrum, have been assassinated in gaol, by whom it is not known, but will be ascertained. I pledged myself for their safety; and upon the assurance of that pledge, they surrender ed as prisoners. The Mormons surrendered the public arms in their possession, and the Nauvoo Legion submitted to the command of Captain Singleton, of Brown County, deputized for that purpose by me. All these things were required to satisfy the old citizens of Hancock that the Mormons were peaceably disposed, and to allay jealousy and excitement to their minds. It appears, however, that the compliance by the Mormons with every r equi s it ion made upon them, fa iled of that purpose. The pledge of security of the Smiths was not given upon my individual responsibility. Before I gave it, I obtained a pledge of honor by a unanimous vote from the officers and men under my command, to sustain me in performing it. If the assassination was committed by any portion of these men, they have added treachery to murder, and have none all they could to disgrace the state and sully the public honor."Governor Ford, fearing that the disarmed Mormons would 88 secure arms elsewhere, and rise en masse to revenge the death of the Smiths, issued the following to the militia: "Headquarters, .Quincy, June 29, 1844. It is ordered that the commandants of the regiments in the counties of Adams, Marquette, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, Morgan, Scott, Cass, Fulton and M'Donough, and regiments composing General Stapp's brigade, wiII call their respective regiments and battalions together immediately upon the r eceipt of this order, and proceed by voluntary enlistment to enroll as many men as can be armed in their respective regiments. They wiII make arrangements for a twelve days campaign, and will provide themselves with arms, ammunition and provisions, accordingly, and hold themselves in readiness immediately to march upon receipt of further orders. The independent companies of riflemen, infantry, cavalry and artillery, in the above named counties, and in the county of Sangamon, will hold themselves in readiness in like manner."Thomas Ford Governor and Commander-in-chief It is needless to state that the death of Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, was a great shock to the Mormon people. When the wagons conveying the bodies of the martyred brothers neared the city, they were met by a large concourse of citizens of Nauvoo, who formed in a procession. As the procession reached the Mansion House, the assembly was addressed by W. W. Phelps, a former resident of Canandaigua, N. Y., and other leading men, who counseled the people to remain peaceful and refrain from seeking vengeance. I quote from the "Times and Seasons" "And that vast assemblage, consisting of twelve thousand people, with one united voice, resolved to trust to the law for justice for such a high-handed assassination, and if that failed, to call upon God to avenge them of their wrongs. Oh, widows and orphans ! Oh! Americans, 'veep! The glory of freedom has departed." And thus did Joseph Smith, who was instrumental in launching what his enemies was pleased to call "our greatest national evil," meet his death courageously at t he hands of a fiendish mob with blackened faces, and it is needless to say that his murderers were never brought to justice. His persecutors, vi lifiers and his murderers have long since died and are forgotten, while the work Joseph Smith was instrumental in establishing, and directing for fourteen years, has become a national asset instead of a "menace." 89 rapidly increasing in numbers, vitality, strength and. power for good. It is like a beacon light, or a city set upon a hill that can be seen afar off. Because of its outstanding activltIes, it is attracting national and international attention. It is no longer spoken of an an unclean thing, but is recognIzed by clergy, educators and statesmen as a power fqr good, but I shall let others tell the story.MORMONS ACTIVE IN SCOUT WORK The Sixth National Training Conference of Scout Executives was held at French Lick, Ind., March 11 to 18, 1936. Heber J. Grant, president of the "Mormon" Church' received a letter off invitation from Dr. James E. West, chief executive and editor 0 "Boys Life" which reads in part as follows: "As we review the history of the Boy Scout movement, we find that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was the first to give its official endorsement to Scouting. As we reVIew the records of oUI local councils of the various church groups, we find that the Mormon group leads all others in the high percentage of Its boys and young men who have received Scout training. It is, therefore, most fitting and proper that the Mormon Church be represented in our convocation on Scouting in the churches, and I am writing you on behalf of the conference committee, to extend a cordlal invitation to you as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to speak in behalf of the Mormon Church and bring to our group, your appraisal of the value of Scouting in the magnificent program you have worked out for your boys and your young men."We would be pleased to have you indicate very clearly the close correlation between the program of your Scout Troops and Explorer Scouts, formerly Vanguards, with the program of the Aaronic Priesthood. You have gone further than any other church group in relating Scouting to the entire program of your church in its service to boys. We would like our group to have a clear picture of how completely this has worked out to our mutual satisfaction. "While you are indicating the church Scout executive relationship, we hope that you will also emphaSIze the great fundamental principles that undergird our national life and the spiritual motivation which is essential to good citizenship." 90 In introducing President Grant on this occasion, Dr. West spoke as follows: "Our first speaker this morning is President Heber J. Grant, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. * * * He looks to be a man of youth and vigor, but it may amaze many of you to know, that he is actually nearing his eightieth milestone. * * * I am sure it is in the heart of every man here to express gratitude to President Grant, indeed, to all of his associates, for the splendid cooperation that has been given almost from the very start of Scouting in America. Yes, I should like to go further. He has been so helpful and encouraging in the evidence of friendship and brotherhood that it has been a source of great joy and pleasure to work with him."This series of abbreviated articles will not admit of giving excerpts from President Grant's splendid talk, but I shall insert certain quotations from a patriotic platform adopted by the Mormon Church at a general conference of the church one hundred two years ago: "We believe that governments were instituted by God for the benefit of man; and that He holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society. "We believe that no government can exist in peace, except as such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual, the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property and protection of life. "We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its religious privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens denied." CONSTITUTION INSPIRED Again quoting from the teachings of Joseph Smith "The constitution of the United States is a glorious standard. It is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner. It is to all those, who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a weary and thirsty land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men from every clime can come and be shielded from the burning rays of the sun."Also from the "Articles of Faith" of the Mormon Church- 91 "We claim the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of our own consciences, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may.""We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law." "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. Indeed, we may say, we follow the admonition of Paul. We believe all things, we hope all things, we • have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report, we seek after these things." In fact, the Latter Day Saints believe in, and quite consistently practice, all that is good for man, and abstain from all that is injurious to man. The Mormon Church has provided a plan that gives our young people a balanced menu for the uniform development of the physical, mental, moral and spiritual. The writer of these articles has lived among non-Mormons largely for the past thirty-five years and has frequently observed, among other churches, the tendency to stuff, or cram religion into the youth of the church. If persisted in, this policy will result in religion souring on their stomaches. And if not properly diluted or varied with wholesome recreation and amusement, this will give them spiritual indigestion. But what of the future? Gamaliel, the great Jewish Rabbi and member of the Sanhedrin, gave the chief Jews who opposed Jesus so tenaciously, some wholesome advice which is worth passing on to this day: "If this work be of man, it will come to naught: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow It, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." Acts 5:38, 39. A TREE SHOULD BE JUDGED BY ITS FRUITS It is a serious thing to fight against God. If this thing commonly called Mormonism be of man, it will come to naught. But it is a fact that during the one hundred eight years of its existence, it has hurdled every obstacle that church after church, state after state, and even the national government could throw in its path to check the progress of this supposed "national evil," and it has shown no signs of disintegration; but to the contrary has continued to grow with leaps and bounds, gathering momentum, developing92 vitality and functioning stronger than ever before. Could a church, or any other organization, founded upon fraud, deception or a lie, continue to gather strength for more than a hundred years without being detected, or at least showing signs of decay? Has the socalled Mormon Church been guided all this time by his Satanic Majesty, the Devil, who was a "liar and a murderer from the beginning?" John 8:44.Or can it be just possible that Joseph Smith was the humble instrument in the hands of God, who uses the "weak and foolish things of the earth to confound the mighty and wise," to usher in another gospel dispensation even, "the dispensation of the fullness of times" (Eph. 1:10) during which there will be "a restitution of all things spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:21)? Isaiah speaks of a time when men would "draw near unto me with their mouths and with their lips do honor me while their hearts are far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precepts of men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." Isa. 29:13, 14. Have we not reached that status? Has not the world been without revelation from God for centuries, during which time we have been taught by man's wisdom? Has not this scientific age practically crowded Christianity off the stage? Joseph Smith boldly says, "I have seen a vision, 1 know that God knows it, and who am I that I can withstand God?" While the Apostle John was banished as a prisoner on the little isle of Patmos, in the Mediterranean Sea, nearly a hundred years A. D., he saw in vision a sort of panoramic picture of what would take place in the latter days, and among other things he saw was an angel bringing a gospel message to the earth. Here 1 quote from the Bible "And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." (Rev. 14:6). Note that it says THE everlasting gospel, not ONE of them. There can be but one everlasting gospel, and the angel should come at a time when THE GOSPEL in its fullness would not be on the earth. The next verse reads: "Saying 93 with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of God's judgment has come: and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea and the fountains of water." You will note that the angel was to come at a time when mankind no longer feared God and were worshipping something other than the God which "made heaven and earth, etc."Joseph Smith tells us, in a plain, simple manner, that an angel introducing himself as Moroni, who had once dwelt on this, the American continent, appeared to him in an upper room, his bedroom, and told him that there was a sacred record deposited in a hill not far from his father's farm, containing the "everlasting gospel" as taught by the resurrected Christ, to the people on this ' continent, and promised him that if he would prepare himself, he would be instrumental in bringing it forth to the inhabitants of the earth, and that his name would be "both good and evil spoken of among all people." Four years later, the record, (gold plates) with the Drim and Thummim, or "interpreters," were entrusted unto him for translation. The Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra during the winter of 1829-30. It has since been translated and published in eighteen languages, and translated into six other languages, but not yet printed. The people of Missouri and Illinois would have spared Joseph Smith's life, if he had denied new revelation from God, and the Latter-Day Saints would have been spared mob violence, and in many cases death, if they would but repudiate "Joe Smith and his pretended revelations." But Joseph Smith was not a "hireling" prophet. When the wolves gathered and viciously showed their teeth, he did not desert the flock and flee like the hireling, but laid down his life, while yet a young man, in defense of the flock. Jesus gives us a formula whereby we may recognize His duly appointed prophets. Again I quote from the Bible "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing. * * * Ye shall ,know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A GOOD TREE CANNOT BRING FORTH EVIL FRUIT, NEITHER CAN AN EVIL TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT. * * * Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matt. 7:15-20). If we are living in the latter days, when there is to be a 94 "restitution" of the gospel and all things "be gathered together in one, even in Christ," and, if Joseph Smith was the "weak thing of the earth," to usher it in, and, if the gospel tree planted by Joseph Smith, under the direction of heavenly messengers, has weathered the storms of unparalleled persecution for more than a hundred years and is still bringing forth wholesome, delicious fruit, even more abundantly year by year, then it has ever been nurtured by revelation from the Master, and all the powers of hell cannot prevail against it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter· Day Saints is built firmly upon the 'rock of revelation,' and will endure all kinds of weather. (Matt. 16:15-18).Note -- The writer of these articles has necessarily had to be brief to cover so much ground. He has gathered his data purposely from widely scattered sources, some avowed bitter enemies, others inclined to be impartial, while others inclined to be friendly. The majority of the quotations are from non-Mormon sources. [ image ] Palmyra as it is today, showing the north side of one of the business blocks on Main Street, looking west. The white business block with the white awning in the distance is where the Book of Mormon was printed. |
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From: Old Houses and Churches of Wayne County by Helen B. Gorman et al.
[ 119 ] Burgess "PAPERS" No. 11 There was a period, fifty and more years ago, when the divining rod had great potency, and witchery and ghosts were solemn realities to many very intelligent people. And as to Captain Kidd's buried treasure, who has not been made familiar with the ridiculous romance and fancies that title has conjured up from the "vasty deep?" This community [Arcadia Twp., Wayne Co.] has had its share in these superstitious vanities, as some who are yet living can testify. West of the Central depot, somewhere about the Hummeston farm was located a pot of hidden treasures; and some mysterious tramp was axxustomed to visit the spot. and search and dig for the buried wealth which he claimed by some incantation to have traced. The most notable episode of this kind however was located on the Thomas Brown place, a part of the farm now owned by Mr. Boscher. There came here a strange sort of codger -- a witch-hazel genius, who first proclaimed to the people that fabulous treasures were stored deep in the earth, at a certain point, and by peculiar magical skill could be unearthed and made to yield many an ample fortune. He carried enough of the people with him to make the hallucination last a considerable period, during which he shared the free hospitality of the neighbors, making it a good thing for him, if not for them. Search was made from time to time with commendable diligence, to bring to light the chest of gold. One man is said to be still living, and another died not long ago, who were zealous sharers in the fruitless search. It was thought that the chest was located in the orchard of Benjamin Fisk. * A force was organized and a place agreed upon as the probable location of the treasure, and digging began in good earnest. An excavation like a large well was made, only leaving a core a few feet across in the center. Under this the wonderful deposit was to be found in a box or chest. The digging was done by moonlight. After the excavation had reached a depth of twelve feet, the strategic point was reached. On a certain night when the moon was full, and at a certain hour of the night, the search was renewed. Five men went cautiously to the charmed spot. They felt at the bottom of the pit with their rods, and the test was satisfactory, assurance became doubly sure that fabulous fortunes that night were to be theirs. Levers were placed at different points about the hole, and when all was ready, __________ * Transcriber's note: Benjamin Fisk is listed as a head of a household in Arcadia township, in the 1830 federal census for Wayne Co., NY. His name was occasionally mentioned in the Lyons newspapers of the 1840s. For a roughly contemporary instance of money-digging in nearby Rose township, see pp. 411-41 in George W. Cowles' 1895 Landmarks of Wayne County, New York. [ 120 ] at the appointed moment, the men lifted tremendously at their supposed capture, when, horrors! the heavy chest sank into Plutonic regions beneath, a frightful explosion of infernal gasses took place; the air was filled with fumes and flames, and animals like panthers were seen on the bank. The core in a mass sank after the chest into the artesian regions, and the levers flew in every direction. The men were hurried out of the cavity, and one fell twenty-five feet away, and struck on his head. A doctor was brought to his relief, and in twenty-four hours he was well. This deadful disappointment ended the search for Captain Kidd's treasure, and it will probably never be renewed. The incident is one of many showing how ready is the human mind to toy with hobgobblins, and how easily people may be deceived. FIRE-DRAGONS AND FUMES There lived hereabouts a man by the name of McDowell, who was a son-in-law of Jacob Dolph, living eight miles north of Newark. He was a firm believer in marvelous occurrences, and an expert in tracing water, and money under the ground, by the manipulation of a stick. McDowell and others believed there was a treasure chest buried at a point north of here, on the shore of the lake [in Sodus twp.] The plot to secure this hidden booty was to have three mwn go in silence, in the night and hook into the top of the chest with steel rods. They went according to directions, and were just at the point of getting the treasure and bearing it away in triumph, when a row-boat came silently gliding close to the shore, containing three headless men. On its appearance the men at the chest were suddenly taken sick with vomiting; fire-dragons and fumes filled the air, and the chest instantly vanished.Jacob Dolph professed to have no faith in these strange apparitions; but he was [a] man greatly given to hunting in the forests, and on this occasion had secreted himself, from curiosity, in a thicket, near the exciting scene of operations; he testified afterward that while he was no believer in the nonsense yet he did see the three men without heads gliding along in the boat. Jacob Dolph was born 1778, and married Fanny Gardner in 1801. They came from Pennsylvania to this region. Edward Fisk has the Dolph Family Bible, which is over 100 years old....
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