W THE ANNALS OF BINGHAMTON AND OF THE COUNTRY CONNECTED WITH IT, FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT. BY J. B. WILKINSON. OPUS GRATUM POSTERITATI, BINGHAMTON : COOKE & DAVIS, PRINTERS. 1840. p I 7.-^ i\ I- t ^" ^'^'■ INTRODUCTION. For some number of years past it had been felt by some individuals of the place to be very desira- ble that, in some practicable and easy form, the most important incidents relating to the early set- tlement of the village should be preserved for the supposed satisfaction and utility of the rising and future generations. It was several times spoken^ of, and proposed to some of the earliest settlers, to make minutes of what they still remembered rela- tive to themselves and their compeers after they be- came identified with the settlement. In compliance, it is supposed, with such a request, many years ago Col. Rose made historical minutes to an important extent ; but unfortunately they were afterward lost, or, as it is believed, accidentally burnt ; so that nothing remained of them. In rela- tion to one important place within the section of country these Annals are designed to embrace, to wit : Elmira, Solomon Southwick, some few years since, wrote a pamphlet, entitled " Views of Elmira," in which he gives the first settlement of the neigh- borhood and the first laying out of that village, with the early stages of its progress. That which suggested the present enterprise, and which has resulted in the production of the following ( ^^K IV INTRODUCTION. history, was the reading of the httle vohime, entitled " The Chronicles of Cooperstown. " The rising and already extended importance of the village of Bing- hamton and the country connected with it ; the very insulated condition of the country and consequently of the early settlers ; and also the romantic interest connected with the valley of these rivers, in conse- quence of its having been, for many geneVations, the residence and passage-way of many important tribes of Indians, rendered it quite certain that its history would not be without interest even to the present generation. Again, it appeared important that it should be written while some, at least, of the oldest l^ettlers remained upon the stage, that testimony might be had immediately from them— from their own knowledge, and not from the uncertain sources of tradition. It appeared, also, in prosecuting ^e work, to be a natural course to take up the country with which Binghamton is now, or has been, more or less inti- mately connected ; that events might appear in the order of their time, and according to their connec- tion ; and because, also, the two mutually render each other the more interesting. In doing this, we have embraced several other villages whose early settlement and other interesting items in their histo- ry are given ; two especially of which fall but little short of our own village in point of population and other considerations of importance. The two great sources of information are, philo. sophy and history. And while the former addresses itself almost entirely to the understanding, the latter INTRODUCTION. V does to all the faculties and susceptibilities of the soul ; to the understanding, the imagination, to the sympathies and to the heart. It is therefore, of the two, the more varied and extensive source. But there are two ijroperties in history which, when they unite, give it its highest interest. These are, anti- quity and a near relation of the subjects to the reader. The antiquity of a history is relative to it- self. The antiquity of the world is its creation and early peopling ; the antiquity of Europe is the set- tlement of Greece by Cadmus and others ; because it was^then it first became known to civilized people. And the antiquity of our own section of country is its first settlement, and so much of its Indian history as we can attain. And although the settlement took place but little over fifty years ago, it notwithstand- ing has nearly all the charm, or at least much of it, as it would have if it had taken place five hundred years ago ; because the mind of the younger por- tion of the present generation especially passes back to a period long before its recollection ; and compa- ring the present state of the country, with what it was in a state of nature, they spontaneously feel the power of the charm of which we speak. It is true, also, that the older a country becomes, the more inte- resting the history of its early settlement becomes, and the more venerable the persons are, who braved the hardships connected with it. The other interesting ingredient in history, to wit ; a near relation of its subjects to the reader, applies to the present history. Those who live within the sec- tion of country which it contemplates, will find # VI INTRODUCTION. themselves, or what is in effect nearly the same thing, they will find their fathers or ancestors, their rela- tion or acquaintance identified in it. It is the land of their nativity or adoption ; and the imagination and the affections throw a charm over it, which, with very many, will never be felt, to the same degree, for any other. How highly important it is, that these partialities be cultivated ; because it is upon the love of family and country, that all the social and virtuous affections are based. They are the earliest with children; and extended and refined, they form the philanthro- pist and the christian. And it is on these accounts, undoubtedly, that God has made them universal, strong and permanent laws of our nature. In the present History, the village of Binghamton is made the centre of interest ; and other places are treated of, in a great measure, according to their re- lation to it. Equal fidelity is observed, it is hoped, towards all ; but one is made the centre, that unity of design and prosecution might appear in the course of the work ; and also, that a full history, up to the present date, might be given of one village destined to great importance beyond its present, in the annals of future time. Though small, it will undoubtedly be a grateful work to posterity ; and the older the village and the country of which it treats becomes, the more will its pages be valued. THE ANNALS OP BINGHAMTON. CHAPTER I. The Village of Binghamton is pleasantly and ad- vantageously situated at the junction of the Susque- hannah and Chenango Rivers. As these rivers have Indian names, it may be proper to give their Indian etymology. The former signifies long and crooked river, and the latter pleasant river. The site upon which it stands is a part of an extensive area or plain, which lies upon the banks of the two rivers and between their approximation ; irregular in its boundaries and somewhat varied as to its surface. To measure the plain by the boundary of one's vision, from a moderate elevation, would give it about fifteen or twenty square miles. The mountains which lie a upon the north, divided, however, by the Chenango river, and those upon the south, have a greater prox- imity to the village than those which lie towards the other two points of the compass. These mountains do not rise high enough to become sublime ; but their easy slope, their rich and distinctive foliage, and their embossed surface, during the season of foliage, upon which the eye may rest with pleasure, give them a truly beautiful and picturesque appearance. Those towards the east and west, as well as those directly 8 ANNALS OF north, "recede much farther from the eye, rearing numerous and rounded heads, lying lower upon the horizon the greater their distance, and giving intel- hgence, Hke way-marks, of the course of the two rivers. The surface is not an entire plain, but unequal, sufficiently to give variety to the view and health, fulness to the atmosphere. Rich and expansive meadows lie upon the banks of the Chenango, with extensive cultivated fields ; their rich and carpeted surface, in the spring and summer season, adds ano- ther beauty to the general scenery. Likewise up- on the banks of the Susquehannah, both above and below the village, are extensive grazing and arable fields. The soil of this great plat is truly rich and fertile, and generally under high cultivation ; and the great quantities of plaster now brought into the place for grinding and sale, will render it feasible as well as place the motive before them, for farm- ers and proprietors to render their lands as produc- tive as even the cupidity of men could wish. The soil here as well as the earth to a great depth is evidently alluvial ; that is, formed since the flood. The soil is somewhat loamy, but the earth beneath, to the distance of thirty or forty feet, is made up of sand and gravel, pebbles highly pol- ished, alternating in stratas, and sometimes mixed ; which have been deposited through the agency of some great waters flowing down the channels of these rivers. A probable conjecture, and one that is gaining ground among geologists, is, that the waters after the flood, in passing oflT from the con- « BINGHAMTON. 9 tinents to the ocean, formed the channels of the most of the rivers now extant ; and in their mighty action and flow, they would naturally carry down with them toward the ocean and deposite on their way immense quantities of sand and fragmentary rocks, ten thousand times divided, which, by attri- tion, would finally become polished and smooth. In digging wells in the village and its vicinity, a very considerable depth has to be attained before water is found ; a very natural consequence, suppo- sing the earth, to this depth, has been brought from a distance and deposited. Another opinion, entertained by some writers on geology, is, that the chain of great lakes at the north is the bottom of a former great and inland^ sea ; that eventually this sea burst into boundaries and formed the St. Lawrence, the Delaware, the Susquehannah, and the Allegany rivers. If such a sea once existed, would not traces of its shores somewhei'e still be visible? The Chenango river, if it is proper here to speak of the two rivers at large, is about eighty or ninety miles in length, and has its rise in Madison county. It has a uniform descent of five or six feet to the mile, without any rapids, and flows through a beau- tiful and fertile country in nearly a direct course from north to south. The mountains which lie upon its course no where crowd its shores, so that the roads upon its banks are no where interrupted by them. Its waters move down undisturbed by rapids, or huge rocks, or sudden curves, increasing the depth of its channel until they are merged with 10 ANNALS OF the waters ot the Susquehannah. In the latter part of its course, the banks are from fifteen to twenty- five feet high, sufficient to contain its annual and flooded tide with but little overflowing. It receives but one tributary stream of note, which is the Onon- daga, coming in at the Forks. The Susquehannah is ranked among the largest rivers in the United States. As its name imports, it is long and crooked, having its rise in Otsego Lake and meandering constantly, until it empties its waters into the Chesapeake Bay. The country, al- most in its entire course through which it passes, is so broken and mountainous, and the mountains so abrupt and irregular, that the river is kept every few miles turning its course. Though not so conven- ient for navigable purposes, its serpentine course adds greatly to its beauty and that of the country lying upon its banks. After leaving the Lake from which it takes its first waters, it runs, though meandering, in nearly a southerly direction for more than twenty miles. It then takes a south-westerly direction for twenty or twenty-five miles more. Here it receives the Unadilla from the north, bearing more southerly then to the curve of the Great Bend, a distance, measuring in a straight line, of twenty-five miles. After making the Great Bend it runs north-west to within five miles of Binghamton. Then nearly due west to Owego. From this place to Rushville di- rectly south-west. Then bearing nearer south to Tioga Point. From the Point it runs due south for eight or ten miles, then bearing south-east to Towan- BINGHAMTON. 11 da, or the mouth of Towanda Creek. Its general course then, though serpentine, is directly south- east to Pittston ; here it changes its direction and runs as duly south-west through the valley of Wyo- ming, keeping this direction to Sunbury, a distance from the Lackawanna Gap of seventy miles ; then nearly south to Harrisburgh it flows in a south-east direction, without so much as curving, to the Ches- apeake Bay, a distance further of seventy or eighty miles. It receives its West Branch at Sunbury, and tlie Junietta empties its waters fifteen miles above Harrisburgh. There are small rapids or falls about two miles above Wilksbarre. There are falls also at Ber- wick of five or six feet, crossing the stream nearly at right angles. The falls at Cahnawaga, fourteen miles below Harrisburgh, should rather be called rapids, as they continue for about a mile, agitating the water greatly, and running with great velocity over rocks and shelving stratas. Raftmen enter these rapids at the lower point of an island called Cahnawaga Island, passing a strait not more than seventy feet wide. The water, throughout these rapids, roars like the agitated sea. The raftmen, however familiar with them, always enter these ra- pids with emotion, if not with fear and apprehension. A smooth navigation now succeeds for about four- teen miles, then shoals and eddies abound nearly to the mouth of the river. The Village of Binghamton is quite insulated ; being remote from any other large village. It is one hundred and fifty miles south-west of Albany, 12 ANNALS OF ninety miles south of Utica, forty miles south south- west of Norwich, twenty-two miles east of Owego^ and seven miles from the Pennsylvania line. The great roads that lead to it, are the Newburgh and Milford road from the east, the Elmira and Owego from the west, the Montrose from the south, and the Utica road from the north. These roads, upon which there are lines of daily stages, lie upon both sides of the rivers ; although the north side of the Susquehannah and the east side of the Chenango are chiefly travelled. But the most important medium of access to the place, especially so far as transpor- tation is concerned, is the Chenango Canal, which communicates with the great western canal at Utica and terminates at Binghamton. This canal was begun in 1834, and finished in 1837. The village of Binghamton is the shire town of Broome county, which was set off from Tioga county in 1806, and called Broome, after John Broome, a worthy merchant of the city of New York, and at that time Lieutenant Governor of the State. The village for a series of years was known only by the name of Chenango Point, and received its present name from the name of William Bingham, a gentleman of large estate, formerly residing in Philadelphia. He was proprietor of a large patent of land lying on both sides of the Susquehannah, and was a munificent benefactor of this place, in its in- fant village state. Owning the land upon which it stands, he authorised his agent to dispose of the lots, f after they were laid out, at such reasonable prices, and upon such easy terms, as would strongly induce BINGHAMTON. 13 emigrants to settle here. When it was determined that the village should be the county seat, he con- veyed to the county, gratuitously, a spacious lot for the Court House ; also, a lot for a public school. Although this distinguished patron might have been disposed — as unquestionably he was from his own liberal views, and also a regard to his own inte- rest as proprietor of the land — to do much for the place, still it is doubtful whether he would have done the half he actually did, had not General Whitney, or some other man of his liberal and extensive views, been his agent. To Gen. Whitney's sound policy, liberal views and foresight, therefore, is to beattribu- ted, chiefly, the rapid growth and prosperity of the village, as well as a large share of the JM^^^^'' ^^ many of its inhabitants. "' / .,^. As Mr. Bingham is so intimately connectj^d with the existence and progress of this place, having own- ed the soil, and been its enlightened and liberal benefactor, it may be proper to give a glance at the outlines of his history and character : He was a na- tive of England, and came to this country when a young man. It is believed he was liberally educa- ted in his own countr)^, and studied the law. This- is the impression of his agent. Gen. Whitney. Upon his arrival in America he went into the mercantile business in Philadelphia. What his wealth was at this time is not known. It is believed, however, that he acqtiired his immense fortune entirely through the force of his own talents and application to business. For mercantife business and specu- lation upon a large scale he became pre-eminently 14 ANNALS OF ' qualified. He possessed the soundest judgment and a most capacious mind. And as he rose in business his knowledge became extensive with the great mercantile transactions of Europe and Ame- rica, and the state of their markets. He made it a point to keep pace with them all, that he might avail himself of all honorable advantages in the speculation of land or foreign trade. The latter was carried on entirely through the medium of his ships, which were sent to most of the great marts of the world. He was the merchant and banker in his domestic relations as well as in his habits. He married the daughter of Thomas M. Willing, of Philadelphia, who was, it will be remembered, the first President of the United States Bank. His two daughters married, the one Alexander, the other Henry Baring, of London, the distinguished bank- ers of that city. His partner in Baltimore was Robert Gilmore ; in Boston, John Richards. He was also merchantly connected with several houses in Europe. He was a member of Congress for some years while it was sitting in Philadelphia. He died in the city of London some time in the year 1804. The first survey of the village was made in the year 1800, under the direction of Mr. Bingham, at which time the streets were regularly laid out at right angles. In 1808, a re-survey was made by Roswell Marshall; and in 1835, a full and com- plete survey was made by William Wentz, of the place. A map was made from this survey by F. B. Tower, in 1836. According to this last survey, the BINGHAMTON. 15 village has an extent of about two miles, measured east and west, and of one mile and a half measured north and south. On the west side of the Chenan- go, the streets as they are laid out, run nearly east and west and north and south. Upon the east side of the river, where by far most of the village lies, the course of the streets, being determined by the course of the two rivers, besides an important bend in the Susquehannah, have more short streets, and more that meet and cross at angles somewhat oblique. This defect, if such it should be called, does not, however, mar the beauty of the place ge- nerally, or of the streets individually. On this eastern side of the Chenango, there are thirteen streets running nearly east and west, and ten or eleven running, though not so uniformly, north and south. There are in all forty-six street's. Court and Main-streets are full five rods wide ; the other streets are uniformly four rods in width, and the distance between from four to ten chains. Only about one-third of the full limits of the vil- lage is, at present, built up. The rest lies in cul- tivated lots. Almost all the dwellings have gardens attached to them ; and many of these gardens, be- longing to the dwellings of the more wealthy, are ample, and richly ornamented and laid out in good taste ; and, considering the newness of our coun- try, and especially of the place, with a profuse va- riety of flowers and shrubbery. It is difiicult to make any general and appropri- ate remarks with regard to the buildings, farther than to say, they are neat, convenient, and appear ^ 16 ' ANNALS OF well from the streets. There are but few poor houses, remarkably few for the size of the place. Again, it should be remarked, there are but few large and splendid private dwellings, or edifices of any kind. A medium appears to have been studied, and much convenience rather than much ornament. Still, it is evident, ornament has not been neglect- ed. As the buildings are nearly all new, or re- cently so, the proprietors have had the opportunity of gratifying and exhibiting their taste and skill in the more modern style of architecture, as well as giving an opportunity for the exercise of those qua- lities in their workmen, so far as the convenience necessary to be studied and their own resources did not limit them. But should it not be remembered, that a manifest and happy adaptation to conveni- ence is one of the properties of beauty? The Court House is situated in Court-street, on an eminence which gives it a commanding aspect from every part of the village. There are six church edifices in the place. An Episcopal Church edifice in Washington-street, a Methodist Chapel in Henry-street, a Presbyterian Church edifice, a Con- gregational and Baptist in Chenango-street, and a Catholic Cathedral on the west side of the river, in Le Roy-street. A large and elegant brick build- ing for the Broome County Bank, situated on the corner of Court and Chenango-streets, and nearly opposite the Court House. Two large and well- sustained public houses. The building that has been put up since the fire, intended to succeed the Broome County House, is of brick, and a monument truly BINGHAMTON. 17 of enterprise and taste, if not of magnificence. Since its completion it has taken the name of the Phenix Hotel. Two other pubUc houses, though not so large, yet very respectable. Two others, in the suburbs of the village. Four ample piles of build- / ings for stores and various offices. Two printing offices, a paper issuing from each. The stores of the place, it may be remarked in general, are well sustained, there being a wide extent of country be- sides the village, depending on their merchandize. There are, in all, thirty stores. One foundry for castings, four saw-mills in the vicinity of the village, two flouring mills, one ex- tensive plaster-mill and one other now building, three large storage houses for the accommodation of the canal, one plow factory, one turning mill pro- polled by steam, carriage factories, though limited in the extent of their business compared to what they should be, and mechanics of various crafts. There are two female seminaries^ and one large school for boys, in which the classical and common schools are united, under two preceptors. After giving this outline of the village, reserving a further detail to a later part of the work, we will give the boundaries of the county^ together with a bare enumeration of the townships it contains, and close the present chapter. Broome county is bounded on the north by Cort- land and Chenango counties, on the east by Dela- ware county, on the south by the Pennsylvania line, and on the west by the county of Tioga. To trace the boundaries in another manner and a little more 2 i 18 ' ANNALS OF « particularly, and beginning at the south-east cor- ner, it is bounded by the Delaware river in its great- est western extremity and curve, for six or eight miles ; then by a line running due north ten or twelve miles; then by a line running due west about the same distance, separating it from Che- nango county ; then due north five miles ; then due west ten or twelve miles to just beyond, westward, the Chenango river ; then north north-west fourteen or fifteen miles ; then due west again to the western boundary ; then by an irregular line running nearly south to the Pennsylvania line or southern bounda- ry, a distance of twenty-eight or thirty miles, and separating it from Tioga county; then east along the Pennsylvania line to the south-eastern extremity, a distance of thirty-six miles. The county contains eleven townships, viz: Sandford, Windsor, Colesville, Chenango, Lisle, Union, Vestal, Conklin, Barker, Triangle and Nan- ticoke. CHAPTER II. Neither the Village nor the County of its locality xjlaims any higher antiquity of history than the pe- riod of the Revolutionary War. Prior to this, it appears to have been known to our white popula- tion only on maps and charts, as forming constit- uent parts of New- York and Pennsylvania States. "^^ The foot of the white man is not known to have trod- den over these vallies and mountains, except pro- BINGHAMTON. 19 bably as Indian prisoners, until General Sullivan, with his army, marched into the State, on his expe- dition against the Indians. It would be very gratifying to our natural love of wlmt is ancient and remote, if we could have the his- tory of our particular section, as well as of the coun- try generally, though we should do this by the un- certain vestiges of Indian tradition, to a more re- mote period of antiquity. The mind naturally in- quires, what was the appearance of these mountains and plains and rivers in the time of the Crusades ? Have they undergone any material change, except in the wax and wane of their forest trees and her- bage, since the dark ages of Europe ? What race of people were their tenants when Alfred the Great gave laws to his rustic subjects ? Although it is at present beyond human knowledge to solve these questions, still the reader may indulge his imagina- tion and say, without conjecture, that at these pe- riods, and even long before, the sun, when he rose unbeclouded, burnished these mountain tops, and let down his rays upon these vallies. Here shadows, whether of the mountain or of the lofty pine, turned from west to east in precise obedience to the sun's own progress and elevation. Here too was expe- rienced by the beasts of the forest, and, more than probably, by man, either savage or civilized, the vicissitudes of the seasons : the blasts of winter, the budding of spring, the alternate zephyrs and sul- try stillness of summer, and the reddening of the leaves of autumn. Upon the site of Binghamton a brigade of Ame- 20 ANNALS OF rican troops under the command of General James Clinton, the father of the celebrated Dewitt Clinton, encamped for one or two nights, on their way to join another large division of the American army, destined against the Indians of this State, under the command of Gen. Sullivan. It cannot but be gratifying to those whom Provi- dence has placed here as residents, and who have consequently located here their partialities and their strongest patriotic feehngs, that the place is con- nected, even in this incidental manner, with the re- volutionary war ; that the soldiers of that war once trod over this place ; that upon its sod reisted their arms and their wearied bodies ; that here the offi- cers concerted measures, which, in their achieve, ment, have helped to fill out the history of that great event. There is a sufficient connection between this expedition and the country under contempla- tion, to justify briefly its history ; especially be- cause it was at that time the country became first known to the whites. It should be understood, therefore, that the Indi- ans of this State, being more numerous than of any other of the states, were capable of forming, and did actually form, a powerful ally to our already powerful enemy. In the commencement of hos- tilities between the mother country and the colonies, the Six Nations, as they were commonly called, whose limits Were chiefly within this State, had sol- emnly promised to the colonics neutrality. This pledge was given by their chiefs and members ge- nerally, at a great council held at the German BINGHAMTON. 21 Flats, and called for this specific purpose. Pro- bably the Indians would have kept their promise inviolate, had not British vassals, in the form of commissioners, taken extraordinary pains to induce tliem to take up arms against us. Pursuant to this, they invited a council to be held at Oswego, where they informed the chiefs that the white people of the colonies had risen up against their good king and were about to rob him of a great part of his posses- sions ; and that, therefore, they wished the assist- ance of themselves and their warriors in subduinir them. They promised, moreover, ample reward for their services. The chiefs then informed the commissioners, of the treaty and promise of neutral- ity they had only a year before made with the colo- nies, and of their disposition to adhere to it. The commissioners then addressed their cupidity and their passion for liquor, telling them how plenty rum should be, and made a display of their gifts. These appeals, added to their natural enmity of the whites, succeeded in bringing them into compliance. They signed a treaty, in which they promised to take up arms against the rebels until they should be sub- dued. These Indians of the Six Nations, with the excep- tion of the Oneidas, now thirst, with a keener appe- tite than ever, for the blood of the white man; they are impatient to commence hostilities ; they muster tlieir forces and ui-ge their way to the nearest and most exposed white settlement. Their attacks upon Cautega, Cherry Valley, upon several places on the Hudson river, and still more notedly, upon Minisink, 22 ANNALS OF of Orange county, and Wyoming, of Pennsylvania, are well remembered. Congress found it necessary to send a strong armed force into the heart of their country, and, by retorting their own mode of warfare, as far as prac- ticable, to exterminate them. They therefore ap- pointed an army of between tour and five thousand men, with Gen. Sullivan in chief command, with orders to march through the wilderness part of Pennsylvania, into those parts of the state of New- York, inhabited by these hostile tribes. This army consisted principally of three lines, or divisions. The New Jersey line, commanded by Gen. Max- well ; the New England line, commanded by Gen. Hand ; and the New-York line, commanded by Gen. Clinton. The former two lines marched from Eliza- bethtown, of New Jersey, by the way of Easton, thence to Wyoming, and then up the Susquehan- nah to Tioga Point. It is interestingly stated in the history of Wyo- ming, that Gen. Sullivan with his army departed from Wyoming on the 31st of July, and moved up the river, on the east side. The baggage of the ar- my occupied 120 boats and 2000 horses ; the for- mer were arranged in regular order upon the river, and were propelled against the stream by soldiers with setting-poles, having a sufficient guard of troops to accompany them. The horses which carried the provisions for the daily subsistence of the troops, passed along the narrow Indian path in single file, and formed a line extending about six miles. Tho whole scene formed a military display at once beau- BINGHAMTON. 23 tiful and imposing ; and calculated to make a for- midable impression upon the minds of those parties of savages which lurked upon the mountains, from which all these movements might be visible. The latter division marched from Schenectady, up the Mohawk, to Fort Plain. From this place tliey struck to the outlet of Otsego Lake. Through this part of their march they were obliged to cut tlieir entire way. Traces of this army road, it is said, are still to be seen. Here Clinton ordered a dam to be thrown across the outlet ; and thus by raising the water of the lake he was enabled, when the dam was broken away, to transport down the river in the flood, his ordnance, stores and troops. Delayed by the time taken in cutting the road we have just mentioned, and constructing the dam, he could not arrive at Tioga, where he was to join Sullivan, so soon as was expected. General Sullivan, upon arriving at Tioga Point, found the Indians had collected there in considera- ble numbers, with whom also he had some incon- siderable skirmishes. It will not be thought im- proper here to introduce an anecdote of a veteran soldier of this campaign. He is an aged man, now living in Ridgebury, Pa., a httle off from the valley of the Chemung, but within our historic range. He lives to tell the story of his warlike deeds, which were many indeed, and brave. He enlisted into his country's service when only about seventeen years of age, in the commencement of the war, and served bravely through it. While the army was passing up the river from Wyoming, a little above Towanda, S4 ANNALS OF when it was nearly or quite dusk, Stiles, for this is his name, with three other men, Andrew Burnet, of Whippany, New Jersey, one Murphey and one Butler were together, detached somewhat from the main army. They heard a noise upon their left hand, which they were about to let pass as the hoot- ing of owls. But Murphey stopped his comrades, and said, in a low tone, these are not the noises of owls ; there are Indians near us. Upon this he proposed that his three companions remain where they were, but concealed, while he should go back some distance and rise the hill in a direction to- wards the hootings they had heard. The device succeeded ; for the little noise made by him in rising the hill, the Indians, who proved to be three in num- ber, hearing and not being able to discern any ob- ject, their fears were the greater ; theyran precipi- tately down almost upon the three men that lay con- cealed. These singled each his Indian, fired, and killed the three. There is also living in the neighborhood of this village, Binghamton, on the opposite side of the Susquehannah, and about five miles below, near Willow Point, a Mr. William Weston, an aged man, whose name and deeds of revolutionary valor de- serves a place on record. He was in this expedi- tion against the Indians. He says the army march- ed up from Wyoming on the east side of the river, and at, or near, Towanda they crossed over to the west side ; and that in crossing here, and also in crossing the mouth of the Chemung, opposite Tioga Point, they were obliged to ford the rivers ; and BINGHAMTON. 25 especially at the latter place the water was nearly up to their arm-pits. Each soldier was ordered to take and keep hold of his file-leader's shoulder, that the current might not break their order. Mr. Weston came from England to this country when about fourteen years old, on board a man-of- war, a ship of the line, sent to guard the port of Bos- ton immediately after the tea, in that harbor was thrown overboard. But being young, he was suf- fered to leave the vessel at the solicitation of an uncle of his, who was then living in Boston. At the commencement of hostilities he joined the Ameri- can army, and served as a fifer for one or two years. After this he entered the^ ranks with gun and bayo- net, and served throughout the war. He was in most of the important battles : in the battle of Long Island, of Monmouth, of Brandywine, and of York Town. Although now very aged, rising eighty years, Mr. Weston retains, to a remarkable degree, his health and strength of constitution, and also his melitai faculties. He lives retired back in the woods which bound the river plane, and seems contented, so far as great sacrifices contribute to this happy state of mind, in the reflection that he has served his coun- try in arms, while in her great and successful strug- gle for liberty ; though he receive not either its wealth or its honors. The name of one more patriot highly deserves a place in tliese Annals, and in this part of them. Let his memory be cherished and blessed by the living, for he is lately in his grave ! Mr. John Rush, who 26 ANNALS OF died the past autumn, and who dwelt retiredly also in the forest neighborhood of his brother soldier, Mr. Weston, was also in Sullivan's expedition. He was a relative of the distinguished Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia. He was a man, in his day, evidently of more than ordinary strength of understanding. His high and well-turned forehead betokened the same, as well as a man of great benevolence. He was known to several in the village ; and by those who estimate character according to worth, he was highly esteemed, and even venerated. He, with his fellow-in-arms, Mr. Weston, were in the detach- ment of men that were sent from Tioga to meet Gen. Clinton, on his way down. He was a native of New Jersey, and belonged to that line. Serving throughout the war, it was his fortune to be in all the important battles of the revolution. During a considerable part of the war he was one of General Washington's body-guard. A higher compliment could not have been paid to his fidelity, even by Washington himself. He was set as one of the guard over Maj. Andre-, soon after his capture. Having received strict or- ders not to suffer any thing to be moved or med- dled with in the prisoner's apartment, he forbid on one occasion Maj. Andre himself from taking some crackers from a cask that stood in that part of the barrack. When forbidden by Mr. Rush, he said, "Do you intend to starve me too?" Mr. Rush replied, "if hungry, you must make it known to the officer of the guard." He was one appointed to escort Lord Cornwallis, BINGHAMTON. 27 after his memorable surrender, to the American camp. The escort found him in a cave, and writing. It was an artificial cave which the British comman- der had excavated during the protracted engagement, to screen himself from the bombs of the enemy. Upon arriving at Tioga Point, Gen. Sullivan con- ceived it important to send a detachment immedi- ately to General Clinton, to inform him where the main army was, and where it would wait his union. He therefore sent a sergeant and eight men to the outlet of Otsego Lake, where he supposed Clinton by this time was. These men kept up the Susquehan- nah to the mouth of the Chenango river, then up that river to the Forks. They then struck nearly an eastern course to the outlet. Job Stiles, just spoken of, was one of the number. He says they were about, or nearly, two weeks in performing this journey ; that in consequence of a continued and dren- ching rain, which continued nearly all this time, their provisions were all spoiled, which obliged them to throw them away, and depend upon the roots and ber- ries of the forest, and what game they might chance to meet with. These all proved but scanty sources. They came near to famishing. One of ther number they were obliged to leave near the Forks, in con- sequence of his sickness and exhaustion. They built him a little cabin and a fire, and, painful as it was, they were obliged to leave him to his fate. The letters for Clinton, which were two, they kept rolled in two handkerchiefs during the satur- ating rain, and under their arm-pits. One carried by the sergeant and the other by Stiles. When 28 ANNALS OF they arrived at Clinton's camp, and even for days before, they were so enfeebled they could scarcely travel. When the generous and provident com- mander learned how long they had been without food, he ordered them into a tent near his own, with- out saying a word about provision. Shortly a little soaked biscuit, and but a little too, was sent them. They were kept upon a limited quantity of this and a little soup for some days, ere they were allowed to eat to their satisfaction. They came down the river on board the floats to this place, and then having landed they hurried to Tioga, their best way. In consequence of these messengers not return- ing so soon by many days as was expected, Sullivan could hear nothing from Clinton ; and becoming uneasy under the delay occasioned by the non-arrri- val of the other division, he detached between three and four hundred men to meet it. This detach- ment came up the river on the Owego side, and met Clinton's division about half way between Union and Binghamton. According to Mr. Rush's statement, the detachment came up as far as Bing- hamton, for, he says, he encamped upon its ground. The discrepancy between Mr. Rush and those who say the detachment came no father than about mid- way between the place of Union and that of this village, may be reconciled by supposing a portion of the detachment came up as far as this village, and, according to Mr. Rush, still farther. Mr. Rush remembered the point of these two rivers dis- tinctly ; and said there were several Indian wig- wams upon it at the time, but no Indians to be seen. BINGHAMTON. 29 That there was corn growing upon the Island just above the white bridge, which they destroyed. CHnton, on his way down, destroyed the Indian settlement at Oquaga, and, more than probable, one or more villages of their's on the Chenango river. There were the vestiges of a recent village on the bank of this river, about three miles above the vil- lage of Binghamton, on the west side, and a little below Captain Leonard's present residence ; visible to tiie first white settlers. The inference is, that tliey were the remains of an Indian village destroy- ed by Clinton. After the detachment from Tioga met with the New York division, the whole moved down the ri- ver, having one or two skirmishes with parties of Indians who appeared now and then upon the adja- cent hills. Nearly opposite Judge Stoddard's, on tlie south side of the river, have been found one or more cannon balls. These, almost to a certainty, were thrown from their cannon, as several dischar- ges were made, particularly at this place and near Union. A little lower down the river, also, from Judge Stoddard's, and on the north side, on JohnD. Mersereau's farm, there is still to be seen the re- mains of an Indian fort, which, according to tradi- lion, was thrown up at this time. Evident marks also of musket shot upon the trees near the shore here, which were very visible when the country was first settled. A little east of Union, upon what 'is called Round Hill, there was quite a skirmish. The Indians appear to have collected here to a con- siderable number, with probably the design of giv- 30 ANNALS OF ing battle, judging of the number and strength of their enemy from the comparatively small number they saw pass up the river. But on the return, this comparatively small number was converted into a formidable army. They were therefore far from venturing an engagement, and at the discharge of the cannon, they fled precipitately over the hill to- wards the river ; one Indian, some say two, was it aa perceived, in the general flight, fell from a projected rock or precipice and broke his neck. They then proceeded down the river to Tioga Point, without any thing further remarkably occurring. The whole army destined for- this invasion, being now together, marched for the head of the Seneca Lake, proceeding up the Chemung river on the east side. The Indians who were engaged in the battle at Wyoming, at the approach of winter retired to the neighborhood of Oquaga and Unadilla, with the celebrated Brant at their head. Capt. Brant, who was never found idle, was busy in preparing for the next summer's campaign ; so that at the time of this expedition, the Indians, with their tory allies who had wintered in Canada, were never better prepa- red to meet their foe, having nearly their entire strength concentrated in this army, with high spirits, from the signal victory gained the year before at Wyoming. Their number was about 800 Indians aiid 200 tories, under the united command of Captain Brandt and Colonel John Butler, a British officer. The Indians, it is said, when they first heard that a large army was making its way into their wilder- ness to lay waste their fields and dwellings, laughed BINGHAMTON. gl at the supposed impossibility of so large a body of men either making an ingress into their dense wil- derness or of finding out their settlements. They were not probably aware that the American army had, as guides, some of their own brethren of the Oneidas. One in particular was chosen, a brave and intelligent Oneida, to guide their marches and to lead them from settlement to settlement. He served them in this capacity through their march out ; but just before they had terminated their out- ward course, he was taken prisoner with another Oneida, in a skirmish near Honeoy, now called Richmond, in Ontario county, and cruelly put to death. Flanking parties were kept out both by the ene- my and our army, to watch each other's movements, and to prevent surprise. When they had moved up tlie river from Tioga about twelve or fourteen miles, and within six miles of Newtown, nearly opposite Wellsburgh, they came to an engagement. It was severely fought for a while, when an attempt was made to surround the enemy. A high mountain being on one side, and the river upon the other, con- stituted a favorable opportunity. Gen. Hand with his brigade was therefore ordered to file off to the right, and pass around the mountain and come down to the river above the enemy. But Brandt observ- ing this manoeuvre, ordered a retreat, which, being timely effected, he saved himself. Brandt and But- ler retired about a mile and a half farther up the river, and made another stand. This was near to what is now called Baldwin's Tavern. Here they 32 ANNALS OF threw up a temporary breast-work during the night, and waited for their enemy. Upon the enemy's arriving a battle took place here also. The Indi- ans were completely routed, and many of them kill- ed. They retreated still up the river, and upon the present site of Elmira, or rather a few chains below ; they threw up a hasty redoubt, vestiges of which still remain. Whether there was any skirmishing here does not appear. The Indians, with their al- lies, retired farther up the river, ten or twelve miles above Newtown, at a place called the Narrows, where they made a determinate stand. Our army still pursued them to this place. A furious and bloody engagement took place here ; the Indi- ans and tories fighting, as if it were their last forlorn hope. They met with a great defeat here too. Their slain was nearly without number ; and the sid6s of the rocks towards the river were literally drenched in blood. The Indians threw their dead into the river, and made their escape with great ter- ror and precipitation. They undoubtedly thought, tliat at this narrow pass, they would, with the great- est prospect of success, be able to stop the further progress of their enemy. They were in hopes, also, of diverting them into a course which would lead them away from their settlements. After this bloody engagement at the Narrows, SuUivan led back the army to Newtown. From this place he lays his course directly to the head of Seneca Lake. Every night now, when the army encamped, he ordered cannon to be fired, that the BINGHAMTON. 33 Indians might ba apprised of the rapidity of his marches. Brandt and Butler, with their remaining veterans, seem to have kept at a cautious distance from our troops, hanging upon their rear or flanks, and watch- ing their movements. SuUivan appears not to have met with the enemy again until he came to the out- let of the lake, the shore of which he had been fol- lowing from its head. One' mile and a half north of the outlet he found the capital of the Senecas, Kanadesagi. The Indians had, even to the least child, retreated from the place, leaving, however, a white child oifour years old, according to another statement seven years old, behind. The child was taken into the care of an officer, who, on account of ill health, was not on duty. The officer took the little prisoner home to his residence on, or near, the North river, and adopted it into his family. The town was entirely destroyed, with the fruits of their fields. From near this place were sent back to Tioga Point a captain, and fifty sick. The army now took a western direction, and after marching twelve or fifteen miles, came to the outlet of Canan- daigua Lake, where they destroyed another town, called after the lake, of about twenty houses. Some of the houses had neat chimnevs, and were otherwise built superior to ordinary wigwams. From Canan- daigua the army proceeded to Honeoy, which they destroyed ; and passing by Hemlock Lake, they came to the head of Connessius Lake, where the army encamped for the night, on the ground which is now called Henderson's Flats, 3 34 ANNALS OF Soon after the army had encamped, at the dusk of evening, a party of twenty-one men, under the command of Lieut. WilHam Boyd, was detached from the rifle corps, which was commanded by the celebrated Morgan, and sent out for the purpose of reconnoitering the ground near the Genesee river, at a place now called Williamsburgh, at a distance from the place of encampment of about seven miles, and under the guidance of a faithful Indian pilot. The place was then the site of an Indian village ; and it was apprehended that the Indians and ran- gers, as their allies were called, might be there, or in its vicinity. When the party arrived at Williamsburgh, they found that the Indians had very recently left the place, as the fires in their huts were still burning. The night was so far spent when they got to the place of their destination, that the gallant Boyd, con- sidering the fatigue of his men, concluded to remain quietly where he was, near the village, sleeping upon their arms, till the next morning, and then to despatch two messengers with a report to the camp. Accordingly, a little before daybreak, he sent two men to the main body of the army with information that the enemy had not been discovered, but were supposed to be not far distant, from the fires they found burning the evening before. After day-light, Lieut. Boyd and his men cautious- ly crept from the place of their concealment, and upon getting a view of the village, discovered two Indians lurking about the settlement. One of whom was immediately shot and scalped by one of the ri- BINGHAMTON. 35 flemen, by the name of Murphy. Lieut. Boyd — sup- posing now that if there were Indians near they would be aroused by the report of the rifle, and pos- sibly by a perception of what had just taken place, the scalping of the Indian — thought it most prudent to retire and make his best way back to the main army. They accordingly set out, and retraced the steps they had taken the evening before. On their arriving within about one mile and a half of the main army, they were surprised by the sud- den appearance of a body of Indians, to the amount of five hundred, under the command of Brandt, and the same number of rangers, commanded by the in- famous Butler, who had secreted themselves in a ra- vine of considerable extent, which lay across the track that Lieut. Boyd had pursued. These two leaders of the enemy had not lost sight of the Ame- rican army since their appalling defeat at the Nar- rows above Newtown, though they had not shown themselves till now. With what dismay they must have witnessed the destruction of their towns and the fruits of their fields, that marked the progress of our army ! They dare not, however, any more come in contact with the main army, whatever should bo the consequence of their forbearance. Lieut. Boyd and his little heroic party, upon dis- covering the enemy, knowing that the only chance' for their escape would be by breaking through their lines, an enterprize of most desperate undertaking, made the bold attempt. As extraordinary as it may seem, the first onset, though unsuccessful, was made without the loss of a man on the part of the 36 ANNALS OF heroic band, though several of the enemy were killed. Two attempts more were made, which were equally unsuccessful, and in which the whole party fell, except Lieut. Boyd and eight others. Boyd and a soldier by the name of Parker, were taken pri- soners on the spot ; a part of the remainder fled, and a part fell on the ground apparently dead, and were overlooked by the Indians, who were too much en- gaged in pursuing the fugitives to notice those who fell. When Lieut. Boyd found himself a prisoner, he solicited an interview with Brandt, preferring, it seems, to throw himself upon the clemency and fidel- ity of the savage leader of the enemy, rather than trust to his civilized colleague. The chief, who was at that moment near, immediately presented himself, when Lieut. Boyd, by one of those appeals and tokens which are known only by those who have been initiated and instructed in certain myste- ries, and which never fail to bring succor to a dis- tressed brother, addressed him as the only source from which he could expect respite from cruel pun- ishment or d oath. The appeal was recognized, and Brandt immediately, and in the strongest language, assured him that his life should be spared. Boyd and his fellow-prisoner were conducted im- mediately by a party of the Indians to the Indian village, called Beardstown, after a distinguished chief of that name, on the west side of the Genesee river, and in what is now called Leicester. After their arrival at Beardstown, Brandt, being called on sei'vice which required a few hour's absence* left BINGHAMTON. 37 {hem in the care of Col. Butler. The latter, as soon as Brandt had left them, commenced an inter- rogation, to obtain from the prisoners a statement of the number, situation and intentions of the army under Sullivan ; and threatened them, in case they hesitated or prevaricated in their answers, to deliver them up immediately to be massacred by the Indi- ans ; who, in Brandt's absence, and with the en- couragement of their more savage commander, But- ler, were ready to commit the greatest cruelties. Relying probably upon the promises which Brandt had made them, and which he most likely intended to fulfil, they refused to give Butler the desired in- formation. Upon this refusal, burning with revenge? Butler hastened to put his threat into execution. He delivered them to some of their most ferocious enemies, among which the Indian chief Little Beard was distinguished for his inventive ferocity. In this, that was about to take place, as well as in all the other scenes of cruelty that were perpetrated in his town. Little Beard was master of ceremonies. The stoutest heart quails under the apprehension of immediate and certain torture and death ; where too, there is not an eye that pities, nor a heart that feels. The suffering Lieut, was first stripped of his clothing? and then tied to a sapling, when the Indians menaced his life by throwing their tomahawks at the tree di- rectly over his head, brandishing their scalping knives around him in the most frightful manner, and accompanying their ceremonies with terrific shouts of joy. Having punished him sufficiently in this way, they made a small opening in his abdomen, 98 ANNALS OF took out an intestine, which they tied to a sapling, and then unbound him from the tree, and by scour- ges, drove him around it till he had drawn out the whole of his intestines. He was then beheaded, and his head was stuck upon a pole, with a dog's head just above it, and his body left unburied upon the ground. Thus perished William Boyd, a young officer of heroic virtue and of rising talents ; and in a manner that will touch the sympathies of all who read the story of his death. His fellow-soldier, and fellow- sufferer, Parker, was obliged to witness this moving and tragical scene, and in full expectation of passing the same ordeal. According, however, to our information, in rela- tion to the death of these two men, which has been obtained incidentally from the Indian account of it, corroborated by the discovery of the two bodies by the American army, Parker was only beheaded. The main army, immediately after hearing of the situation of Lieutenant Boyd's detachment, moved towards Genesee river, and finding the bodies of those who were slain in the heroic attempt to penetrate the enemy's line, buried them in what is now the town of Groveland, near the bank of Beard's Creek, under a bunch of wild plum trees, where the graves are to be seen to this day. Upon their arrival at the Genesee river, the army crossed over, scoured the country for some distance upon the river, burnt the Indian villages on the Gen- esee flats, particularly the capital of the Genesee country, consisting of 120 houses, with vast quanti- BINGHAMTON. 39 ties of corn and other productions of their fields. The army encamped around the town, and tarried long enough to gather the productions of their ex. tended plains into their wigwams, and to destroy both, by setting the buildings on fire. While engaged in this work of devastation, or before they commenced a return, a white woman was accidentally found, who had been taken prisoner at Wyoming. She was found by one of the senti- nels a little before sunrise, in a most forjorn condi- tion, with only a ragged blanket around her. She had concealed herself for many days, and had lived this whole time upon only three ears of corn. When first discovered she only begged her life, saying, "do not shoot me." As soldiers are noted for their chivalry, so in this instance, the rustic sentinel, with becoming feeling and delicacy, led her, trembling and mortified, to Col. Butler. Probably she imme- diately let it be known that she was taken prisoner at Wyoming, and was therefore brought to Colonel Butler as one most likely to recognize her. He was himself from that place, and commanded at the great massacre there. She was found to be a Mrs. Lester, whose husband fell on the day of that bloody engagement. She was made comfortable in the camp, her fears allayed, and treated with suitable respect. She was brought by the army back to Wyoming. So entire was the destruction of the cattle, grain and fruit of the region around this capital, that the Indians upon their return after tha army had left, according to the statement of Mrs. Jimison, who vva« 40 ANNALS OF herself among the Indians and sharing their fortunes, that there was not left a mouthful of any kind of sustenance, not even enough to keep a child one day from perishing with hunger. The Indians by this time had become so alarmed lest an entire destruction should be made of them, that, in leaving their capital at Sullivan's approach, they sent their women and children far on towards Buffalo, accompanied with other Indians, while a part only remained secreting themselves to watch the movements of their enemy. Sullivan, having now accomplished the destruc- tion of all the Indian settlements towards the West, so far as he could learn, determined to com- mence his march back. The army re-crossed the Genesee river, and pursued the same path back to Geneva, and indeed to Tioga Point and Wyoming, that they had pursued in coming. At Honeoy a number of horses, worn down with service, on their way out, had been left at large in the woods to re- cruit; which on their return could not be found. In consequence of this, a considerable amount of the army's baggage must have been left, had not many of the officers, entitled to ride, given up their horses and walked ; among whom was the commander-in- chief himself. An illustrious instance of dignified condescension, and of moral beauty. On their wav back, at Canandaigua, Sullivan de- tached Col. Butler, of Wyoming, with five hundred riflemen, to Cayuga Lake to destroy the settlements on that Lake. Lieut. Col. Dearborn was also de. tached, with two hundred men, to the south side of BINGHAMTON. 41 the Lake, to execute the same work upon the Indian settlements there. South and east of Catharine they appear to have passed a swamp on their way out, which they much dreaded on their return. This swamp, which was itself called Catharine, as well as the present town of that name which occupies the site of the swamp, was called after a celebrated French woman who had married an Indian husband, and who was living in or near this place at the time the army was marching out. She was of a mascu- line Amazonian temperament, and having united her interest and feelings with the Indians, she showed herself, and employed the jjoint of a woman's re- proach and sarcasm upon the army as they passed. Some of the soldiers, however, contrived, at their own instigation, so to dispose of her, that her tongue should be still for the future. This is their tradition. But Col. Stone, in his Life of Capt. Brandt, says she was living after the war. Her entire name, ac- cording to him, was Catharine Montaun. When they arrived within six miles of Newtown, either now on their return, or when going out, they were obliged to abandon between three and four hundred of their horses, they were so galled and jaded down ; and lest they should fall into the hands of the Indians after recovering their strength and soundness, they led them out from the camp and shot them. When the place came to be settled, tho primitive inhabitants finding the skeletons of their heads bleaching yet upon the ground, in honor and commemoration of the event, gave the place tho name of " Horse Heads." ^ ANNALS OF The army, upon arriving at Newtown, was salu. ted from the fort which Capt. Reid and two hundred men had thrown up, to guard some stores and cat- tle sent up the river from Tioga for the army. He appears to have been left for this purpose. The salute was given by firing thirteen guns ; and was answered from the artillery of the army. Here a public rejoicing took place, in consequence of re- ceiving intelligence that Spain had declared war against Great Britain. This intelligence, together with the happy and important result of their expe- dition, gave uncommon vivacity and cheer to the spirits of ths way-worn army. The rejoicing was celebrated by killing and roasting five oxen, one for each brigade ; by giving double rations of bread and liquor ; and by the discharge of cannon and small arms. Here also the army remained a num. ber of days to recruit their wasted strength, and thus to prepare for the long journey yet before them. After leaving Newtown, they passed down the Chemung to Tioga Point, on the same side they marched up, having an opportunity of viewing the desolations they had made, and the ground from which they had driven the enemy. But now not a solitary one to be seen. From Tioga they pass down to Wyoming ; from Wyoming they cross to Easton, where they arrived about the 15th of Octo- ber ; and from Easton to Morristown, of New Jer- sey, where they went into winter quarters. General Clinton, with the New-York line, appears to have left the main army at Tioga, and marching to the Hud- son river, went into winter quarters at West Point. BINGHAMTON. 43 The whole number lost in this truly celebrated and difficult expedition, including those who fell and those who died of sickness, was only forty men. The heroism, military skill, and patient perseve- rance with which it was conducted, its great suc- cess, and happy results to the frontier inhabitants, entitled the officers and men to distinguished praise and gratitude, which undoubtedly they received; and ever will, so long as their history remains. Upon the completion of it. Congress passed a vote of thanks to Gen. Sullivan, to his officers and men. The following winter, 1779-80, was distinguish- ed, on account of its unexampled rigor, by the name of the hard winter. This was very unfortunate and severe upon the Indians, who depended for their sus- tenance upon the fields of grain which Sullivan de- stroyed ; and, whose villages being burnt, were left houseless. In this year, 1780, the waters of the Susquehan- nah wafted down, from its head to the mouth of the Chemung, the canoes of another warlike company, under the command of Capt. Brandt. It consisted of forty-three Indian warriors and seven tories, hav- ing in custody eleven prisoners, whom they had taken soon after the burning of Harpersfield, in Delaware county, and were conducting to Niagara, They were what remained of fourteen militiamen, who had been sent out some little distance from Fort Schoharie, and were, at the time they were taken, busily employed in manufacturing sugar in a maple grove. Capt. Alexander Harper was one of these prisoners. Emotions and apprehensions 44 . ANNALS OF mantled the bosoms of these men as they passed the banks of present Binghamton; such as have, more than probably, not been experienced by any in or so near our neighborhood since, if before, that day. They looked forward to a certain and torturing death, which they were daily told in a taunting and unfeeling manner by the tories, they were soon to experience. CHAPTER III. The first white man who made a permanent set- tlement in what is claimed for the village vicinity, was Captain Joseph Leonard. He moved from Wyoming in the year 1787, only eight years after Sullivan's expedition, with a young wife and two little children. His wife and the two little ones were put on board a canoe with what goods he brought up, and the canoe rowed by a hired man ; while he himself came up on land with two horses, keeping the shore and regulating his progress by that of his family in the river. A Capt. Baldwin, who settled on the Chemung river, moved up at the same time in company with him. Captain Leonard was originally from Plymouth, of Massachusetts. He went, when quite a young man, on one or more voyages in the whale fishery. He Uved in Wyoming some number of years; was there under arms in the time of the great massacre, though not on the field of action. He owned a farm there. At the time of the great Susquehannah or ice freshet, his own dwelling, with many others, was BINGHAMTON. 45 carried away in tho wide-spread devastation of that deluge. Txhis event, which took place, it is believ. ed, in 1784, together with the disputed state of their land titles, induced Capt. Leonard to leave, and to seek more peaceable and secure possessions. For information on the nature and extent of the controversy between the Susquehannah Company, who origirally settled Wyoming— having made the purchase of the Government of Connecticut, and the heirs of William Pcnn, as the subject is extensive, the reader must be referred to the History of Wyoming. Captain Leonard received his first information of this region through the medium of Amos Draper, then an Indian trader in these parts. There was, Capt. Leonard says, when he came here, a Mr. Lyon, who lived in a temporary log house, near where Col. Page's ashery now stands. In the short period of two or three weeks after the arrival of Capt. L. as if in accordance with a preconcerted coincidence, came Col. William Rose and his brother, and fixed their location a little further up the river beyond Capt. Leonard's. It was also but a short time after the arrival of the latter, that he, with Amos Draper, invited the Indians of the neighborhood to meet in council, and leased of them, for the term of ninety- nine years, one mile square ; for which they were to give a harrel of com per year. This lease, how- ever, was invalidated by an act of the State Legisla- ture having been previously passed, and without the knowledge of these men, " that no lands should be leased or purchased of the Indians by private indi* 46 ANNALS OF viduals." But before it was known that such a law existed, Col. Rose and his brother purchased Mr, Draper's interest in the lease. It embraced where the three had located themselves and where Capt. Leonard and Col. Rose still live. The brother of Col. Rose settled himself in what was afterward called Lisle, where he lived till within a few years, when he removed to Wayne county, in Pennsylvania, Col. Rose and his brother came from Connecti- cut on foot ; and when they reached what is called Wattles' Ferry, where the Catskill Mountains cross the Susquehannah river, they procured a canoe and came down in that ; bringing stores with them to this place. They often saw parties of Indians on the shore, sitting by their fires, engaged in their festivities, or skiiting the mountains in pursuit of deer. They, however, never offered to molest them. These young adventurers first left their native state, Connecticut, for the wilds of Vermont, on the banks of the Lamoilc. But not being satisfied with the prospects before them, left these less propitious lands, for the country of Wyoming, or rather the country bordering on the Conhocton. When, however, journeying towards this country, they had passed down the Susquehannah as far as what is now called Union, they learned from a tempo- rary settler of that place, a Mr. Gallop, that the coun- try they were seeking was in high dispute ; that they could obtain no satisfactory title for their land, and that they would be obliged to fight for their crops. Upon receiving this intelligence, they turned back BINGHAMTON. i7> to the mouth of the Chenango river, whose broad ^ stream and pleasant banks struck them favorably as ▼ they passed down. ^^ In the same year, 1787, and not far from the same I time, came also, Joshua Whitney, the father of the present Gen. Joshua Whitney, Gen. Wm. Whitney and Henry Green. These three families came from Hillsdale, Columbia county, and settled on the west side also of the Chenango, about two miles above its junction with the Susquehannah, on what was afterwards called Whitney's Flats. At this time there appear to have been no other inhabitants, ex- cept those already mentioned, nearer than Tioga Point, a distance of forty miles. But previously to the settlement of these first em- igrants, viz : Capt. Leonard, Col. Rose and his bro- ther, the two Whitneys, Henry Green, and Mr. , Gallop, at the Forks, in the year 1786, or earlier, a few individuals, of the state of Massachusetts, having become acquainted with this region from individuals who had been in the Indian expedition, came and viewed the country. After seeing it, and obtaining a grant from their own State, they determined on purchasing a large tract of the Indians; and propo- sed to have it bounded on the east by the Chenango river ; on the south by the patents of Bingham and Cox, who, it seems, were prior to them in their pur- chase ; on the west by the Owcgo creek ; and ex- tending so far north as to emprace within the limits just specified, 230,000 acres. The amount paid by the company to the State was £1500. This tract, according to the grant made to the f 48 ANNALS OF company was to be bounded on the south by the Sus- quehannah river. But when the agents of the com- pany came, they found that patents had ab'eady been granted to Bingham, Wilson and Cox, by the state of New- York, embracing the valley of the Susque- hannah,which fixed the southern boundary of the com- pany upon the northern boundary of these patents, in extent about twenty miles square, and containing, as it was afterwards divided, ten townships. The claims upon the southern part of the state of New-York, which Massachusetts once asserted in virtue of some old but not well defined grants, were finally satisfied by the former State granting to the latter the rightof ^re-cm^/zon to all the lands within the bounds of the state of New-York lying west of a line drawn due north from the eighty- second mile-stono on the Pennsylvania line, to Lake Ontario. They made their propositions to the Indians for the purchase of it, appointed a time and place for the ne- gotiation of the bargain, and returned home. These individuals, at first, designed to form a company to consist only of eleven persons ; but conceiving the purchase too heavy for so small a number, and hav- ing so many applications for co-partnership, the number of the company was finally fixed at sixty. This company appointed as commissioners to treat with the Indians, Elijah Brown, Gen. Oringh Stod. dard. Gen. Moses Ashley, Capt. Raymond, and Col. David Pixley. These gentlemen met the Indi- ans in treaty, in the first insiance on the Chenango river, the east side, two or three miles above the present village of Binghamton, in the forepart of BINGHAMTON. 49 v^inter. But at this treaty the negociation was not ^||^ iilly completed, and they adjourned to meet at the ^^ 'i^orks of the Chenango. At this second treaty, here were between three and four hundred Indians. At this and the former treaty, it is said, the Indi- r.ns, who were furnished with provisions and Hquor ■ vt the expense of the company, would get drunk, al- nost to a man, by night, but be sober through the lay. While the subjects of the treaty were under discussion from day to day, they would sit in circles ipon the ground, and listen with the utmost decorum. Their chiefs, when they spoke, would speak in sub- =?tance, if not in form, in accordance with parlia- nentary rule. Captain, and afterwards Esquire, Bean was their interpreter, and did their business. The nominal sum paid for this tract is not now known, but the payment was made, one half in mo- ney, and the other moiety in goods, consisting of rifles, hatchets, ammunition, blankets, and woollen cloths. The last, it is said, the savages, in perfect character with their taste, immediately tore into strings for ornament. An estimation was made of the entire cost of these ten townships, to wit : the purchase price, the ex- pense of the treaties, and the survey made of it, and found to amount to about one shilling per acre. The number of acres contained in the tract, as has just been stated, was 230,000 square acres. This, >^qually divided among the sixty proprietors, would f^ive to each 3833 acres, with a fraction over. The price for which the land was sold, in the earlieet 'jale of it, was uniformly at twenty-five cents per 4 to watch for deer, with the understanding always, that each was to share equally in the game. One fine evening, while the moon was shining in its full- ness, it occurred to the Dutchman that he would go down to the Island and watch for deer, without let- ling his brother yankee know of it. The same # ♦ 80 ANNALS OF thought occurred to the yankee. They both went down to the Island and took their stations acciden- iully, at each end. In the course of the evening, while waiting for deer, to their apprehension, two made their appearance and entered the river, and passing by the upper end of the Island were fired upon" by the yankee, wfeose station happened to be at that end ; the deer bounded, with a mighty splash, down stream ; and passing the Joiver end of the Island Were fired upon by the Dutchman, whose shot took effect and brought one down. As the latter went out to drag in his game, the yankee called out and claimed the deer, as he had fired first. The Dutchman muttered some objection, and continued wading. When he came up to the weltering and dying animal, to his surprise, instead of a large deer, which he was in full expectation of, behold ! he had killed one of his neighbor's young cattle — a two year old heifer ; and which he readily recogni- zed. " Well, den," said he to his companion, who was making his way down to him, " you may have de deer; it is your's, I believe." The yankee, when he came to find also what had been done, and feeling they wer6 both about equally implicated, pro- posed that they should send the animal down stream, arid say nothing about the matter, as they could not aiford to pay for it. The Dutchman— and here we see the characteristic honesty of the one, as well as the characteristic dishonesty or disingenuousness of the other — objected ; saying, they would take it to the owner, and tell him how they came to shoot it ; and as it would, when dressed, be very good eating, BINGHAMTON. 81 he did not think they should be charged very high for the accident. While they were disputing which course they should pursue, they heard at some little distance near the shore, or upon it, a noise and diffi- cult breathing, as of an animal dying ; they went to it, and partly hid among weeds and grass, they found, to their further dismay, another heifer, be- longing to another neighbor, in her last struggles, having received her death-wound from the first shot. The yankee now insisted, with greater importunity, that tliey should send them both down stream, as they could never think of paying for them both. But the Dutchman as strenuously objected, and pro- posed that the yankee should go the next morning to the owner of one, and he would go to the owner of the other, and make proposals of restitution on as favorable terms as they could obtain. The yan- kee finally acceded ; and each went the next morn- ing to his respective man. The yankee made a re- luctant acknowledgment of what had been done the night before, and showed but little disposition to make restitution. The owner was nearly in a rage for the loss of his fine heifer, and was hard in his terms of settlement. While the Dutchman, as if to be rewarded for his honesty, found his neighbor,, when he had announced what he had done, and pro- posed to make satisfactory restitution, as ready to exact no more from him, than to dress the animal,, and to take half of the meat home for his own use. Another distinguished hunter of these early times,, and one that was considered pre-eminent above all the others for markmanship and daring feats, was- 82 ANNALS OF Jotham Curtis, of Windsor, an uncle to the Mr. Rexfords, Druggists, in the village of Binghamton. An anecdote or two, related of him, will best express his celebrity. He went out of an afternoon to a deer-lick^ and having killed a deer, he dressed it and hung the body upon a tree, bringing only the skin home with him. This he threw upon a work-bench in an apartment of the house he used as a shop. In the night he was awakened by a noise which he sup- posed to proceed from a dog at his deer-skin. He sprung up and opened the door that led into his shop ; and about over the work-bench he beheld the glare oitwo eye-halls^ which he knew — so versed was he in the appearance of snch animals— to be those of a panther. Without taking his eye ^from those of the animal, he called to his wife to light a pine stick, and to hand it to him, with his rifle, which she did. With the torch in his left hand, and the gun resting upon the same arm, he took his aim between the eyes, and shot the panther dead upon the bench. It is related to have been a very large one. It had entered the shop through an open window. He was one day hunting, and came across two cubs. He caught one, and seating himself by a tree, with his back close to it, that he might be sure to see the old one when she should come up. He took the young one between his knees and commenced squeezing its head, to make it cry, which he knew would be likely to bring up the old one. In a short time she was seen coming with full speed, with her hair turned forward, an indication of rage, and her BINGHAMTON. 83 mouth wide open. He waited deliberately, till she was near enough, and then, with his unerring fire, he brought her to the ground. Some one asked him afterward, what he supposed would have been the consequence had his gun missed fire ? O ! he said, he did not allow it to miss in such emergencies. As anecdotes of this nature are not uninteresting, and serve to illustrate the nature and habits of wild animals, we will relate one more of Deacon Stow, and an older brother of his. They went out to a deer-lick, called by the hun- ters Basin Lick, in the afternoon, with the design of setting their guns at night. They, however, pre- viously took stations, the brother at the Basin Lick, and Deacon Stow, then but a lad, at a station about twenty rods distance, to watch for deer, which often came on to the licks towards night. While at their respective posts, about sundown. Deacon Stow heard an uncommon noise, more resembling the squealing of pigs than any thing he could think of; and di- rectly he saw a she bear jump upon the root of a large hemlock tree that had been blown down, at the top of which he was sitting, with three large cubs close behind her. She appeared to be about weaning them, and her refusing to let them suck, was the occasion of their making so much noise. As she mounted the trunk at the root, she turned and was making her way towards the top, putting in jeopardy the life of the lad, who was just preparing to fire, when the brother, who heard the noise also, and understood what it was, had hastened down to the place, fired his piece, and dropped the bear from 84 ANNALS OF the trunk ; and then threw his hat and made a loud outcry to frighten- the cubs up into the trees. He succeeded in treeing them ; but the old bear, who was only wounded, had made oif. They shot two of the cubs, but the third, dropping himself from the tree upon which he was, made his escape ; the younger brother not being allowed by the elder to shoot. This he had the precaution to do, that the}^ might have one loaded gun, in case the old bear should return upon them. CHAPTER VII. The earliest christian society that was establish- ed within the bounds of the settlement, was, as has already been observed, a Baptist church, formed under the ministration of Elder Howe, a very early settler in the place. The next christian society was a Dutch Reform- ed church, established in about the year 1T98. through the official labors of Mr. Manly, a Dutch Reformed minister. The building occupied by the Dutch Reformed congregation, as a meeting house, was a dweUing house, the chamber of which was fitted with con- veniences for public worship. Mr. Manly, the min- ister, with his family, lived in the lower part. The building stood about a mile above the village, on the Chenango, east bank, a little behind or back of Mr. Eben. Green's. It is yet in existence, and would not be distinguished from a barn? for which it is now BiNGHAMTON. 85 ■used. Mr. Manly preached alternately at this place and at Union, and thus divided his labors between the two places. His preaching and labors were continued to these congregations but a few years ; he left, and they were without a minister for some length of time. Their next clergyman was a Mr. Palmer. He revived the church and augmented its number. There were a few Presbyterians in the settlement, but not enough to form a church, till after the build- ing of the village. And when their numbers and interest became sufficient to form a church and con- gregation, the Dutch Reformed church differing so little from the Presbyterian, merged into it. A number, however, that were members of the Dutch Reformed church, removed to the Genesee. The state of morals from the first settlement to the building of the village, differed in no material respect from what is commonly exemplified in other new settlements. We might except, what is cer- tainly natural and important, that the most of the original settlers coming from a land then noted for " steady habits," gave a sanction and tone to good morals, which might not otherwise have been felt. While the inhabitants were few and scattered, they were under that moral restraint and motive to vir- tue, with greater freedom from incentives to vice, which are found to exist chiefly in the domestic or family relation ; especially when that relation is ex- empt from neighborhood broils, and more important collisions ; and when the general intercourse is no greater than what is friendly and cordial. 86 ANNALS OF As the population increased, morals degenerated. The influence of the example of the many, is always bad. Hunting, with other idle and dissolute means of passing the Sabbath, became prevalent on that day. Intemperance crept in and prevailed the more when men could meet together in any consid- erable numbers. And as men became more numer- ous, they grew more selfish ; the bitter fruits of which were more and more apparent and felt. Soci- ety became divided into distinct classes ; trifling dis- tinctions made among its members calculated only to foster the pride of some, and the mortification or chagrin, or hatred of others. The charm of fellow-feeUng that bound them formerly together, was now broken. The first school house stood near the Dutch Re- formed church, and Col. Rose taught the first school. After a little while this school house was abandon- ed, and another one built near Mr. Bevier's. Ano- ther school house was built upon the west side of the Chenango river, nearly opposite the former. There was only school taught a few months in the ' winter season ; some winters passing without any. Their teachers,' without an exception, were for a series of years, of their own number ; and not ymmg men, but men of families. After Col. Rose, a son of Gen. Patterson taught. After him, a Mr. Fay. One Mr. Cook, who came with the Mr. Be- viers from Ulster county, taught a number of win- p(_ ters. After him, a Mr. Slighter. In 1791, that portion of Montgomery county which is now embraced within the counties of BINGHAMTON. 87 Broome, Tioga and Chemung, was set off as one county, under the name of Tioga ; and Elmira, oth- erwise Newtown, and Binghamton, at that time call- ed Chenango Point, were constituted eacft half-shires. Jonathan Fitch and Joshua Mersereau were appoint- ed Judges. Judge Whitney was appointed a few years afterward. Morgan Lewis, who was after- ward Governor of the State, organized and con- ducted the first court under the new county's autho- rity and provision. It was held for that time at a Mr. Spalding's, who lived on the road to Union, a little beyond, or west of, Oliver Crocker's present residence. After this first one, the courts were held, when not held at Elmira, at Mr. Whitney's, until they were removed to the Court House in Binghamton. At the organization of the county, the first Jirst judge appointed was General John Patterson. His successor in the office of first judge was John Miller. Emanual Coryell was the third. G. H. Barstow the fourth. Let Burrows the fifth ; and G. H. Bald- win the last, before the division of the county, and the formation of Broome. Thomas Nickolson was the first Clerk of Tioga. The records of the coun- ty were kept a part of the time at Elmira, a part of the time at Binghamton, and a part of the time at Owego. At the last place the old records of Tioga county still remain. According to the limits which were fixed to the towns into which the new county was divided, that of Chenango extended from the Chenango river to Port Deposit, embracing the greater portion of the 88 ANNALS OF eastern part of the county. The first town meeting was held at Oquago, when Nathan Lane was cho- sen supervisor, and George Harper town clerk. For several years the town meetings continued to be held at this place. Solomon Moore, who has already been spoken of as among the first settlers, built a log house upon the site of the present village, near as can be recol- lected, where Mr. Christopher long after built the first house in the rise of the village of Binghamton. He afterwards moyed to Vestal, and after residing there some number of years, moved back and pur- chased where his son, John Moore, now lives, on the south side of the Susquehannah, nearly one mile below the Susquehannah, or, as it is commonly de- nominated, the white bridge. A Mr. Enos, and a Mr. Sherwood, settled about one mile below Mr. Moore's ; and Mr. Nehemiah and Edward Spalding settled still farther down the river. Those who came in and settled on the east side of the Chenango river, and north of Bingham's Pa- tent, with some exceptions, took no title for their land, but merely squatted. At first, the proprietor- ship of the land was not much known or recognized. But when it became known, and the claims urged by the proprietor or proprietors, the greater part left and went farther west. Capt. Sawtell took a title for his land. The Beviers, when they came in? took titles. David Ogden and Capt. Quigley, who settled next beyond, or farther up the river, took ti- tles from the patent. Beyond these, Joseph Ogden, and next, Ezekiel Crocker ; then Capt Buel and his BINGHAMTON. 89 son settled ; all took titles for their lands, and all within Clinton and Melcher's Patent. John Butler, from Vermont, settled for a few years on the oppo- site side of the Chenango from Capt. Sawtell's. In the year 1798, those living upon the Bingham Patent, or the great majority of them, had not taken titles for their land. In this year there was a peti- tion drawn up and signed by most of the inhabitants who had not as yet taken titles, and sent to Mr. Bing- ham, at Philadelphia. Mr. Ebenezer Park was the bearer of this petition. As it is brief, and couched in very respectful language, it may not be amiss, in order that its import may be understood, to insert it : " To the Honorable Wm. Bingham ; A petition from the inhabitants and settlers on said Bingham's Patent, on Susquehannah river, in the towns of Union and Chenango, county of Tioga, and state of New- York, humbly prayeth : That whereas we, your petitioners, having been to considerable expense in moving on said land and making improvements, we pray your honor would grant us three lives lease, and we will pay an annual rent for the same ; otherwise, let us know on what terms we can have the land, and your petitioners, as dutiful tenants, shall ever comply, Chenango, Feb. 15, 1798." This petition was signed by thirty-seven persons. A few objected, contending that Bingham had no right to the land. As the names of these petitioners, by being inser- ted, will assist in forming an estimation of the popu- lation at that period, as well as afford a knowledge 90 ANNALS OF of the inhabitants who composed it, we shall give them. Abraham Sneden and Daniel Sneden, who lived where Henry Squires now keeps his public house ; Abraham Sneden, Junior, who lived where Judson Park now lives ; William Miller lived where Mr. Harder now lives ; Ebenezer Park, the father-in- law of Judge Chamberlain, who lived where Ira Stow and the elder Mr. Bartlett now live ; Joseph Compton lived a little east, upon the same lot ; Zach- ariah Squires and James and Asa Squires lived where Mr. Russ keeps his public house ; James Ford lived where Mr. A. G. Ransom has lately purchased, known by the name of the Moore farm ; Silas Moore, who lived where Mr. E. Brown now does ; Ezra Keeler and Ira Keeler, who lived where James Haw- ley now lives ; Joseph Lemerick, who lived where Edward Park now lives. Robert Foster and Ros- well Jay, who lived where Judson M. Park owns. Nathaniel Taggart, who lived where Elias Jones now does ; John Carr lived on a part of the present farm of Judge Chamberlain ; Arthur Miller lived on the farm where Gen. Whitney now hves ; Barna- bas and Solomon Wixon, who lived on the south side of the Susquehannah, where James Evans now hves ; Jonathan Dunham, who lived where Mr. Brigham lately lived ; Zebulon Moore, who lived where James Munsell owns, one mile below the village, on the south side of the Susquehannah ; Daniel Delano and Levi Bennett lived near Millville ; Samuel Bevier occupied a lot upon the Bingham Patent, that Arthur Gray afterward purchased ; James Lion lived at the BINGHAMTON. 91 ferry, which he kept ; Abraham Carsaw and Wm. Brink, who Hved on the Rufus Park place ; Silas Hall, who lived where the wife of Andrew Moore at present lives ; Asher Wickam, who lived where Mr. Brown and Isaac Lion own ; Thomas Cooper, the father of Ransford Cooper, and Walter Slyter, who lived where Deacon Stow now lives ; Andrew Coo- per, who occupied the flat from Col. Lewis' Mills down to the red bridge ; David Compton, who lived on the farm and kept the tavern where Mr. Finch now lives ; Amos Towsley, who lived on the south side of the Susquehannah, opposite where Elias Jones now lives; Judge Chamberlain lived, though a httle after the date of the petition, on the lot with his fa- ther-in-law, Ebenezer Park. Judge William Chamberlain, with his wife, moved here from Dutchess county, in 1799. His father-in- law also came from the same county. He was ap- pointed Justice of the Peace in 1802 ; was appointed Sheriff of the county in 1817, which office he fell short a little of holding the full term of four years ; removed, it appears, through the influence of coun- tervailing politics. After this he was appointed As- sistant Justice. Held the office of Judge of Broome county, for seven or eight years. He has held an office in the Vestry of the Episcopal church of Bing- hamton, either as Warden or Vestryman, nearly ever since that church was organized. Before there was any village, there were few stores. One important means therefore of obtaining what might here be termed foreign articles, for a series of years, were from pedlars, who came in and purcha- 92 ANNALS OF sed the furs and skins of the inhabitants, and gave them in exchange woollen cloths, hats and shoes. The first death that occurred in the settlement, was a Mrs. Blunt. She died the first summer of her coming into the parts. Her husband had settled up the Chenango river on the west side, upon the farm afterward owned by Deacon Stow. She died very suddenly, and her death appears to be well remem- bered by all the primitive settlers. The second death that occurred was that of a young man by the name of Barker, the son of a Mr. Barker who had but just come into the parts, in the year 1789, and had taken up a temporary residence with a Mr. Hurd, who then resided on the north side of the Sus- quehannah, between Mr. Bartlett's and the river. He died suddenly too, of a bilious colic. There was, at this time no physician to be called, otherwise he might have been saved. We shall mention also the third death in the place, both because of its early date, and because of the more than ordinary sympathy it excited. It was that of a young lady, who had, with her father, Nathaniel Lee, and the rest of his family, as early as 1789, migrated into this coun- try from Great Barrington, in Massachusetts. She was a young lady of more than ordinary accomplish- ments, as well as beauty, having come from a place of polished manners, and about eighteen years of age. Her father had taken up a temporary resi- dence with Mr. Ingersoll, who lived, it will be re- membered, on the west side of the Chenango river, and opposite the point. A few months after their arrival, she undertook to cross the Susquehannah BINGHAMTON. 93 upon the ice to Mr. Thayer's, who, it will be also re- inembered, lived where Mr. C. Eldredge now does. It was in the latter part of the winter season, when the ice ;had become weakened ; it broke, and she sunk beneath it to rise a lifeless corpse. In the year 1793, there was a fever and ague pre- vailed, from which few escaped ; otherwise a uniform state of health prevailed for many years after the settlement of the country. At first there was no public burying ground set off. Those families in which death occurred the earliest, buried their lost relatives near home, upon their own farms ; the places of which would natu- rally become their family burying ground, and the place of interment, in some cases, for the immedi- ate neighborhood. Mr. Thayer, with several others, was buried upon a spot of ground on the bank of the little run that lets into the Susquehannah, a short distance above where he lived. In consequence of several heavy rains, so much of the bank was carried away as to leave bones exposed. The bones of Mr. Thayer were disinterred by the same means, and carried away by the stream ; no part of them being after- ward found but the scull. This was sacredly buried in another place. There has been observed near the bank of this run, for several years back, a monumental stone, rudely cut, bearing a date as rudely wrought, of 1795, but the figure nine so imperfectly cut, as easily to be taken for the figure seven. Thus several have been deceived, and read it 1775. This being a date so 94 ANNALS OF long a time previous to the settlement of the coun- try, no one could satisfactorily conjecture what bu- rial it was intended to record. The stone was very recently found fallen down, and was carried to Mr. Brigham's barn, when it was found to read 1795, with the initials S. H. Thus bringing it within the time that the place has been used as a burying ground, and the initials supposed to stand for Sarah Hall. There was also found near the stone a coffin with two sets of bones ; the bones of one, uncom- monly large. There are still to be seen the vestiges of a some- what ancient burying ground near Deacon Stow's, on the bank of the river, and about one hundred rods west or south west of his house. This buiying ground was commenced about 1798 or '99. It was then shaded with pitch pine and retired, the road running further from the river than it does now. The first person buried there was a Mrs. Mansfield, whose husband lived upon the opposite side of the river. There was also a Mrs. Hall, the wife of Silas Hall, and Deacon William Miller buried there. The first burying upon Court Hill was about the year 1803. Mr. Benjamin Sawtell and Esq. Wood- ruff* cleared away the shrub oaks and small pines to make room for the burial of Mr. John Crosby, who appears to have been nearly the first who was bu- ried there. The spot was used as a burying place for the village until the several churches had built their respective edifices, and apportioned their own burying grounds. For two or three years immediately preceding BINGHAMTON. 95 the date in which we are writing, that part of Court Hill occupied by the old burial ground, has been in a process of being considerably cut down, much be- low the ordinary depth of graves ; consequently the remains of many of these former dead have been ex- humed, and exposed to the careless gaze of the liv- ing. The remains of several, however, had been previously transferred to the other burying places of the village, when these places were first appro- priated to this sacred purpose. Judge Whitney had a family burying ground in the neighborhood of his own dwelling, where many of the Whitney family that have left the stage, now repose. CHAPTER VIII. Prior to the settlement either of Union or of the Chenango Valley, Col. Hooper, the patentee of the tract bearing his name, was sent by Bingham, Cox, and, it may be, others, to survey the shores of this part of the Susquehannah. He traversed it up and down, in an Indian canoe, managed by a faithiul Indian whom he employed. He would lie down in the canoe, with an Indian blanket thrown over him, and take the courses and distances with a pocket compass, in this incumbent position. This precau- tion he took through fear of being shot by Indians on the shore. After this survey, a purchase was made of the Susquehannah valley from the Great Bend to Tioga Point, At what precise period the 96 ANNALS OF patents were obtained is not now known. Thomas' Patent embraced the Bend, and extended six miles • down the river ; then Bingham's Patent, extending from Tliomas' western Hne to some two or three miles beyond the village of Binghamton, two miles wide, lying equally on both sides of the river. Hoo- per and Wilson's Patent lay next, embracing a part of Union and Vestal, of the same width, and lying upon the river plain. This patent terminating west- ward where the line separates Broome from Tioga county, was sometime afterward divided by the pro- prietors by a line that ran through the centre of the old church in Union, when it stood upon its original foundation. The two patentees, at the time they made the division, gave to this congregation, which was then Dutch Reformed, each seventy acres of land. Next to the patent of Hooper and Wilson was that of Coxe's, which extended some miles be- yond Owego. These gentlemen were of Phila- delphia. Union and Vestal began to be settled about the next year after the valley of the Chenango was. It may be, one or two families were in the same year. The earliest settlers — though it is somewhat uncer- tain who was the very first — were Major David Bar- ney, who came down the river from Cooperstown in a canoe, with a large family of children, and set- tled in what is now called Vestal, a little below where his son Nathan now lives. In coming down, the canoe upset, to the extreme hazard of the lives of the children ; but they were all saved. Major Barney is said to have been cousin to Com. Barney. , BINGHAMTON. 97 John Harvey, according to the testimony of his son, came into Union the same year that the Mr. Whitneys moved into the parts, and from the same county. He took up a temporary residence on the north side of the river, a httle below Jsaac Stow's present residence and inn. Daniel Harris was an early settler. He settled on the south side of the river, where Daniel Hyatt now lives. But the more prominent settlers of Union were Gen. Oringh Stoddard, one of the commissioners, it will be recollected, appointed by the Boston Compa- ny to treat with the Indians, settled near where his son, the present Judge Stoddard, afterward lived for a number of years, and where the Traveller's Inn is now kept. His brother, James Stoddard, who came out at, or near, the same time, settled in Lisle. Near the same time came Nehemiah Spalding also, and Walter Sabins ; the latter of whom was em- ployed by the Boston Company as surveyor in run- ning out their tract. These settled lower down, but on the same side of the river with Gen. Stoddard. Capt. William Brink, a Dutchman, and Henry Rich- ards, a Dutchman also, settled higher up the river from Gen. Stoddard's, and farther towards Bing- hamton ; Mr. Richards near where, it is believed, his son Jesse now lives ; and Capt. Brink, upon the farm that was afterwards owned by Rufus Park, and still called the Park place. Capt. Brink was from Wyoming ; was there in the time of the iee freshet ; lost all his cattle and other property in it. Capt Brink's name occurs in the History of Wyoming. He canie from Northum,. ^.. 98 ANNALS OF berland with thelPennimites, under Plunket, to drive the yankees from their settlement. From Wyoming he first moved to the Delaware river, where he stayed a few years, and then moved to this countiy. He lost all his improvements upon the Park place, and was obliged to begin anew. His hardships seem, to have given him a wonderful durability of constitu- tion. He lived to be 82 years old. When 70 years of age, he is said, by his son, to have cradled Jive acres of grain in one day. His courage and hardi- hood are proverbial to this day. As corroborative of this, it may be related, that, upon a certain time, himself, Mittinus Harris, and Isaac Underwood, went out a hunting in a tracking snow, up the Cho- conut. They came across a bear's track, and fol- lowed it to a pine tree, whose top was broken off^ and which was hollow. It was evident that the bear had entered the tree, and at the top. And in order to gain access to or rouse the bear, it was ne- cessary to cut down the tree. When it was near falling, they agreed upon Harris to take his stand, in order to shoot the bear as it came out. As the bear bounded from the tree, he fired, but did not kill. The dogs attacked it, and the bear was about running under a log or fallen tree, near where Capt. Brink was, when he laid hold of the bear's hind legs, and held on with Imnds and teeth., till Harris came up and knocked the bear, with the hatchet, in the head. Moses Chambers, the father of Joseph Chambers, of Bmghamton, settled on the Susquehannah, three miles below the village of Binghamton, in 1790 ; came from Wyoming ; was a sufferer in the ico BINGHAMTON. 99 freshet. The gi'andfather of Joseph Chambers was an officer in the French war, and moved from Wy- oming to this country with his sons. Jeremiah and Benjamin Brown settled below Gen, Stoddard's, on the north side of the river. Col. Coe settled on the south side, nearly opposite the Mr, Brown's, upon the same river road, which was then but an Indian path ; and still higher up from Gen. Stoddard's, settled Ezekiel Crocker, something hke three-quarters of a mile east of where his son, Oli- ver Crocker, senior, now lives. Ezekiel Crocker was one of the sixty proprietors of the Boston Purchase. From Union he removed to the valley of the Chenango, near the Big Island, about two miles above Mr. Shaw's, Here but tem- poi'arily, and then moved down where his son David now lives, Mr. Crocker became one of the richest men in the county ; but died utterly poor. He lost a large share of his property by venturing largely into a speculation in salt, during the last war, Oliver Crocker came a little after his father, with his pack upon his back. He first worked land upon shares, as a tenant, under the elder Joshua Whitney, for two years ; and then found himself able to pur- clia^e four hundred acres for himself. He was young at this time, only about eighteen years of age ; and seems to have been inclined from the be- ginning to shift for himself. While employed in clearing his land, he lived, he says, for a length of time upon roots and heech leaves. He boarded, or rather tarried by night, with one William Edmin- Eter and his little family ; who were driven to near- * 100 ANNALS OF ly the same straits. They were relieved, in some degree, by a scanty supply of cucumbers, and still later by a deer or two. As young Crocker assisted in shooting the deer, so he shared in eating them. He says that while reduced to these extremities for food, he would become so faint at his work that he would scarcely be able to swing his axe. Amos Patterson, afterward Judge of Broome county, was also one of the early settlers of Union. He settled at first about three miles below the vil- lage of Binghamton, and afterward purchased where his son, Chester Patterson, till within a short time, has lived. He took an active part in the formation of the Boston Company. He was one of those who came out first to view the country, and who made the proposition to the Indians. Joshua Mersereau, who was one of the earliest Judges of old Tioga county, settled in Union in the year the great scarcity was, 1789. He settled first, it is believed, upon the south side of the river ; but in a year or two removed to the north side of the river, upon the location where he lived for many years after. The house is yet standing, large and venerable, on the south side of the road, and some considerable distance from it towards the river ; and his farm or tract reached so far west as to extend to near the site of the present village of Union, He was an early agent for the Hooper and Wilson's Patent, and resided, previous to his coming to Union, at Unadilla for a year or two. John Mersereau, his brother, came in 1792, and settled first on the Vestal side of the river, but afterward removed over % BINGHAMTON. 101 and settled upon the north side, where his son Peter now resides, the purchase embracing the site of Union village. These two brothers were from New Jersey. John Mersereau was from New Brunswick ; and Judge Mersereau moved, it is believed, from Woodbridge. They, however, before the revolutionary war, lived on Staten Island, and unitedly kept a large and im- portant tavern, at what is still called the Blazing Star. These two men were the first who commen- ced a line of stages from New- York to Philadelphia, uniting their line with the boats that plied between their own dock and New- York. John Mersereau introduced the ^rs^ post coach into the United States from England ; was the first to put on four horses to a mail stage, and was obliged to send to England for a driver ; only two horses before the same vehicle having been driven here before. Often four, and sometimes six, horses were put before the coaches of the gentry in our own country as well as in Eng- land, but they always had postillions upon them. When the war commenced, their stages stopped running ; and when New- York and Staten Island fell intoahe hands of the British, they lost their pro- perty on the Island, which was burnt ; and Judge Mersereau narrowly escaped falling into the ene- my's hand, a company having been despatched to take him at his own house ; his zeal in the Ameri- can cause having been early known to them. John Mersereau turned his horses, which had been em- ployed in the stage line, into the American service, and made an ofier of himself to Washington, who 102 ANNALS OF often employed him on difficult expeditions, and as a spy. Esquire John La Grange's father was em- ployed often in the same capacity. Judge Mersereau was appointed Commissary throughout the war. He was much about the per- son of General Washington. The Judge, with his brother, were the principal instruments in prevent- ing the British army from crossing the Delaware river, in their pursuit of Washington. Washing- ton had crossed the Delaware about the first of De- cember, either to escape from the enemy, who had followed him through New Jersey, or to go into win- ter quarters. After crossing the river, he took ev- ery precaution to move all the boats across the river, and to burn all the materials on the Jersey side, not carried over, which might be laid hold of by the ene- my to construct rafts. Gen. Washington was ask- ed by Judge Mersereau, whether he was sure he had removed out of the way all that could be employed to transport the enemy across. Washington re- plied he thought he had. Judge Mersereau begged the privilege of re-crossing, and making search. He and his brother went back and searched the opposite shore, and found below the surface of the water two Durham boats which had been timely sunk by a royalist, who lived near. They raised them up, bailed out the water, and floated them over to tlie Pennsylvania side. When the British army came up to the Delaware shore, they found no pos- sible means of crossing, and were:obliged to return back, and pursue, at this time, our army no further. After the surrender of Burgoyne, Judge Merse- BINGHAMTON. 103 Teau had charge of all the prisoners. It devolved upon him to provide for them. They w^ere con- ducted to Boston and from thence sent back to Eng- land. A British officer, one of the prisoners, was unwell, and asked of Mr. Mersereau a furlough to go out into the country, into 'some private family and recruit his health. The Judge sent him to his ownfamily, which was then residing in Springfield, Massachusetts. His family consisted of a young wife, and three little children. While the officer was in Mr. Mersereau's family, his health improved wonderfully ; he was able, in less than a week, to leave, and take also with him the commissary*s wife, who was never seen by him afterward. This new pair took with them also a span of fine black horses and chaise, with a large amount of silver plate. The youngest, which was a babe at the breast, the mother left with a neighboring woman, with money and clothes. This babe is now the widow Van Name, the mother of the Mr. Van Names on the Chenango, four miles a|)ove the vil- lage of Binghamton. Her husband's name was William Van Name, who settled where his sons now live, about forty-two years ago. The other two children are Lawrence and Cornelius Mersereau, both of Union. . Several of the Indians, whose particular location was at the Castle farm, had temporary huts or wig- wams in Union, near the river, and on both sides. These they occupied more or less for several years after the country was settled. Where, and in what manner, they obtained their 104 ANNALS OF salt was always a mystery to the whites. They would strike a course over the mountain about op- posite Judge Mersereau's, on the south side of the river, and after an absence of about twelve hours, would return with a pail or kettle of salt ; and that, too, immediately upon their return, would be warm. Old Mr. Richards used to say, that the Indians would cross the river below Willow Point, rise the moun- tain and bring back salt. Sometimes it would be warm. He inferred that there must be a salt spring near, but it never could be found. John D. Merse- reau relates, that when a lad, his father and him- self have endeavored to follow the Indians when they were known to have set out for salt ; but they soon would appear to be apprehensive that they were watched, and would either remain where they were, or turn from their course. Never more than two would set out upon the expedition. They used the utmost precaution to prevent the whites from ever discovering the secret spot. They had other pla- ces to which they resorted for salt, one or more in the neighborhood of Oquago. Why these sources of salt have never been found by the whites is a mystery. John La Grange, Esq. of Vestal, came later, al- though in an early day. He moved from Elizabeth- town, N. J., when quite a young man, with a young wife, who was also of Elizabethtown, and of the Halsey family of that place. She was a woman of more than ordinary energy, at the same time ami- able and dignified in her manners, and extensively useful in her neighborhood. This much is thought BINGHAMTON. 105 to be no more than a just tribute to her virtues. Upon coming here he purchased his lands of his uncle, Judge Mersereau, opposite to whom he set- tled. When he came, he was unacquainted with a wooden country, and even with farming itself. So that his partial success for a length of time, and his frequent irritations, from want of more experience, as well as the unpropitious aspect of a newly settled country, induced him many times to wish that he had stayed where the elements around him were less at variance with his knowledge and habits. His wife, however, would bear up his courage, or pleas- antly ridicule his little vexations. Esquire La Grange is of the fourth generation, in descent, from Mr. John La Grange, who was from France, and a patentee of a large tract of land, twelve miles square, embracing, it is said, a part of the site upon which Albany now stands. This pa- tent was purchased of the Dutch proprietor, John Hendrick Van Ball, in 1672. The patent deed, given to Van Ball by Francis Lovelace — otherwise Lord Lovelace, then governor of the colony of New York — is now in the possession of Esq. La Grange, as a relic of antiquity. The land of the patent, how- ever, went out of the hands of the La Grange family after the death of the old patentee, by an artful ma- noeuvre and slight of hand in law, attributable, it is- said, to the Van Rensselaer family. Not many years since, Esq. La Grange, in virtue of claims derived from his ancestor's patent, received, as one of the heirs, some two or three thousand dollars. Mr. La Grange has in his possession, as the 106 ANNALS OF rightful heir, being the oldest son of his father, who was also the oldest son o{his father, and of the same christian name, a large silver tankard, embossed, after the ancient manner, with the family coat of arms. This tankard belonged to his remote ancestor John La Grange the patentee, and brought by him from France. He had also his ancestor's golden signet, with his initials and family coat of arms. He has also for it is our purpose to speak of all such spe- cimens of antiquity as may come to our knowledge a powder-horn curiously and ingeniously figured, which was found by an officer in Sullivan's expedi- tion, in an Indian wigwam. As there is a family chronicle which traces back the ancestry of ^he Mersereau family to their origi- nal country, France, it may be proper to insert it. The family is descended from a John Mersereau, a protestant, who was born in France, and who lived and died there. He is represented as being a strong athletic man, and very active. When young he studied law^ and went to a fencing and dancing school ; and then went to a saddler's trade. This business he followed extensively. Was captain of a company ; and often amused the officers and men by exercising the pike. He never went from home without his sword. One evening he overtook three friars. As he passed them, he said, " good night, gentlemen;" upon which they remarked, "he is a Hugonot, or he would have called us fathers." To which he rephed, " that he knew but one father, who- was in heaven." They drew their sabres from under their cloaks, and were about to attack him. BINGHAMTON. 107 He desired they would let him pass and go his way. But they rushed upon him in such a manner that he was forced to defend himself. He killed one and wounded another ; the third made his escape. For this deed, however, he was never apprehended. He was in great credit ; kept the best of company, and died comparatively young. He left three sons : Joshua, Paul and Daniel ; and two daughters : Mary and Martha. The children all left France and went to England in the reign of James 11. , 1685. Popery prevailing here — for James was a Catholic — they sailed for Philadelphia. In consequence of distress of weather, the ship in which they sailed was obh- ged to put into the harbor of New-York. Paul re- mained in England. Daniel settled on Staten Island. Mary married John Latourette, and Martha married a Mr. Shadine, Their mother died in this country, and was buried in the French Church on Staten Island. Mary, who married Mr. Latourette, was in the great massacre of Schenectady, in 1690. She was scalped and left for dead ; all her children butcher- ed by the Indians ; her husband probably dead be- fore, or killed in this massacre. The nakedness of her skull was concealed and defended by a cap made for the express purpose. She spent the rest of her days with her brother Joshua, who, it is believed, lived on Staten Island also, and who was the ma- ternal great-grandfather of Esq. La Grange, and the grandfather of Judge Mersereau ; great-grandfather aJso of Peter Latourette, who early settled in Ves- tal, where his son Henry,, and David Ross now own and live. 108 ANNALS OF Daniel Seymour, and Samuel his brother, who have already been spoken of as among the very first settlers, were next above Esq. La Grange in their location. ' Next below was Thomas Eldridge ; and then in order — still continuing down the river — was James Williams, Thomas Park, Matthias Dubois, and the younger John Mersereau. Ruggles Win- chell and Daniel Price settled back from the main road, about four miles. Peter Mersereau, now living about one half mile beyond the village of Union, who has been spoken of as the son of the elder John Mersereau, came over from the south side of the river with his father, and settled near him. Peter, when a lad of about twelve years old, while his father lived in New Jersey, was postillion for lady Washington from Trenton to Elizabethtown, on her way from Virginia to New- York, to join her husband. This was after the war, when Washington was about to be inaugurated President. ' At Elizabethtown a barge received her, rowed by thirty pilots. The village of Union was laid out into streets, and , lots of three-quarters of an acre in size, in 1836. The earliest physician of Union was a Dr. Ross, ' who settled a little below the present site of the village. Beyond the village of Union, on the same side of the river, and between the village and Owego, the first settlers were in order, beginning from Lewis Keeler's present dwelling, Luke Bates ; next, William Roe, Daniel Reed, David Gaskill, Asa Camp, the father of the late landlord of Camp's well- BINGHAMTON. 109 known Inn. Asa Camp is still living, where, it is believed, he first settled ; now very aged. He ser- ved in the revolutionary war, in the capacity of ser- geant, for four years ; commanded at Fort Freder- ick, on the Mohawk ; and with fifteen men in the fort eifectually repelled two hundred Indians and to- ries. When a flag was sent in for them to surren- der, sergeant Camp sent word back, " that yankees lived there ; and if they got the fort they must get it by the hardest." He was in the battle at White Plains ; was in one battle on the sea, near the banks of Newfoundland, and was also at Valley Forge. Next to Esquire Camp, came Isaac Harris' set- tlement, then a Mr. Dodge, and last, and farthest to- wards Owego, was Paul Yates. On the south side of the river, and nearly opposite Esquire Camp's, is Mr. John Jewell, still living. His settlement at this place was not so early as the rest that have been mentioned ; but he is now venerable in age, and therefore should be mentioned ; was a Judge, pre- viously to his coming here, in Dutchess county ; served in a part of the revolutionary war ; was par- ticularly in the battle at White Plains. Henry Bil- lings, still further up the river, and on the same side with Mr. Jewell, came in about thirty-five years ago. He gives an account of a great freshet in the Sus- quehannah, about thirty-one years ago ; and states also that fifty strings of beads, with broaches and other trinkets, were found after the freshet had sub- sided, having been washed from their beds of con- cealment, near where Daniel Harris then lived, and where Daniel Hyatt now lives. 110 ANNALS OF CHAPTER IX. The village of Owego is named after a creek of the same name, emptying into the Susquehannali, about a half mile beyond it. The name is of Indian origin, and signifies sivift or swift river. Previous to the purchase of the Boston Company, James McMaster and Amos Draper, in about the year 1783 or '4, purchased of the Indians what they called a half township, comprising 11,500 acres, and embracing the site upon which Owego stands. Two of its boundaries were, on the west by the Owego creek, and on the south by the Susquehannah river. This purchase having been conducted legally, and being prior to their own, the Boston Company ce- ded to them the half township, though embraced within the limits of their own purchase ; which, it will be remembered, extended on the west to the Owego creek. In 1785, McMaster and AVilliam Taylor, still liv- ing in Owego, and then a bound boy to McMaster, came and cleared, in one season, ten or fifteen acres of land ; and through the summer planted and rais- ed a crop of corn fronn the same. This was the first transiilon of the ground, where Owego now stands, from a wilderness state. In 1794 or '5, McMaster and Hudson, a survey- or, laid out the village into streets and lots, and thus laid the foundation for what Owego is, or shall be hereafter. Ten years passed, or a little more, from BINGHAMTON. Ill die first felling of the trees, until the first steps were taken to constitute it a village. The pleasantness of the situation, being upon the banks of the Sus- quehanah, with nearly a level plain for its location, and the advantages of water power from the Owego creek, together with the prospect of a speedy settle- ment of the country around, determined these men, undoubtedly, in fixing upon this spot. Col. D. Pixley, another of the commissioners sent Gilt by the Boston company, it will be remembered, to treat with the Indians, settled, in a very early day, about one mile west of Owego, on a beautiful and level area of about 3000 acres. This purchase, for some reason, not now known,was called "Camp- bell's Location." Col. Pixley was from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and when he moved into the parts, he brought with him a wife and three children ; David, Amos and Mary. The daughter is the wife of James Pumpelly, of Owego. David Pixley, jun. was a surveyor, and the father of Charles B. Pixley, a resident of Binghamton. Col. Pixley acquainted himself with the Indian language, and became there- by the more popular with them. Mrs. Pixley was eminently pious, and made her house a home for strangers, and especially for the missionaries and ministers of that early day. The sources of wealth, as the village grew up, were salt from Sahna, brought to the place and car- ried down the river in arks for Pennsylvania and Maryland markets. Wheat from the north, which was also transported down the river ; lumber, also, and plaster. 112 ANNALS OF Some little distance beyond Owego creek, there settled in early day, one Jeremy White. Near what is now known as Swartwood's tavern, but for- merly and better known as Broadhead's tavern, there settled one Swartz. Still continuing down the river, and on the same side, near the mouth of Pipe creek, the first settlement was made by Corne- lius Brooks and Prince Alden. One mile and a half beyond, Nathaniel Goodspeed settled. In the same neighborhood also, settled Francis Gragg. Lodawick Light, still beyond, and about eight miles below Owego. Jesse Miller, the father of Jesse and Amos Miller, settled one mile this side of Smith- borough — a small village ten miles west of Owego — on the same farm upon which their sons now live. Samuel Ransom and Enos Canfield, still nearer this village, Abiel Cady and Jonas Williams settled, it is believed, on the other side ; that is, the east side of the river. Amos Draper, the same that purchased the half township of the Indians, settled himself where Smith- borough now stands. The father of Amos Draper >vas a tory in the revolutionary war. At this time, his family resided on the south bank of the Susque- hannah, in what was afterwards called Union, not far from opposite Judge Mersereau's. The sons, however, always differed in this respect from the father. This village, only a few years ago, was laid out into a village form by Isaac Boardman, who was sole proprietor of the ground. Boardman bought of Robert Johnson. Beyond the village of Smithborough the earliest BINGHAMTON. 113 settl9rs were Jonas Pyers, Ebenezer Taylor, Ste- phen Mills. Mr, Mills is still living, and rising eighty years of age ; living, too, on the place he first occupied. Ebenezer Ellis lived four miles tliis side of Tioga Point. John Shepherd, three miles this side, and owned the mills on Cayuta creek. The grist mill was built by one Briant, and sold to Shep- herd. Enoch Warner lived just^beyond the second Narrows, on the Chemung river, being the next neighbor, in this early day, to Mr. Mills, on the road — or rather path at this time — to Elmira. John Squires settled opposite to Mr. Warner, on the western side of the same river. Between Owego and Tioga Point there were a number of Indians lived on the river plain for a length of time after its settlement by the whites. They demanded a yearly rent of the settlers for their land, until a treaty was held with them at Ti- oga, three or four years after the first settlement. An Indian, called Captain John, was their chief, or passed as such. They were always pleased to have white people eat with them ; and would appear of- fended, if, when calling at their wigwams when they were eating, they refused to eat with them. In seeking their rent, which they expected to be paid in grain, or when they wished to borrow, or buy, or beg, they never would ask for wheat, but always for corn. It is said, that some of the squaws could make an excellent kind of cake, out of fine Indian-meal, dried berries and maple sugar. When they wish- ed to beg something to eat, instead of expressing it in words, they would place their hand first on their 8 114 ANNALS OF stojnach and then to their mouth. This mute lan- guage must have been a powerful appeal to the hos- pitality and sympathies of their more fortunate breth- ren. When they had bad luck, it is said, they would • eat some kind of root which made them very sick and vomit, that they might, as they said, have better luck in future. A few years after the country was settled, there prevailed an extensive and serious famine. It was felt more particularly in the region between Owego and Elmira, embracing Tioga. It was experienced even down to Wyoming. For six weeks or more the inhabitants were entirely without hread or its kind. This season of famishing occurred immedi- ately before the time of harvesting. So far as the cause of this destitution was accounted for, it was supposed to result from a greater number, than usual, of new settlers coming in, and also a great scarcity prevaihng in Wyoming that season. This being a much older settled country, a scarcity here would materially affect the newer parts. During the prevalency of this want of bread, tlie people were languid in their movements, irresolute and feeble in what they undertook, emaciated and gaunt in their appearance. The inhabitants, as a substitute for more substan- tial food, gathered, or rather, it is believed, dug what were called wild beans ; which, it seems, were found in considerable quantities. These they boiled and ate, with considerable relish. Thev would alaD gather the most nutricious roots and eat. As soon as their rye was in the milk, it was seized upon, and bijn:ghamton. 115 by drying it over a moderate fire, until the grain acquired some consistency, they were enabled to pound it into a sort of meal, out of which they made micsh. This was a very great relief, although the process was tedious, and attended with much waste of the grain. In the early part of the scarcity, while there was a possibility of finding grain or flour of any kind abroad, instances were not unfrequent, of families tearing up their feather beds, and sending away the feathers in exchange for bread. And in- stances also of individuals riding [a whole day and not obtaining a half of a loaf. During the time of this great want, however, none died of hunger. There were two young men that died in consequence of eating to excess, when their hunger came to be relieved by the green rye. Tioga Point was settled, as near as can be ascer- tained, in the year 1780, by John Shepherd, Dr. Ste- phen Hopkins, Col. Satterlee, Elisha Matthewson, David Paine, and Samuel Paine. They all purcha- sed their land of Col. Jenkins, who was a patentee of a tract of land embracing this place. The place was run out into streets and lots in 1786. Mrs. Matthewson, the wife of Elisha Matthewson, an aged lady, and widow, now living in the village of Tioga, was taken a prisoner at Wyoming, at the time that the fort, in which the inhabitants had taken refuge, was surrendered to the British and Indians, in 1778. The British and Indians, it will be re- membered, were commanded jointly by Col. Butler, a British officer, and the celebrated Brant. The American militia, by Col. Zebulon Butler and Col, 116 ANNALS OF Nathan Denison. The disasters of the battle which preceded, and of the surrender of the fort, are as feehngly remembered as any part of the American history. The articles and capitulation, which were drawn up and signed on the 4th of July — just two years from the signing of a very different instrument — were entirely disregarded. The village of Wilksbarrc, consisting then of twenty-three houses, was burnt. Men and their wives were separated, and carried into captivity ; their property was plundered, and the settlement laid waste. The remainder of the in- habitants were driven from the valley, and compelled to proceed on foot sixty or eighty miles through swamp and thick forest to the Delaware, without food, and almost without clothing. A number _per- ished in the journey, principally women and children ; others wandered from the path in search of food, and were lost ; and those who survived, called the wil- derness through which they passed, " the shades of death ;" an appellation which it has ever since re- tained. Mrs. Matthewson was at this time about thirteen or fourteen j^ears old. She had a mother and little brothers and sisters, all younger than herself, deliv- ered up with the other prisoners of the fort. Her father, it is believed, fell in the battle that took place. She says the Indians, when they came into the fort> painted the faces of all that were in the fort. She was so young that she did not understand the object of it, but supposes it was done to distinguish them„ if found without the fort. She says that the Indi* BINGHAMTON. 117 ans plundered the fort of every thing they could lay their hands upon ; even much of the clothing worn at the time by the inmates. After a day or two, they were discharged from the fort, and sent out forlorn and destitute, with scarcely clothing to their backs, with no provision, all having been seized upon, as well as their cattle and horses. This company, thus destitute, consisted almost entirely of aged or infirm men, of women and their children. The able bodied men having been cut off in the battle, to the number of three hundred. Turned out of home, in the midst of a wild wilderness, they look around for succor and can think of none nearer than their friends and relatives in New England, whence they emigrated. They turn their faces towards the De- laware river and set out to march through the dis- mal forest that lay between ; carrying their little ones, and progressing as the younger part, or more infirm, could bear it. Mrs. Matthewson says, that Avhen night came, they all were obliged to lie down under the open can- opy of heaven, without any covering, save that of angel's wings. She says they would look out a place to lie, in or near some httle bushes, such as alder or whortleberry, that they might have the partial covering their leaves afforded. They were sus- tained, she says, on their way, almost entirely bv whortleberries, a gracious provision which the sea- son afforded, without which thev must have starved. Afler several days they reached the Delaware at Strousburgh, where they met with two companies of the continental troops, who had been sent to the 118 ANNALS OF succor and relief of the people of Wyoming, but too late. Here they remained a week or more, and re- ceived rations from the military stores of the two companies. After this she, her mother, and the other children, started for the mother's native New England. A horse was procured, by some means, upon which the mother rode and carried one or two of the younger children. The mother died soon after reaching her destined place, and the youngest child died on the way. To follow now the settlement up the Chemung river, Ebenezer Ellis settled four miles above the Point, towards Elmira. Enoch Warner settled just above the second Narrows ; John Squires opposite, on the other side of the river. Abijah Batterson, on the same side of the river, nearly as high up as Wellsburgh. This little village is on the south west side of the river, six miles south east of Elmira. Samuel Bidleman settled a few miles below Wells- •burgh, on the Elmira side of the river, where John Bidleman now lives. JudgeHenry Wells, of Wells- V' burgh, is the son of Abner Wells, from Orange county, the first settler of the place, and after whom it is called. Between Wellsburgh and Elmira, there settled on both sides of the river, Abraham Kelsey, James Mitchell, a Mr, Gardner, Samuel Middaugh Abraham Miller, first Judge and father of the pres- ent Abraham Miller, Lebeus Tubbs, from Wyoming, Parson Culvier — as he was popularly called — a Con- gregational minister, Rufus Baldwin, Wm. Jenkins, - Esq., from Wyoming also, Nathaniel Seely, John and Timothy Smith, Solomon Bavier, Judge Caleb BINGHAMTON. 119 Baker, near Elmira, Lebeus Hammond, Esq., a little down the river. Mr. Hammond was the only per- son that made his escape of fourteen that were set down in a circle to be tomahawked by the Indians, after the great defeat at Wyoming. On the even- ing after the battle, the Indians, after their custom, set them down in a circle, a great number standing guard around ; they then commenced the deadly work, with the man sitting next to Esq. Hammond. But no sooner was this first one knocked in the head, and fell back, than he sprung and passed the ring, a volley of hatchets being thrown at him. He, however, cleared them. It is stated in a manner to be depended upon for truth, that Queen Easter, a celebrated squaw, who has already been spoken of, was the person appointed to execute the work of death upon these fourteen men ; which she achieved with as much adroitness and coolness of blood as any of their warriors would have done. Her place of residence was at Tioga Point. The soldiers of Sullivan's army having heard the part she took in that massacre, contrived, as they passed through the place, so to dispose of her as to leave no trace of her existence behind. At least, this is the supposition, as nothing was found of her afterward. Mr. Hammond was cap tared the second time. Ha- ving business about twelve miles from home, he set out under circumstances of some apprehension, at least according to the feehngs of his wife, who had gloomy forebodings as to his safety. The particu- lars of his capture have been received from a gentle- man residing in the immediate neighborhood of Esq. 120 ANNALS OF Hammond, and well acquainted with him in his life- time : Sometime in March, of 1781, Mr. Lebeus Ham- mond, a citizen of Luzerne county, left his residence on the Susquehannah river, a few miles above where the village of Wilksbarre now stands, in search of a horse which had strayed from him. Hammond directed his course up the river for the distance of about ten miles, to a place he had formerly lived, where he expected to find his horse. According to his expectation he found his horse, and after making a bridle of hickory withes, he proceeded homewards. When within about five miles of his residence, he came to a clearing, where he found a Mr. Bennett and his son logging, with two yoke of oxen. He Stopped and conversed with them until the declining sun warned him that it was time to be on his way. He left them, but had gone little more than a mile, when he discovered several moccasin tracks in the joad ; he became alarmed, fearing that there was a party of Indians at hand. He stopped and listened, but could hear nothing ; he then proceeded at a brisk trot, expecting 6very moment to have his horse shot from beneath him, and had srone but a few hun- dred yards from where he had first seen the tracks, when two Indians sprung from behind a large tree, seized his horse by the bridle, and dragged him off the back of the affrighted animal. After a short consultation in the Indian tongue, which Hammond did not understand, they led him some distance into the woods, and fastened him to a tree with his hands tied behind his back. BINGHAMTON. 121 In this situation they left him, and were absent nearly an hour when they returned, dragging with them Bennett and his son, having been joined in the mean time by four more Indians. The Indians appeared rejoiced at having taken Bennett, who, it appeared had been their prisoner once before, and had escaped. They immediately commenced their march up the Susquehannah river, making Bennett carryall the baggage they were in possession of; and travelled thirteen miles that evening, to where they encamped in an old building, situated near the river bank. The Indians were destitute of provi- sions, and the prisoners, though very hungry and faint, travelling with the burdens which they had heaped upon them, were compelled to lay down with- out receiving a morsel to eat. When they were preparing to lie down, the old Indian, who appeared to be their leader, went to the woods and cut three long poles, and then ordered the prisoners to lie down on a blanket which had been spread on the floor of the cabin ; he then laid the poles over the prisoners, when three of the Indians laid down on each end of them, in order to prevent the escape of their prisoners. In this distressing situation they passed the night. They remained at this place until about ten o'clock in the day, when a party of Indians came in canoes from the opposite side of tlie river, and took them over. When they reach- ed the shore, one of the party which met them gave each of the prisoners a large piece of jerked veni- son, which they devoured eagerly, having eat no- thing for nearly two days and a night. They left 122 ANNALS OF the large party here, and proceeded up the river shore all that day, and at night they encamped on the river bank ; and the prisoners were secured in the same manner they had been the preceding night, and without giving them any thing to eat. The next morning they commenced their march, still pursuing the course of the river ; about ten o'clock the sun shone quite warm, and melted the snow which still remained on the mountains, and raised the small streams which they had to cross to a great height, but they braved all difficulties and persevered on, and late in the afternoon they arri- ved at a creek, which the Indians called MasJioppin, where the Indians killed a deer, which they skin- ned and carried the meat with them. The creek was swollen very much by the water which had run off the hills during the day, and they were com- pelled to go up its bank for several miles, before they could get across it. After they had reached the other shore, they proceeded down the same, un- til within half a mile of its junction with the Sus- quehannah, where they encamped for the night. After a fire had been kindled, they seated them- selves around it, and were roasting the venison which they had got this day, when the leader of the Indians, who spoke tolerably good Enghsh, com- menced a conversation with Hammond, and told him that he had expected to meet a large party of Indians at that place, but as they were not there, he supposed they had encamped higher up the river. He then asked Hammond various questions con- ceTnin.c; the war, such as, did he think there would BINGHAMTON. 123 be peace 1 and stated that he had understood that the white men wished to make peace with the red men ; and whether he had ever known Lieut. Boyd ? Hammond told him that he was intimately acquaint- ed with him. The Indian then went and got a sword that lay a little way from where they sat, and drew the blade out of the scabbard, and with a smile of triumph said, "there Boyd's sword!" Hammond took the sword out of the hand of the Indian, and discovered the initials of Boyd's name stamped on the blade near the hilt. Hammond then gave the sword to the Indian, who appeared careful to return it to the place from which he had taken it, and re- turning again to Hammond, said, " Boyd a brave man, he as good a soldier as ever fought against the red men ;" and this Hammond supposed the savage well knew, for he had previously told him that he commanded the party of Indians that had massa- cred Boyd and his band of heroes, which consisted of twenty-four men, but one of whom escaped the hands of these merciless savages. Boyd, he stated, had been sent out on a scouting party by General Sullivan, when he and his party met them, and the bloody conflict ensued. We took Boyd prisoner, continued the Indian, and put him to death, by cut- ting off his fingers and toes, and plucking out his eyes ; but still brave Boyd neither asked for mercy, or uttered a complaint. He related to Hammond the manner in which Yost, a friendly Indian, who acted as a guide for Boyd, had been put to death, wliich was much more barbarous and cruel thaji tliat inflicted on Boyd. 124 ANNALS OF Hammond sat in silence during all the time that the savage was relating the story of the massacre, knowing that it would be death to him to expostu- late or express his detestation of the hellish deed, but his bosom burned with rage, and he uttered a silent prayer to Him who rules the destiny of all, that means of revenging the murder of his countrymen might be placed within his reach. Here the Indian ceased talking to Hammond, and ordering the prisoners to lie down, they were fast- ened in the same manner they had been the two preceding nights. About midnight the wind shifted to the north, and it became so intensely cold, that Hammond and his companions in captivity nearly perished. At day-break the Indians loosened their prisoners and ordered them to kindle a large fire, and one of the Indians was set as a guard, whilst the other five laid down again and fell asleep. The Indian who had been set as a guard got the head of the deer which they had killed the preceding day, and with a spear held it into the fire to roast, and tlirew a blanket over his head and shoulders to shel- ter him from the north wind. After they had kin- dled a good fire and warmed themselves, Hammond asked leave for him and his companions to go to the creek, which was but a short distance ofi*, to wash, which the old Indian willingly granted. When they were done washing themselves, Hammond says to Bennett, " My friend, now is the auspicious moment for us to efiect our liberation from these barbarians, such a favorable opportunity may never again ofier, and you have already seen enough to convince you BINGHAMTON. 125 that you will be put to death." Bennett unhesita- tingly agreed to make the attempt, it could only be death, and that he expected if he remained with them, and he might as well perish in an attempt to regain his liberty. The great matter then, was to deceive the old Indian so as to prevent him from discovering their intention, and giving the alarm to his savage comrades. To effect this, Hammond was to place himself at the opposite side of the fire from the old Indian, and engage him in an earnest conversation, whilst Bennett and his son were to come up behind him and seize the guns and spears ; the blanket which the Indian had thrown over his head, would prevent him from discovering them. The arrange, ments were now completed. Bennett stood ready with a spear to teminate the existence of the old In- dian, who had been set to watch them. Hammond stood prepared to leap over the fire the in- stant the blow was given, and lay hold of the tom- ahawks which lay near the heads of the savages, and with them to aid in despatching the other five : whilst the boy stood ready to seize the guns, and render all the assistance in the conflict he could. The signal was given, and Bennett drove the spear completely through the body of the old Indian, who sprang entirely over the fire and drew the spear out of Bennett's hand, uttering a most terrific yell. Hammond sprang over the fire, seized the toma- hawks, and prepared for the work of death. The Indian who had the command of the party that mas- sacred Boyd and his men, was first on his feet and gave the savage yell, " chee whoo ! chee whoo I'* 126 ANNALS OF f when Hammond buried a tomahawk in his brains, and he fell headlong into the fire ; the next blow he made, he struck one of them on the side of the head immediatelv below the ear, who also fell into the fire ; and at a third blow he buried his tomahawk between the shoulders of a savage, who, on receiv- ing the stroke, made such a sudden leap, that he for- ced the tomahawk from Hammond, and ran some distance with it sticking in his shoulders. Bennett, having lost his spear at the commencement of the afii-ay, had seized a gun and despatched one of the Indians by beating out his brains with the butt of it. Not one of the Indians v/ould have escaped, had it not been that three of the guns were empty ; three of them having fired at a deer the day before, and had not re-loaded their guns. This rendered the boy almost useless in the struggle ; he having made three attempts to shoot, but had unfortunately got hold of an empty gun. One of the Indians escaped unhurt, and the one wounded between the shoulders crept away and hid himself. They then gathered up the blankets, guns and sword, and threw every tiling else into the fire ; and in their hurry they neglected to save any of the venison to take with tliem. They immediately commenced their retreat, di- recting their course up the Mashoppin, and at the distance of three miles from the place from wliich tliey had started, they waded the creek, taking the boy between them to prevent him from being swept c^Fby the stream, which had risen considerably during thp night, and was very difficult and dan- BINGHAMTON. 127 gerous to cross. The morning was extremely cold, and they had proceeded but a short distance until tlieir clothes were frozen stiff, which rendered it very laborious and uncomfortable for them to travel. On their way home they kept behind the mountains and a considerable distance from the river, fearing that they would be pursued by the large party of savages, which one of the Indians had informed Hammond were in the neighborhood. The weath- er continuing cold, the snow, which was still of a considerable depth behind the mountains, was fro- zen hard enough to permit them to walk on the crust without falling through. This, whilst it en- abled them to travel much faster, rendered it almost impossible to track them. On the evening of the sixth day after they had been taken by the savages, tliey arrived at home, to the great joy of their fami- lies and neighbors, having travelled three days without a morsel to eat. Lieutenant Boyd's sword, which Hamniond had taken from the old Indian, was some years after- wards presented by him to Col. John Boyd, a bro- ther of the deceased. ^ Several years after the bloody transaction which had taken place on the bank of the Mashoppin, at an Indian treaty held at Newtown — the same that we speak of as taking place in 1790 — Hammond saw the old Indian he had wounded in the shoulders with a tomahawk, who walked with his head bowed down in consequence of the wound. Hammond, who was not altogether convinced that he was the same In- dian, and not wishing to make himself known to the 128 ANNALS OF savage — if he was the same — requested a man na- med Jennings, to ask the old Indian the cause of his neck being so crooked. Jennings watched him, and an opportunity presenting itself, he asked the old savage the question, who promptly replied, " a d — d yankee tomahawked me at Wyoming !" This answer fully satisfied Hammond that he was the same Indian he had wounded at the contest on the bank of the Mashoppin. Mrs. Hammond herself was taken prisoner, and was among those who travelled through the wilder- ness called by them " the shades of death," to the Delaware river. Below Wellsburgh, and on the same side of the river, within the distance of six or eight miles of the village, there settled a Mr. McKeen, the father of Mr. McKeen, the United States Senator, Ebenezer Green, Abijah Batterson, Samuel Westbrook, Elias Middaugh, Green Bentlry, near Wellsburgh, after whom Bentley creek was named, Abraham Bennet, •Asa Burnham, Abiel Fry, Thomas Kenney, Elder John Goff, who was the first minister of that region, was of the Baptist order, and a useful man in his day. He came from Wyoming, and settled on the Chemung Flats in 1786. The Baldwin family set- tled about the same time opposite Wellsburgh. John Hillman came about the same time, and settled a little lower down. The person who first broke the ground for civili- zed settlement, in the region which was destined to embrace the village of Ehnira, with its suburb neigh- borhood, was Col. John Handy. He was of New BINGHAMTON. 129 England origin, and emigrated thither from Tioga Point in the year 1788. A few years previous to this, he had moved from Wyoming. The precise spot of his settlement was, it is believed, where the venerable Col. now lives ; which is something more than two miles above the village, on the banks of the Chemung. He lives still in his primitive style, in a double log house, retaining the manners and bearing of the generation that has just gone by, of which he is a happy representative. He is highly esteemed in the village and its vicinity, as a survi- ving hero of the revolution, as the first pioneer in the settlement of the country, and as the friend, the paternal friend, of the generation that has grown up around him. The second person who made a permanent settle- ment within the range of Elmira village, was John Miller, afterward first Judge of Tioga county, who also settled immediately upon the banks of the Che- mung, upon a farm now occupied by Captain Par- tridge. Thomas Handy, a relative of the Colonel, was the third. In the same year, and in the follow- ing, (1789) there came several families and settled on the south side of the river, now called Southport, and connected to Elmira by a bridge. The same year, it appears, in which Col. Handy settled on the Chemung, that section of country was surveyed by Gen. James Clinton, Gen. John Hathorn, and John Cantine, Esq. as commissioners on the part of the State, and the land estimated and sold at eighteen pence per acre. But a little previous to this. Judge Gore and Gen, Spalding, from Tioga. 9 130 ANNALS OF Point, rented the lands lying between the Pennsyi. vania line on the south, the pre-emption line on the west, the two lakes on the north, and the Chemung Narrows on the east, for ninety-nine years. Wheth- er this transaction was recognized by the commis. sioners is not known. In the year 1790, Elmira was signalized with the presence of between eleven and twelve hundred In- dians, who had met from various and distant parts of their wilderness country, for the purpose of hold- ing a treaty with the United States. The distin- guished Timothy Pickering was the principal nego- tiator on the part of the government, and Guy Max- well acted as his secretary. On the part of the In- dians there were their most distinguished chiefs, such as Red Jacket, Corn Planter, Big Tree, and others, to watch over, elucidate, and defend the wa- ning interests of the several tribes. In 1792, Nathaniel Seely built the first frame house in the village of Newtown, or Elmira. Moses De Witt, the year previous, (1791) laid out the vil- lage of Elmira ; and in honor of whom the village was first called De Wittsburgh. For some reason it soon changed its name to that of Newtown ; this name it changed to that of Elmira, In 1797, the village was honored with the visit of no less a personage than Louis Philippe, the present King of France, with two French noblemen accom- panying him : the Duke de Nemours and the Duke de Berri, They came on foot from Canandaigua, with letters of introduction from Thomas Morris, to Henry Tower, Esq., who then lived in the village BmGHAMTON. 131 of Elmira. Mr. Tower, after his distinguished guests had tarried some number of days under his hospitable roof, recruiting their weary hmbs, and enjoying the social parlance of their hosts, took them in a boat he fitted up for the purpose, down to Har- risburgh. Southport, which is a beautiful and extended plain, on the south side of the Chemung, and the central part immediately opposite Elmira, was settled, as has been just stated, the first and second years after the settlement of the north side, by Judge Caleb Ba- ker, who still lives upon the sod that received its first cultivation from himself. John and Timothy Smith, Solomon Bavier, Lebius Hammond, Esq, William Jenkins, Esq., still living, Rufus Baldwin, still farther down the river. Parson Culvier, a Con- gregational minister, Lebius Tubbs, the father of Mrs. Hammond, Judge Abraham Miller, and Sam- uel Middaugh ; whose names have been mentioned before. This plain, it should be stated, had, previously to its settlement by the whites, been cleared — so far as they clear land — and cultivated by the Indians. When Gen. Sullivan passed up on his expeilition, he found it covered, in immense patches, with grow- ing corn, from Post's Corners to beyond Elmira, a distance of five miles or more. The destruction of this corn occupied portions of the army for several days. In corroboration of that which is said to have given rise to the Indian word Chemung, as appropri- ated to the river of that name, Judge Baker relates, 1S2 ANNALS OF r that a few years after his settlement upon its plain^ he was passing up or down the river in a canoe with one or two others, and at the shore, near what is called the Second Narrows, when they were about to disembark, there was observed, under water, something protruding out of the bank, looking like the root of a tree. It was spoken of as a curious root. Judge Baker requested one of the men to get into the water and examine it ; and, if possible, to draw it out or break it off. It was soon found to be no root. Their curiosity was increased, and ail wot into the water to wrest it from the bank, in which it was partly embedded. They succeeded in getting it out, and found it to be a perfect, though an immense, horn. It measured, from one extremity to the other, nine feet in the curve, and was six feet,, measuring in a straight line. It was somewhat cor- roded by time, though not enough to materially ef- fect either its form or coherency. As not much at- tention could then be paid to curiosities, it was neg- ligently left at a blacksmith's shop, for a long time. Judge Baker intended to have it taken care of, and to have it examined, if practicable, by some compe- tent naturalist. It was left at the blacksmith's shop, as nearly as the writer can recollect, to have a band put round, where it was split. After a while, the horn was missing. The blacksmith having an op- portunity of disposing of it for a paltry sum, sold it to a pedlar ; and it was taken to some of the New England states, and has not been heard of since. A Capt. McDowell, who was taken prisoner by the- Indians, and some time with them,, saw pieces of s. BINGHAMTON. 133 ¥ery large horn, which the Indians said their fathers had found in this river, and therefore gave it the name of Chemung ; which signifies Big-horn. Capt. McDowell, who saw the horn found by Judge Baker, said he had no doubt but the two belonged to the same animal. Of what species that animal was, is for learned naturalists to determine. Among the early settlers of the inllage of Elmira, may be mentioned Daniel Cruger, who opened the first store ; Cornelius Low, and his partner Jacob Emmons, who were merchants also, and simulta- neous with Mr. Cruger, John Conkle, Esq., the first Postmaster, and afterward, it is believed, was State Senator ; B. Payne, who was afterward Judge. Judge Payne, in company with William Dunn, built the first grist-mill in the village neighbor- hood ; John Stonher, whose avocation is not now known ; Peter Loop, an attorney ; Vincent Mat- thews, who was considered in those early times the first lawyer in the place ; Joseph Hinchman, who was the earliest physician settled in the village ; William Miller, an early trader with the Indians ; Nicholas Gale opened the first tavern ; and last, though not least in importance, Simeon R. Jones was the first settled minister. These few founded a 'present village, but a pros- pective city ; whose thousands of inhabitants, in their successive generations, are to reach down, in all probability, through the millennium to the latest age of the world. 134 ANNALS OF CHAPTER X. In early day, Sylvanus Delano settled a short distance below Gen. Waterman's dam, called the rock-bottom dam, and a little above the same dam, Levi Bennet settled. According to the story told to some of the early settlers by Indian Seth, there were two men — wheth- er Indians or white men does not appear — long before the country was settled by the whites, on the bank of the Susquehannah, somewhere between the rock- bottom dam and the dry bridge — burnt to death at two pitch-pine trees. Upon these two trees the fa- ces of the two men were carved, evidently by Indian hands. These hyeroglyphical representations of human suffering and death were to be seen for years after the country was settled ; though possibly seen but by a few. To give also the names of the early settlers, from Mr. Bennet's to the Great Bend, upon the river road,- and that too in their order, we should mention, first Joseph Compton ; then, one Mr. Hungerford ; next. Mr. Slighter ; Thomas Cooper ; Noel Carr ; Mr. Wickam ; Ebenezer Park ; Mr. Miller ; David Compton ; Mr. Sneden ; Mr. Lommeree ; John Bell ; Asa Squires ; Nathaniel Tagot ; Asa Rood ; Peter Wentz ; Daniel Chapman ; David Bound ; Garrit Snidaker; Jonathan Bennet, a very early settler ; Ralph Lotrip ; Waples Hanth, at the mouth of Snake Creek. And at the Bend, a Mr. Merry- BINGHAMTON. ' 13& tnan ; Jonathan Newman ; Jonathan Dimon, very early ; Joseph Strong and Henry Smith. Asa Adams and Jedediah Adams settled about one mile and a half above the mouth of Snake creek, on the south side of the river. The Great Bend was first settled in 1787, the same year in which the valley of the Chenango was, by Maj. Buck — afterward Rev. — and his son Icha- bod, better known, however, by the name of Capt. Buck. They settled opposite what was called Pleasant Island, on the north side of the river, a little above the ^^ painted rocks.''' The rocks upon the southern shore, at the place alluded to, come quite down to the river brink, and stand perpendic- ular in stratas to the height of thirty feet. Some parts of them formerly presenting quite a smooth surface. Upon this surface the early settlers found painted in an ingenious, though rude, style, the re- presentations of various animals, such as panthers, bears, wolves, and wild cats. They have, however, long since been defaced, so as now to be invisible. They were evidently painted by Indians ; but when, or by whom, is not known. The Indians cotempo- rary with the early whites know not. Capt. Bena- jah Strong, a year or two after the first settlement, settled on the south side of the river, where the tav- ern stand now is ; Ozias Strong settled on the north side, where Esq. Thompson lived for many years, and where Loure Green now lives ; Jonathan Ben- net afterwards deacon in the Congregational Church at the Bend, settled where the Mr. Thomases now live ; a Mr. Mitchel settled at what has since 136 ANNALS OF been called Harmony, These constituted the ear- liest settlers at the Bend and its immediate neigh- borhood. They purchased their lands of Mr. Fran- ces, of Philadelphia, whose patent embraced this part of Susquehannah county. Previously to Maj. Buck's settling at the Bend, there was a man by the name of Holton, and some few associates with him — Ganson and Fairbanks were the names of two of them — found their way to these banks of the Susquehannah, and located them- selves for a while upon them, living a sort of buc- anier life. It is said that they fled from Shay's re- bellion in Massachusetts, soon after the war. Their stay, however, was only temporary. They are sup- posed to have killed two Indians that came up from Chenango Point, to gather apples from their trees at the Bend. These were three large and noted ap- ple trees, which stood, and either all or a part do still stand, not far from the northern abutment of the bridge. One of these that were slain was called Ben Shanks. It was known that he belonged to the Indians at Chenango Point. Antonio — or, as the name is more commonly spelt, Antone — the chief of the Indians at Castle Farm, and indeed of the Indians of this entire section of country, informed Capt. Buck that there were two white persons put to death at the Bend. They were prisoners who were brought from the Chemung — one was shot in attempting to make his escape across the river. The other was put to death at the " three apple trees," before alluded to. The bones of whom were found and religiously buried by Capt. Buck. BINGHAMTON. 137 One George Andrews and a Dutchman were ta- ken prisoners, some few years, it is believed, after the war, from near the Delaware, and carried by the Indians up the Chenango river, where they intended, it appears, to execute them. While here, Andrews overheard the Indians, who were four or five in number, talking, during the night, among themselves of executing their prisoners the next night or next day. Andrews, at a convenient time, ma(le this known to his companion, and proposed to him, that they should make a desperate attempt to effect their es- cape. The Dutchman cowardly shrunk from the proposition. Andrews, therefore, made no reliance upon his comrade, but laid his plan for his escape : which he effected, by killing, nearly or quite, the whole party. There was a tribe of Indians, a remnant of the Delawares, that resided before and during the war, at what is now called Deposit. The place was call- ed by the Indians " the Cook House." By this name it was known in the time of the war. Tom Quick is spoken of as a famous Indian hun- ter, though nothing more is known of his history by the writer, except so much as this : that his feats were performed generally upon the Delaware river. Ben Shanks and Hotashes, whose names are barely known, not in connection with any event, were ro- ving Indians, that were considered as outlaws, and belonging to no particular tribe. Antone informed Captain Buck also, that he was a descendant of the Delawares that were 138^ ANNALS OF defeated in what was called the grassliopper imr, at Wyoming. Hence we learn the chief's origin; and hence may infer the probability that the few of the Delawares that surrvived that war, settled here at Chenango Point and at Oquago. Capt. Buck is now about eighty years of age^ living retiredly seven miles up Snake creek. He retains his mental and bodily faculties to a remark- able degree. It is remarkable, that almost all the revolutionary men have their age, accompanied with unusual vigor of body and mind, protracted beyond ordinary limits. Capt. Buck, as well as his father, served through a considerable portion of the war, en- gaged particularly against the Indians and British on the Mohawk under Gen. Ranselo. Capt. Buck relates the anecdote, that while a part of the scene of war lay in the neighborhood of the Mohawk, Capt. Brant had straggled from his troops, some little distance ; and rising a steep hill, when near the top, he suddenly met an American officer whom he well knew, and who was rising the other side, and had made the same approximation towards the top. They came very suddenly upon each oth- er. They both drew up, instanter, their rifles, with which it seems they were armed, and fired ; they then drew their swords ; but before coming quite within the reach of these weapons, Capt. Brant turn- ed and fled ; and the American Colonel at full speed after him. The issue of the strife, for some time, remained doubtful. The Colonel would gain a little, and would come near enough to reach his enemy ; but necessarily coming partially to a stand. BINGHAMTON. 139^ while making the Uow, he would loose ground ; which it would take him some little time to recover. In this manner he made several ineffectual passes at Capt. Brant, only now and then marking his back with the extreme point of his sword ; and at length gave up the chase. These two men, after the war, met at a treatVyand Capt. Brant pleasantly remark- ed to the Col. that it was not gentlemanly to mark another upon his back. Daniel Buck, who has already been spoken of, as first in the settlement of the Bend, being of good natural parts, and having received, for the times in which he lived, a more than ordinary education^, though not classical ; of a ready utterance also, and possessing a zeal beyorjd his compeers, for the hon- or and advancement of the christian religion ; after expressing his desire for the ministry, he was re- ceived into that sacred office. Pursuant to this,. • the Rev. Mr. Badger, a brother to Lemuel Badger, of Oquago, was sent out from New Concord to or- dain Mr. Buck, who was also, by the same Rev. gen- tleman installed the pastor of the Congregational church of the place. This infant church, the earliest instituted of any in our entire section, had been organized the year before, 1789, by a Mr. Stephens from Albany coun- ty. It was composed, at first, of the following mem- bers : Jonathan Bennet,. jun., Asa Adams, a Mr. Merryman, Oriah Strong, Gratia Strong, Benajah Strong, jun., James Mitchel, and James Mitchel, jun.,. Moses Bnnnet, Stephen Murch, a Mr. Bishop, and Nathaniel Gates, with the wives^ generally, of these 140 ANNALS OF men. These families must have composed nearly all the settlers of that neighborhood. Indeed, it is said that, in nearly all the families from the mouth of Snake creek to Harmony, beyond the Bend, morn- ing and evening prayers were offered ; and not one family in this whole distance, in which there was not one or more of the members pious. But in the course of five and twenty years, instead of nearly all the families being pious, not but two or three were to be found entitled to that sacred epithet. This declension took place some years before the death of Mr. Buck, their minister. The causes of so great a change are not particularly known, ex- cept we refer it to the general depravity of men. The death of Mr. Buck took place in 1814. After this event, infidelity, by many, was openly and pub- licly avowed ; and its abettors went so far, as to hold their meetings on the Sabbath, and to read Paine's " Age of Reason," to the multitude. They showed their hostility to the christian religion, by attending meetings for divine worship, and either succeeding with their's immediately, before the christian congregation had dispersed ; or they would commence before the stated hour of christian wor- ship. Meetings then were held in a school house, in which the whole community felt they had an equal a'ight. The magistrate of the place, however, who took a part in this demoralizing cause, too active for his own interest or lasting reputation, was, in consequence, finally deposed from his office. The congregation here was destitute of a stated ministry from the death of Mr. Buck until about the BINGHAMTON. 141 year 1830. In 1824, a Baptist church was formed' by Elder, and also Judge, Dimmick, of Montrose ► In the summer of 1827, three or four Indians were down from Oneida to the Bend, whose object was to dig for treasures, that had long before been hidden. The little party consisted of a very old man, one that passed for his son, and a young fe- male, who passed as grand-daughter, and who ser- ved as interpreter. The treasure which they ob- tained from digging in different places, was said to be considerable. It was carried away upon a horse,: which they had brought for the purpose. The old Indian must have been one who had formerly resi- ded in the parts. Putnam Cathn, Esq., a gentleman of professional education, settled first, and early, in Oquago, but for some twenty years he has resided at the Great Bend. He has a situation of sufficient beauty to be called a seaU upon the bank of the Susquehannah, a moderate distance from the bridge, and upon the south side. He is the father of the much celebrated George Catlin, who has, beyond all controversy, immortalized his name, by his "Indian paintings." Whilst the vicinity of the Great Bend has not a large and flourishing population, with correspon- dent improvements, to boast of; it stands upon, and is surrounded by, a scenery beautiful as the pencil of nature could well have rendered it. The beauty of its scenery will undoubtedly attract to it, as the country becomes settled, gentlemen of taste and fortune. 142 ANNALS OF CHAPTER XI. Old Oquago, now Windsor, is distinguished as having been the ancient dweUing place of a tribe of Indians ; evidently, too, for a long series of years. It is situated upon the Susquehannah river, near the northeast angle of the Great Bend, fourteen miles in a straight course from the village of Binghamton. It appears to have been a half-way resting place for the "Six Nations," as they passed south to Wyoming or its neighborhood ; or for the tribes of the Wyo- ming valley as they passed north. Their path over the Oquago mountain, . and also over a mountain this side, nearer the village, was worn very deep, and is still plainly visible. From the point, at the village of Binghamton, they appear to have uniform- ly struck across to Oquago, instead of following the curve of the great bend of the river. It is a beau- tiful vale, from three to four miles in length, and from a mile to a mile and a half in width on both sides of the river ; with an easy and nearly regular slope to the top of the hills that run parallel with the stream. The evidence we have of its great antiquity, and of its distinction at some date or other, is, from the numerous and valuable trinkets that were found by tiie whites when they came to dig and plow upon its plains. The apple trees also found growing there, of very great size, and of apparently great age ; their number, too, and the variety and richness of the BINGHAMTON. 143 fruit ; all indicated the antiquity and importance of the place. A great number of human bones from various depths below the surface, were thrown up from time to time. Some of these were of peculiar formation. A scull was found with the lower jaw attached to it, which had an entire douUe roio of teeth ; a single row above, but all double teeth. Deacon Stow, who grew up on these plains, men- tions two kinds of trinkets which he had often found himself. One, of a tringular form about an inch from angle to angle, made of silver, and flat, of the thickness of a ten cent piece, with a hole near one angle ; supposed to have been worn for a pendant, at the nose. Another, of silver also, made of a gridiron form, and about the circumference of a half dollar. Supposed to have been worn at the ears. There were the remains, or rather the entire form, of a fortification, near the river, plainly to be seen by the primitive settlers. It was so construct, ed as to meet the enemy from the river. From \ha appearance of its recent construction when the whites settled the country, the impression was, that it was erected when Gen. Clinton passed down the river, in his Indian cxpecition. Behind it were found many war implements. It is most probable, however, that it was constructed long before this, as it does not appear that the Indians made any resist- ance at this place, or even showed themselves. The story of them is, that at the time the waters of the Susquehannah were — to them preternatu rally — rais- ed to an overflowing of its banks, in consequence of 144 ANNALS OF Clinton's breaking away his dam at the outlet of the Lake, they were very much alarmed upon observ- ing it, and supposed the Great Spirit was about to drown the world ; and at the approach of an army so soon after, they were terrified, and fled with pre- cipitation behind the distant mountains ; taking time only to bury their most valuable articles. These they disinterred upon their return ; which, as the same tradition says, consisted principally of pewter vases, trinkets, one or two iron kettles and a grindstone. If this tradition is true, it is true only of those few that remained in the valley ; the larger part of them, embracing their chiefs and warriors had left at the commencement of the war, and had joined those of their brethren that were in arms against the colonies. They might have been home the winter previous to the expedition, as it appears that Capt. Brant, and, most probably many others of the chiefs and warri- ors took up their winter quarters in Oquago. At the commencement of the war, the Indians of this place told their missionary — whose name is not now known — to go home ; informing him at the same time, that they were about to take up arms against his country. The valley of OJmaquaga, as it was anciently spelt, was inhabited by a part of the " Five Nations," sometimes unitedly called the Iroquois. They ap- pear to have been, from time immemorial, piously and virtuously disposed. After an Indian school had been instituted at Stockbridge, by the Scotch Missionary Society, long before the time of th» BINGHAMTON. 145 French war, the Indians were among the first to resort thither for christian instruction. When a large number of them went to Stockbridge, in the tiii^3 of President Edwards, the sachems of the Mo- hawks recommended, in council, to Mr. Edwards to use them with peculiar care and tenderness, as ex- celling their own tribe in religion and virtue. Mr. Edwards— afterward President of Princeton College — while a minister at Stockbridge, took a deep and lively interest in the Ohnaquagas. He |)rocured for them in this early day, a missionary — k Mr. Hawle y — accompanied by three other persons, Mr. Woodbridge, and Mr. and Mrs. Ashley. Mrs. Ashley, it appears, was employed, during her stay, as interpreter. The three latter returned ; but Mr. Hawley remained their missionary until the com- mencement of the French war ; when it was con- sidered unsafe for him to remain any longer with them. About one year previous to this event, Mr. Ed- wards sent one of his sons, a lad of about nine years old, to Oquago, under the care of Mr. , Hawley, to learn the Indian language, in view of his becoming an Indian missionary. When the French war commenced, a faithful Indian, who had had a special care of the lad, took him at intervals uj)07i his hack, and conveyed him safely to his father. This lad was afterward President of Union College. Notwithstanding all the vicissitudes through which these Indians passed, so unfavorable to the existence and progress of christian piety ; and not- withstanding all they had seen in mere nominal 10 146 ANNALS OF christians, so unfavorable to the same, they appear ever after the estabUshment of the christian rehgion among them, to retain a predilection for it. The valley of Oquago was settled by the whites, about the year 1788. The earliest inhabitants were John Doolittle, who appears to have been the very first white man in the settlement, located himself about four miles above the present bridge, on the west side of the river, near where his widow and son now live. David Hotchkiss, who appears to have been next, with his two sons, Amraphael and Cyrus, at that time young men, settled a little below the bridge, on the west or south west side of the river, on the very place where another son of his, Frederick Hotchkiss, Esq. now lives. Mr. Hotch- kiss and his family moved from Waterbury, near New Haven, Conn. He came in the next year af- ter John Doolittle, 1789. He took up a large tract of land, on both sides of the river, upon which there had been some improvements, purchasing only the possession of a Mr. Swift. This was a little before the land was patented, or, at least, before the paten- tees were known to the settlers. John Garnsey took up a patent of 1000 acres next below Mr. Hotchkiss, toward the Pennsylvania line. He left this to his sons, of whom there were many. They all, how- ever, left. The Ellis' patent came next on the river, north, and embraced the land of David Hotchkiss. It consisted of seventeen lots of two hundred acres each ; of which Mr. D. Hotchkiss took ten. Next, on the north, was Hammond's patent, embracing about four or five thousand acres. Secretary Har- BINGHAMTON. 147 pur came next in his patent, extending to Jericho, a distance of eight or nine miles. To the honor of Secretary Harpur, it may here be related, that, for one or two years, he paid the taxes for all those who had taken up land upon his patent, saying to the collector, as he came round, " the people upon my tract are poor, but industrious ; I will therefore help them." The same year in which David Hotchkiss came, there came several other families ; and the year fol- lowing, several more ; and, indeed, every following year added to their number. The location of these early settlers were nearly as follows : On the east side of the river, as the traveller came down from Jericho, the first inhabitant to be met with was Lemuel Badger ; the next his brother Edmund ; next, John and Jacob Springsteen ; next was Capt. James Knox. He would next meet with the habi- tation of William Moore and Isaac Churcher, near the old Fort ; next was John Stuart, a revolutionary man, who died in consequence of over-eating, in the time of the great scarcity ; next, Edward Russell ; and Asa Judd, next to Mr. Russell. Below the present bridge was Nathan Lane, Esq. ; and next to him was Azariah Hatch. Crossing the river, and returning upon its western side, our traveller would first meet with Ebenezer Garnsey, Maj. John Garnsey, a Dr. Garnsey, and a Mr. Potter ; all liv- ing on the Garnsey patent. Next to these was Judge George Harper, who lived about one half mile below the bridge. It was the son of Judge Harper, that was shot, as he was passing through the beech 148 ANNALS OF woods, by Treadwell; an event still fresh in the memory of many. Mr. David Hotchkiss' location was next. Mr. H. was noted for his generosity to the poor ; refusing often, in time of scarcity, to sell grain to those who had money ; but letting it go to those who had none. He was the first magistrate appointed in the place. Next to him was Maj. Jo- siah Stow, about one mile and a half above the bridge; next above Maj. Stow's was Jonathan An- drus ; and last upon the west side, in the settlement, was John and Abel Doolittle. The most of these early inhabitants of Oquago came from Waterbury, in New Haven county, Conn,, and Watertown, in Litchfield county. Conn. Mr. Josiah Stow, who generally went by the name of Major Stow, as he had borne that office in the French war, and was well entitled to its honor, came from Danbury, in Conn. So did also the rest of the Stow family. On Maj. Stow's location were a great number of the ancient apple trees, of which we have just spo- ken. They were of a great size ; some of which are standing to this day. The opinion of the first settlers with regard to the age of these trees, was, that they must be nearly or quite a hundred years old, at the time of the settlement. The fruit was of an excellent quality, and of various kinds. Some of the apples were large enough to weigh a pound ; and were fair and round. They stood without or- der — as is generally the case in Indian orchards — and their bodies ran up, with but few or no limbs ; very high ; showing, evidently, they had grown up BINGHAMTON. 149 in a forest. As a great number of human bones were, in after years, plowed up from under these trees, the supposition is natural, that here was their burying ground. They evidently paid great re- spect to their apple trees, partly, it may be, because they shaded the graves of their fathers. An anecdote is told of Maj. Stow, which may be thought, by some, to favor this opinion of the ground of their reverence. It at least illustrates the cour- age and firmness of the man : In the early part of the Major's residence here, he, one day towards evening, observed an Indian, with his hatchet, girdling one of these ancient apple trees upon his premises ; upon which he went im- mediately to him, and demanded, in a stern voice, what he was doing, and the reason of his conduct. The Indian made some reply, in his own tongue, ol which Mr. Stow could only understand the word " Sullivan, Sullivan," and which the Indian repeat- ed several times. The Major commanded him to desist ; but the latter continued hacking the tree. He then told the Indian he should blow him through, if he did not. He had his rifle in his hand ; so also had the Indian, his lying near him upon the ground. The Indian cast his eye, several times, first at his rifle, and then at Maj. ^tow ; but observing him prepared to fire, and his brow knit with resolution, he desisted ; thinking it not worth while to risk his life for the sake of killing the tree, nor wise to en- gage at such fearful odds. He went down to his, canoe at the bank, and sullenly made off*, down the river. The Major, however, was cautious enough 150 ANNALS OF to follow the Indian at an invisible distance behind, for a mile or more, lest the Indian should turn back aud fire upon him. He many times remarked af- terwards, that this was the only Indian he was ever afraid of. The probability is, the savage had come there with the design — and who can wonder at it — of gird- ling those venerable trees, now in the possession of strangers and enemies, the fruit of which his own tribe for a half century or more had eaten, Samuel Stow, the elder, and father of the present Deacon Stow, came in at a later period, in 1793. In about the year 1794, there was what was call- ed the pumpkin freshet, in the month of August ; the Susquehannah rising much above its usual height, and sweeping down in its tide the productions of the fields ; corn, pumpkins, potatoes, &c. A great scarcity was the natural consequence. During this scarcity, Maj. Stow shouldered a bushel of wheat, in which the whole neighborhood had a common share, and started for Wattles' ferry to mill, a distance of more than forty miles, carrying his grist the whole distance on foot. He got his wheat ground, and re- turned in the same trudging manner. During his journey he purchased one quarter of a pound of tea — at that time a rare article with the settlers — to help out the repast, which he anticipated at his re- turn. Upon his arrival home, the neighbors, who held an interest in the grist of wheat — and most probably others also— collected at the Major's house, to hold a sort of thanksgiving ; which was to be cel- ebrated by preparing and partaking of as sumptu- BINGHAMTON. 151 ous a feast, as their stores would admit. Out of the flour they made short-cake ; but having no hog's lard, they would have come short of this luxury, had not the Major bethought himself of some learns grease, which he had in the house, and which an- swered as a substitute. Their tea was quite a new article to them, for which they were not prepared. They had no teakettle, no teapot, no teacups. In- stead of the first, a small kettle was furnished to boil the water in ; they put the tea into the same to steep it ; and instead of cups and saucers, they used a wooden bowl, which they passed around from one to the other. Still they made a merry cheer of it ; felt the glow of sociability, and told each his best anecdote. These early inhabitants, when they be- came old, would tell the story to their children and more recent inhabitants, with moistened eyes ; but said, it was then a heart-felt thanksgiving and a merry time. The inhabitants of Oquago since, have at times, been reduced to such straits for the want of bread, that the temporary relief given by a loaf or a cake, has been followed by tears of gladness. Wattles' ferry — or rather beyond, some number of miles, at Bennet's mills — was the place to which the inhabitants were obliged to resort for milling their grain, until a gristmill was built, some eight or ten miles beyond Deposit, at a place then called the city. Although this was a great distance — it would be supposed at this day — to go to mill, still it was but little more than half the distance to the former place. In about the year '97, being eight or nine years 152 ANNALS OF after the settlement of the place, the inhabitants found themselves able to erect mills among them- selves. Mr. Lane built the first gristmill. He built a sawmill about the same time. Mr. Doolittle built a sawmill but a short time after. According to the recollection of some, Mr. Doolittle built his sawmill previous to Mr. Lane's building his. Am- raphael Hotchkiss built the first mills upon the Sus- quehannah. Secretary Harpur, while he resided in New- York, sent a woman, in 1792, to superintend the building of a gristmill and sawmill upon his pa- tent, by the name of Peggy Ludlow. She proved, though a woman, an efficient agent, in conducting that part of his business. David Hotchkiss built the first framed barn, which is yet standing. They now began to have the conveniences of life more within their own neighborhood. As the produc- tions of their land began to increase to a surplus, a market was opened for them at Deposit, on the Delaware, and the surrounding neighborhood ; as the inhabitants of this latter section were turning their attention, as they settled, to lumbering, instead of clearing and cultivating the ground. The in- habitants of Oquago have, from the beginning, been cultivators of the soil. The legitimate consequen- ces of this divinely appointed employment, are said to be happily exemplified in the superior happiness and morality, if not the prosperity, of the place. The first christian society formed in Oquago, was Presbyterian ; and this was early formed. It was the nursery of many eminently pious persons of both sexes. BINGHAMTON. 153 No tribe of Indians was found living in the vici- nity when first settled. There were a few scat- tering ones, individuals and families, residing in the parts, who remained for some number of years. The Indians who professed to reside at the Castle farm, had their range, it appears, from the Forks to the Point, on the Chenango river ; and from Wind- sor and the Great Bend, down to Union on the Sus- quehannah ; and the same Indians were familiarly known in all these places. Other settlers, though not so early as those who have been mentioned, should be recorded. Jasper Edwards settled next above Mr. Stuart, on the same side of the river. He was taken by the Indians at Minnisink and carried to Canada ; but afterward made his escape. His descendants are still in the place. Elmore Russell, the father of the present Elmore Russell, was an early settler. He served throughout the revolutionary war ; but in the latter part of it, he ran away and enlisted on board a man- of-war, under Commodore Truxton ; was taken a prisoner off the coast of the Bermudas, and lay in irons seventeen days. He survived all this, how- ever, and lived to be surrounded with a family. His daughter, when a little girl, found a large ring, which was supposed to have been once the ornament of some chief's daughter. As it was too large for her finger, she wore it upon ]\qy great-toe. When upon a visit to Connecticut, she ascertained that it was of pure gold. Henry Richards is mentioned as one of the earliest settlers. He located himself where his son 154 ANNALS OF now lives, Mr. Richards bought the lot that the Indians gave to Amos Draper. He came from Wy- oming about the same time that Capt. Leonard did. Five years elapsed from the time of his first coming into the place before he dare bring his family ; so apprehensive had he learned to be, of the danger of a family in the neighborhood of Indians. Nathaniel Cole, the father of the present Natha- niel Cole, the Innkeeper of Colesville, was the first settler of that place, a small vicinity about four miles north of Windsor. Judge Harpur was also a very early settler there. Samuel Badger, was also among the first ; the father of Luther Badger, Esq., a former member of Congress. Secretary Harpur was also an early settler, though not among the first. Putnam Catlin, now residing at the Great Bend, was an early settler at Oquago. Philip Weeks, who lives four miles below the bridge, on the river road, was, when four years old, brought by his grandfather and mother from Wyo- ming, immediately after the great massacre. He remembers the catastrophe distinctly. His grand- father, then an old man, the day after the battle, was seated in a chair without the door of his son's house. A fierce looking Indian came up and told the old man he must leave, or his house would be burnt down, in fifteen minutes, over his head. The Indi- an, with some others, was driving away about forty head of cattle, and had just ordered one to go and bring a yoke of cattle, belonging to his son. The old man told him he could not move, with- out a yoke of oxen to move away with. The BINGHAMTON. 155 Indian bid the old man to go in and bring out a table and a bottle of whiskey ; which old Mr. Weeks did. The Indian refused the old gentleman his own oxen, but allowed him an inferior pair out of the drove. The old man immediately set about loading up the cart with the few goods they were allowed to take away. Upon the top of these he set his daughter- in-law, who, the day before, had been made a widow, and with her, eleven grand-children, and drove the cart himself. With these relics of a numerous fa- mily and a comfortable fortune, he made his way, slowly and painfully, into Orange county. Philip Weeks was one of these children. He remembers that Wiiksbarre was burning as they passed. He remembers also all the little incidents on the way. He remembers seeing his mother crying in the morning of the day they started, after the news of his father's death had reached her. His father had likewise two brothers killed, and his mother one. His mother afterward married a Mr. Bennet, bro- ther to the Mr. Bennet that was taken captive with Esq. Hammond, at Mashoppin. Mr. Roswell Higley, who should have been men- tioned before, was quite an early settler in Oquago. He came from Ballstown, and located himself about half a mile above the old fort. Two or three years after his settlement, there came to Mr. Higley's a chief, with some other Indians, desiring the privilege of lodging and eating in his house, while they should be engaged in digging for some brass kettles, which they said had been buried in the neighborhood. They went daily to the task of their search, and 156 ANNALS OF found a number. And when they left, they said there were otliers, which they had not found. Oth- ers were found afteward in the neighborhood of their digging. Isaac G. Higley, the son, says the chief always asked a blessing before their meals, while they remained in his father's house. The bridge at Windsor was built in 1825. The Presbyterian meeting house, of this place, was erected in 1800. The Methodist house of wor- ship, in 1833. An Episcopal church was organized in Windsor as early as the year 1803, by the present Bishop Chase, of New Jersey, then missionary in the western part of New- York. This was the earliest Episco- pal church formed in this entire section of country ; and was the remote origin of the present Episcopal church in Harpursville. The church was organi- zed in Mr. Abel Doolittle's house, where he now lives. The first members were Mr. Abel Doolittle and his wife, with four children baptized ; Daniel Merwin, Mr. Knapp, and Mr. Isaac Ruggles. The first minister of the gospel that preached in Windsor, was the Rev. Mr. Buck, sometimes, by the early inhabitants, called Maj. Buck ; as he had held that office in the revolutionary war. Mr. Wil- liston, a missionary from Connecticut, appears to have been the next. He is, according to the best recollection, supposed to have formed the Presby- terian church there. Soon after the formation of the church, the Rev. Seth Sage became the settled min- ister, and remained the pastor for many years ; even to the time of his death. BINGHAMTON. 157 CHAPTER XII. The region of country on the Chenango, near and about what is called " The Forks," and also upon its Onondaga branch, was settled about the time, or very soon after, the settlement made by Capt. Leonard, Col. Rose, and the two Mr. Whit- neys. Thomas Gallop was the first white man in this part of the settlement. He located himself just at the lower Forks. He was found living a sort of hermit life, by Mr. John Barker, the next white man in the settlement, living at this time in the "treaty house." Mr. Barker purchased of Mr. Gallop his improvements, and took up his residence, with his family, in the treaty house. Gallop soon after, it is believed, left the region. This treaty house, as it was called, had been erected for the ac- commodation of the treaty, held at this place with the Indians, by the commissioners of the Boston com- pany. The house stood near where the present toll-house of the bridge stands ; rather north west of it, in the orchard. It was a large double log house. The lower Forks are formed by the Chenango and the Tioughnioga — a name given the waters of the Onondaga, from the mouth of the OtseHc to their union with the Chenango. The ui^per Forks, which are ten or twelve miles above, are formed by the Onondaga and the Otselic. A Mr. Lampeer was the first man that ventured 158 ANNALS OF a distance up the Tioughnioga. He settled seven miles up that stream. Gen. John Patterson, one of the proprietors of the Boston company, settled very early, probably next to Lampeer, at the upper Forks ; now called Whitney's Point, and precisely where Thomas Whitney now lives. Gen. Patter- son had been Brigadier General in the revolution- ary war. He was a man of liberal education, and of refined accomplishments. He never became wealthy in this new country, but was highly revered in the vicinity, as one well qualified to lead in their public matters. Simeon Rogers, who married, after coming into the parts, the daughter of John Barker, settled where he now lives, on the north east side of the Tiough- nioga, scant one mile from its mouth. Besides tliese, those that deserve to be mentioned as early settlers, were — commencing from Mr. Ro- gers', and following the Tioughnioga up— John Allen ; then Asa Beach ; then Solomon Rose, the brother of Col. William Rose, on the north side ; then Gen. Patterson, already mentioned ; next to him was David Cornwell ; Ebenezer Tracy, on the Ononda- ga ; Moses Adams ; James Richards, on the north side ; Mr. Wheaton, on the north side also ; Tho- mas and Ebenezer Green, on the east side of the Otselic ; Jonathan Cowdry and Robert Parce on the opposite side of the last stream mentioned. Near- ly all of these persons migrated from Stockbridge, and other parts of Berkshire county. Mass, John and David Seymour, came in also early, and settled on the south west side ot the Tioughnioga, a BINGHAMTON. 159 litlle below General Patterson's ; Dr. Wheeler was early in, and the earliest physician in this part of the little settlement ; Esq. Patterson settled near his father, Gen. Patterson ; and Gen. Samuel Coe was the farthest inhabitant up the Onondaga, on the north east side ; upon the Otselic there settled also, in early day, a nephew of John Barker ; three Messrs. Smith, Jacob, Benjamin and William ; a Mr. Shepherd, also, who became afterward a Baptist preacher. Upon the south east side of the Tioughnioga and the Onondaga, the land belonged to the Boston pur- chase. But upon the opposite side, and as far east as the Chenango river, it constituted the patent of Mr. Hornby, in England. This patent embraced 90,000 acres. Col. William Smith, who married the daughter of the elder John Adams, and was also Secretary to that gentleman while in England as Minister, became the agent for Mr. Hornby, both in purchasing the tract and in disposing of it. His brother Justus, however, after a few years, became the principal acting agent. From this patent the early settlers, who located upon the tract, took the title of their land. Upon the Chenango, above the mouth of i\w Tioughnioga, there was no settlement for a number of years, after the period of which we have been speaking ; and why it should have been so long un- occupied and unimproved is not known. When this particular section first became settled, there were a number of Indians here, and a number of wigwams. They appear, however, all of them, 160 ANNALS OF to have belonged to the general tribe, or community, found upon the two vallies ; having their particular home and head quarters at the Castle farm. Mrs. Rogers, who has been spoken of as the daughter of John Barker, and who came in with her father's fa- mily when about fourteen years of age, was, while young and at home with her father, a very great fa- vorite with them. The squaws would often solicit her company to go with them after whortleberries and other fruit. By being thus often with them, she acquired a knowledge of their peculiarities, and a familiarity with their savage and forbidding appear- ance, which, in a great measure, removed from her all fears of them, and prepared her for encounters which she afterward had with them. Mr. Simeon Rogers, her husband, in a very early day, as soon as the roads were opened sufficiently to be travelled, kept a public house, and particularly liquor to sell. This exposed her, especially when alone, to danger from the Indians. One day, as she was alone in her house with an infant babe that was sitting upon the floor, nine Indians came suddenly in. She knew them. One of them, by the name of David, and whom she discovered to be much intoxi- cated, asked her for a gill of rum. She promptly refused him. He instantly sprung towards her with his knife drawn. She, at the same instant, without being conscious of what she did, threw her arms around another of the Indians, who stood nearest her, and who happened to be young Antonio, the son of the old chief. He immediately took her part, and fell upon David ; threshed and kicked him severely ; BINGHAMTONr 161 then took him out of doors and dragged him to a distance and bid him to lie there. The other Indi- ans all left the house soon, and drunken David they left behind, under an interdict of not moving from his place, for a specified time. They had not been long gone before Mrs. Rogers saw, to her still great- er terror, David making his way back to the house, with his face painted, one side hlack and the other side red, and his tomahawk and knife drawn. This she knew to denote murder ; and what to do she knew not. Courage, she thought, would most likely defend her ; she therefore remained in the house till he came up ; or rather — according to present impression — she stepped without the door, to give herself a chance to run, if necessary, leaving her babe within, as she had not time to take it up. He asked where Antonio was. She said he was upon the other side of the house ; and pretended to run and call him. But really ran down towards the river where her husband and his brother were at work, some quarter or half mile from the house. Her calls were heard ; and her husband not appre- hending at all what was the matter, sent his brother. She informed him ; and thev both moved towards the house. When they arrived, they found the sa- vage David in the house waiting for the liquor, which he was determined to have. He had not molested the child. Mrs. Rogers' brother-in-law bid him, in a manner which carried force with it, to be gone. He cleared, without a reply. He was a fierce and troublesome Indian, even among his own kindred ; and was supposed to be shot afterward by one whose 11 ,«« 162 ANNALS OF life he had threatened. He had shot one Indian not long before he threatened Mrs. Rogers. Another Indian encounter she had : One morn- ing it was, an Indian whom she had never seen be- fore, came in and asked for a drink of rum. Appre- hending some difficulty if she should refuse him, she let him have one gill. Mr. Charles Stone had been travelling some distance from home, and on his re- turn was taking breakfast at the time. The Indian, after receiving his dram, went away ; but soon re- turned for more. She gave him another gill, as she was alone now, and afraid to deny him. He went away the second time, but soon returned for a quart ; she filled his bottle. Sometime early in the afternoon he was back for more — to have his bottle fiUed the second time. She now mustered courage to refuse him, supposing him to be so drunk as not to be particularly feared. He instantly — for he did not prove so drunk as she supposed — drew his knife, and threatened her life. As she had begun, she was determined to carry her refusal through. She was within the bar, the door of which was very nar- row, and the Indian standing immediately in it. Just in the height of her danger, a neighbor, whom she well knew, passed upon horseback ; or rather rode up to the door, as it was his intention to stop. He instantly asked, " what is the matter ?" she replied, her life was threatened by that Indian. The Indian fled as the man dismounted. He was not pursued, as the danger, by the man especially, was appre- hended to be over. After having fed his horse, this neighbor was placing the bridle upon his horse, BLNGHAMTON* 163 when Mrs. Rogers, who was looking out for the probable return of the Indian, saw him rushing to- wards the man, who did not observe him. By a timely scream, she roused the man to his danger. He made his escape the second time, and was no more seen. Mrs. Rogers thinks the Indian intend, ed to strike down the man, and then turn and de- spatch her. She remarks, that these encounters were so terrifying, and left such an impression, that she never after recovered her former spirit and courage towards them. Mrs. Rogers remarks, that when the country was yet new, and the inhabitants remote from each oth- er, that pains would be taken, in their neighborhood visiting, to have a day appropriated ; and all, ex- cept those who could not leave home, to meet at the same place ; and those who were from the remotest parts to stay over night and spend more or less of tlie next day. These parties, she states, were en- joyed with far more than modern zest and social fellowship. That feelings of interest and happiness mantled their bosoms, which now, in her estimation, ^ave scarcely a parallel. Judge James Stoddard, a brother of Gen. Oringh Stoddard, settled very early in this neighborhood ; and, it is believed, on the west side of the Tiough- nioga ; a Mr. Clark, also, near him ; a Mr. Dudley settled on the same side of that river, and north of a small stream that empties into the Tioughnioga, and some distance north of Whitney's Point. This point or juncture, is formed by the Ononda- ga and the Otsehc, and is called after Mr. Thomas % 164 ANNALS OF Whitney, who owns the bridge at this place, the mills also, and a large landed property in the neigh- borhood. He settled here in the year 1802. Upon !§ the former stream Mr. Edward Edwards and Major David Manning settled in the year 1795. Mr. Edwards is still living ; and indeed not aged, if appearances are a criterion. He is grandson of the distinguished President Edwards, one of the early presidents of Princeton College ; and so well known as a theological writer, and for his pre- eminently pious life. He was first cousin to Col. Aaron Burr, and was brought up in the same family with him. Col. Burr's father, who was either the first or second president also of Princeton College, married the daughter of President Edwards, who was the mother of Col. Burr, and the aunt of Mr. E. Edwards. Col. Burr was deprived of both his parents, who died of the small pox, while he himself was quite young. He and his sister were taken into the family of Mr. Edwards' father, who then lived in Elizabethtown, N. J. In this family Col. Burr remained, when not at school or college, until he was grown. Mr. Edwards remarks, that he re- members to have seen his father, on one occasion in particular, chastise his cousin for some of his mis- chievous tricks. How much the loss of Col. Burr's father and mother, while he was so young, may have contributed towards his blasted fortune and reputation, is not easy to determine, |M| Mr. Edwards was also an early member of the state Legislature. His membership was in the time of Gov. Jay's administration. Pie relates an BINGHAMTON. 165 %^ anecdote of Alexander Hamilton, who was also, at this time, a member of the Legislature. Gov. Jay- had given a public dinner to the members. After the cloth was removed, and they were taking their , wine, the Governor asked Mr. Hamilton to give a toast. At this period the choice of President was pending between Jefferson and Burr ; and it had al- ready devolved upon the house of Congress to de- cide the great question. Mr. Hamilton filled his glass and said, " May our government not fall a victim to the visionary dreams of a Condorsett" — a leader in the French revolution — " nor to the crimes of a Cataline." Evidently meaning, by the latter, Aaron Burr. John Swartwout, another member, who sat near Mr. Edwards, said, with an oath, but in something of an under tone, "Hamilton shall bleed for that." He was a particular friend of Aaron Burr. Mr. Edwards, who was partial to Mr. Hamilton, could not but blame him for what he had implied in his toast. A Congregational church was organized in what is called Lisle, in the year 1797, by the Rev. Seth Williston, who had, a short time previously, been sent there by the Connecticut Missionary Society, upon the personal application of Mr. Edwards. The church consisted, in its first formation, of sixteen members, eleven of whom were by profession. In 1801, William Osborn was elected to the office of a deacon; but it was not till 1810, that he was con- secrated by the imposition of hands from the Pres- bytery ; and his colleague, Andrew Squires, was consecrated at the same time. .;* 166 ANNALS OF Mr. Williston employed about half of his time in pastoral duties in this congregation ; the rest of his time he missionated in Union, Owego, and in ^ Oquago. He was installed pastor of the church in Lisle, in October, 1803 ; and from this period he appears to have employed all his time within tlie pastoral limits of this one congregation, until he was dismissed from it, in 1810. The church of Lisle was the earliest organized, it is believed, of any west of the Catskill and south of Utica. At the time of Mr. Williston's installation, the council organized what was then called " The Susquehannah Association," taking in some of the northern counties of Pennsylvania. In the year 1796, Mr. E. Edwards built the first saw-mill on the Onondaga or its waters ; and was nearly, if not quite, the first that came down the Chenango with a raft. He subsequently carried on lumbering to a great extent ; and the pine timber of that section being of a superior quality, compensa- ted for his being so far back from the broader stream of the Susquehannah. The first grist-mill was built much later, by Dr. Wheeler. Previous to this, the inhabitants came down to Castle creek for their grinding ; and when that mill failed for want of water, they were obliged to go to Tioga Point. BINGHAMTON. 167 CHAPTER XIII. The first person who settled the vicinity of the present village of Greene, as near as can now be de- termined, was Conrad Sharp, a Dutchman. He set- tled about two miles above the village. His loca- tion determined a number of other Dutchmen to come in, which formed quite a Dutch neighborhood. The settlement of Mr. Sharp took place about 1794. Others, entitled to the. name of early settlers, were, principally, Stephen Ketchum, David Bradley, De- rick Race, Joseph Tillotson, who came in alone and naked-handed, save but an axe upon his shoulder. He has, it is said, cut for himself, however, since that day, a large estate ; Mr. Gray, a Baptist elder ; Elisha Smith was also an early settler, and also an agent, for a number of years, in behalf of the Horn- by patent. He surveyed the town of Greene, and laid out the village. The first white inhabitants upon the site of this village, were the French emigrants, who fled from their own country, to escape the terrors of the revo- lution. The number of families that composed this little band of emigrants, was somewhere between seven and ten. Under what circumstances they lefl their own country is mot particularly known ; nor is it known by what means they became ac- quainted with the part of the Chenango valley upon which they located ; nor, indeed, is it known the pre- cise time when they first pitched their tents here. 168 ANNALS OF The earliest one upon the ground appears to have been Simon Barnet, who, by the by, was not from France, but from the West Indies. He was a Cre- ole. He was immediately from Philadelphia, and was, very likely, sent by the French company, as pioneer for them. None of these emigrants were titled gentlemen in their own country ; but respectable, on the score of property and intelligence. They did not, however, bring a great deal of wealth with them, but on the contrary, were comparatively poor. One of their number, M. Dutremont, was a man of considerable wealth, and of very considerable talents and learn- ing. He is spoken of as possessing shining abili- ties. It was he that contracted for the land upon which they settled. They chose the east side of the Chenango, directly opposite the principal part of the village of Greene, which is on the west side. The site is a beautiful elevation, standing above an easy acclivity from the river, with a romantic scene- ry — as the country cleared — around. The purchase was made of William W. Morris and Malachi Treat, the patentees of the land. The patent embraced a tract of 30,000, acres, lying upon the east side of the Chenango river. The name of another of these exiled emigrants was Charles Felix Barlogne. Capt. Juliand, the father of the two Mr. Juliands, present merchants in Greene, was another. He came into the settle- ment a little after the first company, in the year 1797. He had spent a maritime hfe previously, as sea captain. Log houses were built for all the fa- m^ BINGHAMTON. 169 milies ; and provision often carried there from the neighborhood of Chenango Point. There undoubt- edly was a vast difference in the circumstances of these families here from what they had been in their own country. But it is remarked of Frenchmen, as a national characteristic, that they can more easily and more cheerfully lend down to a reverse of for- tune, than almost any other people. In the year 1794 or '5, the much celebrated Talleyrand, during his stay in the United States, vi- sited his exiled brethren at this place. On his way at this time, he passed one night at Capt. Sawtell's, whose house the hospitable master made free for the lodging and entertainment of travellers, before there was any regular public house opened in the place. Mr. Benjamin Sawtell, who was then a lad, remem- bers distinctly his staying at his father's. He says M. Talleyrand was accompanied by another French gentleman ; that the guests and his father talked dur- ing the evening, on the subject of the Catholic reli- gion. He had taken a sylvan jaunt, on horseback, in company with another French gentleman, from Philadelphia to Albany, and made this visit on his way. It is believed that he tarried a number of days, if not weeks, at this place. And when he left, having become acquainted with the son of M. Dutremont, and discerned talents in him which par- ticularly interested this great statesman, he obtain- ed the consent of the parents, and took him with him. Young Dutremont accompanied Talleyrand to France, and became his private Secretary. Talleyrand was of noble birth ; of an ancient, but 170 ANNALS OF not wealthy, family. He was club-footed ; on whicli account his father devoted him in early life to the church, and educated him for the same. He became bishop of Autun, though he had a great aversion to the sacred office. In the early part of his life, dur- ing his youthful and ardent days, he was eminently dissolute in his habits. He rendered himself con- spicuous at court by his insinuating manners ; took an active part in the French revolution ; fell under the censure of the Jacobins, while in England on a mission ; and being looked upon as a spy by the discerning Mr. Pitt, he was obliged to seek refuge in the United States. The settlement of these French emigrants most probably would have been permanent, had not the leading member of their little band, M. Dutremont, been cut off from them, by an untimely death. In the act of fording a river on horseback, on his way to Philadelphia, he was drowned. This event de- ranged their financial affairs. He had not paid for tJie land they then had in possession, and upon which they resided. In consequence of engagements not being met, it reverted back into the hands of the pa- tentees. The emigrants became discouraged ; and afler a few years, at most, left their present loca- tion and the improvements they had made, and moved down below Towanda, at a place called Frenchtown — now Asylum — where there was also another French settlement, and became themselves a constituent part of it. How many of these origi- nal families returned to France, is not known, Capt. Juliand did not leaye with the rest of Ms BINGHAMTON. 171 French brethren, but remained in Greene. He was an efficient man in all that he undertook. His seafaring life qualified him to brave, without dis- couragement, the hardships of a new settlement. To Captain Juliand and to Judge Elisha Smith is given the credit of laying the foundation of the village of Greene, and of its subsequent pros- perity. The village of Greene was laid out into a village form in the year 1806. At first, it took the name of Hornby^ after the patentee, within whose landed territory the village was located ; but after a few years it took its present name, in honor of the dis- tinguished Gen. Greene, of revolutionary fame. Its surveyed limits were at first confined to the west side of the Chenango, but now extends on both sides. The country which surrounds the village is rather beautiful than picturesque or romantic ; and the country and village taken together, strike the eye of the traveller in a manner that is sure to effect, if not charm, his imagination. The whole scene is more than ordinarily beautiful ; and this must always remain the case, while there is village and country to look upon. The two also appear like giving growth, and beauty, and wealth, to each other. Greene is fourteen miles south of Oxford, and nineteen miles north of Binghamton. The village is, in itself, one mile east and west, and about the same distance from north to south. It has within it throe ohurches, eleven stores, two taverns, and one large district school. The water of the Chenango is em- 172 ANNALS OF ployed at the place in propelling one large grist- mill of Jive run of stones, and of uncommon reputa- tion for the flour it manufactures ; one saw-mill, and one clothing factory. The stage route from Cats- kill to Ithaca passes through this place, upon which there is a daily line ; and also the stage road from Utica to Binghamton passes through it. There were no Indians in this particular section, when first settled by the whites. But we have to record a most remarkable mound, the relic of Indian superstition and industry. There are now to be seen only some imperfect traces of it. It was sit- uated about two miles south of the village, and about thirty rods from the river bank ; on what is now the farm of Mr. Lott. The mound, before it was dug down or plowed over, was about six or seven feet above the surface of the ground, and forty feet in diameter ; being nearly circular. There was also, till within a few years, a large pine stump in the centre of it, the remains of a large pine tree which was standing when the whites came in. It was then, however, a dead tree. When it was cut down there were counted 180 concentric circles or yearly growths. Estimating the age of the mound by the concentric circles of the stump, it must have been over 200 years old when this section of the country was settled. An examination of this mound was made in 1829, by. digging, and there were found human bones to a great number ; and lower from the surface, there were found bones that had been evidently burnt ; suggesting the idea, that the mode of disposing of BINGHAMTON. 173 the dead, when these bones were deposited, was burning the dead body. No conjecture could be formed as to the number of bodies buried here. They were found lying without order, very much jumbled^ and so far decayed as to crumble, or fall apart, when brought to the air and handled. The supposition would not be an unlikely one, that these bones were tlie remains of bodies which had fallen in battle, and were afterward hurriedly thrown together and buried. A large mound in Wyoming, though not so ex- tensive in size, nor so regular in form, as the one we have just spoken of, was observed by the early settlers of that country ; and was always understood to be the tumulus raised over the bodies of the Dela- wares, who had fallen in the celebrated battle in the grasslwpper war. The Indians held the spot so sa- cred, that the whites never presumed to disturb it. Capt. Leonard, while he was in Wyoming, with a few others, ventured to dig a little into the mound, and found it apparently full of sculls and other hu- man bones. Toin Turkey, an aged Indian, told Capt. Leonard that he remembered the battle, and was knowing to the interment. In the mound near Greene, there were found, lying quite in one pile, 200 arrow heads, cut after their usual form, and all either of yellow or black jiint. It will be recollected that there are no stone of this kind, found in this part of the state of New- York. In another part of the mound there were found, lying together, about sixty, made after tlie same form. A silver band or ring was also found. «r 174 ANNALS OF of about two inches in diameter, extremely thin, but wide, with the remains — in appearance — of a reed pipe, lying within it. The supposition is, that it was some sort of musical instrument. There was also found a number of stone chissels, of different shapes, evidently fitted to perform different species of work. A large piece of mica also, cut into the form of a heart ; the border much decayed, and the different laminae separated. These curious relics of antiquity are in the pos- session of Dr. Willard, of Greene, who was the principal person in opening into and searching the mound. His cabinet of minerals and curiosities show his prevailing taste for antiquities, and the sciences allied to them. CHAPTER XIV. At the time the primitive settlers came, there ■were no Indians, or vestiges of their's, remaining upon the site of the present village of Binghamton. There was, indeed, an old log house, or — as the white people supposed it might have been — a wigwam, standing at the point, near the banks of the two rivers, where they mingle their waters. It was .used, as the same early settlers say, for a lodging place or shelter by the Indians, when they were oc- casionally down upon their fishing excursions. There was also built upon the site, a log house somewhere between Colonel Page's and William Wentz's, by Solomon Moore ; but ascertaining soon BINGHAMTON. 175 aflerward that he could not purchase the land, Mr. Moore left, and the house soon dilapidated and dis- appeared. A man by the name of Thomas Chambers lived in a small log house, standing near the well that stands at the corner, but on the outside, of Colonel Lewis' garden. This was built also before the vil- lage was laid out. The ground of the village did not, in its original and wild state, possess that smoothness of surface ^hich it now presents ; having been, in many pla- ces, as the village has been built up, materially lev- elled. Still, taken together, it might be called a plain. It was covered with white and red, or pitch, pine. S wails, as they were called, of swamp white oak were growing here and there upon the lower places. The white pine was but sparsely scattered over the plain, and the interval of ground was cov- ered with the pitch pine and shrub oak. Inconsequence of the annual burning over of the gi'ound, which was practiced by the Indians, and af- terwards kept up for a number of years by the whites, there was little or no underbrush. And even the lower limbs of the oaks and pines were, by the same means, kept trimmed, or prevented from growing . so that a rabbit could be seen at a distance of more than musket shot. The smoothness of the surface, however, was frequently interrupted by huge trunks of prostrate trees, that were too nearly the nature of the ground itself to be materially effected by the transient and annual fires, and were slowly return- ing to their original dust. After the burnings, there 176 ANNALS OF would grow up every season a kind of spindling grass, which exhibited, very faintly^ the hue of ver- dure. Wild roses, and the flower of the mandrake, were here and there seen contributing their mite towards cheering the solitude of the forest ; but notwithstanding all these, the plains here exhibited but a barren appearance ; and the stone and gravel which lay whitening upon the surface, were by far the most conspicuous. In process of time, how- ever, and without an}^ reference to a future village, there were about twenty-five acres cleared near the junction of the two rivers ; about eight acres below the junction on the northern bank of the Susquehan- nah ; about ten acres on the western bank of the Chenango river, nearly opposite the Chenango bridge ; and eight acres on the east side, where the eastern end of that bridge abuts. Prior to the year 1799, no village was thought of where Binghamton now stands. A village, which was supplanted by the present one, was commenced and had made some progress, about one mile above Binghamton, on the west side of the Chenango river, just above the promontory point of what is called " Prospect Hill." It had commenced building up some five or six years previous to the date we have just mentioned ; and at the time it was determined to change the location, there were a number of buildings ; and a considerable interest concentrated there. A tavern was kept by Lewis Keeler. Mr. Keeler came from Norwalk, Conn. Isaac Sayres, a Colonel, was great-uncle to Mr. Keeler. He was a sea captain in the time of the French war ; waa BINGHAMTON. ITt one, with four others,- that destroyed the type and stamp paper that was sent to New Haven. Col.. Sayres was own uncle to the elder Selah SquireSi. A printing office conducted by Daniel Crugar and a paper published by the same« Mr. Crugar was^. after this, Speaker in the House of the Legislature ; was afterward chosen member of Congress, He now lives in Wheehng^ Va., and a member of the Legislature of that State, A physician settled there by the name of Forbes. Webster and Lee, bro..- thers -in-law, established and conducted a distillery,. Delano and Monroe, in company, were merchantSe Lewis Keeler carried on the hatting business also. Judge McKinney commenced a store, and continued something more than a year before moving down tC' this village. Judge Jacob McKinney came into the parts in' 1800, from Northumberland county, in Penn. He cam.e up the Susquehannah with a boat load of whis-- key and other articles, for the purpose of going into the mercantile business here«. Dr. Bartholomew also located himself here for some time. This incipient village was called Chenango village.- The site chosen for its location, undoubtedlv result- ■ ed from the situation of the roads at the time, and the location of the main ferry <>. The road from the Great Bend, on the village side of the river, came down nearly where it- does now? as far as what is^ called the Dry Bridge ;- it then inclined to the right and led directly towards- the point of the mountain- before alluded to.. Here a ferry was kept». After" crossing the river,4t incHnedidown towards the Sus- 12; 178 ANNALS OF quehannah again ; and came into the present Sus- quehannah or Owego road, some three or four miles below the present village of Binghamton. There was a branch of this road that crossed the Chenan- go at what was called Lyon's Ferry, kept where Col. Lewis' Mills now are. The fact that the early settlements were all some distance up the river, was the reason of the road's making so great a curve, and running where it did. The northern line of the Bingham patent ran nearly through the centre of this upper village ; and when Gen. Whitney became, in the year 1800, the agent for Mr. Bingham, for tioo very important rea- sons, he conceived the design of moving the village down upon the present site : one was, the present location has vastly the advantage over the former — from being immediately between and upon tlie two rivers ; from its being directly upon the line of the great western road that was now opened, and from its containing a more extended area upon which a village of a far greater size might be built. The other reason was, that the patent, of which Imj had the agency, did not embrace the old ground. He therefore took the necessary measures to divert the attention of settlers and the public to this place, as destined to be the rising village. He placed the superior advantages of the newly chosen site before - the public ; he bought a number of buildings of the old village, and had them brought down here. Under the direction of Mr. Bingham, he had the ground 43arly laid out into streets and lots. The size of the lots, .as they were first laid out, were three-quarters BINGHAMTON. 179 of an acre ; and the general price for which they sold was twenty dollars. Corner lots were held at a higher price. Thus the way was paved ; and the site of the vil- lage of Binghamton was surveyed and laid out into a village form in the year 1800. Two streets only were opened at first — Court and Water-streets ; and the first building put up within ihe plot, was a dwelling house on Water-street, be- yond the present buildings on that street, on the de- clivity of a hill, a little south east of William Wentz's present dwelling ; vestiges of the cellar are still to be seen. It was built by John G. Christopher, in the autumn of the same year in which the village was laid out, and occupied by him for a short time. In 1801, Judge McKinney built a store-house on Water-street, twenty-eight feet square. Its loca- tion was near the spot where Horatio Evans' pre- sent dwelling house is. Gen. Whitney formed a partnership with Judge McKinney after the comple- tion of the house, and together they filled this large store building with goods. The expense of trans- portation at this time was twenty shillings or three dollars per hundred from the Hudson. Judge Mc- Kinney also built, opposite his store, a house for the storage of grain. This was the second building commenced. The third, and in the same season, was a building erected by Lewis Keeler, on the cor- ner of Court and Water-streets, fronting the latter, for a tavern. It is still in existence, and forms the southern part of Mr. Jarvis' Hotel. In the same year, 1801, or early in the next. Gen. WO') 4'NNALS OF- Whitney cleared on Court.&treet, and" opposite tlie> termination of Water-streetj . and erected the build- ing he occupied for a dwelling for some number of v.ears,, which is also standing yet; and is the build., iflg,. though moved from its first foundation, now oc- cupied for different offices, Cooke and Davis' print- ing office being one.. In this same year, or,. it may have been earlier, Bulthasar De Hart, called also Judge De Hart, came into the place. He was from the city of New York, had been bred to the law, and had been, in some manner, connected in its practice with Alexander Hiimilton^ He had, by some means, become poor. . if he had been ever otherwise ; and probably retired hei^5 not so much to mend his fortune, as to escape from, the mortification he might have anticipated, in: remaining among his former associates. He was originally from New Jersey, where he obtained the title of Judge. His talents, though respectable,, were not of a high order, as might be supposed from nis having been associated with so great a man as Hamilton. He had a brother here aLso by the name of. James, legally bred, but who seldom plead at the bl8>r.. John Yarrihgton,a blacksmith, came, it is thought,., as early as 1801, and purchased the corner lot where Ely's store is, and built a blacksmith's shop on the western extremity of the lot, about where Pratt and; Sampson's hardv/are store now is. Immediately on the corner he built a dwelling house. In- 1801, Gen, Whitney purchased a frame that, awjod near, Mr.., St. Ibhn's present dwelling,, and set. BINGHAMTOI*. 1^ •it up in Water-Street, and enclosed it. In this he lived until he finished his house on Court-street, it is the large part of the present dwelling of Esq. Park. Before the house was completed, Gen. Whitney sold it to Esq. Mason Whiting, with a lot of fifty feet in front running back to the river, for one hundred and fifty dollars. Esq. Whiting finished the house:- ■and out of a frame that previously stood beyond the >Susquehannah, put a kitchen to it and occupied it as his dwelling. He had come into the place the. year before, but in this year he brought his wife. Mr. Keeler built the barn for his tavern-stand on the opposite and eastern corner of the same block where Mr. L. M. Rexford's present druggist store is. This was soon moved, and Gen. Whitney sold to a Mr. John Townley, who had moved in from New Jersey, fifty feet in front, upon which the lat- ter built a dwelling house. It is the frame and build- ing of Mr. Rexford's present store. Mr. Townley, who was the father of Augustus Townley, of this village, was from Elizabethtown, N. J,, of a large, respectable, and wealthy family there. He was a carpenter and house joiner by trade, and being ac- tive and skilful in his vocation, rendered himself an important member of the rising village. In this year also Mr. Daniel Le Roy, an eminent lawyer, came into the place, and having purchased the corner lot north of the Eagle Buildings, built a two story dwelling house nearly on the spot where Bragg and Brown's store now is. In the same year Guide Bissel purchased a lot upon which there was already standing a plank 182 ANNALS OF house, for his own dwelling. It stood upon the^ spot of ground where Mr. Zenas Pratt's present dwelling is. On Court-street, and nearly opposite the present Court House, on the north west corner of Court and Chenango-streets, stood the first built Court House. It was built in this year, 1802, and in size about thirty-six feet by twenty-four ; finished in a plain and hasty style, having two log jail rooms, and a room for the residence of the jailor below, and the court room above. It \Vas afterward moved across the road, and stood a little down from the top of court hill, south of west from the present edifice. In the year 1802 or '3 a Mr. Pratt bought a small building, rudely put together, and but partly finish- ed, of Gen. Whitney, and moved it upon a lot he had purchased on Court-street, and fitted it up for a pottery. It stood where Merrill and Root's present hat store is. It was afterward converted into a dwelling. In the year 1802, John R. Wildman purchased and built on Court-street, a little east of the Ex. change Buildings. This building has been remo- ved within a few years. Mr. Wildman was a tailor, and followed the business for some number of years. In 1803, Judge Stuart came into the place. He first rented and lived in Gen. Whitney's dwelling house that he first built at the foot of Court-street. In a short time he removed to the John Townley house. After this, in 1805, he purchased the house built by John G. Christopher, on Water-street. Here he resided a number of years. To this dwell- BINGHAMTON. 183 ing he gave the name of "the cottage house." The present opportunity may be embraced to give an outhne of the history, of this distinguished and early inhabitant of the village. Judge William Stuart was a native of Maryland, x^t the time hostilities commenced with the mother country, he was sixteen years old, and in the course of his academical studies. Being of an ardent tem- perament, and burning with a desire to throw his fortune in with the chivalrous young men of his State, who were rallying to the American standard, he ran away from his academy, and without the knowledge of |his parents joined the colonial army; and al- though so young when he committed himself to the army, he served throughout the war, and was in most of the important battles. He had one near relative, a brother, in the army who was killed. After the war he went to Europe, and remained some years in the United Kingdom and in France. After returning, he studied law in the city of New York. He commenced the practice of law in Ge- neva, where he continued until his marriage with the second daughter of Gen. James Clinton. Soon after this event he moved to this place. In 1802, one Giles Andrus came into the village ; was a carpenter ; boarded for a time with Esquire Whiting, and built his office, which is yet standing. He married here, but afterward went to the West, where he died in 1839. The same year, 1802, Christopher Woods — the fkther of Caleb Woods — Samuel Roberts, and Jo- seph Lewis, who had sometime previously settled on 1S4 A.-NNALS OF what is now the Montrose roadj about four miles from the village, cleared a road from their settle- ment out to the village. This was the first open- ing of any part of that road. The land where they were located belonged to Judge Cooper's patent. In 1803, John S. Townley bought the Mason Whiting house and lot, which the latter purchased of Gen. Whitney ; and Mr. Whiting, in 1805, pur- chased and built upon the other side of the street, and further south upon the spot where, and the same building in which, he now lives. Mason Whiting, Esq. received his classical edu- cation under Dr. Dwight, at his academy at Green- field, Conn., previously to his election to the presi- dency of Yale College. Dr. Dwight, it is well known, was distinguished for his great literary attainments, and his talents as an instructor. He studied law with B. Bidwell, Esq. It is proper here to mention also his ancestry, who are traced back to an early period in the history of our country. A paternal grand- father of his was present, in the capacity of a cap- tain, in the taking of Louisburgh from the French, in 1745, by the American and English forces, com- manded by Sir William Pepperel, and the fleet by Sir Peter Warren. Many of his ancestors, on the paternal side, were clergymen ; the first of whom, in this country, a .clergyman, came from Boston, in England, in about 1676, and settled in the eastern part of Massachusetts. His family name on the maternal side is Mason. The original ancestor in this country was John Mason ; who, associated with Ferdinand Gorges and some others, obtained from BINGHAMTON. 185- the Plymouth company, in 16^1, gi-ants of land lying north of Massachusetts and west of Piscataqua river, embracing the present state of New Hamp-^ shire. Esq. Whiting's wife is the grand-daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, president, at the time of his death, of Princeton College. President Edwards, it is well known, was distinguished for his eminent piety, his benevolence, and his practical, theological and metaphysical writings. In about 1803 or '4, William Low, a lawyer, came and settled in the village. Mr. Low remained but a short time a resident of the village, removing soon to Homer. Sherman Page, also a lawyer, came in about the same time, a young man, who also left after a year or two. He now resides in Unadilla, and is an elder brother to Gen. Julius Page, <>f the village. Not far from this time David Brownson came into the place, but settled a little out of the village, near and opposite the Two Mile House, a tavern, kept by Mr. Woolverton, on the Owego road, and west of the village. In the year 1803, Thomas Whitney purchased a lot on Water-street, and commenced building the house, still standing, and the same in which Mr. J. Campbell, the blacksmith, now lives. This lot, and house partially finished, Mr. Whitney sold to Henry Pinckerton, a tailor. Mr. Pinckerton finished the house and rented it to Benjamin Sawtell ; and as he had no family of his own, he boarded with him. la Mr» .Sawtell's family he died the next year. I 186 ANNALS OF In 1804, Esq. Whiting put up a building for his law office. It is the same he now occupies. In the year 1804, Henry T. Shipman built the south end of Mr. Z. Pratt's cabinet shop. Mr. Ship- man came from Saybrook, Conn., and settled in the village in 1803. He was by trade a chair maker and painter. In the latter art he especially excelled. Upon coming into the village he first rented the house just built by John Yarrington, and which stood upon Col. Ely's corner. In 1803, Wilham Woodruff, Esq. came and set- tled in the village. Upon coming here, he was ap- pointed magistrate, which office he held for many years. He was the first Sheriff* in the newly or- ganized county of Broome ; Clerk of the county during two terms of that office ; Clerk of the Board of Supervisors from 1806 to 1821. Since that time Esq. Whiting held the office until 1836. He was a man of considerable learning, although self-taught ; and his native talent was still more noticeable. In 1803 or '4, Gen. Whitney purchased the two story building which Le Roy had erected on Court- street, where Brown's store now is ; and adding on eighteen feet, he appropriated the eastern end to a store, in which Esq. Woodruff* was now a partner, and leased the larger part to his brother Thomas Whitney. Mr. W. immediately opened a tavern in it. This building, in about 1805 or '6, was consu- loen by fire, at mid-day. It was re-built, however, the same season ; and to expedite the building, a frame was brought from where Esq. Whiting's pre- sent dwelling is. After the second building waa BIN(JHAMTON. 187 erected, Esq. Woodruff was the landlord in it, and the store was discontinued. The building was af- terward moved to the corner of Henry and Wash- ington-streets, and is now owned and occupied by Lorenzo B. Olmstead. Selah Squires, who had been an apprentice boy in the hatting business to Lewis Keeler, while the latter carried it on at the old village, in 1803, being now out of his apprenticeship, he purchased the cor- ner lot where now the Eagle Buildings stand, and built a sort of edifice which answered first for a hat- ter's shop, and in it he commenced the hatting busi- ness ; it answered also for a dwelling house, to which use it was afterward applied, after undergo- ing several additions and alterations. It was taken down, when the first Eagle Buildings were put up. About this time, or earlier. Dr. Bartholomew came into the village. He was without a family here ; was a graduate of Yale College ; a man of great medical knowledge and skill ; rough in his manners, but kind in his feelings, and especially so towards his patients. Previously to his coming into this village he had been in the mercantile business at the old village in company with one John Bart- lett. After this connection dissolved. Dr. B. re- turned to his family in Coxsackie, whence he came, and Bartlett entered the lumbering business, getting masts and spars, until he failed in business. In 1804, Lewis Squires, brother to Selah and James Squires, came into the place. He was a house carpenter, an active, efficient man, and one of the principal architects in the buildings that were 188 ANNALS OF erected after he came. The first purchase he made was the lot on Court-street, where the Exchange Buildings stand. Here he built a dwelling house. He soon afterward bought on the opposite side of the street a lot andlDuilt a dwelli«g house. This he occupied himself for some time. It was standing ^ when the canal was in process, and was divided, and one half of it removed to make way for the pas- sage of that channel. The other half was taken down the present season^ 1839, and has given place to the large three-story brick building, designed for stores and offices, built the present year by John A. Collier, who owns almost the entire block or square^ of which this building and its site are a part, and embraced between Court and Hawley-streets, north and soutli, and between the canal and Collier-street, east and west. He has given to the block the name ^f " Le Roy Place," in honor of Daniel Le Roy. In the year 1802, Crosby and Blanchard, who should have been mentioned before, came into the village from Philadelphia, and purchased the store- house formerly occupied by McKinney and Whit- ney, and filled it the second time with goods. These they sold out, without replenishing the store again, and dissolved their connection. Blanchard went to Owego, and after a temporary stay in that place re- turned to Philadelphia. Crosby entered into part- nership for a while with Gen. Whitney in a store, and then appeared to retire from business. During this suspension from other business, he built a large -addition to the storehouse, and raising it two stories, made a large and elegant dwelling house of it. T© BINSHAMTOW.- 189' this he added a kitchen, with garden and door-yard fences. The whole finished in a style superior to any thing before exhibited in the village. He died sooa after their completion. Previous to his com- ing here, he had been clerk to Mr. Bingham. In the fall of 1805, James Squires came into the village from Connecticut. And as his brother Se- lah was disposed to sell,, in order to go farther to the west, James bought of him his corner lot and house. In 1806, Mr. Squires purchased a lot upon the corner of Washington and Hawley-sti'eets, and built a tannery. This was the first building on Wash- ington-street ; which, however, was not opened for some years afterward. Mr. Squires went from his dwelling to his work by a mere path, through the oak and pine bushes. As early as 1802, Judge William Seymour be-- came a resident in the tillage, and commenced the study of the law, under Mr. Le Roy. He had just finished his preparatory studies when the county of Broome was organized ; and he received his license from the first court held under the new county. He- remained in the village, subsequent to his license. only about one year, after which he removed to Windsor ; where, as a lawyer, he had the undivi- ded business of the place. From 1812 to 1828, he held the office of Justice of the Peace. In 1833, he returned to Binghamton, upon receiving the ap- pointment of first Judge of the county. In Novem- ber,. 1834, he was elected' member of Congress. In the autumn of 1805,. Dr. Elihu Ely settled iri'. tiie village,. His place of nativity was Lyme,.im 190 ANNALS OF Conn. He studied medicine under Dr. Hall, of Middletown, of the same State. Attended a full course of medical lectures in the city of New- York ; an advantage which medical students did not com- monly avail themselves of in that day. He com- menced the practice of medicine immediately on coming into the place. After about one year he opened a small druggist store in a part of a building that stood on Court-street, between the present Ex- change Buildings and Hayden's saddler's shop. The next year, 1807, he purchased a lot on the ^ame street, but farther east, upon the declivity of the hill, ajid built a storehouse — the same that was taken down the present season. In this he opened a store, of a general nature, and of considerable magnitude, for that early day. In 1810, he purchased a lot immediately opposite the Court House, and north of the lot which belonged to James Park, who was on the corner. For this lot, which was one acre and a half in size, he gave $300. In November of the same year he bought the lot, of one acre, upon which the Bank stands. In 1811, he purchased the building and lot in which he first opened his drug- gist store. The building was a dwelling, in whicii Mr. Wildman formerly lived ; and of whom the Dr. purchased. The lot contained two acres, and the whole was bought for $1100. In this dwelling he lived for a number of years. In 1813, he bought tlie lot upon which his present dwelling is, and which eanbraces the brick store of Bragg and Brown. In later years his purchases of village property have been numerous. Dr. Ely laid aside his practice in BINGHAMTON. 191 medicine in 1832. He was active in forming the first medical society in the county, of which he was the treasurer. In 1806, James and John Park, twin brothers of Esq. George and Rufus, purchased the corner lot on Chenango and Court-streets, opposite and west of the bank ; built a storehouse and opened a store. The building was lately taken down. In the same year Lewis Squires purchased where the Exchange Buildings now stand, and built a dwelling house, of two stories, in which he lived for a short time. This building was torn down when the Exchange Buildings went up. After building, -the following year, he exchanged with Mr. Le Roy the said house and lot for other property, and mo- ved his family over into Water-street, in a small house standing near Mr. John Doubleday's present dwelling. In this year 1806, the county of Broome was organized. In this year, also. Rev. John Camp moved with- in the precincts of the village, into the house owned by the widow Crosby, and which had been lately vacated by the death of her husband. Mr. Camp had lived in the immediate neighborhood of the vil- lage since the year 1802, in a log house which stood near the north bank of the Susquehannah, about midway between Gen. Waterman's Mills and Mr. Quaife's Brewery above. The house was compara- tively old when Mr. Camp occupied it ; having been built as early as 1788, by Nathaniel Delano. Mr. Delano was a blacksmith ; had a bellows and anvil. And did a little at blacksmithing, but very limited, as W2' ANNALS OF there was as yet a©- iron to be obtained. He left, a^er a few years. The Rev. Mr. Camp was originally from Ply- mouth, Conn. He had been designed by his parents, more particularly his father, in the education he re- ceived, for the Episcopal ministry. He, however, entered the Presbyterian ministry. He received the title of Master of Arts from Yale College, his Alma Mater, in 1780,, about which time he was married. Some time after this he settled over the Presbyterian congregation at New Canaan, where he remained the pastor for nearly twenty years. He was deprived of his ministerial functions when he came here, although he sometimes preached when invited. He lived here in very considerable obscu- rity, and reduced to the necessity of laboring in^ some petty business ; and that, too, without under- standing it.. He was esteemed in his day, as a popular and able minister, whose preaching was always accept- able to every class of hearers. The contrast be- tween his former and latter life must have been mortifying to himself, as well as painful to his friends. He remarked one day while here, as he sat upon his shaving horse, at work, " the time was," said he,. " when every person who met me, bowed to me ;; but now, none bow to me but my old horse,^^ In 1807, Mr. Zenas Pratt came into the village from- Saybrook ;. went into the cabinet business, and^ a part of the time worked as a house carpenter. The shop he first worked in was the south part of his present shop,, opposite his dwelling,> Soon after." BmGHAMTON. 193 coming into the place he purchased the lot wiiere he now Hves, of Henry T. Shipman, with a plank house upon it. This had served as a dwelling for Mr. Shipman, since 1804, at which time the latter pur- chased the premises. In 1816, Mr. Pratt removed tlie plank house, and built the rear or kitchen part of his present dwelHng. In 1831, he built the front part of his house. In 1807, Mr. Whitney built a store east of his dwelling house. In the same year, Mr. Benjamin Sawtell built a two story dwelling house on Water-street, which is yet standing ; and is next soufeh of Mr. Pratt's cabi- net shop. In this house he dwelt for several years. Mr. Benjamin Sawtell is the son of Capt. Sawtell, who was among the very first settlers of the coun- try, and who settled upon the very farm which had been occupied by the celebrated Patterson, who, by fraud, contrived to obtain a title to the Castle farm,.- He moved here from Vermont. Was at the battle of Bunker^s Hill, and Captain of the militia towards the close of the war. Mr. Sawtell, the son, was about thirteen years of age when his father moved into the parts. He remembers distinctly the load- ing events in the history of the settlement and of the village down to the present time. He has been a very active and skillful mechanic, as carpenter and house joiner, and has been employed in most of the edifices, from the first building of the village down to the last important building that has been reared. In the same year, 1807, Judge Monell, then a young man, and lately admitted to- the bar, came- 13 194 ANNALS OF into the place. The next year he built him an of- fice, which stood on Water-street, on the west side, somewhere between John D. Smith's yellow and white buildings. He continued the practice of law here until 1811, when he moved to Greene. He is now Circuit Judge. It was in the year previous, that is, 1806, that Christopher Eldredge came into the village, and first went into partnership with Mr. Le Roy, in the mercantile business. In this year, 1807, Judge McKinney took charge, as landlord, of the Keeler tavern-house. Benjamin Morse was living, at this time, on the corner where Col. Ely's store is ; a saddler. On the opposite corner, where Rexford's drug store is, lived Andrew Farling, and kept a tavern ; only, however, a short time. He left suddenly, having taken alarm at an effigy he found at his own door, early in the morn- ing, mounted upon a wooden liorse, with a note attach- ed to it, that thus he should be served, if he ever af- terward was found guilty of wlvtpjping his wife. In 1808, Daniel Rogers, a lawyer came into the village, and entered very soon into partnership with Daniel Le Roy. In this year the Chenango Bridge was built, at the sole charge and direction of Lucas Elmendorf, of Kingston, Ulster county. A more particular ac- count of this bridge will be given in another place. This was an important step in the progress of the rising village. The river was no longer an obsta- cle to villagers or foreigners in passing upon the highway. BINGHAMTON. 195 In the year 1809, Mr. Le Roy purchased on the west side of the Chenango, and built for himself a dwelling house ; the same that is yet standing, and occupied now by James S. Hawley. Several build- ings this year went up on the west side of the river, an easy transition being now formed from one bank to the other. David Brownson built the Peterson tavern-house, and opened a tavern. He had formerly kept the ferry where the bridge now stands. The same year Arnold Burrell, a wagon-maker, and the father of Arora Burrell, built upon the south west corner, and opposite Mr. Brownson. The house is a part of the present dwelling of Mr. Myron Merrill. Another building, on the north east of these cor- ners, was put up this year by James McKinney, nephew to Judge McKinney. It was built for a store and occupied as such. A Mr. Powell after- ward enlarged the building materially, and kept in it a very large store, but only a comparatively short time — a year or two. In this year, 1809, Mr. John A. Collier settled in the village, then a young man, and lately from his legal studies. Mr. Colher studied law in the cel- ebrated law school at Litchfield, where he went thro' an entire course of the studies of the institution. After leaving this school, he wrote for some time in the office of a distinguished la^^vyer in the city of Troy. He was licensed in 1809. The next year after his location in the village, he entered into part- nership with Mr. Le Roy. In 1812, he purchased 196 ANNALS OF of Lewis Squires a house and lot on the south side of Court-street. The house was divided and a part of it removed to make way for the passage of the canal. This was the first purchase he made of real estate. In 1815, he purchased a lot and built the house in which Mr. Charles B. Pixley lives. Mr. Collier, from the time of his coming into the place, has had a large share of practice, through the medi- um of which, with other conspiring circumstances, he has acquired great wealth, as well as a large share of celebrity. In 1818, he was appointed Dis- trict Attorney for the county of Broome. The first that had been appointed exclusively for this county. Previously to this date, the districts to which the state attorneys were individually appointed, were very large ; embracing several counties. That over which Judge Stuart presided as attorney, ex- tended at one time to Niagara. In this year, 1818, the Legislature provided that one should be appoint- ed for each county. What was formerly Watts' Patent, was purcha- sed by John A. Collier, in 1835, and lies about mid- way between Binghamton and Colesville, contain, ing about 14,000 acres, and purchased for $10,000. In 1823, Mr. Collier, in company with eight others, purchased of Barzillai Gray, one of the heirs of Arthur Gray, fifty acres, on a portion of which, that fell to his own lot^ his present mansion house is located. In the year 1827, Mr. Collier built the houSe next south of his office, on Franklin-street, where his brother Hamilton now lives, for his father, Tho- BINGHAMTON. 197 tnas Collier, who is still living, and both aged and venerable ; a happy representative too of the age that has just gone by. Mr. Thomas Collier was born in Boston, in the year 1761. His father, Richard Collier, is said to have been the first — the earliest — brazier in that city. Mr. T. Collier was present when the tea was thrown overboard in that harbor. He witnes- sed most of those exciting events in that city, which hastened hostilities. He is familiar with the leading events of the war that succeeded, and was person- ally acquainted with many of its distinguished offi- cers. He served an apprenticeship in the printing business with his uncle, Thomas Draper, who print- ed one of the earliest papers in Boston. Mr. Draper dying a few years previous to the war, his widow conducted the establishment in her own name, until the commencement of the war ; when, being a roy- alist in her sentiments, she went to England and took with her her niece, the sister of T. Collier, then a little girl. This niece resided with her aunt in London until she'was grown, and then married a Mr, Hamilton — after whom Hamilton Collier is called — who was for some time Clerk to the House of Lords. Mr. John A. Collier, in 1828, built his law office. In 1829, in view of building a new Clerk's office, where it would be less exposed to fire, Ammi Doub- leday and Samuel Smith were authorized to seU the old office, which stood on the south side of Court- street, and a little east of the present Eagle Build- ings, in a neighborhood that was then fast building 198 ANNALS OF up. Mr. Collier purchased this office and the lot upon which it stood, and purchasing the other half of the same, lot, which had been previously sold to John C. Swain, upon which Mr. Swain had put up a building corresponding to the office-house, which was then three stories in height. The two united, constituted the building that was burnt down the last season in the great fire. In 1830, Mr. Collier was elected member of Congress. In 1837 and '8, he built the elegant mansion house now occupied by him, and called Ingleside. As this mansion house is entitled to more repu- tation for elegant proportions, beauty, and even grandeur, than probably any other private dwell- ing in this entire section of country, it may be pro- per to speak of it with some particularity. It is situated on the north side of the village. The main body of the building is 42 by 44 feet, exclusive of the wing, with a basement story. A double front, one looking towards the Chenango river, the other upon the gardens and pleasure grounds, with ele- gant colonades upon each front. The porticos are of the Ionic order, and the style and proportions are upon the most perfect principles of architecture ; the proportions being modelled after the lUysis Temple. Five fluted columns, twenty-three feet in length, and two feet eight inches in diameter, with bases and carved capitals, support each entablature. The drawing rooms are entered by folding doors ; and if it is proper to speak of things within, they are richly furnished. In the year 1809, also, came Col. Oliver Ely, a t ' BINGHAMTON. 199 brother to Dr. Ely. He spent the summer and winter here ; writing a part of the time in the Clerk's office for his brother, who was then deputy clerk, and taught a school the rest of the time during his stay. He returned home in the spring, and in the fall of 1810 he came back, and went immediately into mercantile business, in partnership with his brother. This mercantile connection remained un- til 1819, when, having purchased the corner lot upon which his present store stands, at a price of $700, he dissolved with his brother, and commenced business alone. The small red dwelling house which stood upon the lot, and which was built, it will be remem- bered, by Yarrington, he moved north to the site of his present dwelling, and built a store upon its foun- dation. The red house he occupied as a dwelling, until he built his brick house, in 1831. This build- ing, while on the corner, was occupied for a while by John A. Collier. It now stands on Hawley-st., south of the Court House lot. The buildings con- nected with his store, and extending down Court-st., he built some time after his store, and separately ; but in 1825, he made such alterations in them as enabled him to put one entire roof over the whole. In 1831, he built his present dwelling, which is of brick, and stands on Washington-street, at the northern extremity of his original corner lot. It is forty by fifty feet, and of a proportionate height ; built at an expense of between four and five thousand dollars ; and may be justly esteemed, besides its in- trinsic utility to the proprietor, an ornament to the place. 200 ANNALS OF CHAPTER XV. In the year 1810, Dr. Tracy Robinson became a resident of the village. Dr. Robinson came here from Columbus, in Chenango county, of this state, where he had practiced medicine for ten years. Pre- vious to this he had practiced one year in Sherburne. This was the first of hia practice. Dr. R. studied medicine first under a Dr. Manning, of Lisbon, in Connecticut. The latter part of his study was con- ducted under Dr. Thompson, of Brookfield, Madi- son county. Soon after coming into the place he purchased where Mr. Merrill's hat store and Mr. Rugg's law office are — a lot, dwelling house and store for $800. He went immediately into the druggist business, oc- cupying the store for that purpose, and continued, at the same time, the practice of medicine. In 1812, he took Dr. Ammi Doubleday into partnership with himself, in the two departments, for the term of five years. Before the expiration of this time. Dr. Doubleday took the druggist business into his own hands, and Dr. Robinson opened a store of dry goods ; practising at the same time, and at this par- ticular time too, conducting the press. He contin- ued the dry goods store for about three years, and then practiced medicine exclusively for some three or four years. In 1819, he went into the tavern- liouse where Mr. Jarvis now keeps. Here he con- tinued ten years with Maj. A. Morgan, his partner. BINGHAMTON. , 201 During this time he discontinued practice. He gave to the establishment, of which he was landlord, the name of the "Binghamton Hotel," which it has ever since retained. At the expiration of these ten years, he resumed the dry goods business, in which he continued till 1833, when he was appointed Postmaster, which of- fice he still continues to hold. He was appointed Judge and Justice of the Peace in 1811. At the adoption of the new constitution, in 1822, he was appointed first Judge of Broome county. This of- fice he held till 1833, when Judge Seymour was ap- pointed in his place. Since the establishment of the Episcopal church in the place. Dr. Robinson has been almost contin- ually an active and important member of its Vestry. In 1810, a Mr. Atvvell came into the place, and made a contract for a lot, where the Phenix Hotel is, and built a blacksmith's shop and followed the business ; but with this business he connected — in- congruous as it may appear — that of teaching a dan- cing school and playing the violin for his pupils. He would work at his blacksmithing in the day time, and teach his dancing school at night. Men of the first respectability of the place attended ; so ready were they to avail themselves of but a poor oppor- tunity to acquire this important art. In this year, 1810, George Park, Esq. became a resident of the village. He came to this place from Amenia, Dutchess county, which is his native place* He studied law under James Tallmadge, Esq. of Poughkeepsie, and was admitted to the bar in 1811, St ^ 202 j^ j^ ANNALS OF He was deputy clerk in 1817 and '18, doing the entire business of the office under A. Doubleday, the principal ; appointed Surrogate in 1822, and held that office for thirteen years ; was a Commis- sioner of Deeds from 1820 to 1834; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1829 and holds that office still. Esq. Park, in 1812, married the daughter of J. G. Bessac, a French gentleman, who came to this country during the revolutionary war, as one of the Staff of Count Rochambeau. M. Bessac married, in this country, the daughter of Col. Nichols, of Dutchess county ; and the daughter, Mrs. Park, ex- hibits, even now, the results of an early education, far superior to that of most— even of the educated part — of American females. Esq. Park has, for a number of years, turned his attention, in his leisure hours, to the science of min- eralogy. During sixteen or eighteen years he has been collecting minerals ; and his cabinet consists now of about 300 specimens, exclusive of shells, petrefactions, &c. which he has obtained, in his cor- respondence, with remote parts of the world, as well as from his own section of the country. In this year also Marshall Lewis, the father of Col. H. Lewis, of the village, moved his family into the place ,- built a saw mill and grist mill where his son's mills now are ; a man of enterprise and busi- ness talents, as well as of mechanical genius. In the same year there was built a two story school house, through the enterprise of Mr. Le Roy, on the. west side of the river, on Front-street, a lit- tle south of Mr. Merrill's dwelling house. It was BINGHAMTON. . 203 taken down by Mr. Collier. This house was built to induce settlement on that side of the river. In 1811, Mr. Lewis St. John came from Canaan, Conn., with a young family, and settled first on the old road as it led down from the old Chenango vil- lage, where Deacon Smith now lives. He and his father at this time purchased together. In 1815, he purchased where he now lives, on the west side of tlie Chenango. The purchase or farm contained 107 acres, lying within the present corporation limits ; i. e. from Front-street west to the western boundary of the corporation, and from the Susque- hannah north to within forty rods of Main-street. The purchase was made of Mr. Le Roy, at $20 per acre ; and about one-fourth part, at that time, clear- ed. The rise in the value of land has made the purchaser wealthy. In this year, 1811, Mr. Myron Merrill came into the village. His parents moved from West Hart- ford, in 1800, to Sherburne, Chenango county, when he was eleven years of age. He served an appren- ticeship with his brother at the hatting business. Upon coming into the place he commenced business on the west side of the Chenango, and north side of the road, and in the second building from tht; bridge, yet standing. He purchased where he now lives, in 1818, for 81100. He married the daugh- ter of Asa Robinson, the father of Peter Robinson, of the village. Mr. Merrill was concerned with J. Whitney and S. Weed in putting up the stone build- ing, and the brick building adjoining, which were opposite and north of the Binghamton Hotel. He 204 ANNALS OF was in the mercantile business from 1822 to '27 with Richard Mather ; engaged from 1828 to '35 with Mr. Leavenworth in the same business. He has been a member of the Vestry of the Epis- copal church nearly the whole time of its existence here ; was an original proprietor of the Susquehan- hah Bridge, He and Mr. Root entered into com- pany in the hatting business, both as merchants and manufacturers, in 1833, and still continue that re- lation. In this year also came Col. Joseph B. Abbott, when only fourteen years of age, with the family and under the care of Lewis St. John. He served an apprenticeship with Mr. James Squires. He went into business in 1820 for himself, in company with Lewis Squires, whose daughter he married in 1821. Mr. Abbott soon after this travelled into the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, to inform himself of men, and of his particular business. He, v/ith his father-in-law, built for their tanning opera- tions, on Court-street, which were taken away by the passage of the canal. They, in company, built, in 1828, the old tavern-house, called from the be- ginning, the " Broome County House," which was destroyed in the great fire. The stand had been previous to the fire sold for $10,000. Mr. Abbott's brothers, William and Charles, became partners with him in 1836. As late as 1811, the shrub oaks and yellow pines were standing within four rods of the Court House. In this year, James C. Smead came and set up BINGHAMTON. 205 blacksmithing ia Water-street, where hi& shop now stands. In the year 1812, John S. Townley, who has been spoken of as an early settler in the village, and as an active and important mechanic, suddenly and mysteriously disappeared ; and it is not known to this day what became of him. In 1812, several chiefs visited the village from Oneida, to make enquiry relative to the possibility of re-obtaining the Castle farm. From this it ap- pears they were the natural heirs of those who were once its proprietors. They called upon John A. Collier for counsel. Upon enquiry, Mr. Collier found that they could not produce available testi- mony before a court, he therefore could give them no encouragement. Maj. Augustus Morgan appears to have been the principal, if not the only, addition made to the vil- lage inhabitants this year. Mr. Morgan, either im- mediately, or soon after coming into the village, went into the printing business. In 1819, in com- pany with his father-in-law, he kept the public house where Mr. Jarvis now keeps, then called the " Bing- hamton Coffee House. " Its present name was given it by Dr. Robinson. In 1820, he went into the staging business ; and since that period has had a large interest in extended and remote lines in dif- ferent parts of the Union. The next year, 1813, Thomas G. Waterman be- came a resident of the village. The place of his nativity, and from which he migrated, was Salisbu- ry, Conn. He was educated in Yale College;. 206 ANNALS OF studied law under Judge Sherwood, now a distin- guished lawyer in the city of New York. Mr. Wa- terman has written and published a work, entitled " The Justice's Manual." This work has had a wide circulation, and has passed, it is believed, through three editions. He has been a member of both houses of the State Legislature, one year in the House of Assembly, and four years in the Senate. Mr. Waterman married the ' daughter of Gen. J. Whitney. Mrs. Waterman received from her fa- ther, as a marriage dower, the corner house and lot where the Eagle Buildings now stand, which had been lately purchased of James Squires. The edifice Mr. Waterman enlarged and improved, and attached to it a small law office. Here he lived until 1818, when he moved to Front-street, where he now lives. Gen. Waterman is now extensively ena;aged in the lumbering interest, and transports yearly to market about one million of feet ; sending his lumber by the Chenango and Erie canals to Al- bany, Troy and New- York. From this time forth and previously, there were men in it who were well qualified to give order and stability to the legal and financial interest and pro- ceedings of the village, and happily disposed to induce and encourage both by their example and direct or indirect precept, business tact and habits. This contributed largely to lay the foundation for that order, precision, industry, economy, and consequent prosperity, for which the village may be distinguish- ed. The legal knowledge of gentlemen of the law came materially into requisition, to expound the ' BINGHAMTON. 207 law of the land, and to explain the rights and du- ties of men in their new relations. This greatly facilitated and rendered more safe the commercial intercouse of the village inhabitants. In 1812, Dr. Ammi Doubleday came from Lebs- non Springs, in Columbia county, to Berkshire in Tioga county, where he remained but a few months ; he then removed to Windsor, and boarded in the family of the present Deacon Stow ; here he remain, ed but for a short time, and came into this village in December of 1813, when he went immediately into the druggist business, in partnership with Dr. Robinson, and practiced medicine at the same time. This partnership^continued about one year ; and after the close of it, Dr. Doubleday continued the business alone about the same period. He then sold out the establishment to his brother, John Doubleday, who had, since his coming into the vil- lage, been his clerk. After dissolving his connec- tion with the druggist business he went to superin- tend the lime works, about eight miles above the village, on the west side of the Chenango. Here it is believed he remained until he was appointed coun- ty Clerk, in 1817. Dr. Doubleday, even previously to his appoint- ment to the clerkship, had discontinued the practice of medicine, probably from having entered so largely into other business. Since the close of his clerk- ship, which was in 1820 or '21, till within a few years, he has been engaged in the purchase and sale of village property. He has lately had charge of a section of the great water works, designed to sup- 208 ANNALS OF ply the city of New York with water. He has at this time charge of the first and second sections of tlic New-York and Erie Raih'oad. Dr. Doubleday acquired his medical knowledge, previous to his license, of Dr. De Lamater, a phy- sician of very great celebrity, both as practitioner and as professor in the medical school at Pittsfield, Mass. Dr. D.'s attainments in medicine, even at the time of his commencing practice, is said to have been much above mediocrity. His attainments also in mineralogy, which have been made since in his leisure hours — and such the most industrious may find— are well worthy of notice and commendation. In this year John T. Doubleday, brother of Dr. Ammi Doubleday, came into the village. He mar- ried the daughter of Esq. M. Whiting, who has al- ready been spoken of. Mr. Doubleday has turned his attention for a number of years to gardening as a science, to botany, and to mineralogy. His gar- den, though not large, contains a great variety of plants and flowers. Many of them are wild flow- ers, brought under cultivation, and several foreign and rare plants. Mr. D. has for many years been a member of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Doub- leday, his wife, has written recently a volume, enti- tled "Hints and Sketches." It is of a religious character, and is written in an easy and perspicuous style. ' In this year, 1813, Mr. Benjamin Sawtell built a store for Christopher Eldredge, where Col. Lewis' store now stands. In raising this building, the' company of a recruiting officer, Capt. Danvers, wa* BINGHAMTON. 209 invited to assist in raising. This occasioned less regularity and care in the erection ; the consequen- ces were nearly fatal. The frame, when about two-thirds raised, fell, and materially hurt several. That, with two others, built since, have been raised two stories high, with a brick front, and one roof put over the whole. In this year, Stephen Weed came into the place from Westchester county. Mr. Weed has employ- ed himself in a variety of business, and has acqui- red a handsome estate. In 1814, John B. Mcintosh came into the vil- lage from the city of New- York, a tailor. This business he has uniformly followed since. He first bought and built on the south sida of the causeway, which extends from the foot of Court-street to the end of the red bridge ; at that time a part of the bridge itself. His house was one story above the bridge and two stories below. Three others, built in the same manner, with the buildings united, and thus formed a little row. In the year 1814, also, Julius Page, now General Page, came into the village,^ and entered as appren- tice clerk to Mr. Whitney and Mr. Eldredge, who were then partners in mercantile business. Gen. Page, was born in this town in 1799, the son of Jai-ed Page, who settled as early as 1791, at the mouth of a creek emptying into the Chenango, op- posite Big Island, called since Page's Creek. Gen. Page, when a child, was" obliged to be familiar with tlie sight of the Indians,' and with the papooses, though he states he was always afraid of them. In 14 210 ANNALS OP 1820, he commenced business in Lisle. The next year he commenced business in the village in Court- street, in a small wooden building where Whiting and [Squires' present store is, then owned by Mr. Whitney. There were then only one store on the north side of the street besides Gen. Page's ; and on the south side two stores, Eldredge's and Hawley and Tompkins'. In 1823 he purchased a lot where his store now is, on which then stood a shed belong- ing to the tavern-house. It was a part of the ori- ginal tavern lot, and bought for $150. In the same year he purchased the house and lot where Judge Robinson now lives. In 1825, he purchased where he now lives, of his brother ; the house and out- buildings in a very unfinished state. In 1839, he received Mr. R. M. Bailey, from Berkshire county, Mass. into partnership in his store. In 1815, Samuel Smith, Esq, became a resident of the village. He, with his wife, moved from Westchester county. He went immediately into the tanning and currying business, which he has prosecuted ever since. He early built the house in which Dr. Brooks now resides, and lived in it un- til he built his present dwelling house. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1825, and held the office for ten years ; was Supervisor one year. Mr. Richard Mather came from Lyme, Conn, in 1815, and entered as clerk in Col. Ely's store. He went into business for himself in 1823. In 1824, he built on the west side of the Chenango river, where Mr. Hall now owns and lives ; built his pre- sent residence in 1838 ; built after the modern style BINGHAMTON. 211 of large pillars. His brother Henry came into the village much later, in 1828 ; but entered immedi- ately into partnership with his elder brother in the mercantile business. They have both been suc- cessful in this branch of enterprize. They married sisters, the daughters of Esq. M. Whiting ; and have been members and able supporters of the Pres- byterian church for a number of years. Sylvester Mather, the father of Richard and Henry, was master of a vessel employed in the West India trade. He was lost at sea in the year 1811, of whom no trace was afterward heard. He was bound, when he left the last known port, to the Isl- and of Antigua. His widow, who is still living, and lives in this village, was left with seven children, so young as to be dependent upon the wisdom, exer- tion, and provident care of the mother. Mr. Mather was a descendant of Increase Mather, whose celebrity, as a pious, efficient and early clergyman of New England, has reached down to our dav. In this year, also, Peter Robinson, Esq. came into the place. He had then lately graduated at Dart- mouth College, in Hanover, N. H., of which state he is a native. He studied law in this place under Gen. Waterman, and was admitted to the bar in 1819. Mr. Robinson was a member, and an active and able member too, of the State Legislature for six years, terminating in 1831 ; one term of which he was chosen Speaker of the House. He has al- ways been considerad an able advocate in the courts of his own county. He has held the office 212 ANNALS OP of Surrogate, and been magistrate for a length of time. In 1816, Mr. Jonas Waterhouse and family came from Hunterdon county, N. J*, and settled where Mr. C. Eldredge now resides. He purchased a farm upon that location of four hundred acres. This farm constitutes an important part of Mr. Eldredge's premises, where he lives. He built the west end of Mr. Eldredge's present residence. He occupied these premises for about twelve years, and kept the ferry at the crossing place until the Susquehannah bridge was built. Owing to financial embarrass- ment, he was obliged to part with his property for much less than its appropriate value. In 1817, Mr. Le Roy left the village and moved to the West. In the year 1818, Maj. Martin Hawley came into the village. He bought of Joshua Whitney, the store now occupied by Col. Lewis. Upon going into the mercantile business he took a& a partner, Mr. Gilbert Tompkins, who had become a resident in the village about the same time. In 1821, he bought the house now owned and occupied by Daniel S. Dickinson, Esq., then in an unfinished state ; and after fitting it up, nearly answering to its present style, he moved his fcimily into it. In 1828, he purchased of the agent of the Bingham estate, in conjunction with Col. Tower, nearly all the vacant lands in the eastern part of the village plot, amount- ing to about seventy acres. It was then covered with oak and pine, which, in a short time, he clear- ed and sowed with wheat. In the year 1829, and BINGHAMTON. 213 subsequently, at different times., he purchased of the State, and of the heirs and assigns of the late Judge Cooper, about 2500 acres of land lying be- tween the Susquehannah river and the state line. This tract had been occupied either by purchasers under Judge Cooper, or by squatters, to the number of about twenty families. At the time Maj. Hawley made these purchases, the residents had nearly all abandoned the land, and condemned it to sterility, and as unfit for cuhivation ; but being of an opinion that this notion had been taken up from mistaken premises and a very imperfect trial of the soil, and feeling desirous to redeem the up-lands of the county from the unreasonable — or at least unfavorable — prejudices they seemed so generally to lie under, as well as the laudable purpose to cultivate the land under.his own supervision, he moved on to the tract in the spring of 1833. He commenced a dairy of fifly cows; and by various experiments and im- provements, he soon ascertained that these lands, in common with all the up-lands of Broome county, are of an excellent quality for all the grasses that are cultivated in this country ; and abundantly capable, with suitable cultivation, of producing grains of all kinds, even sufficient to sustain a dense population. Maj. Hawley remained upon his Cooper tract for three seasons, when he returned to the village ; and having subdivided his village land into lots, he has since been employed in building upon some, and disposing of others. The same year, 1818, Mr. Gilbert Tompkins came into the village as a resident, from Oneida 214 ANNALS OP county, and went immediately into the mercantile business in co-partnership with Maj. Hawley. In this branch of business, with the same firm, he con- tinued till 1827. Built the corner stone store build- ing, on the north side of Court-street, and opposite Jarvis' Hotel, in 1827. He became one of the pro- prietors of the red bridge in 1831. At the period of Mr. Tompkins' coming into the village, the price of transportation from New-York was $3 per cwt. ; now, the price is sixty-two and a half cents. He built his present residence in 1830, which is of tasty structure, and stands, though in the midst of the village, yet retiredly situated, on the eastern bank of the Chenango. Maj. Hawley and Mr. Tompkins married sisters. The year previous, in 1817, Philip Bigler moved, into the village. He was originally from Hunter- don county, N. J., and emigrated intO' Union, in 1805. In 1822, he moved to Utica ; and in 1833, he returned to the village, and has since been en- gaged in the bakery and provision business. In this year, 1820, Mr. Jeremiah Campbell came into the place and set up his blacksmitliing, where he now is. In 1821, Thomas and James Evans came into the village. They are twin brothers, who came from Tinbury, in Worcestershire, of England. They were mechanics of the first description, and had been in business in England. Their connections in their native country are both wealthy and respect- able. Upon coming here, Thomas purchased the corner house which was formerly owned by Tho- BINGHAMTON* ^ 2l5 mas G. Waterman, where he lived for a number of years. His present Eagle Buildings occupy the same site. James, the brother, purchased the op- posite corner of Dr. A. Doubleday. James now resides in the country, about three miles out of the village. They have both become wealthy. In this year, also, 1821, Samuel Peterson, the Inn- keeper upon the west side of the Chenango river, came into the village. He moved to this place from Philadelphia. In 1822 or '3, Hamilton Collier came into the place from Owego ; studied law under his brother, John A. Collier, and was admitted to practice in 1829. Pie received the appointment of District Attorney in 1829. In 1823, Dr. Silas West came from Vernon, in Oneida county. He immediately commenced the practice of medicine, and went also into the drug- gist business. He continues the practice of medi- cine still, and has at no time of his village life sus- pended it. Dr. West studied medicine in Paris, Oneida county, under Dr. Judd, an uncle of Mrs D. Lanterman ; attended lectures at Fairfield, in Her- kimer county. In the same year, David Lanterman came into the village and went first into the druggist business, in partnership with Dr. West, in the red store on Water-street. In 1828, he purchased and built where he now lives. In 1830, he formed a co- partnership with Solon Stocking in a store which was kept m. a part of the Centre Buildings, and which continued two years. Mr. Lanterman was a 216 j^ ANNALS OF member of the Board of Trustees of the village In 1837. In 1824, Mr. Solon Stocking was appointed as preacher in the Methodist connection, upon this circuit. Before one year of his ministry here ex- pired, his health so far failed him, as obliged him to relinquish preaching, except occasionally in a local capacity. He married the daughter of Col. Samuel Seymour, of this county, and went into the mercan- lile business in 1826. He built his Centre Build- ings in 1838 and '9. In the same year, T. G. Waterman was chosen Brigadier General, and Virgil Whitney and Frank- lin, his brother, Charles W. Palmer, and Richard Mather were his staff. In this year Oliver C. Bradford came into the place from Cooperstown, and established, upon com- ing in, his watchmaking and silversmith business, which he has ever since prosecuted. He opened his business first upon the bridge, in what was call- ed " the row," with a partner by the name of Brad- ley, who is now in Utica, and wealthy. In 1825, Thomas Allen became an inhabitant of the village, and immediately commenced the sad- dlery and harness making, in a building immedi- ately west of Collier's corner. In this year, also, John D. Smith became an in. habitant of the village. Mr. Smith built, or rather finished, the pleasant and tasty dwelling where he now lives ; and which may be considered as an ap- propriate representative of his property. He is a member of the Methodist church. «.^. BINGHAMTON. 0, 21 T In the year 1826, Mr. Curtiss Thorp came into the village, and commenced his nursery of fruit trees. His present nursery is about four miles above the village, on the west side of the Chenango. For about eight or nine years he has grafted, upon an average, about 15,000 scions, per year ; princi- pally of apple trees, of the most choice kinds. In 1828, Charles W. Sanford came from Che- nango county to this place, and went into the mer- cantile business, in company with Levi Dimmick, Since leaving the mercantile business he has inter- ested himself in the purchase of village lots, and has contributed his mite in encouraging foreigners to come in and settle. In the same year, Levi Dimmick came into the village. He went into the mercantile business, in company with Mr. Charles Sanford, and continued therein three years. Mr. Dimmick was originally from Connecticut. In this year, an act of the Legislature passed, for the erection of a new Court House in this place ; $5000 were to be raised in the county for the pur- pose. Ammi Doubleday, Grover Buel, and George Wheeler were appointed commissioners to super- intend the work. In the year 1831, Daniel S. Dickinson came into the village. He came here from Guilford, Chenan- go county ; studied law under Clark and Clapp, of Norwich, of that county. He has been President of the Board of Trustees of the village for several years. In 1836, he was elected member of the State Senate. He has distinguished himself on the 218 M ANNALS OF senate floor, in almost all the great questions that have come before that body since he has been a member of it; especially the Usury Bill of 1837, and the Railroad Bill of 1838-9. Mr. Dickinson's style of public speaking is of an energetic character. His conceptions are clear, and his language forci- ble ; with a vein of wit, and sometimes sarcasm, running through it. Lewis Seymour came into the village also in 1831, and commenced the mercantile business in compa- ny with James and John Mc'Kinney on Court-st., first door east of the Binghamton Hotel, where Mr. Newton's present store is. Mr. Seymour is a son of Samuel Seymour, who has been mentioned as one of the earliest settlers of Union. He has been engaged in the lumbering business for 25 years. In this year, also, Joseph K. Rugg became a re- sident of the village, as a student in the law under Mr. Bosworth, then of this place. In the fall of 1834, he was admitted to the Supreme Court. In '36 he received the appointment of Surrogate of Broome county, which office he still holds. He was admitted as counsellor at law in 1838. Mr. Rugg, among his younger brethren in the law, holds about the first place, both as counsel and as advo- cate. Mr. Bosworth, his preceptor, is now in the city of New York ; a man of talents. In March, of 1832, John R. Dickinson, a brother to Daniel S. Dickinson, became a resident of Bing- hamton. He was admitted to the bar of the Su- preme Court and in Chancery in 1838. Ausburn Birdsall was born in Otsego county. BINGHAMTON* 21 9> He commenced the study of the law under D. S. Dickinson, in Guilford, in 1831 ; came to this vil- lage with his preceptor in March, 1832. He was admitted as Attorney in the Supreme Court, and as Solicitor in Chancery, in 1836 ; received into part- nership with Mr. Dickinson, his preceptor, about the same time. Mr. Birdsall was honored with the commission of brigade Major and Inspector in March, 1836, which office he still holds. In 1832, General Vincent Whitney was elected member of the Legislature. In the same year he was elected Brigadier General of the militia. In 1833, he was re-elected to the Legislature. In 1830, William Wallace Whitney, a brother to Gen. Vincent Whitney, and son to Gen. Joshua Whitney, went to the south for his health. He mar- ried a very rich heiress of Wilmington, Del., in 1832. He died in New Orleans, of the yellow fever, in 1837. His widow has since married Maj. Gen. Gaines, of the U. S. Army. In 1833, Laurel 0. Belden came into the village from Guilford. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1836. Esq. Belden, with his habits of in- dustry, is destined to rise in his profession. In the same year, Levi M. Rexford commenced merchandise in the druggist line. His brother was a partner for a short time ; a large establishment. In this year, also, Joseph Boughton became a re- sident of this village ; studied law under D. S. Dick- inson, and was admitted to practice in the May term of 1836. Mr. Boughton stands fair to excel in fines writing. 220 ANNALS OF The year 1834 was distinguished by a great fresh- et. The waters of the Susquehannah made a pas- sage around Gen. Waterman's mills and wore a channel five or six feet deep, and wide enough to ad- mit rafts through ; adding one-fourth to the original width of the river. In the side of the newly formed bank, below the present furnace, there were found, in several distinct places, stone tightly laid together, and forming a concavity, which might have answer- ed, and undoubtedly did, for a pot or oven in Indian cookery. William Wentz, son of the elder Peter Wentz, commenced his engineering course in 1833, under Judge Wright, while surveying the New York and Erie Railroad. Mr. Wentz bids fair to distinguish himself as an engineer. In this year, Horatio and Alfred J. Evans com- menced their present firm in the mercantile business. For the two years previous, Horatio and his father had formed the company of this establishment. Dr. Stephen D. Hand came into the village in 1835, from New Lebanon, Columbia county. He was born, brought up, and studied medicine in that place. He graduated at the Berkshire Medical In* stitution, and received the degree of M. D. from the ifeculty of Williams College, with which that institu. lion is connected. In the same year, Benjamin N. Loomis came into the village, and commenced the study of the lawun- der Mr. Rugg ; was admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court in October, 1838. In this year, 1835, Maj. P. Mills came into the BlNGHAMTQN. S21 village. He is a native of Massachusetts ; was in the Army of the U. S. during the last war with Great Britain, and engaged in most of the actions upon the Niagara frontier. He was reported a3 " mortally wounded," in the action of Stoney Creek, Upper Canada, where he was left on the field of battle on the retreat of the American Army, and became a prisoner to the enemy. By them he was treated with great kindness, in consequence, as he believes, of a previous acquaintance with CoL Her- vey, of the British Army. In this year, 1835, also came Hamden K. Pratt into the village, and went immediately into partner- ship with his late brother, William Pratt, who was himself at that time a hardware merchant, and the first established in the place. It still continues of the same character, and is a large establishment. Mr. Pratt is now in firm with J. E. Sampson. In the same year, Hiram Birdsall, a brother of AusburnBirdsall, Esq., commenced mercantile busi- ness in the village. In 1836, Samuel Brown, Jr., in company with George F. Bragg, commenced mercantile business where they now are. The sales of this firm are very considerable. Mr. Brown is a nephew of the late Major General Brown, of the U. S. Army. In the same year, also, Dr. P. B. Brooks came into the village, and re-commenced the practice of medicine and surgery. D. Brooks has, during his medical life, practiced principally within this county. Samuel H. P. Hall came in 1837, and entered into the mercantile business very largely from the 222 ANNALS OF beginning. He is a native of Middletown, Conn. Previously to his coming into the place he had been in business in Watertown, of this state. Uriah M. Stowers came into the village when quite a lad, from Towanda, and entered as clerk into R. Mather's store. In 1837, he entered into part- nership with Col. Ely, and this connection still re- mains. The firm do a large business. The firm of Whiting and Squires commenced in 1837. In this year, Henry Jarvis became a resident of the village from Poughkeepsie, and entered, as land- lord, the Binghamton Hotel, which he still keeps. In July of this year, also, Samuel Johnson, a young gentleman, and artist, from the city of New York, came into the place, Mr. Johnson is a portrait painter whose genius and skill in the art will inevi- tably distinguish him. He was born in Washington county, of this state ; was inclined to drawing ob- jects around him and ornamental penmanship when a lad at school. He had taken portraits for a length of time before he was conversant with any artist or teacher, whose official instructions he found he had anticipated. In this year also, Dr. Nathan S. Davis came into the village, immediately, or soon after, taking license. Dr. Davis is from Chenango county, where he studied medicine under Dr. Clark. He attended three courses of lectures at the Fairfield Medical Institution of Herkimer county, from which he re- ceived the degree of M. D. In August, 1838, Mayhew McDonald came into BINGHAMTON. 223 the village and commenced the practice of law. He is from Otsego county ; studied law in Delhi, of Delaware county, under Charles Hathaway, a weal- thy and talented lawyer of that place. He was ad- mitted to the Supreme Court as attorney at law and Solicitor in Chancery, in January term of 1839. In the same year Dr. Edwin Eldridge became a resident of the village. Dr. Eldridge grew up upon the banks of the Hudson. After previous studies, he entered the Medical Institution of New- York, where he attended two courses of lectures. He af- terward attended one course at the Institution of Fairfield. He afterward attended two sessions at the Hospital and Eye Infirmary of New- York. It appears that Dr. Eldridge's medical opportunities have been of the first order. In the spring of 1838, Lorenzo Seymour moved into the village and took charge of the Broome Coun- ty House ; and had been the landlord of it but a short time previous to the great fire, in which this building was consumed. He is now landlord of tlx- Phenix Hotel. In this year, 1838, on Tuesday night, June 19tli, occurred, in the village, one of the most destructive iires ever known in this section of country. It com- menced in a tin and sheet-iron manufactory belong- ing to H. & A. J. Evans, standing in the rear of the corner or Eagle Buildings ; and when but a few of the inhabitants had collected, the flames had spread to the rear of the buildings adjacent on Court and Franklin-streets. In about forty minutes the buildings on these two streets belonging to the block, 224 ANNALS OF with one or two exceptions, were wrapped in one entire flame. Tlie loss that was sustained^ with the impression left upon the minds of the villagers, will be sufficient to record it, with most of its details, for many years to come. CHAPTER XVI. We shall now speak more particulary of the public institutions of the place. There was a Postoffice established as early as 1795 or '6, and Joshua Whitney was the first Post- master. It was established through his agency," and he contracted for the transportation of the mail from Catskill to this place. He kept the office at his own dwelling, and continued in office until about 1800, when it was transferred to Oringh Stoddard, and kept at Union. In 1802, it passed to the trust of William Woodruff, Esq. who was the first Post- master in the village. He held the office for about six years, and located it in the tavern-house which stood where Bragg's store now does; and of which he was the landlord. Judge Robert Monell suc- ceeded Mr. Woodruff, and held the office two years. It was now removed to Water-street, and kept in the Stuart house, where also Judge Monell had his law office. He removed both these offices to a room in the Keeler tavern-house, where he was at the time boarding ; kept then by Judge McKinney. The next in order of Postmasters was Judge McKinney, who kept the office where it was already BINGHAMTOIi. 225 located. In consequence of Mr. McKinney's nJoving? upon his farm at some distance from the village, he left the office in charge of a deputy until the appoint- ment of another Postmaster, His successor was Esq. Woodruff again. He kept the office in an upper room of the toll-house ; he afterward remo- ved it to where Mr. Rexford's druggist store now- is ; the same building, same room. In about the year 1813 or '14, Judge McKinneywas re-appoint- ed. He placed the office in Zenas Pratt's store,- who kept where the Phenix Hotel is j^ in a part of the building that was burnt down. In 1817, the office was transferred to Zenas Pratt, who kept it' in his own dwelling house. In 1821, John C. Swain- succeeded Mr. Pratt, and kept the office in his store, which stood at the foot of Court-street, In 1823/ Virgil ¥/hitney received the appointment of the of- fice. He held it for ten years, and is said to have been a faithful and assiduous officer in the depart- ment. To Mr. Whitney succeeded, in 1833, Dr. Robinson, who is the present Postmaster, Dr. R, - at first kept the office in the southern portion of^. Mr. Jarvis' tavern-house. • At the completion of the Exchange Buildings he moved the office to those- buildings ; and the past summer or autumn he again- removed it to one part of the Phenix house ; un- doubtedly for the greater conveniency of the maih stage. The mail was carried at first, and for manyyears' afterward, on horseback* It was carried through - from Catskill to Elmira once a fortnight; and one Charles Stone rode post for several years. In 1810,^ 15 i 22§ ANNALS OF there was a mail from the east and west, and from the north once a week, but still on horseback. The avails at this time to the Postmaster was about sixty dollars a year. There are now, in arrivals and dismissals, eight mails per day ; and two days in the week, ten mails. The nett avails to the Govern- ment is about $1800 per year. The county of Broome was set off from Tioga, and organized on the 13th of May, 1806. The officers first appointed to preside at its courts and over its judicial concerns were Gen. John Patter- son, of Lisle, as first judge, and James Stoddard, of Lisle, Amos Patterson, of Union, and Daniel Hudson, of Chenango, as associate judges. In 1807, George Harpur, of Windsor, and Mason Wattles, of the same place, were added. At the expiration of three years, in May, 1809, James Stoddard, Amos Patterson, and Mason Wat- tles, were re-appointed ; and in June, Daniel Hud- son was appointed first judge in place of Gen. Pat- terson ; and in September, James Stoddard was ap. pointed in place of Mr. Hudson, who, it is believed, vacated his office by moving out of the county. In October, John Brown, of Berkshire, was added to the number of associate judges. Under the old constitution of the State there was no specific limitation to the number of ordinary or associate judges. They held their office for three years, and then were re-appointed or displaced ; but the ^r5i judge held his office during fife or good be- haviour ; unless, during his office, he transcended the age of sixty years. -BINGHAMTON. 227 In 1810, George Harpur was re-appointed ; and in 1811, in March, Stephen Mack, of Owego, was appointed first judge in place of judge Stoddard. In May, of the same year, Jacob McKinney, of this village, was appointed associate judge ; and in June, Amos Patterson and John Brown were re- appointed. In 1812, William Chamberlain was appointed, and Mason Wattles re-appointed; and in June, Samuel Rexford and James Stoddard, In 1813, March, Tracy Robinson, of this village, Asa Beach, of Lisle, Chester Lusk, of Union, Jo- seph Waldo, of Berkshire, George Harpur — ap- pointed the third time — Daniel Le Roy, of the vil- lage, and William Camp, of Owego. At this time Owego was a part of Broome county. In 1815, Briant, Stoddard, of Union, was ap- pointed to a seat on the bench ; also, Jonathan Lewis, of Lisle, Mason Wattles — appointed the third time^ — and David Williams ; and John R. Drake was appointed first judge in place of judge Mack. In 1817, William Stuart, of Binghamton, and Anson Camp were appointed. In 1818, Jonathan Lewis re-appointed — William Stuart still on the bench — and Briant Stoddard re- appointed. In 1821, Briant Stoddard re-appointed, Thomas ■ Blakslee, David Williams, re-appointed, and Jona- than Lewis. In 1822, David Bartow. In 1823, the new constitution was adopted. In the same year, under the new constitution, Tracy Robinson was appointed first judge ; and with him 228' ANNALS OF were appointed four associate judges, viz : Natha- niel Bosworth, Briant Stoddard, Thomas Blakslee^i and David Bartow. Under the new constitution, the number of judges^ was Hmited to five, including the fi_rst judge ; all oF whom,, without distinction, to hold their office for five years ; removable, however, on recommenda- tion of the Governor and consent of the Senate, whenever the former assigned a sufficient cause. In 1827, at the termination of five years, the-' same judges were re-appointed, with the exception of Ohver Stiles, in place of Nathaniel Bosworth. In 1832, Thomas G. Waterman, in place of O- Stiles. In 1833, William Seymour was appointed first judge, and Dr. Robinson, of Vestal, succeeded by^ Briant Stoddard in 1834 ; George Wheeler, Grover Buel, and Judson Allen were appointed associate judges. In 1838, a new commission was issued, and the same judges were re-appointed. These constitute- the present bench of judges. The first cause tried under the authority of the county of Broome,, was between Amraphael Hotch- kiss and Nathan Lane,jun., a civilsuit. The first criminal cause was the people against Ebenezer Centre. At the organization of the county, Ashbel Wells was appointed Clerk, and moved to this village from. Owego. He died about the expiration of his term.. His successors have been William Woodruff,. Jacob:. McKinney> William Woodruff" again. Mason Wat^ BINGHAMTON. 229 des, of Owego, Ammi Doubleday in 1817, Latham A. Burrows, Daniel Evans, the first Clerk under the -new constitution, and Barzillai Marvin, the present €lerk. Under the old constitution the Clerks were ap- pointed, not chosen as at present, for the term of three years. William Woodruff was the first Sheriff of the <;ounty, and Jacob McKinney his successor. Their successors have been Chester Patterson, of Union, Thomas Whitney, of Triangle, Oliver Huntington, of Owego, William Chamberlain, of Binghamton, 1817, Joseph M. Patterson, and Maj. Noah Shaw. Under the new constitution, Benjamin B. Nichols, of Windsor, Jesse Hinds, of this village, James Stoddard, jun. of Lisle, Robert O. Edwards, of .Barker, and Robert Harpur, of Colesville, who is the present Sheriff. The space occupied in the list of officers that have presided over the courts, and have transacted the public and specific business of the county, is brief; but still, during their official course, more than an age has passed away. Talents and moral honesty have been in requisition for the proper discharge of their duties. They have been the mental and phy- sical organs of the law. They have adjusted the conflicting interest of parties. They have awarded to delinquents and transgressors the retributions of justice, and have kept the archives of the great commercial transactions of community. The first printer of the village was Chauncey Morgan, an elder brother of Augustus Morgan of 230 ANNALS OF m this place. He commenced the operation of his press in about 1811, in an upper room of the present building of Mr. Rexford's druggist store. In the commencement he issued a newspaper — the first printed in the county of Broome — called " The Broome County Patriot." There had a paper cir- culated here, which was first printed in old Chenan- go, and afterward in Owego, called " The Ameri- can Farmer." While issuing from the former place, it was conducted by Daniel Crugar ; and while from the latter, it was conducted by Stephen Mack, afterward Judge of the county. The paper and press passed through the hands of Reuben S. Close and Dr. Ely to those of Dr. Robinson, who, in 1815, enlarged the paper and issued it under a new name: that of the Phoenix. Dr. Robinson continued the conducting of th€ paper and the operation of the press for three years, during two of which his son-in-law, Maj. Morgan, was associated with him as partner. In 1818, the Dr. sold his interest in the press and paper to Anson M. Howard, and Mr. Morgan con- tinued now a partner to Mr. Howard. In this same year, Abraham Burrell started a pa- per called " The Republican Herald," espousing the side of politics opposed to those of the Phoenix, which latter was Clintonian. In about 1820, Do- rephus Abbey purchased Mr. Burrell's interest, and conducted the paper and press in his own name. Abbey, after some few years sold the paper and ' press to a few individuals of the place, who employ. BINGHAMTOl^. 231 ed Burfell as the editor and printer ; and the paper was conducted in his name. Mr. Abbey met with a tragical end ; the last spring, 1839, he was hung in Kingston, U. C. for his participation with the patriots in the Canada war. Mr. Howard, the partner with Major Morgan, after a few years failed, and the Phoenix, in conse- quence, was no longer issued ; but in 1823, Major Morgan purchased a new press and issued a new paper called " The Broome County Republican." It is the same in continuance that bears that name now. After this paper got into circulation, it pro- ved to be the more popular paper. The Herald gradually declined, and, while in the hands of Mr. Burrell the last time, became extinct. In 1824, Mr. Abiel C. Canoll came into partner- ship with Mr. Morgan, and this connection remain- ed until 1828, when Mr. Morgan sold his propri- etorship to Mr. Thomas Collier, who had lately taken up his residence in the village with his sons. Mr. Collier and Mr. Canoll continued their edito- rial relation until 1830, when the former sold to Mr. Edwin T. Evans. This connection continued until 1835, when Mr. Evans sold his share in the business to Mr. B. T. Cooke. Messrs. Canoll and Cooke continued partners until last July, 1839, when Mr. Canoll dissolved his connection and interest, and sold to Mr. J.J. Davis. Under this new edito- rial relation the paper and press are at present con- ducted. In 1831, Mr. J. R. Orton established a press and 232 ANNALS OF issued a paper under the name of " The Broome County Courier ;" in poUtics espousing the side of the national administration. In 1837, Mr. Orton sold his press and interest in the paper to Messrs. Sheldon and Marble. These last continued the pro- prietors until the spring of 1838, when Mr. Marble sold his interest in the establishment to his partner Mr. Sheldon ; and this latter gentleman continued the proprietor but a short time. The great fire which occurred early in the summer of that year, consumed the press and its appurtenances, and Mr. Sheldon was obliged to relinquish his connection with it. In the course of the summer Mr. E. P. Marble returned from Sherburne, Chenango county, and brought with him a press from that place. The Courier was resumed by Mr. Marble, and issued immediately. After a few months his brother, J. W. Marble, who had formed a partnership in the opera- tion of the press from the time of its re-establish- ment, came into the place and joined in person. In the following spring, 1839, another change took place. E. P. Marble relinquished his connection with the press, and sold his right to Mr. Thomas Johnson. It is now in the hands of J. and C. Orton. The present proprietors of the Bridge at the vil- lage that lies across the Chenango river, called here the Red Bridge, are Gilbert Tompkins, the heirs of his deceased brother Isaac Tompkins, Lloyd S. Daubany, of Connecticut, and Garrit Storm, of the city of New-York. This bridge was re-built in 1825, by Col. H. Lewis as master builder, at anex- BINGHAMTON. '233 p&'nse of rising $3000, and under the general direc- tion of Joshua Whitney. The revenue arising from the bridge at present, and for some few years back, though large, is not so great as in former years, /when land carriage wag the only mode of transport- ing commodities into the place. A former bridge existed upon the same abutments that the present does, with the exception of a wood- men causeway at the east end, which extended until it met the ground of its own level. In place of this causeway there now exists the present wide em- bankment. This former bridge was built in 1808, by Marshal Lewis and Luther Thurstin, at an ex- pense of rising $6000. Why there should have been so much difference in the expense of the two hridges, does not appear. To the enterprize, per- severance, and pecuniary resurces of Lucas Elmen- dorf, of Kingston, Ulster county, is to be ascribed the erection of this first bridge at so early a day. The present bridge, which is of the same length, breadth, and height as the former, is 30 feet high, 25 feet wide, and 600 feet long. The bridge at the village across the Susquehan- nah, called familiarly the White Bridge, was built in 1825 and '6, by Col. H. Lewis, at an expense of $6,200. The act of the Legislature authorizing the building of this bridge was passed April, 1825, and the property of it vested in Christopher Eldredge and John A. Collier, their heirs and assigns. These gentlemen divided the presumptive expense of the bridge into shares. These shares were purchased by the following persons : EUhu Ely, Hazard Lew- 234 ANNALS OF is, Gilbert Tompkins, Myron Merrill, Lewis St, John, Martin Hawley, and Julius Page. These^ with Messrs. Eldredge and Collier, were, by ano- ther act of the Legislature, constituted a body cor- porate, under the name of " The Susquehannah Bridge Company of the Village of Binghamton." Under the direction and at the expense of this com- pany the bridge was built. In the springof 1837, while an uncommonly high freshet was prevailing, and rendered more powerful by a suddenly breaking away of accumulated ice, about one half of the bridge was carried away. This bridge is 700 feet long, 25 feet wide, and from 25 to 28 feet high. The Chenango canal, which terminates at Bing- hamton and Utica, is ninety-five miles in length, forty-six feet wide, and four and a half feet deep. It is laid in the valley of the Chenango river, on the eastern side, with the exception of about eighteen or twenty miles of the northern extremity, which fol- lows the vale of the Sauquoit creek. The number of locks on the whole route is 105 ; forming an elevation above the water, at the mouth of the river, of 303 feet. It was constructed in the years 1834, '5 and '6, at an expense of nearly two millions of dollars. The chief engineer who was employed in survey- ing the route, and in superintending the construc- tion, was William Jarvis. Isaac W. Crane had charge under the general supervision of Mr. Jarvis, of the southern section, from Binghamton to the Forks. The act of the Legislature which authori* BINGHAMTON.^ 235^ zed and assumed the construction of the canal was passed in 1833. Judge Lynde, of Chenango county^ presented the bill for its construction to the Senate, and was himself its most able abettor. Like many bills which prove in the experiment of gi'eat public utihty, it had a tedious and strenuously opposed course in its passage through the two houses of the Legislature. There are two Banks in the county of Broome, located in this village. One,, the Broome County Bank, which has been in operation since the year 1831 ; its capital is f 100,000, with the permission to extend its issues to once and a half that amount. The fii'st President of this bank was Myron Mer- rill; and Cary Murdock,- its present cashier, was also its first ; Daniel S. Dickinson was its first and is still its Attorney. Its operations are under the superintendence of thirteen directors. The safety of the bank rests upon the safety fund and the cor- rectness of its own transactions ; to which there has at no time been any exceptions. Its resources have always been equal to its exigencies, even during the great pressure of 1837. The banking house was erected in 1832; is ele- gantly built of brick, fifty feet by forty, and the walls thirty-four feet high, standing on court hill, corner of Court and Chenango-streets, and opposite the court-house ; having the advantage of the pleasant elevation of court hill. The other is the Binghamton Bank, which has only the present year, 1839, commenced its opera- tions. It is constituted according to the late State S36 'ANNALS OF ^provision made for voluntary bank associations. It has a capital of $100,000, with the privilege of ex- .tending it to the high amount of one million. The officers of this bank are, Jehn La Grange, of •Vestal, President ; and Calvin L. Cole, Cashier ; the present Directors are John La Grange, Calvin .L. Cole, Dwight Danforth, and Samuel Brown. The first public stage that ran through this vil- Jage was established by Teter and Huntington, in the year 1816 or '17 ; and ran from Owego to New- burgh ; Teter drove himself, a two horse stage, and drove entirely through to Newburgh ; a weekly line. He was of Wyoming, and commenced this line of business first by running a stage from Wyoming to Tioga Point. About one year after commencing the Owego and Newburgh line, Mr. Teter exchan- ged his first partner, Mr. Huntington, for Miller Horton, of Wilksbarre. In about 1818, a company was formed, consist- ing of several proprietors, with Mr. Phelps, ofLud- lowville, at their head, who obtained a mail contract ' and commenced running a line of stages upon the same route of Teter and Horton, but made Ithaca ■their western termination instead of Owego ; and ran three times a week. In 1819, Dr. Robinson and Maj. A. Morgan became proprietors in the com- pany. In 1822, the same company, but with additional proprietors, established a daily line upon the route, and extended the same to Geneva. The first post coach that ever ran through this ;pJace was purchased by Robinson and Morgan. Il V- BINGHAMTON. 23T was the second vehicle of the kind on the route;; made after the same form of the present post coach- es, with the exception of one door to enter at, in-^ stead of two. In about 1818 or '19, a stage wagon, with two horses, commenced running from Oxford to this- place once a week, by Mr. Willoughby, of Oxford ; it soon commenced running twice a week. In 1821 George Munseli took the proprietorship and ran the stage twice a week, driving himself.. In 1825, he put on a post coach and four horses, and has con- tinued the principal if not sole proprietor of this part, of^the Utica line since. In the year 1828, a two horse stage commenced' running from Montrose to this place, under the pro-, prietorship of John McPher3on;,,a young man of the- former place, and performing one trip a week. It is the same that now runs daily. Mr. Searle soon, purchased McPherson's right, and is the present: proprietor. The village of Binghamton was incorporated by an act of the Legislature on the third day of May,. 1834, By this act the corporate limits of the vil- lage were fixed, and the village itself divided into five wards. The first ward was to embrace all that part: of the village which lies west of the Che- nango river. The second ward to embrace all that part lying east of the Chenango river, south of the centre of Court-street, and west of the centre of Centre-street. The third ward, all that part lying, north of the centre of Court-street east of the Che=. aango river, and west of the centre of Chenango-. 238 ANNALS OF Street. The fourth ward, all that part lying east of the Chenango river, north of the centre of Court- street, and east of the centre of Chenango-street. The fifth ward, to embrace all the residue of the vil- lage lyii^ south of the centre of Court-street, and east of the centre of Centre-street. On the first Tuesday in June, 1834, agreeably to a provision of the act, the inhabitants of the village met in their respective wards and chose the follow- ing persons as Trustees, viz : Samuel Peterson, as trustee of the first ward ; George Park, of the sec- ond ward ; Stephen Weed, of the third ward ; Will- iam Seymour of the fourth ward ; and William B. Doubleday, of the fifth ward. These five, with their successors, clothed with powers specified in the same act which provided for their creation, were to form a jpeirpetual Board of Trustees for the govern- ment of the village, in every thing pertaining to its public peace, its safety, its convenience, and its im- provement. On the fourth day of June, at the first meeting of this Board, the following persons were appointed its officers : Daniel S. Dickinson, President of the Board ; Erasmus D. Robinson, Clerk ; Joseph S. Bosworth, Attorney ; Julius Page, Treasurer ; and Joseph Bartlett, Police Constable and Collector. Five Fire Wardens were also appointed ; Myron Merrill, of the first ward ; George T. Ray, of the second ward ; Levi Dimmick, of the third ward ; Cary Murdock, of the fourth ward ; and Isaac Leav- enworth, of the fifth ward. At the same meeting, a committee was appointed BINGHAMTON. 239 to draft a code of by-laws for their internal regula- tion. The Board proceeded, the same month it ap- pears, to pass the resolution for forming two fire companies, to be called the hook and ladder compa- nies. It should be recorded again and again, for the honor of that great man, that Dr. Franklin was the author of fire companies. In June, 1836, a petition was presented, signed by ninety-one citizens, requesting the Board to raise the sum of six hundred dollars, for the purpose of purchasing a fire engine. A petition at the same time was presented, signed by sixteen persons, pray- ing to be formed into a fire company. The signers of this petition were William H. Pratt, Henry M. Collier, James Eldredge, George Congdon, James Smead, A. W. Martin, Peter Clew, Isaac Bartlett, Caleb Roberts, James Bigler, William Bigler, John Scofield, Isaac Bishop, Thomas Johnson, J. P. Sut- ton, and D. Horton. These young men formed the first fire company of the village, and deserve the greater honor for having offered themselves. The Board proceeded also with dexterity to level and otherwise improve the streets, to flag the side walks, and to remove nuisances. Upon the first of August, 1837, the following per- sons, upon addressing a petition to the Board to be formed into a second fire company, were accord, ingly organized : Charles L. Robinson, James H. Halstead, Evans M. Johnson, John H. H. Park, Albert C. Morgan, Russel B. Tripp, Charles Ro- gers, Jacob Morris, jun., John McNeil, Thomas G. Halstead, Frederick A. Morgan, Charles Tupper, 240 ANNALS OF ■ Charles Cole, William Castle, George Dyer, and* William Abbott. These young men, being the most, if not all, of them, in their minority, were called " The Juvenile Fire Company." These two companies may be considered the corporate, though youthful, fathers of future compa=^- nies, which will be found, in years to come,, in the. midnight hour, amid roaring flames and falling buildings, plying their engines to stay the destruc-- tion, and finally to quench the rage and madness of the fire. The county of Broome and its immediate neigh- borhood, contains but little to interest, particularly,, the geologist ; so little that the gentlemen employed in the late geological and mineralogical survey that has been made of the State, in their report to the Le- gislature, pass the county hy, almost in silence. The principal rock, says a geologist, well acquainted with this section of country, in the county is gray. wack, which is found in all our hills, and forms the basis of the mountains. It is found, also in the beds of the largest streams. This may be said indeed to be the only stone found in the county. It is found lying in stratas, nearly in a horizontal posi=- tion, with, however, a slight inclination to the west. This incHnation exists even in the beds of the rivers. . Near the surface, upon the mountains, it is found broken up into fragments ; which is the result either: of frost or of ancient internal irruptions. But the pebbles found in and near the banks of the Susquehannah and Chenango rivers, however, ex- liibit an astonishing variety : garnet, tourmahne, BINGHAMTON. 241 quartz, agate, hornstone, porphyry, granite, jasper, feldspar, hornblend, dark blue limestone, and con. glomerates, of almost every character, are occasion- ally picked up and added to the cabinet of the natu. ralist. Negatively speaking, we have no gypsum, no limestone, no iron or other mineral. A brine spring exists in Lisle, on the lands of Christopher Eldredge. CHAPTER XVII. The present Presbyterian Church of Binghamton was originally Congregational in its form of govern- ment, and was organized in the year 1817. The organization took place in the early part of the mi- nistration of Mr. Niles. This clerical gentleman came from New Lebanon ; was unordained until 1818, and labored until ordained as a stated supply. With about a year's interval, and previous to Mr. Niles' ministry here, a Mr. May, an ordained min- ister, was employed by the Presbyterian interest. Before this gentleman, no Presbyterian minister sta- tedly preached in the village. The only periodical preaching in the vicinity, previous to this, was from tlie Dutch Reformed Church, whose minister, Mr. Palmer, after about 1810, preached alternately in the court house in the village and at Union. But Tery little religious influence was either exerted or felt in the place, except what might have been felt from a few solitary examples of piety, from the ex- istence of the sacred volume in families, and from 16 242 ANNALS OF the conscience of men whose early education had been christian, until Mr. May, or more properly, it should be stated, until Mr. Niles appeared in the vil- lage. He was a man whose life was irreproacha- ble. His preaching, too, though characterized with only ordinary talent, was such as leaves men not easv in a sinful course. Mr. Niles came in the spring of 1816, and after one year's labor, a revival and reformation of con- siderable extent was the result. This paved the way and furnished members for the organization of the church. At this organization, the Rev. Ebene- zer Kingsbury, of Hartford, Pa., and the Rev. Jo- seph Wood, of Windsor, were the officiating min- isters ; and the church, in its first constitution, con- sisted of twenty members — three males, viz : Jesse Hinds, sen., Jonathan Ogden, and John McKinney ; the rest were females. The most of these latter were ladies of families ; and their names — as they were original members, and as the position in which it placed them in their families was responsible,— it may be proper to record. The persons were, Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Woodruff, the wife of Esq. Woodruff, a Mrs. Sedgwick, Mrs. Weed, a Mrs. Whitmore, Mrs. Hinds, Mrs. Eh^ the wife of Col. Ely, Mrs. Smith, Miss Hannah Whitney, now the wife of Deacon Stow, Mrs. Og- den, Mrs. Vandewater, and Mrs. Edwards. The officers of the church were two Deacons : Samuel Stow and John McKinney. Deacon Stow had moved into the place subsequent to the forma- tion of the church. Mr. Niles was ordained and BINOHAMTON. 243 installed pastor of the church in 1818. In the same year the first Sabbath School of the place was insti- tuted by the female members of this church. About this time also, the form of the government of the church was changed from Congregational to Pres- byterian ; which latter form it has retained ever since. Under the Presbyterian form, which re- quires ruling elders, those who first filled this office were Deacon Samuel Stow, Deacon West, now an officer in the church at Castle Creek, and John McKinney. The two latter sustained also the of- fice of Deacons. There were additions made to this society almost at every communion season, both from emigrants who had been members in churches whence they emigrated, and from persons becoming hopefully pious, of the place. The church, under the super- intendence of their pastor, maintained for a series of years what they called a church meeting, designed exclusively for church members ; held as often aff their communion season occurred, but halfway be- tween those seasons. These meetings, the older members say, were the most precious and valuable to them of all others ; undoubtedly because there was more confidential interchange of christian sen- timent and feeling, and therefore more of that which in scripture is denominated "communion of spirits." In the year 1827, and towards the close of Mr. Niles' ministry, as well as that of his life, a very ge- neral revival took place in the village, which, though chiefly in the Presbyterian society, extended to the other christian societies. 244t ANNALS OF In this year, the Rev. Peter Lockwood, after- ward sole pastor of the congregation, was called as junior pastor, to assist Mr. Niles ; whose health was now declining. The death of Mr. Niles, which had been looked upon as evidently fast approaching, took place in July, 1828, and was met by him with calmness, in clear anticipation of entering upon " that rest which remains for the people of God." Mr. Lockwood now became the sole pastor, and continued his pastoral relation until April, 1833. During Mr. Lockwood's ministry there were very large accessions made to the church — scarcely a communion season passing without some entering on the profession of their new and living faith, with- in its pale. After the period of Mr. Lockwood's ministry, the church was without a settled and pastoral care until 1836. In the interval, however, it had the ministerial labours for an indefinite time of the Rev. Lewis D. Howell, and of the Rev. John Fowler, now of Utica In 1836, the Rev. John A. Nash was called to the pastoral charge. His parochial relation, how- ever, was of comparatively short duration, only about two years. His talents as a sermonizer were much above mediocrity. In September, 1828, the Rev. David D. Gregory, formerly pastor of the church in Westfield, of this state, became the pastor of this church. Mr. Greg- ory is a graduate of William's College, Mass., and gtudied theology at Andover. Mr. Gregory's preach- BINGHAMTON. 245 ing is well calculated to luild up christians, and also to invite sinners to the Saviour of mankind. The Presbyterian church edifice was finished and dedicated in December, 1819, or the January fol- lowing. Jonathan Ogden was the architect ; and his mother the first person buried in the ground opened near this edifice for the reception of the dead. The Episcopal Church ofBinghamton was incor- porated in the year 1816. Samuel McNeil and Selah Squires were chosen the Church Wardens ; and Elias B. Miller, Lewis Squires, Mason Whiting, Tracy Robinson, John A. Collier, Thomas G. Wa- terman, John Stone, and Rufus Park, were chosen Vestrymen. • The principal men, with their families, that com- posed the church, in its earliest existence, were Joshua Whitney, Selah Squires, Samuel McNeil, Thomas G. Waterman, Tracy Robinson, Rufus Park, William Chamberlain, Elias Butler, Mason Whiting, John A. Collier, Lewis Squires, Gilbert Tompkins, John Stone, James Squires, Peter Crissy, Christopher Eldredge, and Elmore Gilbert. The Rev. Mr. Keeler, at present the rector of the church in Harpursville, was the first officiating^ clergyman. He was hired only for six months. Mr. Keeler, who had but lately taken Deacon's or- ders, was from the diocess of Connecticut, and was in company with Bishop Hobart at the time the Bishop constituted the church and consecrated their house of worship. This house was built originally for an academy ; but while in a state of finishing, it was purchased by the Episcopal society, and finish- 246 ANNALS OP ed in a suitable style for divine worship. It was afterward sold to the Methodist society ; and their present edifice was built in 1821 and '2, at an ex- pense, with its decorations, of about $3500, by H. T. McGeorge, the principal architect. In the burying ground attached to this church, the first person interred was a Mrs. Birdsall, the wife of a lawyer, and a sister of John A. Collier's first wife, and sister also to the present wife of Thomas Evans. The successor of Mr. Keeler was the Rev. Fran- cis H. Gumming, a young man at the time, and lately in Deacon's orders, from the diocess of New Jersey. Mr. Gumming was passing through the place and accidentally became known to Dr. Rob- inson, as an Episcopal clergyman, and without charge. He was immediately engaged to take charge of the congregation. He is represented even at this early period of his ministerial life, to have possessed an easy, natural, and engaging eloquence. He remained the officiating clergyman until 1821, when the Rev. Mr. Gear, of Onondaga county, was invited to take the rectorship of the parish. Mr. Gear is spoken of as a man of more than ordinary learning and talents, and his Uhlical knowledge is represented as having been profound and extensive. In 1824, Mr. Gear's parochial charge in this place terminated, and the Rev. Nathaniel Huse was called from Oneida county to succeed him. In 1827, and during the ministry of Mr. Huse, there was a greater addition made to those members who take upon them all the responsibilities of christians^ BINGHAMTON. 247 and enter into full communion with the church, than at any other one period. These, in the judgment of charity, had experienced what is denominated a '* change of heart," and were a part of the fruits of a general revival in that year. In the year 1829, Mr, Gumming was recalled, and took the rectorship. Mr. Gumming, at the time he was called, was rector of the Episcopal church in Rochester. Eight or ten years having elapsed since he was here before, Mr. Gumming's piety and christian experience had become deepen- ed, and his preaching was now more practical and evangelical ; but his stay was only short ; between one and two years. In 1830, the bell was put into the church, weigh- ing700 1bs. In the year 1831, the Vestry gave an invitation to the Rev. Hiram Adams, then settled over a church in Brownsville, Jefferson county, to become their pastor. This invitation was accepted, and he be- came their spiritual shepherd for four or five years. Mr. Adams is represented also as a man of talent and learning. In 1835, Mr. Adams terminated his rectorship here, and in July, of the same year, the Vestry re- solved to invite the Rev. Mr. Shimeall, of Ganan- daigua, to be their rector. His stay was short ; scant a year. He, in the time, painted the curtains of the church. He is distinguished as the author of a very large and learned biblical chart. Mr. Shimeall's resignation took place in May, 1836 ; and the last of June, the Vestry resolved to 248 ANNALS OP invite the Rev. Edward Andrews to their rectorship. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. Andrews is now the present rector. Mr. Andrews, possessing talents which place him quite among the first class of preachers, has great popularity and acceptableness among his people ; and his discretion and affection- ate manners endear him to all who have the happi- ness to be much in his society. There was no Methodist society formed in the village of Binghamton or its vicinity until the year 1817, when a class, consisting of five persons, was organized. Mr. Joseph Manning, his wife and daughter, Mr. Peter Wentz, and his wife, were the five persons. Previous to the formation of this class, and that which led to it, Mr. Manning, who was previously a member of the Methodist church, went to Union and solicited the service of a preach- er by the name of Doolittle, a circuit preacher. Mr, Doolittle came and held his first meeting at Mr. Manning's house, who lived then at the west end of the Chenango bridge, and on the south side of Main- street. At this meeting the class was formed, and Mr. Manning was appointed class leader. Preach- ing continued after this statedly, on a week day, once in two weeks ; and the meetings were held, first at Mr. Manning's house for a length of time, then at the district school house in the village ; after which they were moved and held in the court house, until they worshipped in their present chapel. A Mr. Arnold succeeded Mr. Doolittle on the circuit and was the particular onCi of the two on the circuit, that preached in the village. There were. BINGHAMTON. 249 however, no additions made to the society for years, except those who joined by letters of recommenda- tion. Even their ministers appeared to take but a partial interest in the Methodist cause here — most likely for want of more encouraging prospects — un- til a Mr. Warner came in 1822, under whose min- istry a revival of very considerable extent took place. So far as visible agencies were concerned in the production of this revival, it may be attribu- ted to Mr. Warner's taking up his residence in the place ; his manner of preaching, which was pun- gent and rousing, together with his mingling him. self much with the people. As many as forty join- ed the society as fruits of this revival ; audit is re- marked by the older members, that the reformation was distinguished by a deep conviction of inherent sin, which seemed to lay the foundation for more than ordinary humility on the part of the subjects. Very few relapsed back to a worldly state. A Mr. Lull was associated on the circuit with Mr. Warner, and preached more or less in the vil- lage. In the beginning of Mr. Warner's ministra- tion in the place, in 1822, the Methodist chapel was purchased of the Episcopalians, and moved from the site of the present Episcopal church to where it now stands. The ground of its location with the burying place was given gratuitously to the society by the Bingham estate, through the agency of Gen. Whitney. In 1823, the Rev. Horace Agard and the Rer. John Sayre were upon the circuit, and the officiating ministers in the village. In 1824, Mr. Agard re- 250 ANNALS OF turned, and the Rev. Solon Stocking, who has been a resident of the village ever since, was his colleague. From this time there were yearly additions made to the society, both from beyond the pale of the visible church and from those who were received upon let- ters from other societies. Mr. Stocking found the society composed of about fifty members when he came. A Mr. Judd succeeded Mr. Agard ; the Rev. Phi- lo Barbary succeeded Mr. Judd; and connected with Mr. Barbary was the Rev. Benjamin Shipman; Mr. Barbary's labors were in 1827 and '8. In '29, Mr. Shipman returned. In 1830, the Rev. Silas Comfort and the Rev. R. Cushman were appointed upon the circuit. In '31 Mr. Comfort and the Rev. Nelson Rounds were colleagues. In 1832 and '3, the Rev. David A. Shepard was appointed. He had no associate, and his labors were confined to the village. In 1834 and '5, John S. Mitchell was the minister of the society, and his labors were also con- fined to the village. In 1836, Hardford Colburn. In 1837, H. T. Rowe. In 1838 and '9, Robert Fox, an Englishman. The present clergyman is Joseph Cross, who was also born in England. Mr. Gi'oss joined the church when twelve years old. He preached his first sermon when only fifteen. In 1830, when the society had augmented to near- ly one hundred members, it was found necessary to divide, and two or three classes were amicably form- ed from the original one. At present, in the village and its vicinity, there BINGHAMTON. 251 are about two hundred and fifty members in the society, existing in seven classes. As has been before remarked, the first church formed in the settlement was that of the Baptist or- der ; but this became extinct about the year 1800. The present Baptist church was constituted in May, 1829, soon after a very considerable revival of reli- gion under the occasional labors of Elder Freder- ick, at that time pastor of the Baptist church at the Great Bend. To this revival, it might be consid- ered, as owing its infant existence. It consisted at first of twenty-four members ; four of whom were males, and twenty females. John Congdon, jun., and Reuben Starkweather were, at the constitution of the church, appointed Deacons ; which office, in tliat church, they still hold. Immediately upon the formation of the church, twenty-eight were added by baptism, and several more by letter. Elder Frederick's labors having been crowned with so much success, was chosen and invited to take the pastoral care of the young church. The invitation was accepted, and he was installed as pastor, and removed to Binghamton. In the year 1831, and during the ministry of Elder Frederick, the present church edifice was erected ; and great credit is said to be due to him, for his untiring zeal and perseverance in obtaining funds, and otherwise promoting its erection. In the winter of 1833-4, there was a revival un- der the ministration of the Rev. Jason Corwin, then pastor of the church ; which resulted in the addi- tion of about fifty members. 252 ANNALS OF In the fall of 1837, there was another very con. siderable revival under the preaching of the Rev. Jacob Knapp, who spent about a month in Bing- hamton ; making one great and protracted effort to bring men into the kingdom of the visible church ; not appearing to heed with what particular denomi- nation they should unite. During his stay, and im- mediately subsequent, there were added to this church about seventy members. This accession, so far as a present judgment may be formed, may be said to have placed the Baptist church upon a permanent, and — so far as foreign aid is concerned — an independent basis. The present number of members is one hundred and seventy-nine. The more common place of immersion, in early times, was in the Chenango river, near Col. Lewis' mills. The pastors of the church have succeeded each other in the following order : Rev's. Michael Fred- erick, Jason Corwin, Henry Robertson, Davis Dim- mick, William Storrs, and James M. Coley. The last of whom is the present pastor. The Congregational Church is a recent branch from the Presbyterian. It was organized in the year 1836, and composed at first of eighteen mem- bers ; who had solicited and obtained letters of dis- mission from the parent church, for the specific pur- pose of forming a new one. To the minds of those who first thought of sepa- rating and forming a new church and congregation, it occurred that the present and anticipated growth of the village, together with the present and grow- BINGHAMTON. 253 ing size of the Presbyterian church, would justify the separation of a branch, without material preju- dice to the former, and with sufficiently encouraging prospects to the latter. There were other considerations and feehngs, however, which more efficiently influenced these persons to desire to form a new infant body ; and which may be considered the causes that led to the separation taking place at that time. The different tastes and temperaments in so large a body of people as the Presbyterian congregation, had begun now to arrange themselves under the two great, but diverse, opinions — relating more to mea- Bures than to doctrines — which agitated at this time the Presbyterian church generally. And as that congregation was brought now into immediate con- tact with the measures that were approved of by the one part, and disapproved of by the other, the respective parties found that their approval and dis- approval arose to relish and disgust. This sunder- ed, in a great measure, the tie of their union, and rendered fellowship in such close relations imprac- ticable. This state of things induced a comparatively small minority — the number of about thirty — to de- sire a separation from the parent church ; and they resolved to take measures, in a friendly and chris- tian manner, to accomplish it. After being set apart by the ordinary formality, Aey were constituted a church by the Rev. John Starkweather, as officiating minister, who was im- mediately called to be their pastor. Articles of 254 ANNALS OF faith and a church covenant were drawn up and sub- scribed by the members ; but not until they had been submitted to the parent church for their ap- proval. Their house of worship was buih the year sue ceeding, 1837, by the joint skill and superinten- dence of Jonathan Ogden and John Lewis, and was dedicated the last of December of that year. On the morning of the day in which this house was ded- icated, di(^d William H. Pratt, a young gentleman of the village, whose views and feelings had been coincident with those of the infant church ; and with which he had worshipped from the time of its separation. The interest he appeared to feel, and the zeal he actuallj'- took, in relation to this young society was remarkable, as he had not, until a short time before his death, made profession of piety. His death was honored by its coincidence with the dedication of a house of divine worship his zeal had helped to build. Mr. Starkweather remained the pastor but a very short time after the dedication of the house. After liim^the Rev. Arthur Burtis was a stated supply from November, 1838, to July, 1839. The Rev. Samuel W. Bush, is the present pastor. There is in the village a Catholic Cathedral, built veiy'recently— finished in 1837— but with no settled or stated ministry over it. Occasionally divine ser- vice is held there ; and uniformly on the Sabbath a few conscientious Catholics repair to it, to perform the duty of mass. There was organized in the village, in January, * BINGHAMTON. 256 1838, a Universalist society also, consisting of about fifty members, many of whom, however, do not re- side in the village. The officiating minister of the society is Charles S. Brown, of Lisle. They have, as yet, no edifice, and hold their meetings in the court house. The present state of the village, with its business and resources, is the result of fifty years of ingress of inhabitants, both of the country and village, and their improvements. In the conclusion of these Annals, therefore, it will not be inappropriate to give the present aggregate of business, in most of its leading branches. This will be briefly done, in what may be termed round numbers, without pre- tending to minute accuracy. The amount of lumber transported to market an- nually is about four millions of feet ; about one million of this is sawed and sent principally to the southern markets by Christopher Eldredge. One million, by Gen. Waterman to the eastern markets. One million, by Col. Lewis, mostly to southern mar- kets. The fourth million, by John D. Smith and Lewis Seymour. The annual amount of sales for the last year or two in the village, of those in the grocery line ex- clusively, is $48,000 ; of those in the victualling line, $18,500; of merchants in the dry goods and groceries together, rising $200,000. The sales of those in the drugg business, who, however, unite otlier articles of merchandise, are $40,000 ; of iron and tin ware, embracing the manufactory of the same, $12,000 ; of hardware, exclusively, $12,000 ; «