<■ -p <' I V _ o « o h^-^^^ .V o_ * ,0' A .-J^^' * O N « o \- -0^ 'P V-^' .0' •^ ^^S V. ^^ H c)^ V * ° » o ' ^^ ^> V T I ": HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA, BY WILLIAM SEAVER. BATAVIA: rRINTEU BY VVM. .SEAVKR & SON. 184!». >svni ;b3 s'fe OF THE VILLAGE OF BATAVIA As the reminiscences of "Olden Times," which we have occasionally published in the "Spirit of the Times," have been received with favor, we now propose to sketch a brief history of the Village of Batavia, from its birth in the primeval forest, to what it now is, one of the loveliest in the State. We do this, not for any special pre-eminence which it has attained, but because it is the oldest Village West of Genesee River, from whence, as from a common centre, radiated the settlement of the "Holland Purchase." The early history of any place is always worthy of preservation, espe- cially, as in this case, when it is so intimately connected with the early his- tory of the surrounding- country; and as many of the facts and incidents which we propose to detail, have never been written, we are anxious to res- cue such oral traditions from oblivion as we are now able to collect from living witnesses, "before they go hence to be no more seen." For such facts, we are chiefly indebted to the letters of Joseph Ellicott and Paul Busti, and to James Brisbane, David E. Evans, Richard Smith, Trumbull Gary, and Hinman Holden, all old residents of this place, especially Mr. Brisbane, who is not only one of the first settlers in this Village, but has also resided longer on the "Holland Purchase," than any other white man now living. As the Hon. Joseph Ellicott was the Father and Founder of Batavia, it is due to his memory, no less than to the subject, that we go back a little, and trace some of the events with which he was connected, and which led to its foundation, and the settlement of the country. In the latter part of the Summer of 1.797, Mr. Ellicott came from Phi- ladelphia to Geneseo, to attend a Treaty with the Indians at that place, when the lands West of Genesee River were purchased from them by Rob- ert Morris. The Treaty was concluded in September of that year. He came alone, and on horseback, by way of Wilksbarre, Tioga Point, Bath and Dansville, and returned to Philadelphia in February following, having in the meantime made arrangements to commence the survey of the Hol- land Company's Lands. He left Philadelphia again in May, 1798, for this region, accompanied by his brother Benjamin Ellicott, and Edenezrr Cary. He came on horseback, the same route as before, passing by tlie way of Avon to Buffalo, where he arrived early in June, and established his head-quarters for tlie season, on the spot where the Mansion House now stands. On the 18th of April, 1798, James Brisbane and John Thompson left Philadelphia, with a supply of stores for Mr. Ellicott, and the surveyors on the "Purchase." They came by the way of New. York, Albany, the Mo- hawk River, and Wood Creek, to Oswego, and thence through Lake Ontario to the mouth of Genesee River, in Batteauxs, where they arrived on the 1 6th of May. Mr. Brisbane here separated from Mr. Thompson, and went up the Genesee River to Williamsburgh, with one Batteaux loaded with stores for the "Company,"' and Mr. Thompson proceeded by the way of Queenston to BufTalo, with the balance of the stores. Mr. Brisbane remained at Wil- liamsburgh, (between Geneseo and Mount Morris,) until the following Oc- tober, and then removed with the stores to what is now the village of Staf- ford, where an establishment was continued until the 2d of January, 180O, when the party, consisting of Joseph Ellicott, Benjamin Ellicott, James W. Stevens, Ebenezbr Cary and James Brisbane, left that station and returned to Philadelphia. In March, 1799, Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott went to Philadelphia, for the purpose of conferring with the General Agent, (Paul Busti,) and arranging for a continuance of the surveys. They returned the same Spring, bringing with them James W. Stevens. Mr. Ellicott went to Buffalo, where he remained until the survey was completed, in the Fall of that year,, and then came to StafTord. In January, 1800, he returned to Philadelphia, as above stated, foi the purpose of making a Report of the surveys, and on the 1st day of November, 1800, (his birth-day, being forty years old,) he was appointed Agent of the Holland Land Company. In November, 1800, Mr. Ellicott left Philadelphia, and came by the way of New York, Albany, he, to Buffalo, where he arrived in January, 1801. lie remained there a short time, and then removed to Ransom's Tav- ern, in what is now called Clarence, where he opened an office for the sale of the Holland Company's Lands. By reference to his letters, written at that place, we notice that he sometimes dated at "Ransomville," at others, "Ransom's," "Sweet Water Farm," "Pine Grove," and West Genesee," at the same time Buffalo was known as "New Amsterdam," and also as "Buffiilo Creek." From the best information we can obtain, it would appear that early in 1801, probably in January or February, Mr. Ellicott fixed his mind upon this place, (Batavia,) as the most eligible spot for locating the Land Office, and building up a Town, and tlie first intimation we discover of such intention, is in a letter to Richard M. Stoddard, Canandaigua, dated at "Ransomville, 17th February, 1801," in which he says: "I expect to make my establishment at or near the Bend of Tonnewanta, and there let the Genesee Road fork, one to be directed to Buffalo and the other to Queens- hm, and place my office in the fork looking- Eastward. Should yoti be in- clined to improve a forty acre Lot there, you can liave it." [The "Fork" is where the Arsenal now stands.] ■ In an other letter bearing upon the same subject, dated "Ransom's, March 6, 1801," and addressed to Ezra Waitb, Esq,, he says: "In respect to the Lots at the Bend of Tonnewanta,they will be laid ofFin the early part of the Spring. The Road will be laid, (I expect,) from the new Bridge to the Big Plains; I think likely in the course of two or three weeks, and probably some Lots at the Bend; but previous to any selection, I shall set apart such of them as I shall conceive best calculated for Public purposes, but never- theless, there will be a great sufficiency left for yourself, and other of your friends, after the selection so made,"' In a letter to Stephen Russell, Bloomfield, written about the 10th of May, 1801, Mr, Ellicott says: "I expect, shortly, to have all the Lots laid out at the Bend, Since I saw you, I conceived it best to postpone them for the present, in order to attend to laying out a piece of Road before the leaves become so thick as to prevent us from seeing the country. However, Mr. Russell may feel himself perfectly safe, >Should I not be able to furnish him with a Lot fronting on the Creek, it shall not exceed one Lot from it," THE FIRST BUILDING IN BATAVIA. We now come to an important era in our history. It jappears from the above, that early in 1801, this place was determined upon as the site for a Village, and the permanent location of the Land Office, and as this fact was undoubtedly soon promulgated, several people were attracted here for the purpose of taking a look, with the view of making it a place of resi- dence, and among them was a man of tlie name of AbelRowe, Mr. RowE, arrived in March, 1801, located himself on the Lot directly opposite the present Land Office,and immediately thereafter raised the first Building which was ever erected in this Village, of any description. It was situated on the spotnow occupied by the Dwelling House of the Hon. Horace U. Soper, We are unable to describe this Building, further than that it was a large Log House; that on being completed it was occupied by Mr. Rowe as a House of public entertainment, and that soon it was dignified with the name of "Rowe's Hotel," as appears fromthe Postcript of a letter from Mr. El- licott, to "John M. Minor, Genesee," respecting some Pork, dated "West Genesee, May 12, 1801," in which he says: "A line forwarded either to the Transit Store-House, or Mr. Rowe's Hotel, at the Bend of Tonne wanta, will come to hand." Soon after this, Stephen Russell, put up a Log House, on the spot where the "Genesee House" now stands, which was the second Building erected in this Village. It may be well to mention also, that in March, 1801, the late Isaac Sutherland erected a Log House on the farm where kK &■% mom TcriAr^ tma miies West of the TUfa^c^ and tkat in tike suae ■oMfc ihehSfr Ges. Wonarl^ Cbcboku. aodCioL Ws. Ro^bt. seeded OB tke &r5a* asce viiEck t^v ksi? r^^died. tiiee laiks East of tJiis rilUgp, SCAKECw THE TTXi^eS. As ihai » »— I fill !■ fste mKaea^vad uttc H sati^ cnimBcted vi^tlua evcM. we slall be oaiAned far ie&uSmg saA puticaius as k&Te oone ^kr oar sotiee^ aai viack ve daiie dueflrioaca tke letters of Mr. £k^ ucarrr. asd Mr. BcBTi. The &st sakiaB of Ae aaiiject, wUck we caa d tocum. fe m a ktier fica Josstb Euucott. to PaEi.Bcsn. dated '^West GoKsee. (Sann^&) 30ik Mar. 180] * Ib this kesa;s: ^Fiabog it es- tiiMJ i iatwmj i ul. Hvi^ fiw the Poet Road. I am aknl; BskiBg an : tkeROB." [A Po^ Roole kad premo^ faea eetabfidbed, fioM Piaiirfiiiiiilij liiiii to ike BeHL(Bua;via)and finm tkeace IhuMgh tke =l^fhiB&-«aitiheTiwi utwt* lai6mMlLesaTatiiBm,toUsm- ktoaL] <=Ieoallha«evishe^kai«»^kiy airfai tiigr. Tte TonevaMz Cxeek. a stieaia of «»- terW fert ra kiiaiik, wil fVE Ama^ Oe Town, at tke Westenex- liiMJIj rfakkk, Ih TwBMnrt TudiUfrTTuMftn fa tfcj- i trj- "^ ^^""^r oms ^e^^ teQaecBetai^ ni U|rper Caaada, and die oderto Nev Ai^CeidaB, l: --ir ~^-g ead ef Lake Kn^ Presqae I^ and Xer Cccaeeticvu ~ T I-^ :^r I>3Gs «i!lcaaiain-M)afaesoilaBd,:30peRkeBinfipaHl,aBd jir '£ - <"d i ^ m T of laa^ wd tj diivauA to laiae hinidj TIk place keo^ tke ftat esta Hi-k— K, andcaie _-._ _:.-^— -: —ntolkerwfaeke AanahrarsawdlsftBBlBdVil- li^e. aad pec ^ : :«B«T-Ta«ii. andaPoetTavB. as soam as I can kK«« a : . : . - in Ofice. I szj. ^vm afl Aese<»c^B- ^stance c^ Mr. LfcoELAHr caOnp kia :•»? \eacve to c widii ait tkie plaee vilk Ae^uaeafl. ~ • - -t:^. ScTenl LoSs az? abeodr spcdxn for. biepirt: ■" " - : V,. E^^::— -i- ii- of =¥yb^ : -i= >e -f : i: To«vt: 7 . T to set a^ to l&a£ : hmgme.: .-^. a ) 111 I * &xXm A T:Mr' --_- r:.^ ? _ -: .>^ - p•rr:e^I::^::sd tbe redctririzce ^ Re :;._■_ . ___;::::: r_rr- TQcir?. T&s if &e nsEd pe«»». as rrr ^tJ:^ r? 2 prsieipai iainKtaaf. aai m sams ~ \ '^esc, put oC tlie faafe aOowe^ t.: -.'' Fkenoss toftEree^Cof dieaiKpre je~ ~7 «iqie s^za ft> Mr. BrsTL a2e§ I helcas c u n ua i te h jtoget to eaih- iff in. 7:^1 piMlgiiiilVrtfca£BaiaE,«Mito ^Saem 7 Aat I ^all BOt xsB tfe i^ ef toot 'd, from the circumstance of the Bend of the Creek, and is generally known by that name, but I have BaitiZed it by the Name of Batavia.*' "Having as yet not removed my office from Mr. Ransom's, I am unable to detail particulars of the Agency." The Village having thus received its name, we proceed to notice mat- ters in general, connected with its growth. Trifling as some of them may appear, it should be recollected that we are not writing a national history, in which nothing but leading and great events are detailed, but are simply attempting to trace the progress of a country village, from its origin in the wilderness. For this purpose, the leading events w^hich transpired here, consequently become of the same comparative importance, as those of na- tional consequence, when writing a national history. The Saw Mill, at that period, had become an object of great solicitude. — Its construction seems to have progressed quite slowly, but it was com- pleted about the middle of December, as appears from the following extract of a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti, dated "Ransom's, De- cember 4, 1801," in which he says: "The Saw Mill I have been erecting at Batavia, which' has cost a deal of labor, not being a natural seat, but a place where a convenience of this kind is absolutely necessary, will, the millwright informs me, be in motion, by the 10th instant; at which period we expect to begin to make ourselves and the settlers comfortable floors, fcc. which will be a great acquisition to our present situation." This Saw Mill was situated directly above the present Grist Mill, and was kept in operation until about 1822, when it was torn down. As there was no Pine Timber nearer to the Mill than at a place then called "the Pinery," now "Pine Hill," in Elba, six miles distant, and as a great demand for that kind of lumber was anticipated, Mr. Ellicott em- ployed Isaac Sutherland to cut a road to the "Pinery," and the job was com- menced on the 18th of January, 1802. In regard to the Building to which reference has been made, as design- ed for theLand Office, it appears to have been completed some time in December, 1801. It was a two-story Log Building of respectable dimen- sions, and situated directly in front of the West wing of D. E. Evans' pre- sent Dwelling House, between it and the Road,and in rear of it a kitchen or Log House was erected, for the accommodation of Mr. Ellicott and his household. On being completed, this establishment was immediately occupied by John Tiiomfson and otliors in the employ of tlie Company, as II a hoariliac; place, but Mr. EiiLicoTT did ijot remove his office from llan- fioiu's until the following Spring, as will appear hereafter. CUTTING THE ROAD THIIOUGH THE VILLAGE. There being no regular Roads at this time, Mr. Ellicott engaged John Lamberton, who was associated with a man of the name of Mayo, to cut the Road through the Village of Batavia. The contract was made at "Ransom's," on the 20th of February, 1802, and Mr. Lamberton, (who is now living in this vicinity,) informs us that he returned to Batavia the next day, with Mayo, one of them bringing on his back a Tent, furnished by Mr. Ellicott, and the other a Keg of Whiskey, They immediately commenced the job, which was, to cut the Road 100 feet wide and two miles long, from the West bounds of the Village, (where the Arsenal now stands,) and for this service, according to Mr. Lamberton's statement, they w^ere to receive Twelve Dollars per acre.' It was completed in May following, and that Road was, and ever will be, the Main Street, from East to West, through the Village of Batavia. As Mr. Lamberton's contract simply required him to cut down the Timber, and cut it up fit for logging, it was left for others to clear it oif, and according to his recollection, that labor was chiefly performed by the owners of Lots bounded on the Road, during the Summer of that year. Thus was our beautiful "Genesee Street" opened Forty-seven years since, and Mr, Lamberton, who performed th'e work, and Mr. Brisbane, who furnished him with Provisions while thus engaged, are still living amongst us, and witnesses of the wonderful transformation which this place has undergone within that period. From a dense Forest, they have seen a beautiful Village arise, and the whole surrounding country they have seen converted from an unbroken wilderness into fruitful fields. It appears that at an early day the importance of having a Grist Mill at this place had occupied the attention of Mr. Ei^licott, but the first allus- ion to it which we can discover is in a letter from him to Mr. Bustj, dated "Batavia, Feb. 28th, 1802," and forwarded by his brother, Benjamin Ellicott. In this letter, after aljudingto some business matters which his brother would explain, he says: "His object is also to procure suchneces- earies in the Lower Country, as will be required for the completion of the Grist Mill erecting on accouut of the Company, and also to procure, if practicable, a good Mill- Wright to construct the running gear of said Mill." The building of this Mill seems not to have progressed very rapidly, as, we are told, it was not completed until the latter part of 1804. new county GENESEE. Soon after Mr. Ellicott had determined to locate the Land Office and build up a Town at this place, he conceived the idea of procuring a Division •of Ontario county to which Bata^ ia then belonged, and of erecting a new County, with Batavia as the CounU' Sent, Ilis first movement to accom- 1:J plifih that object is disclosed in a letter to Dudley SALTONSTALr,,Esq,dated at "Canandaigua, February 24th, 1802," in which he requests that gen- tleman "To draw a Petition for the Division of the County of Ontario, in which the Genesee River and the meridian drawn from the Forks of Shanaha- squaicon Creek and Genesee River, to the Boundary Line of Pennsylvania, shall be the Eastern boundary of the new County, to be called the County of , and to extend to the Western part of the State of New York."' In another letter written at the same place, February 25, 1802, addressed to David A. Ogden, Esq., he says, in reference to the Division : "The object is so important, as it regards the interest of the proprietors of lands West of the Genesee River, that I conceive it proper to make the attempt, and for that purpose mean to carry a Petition to the ensuing TownMeeting, and procure as many signers as the short period will admit. * * * * Since you mention to Mr. Saltonstall that there is a probability that we can effect a Division of the County, I will endeavor to meet you in Albany, about the middle of March for that purpose. « * * * The conduct of the Supervisors of the County is of such a nature that makes it indispen- sible to effect a Division, if practicable. * * * Should it be out of my power to attend, I shall forward the Petition by a person who is so well acquainted with every circumstance, and the territory in question, that it will be near the same thing; therefore I hope no circumstance will prevent your attending." In writing to Mr. Busxi, from Canandaigua, March 1st, 1802, Mr. Ellicott further says: "I expect to meet Mr. Ogden in Albany, the middle of this month for the purpose of trying to effect a Division of the County." Having judiciously attended to all the preliminary arrangements, Mr. Ellicott started for Albany about the 1 0th of March, to lay the subject before the Legislature, and to secure the favorable action of that body, and the success of his efforts may be seen in the following extract of a letter to Mr. BusTi, dated "City of Albany, March 27th, 1802," in which he says: "Mr. Ogden will inform you of our success in carrying the Law for the Division of the County of Ontario, through both Houses of the Legislature. It, however, has to pass the Council of Revision, and as it is in their power to negative the Law unless two-thirds of both Houses shall ultimately agree to it, it cannot be said to have passed, until it gets through the fiery ordeal of that body. The Governor being one of the members, and one of the Agents [of the Holland Company recently treating his Excellency a little roughly, may have an influence not favorable to the object. It was a little unfortunate that this circumstance took place at this epoch. Many mem- bers of the Legislature have spoken to me on the subject, and it has required all my ingenuity to impress on their minds that the Company, and their General Agent, was of the same Politics of the present prevailing party in this country. As soon as the Law passes the Council of Revision, I shall send you a copy." 13 On the 1st of April, 1802, Mr. Ei.i,icott again wrote to Mr. Busti, from Albany, as follows: ''I herewith enclose a copy of the Act entitled "An Act to erect part of the County of Ontario into a separate County, by the name of Genesee." "I mentioned to you in my letter of the 26th ult., that I had some doubts of the passage of the Law for the Division of the County, through the Council of Revision. I therefore took occasion to pay some attention to his Excellency the Governor, and remove some unfavorable impressions; since which, the Law has passed that body, and is safely lodged in the Secretary's Office, out of all danger," We have been thus particular in reference to this important event, not only to show when, and by whom, it was accomplished, but as being intimately connected with the early growth and prosperity of Batavia, in consequence of its having been designated in the above Law as tJie County Seat of the new County of Genesee. Soon after the passage of this Law, Mr, Ellicott returned to the County of Genesee, and some time between the 10th and 20th of April, removed the Land Office from Ransom's to the new Building erected for tlmt purpose in Batavia. COURT HOUSE A-VD JAIL. His attention was then immediately given to the erection of a Court House and Jail, in order to carry out in good faith the pledges made to tiie Legislature, as stated in a letter from him to Mr. Busxi, dated Batavia, May 8, 1802, in w^hich he says; "I am happy in the promptness with which you have agreed to carry into effect the erection of the Court House and Jail, as stipulated to be erected at the expense of the Company, by Mr. D. A. OebEN and myself. This stipulation was one of the principal induce- ments towards our effecting the passage of the Law establishing the new County. This money I conceive to be well laid out, for had we not have procured this Act for establishing the County, and bounded it as we have fortunately done, the Company would, in all probability, have had to^erect another Court House and Jail, as well as that at Canandaigua, at their expense, and in which they would have been but little benefitted. "It was in contemplation by Mr. James Wadsvvorth, and interest was actually making for that purpose, so to divide the County of Ontario, as to make his residence in the Town of Hartford, (now Geneseo,) on the Genesee River, the County town of a County." * * * * "In regard to the Court House and Jail, your ideas perfectly accord with my own, in erecting them in such a manner as will be the most economical, and at the same time answer well the purposes intended. I have received a Plan from New York, which my friend D. A. Ogden, was kind enough to procure from an Architect of that place. It is not, in my opinion, calculated for the meridian of this Western World, this Century, but might probably answer for the meridian of the Cities of London or Amsterdam." ( 5 14 In pursuance of his ubject, Mr. El.i.icott employed Isaac SuTuKRr,A>n &nd Samukj, F. Gekr as Chief Architects, and resolved to adopt his own plan, as appears from the following extract of a letter to Mr. Busti, dated June 4th, ]S0'2: "We are now preparing to commence the erection of the Court House, and lind, after trying all the various plans that have suggested themselves to uur minds, that the cheapest and best plan will be, to make the Court Mouse and Jail, and Jail-keeper's House, under one Roof, and to erect the iJuilding of ^VoQd. Brick would be much more costly, but the Brick of this country is scarcely fit for Buildings, unless kept constantly covered thick with paint and oil. The Brick moulders away in a few years. "This Building, however, will cost considerable. I shall, as soon as the Carpenters have made an estimate of the Timber, be" able to calculate nearly the expense, which will not be so great at it otherwise would if we had no Saw Mill. The site fixed on for the Court House W'ill be within 250 yards of the Mill, and of course there will be nuich expense saved in transporting Plank, Timber, &lc." The work was prosecuted with vigor, and the latter part of October or first of November the Frame was set up. The raising was a Herculean tarik of three days, and in consequence of the sparseness of population, required all the uten that could be mustered in the surrounding country, even from Bufialo, The timber w'as exceedingly heavy, being almost exclusively Oak, and we are told that the workmanship was so perfect, as to elicit the admiration of every one who saw it. Not the slightest mistake was discoverable, and when the frame was put together, every joint was as perfect as mallet and chisel could make it. It stands yet, a proud monument of mechanical skill and architectural beauty, and we trust that the time is nigh at hand, when, through the judicious liberality of the Board of Supervisors, and the public spirit of the Town of Batavia, this fine old Building will be rejuvenated, and converted into a Tow:< House. Such a House is very uuich needed for various public purposes, as all are aware, and it is due to the County, to the Town, and to the memory of the past, that this Building should be thus honorably appro- priated. The Building was enclosed in the Fall of 180*2, and the finishing had so far progressed that the first sessions of the Courts after the organization of the County were held in it, in the Spring of 1803. It was not finished, however, until 1804. Thus much for the Court House, which, though not the first, was one of the first Frame Buildings erected in the Town or County. FmST FRAMKD BUILDING. The first framed Building erected in the Village is yet standing, and occupies a conspicuous position directly West of the Presbyterian Meeting House. It wa'^ built by Isaac Sutiikri.anp, in March and April, 1802, ae 15 a rOHidence tor liiin.self and family, and about the ianie tiino ho, in con- nexion with Mr. Geer. put up another frame buiklinfr, dr-signed for their own use, as: a Joiners' Shop, on tlie ground now covered by the Presbyterian Meeting House. The House was occupied by Mr. Sutherla>'d until the Summer of 1803, when it was purchased by James Bkisbajje, for |*700, and for a few years occupied by James W. Stevens. It then became the residence of Mr. Brisbane for many years, and is still owned, though not occupied by him. FIRST STORE. The country being entirely destitute and greatly in want of Merchants' Goods, at the time of which we are now speaking, Mr. Brisbane undertook to supply the demand, and under the patronage of the Agents of the Holland Company, went to New York early in the Spring of 1802, purchased a stock suitable for this market, and left that city with his Goods, on the -I'^A of April. They came in a Sloop to Albany, and from thence by way of the Mohawk, Lewiston and Buffalo to this place, where they arrived about the middle of May. His first business was to procure a place for his Merchandize, and for that purpose he hired the Joiners' Shop above mentioned, of Sutherland and Geer, which was then just covered but imfinished, and in that building he immediately opened the first stock of Goods ever brought into the village. In the course of a month or two he purchased the building for $300, and finished it, and it was occupied as a Store and Office, until it was removed to make room for the Meeting House, in 1822. During the Summer of 1802, Wm. Monger er^-^ed the West half of what is now known as the Kei/es House. It was .\\ for a Tavern, and occupied first by Mr. Mung^r, then by a Mr. Rov\^iind afterwards by Wm. Keyes, who enlarged, improved and sustained it for many years, as the principal Hotel in the Village. It is now in the ''sear and yclloio leaf," and occupied as a Cradle Factory. During the same Summer Mr. Ellicott erected what is now the East wing of D. E. Evans' present dwelling house. He moved the I^and Ofiice into that building as soon as it was completed, (late in 1802 or early in 1803,) and tore down the two-story Log Land Office. The same Summer Stephen Russell put up a two-story frame building, by way of addition to his log Tavern, where the Genesee House now stands. But without going into further detail, it will be sufficient for the present to state, that at this time the population began to increase rapidly, so much so indeed, that with two or three Taverns and the important acquisition of a long celebrated Fiddler, by the name of Noble, they were able to muster sufficient for a Ball, every two or three weeks. THE POST-OFFICE. It has already been stated, that at an early day, and prior to the settle- ment of tlie Holland Purciiase, o Post Route had been established between 16 Albany and Lewiston, passing tlirough this place; bnt at the period of which we are now writing, no Post Office, except at Lewiston, had been established West of Genesee River. It was very natural, therefore, that Mr. Elijcott, whose own corres- pondence was necessarily considerable and important, should, immediately after locating the Land Otfice here, seek to procure the establishment of a Post Office. To effect this object, he at once addressed a Petition to Gideon Granger, then Post Master General, and as that petition was drawn up with much perspicuity, and covered the whole ground, we cannot in- terest the reader more than by inserting it entire. It is as follows; •'ViLr^AGE OF Batavia, May 15, 1802. "Dear Sir: — In consequence of the inconvenience that results to the inhabitants in this part of the vState of New York, for the want of a Post Office, I take the liberty to solicit the Post Master General to establish one at this village, which, last session of the Legislature, was established the County Town of the County of Genesee, in the Western part of the State of New York. Although I cannot Hatter the Post Master General with much augmentation to the revenue which may arise from an establishment of this kind, yet as the country is fast settling, and the Land Office is kept here for the sale of a large extent of country, there is little doubt but that in a short period, a considerable revenue will arise from this establishment, as well as be productive of great convenience to the inhabitants. "There is another circumstance which, we presume, will have a consid- erable influence with the Post Master General in granting us this favor, and that is, the establishment asked for, will not add any additional expense to the United States, for carrying the mail, the situation of this Village being directly on the Post Road leading through the Genesee Country to Niagara. Our nearest Post Office is Twenty-five miles distant, which is on the East side of Genesee River, at Hartford, (now Avon,) in the county of Ontario. jj "In order more fully to give you the best information to enable you to judge of the merits of the favor we ask, I have enclosed a map of the Western part of the State of New York, and delineated thereon the point where the village is erected; which will point out more clearly its local situation, than any geographical description I can give. A friend of mine, Mr. Seth Pease, sometime since informed me, that he expected to be some time at the Gen- eral Post Office, and, if that gentleman should be there at this period, permit me to refer you to him, whose knowledge of the country will afford you ample information. Permit me at the same time I am asking for the estab- lishment of the Post Office, to recommend Mr. James Brisban as a fit and proper character to take charge of said Office, provided the Post Master General shall think it expedient to make the establishment. For any information in relation to Mr. Brishrins character, ehould the Post Master Genernl deem it necc»»ary, howill permit motorcferhim toMr.Peaso. 17 ''In behalf of a number of the inhabitants of this village and the adjacent country, I hog leave to subscribe myself with due respect and esteem, your most obedient and humble servant, JOSEPH ELLICOTT, "Agent Holland Land Company." In compliance with the above petition, the Post Master General appointed James Brisbane as Post Master at this place, and designated the name of tiic Office as ^^ Genesee Court House," (which, for short, was written '^Gen- esee C. H.") It received that name instead of Batavia, in consequence of there being at that time a PostOffice by the name of Batayia, in Greene county- Mr. Brisbane's commission was datedJuly 21st, 1802, and he entered upon the duties of his Office some time in August following, keeping the Post Oflice in his store. At that time the mail was carried but once in two weeks, sometimes on foot and sometimes on horseback, going from Canan- daigua by Batavia, to Lewiston and Fort Niagara; and returning by way of Niagara Falls, Bufl'alo, Williarasville, Van Deventer's and the Indian Village, to this place- but soon after, a weekly mail was established, direct from Canandaigua to Buffalo. As Painters were scarce here in those days, there being no particular necessity for their sea"vices, the consequence was that Mr. Brisbane had no Sign for his office until 1804. In the Spring of that year Miss Brisbane (now Mrs. Trumbull Gary) and Miss Stevens, (sister of James W. Stevens, and afterwards Mrs, Brisbane) came to reside in the village. Finding the Post Master destitute of a Sign, Miss Stevens proposed to paint one, provided she could bo furnished with n. board, and the necessary paints and brushes. She was accordingly supplied with the materials, which resulted in the production of a very neatly painted and lettered sign. This was the only Post Office sign in use here until some time after *the writer of thi^ sketch took charge af the Post Office, in 1823. He procured a new one, but at the same time took special pains to preserve the old one; and during the time the office remained in his hands, (which was about twenty years) he twice had the letters re-painted, carefully preserving their original shape and color. That sign may still be seen at the Post Office, where we trust it will always be preserved as a relic of the olden time, and be held as an appendage to the Office, to be transmitted from one incum- bent to another through all the mutations of future years. While on the Post Office subject, we may as well go through with its history at once, as to take it up at detached periods. Mr. Brisbane continued to hold the Office until the Fall of 1806, when he vsold bis Goods and rented his Store to Ebenezer Gary, with a view of engaging in business in New York, and Mr. Gary was appointed Post Mas- ter in his place. Mr. Gary held the Office until the 3d of June, 1815, when he resigned in favor of his brother Trumbull Gary, who immedi- ately received the appointment and held the commission until July Isl, 1829, a term of fourteen years. 18 It is proper here to notice that Trumbull Gary having been a Clerk for ?'r. Brisbane, and also for his brother Ebknkzer, hadvirtually discharged the duties of Post Master from 1805. On the 13th of January, 1823, Mr. Cart finding it inconvenient to devote his personal attention to the Office, voluntarily, and very generously placed it in charge of Wm. Seaver, (the writer of this sketch,) allowing him the entire emoluments of the Office, and simply retaining the franking privilege and such official powers as were necessary for him to execute. [For this unsolicited favor from the hands of Mr. Cary, the writer can never cease to be grateful, especially as it came to him at that time, like a ray of light beaming upon the pathway of a benighted traveller.] Under that arrangement the office was conducted until the 1st July, 1829, when Simeon Cuwrnes was appointed in place of Mr. Cary. The same arrangement, however, was made with Judge Cumi.ngs as with Mr. Gary, and thus the Office continued to be kept by the writer, until the 22d of July, 1836, when Judge Cuminos resigned, after having held his com- mission seven years, and William Seaver was appointed Post Master in his stead. His first commission was from Amos Kendall, then Post Master General, but in consequence of a law being passed by Congress, July 2d, 1836, requir- ing that at all the Post Offices where the emoluments exceeded one thousand dollars per year, the Post Masters should be appointed by the President and Senate, and in 1837 the emoluments of this Office having come up to that amount, Mr. Seaver was re-appointed, for four years, by the President and Senate, on the 13th of April, 1838. His last commission expired on the 13th of April, 1842, and he neither asked nor expected its renewal, under the change of Administration, which took place on the accession of Gen. Harrison to the Presidency. No appointment was made, however, until about five months after the commission had expired, when it was conferred on Levant B. Cotes, into whose hands the Office was surrendered on the 6th of August, 1842. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Seaver discharged the duties of Post Master from the 13th of January, 1823, to the 6th of August, 1842 — a term but little short of twenty years, and a position seldom occupied by one individual for so great a length of time. But as we do not propose to become our own eulogist, it is left for those familiar with our "administration" to judge of the manner in which our public duties were performed. Dr. Cotes having been appointed by President Tyler, took the office on the 6th of August, 1 842, as above stated, and held it for about one year, wiien President Tyler appointed Fr);derick Follett in his place. This last appointment was made during the interrcgiuun of the Senate, but pre- vious to the meeting of that Body, it was discovered that the cmolumeirts of the Office had so far diminished as to bring the appointment under the Post Master General's jurisdiction, and Capt. Follett's appointnent by 19 the President, was consequently not submitted to the Senate for ratifi- cation. He was at once commissioned, however, by Post Master General WicRLiFF, and under that appoimtment he, at this present loriling, still retains the Office. We now return to 1 802, for the purpose of sliovving the growth of the village, the settlement of the country, and also its political character. — The most authentic information on these points is contained in a letter from Joseph Ellicott to Seth Pease, Esq., dated Batavia, 15th May 1802, as follows: — "As you were acquainted with this part of the country before any settlement took place, it may not be altogether uninteresting to be informed of the number of votes given in at this village last election, for Members of Congress, which will be some data to form an opinion of the progress of settlement. "Oliver Phelps, Esq., Republican, 50 votes. "Nat. W. Howell, Esq., Anti-Republican, 1 vote. "In this County, (Genesee,) in consequence of the sparse settlements, not more than one third of the people could with any convenience attend the election polls, therefore we only voted 133, of which 117 were Repub- lican and for Oliver Phelps, and the residue for Nat. W. Howell, so that it appears this county may be styled Republican." Without dwelling on further particulars, we pass to 1803. The most memorable events of that year were, the organization of the County, and the holding of the first Court. The first Court was held in the new Court House, June 14th, at which TermRicHAiiD Smith, Esq., was admitted as an Attorney and Counsellor. The next Court was held November 8tb when Daniel B. Brown, Esq., was admitted. On the 18th of June, 1803, David E. Evans came to reside with his uncle, Joseph Ellicott, as a Clerk in the Land Office, and still remains as one of our most distinguished citizens. During that year, Burt and Stoddard erected a small framed build- ing on the ground between the Keyes House and the Brisbane House, where they opened the second Store in the village. [That building was subsequently removed to near the spot where John Kinyon's store now stands, and was destroyed by fire early in 1822.] The year 1804 seems not to have been distinguished by any very im- portant event, except the finishing of the Grist Mill, and that was not completed until December. Previous to that time, all the breadstufTfor the settlers was procured East of Genesee River, and brought here on pack-horses; from which cir- cumstance it may well be supposed that the "staff of life" was not at all times on hand, as the following instance, related to us by Mr. Evans, will serve to illustrate. 20 In November, 1804, Josf.ph Ellicott was appointed an Elector of President and Vice President of the United States, and the Electoral Col- lege was to meet at Hudson, early in December. He accordingly star- ted for Hudson the latter part of November, taking Mr. Evans with him; but that which renders the event particularly vivid in his recollection is the fact, that for several days immediately preceding their departure, not a morsel of bread had been seen in the village. High end low, rich and poor, were in the same predicament, so that no one envied his neighbor on that score. There was plenty of pork and potatoes, but as to the staple article, not even a "Jonny Cake" could be procured in the whole settle- ment. With breadless stomachs therefore, the Elector and his Nephew started on their journey, but fortunately for those they left behind, a man was met in the woods, between StaflFord and LeRoy, having two pack- horses loaded with flour. Mr. Ellicott at once purchased the "cargo," and having despatched it to the destitute Batavians, went on his way rejoicing in the anticipation of soon luxuriating in the land of plenty, to which he was approaching. When they returned from Hudson in December, the Grist Mill was in full operation, and since that time, so far as we can learn, Batavia has never been destitute of a loaf of bread. The years 1805 and 1806 appear to have been unproductive of any very remarkable events; we therefore pass them over by simply reminding the reader, that up to the time of which we are now writing, and prob- ably to a still later period, a great portien of the present most central and compact part of our village, was then a swamp, or low wet land, some- times called a frog-pond, and that the gi'ound on which the Genesee House stands, together with a small piece on the opposite -side of the .street was called ''The Island:' Byway of illustrating the peculiar attractions oftliis 'Island' and swamp, the late Daniel B. Brown, Esq., was fond of rclatitg the anecdote, that not long after Stephen Russell had enlafgcd his Tavern, (to which we have previously alluded,) on the ''Island," some travellers, of whom two were ladies, put up at that House for the night. It being a warm and pleasant evening in the Spring, precisely such an one as frogs delight to celebrate with their nocturnal songs, that innumerable "suhtcn-aneaiC' choir poured forth their loudest notes, from the "thorough bass" of original masculine Windhamites, up to the slu'ill pipings of tiicir degenerate oflspring. After listening for a while to this unearthly melody with which the wliole surrounding forest resounded, one of the ladies exclaimed, "Well, if I was destined to spend my days in Batavia, I should at once pray to Jvpitcr to turn me iirto a Prog!" But the scene is changed. That 'Island has lost its identity — the swamp has arisen from its lowly bed, like the lion when lie "shakes the dew-dro])s from hiti mane," and jts submarine inhabitants have been driven before the 21 march of civilization, until scarce a descendant of tliat innumerable host irf left to cheer our waking hours with his matin notes, or lull us to repose with his evening song. We now bid the frogs of 1806 adieu, and pass on to 1807. The first thing which claims our notice in that year is the establishment of a Prin- ting Press in this village, the first ever seen West of Genesee River. To give the best account of that establishment, together with a continued history of the Press in this village up to the present time, we quote from tJie 'History of the Press in Western New York," prepared by Frederick FoLLETT, Esq., at the request of a Committee appointed at the Printers' Festival, in Rochester, in January, 1847. [Tliat part of the History which relates to Genesee County, was pub- lished in the Spirit of the Times in December, 1846, but in order to carry out our present object, we deem it proper to re-publish in this connexion, so mucli of it as relates to the village of Fatavia.] Mr. FoLLETT says: — "The first paper printed in the County of Genesee, was established at JJatavia, then, as now, the County Seat, in the spring of 1807. At the date, or near it, indicated below, I addressed a letter to Benjamin Blodgett, Esq,, asking information in relation to the early history of the Press in this County. I received the following letter from him, and I cannot do better justice to the subject than by copying the letter entire* It is as follows:— "Pembroke, Nov. 25, 1846. "Friend Foilett; — I this morming received your note asking informa- tion of the 'rise and progress of the Art of Printing,' in this County. I regret that I am not able to give you a more minute account. Not having preserved a file of my old papers, I have to depend merely upon memory. The first paper established in this County was in the spring of 1807. Elias Williams purchased in Manlius, an old Ramage Printing Press that had been laid aside as useless, and a box of old type in pi, intended to sell as type metal, and brought them, in the winter of that year, to Batavia. After a laborious winter's work of assorting his old type, and patching up the old press, he published the first number of a paper called the 'Genesee Intelligencer.' This paper was printed upon a half sheet of Medium size, with a subscription list of 100, and two or three columns of advertisements from the Holland Land Company, one Elopement, and one runaway appren- tice Boy, for whose apprehension a bag of bran was offered as a reward. This was all the advertising patronage, if my recollection serves me right, that the paper commenced with. The paper was a sorry looking thing — the mechanical execution being so bad that it would have puzzled a Philadelphia Lawyer to find out what it was, I ought to have preserved a copy— it would be looked upon by the craft at this day, not only as a lite- rary but a mechanical curiosity. Williams, becoming disheartened at ihc shabby appearance of his paper, and about to fail for the want of funds, 22 induced me to go Into partnorsliip with him. Anxious to see my name at the head of a newspaper, as Printer, Publisher, and Editor, too, of the 'Gen- esee Intelligencer,' I embarked my all of this world's eflects in the enter- prise, which amounted to the vast sum of forty-eight dollars and seventy Jive cents, the 'hard earnings of the summer before, as Pack Horseman and Cook to a Company of Surveyors on the Holland Purchase — a pursuit better fitted to my capacity at that day, than Editor to the 'Genesee Intel- ligencer.' "About the first July, 1807, the firm of Williams k, Blodgett resumed the publication of the 'Intelligencer,' with an increased subscription list and advertising patronage. After publishing 13 numbers, Williams went to Alexander to attend a Military Review, and has never since been seen or heard of in this country. This unceremonious leave-taking of Williams put a mighty damper upon the prospects of Mr. Editor Blodgett, who instead of realizing the golden dreams he had anticipated, found himself involved in debt about $300, flat on his back with the fever and ague, which continued about six months without intermission ; and for the want of help, not being a practical Printer myself, was obliged to abandon the publication of the 'Intelligencer.' However, in the spring of 1808, I rallied again, and in company with a man by the name of Peek, I started the 'Cornucopia,' (a very classic name,) with an enlarged sheet and new type, under the firm of Peek k, Blodgett, with a subscription list of about 300. In the fall of 181 1, Peek was taken sick and died, and with his death the 'Cornucopia' went down. "I then, under the mechanical superintendence of David C. Miller, (afterwards Colonel, with his little cane and breeches,) commenced the publication of the 'Republican Advocate,' with a new Press and new type, and continued its publicatiau for several years, when I sold out to Colonel Miller, who became sole proprietor of that paper. "Your friend, BENJAMIN BLODGETT." "This was the first paper ever established, I believe, which was called the 'Advocate.' Since that time, however, many a bantling has sprung into existence bearing that cognomen. "The 'Republican Advocate' continued in the hands, and under the direction of Col. Miller, until April, 1828, when he took into copartner- ship Charles Sentell, by whom it was conducted until July, 1829, when it passed into the hands of Charles W. Miller, and was continued by him until the 21st November, 1831, when he died. The paper was con- tinued without any acknowledged proprietor, until the 17th January, 1832, when it passed into the hands of Edwin Hough and Andrew W. YouNti, the latter gentlemen having been engaged in the publication of the 'War- saw Sentinel.' On the 13th November, 1832, Hough left the establish- ment in the hands of Young. On the 8th April, 1835, Young transferred the office to Lewis Si Brown, who continued the paper for three weeks, 23 and then it reverted back again to Mr. Yuu^G. The establishment was then sold to C. C. Allkn, who continued its publication for /our ivceks, when he surrendered the establishment to Mr. Young again. Young printed a half sheet to give the paper an existence, and then, on the 8th of June, 1835, sold out to Waite & Cooley. This copartnership continued until the 16th September, of the same year, when Cooley retired from tlie establishment, leaving it in the hands of Mr. Waite, by whom it is still continued, "On the 3d day of February, 1819, the first number of the 'Spirit of the Times,' was issued at Batavia, by Oran Follett, on which occasion the writer of this made his first attempt at type setting. The 'Times' was continued by the same proprietor until May, 1825, when Frrdf;rick; Follett purchased the establishment of his brother, and was duly installed Eflitor and Proprietor, and continued as such until August, 1836, when being fired by an extra love of liberty, and desiring to participate in the struggle then in progress in Texas, sold the establishment to a number of gentlemen, and repaired to the country of the 'lone Star.' The establish- ment was then placed in the hands of Nelson D. Wood, who continued at its head until the writer's return, who, on the l7th of August, 1837, again found himself at the head of the 'Times,' and continued in that capacity until the 11th of June,1840, when the 'Times' passed into the hands of Lucas Seaver, who continued its publication until the 28th of January, 1845, when he disposed of it to William Seaver & William A. Seaver, by whom it is still continued under the firm of Wm. Seaver k. Son. [On the first of March, 1848, William A. Seaver transferred his in- terest in the 'Times' establishment, to his Brother James E. Seaver, who thus became one of the firm of Wm. Seaver 8t Son, and by whom that establishment is still conducted.] "The 'People's Press,' owned by an association of individuals, and printed by Bbnj. Blodgett, was commenced in the village of Batavia, in 1825, and was continued by Mr. Blodgett for about a year, when it passed into the hands of Martin, Adams k. Thorp. Soon after, Mr. Martin retired from the establishment, leaving it in the hands of Adams fc Thorp. Another change soon after took place, and the establishment passed into the hands of Adams k. McCleary. The paper was afterwards merged in the 'Spirit of the Times,' and finally its name has become extinct. "The 'Morgan Investigator' was the title of a small paper published at the office of the 'Republican Advocate,' soon after the excitement of 1826 broke out. It was coninued about a year and then expired. Its title is a sufficient indication of the purposes of its origin. "The 'Masonic Intelligencer' was also started about the same period, and for purposes directly the reverse of the former. It was published at the ofiice of the 'Peoples' Press.' It attained about the same age. 24 '•Oil leaving- the ulHcc ul' tlio 'Spirit of the Times," June lltii, 1840, the writer of tliis, in connection with Peter Lawrence, who until that time had published the 'Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal,' at Alexander, com- menced, in the village of Batavia, the publication of the 'Batavia Times and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal,' the first number of which paper was issued on the 18th day of June, 1840. Lawrence continued in the estab- lishment for two or three months, when the writer took the establishment into his own hands, and continued its publication until the 20th of Sep- cmber, 1843, when the 'good will' of the establishment was disposed of to Lucas Seaver, who was then the proprietor of the 'Spirit of the Times.' "The 'Temperance Herald' was the title of a small paper printed by Lucas Seaver, and issued from the office of the 'Spirit of the Times.' The first number was issued in March, 1842, and was continued for one year. It was devoted, as is implied by its title, to the cause of Tem- perance."' "Having gone through with an enumeration of the different Newspapers established in this town for the last forty years," Mr. Follett says, "my task may be considered as ended. But what has become of the founders of those establishments'? The inquiry is an interesting one, and it may not be wholly unprofitable to give the answer. "Elias Williams, the Pioneer of the Newspaper Press in this town, as has before been stated, left the field of his early labors in a most abrupt and unceremonious manner — and, as stated, has never since been seen or heard of in this town. Whether he was spirited away, by some of the evil gen- iuses, who in early times were associated with the Craft in the minds of the vulgar or uninformed — or whether he was actuated by a more noble and magnanimons principle, and "left his country for his country's good,"' is really more than I can say. It however had been suggested to us by his old partner, that the reason why Williams thus made himself scarce about these parts, was this — Previous to the review in question, both proprietors of the 'Intelligencer,' (Printers are celebrated for their military propensities) were elected Corporals of a Company in Batavia, and on repairing to Alex- ander to be reviewed, Williams tliought, especially as it was the bounden duty of n)ilitary men to fight, that he would get up a little bit of a row — and as it generally happens in such cases that somebody must get licked, the lot fell, unfortunately, upon Williams. Having got most essentially thrashed out — both eyes put in mourning for the sins of the inner man, we suppose, he decamped. One thing, however, is certain — Williams lias left an interregnum is his history which it is impossible for me to supply, and I am therefore compelled thus to leave his name wrapped in mystery and doubt. "Benjamin Blodgett, the next in order as the pioneer of Printing in this town is still living. After catering for many years, for the appetite of the reading public, he abandoned the printing business, and commenced catering for the traveling public. Who that has travelled on the great thoroughfare to 25 Buffalo, before the introduction and completion of the iron roads,- does nof remember the "Richville Cottage?" It was a frequent remark of travellers that at no place between Albany and Buffalo, did they fare so well or so bountifull)', as at the 'Cottage;' and this was kept by our old friend Ben- jamin Blod6ett, who still resides at Pembroke, and I hope he may long continue in the enjoyment of the blessings of this life. "Samuel Peek died in this Village, in the fall of 1811, while engaged in the publication, with Blougett, of the 'Cornucopia.' ''David C. Miller. It cannot be denied but what Miller possessed .t very considerable degree of talent, and a reasonable share of shretvdness. All will remember the conspicuous part he bore in the exciting times which followed the abduction of William Morgajj, in 1826. Miller was afterwards elected County Clerk, took the stump as a candidate for Con- gress, was defeated, and finally left, in 1832, or '33, cursing the party, or its leaders, as guilty of ingratitude. The last intelligence of this man located him at Cleveland, Ohio. "Oras Follett continued the publication of the 'Spirit of the TiraCvS,' until 1825, when he sold out. In the fall of 1824, he was returned a Member of the Legislature from this County. After disposing of the 'Times,' he united with Day fa. Haskins in the publication of a paper at Buffalo. From thence he removed to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he now resides, and is President of the Board of Public Works of that State. "Frederick Follett, his successor in the publication of the 'Times,' continued it from 1825, untit 1840, with an interruption of one year — then published the 'Times and Journal,' until 1843 — since which time he has been servino" the public in the capacity of Post Master of the village of Batavia. [In a former part of our "Sketch," we stated "ai that present writing,'^ that Mr. Follett, retained the office of Post Master. We now have to state that his head has been brought to the block by the new Post Master General, and that Charles E. Ford is appointed in his place.] "Andrew W. Young, is still living. He resides at Warsaw, in the county of Wyoming. Since leaving the Printing business Mr. Young has turned author, and his work upon the 'Science of Government,' designed for a School Book, has met with an extensive sale, and is deservedly popular. Mr. Young has been twice elected to the Legislature from Wyoming, and was returned a member of the late Convention to revise the Constitution of this State, froni the same County. Lewis fa Brown. The former gentleman is the editor of a paper in Marshall, Michigan, where he has resided for some years. Mr. Brown, I believe, is also printing a paper in Michigan. C. C. Allen prints the 'Sciota Gazette,' at Chilicothe, Ohio, and if the appearance of the paper indicates anything, he is doing well. 26 "Daniel D» Waite still presides at the head of the 'RepBblicais Advo- cate,' and unlike his predecessors in the Printing business in Bata^ia, by good management anJ strict economy, has been able to sustain himself respectably, and lay by something for a rainy day. I certainly rejoice at this, although it is unlike the luck of Printers generally. We hope his case may always be full. "E. A. CooLEY, who was at once concerned in the publication of the 'Republican Advocate,' and who afterwards published a paper in Attica, Wyoming county, is now publishing a paper at [Elk Horn] Wisconsin. *'Daniel p. Adams, for some time one of the publishers of the 'Peoples' Press,' like too many of the Craft, belongs to that order of men whose pil- grimage through life seems always to be 'up hill.' Honest and industrious, he makes a good living. After leaving Batavia, he published a paper at Black Rock. He is now a journeyman in Buffalo. "John Thorp, another publisher of the 'Peoples' Press,' went to New Orleans, and fell a victim soon after, to the prevailing fever of that region. "David C» McCleary, who was also at one time the Editor of the 'Peoples' Press,' now slumbers with the silent dead. Mr. McCleary was a young man of no ordinary talent. He was an easy and forcible writer, and had he lived, would have become conspicuous among the writers of the ^e. But his health was always feeble, which finally compelled him to abandon the active duties of life. He repaired to the home of his child- hood, in Vermont, but it was only to mingle his ashes with those who had preceded him in the drama of life. His death was universally regretted. He was a brother-in-law of Col. William Seaver, of this village, and now the senior Editor of the 'Times.' "Peter Lawrence, originally of the 'Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal,' and afterwards associated with Frederick Follett in the publication of the 'Times and Journal,' is now the Editor of the 'Perry Democrat.' Mr. Lawhence is a rare genius— full of humor, wit, and jovial good feeling — a fast friend and an unflinching enemy. Like too many of the same profession, he is satisfied with doing well, without attempting to do better. "Lucas Seaver. It is far more difficult to speak of the living than the dead. The subject now under consideration is, in every sense of the word, a living one. He was, in years gone by, an apprentice in the office of the writer, and for that reason, if for no other, I feel that I am privileged to speak with freedom. With warm and generous impulses, misfortune never appeals to him in vain, and he too often permits these impulses to displace from its seat the trite, but too frequently neglected adage, 'charity begins at home,' He is firm in his friendship — ^jovial, kind-hearted and generous in his intercourse with his companions; firm, manly, and unflinch- ing in his walk through life thus far. I can only hope in his case, and this hope is extended to all of whom I have spoken, that his cose may always be 27 full — that he may never run out of sorts, and when the last toUen shall be Jinished and the ybnn locked up for its final transition, he, with them, may be distributed among the great font of the blest, without a monk or a friar to mar the beauty of their last page" [He now has a Printing Office in Milwaukie, Wisconsin, and is about to establish a Daily Paper.] Having traced the Newspaper Press up to the present time, we now go back to 1807, but as this sketch has already grown to a length exceeding our original anticipations, and as there are yet many interesting facts to detail of later date, we shall pass hastily over the years 1807-8, in which very little of importance is discoverable, except that the Village and ad- jacent Country improved rapidlj', and that many valuable and enterprising people, some of whom still remain, came in to s\tell the tide of business and population. Iq the spring of 1808, Mr. Brisbane resumed the Mercantile business in his old Store, which had been occupied in his absence by Ebenezek. Gary, and the latter moved his Goods and Post Office into the Burt and Babcock Store, (made vacant by their failure in 1806,) until his ow)i store and dwelling was erected in 1809, and which is the wood building now standing next east of S. Grant's Store. Brisbane and Gary continued the only Merchants in town until 1810, when Ephraim Hart built a store on the ground now covered by the stores of Smith k. Warren, and Wm. H. Wells Si. Son, where he opened quite an extensive establishment, which was managed by Glark Heacox, a man of extraordinary business capac- ity, who now resides in Buffalo. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. We now proceed to give a brief account of the Religious Societies in the Village, taking them in the order of their organization, and tracing them separately to the present time. This account however, will, in some particulars, be meager and imperfect, particularly in regard to the Gongre gational Society, in consequence of the loss of some of its early records. For several years after the first settlement of the Village but little atten- tion seems to have been paid to religious matters, except that religioue meetings were occasionally held by pious Laymen, and also at irregular intervals by itinerant Preachers. THE CONGREGATIONAIi SOCIETY. The first organization of a Society, at least so far as there are any re- cords, was on the 19th of September, 1809. On that day, as stated in the record, "A regular Meeting was held at the Genter School House in thifl place, this afternoon, agreeable to previous notice being given, for the pur- pose of forming a Congregational Church. The Rev. Royal Phelps, a Missionary from the Hampshire Missionary Society in the Gommonwealth of Massachusetts presided, and officiated in the transactions of the day. 28 We spent the meeting witli a Sermon adapted to the occasion, from Joshua 24th Chap. 15tli Verse, 2d Clause." "The following persons then came ferward and offered themselves to ho Incorporated into a Churcli of Christ in this place, according to the rules o( the Gospel, viz: Silas Chapin, David Anderson, Ezekiel Fox, Solomon Kingsley, Eleanor Smith, Elizabeth Mathers, Elizabeth Peck, Esther Kel- iogg, Hulda Wright, Patience Kingsley, Esther Kingsley, Polly Branard." "They were then severally examined with regard to their views of doc- trinal and experimental religion, and after obtaining satisfaction and knowl- edge of their christian faith and sincerity, they also professing satisfaction in each other, the Articles of Faith, and Church XDovenant, were adminis- tered to them, and they were pronounced a Church of Christ, according to the rules of the Gospel. Miss Esther Kingsley not having been Baptised, had the Ordinance of Baptism administered to her, previous to the (|!uirch being Organized. The meeting was concluded with solemn prayer to God." Attest, ROYAL PHELPS, Missionary. On the 24th Sept., 1809, the Rer. Royal Phelps preached at/fsse Ritm- sey's Barn, and "administered the ordinance of the Lords Supper." This was probably the first time that holy ordinance was ever administered in this place. l!^■CORPORATIO^" OF THE CO>GREGATIO>-AL SOCIETY. On the 5th of Feb., 1811, a public meeting was held at the Court House agreeable to previous notice, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational Bociety, in conformity wiih the Statute passed in 1801, providing for the Incorporation of Religious Societies. After appointing Deacon Benjamin Porter, Moderator, and Lemuel Foster, Clerk, the meeting then elected Ebenezer Cary, Ebenezer Skymour, and Benjamin Porter, "to serve as Trustees of the same con- gregation, to be denominated and known in Law by the name of the Trus- tees of the First Congregational Society in the Town of Batavia.^' The record was attested by the Moderator and Clerk, in presence of Silas Chapin, Ebenezer Seymour, and Edmund Badger, acknowledged before Benjamin Ellicott one of the .Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and recorded by Simeon Cumings County Clerk. By reference to the old Records, we discover that after the orgnnization of the Church by Rev. Mr. Phelps, the following Missionaries officiated in the Society, irregularly and at long intervals — Rev. Reuben Parmelr, twice in 1810 and tv/ice in 1811; Rev. John Spencer, once, Rev. John Albxandbr, once, and Rev. Mr. Anes, once in I8r2; Rev. Mr. Bliss, once in 1813; Rev. Mr. Swift, once in 1814; Rev. Mr. Hannino, 3 times in 1815; Rev. Mr. Sweezy, once in 1816, and Rev. Messrs. SquiRKS, iiLiSS, Colton, Duvei,, and Chapin, onceeach in 1817, 29 On the 23d of January, 1818, a call was presented to Rev. Ephraim .Chapin, who thereupon became the first regularly settled Minister of tlie congregation, and continued to officiate as such until January 1822, when ho was succeeded by Rev. Calvin Coltov, who engaged to officiate one half the time for one year. At the close of 1822 Mr. Colto.x was hired for another year, and on entering upon his new engagement, he at once deter- mined to make an effort for the erection of a Meeting House, and on the 10th of January 1823, a subscription paper was drawn up, to raise the necessary funds. The efforts of Mr. Colton for this object, aided by a few energetic individuals, were soon crowned with success, and on the 25tli of February, 1823, contracts were executed between the Trustees and Benjamin Allen and Thomas McCulley, for the building of the present , Meeting House, for $3,574,00, to be completed by July 1st, 1824, The work was immediately commenced, and completed within the time specified. A bell was also procured weighing about 1000 pounds, and which was cast in this village, by Jas. Cochran. The Trustees under whose supervision the House was built were Benj. Porter, Sam'l Hall, and Wm. H. Wells, who were succeeded on the liith September, 1824, by Wm. H. Wells, Wm. Seaver and Jonathan Lay. This last election was at a special meeting to re -incorporate the So- ciety, it having become dissolved by neglecting to choose its officers within the prescribed time. Again for the same neglect, a re-orgunization of the Society took place on the 20th of December, 1825, when Wm, Seaver Wm. H. Bush, W. J. Wood, Wm. H. Wells, Robert Richmond, and S. D. Greene, were chosen Trustees. At this meeting it was "Resolved, That the Trustees be authorized to petition the Legislature of this State to liave the name of this Society altered from that of the 'First Congregational Society of Batavia,' to the 'First Presbyterian Church of Batavia.' " The Resolution was never carried into effect, and consequently the Society retains its original title. [It may here be noted that in consequence of the loss of the old Society Books the proceedings of the meeting last mentioned above, are the first wiiich now appears on the Records of the Society.] Mr. Colton continued to officiate as Pastor of the Church until June 1826, when he resigned, and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Messrs. Hun- ter, Spencer, Whitehead, Smith, Brining, and Throop, until about the lirst of January, 1827, when Rev. Charles Whitehead was called to tlie Pastoral office. Mr. Whitehead resigned his charge in December, 1827, and the Rev. Russell Whiting was called in his place, who, it appears from imperfect Records, remained until some time in 1832, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Fitch. Rev. Silas Brown succeeded Mr. Fitch in 1835, and continued until November?, 1836, when Rev. E. J. Gillktt was elected Pastor. Mr. Gillett remained between two and three years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. H. Beecher, who was called 30 to tlie Pastoral office on the 30th of May, 1839, and remained until June ■or July, 1843. Soon after Mr. Beecher's connexion with the Society ceased, tlie Rev. By'ron Sunderland was invited to fill his place, and after having officiated about one year, he was, on the 20th July, 1844, regularly "called to be ordained as Pastor," and as such he still remains, to the great satisfaction of his congregation. The present Trustees are P. L. Tracy, Jacob Williams, John Sprague, Joseph Clark, Elias Foot, and L. B. Cotes. We have taken great pains to search out and gather from scattered fragments, the foregoing facts, and though some errors may be discovered, it is believed that the statement is nearly correctso far as it goes. the PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first time Religious Services were ever performed in this Village according to the ritual of the Episcopal Church, so far as we have been able to discover, was in the spring of 1815. By reference to the Journal of the Diocesan Convention of that year, we find it stated in Bishop Ho- BARTs Report, that tlie Rev. Alanson W. Welton had spent "three Sundays at Batavia,'' and the date of those "Sundays" appears upon the original Records of the Church, which fortunately are still preserved, and are now before us, and to which we shall now refer. INCORPORATION OF ST. JAMES' CHURCH. On the 6th day of June, 1815, "a meeting of several of the members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, inhabitants of the town of Batavia," was held "in the Court House in the said town, in pursuance of notice for that purpose given in the time of morning service, on two Sundays preceding that day, and in compliance with an act to provide for the incorporation of Religious Societies. The Rev. Alanson W. Welton being called to the Chair — John Hickcox and Samuel Benedict were chosen Church Wardens; and Richard Smith, Isaac Sutherland, Isaac Spencer, John Z, Ross, Chauncey Keyes, David C. .Miller, Aaron Van Clcve, and Ostvald Wil- liams, were chosen Vestrymen; and at the same time it was unanimously Resolved, That Monday in Easter week hereafter be the day for the annual election of their successors, and that the said Church be known and distin- guished by the name of St. James' Church in Batavia." The Record was certified by the Chairman, and S. Cumings and Trumbull Cary, in pres- ence of Samuel Risley and Isaiah Babcock — acknowledged before D. McCracken, one of Judges of Genesee County Courts, and Recorded by Samuel Lake, Deputy County Clerk. It would seem that the subject of erecting a Church Edifice was imme- diately agitated after the above act of Incorporation, for at the first Meeting of the Vestry, which was held " at Ilickcox's Inn, in the Village of Batavia, on Saturday, July 1st, 1815, after appointing Richard Smith, Clerk, it was Resolved, That Isaac Sutherland, John Z. Ross, and Chauncey Keyes, be a Committee to wait on the Agent of the Holland Land Company, to ascer- 31 tain what aid may be obtained from the said Company towards the erection of a Protestant Episcopal Church, in the Village of Batavia, and that th» said Committee report at the next meeting of the Vestry." The meeting adjourned to the 15th of July, at which time the Committee reported, "that in behalf of the Holland Land Company, the Agent would make a donation towards the erection of a Protestant Episcopal Church, if of Wood, of One thousand Dollars, and if of Brick, of Fifteen hundred Dollars." Again, at a Meeting of the Vestry, at Hickcox's Inn, (which was in the South part of the Court House, ) a Committee consisting of Aaron Van Cleve, and Isaac Sutherland, was appointed "to wait on the Agent of the Holland Land Company, and to ascertain what Site may be obtained for the Church proposed to be erected in the Village of Batavia, with a plan of the grouud, and to report at the next Meeting of the Vestry." At another Meeting, October 21st, 1815, Isaac Sutherland was appointed "to superintend the erection of a Brick Church in the Village of Batavia, with power to make contracts for Brick and other materials, and that he be allowed a reasonable compensation for his services." At the same time Richard Smith was ap- pointed Treasurer, and Chauncey Keyes, and Isaac Spencer, Collectors," with power to receive all monies subscribed for the erection of St. James' Church. It appears, however, that Maj. Sutherland declined acting as su- perintendent, and that on the 12th Nov., he, together with Oswald Williams, were appointed a Committee to recommend some suitable person in his place. Who that person was, does not appear on the record. The Vestry set about collecting money, materials, &j,c., and contracted with David Canficld, and Thomas McCuUey, then of Schenectady, to do the mason work, who, on the 10th of April, 1816, broke ground and commenced the erection of the Church. The annual election for 1816, was held on the 15th of April, when the following persons were chosen : JOHN HICKCOX, I .„ , SAMUEL BENEDICT, ( "hardens. ISAAC SUTHERLAND, JOHN Z. ROSS, ] EBENEZER MIX, DAVID C. MILLER, >. ^ , CHAUNCEY KEYS, LIBBEUS FISH, f vestrymen. OSWALD WILLIAMS, RICHARD SMITH, j Under the supervision of this Board, the erection of the Church was pros- ecuted, and the walls were finished, and the roof put on in Sept. or Oct. of that year. At that stage of proceedings, the Vestry having exhausted all its available funds, were obliged to abandon the work, and in that condition the building was suffered to remain until the Spring of 1822. Up to that time we find nothing worthy of mention, except that in August or September of 1815, Bishop Hobart visited the Parish and officiated in the Court House — that the Rev. Alanson W. Welton, officiated ten times in 1816 — the Rev. Henry U. Onderdonk, once the same year, and twice in 1817, in exchange with the Rev. Samuel Johnson, who, in the Journal of 32 the Convention of tliat year say?, "I arrived in Batavia the 16th October, and agreable to directions, devoted the most of my Missionary labors there," "I liave officiated twenty Sundays in Batavia, * * exchanged with the Rev. Orin Clark, who has performed Divine Service for me one Sunday at Batavia," and further that "The Rev. Alanson W. Welton, under whose assiduous labors the Church in Batavia was planted, officiated one day, and administered the Holy Communion" — [This is the first record extant, of the administration of this Sacrament in St. James' Church.] It may here be remarked that no Parish Register appears to have been, kept, from the Organization of the Church up to 1823, and also that the records of the election of Wardens and Vestrymen for the years 1820, 1821 tind 1822 are lost. The only record in 1822 is, that a Vestry meeting held June first, adopted "the silver seal made by Joseph Davis, as the seal of this corporation." (That seal is still in use.) It is unfortunate that the record of 1822 was not preserved, because that was an important year in the history of the Church, and the names of the Wardens and Vestrymen under whose auspices the Church was finished, ought to have been perpetuated on its records. We discover, however, that the following composed a majority of the number, as they appear on the record of a Vestry meeting held December 12, 1822, (viz:) Ostvald Wil- liams, Warden; John Z. Ross, William Davis, David E. Evans, Daniel H. Chandler, and Richard Smith, Vestrymen. It has already been stated that the Church, erected and covered in 1816, was sufTered to remain in an unfinished state until 1822. Early in that year it was resolved to make an effort for its completion, and an arrange- ment was made with Trumbull Cary and Wm. Davis for them to go on and finish it, holding the Church as security, but relying on the sale of Pews and Slips, for prompt payment. Under that arrangement, the Church was promptly completed, and the same summer tlie Rev. Levi S. Ives, (now Bishop of North Carolina,) was invited to minister at its Altar. A debt of between four and five thousand dollars having accrued for fin- ishing the Church, (exclusive of the sum originally paid for its erection in 1816,) thirty -two members of the Parish came forward on the 28th August 1822, and subscribed to the amount of $5,100 for the purpose of liquidating the same, each subscriber being entitled to receive the amount of his sub- scription in Pews and Slips. On the 7th of April 1823, the Vestry appointed Nathan Follett and Daniel H. Chandler, a committee to contract with James Cochran for a Church Bell, to weigh 800 pounds, and to pay him for the same $300, and a Slip in the Church valued at $75. A contract was accordingly made, and the Bell, cast by Mr. Cochran in this village, still hangs in the Tower of St. James. It has already tolled the funeral knell of many who aided in placing it there, and may ere long sound the requium of the last of that 33 On the 7th of April 1S23, the Vestry appointed Nathan Follett and Daniel H. Chandler, a committee to contract with James Cochran for a Church Bell, to weigh 800 pounds, and to pay him for the same $300, and a Slip in the Church valued at $75. A contract was accordingly made, and the Bell, cast by Mr. Cochran in this village, still hangs in the Tower of St. James. It has already tolled the funeral knell of many who aided in placing it there, and may ere long sound the requium of the last of that number, but though it reach not their "dull cold ear," a long line of future generations may be gladdened by its voice as it summons them to the House of Prayer. The Rev. Mr. Ives continued his ministrations until about the first of July 1823, when the Rev. Lucius Smith was invited to supply his place, and who, on the 18th of August following, was duly elected Rector of the Church. In 1825, the Vestry, through the agency of David E. Evans, Trumbull Gary, Silas Finch, and Ebbnezer Mix, procured oiHall ^- Erben, New York, the Organ now in the Church, at an expense of $1,350. We now pass on to 1833, with the single remark, personal though it is, that the writer of this sketch having connected himself with this Church early in 1828, became a member of the Vestry, on the 15th April 1830, and from that time to the present, without intermission, has been a mem- ber of that Board. In August 1833, the Rev. Lucius Smith resigned the Rectorship of the Church, to take effect on the first of October, and from that time for nearly one year. Religious Services were chiefly conducted by Rev. John F. Ernst, who was then the teacher of a select school in the Village. On the 24th June 1834, the Vestry invited the Rev. James A. Bolles, to become the Minister of the Parish, who ultimately consented to the proposition and en- tered upon his engage ment on the first of September following. For some time previous to this, the old Brick Church had become so de- fective as to create a desire for one more safe and substantial, and that sentiment continued to increase until the spring of 1835, when it was resolved to tear it down and build a new one of Stone; and on the 16th March, Daniel H. Chandler, John S. Ganson, and Walter M. Seymour, were appointed a committee to obtain subscriptions for that purpose. The following persons were elected Wardens and Vestiymen, April 20, 1835, (viz:) William Seaver and Joel Allen, Wardens; David E. Evans, Trumbull Cary, Frederick FoUett, Daniel H. Chandler, John S. Ganson, Nathan FoUett, Walter M. Seymour, and Timothy Fitch, Vestrymen. — This Board, after appointing Frederick FoUett, Clerk; William Seaver, Treasurer; Harriett Hull, Organist, and Wm. Preston, Sexton, passed a resolution appointing "Nathan FoUett, Timothy Fitch, and William Davis a committee to superintend the building of the contemplated neiv Church,'' and if at all practicable, that it should bo completed during that year, to- gether with a Parsonogr House. 84 Sufficient funds having been subscribed (including the niateriala of the old Church, which the contractors received in part, payment for the new one,) a contract was made with Thomas McCulley to do the mason work, and Thomas J. Hoyt, the wood work of the new Church and Parsonage, includ- ing Barn and Out Houses, appurtenant thereto. The original contract for the whole was $9,660, (To McCulley $4,866, and to Hoyt $4,794,) to thia was added for extra work $848, which made the total amount $10,508,00. Sundry other expenses were incurred about the establishment, so that when the whole was completed, near the close of 1835, the entire cost waa not far from $12,000. The slips were sold in the Church, at public auction on the 27th of January, 1836, by Wm. Seaver, who was appointed by the Vestry to make the sales, and, also, to execute Deeds for the same. It should be noted that the new Church was erected on the same ground cov- ered by the old one, and that the original Lot, together with a quantity of land sufficient for the Parsonage house, garden, &c., was given to the Church by David E. Evans, Esq. It is also worthy of mention, that in addition to the land, and a munificent subscription of $1500, Mr. Evans presented the splendid chandeliers, now suspened in the Church, which cost in New York, where they were manafactured to order, $525. Trinity Church, New York also, made a donation of $1,000, and it w^ould give us pleasure to record the very liberal subscriptions of every member of the Parish, but we fear our notice is already too much extended. To show the large amount expended by this Parish for church purposes, and also, to illustrate the disastrous effects of bad building, it should fur- thermore be stated, that in consequence of the imperfect construction of the roof to the new Church, it had stood but ".bout six years, when the entire roof with the ceiling over head had to be removed, and replaced with new, at great expense and trouble. In 1842 a Gallery was erected in the Church, (there having been none in the original plan,) at an expense of more than $600. We close our notice of this Church by simply ramarking, that it is now nearly free from debt, that the Rev. Mr. Bolles, after a ministration of nearly fifteen years, still remains its highly acceptable Rector, and that the following compose the present Vestry, (viz:) JVilUamSeavcr, and Trumbull Cary. Wardens; Benjamin Prins:lc, John S. Ganson, JVathan Follett, Wm. H. Wells, John H. Martindale, Jnnms A. Smith, H. U. Sopcr, and C. R. Ganson, Vestrymen. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The earliest information respecting the origin of that Church in this place, together with many other particulars in regard to its progress, we derive from Mr. Thomas McCulley, who took up his residence here in the spring of 1816, and from that time to the present, has continued one of the moat active and prominent members of that Communion. 35 Although it ia recollected by several, that religioua servicea wero occa- sionally performed in the village at quite an early day, by Circuit Preach- ers, we are unable to learn the names of those who first officiated, or tho first organization of a Class. The earliest date of which there is any writ- ten memorandum, is in 1816, when it appears that the Rev. Mr Harris and the Rev. Mr. Emmett, were stationed on this Circuit. In 1817, Eidera ' Davis, and O'Fling, were stationed on it, and in 1818, it was supplied by Elder Micau Seager, and Elder Foster. (Elder Seager still continues in the ministry, and now resides in Byron. I.\C0RP0RATI0iV OF THE CHURCH. On Wednesda}^, Dec. 15th, 1819, a meeting was held at the Court House in this village, agreeable to previous notice, for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Church under the Lav/ of 1813, and the Rev. Elisha Howsk presided, assisted by Jeremiah Bennett. On that occasion Thomas Mc- CuLLE}^, Samuel F. Geer, Jeremiah Bennett, Seymour Ensign, and Silas Hollister, were elcted Trustees of the "Congregation to be denom- inated and known in Law by the name of the Trustees of 2Vie First Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Bataviu. The Record was witnessed by C. Carpenter, and J. W. C. Coffin; acknowledged before Ralph Coffin, Commissioner fee, and Recorded by R. C. Smead, Dep. Clerk. [Mr. Smead, then Dep. Co. Clerk under his Uncle Simeon Cummings, was sub- sequetly educated at West Point, joined the Army as Lieut, of Artillery, was promoted to a Captaincy, did good service in Florida, bore a gallant part in the late war v^'ith Mexico, and returning with his Command, which was among the last to leave that Country after the peace, he was attacked with Yellow Fever on his passage home, of which he died soon after his arrival,] After this organization, nothing worthy of note up to 1823, appears to have occurred, except that Elders Paddock, and Beckwith officiated here in 1820, Hall, and Paddock, in 1821, Gilmore and Bennett, in 1822, and Orcutt andBAGGERLY in 1823. The society having increased in numbers, and there being no convenient place for meetings, it was resolved to make an effort to erect a Chapel, and on the 26th of May, 1823, a subscription paper was drawn up, and a sufficient amount raised to warrant the under- taking. Joseph Ellicott made the largest subscription, which was $250, cash, and a Lot upon which to erect the Chapel, valued at $250. In consequence of previous neglect, it now became necessary to re-incor- porate the society, and for that purpose a meeting was hold "at the West School House in the Village of Batavia, being the place where the Congre- gation steadily attended for Divine worship, on Monday the 16th day of June 1823." Rev. John Arnold presided, assisted by Thomas McCulley; when Amherst Crane, Phinehas Silsby Samuel F. Geer, Silas Hollister, and Libeous Graves, were duly elected Trustees. This Board of Trustees, on the 23d of June 1823, contracted withThomaa McCulley, Joseph Shaw, and Seymour Ensign, for tho building of a Stono 36 Meeting House "to be 40 feet front and rear, 45 feet deep, and 26 feet high." McCulley was to do[the mason work for $762. Shaw, the out-side carpen- ter and joiner work for $511, and Ensjgn, the inside joiner work, for $400. Subsequently Shaw assumed Ensign's contract, and he and McCulley went on and promptly completed the building, at an ultimate cost, including ex- tras, of about $2,800. That building, known as the " Stone Chapel," was several years since disposed of by the Methodist Church, and having passed through several private hands, is now in charge of Mr. Moses Savercool, as Trustee of the Freewill Baptist Society. That society is now dissolved, as we are informed, and the building, now unoccupied, is verging to decay. The location of the Stone Chapel was never considered a favorable one, and as time rolled on and the Society increased, so the desire increased for a more central location, until at length, in 1841, it was resolved to build a new Meeting House. Accordingly, on the 26th of January of that year, a subscription was opened, and a sufficient amount raised to accomplish the object. On the 10th of May, 1841, a contract was executed between Joel Ranney, Onis Page, Benjamin C. Page, Thomas McCulley, and John Lowber, as Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Jonathan Hutchins, and Henry S. Hulin, as builders, for the erection of a Meeting House, to be of wood 60 feet deep, 40 feet wide, and 22 feet high, to be completed by the last of Dec. following for the sum of $1900. This was exclusive of the stone foundation, subscribed to be built by Thos. McCulley at an estimated value of $150, and when the whole was finished the entire cost, including the lot given by John Lowber, and the foundation walls by Mr. McCulley, was about $3000. It is a plain, neat structure, very conveniently situated on Jackson street, and is kept well painted and in good repair, as all churches should be. It is called St, John's Church. Since the erection of the new church nothing remarkable has transpired in its history, further than that the Society is out of debt and going oji prosperously. We close our notices of this Church by enumerating its pres- ent officers, as follows : Philo Woodworth, Preacher in charge; Alva Smith, John Dorman, Wm, H. Davis, Robert G, Butler, and Eben. B, Morgan, Trustees; John Dorman, Chester White, Thos. McCulley, Chauncey Kirkham, E, B, Morgan, Ste- phen Tuttle, and Asa Flint, Stewards; Robert G. Butler, Wm. H. Davis, Stephen Tuttle, and John Lowber, Class Leaders. BAPTIST CHURCH, As this Church and Society is of comparatively recent origin in this place, its history lies within a narrow compass, By reference to the original Record we find that a meeting was held at the Court House on the 19th of November, 1835, "for the purpose of origi- nating said Society according to Law." On that occasion Gideon Ken- DRicK, and P. S. Mokfit. were chosen to preside at the meeting. It was next "votedt hat this Society be called the Bapliiit Society of Balavia Vil- lage,^'' and Richard Covell jr., John Dorman, Wm. Blossom, Win. D. Popple, and Calvin Foster, were elected its first Trustees. At the time the Society was organized in 1835, the Rev. J. Clark was employed as its first pastor, and the present Meeting House, on Jackson Street, was built the same year. Having been unable to obtain any record respecting the Building, we can merely state from our own recollection, that it was erected by T. J, Hoyt and Thomas McCulley, and that the Lot upon which it stands was presented to the Society for that purpose, by Wm. D. Popple. In 1836, the Rev. Wm. W. Smith succeeded Elder Clark, and contin- ued until 1839. In February, 1840, the Rev. S. A. Estbe took the spiritual cha.rge of the Society and remained until May, 1842. The next regular Pastor was Rev, Gibbon William.s, who entered upon his Ministerial en- gagement in August, 1844, and remained one year. In September 1845, the Rev, S, M, Stimson was called to the Pastoral office, and still remains the popular minister of the Society. In 1847, the Meeting House vvas extensively and thoroughly repaired, and its whole internal arrangement changed, so as to render it very pleasant and commodious. When this Church was formed, the number of the communi- cants was 24; it is now 175, The present Trustees of the society, are John C'olman, Onan Dustin, Samuel Churchill, John B. Holton, Wm. Blossom, and B, Buzwell. BIBLE SOCIETY, Having closed our notices of the Churches, jt will be appropriate to in- troduce the first movement in this place, in regard to the formation of a Bible Society, the original record of which has been preserved by Thomas McCulley, and is as follows : " At a meeting of a number of the Inhabitants of the town of Batavia, pursuant to previous notice, for the purpose of forming a department of the Genesee County Bible Society, convened at the Brick School House in the Village of Batavia, on the 5th of April 1819, when the Rev, Mr. Cijapin was appointed Moderator, and Thomas McCulley Secretary. " The object of the meeting being disclosed by E. B. Allen Esq,, they proceeded to nominate Officers for this departm.ent when the following gentlemen were duly elected^ EPHRAIM TOWNER, Chairman. THOMAS McCULLEY, Clerk. PARMENIO ADAMS, Treasurer. URIAL SPENCER, Collector, Lemuel Foster, Amherst Crane, Ahimaz Brainard, Thomas McCul^ S/EY, Distributing Committee. Adjourned to the last Tuesday in December next. 33 Again we go back to notice a few things of an early (Into wliich wore omitted in their order. The first physician who located in this place was Doct. David Mc- Cracken, who came here in 1801, and took up the lot or rather two lots of 40 acres each, on the south side of Main Street, being that which is now bounded west by Jackson street, north by Genesee Street, east by Liberty Street, and extending south to Tonawanda Creek. It was then a dense forest, but now a central and most valuable portion of the village. The Doctor erected a log Housrtress of Mavville they resolved', upon the higher and more chivalrous feat of under- takin"" to storm and demolish the very citadel of Land Office p'ower at Batavia. Accordingly emissarys were sent in every direction to r ouse up all the disaffected forces^ and congregate them on a certain night prepared for the grand assault. Meantime David E. Evans Esq., who then held the Land Office k.>ys, and who had been informed of the transactions atMayville, was also ap])rised of the threatened attack at Batavia, but not knowing when the demonstration mio-ht be made, he took the precaution to send all the books and vaklablc papers to Rochester beyond the reach of danger in any untoward emergency. Thus several weeks passed on, and as no hostile movement appeared, the books &c. were brought back and hopes were entertained that the storm would quietly subside. These hopes, however, were of short duration, for the fires of discontent had only been smouldering preparatory to breaking forth with renewed violence. To give some idea of the feeling which prevailed in the south part of Eric county we quote the language of an agent sent into that (luarter, who repor- ted that "all labor is suspended, the whole adult male population meeting at taverns and stores, vowing vengeance against the "land sharks," threaten- ing to burn their houses, and intimating that assassination will be the con- sequence of attempts to enforce the terms proposed by the new purchasers." Without dwelling upon further preliminaries it will be sufficient to say that the ferment continued to increase until about the 12th of May, when intelligence was received that a very large mob from the south part of this and Eric counties were gallicring, \vilh the avowed determination of march- ing to this place and tearing down the land office, and the jail, {in which tvvo of their friends were imprisioned) andofconnuitting other doprcJutiou- on some of our citizcni. wlio luid become obnoxious to thcnu 51 To know tliai sach an attompi woulA «3 made was cufiicient foi* fllir pco- j)lc atonoc to resolve upon the most fin m and united resistance, and accor- dingly our public autlioritics both civil and militarj', aided by the citizonp made immediate preparations to repel tli D foe. Tlic Land Office was conver- ted into a sort of fortification, well store d with arms and amunition, and thus matters rested in suspense, not knowin [>■ when the attack would be made, until about midnight on the 13th of M ay, when messengers arrived post haste from Attica andAlexander giving information that the mob was con- ■centraiing at the latter place in great for ce, supposed to be from 700 to 1000, and that it would soon be upon us. No sooner had this intelligence boenr. received than all the bells in the village rang the alarm, and a general mi ister of our "fighting" men imme- diately followed. Videtts were sent out I )y the sherifi'on the different roads, to rcconnoiter the enemy, and men were sent to the arsenal for a sufficient supply of muskets to arm all our citizeuLS. Two boxes of ball cartridges of 1000 each were also brought up, one of wdiich was left at tlie Land Office, nnd the other taken to the Court House where the sherifi^ (Nathan Town- send) who was the commanding officer on the occasion, held his licadquar- tcrs, surrounded by the "cliivalry" o^Iie "village ready for the conflict. — What then followed we cannot bette^l.escribe than in the language of a letter from D. E. Evans, to J. J. Vander kcmi^, written soon after the event and from which we are permitted to make the following extracts: "Our force in the Land Office consisting of fifty men, remained patiently waiting the arrival of the enemy till about sun rise, and none appearing we concluded they had abandoned the enterprise, and we appointed a committee to go to Alexander to ascertain what number iiad been there and who their leaders were. Col. Seaver, Col. Davis, and myself, (the committee) imme- diately started, and meeting Mr. Gary near the bridge took him with us. We had proceeded about two miles when wc met two of our expresses re- turning at full gallop, wlio told us they had just left the mob at Fargo's Tavern, two miles distant, forming in order to march to Batavia. Tlioy es- timated tlic wliole number at 700, about 400 of which were armed vvitli fire arms, and the residue with bludgeons, crow-bars, and sledge hammers. Previous to leaving the office I requested Mr. Chandler to remain at it with thirty men, till we cither returned or sent liim positive information that the mob had dispersed. On receiving information tiiat the mob had really advanced to Fargo's, the committee lost no time in returning, and taking such requisite stops to re-assemble the citizens, most of whom had gone to tlieir respective homes. The mob soon after appeared in sight and halted on the road east of Judge Steven's House, where they were met by Gen. Verplanck, and asked what they wanted? They ansvYfcred "to right themselves." lie asked in what manner? and was answered, "tliat it was none of liis business." He then said it was his duty to inform tliem that if tlicy coraniittcd any outrages in an organized l)ody, upon cither public or 52 private property, they would be fired upon. Some of them then said they wished to have a conference with me, and he promised to inform me of it, and came to the office and did so. I desired him to return and say, that I positively declined having- any communication whatever with an armed mob. Their number he estimated at about five hundred men. Soon after he returned they put themselves in motion, crossed the bridge, marched towards the office, and Isupposed we should soon come to blows. After having halted in front of the office, and become sensible that an at- tack upon it would be attended with dapger, it was evident to all specta- tors that they felt the awkwardness of their situation. After remaining still for a few minutes, four men came under the window in which I was silting, and requested a conference with me, which I declined, refusing in a peremptory manner to have any thing to do with them, and bid them defi- ance in no measured terms. About this time I saw a sudden movement among them which I could not account for, but which I soon learned was occasioned by the, (to them) un- expected appearance of Sheriff" Townsend, with 120 men, armed with bright muskets, with bayonets fixed, in full march for the Office, He halted his men in front of my house, and advanced himself with three or four atten- dants, towards tlie mob, and was met by ||veral of them, lie told them his object in meeting them was to say, trat if they attempted to destroy any building in the Village, he should, without any further notice, fire a full volley among them. One of them was proceeding to argue the legality of his doing it, but he cut the matter short by assuring them that he should do it whether legal or not, and advised them to be off" very quickly. They soon after went down the street half a mile, and had a boisterous consultation, some professing to wish to return and attack the Office, but by far the greatest part thought it best to go home. Some forty or fifty continued on westward, and the residue returned as they came, passing the Office without apparently looking at it. The most of them re-crossed the Bridge and went off, but a few lurked about the Village, some of whom were aprehended and committed to prison, and among the number their reputed leader, a man by the name of Hill, a Constable in Holland, Erie County. As you may readily imagine, our Village remained for several days, in a high stale of excitement. The Military were called out, and two Cannons, assigned to Artillery Companys at LeRoy and Bethany, were sent for, and brought to the Village, and strong guards, composed of the Villagers only, were kept at night, as great aprehensions were entertained that the Vil- lage would be set on fire by incendiaries, which was threatened by the mob on their retreat, and those threats were reiterated from sections of the Coun- try where we had reason to expect better things. Almost all business was at a stand in the Village, the Country people being afraid to come to it, and the consequence was, the Mercantile men. Tavern-keepers, Grocers, and Median ics, became aprehensive that the business of the place would go elsewhere. 53 » It tlierefore became obvious, that c!lhor tho otHco must bo rcmove V ^^/ ^■''H ft-" \ S''' -i- ■\^ A •^ "^-^ A^ ;"^' '^ 0^ '^f^'^ x^-^^ '■^, o *o„o' .0- xo-n* ■ ^^% ^1 "^.-f^^ v\''' > ;•- •'^ '■>^ \^^m^^s J" ^. ^^^^ -^^0^ 1^;