Tally-Ho 2004
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2004 Issues
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September
October
November
December
December 2004
Table of Contents
December Program
Last Chance
Articles and Ideas Needed for Newsletter
Additions To Our Workrooms
Samuel Hicks House 1826
Genesee Street, New Hartford 1896
THURSDAY, December 2, 2004 PROGRAM
This is always a fun evening and a chance to really mingle with fellow members and get to know each other better. Bring your own table serving. Beverage and dessert will be provided by the Society. Keep the date in mind and come and join us. Bring a friend!
The Society will be raffling off this blue and white New Hartford Throw at our December Holiday Party. Tickets will be available at the December meeting. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Contact Judy Wenner if you are interested in tickets and cannot make it to our meetings.
ARTICLES AND IDEAS NEEDED FOR NEWSLETTER
Your editor could use some help. After 10 years of being your editor I would greatly appreciate some input. Do any of you have old articles or pictures that would interest our readers? Or could you write down some memories of New Hartford that you may have, perhaps from your childhood, describing how the village and town were at that time? What kind of articles interest you the most? Are we covering New Hartford history to your satisfaction? If you can help please call 737-8216. Thank you.
We are now the owners of a copy machine. This is a much needed item and when we are open to the public we can make copies of articles that people will be looking for when they visit us. It is a valuable addition.
We have a new glass backing for our show case, thanks to the efforts of Bob Dicker.
New Hartford schools have donated an overhead projector. Charlie Couture overhauled the machine and put it in tip top shape. So anyone doing programs using transparencies will have an overhead to use right on the premises.
The town has promised some computers once they have been cleared of confidential information. This will enable us to put our membership on the computers at the society rooms where it can been worked on by anyone who might like to take over as membership chairperson.
Judy Wenner has gathered people to be on the Historic House committee and that group is accumulating much needed data on the old homes of New Hartford.
There are so many ways that you can become an active part of your Society. Let us know what you would like to do.
SAMUEL HICKS HOUSE 1826
From an article by H. Paul Draheim published in the Utica Daily Press, January 1951
The former Samuel Hicks mansion at 18 Oxford Road., a splendid example of "pure Georgian architecture" in the Mohawk Valley, has a special feature—the front doorway which is considered perfectly proportioned.
The mansion for many years was the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lucinda Hicks McFarland, a prominent member of Oneida Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
When Hicks decided to build a home, he first had the lumber seasoned for two years. The actual construction was completed in 1826. It was patterned after the style of several mansions on Genesee Street in Utica.
The roof was built with parapet walks with railings between. The bricks came from the Wilcox settlement where Abel Wilcox & Son conducted a brickyard.
All of the nails, bolts and hardware are handmade, the nails being the product of John Richardson. The stone water-table, window caps, sills, arch and supports for the front door and other stone works, were made by Hyde, Allen and Joslin of Utica.
Many colonial doorways were wide for their height but the one in the Hicks Mansion is said to be perfect.
The beautiful old engraved glass lantern in the hallway, which originally used coach candles, passed through the sperm oil, and kerosene to the electricity period. It is still in use, though the glass has been broken.
The rear room of the double parlors was designed as a dining room, with china closets on each side. The one on the right was for blue china while that on the left was for gilt china.
The old English type locks were acquired from the Benedict and Roby firm of Utica. The lock on the front door is 9 by 14 inches in size and weighs about four pounds. The key for the lock is about five inches long, hardly the size to carry around on a pocket-key ring.
The paper in the dining room is original. It is a hand printed English type of wallpaper, set up in blocks, 18 inches square. It is similar to the famed William Morris designs and was imported from England. Original hand-blown glass may be observed in the panels of the front door.
The hand rail of the staircase was made from 30 mahogany planks. There are occasional steel spindles. The mantels and woodwork are also hand-made.
The jambs of the mantels are of black Italian marble. The mantel in the room at left of the front entrance is said to be an exact facsimile of one carved in stone at the Kenilworth Castle in a room occupied by King Henry VIII.
Through the years the owners, fearing the parapet walks might become weakened , removed them and replaced them by the present roofs.
Hicks came to New Hartford about 1804 and was manager of the Eagle Mills near Clayville. He married twice. His first wife was Lucinda Huntington of Walpole, N.H., and his second was Sarah Parmalee of Dunham, Conn.
The mansion was erected during the days when men wore dark blue broadcloth with silver buttons, a gray beaver top hat and finest linen ruffles when preparing for a business trip to New York..
Many of the details regarding the Hicks Mansion were gathered about 35 years ago by a Miss Helen Miller who resided there.
GENESEE STREET, NEW HARTFORD 1896
This picture was taken in 1896 by John Burton. The hotel was called Billingham’s Hotel and it was located on Genesee Street just below the building that used to be Jack & Andy’s Restaurant, now lawyers offices. The hotel featured sporting events such as cock fights and many a local citizen enjoyed the festivities of the time. Previous owners were Joseph and Emma Entwistle, who then sold to Fred Durrenback. Mrs. Durrenback moved to Washington Mills to a hotel located on the corner where McDonald’s is now located.
By the lamp light there was a wagon shop owned by a man named Hughes. The horses way down the road are being led up to FitzGerald’s for shoeing. Tom FitzGerald, the former farrier, is the boy in the white shirt on the right. He later became husband of Bess FitzGerald, one of the most beloved teachers of New Hartford for many years.
The tree on the left is where the Village Florist is presently located. The old lady with the white apron on the far right sold Jules Reid ointment which was a noted cure for sore throats. Alice Murray, Eddie McLoughlin’s mother, lived in the far house on the right. Ed McLoughlin was postmaster of Washington Mills for many years.
This is the Hotel New Hartford known to old timers as Williams House. Williams House stood where Byrne Dairy is now located on the corner of Campion Road and Genesee Street. This building was razed February 9, 1931. Humphrey Williams, grandfather of Ed Hanley, owned the Williams House which was considered a fine hotel for its time. Ed Hanley’s father was bartender there. Ed Hanley is on the left and his grandfather Humphrey Williams is on the right. Lights came to New Hartford in 1896, and you can see new wires just erected.
Information and pictures are from the 1976 Historical Society Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 2
November 2004
Table of Contents
November Program
The Forming of Oneida County and Subsequent Towns
Thank You
Additions To Our Archives
Honor Roll
Upcoming Programs
State Of New York 1813
C.O. Jones Dead In New Hartford. Village Loses former President and Foremost Citizen
Thank You, Nelli
Raffle
Facts About The Amicable Lodge
Welcome New Members
THURSDAY, November 4, 2004 PROGRAM
James Grenier, local author, will present a lecture on his book, "Subdued By The Sword". It is about John S. Kidder, a line officer in the 121st New York Volunteers as told through letters to his wife. He saw action at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania.
A history teacher by profession, Mr. Grenier is also the historian for Herkimer County, and a local author of several Civil War books. Copies of "Subdued by the Sword" will be available .the meeting.
THE FORMING OF ONEIDA COUNTY AND SUBSEQUENT TOWNS
The following is from the "Gazetteer of the State of New York" compiled by Horatio Gates Spafford, A.M., published in Albany in 1813.
In 1788, the Town of German Flats was divided, and a new Town erected, which was named Whitestown, in honor of Mr. Hugh White. In 1791, Herkimer County was erected from Montgomery, including this part of the county; and several new Towns formed of this by subdivisions. In 1798, The County of Oneida was erected, by a subdivision of Herkimer, and Whitestown included with this County. Successive subdivisions have at length restricted the limits of Whitestown to about a medial of 5 miles by 8.
It is situated immediately on the great thoroughfare between Albany and the Western Lakes; between Canada and the principal commercial sea-ports of the American States on the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to the Mohawk, which washes its northern boundary, the Oriskany and Sadahqueda creeks run northerly into the Mohawk, affording a great abundance of the best sites for hydraulic works, and extensive and fertile alluvial flats. Indeed, says a Correspondent, these streams are almost literally covered with mills, through their whole extent in this Town. This Town contains 3 large Post-Villages; Utica, incorporated, Whitesborough and New Hartford.
Utica, on the site of old Fort Schuyler, contains 300 houses, and a population of 1700 souls. It is the commercial capital of the great Western District, and the central point of all the great avenues of communication.
Whitesborough, the next in magnitude, is less commercial, but excels in beauty and elegance. The Courts for Oneida County are held alternately here and at Rome. Here are 100 houses, on a street of 1 1/4 miles in length, and about 600 souls.
New Hartford is the finest farming village, and has its full share of trade, industry and useful arts.
Whitestown, including these Villages, stands unrivalled in the United States, in wealth, population, trade and improvements, among inland Towns of so recent settlement; and none in this State, of the same area, presents so great a population.
There are 7 principal churches; 1 Episcopal, 3 Presbyterian, 2 Baptist, in one of which the service is performed in the Welsh language, and one of Welsh Independents, beside some smaller houses dedicated to the same purpose. There are 3 grammar schools, one in each Village, and common school houses and school in convenient abundance. The manufacturing spirit has taken deep root in this Town. A cotton manufactory, on the Sadahqueda, has 523 spindles, (soon to be extended to 1000), and employs 200 families in picking cotton and 60 persons in the factory. This establishment belongs to the Oneida manufacturing society, incorporated, who connect also with a machine shop, trip-hammer, and accommodations for bleaching and dying. The New Hartford association has been organized with a capital of 200,000 pounds. A third Company with a capital of 300,000 pounds has commenced an establishment for a cotton and woolen factory, on the Oriskany, on a very large scale. Connected with this is an association for the propagation of valuable sheep; and a flock of 5000 already collected, among which are many merinos of different grades of blood. Six hundred acres of land, on the banks of the Mohawk, are appropriated to this purpose, and named Mount Merino. A fourth company is also formed, with a capital of 20,000 pounds, for weaving, dying, and finishing cloths. The numerous turnpikes and roads that centre in this Town, with the navigation of the Mohawk, etc, give great facility of communication, and indicate the growing importance of the place. This Town is considerably embellished in appearance, by many elegant seats of men of opulence, and elegant private mansions. The population of Whitestown, by the Census of 1810, 3,912. Two miles W. of New Hartford, is a pleasant collection of about 30 houses, called Middle Settlement.
Joanne Kujawski for becoming our archivist,
May Anne Buteux for agreeing to be our genealogy researcher,
Bob Jones for installing the telephone, fax machine and answering service.
Gerald Cunningham donated pictures dated 1905 of the Point School and St. Stephen’s Church. Also newspaper obituaries from the very early 1900’s , a 1946 whole page picture article about the town dog Rip, and 2 clippings regarding the Honor Roll, one of which is reproduced in this issue. This is New Hartford’s history. We thank Jerry for giving the articles and pictures to us.
Bill Fraser (NH Class of 1944) donated some 1931 pictures of Campion Road, a real addition to our archives. They are very much appreciated, Bill.
This picture is from Utica Daily Press dated Tuesday, July 6, 1943. The caption reads:
"This Honor Roll, containing the names of Town of New Hartford men in the armed services, will be dedicated at special services Sunday. The plaque, erected by the village on the lawn in the front of the grade school, Genesee and Paris Rd., lists more than 300 service men."
(Ed. Note) Despite a search conducted by the American Legion Post of New Hartford several years ago, the whereabouts of the plaque is unknown today.
The article was donated to us by Gerald Cunningham
December 2, 2004 Holiday Party and Pot Luck Supper at the Adult Dining and Recreation Center on Sherman Street in New Hartford 6:30 PM
January - no meeting
Sunday, February 6, 2005 Terry Kehoe "Abraham Lincoln" 2:00 PM at Kellogg Road Train Station
Sunday, March 6, 2005 Barbara Munde "Early History of New Hartford" 2:00 PM Train Station
Sunday, April 3, 2005 Bonnie Niles "Fashion Show" 2:00 PM Train Station 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 5, 2005 Mary Chapin "Susan B. Anthony"
7:00 PM Train Station
Thursday, June 2. 2005 Annual Meeting 7:00 PM Train Station
Sunday, June 12. 2005 Village Churches Tour - Time to be announced
The following is the obituary of C.O. Jones, prominent citizen of New Hartford who died in December, 1916. We are including this obituary because it is a part of New Hartford history, mentioning many references to names and places of other people in the area.
C.O. JONES DEAD IN NEW HARTFORD. VILLAGE LOSES FORMER PRESIDENT AND FOREMOST CITIZEN
Charles O. Jones, New Hartford’s best known citizen, was found dead in bed this morning at this home, 8 Oxford road. Death was due to asphyxiation. This morning some of the employees of the paper factory, in passing the room in which Mr. Jones slept, noticed that the odor of gas was unusually strong, and not seeing Mr. Jones around, they started to make an investigation. Rev. Edward I. Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in New Hartford, who lives next door, was attracted by the actions of the workmen and joined them. A step-ladder was procured and Rev. Mr. Campbell climbed to the top and gazing through the window of the kitchen, saw Mr. Jones lying on the cot in his room. The window was hastily broken by Robert S,. McMahon, one of the factory employees, and Rev.. Mr. Campbell crawled through. Mr. Jones was dead, evidently having died sometime early in the night.
Dr. Arthur P. Clarke, health officer of New Hartford, and Dr. S.R. Hart of the same village were summoned, but their services were of no avail. Dr. D.A. Mahady, coroner, also was summoned and made an investigation. Death was beyond doubt accidental.
Mr. Jones, who was at one time a trustee of the Presbyterian Church in New Hartford and who had always taken an active interest in the work of the church, had attended the Christmas exercises there last evening. He joined in the jollity of the occasion with apparent keen pleasure, and left for his home in the best of health and spirits. Thus the news of his death came as a great shock to the neighborhood.
Mr. Jones retired from the paper box business in New Hartford about three years ago, and had since been devoting most of his time in the interest of experimenting on the perfection of guns at the Johnston Machine Shop on Kellogg avenue, this city. No resident of New Hartford took a deeper interest in the welfare of the village than he. His long term of service as president of the village gained for him wide recognition. He was one of the most prominent members and workers in the Boosters’ Club of New Hartford, and four years ago on the occasion of his 70th birthday he was honored by his fellow boosters with a dinner at which he was presented with a solid gold watch.
Mr. Jones was married to Miss Margaret Miller, and her death last September affected him deeply. Only the other day he was doing some Christmas shopping in Utica, and on his return he appeared quite sad. When questioned by one of his neighbors he said that when he made purchase he turned around to speak to his wife, forgetting for the moment that she was not with him and usual, and he could not get over her loss.
Mr. Jones was born in North Wales, Dept. 30,1842. He came when a child to this country with his parents, first locating in New York and next at Oriskany. After two years residence in that village he moved to New Hartford and in the schools of the village his education was acquired. At the age of 10 he left school and found work in the rope factory in New Hartford at 50 cents a week. He was not tall enough to reach his work and a little frame was fitted up for him. From the rope factory he went to the cotton mill, where he earned $3.50 a week. In 1866 he started a cotton batting business in Franklin Springs and for 11 years conducted it, making an up-hill fight all the way. In 1877 he returned to New Hartford and engaged in the real estate and building business. Among the buildings he constructed was the Excelsior Canning Company’s plant, now occupied by the Illma Underwear Company, of which Mr. Jones was president and which is one of the prosperous concerns of the village.
In 1894 Mr. Jones became connected with the New Hartford Paper Box Factory and two years later was its sole owner. In addition to these enterprises he was also interested in the Pratt Chuck Works of Frankfort, and was financially connected with other concerns. In religion was a Presbyterian, in politics a Republican; in private life a citizen of spirit and worth; in social intercourse a good fellow, who enjoyed himself in his own way and who was broadminded enough to accord that privilege to others. Three times the village of New Hartford elected him president. Twice he had been postmaster and at one time held the position of town clerk. In all public movements for local improvements he took an active and very generally a leading part; and that New Hartford today is launched upon an era of expansion and progressiveness is due in no small measure to his energy.
Mr. Jones always attributed his success in life to the hard knocks he received and braved when young. Experience teaches, is an old saying, but the experience that is tinged with hardships leaves an indelible lesson. He lived a well ordered life. He never indulged in the use of intoxicants, never used tobacco, never sought relaxation in devious ways. Thus his well ordered living brought him ease in his old age, ease and happiness and contentment.
And now his life work is ended and he is traveling the long road to a far country, a road we must all travel in due time. But there are not many who will leave behind friendships as strong and true, deeds of kindness as bright and a name that will be held in as loving remembrance as that of "C.O." Jones.
Mr. Jones is survived by one son, Edward F. Jones; two sisters, Mrs. R. C,. West of Verona and Miss Elizabeth F. Jones of Worcester, Mass; and Thomas B. Jones of Burlington, Vt.; two nieces, Miss M.J. and Luella Space of this city, and a nephew, Clarence Space of Clinton.
(ed. note. This is not the entire obituary. It would take another page to reprint all of it, flowery language and all. Certainly Mr. Jones was held in high regard in the village of New Hartford.)
The Historical Society received the resignation of Nelli Perri as our archivist. We thank her for the job she has done since being appointed last spring. Regretfully she feels the pressure of other commitments makes it impossible to give the time to the job of archivist that is required. . This is an important part of the Society’s work and her decision is very understandable. No one knows the hours it takes until they try it.
We are grateful to Joanne Jukawski for stepping in to accept the position.
with a capital of 300,000 pounds has commenced an establishment for a cotton and woolen factory, on the Oriskany, on a very large scale. Connected with this is an association for the propagation of valuable sheep; and a flock of 5000 already collected, among which are many merinos of different grades of blood. Six hundred acres of land, on the banks of the Mohawk, are appropriated to this purpose, and named Mount Merino. A fourth company is also formed, with a capital of 20,000 pounds, for weaving, dying, and finishing cloths. The numerous turnpikes and roads that centre in this Town, with the navigation of the Mohawk, etc, give great facility of communication, and indicate the growing importance of the place. This Town is considerably embellished in appearance, by many elegant seats of men of opulence, and elegant private mansions. The population of Whitestown, by the Census of 1810, 3,912. Two miles W. of New Hartford, is a pleasant collection of about 30 houses, called Middle Settlement.
The Society will be raffling off this blue and white New Hartford Throw at our December Holiday Party. Tickets will be available at the November and December meeting. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Contact Judy Wenner if you are interested in tickets and cannot make it to our meetings.
FACTS ABOUT THE AMICABLE LODGE
From an address delivered by Rees G. Williams at the centennial of the town of New Hartford, June 27, 1888 these facts are taken.
April 16, 1792, the Grand Lodge of Masons in this state issued a warrant to establish a lodge in what was then Herkimer county. It was constituted under the name of Amicable Lodge and was situated at New Hartford. In 1792 there admitted to the privileges of the lodge Jedediah Sanger, Jared Crittenden, Isaac Jones, Jonas Platt, Arthur Breese, Benjamin Merrills, Elias Kane, Jesse Woodruff, Evans Wharry, Seth Ranney, Abijah Putnam and Michael Myers. The first officers were John Jordan Morgan, John Post and Michael Myers.
Morgan, master of the lodge, was born in New York November 7, 1768. In 1822 he was elected to Congress and he had served in the Assembly of the state and as collector of the port of New York. He was a vestryman of Trinity Church, New York, and wrote and spoke French. He had large holdings of land in Oneida, Herkimer and other counties. Gen. John A. Dix was his son-in-law. He built a summer residence between Clarksville and New Berlin and called it "Unadilla," and for 30 years he spent his summers there.
John Post, the first senior warden, was born December 28, 1748 and was the father of 11 children. His father was Elias, who was found dead in bed by his son John and Baron Steuben. His wife was a daughter of Colonel Bellinger, aid to General Herkimer.
Post was staff officer in the war of the Revolution and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne and the expedition of Sullivan. He was in the battle of Monmouth and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. In 1790 he came from Schenectady to Utica and was the first merchant in the village. He established a line of stage boats on the Mohawk River to run to Albany. They were the "Accommodation" and the "Diligence." Each had room for 20 passengers and the boats were propelled by means of poles. He also established a line of freight boats which carried produce to Schenectady,. He built a log house on the east side of Genesee Street, near the corner of Whitesboro Street. In 1791 he built a store at Genesee and Whitesboro Streets. He was the first postmaster of Utica and served many years. He bought lot 89 of Crosby's Manor, being 89 acres, in what is now the very heart of the city.
(The following information is from the archives at the Historical Society
)In January 1805, Post and others of Amicable Lodge petitioned the Grand Lodge to establish Oneida Lodge in Utica and it was granted. Post was its first master.
That first lodge lasted 49 years. Between 1841 and1868 the lodge was dissolved and later resumed in Washington Mills. This is the lodge that has continued to the present day.
In 1926 they built a temple on Oxford Road in New Hartford but, owing to the depression in 1929 they had to let it go. The lodge met in various places until the Zion Welsh Presbyterian Church on Pearl Street was purchased in 1941 and meetings have been held there ever since.
The Masonic Temple on Oxford Road. After 1941 it was the home of the Oneida County Extension Service for several years. The building was razed in the 1980’s and One Oxford Road building now occupies this space
Mary Anthony—New Hartford
Joseph & Mary Bolton—New Hartford
Ed and Carol Marley—Sauquoit
Dave & Doreen Reynolds—New Hartford
October 2004
Table of Contents
October Program
Prominent NH People From Yesterday
Open House Planned
We Now Have A Phone
Welcome New Members
Meeting News
Additions To The Archives
McLean House
A Treasure from our Archives
Memories from 1957
Condolences
Church Humor
October 2004 Program
Thursday, October 7, 2004 7:00 PM
Presented by Peter Bleiberg
Peter Bleiberg, a fellow member , has been collecting milk bottles since 1988. Although he had milk delivered to his home in New Jersey, he has no family connection to the dairy business but loves researching and looking for milk collectibles. Peter is a member of the National Association of Milk Bottle Collectors and is a past president of the Mohawk Valley Antique Bottle Club.. In addition to milk bottles he has an interest in railroads and is a member of the Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter of the National Railway Society. Peter moved to New Hartford in 1997 and presently works for Fiserv, Inc., a company that provides data processing services to the financial industry.
Our president Barbara Couture, at the dinner meeting, asked each of us to bring a friend to the next meeting. Folks, this is the next meeting—so bring a friend. Help our Society grow!
PROMINENT NH PEOPLE FROM YESTERDAY
(from Henry Hulburt's June 1888 New Hartford Centennial Speech)
On the corner of Genesee and South Street stands one of the most stately mansions ever built in New Hartford. It is now occupied by the McLean family. I am informed that it was built by Judge Sanger, but when I first knew anything about it, it was in the possession of Frederick Stanley. Mr. Stanley was a pleasant and courtly gentlemen of the old school. By his first marriage he had two children, a son and a daughter. His son, Henry, I never knew, for he died early, but a lady who knew him well told me that Henry Stanley was '*the handsomest and most accomplished young man in the county." His sister, Julia, married Daniel Stanton, the leading merchant in this place, if not in the whole county. Mr. Stanton was a gentleman of fine personal appearance, and of much more than ordinary culture of mind, and one of the best conversers I ever knew. He left New Hartford for a larger sphere of activity, and became a partner in the great auction house of Shotwell, Fox & Co., New York city, and there acquired a handsome fortune. After this he took his family to Europe and spent several years there to gratify his refined tastes.
Frederick Stanley's second wife bore him two children, Frederick and Mary Elizabeth. Mary Elizabeth became the second wife of Samuel A. Talcott, at the early age of sixteen. Mr. Talcott while practicing his profession in New Hartford was chosen Attorney General of the State, which office he held for eight years and then resigned to practice in New York city. I recollect hearing Judge Dean say that Chief Justice Marshall remarked at the conclusion of one of Mr. Talcott's arguments, that it was the ablest he had ever heard in that court. Such an opinion from such a source was the highest commendation any lawyer could possible receive.
Another prominent residence was that of Richard Sanger, at the head of the business street and recentlv known as the Golden place. (Ed. Note. This house was on the point where the point school building now stands.)
This is one of the few brick dwellings and was built and occupied by him for many years. He married the sister of Eli Butler and had three sons and one daughter. The sons afterwards engaged in business in Utica, Henry, the oldest becoming the teller in the Old Utica Bank, and Gerry and Richard engaged in the hardware business. .
Doctor Charles Babcock, one of the "beloved physicians," resided in the house next beyond Mr. Sanger's on the Seneca turnpike road. He had two sons, Pratt and William. Both of them went west to seek their fortunes.
A little beyond Dr. Babcock's stands the former fine resident of John H. Lothrop. He married the daughter of the well known and venerated Kirkland of Clinton. Mr. Lothrop, though bred a lawyer, became the cashier of the Ontario Branch Bank in Utica, and continued in this position until his death. His youngest daughter, Frances, married Professor John H. Lathrop of Hamilton College, and afterwards President of the University of Missouri, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, President of the Indiana State University, and again President of the University of Missouri, in which office he died.
Opposite Mr. Lothrop's house is the one long occupied by Judge James Dean, the eldest son of James Dean, the founder of the town of Westmorland. Judge Dean was the first white boy born in Oneida County. He was a man of excellent character and of dignified deportment, and was honored with different offices by his fellow citizens, such as County Clerk, County Judge and as a Member of the Legislature.
On the other side of his residence are the dwellings of Jacob and Lewis Sherrill, which are still occupied by some of their descendants. These gentlemen were not only wealthy persons, but were also interested in the manufacturing interests of the town.
In the rear of Mr. Lothrop's residence, on the high ground, on the back road to Clinton, stands the house long occupied by Rev. Noah Coe, pastor of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Coe was a man who commanded general respect for his unswerving integrity, dignified manners and devotion to his master's service. His wife was the sister of Professor Goodrich of Yale College. His brother married the daughter of Noah Webster, the celebrated lexicographer. Mr. Coe had three children—two sons and a daughter. Charles, the eldest son, was a schoolmate of mine. He was a remarkably bright boy—but so high spirited he could not brook the restraints of home and took a sudden departure for the west, to the great grief of his parents and friends. The only news they ever had of him afterwards was that his clothes were found torn and scattered in the wilds of Wisconsin, leading to the sad conclusion that he had been killed by wild beasts
General Joseph Kirkland lived on South Street, also in the house on main street, now occupied by Francis Butler. He removed to Utica at an early day and became one of the most prominent men oi the place. He was a man of courteous manners and dignified bearing, interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of the town, and ever ready to assume any burdens his fellow citizens might impose upon him. He was chosen to be the first mayor of the city of Utica, and while holding this office, the dreaded Asiatic cholera made its first appearance here. The citizens generally fled in terror to other places, all business, excepting that of the physician and apothecary, was suspended. But General Kirkland stood manfully at his post through the dread ordeal, and issued daily bulletins for the information of those who were away from the stricken city. General Kirkland was blessed with a large family. His eldest son, Charles P. was a prominent lawyer, both in Utica and New York City. William, another son, devoted his life to the cause of education, and four of the daughters married men in the legal profession, three of whom were afterwards members of Congress, and one also a Judge of the Supreme Court of this State.
William H. Maynard was one of the ablest men that ever graced the Oneida bar, and was as prominent as a political thinker as he was in the legal profession. But he was cut off in his prime. As a member of the State Senate, he attended the Court of Corrections of Errors in the city of New York just as the cholera began to make its appearance, there, and he became one of its early victims. As he had no family he left in his will of $20,000 to endow a professorship of Law and Political Economy in Hamilton College; and his mortal remains now lie deposited by the side of the revered Kirkland and iothers in the cemetery on College Hill. I should also like to speak of the Seward and Williams and other families that once lived in New Hartford and afterwards gained prominent positions in the business circles of Utica, but my limits forbid.
Come and view the new headquarters at 2 Paris Road (the Point School Building) on Sunday, October 17 from 2-4 pm. Board members will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will be served. We hope to see a lot of members there!
The New Hartford Historical Society's phone and fax number is 724-7258
The Oneida County Historians Association met at our new headquarters on Sunday afternoon on September 12. This organization gets together to exchange information about what is going on in the various historical associations in the county. Barbara Munde and Barbara Couture presented their program on the history of New Hartford and farms of the area. Florence Bourdon provided cookies for the meeting and Kevin Markam, President of the Association, brought a cake.
We've had a rich month of donations for our collections.
Bill Riley of Alexandria, Va sent a packet of articles, obituaries, high school diplomas, American Emblem snapshots, wedding snapshots of a classmates nuptials, grade school classmate pictures, etc.
Beverly Kolb Hawes of Hayward, Wisconsin stopped in while visiting her sister Phyllis Smith to bring us copies of pictures of Campion Road and Genesee Street taken in the 40's and 50's that her brother. Joe Kolb, had given her years ago. New Hartford has surely changed!
Whitesboro Historical Society presented us with booklets about the history of Whitesboro.
Bob Dicker donated a khaki colored cloth military bucket from World War II which is on display in our rooms.
Joe Bottinl gave us maps of New Hartford and some film strips that he used while teaching. Kevin Kelly donated some maps of New Hartford.
New Hartford Presbyterian Church gave us an old picture album, a book listing names of people attending the 1888 New Hartford Centennial, newspaper clippings of a town dog, etc. All were found when clearing out some things that have accumulated at the church.
This is the McLean House. It is reported to be Ganger's home. It might well have been the original Sanger home, for it was a beautiful location, and faced upon the green of the Village
church. It was on the corner of Genesee Street and South Street (Oxford Road), The main part of the house was a full three stories, yet it had been built to look like a two and a half story house. It was set in a large lawn and shaded
by great elm trees. The service section of the house was an ell which extended to the east. In this section were to be found the large kitchen and pantries, the cool room, probably the laundry, then called the wash room, the woodshed
and possibly a shop for the care and storage of gardening tools. It was later owned by Charles McLean, a prosperous business man who was instrumental in establishing some of the local factories on the Sauquoit.
Upon the settlement of the McLean estate the property was sold to the Amicable Lodge of Masons and the house, in which the original Amicable Lodge #25 was formed on April 6,1792, was torn down to make room for a more modern and suitable Masonic Temple. That building was later purchased by Oneida County and became the of site of all rural and agricultural departments and activities of the County. When they moved out the building was empty for several years until the town purchased it and tore it down in 1985.
Today One Oxford Road building occupies the space.
We wish we could tell you just what year this article was printed but we don't know. We do know that buildings burned at least twice that occupied this space, once on June 29, 1841 and again in early 1900. This article claims the building is over 100 years old.
This is the kind of research we hope to be able to under-take now that we are in our new headquarters. We know the history is there in a file folder but we have to find out which one!
(information from "Rambling Tales of a Rambling Town" by George Smith.)
Editor's note: We have come across some very interesting items while going through cabinets in the process of getting our headquarters ready to occupy. One such archive was a copy of "The Monthly Dividend", a New Hartford newspaper written in 1858. We have in our possession Vol. 1, No. 1 dated August 2, 1858. It apparently was the property of Mrs. Vern Hackett of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin who was the granddaughter of John E. Burton—1847-1930, a gentleman who lived in New Hartford and took those remarkable pictures that we have reproduced for you from time to time. Here are three items from that paper. I hope you share our delight in the way people wrote in those days.
THE MONTHLY DIVIDEND
Vo. 1 No. 1
Major General R.U .Sherman
In calling attention to the fact of the General being now an established resident in our midst, we congratulate the town upon the accession to it social and progressive strength. From the General's knowledge of the world, gentlemanly urbanity of manners, happy disposition and abilities, he is just the man to benefit the community in which he resides. We hail his advent among us as an avant courier of the "good time coming". As a man of the times and a friend of progress in the right direction, we sincerely trust to see him, here as elsewhere, take the position he is so ably and naturally qualified to fulfill, viz: that of a leading man. Boys, make room for the General! May his shadow never be less.
Question?
Why is there not a pound in the village? An enterprising man or boy could realize a competence in a short time, by impounding stray cattle and horses at a shilling a head. In our opinion, mottled sidewalks are not a whit superior to clean ones of an uniform color; and it is extremely disagreeable in walking with a young lady, (we speak of others, for ourselves we are unfortunate in this respect,) to have every few minutes to shock her delicate nerves by projecting a shout and a stone at some lazy cow extended over the walk—to say nothing of having to "unlink" every two rods, in avoiding innumerable diminutive odoriferous mounds.
Possible Mistake
It has, we believe, been preached from a certain pulpit in this town, that the minister is the representative on earth of the Creator. This in our humble opinion, is a mistaken idea. We recollect reading in an old German work some years ago that "if the Creatoi had a representative on earth, it was the mother"
This idea appears to us more consonant with all true conception of the divine and beautiful. What typifies the Creator's great goodness and care for us, if it be not the mother's watchful affection and care for her offspring? Who suffers for and with us. if it be not out mother? Whose beacon is it that warns our youthful inexperience, and to which the prodigal and wanderer's weary eyes will ever tura if it be not a mother's dying love*/ There was never a heart so barren bu1 what it contained one green spot consecrated to a mother's holy memory, With every respect for the ministry, with a high admiration of their office, and a just appreciation of the greal good they do—with doffed hat we exclaim "our mothers before our ministers!"
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It is with a very sad heart that we say goodbye to Ken Kazanjian, our friend and treasurer, who died on September 28. Everyone who knew Ken was enriched by his friendship. He was a dedicated teacher for many years, a tireless member of the New Hartford Board of Education, and a caring son to his mother, Nellie. His interest in history was evident by the many years he spent as President and Board members of the Oneida County Historical Society. He was a charter member of our Society.
We are going to miss him very much.
In his memory donations can be made to the Kazanjian Family Scholarship Fund, c/o the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, 1222 State St., Utica, NY 13502.
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances." During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more please stand up." At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner." And that is how the substitute organist became the regular organist!
September 2004
Table of Contents
September Program
The "Apple Lift"
Requests
A New Year
In The News
Error?
Munde & Couture Give History Talk
Welcome To New Members
Thank You
Old Landmark Falls To Progress
No Date Was on this Clipping
I Owe My Mother
September 2004 Program
THURSDAY, September 2, 2004
First United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee Street, New Hartford
6:00 PM Social Hour—6:45 Roast Pork Dinner Cost: $ 8.50 per person
"General Daniel Butterfield; Civil War General" - Frank Tomaino
Frank Tomaino, a native Utican, graduated from Utica College in 1961. He was city editor of the Observer Dispatch for 25 years. In his retirement he writes the "This Week In Mohawk Valley History" column in the Sunday paper. He is a board member of the Oneida County Historical Society.
The title of his talk is "General Daniel Butterfield; Civil War General". Daniel Butterfield was a very colorful person, the third son of John Butterfield who built the Butterfield House in Utica. This is an interesting subject and we promise you an entertaining evening.
During the second year of the Civil War a new regiment was recruited in Oneida County. The War department gave it the number 117 but local people referred to it as the "Fourth Oneida." This regiment served well in Virginia and on the sea islands of South Carolina. At the latter place occurred the "apple lift".
In 1863 the boys were stationed on a sandy island just outside of Charleston Harbor, not far from Fort Sumter. One boy wrote home "the worst of it is one can get nothing on the Island except wormy, moldy hard tack and boiled meat. Orders are published forbidding men broiling or frying meat." Some general thought broiling or frying cause dysentery.
With such reports coming home to Oneida County it occurred to a farmer back home to ship some apples to the boys. The idea caught on and someone made arrangements (maybe our Congressman) for transportation.
They collected the apples at the Utica’s Union Station and from there the shipment went to New York and from there by Army supply to the "Fourth Oneida."
One soldier wrote back: "Our regiment has just received 65 barrels of apples from friends in Oneida County. They are very nice and just what we needed. Each company has 5 barrels and each man has his ration every day…" The lift was a big success.
Some of the soldiers from New Hartford in this regiment were named: Balcome, farmer; Mylan, laborer; Fairhead, teacher; Allen, spinner; Fairhead, farmer; Finch, carpenter; Drew, farmer; Mateson, farmer; Sherwood, clerk; Gallagher, labor. Many New Hartford men were in other regiments.
(This article was written by Harry Jackson and appeared in the February 1987 edition of the Tally-Ho!)
In June we received a request from Bill Severn of Nashua, NH asking for a picture of the gas station that was located on the corner of Campion Road and Genesee Street in the 30’s to 50’s. We have found ads in the old "Town Crier" published by Ted Gurley and Ed Juergensen but are unable to find a picture in our archives. Does anyone have one? Bill Severn would be delighted. He is a 1950 graduate of New Hartford High School and lived at 46 Hillside Ave. Maybe some of you remember him.
Also a request from a Chadwicks resident for a picture of the Old Spain Hotel that was torn down to make way for the new fire station. Anyone have a picture? The NHHS would love one for our archives, too.
At our June meeting a new slate of officers and board members was presented and voted on:
President—Barbara Couture
Vice President—Burke Muller
Secretary—Judith Wenner
Treasurer—Ken Kazanjian
Trustee for 3 years—Arthur Baker
Trustee for 3 years—Jim Spellman
Trustee for one year to fill out term of Burke Muller—Barbara Munde
Nelli Perri was appointed as archivist.
Continuing on the board Robert Jones and Elaine Kelsey.
We have had work sessions this summer on the new rooms in the old Point School.. The walls have been painted and a new carpet installed. Shelves have been cleaned and furniture rearranged. Plans are being made for the rooms to be opened to the public a least one day a week and we hope to have a grand opening in the fall.
This has been an exciting time for all of us and we start this new year full of hope that the Society will finally be able to fulfill its promise as a integral part of the Town of New Hartford.
On Wednesday, June 20, 2004, New Hartford Police Chief Ray Philo, fellow member of the New Hartford Historical Society, was honored at a ceremony celebrating his 25 years of service on behalf of the citizens of New Hartford. He has served on the Force since June, 1979 and as chief since 1995. We are indebted to him for his commitment to the safety of this community. Congratulations, Ray!
It has come to our attention, through Bill Severn from Nashua, NH who sent us an original copy of "The Romantic History of Old New Hartford", that we may have attributed the authorship of that publication to the wrong person. According to Bill, and according to the copy of the paper that he sent us, it was compiled by Mrs. Ruth B. Mellen and Mrs. Wilma Collins from 1937 to 1940. Ruth Mellen was the mother of Ray Mellen (NH class of ‘52) and Candice Mellen. They lived in the Hicks House across from St. Stephen’s church on Oxford Road.
Wilma Collin's was the mother of Ted Collins (NH class of 48 or 49 & Colgate University). They lived in the house on the corner of Park St and Oxford that was moved to Reservoir Road in Clayville when the new fire station was built.
Inked in the margin of this copy are some comments and corrections made by someone who read over the paper.
So, perhaps Laura Day Cookinham was not the author. Sometimes history is confusing. Whoever wrote the paper we are glad it was written as it contains priceless information about New Hartford.
BARB MUNDE & BARBARA COUTURE GIVE HISTORY TALK AT UTICA MONDAY NITE.
On Monday, July 19, 2004 Barb Munde presented a talk at the Oneida County Historical Society on the early history of New Hartford. It was a lecture with transparencies of many of the older homes, churches, schools, mills, roads and businesses at the turn of the century. Some of the transparencies were made from old postcards, and some were made from the John Burton photographs that are in our archives. Around 50 people were present to hear the half hour talk.
At the conclusion Barbara Couture talked about her life living on a farm in New Hartford. She had poster boards of pictures of some farms and material relating to the dairy industry. Also, she was able to present to the public a copy of her new book "Farmlands of New Hartford".
The book is a wonderful compilation of 54 farms that were in the town of New Hartford at the turn of the century with pictures and text. The book sells for $15.00 a copy and will be on sale at the dinner in September. You have to see it to appreciate all the hard work that went into it and the wonderful job that Hamilton College did in publishing it. Barbara has material for a second book that she hopes to bring out in another year.
Mr. & Mrs. John T. Hart, New Hartford
Florence Bourdon, New Hartford
Leah Gadlow—New York City
On June 14, 2004 we received a generous donation in memory of Mary Louise Shepard Quayle from her sister Catharine Ruch of Modesto, CA. Catharine, who is a member of the New Hartford Historical Society, made this contribution because of the news that we are moving into permanent quarters in the Point School. Her thoughtfulness will help us purchase some of the things we need now that we are going to become operational. Thank you, Catharine.
Hopefully the rooms will be ready to have open by the fall.
This clipping is from the July 18, 1948 edition of the Observer Dispatch. The building pictured was on the corner where the Fleet Bank is now located. Under the picture was this legend.
OLD LANDMARK FALLS TO PROGRESS in New Hartford as former hotel of stage coach days is razed, along with adjoining gasoline station, to make way for the new Packard salesrooms of Chamberlain-Thurston Motor Corp, next to Post Office. (ed. Note: Butler Hall) The Pelnik Wrecking Company is tearing down the two buildings and next week the foundation will be started for a concrete and steel structure costing between $10,000 and $15,000, with a frontage of 44 feet on Genesee St. in that village. The company has the Packard agency for Utica and two-thirds of Oneida County.
In 1800 the Seneca Road Company was chartered with a capital of $100,000 to improve the Genesee Road as far as Canandaigua, creating the "Seneca Turnpike". The charter required a surface 28 feet wide crowned in the center and sloping 20 inches to the sides. Jedediah Sanger was a stockholder in this venture and persuaded the company to run the improved road through New Hartford instead of to the north which was a great boon to the village and did much to spur its early growth.
This was just one of many hotels that were In New Hartford, built to accommodate passengers on the stages that ran on the turnpike.. Across the street from this hotel was another one situated next to what is now Blimpy’s. On the corner of Campion and Genesee was the Williams Hotel, later the New Hartford Hotel. Up Genesee at Seneca Turnpike was the Palmer’s Inn. In Washington Mills, where McDonalds is now located was the Durrenbeck Hotel, an inn for stagecoach passengers on the Bridgewater Pike plank road (now Oneida Street).
No date was on this clipping. But it has to be 1943 or a few years after. Does anyone have better information? Let us know at 737-8216.
My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
My mother taught me LOGIC. "Because I said so, that’s why."
My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me."
My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident."
My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about."
My mother taught me GENETICS. "You’re just like your father".
May Program
The Underground Railroad in Oneida County
Little Nameplate Is Big Business
John E. Burton Pictures From 1896
About The John E. Burton Pictures
Coming Down
Day School Leased For New Institute
Inns Of The Area In 1800
Welcome To New Member
SAN JUAN HILL
Speaker: Dr. James Pula, Dean of Continuing Education at Utica College
The May 6, 2004 meeting of the New Hartford Historical Society will feature a program by Dr. James Pula, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education at Utica College. Dr. Pula received his baccalaureate degree from SUNY-Albany and attended the University of Maryland and Purdue University where he received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. He is the author and editor of more than a dozen books and, among numerous other honors, was twice awarded the prestigious Oskar Halecki Prize for outstanding historical research. His talk will trace the beginning and course of the Spanish American War focusing on Theodore Roosevelt’s role and the culminating event at San Juan Hill for which TR was later awarded the Medal of Honor. It is a multimedia presentation with quite a few photographs, drawings, etc.
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN ONEIDA COUNTY
The program that Jan DeAmicis presented in April was well attended and very interesting. Jan left us the following information relating specifically to the safe homes in New Hartford.
The Eames Mansion, 76 Oxford Road, built around 1830 . Sold to Richard Cook and Simon Gray in 1862. It has changed hands several times (including Silas Root and Charles S. Roberts). Owned by Dr. Edward Bradley. There are rumors of secret passageways and hidden (fugitive) slave quarters. Nothing can be found in the house today to substantiate these rumors. A few hiding places for material wealth are in the home, however. The bottom tread of the attic stairs opens up like a trunk top and covers a storage box beneath. It is believed that here was the hiding place for the Eames family silver.
There was a letter found under that attic floorboards by owners Deana and John Segal in March, 2001.
"Manlius, November 14, 1854. To Rev. R. Cook, Oneida: Brother Cook, I have seen sister Johnson. She says she thinks she can come and wishes to know when and the route. Yours truly, Phebe Powell. P.S. Love to all your family."
This may have been from someone helping slaves get to freedom.
Abdullah’s farm, Middle Settlement Road, house perhaps has tunnels.
A house on Upper Snowden Hill Road on the right side of Snowden Hill after the intersection with Red Hill may have been a safe house.
The house on Oxford Road across from where the Player’s Theater used to be that was owned at one time by Henry Dorrence is another possibility of a route stop.
The Chenango Turnpike
At the 24th session of the NY State Legislature on March 30, 1801, Chapter 92 of the laws of that year was passed creating the Chenango Turnpike Company. Joseph Kirkland, Jedediah Sanger, Isaac Foote and several others were designated as the original officers and directors. They were named "for the purpose of making a good and sufficient road from the dwelling house of Benjamin Wilson in the town of Oxford in the County of Chenango, the nearest and most direct route as far as circumstances will admit of, through the towns of Norwich, Sherburn, Hamilton, Sangerfield and Paris to intersect the Genesee Turnpike road at or near the house of Jedediah Sanger, esquire in Whitestown, and shall be and hereby are created and made a corporation and body politic in fact and in name, by the name of the Presidents, Directors and Company of the Chenango Turnpike Road."
The part of the proposed road within the village of New Hartford is now Oxford Road. It has been known at various times as The Oxford Turnpike, the Road leading from New Hartford to Bridgewater, the South Road, and South Street. Jedediah Sanger’s house used to stand at the southeast corner of Oxford Road and Genesee Street.
The following are excerpts from an article that appeared in the Observer Dispatch of 1954.
In New Hartford, 800 miles from General Motor’s huge Oldsmobile assembly plant, local craftsmen are playing a key role in one of America’s great industrial miracles...the race that is Detroit’s annual automotive changeover. At the American Emblem Company, expert toolmakers and die sinkers have recently completed tooling up for American Emblem’s part in this complex wonder of industrial teamwork.
Plans for the Emblem’s part (two 3-inch nameplates) started in January when Emblem engineers were asked to quote prices. Climax of the local plant’s work will be this fall when the plant will be producing finished chrome-plated nameplates for 1955 autos at the rate of 550 per hour.
Think a nameplate is an insignificant part? At the American Emblem sales department, they'll disagree. They’ll argue that a 20-cent nameplate on a $3,000 car is the most practical item that Oldsmobile buys for its money. A quality nameplate, well designed and well executed, is a product's center of interest. The Emblem expects there will be orders for at least a half million of these plates within the next three months.
Another indication that General Motors doesn’t consider a nameplate insignificant is apparent in that no single firm is entrusted with the complete supply of nameplates. Identical orders for tooling have been issued to the New Hartford firm’s closest competitor. And Emblem production men know that one slip-up in this order might mean that the major part of this production will go to the competitor..
Technology is a big factor in the nameplate business. In bidding in the highly competitive field, the company this year has had to sharpen its pencil. On the Oldsmobile job it figured that special new automatic polishing equipment was necessary to even compete. The day the order arrived from Detroit, the company rushed to phone around the corner to Divine Brothers Manufacturing Company, placing an immediate order for special automatic polishing equipment. Thus the long arm of Detroit’s many-faceted operations reached out in still another way to aid Utica’s economic prosperity.
The nameplates that move out of the plant are nearly all made of brass or other copper alloys. Brass is chosen for its workability and its finishing properties. To achieve a gold effect, Emblem craftsmen use a first cousin of common brass, known in the trade as rich-lo, which has a slightly higher copper content. Nameplates and trim are also made from stainless steel, aluminum bronze, and gilding metal.
JOHN E. BURTON PICTURES FROM 1896
"The old Geordie Patterson home, corner of Mill Lane." ( ed. Note This is the road next to the Baptist Church that leads to the arterial off Oxford Road). "He was a Scotchman and friend of Father’s and kept a shoe store. "
"The Augustus Hulbert corner, next to the old village school house on Park Place. He’s the man who gave me candy for honesty in returning too much change given me when a small boy."
(Ed. Note: This is Oxford Road just before Park Street. The village park in on the right. The house pictured was moved to Reservoir Road, Sauquoit, in 1973 when the new fire house was built.)
January 10, 1966 was the date of this item by Geraldine Frisbie in the O.D. Following are excerpts from her article which appeared under the picture.
The Sauquoit Valley Arterial is going to change a good part of New Hartford’s Genesee Street business section. The $8.5 million project will cross Genesee Street and take a chunk of land now housing six commercial buildings.
Residents of 1 through 7 Genesee St. will have to vacate present business headquarters by the end of April. Work on the road project is to begin sometime in the middle of April.
The largest of the firms affected is Winn’s Furniture Store, 2 Genesee St. The store has been at its present location for the past 12 years.
The largest building to be cleared is the vacated American Emblem Co., 4 Genesee St. The state purchased the property in 1963 in advance of building the arterial. American Emblem was sold to an out-of-state firm.
The building at 1 Genesee St. owned by Harold F. King, houses a number of small businesses; the New Hartford Barber Shop, John and Lyse Beauty Salon, and G & H Washer and Appliance Store.
The New Hartford Food Center, 7 Genesee St., may relocate in the former Players Theater building at 12 Genesee St.
Ferris Liquor Store will move to 14 Genesee St and share the building with the Lincoln Cleaners Pick Up Store.
ABOUT THE JOHN E. BURTON PICTURES
The New Hartford Historical Society has a collection of pictures taken by John E. Burton, a young man who was a cobbler and lived in New Hartford. He moved out west in later years. In the late 1800’s he came back to this area to visit and took some wonderful pictures of New Hartford. He wrote captions under each of them and named people who were in the picture.
Unfortunately, many of the pictures of houses that he took refer to the people who lived in them at the time of his youth and they are hard to pinpoint today.
It would be a wonderful project for someone to take the John E. Burton pictures and research them and place some of the homes in the New Hartford of today. Some of our old maps may have names of property owners.
It is a possibility for someone out there to undertake to do this after we get settled in our quarters in the Point Apartments and unpack some more boxes to have access to more material. Any takers?
Any takers?
which appeared under the picture.
January 10, 1966 was the date of this item by Geraldine Frisbie in the O.D. Following are excerpts from her article
The Sauquoit Valley Arterial is going to change a good part of New Hartford’s Genesee Street business section. The $8.5 million project will cross Genesee Street and take a chunk of land now housing six commercial buildings.
Residents of 1 through 7 Genesee St. will have to vacate present business headquarters by the end of April. Work on the road project is to begin sometime in the middle of April.
The largest of the firms affected is Winn’s Furniture Store, 2 Genesee St. The store has been at its present location for the past 12 years.
The largest building to be cleared is the vacated American Emblem Co., 4 Genesee St. The state purchased the property in 1963 in advance of building the arterial. American Emblem was
sold to an out-of-state firm.
The building at 1 Genesee St. owned by Harold F. King, houses a number of small businesses; the New Hartford Barber Shop, John and Lyse Beauty Salon, and G & H Washer and Appliance Store.
The New Hartford Food Center, 7 Genesee St., may relocate in the former Players Theater building at 12 Genesee St.
Ferris Liquor Store will move to 14 Genesee St and share the building with the Lincoln Cleaners Pick Up Store.
(The following is from Vol. 1, No. 2 issue of the New Hartford Historical Society newsletter written in 1976, most probably by Kenneth Fuller, the editor at that time.)
Inns were busy places in New Hartford in early 1800. Bustle of arrival and departure with a crack of a whip, hostlers busy hitching and unhitching the tired and sweaty horses. Old inns combined functions of a motel-bus station and political meeting house. Besides legitimate customers there were loafers, and on rainy days men assembled to play games of skill and strength.
Here men gathered to pitch quoits, engage in turkey shoots, and to take part in lotteries. Around 1800 travelers had to sleep double, in threes, or even fours. Foreign travelers complained bitterly about having to double up with strangers in beds of early American Inns. There was little chance of getting a room by yourself or a lock on your door. Posted on one tavern were these rules:
Bundling was not as extensive in New York as it was in Pennsylvania and New England states.
Ruth Gawlas—New Hartford
April Program
As I Remember New Hartford Around 1900
Charles Hunziker—People Worth Knowing
Jedediah Sanger
Dr. Baker To Fill Out Term
New To Our Archives
Restoration of Ancient Cemetery
Dear God,— From Children
APRIL PROGRAM
SUNDAY, April 4, 2004
2:00 P.M
Community Building (Train Station) , Washington Mills
"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN ONEIDA COUNTY"
Jan DeAmicis, Utica College professor since 1977, is a graduate of Dartmouth and has a PHD from University of Massachusetts/Amherst. His research interest is in racial and cultural minorities, with a focus on African Americans in Oneida County. He has published in New York Life and History, volumes 21 and 27 and is publishing a book called "Born in Slavery": The Underground Railroad in Oneida County. This will be an interesting program about a little known subject.
Please Note. This will be our last Sunday afternoon program. May 6 & June 3 meetings will be on Thursday night at 7:00
AS I REMEMBER NEW HARTFORD AROUND 1900
By Leroy Seeman
(
This article is from the May 1976 Newsletter of the New Hartford Historical Society)All the roads around New Hartford were dirt and mighty muddy in the springtime. The first street to be paved was Oxford Road around 1915. A group of Indians were brought in from the St. Regis Reservation at Ogdensburg to work on this project. They mixed all the concrete by hand and hung around the village park to relax as all of us youngsters looked at them as we had never seen real Indians before. Genesee Street was paved with yellow bricks.
The firemen were always helpful to us kids in New Hartford. In the winter they wet down all of Sanger Avenue from water tower to cotton mill on Daly Place so we could slide down this long hill. Often we had bobsleds that held ten youngsters, and how we did go down past Hartford Terrace, Pearl Street right down to Sauquoit Creek! Nothing like it before or since.
In summer we swam in Sauquoit Creek at the head gates, (now Gateshead Road) which controlled the waters that fed the cotton mill which stood at the end of Daly Place.
Charley Jones had the first automobile in New Hartford and boy how we did admire that one cylinder Cadillac that shone and scared horses! Jones kept this car in the Presbyterian church horse sheds which faced Pearl Street. There were a dozen horse sheds here where people kept horses when they attended the village churches.
The New Hartford trolley turned around at the Yahunundasis Golf Club and often got stuck going up Genesee in winter after heavy snows. At one time there were four trolleys stuck there for several days.
The village kids attended the Point School for grades 1-12 and the older kids came to school on milk wagons from Washington Mills, Capron and the Middlesettlement area. There were about 15 rural schools for the younger ones in the town of New Hartford at that time. The high school kids worked at the caning factory in the summertime, and often many families in the area would take bushels of beans home to snip off ends to make a little extra to add to the family income. They canned corn and peas, as well as beans, at the canning factory, and Erle Cookenham’s father was superintendent of the factory . In getting to work at the canning factory we all rode bicycles or walked. There was a cinder path all along Oxford Road for bicycles as here ladies could ride and their dresses wouldn’t scare horses along the roadway.
CHARLES HUNZIKER—PEOPLE WORTH KNOWING
(
Excerpts from an Observer Dispatch article —no date but probably around 1947)
For the first time in 46 consecutive years Charles Hunziker, 6 Oxford Road, New Hartford, known to three
generations in that village as "Charlie" won’t be returning to school this September.
Those 46 years cover his service as chief janitor in the village schools. He never begrudged a minute of it, from the time the ‘new school’ was built on Genesee Street point in 1901, to his final day at the Junior-Senior High School, Oxford Road, last spring.
"A man, " he’ll tell you," who finds himself loafing, after he’s worked steady at one job for 46 years, seven days a week, has a problem on his hands. Yes, sir, a problem. You feel as lost as an orphan in a snowstorm."
Bouts with pneumonia and flu, some time ago, left Hunziker’s heart "a little mite out of kilter." His school work wasn’t in the picture any longer, the doctor told him.
In 1901, the time the Paris Road school , was built, Hunziker, who had helped with the finishing touches, stayed on as chief janitor. That job was amplified first along by similar duties in the New Hartford fire house, Post Office and Presbyterian Church. After the Junior-Senior High School was built in 1932, Charlie was appointed chief janitor there, although he continued his supervision of janitor work in the grade school.
In the 46 years, which now seem to him to have passed like a breeze, Charlie missed only two high school graduating exercises in the village. Throughout his entire career it can be said that he never had an enemy among New Hartford’s young people. Rather, he has been a prime favorite with all of them.
His responsibilities included tending the boilers which heat the huge building, a job which included the shoveling of about 50 carloads of coal in the course of a year; keeping the entire school swept, dusted, picked up and shining; washing the windows; mowing the expanse of lawn around the school in the summer, and shoveling the walks in winter.
Charlie’s days, in the late fall and throughout the winter, invariably began at 3 a.m. On the nights where there were dances or basketball games in the school gym he stayed on often until after 1 a.m., keeping a stern eye on everything and doing any necessary post-party cleaning.
One of Hunziker’s closest friends for years was "Rip", the famous St. Bernard, now dead, who belonged to all of New Hartford. Rip used to accompany Charlie to school mornings, calling for him long before dawn. He’d go down into the boiler room with the janitor, giving every evidence that he felt he was essential to the job there. Then he’d make the rounds of the school rooms with Charlie.
Once, taken ill at the school, Hunziker, hanging onto a chunk of Rip’s thick fur coat, was literally dragged by the St. Bernard down Oxford Road, silent and deserted, to his home. Confined to his bed for a time, Charlie could count on Rip’s turning up at the house every forenoon, to enquire about his condition. That this was accomplished through a worried look in the great dog’s eyes and a swishing tail, as he stood at Charlie’s bedside, gave the attention an especial sincerity.
Hunziker’s background on the paternal side is Swiss. His father was the late Jacob Hunziker, a respected resident of New Hartford for many years, who before coming to this country, had been an officer in the Swiss Army.
Charlie was born in a house on Oxford Road, once known as South Street, when there were only scattered residences in that locality. He attended a school on Park Street where the fire engine house is located (ed. note-former firehouse) and one where the New Hartford Bank now stands. He has occupied his present home for about 29 years. Once when his 10 children, 8 of whom are living, were home, the place rang with life. Mrs. Hunziker, who was Catherine O’Neill, died 11 years ago and all but one of the children, Catherine, who lives with her father, have homes elsewhere. One of his son’s, Irving, and three of his 15 grandchildren, saw service in the war.
"Hobbies—Me?" Find a new interest? Sure, I’ll do that. But it’ll take a little time, after I get rested, the doctor says. The thing I like best right now is to have the kids stop and chew the rag with me."
In May, 1939, Ted Gurley and Ed Juergensen published a village newspaper called the "Town Crier". They put out an issue called Yesteryear in New Hartford. The following are excerpts from that issue.
Jedediah Sanger—1751-1829
Jedediah Sanger, founder of New Hartford, was the foremost citizen of our village in the early days of its settlement. He did everything any man could possibly do to build a community so that our generation and generations to come would have an ideal place to live.
Judge Sanger was associated with every good thing in New Hartford—-its churches, its newspapers, its farms, its manufactures; filling most every one of the public positions with honor and efficiency. He died June 6, 1829. The members of his family raised a cenotaph in the Episcopal Church, with the inscription: "Sacred to the memory of Jedediah Sanger: Born Feb. 29, 1751; died June 6, 1829. "He being dead, yet speaketh."
If he were only living today to see the progress New Hartford has made, he would be justly proud of his many endeavors.
We have secured a letter actually written by Jedediah Sanger in 1805. It reads:
"Know all men by these present that I, Jedediah Sanger of Whitestown, County of Oneida and State of New York, in consideration of one dollar to me in hand paid by Peter Hull of Whitestown aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. Do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Peter Hull, his heirs and assigns forever, all my right, title, and interest, in and to one half of Pew number forty in the meeting house of the First Religious Society in Whitestown aforesaid. To have and to hold the said half of Pew number 40, together with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said Peter his heirs and assigns, to the only use and behoof forever. Subject nevertheless to such assessment as shall be necessary to keep the said meeting house in good repair forever, in proportion to the price said Pew was originally voted for by the Trustees of said Society.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Twentieth day of February, Eighteen hundred and five. Jedediah Sanger
Five years before Oneida County was cut off from Herkimer and organized, the first newspaper published west of Albany was issued in New Hartford.
Its name was the Whitestown Gazette, and its proprietors were leading citizens, Jedediah Sanger, Samual Wells, and Elijah Risley, with Richard Vandenburgh, printer.
The first issue was dated July 11, 1793, but the paper lapsed the following winter and was resumed in May, 1794 by Samual Wells, with William McLean as printer, who soon became proprietor, and moved the office to Utica in July, 1798. The paper was renamed "Gazettean Cato’s Patrol."
In 1862 John Butterfield and other business men of Utica organized a railroad company. It was known as the Utica, Clinton, and Binghamton Railroad, the object being to construct a horse or steam road to connect Clinton, with New Hartford; Utica with Whitesboro.
By 1863 rails were in place and horse car transportation was begun between Utica, New Hartford, and Clinton.
An unsuccessful attempt was made to construct a railway company that was to extend the entire length of Oxford Road. It was called the "New Hartford and Washington Mills Street
Railway". Horse cars were to be used.
New Hartford, like every other town during its early settlement, was the scene of various crimes, principal among which was horse stealing. This was after the Erie Canal was completed, and better facilities were offered thieves and vagabonds to do their unlawful pillaging. In 1830 the inhabitants of New Hartford became aroused to the necessity of prompt action to protect their property; and the following notice appeared in the papers:
"All persons are desired to take notice that a society has been duly organized in New Hartford for the purpose of detecting horse thieves. The treasury of the society is supplied with ample funds, and young, active men have been appointed pursuers, who are ready to start, on any emergency, to recover the stolen property and bring these thieves to the bar of justice." Dated New Hartford, June 8, 1830.
The Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Arthur Baker to fill out the unexpired term of Judith Wenner. Judith’s resignation was accepted with regret in January. The Board welcomes back Dr. Baker, long time member and past President of the Society
Marion and Harry Inglis have donated some priceless pictures of the New Hartford graduating classes from 1928-1932, baseball and basketball team pictures from that time and copies of the "Tatler", the school’s periodical. Also pictures of the fire department. There is also a 1955 plat of the Village of New Hartford that has the names of all the homeowners of that time written on the property space. Invaluable information for which we thank them..
Please put another Holiday between Christmas and Easter. There is noting good in there now. Amanda
Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Joyce
How did you know you were God? Who told you? Charlene
My grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go? Love, Dennis
I keep waiting for spring, but it never did come yet. What’s up? Don’t forget. Mark
This picture of Lettie Cook working in the New Hartford office of C. Lansing Jones, County Clerk, was taken on January 26, 1894. Note the vintage typewriter and the clothing worn by Miss Cook. Lettie lived at 55 Oxford Road
in a house built around 1837, one of the oldest houses in New Hartford.
Do you remember the Wy-Knot drive in and restaurant? Originally located on Campion Road, it moved to Seneca Turnpike, the location shown in this picture. It was where the Hook, Line and Sinker Restaurant is today. The
proprietors were Ann and John Komanecky of New Hartford.
March Program
Lafayette Visits Utica
Welcome New Members
Road Linking Routes 3 and 12 to Be Finished This Year
February Meeting Attracted a "Standing room only" Crowd.
Those Sneaky Russians
MARCH PROGRAM –please note change of meeting place
SUNDAY, March 7, 2004
2:00 PM
Mike Caldwell, Superintendent of Fort Stanwix at Rome, will present a lecture featuring the events that will be taking place this year at the Fort and the new Visitor Center. Mr. Caldwell is a 12-year veteran of the National Park Service having served at sites in Massachusetts, Maryland, District of Columbia and Colorado. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Fort and an interesting speaker. Come and listen.
This article is from the "Way to Wealth" , Vol. 8 No. 2, no date given but written in the middle 1930’s by Penelope Conkling. This booklet was published by the Savings Bank of Utica.
When Lafayette came riding into Utica, along the street that was henceforth to be called by his name, on the morning of June 10, 1825, he was welcomed to a town with a population of a little over 5,000; a town full of energy and go, beginning to pave its main thoroughfares with cobblestones and restricting new buildings in the business area to brick and stone; a town of several hundred white-painted cottages and pleasant wide-roofed, big-chimneyed houses, invitingly set amid shade and old fashioned posies, and also many stately homes of brick or stone, surrounded by beautiful gardens and enclosed by ornamental fences; a town where the bells of seven churches rang out on the Sunday morning air, and moral and cultural influences were fast banishing the laxity and crudeness of pioneer living; a town where the horn of the stage coach on the turnpike was being supplemented by the whistle of the packet boat on the new waterway that had thrust Utica onto the threshold of a new era of transportational importance.
Lafayette was greatly astonished when informed that this fair and populous town and the surrounding territory which he had just passed over so rapidly and comfortably was the former wilderness he had traveled with such danger and difficulty during the Revolutionary War, when he went to relieve the garrison of Fort Stanwix from the combined attack of the Indians and English.
This visit of Lafayette was one of the stops on his grand tour through the country as the guest of the Nation, at the special invitation of Congress. For months he had been traveling up and down the land, greeted everywhere with the greatest kindliness and enthusiasm. Cannons boomed, bells tolled, flowers were scattered in his pathway, every town and city had its triumphal arch, and everywhere people vied in giving a demonstration of love and gratitude to this "Apostle of liberty." Nearly fifty years had passed since the Marquis de Lafayette, then a youth of only nineteen, kissed his girl-bride good-bye, crossed the ocean from France and offered his services in behalf of American liberty. Accepted by Washington and given a commission in the Revolutionary army, he served with ability and distinction until the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Returning home at the close of the American hostilities, he aided actively in establishing the Republic of France.
General Lafayette and his party, consisting of his son Colonel Lafayette and M. LeVasseur, his secretary, came to Utica—after their triumphal journeying into the wild West as far as Mississippi—amid a continuous ovation from Rome, Oriskany and Whitesboro. A committee of prominent citizens of Oneida County, headed by Judge Nathan Williams, had gone to Rome to meet the General and conduct him to Utica. At Whitesboro, Lafayette made a brief visit at the home of the widow of Judge Hugh White—eager to pay his respects to the memory of the village’s founder, whose log cabin hospitality had been a boon to him and other representatives of Washington on their journey to Fort Stanwix to make the boundary treaty with the Indians in 1784.
The crowd gathered on the Courthouse green gaped and cheered while the procession was forming to accompany the General in state to the grand reception at Utica. Everything possible was done to make the journey over the rough roads of those "horse and buggy" days comfortable as possible. The Van Rensselaer barouche having been borrowed for the occasion, Theodore Faxton matched six dashing grays, put them into resplendent silver plated harness, and mounted the box himself to handle the reins. For, although he had risen to a position of influence in the stage line of Jason Parker and Company, in whose employ he had begun when a young man as a stage coach driver, Mr. Faxton had such extraordinary skill with horses that he was often selected as the official "man on the box’ at occasions of important ceremony. And none other ever quite equaled this proud day, when, tradition has it, he "felt grander than Napoleon Bonaparte."
An escort of cavalry, commanded by General John J. Knox, preceded the barouche in which rode General Lafayette accompanied by Judge Williams. The rest of his party and gentlemen of the reception committee followed in several coaches, then came a great cavalcade of citizens riding three abreast on prancing horses, and completing the procession a squadron of cavalry, headed by Lieutenant Cone, resplendent in gold braid and dress uniforms, swords glimmering in the sun. It was a thrilling spectacle. And despite the heat, and the dust kicked up by the horses and carriages, eager thongs lined the roadway along the whole distance to Utica, shouting huzzas, waving flags and throwing flowers into the carriage of the beaming and gracious General.
A booming salute of twenty-four guns announced his arrival at the boundary of Utica. The procession entered the town by way of a road, extending from Nail Creek to Genesee Street, that had been opened only a year or two. Originally called Rome Street, it had been changed to Lafayette, in honor of the distinguished guest, and so it has been called down to the present day. Uniformed troops were lined on both sides of this street and saluted the General as the procession passed. The little town was gay with flags and bunting; and from balconies and porches, windows and doorways, housetops and fences shouting spectators raised a great din.
As Lafayette’s barouche neared the intersection of Genesee and Lafayette Streets, swarms of people surged off the narrow brick and flagstone sidewalks into the streets, determined to see all there was to be seen. And what with Theodore Faxton swinging the six high-stepping steeds around the corner of Lafayette Street (the narrow turning had been widened for the occasion by razing a building), the mounted escort rearing ahead and the prancing cavalcade behind, there must have been sights for that crowd which would thrill even the most sophisticated ones who "love a parade" today.
Traffic policemen, there were none. And traffic regulations, if any, were common sense precautions folks used at their own discretion to keep from under horses’ hooves and wagon wheels, rather than officially prescribed requirements of "stop and go." Local history does not mention fainting women nor adventuresome urchins who probably barely escaped being run over. Be we can easily imagine the exciting event had its share of that sort of thing.
Moving north, the brilliant pageant passed under a triumphal arch erected above the bridge over the Erie Canal, now Oriskany Street. A clamorous crowd greeted Lafayette as his carriage drove up in front of Baggs Tavern on the Square at the foot of Genesee Street. Over the front of the inn hung a painting by a local artist, Mr. Vanderlip, with the words, "Welcome Lafayette."
While the festive throngs gossiped in the June sunshine and regaled themselves with liquid refreshments at the Utica Garden or convenient taprooms, the General and his party were received by the host of the tavern, the genial Mr. Shepherd, who served them a hearty breakfast. Then the public reception began. The main rooms of the tavern soon filled to over-flowing with a great gathering. Plain citizens and country folk in their Sunday best; prominent gentlemen disporting the colorful fashions of the time — gray top hats, flowered waistcoats, lavender trousers—and their ladies elegant in laces and rustling silks, feathered bonnets and furbelows. The picturesqueness of the scene heightened by the glittering gold-braided uniforms of Lafayette and the military, and the barbaric touch of feathered head-dresses and beaded costumes worn by the Indians who had come to pay their respects.
Three chiefs of the Oneida tribe, Taniatakaya, Sanyouxyonta, and Doxtator were present and were invited to meet Lafayette in a private interview. Two of them had served him in his campaigns of 1777 and 1778, and were very old, and he was much surprised to find that they were still alive.Many old soldiers of the Revolutionary army, some of whom had been with the General at the siege of Yorktown, had gathered from all over the county. Towering head and shoulders over the crowd was Amos Parker of Augusta—the tallest man in the continental troops, so history records. It was this lean giant of a man who saved Lafayette’s life at Yorktown by disobeying an order, when he saw the General was in imminent danger of being shot by the enemy. Tried by court-martial but acquitted, Parker had come home without honors to resume life as a farmer, and his meeting with Lafayette in Baggs Tavern was, perhaps, the most affecting scene among the heart-tugging events of the day. After the private interviews and the public reception, the troops passed in review before the General who received their salute standing, head bared, on the steps of the Tavern
The patriotic fervor displayed by the citizens of Utica on that memorable day was the truly old-time one hundred percent American brand. Less than fifty years separated the Nation from its triumphal struggle for liberty. Although this brilliantly growing community was made up of various nationalities, the population was more strictly native American than it has ever been since. And the impress of New England’s predominant contribution was evident in the astute industry of the Utica "fathers," the general thrift and steadily increasing moral and intellectual tone of the community.
Yet judging by our standards, daily life in and about the Utica of 1825 was leisurely, simple and humdrum. Public amusements were rare, and certainly an event like the visit of Lafayette was the most exciting thing that had very happened, or would happen, to the majority of townspeople, to say nothing of the country folk who had come afoot , on horseback, and in carts and old-fashioned conveyances of every sort from miles around to participate in the festive occasion. "I remember the day Lafayette came," must have been a favorite reminiscence until every child who shared in the thrilling events, grown old and gray, had passed from the presence of the living.
When all the scenes of gaiety and pathos at Baggs Tavern were over, wearied but smiling, Lafayette entered the barouche of Mrs. Henry Seymour and was driven by her proud and grinning darky coachman to the home of Alexander G. Johnson on Genesee Street. This mansion, built by Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, stood on the present site of the Gold Dome Bank. Mrs. Johnson-- the niece of President Adams-- had invited a few ladies of the leading families of the town for a more intimate meeting with the distinguished guest. Another intimate gathering greeted him later at the home of Arthur Breese. From there his carriage moved through streets still lined with eager, cheering crowds to the home of William Clarke, the president of the village.
Meanwhile, the packet boat "Governor Clinton," temporarily renamed "Lafayette" in honor of the occasion, having been prepared for his accommodation, the General paid his last respects to Utica and embarked for the journey down the "Erie water" to Schenectady. Again the canon roared twenty-four times—the signal for departure. And the boat, drawn by three white horses along the tow-path on the bank, slid silently through the water leaving the cheering thongs behind. Children had been stationed on the bridges and they showered flowers into the boat as it passed.As the boat moved swiftly away, suddenly an Indian appeared running along the bank and making signs that he wished to come on board. But the captain did not stop the boat, so the half-naked Redman ran with great speed ahead to the last bridge on the outskirts of Utica. And at the moment when the boat was passing under it, he jumped swiftly and landed lightly on his feet in the midst of the astonished and distinguished company.
"Where is Kayewla?" he cried. "I want to see Kayewla." (Kayewla, in the Indian tongue means the Great White Warrior, and the tribes who had known and esteemed Lafayette called him by that name). When the General was pointed out to the young brave, he stepped toward him, his hand extended in greeting. "I am the son of Ouekchekaeta," he exclaimed. "He who loved you so well that he followed you to your own country when you returned after the war." This was by far the most unexpected encounter Lafayette had met with during his visit to Utica. He was deeply moved at meeting the twenty--four-year old son of the Indian who had followed him to France, but soon returned disgusted with civilization, and was now dead. After a pleasant talk, Ouekehekaeta’s son, satisfied that he had seen and known the hero of his father’s devotion, bade the General and his party farewell. Then springing from the boat with the grace and agility of a deer he disappeared into the woods. Thus did a truly first American add the final dramatic touch to Lafayette's visit to Utica, thereby contributing a primitive cadence to a national ovation, which, in the words of Charles Sumner, "he belongs to the poetry of history".
Phil and Betty Pearle—New Hartford
Janice Reilly—New Hartford
Barbara Washburn—Fresno, CA
Road Linking Routes 3 and 12 to Be Finished This Year.
$561,000 Cut Off To Wipe Out Death Curve.
Elimination of the "death curve" on Paris Rd. in New Hartford by construction of an entirely new highway to connect Route 12 with Route 5 at an estimated cost of $561,000 is scheduled this year.
It is one of eight highway construction projects costing an estimated $10,816,000 on which bids will be opened at 10:30 a.m. March 9 in Albany by Bertram D. Tallamy, state superintendent of public works.
Lacy D. Ketchum, division engineer in charge of the Utica office of the Public Works Department, said the work will be started and completed in 1949.
The highway will start at a point north of the Hugh Humprhey farm on Paris Rd., and connect with Route 5 just east of the O. & W. Railroad crossing, opposite the old Country Day School property.
The present Paris Rd., connection is owned by the Village of New Hartford. In addition to having numerous curves over its narrow route, it has a grade of about eight per cent. Engineers said the new highway would have a maximum grade of only five per cent.
Not only would the new highway eliminate "death curve" on Paris Rd. scene of many accidents—including a fatality in May, 1946, when a 20-ton tractor trailer crashed into a tree—but it would lessen the traffic hazard for school traffic at the Hartford Terrace grade school crossing.
Combined in the project for the one contact are these separate phases:
Reconstruction of 2.19 miles of Route 5 and 12 in the vicinity of New Hartford, including .59 miles of new 40-foot asphalt concrete pavement on Route 5 from New Hartford westerly to Route 5B.
Construction of 1.6 miles of Route 12 with 22-foot concrete pavement on new location to make a new intersection with Route 5 to the west of the present intersection and to improve the alignment.
All necessary grading and drainage.
It will be necessary for the state to purchase one house, that of William H. Bolton, located on Grand View Ave., just outside the Village of New Hartford, to construct the new route. In addition land would be taken from the rear of properties on Paris Rd., owned by James Mahon, John and Florence Johnson, Janette Leandle estate and Ray W. Deuel. The new intersection will start at a point between the Joseph Pylan and Hugh Humphrey farms on Paris Rd.
The new route will be almost a straight highway and would cut across a field.
During the construction, it will not be necessary to interrupt traffic on either Route 5 or 12, the present highways.
Residents of Paris Rd. had signed a petition two weeks before the May, 1946, fatality, urging the state to take over that section of the village street so that it would be widened and the curve lessened or eliminated because of the large number of accidents there.
The state, however, pointed out that such a project would be costly as it would necessitate the purchase of several houses and recommended a study be made of another solution from an engineering standpoint, possibly the development of another cutoff to reach Route 5. That is what has been done.
Recently the Village of New Hartford spent approximately $5,000 to improve the "death curve" hazard by building a higher curb on the north side to act as a bank for vehicular traffic.
Henry Dorrance, whose law firm is attorney for the Village of New Hartford, said today the village officials were in favor of the new cutoff.
FEBRUARY MEETING ATTRACTED A "STANDING ROOM ONLY" CROWD.
Over 125 people braved the snow and bitter cold to come and hear about the Loomis family on February 1st at the train station in Washington Mills. Bob Loomis gave an excellent talk with genealogical information and overhead projections and brought the family alive. All seats were taken fifteen minutes before the talk began and anyone who came after that either stood at the back of the hall or turned around and left. One young
When NASA first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ball-point pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat this problem, NASA scientists spent a decade and $12 billion developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300 C.
The Russians solved the same problem with a pencil.
Enjoy paying you're taxes—they’re due again.
February 2004
Table of Contents
February Program
The Old Presbyterian Church
Inhabitants Of New Hartford In 1790
Welcome New Members
Stagecoach, Turnpike And Tavern
How Many of You Remember This?
Conclusion Of H. H. Hopkins’ Civil War Diary
100 Years Ago In The USA
Old Picture Of Butler Hall
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
Sunday, February 1, 2004, 2:00 PM
Community Building, Washington Mills
Bob Loomis, long-time New Hartford educator and descendent of the Loomis ‘, will present a lecture on the history of this family. Their story is truly an "eastern western". George and Rhoda Loomis raised ten children, six sons and four daughters, to steal. "Everybody steals," Rhoda told her family, "but only those who are stupid get caught."
This will be a perfect way to spend a cold and probably snowy February Sunday afternoon. Hope to see you there.
By Rev. E. H. Payson
At the regular meeting of the Oneida Historical Society, on January 28, 1889, Rev. E.H. Payson, formerly pastor of the Presbyterian church of New Hartford, read a historical sketch of that church, of which an abstract is here given:
The original settlers of the town were from New England, where they had been taught the value of religion and religious instruction in promoting the highest interests, the greatest prosperity of any people. Under influences like these, they sought at an early day to erect in their new home a standard of Christianity, and to build an altar around which they might congregate, and from which might ascend the incense of thanksgiving and praise to the great giver of all good. They therefore engaged earnestly in preparing the way for the public worship of God, and to establish on a permanent foundation the institutions and ordinances of the gospel.
The first record that I find having reference to the formation of a religious society is the following: At a society meeting called according to law, held at the barn of Jedediah Sanger, in Whitestown, the sixth day of June, 1791, Joseph Higbee, moderator, voted that the subscribers to the covenants, which circulated in the New Hartford and Middle Settlement, so called, in said Whitetown, for the purpose of promoting a religious society and to build a meeting house, will abide the judgment of Ephraim Blackman, James Dean and Captain Isaac Jones respecting the place where said meeting house shall be built. At that time there was considerable rivalry between this place and the neighborhood south, each striving to be the greatest. The influence and liberality of Jude Sanger succeeded in fixing it on the present site. On June 20, 1791, the following trustees were elected: Jedediah Sanger, James Steel, Needham Maynard, Jesse Kellogg, Nathan Seward, Joseph Jennings, Uriah Seymour, John Tillotson and William Stone. It was voted that the name of the society should be "The First Religious Society of Whitestown," and this name, only changing the name of the town, it still retains. Rev. Dr. Hillye was preaching at Whitesboro at the time, but no religious organization then existed there.
The church was organized by Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D. D., then a pastor in New Haven, Conn., August 27, 1791. The meeting for this purpose was held in Mr. Sanger’s barn. At its organization it consisted of thirteen members, as follows: Joseph Higbee, Thomas Gaylord, Jotham Gaylord, Bildad Merrill, Jonathan Nurse, John Tillottttson, Ephraim Smith, Kirkland Griffin, Solomon Kellogg, Salmon Butler, Elias Hopkins, Ruth Kellogg and Elizabeth Tillotson. Mrs. Dolly Wells, wife of Samuel Wells, was the first person uniting with it after its organization. The polity of the church at first was Congregational, and was retained until 1802, when the Presbyterian form of government was adopted and since retained. Rev. Daniel Bradley accepted a call and was formally installed pastor in February, 1792. Mr. Bradley was not only the first pastor of the church, but the only pastor in all the new settlements in this region. He continued as pastor until December, 1794.
There is some discrepancy in the records as to the exact time when the house of worship was built It was probably commenced in 1791, but was not completed until 1792. In the building contract is an item which stipulates that the society shall be at the expense of raising the house, except the liquor and the master workman. The church was finally dedicated November, 29, 1797. December 25, 1795, a resolution was adopted thanking Judge Sanger for a lot of land of 110 acres. The church was destitute of a pastor for two years after Rev. Mr. Bradley resigned, and Rev. Mr. Steele served the ensuing three months.
In June, 1796, Rev. Joshua Johnson was called, and he was installed October 25 of the same year. The statement that there was an ordination ball at that time is not correct, and so far as I have any authority I desire to contradict it. The church increased in numbers. December 15, 1800, Mr. Johnson was dismissed and for two years the society was again without a pastor.
October 6, 1802, it was voted to proceed to the choice of ruling elders. In the month previous, Thomas Gaylord was chosen delegate to the first meeting of the Oneida Presbytery. October 6, 1802, the first elders were chosen, and they were installed October 31. They were Thomas Gaylord, Ithomar Parsons and Ashbel Beach.
Rev. Samuel F. Snowden was installed September 9, 1802, as pastor of the church. He was dismissed at his own request in October, 1813. In this year the church was formed in Utica and Rev. Henry Dwight was ordained and installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Utica.
In February, 1814, Rev. Noah Coe was called as pastor and he was installed October 19, 1814. His ministry occupied more than one-third of the entire time of the church, and it enjoyed its season of greatest prosperity. At the time he began his labors there were less than 100 members, but during his ministry there were many revivals. In 1816, 1819, 1820, the revivals added over 100 members to the church. September 1, 1824, St. Stephen’s Episcopal church was organized by Rev. Mr. Treadway. There church was consecrated September 4, 1826, by Bishop Hobart.
In 1826, extensive repairs were made to the Presbyterian church, the galleries being taken down and the location of the pulpit was changed from the side to the end. About 60 families were added in 1826, the pastor being assisted by Rev. Mr. Phinney and Rev. Mr. Nash. In 1831 over 100 members. During Mr. Coe’s pastorate there were added, 425 by profession and 114 by letter, a total of 539. In March, 1835, the pastoral relation was dissolved.
In April of the same year, Rev. Moses C. Searle began preaching to the people and in September he was instated pastor. In 1838, 30 were added to the church, and in 1841, about 20. In 1839 a class forming the Methodist Episcopal church was organized. January, 1842, their house of worship was dedicated. Mr. Searle was dismissed in June, 1845.
On the last Sunday in that month I began to preach to the church, and was installed as pastor October 14, 1845. In the spring of 1848, 20 were added to the church. During the first six years of my ministry 66 were added. In 1851 the church was entirely remodeled, and after the work was finished $100 was left in the treasury. Following are the names of these who have been officers of the church to the time of my pastorate:
Thomas Williams and Ephraim were elected deacons at the organization of the church. It was then Congregational. Bildad Merrill was elected deacon in 1798 to fill the place of Mr. Smith, resigned. The first elders were Thomas Parsons, Thomas Gaylor, Ashbel Beach, elected October 9, 1802; Constantine Seymour and Gustavus Kilburn, January 25, 1808; Samuel Hecox in 1813; Ammi Doubleday and Uriel H. Kellogg, July 14, 1817; Hunting Sherrill Pierce, Charles Land and James Wells, July 3, 1824; Lewis Sherrill and Abiram Mills, June 30, 1827; Ezekiel Williams, November 5, 1828; Warren Gates and Nathan Williams, June 22, 1833; John A. Reed and Dan C. Mills, July 2, 1837; Herman Baldwin, Joseph Allen Sherrill and Isaac T. Teller, May 2, 1841.
INHABITANTS OF NEW HARTFORD IN 1790.
Atwater, Asaph Beach, Ashbel Blair, Joel Blodgett, Solomon Bushnell, Stephen Collins, Oliver Cook, Trueworthy Gaylord, Jotham Gurney, Bezelial Hale, Memon Hemingway, Isaac Higbee, Joseph Ives, Amos Jennings, Joseph Jewett, Samuel Kellogg, Aaron Kellogg, Frederick Kellogg, Freeman Kellogg, Jacob |
Kellogg, Jesse Kellogg, Solomon Kellogg, Stephen Kelsey, Nathan Miller, Amock Nurse, Johnathan Olmstead, Ashbel Olmstead, Gamali Risley, Allen Risley, Elijah Sanger, Jedediah Savage, Gideon Staples, George Seward, Nathan Steel, James Tillotson, John Wells, Samuel Williams, Thom. Williams, Ezekiel |
Stuart & Linda Culp –New Hartford
STAGECOACH, TURNPIKE AND TAVERN
(An excerpt from Kenneth Fuller’s paper.)
It’s an old adage that distance lends enchantment to the view. And so does the passage of time. The distant view of the stagecoach and tavern days tends to wipe out the long and painful jolting endured by the passengers packed into the hard boards of the stage as it careened over rocks and corduroy, the stink of sweaty and boozy companions, the breakdowns in the mud, the bedbugs in the dirty taverns where two or three often had to share a single bed at night, and the greasy food that did little to sustain the body and spirits on trips that would begin at four o'clock in the morning and run late into the evening. The stage proprietors were careful to advertise "Every attention will be paid to the comfort and safety of our passengers, and they may be assured good horses, warm carriages and careful drivers." But read what one passenger, Captain R. Barclay, had to say about his trip from Auburn to Canandaigua —"This was the first trial I had had of an American stagecoach, and I sincerely hope it may be the last, until the means of conducting them with the infliction of less torture on passengers be devised, as certainly a more abominable conveyance than his vehicle or roads more abominable than those it was dragged over, can hardly be imagined. The American stagecoach is a most ungainly vehicle, carrying nine inside, three on the front seat, three on the back seat, and three on a bench hung in the middle; instead of panels it has oilskin curtains to shut down at night; it’s body is something in the form of a boat, resting on strong leather slings instead of steel springs which, indeed, would not stand a mile on their roads; it consequently dances in the air like a balloon, giving a kind of variety to the monotony of the journey." Wild races sometimes took place between drivers of rival lines, so that legislation had to be passed in an attempt to put a stop to it.
HOW MANY OF YOU REMEMBER THIS?
CONCLUSION OF H. H. HOPKINS’ CIVIL WAR DIARY
H. H. Hopkins was Nancy Kelly’s great grandfather. He served in the 148th NYS Regiment, Co. B.
January 1, 1865
All quiet today. Weather clears off and froze hard last night.
January 4
I apply for a leave of absence for 20 days. Colonel Murray approves.
January 17
Self Brigade officer of the day. General Gibbons inspects the 24th Corps at their position along the works. Making my rounds I find an order for leave of absence for 20 days. Reported capture of Fort Fisher, cheers along the lines.
January 18
At 5:00 a.m. set out for landing, take steamer to City Point, thence by sail boat to Washington.
January 19
Cold weather, much ice on the Potomac, which makes our progress slow. Arrive in Washington about noon, visit the paymaster and get pay as captain to January 1, 1865. Visit the president’s house, both Houses of Congress, look about the city and leave for New York.
January 20
Arrive New York City at 5:00 a.m., take the 7:00 a.m. train up the River Road, stop at Peekskill, spend the day with Mr. and Mrs. Brown, good sleighing and cold weather.
January 21
At midnight take the train north and arrive in Albany at daylight, thence to Syracuse, here I have to remain 5 hours, then take the train for Phelps, arriving there at 10:00 p.m. and walk home, arriving at 11:00 p.m.
January 22
Cold with good sleighing, attend church in the morning, met old friends who were glad to see me.
January 26
Self and family go to Bloomfield today, a cold ride.
January 31
Go to Geneva to have pictures taken and spend the evening with some company at Mr. Lord’s. Mrs. Lord’s entertainment very nice.
February 6
Early this morning bid goodbye to home, take the cars to Geneva, thence by boat to Watkins, thence by rail to Elmira, arriving too late for the express to Baltimore, take lodging until 4:00 next morning.
February 7
At 4:00 a.m. take train to Baltimore, arrive Baltimore at 10:00 p.m., put up for night at the Fountain House.
February 8
At 9:00 a.m. we leave for Washington, visit the Capitol, am present at the joint convention of both houses to count the votes for president and vice president (ed. note: Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson). At 2:00 p.m. go to the landing, take steamer for City Point having arrived find no boat going from here today
February 10
Boat leaves at 9:00 p.m.
February 11
After a pleasant night’s ride find ourselves at Fort Monroe this morning. Major General Weitzel and staff on board also several ladies. We arrive at Bermuda Hundred near sundown, I then get on to a small boat and land at Deep Bottom, thence to our camp arriving at dusk.
February 12
Self brigade officer of the day, find the lines much improved and strengthened during my absence. Men improved in appearance by having a supply of new clothing.
February 20
Colonel Murray starts at 4:00 a.m. for the boat on leave of absence home. Command of the regiment turned over to myself.
February 12
All quiet, too muddy to drill. News of the taking of Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina.
February 28
I am ordered to muster the 55th Pennsylvania Regiment.
March 12
At 1:00 p.m. receive orders to fall in and march immediately to division headquarters for review. We are late on the ground, do not get our place in the brigade when the reviewing officers pass around. After this we take our position and pass in review with the column, passing on the double quick. Return to camp after 4:00 p.m., at dusk, and sent for by the brevet Brigadier commanding the 4th brigade to give reasons why we were late at review.
March 17
24th reviewed today by General Grant, Secretary Stanton and other notables from Washington.
March 20
I receive $204.85 on my muster out papers. In the evening we get orders to be ready to march at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow with 4 days’ rations.
March 21
We go to Spring Hill and remain until noon, then get orders to return to camp.
March 25
One brigade moved to our right with a pontoon train, going to connect with Sheridan’s cavalry.
March 26
Sheridan’s scouts and a few of his cavalry come into our camp. The pontoon is moved down the river a few miles and Sheridan’s entire force of cavalry cross over. Near night his infantry force come into our lines and stop.
March 27
Activity all about this afternoon. We get orders to send all surplus baggage to the rear, to strike tents, and be ready in heavy marching order, to fall in and march at any moment.
March 28
Relieved today by some of Sheridan’s infantry and at 1:00 a.m. move out to headquarters, stack arms and remain until after dark, then in connection with our division we cross the James and take our course towards Petersburg.
March 29
At daybreak we cross the Appomattox and after a hard day’s march reach the Weldon Railroad. About 2 miles further toward the left we bivouac for the night, the men tired and footsore. We are ordered to breakfast at 3:00 a.m. and be ready to march at 4:00 a.m. After about 2 miles march to the left, we encamp and send out pickets, half of the regiment being detailed for that purpose. The greater part of the Army of Potomac move off toward the left today, also Sheridan’s cavalry.
April 1
Our picket line was charged by the Rebs, the enemy lose heavily in killed and wounded, also 100 prisoners and gain nothing as our pickets held their line.
April 2
Cannonading tremendous. I am called at 2:00 a.m., my men in line by 4:00 a.m. We are ordered to the right, find the enemy’s line broken, some thousands of prisoners and many guns. We are double-quicked towards Petersburg inside the Rebel lines. Two miles out find fort Gregg and Whitworth which are charged and carried. Loss light, works and prisoners taken.
April 3
Petersburg surrendered at daylight to Major General Ord. General Meade established his headquarters in the city. Our army corps move to left and march near the South Side Railroad. General Weitzel said to have entered Richmond at daylight. President Lincoln starts for the place at 8:00 a.m. Lee’s army falls back toward Lynchburg. Sheridan’s cavalry pursues, we follow them up. Glorious news of success from every quarter.
April 6
General Lee and Army said to be between us and our other column. Sheridan meanwhile harassing him. We held the railroad junction, thereby preventing his escape as no reinforcements reached him by this means. At 12:00 we march rapidly in the direction of Lynchburg. At 4:00 a.m. after 48 miles of rapid marching we meet General Lee’s army and a battle immediately ensues. Lieutenant Jackson killed by the second shot from Battery B. 5th I.C, posted in our rear. We build breastworks.
April 7
The enemy has withdrawn and we follow him up rapidly. Twice during the day we engage his rear guard. We enter and pass through Farmville, with banners flying and bands playing about 3:00 p.m. after a sharp engagement. Just outside of Farmville we halt and made coffee and rest. Jeff Davis and Lee leave here this morning. Our right column and cavalry have an engagement this afternoon and one during the night.
April 8
We start out soon after sunrise. March until 2:00 p.m., then stop and rest for 2 hours. Whilst marching today notice is given to the troops, said to be official, that General Lee had surrendered his army to General Grant. Our march is more rapid but soon we hear the roar of cannon not far distant.
April 9
We are allowed 3 hours for rest and coffee. At daylight we are massed in a large field. Many extensive preparations are being made for battle, our brigade area formed and marched towards the field where musketry and artillery are rapid. We double-quick to the extreme left of the apparent field of battle, form line and commence maneuvering a dense piece of woods. We have 2 men wounded. After severe fighting, at 10:00 a.m. word is carried across our lines that General Lee had surrendered. Grant charging the firing of muskets in the air follows this announcement. At 12:00 we encamp and learn that the terms of capture are agreed upon and signed. The Rebel army are massed, their arms stacked and surrounded by our troops. We furnish them 28,000 rations.
April 11
56 pieces of artillery are found today, most of them buried. Many caisson cut and much damaged which the Rebs endeavored to conceal from us. Our men are out of bread rations. None on hand to issue.
April 14
Our supply train comes in. Hard bread, coffee and sugar with fresh beef again issued to our men, much to their satisfaction.
April 16
Our regiment and colors repeatedly cheered while passing the troops. A great crowd out to view us whilst passing to city. Business part of Richmond in ruins. The city built on a hill and very pleasant.
April 28
20 guns fired today about Richmond as a salute in honor of Johnston’s final surrender to Sherman. Self very busy on muster roll of the 55th Pennsylvania.
End of diary
Life expectancy was 47.
Only 14% of the homes had a bathtub.
8% of the homes had a telephone
The average wage was 22 cents/hour.
The American flag had 45 stars.
More than 95% of the births took place at home.
18% of the homes had at least one full-time servant
THE HIGH ROOF WITH GABLE WINDOWS
NOTE TROLLEY TRACKS IN MIDDLE OF ROAD
THE BARBER POLE
THE OLD FASHIONED ELECTRIC LIGHT POLE IN FRONT
