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addition of twenty-one to their number, and the restoration of harmony in the Church. He closed his labors with them in 1836, in which year he was

succeeded by Jno. H. Dudley, who remained till 1840. During the second year of his pastorate, he was assisted in a protracted meeting by Elder Jacob Knapp,

which was blessed by the addition of sixty-seven by baptism.

D. McFarland succeeded E. Dudley in the pastorate in 1840, and remained with them till 1843, in which year I. Bennett became the pastor. During Elder

Bennett's pastorate a revival was experienced which resulted in the additon of sixty by baptism. He was succeeded in 1845 by E. Marshall, who served them

two years. S. Adsit Jr., their next pastor, entered upon his duties August 1st, 1847, and continued them till 1854, on the first of April of which year A. Wilkins

assumed the pastoral care, which he resigned March 28th, 1863.

N. R. Everts entered upon the duties of pastor with this Church June 1st, 1863. He resigned November 24th, 1867, and united with the Church at Seneca Falls.

Their next pastor was Wm. Dunbar, who commenced his labors with them December 1st, 1867, and closed them April 3d, 1870. He was succeeded by Stephen

V. Marsh, from the Church at Waterloo, who entered upon the pastorate July 3d, 1870, and resigned April 1st, 1873. P. D Root commenced his ministrations

with this Church June 29th, 1873, and was granted a letter of dismission September 2d, 1876. He was succeeded by Jno. Henry Mason, who begun his labors in

October, 1876, and was accepted to the pastorate April 29th, 1877. He is the present pastor. Their present church edifice, which is a fine brick structure, was

commenced May 1st, 1874; finished January 12th, 1875; and dedicated January 14th, 1875. Its cost was about $13,000. The present membership is about 200.

They have a Sabbath school which is numerously attended.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SENNETT was organized in 1805, as the First Congregational Church of Brutus. The pulpit was supplied till about

1820, when Jephthah Poole became their pastor and continued five or six years. After a like period he was recalled and ministered to them about four years,

the pulpit being supplied during his absence. During his pastorate an interesting and powerful revival occurred, which resulted in the addition of over sixty

to their membership at one time. Mr. Poole was succeeded by Henry Boyington, who served them about five years. A period elapsed during which they were

without a pastor, the pulpit being filled by supplies, until Mr. Boyington was recalled. His second stay covered a period of about two years.

Their next pastor was a Mr. Griswold, who labored with them three years. He was succeeded by Charles Anderson, whose pastorate covered a period of

twenty-five years. He went to Springport. Samuel S. Goss supplied them one year, when Thomas Campbell was called and served them three years, one year

before being installed as pastor. They were next supplied a part of a year by Professors from Auburn Theological Seminary. J. G. Smith ministered to them

two and a half years, but was not installed. Charles Anderson, their former pastor, was then recalled, and continued his labors with them till the spring of

1877, since which time they have been supplied by -----Burnley, a student in Auburn Theological Seminary.

Their first house of worship was built about 1820; the present one in 1848, at a cost of $4,000, and was dedicated in January, 1849. The present membership is

about 100. The Sabbath school, in which their hopes are centered, has an average attendance of seventy- five.

CHAPTER XLI.

TOWN OF AURELIUS.

Aurelius lies near the center of the west border of the County, at the foot of Cayuga Lake, which, with Seneca River, forms its western boundary. The

northern boundary is formed by Montezuma and Throop, the eastern, by Auburn and Fleming, and the southern, by Fleming and Springport. It was formed

January 27th, 1789, and originally embraced all that part of the County lying north of the prolongation of the south line of Fleming. Brutus, Cato, Jefferson,

(now Mentz,) and Owasco were set off March 30th, 1802; Auburn and Fleming, March 28th, 1823; a part of Springport, January 30th,

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1823; a part of Throop, April 8th, 1859; and the 7th ward of Auburn, in 1869.

The surface is rolling and inclines to the north and west. The principal streams are Owasco Outlet, which crosses the north-east corner, and Cayuga Brook,

which flows north through the eastern part. A few smaller streams rise in the town, but none of them afford any water privilege within the limits of the

town, though there are some valuable mill sites on the Outlet in the west edge of Auburn. There is not a saw or grist-mill in the town. There was formerly a

saw-mill in the north-west corner of the town, on the farm owned by Lewis Baker, and another near the center of the town, on the site of the plaster-mill of

Peter Shank, which was kept in operation as long as there was sufficient timber to pay for running it.

It is underlaid by the gypsum of the Onondaga salt group, which crops out in various localities on the shore of the lake, notably on the farm of Daniel Yawger

in the south part, on the farm of John Larue in the north part, and at the bridge, in each of which localities it has been quarried, first, at the latter place, about

seventy years ago. It is generally, however, too deeply covered with drift, and has associated with it too much of the shale of this group to be profitably

worked in competition with the quarries to the south, in Springport, where it has less superincumbent matter and is freer from shaly impurities. It is not

improbable that the first plaster dug and used in Cayuga County was obtained at Cayuga Bridge. A ledge of limestone extends diagonally across the town in a

north-east and south-west direction. It is a continuation of the same ledge which is quarried so extensively in Auburn, both for burning and for building

purposes. Upon the road a little west of Aurelius and upon either side to the north and south it crops out upon the surface and covers a large area. It also

forms the bed of Cayuga Brook a little west of Auburn. It is used for building purposes, usually for rough work, and was formerly burned.

Numerous springs issue from these limestone and gypsum formations, some of them possessing mineral properties which constitute them valuable

medicaments. Near Aurelius station, on the farm of Mrs. Dr. Hannah Lilly, is a sulphur spring, which was discovered and a bath house built some forty years

ago. On the farms of Henry Willard in Cayuga, Jno. M. Mersereau, about two miles north of that village, on the adjoining farm of Daniel Anthony, and on

that of Lucius and Wm. Baldwin in the same locality, are springs which qualitative analyses of the first and last show to possess similar constituents. The

following is the result of a complete analysis of the water from the Willard spring, made by Dr. S. A. Lattimore, Prof. of Chemistry in Rochester University.

showing the contents of a U. S. gallon:

Sulphate of magnesia----------37.15 grains.

Sulphate of lime---------------94.16 "

Carbonate of lime-------------18.20 "

Chloride of sodium------------ 2.12 "

Oxide of iron------------------ .04 "

Alumina----------------------- trace

Silica-------------------------- "

Total number of grains--------151.67

The soil is for the most part a heavy clay and gravelly loam, being admirably adapted to grain culture, to which it is mainly devoted. It is strictly an

agricultural town and is one of the best in the County. Says spafford, in his Gazetteer of 1824, "the inhabitants are principally employed in agriculture, and

many of them enjoy a great degree of opulence. It is hardly possible to conceive a more enviable situation than theirs, thus blessed in a most delightful

country."

The Auburn branch of the N. Y. C. R. R. crosses the town in a tortuous course from east to west, and crosses the lake at Cayuga. The Cayuga and Seneca Lake

Canal extends through the west part north of Cayuga, along the lake and river, and connects with the Erie Canal at Montezuma.

The population of the town in 1875 was 1,978 of whom 1,610 were native, 368 foreign, 1,972 white, and 6 colored. The area is 18,870 acres, 16,614 of which are

improved, 1,314 woodland, and 942, otherwise improved.

The first settlers in Aurelius were squatters on the Reservation of the Cayuga Indians, which included one hundred square miles and extended on both sides

of the lake from Aurora to Montezuma. This reservation was made in 1789, in which year the Cayugas relinquished their claims to all other lands in this

State by a treaty held at Albany; the consideration being $500 down, $1,500 to be paid the following June, and a perpetual annuity of $500. In 1794 the Cayugas

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relinquished their claims to this reservation, with the exception of two plots in Springport, one of two miles square, upon the lake, a little south of Union

Springs, and the other of one mile square, three or four miles north-east of that village. The first settler was Col. John Harris, who came in from Harrisburg,

Pennsylvania, in 1789, and settled three-fourths of a mile south of Cayuga, on the farm now owned by Cyrus H. Davis, then called, and now known by the

oldest residents of the town, as the Indian orchard, some of the trees of which are still standing there. Harris kept there the first ferry across Cayuga Lake, in

conjunction with James Bennett, who settled at the same time upon the opposite side of the lake. He was an Indian interpreter and acted as such at the time

of the treaty at Cayuga, in 1794, at which time he moved to the site of the village, where he kept a tavern on the site of the Titus House. Harris contracted the

first marriage in 1789, with Mary, daughter of John Richardson, who came in the same year as Harris, and settled on the site of the village, where Edwin H.

Whitney, Esq., now lives. He removed after several years to Wabash, Indiana. A son of Harris, Jno. Harris, Jr., who was born in 1790, was the first child born

in the town. Harris opened the first store in 1789, and the first inn in 1790.

The early settlers in this locality generally came by water route, making a long and tedious journey. Those who came on foot or with teams found, for much

of the way, no roads better than Indian trails or paths designated by means of blazed trees.

About 1795, Hon. Joseph Annin, one of the proprietors of Cayuga village, and the first Sheriff of Cayuga County, settled where the widow of David Kyle now

lives. He removed to Milton (now Genoa,) and subsequently to Onondaga Hollow, where he died in 1815. His remains were brought to Cayuga for

interment. While residing at Genoa he represented the western district in the State Senate in 1803, '4, '5 and 6.

Hugh Buckley settled about 1796, at the head of the old bridge, where he kept the gate, a tavern, and the first jail in Cayuga County. The latter was a log

structure, and was built against the bank of the lake, the top being on a level with the embankment. The prisoners were let down through a trap door in the

top. Its use as a jail was authorized March 25th, 1800. The following year (1797,) Buckley added to his already numerous vocations, that of teaching, he being

the first school teacher in the town. He subsequently kept a tavern where Mrs. Gilliland now lives, and died of the epidemic in 1813. His family are all dead.

Dr. Jonathan Whitney, who was born September 14th, 1768, came in from Stockbridge, Mass., in 1798, and settled at Cayuga, on the lake road, where Mrs.

Charles Lalliette now lives. He removed to Big Tree, (now Geneseo,) in 1802, and the same year to Batavia, where he remained about a year, and returned to

Cayuga. In 1805, he removed to Pompey Hill, but returned to Cayuga at the expiration of a year, and continued the practice of medicine till his death July

26th, 1851. He is recollected by the early settlers as a great satirist, and the author of many mirth-provoking caricatures. In August, 1800, he married Dolly

Smith, a daughter of Captain Hezekiah Smith, an old sea captain, who settled in 1798, two miles east of Cayuga, where William Tavner now lives, and where

he died in 1814. Dr. Whitney's wife died December 26th, 1846. They had nine children, seven of whom are living. Edwin H., who was born October 7th, 1806,

is living at Cayuga, where he holds the office of Justice of the Peace, an office he has filled over forty years. He was Supervisor several years, Postmaster

twelve years, and Canal Collector at Montezuma in 1852 and '53.

Joseph Davis came in from Washington County in 1799, and settled two and one-half miles north-west of Aurelius, where Ira Olmstead now lives. He died

in the town in 1804. His daughter, Elizabeth, is the only survivor of a large family. She is the widow of Samuel Taylor, who came from Saratoga County in

1809, and settled in Auburn, and in 1854 removed to Throop, where he died in 1863. She is eighty-six years of age, and is living at Aurelius with her son

Halsey W. Taylor, who was born in Auburn in 1813. A man named Chandler settled in 1799, about a mile south of Fosterville, where Luther Van Giesen

now lives. He afterwards married one of Wm. Guy's daughters, and removed to Nunda, Livingston County, about 1827.

In this year, (1799,) the County was erected and the Court of Common Pleas was held at Cayuga. In 1804 the court was removed to Aurora,

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and in 1809 to Auburn, where, in that year, the court-house, which was authorized March 6th, 1805, was completed.

Previous to this, in 1796, a State road was opened from Whitestown to Geneva, through Auburn, and although, in 1797, it is said to have been a little better

than an Indian trail, it had a marked influence upon the subsequent settlement of this section of country. In 1800 it was made a turnpike; and on the 4th of

September in this year the celebrated Cayuga bridge, which was begun in 1799, was finished, and speedily became the great highway of western emigration.

This bridge was just about a mile long, twenty-two feet wide, and twenty-two feet between the trestles. Eighteen months were consumed, and $150,000

expended in its construction. It was built by the Cayuga Bridge Company, which was incorporated in 1797, and consisted of John Harris, Thomas Morris,

Wilhemus Mynders, Chas. Williamson and Joseph Annin. It was for many years looked upon as one of the greatest public improvements in the State, and

was considered the dividing line between the east and the west. It was destroyed in 1808, rebuilt in 1812- '13, and finally abandoned in 1857. It was a

prolongation of the main street running east and west through near the center of the village. Nothing is now left of it but the spiles and timbers, which are

mostly hidden by the waters of the lake. The lake is now crossed by means of a ferry in the summer and usually upon the ice in winter. Further up, towards

the head, Cayuga Lake seldom freezes.

David Hulin, the pioneer blacksmith, was among the first settlers, but in what year we could not determine. He located on the shore of the lake,. just west of

where the Titus House now stands. He made a latch for the first frame school-house, built in 1804, and stamped thereon his name and the date of its erection.

This building is still standing on the south-east corner of Center Street. It has been added to, and is used as a public hall.

Hezekiah Goodwin, from Connecticut, settled soon after 1800, about four miles east of Cayuga, where Lockwood Hunt's family now live. He took up about

400 acres, and carried on a extensive business in buying and selling cattle, distilling, and making black salts. He sold out about 1833, to the Hunts, and

removed to Seneca Falls, where he died about 1840. Wm.Guy moved in from Scipio in 1801, and bought the west half of lot 34. He settled about a mile south

of Fosterville, where Ralph DeCamp now lives. In 1823 he sold seventy-five acres to DeCamp, and then or subsequently removed to Livingston county.

DeCamp came in from New Jersey in 1816 and settled at Auburn, where he was engaged in the construction of the State prison, which was begun the

following year. He is now in his eighty-ninth year. The orchards on this farm were planted by Guy, the one on the north side of the house in 1801, and that

on the south side in 1802.

Loring and Emory Willard, brothers, came in from Chenango county, about 1801, and settled at Cayuga; Loring, where John McIntosh now lives. He

subsequently removed to the house now occupied by Edwin Hall, near the malthouse. Loring was commissary for the army during the war of 1812-'14. He

died here in 1845. Both he and Emory were young, single men when they came in, but they afterwards married and had families. About 1807 they built a

distillery, north of where the malt-house now stands, which they sold after about a year to Daniel McIntosh, who soon after converted it into a tannery and

run it as such a good many years. Three of Loring's children are living.

During the war of 1812, Loring Willard was engaged in purchasing supplies for the army and forwarding them to Oswego and other points where wanted;

and when an attack upon Kingston was in contemplation, under orders he purchased all the boats that could be obtained for transportation, took them to

Oswego, and thence, under cover of night, sailed out of Oswego and delivered them, some forty of fifty in number, to Commordore Chauncey, at Sacketts

Harbor. They were "Durham boats," and would carry 30 to 50 tons; but the expedition was abandoned, and the boats were never used.

Bezaleel Shaw came in from Massachusetts about 1802, and settled at Cayuga. He kept a blacksmith shop, on the north shore of the lake, west of the Titus

house, and about 1816 he moved up on the hill, the place being included in the property owned by Catherine, daughter of Daniel McIntosh. About 1825 he

removed to Portage, with his family, except his son Abner, who remained and carried on blacksmithing here

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till about 1835, when he removed to Michigan and died there. Stephen Mott settled in 1804, about two miles north-east of Cayuga. He afterwards removed to

the place where his son Sanford now lives, and died there in 1876, at an advanced age.

Jeremiah Hallock, from Long Island, came about this time, and settled one and one-half miles east of Cayuga, where his grand-son Frank now lives, and

where he died some thirty years ago.

The first settlement at Fosterville was made about 1805, by Captain Abner, Wheaton and Jacob Saunders. Abner settled one-half mile east, where William

Ball now lives, the place being owned by his son John; Wheaton, where his son Edgar now lives; and Jacob, one-fourth mile east of Fosterville. All died in

the town. Abner's wife, Harriet, and daughter, Nancy, are living on the old homestead. His son, Andrew Jackson, a former sheriff of the County, is living in

Sennett. Wheaton's wife, Aurelia T., is living in Auburn, aged ninety-two years.

A family named Perry came in about 1806, and kept a tavern opposite to and to the north of where the Titus House now stands. He died here about 1812. A

man named Savage, brother of Chief Justice John Savage, and a son-in-law of Perry's, came in with him. He also died here.

David Dodge came in from Vermont about 1808, and settled at Cayuga, where Samuel Porter now lives. He taught school several years, at different periods,

commencing in 1810, and from him many of the early settlers now living received the rudiments of their education. They have a painful recollection that he

did not disregard the injunction of the wise man, but used the rod most unsparingly. He moved about 1825 to Throop, and died in Montezuma about 1857.

Ossian G. Dodge, the noted mimic and comic singer of twenty-five or thirty years ago, was a son of his. Charles Lalliette, a highly accomplished French

gentleman, came in from Brooklyn in 1810, with his wife, who still survives him, and is living where they then settled. This was his summer residence, his

winters being spent abroad in teaching dancing school, a vocation he followed till within about ten years of his death, in 1836.

Jesse and Amos Reed, brothers, from Dutchess county, came in as early as 1810, and settled on lot 54, a soldier's grant, Jesse, where Halsey W. Taylor now

lives, and where he and his wife died, and Amos, where John Shoemaker now lives, each taking up one- half of the lot. They were probably the first settlers

in the locality of Aurelius. Joseph Foster came in from Massachusetts about 1810, and settled at Fosterville, where Wm. Mullin now lives. He died near the

old homestead about 1825. He has two sons living, Orrin, in Montezuma, and Ira, in Albion, Michigan.

John Moffitt, a Scotchman, started a brewery just south of the present store-house prior to 1813, in which year he sold to Loren Willard, who enlarged it and

kept it four or five years. James Porter came in from Pennsylvania in 1814, and settled three-fourths of a mile south of Cayuga, where Cyrus H. Davis now

lives. He removed to Ohio in 1839, and died there in 1862.

During the war of 1812 an extensive business was done at Cayuga, in connection with the commissary department of the army. It involved a large carrying

trade, and the slaughter of an immense number of cattle. Cayuga never developed so much business activity at any other time.

Israel Harris came in at an early day and kept a tavern across the road north from the Titus House, which was then (in 1812) the stage house. He lived there

some five or six years and removed to Geneva, where he also kept a tavern. Stephen Lombard came in from New Hampshire in 1816, and settled at

Aurelius, almost directly opposite to where John Shoemaker now lives, where he kept a blacksmith shop. He subsequently moved nearer the corners, and

died there in March, 1862. Four of his children survive him, viz: Lorenzo, who is living in Auburn; Cyrus, in Wisconsin; Anna A., now Mrs. Wm. S.

Goodrich; and Louisa, now Mrs. Halsey W. Taylor, at Aurelius.

Isaac and Jonathan Foster, brothers of Joseph Foster, came from Massachusetts in 1817, and settled, Jonathan where Elliott F. Tyler, and Isaac where Ezra

Crippen now lives. Isaac opened the first store there in 1819. He also kept an ashery. He held the office of Justice of the Peace eleven years. Jonathan opened

the first tavern there about 1828, in the house in which Elliott F. Tyler, his son-in-law, lives. He moved to Throopsville about 1848, and died there four or

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five years ago. Isaac died on the old homestead about 1838. Of his family, his widow Cynthia, in her eighty-second year, and daughter Cynthia, widow of

Philemon R. Fairchild, are living on the old homestead, and Celia, now Mrs. Lewis Moore, in Michigan.

Uri Foot came from Vermont in 1818, and settled on the site of the Titus House, where he kept a tavern. Bradley Benedict, who moved from Connecticut to

Onondaga county in 1796, came from the latter place in company with Richard Vernam in 1819, and settled at Cayuga, on lot 49. He died at Cayuga in 1853,

aged seventy-two years.

The town officers elected (1879) are,

Supervisor--Elliott F. Tyler.

Town Clerk--Robert R. Westover.

Justices of the Peace--Halsey W. Taylor, (full term,) Edwin H. Whitney, (vacancy, 3 years,) John M. Freese, (vacancy, 2 years.)

Assessors--George B. Van Etten.

Commissioner of Highways--Hiram Titus.

Overseers of the Poor--Robert E. Lee, William Lont.

Inspectors of Election--1st District--Michael S. Goss, James M. Mullen.

Inspectors of Election--2d District--Romeyn R. Candee, William Mersereau, Jr.

Collector--Charles H. Westover.

Constables--George H. Steenbergh, David Coapman, Jacob Knorr, Romain Fisher, Charles H. Westover.

CAYUGA VILLAGE

Cayuga is situated on a beautiful eminence, which commands a magnificent and highly picturesque view of the waters and finely sloping shores of the lake

whose name it bears. It lies two miles above the Outlet, at the junction of the Auburn branch of the N. Y. C. R. R. and the Cayuga Lake Shore R. R., the latter

of which is leased by the Lehigh Valley R. R. Co. It is at the southern terminus of the Cayuga and Seneca Lake Canal, which connects it with the Erie Canal at

Montezuma; and is connected by a daily line of steamers with Union Springs, six miles distant, Aurura, twelve miles distant, and Ithaca, at the head of the

Lake, a trip which discloses some most delightful scenery. Surrounded as it is by a farming country of unusual fertility and productiveness, and being thus so

easily accessible to valuable markets in all directions, it would seem to possess very superior commercial advantages. It is one of the earliest settled villages in

the County, as will be seen by a glance at the preceding pages, and from a very early period possessed extraordinary mercantile and commercial advantages,

from its location on the great thoroughfare of travel and emigration from the east to the west, and the seat of one of the most magnificent local enterprises of

its time--the Cayuga bridge. But the want of mill sites, of which it is utterly destitute, has been a serious hindrance to its growth; and thus we find that to day

its business is practically confined to the natural requirements of its immediate population. A more delightful residence one could scarcely desire.

It was incorporated December 23d, 1857, and reincorporated under the general law, February 16th, 1874. The following named officers were chosen at the first

election held February 15th, 1858; F. H. Lyon, Wm. G. Wayne, John McIntosh, Henry Willard and Wm. Mersereau, Trustees; Rauson Olds, Jno. Barrett and

Rensselaer Warrick, Assessors; Samuel B. Porter, Collector; David A. Kyle, Treas.; and J. W. Shank, Clerk. The present officers (1878) are, Jno. M. Freese,

President; Frederick X. Youngs, Clerk; A. A. Quigley, Treasurer; and James A. Bailey, Jonathan Warrick and Wm. Mersereau, Trustees and Assessors.

It contains four churches, (Pres., Episc., M. E., and Roman Catholic,) a union school, two hotels, two general stores, three groceries, one drug store, two

blacksmith shops, (kept by Patrick Hoye and James Lawler,) one wagon shop, (kept by John M. Freese, who is also President of the village, justice of the peace

and police justice,) a malt-house, store-house, marl manufactory, and about 500 inhabitants.

MERCHANTS.--The first merchant was John Harris, who opened a store in 1789 and kept it till 1814. His store stood on the lot next south of the Presbyterian

church, near the house now occupied by James Sutfin. He sold his stock to Elisha Hills, from Auburn, and removed to the west side of the lake. Hills kept

store about ten years and sold out. Dr. Wm. Harrison opened a store about 1806, and kept it some ten years, when he returned to Whitestown, whence he

came. Daniel McIntosh, a Scotchman, from Albany county, opened a store about 1800, and

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kept it till about 1836, when he sold it to his son John, who continued till about 1860. Dean Mumford opened a store about 1800 and kept it some eight or ten

years, when he removed to Seneca Falls. Dr. DeMun kept a drug store at a very early day, and was the first man to experiment with gypsum in Cayuga. He

pulverized it in a mortar. Emory Willard opened a store about 1812-'14., and kept it till his removal to Auburn, about 1819. He was associated a part of the

time with Amos Oliver. In 1799 and 1800, Willard carried the mail from Cooperstown to Aurora, on horseback, every alternate week, receiving therefor $2.50

per week. Loren Willard kept a store a short time, about 1816 or '17. Erastus Partridge opened a store about 1821. About 1840 he admitted E. H. Waldo to

partnership, and removed with his family to Seneca Falls, where he engaged in the banking business, retaining his interest in the business here till its close

in 1850. About 1847 Waldo sold his interest to Albert C. Cook, Partridge's son-in-law, who continued till 1850. Samuel Fitch and Jotham W. Shank bought

out Partridge & Cook, and kept store some three years. John L. DeCamp opened a store in 1843 and failed in 1846 Dr. John A. Thompson opened a store about

1847 and kept it four or five years. He came in from Springport and carried on general merchandising and dealt in plaster. Pomeroy & Mersereau opened a

store in 1848, and after about two years Pomeroy sold out to Mersereau, who continued the business alone two or three years.

The merchants at present doing business are R. Castner, who commenced March 12th, 1862; Romeyn R. Candee, a native of the village, who keeps a canal

grocery, which he commenced in 1869; Frank E. L. Cummings, a native of the town, who commenced business in March, 1873, and in the spring of 1878

removed his stock of drugs to a branch store and added dry goods to his former stock; A. A. Quigley, from Union Springs, who, in the spring of 1874, bought

out Isaac Freer, who did business here some thirty years, and in the spring of 1875 started a branch store, which is conducted in his name by his son, Louis

Quigley; and R. Olds & Co., (J. R. Van Sickle,) both of whom formerly resided in Cayuga, and who commenced business in the spring of 1875.

POSTMASTERS.--The first postmaster was Reuben S. Morris, who was appointed during Jefferson's administration, and held the office three or four years.

He was succeeded by Thos. Mumford, who held the office till 1830, in which year Loren Willard was appointed. He held it about four years, and was

succeeded by David S. Titus. A. H. Higham held the office about four months in 1841, and was succeeded by Edwin H. Whitney, who held the office till 1850,

when Samuel Fitch was appointed and held it three years. His successor was John Barrett, who was appointed in July, 1853, and superseded in September,

1855, by A. S. Cummings, who held the office till July 1st, 1861, when Lyman H. Carr succeeded him. John H. McIntosh succeeded Carr, and held the office till

March, 1873, when Frank E. L. Cummings, the present incumbent, was appointed.

PHYSICIANS.--The first physician was Wm. Franklin, who came from Washington county in the fall of 1797, and practiced till his death in 1804. The next

was Jonathan Whitney, who came in 1798, and practiced till his death, July 25th, 1851, with the exception of a few years spent out of the town. Nathaniel

Kellogg came in about 1813, and practiced a few years. He died at Mount Morris a good many years after. Dr. Voght practiced here a few years, and removed

about 1816 to New York. Noyes Palmer, from Cazenovia, practiced a few years and made a few removals in this vicinity, first to Seneca Falls, and died in

Springport about ten years ago. Dr. Cox practiced here a short time and removed to Genesee county in 1837. John E. Todd succeeded Palmer in 1836, and

practiced till 1841, when he returned to Baldwinsville, where he died. Wm. S. Hoffman, from Scipio, succeeded Todd, and practiced from 1842 to 1844, when

he removed to Port Byron. Fordyce Rhodes, from Onondaga county, came in 1842, and practiced a year and a half, when he returned to Onondaga county. He

is now living in Castleton, Ontario county.

Isaac Shaw came in from Machias, Cattaraugus county, in 1844, and practiced till his death, March 1st, 1855. Andrew S. Cummings came in from Naples,

Ontario county, in 1843, and is still practicing here. He is an allopath. Dr. Seward came in from Schroeppel, Oswego county, in 1841, and removed in 1842 to

Liverpool,

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Onondaga county, where he is now practicing. Daniel Hutchins came in from Fayetteville, Onondaga county, where he now lives, in 1856, and remained two

years. Wm. F. Tapling came in from Geneva in 1865, and left in 1867, for Michigan. J. A. Lusk came in from Egypt, Monroe county in 1872, and remained six

months, when he removed to Naples. Wm. H. Hartwell came in the fall of 1875, and remained about six months, when he returned to Geneva, whence he

came. He is now practicing in Des Moines, Iowa. J. Alaman came in from Waterloo in 1876, and returned there, where he is now practicing, the following

spring. J. M. Dickson, a botanic physician, came in from Ohio in the spring of 1878, and is now practicing here.

LAWYERS.--The first lawyer was Elijah Miller, father-in-law of Governor Seward, who practiced here till the court house was located at Auburn, when he

removed there. Thomas Mumford came in from Utica in 1795, and practiced till his death about 1830. Reuben S. Morris came in as early as 1800. Wm. Sisson

studied with Mumford, and practiced three or four years. Garry V. Sackett also studied with Mumford, and in 1815, soon after his admission to the bar,

removed to Seneca Falls. William W. McCay, another of Mumford's students, was appointed agent of the Holland Land Company about 1820, when he

removed to Bath. L. W. Owen, from Cortland county, practiced here three or four years. Lucius C. Foot came in from Vermont about 1820. He studied with

Mumford and practiced till 1825. There has not been any lawyer in Cayuga since the death of Mumford.

MANUFACTURES.--The only manufactories in Cayuga are the malt-house and marl works. The malting business is carried on by Kyle, Howell & Co.,

(George A. Kyle, Thaddeus Howell, George P. Schenck and Mrs. Albert Beardsley,) who also own a ware- house. They commenced business in 1866, in which

year their ware-house was erected, the capacity of which is 35,000 bushels, and in which they handle 100,000 bushels of grain per annum. Their malt-house,

which is a brick structure, 40 by 100 feet, was erected in 1868, and has a capacity of 35,000 bushels. The marl works are operated by H. Monroe & Co., of

Syracuse, who commenced the business in 1877. The marl is dug in Seneca county and boated to Cayuga and New York, where they also have a manufactory.

HOTELS.--There are two good hotels. The Titus House site has been occupied for hotel purposes nearly from the time of the first settlements. The first tavern

on this site was erected by John Harris, the pioneer settler, prior to the beginning of the present century. The property came into the possession of the present

proprietor, Mr. James A. Bailey, in 1872, in which year he purchased of Deville L. Deathrick, tore down the old building, and erected the present fine

structure, whose commodious verandas afford a charming view of the lake. The R. R. Hotel and Dining Room are kept by Captain F. H. Lyon. The dining

room, which is connected with the depot, was erected by Roswell G. Benedict in 1846, and the hotel, which stands directly opposite, by Bertine DePew, in 1825.

In 1840 Benedict built an addition to the hotel. In 1854 Mr. Lyon acquired possession of both, and in 1858 he built another addition. In 1864 he sold to L. A.

Pelton, who sold to the Cayuga Lake R. R. Co., by whom the property was transferred to the Lehigh Valley R. R. Co. March 19th, 1878, Mr. Lyon again took

possession, leasing of the latter company. From 1842 to 1854 Mr. Lyon was engaged in steamboating on Cayuga Lake.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CAYUGA.--The Presbyterians were the first religious body to cultivate this field in a spirtual sense. Those of the early

settlers who professed that faith were for many years identified with the church of Aurelius, which was organized in 1799, and is perpetuated in the

Presbyterian Church of Union Springs, to the history of which town the reader is referred. The first pastor of the church in Aurelius was the Rev. David

Higgins, who, as early as 1801, was sent by the Missionary Society of Connecticut on a four months' mission to the new settlements in the State of New York,

and extended his tour to the Genesee River. On his return he preached among others, to the settlers in Aurelius, which then included all that part of the

county lying north of a line in prolongation east and west of the south line of Fleming, and the same year he received and accepted a call from that church,

which had hitherto been supplied by missionaries. In July, 1802, he removed with his family from Connecticut and established himself at Cayuga, and

continued his

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ministrations in this broad field until 1811, when he became pastor of the First Church in Auburn, which was organized that year. To accommodate the

widely scattered settlements, services were held alternately at Hardenbergh's Corners, (Auburn,) the Half Acre, (Aurelius,) Cayuga and Grover's Settlement,

in the town of Fleming. Mr. Higgins served the church in Auburn till 1813, when he removed to Bath, Steuben county.

From 1811 to 1819 this people were supplied with monthly missionary preaching, and worshiped with the Aurelius society, who then occupied the old stone

church, which stood opposite the place now owned by Dr. Hamilton. Occasionally, however, services were held in the old school-house in Cayuga, by Rev.

Joshua Lane, Revs. David Smith and Mr. Sullivan. Home Missionaries from Connecticut, also labored here during that period, the latter about one year. The

Presbyterian Church of Cayuga, was organized May 3d, 1819, in the school-house which forms the rear part of Davis' Hall, a preliminary meeting being held

for that purpose at the same place April 26th, 1819. The members constituting the society were John Fitch, Gershom B. Gillett, Loring Willard, Jeremiah

Hallock, Bezaleel Shaw, Jr., Abbey P. Allen, Percy Shaw, Temperance Beman, Susan Annin, Meliscent Foot, Roxy Ann Foot, Parthenia M. Foot, Philomela

Perry, Polly Savage and Tabitha McIntosh, members of the church of Aurelius. Loring Willard, Jonathan Whitney, Uri Foot, Daniel McIntosh, Solomon

Dewey and Jeremiah Hallock were elected trustees. The meeting at which the organization was effected was attended by Revs. Joshua Lane of the Presbytery

of Cayuga, and Wm. Bacon of the Presbytery of Geneva. On the 20th of June following, twelve more were received by letter from the Church of Aurelius, and

Thomas Mumford, Jeremiah Hallock, Elias Thompson and Gershom B. Gillett were elected ruling elders, and Elias Thompson was chosen deacon.

On the 29th of the same month this church united with that at Seneca Falls in settling as their pastor Rev. Wm. Bacon, who served them as such until

February 6th, 1821. During his pastorate nine were added to the membership on profession, and nineteen by letter. In July of the latter year this church was

transferred from the Geneva to the Cayuga Presbytery, under whose care it has since remained.

July 23d, 1821, a call was extended to Mr. Pomeroy, who was to officiate half the time in the Aurelius church. He was installed August 8th, 1821. Under his

labors a meeting house, a small, plain, wooden structure, 35 by 50 feet, without steeple, was built, and dedicated February 26th, 1823. The completion of the

house left the Society in debt something more than $1,000.

As soon as the Church was completed Mr. Pomeroy was released from the Aurelius Church, and till January, 1833, ministered to this alone. During his

pastorate 128 were added on profession and 50 by letter. Rev. Octavius Fitch, supplied the pulpit in 1833, and sixty-three were added to the Church that year.

November 24th, 1833, Luther Cook and Sebastian Chatham, having been duly elected, were ordained ruling elders, and Daniel Cook, deacon.

Rev. Henry Snyder succeeded Mr. Fitch in April, 1834, and remained one year, during which twenty were added to the Church. He was followed by Rev.

Erastus H. Adams, who labored from June, 1835 to February, 1836. October 10th, 1835, Isaac Chamberlain, Daniel Cook, Halsey Bidwell, Watson Whittlesey,

Luke Montague, Henry Willard and Henry Powis were elected elders, and were ordained the following Sabbath, (October 17th,) with the exception of Bidwell

and Whittlesey, who, not having accepted the office, were not ordained until the following January.

For a short time after Mr. Adams left, the pulpit was supplied, principally by John Clark, an aged clergyman, and partly by students from the Theological

Seminary at Auburn. Among the latter was T. R. Townsend, who began his work with this Church July 9th, 1837, and on the 7th of the following month was

invited to become their pastor; but, not having completed his seminary course, he was not installed until 1838. He remained till July, 1840. During his

pastorate 42 were added, nearly all on profession.

Soon after Mr. Townsend's dismissal, Mr. Pomeroy returned as stated supply, which relation he retained until 1852. During his second ministry, eighty-four

were added to the church. "At this time three additional elders were elected, Abram Staats, Edwin Arnold, and Oliver Bidwell, who were ordained April

20th,

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1850." Between 1852 and 1854, the pulpit was supplied by students from the Auburn Seminary, among whom were Messrs. Lacy, Hamilton, McDougal and

Parsons. In July, 1854, Rev. Timothy M. Hopkins was engaged as stated supply, which relation he sustained until 1860. To his labors here must be credited the

organization of the Sabbath School in the North District and the repairing and enlarging of the house of worship, at an expense of $3,000, all of which was

paid when the work was completed. It was at this time that the bell was hung which still calls to worship. Mr. Hopkins was largely assisted by the devoted

and efficient aid of his wife. His successor was Rev. F. W. Roberts, whose labors, commenced in May, 1860, were suddenly cut short in September of that year.

He had gone to Waverly, N. Y., to exchange with a class-mate, Rev. David Johnson. He was struck by a train while crossing the railroad track, so absorbed in

thought as not to notice its approach, and so severely injured that he died within a few hours.

Mr. Roberts was followed by Rev. H. H. Allen, who labored as stated supply from May, 1861, to November, 1869, during which time the church was repaired

and cushioned, the organ at present in use purchased, and the parsonage bought, though the latter was not entirely paid for until 1870. A revival was enjoyed

toward the last of his ministry, in which Mr. Allen was instrumental in adding ninety to the membership.

From November, 1869, to May 22d, 1870, the pulpit was supplied partly by exchanges with other pastors and by students from the seminary. The present

pastor, Rev. G. P. Sewall, who has previously ministered to the church, commenced his labors with it as stated supply the latter date, and was installed pastor

December 28th, 1870.

Four young men from this church have entered the ministry, U. T. and Ebenezer Chamberlain, (who studied at Lane Seminary until the anti-slavery

excitement arrested their course,) in 1834; Andrew Harris, (colored,) (who graduated at Middlebury College, preached in Philadelphia, where he died in 1836,

the church in which he preached having been afterwards burned by a pro-slavery mob;) and E. P. Willard, who graduated from Auburn Seminary in 1862,

and is now preaching in Erie, Michigan.

Two missionaries to foreign lands have also gone from the society. Miss Frances A. Willard, (Mrs. A. C. Hall,) was sent in 1834 with her husband to Ceylon;

her life in that field was, however, short, as in less than one year after her arrival, viz: in January, 1836, she laid down her life.

In 1845, Miss Nancy A. Foot (Mrs. Webb) was sent to the same field, where she and her husband labored several years; but their health failing, they returned

to this country and are both living near Philadelphia.

April 8th, 1874, a "Ladies' Missionary Society" was formed. It now numbers forty members and makes regular offerings to the treasury of the parent society in

New York. The first contribution, so far as known, sent from this section for foreign missions, was given in 1813, by the "Ladies' Charitable Society" of the

First Presbyterian Church of Auburn.

Sunday, January 3d, 1875, James Jenny, James H. Baldwin and Samuel C. VanSickle, were ordained elders, and C. W. Travis and Albertus Badgley, deaons.*

This church has, from the first, been self-sustaining, and although never rich, it has contributed freely and regularly to spread the gospel at home and abroad.

The present membership is 160; and the average attendance at Sabbath School, (three different schools,) about 100.

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH (EPISCOPAL), was organized July 5th, 1871, by James A. Brown, the first pastor, who remained till 1873. The pulpit was supplied till

June 21st, 1874, when W. S. Hayward entered upon his labors as pastor. He resigned May 1st, 1876. The pulpit was again supplied till March, 1877, when

William H. Casey, the present pastor, entered upon the duties of his office. He is also in charge of the church at Aurora, where he lives, and preaches here

every alternate Sabbath, lay services being held the intervening Sabbaths. Their church edifice was built in 1871, at a cost of $5,500. It was consecrated June

27th, 1873. The present membership consists of twenty families.

Prior to the organization of this society Episcopal services were held by rectors resident in Seneca Falls, Auburn and neighboring places, and a regular service

every other week was insti

*Compiled from a History of the Church prepared by the pastor, Rev. G. P. Sewall, and delivered July 9th, 1876.

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tuted and continued for a year or more in connection with Montezuma. The clergymen who were the first in this field were Amos G. Baldwin, Charles G.

Acly, Rufus Murray, Benjamin W. Whichers, Malcolm Douglas and Walter Ayrault, in about the order named. Their work was followed up by visitations

of Rt. Rev. William Heathcote DeLancey, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Western New York, resident at Geneva. From 1860 to 1866, the church mission work in

Cayuga was directly under the supervision of Rev. John M. Guion, Rector of Trinity Church, Seneca Falls. In the autumn of 1866 a joint mission was

instituted between Cayuga and Union Springs, in response to the appeal of Rt. Rev. Arthur Cleveland Coxe, D. D., Bishop of Western New York, by the

communicants resident in the two places. Rev. W. W. Raymond, ordained a deacon September 23d, 1866, was placed in the field as missionary in charge,

and entered upon his duties Sunday, October 14th, 1866. Regular services were held every Sunday thereafter, at Cayuga, in the morning and Union

Springs in the evening, till January 31st, 1869, when Mr. Ryamond was transferred by Bishop Coxe to Rochester. The first Sunday School was organized

November 4th, 1866, with six teachers and twenty-four scholars, and has since continued without interruption. The average attendance thereat is

twenty-five. The holy communion was first publicly celebrated in Cayuga December 16th, 1866. The first convocational service was held May 6th, 1868,

Cayuga being in the Onondaga convocation. After the departure of Mr. Raymond, regular services were suspended for a time.

THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH OF CAYUGA was organized about 1830, by Rev. Mr. Moore, a local preacher, who filled the pulpit about a year. They had no

stated supply till about 1838, when Ross Clark became the first pastor, and remained two years. The present pastor is Wm. Reynolds, who commenced his

labors with them in the fall of 1875. In 1845 they bought the village school-house, erected in 1804, and rebuilt it to adapt it to their use, nothing but the

frame being used. It is now owned by Cyrus H. Davis, and is used as a public hall. Their present house, which is a fine brick structure, was built in 1868, at a

cost of $9,000, during the pastorate of I. Harris. Their parsonage was built about 1870, at a cost of $3,000, including land. The present membership is about

100.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, (R. C.,) was organized in 1853, by Rev. John Touhey, the first pastor, with some ninety members. Touhey remained eight years,

and was succeeded by Bernard McCool, who remained a like period, when Eugene Pagani became their pastor and served them six years. Their next pastor

was the present one, Thomas Hendricks, of Springport, who has served them three years. Their house of worship, a neat wooden structure, was built in

1870, at a cost of $2,200. The present membership is 175. Occasional meetings were held previous to the organization of the Society.

b.--Salem Town Lodge No. 326, F. & A. M., was instituted September 16th, 1853. The first officers were: John Morse, W. M.; John Barrett, S. W.;

and Samuel Townsend, F. W. The present officers are: D. S. Titus, Jr., W. M.; John H. McIntosh, S. W.; Clarence Shank, F. W.; John M. Freese, S. D.; Hiram

Titus, F. D.; James A. Bailey, Secretary; Wallace Shank, Treasurer; Jacob Knorr, Tiler; John Hungerford, S. M. D.; Wm. Dumont, F. M. C. They meet every

second and fourth Saturday in each month. Present membership, forty-two.

school, a store, a blacksmith shop, kept by E. R. Crippen, a paint shop, kept by W. R. Fisher, and about seventy-five inhabitants.

MERCHANTS.--The first merchant at Fosterville was Isaac Foster, who opened a store in 1819, which he kept to within three years of his death, about

1838. Lorenzo and Albert Lombard opened a store soon after Foster's was closed, but they kept it only a short time. Orin Foster kept a store some four years

and closed it in 1860. D. R. Forest opened a store in 1868. In 1870, he was associated as partner with Joseph M. Watson. They sold after a year to J. M. Cole,

who did business two years, and sold to H. A. Chamberlain, who sold to the present proprietor, I. T. Farmer, in October, 1876.

POSTMASTERS.--The first postmaster was Isaac Foster, who kept the office till his death, about

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1838. He was succeeded by Jonathan Foster, his brother, who held the office till his removal to Throop, about 1848, when his son, Jonathan, succeeded to the

office and held it about three years, when he also removed to Throop. Edgar Saunders was the next postmaster. He kept the office but a short time, and was

succeeded in 1855 by Abner Saunders, who held it till his death. Myron Doty, the present incumbent, was appointed in 1865.

PHYSICIANS.--The first physician was Isaac Paddock, who came from Mentz in 1830, and practiced one year. A. Hamilton Cox came in soon after and

remained one or two years. Josiah Griggs, from Montezuma, came in shortly after Cox left and practiced about four years. Nathan Abbott, from Mentz, came

in soon after Griggs left and practiced two years. Lucian Hammond came in 1854 and practiced about six years. Alanson White, the present physician, is an

allopathist, and came in from Seneca Falls, November 1st, 1874.

THE FOSTERVILLE M. E. CHURCH was organized in September, 1855, as a union church, by the Methodists and Presbyterians in that vicinity. Revs.

Boyington and Hamilton were the officiating clergymen, and the first pastors, the former preaching the dedicatory sermon. Boyington served the

Presbyterians three years. For the next two years the pulpit was supplied by students from Auburn Theological Seminary. After that the Presbyterians held no

distinctive services. Services were held up to this time by the Presbyterians in the afternoon and the Methodists in the evening. Hamilton ministered to the

Methodists two years, and had charge at the same time of the churches in Mentz and Montezuma. He was succeeded by Revs. Davis, James E. Ensign, Bowen,

Eldridge, Guire, I. Harris, Wm. B. Curtis, Elias Hoxie, and Wm. Adams, now dead, each of whom served a two years' pastorate, except Eldridge and Adams,

each of whom served but one year. G. W. Reynolds, the present pastor, commenced his labors with this church in the fall of 1875. Their house of worship

was erected in 1855, and is still owned jointly by the Methodists and Presbyterians. The Methodists number about forty, which is the attendance at Sabbath

school.

AURELIUS.

Aurelius, locally known as the Half Acre, is a four corners, whose early prominence, when it had three hotels, has been overshadowed by the introduction of

modern modes of conveyance. It had not a very enviable reputation for morality, as may be implied from the suppressed, but readily inferred prefix to its

local cognomen, which, it is but justice to add, is now a misnomer. It is situated a little south-east of the center, two miles east of Aurelius station, and three

miles west of Auburn. It contains a church, not now used as such, formerly occupied by a Presbyterian society which is disbanded, a district school, one hotel,

owned and kept about twenty years by Mrs. Betsey Westover, a blacksmith and wagon shop, kept by Michael Murray, and a population of thirty-three. The

present hotel was built by Henry Ramsay. The first hotel was kept by a man named Brockway, where Robert R. Westover now lives.

MERCHANTS.--The first merchant was Solomon Dewey, who opened a store in 1810, and kept it some two or three years. It stood on the line between the

property of John H. Baker and that of Mrs. Betsey Westover. The second and last merchant was Stephen Lombard, who opened a store in 1834, and kept it till

1837.

POSTMASTERS.--The first postmaster was Emory Ramsay, who was appointed about 1820, and held the office till his death, about 1832. He was succeeded by

Samuel Taylor, who held the office till 1836, when Stephen Lombard was appointed and held it eight years. He was succeeded by Cornelius Feak, who held it

till 1856, when he removed from the town. James C. Reed was his successor. He held it four years, when Halsey W. Taylor, the present incumbent, was

appointed.

PHYSICIANS.--The first physician was Wm. C. Bennett, who came in as early as 1799, and practiced till his death, about 1841 or '42. Dr. Randall came in about

1818, but remained but a short time. He was followed by Drs. Ellis and Bennett, in the order named, neither of whom remained but a few years. The latter

was called young Dr. Bennett, to distinguish him from the one first named. Dr. Morris came in about 1833 and practiced three or four years. Dr. Pomeroy

came in soon after Morris left and remained a year or two. Alpheus Matson came in from the eastern part of the State in 1836 and practiced about two years.

H. Shank came from Springport about

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1842, and practiced about a year. Stephen G. Lombard, a native of the town, commenced practice about 1844, and continued two years. Samuel Gilmore, who

is now practicing in Fleming, came here from Auburn, (to which place he removed from Fleming, where he had formerly practiced, in 1848,) and took up a

farm, which he managed, in connection with his professional duties, till 1865. Artemas B. Clapp, from Otisco, commenced practice April 1st, 1867, and

continued till 1874. He was the last physician.

AURELIUS STATION is situated about midway between Auburn and Cayuga on the N. Y. C. R. R. There is a post-office there.

CHAPTER XLII.

TOWN OF SPRINGPORT.

SPRINGPORT was formed from Scipio and Aurelius January 30th, 1823, and derives its name from its numerous and copious springs and its lake ports. It

lies upon the west border of the County, south of the center, upon the east shore of Cayuga Lake, which forms its west boundary. It is bounded on the north

by Aurelius, on the east by Fleming and Scipio, and on the south by Ledyard. The surface rises in gradual slopes from the Lake to the eastern border, where it

attains an elevation of 400 to 500 feet.

Its minerals are extensive and valuable, and play an important part in its industrial development. They consist principally of limestone and gypsum, the

latter being by far the most abundant and important. Both blue and gray limestone are found, the latter overlying the former, principally in the south part of

the town, near Hamburg, on the lake shore, (which was built up by the early development of the limestone interests,) and on the farm of Robert B. Howland,

on which also is a mass of sandstone, covering about an acre. Upon the farm of Philip Yawger also is another detached mass of sandstone. The limestone

strata vary from two inches to two feet in thickness, thus affording a convenient variety for practical uses. The quarries at present most extensively worked,

lie upon the shore of the lake, about three-fourths of a mile south of the village of Union Springs. The stone is used extensively for canal and railroad

purposes.

The gypsum lies principally along the lake shore, to the north of Union Springs, though it exists in the interior, near the center of the north line, where it

presents slightly more of the terminal associates of the group. The masses are incomparably larger and of better quality than those to the north and east. They

have all been denuded, for they are surrounded and covered to the depth of nine to twelve feet, by the most modern of the upper alluvium of the

Chittenango group. They present none of their terminal associates, if we except a portion of the mass in which they are enveloped, whose layers cover

portions of the gypsum. This is blackish in color, earthy in aspect, often variegated like the gypsum, contains sometimes lamellae gypsum, and, though more

rarely, a little pure sulphur. It has the appearance of an impure gypsym, and is considered by the quarrymen to be an incipient plaster, requiring time only to

make it perfect. The gypseous masses are all in a low position, some of them several feet below the surface of the lake. They show a thickness of fifteen to

thirty feet. Beautiful specimens of selenite are abundant, and yield, by analysis, 99.20 per cent. of pure gypsum. The gypseous stone effervesces feebly with

acids and presents the following constituents:*

Sulphate of lime, bi-hydrate, (pure gypsum) 80.78

Carbonate of lime------------------------- 1.76

Carbonate of magnesia-------------------- 3.03

Phosphate of lime------------------------- .43

Sand-------------------------------------- 3.32

Organic matter, (azotic)------------------- .18

Chlorine, potash and clay----------------- 10.50

The original deposit covers an area of a square mile on the east shore of the lake, a mile north of Union Springs, and first developed a commercial

importance during the war of 1812, when the Nova Scotia plaster was excluded from the markets of this country. The annual product of the Springport

quarries, which is regulated by the demand, is from 20,000 to 40,000 tons.

The numerous springs in the town possess features of interest to the geologist. The most important of these are the two in the village of Union springs,

which are about ten rods apart, and discharge their waters into ponds covering

*From an analysis of J. A. Barral, agricultural chemist of Paris, France.

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respectively five and three acres, thus furnishing a valuable water power. The rise of water in the larger one has been observed to vary from three-fourths

to two and one-fourth inches per hour.

These springs, from their copiousness and remarkable situation, have given rise to various theories respecting their source. "While some," says Edward

A. Thomas, "have surmised that they came from Owasco Lake, which is several hundred feet higher than Cayuga, others have assigned their origin to still

stranger causes. Skillful geologists assert that the formation of rocks is such as to render it utterly impossible for a stream to pass underground from

Owasco to Cayuga Lake. But from several places, from two to four miles east of Cayuga Lake, and about forty-five feet underground, large streams have

been discovered, which were running from east to west." To the east of the principal plaster quarries are sinks, some of them covering an acre in area, and

some apparently very old. The surface of some of them has been observed to subside several feet within a period of twenty-five years, while others have

originated within twenty years. The original field notes of the survey of the Cayuga Reservation, state that a stream in the locality, but to the east of these

sinks, disappeared in the rocks. No stream exists in the locality at present, but the presence of water-worn limestone rocks indicate its previous existence.

The disappearance of this stream is made to account theoretically for these surface depressions, by the wearing away of salt rock underlying the plaster

formation. Saline, sulphur and chalybeate springs also exist. There is a salt spring on the old Hope place, in Union Springs. Three or four wells have been

sunk and a good brine obtained, but not of sufficient strength to compete with the salines at Syracuse. On the place of Alex. Howland, a little south of the

salt spring, is an unfailing sulphur spring of considerable strength, the water of which has been used quite extensively for its supposed curative properties.

A little south of the railroad depot in Union Springs is another sulphur spring of great strength. All the water come in contact with in the plaster quarries

is strongly impregnated with sulphur, and many wells sunk in the village have been abandoned in consequence of the presence of sulphur and brine.

Usually, however, no difficulty is experienced in obtaining water free from these elements from the shore, though all the water is strongly charged with

lime. In the basement of Spencer's foundry is a chalybeate spring of considerable strength.

Upon the lake, between Yawger's Point and the main land, is a marsh covering some five acres, covered with a growth of hibiscus, (II. Moscheutos) whose

large reddish blossoms present a gorgeous sight from midsummer to early fall. Though not confined to, it is often very abundant in brackish marshes and

the vicinity of salt springs, and its presence there may be considered an indication of saline properties in that locality.

The soil of this town is a superior quality of sandy and gravelly loam, intermixed in places with clay, and this and the climate, whose severity in winter is

modified by the warmth imparted by the waters of the lake, which rarely freezes, admirably adapt it to fruit culture, to which considerable attention is paid.

The Cayuga Lake Shore Railroad extends through the town, along the shore of the lake, and this, together with its facilities for lake transportation, render

it easily accesible, and open up ready markets for its manufactures and farm products.

The area of the town in 1875, was 13,107 acres; of which 11,885 were improved; and 1,222 woodland. Its population was 2,179; of whom 1,908 were native;

271 foreign; 2,160 white; and 19 colored.

This town lies wholly within the reservation made by the Cayugas in 1789, when they ceded to the State their lands within its limits; and on lot 85, about

one and one-half miles north of Union Springs, is the site of their principal village, variously named in the different dialects of the Iroquois, Goi-o-gouen,

On-ne-io-te, and Gwa-u-gwah, from the original Huron word Oyngoua, signifying tobacco, and the seat of the mission of St. Joseph, established by Father

Etienne de Carheil, a French Jesuit, November 6th, 1668. "The mural remains in the vicinity indicate," says John S. Clark, "that the village extended a mile

back from the lake, and as far north as the stream north of the Richardson house; the relics indicating the most ancient residences are found on both sides

of the railroad south of the Backus plaster mill, where there was an exten-

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Geological Formation / Town of Springport

sive burial place, and where stone and bone implements abound in connection with articles of European origin. Their totem was a calumet or great tobacco

pipe, and their chief sachem bore the hereditary title of Sanuu-aweau-towa.

Father Rafeix, who occupied this mission one year during the absence of Father de Carheil, thus describes this locality in his Relation of June 24th, 1672:

Goi-o-gouen is the most beautiful country I have ever seen in America. It is situated in latitude 42 1-2 degrees, and the needle scarcely dips more than ten

degrees. It lies between two lakes, and is no more than four leagues wide, with almost continual plains, bordered by fine forests. * * * More than a thousand

deer are annually killed in the neighborhood of Goi-o-gouen. Fishing, as well the salmon as the eel, and other fisheries are as abundant as at Onondaga."

Here their councils were held, and here was the residence of the chief of the nation. Here, also, says Clark, "we find a tract containing several acres, known as

the Indian burying ground," in the vicinity of which have been found "the usual implements and weapons of stone, beads evidently one in use as a rosary,

by some convert to the teachings of these Jesuit Fathers. A well preserved skull, with an iron tomahawk and rusty musket, were found in the same grave."

"Every foot turned up by the plow revealed fragments of skulls, and the soil was literally black and fat with the dust of the mouldering dead. On digging a

few inches below, where the soil had been undisturbed by the plow, a perfect net-work was found of almost perfect skeletons. Tens of thousands of those sons

of the dark forest had here been buried. Abundant evidence appears that a large town once existed here and long continued use of those grounds for burial

purposes.

"On an adjoining eminence their council fires had glared for centuries on brave warriors and wise counselors. Here had been their seat of authority and

these hills had reechoed with the eloquence of their orators. Here untold generations had lived, died and were buried. Here lived a feeble remnant of the race

when Sullivan, under the stern necessities of war, gave their orchards to the ax, their homes and castles to the devouring torch, and their sacred burial places

desecration."

The first settlement by the whites was made soon after the extinction of the Indian title, Feb. 23d, 1789, and many, unfortunately, who were attracted to the

springs and to localities in this town adjacent to them, suffered ejectment, on complaint of the Indians, by the State authorities. In consequence of its

reservation by the Indians this town was not as numerously settled at as early a day, as lother localities in the County. The earliest settlement of which we

have authentic record was made in 1790, by Frederick Gearhart and Thomas Thompson, and possibly by Edward Richardson, who, about that time, dammed

up the north spring and became the first proprietor of the mill property thereon. Gearhart, who was a blacksmith, came from Pennsylvania, and settled two

and one-half miles east of Union Springs, where Thomas Alverson now lives. He died here at a very early day, previous to 1805. Thompson's home was the

Juniata, in Western Pennsylvania. He came in October, 1790, and settled a little south of Union Springs. He soon after bought a soldier's claim in Scipio, to

which the title proved defective, and he subsequently removed to the north-west corner of this town, to the farm now owned by Clinton T. Backus, where he

died. Four sons and five daughters came with him, viz: John, Alexander, James, Maxwell, Elizabeth, afterwards wife of William Richardson, Sarah,

afterwards wife of Samuel Richardson, Mary, afterwards wife of Jesse Davis, Nancy, afterwards wife of George McFarland, and Isabella, who died at the age of

fourteen. They came with their household goods across the mountains on horseback, and drove their sheep, hogs and cows, the journey occupying some two

weeks. Thompson's sons and daughters all settled in that locality on adjoining farms.

William Richardson came in from Chester Co., Pa., in 1791, and settled on the shore of the lake, two miles north of Union Springs. He afterwards removed

to Levanna, and died there in 1823, aged ninety-two years. There he took up a tract of four hundred acres, a portion of which was cleared, fenced and sown to

wheat the first year, under the direction of his son John, assisted by his brother Samuel, the crop of which yielded forty bushels to the acre. He was tall, well

proportioned, and possessed high social and intellectual qualities, while he was passionately fond of sports, such as the chase, fishing, fowling, &c.

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EARLY SETTLEMENTS

At this time, (1791,) there were some 600 Indians living on their reservation, who rapidly removed, however, after the sale of their reservation in 1794,

except a part called "their residence reservation," a tract some two miles square, lying on the lake, a little south of Union Springs, and another tract, one mile

square, lying three or four miles north-east of that village, to which their title was not relinquished till 1799. Among the last remaining in the County, were a

body of about thirty Tuscaroras, who occupied the tongue of land running out into the lake, about a mile and a half south of Union Springs. Of this little

band Steel Trap, whose Indian name was Kanistagia, was king, and Esther, queen. Both were kind and neighborly, and Steel Trap was a fine fellow, worthy of

his name. He was poisoned by a villain who lived near him; and soon after this the queen and her little band removed west.

In the year 1794, James Crane came in from New Jersey, on foot, and settled two miles north-east of Union Springs, on the farm occupied mainly by Horace

Schenck, where he died November 8, 1823. His family consisted of his wife, Abigail, and one son, Henry, who did not come to the new settlement till January

7th, 1804. Crane spent the winters with his family in New Jersey till then, making the journeys on foot. Henry came in with his mother, wife, Mary, and one

child, the latter of whom, Joseph H. Crane, is now living in Union Springs, aged seventy-seven. They came with an ox team, the journey occupying

seventeen days. Henry settled on his father's farm, and died there January 19th, 1844.

Jesse Davis, a young man, came in from Chester county, Pa., in 1799, and built a grist-mill that year on Yawger's Creek, about a half mile above the grist and

plaster-mill of Lafayette Yawger. It was a log mill, with one run of stones. The bed stone was obtained from the Big Gully, and is now in use in L. Yawger's

plaster-mill. He brought the irons for the mill from Philadelphia, and the millwrights from Chester county, Pa. After about three years he removed to

another farm, and about 1805, to the farm now occupied by his son-in-law, Aaron Mersereau, where he and his wife died, the former in March, 1842, and the

latter in December, 1840. George McFarland, a young man, who afterwards married a daughter of Thomas Thompson, came in with Jesse Davis. He was a

millwright and was engaged in building the mill. He took up land two and one-half miles north of Union Springs, which is now included in the Backus

farm, and died there in 1830.

Settlements were made in 1800 by James Carr, from Johnstown, Wm. S. Burling, from New York City, Dr. John Mosher, from White Creek, Washington

county, John Earl, from Newport, R. I.; and about that time by James Barker, from Hoosick, Rensselaer county, and Gilbert Weed, from Saratoga county. Carr

settled one and one-half miles south of Union Springs, on the farm now owned by John Deshong, where he died May 8th, 1839, aged seventy-four. He served

as a soldier during the French and Indian, and Revolutionary wars. Only one of his children is living, viz: Deborah, widow of Eri Bennett, at Cayuga.

Hartman Carr, son of James Carr, who was born in Johnstown the year previous to his father's settlement here, and lived in close proximity to the old

homestead, died here September 23d, 1876. His wife survives him, aged seventy-five. Burling was a Quaker preacher. He settled in Union Springs, on the

corner of Cayuga and Chapel streets. After some ten or fifteen years, he removed to Canandaigua. Mosher settled at Union Springs, where he was the first

postmaster. He married here a daughter of Joel Coe, and removed about 1840 to Michigan. Earl was a brother-in-law of Burling's, and bought, in company

with him, the mill property at the north spring. He removed some fifteen years after to New York.

James Barker, son of William, was interested with Messrs. Burling and Earl in the mill property, which then included both springs, the south spring not

having been used for hydraulic purposes for several years after the other. They subsequently separated; Burling & Earl retaining the north spring property,

and Mr. Barker, the south, or smaller spring, where he built a fulling-mill. He sold in 1816 to Philip Winegar, and took up a farm one and one-half miles

south of Union Springs. He removed to Canada a short time after. Mr. Weed came in company with his sons, Lansing, Gilbert, James, John D. and

Alexander, who settled in Springport, except Alexander, who settled near Fitch's Corners, in Scipio. The elder Gilbert died in the

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town. Lansing moved out of the town in 1805. Gilbert and John D. moved to Canadice, and died there. James moved out of the town about 1816 or '17.

James Nutt came in from Vermont soon after 1800, and settled two miles east of Union Springs, where his son, Harvey H., now lives, and where he died.

Philip Yawger came in from New Jersey with ten children, six sons and four daughters, in 1801, and settled one mile north of Union Springs, where his

grandson John C. Yawger now lives. He came by means of Jersey wagons. He died on the homestead September 3d, 1830, aged 77. None of his children are

living. One son, Peter, was Member of Assembly in 1827 and 1831. A small stream in the north part of the town perpetuates his name. Numerous

grand-children are living in the County; among whom are Philip O., a merchant in Union Springs, and Lafayette, proprietor of a grist and plaster-mill on

Yawger Creek, which was built about twenty-six years ago, and in which 500 to 600 tons of plaster are ground per year. Peter took up 260 acres, which are now

owned by John O. and Henry, sons of Henry Yawger, and grandsons of Philip. Philip took up a section on the site of Owego, where he stopped one season; but

disliking the location he came on to Springport. His grandson, Philip O. Yawger, says the Indians destroyed his first year's crops, which was the cause of

much suffering. Upon Philip's farm was discovered the first plaster bed in Springport, about 1809. A portion of the plaster rock was brought to the surface by

the plow, and having been paying a high price for Nova Scotia plaster, the hope of finding here a cheaper substitute for that article led him to give it a trial

upon a fall crop. The rock was pulverized by means of pounding, and the result was so satisfactory as to lead to further investigation, and the discovery of the

plaster bed as before stated. The embargo of 1812, which excluded Nova Scotia plaster, favored the rapid development of Cayuga plaster.

Humphrey Hunt came in from Orange county, Vt., in 1805, and settled one mile south of Union Springs, where Peter B. Wood now lives. He was a

Revolutionary soldier, serving the whole seven years, first, on account of his youthfulness, as captain's waiter. He accompanied Sullivan's expedition

against the Iroquois in 1779, and was one of the party detached to destroy the villages of the Cayugas on the east shore of Cayuga Lake. He was twice wounded,

once in the hand and again in the hip. In 1828, he removed to Mt. Morris, Livingston county, and died there a little over a year after.

Ichabod Clark came in about 1805 or '7, and settled about three miles east of Union Springs. His wife was a daughter of Gilbert Weed.

Amos Howland came in from Galway, Saratoga county, about 1806, and settled on Big Gully Creek, two and one-half miles south-east of Union Springs,

where he started a woolen-mill, in company with a man named Allen, which he conducted two or three years. He afterwards found employment in the

woolen-mill erected by Philip Winegar, at the south spring. He resided here till his death, July 18th, 1850.

Thomas Collins, the first inn-keeper, located about 1807, in Union Springs, where his daughter, Sarah, widow of Thomas Van Sickle, now lives. William

Cozzens came in from R. I., in 1810, and settled in Union Springs, where James Arnold now lives. He was an old sea-captain. He was engaged in agricultural,

and for a short time, in mercantile, pursuits. He died here in 1842, aged 63. William Cozzens, his son, was a merchant here some thirty-five years and till his

death April 3d, 1860. His children are all dead. Elisha Eldredge came from White Creek, Washington county, in 1810, and settled on 100 acres in the north

part of the village of Union Springs, where James Arnold now lives. He sold to William Cozzens in 1815, and removed one mile east, to the next tier of lots,

where he died November 2d, 1874, aged 97. Three children are living, viz: Joseph and Edward, in Springport, and Isaac, in Chicago.

William Taver came in from Rensselaer county, about 1813, and settled in the south-west corner of the lot on which the brick residence of Clinton Backus

now stands. He moved to Williamson, Wayne county, in 1825, and subsequently to the west part of the State, where both he and his wife died.

Elam Anthony, came in from White Creek, Washington county, in 1815, and settled in Union Springs, where he has followed the business of carpenter and

joiner. He is now living in that village, aged 88 years, October 5th, 1878. In 1818, he married Nancy, daughter of Humphrey

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Town of Springport / Union Springs

Hunt, who is still living with him aged eighty. He has nine children living, only three in this State, Lydia, wife of Peter Howell, Cordelia, wife of Edward

Curry, and Mary, all in Union Springs.

Philip Winegar, who took a prominent part in developing the business of the village, came in from Dutchess county, in 1815, on foot, and bought an interest

with Esick Mosher, his father-in-law, in the mill property at the south spring, which consisted of a log grist- mill, with one run of stones, a small saw-mill

driven by a "flutter" wheel, and a clothing establishment. The latter with the building erected for its accommodation by Mr. Winegar, in 1830, was burned in

the winter of 1834-'5, and rebuilt in 1836. The following year he moved his family here, and settled at Union Springs, where he continued to reside till his

death, August 21st, 1862, aged 77. He soon after bought Mosher's interest in the mill property, and he and his sons Esick M., Z. S., and G. W., owned it till

1854, when it came into the possession of the Beardsley Bros.

James S. Allen came in from Greenfield, Saratoga county, in the winter of 1818, and settled on the Big Gully, two miles east of Union Springs, where he took

up forty acres, selected for its water privilege, the fall being about twenty feet, and erected a carding and fulling-mill, and manufactory of woolen machinery,

which business he carried on till 1830, when he removed to the village and engaged in the manufacture of thrashing machines. He was succeeded in 1842 by

his son A. W. Allen, who carried on the business nine years, and who then engaged in other undertakings. The farm on which Allen first settled, now

belongs to the Seneca Allen estate. He died here March 28th, 1868.

TOWN OFFICERS.--The first town meeting was held at the house of John Yawger, inn-keeper, the first Tuesday in April, 1823, and the following named

officers were elected: Wm. Cozzens, Supervisor; Wm. G. Harkness, Clerk; Giles Robinson, Henry Crane and Gilbert Goodrich, Assessors; Thomas A.

Buddington, Giles Robinson and Samuel Wisner, Commissioners of Highways; John S. Toan and Moses Wisner, Poormasters; Asa N. Burnham, Jonathan

Carr and Alexander Thompson, Commissioners of Common Schools; Stephen Mosher, Hiram Hunt and Asa N. Burnham, Inspectors of Common Schools;

Wm. Sherd and Peter Flinn, Commissioners of Public Lands; Samuel Marsh, Collector; Samuel Marsh and Ephraim Sharp, Constables.

The present officers (1878) are:

Supervisor--James L. Hammond.

Clerk--Oscar E. shank.

Justices--Ashbel W. Carr, Levi Collins, and Solomon R. Myers.

Assessors--John F. Courtney, Samuel Jenney and Llewellyn Davis.

Commissioner of Highways--Amos M. Haley.

Overseer of the Poor--John D. Weed.

Inspectors of Election--Jesse D. Thompson, P. Henry Byrne and Horace C. Carr.

Collector--Leonard H. Carr.

Constables--Leonard H. Carr, Walter Garrison, George Bowen, Asa Shank and John T. Stout.

Excise Commissioners--John Quigley, Samuel Jenney, and David Everett.

Game Constable--Nathan S. Jennings.

to. Its regularly laid out and handsomely shaded streets, with its tasty cottages and ornate dwellings just visible through the luxuriant foliage, present a

pleasing picture as viewed from the lake, which, with the little island of Frontenac, that solitary gem of the western lakes, three-fourths of a mile distant,

presents an equally picturesque spectacle.

It contains eight churches, (Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Episcopal, Hicksite Friends, Methodist Episcopal, Orthodox Friends and Presbyterian,) the Howland

Institute, the Friends' Academy, a Kindergarten school, a Union school, one newspaper office, (the Union Springs Advertiser,) one bank, (the First National

of Union Springs,) the New York Central Insurance Company, one hotel, (kept by George E. Ashby,) seventeen stores of various kinds, two meat markets,

(kept by S. S. Bliss and Shank & Anthony,) two harness shops, (kept by Wm. Graves and James Reynolds,) two carriage shops, (kept by N. C. Dean and J. R.

Ely,) two grist-mills, a saw-mill, plaster-mill, planing-mill and hub-factory, foundry and machine shop, brick and tile works, limestone quarry and kiln,

(owned by La-

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Union Springs / Town of Springport

fayette Hoff,) the Cayuga Plaster Company, four millinery shops, (kept by Helen Richardson, Mrs. D. W. Myers, Lucy Rickon and Miss Kate Henry,) two

furniture and undertaking establishments, (J. B. Pierson and Peter T. Howell,) two blacksmith shops, (McDermott Bros. and Hoagland & Rosecrants,) two

barber shops, (Adam Alt and Frank Hornbeck,) one photographer, (R. R. Abbott,) one bakery, (A. Terry,) a cigar and tobacco store, (George E. Carr,) marble

works, (John Irving,) two coal and lumber dealers, (H. H. Morse and E. C. Bowen,) a grain ware-house, (George P. Schenck,) a nursery, (Horace Anthony,) and

a patent buckwheat huller manufactory, (Isaac H. Thomas.) Population about 1,400.

The village was incorporated November 8th, 1848, and originally included 1,086.85 acres. In 1877, the west bounds were extended to the center of the lake.

The following named officers were elected January 16th, 1849: Eseck M. Winegar, President; Eseck M. Winegar, William B. Schobey, Silas Ludlow, James S.

Everett and Leonard Simons, Trustees; Philip Winegar, Almeron Durkee and Daniel Mersereau, Assessors; Samuel Smith, Collector; John C. Yawger,

Treasurer; John Griffing, Clerk. The present officers (1878) are Henry H. Morse, President; Henry H. Morse, Gaylord Anthony, Michael McDermott and John

Close, Trustees; Wm. Cozzens, Treasurer; James Fay, Collector; Noyes S. Collins, Clerk; George Day, Street Commissioner.

FRONTENAC ISLAND, containing somewhat less than an acre of land, was used by the aborigines as a place of sepulcher, at least the numerous relics of

Indian warfare, and the large quantity of bones found there make this probable. It was deeded to the trustees of Union Springs by the Legislature, in April,

1856, to be kept as a park and pleasure ground. Soon after it was greatly improved by clearing away the brushwood and making gravel walks, and seats; but

latterly, from neglect, it is lapsing into its primitive wildness. Great interest attaches to it, as no other island is found in this tier of lakes.

MERCHANTS.--The first merchants at Union Springs were Laban Hoskins, from Genoa, and Judge Walter Wood, from Aurora, who opened a store in

1810, where the bank now stands, in the building now used as a dwelling by John Irving. About 1815, Hoskins, (who died here Aug. 29th, 1863, aged 73,)

bought Wood's interest, and did business till 1837, when Luman H. Capen, his brother-in-law from Seneca Falls, became his partner, and the two did

business till 1855, when they sold to Lebeus Barton, who came in from Scipioville in 1836, and commenced business here in 1849, selling in 1852, to William

Cozzens. He had previously, in 1854, purchased William H. Chase's stock. In 1857, Byron Brown became his partner, and in 1858, Samuel Barton, his brother,

was admitted. In 1861, the Bartons bought Brown's interest and divided the stock, Samuel continuing the business here three years, and Lebeus going to

North Huron, Wayne Co.; but, returning in 1871, he bought out Weed, Day & Co., grocers and bakers, and in 1873, he built the store now occupied by M. A.

Barton, into which he put a general stock. In the spring of 1875, he was succeeded by M. A. Barton, who is still doing business.

Dr. John Mosher, Capt. William Cozzens and Asa Burnham, started a store in the fall of 1815, which they continued for several years. Burnham and Mosher

afterwards did business alone, the former but a few years, the latter continuing till about 1842. The same fall (1815) another store was started by Samuel, John

and James Williams, and a brother-in-law of theirs named Robinson. They failed in about four years. Philip Winegar and his son Eseck M. opened a store

about 1821 or '22. Isaac Valentine, from Flushing, L. I., succeeded the Williamses and continued several years.

Daniel Mersereau, from Staten Island, commenced business here about 1830, and continued till his death, March 7th, 1853, when the business went into the

hands of his children, and was continued under the name of T. J. Mersereau & Co., till 1867, when T. F. & D. P. Mersereau bought the entire interest of the

remaining heirs and have since continued it.

Archibald Stewart, who came in from New Jersey with his father, Robert L., in 1811, and settled at Sherwood, commenced the boot and shoe business here in

1831, and still conducts it.

Geo. H. Ham commenced business here in the fall of 1836, and failed after a few years. He was previously engaged in mercantile business several years at

Hamburg, about three-fourths of a mile south of Union Springs, which derived its name from him, and to which a considerable num-

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TOWN OF SPRINGPORT/ UNION SPRINGS

ber of settlers were attracted at an early day by the limestone interests here. Geo. Valmore, from Troy, commenced the boot and shoe business in 1841, and has

since continued it.

John Richardson and John C. Yawger, the former of whom had previously done business some four years, did business a few years from about 1841, under

the name Richardson & Yawger. They dissolved and divided their stock, Mr. Richardson becoming associated with Wm. Cozzens, and Mr. Yawger, with his

brother Henry.

Philip O. Yawger succeeded his brother John C., in 1862, and did business with Henry six years, and since then, alone.

N. C. Howland, was born in the town August 11th, 1826, commenced the jewelry business in 1861, and is still engaged in it.

S. W. Rogers, from Avon, commenced the drug business here in 1863, in company with Dr. M. B. Eaton, with whom he was associated two years. He then

bought Eaton's interest, and has since carried on business alone, with the exception of a short time, when he was associated with Dr. B. A. Fordyce.

David Everett, from Hackettstown, N. J., commenced business here April 26th, 1864, as a partner with his uncle, J. S. Everett, who commenced business in

August, 1848. July 26th, 1869, he bought his uncle's interest, and has since done business alone.

F. A. Carr, who is a native of this village, commenced the hardware business about 1871.

F. F. Woodworth & Son, (Frank,) hardware merchants, came in from Baldwinsville in the spring of 1871 or 1872, and bought a half interest with Charles N.

Howland, with whom they did business two years.

W. S. L. Freer, jeweler, from Newark, Wayne county, commenced business in 1873. In March, 1878, he became associated with J. R. Montague, a former

resident of the village, with whom he is now doing business, under the name of Freer & Montague.

F. Wallace Elverson, grocer and crockery ware dealer, commenced business in February, 1873, in company with A. L. Howland, whose interest he bought in

February, 1876.

W. H. Cozzens, grandson of Capt. Wm. Cozzens, dealer in books and stationery, commenced business in August, 1875.

F. R. Schenck, dealer in boots and shoes, commenced business in 1876. He is a native of the town.

E. M. Hart, druggist, came from Romulus, Seneca county, and commenced business in April, 1876.

F. Brougham, dealer in boots and shoes, came in from Root, Montgomery county, and commenced business April 1st, 1877.

Geo. D. Hibbard, recently commenced business in the north part of the village.

POSTMASTERS--The post-office was established at Union Springs in 1811, and Dr. Jno. Mosher, who was the first postmaster, held the office till about 1841.

He was succeeded by Geo. P. Morgan, who held it in 1842, and for a period of four years. Wm. Smith held the office for one year after Mr. Morgan, in 1846,

and was succeeded by Frederick P. Cone, who held it till about 1849. Jno. C. Yawger was postmaster from 1849-'53; Edward Eldredge, from 1853-'57; Dr. Noyes

Palmer, from 1857-'61. N. C. Simons next held it nearly four years, and was succeeded by Joseph Clark, who held it till Mr. Johnson took the presidential

chair, when A. B. Capron was appointed, and held the office till 1869. James B. Burlew next held the office till 1873, and was succeeded by James R. Angel, the

present incumbent, who was appointed December 10th, 1873.

PHYSICIANS.--The first physician in Union Springs was John Mosher, who practiced from 1800 till his nephew Stephen Mosher came in about 1817. The

latter practiced till 1833, when he sold to David L. Dodge, from Dutchess county, who practiced till about 1851. He was followed about this time by Noyes

Palmer, from Montezuma, who practiced till his death, May 7th, 1863. Charles Farnham, from Scipio, practiced here from 1841-'8. S. A. Tremain, from

Trumansburgh, came in about 1856, and practiced till the opening of the war. Joseph G. Richardson came in from Philadelphia in 1867, and practiced three or

four years. F. H. Hamlin came from Wayne county in 1869, and practiced till 1874. Dr. Wm. G. Harkness, who joined the County Medical Society, November

3d, 1808, while a resident of Fleming, was one of the earliest physicians in Springport. He lived two miles north-east of the village. He was also an early

teacher; he taught school about 1810, about a mile south of the village.

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UNION SPRINGS/ TOWN OF SPRINGPORT.

The present physicians are, Benjamin A. Fordyce, an allopath, who joined the County Medical Society, June 4th, 1846, and came in from Venice in the spring

of 1866. Peter H. Peterson, a homeopath, who was born in Fleming April 6th, 1803; educated in Auburn, and commenced practice here in December, 1841.

George Randolph Parry, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., September 3d, 1839, and educated there; graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in

1862, and from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1867, in which year he commenced to practice here. O. W. Smith, who was born in Canajoharie, June 25th,

1840; educated at the Geneva Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1866; commenced practice in the spring of 1867, in the village of

Ames, Montgomery county, whence he came to Union Springs in 1872, and Channing Holt, who was born in Worthington, Conn., April 12th, 1849; educated

at Hartford, Connecticut; graduated from the University of New York in the winter of 1875; and came to Union Springs in October, 1878.

LAWYERS.--So far as we have been able to learn, Caleb Winegar was the first lawyer at Union Springs. He practiced from about 1845 till his death, June 1st,

1870. He was a son of Philip Winegar. Oliver Wood practiced here from about 1852-'4. He was succeeded by William B. Woodin, who practiced till elected

Surrogate in November, 1859, when he removed to Auburn, where he now resides. He was a Member of Assembly in 1855, and afterwards State Senator for

eight years. Nathan Roberts came in from Varick, Seneca county, and A. B. Capron, from Homer, about 1860. Roberts practiced three or four years and

removed to Missouri; and Capron, till 1862, when he sold to Daniel A. Robinson, and entered the army. Robinson was born in Farmington, Ontario county,

October 13th, 1831 and came to Union Springs in 1862, continuing here eight years, after which he spent two years in New York and Washington engaged in

soliciting patents and prosecuting claims. He returned to Union Springs in the spring of 1874, since which time he has been in the employ pf the Cayuga

Plaster Co. Etsel Wood was born in South Amboy, N. J., April 25th, 1835. He began the study of law in 1863, with D. A. Robinson, of Union Springs, and was

admitted in December, 1866, at Rochester, since which time he has practiced here. Reuben F. Hoff was born in Union Springs November 24th, 1840. He was

admitted to the bar December 6th, 1866, and commenced practice in 1870, at Union Springs, where he has since continued. He was elected Justice in 1871, and

held the office four years; and in 1874, was elected Special Co. Judge, which office he held till January 1st, 1878. Noyes S. Collins was born in Camden, Oneida

Co., November 13th, 1851. He graduated at the Albany Law School; was admitted in 1875, and commenced practice that year in Union Springs.

Beardsley, President; William Clarke, Vice-President; Joseph B. Clarke, Secretary. Mr. Beardsley held the office of president till his death, February 4th, 1874,

when he was succeeded by W. E. Hughitt, who still holds the office. William Clarke held the office of vice president till his death in August, 1865, when he

was succeeded by Smith Anthony, who held it till January, 1867, when David Anthony was elected. He was succeeded in January, 1873, by Sanford Gifford,

who still holds it. Joseph B. Clarke was succeeded in the secretaryship by Amos M. Clark, the present secretary, in January, 1871.

The greatest volume of business done, as shown by the premiums received, was in 1875, when it reached over $200,000, by a continual increase from $25,000,

the amount for the first year. At present the business aggregates about $150,000, which is about an average for the last five years. The company is in a

prosperous condition, and has paid since its organization an average dividend of eight per cent. The assets are $225,310.63; the net surplus, $10,012.62. The

total amount of premiums received is $1,171,113.50; total amount of losses paid, $1,172,302.63; the greatest loss in any one fire was $5,000. The present

directors are, Wm. E. Hughitt, Henry Yawger, Geo. Bailey, Wm. B. Schobey, Hicks Anthony, Sanford Gifford, Geo. P. Schenck, Alvin Coburn, Richard

Montague, and Amos M. Clark. The company occupy rooms over the bank.

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PRESS.--The papers published in Union Springs are

"The Cayuga Tocsin--By Royall T. Chamberlain. Five column folio. Weekly. Established Demember 25th, 1811. Removed to Auburn about a year thereafter.

"Cayuga Democrat--By William Clarke. Five column folio. Weekly. Cass campaign sheet. Established in the spring of 1848. Published a short time.

"Cayuga Telegraph--By William Clarke. Six column folio. Weekly. Established June 5th, 1848. Published about two years. Succeeded by the

"Union Springs Ledger--By William Clarke and C. C. Williams. Weekly. Established 185-. Continued only a few months.

"Christian Union--By J. B. Clarke. Four column quarto. Semi-monthly. Religious. Established January 22d, 1859. Removed to New York in October, 1859.

"Union Springs Herald--By J. B. Clarke. Six column folio. Weekly. Established October 15th, 1859. Burned out November 30th, 1861.

"Casket of Gems--Anonymous. Small Literary paper. Published a short time. Succeeded by the

"Cayuga Lake Recorder--By I. O. Crissy and T. E. Hitchcock. Seven column folio. Weekly. Established November 11th, 1859. Mr. Hitchcock withdrew in the

summer of '59. Paper continued by I. O. Crissy until December 13th, 1861, at which time the editor raised a company of cavalry for Scott's 900, which he

accompanied to the field.

"Cayuga Lake Herald--By B. G. Gibbs. Six column folio. Weekly. Consolidation of the Union Springs Herald and Cayuga Lake Recorder. Established December

13th, 1861. In 1862 Mr. Gibbs enlisted in the army and the paper was continued by J. B. Clarke, the proprietor.

"Cayuga Lake Herald--Continued by Emerson B. Williams in the spring of 1863. Discontinued in October following.

"Cayuga Lake Record--By John W. Stanton. Six column folio. Weekly. Established January 7th, 1864. Continued nine months.

"Central New Yorker--By H. H. DeWolf. Six column folio. Weekly. Established April, 1865. Continued nine months.

"Temperance Union--By Park & Cheal. Four column quarto. Monthly. Devoted to temperance. Established in the spring of 1866. After a few numbers were

issued it was removed to Jordan and published as the Pearly Fountain, May 30th, 1866.

"Union Springs Advertiser--By James B. Hoff. Four column folio. Weekly. Established June 14th, 1866. Has since been continued by the same proprietor, and

is now a seven column folio."*

MANUFACTURES--The Cayuga Plaster Company represents the most important manufacturing interest of the village. It is composed of C. T. Backus, James

Fitch, R. B. Howland, B. Robinson and R. B. Robinson, and was organized January 1st, 1874, for the purpose of mining, grinding and disposing of plaster rock.

Its formation unified the plaster interests which were hitherto conducted by individuals and firms. The company operate the R. B. Howland and C. T. Backus

quarries and buy the product of the Yawger, Richardson, Thompson and Fitch quarries, all of which, except the last two, which are one mile to the east, are

upon the shore of the lake. They also own three plaster quarries in the north-central part of the town. They lease the Howland, Robinson & Co., Backus and

Fitch plaster-mills; and give employment to some fifty men in the quarries and mills about two-thirds of the year. The beds have already furnished hundreds

of thousands of tons of plaster, and the supply seems to be inexhaustible. The product varies from 20,000 to 40,000 tons annually.

BANKS.--The First National Bank of Union Springs, was organized February 4th, 1864, and commenced business in April of that year, with a capital of

$50,000, which was increased to $100,000, January 16th, 1865. The first directors were Daniel Yawger, William H. Chase, John C. Yawger, John J. Thomas,

Albert Beardsley, William Clarke, Henry Yawger, Jr., Joseph B. Clarke and Byron Brown. The first officers were, John C. Yawger, President; Albert Beardsley,

Vice-President; and Benj. Howland, Cashier. Yawger was president till January 8th, 1867, and was succeeded by C. T. Backus, who still holds the office.

Beardsley was vice-president till February 22d, 1864, and was succeeded April 11th, 1864, by John J. Thomas, who held the office till January 11th, 1870, when

Philip H. Yawger was elected and still retains the office. Howland resigned the cashiership February 22d, 1864, when Albert Beardsley was appointed to that

office and held it till January 8th, 1867, when he was succeeded by John C. Yawger, who held it till January 11th, 1870, when Beardsley was reappointed. He

resigned December 2d, 1873, and was succeeded by George W. Winegar, who held it till February 2d, 1875, when M. F. Backus, the present incumbent was

appointed. The

*Union Springs Advertiser.

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UNION SPRINGS/ TOWN OF SPRINGPORT.

dividends paid to stockholders have averaged eight per cent.

The following is a copy of the June, 1878, statement of the bank:

.

RESOURCES

Loans and discounts $113,320 91

Overdrafts 3,916 82

U. S. Bonds to secure circulation 100,000 00

Other stocks, bonds and mortgages 12,196 41

Due from reserve agents 1,617 40

Due from other National Banks 2,063 47

Current expenses and taxes paid 1,758 33

Checks and other cash items 1,601 94

Bills of other banks 5,379 00

Fractional currency (including

nickels and cents) 190 69

Specie 512 00

Legal tender notes 4,500 00

Redemption fund with U. S.

Treasurer 3,700 00

Interest account 195 24

____________

250,952 21

LIABILITIES

Capital stock 100,000 00

Surplus fund 20,000 00

Undivided profits 11,195 11

Circulation outstanding 89,800 00

Dividends unpaid 676 00

Individual deposits 28,134 27

Due to other National Banks 1,146 83

____________

TOTAL 250,952 21

SPRING MILLS, flouring, grist and plaster, are operated by Robert B. Howland, Dr. Benedict Robinson and R. B. Robinson, under the name of Howland,

Robinson & Co. The grist-mill, which is constructed of stone, and is 65 by 84 feet, with four stories and basement, was built in 1840, by Geo. Howland of New

Bedford, Mass., who, a few years previously, had purchased a large amount of property in and about the village, and who, by his enterprise and liberality,

contributed largely to its prosperity. A plaster-mill was built at the same time, and both were operated under his direction, by his sons Charles and Augustus.

After the death of George Howland, in 1852, the property was rented to J. & N. C. Simons, who run the mills five years. Simons & Robinson afterwards run

them two years, when they came into the possession of the present proprietors. The original plaster-mill is now used as a store-house, a saw-mill built

contiguous to it in 1842, having been converted into the present plaster-mill. The grist-mill contains five run of stones, one of them a feed run. The works

are located at the north or larger springs, which furnishes the motive power, with the exception of about four months in the year, when the water supply is

scarce, and power is furnished by a fifty horse-power engine.

UNION SPRINGS MILLS, flouring, grist and saw, are owned and operated by Anthony & Co., (Gaylord Anthony and J. W. Perrine,) the former of whom

bought them of E. C. Bowen and Manson Backus October 1st, 1877, and admitted the latter March 1st, 1878. The grist-mill was built in 1836, by Philip Winegar,

for a woolen factory, and was used as such till 1854, when it was changed into a grist-mill by the Beardsley Bros. It is a stone structure, with three stories and

basement, and contains three run of stones, two for flour and one for feed. The motive power is furnished by water and steam, which are used in connection,

the former being supplied by the south spring, near which the mill is located, and the latter, by a thirty horse-power engine. In May, 1878, machinery was

introduced for the manufacture of flour by the new process.

UNION SPRINGS AGRICULTURAL WORKS are owned by J. O. Spencer, who is engaged in the manufacture of the "Wide-awake" thrashers, separators and

steam engines, horse-powers and agricultural implements, in which forty men are employed. The building was erected some twenty years ago by Wm.,

Henry and Lewis McFarland, who carried on the business some five years, when Lewis' interest was bought by his brothers, who continued the business till

the death of Henry, in August, 1869, after which it was carried on by Wm. till his death in May, 1874, when it was conducted by the administrator of the estate

till the spring of 1875, at which time J. O. Spencer bought the property. In 1878 he built ten thrashing machines and twenty-five engines, the manufacture of

engines having been commenced in 1878.

N. Y. CENTRAL PLANING MILL AND HUB WORKS are operated by Courtney Bros., (John F. and Charles E.,) who are also carpenters and builders and

dealers in sash, doors, blinds and moldings. They commenced business March 1st, 1874, as builders, and added the other branches of their business March 1st,

1876. They occupy a wooden building erected by them in 1874, and are enlarging their facilities by the erection of a

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TOWN OF SPRINGPORT/ UNION SPRINGS.

new building 50 by 80 feet, the foundation for the main part of which is already laid. They give employment to ten men on an average, and make 5,000 to

6,000 sets of hubs and spokes per annum.

THE BRICK AND TILE WORKS owned by Dr. Benjamin Hoxie of Auburn, give employment to twelve men in the summer season, when in full operation,

and have facilities for making 400,000 brick, or 350,000 tile per annum. The capacity of the kiln is 70,000 at one burning.

SCHOOLS.--Oakwood Seminary is situated on the high ground immediately above the village, and commands an extensive view of the lake and

surrounding scenery. It was established in 1858, and incorporated by the Regents in 1860. It is conducted under the auspices of the New York Yearly Meeting

of (Orthodox) Friends. It has recently been much enlarged and improved, and is now capable of affording comfortable accommodations for over a hundred

boarders. Its original corporate title was Friends' Academy. Its present name, adopted since the recent improvements were made, is derived from the large

oak grove forming a part of the several acres belonging to the institution. Since its origin several additions have been made to the buildings, all of which are

of brick, mostly three stories high, and they are now treble their original size. Their entire length is about 160 feet. The young ladies' department is at one

end, the young men's at the other, with lecture room, recitation rooms, cabinet and laboratory between; and with kitchen and dining room in the basement.

The library comprises several hundred volumes; the chemical, philosophical and optical apparatus, including an astronomical telescope costing $500, is

valued at $2,000.

The following is the present value of the property of the institution, as reported to the Regents:

Value of buildings------------------- $24,240

Value of grounds----------------------- 6,000

Value of library, apparatus and furniture, 4,200

Among the instructors at the present time (1878) are Prof. E. Cook, Prof. J. L. Barton, Miss Irena L. Pope, Miss Theodosia G. Chaplin, and Miss M. E. Carpenter.

J. J. Thomas, A. M., lectures on the natural sciences, and gives instruction in elocution.

HOWLAND SCHOOL.--This school was established in 1863, and maintained during the first two years by the individual enterprise of R. B. Howland, who

bought of Slocum Howland, for $6,000, the Philip Winegar homestead, and in the summer of that year built the east wing and the wooden addition on the

south, the latter of which is used as a gymnasium and public hall. The school was opened in November, 1873. At the expiration of the two years, it was taken

in charge by the trustees of the school fund left at his death by George Howland, father of R. B. Howland, of New Bedford, Mass., for the purpose of

establishing a school in Cayuga County, and amounting to $50,000. About 1872, a four story brick addition was built, thus giving it a capacity to accommodate

fifty boarders. The school is supported by the income from this fund and tuitions from the pupils, and has been kept open continuously till the fall of 1878,

when it was temporarily closed. Until 1876, Mr. R. B. Howland had the immediate supervision of the school as agent for the board of trustees. In that year Dr.

Henry Hartshorne, of Philadelphia, undertook its management. The school has had full collegiate courses, mathematics, the classics and languages. The

apparatus is valued at $1,500; and the library, which contains about 1,000 volumes, including a French Government work of sixteen folio volumes,

containing copies of the historical paintings in the art gallery at Versailles, at $2,000. The school is confined exclusively to ladies. It was first conducted under

the name of the Young Ladies' Institute, which was changed when it came under the management of the trustees of the Howland school fund. It has attained

a high degree of excellence and enjoys a good reputation for thorough work; but it languishes for want of proper support and patronage.

THE UNION SPRINGS UNION SCHOOL was organized under the general school law in 1860, by merging the two district schools then existing in the

village. The building, a fine two-story brick structure, located on Green Street, was erected in 1866, at a cost of $10,000. It will accommodate 250 pupils. The

apparatus connected with the school is valued at $200; and the library, which contains 500 volumes, at $500. The present teachers are Prof. J. F. Stewart,

principal; Miss Carrie Lawrence, principal of primary department; Miss Ellen Spickerman, assistant in senior department; Miss Josephine Howland

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UNION SPRINGS/ TOWN OF SPRINGPORT.

and Miss May Hoagland, assistants in primary department.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SPRINGPORT was formed September 7th, 1801, at the house of Ichabod Wilkinson, in the present town of

Fleming, which house is still standing on what is known as the Culver farm, on the Poplar Ridge road. The house was then used as a tavern, and indeed the

meetings were held for several years in taverns, which were the only houses large enough to accommodate the numbers who attended. The original

members were: Samuel Culver, from Eyremont, Mass.; Gilbert Weed and his wife Abigail, from Greenfield, Saratoga Co.; Josiah Mix and his wife Rebecca,

from Granville, Washington Co.; and Jacob Shaw, from Norton, Mass.; all of whom brought letters from the churches with which they had respectively been

connected, and were organized as the First Church in Aurelius, of which this town was then a part, by Rev. Jacob Cram, a missionary sent to Western New

York by the Massachusetts society. The first deacons were Gilbert Weed and Joseph Thayer, who were elected December 17th, 1802.

Meetings had previously been held in this section for some years by missionaries. As early as 1795, Rev. David Thatcher, of the Presbytery of Orange, passed

through this section seeking out families and preaching as he had opportunity. In 1798, Rev. Asa Hillyer of the same Presbytery, passed through and labored

here. About the same time Rev. Aaron Condit, pastor at Hammond, N. J., and his elder, Silas Ball, made a missionary tour on horseback by way of Oswego,

and visited this section. After him came Rev. Dr. Perrine from the Presbytery of New Brunswick, threading his way through a continuous forest by means of

blazed trees. In 1798 also the General Association of Connecticut sent out Rev. Seth Williston, and in 1799, Revs. Jedediah Bushnell and Solomon King. After

this passing missionaries labored occasionally until the summer of 1801, when Rev. David Higgins, pastor at North Lyme, Conn., visited this section and

labored with so much satisfaction to the church that they gave him a call in 1802. In the summer of that year Mr. Higgins moved in with his family of seven

children and a favorite house servant, stopping first at Cayuga. The journey was made in a covered wagon, over longways, through streams, and most of the

way through an unbroken forest.

The society was incorporated as the First Congregational Society of Aurelius, May 21st, 1802, at a meeting held at the house of Henry Moore, the old tavern

stand one mile south of the Half Acre. The first trustees were, Thomas Mumford, Henry Moore, Josiah Taylor, Hezekiah Goodwin, Moses Lyon, Jesse Davis,

Joseph Grover, John Grover and William Bostwick. The oldest member at present is the widow of William VanSickle, whose membership covers a period of

fifty-seven years.

This was one of the Churches which united in forming the Middle Association; and on the dissolution of that body it became an integral part of the

Presbytery of Cayuga. In October, 1822, it forsook all the features of a Congregational Church, and elected the following elders at its first session: Ebenezer

Higgins, George McFarland, Alexander Thompson and Henry H. Higgins, who were ordained the 3d of November following, except Alexander Thompson,

who declined. Ebenezer Higgins and George McFarland were duly set apart as deacons. At its organization this Church accommodated a territory which

to-day contains not less than eleven Presbyterian Churches, with an aggregate of 2,176 members, viz: the Churches of Springport, Sennett, Scipio, Cayuga,

Port Byron, Scipioville, Weedsport and the First, Second, Central and Calvary Churches of Auburn. Meetings were accordingly held once in four weeks at

four different places, viz: at Hardenbergh's Corners, Cayuga, Grover's Settlement and at Henry Moore's south of the Half Acre. In July, 1806, Isaac Treat,

Timothy Hatch, Moses Treat, Ebenezer Hamlin, Abel B. Munro, Huldah Hamlin, Mahala Treat, Darius Treat, Matilda Munroe and Welty Carrier withdrew

to form the present Church of Sennett. In July, 1811, Silas Hawley and wife, Daniel Herring, Rachel Parker, Anna Cogswell, Betsey Tyler, Eunice Higgins, and

Sarah Gilbert were dismissed to form the First church at Auburn. In June, 1819, Thomas Mumford, Mary G. Mumford, Lovisa Willard, Roxilla Richardson,

Molly Shaw and Sally Hallock withdrew to form the First Presbyterian church of Cayuga.

The first church edifice erected and finished for use was the stone meeting house about two

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miles north of Union Springs, near Thompson's plaster-mills. This was built in 1816. The first recorded meeting held in it was July 29th, 1817. It was used by

the Church till the present house was erected in 1840. A house had been partially built at the Half Acre in 1809, but it was not finished, and although a few

meetings were held in it, it was soon abandoned and sold to Hezekiah Goodwin, who moved it to his place west of the Half Acre and used it as a barn.

The following named clergymen have preached in this church for stated periods: Rev. David Higgins, whose installation October 6th, 1802, "was," says

Hotchkin, "the first instance of such an occurrence on the Military Tract," Joshua Lane, Reuben Porter, Medad Pomeroy, Enoch Boughton, H. Carlisle, L. D.

Howell, Timothy Stillman, Richard Williams, John Clark. L. D. Howell, S. Raymond,---Page, J. Hopkins, T. B. Hudson, N. A. Prince, Charles Anderson,

Myron Adams, A. F. Lyle, R. L. Backman, J. C. Long, E. B. Cobb. The Church has received since its organization 500 members, and has at present 92. Rev. E. B.

Cobb is a temporary supply. The elders are, E. Curry, A. Walker, Wm. H. VanSickle, J. B. Pierson and H. Yawger; deacons, D. Everett and A. W. Allen, to the

latter of whom, who is also the clerk, we are indebted for the history of this church.

FRIENDS--Among the early settlers in this locality were many who belonged to the Society of Friends. They commenced to hold meetings as early as 1803 or

'4, and in 1816 erected the meeting-house now used by the Hicksite Friends in the east part of the village. Among the earliest associates of this society were

Elisha Southwick, James Barker, Elihu Eldredge, Samuel Jenney, Wm. Burling, Arnold Comstock, --- Rowley, John Fish, Laban Hoskins, Eseck Mosher, James

S. Allen, Wm. Knowles and Wm. Taber. At the time of the great separation which took place in the society in 1828, the members of this society accepted the

doctrines of Elias Hicks, of Long Island, and have since borne the distinctive name of Hicksite Friends. Their present membership is about forty. Their house

is a quaint old building, very suggestive of the rigid customs which characterized this society at an earlier day.

At a later period several persons known as Orthodox Friends moved into the place, and about 1844, established a society of that denomination, the name

being used to denote those who reject the doctrines of Elias Hicks in contra-distinction from those who accept them. Among the persons earliest connected

with this society were Charles W. Howland and family, Phebe Field, who was then the minister of the society, David Anthony and family, and Henry

Robinson. Their meetings were held in a private house four or five years, until their first house of worship was erected on the site of the present Episcopal

Church. Their present house was erected twenty to twenty-two years ago. It is a wooden structure, with stone basement, situated on Cayuga street, in the

lower part of the village, and is valued at $3,500. The present number of members is about thirty. The ministers are R. B. Howland and Mary H. Thomas, both residents of the village. Connected with it is a small Sabbath School, with some dozen children in

attendance.

"The chief points of difference in these two organizations, was," says Mr. J. J. Thomas, "that, while the Orthodox adopted, as a requirement, the belief similar

in its main points, to that of other 'evangelical' denominations, the Hicksites mostly adopted the sentiments of the Unitarians or Universalists;" or as Mr.

Edward Eldredge, a prominent member of the Hicksite Society, more specifically expresses it, the Orthodox believe in the trinity and the efficacy of vicarious

atonement, while the Hicksites believe in the unity of the deity and disbelieve in vicarious atonement.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF UNION SPRINGS was founded as the Second Baptist Church in Aurelius. A few members connected with the First Baptist

Church in Aurelius, (now Fleming,) and some from the United Scipio Church met at the house of John Nutt for deliberation November 4th, 1813. Gilbert

Weed was chosen moderator and Henry Crane, clerk. They adopted articles of faith and covenant and voted to invite a council of sister churches to meet

with them on the 18th of the same month. This council was composed of delegates from the churches of Aurelius, Mentz, Scipio and United Scipio, and met

at the school-house about two and one-half miles north-east of the village. Elder John Jeffries was chosen moderator, and Samuel Taylor, clerk. After

examination, the hand of fellowship was

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UNION SPRINGS--CHURCHES/ TOWN OF SPRINGPORT

extended to the new church, which consisted of eight males and sixteen females. At a church meeting held the 27th of the same month, they resolved to hold

meetings every Sabbath, and to engage Elder Abner Wakely to labor with them for one year. Ichabod Clark and Gilbert Weed were chosen deacons, and

Henry Crane, clerk. Elder Wakely soon commenced his labors, and, although the engagement was not renewed, he continued to supply them a part of the

time after the expiration of the year. During his connection with them he baptized fourteen and received sixteen by letter, and left them with fifty members.

In September, 1814, they joined the Association. In the summer of that year they commenced the erection of a meeting-house two miles north-east of the

village, which was not completed till the summer of 1818. In February, 1816, Elder Warner Lake, of Harpersfield, Delaware county, became the pastor, and in

the summer following seventeen were added by baptism. In 1819, sixty-six members were added.

Elder Lake closed his ministry with this church in the spring of 1830. He was highly esteemed. He did not receive a full support from the church; but labored

upon his farm a portion of the time, from which he accumulated a competency.

Elder Jacob Fisk took the pastoral charge of this church in the spring of 1830, and closed his labors with them in the winter of 1832, from which time they had

no settled pastor until March, 1834, when Elder Samuel Wood settled with them, and remained till August, 1837. In the summer of 1838, the services of Elder

Chas. E. Wilson were engaged for six months. Elder O. B. Call became the pastor in February, 1839, and remained three years. Elder E. Marshall succeeded

Elder Call, and continued his pastorate about two and a half years. Brother Justus Ask labored with them in the ministry one year, and Brother R. Persons

another. Elder O. Montague became the pastor in April, 1847, and continued with them three years. During the first year of his ministry their meeting-house,

which was old and uncomfortable, was repaired, and fitted up in a neat and convenient manner; and during the second year the congregation was much

increased.

In July, 1850, Elder Thomas H. Greene became the pastor, and closed his labors in the fall of 1852. He was succeeded by B. C. Crandall, who continued till

November, 1854. The church seems to have been without a pastor from that time until the first Sunday in May, 1857, when S. S. St. John commenced his

labors. He remained till March 12th, 1859, when Elder S. Adsit took the pastoral charge, and continued till April 1st, 1861. Edgar Smith became the pastor

April 7th, 1860, and, having served them "very acceptably," closed his labors with them, in consequence of ill and failing health, April 13th, 1867. He joined

the church in Auburn, and died there September 28th, 1878. During the first year of his pastorate, in 1861, their church edifice was removed from its original

location, near the residence of Curtis Coe, to the village. It was remodeled at an expense of $1,500 to $2,000, and rededicated August 7th of that year.

From the time that Elder Smith left till September following the pulpit was supplied by casual comers , for a few weeks during the latter part of the time by

Ezra Clark. B. B. Gibbs assumed their pastoral care November 10th, 1867, and labored with them till April 22d, 1871. December, 1871, A. C. Ferguson

commenced his labors with them,and

continued until their church was burned, April 13th, 1873, since which time they have had no pastor. The church numbers at present thirty-three members.

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN SOCIETY OF SPRINGPORT, at Union Springs, was incorporated February 4th, 1839. The first trustees were Elisha Vallance, Abram

Burlew, Charles E. Hoagland, George W. Truesdell, Preserved Tripp, Noah P. Blanding and Porter B. Bristol. The land for their house of worship, which was

erected in 1839, was bought of William Smith and Abby B., his wife, and George P. Morgan, May 4th, 1839, for $200. An organization seems to have existed

and regular meetings to have been held before the incorporation was effected, but the records furnish no means of determining definitely in regard to them.

The first settled Pastor was Melancy Wade, but when he began or closed his labors does not appear. Meetings were held then in the house now owned and

occupied by Alanson Beam, on the corner of Cayuga and Homer streets. Mr. Wade was succeeded in the pastorate by John W. Guthrie,

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during whose ministry the legal organization was perfected and the church built. He was succeeded by J. C. Burgdorf and Edson J. Reynolds, the latter of

whose pastorate continued till about 1851. He died here September 24th, 1857, aged fifty. A. S. Dean was the pastor from 1851 to '53. He was succeeded by A.

Coburn, who remained as late as February 12th, 1856. William O. Cushing, the next pastor, remained till the spring of 1860. Rev. Mr. Fenton next labored

with them about two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Bailey, who continued his labors until about 1867, after which the church was closed for two years,

owing to a division growing out of a difference of opinion respecting a contemplated change of name. John W. Guthrie was the first pastor after the opening

of the church. He commenced his labors with them about 1871 and continued with them some two years. John Carr became the pastor in the spring of 1874,

and remained one year, when he was succeeded by J. C. Burgdorf, the present pastor. The church was repaired in the summer of 1876, at a cost of $600; and a

pipe organ was put in the previous year at an equal cost. The present membership does not exceed a half dozen.

THE FIRST SOCIETY OF THE M. E. CHURCH IN UNION SPRINGS, was organized about 1843, with Henry Dills and wife, Austin Whittlesy and wife,

Brayton and William B. Barber, Wadsworth Hanchett and Justus P. Burger as members. The society was incorporated February 10th, 1846, with Henry Dills,

John Maurice, John Robinson, William B. Barber and Justus P. Burger as trustees. Their house of worship, a wooden structure, was erected in 1846, at a cost

of about $1,600, exclusive of the lot, and has since been enlarged to a seating capacity of 400, and a value of $4,000, including lot. Occasional meetings were

held some years before the organization by preachers who happened in this locality. The first settled pastors were Aaron Cross and Benoni I. Ives, who came

in 1844, and staid, the former three years and the latter two. Their circuit included Fleming, Bolt's Corners, Aurora and Union Springs. Elias Hall succeeded

Ives and remained two years. Dennis Tryon followed Cross, at least these were the pastors up to 1850. Samuel B. Porter was the pastor in 1850-'2; A. Benjamin

in 1852-'4; B. R. Kenyon, 1854-'5; William M. Spickerman, 1855-'6; D. Lamkin, 1856-'8; ----Mason, in 1858; Albert Ensign, 1858-'60; Elias Hoxie, 1874-'5; J. S.

Lemon, 1875-'6; William N. Henry, 1876-'8. Wesley Mason, the present pastor, commenced his labors with this church in the fall of 1878. The present

number of members is 118; the attendance at Sabbath School, 40 to 50.

GRACE CHURCH, (Episcopal.)--The first regular services by a clergyman of this denomination were conducted by Rev. Wm. Wirt Raymond, in the fall of

1866. Previous to that time only occasional services had been held. Until the fall of 1876, this parish was united either with that at Cayuga, or that at Aurora,

under the charge of one clergyman. Grace church was incorporated in 1867, and was admitted to union with the convention of the Diocese of Western New

York the following year, passing, however, in the fall of the same year into the new Diocese of Central New York. The names of the first church officers were,

in addition to the pastor in charge, George Fritts and George W. Bustin, Wardens; and Silas Ludlow, Justus P. Burgher (sic), Lorenzo N. Burgher, Philander

Comstock, Benedict Robinson, Daniel A. Robinson, Jr., Etsel Wood and John A. Shrader, Vestrymen. The clergymen who have succeeded Rev. Mr. Raymond

are, Revs. Alfred Brown, B. A., James A. Brown, J. O. Drumm, W. H. Casey, B. A. and Wm. Schouler, the present rector. The church edifice, which is very

neat and attractive, was finished in 1870, and consecrated in the fall of 1872. A legacy of $10,000 left the church by the late Mrs. Phoebe M. Hussey, makes it

self-supporting; and since Spetember, 1876, when Rev. Mr. Schouler took charge, it has thus been enabled to enjoy the undivided ministrations of a resident

rector. The church members about forty communicants, and has a Sunday school, with about the same number of scholars. It is in possession, besides the

fine edifice and the endowment referred to, of the rectory adjoining the church. The present vestry consists of Lorenzo N. Burgher and Daniel D. Anthony,

Wardens; and Dr. G. R. Parry, D. P. Mersereau, Philip O. Yawger, Henry Eldridge and Horace T. Durkee, Vestrymen.

SOCIETIES.--Warren Lodge No. 147, F. & A. M., was chartered June 8th, 1850, and held its first meeting in Odd Fellows Hall, April 9th, 1851. The charter

officers were, John Barrett,

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Jr., W. M.; David Titus, S. W.; John Morse, F. W. The first elected officers were Daniel Lombard, M.; John Barrett, S. W.; David S. Titus, F. W.; John H. Davids,

Secretary; John Morse, Treasurer; A. S. Cummins, S. D.; C. L. Candee, F. D. The present officers are, E. F. Rosecrants, M.; W. J. Winegar, S. W.; M. F. Backus, F.

W.; W. H. Cozzens, Secretary; G. P. Schenck, Treasurer; N. S. Collins, S. D.; W. Schenck, F. D. The present number of members is 95. Meetings are held in

Masonic Hall the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

CHARITY LODGE NO. 93, A. O. U. W. was organized May 31st, 1877. The first officers were F. A. Carr, M. W.; O. W. Smith, P. M. W.; H. Eldridge, G. F.; E. Y.

Robinson, O.; H. S. Anderson, Rec.; Geo. P. Schenck, Recor.; Wm. H. Cozzens, F.; Wm. H. Thomas, G.; James Stebbings, I. W.; John Coles, O. W. The only

changes in the officers since the organization have been the substitution of Wm. Clark for E. Y. Robinson as O.; and C. A. Niles for James Stebbings as I. W.

Meetings are held every Friday evening in Rechabite Hall.

UNION SPRINGS TENT NO. 46, N. O. of I. R. was organized as No. 42, January 22d, 1875, with Elijah Cook, Jr., S.; E. Chapin, C. R.; F. A. Carr, D. R.; David

Everett, P. C. R.; Dana Rhodes, Secretary; J. B. Hoff, F. S.; J. W. Rosecrants, Treasurer; A. Chambers, Levite. The present officers are, John Coles, S.; E. Cook Jr.,

C. R.; W. J. Fessenden, D. R.; A. W. Allen, P. C. R.; J. C. Carr, Secretary; David Everett, F. S.; W. H. Thomas, Treasurer. Meet Tuesday evenings in Rechabite

Hall.

ONWARD CAMP NO. 3, E. K. of R. was organized November 6th, 1875, with F. A. Carr, C.; Geo. E. Carr, V. C.; E. Cook, R.; John Coles, Treasurer; Alex.

Chambers, Chaplain; Wm. Fessenden, M.; James Wright, Captain of Guard; Martin Myers, I. S.; L. N. Burgher, O. S.; Geo. W. Eldridge, P. C. The present

officers are F. A. Carr, C.; J. L. Hammond, P. C.; V. C.; E. Cook, Jr., Chaplain; John Cole, Treasurer; D. Everett, Rec.; Wm. Fessenden, M.; Preserved Tripp, I. S.;

Asa Mosher, O. S.

UNION SPRINGS CORNET BAND was organized in 1859. The original members were Albert Carr, Leader; E. Wood, Geo. E. Carr, Henry H. McFarland, H. C.

Carr Sr.,

Henry C. Carr, James R. Angell, Thomas Miles, A. W. Carr, Edward Gould. The present members are Geo. E. Carr, Leader; F. A. Carr, Musical Director; Eugene

Carr, Treasurer; H. H. Carr, Sr., Secretary; N. S. Collins, Harvey Kellogg, Chas. N. Howland, Albert Carr, Edward C. Snow, Willard Carr, Edward Hoagland,

Charles Eggleston, L. H. Chase, A. E. Bowen, and Charles Perrine. They play fifteen instruments.

Trustees--Gaylord Anthony, John Quigley, William H. Thomas.

Treasurer--David Everett.

Collector--William J. Smith.

Clerk--Frederick A. Carr.

Street Commissioner--Horatio Day.

Police Constable--Charles A. Slocum.

MANUFACTURES.--One mile south of Union Springs is a brick yard owned by Henry Carr, which gives employment to six men in the manufacture of 400,000 bricks per annum.

On the farm of Stephen Patterson, near the center of the north line, is a plaster quarry from which 300 to 400 tons are being taken per annum. Messrs.

Patterson & Schenck have a plaster-mill in that locality.

of twenty years he exchanged the vocation of teaching for that of farming; but possessing a mechanical turn of mind he soon yielded to the irresistible

impulse to make a prac-

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tical application of the principles of mechanism which so fascinated him, and a portion of his time was early devoted to mechanical pursuits. He rapidly

developed into a thorough mechanic, and in 1875 became the proprietor of the establishment in Union Springs, of which he is still the efficient head.

These, the Union Springs Agricultural Works, were established in 1855, by Henry and William McFarland, whose parents settled at an early day about

three miles north of Union Springs and still reside there. The McFarlands, though engaged in agricultural pursuits, were skilled mechanics, both being

millwrights by trade. From their occupation as farmers their attention was particularly directed to the urgent need of improvements in thrashing

machines, which were then very rude and imperfect and consequently unsatisfactory. By a series of experiments they invented many of the

improvements now in use in nearly all first-class thrashing machines. They were the inventors of the first straw carriers, the over-blast flue in

fanning-mills, and beaters for separating the grain from the straw, though they never took out patents therefor. They engaged in the manufacture of the

thrashing machines which bear their name, which are also known at present as the "Wide Awake" machines, and continued the business successfully till

1867, when Henry, the younger, then just in the prime of life, died. William bought his brother's interest in the business and continued it till his death in

May, 1874, when the works were successfully run one year by the administrators, who completed and sold the large quantity of unfinished work left on

hand, and in the spring of 1875 sold the works at auction.

The establishment was then bought by the present proprietor, Mr. J. O. Spencer, who, though commencing late in the season, succeeded in manufacturing

a large number of machines, which met with a ready sale. Thus encouraged, Mr. Spencer was induced to add to the manufacture of thrashers and

horse-powers, to which the works had thus far been confined, other branches, and in the fall of 1877 he commenced building portable steam engines. He

selected as a model one of the very best engines in the world, and is now turning out engines, which, like his thrashers, are styled the "Wide Awake," and

are not inferior in any respect to any manufactured in this country. His ambition to excel in his chosen department of labor has been rewarded with a most

gratifying and merited success. He has more than trebled the productive capacity of the works, and is turning out the present season (1879) from 25 to 30

engines and 75 to 100 thrashers, thus necessitating the employment of a large capital and the labor of forty to fifty workmen.

Mr. Spencer married Miss Lydia Bunn, of Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1857, and is blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter, viz: Otto, Andrew,

Warren and Fannie, the former of whom, the eldest, is foreman in the machine shop.

His father, Welden T. Spencer, who was born in Schnectady co., April 11th, 1806, is still an active, energetic man. He removed with his parents to Delaware county, where he remained till he attained the age of twenty-three years, when he commenced business for himself in Tompkins county, as farmer and lumber dealer, which he pursued there forty years. He then sold out, retired from active business, and removed to Sullivan county, where he remained till the death of his wife, April 9th, 1874, since which time he has made his home with his son in Union Springs.

John and Charles being left thus early, at the tender age of nine and seven years respectively, without a father's protecting care, were obliged at a very early age to assist their mother in the support of the family. Their scholastic advantages were, consequently, extremely limited, as the weightier cares of providing for the physical necessities of the family left them little time for attendance at school; but the little thus afforded was sedulously improved, and this, combined with the talents with which nature has liberally endowed them, together with industry and frugality, have earned for them a reputable business standing.

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Both early learned the carpenter and joiner trade, in which they acquired a good degree of proficiency, and in March, 1875, they commenced their present

business, which is conducted under the name of the New York Central Planing-Mill and Hub Works. Besides operating a planing-mill, they are somewhat

extensively engaged in the manufacture of hubs, sash, doors, blinds and moldings, in which they give employment to fifteen to twenty men. The demand

for their goods has been such as to necessitate extensive additions to their facilities, and they have just completed a fine large addition to their building,

which, for the present, will enable them to meet the demands of their increasing trade. This evidence of prosperity at a time when the business of the

country generally is very much depressed, sufficiently indicates the excellence of their work and that their popularity is merited. In addition to the

business above mentioned they manufacture Thomas' celebrated buckwheat huller.

Nature has blessed both with a fine physique, which has not been abused by intemperate or frivolous habits. It is worthy of note that neither of the Messrs.

Courtney have ever used tobacco, or ardent spirits in any form. This, considered in the light of the alarming prevalence of this species of imtemperance,

which, from its effect upon man's finer sensibilities, may justly be regarded a vice, is highly commendatory. Both are possessed of mental vigor and great

physical endurance.

Charles E. Courtney has acquired a world-wide fame through his superior skill as an oarsman; indeed his great proficiency in the use of the oars has made

his name a household word throughout Cayuga County, as also with all admirers of the athletic sports. At the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, in

September, 1876, Mr. Courtney, in an exciting contest in which there were forty-five competitors, won the beautiful Centennial badge, which glistens with

thirty-eight diamonds, representing the States in the Union, and which, with other trophies, to the number of eighty-three, many of them fine and costly,

he wears with characteristic modesty.

Charles E. Courtney was united in wedlock Jan. 28th, 1875, to Miss Della S. Halsey, of Ithaca, N. Y., though his brother and copartner, John F., remains

single. Their mother still survives and is living with these her sons in Union Springs. She is the recipient of their unremitting and affectionate care and

attention.

CHAPTER XL111.

TOWN OF FLEMING.

FLEMING lies at the foot of Owasco Lake, on the west side, a little south of the center of the County. It is bounded on the north by Auburn and Aurelius;

on the east by Owasco Lake and its outlet; on the south by Scipio; and on the west by Springport. It was formed from Aurelius, March 28th, 1823, and

derives its name from Gen. George Fleming, one of the early settlers of the town.

The surface is rolling, and has a gentle inclination to the north and east. The shore of the lake, which is a magnificient body of water, continues its upward

slope about three-fourths of a mile, and is less bold upon this than the eastern side. The highest elevations in the town are 150 to 250 feet above the lake

and 800 to 1,000 feet above tide. It is watered by the head waters of Crane and Wheeler Creeks, the former of which flows north to Seneca River, and the

latter west to Cayuga Lake. There is very little waste land in the town, though about one-tenth of it yet remains to be brought under cultivation.

Limestone prevails pretty generally over the town, but not in sufficient quantities to give it a commercial value. The soil, which is fairly productive, is

chiefly a gravelly loam, intermixed with clay and sand, and partakes of the character of the underlying rocks. The chief branch of agriculture is grain

raising, to which the soil is admirably adapted.

The southern Central Railroad crosses the east border of the town, in close proximity to the lake.

The population of the town in 1875 was 1,261; of whom 1,093 were native; 168 foreign; 1,233 white; and 28 colored.

The area of the town is 13,710 acres; of which 12,403 are improved, 1,267 woodland, and 40 unimproved.

The first settlements were made in 1790. Among those who settled in that and the following year were Benjamin Irish, the Grovers, Edward Wheeler,

Ichabod and Abel Wilkinson and James Harrington. Benjamin Irish was a son of Elder David Irish, who settled first in Scipio and subsequently, in 1800, in

Fleming, at which time he became pastor of the Baptist Church at Fleming, which was organized by him four years previously. Benjamin settled about

two miles north of Fleming village, where David Baker now lives. He removed west about 1820, with his family. Eight sisters married and lived in that

locality, and his father, the elder, died on that farm in 1815. Joseph Grover settled about two miles

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STORKES HISTORY OF CAYUGA CO.

CHAPTER XLV.

TOWN OF LEDYARD.

LEDYARD was formed from Scipio January 30th, 1823, and derives its name from Gen. Benjamin Ledyard, an early settler in the town, and agent and clerk for the apportionment of lands in the Military Tract. It lies upon the east shore of Cayuga Lake, which forms its western boundary, south of the center of the County. Its length from north to south is ten miles, and its mean width, about five miles. It is bounded on the north by Springport, from which it is separated about five-sixths of the distance by Great Gully Brook, on the east by Scipio and Venice, and on the south by Genoa.

The surface is beautifully diversified, its landscapes, however, presenting less of the grand and sublime in nature than of its quiet beauty. It inclines towards the lake, from which it slopes upward, generally by gentle, but occasionally by steep graduations, until it attains an elevation a little east of the east border of 500 to 600 feet above its level. It is difficult to conceive of more charming prospects than are disclosed by the successive approaches to this summit ridge. The streams are small and rapid, the principal ones being Great Gully, on the north border, and Paines Creek in the south, flowing through a deep, narrow ravine worn in the shale rock.

It has a limestone soil of excellent quality. Limestone exists in boulders upon, and in a fine layer near the surface, but is nowhere quarried in the town. Clay predominates along the lake, extending back from it about a hundred rods, and over-lying a slate ledge, which terminates with more or less abruptness upon the shore. At the railroad cutting a little south of Levanna, is a bold slate bluff, about fifty feet at its highest elevation above the lake. In the interior the soil is an exceedingly fertile sandy loam, with considerable alluvion along the streams.

The Cayuga Lake shore R. R. extends through the west border in close proximity to the lake.

The population of this town in 1875 was 2,253; of whom 1.857 were native, 396 foreign, 2,165 white, and 88 colored. Its area was 20,889 acres; of which 18,342 were improved, 2,544 woodland, and only 3 otherwise unimproved.

Much interest naturally centers in this town from the fact that within its borders the first settlements in the County were made. The events immediately preceding and in some measure preparing the way for the settlement of this country are matters of historical record, but their intimate connection with the subject in hand seems to warrant a brief review of them.

Until 1789, this broad domain which now gives so many evidences of a highly cultured and refined civilization was the favorite hunting and fishing ground of the Cayugas, who were a nation proverbially noted for their fondness for and proficiency in the chase and aquatic sports; for although, according to common usage, they, as conquered allies of the British forces during the Revolution, had forfeited their territorial rights, they still pressed claims which both the State and Federal government generously recognized and respected by subsequent treaties. By a treaty held at Fort Stanwix (Rome,) October 22d, 1784, the Iroquois ceded to the Federal Government a large portion of the land in Western New York; and by a treaty concluded February 23d, 1789 at Isaac Denniston's tavern, Albany, which was known in Colonial days as the King's Arms, and stood on the north-west corner of Green and Norton streets, the Cayugas ceded to the State of New York all their lands, except 100 square miles, lying on both sides of Cayuga Lake, and extending from Aurora to Montezuma. They also reserved the right to hunt and fish in any part of the ceded territory. They also secured special grants to three persons, two white men and one Indian, one of 15,680 acres to Peter Ryckman, an Albany Dutchman, who had won their affection, and for whom they expressed their regard in the following quaint and simple language: