Posted on this site: October 16, 2004
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of Citizens - 1840
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Watertown (NY) Directory of 1840
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Compiled by J. P. Fitch
Printed in Watertown, N. Y.
by
Knowlton & Rice.
An enterprising activity seems to be a part of the birthright of every American. As he finds, upon his entrance into life, a field open before him, demanding the employment of peculiar powers, and an enterprise known no where but in America; so also, he finds struggling within him a powerful principle of action, serving him for the exigencies of his situation. The rapidity of our country’s rise, and the seemingly almost magic influence under which her forests have been converted into gardens, are witnesses to the truth of these remarks
.The tide of emigration has, ever since the first settlement upon our Atlantic seaboard, been rolling rapidly westward, until its waves have reached the rocky barriers of our western frontier, and, as it were, thrown their spray into the wilderness beyond. The history of this emigration, and of the successive settlements which have marked it progress, is always interesting. Although the general outlines of such history, are now familiar to many, the particular incidents of any individual instance of settlement never fail to excite and maintain a peculiar interest, particularly among those residing where the incidents transpired. They serve to illustrate that which is often mysterious to those whose experience is circumscribed by the boundary line of long established society, --what can be the motives which induce the adventurer to forego the comparative ease (?), safety, and plenty of an eastern wilderness, with its hard toil, its dangers and its privations.
As a portion of this history, and as an instance of the enterprise to which we have above referred, the account of the first settlement of Watertown deserves a record, and certainly is worthy of a perusal.
Jefferson county, which was set off from Oneida on the 28th of March, 1805, is embraced in that tract of land which was purchased of the Oneida Indians and a part of the Six Nations, at the Fort Stanwix treaty, concluded in 1787, between those tribes and commissioners on the part of the state of New York. By this treaty, all the lands laying between the Oneida lake and the river St. Lawrence came into the possession of the state; with the exception of a tract ten miles square, being a reservation made by the Indians, for a Frenchman, by the name of Peter Penet. The tract taking its name from this individual, was called “Penet’s Square.” Upon this lot of land, the lines of which were to run on the four cardinal points, and one corner to touch the river St. Lawrence, the state engaged to issue a patent to Penet, as soon as he should become a citizen. Having made application for a certificate of naturalization, he received it the day upon which he started for Europe, where he had been suddenly called. Previous to his departure, however, he gave to a Judge Duncan, a deed in trust of the whole tract, with the power of attorney to receive the patent. Under his power, Judge Duncan did afterwards obtain the patent, and make sale of the land. But subsequently, certain circumstances having raised various questions of title, which produced an unsettled state of opinion among the purchasers, they suffered the lands to be sold by the comptroller for taxes. This settled all difficulties, by securing new and valid titles from the state.
The largest portion of the land north of Black River, was purchased of the state, and sold to settlers by a Mr. Leray, who, from a mistaken notion of indulgence, forbore to enforce collections of the purchases, as their payments became due; until the principal, with the accumulated interest, exceeded the value of the lands. This occasioned the removal of a large number of the first settlers, and the re-sale of their possessions to others. This has never been the case in any part of Watertown.
Of the territory which was ceded to the state at the Fort Stanwix treaty, Alexander McComb, in 1796, purchased, at the rate of eight cents per acre 3,600,000 acres; embracing, among others, the towns of Ellisburg, Rodman, Watertown, Hounsfield, Stowe, Champion, Rutland and Henderson. These townships were purchased of McComb. -- Ellisburgh by William Constable, Rodman by Richard Harrison and Josiah Ogden Hoffman, Watertown by Nicholas Lowe, Hounsfield by Ezra Hounsfield, Stowe, Champion and Rutland by Isaac Bronson, and Henderson by William Henderson.
Such was the proprietorship of this territory, when, in 1800, purchase began to be made of these individuals by emigrants from the east, and the more southernly counties of this state, and settlement commenced on what is now the site of Watertown. This place was then a part of Oneida county, and was organized as a town in 1800. In March of this year, Henry Coffeen from Herkimer county, formerly from New Hampshire, as a pioneer in the work of settlement, found his way along the banks of the Black river, selected a location here, and built his log cabin on the brow of the hill, about rods easterly from the front door of the American. Very soon after his arrival he was joined by Zechariah Butterfield, another enterprising adventurer in the wilderness, who built his cabin on the ground occupied by Davenport’s tavern. Both of these individuals brought with them their families.
Coffeen was a man of strong mind, possessed an enterprising spirit, and was not altogether free from ambition. He, as indeed was the case with more of those who, with him, here first broke the solitude of the forest, was actuated in his enterprise by the motives which often induce immigration into new countries. He felt a consciousness of native energies and resources, equal, if not superior, to those whom fortune, by hereditary wealth or some other factitious circumstance, had placed above him; and was convinced that the most practicable way of placing himself in that rank which his talents and powers qualified him to occupy, was to plant with his own hands the seeds of a new colony---incorporating his interests with its earliest infancy, in the assurance, that by its growth, his own prosperity would be secured, and ultimately his enterprise acknowledge and appreciated.
Persons of less sagacity and forecast than the first settlers in Watertown, would hardly have selected its present site for planting a village, or even for an individual settlement. The ground was extremely uneven, rocky, and broken, the soil wet, and apparently unproductive. A steep hill crossed the Public Square from the easterly end of N. M. Woodruff’s buildings near to the dwelling house of William Smith, which was nearly, if not altogether, impassable except on foot. Even at the present time it is apparent, after immense expense and labor in grading, that the whole surface of the land here, then presented a much more rugged and forbidding aspect, than did the lands on the banks of the river either farther above or below. But this was more than counterbalanced in the discerning minds of Coffeen and his companions, by the immense hydraulic power appropriate from the numerous falls and rapids of Black river at his point. In this as well as the richness and fertility of the adjacent country, the abundance of good building timber, and the great facilities for the prosecution of extensive business operations, they wisely believed that they discovered the elements of future prosperity and greatness.
II .
In 1801, one year after Coffeen and Butterfield had located themselves here they were joined by two immigrants from the town of Windsor, Vermont--Hart and Isiah Massey. Mr. Hart Massey built his log house near the place now occupied by L. Paddock’s store. Watertown being on one of the routes of communication between Lake Ontario and the central part of the state, and having become a common centre for the meeting of those negotiating the sale and purchase of land, public accommodations became necessary, and Isiah Massey, in 1802, opened the first tavern, on the ground where now stands the store of D. D. Otis. The same year the first sawmill was erected on the present site of W. Pattridge’s woolen factory.
The high reputation of Black River country began now to be sounded abroad, and the number of settlers in Watertown was steadily and rapidly augmenting. The years 1801-2-3 witnessed the arrival on the ground of Aaron Bacon, Jonathan Cowan, two brothers by the name of Thornton, Jesse Doolittle--a blacksmith, M. Canfield--a shoemaker, and Aaron Keyes--a cooper. In two of three of the succeeding years, among others, D. Huntington, William Smith, John Paddock, Chauncey Calhoun, Philo Johnson and John Hathaway united themselves with the little settlement.
An inventory of the entire effects of each settler, as he arrived upon the ground, would have been a short and easy matter. Those with families had possessed but small estates in the places from which they emigrated; and generally found their means exhausted when they had procured an outfit for their westward journey. The whole possession of many a young man, who planted the germ of his fortune here, was comprised in the axe that he brought upon his shoulder, and in the nerves of the vigorous arm which wielded it. Very little money was brought into Watertown by its first inhabitants. They were all thrown upon their immediate exertions for subsistence. In these circumstances, want, with its horrors, might have visited them, had it not been the case, that quick returns, of fruitful harvests, were made to their industry. It is a well known fact, that throughout the whole of western New York, the first harvest reaped from the soil is often more abundant than any succeeding one. The forests here are found to be unencumbered with the mass of dead leaves, and undecomposed vegetable matter, which, in many parts of our country, the farmer finds so prejudicial to the cultivation and production of his new land. There is that either in the climate or the soil itself, which seems to affect the decomposition of vegetables, very soon after they are deprived of life. From this circumstance, the deposition upon the ground of a great body of forest leaves, every season, instead of opposing an obstacle to immediate production, facilitates it, and contributes to the richness and fertility of the soil.
The enterprising mechanics and agriculturalists in Watertown did not long allow their hydraulic privileges to remain unimproved. In 1803 Jonathan Cowan built the first grist-mill. This was an invaluable acquisition to the place, as it relieved the inhabitants from the necessity of traveling to a great distance for the flouring of all their grain. It was as a matter of course, des------ ---------- the rude (sic) engine -------? ------------- grinding, or rather producing the Indian corn of the settlers. A notice of this may not be uninteresting; for, although a piece of machinery much more simple and primitive in its construction and operation than the complicated productions of modern ingenuity, it equally illustrates the invention of the American, and his power of adapting himself to the circumstances of his situation.
The instrument consisted of a large maple stump, (whose location the town pump upon Public Square has now appropriated.) as hollowed by the axe and fire, as to contain a considerable quantity of corn. Above this, vibrated a long piece of timber--its center resting upon a crotch, in the form of a well-sweep--allowing one end to play immediately over the corn. To this was attached a heavy weight, which, by being raised, and allowed to fall with full force upon the contents of the stump, soon reduced them to a preparation for the “swamp-kettle.” If this very primitive grist-mill found a superior in its successor, it possessed over it at least two advantages. First, those who availed themselves of its assistance, were not laid under the contribution of toll; for it was a piece of property in which all were considered stockholders, with equal shares. Second, its location and construction rendered it admissible for the industrious and enterprising wives of the settlers, who had not then been blessed with an initiation into the mysteries of modern refinement, to superintend its operation. This they generally did, while those for whose special benefit the work was going on, were making the forest vocal with the repeated blows of their sturdy axes.
In 1803 the first bridge across Black River at Watertown, was built at the site of the lower bridge, on the Brownville road, by Henry Coffeen and Andrew Edmonds. The business of the little community increased as their number was augmented, and soon demanded some medium of disposing of the products of industry. Accordingly, in 1805, a store was opened by J. Paddock and William Smith. The year 1807 brought with it the accession of a paper-mill, built by Gurden Caswell, and a brewery, by Gursham Tuttle.
At this period, and for a considerable time after, the manufacture of potash was an object of much attention, with those who had land in their possession. The high price which this article then commanded and the fine adaptation of the timber and the soil, to the production and the preservation of ashes, rendered it one of the most lucrative branches of business to which the settlers could devote themselves. As every barrel of potash yielded the manufacturer twenty-five dollars, the purchasers of lots, by their characteristic enterprise and prudence, were enabled to realize a sum fully equal to the first cost of their lands, from this article alone.
The principal commercial operations in the years 1806-7-8 consisted in the exchange of goods for potash, which took place between the agricultural portion of the community and the merchants before mentioned. The amount of exchanges thus affected during this period was not inconsiderable, when we consider the limited number of persons engaged in the transaction. In 1806 it was not less than $3,500; in 1807, about $6,000, and in 1808, it exceeded $9,000. A comparative view of the business of the place may be had, by stating in this connection, that the goods sold in Watertown during the year 1839, including those manufactured in it, amounted to about $5,000,000.
The first cotton factory which reared its form in this village is still standing, and known as the “Old Cotton Factory” -- now under the proprietorship of the Watertown Cotton Mills company. It was erected by a company, and went into operation in 1814. The machinery was manufactured by James Wild, of Hudson, much of which is still in use; and although cotton machinery has been much improved by twenty-five years’ experience, few cotton factories do more or better work. This establishment was succeeded in 1827 by a similar one, erected by Levi Bebee, upon the island which bears his name. It was, however, on a much more extensive plan; being a building 250 feet in length, 50 in breadth, and four stories high; built of limestone, of the most substantial character. This building was designed to receive 10,000 spindles; and half that number, with 128 power looms, had been put into it, when it was destroyed by fire in 1832. It was erected, and thus far completed at an expense of $120,000, employed a great number of hands directly and indirectly, and its destruction gave a shock to the village of Watertown, from which it has yet hardly recovered. The ruins still stand frowning upon a majestic and beautiful cascade, whose waters leap past them, as if in terror, lest the columns of ragged stone should precipitate themselves upon their bosom; or, as if in haste to escape from the gloom and sadness of their presence. They also remain a monument of the enterprise and public spirit of their late proprietor.
III.
In the early settlement of the county, strenuous efforts were made to fix the county seat at Brownville. General Jacob Brown was appointed one of the commissioners by the state, to lay out and open two roads; one from Utica, through Boonville, to some point on Black River; and one from Rome, through Redfield, to the same point. Brownville was fixed upon as this point. Every exertion was then put forth by those interested, and every argument pressed, which the circumstances of the case, policy, and ingenuity could supply, to effect the location of the county seat at that place. The commissioners who were to designate the site of the court house, decided, however, upon placing it at Watertown. By way of compromise they selected its present site, then quite remote from the village.
The first court house was built in 1807 by William Rose and Joel Mix; its erection was superintended by William Smith. It being thus placed at a distance from the center of the village, had a tendency to draw attention, and induce settlement in that direction. Another circumstance had a considerable influence in fixing the location of mills and manufactories remote from the common center. Mr. Jonathan Cowan was the owner of all the hydraulic privileges here, at the point where his mills were situated. From a mistaken belief as to the best method of stimulating industry and enterprise, he refused, on all occasions, to sell, without limiting the purchaser to one kind of business. The spirited settlers would not brook this fetter upon their enterprise, and determined not to submit to the restriction, so long as the waters of Black River were free. This policy occasioned the erection of a dam farther down the river in 1807 and another above in 1814. Although, for a time, this appeared to check the growth of the village, it ultimately operated to its advantage by enlarging its sphere of action, and more fully developing its resources.
It is generally the case, that in planting new settlements, a very early attention to the cultivation of the intellect and moral powers of the community is prevented by the arduousness of the duties and the engrossment of mind incident upon their condition, as well as their remoteness from institutions of learning and the great centers of literary and moral influence. In Watertown, however, as early as the year 1811, efforts were made for the establishment of an academy. A piece of ground was given for this purpose, by Mr. P. Keyes, near where the First church now stands. A building was commenced the same year, and completed in the following -- 1812 -- simultaneous with the commencement of the last hostilities between the United States and Great Britain. The declaration of war occasioned the stationing of a garrison of soldiers in Watertown; who finding the academy building conveniently situated for barracks, took possession of it and occupied it for that purpose.
The proximity of Watertown to the Canadian frontier and the site of several battles; as also its exposed and unprotected condition, produced, during this conflict, a constant agitation and an intense excitement of the public mind, which forbade the inhabitants thinking of anything but the “war.” The project of the academy was in consequence abandoned. After the evacuation of the building by the troops, which took place in 1814, it was taken down, and the materials of which it was composed, transferred to what is now known as Clinton street, and erected into a school house. This until recently has been employed for the purpose designed. The land this left vacant according to a condition in the deed given by Mr. Keyes could be sold by appraisal. A part of it was sold and a part went into the possession of the First church.
With the failure, however, the efforts for the accomplishment of the truly noble design did not cease. Another commodious academy building was erected a few years later. upon the selected (?) street which has taken its name from the circumstance. The academy was opened under favorable auspices and for a considerable time prospered flourishingly. But although the noble stone edifice still stands in its beautiful and sequestered location, as an abode of learning, it is now sub--?----ed by the Black River Literary and Religious institution in a school most deservedly proper and an ornament to the place, and an honor to the conductor and patrons.
The religious opportunities of the inhabitants of Watertown for the first few years, were necessarily limited. For the purpose of public worship, they were accustomed often to assemble at the dwelling of some one of the little community to hear read a sermon from the pen of some excellent New England divine; and whence, no doubt, many a petition went up to Him who “regards not the condition of men” as fervent and acceptable, as if uttered in the stately temple embellished with cornice and damask. They were occasionally visited by an itinerant minister of the Methodist connection, but seldom by any others. The place was regarded as proper missionary ground, and the work of proclaiming to the inhabitants the “Word of life,” as demanding the exercise of as much benevolence and self-denial, as is now required in him who would carry the Bible into the savage regions west of the Rocky mountains. This is well illustrated by the remark of a benevolent-hearted herald of the cross, while on his way to the settlement here; being asked whither he was bound and what was the object of his mission, he replied, “I am going to preach to the heathen.” In 1803 a church was organized by the Rev. Ebenezer Lazel--Presbyterian in its confession of faith, and Congregational in its form of government. The Presbyterian clergymen located here, were, successively, the Rev. Messrs. Leavenworth, Porter, Cook and immediately after the war, Mr. Banks. As the population of the place increased, bringing together, of necessity, persons of various religious sentiments, churches of the different persuasions were organized, from time to time, until the village now embraces two churches of the Presbyterian denomination (the 1st and the 2d), one of the Baptist, one of the Methodist, one of the Roman Catholic, one of the Episcopal, and one of the Universalist; all occupying attractive and commodious houses of worship.
IV.
In the early years of the village it was remarkable for nothing, perhaps, more than the union and harmony of its inhabitants. Common dangers, privations and labors, begot a community of interests and feeling, and actuated to a mutual reciprocation of assistance and benefits. The prosperity and joys, as well as the griefs and misfortunes, of one, were shared by all. Death never invaded their number, without throwing a gloom over the whole community, and touching every heart with the affliction. The melancholy circumstances attending instance of mortality, afforded great occasion for the exercise of these sympathetic feelings.
Late at the close of a still, sultry day in summer, Mrs. Thornton, the wife of one of the young settlers gave the alarm that her husband had not returned from the forest, whither he had gone in the afternoon to procure a piece of timber for a particular purpose. Immediately every man in the settlement answered to the call, and hastened to the place designated for meeting to concert a plan for search. Here all armed themselves with torches of lighted pine knots or birch bark, and calling every gun in the place into use for firing alarms and signals, started out, in small companies, into the forest in all directions. After a search of several hours, the preconcerted signal-gun announced that “the lost was found.” All hurried to the spot, and upon the ground where now stands the Black River Institute, crushed beneath a tree which he had felled, lay the lifeless body of their companion. He was laid upon a bier, hastily prepared for the occasion, and conveyed through the gloom of midnight, by the light of their torches, back to his house. What must have been the emotions of the bereaved young widow, when the mangled corpse of her husband, so suddenly fallen a victim to death, was brought in and laid before her. She did not, however, mourn alone. As the remains were borne to their resting place--the first grave that was opened in Trinity church yard, it needed no sable emblems of mourning to tell of the grief which hung mark around every heart. Each one of the little company, as he returned from performing the last duties to his departed companion, felt as if from his own family one had been taken.
A similar incident occurred, a short time after, in the death of a child, which was killed by the falling of a tree, on the present site of the court house, thus designating with blood, as one can imagine, the location of the halls of justice and science in our village, and consecrating the ground of each by a human sacrifice.
Notwithstanding the general union and harmony which prevailed, clashing interests and individual enmities would sometimes show, that even the common dangers and hardships of the wilderness have not power to change the character of human passion, or to soften its malignity, when occasion arouses it. One incident will illustrate this.
By some unfortunate circumstance, a feud was enkindled between one of the settlers in Watertown and his neighbor, 15 or 20 miles distant; for, be it known, distance was then no barrier to neighborship. Not long after the commencement of hostilities between the parties, it came to the ears of the one in Watertown, that his enemy had offered a reward of $5 for his head. Feeling rather uneasy under this summary outlawry--as it necessarily, he though, rendered insecure the tenure by which he held his life, --and being unwilling to dispose of it except upon more reasonable terms, he determined to go and negotiate the matter, propria persona, with the dealer in personal estate, and, if possible, induce him to withdraw the reward. As there was no road practicable for traveling by horse, he was obliged to accomplish the whole distance on foot. This he did; and having arrived at the residence of his enemy, he found him in company with two or three of his nearer neighbors. Wishing to avoid publicity in the affair as much as possible, he requested a private interview. But he was tartly replied to, that there was nothing between them that required secrecy, and if he had anything to say, he must “speak out.” Being obliged thus to make known his errand publicly, rather disturbed his equanimity; but his situation was desperate. Here was his last hope of affecting a reconciliation; and he therefore commenced by saying, he had learned, with much regret, that their late difficulties had drawn from him the offer of a reward of five dollars for his life; he hoped it was not the case. But he had come to learn the truth from his own lips; and if it were really so, if possible, to compromise the affair, and adjust their differences. His enemy quickly retorted, that it was a “most rascally untruth--as great a lie as ever was told.” “I never,” said he, “have offered five dollars for your head; never--not I. I may have said that I would give 20 shillings; but I never went over that.” With this very satisfactory information, he was obliged to return, and await patiently the issue of the struggle which was to determine whether he could be allowed to retain his head, between the consciences of his fellow-settlers, and their cupidity, so strongly appealed to by the 20-shilling reward.
Such circumstances were then, however, of rare occurrence. Unanimity of sentiment and feeling was the general law; these were but the exceptions. No doubt that amidst the dangers, the rugged toil, and the coarse fare of this new settlement, happiness was found to dwell with as much fullness and purity, as with the safety, the ease and the refinement of the town or city. Ask those venerable pioneers of the wilderness, who still remain in our midst, and they will tell you that they look with less complaisance and pleasure upon the last few years of their lives than upon those in which the forests were falling beneath their axes; or, in their tow-frocks--the insignia of their priestly office--they performed the obsequies of the monarchs of the wood, at their funeral piers. They are now made to witness scenes of more wealth and action, but not of more tranquility and purity. The affections then were warm, and confidence mutual. At their convivial assemblies, which, at the close of a day’s toil, they sometimes found time to convene, the simplicity of their crude entertainments, served up as they often were upon an oak slab, elevated to its proper position by substantial wooden pegs, was more than compensated by the full flow of spirits, and the absence of rivalry and envy. The heart had not then lost its raciating (sic) power by the polish of excessive refinement, and the freedom of communication was unfettered by the stiff formality of modern etiquette.
It is a fact worthy of remark that almost every cent of the wealth in this village has been created upon the ground. But a small amount of capital has been brought into it from abroad; and this not for the purposes of speculation, but in obedience to the demands of established business. It has never stood in need of foreign assistance. Its resources have ever been, and are still inexhaustible. The secret of its commanding influence, however, is to be found in the immense hydraulic force of Black river at this point. By a pretty accurate computation, it has been ascertained that the quantity of water, at low-water mark, is seldom less than 60,000 cubic feet per minute. This, with economy, under nine feet head and fall, would be sufficient to turn 150 runs of stone. Now, by considering that the water, in passing from the upper end of the village to the lower, a distance of about (words blurry) 88 feet, over seven artificial dams and five natural cascades, and at each of these dams the whole body of water can be used, we have a force sufficient to turn more than a thousand runs of stone, or to apply to the driving of other machinery.
With this great power before us, and reflecting that Watertown is surrounded by a rich, and fertile country, ---prosecuting a firmly established and well-balanced business--a business that has never been affected by the insane spirit of speculation, which has often raged over our country--it is not difficult to account for its great prosperity, and to anticipate for it a still more vigorous and rapid progress.
An Unnumbered Portion of the Series
The village of Watertown, incorporated under the present charter April 26th, 1831. Charter election held first Monday in April of each year.
Board of trustees: George C. Sherman, president; Orville Hungerford, Otis Colwell, William H. Robinson, Freeman Murray.
Alonzo M. Watson, corporation clerk; John L. Huntington, collector; John Sigourney, Alpheus S. Green, Peter S. Howk, assessors; Washington Genet, treasurer; Alonzo M. Watson, attorny; Josiah Beals, constable; Ashbel C. Stone, weigher; Andrew Newell, poundmaster.
Leonard F. Wheelock, 1st ward; Andrew Newell, 2d war; _____ ____ (as on publication), 3d ward; Elnathan Lucas, 4th ward; John D. Crowner, 5th ward; postmasters.
The Jeffersonian is the newspaper in which the legal publications of the corporation are printed.
Town Officers.
Supervisor, Joel Woodworth.
Commissioner of Deeds: Lysander H. Brown, George W. Hungerford, Wooster Sherman, D. C. Gridley.
Justices of the peace: E. B. Wilkins, L. G. Hout, Willard Ives.
Assessors: John Winslow, Charles Clark, James M. Sigourney.
Commissioners of common schools: Abner Graves, Sewall, Brintnall, Nathaniel M. Burnham.
Inspectors of common schools: Fabius Miles, A. M. Watson, John H. Dutton.
Town clerk: D. M. M. Turner.
Commissioners of highways: Ambrose W. Huntington, Dexter Haven, Charles G. Taylor.
Overseers of the poor; R. Rogers, Otis Colwell.
Constables: Theophilous Copeland, Alexander D. Button, Mirick Brown, James Ferguson, Elnathan Lucas.
Sealer of weights and measures: Nathaniel Wiley.
Fire Department of the Village of Watertown.
William H. Robiinson, chief engineer; John Sigourney, first assistant; Charles Perkins, second assistant.
Fire wardens: Leonard F. Wheelock, Alonzo M. Watson, Norris M. Woodruff, John D. Crowner, Horace W. Woodruff.
Fire companies: Cataract Fire company. Engine purchased and company organized Nov. 24, 1831. William Buck, foreman; Piersons Mundy, assistant; C. J. Wells, clerk.
Neptune fire company. Engine purchased and company organized Oct. 30, 1834. James S. Burr, foreman; Liberty Cummins, assistant; A. D. Button, clerk.
Hook and ladder company, No. 1: Organized Jan. 15, 1837, Charles Perkins, foreman; Benjamin Gibbs, assistant; Levi Cummins, first axeman; William Wllwood, second axeman; Rodney Case, sawman; A. B. Turner, clerk.
One portable engine, private property, manned by volunteers, and when called into requisition, is a great help to the fire department.
Courts.
Time of their sessions in Watertown. There are four terms of the court of general sessions, and the court of common pleas.
First term held on the last Monday in February. Second term held on the first Monday in December. Third term held on the first Monday in September. Fourth term held on the first Monday in Deember.
Circuit court and court of oyer and termiiner held on the third Mondays of June and December of each year.
VI. has not been located. It did not appear in my source material.
VII.
POST OFFICE
Dr. A. S. Greene, Postmaster.
The office is in the basement story of the American, on the corner of Washington and Arsenal street.
It is open from half past 8 (unclear) o’clock, A. M., till 9 P. M., excepting the Sabbath, when it is open from 8 to 9 A. M., and from 12 to 2, and 4 to half past 5 P.M. (copy is very unclear here)
The mails to Utica, Ogdensburg, Syracuse, and Sacket’s Harbor, are carried by the stage proprietors on these routes.
Eastward.
To Utica, daily, via Rutland, Champion, Denmark, Stow’s Square, Lowville, Martinsburg, Houseville, Turin, Leyden, Boonville, Sheldonville, Remsen, Trenton, closes 6 o’clock P. M.
To Rodman, once a week, Wednesdays, via Burville, closes 8 o’clock, A. M.
Westward.
To Syracuse, daily, via Appling, Adams Centre, Adams, Mansville, Sandy Creek, Richland, Pulaski village, Union Square, Colosse, Hastings, Central Square, Brewerton, Cicero, Salina, closes 8 o’clock A. M.
Northward.
To Ogdensburg, three times a week, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, via Sanford, Evan’s Mills, Philadelphia, Antwerp, Somerville, Gouverneur, Richville, Dekalb, closes 6 o’clock P. M.
To Sacket’s Harbor, daily, via Brownville, closes immediately after the arrival of the mail from the East, generally between 12 and 4 o’clock, P. M.
To Cape Vincent, daily, via Brownville, Limerick, Chaumont, Three Mile Bay, closes 8 o’clock, A. M.
To Alexandria, three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, via Pamelia Four Corners, Theresa, Plessis, closes 6 o’clock, P. M.
To French Creek, three times a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, via Brownville, Perch River, Stone Mills, LaFargeville, Depauville, through Clayton, closes 8 o’clock, P. M.
To Carthage, three times a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, via Black River, Felt’s Mills, Le Raysville, Great Bend, closes at noon.
Rates of Postage of Single Letters.
Not exceeding 30 miles, 6 cents. Over 50 miles and not exceeding 80........10 cents.
Over 80 miles and not exceeding 150 miles.....12-1/2 cents.
Over 150 miles and not exceeding 400.........18-1/2 cents.
Over 400 miles.............25 cents.
Letters composed of two pieces of paper, double the above rates; three pieces, triple; four pieces, quadruple. Letters weighing one ounce, avoirdupois, quadruple postage, and in that proportion for all greater weight.
Ship letters pay six cents, if delivered at the office where the vessel arrives. But, if sent to any other office, they pay only two cents more than those which are not ship letters.
Letters to be Sent out of the United States.
Letters to Canada can be forwarded through the agents of the United States at Kingston and Prescott, Upper Canada; Ft. Covington on the line between New York and Canada; Montreal, Lower Canada; and to New Brunswick to the agent at St. Andrews, without paying postage in advance. Letters thus destined and put in the office the same as if they were not to be sent out of the United States. But letters to any other country out of the United States must be paid at the office where they are entered or they will not be sent. Letters and packages lodged and delivered at the same office, one cent.
Newspapers not carried out of the state or if carried out, not over 100 miles, 1 cent; out of the state and over 100 miles, 1-1/2 cent.
Magazines and pamphlets, if periodical, distance not over 100 miles, 1-1/2 cent per sheet; over 100 miles, 2-1/2 cent per sheet. If not periodical, distance not over 100 miles, 4 cents; over 100 miles, 6 cents per sheet and the number of sheets must be written or printed on the pamphlet.
Franking.
Postmasters may send and receive letters on the business of their office, and their own letters, not exceeding half an ounce avoirdupois, and not exceeding one daily newspaper, free of postage.
S T A G E S
Eastward.
Proprietors -- S. Buckley, E. Merriam, and E. Backus. For Utica, leaves daily 2 o’clock, A. M. and arrives Utica in time to take the cars east, via Rutland, Champion, Denmark, Stow’s Square, Lowville, Martinsburg and Houseville, distance 81 miles.
Westward.
Proprietors -- S. Buckley and H. Lewis. For Syracuse, leaves daily, Sundays excepted, at 2 o’clock A. M., through in about 18 hours via Appling, Adams Centre, Mansville, Sandy Creek, Richland, Pulaski, Union Square, Colosse, Hastings, Brewerton, Cicero, Salina, distance 70 miles.
Proprietors to Ogdensburg, S. Buckley, and E. Buck, to Sacket’s Harbor, S. Buckley.
For Ogdensburg, 6 times a week. 3 times, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays via Evan’s Mills, Antwerp, and Gouverneur, through in about 18 hours, distance 65; 3 times Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays via Theresa, Hammond, and Morristown, through in 14 hours, distance 60 miles.
For Sackets Harbor, daily on the arrival of the stage from the east, via Brownville, through in 2-1/2 hours, distance 12 miles.
LIVERY STABLES
Israel Symonds, at the American. John T. Copeland, back of the Episcopal church; office, in S. Brintnall’s grocery.
B A N K S.
Jefferson County Bank.
Washington street--Chartered, 1816, capital $200,000. Directors--O. Hungerford, J. Safford, A. Ely, I. Paddock, Geo. C. Sherman, A. S. Green, M. Sterling, H. H. Coffeen, E. Farwell--Watertown; O. P. Starkey--Cape Vincent; J. H. Whipple--Adams, M. E. Kirby--Dexter.
Orville Hungerford, President; O., V. Brainard, cashier; S. D. Hungerford, teller; Geo. Baker, bookkeeper.
VIII .
Bank of Watertown.
Washington street -- Chartered April 8th, 1838. Capital, $100,000.
Directors--H. D. Sewell, L. Paddock, William H. Angel, S. Buckley, Willard Ives, Aaron Stevens, Phineas Hardy, Benjamin Maxon, E. Eddy, William Boom, Ira Hall.
Loveland Paddock, president; Samuel Buckley, vice president; W. Sherman, cashier. C. J. Wells, teller and clerk.
Savings department of the Bank of Watertown opened on the 1st day of July, 1838; conducted by the officers of the Bank of Watertown.
Business hours of both banks the same; from 10 to 12 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. Discount days, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Fire Insurance Companies & Agencies
Jefferson County Mutual Insurance company. Chartered March 8, 1838. Robert Lansing, secretary, office over Lansing & Sherman’s law office.
Howard Insurance company. Of the city of New York. Capital $3,000,000. Wooster Sherman, agent.
Firemen’s Insurance company. Of the city of Albany. Capital $150,000. Wooster Sherman, agent.
Manufacturers, Mills, Etc.
Hamilton Manufacturing company. H. D. Sewall, agent, Joseph Union, superintendent. Capital $1,000,000. Manufactures flannels. Employs 24 looms with 70 hands, 40 females and 30 males. Produces, per annum 3,000,000 yards of flannel; consuming 125,000 lbs. of wool, 2,500 gals. of oil, 300 cords of fire wood, besides starch, glue, dye-stuffs, etc., etc. At present in consequence of the difficulties of the times, only 14 looms are in operation.
Black River Woolen company. Daniel Lee & H. Holcomb, agents. Capital paid in $50,000. Manufactures broad-cloths, cassimers (sic) and satinette. Employs 40 hands; and consumes annually about 60,000 lbs. of wool.
William’s Woolen Factory. H. Holcomb, agent. Capital paid in, $8,000. Manufactures stocking yarn, negro cloths, etc. Employs from 8 to 10 hands, and consumes annually 20,000 lbs. wool.
Watertown Cotton Mills company. Thomas Baker, agent. John Sigourney, superintendent. Manufactures brown sheetings and shirtings, satinette and negro cloths, wraps, yarns, etc. Employs 40 hands, 1,000 spindles, 20 looms; consumes 60,000 lbs. cotton, and produces about 125,000 yards cloth, annually.
Carding and Clothdressing Establishments.
Winslow Pattridge’s
---Situated near the Union Mills, runs 1 single and 2 double machines; cards, annually, 10,000 lbs. wool, and dresses 8,000 yards cloth, custom. manufactures about 1,000 yds. cloth.J. G. Stacy’s---Adjacent to Howk’s flouring mill; runs 2 sets of machines, dresses about 7,000 yards cloth, cards 8,000 lbs. wool; employs 3 hands.
Ezra Wait’s---situated in Pamelia below the bridge; runs 2 double machines; cards 20,000 lbs. wool and dresses 12,000 yards cloth annually; employs 5 hands.
Flouring Mills.
Phenix Mills, situated near the upper bridge, owned and conducted by Adams & Wright. Has 3 runs of stone; employs 3 hands; grinds daily on an average, 60 bushels custom, and 40 bushels flouring.
Union Mills, situated at the foot of Mill street, opposite Bebee’s Island, owned by Eli Farwell, J. W. Baker and Hiram Merrell. It has 6 runs of Burr stones, 5 bolts, 2 screnes, 2 smutmills, one corncracker, and 1 malt mill; grinds daily, on an average, 100 bushels custom and 40 bushels flour.
Moulton & Hughs’ Mill---Situated opposite Bebee’s Island, in Pamelia. It has 4 runs of Burr stones, 4 bolts, 1 double screne, 1 smutmill; grinds daily, on an average, 60 bushels custom, 40 bushels flouring.
Starr’s Distillery.
Conducted by Steven Boon, as agent. It consumes 16,000 bushels corn and rye, annually, and produces 60,000 gallons whiskey; fattens in the same time 70 head of cattle and 300 hogs.
Brewery.
Situated near the State street bridge; owned by Andrew Newell, and conducted by Peter Haas. It consumes 4,500 bushes of barley and one ton of hops, yearly, and produces 38,500 gallons beer.
Watertown Foundry and Machine Shop.
Owned and conducted by William Smith & Sons; situated on the westerly end of Bebee’s Island. Manufacture principally implements of husbandry, mill gear, hollow ware, wagon boxes, bark mill, carding machines, lathes, etc., etc. Yearly amount of sales, about $12,000. The owners last year established a plaster mill, and sold, during the spring, about 400 tons of ground plaster.
IX.
CHURCHES
First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Isaac Brayton, Pastor.
Organized January 1803 by the Rev. Ebenezer Lazel, at its organization it was congregational in its form of government, and was changed in Presbyterian in 1821. The present pastor was ordained and installed August 31st, 1837. Number of members at its organization, 15; three churches have since been chiefly organized from it, viz, a Congregational church in 1830; the Second Presbyterian church in 1831; and the Congregational church at Burrville in 1836. Church edifice situated on the east side of Washington street, of stone, and dedicated January 1st, 1821 by Rev. Mr. Banks. Session house in which are held the usual weekly lectures, conferences, prayer meetings, etc., a commodious building, is situated on Stone street. Sabbath school meets at the session house, at the close of the afternoon service, under the superintendence of S. Clark, assisted by 18 teachers; number of scholars, 70. Preaching twice on the Sabbath and a lecture Sabbath evening; regular prayer meeting on Saturday evening of each week, and lecture every Wednesday evening; communion, once in two months.
Second Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Marcus Smith, Pastor
Organized on the 20th day of July, 1821. Its present pastor installed September 7th, 1836. Number of members at its organization, 35; the whole number that have been members, 226; present number, 146. Church edifice on the corner of Factory and Mechanic streets, of wood; erected in 1831, and dedicated in September of the same year. There are two Bible classes connected with the church, one of males and one of females. Sabbath school at the close of the afternoon service, in the Sabbath school room, basement story of the church, under the superintendence of Archibald Whitford, assisted by 16 teaches; number of scholars, 100. There is attached to the church, exclusive of the Sabbath school library, a choice selection of books, of 84 volumes, for the use of the pastor, members of the Bible class, teachers of the Sabbath school, and the persons who subscribed for its purchase. Preaching three times on the Sabbath; weekly lecture every Wednesday evening; communion once in two months.
Baptist Church
Elder Charles Clark, pastor
Organized by ---?--- ---?--- (copy unclear) Guiteau, 1823; present pastor installed in 1836; present pastor installed in 1836. Number of members at its organization, 17; present number, 212. Church edifice, of wood, on the corner of State road and Mill street, dedicated January 1st, 1837. Sabbath school in the upper part of the church, held between the forenoon and afternoon services, under the superintendence of Avery Thomas, assisted by 16 teachers. Preaching three times on the Sabbath, regular weekly prayer meeting every Monday evening; lecture every Wednesday evening; communion, once a month.
Trinity Church.
Rev. John F. Fish, Rector.
Organized under the supervision of the Rev. Joshua M. Rogers, as rector, June 2d, 1828. It has since been under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Messrs. Adams, Gear, Salmon, Hickox, and the present rector. The church edifice, of wood, situated on State street, is a simple and attractive building, and sufficiently large to accommodate 500 worshippers. The Sabbath school is under the direction of the rector, assisted by 2 superintendents, and 16 teachers; it number 80 scholars, and has a small but well selected library. Preaching twice on the Sabbath, and on the holy days during the year.
Methodists Episcopal Church.
Rev. Squire Chase, Pastor.
Organized by the Rev. B. Willey, in 1802; incorporated the following year, with several other churches, in what was then first denominated and for some time after known as the Black River Circuit. Church edifice, of stone, situated opposite the Arsenal, was erected and dedicated in 1822. Number of members at present 250. Besides sustaining a flourishing Sabbath school which meets at the church, the society, either wholly or in part sustain several others in the vicinity. Preaching twice on the Sabbath; weekly prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings; communion on quarterly occasions.
Roman Catholic Church.
Rev. Michael Gilbride, Priest.
Organized and mass first celebrated on the 4th of July, 1838. Church edifice, of wood, is situated on Factory street, sufficiently large to accommodate about 300 persons. Number of members, 250. Catechism school every Sabbath under the superintendence of the priest; number of scholars, 30. Mass celebrated once in two weeks.
Universalist Church.
Rev. W. H. Waggoner, Pastor.
Organized in 1823, under the ministry of the Rev. Pitt Mores. Present pastor installed in 1828. The church edifice, erected in 1824, of wood, is situated on the --?-- (unclear) corner of the Public Square, and is the largest, but one, in the place. Preaching, twice on the Sabbath.
X.
PUBLIC SOCIETIES
Watertown Temperance Society.
Has for its object, the promotion of temperance, by the disuse of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. It was organized under the old pledge in 1828, when Hart Massey was appointed president, and G. S. Boardman, secretary. It was re-organized under the total-abstinence pledge, March 31, 1840. Its annual meeting is held on the last Wednesday in January of each year; other meetings held from time to time as the society appoint. Number of members, 90. D. Huntington, president, L. R. Sandiforth, vice president, John Clark, secretary, E. Ten Eyck, Silas Clark and J. Boutwell, committee to circulate the pledge.
Watertown Village Mechanic’s Temperance Association
Has for its object the same as the one above Organized April 17th, 1840, under the total abstinence pledge. Number of members, 17. L. L. St. John, president, E. Sackett, secretary.
Young Men’s Home Missionary Society.
The object of this society is to afford aid to the destitute churches in Jefferson county. Organized March 19, 1838, and composed of the young men connected with the Second church and congregation. Annual meeting held on the second Tuesdays of February of each year; other meetings held as the committee direct. Number of members, 27; number of donors, not members, 34. Silas Bacon, president, James Ballard, vice president, M. W. Forward, secretary, T. C. Snow, treasurer, H. M. Smith, E. R. McGregor, and J. Alexander, select committee.
Watertown Village Anti-Slavery Society.
The object of this society is to promote, constitutionally, as far as possible, the abolition of slavery throughout the United States. It was organized July 15, 1839. Its annual meeting held on the fourth Monday in April; quarterly meetings held on the fourth Monday’s in July, October, and January. Number of members, 32. Rev. Marcus Smith, president, H. H. Waite, T. C. Snow, A. B. Turner, and E. Sackets, vice presidents, E. R. McGregor, secretary, J. P. Fitch, treasurer, T. C. Snow, A. B. Page, H. Boutwell and Rev. Marcus Smith, executive committee.
Watertown Baptist Sabbath School Society.
Connected with the Baptist church, under which, the Sabbath school is conducted, is auxiliary to the American Baptist Sabbath School Union. It was organized September 2, 1839; annual meeting held on the last Saturday in August. A. S. Greene, president; O. Colwell, vice president; J. C. Hatch, secretary, D. W. Rickerson, treasurer.
Female Moral Reform Societies.
Have for their object, the promotion of moral purity. A moral reform society was organized in June, 1838, numbering 120 members. A re-organization took place in October, 1839, at which this society was divided, and of its members societies formed in connection with the three following churches. They still all meet together quarterly, to hear addresses, etc.; they also hold separate semi-monthly meetings.
One connected with the Second Presbyterian church, numbering 40 members. Mrs. Rev. M. Smith, first directress; Mrs. G. W. Knowlton, second directress; Mrs. L. R. Saniforth, secretary and treasurer.
One connected with the Baptist church, numbering 36 members. Mrs. Rev. C. Clark, first directress; Mrs. S. Osgood, second directress; Mrs. Wm. Woolley, third directress; Mrs. O. Colwell, secretary and treasurer.
One connected with the Methodist church, numbering 39 members. Mrs. Wm. Angel, first directress; Miss E. Lawrence, second directress; Mrs. S. Haddock, third directress; Miss E. Welch, secretary and treasurer.
Philomatheon Society.
Connected with the Black River Institute. The objects of this society are mental cultivation, and improvement in public speaking. These are secured by holding weekly meetings for extemporaneous debate, declamation, reading essays, etc., etc. Regular meetings held on every Thursday evening. An address is delivered before the society in connection with each semi-annual exhibition of the Institute. The society was organized September 27, 1836. Its first officers were A. Leonard, president; O. Robbins, vice president; H. H. Waite, secretary, R. S. Bosworth, treasurer; J. F. Hutchinson, J. Winslow, and J. Dunlap, executive committee. Present officers -- G. S. Ramsay, president; Rev. John Convert (sic), vice president; G. A. Lathrop, secretary and treasurer; G. S. Whitford, B. F. Allen and Samuel Merrell, executive committee. Number of members, 34.
XI .
SCHOOLS.
Black River Literary and Religious Institution.
The institution was founded in the spring of 1837, and was opened for reception of scholars September 14th in the same year. It owes its origin chiefly to the Rev. Marcus Smith of this village who first laid a plan of it before a few of the patrons of learning in this vicinity and urged upon them its adoption. The Institution was designed for the benefit of all classes in community and while it was not intended to be made the instrument of promoting narrow sectarian peculiarities, it was founded for the purpose of educating youth under the wholesome religious and moral influence which is derived from liberal instruction, and which is considered so essential to the well-being of society.
During the first two years and a quarter the operations of the institute were conducted for want of means in buildings of the most humble and unpretending character, one of which has been used as a carpenter’s shop, another as a barn, the other as a dwelling house. But experience proved that, even in such buildings much useful and ornamental science could be taught and acquired successfully and that the high interests of morality and religion could be happily promoted. Still the Institution labored under great disadvantages, until, by the contributions of its liberal friends, it was accommodated with its present buildings in 1838 and 1839 which form an honorable monument of the public spirit and Christian wisdom of its benefactors. Already have the county and village realized advantages from its operations that must more than satisfy the previous expectations of those individuals and the community at large.
The principal edifice is of brick, 75 feet by 40, three stories high. This is devoted entirely to academic purposes. There are five other buildings of inferior size and material that are appropriated to the use of students as houses for boarding, lodging, and study. Young ladies at the female boarding house are under the particular care and supervision of the Principal of the female department. In the other buildings many of the students board themselves for which some conveniences are provided.
Young ladies in the female department have the opportunity of entering classes taught by the male teachers, and thus of participating in the advantages of the other departments.
The Institution is furnished with a suitable Library and Reading Room and with various kinds of scientific apparatus in cost and value considerably above one thousand dollars. Among other articles are a Theodolite for the use of scholars in civil engineering and a large Newtonian telescope eight feet long with a speculum of nine inches in diameter, for the benefit of the class in Astronomy. Sacred music is made an object of peculiar (sic) attention. Lectures are delivered twice a week, upon various branches of science by members of the faculty.
The ornamental, as well as the useful objects of study and attention are amply provided for in this institution.
There is a general exercise, once a week, in which are brought before the students, from missionary and other journals and from published travels, the most prominent facts that occur relating to the present state of the world--the efforts made to improve its political, moral, and religious condition--and the claims of the world upon the philanthropy, and the Christian beneficence of the youth in our literary institutions. This weekly exercise communicates to the intelligent and attentive student knowledge of the most beneficial character; has a tendency to enlist him in the welfare of his fellow men, elevates his standard of action; disposes him to pursue a life of usefulness, and renders him a benefactor to the world.
Young ladies and gentlemen desirous to qualify themselves for teaching common schools are accommodated with satisfactory lectures and instructions relating to that business during the first eight weeks of the term commencing in September.
During the year ending February 8th, 1840, four hundred and eighty students have been connected with the school.
There are now ten instructors in the various branches, viz.
Rev. J. R. Boyd, A M, principal; Rev. J. Covert, A M, vice principal; Archibald Whitford, teacher of mathematics, practical surveying and engineering; G. S. Ramsay, teacher of Latin and chemistry; Harrison Miller, teacher of the English department; E. R. McGregor, teacher of sacred music.
Miss E. P. Woodward, principal of the female department; Miss A. W. Jenks, teacher of music, French and drawing; Mrs. L. Covert, teacher of painting; Mrs. S. Keyes, teacher of the primary department.
Watertown Normal School.
Taught by Fabius Miles, designed for the qualifications of teachers of both sexes, of common schools. School room in the Franklin buildings, over Hotchkin’s saddle and harness store. Opened September 1st., 1839. Number of scholars now attending, 47. Branches of study pursued: Algebra, geometry, astronomy, chemistry, bookkeeping and all the common English branches.
District Schools.
There are three school districts in the village of Watertown and are numbered in connection with the school districts of the town. The numbers embraced in the village are 2, 3, and 8.
School in District No. 2 is taught by J. W. Weeks; school house on the corner of Madison and Arsenal street. Number of scholars, 85. It has a school district library of 98 volumes. Trustees Wm. Hinckley, P. Howk, and H. Merrell.
School in District No. 3 is taught by C. H. Wright, with an assistant school house situated on Factory street; number of scholars, 140; has a school district library. Trustees Baker Massey, Alexander Cummings, Harlowe Scovill.
School in District No. 8 is taught by Samuel Myrick; school house is situated on Sterling street; number of scholars, 50. Trustees, Dr. Wm. S. Sikes, Wm. H. Robinson, and N. W. Streeter.
XII.
Abbreviations Explained.
As the buildings in the village (Watertown) are not generally numbered (in 1840), the direction can only refer to the street and side of the street on which they are situated. In designating the side of the street, the direction is necessarily not always literally correct, inasmuch as the streets do not all run on the cardinal points. It is however, near enough to the truth to answer the purposes intended.
The following are the abbreviations used in the list, with their explanation:
n. is used for north.
s. for south.
e. for east
w. for west
sd. for side
cor. for corner
pub. sq. for Public Square
st. for Street
b. for boards
carp. and join. for carpenter and joiner
res. for residence
off. for office
cord. for cordwainer or shoemaker
The names are arranged according to strict alphabetical succession, with reference to the entire name; thus in the Smiths, for instance, C. Smith comes first and Wm. Smith last. Thus by glancing at a few names, you ascertain the one you would find is on the list.
******************
A
bbey, Samuel, laborer, res Bebee’s Isl.B
acon, Moses, sexton 1st Presb church res n sd Sterling st.C
adwell, Dr. F. A., off w sd Washington st b AmericanD
akins, J. B., overseer in Hamilton Mills res HamiltonvilleE
asterly, James, teamster works P. HaasF
airbanks, George, student at law with J. Mullin b Jason FairbanksG
ale, Benjamin, farmer res n sd Factory st.H
aas, Peter, brewer, res River st.I
nglehart, John b DavenportJ
acobs, G. P., tailor res n sd Factory St.K
able, George, cord works Corss b H. LabboL
abbo, H., cord works Corss res e sd State st.M
alory, Michael, works J. Fairbanks’ tanneryN
apler, John, clerk Knowlton & Rice b W. Y. BuckO
sgood, H. S., res with S. W. OsgoodP
addock, L. C., merchant, firm Paddock & Son w sd Washington st.Q
uisinon, John, tobacconist, res Madison st.R
amsay, G. S., teacher in B. R. Institute b LaudyS
ackett, E., cord. works Cross, res. n. sd. Sterling St.T
aylor, N., join. b. B. F. PerryMore T-listings, as well as U-W listing, below following note.
Website Host's Note - June 7, 2007: When I posted this Directory's contents, I wasn't able to find the continuing entries for T's and U-W. Douglas R.Turner, while reseaching his Turner ancestors, found among the family papers, p. 29 of this Directory and sent it to me via attachment. How good does it get! Thank you, Doug.
T
ucker, Paul - cord works Corss res Bebee's IslandU
pton, J - superintendent Hamilton mills res HamiltonvilleV
allet, James - turner res Bebee's IslandW
aite, Isaac - carp & join works Wm SmithWebhost's Note: There may have been additional W-listings and X-Y-Z listings. It is becoming apparent that I may not have found one issue of what appeared to have been a series of articles offering this 1840 Directory.
Unnumbered Chapter
(no explanation as to the area of the village to
which the following names applied - this might
be what was called Juhelville - A-E is missing)
F
inney, Earl, farmer, res Prospect HillG
ordon, Isaac, farmer, res. Waater st.H
opkins, W. H. machinist, res. Norton’s Isl.K
ip, A. B., blacksmith near the bridge res. Factory roadL
azier(unclear), Anthony, res. Water st.M
allear (unclear), John, machinist, works Goulding res. Water st.N
ickles, machinist, works Wilson res. Factory roadP
orter, Martin, laborer, res. near the riverR
aymonds, James, tanner and currier, works Wilks.S
artwell, Daniel, sawyer, res. Prospect HillT
hornton, R., mason, res with W. ThorntonW
hitmarsh, J., laborer, res. Prospect HillList of Inhabitants in the Village of Pamelia
(Note: Probably lands along the north side of Black River going toward Brownville))
A
dsit, Smith, laborer, s sd road to BrownvilleB
agley, B., attorney, res. n. sd road to BrownvilleC
arter, Franklin, miller in PameliaD
ana, Chester, cabinet maker res s sd road to BrownvilleF
ailing, Warner, keeps tavern on the hillG
lass, P. G., saleratus manufacturer, res. n sd road to BrownvilleH
eeley, John, cabinet maker, res., near the bridgeK
emp, Abram, keeps tavern, s sd road to BrownvilleL
oudon, Seth, works Starr’s distilleryM
cCarn, Abel, carp. and join res n sd road to BrownvilleN
ewell, Jeremiah, blacksmith, works MillsO
’Connor, P. F., works Starr’s distilleryP
endergast, John G., res n sd road to BrownvilleR
aymond, Wm., farmer, res n sd road to BrownvilleS
abin, E., res n sd road to BrownvilleT
aylor, Isaac, sawyer for J. CramerW
aite, Ezra, clothier, res n sd road to Brownville(the names in a short section called “Omissions” to the Watertown village list
were incorporated into that list by the typist)
Statistical View.
Of the village of Watertown, Pamelia and Juhelville
In the following summary, the figure set opposite the names of the different mechanical employments, designate the number of establishments of master workmen, and not the number of persons employed in each.
THE END