Early History of Norwich
Chenango County, New York
Chenango Union, January 31, 1907
The south eastern part of township was further settled by families named Shippy, Phetteplace, Reynolds, Cook and Winsor; nearly all coming from Rhode Island. James Packer came from Groton, Conn. and settled on land three miles southwest of Norwich. Other names connected with our early history, not however, until after 1800, are Samuel Hammond, Capt. James Thompson, Asa Pellett, Truman Enos, etc.
Of the character of the village of Norwich in the early days we know at least that it had a reputation for being quite irreligious.
Rev. Manasseh French had held services in the village as early as 1793, but he soon removed from town. the next minister to settle here was Rev. Elisha Ransom, but he stayed a few months only and removed to Plymouth. About 1798 Rev. John Camp came to Oxford and organized the Presbyterian church there. He was also employed by people in Norwich, without regard to religious denomination and preached alternately in the two towns. His services ended in 1806, and from then no regular services were held until 1814 when the "First Congregational Church" and "The Baptist Church and Society" were organized.
James Birdsall was the first lawyer and Peter B. Garnsey came about same time.
The first merchant of the town was Dr. Joseph Brooks, an educated physician, but not a medical practitioner. He opened a store about 1798 in a building which stood on the site of the residence of Mrs. B.G. Berry on North Broad street.
The first physician was Dr. Johnathan Johnson, who came to Norwich on horseback about 1794. He boarded with Matthew Graves and in 1797 married his daughter, Hannah. Soon after he built the house now the residence of Charles G. Nash where he spent the greater part of his life and died in 1837. Many of his descendants still reside in this vicinity. Dr. Johnson made no pretension of being a surgeon, but about 1796 with the aid of a Dr. Upham of Pennsylvania, who was p-?-ing through this valley on his way to the north, he amputated the leg of Levi Skinner (who lived near Wood's Corners) which had been crushed by the fall of a tree. The operation was successful, though their only instruments were a razor and a forked wire for a tensculum.
The first tavern, if we exclude the rude entertainment furnished by Avery Power, is supposed to have been the one kept by Hascall Ransford a mile north of the village, which was extensively patronized. The first hotel on the site of the Eagle hotel was built about 1799 by Stephen and Asahel Steere, sons of Judge Stephen Steere. That building was burned early in the morning July 4, 1849 and the present structure was begun in 1850. At an early date the house used by Dr. Purdy as residence was known as "Old Yellow Tavern." The American Hotel was the "Noyes House," and the long row just north of it was called "Old Long Tavern."
The first town meeting was held at the house of Captain John Harris, but there are no records to show who were elected to office Afterwards town meeting was held at the house of Hascall Ransford.
Smith's history states that "Mr. Harris' house though not a public house, was a good deal resorted to for public transactions, probably because of the extensive acquaintance which he formed in the pursuit of his occupation of surveying and his personal qualities which conspired to give him prominence."
In 1791 or '2 an Oneida Indian, named David, was tried in the house of John Harris for the murder of another Indian. The trial was conducted by two Oneida chiefs. David was acquitted but fearing the vengeance of the friends of murdered man he did not dare return to the Oneidas. He lived several years in a wigwam near brewery on North Broad st., where he was engaged in making baskets and brooms.
The appearance of the village in 1800 must have been primitive in the extreme. There was the road leading north and south later known as Main st., crossed at right angles at the center of town by another road leading east and west. This road which we call East and West Main st. was first known as River and Water streets.
The valley at first covered by a dense forest had been cleared in places which at that early date presented a stumpy appearance. Much of the ground was swampy and there were one or two small streams crossing Broad st between the Canasawacta bridge and the hill. There were only a few scattered houses and log cabins. The condition of roads was very bad. Mail arrived weekly and was carried north on foot.
There seem to be no records showing population of Norwich town or village at early date, but Chenango County, which than included Madison Co. had a population of 16,087 in 1800, sixteen years after its first settlement, and two years after its organization.
James Birdsall was the first lawyer and Peter B. Garnsey came about same time.
The first merchant of the town was Dr. Joseph Brooks, an educated physician, but not a medical practitioner. He opened a store about 1798 in a building which stood on the site of the residence of Mrs. B.G. Berry on North Broad street.
The first physician was Dr. Johnathan Johnson, who came to Norwich on horseback about 1794. He boarded with Matthew Graves and in 1797 married his daughter, Hannah. Soon after he built the house now the residence of Charles G. Nash where he spent the greater part of his life and died in 1837. Many of his descendants still reside in this vicinity. Dr. Johnson made no pretension of being a surgeon, but about 1796 with the aid of a Dr. Upham of Pennsylvania, who was p-?-ing through this valley on his way to the north, he amputated the leg of Levi Skinner (who lived near Wood's Corners) which had been crushed by the fall of a tree. The operation was successful, though their only instruments were a razor and a forked wire for a tensculum.
The first tavern, if we exclude the rude entertainment furnished by Avery Power, is supposed to have been the one kept by Hascall Ransford a mile north of the village, which was extensively patronized. The first hotel on the site of the Eagle hotel was built about 1799 by Stephen and Asahel Steere, sons of Judge Stephen Steere. That building was burned early in the morning July 4, 1849 and the present structure was begun in 1850. At an early date the house used by Dr. Purdy as residence was known as "Old Yellow Tavern." The American Hotel was the "Noyes House," and the long row just north of it was called "Old Long Tavern."
The first town meeting was held at the house of Captain John Harris, but there are no records to show who were elected to office Afterwards town meeting was held at the house of Hascall Ransford.
Smith's history states that "Mr. Harris' house though not a public house, was a good deal resorted to for public transactions, probably because of the extensive acquaintance which he formed in the pursuit of his occupation of surveying and his personal qualities which conspired to give him prominence."
In 1791 or '2 an Oneida Indian, named David, was tried in the house of John Harris for the murder of another Indian. The trial was conducted by two Oneida chiefs. David was acquitted but fearing the vengeance of the friends of murdered man he did not dare return to the Oneidas. He lived several years in a wigwam near brewery on North Broad st., where he was engaged in making baskets and brooms.
The appearance of the village in 1800 must have been primitive in the extreme. There was the road leading north and south later known as Main st., crossed at right angles at the center of town by another road leading east and west. This road which we call East and West Main st. was first known as River and Water streets.
The valley at first covered by a dense forest had been cleared in places which at that early date presented a stumpy appearance. Much of the ground was swampy and there were one or two small streams crossing Broad st between the Canasawacta bridge and the hill. There were only a few scattered houses and log cabins. The condition of roads was very bad. Mail arrived weekly and was carried north on foot.
There seem to be no records showing population of Norwich town or village at early date, but Chenango County, which than included Madison Co. had a population of 16,087 in 1800, sixteen years after its first settlement, and two years after its organization.
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