Chenango and Unadilla Valleys Fifty Years Ago
By S.S. Randall
Chenango Telegraph, March 27, 1872
Continued from January 4, 2017 posting
The citizens of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] employed Capt. John Harris, an early settler, and a man of enterprise and energy, to purchase the land comprised in the present village, and other lands situate in the valley of the Chenango. He, however, seems to have engaged in a sea voyage after arriving in New York, where the sales were to take place, and committed his trust to an agent, who was outbid by Mr. Leonard M. Cutting, who offered one penny more per lot, and to whom the whole was struck off. He resold the lots to the principals of Capt. Harris for five dollars per acre each, an advance of about $4.00 on his own purchase. On his death bed, shortly afterwards, he reconveyed the fifteenth town--Norwich-- to Melancthan Smith and John Stiles, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, the former of whom immediately came on and executed contracts to the settlers in possession--with the exception of Avery Power who had previously purchased from the State at three shillings (seventy-five cents) per acre.
Mr. Power, as has previously been seen, was the earliest settler of the town of Norwich. He immigrated to the Chenango Valley in 1788--eighty-four years ago [in 1872]. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were still in the occupation of the neighboring territory--The Treaty of 1785, not having as yet been carried into practical effect. The Power farm, comprised two hundred and eighty-six acres, or thirty-six acres more than the standard afterwards established by the State--and was then known as the "Indian fields" sided on both the Canasawacta creek, and east of Main street up to and including the old Eagle Tavern and thence by subsequent purchase to the Harris farm on the hill. He built the house now owned by Judge York, nearly opposite the late residence of Col. John Randall, for a tavern. Mr. Cole seems to have become shortly after, embarrassed in his pecuniary circumstances, and to have parted with his farm to Elder Jedidiah Randall, who on his death bequeathed to Judge York, that portion now occupied by him. Cole subsequently emigrated to Ohio, where he died several years since.
William Smiley came into Norwich nearly contemporary with Mr. Cole. "He located," says Mr. Clark, "the Breed farm, next south of the old Randall farm, and after partially reclaiming it, sold out to Elias Breed. The Smiley farm included the once famous Sulphur spring, which, in times past, was a fashionable resort for the villagers. The waters were supposed to posses valuable medicinal qualities, but by attempted improvement, its vein was finally destroyed."
"Nicholas Pickett was supposed to have been the fifth inhabitant of Norwich. He located the Pendleton farm, upon the east side of the Chenango River, occupied it for a few years, when he sold out, and removed westward."
Then came Maj. Thomas Brooks, "a Massachusetts man, compromised by Shay's rebellion. His property east was confiscated to the government; and he came hither to repair losses. The Major always admitted his participation in the rebellion, and justified it. He had also been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was at bunker Hill. Major Brooks built a log house on the west Green, in Norwich village. There was not a hemmer nor a nail used about the building, these articles not having then been introduced. Afterwards the Major removed to Plymouth, where he suddenly died by the fall of a tree, about the year 1823-4.
The Graves family, Israel, Charles and Matthew, were among the next immigrants to Norwich. They became the owners of all that part of the village west of South Main street, from the Canasawact a creek on the south, and running north to the north line of the old Garlick property. Thomson Mead, Josiah Brown, John Wait, Martin Taylor, Joseph Skinner, Capt. John Harris, Samuel Hammond, William Ransford, Hascall Ransford, William Ransford, Jr., William Gibson (the old butcher), Simeon and Job Spencer, John Welch, Lemuel Southwick, Col. William Monroe, Leonard Monroe, Lobben Jaynes and Richard Miller, are also enumerated by Mr. Clark, as among the early settlers of the village and its immediate vicinity--all without exception, dead now [in 1872]. "Miss Clara Brooks came into the town when a child, with her father, Major Brooks, and was believed (1850) to be the oldest of the females living, who first settled in Norwich. Miss Harriet Graves, afterwards Mrs. Hascall Ransford, senior, removed into the town in the year 1791, and was married July 12, 1792. Hers was the first marriage that took place between settlers in Norwich after their arrival. There was no clergyman to administer the ceremony nearer than Tioga Point' nor was there a Justice, Judge or other civic functionary, legally qualified to perform the ceremony. It was therefore determined to repair to the residence of the clergyman at Tioga Point. For want of roads in those days, the inhabitants traveled up and down the valley in canoes. (I well remember hearing my grandfather Edmonds describe excursions of this kind to Tioga Point, to procure the grinding of corn and wheat in the absence of any nearer accommodation). To undertake so long a journey, however, in boats, was however ultimately deemed inexpedient; and the ceremony was finally performed by Joab Enos, Esq., who was commissioned as a Justice and officiated accordingly at the first weeding in the Chenango Valley."
To be continued
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