Looking Backwards - Harvey - Lawton Families
by George T. Harvey
Norwich Sun, October 4, 1932
I have always been interested in the work of the pioneers who laid the foundation of the present day development of Chenango county [NY]. I have the keenest interest in the lives and labors of the early missionaries who braved the perils of the wilderness to preach and organize churches among the scattered groups of Indians and the early settlers, but none more so than John Calvin Harvey. We can safely add his name to the list as a builder of character.
The early life of John Calvin Harvey is enshrouded in much obscurity, and the records of the churches he served as we have been able to obtain will show a most interesting career during the period of his labors in central Chenango county.
John Calvin Harvey was born near Stanford, Conn. He was a chaplain in the American Continental Army. He and Jonathan M. Lawton, went as missionaries into what was called the Hair Lots, in central New York working with the Oneida Indians, sometime about [1780?], and named the place Pharsalia, a Biblical name.
The few settlers who had preceded him and settled around the sulphur springs in Pitcher, were mostly from New England, yet of various religious opinions, and was immediately accepted by all. His religious zeal and gracious manners eminently fitted him to meet spiritual needs of the people of all classes and conditions. His log cabin became the central point of his ministerial labors, which was located at the health giving springs and people from far and near came to him for advice.
Several years after these two manly men returned to Boston, Mass., and got together several families, including John H. Lawton, the son of Jonathan M. Lawton, who was born near Stanford, Conn., on October 8, 1757 and John Calvin Harvey (my great grandfather) who was born in Mass. in 1760 and with five families, twenty souls and five ox teams and carts, loaded with two dressed pigs and other provisions started back to Pharsalia in central New York (now Chenango county).
After crossing the Hudson river, near Troy N.Y. and following an old Indian trail, they came to a deep forest and swamp and were surrounded with howling, starving wolves. To save themselves from death, they cast part of one of the dressed pigs over to the starving wolves. These animals jumped at the meat with vengeance and the little group was saved. They arrived back at the springs safely.
On October 2, 1797, a son was born to John Calvin Harvey, whose name was Noyce Harvey (my grandfather) and on June 10, 1799, a daughter was born to John H. Lawton who was named Vesta Lawton. On the 16th of December, 1824, Noyes Harvey and Vesta Lawton were married at Pitcher Springs, N.Y. and on October 4, 1832, just one hundred years ago today [in 1932] a son was born to Noyes and Vesta Harvey, who was named Rodney A. Harvey (my father). He was born in South Pitcher on the Brackle creek between Cincinnatus and Pharsalia, the location of the log cabin I am unable to find.
In 1854, Rodney A. Harvey married Miss Mary Brown, a young maiden of Pharsalia and was residing in McDonough, N.Y., up to 1860 when he enlisted in the army, joining the 89th New York Volunteers, serving nearly five years with Uncle Sam, wounded three times, died at Scranton, April 7, 1927.
Hello, I read your blog wigh much interest! My 4th Ggf was Paul Harvey (born 1743 Stonington, Ct; died 1817 Pitcher Township, Chenango, NY). He was married to Sarah Welsh of New London, Ct. I am trying to verify if His father was John Calvin Harvey, and If his wife, Mahalia Hungerford, was a native American of the Oneida tribe. Any informatio will be much appreciated.
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