Recollections of the Early Settlement of the Town of Greene
Chenango American, Greene, NY, January 14, 1858
Part 7
In the year 1806, Elder Jeduthan Gray, located on the farm now owned [in 1857] by W.H. Beal east of the Genegantslet. He was originally from Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where he had been well and favorably known as a clergyman of the Baptist denomination. Immediately on his arrival among us he commenced the work of gathering a church, which was called the "2d Baptist Church of Greene." It soon became respectable both in character and numbers and extended over that part of Greene and the eastern part of the adjoining town of Lisle. Elder Gray was the moving spirit in this extensive organization His clerical duties were not confined to a central point, but extended to every neighborhood and hamlet in the vicinity. His unremitting attention to the sick, the dying and the disconsolate, elicited universal praise. His talent and ability were of a high order, and not only in his pastoral duties, but in every relation of life incident to a new settlement. His advice was sought and his agency required. Our early settlers fully appreciated his services and his sacrifices in their behalf. His counsels and admonitions are recorded in grateful remembrance by his contemporaries, and the plaudit of "a good and faithful servant" embalms his memory. He died at Sugar Grove, Warren Co. Pa. in 1830, aged 75 years.
In 1805, Doct. Charles Josslyn, located himself at Conrod Sharp's as a physician and surgeon. He was the earliest medical adviser in the town. In 1806 he removed to the village, where for the space of twenty years he devoted himself to his professional duties with approbation and success. He was a man of mark among the settlers, and filled various posts of responsibility. He was Post Master at Greene for twenty-five years, and held the offices of County Judge and Justice of the Peace for seventeen years. He died at Windsor, Broome county [NY], in 1856.
In the year 1807, Doct. Levi Parr became a resident of this town. He was from Montgomery county, in this State [NY]. He located on the Genegantslet. He at once entered upon the active duties of his profession. His services were required over a large section of country and amid its sparse and indigent population. He became a prompt and ready medical adviser. His untiring devotion to his patrons of every grade, and his zeal in his professional duties gave him a well merited reputation which was second to none in this section of the State. Nor was his professional counsels alone required. On all occasions where public or private weal was involved, the counsels and advice of Doct. Farr was eagerly sought and cheerfully given. In all the walks of usefulness that has been needed to convert a wilderness to the abode of wealth and civilization. whether in a physical, moral or a pecuniary point of view, Doct. Farr has filled a large space in the public mind and is gratefully remembered by his contemporaries. In 1825 he removed to the village where he yet resides [in 1857] in the enjoyment of all that wealth and social advantages are capable of yielding. About fifteen years since, Doct. Farr lost his eye sight, yet amid the gloom of darkness that surrounds his pathway, he is, in the decline of life, cheerfully enjoying a rich repast which arises from the reflection of a useful and well spent life, and in the kind regards of all who know him.
In 1811, Hon. Robert Monell became a resident of the village of Greene. He was a native of Columbia county, and removed to Binghamton in 1808, and opened a law office. After a few years he changed his residence to Greene, and was soon appointed as successor to Elisha Smith, as the local agent of the Hornby estate. He discharged its duties in connection with those of an advocate until 1819, when he resigned it to other hands.
Judge Monell made himself eminently useful to his fellow men in the early settlement of the county He was elected to the Legislature in 1813, the first of his townsman that received that honor. In that body, in the dark hours of 1814, he faithfully performed his duty in sustaining the efforts of Gov. Tompkins, in upholding the arms of the national administration in its conflict with Great Britain. In 1818, Mr. M. was elected to Congress from the district composed of Otsego and Chenango. such was the character of his personal popularity at that time, that notwithstanding a strong party organization against him, there was but one vote against him in his own town. In 1825, 27 and 28 he represented the county in the legislature of the State. In 1828 he was returned to Congress by his district, and at the termination of its duties in 1831, was appointed by the Governor and Senate Circuit judge for the 6th Judicial District of this State. This arduous and responsible post he held for fourteen years. In 1845 he accepted the appointment of Clerk of the Supreme Court, and was located at Geneva until the adoption of the new Constitution in 1841, when he returned to his home in Greene. Here he yet resides [in 1857] in the "red and yellow leaf" of the autumn, in this existence conscious of having discharged his various and complicated duties to his fellow men without hearing a word of reproach to begrudge that highly had integrity which has ever distinguished him in his social, profession and public career.
In 1816, Hon. John Birdsall became a resident of the village of Greene. He had received a liberal education at some of our eastern colleges and entered the law office of Robert Monell as a student He was admitted to the bar before he had arrived at his majority, and was received as a partner by Judge Monell. He signalized himself as a man of marked character and held a conspicuous place at the bar.
In 1823, he removed to Mayville, Chautauqua county [NY], where his shining abilities soon attracted attention, and he was appointed by the Governor and Senate, Circuit judge of the 8th Judicial District in this State. He was then but twenty-five years of age. During the time he occupied a seat upon the bench, he resided at Rochester as being a more central point. In 1829, he resigned the judgeship and returned to Mayville. He was soon after elected to the Senate of this State, and for four years discharged its Legislative and judicial duties with consummate ability and to the satisfaction of all.
In 1837, Mr. Birdsall emigrated to Texas. Here he was received with open arms by the founders of that new state, was a law partner of President Houston, and Attorney General under the "lone star," until his death which occurred in 1839. Judge Birdsall was a man of rare endowments. His solidity of character and purity of intentions were admirably fitted to give him a conspicuous place in the affections of his fellow men, and prompts the grateful remembrance of his surviving associates.
In 1821, Charles Cameron became a resident of the village of Greene. He came at the instance of his friend and countryman Hon. John Greig, as the local agent of the Hornby estate. Mr. Cameron was a native of Scotland, where he received a respectable academic education. He emigrated to this country at the age of eighteen, with Col. Charles Williamson, who came over as the agent of the Pultney estate. The party landed at Norfolk in Virginia, in Dec. 1791. After cutting a road for 150 miles, they arrived at what is now Dansville, in Livingston county. At that time the whole Genesee country was a dense wilderness. There was not a road within 100 miles of it that could be traveled with any conveyance except on horseback.
For many years, Mr. Cameron superintended the business operations of Col. W. In surveying lands, building mills and roads he had important duties to perform. He laid out the village of Bath in 1795. He was the first merchant in that village. He was a local agent at Lyons from 1798 to 1805. He built the first flouring mill at that place, and sent the first fruits of the Genesee valley to an eastern market. He was one of the earliest merchants at Canandaigua when the entire business of the Genesee country was done at that village Few men was more extensively and favorably known as a pioneer in Western New York than Mr. Cameron. He resided in this village until his death which occurred in 1852, aged 80 years.
Mr. C. was a fine specimen of a Scottish gentleman. He was universally respected and beloved by all with whom he had business relations. In all the social and domestic relations of life, Mr. Cameron was emphatically a Christian, and adorned his profession as a member of the Church in those acts of kindness and benevolence which beautify and adorn the human character. In him society lost one of its brightest ornaments, and the poor a kind and constant benefactor.
Greene, Jan. 1858. J.J., W.D.P.
Concluded
Chenango American, December 3, 1857
We take pleasure in being able to lay before our readers, a condensed history of the early settlement of the town of Greene [Chenango Co., NY]. Doct. W.D Purple and Col. Joseph Juliand, both whom, partially from their own knowledge, and partially from documents and information in their possession, are well versed in all that pertains to the pioneer days of the thriving town in which we reside, have consented to furnish material for a portion of a new work about being published, entitled. "French's Encyclopedia and Gazetter of the State" previous to being transmitted to the publisher, the manuscripts have been placed at our disposal, and we are gratified in thus being able to furnish reliable and interesting facts relative to our town. the history, besides containing mush valuable information, will be interspersed with biographical sketches, interesting incidents, &c., which will we doubt not make it worthy the attention of the public.
No comments:
Post a Comment