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1797 - 1878 History of Jefferson County [pages 362-366]
BELLEVILLE This place was begun as a farming settlement about 1802 - 03 by Mecalf Lee, Bradly and Joshua Freeman, Martin Barney, James, Benjamin, and Jedediah McCumber, and a few others. Elder Edmund Littlefield, a minister of the Baptist faith, soon after settled. The place being favorably situated for mills gradually grew into a village. Soon after the War of 1812.- 15 a meeting was called at the suggestion of Calvin Clark, a merchant , to select a name for the place. A committee was appointed, who chose the present name, said to have been taken from Belleville, in Canada. Previous to this time it had been known as Hall's Mills, from Giles Hall, who in 1806 purchased of J. McCumber a Hydraulic privilege here, and resided in the place for many years. Mr. Hall was a man much esteemed. He built a grist-mill here, and also erected the first blacksmith-shop and the first trip-hammer His mill stood in the upper part of the village. He also built a saw-mill, which is yet standing, now the property of H.C. Stacey. Bradley and Joshua Freeman, who settled her in 1802 - 03, were brothers. The former located on the lace now owned by Mrs. Calvin Clark. Joshua Freeman was a Baptist elder, and occasionally preached while carrying on his farm. Samuel Borden built a tannery and courier's shop here at an early day. The first tavern was kept by John Hawn, who had previously opened the first store at the village. The "store" consisted of a short counter in one end of his house, with a small stock of goods behind it. He built and addition to his house afterwards and opened a tavern. Laban Brown was among the early merchants. A cabinet-shop on the south side of the creek was established by Norman Barney, in a building previously used for wagon-manufactory. The present proprietor, J.H. Carpenter, purchased it in 1863, and has carried on the business since, making nearly all kinds of furniture. A grist-mill was built on Sandy Creek, in the upper part of the present corporation of Belleville, some years previous to 1820, by Abraham Miller and Rufus Mather, of Marlboro, Windham county, Vermont. Not long after this, and previous to 1820, they deeded about an acre of land to wen HOward, upon which he built a chair-factory, and carried on quite an extensive business for a number of years. Miller & Mather afterwards sold out to Cotton Kimball, who built the frame grist-mill now standing. The first mill was one of the old-fashioned frame structures common at that day. The damn was near the mill. Kimball removed this dam and built one about half a mile above the mill, and dug a "ditch" raceway. The grist-mill is now the property of Dr. Elton Hanchett, and is known by the old familiar title, "Mather's Mill." During the time Howard was running his chair-factory, a cloth-dressing establishment was built and operated by Harvey P. Dwight. A carding-machine was afterwards put in below by Luther Mather, and carried on by him for some time. Finally Samuel Northrup erected the present building, and began both carding and cloth-dressing. The establishment is now the property of H. H. Harris, who carries on cloth-dressing, carding and manufacturing. A hotel called the "Central House" was built early by Matteson Freeman, and after being owned by several persons, was finally burned down while the property of I. L. Dillenback, who was then running it. About 1873 he built the present "Dillenback House," on the site of the Central, and is now it's proprietor. Both these buildings were frame structures. Philemon Stacey and his older brother, John, from Halifax, vermont, settled at Belleville in 1808. John was married and Philemon single. The latter worked with his brother, and learned of him the carpenter's trade, and the two built some of the first houses in the place. John Stacey removed to Buffalo and died there. Philemon is yet living in Belleville with his son, H. C. Stacey, at an advanced age. Lebbeus Harris settled at Belleville about 1815, coming from Cooperstown, Otsego Co, N.Y. He married the widow of Dermas Thomas, who came here with his father, John Thomas, from Vermont, about 1811, and settled in the north part of the village. In 1812, Dermas Thomas built the frame house now standing near the residence of his son, D. C. Thomas, after which he went to Vermont and married, returning with his wife to Belleville. About a year after his marriage he died, leaving a widow and one child (D. C. Thomas). He had made many improvements upon his place, and at his death left everything in good shape. As has been mentioned, his widow was afterwards married to Mr. Harris. Zerah Brown, a native of Waterbury, Conn., moved into Jefferson County in March, 1805, and settled in the town of Lorraine (then Malta). His son, Samuel Brown, now living at Belleville, moved his father into Adams in 1828, and in 1837 came to the place where he now resides. Samuel Browns older brothers served in the War of 1812, one with the regulars and four with the volunteers. Zerah Brown died in December, 1847, in his 84th year. His wife died in June, 1837. Samuel Brown recollects attending a school which was kept in an old blacksmith-shop, near Lorraine "Huddle," in 1805. In 1807, a log schoolhouse was build and covered with elm-bark, which Samuel Brown helped his father peel from the trees. This building was originally without floors, but these necessary portions were afterwards put in, the upper one being of cherry timber. IN the school kept in the old blacksmith-shop,in the winter of 1805-06, the teacher was Deacon Gladwin Bumpus. This shop had been built by a man named Soles. In the schoolhouse the first teacher was Miss Betsy Burpee (or Burpy), who taught in the summer o f 1807. The following winter an Irishman , called "Master Tisdell, " taught the school. Miss Burpee afterwards married Aaron Brown, since deceased, and is now residing near Lorraine "Huddle." At Belleville a frame schoolhouse was built as early as 1806-07. This was afterwards burned down and replaced by a brick building. The present school-house is a neat one-story frame building, large enough for the purpose it is designed for, as most of the children begin attendance at the academy as soon as they have "outgrown" the common school.
BELLEVILLE UNION ACADEMY. The following account of this institution is made up from Dr. Hough's history and a historical address by Professor Houghton: The "Union Literary Society," at Belleville, in Ellisburg, was originated by the efforts of the Rev. Joshua Bradley, a Baptist clergyman, who, about 1824, began to labor to interest the public in the cause of education, and drew up a plan upon the manual-labor system, which, he represented, would combine all the advantages that an academy could bestow, and afford a revenue from its earnings to sufficiently remunerate the stockholders. With this expectation, stock was subscribed, a lot given by Giles Hall, and on April 13, 1826, an act of incorporation was obtained, by which Jotham Bigelow, Orin Howard, James W. Kennedy, John Hagedorn, Amos Heald, Peter N. Cushman, Wesson Thomas, Pardon Earl, Samuel S. Haws, Edward Boomer, Sidney Houghton, Benjamin Barney, Samuel Boyden, Ebenezer Webster, Israel Kellogg, Jr., Jesse Hubbard, Hiram Taylor, Henry Green, Rufus Hatch, Charles B. Pond, Calvin Clark, John Barney (1st), Samuel Pierce, and Godfrey Barney were constituted, with such as might associate with them, a body corporate, to have perpetual succession, and limited in their powers to the support of an academic school; the yearly income of their estate might not exceed $5,000. While preparations for building were pending, a school was commenced by Mr. H.H. Haff, under the direction of Mr. Bradley, which was taught for a time in a private house at Mather's' MIlls, one mile above Belleville, and afterwards at the Baptist church. The location of the institution having been settled with some difficulty, from the struggle of rival interests, the erection was commenced in 1829, and on January 1, 1830, the present academic building was dedicated. On the 5th of the same month it was received under the visitation of the regents, upon the application of the trustees and Benjamin Durfee, Nahum Houghton, James McCumber, Henry Shaver, Jesse Brester, Matthew Green, Thomas Clark, Amos Pratt, Daniel Wait, Culver Clark, Jotham Littlefield, Wadsworth Mayhew, and Charles Avery, who had contributed to it's erection. Charles Avery was appointed principal, and for a time the academy flourished to a degree that justified the highest expectation of it's friends, and attracted great numbers of students from distant parts of the county. Mr. Isaac Slater served as assistant the first year, and William D. Waterman the second, at the end of which Mr. Avery was succeeded by Mr. La Rue Thompson, who stayed two years, and was followed by George W. Eaton, who remained a year. Joseph Mullin and H. H. Barney were next employed; the first for one, the other for two years, when the school was for some time closed. In 1837, Mr. T.C. HIll was employed a year, when the building was closed by the mortgagee. Efforts were then made through the town to free the institution from debt, and in this the Rev. J. Burchard took an especial interest, and these efforts were attended with success. The Rev. G.J. King was next employed as principal, and at the end of a year he associated with Richard Ellis as joint principal, and in a few months was succeeded by the latter. He filled that station about three years. Orsemus Cole, R. Ellis, Calvin Littlefield, George Ramsay, John P. Houghton, and J. Dunbar Houghton have since been employed, the latter having been for the last two years the principal.* The library of the Savortian Society, connected with this academy, was formed under the general act April 12, 1883, with Edward Kellog, Tomas J. Field, C.M. Elbridge, Roswell Barber, O. S. Harmon, Wm. T. Searles, L. H. Brown, and Allen Nims, trustees, which was continued till 1848. There is, belonging to the academy, a small library and a fine collection of apparatus for illustrating the physical sciences. The building contains, besides recitation- and school-rooms, about a dozen apartments for students. The money received from the literature fund and tuition, and the number of students for each year, down to 1852, are shown in the following table, derived from the official reports of the trustees to the regents of the University;
* Written in 1853; for additional names see farther on. About 1850 a considerable amount of scientific apparatus was purchased for the use of the school, and a few valuable additions were made to the library. The school term for 1853 closed with an exhibition in the old stone church, where the Baptist church now stands, the proceeds of which amounted to $38.64, and the expenditures to $22. Of the net proceeds, $6 were given to the Baptist society, for the use of the house, and $10 were added to the library fund. This exhibition was the first of a series which were continued for many years, and which produced an income of several hundred dollars. J.W. Bishop, one of the students of this institution, subsequently became an engineer on the Grand Trunk railway of Canada, and in later years eventually removed to the west. During the War of the Rebellion he served in the Union army, and rose to the rank of brigadier-general. A. Moffatt, another student, engaged for a time in teaching in Louisiana, and afterwards engaged in mercantile business. He now resides in the city of Troy. Among other prominent students. L. J. Bigelow adopted the profession of the law, and also edited a paper in Watertown, where he subsequently died in the midst of his usefulness; D. V. Dean is now a professor in the medical college of St. Louis, Mo.; and J. M. Zethmayer died in Antwerp while engaged in teaching. The following is a list of teachers employed in 1856: Rev. J. Dunbar Houghton, A.M., principal; Rev. J.W. Whifield, teacher of painting and drawing; N. W. Buel, M.D., physiology and anatomy; Miss Lois M. Searles, preceptress; Mrs. E. A. Houghton, music; Miss Amelia Brigham, ornamental. During the summer of 1856 the facilities of the school were increased by the erection of a new building at a cost of about four thousand dollars. During the fall term of 1857, A. J. Brown, A. M., and wife were added to the corps of teachers. In the winter of 1858-59, Mr W. T. Wright was teacher of mathematics. In the summer vacation of this year Professor Houghton advanced $1000 for the purpose of finishing the third story of the building. On the 30th of June, 1859, there was a gathering of the alumni at the academy. In the fall of this year the faculty was increased by the addition of John P. Buckley, A.B., professor of Greek and Latin; George Foy, assistant in English. Very many of the students and some of the officers entered the army. For a time during the early years of the war it seemed as if the school must be broken up; but by strenuous exertions it was kept going, and survived the troublous times. In 1861 the name was changed to "Belleville Union Academy." Mr. Foy, who had entered the army, was killed on picket duty in 1861, and his remains were brought home for burial. Major Barney and Mr. Buckley, with others, fell at the second battle of Bull Run, in August 1862. Major B.'s remains were brought home, and three thousand people attended his funeral. In the autumn of 1863, Mr. Pierce and wife resigned their positions as teachers. In the winter of 1863-34 [64] the academy was presented with a beautiful silk flag by James E. Green. At the close of the academic year ending July, 1864, Prof. Houghton, who had been in charge of the school for thirteen yeas, resigned his post ion. During his administration the library had nearly doubled in the number of it's volumes, and additions to the value of three hundred dollars had been made to the scientific apparatus. The following statistical statement shows the number of scholars and receipts in money for each year, from 1852 to 1863, inclusive:
The latest report (date not given) shows 170 students, with no statistics. The principals succeeding Rev. J. Dunbar Houghton have been, Rev. Benjamin D. Gifford, A.B.; Rev. Buel A. Smith (since dead), E. H. Hillier; R. L. Thatcher, A.M.; Willard A. Grant, A.M.; and Henry Caron, A.M.* *This account and accompanying statistics are very imperfect, but are the best we could obtain.---[Historian.] INCORPORATION OF VILLAGE, ETC.
Belleville was incorporated in 1860, and the following corporation officers elected May 29 of that year: Trustees, De Alton Dwight, Alander Dickinson, Daniel Hall, Abner M. Durfee, Calvin Littlefield; Clerk, Arthur J. Brown; Assessors, William R. Pennell, Collins F. Armsbury, Henry F. Overton; Treasurer, James E. Green; Collector, Cyrus N. Rowe; Pound-master, Patterson W. Stevens. At this election 52 votes were cast. From the by-laws of the corporation the following extract is made, as showing one of the most important features of the government of the place:
The officers elected for 1877 are as follows: Trustees, Horatio Evans, chester Wright, J. H. Carpenter, H. H. Harris, A. M. Durfee; Assessors, E. Jennings, T. B. Kinney, S. P. Gillett; Clerk, W. B. Wright; Fire wardens, B. Barney, Levi Johnson, Stephen Vogel; Pound-master, I.L. Dillenbeck; Street Commissioners, Horatio Evans, Wellington Martin, H. H. Harris. Belleville is located principally on the north bank of the north branch of Big Sandy creek, although the corporation includes a considerable territory on the south side of the stream. The Sackett's Harbor and Ellisburg railway passed through the village, and during its continuance brought much business to the place, but since it has been taken up the town is left to depend on it's local manufactures and the reputations of its excellent academy, with the trade from the surrounding country. It is located in the midst of a fine agricultural region, and is the most important village in the town. Sandy creek has here a broad, rocky channel, and affords power for considerable manufacturing except in a dry season.
THE ELLISBURG AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY was organized March 8, 1849, the first officers being Alvah Bull, president; Mason Salisbury, A. G. Earl, vice-presidents; William T. Searles, recording secretary; Samuel Hackley, corresponding secretary; Green Packer, James Brodie, A. F. Wood, M. Stearns, M. S. Wood, T. Shepard, executive committee. At its first organization, it was designed to apply to the town of Ellisburg only, and was instituted and sustained by a number of spirited agriculturists who were desirous of promoting a competition in the rearing of stock and the details of farm husbandry in general, but who found it difficult to attend the fairs of the county society, or excite through them that local interest and emulation so desirable to attain. Comparatively, but a few had attended the fairs at Watertown, and the benefits of association scarcely extended to the more remote sections of the county. The first fairs of the society were held as follows: at Ellis village in 1849 and 1850, at Belleville in 1851, at Ellis village in 1852, and at Belleville in 1853. By resolution of January 9, 1853, the citizens of Adams and Henderson were allowed to compete for premiums, but all meetings were to be held in Ellisburg; and March 10, 1853, an eligible lot, partly in a cleared field and partly in an open wood, was leased from William T. Searls for ten years, the first six years being free of rent, on condition that the premises should be enclosed in a high board fence, and the remaining four to be paid at the rate of ten dollars per annum. The subjects for premiums embrace the various classes of domestic animals, agricultural implements, the produce of the field, the orchard, the dairy, and the garden, household manufactures and miscellaneous articles; and the money with witch these various premiums are paid is derived from the annual contributions of members.
SOCIETIES "Collins Lodge, No. 168, * I.O.O.F.," was the first lodge established here by a secret order, and is now in a flourishing condition. It was instituted February 4, 1852. The officers for 1877 are as follows: N.G., C. Ellis; V.G., J. S. Miller; Secretary, J.H. Carpenter; Treasurer, A. Brimmer. "Rising Light Lodge, No. 637, F. and A.M., " was instituted Feb. 20, 1867, with the following officers: W. M., William Jenkins; S. W., D.H. Cole; J.W., Bestow Dexter; Sec, Fred Edwards; Treas., C. Littlefield; S.D., A. W. Kilby; J.D., H. Cooper; Tyler, S. Vogel. This lodge has a fair membership. The officers for 1877 are as follows: W.M., H.H. Williams; S.W., L. Muzzy; J. W., R. Hall; S.D., Charles Fulton; J.D., A. A. Scott; Sec, J.H. Carpents; Treas., A.M.Durfee; Tyler, A.L. Williams. "Belleville Grange, No. 5, P. of H.," was organized in the fall of 1873, and, as its number indicates, was one of the first formed in the State. It occupies a hall on the second floor of the brick block built in 1873 by James E. Green, and is one of the most important granges in the county. *given in another account as No. 421.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH was the first to effect an organization in town. Before the formation of the present church of this order at Belleville, a few persons had been gathered by Elders Colwell and Littlefield, and adopted a covenant and articles of faith, with which Elder L. and some others were dissatisfied, and which a council of brethren from neighboring churches decided to be contrary to the faith of the Baptist church. They were accordingly disbanded, and Elder L. having died, there was for some time no ministry of this order. About 1807, Joshua Freeman, then a young man, and one who has since been prominently connected with churches of this order in the county, feeling that something should be done towards reviving a church, with another young man, named Amos Noyes, commenced holding meetings at Belleville. In this they had the cordial sympathies and aid of many, among others of Deacon Edward Barney. The previous covenant was modified to suit their views of gospel truth, and signed by eleven persons, who were soon joined by others, and Aug. 22, 1807, a council called for the purpose gave them the right hand of fellowship as a regular Baptist church. They enjoyed only occasional preaching until 1810, when Martin E. Cook, a licentiate, was called to the care of the church. He was afterwards ordained, and continued to labor in the ministry, with great acceptance, during twenty-four years. Since then the following ministers have served as pastors at different periods: Daniel D. Reed, Abner Webb, Joel H. Green, A. Webb (2nd time), John F. Bishop, David McFarland, A. Cleghorn, who stayed about seven years; G. W. Devoll, six years; F. E. Osborne, three years; Elder Ford, as a supply for one season; -Ames, L.E. Spafford, and the present pastor, P. D. Root. The membership in June, 1877, was 139. A Sabbath-school has been kept up since soon after the organization of the church, and is at present in a flourishing condition. It possesses a library of 208 volumes. In 1819 a union meeting-house was erected at Belleville, costing about $3300, but the society never perfected it's organization, which led to litigation. In March, 1829, the building was burned. A Baptist society had been formed Dec. 4, 1821, with Matthew Green, Benjamin Barney, and John Barney (2nd), trustees. In 1831 the present Baptist church at this place was built, at a cost of about $2400.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY in the town of Ellisburg was formed Aug. 28, 1820, and elected Nathan Barden, Isaac Burr, Wm. T. Fisk, Amos Hudson, Liberty Bates, and Royce March trustees. In 1830 it was reorganized, and the same year erected, in Belleville, a meeting-house, at a cost of about $500. A church organization was formed at the house of Nathan Barden Dec. 18, 1829, by the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, of five males and six females, and on Feb. 11, 1830, it united with the Watertown presbytery. The successors of Mr Burchard have been - Spencer, J. Burchard (2nd time), O. Parker, C. B. Pond, C. W. Baker, S. Cole, J. A. Canfield, Ingersoll, J. Carlisle, J. Burchard, and others. In 1853 the society erected a fine frame church, at a cost besides the lot, of $2800. This was afterwards sold to the Methodists, and is now used by them, the Presbyterian society having been disorganized, and no meetings have been held by the latter since they sold their building.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY in Belleville was formed May 5, 1841, having Edward Boomer, Elias Dickinson, Thomas Ellis, Edward B. Hawes, Jesse Hubbard, Riley Chamberlain, Hall W. Baxter, Nelson Boomer, and John R. Hawes trustees. A church was built near the Wardwell Settlement, and afterwards removed to Belleville. This building has since been sold to the Catholics, and the Methodists purchased the church built by the Presbyterians. The parsonage belonging to the society, formerly used as a private dwelling, was taken in trade for thE old church. The present pastor is REv. O. C. Cole. The membership in October, 1877, was about one hundred and fifty. A Sabbath-school is supported , with a membership of one hundred, including teachers, and a library of about two hundred volumes.
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. This organization held meetings first in 1875, in the old Methodist church, which they had repaired. These meetings were conducted by Rev. Father Hogan, of Watertown, to whose parish the church belongs. His assistant, Rev. Father Ryan, attends at present, holding meetings once a month. The membership in October, 1877, was thirteen, not including several who live at some distance from the church, and are not accounted as regular members. As taken from 1797 - 1878 History of Jefferson County [pages 362-366]
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