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ELMIRA SIXTY YEARS AGO
BANFIELD, Noble Co. IND.
June 23, 1868.
I will give you an account of the old
courthouse. It was two story and at in the lower story in the West End,
The jail, two rooms, with iron bars spiked on the floor and sides about
three inches apart, a half in the center about eight inches wide, and in
the East Side of the hall the jailer lived. On the south side, that
The front of the building, fronting
on the lane which run south to the river, there was a stairway outside,
to go up to rooms on the second floor, where all the courts were held,
when Tioga county included Tompkins, Tioga, Schuyler and Chemung all in
one county and in the attic story was the free masons Lodge room, 1 was
made a Mason in 1817, I think long after I got my diploma and it dated
1824 and signed by Daniel E. Brown as master, George H BULL, S. W Williams,
I. W., and ISAAC
Roe, Secretary; but there was
a lodge room in town before the one in the Court Home. It was in Esquire
Koneke’s house upstairs. My father was made a Mason there, he said.
The Judges in those days were
Judge Emanuel Coryell, from near
Owego, judge Catlin from near Havana, (there was no Havana than)
and Judge Caleb Baker, Southport.
. The Lawyers were Vincent Mathews, Newtown, Benjamin Johnson,
Ithaca, Eleazeer Dan, Owego, and John A. collier, sometimes of Binghamton.
William Wisner and Aaron Konkle
were studying law with V. Mathews, in 1803. Wm. Wisner quit the law
and become a Presbyterian Minister. If living, he is
in Ithaca, I think. John J. Cantine was the sheriff in 1804 and 1805. George C. Edwards, the author of Edward’s Treatise, was in company with
Mr. Mathews the law business, and boarded our house in 1808, 1800 and 1810, and I used to walk seven miles to see ladies that we both married afterwards, and made good selections. The Preachers
1801, 1802 and 1803, were. John Smith
and old man then. He preached in the old court House Sundays and kept school
during the week in the schoolhouse, near the courthouse. I went to school
to him
Simeon R. Jones was the next preacher,
and he kept school after Mr. Smith but he kept in a red house that stood
on the corner of Lake and Front Streets. On the west
corner where Mr. Arnot’s store is now, I went to school there. Robert Covell, there is no more, went to school there at the same time. As to the preachers, I will mention a ?circumstance. My father kept
A tavern on east corner of Lake and
Water Street and one rainy day, her drove up to the door a man in a sulky
and got cut and wanted some dinner. He was a tall man and had one wide
rim hat and oilcloth cloak and when he took his cloak off he was as dry
as if he had not been in the rain. He had a Quaker coat on and while mother was getting his dinner he told father he would like to preach to the people if they could be notified. It rained so hard he would stay till morning. He said there would be a few and if he could have that room it would do well. Said father you can have it and asked his name; he said his name was Asbury, he was a Bishop of the Methodist church when at home; so he sent me out to tell the folks to come at 3 oÂ’clock to that room. I went down to Mr. Konkles, and all along the street. I told them a bishop was going to preach at our house at 3 o’clock. Old Mrs. Konkles asked me what his name was. I told her and she said she would go if no others went. Well there was quite a number came and sure
He did preach as none others
had. He astonished the natives. It seems as if I could see him now.
If you think this worth publishing
you may do it and in my next I will give an account of the old settlers,
by hearsay from those I knew told the truth back to 1790. One of the taverns
kept early in town was Nathan Bull. I give a description of his sign. It
was a large pumpkin with a mans head sticking out of one end and his feet
out of the other and a crawl out of the man mouth saying, "Help me through
this world”. C. W. D.
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The CORNING FLINT GLASS WORKS
(November 1868)
We noticed two weeks ago that the manufacture of Glass Ware was in progress and should have referred it as length, last week but for The ensuing election. Crowds of people have been present daily to see the progress of working. It is a great curiosity and must be seen to be appreciated as no description can give a correct idea of the ease with which the ductile metal is wrought and the novel modes of making the various articles. In the furnace with in the arches at the base of the chimney are placed crucibles made of fire clay, holding usually five barrels of materials for fusing, sand, lead and pearl ash being the principled ingredients. Above these crucibles three is an arch or crown to retain the heat. The lead is purchased in pigs weighing perhaps one hundred pounds. These are converted into litharge, which is ground into powder. The pearl ash is purified by boiling. The crucibles having been filled, the fire was kindled. A ton of Blossburg coal forms the fire.
The chimneys are one hundred feet high and give a strong draft. When both are in operation four thousand tons of coal yearly will be used. The slate and ashes of the coal fall through an open bin. The fire is replenished from the working room. It will probably be thirty years before it will be allowed to go out. The crucibles last from three to sic months usually. When they break the brick wall within the arches in taken down, a crucible put in; and the bricks re-laid in the face of the glowing fire. Small crucibles holding a half-barrel are also used, for holding the material for colored glass. But one furnace has been heated as yet. It is surprising to notice how readily the workmen change the molten mass into goblet globes, jars, and pitchers are blown. A man plunges a hollow rod into the pot or crucible in the furnace and the melted glass clings to the end. By waving it and blowing in the tube it is elongated, and assumes by dexterous management the required shape. The bulb of the chimney is formed by blowing in as it cools. The lamps are made in moulds which give the external form. The cavity is caused by blowing into the center thus pressing the glass to the walls of the mould. The goblets tumbler, salt cellars, fruit dishes and sauce dishes are pressed into shape. It is amazing to see how easily the red hot metal is worked in making handles for pitchers and lamps. The operatives are among the most skilful workers in the United States. One man is said to have no equal in his work which consists in making large jars, globes, etc. After the various articles are manufactured they are placed in a brick oven sixty feet in length for an eallag? of wildlass? They are drawn to the rear, cooling gradually, and are then taken out for examination and
and packing. When both furnaces are in use and work is pushed there will be nearly two hundred persons employed, a portion of them boys, for carrying the articles, as they are made, or assisting in various ways. In adjoining building is the steam engine, the room for making the semi-vitreous oxide of lead, for the grinding the fire clay to form the pots or crucibles; and a machine shot for making the iron moulds for any new patterns of glass ware. These moulds are costly requiring great accuracy in finish and novel styles are introduced from time to time, which are elaborate and expensive. The Glass Company do not manufacture cut Glass but have contracted to supply Messrs. Hoare and Dalley of Brooklyn with ware and the latter firm will cut it. For this purpose they will occupy a portion of the second story of the building and employ
about fifty persons mostly men. It would
take large space and one familiar with the subject to give a clear and
copious description of the process of making Glass ware. We have repeatedly
referred to this establishment as one of great importance to this village.
It is the most extensive and valuable enterprise every located here. The
tall chimneys are a standing and advertisement to the traveller of the
important industrial interests of Corning. It is the pioneer for other
extensive manufacturing establishments. It has inspired confidence in the
growth and prosperity of in the he village and of itself will add largely
to the population and business. Mr. A, Houghton, the president of the Company
is eminently qualified to superintend its affairs He has had ample experience
in Boston and in Brooklyn and his reputation as a gracious and successful
manager extends throughout the country. Mr. A. Houghton Jr. has no superior
in preparing the metal that is the proper combination of the various ingredients
to form glass. This requires great skill and experience both of which he
possesses. Mr. H. P. Sinclaire, the secretary of the company is peculiarly
fitted to discharge acceptably the duties of his position. The trustees,
who were chosen at the organization are George T. Spencer C. D Soill B.
W. Payne, Theodore Olcott, A. Houghton, A. Houghton Jr., and Chas. R. Maltby
all of whom are men whose names are a guarantee of business capacity and
responsibility. The buildings have been erected with due regard to convenience
and are substantial structures. It is said that no Flint Glass Co in the
United States has buildings so well arranged and adapted for work. The
credit of planning and supervising the erection of the Glass Works is due
to Mr. A. Houghton, President of the Company. It is a structure with which
he has reason to be gratified and this village is july proud that so extensive
an establishment stands as a monument of business activity and enterprise.
It construction marks is new era in the history of Corning.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Sept 11, 1929
SOME HISTORY OF READ1NG
Interesting Paper Prepared and
read by Mrs. Wright at old home days, Reading Center August 31, 1929
In preparing this paper. I ?have
tried to have it authentic, No doubt you will find misstatements as
memory is often defective, and
I find written histories do not agree. The special mention of to
early Settlers who came to Reading before,. or in the
year 1820, who have descendants now in living in the
town. The town of Reading was
a portion of the land In town as the James Watson patent..
I t is situated on the west side of Seneca Lake extending along the
lake about five and a half miles. The highest elevation is 1,500 feet
on the farms known as the john Ellison farm and the late James Pope farm.
It is bounded on the north by the town of Starkey Yates county;
on the east side by Hector; on the south by Dix and orange and on the west
by Orange and Tyrone. What is now the town of Reading was once a part of
Cayuga county. Reading was made seperate town Feb. 17, 1806. Schuyler county
was formed from steuben. Thompkins and ------------April 17, 1854.
The watson purchase was laid out into farms of 100 acres. These
were bought by no-residents and sold to the settlers. Among those engaged
in this enterprise were Johnathan Lawrence, John Ireland, Joshua Brooks,
John W. Watkins, Charles Wilks, Lewis Simonds of New York city. also
Elish Bondeneot, John Livingston, Isaac K. Leake, Samuel W. John
son and James Pumpelly. The earliest settlers. were: John Dow,
Davod Ci;ver. Alexamder Jomtpm. William Roberts, James Roberts, James Roberts,
Vulentine Hitchcock, richard Phillips, Elisha benedict, John Franch, Samuel
Gustin, Elida Parkere, Alfred Rich, Anson Rich, james calvert, Alpheus
calvery, George Calvery, John Calvert, Andrew Mcdowell, Calel Fulkerson,
richard Laning, Daniel Shannon, anson Suton, Nathaniel, Sutton, John Sutton,
JohnnDavis, Alpheus davis, Asaph Corbettt, Jason Peck, Erastus Peck, Tenant
Peck, Benoni Peck, Lewis Lafever, Thos Torance, John Diven, John Diven
Jr., Francis Daven, George Diven, William Diven, John Hulburt, John Hurley,
Jas. Drake, Jonathen Tremain, james Hayes, Adpheus Scofield, Abner Piper,
Icabod Andrews, Amherst Andrews, Daniel C. Norris, Samuel Norris, Samuel
Sellen, Sameul Rose, Wesley Sellen, z ebina Sellen, James Ross, Alexander
Ross, Willaim Ross, Samuel Ross, Jr., Alonzo Ross, Hiram Chapman, Ira Parker,
Abner Hurd, Ephraim, aninsley, Jas. Drake, John Carpenter, Chester Corbett.
The First Public Highway
was the lake Road. The first school in Reading was taught in
the summer of 1807, by Lucy Dow in her father house. The first white child
born In Reading was Miner Culver in 1801. The first marriage was Elisha
Culver. second son of David Culver to Susan Diven, In 1805. John Dow was
the first settler in Reading in 1798. He is sometime. spoken of as
the father of Reading. He was born in voluntown, Conn. He
received fair education for the time. That is he could
read and write and cipher. He served for some time as
a cabinet -apprentice. When he had earned a few dollars and
received the gift of a horse, from his father , he started for Genesee
county, N. Y. On reaching Watkins, he was taken ill with the measles.
and was very kindly taken care of by David Culvers family. From Watkins
he went to Dresden where he worked for Benjamin Brown on of
Jemima WilkinsonÂ’s followers. Later he married the widow Mallory, one of
the friends. His second wife was the widow Leake. In 1798 when Judge
Dow bought his farm in Reading the the whole town was a wilderness,
He .lived on it for two years without neighbours any nearer
than Watkins. Then David Culver came and settled on the next farm and opened
a tavern. He died in 1852, being 84 years old, he was a justice,
supervisor and judge. He was member of assembly there terms. he was a mason
and a Methodist. Were he with us today he would no doubt be a member of
the Community church and a Granger. Amassa Nichols came to
Reading from Saratoge county and built at Irelandville in 1818 what has
long been known as the old tavern Stand. He was the father of five
children, John, Anna Liza, Lydia Ann, chnarlotte and a daughter who died
in infancy. George Mathews a son of Anna Liza, Mrs. Jame Whitehead
and Mrs. Lida Hillerman are descendants of Charlotte. At the time
when the old tavern stand was new, it was very popular for
several young men to take their sweethearts a buggy riding
and stop at home hotel for supper and a dance later. Mrs. Haring tells
of how her mother Eliza McElwee, in company with gen. Gilberyt Hurd
going wtih others to the tavern at Irelandville. Mr. Nichols had just been
doing some painting. The front door bore a placard on which was printed
“No entrance at the front door please go around behind” Chester Corbett
one of the early settlers, children Otis Charley, Wallace, Mathew and Nancy
Wallace was the father of Lee Corbett; Matilda
was the grand daughter another of Leon
McIntyre and Nancy who married John Warner, was the mother of Mrs. Ada
Linzy and Mrs. India Vosburg. the Corbett children were born in the log
cabin overlooking Seneca Lake. The present farm has been in the family
for three generations. Otis Corbett was ten years old when he saw the first
steamboat on Seneca Lake and 30 years old when the first railroad train
came through the Catherine Valley. He married Adela Chase who came to Reading
to teach school . She taught only one term before
marrying Mr. Corbett. . To them were born ten children Walter, Eliza, Chester,
John, Mary Sophia, George, William and Jay. and one son who died in infancy.
To John Corbett we are indebted for much early history and
Indian lore of Reading and Schuyler county. His little book “ the Lake
Country and the Land of Gold” is a treasure in itself. Many of us
have heard the Lake guns. One legend is that it is the echo of the voice
of the Indian chief Agayentah calling his warrior, to battle.
A man from Chicago
said this summer, “ I have been through llinoise, Indana,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. I have not found
any place more beautiful or any land more to my liking than right
here” Joseph Howard, came to Reading from New Hampshire in 1808. He settled
on the Lake Road on what is known as the McAlpine Henry Howard Sr. was
born there in 1814. In 1832 he bought 100 acres of the present Howard farm,
west from the highway. The house stood close by the Big Hollow, about one
half mile west from where the present house stands. His son Henry HOward
Sr. and Henry Howard Jr. added 100 acres more bordering on he highway.
It took Joseph many years of labor to pay for the fram. His son, Henry
Jr. used to go to Owego on horseback to pay the interest. Henry Sr,. used
to often tell his children how when a small boy he used to
go to a neighbours house on the Lake Road to borrow fire. This neighbour
was one of the one of the Roberts. One year the hay crop was failure and
he went in mid-winter to Hornby for hay to feed his stock. . The youngest
descendant in the town of Reading is Master Francis Howard. son of Harry
Howard. Voluntine Hitchcock bought his land directly from James W. Watson.
This included the land where Reading Center now stands and many surrounding
acres. He came to REading about 1800. He gave the land for the old cemetery.
There are holes in the he ravine between the old and new cemeteries where
he dug for gold. Mr. Conklin remembers when those holes were 15 feet or
more deep. His son Algernon S. Hitchcock was born in 1803 in the Roswell
Shepard house which was his home. Algernon marrried Hannah Earl daughter
of James Earl whose fram is now owned by Claud Conklin. His body rests
in the cemetery given to rEading by his father. The only survivor in Reading
of the Hitchcock and Earl families is Mrs. Rose Hitchcock Fulkerson. Thomas
Sutton a Revolutionary soldier went from Orange county to Pennsylvania
about 1800. He remarried there a short time then came to Ovid. he remained
in Ovid long enough for his son John to court and marry Elizabeth Miller
of Lodi. then he moved to Bluff Point, Yates county. He remained there
only two years leaving because he found his title defective. In 1808
he came to reading and purchased the farms where Albert Richtmyer and Will
Smith now live. He had four daughters and two sons, Susan, Lydia, Derinda,
and Betsy and Nathaniel and Aaron. Susan Sutton married Tenant
Peck and Nathaniel Sutton married Phoebe Peck. Hence the Peck and Sutton
reunion. Daniel C. Norris Sr. was born in Mill-Plain, Farifield county,
Conn. He came to reading in 1814, bringing his family household goods and
farm tools in a wagon. He came up the Cherry Valley Trail. and stopped
for a few months at Ovid before coming to Reading. His family consisted
of his wife and four small children. My father Daniel C. Norris, Jr. was
the youngest being six months old when they started. He settled on the
farm now owned by Milton White. The house that now stands on the place
he built in 1821 and the barn was among the first frame buildings built
in the town. When it was built the people thought it would never hold together
At the raising among other eatables was potpie made in a hug iron
kettle swung out in the open. It held enough to feed all who came from
miles around. We have in our possession a mirror brought of John Ireland.
It has on the back a paper printed in New York in 1817. In this paper is
advertised a cow post on Bradwasy. I t reads as follows: Lost, on Broadway,
a line back cow. Finder please return to Columbia University.” Steven Norris
father of Daniel C. Norris Sr. served in the Revolutionary war in Alexander
HamiltonÂ’s heavy Artillery. may Norris a sister o the first Norrises who
came to this country from England, cam over i the Mayflower. She married
Isasc Allerton. Her death occurred two years after coming to this country./
The founders of the Roberts family in America came over with William Penn
on the shit “Welcome” They set said from England June 320, 1682 and reached
America in August. on board this ship in company with William penn were
nearly a hundred Quaker immigrants from Sussex, England. Penn's home. Smallpox
broke out on the way over and nearly 30 died. The Roberteses settled in
Adams county, Pa. William Roberts the progenitor of the Roberts family
in Reading with his three sons left his home in Adams county, Pa. in 1797.
They brought their goods overland to the Susquehanna river. From there
they travelled by river ways to Elmira then called Newton. Here they brought
a yoke of oxen and made a cart. The wheels were made by sawing sections
of a large log. With this cart they came through the pine forest to Montour
FAlls, then called Catharine. here they engaged Gilbert Hathaway to carry
them in a boat down the inlet and to Ovid. this journey took eight weeks.
The family came from Ovid to Reading in 1806 and settled on the Lake
road. The sons of William Roberts were the first blacksmiths in Reading.
The shop was made by sawing off the stump of an oak and setting the anvil
on it. The story is told that a stranger was passing through Reading
one day and inquired for a blacksmiths shot. The reply was “you are in
it now but about six miles from the anvil”. the present Roberts family
in Reading. Alfred Rick Sr. with his brother Anson came on horseback from
albany to Rading shortly after 1800. They brought gold to pay for their
land in a mall bag inside a saddle bag. Anson was carrying the bag. In
some way he lost it off, but his brother Alfred riding his horse
not far behind, saw it fall and so recovered the gold. The Rich farm originally
contained 280 acres. The only descendant in Reading today is Mrs.
Flora Brink, who is also a descendant of Thomas Wood Drake. Mr. Drake bought
the farm now known as the Cheese farm . Morris Gilbert is also a descendant
of Thomas drake, as are Welles and Horace Webster. Little is known
of the history of Andrew McDowell one of the pioneer settlers of Reading.
His daughter was the grandmother of H. E,. Beahan. The McDowell home was
the farm now owned by frank Waugh. Thomas Beahan, the grandfather of H.
E. Beahan and Charles Carney, came from Ireland to Reading about 1820.
He married Florence Faucett of hector who was the first white child
born between the lakes. They settled on the Beahan farm which was purchased
directly from Flint and Watson. James Beahan hi, his son and father o f
H. E. Beahan, was born on the he farm and lied there all his life.
This farm has been in possession of the Beahans for three generations.
Easter Beahan the mother of Charles Carney was a daughter of Thomas Beahan.
Ver Marie Mehan is the youngest descendant of Thomas Beahan, being of the
fourth generation of descendants. Thomas Bell Raymond, the father of Darius
Milton Raymomnd, moved with his family to Reading form Cayuga County in
1820. He settled on what was knowing as the Cross farm where Milton was
born in 1823. Thomas was a travelling shoemaker. He went from house to
house making shoes for each member of the family, nearly always taking
in payment farm produce or leather. Milton Raymond received an education
common to those days. He taught in nearby districts for the goodly
sum of ten dollars a month and boarded around. The news that Abraham
Lincoln had been elected president reached him six weeks after election
day. He was married to Charlotte Stilson in 1848. To them were born Ada,
Homer, Isaac, William, Eugene, Laura and Myrtle. He died at the age of
96 years and ten months. I think were he with us today he would voice the
sentiment of this little verse; “We are brothers who travel a great common
road. And the journey is easy for none. We must succour the weary and lift
on the load. Of the pilgrim whose courage is done, let me deal with them
each on the way to the West. with a mercy that never shall fail, and lie
down to my dreams with a conscience at rest. when i come to the end of
the trail” Hempton Miller came to Reading in 1810 from Canada. He
settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Anna Ballard. His only descendants
in town are Mrs. John Broadbent and Mrs. Charles Perry. Jason Peck with
his wife and six children came from green county to rEading in 1809. They
came whit oxen and carts, bringing their household goods and seed for the
first yearsÂ’s planting. From John DowÂ’s home they cut their way through
the forest tot he farm where Loren Eaton now lives. The Peck burying ground
on the Eatone farm holds those of the Peck family who passed away in the
early days. Tennant Peck, who married Derinda Sutton is the ancestor of
Mrs. Lida Ellison and Levi Holly. Abijah Newman came to reading form Connecticut
with the first settlers. In 1817 he went not the Land of Nod,” out o to
Canada and brought hither a wife. The olive branches were numerous but
the number and names I have not been able to learn. He owned the land where
William HIllerman, hi s grandson, now lives and where Harry Howard now
lives and many surrounding acres. Samuel Sellen great grandfather of George
Conklin, came from Vermont to Lodi, then to Reading in 1812. He bought
the farm where Jo Caywood now lives. he chose this place because it was
covered with pines. Pines were thought to grow only on fertile ground.
they cut the trees and burned the great piles of these logs. Each three,
if we had it today, would bring not less than $30. From the Caywood
home today can be seen only five or six pine trees. Samuel Sellen had two
girls and four boys. John Sellen one of these boys was the grandfather
of Mr. Conklin and Mrs. Joe Caywood, Mr. ConklinÂ’s mother was Maranda
Ann Sellen and Mrs. Joe CaywoodsÂ’s mother was Rosetta Sellen. Mr. Conklin
was born in the Baptist parsonage where his parents lived for a time. He
remembers interesting incidents of his boyhood. He and the sons of Octavius
Roberts, Sumner and William were great pals. The Roberts home was where
Mr. Morley now lives. Sumner and William, Cassus Sutton and George used
to meet there daily. Mr. Roberts had a tannery just back of the house.
They had all fallen into one or more of the vats but Cassus. Mr. Conklin
says he fell into everyone but the lime vat. Cassus need to brag that he
had never fallen into any of them. The three boys put their heads together
and what three boys cant think of don't any of you older heads attempt.
It was the time off the first illustrated that were such a treat to children.
The three who had fallen into the vats chipped in their pennies and
went away one of these. They managed to get Casseus with his back to one
of the vats. When he became interested in the paper they edged him
a little nearer. Then over he went backwards head first into the vat. In
Mr. ConklinsÂ’s school days there ws a cider mill on the corner just east
of here Mr. DoaneÂ’s house stands. One day George and some of the other
boys ran away from school and went down to the mill. Then with a rye straw
they hung over one of the cider vats. Oh, what a glorious time they had.
Mr. Himrod, the teacher, soon found them and with a good size birch he
sent them home with great ridges on their backs. Mr. Conklin says. “The
joy of that cider through a straw more than compensated for sore backs.”
The three people in Reading who can count the most years are Mrs.
OÂ’Daniels, Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Haring. Mrs. OÂ’Daniels was born in the house
where Archie Edsell now lives. She has lived 73 years in Reading. Byron
OÂ’Daniels first saw his wife at the M. E. church. E. K. Smith used to claim
the sponsorship of their first acquaintance and courtship as he took Mr.
OÂ’ Daniels to make his first call on Miss Mills. Mrs. OÂ’ Daniels was married
60 years ago the 8th day of Next february. A saying used to be abrade that
more matches were made in Starkey SEminary than in heaven. I ever that
more have been made in the rEading Center M. E. church than in Starkey
Seminary and heaven combined. Mrs. Cole came to Reading to visit her sister
in 1867. she went the M. E, church on Sunday. As usual, Merrellcole was
there. Mr. Cole early found an excuse to call on Mrs. ColeÂ’s sisters family.
Their courtship extended over a period of six years. Perhaps Mrs. Cole
can tell us whether Mr. Cole was bashful or whether she was hard
to win. Mrs. Haring went to Irelandville to each in 1860. she married Oscar
Haring in 1866. She has lived 63 years in Reading. Mr. Conklin ranks first
in the number years spent in Reading. He lived there his whole life.
Today is his wedding anniversary. He was married to Sarah Hammond
60 years ago today. Among those who should most deserved our grateful thanks
are three physicians, Drs. Starkey, Tompkins and Gulick. With horses they
climbed these hills in every kind of weather night and day, for the
munificent sum of one dollar. The most famous birthday party
ever held in Reading was when the parents of 11 boys met at the home of
Aaron Sutton to celebrate their first birthday. This was where Will Smith
now lives. The babies were Frank Shepperd, Emmett Andrews, John Lott, Casius
Sutton, Charley Case, Emmett Smith, Judson Caprion, austin Weaver, Err
Gavriel, Anson Sutton, and George Conklin. The only thing about the party
that has been handed down to history as they were served at dinner with
wild turkey. These eleven babies were the 49ers. Another party long remembered
was when Thomas Wheeler a veteran of the Civil war, came back from the
west and invited all the boys” that were left who went ot war from Reading
to the grand feed at the Jefferson House.
When we think of all we have to make
us comfortable and happy and ten what our ancestors did to pave the way
for us , we are ready to bow in reverence to that pioneer spirit
which brought them to a land covered with forests, with nothing but their
bravery and courage, strength of purpose and faith in the future to aid
them. Who'll press for gold this crowed street a hundred years to come?
Who'll tread yon church with willing feet, a hundred years to come? Pale,
trembling age, and fiery youth, and childhood with its brown of truth,
the rich and poor on land, on sea, Where will the mighty millions be a
hundred years to come? Martha Norris Wright.
Editors Note-
Through your lives making you for your
attention: What will my history be?”
Among the descendants of this worthy
and history making pioneer couple still living. the following may be enumerated.
Mrs. Watson Clawson, Valois; James Predmore, B. Valois: Newton LaMoreaux,
Lodi; Mrs. Neal Fletcher, Lodi; Francis LaMoreaux, Caywood; Bert VanVleet,
Caywood; Lewis LaMoreaux,
Somerville. NJ. H. S. LaMoreaux Watkins
Glen; Mrs. W. H. Hazlett, Hector; Miss Margaret Considine, Watkins Glen;
Charles Carney, Reading; and Dr. Albert Behan, Canandaigua. The late Henry
Benhan of Reading whose death occurred about two weeks ago an was a great
grandson .
______________________________________________________________________________________
INSPECTING THE TOWN LINE MONUMENTS
Watkins Express Nov. 24
1889
Messrs, R. Fanton, Weed and Gano
the commissioners appointed to define and mark the new town line between
Dix and Montour, in pursuance of the act of the last legislature had a
final meeting yesterday, Wednesday, to review the work done under this
authority. They started from Watkins at 12:30 p.m. in the company
with E. D. Tompkins who assisted in the survey and also in the setting
of the monument s and first examined the monuments at the corner of the
towns of Dix, Montour and Hector east of Watkins.
Driving thence to Havana they examined
the five monuments located near that village; the first east of the canal
and inlet on the premises on Moses Bull where the new line a right angle
with it, and runs due west; the second on the east and west line at the
roadside near Aunt SarahÂ’s Falls; the third on the brow of the cliff above
the Falls and a few rods north of the creek this monument marking the northwest
corner of the new line; the forth at the Norwest corner of Montour Cemetery‘
the firth at the roadside just south of the cemetery. The high bridge over
falls creek having been removed to give places to an iron structure, it
requires a long and circuitous ride to reach these various points, but
it was all accomplished inside of an hour and a half. When the party started
over the hills for fro the southern boundary of the two towns and of the
county, near the old Wiley residence. With the assistance of Mr. Tompkins
the commissioners were quickly piloted out into the woods south of the
road leading down the hill to Croton where they found the granite monument
erected which marks the division line between the towns at the extreme
south. This monument according to Colonel MartinÂ’s survey stands on the
division line between Chemung and Schuyler counties and is 102 rods west
from the old corner of Montour, Dix, Veteran and Catlin. The party returned
over the same route to the premises of J. H, Gano, taking the side hill
road thence to Havana and viewing the monument erected at the roadside
where the new line crosses the road about half way down the hill.
This completed the work of inspection and at half past five the party were
safely and comfortably quartered at the beautiful L‘Hommedieu mansions
of Mr. Fanton and were warmly greeted by his accomplished wife and daughters.
Here they found already assembled and awaiting their return Judge Sunderlin,
Hon. Adrian Tuttle, Dr. J. Franklin Barnes, W. H. Baldwin of the Watkins
Democrat, and S. H. Ferenbaugh of the Democratic Herald, and at sic oÂ’clock
all sat down to a sumptuous dinner, elegantly served and to which ample
justice was done as the writer can testify by at least one of the hungry
commissioners. The evening was pleasantly spent in social intercourse and
in examination several ancient maps and valuable historical relics. Collected
by Mr. Fanton, illustrated early survey proprietorship and settling of
this section of country. These throw much valued light upon the history
of old Tioga county and especially upon that of the old town of Catherine
originally one of the largest and most important in that ancient political
organization. To those who like Mr. Fanton a love for antiquarian
research his collections are of great value and ascorbic interest.
The commissioners, with the exception
of signing and filling their report, now concluded their work as directed
by the legislature, and the writer, as one the number, desires to acknowledge
gratitude to his associates for general taking open themselves the most
laborist and exacting duties required of the commission and to Mr. Fanton,
whose partaking the methodical efforts have a procuring not? only very
substantial marking the boundary list between two towns, but in very accurate
convenient maps to be placed on record and may be referred to by general
yet to come without any doubts and certainties that confused and
perplexed citizens as to the true location of the line. .
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