MIDDLESEX

BY Franc L Adams CRYSTAL SPRINGS,                                 WARSAW

                                                                                                by German Bullock

[so much has already been written and placed on this site about Crystal Springs, that I hesitated placing this “What’s in a Name?” article.

Being that it is history that was published in a series I have included it.]

Published Jan. 2, 1930

Middlesex once known as “Augusta” Also Potterstown and “Sucker Town”- Describes Boom at Crystal Springs and Life at Warsaw when two inns were their Prime and Stage Routes used Bath Road.

Mason ,Michigan Editor Chronicle Express.

Not until it was suggested taht I might be able to tell how the town of Middlesex came to bear the present name, did I realize how little I actually know of its early history. I immediatedly referred to “Cleveland’s History of Yates County,” the only authority within my reach, and found this, that is probably known to most of your readers; In 1797 the twon of Augusta was organized, this was taken from the Canandaigua district of the Phelps and Gorham purchase. Another town by the name of Augusta having been formed in Oneida County, in 1858/98? the name of the Ontario twon was changed to Middlesex. It was currently known at “Potterstoen” from its very earlierst period, and in 1832 it was divided, the eastern part taking the name of Potter in honor of Arnold Potter, its most famous citizen and the founder of its settlement, the west part taking the name of Middlesex. I have always heard, though I have no real authority for the statement , that it was given this name by settlers who came into that section from Middlesex county Mass.

The village of Middlesex I never heard called anything but “Sucker Town” until the fall of 1850?. that fall my mother, with my baby brother and myself, went to allegany county to visit her parents. My father drove out there to take us home and informed us that he had bought a house and lot in Sucker Town where we were to move as soon sa we returned to our former home in Pine Corners. I was confirmed chatterbox, and dinned the word “Sucker Town” in my father’s ears until he forbade my using it again, but near the close of our second days drive we ame into a little settlement that had a familiar look to me, and I could restrain myself no longer, and said “Pa is this Sucker Town?. John Mather one of the leading cititzens of the places was standing in his door yard, and heard what I said and replied, “No, Frances, this isn’t’ sucker town any more. It is Middlesex, and if you will remember and always call it that I will give you a china mug with your name on it.” Of course I promised, and I still have that mug as a reminder of the first time I ever heard the village of Middlesex called by the name it still bears. As I was reading my D A R magazine for March, I ran across an item which surprised me very much. Each month the magazine contains a list of books tha thave been presented to hte library at memorial continental Lib. in Washiington D C. [next line is missing]

One of my sons received from Samuel J Powell asking for any information we might be able to give him of the old comrades. I found myself unable to tell him if there was a single one of them living except Elnathan Mead Of Washington DC. who was alive the last I knew. Each year brings its changes and one can scarcely be expected to recall at a moments notice all the changes tha t60 years have brought. Mr. Powell and his wife were staying at the Buckey House in Zephyrhills, Fl. when he wrote. He did not state whether that was his permanent home or not, when he wrote, but wrote him there and referred him to Robert H. Graham of Penn yan as one likely to give him the information he sought. I think Mr. Graham did a worthwhile work in compiling that little book, “Yates county’s Boys in Blue,” and I certainly enjoy studying the copy he was so kind as to send to me. Franc L Adams .

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