PIONEERS OF MARION
Written by Mrs. Lucey Mason
The pioneers of Marion were principally Rhode Islanders, with a few from the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The difficulties to be overcome by the first in this town were nurmerous, peculiar and trying.
After leaving all cherished associations, traversing hundreds of miles in an almost unbroken winderness, they finally reached the field to be marked with a lifetime of endeavor.
None but brave, heroic men and women could think of building up a home here in the dense forest and upon the wild drift-hills, with intervening swamps. To traverse this region and to settle it were problems of no easy solutions.
Looking back from our present state of advancement and over the changes which time has brought about, and upon the roads made passable in this section, we are convinced that our forefathers gave them a singular location.
It was the rule to "Get as high as you can" anything to avoid those dreadful black-ash swamps. Roads, so called, ran from hill to hill in an unaccountable zig zag.
The first road throught the town was the old thorough-fare from Geneva to Canandaigua, through Palmyra and Marion to the Upper Corners schoolhouse, and in direction and vicinity was the same as that now passing in a northeasterly course from the Upper Corners schoolhouse to East Williamson.
The old Sodus Road was made by Charles Williamson in 1794.
The inducement here was cheap lands, extended in area, and of prospective value.
The first white man to build a house within the limits of this was Henry Lovell, who came in the year 1795, and purchased a large farm now occupied by the south and west portions of Marion Village.
His loghouse was build on the village lot know as Buckley Newton place (now owned by Mrs. Frank Radde). Game was abundant and Lovell was a famous hunter and an excellant marksman. It is stated that David Sherman once drew in with his oxen full thirty deer which Lovell had killed in one day.
A child born in the Lovell family this year (1795) was the first white child born in Marion as it only lived but a few weeks it must have been the first death. A daughter, Betsey, the second child, was second white child born in the town.
At the time of the death of the Lovell babe, Daniell Powell and wife, their only neighbor in the town took the little body to the knoll back of Lovell's house, there beneath the shade of the giant maple, tenderly laid to rest.
This simple and neighborly act constituted the pioneer funeral in the town.
After remaining here for some time, the Lovell family moved to the west.
Daniel Powell, a charitable, kind and well-to-do man for those had moved from Massachusetts to Palmyra, bringing with him his wife and eight children. After a short stay in Palmyra, the Powells moved to Marion in the year 1795, taking up the Allen Knapp farm of 126 acres (south of Cory Corners).
It was untouched by the hand of improvement. In this unborken forest he came with his axe upon his shoulder and alone began to prepare for himself and family a home and support. A log house was built, a piece of ground was cleared, so far as falling the trees and burning the brush, and corn planted.
Powell built the first frame building in town in the year 1797. Later wheat was scattered among the logs and stumps upon soil prepared by a rude and cumbrous drag. Powell lacked not strength nor manly vigor which he proved by clearing over 500 acres in the towns of Williamson and Marion.
Daniel Powell was grandfather to the late Mrs. Roswell Harkness, her mother, Anna Powell Potter, being six months old when the family came to Marion. (Anna Croucher's grandmother). When partially cleared, the farm of 126 acres was sold by Powell in 1816, to David Harding.
During the summer of 1795, David Sweezey and faimly came from New Jersey. They had voyaged the entire distance in light boats, which at the few portages, were carried from stream to stream. He settled upon a large farm in the south part of town, living there until his death. The farm was in the possession of his heirs for some time, then after changing owners several times it rested in the hands of Freeman Luce and is now occupied by his grandson, Denton Luce.
The last of the four families that settled in Marion during the year 1795 was that of Samuel Caldwell, from New Jersey. He came by land with an ox team and wagon leading their cows behind. Caldwell took up a large farm and at his death their son, Joseph Caldwell became the owner and his decendants to the forth generation are living on the farm at present (2nd, 3rd, 4th). Joseph Caldwell was born in Marion, Sept. 24, 1797. He was married to Sara Smith, a native of Amhurst, Mass. in 1829, She died in 1868. In 1871 he married Artimintda Clude, of Brighton, NY.
Deacon Caldwell was a man who manifested the greatest interest in all educational and religious matters and no person in the town, extended a more powerful influence for good in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community. He was a lifelong farmer, one of the leading agricultruries in Wayne Co. He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina, where he pursued his studies with the dilligence that marked his business career. A consistent Christian and deacon of the Congregational Church more than fifty years. He died in Aug. 31, 1875.
Elizabeth Howell who came in with the family of David Sweezey and during the following winter married David Sherman. This was the first marriage celebrated in the town.
David Sherman was of Rohode Island and came to East Palmyra from Washington Co., New York in 1791. In the fall he returned upon foot and the next winter drove a double yoke of oxen to East Palmyra, where he remained until 1796, when he came to Marion and took up the middle 100 acres of Caldwell farm. This he soon sold to Samuel O. Caldwell. He then bought and cleared the Sherman farm. Upon this farm he died, when the property passed to his son, Zephaniah, who was succeeded as owner by his son, Jefferson.
In 1795 when nearly every settler along Mud Creek was down with fever and ague Samual Caldwell went to mill for them all. He drove his ox teams with his load of grain through the woods, to a mill near Geneva. He is said to have drawn the first load of goods from Canandaigua to Pultneyville for Capt. Charles Williamson to whom he was introduced as "A man who could drive two yoke of oxen and a sled over logs two feet high".
The trip was made in the month of August with the outfit mentioned when from the Sodus road mentioned, or from Marion Upper Corners northward, the country was an unbroken wilderness and from Williamson to the lake was a continous swamp. The task was successfully performed in six days. He afterwards moved two families from Rhode Island, and one from New Jersey with his ox teams.
William R. Cogswell, from Rhode Island took up land opposite the Witherden place, where he remained for a few years, later taking up the land which his son William afterward occupied and bequeathed to his daughter, Amanda.
As an illustration of the trials the pioneers had to meet, it is told of Cogswell that his tax of two dollars and a half ($2.50) were due, and although he had grain and stock in abundance, he could sell nothing for money, and cash only would pay his taxes. He loaded a wagon with oats, drove to Geneva but found no one to buy them.
Finding two men seeking land, he brought them home with him, gave them board for a week, went out each day of the time with his team to aid in locating farms and finally charged each of them one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) which furnished the amount required to pay his taxes.
Others went out into the forest, cut down trees and burned them to ashes, these they collected and sold them to an ashery located near the new Reformed Church upon Mill St. where they were turned into lye and paid their just debts with the money thus received.
Robert Springer came from Rhode Island in the summer of 1796 and effected a small clearing after which he returned east. The next year he came back with his family including his sons, Isaac, Richard, Robert, Samuel and Isreal.
His settlement was made on the farm later occupied by James Shaw, but he soon moved to the John Copping farm which then extended to the main road. It is said that the family were destitute and depended largely on the bounty of their kind neighbors. This is a marked contrast to the circumstances of the sons, Samuel and Isreal, who in later years accmulated great wealth. Two of Isreal Springer's daughters married William and Edward Burbank.
Reuben Adams and his son, Reuban, from Rhode Island, purchased the farm now owned by Augusta Pulver, which was held for years by the heirs of the family. During the years 1797 and 1798 and 1799 pioneer settlers were more numerous.
Luke Phelps and Harris Cooley, from Mass. settled on the Williiam Lookup farm. Phelps was a man of character and influence, the first Supervisor ofthe town of Williamson and was highly esteemed. His two sons, Jared and Ezra became active in public affairs and attended local prominence. Ezra took up the Phelps farm now owned by Edward Patchet. He was the town surveyor and ran most of the old lines; served as highway commissioner and laid out most of the old roads. The place was inherited by his son, Deacon Ezra Phelps.
Davis and William Harding, from Rhode Island were the next arrivals.
Thomas Clark, grandfather of Thomas M. Clark, settled the Clark farm living there until his death.
Micajah Harding was the pioneer on the Philo D. Green farms. He was a leader in civil and religious matters and raised a company of sharp-shooters, who served their country in the war of 1812.
The "Eddy Ridge" was settled by Seth, David and William Eddy, all of who took up large farms and were well know repectable men. Seth was the first deacon of the Baptist Church, the first Supervisor of the town of Marion and the captian of a company of drafted men. David was appointed and officiated as side judge (Note what this is, I do not know. CW.)
John Harkness, from Mass., took up a farm just back of "Eddy Ridge" but soon sold out to Jeremiah Angell. He then purchased the Harkness farm which after a few years he sold to Eddy and bought the Harkness farm which he owned until his death (Note: he purchased the John Smith farm first.) For years it contiuned in the family. Seth Harkness (a brother of William) being the owner. John was their brother.
Zadac Huggins bought a large tract of land on the "Eddy Ridge" which at the time of his death, came into the possession of Zebina Crane (Orrin Cole's farm). He was remembered as the pioneer teacher of singing and his school combined much profit and more pleasure.
Seth Harris from Rhode Island, took up the Barney Adams farm (Kellog) and lost his life by drowning in the lake.
John Case was the pioneer preacher of the Methodist belief, located at the Upper Corners.
Among those who came soon after 1800 were William Corey from Tiverton, Rhode Island and Stephen Sanford, who married William Cory's daughter, Lydia, before leaving Tiverton. Cory settled at the Cory Corners named for him. He was Lillian Sanford's great Grandfather.
His log house stood on the west side of the road, opposite the frame buildings, which was erected later on the Rescom Sanford place. This building was so large that curiosity was aroused as to the purpose of the owner, but Cory remained silent. Many were the questions asked as the massive timbers were put in place but no one was any wiser for all he asked.
At last the secret was out, the house was to accomodate four families, an apartment house as it would have been called in our day. There was a room way down on the lower floor called the "well room." Here a large deep well was dug and all the people in the house came here for water. When the frame was raised, all who helped mounted the top of timbers and gave three cheers for William Cory and his "Rhode Island Pussule." As long as the building stood (until about 1850 it was called the "Old Pussle").
Stephen Sanford purchased one hundred acres of land (100) south of Cory Corners in 1805 for "Three hundred and twenty-five (325) lawful money of the United States". (As the deed reads), and the year following (1806) fifty (50) acres adjoining for the "two hundred and fifty (250) dollars, lawful money of the State of New York." His log house stood on the Hiram Sanford lot, for this land was eventually divided up among his sons.
They raised ten sons and five daughters. Hiram, Rescom, Samuel, Harvey, Peleg, Stehpen, Merritt, Riley, Joseph, William, Lucena, Sally, Meribah, Maria and Pholly. All lived to be married except for Stephen, William, Maria and Pholly and most of them lived to an old age, and were familiar to many of us and were substantial citizens, highly respected in the community. It is a remarkable fact that their fifteen sons and daughters were all born and passed their lives, in this town, and with their parents their remains rest in God's Acre in Marion cemetary.
It is told of Stephen Sanford that he was an unusual hand in managing herds of hogs and that he occassionally walked to Tiverton, R.I. driving hogs. He would be engaged to do this by other men and once drove a large herd of them to Albany for a man in the town of Canandaigua. His son Merritt, sometimes accompanied him on the long tiresome journey on foot to Tiverton.
The deeds transferring this 150 acres from Daniel Powell to Job Booth in 1797 then to others finally to Stephen Sanford in 1805-06 are still in existance and in the possession of Merrits son, Chester Sanford, who kindly lent these choice relics for my inspection, there being five of them the first date being 1797 and the last 1806.
Cyantha Cory, another daughter of William Cory, married Ellera Shaw and their descendents are well known to all of us.
The Everard White farm was purchased and improved by Zebina Crane, father of Mrs. Daniel Dean and grandfather of the Zebina Crane we know.
Dr. Seth Tucker was physician for the entire town for many years and rode many miles in that time setting broken bones and curing coughs, colds and fevers.
Julis Hutchinson was on the Robinson Farm. Then Joel Hall came from Madison County in 1810. He was endowed by nature with the strength of a giant and his feats were marvelous. He was grandfather fo the late Warren, Joseph and Amasa Hall we know whose fathers were pioneers in Hall settlement, giving it that name.
Eliphalet Dean from Washington Co. located on the John Bilby place and in 1916 owned and occupied by Elmer Allen. He built the stone house that stands on the west side of the road as you climb the hill that has been recently (1916) improved by the present owner, E.J. Allen. After his death the property passed into other hands for some reason not clearly known but his wife (a queer creature, by the way) for many years would, whenever the Bilby's (to whom the property passed) went away by the some means known only to herself get into the place and ransack the house. Upon one occassion she found some trifling article of value and carried it away with her. He was father of Daniel Dean and grandfather of Miles and Albert Dean of the present day.
Thomas Young cleared up the farm which later was owned by Nelson D. Young and his heirs.
As early as 1800 a widow Styles kept the pioneer tavern, a log house which stood on the village lot now owned by Augusta Pulver. She supplied the first settlers with their ever indispensible whiskey. She was also the "Doctor Woman" for the entire town.
Previous to 1810 the settlement at the "Upper Corners" was in advance of that at the lower and for a number of years was fully equal to it. James Huggins kept a tavern and distillery where the Van Hee house now stands and Enock Turner had another tavern and grocery store (The Pioneer Store) across the street where Frank DeLaney used to live, at a very early day. A carding machine was run by Rufus Amsden on the C. Roy Curtis place. A cabinet shop run by Judge Marvin Rich, near where W.D. Morrision's evaporator now stands.
James Wright and Mr. Wing built the ox-mill at the Upper Corners in 1831. The power was obtained from a tread-wheel driven by oxen.
In 1825 there were at the Upper Corners a physician, Dr. Tucker, a blacksmith shop, a small cabinet shop carried on by Richard Bourne and about ten houses; and at Marion village a tavern kept by David Wilcox, a store by Archer Galloway, a grist-mill, a saw mill an ashery, a distillery, a school, a blacksmith shop, post office and eleven houses. Seven on the east side of the street now know as Main St. and four on the west side. Samuel Todd, a major in the war of 1812 was landlord of the 'Hotel" built in 1817, for many years.
Harris Cooley procured a title to forty acres and cleaned it up. The big willow tree, three foot in diameter that stood in front of the Methodist Church that stood within our memory, was stuck by Cooley for a fence stake.
This town was formed from Williamson, April 18, 1825, and originally was called Winchester which name was changed to Marion, April 15, 1826, at the first town meeting of the town Winchester held at Daniel Wilcox's tavern. At this meeting, Seth Eddy was elected Supervisor. He was succeeded by Jesse Mason, Isaac Sanford and Elias Durfee, a prominent townsman who began improvements on the farm, now owned by and occupied by C.H. Scutt. The stone house which he built in 1830 still stands an honor to his name. His log house which stood directly in front of the store house after the other house was built, for a long while a large plank led from the back door of the log house to the big door of the stone house and was used to walk from one to the other. At different times he served the town of Marion as Supervisor for thirteen years.
It seems little to say that a settler came from Rhode Island in any year prior to 1812 and located a farm, upon which he passed his life. But not many young men of today would wish to endure the hardships of those pioneer, and whether we relize it or not, the fact remains that posterity owes to the settlers of Marion and other towns a great debt of obligation.
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