History of the Town of Marion
Marion, N.Y.
Foreword
This History of Marion, Wayne County, State of New York, was written for Colonel William Prescott Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and was read at their regular meeting, at Newark, NY, on November 18, 1925. It is on file with the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, at Washington, DC, and was printed in The Marion Enterprise, November 20, 1925; in The Union-Gazette of the same date; and in The Marion Enterprise - One Hundredth Anniversary Edition, August 27, 1926.
The Record of the Burials in Upper Corners Cemetery was included in the original paper. Nearly eighty-five years have passed since this has been used as a burying ground. Most of the stones are crumbling, and in a few years will be unavailable for record.
One of my inspirations for the publication of this record of Marion came from reading 'When I Was a Boy,' by Rev. Seth Curtis Beach, of Watertown, Mass. This little book tells the story of a boy in Marion one hundred years ago, and gives a very accurate account of pioneer days. This book was printed privately in 1924, by his son, Reuel W. Beach, at Cambridge, MA.
Another inspiration was this letter from Dr. Myron Adams, descendent of one of our pioneers:
Pasadena, Cal., Dec. 4, 1925
I have just finished reading in your recent issue of The Enterprise a fine and accurate history of the early days of Marion, prepared by Mrs. Vera Curtis, a work well done; and through your paper I wish to express my appreciations. Also I will say that while The Enterprise has been following us over the world with its weekly visits since the first publication, I have never seen a more commendable undertaking than the one referred to. My copy will be put aside for my grandchildren to enjoy. The importance and interest in ancestry has been neglected until recent years. To be well born and well bred is the greatest of good fortune to man. I have read with great care the history of the first school in Marion, also of the first church in Marion as recorded in the first and subsequent meetings. Those records should be preserved. I think I will be pardoned for saying that I have felt a genuine pride in the fact that my dear old great grandfather, Reuben Adams, was the active founder of both school and church, of both of which I am a humble beneficiary. The fine account of the doings of one pioneer, David Sherman, interested me greatly as it confirms details that I have heard from his own lips in the year of 1863-64, when I was a lad living in the same house with him. He told me how with his own little ax he cut down the big maple trees that covered the 'Caldwell farm', and after which, for no good reason, he moved 'over east', and cleared another farm, on which he died. Again here he with his ox team made the original road 'toward the lake'. I used to sit down by his cot to rest and to hear him tell with his face aglow, and when sitting alone by his side at the close of day, he ceased to breathe, and the giant he was, as pictured in his history, was dead. His grandson and my blood cousin, Jefferson Sherman, was a man, and a character, much like him. Again I will say, as one of the posterity of those heroic pioneers, that the splendid enterprise of The Enterprise, in the publishing of such a history, and the compilation of the same by Mrs. Curtis, awakens my admiration, and I am very sure, it will marvel others, both in these days, and in days to come.
Sincerely yours, Myron H. Adams.
A few additions have been placed in this History, to include important events since 1925. The centralization of the schools, in the township of Marion, in 1932, and the placing of five historical markers in Marion, by the New York State Education Department, in 1934, are two of the appendages. - Vera Curtis Marion, N.Y., March 29, 1937
History of the Town of Marion
1795-1937
Robert Morris
Robert Morris, the celebrated financier of the Revolution purchased in 1791 a part of the Phelps and Gorham tract. Later Sir William Pultney, a London capitalist, bought a portion of this land, which included the nine western towns of Wayne County. An interesting letter written about this time reads, 'The most convenient route for Europeans to come to the Genesee country will be to land at New York; they will with much ease reach Albany by water, and from thence they can either hire wagons or take navigation by canals the canal of the Inland Navigation Company, built in 1792), or the Mohawk River, to Geneva. Unless the water is in good order, I should certainly prefer the land journey. A wagon, with two oxen and two horses will go twenty miles per day with a load of 30 cwt.'
Captain Williamson
Immediately, steps were taken toward the sale and settlement of this land. They secured as their agent, Charles Williamson, a Scot who was a captain in the British army at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. He started for this country but did not fight, as he was captured and held prisoner in Boston until the end of the war, when he returned to England. Upon his appointment as agent, Captain Williamson came with his family to the new territory. He wrote back to London, 'There is not a road within one hundred miles of the Genesee country that will admit of any sort of conveyance other than on horseback or on a sled when the ground is covered with snow.' In 1791 a road had been built from near Utica, west as far as Geneva, going through Auburn. Cayuga Bridge was built in 1800 making that route the one selected for most of the travel. This highway left the territory of Wayne County in a measure isolated and added to the importance of the water way that was followed by many of the pioneers of this town: up the Hudson to Albany; thence to Schenectady by land; up the Mohawk to near Rome; a short portage to Wood Creek; down Oneida Lake to the Oswego River; thence to Seneca River, up the Clyde to Lyons, along the Ganargwa Creek.
Marion's First Highway
Captain Williamson extended the road from Geneva to Canandaigua following the old Indian trail. In 1793, the road was brought to Palmyra. The first highway through the town of Marion was the old Geneva and Canandaigua road which passed through Palmyra and Marion to the Upper Corners, then taking a northeasterly course passed between the home of C. Roy Curtis and Abram Ressue and ran in a straight line to Wayne Witherden's Corners, then on past the Sidney Lookup farm to East Williamson. This road was built in 1794 by Charles Williamson and was known as the Sodus Road. The second road was an enlargement of the Indian trail from Canandaigua to Pultneyville. It passed through Marion Upper Corners directly north to Williamson village and on to Pultneyville.
Taken From Sodus
Before the coming of the first settlers, towns had been laid out. Sodus and Palmyra were organized in 1789. Marion was a part of the town of Sodus for thirteen years. In 1802 Williamson was set off from Sodus and Marion was a part of that town for twenty-three years. A law was passed April 18, 1825 to set off our town from Williamson, as the town of Winchester. This was to take effect the first Monday of the following April 1826. The name was changed to Marion April 15, 1826, in honor of General Francis Marion, the famous warrior whose exploits form an interesting chapter in the annals of the American Revolution.
Endowed With Ambition
Into this region came during the last decade of the 18th century and the early years of the 19th century, a class of pioneers who were well adapted to the work of founding homes and communities in the wilderness. They were men and women endowed with ambition, firmness of purpose, industrious and frugal. At the time of the first settlement of this locality the land was covered with a thick forest, principally of hard wood trees such as oak, hickory, beech and maple, with softwoods on the low lands. The cutting away of these forests by the pioneers was a great task but it gave them a source of cash income at a time when there was almost no other. The forest was filled with wild animals, deer, bears, wolves and many smaller animals. Old records read that one of the first settlers killed thirty deer in one day.
Settlers from Rhode Island
The first settlers to come to what is now the town of Marion were mainly from Rhode Island. There were a few families from New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The stony farms of New England were too barren to support the grown up family and the son left the land of his fathers, the scenes of his early days, with regret. He did not, as he departed, shake off the dust of the venerated soil from his feet, but on the banks of these distant streams he formed a settlement to perpetuate the home of his childhood.
Beginning In 1795
Henry Lovell, Timothy Smith, and Daniel Powell came early in 1795. Henry Lovell and Timothy Smith took up what is now the west side of Main Street. Lovell's log house was built near the site of the house now occupied by Fred Cattieu. The first birth and the first death in the town of Marion was a child of Henry Lovell's born in 1795. This child lived but a few weeks and was buried under a large maple tree back of his house.
Timothy Smith
Timothy Smith built the original of the hotel in Marion. He must have been a public-spirited man, for the first town meeting of Sodus, held on April 2, 1799, elected him highway commissioner and also school commissioner. In 1800 he was supervisor of the town of Sodus. The town meeting of Sodus in 1801 was held at his home in Marion, as was also the first town meeting of the newly formed town of Williamson, which was held at his home in March 1803.
Daniel Powell
Daniel Powell with his wife and eight children came to Palmyra from Massachusetts in 1794 and removed to Marion in 1795. He was a wealthy man for those days. He took up a farm of 126 acres now owned by Arthur Young. He was a man of extraordinary strength and it is said he cleared over 500 acres in the towns of Marion and Williamson.
David Sweezey
David Sweezey came to Marion in 1795 with his family from New Jersey, making the trip by boat. He settled a large farm in the southern part of the town. Part of this farm is still in the family, being owned by Lucian Sweezey. The first recorded meeting, April 2, 1799, of the old town of Sodus, which then included what now comprises seven towns, chose David Sweezey as collector and constable. David Sweezey was buried in the old family burying ground, which was on the hill back of the schoolhouse just north of Lucian Sweezey's land.
Samuel Caldwell
Samuel Caldwell came to Marion in 1795 coming from New Jersey by land with a team and wagon, leading a cow behind. He took up the farm still known as the 'Caldwell Place,' now owned by his great-great-grandson John S. Rich, second. The earliest recorded town meeting of Sodus, April 2, 1799, chose Samuel Caldwell as school commissioner. At the March 6, 1804 meeting of the town of Williamson, he was elected assessor and overseer of the poor. Samuel Caldwell was buried in the family burying ground on the farm, but now rests in the Marion Cemetery.
Robert Springer
The year of 1796 brought David Sherman, Robert Springer and William B. Cogswell. Robert Springer came to Marion from Rhode Island and made a small clearing. He returned to Rhode Island and the next year brought his family, including five sons to the farm later known for a good many years as the James Shaw farm on the Palmyra Road. Later, he moved to the farm, part of which Edward Corteville now owns.
William B. Cogswell
William B. Cogswell, another pioneer from Rhode Island, came that year. He took up the land opposite the Thomas Witherden farm on the Williamson Road. Ontario County records of 1797 state that he was tax collector for the town of Sodus in that year. The tax collected was $233.50, coming from the seven towns of what are now Marion, Williamson, Sodus, Ontario, Walworth, Lyons and Arcadia. In 1804, William B. Cogswell was highway commissioner for the town of Williamson. Mrs. Amanda Hodges, a descendent, owned until recently the farm William B. Cogswell took up later in the town.
David Sherman
David Sherman came in 1790 at the age of seventeen to Palmyra with his brothers. He married Elizabeth Howell in 1796 and settled on a hundred-acre farm in Marion, which was a gift of his brother Humphrey Sherman. This he rapidly cleared and when he could find no more forests to conquer, he sold to the first purchaser, which was Samuel Caldwell. This farm is still known as the Caldwell Farm. He bought a tangled woodland and made of it the Sherman farm, where his descendants have lived until recently when it was purchased by Joseph De Nearing. His fame as a driver of oxen through the forest or as a teamster in long journeys was wide spread. When the Negus family wanted to come west, David went to Rhode Island on foot and brought the family to Wayne County. When the Howells wanted to come from New Jersey, he went after them on foot. When the Brown's wanted to go to the Mississippi River, he led the way for them, returning by foot. When sixty years old he went to Rhode Island and returned on foot, staying only two nights. When Captain Williamson wished to send a load of goods from Canandaigua to Pultneyville, he selected David Sherman. He took the goods on his sled and came to Marion the first day. From William Cogswell's (Witherden Farm), it was unbroken forest. In four days, without help, he made his own roads and got the load through. His marriage to Elizabeth Howell was the first one in town. In 1799, David Sherman registered his sheep mark in the town of Sodus. His grandson Jefferson Sherman was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1879. He also served a school commissioner in the Second District of Wayne County. David Sherman's great grandson, Orrin Sherman, was sheriff of Wayne County in 1910.
Reuben Adams
Reuben Adams and his son Reuben came to Marion from Worthington, MA, in 1798. They settled the farm across from the Stephen Reeves place now owned by Joseph De Witt. At the first recorded town meeting of Sodus, April 2, 1799, he was chosen poor-master. Reuben Adams is buried in the old cemetery at the Upper Corners. The marker on his grave is in fine condition. It reads, 'Deacon Reuben Adams died March 28, 1825 in his 83rd year.' His son Reuben was also buried here in 1850 at the age of 69 years. His great-grandsons, Dr. Reuben Adams and Dr. Myron Adams, were both physicians in Rochester for many years.
Tax Roll For 1799
In the large town of Sodus in 1799, there were only twenty-five families and nine of them were within the present boundaries of the town of Marion. The tax roll for 1799 includes the following names and assessments from what is now Marion.
Luke Phelps
During the next few years, we find the names of Luke Phelps and Harris Cooley, who came from Massachusetts in 1800. Luke Phelps settled on the farm now owned by Arthur Kenyon. In 1804, he was selected the first supervisor of the town of Williamson. Luke Phelps died on January 16, 1813 at the age of 83. His wife, Prudence, died on March 22, 1816 at the age of 79. Both are buried in the old cemetery at Marion Upper Corners. Other pioneers were John Harkness; Zadac Huggins, the singing teacher, Seth Harris; John Case, the preacher; Jesse Harding; David Mason; Zebina Crane; Seth Tucker, the first doctor, whose home was on the site of the present home of Roy Curtis; Judge Marvin Rich, who lived many years at the Upper Corners; Stephen Sanford; William and Thomas Cory, from whom Cory Corners is named; Julius Hutchinson; and Joel Hall, from whom Hall Center is named.
Eliphalet Dean
Eliphalet Dean came to Marion about the year 1810 from New Ashford, MA, with his wife, Synda Mason. He located on the Dean farm, which belongs now to his great-grandson Miles B. Dean, who served the town as supervisor for many years. Eliphalet Dean died on April 20, 1852, at the age of 80, and was buried in the old Upper Corners Cemetery.
Seth Curtis
Seth Curtis was born in Sharon, CO, in 1778. He lived for a time in Columbia County, and also in Steuben County, coming to Marion in 1807. He took up one hundred acres of land at $2.50 an acre. About this time he signed a note for $100 and had it to pay. He worked at his trade, carpentry, for one hundred days at one dollar a day, and allowed himself but two hours' sleep in twenty-four, so that he might have time to spend in clearing his farm. He had the ambition to leave behind him $10,000, which he more than realized. He saw service in the War of 1812 at Buffalo, Sackets Harbor and Fort Niagara. The gun which he carried during the war is in the possession of his grandson, Roy Curtis. This gun is a flintlock, which belonged to the English government and was assembled for use during the reign of King George I. Judge Cassius M. Clark of Peabody, Kansas, is a great-grandson of Seth Curtis. Rev. Seth Curtis Beach of Watertown, MA, was a grandson.
Stephen Sanford
Stephen Sanford came from Tiverton, Rhode Island, soon after the year 1800. He married Lydia, daughter of William Cory, before leaving Tiverton. He purchased 100 acres of land south of Cory Corners in 1805 for $325, and a year later 50 acres adjoining, for $250. They had ten sons and five daughters; all except four lived to be married. The land purchased by Stephen Sanford was divided among his children, who lived in Marion and are buried in Marion Cemetery. The deeds transferring 150 acres from Daniel Powell to Job Booth in 1797, and finally to Stephen Sanford in 1805 and 1806, are carefully preserved by a grandson, Chester Sanford.
Elias Durfee
Elias Durfee was a leading townsman for many years. He was a member of the Assembly in 1847. He was supervisor first in 1829 and served thirteen years in all, in that office. He built in 1830 the beautiful Durfee home on Buffalo Street. During his lifetime part of the grounds were laid out to a deer park. This place is now the home of Charles Scutt.
Eddy Ridge
Eddy Ridge was settled by Seth, David and William Eddy. Seth Eddy was a member of the Assembly in 1831 and 1832. He was supervisor in 1826 and 1839. David Eddy was a side-judge at one time. He was supervisor from 1817 to 1820.
David Harding
David and William Harding came from Rhode Island. The town meeting of Williamson in 1803 elected David assessor and gave him a fee of $4.37 for this work. The oldest marker in the cemetery at Marion Upper Corners is that of his wife, Nabbey, who died September 1, 1806, at the age of 40 years. William Harding died November 10, 1824 and is also buried there. David Harding moved to Indiana and in 1862 his son Stephen Harding was governor of Utah.
Micajah Harding
Micajah Harding was a leader in civil and religious matters. In 1804, he was assessor and also overseer of the poor for the town of Williamson. He was one of the original members of the Baptist Church in Marion in the same year. He organized a company of sharpshooters, who served in the war of 1812.
Thomas Young
Thomas Young came to Marion in 1803. His father, Thomas, was a Revolutionary War soldier from New Jersey. He settled the farm of 123 acres in Marion, which for many years was the home of the Young family and is now owned by M.J. Merson. Thomas Young first lived in a log house and in 1817 started to build the beautiful home, which is now on this farm. In 1830 he built the main part of the house from lumber out of the woods on the farm. He bought land on both sides of him and in all had 275 acres in his farm. In 1812, his son Nelson Young saw the soldiers go past the farm. He died at the age of 88 years in 1866. His grandson is Conway Young of East Palmyra and his great grandson is Thomas Young of Marion, whose home is on part of the farm of his great grandfather.
Thomas Clark
Thomas Clark came early to Marion and was a resident on the Clark farm until his death. This farm is located just north of Marion village and is now owned by Isaac W. Johnson. His grandson, Thomas M. Clark, was sheriff of Wayne County in 1876. Judge Cassius Clark of Peabody, Kansas, is a great-grandson.
Zebina Crane
Zebina Crane came to Marion in 1810 from Genoa, Cayuga County, to which place he had come from Cranetown, New Jersey. He settled about one-half mile from Marion on the farm, which is now owned by Arthur White. He built a log house with bark roof, stone fireplace and used blankets for doors. Here he lived for about two years. He built the first blacksmith shop in town, was a famous shingle maker, and could do a fair job of mason work and carpentry. In the war of 1812, he went to the defense of Pultneyville and served for sometime after that in the war. He died in 1823 and is buried at the Upper Corners Cemetery.
How Log Houses Were Built
The first thought of the early settler was a home for himself and family. The walls were of logs, notched and fitted and the openings between chinked and plastered with mud. The roof was made of bark, the floor of split logs. The door was of hewed plank, hung upon wooden hinges. Glass and nails were difficult to purchase: greased paper often was used for the windows. The sleeping apartment was the loft reached by a ladder. Furniture and dishes were in harmony with the surroundings and was not infrequently the work of his own hands. Plain tables, flag-bottomed chairs; often blocks answered for seats. The shelves supported blue-edged plates and cups and saucers of pewter. In one corner sooner or later was installed the tall clock to take the place of the noon-mark. The high post bedstead with the cord bottom was seen, also the spinning wheel which was a necessity for every home. The women and girls knew how to card, spin and sew. Linen cloth was made by them and bleached to snowy whiteness. Wool cloth was made and dyed with the bark from the forest trees. The sap from the maple was gathered and boiled down for their sugar. Wintergreen and sassafras leaves were dried and steeped for tea. Amusements were mingled with labor; there were corn-huskings and apple-parings, quilting parties, choppings and knittings for the destitute. There were barn-raisings and logging-bees, ending with a huge bonfire, pumpkin-pies, sweet cider, and rye whiskey.
Sickness Prevalent
Sickness was very prevalent and good medical attendance almost impossible to obtain. Fever and plague gave the settlers their sick and well days, and they could work only when the well days came. Fever was very severe along the Ganargwa Creek and tributaries, because of its low rich lands and heavy timber. It took about four or five years for a settler to get acclimated. One settler said, 'The first year I had the shakes, the next year I had the bilious fever, then the lake fever, and now I am closing up with the mud fever, and shall come out first rate.' The agriculture was in a crude state; many of the tools were made by the farmer or blacksmith as there was no place to purchase them nearby and besides he had no money. A drag was made of two round sticks joined at one end and braced by a cross piece, forming an 'A', one piece extending beyond the other. Seven heavy iron teeth were obtained from a blacksmith and put in, four on the longer and three on the other stick. The plows in use, were heavy and clumsy. The blacksmith was the manufacturer. Wheat was gathered with the cradle and mowing was done with scythes. The need of clothing required sheep-raising but wolves killed so many that a bounty was paid by the town clerk to every man who brought him a wolf scalp. There was little use for horses, and oxen were used generally for farm work. There was only one mail between Canandaigua and Rochester in 1812, it being carried on horseback.
Pioneer Prices
The manufacture of crude potash was a great industry. Small distilleries sprang up and took large quantities of the grain for whiskey. Grist mills were opened to dispose of the wheat crops. Wheat at this time was 75 cents a bushel, corn three shillings, butter 11 to 16 cents a pound, sheep 2 or 4 dollars a head, cows 16 to 25 dollars a head. A home made suit of clothes $4 to $5. Shoes were $1.75 to $2 a pair, whiskey 50 to 75 cents a gallon, horses $100 to $125 a span. Many of the early settlers had to pay for their groceries by either work or produce. An old account book kept by James Galloway of Marion has the following entries: 'Jason Sutton, To 4 bu. Turnips to be paid in tailoring. Elisha Lake, To 2 bu. turnips to be paid in chopping. Julius Hutchinson, To 4 bu. of turnips to be paid in buck-wheat.' Another item, 'Lorin Simmons Dr. to James Galloway for 1 day lost time to the circus.'
The Upper Corners
Before 1810 the settlement of the Upper Corners was in advance of that of the lower. The first tavern to be opened in Marion was in 1800 by widow Styles. This tavern was on the site of the home of the late Augusta Pulver. In 1807 the first gristmill was opened by Isaac Phillips near the site of the present mill. A carding mill was opened by Rufus Amsden where the Wayne County canning factory buildings are. Harkness Gifford ran a blacksmith shop where the late Charles Jagger lived in Marion village. A tavern and distillery was conducted by James Huggins where Abram Ressue now lives at the Upper Corners. The first store was opened by Enock Turner where Glen Burden lives at the present time. At the Henry Allen house there was a blacksmith shop. Eliphalet Dean ran a tannery on the farm now owned by Charles Johnson west of Marion. In 1825 at the Lower Corners there was a gristmill, a sawmill, distillery, an ashery, blacksmith shop, a post office, tavern, store, and a school. There were four houses on the west side of Main Street and seven on the east side. The upper corners had a blacksmith shop, a cabinet shop, the office of Dr. Seth Tucker, and about ten houses. In 1831 a sawmill was built by James Wright and Mr. Wing on the hill above Marinus Moose's house. It was called the ox-mill because its power was obtained from a treadwheel driven by oxen.
Noles Negus
Among the early settlers of Marion there were several soldiers who had served during the War of the Revolution. Noles Negus was a private from Rhode Island and is buried in the Negus family cemetery, which is in the orchard on the hill of Peter VanHall's farm east of Marion. A road which is now unused passed these graves. There are no markers standing, for about twenty years ago they were taken down by the farm owner.
William Rice
William Rice enlisted at the age of 16 from Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. He also served three years in the War of 1812. He came to Marion in 1832 and died in 1835 at the age of 70. He was buried at Cory Corners on the farm now owned by Arthur Young. The marker from his grave was set in the wall of the hall of the Presbyterian Church when it was built in 1912.
Obidiah Archer
Obidiah Archer was born in Hebron, Connecticut, Feb. 15, 1760. He served two years in the Revolutionary War. He came to Marion in 1835 and died April 8, 1851, at the age of 91 years. His grave is well marked on the Archer lot in Marion Cemetery.
Durfee Hicks
Durfee Hicks was another resident of Marion who served in the Revolutionary War. He was born March 1757. He enlisted in 1775. In 1776 he served as a marine on the ship Providence. He died Feb. 12, 1844, at the age of 86 years and is buried south of Marion, in the town of Palmyra, on the farm now owned by John Cleason. The grave has a good marker.
Solomon Leonard
Solomon Leonard had been a private in the Connecticut Continental troops. He died about 1848 and is buried in the Marion Cemetery on the James Leonard lot; there is no marker on his grave. Albert C. Leonard of Newark, is his grandson and has the bayonet he carried during the war.
William Cory
William Cory was born in 1753. He enlisted on January 6, 1776, in Elliotte Regiment at the age of 23, and was corporal in Captain John Karzien's Company. His name was on the muster roll of Warwick-on-the-Hudson, near New York City, February 15, 1778. He died on September 26, 1838, at the age of 85. Colonel William Prescott Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, placed a marker on his grave in the cemetery at Marion, with dedication ceremonies, on October 16, 1930.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 took nearly all the men of the town. Micajah Harding of Marion, who raised a company of sharpshooters and went to the front, said that there were more soldiers from Marion than families. The official record of those to whom awards were given at the close of the war mentions Oliver Atwell, William Cogswell, Seth Curtis, Benjamin Mason, Samuel Negus, Reuben Parks, Cornelius Simmons, Earl Wilcox and Israel Springer. Other soldiers were Reuben Smith, Solomon Leonard, Reuben Adams, Jr., Jacob Crane, Weston Briggs, Thomas Cory, Thomas Congdon, Amos Phelps, Pardon Durfee, Joshua Terry, Silas Barton, Paul Phelps. The War of 1812 stopped immigration. People who lived in the better protected eastern states were not disposed to endanger their lives and property on the frontier. The high prices for which farm produce sold during the war were some compensation for the hardships and anxieties of the people. In 1816 the price of wheat was $3 per bushel. Corn was $2 a bushel.
Schools
About this time improvements were made in roads and bridges, and schools and churches were built. A school had been built on the Robinson Farm, opposite Mrs. George Lookup's orchard. This schoolhouse burned in 1814, and the people of Marion built two new schools. One was built at Marion Lower Corners near the home of the late Brainard Curtis, now the residence of Lester Nevil. This was known as the Central School. The second school was located at Marion Upper Corners near the site of the schoolhouse, which was known as District 4, until its consolidation with District 1. The last school meeting to be held in this school district was in 1916, when Vera Curtis was elected trustee; Charles Cook, clerk; Roy Curtis, collector.
School Records From 1814-1914
There is a book in the Town Clerk's office in which is recorded the minutes of the school meetings of the Upper Corners school district from 1814 to 1914. The first records states, 'Record of school district number 4 in Williamson from April 11, 1814 - proceedings of organization being unfortunately lost. James Smith, clerk.' At this meeting they chose a site for a new schoolhouse, 'To be near the four corners on the south of the new laid road, through Reuben Adams' and Micajah Harding's land.' The schoolhouse was not built and completed until September, 1819, on David Mason's land. In 1824 there were 105 children of school age residing in the Upper Corners district. At a special meeting on February 15, 1833, the highway commissioners made application to lay out a public highway from the old Sodus road near Samuel Springer's past the schoolhouse and through the land of the district to the road running east from the Pultneyville road to Ezra Phelps'. This is the short road that now runs from the present schoolhouse to Wayne Witherden's corner. The Center schoolhouse was used until 1834, when the property was bought by James Harvey Curtis. He moved the schoolhouse back on the lot and built his blacksmith shop there. Then a district schoolhouse of stone was built on the site of the Bilby house across from the present Grange Hall. This property was purchased by Joseph Bilby. In 1838 Morrison Huggins opened a select school in the upper part of the stone schoolhouse which stood on the Bilby site. There was also a select school at the Young's home taught by ladies.
Marion Academy
On March 27, 1839, the Marion Academy was incorporated and that year a cobblestone building was erected on the site of the present Grange Hall. The first principal was Ornon Archer, a graduate of Williams College, who made it a success. There is, in the possession of Miss Mira Crane of Marion, a catalog of the Academy for the year 1841. It gives a list of over 218 pupils including the names of three Indians from the Buffalo Reservation, William Jemerson, Cephas Two Guns, and Peter Wilson. After the retirement of Mr. Archer the school died out and the charter was given up in 1851. This left Marion without a preparatory school, so Macajah Adams and Edger Galloway secured a young man by the name of Collier from Oberlin College to prepare some of the young people for college. The first class consisted of thirteen, who were taught in the stone building, which had been built as the Academy. The Marion Collegiate Institute was a result of this venture, and when that was started, the old stone academy was used as the district school until the wooden building, which is now the Grange Hall, was built in 1893 by Albert Smith.
The Collegiate Institute
The Marion Collegiate Institute obtained its charter in 1855, and a school was started with 90 pupils in an upper room over a store, now Clark's block. In 1856 the three-story brick building was completed with an indebtedness of $6000. The trustees of the institute offered to give sectarian control of the institution forever to any church that would assume this indebtedness. The Marion Baptist Church came forward and raised the money. After forty-nine years as the Marion Collegiate Institute it was taken over by the Board of Education of the Union Free School in 1904.
In 1924, a new school building was erected at a cost of $140,000 on the old site enlarged. The old Collegiate Institute is a part of the new school gymnasium. The new schoolhouse was large enough to accommodate the consolidated school district, which included ten districts, eight from Marion and two from Palmyra. The town of Marion then had only five school districts.
Schools of Marion
All of the districts in the township of Marion were centralized into one central school district on July 1, 1932. This organization was brought about under the provisions of Article 6-B of the Educational Law of New York State. This change has gained many advantages for the people of the district. We have better school buildings, and equipment; a greater breadth of subject matter; a wider variety of recreational, and social experiences; more teacher-time; the help of special teachers; and better supervision, and personal guidance.
The specific courses, and services, which have been added in Marion Central High School are: Commercial Department, in 1930; School Nurse, in 1931; Physical Education, in 1932; Music and Band, in 1936; Homemaking, in 1936; Art, Agriculture, and Industrial Arts, will be added in the fall of 1937.
The cost of the new school and equipment is now $280,000. To the original cost, improvements were added in the years of 1933, and 1934, that cost $65,000. In 1937, an addition, costing $75,000, was built. All of this was done with very little extra cost to the people of the district, because the centralization created a larger tax base for financial support. This meant greater territory for local real-estate tax, and increased allotments from State taxes.
All of these improvements were brought about under the able leadership of Prof. Lewis W. Bradley, who became principle of the school September 3, 1929.
First Preacher
The first religious worship was held in the homes of the settlers. In 1802 Elder Seba Norton came once in two weeks from Sodus to preach. Elder Fairbanks, who was induced to come from Connecticut and was presented with 100 acres of the Pultney estate on condition that he would come and preach two years in the town of Williamson, came to Marion occasionally. Rev. John Case preached for many years. He was ordained a minister of the Christian Church on September 20, 1826, at the age of 39.
The settlers from Rhode Island were mostly Baptists, as was Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, RI. The First Baptist Church of Marion was organized on February 29, 1804, with Reuben and Anna Adams, Luke and Elizabeth Sherman, David, Abby and Margaret Harding, Ezra and Phebe Phelps, Sally Harding, Betsy Adams, David Foster, Sally Teal and Mehitabel Adams as charter members. For twenty years the services were held regularly at the Upper Corners schoolhouse. The salary paid in 1808 was $25 a year. In 1829 the first edifice was built and was used until 1850. The first pastor was Elder Seba Norton. The church is now used for stores and is known as Clark's block. The second building was dedicated Nov. 25, 1850 by Elder Bennett of Hamilton, NY. The present edifice was built in 1904.
There is an old deed, dated September 11, 1829, to pew number 40 in the old Baptist Church. The pew was deeded to Stephen Rowley, James Curtis and David Crane for 999 years in consideration of $16. The deed was signed by four trustees of the church, Seth Eddy, Gardner Hicks, William Skinner, and Garner Wait, and is at present in the keeping of Mira Crane of Marion, a descendent of both David Crane and Gardner Hicks.
Presbyterian Church, 1808
The Presbyterian Church of Marion was organized in 1808 as the Congregational Church. The eight original members were Luke Phelps, Timothy and Ruth Smith, David Sweezey, Zadack and Thankful Huggins, Samuel and Sarah Waters. Meetings were held in the Center Schoolhouse and private homes until 1831, when the first church was built. The present structure was built in 1912.
There is in the Marion Public Library a very interesting and valuable history of the Presbyterian Church from 1808 to 1896, written by Nancy Henion and Carrie Butler. These records were hand bound by Henry Lewis Bullen of Jersey City, N.J., because of his interest in Rev. Merritt Gally, pastor of the church from 1865 to 1868.
Christian Church
The Christian Church of Marion was organized on November 1, 1820, as the Church of God, with the following charter members: A.R. Galloway, Daniel Wilcox, Calvin Briggs, Zebina Crane, Ruth Wright, Noah Davenport, Anna Simons, John Atwood, Jerusha Springer, Charles Parsons, Sapphira Barton, Sally Briant, Nathan Sherman, Phebe Galloway, Harriet Cooley, Southard Potter, William Markweather, Isaiah Booth, Dorcas Hadsall, Betsy Brockway, James Foster, Oliver True, Rebeckah Person, James Sawyer, John Case, Orpha Adams, Pamilia Crane, Nancy Lake, Heriah Clark, John Potter, Sally Arnold, Lucinda Clark, Piama Sawyer, Henrietta Dexter, James Smith, Hannah Crane, Cynthia Sherman, Jepe Mason, Ephraim Hollister, Luilla Springer, Claripa Hollister, Rememb Coggshall, Edgar M. Galloway, Mary Galloway, Freeman Cobb, Mrs. Ketcham, J.W. Brockway, Thankful Dexter, Daniel Dean, Seth Crandall, Hannah Wilcox, Mary Brockway, Rhoda Davenport, Sally Lucop, Ruth Coggshall.
The Christian Church was first organized in the United States in 1793, and was called 'Republican Methodist.' It acknowledged no head over the church save Christ, and no creed but the Bible.
The first church of stone was built at the Upper Corners in 1832 on the site of the present home of Peter Moose. The second edifice was built on the present site in 1856, and was remodeled and dedicated in 1905. The evangelistic work of Rev. David Millard and Rev. Joseph Badger brought about the organization of the church.
Religious services were discontinued in 1913. The church property was bought by Miss Love Seymour of Rochester and presented to Marion Masonic Lodge for the use of the Lodge and Eastern Star Chapter.
Methodist Church
The first Methodist Church of Marion was organized in 1845 with 12 charter members: Jacob Crane and wife, Jacob Garlock and wife, Sylvester Soper and wife, Peleg Sanford and wife, Mrs. Jacob Norris, A.B. Williams, Mrs. Zepheniah Howell, Mrs. Sally Van Ostrand. The first trustees elected were Israel Springer, William Lookup, Jacob Baker, J.G. Crane, Moses B. Russel and Jacob Garlock. The building was erected in 1855. This church discontinued services in 1919.
First Reformed Church
The First Reformed Church of Marion first held services in 1860 in a building, which stood, on the present site. It was organized in 1870, and on March 19, 1873, the present building was dedicated. The old building was moved and is now known as 'Clark's Hall' on Maple Avenue.
The charter members of 1870 were: John Cornelius and wife, Jokoba Schotsman; Isaac Gilman and wife, Johanna Sara Shufelt; Jacob Fortrie and wife, Jane Jores; John Callward and wife, Jacomina Merson; James Boekhout and wife, Frances Gilman; Peter Morel and wife, Maria Michelsen; William Kouwe and wife, Magdalena Bogart; John Jores and wife, Jane Sara Cuvelier; Maria Tellier, widow of J. Jores; Jacob Jores; Jane Jores; Isaac Van Bortel and wife, Susan Levina Wage; Herbert Fisher and wife, Elizabeth Youngman; Adrian Daanson and wife, Cornelia De Vey; Isaac Malgee; John Bogart and wife, Sarah Youngman; Jacob Baylard; Marenus Schoonerman and wife, Maria De Smith; Simon Bonte and wife, Sarah Gilman; William J. Morrison and wife, Janet Leenaar; Cornelius Verbridge; Jacob Verbridge; Abram Wagemaker and wife, Cornelia De Witt; John Van Hee and wife, Johanna M. Lybart; Solomon De Bois and wife, Jane De Smith; Jokomina Van Cruyningham; Pieternella Burgemeester; John Mullie and wife, Sarah Samon; John Samon and wife, Johanna Den Engleson. These members brought letters from their churches in Holland. John Vanderbough and wife, Cornelia Malgee; William Youngman and Isaac Morrison joined on confession of faith. The first pastor of the church was Rev. J.W. Warnshuis of Cleveland, Ohio. The first report to the Classis of Geneva in 1872 stated that there were 124 families, with 244 in communion.
The Second Reformed Church of Marion was organized in 1910 with a membership of 101. The church was built and dedicated in 1911.
St. Gregory's Catholic
St. Gregory's Catholic Church of Marion began to hold service in Maccabee Hall in 1908. A fine church was erected and dedicated in 1914 with a membership of 65.
First Bank
Charles C. Huggins was the first banker in Marion. He had a private bank in the Clark Block in 1867. He sold silver mine stock to many of the residents of Marion and also invested a large amount of the bank's capital in this stock. It proved to be a very poor investment and brought about the failure of the bank. Rev. Horatio N. Short and his son, Albert B. Short started a private bank in the building now occupied by the Marion Hardware. These bankers also conducted a hardware store. This bank after a short period closed its doors about 1883.
First Burying Ground
The first burying ground was on the farm of Daniel Powell, where Fred Cattieu now lives. There is a record of four burials here. In 1804 the Upper Corners Cemetery was opened. This was used for nearly fifty years. The land was given by Reuben Adams. Nearly seventy-five years have passed since this has been used as a burying ground. Most of the stones are fast crumbling before the march of time and will in a few years be unavailable for record.
The Marion Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1853 and the land for the present burying ground was purchased. The cemetery has a beautiful soldier's monument, erected in 1904 as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the town of Marion, by Love F. Seymour of Rochester, in memory of her grandparents Eli and Margaret Green, who were residents of Marion. Miss Seymour had erected in 1914 a chapel for the cemetery, in memory of her aunt, Helen D. Green. The beautiful gates at the two entrances of the cemetery were erected in 1937 by Miss Ann Dodge, Miss Willie Dodge, Miss Dorothy Dodge and Edward Dodge of New Orleans, Louisiana, in memory of their mother, Nellie Burbank Dodge, and sister, Nellie Burbank Dodge.
War 1861
The call to arms by President Lincoln in 1861 and the danger to our country stirred the men of Marion. The news of the attack on Fort Sumter, and of its unconditional surrender on April 15, 1861 brought a rally of the citizens. The motto was 'Sustain the Government. Stand for Liberty. Down with the Rebellion.' Rev. Short of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Stanton of the Christian Church and Rev. Williams of the Baptist Church made appeals for heroic sacrifices to save the Union. A large flag was hung out as 'A symbol of strength and protection to its friends and of dismay and death to traitors.' A large public meeting was held in the Collegiate Institute on Tuesday evening, April 23, 1861, filling the hall to over flowing. Twelve volunteers signed the muster-roll that night and a subscription was made for the support of their families.
Another large meeting was held in the Marion Collegiate Institute Hall, May 6, 1861, to plan further for the support of the families of volunteers. Here resolutions were passed to train a company of minutemen in the town. Three thousand dollars were raised to sustain the families of the volunteers, this sum to be secured by assessment upon each taxpayer of the town.
Men said 'farewell' to home and family as quickly and as firmly in 1861 as in 1775. There were brave mothers, sisters and wives, choking down the tide of grief that their sons, brothers and husbands might not be weakened in their purpose to join the armies of the Union.
Captain John Burrud
In May, 1861, a volunteer company was organized in Marion with John Burrud as Captain; Avery Durfee, First Lieutenant; Henry Allen, Ensign. On May 25, 1861 there was a pole raising at Eddy Ridge.
On September 10, 1861, Marion turned out en masse to see the September volunteers and four others off for the 'Field.' The flag belonging to the Collegiate Institute was carried. Rev. Stanton of the Christian Church presented each with a testament. A flag was presented in behalf of the students of the Institute.
Reinforcements Called
The call for reinforcements in 1862 met with a ready response. The town of Marion was the first to fill up her quota of volunteers and went beyond the mark. Lieutenant John B. Burrud left for Auburn with thirty-five men. This call for volunteers took seventy-five Marion men. In 1863 the call asked for fifty-two more men. Again in 1865 Marion filled the quota required without a draft.
Edward Farnsworth, who enlisted May 2, 1861, was the first man from Marion to die from wounds received in action. He was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, and died at Washington.
186 Men Enlisted
A total of one hundred eighty-six men went to fight from Marion. Out of the number, which returned, but three remain. LeRoy Deuel, who enlisted in 1863 in the Ninth Heavy Artillery. He was promoted to Corporal in 1864, transferred to Second Artillery in 1865 and discharged in 1865. Isaac Morrison enlisted in 1864 in the same company, he also was transferred to the Second Artillery and was discharged in 1865. Albert Bull went into service in 1863 in the Ninth Heavy Artillery. He was wounded at Cedar Creek and was discharged in 1865. He again enlisted in the regular service in 1867 and served three years.
9th Heavy Artillery
The Ninth Heavy Artillery was recruited in 1862. The Colonel was Joseph Welling of Lyons, Wayne County, and the Lieutenant-Colonel was Wm. H. Seward of Auburn, Cayuga County. This regiment was called the 'Band Box Regiment,' because they were stationed near Washington to guard the capital. They were required to appear for frequent inspection in full dress, leather stocks, white gloves and trappings shining like silver. This was so that the President of United States, cabinet officers or a foreign minister could visit them at any time. It was not until May 25, 1863 that they faced the rebels and became a part of the Army of the Potomac. They were cordially received but with rather a free use of such terms as 'Washington Gunners,' 'White-gloved soldiers,' 'Band-box regiment.' After this change they were in many encounters. In October they marched up the Shenandoah Valley. One soldier's diary reads, 'Saturday, Oct. 1st - All barns passed are in flames. The Cavalry are passing down the valley with instructions to burn everything and drive off all the stock.' The official report after the battle of Cedar Creek said: 'The Ninth NY Heavy Artillery for their noble behavior deserve to specially mentioned.' They were in four battles and many smaller engagements. They may have had an easy time in the defenses of Washington but the list of casualties shows that they amply made up for it in their subsequent active career.
Madison Reynolds, who now lives in Marion, was a Civil War soldier and enlisted from Erie County in 1861.
The Marion Enterprise
The Marion Enterprise has been the newspaper of Marion for forty-five years. It was founded in 1880 by E. Curtis and son, Rollo D. Curtis. In 1921 it was purchased by John E. DuBois of Newark who continues the paper under the same name. Editor John E. DuBois published a forty-page One Hundredth Anniversary Edition, August 27, 1926, which was made up of historical articles of Marion.
Marion Assemblymen
The men who have served as Assemblymen from Marion are Peter Boyce, Elias Durfee, John Lang, Allen Russell, Amasa Hall and Jefferson Sherman. The office of sheriff has been filled by Thomas Clark, Vernon Howell, George Sweezey and Orrin Sherman. George S. Reeves served as county treasurer. Some of the men who were instrumental in maintaining the high standard of our schools were William C. Austin, Dr. Myron Adams, Stephen Reeves, Seth Dean, Rev. Conway Young, Salem Sweezey and Dr. A. Halsted. Dr. Daniel Richards and Dr. Albert Halsted should have especial mention because of their many years of faithful service as physicians. Henry R. Taber was admitted to the bar in 1865. He served his town as justice for many terms and was also supervisor for many years.
The history of Marion is that of an agricultural community. The saying that the farm is the basis of all wealth is particularly true of the town of Marion. First, wheat was the principle crop because it would sell most readily. Apples and pears have always been extensively produced in Marion as the soil and climate seems to be well adapted for their growth. The first settlers planted apple seeds almost as soon as they arrived. The first grafted apples to be brought here was the Long Island Greening. All kinds of small fruits, berries, cherries and plums are also produced in large quantities.
Since 1900
Since 1900 the value of land in Marion has more than trebled. Hon. Plinty T. Sexton of Palmyra once said, 'There will be many more people in this country but no more land. I believe the man who owns the land is sure to be the winner.' The assessed valuation of the Town of Marion in 1858 was $550,000; in 1893 it was $1,292,000. Now the valuation is $3,250,000. The population is 2,158.
Muck Shipments
This large increase in the valuation of the land is partly due to the increase in all land values, but mostly to the extensive planting of fruit tees and the opening up of muck lands in the last thirty-five years. Before that time peppermint was almost the only crop cultivated on the rich muck land. In 1924, there was shipped for Marion 403 cars of celery, 170 cars of carrots, 90 cars of lettuce and 70 cars of onions, this coming from the muck land.
The two canning factories in Marion take a large part of the small fruit grown. There were 150 cars of canned goods shipped out of Marion in 1924. There were about 200 cars of apples and 300 cars of cider and vinegar shipped out of Marion.
Marion Railroad 1905
Marion has had a railroad since 1905. The Newark and Marion Railroad was incorporated and built by the Syracuse Railroad Construction Company. It started operation in 1905. This road is a little over eight miles long and connects Marion with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central at Newark. In 1917 residents of Marion purchased the railroad and it was reorganized as the Marion Railway Corporation. This railroad in 1924 handled over 30,000 tons of freight. The government reports give Marion second place in the state as a shipping point of muck crops. The Marion Railway Corporation stock was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad June 19, 1930. It is now the Marion branch of this railroad and is under the jurisdiction of the Williamsport Division.
World War
During the World War of 1914 Marion's part was to help feed the world. The men from Marion who served in the war are: William Faro, Peter Hendricks, Jacob Dayton, Alphonse Brandt, Oscar Warner, Arthur Hopkins, Allen Farnsworth, Elsworth Geer, Wilber Wirth, Henry Lybart, William Lewis, Harry Lewis, Marvin Jores, John DeNeering, Edward VanKowenburg, Elmer Lybart, Arthur Bates, David McMichael, Kenneth Jagger, Elmer Malgee, Jacob Hermenette, Mylo Morrison, Fred Cattieu, John VanHall, Dirk Mellema, Elmer Verbridge, Edward Patchett, Richard DeCoster, Dr. Arthur Besemer, Rev. W. W. McWilliams, Cecil Johnson, Wade Johnson, Herbert Jorgensen, Adrian DeVisser, Peter DeBrine and Harriet Sherman as nurse. All returned but Jacob Hermenette.
Bank of Marion
The First National Bank of Marion was opened for business June 16, 1914, in a temporary home with Roscoe S. Bush in charge. In 1915 the brick structure on Main Street was completed. So great had been the demand for banking facilities in Marion that the project of forming a bank, with the residents of Marion retaining control of the major portion of the stock issued, commended itself to all business men of the community. Before this most of Marion's banking business had been handled in Newark and Rochester. Fifty stockholders are represented in the corporation. The first officers were: president, C.N. Jagger; vice- presidents, C.R. Pratt and B.E. Luce; cashier, R.S. Bush. In 1922 Roscoe S. Bush was made president, Viola Luce cashier, and Stanley Rogers, vice-president and assistant cashier. Every year since its organization there has been a large and steady gain. President Bush is also vice-president of the First National Bank of Palmyra.
Marion Library
The Marion Public Library was organized by Mrs. Kingley Norris, wife of Rev. Kingley Norris, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Marion. In 1910 it was chartered under the State of New York with two hundred books. Many gifts of books have been received, the largest gifts coming from Mrs. C.H. Stewart of Newark, the J.S. Society of Marion, in memory of Abbie Ray, and from Curtis Fitz Gerald of Philadelphia in memory of Nellie Burbank Dodge. Mrs. Marion Hesler gave the library $100 which is used as a permanent endowment fund. Alice M. Curtis has been the librarian for fourteen years. It has grown from two hundred volumes to three thousand. There were six hundred seventy-seven residents of Marion using books during the year.
Marion celebrated its One Hundredth Anniversary with Old Home Day on September 4, 1926. The main feature was an historical, industrial and patriotic parade.
Historical Markers
Five historical markers were placed in Marion, through the efforts of the Marion members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, by the New York State Education Department. On July 4, 1934 they were unveiled and dedicated. One is placed at Marion Upper Corners to mark the First Road; one at Marion Lower Corners for the First Settlers; one on the site of the First Log Cabin; one at the site of the First Tavern; the fifth at the Young's Homestead. The erection of these historical markers was part of the Regents program for the observance of the 150th anniversary of the American Revolution in New York State.
130 Years Have Passed
One hundred and thirty years have passed since Henry Lovell and Daniel Powell traversed the pathless wilderness and built their log cabins in Marion. The present owes a great debt to the past and to those influences then set in motion, which have continued uninterruptedly to the present. The foundations were ably laid by the pioneers; to those who came after fell the building of a fit super-structure. A wonderful transformation has been effected. It was a region of dark forest and dreaded fever chills and of solitary log cabins but today it is a town of beauty, enterprise and prosperity. The earliest pioneers have been laid to rest, their sons have reached a goodly age and followed after, and the grandson or great-great-grandson tills the land and occupies the dwelling where his ancestors toiled. In the various trades and professions Marion has many honored sons, but few of them have surpassed in sterling qualities the pioneers of early days.
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