Clayton, Jefferson, NY

Settlement

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN

In 1799 there was a single log hut in the town, at French Creek, (Clayton), probably that of some timber thieves, who plundered the frontier without restraint or limit during many years before any one appeared to show title. Nathan Ford, the pioneer of Ogdensburgh, in a letter to Samuel Ogden on this subject, dated December 27, 1799, write:

"There are several person s now cutting timber upon the two upper townships. I have no authority to say anything about the matter, but vast injury will take place upon the townships, and if there are not measures taken immediately, not less than thirty or forty thousand staves, over and above the square timber which is now getting, will be taken off. Mr. Wilkins took down the names of several who pretended to settle; their motive was only stealing off the timber. The thing is now working as I told him would be the case, and if something is not done about this business great destruction will arise. An example ought to be made; and this cannot be done without sending an officer from Fort Stanwix. They have got the timber so boldly that they say there is no law that can be executed upon them here."

To Gouverneur Morris he wrote, July 16, 1800:

"I was in hopes I should have heard something about the road before now. If there were a land communication to the Mohawk River, we should all experience less depredations. The difficulty of a communication to the southern part of the State is well known to the timber thieves, and they upon the almost impossibility of bringing them to justice,"

As these lands were not within Ford’s jurisdiction, he could only advise in the matter; but in one or two instances in which he was directly interested he adopted a course that put an effectual stop to these robberies. In the portion of the town embraced by Penet’s Square there was more of this lawless plunder, because for several years after the tract began to settle there was no resident agent or acknowledged owner. This stage of things led to many abuses, and gave rise to incidents that will be specified in our account of Orleans, which then comprised the whole tract.

As before stated, the first permanent settlement was made by one Bartlett in 1801 or 1802. In 1803, Smith & Delamater, land agents, came in, but only remained long enough to attend to their business. In 1816, Nathaniel Norton, Jr., who had previously been a merchant at Russia, New York, came as agent of C. H. and E. Wilkes, owners of twelve thousand acres on Penet’s Square, and adjoining the present village of Depauville. It is related of him that while residing in Herkimer County he became so eccentric that his friends got his means places in the lands of the comptroller. On one occasion he required some money. He went to the comptroller and got into conversation with him, in the course of which he was asked whether he knew a man down his way named Nathaniel Norton. He did not answer, but kept up the talking, and was invited to dinner. He made quite a pleasing impression on the comptroller, and finally told him that he was N. Norton, Jr., and inquired whether he acted insane or eccentric. The official answered in the negative, and finally restored him control of his property.

In 1817, Phineas Osborn, father of Thomas S., Schuyler, and Phineas A. Osborn, came in from Herkimer County and settled about three miles northwest of Depauville, on what is known as Elm Flat. The three sons above named are a;; residents of the town. Schuyler lives in the village of Depauville, where he has dwelt since about 1832.

In 1818, Jerry Carter came in and settled near Clayton Centre. He came with his father, who will be remembered as a good hunter, and the teller of marvelous stories connected with his hunting expeditions.

In 1819, James D. Gloyd came in with his father, Amos and settled lot No. 39, within forty rods of where he (James D.) now resides. They came from Vermont. In 1820, Adam Fry came from Denmark, Lewis County, New York, and settled on the farm now occupied by George Hawes. He has been a continuous resident of the town ever since, and now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Diana Thompson. In 1824, Gaylord Enos came from Herkimer County and settled on the farm now occupied by William Baxter. He purchased the first fifty-acres of Depau, and improved the land, purchasing more from time to time, and finally erected the fine house that now stands on the place.

Among other old settlers might be mentioned Jerry Carter, Joseph Adams, Daniel Abbey, William Thompson, J. Wilson Wright, Thomas Faire, E. M. Winslow, Alfred Fox (for many years supervisor, justice of the peace, and local leader of the Democratic party.), Luther brown, A. Buskirk, Solomon Ingalls, Hosea Randolph,------Dixon, Amos Richards, James Bothel,------David, Major Abiatha Joy, James Rankin, Thomas Fetterly. The last nine were soldiers in the war of 1776. Repeated inquiry has failed to ascertain anything definite concerning any of these, except Thomas Fetterly. He was born in Montgomery County, New York, in the year 1764, and entered the service at the age of fourteen. He acted as waiter in the officers’ mess, and had the honor, he averred, of waiting on General Washington on several occasions. He removed to the town of Clayton in 1837, and died there in 1841. His brother, Peter Fetterly, and father of Mrs. L. Staring, served in the war of 1812 as a regular soldier at Ogdensburgh; and a son of Mrs. Starling, Jonas, sacrificed his life in the service of his country in the rebellion of 1861-65. The above facts constitute a commendable record. (Jefferson County History, by L. H. Everts, 1878)

Transcribed by Holice B.Young

Html by Debbie

December 26, 1999

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