Lorraine, Jefferson, NY

Roads, Schools, & Military

ROADS

The State road from Rome to Brownville was located through this town in 1804. It has from the beginning been an important thoroughfare, and was a potent agent in the rapid settlement of Lorraine. Other roads were early located, and liberal aid was voted by the town to put them in good condition. In 1810 $250 were appropriated for roads and bridges; in 1841 $750, and in 1877 a single iron bridge was built, costing $1200. In 1805, there were 6 districts formed, with James McKee, William Maynard, Stanton Brown, Nathan Chever, Warren Flower, and Joseph Case as overseers. In 1807 the districts had increased to 18, and in 1877, with only half the area, there were 47 districts. This distribution of labor has been promotive of good results, so that the roads of the town are, in spite of their irregular courses owing to the broken condition of the surface, in fair order.

THE CEMETERIES

With one exception, the cemeteries of the town are controlled by the official land board, and are cared for by means of appropriations voted at town-meetings.

"The Rural Cemetery Association" was formed Jan. 8, 1852, by John Boyden, Aaron Brown, John Bentley, Eben Brown, Knapp Macomber, Joseph Grimshaw, Allen Pitkin, Lorenzo Reed, John Hancock, Moses Brown, Elihu Gillet, Abbey Augustus, L. Baker, Peter Hanson, Leonard A. Parker, Joel Buel, Luther Lanfear, and Parley Brown. The control of the cemetery at Lorraine village was secured, an addition to its area made, and the whole was properly inclosed. It now contains 1 and one half acres. The association is managed by a board of nine trustees, these being elected annually. The present board are Latham Lanfear, John W. Brown, Philo M. Brown, David Gillet, Almond Harrington, Ransom R. Corbin, Henry M. Brown, Joseph Grimshaw, and Elihu Gillet. It is said that Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Brown, was the first interred in the Rural Cemetery. Probably the first death in town was a Mr. Child, whose earthly days were shortened by a tree falling upon him while he was engaged in chopping.

SCHOOLS

As near as can be determined Miss Betsey Burbee taught the first school, in the summer of 1807. There was a log house erected for this purpose near where the Baptist church now stands in Lorraine village. She also taught there the following year. In 1813 there is a record of 18 districts, in which 3 at least were in Worth. The town has at present 12 districts, and is fairly supplied with school buildings. The appropriations made for the support of the schools are generally equal to those made by the State, and the average term taught numbers about thirty weeks.

MILITARY RECORD

Lorraine received its share of the heroes of our struggle for independence, who came to find a home and who lived there until their death. The list includes the names of Elijah Fox, Sr., Jacob Weaver, Benjamin Fletcher, Caleb Tifft, Martin rice, and John Wiswell. The last claimed to have been one of the Boston tea party of 1773.

The War of 1812 called out a full quota of the citizens, who hastened with great alacrity to the defense of Sacket’s Harbor and other threatened points in the country. Among those who rendered distinguished service was Gen. Clark Allen. He participated in the engagement at Sacket’s Harbor, and was in command of the first body of men to occupy Cape Vincent. Besides the response from men subject to military duty, there was a company of "Silver Grays," and soon after the declaration of war the following document was forwarded to General Brown:

"Lorraine, July 21, 1812

"Dear Sir,--Viewing our country in danger, and feeling a willingness to defend the same, sixty men assembled in this place and made choice of Joseph Wilcox as captain ; James Perry, lieutenant; Ebenezer Brown Jr., ensign. This is therefore to desire your honor to furnish us with arms and ammunition, while you may have the assurance we shall be ready on any invasion within the county of Jefferson, at a moment’s warning, to defend the same. The above men met at the house of John Alger, on the 16^th inst., and may be considered as Silver Grays, that is men who are exempted by law from military duty. We wish you, sir, to forward the arms to this place as soon as possible, and be assured we are, with respect, your humble servant.

"Joseph Wilcox, Captain."James Perry, Lieutenant, "E. Brown, Ensign.

This company frequently met for review and exercise, and on the occasion of the attack upon Sacket’s Harbor marched for the scene of the engagement, but not in time to take part in it.

The late Rebellion, also, found Lorraine prepared to aid in its suppression. A ready response was given to the first demand for troops, and when, in 1862, the call was made for 300,000 additional volunteers, a special town-meeting was held to hasten the response. The record of this meeting shows the state of the public mind. The minutes are headed by the words, "WAR! WAR!" and inform us that it was voted that a bounty of $50 a man, over and above the amounts of State and county bounties, be raised, and as a further inducement, $5 a man additional was voted to all who would enlist that day, May 13, 1862. (Jefferson County History, by L. H. Everts, 1878)

Transcribed by Holice B.Young

Html by Debbie

December 26, 1999

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[Jefferson County ALHN][NY ALHN]