Lyme, Jefferson, NY

Early Life in Lyme

A DISHEARTENING YEAR

Smith and Delamater, the leading spirits of the enterprise, failed in 1806; others were discouraged by sickness; several had died from the malarial fever, that had before afflicted the settlers; and a majority of the people decided to start once more anew. It may be remarked here that malignant fevers prevailed very fatally in 1829, and typhoid pneumonia and diphtheria in 1875. During the space of fifteen months fifty deaths occurred with the limits of the corporation of Chaumont village at the time of the last (1875) prevalent sickness. With these exceptions, the region has been considered healthy.

Point Salubrious was selected as the next permanent-stopping place. James I. Horton went there in 1806, and was the first settler. A Mr. Mills was probably the second, Joseph rider, Silas Taft, Stephen Fisher, and David Rider came not far from1807. Harry Horton and many others were here in 1810. No village was established, however, and Chaumont continued to retain its position in this respect.

ILLUSTRATIVE INCIDENTS

The hardships of these pioneers were illustrated by such incidents as the following: In the fall of 1807, a company of Point Salubrious settlers went to Sacket’s Harbor to obtain a supply of flour for use during the winter; they probably carried the grain of their own raising. On the return trip they were wind-bound for a week at the south shore of Pillar Point, with only a single day’s provision. After this was exhausted they lived upon berries growing near by, and upon cakes made of flour and water, and baked on flat stones. Nothing was reported about their beds, which were generally of secondary consideration in those days of discomfort.

On another occasion, Mr. Horton and Mr. Williams went to Brownville, with two bags of grain on the back of a horse. The miller could not grind the grist until the next morning, and lest it might be destroyed beyond that time by others crowding in ahead, Mr. Williams decided to remain over night. It seems to have been necessary that one of them should rturn home immediately with the horse. Mr. Horton returned. The next day he started back with the horse at an early hour, and reaching the neighborhood of Limerick, found Mr. W. with the two bags of flour.The grain had been ground quicker than either of them had anticipated, and had been brought by Mr. Williams on his back four or five miles. He would carry one a short distance, set it down, and go back after the other. In this way, he kept them both in sight, until met by his friend and neighbor. It was a very welcome meeting in that wild and unbroken forest.

Another fact is related concerning Mrs. James Horton, who had great difficulty one week in obtaining a fire. This was the second year of the settlement, and when Mr. Mills was the only near neighbor. Both Mr. Horton and Mr. Mills had been away from home several days, and there was no fire at either log cabin; neither was there any flint or tinder, and matches had not been invented. What to do she did not know. At last she thought of an old clearing, and went thither with her little boy in the hope of finding a smouldering ember.Their search was unavailing until the little fellow crawled under a half burnt log that lay a little distance up from the ground, and shouted to his mother, "Fire! I have found it! Ain’t you glad?" (The 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]