Yates County, New York

History - Town of Torrey

From the History of Yates County, NY
published 1892, by L.C. Aldrich

pg 431-435, 438

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Of the nine separate townships, which comprise the county of Yates, that called Torrey is the youngest in point of organization, but at the same time the town enjoys the distinction of having been the site of the first white civilized settlement west of Seneca Lake.   In fact, as early as the year 1776, emissaries of the Society of Friends visited the lake county of New York State for the purpose of selecting a home and location for their society, and after casting about in various localities, finally and by mere accident pitched upon this as the most suitable of all the places they had examined.  The result was, though not until a further examination had been made, that in the year 1788 about twenty-five persons, among them Abel BOTSFORD, Peleg and John BRIGSS, George SISSON, Isaac NICHOLS, Stephen CARD, John REYNOLDS, James PARKER, with others, members of the families named, came to the locality and made the first permanent settlement in all this vast Genesee county. 

The pioneers of 1788 built for their accommodations during the coming winter a single log house, and here dwelt until the next spring all that remained in the locality, a number having returned to their homes in the east.  In 1789 many other Friends came to the New Jerusalem, as the locality was called, and more log houses were erected for their accommodation.  A road had been opened from the settlement to Norris Landing, so called, and along the highway the houses were built and made ready for occupancy by the distinguished leader of the society. 

Thomas HATHAWAY, one of the leaders of the society, lived in a log house about half a mile, perhaps less, east of the Friend’s house.  The aristocratic POTTER family, headed by Judge William POTTER, lived south of HATHAWAY’s place.  Benjamin Brown Sr., lived nearer the Friend’s home, and only about a quarter of a mile therefrom.  Abel BOTSFORD dwelt northwest of the leader, and Elnathan and Jonathan BOTSFORD directly west of City Hill.  Within a circuit of two or three miles dwelt all the familiar names of the remarkable community. 

In the year 1790 the Friend herself, the distinguished leader of the devoted following, left her former residence in Pennsylvania and made the journey to New Jerusalem, joining her faithful adherents early in the spring.  This same year the log meeting house was built on the road leading from Norris Landing to the Friend’s mill.  The Friend’s frame house was also built this year, the means therefore being mainly contributed by Anna WAGENER.  This also stood on the old road frequently mentioned, between the mill and the landing; and it still stands, though but a wreck of its former greatness. 

These original setters of the Genesee country came singly and in family groups, commencing with the year 1788, and continuing for several years after the arrival of the Friend.  Upon the organization of Ontario County in 1789, it was provided that the territory thereof should be formed into districts as the county should become settled, or as the government of the shire should seem to warrant and require.  In accordance with this provision the district of Jerusalem was created, but it was not until the year 1792 that any government was attempted to be established therein.  In that year, Thomas LEE was chosen supervisor, and he made the first tax roll of the district, which roll was signed by the supervisors of Ontario County.  A copy of the names contained in this roll will show to the reader who were the taxable inhabitants that the district at that time.  But the reader must understand that the district of Jerusalem embraced all the territory now included in the towns of Benton, Jerusalem, Milo, Potter and Torrey.  However, although settlement had in a measure progressed in other towns, the greater portion of the then population was within the present limits of Torrey township.  The roll, less the amount assessed against name, was as follows: Peleg BRIGGS, Peleg BRIGGS Jr., Isaac NICHOLS, John SUPPLEE, William DAVIS, William ROBINSON, Micajah BROWN, Elijah BROWN, Beloved LUTHER, Thomas SHERMAN, James HATHAWAY, Lewis BIRDSALL, Daniel BROWN Jr., John LAWRENCE, Abraham DAYTON, Richard SMITH, Adam HUNT, Silas HUNT, Silas SPINK, Thomas PRENTISS, James PARKER, David WAGENER, Jesse DAINS, Castle DAINS, Eleazer INGRAHAM, Amos GURNSEY, Reuben LUTHER, George SISSON, Sheffield LUTHER, Ezekiel SHEARMAN, Noah RICHARDS, Hezekiah TOWNSEND, Joseph LANDERS, Enoch and Elijah MALIN, Stephen CARD, Benedict ROBINSON, Sarah RICHARDS, Elanthan BOTSFORD, Mercy ALDRICH (widow), Susannah and Temperance BROWN, Jonathan DAINS, Asahel STONE, Jonathan BOTSFORD, Jacob WAGENER, Jedediah HOLMES, Thomas HATHAWAY(, Abel BOSTFORD, Benajah MALLORY, Benjamin BROWN, John BLAKE, Anna WAGENER, Elijah BOTSFORD, Barnabas BROWN, Levi BENTON, Samuel TAYLOR, Capt. David BROWN, James SPENCER, Martin SPENCER, Richard HATHAWAY, Philemon BALDWIN, James SCOFIELD, George WHEELER, John POND., Perley DEAN, Robert CHISSOM, Truman SPENCER, Abraham VOAK, Edward WALWORTH. 

The little settlement on the lake, practically within the limits of the present town of Torrey, was composed almost exclusively of member of the Society of Friends and their families.  And throughout the district of Jerusalem, although there were many pioneers who had nothing in common with the Friends, particularly in religious opinion, the greater part of the population was either directly or indirectly affiliated with the society. 

In making their first settlement on or near the shores of Seneca Lake, the society believed themselves to be located upon State lands, to which they might readily acquire title through the governor.  Fro this purpose early application was made to the proper authorities, and the agents of the society were requested to attend the public land sales at Albany.  This was done, with result in the purchase of a vast area of 14,040 acres of land by James PARKER, William POTTER and Thomas HATHAWAY.  This tract afterward became know as the Potter Location.  North of it lay Read and Ryckman’s Tract; west of it was Lansing’s Location and other grants.  The deed to the grantees above named was dated October 10, 1792.  But the Friends were in a measure mistaken in the belief that they were locating on State territory, but the fault lay not with them.  As the old or first pre-emption line was run or surveyed, their location was appropriate, but as in the course of a few years became apparent, there had been perpetrated a gross fraud in making the original east boundary of the Phelps and Gorham purchase; and in running the true line, some four years later, it was found that a considerable portion of the Friend’s settlement and improved lands lay west of the line, and therefore were then the property of the association represented by Charles WILLIAMSON, the latter the grantee of Robert MORRIS, and he the successor to Phelps and Gorham. 

This unfortunate discovery worked to the disadvantage of the society, and was the occasion of a petition by twenty three prominent members thereof to Mr. WILLIAMSON, requesting that they be quieted in their possession of the lands through permission to purchase from him.  This request was granted, and none of the settlers lost his lands through the fault of the first surveyors of the pre-emption line on the east.  The State, however, was obliged to make proper restitution to Mr. WILLIAMSON and others who suffered on account of the fraudulent survey.  But the one thing above all others that contributed to the decline in the society, and of its strength and influence in this locality, was the withdrawl in membership and support of James PARKER and William POTTER.  In fact, the disturbance and complications growing out of this withdrawal worked a partial disintegration of the society, and was a controlling cause in influencing the Friends to depart from the settlement and take up her final abode in the town of Jerusalem, which town her faithful followers had purchased for this purpose.  But although it may be an essential subject of Torrey’s early history to thus treat at length of the events herein narrated, the same has also been done in one of the general chapters of the present volume.   

Running through several chapters of township history in this work, particularly in those relating to Benton, Jerusalem, and Milo, the reader will find a record of many of the early families who were originally dwellers in Torrey, as afterward constituted, and who changed their places of abode at such an early day as to make them pioneers of the towns to which they moved.  Still, there are yet resident in the locality now called Torrey, many descendants of pioneer heads of families, who are worthy of at least some brief mention in this connection; and in another department of this work will be found still further mention of the prominent men of the town within the last half century, and since the town was brought into existence.

In the year 1851 a number of the enterprising citizens residing in the northeast part of Milo and the southeast part of Benton, conceived the idea of organizing a new township in Yates County.  It is just possible that the projectors of this scheme had this erection in mind at an earlier date than that mentioned, but the matter did not assume any tangible form prior to that time.  In the result sought to be accomplished the chief actors had a double purpose to actuate their movement.  They desired on the one hand to have organized in the county a truly Democratic town, while the other moving consideration had its object in the building up of the little borough of Dresden, and the making thereof the chief center of trade and business for the town to be erected.  The second object was certainly commendable, while the first named was not to be condemned.   

The proposition to create a new town out of the lands of Benton and Milo came before the county legislative body, the Board of Supervisors, at its annual session in 1851.  Of course the taking of the most desirable section of these two old towns, and therefore depriving them of long established and thoroughly developed resources, met with serious opposition on the part of their people and representatives, and the result was that the scheme was defeated by the supervisor’s vote.  At that time Henry TORREY, of Rushville, in the town of Potter, was a member of the board and its chairman.  After the proposition had been defeated, Chairman TORREY said if the town was to be named after his surname he would move a reconsideration of the former vote, and again put the proposition upon its passage.  This was agreeable to the friends of the new town; the vote was reconsidered and the town formed by a majority of the board on the 14^th of November, 1851.In 1852 the first town meeting was held, and a complete set of officers was elected.  From that time to the present the supervisors of the town of Torrey has been as follows: 1852, Charles J. TOWNSEND; 1853, Heman CHAPMAN; 1854 & 1855, Luther SISSON; 1856-57, Levi SPEELMAN; 1858, George W. GARDNER; 1859, Charles J. TOWNSEND; 1860, Harvey W. NORMAN; 1861, Jacob VAN DEVENTER; 1869-70, Darius BAKER; 1863, Dudley W. DOX (resigned); George W. GARDNER (appointed); 1864, George W. GARDNER; 1865 Harvey W. NORMAN; 1866, George W. GARDNER; 1867-68, Jacob VAN DEVENTER; 1869-70, Stephen D. GRAVES; 1871, Eben S. SMITH; 1872, James M. CLARK; 1873, Lewis D. DUNNING; 1874, James M. CLARK; 1875, Stephen D. GRAVES; 1876, Charles M. SPEELMAN; 1877, Horatio N. HAZEN; 1878, Charles M. SPEELMAN; 1879, Charles J. TOWNSEND; 1880, Eben S. SMITH; 1881, Charles M. SPEELMAN; 1882, Stephen D. GRAVES; 1833, Amos A. NORMAN; 1884, Charles H. GARDNER; 1885-87, John W. SMITH; 1888-89, Johnson J. DENNISTON; 1890-91, John W. SMITH 2^nd.

History & Directory of Yates County, Volume II, by Stafford C. Cleveland, published 1873

Chapter XIV     pg 1153 - 1170

kindly transcribed by Deborah Spencer, Dianne Thomas & Donna Judge

Youngest of the towns of Yates County, Torrey can yet boast that on its territory was begun the first settlement and the civilized history of the Genesee Country.  That memorable community, widely known as the Friend's Settlement, was largely included in what is now Torrey.  City Hill belongs to Torrey; and so do the original homes of nearly all that band of adherents who came into wilderness with the Universal Friend to found the New Jerusalem.  Though our latest geographical division it is our oldest historical ground.  

Torrey was taken in 1851 from Benton to Milo and its erection seriously marred the fair proportions of both the older towns.  The creation of the new town had its motive in a desire to increase the importance of Dresden as a social and municipal center, and thus to detach the people of the contiguous community in political and civil association from the larger bodies to which they had belonged.  A notice was published in the Dundee Record, Sept 24, 1851, setting forth that application would be made to the Board of Supervisors for the erection of a new town, signed as follows:

                                RESIDENTS OF BENTON

Josiah C. SWARTHOUT                                   Levi SPEELMAN

 Caleb J. LEGG                                                  Harvey W. NORMAN

William MITTOWER                                         Daniel KING

Martin MITTOWER                                           Samuel MITTOWER

John A. MC LEAN                                             John VAN DEVENTER

Russell BROWN                                                Peter VAN DEVENTER

                               RESIDENTS OF MILO

Charles J. TOWNSEND                                     Rufus E. TOWNSEND

Wright BROWN                                                Henry DUBOIS

Benjamin YOUNGS                                           Samuel B. BUCKLEY

Elijah SWARTHOUT                                        Washington BARNES

Adam CASTNER                                              Moses B. HEADLEY

George S. PROSSER                                        Asa RUSSELL

The Board of Supervisors of 1851 were constituted as follows:  Barrington - Daniel DISBROW; Benton - Edward R. BRIGGS; Italy - Nathaniel SQUIER; Jerusalem - Samuel BOTSFORD; Middlesex - John MATHER; Milo - James LAWRENCE; Potter - Henry TORREY; Starkey - James HUNTINGTON.  Abraham V. HARPENDING was Clerk of the Board.

A remonstrance was submitted by inhabitants of the district to be included in the new town.  On the 12th of November, 1851, George W. SIMMONS appeared before the Board with maps, papers and statements favoring the erection of the town, and Benedict W. FRANKLIN appeared in opposition.  On a vote being taken, by ballot, the proposition was voted down.  On the evening of the same day it was reconsidered, and a vote was taken by ayes and noes, with the following result: Ayes: BOTFORD, BRIGGS, DISBROW, MATHER, SQUIER & TORREY.  Noes: LAWRENCE. 

Supervisor TORREY had the honor of conferring his name on the new town, and that consideration is said to have carried the influence necessary to reverse the first vote of the Board and secure the passage of the resolution by which the town was organized.

The town thus erected contains 22 square miles, or a trifle more than 14,000 acres of land.  it extends from north to south,  seven and one half miles, and following the indentations of the shore, has a Lake line of 8 and a half miles bounding it on the east.   From Milo was taken a tract extending west front  the Lake on the Benton line about two and two third miles, three miles on the south boundary, three and one half miles from north to south and embracing with Long Point, about 10 square miles.  This includes lots 1,2,3,16,17,18,19,20 of the Potter Location or Friends' Tract, with about one third of lots 4 & 15 and two thirds of lot 21; also the largest section of the Little Gore, and more than two thirds of Lansing's Purchase, leaving to Milo the same length of Vredenburgh's Purchase, as strip three fourths of a mile wide, east of the Old Pre-emption Line.

On the Benton line and northward the town extends west one mile and a quarter, beyond the section taken from Milo, and includes one tier of lots west of the Old Pre-emption Line, yet owing to the trend of the Lake the Benton Section has a less average breadth east and west than that taken from Milo.  From township number 8 are taken lots, 14,16,18,20,22 and 24, also a diagonal section of lot 12, from the southwest corner of which the north line of the town runs in a northeasterly direction a distance of two miles, and thence directly east three fourths of a mile to the Lake.  The northeast corner of the town on the Lake is two and one half miles south of Kashong, and three fourths of a mile north of the northwest corner.  The average breadth of the town is hardly more than three miles.  The portion taken from Benton that lies east of the Old Pre-emption Line, was originally a part of the Ryckman or Reed and Ryckman Location.  IT lies chiefly between the Old nad New Pre-emption Lines and hence the titles of that portion are derived from Charles WILLIAMSON.  The New Preemption Line passes through the Public Square at Hopeton and strikes Seneca Lake about two miles north of that point.  No map of the Ryckman Location has ever come under the observation of the writer, and hence no information is given here concerning its original survey or the size and numbering of its lots.  

The surface of the town inclines to the Lake, and the altitude of the ridge directly west from Dresden reaches upwards of 350 feet above the Lake level.  The only important water course of the town is the Keuka Lake Outlet, which empties into Seneca Lake, one and three fourth miles north of the lower extremity of Lake Keuka six miles east and 270 feet below its level.  This stream is an excellent one for water power and its banks are the only rough and broken land in this town worth mentioning.  

The lowest group of rocks meeting the surface within this town is the Hamilton Shales which appear all along the Lake and up the outlet until the Tully Limestone is seen in the south bank at Hopeton.  The same rock formerly capped the Sugar Loaf mound at that point.  It is also seen in its best exposure at Croton Falls, at the Oil Mill Still farther up, and in Bruce's Gully.  Above this rock which is nowhere more than 14 feet think, is the well known Genesee Slate, which is the next formation below the Portage group.

As a farming district this town is probably as good as any territory of its size in western New York.  IT is a section that teems with abundance and has no poor farms.  The natural forest that covered this land was of the finest quality, consisting of oak, hickory, maple, black walnut, and other varieties of timber common to the richer lands of Western New York, with a very think and luxuriant undergrowth.  There was no illusion in the inviting appearance of the country to the pioneers who selected City Hill, as the center of the new commonwealth to be founded by the Friend and her adherents.  It was all it promised to those who chose the ground, and the Friend's settlement so early established in the deep recesses of the wilderness, soon became like another Egypt to all surrounding settlements and needy pioneers even as far distant as Bath, and often still father.  Charles WILLIAMSON often drew on this early granary of the Genesee Country for supplies at points where his enterprises were in progress, and held in high esteem the industrious Friends, whose thrifty labors extorted this bounty from the virgin soil.  It must not be inferred that the community thus favored were rich, for hardly any of their number could be counted wealthy, and many were quite straitened in their resources.  After one or two starving years they had abundance of grain; but grain could not often nor easily be converted into other necessaries and comforts almost as desirable as bread to civilized men and women.  Wheat almost uniformly bore a low price until the Erie Canal came to bestow on western New York all that it needed to make it the garden of the State - a market.  

The story has already been related how the Friends made their entrance on this beautiful territory, ambitious to found the terrestrial counterpart of the New Jerusalem; and how they soon wrecked their more sanguine hopes by internal dissentions, which greatly impaired the unity and strength of their work, and resulted in the removal of the Friend and may of the more devoted members of the society to another location.  How all this came to pass and why, has never been fully traced by the writer.  Perhaps it cannot now be fully  brought to light.  That some of the chief pillars of the society were rent from the structure soon after the settlement begun, is the most know.  Of the root and reason of the trouble no proper explanation has appeared to the mind of the writer.  No document has come to the light showing the exact nature of the compact, or common understanding which they formed and proposed to be guided by, before their exodus form their eastern homes, nor is tradition very clear on the subject.  There is no direct proof that the Friend or any of her disciples ever indulged any dream of community of property.  It does appear that all were to share in the division of the land, in such proportions as their several contributions to the purchase would entitle them.  It is said the agreement was not held to in good faith by the principal shareholders, and that this violation of the compact was the root of bitterness that distracted the Society.  It is rather probable that this breach of faith was based on some antecedent difficultly the origin and nature of which are not now understood.  

Whatever may be the truth of history on this question, it is quite clear that a common motive, and the greatest unity of sentiment prevailed in the society in its colonizing enterprise.  The rupture of this unity occurred very soon after their homes were clustered about the vicinity of City Hill.  The first two or three years witnessed the migration of nearly all the Friends that ever came to join the colony.  It is hardly to be doubted that more would have come, and that the society would have been a great power, had its union and its early zeal been preserved. 

They came with confidence in the mission of their leader and the future of their Society. One log house contained all who remained the first winter. The next year, 1789, there was a large accession to their numbers, and a cluster of log houses was erected a little eastward of the place where the Friend’s framed house was built in 1790. Other dwellings were scattered along on both sides of the road toward Norris’ Landing. Benjamin BROWN, Sr. had a residence about one fourth of a mile below the Friend’s house, where he lived, and died early in the present century. He was the ancestor of many noted descendants. Thomas HATHAWAY lived in a log house, still farther eastward, and somewhat east of the head of the little ravine below that passing the Friend’s house. The aristocratic POTTER family inhabited a log house a little south of Mr. HATHAWAY. Alice HAZARD had another log house near by. Abel BOTSFORD made his home a short distance northwest of the Friend’s home, Elnathan and Jonathan BOTSFORD directly west of City Hill, and within a circuit of two or three miles dwelt all the familiar names of that remarkable community. 

The law for the erection of Ontario County was enacted in 1789. It was declared to be expedient as “the county of Montgomery is so extensive as to be inconvenient to those who now are or may hereafter settle in that country.” Justices of the Court of Sessions were authorized to divide the county into districts as they should deem expedient. The first division constituted the District of Canandaigua, District of Tolland, District of Sodus, District of Seneca, and District of Jerusalem. It was in the latter District that the Friend’s Settlement belonged, and it was not till 1792 that it had any municipal organization. It was in that year that Thomas LEE was chosen Supervisor, and the first tax was collected. For a copy of the roll the writer is indebted to Adam CLARK, of Torrey, and it is here introduced.

Valuation of the real and personal Estate of the inhabitants of the District of Jerusalem, taken by us, the subscribers, May 25^th, 1792.

The roll was signed by Israel CHAPIN, James SPENCER, and Thomas LEE, “Supervisors of Ontario County.” James SPENCER whose name appears on the tax roll, was, with little doubt, the father of Truman and Elijah SPENCER. It would hardly seem that James SPENCER, the Supervisor, could have been the same, as he and Thomas LEE both lived in the District of Jerusalem. Yet there seems to have been no town meeting in Seneca till 1793, and it is possible that Mr. SPENCER may have served by appointment. 

The warrant was directed to “Thomas HATHAWAY, Jr., Collector of the District of Jerusalem.” He stated that it was with much difficulty he found all the tax payers, scattered in the woods, and most of them away from roads. The total sum of the tax was £44, 18s. 6d., New England currency. The Collector was directed to pay £20 to the Overseers of the Poor of the District of Jerusalem, and the residue to James D. FISH, County Treasurer. David WAGENER, Richard SMITH, Levi BENTON, Samuel TAYLOR, Benedict ROBINSON, Benjamin BROWN and Captain Daniel BROWN, appear as the seven largest real estate owners; and Abraham DAYTON, Sarah RICHARDS, (in trust for the Friend) Samuel TAYLOR, Daniel BROWN, Jr., Benjamin BROWN, Benedict ROBINSON and Levi BENTON, appear as the seven largest owners of personal property. Of these seventy two primitive tax payers it will be observed that all but sixteen belonged to the Friend’s Settlement, and were at first connected with the Friend’s Society. It is singular that the name of Thomas LEE who acted as Supervisor, does not appear on the roll of tax payers. 

Samuel TAYLOR is believed to have been a brother-in-law of Dr. Caleb BENTON, and is said to have resided near Kashong, in which vicinity some of his descendants are reported to be still living. 

The first road was opened in 1789, from Norris’ Landing to the mill built that year on the Garter, just west of the Old Preemption Line, and quite commonly designated the Friends’ Mill. This road passed by the Friend’s house, the log meeting house, and near the early residence of James PARKER. Norris’ Landing, which was about one mile south of Dresden, was for many years the gateway to the Friend’s Settlement. All goods and supplies were landed there from batteaux that brought the colonists and their effects to the new settlement. Benajah MALLORY is mentioned in Turner's History of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, as the first merchant in the Friend's Settlement, and the first in the Genesee country.  He married a daughter of Abraham DAYTON, and came to the Settlement in anticipation of that event.  He subsequently became a noted citizen of Niagara county.  Eliphalet NORRIS reached there in 1792, and the Landing took its name from him and retained it.  

One point of trade was at the Landing, another at the Mills where David WAGENER had a public home, on a moderate scale, in a short time.  As early as 1796 one COLLINS had a grocery near the mills, just out of the ravine on the north side.  Still earlier, a man by the name of NOYES kept a school in the same log house , Samuel CASTNER had a shoe shop, quite early, on the south side of the stream.  An apprentice of his was Asa INGRAHAM, son of Elisha INGRAHAM.  On the hill south, and east of the highway leading to Nichols' Corners, John HILL had a store.  This is where James LEE afterward lived.  Not far east of this, James PARKER lived on the north side of the road.  He had a gate with tall posts, and a cross piece high enough to pass under with a load of grain.  On the ridge father east and on the south side was a log tavern which was quite a resort for drinking.  It was there that James PARKER held his courts.  Oliver PARKER afterwards lived on that place.

Joseph LANDERS lived near the head of what has subsequently been called Bruce's Gully, and the ravine was known by his name several years.  He was succeeded on the same location by John BRUCE, a Scotchman, who married Fear, daughter of Nathaniel HATHAWAY and Susanna, his wife.  The ledges of the ravine were at an early day, a wonderful harbor for rattlesnakes.  It is related that Castle DAINS, on one spring day, as the snakes came forth to the sunshine, killed 70.  He was made desperately sick, not by the labor of killing so many of the ovidians at one time, but by the strange and peculiar odor emitted by them.

Jonathan DAINS Sr., started a tannery very early in the history of the Friend's Settlement, about 40 rods northwest of the log meeting house.  

Of the leading characters connected with the Friend's Colony, the principal one not already sketched is Benedict ROBINSON.  He was born at Jamestown, Rhode Island, Feb. 10, 1758 and was the posthumous and only child of Robert ROBINSON and Phebe CARR, his wife. His father also an only child, perished at sea, and likewise his grandfather, both being seafaring men.  In his youth he gained a moderate education and learned the art of surveying.  Becoming one of the earliest converts of the Friend, he was a devoted and enthusiastic disciple, and traveled in her retinue on many of her journeyings.  A journal in his handwriting is preserved by his descendants, in which he related the stopping places of the Friend and her attendants, the dates and places where she preached and the texts which were made the themes of her discourse.  Most of the more prominent members of the Society are thus mentioned, and one journey to Pennsylvania is traced in this journal.  Dr. HATMAKER states that he was informed by Benedict ROBINSON himself, that he was one of the three men who came as a committee by appointment of the Society in 1787 to select a location for their settlement.  It has been heretofore stated that the committee consisted of Abraham DAYTON, Richard SMITH and Thomas HATHAWAY.  It is most probable, therefore, that the name of Benedict ROBINSON should take the place of one of these.   That he was deeply engaged in all the operations by which the Society acquired land, is clear from his papers.  In conjunction with Thomas HATHAWAY he purchased township number six, in the 2nd rage of Helps and Gorham's purchase.  And that this purchase in its original purpose was for the aggrandizement of the Friend's Society, and made under the letter of Benedict ROBINSON printed on page 61 of this book, but many other facts that have come to light under the inquiries made for the materials of this work.  It has also been ascertained that the land purchase made in behalf of the Society, included much more than 14,000 acres on Seneca Lake, commonly known as the Gore and now recognized as the Potter Location.  Beside this there was not only the "Garter," but several lots and parts of lots in townships, 6, 7 and 8, of the first range, and 9 of the second range of the Phelps and Gorham's Purchase.  These lands were distributed by "draught" as it was called, and the following schedules show how they were classified.  The first relates to lands belonging in the "Lessee towns," now Barrington, Milo, Benton and Gorham; and the 2nd to the so called Gore, or Potter Location.  

"We the subscribers, being appointed by the associates of James PARKER, in the land business, to divide the lands which said PARKER agreed for in behalf of said associates with the Commissioners of the Land Office, called the Gore, and also the land said PARKER obtained of John LIVINGSTON for said associates, in which manner as they shall judge to be most just and equal, as appears by the votes of said associates.  Dated, Oct 27th, A.D. 1791 and June 11, A.D. 1793, do hereby mutually agree, as one, that the said land obtained of John LIVINGSTON, be and hereby is divided into 12 equal parts or classes as in the following manner, to wit: 

1st Class, the north half of lot No. 38, in town No. 9, in the 2nd range, exclusive of 5 acres at the west end.

2nd Class, the south half of lot No. 38, in town No. 9, in the 2nd range, exclusive of 5 acres at the west end.

3rd Class, the east 3/4 of lot No. 90, in town No. 8, and 30 acres from the north remaining 1/2 of said lot.

4th Class, the East 3/4 of said lot, No. 92, in town No. 8 and 39 acres from the south remaining 1/4 of said lot.

5th Class, lot No. 114 in town No. 8, and the east 1/2 part of lot No. 44, in town No. 6. 

6th Class, lot No. 116, in town No. 8, and the middle 1/3 part of lot No. 44, in town No. 6.

7th Class, the north half of lot No. 49, in town No. 9, in the 2nd range and the west 3-5 of lot No. 27, in town No. 6.

8th Class, the south half of lot No. 49, in town No. 9, in the 2nd range, and the east 2/5 of lot No. 27, in town No. 6.

9th Class, almost the remaining 1/5 part of the Garter, next to the mill seat, 126 1/2 acres, and the north half of the west 1/3 part of No. 44 in town No. 6.

10th Class, above the next, or 2d, remaining 1/5 part of the Garter, next the mill seat, 136 1/2 acres, and the west 1/3 part of No. 64 in town No. 6, and the 1/6 part, being the south half of the west 1/3 of No. 44, in town No. 6.

11th Class, the next, or 3rd, remaining 1/5 part of the Garter, next the mill seat, and the east 2/3 of No. 64, in town No. 6 and 20 acres at the southwest corner of No. 90, in town No. 8, and 5 acres from the west end of the north part of lot No. 38, in town No. 9.

12th Class, the next, or 4th, remaining 1/5 part of said garter, and 20 acres at the northwest corner of No. 92, in town No. 8 and 5 acres at the west end of the south half of No. 38, in town No. 9.

Witness our hands, the 1st day of August, A.D., 1793

William POTTER, Thomas HATHAWAY, James PARKER"

"We the subscribers, being appointed by the associates of James PARKER in land business, to divide the lands which said PARKER agreed for the behalf of said associates with the Commissioners of the Land Office, called the Gore, and also the land said PARKER obtained of John LIVINGSTON for said associates, in such a manner as they shall judge to be most just and equal, as appears by the votes of said associates, dated Oct. 27, A.D., 1791 and June ye 11th, A.D., 1793, do hereby agree, all as one, that the said Gore be and hereby is divided into 12 equal parts or classes, in the following manner, to wit:

The 1st Class, No. 1, nad 150 acres on the north part of No. 18.

The 2nd Class, No. 2, on the north half of No. 17.

The 3rd Class, No. 3, and the south half of No. 17.

The 4th Class, No. 4, and the south half of No. 14 and the south half of No. 22 and 60 acres lying parallel with the south line of the 150 acres appropriated at the north part of No. 18.

The 5th Class, No. 5 & No. 9.

The 6th Class, No. 6, exclusive of 40 acres at the northwest corner and No. 13 & No. 23.

The 7th Class, No. 7 and the north half of No. 8.

The 8th Class, No. 11 & No. 24 and 40 acres at the southwest corner of No. 6.

The 9th Class, No. 15 & No. 21, and the north half of No. 14 and the north half of  No. 22, and 60 acres laying south of the parallel the 60 acres appropriated in No. 18.  

The 10th Class, NO. 16 & No. 20 & No. 19, and 80 acres lying south and parallel with the 2nd 60 acres appointed in No. 18, and bounded exactly on the west line of a 170 acres lot in the southeast corner of said No. 18.

The 11th Class, No. 12, & No. 25 and about 43 acres being the remainder of the un-appropriated lands in No. 18, and lying parallel with the south line of said No. 18 and easterly on the west bounds of a 170 acre lot in the southeast corner of said No. 18.

The 12th Class, No. 10 & No. 26, and the south half of No. 8 and 170 acres lying at the southeast corner at the Lake, extending west along the line between No. 18 & No. 19, until the north line, running from said line to the Lake will cut off 170 acres at said southeast corner.

All the above mentioned lots are surveyed and numbered by Jabez FRENCH, Surveyor, and appears on a platt of the same, made by him. 

Witness our hands the 2nd day of August, A.D. 1793  Wm. POTTER, Thos. HATHAWAY, James PARKER."

The sums paid by each of the associates and in the several classes are noted n one of the  manuscripts memorandum books preserved with the papers of Benedict ROBINSON. The record of no draft, however, has come under the observation of the writer, nor any other authentic record to show how the final settlement was made.  It is indicated by concurrent traditions that many members of the society were aggrieved by the terms imposed, and it is certain that most of the poorer ones settled in Jerusalem.

In regard to the question whether the grand of land in Jerusalem to the Friend was an outright gratuity or a sale by Thomas HATHAWAY and Benedict ROBINSON, for a just consideration, the convent heretofore noticed is not alone in evidence.  In the suit relative to the Friend's title to her Jerusalem lands, Benedict ROBINSON testified in 1813, :That he does not know from whom Sarah RICHARDS obtained the money with which she purchased the land deeded to her by this deponent, in township No. 7, but has heard Jemima WILKINSON and Rachel MALIN say that the said Sarah RICHARDS obtained it from the said Jemima WILKINSON."

Benedict ROBINSON made his home on the Gore, about one mile southeast of the Friend's mill, where he had in his life time an estate of 800 acres.  By his property and his solidity of character, he was an important man in the new settlement and a citizen held in high consideration through life.

The Duke LINNCOURT, who visited Mr. ROBINSON in 1795, speaks of him as follows: "This Benedict ROBINSON is a mild, sensible and well behaved man, resides on an estate of 500 acres, 150 of which are improved.  Last year he sold 1,000 pounds of cheese at a shilling a pound.  He does not plough his land, but contents himself with breaking it up with a harrow." 

Among the disciples of the Friend who made their homes in that locality were Susannah and Temperance BROWN, sisters of Lucy BROWN and Daniel Brown Jr., of Jerusalem. Susannah and Temperance had their abode in a little log house, covered with bark, near the head of Bruce's Gully.  Susannah became housekeeper for Benedict ROBINSON and although both members of the Society of Public Universal Friends, they agreed upon matrimony and were united in wedlock by Charles WILLIAMSON, Sept 1, 1792.  Mr. WILLIAMSON had just been appointed a Judge of Ontario County. 

Though not among those who were the earlier alienated from the Friend, he too changed in his regard for her and became greatly embittered in his hostility.  He was even harsh and denunciatory and advised unseemly proceedings that savored much of vindictive feeling.  What justifying motive there was for this acrimony cannot now be stated.  Yet later in life, when admonished by advancing years, and infirmity, that this life was fleeting and unsubstantial, he sought again an interview with the Friend, and found satisfaction in her religious ministrations.  It appears that this reconciliation was permanent, and in after years he frequently attended the Friend's meeting in Jerusalem.  He was a large man of commanding mien, and rather austere manner.  He died Feb 18,1832 and his wife, who was born Sept 3, 1760 at Stonington, Connecticut, died June 10, 1837.  She was a woman of excellent traits of character and deserved well the high esteem in which she was universally held.  Their children were Phebe, Daniel Arnold, James Carr and Abigail.

Phebe, born in 1793, died unmarried in 1864, residing all her life on a portion of her father's original premises.  

Daniel A., born in 1795, was educated a physician, and was in early life a teacher.  He became a Quaker, and married in 1820, Isabella B. P. RICHARDSON, a Quaker lady.  They were married in the Quaker form and resided in Farmington, where he practiced his profession till the latter period of his life, when he moved to Union Springs, Cayuga County, nad died there in 1871.  In 1841 he was one of the members of Assembly from Ontario County, and was long a leading character in the community of his residence, a man of pure and upright life, and a good physician.  Their children were Benedict, Robert B., Susannah, Joseph R., Daniel A., William P. and James C.

James C., born in 1797, married in 1819, Susan STEWART and was for some years a farmer, and a somewhat conspicuous politician.  He was Postmaster at Penn Yan under the Fillmore administration.  He died in Milwaukee in 1856.  His wife survives.  Their children were Mary S., and George D.S.  Mary S., born in 1823, married Edwin H. GOODRICH and resides in Milwaukee.  Their children are Susan R., Anna B., James R. and Julius.  George D.S. died in 1838, aged 13 years.

Abigail, born 1802, married in 1824, John Hatmaker.   

Dr. John HATMAKER was born at Canajoharie, NY, July 18, 1793 and was a son of Henry HATMAKER and Barbara PRITCHER, his wife.  He studied medicine with Dr. David LITTLE of Otsego, and completed his studies with Dr. Delos WHITE of Cherry Valley.  He was licensed in 1821 by the Otsego County Medical Society and came the same year to Penn Yan and formed a partnership with Dr. Andrew F. OLIVER.  The same year he united with the Presbyterian church.  In 1824 he was married by Rev. Richard WILLIAMS to Abigail ROBINSON, and both are still living in 182.  After a short residence in Penn Yan he moved to his present residence, included in the old ROBINSON estate, a short distance east of Milo Center.  He has been an esteemed ... (book cuts off)

"Chronicle Express, Penn Yan, NY    Feb. 9, 1950"

Theft of Pates of Cleveland's Yates History Saved Them for Posterity

Some unknown person who helped themselves to 5 partially printed sections of Cleveland's Yates county history, "saved" the second volume for posterity, because all other copies were burned in a fire.  The location of these precious volumes is known and one of them is being preserved at Cornell university.

The interesting story back of the "saving" of this second volume is told in the November issue of the Cornell Alumni News, by Mrs. Edith M. FOX, who is the curator of Cornell's regional history collection.  Here is Mrs. Fox's account:

"In the locked press of the Cornell University library is a second volume of Stafford Canning Cleveland's History and Directory of Yates county.  One of two copies known to be in existence, this volume ends abruptly in the middle of a sentence on page 1168, has no title page and although printed and now bound has never been published.  Discovered by a Cornell alumnus and acquired by the curator of the Collection of Regional history in the summer of 1946, the volume has an interesting story.

The writing of New York county histories flourished during the last 3 decades of the 19th century.  A large number of these were commercial ventures produced by publishers who undertook the work on the subscription basis so that the mention of many a worthy citizen depended largely upon the willingness or ability of descendants to subscribe $5 or perhaps $25.  Others were written by amateur historians who usually lost money by their ventures.  Despite startling inaccuracies, this kind of history has tremendous value for research workers as well as pleasure for casual readers.

Author Edited Chronicle

Cleveland, the editor from 1852-1881 of the Yates County Chronicle, was a man of impressive appearance and was recognized for his remarkable perseverance and intelligence.  In 1869, Rodney L. ADAMS, a newspaper editor of Geneva, proposed that they produce jointly, a 450 page gazetteer of Yates county.  ADAMS soon withdrew and Cleveland commented that it was "rash if not foolish" for him to undertake the job alone, since "few persons have less time for other work than who has sole charge of a weekly country newspaper."  Nevertheless, he began his laborious task by consulting "traditions, the accessible records, the history so far as any has been written."  He was guided by a definite personal philosophy: "If", he said, "the proper study of mankind is man, it must include the sum total of all that aids to fashion his nature .... If we unfold this wonderful scroll of a human existence we shall find it an epitome of the universe."  After completing more than 1200 pages, he reluctantly concluded to publish 2 volumes.  Nor did he expect pecuniary reward but only a revere loss, which less effort at thoroughness would have avoided. "

First Volume was Unprofitable

The first volume was published in 1873 and "proved very unprofitable."  Cleveland received 372 bound copies: 1118 unbound copies remained in the possession of William J. MOSES, the publisher of the Auburn Bulletin and disappeared after his death.  Thus the first volume is comparatively rare.

Cleveland could not afford to finish the 2nd volume, but did have part of it printed.  His widow, Obedience, sought for the printed sheets and discovered 5 cases of them in a Penn Yan barn.  These she sent to Joel Munsell's Sons, publishers at Albany, who reported "that they could make nothing of value of the printed sheets after weeks of labor and that it seemed to them that they had been purposely mutilated to make them worthless.  "In despair, Mrs. Cleveland wrote, "I have agonized over the completion of my noble husband's life work for years, and have given it up because I have spent on it in vain, all the money I had to spare."

Fire Destroys Printed Portions

After Mrs. Cleveland's death, the late George Scott Sheppard -74, continued the research.  Joel Munsell's Sons wrote that the sheets turned over to them had been destroyed by a fire in their establishment, and that their efforts to obtain the original manuscript had failed.  

But while the sheets of the 2nd volume were in the Penn Yan barn and before their mutilation, an unknown person abstracted 5 copies, all lacking a title page and a final chapter which never had been printed.  One was sold in 1829 to the DAR library at Washington.  No one seems to know the fate of three other copies.  The 5th copy, came into possession of George S. SHEPPARD and was acquired by Cornell from his son.  

END

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