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SUPPLEMENT A It V LETTEB S

On the History of the Town down to the 4th of July, 1876,
with an Account of the Centennial Celebration,

BY NATHA.N BOUTON

IiEYDEN, NEW YORK :
A. M. FORD, FINE HOOK AND JOB PU1NTEK.
1878.

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1933

FESTAL GATHERING

¦ OF THE ¦

Early Settlers!

¦ AND ¦

PRESENT INHABITANTS
Of the Town of Virgil, Cortland
County, N. Y.,

HELD AT VIEGIL VILLAGE, ON THUESDAY, THE 2.5th
OF AUGUST, 1853,

Embracing a Historic Sketch of the Town, Supplemented
with a brief Historical Account of Events from
that time to 1878,

BY EATHM BOUTCW.

DRYDE1ST, NEW YORK :
A. M. Ford, Fine Book and Joe Printer.
1878.

COMMITTEES.

— »»;oo 
Committee of Arrangements :
NATHAN BOUTON, JOHN W. MOESE,
EUFUS EDWARDS, JOEL HANCOCK,
MAETIN LUCE, THOMAS MOTT,
ALONZO SNIDEE, EDWIN P. SLAFTEE,
HOEACE BEONSON.
Committee of Invitation :
FEEDEEICK HYDE, E. (). EEYNOLDS,
NATHAN BOUTON.
( 'oneni ittev on Music :
E. P. SLAFTEE, HAEVEY M. SHEEEAE.
Committee on Dinner :
HOEACE BEONSON, S. M. EOE, ALONZO SNIDEE.

President :
SYLVESTER M. EOE.
Vt 'ee-1 'reside /Us:
EUFUS EDWAEDS, JOEL HANCOCK,
HORACE BEONSON, JOHN W. MOESE.

AT the suggestion of some of the former ^inhabitants of the
Town of Virgil, who had simultaneously proposed visiting
the place of their nativity, it was deemed appropriate to extend a
general invitation to such as had formerly been -residents of the
Town, to unite with the present inhabitants, in such exercises as
would be suitable to the occasion promising so much of interest and
gratification. The invitations thus extended were responded to cor
dially, and at the time designated, a large number of people came
together, including representatives from many of the oldest and
most respected families of the Town, whose course in life has led
them to remote parts of our land.
In accordance with the arrangements of the Committee, when the
guests had arrived on the morning of the 25th of August, they were
escorted to the Presbyterian Church, where they were respectively
introduced to the people, by the President, Dea. S. M. Eoe. R. O.
Reynolds, Esq., in behalf of the people of the Town, then arose and
welcomed the guests as follows :*
Friends and Guests: — We are assembled here, after a separation
of some years, to renew acquaintance, to brighten the golden chain
of friendship, by genial interchange of hearts, of giving and receiv
ing mutual pleasure. Many of you have been absent from us long
and weary years. Some of you, ere you left us, had left the valley
of youth and had begun the rough and rugged road that winds up
the hill of active life. Then how much did the future seem to prom
ise. Alas how little has been accomplished! The experiences of
*It has been thought that, inasmuch as the scene cannot be reproduced, and
that a book of moderate dimensions would be more likely to bo road than a large
one,, it would be best to abridge some of the addresses contained in the previous
publication and merely present some of the outlines.

FESTAL GATHERING. 5
life are that disappointment is the common lot of all men. With
this view of the case how soothing the thought that we may return
to the scenes of childhood and mingle our sympathies with former
friends of like experience. Of friendships broken, of faith betrayed,
of wrong inflicted and hearts crushed in the miserable conflict for the
honors and distinctions of this life, and even for avaracious, miserly
gain, we never heard or deemed tliem but as a horrid and distorted
romance of flends instead of men.
He continued in this strain, expressing the utmost cordiality and
courtesy, for nearly a half hour to the great satisfaction of those
addressed, who wfere welcomed in the most hearty manner to the
festivities of the day.
Dr. F. Hyde responded in a few remarks, and introduced to the
audience M. Frank, Esq., who said:
He did not come expecting to make an address and was not pre
pared to do so. He had written to an individual in the county,
when apprised of this meeting, that no public address must be ex
pected from him. He would, however, make a few remarks. When
he came in sight of the place, the scenes of his early years came up
before him, and he felt himself young again. But when he came
and looked upon the people assembled, he was reminded of his mor
tality — time had made its impress upon many a once familiar coun
tenance. He recognized a portion of the assemblage, but they were
mostly of a new generation, who had risen up to take the place of
their fathers. He had been absent from the county many years;
had resided in the west fourteen years. He said he had become
westernized ; he was, in fact, a western man — his feelings, sympathies
and interests were identified with the west. The west was, however,
not that far off country it once was ; the facilities of travel and com
munication had brought it to the very doors of the east. Manners,
habits and tastes which once characterized the west from the east,
now scarcely had any distinguished traits, but were fast assimulating
to one great uniformity. But power was tending westward — soon
the destinies of the nation would be controlled by the population
west of the Alleghany mountains. All good men in the west felt
that the future welfare of the republic depended not upon political
platforms, or the measures of political men. The moral and intel
lectual elevation of the people, especially of the rising generation,

6 FESTAL GATHERING.
was regarded as the only safe and sure guarantee to the perpetuation
of our free institutions.
This meeting, he said, would be cherished in memory, as one of
the most important events of his life. The recollections of the past
and the scenes of the present awaken sensations and inspire emotions
that can never be effaced from the mind. The past and the present,
they pass in review before us, with a strange and yet indescribable
interest. Voices once familiar here are now hushed in that myste
rious silence to which all the living haste ; friends we once loved to
greet have passed from our sight forever. Those who seemingly
but yesterday were young, appear to have been strangely hurried
along the pathway of age. The responsibilities of manhood and
active life, have, in part, passed to another generation. The destiny
of the future of this Town is committed to the men now here upon
the stage of action — that future will be elevated and glorious, in
proportion as the moral and educational interests of the people are
cared and provided for.
In behalf of the visitors from abroad, Mr. F. said he could not
command language adequate to express a sense of obligation for the
generous welcome and hospitality which had been extended. The
expressions of kindness and friendship were overpowering, and he
dare not trust himself with what the impulse of feeling might lead
him to say. He concluded by thanking the assembly for its indul
gence for the manifestations of kind regard.
At the conclusion of Mr. Frank's remarks the choir sano- the
following ode:
HOME AGAIN.
WORDS BY MARSHALL S. PIKE.
Home again — home again —
From a foreign shore.
And, oh, it fills my soul with joy,
To meet my friends once more
Here T dropped the parting tear,
To cross the ocean's foam,
But now I'm once again with those
"Who kindly greet me home;
Home again — home again —
From a foreign shore,
And, oh, it fills my soul with joy,
To meet my friends once more.

FESTAL GATHERING. %
Happy hearts — happy hearts,
With mine have laughed in glee ;
But, oh! the friends I loved in youth,.
Seem happier to me j
And if my guide should be the fate,
Which bids me longer roam,
But death alone can break the tie
That binds my heart to home.
Home again, &c.
Music sweet — music soft —
Lingers round the place,
And, oh! I feel the childhood charm,
That time cannot efface.
Then give me but my homestead roof,
I'll ask no palace dome;
For I can live a happy life.
With these I love at home.
Home again, &c
Rev. Mr. Ercanbrack then offered a fervent and appropriate
prayer, when the choir sang the following :
LAND OF OUR FATHERS.
Land of our fathers, wheresoever we roam,
Land of our birth, to us thou still art'honie ;
Peace and prosperity on thy sons attend,
Down to posterity, their influence descend.
All then inviting hearts and voices joining,
Sing we in harmony, our native land,
Our native land — our native land — our native land.
Though our climes may brighter hopes fulfill,
Land of our birth, we ever love thee still.
Heaven shield our happy homes, from each hostile hand ;
Freedom and plenty, ever crown our native land.
All then, &c.
The president then introduced to the audience, Dea. Nathan
Bouton, who gave the following incidents of the
§avl§ |fff loftf cf fty §€wfrm of %if§lL
Fellow Citizens: — The duty .assigned me by the committee, on
this occasion, is one involving much labor and responsibility. The

8 FESTAL GATHERING.
collection of the facts and statistics to be embraced in the brief out
line of the history of this Town, which I propose to give, has been
attended, not only with considerable labor, but much obscurity has
rested on some important points, owing to the fact that most of the
early settlers have gone " the way of all the earth. " By diligent
inquiry, however, I have been able to arrive at a good degree of
certainty, respecting all the particulars set forth in these remarks,
and the hearer may rely upon them as substantially true. I have
availed myself of the various sources of information within my
reach, and am especially indebted for the introduction to " Hotch-
kiss' History of Western New York. " I am to deal with primi
tive times, and if the language used should not be as elegant or
modern as that of some of the speakers on this occasion, I hope the
effort may be acceptable.
Previous to 1789, the county of Montgomery embraced all the
western part of the State. In that year the county of Ontario was
set off, comprehending that part of the State west of what was called
the " preemption line. " In 1791, the counties of Herkimer and Tioga
were set off from Montgomery. The county of Onondaga, includ
ing the whole Military Tract, was set off from Herkimer in 1794.
From Onondaga, Cayuga was detached in 1799, and Cortland in
1808. The Military Tract was so called, from the fact that it
was set apart for the payment of military bounties to the soldiers of
the State who had served in the army for a certain period during
the war of the Revolution. This tract embraces the present counties
of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Cortland, the greater part of
Tompkins, with small parts of Oswego and Wayne.
The Indian title being at length extinguished, an act was passed
by the Legislature of the State, February 28, 1789, for surveying
the land and appropriating it to the use of the soldiers. The Tract
was surveyed into twenty-eight townships, each containing one hun
dred lots of a square mile each. Every soldier and non-commis
sioned officer of the State troops had one lot assigned him. The
officers received larger portions in proportion to rank. Many of the
soldiers, by reason of the long period which elapsed previous to the
issuing of the patents and the many uncertainties connected with
the subject, had sold their rights for a mere pittance, some, it is said,
as low as eight dollars, so that they derived very little benefit from

FESTAL GATHERING. \)
the arrangement, and the way opened for much speculation and ul
timately much litigation to settle titles. Many, however, lived to
settle- upon their lots, and thus secured to themselves a competence in
old age, with an inheritance to descend after them to their children.
The patents were issued in 1790, and preparations were soon made
by those interested, to effect settlements on their lands.
The Township of Virgil is in the county of Cortland, and is one
of the southern .towns on the Military Tract. The whole of this
Town does not belong to the Military Tract, as the tract called the
" Massachusetts Ten Townships, " comprehends about one and one-
half mile in width across the south side, leaving, however, the Town
nearly ten miles square. It is situated on the height of land be- "
tween the St. Lawrence and Susquehanna rivers. The waters part
here in less than a mile from where we are now assembled, and
mingle with those of the broad Atlantic through the Gulf of St.
Lawrence and Chesapeake Bay. The surface is variegated with hills
and valleys, watered by numerous springs and smaller streams of
water. The timber is rather heavy, consisting of maple, beech, elm,
basswood, pine, hemlock and cherry. Some of the hills- have .con
siderable chestnut and oak, and interspersed through the whole is
some white ash and birch. Tbe soil is rather uniform — a medium
between the best and poorest — and better adapted to grazing than
tillage. The water is good, and most parts are remarkably well sup
plied for common purposes; but there are no large permanent
streams adapted to the propelling of mills and machinery. The
Tioughnioga runs through the northeast part of the Town, remote
from the principal part of the population, and is not adapted to the
objects to which allusion has been made. To facilitate the settle
ment of this section of the country, a- road was projected, connecting
Oxford with the Cayuga Lake, to pass through this Town. Joseph
Chaplin, the first inhabitant, was entrusted with this work. The
instrument by which he was authorized to engage in it was authen
ticated on the 5th of May, 1792. He spent that season in exploring
and surveying the route, the length of which is about sixty miles.
He came to lot No. 50, which he owned, and afterwards settled,
erected a house and prosecuted his work, having a woman to keep
the house and cook for workmen. The work of cutting and clearing
the road was done in 1793-4 ; so that lie moved his family from

10 FESTAL GATHERING.
Oxford over it in the winter 1794-5, employing six or seven sleighs
freighted with family, furniture, provisions, &c.
In 1794, John M. Frank, who had a patent for lot No. 43, came to
ascertain its location and condition. He came along lines of lots by
marked trees, taking the present south line of the Town, upon which
his lot was bounded, made his discoveries and returned. The next
year he came, made a beginning in the forest, erected a house, re
turned to his family and made preparations to move on. He came
from Montgomery to Cooperstown, then down the Susquehanna to
Chenango Point, thence up the Chenango and Tioughnioga rivers to
Chaplin's, thence on the State road to a point near where the village
now is, thence southerly, passing near where Murdock's Tannery
stands, and so on over the hill to near where Mr. Hotchkiss now
lives, and then to the building he had erected. They arrived in
November, 1795, after a journey of six weeks. And from that time
till spring saw none but their own family. The man whom he had
employed to move them in brought the family, and Mr. Frank came
out on foot and drove seven head of cattle and six sheep. The sheep
went away a little from the house a few days after their arrival, got
out of sight and were never heard of after, and it was supposed that
the wolves took them. The cattle were wintered on browse, and all
lived except one yearling. Samuel Marvin, who moved the family,
agreed further, that he would clear two acres and furnish the family
with provisions for one year for three handred acres off the east side
of the lot, which agreements were mutually fulfilled. It is well to
understand, that, though the patents were for the whole square mile,
yet the State reserved to itself the right to retain one hundred acres
in the southeast corner of each lot, and give an equal amount in
Ohio, unless the person to receive the patent should give notice of
his wish to have his land together, also charged the patentee eight
dollar's for surveying, and, in default of payment, reserved fifty acres
in one corner, called the " Survey of fifty acres. " Mr. Frank gave
notice and saved the one hundred acres, but could not raise the eisht
dollars to save the fifty, though he offered a cow for the money, and
also proposed to mortgage the whole lot in security ; consequently
the fifty acres were alienated, constituting part of the farm now
owned by D. L. Bronson.
The next inhabitant was John Gee, also a soldier of the Revolution.

FESTAL GATHERING. H
He drew lot No. 21, bounded west by the town of Dryden, on which
some of his descendants now live. He came in 1795, and two others
with him, bringing their provisions with them on foot from Chenango
Point, guided by marked trees. They cut down the trees on a little
spot, and built such a house as three men could, with only an axe,
without a board, a nail or a pane of glass, and returned. He moved
his family the next year from Wyoming, arriving on the 17th of
June. The family consisted of his father and mother, his wife and
six children, to live in a building about sixteen feet by twelve. And
it may perhaps as well be said here as anywhere, that all the struct
ures for inhabitants were made rude. Generally they were small,
built up of logs, with a floor of plank split from basswood logs, door
of the same, hung with wooden hinges, and the roof of bark peeled
from elm or basswood, without chimney or glass window. This was
the case with nearly all constructed previous to 1801, when the first
Saw Mill was built. And I may also proceed to say in this place,
that the farming utensils, household furniture, and all such necessa
ries and conveniences of life, were rude and clumsy. The bedsteads
were not French, but American, consisting of four posts of round
timber, with holes bored to receive the end and side rails, and bark
drawn across instead of cords. The young children, of which the
number was considerable in proportion to the population, were soothed
to rest in sap-troughs and hollow logs for cradles. It was the lot of
your speaker to enjoy the latter, vibrating on the plank floor before
described. Trenchers or wooden plates were, in many instances
used instead of earthen, &c. Other points of correspondence might
be traced, but we will leave that to the imagination of our hearers.
With Mr. Gee the neighbors were: J. Chaplin, at the river, about
twelve miles by the road, J. M. Frank, four miles without road, and
Ebenezer Brown, twelve miles- west in Milton, now Lansing. The
nearest grist mill was at Chenango Point, now Binghamton, and no
store even there. His flour was brought up in a canoe to Chaplin's,
and generally from there on foot. In 1798, Ludlow's mill was built
at Ludlowville, which was a convenience to him and the very few
others who had then settled in Town. It would not; however, " quit
cost, " or as we have it, " would not pay " to carry corn that distance
to be ground, so they would burn a hollow place in the top of a stump
and pound it in that with a pestle hung to a spring sweep.

12 FESTAL GATHERING.
in the Spring of 1797, John E. Roe came on from Ulster county,
and made a beginning on his lot, the same occupied till recently by
himself and family, boarding with Mr. Frank. He cleared a spot,
put up the body of a log house, split plank and laid a floor, peeled
bark for a roof and agreed with a man in Homer to put it oh. He
also cut and cured some of the wild grass growing in the swamp, for
hay, and returned. Preparations were then made for moving on,
which was done in the winter following. He and his wife came in
a sleigh with a young cow following them. When they came to the
river opposite Mr. Chaplin's they found the water high and the ca
noe that had been used in crossing, carried away. Mr.. Chaplin's
hog trough was procured and Mrs. Roe was safely carried over in it.
She then stood upon the bank to await the crossing of what remained.
The horses being urged in, swam across with the sleigh, the cow fol
lowed, and came near being carried away by the current, but after
a hard struggle made the shore in safety. They put up for the night,
the horses being fastened to the sleigh, as no accommodations could
be procured; and they ate out the bottoms" of the chairs, to allay
the keen demands of appetite. The snow was two feet, with no
track, and the whole day was consumed in coming from the river to
their new home. When they arrived they were surprised to find
their house without covering, consequently the snow as deep in it as
out of it. Persons of less perseverance would have been disheart
ened. But no time was to be lost. The snow was cleared away from
a portion of the floor, a fire built against the logs, some blankets
drawn across the beams for a covering, the horses tied in one corner
with some of the coarse hay lief ore them, and thus their first and
several successive nights- were passed.
Thus in February, 1798, we find four families in the Town, sep
arated by long distances from each other, almost without roads, suf
fering in many respects for the necessaries of life, exposed in their
property and persons to the ravages of wild beasts, and far from
sympathizing friends. But the dark, howling wilderness must be
changed to fruitful fields, and these were the pioneers to lead on in
this great work. Wild beasts were very numerous, especially deer.
Mr. Roe has sat in his house and seen twenty-five pass in a drove,
and Jonathan Gee has seen from six to eight browsing with the cat
tle at once. Tliere were also many wolves and bears, and Mr. Roe

FESTAL GATHERING: 13
and Capt. Knapp caught and killed fifteen wolves in one year; and
during the time when they were prevalent, Mr. Roe lost by them
fifteen head of cattle and a large number of sheep. Their ravages
were general, and subjected the inhabitants to the necessity of fold
ing their sheep, every night for about fifteen years. For a series of
years the settlers suffered great hardships and privations, but they
gradually diminished, so that in 18.09 or '10 most of the necessaries
of life were accessible to the mass of the people. Though I shall notice
the progress of the settlements, I shall not be so minute in reference
to particular families. To this number there was added in 1798,
James Wright where Thomas Stanbro now lives, James Knapp
where M. B. Mynard lives, James Glenny and John Glenny, near
the residences of H. P. Jones and Thomas Hammond, Joseph Bailey
where William Givens lives, and Wait Ball where J. C. Hutchings
lives. In February, 1799, Enos Bouton settled where he remained
while he lived; Dana Miles and others not now known, came in,, so
that in the year twenty-three men were taxed with highway labor.
In 1800, we find James Sherwood, who settled on the ridge east
from A. J. Brown's residence, James Wright, who settled near where
Mrs. Byram lives, John Calvert, near, where N. Chamberlain owns,
Seth Larabee, near where Abram Oak lives, John Ellis where L. V.
Terpenning lives, Moses Rice where Cephas Gleason lives, Abial
Brown where Abijah Haight lives, Moses Stevens where Barnabas
Tyler lives, Jason Crawford,, on the river, and Primus Gaunt (colored)
in that part now embraced in Lapeer. In 1801, Daniel Edwards
settled where William Glenny lives, Nathaniel Bouton on the farm
occupied by him during his life, and now by his son, Prince Freeman
where Samuel N. Rounds lives, and James Clark and son where
Joseph Colwell lives. In 1802, Jonathan Edwards settled where he
lived the most of the rest of his life, Samuel Carson, near where
Joseph Bouton lives, Alexander Hunter took the place of Joseph
Bailey, George Wigant in a house near where J. Hancock's garden
is, Abner and Ezra Bruce near the residence of L. V. Terpenning,
and William Lincoln, a single man, came and has remained ever
since, and is with us to-day. Peter Gray settled the same year on
lot No. 70, (now Lapeer) -and Robert K. Wheeler and Thomas
Kingsbury in 1802 or '3 ; both in the same part. In 1803, Moses
Olmstead settled where Josephus Gee lives, and, Peter. Powers and

14 FESTAL GATHERING.
John I. Gee settled also, in the west part, and Andrew Van Buskirk
in the east part of the Town, and Dorastus Dewolf in the south
part, (now Harford) on the hill west from the preBent village of that
name. Seth Jennings and Timothy Robertson also settled in the
part now Lapeer, in 1803 or '4. In 1804, Silas Lincoln settled
where Salmon Curtis lives, and Alexander McNitt on lot No. 3,
taking the place of James Wright, Obadiah Glazier near where
Newman Barton lives; Lemuel Barnes, Peter Tanner and Thomas
Nichols also settled the same year in the part now Harford, and
Jeremiah Shevalier in the east part, near where his soil John now
lives. In 1805, Simeon Luce settled on the hill that bears his name ;
Isaac Barton on land owned by Isaac B. Raymond ; Jotham Glazier
where Frederick Benton resides ; Zophar Moore in this village ; Oli
ver Ball at the present residence of M. B. Mynard; Isaac Elwell
near where John Bouton lives. And at some time previous, of which
we have not the date, Comfort Bruce, Shubel S. Marsh and James
Roe came and took up their residence here. In 1806, John Hill
settled where he lived afterwards^ and where his family now live ;
John Green in the part now Harford; Zachariah Squires on lot No.
70, and Robert Smith bought the farm of Peter Gray, and lived
there in that year ; John Snider settled on the hill that bears his
name, June 10th, 1807. Time will not, however, admit of our pur
suing this course further. Inhabitants continued to come in from
different parts, till, at the present time, there is very little non-resi
dent land in the town. The early inhabitants did not settle on
prairie, where they could raise their provisions the first year, but the
heavy forest must be cleared away, which was a work of time, before
the laborer could be fed from the soil he cultivated ; and must wait
a year or two more before he had grass for his cows, and they must
run in the woods, and much time be spent in finding and bringing
them home. And frequently they could not be found, especially if
the search were commenced late, when they would have lain down
and the tinkling of the bell could no more be heard. The milk was
also of inferior quality, owing to the leeks and other weeds upon
which they fed. Money was very scarce through the country, and
particularly in the new parts where was little to be sold and much
to be bought. It would be impossible to express to the understand-

FESTAL GATHERING. 15
ing of this, or any audience of modern times, the difficulties experi
enced on this account.
It was almost impossible to collect enough in the year to pay the
taxes. This difficulty was very much owing, so far as the older parts
were concerned, to the Embargo which was then in force, restricting
commerce and causing a stagnation in all departments of business, and
though the newly settled parts had not much to sell, they felt severe
ly the effect of this state of things. We have seen the time when it
would have been as difficult to raise five dollars as now it would be
to raise as many hundred. Another difficulty existing in this Town
particularly, was that the land was not owned by the inhabitants,
but must be paid for from the products of the same to add to the
capital of rich men living at a distance.
Another embarrassment was one to which allusion was made in
the description of the natural features of the Town, viz. : the want
of sufficient water power to propel mills and machinery, thus taking
business away, and while other places were benefited, this Town was
the loser. There was, however, a commendable degree of enter
prise among the people, and the crops were, for a number of years,
abundant, compared with the area of ground cultivated, and the
people relished highly what they had. For example — we have the
Sweet Bough, Red Astrachan and Red Margaret, (exhibiting a speci
men of each) but neither of them tastes so delicious as some of those
inferior apples first produced by our orchards.
Their hardships were also very much ameliorated by common par
ticipation and mutual sympathy. Hospitality prevailed and mutual
dependence promoted harmony and fellow feeling.- They met, ex
changed accounts of their trials, often with much humor and pleas
antry, and cheered each other on. If a log cabin was to be raised
for some new comer they were all on the spot with strong arms and
a hearty good will.
But we must attend to several branches of history in order.
First — Civil Regulations or Government.
When first settled, Homer, Solon, Cincinnatus and Virgil were in
one town called Homer.
At the Town Meeting in 1797, it was resolved that the Township
of Virgil shall constitute one highway district.

16 FESTAL GATHERING. „
#In 1798, Virgil seems to have been represented, and James Knapp
was chosen Assessor, Commissioner of Highways and Overseer of
Highways, and returned eight names to.be taxed for highway work.
The poll tax was three days, and the number of days assessed was
fifty-eight and one-half. At the Town Meeting in 1799, held at the
house of Moses Hopkins, Virgil was honored with the office of Sup
ervisor in the person of James Knapp; Wait Ball was chosen As
sessor ; John E. Roe, Overseer of the Poor ; Wait Ball, Commis
sioner of. Highways, and Dana Miles, Overseer of Highways, and
returned twenty-three names to be,, taxed.
Thus thip Town continued with Homer through the year 1804,
always having its proper proportion of office and privilege.
The Township of Virgil having been set off from Homer into a
separate town, the inhabitants assembled in Town Meeting at the
house of James Knapp, on the 2d day of April, 1805, and proceeded
to choose John I. Gee, Moderator ; Gideon Messenger, Town Clerk ;
Moses Rice, Supervisor ; Abner Bruce, John Gee and Joseph Chap
lin, Assessors; John Glenny, George Wigant and John I. Gee,
Commissioners of Highways ; Jonathan Edwards and Peter Powers,
Poor Masters, and Shubel S. Marsh, Constable and Collector.
PATH MASTERS.
1 John Gee, 5 Comfort Bruce, 9 Peter Powers,
2 Isaac Elwell, 6 Alexander McNitt, 10 Joseph Chaplin,
3 Samuel Carson, 7 Obadiah Glazier, 11 Elias Thompson,
4 Jonathan Edwards, 8 James Wright, 12 Peter Gray,
13 Seth Jennings.
Moses Olmstead and Abial Brown, Fence Viewers.
Since the organization of the Town there have, been forty-nine Town
Meetings, at which the following persons have been elected Super
visors and Town Clerks, for the term specified respectively :
Moses Rice, Supervisor, 8 years, Ogden Gray, 2 years^
James Roe, 4 years, Enoch D. Branch, 1 year,
Gideon Messenger, 9 years, Moses Tyler, 1 year,
Joseph Reynolds, 9 years, John Green, 2 years,
Michael Frank, 2 years, Dudley Benton, 1 year,
Sanford Bouton, 3 years, Page Green, 1 year,
Josiah Hart, 1 year, M. B. Mynard, 1 year \
Timothy Green, 3 years, H. J . Messenger, now in office.

FESTAL GATHERING. 17
TOWN CLERKS.
Gideon Messenger, 2 years, William Woodard, 4 years,
Abner Bruce, 2 years, A. E. Heberd, 4 years,
Moses Rice, 2 years, John Chamberlain, 2 years,
James Roe, 1 year, Norman Chamberlain, 4 years,
James Chatterton, 12 years, Willard Chatterton, 3 years,
Alvan Ryan, 1 year, Wait Chamberlain, 1 year,
William Snider, 1 year, Samuel Slafter, 1 year,
Kinne Grow, 1 year, D. L. Bronson, 1 year,
Willard Chatterton, now in office.
James Glenny was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1802, and
held the office several years. Wait Ball was soon after appointed
to the same office, and continued in it for sixteen years in succession.
Moses Rice also held that office for several years, about the same
time. But our time will not admit of giving the names and terms of
service of all who have been Justices of the Peace in the Town.
Joseph Reynolds, Josiah Hart, James Chatterton, Nathan Heaton,
Piatt F. Grow and Timothy Green have been Members of the As
sembly of this State, and Joseph Reynolds has been Member of
Congress one term.
Second — The Religious Interests of the People.
Soon after the first settlements were made, the people were visited
by Missionaries who were faithful in looking to their spiritual wel
fare. Among these were Rev. Messrs. Williston, Phelps and Johnson,
Congregationalists, and Roots, Whipple and Cole, Baptists. ' There
were also Methodist ministers, who came in at an early day and
preached and otherwise labored to promote the spiritual good of the
people. The Universalists, also had occasional meetings, when they
were addressed by Rev. Archelaus Green, a resident of the Town.
The first religious meetings by the people were commenced in
1802. Prayers were offered by Prince Freeman, of this Town, and
James Wood, of Dryden. Singing wa's conducted by Moses Rice,
and sermons read by James Glenny. Since that time religious meet
ings have been held every Sabbath, except in case of some violent
storm or remarkable event. On the 28th of February, 1805, the
Congregational Church was formed with eight members, (one of
whom, Mrs. L. Edwards, is still living,) by Rev. Seth Williston.

18 FESTAL GATHERING.
Tlie church was without stated preaching, several years. They felt
severely their destitute condition, which will be seen by the following
vote passed December 3d, 1806: "That the church will see to the
satisfying of Rev. Dr. Darrow for two Sabbaths' service a year, at
five dollars a Sabbath, to attend on sacramental occasions, and also
to take the oversight of the church for the present. " The church
struggled on through various difficulties, with preaching part of the
time, meeting in various places where they could, after the " Centre
School House " was burnt, in 1818, till this house could be used for
that purpose. This house was put up in 1821, but it was two or
three years before it was enclosed and made comfortable, and the
present seats were not built till 1831. Its location, near the bury
ing ground, was found inconvenient, and removed to this place in
1834. About two hundred and seventy persons have been added to
the church, and it now embraces about seventy resident members.
The ministers who have preached statedly to the church, are Rev.
Messrs. Wallace, Hitchcock, Dunning, Robertson, Bliss, Chaffee,
Headley, Walcott, Thacher, Bronson and Bates. Among these
Messrs. Robertson, Chaffee and Thacher were pastors.
A Baptist Church was constituted in August, 1807. They held
meetings in private houses, etc., and had preaching from Elders
Bennett, of Homer, Powers and Robinson, and others of this place
till about 1826 or '27, when it was disbanded, and reorganized June
23d, 1830. In 1831, their present meeting house was built. The
ministers preaching steadily since its reorganization, have been Elders
Andrews, Robinson, Clark, Ainsworth, Cole, Jones, Lyon and DeWitt.
Present number of members, sixty-nine.
The Methodists held meetings frequently, and had preaching from
Rev. G. W. Densmore and others, previous to 1830. In that year
there was much interest among them, and many were added to their
number. In 1831, the chapel was built, and they have had as preach
ers since 1830, Rev. Messrs. Mason, Wood, Bronson, Harris, Meneir,
Worthing, Hamilton, Porter, McDowell, Fox, Wire, Mynard,
Hewitt, Torry and Ercanbrack. They have about seventy-two mem
bers. The Free Baptist Church in the west part of the Town was or
ganized in 1822, with six members. They held meetings in " Ball's
School House, " so called, till they built their present meeting house,

FESTAL GATHERING. ly
often called "The West Meeting House," in 1838. Its preachers
have been Elders Daniels, Hills, Darling, Gardner, Dodge, Moulton,
and others. The number of members at this time is eighty-three.
In about 1834, the Universalists formed a society, which increased
to about thirty members, and continued their organization and meet
ings several years. Among the preachers who labored statedly with
them, were Revs. Brown, Sanderson, Doolittle, Brown, Foster and
Bullard. In the .southwest part, now Harford, the first preaching was by
Rev. Seth Williston in 1804. Preaching by Methodist ministers in
1806 or '7.
The Baptists formed a church in that part about 1818, which has
been ministered to by Elders Robinson, Miller, Gibbs and others.
This church has always been small, though we are unable to give
its numbers.
The Methodists have had meetings and an organization in the
same locality, and have participated in the erection of the meeting
house, and have at times been prosperous.
The Christians were organized into a church about 1828, and have
held their meetings in the vicinity of South Harford. They have
had stated preaching by Elders Rouse, Gould, Dodge, Holiday,
Grimes, Wade, Burlingame, Wescott, Hitchcock and others. Num
ber of members we are unable to state.
The Congregational Church, of Harford, was organized September
28, 1831, with thirteen members; and in 1832, a house of worship
was built by that society, in connection with the Methodists and
Universalists. They have had stated preaching by Rev. Messrs.
Ripley, Gaylord, Baker and Lord; and in 1846, when the Town
was set off, had fifty-four members.
The Universalists formed a society in about 1831, which has num
bered as high as forty-three members. They aided in building the
house of worship above alluded to, and own a part of it. They have
had stated preaching from Rev. Messrs. Chase, Doolittle, Whiston,
Barry, Rounsville, Brown and others.
A church of Free or Open Communion Baptists, was formed in
the southeast part of the Town, in about 1820, by Elder Lake, em
bracing members also residing in Marathon and Lisle. Their preach
ers have been Elders Lake, Hart and Matthews. The number of

20 FESTAL GATHERING.
members rose at one time to nearly eighty. The Methodists had
frequent meetings near the centre of that quarter of the Town, and
have had at times, 'considerable religious interest among them. We
are not able, however, to state their numbers.
There is also a church of the Christian order in that part, holding
their meetings in the school house near Dann C. Squires'. They
have been ministered to by Elder Hitchcock and others, — we cannot
state their numbers.
There was also a church organized in the east part of the Town
in about 1830, of the Congregational order by Rev. Eleazar Luce.
It was ministered to by Rev. Messrs. Luce, Axtell, Chaffee and
others ; and in 1837, had thirty-one members. It has since been
dissolved. The Methodists have also long had a branch of their
church in East Virgil, and have had preaching a portion of the time.
In 1844, a house of worship was erected at the place called Gridley
Hollow, by the union of the several denominations residing in that
vicinity. The years 1813, '20, '30 and '31, were signalized as sea
sons of special religious interest, and many were added to the differ
ent churches.
The first infants baptized, were Betsey N. and Sylvester M. Roe,
by Rev. W. Mandeville, in the autumn of 1802. The first adult
was Mrs. Zeruiah, wife of Peter Powers, in 1803, by Elder Whipple.
In common with other locatities there have been societies with us
for the promotion of the various benevolent objects of the day, — such
as Bible, Missionary and Tract Societies. These have been success
ful in a good degree, in promoting the several objects for which they
were instituted, and it may be safely estimated that the Bible Society
bas been instrumental in keeping the families in Town supplied with
the Bible by means of funds received from its inhabitants.
Law.
And here we have to confess that there never has been resident
in Town a regalarly bred lawyer, but we have had those that have
been able to advocate the rights of the people before the courts in
Town, and some in other places. James Wright, a revolutionary
soldier, was the first who acted in this capacity, and since his time
there has been several who have engaged in that business ; and now
we have Messrs. Green and Grow, who are probably the ablest advo-

FESTAL GATHERING. 21
cates in that department that we have ever had.
Medical.
The first physician was Elijah Hartson. Since he left we had in
this part of the Town, Drs. Moore, Green, Worden, Woods and
Ryan, before 1820. Dr. Bronson came in 1820, and has been here
ever since, except the short time he was at Vernon. During that time
Dr. C. P. Weaver was here, and from 1841 to '48 we had Drs.
Wilson and Robinson. Now our three physicians are Drs. Bronson,
Fitch and Ball. The physicians in the part now Harford, have been
Fox, Owen, Terry, Houghteling, Davis, Shipman and others.
Education.
The inhabitants were early awake to the importance of education,
and were resolved that their children should have all the means in
their power to provide for its acquisition. Accordingly in 1799, the
few that were here came together and built a school house near
where the Thorn Tree now stands, easterly from the residence of J.
C. Hutchings. The first teacher was Charles Joyce, who taught
two or three weeks. Another named Hatch, continued a short time,
and left suddenly. Next Rebecca Ball, daughter of Wait Ball,
taught two summers. After her, Abigail, sister to Rebecca, was
employed one term. The first school near the village was taught
by Mrs. L. Edwards in her own house. Afterwards Moses Rice
taught in the Remington house in the winter of 1804-5. The first
school taught in the part now Harford, was by Betsey Curran in the
winter of 1806-7, in the house Abner Rounsville.
The Legislature had appropriated one lot in this Town to the sup
port of the gospel and schools, and when the school law took effect
in 1813, the rent was added to the funds derived from the State, and
has since been available for this purpose. In that year William
Powers, Oliver Ball and Gideon Messenger, School Commissioners,
divided the Town into seven school districts. The first grammar
school was taught in 1819 by Henry J. Hall, in the east part of the
double . log house of John I. Gee, located were T. L. Lincoln, Esq.,
now lives. This was the first effort of systematic instruction in that
science in the Town. It continued. four weeks with thirteen schol
ars. Their names were Beebe L. Ball, Stephen S. Powers, James
Ball, John M. Roe, John Harris, William L. Gee, Nathan Bouton,

22 FESTAL GATHERING.
Rufus and Harriet Edwards, Lemira Byram, Marietta Chaplin and
Sally and Lucy Messenger. Of this number eight are living by
latest accounts, and four are present.
From 1837 to 1845, a school called the "Literary Institute," was
taught one-half of each year by N. Bouton and William E. Gee,
which was in a good degree successful. It was afterwards continued
about two years by A. F. Frye. Other select schools have been
taught since at different times. There have also been such schools
in the part now Harford. One by Erving Taintor, and another by
a lady, some time afterwards. There was also a select school taught
by Jesse Storrs in the part now Lapeer, which continued several
terms. There was a great scarcity of reading matter in the early
settlement. Newspapers were scarce and dear; the usual price $2
per annum, with less than half the reading matter we now have, at
double the price. (The speaker here exhibited a copy of a county
paper published in 1829, with five columns on a page.) To remedy
tins defect, in part, the inhabitants set up a library called the " Vir
gil Library, " with thirty shares of one dollar each, and a very good
selection of books -was procured in about 1807. Another library
was established about 1814, with a capital of $200, called the " Vir
gil Union Library. " At present the necessity for such libraries is
superceded by their establishment in each school district. Books
and papers are also plenty and cheap.
The first Sabbath School was instituted in 1822, in connection
with the Congregational Church. Since that time Sabbath schools
have been conducted in the different churches and neighborhoods
with various degrees of success to the present time.
Allusion has been made to the kind of cradles in which some of us
were lulled to rest in our infancy, but it is not to be presumed that it
was always done without a lullaby. Probably none of us can remem
ber that used for ourselves, but the singing that made the first per
manent impression on the mind of the speaker, was the followino-
words : Where shall our country turn its eye ?
What help remains beneath the sky ?
Our friend, protector, strength and trust,
Lies low and mouldering in the dust.
This is a part of the lamentation of a bereaved people, at the
death of the Father of his Country. When individuals met who

FESTAL GATHERING. -y.i
could sing they frequently engaged in this' exercise, when the asso
ciations connected with it would lead their minds back to the place
of their nativity, and bring up affecting remembrances of precious
friends and scenes long past. .The first Singing School was taught
by Moses Rice, in the winter of 1805-6. Since that time this depart
ment of science and mental and moral improvement has received
much attention, and we, to-day, enjoy the rich privilege of listening
to delightful music in words eminently adapted to this thrilling oc
casion. The sacred music of this place is now in the care of Messrs.
Slafter, Adamy and Sheerar.
The department of roads now claims our attention. The first
road passing through the Town, was the " State Road. " A road
was slightly cut through from near this Village, in the direction of
the head of the lake, called the " Bridle Road. " The next was
one laid from the State Road, commencing near the present
dwelling house of William Bell, and taking a northeasterly direction
till it intersected the road from Port Watson to Solon, laid July 2d,
1798. The next from the State Road on'lot No. 24, southwesterly
to near where the ¦' West Meeting House " now is, and turned and
went over to John Gee's, and continued on to the State Road. Soon
after, a road was laid from the State Road, near the residence of
L. V. Terpenning, past where Hiram Lament lives, and came out
on the present road, near Thomas Stanbro's, and continued on to
Homer. In 1801, this road was altered and run nearly where it
now is, past Purvis', Morse's, etc. About the same time a road was
laid from where the Village now is, southerly over Owego Hill, and
the road leading from Mr. Frank's nearly as it now runs, intersect
ing the road leading to Gee's at the West Meeting House, was laid
soon afterwards. The road from Cortlandville to Virgil, where it
now is, was laid in 1806, and that over Luce Hill nearly at the same-
time. The State Road from Chaplin's this way was rather rugged,
and it early occurred to the inhabitants that much of the hill might
be saved hy a road that might be constructed from the State Road
near the residence of Daniel Price, passing down the stream to
Vanderburg's mill, continuing on past the saw mill of A. Van Bus-
kirk, intersecting the State Road near the house of Joseph Chaplin.
This road was laid in 1818, through to the grist mill. This road re
quired much labor and expense to make it passable, and must neces-

24

FESTAL GATHERING.

sarily be a work of time. It was, however, cut and worked through,
so that it was traveled in 1833, and remains a lasting monument to
the energy and perseverance of Reuben Gridley, who was princi
pally instrumental in its construction, though aided very much by
funds appropriated by the Town.
Previous to 1808 there was no Post Office in Town, and all intel
ligence was transmitted by means of distant offices, or sent by indi
viduals who might be going in the direction desired, which was at
tended with much delay and uncertainty. In that year a post office
was established, and Zophar Moore appointed Post Master, and the
mail was carried for some time by a man traveling on foot ; after
wards it was carried on horseback for several years. An office was
established in the southwest part of the Town, in 1825 or '26, first
named Worthington, afterwards changed to Harford, and Theodore
E. Hart was appointed Post Master. An office was also located in
the east part, called East Virgil, in 1845, and William Gray appoint
ed Post Master. Military.
Among the early settlers a large portion were soldiers of the
French and Revolutionary wars. Derosel Gee, Thomas Nichols
and John Smith were engaged in the French war, so called, of
1754-'63. The following are names of the Revolutionary soldiers
who have lived in the Town :
Joseph Bailey, Silas Lincoln Stephen Kelly,
John Gee, Jason Crawford, Oliver Hopkins,
Seth Larabee, David Robinson, William Parker,
John M. Frank, Altamont Donaldson, David Crowell,

Dana Miles,
James Knapp,
James Wright,
Nicholas Brown,
Robert Ryan.
John Smith,
James Sherwood,
Enoch Smith,
John Snider,
Thomas Russell,
Seth Bouton,
George Totman,
Elias Thomson,
Epaphras Shelden.

Abner Baker,
Isaac Tillotson,
Moses Stevens,
George Barlow,
Simeon Leroy,
Jeremiah Chase,
John Stanbro,
Cornelius Lament,

Robert Smith,
Nathan Smith,
Henry Turck,
Nathan Walker,
Timothy Robertson,
Samuel Sole,
Asa Parker,
Thomas Nichols,
Lemuel Barnes,

Elisha Brewer,
'Thomas Kingsbury, Joel Morten
Adam Kingman, John Green,
Moses Rice, Benjamin Glazier,
David Darling, Jonathan Skeel,

FESTAL GATHERING 25
Of these Jeremiah Chase, Simeon Leroy, George Totman, Joel
Morten, John Gee, Elishcr Brewer, Cornelius Lament, John Stanbro,
Enoch Smith, Thomas Kingsbury and Stephen Kelly, were living in
Town in 1840. Of this number John Gee is now the only survivor.
The scenes of the war through which they had recently passed
were fresh in their minds; and it is not strange that much of a mil
itary spirit should exist among the people. Consequently the call
for the performance of military duty was soon made, and the call
was responded to by five men, of whom Gideon Messenger was one,
going to Homer to train under Captain Moses Hopkins. Captain
Hopkins had previously held lower rank, but had exerted himself to
get up a company of forty -five, by enlisting old men and boys to
obviate the necessity of going to Marcellus to attend company drills.
Soon the soldiers in Virgil were permitted to train in Town, and the
first meeting for that purpose was held at the house of James Knapp,
where M. B. Mynard now lives, under the command of Captain
John Ellis, afterwards Judge Ellis, of Dryden. The Captains after
him were successively, Abial Brown, James Wright, Geo. Wigant
and Joseph Chaplin. The company was then divided, and William
Lincoln commanded the east company, and Enoch Allen the west.
This was the condition of the military interest at the commencement
of the war of 1812-'15. Levies of troops were made and the com
panies in this Town were called on for five or six men. In the west
company a sufficient number enlisted, — their names were John Rus
sell, Moses Woolfeen and Henry Green. The east company drafted
for three, and John E. Roe, Daniel Price and Ira Lincoln were
drawn. John E. Roe procured a substitute. Daniel Price went
and served three months, and Ira Lincoln was excused on account of
ill health. At another muster David Snider was drawn and went,
serving three months, , the usual time for militia. There have also
been living in the Town several others who were soldiers in that
war. Among these were Joel Hancock, Edmund H. Robinson,
Jacob Bronson, Barnabas Baker, Zachariah Low, John D. Barnes,
Thomas Foster, Ezekiel Miller, Reuben Gridley, John Fisher, Isaac
Ayers, Gurdin Hall, Daniel Short, Uriah Harvey, Joseph Miller,
Joseph Terwillegar and Edward Griswold. Tliere was a company
of aged men and invalids organized in 1813, after the example set
in the time of the Revolution. Of this company Simeon West was
Captain, John S. Squires, Lieutenant, and William Powers, Ensign.

26 FESTAL GATHERING.
» The Town was afterwards divided into four companies, out of
which there has also been for most of the time an independent com
pany. A company of riflemen was raised in about 1813, of which
Joseph Reynolds was the first Captain. This company was after
wards disbanded. A company of artillery was organized in 1828-
'29, of which Michael Frank was the first Captain. It continued
prosperous for several years, but was ultimately disbanded. After
wards a company of infantry was raised, and John W. Morse was
the first captain in uniform. This company was discontinued when
military duty ceased to be called for.
Mills, Machinery, etc.
The first Saw Mill was built by Daniel Edwards, in 1801, nearly
on the ground where Murdock's tannery is located. The first Grist
Mill was built near where Tyler's mill now is, by Peter Vanderlyn
and Nathaniel Knapp, in 1805. Hutchmg's grist mill, in the edge
of Dryden, was built in 1809 — mentioned because this Town was
much interested in it. Previous to the building of mills in Homer
and in this Town, several individuals practiced going to Ludlow's
and carrying their grist upon their backs. Among these were
Joseph Bailey and Enos Bouton. After a few years, and when
these mills were built, persons could go with a horse, get grinding
done and return the same day ; and the yellow horse of Mr. Luce
has been known to pace off the hill six times in a week, for the fam
ily and neighbors. About 1814 or '15, Abner Bruce built a grist
mill where the spring mill now is, owned by T. Green. It was burnt
down in 1820, and rebuilt in a year or two. In 1827 it was bought
by Josiah Byram, and occupied by him for carding and cloth dressing
till his death, in 1842. It has since been fitted up at considerable
expense, for a grist mill, and is doing a good business, and the own
er deserves credit for his enterprise and perseverance. A grist mill
was built in 1814, by Nathan Hcaton, in the south part of the Town,
now called South Harford. A grist mill was also built in the east
part in 1819, by a Mr. Vanderburg, which has done considerable
business. Harvy Jennings also built a grist mill in the southeast
part, near Orrin Day's, in 1833, which did some business till it was
burnt in 1842.
: The first wool carding by machinery was done by C. Baker, at his
mill, (now Tyler's) in about 1814. In 1819, Henry Burgess com-

FESTAL GATHERING. 27
menced wool carding and cloth dressing near the same place, taking
water from the same dam. His building was afterwards removed
to near the place now occupied for the same purpose, by H. P.
Jones. In 1827, Josiah Byram commenced the same business in
the building bought of Abner Bruce, as before mentioned.
Births, Marriages, Deaths, etc.
The first child born in Town, was John, a son of Joseph Chaplin,
who was drowned in the spring of 1798, aged two years. The first
who lived to mature age was John Frank, one of our guests, in au
tumn, 1797. Next to him was James Gee, in March, 1798 ; Betsey
N. Roe and B. F. Chaplin, in February, 1799, and Hiram Ball and
Hiram Bouton, in the same year.
The first marriage, as nearly as we can ascertain, was solemnized
between Ruluff Whitney, of Dryden, and Susan, daughter of John
Glenny, of this Town, as early as 1800. In the autumn of 1801,
Truman Terry was married to Rebecca, daughter of Wait Ball.
The first death was that of a stranger passing through, who under
took to go from Ebenezer Brown's, in Milton, (now Lansing,) to
Chaplin's, at the river. He became fatigued, lost his way, lay down
with his pack under his head and died. This was in April, 1798, and
only four or five persons could be got together. George Frank was
present at the scene, and is also with us here to-day. They placed
some timbers about him, for a protection from wild beasts, and left
him. One of their number went to Homer to make the case known
to Solomon Hubbard, Esq., and ask direction. His advice was, that,
as there was no Coroner nearer than Pompey, the few inhabitants
should get together and make such examination as they were able,
and proceed accordingly. The next day they assembled and had as
much of an examination as was practicable in the circumstances,
concerning the cause of his decease, and it was agreed as before
stated. They took some boards brought into Town by John E. Roe,
for the purpose of making a table, and fastening them together in
the form of a box, placed him in it and buried him in the grave
which they had dug, and now his bones lie mouldering somewhere
between this place and Timothy Green's, near the hill. His son
came subsequently, said his father's name was Charles Haffman, and
took some shoemaker's tools found with him at his death. The
first death of an adult resident was that of Mary, wife of Derosel

28 FESTAL GATHERING.
Gee and mother of John Gee, in March, 1802. Exercises at the
funeral were singing and prayer.
Previously to 1806, when the public burying ground was deeded
to the Town by George Wigant, persons were buried on the prem
ises where they died. The first grave-stone was erected to the mem
ory of James Roe, Esq., in about 1823.
Temperance, Anti-Slavery, etc.
The first distillery was erected in 1803 or '4, by James Wright.
Intemperance prevailed, as in other places, till in 1829, six distill
eries were in operation. The moral, and philanthropic in the com
munity became alarmed and inquired with solicitude what could be
done to stay its ravages. Temperance societies began to be formed
in different parts, and the inhabitants of this place, on consultation,
agreed to meet and form a Temperance Society. The Fourth of
July, 1829, was chosen as the time to organize such Society, and
Michael Frank, our guest, to give the address, at tire close of which
a society was formed with about twenty members. And here let us
pause and drop a tear in memory of our early, cordial friend and
associate, Beebe L. Ball, the first President of that society, and while
he lived, its firm, judicious and ardent supporter. In 1831, a society-
was instituted in that part now Harford ; and one on Luce Hill, and
another on Snider Hill, about the same time. The temperance cause
has been promoted since, by various means and with great labor and
expense, and much progress has been made, but much remains to be
clone before its triumph will be complete.
About the year 1832, several individuals became much aroused on
the subject of Slavery. Their number was small, — the subject
was one of great difficulty, but they read and diffused information
on the subject, and acted according to their convictions. The cause
progressed slowly, as every great reform must, till in 1844, the Lib
erty Party gave their candidate for the Presidency ninety-nine votes.
Since that time various changes have taken place in the aspects of
the cause, and great progress has been made.
Secular Employments.
Agriculture, the foundation of all, has engaged the attention of
most of the people. They have been employed in clearing away the
forest and cultivating the earth, which has generally yielded good

FESTAL GATHERING. 29
return. The implements used were those incident to the time. The
plows were of the common rude kind till the year 1817, when the
first cast iron plow was brought in and used by Esq. Ball. Some of
the first settlers, of whom John M. Frank was one, cleaned their
grain by throwing it across the barn floor with a small scoop shovel,
and afterwards shaking it up in a hand fan made of a hollow log,
when the refuse parts were brushed off with a quill. Afterwards a
willow fan and riddle were used. It was very important that the
grain should be- cleaned, as there were no means of taking out dust
at the mills, as there are now. Fanning mills soon came to be used;
the first, however, that is recollected was about the year 1809. Con
siderable grain of the several kinds has been raised, and for some
years past much attention has been given to the dairy, which in 1851,
brought in a return of $25,000. Some of the people in an early
dav directed their attention to the cultivation of fruit, especially ap
ples. Very soon after his first settlement, Joseph Chaplin < sowed
the seeds for a nnrsery of natural fruit, and Enos Bouton did the
same soon after, and most of the oldest orchards are from these
nurseries. The first nursery of grafted fruit was put out by Nathan
iel Bouton, about 1808, and Oliver Ball did the same soon after.
The first barrel of cider made in Town, was by Enos Bouton, in
1818 or '19. The apples were bruised by a pestle hung to a spring
sweep like that referred to in pounding corn. The pomace was
pressed by a lever placed under a log, passing over the cheese, with
a weight at the other end. It was sold for four dollars.
The first Merchant was Daniel Shelden, in about 1807 or '8.
Next was Samuel L. Shelden, and next after him, Gideon Messenger.
While he was in trade Joseph Reynolds set up a store in the village,
since which tliere have been two stores in the village most of the
time. William Snider, Hiram Bouton, G. V. Knapp, A. E. Heberd,
Rufus Edwards and others have engaged in this business; and now
we have the firm of Winslow & Slafter, and William Snider. The first
in the part now Harford was Theodore E. Hart, in June, 1824. In
the part called East Virgil, William Gray set up a store in 1834,
and most of the time since there have been- two stores in that vicini-
tv. The early merchants carried wheat and other artic-les to Albany
in wagons, and brought back such goods as the people could afford
to buy. Doubtless they sometimes took money with them, but the

30 FESTAL GATHERING.
,sums must have been small. The mercantile interest. has continually
increased to the present time, so that in 1851 it was estimated that
goods were sold at the stores in this Village to the amount of $30,000.
It will be understood that this is but a portion of the purchases of
the people in Town, as there are stores in other parts, and much
trading — too much for the good of the people- — is done out of Town.
Slight mention has been made of some of our exports. In addi
tion to these we may be permitted to add that of barley, oats, eggs,
and for many years past a large amount of oats has been carried to
Ithaca, Syracuse and other places. _ It was rumored in the autumn
of 1812 that oats could be exchanged at Ithaca for iron and other
necessaries, and after much preparation and in the presence of sev
eral neighbors who came to offer their congratulations, an ox team
set out for that place with a load, one Friday afternoon, and returned
late on Saturday evening. Since that time a large amount of the
article has been transported. This crop, however, profitable it may
be, is very exhausting to the soil, and we must abandon its cultivation
for export, and direct our attention to the cultivation of other pro
duce. It would be desirable to speak of the different mechanical depart
ments with their origin and progress, but as their beginnings were
very small, and in most instances involved in obscurity, and were
the result of stern necessity, it may be best not to make the attempt.
We will, however, state that the first frame building of much size,
was the large house now standing on the elevation in this Village,
owned by Shubel G. Ball, erected in 1804, by James Knapp, very
much astonishing the natives, and with other causes ruining the man
that built it. The first well of much depth was that near it, of more
than forty feet deep, dug about the same time, and in which Seth
Larabee, one of our citizens, came near losing his life, by its caving
in. The land surveying of the Town has been done by different indi
viduals, as Wait Ball and James Roe, who commenced almost with
its first settlement. Afterwards Daniel L. Allen and Hiram Ball
and very recently Abiather Briggs have done business in this line ;
and in this vicinity for the last thirty years most of it has been done
by the speaker.

FESTAL GATHERING. 31
Remarkable Events.
Several events have transpired that have caused great sensation
for a time, and made a lasting impression on many minds. The
first was that of a boy lost in the woods. In May, 1796, Daniel
Chaplin, son of Joseph Chaplin, and father of Mrs. Gleason, now
. present, aged about fourteen years, set out to drive a cow to Mr.
Frank, and took with him a few pounds of flour. The cow became
refractory and turned out of the road, and in endeavoring to get her
back he lost the road and wandered in the trackless wilderness. The
cow returned home, thus giving notice that he was lost. An alarm
was given and about fifty men assembed, which was a great number
for so sparse a population. He was gone four days and three nights
without food, and was found on the " Bridle Road, " in Dryden, by
Aaron and James Knapp, of Homer. They ascertained who he was,
and proceeded to help him home. He had the flour with him, but
the weather having been rainy, it had become mouldy and they
threw it away. He was very faint and weak, but being supported
on each side he could walk, and they arrived at his father's house
about midnight, where his mother had about thirty men in and about
the house, $md was preparing victuals for them to take in their search
on the morrow: Mr. Chaplin was absent at the time. We shall
not make the vain attempt to paint the scene, but leave it to ' our
hearers to imagine the feelings of that mother, and the sensation
caused by his arrival.
The next to be noticed was the great eclipse of the sun on the
16th of June, 1806, which, though not peculiar to this Town, made
a deep impression, and was an event from which many others have
been reckoned. Another event which produced general solemnity,
was that of a sweeping sickness,, which occurred in the winter and
spring of 1813. In a very few weeks four heads of families in that
thin population were removed by death. Their names were James
Roe, Esq., Jacob Chatterton, William Gee, and Lydia, wife of Ben
jamin Glazier.
During the present year a death has occurred in Harford, once
Virgil, of an individual which it would be well to notice in this con
nection. It was that of Henry Ballard, at the very advanced age
of one hundred and nine years. It remains to notice that the sea
son of 1816 was very unfruitful, generally denominated the cold

32 FESTAL GATHERING.
season, fellowed by great scarcity of provisions, etc. In 1821 there
whs much .suffering on acccount of scarcity of food for stock, and it-
was also a time of great pecuniary embarrassment. In 1836-'37
there was also a scant supply of provisions and a time of derange
ment in pecuniary matters, resulting from the insane speculations
immediately preceeding, in which many engaged with that reckless
ness characteristic of those in haste to be rich. It is unnecessary to
say that these last were events common to the whole country, and
affecting this Town only as a constituent part of the same.
Frequent allusion has been made to the division of the Town.
It 'had long been eyident to discriminating minds that this event
must take place at some time, but the different interests involved and
the condition of political parties delayed it till 1846. It was then
divided into three towns ; the north half constituted one and retained
the original name. The south half was formed into two ; the west
part receiving the name of Harford, and the east that of Lapeer.
Since that time a part of Virgil has been set to Cortlandville, and
another part consisting of lot No. 20, lias been attached to Freetown.
Thus Virgil, from being one-fourth part of one town in 1796, has
become the whole of three, and a part of two others. T*he popula
tion has increased from thirty in 1798, to 4541 in 1845, and 2410
in 1850, after the division. Stock taken on the Syracuse and Bing-
hamton railroad amounts to 111,100. Other statistics have been
given in their proper places.
It may be our duty, as it is certainly a pleasure, to advert briefly
to the names of numerous individuals who emigrated from this Town,
as well as to some who remain in it, as by their varied talent, intel
ligence and usefulness, doing honor to the place of their birth, or
where they spent their clnldhood and youth and received most of
their education. We rejoice to greet our guests at this " Festive
Gathering," as among the number to whom allusion has been made.
We have among them Colonel Frank, a native of this Town, who
has exerted a great and salutary influence in the State of his adoption.
Not a State when he emigrated thither, but a Territory where laws
were to be enacted, forms of government adopted and the foundations
of prosperity laid in the institutions to be founded and perpetuated in
that wide region that must eventnally bear great sway in our national
councils. He has done much to promote the cause of education and

FESTAL GATHERING. 33
to ameliorate the condition of the indigent. And being one of the
three individuals appointed to revise the statutes of the State, those
relating to common schools and support of the poor were particu
larly assigned to him, and bear strong evidence of his intelligence
and philanthropy. We have here Judge Reynolds, who, though
past the season of youth when he settled here, spent many years
with us, and during a large portion of the time sustained the repu
tation of a prompt, intelligent and impartial Justice of the Peace,
and was also Judge of the County Court.
We have also with us Drs. Hyde, Frank and Benton, who have
respectively arrived at a good degree of eminence in their profession
where they reside. Here are also John M. Roe, the successful
merchant; William Woodard, the ready accountant; William E.
Gee, the persevering and successful instructor of youth ; R. O. Rey
nolds, the talented and eloquent attorney, and Horace L. Green, a
young and promising practioner at law in Marathon. In addition
to this we may say that Dr. Bronson, yet a resident here, has prac
ticed his profession to general acceptance more than thirty years,
and has had six students of medicine, all of whom have been suc
cessful in practice where they have been located, viz. : William Hun
ter, in Jasper, Steuben county; James Ball, in Michigan; Marsena
Terry, in Savanna, Steuben county; J. W. Jones, at Horseheads,
Chemung county ; Frederick Hyde, in Cortland village, and John B.
Benton, in Spencer, Tioga county.' The two latter are among our
guests to whom reference has been made. To this list we may add
the names of Dr. Shevalier, of Truxton ; George Graham, of Jasper,
Steuben county, the intelligent and persevering advocate of educa
tion and temperance; Theodore E. Hart, the successful merchant
and banker, of Canandaigua, and many others. Honorable mention
should also be made of Carlo M. Woods, son of Dr. Woods, who
died when he was very young, leaving him a slender child to strug
gle with poverty and the various difficulties incident to his con
dition. He was a studious and successful scholar, learned the
trade of a printer, went to Illinois, set up a paper published in
Quincy, and has since been clerk of Adams county, and is now clerk
of the Supreme and District Courts of Quincy District. We may
be pardoned if we allude to the name of one, long a resident here,
now sleeping in the dust — Nathaniel Bouton, the projector of the

to

34 FESTAL GATHERING.
.New York and Erie railroad, who continued to advocate the same
till an influence was awakened that resulted in its construction and
completion. This Town has furnished, at least, two individual youth
who have attended through a course of instruction in the State Nor
mal School, and have prosecuted their studies with a degree of self
application and success, creditable to themselves and gratifying to
their friends. The persons to whom reference has been made are
A. P. Smith, present with us, and Sabrina Chamberlain, now in
Ohio. It is, however, a delicate matter to speak of persons in Town,
and to discriminate between those perhaps equally meritorious, and
as there has been as much presented as could reasonably be expected,
it only remains for me to take affectionate leave of the audience,
deeply grateful for the patient and kind attention given during the
long time occupied with this address.
At the close of Mr. Bouton's address, the choir sang the follow
ing:
FAREWELL; TO-NIGHT WE PART.
Our happy homes of childhood days,
We now remember well;
And memory often fondly strays,
To where it used to dwell.
Hurrah ! hurrah ! la, la, la, la, la, la ;
May music gladden every heart;
Hurrah ! hurrah ! la, la, la. la, la, la;
Farewell , farewell, to night we part.
Those joyous hours of childish life,
Were pleasanter by far,
Than scenes like these with pleasures rife,
Where friends and strangers are.
Hurrah, etc.
From friendly throngs in stranger land,
A few fond hearts we find;
Yet can they cheer thip little band,
Like homes we've left behind.
Hurrah, etc.

\$%jmMn § »

0««0C 

AFTER dinner the assembly repaired to the hall, when the Presi
dent of the day took the chair, supported by Vice-Presidents
J. W. Morse, Rufus Edwards, Horace Bronson and Joel Hancock.
The President then announced that the meeting was in order, and
called on Dr. Hyde to offer some remarks adapted to the occasion,
who arose and addressed the meeting as follows:
Mr. President and Gentlemen : — I regret that it is not my priv
ilege to claim, in common with my warm friends assembled around
me on this festive occasion, this portion of earth as the place of my
nativity. So large a portion of the events of my youth occurred in your
Town that it would he strange should I not share liberally with you
in the ebullition of warm-heartedness so characteristic of this signal
meeting. It has been my fortune to have mingled somewhat in pub
lic assemblages, but I am quite eertain that in all my life I never
witnessed such spontaneous out-gushings of happy feelings as flow
through this kindred gathering. It is here that heart beats to heart,
voice responds to voice, and even the big tears well profusely out
from their fountains as the friendly and long stranger-hand goes forth
unbidden to grasp with firm clench its kindred. I would, therefore,
that my words could give utterance to the feeling of my heart, and
proclaim with my friends here, that these beautiful arid majestic
old hills, which so grandly begirt the green plain on which we are
assembled, were mine, too, by birth.
There is a holy charm which hovers around one's birth-place which
cannot be resisted. Sir, while fraternizing so liberally with this joy
ous group, it produces in me a vivid renewal of all the sacred asso
ciations which cluster around my own dear native earth-spot. But
a little way over these eastern hills, and down the valley of the limpid

36 • FESTAL GATHERING.
gnd curling Tioughnioga to its junction with its more eastern and
quiet tributary — the Otselic — is the spot of all others the most prec
ious to me, the earliest home of my birth. I never near this hal
lowed place, but my heart throbs with emotions which compel me
to linger and look on this small but precious item of earthly heritage,
and the scenery around it, with increasing pleasure.
I will not trespass further upon the precious moments of this in
terview, as they are more properly yours than mine, but wall ask
permission, before I take my seat, to introduce the following letter
received from your former fellow-townsman, Dr. Marsena Terry.
Savanna, August 15th, 1853.
Dr. Hyde :
Dear Sir: — Your kind invitation to attend a " Jubilee " at Virgil,
on the 25th of August, inst., was duly received. I wish here to as
sure you of my hearty co-operation and approval of the sentiments,
and that nothing would be more consonant with my feelings than
the opportunity of meeting, and that, too, at Virgil, — within the im
mediate circle of my nativity, my old friends of that Town, whose
acquaintance I still cherish and hold in high esteem.
And while I desire to express to you my thanks for this courte
ous and friendly invitation, I am compelled to acknowledge a total
inability to fulfill my -ardent desires to be among you. May you
have a good time, a great time, and a time altogether.
Respectfully yours,
M. Terry.
1 now offer you the following sentiment, and take great pleasure
in calling upon our ardent friend, Dr. Bentonj for a speech, whose
warm heart I am quite sure is already restive to give utterance to
its emotions.
The prim/dive fathers and mothers of Virgil:
May their children never forget to bestow upon them the grateful
homage of filial hearts, and may they in return always have cause
to be proud of their progeny.
Dr. Benton then responded to the call as follows :
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I arise to respond to
the call of my distinguished friend, Dr. Hyde. The sentiment he
has just offered is one well worthy of him ; and had it been over
looked or forgotten, our meeting to-day would have been wanting in
one element of enjoyment, which, as much as any other, has made
this occasion sacred to us all.

FESTAL GATHERING. 37
I need not say that I arise to address you feeling much embar
rassed. I am almost a stranger in the arena of public speaking, and
there are so many once familiar faces of my boyhood, brought as
by magic before me, with all their stirring and animating recollec
tions, that I am aware the impressions made upon me by this meet
ing may be different from yours.
We who are your guests to-day are kneenly alive to the many
changes which have passed over our ancient homes and family circles,
and there are many tints of melancholy in the picture of the past
not so obvious to you.
Your hospitality, too, mingled with the recollection of sweets that
once clustered around the shrine of our homes, is such that language
is feeble to describe these emotions, and rhetoric but childish prattle.
I could only give outward expression to these emotions by encir
cling you in my arms, and pressing you to my bosom with one loud,
long hallelujah to Him whose kind providence has permitted this
meeting. Mr. President: — I have always had a strong desire to acquaint
myself with the early history of the Town of Virgil ; and the many
facts presented in the able historic address to-day, have amply paid
me for this visit. But the inqniry comes up, who were the primitive
settlers of the Town of Virgil ? What did they do ; and what me
mento have they left behind them of their virtues and their worth ?
They were dist-ingnished men — men of rare integrity — men of emi
nent fortitude— men emphatically robed and redeemed in the love of
country ! for they came here with their garments dripping with the
blood of the Revolution. H we look at the physical obstacles which
they had to overcome, and the very unpropitious circumstances at
tendant on their removal, we cannot-accord them too much fortitude.
Integrity was a necessary element in their character; for without it
this mighty work never could have been accomplished.
Mr. President: — To bring a family into an unbroken wilderness, .
as this was sixty years ago ; and then be often without any means
of subsistence, save what was furnished by nature, until the stardy
forest could be removed and the soil made to produce — required an
energy, a fortitude, a power little short of omnipotence.

38 FESTAL GATHERING.
May I not point you to your common school as one proud monu
ment of their wisdom and goodness? These primary institutions of
learning were fostered by them with great care, — may their children
make a corresponding effort to improve them. Another institution
you have among you of still higher claims, coming down from these
puritan fathers, " with healing on its wings. "
No theme commands so much of our admiration as the Religious
devotion of these ancestors. The first altars here erected by our
noble fathers to the eternal God, burned with sweet incense, and the
voice of supplication went up to the unwearied ear of the Deity —
calling down the blessings of heaven to aid, to comfort, and support
them. And may not many of the blessings now enjoyed to-day be in
answer to some of those fervent petitions ?
Ladies and gentlemen, have I not said enough ? But this occasion
is one, not only for congratulation and joy, but one for our improve
ment. Indeed, it seems like a special providence that so many of
us meet here on this oasis, midway between this life and the life to
come ! Let this hour then be one of reflection, one of noble resolve.
We are driven by the force of circumstances, by every considera
tion drawn from the past and present of the physical and moral
world, to " go forward, " to begirt ourselves with unceasing activity,
for this is a progressive age.
Contemplating the wonderful and astonishing improvement of our
times, discoverable in every possible direction, but least of all in the
mortal world, (for the selfish principles of man have found much en
couragement and development,) our minds naturally recur to Virgil ;
and we ask ourselves the question — has this place and this people
kept pace with this mighty march of improvement ?
In that very interesting reception Address this morning, your im
provement in wealth and independence of thought has been dwelt
upon, and afforded me much pleasure. The general thrift of your
farmers, and' the shrewdness of your speculators, I had heard of be
fore to-day ; for your fame in this had gone abroad. Still tliere may
be a question, whether in this strife to aggrandize self and build up
individualism, you have not lost sight in some measure, of those
great public interests which are essential to your real prosperity and
happiness, and must be looked to, in order to advance with the age.

FESTAL GATHERING. 39
The present appearance of your houses of public worship is not
so favorable to your public spirit and your morality as I could wish
it. It is to be hoped that the church planted here by our venerable
fathers has not lowered the standard of her faith or become insen
sible to her, obligations. Otherwise the wealth that is here acumu-
lated will furnish but a meagre blessing to your children.
You have the means in your hands to establish such institutions
among you, as shall be necessary to give your children ample edu
cation without sending them abroad.
Then let me say to you, to use this means in building up a home
interest. Let this classic spot ever be sacred on account of the
united interest and action of its inhabitants, in promoting mental
and religious improvement. Let this home of my childhood, en
deared to me by a thousand fond recollections, be the spot where
a united people, scorning to work for self alone, shall open their
hearts to the great interests of humanity !
And, Mr. President, as the old Town of Virgil stands upon a
physical elevation, overlooking vast slopes of country, so may the
moral excellence of her citizens gleam from afar in resplendent
beauty.' Mr. William E. Gee arose and said :
I expected, by attending this Jubilee, to see my old friends and
hear from them, but not to speak myself; but the request of Dr.
Benton and others, to hear from me, is such that I cannot refuse to
express my gratification at meeting with them on this occasion. The
Town of Virgil, its valleys and its hills, its woodlands, its cultivated
fields and its inhabitants, are all dear to me, — with almost every
farm, and almost every farm-house, are associated recollections to
which my mind reverts with pleasure, and although not my birth
place, yet removed here in early infancy, it is endeared by all my
earliest remembrances and childhood sports. I am proud to own it
as such and to claim the inhabitants of this vicinity as my friends,
and these guests assembled here as the acquaintances and associates
of my youth. It was here amidst these scenes and associated with
these friends that I resided till I arrived at the meridian of life, and
since my removal I have never returned without stopping involun
tarily upon the summit near the north line of Harford, which over-

40 FESTAL GATHERING.
looks a large portion of this Town, to trace out the residences of
my friends and recall the past. How prolific is thought on such an
occasion ! — the sports of childhood, the recreations of youth, and the
more grave concerns of mature manhood, all crowd upon the mind
in quick succession. As I reviewed the scene this morning and
noticed the different localities that were of particular interest to me —
their pleasant condition and the vast amount of human happiness
which the imagination would conceive might be enjoyed in such fa
vorable situations, there was brought to my mind as being peculiarly
appropriate, the words of a former resident of this Town, who pos
sessed a spark of poetic genius, and wrote after a short absence, for
one of the famous periodicals to which Dr. Hyde has alluded :
Oh, Virgil ! sacred thou to scenes gone by,
When childish fancy viewed a cloudless sky;
When naught but joy re-echoed o'er thy plain.
And naught but pleasure saw the youthful train, —
Thou art still the same.
I perceive by the ardent salutations here exhibited, that although
the lapse of time has changed the ruddy brow of youth into the
grave and sage-like appearance of meridian manhood, and besprink
led our locks with occasional indications of decline, yet, we are still
the same, — the same warm hand of friendship is presented, the same
generous feeling of interest in each other's condition manifested, the
same forms seen, and the same voices heard as of yore, and I per
ceive by the general bouyancy of feeling here displayed, that our
assembling in view of these scenes in front of the Village Green, the
grand arena of our youthful recreations, has, by a kind of magical
influence, made us feel like boys again.
The situation of this Town, remote from the great thoroughfares
of the State, and its inhabitants in a great measure exempt from
their vices, have enjoyed a favorable opportunity for the cultivation
of those virtues which render life pleasant and society agreeable ;
and it is gratifying to know that emigrants from this Town, have,
in almost every instance, exerted their influence to promote a sound
and healthful morality in the communities where they reside.
Some have entered the field of politics, and have been elevated to
positions of honor, realizing their fondest aspirations — some by a
quiet application to professional employment, a strict observance of

FESTAL GATHERING. 41
domestic duties, and the dissemination of moral and religious prin
ciple, have rendered themselves beloved. Some have engaged in
mercantile employment, and become useful and influential members
of society ; while others in the agricultural department of industry,
have become respected for intelligence, enterprise and unyielding
integrity. All tftese considerations combine to make the Town of
Virgil respectable abroad. I have observed with pleasure for several
years, that whenever I have heard it spoken of by people at a dis
tance, it has been in terms of the highest respect.
We hope, therefore, that those who still reside here will exert
themselves to perpetuate the good name of the place; that while
laboring to cultivate and enrich the soil, that they may receive a
bountiful harvest, they will not neglect the intelligent' and moral
cultivation of those more delicate plants, which the God of nature
has placed in their care ; and greatly dependent upon parental train
ing for future happiness and prosperity in life.
It is with pleasure that I take this opportunity to give more ex
tended publicity to one fact, to which a brief allusion was made this
morning, which should be published as an important item in the
history of the State; and fully proves that the early settlers of this
Town, though situated at a distance from the original public works,
were fully competent to appreciate the advantages which they would
derive from them, and entered with spirit into the public improve
ment policy which has since so checkered the country that the means
of speedy and cheap conveyance are furnished to almost every por
tion of it.
After the Erie canal was finished there arose a discussion in the
public mind concerning the respective merits of canals and railroads
as a means of public conveyance, — one consideration in favor of the
latter was, that many places were accessible by railroads where
canals could not.be made; this was the case of the southern tier of
counties in this State.
The mind of Nathaniel Bouton, one of the early settlers of this
Town, known to us all as an energetic farmer and worthy citizen,
became interested in this subject, — he conceived the idea of construct
ing a railroad from the city of New York to Lake Erie, direct
through the then secluded southern tier; and in the year 1828 he
examined a route through sufficiently well to know that it was a

42 . FESTAL GATHERING.
feasible one, and with the aid of the speaker of to-day, he prepared
and published the outlines of his plan in the Cortland Observer,. a
paper then issued in Homer Village.
His plan was copied in several periodicals along the line of the
proposed road ; and from that time the subject of a New York and
Erie railroad continued to occupy the public mind until the grand
project- was completed. The decease of DeWit-t Clinton, whose
death was announced in the same sheet that published Mr. Bouton's
plan, was a cause of discouragement to him, for he had fondly hoped
that his favorite project would receive the approbation and aid of
that distinguished statesman ; but the nucleus was formed, the project
was originated, and the work advanced. Mr. Bouton was anxious
that it should be a State work ; he argued that it would be good
policy for the state to engage in it, — that it would annually yield a
revenue which might be advantageously expended for the support
of schools.
A few months previous to the final completion of the road, its
worthy projector died at his residence in this Town, where he had
lived forty-five years. He had lived to see the place of his adoption
transformed from a wild and howling wilderness into a delightful
and well cultivated country, inhabited by a moral, intelligent and
industrious people. He had lived too^ to see the distance between
his residence and the Atlantic changed from a dreary journey of two
weeks into a pleasant ride of only a few hours, and this Town en
joying all the privileges, and possessed of all the elements which are
necessary to promote the happiness of a people.
Dr. John Frank, in responding to the call of his name, gave the
following toast:
Virgil, the land of nativity to many of us now present :
Whenever we tread or our thoughts revert to these hills and val
leys, we remember that here is the revered spot where our earthly
journey was commenced. Although many of our friends and neigh
bors have gone to the spirit land, not to return, — peace be to their
ashes, — and many of us live in different pnrts of the country] we can
never forget the land of early days and of our birth.
Hon. J. Reynolds being called upon by the President, replied
that he had been for a long period a resident of Virgil, that the
present occasion was one of intense interest to him, he having ob-

FESTAL GATHERING. 43
served and been a participator in so much of the eventful history of
the Town; but was obliged to decline any extended remarks in con
sequence of ill health.
Wm. Woodard, Esq., spoke as follows :
It gives me much satisfaction to meet so many of my friends in
this happy gathering, who with myself can boast an early home in
this good " Old Virgil. " Both childhood and youth were spent
among these hills and valleys; having been familiar for years, with
the social and civil condition of the people, he was delighted after
years of absence to discover that the changes in the whole phase of
things had been in obedience to the great' law of progress, and that
the home of his dearest and earliest associations had improved its
intellectual and moral condition. The allusion to the present con
dition of the schools and churches of the Town made by one of the
speakers who had preceded him, reminded him of a time when there
were six distilleries in successful operation and not a finished church
edifice in the whole Town. He said he took great pride in finding
on his present visit, that his beloved Town had entirely abandoned
the alcoholic manufacture ; and in place of her distilleries he con
gratulated his .kindred and other friends, that they could now enu
merate eight buildings erected and dedicated to the worship of the
living God. So too had the common school house become the com
mon property of every neighborhood in Town. A subversion, said
he, of the liquor manufacture, for improvements of this character,
was cause for the highest gratification to him, and only endeared to
him the more the home of early years.
Col. M. Frank, of Wisconsin, being called upon by the President,
spoke in substance as follows:
Lames and Gentlemen : — This social gathering is a time of es
pecial interest to those who claim this Town as the place of their
nativity. I can truthfully say that this is the place of my birth,
and here were the scenes of my childhood and youth. The hills
that rise in the distance were the first that ever greeted my vision ;
the streams that wind their way through this valley were the first I
ever looked upon. Here were the beginnings of life, where were
received those early impressions of thought that gave direction in
after years. To many of the associates of my youth in this Town,

44 FESTAL GATHERING.
I owe much. There were among them those whose firm resolve was
to make their mark high. The early educational advantages and
facilities for intellectual improvement were comparatively limited, —
hence a greater amount of effort was required to make advances.
Schools for acquiring anything beyond the most ordinary branches
of education, there were none ; consequently the young men of Virgil
twenty years ago, were forced to rely upon such resources as they
could best command, to improve their minds and prepare them for
the theatre of human action. I am happy to know that not a few
of the young men at the period of which 1 speak made good use of
their time ; they appropriated every instrumentality within their
reach to the acquirement of useful knowledge.
Since the long absence from my native Town, I find the aspect of
much that I see greatly changed, — the woods have diminished, farms
enlarged and improved, the agricultural prosperity of the people has
been largely advanced. This is well, it is indeed gratifying. But
during the period that has intervened since my residence here, I have
always been less anxious to learn of your success in the enhancement
of your prosperity and the accumulation of wealth, than to hear of
your intellectual and moral condition — of the progress of your
schools and your success in whatever pertains to the true elevation
of the people and the more substantial interests of society. My
anxious inquiries in this behalf have not always received satisfactory
answers. I fear the intellectual, moral and religious interests of the
people have not always kept pace with their pecuniary advancement.
Those who are now the young men of Virgil have a higli mission
before them. We live in an age of unusual intellectual activity —
the time for ignorant and unlettered men to attain to an honorable
distinction is soon to pass away. No young man can now reason
ably expect to reach a high position of public or private trust with
out an education. The posts of honor and true respectability are
not attainable by those who make money, or low amusement the
only object of pursuit. Besides the improvement of their minds,
the times demand of the young men of Virgil active service in be
half of the cause of humanity. And among the calls to duty, upon
every young man and every lover of his country is the cry of suffer
ing millions for the suppression of intemperance. This Town, this
county, the State and the world have been long enough cursed with

FESTAL GATHERING. 45
the traffic! in intoxicating drinks, and the friends of freedom and
humanity should rise in their strength for its overthrow and effectual
legal prohibition.
Judge Edwards arose and said, that he would not occupy the time
of the meeting with many remaks, but would say that he was deeply
interested with the incidents of the day, and sympathized with the
feelings of the friends who addressed the meeting. The scenes of
the day and the remarks made, naturally led his mind back to events
long since passed. Allusion has been made to the appearance of
houses for religious worship as not being what it should be. He
said, that though he might not be inclined to deny the fact, he felt
it would be unjust to apply any discredit arising from this cause
indiscriminately, as from what he knew of the history of the place,
he could say that numerous individuals had made large sacrifices to
promote its religious interests. He would refer to one incident to
illustrate this remark. Mrs. Roe, mother of S. M. Roe, President
of the day, was an early and ardent friend to the interests of relig
ion. At a certain time her friends at the East sent a small amount
of dried apples. Did she call her friends and feast them and her
children on those ? Not at all. When her children began to con
gratulate themselves upon the acquisition, she told them that they
might restrain their feelings, for she had a use to which she should
devote. them. She sold them and applied the proceeds to the pur
chase of a cloth for the communion table — the same that is now used
in the church to which she belonged.
The President, Dea. S. M. Roe, remarked that the incidents of
the day had brought to his mind many of the most important events
of his life, spent mainly in this Town.
It had revived more particularly the history of his early years,
while the country around was almost an unbroken wilderness, the
undisputed abode of panthers, bears and wolves. He said the privi
lege of seeing so large a group of his old friends once more, under
so favorable circumstances, had made him over-full of joy.
The associations of the day had reminded him of some of his early
luxuries, such as being cradled in a sap-trough by his kind parents,
amid the sweet melody of nightly serenades by wolves. He could
never forget among the later delicacies of that tender period the ex-

46 FESTAL GATHERING.
quisite flavor of the brown johnny-cake, made of the pounded corn,
as his frugal mother parcelled it out to . the eager apetites of her
little flock.
He further remarked that he was confident, when his friends rec
ollected his early advantages, and how much of his life had been
shaded by the native forests of by-gone days, they would not expect
him to be now a long-speech-making man.
Hon. M. Frank, of Wisconsin, being called upon for a toast, gave
the following sentiment:
" The Ladies of our native Town :
Never surpassed in beauty and virtue. The time has now arrived
when they also take rank with the foremost in accomplishments, re
finement and taste. "
R. O. Reynolds, Esq., being called upon to respond, said:
Mr. Chairman : — The time has been when no happier, and as I
then thought, no more appropriate duty could be imposed upon me
than a full and heart-felt response to the truthful and well applied
sentiment of my friend from the West. But those days, alas, have
flitted away upon the swift wing of time. It was when in the full
freshness of vigor and youthful manhood, my heart was filled with
the mysterious romance and gallantry of that sunlit period of my
life, when everything wore a rosy tint, when the future was undark-
ened by the sombre clouds of real life, and the beautiful and fascin
ating sisterhood with which I was surrounded, possessed a weird and
mystic charm that placed them almost upon a level with angels in
disguise. Now the enchantments of love and ambition are in a measure dis
solved, and I stand advanced beyond the threshold of struggling,
fighting life, and have begun to learn how little of fruition tliere is
in the bright visions and promises held out to us by the deceiving
mirror of romance and anticipation. The silver thread meandering
and multiplying among my locks betoken the effect of years and
labor, and when I seek for rest and quiet recreation to recruit my
wearied energies, I find them no longer in the gay circles of the
rosy and young, but by the retired domestic hearth-stone where I
begin to see those surrounding my own fire-side who are already
preparing to take the place I have made vacant among the youthful
and the gay. Yet, aside from all the romance and unreality with

FESTAL GATHERING. 47
which youthful inexperience may surround the female character,
there is a valuable truthfulness in the sentiment of my friend which
will be felt and appreciated by all, and should be the cause of the
highest exultation and congratulation amongst us.
The qualities, characteristics and endowments which combine to
make up the perfect female character, and bestow upon her those
charming graces and attractions which make her the lovely compan
ion of man's prosperity and the sweet solace of his adversity, are of
a two-fold character and origin. Some, and those indispensable ones
that form the foundation of all human attraction and worth, are con
ferred by the great Master alone. Others, the mere accessories, and
still no less desirable and captivating, are added by cultivation and
improvement. Thus beauty of person, virtue and goodness of heart
and character, and strength of intellect, can be acquired only from
the great source of all beauty, goodness and mental power, whilst
that beauty may be improved and rendered more attractive, that
virtue and goodness may be increased and refined, and extended in
its usefulness, and that intellect may be improved, enlarged and
strengthened, almost to infinity, by those embellishments and accom
plishments, by that refinement and taste which are acquired by the
cultivation and the teachings of society.
Thus my friend has well said of the ladies of the Town of his
nativity, that the time has never been when they were surpassed by
their sisters in any neighboring country in virtue and beauty, in
those qualities which God bestows to form the perfect woman ; and
although it is equally true that the time has been when our young
ladies lacked many of the advantages for the improvement of the
mind and the cultivation of the graces and adornments of manner
possessed by some of their neighboring sisters; yet, my friend may
well say, and we may all congratulate you, young ladies, " that the
time has now arrived when you may also take rank with the fore
most, in accomplishments, refinement and taste. "
It has been no less true with the sons than with the daughters of
Virgil. Possessing from the earliest settlement of the country, and
inheriting from their hardy pioneer ancestors from New England
and Eastern New York, in a degree unsurpassed by any that sur
rounds them, those energies of character, that strength of mind and
will, that desire to progress, and that real goodness and soundness

48 FESTAL GATHERING.
of heart, all of which combine to form that foundation granted by
Heaven for making up the perfect man, they needed but the oppor
tunity and the means to add to those precious gifts bestowed by
nature's kindly hand, the improvements and accomplishments, the
cultivation and refinement, which education and an acquaintance
with society bestows, to make them what they now are — both the
sons and daughters of our native Town — " never surpassed in those
gifts and virtues which God alone bestows, whilst they also now take
rank with the foremost in those accomplishments and refinements
derived from education, instruction and cultivation. "
No one can say of us, however, in our early struggles for improve
ment, at the time when our means of improvement were the most
meagre and limited, that we were ever discouraged, or that we failed
to turn everything to the best account, and had I time, nothing could
lie more amusing to the book-gorged, academy -glutted student of
the present day, than an account of the way we sought to become
anatomists and chemists, physicians and lawyers, orators and debat
ers, poets and essayists, editors and journalists, and even tragedians
and stage players. It would, indeed, be a picture of " the pursuit
of knowledge under difficulties," and I feel almost inclined to
promise when the leisure can be commanded, to give you a lecture,
descriptive of our early struggles in the various departments of
learning and literature.
But now I have only a glance to give at some of our most primi
tive attempts at improvement, for the purpose of proving that how
ever rude the material used, or unskillful the attempt, yet they were
attended with most important results in the development of the re
sources, and in the formation of the character of the sons and dausfh-
ters of our maternal Town.
Almost in all cases the first effort towards intellectual culture in
the early settlement of a country, is a combined effort to supply that
greatest and foremost want of mental food arising from a scarcity
of books, resulting in the formation of the circulating library. How
well many of us remember the precise appearance of every volume
contained in the Old Virgil Union Library, as they were arrano-ed
upon the shelves within the little white pine, unpainted clothes-press-
looking book-case, being just five feet wide and six feet high, and
one-half filled with books — oh ! how precious ! From that sacred

FESTAL GATHERING. 49
arcana I first drew, with trembling and delighted fingers, the first
volume I ever read beyond the dignity of Mother Goose. It was
" The Sorrows of Werter. " Next we were more fortunate, and the
Arabian Nights were cantered through day and night, by my friend,
Carlo M. Woods, now clerk of Supreme Court, in Quincy, 111., and
myself, side by side, with such delight as the well fed reader of the
present day can never enjoy.
Then in after years, when the few volumes remaining became
dogs-eared, scattered and gone, and the fountain was no longer sup
plied, and its treasures exhausted, how wonderful the diligence with
which we watched for and sought out any stray crumb of new food.
Often have I, together with Phillip Roe, Carlo Woods and William
Edwards, gone two, three and four miles on foot to borrow a book
we had heard of, owned by some remote neighbor. I tell you that
was comfortable reading. And then the delight furnished me by
my good friend, Dr. Bronson, who was ever ready in my boyhood,
to aid me onward in improvement, loaned me the gratuitous use of
his share of the Cortland Village Library. Oh, the riches ! the
treasures. Mavor's Voyages and Travels, Clark's, Bruce's, Cook's,
Lewis and Clark's, and others of voyages and travels, and then the
opening of that rich treasury furnished by Cooper's and Sir Walter
Scott's Novels, then in current publication.
It was with the rest of them as 'with me, and those early struggles
and slender advantages have told upon our lives.
Next to acquiring the means of information, follows the discussion
and the application of the new world of knowledge acquired. Then
follows the debating society — not confined to students, merchants or
lawyers, clerks or young mechanics, but bringing together the farmer
and the day worker, for miles around, who had a taste for cultivat
ing the mind together with the controversial propensities, and the
depth of the questions discussed; the gravity and learning with
which each side was studied and weighed, would seem to settle for
ever without controversy, the comparative merits of Bonaparte and
Washington as generals, (no one thought of comparing them as
men,) the respective abilities of Hannibal and Caesar, the compar
ative benefits derived from Dr. Franklin and Columbus, from the
art of printing and the magnetic needle ; yet in those very clubs in
which I have seen so familiarly many a face assembled here to-day,

SO FESTAL GATHERING.
and in wliich I have so often wielded my sword of lath, against the
trenchant blades of the Franks and Hydes and Woods and Terry
and the Greens and the Edwardses and the Hunters and the Roes,
have been elicited for the first scinctillations of intellects that have
since proved themselves worthy of the highest cultivation, and have
since rewarded richly the largest appliances of improvement. Many
of us who are now occupying at least, comfortable and reasonable
positions (and some ranking with the highest,) in the learned pro
fessions, would now but for the humble debating clubs in this good
Town, have been but third rate hewers of wood and drawers of
water amongst- you.
Oh, pardon us, ye Goddess Thespis, that I should so long forget
thy early votaries. Only think of the preparations and rehearsals
for our exhibitions, a la dramatique, in the different districts of our
common schools. Was ever Cassar so foully murdered as by my
friend Frank, over on Luce Hill ? Why ! the stab that even et tu
Brute gave, was nothing to compare with it. And was ever Robin
Roughhead made so much a clown as on the boards at the South
Settlement ? And Deacon Homespun could never have more dressed
and looked the stupid, superstitious, ignorant country doubter, than
was put on by our then facetious friend, Hiram Green. But Rome's
grand effort, " her greatest and her last, " — Frank as Pizarro, myself
as Alonzo, our little, withered, yellow, dried, monkey-faced school
master, who shall be nameless, as Rolla, and the long galaxy of talent,
male and female, that faithfully rehearsed through the long winter
at the old white tavern on the hill, in the hall, at the weekly rent
of a quarter pound of tea or its equivalent.
If Forrest could have seen our school master as Rolla, he never
would have played more. His. great heart would have broke, and
it was no wonder that the glorious winter for fun and rehearsals
ended in a failure to give the final eclat by a public exhibition.
Persevering to the last, we had no press, no type; but by procuring
foolscap paper to be headed with the printed words in Roman cap
itals, " The Spectator, " we weekly issned our closely written columns
to an admiring public ; and imitating the great essayist Addison, in
the style of our articles and in the manners we reformed, as well as
in our paper's name, for three long years we continued the faithful
monitors of the public through the medium of the press, composed

to

FESTAL GATHERING. 51
of the fists of Frank, myself, Hyde, and other worthy contributors.
And who shall say how much the tastes and facilities of writing
thus and then acquired may have influenced and controlled the career
and destiny of my friend, who was its principal conductor. But
alas, I can dwell upon such pleasant reminiscences no longer. The
rapidly declining sun warns me to a close. The happiest day must
have an ending. The most joyous gatherings must be followed by
a separation, and we must again become scattered abroad, and min
gled with strangers to our native soil in the strife of life, but let us
all remember, one and all, that whenever duty may call us, wherever
our lot may be cast, let each son and daughter of Virgil strive to
reflect nothing but the sunshine of bright honor and worth upon
'their maternal brow.
On motion it was resolved that a committee of three be appointed
to procure from the several speakers of the day, a copy of their ad
dresses, the sentiments presented and the odes sung, and arrange
the same with the proceedings of the day, and have the whole pub
lished in pamphlet form ; and that Dr. F. Hyde, R. O. Reynolds,
Esq., and N. Bouton constitute said committee. The meeting then
dispersed.

E. P. SLAFTER, Chorister, MISS M. ROBINSON,

H. M. SHEEEAE, Second C,
M. FRANK,
J. B. SHEERAR,
WM. CHATTERTON,
DR. J. BALL,
MRS. A. SNIDER,

M. HAZEN,
L. SNIDER,
M. ROE,
J. M. HOTCHKISS,
J. GLEASON.

I

T occurred to me that it would be well, as the original pamphlet
giving the account of the Festive Gathering of Early Settlers
of the Town of Virgil, was exhausted, and events have been con
stantly transpiring to the present time, that it would be very desir
able to renew the original work, not only, but to bring the history
up to the present time and embrace the same in one publication, to
be placed in reach of any one who should wish to become acquainted
with a plain and authentic history of the Town, for the entertain
ment and gratification of those who will be desirous of reading the
same. Nearly four- years since, I commenced a series of " Letters " con
nected with this subject, for the Press, and concluded to copy them
nearly entire into the New Work. It was at first thought best to
abridge them, retaining the substance in less compass ; but in look
ing it over, it seems to myself that this course would render the
style much cramped and inflexible ; and thus destroy that easy flow
of ideas that now prevails — at least as the writer looks upon them.
Errors will be corrected, parts withdrawn, and such additions made
as shall appear to be proper and suitable.

oXKo

NUMBER I.
AS the elections for the year are past, the crops gathered, and
the greatest share of marketing produce is done, and winter
is upon us in earnest, it may reasonably be assumed that the minds
of the people are accessible to other considerations than those which
have engrossed them during the busy months past. Taking this
view of the situation, the writer, who has lived in the Town to be
described more than seventy years, and has been familiar with most
of the important events that have transpired in that time, has come
to the conclusion that he will be justified in presenting some facts
in reference-to matters in the history of " Old Virgil." And he is
the more inclined to do so from the fact that many seem to have
erroneous impressions, greatly to the disparagement of our Town,
in reference to the various items embraced in the standing or credit
of a Town where a common, mutual, and general interest prevails.
•This diminutive opinion doubtless had its origin in the obscure
beginning which the early settlers had, in the dense forest where
they chose their homes, and where their daily business was to fell
the forest and prepare the soil to yield its production for the suste
nance of man and beast. In this respect the Town differed but lit
tle from those surrounding it ; but there were some disadvantages
peculiar to this Town, not in so great a degree participated in by
others. The settlers were generally poor, and had to purchase their
land of those residing at a distance, involving the necessity of taking
the money that eould be realized from hard toil, away from us and
paying it out in distant, places, from whence it never returned to aid

4 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
by its circulation, the success and prosperity of our people, render
ing money extremely scarce and bringing them to great straits.
Another permanent embarrassment was the lack of a heavy stream
of water passing through centrally, for propelling mills and machin
ery. Others might be mentioned which had a depressing effect on
the energy of the pioneers; but they did not prevent them from
persevering in the determination to hew out for themselves and
families respectable and comfortable homes, and to rear the institu
tions of religion and learning. The situation was very different
from that now found in settling a new country. Everything must
be taken in its primitive state. The first settlers must wait twelve
or more years for a Post-Office. And though our office was estab
lished in 1808, yet as late as 1873, some have found it hard to believe
that such an obscure place should have a Post-Office. There is one
here, however, which is doing a business very creditable to the intel
ligence of the population.
Before the partially cleared farms produced a sufficient amount
of grain for the sustenance of the people, it was common for the
able-bodied, stalwart young men to go, as it was said, " out to the
lakes, " to work during harvest, that they might supplement the scan
ty amount grown on their own narrow fields. I might mention as a
specimen of difficulties to be overcome, the scanty remuneration re
ceived by ministers of the gospel. One who had labored several
years in a church made a statement which is derived from an au
thentic source to this effect ; that he had not received money enough
from the church to which he ministered to pay the postage on letters
which he had received on their account. Afterwards the same
church secured the labors of a minister on a salary of fifty dollars.-
Another church passed a solemn resolution that they would endeavor
to raise ten dollars to secure the labors of a minister two Sabbaths
during the year. Such are some of the facts existing, incident to
the settlement and progress of this Town. These have doubtless
given rise to some of the disparaging things that have been said long
since, and have been repeated in modern times, taxing heavily even
the " Charity which suffereth long and is kind. " It will be the object
of the writer, in a series of articles, to show that such opinions if
entertained, are unfounded, and merely indicate the ignorance or
prejudice of those who express them.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 5
NUMBER II.
IN looking over what I had written in reference to the remunera
tion made to ministers of the gospel, it occurred to me that an
inference might be drawn, reflecting on the generosity of members
of the churches. I should be reluctant to leave such an impression,
as they probably contributed according to their ability in the sub
stantial of life, to the comfort and convenience of those officiating
in the " sacred calling. " It remains to set forth some of the" insur
mountable obstacles arising from the situation of the Town. It was
one of those constituting what was known as the " Military Tract, "
and was about ten miles square, with a ridge of hills extending from
west to east through the centre. When the settlements were made
they occupied, essentially the borders of the area, so that small com
munities were formed in each corner, causing great inconvenience in
doing business of whatever kind ; religious, literary or political, in
cident to the progress of the people. The result was that every in
stitution was feeble and essentially isolated ; and when any impor
tant object was to be promoted, requiring the concurrence and aid
of all those interested, they must hold their consultations and unite
their influence at great expense and inconvenience. This state of
things told unfavorably on the public mind. Then any cause was
viewed in its results, compared with the whole population, as seen
in the census reports ; it would appear much disproportioned, and
the inference would be against the intelligence, ability and public
spirit of the people.
Each settlement would naturally urge its claims for privileges,
such as town meetings, clerk's office, etc., which caused a constant
struggle between the respective localities for participation in these
and other common privileges. It would be difficult to set forth the
embarrassments arising from this cause, so as to be appreciated by
those who have never experienced the like. This state of things
continued, with many efforts for the division of the Town, all of
which failed, till 1845, when it was divided into three towns, by a
line east and west, identical with the original line of lots five miles
from the north boundary, leaving the north part to retain the name
of Virgil, and the south part separated into two parts. The west

6 ' SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
part having the name of Harford, and the east part that of Lapeer.
This division has, on the whole, proved satisfactory, as it has placed
each portion on its own responsibility, and given to each the oppor
tunity to labor and strive as best it might, for its own advancement.
I have hitherto occupied your space to set forth the obstacles with
which we had to contend ; and, let it be remembered that the merit
of success is in proportion to the difficulties to be overcome. The
writer* has enjoyed no advantages for education outside the Town
under consideration; consequently your readers will not be enter
tained with flights of the imagination, finding their expression in
gorgeous sunsets, with light, fleecy clouds tinged with gold, speed
ing their way towards the eastern horizon, or gurgling, sparkling
rills pursuing their serpentine course through the lowly vale. The
object will be to give the facts in plain language, such as none need
misunderstand.

NUMBER III.
IT will now be expected by your readers that the writer of
these articles will proceed, as was proposed, to give evidences
of enterpise, thrift, and advancement. That is now my object. It
must, however, be premised, in order to present a proper view of
the merit of success, that a portion of our population, embracing
men of property and influence, have failed to harmonize with the
efforts made for the promotion of plans for the elevation of the
Town in the scale of morality, education, or agriculture, causing the
wheels of progress to roll heavily. Tliere has also been a class of
idlers subsisting on the thrift and industry of their fellow-citizens,
that has added very much to the burdens of a community essentially
laborions and enterprising. It may be said that such is true of
every place. . However that may be, it is certain with us every laud
able enterprise has made its way, inch by inch, through the difficul-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 7
ties that have interposed. It has been said, that if a man should
live where he could gain a subsistence by laboring two days in the,
week, he would labor but one. And if he could live by laboring
four days, he would labor six, thus gaining a surplus. Such is very
much the case in this Town. It is not claimed that it is the most
fertile spot on earth, or even in the State or county. Here is, how
ever, encouragement for a good return for the labors of the husband
man. Few of the frugal and industrious, blessed with health, have
wanted for the necessaries and comforts of life ; and many have en
joyed its luxuries. The time has been, in the memory of the writer,
when a man owning a property of three thousand dollars would be
accounted rich; or, as the phrase then was, "forehanded." Now
it would require fifteen to twenty thousand to entitle him to such
appellations. The soil is better adapted to grazing than tillage; yet, before
there was a demand for the products of the dairy, the necessities of
the people required the cultivation of grain to a considerable extent,
especially of oats, which found a ready market, though at a very
low rate, in Ithaca and other villages around. Cattle and sheep
were also raised in large numbers, and were sold to be driven toward
the seaboard for market. At length there arose in the cities, and
especially in New York, a call for butter, and the labors of the peo
ple were directed to the production of that article. The cultivation
of oats for export, always very exhausting to the soil, was then
abandoned. About Wenty years since, an investigation was made with much
care, by the writer, and it was ascertained that the butter made and
sold from the Town, in one year (1852,) at the extremely low prices
of that time, brought a return of $25,000.
Recently it has been impossible to form an estimate, approximat
ing correctness, of the amount made and sold, but it has, doubtless,
doubled — and the price at which it has been sold has also doubled,
or nearly so. Within a few years considerable attention has been
o-iven to the production of cheese ; and during the passt season, an
amount has .been made and sold which brought a return of $8,000
or more.

8 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER IV.
I proceed now to give some account of the productions of our
Town. Allusion has been made to the cultivation of oats.
Considerable has been done in wheat, corn, barley, etc., though it is
long since grain was a leading production. Formerly much was
done in raising potatoes for food, marketing and feeding. A single
farm has been known to produce 2,000 bushels in one season. And
in 1816 — known as the " cold season " — the same farm produced
some five or six hundred bushels from 3f acres. Every description
of produce has had a beginning and a slow progress. This has been
emphatically the case with the products of the dairy. After the
call for these products became considerable, it was long before the
article of butter was reckoned in a manner graduated by its merit.
Butter was butter, and the product of every man's dairy went at
about the same price. The writer once asked a butter-buyer if there
was not a difference in the quality of butter ? The answer was that
there was a great difference. The question then was, if there is a
difference in quality, why not a corresponding difference in price ?
The reply was, that the buyer could see the difference, but could not
make it because it would give offense, and the disaffected individuals
would be in his hair. Indeed, individuals have been known to in
dulge a life-long dissatisfaction towards the buyer because he de
clined to pay the same price for inferior butter that he did for that
which w&sfi?ie.
The following dialogue has, in substance, taken place in numer
ous instances:
Mrs. D. asks the buyer why he cannot give as much for her but
ter as for that of Mrs. A. ? The answer is that there is a difference
in quality. Mrs. D. asks in great earnestness, is not my butter as
good as that of Mrs. A. ? The buyer answers (rather crest-fallen,)
well, ha — rdly. Mrs. D. then says, you need not be troubled with
my butter any more.
It will readily be seen that this state of things would operate to
discourage efforts for the production of a fine article.
For the last few years the article has been graduated in price,
essentially by its merit. One important instrumentality in produc
ing this result, has been the critical analysis to which the article has

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 9
been subjected in the market where commercial favor is unknown.
Another has been the competition among buyers, where such a vast
amount has been produced, which is constantly seeking sale in the
village of Cortland.
I would say that a few days since I called on a buyer of that vil
lage, when I found him surrounded by a crowd of firkins and tubs,
when he said that the reception of this amount had been the work
of that day — amounting to about $2,000 — and he had been alone.
He, moreover, said that in the sixteen, or rather fourteen days, of
this month of December, his partner and he had purchased butter
to the amount of about $20,000. And there has been a rush upon
other buyers to an equal extent, more or less.
But I was writing about Virgil. Well, the matters and circum
stances here set forth have been common to this region, and partici
pated in equally by the inhabitants of this Town. For a few years
the production of cheese has occupied the attention of a portion of
our population. The success attending the efforts made in this di
rection has been of slow growth, owing to the various difficulties and
embarrassments standing in the way. These have been mostly over
come, and during the few late years great improvement has been
made, and now the " Virgil Cheese Factory Association " stands
strong in the confidence of the people. And the product of the
past season, owing to its very fine quality, has been sold at high
¦ figures — the last sale having been made at 14^ cents per pound.
For further information your readers will please wait for the annual
report of the Association.
I have hitherto written nothing of the production of fruit. The
remarks on this branch of our subject must be confined mostly to
apples and pears, as the climate is not favorable to the production of
peaches. It is said, however, that grapes may be successfully cul
tivated by those who have the requisite skill in this branch of horti
culture. There are several orchards of considerable extent, which
have produced a sufficient amount of apples for home consumption,
and often considerable to be spared for export. In one instance a
single orchard produced, in one season — that of 1858 — so many,
that two hundred barrels were exported, besides supplying a lively
home demand. Some pears have been exported ; the amount, how
ever, has been small.

10 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER V.
AS the writer of these articles has dwelt somewhat fully on the
productions of our Town, in the line of agriculture, horti-
' culture and the dairy, it will be appropriate to deal in this number
with the enterprise of the people in promoting their social and mortal
well-being. It is understood, of course, that the practice of intemperance pre
vailed here in common with other Towns, and the country generally.
To illustrate the low state of public sentiment on this subject, I will
allude to a fact which occurred under my own observation. I was
present at a prayer and conference meeting, one evening, some miles
from my residence, when, after a while, a professor of religion liv
ing in the vicinity, came in and participated in the exercises. To
wards the close, the exercises took the form of free conversation and
individual experiences. The individual alluded to stated that he
did not enjoy his mind very well, having had a " falling out " with
one of his brethren that afternoon. The fact was that each owned
a distillery in the same neighborhood, and they could not run har
moniously in such proximity. The circumstance produced no great
sensation. At present such a state of things cannot exist. Public
sentiment, low as it is, would frown down such procedures. The
subject of temperance took tangible shape on the 4th of July, 1829,
when, after a very appropriate temperance address by Michael
Frank, a young man of the vicinity, " The Virgil Temperance So
ciety " was formed of twenty-one members, mostly young men, who
subscribed to the constitution and pledge. The pledge only requir
ed the members to abstain from drinking distilled liquor. As tame
as was this pledge, it caused great excitement, and objections were
raised that would not now be thought of, or cherished for a moment,
even by those who are life-long opponents of the cause. Two very
common objections, long since obsolete, were these : First  what
shall we do with all the rye and corn ? That is, in the event of the
success of the cause. Most of us would know, at this late day, what
to do with these productions. Second— the success of this cause in
volves the union of Church and State. Much effort of temperance
speakers was expended on these two objections. Time and the
progress of things have obviated these long since.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. H
About the time of the organization of this Society, it was remark
ed that there were in the Town, six distilleries, and only one skele
ton of a church edifice. In a few years it was said that there were
no distilleries and three church buildings. Now it may be said that
we have no distilleries and eleven church buildings on the same ter
ritory. Owing to that characteristic of the Town set forth in a previous
number, the area is distributed in separate communities, consequent
ly several of these buildings are moderate in size and pretension.
They are, however, such as furnish sufficient accommodation for the
neighborhoods and communities where they are located. Here the
lovers of God and his cause may assemble, worship him according
to the dictates of their own consciences, and " sit together in heav
enly places in Christ Jesus. " It may, however, be justly claimed,
that several of them are respectable in size, and finished in a manner
creditable to the liberality and taste of the respective societies to
which they belong.
Now the people of our Town have the assurance to look upon
these undeniable facts as indicative of their .fidelity to strong
moral principle, and their persevering energy directed to securing
these desirable results.

NUMBER VI.
IN place of my ordinary weekly letter I give the report of the
trustees of the Virgil Cheese Factory Association, for the year
1873, received, adopted and published by vote of the Association.
Report.
The trustees of the Virgil Cheese Factory Association congratu
late the stockholders and patrons, in view of the success attending
the workings of the same, for the season of 1873, of about five
months, commencing May 12th, and ending October 14th.
This success is very much owing to the eminent skill of the man
ufacturer, Mr. E. D. Harris, in producing an article of superior
quality, and also to his vigilance and fidelity in caring for and pre-

12 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
serving the cheese while maturing, and until sold and removed. The
figures and statements below will abundantly vindicate the correct
ness of our introductory remarks. LBS.
Milk brought to factory in May,  44,575
Milk brought to factory in June,  160,856
Milk brought to factory in July,  185,043
Milk brought to factory in August, . .  161,888
Milk brought to factory in September,  113,025
Milk brought to factory in October,  32,017

Total,  =r.  ,  697,404
First sale of cheese, May and June, including that
sold to patrons and others in small quantities, as was
done in every sale afterwards, made 20,062 lbs. at
12|c,  $2,507 75
Second sale, July, 17,863, lbs. at 12fc,  2,277 5,2
Third sale, August, 16,122 lbs. at 13Jc,  2,136 16
Fourth sale, Sept. and Oct., 14,908 lbs. at 14Jc.,. . . 2,105 75

TotaL.  $9,027 18
Paid Harris lc. per pound,  $689 55
Due stockholders lc. per pound,  689 55 $1,379 10

Leaving to be divided among patrons,  $7,648 08
The number of cheeses made during the several months are as
follows :
May,  73
June,  277
Jllly>  '.. '. '. 300
August,  252
September, ,  Ig2
October,  g^

Total,  1,141
Total number of pounds manufactured,  68 955
Average weight of cheese,  qq 4
Due stockholders as above,  $689 55
Expenses, findings, taxes, etc.,  539 55
To be divided among thirty shares $5 each,  150 00

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 13
The debts heretofore resting upon the Association are all pro
vided for, and the prospect for success hereafter is promising. In
the Spring of 1872 the hope for success was slender, and only through
the perseverance of comparatively few patrons, and the skill and
constancy of the manufacturer, has success been achieved. And it
is due to the purchasers to say that they exhibited much skill and
discrimination in appreciating the merit of a fine article, thus en
abling the patrons to realize an advanced price in the several sales
which have been made. >
Nathan Bouton, )
George Tyler, > Trustees.
Rufus E. Holton, )

NUMBER VII.
HAVING dwelt in a previous number, somewhat at length,
upon the rise and progress of the temperance interest in
our Town, also upon the building of churches, their number and the
vital interests clustering around them, it will not be considered for
eign from our design to spend a number upon the burial of the dead,
which is an inevitable duty of every generation of our mortal race.
When the settlement of the Town commenced, the fulfillment of
the primitive sentence pronounced upon man after the fall, " Dust
thou art and unto dust shalt thou return, " was visited upon its in
habitants. The first to pay the debt of nature was a stranger, who,
attempting to go from a point near the Cayuga Lake, on the State
road, so called, to Chaplin's on the Tioughnioga river, lost his way
and perished. He was found soon after and buried by the few people
of the Town, in a manner as respectable and appropriate as practi
cable. He was buried near where he was found. Only a few fam
ilies at this time (1798) resided in the Town, which extended over ten
miles of territory. There was no public burying ground, and it was
not possible to know where it would be located. It was ten to
twelve years afterward that a public burying ground was commenced
near the intersection of roads, afterwards called the " Corners, " and

14 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
recently the " Village. " Families buried their dead on tlieir own
premises, and others, strangers and transient persons were permitted
to be laid in these family grounds. Ultimately, it came to pass that
one or more of these grounds came to be considered public, in a sub
ordinate sense. There was a large number of these which continued
in use after the public! ground was opened, as before described. It
turned out that its locality was not generally satisfactory, and within
a few years a place has been secured for a Cemetery, on lands for
merly owned by Hon. J. Reynolds, and where he had buried his dead.
A Cemetery Asssociation or organization, was formed according to
the law in such case made and provided. Additions have been
made since the first purchase, and it now consists of about six acres
Math more suitable ground contiguous, which can be acquired when
it shall be needed. And it may be said that whether villages pros
per, railroads succeed, or any other temporal interest shall be ad
vanced, this " city of the dead " will spread abroad on the right and
on the left. Whether commerce, agriculture or any other occupa
tion of men prosper or not, the current of mortality will constantly
sweep, like an over-flowing stream, the children of men into the
" hollow gaping tomb, " and " the mourners go about the streets. "
Soon these mourners will fall victims to the king of terrors and
their remains will be laid to rest in the insatiate grave, and other
mourners will lament and grieve ; and so in constant succession, as
saith the scripture, " One generation passeth away and another ven
eration cometh. "
The cemetery referred to is not in a romantic place, such as is
frequently chosen for the final resting place for the dead, though in
portions it is gently undulated, easy of access and very neat, com
modious and respectable in appearance, and very creditable to the
piety, ¦ intelligence and refinement of the people of the Town, and
all interested as having relatives here entombed. Here arc more
than thirty monuments of very respectable appearance, belonging to
the families of the Town, and others, varying in cost from one hun
dred to three hundred dollars. As has been remarked, it was a lono-
time before the public mind became thoroughly united on this locaf-
ity, during which, other and smaller grounds were, of necessity, be
ing filled up. Recently, it has been the case, that families have
been collecting the remains of friends from those scattered localities -

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 15
where they had been interred, and depositing them together in a
family plate, here procured for that purpose. This process is con
stantly going on, and this central and principal cemetery is absorb
ing the contents of those scattered in different parts of the Town.
Here is the place where persons of a contemplative state of mind
may pass through and read the inscriptions and epitaphs on monu
ments erected to perpetuate the memory of cherished friends, and
be admonished to prepare for a like event to themselves. This may
be accounted like going to the house of mourning, concerning which
the scripture saith, " It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting ; for that is the end of all men,
and the living will lav it to his heart."

NUMBER VIII.
THE subject of Agriculture, or cultivation of the earth, has al
ways been considered indispensible to the proper sustenance
and development of our race. In agreement with this proposition,
it is said in the Scripture that " the king himself is served by the
field. " It is also indispensable to the progress and prosperity of
a community, that the several branches of industries, or trades, be
prosecuted for the mutual benefit of all, and no one occupation can
well prosper without the co-operation of a great share of the occu
pations in which the respective individuals of a successful communi
ty are employed. Hence, if one of the many different employments
is successful in a community, others must be comparatively success
ful also. So that there is a mutual connection and dependence of
the several callings or occupations pursued by its members. There
are, however, particular localities where one kind of manufacture
will take the lead, owing to the different circumstances and facilities
which are tliere prevalent.
In our Town circumstances indicate clearly that the occupation of
agriculture, and other employments closely connected with it, should
employ the energies of the great majority of the people. It has been

16 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
a problem with the thoughtful and sagacious, how the energy, in
dispensable to the success of this calling, could best be developed.
Much information was necessary to guide, judiciously, this energy
when brought out, that the best results might be realized. The
principle of the proverb, that " Iron sharpeneth iron ; so a man
sharpeneth the countenance of his friend, " was finally adopted, and
Agricultural Societies were formed for mutual encouragement and
information. In this county of Cortland an Agricultural Society
was early formed, and has continued with varied success to the pres
ent time. Some individuals from this Town attended its Fairs with
profit, but the distance was such that few only could be induced to
attend. It occurred to a few minds that it might be practicable to hold
a Fair to this Town, thus bringing the benefits of the institution
home to the people here. It is said, I believe, with truth, that the
two Lincolns, Theron and Wait, were the originators of this plan.
When spoken of, it very soon awakened a great and prevailing in
terest on the subject, which resulted in the formation of the Virgil
Agricultural Society early in 1854. The members were generally
inexperienced in the matter, and other embarrassments tended to re
tard operations, but the adage, " Where there is a will there is a
way " proved true, and though it was a season of drouth, a success
ful Fair was held, and several agricultural men from other towns
came to wonder and admire. The Fair was a success. The un
quenchable ardor and indomitable enthusiasm of a large portion of
the people prevailed, and creditable Fairs were held till 1863, mak
ing the number of ten Annual Fairs.
After two or three years it was thought best to procure a piece
of ground where they might be held in successive years with con
venience and security. A very suitable locality was secured on a
lease of years, to the amount of four acres, in a square form, and
surroimded with a substantial fence of boards set upright, and eight
to ten feet high, and a building of unassuming pretension reared in
the centre for a " Floral Hall. " At first it was impossible to pro
cure sufficient funds from membership and other sources, to pay the
premiums. At length it was proposed that we proceed to make a
large cheese, to awaken more interest in attendance upon, our exhi
bitions. A cheese was made and pressed in a cider mill, in a hoop
supported by the tire of a wagon wheel, and afterwards turned by a

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 17
machine of ingenious contrivance, and presented at the Fair. The
interest to see the cheese was great, and the premiums of that Fair
were fully paid.
After the cheese became mature it was divided among those who
had furnished the curd, and the aggregate wait was more than five
hundred pounds. The example and success of our Fairs awakened
an interest in other towns around ;' and other societies were formed
which had the effect to draw from the interest of this, and owing
to this fact, and also to that of a constant current of opposition
raised by certain individuals, who kept up a constant clamor against
it, charging the administration with favoritism, etc. ; and it having
had the desired effect of awakenening an all-controlling and widely
extended spirit of vigilance and enterprise on the subject of agricul
ture and kindred employments, it was thought best, on general con
sultation, to disband and profit by what we had learned, and by what
we might yet learn from other Fairs held near us.
Of those who held the office of President, the names are as fol
lows: N. Bouton, S. G. Jones, Josephus Gee, C. A. Hotchkiss, J.
G. Tyler, Martin Luce and Wait Lincoln.
The following are the names of those who held successively the
offices of Secretary : S. G. Jones, C. B. Gleason, W. A. Wood,
Orrin C. Dann and A. Mahan, all of whom performed the duties of
their offices with ability and fidelity.
It will not be proper to close this article without a tribute to the
ladies, who were constant in their aid, rendered with much skill,
fidelity and zeal, through the whole existence of the Society.

NUMBER IX.

IT seems to your correspondent that it may be in order, at pres
ent, to give some evidences of the enterprise of our inhabitants
in the direction of roads and means of transportation. The time
was in the memory of the writer, when, all transportation between
this Town and the Hudson river, or New York, was by wagons.

18 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Teams were dispatched with produce for Albany, Newburg or Cat-
skill, and returned with merchandise. Some were loaded with but
ter, and made their way direct to New York, and would be gone
three or four weeks and return freighted with family supplies for
the year. An effort was early made to get a Turnpike Company
chartered from Norwich or Oxford to the head of the lake, or to Itha-
aca, as it has since been named. This project, however, failed, to the
great gratification of the petitioners, as they afterwards saw that it
was impracticable. Partial relief soon came on the completion of the
Grand Canal. Much expense has been sustained in the Town in
the construction of roads and bridges. The Tioughnioga passing
through the east part of the Town, required an expensive bridge,
which, at the early day in which it was built pressed heavily upon
the people; also other bridges over rapid streams which were fre
quently carried away with high water, and had to be replaced with
others, which were promptly built with the recent improvements
embraced. Soon after the completion of the Grand Canal, the sub
ject of Railroads began to occupy the attention of ,the people. Such
roads were constructed in England, and short pieces were built in
this country — particularly one between Schenectady and Albany, of
about fifteen miles.
The Grand Canal traversed the north part of our State, and was
a State work. It was felt by all impartial minds that equity re-
puired that something should be done for the southern tier of coun
ties, or as they were sometimes termed, " the secluded counties. "
What it should be was not so readily seen. It was very certain that
it could not be a Canal. The face of the country rendered it im
practicable. It occurred to a citizen of this Town that a railroad
might be constructed from New York to a point on Lake Erie. So
much was his mind impressed with the feasibility of this plan,
that he took a journey to New York and examined the route for a
railroad from that place to Binghainton, and returned with the firm
impression that the route so far was pacticable. He had previously
become acquainted with the route from Binghamton to Tioga Point,
(now Elmira) arid was satisfied with it.
Having a son wishing to move to Cattaraugus county, he took an
ox-team and a load of goods and went along and near so much of
his contemplated route as lay between his residence and Hinsdale,

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 19
of the above named county. He thus had an abundant opportunity
to examine and locate a route so far. He proceeded to inquire and
inform himself respecting the territory intervening between that
place and Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, where he proposed that the road
should terminate. He returned firmly assured of the practicability
of the whole route.
The next work in order was to present this plan to the public. It
was important that it be done with much care arid propriety. Hav-.
ing been reared in the years just following the Revolution, when
schools were poor, he could not wield the " pen of a ready writer. "
He invited his son, the writer of these articles, to aid him in this
work. He gave the data, and by our labor for a week or two, in
writing, erasing, substituting and altering, a piece was written em
bodying the plan in such language that we thought it would do to
be printed. Every idea was closely scanned ; every sentence and
every word thoroughly weighed. We well understood that the
whole matter would be looked upon as impracticable and visionary.
This, however, had not the least effect to shake the confidence of the
projector. He secured the publication of the article in the Cortland
Observe?'', a paper published in Homer, in this county of Cortland.
A few extras were procured. One of them was taken to Angelica,
in Alleghany county, and this article was copied by the paper of
that village. An effort was made to get the plan published in the
Journal of Commerce, of New York, but failed.
Soon, however, the project became known, and the people inter
ested became aroused to the importance of the subject. Conventions
were held, and though the work was slow, having innumerable ob
stacles to overcome, yet it was accomplished, and the New York and
Erie railroad is a living reality. This is the great Trunk Line, and
the writer cannot pretend to say how many branch lines are depend
ent on this for their existence.
The article referred to was published in February, 1828, forty-six
years since. The projector lived so long that in his life time the
road was completed to Binghamton, and while in his last sickness,
and within a few days of his death the cannons were booming, and
rejoicings were had over the event, in the latter part of 1846, nearly
nineteen years after the publication of the plan. The writer of
these articles is not very nervous, but when in Binghamton, stand-

20 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
ing near the convergence of the several roads that come in there, he
sees the acres of tracks and hears the whistles of the numerous trains
as they come in and go out with the numerous labels indicating the
extreme points connected by them, and reflects on the obscure and
feeble origin of all this as no other living person can reflect, he must
acknowledge his sensibilities to be deeply stirred with the scene.

NUMBER X.
IT has been the intention of the writer of these articles to close up
each subject dwelt upon, in one number. It has been felt,
however, by myself, at least, that some of the numbers have been
longer than would be desirable, and it was found that the last num
ber would be much too long if the subject were to be closed up in
'it, so another is devoted to it.
The enterprise of the people here was put to a very significant
test when the proposition for the construction of the Syracuse &
Binghamton road was made. Though it was to pass only through one
corner of the Tpwn, the call was responded to by the payment of
$11,100 to its stock, as I learned upon inquiry of the lamented David
Hale. It is needless to say that this whole amount was lost by those
who paid it. This sum was paid with the slender hope of advantage
that could be entertained under the circumstances, while other towns
had the road passing through them centrally, where the people paid
nothing. Within a few years, those residing in the west part have
been called on, very urgently, to aid in the construction of the
Southern Central, passing through the hither part of Dryden, and
considerable sums have been paid for that road. Both these roads
have been carried through, but neither of them has a station nearer
our village than six miles, so that the advantages of such roads are
not brought very near to us. There is, however, one consideration
left for us that is rather gratifying, which is, that our Town is not
bonded for railroads nor any other great object. Our Town issued
bonds for the payment of bounties in the time of the late civil war,

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. yl
which were felt to be an embarrassment while they remained, and
an evident feeding of relief prevailed when the last of these were
redeemed ; and they were brought together at a meeting of the
Auditing Board, and one of the Justices asked aloud, if any one had
any objection to offer why they should not be destroyed ( No one
raised any objection, and the)- were all placed in the stove1, and
every one seemed to breathe easier.
Much has been done here in the construction and support of com
mon roads and bridges. More, probably, than in most other towns
around, in proportion to space and population. The alteration of
the State Road, so called, so as to take most of the travel from
Snider Hill, so called, through Gridley Hollow, has caused a great
expense, especially to the people in the vicinity, and also to the
Town at large ; yet as this road is so located as to avoid most of the
hills which abound in this portion of the Town, it has been adhered
to, and the considerable expense involved in sustaining bridges, etc.,
has been borne with as much quietude and resignation as could be
reasonably expected. We now assume that the credit of our people,
for enterprise on the subject of the different classes of roads and
bridges, should rank as high as that of any other town in this vicin
ity, or anywhere else.

NUMBER XL
IT would seem that the subject of education should be considered
of importance enough to claim, at least, one letter in this series.
And that may, perhaps, come in as well at this time as any other.
It was much to the credit of the people here, that they considered
the subject of education to their children, of such importance, that
they associated together, in the separate neighborhoods, and erected
their rude school-houses. It will be understood that the School
Law had not then been enacted, and there was no organization of
school districts ; but a few neighbors would voluntarily associate to
concert means for the advancement of this vital object. As early as
1798 a school house was erected in the west part of .the Town, near

2^ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
the present residence of Aaron Hutchings. This building was oc
cupied for a few terms, when a collection of young people was had,
and they occupied it for their exercises, and it was burned down in
consequence. One of the1 number is still living at an advanced age.
His name is Seth Stevens. When the writer commenced his school
days, a few years afterwards, a log house, forsaken by its occupants,
was used for this purpose, and a man hired for a year, gave direc
tion to the young idea, which was ready to shoot. This teacher was
employed by a written contract, which the writer has seen within,
comparatively, a few years, pasted on a window to help supply the
place of a pane of glass. The names of the parties were legibly
written upon the same.
It must be acknowledged that here is incontrovertible evidence of
the energy and determination of those early settlers, who, without
State aid, incurred this considerable expense for the promotion of
this very important and laudable object. Schools were sustained in
all the principal neighborhoods, with more or less efficiency, until
1813, when the School Law took effect, and school districts were
organized, school houses built, and order established. Numerous
districts were formed, so that in about 1840 there were in Town,
districts and parts of districts, amounting in number to forty or more.
Soon after this the Town was divided ; and now wc have in its pres
ent limits about twenty districts. The advanced branches of com
mon school education were brought in by slow degrees, and it was a
long time before English Grammar was tolerated as a legitimate
branch of common school education.
Academies were few and of very recent organization in the coun
try generally, and various causes operated to prevent attendance oii
them by our more advanced scholars. To obviate these difficulties,
in part, a High School, or as known in common parlance, " The
Virgil Literary Institute, " was organized and sustained for twelve
or more years, with a good degree of success. At length academies
and other literary institutions around, have furnished such facilities
that this has been given up.
Numerous teachers have been raised up, of very respectable ac
quisitions, and have gone to different parts of our country to engage
in the instruction of children and youth in the fundamental branches ;
and also in the more advanced studies pursued in Academies and

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 23
Normal Schools. It might be considered invidious to name some
of those who have distinguished themselves in this department, and
not to name others, but as it- is impracticable to mention all, we
must be permitted to allude to some without intending disparage
ment to any. It has been said that the merit of success is in pro
portion to the difficulties overcome. If the difficulties in the way
of our students were greater than those in many places, the effort
necessary to overcome them when sustained, might lead to still more
strenuous exertion, and greater acquisitions would be made. Stu
dents from here, must, of course, meet obstacles and expenses un
known by those who live in the villages or cities where literary
institutions are located. The expenses incident upon attendance at
those institutions have pressed very heavily upon parents in our
Town, and evinced much zeal and generosity in parents, as they
have given from the fruits of their toil for the sustenance and aid of
their sons and daughters wlrile they were making solid -acquisitions
in the sciences there taught.
Allusion will be made to a few facts in illustration of the general
truths set forth above. Some time in the .course of the years of
1850-54, a number of our scholars were in attendance upon the
Cortland Academy, then under superintendency of Prof. Wool-
worth. At a' certain time he was attending the recitation of a class,
most of whom had their residence with their parents in Homer vil
lage, while the remainder were mostly from Virgil. The Homer
scholars answered the questions but poorly, and they would pass
along until a Virgil scholar was reached, when they would be an
swered. This continued a while when the feelings of the preceptor
were aroused, and he gave vent to them in manner and form fol
lowing, to wit : — " I am ashamed of you. Here you have lived all
your lives in this village, having convenient access to the school at
all times, and here are scholars coming from the Virgil hills, bring
ing their board, hiring a room, and answering your questions. "
It might be accounted indelicate in the writer to name the scholars
referred to, as coming from Virgil and answering those questions.
I am told that some from our Town have distinguished themselves
also, in the academy in Cortland village, previous to the institution
of the Normal School. Among these were Anna Sheerar, Orrin
Luce and Mary Leech. In the Normal School, some from this

y4 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Town have graduated ; John E. Winslow, James H. Shults, W. S.
Spencer, etc., some of whom have been employed in the same insti
tution as teachers.
In the Autumn of 1868 there was what was called the Regents'
Examination in the two Academies of Cortland and Whitney's
Point. Questions were sent to be proposed to the students in the
classes. A large class was examined in the Cortland Academy,
under Prof. J. J. Pease. Only one of the whole number passed in
all branches, and that was Miss Sarah B. Leech, now Mrs. Louks,
from one of the " Virgil hills. " The same examination was had
at Whitney's Point, under Prof. E. C. Beach. About thirty in the
class and none of them received the certificate involved, except
Lydia Bloomer, now Mrs. Davis, who like Mrs. Louks, was born
and reared in Old Virgil. It seems that there must have been de
cided merit in their acquisitions, respectively, or these scholars and
their native- Town would not have had this distinguishing tribute,
while all other towns and localities represented in these institutions
failed to endure this test.

NUMBER XII.
ONE would conclude on perusal of my last extended letter, that
the subject of education in Virgil, had been sufficiently set
forth, but upon reflection and further consultation with friends, it is
thought best to continue the subject in another article, with the de
sire to do impartial justice to those interested, which, it must be con
ceded, is a delicate and responsible task.
It seems that a slight error obtained in the last number in refer
ence to John E. Winslow, who was named as one who had graduated
at the Normal School. It appears that he was prevented from
graduating by ill health, and was forced to return home, where he
has since remained, owing to sickness in the family, and has not yet
resumed his studies. It is due to him to say that he has the repu
tation of a thorough scholar, so far as Ins health and other circum-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 25
stances permitted him to proceed. Others beside those named have
graduated and have become distinguished teachers, among whom are
George E. Ryan and Alice Lincoln. Some years since Marvin
Ryan, .son of Jonathan Ryan, became a teacher of distinction, and
went to Illinois and engaged in teaching in an institution of some
note, where he continued for a time, when he was taken with dis
ease and returned home. To the great grief of his friends and ac
quaintances, his disease terminated in death. The aforementioned
George E. Ryan is a younger brother of the deceased just referred
to, and is now engaged as Principal in the" same institution, called a
Union or Graded School, at a salary of $800, with two hundred and
fifty scholars enrolled. Miss Lincoln has been engaged as teacher
in institutions of distinction in Dry den and Binghamton.
During the early years of our Town's history, several teachers
have risen among us, who have acquitted themselves nobly in their
"profession. Among these are William Hunter, Michael Frank, P.
F. Grow, Frederick Hyde, W. E. Gee, George Graham, I. B.
Bloomer, J. S. Squires, John M. Roe, Rachel and Milly Bouton,
Ruth and Minerva Lincoln, Charlotte and Jane Palmer, Charlotte
Ehle, and others too numerous to mention. A large number have
engaged in this honorable and responsible calling in more recent
years, among whom, owing to his want of acquaintance, the writer
feels that he is incompetent to discriminate, though many of them
are doubtless fully equal in merit and success to those in the list
named. We have lived and progressed under the different forms of ad
ministration that have obtained during the sixty years since the en
actment of the School Law. We have had School Commissioners,
School Inspectors, Town Superintendents, County Superintendents
and District Commissioners. All these officers have had resting on
them, in the times of their administration, respectively the respon
sible duty of examining candidates offering themselves for teachers.
And even before the enactment of the School Law, a sense of the
importance of some sort of test appeared necessary to the sagacious,
early settlers, and they endeavored to discharge this duty according
to the best of their ability. Every one acquainted with the spelling
book published about the year 1800, by Noah Webster, Jr., Esq.,
knows that at the close of a long chapter of hard names there were

26 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
two short columns of long names of five, six or more syllables, such
' as Ompompanoosuc, Canajoharie, Michillimacinac, etc. In the ex
ercise of then- prerogative and their best judgment, they chose, in
one instance at least, the lesson containing the aforementioned
names, and directed the candidate to pronounce them, which she
did to the satisfaction of those who conducted the examination.
This occurred in about 1807. It will not probably be considered
impertinent to give her name] It was Mercy Wright, and the writer
participated in the benefits derived from her intelligent arid faithful
labors. If I were asked at what time in the history of our Town,
the interest in the cause of common school education was greatest,
my answer would be, that it was, in my opinion, in the time when
the " Virgil Literary Institute " was held, and during the adminis
tration of Hon. H. S. Randall, County Superintendent, which were
co-temporary.

NUMBER XIII.
IT is probable that by this time your readers are expecting some
thing brilliant in the setting forth of the names of distinguished
individuals of our Town, in the several departments and aspects in
which human life is viewed by contemplative observers. Your
readers may rest assured that we have a bright array of names to
be presented, and commendable and honorable deeds done, before
we close these essays. In order that these shall shine in a manner
to give a just and appropriate view, the picture must have painted
for it a proper background. As these are to be brilliant, it would
seem that the background should be dark, that the contrast may be
the more significant.
As early as the earliest recollection of the oldest inhabitant, the
practice of intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks has pre
vailed in Town, and has produced its lamentable effects. It would
be difficult to add much to the vivid descriptions of the untold evils
of this practice, as they have been set forth by the tongue and pen
of eloquence which have been employed on this painful subject dur
ing the long years that have passed since 1829, when the minds of

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 27
•
the people were thoroughly aroused on this subject. Temperance
societies were formed to counteract and remove this great evil.
Much good has been done, relief has been gained, individuals have
been reformed and evil prevented. But the warfare was an unequal
one. The friends of the cause of temperance had unanswerable ar
guments founded on moral principle to present, which were available
for a good purpose, when set before the moral, intelligent and re
flective portion, of the community. These, however, were not
adapted to effect the mind of the seller of ^he deleterious article, or
to make head against the craving, insatiable thirst of his victim.
Numerous plans have been put in requisition to save, if possible,
those who have been drawn into the net of the remorseless tyrant,
Intemperance. When approached by a kind friend in his sober
hours it seemed as though reformation were probable, and high hopes
would be cherished by ardent, hoping, solicitous friends. Such
hopes have proved, in a majority of instances, to be delusive, and
the cherished object of affection and anxiety has returned to his
cups, and the last- state of that man is worse than the first. It is
painful to trace the history of the rum-sellers of our town. They
and their families have mostly come to ruin.
We have not time nor inclination to particularize. It would be
impossible to set forth, within the compass of an essay of tolerable
length, any comprehensive or adequate view of the evils and suffer
ings involved. How many families made wretched, hopes blasted,
lives sacrificed, and poverty, shame and ignorance entailed on inno
cent and. helpless sufferers. These and numberless other ills go to
make up the aggregate of the burdens borne by the industrious,
economical, thrifty and reliable portion of the community. The
. reader may be induced to inquire : Is that so ? Has Virgil been
subject to such evils and burdens in' consequence of intemperance ?
How would the description given apply to our country generally, or
to other countries, or to the loorld f I apprehend that the descrip
tion given fails almost entirely of presenting a true view of the sub
ject. It lacks immeasurably in force, vividness of description and
pungency of expression to come up to the truth. Indeed, language
fails, words fall infinitely short of expressing the woful reality.
Efforts have been put forth, taking various forms, and organized on
different plans. We have had temperance organizations differently

28 ' SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. #
constituted which continued, each for a time, and were productive
of good — we know not how much — as we cannot know how debased
we might have been, but for these instumentalities. We have now
, no temperance organization, and shall not have any that will inspire
much confidence while spirits are employed in medicine for the sick,
as freely as at present. These remarks may be thought rather sug
gestive ; but the writer has been cognizant of several very painful
instances of this kind. In one case a man in middle life, under the
direction of a physician, \mbibed so much that he was disguised and
unfit for the transaction of financial business. Many similar
cases might be adduced, but I forbear. There remains another
branch of this subject to be discussed, which must wait for a subse
quent article.

NUMBER XIV.
AT the close of our last number, it was announced that another
branch of the same subject remained to be discussed.
The subject dwelt upon in the last number was intemperance, and
its most efficient auxiliary is the use of tobacco. The most of those
who are intemperate use this article, though many who use it are
not intemperate in the use of intoxicating drinks. This practice is
extremely prevalent, and is the cause of inexpressible regret and
sorrow to every intelligent well-wisher to humankind. Perhaps
there is no point in morals where the public mind and sentiment are
so deplorably at fault as here. Let this subject be set forth in a
sermon, lecture or public discussion, and any observing person will <
discover an ill-concealed sneer* as though the speaker were belittling
himself. If in an appropriate time and place, a speaker should in
troduce this topic, and any should be led to intimate that the sub
ject was beneath the dignity of the speaker, the place or the occa
sion, then it is beneath any of us to inquire for the cause of the in^
creased debility of the present generation, with those that are past.
Our health is given us as a rich blessing to be watched over, cared
for and preserved with the utmost vigilance. The effect of tobacco
is invariable in its debilitating influence on those who use it, and on

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 29
posterity. This proposition is amply supported by reference to
medical authorities, as I am told. But were it not thus, an individ
ual with only a moderate share of discrimination might see the con
nection of weakness and disease in children, with this practice in their
parents, thus furnishing a clear illustration of one of the means by
which the " iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children unto
the third and fourth generation. "
It is melancholy to reflect upon the numerous deaths of individ
uals caused by this practice. The writer has known several persons
whose death could not by the greatest ingenuity of evasion, be traced
to any other cause than the use of this article. Many who practice
smoking or chewing tobacco, seem totally insensible to the claims
of courtesy or decency. If this were not true, how shall we account
for the fact that a Justice of the Peace will start a pipe while sitting
in the Judicial chair, and engaged in the trial of a cause ? How
shall we judge the state of mind of a person who will go into a post
office and engage in smoking a pipe or cigar ? All classes are ex
pected to call and get the intelligence directed to them ; but all are
not partial to the fumes of the pipe. Nay, it is an offense to many.
How shall we justify those men of business who will indulge in this
practice while negotiating with those to whom it is an offence ? The
writer has had important business to transact with such, when they
would undertake to use the English language with a cigar or pipe
in their mouth, reminding one of a carpenter trying to talk with a
gimlet in his mouth. This practice by many is reckoned rather
filthy. We have no Town Hall to accommodate the citizens for meeting
to attend to the various kinds of business incident to the progress of
a community ; consequently it has been difficult to procure a proper
and convenient place to hold such gatherings. It has been held
that they are not suitable to the design of a church, and especially as a
promiscuous assembly might not use the proper care to keep the
same clean, from the cause previously hinted at.
This practice shortens the life of those who follow it, in most
instances, besides rendering that life burdensome by the weakness
and infirmity thus induced. It discourages effort in behalf of youth,
who might otherwise be hopeful ; and the benevolent are deterred
from rendering that help that would otherwise be freely bestowed in

30 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
the aid of the exertions of those who would progress in the arts or
sciences. Let a young man appeal for aid to a philanthropist of
means, and when about to receive that encouragement which he
greatly desired — if that kind friend should discover this habit in
him, the desired aid would be withheld and the hope of the petition
er would vanish in thin air. It is painful to reflect that a large
share of our young men contract this habit, thus throwing a pall
over their prospects, and forfeiting the confidence of every one whose
good opinion could be of any avail for their success and advancement
in life. How much talent and capacity are thus thrown away ! It
is the practice of perverted human nature to turn blessings into
curses. Thus the invention of matches was. one which was adapted
to promote great convenience in the business of life. But, alas !
how has this been perverted, as it has facilitated the smoker in his
efforts to undermine health and draw on the decreptitude and de
bility of premature age. This is a practice of incredible cost. Every
man that has indulged in it for forty-five years has spent $2,000,
more or less, and oftener more than less. Sucli disable themselves
measurably, from aiding worthy objects;, as building churches, bridges,
school houses, and even making and keeping their own families com
fortable and respectable. At a moderate estimate there has been
spent in this way six times as much in this Town as has been the
tiost of all the churches, school houses, ministers' salaries and teach
ers' wages. If all that is worse than wasted by this practice could
be expended for the increased comfort and convenience of families,
and for valuable public objects, this Town might be placed in a very
enviable condition.

NUMBER XV.
I come now to consider some of the effects of tobacco on the pow
ers of the minds and bodies of those who indulge in its use.
And I do this by quotations from a prize essay by Elisha Harris,
M. D., physician to the New York City Dispensary. He says " the
ultimate results of tobacco using are invariably the same. By it the

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 31
nerves are irritated, the senses benumbed and their functions per
verted; the action of the heart is rendered feeble .and irregular, the
blood circulates imperfectly, all the functions of life become slug
gish, and old ago creeps over countenances and frames that other
wise would have possessed all the bloom and vivacity of youth.
Most of those causes of intermission of the heart's action which
cause so much alarm to those who suffer from it ; and much of that
fashionable disease known as palpitation of the heart, arise from
tobacco using. " Again he says, " The disastrous effects of tobacco
upon the functions of the nervous system and the action of the heart,
are felt throughout every tissue of the body ; the blood moves slug
gishly, and as it stagnates in delicate organs, foundation is laid for
every form of disease, while at the same time the poison of the drug
itself is diffused through every tissue of the living frame, benumb
ing and paralyizing all the powers of life. " Again, " Tobacco using
is a prolific cause of that fashionable disease, dyspepsia ; and among
students and literary men, it is the most frequent cause of this ex
ecrated and protean malady. The excellent and eminent Dr. Wood
ward, so long the Superintendent of the Asylum for the insane at
Worcester, Mass., has left his testimony, " that tobacco produces
insanity. " He says, " I am fully confident that its influence upon
the brain and nervous system is hardly less than that of alcohol, and
if excessively used is equally injurious. "
It has been noticed by every one who has endeavored to produce
an impression on moral subjects upon the mind of a tobacco-user,
that it has proved to be peculiarly insusceptiable to any motives or
arguments that might be adduced. Dr. Alcott has remarked that
" no class of men think more tardily than tobacco users. "
Many buildings have been destroyed by fire from pipes and cigars.
Some twenty-five years since a barn was destroyed on Snider Hill,
by the pipe of the owner. Perhaps twenty years ago a barn belong
ing to Esq. Brusie, in the east part of the Town was burnt down
in consequence of a drunken man going in to stay, and endeavoring
to smoke, lost his life besides destroying considerable property.
The reader can attribute this to spirits or tobacco. It is not mater
ial. Within the region of my personal knowledge, at least three
valuable dwelling-houses have been destroyed by this cause with
in a few years. Fires from smoking are of frequent occurrence.

32 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
The great fire in North and Pearl streets, Boston, was caused by a
cigar. A church- in Chicago, which cost some thirty thousand dol
lars was laid in ashes in the same way.
Instances are known to the writer of those who have broken off
this habit and never resumed it, and it has always resulted in an im
provement of health. Dr. Rufus Holton, some sixty or more years
old, effectually cured himself, indicating to all who should come
after him that it can be done. Jonas Owen abandoned its use, and
the use of intoxicating drinks at the same time, and continues to
give them a wide berth. These cases show that this practice can
be abandoned with safety.
I have said tobacco-using was an auxiliary to intemperance. I
will refer to a few authorities. Says that noble friend of temper
ance, E. C. Delavan, " I have had my fears for the safety of the
temperance cause through the insidious influence of tobacco. It is
my conviction that while the use of tobacco continues, intemperance
will continue to curse the world. " Dr. Woodward has remarked
that " the use of tobacco is the most ready and common stepping-
stone to that use of spirituous liquors which leads to intemperance. "
Dr. Rush has observed that " smoking and chewing dispose to the
use of the stronger stimulus of ardent spirits. " Having a good op
portunity once to get the opinion of a celebrated physician, Dr. F.
Hyde, I asked him for the merits of tobacco as a medicine. His
answer was in these words, " It is not necessary in the treatment of
any disease. " The pecuniary cost of spirits and tobacco consumed
in the United States, of which Virgil is a part, is immense annually —
sufficient, it may be presumed, to pay our National debt in one year,
or at all events, in an incredibly short space of time.
There are in our Village three octogenarians, or those whose
ages will average about eighty, in a distance of sixty rods, who do not
use the article referred to, who are able to manage the affairs of a
household, and are taking part in active life. Their names are
Henry Vunk, Jonas Owen and Daniel Price. There are others of
the same class in Town, as B. B. Hubbell, Barnabas Baker and John
Tyler, whose ages will average more than eighty, all in reasonable
health for men of their years. Doubtless there are others whom
we do not know well enough to venture their names. Are there as
many who answer to this descriprion, who indulge in this practice \

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 33
I am aware that two or three of my last letters may not have been
very captivating ; but I thought that if I evaded these points, I could
not claim to be an impartial historian ; hence their insertion in our
course.

NUMBER XVI.
I now proceed to name individuals who have either distinguished
themselves in Town, or have done honor to the place of their
nativity in other localities. The first name which I shall mention,
is that of George Frank, a son of John M. Frank, a soldier of the
Revolution, and the second settler of the Town. With great diffi
culty and delay, he arrived in November, 1795, and settled on lot
No. 43, which he drew as bounty land, in consequence of his ser
vices in the army. The subject of this notice, was five or six years
of age on the arrival of the family at their new home in the wilder
ness. All will agree that his circumstances for acquiring an educa
tion were far from flattering. He had no aid in his study of the
English language from his parents, as they were unacquainted with
it, being of German origin, and there being no school in the vicinity
till 1798, some of his best school days must have passed without
opportunity. Notwithstanding all this, he was found on arriving at
mature years, to have a respectable common school education, which
fitted him to fill some important offices in Town. He was Justice
of the Peace for several years. He was a good writer and a very
acceptable reader. While the Congregational church was without a
minister, he was chosen to read sermons at their meetings on the
Sabbath, for some ten or more years, which duty he performed to
the satisfaction of all concerned. Having been associated with him
as a school officer for a year or two, I once asked him how he had
been able to make such attainments in education. His answer was
that he availed himself of such means as the place afforded, and
sometimes he visited the place of his birth near the Mohawk, where
he gained all that he could.

34 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. '
Here is an example for those of meager opportunities to imitate. Ill]
He was an exemplary citizen and died in a good old age, revered
and lamented.
William Hunter, whose birth occurred in 1801, was brought into '
Town by his parents, an infant, and had his rearing here with the -
slender advantages of the times, and grew up a lover of education,
and was qualified to teach on arriving at the proper age. He chose.
the profession of medicine and pursued the proper studies, reciting
to Dr. Bronson, of this place. While occupied in his studies he
taught our village school five winters in succession. His pactice
was in Jasper, Steuben Co., where he acquired the reputation of a
skillful physician. He was twice elected to the State Legislature.
He has gone to " that bourne whence no traveler returns. " His
two brothers, Charles and Hiram, became somewhat distinguished.
Charles went to Jasper, studied medicine with William, became a
physician, practiced in that vicinity a while, and died. Hiram en
gaged in the study of the law, with an attorney who spoke highly
of the capacity of his mind, and of his acquisitions: He was a
teacher of considerable ability ; but his health failing he abandoned
the law, and afterwards the business of teaching ; and after a lin
gering illness he died. All the means for mental improvement that
could he made available were put in requisition. Winter after —
winter witnessed the formation of a lyceum or debating society,
where the great questions of public interest were investigated, and
all the research that could be had was exercised, and the results
brought out for the instruction and mutual benefit of all. These
meetings inspired much interest. The comparative merits of Bona
parte and Washington, as Generals, was set forth ; the respective
abilities of Hannibal and Caesar; the comparative benefits derived
from Dr. Franklin and Columbus ; from the art of printing and the
magnetic- needle; the comparative damage sustained by our race
from fire and water — by slavery and intemperance, etc. Much tal
ent and research were displayed in these discussions. They not
only elicited information, but inured those participating in them
for effective labor in those important causes soon to come before the
people, such as temperance, etc. These debates were from A. D.,
1822 to 1826. Those enlisting in them were the Hunters, Woods,
Grows, Franks, Greens, Roes, Hydes, Edwards, Reynolds and
others not recollected or too numerous to mention.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 35
The first Temperance Society was formed on the Fourth of July,
1829, composed mostly of young men. It was soon followed by an
efficient Female Temperance Society, which embraced a noble band
of intelligent, decided and ardent friends of the temperance cause.
These societies mutually aided and supported each other. The ad
vocates of strong drink were numerous and determined. But the
talent and argument were on the part of the advocates of the tem
perance cause. After the first address, by Michael Frank, the
speakers were mostly from other places for a while, but it was soon
seen that need for addresses was so great and urgent that domestic
talent must be put in requisition, and the needed men were found.
The effect was a general one. In many instances loads of friends
would be taken to distant school-houses, and one of the number
would give an address, and however few from the vicinity would
come in, we were sure of an enthusiastic meeting, for we had the
material with us. In this way the cause was advocated and pro
moted in all the school districts around,- and we all had frequent
opportunities to listen to our young men in support of this noble
cause. The following are some of them : Rev. W. J. Bradford, Michael
Frank, Frederick Hyde, William E. Gee, P. F. Grow, and subse
quently George Graham. Many who were not classed as public
speakers were very useful in supporting the speakers, and in individ
ual influence among the people, and many opponents soon became
firm friends.

ANOTHER VOICE FROM VIRGIL.
HOW glad I am that there is such a town as Virgil. How
gratifying it must be to you to know you live in a county
with such a remarkable town in it. I live in Virgil ; but when I
think of the wonderful events that have occurred here, I have to
hold my breath. Why, we have men here that know all about
" World-Making " — that calls everybody fools but just us. And

36 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
they can do lots of things that no other one ever thought of doing.
And are full of knowledge that no one would ever need. We have
some of the most brilliant scholars and railroad projectors, and, in
fact, everything that is necessary to make a town great and glorious.
Just take in account the number of rats killed in one barn, and then
count the barns in town and suppose they don't average any better
than that barn ; you can see at a glance that it has some notoriety
in regard to the production of rats. Mr. Editor, I must close, as I
have to make out other copies of this article to the other editors of
this county.
P. S. — As I have a little more time my mind is so full * I can't
stop here. Suppose each rat is worth ten cents ; from that income
alone — say nothing about butter and cheese — in a very' short time
we could project and build a railroad from Messengerville west,
passing through Gridley Hollow and the village I live in, Froghud-
dle, Hutehingville, and so on to Dryden, intersecting there with the
Southern Central.
Mr. Editor, it may seem strange to you that Dryden would ever
be let out into the world this way, but it looks reasonable to the
smartest of us. I hardly know how to stop without mentioning
some other things that are occuring in our town, but I must close,
and I will. Letter No. 1. N. B. — Please print soon and oblige
the third voice from Virgil.
March 14th, 1874.

NUMBER XVII.
IT was my design to pass rather briefly over what remained of
my plan respecting our Town of Virgil ; but I find in your
issue of the 17th of March, a fresh illustration of a fact set forth in
my third letter and alluded to in my eighth, as one reason why our
agricultural fairs were given up. In the third letter it is said that
" a portion of our population, embracing men of property and in
fluence, have failed to harmonize with the efforts made for the pro
motion of plans for the elevation of the Town in the scale of mor-

SUPPLEMENTARY "LETTERS. 37
ality, education or agriculture, causing the wheels of progress to roll
heavily." And in the eighth number, it is said, speaking of some
of the reasons for giving up our agricultural fairs, " that of a con
stant current of opposition raised by certain individuals who kept
up a continual clamor against it, charging the administration with
favoritism, etc. " The communication above alluded to is entitled
" Another Voice from Virgil, " written in a manner to caricature
our Town and what has been written to the credit of the same.
What has been written in this piece harmonizes in and with the
facts alluded to above, and shows that the energy and thrift of the
people have always had a strong undercurrent of opposition to meet
when any important enterprise or improvement was proposed. /
It is in accordance with all nature that every good has its oppo
site. Wheat has its smut. Corn has to contend with the cut-worm
and wire-worm. The apple tree has its borer and caterpillar ; the
plum its curculio ; the currant its bug, and so on endlessly, and
when any efforts are put forth for the diffusion of needed informa
tion, it has its opposite ; hence, " Another Voice from Virgil."
The name of the writer of these articles has been subscribed to
each, that the public may know where to look for the responsibility ;
and much care has been taken to gain assurance of all the facts in
serted, and to see that no representation should be overdrawn. The
writer is held in law and equity to answer for all the statements
here made. There can be but one of two reasons for withholding
the writer's name from such a production as the one before alluded
to. The first is that he is ashamed of it. The other is that if his
name be given it will diminish from its effect.
I now proceed to name some other individuals deserving special
notice : Carlo M. Woods, son of Dr. Hervey Woods, who died when
he was very young, leaving him a slender child to struggle with
poverty and the various difficulties incident to his condition. He
was a studious and successful scholar, learned the trade of printing,
went to Illinois, set up a paper published in Quincy, which contin
ued several years. He has since been Clerk of Adams county, and
afterwards Clerk of the Supreme and District Courts of Quincy
District.

38 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
John B. Benton spent most of his early life here ; was a student
* of medicine under Dr. Bronson, and has practiced his profession in
Spencer, Tioga Co., with a good degree of eminence. George Gra
ham also spent his early life here, evincing great taste for education,
soon became a teacher, ultimately removed to Kansas, where he has
filled several Legislative offices, and also that of State Treasurer.
H. M. Sheerar had his rearing and education here, became a teacher,
afterwards Town Superintendent of Common Schools, ultimately
removed to Wellsville, Alleghany county, N. Y., and is there, prac
ticing dentistry with success, and enjoys a large share of public con
fidence, which is evinced by his being frequently chosen to fill im
portant positions of honor and trust. Garret House spent most of
his childhood and youth, and made his acquisitions in education in
this Town. He afterwards engaged in the manufacture of church
organs, taking up the trade without an instructor, as he said to me
in words like the following, " I dug it out myself. " He now has a
large establishment for the manufacture of church organs in Buffalo,
and makes sales of the article from Massachusetts to St. Louis. "
Wesley Hooker, Esq., editor of the " Standard and Journal, "
published in Cortland village, resided with his brother, Culver
Hooker, in Virgil, from the age of thirteen to twenty-one, and at
tended school about three months each winter, where the most of
his acquisition in education was made. He, however, attended the
Ithaca Academy a portion of two terms; engaged two years as.
teacher, when he commenced laboring in the Ithaca Journal office.
Afterwards he was engaged in other printing offices as foreman,
publisher or 'editor. He then returned to Ithaca, engaged in the
Journal office as foreman ten years, then editor and business mana
ger ten years, six years of which time he was County Treasurer,
when he came to Cortland nearly two years since, procured the
union of the two papers, the Standard and Journal, and has pub
lished the united paper successfully since, procuring large accessions
to the number of subscribers, materially enlarging the same, and
now issuing a paper equalled by few in talent, mechanical execution
and influence.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 39
NUMBER XVIII.
I proceed with the list of names of those meriting notice in this
connection.
Gideon Messenger was a step-son of Joseph Chaplin, the first
settler in Town. I have heard him say that he had been through
on the State Road, so called, from Chaplin's on the Tioughnioga, to
its termination, on the Cayuga Lake in Milton, since Genoa and
now Lansing, when there was not a house on the road in the whole
distance. He was elected to the office of Supervisor of the Town
several successive years, when the numerical strength of the party
against him was greatest. Of course he had the confidence of his
constituents. He died a few years since at an advanced age.
Moses Rice was an early settler, and a man of reading and intel
ligence. He was appointed Justice of the Peace and elected Sup
ervisor in several successive years, and mostly while this Town was
a part of the county of Onondaga. He died long since in a good
old age. It is due to his memory to say that in the discharge of
his duties as Justice of the Peace he was prompt, intelligent and
impartial. We have with us, Sanford Bouton, long an acting Justice of the
Peace, performing the duties incident to that office with readiness
and impartiality, and was also Supervisor of the Town several years.
Hiram Bouton, born in this Town in 1799, long since a resident
in the adjoining town of Dryden, was a Justice of the Peace there
several years, and until recently, when age and infirmity admonished
him to retire.
Nathaniel Bouton, Jr., was born and reared in this Town. He
early went to Marathon — was long since elected to the office of
Justice, which he has now held for fifteen years, more or less, and
has recently been elected President of the Corporation in the village
of Marathon. A few orily of our distinguished townsmen can be
named in our list. The intention is to be impartial, and it is earn
estly hoped that none will think the writer invidious. A few sep
arate individuals will now be named in addition to those already
noticed. The writer was once in conversation with Dr. Holbrook, pastor
of the Congregational Church in Homer, when the subject turned

40 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
upon this Town, and he remarked that in his previous 'pastorates,
the best deacon he ever had was from Virgil. With me the ques
tion was, what should be his name ? His answer- was, that it was
William C. Chamberlain.' I had known him as a well disposed boy,
with frank, open countenance, but this announcement met me with
gratified surprise. He is a brother of N. Chamberlain, of Cortland.
We found in the Standard last winter, a eulogistic notice of Dr.
J. Shcerar, of Vermont, and formerly from Cortland county, witli
the remark that it was greatly to the credit of Cortland county to
have sent such a young man out to make his mark in the world. In
a later issue of the same paper is a laudatory notice copied from
the Albany Argus, of the same individual, stating for substance that
a solo tenor of celebrity, from New England, Dr. J. Shecrar, by name,
would make his debut — would sing, etc. And in a subsequent issue
of the Argus, it is said, " Dr. J. Sheerar made a decided sensation
with Iris fine tenor voice and refined and artistic manner. " So New
England has the credit of this performance and Cortland county
had it previously. Suppose we trace back this distinguished person
age a little, and we shall find his birth occurring and his childhood
and early youth spent on the banks of Cunningham creek, in Virgil,
a small unpretending stream in general, but sometimes rather noisy.
It has been announced that one of our townsmen had been a Mem
ber of Congress. Several have been members of our State Legisla
ture. The time was when Cortland county was entitled to two
Members of Assembly. This was the case in 1825. The two par-
tics made nomination of two Members each. The parties were rep
resented on their tickets each by a Member from Preble and Viro-il
The parties were very nearly balanced. The result was that those
elected were both from Virgil. Their names were James Chatterton
and Josiah Hart. Since that time six Members have been elected from
Virgil. Their names were Nathan Heaton, Timothy Green, Piatt
F. Grow, J. H. Knapp, Nathan Bouton and Dan C. Squires. Rufus
Edward's of this Town was appointed a Judge of the County Court, \
and officiated till the office- was abolished. In less than a year since "
it. was said that three of the most- important offices in our county
were held by men born and reared in Virgil, as it is since its divis
ion, to wit : Judge, Slieriff and District Attorney. When the First

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 41
National Bank was organized in Cortland, and its nine officers
elected, it was seen that four of that number were born and reared
in the Township of Virgil.

I

NUMBER XIX.
N referring to the history of our Town brought out in connection
with the " Festive Gathering of the Early Settlers and Present
Inhabitants of the Town of Virgil," I find references to individuals
which I feel justified in reproducing for the present occasion. Wait
Ball settled in the Town in 1798 with a large family, and being a
man of respectable education and good ability, he soon became
known in Town and abroad, as one in a good degree distinguished.
He was soon appointed Justice of the Peace, the duties of which
office he was eminently qualified to fulfill, and continued to hold the
same sixteen years. He was also one of the Judges of the county
several years. He died at an advanced age in about the year 1837.
Joseph Reynolds settled in Town in 1808, and from small begin
nings arose to the office of Justice of the- Peace, which he held sev
eral years ; was Member of Assembly in 1819, was -County Judge,
Member of Congress and Brigadier General of Militia. He died
some years since at his residence,, in Cortland.
Joseph Chaplin, son of the first settler of the Town, was distin
guished in the locality where he resided as a man of intelligence and
integrity, was chosen a Justice of the Peace by the people, and a
Major in the Militia, and was generally and familiarly known as
" Major Chaplin. " He removed to the West some years since and
died. It was stated in a former number that there was no heavy stream
of water passing centrally through the Town, which might be ap
plied in propelling mills and machinery. It must not be inferred
from this, however, that there have been no manufacturing estab
lishments set up among us. There was a beginning made in the

42 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
business of stone-cutting and preparing grave stones, many years
since, by Caleb Whiting, Jr., which increased very much with the
years that passed, and many hands were employed and sales made
far and wide, and though commencing with common quarry stone,
it soon became an extensive manufactory of marble. This business
has passed through several hands, and for a few of the last years the
superintendency has devolved upon Charles Williams, and many ex
quisitely wrought grave stones and monuments have been carried.
from his shop to Dryden, and to other places, and many have been
set up in our own neat cemetery. Mr. Williams has recently moved
to Dryden, where he is employed in the- same calling:
We have two extensive establishments for the manufacture of
wagons and carriages and sleighs, employing each a considerable
number of hands, and making sales over a wide extent of territory.
The names of the proprietors are respectively, E. Perkins and E.
Crain, each having a large building for the storing and exhibition
of wares. We have three churches in the Village, with sittings suf
ficient for the accommodation of all the population residing within
a convenient distance, and a minister for each. Also three stores
of sufficient capacity to supply the ordinary needs of the whole pop
ulation, and shops corresponding with the wants of the people. It
is not the intention of the writer to represent all or any of the dis
tinguished individuals of our Town, or those who have removed from
here, as being faultless, as saith the scripture, (" for there is no man
that sinneth not. ")
Large numbers of our citizens have arisen from small beginnings
to the possession of ample estates, some of whom have left their na
tive place, braved the rigors and hardships of a new country, and
in their age, may congratulate themselves with the possession of
abundant means to meet every temporal want, reflecting that the
acquisition has been made by honest industry and good economy,
without any lucky hits, verifying the saying that " the hand of the
diligent maketh rich and addeth no sorrow with it. " I might men
tion names, but the difficulty would be to know where to leave off
safely, so I will not beging the count. I am well assured that we
have poor pay-masters among us, but I feel justified in saying here,
that I have been told by a merchant of great experience and int-i-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 43
mate acquaintance with the subject, that he finds a smaller percent
age of loss in debts against men from this Town than any other
town with which he deals in his extensive business of farmer's sup
plies.

NUMBER XX.
I proceed to cite a few facts which I might be excused from in
serting, inasmuch as they have reference to parts of the orig
inal Town, but now embraced in the towns of Harford and Lapeer.
In a former number reference is made to the name of Nathan Hea-
ton, as having been a Member of Assembly from our Town, which
was in 1841, and before the division. He was taken sick in his
term of service and returned home and died before the term closed.
He had been active in public matters, and was especially instru
mental in establishing the cemetery in the present town of Harford.
I proceed to mention two other names, especially with a view of
bringing forward the efficacy and value of moral principle in pro
moting the welfare of those exercising it. At the commencement
of the temperance interest, Francis Morton was an inebriate, and
with his family in poverty and wretchedness. He became a sober
man, embraced religion and reared a family of respectability and
usefulness, and himself exhibiting the appearance of great humility
and deep devotion.
Theodore E. Hart was first postmaster in that portion while it
was yet Virgil, and being an extravagant user of tobacco came total
ly to abstain, which is more to his credit than to be a banker in
Canandaigua. I derive these facts from Mrs. Heaton, now of Cort
land village, a part of which is corroborated by my own knowledge.
Jesse Storrs, long an inhabitant of our Town, in that portion now
embraced in Lapeer, was a teacher of some eminence, had a small
property, engaged in rearing fruit trees on a very small scale, in
creased considerably, ultimately sold out and removed to Painesville,
Ohio, continued the business, entered into a partnership, the title of
which is " Storrs, Harrison & Co. " They occupy much space in

44 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
the cultivation of their trees, new, rare and beautiful plants, shrub
bery, etc., and have issued a spring catalogue of plants, including
roses, green-house and bedding plants, etc., a description of which
fills a pamphlet of sixty pages. I state these facts not to forestall
some writer who may be induced to write up these towns, but to set
forth the power of moral principle and persistent energy, when em
ployed in enterprises eminently laudable and useful.
Andrew Brusie was intelligent and useful, — was a Justice of the
Peace several years — had a forge for manufacturing iron from frag
ments, which he prosecuted several years ; and when any one wished
to speak highly of the quality of iron, he" would say, "It is a good
Brusie iron. " He left the Town some years since. It is not known
that he is still living.
Randall Williams was an early inhabitant of this Town — received
rather of a limited education here. At the age of about eighteen
he went to Pike county, Pennsylvania ; engaged in canaling ; rose
to be section engineer on' seven miles of canal, implying confidence
and ability. Afterwards went to Janesville, Wis., and has risen
to affluence.
Reuben Gridley was a man of indomitable energy, and it was very
much through his instrumentality that the road through Gridley
Hollow, so called after him, was established and made fit for travel,
and is the principal thoroughfare from Virgil to Marathon. He re
moved with a large family to Michigan some years since, where
several of his sons have become men of property and influence.
John E. Roe settled here early in 1798. He was deficient in ed
ucation, and in order to supplement the same, attended the common
school with his children, where he made acquisitions sufficient to fit
him for the transaction of any business arising in ordinary life, and
acquitted himself well in the office of deacon in the church of which
he was a member. John E. Roe and Charlotte Roe were the par
ents of five children, who lived to mature life. The eldest, Betsey
N. Roe, was reputed to be the first female child born in the Town.
She grow up an intelligent, exemplary woman, early made profes
sion of religion, adorning the same by a life devoted to its interests.
She removed to a western state some years ago, and has since died.
She was a woman whom any man might be happy to call sister.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 45
Cotemporary with her was Sally, daughter of Jonathan and Lucinda
Edwards. She was also intelligent and made early profession of.
religion, whieh she adorned with a pious and exemplary demeanor,
and died in early womanhood, deeply lamented.
S. M. Roe, John M. Roe, Erastus G. Roe and Philip T. Roe,
were the other children of John E. Roe, before named. Their his
tory was common in that they had only the advantages of the com
mon school. All made profession of religion and became officers in
the respective churches where they became located, several of which
were weak and required, much of their labor to sustain them. The
eldest S. M. Roe was deacon in the Congregational Church in Vir
gil, his native place. Afterwards he removed to Cortland, where
he engaged in the butter trade, involving also the purchase of
wool, pelts, eggs, etc., till his health failed, when this business
was given up. He has been elder in the Presbyterian Church there
seventeen years. John M. was a leading and efficient member and
officer in the Presbyterian Church in Marathon. He died nearly
two years since, much lamented. Erastus G. Roe made profession
of religion here — remained a few years, then left for Fulton county,
HI., about thirty years since. He has acquitted himself well as a Jus
tice of the Peace several years — was entrusted with much responsibil
ity connected with the war in caring for soldiers, securing their
rights, etc., and active in matters of religion.
Nelson C. Roe, son of S. M. Roe, before named, spent his child
hood and youth here. He afterwards removed to the West, and
settled in Lyons, Iowa. At the commencement of the war his pa
triotism moved him to raise a company of soldiers, of which he was
made captain, went into service, was with his company in sixteen
sanguinary battles, and though he had an epaulette, and sword-belt
shot off, he escaped unhurt.

NUNBER XXI.
I proceed to give some account of a few more names that deserve
a notice in this direction. Hananiah Wilcox and Benjamin
Harding, though natives of Cortiandville, yet as they received their

46 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
education here, we feel justified in the allusion. Mr. Wilcox en-
* gaged in school-teaching in this Town and in Dryden, for a few i
terms — was an ardent friend and supporter of the temperance and
anti-slavery causes. He lived in Dryden during the last thirty or "
more years, and was untiring in his devotion to these causes, as some
would say, almost to a fault. He was a Justice of the Peace during
several of the last years of his life, and died a few months since.
Mr. Harding went to Kansas in a very early period of its settlement.
He was a member of the Senate in the territorial Legislature which
was dispersed by an armed force by order of the Government.
Leonard Fostser left Town early in life, and settled in Cortiand
ville. He enjoyed the public confidence and was a reputable mem
ber and officer in the Presbyterian Church in that place. He re
moved to a place in the western part of the State a few years since.
It was stated in a former number that a Post-Office was established
here in 1808. The business done in it was small for a long time.
The population was sparse and postage high. The writer was pres
ent on a time when the mail arrived, and when inquiry was made
of the postmaster, James Chatterton, Esq., by some one interested,
he answered that nothing came except one letter. The route then
was from Ithaca to Cortland, and frequently performed on foot. It
would seem to the present inhabitants to be quite a walk to go
through every day. I once met the man engaged in this service
and asked him if he preferred to go on foot. His answer was that
if he had a horse he would ride in preference to going on foot.
Cheap postage, an increase of population, business and intelligence
have added much to the business of this department, and now we
have an office centrally located in a space of country of about six
miles in cJiamater, with 275 boxes and a mail every day — for a few
months past carried by a team of horses owned and driven by Mr.
Julian C. Seamans, by whom also many passengers are carried with
comfort and convenience. There are also two other Post-Offices in
Town doing considerable business.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 47
NUMBER XXII.
THE names of a few other men occur to me that deserve to be
noticed, whose history is connected with the war.
Clinton D. Bouton entered early into the service of his country.
He remained in the army till near its close, serving the Union cause
acceptably and with fidelity. On his return home he settled in
Dryden; soon engaged in business, has been successful, and is
one of the leading merchants in that village, and is the postmaster.
Daniel P. Griswold enlisted early, served faithfully, was in seven
sanguinary battles, among which were South Mountain, Antietam
and Gettysburg, where he received a severe wound in the leg, re
mained a long time in the hospital, and was finally discharged. The
wound was incurable and amputation above the knee was resorted
to. He lives in Town an example of industry and thrift. A broth
er of his entered the army and fell a sacrifice to his country's cause.
His name was Barzilia Griswold,
We will now notice a few civilians. Isaac B. Bloomer received
only the education furnished by this Town. He engaged early in
teaching, and was afterward elected Town Superintendent of Com
mon Schools, which office he filled several years, discharging its
duties acceptably.
Walter L. Chaplin derived his education from the means enjoyed
here. He taught a while, then entered upon the labors and duties
of land surveyor, and now enjoys a good reputation in that depart
ment. The writer would be happy to set forth somewhat in detail a large
number of the pioneers of the Town who have lived and died here.
It must suffice, however, that a few of their names are mentioned.
These, with many others, encountered the rigors and hardships of a
settlement in the new country. Joseph Chaplin, John M. Frank,
John Gee, James Knapp, James Clark, John Shevalier, Robert
Ryan, John Snider, Enos Bouton, Joseph Bailey, Simeon Luce,
Oliver Ball, Abner Bruce, Ezra Bruce, William Lincoln, Eli John
son, John Hill, Oliver Tyler, Silas Lincoln, Joshua Farnam, Jona
than Edwards, John Calvert, Moses Olmstead, Isaac Bloomer,
David Snider, William Snider, William Powers, and many others,

48 . SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
who, having served their generation, have passed away in advanced
age, respected and lamented.
In my next I hope to be able to set forth some of the Virgil men
living in Cortland.

NUMBER XXIII.
AGREEABLY to the intimation in my last number, I proceed
to give some sketches of individuals living in Cortland who
emigrated from Virgil. As I pass into town I find for the first man
D. D. Crawford, long a resident of our Town, but recently removed
to Cortland. His means for the acquisition of education were lim
ited. He commenced the business of active life with small advan
tages, and, indeed, I think I have heard him say that he was scarce
ly even with the world, but with the aid of his efficient helpmeet,
attended with the divine blessing, he has accumulated a handsome
property and sustains a good reputation. And I may as well pre
mise that all those of whom I am now to write, commenced with
small means, and some were emphatically poor ; and it is especially
true of all that they had to pass through Valley Forge on their way
to wealth and distinction. I use this phrase as happily descriptive
of the embarrassments and difficulties in the way of each, as he has
progressed from his small beginnings to his present position of in
fluence and respectability. If any are uninformed respecting the
origin and meaning of this term or phrase, let them search it out and
ascertain for themselves its signification, when they will appreciate
its force in this connection.
Martin Luce was elected a Justice of the Peace, and held the of
fice during one term ; he was also chosen County Superintendent of
the Poor, which office he held several years, discharging its duties
acceptably. The two Messrs. Holton are distinguished as mechanics of a high
order in their trade as carpenters and house-builders. Amasa and
Harrison Givens are successful merchants, having made great ad
vances on the small means with which they commenced, occupying
a splendid store and are doing an extensive business.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 49
H. J. Messenger had only the opportunities afforded by the com
mon school. He and the others of whom I shall write derived all
their education from such facilities as this Town afforded, except in
cases that will be noted as we pass along. Mr. Messenger was
elected Justice of the Peace, serving the people ably and acceptably.
He was also chosen Supervisor, in 1853. He commenced the mer
cantile business in East Virgil, in 1839, in company with William
Gray, whom he bought out in 1840. He continued in that depart
ment of business there, at Killawog, and at Canandaigua, till 1857,
when he went into banking with T. E. Hart, also formerly of Virgil.
In 1860 he returned to Cortland and established the Messenger
Bank, and he continued the same, doing a large amount of business
in the time, till his regretted failure a few years since. He was
principally instrumental in erecting several large brick blocks, thus
giving an impetus to the department of building in the village. He
is now employed as Real Estate Agent, and in other responsible de
partments of public business, implying a large share of public con
fidence. Alexander Mahan is much younger than any other of those men
tioned. His early prospects were not flattering. He engaged as an
aid in butter buying. He afterward entered upon the same business,
also embracing other articles of trade, such as wool, etc., on his own
account. Within a few years he has been employed as book-seller,
and has taken into partnership his brother-in-law, David F. Wallace.
Recently, like Abraham and Lot, they have separated, and he has
erected a splendid store near the Episcopal Church, which he is oc
cupying as a music store.
E. N. Johnson began as a clerk in a small store in East Virgil.
He. afterwards entered upon business on his own account, in Homer.
He is now in Cortland doing a good business in merchandise, and is
reputed to be successful.
Luce & Silverman are photographers and artists, holding a high
position in that line. The first named is a native of our Town, and
passed through a great affliction in one of his limbs. It was feared
that he would not recover ; but it is extremely gratifying to know
that he has essentially recovered, and has attained an enviable posi
tion in the employment in which he is engaged. He is yet young
and has the good wishes and hopes of all his friends for a long and
useful life.

50 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER XXIV.
I continue in this number, the list of individuals deserving notice;
'¦¦ who carrie from Virgil, nowdiving,- or' .who- have lived in Cort
land.!-: Nathan Smith was long a resident in orir Town. He lived
in the eastern part, -and in early manhood attached himself 'tct-.a, corhi-
pany of artillery then- in active service, being in Town, and was pro
moted -to - the office of Captain, and was very active in that position-
He was afterwards elected Justice of the Peace;- and later was chos
en Supervisor, in which office his services were acceptable." He Was
an influential leader in the religious' interests in t>hat'<portidri" of the
Town. .,o tin- >-w- i ,-. ••'¦ •'  ifiiii<>'i ¦•i'i bun ,..iin ..'!
James S. ''Squires 'enjoyed btrt limited means for education iri the
locality in Which he Was reared'. "He was moved with : a strong de
sire for 'greater opportunities, and as the best Within' his reach, he
resorted to the riieans presented by the " Virgil Literary Institute, "
located at the Corners, since called the Village, hiring his1' board by
cutting wood at twenty-two cents per cord, and doing it witMrir the
term of school. ' He engaged in teaching iri a' back district where
his services were so acceptable that the term was' extended. He
taught in Town, 'and iri Pennsylvania several terrris. He at length
entered upon the' mercantile business,1 and endorsing for' parties that
failed, his riiearis were exhausted, arid he was advised to make the
best' forms practicable with his creditors, settle ''up, arid " comriiehce
again iri sonic distant locality.' He, however, declined this counsel,
on the principle that the place to find a thing is where it is lost, and
remained, determined to pay the full amount of the demands against
him, if industry and economy would 'do itj Which was accomplished
in a' 'short time. ' This is an example eminently worthy of imitation.
He 'commenced again in the same department pn a very small scale,
and was successful. He was, elected Town Superintendent of Com
mon, Schools, discharging the duties of the office with fidelity and
success,. He afterwards, pursued the mercantile .business in Cortland,
till within a few years, when he retired, from .that,, department ,and
became: President of the Bank of Cortland, -which position he 'occu
pied nearly fivri years. He has acquired a 'large property, of which
be has devoted a; liberal portion to the erection of the Baptist Church
in Cortland, and to the thorough repairs put udoii tht^'TW+^c

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. ¦ 51
Church in' Virgil during. 'the past year.1 He was very efficient and
influential in securing the location: of the Normal School 'in- Cort
land;-' ¦ .'¦'..' n . ii-,'/ h ! ,i .-••¦ „!l
Norman Chamberlain began ' life with small means, and these were
soon- put in jeopardy. by endorsing for others who failed, by which
he was severely straitened for several years. - He was 'also long af
flicted witii sickness in- his family. I Possessing the courtesy and' af
fability so well adapted to fit hini for the' position of clerk iri -a mer
cantile" establishment, 'die was employed in such capacity by the
Messrs. Freer:, in Cortland, in their extensive store for farmers' sup
plies, etc. He has risen from that position to -be- a principal mem
ber of ¦ a firm- that owns an extensive' store" i 'doing- a very successful
business. He lias been - once elected Supervisor ¦ of Cortiandville,
Where the party 'to which he belongs is greatly in the minority;
though it may be said that a local question was involved which
added to his party strength. He has been liberal in • ireri&eririg aid
in the' same particulars with Mr. Squires. 'di -'-i-' .-> ¦¦ : -..> ¦ ,-.(itr|i
E. P. Slafter commenced business life like the others named,- with
slander means. 'His first employment in active life was as a black
smith, — he afterwards entered upon the mercantile department, and
being successful, his business enlarged and somewhat changed. Be
ing a ready accountant, he was soon entrusted with extensive ac
counts to collect and settle, and" was a few years since the Cashier
of the National Bank in Cortland, which position he held several
years, discharging its duties with skill and fidelity. He has been
active in Sabbath school matters ; has been President of the County
Sabbath School Association, and for the past year Chairman of the
Executive Committee of the State Sabbath fechob! Association. . 'He
has also been gerierorisinthe'hestowmerit'of'nieans for the erection
and repairing of the two churches before "named. - He is' now in the
store' with Chamberlain and others:"'1'-
' A. P. Smith, Judge mid Surrogate of Cortland county, was a
native of Virgil. : He had the! educational facilities afforded by our
Town,' and commenced to teach with the'sarhe:" He afterwards at
tended' the 'Normal School in Albany, '''and 'graduated there. He
taught school again, a few terms, and entered -upon the study- of the
'law, and was admitted to practice. He was soori elected District
Attorney, and later has 'been chosen" County Judge, which office he

52 ¦ SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
now holds. He is reputed to be a sound lawyer, and his decisions
are seldom or never reversed. He has written and published a his
tory of the 76th Regiment of New York Volunteers, which required
much labor and research, and is accounted authentic and reliable.
Irving W. Palmer commenced the practice of law a few years
since, and is well reputed in the same.
Arnold Stafford was successful in the acquisition of property, and
enjoyed a good share of public confidence, which was evinced by his
being chosen on the building committee of the M. E. Church in
Cortland, and acting a prominent part in that committee. He died
very suddenly, about two years since.
C. P. Snider set up merchandise in Virgil, and was a courteous, ac
ceptable trader while he remained with us. Since he has lived in
Cortland he has been employed as merchant or clerk, and is a good
business man.
E. F. Willet was an intelligent and estimable citizen. He ac
quired a good property, the main part of which he left with his son,
and removed to Cortland. He was once chosen Supervisor of Vir
gil, and was alsocaptain in the malitia. He died a few months since,
much respected and lamented.

NUMBER XXV.
AS stated in my last number, I had given what I intended in
reference to individuals of our Town, and was proceeding
to draw some practical reflections derived from the facts set forth
in the previous numbers. I have, however, come into possession of
a fact in the notice taken of Jesse Storrs which I would have em
ployed then if I could have assured myself of its correctness, as I
would be very averse to making statements unsupported by good
authority. I greatly desired then to state the number of acres under
cultivation by Storrs, Harrison & Co., in rearing trees, shrubs,
plants, vines, evergreens, etc. This leads me to look back a little
to the origin of all, and see " how great a matter a little fire kind-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 53
leth. " It was stated in our first notice that J. Storrs was a teacher
of some eminence. It was his practice for several winters to teach
in districts located from one and one-half to two and one-half miles
from his residence — board himself and do his own work — partly
from necessity and partly from the love of the employment and his
desire to advance the cause of education. As stated before, he had
a partiality to fruit-growing, and engaged in the cultivation of apple
trees on a small scale, procuring' his cions where he could in the re
gion around, and having some whose worth had not been properly
tested, bearing names which would now provoke a smile, and indi
cating the crude state of the profession or occupation of fruit culture.
The writer having an orchard to replenish, dealt rather freely with
him in the purchase of trees. His great care was to be able to as
sure the buyer that the trees sold would be true to the names given.
He brought forward and gave currency to some new varieties,
among which is the Munson Sweet, previously known by various
different names. Also the Hutchings apple, which S. D. Storrs
took to New England and gave it circulation through the northern
and eastern New England States. Jesse Storrs took it to Painesville,
Ohio, and gave it circulation in the northern and western United
States. The parent tree is. still living within four miles of the resi
dence of the writer. From the small- beginning described the in
terest has grown till we find him in Painesville, Ohio, the senior
partner in a firm that cultivates in the rearing of fruit trees, vines,
shrubs, flowering plants, evergreens, etc., the wide extent of four
hundred acres of land — a vast contrast from teaching school two
miles from home and boarding himself, at perhaps, fifteen dollars
per month, or traveling and keeping accounts in the interests of a
marble shop ten miles from his family and home. If there is on
earth a more extensive nursery, the writer has failed to learn its
location. How many apple and pear trees would grow on four hun
dred acres, with rows three feet apart, and eight inches in the row ?
How many hands would be required to cultivate such an area, keep
it from weeds, prune, shape and balance the trees as they are pro
gressing toward the time when they will be fit to transplant ? What
a work to fill orders for the purchase of the products of such a nur
sery, to be sent over the wide area supplied by the same ! Without
wishing to invade the prerogative of some other writer, as the sub-

54 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
ject is open, I venture to name another man, who, with Mr. Storrs,
lived in Virgil till its division, in 1846, and employed in active ma
ture life in the same.
D. C. Squires, an elder brother of J. S. Squires, of Cortland,
claims Virgil as his birth-place. Here he acquired an education
with the limited opportunities enjoyed, which has enabled him to .
discharge the many responsible duties with which he has been
charged, with signal ability and acceptance. It is said that in his
early youth his insatiate desire for learning led him to spend many
a night lying on the hearth-stone in the kitchen, studying by the
light of pine knots or candles, and then prosecuting the arduous
labors of the farm on the next day. The appreciative public have
called oh him to act in numerous offices and public trusts, among
which are the following : He has held the office of Justice
of the Peace twenty-eight years; the office of Supervisor of the
Town fourteen years ; was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
six years ; was Superintendent of Schools several years, and School
Commissioner one term ; was Justice of Sessions three years ; was
a Member of Assembly in 1865, and also in 1872. And in addition
to these several positions of honor and trust, has had constantly on
hand, in progress of settlement for the last ten years, the estates of
several deceased persons, implying a large share of public confidence
in his ability and integrity. He was also largely instrumental in
procuring the division of the Town, and in giving the name to the
present town of Lapeer, in which he lives. He was also a success
ful teacher of common schools for several term's.
It would be a pleasure to proceed with the names of other indi
viduals in Harford and Lapeer, such as the Taintors, Hemingways,
Grays, Hunts, etc., but for the reason before stated I shall forbear
to do so.

NUMBER XXVI.
I proceed to extend the list of those who live, or have lived in
our Town, to whom credit is due.
Alexander McVean has lived in Town, and in the adjoining town
of Freetown, about sixty years. He is a man of good education and

li

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 55
information, for the means enjoyed; -has been a Justice of the
Peace -about thirty years; is now in that office, and elected for an
other term ; has been postmaster in East Virgil for many years, and
has held other important offices ; is still vigorous at an advanced
age. William Bell has been a Colonel in the Militia and a Justice of
the Peace two or more terms, and has held and acted in other im
portant offices.
Kinne Grow was a man of respectable talent and ability. He
was a Colonel in the Malitia and a Justice of the Peace. He was
cut off by death about forty years since.
P. F. Grow, brother of Kinne Grow, was a man of more than
ordinary attainments and ability; engaged somewhat in school-
teaching ; was a Justice of the Peace in the town of Richford, I
think ; returned, and was a partner in a store ; exerted much influ
ence in the Town ; served as member of the Legislature one term,
and acquitted himself there to the satisfaction of his constituents.
He, also, died several years since.
John Green was long a resident here. His opportunity for edu
cation, like nearly all our men, was found -only in the common
school. He commenced life with limited pecuniary means, but ad
vanced steadily till he became the owner of a large farm on Luce
Hill, so called, now Lapeer, and has since exchanged and lived in
several places ; still careful not to get out of hearing of Virgil, and
now resides in Cortland. When he made the purchase of the farm
on Luce Hill, it was a problem with lookers-on whether he would
be able to meet the responsibilities. When the subject was up at a
certain time, Josiah Blodgett, of the vicinity, remarked, " that he
did not know ; John was a squirmy fellow. " By this expression
the writer understood him to mean that he was a man of eminent'
forecast and sagacity. It is needless to say that he passed through the
ordeal and owned the farm. He was Supervisor of the Town a year
or more, where he acquitted himself with ability and to the accept
ance of the people. He has since engaged much in the purchase
and sale of cattle, a very useful employment, inasmuch as it relieves
the farmers of their surplus stock, and promotes life and interest in
trade of all kinds, and greatly facilitates the circulation of money,
thus inspiring hope and thrift throughout the community. He has

56 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
bought and put upon the road to market, 1,750 head of cattle in
one season ; has had the reputation of a fair dealer, and* a man of
integrity. The writer was associated with him in the settlement of
one estate, being executors of Dr. Green, his father, which was done I
harmoniously and to the satisfaction of those interested.
Edmund Homer was the eldest of six children of a poor family,
whose father was essentially insane. He was thus at a very early ;
age, providentially charged with the care of a large family, with^
but very scanty means. With the aid of his kind and intelligent'!
mother, with her labor, advice and encouragement, and with the
help of the younger children as they grew up, he was able to save
the family from severe suffering, and ultimately to place the whole in
comfortable circumstances. The times were hard, and the war of
1812-'15 was upon the country, yet, about that time they went
into the unbroken forest, three or four miles from the main settle
ment, on a high hill, a mile east from the " Girdle Road, " so called,
and erected a log cabin. They had a chance to clear land, fence it
and seed it down to good grass, and as a remuneration to have as
many acres of forest. The question of subsistance while this pro
cess was going on, would seem to be in order. The trees were felled,
made in heaps and burnt. The ashes were manufactured into salts,
which brought ready money. This solved the question of provisions, ;
at least in part. But there was industry and economy throughout.
He took up the trade of the carpenter, which brought in some
means, and soon the family were placed above want, and a large '
farm embracing the spot where the first rude shelter was built, was
acquired, and he passed away some years since, much respected and
lamented, leaving a handsome property to his successors. His aged
mother has since come down to the grave, " like a shock of corn
fully ripe. "
Dr. H. Bronson. The ancestors of Dr. Bronson came from Scot
land, in the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled in Con
necticut. Samuel Bronson is recorded as having a son, Elisha, born
in 1718, the first probably born in this country. The same simple
names seem to be repeated over and over in the family record, without :
the introduction of a second name, until we come to that of Horace ,j
Bronson, who was born in Catskill, N. Y., September 8th, 1796.
Here his father and grandfather wore merchants. From here they

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 57
removed to Vernon, Oneida county, N. Y., when Horace was but
four or five years old, and were known as thrifty farmers. It is
said that he evinced a fondness for reading natural history, and was
ready in common school studies, which was properly encouraged by
his parents, who were competent to give him the best of parental
discipline. He received his collegiate course in Hamilton College,
his father having been an early donor to that institution. We can
not be certain with whom he pursued most of his private medical
studies. It was common for him to speak of Dr. Noyes as his
teacher in chemistry, and often did he refer to Dr. Hastings in con
nection with his medical studies. After he entered the medical col
lege the time between the- lecture terms was much of it passed with
Prof. Hadley, leaving him less time to spend with a private prac
titioner as preceptor. He attended four full courses of medical
lectures, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Col
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District known as
Fairfield Medical College, in 1819, and some time in the next two
years, while on a visit to his former friend and acquaintance, Dr.
Lewis Riggs, then living in Homer, he was advised by him to locate
in the Town of Virgil, which he did soon after, and commenced the
practice of his profession, where he remained until the close of his
life, January 30th, 1874. He was received into the Medical Society
of Cortland county in 1821. During the latter years of his life he
did not attend its meetings so frequently as formerly, but always re
tained his interest in its prosperity, and never failed to urge upon the
new and younger members the importance of identifying themselves
with its history. He came into Town as above hinted, in 1820, and
has remained here since, with the exception of a year or two, which
he spent in Vernon, his native place. He was assiduous in his at
tentions to calls in his profession, and never failed to attend on ac
count, of indigence in those who made their calls on him for medical
aid. He was very forbearing to those whom he had aided, and lost
much in the delinquency of his patients. He was generally ac
counted skillful and was very tenacious of what was termed the
" regular practice. " He was a good citizen and hospitable to his
acquaintances and generous to the needy. He was a friend to the
cause of education, and very fond, especially of the science of Geol
ogy, and collected a large amount of specimens of minerals. He

5g SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
was a strong friend of the temperance and kindred reformatory
causes. He has sustained a good reputation as a man of integrity-
and honesty. He experienced the premonitory indications of his
last sickness several years previous to the time when it came. It
came in the spring and summer seasons of 1873, which terminated
his valuable life on January 30th, 1874.
John Tyler came into Town in 1806. He has lived here and in
the adjoining town of Dryden since. He has always had the repu
tation of unquestioned integrity. He has been a main pillar in the
Free Will Baptist Church, of which he has been long a prominent
member ; and now, at the advanced age of eighty-two is a principal
supporter of the interests of the Chureh, in Sabbath-school and
prayer meeting devotions. He is remarkably healthy in appearance,
donbtless owing in a good measure to his fidelity to temperance
principles. It is hoped that his life may be prolonged yet for years
to come.
Hart. Edwards, son of Rufus and Harriet O. Edwards, was born
about 1846. He grew up a candid, thoughtful child, attentive to
the instruction of his parents and teachers, an assiduous scholar in
the Sabbath-school, and around whom the hopes and affections of
parents and friends clustered. In early youth, however, he began
to -decline in health, and no relief being found, he soon passed away.
Near the time of his departure, having some funds at his disposal,
he proposed to bestow fifty dollars to replenish the Sabbath-school
library in his native Town of Virgil. When about coming to this
conclusion, he looked up to his mother, and asked, in childish sim
plicity — " Ma, do you think they will remember me if I do this ? "
We answer, Yes, we will remember you, dear Hart.
John Frank was born in the autumn of 1797, consequently is now
more than eighty years of age. He was the first- child born in Town,
who lived to grow up. He was eminently familiar with the hard
ships of the early settlement of the new country. His opportunity
for gaining an education was like that of other youth of the time,
but being very studious he gained enough to make his acquisitions
respectable. Some fifty or more years since he commenced the
study of medicine, being his own instructor. He commenced prac
ticing in his own way, which, we believe, is called Eclectic. He
soon removed to Owego, where he has resided and practiced since.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 59
He has always enjoyed excellent health, and now, at his advanced
age presents a remarkably fresh and vigorous appearance. He has
always sustained a reputation for unsullied integrity. He made pro
fession of religion in 1820, and attached himself to the Congrega
tional Church in this place, and still holds connection with that of
the same name in Owego.
David R. Barton was born in this Town, and rose from a rather
obscure origin to be somewhat eminent in his occupation. After
rising to manhood he went to the county of Rockland, N. Y., and
failing to find employment that suited him, he returned and settled
in Rochester. There he came to be an efficient aid in the cause of ed
ucation, and engaged in building up and establishing an extensive
and celebrated edge-tool factory. He died a few years since, leav
ing a very salutary influence to follow him.
William Woodward, with poor advantages, became a school teach
er, and also a Justice of the Peace, in which office he was true to
the temperance cause ; was a good clerk and accountant, and died a
few years since, in Elmira.
In a previous number it was stated that the Presbyterian Church
in Town had received about three hundred members. Estimating
that all the other churches had received twice that number, the
whole amount would be nine hundred gathered together. They
would constitute a rather large company. If to these are added
those whose brief biographies have been given, and admitting that
though not all these are experimental Christians, yet all in a measure
controlled by the public sentiment, created by the churches, the
question may well arise : Have the churches lived, labored, strug
gled and prospered in vain ? Is it not worth while still to labor
and strive for their success ?

NUMBER XXVII.

AFTER an .interim of about three years, I resume the " Letters
from Virgil." It was thought that about enough of biog
raphy had been written, but on further reflection I have concluded
to give something additional. The first person of whom I will

60 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
speak was a daughter of the writer. It might be thought that deli
cacy would forbid ; but the excuse of relationship does not satisfy
those who desire to have it done, so I waive that consideration, and
will give a few items in the history of Louisa Bouton, who died on
the 11th of March 1846, aged twenty-one years. She manifested
very early an ardent desire for education, and having a very sus
ceptible mind, her advancement was very rapid. Her opportunities
for acquisition were rather limited, though they were the best that
the family could afford, and she had the great privilege, as she
esteemed it, of attending the academy at Homer during one term.
Aside from this, her opportunities were only such as were afforded
by the schools of her native Town. She commenced teaching in
district schools when very young, and continued thus employed, with
some interruptions, till she was taken with her last sickness in De
cember, 1845. She was very partial to the study of astronomy, and
would frequently observe and admire the appearance and relation
of the heavenly bodies, considering therri as setting forth and pro
claiming the power, wisdom, skill, and goodness of the Great Archi
tect. She was early the subject of religious impressions, and made
a public profession of religion, uniting with the church in which she
was reared in the 16th year of her age. She was very much esteemed
for her services in the church, Sabbath-school, etc., and was efficient
in her labors for the promotion of the cause of temperance and
kindred benevolent enterprises. She was filial, kind, and loving in
her associations, and benevolent to all. She died in peace, greatly
lamented. The funeral was attended by Rev. H. R. Dunham, of
Cortland, of cherished memory in the church, who preached a ser
mon of tenderness and love from those expressive words, "Jesus
wept." Anna Sheerar, the daughter of John and Susanna Sheerar, was
born about the year 1843. She grew up a kind, sprightly, loving
girl, fond of books and reading, an attentive, diligent- scholar in
the common school and the Sabbath-school, and commenced early
as teacher in the former. She was an acceptable and successful
teacher, and discharged the duties of the profession with great
fidelity and zeal. Owing to her arduous labors and exposures in
this calling, her health failed and she was for a time an invalid.
She, however, recovered essentially, and was married to a Mr. Be-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 61
man, and settled in Pennsylvania, where she lived eminently beloved
for a few years, and then died very suddenly, to the great grief of
her surviving parents, friends, and acquaintances generally. She
had made profession of religion some years previous to her death, a
profession which she adorned with a godly life and much activity
in the service of her Divine Master.
Mary C. Leach, the daughter of Amos E. and Rebecca Leech,
was born about the year 1845. Her advantages for education were
only equal to those enjoyed by the average child of our town. She
was studious, and gained such proficiency that at an early age she
engaged in teaching, with acceptance. She attended with her
school on the annual Town convention of schools held in some cen
tral and commodious place, where the teachers were not only ex
pected to make a display with their scholars, but to present some
important exercises on their own account. On one such occasion
the writer was present. When the turn of Miss Leech came, she
concentrated what she had to say on the Power of a Word, its influ
ence for good or evil extending to the end of time. When once
spoken it could not be recalled. How unspeakably important, then,
that no word be uttered except wisely and appropriately. She pro
ceeded with other and like inferences, in a manner which made the
exercise very impressive. She was the subject of religious impres
sions in early life, which resulted in a Christian profession and her
uniting with the Congregational church, as did the other two young
ladies whose biographies are set forth in this communication. She
was exposed to the hardships of the teacher, and was feeble for
several years in consequence of the same. She afterwards married
a young man whose name was Dorward. Her health was never
fully restored, and after lingering some few years, looking to her
Saviour for support, she died about two years since in the triumph
of the Christian faith.
Thus died three" shining lights in the same small church, within a
few years, in youth, with the hopes of their associates resting upon
them for great usefulness in the promotion of the interests of the
Redeemer's kingdom in the world.
One object in grouping together these three biographies is to set
forth in one view the evils resulting from the practice that then

62 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
obtained of female teachers " boarding round," as every one of these
girls contracted the disease of which she died from exposures inci
dent to this practice. It was generally made a condition in the
contract in taking a school for the winter, that the teacher should
be carried to the school-house in stormy weather and bad traveling ;
but it was often difficult to secure the performance of the contract.
Hence the lamentable consequence in the sickness and death of the
teacher, as in the cases herein stated.
De Ette Chamberlain was about the age of Anna Sheerar, and
the intimacy between them was very strong. She was an accept
able school teacher, and died a short time after the death of her
friend Anna. She made early profession of religion. So it may
be said that they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their
deaths they were not far separated.

NUMBER XXVIII.
I will give another biographical sketch or two, which I think
will be found to contain something of interest.
S. D. Storrs was the son of Deacon Jesse Storrs, of Virgil, and
grew up with the ordinary opportunities of common school educa
tion. On arriving at majority, he felt desirous of greater educa
tional privileges, and entered a school called the Virgil Literary
Institute, in the same Town, whose design was to give to common
school teachers an opportunity to become better versed in the
branches taught in the common schools ; and, generally, to afford to
those who wished a chance for improvement. There he engaged
earnestly in the studies pursued, and, at. the approach of winter, en
gaged in teaching a common school in the Town. The time 'had
now come to determine on his vocation for life. He opened his
mind to his teacher, manifesting his desire to attain a thorough
education, but felt the scantiness of his means. The answer of the
teacher was, that he could say that in his youth he had himself the

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 63
same desire, but was held back by the same reason. He now wished
that he had exerted himself and gained an education. This answer
decided him to proceed and engage in the struggle. He taught
school, cultivated fruit-trees, and employed himself in winters and
in vacations, thus gaining means to defray his expenses at the Acad
emy at Homer. There, his circumstances being known, he was
aided by occasional loans by Jedediah Barber, Dr. Bradford and per
haps others. Though offered aid by benevolent societies, he uni
formly declined the same during the whole course of his study, that
he might be free to pursue the calling that seemed best to him when
he should leave school. He entered college in New England, where
he supported himself in part by the cultivation of a nursery of fruit-
trees, and took a thorough course in the college and in the Theo
logical Seminary. To be prepared for usefulness in life was the one
object which he had in mind, and since entering the ministry he has
found use f pr his mental and physical powers, and has never regret
ted the years spent in study. During the three years spent in the
Seminary, the troubles in Kansas commenced, and, with three of his
classmates, he chose that state as the field for labor in the mission
work. In pursuance of his design, he went thither, arriving in Oct.,
1857, and, with the exception of two years with the Congregational
church in Atchison, after they became self-sustaining, and one year
in South-Western Iowa, he has been wholly engaged in mission
work in that State. Since the 15th of January, 1872, he has been
Superintendent of Missions in Kansas, under the care of the Ameri
can Home Missionary Society, and has 130 churches under his care.
During the year 1875, he traveled about 25,000 miles in the dis
charge of the duties; involved. He has been in the ministry nearly
twenty years, and is about fifty-seven years of age. It is to be
hoped that his usefulness may be long continued.
One object of the writer of these letters is to give encouragement
toyoung men in enterprise and thrift ; and in looking over the Town,
his mind has seemed to settle, for a specimen, on our young merch
ant W. A. Holton. He was born and raised in this Town, with no
remarkable advantages for education. His father died while he was
yet young, consequently the care of his rearing and education rested
on his mother. He was inclined to study, and made such acquisi-

^4 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
^tions that he taught six terms in school with acceptance. He was,
however, partial to the mercantile profession, and went into partner
ship with a merchant in the place, Mr. A. H. Peckham, and con
tinued with him three years, when they separated. The writer met
him afterwards on the road, when he said it was in his mind to
build a store on the ground vacated, or soon to be so, which B. J.
Jones had occupied. He wished to put up a building that would be
an honor to the place and convenient and commodious for the pur-
r pose designed. He said it would take all his means to build the
store, and that he should have to take credit to supply the same
with goods. He proceeded, and built an elegant store-house and
filled it with goods, has had a fair portion of the Town trade, sus
tains the reputation of a fair dealer, and is likely, so far as we can
see, to be able to cancel his indebtedness in the near future. He
has been honored by the people of the Town with the offices of
Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He is about thirty years of,
age. James H. Shults, son of David Shults, was also reared in this
Town. He grew up with the ordinary facilities for acquiring an
education. He became desirous of making acquisitions in educa
tion, and progressed so well that he graduated at the Normal School,
and ultimately was placed in the same institution as a Professor,
which position he occupied for a year or two, when he was induced
to resign his place, with a, view to accept a call to the principalship
and chair of Latin and Greek in the Cleveland (Ohio) High School,
at a salary of $2,000, and will leave very soon to take up his resi
dence in that city. This resignation of his position in the Cortland
Normal School is much regretted. > '
Though it may be thought that the list of eminent individuals,
named in previous numbers, as former or present residents of our
Town, has been rather exhaustive,! yet there are those remaining
that I would have noticed but for want of space. Among these is
Dr. Miller, of East Virgil, the lecturer on physiology, and the ven
erable N. R. Locke, formerly our Postmaster, and father of Nasby,
the editor of the Toledo Blade.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 65
NUMBER XXIX.
WHAT. I have written of distinguished personages of our
Town, closes what I had designed to say on that sub-
jeot— r-not -that the list could not be extended, but it has not been
my intention to. exhaust the subject, but to leave something to be
said by others..
The question now arises, Why should Virgil and other rural dis
tricts produce a greater number of eminent individuals in propor
tion to the population than cities : arid large' villages? No one who
has given' much thought' to this question Will doubt the fact implied.
If you, or any one, should go to Syracuse and trace to their Origin,
the distinguished men there, it will be found that a large percentage
of the same have come from Pompey ; and the like will be the result
of any investigation that shall be made from New York, Philadel
phia, Washington and all the large cities and villages in our country.
Why is this ? Do not the cities and villages furnish greater facili
ties to the youth to become eminent than the rural towns and dis
tricts ? Certainly. The question then returns — What makes the
difference ? A short incident said to have occurred in some of the
past 'ages will illustrate this point, and lead to a true solution. It
is said that a certain king had a wise counselor whose services he
highly valued, and felt that his aid in the government was indispen
sable. This counsellor asked of the king permission to be absent a
year of two. The king remonstrated; The minister answered, he
had a son who had arrived at an age that required that he should
give him the learuirig and instruction indispensable to his usefulness
and' respectability in future life; and he wanted the time asked for
to give him the learning and discipline so necessary for him,: The
king said, Go ! but take my son along that he may share the same
opportunity. At the time appointed, the wise man returned with
the lads, and presented them to the king. The king proceeded to
examine the two young men, when he found that his: own soil was
greatly inferior in- acquisitions to the' son of the councelori He
inquired for the cause. The councelor' answered that they had
shared, equally, in his instructions ; but he said; that while his- own
son had improved his opportunities, sensible "that he must depend
upon' his own efforts for success and advancement in: life, he could

66 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
not conceal from the son of the king, the fact that the people
would be dependent on him, instead of his being dependent on
the people,. for success and distinction: in life. The children add
youth in cities' and villages fail, in a majority of cases to appreciate
their privileges,' :and allow those from the rural districts to outstrip
them in the race for! advancement and distinction; They are de
ceived and flattered by their position, shirk their lessoris' and ex
aminations held to test their progress, and leave school greatly in
the reai- of those with fewer facilities; and find, when too late, their
irretrievable loss.li: Here is another illustration of , a remark in, a
preceding .number, "that-the. merit ofi -success is igiji proportion to
obstacles overcome.," ,

NUMBER XXX.
I shall not, in this number, enlarge on the list of individuals from
1 this Town deserving to be noticed with credit, though I might
do so without exhausting the subject, but proceed to inquire for the
main cause why we have so enviable a record to present. Allusion
has been made to some facts connected ! here ; but the main one has
not been presented. All the advance which our race has, made in
intelligence and morals is traceable to the influence of the Gospel
or the Christian religion. :,.',;
Would any one presume to, say that. -without this instrumentality
numerous individuals would! rise above the mass,, and make such a
showing in the world ? It is the church and the schooLhouse to
which we must refer when searching for these eminent and desir
able results. -,-....
A young. friend of the writer returned from a series of services
which he had rendered in the construction of the railroad connect
ing the two oceans at the Isthmus of Darien, laboring on depots
and -bridges ; and stated, in the account of the people in that local
ity, that they had no meetings or schools . and. were very much; de
based. So it would be in any locality without the means alluded
to. This is not said ostentatiously, as though I would represent the

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 67
religious or scientific privileges here ever were remarkable. ' Far
from it. The commencement was made amid great disadvantages,
and the progress has been with weakness, difficulty;- and sacrifice.
Very few Sabbaths have passed since 1802,. when religious services
were not held. Rev.- Seth Williston was early on the ground to
watch for the spiritual interests of the sparse population, He Was
here in 1802, and called together those who were favorable to the
interests of religion, and proposed to them the question, whether
they would choose to have religious services on the Sabbath, and
whether: they, would ; endeavor to sustain them, i< He was a mission-
ary,nand could not be -present very i frequently. He: must see to
matters of , the kind ; in other places, as Hdmer^ Dryden^ Lisle,
etc. The people responded to the suggestion, and agreed to assem
ble on the Sabbath and hold services, having obtained the consent
of James Wood, of Dryden,. and Prince Freeman of this Town, to
be present and offer prayer,, and James Glenny to read sermons.
The few who attended gathered from an area of some eight to ten
miles. They heard and united with the prayers of those devoted
men, listened to the reading of the sermons, and were edified, and
united in singing the praises of God, led by that practiced and able
singer, Moses Rice, Esq. The interest became such that Mr. Wil
liston considered the time to have come to unfurl the standard of
the Cross, and he proceeded to organize a ehurch of eight members,
three of whom lived in Dryden, four to five miles distant from the
place of meeting. This was done on the 28th of February, 1805,
styled the First Congregational church in Virgil. ;. The church was
without stated preaching several years. They felt severely their
destitute condition, which will be seen by the following vote, passed
December, 4806 : " That the ' church will see to the 'Satisfying of
Rev. W. Darrow, for two Sabbaths' service a year, at five dollars a
Sabbath, to attend on Sacramental occasions, and also to take the
oversight, of ; the church for the present."
. The following' are the1 names of some of tlie early fathers: who
have ilong since gone to their rest : Silas Lincoln, Jonathan Ed
wards; Jotham and Benjamin Glazier, Benjamin Cleaveland,John
E: Roe, Eli Pickit, Simeon Luce, Jeptha Branch and Thomas Luce.
Some of the mothers in Israel were Charlotte Roe; Lucinda Ed
wards, Hannah Sheldon, Hephzibah Osborn, Lydia Glazier and

68 SUPPLEMENTARY BETTERS.
Prudence Bouton. The church struggled on through various difficul
ties; with preaching part of the time, meeting in various places
where they; could, after the "Center School-house" was burnt in
1818, till the present meeting-house could be used for that purpose.
This: was put up in 1821. It was two or three years before it was
enclosed and made comfortable, and it was not seated till 1831.
Its location; near the. -old burying-ground, was found inconvenient,
and it was' removed to its present site in 1834. About 300 mem
bers have been: added to the church, the greatest share of whom
have passed away or removed, so that its number of resident mem
bers is less than thirty. In 1871, thorough repairs were put upon
the church edifice. It is now respectable in appearance, and is very
comfortable and convenient. The ministers who have preached
statedly in the' ehnfch.are Rev. Messrs. Wallace, Hitchcock, Dun
ning, Robertson, Bradford, Bliss, Chaffee, Headley, Waleott,
Thacher, BonsOn, Bates, Otis, Kinney, Burgess, Marshall, Ray
mond, LIumphreys and Knieskern. >

NUMBER XXXI.
Inow proceed to give some, facts in the history of other churches
in our Town. A Raptist church was constituted in August,
1807. 'They held meetings in private houses, school-houses, barns,
etc., and* had preaching from Elders Whipple; Bennet, of Homer,
Peter and William Powers and Robinson, till about '1826 or '27,
when it was disbanded,, and re-organized June 23, 1830. In 1831
they built • a very respectable ¦ church edifice. The progress of the
church was with much labor and sacrifice, and in several periods the
prospects were dark ; but the church has, .continued with varied
scenes, of adversity and prosperity till the present time ; and during
the last year, the church edifice has been so thoroughly repaired, as
to.be as good as new, and was dedicated in February last. It pre
sents an imposing appearance to the traveler approaching from the
north or east, and its internal structure corresponds with its outward

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 69
appearance. The church has the labors of its resident minister,
Elder Phillips, with a .good attendance, and appearances are en
couraging. The early fathers and mothers in the church were ear
nest and persevering. They assembled from Sabbath to Sabbath,
and heard preaching, when they could have it, and otherwise, the
time of service was improved in devotional exorcises of prayer, sing
ing and conference. The writer remembers the singing with much
interest, when such of their number as Peter Powers and Jesse
Johnson and their wives would engage in singing psalms and hymns
in such tunes as Mear, Old Hundred, Windham and Coronation,
with their honest faces directed upward with earnest devotion, while
they dwelt with emphasis on the long notes peculiar to such tunes.
Some, of the fathers were Samuel Kingman, living where Robert
Purvis now resides in Harford, and Prince. Freeman, living where
his son Elijah now lives, on Luce Hill, who were the deacons. Rob
ert Ryan, living on the State road, John Snyder, on Snyder Hill,
Moses Olmsted and Nathan Foster, about a mile westerly from the
Corners, and Juba Smith and others in different directions around.
The Sabbath was sure to find them gathered from their distant
homes to some place agreed upon, where, they would hold their
services and impart to each other words of encouragement, admoni
tion and consolation. All these, having served their generation,
have long since gone to their rest, yet their names have left a savor
behind -which will remain with the present generation so long as any
shall live to retain a remembrance of them.
' The ministers preaching statedly since its re-organization have
been Elders Andrews, Robinson, Clark, Ainsworth, Cole, Jones,
Lyon, De Witt, Mann, Stark, Crosson, and perhaps others. Two
of the ancient men came to their death very suddenly, each by the
fall of a tree, — Deacon Kingman, in the early part of 1816, and
Elder Robinson, about forty years since. It is estimated that their
present number is about forty.
The Methodists held meetings frequently, and had preaching from
Rev. G. W. Densmore and others, previous to 1830. In that year
there was much religious interest among them, and many were ad
ded to their number. In 1831, their present church edifice was
built. Previous to 1830, they held meetings at Mr. Hannah's and
at Win. Koech's. Afterwards, their meetings were at Esq. West's,

7(J SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
and at Thomas Mott's. The numerous meetings held in 1830
were had in the Presbyterian church, then standing near the old
burying-ground, and in school-houses. Some of the fathers in the
church were Hannahs, Palmoutere, West, Baker, and Mott. Some
principal leading men since have borne the name of Hutchings,
Mott, Bloomer, and others. This church has also shared in the
changes and trials incident to the commencement and growth of a
church. Its present condition may be said to be rather prosperous.
It is more numerous than either of the other churches, though we
cannot state its numbers. The preachers laboring with them since
1830 have been Rev. Messrs. Mason, Wood, Bronson, Harris, Mineir,
Worthing, Hamilton, Porter, McDowell, Fox, Wire, Mynard, Hew
itt, Torry, Ercanbrack, Hyde, . House, Hinman, Bunnell, Luce, and
Steele. A Free Baptist church, in the west part of the Town, was organ
ized in 1822, with six members. They held meetings in " Ball's
School-house," so-called, till they built their present meeting-house,
often called the "West Meeting-house," in -1838. Its preachers
have been Elders Daniels, Hills, Darling, Gardner, Dodge, Moul-
ton, Krum, Crandall, Griffiths, Russell, Davis, and doubtless some
others. Some of the leading men and fathers have been Oliver
Tyler, John Hill, Amos Daniels, all of whom have passed away,
but are remembered with affection by their survivors in the church,
and in the community. With our present means, we shall be unable
to state the number of members.
A small church of Congregationalists was formed in the east part
of the Town, in 1830, by Rev. Eleazar Luce. It was ministered to
by Rev. Messrs. Luce, Axtell, Chaffee, and others. In 1837, it had
thirty-one members. It has since' been dissolved, and the members
have joined other churches. The Methodists have, also long had a
branch of their church in East Virgil, and have had preaching there
a portion of the time by the same who ministered at, the village.
There have been seasons of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord, in which all the churches have participated. The years 1819,
1820, 1830, '31 and '32 were characterized as such. In 1831, the
Baptist and Methodist churches were built, and the Presbyterian
church was seated.

' SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 71
NUMBER XXXII.
BEFORE I proceed farther, I will say that a. few names more
should have been mentioned in the list of Methodist minis
ters preaching here since 1853. The names to be added are Barnes,
Howland, and two different men by the name of Brown.
We have now come to a chapter of inferences. The efficient in
strumentalities have been set forth. To the church and the primary
school, we owe the enviable showing we have been enabled to make,
of distinguished individuals reared in our Town, and are not through
yet, as there are numerous others, that deserve notice equally with
those referred to heretofore, which will occupy our next number,
notwithstanding the encouragement derived from what has been
written about closing up that department.
In looking over the hasty sketch of the churches given in the last
number, and of the schools in previous numbers, it will be apparent
to every considerate mind, that the progress of each of these depart
ments has been with much difficulty, weakness and embarrassment ;
yet the motto has been throughout, "faint," yet, by the help of God,
"pursuing," It has often been clear, in our religious history, that
" man's necessity has been God's opportunity." " When brought
low, God lias helped us." And though it has often been prophe
sied that one and another of the churches must disband, they yet
remain. All have eve/ been much weakened by emigration. Many
have left, assuring themselves that they would thus better their con
dition, and others have been persuaded away, frequently to their
hurt, though it may be acknowledged that there has not been room
for the expansion desii'ed. Yet if a place is sold, there must, of
necessity, be a buyer ; and the changes have been mostly to the
disadvantage of the moral interests of the Town. It has been said
that our churches are nurseries to churches in more populous places ;
and, indeed, it has been remarked that those churches depend largely
upon the rural churches to supply their waste, by death, removals,
and apostasy. In connection with their own labors, and the aid
thus received from the rural churches, those in villages can live and
prosper; but what of the feeble churches, constantly exposed to
this process of exhaustion '( Is it not a mutual intefest that is to be

7-2 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
sustained '{ Is not the cause a common one '. What if the " feeble
churches," so called, be suffered to languish and die ? When the
streams are cut off from a river, what becomes of the river (
-There is another view of the general subject that is painful, which
is this — that our youth go out of Town to procure their education.
It will be noticed that those who have signalized themselves by their
ability and success, have derived their education from the slender
means enjoyed here. Before it was the practice to attend foreign
schools, or those out of Town, the youth availed themselves of the
means in their reach, and turned every opportunity to the best ac
count. It may almost be said that they were "self-taught." There
was a time when no opportunity was enjoyed — in school or out of
school — to gain any systematic instruction in writing compositions.
In these circumstances, some among our most intelligent and aspir
ing young people conceived the idea of having a Commonplace-
book, to be circulated, in which compositions should be written by
those who would undertake to do so. It is impossible to say how
much this device had to do with the success of the several able ed
itors of newspapers, that have arisen in our Town, and had no means
of making their acquisitions, except such as could be had inside of
old Virgil.
The great advantage enjoyed by the youth here fifty years since,
over the present generation, was that they were associated together
in making their attainments, whereas our present youth are effectu
ally dis-sociated. Formerly th"y were mutual aids and stimulants
to each other; now they are separated, attending different schools,
and return to spend their vacations at different times, so that they
scarcely retain a knowledge of each other, and the motive and the
means for mutual improvement are wanting.
Something is done by institutes and school conventions, which) it
would seem, might, in part, obviate this difficulty; but a convention
of schools once in the year is a very insufficient means to accomplish
or secure the desired result. Doubtless much advantage is supposed
to be derived to those villages where such advanced schools are held.
The most enterprising youth of the adjacent towns are gathered, and
the meetings and lectures are numerously attended, and the resident
population exult in their prosperity, and though their success is thus
promoted, the effect on the population of the rural towns is very

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 73
adverse — and this effect, so much to be deplored, will not be re
moved until schools are established in every town, of sufficient mer-
rit to enable the youth there to make all the acquisitions necessary
to fit them for intelligent merchants, tradesmen and farmers, or
even newspaper editors. This is an unnatural state of things ; when
it is to be remedied, we cannot foresee. It is partially done now in
some places, by what are termed Graded Schools. It is to be hoped
that success may attend these efforts ; and that the evil, so much to
be deplored, may be removed.

NUMBER XXXIII.
THE writer of these articles has supposed that his labors in this
direction were ended, and felt a kind of relief in the reflec
tion that a respite might now be had from this laborious work. In
this I was, however, mistaken. You recollect that you gave me a
slip from a paper called the " Daily Journal," published, as I under
stand, in Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., in this State, calling in ques
tion the substance of one of my articles published in your paper
early in February last, respecting the origin of the Erie Railroad.
The article referred to seems to be editorial, as no name is sub
scribed to it, and it does not present the appearance of being the
production of a correspondent.
Having been led to state many things relating to events transpir
ing in the history of Virgil, in the county of Cortland, my native
Town, as an impartial historian, it was incumbent on me to set
forth, before the general public, what has long been known in this
vicinity, to wit — that the New York & Erie Railroad was projected
by one of the citizens of this Town. The fact was fully known in
a small circle at the time, and was fearlessly published by those
familiar with it everywhere, and at all times, and never heretofore
questioned, to our knowledge. To sit down deliberately to prove
and confirm this fact to the people in central or southern New York
would be like attempting to prove that coal was to be found in
Pennsylvania, or that the sun rises in the east. However, for the

74 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
benefit of any candid minds that might lie staggered by the consid
erations set forth in, the article referred to, a few facts will be- pre
sented. It is not understood that any one complains, who claims in
his own person or for his friend that he is the projector of this work,
but that it is "fishy" or "improbable" that " two years before the
feasibility of a railroad had been demonstrated either in England or
in the United States, Mr. Bouton was looking up a line of railroad 1
from New York city through the southern tier of coanties/'; It is
also said, "The article of Mr. Bouton looks like an- attempt to falsi
fy the facts of history, and to turn a good deal of credit where none
is due." No one living at the time when this project was first set
forth, would have thought, from the reception it met with then and
for years afterward, that the credit would be worth contending for.
It is not easy to conceive, at this late day, how much of sport and
ridicule was consequent upon the publication of the scheme. The
most respectable appellation employed . was, that it was extremely
visionary. Great stress, is laid on, the fact, that we claim the plan
to have been set forth so early, and it was said that the locomotive '
was not in use so early, and that railroads we're not then in success
ful operation in England or in the United States, etc. So far as
the locomotive is concerned, it is entirely foreign . to the subject.
The railroads in England were operated by horse-power, as they, are
now in our cities, and it was conceded that a railroad was prefera
ble to a wagon road. The writer goes on to give dates of the es
tablishment of different railroads. In a work published in Hartford, -
in 1873, by J. B. Burr & Hyde, compiled from the writings of
Horace Greeley, Leon Case, John B. Gough and other . eminent
writers, it is said on page 534, " Horse railroads were increasing in
numbers in England — five having been chartered by act of Parlia
ment in 1805, sixteen in 1815, and thirty-two in 1825." The first
railroad in the State of New York, from Albany to Schenectady,
was chartered in 1828, though not completed till 1831. The dis
cussions which led to this act were progressing at the time when the
plan for the Erie road was published by us. The article published
in the Cortland Observer, setting forth the. same, came out in the
same number that recorded the death of Governor Clinton, and in
black lines, on account of that mournful event,, which we considered
a dark omen, and supposed that it might put an end to the plan. I

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 75
believe it is generally understood that the death of Governor Clin
ton occurred on the 11th of February, 1828. Any one who will
consult the published proceedings of the festive gathering of early
settlers of Virgil, in 1853, will find in the address' of W. E. Gee, on
page 39, an extended reference to this subject, fixing the date at
1828.' -This was. in the immediate vicinity and in the hearing of
those' personally acquainted with the facts. I took the, pamphlet
containing those proceedings, to Albany early in 1858 and presented
it- t,q. Dr.-.Woplworth, the Secretary of the Board, of Regents., and
keeper of , the . State Library, saying to him that in reading it he
would find an account of the origin of the Erie railroad. He asked,
at. what. time. I answered, in 1828. He said they had been able
to trace : it b«fck only ,to .1829. He said that he wanted it, that
he might plaee.it in the. State Library, and I presume it is there now,
saying. from oblivion this fact claimed at present to be rather im
portant. Dr. Wool worth had .been Preceptor of the Cortland
Academy and an old acquaintance of mine. . I then stated, perhaps
unnecessarily, that though the pamphlet was an unpretending one,
yet the facts cpntained in it were authentic. He replied that he had
no doubt of it. It is 'but. reasonable to suppose that the writer of
the . production under consideration has access to the " Gazeteer of
the State:of New York," embracing,^ comprehensive view of the his
tory, etc., of every county, city, town, village and locality, by J. H.
Frecnh, published in Syracuse, N. Y., by E. Pearsall Smith, in 1860.
In this volume, on page 255, will be found, in a note near the bottom
of the left hand column, this entry, connected with other facts in
the history of Virgil :
"As early as 1828, in a series of articles in the Cortland Observer,
Nathaniel Bouton, a farmer in this Town, thoroughly advocated the
construction of a railroad through the southern tier of counties."
Both this notice and that in the address of Mr. Gee were without
the knowledge or suggestion of the writer. It seems to be wondered
at that Mr. Bouton, years before the line of the road was located,
could have been looking up a route to terminate at Dunkirk. This Mr.
Bouton was early in advocacy of the Erie Canal, and all other in
ternal improvements, such as churches, school-houses, roads and
bridges, and was, in general, a man of sagacity, and forecast, and
never an afternoon man.

76 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
» As the veracity of the writer of these articles is questioned, it
may be well to refer the writer of the article under consideration to
the members of Assembly from Chautauqua for 1858 : Hon. Henry
Bliss, Sherman P. O., and Hon. Charles B. Green, Ellington P. O.
They may not be living in those places now, but if they are it would
be well to ask them if they knew the member from Cortland, ac-
cupying, as will be seen by the diagram of the Assembly Chamber,
seat No. 114.
When the projector of the road had become assured that it would
succeed, he said, " The road will go, and now it is time to produce
fruit to be carried on it." He had an orchard, but he had but few
kinds of apples fit for market. He had the Road Island Greening,
English Streak, Seek^no-further, and Romanite. The Greening
would not constitute an assortment, and the others had not merit
enough to justify their cultivation. He found a tree about seven
miles off, that produced fruit which he thought, from all the knowl
edge he could get, would answer his purpose. It was from a cion
brought from Massachusetts. He proceeded to take cions from this
tree, and grafted them on about eighty trees. Not a very great
number it is true, but considerable for the time and place. These
trees produced a full crop in 1846 — the same year in which the road
was completed to Binghamton, and in which he died ; but the apples
were carried to market on that road, and brought, it is said, five
dollars per barrel. After his death, the writer bought the farm of
the heirs and realized a large amount of fruit from these trees. In
quiry was made for the name of this apple. At length a nursery
man came and examined them, and said that it was the Roxbury
Russet, and that it was very gratifying to know that such an apple
had obtained such a foothold here. My father had started a nur
sery of grafted fruit in 1809, pasting the wound with blue clay,
mixed up in a sap trough. He also sowed a quantity of seeds to
grow a nursery of natural fruit. In this nursery the writer was
employed in cleaning out and cultivating the young seedlings, when
they had attained the third leaf. He has followed the same through
the several stages of growth, change and decay, till a few years since
they were removed that they might not longer cumber the ground.
The writer has outlived those trees, and is still vigorous and able to
meet and refute a calumny. It need not be expected that any fur-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 77
ther attention will he given to such criticisms till some man' shall
come forward and claim in is own person, or that of a friend, the
authorship of this project.

NUMBER XXXIV.
PREVIOUS to 1871, there were erected many neat and com
modious residences thrbughout our Town ; but it was re
marked that building in the village' had nearly ceased. Only the
house of Mrs. Jenkins* of riioderate dimensions, had been built for
several years, and many in the village had become very innocent of
paint, and. it was a rather common impression that it had about ar
rived at its zenith. So much had been said respecting the imprac-
tibility of building up the village, that a kind of depression was on
the minds of most of the people, and it was yielded to as a fact, that
this - place must submit to be eclipsed by surrounding villages and
towns. Tlie church edifice, like the other structures, gave outward
indications of decay. 'This state of things affected a few minds very
deeply, and a resolution was formed that an effort should be made
to change the aspect. Perhaps no building presented a more gloomy
appearance- than did the Presbyterian Church. Aniid many dis
couragements and prophecies of failure, it was undertaken, and in a
short time it was apparent that success would attend the exertions
of those engaged in this enterprise. Seldom has the progress of
any work towards completion been looked upon with more wonder
and surprise. It Was foretold that this 'effort would be a failure, or
that those assuming responsibility would involve themselves so deep
ly that it would be difficnltto extricate themselves. However, what
was embraced- in the original plan was. accomplished, and the build
ing was dedicated to the worship' of the Sacred Three in the fore
part of January, 1872. The remark that there had come a depres
sion over the minds of the people about building and repairing, had
reference only' to the village. Other parts of the Town proceeded
as usual, and houses and barns were erected, as the pleasure or need

78 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
of the people suggested. In the same season of 1871, several build-'
ings were erected in different parts, some of which were of noble, di
mensions. Of these a description has been, given up to August,
1874, embracing the Baptist Church. Since that time the M. E.
Church edifice has been erected, with its stately proportions, costing
$7,000 or more, of which a circumstantial account was given for the
press, by Rev. J. W. Steele, and published soon after its completion,
in the winter of 1875-'76.
David R. Price built a new house, sported to be well planned
and furnished with exquisite skill and workmanship. Its cost has
been estimated at from three to four thousand dollars. Isaac B.
Bloomer and John Bays,, on the State road, each did such thorough
work in repairing their houses that they became essentially new, and
are very neat and commodious, and an honor to the vicinity as well
as to the owners and builders. J. B. Rounds built a barn seventy
feet in length and thirty in width, with stone work three feet high
for the foundation. The posts are sixteen feet.
People in the village began to think "that. .some things could be
done as well as others," and commenced on repairs. The residence
near the church referred to above, of M. L. Sheerar, was thoroughly
renovated and presents a fine appearance. John M. Frank soon
afterwards commenced to improve the appearance of his house, and
exhibits his perseverance by continuing to paint and add to the orig
inal structure ; and when the whole shall be finished it will doubt
less add much to the appearance of that locality. Charles Williams
built a very respectable village residence two years since, which we
regret to say was destroyed by fire about a year afterwards. Other
houses were built in the region around, among which is one of very
respectable appearance by Edwin Branch, in the west part of the
Town, and one in the east part by John- Shevalier, very highly
spoken of as being of noble dimensions and superior finish and
appearance. But the enthusiasm for building was thoroughly awak
ened in the village, and the year 1873 will bo long remembered , as
that in which many elegant structures were reared.
As the battle of Bunker Hill was the leading ^engagemerit iof the
Revolution, so the elevation in our village, known by that name,
was the scene of preparation by the removal -of the building of
noble , dimensions, erected there by General Knapp,; in 1 804. It was

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 79
set in the north part of the village and is used by E. Grain as a
ware-room for his business of wagon and carriage making. It was
30x40 feet, and two stories high, and a wonder to the natives in the
early days in which it was built. This removal, prepared the way
for the erection of the splendid residence of Dr. Muncey. This
building is forty-one feet front and thirty-five feet deep, twenty feet
high ; lower story, ten feet high:, finished' with hard wood with ex
quisite workmanship. The doors are cherry and ash alternate.
Kitchen done off for convenience ;' pantry, and closets for wardrobe,
etc., finished with chestnut and cherry. A convenient number of
windows — glass, 14x30 inches, — one bay-window finished with cher
ry and ash ; stairs, cherry and ash alternate, with white oak railing ;
parlor, finished with cherry, ash, and butternut, with exquisite
moulding ; cellar, 21x23 feet ; building and stoop, covered with tin
roof ; cost, about $4,000. W. A. Holton built a mammoth store
on the lot, made vacant by the removal of the store-house previously
occupied by B. J. Jones, This store-house was removed by R. E.
Holton about one-half mile, and changed into a very respectable
residence. The new store of W. A. Holton is seventy feet in length,
twenty in width, and twenty-five feet posts ; cellar, under the whole ;
cistern, with capacity of five hundred barrels of water, with force
pump on the outside and also in the inside; tin roof; store-room,
42x50 feet, completely finished, with show-cases, stools, chairs,
chandelier, and everything for convenience in a country store; up
per story, finished in rooms with convenience and taste; a very
convenient room below for courts or for meeting of Town* board or
similar .meetings ; tin roof; the whole cost estimated at $4,000.
The1 Baptist. church has been noticed' in a previous number. F. T.
Ho vey built a residence of fine appearance on his lot westerly from
the "Village Green."- The length is thirty feet; width, twenty-
two; with posts twenty feet; ten feet high in the clear, below;
with nineteen windows— four lights; 14x30. In- 'the rear is an ap
pendage 12x16 feet, for culinary purposes, etc. W. H. Williams
built at the same time a very respectable residence; nearly opposite.
In addition to all this done in building, many houses havebeen much
improved by painting, etc. It may also be said that one story has
been added to a portion of the building Occupied by E. Winslow,
for store and post-office, David Trapp also erected a splendid

80 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
hopse in the west part of the Town : two stories, with rooms spa
cious and airy, and finished in exquisite style, costing over $4,000,
Samuel Hutchings erected a barn fifty feet in length, thirty-four
feet wide, and twenty high above the basement, which is eight feet ;
two bays for hay sixteen feet deep, with a flbor seventeen feet!
Standing on a conspicuous place, and well painted^ it presents an
imposing appearance for miles around, '•¦ i ;
This building interest, was very much facilitated by the discovery
of a bed of very good sand, conveniently located. All the building
mentioned, comipencing.<with that of Dr. Muncey, was done in 1873:
Captain S.'M. Byram did, also,, much for the improvement of his
grist-mill, — siding and painting, on the outside, and, in needed and
thorough repairs inside, in the making of a new water-wheel, etc.
This! is called the Virgil Spring Mills, from the fact that it derives
its propelling power mostly from the water of several large springs
which are permanent, though not always sufficient for the demands
of a' large : surrounding population. It is now doing a very lively
business under the charge of the young Messrs. Rease. One great
advantage is its very eligible location in the midst of a thriving
community. Mr. Byram has also painted and much improved his
house,, so that now it presents a neat. and becoming appearance. ,
Ebenezer Perkins has built a ware-riouse for the convenience of
his business.? The length is thirty-eight feet, and width, twenty-
eight feet, with nineteen feet, posts. It is painted in such a way as
to present a very tasty appearance. He has also built a shop f or
hlacksmrfhing, 26x20 feet. David Shultz has erected a large and
commodious house, Its dimensions, I cannot give. Henry, Lewis
has erected a house on the State road, one and one-half miles: from
the village. Charles Griswold made an old house nearly new about
two years since, which, is now painted and respectable in appearance.
John O. Hammond* son of the late Thomas Hammond^ has renova
ted the house on that place, and repaired the same so as to be almost
new, adding much to its comfort and convenience.
George Fisher, built in 1873 a horse barn thirty-eight feet in '
length* and twenty-four feet in width, and sixteen feet posts; on a
good foundation of stone work, painted red and trimmed with white.
He has also removed and improved a very large barn, placing it in
a convenient situation. Though so much was done in building.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 81
last year, the enthusiasm is not exhausted. Mr. B. B. Elster is
building a residence that promises to be a credit to the builder and
also to the village. Abram Sager is erecting a residence of noble
dimensions, about three-fourths of a mile west from the village,
which will be finished in the most approved style, costing $1,600 or
more. Mr. Pinney is building a house on the Cortland road, from
the village about two miles, which, from the known energy and
taste of the builder, may be expected to be an honor both to the
owner and to the neighborhood. Besides what has been mentioned,
there is evidence of improvement generally, indicated by the inter
est shown in moving barns and other buildings to more convenient
situations, and in their thorough repairs. In short, business is lively,
crops are abundant, and we have had noticeable exemption from
casualties by fire, wind and flood. We have had convenient rain
and sunshine and the growth of a very luxuriant crop of vegetation
such as has not been in the memory of " the oldest inhabitant."

NUMBER XXXV.
CHARLES W. JOHNSON reared a large and elegant barn, with
a basement, near his house in the Village, and has since repaired
and very much improved his house, rendering it not only comfortable
but neat and tasty in appearance. Nathaniel Lewis has built a new
house in the south part of the Village, of very respectable appear
ance. J. C. Seamans has built a residence, essentially new, embrac
ing but a small part of the materials of one previously occupying
the same ground. It is of noble proportions, and, when well painted,
will add much to the appearance of that part of the Village where
it is located. Several buildings have been treated with new coats
of paint, among which are those of G. W. Elster, J. P. Price and
others. The Village has also been much improved in appearance
and convenience, by the railing in front of the Baptist church, and
by a walk to the M. E. church. A barn of moderate dimensions
has been built by W. A. Holton, directly north from the hotel, and

82 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
a barn on the lot occupied by Elder Haskell has also been repaired
and enclosed with new materials, giving a sprightly appearance to
the immediately locality. Henry Smith, near the north line of the
Town, has renovated and very much improved the appearance of
one of his barns. Jared Mnnson has moved two barns, placed them
adjoining, with a basement and other improvements, for conven
ience to himself and comfort to his animals. Harrison Smith, a
mile north from the village, has replaced a rookery of a horse barn
with a new one. Samuel Hutchings, who had a splendid barn,
described, in a- former number as capable of being seen for miles
away, has obscured the view by another barn of nearly the same
description, though somewhat less in dimensions, but painted as
well as the other. John 0. Hammond has, since the last writing,
given his house a thorough painting, which causes it to look very
comely and pleasant. In the same neighborhood, a much needed
and permanent bridge has been built across what is called the " Vir
gil Creek." The old school-house adjoining the west meeting-house
has been replaced by a new, convenient and tasty edifice, presenting
a groat contrast to its predecessor, which was built in about the
year 1808. Another number will be given to complete what is to
bo noted concerning other now buildings in the Town.

NUMBER XXXVI.
WITHIN the last three years, R. C. Tyler has built a fine
new barn. Frank Saltsman has erected a new horse
and , carriage barn of good size, well finished and painted. J. C.
House has remodeled, changed and very much improved the house
on the farm long occupied by his father and the family ; and Au
gustus Boll has thoroughly and tastefully painted his house. W.
P. Mynard has erected a splendid barn, seventy-two feet in length
and twenty-six feet in width, with sixteen feet, posts above the base
ment, which is eight feet high. It is on a firm foundation of mason-
work, well finished and painted. He has also built a commodious
corn-house and granary, painted like the barn.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. S3
111 the north-west part of the town, we find several buildings
recently repaired and painted — and more that are new. Jesse
Trapp's house, formerly, now owned by his son, was thoroughly
repaired so as to bo nearly new, a few years since. Thomas Gillon's
house has new blinds and a now roof. Frank Yaples has built a
house of respectable dimensions, two stories high, said to be well-
finisbecl inside, and soon to be painted on the outside. Frederick
Hollenbeck has built a fine residence, the upright portion of which
is forty-two feet by sixteen, two stories high', and the wing twenty-
four by seventeen feet. It is entirely finished, except that he has it
in contemplation to add something in the line of a. veranda or stoop.
It has an excellent cellar, added to which is a good and commo
dious cistern.
On the road from Dryden to Cortland, we find Warren Hoaglin,
who has built during the present season a horse and carriage barn,
thirty -four by fifty feet, with twenty feet posts, finished and painted.
George Moore has erected, during the present season, an addition
to his barn, twenty-four by thirty feet, with sixteen feet, posts. The
whole building is now sixty-four by thirty feet. N. P. Pulling has
also built, during the present season, a house essentially new, which
is nearly, or quite, finished ; is painted and very respecable in appear
ance. Cornelius Veeder has painted and put a new roof on his
house, with other improvements. L. B. Ball has built a residence
of imposing appearance on the State road, about one and one-half
miles westward from the village. The upright portion is twenty-
two by thirty feet, with twenty-one feet posts. The wing is sixteen
by twenty-two feet, with twelve feet posts. There is a remarkably
fine cellar, with faultless walls, seven and one-half feet deep. Water
is brought by a pipe into the kitchen and is already running, and is
also carried into the cellar to be in readiness for any arrangement
that may hereafter be made. The rooms are arranged with much
skill for convenience and comfort. The- glass in the lower story is
thirteen by thirty inches, and above it is thirteen by twenty-eight
inches. The house is painted and otherwise nearly completed.
John McKinney, in the same neighborhood, has changed a house
of ordinary appearance to one that is very respectable, by putting
on improvements, rendering the building almost as good as new.
The school district, long known as the " Morse Hill District," has

84 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
built a respectably appearing new school-house. Emery Gee erected
a new residence in 1876, which is still in process of completion, and
is marked by all the characteristics that combine to render a home
desirable and attractive, even to running water for domestic pur
poses in the kitchen. J. B. Hutchings erected a new barn of stately
proportions, it being forty by fifty feet, with twenty feet posts, on a
good foundation, with a bay twenty by forty feet, floor sixteen by
forty feet, and stable fourteen by forty feet. The old barn, twenty-
six by thirty-six feet, with sixteen feet posts, has been moved and
placed adjoining a portion of the new, and newly inclosed. It was
formerly thought to be a good sized barn, but now the contrast be
tween the two is great. Abram Sager has built a new barn, thirty-
six by twenty-five feet, with sixteen feet posts above the basement,
which is eight feet, all finished and painted. Robert Sager has
removed a frame, and finished a barn, making it essentially new,
and has it painted. L. V. Terpenning has built a convenient and
handsome horse and carriage barn, twenty-six by forty feet, with
eighteen feet posts. Dr. Tripp has thoroughly renovated and
repaired a barn of moderate dimensions . on his place. Norman
Bailey, who lives half a mile west of the village, has built and
painted a barn on his premises, retaining but, little of the one pre
viously occupying the same ground, adding greatly to the appear
ance and value of his place. Myron Ballou has erected, finished
and painted a barn of stately size, it being seventy feet long by
thirty feet wide, with twenty feet posts. A. E. H. Ladd is making
great improvements in his residence, which will be better appre
ciated when completed. Robert Sager has commenced to build
spacious additions to his house. They are now complete and render
the residence very tasty and becoming.
The writer is indebted to J. Shevalier, Esq., for information re
specting the east part of the Town.
On the road north from John Patten's, a new house and barn
have been built within the past two or three years, now owned by
Michael Delaney. On lot thirty, W. Holden, of Syracuse, caused
a large barn to be built in 1875, with basement ; and in 1876, a
first-class house, painted and finished in excellent style. " Two
years ago," Mr. Shevalier says, " our church underwent a thorough
repair, from basement to roof. All of the old building that, was

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 35
left was the naked frame— all the rest is new and bright." Two
years since Mr. Shevalier himself built a horse and carriage barn,
all painted and finished, with running water in the same. Two
years since, E. D. Angel built a substantial barn, thirty by forty
feet. ; and during the present season, E. B. Husted has also built a
now barn.
In the west part of the Town, George Tyler has built during the
present season a horse and carriage barn, thirty-six by fifty-four
feet, with twenty feet posts, which is well finished and painted, and
standing on a firm foundation. George P. Dann has repainted the
exterior of his house; and in the interior, it has been re-painted,
papered and otherwise very much improved. He has also removed
and fitted up a barn with new foundation and new covering, mak
ing the same essentially new. He has also just finished, with the
exception of paint, a new granary and corn-house, sixteen by twenty
feet, with twelve feet posts — the same being complete with the
latest improvements. Chester Simonds has removed and done off a
barn of ordinary dimensions, adding much to the convenience of his
place. Horace Fitts, in the west part of the Town, has, since the
last writing, removed and thoroughly renovated his house, re-arrang
ing the inside, and painting the exterior. The school district known
as the " Frank district " has commenced to build a new school-house,
and in two other districts the question of erecting new school-houses
has been agitated. It should have been sooner said that E. Wins
low has added much to the appearance and convenience of his place
by building and painting. And still the enthusiasm for building
and repairing continues unabated.
Edwin Branch has rebuilt his house, which was consumed last
autumn, with the same kind of workmanship that obtained in the
original structure. It is greatly to his credit that he has sustained
himself with firmness through all the embarassment incident to the
casualty. George H. Ladd has built a neat dwelling house adjoin
ing the Methodist church. Asa Price is renovating and much enlarg
ing his residence. R. C. Tyler has very much improved his barn,
rendering it very much more capacious.
A new school-house has been built in what has been called the
" Raymond District."

86 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Mr. David Shults had two barns burnt by lightning recently, and
is now replacing them by one eighty feet long by forty feet wide,
with twenty feet posts above the basement.

NUMBER XXXVII.
I have thought best, that, inasmuch as some facts have transpired
that seem to have no particular connection with any subject
treated of heretofore, a fragmentary chapter be inserted, embracing
facts having no special mutual dependence on each other, and are
here placed promiscuously.
To show the great difference in mail facilities in early days com
pared with the present, I would say that, being at the Village some
forty years since, I was accosted by Thomas Hammond, a neighbor,
who had a bundle of flax under his arm. He asked me to buy it
to enable him to take a letter from the Post-office, which he had
not the means to do. Now it is imperative on the sender to pre
pay, and the postage is so reduced that it is merely nominal.
Reference has been had in other pages to four men who fell from
apple trees in gathering fruit. One of these was John Tyler, or as
generally called, Deacon Tyler. It was near the house, and the con
cussion drove the breath from his body and he was curried to the
house unconscious and breathless. Mr. Timothy Pond being pres
ent he breathed into his nostrils and he revived, and his breath has
been healthy ever since. The four men referred to are named as
follows : John Tyler, Moses Tyler, S. B. Seamans and Luther Gris
wold. In the progress of the Temperance cause several obstacles had to
be met and overcome, one of which was the quality of the material
employed in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, to supply the
place of the fruit of the vine, referred to in the administration of
that ordinance. It had been the practice to use wine bought at the
stores, involving the idea of drugged liquor embracing a large por-

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 87
tion of Alcohol. Several members were dissatisfied, and a discus
sion arose which ultimately resulted in the adoption of the follow
ing resolution : " That the officers of the church be instructed to
procure, for the use of the church in Communion seasons, pure na
tive wine, when it can be procured, or the article that has been used
during the year past, which is made by getting the juice of soaked
raisins." This was in February, 1853, and now at this late day only
a portion of the churches have come to this standard.
In a preceding chapter it was announced that great opposition
was felt and manifested against the Agricultural Fair held in Town
and that this was one reason why it was given up. J. R. Dixon,
Esq., editor of the Cortland County Republican, was in Town at
tending one of the Fairs, busy in his attention to his interest con
cerning his paper. He tarried over night at the Public House and
heard the language of those who opposed. Afterward he said to
the writer, that he wondered how we could keep up the Fair with
such opposition as existed in the community. It was a wonder.
Reference has been had to the scarcity of money in the early
days of the Town. It would be thought strange that a farm of fif
ty acres should be mortgaged for thirteen and one-half dollars. In
the time of the Old Loan, it is announced that the farm of Salmon
Curtiss was mortgaged for that sum.
It has been heretofore stated that when any enterprise is propos
ed that promises to be for the good of the community, it is sure to
encounter persistent opposition from a certain class of the popula
tion. To illustrate : On the line of Lots in this Town, between 36
and 26, where the State Road, so called, was intended to run, a
stream 'ran on the line, and the travel took place about three rods
north of the line. After a time, a man by the name of E. H. Luce
came to own the farm, and proposed to put the road on the line
where it was intended to be. Great opposition showed itself. Now
all feeling on the subject is over, and nearly forgotten.
In the year 1867, a patent, was secured, in this Town, for an ap
paratus for gathering apples, by Martin Darling. / was invited,
with several other fruit growers, to meet at the residence of Martin
Luce, to examine the same in operation. It met our hopes and we

88 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
recommended it to fruit growers for use, as deserving confidence.
The whole realm of Nature had been examined to find a substitute
foil hand picking, and every plan had signally failed. It seemed de
sirable that a substitute should be discovered. One reason was, that
persons in hand picking must hold on with one hand while the oth
er picks the fruit and places it in a basket. The danger is that
trust will be placed in unsound limbs, and they be broken and the
operator be precipitated to the ground to the great jeopardy of life
and limb. If one has two hands for his support, he is assured of
safety. Within a distance of a trifle over a mile in extent, in my
immediate acquaintance, four men have thus fallen from trees, and
have been essentially disabled for a long time. Another advantage
is, that when there is danger of a hard frost, a number of hands
can be drawn together and many can be gathered in a short time.
A prejudice arose against the use of the instrument, so that men
could not be employed for money, to use it and give it fair treat
ment. Also, factory cloth was so very dear in time of the war that
it cost more for the canvas than men were willing to pay, and the
consequence was that its general use was abandoned. A few have
continued its use and are satisfied. Among these is Theron Lincoln
Esq., of Newark, Wayne county, N. Y., formerly of this Town.
He speaks highly of it, and some others do the same. John S.
Winters has used and approves of it. Dann C. Squires also ex
pressed to the writer that he thought it must lie a good thing.
Martin Luce, Esq., of Cortland, who has no interest in its success,
unless it can be used, told me that he gathered his apples with it one
season, and that he kept them till the May following. He then took
them to Cortland to sell. On his way he passed the residence of Mar
tin Sanders, who came to the road, and looking on them, said : " How
could you keep them till this time looking so fresh and sound ? "
Mr. Luce then gave the answer. Perhaps the people in Cortland will
respect the opinion of Martin Sanders in reference to the appearance
that apples should present when offered in their market for sale. I
gathered a portion of my fruit in the same way one season, and the
same was true of that. I insert this with the view to save a good
thing from oblivion. It is safe to say that if a substitute for hand
piclting is ever discovered, this is it, inasmuch as Nature furnishes
no other.

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 89
NUMBER XXXVIII.
WE have now arrived at a chapter of Conventions and Cel
ebrations. It was common about fifty years since to
have gatherings of the common schools, including a dozen or more,
generally, in the Summer but sometimes in the Winter. It was us
ual to have a list, of questions printed and distributed through the
schools to be committed to memory, and at the gathering have them
propounded and answered in concert, as one of the exercises. The
only record of a like gathering was on the 10th of February, 1831.
There were present ten schools with their teachers, and the account
was taken of the whole number of scholars belonging to the schools.
As they were formed and marched, with flags and banners flying,
at the head of martial music, the view was particularly inspiring.
The account of the schools was as follows : WHOLE NO.
TEACHEES. SCHOLARS. NO. PEES.
Salisbury Clark,  84 70
William Meeker,  101 57
Erastus Phillips,  »  50 50
Emily Mahan,  36 25
Hiram Bouton,  62 31
Isaac Bloomer,  63 35
Cortland Hill,  44 25
Katherine Morse,  31 20
David Robinson,  31 7
Eli Smith,  '• • • 35 8
Total,  537 328
In 1826, the first fifty years of the life of our . Government was
completed. It occurred that many minds were exercised on the sub
ject of the celebration of the Fourth of July, as a jubilee of Amer
ican independence. The people were comparatively few, and had
little knowledge of the way to celebrate that anniversary; but the
interest was such that a celebration was arranged for the Fourth ;
and those engaged resolved to do their best to render the occasion
an interesting one. Michael Frank was chosen to deliver the oration,
and other arrangements were made to correspond. When the morn-
mo- arrived it was found that we were without clergy. Some of our

90 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
well meaning citizens had persuaded the several ministers that it
was unsuitable for a gospel minister to officiate on such an occasion.
The best that could be done was to select individuals to perform
the parts, and proceed, which was done. The attendance was rath
er thin, but the result was satisfactory. Frederick Hyde read the
Declaration; Nathan Bouton offered prayer, and Michael Frank
delivered the oration.
On the 25th of August, 1853, a gathering was had, called the
Festive Gathering, which has been sufficiently set forth in the pre
ceding pages.
Time passed on and events transpired, and when the Centennial
approached, some minds began to cherish the idea of celebrating
the same ; and one great argument in its favor was the fact that the
three individuals who performed the important parts in 1826 were
still living and vigorous, and anxious to act in the same capacity
again. Much correspondence was had, but it was finally agreed to
call a meeting of those who were favorable, and one was held of
considerable interest, especially with the aged men of the former oc
casion. Committees were appointed tojiave charge of the matter
in its varied departments. Soon the people were generally aroused,
and several unanticipated appendages were added. It was not or
iginally designed to have cannon to employ in the exorcises. But
some were unwilling to have the day pass without the roar of can
non, and it was had principally through the persistent urgency of
J. G. Tyler. It was afterward suggested that young ladies be se
lected to represent the several States, dressed in suitable uniform,
which met the approbation of the managers. This proposition was
suggested by Miss Josephine Mott, and goes to her credit. Miss
Satt Sanf ord with A. E. H. Ladd and, wife, had the charge of the
selection of these young ladies and suggesting the manner of their
costumes, which was very creditably performed. Soon the project
of a company of fusileers was started, which was got up and man
aged with consummate skill and maturity of design. Arrangements
were also made for fire works in the evening.
Now follow four biographical notices of the persons who en
gaged in the celebration of 1826, and also in 1876. It will be seen
that this may lie open to the charge of egotism, inasmuch as in the

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 91
responses after dinner there will be some repetition, but it was in
dispensable that the speakers be left untrammeled, and that they
were confined to the subjects allotted to them.

NUMBER XXXIX.
FREDERICK HYDE spent a portion of his youth here. He
early engaged as teacher of the common schools, and was
considered eminent in that employment. He afterwards studied
medicine — the earlier part of his pupilage being with Dr. Hiram
Moe, of Lansing, Tompkins county, and the later portion with Dr.
Horace Bronson, of Virgil, Cortland county ; and after graduating
at- Fairfield Medical College, he at once commenced the practice of
his profession in Cortland, where he now resides, actively engaged
in the duties of his profesajon. He, in due time, acquired the repu
tation of an eminent physician, which he still maintains. He has
the confidence of the community as the following facts will fully
testify. He was Trustee of the Cortiandville Academy, from its
first organization, while it continued; and on'the resignation of its
first President, Judge Reynolds, he was elected in his place. He
has been Trustee of the Cortland Normal and Training School since
its commencement, and is now President of the Board. He is Presi
dent of the Cortland Savings Bank. He has been a member of the
Cortland County Medical Society since 1833. He was a member
of the Medical Association of Southern Central New York, during
its lifetime. He is a member of the Central Medical Association of
New York. He was elected a permanent member of the New York
State Medical Society, in 1854, and was elected its President in
1865. He participated in the organization of the American Medi
cal Association at Philadelphia, in 1847, and has continued a per
manent member of the same. He was a delegate from the New
York State Medical Society to the International Medical Congress
held in Philadelphia, 1876.

92 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
Early in his professional life he began to contribute to the litera
ture of the medical profession, and has continued to do so, as the
American medical journals and printed transactions of the different
medical associations in which he is honored with membership, will
abundantly show. He held the professorship of Surgery in Geneva
Medical College, and discharged its duties for sixteen years. On
the organization gi the Medical Department of Syracuse University
he was elected Professor of Surgery in this institution, the duties of
which post he continues to discharge. He has ever been accounted
a man of integrity, sound judgement and practical sagacity. Also
combining the traits embraced in the comprehensive word, reliable.
He has generally enjoyed excellent health, which, for a man of his
ago gives him a remarkable yonthful appearance.

NUMBER XL.
NATHAN BOUTON was born in Virgil, July 27th, 1802.
His early life was familiar with the privations and hard
ships incident to the time. His opportunities for education were
such as other children and youth of the time enjoyed. He was sup
posed at the ago of thirteen to be rather an adept, in figures, which
led his fond father to determine to give him the opportunity to be
come a land surveyor. A place was found in Genoa where an ex
perienced surveyor lived, who was pursuaded to take him and teach
him the elements of the profession, in the Spring of 1816. The ex
pense was three dollars for tuition and two dollars for board. All
the knowledge he ever gained afterward on the subject was the re
sult of his own experience and study. He was not furnished with
instruments till 1823, when he commenced practical land surveying,
and continued the same employment during forty -four years, when
nearly all the work, after ten years, was in settling disputed lines
and harmonizing those in conflict. The work done has been rather

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. no
extensive and spread over a large share of the towns of Virgil, Mar
athon, Lapeer, Harford, Cortiandville and Dryden. Also some in
Freetown, Scott, Truxton and Homer, implying the confidence of
the general public in his skill and accuracy.
At the age of eighteen he was employed in teaching school, in
which he continued from time to time, till 1845, in which he evinced
great perseverance, though not always very popular. In connection
to this he was appointed to school offices, such as Commissioner,
Inspector, and Town Superintendent. He has always been a strong
friend to education and an efficient promoter of the cause, in the
time of his active life. The fact of his writing out at the sugges
tion of his father, the plan for the New York and Erie Railway,
has been sufficiently set forth in the previous pages. In 1857 it
pleased the people to commit to his trust the interests of the county,
and he was elected to the office of State Legislator, by a majority of
nine hundred or there-abouts ; the duties of which he performed to
the satisfaction of his constituents. Since that time he has been
chosen on the Board of Supervisors against a very popular compet
itor. In moral and religious aspects he has had much to do, and,
especially, in the late renovation of the Presbyterian Church, of
which he has been for more than fifty years an efficient member.
He was chosen to the office of Deacon, June 21, 1833, which office
he has held since. He has been an ardent supporter of the temper
ance cause since 1829, and of the anti-slavery cause since its first
inauguration. He has been the firm supporter of all the causes
operating in the community, that have promised the progress and
well-being of the same. Among other things he gave for the con
struction of the Syracuse & Binghamton Railroad two hundred dol
lars, and lost it ; also to the Southern Central three hundred dollars,
and lost two hundred of the same. He has likewise had committed
to his trust the settlement of six or more estates ; and three of them
were heavy, involving the adjustment and distribution to the legatees
of the several estates, the portions due to them respectively. All
the estates involved embraced interests of more than fifty thousand
dollars; and all this has been done without any fault being found
from any reputable source. He has also collected the material for
the History of this Town, which is now, at the time of this writing,
in press, and has written the same out.

94 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
NUMBER XLI.
COL. MICHAEL FRANK was born in Virgil, December 12th,
180.4. His education was acquired in the schools of the
Town and its vicinity. During the years of his residence here he
became widely known in the county. He was elected Inspector of
Common Schools several years in succession ; also elected Supervis
or of the Town. He was chosen Captain of the first company of
artillery organized here. He was also prominent in the formation
of several societies for mutual improvement among the young peo
ple of the Town. On the Fourth of July, 1826, he delivered an
oration on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of American
Independence, and on the Fourth of July, 1828, he delivered a tem
perance oration which resulted in the formation of the first. Tem
perance Society in the Town.
He changed his residence from Virgil to Preble, in the north
part of the county, in 1836, where he engaged in the mercantile
business, and where he married Miss Caroline J. Carpenter, his
present wife. While in Preble he was elected Supervisor of the
town, in 1838, and Town Clerk, in 1839,. which latter office he re
signed, to go west. In the fall of 1839 he moved to Southport,
now Kenosha, Wisconsin, at which place he became associated in
the publication of a newspaper, The Southport Telegraph ; and was
connected with that paper, altogether, about twelve years. He also
had editorial charge of other papers, for short periods. Prior to
the adoption of State government in Wisconsin, he was a member
of the Territorial Council three years, and after the adoption of
State government, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly
one year. He was elected by the Legislature in 1848, one of the
Board of Commissioners to revise the laws of the State ; also elected
by the Legislature in 1861, a member of the Board of Regents of
the State University.
On the incorporation of Southport as a village, in 1840, he was
chosen President of the village ; and on the change of the name of
Southport, to Kenosha, in 1850, and the incorporation of the place
as a city, he was chosen Mayor. He held the office of Justice of
the Peace two years, Treasurer of Kenosha county four years, City
Superintendent of Schools six years. He was appointed Postmaster

SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS. 95
at the city of Kenosha, by President Lincoln, and held the office
about six years. In the military line he was appointed by Governor
Dodge, of Wisconsin, Colonel of the militia, and subsequently Gen
eral of the militia. Although commissioned a General, he has been
more familiarly known the past thirty years, as Colonel Frank.
In matters of religion, morals and education, he has a well earned
reputation. He united with the Congregational Church at South-
port, in 1840, and has retained a church connection ever since. He
was active in the early temperance movements in Wisconsin, and
has always been a firm friend of the cause. In educational matters,
particularly the introduction of the Free School System in Wiscon
sin, he did efficient service through the press, and other agencies.
In 1870 he was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury Depart
ment, at Washington. During the period of over eight years since
he has been in government employ, he has been comparatively iso
lated, as most government employees are. The only marked event
in his history during this time, was the delivery of an oration, July
4th, 1876, in commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of
American Independence, in the same town and village where he
delivered the Fiftieth Anniversary oration, just a half century before.
It is probable that no event parallel to this occurred among the over
forty million of people in the United States.

NUMBER XLII.
COLONEL WILLIAM SQUIRES. Though he was not born
or reared in Virgil, yet, as he was the Marshal (the duties
of which office he performed with peculiar activity,) at the Centen
nial, where the three preceding individuals who had participated
in the two celebrations fifty years apart, it was concluded to be fit
ting that a brief biographical sketch should be given of him also.
William Squires, son of Zachariah and Catharine Squires, was
born in Binghamton, N. Y., November 23, 1798. With the excep-

96 SUPPLEMENTARY LETTERS.
tion of the privation and hardship which is unavoidable with all early
settlers, the early life of the subject of this sketch was not remark
able or unusual.
His opportunities for education wore limited ; yet, by perseverance
he acquired such a knowledge of the common branches as was then
considered necessary for ordinary business transactions. He lived
with his father on a farm, just west of the corporation line, until he
was twenty-four years of age. In 1823 he married Lucy Church,
his present wife. To clear up a farm of dense forest, pay for it,
provide the necessary buildings, support his family and fulfill the
obligations of society, was the task to which he invited himself, and
which by the most untiring industry and good management, he ac
complished at an earlier day than even he had anticipated, and was
permitted to live for a number of years thereafter to enjoy the fruits
of his toil and witness the improvement which his own hands had
wrought. He served twenty-two years in the militia of the State,
holding commissions of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel.
In early life he interested himself in religions affairs, — was among
the first to espouse the cause of temperance, and helped to inaugu
rate the Washingtonian Society. The anti-slavery movement, in its
very beginning, found in him a fearless . supporter. In the years of
1865 and 1866 he represented his town in the Board of Supervisors
acceptably to his constituents. He was one of the originators and
active managers of the " Marathon Cemetery " — one of the noted
institutions of the place. About the year 1863, he moved into the
village, leaving his farm in the charge of his son, — since which time,
though almost always busy, he has not confined himself to the man
agement of business. He is now nearly eighty years of age, and
bids fair to live yet a number of years.

WMjiFs CetttetittM 2?

oSKo

THE day was ushered in by the boom of the cannon, procured
through the persistent energy of J. G. Tyler.
The following account of the scenes and events of, the day is es
sentially a copy of an editorial in the Cortland Standard of July
11th, 1876 :
" In one of the long processions of carriages, which moved from
Cortland to Virgil on the beautiful morning of the Fourth, we en
joyed a place, with the beaming and patriotic countenance of the
President of the Day smiling upon us. The procession started from
the Messenger House about 9:30 A. m., and wound its way over the
hills and through the valleys to ' Old Virgil,' which was that day to
witness a gathering of her sons and daughters, which would be mem
orable in her annals forever. The. Cortland Cornet Band headed
the procession, enlivening the way with choice music. From a num
ber of carriages the National colors floated, and red, white and blue
plumes on the heads of the horses in front of us made the out-look
more patriotic still. As the procession passed on, carriages from
various quarters were found waiting along the way ready to fall in
to line, and add still further to the length of the already extended
array of vehicles. Before the village was reached the procession
stretched back over half a mile, and must have numbered in the
neighborhood of fifty carriages. Upon nearing the village the band
struck up ' Home, Sweet Home,' — the marshals came riding up to
receive the visitors, and the small boy in all his various shapes
made himself numerous round about. The place was already lively
with a large crowd, and the festive lemonade, gingerbread and pea
nuts were displayed at divers stands. The one hotel was so packed

100

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.

with people that it was a labor (anything but easy,) to work one's
way through it, and all outdoors— at least in the immediate vicini
ty — seemed just as full.
"After a short delay a procession was formed, headed by the
Cortland and Marathon Bands, and moved through some of the
principal streets."
The following thirty-nine young ladies — the leader representing
the District of Columbia, and the others the several States, all ar
rayed in white and decorated with red, white and blue sashes,
marched with uncovered heads in the procession, presenting a very
beautiful appearance.
Saea Caepentee, Leader.

Eva Doud,
Iva Doud,
Ettie Ballon,
Josie White,
Jennie Low,
Carrie Webster,
Jesse Pease,
Minnie. Chrisman,
Hannah Ball,
Hellen McKinney,
Jennie Hotchkiss,
Phemie Skinner,

Delia Price,
Ina Price,
Grace Bloomer,
Nelia Bell,
Luna Hutchings,
Jennie Glazier,
Lillie Glazier,
Nettie Terpenning,
Hattie Wood,
Kate Barnes,
Mary Gleason,
Jennie Tyler,
Nettie Bacon.

Antha Price,
Mary Seamans,
Allie Rease,
Emma Hutchings,
Jennie Sherman,
Mary Bouton,
Mary Space,
Hellen Chrisman,
Emma Branch,
Jennie Trapp,
Anna Tyler,
Nellie Chatterton,

Kate Ryan,
From the streets the procession passed to the Green in front of
the Baptist Church, where a platform had been erected for the ac
commodation of those who were to take part in the exercises of the
day. Primitive seats formed by planks being placed on inverted
sap buckets were ranged in front and soon filled, and the crowd of
those standing up stretched away oven beyond the reach of the
speakers' voices. The programme of exercises at the church was as
follows :
Opening address by the President of the Day, Judge A. P.
Smith. Music — " Home, Sweet Home," by the Cortland Cornet Band.
Prayer by Deacon Nathan Bouton.
Music by the Marathon Band.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Dr. F. Hycle.
Music- by the Cortland Band.
Oration by Colonel M. Frank.

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.

101

OR^TIOjNT.

DELIVEEED BY COLONEL M. FEANK AT VIEGIL, JULY 4th, 1876.

FIFTY years ago to-day, I stood before the people of this Town,
flushed with the ardor and enthusiasm of youth. I see before
me a few survivors of that day, who were then in the vigor of early
manhood, now bowed with the weight of years. We are the same in
personal identity now as then ; have the same patriotic emotions,
and the same love of country. But the battle of life during the in
tervening years has seared us with furrowed cheeks and impaired
our firmness of step. Had the forms and countenances we then
bore been photographed and preserved, and our changed appear
ances of to-day placed by their side, how the contrasts would startle
us ! The journey of life from young manhood to old age would be
exemplified in striking lessons.
A march of fifty years has brought us near the gateway that
opens to the mysterious future, where the multitudes have gone we
were accustomed to meet on these streets. While on this long j ourney
what incidents have marked our pathway ? What strange and un
looked-for events have followed in quick succession ?
Durinc the intervening years that have come and departed, all
around us has undergone alteration. Fifty years ago the surround-
in o- hills were covered with primeval forests, and the dark woods en
croached on many a dwelling. Wild flowers bloomed unseen in the
wilderness and wasted their fragrance in solitude. The aspect of
the country is no longer the same ; old landmarks have disappeared,
and much that was unsightly has been removed. Better systems of
agriculture have been introduced ; farms have a more attractive ap
pearance ; homes have" boon improved and beautified.

102 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
A half century ago to-day I attempted to describe the progress
that had been made during the preceding fifty years. I dwelt with
enthusiasm on the advancement of our country in the direction of
National greatness ; the diffusion of education among the people ;
the rapid development of our agricultural resources; our progress
in the arts, and in labor-saving machinery. A collection of agri
cultural implements, machinery, and household articles — common
fifty years ago — would make an interesting exhibition for this cen
tennial year. Improvements which were then regarded as triumphs
of genius and skill, have since passed into comparative insignificance.
Among the new implements of husbandry then being introduced
was the grain cradle, which rendered nearly obsolete the old classic
sickle. The threshing-flail was the same in kind as employed by
the Romans two thousand years ago. The only instrument for
mowing was the common scythe, which had undergone no material
changes during many generations. Fifty years ago the popular
thoroughfares, between city and country, were the turnpikes. A
drive on these privileged roads was deemed one of the luxuries of
travel, except that the exacting toll gates sometimes ruffled the
temper of pleasure riders.
During this period the New York and Erie Canal, connecting the
waters of the western lakes with the Hudson river, was regarded
the wonder of the age — the greatest internal improvement achieve
ment in America. This State enterprise was for a number of years
the principal travel-route between the East and the almost illimitable
West. The packet boat, moving four miles per hour, was as much
the admiration of the then traveling public, as the modern palace
car, with a speed of forty miles per hour.
On our half century anniversary a compliment was paid to Amer
ican genius and skill, as having well nigh reached the limit of art,
invention and improvement, leaving only to the succeeding half cen
tury the finishing of what had already been outlined. But how
finite is the human mind to unfold the future. Then we had not in
all this land one foot of railroad, not a locomotive, nor a telegraph
line. Since then a new era has dawned on every department of in
dustry. The necessity for hand labor has been reduced five hundred
per cent, by the introduction of machinery, while at, the same time
the conveniences, the comforts and luxuries of life have been great-

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.

103

ly multiplied. Science has brought into action many hitherto un
discovered forces, — man now stands leisurely by and directs the
machinery that performs the labor drudgery before required of hu
man hands.
Had any one predicted fifty years ago that before this centennial
year journeyings on land would be performed at the rate of sixty
miles per hour, and that words would be conveyed to distant States
with almost the rapidity of thought, such prediction would have
been treated as coming from a disordered mind, and unworthy of
notice. So of many other discoveries and inventions, the products
of our day, the suggestion of their coming realization, would have
been deemed visionary. ,
In the progress of the world's improvements the United States
have contributed a large share. The telegraph, by the aid of which
news is transmitted on land and beyond the seas with the speed of
electricity, is the invention of an American. Steam as a propelling
power in navigation is American. The cotton gin, without which
the manufacture of cotton goods would necessarily be limited, or
produced at much cost, is the product of American skill. The reap
er and the mower, now indispensable to successful farming, are
American. The sewing machine, a necessity in every household, is
American. The rotary printing press, by which the newspaper is
worked off with marvelous rapidity, to be scattered over the country
as plentiful as autumn loaves, is American. The planing mill and
grain elevator are American. The manufacture of ice, producing
it under a tropical sun, is the product of American mind. A vast
number of other improvements and inventions in manufactures and
machinery, of but little less importance, are of American origin,
mostly within the past- fifty years.
Our progress, too, in governmental science, has been in corres
pondence with the advance of education and the growth of liberal
ideas. Old limitations to political rights have been extended, and
the people invested more fully with the privilege of self-govern
ment. Laws incompatible with the genius of our free institutions
have been abolished and new ones enacted, more in consistency with
the welfare of the people.
At this point the inquiry naturally arises, will a like progress
mark the coming half century, as during the past? Discoveries

104 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
and improvements are with rare exceptions the result of an educated
mind. If the education of the people continues to go increasingly
on, it is reasonable to expect progress in art and invention, during
the next fifty years, as in the past. Science in its investigations is
limitless in material things. It searches through the arena of nature,
and brings into activity elements of power that have lain dormant
through all the centuries of the past. It goes to the ocean depths ;
it scans the empyrean of the heavens, and pushes inquiry among the
stars. Although the nnfoldings of the past, may seem to have exhausted
the power of man for further achievement, still tliere is a boundless
field yet to be explored. Among the possibilities that may be
reached at no distant period, a few are suggested: Motive power,
more simple and convenient than steam for driving machinery, and
adapted to plowing on the farm. Agencies for generating heat,
which shall relieve the poor from the burdensome expenses of wood
and coal. New facilities for safe travel, transcending the speed of
railway locomotives. Cheap light, surpassing a hundred street
lamps. Simple means for fertilizing the soil, increasing its produc
tiveness an hundred fold. Now and inexpensive building material,
supplying the deficiency of our decreasing lumber forests. An en
larged sphere of activity and employment for women, which shall
command respect and be consistent, with female delicacy and refine
ment, thus making available, a large industrial element now contrib
uting but little to the general stock of wealth. An extension of her
legal rights, giving her a voice in matters involving the taxation of
her property ; in the management of the public schools, in which
her children are educated, and in the protection of her family from
licensed demoralization. Also a liettcr understanding of the laws
of health, loading to an avoidance of much sickness and Buffering,
and increasing the average longevity of human life. The discovery
of effective remedies for the treatment of diseases now deemed in
curable. More economical methods of living; cheapening expenses
without abridging family luxuries, or interfering with the enjoy
ments, the culture and the refinement of society.
If it be said these suggested possibilities of the ensuing half cen
tury are chiefly chimerical, it may be answered, the same mio-ht

VIRGIL' X CENTENNIAL FOURTH. 1()5
have been said with equal force fifty years ago to-day, in respect to
the discoveries, inventions and improvements since then realized.
In the direction of civil progress, the field is broad and capable of
improvement. Laws for the government, of the people, adapted to
a higher condition of civilization and refinement, which no states
manship has ever yet devised. The recognition of law courts, mak
ing them tribunals of equity; abolishing useless forms and techni
calities ; setting aside the rigorous rulings of law and evidence to
the end that the adjustment of differences between parties shall not
bo mere trials of professional skill, as men play games at chess.
In the direction of moral and religious advancement, less adher
ence to denominational lines between those who hold in unity the
essentials of the christian faith. Talent, time and money expended
for higher purposes than building up fragmentary religions sects
and parties; more of right action; less of theologic theory ; more
of God and less of creed. Methods for the moral training of the
young, which shall better fit coming generations for the true mission
of life. Although all truth is eternal, without beginning and with
out end, still there is undeveloped truth yet to be applied to the edu
cation of children and youth, which shall change the moral struc
ture of society. If this be not so — if there be no agencies yet un
employed, then this world will never be prepared for the promised
millennial era. "All the space between man's mind and God's
mind is filled with truth." What a vast domain yet to be occupied %
What heights of moral grandeur yet to be reached ? Is man always
to occupy so low a scale in the order of being ? Are there no un
developed possibilities yet to be brought into action which shall
o-ive the world the semblance of new creation '( Man was created
" a little lower than the angels," — can it be that the angels are but
a little remove above the average man as now developed ?
There is a tendency in the popular mind to conclude that our
progress in art, invention and discovery, will alone insure the perpe
tuity of our free institutions and secure the highest happiness of the
people. This is an error full of danger. Unless tliere be a cor
responding growth of sound public sentiment, and of correct moral
principle to give direction to our increasing material developments,
our future welfare as a nation, can not be assured. Our national
horizon is not an unclouded one ; public honesty is on trial. The
inquiry comes from every quarter, what can be done to arrest the

106 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
tide of corruption in places of trust and responsibility ? The future
can but excite apprehension. The remedy is not alone in the en
actment of better laws by Congress, or by State Legislatures. Hu
man enactments, however wise, are powerless to regenerate the
hearts of the people ; nor can courts of justice alone surpress the
tendency to crime. There is a power above all these that controls
human affairs. He who governs the world, and in Whose hands
are the destinies of nations, needs to be reverenced and His laws
obeyed. The imperative necessity of the times is a higher sense of
public honesty, a more sacred regard for personal obligation, and a
more conscientious respect for divine law. The essential elements
of good government and of well ordered society can not be enforced
upon the people by the law-making power.
But while it is true that law-makers cannot create a conscientious
regard for right action, it is also true they can do much by unwise
legislation to lower the standard of morality and of public virtue.
Legislators of the present day have a weighty responsibility, — de
mands are made to remove some of the landmarks that guided our
forefathers through the perils of our early history, and which have
been recognized through later times. By the blessing of heaven we
have grown from infancy to vigorous manhood. And now, since
we have become a great nation, strong in national resources and de
fenses, men who have outgrown the moral teachings of the past, as
sume we can stand alone, and have no further need to acknowledge
the Divine Being, in the way our fathers were accustomed to do.
They would have our civil institutions divorced from the higher law ;
and they ask that there shall be no recognition of God in governments;
State or National. And now comes the request for the removal of
the Bible from the public; schools, where it has had an undisturbed
place a hundred years. Every enlightened christian nation on the
globe acknowledges the Bible as its moral and religions standard.
Then why exclude a book universally accepted by the christian
world from the schools of the land, where its influence is needed to
shape the character of those to whom the destinies of this great
commonwealth are to be committed ? The law of the State very
properly prohibits and confiscates immoral publications, but why
single out the Bible and put it on the list of expurgated books'?
Of what has the Bible been guilty, that there should come the de-

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. -j^zr
mand at this late day to bar the doors of education against its ad
mission ? The Bible by the common respect of mankind, and by
the right 6f long possession, is entitled to retain its place in* the
schools, to be read without note or comment, and allowed to be its
own interpreter.
As a matter of history, forcibly brought to mind on this anniver
sary occasion, I will remark that forty-seven years ago to-day I address
ed a large audience in this Village, (church) on the evils of intemper
ance. On that day a society was formed to discourage the use of
spirituous liquors. This was the first temperance organization in
the southern half of the county. Although the movement met
with opposition, yet public opinion was becoming so aroused to the
necessity of reform^ its friends were encouraged to hope that the use
of spirituous liquors as a beverage, would, at no distant day, be rend
ered powerless for mischief. This expectation was not realized.
A vast amount of successful labor has been expended by the
friends of the cause ; radical changes have been effected in the cus
toms of society, and many have been saved from untimely graves.
Yet the evil of intemperance has followed the tide of population,
penetrating every remote settlement where the habitations of men
are found. The manufacture of alcoholic liquors is interwoven with
the government, and has become one of the largest sources of Na
tional revenue. At intervals the evil has been cheeked, but not sub
dued. It has marched on like a desolating army, sustaining occa
sional defeats, but reviving again, overcoming organized opposition
and breaking through the restraints of law.
When we commemorated the Fiftieth Anniversary of our Nation
al Independence, one-half of the States of this Union were slave and
half nominally free. We were reproached bjr the enlightened na
tions of Europe with being false to our professions of freedom and
of equal rights. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed to
the world the inalienable right of all men to liberty ; but this right
was denied to the weak and defenseless. The constitution guaran
teed freedom of speech and liberty of the press ; but these rights
were refused to the people of the South by statutory enactments,
and to the North by a despotic public opinion. The pulpit and the
press in the nominally free States dared give no utterances as to the
wrong of chattel slavery. Proscription and sometimes personal vio-

108 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
lence were visited upon those who publicly expressed their convic
tions of the wickedness of selling men and women like cattle in the
market. The people of the northern States were compelled to do the bid
ding of the South. A law of Congress made it an offense, punish
able by fine and imprisonment, to obey the precepts of the Divine
law. To feed, clothe and give a cup of cold water to a thirsty,
famishing human being, guilty of no crime, but that of loving lib
erty better than bondage, was held to be a misdemeanor. When
ever property, claimed in a human being, escaped to a free State,
the free State citizen was required to pursue the fleeing chattel, and
aid in returning it to the alleged owner. The highest judicial offic
er, the Chief Justice of the United States, uttered the declaration,
" the negro has no rights, which white men are bound to respect."
But this unnatural condition of human affairs could not always
last. After long and weary years the cry of crushed humanity
reached the throne of Eternal Justice : the day of deliverance came,
but not in the way man's wisdom had devised. By the blow of one
man the shackles of the enslaved were broken, and more than three
millions of people were invested with the rights to which they were
entitled by God and nature. The name of Abraham Lincoln will
be honored while time endures. Freemen through coming years
will join the jubilant acclaim :
" King, O bells t
Every stroke exultant tells
Of the burial hour of crime ;
Loud and long, that all may hear ;
Ring for every listening ear
Of Eternity and Time."
" Loud and Long
Lift the old exultant song ;
Sing with Miriam by the sea ;
He has cast the mighty down ;
Horse and rider sink and drown ;
He has triumphed gloriously."
"It is done !
In the circle of the sun
Shall the sound thereof go forth ;
It shall bid the sad rejoice;
It shall give the dumb a voice ;
It shall belt with joy the earth. "

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. -j^g
Friends of the preceding half century — we are to-day irresistibly
carried back in memory to other years. We live over again the
periods of childhood and youth, and see once more in imagination
the many familiar forms of those in whose presence we once took
delight. Home life and home scenes crowd upon the recollection ;
the old household furnishments, the simple adornments of our dwell
ings and the happy inmates reappear in the retrospect. Well we
remember when not a suit of broadcloth was worn by any citizen of
this Town. Our clothing for every day and Sunday wear was made
from cloth, the wool of which was grown on the farm, spun, woven
and dyed at home. The prevailing color was a dusky brown, which
was obtained by immersing the cloth in a dye made from the bark
of the butternut tree.
Clad in home-made apparel, many a young man led his chosen
bride to the hymeneal altar. The rosy-cheeked girls, too, of that
period, dressed in garments of home manufacture, the cloth often
being woven in plaids of pleasing colors. Summer wear was also
largely of home production, every farmer taking care to raise a sup
ply of flax, from the fibre of which was spun and woven by the wife
and daughters, the lighter cloths for family use. The spinning-
wheel had a place in every dwelling, and the young woman incap
able of operating it, was presumed to be an invalid or feeble-minded.
That modern family necessity, the servant-girl, had then not yet been
born. The more costly articles of dress were sometimes worn by
the female members of the family. A mother's silk dress, perhaps
her wedding garment, by careful usage, was not unfrequently made
to answer in turn for the daughter and granddaughter, undergoing
occasional modifications at the hands of a dressmaker.
Some of the prevailing customs of that early period would appear
novel now. Then it was the practice of young men, on coming to
the village from the surrounding country, for the purpose of engag
ing in parties of amusement, to bring the young women on horse
back ; the young man sitting in the saddle, and the young woman
sitting sideways behind him, clinging to his person to preserve her
equilibrium. This kind of horseback-riding also prevailed to some
extent with church-goers ; not only young persons, but older peo
ple sometimes economized the use of a horse in this manner.

110 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
Many of us remember when there was not a farm in the Town
ship, on which there was not an inhabited log dwelling, or the re
mains of a vacated one. In a majority of these habitations there
was but one main room, which served the purpose of kitchen, din
ing-room, sitting-room, parlor, and also sleeping-room for the older
members of the family. In these humble and unpretentious abodes
many a young man has formed high resolves, which shaped his fu
ture destiny. From no other Town of such limited educational ad
vantages have more young men gone out, who have made an honor
able record. Some of these, years ago, passed from the ranks of
,the living, but are not forgotten. There are those who found homes
in other States, absent to-day, as well as honored names present,
whose biographical sketches would have been fitting on this occa
sion. . No rural town in the State has had the facts of its early his
tory more f tilly collected and published than has been done in this
Town by. one of its citizens — Hon. Nathan Bouton. In this con
nection it would be a historical omission not to mention that the build
ing of the' New York arid Erie Railroad — an enterprise second to
the New York and Erie Canal — was first suggested by a citizen of
this Town — -Mr. Nathaniel Bouton. He personally examined the
route, became satisfied of its feasibility and importance, and called
public attention to it, advocating its construction through the press.
Time has rolled on, and former things have passed away. As
old and worn-out garments are cast aside, so has much of the past
been discarded as obsolete and out of fashion. Old customs and old
household arrangements have disappeared. The industrial buzz of
the spinning-wheel and the noise of the loom have long since been
hushed, and the more fascinating music of the piano has taken
their place. The simple ballads sung in our early homes are no
longer in accordance with modern taste. Operatic warblings occu
py a higher sphere in music. The knitting work lying on the par
lor table is a vulgarism, — Goody, Harper and gilt-edged volumes
have a monopoly there. Home manufactured clothing, linen and
woolen, belong to an age gone by. The finer cloths of machine
labor have superseded the coarser fabrics.
While some of these changes seem of questionable profit, yet upon
the whole they mark advancement in civilization and refinement.

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.

Ill

Young men of to-day — you have a wider field of activity than
was enjoyed fifty years ago. Many of the obstacles which young
men were then obliged to encounter, have ceased to exist. Your
advantages for the acquisition of knowledge are far more favorable
than were theirs. The school-houses in their boyhood days wore
uncomfortable structures, often at distances remote from their homes.
Now the school-house is brought within the convenient reach of every
family, and the higher institutions of learning are of easy access.
In this age, widely-separated States and Territories, by the increased
facilities of travel, have been brought into near proximity, — dis
tances which once required months to overcome, are now passed
over in a brief space of time. Much of the drudgery of manual
labor has been lessened, or entirely obviated by modern machinery.
However desirable may be the acquisition of wealth by honest
endeaver, no young man should make that his chief ambition. "A
good name is rather to be chosen than great, riches." One of the
demoralizing tendencies of the times is an undue passion for money-
gotting. Honor and reputation are sacrificed to this end. Men
are not content to acquire property in a legitimate way ; a spirit of
restlessness is abroad. Young men leave their industrial employ
ments on the farm and enter the professions, which are already filled
to repletion. Many quit the rural districts and go to the crowded
city, with the expectation of gaining a livelihood in a more easy and
o-enteel way. As a result the cities are over-peopled ; great num
bers live in poverty, without employment, while millions of acres of
fertile lands are lying waste for the want of tillers of the soil. No
avocation promises more certain remuneration than farming. This
Town furnishes an illustration of what can be accomplished by the
business of agriculture. Thirty years ago the people were compar
atively poor, but without the aid of any considerable commercial or
manufacturing interests, relying on the moderate but sure profits of
the farm, thrift and independence are now seen on every hand.
Young men, look well to your institutions of learning, especially
the common schools. These are the future safeguards of our free'
institutions. Our national life is dependent on the general educa
tion of the people ; without this the Republic will prove a failure.
Also see to it, that your churches do not languish for proper
maintenance and support. Aside from higher interests, thrift and

112 VlfLGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
prosperity mark the communities where churches are encouraged
and sustained. Among the first attentions of the early settlers of
New England were the church and the school-house. From the in
fluence of these followed culture, enterprise and noble activities.
Survivors of the Fiftieth Anniversary — there must come parting
words. Many of us here to-day from distant States and widely-
separated portions of the land, greet each other for the last time.
Before the setting sun of the Hundredth Anniversary, some of us
will exchange the last farewell, never again to revive together the
recollections and the friendships of early days. Another such re
union as this is not among the possibilities of the future. We are
nearing our final home ; the shadows begin to gather, our sun will
soon sink below the horizon of the living. But let us be cheered
with the hope of another and a happier reunion in the great here
after. And as we journey onward may we hear music in the air,
drawing us nearer to the celestial city.
Whatever of time yet remains of our earthly pilgrimage, we will
cherish the recollection of this day, and the occasion it commemor
ates. A hundred years of our national life have passed into history,
and as we stand on the threshold of a new century we unite with
the millions, who this day, from ocean to ocean, celebrate the Cen
tennial Anniversary of American Independence. Onr country to
the last shall be onr theme:
" Thou, too, sail on. O ship of state !
Sail on, O Union, strong and great ;
Humanity with all its fears,
With all thp hopes of fuiure years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate !
We know what masters laid thy keel,
What workmen wrought thy ribs of steel;
Who made each mast and sail and rope,
What anvils ring, what hammers beat;
In what a forge, in what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope.
Fear^ not each sudden sound and shock,
'Tis of the wave and not the rock ;
'Tis hut the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale.
(n spite of rock and tempests' roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea,
Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee ;
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee— are all with thee."

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. -mo

ojs^o

President — Hon. A. P. Smith, Cortland.
Vice-Presidents — Deacon N. Bouton and Elisha Winslow, of
Virgil, S. H. Steele, of Harford ; Dr. Wm. Fitch, of Dryden, and
Jerome Hulbert, of Marathon.
Marshal — Colonel William Squires, of Marathon.
Assistant Marshals — Captain Nathan Smith, of Virgil ; Major
Samuel M. Byram, of Cortland, and Martin L. Sheerar, of Virgil.
President Smith's address was in his happiest vein. He referred
to the fact that fifty years ago the fathers of those present had cele
brated the Fourth of July in this Village, and that then prayer had
been made by the same person who would offer it to-day, ano/ that
the Orator and Reader of the Declaration, acted each in the same
capacity in 1826. A celebration under such circumstances, he said,
would not be witnessed in any other place in the land. At the close
of his remarks he quaintly and gracefully introduced Deacon Bou
ton, by saying, that he " who prayed for our fathers fifty years ago,
would now pray for us." The Deacon then rose, and with. trembling
voice offered a prayer as fervent and as full of feeling, we venture
to say, as any that ever fell from his lips. It was listened to silent
ly and reverently by an assemblage, who will long remember it.
The Declaration was read by Dr. Hyde in a clear, strong voice,
and with an evident appreciation of and love for the grand princi
ples it sets forth.
No one who reads the oration by Colonel Frank can fail to ad
mire it though they will miss the charm of the speaker's delivery.
It struck us at the time as one of the finest orations to which we
had ever listened, and such, we believe, was the verdict of all who

114 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
heard it. The occasion lent an added interest to it, and Colonel
Frank had the taste and wisdom to discard the stereotyped and
hackneyed form of the regular Fourth of July oration, and furnish
something fresh and appropriate, as well as eloquent. At its close
it was moved and unanimously carried that, the Colonel be asked for
a copy of the oration, and that it be published.
The music furnished by the bands was excellent and gave general
satisfaction. The last exercise was a song by Joseph Bouton, which he sang
in response to vociferous demands for the same, on the part of the
audience. It was a song of fifty years ago, composed to celebrate
a mild piece of jollity, in which the orator of the day and other of
the boys and girls of the time had taken part, and was productive
of any amount of merriment. Colonel Frank was not the only one
of the participants who was present to hear the song, and both lie
and the others seemed to enjoy it heartily, though it was at their
expense. Looking at their whitened hair and the wrinkles in their
faces, it hardly seemed possible that these men and women could
have been the heroes and heroines of the event described in the song.
Just after the exercises were concluded rain began to fall, and
continued at intervals and with all degrees of violence during the
day. < The crowd which was variously estimated, at from four to
six thousand persons, sought shelter wherever it could be found. A
largo table which had been spread in the open air, near the hotel,
was hurriedly abandoned, and the small dining-room was filled in
less time than it takes to tell it, by a hungry and determined crowd.
It had been the purpose of those who managed the affair to have
the officers of the day, and those who were to respond to the toasts,
entertained at the first tabic, and after the refreshments had been
partaken of, to then have the toasts offered and responses made.
Through some one's blundering or lack of determination, however,
those of the crowd who had bought dinner tickets were allowed to
force their way into the dining-room and sweep the tables regardless
of officers and dignitaries, both home and foreign.
Meanwhile the fusileers, fantasticnls, antiques and horribles, to a
large number and in hideous raiment, with horns and other instru
ments of racket, on foot, on horseback, and in ancient and wonder
ful vehicles, paraded the streets and created an earthly pandemonium

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. -j -j g

un
ver

to the delight, and edification of the sight seers; and as Capt,
Byram said, the best display of a fusileer company that he e
saw. After dinner was over, it was concluded to proceed to the plat
form in front of the church once more, and there have the toasts
and responses, which had boon so unceremoniously crowded out.
The following programme of toasts, with names of those who
were to respond, was called by the Chairman of the Committee on
Toasts, Mr. James S. Squires, of Cortland, who introduced them
with the following remarks :
" I am happy in the honor that 1 was born in the old town of I
Virgil, and that I can meet so many warm hearts assembled here
to-day on this festive occasion. There is no place on this earth like
the spot where our eyes first beheld the light of day — no place to
which the memory will so often return as to the many scenes and
thrilling incidents that have taken place in the old school-house and
in the forest, homes of these, our native hills and lovely valleys, i
There is no place so sweet to our hearts as the home of our childhood.
But I will not take up your time. I am thankful for the honor you
have conferred upon me and those asssociated with me, of calling
upon some of the happy faces here to-day to respond to the several
toasts we have prepared for this occasion."
"The President of the United States"— Rev. S. G. Jones.
Rev. Mr. Jones being called on responded nearly as follows :
"Me. Peesident, Ladies and Gentlemen: I thank you for the
honor conferred upon me, in the call to respond to the name of
Gen. U. S. Grant, a name that will live on the page of history
through future ages, as the greatest captain of modern times. He
who led the armies of the free North, composed of the boys in blue,
bearing the stars and stripes against the black flag of revolt and
treason, until it trailed in the dust, and the iron-hearted Lee was
compelled to surrender and lay down his arms at the feet of U. S.
Grant. That name which, by the choice of a free people, sways
the scepter as Chief Magistrate over this free nation. And when
the time shall come for him to leave the chair of State, may his
mantle fall upon the shoulders of Governor Hayes, who is to be our
next President. Fellow citizens, let us for a moment turn our eyes
to that Government under which we live in this most favored of all

116 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
lands, in this wide and capacious and still extending empire. Tired
and jaded with the conflicts of Papal Rome, grieved and incensed
at the infractions of the rights of conscience and the rights of men,
with all the tyrannies of conflicting institutions, our ancestors sought
a city of refuge, a hiding place from the storm, in the newly discov
ered section of the patrimony of Japheth. God, more than four
thousand years ago, promised to Japheth an enlargement of his ter
ritory, when He gave him the broken and indented patrimony of
Europe. Here he found it, and our fathers, taught in the school
of Papal proscription, went as far as mortals, stung with the fiery
Dragon, could go, to devise a government for themselves. They
succeeded not only in declaring but in sustaining their independence
of all the sons of pride ; and in building for themselves and their
children political institutions which have hitherto secured (except
to the down-trodden African) and will continue, we hope, to secure
the greatest portion of political and temporal happiness enjoyed by
any people. This government proposes only to guard the temporal
and worldly rights of men. It says this day to all the nations of
the earth, that it has no partialities for the Jew, the Christian, the
Turk or the African. Such is its creed.
" One hundred years ago this day, July the Fourth, 1776, was a
memorable day, a day to be remembered as was the Jewish Pass
over — a day to be regarded with grateful acknowledgements by
every American citizen, by every philanthropist in all the nations
of the world. The light which shines from our political institu
tions this day will penetrate even the dungeons of European des
pots, for the genius of our government is the genius of universal
emancipation. The example which our government gives is neces
sarily terrible to the crowned heads of Europe, and exhilarating to
all who look for the redemption of man from political degradation.
The American Revolution was a great and triumphant revolution.
Many thanksgivings and praises have reached unto heaven because '
of this great deliverance.' The incense of gratitude perfumed with
the praises of saints, has long risen from myriads of hearts, and will
continue to rise until the cloud shall cover the whole earth, and the
glory of the Lord bo reflected upon all the nations of the earth.
The name of a Washington, a Franklin, a Jefferson, a Lincoln, and
a Grant will long resound through the hills and valleys of this spa-

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. -. »
cious country, and will, in proportion as men are prepared to taste
the blessing of our free institutions, continually increase. Poster
ity will only regret that, like Moses, all their political leaders save
one died short of the promised land, that while they guided the
tribes almost to Canaan, they fell in the wilderness without tasting
the sweetness of the good inheritance. One hundred years ago our
fathers were oppressed by the mother country. Here let me say,
fellow citizens: Virgil, I love thee; my country, I love thee. It
was this love element that begat the emotion that prompted our fa
thers one hundred years ago this day to pledge their fortunes, their
lives and their sacred honor, to cast off the yoke of British oppres
sion. It was this love element which prompted them to say, " Give
us liberty or give us death." It was this love of country that has
carried us through three bloody wars, in each of which and in all
we have seen our enemies, and the enemies of our country, chained
to the chariot wheels of Liberty and borne away, we trust, to return
no more. It is this immortal law which controls the destiny of this
favored nation this day. Under the influence of this immutable
law empires have fallen, scepters have been lost. Let us then, fel
low citizens, fight it out on this line of Liberty and make this broad
land indeed and in truth a happy home for the stranger and an asy
lum for the oppressed of all nations. When Julian took from the
early Christians their earthly possessions he told them a great truth,
that, ' their privations would make them more fit for heaven.' May
these bloody wars, especially the last, make us hate oppression more
and love liberty better. But while we consider that every battle of
the warrior is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, let
us not forget the victories of Him who did not lift up his voice in
the streets, who did not use so much as a broken reed, nor consume
a single torch until he made his laws victorious. In that spirit of
mildness, meekness, and unostentatious heroism, let us fight the
o-ood fight of faith, and as good soldiers of Jesus Christ let us all be
found faithful at our posts (Virgil). Help to the weak and home
to the stranger, freedom to all she hath held on her way."
"The Governor of the Empire State" — Dr. F. Hyde.
" Me. President : A fitting response to the toast just read would
involve a reference to a portion of the history of the State of New
York connected with its most essential interests. It is a pleasant

118 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
thought that a review of that part of the history of our State in con
nection with its Governors affords so much to commend, and so lit
tle to deplore. While the office of Governor is the highest sover
eign gift of the people, no other official station holds so close rela
tion to every citizen. The Governor of all officials in the State is
most strictly the servant of every grade of its people. The million
aire has no stronger claim upon his executive clemency than the ad
judged criminal clad in rags and stained with crime. Both our
colonial and State history furnishes an array of names serving the
people in the capacity of their chief Executives, for more than a cen
tury of prosperity. It should never be forgotten that New York's
colonial Governors were men of ability and patriotism, sufficient" to
subserve officially the interests of the people ; and they have left a
history well worthy of study by the good citizen of to-day. Merg
ing from her colonial to the full life of a State, under her "first Gov
ernor, George Clinton, in 1777, with his long executive service, we
come upon the names of Jay, Lewis, Tompkins, DeWitt Clinton,
Yates, Van Buren, Throop, Marcy, Seward, Bank, Wright, Young,
Fish, and a succession of executives clown to the present incumbent,
presenting a group whose history all delight to study; who hon
ored the office, themselves, and their State.
" We have said that the governorship of the Empire State was
near to all its people. This is well illustrated in the history follow
ing the election of the chief magistrate; for however fiercely wao-ed
the partisan conflict may be during the political canvass of opposing
candidates, when the election is declared all hostility ceases, and
with the official inauguration he becomes the Governor of every
man, woman and child in the State. They rejoice to take him by
the hand, and believe that he is their strong protector, the especial
conservator of their choicest interests as citizens of a sovereign
State. It is a source of commendable pride that the Governors of
New York, by their fitness for their executive duties, have been
known to the general Government as statesmen, and have been
largely identified with its prosperity. It- may well bo said that the
good name an rP solidity of the Federal Government cannot be sep
arated from the statesmanship of the Governors of the Empire
State. It needs but a glance at the history of the educational in
stitutions, the groat charities, which so thickly cover the State, and

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.

119

the civilization that reaches after the masses of our people, to make
all good citizens delight to join in according all honor to the Gov
ernors of New York. May it be true in all the future history of
our beloved State that her Governors shall be worthy watchmen
adorning the towering walls of her greatness."
" The men who have held judicial position from the old Town of
Virgil"— Col. M. Frank.
Col. Frank remarked that he ceased to be a resident of Virgil
forty years ago. Having no time given him to refresh his memory,
he could not pretend to accuracy of statement. Among his earliest
recollections was Mr. James Glenny, who was probably the first
man that held the office of Justice of the Peace in this Town. He
was a native of Ireland, and about fifty years of age when he set
tled in Virgil. He was an educated man, and given to literary
pursuits. Col. F. recollected him as wearing shoe and knee buck
les ; his hair, nearly white, was worn long and tied in a cue behind
with a red cord. In other respects his dress was patterned after the
professional classes in Ireland, in the style of over a hundred years
ago. As a Justice of the Peace, Mr. Glenny presided with dignity,
having due regard to old-time customs and ceremonies. He died
over sixty-five years ago.
Col. F. briefly noticed other Justices who held offices in the Town
over fifty years ago: Wait Ball, Moses Rice, Simeon West, Josiah
Hart, Joseph Reynolds, George Frank, etc. Wait Ball and Joseph
Reynolds were Judges of the County Court, also Rufus Edwards at
a later date. The judicial officers of a later period he would not
refer to, because not familiar with their history. Col. F. spoke of
the o-reat progress that had been made in law reform the past fifty
years, in doing away with useless forms and legal fictions ; he indi
cated' still further reforms in law proceedings, which it was desira
ble to see accomplished.
"The speaker, reader and officers of the day "—Dr. J. B. Benton.
"I would be happy to respond in a fitting manner to the toast
just offered- but I fear that the time and the occasion, as well as
the brief space allotted me, will hardly admit of such a response.
Standing here as we do on the glittering threshold of a new century,
with all the thousand memories of the past rising up before us, to

120 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
engross our thoughts, it would seem hardly possible to direct atten
tion to individual character, and secure for it a proper appreciation,
even though the delineation might be drawn by a master hand.
" In the contemplation of the characters presented by this toast
I feel my own weakness as I stand before you to discuss even briefly
the merits of the distinguished persons named : Dea. Nathan Bou
ton, Hon. Michael Frank, and Prof. Frederick Hyde, M. D., con
stitute a strange trinity of individuals in their moral worth and in
tellectuality ; and yet they widely differ in many traits of character.
" If we look at Dea. Bouton and study his life and character, we
are struck with his undeviating consistency, great simplicity and
wonderful circumspection of life that has rounded out, and complet
ed a symmetrical christian character, that but few have been able
to attain to. By hard study he made himself a good scholar, and
wielded in his town a wide influence for good. His moral courage,
always equal to any emergency, has never allowed him to wait for
others to lead the way to reform; but in his own Town, and I might
say in his county, he has always led the van .in everything that
promised the good and elevation of the race. I am proud to own
that he was once my teacher, my schoolmaster, and it is not possi
ble for me to estimate the extent of his influence in moulding my
own character, and encouraging me to a high and noble manhood.
If I have made a failure it is not the fault of bis example or his
teaching. Our honored president, who has presided over the Virgil
Centennial Celebration with such becoming dignity and urbanity, is
no less than the same individual who presided over a former similar
meeting, now separated from this by a broad chasm of fifty years !
And though his long and useful life may not have won for him fame
or great distinction, or even reputation as the world calls it, yet he
lias won that which is even better — he has won a character. A man
may win distinction and be a villain. He may win reputation and
be a knave; but he cannot win character and be either. It was for
tunate for Virgil that Dea. Bouton was reared here, and was so per
manently fixed that he could not run away. Like the sun in yonder
heaven, with its daily visitations slieds its golden beams over your
extended fields of living green to give them warmth and generous
productiveness, nor spurns the meanest thing, touching all the myr-

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. -io-i
iad flowers that bloom in the by-ways and on the hill-sides with a
new beauty and a fresh perfume, so our friend has not withheld the
radiance of his moral power, to point you to a higher life and a no
bler purpose.
" I hope my old friend, Michael Frank, will not feel slighted or
aggrieved because I have not sooner paid my compliments to his
honor. I have felt extreme delicacy in approaching the character
of our distinguished orator for more reasons than one. hi the first
place, he occupies an intellectual plane so far above me that I can
not hope to grasp him for analysis. Besides, his more active life
has been spent far away from me, and the fruits of his genius and
intellectual labors I am mostly ignorant of. His character, how
ever, was well formed here among you, in the Town that gave him
birth. I well remember that, even in his youth, he was a kind of
literary deity with me, whom I felt it no sin to worship. With a
brilliant intellect and an indomitable thirst for knowledge, he gave
himself up to study. He remained with you long enough to distin
guish himself for ability and many excellencies. He migrated to
the West in quite an early day, with his accomplished wife, and
took an active part in politics. Receiving promotion, he soon dis
tinguished himself as a ready and fluent orator, and wielded an in
fluence in the organic structure of one of her now populous States
bordering on the Mississippi. We cannot speak of him further with
any degree of definiteness. Early in life he reared a high moral
standard beside such men as Nathan Bouton ; and the presumption
is that he has never lowered it a hair, though he may have changed
his politics. His high integrity and stainless purity of character to
day furnishes in one of the Departments at Washington one indi
vidual, at least, whose acts are not amenable to an investigation from
a Congressional Committee. Though the age be depraved, this in
stance proves that the depravity is not total. With all the wealth
of his intellect there was one thing our honored friend could never
do ; and that was, he never could drive a horse without a liability to
upset the vehicle and spill out the load, or demolish a portion of the
highway fence. He seemed to possess a greater love for sublime
mental abstraction than he did affection for a horse, or a passion for
oraceful driving. In this I always had a deep sympathy for my old
companion and friend. While it will be vain in a few remarks to

122 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
do justice to the exalted abilities and sterling virtues of our eloquent
friend, it may be just as vain and as difficult to trace with exact
ness all his mental eccentricities, which help to embellish and com
plete his true character.
" It now remains for me, in this response, to speak of my learned
friend, Doctor Hyde; and as his life and character loom up before
me I am truly bewildered, and find the same embarrassment I felt
on approaching the subject commented on, rather increased than di
minished. I have known him long and well ; and had the honor
once to have been his pupil. Possessed of a large cerebral develop
ment, along with a fine physical organization, and a most favorable
blending of the temperaments, Doctor Hyde could not have well
been anything else than a philosopher and a logician. With his in
domitable perseverance, lofty ambition and strong will power, it
is not surprising that he to-day holds a high position in his profes
sion. He has gained his eminence not by a stroke of genius, but
by constant, persevering toil and effort. Order and system are the
law of his being. If you know him once, you know him forever.
Fixed in his principles and firm in his integrity, you always know
where to find him. This, as much as his skill, has given him a rep
utation and rounded out his character. He has spared no pains to
qualify himself to discharge any and every trust that might be laid
on him, as a physician and surgeon, by the profession; and while
the faculty has honored him, he in turn has never failed to honor
the profession. The old Town of Virgil may well be proud of him,
proud to own him for one of her sons. I wish she could boast of
more like him. The high position he holds in one of the reputable
schools of our land, for the cultivation of medical science, is a high
er compliment to his merit than any I should be able to pay, even
if I held all language at my command. With a private life as pure
and as stainless as the Parian marble, I would leave my distinguish
ed brother safe in the embrace of the affection and gratitude of a
people who know how to appreciate merit and reward virtue."
" The ladies of onr native Town, unsurpassed in beauty, intelli
gence and virtue" — Dr. R. Walker.
The ladies of our native town, responded to by Dr. Ransom
Walker, of Owego. We have not his remarks, but he responded

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. 123
very eloquently and paid a merited tribute to the ladies of the Town,
which was received with acceptance and gratification.
"Nathan Bouton, who suggested this Semi-Centennial"— E. P.
Slafter, Esq.
" It it a pleasure for me to respond to this sentiment. The sub
ject upon which I wish to speak is the character of this good man.
A long and useful life has been granted to him. He lives to-day
as he did fifty years ago — a christian man, a warm friend, an hon
ored member of society, a good neighbor, respected and loved by
all. He has been identified with all the reforms of the past half
century. He has been foremost in bringing about the desires of the
heart of every good man. His prayers and alms were for the op
pressed. His example and teachings were on the side of temper
ance and education. He has lived to see slavery blotted out, tem
perance to become popular, and education greatly advanced. Fifty
years ago to-day, upon this very spot where we are now, he invoked
Divine blessings to rest upon those that were assembled to celebrate
the birth of a nation; and to-day we hear the same voice, although
feebled with age, still strong in faith, imploring the same blessing
to rest on ns. And I think I now hear him say, as did Simeon of
old : ' Lord, lettest now Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes
have seen Thy salvation.'"
" To the absent sons and daughters of Virgil " — N. Bouton.
Mr. Bouton rose and said :
" Me. President and Fellow Citizens : The sentiment to which
I am called upon to respond implies much of human sympathy, and
of the kind and loving affections which are supposed to exist be
tween the intimate relations in life. Individuals speaking of the
confidence and mutual love existing between persons are very apt
to say : ' They love each other like brothers.' This feeling is real
ized by persons sustaining the family relations to those who have
removed to a great distance, and whom, especially, they do not ex
pect to meet again this side the grave. Now, my friends, it is need
ful that we yield to this sundering of affection in order that our
country may be settled, and her hidden resources may be developed.
We like our sons and daughters to cultivate and improve the native
soil. It is for the general good of the country in a temporal view,

124 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
and also for the promotion of morals and religion. May all who
leave the domestic hearth subserve these great interests. And if we
and others, their parents and friends, should appear like the aged
oak, with barren limbs reaching out from the decayed trunk, while
life lasts let us not fail to keep the home cheerful by the addition
of such improvements as shall make all pleasant and cheerful on
return which any of them shall make in after years."
When the last of the regular toasts had been responded to, the
President read the following volunteer toasts and called upon the
persons named after each to respond:
"Virgil, the home of our nativity" — H. L. Bronson, Esq.
Mr. Bronson rose and said:
"Me. Chairman, Gentlemen and Ladies: There are two words
in the sentiment just proposed which to all men are so pregnant
with meaning, so fraught with recollections of the past and associa
tions of the present, that they must ever find a warm response in
every breast. They are the words, home and nativity. [Turning
to the President]. Why, Mr. Chairman, you may write them to
the shuddering tenant of the frigid zone, he proudly claims that
happiest spot- his own ; and the naked native, panting on the line,
boasts of his golden sands and palmy wines. Yes, friends, I believe
it is an innate principle, common to all men of whatever race or
condition, that the first and best land above all others is the land of
their nativity. It is the land of their birth ; and wherever they are,
it must always be to them the dearest spot on earth. In much the
same way and prompted by the same impulses, the word " home "
strikes a sympathetic chord in the hearts of men. Thus, Payne's
sweet, song, "Home, Sweet Home," finds the same welcome now
that it did when some of you here present to-day sang it at your
first re-union, fifty years ago. But when we take the two words to
gether and say, the home of our nativity, we have them combined
in one scene — the sunlight of early days, the golden spring-time of
life, the scene of all life's joys. Backward, to these hallowed asso
ciations, man is ever reverting. Backward to these scenes would he
ever he returning. And thus, O Virgil, have we, thy sons and
daughters, old and young, from far and near, assembled here to-day
in re-union to celebrate the choicest blessing that can be conferred

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. 125
upon a people — the blessings that, flow from freedom and indepen
dence. Some of you have journeyed far and long. You have left
the old Town in the vigor of youth or the bright flush of manhood.
You return — with silver locks upon your brow, and you wear the
marks of time. Most of those who bade you " welcome home " at
your former re-union have passed away, and live only in grateful
memory. But a new generation has risen up the while, proud of
their ancestry and their native home. And thus, be it ever in this,
our natal town. Let the altar fires of liberty be ever brightly burn
ing. Let the spirit of freedom and independence never die or grow
dim, but let- it be enduring, ever as the grand old hills that rise on
either side. And let all the sons and daughters of this, our natal
Town, be always filled with love and remembrance of Virgil, the
home of our nativity, the land of our birth."
" The physical features of our native Town, emblematical of her
people " — Lewis Bouton.
" The physical features of a country are reproduced in the char
acter of her sons. From that land whose bold outlines are traced
against the heavens we look for resolute and courageous men. The
free, health-giving atmosphere of our hills and mountains forms one
of the strongest bulwarks of our civil and religions liberty. The
Alps look down on a people brave as they were in the days of Ges-
ler. The hills and glens of Scotland are peopled by men, worthy to
be called the descendants of Bruce and Wallace. The mountains
of eastern Tennessee are peopled by men loyal as our own. The
heights of our native Town are among the most elevated in the
State." From her lofty hill-tops you may see the horizon hundreds
of miles in the distance. And her sons stand correspondingly high
among their fellows in all that ennobles manhood. Oh! I love old
Virgil's rocks and hills, her glens and rills, her sunshine and her
storms. These have aided in furnishing the brain, the muscle, and
in giving the vim, so essential to the proper development of our re
sources and the establishment of our liberties."
"What old Virgil may be proud of "—James S. Squires.
« Of her majestic hills and her lovely valleys, of her crystal streams
and her picturesque scenery. She may well be proud of the name
she bears of the distinguished Roman poet, who was the son of a

126 VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
farmer like yourselves. It is because we have seen the forest con
verted into so many lovely homes, and so many recollections cluster
around our hearts of the memory of other days, that our tongues
are too feeble to express one-half the joy we feel on this occasion.
When I think of the fathers and mothers of our old Town of Vir
gil, and the memories they have left, behind them of industry, in
tegrity and virtue, and of how the sons and daughters were con
stantly trained to the practice of those principles which always ex
alt a nation ; when I remember that almost everywhere a Virgil
man has been located, in whatever pursuit in life he has been en
gaged, he has been the leading spirit of his place, whether as a pro
fessional man, or as a farmer, mechanic or merchant, proving to the
world that industry, integrity and virtue will exalt a man as well as
a nation. For the men of old Virgil stand forth in all communities
like the majestic oaks of the forest, meeting all the storms through
the battle of life with honor to themselves and the Town that gave
them birth. And here it is, in the principles and deeds of her sons
and daughters that make the chief glory of the Town we are so
proud to-day to hail as onr birth-place. May her influence and hon
or, her glory and joy in the sons and daughters she sends forth into
the world never grow less!"
It has been thought best to insert in this place the following let
ter, which came to the post-office during the speaking, but was not
taken out until after the meeting closed :
Painesville, O., July 1, 1876.
Deacon Bouton,
Deae Slr: I regret very much that I cannot accept your kind
invitation to be present, at your Centennial Celebration in old Vir
gil, where I spent more than thirty years of my early life. In
early life I sometimes felt ashamed to say that I lived in Virgil,
such a poor, out-of-the-way town. But such feelings have long since
passed away. There are so many noble-hearted men and women
still laboring for the public good ; and so many sons and daughters
gone forth from the old Town to bless the world, that I am now
proud of the name of Virgil. I offer the following sentiment: The
pioneers that hewed down the forests, and the pioneers in moral re
form, are entitiod to the lasting gratitude of the present and future
generations. Yours truly,
J. Stores.

VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH. 127
With the response of Mr. Squires the speaking closed for the
day. The brief interval of (dear weather which had been enjoyed
was almost immediately followed by a heavy rain, in the midst, of
which many who had come in from neighboring towns were obliged
to start for their homes; yet we will warrant that not one of them
begrudged the time or trouble it had cost to participate in Virgil's
Semi-Centennial Celebration.
Besides the Cortland delegations there were large numbers pres
ent from Marathon, Dryden, Harford and other places near at hand,
and some oven from far distant States.

tymdmiimg fpn^n

°XK°

THE exercises of the Centennial have now been held. It only
remains to relate a few more particulars, and then bid an
affectionate adieu to the present, and to all coming generations. It
will be obvious in reading the preceding pages that frequently great
results may be traced to trifling causes. Thus, the agricultural fairs
of this Town constituted the starting point for the fairs that have
risen in surrounding towns. Thus it has been with that of Mara
thon, Whitney's Point and Dryden, the last two in a flourishing con
dition ; and this is emphatic in regard to Dryden. Also the pres
ent enthusiasm prevalent in rearing new buildings is traceable to
some strenuous efforts put forth seven years since in renovating the
Presbyterian church. Owners of other edifices were stimulated to
building and repairs to a very great extent, and the new buildings
in Town greet the traveler with surprise and delight.
Agriculture is now in a very prosperous condition. The present
season has been one in which the growth of vegetation has been
very luxuriant, and farmers have realized large crops of wheat, corn,
barley, oats and buckwheat; also the hay crop has been very abun
dant. The dairy crop has been large, embracing butter and cheese.
Much has also been done in raising large plats of garden. Espec
ially is this true of E. I. Johnson, who has about an acre, five-eights
of which is occupied with a luxuriant growth of onions. The re
mainder is filled up with Centennial corn (so called), a good lot of
fine white beans, hubbard squash, rutabagas, cabbages, and all tes
tifying to the industry of the gardener. Other instances might be
mentioned of the. like. ,
It seems appropriate that slight reference be made to some of the
peculiar traits of the season just past. It has been remarkable for

CONCLUDING CHAPTER. 129
its rains, its dry spells, its heat, its intense thunderings and light
nings, with great loss from this cause in fires of buildings; and its
great productiveness of vegetation, potatoes only being a light crop.
Apples have proved to be in good supply.
I will now assure my readers that this work, begun about twenty-
five years since, has cost much labor and anxiety, and my hope is
that it will be appreciated, and meet a ready sale in our Town and
in the surrounding region.
And now I would say in conclusion to all my friends, Be true to
the claims of Science and Religion, and live the lives of christians,
and your prosperity in this life and happiness in the life to come
will be assured. Now, with affection intensified, I bid you my last
Farewell.
N. BOUTON.
October, 1878.

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