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Supervisors. 1821 William Price 1822 Enoch Howlet 1823-26 James Parmelee 1827 Enoch Howlet 1828-30 William Price 1831-32 David Wild 1833-35 Eber Holmes 1836 David S. Barrows 1837-39 Eber Holmes 1840 John G. Wook 1841-43 Eber Holmes 1844-45 Jarvis Leonard 1846 John R. Knowles 1847 Myron Holmes 1848 Reuben M. Jameson 1849 Henry Crandall 1850 Eber Holmes 1851-52 Daniel Lammie 1853 William V. Smith 1854-56 Hugh H. Jones 1857 Daniel Lammie 1858 Reuben M. Jameson 1859-60 John Higgins 1861 Harrison Cheney 1862 William V. Smith 1863-66 Daniel Lammie 1867 Warren J. Sawyer 1868 J.D. Colborn 1869-70 Oliver R. Knight 1871-72 John W. Rees 1873-74 Harrison Cheney 1875-78 John Lammie Town Clerks 1821-28 Earl Sawyer 1829 David Wild 1830-31 James Sherwood 1832-34 Lyman Scott, Jr. 1835 Albert Seaman 1836 Thomas White 1837-38 Chester W. Williams 1839-40 Ralph Lewis 1841-44 Daniel Warner 1845-47 Benjamin Hillman 1848 Joseph Hinckley 1849 Milo Holmes 1850 Benjamin Hillman 1851-56 William Thomson 1857-60 Benjamin Hillman 1861 Leroy W. Brown 1862-63 C. Mason 1864-65 Martin Hayden 1866-67 Maynard W. Lanckton 1868-69 Eugene Haskell 1870 L. W. Baldwin 1871-74 T. H. Crandall 1875-76 M. J. Crandall 1877 Marcus P. Beebe 1878 B. B. Lewis |
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Justices of the Peace * Enoch Howlet Lot Crowell Earl Sawyer Amos Wright Jonathan Cook Eber Holmes James Parmelee William Price 1830 Leonard Mason 1831 William Price, Stephen Schutt 1832 Lyman Scott 1833 Lyman Scott, Jr. 1834 Stephen Schutt 1835 William Price 1836 Lyman Scott, Denison Ashley, Nathaniel Brown 1837 Nathaniel Brown 1838 Stephen Schutt 1839 Denison Ashley 1840 Henry Foot, Thomas White 1841 Nathaniel Brown 1842 Henry Foot 1843 Lyman Scott 1844 Luther Cummings 1845 Ulysses P. Crane 1846 John G. Wood 1847 Thomas White 1848 Stephen Schutt 1849 Ulysses P. Crane 1850 John G. Wood 1851 Thomas White 1852 David H. Olney 1853 Ulysses P. Crane 1854 John G. Wood 1855 Thomas White 1856 Reuben Brown 1857 Aaron G. Hovey, Alexander Mitchell 1858 Isaac T. Wheeler 1859 Alfred Lewis 1860 Aaron G. Hovey 1861 Alexander Mitchell 1862 R.E. Jameson 1863 Alfred H. Lewis, Thomas White 1864 Daniel Brown, Isaac T. Wheeler 1865 Alexander Mitchell 1866 Harrison Cheney 1867 William Charles 1868 Daniel Brown, Thomas White 1869 Alexander Mitchell 1870 Thomas White 1871 Reuben Ball 1872 Daniel Brown 1873 Alexander Mitchell, Isaac T. Wheeler 1874 Isaac T. Wheeler 1875 David D. Morgan 1876 Daniel Brown, John Mitchell 1877 John Mitchell 1878 Perry Merrill |
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*Appointed by State authorities since 1821 and prior to 1830. No means of ascertaining when appointed.
Name Owned Imp. Austin, Jonathan 1/2 1/2 Angle, Wm. P 98 10 Ashley, Denison 108 10 Applebee, John 42 8 Alger, Oliver 156 8 Alger, Truman 155 8 Alger, Searl 51 1 Alton, David 98 30 Ball, Alvin 146 1/2 22 Ball, James 102 16 Ball, Edward 98 16 Ball, Reuben 119 7
Name
Owned
Imp.
Name
Owned
Imp.
Name
Owned
Imp.
Baker, Gideon 132 1/2 29
Holmes, Lester 88 7
Reed, Jacob 49 8 Baker, Almon 49 9
Hitsman, Henry 98 30
Ruby, Horace 1/4 1/4 Baker, Ira 198 1/6 60
Hinckley, Gilbert 124 14
Robeson, Robert 49 4 Beach, C.R. 60 ---
Hill, Frederick B. 79 5
Rounds, Lemuel 49 --- Ball, Elisha 48 8
Holmes, Eber 292 39
Rounds, Isaac 49 2 Bixby, Luther 82 3
Holmes, Ezra 170 60
Rounds, Isaiah 49 15 Brown, Reuben 88 16
Hooker, Jonathan 94 5
Rounds, Lane, Jr. 20 7 Brown, Nathaniel 131 9
Hooker, J. & J.C. 98 85
Rogers, Nathaniel 52 20 Beekwith, Nelson 50 5
Hooker, Jonathan & Sanford 46 30
Randall, Zadock 126 25 Barrows, John 95 15
Hooker, Sanford 78 30
Rounds, Lane 65 15 Bishop, George 49 5
Harmick, Abram 79 10
Reynolds, Luther 50 8 Brown, James 47 3
Holland, Simon 102 7
Rounds, Cyrel 40 --- Bushnell, Norman 382 35
Howard, Franklin 84 9
Rounds, Jacob 50 10 Bixby, Barnes 57 12
Hopkins, David 66 8
Ramsdell, Joseph R. 158 20 Bump, Moses 49 12
Howlet, Enoch 199 50
Rogers, Alexander 49 5 Barnes, Wm. B. 100 6
Hatfield, Wm. 160 40
Richardson, Isaac 112 --- Bliss, Eleazer 94 ---
Howard, Talcott 15 2
Selfredge, John 99 4 Baldwin, Charles 145 34
Hawkins, Ezra 55 5
Shattuck, Calvin 39 5 Beekman, Christopher 122 40
Havens, Rex 125 5
Sparks, William 148 40 Beebe, Charles 160 55
Hancock, Zina 94 5
Sawyer, Earl 113 40 Beebe, Hiram 67 5
Irish, Jonas C. 71 25
Sparks, Nehemiah 48 20 Bartlett & Cole 9 6
Jenkins, Amasa 37988 37988
Sanborn, Enoch S. 102 15 Barrows, D. L. 10 4
Jackson, Henry 145 25
Smith, Hiram 8 3 Burleson, Owens 35 5
Johnson, Peter 48 12
Showerman, John 269 68 Bushnell, John 75 ---
Jaquish, Hazen 64 10
Sparling, --- 50 6 Bushnell, James 79 ---
Jaquish, Daniel 49 7
Streeter, Elias 1/4 1/4 Bartlett, Wilder 49 3
Johnson, Pomeroy, Jr. 39 1
Smith, Hiram 119 18 Cheney, Simeon 132 17
Joslin, Lyman 129 8
Schutt, Stephen 100 38 Cahoon, James 42 15
Jackson, Cyrus 89 6
Stimson, Jeremy 57 8 Cheney, Nathan 3/4 3/4
King, Elijah, Jr. 98 15
Smith, Ebenezer 78 2 Cheney, Alexander 50 ---
King, Cyrus 70 ---
Scott, Lyman, Jr. 1/4 1/4 Cheney, Josiah 91 1.75
Knight, Milo 50 3
Spencer, Seth, Jr. 122 41 Congdon, James W. 99 12
Kellogg, Calvin 42 8
Selfridge, Susannah 174 36 Congdon, Joseph 156 37
Knight, Gordon 158 12
Scott, Lyman 50 7 Congdon, John 316 30
Knight, Wm. 145 15
Steward, Charles 130 15 Cheesman, Abner 49 12
Lewis, Ralph 20 1
Shaver, Philip 99 --- Crowel, Lot 15 9
Law, Wm. 82 20
Sherman, Justus 97 8 Corwin, Nathan 49 3
Letson, Wm. C. 20 4
Steele, James 104 3 Calkins, Chauncey J. 189 3
Letson, Freeborn 29 5
Spoor, Nicholas 10 --- Crossman, Amos 158 20
Lake, Conrad 50 ---
Taylor, Asabel 46 1 Cleveland, Thomas 57 3
Lyman, Huntingdon 50 ---
Twomley, Luther 111 20 Cole, N.W. 60 8
Lammie, Daniel 98 12
Tallmage, Asa 75 20 Crawford, Franklin 100 6
Lewis, Laban 62 9
Treat, John 100 18 Cornell, Thomas J. 258 65
Law, Willard 169 20
Treat, Henry 163 25 Cagwell, George 50 3
Law, Chauncey 48 8
Thomas, John, Jr. 121 30 Carpenter, Isaac 99 ---
Leonard, Elisha 98 20
Thomas, John 22 6 Cheney, Hurd 50 6
Lafferty, John 77 5
Thayer, Elijah 113 20 Cheney, Aaron 113 20
Langmade, Stephen 99 5
Thomson, William 57 16 Cheney, Benjamin 20 8
Mead, Guy C. 106 14
Thomson, Henry 77 10 Chamberlin, Levi 131 20
Mason, Washington 120 20
Taylor & Howard 423 90 Crawford, Isaac 303 18
Mason, Henry M. 48 16
Turner, L.H. 60 4 Crane, U.P. 115 13
Mason, Leonard 187 47
Van Duzer, Abram 114 15 Crane, Francis 97 10
Martin, Benjamin 72 3
Van Duzer, John B. 98 20 Cole, Asabel 150 18
Mason, Isaac 157 20
Vallance, Alexander 77 10 Cole, Nathan 60 25
Marsh, Ira 30 ---
Van Epps, Abram 80 15 Colby, James, Jr. 98 5
Mitchell, Wm. 76 8
Vrooman, Peter C. 99 8 Cobb, David 100 ---
Metcalf, Rufus 102 55
Van Acher, Malachi 99 --- Cheney, Daniel 65 12
Miles, Samuel 64 18
Wood, Elias 97 10 Cheney, Wells 49 1
Martindale, Elisha 2 1
Williams, Chester W. 37988 37988 Davis, James M. 1½ 1
McIntyre, Royal 49 3
White, Thomas 133 40 Denio, Joseph 1 1
Moore, John C. 70 5
White, Horatio 6 --- Depew, Nicholas 30 2
Moore, Oliver 99 8
Wing, Vespasian 3/4 3/4 Dort, Silas 98 12
Marble, Peter 170 30
Worthington, John 63 3 Dailey, Sam'l C. 76 4
Marble, Jesse 88 ---
Wetherbee, Milo D. 67 15 Durkee, Robert 45 3
Martin, Isaac I. 99 3
Wells, David 48 7 Dibble, John C. 120 6
Marsh, Wm. 99 5
Worthington, Thad's. 48 2 Dresser, Lewis 98 1
Newman, James 124 13
Weeks, Ruth 97 9 Demming, David 99 12
Norris, Edward 125 34
Worthington, Samuel 59 4 Dresser, William 95 20
Nichols, Samuel 143 30
White, Joseph 94 5 Dibble, Asabel 271 20
Nelson, Delevan 98 15
Wing, Vespasian, Jr. 70 5 Daggett, London & Leeland 147 1
Nichols, John 49 6
Wait, Cook 34 4 Daggett, Danford 185 10
Nelson, James R. 149 20
Wait, Joseph 50 15 Ellithorp, Elam 52 6
Nelson, George 51 6
Weir, John I. 111 40 Ellithorp, Elam, Jr. 1/4 1/4
Nicholas, Robert 99 18
Wood, John G. 50 20 Ellithorp, Wm. T 37 1/3 8 1/33
Nichols, Jacob 176 2
Ward, P.M. & Co. 229 20 Ellithorp, Geo. D. 79 8
Nichols, John 92 10
Wood, Charles W. 50 --- Eddy, Almon 49 12
Nurse, Silas 99 5
Wedge, Joseph 56 10 Eddy, Moses 198 11
Nurse, Wm. 100 2
Whitney, Nathaniel 80 25 Ellis, Heman 58 12
Owens, Uriah 70 8
Watson, Jacob 61 15 Ellis, Elias 49 6
Oakes, Elijah 70 8
Watson, Jerry 75 10 Fisk, Sheldon 69 12
Oakes, Elijah, Jr. 134 12
Watson, Benjamin 97 10 Frink, Samuel G. 98 10
Oakes, Nicholas 16 1
Wheeler, Oliver 1 1 Fisk, Weaver G. 128 25
Powell, Samuel 140 20
Whitcomb, Edward 69 8 Fersons, Marion 56 8
Pickett, Asabel 80 12
Whitcomb, Ebenezer 54 --- Freeborn, Holder 100 ---
Preston, Joshua 60 3
Wilson, Alva 49 1 Fox, Chauncey 75 9
Putney, Asa 29 14
Winters, Daniel 49 3 Findlay, Francis 149 26
Porter, Amasa 100 15
Winters, William 49 9 Fox, Rodolph 83 15
Page, Josiah 49 14
Winters, John 49 9 Fox, Willis 79 14
Phillips, Jonah 55 2
Williams, Proctor 50 3 Farley, Benjamin 39 5
Peck, Joseph 49 3
Weeks, Obadiah 59 3 Fox, Luke W. 99 3
Peck, Joseph, Jr. 48 3
Wright, Amos 70 10 Gordon, Benjamin 35 10
Pixley, John 49 5
Green, Hiram 96 10
Pixley, Alonzo 50 2
Goff, David 99 3
Plucker, John 24 ---
Gleason, Samuel 97 2
Price, William 145 3
Garner, Gilbert 50 ---
Guild, Felix 53 8
Goold, Francis 98 ---
Greenfield, Behuel 92 30
Greenfield, Beth'l, Jr. 50 ---
We give herewith a comparative statement of the number of acres improved and value of the same, amount of livestock, mills and manufactories, school statistics, etc., for the years 1835 and 1875:
Pg. 395
1835.
Number of acres of improved land 6,600 Assessed value of real estate $72,095 " " of personal estate 962 Number of cattle 2,106 " horses 484 " of sheep 3,952 " of swine 2,205 " yards of fulled woolens 3,270 " " unfulled woolens 4,959 " " linens 3,612 Amount of county tax $430.02 " town tax $497.65 Number of grist-mills 2 " saw-mills 5 " fulling-mills 1 " card-machines 1 " asheries 2 " tanneries 1
1875.
Number of acres of improved land 18,125 Assessed valuation of real estate $773,881 " " personal estate 237,000 Tons of hay produced 6,427 Bushels of buckwheat 1,072 " Indian corn 1,292 " oats 40,941 " spring wheat 580 " potatoes 28,623 " apples 12,096 Pounds of maple-sugar 26,738 Number of horses 445 " cattle 3,417 " cows whose milk was sent to factory 1,965 Pounds of butter made in families 62,775 " wool clipped 2,788 " pork made on farms 79,264
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
The first highway in the town of Freedom was surveyed Oct. 20, 1813, by order of Solomon Rawson and Elijah Gibbs, highway commissioners of the town of Ischua; and is described as beginning at the north line of township 6, in the fourth range, at a stake, being the end of the road laid in the seventh town, fourth range; thence running in a general southeast course until passing through the village of Sandusky, whence its direction is nearly east, reaching the east border of township 6, range 3, near the centre. Or, in other words, the highway which follows the valley of Clear Creek.
In scanning the work performed by the first board of highway commissioners of the town of Freedom, it is notable how many roads are described as beginning and terminating at and near the residence of Nathan Cole.
The Rochester and State Line Railroad enters the town on the east border, north of the centre, and running in a southwesterly direction, passing Freedom Station, which is about two and one-half miles southeast of Sandusky, leaves the town on the south border, near the centre of range 3. In enters the town again near the southwest corner. This road was completed in the spring of 1878. The town paid no money to encourage its building, but the citizens paid for the construction of the depot at Freedom Station with funds raised by subscription.
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SANDUSKY
is situated on Clear Creek, a little north of the centre of the town. It contains 2 church edifices (Baptist and Universalist), 3 religious societies, 1 hotel, 1 cheese-factory, 1 cheese-box factory, 1 carriage-factory, a woollen-mill, 1 grist-mills, 3 saw-mills, 1 tannery, district school-house with two departments, post-office, 5 stores of general merchandise, 1 drug-store, 1 hardware-store, 1 stove- and tin-store, 1 boot- and shoe-store, 2 shoe-shops, 2 meat-markets, 2 medical, 1 dental, and 1 clergyman's offices, and about 250 inhabitants.
Seth Makepeace, Robert Daniels, and David Wild were the first owners of the village site. Robert Daniels kept tavern in a small log house, in 1824. He also sold goods at the same place and time, but failed in his business speculations. The brick block of Hiram Beebe now occupies the site of his tavern. David Wild erected the present hotel in 1833. He also gave to the village the common in front of the same. Elam Ellithop built a tannery in 1828. Josiah Cheney established the wool-carding and cloth-dressing works about 1830. Thomas White kept store here at the same time. Eber Holmes was also and early merchant.
The woollen-mills of M. & T. Hayden, in Sandusky village, were established, as before mentioned, by Josiah Cheney, in 1830. In 1850, the works were purchased by Mr. M. Hayden. Until 1864 the business had been confined to wool-carding and cloth-dressing. The latter year the Messrs. Hayden began the manufacture of woolen yarn, and two years later they extended their business by the manufacture of flannel. The mills give steady employment to 8 hands, and produce 20,000 yards of flannel and 5000 pounds of yarn annually. The products are sold principally in Central and Western New York.
The carriage-works of William E. Jones, in Sandusky, were established by himself in 1867. All the leading styles of light and heavy sleighs and carriages are manufactured; 8 men are steadily employed, and the sales will amount to from $8000 to $10,000 per year.
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ELTON,
on the south branch of Cattaraugus Creek, in the southwest part of the town, contains a church (Free-Will Baptist), store, cheese-factory, saw-mill, blacksmith-shop, about 15 dwellings, and 75 inhabitants.
The first settlers here, and the original owners of the site, were the brothers Nathan and Daniel Cole, and the locality was known in the early days as Cole's Settlement.
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SOCIETIES.
Freedom Lodge, No. 127, A.O.U.W., was instituted Jan. 25, 1878, with 25 charter members, and the following board of officers: Harrison Cheney, P.M.W.; J.D. Colborn, M.W.; R.O. Jones, Foreman; M.D. Scobey, O.; B.B. Lewis, Recorder; E.W. Earle, Financier; P.E. Merrill, Receiver; William M. Davis, M.B. Stone, E. Wilson, Trustees; Harrison Cheney, Representative; C.C. Wood, Alternate; C.C. Newman, Guide; F.R. Crowell, O.W.; G.H. Mills, I.W. Present membership, 39. Regular meetings are held every other Monday evening at their lodge-room, in Sandusky village.
Sandusky Cornet Band was organized by O.C. Wood, the first leader, in October, 1875. It consists of 12 pieces, as follows: B.B. Lewis, 2d E-flat and leader; H.W. Davis, 1st E-flat; Richard Hooper, 1st B-flat; M.K. Darling, 2d B-cornet; Charles Lemmler, 1st alto; John Charles, 2d alto; Joseph M. Murray, 1st tenor; Willis Steele, 2d tenor; Geo. H. Mills, baritone; D.J. Law, E-flat tuba' John Edwards, tenor drum; David Hooper, bass drum.
Freedom Lodge, No. 459, I.O.G.T., was organized at Sandusky village, Dec. 2, 1867, with 31 charter members, and the following named officers:
Jacob Ellithorp, W.C.T.; Martha A. White, W.V.T.; J.B. Kendall, W. Chap.; Eugene Haskell, W. Sec.; Florence A. Beebe, W.A. Sec.; Hattie A. Hayden, W.F.S.; Calvin Haskell, W.T.; Theodore Hayden, W.M.; Ellen J. Jones, W.D.M.; Jane A. Lewis, W.I.G.; H.E. Cheney, W.O.G.; Louisa Beebe, W.R.H.S.; Elsie M. Peck, W.L.H.S.; A.J. Beebe, Past W.O.T.
The present officers are R.H. Snyder, W.C.T.; Cora Preston, W.V.T.; John Thomas, W.S.; Miss McMurray, W.A.S.; Lucina White, W.F.S.; Wm. M. Davis, W.T.; John Charles, W.M.; Ida Roblee, W.A.M.; D.D. Newman, W. Chap.; Ada Law, W.I.G.; George Davis, W.O.G.; R.O. Jones, Past W.C.T.; E.W. Earle, Lodge Deputy. This lodge has ever been in a prosperous condition, and has a fund of $200 in its treasury at the present time.
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SCHOOLS.
The pioneers of Freedom, true to the teachings and principles of their New England ancestry, took early and earnest action in regard to their schools. The board of school commissioners, composed of Messrs. Enoch Howlet, Charles Beebe, and Nathan Cole, met Sept. 18, 1821, and established five school districts, described as follows:
District No. 1 was to include 12 lots, viz.: lot 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30 of township 6, range 3.
District No. 2 was to include lots 37, 38, 39, and 40 of township 6, range 3, and lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of township 6, range 4.
District No. 3 was to be composed of 8 lots, viz.: 33, 34, 35, and 36 of township 6, range 3, and lots 1, 2, 3, and 4 of township 6, range 4.
District No. 4 was to include lots 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, and 35 of township 6, range 4.
District No. 5 included lots 7, 8, 15, 16, 23, 24, 31, and 32 of township 6, range 3.
At the same meeting they revised their work and established but two school districts instead of five. This fact is of interest, as it shows conclusively on what lots the first settlements began.
District No. 1 remained as described above.
District No. 2 included the northwest, northeast, and southeast quarters of 37, the whole of lots 38, 39, and 40 of township 6, range 3, and lots 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, and 16 of township 6, range 4.
During the four succeeding years, 5 additional districts were formed. These included three parts of districts connected with districts in towns of Wyoming and Allegany Counties.
From the reports of trustees of school districts for the year ending March 1, 1825, are taken the following statistics:
In 1835 there were 13 districts and parts of districts. The amount of public money expended was $237. Number of scholars, 610.
Number of school districts in town................................ 4 Number of parts of school districts in town.................... 3 Number of children between the ages of five and
Fifteen years residing in the town................................... 220 Number of children attending school during the year........ 183 Average duration of time school has been taught in the
Several districts during the year, months......................... 6 Total amount of money received and disbursed for
School purposes.......................................................... $73.57
And the town then contained a total population of 1835 inhabitants, an excess of 494 over the census report of 1875.
The following statistics are taken from the report of the county school commissioner for the year ending Sept. 30, 1878:
Number of school districts in town 11 Number of school-houses in town 11 Value of school-houses, with sites $3915 Number of volumes in library 186 Value of volumes in library $55 Number of teachers employed 11 Amount of wages paid teachers $1772.50 Number of children of school age 437 Average daily attendance 201 643/1000 Number of weeks taught 315 Amount of money received from State 1129.88 Amount of money received from tax $1767.70 [ Top of Page]
CHURCHES
It is stated that the first religious services were held at the house of Rufus Metcalf, in April, 1813, by Elder P. Root; that the first church was formed by the Methodists in 1820, and that the Free-Will Baptists held meetings in 1822.
It is very reasonable to believe that, from 1812 to 1820, preachers of different denominations visited the settlers, and held meetings in their dwelling-houses. But none of the churches, as they exist to-day, possess any records to prove that a church, or branch of a church, existed here prior to the formation of the South branch of the First Baptist Church in Concord, Nov. 4, 1820.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN FREEDOM, AT SANDUSKY.
The earliest records of this society mention that, on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 1820, a meeting was held at the house of Silas Parker, in China, to take action for the purpose of having the privileges of the Concord Baptist Church extended. The meeting was composed of people residing in the towns of China and Freedom. Silas Parker was moderator, and Joseph Pasco clerk of this meeting. After proceeding to take the minds of the people present, it was resolved that the Covenant meetings of this branch should be held on the first Saturday in each month.
The first Covenant meeting was held at the house of Stephen Hollister, in Freedom, Saturday, Nov. 4, 1820, when the following-named members denominated themselves as the South Branch of the First Baptist Church in Concord: Deacon Colby, Samuel S. Nichols, Silas Parker, Joseph Pasco, Caleb Calkins, Stephen Hollister, E.R. Wilbor, Sardis Davis, Samuel Upham, Hurlbut Cruttenden, and Isabella Clark.
At a Conference meeting, held Feb. 4, 1821, the members of this branch took into consideration the expediency of becoming and independent church, and thereby resolved to invite the following churches in council, viz., Hamburg, Eden, Boston, Aurora, Sheldon, and Concord. Ministers and delegates from these churches met in council at the house of Silas Parker, in China, Feb. 22, 1821. Elder Thomas Barker was chosen moderator, and Elder Clark Carr clerk of the council. Elder Jonathan Haskell delivered an appropriate discourse, and, after due consideration, this branch was received as an independent church to be known as the China Baptist Church. Caleb Calkins and Deacon Colby were chosen first deacons, March 7, 1821.
At a meeting held in the Fish Lake school-house, Nov. 12, 1825, it was proposed to form a new church, to be composed of those members of the China Church who resided in Freedom. This proposition was voted down, but the name was changed to the China and Freedom Baptist Church, the meetings to alternate between the towns.
At a meeting convened at the lower school-house (District No. 2), July 27, 1826, Hurlbut Cruttenden, moderator, it was voted that this church be hereafter known as the
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN FREEDOM,
and the following members were granted dismission to Sardinia churches, viz., Samuel W. Pattison, Caleb Calkins, Samuel Upham, Samuel S. Nichols, Anna Hollister, Emma D. Hollister, Ruth L. Hollister, Marietta Finney, Elizabeth Calkins, Polly Upham, Sally Nichols, and Ann Oakes.
This church was now well started on its way as an independent Freedom Church. The members then remaining were 44 in number, as follows: Hurlbut Cruttenden (sic), Ashbel W. Treat, Amos P. Randall, Rufus Metcalf, Sardis Davis, David Austin, David Hinckley, Samuel Ellithorp, William Ellithorp, Henry Treat, Leonard Mason, David S. Hollister, John Welch, Abijah K. Martin, Hannah Austin, Delia Randall, Anna Cruttenden, Sally Davis, Delia Metcalf, Ann Eliza Metcalf, Catharine Sweet, Lois Nichols, Hannah Ellithorp, Lydia Ball, Martha Sparks, Eleanor Law, Esther Knowlton, Betsey Hartshorn, Eliza Ellithorp, Elizabeth Treat, Patty Armstrong, Mary Lawson, Polly Sawyer, Minerva Hinckley, Laura Hartshorn, Sally De Long, Sally Calkins, Rollotia Mason, Olive Worthington, Miriam McPherson, Phebe Bump, Mary Parker, Anna Wilbor, and Rachel Hodges. The early pastors, prior to 1826, were Elders Blake, Harmon, Thomas Baker, and Eliab Going. Elder Whitman Metcalf was employed in 1826 to preach one-fourth of the time, and Elder W. Freeman the following year for the same amount of time. An effort was made at about this time to obtain a licence for Hurlbut Cruttenden to preach, but it failed by a unanimous vote of a council of ministers. We find no records from 1827 to 1857. Since the latter date the pastors of this church have succeeded each other as follows, viz., Revs. B.H. Card, --- James, R.D. Hayes, N.F. Langmade, A. Morrill, J.S. Everingham, and A.S. Kneeland, the present pastor. The present house of worship was erected about 1847, and will seat 300 persons. Present membership, 127. Number of pupils in Sabbath-school, 160. Theodore Hayden, superintendent.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT SANDUSKY
The oldest records possessed by this society state the fact that, on the 6th day of October, 1827, there was granted to Lot Crowel, Joseph Wait, Asa Putney, Alva Durkee, and Aaron Cheney, trustees of this church, by Wilhem Willink and five others, acting for the Holland Land Company, 50 acres of land, "Being the northwest part of lot 28, township 6, range 3." This lot was sold by the society, in 1867, for $1200, of which amount they now have invested in good securities the sum of $1100. The early meetings of the society were usually held in the Fish Lake school-house. Prior to 1835 they were strong in numbers, and in a flourishing condition, but the Mormon excitement at about that date split and disrupted the church to such an extent that it has since lived a precarious existence. At an early period they were connected with the Franklinville Church, and among their pastors were Revs. John E. Gulick and A.D. Wilbor. For the last ten years they have formed part of the Sardinia charge. Revs. G. Delamater, J.H. Freeland, and O.C. Goodrich, pastors. Meetings are held in the Universalist church semi-monthly. Present membership, 8. H. Jones, J.B. Lewis, and D.D. Newman, present board of trustees. Rev. O.C. Goodrich, present pastor.
THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH AT SANDUSKY
was organized with 25 members, May 24, 1845, by Rev. Gideon S. Gowdy, their first pastor. The first meetings were held at the house of Elias Wood. The church edifice was erected the same year, at a cost of $1500, and has sittings for 200 persons. Among the original members were Elias Wood, David Olnes, Henry Crandall, Walter B. Smith, Eber Holmes, Lot Crowel, Enoch Howlet, Samuel Norton.
There are about 40 members, but the society it without a pastor.
EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH (WELCH)
was organized with 42 members, March 2, 1843, by a council composed of ministers and delegates from surrounding churches. B. Cherryman was chairman, and B. Palmer, of Centreville, D.B. Corbyn, of Freedom, secretaries of the council. The first pastor, Rev. Richard Morris, was ordained March 16, 1843. There were present at the ordination ceremonies, Revs. M. Fuller, B. Cherryman, W. Metcalf, E.S. Smith, E.W. Clark, and J.M. Purinton. The first church edifice was dedicated in November, 1844, and cost $500. It was named the Ebenezer Church at the time of its dedication. Deacon John Lewis gave the land upon which it was erected. The present church edifice was erected in 1870, and dedicated in June, 1871. Its dimensions are 40 by 60 feet, cost $5000, all paid, and has sittings for 400 persons. Aneurim Jones was the architect, William and Thomas Davis builders. Among the first members of this church were Robert Williams, John Higgins, Thomas Rees, John Lewis, Daniel Morgans, H.O. Roberts, and Thomas Higgins, who came here from Oneida Co., N.Y., in 1841. Among the most prominent members of the church may be mentioned Robert Williams, who died in 1871, aged eighty-four years. Deacon John Lewis, who died, 1877, aged seventy-six years. He was a member for thirty years, and collected $1000 for the church edifice. John W. Rees, Daniel Rees, John H. Owens, Evan Owens, Mrs. Ann Morgans, Thomas Evans and wife, Wm. Thomas, and Stephen James, have also been prominently identified with this church. The first deacons were Robert Williams, John Lewis, and H.O. Roberts. The present deacons are Daniel Morgans, John Higgins, H.O. Roberts, and J.W. Williams.
The pastors have been the Revs. Richard Morris, who came in 1843, and remained two years; Wm. F. Phillips, from 1845 to 1850; D. Jenkins, two years; Thos. Roberts, came in 1852 and remained six years; J.P. Harris, 1860, and remained four years; J.W. James, came in 1864 and remained two years; John P. Harris, again in 1866 and remained eight years; W.M. Evans, came in 1875, and is the present pastor.
John C. Williams, a member of this church, is a student at Hamilton University. This church has always been in a prosperous condition, and possesses, in addition to the church edifice, a parsonage valued at $800. Present membership, 193; number of pupils in Sabbath-school, 70. Samuel Morgan superintendent, and D.H. Evans secretary of Sabbath-school.
SALEM CHURCH (WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST)
The first meetings of this church were held in the school-house, near Mr. Powell's, Centreville, Allegany Co., in 1851, and Rev. Edward Rees preached the first sermon. Among the first members were Joseph Parry, David Powell, and Wm. W. Thomas. They soon after held their meetings in the "Sand-Bank" school-house, and during the years 1852 and 1853 Rev. John D. Jones preached to them.
In 1854 the church was regularly organized with about 30 members by Rev. James Lamb, now of Liverpool, England. Among the first members of this later organization were David Charles and John G. Jones, deacons; David Powell and wife, John D. Jones and wife, David Jones and wife, Mrs. Margaret Thomas, Wm. W. Thomas, John Thomas and wife, Evan Morgan and wife, Hugh Jones and wife, Wm. J. Williams and wife, Benjamin Parry and wife, and David P. Hooper and wife.
The church edifice was built in 1855 at a cost of $900, and has sittings for 250 people. The pastors since 1854 have been the Revs. Mr. James, John Williams, Joseph Rees, Richard F. Jones, and Benjamin D. Davies, who is the present pastor. Number of present members, 66; number of pupils in Sabbath-school, 60. John Parry superintendent, Isaac W. Morgan secretary.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FREEDOM AND LYNDON.
In 1840, William Mitchell, Alexander Vallance, James McKerrow, John Gillmore, Stephen Findlay, and others, representing Scotch families residing in the towns of Freedom and Lyndon, formed a religious association called the Associate Reformed Church. The meetings were held in the school-house, now known as District No. 1, and Rev. William Howden was the first preacher. He had been followed by Revs. D.C. McVean and R.G. Campbell, present pastor. About 1858 the name was changed to that of the United Presbyterian Church of Freedom and Lyndon. Present membership, 30.
THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH AT ELTON
was organized at the school-house of District No. 25, of Freedom and Yorkshire, in the town of Freedom, by Rev. A.C. Andrews, their first pastor. The society was incorporated March 20, 1834.
Among the first members were Nathan Cole, Jabez B. Hancock, Oliver Algar, Amos Wright, Elisha Manwaroine, Lyman Algar, and William Felch.
The first church edifice was erected in 1833; the present one, which will seat 350 persons, in 1873, at a cost of $2200. The present members are about 80 in number. Rev. C. Cook, pastor.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FREEDOM
was organized in 1827, and was incorporated January 20 of the same year. The first board of trustees was composed of Jonathan Hooker, Heman Hyde, Joseph Braddish, John W. Leonard, Henry Jackson, and William Sparks. This church was disbanded many years ago.
THE MORMONS.
In concluding these historical sketches of the churches in the town of Freedom, it may be proper to add in the same connection some facts in regard to the Mormon excitement of 1835, and the success attending the labors of the Mormon leaders in their efforts to obtain proselytes.
At the time mentioned, the quiet precincts of Fish Lake neighborhood were invaded by Joe Smith, Sidney Rigdon, John Gould, and Parley Pratt. They made their head-quarters at Rufus Metcalf's and Dr. Warren Cowdery's. Meetings were held, daily and nightly, in barns and dwelling-houses, and a prodigious excitement pervaded the minds of many people in that immediate vicinity. Among those residents who were conspicuous as believers in the humbug, were Dr. Cowdery, Rufus Metcalf, Nehemiah Sparks, Orrin Cheney, Hurd Cheney, Capt. Heman Hyde, Heman T. Hyde and wife, and Barber Lawson. As a result, 30 men and women were induced to join the Mormons, and emigrated with them to Kirtland, Ohio. Some came back and renounced their faith in Mormonism, while others continued with them to the end of their lives.
MILITARY RECORD.
At the taking of the sixth census (1840), the following named revolutionary pensioners were residents of the town of Freedom, viz.: John Nichols, eighty years of age; Zera Norton, aged seventy-six years; Betsey Fuller, aged eighty-three years; and Susanna R. Champlin, seventy-eight years of age. Frederick Beakman was also a veteran of the Revolution, and Eber Holmes a soldier of 1812.
During the war of the Rebellion the town paid in bounties to her soldiers the sum of $16,434; the county paid to the same soldiers, $5400, making a total of $21,834.
The town received credit for 100 men, whose names, and the remarks opposite each - as found in the town records - are given in the soldiers' list in the general history of the county.