Poland, NY

DIRECTORY OF THE TOWN OF RUSSIA

1869 -1870
The Hamilton Child Company of Syracuse, New York produced directories of New York counties for 1869. These directories are useful in conjunction with the 1870 US census, and are available at many New York State libraries and historical societies either in print or on microfilm. In producing these directories, a few residents may have been missed. Absence of a family or person does not always mean that they didn't live there. In transcribing this material we have kept the original spelling and punctuation.
From Gazetteer and Business Directory of Herkimer County, N.Y. 1869-70 published by Hamilton Child and Co., Syracuse, NY 1869 ( post office addresses in parentheses )

Fanning, Johnson E.	(Prospect, Oneida Co.)	farmer 100
Fenner, Augustus R.	(Cold Brook)	manuf. of Fenner's self-adjusting saw set
Fenner, George W.	(Cold Brook)	dairyman and farmer 189
Standlift, Walter	(Russia)	farmer 12
Stillman, Abel	(Poland)	manuf. of Stillman's patent saw set
Stillman, D. J.	(Poland)	machinist

PROFILE AND HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF RUSSIA

from the Gazetteer and Business Directory of Herkimer County, N.Y. 1869-70

Russia was formed from Norway, as Union, April 7, 1806. Its name was changed April 6, 1808. A part of Wilmurt was taken off in 1836. It lies on the west border of the County, north of the Mohawk, and extends to the border of the great northern wilderness. Its surface is rolling and moderately hilly, and on the west descends abruptly to the valley of West Canada Creek. The hills are from 800 to 1,000 feet above the Mohawk. West Canada and Black Creeks flow west through the north-west part, the former forming a part of the west boundary. Extensive lumber works have been erected on this stream. Trenton Falls, upon West Canada Creek, are on the west border. The soil is a sandy and clayey loam.

Russia, (p.v.) in the south part of the town, contains two churches, viz., Union and Baptist; a union store, a tin and hardware store, a school house and about 100 inhabitants.

Gravesville, (p.v.) names in honor of Wm. Graves, who erected the mills, is situated in the south-west part and contains two churches, viz., Methodist and Universalist; a store, a furniture manufactory, a wool carding and cloth dressing mill, a grist mill, two saw mills, a cheese box factory, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop and about 100 inhabitants.

Cold Brook, (p.v.) in the south part, contains a Methodist church, a hotel, a union store, a grocery, a planing mill, a cheese box factory, a grist mill, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops, a cabinet shop, a saw set factory and 155 inhabitants.

Grant (p.v.) located on Black Creek, near the center of the town, contains two churches, viz., Methodist and Union; a hotel, two stores, a tannery, two saw mills, a grist mill and 85 inhabitants.

Poland (p.v.) located on West Canada Creek, in the south part, contains a F. W. Baptist church, a store, a hotel, a grist and saw mill, a tannery, a sash and blind factory, a wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, a cheese box factory, a cabinet shop, a manufactory of bootjacks and ladders, and about 200 inhabitants.

The Poland Tannery was established in 1839 and has a capacity for tanning 130 sides of leather or 600 calf skins per week.

The Cheese Factory was established in 1863, by a stock company, and has a capacity for manufacturing the milk of 800 cows. Between Poland and Cold Brook are several manufacturing establishments, viz., I. and G. W. Trask's ax and edge tool factory, Stillman's patent saw set factory, D. P. Vincent's cheese box factory, and Thomas T. Rhode's saw and plane handle factory.

Gang Mills is situated in the north-west part of the town, on West Canada Creek. It received its name from the extensive mills of Hinkley and Ballou, erected here in 1848. These mills have a capacity to manufacture ten million feet of lumber annually. The capital invested in mills and improved farms is about $150,000, and give employment to form 100 to 150 men. The improved machinery recently constructed by Mr. J.N. Walters, the Superintendent, gives these mills a place among the first in the State. The logs to supply the mills are cut and floated down West Canada Creek from the north part of Herkimer and Hamilton Counties, a distance of from twelve to forty miles. Besides these mills the village contains three stores, two smith's shops, a tannery, a cabinet shop, several other mechanic shops and about 250 inhabitants.

The settlement of this town was commenced in 1792, by Stodard Squires. Jonathan Millington, from Vermont, ___ Smith, Farley Fuller, George Taylor, Roscum Slocum, William Buck, Jeremiah Smith, Jotham Carpenter, ___ Austin and son, and ___ Coon, were among the other early settlers. Mr. Squires was from Connecticut, and his son, John G. Squires, then seven years of age, resided for more than fifty years on the same farm upon which his father located. Settlers came in quite rapidly for several years after the first opening was made.

The first marriage was that of Farley Fuller and Minerva Smith, in 1794; the first death that of a son of Mr. Allen, and the second that of Waite Robinson. The first school was taught by ___ Morehouse, at Graves Hollow. Another school was taught about the same time by ___ Steund. The first inn was kept by Jotham Carpenter, and the first store by Mr. Swintburn, about a mile north-west of Cold Brook, in 1797. The first saw mill was built in 1797, and the first grist mill, by Benjamin Hinman, the same year.

The first settlers were compelled to go to Utica or Little Falls to have their grain ground. Jonathan Millington, from Shaftsbury, Vt., settled in the town in 1797, and James Barker, from Massachusetts, in 1803.

The first religious services were held by Rev. Benajah Corp, of the F.W. Baptist denomination.

The population of the town in 1865 was 2,030; its area is 37,396 acres.

There are sixteen school districts, employing the same number of teachers. The number of children of school age is 695; the number attending school, 559; the average attendance, 227, and the amount expended for school purposes during the year ending September 30, 1868, was $4,410.93

FAMILY SKETCHES OF RUSSIA TWP, HERKIMER COUNTY, NY

Many counties of NY state had county histories published between the years of 1860 and 1900. Within many of these works are "family sketches". The list below are sketches of families for the township of Russia that were found within the references provided.

References:
1) "History of Herkimer County New York", edited by George A. Hardin, assisted by Frank H. Willard, D. Mason and Co., Publishers, 1893, Syracuse, NY, Family Sketches section.
2) "1879 History of Herkimer County", published by Beers

Family Sketches:

CARPENTER, Captain L. F., son of Rev. John CARPENTER, jr., was born in 1839. He enlisted in 1861, and July 28th, 1862, was promoted to captain of Company H, 94th N.Y. infantry. He was discharged March 19th, 1863, on account of wounds received in action at Fredericksburg, Va. He was married in 1867 to Olive BACON, of Luzerne, Penn. He is now practicing law in Russia. [ref #2, pg 276-7]

CARPENTER, Loren A., is a dairy farmer. He was born in Ridgeway, N.Y., in 1829. In January, 1859, he was married to Narcissa M., daughter of Amherst COON, and in the same year located in this town. They have one son, Edmund L. Mr. COON was born in this town in 1795, and was in the war of 1812, at Sackett's Harbor, under Colonel WRIGHT. [ref #2, pg 276]

CARUTHERS, Henry, a native of this town. He was born in 1824, and was married in 1850 to Cynthia H. WOODIN. They have four children. Mr. C's father, William, was a native of Scotland. He settled in this town, one and a half miles south of Grant, in 1818. The father of Mrs. CARUTHERS, Isaac WOODIN, Esq., came with his parents from Connecticut in 1813. His widow, Sylvia, who is still living, in the village of Grant, was born in this town in 1796 and is the oldest native resident living. She was the daughter of William COREY, who settled at Cold Brook in the spring of 1796. [ref #2, pg 276]

COUNTRYMAN, J. H., of the firm of Peter Countryman and Son, tanners at Poland village, was born in Herkimer, N.Y., in August, 1834. He located at Poland in 1848, and since then has conducted the tannery for the manufacture of upper leather, which has a capacity of one thousand calf skins per week. He was married in 1857 to Alvira GORTON, of Russia, who died in 1868. He was married in 1869 to miss Eliza BERNER, of this town. [ref #2, pg 276]

EMERY, John, Russia, was born in Ohio, November 23, 1824, a son of Rowland EMERY, born in Charlestown in 1786. He came to Ohio at an early day, one of the pioneer settlers, where he spent most of his life. His wife was Elizabeth JONES, by whom he had two sons and six daughters. His brother, Matthew, was in the War of 1812. Rowland EMERY died in Ohio in 1849, and his wife died in 1842. In 1846 John EMERY married Mary A. CURTIS, born in Schoharie county February 25, 1828, a daughter of Joseph and Amie CURTIS, who about 1838 came from Duanesburg, Schoharie county, and settled in Ohio, where they reared four sons and seven daughters. Mr. EMERY at the age of nineteen years was captain in the militia under Governor BOUCK. He was highly honored in his native town, being excise commissioner for four years, a member of the auditing board for four years, supervisor 1866-67, justice of the peace from 1866 to 1870, and was one of the members who incorporated the M.E. Church in Ohio. He held all the offices in that church in time, and was superintendent of the Sunday-school for fifteen years. He moved from the town of Ohio to the village of Poland, January 1, 1889, where he now lives. His grandfather, Robert EMERY, was born in New York and early in life settled in Montgomery county. He died in Stratford, aged ninety-three. [ref #1, pg 42]

FENNER, Henry, is a retired farmer. He was born March 15th, 1815, in Newport, N.Y., and when a young man was engaged as clerk in the Cold Brook store, and afterwards engaged in farming. He was married in 1852, to Clarrisa PRICHARD, of this town; they have one daughter, Amelia F. His father, Seth, was of Puritan stock. He located with his parents in Newport when nine years of age, and married a daughter of William COREY. He was a millwright, and in 1811 built for himself and others the first grist-mill at Cold Brook. [ref #2, pg 277]

FERRIS, Colonel T. H., of Prospect, Oneida county, N.Y., was born in Norway, N.Y., in 1805, and came to Russia in 1837, where he followed farming until 1877, where he removed to Prospect. He was married in 1830 to Eliza SALISBURY. He was a colonel of the 12th regiment of rifles in the State militia. His father, Sylvanus FERRIS, came from Westchester, N.Y., in 1798, and engaged in cheese making in Norway, N.Y. [ref #2, pg 277]

FORREST, D. J. was born in this town in 1851. His father, Captain William FORREST, was born in this town in 1805. He was a farmer, and died May 20th, 1878. He served his town as commissioner of highways, school inspector and supervisor, and was also a captain of a rifle company. He was married in 1834 to Miss Abigail, daughter of David HUNTER, of Hamilton county, N.Y. They had five children. Captain Forrest's father, John, was born in ireland, and settled here in 1802. [ref #2, pg 277]

HINCKLEY, Gardner. Among the most active and prominent business men of the northern part of Herkimer county was the late Gardner Hinckley. He was born in this town in 1808, and married in 1829 to Miss Elizabeth ATWOOD, of Florence, N.Y. She died in 1874 and Mr. HINCKLEY in 1875. Gardner and Samuel HINCKLEY were sons of Elijah HINCKLEY, and he and his brother Gardner (1st) came to this town (then Norway) in 1797. They had purchased the year before four hundred acres of land described in a deed, still in possession of the family, as the west part of lot number 91, third allotment of the Royal Grant. They were from Pomfret, Conn. Gardner HINCKLEY was largely engaged in the lumber business in the towns of Russia, Wilmurt and Morehouseville. In 1848 he, in company with Mr. BALLOU, of Utica, erected the Gang Mills in this town, the most extensive establishment of the kind in this part of the State. Mr. HINCKLEY's children are Samuel, Carrie (Mrs. J. W. STANTON, Mary E. and S. Helen. [ref #2, pg 277]

HEMSTREET, James, M. D., was born in Ohio, N.Y., in 1826. He studied medicine with his father, Richard I. HEMSTREET, and practiced it in Trenton, Gray, Newport, until he located in Poland village in 1865, where he has since remained. He was married in September, 1850, to Miss M. J. ADAMS, of Cazenovia, N.Y. His grandfather was the first supervisor of the town of Ohio. [ref #2, pg 277]

HEMSTREET, John, Russia, was born in Russia March 13, 1828. His father was Richard I., son of John D. HEMSTREET, a native of Montgomery county, who served in the war of 1812. John D. HEMSTREET came early to Ohio, where he engaged in farming and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. He had four sons and two daughters. Both he and his wife were Methodists. Richard I. HEMSTREET was born in Montgomery county in 1805. He was educated in the common schools of that county, then came to Ohio, where he taught school for several years. He married Sarah, daughter of James CALDWELL, a native of Saratoga and an early settler of Ohio. To Mr. HEMSTREET and wife were born three sons and three daughters, four of whom are living. In 1840 he graduated from the medical course of Fairfield Seminary, and for a short time practiced medicine in Ohio, then went to Cold Brook, where he resided five years. He next went to Poland and practiced his profession until his death in 1865. He was an active Republican, one of the original members of the County Medical Society, and also a member of the I. O. O. F. of Poland. Mrs. Richard I HEMSTREET died in 1876. Subject of sketch (John HEMSTREET) was educated in the public schools and reared on the old homestead, near where he now resides. He assisted in his father's business until the death of the latter. He made a two years' trip to California during the gold excitement. Mr. HEMSTREET is a real estate owner in Herkimer county, and during the last fifteen years has dealt largely in stocks. He is a Democrat, a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, F. and A. M., a stockholder and director of the National Bank of Poland and one of its original members. He is liberal in his religious views. [ref # 1, pg 55]

JAMES, Philip, Russia, was born in South Wales, December 12, 1832, a son of Levi JAMES, a native of Wales, born in 1802. The wife of Levi was Mary EVANS, born in Wales in 1804, and by whom he had nine sons and four daughters. In 1840 Mr. JAMES came to Russia and settled at Prospect. He resided in Oneida county until his death, September 28, 1884. Philip was eight years old when his parents came to Oneida county. For fourteen years he was engaged in the mercantile business at Grant. In 1859 he married Harriet FLANSBURG, a native of Ohio, NY, by whom he had two daughter, Minnie and Harriet. Mrs. JAMES died September 28, 1865, and Mr. JAMES married in 1881 Cynthia M. (RUST) STONE. Her first husband was George STONE, a native of Oneida county. He enlisted in the 117th NY Infantry, Company H. and was killed at the battle before Richmond, September 29, 1864. Mr. STONE and wife had two children: Clarence, who is a farmer in Russia, and Jessie who resides on her farm in Russia. Mrs. JAMES was a daughter of Hiram RUST, whose father, Abel RUST, was born in 1759, in Connecticut. He had eight children. Mr. RUST served seven years in the Revolutionary War. Abel Rust came to Russia in 1818 and settled on the farm now owned by Jessie STONE. He died in 1842, at the age of ninety-three. Hiram RUST was born July 4, 1794, in Kent, Conn. October 11, 1822, he married Mary TAYLOR, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. Hiram RUST was a farmer and geologist. He died February 3, 1886. He married Mary, daughter of Samuel and Cynthia TAYLOR, early settlers in Russia. Mrs. RUST died October 11, 1888. William P. RUST, the son of Hiram, was born in 1827 and was a brother-in-law of Charles WOLCOTT, of the US Geological department at Washigton. He was also a geologist himself, having procured several of the best individual cabinet in Central New York. He sold a fine collection of fossils to the State and has sent a great many specimens to Washington. In politics he was a Republican. He was identified with all movements for the church and was a liberal and ernest Christian. Mr. RUST never married but his niece, Miss Jessie Sone, has been mistress of his home for several years. [ref #1, pg 190-1]

JAMES, Philip, who is a builder and merchant, also proprietor of a saw and planing mill at Grant in this town, was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1833. He came with his parents to Oneida county in 1840, worked in the Hinckley mills for eleven years and located in Grant in 1868. He was married in 1859 to Hattie FLANSBURGH, of Ohio, who died in 1865. [ref #2, pg 277]

LANKTON, Frank, son of John B. LANKTON, was born in this town in 1841, and was married in 1868 to Hattie, daughter of William G. GRAVES, of Gravesville. He was a clerk in the store of Henry BILLS from 1865 to 1877, when he was appointed postmaster at Gravesville. His grandfather, Elish, located in this county in 1798. [ref #2, pg 277]

MILLINGTON, S. R., M.D., son of Richard and Mathilda MILLINGTON, was born in this town in 1826, and graduated from the Geneva, N.Y., Medical College in 1847. He practiced medicine in Norway, N.Y., for thirteen years; located in Poland village in 1860; gave up the medical practice in 1872; engaged in the banking business, and is now cashier of the Poland National Bank. He was married in January, 1848, to Miss Ada R. WALKER, of Russia. She died in 1852 and he was married in May, 1853 to Miss Harty L. LAMBERSON, of Salisbury, N.Y. They have one son, Charles S., born in March, 1855. Mr. MILLINGTON was member of Assembly in 1860. He has also held most of the town offices, and been surgeon of the 34th regiment, National Guard. [ref #2, pg 277]

MOON, B. B., son of Abner MOON, was born in this town in 1829, graduated at Union College in the class of 1857 and was married in that year to Rosena, daughter of Ackland SALISBURY, of Norway, N.Y. They have one daughter, Mary E. Mr. MOON has taught school four years and held the office of commissioner of schools for one year. He is now a dairy farmer, located on the old Moon homestead, settled by Benajah MOON in 1802. [ref #2, pg 277]

MOON, W. W., youngest son of Jefferson MOON, was born in this town in 1842, and married Alice, daughter of Patrick McVOY, of Russia, in 1866. They have two children, James and Flora. He is the present supervisor of this town and is a farmer and cattle dealer. His former employment was teaching and lumbering, and for several years he was agent for the Cold Brook Union Store. [ref #2, pg 277] MOORE, Hon. orson, was born in Brookfield, Mass., in August, 1801. He taught school for several years, and located in this town in 1837. He has been supervisor of this town sixteen terms, and one term (1862) member of the Legislature from this county. His wife, Thirza, died in 1842, and in 1843 he was married to Miss Matilda SALISBURY. They were both daughters of Nathaniel SALISBURY, of Norway, N.Y. He has eight children. His grandfather, Thomas MOORE, was a lietenant in the Revolutionary war. [ref #2, pg 277]

NEWBERRY, Harrison Vail. Mary A. CARPENTER was born April 11th, 1830 at Cold Brook, N.Y., and married December 22nd, 1850, to Harrison Vail NEWBERRY, who was born July 1st, 1825, in this town. They have one son, Charles W. NEWBERRY, born October 23d, 1863. Mrs. NEWBERRY's early life was occupied in teaching in the different schools of the town. Mr. NEWBERRY is now proprietor of the Newberry House, at Cold Brook. [ref #2, pg 277]

ODIT, Augustus, Russia, was born in Switzerland, March 29, 1846, a son of Augustus who was a son of Franklin ODIT, a native of Switzerland, who had two sons and four daughters. He died in Switzerland. Augustus ODIT was born in Switzerland in 1812. He married Josephine, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary I. FLORAY, of Switzerland, and they had two sons and three daughters. In 1854 Mr. FLORAY and wife and Mr. ODIT and family came to America. Mr. FLORAY died in 1871 and his wife in 1889. Augustus ODIT was eight years old when he came with his parents to the United States. He has always followed lumbering. In 1877 he married Nellie B. BULLOCK, a native of Norway, born 1854, and a daughter of Ira BULLOCK, born in 1813, who had seven children. During the last six years Mr. ODIT has been engaged in the general mercantile business at Northwood, NY. He is a Democrat and has been postmaster for the last six years. [ref #1, pg 208-9]

POPPLE, Roswell H., Russia, was born in Russia, October 29, 1845, a son of James who was a son of William, a native of Rhode Island, born May 18, 1768. The latter married first Rachael FRINK, also a native of Rhode Island, by whom he had eight children: Zachariah, Daniel, Roswell, William, John, Amy, Lydia and Esther. Mr. POPPLE came to Russia about 1800 and settled one mile west of Grant, near the twin rock bridge. He was at one time assessor, and died in Russia, April 13, 1856. He was offered land where Utica now stands (then a vast swamp, with one log cabin on Corn Hill) at $2.50 per acre. His second marriage was with Catherine TOMPKINS, of Norway, by whom he had one child, James. His second wife died June 8, 1852. James POPPLE was born August 20, 1817, and his life was spent on the farm settled by his father. He married Ann Eliza GARLOCK, born in Montgomery county, March 9, 1816, a daughter of Philip GARLOCK. Their children were Ann Elizabeth, Emily, Matilda, Roswell H., Lydia, Louisa, William and Alma Eliza, all now living. Mr. POPPLE followed surveying for many years. In politics he was a Democrat, and for many years was assessor and constable. He died March 13, 1868, and his wife March 24, 1880. Roswell H. is a farmer, a Democrat, and one of the leaders of his party, always taking an active part in elections, and has been inspector, census enumerator, school trustee, and is now secretary of the Grange at Grant, No. 692. For the past five years he has been agent for Listers, of Newark, N.J., the largest manufacturers of fertilizers in the country. February 2, 1882, he married Diana (RATHBURN) GRAY, daughter of William GRAY, an early settler of Remsen, Oneida county. Mr. POPPLE and wife had four children; Annie, Lydia, Willie and Charles. Annie, the only one living was born June 17, 1883. July 2, 1889, Mrs. POPPLE died, and July 30, 1890, he married second, Jennie, daughter of Caleb NICHOLS, a son of Morey NICHOLS, an early settler of Remsen. Caleb married Ellen HUGHES, and had a son and a daughter. They live in Remsen. Mr. POPPLE is a Democrat and has been inspector of elections. He was drafted in the late war, but did not serve on account of disability. He is a member of Grange No. 692 of Grant. The father of the subject, James, was the most reliable surveyor of these parts, and his lines and maps are now eagerly sought for. [ref #1, pg 82]

PUTNAM, J. M., was born in Newport, N.Y., in 1837, and is carriage painter by trade. He went to California in 1857 by the overland route; returned to Washington, D. C., in 1861, and was appointed sutler of the 2nd U.S. cavalry. After the war he returned to this county and is now proprietor of the grist and saw mill at Poland village, having located here in 1873. He wa married in 1865 to miss Emma E., daughter of S. R. VINCENT, of Norway, N.Y. [ref #2, pg 277]

READ, Erastus, was born in Deerfield, N.Y., December 18th, 1808, and located in this town in 1844, since which time he has been engaged in dairy farming. He was married in 1839 to Caroline A., daughter of John RUSSELL, of this town, who located here in 1808. They have four sons, R. E., Daniel G., George C. and John D. [ref #2, pg 277]

RHODES, B. F., was born in Hampshire county, Mass., in 1825, and came to this town in 1876. He is a manufacturer of button molds, in which business he has been engaged for the last eighteen years, consuming 30,000 feet of maple lumber annually. He was one of the Mill River sufferers in Massachusetts, in 1874, and his son-in-law, Mr. Groves COLLINS, by his prompt action at that time saved several hundred lives. [ref #2, pg 277]

RHODES, Thomas T., was born in Chesterfield, Mass., in 1833. In 1866 he purchased of D. P. VINCENT his box factory and put in machinery for the manufacture of saw and plane handles. He employs ten men, and uses 60,000 feet of beech logs annually. His present wife was Miss Ella FRENCH, of Massachusetts. His father, Jacob, was a native of Marblehead, Mass. [ref #2, pg 277]

RUSSELL, John, was born in Greene county, N.Y., in 1811. His early life was spent in Schoharie county as a farmer and merchant. He was married in 1831 to Maria BURCHARD, who died in 1865, leaving him four children. He was married in 1868 to Mrs. Mary LAGRANGE, of Albany county, N.Y. In 1869 he purchased the Trout Pond Hotel in this town which he has conducted since that time. [ref #2, pg 277]

SEAVEY, E., was born in Bradford, Vt., in 1812, and came with his mother and two sisters to this town in 1818. He learned the bridge building and carpenter trade when young, which he still follows. He was married in 1834 to Miss Ann SPERRY, daughter of Stephen SPERRY, of this town. They have two sons, George K. and Jerome L. Mr. SEAVEY was appointed postmaster at Russia village in 1873. [ref 32, pg 278]

SLOCUM, Sidney, was born in Cambridge, N.Y., in 1807, and came with his father, Samuel, to this town in 1809, and located northwest of Russia Corners. He was married in 1836 to Mary A., daughter of Jesse PAYNE. They have eight children. When a young man he worked for W. BURRELL, of Salisbury, for several years. Since 1837 he has followed farming, and also dealt in horses and cattle. [ref #2, pg 278]

SMITH, Allen and Alexander, are farmers, and own four hundred and fifty acres of land. Duncan SMITH came to America in 1824 from Argyleshire, Scotland, and located in Elm Flats in this town. He died in 1871 in the eighty-fourth year of his age. Allen SMITH was born in Scotland in 1822, and Alexander in this town in 1829. Allen has served this town twelve years as commissioner of highways, and four years as assessor. [ref 32, pg 277]

SPERRY, Frederick. Mrs. Sarah J. SPERRY, daughter of Abner MOON, was born in 1836, and married in 1858 to Mr. L. PLUMB, of Lewis county, N.Y. He died October 20th, 1864, leaving her with two sons, Frank S. and Sidney A. She married her present husband, Frederick S. SPERRY, in 1871. He is a son of Pitkin SPERRY, a pioneer of this town. Mr. SPERRY is a sawyer by trade. He served in the army for four years, and returned to Russia in 1869. [ref #2, pg 277]

STILLMAN, Dorsey. Mrs. E. G. STILLMAN, daughter of Daniel GAY, and widow of the late Dorsey STILLMAN, was born in this town. Dorsey STILLMAN was born at Unadilla Forks, N.Y., in 1830. His father, Abel, was born in Rhode Island in 1798, and located in this town in 1836. He was a machinist and inventor, and engaged in the manufacture of "Stillman's patent saw set". In 1864 Dorsey became sole proprietor and conducted the business until his death in 1870, since which his sons, Charles A. and Edgar H., have conducted it. [ref #2, pg 277-8]

Saw Set Patent of Abel Stillman


All pictures are courtesy of Robert Oehman


SWEZEY, Alanson, was born in this town October 27th, 1833, and is a farmer on Shongum flats. He was in the mining districts of California from 1853 to 1857. He was married in 1862 to Mary, daughter of William CARUTHERS. They have one son, Jerome. Alexander SWEZEY's father, Ahimas, was born in Newport, N.Y., and his grandfather, Richard, was born in Long Island, and located in this town with other pioneers where M. S. SMITH now lives. [ref #2, pg 278]

TAYLOR, Professor J. W., A. M., is a native of Lenox, N.Y., and was born in 1807. In 1841 he received the degree of A. M. from Union College, and in 1845 was appointed by the regents of the university curator of the State cabinet of natural history, which position he held for five years. For several years he gave annual lectures throughtout the State, on geology and natural history. He was married in 1865 to Miss Mary C., daughter of Jenks BENCHLEY, of Russia. They have one son, Gerrie B. TAYLOR. [ref #2, pg 278]

WALTERS, J. N., was born in 1824, and married in 1853 to Mary E. KIESINGER, of Oswego county, N.Y. They have two children, William J. and Charles F. Mr. WALTERS is a millwright by profession; he superintended the construction of the Russia Gang Mills in 1849, and has been general superintendent of the Gang Mills Lumber Company of Hinckley and Ballou. He has served his town as supervisor for four terms. He is also dealer in Iowa and Minnesota lands. His father was one of the pioneers of this town. [ref #2, pg 278]

WHEELER, Ephraim, was born in this town in 1811, and married in 1845 to Almira, daughter of Minden HARRIS, of this town. They have two sons and two daughters. Mr. WHEELER was in early life a school teacher. He has served his town as assessor and supervisor, and is now an enterprising farmer. His father located in the west part of this town in 1808. The WHEELER family were originally from Holland. [ref #2, pg 278]

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History of Poland, NY

: http://newport.ntcnet.com/~pcs1/local.htm

Our Area's Proud History
Poland Village is located in the foothills of the Adirondacks approximately 12 miles north of Utica at the intersection of Routes 8 and 28. This land area remained primeval forest until about 1800. From this area we find portions of what was known as Hassencleaver's Patent, Walton's Patent, and parts of the Second and Third Allotments of the Royal Grant in the townships of Newport and Russia.
The Royal Grant was a tract of land acquired by Sir William Johnson from the Indians in 1760 and confirmed by the English Government in 1767. It contained 66,000 acres and lay back of the lands already granted. It was bounded by the Canada Creeks on the east and west. The northern boundary was a straight line from one of the creeks to the other, which now passes between the towns of Norway and Ohio.
In 1772 a county was created which was called Tryon, after the Governor of that time. Later, because of his Tory activities, it was changed to Montgomery in honor of General Montgomery. This county was a vast territory. In 1791 Herkimer County was formed but not as we know it today. In 1791 Herkimer County reached north to the St. Lawrence River; and even as late as 1804, the western boundary appeared indefinite. A map given to the Herkimer County Historical Society indicates that the western boundary was the Mississippi River.
About 1800 the water power along the Cold Brook stream attracted attention and settlement began. The "State Road" was surveyed in 1806 and opened to travel in 1808. This fixed the location of Salisbury, Norway, Cold Brook, and Russia. It was over this road from Albany and Dolgeville (then called Brockett's Bridge) that the chains are said to have been carried to Sackett's Harbor during the War of 1812. The troops passed over this road as well as over the road on the other ridge, from Herkimer and Mohawk Valley through Newport, North Gage and on to Trenton. This road from Newport was a much traveled road. At one time mail came by stage from Newport to North Gage. The Coffin Inn, located between Route 8 and Newport on North Gage Road, was a stage coach stopping place. The county, as it now exists, fixed its boundaries in 1817. What we know as the town of Russia was at first a part of the town of Norway, but was separated from it April 7, 1806. It was known as "Union" until, in April 1808, the name was changed to Russia. While there has not been any direct evidence found, European affairs might even then have influenced this part of the world.
Poland has previously been known by several names. For a time, it was called "Maple Valley" and "Russia Flats". Later, it was changed to Danielsville due to the extensive land holdings of Nathum Daniels. The name, being likely to be confused with Dansville, was changed by Joseph Benchley (postmaster at the time) to Poland because, like Poland in Europe , it is in the southwestern part of Russia. The early history of Poland is closely bound with that of several neighborhoods near here. Russia was settled by people from New England; and among the early settlers, we find the names of Millington, Squires, Smith, Moon and Buck. Swezey Hill was settled by people from Long Island. Names of the first settlers include: Daniel Swezey, Silas Beebe, Samuel Newberry, James King and William Truman. Brayton's Corners was settled by people from New England and here we find the names of Brayton, Martin and Haskell among the first settlers. It is interesting to note that in some of these neighborhoods still reside descendants of the first settlers.
Russia was settled by people from New England, and in 1800 Samuel Wright owned most of the land where the village now stands. The first brick house is said to have been built by Mr. Bishop. There are many interesting stories told of the pioneer days. One of these stories has to do with Jonathan Millington. He came from Vermont to Russia in 1791, cleared a small plot of land and returned to Vermont where he married Susanna Buck. They later came to Russia to make their home; their house was a simple log house. As in any pioneer country, neighbors were far away. Imagine how she must have felt to look out one day and see her parents who she had not seen for a year. They brought her a prized gift, a pane of glass. Up to this time, they had not glass in their windows; and knowing it was difficult to get supplies in a pioneer country, her parents had carried the glass all the way to her. Their youngest daughter married William Buck, and it created amusement to have her take up the name her mother had discarded.
Mr. William Buck came to this part of the country in 1827 and stayed the first night at the tavern of Stephen Smith, which stood at the top of Buck Hill. He later purchased the Millington farm and later the farm at the top of the hill. Mr. Buck was always interested in and active in the affairs of Poland.
Among the early settlers in this vicinity were the Braytons. The Brayton family came from Connecticut to Fairfield about 1800 and soon after came to what is now known as Brayton's Corners (then called Luthers). The Brayton's were good businessmen as well as successful farmers. Their judgment and advice were sought in many lines, and they held positions of trust and responsibility in the town. In 1885 Mr. Warren Brayton, a grandson of the first settler, Stephen Brayton, was elected President of the Bank of Poland. Mr. Brayton then remodeled the house on South Main Street and moved to Poland where he and his family resided. Mr. and Mrs. Brayton were public spirited, and their influence as well as that of their family has done much to bring about the high quality of the community. They contributed in many ways to Community, Church and other progressive activities.
Among the pioneers in this locality were: Nathan Burwell, Samuel Wright, Ebenezer Newman, Michael DeGroff, Jesse Brayton, George Arnold, Silas Beebe, Samuel Giles, Moses Mather, Amos Beebe, Jenks Benchley, Nahum Daniels, Daniel Jones, Jacob Schermerhorn and his sons, Uriah (also known as Reyer) and Cornelius, James Trask, John Gorton, James Dexter and the Terry family.
The Schermerhorns first located on the bank of the West Canada Creek not far from where Kenneth Hines (Kanata Saddlery) now lives but across the road. Here was erected a mill on the creek near where the Blue Anchor Cabins now stand. This family brought some Negro slaves with them from their home on the Hudson, and these slaves were allowed to raise whatever they desired on the island on the creek. There was a ford just below the island. The road up Schermerhon Hill was put through in 1812, and the Schermerhorn family moved. Reyer built his house at the top of the hill in 1812. This was the first frame house in that part of the country. Jacob H. built his house at North Gage, across the road from North Gage Church.
In 1890 Poland was incorporated into a village with the following officers: Charles Bowen, President; W. A. Brayton, W.B. Woodhall, and F.G. Larned, Trustees; Lyman Buck, Treasurer; Milton Howe, Clerk.
Today the village of Poland has approximately 600 residents and has a grocery store, a mini-mart, a car dealership, a branch of Fleet Bank, a broom factory, and one service station. There are also a number of smaller retail and service businesses in the village and surrounding areas. The school district also encompasses the village of Cold Brook which is located just north of Poland. The District contains a large portion of the Adirondack Preserve which offers many recreational opportunities in all seasons.
In addition, the Greater Utica area is within twenty minutes driving time, offering a wide variety of cultural and educational facilities. Among them are Utica College, SUNY Institute of Technology, Mohawk Valley Community College, Herkimer County Community College, the Stanley Performing Arts Center, the Utica Symphony, the Utica Zoo, the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute and the Children's Museum.
There are also many other colleges within a short driving distance.
Churches of several denominations are located within the district and surrounding area.
Utica has three large shopping malls and numerous retail stores. The City of Rome which is also within a short distance is the home of Revere Copper.
Today the Poland area remains primarily rural and has no major industries. Most residents commute to work in the surrounding communities of Rome, Utica, Herkimer, and Ilion. The District is part of the Kuyahoora Valley and is rich in New York State and American History.

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Early Herkimer County History

Herkimer County was erected from Montgomery County February 16, 1791, and, as first formed, embraced an enormous territory. The boundaries as given were: "All the territory bounded north by Lake Ontario, the River St. Lawrence and the north bounds of the State, easterly by the counties of Clinton, Washington and Saratoga; south by the counties of Montgomery, Otsego, and Tioga." Many counties and subdivisions of these counties have been taken, but even now it has an area of 1,370 square miles, with such a distribution that it extends from the Adirondacks to the Mohawk.
It has a north and south dimension of 83 miles, making it the longest county in New York. Hamilton thrusts into the side of this line a corner which divides the area roughly into halves, which correspond somewhat to the differences in the two sections of the county topographically. North of this corner the surface is mountainous, wild, much of it being denuded forest land, rocky, sandy or thin, ill suited to regular agricultural uses. There is still some of the timber left, and parts of this area are much frequented by summer campers. Lakes are numerous; hills are picturesque and healthful.
The section south of the angle is that which is the seat of most of the industries and population. The Mohawk divides this southern part, and the nearer one gets to the river the more one is in a fertile farming country where dairying interests are manifest everywhere. The character of the land and the training of the early settlers made of this section a cheese district. As early as 1785 this industry was started and in 1800 small quantities of this article were being exported. By 1826 the business had spread to nearby counties, and in 1830 a cheese trade with England had been established.
The specialty of the county was due not only to the fitness of the land for such purposes, but more because of the fitness of the people who inhabited it. The first permanent settlers of Herkimer were Germans from the Lower Palatinate, who, escaping from their own country, were left destitute in England. They were shipped from that country to settle on the "Hudson's River," that they might be useful in the production of naval stores and act as a frontier barrier against the French. They became dissatisfied with the Hudson conditions and emigrated to Herkimer region. Three of these companies of Palatinates arrived in New York before the end of 1722. Some from all three had come into the county before 1725. Governor Burnet had already, July 9, 1722, secured some of the lands from the Indians to grant to these immigrants. Probably the first settlements of the new-comers were made during the years 1723-24, near the present towns of German Flats and Herkimer. The Revolution scattered the most of the colonists. The "Burnetsfield patent," a document often referred to in the land deeds of today, was dated April 30, 1725, and names 92 of the Palatines to whom land was granted. There were 46 lots on each side of the Mohawk River, those embracing the villages of Ilion and Mohawk being of uniform shape and size.
The granting of lands to poverty stricken immigrants seems very liberal, but does not appear in so good a light when it is realized that the settlers were set alone among the Indians, and were to be the buffer against the French. In 1757 they had to bear the shock of the French and Indian war. In November of that year a band of Canadians and their Indian allies swept down on the little fort at Oswego, captured it, and immediately hurried down the Black and Mohawk rivers and massacred the inhabitants of the section on the north side of the Mohawk near the present village of Herkimer. A full account of this and later wars are to be found in other chapters of this work. To one interested in the events of the early Revolution, particularly those which took place in this section, the account of battles along the Mohawk, especially those in which General Herkimer defeated the forces of St. Leger's on the Oriskany near Utica on August 17, 1775, preventing his juncture with Burgoyne, will bear reading. This engagement was one of the severest of the Revolution, numbers being considered.
With the coming of peace, came also a resettlement of the Herkimer district, in which many New Englanders had a share, and the establishment of industries and means of transportation. The thin line of travel wormed its way through the Mohawk Valley as the easiest route westward. The first State road through Herkimer was from Albany to Utica, constructed in 1794. The Mohawk was naturally the first means of handling heavy freight, although the rapids at Little Falls interfered badly. This difficulty was overcome by the building of a canal around the rapids in 1797. Some of the masonry of these old locks is still in a fair state of preservation. In 182O the Erie Canal was complete, superseding the Mohawk, and in the late thirties the Utica and Schenectady Railroad increased the transportation facilities.
Villages were being founded everywhere, great sections of Herkimer's original territory were being taken to form other counties, and the county had subdivided its area into towns. Only by separate consideration of the divisions can we get a grasp of the history of the whole. The oldest village in the county is Herkimer, incorporated April 6, 1807, with a population of 300.
Provided courtesy of Richard Frisbie and Hope Farm Press and Bookshop, Saugerties NY http://www.hopefarm.com
Source: History of New York State 1523-1927; edited by Dr James Sullivan c.1927

FRENCH'S HERKIMER COUNTY

Part 3

HERKIMER COUNTY

from the

GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

by J. H. French

Published by R. Pearsall Smith
Syracuse, N.Y. 1860

RUSSIA (1) -- was formed from Norway, as "Union", April 7, 1806. Its name was changed April 6, 1808. A part of Wilmurt was taken off in 1836. It lies on the W. border of the co., N. of the Mohawk, its N. part extending into the border of the great northern wilderness. Its surface is rolling and moderately hilly, and on the W. descends abruptly to the valley of West Canada Creek. The hills are 800 to 1,000 ft. above the Mohawk. West Canada and Black Creeks flow W. through the N. W. part, the former forming a part of the W. boundary. On it are some extensive lumber works.
(2 ) Trenton Falls, upon West Canada Creek, is on the W. border. The soil is sandy loam and clay. Russia, (p.v.,) in the S. part, contains 2 churches and 140 inhabitants; Gravesville, (p.v.,) in the S. W., a church and 20 houses; Poland, (p.v.,) near the S. line, a church and 179 inhabitants; Cold Brook, (p.v.,) in the S. E., a saw set factory, cheese box factory, gristmill, and 218 inhabitants; Booth, (p.o.,) on Black Creek, a church, grist and saw mill, tannery, and 10 houses. Prospect is a hamlet, and contains __ sawmills. The first settlement was commenced in 1792, by Stodard Squires, from Conn.
(3) The first religious meetings (F. W. Bap.) were held by Rev. Benajah Corp.
(4)1 This town contains a part of the third allotment of the Royal Grant, portions of Jerseyfield, Remsenburgh, and MachinŐs, and the whole of Lush's, Marvin's, and Jacob's Patents.
2 Hinckley and Ballon have an extensive sawmill, planing mill, blacksmith shop, trip hammer, and edge tool manufactory, employ 100 men, and turn out work to the amount of $80,000 annually.
3 Jonathan Millington, from Vt., ___ Smith, Farley Fuller, Geo. Taylor, Roscum Slocum, ___ Austin and Son, Wm. Buck, Jeremiah Smith, Jotham Carpenter, ___ Coon, and others, settled soon after; and, in 1794, many others came in. The first marriage was that of Farley Fuller and Minerva Smith, in 1794; the first death, that of a son of ___ Allen, and the second, that of Waite Robinson. The first school was taught by ___ Morehouse, at Graves Hollow, and another, about the same time, by ___ Steuned. The first inn was kept by Jotham Carpenter, the first store by ___ Swintburn, at Graves Hollow, in 1797. The first sawmill was built in 1797, and the first gristmill by Benj. Hinman, the same year. A cotton factory was built at Poland some years since.
3 The census reports 4 churches in town; M. E., Presb., Union, and Univ.