In early times the people from these southern towns, and from Homer, Solon, Cincinnatus, Marathon, &c., used to come down to Jackson's, Ward's and Sanford's Mills, with drays loaded with wheat and corn, drawn by oxen, to get their grinding done. These drays were made of the crotches of trees hewed out and boards pinned across. Ten bushels was considered a pretty large load to drag along twenty or thirty miles, on such a rude vehicle, with one yoke of oxen. The first store in this town, and at Tully Village, was by Moses Nash, in 1803. Previous to this, trading was done at Pompey Hill, and what is now called Truxton Village, where small stores had previously been opened. In 1805, John Meeker, one of the most extensive merchants in the country, succeeded Mr. Nash, and took the lead of business and trade in that part of the country. Nicholas Lewis opened a tavern in Tully village in 1802, and Jacob Johnson succeeded him in 1807; he was succeeded by William Trowbridge. The Hamilton and Skaneateles Turnpike was laid out in 1806, from Richfield through Brookfield, Hamilton and Fabius, to the outlet of Otisco Lake, thence to the outlet of the Skaneateles Lake. Lemuel Fitch, Samuel Marsh, Elisha Payne, David Smith, Elijah St. John, Comfort Tyler, Samuel Tyler, Thaddeus Edwards and Elnathan Andrews, were the principal movers in procuring the passage of the act of incorporation, and obtaining share-holders, and getting the road laid out, worked and finished. This enterprise opened through this town and others in its vicinity, a way of communication, which added essentially to the business and prosperity of the country through which it passed. It was not long before its advantages and effects were realized and appreciated. It gave a spur to business; it gave confidence to community, and the results which have flowed from it have been salutary and satisfactory. The first school established in town was kept in Timothy Walker's barn, and taught by Miss Ruth Thorp, in 1801. We see here what is not noticeable in every town, that a school was the first public object to which the inhabitants turned their attention, thus placing before their children the means of making themselves useful members of society and distinguished citizens. A log school house was erected in 1804, at Tully village, and was succeeded by a frame one in 1809. Others soon made their appearance in different parts of the town, and education in the common schools, with its multifarious advantages, has always been well appreciated, and from first to last has made commendable progress. From the commencement of the settlement of the town, religious meetings were held in several neighborhoods, at barns, and in cold inclement weather, at people's houses. It was thought no hardship in those days for a whole family to walk a few miles to meeting, father carrying the baby, and the elder children trudging along on foot, aided by the mother in crossing the small streams and muddy places. The Rev. Mr. Riddle, a Presbyterian missionary from New England, was the first clergyman who officiated in this town. A large proportion of the new settlers were of that way of thinking, bringing with them from New England, their high toned moral and religious sentiments and opinions, which were the ground work here in the wilderness, of their spiritual prosperity. The meetings of Mr. Riddle are represented by the few who yet linger here and were witnesses of is labors, and have sat under his teachings, as having been highly interesting. He organized a Presbyterian society in1804. It was organized anew under the Rev. Mr. Parsons. This society was kept up till about 1830, when it was discontinued, so that now there is no society of that denomination in town. A Baptist society was organized at an early period of the history of the town, with but fourteen member. Elder Abbot was their first spiritual teacher, and also Elder Rufus Freeman. Meetings were held in barns and at individual houses, till their new house of worship was erected in 1824. A Methodist society was organized in 1828 or 1829. Their first preacher was Elder Sayres, a circuit preacher, who succeeded well in his labors, and drew together very respectable congregations. He was succeeded by Elder Puffer, familiarly known, and to many perhaps better, by the title of "Old Chapter and Verse," for in his discourses he was remarkable for his numerous quotations of Scripture, never omitting the chapter and verse where they might be found. There is a Methodist church and society at Vesper, and a society calling themselves Disciples, in this town. The first Post Office was established at Tully, in 1815 or 1816, Mr. Nicholl Howell, Post Master. He was succeeded by William Trowbridge. Previous to this, mail matter was obtained from Preble Corners, then the central point in the town of Tully The first and earliest settlers received their papers and letters at Pompey Hill Post Office. Vesper Post Office established in 1827, William Clark Post Master; and Tully Valley Post Office 1836, George Salisbury, Post Master. It is said there is not now a single Revolutionary soldier or pensioner in town. The first grist mill in town was erected by Peter Van Camp, in 1810, about three miles west of Tully Village, and a saw mill at the same place and time. The number has since increased to three grist mills and eight saw mills. There is here an almost perpendicular fall, of about ninety feet, with only one break, which in high water presents a very beautiful and picturesque appearance. There is a swamp near the village of Tully, from which issue two streams, one of which flows south, being the head of the Tioughnioga Creek, the head waters of the Susquehanna, and Chesapeake Bay. The other branch flows north, forming the head of the Butternut Creek, flowing on to the St. Lawrence. Both these streams are of sufficient capacity for driving mills and other machinery, and are so employed. One branch of the Onondaga Creek rises in this town farther west, and the Tully lakes also find their way to the Susquehanna. The town is well watered by springs and brooks, has high ridges of hills on the east and west boundaries. But its valleys are extensive, rich and productive. Tully Flats are much admired for their beauty and fertility. This town is about eighteen miles south of Syracuse. In 1810, it had a population of about one thousand and one hundred inhabitants. At the organization of the town in 1803, the first town meeting was held at the house of Samuel Trowbridge, on the first of May. Phineas Howell was chosen Supervisor, Amos Skeel, Town Clerk, Jacob Johnson, Samuel Cravath, Solomon Babcock, Assessors, and Floyd Howell, James Cravath and Solomon Babcock, Commissioners of Highways; second and third years, the same were re-elected. Job L. Lewis and Moses Nash were Justices of the Peace 1808 to 1812. Mr. Nash afterwards moved to Indiana, became a distinguished man, and at a State General Election, came within one vote of being elected Governor of that State.
Amos Skeel first Justice of the Peace, 1803. Considerable matter which would properly belong to this town has been embraced in the town of Fabius, because from 1798 to 1803, Tully was a part of Fabius. Reader will therefore consider that those five years of first settlement, the two towns were one, and events identical.
According to the census of 1845, there was in the town of Tully:--
Number of inhabitants, 1,621; subject to military duty, 125; voters, 378; aliens, 13; children attending Common Schools, 435; acres of improved land, 10,909; grist mills, 4; saw mills, 5; carding machines, 2; woolen factory, 1; trip hammer, 1; asheries, 2; tanneries, 2; Churches--Baptist, 1; Seven Day Baptist, 1; Methodist, 2; common schools, 9; taverns, 4; stores, 4; farmers, 190; merchants, 4; manufacturers, 1; mechanics, 60; clergymen, 3; physicians, 3; lawyers, 1.