This town at first, owing in a measure to the unhealthiness of the location, was not very rapidly settled, but as clearings were made, and improvements extended, its settlement increased with greater celerity.
As the flourishing village of Baldwinsville, and its rise and progress constitute what have been the principal business events connected with the early history of this town, we shall in a measure confine our remarks to the village and vicinity.
This important village is situated in the towns of Lysander and Van Buren, on both sides of the Seneca River, five miles west of the outlet of Onondaga Lake, about twelve miles north-west from Syracuse, and in point of business, wealth and population, ranks next to it. Its name is derived from its founder, Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin, who commenced operations here in the spring of 1807; at which time it was named "Columbia," which name it bore until the establishment of a Post Office in 1815, when the name was changed by the Post Master General (in consequence of there being another Post Town of the same name in the State) to "Baldwin's Bridge." But the name Baldwinsville, being preferred by the inhabitants, it was substituted by the Post Office Department, which name it has since continued to bear.
The site of that part of the village located on the north bank of the river, was selected as a desirable place of residence by Mrs. Baldwin, in 1797, while the family were on their way to Ovid, Seneca County, by way of the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake and River, Seneca River and Cayuga Lake, to their newly selected home. At that time this was the only route of communication between the eastern and western portions of the State. Mrs. Baldwin, having left her comfortable home at Little Falls with regret, was assured by her husband that he would purchase the first place on their route, which she might select. On their way up the placid waters of the Seneca, rounding into the charming bay now just below the village, on a clear autumnal morning, they were charmed with the delightful prospect here presented. Every thing wore the air of solitude, yet there was something, after all, exceedingly attractive in the scene. They gazed upon it with admiration, and Mrs. Baldwin involuntarily exclaimed, "how beautiful;" then addressing herself to her husband, remarked, "if our property lay here, remote from settlements and lonely as it is, I should be willing to stop and take up my residence for life." That day was employed in getting their boat over the rapids. Their leisure time was spent in examining more minutely the prospect they had so much admired in the morning. The result was, that both were confirmed in their first impressions relating to this charming spot. The following night they lodged with a Mr. McHarrie, who had then settled on the south bank of the river, some forty rods above where the dam now joins that shore. From Mr. McHarrie, Dr. Baldwin learned who was the owner of the favorite lot on the opposite side of the river. The following year, (1798), Dr. Baldwin went to Philadelphia to the owner and purchased it; since which he and his descendants have continued its owners. After residing a few years at Ovid, he sold his property there and came to Onondaga. In the mean time, settlers had located in different parts of the town of Lysander, and north part of Camillus, now Van Buren, and finding themselves in need of mills, and knowing McHarrie's rifts to be an excellent water power, these scattering settlers assembled, drew up a memorial, and sent it on by a strong delegation, in the spring of 1807, to Dr. Baldwin, then residing at Onondaga, urging him, in the strongest terms, to improve his water power in the erection of mills upon those rapids. He had contemplated doing this at some future period, but not so soon by five or six years. Finally, yielding to entreaty, he resolved forthwith to enter upon the work. He immediately collected a number of laborers and mechanics, and proceeded at once by way of Onondaga Lake and Seneca River, (there being no roads,) to the place of destination. Previous to this, he had made arrangements for the erection of a suitable log cabin for himself and workmen, but upon arrival, he found only a couple of large cribs, without roofs or floors. The site of these structures was on the bank of the river, at the point where the canal above the pond leads from it. They were soon converted into comfortable dwellings. This double cabin was one of the first erected in this part of the town.
Supposing that a small stream, which empties into the river just below the site of the old lock, would, with the addition of so much water as might be thrown into it, by a race and wing dam extending into the river, be sufficient to drive his mills, he commenced the erection of a grist and saw mill at that point. All hands applied themselves most assiduously to the work, and every thing moved prosperously on, till about the middle of August, when what has since been known as the sickly season, commenced. Within one week every mechanic and laborer was attacked with a malignant fever. Not one escaped, except a Revolutionary soldier known as "Uncle Bill Johnson," (recently deceased,) and Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin. These were the only persons who left Onondaga in the spring in health, who did not fall victims to that disease. The log cabins were converted into hospitals, and the whole time of those who escaped, was taken up in attending upon the sick, and burying the dead. The work was of course for a time suspended, but as soon as possible a new set of hands were employed to prosecute it, and before they had been engaged a fortnight, every man was attacked with this direful disease. The season was now too far advanced for further operations, and the work was abandoned till the following spring, when it was again renewed with vigor, and before the sickly season again returned, the mill, race and dams were all completed. But here a new difficult arose. A mistake had been made in the level; the water would not flow into the race, and the only supply was to be obtained from the small stream on which the mills stood, which at some seasons of the year was limited and precarious. Thus situated, he resolved to push his dam across the river, and at once set about the work. It was again suspended on account of sickness among the workmen, and it was not till late in autumn that Dr. Baldwin finished his dam, saw his race supplied with water, and his mills in successful operation. Desirable as this object was, it did not compensate for the personal sacrifices already made. Although but the second year since the first blow was struck, the settlement had already assumed the appearance of a log town in the wilderness. Many succeeding years the same difficulties were experienced. The same malignant disease visited this favorite spot, and many were brought by it to premature graves.
The Seneca River, being a public highway, and much used as such, it became immediately necessary to provide for the passage of boats around the dam. Dr. Baldwin therefore constructed a canal and lock for that purpose. In 1808, he petitioned the legislature for permission to erect a dam, locks and a canal, at that point. The State having previously transferred its title to the "Inland Lock Navigation Company," could not with propriety grant privileges to Mr. Baldwin. He thereupon purchased of said company, their right and interest to all the waters, between the outlet of Oneida River and Cayuga Lake. In 1809, the Legislature granted his petition for such erections and improvements. Indeed, such was the difficulty in ascending those rapids, and danger in descending them, and so great had been the loss of property on the hidden rocks in the channel, that it was considered by the State and the Company, very desirable to have the improvements made, inasmuch as the company long before had ceased to expend money for the improvement of those waters. This right was granted to Dr. Baldwin, and his assigns, for twenty years. The collection of certain tolls was authorized upon all boats passing through said canal and locks. At first the amounts collected were small, but with the growth of the country and increase of business they increased, and in time would have repaid the outlay, had to the State changed its policy and taken the entire subject of internal improvements, under its own control. The completion of the middle section of the Erie Canal, rendered nugatory the business of the original routes, since which this canal and the locks have been only a bill of expense, instead of affording revenue. In 1809, the dam across the river was swept away by a heavy spring freshet, and such was the nature of the damage sustained, that it became necessary to erect a new dam, which was not completed till the following year, when six saw mills under one roof were soon after put in successful operation by Dr. Baldwin. He this year erected a toll bridge across the river under provisions made by statute, upon the site now occupied by the free bridge.
About this time, a new grist mill of enlarged dimensions was erected by Dr. Baldwin, near the site of the present woolen factory. The same was afterwards converted into a woolen factory, and was subsequently burned down. He used his efforts successfully to procure the laying out of the State Road, between Onondaga Hill and Oswego, and also the act to be passed, authorizing the construction of a turnpike from Westmoreland to Sodus Bay, and expended considerable sums of money in these enterprises. The village continued prosperous and flourishing until 1819, Dr. Baldwin being the main-spring of all its principal movements. The diversion of the business usually done on the Seneca River to the Erie Canal, seemed for a time to paralyze every interest, and the village continued to decline, until the growth of the surrounding country rendered its water-power more valuable; when new energies and new investments of capital, awakened new improvements; since which time, it has been steadily, if not rapidly advancing, and is now the most populous and flourishing village in the county. In 1819-20, such portions of the village as had not previously been sold, passed into the hands of Messrs. Stephen W. and Harvey Baldwin, the two eldest sons of Dr. Baldwin, by whom it is still held. These enterprising gentlemen made many improvements about the village, by rebuilding the toll bridge, enlarging the canal and locks, and rebuilding the dam. They also made extensive purchases on the Van Buren side of the river, laid out village lots, erected mills, and constructed a canal on that side of the river, and thus identified both sides in one common interest. Since 1807, saw mills have been erected almost without number. In 1808, Dr. Baldwin erected one with six saws and carriages. In 1824, Messrs. Start and Mott erected a mill with two saws and carriages. In 1826, Mr. James Johnson built a new mill with four saws and carriages, and Messrs. Stephen W. and H. Baldwin, a mill with a gang of fifteen saws. Start and Mott's mill burned down in 1834, and was re-built in 1847 by Richard M. Beach. In 1839, Thomas P. Campbell erected a mill with two saws and carriages. In 1848, Howard & Cook erected a mill with two saws and carriages. All these mills are furnished with buzz saws for cutting slabs into lath, and for other slitting purposes. Several grist mills have been built from time to time, but the best one was erected by Sandford C. Parker, in 1836-7. It is one hundred feet long by sixty feet broad, four stores high besides the basement; is calculated for ten run of stones, has six run in operation, and is capable of manufacturing two hundred barrels of flour, daily, besides custom grinding. There is an extensive woolen factory, called Kellogg's Woolen Factory, two tanneries, a set of planing machines and sash factory, two furnaces, two plaster mills, four carriage making shops, seven blacksmith shops, &c.
There are at present, (1849) over two thousand inhabitants in the village of Baldwinsville, seven stores, four taverns, seven lawyers, seven physicians, three clergymen, three meeting-houses for the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist societies.
A few years since, an attempt was made to effect a change in the name of the village; but the older inhabitants and early settlers who had been eye witnesses to the trials and hardships encountered and endured by Dr. Baldwin and his family, with a just appreciation of his services with a kind and grateful remembrance for his memory, with singular unanimity remonstrated against the measure, and defeated it.
The village was incorporated with the name of Baldwinsville, in 1848, under the provisions of the general law for village incorporations. There is not within our knowledge a locality, which in its early settlement, was attended with so many difficulties as this; and perhaps there is no village within our borders, where the improvements made by its first founder, have resulted in greater benefits to the surrounding country. A towing path on the north bank of the Seneca River, extending from Mud Lock to Baldwinsville, connects it with the Oswego Canal, and the rail road from Syracuse to Oswego passing through the eastern extremity of the village, is just completed. Having command of the whole volume of the waters of the Seneca River with a fall of ten feet, it furnishes one of the best sites for hydraulic works in this section of the country, and being surrounded by a country of great fertility and beauty, it must ever be a place of great and increasing importance.
Betts' Corners is a thriving little village in this town, with two churches, a tavern, one store, about forty dwellings, and the Lysander Post Office.
The town of Lysander was not fully organized until 1798, when the Supervisor, Mr. Asa River, who lived near Oswego, reported for the town, including the townships of Lysander, Hannibal and Cicero, the number of "fifteen" inhabitants, and the valuation of taxable property for the town was estimated at fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. Rice was supervisor till Hannibal was erected a town by itself. The old records of the town are not to be found. The records now in the Clerk's office, go no further back than 1808; at which time we find some of the principal town officers as follows, viz.: Elijah Snow, supervisor, and James Adams, Town Clerk; Henry Emerick, William Wilson, James Clark, Assessors. In 1809, Elijah Snow, Supervisor; and Cyrus Baldwin, Town Clerk. 1811, Elijah Snow, Supervisor; ___ Williams, Town Clerk. 1812, the same. 1813, Jonas C. Baldwin, Supervisor; ___ Williams, Town Clerk.
Dr. Baldwin opened a store at Baldwinsville, in 1807, and continued to 1813. Judge Otis Bigelow commenced selling goods in the village of Baldwinsville, in 1813, and still continues; he is now the oldest merchant in the county. John Hammill opened a store in 1816. Baker & Wallace, in 1816; Jonas C. Brewster, 1821; Luther Badger, 1823; Robins & Wells, 1832; Sandford C. Parker, 1835; John H. Tomlinson & Co., 1838; and D. C. Lusk & Co., 1846.
Reuben S. Orvis, commenced the practice of law here first, in 1816; Samuel H. Hammond, in 1826; afterwards, Cornelius Pugsley, and others. Dr. Jonas C. Baldwin, on his first arrival at Baldwinsville, practiced medicine when necessary, till other physicians arrived. Dr. Cyrus Baldwin, established as a regular physician in 1814; Dr. Silas Wallace in 1816.
Post Office first established at Baldwinsville, in 1815; Jonas C. Baldwin, P. M. He was succeeded by Stephen W. Baldwin, Otis Bigelow, Austin Baldwin, and Daniel T. Jones.
The first Presbyterian society at Baldwinsville, was organized in 1813, and an Episcopal society, styled Grace Church, in 1838. There is a Methodist church at Cold Spring, a Dutch Reformed at Plainville.
Some of the ministers at Baldwinsville, have been Rev. Mr. Davenport, in 1814, died 1821; Rev. Messrs. Wait, Moulton, Baldwin, Morrell, R. Salmon, G. B. Engle, Willett, Beach, Williams, Merwin, Brown, Wheeler, Walker, and others.
The first newspaper established at Baldwinsville, was published in the spring of 1844, by Samuel B. West, and entitled the "BALDWINSVILLE REPUBLICAN." In October, 1846, it was transferred to C. Marks Hosmer, and entitled the "ONONDAGA GAZETTE." Since the 26th of January, 1848, it has been conducted by Shepard & Hosmer.
The Seneca River is notable for its fish. Cat-fish are caught from ten to thirty-five pounds weight, each, and eels from one to six pounds, each; salmon were in former years abundant, but since the erection of dams across the Oswego River, this noble fish has entirely disappeared from the Seneca. Smaller fish are numerous and various in kind.
The year 1816, is memorable throughout the country, as "the cold year." It is said that frost occurred during every month. Crops were much injured and the Indian corn quite destroyed. That crop being the principal reliance of the Indian tribes in this vicinity, and with no provisions for the then approaching winter, they were in danger of being cut off by famine. Under these circumstances, a deputation of chiefs, from the Oneida nation, were sent to Dr. Baldwin, (they knowing him to be a man of wealth and benevolence,) to request him to furnish them with provisions for the winter. After some inquiries as to their necessities and number, Dr. B. agreed to furnish provisions for one-half of the nation. Early in the winter, therefore, they came on, about 250 in number, and encamped in a wood in the vicinity of the village, and near where the railroad now crosses the road leading to the new bridge, and remained there until the next spring, drawing their rations daily, like a small army.
This well timed benevolence of Dr. Baldwin, saved these destitute people from starvation; while the remainder of the nation were fed and carried through the winter by the charity of other individuals.
During the winter, Harvey Baldwin, (late mayor of Syracuse,) second son of Dr. B., being on a visit home, permission was asked by the chiefs to adopt him as their son, which request being granted, they assembled in grand council, and after great ceremony, such as is customary with Indians on occasions of this kind, gave him the name of "Cohongoronto," by which name he is still known among the Oneidas, and which interpreted, signified a boat having a sharp prow, constructed for the navigation of rapid waters, and which was intended as emblematical of the profession of law, in the study of which he was then engaged.
At Cold Spring, three miles east of Baldwinsville, are the remains of an old fort, circular in form, and enclosing at least, three acres of ground, with a gate way. When first discovered by the whites, it had a ditch about it, four feet deep, and an embankment outside and inside the ditch, the outside one being a little the highest. Trees of large size were found growing on the embankment, and also in the ditch.
At the time Dr. Baldwin constructed his canal, before referred to, many Indian relics, such as hatchets of stone, flint arrow-heads, pipes, &c., were found several feet below the surface, thus showing that this locality had at a remote period, been a favorite resort of the red man of the forest.
Statistics for the town of Lysander, taken from the census of 1845: Number of inhabitants, 4506. 392 subject to military duty, 1027 voters, 66 aliens, 3 paupers, 1186 children attending common schools, 23508 acres of improved land, 2 grist-mills, 13 saw-mills, 1 fulling-mill, 1 carding-machine, 1 woolen-factory, 5 tanneries, 1 Baptist church, 2 Presbyterian do., 4 Methodist do., 1 Dutch Reformed do., 1 Unitarian do., 21 common schools, 2 select do., 13 taverns, 7 stores, 4 groceries, 480 farmers, 11 merchants, 12 manufacturers, 198 mechanics, 10 clergymen, 9 physicians, and 3 attorneys.