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and thus became the sturdy pioneer of the faith which he ever manfully upheld and earnestly championed. His amiable wife became a convert to his creed, and together they reared their children in its tenets. In a few years other Catholics settled in the county, yet it was a long time before a priest came to this section. In order to avail himself of the sacramental privileges of his church, he was obliged to go to Philadelphia, the nearest accessible point. Finally a priest was sent at intervals to visit Mr. Boyle, and for a period of more than forty years Mass was celebrated and other religious services held at Mr. Boyle's house. As other Catholics moved into the town, the congregation was so increased that a church was found to be necessary. Judge Boyle not only deeded a piece of land in the borough for this purpose, but contributed liberally towards its erection, and the Catholics of New Milford consider that to his exertions and liberality they are largely indebted for their present place of worship. And not alone in religious matters did his liberality find expression; the poor and oppressed ever found in him a friend. Patriotic in his love for the land of his adoption, he was ever solicitous for its welfare and progress. He died in the centennial year, at the age of seventy-seven, leaving behind the example of a life full of busy activity, and a record for integrity and honorable dealing second to none. He lies buried beneath the shadows of the little church he loves so well, his amiable and loving wife having preceded him many years before, dying at the age of forty-three, and leaving a void in the household never afterwards filled. Their children are: Timothy received an excellent education, and became an expert surveyor and draughtsman. In 1853 he was elected county surveyor, removed to Susquehanna, where he practiced his profession, and was also extensively engaged in the insurance business. He died at Susquehanna in 1873, aged fifty years. Two children survive him. Francis W. learned the carriage making trade when young. He afterwards purchased the "Eagle Hotel," which he conducted for several years, and was postmaster of New Milford from 1853 to 1861. In 1862-1865 he was engaged in the mercantile business at Susquehanna. He was appointed by President Johnson assistant internal revenue assessor, which office he held for two and one-half years. Returning to his native town, he erected, some years since, a fine residence near the old homestead, where he now resides. He has been a justice of the peace for the last ten years. He has been twice married and is the father of ten children, three of whom are deceased. Benjamin M. learned blacksmithing and when of age went to California, where he married and remained ten years. He then removed to Ottawa, Ill., where he engaged in the mercantile business, which he has successfully continued to the present time. He had eight children, six of whom are still living. Sophia J. was educated at the school of those thoroughly refined ladies, the misses White and Griffin, of Binghamton, NY. Before completing her studies she was summoned home by the illness and death of her mother. She at once assumed the care of the family, and remained her father's housekeeper until his death. She has never married--is now residing with her youngest brother, Dr. Boyle, of Susquehanna, who was but three years of age when the mother died. Ann Eliza was also educated in the same school with her sister, in Binghamton, and in 1861 entered the Convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at St. Joseph's and was known in religious life as Sister Mary Cephas. She possessed more than ordinary abilities, and during her short life in the convent she occupied the position of Superioress for a time at Pittston and also at Lebanon, PA. She died at Reading in 1867, aged thirty-one years, and her memory is revered by all the members of her order. John C. (1838-1849). Henry K. (1843-1874), after completing his education, at the age of nineteen, went to Ottawa, Ill., and entered the law office of Bushnell & Avery, and after completing his studies was admitted to the bar. He rapidly ran to a high rank in his profession, but his untiring energy and devotion to its increasing demands undermined his health, and in the summer of 1874 he sought the genial air of Southern California, hoping to regain it, but survived only a few weeks after reaching there. Alluding to his death, the Western papers thus speak of him: "Hon. Henry K. Boyle was one of the most talented young men that ever lived in Ottawa, and was universally esteemed for his sterling qualities of head and heart. His mental and legal attainments were of a high order, and through comparatively a young man, only thirty, he occupied a place in the front rank with the ablest lawyers in the State." He was mayor of Ottawa several years, and in 1873 married Linnie Carton, who, with a son, survives him. Julius J. (1846) commenced the study of medicine with Dr. D. C. Ainey in 1864, but the following year went to Ottawa, Ill., where he continued his studies with Dr. R. M. McArthur, of that city. In 1864-1867 attended Rush Medical College, at Chicago, and 1868-1869 completed his studies at the Buffalo University, New York, graduating there from and receiving his diploma in 1869. He located to Ottawa, and for five years successfully practiced his profession, and during that time was elected health officer of the city. His health becoming impaired, he sought the mild climate of California, where he remained two years. Returning to Ottawa with the intention of resuming his practice, he soon found that its malarial atmosphere was too much for his constitution, and he decided to seek the pure air of his own native hills of Susquehanna County. In 1872 he married Miss Cecelia Killelea, of Ottawa, Ill., and has two children, two having died in infancy. When the Medical Examining Board for Pensions was established in this county, Dr. Boyle was appointed one of its members. A local paper thus
speaks of him: "Dr. Boyle has resided in Susquehanna the past ten years, and has, by reason of his conceded skill, secured an extensive practice and attained distinction in his profession."
James Boyle, brother of the above mentioned pioneer, came later and purchased the opposite improvement of Benjamin McCarty, locally known as the Whitlock property, where he resided until his death, in 1857, aged sixty. He was a carpenter by trade.
The land throughout the valley was now all taken up, and the clearings of the different settlers were all united in one. A better style of buildings had taken the place of the early cabins and log barns, and though the wolves were still heard now and then far back in the woods, and an occasional wild cat was killed, prosperity began to prevail in the settlement, and the light of a brighter morning began to dawn. The line of forest was gradually pushed back to the base of the hills, from whence they sent back the jingling echo of the great old fashioned sleigh bells as Captain Leach drove through with his spirited team, or others passed over the turnpike, wrapped in buffalo robes and furs, on a pleasant pleasure drive or on their way to some distant point on business.
The principal days of amusement were the Fourth of July and the military parades, or "Training Days," on the second and third Mondays in May. Many of the older inhabitants readily recall the fun and festivities enjoyed by all in those early days, when the different companies assembled at an early hour for the duties of the day, when the participants enjoyed their work and the spectators were happy with the entertainment. Boys and young people regarded those days as holidays, and their approach was hailed with pleasure and delight. Peddlers and hawkers met the assembled people and made themselves conspicuous in the display and sale of their wares. Razors, knives and pencils were sold cheap, though when tested for use they often proved dear to the purchaser. The boys who did not manage to secure some flashy article on that day considered himself very unfortunate. Everything was enlivened by music, and rendered gay by scores of yards of red, white and blue, while the quick and heavy discharges of Harford cannon shook the ground, and sent its angry voice roaring through the forest, from hill to hill, like the deep toned notes of thunder. Mr. Boyle had a small cannon which was sometimes used on those occasions, and when the trainings were held at Captain Leach's, Berry Wellman used to carry it up there on his back, in the morning before daylight, for the fun of waking up the captain. Many who belonged to these early military companies here will remember the names of Captain De Witt, Captain Brown, Major Avery, Major Hammond, Colonel Bowman, Colonel Lusk and many more. The military history of New Milford in connection with the late war will be found in another place.
HOTELS.--The first hotel in the place was kept by Robert Corbett before the commencement of the present century. At that time his house and Benjamin Hayden's were the only dwellings in the place. A son of Joshua Sabin, one of the early settlers of Brooklyn, speaks of going through the woods from Great Bend to Corbett's tavern, while on their way to Hopbottom, in 1799, and of seeing a tame elk in the enclosure with Mr. Corbett's cattle. In the barn he saw an enormous pair of elk's horns standing on their points, the top of the inverted skull of which was more than six feet from the floor. Mr. Sabin, who was five feet ten inches in height, took off his hat and passed through between the horns, under the skull, which, as he stood erect, just touched his hair. At that early day guests at the lone tavern were not numerous, but with the cutting through of the roads, the number rapidly increased, and the keeping of a public house soon became quite a business. In 1802 or 1803 the Corbett property was purchased by Colonel Christopher Longstreet, who continued the hotel business for several years, when it was bought by Nicholas McCarty. The tide of western travel soon began to assume vast proportions, and the line of the old turnpike presented a busy scene in the constantly passing throng. Many private houses were turned into hotels, and even then they were often crowded with guests. Benjamin Hayden and several others were at length obliged to open taverns to meet the demands of the traveling public. "McCarty's Corners" soon became a famous stopping place, and its barns were nightly full of horses, and its yards crowded with long, white covered wagons of emigrants. His first license was granted by the Governor on the recommendation of the court of Luzerne County, January, 1807. "In the Name and by the Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" the right was given to sell "Rum, Brandy, Beer, Ale, Cyder, and all other Spirituous Liquors," but he was forbidden to "suffer drunkenness, unlawful gaming or any other disorders." Later the property was owned by Mr. Boyle, who conducted the business in a creditable manner for some years. It was finally purchased by P. Phinney, by whom it was remodeled and much enlarged, including the addition of a neat and commodious hall, where balls, shows, entertainments and meetings were often held, and the "Eagle Hotel" became known as one of the leading public houses in this part of the country. Though perhaps contrary to the true intent of the law, the elections of the township have, up to this time, always been held here. Situated midway on the main road from Susquehanna to Montrose, at its intersection with the old Newburg turnpike, it forms a sort of halfway house between these two important points, and receives a fair share of local patronage. A good livery is also connected with the hotel, and a free bus meets all day and evening passenger trains. It is one of the oldest public houses in Susquehanna County.
The "Jay House" was originally built by F. F.
Badger. Its history does not go back as far as the "Eagle Hotel," though its earlier days were soon enough to witness a host of travelers along this main thoroughfare, that had not yet taken to the railway. It was constructed somewhat like the present "Eage Hotel," with a hall attached, and was conducted in a similar manner. A good picture of this house was given on the right hand upper corner of the old county map, published in 1858. It was then known as the "New Milford Valley Hotel," E. Barnum, proprietor. Some time afterwards the business was conducted by a man by the name of Todd, later by Wm. Smith, and ultimately the property was purchased by William Jay. It was destroyed by the great fire in the spring of 1883, but was at once rebuilt on a much larger scale, commensurate with the increasing business of the place. It is a three story edifice, conveniently arranged, with all the modern improvements, and in regard to size may be classed with the largest hotels in the county. It is located in the center of the town, on Main Street, near the depot, and as a public house bears an excellent reputation. It is at present conducted by Charles Jay.
The "Delaware House" is a recent institution established near the depot by M. J. Crane.
EARLY STORES, SHOPS, MILLS, ETC.--For several years after the first settlement of New Milford there were no stores kept in the place, and the settlers were obliged to go long distances over rough roads to obtain the few necessary goods they could not get along without. Sometimes one of their number went to Binghamton, which was at that time little more than a thriving frontier settlement, or to Wilkes-Barre, which was then the county seat, taking with them a load of produce, and the required purchases were made. But a new settlers were arriving every year, it soon became evident that this lovely valley was destined to become a grand central point for the whole surrounding region, and a proper place to establish a mercantile business. The first store in the place was opened by William Ward in 1815, and, though he kept but few goods for sale, and those chiefly confined to staple articles, it was looked upon by young and old as a wonderful institution. At one time, before commencing his practice as a physician, Dr. Bingham tended store for him. From the first it seemed to be a success, but, like all successful enterprises, it did not remain long without opposition. Before the close of the first year James Edmunds and Captain Dean opened a store in one of the Hayden rooms, which was afterwards removed to the old red house near the lower end of the settlement, and within the next five years two or three more little stores were established; most of them did not prove to be permanent institutions.
About 1821, Henry Burritt arrived in the settlement from Newtown, Conn. He was at this time a young man of twenty-one. He formed a partnership with Harvey Griffing, who had lately come from Guilford, in the same State, and a small store was at once opened in a part of the residence now occupied by William T. Moxley. In 1824 the firm of Griffing & Burritt was mutually dissolved, and each continued the business separately. A short time afterwards Mr. Burritt purchased part of the McKenzie farm and built a store of his own, where he continued to do business all his life. The dwelling, a large framed one, had already been built by Mr. McKenzie.
In those days the most costly part of mercantile business was the transportation. Goods had to be hauled all the way from Newburg by horses and wagons. This slow and tedious process made goods very high; but it furnished work for a small army of men that are now obliged to seek employment in some other field of labor. Mr. Burritt was engaged in the mercantile business longer than any other man in New Milford. He opened one of the pioneer stores and continued the business nearly sixty years, witnessing, in the meantime, the progress of the place from a few scattered houses to a flourishing borough of nearly a thousand inhabitants. In all of his business transactions he was always very exact, strictly honest and competent. He died October 9 1878, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He widow died in 1882, in her eighty-first year. Their daughter Mary became the first wife of Dr. Latham A. Smith; Eliza became the wife of a Mr. Lea, and went to Binghamton. During his long mercantile career Mr. Burritt had many different clerks, several of whom are well remembered by older residents of this vicinity. Prominent on the list are the names of Ira Scott, John Badger, Lucien Leach, I. S. Little, Lewis McMillan and Samuel Moss. The last mentioned conducted his business many years, and after his death continued his calling for some time in the same building. He removed to the brick store that he now occupies in 1880, and opened a dry goods and clothing store.
Warner Hayden opened a store in 1827. The firm name was afterwards changed to Hayden & Ward, "merchants and inn keepers." In 1832 William Ward and son were in partnership. A small store building was erected near the present site of the town hall, and for a number of years business was continued here. Later the building was removed to the McCarty Corners, near the present residence of Charles Pratt, where William C. Ward located and kept a store many years. His sons, Lewis and William T., were active and efficient clerks. After their retirement the position was for a time filled by George B. McCollum.
Among the enterprising merchants of this place was C. C. Wright. He opened a store in the building afterwards occupied by the Haydens, and at once inaugurated a new era in trade and prices. He had for his clerk C. S. Bennett. Albert Moss established a store at an early day near the Episcopal Church, which was conducted for some years by his sons, Albert and Josiah. Years afterwards a general store was reopened in the same building by his grandson,
W. L. Moss. The building has lately been remodeled, and is now used as a private residence. Blacksmithing, of course, became one of the early necessities in the settlement, but for a limited time there was not a sufficient amount of work to demand a tradesman, and the sturdy pioneers managed to do their own work. One of the first regular blacksmith's shops in the place was built by Deacon Ichabod Ward on the spot where Burritt's shed was afterwards built. After Mr. Ward's death, Roderick McKenzie put a blacksmith's shop near where the town hall now is. He furnished the stock and Jacob Hartt did the work. Afterwards a blacksmith's shop was built by Amos A. Brant on the corner near the Episcopal Church, where the business was successfully carried on for many years. Other shops were erected by different parties, as the progress of the place demanded, and the principal part of the work of the surrounding settlements soon centered here.
A shoe shop was early established by Albert Moss, and boots and shoes were made and mended. The business was also carried on, more or less, in other places. Mr. Moss also built the first tannery in the place, and tanned his own leather. It was small, but it served the purpose for the time, and as his means and business increased, he built a larger establishment with a stone basement. Superior work was now done, and with increased facilities the tanning and currying business was carried on quite extensively. The recollections of many among us revert back in happy memory to the days when the old red tannery formed a conspicuous object in the growing village. It was twice burned, but the stone basement remained, and now forms part of the large tannery of J. H. Safford. Warner Hayden also built a small tannery on the flat near the creek. A sawmill was owned here by Newton Hawley early in the history of the settlement. It was built on the same spot that the Johnston mill occupied in after years; and in pioneer days, when good timber was plenty, a large amount of sawing was done. It was owned at one time by Captain Dean.
PROGRESS OF THE VILLAGE.--The place had now begun to assume the appearance of a thrifty little village, and its natural facilities offered inducements to new enterprises of greater magnitude. It had long been considered one of the most central points in the county, it was readily reached from all directions, and for a time there was talk of making it the county seat.
In 1841, Dr. Latham A. Smith came here from Brooklyn, and shortly afterwards commenced practicing as a physician. He still resides in the place, having had a very successful practice for about forty-five years.
EZRA A. PRATT.--About the year 1632, William Pratt, a young Englishman, arrived at Cambridge, Mass. He came from Hertfordshire and was the sixth child of Rev. William Pratt, who was the grandson of Thomas Pratt, of Baldock, Hertfordshire, who died in February, 1539. William Pratt bore a name which has been enrolled high among the records of the British Empire, and he was the progenitor of the Pratt family here. In 1636, with Hooker's company, he went to Hartford, Conn., and, about 1645, he thence removed to Saybrook, Conn. In 1661, he was "established lieutenant of the Saybrook Band," having previously taken part in the destruction of the Pequod Indian fort at Mystic and the annihilation of their power as a tribe. Lieutenant William Pratt was a man of considerable note in the colony. He became a large land holder in Saybrook and the township of Hebron, and represented the town of Saybrook in the General Assembly for thirteen years, and until his death, in 1678. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Clark, and had eight children. Through Captain William (1653-1718), the fifth child of Lieutenant William Pratt, and his wife, Hannah Kirtland, their son Benjamin, born 1681, and Anna Bates, whose son Zephaniah (1712-1758) and Abigail, his wife had two children, we come to Zadock Pratt (1755-1828), who was a soldier of the Revolution and was made prisoner by the British at the battle of Long Island. He married Hannah Pickett, born 1755, who bore him seven children. In 1783, he moved into New York State, settling after a time at Windham (now Jewett), Green County, where he died.
Of his children, his son, Colonel Zadock Pratt, became known as the founder of Prattsville, NY, and was a member of Congress during five sessions. He was the owner of the largest tannery in the country and was an active business man. One of the sons of the last named, Colonel George W. Pratt, was a gallant soldier of the Union during the late Rebellion, and fell while leading his regiment to the charge at the second battle of Manassas. The eldest son of Zadock and Hannah Pratt, Ezra (1788-1875), was born at Stephentown, NY, and early engaged in the tanning business, and, during a number of years, carried it on successfully at Jewett, NY. He married Hannah Dickerman (1790-1856), and they had the following children: Hannah Louisa (1813-1886), was the wife of Benj. C. Miles, a retired tanner at Deposit, NY; Ann Eliza (1815-1879), married Levi Bailey, a farmer, of Great Barrington, Mass.; Cyrus Walter (1818-1866), was a tanner in Lewis County, NY, and hide and leather merchant, New York City; Ezra Augustus; Adaline, born 1821, the widow of Eri D. Pond, formerly a commission merchant of New York City, resides at Bergen Heights, NJ; Ogden (1823-1859), formerly a partner with his brother, Ezra A., at New Milford; Theodore (1825-1847), was a school teacher; George, born 1827, a retired tanner, lives at New Milford; Martha Dickerman (1827-1871) was the wife of Rev. Dr. C. D. Buck, of the Dutch Reformed Church of Middletown, NJ; Francis D., born 1831, a retired tanner and merchant, formerly doing business at Nicholson, PA; and Marietta (1834-1864), who married Rev. Thomas S. Ward, the Presbyterian
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Stocker Centennial History of Susquehanna County
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