The first settlers in and near the village, were Joseph Rhoades, Apollos King, Zara D. Howe, Caleb Green, Joseph Smith, Dr. Silas W. Park, Mr. Owens and the Bakers, all or nearly all coming from Chesterfield, Hampshire Co., Mass., in or about the year 1801.
Rhoades built a log tavern and kept a public house on the site of the present one. He afterwards moved to Marcellus, where many of his descendants are now living. Mr. Apollos King did not remain any great length of time; he settled one-half mile south of "The Corners," moving from there to Otisco. Howe settled near an ashery on the Caleb Green farm, and put up a frame to a house. He did not complete the house, but selling his improvements to Dr. Silas W. Park, he moved to Otisco. Dr. Park finished the building and lived in the same, during the remainder of his life, a period of 24 years. The house was standing in 1870.
Joseph Smith settled near the site of Dr. Elijah Park's dwelling; he was a farmer, lived here about 20 years and till his death.
Erastus Baker, the first of the family by that name who settled in this locality, came in 1801, with Stephen ("Ensign") Cole and Rhoades, and settled on the hill just west of the village. In 1805 Seth made a settlement joining Erastus on the West and Sydenham located to the north of him. Thomas, in 1803, settled one and one-half miles southwest of the Corners, in what is now called Sherman Hollow. The greater part of these lands remain in the hands of the Baker family to this day.
Joseph & Lemuel came in 1804, but made no permanent home; Joseph moving to Otisco, and died there. Lemuel went to the far West, and it is said was finally killed by the Indians in Texas, when hunting for his cows.
Orange King and his brother, (if at all connected with Apollos King, it was a very distant connection,) came from Chesterfield, about 1800. They settled one mile north of the Corners. There was another brother who settled one mile west of the Corners.
About the same time Gen. Isaac Hall came from Great Barrington, Mass., and settled one mile south of the Corners, on a soldier's claim. He purchased ten or twelve hundred acres, was the wealthy man of Pompey. It is said, that he brought into town with him half a bushel of silver dollars.
He gave his attention to the raising of stock. It was his custom to let to this neighbors, and to citizens elsewhere, cows, sheep, colts, &c., to double. He died about 1826 or 7, being worth, it was said, about 70,000 dollars.
Joseph S. Cole settled half mile south of Corners, came in at an early day, remained a short time, then went to Pennsylvania, afterwards returned to West Hill and died here.
The first and only licensed lawyer settling at West Hill, or village of La Fayette, was Samuel Baldwin, who had previously been located at Pompey Hill. He remained a number of years practicing his profession, afterwards went to Geneva and died, while living with his daughter.
The first resident physician at this village, was Dr. Silas W. Park, who settled as before stated on N. W. corner of Public Square. He cleared this Square of forest trees. He practiced medicine during his life-time. About 1814, Dr. Chauncey Williams became a partner of Dr. Park, which partnership continued for three years. He then moved to Otisco, where he remained three or four years, then moved to Adrian, Mich., where he died. One Dr. Squires came and made a residence of two years, and then left.
After Dr. Silas W. Park's death, Dr. Ward Bassitt, of Salina, came and made a stay of one or two years. He then went to Cazenovia, Madison Co. In 1825, Dr. Rial Wright came and remained one and a half years. At this time Dr. Elijah Park, son of Dr. L. W. Park, who had previously studied medicine with his father and uncle, bought of Dr. Wright his ride, paying him $150.00 for the same. Dr. W. went to Pompey Hill, and, as a partner of Dr. Jehiel Stearn, practiced medicine in that village and vicinity for many years. Dr. Elijah Park has remained in the village and is to-day, (1872,) in the practice of his profession. Dr. Lyman Rose was a resident physician in the village for many years prior to his death, which occurred in 1867.
Lemuel Smith, father of Rev. Marcus Smith, was the first blacksmith settling at West Hill. Coming about year 1800, and remained till his death, 1817. His shop was located on site of the church. His anvil was situated near the spot where now stands the pulpit in the church.
Morris Clapp, brother of Mrs. Silas W. Park, came and settled as a blacksmith, in 1818. He worked here at his trade, 45 years. He died in 1870, aged 76.
Nathaniel Stearling, a carpenter and joiner, settled on farm now owned and occupied by Luther Baker. He built the Baptist church at Pompey Hill, and the church now standing in this village. The latter part of his life was spent upon a farm. He died in Connecticut. He was connected with, and was a leading man in the church, and in educational matters.
Before Stearling, James, Asa, and Joseph McMillin, brothers, carpenters and joiners, settled about one mile N. E. of Corners. Joseph and James built the first framed hotel, and the one now standing in the village; Stoughton Morse being landlord. The first hotel was built of logs, and James Higgins was landlord; this was in about 1808. The McMillens remained many years, finally selling, moved away and died in different localities West and South-west.
Dorus Porter, a cabinet maker, from 1820, lived in the village; was Deacon in church, now lives in Michigan.
Ansil King was a tanner and shoemaker at the Corners, for many years, a prominent man as a mechanic.
Caleb Green owned and gave half of the lot now used for a public square, Erastus Baker giving the other half.
Ansil Smith, Chas. Jackson, and General Hall were Justices of the Peace. (The latter a number of years) before the division of the township. Col. Johnson Hall, son of Gen. Hall, was sheriff and member of State Legislature. He was a merchant at West Hill, carrying on a very extensive trade.
The first merchant was Stoughton Morse, the tavern keeper. Had a little store the first at the Corners, in connection with his hotel, in 1805. Then followed Ansil Smith, as merchant, till 1812 or 14. During the war of 1812, Smith run a distillery, bought cattle for troops, sending stores of provision to Sackett Harbor, and to Granadier Island. After the war, Judge Hall was the merchant of the place.
Amos Palmeter settled one mile south of La Fayette Square, at about 1803. He had a pig pen covered with logs to protect the pigs from the bears. At a time when he had a lot of pigs in this pen, one of the logs happened to be moved so as to leave an opening; and in the night the squealing of pigs aroused the family; but Amos was afraid to go out. His wife took an axe and went to the pen, and seeing a bear coming out of the opening, she gave him a blow, and pulled the log over the hole. She then took a fire-brand in her hands, and went south through the woods, three fourths of a mile to a Mr. Johnson's, and had him come to help dispatch the bear. But, opening the pen, old Bruin was found dead from the blow she had already given him. This story illustrates the courage and pluck of our grandmothers in those days. Not, however, a very good story for Amos, we think.
In Sherman Hollow, the first settlements were made in 1793.
Among the first who located here were Solomon Owen and James Sherman. They built, in 1795 or 8, grist and saw mills. The saw mill built by them is still in good working order.
Mr. Sherman was father of Dr. J. De Blois and Joseph Sherman. The first was at one time a prominent physician at Pompey Hill. The latter a Justice of the Peace from 1830 to about 1840.
In 1794, Reuben Bryan, Amasa Wright, Samuel Hyatt, James Pierce and Amaziah Branch, settled in this hollow.
The last named, was the first school teacher at this place and at La Fayette Village. He died at Dr. S. W. Park's of nightmare, in about 1818. He is said to have been one of the good men of the earth. He was poor, but well educated. He came from Massachusetts.
In the north part of Sherman Hollow, were John Houghtaling, William Haskings and Comfort Rounds, located as early as 1792.
The first white child born within the limits of the town, is said to have been Amy Wilcox. Born in 1791.
Chas. Johnson, a blacksmith, has carried on business at Sherman Hollow for about 50 years; and he is still at his forge working as industriously as ever.
Updated 24 April 1998