The first settlers came to Manlius in the late 1700's. Records show that several families settled in Eagle Village, just east of Manlius, prior to 1793. These families were farmers and found the rich soil and ample waterways, were ideal for farming and raising a family.

Most of these pioneer families stayed in the surrounding area, and either farmed, built and ran tanneries, were educators or many other types of businesses. Some of these early families were Stilwell, Callender, Jerome and Foster. They were mostly of English background, who came to America and originally settled in Gravesend, Long Island, today known as Coney Island. You will see streets named after these families there today. They then moved north through New England to Galaway, Saratoga County, after the Revolutionary war. This was a starting point to move west.

I will tell you about 2 families who settled in our area first. Ezekiel Callender and Elias Stilwell had taken their families to Gallaway and bid them farewell, as they were looking to the west for new lands to farm and raise their families. Both men left a wife and three children in Gallaway. Ezekiel Callender's wife Lois, was from another pioneer family, by the name of Jerome. The men stopped in what is now known as Eagle Village, where the land was rich and there was ample water for farming. This was just what they were looking for.

After settling there lands and building shelters, they returned to get their families. Some tragedy hit them. Ezekiel Callender died before he could return to Eagle Village and Elias's wife died. So Elias and Lois married, and along with the 6 children came west by covered wagon to settle in Eagle Village. Lois's family, the Jeromes must have traveled with them, as early history had them recorded in Pompey in the late 1700's. Her parents along with many brothers and sisters are buried in the Pompey Cemetery.

The children went in to many fields. There main occupation was farming, but some went on in other directions. Ezekiel Callender Jr. went to West Point in 1835, and retired as a Brig. General in 1879. Elias, Lonson and Roger Stilwell, along with their father Elias Sr., continued farming and also built and operated tanneries in Morrisville, Eagle Village and Manlius. The one in Manlius was on the property later acquired by the Cheney's for their foundry. Some of these early Stilwell's also ran shoe & boot stores in the area.

Note: Lois Jerome's brother Amasa, was Jennie Jerome's grandfather. He was a lawyer and lived on Franklin Street in Manlius.

Also note: Most of the early settlers are buried at the Manlius Cemetery. Lois Jerome Stilwell is buried with her son William and his family. The rest of the early Stilwell's are buried near by.