Early History
The territory now occupied by Jefferson county was once the hunting ground of the Indian and was located on a direct route between the Algonquin and the Iroquois tribes between whom there was continued warfare. Eventually the Algonquins were forced across the St. Lawrence into Canada and the Iroquois became the inhabitants of Northern New York. A Frenchman by the name of Aubert discovered the St. Lawrence river in 1508 and named all the surrounding territory “New France.” In 1534 Cartier ascended the river as far as Montreal, but attempts at colonization were unsuccessful. Probably, the first European to set in Jefferson county was Champlain in 1615, and shortly after this French priests traveled the St. Lawrence carrying their canoes around the rapids, and arrived at Chippewa Bay, which they called the “Lake of the 1000 Islands.” For the next 80 years missionaries labored along this territory to convert the Indians, but without much result.
Then came the American Revolution and in 1791 Alexander Macomb, acting as a land agent bought a tract of land in Northern New York as the “Macomb Purchase.” 30,000 acres of this tract was sold to James LeRay and this was divided into lots and sold to individuals. From this time on there was a flood of immigration into the Black River valley and Jefferson county was created in 1805. In 1804 Cadwalder Child, while surveying for LeRay selected Alexandria Bay as an eligible site for a port, and accordingly Mr. LeRay made a reservation of 1 square mile for a village which was laid out in 1818. The Town of Alexandria was taken from Brownville and LeRay and at that time Theresa was included in Alexandria. Our town was named Alexander after a son of James LeRay. (This son was a colonel in the Colonial army and was killed in a fight in Texas.) All early town records were destroyed by fire but it it known that James Shurtliff was the first supervisor, Nathaniel Goodell the first clerk, Ashley Tanner the first assessor.
Many Indian skirmishes
The river frontage and the islands of the St Lawrence, in the town of Alexandria were making history long before any other section of Jefferson County had ever been seen by white men. There were many Indian skirmishes, the affair at Cranberry Creek and the affair of the Sir Robert Peel, of which we are all familiar. The first improvement in the town was made by LeRay in 1811, when he had land cleared around Alexandria Center and erected a sawmill and a tavern at that point, probably because it would be about centrally located. Mrs. Herrick tells us, that she can remember the tavern and that it was pained red. There was a large room on the upper floor where meetings were held and in the very early days religious services were conducted there.
Sales of land commenced in 1816. Contacts were made payable in 7 years and required the owners to clear 1/25 of the land and build an 18 x18 square house the first year. The price was $3 per acre. Azariah Crandall was one of the first settlers, having the land of the present Claude House site. Anson Avery had the present John Spies site (if you will pardon a personal reference these men were my great grandfathers). A Mr. Barnes had a tract from which Barnes Settlements gets its name and a man by the name of Brown gave Brown’s Corner’s its name. (Then if I may use another personal reference- a third great grandfather of mine, William Overacker some years late purchased a tract of land in Barnes Settlement. From my great grandmother, whom some of you probably remember, I have been told of the hardships those early settlers had to undergo. The land was a wilderness- wolves ran wild- no conveniences and a log house to live in).
First school house in 1821
In 1821 the first school house was built in Alexandria By. It stood on the lot now occupied by the Reformed Church. Another school (a stone building) was later built across the way, and the old wooden grade school was built in 1884. The ecclesiastical history of the town is of interest. In 1823 the Congregational society was organized that soon ceased to exist. In 1827 the Methodists organized a society which has always been permanent. It was in the school house and the homes that the services of these Methodists were conducted by circuit riders who went from place to place on horseback. The Alexandria Circuit was formed in 1831 and comprised all preaching places in the Town of Alexandria and Theresa, and Theresa village was the home of the pastor, who was assisted by local preachers and elders among whom were a Mr. Carter and a Mr. Lewis, who was Mr. Ed. Lewis’ grandfather. The first Methodist chapel was built in 1839 at Alexandria Center (history says) but older residents say it was built at Brown’s Corners- bits of the wall are still standing there.
In 1849 the Methodist church was divided and a parsonage was built at Plessis for the pastor of this part of the circuit, which comprised Browns Corners chapel, Plessis, Redwood, Barnes Settlement, Bailey Settlement and Alexandria Bay. Services were alternated in Bailey Settlement and Barnes Settlement giving each a service every two weeks. Rev. Josiah Zimmerman was the first minister assigned to the new charge. The earliest Methodist record for the village of Alexandria Bay shows the following names registered: John Bolton, Mary Bolton, Catherine Grouth, Nancy Phillips, William Simpson, Henry Duclon, Nathaniel Freeman, Joseph Swan.
Plessis church built in 1860
In 1860 the Plessis Church was built and dedicated on October 24. Rev. Mattison of New York City preached the dedicatory sermon in the morning. (He was the great grandfather of Mrs. Ted Reynolds). In the evening Rev. Peleg Barker, a former pastor, then stationed at Morristown, spoke. (He was the grandfather of Fred Barker.) A year or two later the Browns Corners chapel was torn down. The lumber was transferred to the Barnes Settlement with the idea of building a church there, but a fire having destroyed the school house there, it was necessary to rebuild that, and as the residents could not afford to build both, the church services were held in the new school house. The chapel lumber was sold or given to individuals and we have a cupboard in our back kitchen made by my great grandfather Overacker from some of this lumber.
Reformed church organized
Meanwhile in 1846, Rev. George W Bethune of the Dutch Reformed church of Brooklyn while visiting in Alexandria Bay village recognized the need of a permanent christian organization there and a Sunday school was started by that denomination. In 1851 the church was organized with 18 members and Rev. George Rockwell was the first pastor and served for 22 years. After the construction of this new church, the members very generously offered the use of it to their Methodist friends and on Sunday afternoon or evenings Methodist services were held in the Dutch Reformed church.
Wm. Avery relates early Methodism
(From this point on I am speaking for my father.) I was the youngest of the four “Avery brothers,” born at Alexandria Center (the present Claude house farm) 80 years ago. My earliest recollection of religious life is of my father conducting family worship, offering prayer and reading a chapter of the Bible, at which everyone connected with our family must be present. Later, when I was around five or six years old I can remember being packed into the family buggy on Sunday morning at nine o’clock along with the rest of the family and driven to Plessis (of course I know I was taken to church before then, but I just do not remember). Arriving at Plessis church at ten o’clock I went into a Sunday school class, along with six or eight other little boys of about my age. We sat on a side wall bench and were taught by Mrs. James Dillon, Mrs. Georgia Putnam’s mother. Mr. Dillon was the superintendent and Mr. George Townsend, Mr. Charles Putnam’s grandfather was the choirster. At 11 the church service started. There was singing and opening formalities and then the minister spoke for one hour. During this time there was many an outspoken “amen” as the listeners agreed with things which their pastor said.
By 12:30 or shortly after the service closed, and then the old-fashioned class meeting convened which lasted for another hour. There was always a class leader, (an office held by my father, a great deal of time), who selected hymns, led in prayer and then asked people to speak, calling upon them personally if they did not really respond. But all were usually eager to talk and sometimes had to be asked to be brief or in extreme cases the leader would strike up a song, possibly only to have the speaker get up immediately and continue with his talk. I usually waited outside in the buggy while this service was going on. By 2:30 our family back home and ready for dinner. It was not unusual for father and mother to drive to Barnes Settlement or Alexandria Bay to attend another service later in the day.
Quarterly conferences were held four times a year with the presiding elder in attendance. The service was union for the churches of the town and started on Sunday afternoon with services in the evening and all day Sunday. Communion as held on Sunday morning and there was the “Love Feast” immediately before or after. In the summer these meetings were held outdoors in the Overacker woods in Barnes Settlement- adjoining the Cold Spring Cheese factory, where the gravel pit now is. I do not remember the “Red Tavern” nor the Browns Corners chapel- both being gone before my day. But I do remember the sheds of which were used in connection with the Red Tavern, as they were later used as a barn on the Giltz farm, now the Leonhardt farm. The first minister I can remember is the Reverend Peter Bullis.
Revival in Plessis in 1871
In the summer of 1871, he conducted a large revival at Plessis. People, who families came by the wagon loads- the men coming right from the fields in their working clothes. Of course, we were always there. This revival was an inspiration and greatly increased the membership and attendance- more than 200 “going forward” in the meetings. In October of the same year, the Rev. Bullis while assisting with a service in the Bailey Settlement broke into song and ended by bowing his head upon his hands and saying “Glory to God.” People in the service thought he was receiving the power of God as he slumped in his seat. But his soul had really taken flight in death. He left a wife and one daughter, Addie. His widow later married my uncle, Wesley Crandall, and his daughter married Foster Phillips. Judge Crandall Phillips of Watertown is their son. Rev. Ayers, more familiarly known as “Daddy Ayres” filled out Rev. Bullis; year. He was a large giant-like man with a loud heavy voice and very peculiar, emphatic ways. He was at our house quite often and I can well remember his bringing down a big foot with a thump and shouting “Ah’ Glory”.
One very stormy day during the winter he drove up to our house with his buck-skinned colored horse and asked father to go with him to Alexandria Bay. Father said he would be glad to go but he didn’t think they could get thru the snow. Daddy Ayres responded, “I know no such word as “can’t.” So father said they would go. About a mile down the road they tipped over in a snow bank. Father fell out and Mr. Ayres rolled on top of him. He said, “Glory To God, are you hurt?” Father said no, but they turned around and went back. When they returned mother couldn’t resist asking if he now knew the meaning of “can’t.” Another time father and my uncle were walking down the street in Plessis and as they met Mr. Ayres my uncle said: “One of the converts from last summer is backsliding.” The minister made to response but walked on singing “When the roll is called up younder I’ll be there.” The following spring when Conference convened Rev. William H Holbrook was assigned to Plessis charge. They became very close friends with my father and mother and very often at our home. Rev Holbrook was paid $700 annually, and then once a year, in the fall, a donation was held. This was a gala occasion. A supper was served to which all the families went and there was no set price of the meal- a person gave whatever he wished- the money went to the support of the church and the pastor. At this time gifts or donations of vegetables, meat, wood, groceries, etc. were brought and given to the minister. This, of course, helped with his living expenses, but it would not be unusual for him to have five or six hams at one time, and the same with other things.
Immersion held at Clear Lake
During Rev. Holbrook’s first year a wonderful outdoor Sunday service was held at Clear Lake. Many people were baptized and some were immersed. Mrs. George Haas, Mrs. Charles Haas’ mother, was one of those to be immersed. A day or two before these services, I well remember hearing Rev. Holbrook tell my folks that he felt very nervous and worried over the service as he had never performed an immersion ceremony. But the day was beautiful. My mother assisted the candidates to robe and they walked down the sand beach and out into the water, waist deep. Then with all ease the minister immersed the candidate and brought her out of the water. I can remember thinking that probably Rev. Holbrook was glad when that was over. (I was peaking with Mr. Haas a night or two ago and he tells me he remember this service, and that he remembers Mrs. Nancy Norton (Mrs. Nellie Hartman’s mother) being his Sunday school teacher at about this time.)
Camp meeting at Pine Plains
Another big occasion in those days was the Camp meeting, which took place at Felts Mills (now part of Pine Camp reservation), sometime in August or September. The meetings lasted for a week or sometimes longer. The Holbrooks and my folks went together. Father bought a nice little tent to take along for them to live in and tent, bedding, food, and people were packed into the wagon and early on Saturday morning they started out, taking my older brother with them to drive the horses back the following day, and promising that I might go with my brother when he went back for them. The week went by and finally Frank and I were on our way- a real thrill for me. The Camp grounds looked like a young village with white tents dotted here and there. There was a large platform constructed for speakers and singers and much good religious instruction was given. After the meetings people went to their tents for meals or rested or wandered about the grounds getting acquainted with new faces or visiting friends. Frank and I slept on some straw placed in one corner of the tent. The next day the meeting closed and we all drove home again- probably more or less spiritually uplifted. (By the way, that same tent came down thru the years, and when I was a little girl, Pop used to put it up in good condition and was sold one year ago.)
Local Methodist church erected
In 1874 Rev. Holbrook felt that the Alexandria Bay church was not thriving as it should and so started to hold special meeting every evening in the Reformed church. Unfortunate circumstances forced them to discontinue the meetings in the church, but they continued to hold services in the town hall for seven weeks. It was during this time that Rev. Holbrook announced that there would be a Methodist church erected in Alexandria Bay during the next year and that one year from the coming month of May services would be held there. For a start Rev. Holbrook raised $1,000 from outsiders and the church was built at a cost of $6,000. Subscriptions were made at the beginning of the building of the church and father signed $200. But when the building was completed money was still lacking and subscriptions were again asked for. Father paid another $200- money which he and mother had saved for a trip West to visit mother’s sister. I remember when they discussed what he had done that she said: “I’ll cancel the order for the coat and wear my old one. That will help with debt.” How many of us today would have that spirit of sacrifice?
Dedication day
The day of the dedication came, I wasn’t present, but our home was the scene of activity. Rev. and Mrs. Holbrook, Rev. I.S. Bingham, the presiding elder and Rev. Church, mother’s second cousin were at our house for dinner after the afternoon services. Then at night they all went back to Alexandria Bay for evening services, and again came home with my folks and stayed all night. I can remember all of them on their knees, before they retired, praying for the success of the new church. I like Rev. I.S. Bingham. He knew how to talk to little boys. Some five or six months after the dedication of the Methodist church at Alexandria Bay Rev. Bingham, after conducting a quarterly conference, came to our place and stayed and from there was going to LaFargeville. Father told my brother and I to take him there and so the three of us set out with a horse and buggy. The following Christmas , Mr. Bingham sent Anson and I a little red bible on the fly leaf of which was written our name and several bible references pertaining to children, such as, “Honor thy father and thy mother,” “Children obey your parents, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” This little bible has never been much used- for it was a gift from a presiding elder- something treasured for life.
The first trustees of this new church were Friend Freeman, Dan Springer, William Norton, John Burdick and Sam Miller. And after the building of this church the Bailey Settlement and Barnes Settlement districts were brought to Alexandria Bay and all people living on the main road between Alexandria Bay and the Center were transferred from the Plessis charge to Alexandria Bay. Now, the services were held every Sunday morning in Plessis church, and every evening in Alexandria Bay and alternated in the afternoon at 2:30 between Redwood and one of the country school houses. At the next annual conference Rev. T.P. Bradshaw was sent to the Alexandria Bay charge. During the summer months service was held in Alexandria By in the morning (To cater to the tourist, who was just beginning to arrive) but this proved most unsuccessful. At the next annual conference the charges were again divided and Alexandria Bay had its “first resident” pastor- Rev. S.M. Warn in 1876. About this time the sheds were built where the parsonage now stands.
Parsonage built in 1883
Around 1883 these sheds were moved to make place to build a parsonage. By that time, I had passed the “little boy stage” and was able to help with the work. The land where the 1000 Island Garage now stands was wet and marshy but we filled the ground with stone and moved the sheds into position on the back of the lot. Beyond the marshy land stood a house owned by Dr Cole which was moved few years ago and is the present Fred VanBrocklin home. Now, turning back a few years, I just want to mention Nathaniel Freeman, who was born in 1776- the year our Declaration of Independence was signed and lived to be 99 years of age. I remember going to the Freeman home with mother and seeing him- a white haired old man. Friend Freeman, his son acted as local preacher through the Town of Alexandria- a very staunch Methodist worker. He was the farther of the late Nathaniel Freeman and the grandfather of Clarence Freeman. Then there were Daniel Springer and Daniel Northrup- shouting Methodists of their time. It has been said that when Mr. Springer was praying he could be herd the distance of one-half mile. The first minister to pay off the accumulated church debt was the Rev. Jay Taft in 1880. The last minister to pay off the accumulated church indebtedness and who deserves much credit for his efforts, is our present pastor, Rev. Roger Williams. And thus, as the years have passed by, we have generally had good leaders; our church has had its good times and those that were not so good; but as time marches on we feel that in the future as in the past - there will always be Methodists and a Methodist church in Alexandria Bay.
Transcribed from 24 July, 2002 Thousand Island Sun Vacationer, Alexandria Bay, Jefferson County, New York.
Copyright 2009 Jefferson County NYGenWeb — a member of the NYGenWeb Project
Copyright 2018 Jefferson County NYGenWeb — a member of the NYGenWeb Project
If you have any questions or comments about this page, please contact,
County Co-Coordinator Nancy Dixon or
Co-Coordinator Bruce Coyne.