Willseyville
The information below is copied from The History of Willseyville and the Baptist Church, date and author unknown.
"Willseyville was first known as the Big Flat and also as the Cantine Location. Ezra Smith was one of the pioneers who founded a settlement by building a tavern near where the railroad later crossed the highway. Smith kept the tavern open until it burned in 1812.
Willseyville was named in honor of Judge Jacob Willsey who came from Fairfield in Herkimer County. The date of his settling here has not been learned, but the figures 1819 found on a brick in the chimney of the house he built might mean that was the time of his settling there. The property remained in his family for several years after his death.
Judge Willsey was identified with the important events of local history. His house was used and conducted by him for many years as a tavern.
As early as 1823 the first Masonic Lodge, Mount Olive, was formed with Jacob Willsey as Worshipful Master. Evidently meetings of the lodge were held in his house as the walls of two rooms were later found to be painted and decorated with Masonic emblems.
Then came the stage and the mail service with all of the hustle and bustle. Miles Mix and William Willsey were among the drivers. Often four horses were used if the load was heavy. As they were always driven at a fast pace, an exchange of horses was necessary. The horses were kept at the old half-way house."
"Willseyville was first known as the Big Flat and also as the Cantine Location. Ezra Smith was one of the pioneers who founded a settlement by building a tavern near where the railroad later crossed the highway. Smith kept the tavern open until it burned in 1812.
Willseyville was named in honor of Judge Jacob Willsey who came from Fairfield in Herkimer County. The date of his settling here has not been learned, but the figures 1819 found on a brick in the chimney of the house he built might mean that was the time of his settling there. The property remained in his family for several years after his death.
Judge Willsey was identified with the important events of local history. His house was used and conducted by him for many years as a tavern.
As early as 1823 the first Masonic Lodge, Mount Olive, was formed with Jacob Willsey as Worshipful Master. Evidently meetings of the lodge were held in his house as the walls of two rooms were later found to be painted and decorated with Masonic emblems.
Then came the stage and the mail service with all of the hustle and bustle. Miles Mix and William Willsey were among the drivers. Often four horses were used if the load was heavy. As they were always driven at a fast pace, an exchange of horses was necessary. The horses were kept at the old half-way house."
About 1869
The History of the Willseyville Baptist Church.pdf | |
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Named for Jacob Willsey. Who was Jacob Willsey, 1831-1860?
Entries are from his diary copied by Carol Willsey Bell and published in 1970 that is from the original in the possession of Gaylord Mead Willsey, Binghamton, NY, his great-grandson. Our copy was donated to the Candor Historical Society by Steve Truesdail.
From the introduction-
Willsey was born in Pittstown, NY in 1774. He married Sarah Hall in 1797. They had 9 children, 4 dying before reaching adulthood. Another, the only one born in Willseyville, died at 19.
Jacob earned the title, "Honorable", when he served as Justice of the Peace in Tioga County. He established the first post office in Willseyville in 1827 and was postmaster until 1846. He was a prominent businessman who built and operated a sawmill, owned and operated a general store and a tavern.
Parts of his journal, edited-
Oct. 13, 1831-William (his son) sold a wagon for a pair of oxen and $5.
Oct. 28, 1831-Mr. Clark sawed in the mill for a week. Paid him $3.
Nov. 6, 1831-Clark quit.
Nov. 22, 1831-Snow fell 1 foot deep.
Feb. 3, 1832-All hands went to Ithaca to see Clark hung.
March 26, 1832-Hired Almon Stevens for a year at $150 and he board himself.
June30, 1832-went to Ithaca. Great alarm about the cholera.
July 3, 1832-Hired Abm Willy 1 year for 100$.
July10, 1832-The cholera raging in New York.
Entries are from his diary copied by Carol Willsey Bell and published in 1970 that is from the original in the possession of Gaylord Mead Willsey, Binghamton, NY, his great-grandson. Our copy was donated to the Candor Historical Society by Steve Truesdail.
From the introduction-
Willsey was born in Pittstown, NY in 1774. He married Sarah Hall in 1797. They had 9 children, 4 dying before reaching adulthood. Another, the only one born in Willseyville, died at 19.
Jacob earned the title, "Honorable", when he served as Justice of the Peace in Tioga County. He established the first post office in Willseyville in 1827 and was postmaster until 1846. He was a prominent businessman who built and operated a sawmill, owned and operated a general store and a tavern.
Parts of his journal, edited-
Oct. 13, 1831-William (his son) sold a wagon for a pair of oxen and $5.
Oct. 28, 1831-Mr. Clark sawed in the mill for a week. Paid him $3.
Nov. 6, 1831-Clark quit.
Nov. 22, 1831-Snow fell 1 foot deep.
Feb. 3, 1832-All hands went to Ithaca to see Clark hung.
March 26, 1832-Hired Almon Stevens for a year at $150 and he board himself.
June30, 1832-went to Ithaca. Great alarm about the cholera.
July 3, 1832-Hired Abm Willy 1 year for 100$.
July10, 1832-The cholera raging in New York.