TOWN OF ASHFORD

Transcribed October 2000 by Art Burch and Laura Greene
submitted by PHGS member Mike Henderson

This town embraces all of township 5 in sixth range, except three tiers of lots on the south side, and that portion of township 6 in the sixth and seventh ranges, east of Connoirtoirauley Creek, and south of Cattaraugus Creek.
The northern boundary is Cattaraugus Creek, which separates it from Erie County.  On the east it is bounded by Yorkshire and Machias; south by Ellicottville and East Otto; and west by the last-named town, from which it is separated in part by Connoirtoirauley Creek.
It is nearly the centre border town of the county, and is drained by Cattaraugus Creek, and Buttermilk and Connoirtoirauley Creeks, which are its tributaries, and flow in a northwesterly direction.  In the southern portion of the town the hills extend in ridges in a northerly and southerly direction, and attain an altitude of about 300 feet.  From many of these elevations the waters of Lake Erie are plainly visible.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
It was not until 1816 that any portion of the domain now included in the town of Ashford was contracted to actual settlers, but during that year, contracts were issued by the Holland Land Company to William and George SHULTIS, of Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y., Andrew FRANK and David OYER, of Herkimer County, N. Y., and Benjamin RHODES and Marsena BROOKS.  From this time the settlement of the town commenced and immigration was rapid.  Henry FRANK, a native of Philadelphia, of German descent, was one of the first settlers in the town of Frankfort, Herkimer Co., and in this year came in with his wife and two sons, Andrew and Jacob H., with their wives.  Andrew contracted for 100 acres on lot 56.  In 1817, Jacob contracted for 100 acres on lot 71, afterwards known as the NEWKIRK farm.

Henry FRANK, the father, was a scout in the Revolutionary army.  Andrew was a soldier in the war of 1812.  In his family occurred the first death in the town, that of a daughter, Phebe, Aug. 30, 1818.  In the family of Jacob H. FRANK, the first child was born, a daughter, Elizabeth, in 1817.  The descendants of these FRANK brothers are living in the town and are numerous.

William and George SHULTIS, from Columbia County, took possession of their lands, on lot 36, where Russel COSTER now lives.  On this farm was an old beaver-dam.  About thirty acres were without timber.  They here built a log house, and cut a wide slashing entirely around this open space, but soon removed to the north side of Cattaraugus Creek.  The log house was used for many years as a stopping place for travelers on the road.  The SHULTIS brothers took the contract for opening the road for the Holland Company, that was in the early years known as the “Shultis Road," which extended from Springville to Cattaraugus Creek, on lot 65 and through lots 65, 58, 51, corner of 50, 43, 42, 16, 15, 14, 21, 29, and 36, when it entered the town of Ellicottville, through which it passed to the village of Ellicottville.  This road was opened about 1818, was but little used, and entirely abandoned in later years, following, however, nearly the route of the present road through the eastern part of the town.

Marsena BROOKS, from Hampden County, did not settle in the town until about 1822.  He remained till about 1829, when he removed to Ellicottville, and from thence to Ohio.

Benjamin RHODES soon settled, lived in the town until a few years since, when he removed to Springville and lived with his daughter.  David OYER married Mary, a daughter of Andrew FRANK, located land in 1816, but did not settle until 1819, when he came in, traveling the last eight miles through the wilderness from Springville, and took possession, with his wife and two children, Peter and Elizabeth, of lot 56, where Andrew P. FRANK now lives, and built the first saw-mill in town, on Connoirtoirauley Creek, in 1826, near where Peter ELLIS lives.  He was elected one of the first commissioners of highways and overseers of the poor, in 1824, and was supervisor in 1830-31.

Augustus VAN SLYKE, from Herkimer County, married a daughter of Andrew FRANK, and came to this town in 1819, with his wife and two children, and settled on lot 47.  He was instrumental in the organization of the first church in town, which was the Baptist.  No descendants are now living in Ashford.

Nathan SAUNDERS, a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Springville in 1816, and located 100 acres in this town, on lot 70, where James GOODEMOTE lives, and in 1818, with oxen and sleds, moved his wife, seven children, and household goods, built a large log house and barn, Lothrop BEEBE and others coming out from Springville to assist him in rolling up the logs.  He was one of the first overseers of the poor in 1824.  James, a son, soon after located 100 acres on lot 60.

John GOODEMOTE, of Kinderhook, Columbia Co., emigrated to this town and settled on lot 60, where Charles C. BIGELOW lives.  Baltus, his son, settled on lot 65.  Philip also owned land on lot 65, but settled on 60.
It is related of John GOODEMOTE that, in conversation with Nathan SAUNDERS concerning the education and well-being of the children, he said, “Mr. SAUNDERS, ve must puilt school-house for de Childers!  You oppinate me for drustee.  I oppinate you!  Den ve puilt de school-house and have de monies!"

Peter QUACKENBUSH from Montgomery County, emigrated with his wife and son; John (who is still living, and resides in Ashford Hollow), in the fall of 1819, and located 150 acres on lot 55, where Isaac BELLOWS now owns.  John H. QUACKENBUSH, his father, came in 1821, and built the first tavern in town, on his son's farm.  He was in the Revolutionary war, captured with his brother, David, by the Indians, and was taken west as far as Niagara, where they were exchanged and released.  While in captivity they were compelled to run the gauntlet.

Jacob HUFSTATER, of Herkimer County, located land, in 1818, on lot 1, township 6, range 7, where he lived in 1824.  Afterwards located on lot 75, in 1820.  In 1825, he sold out to Henry FRANK, the oldest son of Henry FRANK, Sr., and bought on lot 78, where his son, Jeremiah, now lives.  Michael HUFSTATER, a brother of Jacob, settled on lot 75, but did not remain long.  Michael C. HUFSTATER, in 1821, came in town and settled, lived here six years, returned to Herkimer County, and after a few years returned to the eastern part of the town and settled.

John HOLDRIDGE, Elijah PARMENTER, and Tristam DODGE were located on lot 53, and Asahel NYE, on lot 54, in 1819, and were there many years.  Austin PRATT, who married the daughter of John BEVERLY, in 1823, of Otto, was on lot 45, with Elias BOWER, in 1824.
Philip BONESTEEL and his son, Henry, settled in this town before 1820, where Nelson HUFSTATER now lives.  He was chairman of a special town-meeting, April 27, 1821, at the village of Ellicottville, and was justice of the peace.  In 1823 they removed to East Otto. 

Isaac WOODRUFF settled on lot 53 in 1820, and, was one of the first assessors of the town.

Anderson ROWLAND, in 1819, settled on lot 61 or 55, where ___ JOHNSON now lives.

Joseph T. and Norman B. CARTER, from Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y., in the month of March, 1821, came to this town and located a quarter section of lot 45, cleared off land, and kept bachelors' hall many years.  Norman B. built the first frame barn in the town, in 1823, where Geo. QUACKENBUSH now resides.  He was elected one of the first school commissioners, and was justice of the peace in 1834.  The first schools were taught in the town in the winter of 1832-23.  Norman B. CARTER teaching in the southern part of the town in a log school-house on lot 56, where Andrew NEFF lives; Daniel THOMAS, at “Thomas' Settlement," in the northern part.  In 1835, Joseph T. and Norman B. removed to Michigan.  Russel M. CARTER came in the summer of 1822 to visit his brothers.  In 1825 he returned and worked all summer, and located part of lot 45, and later, bought on lot 36, where he still resides, being the farm originally settled by Wm. and Geo. SHULTIS in 1818.

Jacob P. BARGY, from Herkimer County, was at Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812, and was poisoned by water from the wells in that place, with other soldiers.  In 1810 he married Dorothy Ann FRANK, a daughter of Henry FRANK, Sr., in the village of Herkimer, and came to this town in 1824, worked on shares the farm of David OYER, and afterwards bought on lot 62.  In 1830 he was elected justice of the peace.

Seth ALLEN came in the town in the winter of 1822-23, and built the first grocery-store in the town at Ashford Hollow, near the creek, where James HUGHEY lives.  He also built a log ashery by the bridge, and manufactured pearlash.  He afterwards purchased land on lots 68, 69, 73, and lived on lot 74; married Polly, the daughter of John GOODEMOTE.  He was elected the first town clerk and justice of the peace in 1832-36.

Jacob FRANK, son of Henry FRANK, Jr., settled on lot 48 in 1821, the 1st of April, and in that year worked at his trade as a blacksmith, opening the first shop in town.  His son lives in Ashford Hollow.

Frederick FRANK, also a son of Henry FRANK, Jr., owned land on lot 8, township 6, range 7, in 1824, and settled on lot 75, and is still living in the town.  Henry, his father, came in the next year, and bought out Jacob HUFSTATER.

John D. QUACKENBUSH, from Montgomery County in 1824, settled on lot 54, which James NEFF now owns.  He purchased 100 acres for $2.00 per acre, of the Holland Land Co.  The journey to this place occupied eleven days.  He built a log house with two openings, one on each side.  He packed an old trunk with provisions and clothing on leaving home, which served him also for a table.  His son, Peter QUACKENBUSH, lives on the GOSPEL lot.

Peter SAMPSON was a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to the north side of Cattaraugus Creek, with his wife and a large family of grown-up sons and daughters.  Sanford J. SAMPSON had located land on lot 29, township 5, range 6, in 1822.  In that year, Peter, his father, traded farms with John GOODEMOTE, who lived across the creek on lot 60, and came over on this side, and Gamaliel settled near him.  Peter was elected commissioner of highways in 1824, supervisor in 1825, again in 1832-33, and afterwards justice of the peace.  He early carried the mail from Buffalo to Olean, first on foot then on horseback, and finally by stage, and continued this position as mail-carrier and expressman until his death, which occurred Dec. 8, 1836, aged sixty years, and was caused by an accident in descending a hill near the Cattaraugus breakers.  His daughters married Wm. SHULTIS, Royal McLEAN, Charles C. BIGELOW, and Truman BEASLEY.

Griffin and David WILDEY, natives of Columbia County, settled near East Ashford in 1821; in 1822 he owned on lot 57, now in East Otto.  Griffin was on lot 57.  He assisted in clearing the spot where the jail in Ellicottville was built.  David settled on lot 58.  Amos and Daniel THOMAS settled on lots 58 and 59 in 1822, on what is known as “Thomas' Corners."  The first school-house in town was built here, and Daniel THOMAS was the teacher, school being taught the same winter in the south part by N. B. CARTER.  Daniel was school commissioner in that year.  Amos THOMAS lived where Emory BOND lives; the first town-meeting was held at his house.  In 1822, Ebenezer C. SHERMAN, of Vermont, located first 150 acres on lot 57; he was one of the first assessors, afterwards town clerk.  George ARNOLD settled early, and was a school commissioner in 1824, with N. B. CARTER and D. THOMAS.  Jeremiah WILCOX settled on lot 70 before 1824.  He was supervisor in 1834-36.

Timothy STEVENS, a native of Massachusetts, emigrated to Pike, Allegany Co., in 1823; to this town with his wife and five children, locating 125 acres on lot 57, in 1825, where he remained a year or two, then settled on lot 51.  His sons, Freeman, Andrew, and Thomas, settled in the town, the two latter living in East Ashford.

James FLAGG and Amos B. FULLER settled on lot 54, on Cattaraugus Creek, before 1825.

Job BIGELOW, from Vermont, and John BOND, from Massachusetts, settled in 1825.  BIGELOW on lot 47, where his son Oliver lives.  BOND, in the fall of that year, settled on lot 70, where Paul COOK lives.  He located on the bend of the creek, but lived up on the breakers.  J. P. BOND, his son, settled on lot 59.

Alexander SCOBEY came from Herkimer County, and settled, about 1822, on lot 6, East Otto, about one mile west of Dutch Hollow; was there seven years, and went to Ashford and bought the grist-mills of Peabody, which were two and a half miles southwest from Springville, and remained there thirty-five years, during which time he was supervisor of the town in 1848, and from 1850 to 1853.  Rebuilt the grist-mill and saw-mill dam, and sold to Loveland & Daggets in 1864.  He also built a bridge 185 feet in length, across the Cattaraugus Creek at that point, in 1862.  He is now a resident of Sandusky, in the town of Freedom, and is seventy-two years of age.

David R. UPON located on lot 39; Daniel M. COLE, of Vermont, located 100 acres on lot 46, and settled upon it the 16th day of November, 1826; Freeborn JOSLYN on lot 46, where Ezra BIGELOW now lives; Elder PROPER on lot 44, where Emerson WILTSIE lives.  These settled between 1825 and 1828. No record of Ezra, but Andrew Wiltse married Elizabeth Proper. They had daughter Clarinda Wiltse (b 28 Nov 1828) who married Charles Nelson Bigelow in 1842 in Ashford................ROD 2004.

The two tiers of lots on the east side of the town, except on Cattaraugus Creek, were entirely unoccupied before 1825.

Between 1828 and 1830, Solomon DAY, from Vermont, settled 100 acres on lot 36, where Philip WILTSIE; his son-in-law now resides.  His daughter, Mrs. WILTSIE, and son, Hodson DAY, are living in the town.

Albert WILLIAMS settled on lot 35, where his son, R. C. WILLIAMS, now resides.

In 1830, Nathaniel HOLLAND settled on lot 49; his son Norman on the flat by the creek.

Wm. RICE also settled on lot 49, where the saw-mill at East Ashford now is.  He built a saw-mill on the creek about the time he came in.  The settlement has long been known as Riceville, in honor of him.  Cyrus BELKNAP and John WILSON sold their lots on 48 and 50, about 1829, to Abel RICE, a brother of William.

On the hill southeast from East Ashford, Charles BOND, Freeman STEVENS, and Sullivan BOND purchased 200 or 300 acres on lot 16 in about 1832.

Lothrop BEEBE came to Springville in 1816.  As early as 1823 he was liable to jury duty in this town, having land at that time on lot 14, known as the “Beebe Lot," where West Valley now is, being the first to locate land in that part of the town.  But, did not settle on it, being then a bachelor in search of a wife, -- a search which occupied six years, but which, as he says, proved to have been time well spent, in view of the excellence of the helpmeet he found.  He finally settled, in 1837, in the northeast corner of the town, on lot 41.

Alden HYDE, John W. CROSBY, and Chauncy POND were all located on or near the creek at that time.  Abel HOLMAN and Lewis TRACY were below on the creek.

Johnson, Truman, and David BENSLEY were in the town in 1822, and settled on lot 74.  Johnson BENSLEY was the first supervisor of the town.  Truman BENSLEY was one of the first assessors.

Truman CRUMMELL, about 1826, settled on the same lot with Jacob HUFSTATER.

William WAIT, of Washington County, in 1810, came to Genesee with his wife and three children, settled there until 1830, when he went to Ellicottville and took up 120 acres on lot 21, and 120 acres on lot 22, -- the east side of both lots, -- they being situated in what is now West Valley.  There was no house or even shanty.  Three miles north, at Riceville, a little settlement had been started.

Lorenzo and Esek WAIT, sons of William, with a team of horses, a yoke of oxen, and their household goods, drove the first team through from Riceville to that place.  By chopping trees, rolling logs, and bridging streams with brush, they finally arrived and took possession, and immediately commenced building a shanty first, on lot 22, by rolling logs 12 feet high on one side and 8 feet on the other, roofing it with elm-bark cut 4 feet long, lapping the edges.  In the corner a pile of hemlock-brush was laid, on which their beds were placed.  After getting a habitation, they commenced chopping, and soon made a good garden.  The family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. WAIT, and Fanny, a daughter, came in, arriving at the home the 3d day of May, 1830. The shanty was 12 by 18 feet, and cooking for a time was done on the ground in a corner of the cabin, a piece of bark having been taken out at the top to let the smoke out.  After the garden was made and the family settled in the new home, Esek went out in the ravines and drew in fiat stones, and Lorenzo and his father laid up a large chimney, 8 feet square at the bottom, having one fireplace in the cabin, a hole having been cut through, and another fireplace outside.  In 1832 a log house was built, 18 feet by 20 feet and 16 feet high, adjoining the shanty and inclosing the other fireplace.

The next family that came in was Samuel HANAN, from the west part of Ashford, where he had been for several years.  He settled, in June, 1832, on a part of lot 13, locating 50 acres on the creek, where he built the first sawmill in that part of the town.
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