MEMORIES OF THE 



In our immediate neighborhood, the early settlers were the 

 ancestors of these well-known and numerous families, viz. : The 

 Risleys, Stedmans, Hitchcocks, Foxes, Pitkins, Blisses, Webbs, 

 Bartons, Gilmans, Lamsons, Bakers, Randalls, Gardners, 

 Mileses, Lowrys and others. All had large families, from six to 

 ten. None were too poor to raise plenty of children, who in 

 their turn followed the example of their fathers. The first two 

 generations stayed by their early homes and were content and 

 happy; then came railroads, the telegraph, and the era of dis- 

 content and emigration. 



A study of these old books revives one's memory as to the 

 personal traits and the peculiar characteristics, habits and his- 

 tory of the founders of these well-known families. They vividly 

 recall the successes and the failures, the good and the bad 

 fortune which have come to their descendants, and show 



" How they bought and how they sold, 

 How they got and used their gold." 



Father began the potash business in 1818 and carried it on 

 extensively for several years. It was the first concern of the 

 kind, was centrally located, and drew the ashes fromi a large area 

 of country from which the forests were being rapidly swept by 

 famous axmen. The business in those days, and for many years 

 afterwards, was almost entirely a barter trade. He bought 

 goods of jobbers in Rome and Utica, giving his notes for the 

 same, " to be paid in potash." These notes were exchanged for 

 ashes purchased from the people of the surrounding country, 

 and delivered either at the factory or upon their premises, 

 as agreed. The ashes were then manufactured into potash, 

 drawn to Rome or Utica, and delivered in liquidation of the 

 notes and in exchange for more goods. The labor employed in 



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